So…tired…pain…sleep…food…mmmm…food…food…must…write…story…must…make…people…happy…*dies*

Disclaimer: OH MY GOD I JUST SAW A CAT ON MY PORCH! REALLY! That bottle of painkillers hasn't impaired my judgment at all!

"Meet someone? Wait, Link, castle? I don't like castles! And I don't like people!" I just kept ranting and raving as Epona raced faster and faster towards the castle.

"Come on, I know you'll like her," Link said, chuckling. Her? What? Did Link have a girlfriend? Wait…I'm not stupid…a girl, in a castle…what was this leading to? Were Link and Zelda…hitched?

"Whatever," I replied, and sat back. When we got to Hyrule castle, all the guards tipped their…helmets…at Link, and we got through security with ease. Now, the inside of the castle was some place that I had not seen prior to me being here. The ceilings were extremely high with massive hanging chandeliers. Our footsteps echoed throughout the great halls, and I stared in awe at the great paintings that hung on the walls. Link led me further and further into the castle, until we finally reached a throne room. Sitting on the thrones were Zelda and…was that Sheik? Link walked up to them and bowed, and I just stood besides him. No way in hell was I going to bow to some foreign princess and a…Sheikah?

"Link, so wonderful for you to visit," Zelda said in a low tone. It seemed like an unwelcoming tone to me. Link got up off of his knees and stood next to me. "And you've brought a friend this time," she said, reaching out to take a sip out of a golden goblet. I forced a smile and Link did, too.

"Yes, this is my new friend Arden…Arden, this is Princess Zelda, ruler of Hyrule," he said, somewhat solemnly.

"Soon-to-be Queen," the blonde said, placing her hand on Sheik's. "And this is Sheik, my fiancée."

"It's nice to meet you both," I said. The scene kept getting more and more awkward by the second. I looked up at Sheik, and then realized that the guy in the tavern with the red eyes was he. Those eyes were definitely cool, and I don't know what it was about them, but he smiled at me, and I felt all flushed throughout my whole body. I didn't know what it was about him, but whatever it was, I liked it. He stood up after Zelda did, and I got to see his figure. He was tall, not as tall as Link, and had shaggy blonde hair. I don't know about the tight clothing fad for men in Hyrule, but for some reason, I didn't mind anymore. He was very muscular, and…and why the hell am I feeling all these things?! Zelda and Link were walking away, and I think Link had said something to me…but…damn, Sheik is fine! He approached me, slowly, and we walked side-by-side down the passageway behind Zelda and Link. They were talking, I could tell, but I wasn't paying attention.

"So, Arden," Sheik began. I almost fainted, I think, at the sound of his seductive voice. Seductive?!!

"This place is beautiful," I said, in almost a whisper.

"Yes it is. So Arden, where are you from? You certainly aren't a Hylian, I can tell you that much," he said with a slight chuckle. I giggled.

"How did you know that?" I asked, stupidly. What in the hell has come over me?

"Your ears, they're small. And I can tell you're not as weak as most other Hylian girls. Your looks are different as well; you're much more elegant, with an alluring foreign charm." I couldn't believe what was coming out of this guy's mouth. He was smooth, all right, and he had me twisted around his little fingers.

"T-t-thank you," I managed to spill out. My gaze was practically locked with his. God he was so…and I just wanted to…

"Are you two coming or what?" Link said impatiently, tapping his foot at the end of the hall. I didn't even realize how far behind we were of them. I could hear Zelda giggle. I quickened my pace, and Sheik followed. We traveled up a winding flight of stairs, and through another passageway. I looked out a window, and night had fallen already.

"I trust you two will be staying the night," Zelda said, taking out keys. She unlocked two large doors that were next to each other. Link nodded. "Here is the room my father gave you, Link," Zelda said of the door to the right. "It still has some of your belongings that you left here last time," she said, lighting the candles all around the room. Link walked in after Zelda, and I stayed in the doorway, watching the two. I felt a hand gently grasp my waist on the side. I turned my head abruptly, and it was Sheik. I got another rush though my body again as he led me into my room. It was large, similar to Link's, only the carpet and bedspread was red, instead of green. The bed was enormous, and there was a huge dresser and a mirror on the wall. I couldn't believe the details in the woodwork. There was even an enormous fireplace, and in front of it some sort of overstuffed red couch. Sheik lit most of the candles, and showed me to a small door on where the wall jutted in between our rooms.

"This is the washroom," he said slowly, "for later on tonight before you settle in. If you need more firewood, or linens, or any help at all, my private study is the last door in this hallway on the left, and our bedroom is across from that on the right," he said, lighting more candles. "I'm sure you'll love the bath. If you feel the need to take one, tell the servants in the hall, and they'll fetch some hot water for you. All in all, sweet Arden, I think you'll find the castle a wonderful place to stay." Was this guy for real? Well, I stopped caring, because they have a bath! Finally, sanitation! He led me back into the room, and opened the dresser. There were gorgeous gowns, red and black ones. He pushed them to the side, revealing some nightgowns. They were pretty, all right, but it looked like they were missing a lot of fabric. He held one out. Suddenly I felt we were in a Victoria's Secret store.

"That one's…uh…nice," I said, hanging it back up. It was red, almost as red as my face was turning!

"I've always loved a woman in red," Sheik said, closing the doors.

"Uh-huh," I said, sounding like I didn't believe him. Link and Zelda walked through the opened doors inbetween our rooms.

"So you like it here, Miss Arden?" Zelda said, arms crossed. I didn't like her one bit, and I knew the feeling was mutual between us. She sounded so fake, but Link was smiling. Cheese heads.

"Please, just Arden. And yes, Princess, you do have a lovely home. Not quite what I'm used to," I said, forcing yet another smile.

"Call me Zelda," she said sweetly, so sweetly that I almost gagged.

"Well then, Arden, you can tell us what you are used to when you join us for dinner tonight. It's in an hour, so be ready! A maid will be in shortly, and Link will show you the way," Sheik said, taking Zelda's hand. Jealousy swept over me as he did so, but I couldn't understand why. "Shall we go, sweet pea?" Sheik said, turning to Zelda. I could sense Link's jealousy too, but for Zelda this time.

"No, dear, I think I'll stay for a bit longer with them. I have a lot a catching up to do with Link!"

"Alright then. See you soon," he said, stepping backwards slowly. He winked a red eye at me, then disappeared with a flash of light.

"How in the hell did he do that?" I exclaimed, rushing to where he was just a second ago.

"Show off," Link mumbled. I held in my laughter.

"What was that?" Zelda asked.

"Nothing," Link said, walking back into his room. I followed them. Link's room was a bit larger than mine, and it had bookshelves packed to the brim with books. I looked around, and to the far right of the fireplace were glass doors, leading out to a balcony. I didn't get a balcony!

"Hey, man, how come you get a balcony?!" I exclaimed, punching him. He pushed me.

"Because I don't suck," he said jokingly, pushing me out there. I could tell Zelda was appalled by our actions. Heh, not like I give a rat's ass. The balcony was pretty big, and it overlooked a courtyard. Zelda and Link were speaking in low whispers, so I didn't butt in. I continued to look around, and I noticed there was an overhang above the entrance to the balcony. I judged I could hoist myself up there, no problem. They continued talking for a few minutes, and I began to get bored. When I looked back at them this time, I watched Zelda lock lips with Link, giving me a "haha he's mine" kinda look before grabbing him. I was pissed. How could he kiss her? Doesn't she have Sheik? What in the hell?! I was peeved, and Link looked like he was enjoying it, so I hopped up on the overhang, out of site, and probably out of Link's mind. The next time Link looked out at the balcony, I wouldn't be there, so maybe I'd get him worried or something. Hah, serves him right. Well, if he liked kissing engaged people, two could play at that game.

*Link – A minute before the kiss*

I watched Arden stroll out to the balcony, then I turned back to Zelda. She had something funny in her eyes, but whatever. Goddesses, she was so beautiful. All those feelings I promised myself I'd get rid of but only buried were coming out again. She's getting married, don't do anything. She's getting married, don't do anything. Damnit, I can't help it!

"Link," she began softly. "I know things didn't work out between us. But I want you to know, I'll always love you, no matter what." I gulped.

"Uh…uh-huh," I replied.

"Link, things have changed, I know you know."

"Yes, but…"

"And I told you what happened when you were sealed in the Temple of Time all these years."

"Yeah, you…and Sheik…"

"Shhh," she said. "I know, I know. But you'll always be my first love, forever and ever," she said, getting closer. I could feel my heart beating faster and faster. She wrapped her arms around me, and brought me down into a kiss. Oh, sweet Nayru, I've dreamed of this for so long! We continued to kiss, but it wasn't as great as I thought it was going to be. In fact, it sucked, no pun intended. But I didn't care, Zelda was kissing me! I didn't feel fireworks or anything like the other guys I've talked to said happened when you kissed a girl, and it started getting gross when she put her tongue in my mouth. Arden was probably laughing at me by now because I looked so stupid. Arden, damnit, I forgot all about her! I broke the kiss rapidly.

"Zelda, it's over." I said. There, I had done it. And man, did it feel good! I couldn't believe the look on her face. Any love that I still held for her had disappeared as soon as she planted that kiss on me.

"Well then," she said hastily, "I'll see you at dinner." And with that, she turned on her heels and stormed out, slamming the door. I held in my laughter.

"Whoah, Arden, that was pretty funny, huh?" I said, turning around to face the balcony. I didn't see her anywhere. "Arden?" I called, walking out. She wasn't there. She didn't jump, did she?! Oh goddesses, please let her be all right! "Arden!" I exclaimed, running into her room. Nobody there. I ran back out onto the balcony.

*Arden*

"Hello!" I exclaimed, letting my head swing down to face him as he walked onto the balcony. He jumped.

"Jeez, Arden, you scared me!" he exclaimed, putting his hand over his heart. Yeah, I saw the kiss, and yeah, it hurt, but I wouldn't let that show. No way, Jose. Just bury it inside me, and only let the tough side show…

"Haha, well, that's what you get," I said, hopping down.

"For what?" he said, walking out to the ledge. I sat down on it, letting my legs dangle over the floor.

"For…uh…being you," I said shakily. "So…it went well?" I asked nervously.

"Uh, I guess," Link replied. We were suddenly uneasy around each other, and there was this ongoing awkward silence. "So what do you think of Sheik?" he asked, pacing back and forth.

"Oooo…" I said. "Oh Sheik, soooo hot, want to touch the heiny, aroooooo!" I said, sounding like a dog. Link laughed.

"So you like him, eh?" he said, nudging me with his elbow. I nodded vigorously. I didn't really like him that much, but I had to get Link back for kissing Zelda.

"I don't know what it is, but when he looks at me with those red eyes, I feel like…like I'm gunna faint or something." Link put his hand on his head and groaned.

"Alright, Arden, you may think you're in love, but don't let those feelings get a hold of you. Sheik uses dark magic to get women to fall for him, magic that was passed down through his heritage. Try not to make eye contact, and don't fall for his smooth talk." I couldn't believe it. Wait a minute, yes I could. That's why I felt those weird things when I looked at him, and when he spoke!

"Ohhh…" I said, looking back out into the courtyard. "Thank you, Link," I said. "I'm gunna go get ready for dinner now," I said, walking back into my room.

Well, there you go guys! Please review, please please?! Thanks! And sorry it's been taking me so long to get up chapters!