Disclaimer: GrimGrave does not own any of the characters of their respective franchises; Metroid and Legend of Zelda belongs to Shigeru Miyamoto and Nintendo, while Soul Calibur belongs to Namco Bandai. GrimGrave does not make money for writing fiction.

Finally back with these again! I do apologize for the long wait, but it's been a lot going on and at times I didn't even feel like writing… Those of you who have waited patiently; good for you, and thank you for your patience! I like you!

As for the rest of you who kept hounding me and reviewed my other stories just to complain etc. – Not so much. Not even by a tiny little bit.

A Hylian's Harem

Chapter 13

The Way to His Heart

Link's face was pale with horror as Aveil was suddenly dragged down beneath the water. It had happened at the blink of an eye, without any warning or trace of what might have taken the Gerudo – leaving the Hero's mind vulnerable to any and all suspicions to the origin.

The others had already hurried back to the small island to get dressed and ready to battle whatever it was that had consumed the thief. They were clearly panicking – their enemy was something of the water after all – and they urged Link to get out of the water as quickly as possible.

The aforementioned Gerudo suddenly came back up to the surface with a loud gasp, flailing her arms. She was seemingly unharmed and only needed oxygen which begged the question; what had happened?

´The only one capable for something like that is Morpha, but… That's impossible. And the zoras would never-´

As he contemplated, a dark shade of a blue silhouette swam around him, violet eyes peering back from beneath the water's surface and catching Link's attention. It winked – and that that moment, Link's face lost its entire colour. This was no monster or a new enemy but-

The silhouette surfaced from the water, revealing a humanoid form with a toned, blue body with shimmering fins that reached from its elbows like oversized sleeves and wrapped around the defenceless hylian.

-the zora princess and Sage of Water; Ruto.

"Link, my darling!" The zora princess enveloped Link in a tight wet hug that left them both bopping up and down the water's surface. Fortunately the zora kept them both afloat with ease, but the zora's lack of clothes only made the embrace that more awkward – zoras only had an outer shell of scales and/or fins that serves as "clothes" to cover the necessities – leaving Link pressed up against the basically naked zora princess.

Zelda watched with steadily growing despair as the Sage of Water laughed merrily with Link in her arms. Normally she would've shared her fellow princess' quirks and laugh with her, but now there was only the warning chimes ringing in her head at the sight!

But what had her uneasy even further was the expression of the entourage of women; their expressions ranged with various degrees of shock and resentment, but what caught Zelda's attention by far was Impa.

The Sage of Shadow had been on good terms with the rest of the Sages, but Ruto had always been on the unknown end of a bitter glare from the Sheikah. Impa knew of the zora's feelings towards the Hero, and the significance of him receiving the Zora's Sapphire and it would always leave her in a foul mood. It was masked, but it was definitely there.

"…her darling?" Zelda immediately turned towards the Grecian warrior. The blonde was gawking at the scene before her, as were the others with no doubt a similar line of thoughts. They watched the two in the water with wary gazes, weapons in hand.

"She looks like a completely different life-form…" Samus mused with clear blue eyes narrowed and wary. "What exactly is that…thing? Perhaps the scanner-"

"Girls, please!" Zelda pleaded. "There's no need to panic, we know her!"

"That's a woman?" Ivy inquired. "You must have keen eyesight if you can tell…"

"I told you, we know her-"

"Oh, Princess Zelda!" The deep-blue skinned female waved eagerly as she supported Link's weight with her other arm. "Are you here as well? How it is nice to see you again!" Her eyes shifted over to Impa and Sheik. "And I see we have the Grumpy Sage of Shadow here too. And the noble Sheik!"

Effortlessly she swam to the island with Link in tow and displaying herself to the non-hylians: to them, it must've been quite the shock to see an entirely different race, Zelda mused. Barely taller than Zelda, the Zora Princess had a slender figure and her body, although humanoid, had fish-like traits.

The Zora must've picked up on it as she initiated the conversation, dark-purplish orbs shifting over to the other women. "Oh my, who are you women? You're definitely not Hylians… Not even Hyruleans – except for you, Gerudo," she pointed at Aveil who scoffed. "Darling, are these friends of yours?"

Darling?!

"Don't call me that, Ruto…" Link groaned, still stuck in the zora's one-armed embrace and pulled against her body; it was cool and slick with lake-water and Link felt a slight heat spread across his cheeks when the aquatic princess rubbed her soft body against his but he shrugged it off. "And to answer your question; yes, they're my friends. And you just scared them with that prank of yours!"

Ruto laughed airily. "It was just a harmless joke! And the Gerudo managed it just fine!" She winked playfully at the tanned redhead and giggled when the latter only growled back. "I suppose it was a bit too much though… I do apologize. I'm Ruto, princess of the Zoras and the Sage of Water! Nice to meet you!"

Sophitia gasped. "A princess?! An h-honour to meet you! I'm Sophitia Alexandra, from Greece!" She offered a polite bow. "And the lady next to me is my friend, Isabella Valentine."

´P-princess? She looks nothing like a noble… and what's with her head…?´ Ivy mused. "I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, princess."

"And I'm Samus Aran," the bounty hunter followed, nodding politely at the Zora.

"You sure attract peculiar friends, darling," Ruto giggled, still clinging onto the Hero as she eyed the other two unfamiliar faces. "And who are you two?"

´Just who is the most peculiar, woman?´ the Sorceress thought. "My name is Veran, princess."

"And I'm Aveil – the person you just attempted to drown!" the redheaded thief spat, golden eyes glaring.

"I told you, it was a prank! …One I indeed went too far with. I already apologized," Ruto replied, offering a smile. "I was bored, that's all…"

"Non-Zoras can't breathe under water you know," Link retorted. "You don't need me to tell you that. Anyway Ruto, could you stop clinging onto me?"

"I've been meaning to ask you myself," Veran said. She stepped forward; her arms crossed as she scrutinized the zora princess with a scowl. "Why are you being so close to him for? He's obviously uncomfortable."

The azure princess peered puzzlingly back – as if she didn't understand – until she laughed airily and covered her mouth with the back of her hand in an odd display of womanliness.

´Oh no!´ Zelda thought. ´She's honestly not going to tell them-´ Her eyes widened when she caught glimpse of Ruto's wicked smile.

"Why wouldn't I cling to my darling?" her wicked smile grew wider as she observed the women's reactions: some scowled, one nearly gasped and the rest narrowed their gazes, and it had her nearly grinning from ear to ear. "After all, isn't it natural that you're affectionate towards your fiancé?"

"WHAT?!"

"You wished to speak with me, Zelda?"

The Hylian Princess nodded as she led her fellow princess and sage away to the bridge that connected the smaller islands to the mainland. Once on a safe distance from the others the Hylian Princess turned to Ruto, arms neatly folded and azure orbs grim. "I have to be blunt with you on this matter, Ruto," she took a deep breath. "I don't intend to come in-between you and Link, I really don't mean to. But as a friend, and fellow Sage, I have to tell you that what you just did-"

"Oh, the whole fiancé-thing?" The Zora laughed. "I wasn't serious about that; I know Link didn't actually agree to our engagement."

Zelda must've shown her confusion, because Ruto quickly continued. "I had – or still have – feelings for him. But Link has never harboured any romantic feelings for me in return and… well, we are two different kinds of races and as a Zora, I'm bound to the water – I can't stay on land for long periods of time – and Link couldn't possibly live in our Domain like we do."

She smiled, however sadly, as she sighed. "I will always care for him, but a relationship – much less marriage – is impossible for the two of us."

The Hylian Princess-Sage let out a sigh as well, her royal features now gloomy upon hearing the rather sad truth. "I'm sorry to hear that… It can't be easy for you."

Ruto shrugged. "Don't be. After all, it's originally my fault for falling for him in the first place. But no matter, I'll be here to support him," her smile turned into a mischievous grin. "Besides, it's fun to tease him. And with those women obviously fawning over him I'll definitely be around to keep them on the edge – at least until he settles down with one of them."

"… If I told you not to do that, would you listen?"

"Hardly," Ruto giggled. "Still, I'll be on my way. You two should visit the Domain soon; my father has been going on about royal festivities for a while now… Anyway, take care of yourself Zelda, and… can you promise me one thing?"

"It depends what you'll ask of me."

The Zora princess smiled. "Will you support Link's decision, regardless of whom he chooses?"

Zelda returned the kind smile and nodded. "That goes without saying. Be well Ruto, and give your father my regards."

With that, their conversation was over and the Zora Princess walked away to tell Link goodbye – and probably tease him and the women some more – before she eventually jumped into the clear water of Lake Hylia and disappear in the depths. Judging by Link's and the women's baffled expressions Ruto had definitely said something to rile them up. Zelda chuckled at the thought, but at the same time she was unnerved: she was the only one who knew that Ruto wasn't actually pursuing Link, but the others would most likely step up their games even further now that there was a "fiancée" in the picture.

Her smile disappeared from her gentle face. Someone would soon be raising hell over this – she just knew it.

Back at the castle, Veran slumped down onto her bed, a content coo escaping her throat as the soft, cool silken material touched her skin. A smirk curled her lips and she chuckled darkly.

"When was the last time I could just lie down and relax?" she said to herself. Thinking back on the past – or was it perhaps the future? – she sighed, remembering how she had Labrynna in the palm of her hand, how the people had built her a tower to her liking while she was possessing their queen.

That particular memory had her smirking wider; as a sorceress she had many powers at her disposal, but none were as terrifying and manipulative as that one. Veran laughed out loud, eventually clutching her sides as she did; already did she have about two similar plans that could help her with the dilemma that was the other women.

She forced herself to calm down though a snicker escaped every now and then as she got up and walked over to the window. From there she had a good view over the hillside next to the castle where an abundant forest stretched on to the horizon, along with smooth plains that continued behind the royal building.

"You may have ruined my plans in your time, Link," she whispered with a dark look in her auburn eyes. "But you can't do anything here. The Hero in this timeline is rather adequate… I'm my own master now, and I'm going to enjoy myself to the fullest! …As soon as I get rid of the competition."

Veran chuckled darkly and folded her arms over her chest. She wouldn't admit it to even herself, but she could faintly feel her heart beating faster as she thought of the blonde-haired Hero.

She filed it away for later pondering. It was time to further formulate her plan…

Exhausted, the Hero fell down face first onto his soft and neatly bedded bed. The outdoor activity had come to a halt since Ruto's visit, and his friends (with the exception of Impa and Sheik) wouldn't stop hounding him for explanations for the whole trip back, constantly asking what she meant by "engagement" or "fiancé". Forced to tell the awkward story from his childhood, Link hoped that it would shed some light and calm his friends, (why were they so upset anyway?) only to be met by even more tension and questions.

At least there was some peace and quiet now. But despite this, Link couldn't fully relax.

What in the world had been up with Samus back then? They had almost kissed hadn't they? How had that atmosphere appeared?

Link ran his hand through blonde tresses. Simply remembering it set his cheeks ablaze with a mixture of embarrassment and excitement: Samus had looked so vulnerable then – even blushing of all things – and the atmosphere had felt right. If Impa hadn't interrupted them then…

His mind was reeling. There was no way Samus would've been so forward, right? For as long as he had known her, there was one thing about the bounty hunter he knew: Samus never wore her heart on her sleeve. Her feelings were under lock and key. But surely they had almost kissed…?

Frustration kicked in. it wasn't just Samus, it was basically everyone! Ivy, who suggested they bathed nude and was quite aware that Link was the only male around. Aveil had seemed overly excited about getting kissed by him – it was only on the cheek – and everyone else appeared to be in a bad mood after leaving the ranch. Not to mention that Veran, along with everyone else, had definitely been upset when Ruto had hugged him earlier.

There was definitely something going on. He just didn't know what.

A sharp startling knock on his bedroom door snapped Link out of his thoughts. "Come in!" The knob turned as the door was pushed open as a blonde-haired head poked through, green orbs meeting Link's azure ones instantly. "Oh, Sophitia."

"Hi Link," the Grecian warrior said softly, nearly whispering. "Is this a bad time?"

"No no, come on in," Link replied, motioning for Sophitia to step inside which she did, closing the door behind her. He sat up from the bed. "Is something on your mind?"

"I wanted to apologize for how Ivy and I behaved earlier… I'm sorry that we kept asking such odd questions," she took a seat on the edge of the bed, shifting timidly as she paused. "It was obviously something private and we shouldn't have pressured you for answers."

The Hero chuckled. As much as he would've preferred that way of thinking a lot sooner, it was good to hear an apology nonetheless. "Much appreciated, thank you. But to clear the air; No, I'm not engaged to Ruto in my mind. I didn't actually accept her proposal." Sophitia shifted in her seat again and was it just him, or did she actually smile for a second? Olive-green eyes stared at him with an intensive gaze either way.

"I see. That's a relief…"

"Pardon?"

"Oh! N-No, I meant… It's a relief to hear that you weren't forced into anything! You were only a child, so it would've been so underhanded to trick you into marriage…" The Grecian warrior looked away, suddenly feeling that the floor was much more interesting to observe. Not wanting to push her, Link left it at that and just nodded with an added affirmative grunt. "That reminds me… I apologize for the contradicting my previous apology by asking something private again, but Link… May I ask you what your stand is on marriage?"

´What brought on that question?´ Link scratched his neck in thought. "Marriage? Honestly Sophitia, I don't know. I haven't thought much about it… Though, the few times I have, I've kind of enjoyed the thought of settling down, have a child and just live freely. But as long as there are shadows threatening Hyrule I can't – not to mention that I would have to find a wife."

Sophitia nodded, but didn't reply. It was silent; awkwardly silent. It was starting to feel unsettling to just sit there, but suddenly the Grecian shifted, inching closer towards Link when she looked him in the eyes. "I… I'm sure you'll manage to find one. There's plenty of fish in the sea as they say. It's admirable how you put your life away for the lives of your homeland, but one can only do so much alone…"

She was sitting next to him now. Her leg brushed against his, her arm against his and her exposed skin was still slightly damp from earlier. Link tore his eyes away from the naked arms to meet Sophitia's stare, only to be met with a smouldering look: it was seething something he couldn't quite put his finger on but it caught him and pinned him down on his seat as she brushed up against him ever so slightly. Her long blonde tresses framed her face in alluringly, and it only just now occurred to Link that Sophitia wore an armless tunic that did nothing to hide her rather ample cleavage. Compared to that of Ivy's, Veran's and even Impa's it wasn't standing out too much, but from this angle…

"If you were to choose a wife, I'm sure she would do anything in her power to help you. Fight with you…" she leant closer. "Travel with you…" Her voice turned husky. "And raise fine children…"

Their noses were just barely touching and Link felt drawn into the final distance, to be swept away by the enticing haze that was Sophitia Alexandra: he couldn't think at that point as she advanced on him-

A series of sharp knocks had Sophitia jolting backwards and nearly falling off the bed. Her face was flushed a deep red and the look in her eyes – vixenish and seething just seconds ago – was gone, replaced by sheer panic and bewilderment.

Link caught himself and attempted to regain composure; his face felt hot and his heart raced, along with his mind. "Y-yes?!"

"It's Sheik," the voice said. "Zelda wanted me to tell everyone should head over to the dining hall for lunch."

´Already?´ he thought. "Alright, we'll be right out!" He turned towards the still blushing warrior, but as soon as he opened his mouth to speak she got up and hastily made her way to the door – hesitating to turn the knob for but a second – and opened it before hurrying out of there.

"Sophitia! Wait!" he yelled, but the Grecian warrior was already down the hallway and stepping inside her room.

Sheik stepped inside, an eyebrow arched in a confused expression. "Care to tell me why Sophitia was in your room just now?"

"She wanted to talk," he admitted. "But then she just went quiet and… I don't know, whatever she wanted to say was apparently too embarrassing and then you knocked…" He knew he wasn't a good liar, but he couldn't just flat out tell anyone what nearly happened out of embarrassment for himself and respect for Sophitia. "That's about it."

"Is that so…" The Sheikah warrior leant with her back to the stone wall with crossed arms and stared at the Hero, as if scrutinizing him, before she continued. "She looked pretty upset. You didn't –"

"Why would I lie to you, Sheik? I didn't do anything."

Sheik nodded. "My apologies. I just wanted to make sure of something," she said, stepping closer till she stood in front of the Hero. "But I guess my worries were in vain." She pulled down her cover to reveal a small grin as her stare softened. "What were you talking about before I got here?"

"She wanted to apologize for hers and Ivy's earlier behaviour, and then she asked what I thought about marriage. Nothing more to it," Link replied with a sigh.

"And?"

He knitted his eyebrows. "…And what?"

"What are your thoughts about marriage?" Sheik inquired.

´You got to be kidding me.´ "As I told her, I don't find the thought of being married to be bad… But as long as Hyrule might be in danger I can't be a husband, that's how I feel. Why do you ask?"

"I've been wondering that myself," the Sheikah attendant replied bluntly. "May I ask, is it because you're afraid to settle down and therefore want to be on the move constantly? Constantly braving the dangers, keeping yourself alert and honing your skills?"

His gaze wavered slightly under those crimson orbs; Sheik read him like a book. "That's one way of putting it, I guess," he said, but suddenly he was pushed down against the bed as Sheik straddled his waist. He saw it: the same heat lingering in her scarlet orbs was the same that had been in Sophitia's. Her gaze was soft, tender, and passionate and she gently stroked his blazing red cheek.

"S-Sheik! What are you on about?!"

"You wouldn't be alone, Link…" Her voice was sultry. "I was with you back then – I would be with you, at your side – and so I would, and will, remain."

She had him pinned to the bed, using her own weight to keep him still. Link could only stare in bafflement as the Sheikah, his friend, his mentor, and guide leant closer until he felt her hot breath cascading his face. "Sheik… You're starting to creep me out…"

A soft giggle. "I'm sorry… I'm just being a bit selfish."

Before he could ask what she had meant, the Sheikah warrior closed the final distance and crashed her lips against his in a searing kiss.

So here we are again. I didn't intend to keep people waiting for so long but yeah... life happened.

The update for To Hunt Down a Hylian should be up this week.