@A FairyTale In Reality@
ch.4-The dance
by:GoldenSilence

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A/N=Thanks to anyone that has bothered to leave a review. You may not think your comments have any effect, but trust me, they do.:)Oh yeah, this chapter may have spelling errors etc. simply because I am writing this when I am sick with the flu-hopefully it's still good!*honks on a tissue*
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Usually Hyrule Castle itself would be enough to make Malon gape at its magnificence and grandeur. Today though, it had been painstakingly transformed into a wonderland;a courtyard of eternal spring.

Long chains of exotic flowers and common flowers Malon knew, such as roses and lilies, were hung side by side from trees, the castle walls, anything that was deemed sturdy enough to attach them to. The grass waved invitingly underneath Malon's bare feet as if daring her to dance upon it.

In front of her bewitched eyes, the unforgiving afternoon sun's rays seemed to turn the tree's leaves(the only hint of Fall that could not be hidden)from yellow to a twinkling gold. The sun, bouncing off the leaves, left its glowing mark everywhere-on the already polished coats of armor that were worn by the guards surveying the whole affair with dour expressions, as well as the multitude of jewels worn; for with nobles around, there were an abudance of them in every shape, size, and cut.

Ahead of Malon, the courtiers; who were giving the guard at the ivy trimmed stone gateway a piece of parchment stating their importance and their invitation to the event, took not one glance to seep in the splendor of it all, but simply passed through looking neither left nor right.

The sight of Hyrule Castle and its finery were nothing new to them;this was the way their lives had been laid out since the day they were born-a good deal of them had courtyards back home every bit as beautiful as this one.

Malon, however, could not stop staring at everyone and everything. Sure, she had seen the beauty of Hyrule's countryside or the sunrise at dawn-but this was in another class altogether.

"And you are?" The guard looked at her distainfully and tightened his grip on his sword, figuring she was another urchin-or at worst, a thief- trying to make her way in scot-free.

Malon tore her eyes away from the breathtaking scene ahead of her. "Mal-" she started and then stopped. Only royals mentioned their names. What would
a Hyrule guard care to know hers?

Feeling incredibly inferior under the guard's gaze, Malon swallowed and began anew. "I'm here to serve, sir."

"You aren't going an inch farther, missy. Turn around and go to the castle kitchens. You'll find a door a few yards to the left. Ask for Jeezebel to get a tray of food. Then I'll see about admitting you through."

When Malon came back twenty minutes later, glasses of wine on on a tray being carried carefully in both hands, and asked to go on through, the guard stayed solidy in front of the entrance-for a moment Malon thought he wasn't going to budge-but then as she hesitantly approached him, he moved off to one side, allowing her room to pass.

Malon squeezed and jostled her way past the nobles standing around waiting for the feast to begin. At one of the many long outdoor dining tables, she began placing goblets beside the silver and plates that were in some places already heaped high with food.

The place reminded her of Hyrule market. Just as crowded and just as noisy. It smelled just as horrible too-or at least from Malon's standpoint. The woman she was currently serving had on a mix of putrid perfumes that smelled just as bad-if not worse-than the daily slop and refuse of Hyrule Market.

The only difference between Hyrule Market and the festival was how out of place Malon felt. She made an effort to hide her dirty feet underneath her skirts as she rushed to get more platters of food, all too aware of the dainty satin slippers and dragonhide boots the dukes, dutchesses, princes, princesses, and the like were flaunting.

In Hyrule Market, people of all stations and classes all sort of blended into one gigantic mixing pot of a crowd. Here, the serving girls stuck out from the nobles like stones from jems. In plain gowns of gray or brown(most badly mended), the servants acted identical to Malon in that they tried to be as inconspicous as possible.

Of the scenery and the nobles, it was Malon's private opinion that the latter looked gaudy compared to the rustic trees and flowers.

She had just finished placing a plate of venison in font of a burly looking man when the strain of a conversation from the trio of giggling ladies sitting on his left caught her attention.

So far, most of the talk at the table that day had been petty, stupid stuff. Lands, money, accounts to settle, daughters to marry off, who was the best looking, and money covered most of the favorite topics.

This conversation was no different..the girls were giggling on and on about an engagement they had heard about. Still, something made Malon think what they had to say might be of interest to her.

Freezing in the middle of putting down the plate of food, Malon listened.

"Oh, just look at her!Showoff. That ring is so large, I'm surprised she doesn't fall right over from the weight of it." The girl speaking sniffed dissaprovingly.

"Looks like Zelda's father can rest easy now,huh?She's finally gotten herself attached," said the girl's friend from across the table, twisting her own rather large engagement ring around on her fleshy finger.

"I wouldn't be too sure. I think it's just her newest piece of jewelery, nothing special. Besides, if she was engaged, wouldn't she have a young man hovering around?"

Malon's knuckles turned white as she unknowingly gripped the tray even harder. Link. Oh no. Not Link.

"Hehe, you must be blind, Marianne!He may not be right at her side, but her young man in question is boring holes right through her with that gaze of his. He's so busy staring at her, he's barely been able transfer his food from his plate to his mouth without missing."

"Oooh, you don't say, Anna. Which one is he?" asked Marianne.

"Only the handsomest man around. You really must be lacking for gossip. Don't you ever hear anything? Rumors are he and Zelda have been head over heels for each other ever since he saved her from Ganon."

"I didn't ask for the guy's list of accomplishments," said Marianne. "WHO is he?Give me a name."

"Hero of time, most elligible bachelor around.." began the third one dreamily.

"Honestly, Jeanne" cut in Anna, rolling her eyes. She turned to Marianne. "His name's Link. Maybe if you're lucky, you'll have a chance to introduce yourself to.."

Malon wasn't the only one who had been eavesdropping. The king himself had overheard the three girls too. Surprisingly, it was a piece of gossip new to him. His daughter engaged without informing him first?And to Link?

The King raised his eyebrows, hiding whatever displeasure he felt. Malon was not nearly as composed. She felt the voices around her becoming faint and heard the clatter of a tray dropping as if from far away. All she could think was that Link and Zelda were engaged.

"What in the blazes is wrong with you, girl?" boomed a voice angrily. "You've gone and got food all over my best tunic, addlepate!"

Malon's attention was brought back from the three girls to the situation at hand. It didn't matter. She had heard all she needed to.

"My apologies." With trembling hands, Malon took a napkin and began wiping at the stain on the man's tunic.

"Get your grimy hands off me!" The man snatched the napkin back from Malon's fingers.

The people munching . The chatter. The sound of birds. Everything was beginning to sound the same in Malon's head. She needed to find somewhere with peace and quiet.

"Excuse me-I have to-just excuse me."

With no further words, Malon scurried off, forgetting to pick up the tray and leaving the man grumbling to anyone who would listen about the high quality of HIS own servants back at his castle.

Putting one hand on a tree to steady herself, Malon breathed slowly in and out. So Link and Zelda were engaged. She had suspected as much, but the confirmation of her suspicions hit hard.

The sweet sound of a fiddle suddenly burst forth followed by the beat of drums and a cheery flute, all making themselves known over the lull of voices. The dancing had begun. Malon was exceptionally glad she now had no more serving to do.

Sliding down until she was sitting beneath the tree(and out of most of the noble's line of sight) Malon watched as couples began spinning gaily around to the invigorating tempo. Peasants weren't allowed to dance, but that didn't bother Malon all that terribly-she was a much better singer then dancer anyway, and besides..who would ask her?

At least, the dancing didn't bother Malon much until she saw two blonde headed people dancing on the outskirts of the crowd of dancers. Completely wrapped up in each other, they passed right by Malon. She scooted herself even further under the tree, praying they wouldn't notice her-but just like at Hyrule Market, a pair of light blue eyes searched and found her own.

Link's arms loosened from around Zelda's waist as he stared at the young lady underneath the tree, trying to avoid his gaze. Malon?What was she doing here?

He wanted to go speak to her, but Zelda would not take her arms from around his neck and Link had to make do with a last quick glance in her direction instead before he and Zelda whirled past.

The dark blue orbs that Link had so desperately been trying to meet with his own only now turned to follow both him and Zelda as they spun around in time to the drone of the music.

Both Link and Zelda's outfits simply screamed of opulence. Hers was a silk dress of pale periwinkle blue that swished around her figure becomingly as she moved. Malon's hands picked at a lose thread absentmindedly on her own worn out garb.

Link wore a white tunic of velvet-simply magnificent with his pale blonde hair and blue eyes. Even though the outfit was of a thick cloth, the muscles in his back, arms, and shoulders were clearly defined.

This might as well be his wedding day with the way he's dressed, thought Malon unhappily. I wonder what happened to his green tunic?Zelda probably burned it.

The prince and the princess. They fit into each other's arms like forgotten peices of a puzzle.

Unable to watch any longer and knowing Link had seen her and would most likely try to find her as the dance was ending, Malon made her way sneaking around people to try and get to the exit-away from the dance and away from Link.

She did not care that she was running from him again, only that Link talking to her would be thrice as painful as the sight of him and Zelda together.



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As the dance ended, Link spied a figure fleeing the crowd. The musicians paused for a minute to set up for the next tune. Zelda dipped into a curtsy, signaling she was planning on dancing the next song with Link as well, but Link didn't stay around to bow back.

He was off to look for Malon. There was no way she was going to escape him like she had done the other day. He would find out why she was avoiding him if it was the last thing he did.

Zelda stood watching him, her lips pursed angrily. She wasn't the only one-several eyes belonging to the couples dancing where trying to follow Link.

"May I have this dance, milady?"

Zelda turned to stare at a dashing young man with cropped black hair and equally black eyes. He flashed her a flirting smile. "Or perhaps I should come back later?I'm sure there are many young men vying for your attention."

Zelda returned his smile with a more coy one of her own. "Well, Link did ask me specifically to save this dance for him.."

But he's not here now to stop me, she thought.

"..And every other dance," replied the handsome young man. "I've been trying to get a dance with you since the first waltz."

"I don't dance with strangers." It was a lie. Zelda danced with strangers all the time..but oh, she had to know his name! She may have been dating Link, but it wasn't as if she was engaged to him-even if all those dumb rumors said otherwise. Well, she didn't give a fig what those busybodies thought. A little flirting here and there couldn't hurt.

"I'm King Jonathan The Third of Termina-but just between us, that sounds awefully stuffy, doesn't it?You can call me John."

"Then what are you what are you waiting for?," asked Zelda. "I have no dance partner now, as you can see."

The man smiled again. He had the nicest dimples, Zelda realized distractedly.

"Indeed?We cannot have that. It would not be right for such a thing of beauty to have to sit out a dance for lack of a partner, would it?I suppose I shall just have to remedy the situation."

"Yes, you most certainly shall." Zelda curtsied to him and he bowed back, taking a detour during his leaning over to kiss Zelda's hand.

As they began dancing, Zelda's angry thoughts about Link just leaving her on the middle of the dance floor with no explanation whatsoever vanished. John, was it?Cute, rich, and a king to boot!

This would be...most interesting.


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Malon was just ducking under a garland of hanging vines and sunflowers when she felt a warm hand grasp her own. She turned around to face Link.

Immediately, Malon began tugging at his hand to try and get away, but it was no use-in spite of being built strong from all her hard toil, Malon was still no match for the half a foot taller Link.

"No. You are staying put. Malon, I haven't talked to you in forever! You aren't helping matters any by running off every time I see you."

"I don't know what you mean," Malon mumbled, wishing she could just duck underneath Link's arm and run for it.

Link snorted. "Oh, of course not. Since you appear to have a very selective memory, let me remind you of what happened just yesterday. The moment I noticed you in Hyrule Market, you ran out of there as if a pack of thieves were after you."

"You must have mistaken me for somebody else. I wasn't at Hyrule Market."
Malon knew Link wouldn't believe her, but it was worth a try. Anything right now was worth a try to get away from him. If he had come to tell her of his and Zelda's engagement, she didn't want to her about it-any of it.

"Yes you were," Link said stubbornly. "You forget you're the only one in Hyrule for miles around with red hair. Except for the Gerudos-and trust me, it wasn't one of them. If it was, they wouldn't have been running. They would have simply stayed put and hit me over the head with a brick or something, then stolen every ruppee I had on me."

Malon flushed. "Alright, it was me. Pardon milord, but I had chores waiting and I did not want to get in Ingo's bad graces."

Link sighed. "Will you cut out the 'milord' stuff? I'm just plain old Link. Even 'fairy boy' sounds better coming from your lips than 'milord' does."

Did he just mention her lips?

A fast string of notes, one right after another could be heard coming from the courtyard. Zelda was probably waiting for Link there. Malon jerked on her hand even harder to try and get it out of Link's grasp. If he and Zelda were engaged, she would not complicate things any further.

Link held on firmly. "Surely you're not leaving without even dancing once?"

Malon shook her head. "You know peasants aren't allowed to dance," she stated plainly.

"Correction; peasants aren't allowed to dance in the courtyard. We are now, I believe, outside the castle grounds." Link gave her a huge grin.
"So will you?"

Malon's eyes widened. "Will I what?"

"Dance with me."

"Ye-" Malon changed her mind. "It's not proper," she whispered, trying to convince not only Link, but herself.

"Frankly, I don't want to be proper." Link's voice was dropping down to a dangerously seductive tone.

Then, without warning, he let go of Malon's hand so he could fling off his boots. Malon didn't take the chance to run. With him there, she found it impossible to move an inch-something was commanding her to stay.

She watched Link's boots go sailing through the air and fall into the nearby bushes. "What in Nabooru's name?"

Link gestured at Malon's own unshod feet. "A lord would hardly prance around barefoot, so now we're equal. Just a girl and a boy dancing."

Malon felt a delighted smile light up her face. It turned to a look of uncertainty as Link reached out and caught both of her hands in his, pulling her roughly into his arms.

Why oh why did the song have to be a song that permitted this kind of closeness?

Malon backed out of his arms slightly so that their heads were not nearly touching as they had been before, but she still continued to dance with Link. She couldn't flee from him-he had her spellbound.

The music played on, but Malon heard none of it. All she was aware of was that she was dancing with HIM.

Link looked at Malon worriedly. She was as stiff as log in his arms. Why?

He abruptly ceased dancing altogether. "Malon?Do you want to stop dancing?"

This was her chance to say yes. To say yes and run. But still she couldn't.

"No, not at all," she said and tenatively put her small palm in his. She was rewarded with the twinkle that came to Link's eye.

He pulled her close and they began dancing again. Far too close, thought Malon. So close, she could not avoid his gaze. Blue and blue entertwined-Malon felt flighty. His eyes... and his face-inches away, she could almost touch it. She wanted to. But her hands were wrapped around his back and that in itself sent waves of shock through her.

She could feel his breath on her hair, blowing through it like the wind. Her fiery red locks flew out behind her as they both twirled in circles. She was dizzy-but not dizzy from the dancing, and she knew it.

She was smiling so hard it hurt and so was he.

Link made the space between them even less. Reaching with one hand, he touched her face. Malon stopped dancing, feeling as if she was frozen on that very spot. She could not move for fear of disturbing whatever it was that was happening.

He gently picked the stray piece of hair that had flown across her face and tucked it behind her one ear. Malon found she could move her limbs once again. Honestly, what did you think he was going to do?, she chided herself. He's an eng-

Malon's mind blanked out completely as Link's face began moving slowly downward. She used to think that "tugging at the heart strings" was just a term, but now she knew it was not. Invisible strings were drawing her to him..closer and closer.

Malon unknowingly tilted her lips to meet his own. Then and only then did she realize what she was doing.

She had no idea how to stop the kiss, for she didn't trust herself to speak(and couldn't, with Link's mouth over hers)-instead she did the handy alternative, and stamped hard on his foot.

Link broke the kiss off and hoped on his one foot. "Yeowwch!What did you do that for?"

Too bad I didn't have shoes on. It would have been more effective that way, thought Malon.

"Anwser me one thing. You're in love with Zelda, aren't you?"

Link's sad expression told her all. "Oh Malon, I'm so sorry.."

Malon glared at him. She was too angry to feel sad. That would come later.

"You are in love with Zelda and I'm..you are sick. Don't ever try to toy with my emotions again. EVER."

She turned around and Link knew she was going to leave. Leave when he wanted only to explain and apologize-two things he wasn't even sure how to do. Because he wasn't sure where he had gone wrong. He had just went with his feelings..but then hadn't he always done the same when he kissed Zelda?

"Wait Malon!I can explain!I'll drop by the ranch and explain everything, okay?"

"No more dropping by." Malon's voice sounded dead in her own ears.

She raced off so fast through the garland that it fell down completely, a few of the flowers fell on her head and shoulders while the rest scattered to the ground.

Link's last question rang out behind her. "Are we still friends?"

"No. We can't be. How can you ask that?" Malon's voice broke and she was glad she was away from Link. She would not let him have the satisfaction of knowing he made her cry. Dirt, grass, rocks passed underneath her feet, but Malon felt none of it as she ran blindly back to Ingo's Ranch.

How could Link?She had encouraged him perhaps-but not enough to warrant that sort of...

He probably didn't even realize what he had done. The old "fairyboy" she had known would have. That was all wealth did to people. Corrupt them until they became arrogant, self-centered bastards, thinking they could have whatever they wanted. It certainly happened with Ingo-and now it was happening to Link.

Link watched Malon dissapear. Running. She's always running from me. Then it hit Link why. Malon loved him. He had seen it in her face after the kiss, when they were dancing...

By realizing that Malon loved him, Link then realized he loved her. Deeply. He would never kiss someone he didn't love. But he loved Zelda too. Didn't he?

"Why are you sitting there staring after Malon?You love Zelda. Right?" said a high pitched voice at Link's shoulder.

Navi fluttered about before settling beside Link in the grass. "Of course I do."

Link felt as if he was repeating something by rote .

"Harrumph. You can't fool me, but you had better hope you can fool her. Zelda's waiting for a dance."

"Navi, I thought you were alright with the idea of me and Zelda being in love."

Navi harumphed again. "For once, I agree with Malon. You are an unfeeling idiot."

"WHAT? I just kissed her. It was an accident!"

"It was no such thing," Navi said. "If I was bigger, I'd slap you so hard your face would be pink for a week. Too bad Malon didn't. Oh well, at least she gave you a good kick."

Link glared accusingly at the little fairy. "You were watching!"

Navi tossed her hair. "Naturally."


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As Link danced with Zelda, he found himself comparing her and Malon. He had felt so alive and whole dancing with Malon. And the way she had smiled-as if she hadn't smiled in ages...

Link put his mind back on Zelda as words flew out of his mouth, sounding clipped and rehearsed. Everything with Malon was spontanous.The most spontanous thing Zelda had probably ever done was tell Link she loved him..in the same tone she told him to wipe his boots on the mat outside the door.

Link twirled Zelda around once more and from all around them, spectators twittered over what a handsome and perfect pair they made. If only they could have heard Link's thoughts..

Zelda was beautiful. But Malon was Malon. And there was no escaping it.When Link pulled her to him, it was not her embrace he yearned for-but Malon's.

"Zelda. I need to ask you something-and you may not like it."

Zelda gave him an annoyed glance. "Whatever it is, can't this wait until later?"

"Alright," Link said.

Later would be a long time in coming.



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A/N#2=Is there such a thing as white velvet?I hope so!It just sounded so good to my imagination. I can just see Link wearing that sort of thing..besides, it was either that or put him in black leather...mmmmmm..*ahem*..review please?:) Oh yeah, and people who are freaking out about Link and Zelda..this is a Link/Malon fic..you think there's any way I'm going to let the two of them stay together?Definitely not!