So I kinda neglected them for a while, so I decided to start this collection fo drabbles and one-shots like I mentioned. This one here is a warm up and get-back-on-track fanfic. Soon, I'll publish the last chapter of Assassin and then start another multi-chapter fic!

Enjoy!

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Tales Of Twilight

I: Apples

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Hyrule Castle had as many secrets as Castle Town and Link had yet to find them all out. During his journey, on the one and only time he ventured through the castle accompanied by someone from another realm, he never noticed the paintings that hung on the walls nor the way the sunlight that seeped through the windows of the first room formed patterns on the polished floor, what with the adrenaline in his veins and the rush to get to the princess as soon as possible. But once he had the chance to walk around the castle at a much slower place, without the need to watch out for possible enemies and traps, he noticed all these things and much more.

The paintings on the wall were by far his favorite things to look at. He could wander about the hallways and maybe miss a step or two as he walked with his eyes fixed on the portraits of people and sceneries. He recognized the blue sky of Lake Hylia, the clear water of Zora's Domain, the stones and ground of Kakariko Village and the trees from Faron Woods; there was even a painting of the small water wheel from his hometown and he always grinned at it, always happy to know that, even though Ordon was a small place, it was just as important to the kingdom as any other province.

But his favorite was the painting of the Crown Princess of Hyrule, the one that hung far, far from the throne room, the one that depicted her as the child she had once been. With large blue eyes and short, wavy brown hair, rounded nose and rosy cheeks, she was by far one of the prettiest children he had ever seen and by far one of the most attractive women in the kingdom. She lost all of her childish traits when puberty hit her, that much was clear. Her face was much thinner, eyes sharp and her nose was elegant. Her features screamed and slapped her title across his face ever so often; if royalty could have a face, it would probably be hers.

Zelda had yet to know that he had seen the portrait, but she probably was aware of it by now. Link had seen every inch and inspected every corner of her home, there was nothing that escaped his eyes.

Except, that is, for the small orchard in the southern courtyard that he rarely visited. And he only found out that the place existed when, one day, he tried to find the princess on her rest day but could not and no one better than Shad, who had grown close to the princess over the months, to know where she was. The scholar also said that he and Zelda hang about there to read their books and have their tea, away from most of the servants and knights, and Link smiled at that, gritting his teeth and feeling that spark of jealousy inside him. Shad was as out of her league as Link was, but he allowed himself to hope, even for a moment, that she would like him too someday.

What was it that he saw in her? He did not know. Link looked past the exterior, past the beauty, past her physical appearance and saw what she had to offer. She was loyal to her people and kingdom, kind, smart, selfless, friendly. There were so many traits, he could not pick only one.

The princess was as delicate as an apple blossom and he found it out on the first day he visited the orchard. There were not many things to see; a few misplaced rose bushes and some daisies here and there, a small fountain, one lonely stone bench (did Zelda and Shad sit side by side? Here? So close to one another? He needed to find out the answer.) and about a handful of trees. It was a sign that the orchard was planned and built in a rush, but it was quiet and peaceful, and the sound of the running water and the chirps of the birds that came to drink from the fountain made the place oddly relaxing.

Link would have felt more relaxed in any other place of Castle Town at that moment, for she was there, unaware of his presence and as breathtaking as always. Zelda was barefooted (and he thought he would die without ever seeing a small glimpse of her toes), the hem of her white dress touched her ankles as she stood on her tip toes to reach for a red apple, delicate fingertips caressing the smooth surface before her gloved fingers wrapped around the fruit and pulled it down from the tree. The apple joined the others in her basket, her hand came up to fix her white hat that protected her head then moved to throw her loose braid over her shoulders, dark and thick lock of hair swaying as she reached for another one.

He was transfixed; from where he stood he could see her profile, long and dark eyelashes framing blue eyes, peach colored lips pulled and curled in a small smile; what was she smiling for? He did not know, but it was a sight he would never ever get tired of seeing, so the hero cautiously moved the hide behind another tree and try to see her face from another angle, but, as the clumsy boy he could be at times, Link stepped on the metal side of a rake and the wooden part came flying towards his face.

He stumbled backwards and fell on his rear, hands cradling his nose that was much probably broken. But of course, he was not so quiet as he liked to believe; his yelp caught the princess's attention and she dropped the apple, which happened to be one of the reddest in the tree and basket combined, to the ground and looked over her shoulder at him. Lips parted, eyes just slightly wider than usual, Princess Zelda managed to keep her cool and conceal her emotions in any possible occasion, really; but the sight of his flushed face and teary eyes, the way he sat down and looked up at her lost and confused and ashamed was too much for her to bear.

And so she laughed. White teeth flashed, her melodious laughter filled the area and mingled with the chirping of the small birds that watched them from the treetops, and her small feet crushed not so dry leaves under her soles as she walked in his direction. She kneeled before him, like a mother would to a child, and took his hands in hers after placing the basket down. There was nothing her magic could not heal; a broken nose would be an easy task considering she had restored one of the main staircases of the castle using her magic alone. After tending to his wounds, she retrieved the apple and suggested they went inside to deliver the fruits to the cook and he agreed, happily trailing after her and noticing how she still stood two inches taller when barefoot.

Link learned that apples were her favorites, and really, he should have noticed that before. At night he sneaked out of his bedroom and went to the orchard to tend to the trees and plant a few more, and slowly her favorite place was blooming with colorful flowers and smelled of different fruits. Some other days, he sneaked in the kitchen and baked different recipes of apple pies and cakes when the cook was not looking, but never got the chance to see her savoring the meals.

Until one day he was patrolling on his own and walked past the orchard, and caught a glimpse of her wearing a light pink dress and sat on a plain white towel under the shade of the trees and surrounded by flowers. He approached her, bowed his head respectfully and sat beside her on the spot she had patted, and watched as she gently stuck the small pastry fork in the half eaten slice of pie.

"I think I have got a secret admirer," she said quietly with a humorous tone, tilting her head towards him. "Someone that has been watching me for long enough to know I love apple pies and such."

He swallowed and tried to sound as casual as possible. "And who do you think it is?"

She wiped some filling away from the corner of her lips (she was not wearing any gloves, he noticed) and cleaned her fingertips on a napkin. "Shad, maybe." Link frowned and stared at the crown of her lowered head, wanting nothing less than to scream in frustration and ask why him. "But I highly doubt it," she continued, "He only has eyes for the Oocca and a certain female warrior."

Oh, right. It was easy to forget that Shad had a thing for the youngest woman that was a member of the Resistance, what with the way he talked about his obsession with birds. Zelda giggled then, probably thinking the same thing he was: how would he ask Ashei out? And if things flowed well, would their wedding be Oocca themed? Link feared the answer.

The princess shrugged and picked the fork up, cutting a small bite sized slice of the pie and turning to him. "Would you like to have some?" He nodded, curious to know how his pies tasted like, and leaned forward with closed eyes, mouth slightly open and ready.

Ready for the pie that is, not for her soft lips that pressed down on his own, not for her tongue that gently caressed his bottom lip. Never once in his life did he think the princess would be so bold, but if he wanted to get anywhere with her, someone needed to take the first step. Link knew many things of the history of Hyrule and its residents, but on matters about love and courting, he was as clueless as one could be.

Yet it was all happening naturally. His hand had rested on the space just behind her pointy ear; hers were gently placed on his neck. Their lips moved slowly, both a bit inexperienced and careful not to hurt the other, but still it made him breathless and long for more when they parted not too long after the kiss started. "What do you think?" She asked, leaning away from him.

He wrinkled his nose. "It's terrible," she smiled at him, amused at his words, "but tastes oddly sweet."

Zelda laughed then when he all but threw the slice across the orchard and eagerly met his lips when Link wrapped his arms around her.