Falling in Love
Dalan finally had his shop. He had worked hard to convince the mayor of Hyrule Castle Town that he was an excellent silversmith and to convince the owner of the Mask Shop to rent him the empty space in the back of his shop. But now everything was done and Dalan felt fantastic.
Today he would open his shop and begin to make the silver pieces that would have people coming back for more. But first he had to remake his blade. He had lost his sword at sea and now he had to make a new one. He remembered his first night out in the open. The monsters that lurked had attacked him and without his sword it took him much longer to defeat them all. That had annoyed him greatly. He would make his sword first…if no one came calling for any special pieces at this moment.
To his luck, no one did…or perhaps it was not to his luck. Dalan didn't care as he finished making his blade. It was not like that of the brutal broadsword, but longer and thinner, the weapon of a true warrior…at least to his people. It was a blade designed to slice, not to hack like the clumsy broadsword. Dalan marveled at his creation and added the finishing touches.
Just as he was being to test the blade, which was folded five hundred times, a blade like no other in the world, someone entered through his shop door. He heard the greeting words die off as he made a quick move with the blade and then placed it into the sheath he had made for it. Dalan turned to the customer at his door and froze.
The glowing blue eyes of Zelda stared into his.
Dalan couldn't help himself; he smiled and slowly began to approach her. She looked infinitely more beautiful, if that was possible. But as he took a step forward, she took a step back. He looked at her curiously, then smiled understanding. She had not expected to find him here. He lifted his hand in invitation and smiled coaxingly. "So we meet again, Zelda."
Zelda stared at the man before her in consternation. She had never thought…never imagined that she'd see him here, in Hyrule Castle Town. Does he know…? She stared into his glowing golden eyes and knew he still hadn't discovered who she really was. She hadn't even expected to see him again at all after the Chancellor and her father had lectured on leaving the palace. She had been out of the palace for most of her life! But they still treated her as if she was still ten years old instead of nineteen.
And when Dalan spoke and lifted his hand, Zelda was overwhelmed with confusing feelings. He was here he was actually in Hyrule Castle Town and the feelings she had felt before swamped her completely until she was drowning in them. What was it about this man that made her feel this way? She stared into the beautiful eyes and slowly smiled. She lifted her hand and placed it in his. Now the Chancellor and her father couldn't say a thing. She just had to make sure that Dalan didn't find out who she was until she was ready to tell him.
"From the looks of it, it seems your arm has healed, Dalan."
Dalan burst out laughing and pulled her to him. Zelda's cheeks flushed with the sound of his laughter and with the heat of his body as he pulled her to him. The feelings inside her intensified beyond comprehension. What was he doing to her? He looked down into the bewildered but intrigued and smoldering eyes and he drowned in their depths. Was she his destiny?
Zelda watched Dalan's smile fade and his eyes grow dark. Her heart began to speed within her chest. What was going to happen? She had dreamed about him since the day she had found him on the beach…but now with him standing over her, his entire body overwhelming her beyond measure…she had no idea what to expect. Least of all what he did do.
She didn't know what hit her as Dalan lowered his head and touched her lips with his own. The feelings that had been confusing inside of her exploded and began to create chaos throughout her body. She had never experienced anything like it. All of her senses exploded as she clung to him, Dalan being the only solid thing in her suddenly dizzying world. His mouth moved over hers, igniting feelings inside of her that she never knew could exist…
Until she suddenly realized what was happening to her. She clutched at Dalan as he pulled her closer and opened her lips to find the secrets deep inside. The burst of pleasure so intense erupted inside of her and she knew. She was feeling desire…a desire inspired by a matching soul… by a lover. Zelda's fingers wound into Dalan's long dark hair as she curiously followed the movements of his lips and tongue. She was in love with him.
When all the passion inside her detonated into the kiss, she knew she was lost and her mind would no longer function. She wanted him with blinding intensity and from the desperation in his kiss she knew he felt the same way.
Dalan had to pull away. If he did not he would loose complete control. He had never feared loosing control with any other woman except her. She was his destiny…she belonged to him and to no one else, and she knew it as well.
He tore his mouth away and buried his face in her throat. Their labored breathing was the only sound in the silent room as they slowly recomposed themselves. Zelda slowly pulled away and stared up into the dark golden eyes that were glittering with passion and an intensity that scorched her. She swallowed and smiled. "And all I wanted to do was ask the new silversmith to make me a small piece."
Dalan burst out laughing and stared down into the now dark sapphire eyes that shimmered with a hidden fire no one had ever awakened but him. Her lips were swollen with his kisses, her face flushed and he had never felt better.
He grinned at her and gave her a wink, making the heat pooled within her enflame once more. "Well, then, lady. Tell me what is this piece you want and I will make it for you as quickly as I possibly can." He lifted his hand for her to take and with the other motioned to the shop behind you. "I am your servant."
Zelda laughed and took his hand. Who would have thought she would find a man like this in her entire life? Only one piece of her mind threatened the happiness inside her soul and heart. But you are a princess and a Sage. You can never be together. Zelda banished the words. She would find away to be with Dalan…he was the other half of her soul.
* * *
Link entered Hyrule Castle Town and smiled. The city was bustling with the Market Day and people were everywhere bargaining, buying, and selling. Everyone was alive with the beauty of the day and the thrill of business and gossip.
His hair was still dripping from his bath as he strode through the village catching bits and pieces of the gossip. He overheard people speaking of a strange dancer that had appeared in Kakariko Village and was now headed to Lake Hylia. Link shook his head at the gossip approached the weapons' vender. Link lightly smiled at the preening man and asked, "Has a new silversmith been appointed yet?"
The round salesman tugged on his beard as the thought about the question posed. When the man nodded, Link was pleasantly surprised. There had not been a silversmith since the old one had died several months ago. He had come every month, hoping they had appointed a new one but the answer had always been negative. Until now.
"Yes, we have a new silversmith. And it's about time too. We have been needing one since the old man died, but this new silversmith is a young one, though. Strange looking too." The salesman smiled. "But can't complain about his work, though! Young and strange looking he may be, but an amazing silversmith! Just look at some of his pieces!" The vender showed Link the silver pieces and he nodded in amazement. The man was right. Whoever made these pieces was a master silversmith.
Link looked up and asked, "Where is his shop? All your pieces are very good, but not exactly what I'm looking for. I have something very specific in mind. Do you know where his shop is?"
The vender pulled on his beard and sighed. "Oh, well, if none of my pieces interest you, his shop is located behind the Mask Shop."
Link nodded. "Thank you." He turned and made his way toward the rear of the Mask Shop. The door to the silversmith's shop was slightly open and Link slowly opened the door to stare in amazement of the sight before him. The silversmith was a huge man with pitch-black hair, almost exactly like the faery woman he had met at his spring. But that wasn't what held Link in surprised shock. It was the fact that in his arms he was passionately kissing the Princess, Zelda.
Her arms were wrapped tightly around the silversmith's neck, their lips blending as the mighty arms of the man holding her tightened around her. As soon as Link's initial shock had passed, and he realized that neither had noticed his presence, a slow smile began to form on his face. He leaned against the doorframe and watched the spectacle before him.
But after a few moments and neither seemed to be stopping Link sighed and said, "Will you both be done anytime soon? I need to order a piece from the silversmith."
The two broke instantly apart by the sound of the voice intruding. Zelda's eyes were dazed and unfocused, her lips swollen and her face flushed. Link smiled at her appearance though he felt that this was unusual for her. She was a Sage and she knew it. What was she doing dallying with a silversmith? But while Zelda was still regaining her faculties, Link's penetrating gaze shifted to the silversmith who was standing beside her.
The men's eyes met and something flashed. Link straightened and crossed his arms over his chest the cloak shifting around him. The silversmith did the same, their equal heights making them lock eyes as they sized each other up. It was at that moment that Link recognized the man before him. The golden eyes glowed as Link's eyes widened with realization. But the moment of manly scrutiny ended abruptly with Zelda's cry.
"Link!"
Link turned quickly enough to catch Zelda flying into his arms. He laughed as he wrapped his arms around gave her a small squeeze. Link caught the silversmith's scowl. He smiled wickedly at the golden eyed Pryderi, and then looked down at the beaming Zelda.
"Hello, Zelda. It is good to see you again as well." Zelda laughed and released him turning to the scowling Pryderi. She rolled her eyes at Dalan's expression, while Link just grinned at him.
"Don't give me that look, Dalan! This is Link, an old friend of mine. We've known each other since we were children! He is like the older brother I never had!" Zelda grabbed the hand of the silversmith and dragged him to Link. The Hyrulian warrior was still smiling tauntingly. He gave the Pryderi and curt nod. Dalan did likewise.
Zelda paid neither any heed. She was just so pleased to see Link again after so many months! "Link, this is Dalan. He's the new silversmith and he's—"
"A Pryderi from the island of Prydereus," Link finished for her.
Both Zelda and Dalan were startled. Zelda blinked in surprise. "How did you know that, Link? I didn't even know about the people on the islands around Hyrule."
Link shrugged and smiled. "I have my ways." Link straightened. "Zelda, what are you doing here with him anyway? You know you can't be here with him."
Dalan's eyes narrowed. Zelda only sighed. "Spoken like a true older brother figure. You don't understand, Link. Dalan is different."
Link scowled at her. "Just because he is a Pryderi? Zelda you of all people should know better than that! You know why you can't be here. It'll only cause you both pain, because I already see how you both care for each other." Link gave a small smile. "I did see the kiss you two were sharing before I interrupted."
Zelda flushed and Dalan finally spoke. "What do you mean it will cause us pain?"
Link turned to the Pryderi and smiled at the irony. Who would have thought the faery woman's brother would fall for the woman he considered to be a sister, while he fell for the sister of that man? Link shook himself mentally. He had not fallen for the faery woman. She just intrigued him. He turned back to Zelda and lifted an eyebrow. "You haven't told him yet, I see."
Zelda chewed on her lip and scowled at Link. The warrior just shrugged. "All I came in here for was to ask the silversmith to make me a silver dagger." He turned to Dalan. "Is that too much to ask for, Pryderi?"
Dalan grunted and turned to go to the back of the shop. "Do you want something specifically?" he called as he entered the back room.
Link called back, "Yes." He then turned to Zelda, his stormy blue eyes meeting her sapphire eyes. "Now, what do you mean he's different? It can't be because he's a Pryderi, you're not that foolish."
Zelda growled at him. "Link, you haven't visited me since the last holiday, why should I tell you anything about my relationship with Dalan?"
Link grinned wickedly. "Because I know something about him you don't and you know why I haven't stopped by since then. Your Chancellor threw me out the last time I showed up for a holiday because he didn't believe this warrior had a place in the palace so near the princess. Now, tell me what you're doing."
She sighed and leaned against the wall as she heard Dalan setting up the silver over the fire. "I say he's different because he has the same telepathic ability I have."
Link's eyes widened and he nodded. "I see, so you're hoping that he is special enough not to apply to the rule that you can't be with anyone because you're a Sage."
Zelda rolled her eyes. "Link, I'm in love with him. Whether he applies to the rules or not, I am going to be with him. He's the other half of me." He saw the determination and the love in her eyes and slowly nodded just as Dalan reentered the room.
"All right. What do you want done?"
Link smiled and approached the silversmith, telling him exactly what he wanted in the dagger. Zelda watched them both and felt a calming peace inside her. Link supported her love for Dalan. His approval was all she needed to feel safe within her love.