Authors Note: Wow you're reading chapter 2? That means you're 2 times as cool. Oh Yah! Well I won't spoil anything so enjoy the story!

Disclaimer: I do not own The Legend of Zelda.



Watching For Action





Chapter 2 Part 1



Now normally I would have waited for my friends to wake up, but I was really tired. I had gotten little to no sleep thanks to that psychotic Zora and his buddies. I made sure his friends were locked up safe and tight. Unfortunately we couldn't find his body. I have a bad feeling this will come back to haunt me. Oh well I am tired so good night.

"Dyrade, are you there?"

Ugh. My life sucks. Nikina is awake. Just when I was about to go to sleep the woman wakes up. Hmph.

"Yes Nikina I am here. How are you feeling?"

I gave her a smile and got a weak one in return.

"I've been better. What happened? Did you rescue me again?"

She had that sweet and cute voice that I swear women must practice.

"Nah I just kind of happened by and you know me I had to start a fight."

I grinned and winked at her. Beside her I saw Link stir. Princess Ruto had watched over him all night. He groaned weakly as his eyes opened. She started to make a fuss over him and although I didn't eavesdrop on their conversation. I did hear her whisper in his ear when he fell asleep.

"I love you Link."

I am a man and it takes a lot to break me down but I swear the way she said it and the love in her eyes brought a tear to my eye. Maybe it is just the hopeless romantic in me but my heart went out to Princess Ruto. She had to compete with Malon, who was still sleeping soundly, and the Princess of Destiny herself. Although I didn't know for certain if Zelda loved him, Links comment made me reach that conclusion. If she loved him as deeply as Malon and Ruto this man's life was going to get hard soon.

"Go to sleep my betrothed, you need it."

I grunted. Nikina had THAT right.

"Only if you insist my sweety-pumpkin."

I snickered but she was already asleep again. Argh just when I had the perfect response she goes to sleep. Well I do need sleep so if you'll excuse me.

"Dyrade? Where am I?"

By the Triforce of Power why won't these women sleep?

"Yes Alyese I am here. You're in the Zora city as a guest of the Princess Ruto. I took care of those bad Zoras."

She laughed at me! I saved her life and she laughs?

"Sure you did Dyrade. I am glad Princess Ruto came along when she did. Otherwise we would all be dead. Thanks for cheering me up though."

That was more than I could take. That's right I am just a clown! Just a stupid clown who has only spent the majority of his life mastering the manipulation of the world! I cannot do anything! FINE! I am not getting any sleep tonight. I walked further into the city and found myself sitting at the top of a waterfall. I don't know what it is about me but sometimes I just have to be alone in some place that has a spiritual significance. Its how I blow off steam. I don't know how long I sat there. Most people assume I am deep in magely thoughts when I do it, but honestly I just stare into a void. I've never told anyone that so keep it a secret or I will just deny it. Sometimes it is better to just listen to the world around you.

"Where is Dyrade? We better get going if we want to get to the castle by lunch."

Was that Links voice I just heard? Oh goddesses its already morning. I had cooled down and was about to walk down when I heard Alyese.

"Maybe he is somewhere telling this preposterous story about how he defeated those Zoras who attacked us. Ha! That will be the day!"

Well maybe I should just stay up here. Obviously I am not a good enough mage for her. I will just stay up here FOREVER! How do you like that Alyese? Ha! I rubbed my hands together anticipating their reaction when I felt the ring Nabooru had given me. I took it off and finally examined it. In a language long forgotten to the common people it said, -Sometimes You Just Have To Play Out A Bad Hand -. The ring is right. I put it back on. Maybe someday I will tell you what finger I wear it on. Taking a brief look down I guessed I could survive the jump. I walked a short distance back and then ran and jumped off the edge.

"RAAA!!!"

I say that a lot don't I? As the world streamed by I decided to show Alyese just what I could do. I certainly had enough anger, now to call enough wind. Right before I hit the water I stopped dead. Hovering an inch above the water I slowly made my way to the crowd that had gathered. Now lets see her.. ACK!

"Catch me oh mighty mage!"

Ruto leapt out of the crowd and landed on top of me. My concentration lost we both fell in the water. Coughing, I pulled myself out of the water. Everyone was doubled over laughing. Yah I really showed them. Idiot! I was still embarrassed when we reached the path to Hyrule Castle. Oh I forgot to mention Malon and Ruto are now coming with us. Malon told Link that her father would be returning today and he would take care of Epona. Ruto decided she needed to visit Hyrule Court for some important business. Whatever. Everyone knows she and Malon are there to compete over Link. Malon has been on his right and Ruto on his left all day. Blah. Blah. Blah. Alyese is avoiding me and Nikina looks like she has something she wants to say but doesn't know how. Oh and if I haven't mentioned I have had absolutely NO sleep. Today is shaping up to be a fun day indeed. I am glad we have a couple Zora guards because if we are attacked I will pass out from exhaustion. Why did Malon just mouth 'Thank you' to me? Oh I see. Afraid Ruto would take advantage of Link if she went to thank me for saving her ranch. Fair enough. I will just nod. Oh not again.

"WHAT? WHY DID YOU JUST KISS LINK?"

Malon is screaming at Ruto again. Ouch right next to his right ear.

"I DIDN'T I WAS WHISPERING TO HIM AND I 'ACCIDENTLY' BUMPED INTO HIM!"

There goes Ruto in his left ear. Now all we need is for Zelda to kick him in the nuts and his day is complete. I hope Ruto is watching Malon's right hand. [SMACK] Guess not. Here comes Ruto's left foot. [THUMP] Wow the brave man is getting between them. [BAM] [CRUNCH] Well it serves him right for getting in the middle of a catfight.

"What are you okay Link?"

They finally realized he is lying on the ground between them.

"Okay? You knocked him flat you lunatic!"

"I wasn't the one who broke his nose!"

"Yah well I wasn't the one who kneed him in the gut!"

"Um.. That wasn't his gut ladies."

Okay I know I should have kept my mouth shut but they beat the poor man down. Thankfully a beautiful woman in pink rode up with group of soldiers and said something that REALLY didn't go over well.

"What happened to my Link?"

Princess Zelda? Wow she is so.. Nikina is reading my thoughts.. mediocre.. of course Zelda is nothing special..

"Your Link?!?!?!"

Malon and Ruto yelled in unison. Before anyone knew what was going on Zelda was on the ground wrestling with Malon and Ruto. I got on the mount they brought for me and I just started riding toward the castle. Alyese and Nikina behind me smirking. Finally the three ladies broke it up and helped Link on to a horse. If Princess Zelda didn't have to ride at the front I am sure a fight would have broken out over who got to ride next to Link. Well the good news is I made it to the castle and will be Zelda's guard for the next year. This year is going to suck.



Chapter 2 Part 2



You know I think I am getting spoiled on this whole 'task' thing. There I was with the Hero of Time, Princess Zelda, Princess Ruto, the owner of the largest ranch in Hyrule Malon, a Zora escort, a knightly escort, the heir to the Gerudos, and a fellow mage riding into Hyrule. I was too tired to care.

"Come on you stick in the mud, lets put on a show."

Yah. Forgive my false enthusiasm but Alyese conveniently forgot I have had NO sleep whatsoever.

"Alright. Um. Light and air show on three."

Basically we started saying a lot of made up words. You people expect that. Then we 'shifted' light. Now we glowed. Add that in with the fact that our capes billowed in a lack of wind and the crowd was stunned. Time to wake them up. I absorbed the fire out of a near by tavern, raised my hand to the sky, and like an eagle it flew above the city and then burst.

"Yah!!!"

They love me. Finally we have reached crowd control. I wonder how they keep the grass this green. There sure are a lot of guards Zelda must have convinced her father to increase the guard. There seems to be a battalion of pike men on maneuvers.

"Princess Zelda. Why do you have so many soldiers near the castle?"

"I will answer that. The Count of Cysi is here and the king wants to make an impression."

Hmm. Link must be some sort of advisor to Zelda. I will have to find out more about this count.

"Princess! The king is very upset with you. How could you go outside of the city? You know the Elder never sends mages to protect people because it is perfectly safe! Get inside the castle now!"

Wonder of wonders. It is Impa. Another sage, I am so lucky. Hmm. Malon and Ruto are giggling.

"Well don't stand there blushing bring the mages before the king! Fool girl."

Ouch. I wouldn't want to live with her. Oh no. I am going to. Why goddesses? We dismounted and as I was digging threw my backpack when Ruto approached me.

"I didn't get a chance to thank you properly. I was busy protecting Link from Malon. Now Zelda will keep her busy."

She grabbed my right hand and put something in it.

"I know that your one of the few followers of Din."

I got a stricken look on my face. If that got around I would be shunned. Din was considered evil to the populace. The Dyrades had always believed power was not inherently good or evil and if you had a strong will you could do much good with it. Don't give me that nonsense about Ganon, it wasn't Din's fault he did what he did. She smiled at the look on my face.

"Don't worry I wont tell. Please accept my deepest thanks for saving myself and Link."

I felt I had to say something.

"I know what you said to Link while he slept. I wish you the best of luck as you try to win his heart."

She looked shocked but then got the biggest smile on her face and she hugged me before I could stop her.

"No non-Zora has ever said that to me! Your so sweet."

She left me standing there dumbfounded. I am getting really good at this look. I looked at what she had given me. It was a small ruby statue of Din. I smiled and put it in my backpack. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Nikina glaring at me. She must have taken that hug the wrong way. Well if she doesn't want to talk about it yet then fine. I have got a king to meet.

"Dyrade get over here!"

Okay then she does want to talk about it. I bit back a comment like 'Coming buttercup' and walked over to her. Looking into her eyes I could tell she needed reassurance of some kind. Oh why not. I have already admitted to myself I care for her. I pulled her close to me and kissed her. I wont go into any more details because I like to consider myself a gentleman. Lets just say Impa had to cough loudly. When we finally stopped we were pushed into the Grand Hall. No one told us what to do or maybe they did and we weren't paying attention, but regardless we winged it and walked to King Harkinian hand in hand.

"Your majesty may I present Princess Nikina of the Gerudos and her betrothed the Mage Dyrade."

Oh yah. Now I was 'her' betrothed. She wasn't 'my' betrothed. Hmph. We bowed before the king and took our place with the others. I couldn't help but eavesdrop on the line of nobles watching and politely applauding.

"Great now we have witches and Gerudo scum. Hold on to your wallet."

"Don't worry so much Nyas. The mages are only dangerous if you want to kill the princess not marry her."

Oh this wasn't sounding good. I look at Impa and asked,

"Who is the man in yellow?"

She glared daggers at him.

"That is the reason for so many guards he is Count Nyas of Cysi. He wants to marry Zelda and 'merge' our kingdoms. You sure find the dangerous ones quick mage."

I nodded. Unless he means her physical harm I can do nothing. Pity. Maybe I could.. No it is too early to think about getting involved. I cannot be the one to act. I only hope someone does.



Chapter 2 Part 3



After the audience we were shown our rooms. When I saw where they were I shook my head.

"Alyese will be staying in the same room as the Princess. One of us must be with her at all times. Alyese you will watch her during the night and morning. I will take the rest of the day. I will stay in this room."

I pointed to the room next door. Zelda's frown got even bigger then when I was talking.

"No. That is Links room and I will not be.. be.. BABYSAT like this!"

I turned to her with a look that could have frozen fire.

"It is my room now. Alyese WILL stay with you. The Elder has prophesied you will be in great danger until your wedding and since that cant happen for another year you are stuck with us!"

Zelda threw up her hands and walked into her room. Link followed her trying to console her. I nodded for Alyese to follow.

"So it begins."

Impa looked at me with a strange expression on her face after I had spoken.

"I am putting Link in between Malon and Ruto. I WILL be staying in this hallway. So unless you want to be in another hallway you will have to stay with Nikina."

I groaned. In the end duty overcame my shyness and I nodded.

"Have the Zoras that came with Ruto guard the moat. No one will expect it. I will go put up wards around the castle."

Impa nodded. I decided to start in this hallway. Wards are relatively easy. Just shout 'Danger' at the top of your lungs and suck the sound out of your mouth. Wrap it in air and project a sense of evil at it. The air will keep the sound bottled until a being of evil passes threw it. What do you mean it doesn't sound simple? Well for a mage it is so there. After about two hours I had the castle prepared. I was exhausted. I walked to my room to get some well-deserved rest when Nikina came out decked out in ceremonial Gerudo garments.

"There you are! The dinner honoring us is about to start!"

Ugh. She dragged me along to the dinner hall. One thing about being a mage we don't have to spend much time dressing up for stuff like this. All anyone expects is a robe. We walked for ages. This castle is huge. When we finally entered the dining hall almost everyone was there. I noticed that Link was to Zeldas left and the spots next to Zeldas right were open. Alyese was exactly opposite Zelda. I gave her a thumb up and she beamed. I sat between Zelda and Nikina. As everyone rose to give thanks to Nayru and Farore I silently included Din. Hey, its who I am remember? I happen to think it is Din's will alone that I have survived this long, well that and my good looks and charm. Stop laughing at me.

"Let us all remember this dinner is in honor of our distinguished guests. I have a major announcement to make; as you all know my daughter Zelda will be eighteen is less then a year. I will be holding a ball where all the eligible suitors will attend. Zelda will make her choice there or if no one is to her satisfaction we will enter into the alliance with Count Nyas of Cysi. The ball will be in one week."

I frowned. I have never agreed with forcing a woman to choose. Maybe it is a curse to be royalty. What was hidden behind the kings words was that he was giving Zelda one week to find someone else. The castle was going to be swamped with suitors. After all you cannot find the love of you life in one night can you? Wait. Something isn't right.

"DANGER!!!!"

The wards! It came from above. I looked up. Looking down on the hall was a man leveling a crossbow at Zelda.

"He is going to kill the Princess!!!!!"

Shouted Count Nyas. Not on my watch buddy. As he pulled the trigger and the stunned crowd heard the twang of the crossbow I leapt up on the table. I heard Nikina gasp. How dare he attempt to kill Zelda! What had she ever done! My rage filled me and so did my power. I sucked the fire from the torches circling the hall and I threw it at the man holding the crossbow. The crossbow bolt was incinerated before it reached me and the man was turned to ash. This was too easy. Whoever planned this had to know a mage would be there. Is it just to lure me into a false sense of security? Why is..

"Ahem! Dyrade please get off the table."

Oops. I look at everyone sheepishly and then jump off of it. Taking my seat I filled my cup and started eating again. Why is everyone staring at me? I swallow and then say,

"Just because a fool attempted to kill Princess Zelda is no reason to let this perfectly good feast go to waste."

That got some laughter and everyone settled down when Zelda started eating again. She leaned close so no one else could hear and said,

"Thanks."

I nodded acknowledging her thanks. Maybe she is warming up to our protection.. Ouch! Someone stomped on my foot. I looked at Nikina and notice she is seething. I lean in.

"What is wrong?"

"If you ever scare me like that again I will kill you myself. I thought you were going to give your life to save hers."

I winced. She was right; I didn't give any signal to her.

"I am truly sorry. I am glad you care though."

I grinned and she grunted something I couldn't make out. As I ate I considered my tactics so far. I was relying heavily on torches and the wind. While I could pull enough warmth from the air around me to form a fire it would make the air so cold it would affect those around me. Plus the power necessary to do so could kill me. It was to close to creating something from nothing. If I didn't have a nearby fire source or if they started to carry fire resistant shields I was in trouble. I got up and walked over to a window and looked out into twilight. Perhaps I need to work with light more.

"Mage Dyrade."

I turned; it was the Count Nyas of Cysi.

"I would like to offer you an apology. I thought you and the Mage Alyese were witches sent to corrupt the princess. If she had died.. I don't want to think about it. If you have need of anything you know where to find me."

With that he turned and left. I was surprised. He seemed to be a good man. If he wasn't behind this then who was? I should have been pleased he was a good person, but I found myself afraid. Yes it is a hard admission to make but I was afraid. Who was behind all this? Why were two mages needed to protect Zelda? I could sense in the air that things were going to go down. As I looked again out the window the sun was setting, it was almost prophetic. I had to unlock more of the puzzle before the ball. I just had to.



Chapter 2 Part 4



In the morning things had quieted down. What do you mean what happened with the whole 'you and Nikina in the same room' thing? Nothing happened! What do you mean you don't believe me? We aren't married yet! You've got problems. Anyway I got up from my OWN bed and noticed Nikina still sleeping in her OWN bed. After a half hour of grooming myself I was ready to face the day. You would not believe the engineering achievement this castle is. They have sun-heated showers! Fantastic! They are almost as good as the ones we have in the Hall of Mages. I still had a good four hours until I had to watch Zelda so I took a walk threw the castle. I went outside and started running threw the basic sword exercises I had been taught.

"Hello Dyrade, care to spar?"

It was Link.

"Alright, lets go."

I held my sword in a ready position and just as he lifted his sword I flew forward. The swords glittered in the morning sun as we went at it. Block, block, strike, block.. I lost track of time. I tried every trick I knew but he seemed to absorb them. I was getting tired. I couldn't beat him without magic. So I called the winds to me. He frowned as he felt the wind resisting his movements. I attacked all out. He gave ground. In two more movements I have got him.. Hah take that! What? Where did he go?"

"Nice match."

He was behind me with his sword to my neck. Caught up in my final attack I didn't see him roll behind me.

"I will put up more of a challenge next time."

As if anyone is a challenge to the Hero of Time. I didn't know we had attracted a crowd. Standing nearby watch were Alyese, Nikina, and the 'I Love Link Club' (Malon, Ruto, and Zelda). There were also a few guards attempting to recreate the moves they had seen. Maybe I wasn't that bad. Before the club got in hearing range I turned to Link.

"Like it or not Link the king has given you a time limit. You have until the ball to make your decision."

He nodded. By the look on his face I know he understands. Good. The rest of the day went by without event. Tomorrow I have to prepare the security for the ball. Plus the girls want to go shopping. Tomorrow held so much more.



The End of Chapter 2



Authors Note: I have figured out who gets Link. The next chapter is preparation for the ball and chapter 4 will deal only with the ball. All I am going to say is things go down! Peace out!