Author's Note:
Hello to all. This is a romantic Link/Zelda fic that I've decided to write. It's a romance/drama/smidgen of comedy. It takes place in the Ocarina of Time setting, after Zelda sent Link back and they grew up to be 18. There personalities are a little unlikable in the beginning but that's only because I wanted to make believable strife between them. There wouldn't be much conflict if they were both wonderfully pleasant and perfect people, now would there? No adult themes or swearing in this story.
Please read ~ review ~ and enjoy!
1 It's Love; Now Or Never
By *Jasmine*
2 Part Five: Looking Back
The earth was still cold from the night's chill, only small flecks of sunlight peaked over the top of the Castle's battlements. It was quiet and unusually peaceful in these dawn hours since none of the Castle staff was yet stirring. The only sound was the grunts of a young blonde man standing alone in the courtyard and the smooth swishing noise of his blade making metallic arcs through the grey shrouding mist.
Link's steps were clean and strong, his posture straight and powerful. His brow was laced with a thin film of sweat and his flaxen hair fell before his cool blue eyes. Yet he looked lost in thought as he performed his familiar routine, his movements radiating an inner frustration and anger.
"Don't you heroes ever take a day off?" a loud, clear voice rang over the barren grounds and the twinge of arrogance in it could only belong to the Prince of Fawaee.
The Hero of Time turned his head, abruptly jolted from his churning mind, to see a tall brunette haired man striding towards him. His expensive shoes grew slick with the glass dew and his smile was broad and stained with haughtiness. "I could ask the same of Princes," Link spoke.
Gaelith seemed to find amusement in Link's retort and laughed, "Ah so you possess a bit of wit to go along with that sword I see. I was up planning for tonight's party and didn't get a moments rest I'm afraid. There is much too do." Then he regarded Link's sword with a flicker of his amber eyes and boasted, "I too am renowned for my swordsmanship in Fawaee. My father had me take lessons since before I was capable of walking. They say I may be the best fighter in our kingdom."
Now it was Link's turn to chuckle as he said, "Yes well if they had said any different you might have exiled them."
Gaelith looked a little aback at Link's forwardness but he quickly recovered his gloating mannerism. "Then I must prove my skills to you." The lanky pail-skinned Prince turned on his sharp heels and strided over to a doorway. He disappeared within it and after a few moments emerged holding a long, slender sword by his side. The weapon was similar to Gaelith; graceful in design and sharp-edged.
Then the Prince stepped before Link and got into a formidable stance. A smile flitted over his lips as he sniggered, "And don't spare any force on me because I am royalty."
Link raised a thick golden eyebrow and replied coolly, "I have never done so before, why start now?" Then with the passing of his words, the two commenced in battle. Their swords flew foreword, metal clashing hotly against metal, and the grey somber veil of haze danced around them.
Gaelith's fought well; his movements were aggressive, swift, and perfect in technique. His thin sword made etchings in the sky and struck Link's weapon in a barrage of blows. The Prince's limbs shuffled about quickly as well and he was able to move his lanky form with skill. After a long moment of solid exchanges and no real progress, Gaelith spoke in short, ragged breathes, "You move quite well for a common Hylian."
Link had his own style of fighting; his movements were much more powerful and less quick in pace. Whereas Gaelith rained down three strikes, the blonde young man only needed one to do the same damage. His sword was not as brilliant looking and its hilt was slightly dulled with age but the metal of the blade was kept well maintained and it glimmered in the banded morning sunrays. Link did not concentrate so much on perfecting his techniques, instead he focused his mind until he was able to predict each movement Gaelith would make and have his body cooperate with his sword as if it were an extension of his own arm. "And you move very well for a rich Fawaeen," Link responded, not letting his brain waver from the battle.
The tall young man gave a dry chuckle in reply and let his sword skip over the air, continuing the fight. They moved back and forth without much advancements and then, as Gaelith's blow was yet again deflected by Link's sword, the Prince was the first to break the silence between them. "Who has taught you to fight this way? I must seek them out for my instructors are of weak competence indeed."
Without shifting his gaze, Link responded flatly, "I was my own teacher."
Gaelith looked surprised and his dark eyebrows mounted into arches as he spoke, his voice unusually full of awe and a tinge of admiration, "Self- taught? Is there anything you cannot do, Hero?"
The blonde man ignored the Prince's remark and asked as nonchalantly as possible, "So you are going to have the party tonight. A bit early don't you think?"
A bead of perspiration pooled on Gaelith's brow and he said, winded, "Yes well I want to have it as soon as possible. I am going to announce Zelda and I's engagement and I cannot delay any longer. After all, who could hesitate knowing they are wedding the most beautiful maiden in this and yonder kingdom."
His voice was so boastful and his words stung Link. He could not hide the shock and appall that flashed across his firm tan face. Gaelith saw this and smirked in pleasure. He had something the noble and beloved Hero of Time apparently wanted and it delighted him greatly to view his pain. "Why? Do you have an objection to it?" the Prince of Fawaee asked, feigning ignorant innocents.
Link regained himself and shook his head. "No. It's merely that we only just arrived here. Do you not think it best Zelda get acquainted to her new home first?"
Gaelith snorted, "Are you sure you are not her nanny instead of her friend?" Then after a quick pause, the auburn haired man smirked and slowly drawled, "Or better yet, her lover - "
The Hero found himself unable to respond and shock flooded his face. Gaelith took his opportunity to achieve an advancement and struck out then. His slender, ruby and pearl inlaid hilt glittered in the air and his blade danced just past Link's shoulder. The blond young man however recovered quickly enough to defend himself and attacked so strong that Gaelith's arm vibrated from the blow.
"What are you implying?" Link growled, his voice low and his intent blue eyes narrowed. The battle between them was abandoned for the time being as the two young men stood face to face with their swords held slack down by their sides and their chests swelled with gasping breathes.
Gaelith sniffed through that long sharply pointed nose of his, "You may be uneducated but you know full well what I am saying, Link. You and Zelda are having an affair."
The young blond man scowled at the Prince and let his loathing for him shine through in his eyes and expression. "Zelda and I are just friends - Not even that," Link responded.
"Just friends? Do you expect me to believe that when the way you look at her and she to you tells me enough? There is a love between you," the dark haired Prince stated and his heart bore jealousy. Zelda never showed such affections towards him and he secretly doubted she ever would.
Link met the Prince's gaze straight foreword and said without pretense, "There is nothing between us. On my Hero's honor, I swear this." It was true; he would not allow himself to feel anything for her ever again.
Gaelith rolled his honey eyes and scoffed, "Hero's honor? I trust that as much as I trust a bandit's word."
The blond man lifted his sword up in one swift movement and pointed it directly at the Prince's chest. He knew his actions could get him executed but he could not bar his anger any longer. "Watch your tongue, Gaelith. You may be a Prince but that does not give you the right to speak low of me," Link demanded and his voice was as dangerously edged as his blade.
The tip of the sword reflected in the Prince's twin orbs of amber and his lip raised into a perverse smile. "No, I suppose I believe you," he finally said and then a shallow chuckle escaped his parched throat. "After all, savage, rowdy Heroes and refined, soft spoken Princesses obviously don't go together. Everyone knows that."
Link lowered his sword a bit and stared with white daggers at the man. Then he turned and started to briskly walk away.
"You leave so soon? And just before I was able to taste your defeat?" Gaelith called after him snidely, his voice light with the hero's retreating form.
Link spoke back over his shoulder, "There will be more time for me to beat you. Later." Then he disappeared into a doorway.
Bands of soft morning sunrays made patterns over the yielding earth and high white Castle walls. Gaelith cast his eyes upward until he came to Zelda's guest room window. She was up at the sill, her white beautiful face turned to him like the surface of a luminescent harvest moon, a look of disapprove and sadness was on her soft features, and her pail cerulean eyes glistened like small depthless oceans. The Princess turned away and her flaxen hair swayed with her movements as she wilted away from his gaze.
He knew then that never would he find love in her eyes.
~*~
The large ballroom was alive with people and the festive sounds of laughter. Long rich silk drapes poured onto the glossy wood floor and lengthy tables held etched platters of roasted meats and sugary desserts. The scent of food, honeyed spices and flowers drenched the warm air. The music of a soft flute filled the hall and the middle of the room was cleared to allow for dancing. Haughty women in flowing gowns all moved around their partners like colorful spinning tops, noses stuck high in the air.
The Princess sat with her back pressed against the tall majestic satin padded chair and gazed around the room with a strange detachment from it all. It was as if she was here, yet wasn't meant to be. Her long silk dress shimmered iridescent blue hues like the palest of oceans, stretched over the map of her slender white skin, and threatening to drown her, if she was destined to be that lucky. Her somber mood sung through in her stony eyes and the cold, far away expression on her beautiful face, falsely illuminated in the soft gold candlelight.
Gaelith sat to her right, looking proudly and gloatingly over the party. His thick mane of rich dark hair was combed back and a slight smirk was plastered on his narrow, pallor face. He wore a red tunic and white pants, a large golden amulet possessing the symbol of Fawaee's crown hung around his thin neck and sparkled in the light. He looked smug that he was sitting beside the most gorgeous young woman attending the party and eyed the dance floor, snatching up the opportunity to make further appearances with his lovely little doll on his arm. Leaning across the space that spanned between them, he spoke softly into her ear, "Would you care to dance, Princess?"
She felt his hot breath on her cheek, singeing her skin, and she resisted the urge to retract from his touch as his hand pressed down on her slender wrist. Why did she feel this way about him? Sure, he wasn't exactly Prince Charming but it wasn't as if he treated her poorly or callous. All he had ever done was show her the utmost politeness and generosity. Why then did she feel as if he was somehow the one locking away her future? Zelda scowled at herself and scolded silently, No that's silly. I chose this, now I have no one to hate but myself.
"Zelda?" he questioned quietly, his eyes showing mild concern, and he jarred her from her thoughts.
The Princess turned to him and whispered back, "No. I'm sorry but I don't feel up to dancing right now." Long strands of flaxen hair fell before her eyes and were twisted back into a web of delicate coils pinned to the back of her head. A necklace of thin gentle gold strung with pure white pearls circled her neck and glistened against her collarbone.
Gaelith studied her face, searched her eyes, and saw a void of nothing but confusion and distrust. He nodded and turned away, dissatisfied.
Zelda watched the room with vague interest until finally what she had been secretly waiting for came into view. Link entered the room through the twin doors and instantly all the female eyes in the room turned towards him. He wore a simple black tunic and white hose over his muscular frame, more polished then anything he would typically wear yet not over dressed. His blond hair looked as if it had tried to be tame and combed back, yet still strands fell loose into his tan face and his cool blue eyes scanned the room. He radiated confidence and masculinity and you could almost hear every woman in the room swoon.
The Princess stood from her chair, as if her body was no longer under her control, and the folds of her dress swam over her slender form. The faces of the people around them blurred together and faded out until they were mere shadows dancing along the walls of the hall. Link met her eyes and the blue of his orbs were tarnished by anger and an underlying passion. Zelda began to drift around the table and onto the dance floor as Gaelith watched on in displeasure and shock.
Zelda stopped several feet away from the young man, hesitant to approach him, and she said, her words blending into the flitting of the flutes "You clean up well." Her humor however was somewhat fabricated and hollow, a vain way to try and make this situation comfortable.
A slight smile fell over his face and he nodded to her, "As do you." He was supposed to hate her after what happened between them and they way she had tread on his heart so flippantly, but he found he couldn't hate her. For some reason he just couldn't.
People began to waltz all around the two slowly as the music drifted into methodical soft lulls. "I didn't think you'd come tonight. After all, black tie events aren't really your strong point," she said lightly and her pale face glowed golden in the candlelight.
"What? And miss your lavish arrival gala? I think not," he said exaggeratedly, imitating the Prince slightly and causing a soft giggle to burble out from the Princess's throat. "Do these people throw a festival for every small event or what?" he then asked.
Zelda laughed, life coming into her features, "Just about. I hear they are planning a ball next week to honor a successful turnip crop."
Link chuckled also and it felt good to laugh with her once more. Then as the laughter died down between them, the young man looked to the side as if he was noticing the swirling people around them for the first time. "It appears everyone is dancing," he said almost to himself and the blonde woman in front of him nodded vaguely. Link looked to her once again and his dark azure eyes were uncertain. After a moment, he threw caution to the wind, and asked with a slight bow of his head, "Would you care to dance, milady?"
Zelda's face shown with an inner joy and, even though she knew she was risking upsetting Gaelith and causing a sensation, she accepted his outstretched hand, her heart beating faster with just the touch of his skin against hers. Without saying a word she walked towards him until they were just inches away from each other and the man slipped his arms around her slim waist, all the while his eyes never leaving hers. Her small arms went up over his neck until their warm bodies were touching close, the silk fabric of her thin pale blue dress grazing his cotton tunic.
"Remember, I lead," Link whispered teasingly to the Princess with a small grin, his hot breath against her bare neck and ear. He then led her in slow swaying movements and she allowed him to as her body was overwhelmed with bliss in his embrace and her thoughts turned to simple pleasure.
Moments drifted by and Zelda spoke first for fear she might be swallowed whole by the joy overcoming her. "You look very nice. Who dressed you in these clothes?"
The young man looked indignantly as he proclaimed, "What? You don't think I could at least dress myself for a party? Tsk tsk, you don't have enough confidence in me."
"Its not you I have a lack of confidence in, it's your fashion sense," the Princess giggled.
Link admitted with a chuckle, "Ok, Ok you got me. I had one of the maids pick it out for me."
Zelda smiled up at him showing two rows of pearly teeth and said, "They don't call me the Sage of Wisdom for nothing."
"You look very beautiful tonight. But then again I'm sure at least a dozen men have already made this fact clear to you," the Hero of Time said and his voice was somewhat light though there was an undertone of jealousy in it. He was aware that Zelda was just as sought after by the opposite sex as he was by the women.
A strand of flaxen hair fell in front of her pale blue eyes as the woman replied with a sigh, "O just two or three."
Link laughed, "Did I ever tell you you're a horrible liar?"
A sardonic grin came over her face and she said, "And did I ever tell you you're a terrible charmer?"
"Funny, of all the women I've known you are the first to say that," he sniffed jokingly.
Zelda chortled with laughter and said, "Because I'm a horrible liar remember?"
For a moment it felt like old times again, before they had shared a kiss and stopped denying their feelings. Yet the touch of her hipbones against his brought back feelings of passion and yearning and his grip became more firm, more needing. The music was drifting on without either of them really hearing it and people floated around them like ghosts against the wall. Far off into the farthest wisps of their world sat Gaelith at his chair, glowering at them and fingering the arms of his gilded chair.
The Princess looked up at him, her clear pale eyes haunting in their regret and bitter sorrow, and she said breathlessly, "So why did you stay?"
Link was startled by her abrupt question and threw out a hasty answer, "Because he asked me to."
By now their dancing had stopped and they were merely standing in place among of sea of moving people and fluttering silk garments. The glow of the golden candles illuminated the curves of Zelda's beautiful face and the rise of her high cheekbones. She responded wisely and without accusation, "No, the real reason."
The young man looked at her for a moment, struggling to find an answer in her perfect features and wise eyes, and then cast his eyes downward. "I - I - " he began.
Suddenly the ringing of a glass echoed across the hall and halted the flutes. All eyes darted to Gaelith standing in front of his chair and tapping a glass elegantly with a fork. As soon as he was sure everyone was looking towards him, the pale skinned man stopped and turned to them with a smile.
"Hello to all my guests and fellow countrymen! I am so very happy to see my hall filled once again with the laughter and warmth only friends may bring. My house fells so much more alive with all of you here - " he began and the glitter of the golden candle flames caught in his mane of raven black and his thick eyebrows arched skyward into twin furry peaks. Gaelith suddenly flicked his brown gaze from the dancing guests to Zelda there in the middle standing before Link and then back again to his friends. The Princess became aware what was coming and instantly stepped away from the Hero of Time, feeling shamed from his touch.
The Prince of Fawaee continued, "But I must say that this house will no longer be just mine any longer to fill with laughter and festivities - The beautiful Princess of Hyrule, Zelda, has accepted my wedding proposal and we are to be married this spring. This will become her house as well as mine and together we shall make it a home."
The crowd erupted in cheers and applause and it was all directed at Zelda, who could not muster up a convincing smile and instead bowed her head to hide the sheen in her eyes. Link looked towards her from the shadow of the crowd and his face was drawn long and sadness read across his brow.
Gaelith continued on gushing over his new bride-to-be and their wedding announcement and the Hero found he could not take it anymore. He turned and left, thinking the Princess might not even notice.
Zelda watched the retreating form of his black tunic for a moment and found her yearning to give chase after him. She looked around to see the eyes of the noble men and women turned once again to Gaelith and then the young woman slipped out unnoticed.
Link made his way down the hall and out the courtyard entrance. There was a slight breeze in the air laced with a bittersweet chill and a swollen moon hung low in the velvet black sky, casting a cold metallic light over the yard. His pace was swift and even as he silently cursed himself for still having feelings for Zelda, of all people.
The Princess's shoes scraped against the brick path as she ran to keep up, her gown of blue silk fluttering behind her. She slowed a bit and called out to him, "Link, wait!"
The young man stopped, his breath catching in his throat, and he dared not turn around yet for fear he might feel the racing of his heart at the mere sight of her. "Just let me be, Zelda," he said softly and his voice was hard like thick frosted-over ice.
"I can't Link. We can't leave it like this. Why did that bother you back there? You know I am engaged to Gaelith," she pressed and stared at the back of his head as if to find an answer in his flaxen hair.
Link froze for a moment before swerving around on his heels, his handsome face looking enraged yet sorrowful outlined in the platinum blue of the moonlight. His tone was sharp and curt, yet his voice broke at odd intervals with the quaking of tears vibrating down his throat, as he said, "Remember how before you asked me why I really stayed? Well you want to know why? Because of you! Because - of some forsaken dream I had that maybe you'd change your mind and - I don't know - Maybe you'd see that marrying Gaelith is a mistake."
Zelda looked at him and her eyes grew glossy like slick glass, twin moons reflecting in her orbs like globes of silver caught there. She shook her head softly and whispered, "O Goddesses Link - I already told you all this before. I have to marry Gaelith; it isn't my choice to make nor mine to change - He may be somewhat snobby but he is my only option and he does not mistreat me - Maybe with time, I may even grow to love him."
The young man gazed back at her and they were only a few feet apart yet it felt the span of a lifetime. "Are those the lies you tell yourself then to rationalize marring someone you do not love? You will never grow to feel for that man; you and I both know this, no matter how much you attempt to deny it," he spat, a bitter loathing crisp in his voice.
A tear plummeted down the sloping rise of her creamy cheek and she hissed, her words each filled with biting anger, "Damnit Link! Why do you persist in making this so hard for me? Can you not pretend to accept our fates and move on as I am trying to do?"
"O I've forgotten that I am making it so hard for *you*," he said, "But then its always been about you hasn't it?"
Zelda rolled her blurry eyes and turned her back to him as she snapped softly and scornfully, "Shut up -"
His hand snaked out to catch her wrist and his grip was firm yet not painful even in his rage. He could feel her pulse under his palm and the throbbing of her blood below her smooth skin.
Zelda wrenched her head around and narrowed her eyes until they were mere shards of jagged ice. She growled, "Let go of me."
Link gazed into her face and he looked urgent. "I will let go of you - forever - if you can answer me but one question: Can you honestly throw away all we have or may have and never look back or question what might have been?"
Zelda met his gaze and tears rolled down her face. "I - I - " she began and then looked away, as if she were shameful. "I have to," she stated finally.
"O damn the law and damn your father! Who made them our Gods to dictate to us our destinies, Zelda?" Link cried out and still refused to let go of her wrist.
The young woman glared at him, her face slick with hot tears and glittering in the cold moonlight, and her voice was desperately angry and loud, "Damn you!" With that she snatched her arm away from him and continued, " - For mocking my misfortune! To me, those are my Gods though I loathe it with all my being! I am the heir to the throne and for that I must carry the weight of responsibility! Why will you not leave me be to face my reality instead of filling my head with ideas and dreams that may never be?"
He let her retreat from his grasp without so much as a struggle and watched her for a moment before finally nodding his head slowly and sadly. "Fine, if that's what you want then I'll go by morning's first light," he said and turned to leave.
Yet he paused for moment and moved his head sideways to gaze at her with crestfallen dark azure eyes. Link added softly, " - Just have happiness, Zel, because I can't think of anyone more deserving of it than you. If it is what you wish, I will leave - and I won't look back." With that he walked farther down the cool brick path and disappeared beyond a doorframe.
The Princess stood there alone in her flowing gown that sparkled like a night ocean and strands of her golden hair fluttered in the slight breeze. She trembled from the chill - the cold of her heart - and tears streaked down the sides of her beautiful face. Zelda could feel a hurt deep inside as she watched him walk away and swallowed down the bitter regret in her throat.
~*~
Closing Note:
Ok first let me apologize for the format, which is no doubt screwy. This chapter was too big for AOL text again and since it wouldn't make sense if I separated parts of it I just left it as it was and downloaded using Microsoft Word. Sorry! Also I had to use a lot of ' - ' to represent pauses.
With that out of the way let em just say: Awww sad! This is getting so dramatic I can hardly stand it! Hehe! So what you think? The sixth and last chapter is coming finally so look for that soon - And that's about it. O ya, happy Turkey Day everyone! I'm thankful for my family, my friends, my readers (^_^), and my health! All right well C ya lata gata!
Hello to all. This is a romantic Link/Zelda fic that I've decided to write. It's a romance/drama/smidgen of comedy. It takes place in the Ocarina of Time setting, after Zelda sent Link back and they grew up to be 18. There personalities are a little unlikable in the beginning but that's only because I wanted to make believable strife between them. There wouldn't be much conflict if they were both wonderfully pleasant and perfect people, now would there? No adult themes or swearing in this story.
Please read ~ review ~ and enjoy!
1 It's Love; Now Or Never
By *Jasmine*
2 Part Five: Looking Back
The earth was still cold from the night's chill, only small flecks of sunlight peaked over the top of the Castle's battlements. It was quiet and unusually peaceful in these dawn hours since none of the Castle staff was yet stirring. The only sound was the grunts of a young blonde man standing alone in the courtyard and the smooth swishing noise of his blade making metallic arcs through the grey shrouding mist.
Link's steps were clean and strong, his posture straight and powerful. His brow was laced with a thin film of sweat and his flaxen hair fell before his cool blue eyes. Yet he looked lost in thought as he performed his familiar routine, his movements radiating an inner frustration and anger.
"Don't you heroes ever take a day off?" a loud, clear voice rang over the barren grounds and the twinge of arrogance in it could only belong to the Prince of Fawaee.
The Hero of Time turned his head, abruptly jolted from his churning mind, to see a tall brunette haired man striding towards him. His expensive shoes grew slick with the glass dew and his smile was broad and stained with haughtiness. "I could ask the same of Princes," Link spoke.
Gaelith seemed to find amusement in Link's retort and laughed, "Ah so you possess a bit of wit to go along with that sword I see. I was up planning for tonight's party and didn't get a moments rest I'm afraid. There is much too do." Then he regarded Link's sword with a flicker of his amber eyes and boasted, "I too am renowned for my swordsmanship in Fawaee. My father had me take lessons since before I was capable of walking. They say I may be the best fighter in our kingdom."
Now it was Link's turn to chuckle as he said, "Yes well if they had said any different you might have exiled them."
Gaelith looked a little aback at Link's forwardness but he quickly recovered his gloating mannerism. "Then I must prove my skills to you." The lanky pail-skinned Prince turned on his sharp heels and strided over to a doorway. He disappeared within it and after a few moments emerged holding a long, slender sword by his side. The weapon was similar to Gaelith; graceful in design and sharp-edged.
Then the Prince stepped before Link and got into a formidable stance. A smile flitted over his lips as he sniggered, "And don't spare any force on me because I am royalty."
Link raised a thick golden eyebrow and replied coolly, "I have never done so before, why start now?" Then with the passing of his words, the two commenced in battle. Their swords flew foreword, metal clashing hotly against metal, and the grey somber veil of haze danced around them.
Gaelith's fought well; his movements were aggressive, swift, and perfect in technique. His thin sword made etchings in the sky and struck Link's weapon in a barrage of blows. The Prince's limbs shuffled about quickly as well and he was able to move his lanky form with skill. After a long moment of solid exchanges and no real progress, Gaelith spoke in short, ragged breathes, "You move quite well for a common Hylian."
Link had his own style of fighting; his movements were much more powerful and less quick in pace. Whereas Gaelith rained down three strikes, the blonde young man only needed one to do the same damage. His sword was not as brilliant looking and its hilt was slightly dulled with age but the metal of the blade was kept well maintained and it glimmered in the banded morning sunrays. Link did not concentrate so much on perfecting his techniques, instead he focused his mind until he was able to predict each movement Gaelith would make and have his body cooperate with his sword as if it were an extension of his own arm. "And you move very well for a rich Fawaeen," Link responded, not letting his brain waver from the battle.
The tall young man gave a dry chuckle in reply and let his sword skip over the air, continuing the fight. They moved back and forth without much advancements and then, as Gaelith's blow was yet again deflected by Link's sword, the Prince was the first to break the silence between them. "Who has taught you to fight this way? I must seek them out for my instructors are of weak competence indeed."
Without shifting his gaze, Link responded flatly, "I was my own teacher."
Gaelith looked surprised and his dark eyebrows mounted into arches as he spoke, his voice unusually full of awe and a tinge of admiration, "Self- taught? Is there anything you cannot do, Hero?"
The blonde man ignored the Prince's remark and asked as nonchalantly as possible, "So you are going to have the party tonight. A bit early don't you think?"
A bead of perspiration pooled on Gaelith's brow and he said, winded, "Yes well I want to have it as soon as possible. I am going to announce Zelda and I's engagement and I cannot delay any longer. After all, who could hesitate knowing they are wedding the most beautiful maiden in this and yonder kingdom."
His voice was so boastful and his words stung Link. He could not hide the shock and appall that flashed across his firm tan face. Gaelith saw this and smirked in pleasure. He had something the noble and beloved Hero of Time apparently wanted and it delighted him greatly to view his pain. "Why? Do you have an objection to it?" the Prince of Fawaee asked, feigning ignorant innocents.
Link regained himself and shook his head. "No. It's merely that we only just arrived here. Do you not think it best Zelda get acquainted to her new home first?"
Gaelith snorted, "Are you sure you are not her nanny instead of her friend?" Then after a quick pause, the auburn haired man smirked and slowly drawled, "Or better yet, her lover - "
The Hero found himself unable to respond and shock flooded his face. Gaelith took his opportunity to achieve an advancement and struck out then. His slender, ruby and pearl inlaid hilt glittered in the air and his blade danced just past Link's shoulder. The blond young man however recovered quickly enough to defend himself and attacked so strong that Gaelith's arm vibrated from the blow.
"What are you implying?" Link growled, his voice low and his intent blue eyes narrowed. The battle between them was abandoned for the time being as the two young men stood face to face with their swords held slack down by their sides and their chests swelled with gasping breathes.
Gaelith sniffed through that long sharply pointed nose of his, "You may be uneducated but you know full well what I am saying, Link. You and Zelda are having an affair."
The young blond man scowled at the Prince and let his loathing for him shine through in his eyes and expression. "Zelda and I are just friends - Not even that," Link responded.
"Just friends? Do you expect me to believe that when the way you look at her and she to you tells me enough? There is a love between you," the dark haired Prince stated and his heart bore jealousy. Zelda never showed such affections towards him and he secretly doubted she ever would.
Link met the Prince's gaze straight foreword and said without pretense, "There is nothing between us. On my Hero's honor, I swear this." It was true; he would not allow himself to feel anything for her ever again.
Gaelith rolled his honey eyes and scoffed, "Hero's honor? I trust that as much as I trust a bandit's word."
The blond man lifted his sword up in one swift movement and pointed it directly at the Prince's chest. He knew his actions could get him executed but he could not bar his anger any longer. "Watch your tongue, Gaelith. You may be a Prince but that does not give you the right to speak low of me," Link demanded and his voice was as dangerously edged as his blade.
The tip of the sword reflected in the Prince's twin orbs of amber and his lip raised into a perverse smile. "No, I suppose I believe you," he finally said and then a shallow chuckle escaped his parched throat. "After all, savage, rowdy Heroes and refined, soft spoken Princesses obviously don't go together. Everyone knows that."
Link lowered his sword a bit and stared with white daggers at the man. Then he turned and started to briskly walk away.
"You leave so soon? And just before I was able to taste your defeat?" Gaelith called after him snidely, his voice light with the hero's retreating form.
Link spoke back over his shoulder, "There will be more time for me to beat you. Later." Then he disappeared into a doorway.
Bands of soft morning sunrays made patterns over the yielding earth and high white Castle walls. Gaelith cast his eyes upward until he came to Zelda's guest room window. She was up at the sill, her white beautiful face turned to him like the surface of a luminescent harvest moon, a look of disapprove and sadness was on her soft features, and her pail cerulean eyes glistened like small depthless oceans. The Princess turned away and her flaxen hair swayed with her movements as she wilted away from his gaze.
He knew then that never would he find love in her eyes.
~*~
The large ballroom was alive with people and the festive sounds of laughter. Long rich silk drapes poured onto the glossy wood floor and lengthy tables held etched platters of roasted meats and sugary desserts. The scent of food, honeyed spices and flowers drenched the warm air. The music of a soft flute filled the hall and the middle of the room was cleared to allow for dancing. Haughty women in flowing gowns all moved around their partners like colorful spinning tops, noses stuck high in the air.
The Princess sat with her back pressed against the tall majestic satin padded chair and gazed around the room with a strange detachment from it all. It was as if she was here, yet wasn't meant to be. Her long silk dress shimmered iridescent blue hues like the palest of oceans, stretched over the map of her slender white skin, and threatening to drown her, if she was destined to be that lucky. Her somber mood sung through in her stony eyes and the cold, far away expression on her beautiful face, falsely illuminated in the soft gold candlelight.
Gaelith sat to her right, looking proudly and gloatingly over the party. His thick mane of rich dark hair was combed back and a slight smirk was plastered on his narrow, pallor face. He wore a red tunic and white pants, a large golden amulet possessing the symbol of Fawaee's crown hung around his thin neck and sparkled in the light. He looked smug that he was sitting beside the most gorgeous young woman attending the party and eyed the dance floor, snatching up the opportunity to make further appearances with his lovely little doll on his arm. Leaning across the space that spanned between them, he spoke softly into her ear, "Would you care to dance, Princess?"
She felt his hot breath on her cheek, singeing her skin, and she resisted the urge to retract from his touch as his hand pressed down on her slender wrist. Why did she feel this way about him? Sure, he wasn't exactly Prince Charming but it wasn't as if he treated her poorly or callous. All he had ever done was show her the utmost politeness and generosity. Why then did she feel as if he was somehow the one locking away her future? Zelda scowled at herself and scolded silently, No that's silly. I chose this, now I have no one to hate but myself.
"Zelda?" he questioned quietly, his eyes showing mild concern, and he jarred her from her thoughts.
The Princess turned to him and whispered back, "No. I'm sorry but I don't feel up to dancing right now." Long strands of flaxen hair fell before her eyes and were twisted back into a web of delicate coils pinned to the back of her head. A necklace of thin gentle gold strung with pure white pearls circled her neck and glistened against her collarbone.
Gaelith studied her face, searched her eyes, and saw a void of nothing but confusion and distrust. He nodded and turned away, dissatisfied.
Zelda watched the room with vague interest until finally what she had been secretly waiting for came into view. Link entered the room through the twin doors and instantly all the female eyes in the room turned towards him. He wore a simple black tunic and white hose over his muscular frame, more polished then anything he would typically wear yet not over dressed. His blond hair looked as if it had tried to be tame and combed back, yet still strands fell loose into his tan face and his cool blue eyes scanned the room. He radiated confidence and masculinity and you could almost hear every woman in the room swoon.
The Princess stood from her chair, as if her body was no longer under her control, and the folds of her dress swam over her slender form. The faces of the people around them blurred together and faded out until they were mere shadows dancing along the walls of the hall. Link met her eyes and the blue of his orbs were tarnished by anger and an underlying passion. Zelda began to drift around the table and onto the dance floor as Gaelith watched on in displeasure and shock.
Zelda stopped several feet away from the young man, hesitant to approach him, and she said, her words blending into the flitting of the flutes "You clean up well." Her humor however was somewhat fabricated and hollow, a vain way to try and make this situation comfortable.
A slight smile fell over his face and he nodded to her, "As do you." He was supposed to hate her after what happened between them and they way she had tread on his heart so flippantly, but he found he couldn't hate her. For some reason he just couldn't.
People began to waltz all around the two slowly as the music drifted into methodical soft lulls. "I didn't think you'd come tonight. After all, black tie events aren't really your strong point," she said lightly and her pale face glowed golden in the candlelight.
"What? And miss your lavish arrival gala? I think not," he said exaggeratedly, imitating the Prince slightly and causing a soft giggle to burble out from the Princess's throat. "Do these people throw a festival for every small event or what?" he then asked.
Zelda laughed, life coming into her features, "Just about. I hear they are planning a ball next week to honor a successful turnip crop."
Link chuckled also and it felt good to laugh with her once more. Then as the laughter died down between them, the young man looked to the side as if he was noticing the swirling people around them for the first time. "It appears everyone is dancing," he said almost to himself and the blonde woman in front of him nodded vaguely. Link looked to her once again and his dark azure eyes were uncertain. After a moment, he threw caution to the wind, and asked with a slight bow of his head, "Would you care to dance, milady?"
Zelda's face shown with an inner joy and, even though she knew she was risking upsetting Gaelith and causing a sensation, she accepted his outstretched hand, her heart beating faster with just the touch of his skin against hers. Without saying a word she walked towards him until they were just inches away from each other and the man slipped his arms around her slim waist, all the while his eyes never leaving hers. Her small arms went up over his neck until their warm bodies were touching close, the silk fabric of her thin pale blue dress grazing his cotton tunic.
"Remember, I lead," Link whispered teasingly to the Princess with a small grin, his hot breath against her bare neck and ear. He then led her in slow swaying movements and she allowed him to as her body was overwhelmed with bliss in his embrace and her thoughts turned to simple pleasure.
Moments drifted by and Zelda spoke first for fear she might be swallowed whole by the joy overcoming her. "You look very nice. Who dressed you in these clothes?"
The young man looked indignantly as he proclaimed, "What? You don't think I could at least dress myself for a party? Tsk tsk, you don't have enough confidence in me."
"Its not you I have a lack of confidence in, it's your fashion sense," the Princess giggled.
Link admitted with a chuckle, "Ok, Ok you got me. I had one of the maids pick it out for me."
Zelda smiled up at him showing two rows of pearly teeth and said, "They don't call me the Sage of Wisdom for nothing."
"You look very beautiful tonight. But then again I'm sure at least a dozen men have already made this fact clear to you," the Hero of Time said and his voice was somewhat light though there was an undertone of jealousy in it. He was aware that Zelda was just as sought after by the opposite sex as he was by the women.
A strand of flaxen hair fell in front of her pale blue eyes as the woman replied with a sigh, "O just two or three."
Link laughed, "Did I ever tell you you're a horrible liar?"
A sardonic grin came over her face and she said, "And did I ever tell you you're a terrible charmer?"
"Funny, of all the women I've known you are the first to say that," he sniffed jokingly.
Zelda chortled with laughter and said, "Because I'm a horrible liar remember?"
For a moment it felt like old times again, before they had shared a kiss and stopped denying their feelings. Yet the touch of her hipbones against his brought back feelings of passion and yearning and his grip became more firm, more needing. The music was drifting on without either of them really hearing it and people floated around them like ghosts against the wall. Far off into the farthest wisps of their world sat Gaelith at his chair, glowering at them and fingering the arms of his gilded chair.
The Princess looked up at him, her clear pale eyes haunting in their regret and bitter sorrow, and she said breathlessly, "So why did you stay?"
Link was startled by her abrupt question and threw out a hasty answer, "Because he asked me to."
By now their dancing had stopped and they were merely standing in place among of sea of moving people and fluttering silk garments. The glow of the golden candles illuminated the curves of Zelda's beautiful face and the rise of her high cheekbones. She responded wisely and without accusation, "No, the real reason."
The young man looked at her for a moment, struggling to find an answer in her perfect features and wise eyes, and then cast his eyes downward. "I - I - " he began.
Suddenly the ringing of a glass echoed across the hall and halted the flutes. All eyes darted to Gaelith standing in front of his chair and tapping a glass elegantly with a fork. As soon as he was sure everyone was looking towards him, the pale skinned man stopped and turned to them with a smile.
"Hello to all my guests and fellow countrymen! I am so very happy to see my hall filled once again with the laughter and warmth only friends may bring. My house fells so much more alive with all of you here - " he began and the glitter of the golden candle flames caught in his mane of raven black and his thick eyebrows arched skyward into twin furry peaks. Gaelith suddenly flicked his brown gaze from the dancing guests to Zelda there in the middle standing before Link and then back again to his friends. The Princess became aware what was coming and instantly stepped away from the Hero of Time, feeling shamed from his touch.
The Prince of Fawaee continued, "But I must say that this house will no longer be just mine any longer to fill with laughter and festivities - The beautiful Princess of Hyrule, Zelda, has accepted my wedding proposal and we are to be married this spring. This will become her house as well as mine and together we shall make it a home."
The crowd erupted in cheers and applause and it was all directed at Zelda, who could not muster up a convincing smile and instead bowed her head to hide the sheen in her eyes. Link looked towards her from the shadow of the crowd and his face was drawn long and sadness read across his brow.
Gaelith continued on gushing over his new bride-to-be and their wedding announcement and the Hero found he could not take it anymore. He turned and left, thinking the Princess might not even notice.
Zelda watched the retreating form of his black tunic for a moment and found her yearning to give chase after him. She looked around to see the eyes of the noble men and women turned once again to Gaelith and then the young woman slipped out unnoticed.
Link made his way down the hall and out the courtyard entrance. There was a slight breeze in the air laced with a bittersweet chill and a swollen moon hung low in the velvet black sky, casting a cold metallic light over the yard. His pace was swift and even as he silently cursed himself for still having feelings for Zelda, of all people.
The Princess's shoes scraped against the brick path as she ran to keep up, her gown of blue silk fluttering behind her. She slowed a bit and called out to him, "Link, wait!"
The young man stopped, his breath catching in his throat, and he dared not turn around yet for fear he might feel the racing of his heart at the mere sight of her. "Just let me be, Zelda," he said softly and his voice was hard like thick frosted-over ice.
"I can't Link. We can't leave it like this. Why did that bother you back there? You know I am engaged to Gaelith," she pressed and stared at the back of his head as if to find an answer in his flaxen hair.
Link froze for a moment before swerving around on his heels, his handsome face looking enraged yet sorrowful outlined in the platinum blue of the moonlight. His tone was sharp and curt, yet his voice broke at odd intervals with the quaking of tears vibrating down his throat, as he said, "Remember how before you asked me why I really stayed? Well you want to know why? Because of you! Because - of some forsaken dream I had that maybe you'd change your mind and - I don't know - Maybe you'd see that marrying Gaelith is a mistake."
Zelda looked at him and her eyes grew glossy like slick glass, twin moons reflecting in her orbs like globes of silver caught there. She shook her head softly and whispered, "O Goddesses Link - I already told you all this before. I have to marry Gaelith; it isn't my choice to make nor mine to change - He may be somewhat snobby but he is my only option and he does not mistreat me - Maybe with time, I may even grow to love him."
The young man gazed back at her and they were only a few feet apart yet it felt the span of a lifetime. "Are those the lies you tell yourself then to rationalize marring someone you do not love? You will never grow to feel for that man; you and I both know this, no matter how much you attempt to deny it," he spat, a bitter loathing crisp in his voice.
A tear plummeted down the sloping rise of her creamy cheek and she hissed, her words each filled with biting anger, "Damnit Link! Why do you persist in making this so hard for me? Can you not pretend to accept our fates and move on as I am trying to do?"
"O I've forgotten that I am making it so hard for *you*," he said, "But then its always been about you hasn't it?"
Zelda rolled her blurry eyes and turned her back to him as she snapped softly and scornfully, "Shut up -"
His hand snaked out to catch her wrist and his grip was firm yet not painful even in his rage. He could feel her pulse under his palm and the throbbing of her blood below her smooth skin.
Zelda wrenched her head around and narrowed her eyes until they were mere shards of jagged ice. She growled, "Let go of me."
Link gazed into her face and he looked urgent. "I will let go of you - forever - if you can answer me but one question: Can you honestly throw away all we have or may have and never look back or question what might have been?"
Zelda met his gaze and tears rolled down her face. "I - I - " she began and then looked away, as if she were shameful. "I have to," she stated finally.
"O damn the law and damn your father! Who made them our Gods to dictate to us our destinies, Zelda?" Link cried out and still refused to let go of her wrist.
The young woman glared at him, her face slick with hot tears and glittering in the cold moonlight, and her voice was desperately angry and loud, "Damn you!" With that she snatched her arm away from him and continued, " - For mocking my misfortune! To me, those are my Gods though I loathe it with all my being! I am the heir to the throne and for that I must carry the weight of responsibility! Why will you not leave me be to face my reality instead of filling my head with ideas and dreams that may never be?"
He let her retreat from his grasp without so much as a struggle and watched her for a moment before finally nodding his head slowly and sadly. "Fine, if that's what you want then I'll go by morning's first light," he said and turned to leave.
Yet he paused for moment and moved his head sideways to gaze at her with crestfallen dark azure eyes. Link added softly, " - Just have happiness, Zel, because I can't think of anyone more deserving of it than you. If it is what you wish, I will leave - and I won't look back." With that he walked farther down the cool brick path and disappeared beyond a doorframe.
The Princess stood there alone in her flowing gown that sparkled like a night ocean and strands of her golden hair fluttered in the slight breeze. She trembled from the chill - the cold of her heart - and tears streaked down the sides of her beautiful face. Zelda could feel a hurt deep inside as she watched him walk away and swallowed down the bitter regret in her throat.
~*~
Closing Note:
Ok first let me apologize for the format, which is no doubt screwy. This chapter was too big for AOL text again and since it wouldn't make sense if I separated parts of it I just left it as it was and downloaded using Microsoft Word. Sorry! Also I had to use a lot of ' - ' to represent pauses.
With that out of the way let em just say: Awww sad! This is getting so dramatic I can hardly stand it! Hehe! So what you think? The sixth and last chapter is coming finally so look for that soon - And that's about it. O ya, happy Turkey Day everyone! I'm thankful for my family, my friends, my readers (^_^), and my health! All right well C ya lata gata!
