Well, this was a really fast update! Thanks for your well wishes, I'm a lot better now! Also, I thought I should just say that many of you put in your theories or guesses on what will happen in your reviews, and I love that! The reason I don't reply to them is because I don't want to accidentally spoil anything for you. ;)

Principessa Dell'Opera: Haha, I really loved your review! All I'm going to say is that you're on the right track. 8D Thanks for reviewing!

ShadowVDP: Filler? Oh no, everything in that chapter had a purpose. I honestly never write anything that doesn't influence the story in some way. 8D Thanks for the review!

Andor1: I honestly was hoping to get Ricky into this chapter, but I just couldn't do it without it feeling just stuck in. He might show up next chapter! Thanks for your review!

SlashFox14: Yeah, sorry about any grammar mistakes. I always go through to edit, but still miss things. Thanks for reviewing!

And thanks to Linkandzel, LostintheShuffle, GreenTrifoceLuvr, and Zeph the Mage for your wonderful reviews!


Disclaimer: I don't own Zelda

Rated T for violence, torture, and sensuality

"I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind
That I put down in words
How wonderful life is now you're in the world." –Your Song by Elton John

CH. 29

Link spread his arms over his head, closing his eyes. The water was cool and blissful as he floated along on his back, his clothes loose around him. He felt weightless and relaxed, taking in the calm air and slightly fishy smell of the pond at the back of Zora's Domain. He could hear Ruto and Zelda talking, sitting on the stone platform several yards away.

Zelda had her feet in the water, twisting her hair dry as Ruto related to her the latest gossip of the zoras. She watched Link swimming, a smile coming to her face.

"And," Ruto was saying, gesturing with her silver hand, "word is that Nik is leaving his wife for another man."

Zelda shot a look at her, frowning. "What?"

Ruto nodded. "That's what they're saying. And my father just can't seem to understand why I want to spend some time with my friends at Lake Hylia. It gets too uptight here. And who knows?" She smiled slyly. "I may find a boyfriend."

The princess laughed. "One that you'll stay with longer than a few weeks?"

"It's a possibility," she laughed in return. "Speaking of boyfriends, how has yours been?"

"He's happy," Zelda replied, letting go of her hair. "And that's all that matters."

"Aw, listen to you!" She leaned forward conspiratorially, the sun making gold glimmers on her skin. "You know how many girls around Hyrule are jealous?"

Zelda rolled her blue eyes. "How many?"

"Almost all of them!"

She sighed. "C'mon, Ruto, you're exaggerating."

"No way!" she sat back. "He's so attractive. Doesn't it go to his head?"

Zelda laughed. "Link? Having a big ego?" She shook her head. "No."

Ruto giggled, lounging back on her hands, splashing some water up with her feet. "So, what about you? How's life been?"

"Normal. Not much happening."

"When will you take over your father's throne?"

Zelda sighed, leaning forward on her knees. "Not too long now. I'm getting nervous."

"Don't be." She patted her back. "You should be absolutely confident like me."

Zelda splashed her, both of them laughing.


Link and Zelda rode on Epona, heading back in the direction of the castle, Hyrule Field wide around them. A warm wind dried their clothes and hair, the sky spotted with clouds.

"I enjoy visiting Ruto," Zelda said, her arms wrapped around Link's middle. "She's so . . . genuine and contemporary."

"She's interesting," Link agreed, grinning.

Navi flew close. "I think she's bossy!"

Zelda laughed. "Well, that too. You just have to learn how to work around it."

"Uh-oh." Link said, slowing Epona down, her hooves thudding against the grass. "Malon."

Zelda leaned over his shoulder, seeing the red-headed farm girl walking along the dirt path to Lon Lon Ranch. Malon looked up, catching sight of them. Her blue eyes flashed and she looked away, picking up her pace and she went on.

Link shook his head. "I can't believe she still holds a grudge. It's been years!"

"It's immature if you ask me," she stated. "What kind of pleasure can she be getting from this?"

"I don't know."

"I'm about ready to go confront her about her attitude."

Link glanced back at her. "Oh, Zel, don't. I don't want things to get worse."

"They won't," she piped, smiling over his shoulder. "They'll get better! Right after I knock her into next-"

"Zelda!"

Navi laughed. "C'mon, Link, I think it sounds like a great idea!"

The princess sat back, turning her face up to the sky. "Okay, okay. I'll spare her miserable existence. For now. When I become queen there are no guarantees."

He rolled his dark blue eyes. "Great. A dictatorship."

"Link and Zelda!" called a large, charcoal colored wolf, running up to them.

"Hey, Roofy!" Link called. He looked to the white wolf following him. "And Angel! And . . ." He paused, regarding the small furballs that followed, "puppies?"

Zelda gasped, leaping off Epona as Link pulled her to a stop. She ran over, kneeling down. "You two had puppies?!"

"We did," Angel said. "Five of them."

Link smiled down at two white puppies and three of varying shades of gray. "They're so cute."

Roofy sat straighter, his tail wagging. "One day they'll be fierce, like me! And they're mom."

Angel shot him a look, then turned back to the Hylians. "We're taking them on a run."

Zelda picked one up, and it licked her face. "Oh, you all are so adorable!"

"Thank you," Angel beamed.

"So," Link began, "which one gets to be the next king?"

"This one," Roofy motioned to a dark gray puppy that was chasing its tail. "He's the oldest."

"He takes after you," the hero observed.

"Hey!" Roofy tackled Link, pinning him down. "Do I have to teach you respect again?"

Link laughed, struggling to get up. "Okay, okay, I won't pick on you."

Zelda grinned, the wind blowing her hair to the side. "No, keep him down Roofy. Someone needs to teach him some manners."

As the males wrestled, Zelda and Angel sat with the puppies, playing with them. The breeze brought in the smell of grass, Hyrule Castle visible further off. Epona laid down, relaxing in the warm weather.

"So," Angel said. "How many children do you want to have?"

The question caught Zelda off-guard. She looked up at the slender white wolf, her eyebrows raised. "I . . . I don't know. A few, certainly."

"And what does Link think?"

Zelda sat upright, holding a puppy in her arms. "Link?"

Angel nodded. "He's your mate, isn't he?"

The princess looked behind her to Link and Roofy. The Hylian was on the animal's back, Roofy trying to buck him off, both laughing. She felt a smile spread across her face. "It's not exactly like that for humans but yes, he is." She turned back to Angel. "We've never talked about it, but it's . . . kind of understood between us. We love each other unconditionally."

Angel nuzzled the princess's face. "I wish you both the best."

She stroked the wolf's back. "Thank you."

Angel stood up. "Alright, Roofy let's get going. We still need to feed them."

Roofy succeeded in shaking Link off. He looked up, offering a lopsided grin. "Coming! I hope you remember that lesson, human."

"Lesson?" Link asked, sitting up, grass blades clinging to him. "What lesson? I was beating you."

"Bye, you two," Angel said as they headed off.

Zelda watched them go, then turned to Link as he bounded over to her. "Nice work, hero."

"I was beating him," Link assured, running his fingers through his hair.

She laughed. "Of course you were. Let's go, Impa will get worried."


When the two got back, they ate a quick lunch and decided to go out to the gardens. It was the weekend, and Zelda didn't have to go to any lessons. The amount of studies she had to do anymore was dwindling, and she had more and more free time.

The gardens were all green and sunshine, a heavy floral scent drenching the stone pathways. The two walked hand-in-hand, talking animatedly, Navi flying in lazy circles around them.

Zelda glanced further down the path and saw Prince Casimir approaching. He lifted his hand, acknowledging their presence.

"Princess," Casimir smiled, coming to a stop in front of them. "Link. Beautiful day, isn't it?"

"It is," Zelda agreed. "Are you enjoying your stay?"

"Certainly," Casimir nodded, the breeze not seeming to touch his brown hair. "Your gardens are flawless."

"Thank you." She paused, then continued, "So, when do you wish to discuss relations between our countries?"

"Very soon," he replied. "Very soon. I look forward to it."

She smiled courteously. "As do I. Have a good day, Prince."

He bowed. "You too, Princess Zelda."


Night fell over Hyrule, stars blanketing the sky. The activity in the castle was slowing down, the guards heading toward their night posts. Link was sprawled out on Zelda's bed, humming idly to himself. The room was bathed in silver moonlight, the curtains open wide.

Zelda was rummaging through the drawers in her large dresser, selecting clothes to sleep in. "I had fun today. What do you want to do tomorrow?"

He cocked his head up, peering at her. "How long do you have studies tomorrow?"

"Just language," she replied, grabbing a silk nightgown. She spun on her heel, facing him. "We could always go egg Malon's home."

He laughed, lying back down. "Zelda, Zelda. How about we talk to Talon if it bothers you so much?"

She skipped over to the bed, saying, "I'll tell you why it bothers me." She hopped on, flinging up pillows and bouncing Link. She leaned over him, hair falling forward. "It bothers me because soon I'll be queen, and I can't have a disgruntled citizen spreading gossip about me."

"She might not."

"But she might. It's better safe than sorry."

There was a knock on the door. In apology to Touchstone's breaking and entering, Impa had promised to never open the door without permission again. They both turned to the sound.

"Come in," Zelda called, sitting back.

Impa peered in. "Zelda, your father just sent word that he wants to talk to you."

The princess frowned. "Now? It's night."

She shrugged. "Yes, well, he just finished his dessert. He wants to see you in the throne room."

Zelda nodded. "Okay. Thanks, Impa."

The sheikah nodded, shutting the door with a click.

Link reached up, trailing his fingers along the princess's arm. "Hurry back, okay? I can't sleep without you next to me."

She shook her head. "Sure you could. I'll see you soon." She gave him a kiss and left her nightgown on the bed, hurrying out of the room.

Zelda went down the dark hall and the stairway, heading toward the throne room. She couldn't believe Dahnes wanted to speak to her now. She hoped it was worth her time and, apparently, Link's lack of sleep.

Pushing open the large doors, the throne room stretched out before her. Long windows allowed views of the night sky, colorful banner hanging limp against the walls. Torchlight lit the large room, the carpet soft and comfortable under her feet. As she went forward, she eyed in her father in the throne, his body slumped in it, a meat leg in his hand.

"Ah, Zelda dear," Dahnes smiled, straightening slightly. "How are you feeling?"

"Great, Dad," she replied, crossing the last few feet and standing in front of the platform the throne was on. "What did you need to talk to me about?"

"I have news I think you'll love!"

"Oh." She nodded, shifting her weight to one hip. "That's good. What is it?"

Dahnes took a bite of food before answering, "I spoke to Prince Casimir today."

"Oh, really?" she frowned, wondering why Casimir hadn't mentioned it.

"Yes. We spoke about the future of our two great nations. I think he'll be a wonderful ally."

Zelda sighed, rubbing her toe impatiently on the red carpet. "That's wonderful, Dad."

"He spoke a lot about you."

The princess slowly looked up at him, her brow creasing. "He did? What about?"

Dahnes settled further back in the throne, the torchlight illuminating his pleased smile. "He has a great interest in you, and we reached an agreement that will ensure peace forever between our countries."

"That's always good news," she said. "But, Dad, you know I don't like not being included in these kinds of decisions. It will be my country one day, too."

He chuckled. "Yes, but Casimir specifically wanted it to be secret until tonight."

Zelda frowned, glancing around the large, luxurious room, the ceiling fading into shadow high above her. She looked back to the king. "I . . . What is it?"

Clapping his hands together once, full of glee, Dahnes exclaimed, "He wants to marry you!"

Zelda felt as if the air had been knocked from her lungs. She stood rooted to the spot, mouth open soundlessly. As the king smiled at her expectantly, she felt the blood drain from her face, and could palpably feel every beat of her heart as it rapidly began to increase speed.

"Isn't that just fantastic, Zelda dear?" Dahnes asked, taking another bite of food.

The princess felt light-headed. She brought one hand up to her forehead, taking in a wavering breath. She met her father's eyes. "Dad . . . I don't want to marry him."

A frown at last found its way to the king's face as he lowered his food. "What?"

She stood up straight, staring at him fixedly. "Tell him that I'm honored that he asked, but I don't want to marry him."

"But . . . But . . .why not?"

She recoiled, looking at him as if he was crazy. "Because I'm not in love with him."

Dahnes sighed heavily, rubbing his forehead. "Zelda, marrying him would be exceptionally beneficial. His nation has many natural resources to offer us. We can profit greatly from this! Also, you're eighteenth birthday is coming up soon, and it's our law that you must marry someone by that day."

"I know," she muttered. "I know the law. But, Dad, I don't love him; I don't want to marry him. I won't marry him!" She snapped the last sentence, panic and anger starting to overtake her.

"Yes, you will!" he retorted.

"No, I most certainly will not!"

"You have to be married by your eighteenth birthday!"

"And I will be!"

"Who on Hyrule will you marry?!"

"I'm going to marry Link!" She stopped, slightly panting, the sound of her last statement echoing in the large room. She smiled, her lips trembling as she said softly, "I'm going to marry Link. I love him, Dad. And he loves me." Saying it aloud, putting her strong affection into words, felt good. It warmed her chest, joy spreading through her.

There was a moment of silence before Dahnes started laughing. Zelda's own smile dropped as she watched her father chortle, taking another bite of meat.

"Zelda dear," Dahnes said gently, as if she was a young child, "you can't marry Link. He's not royal. Our law states that you must marry royalty. It keeps the bloodlines pure, you know."

All the happiness she had felt while proclaiming her intention to marry Link shattered. She glanced out the window, trying to calm herself as she asked, "I haven't heard of that law, Dad."

"Oh, it is one," he nodded. "And aside from that, it's tradition! And," he paused, as if struggling for the proper words, "it would look bad for our princess to marry a peasant."

"Peasant?" she snapped loudly, anger igniting in her veins. "Dad, he's Link. He's the best warrior Hyrule has and is very well-liked. No one would think badly of it."

He sighed. "Whatever you say, but it's a law all the same. You cannot marry Link, and so you will marry Casimir."

"You can't make me," she spat.

Dahnes' expression darkened. "Zelda, I may not discipline you often, but that doesn't mean you can disobey me. I am your father and the king."

"Oh, yeah? And you know what?" she shouted, eyes starting to burn with tears. "If you had been half as interested in my life as Impa is, you would know how Link and I feel about each other! He loves me, Dad! He loves me more than I've ever been loved in my life!" She felt tears roll down her cheeks, a salty sting against her skin. "I'm not giving him up."

Dahnes stood up from his throne, robes draping around him. "Do not raise your voice to me! You can't marry a peasant, that's final! And for your country, you will marry Casimir on your next birthday!"

Zelda choked out a sob, screaming, "I hate you!" Spinning around, she raced from the throne room.


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