After getting Meryl into the hospital to see her father, Zelda walked to
Lake Hylia. Sometimes she really hated her father. Most of the time, in
fact.
He hadn't always been that way. He used to love his people, and take care of them. Like he should. When the Queen died, he changed. It was almost like he was a completely different person.
Zelda sat down, putting her arms around her legs. A few tears escaped her eyes. She missed her mother dearly. But sometimes, she missed her father even more.
"Princess?"
Zelda looked up. Link was standing in front of her. His eyes widened and he sat down.
"What happened to you?" His eyes were fixed upon her scar.
She sighed and brushed away her tears. "I got in a bit of a brawl."
Link hesitated. "It..wasn't with Prince Marth, was it?"
"Actually, it was. But he didn't really know it was me that he cut with the dagger. He was harassing a friend of mine, and I just wouldn't stand for it. He didn't recognize me because of...this thing I had over my head."
"I see." But he didn't. "Soo...did you have any other plans for today?"
Zelda looked at him. "No, not really. Why do you ask?"
Link looked in the air. He started absentmindedly fiddling with a lace on his shoe. "Well, it's just that we're holding a tournament today. You know, jousting, targets, everything. I just thought that if you didn't have anything planned, you might-"
"I'd love to!" Zelda squealed. "Oh, I haven't been to a tournament in years! What time does it start?"
"In about a half an hour. I've got to go now though, because the contestants are supposed to go kind of early."
"All right. I'll be cheering for you!"
Grinning, Link got up. After a small hesitation, he gently took Zelda's arm, and kissed her hand. His cheeks turning red, Link quickly walked away. He left Zelda stunned--stunned, but quite satisfied.
As it turned out, King Harkinian, Marth and Impa were also attending the tournament. Zelda was immediately suspicious.
"Why didn't you tell me about this?" she asked, as they stepped into a horse-drawn carrige. "Were you just going to leave me at home?"
"We thought the blood might...make you queasy," her father quickly answered (lying, obviously). Impa shook her head slightly.
"Dad, you know blood doesn't scare me." Zelda glanced at Marth, who quickly looked away. Her scar was still very red. Smiling forcefully, she turned back to King Harkinian. "So what's the prize?"
King Harkinian stared back at her. "It's a surprise. I don't even know myself. I decided to let Marth choose."
Zelda rolled her eyes. "Great."
The carrige stopped in front of a large, open arena. The royals and Impa got out of it, and entered a roped off section. There was a rickety wooden chair and three thrones in it.
"Father, why is there a throne for me if I wasn't going to come?" Zelda asked darkly, sitting down.
"I don't know."
"Excuse me sire," Marth said, leaning towards King Harkinian. "May I give the opening speech?"
"Certainly, Marth. Looks like most everyone is here. Go on ahead."
Clearing his throat, Marth stood up. "People of Hyrule," he boomed. "I am Prince Marth of Altea, come to visit your royal family." There was scattered applause. "And with his majesty's approval, I would like to join in the tournament today." He glanced back at the King, who nodded. Zelda glared at him as Marth continued. "As I understand it, several of you are curious as to what the prize will be."
"YES!!!!!!! TELL US!!!" shouted one of the competitors.
Marth grinned. "The winner will recieve...a kiss from the Princess." Loud cheers arose from the crowd.
Zelda's eyes widened. She started to get up, but Impa pushed her back down.
"Don't start a scene, Zelda," she advised.
"Well what in Din's name does he think he's doing?!" Zelda whispered back. "How dare he do that!"
Impa shrugged. "Sorry princess, but it doesn't seem like there's anything we can do about it."
"And he's gone and entered himself in the contest! He'll stop at nothing to win! What am I going to do?!"
"Just frown and bear it, I guess."
"Urgh!!!!"
Marth walked onto the field. There were about fifty men standing in a line. The Altean prince scanned the row, and pointed at one in the middle.
"All right, you. Jousting. Which ever of us suceeds will move on. Obviously, the loser will remain out for the rest of the competition."
The man nodded. Two horses were brought out.
Zelda stared at the other man's horse. "Oh my goddesses! Impa, it's Audrey! That man's riding Audrey!"
"What?!" Impa choked. "Holy Farore, you're right! Oh great, who knows what's going to happen to her??"
"I don't know, but just frown and bear it."
Smirking, Marth put on his helmet. Jousting had been one of his hobbies as a young boy, and it would be a cinch to beat this guy at it. He kicked his horse, and it started running.
The first time the lances collided, the other man nearly fell off. He grasped Audrey's neck, and pulled himself back on (nearly choking the poor mare in the process).
"What the..what--WHAT'S THAT GUY DOING TO MY HORSE?!" Impa bellowed, standing up with rage. "I HAPPEN TO BE A MEMBER OF THE P.O.C.T.A., YOU KNOW!"
"You belong to The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals?" Zelda asked her nursemaid curiously.
"Well no, but heck."
The two horses charged again. But rather unfortunately, this time, Marth came out victorious. The crowd cheered half-heartedly.
The next event was shooting a target. This time, Marth was to be competing against Conner. The two of them lined up their arrows.
"Prepare to meet your downfall, earthworm," Marth taunted.
"It takes one to know one," Conner said back. He shot his arrow, almost making a bullseye. He made another. Three more shots, and all were just outside the small red circle.
"Yeah, well it doesn't take a loser to know a winner!" Marth laughed. He made his shot. A bullseye. Four more shots, and each of them were picture perfect. "Bye."
Mumbling under his breath, Conner stalked off the field.
"You know, I think that's one of Link's friends," Impa informed Zelda. "I helped him and another one pick out stuff for the ball."
"Yeah, I know, I've met him before. Wouldn't have minded kissing him." Zelda sighed, rolling her eyes. "A friend of Link's is a friend of mine."
Some time later, there were no more competitors for Marth to battle. Smiling, he looked at the gathered crowd (who had been cheering him on all this time). "Come on!" he challenged. "Do one of you want to try me?"
"Oh, please!" Zelda whispered. "SOMEone has to beat him! I can't possibly kiss him! And where's Link? He told me he'd be here!"
"Come on! Any takers?!"
"Yeah, sure. I'll take a crack at it."
Zelda looked up and saw Link. Her face immediately broke into a fabulous smile. "Oh, I knew he'd show up! He said he would!"
Impa had to grin at the princess' excitement. She remembered what it was like to...like someone.
Link jumped onto the field. "What's the event?"
Marth put on a helmet. "Mortal combat."
"Mortal combat?!" Zelda cried. No one heard her but Impa. "He can't do that! Father, please!"
"What's the problem?" King Harkinian asked. "You did say that blood shed doesn't bother you. Besides, don't worry--I'm sure Marth will pull through easily."
Zelda looked back at the field. Link and Marth had started fighting, but Link wasn't wearing any armor!
"Wait a minute, it's an unfair battle!" she complained. "Link isn't wearing anything to protect himself! Father, you've got to do something!"
"Geez Zelda, relax. You're really over-reacting. It's really just a stupid tournament. Nothing serious can happen."
"Father, are you crazy?! This is MORTAL COMBAT!! OF COURSE SOMETHING SERIOUS IS GOING TO HAPPEN!!! And I just know that it's going to happen to Link!"
"You know, you don't have much faith in him," Impa said. "Who knows? Maybe the boy'll manage."
Zelda could only look on, her heart pounding a hundred times its normal rate.
"You know with all your sucess," Link grunted, swiping at Marth. "I'd expect you to be harder to beat."
"I'm just playing easy on you!" Marth yelled, dodging the attack. "You should see me when I'm powered up!"
"Well, right now would be a good time for that!"
Link turned around his sword, and crashed Marth's helmet with the fancily jeweled hilt.
Marth sank to the ground, clutching his head. Link stopped to catch his breath. Then suddenly, the Prince sprang back to his feet, wielding his sword crazily.
"Oh, Goddesses!" Zelda squealed. She closed her eyes tightly and looked away. Impa grasped her hand.
Suddenly, Link started getting in the lead. He swung his sword with his all his might, and Marth collapsed to the ground in exhaustion. Link stood above him, pointing his sword at Marth's neck.
"I don't want to have to kill you. Do you surrender?"
Cringing, Marth nodded. "Yes," he squeaked in a small voice.
"All right then." Link sheathed his sword, and faced the King.
Impa laughed. "Zelda, Zelda, it's all right! Link did it, he won! But he's letting Marth live, unfortunately."
"What?!" Zelda cried, snapping her head up. Link walked towards them. "Oh, yes! I can't believe he actually pulled it off! Oh, thank Nayru! I am SO relieved that he won!"
Wiping his brow, Link approached King Harkinian. "Prince Marth has surrendered, your majesty."
King Harkinian mangaged a tiny smile. "Well done, my boy. You've won the tournament! Now, what's your name?"
"Um, it's Link, your highness."
The King squinted his eyes. "Oh yes, Link! It IS you! Congratulations good chap!"
Zelda rolled her eyes. Chap? "Yes father, it seems that Link DID win the competition. That does mean he deserves a prize, doesn't it?"
Link turned to her, smiling. The crowd oohed.
"SHUT UP!" Marth yelled, standing up. He marched to Link, and grabbed his shoulder. "Listen, you dirty commoner! You've got to pay a price if you make me surrender! Your price is that the prize is not given to you! Understand? Now get out of here before I have your head chopped off for...ignorance!"
Seemingly unmoved, Link looked back at him. "Very well, your majesty. Knowing that I defeated you is enough of a prize for me. Good day, Princess Zelda." Fuming, Link turned on his heel and walked away.
"That was awful!" Impa scowled. "That brattish prince! If someone besides him wins, then they don't get the reward! And there went your chance, too."
"I'm going to get my revenge on him some day," Zelda growled, as the two of them stood up. "Why did he and his father even come here in the first place?"
Impa bit back on her lower lip, not wanting to answer.
He hadn't always been that way. He used to love his people, and take care of them. Like he should. When the Queen died, he changed. It was almost like he was a completely different person.
Zelda sat down, putting her arms around her legs. A few tears escaped her eyes. She missed her mother dearly. But sometimes, she missed her father even more.
"Princess?"
Zelda looked up. Link was standing in front of her. His eyes widened and he sat down.
"What happened to you?" His eyes were fixed upon her scar.
She sighed and brushed away her tears. "I got in a bit of a brawl."
Link hesitated. "It..wasn't with Prince Marth, was it?"
"Actually, it was. But he didn't really know it was me that he cut with the dagger. He was harassing a friend of mine, and I just wouldn't stand for it. He didn't recognize me because of...this thing I had over my head."
"I see." But he didn't. "Soo...did you have any other plans for today?"
Zelda looked at him. "No, not really. Why do you ask?"
Link looked in the air. He started absentmindedly fiddling with a lace on his shoe. "Well, it's just that we're holding a tournament today. You know, jousting, targets, everything. I just thought that if you didn't have anything planned, you might-"
"I'd love to!" Zelda squealed. "Oh, I haven't been to a tournament in years! What time does it start?"
"In about a half an hour. I've got to go now though, because the contestants are supposed to go kind of early."
"All right. I'll be cheering for you!"
Grinning, Link got up. After a small hesitation, he gently took Zelda's arm, and kissed her hand. His cheeks turning red, Link quickly walked away. He left Zelda stunned--stunned, but quite satisfied.
As it turned out, King Harkinian, Marth and Impa were also attending the tournament. Zelda was immediately suspicious.
"Why didn't you tell me about this?" she asked, as they stepped into a horse-drawn carrige. "Were you just going to leave me at home?"
"We thought the blood might...make you queasy," her father quickly answered (lying, obviously). Impa shook her head slightly.
"Dad, you know blood doesn't scare me." Zelda glanced at Marth, who quickly looked away. Her scar was still very red. Smiling forcefully, she turned back to King Harkinian. "So what's the prize?"
King Harkinian stared back at her. "It's a surprise. I don't even know myself. I decided to let Marth choose."
Zelda rolled her eyes. "Great."
The carrige stopped in front of a large, open arena. The royals and Impa got out of it, and entered a roped off section. There was a rickety wooden chair and three thrones in it.
"Father, why is there a throne for me if I wasn't going to come?" Zelda asked darkly, sitting down.
"I don't know."
"Excuse me sire," Marth said, leaning towards King Harkinian. "May I give the opening speech?"
"Certainly, Marth. Looks like most everyone is here. Go on ahead."
Clearing his throat, Marth stood up. "People of Hyrule," he boomed. "I am Prince Marth of Altea, come to visit your royal family." There was scattered applause. "And with his majesty's approval, I would like to join in the tournament today." He glanced back at the King, who nodded. Zelda glared at him as Marth continued. "As I understand it, several of you are curious as to what the prize will be."
"YES!!!!!!! TELL US!!!" shouted one of the competitors.
Marth grinned. "The winner will recieve...a kiss from the Princess." Loud cheers arose from the crowd.
Zelda's eyes widened. She started to get up, but Impa pushed her back down.
"Don't start a scene, Zelda," she advised.
"Well what in Din's name does he think he's doing?!" Zelda whispered back. "How dare he do that!"
Impa shrugged. "Sorry princess, but it doesn't seem like there's anything we can do about it."
"And he's gone and entered himself in the contest! He'll stop at nothing to win! What am I going to do?!"
"Just frown and bear it, I guess."
"Urgh!!!!"
Marth walked onto the field. There were about fifty men standing in a line. The Altean prince scanned the row, and pointed at one in the middle.
"All right, you. Jousting. Which ever of us suceeds will move on. Obviously, the loser will remain out for the rest of the competition."
The man nodded. Two horses were brought out.
Zelda stared at the other man's horse. "Oh my goddesses! Impa, it's Audrey! That man's riding Audrey!"
"What?!" Impa choked. "Holy Farore, you're right! Oh great, who knows what's going to happen to her??"
"I don't know, but just frown and bear it."
Smirking, Marth put on his helmet. Jousting had been one of his hobbies as a young boy, and it would be a cinch to beat this guy at it. He kicked his horse, and it started running.
The first time the lances collided, the other man nearly fell off. He grasped Audrey's neck, and pulled himself back on (nearly choking the poor mare in the process).
"What the..what--WHAT'S THAT GUY DOING TO MY HORSE?!" Impa bellowed, standing up with rage. "I HAPPEN TO BE A MEMBER OF THE P.O.C.T.A., YOU KNOW!"
"You belong to The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals?" Zelda asked her nursemaid curiously.
"Well no, but heck."
The two horses charged again. But rather unfortunately, this time, Marth came out victorious. The crowd cheered half-heartedly.
The next event was shooting a target. This time, Marth was to be competing against Conner. The two of them lined up their arrows.
"Prepare to meet your downfall, earthworm," Marth taunted.
"It takes one to know one," Conner said back. He shot his arrow, almost making a bullseye. He made another. Three more shots, and all were just outside the small red circle.
"Yeah, well it doesn't take a loser to know a winner!" Marth laughed. He made his shot. A bullseye. Four more shots, and each of them were picture perfect. "Bye."
Mumbling under his breath, Conner stalked off the field.
"You know, I think that's one of Link's friends," Impa informed Zelda. "I helped him and another one pick out stuff for the ball."
"Yeah, I know, I've met him before. Wouldn't have minded kissing him." Zelda sighed, rolling her eyes. "A friend of Link's is a friend of mine."
Some time later, there were no more competitors for Marth to battle. Smiling, he looked at the gathered crowd (who had been cheering him on all this time). "Come on!" he challenged. "Do one of you want to try me?"
"Oh, please!" Zelda whispered. "SOMEone has to beat him! I can't possibly kiss him! And where's Link? He told me he'd be here!"
"Come on! Any takers?!"
"Yeah, sure. I'll take a crack at it."
Zelda looked up and saw Link. Her face immediately broke into a fabulous smile. "Oh, I knew he'd show up! He said he would!"
Impa had to grin at the princess' excitement. She remembered what it was like to...like someone.
Link jumped onto the field. "What's the event?"
Marth put on a helmet. "Mortal combat."
"Mortal combat?!" Zelda cried. No one heard her but Impa. "He can't do that! Father, please!"
"What's the problem?" King Harkinian asked. "You did say that blood shed doesn't bother you. Besides, don't worry--I'm sure Marth will pull through easily."
Zelda looked back at the field. Link and Marth had started fighting, but Link wasn't wearing any armor!
"Wait a minute, it's an unfair battle!" she complained. "Link isn't wearing anything to protect himself! Father, you've got to do something!"
"Geez Zelda, relax. You're really over-reacting. It's really just a stupid tournament. Nothing serious can happen."
"Father, are you crazy?! This is MORTAL COMBAT!! OF COURSE SOMETHING SERIOUS IS GOING TO HAPPEN!!! And I just know that it's going to happen to Link!"
"You know, you don't have much faith in him," Impa said. "Who knows? Maybe the boy'll manage."
Zelda could only look on, her heart pounding a hundred times its normal rate.
"You know with all your sucess," Link grunted, swiping at Marth. "I'd expect you to be harder to beat."
"I'm just playing easy on you!" Marth yelled, dodging the attack. "You should see me when I'm powered up!"
"Well, right now would be a good time for that!"
Link turned around his sword, and crashed Marth's helmet with the fancily jeweled hilt.
Marth sank to the ground, clutching his head. Link stopped to catch his breath. Then suddenly, the Prince sprang back to his feet, wielding his sword crazily.
"Oh, Goddesses!" Zelda squealed. She closed her eyes tightly and looked away. Impa grasped her hand.
Suddenly, Link started getting in the lead. He swung his sword with his all his might, and Marth collapsed to the ground in exhaustion. Link stood above him, pointing his sword at Marth's neck.
"I don't want to have to kill you. Do you surrender?"
Cringing, Marth nodded. "Yes," he squeaked in a small voice.
"All right then." Link sheathed his sword, and faced the King.
Impa laughed. "Zelda, Zelda, it's all right! Link did it, he won! But he's letting Marth live, unfortunately."
"What?!" Zelda cried, snapping her head up. Link walked towards them. "Oh, yes! I can't believe he actually pulled it off! Oh, thank Nayru! I am SO relieved that he won!"
Wiping his brow, Link approached King Harkinian. "Prince Marth has surrendered, your majesty."
King Harkinian mangaged a tiny smile. "Well done, my boy. You've won the tournament! Now, what's your name?"
"Um, it's Link, your highness."
The King squinted his eyes. "Oh yes, Link! It IS you! Congratulations good chap!"
Zelda rolled her eyes. Chap? "Yes father, it seems that Link DID win the competition. That does mean he deserves a prize, doesn't it?"
Link turned to her, smiling. The crowd oohed.
"SHUT UP!" Marth yelled, standing up. He marched to Link, and grabbed his shoulder. "Listen, you dirty commoner! You've got to pay a price if you make me surrender! Your price is that the prize is not given to you! Understand? Now get out of here before I have your head chopped off for...ignorance!"
Seemingly unmoved, Link looked back at him. "Very well, your majesty. Knowing that I defeated you is enough of a prize for me. Good day, Princess Zelda." Fuming, Link turned on his heel and walked away.
"That was awful!" Impa scowled. "That brattish prince! If someone besides him wins, then they don't get the reward! And there went your chance, too."
"I'm going to get my revenge on him some day," Zelda growled, as the two of them stood up. "Why did he and his father even come here in the first place?"
Impa bit back on her lower lip, not wanting to answer.