Sorry for keeping you guys waiting for so long, but I've been trying to update in bulk. I've got tons of unfinished stories, so I wanted to update them all at once. Now that I've finally gotten them all ready, here you go.
Zelda awoke to the sunlight, giving a silent groan at the light on her face. Opening her eyes slowly, she felt a warm body pressed against her own and tried to remember why. She froze up when she remembered the night of Inuri's attack, but slowly relaxed when she remembered that Midna had shown her gentle love the day before. Glancing over to the bedside table, she found a note waiting for her.
Sitting up and stretching, the young princess snagged the note and read: Dear Princess. I did not want to disturb your rest so I told the servant girls to bring this to you. I hope that, by the time you read this, you will be feeling well again. The princes will be ready tomorrow afternoon to depart for their homes and I am to inform you that you are to see them all off. Your fiancé may also attend if she so wishes. Best regards, Delak.
Zelda giggled softly, glancing over at the still slumbering Midna. The pale blue skin shined in the approaching daylight. Red hair fell into the serene face and blew up with each outward breath. Turning away, Zelda slipped from the bed and moved to her closet, grabbing a purple gown with a white corset and a pair of white gloves. Stopping in mid-turn, the Hyrulian princess looked down to the gloves in her hands.
White. I am not allowed to wear white gloves anymore. My purity… Zelda stopped the tears forming in her eyes. No. I love Midna and it was she who took my virginity. I will not feel bad about it. But the other princes will be enraged to know that I am no longer pure. She sighed. But it is unbecoming of a princess to lie to her subjects, her colleagues or herself. I will simply have to choose some different gloves. Putting the white gloves back, Zelda instead took a matching pair of purple gloves from the collection her mother left her.
Heading to the bathroom, Zelda heated the water and waited a moment before getting in and sighing. Beginning to wash herself, the young princess wondered briefly what the point was. I'll never be clean again. Is there really a point in trying to wash?
As she was pondering this, Zelda noticed movement near the bathroom entrance and cocked her head, sinking lower in the water to keep herself covered. Seconds later, Midna walked in with a yawn and glanced in her direction, smiling softly.
Walking over to the bath, she knelt beside it and bowed her head. "Zelda, I want to apologize."
Zelda raised an eyebrow in confusion. "But you have already-."
"No." Midna shook her head. "No. That was a sad excuse for an apology. It was ridiculously vague. No, I am sorry Zelda. I apologize for violating you, abusing you and causing you so much anguish. As your warrior, I should be preventing those things from happening to you. I vow not to fail again or I shall take whatever punishment you, as my love, deem worthy."
Zelda smiled and shifted in the bath, moving to the side and lifting a hand, pressing it to the top of the Twili's head. "I cannot forgive you just yet, Midna." She murmured. "The pain and horror is still much too fresh in my mind. However, I will allow you to do whatever you need to redeem yourself."
Midna grinned at her and leaned up, pressing a soft kiss to the brown forehead before standing. "I shall leave you to your bath then, Zelda. I'll be in the main chamber and if you need me, just call."
Zelda relaxed back into the bath and continued washing herself, smiling slightly. Perhaps I will be clean again once more. Finishing her bath, Zelda dressed and moved out to the main room, not finding Midna anywhere. Where did she go? The Hyrulian wondered.
Looking for me?
Zelda jumped slightly, not having heard the voice in her head for a while. You're in my head again? She called.
It seems we can only do this when we are in separate realms. Midna replied. My apologies for leaving you, but I realized that if I did not return to my people, my Chief Advisor would have the same freak out that yours did.
It is alright, I will wait for you.
Don't worry. I'll be back soon. I'm nearly finished with my bath.
Zelda smiled and settled onto the bed, hearing someone knock softly at the door. "Come in." she called.
In walked one of the servant girls and she smiled at the little ten-year-old. "How are you, little one?" she inquired.
"I am well, your majesty." The little elf replied, setting down the breakfast platter before bowing. "Advisor Delak wishes you a good morning and well-wishes."
"Give him my thanks." Zelda told her, dismissing her smoothly. The little girl scampered out and Zelda began eating her breakfast, making certain to leave some behind for Midna as well. Soon after the little elf disappeared, Midna stepped through the portal and moved to the bed. Zelda stood and hugged her, feeling safer with the toned body against hers.
Midna smiled and led them to the bed, grabbing a brush on the way as she folded her legs on the bed and Zelda climbed up beside her with one of her studying books. Midna pulled Zelda into her lap and began brushing her hair as the Hyrulian began reading her study book. Both became absentminded and entranced with the serenity of the actions, Zelda relaxing into Midna's chest and Midna continuing the brushing movement despite the shine to Zelda's hair.
A little past noon, There came a knock at the door, barely startling either of them. "Enter." Zelda called, turning to the next page in her study book.
Chief Advisor Delak slowly opened the door and, upon finding them both awake and ready, he entered fully smiling at his ruler. She looked so peaceful in the arms of this strange woman and it warmed his heart to know that she had finally managed to acquire an interest that made her happy. Though, he had never seen this woman at any of the ceremonies. She is very good at hiding. He mused before clearing his throat. "Your highness, I don't mean to interrupt, but has your, er, fiancé officially proposed to you?" Midna glanced to Zelda and the two shook their heads. "Perhaps, if she has a ring to propose with, she could do it before the princes leave for their homes?"
Zelda suddenly paled and turned to Midna in horror. "My ring!" she gasped. "The ring you gave me! I-I do not remember having it on when I awoke on Inuri's horse last night! What if she-?"
"Zelda, relax." Midna murmured softly, reaching over to the bedside table and lifting an object. Holding it up, she watched as Zelda breathed a sigh of relief. The younger princess turned to her advisor with a smile. "When shall she propose?"
"Right now. The princes just arrived to lunch and I'm certain a spectacle like this would be perfect for them." Delak watched as Midna mulled it over before nodding.
"Sure." She agreed. "Let's do it." Standing, she reached a hand out to Zelda, who took it gracefully and stepped from the bed. It was about then that Delak noticed the color of his monarch's gloves and his ears suddenly stood at attention. Surely Princess Inuri didn't get that far… did she? He wisely kept his mouth shut and led the two women to the dining hall.
Turning to them, he paused. "Princess Zelda, you are to enter first and take your seat. Princess Midna, you are to enter shortly after and gain the hall's attention, calling for Princess Zelda to come to you. My queen, you are to go to her in the middle of the dance floor where she will propose in the manner that is custom to her kingdom. Understood?"
"Yes, Delak." Zelda smiled at him, dipping her head.
"Crystal clear." Midna agreed, raising an eyebrow and deciding that she liked this guy.
Delak led Zelda into the dining hall and all activity stopped, the other royals instantly standing in the presence of the owner of the castle. Zelda surveyed them all as she walked to her seat at the head. Very few seemed particularly unhappy with her choice, Prince Fin going so far as to give her a thumbs up. This made her smile and, coming to the head of the table, Zelda smiled at her guests and took her seat, engaging some of the nearby royalty in conversation.
Midna stared into the hall speculatively and leaned against the doorway, catching the eyes of some of the other monarchs. They all stared at her curiously and Midna smiled at them in a friendly manner, putting them at ease. Deciding that it had been long enough, she walked to the center of the dance floor and let out a loud whistle, catching the attention of all of the inhabitants in the hall.
"Princess Zelda, if you would come to me?" she held out a hand and motioned to the younger princess. The princesses around smiled and giggled at Zelda, instantly knowing what this was about. Some of the princes also smiled, realizing what must be done before they all left.
Zelda stood and made her way to stand in front of Midna, their sides facing the crowd. Several of the other elves stood and circled around them to get a better view of the proposal. Midna took a deep breath and removed a sword from beneath her loincloth and brandished it in the younger girl's direction. Several of the princes reached for their own swords, ready to defend the princess in case this foreigner decided to attack.
Midna raised the sword before twirling it above her head and bringing it down with the sword tip touching the floor. Kneeling with it, she bowed her head. "I am Princess Midna of the Twilight Realm. I wish to ask you, Princess Zelda of the kingdom of Hyrule, to be my wife and accept me as your warrior and protector until the day I die. Will you marry me, my lady?"
All around relaxed and waited for Zelda's answer. "Princess Midna, I shall have you as my warrior if you will have me as your queen and take me by your side always."
Midna stood and offered the hilt of the sword. Zelda took the hilt with a nod and a soft glow encircled their hands, placing the ring on Zelda's finger and a copy of it on Midna's. Prince Fin gave an impressed whistle and clapped Midna on the back as the blue-skinned elf sheathed her sword.
"Please, continue your meal." Zelda called to the other royalty. "I believe my fiancé owes me a dance."
Midna held out her hand and Zelda slid her own into it, letting Midna twirl her onto the floor. Swaying gently, Zelda laid her head on Midna's chest and smiled up at her. The Twilight Princess gazed into the deep blue eyes and leaned down, connecting her lips to Zelda's in a soft kiss, securing their tomorrow.
Don't worry, faithful readers, that is not the end of the fic (as you can probably tell since I didn't change the setting to complete). I will have plenty more chapters for you coming soon. In the meantime, review and tell me what you think.