Before anyone knew it, it was the day of the May Ball. Castle
servants (who had all recovered) were bustling about making last-minute
adjustments. Impa followed Zelda around. She often did when there were
strenuous things to be done. A cheap way of getting out of work, but she
was anxious to avoid it at any costs.
At 6:50, the ball was scheduled to start in ten minutes. Zelda was in her room with Impa. The nursemaid sighed, and took out a box.
"What's that?" Zelda asked, putting on an amythest earring.
Impa opened the container. Inside lay a small, pearl bracelet. "I think you should wear this tonight. When you were born, your mother gave it to me. I feel I should give it to you now."
"Why have you been hiding it from me all these years?" Zelda asked as she studied it. "Goddesses, it's lovely."
"She told me specifically when to give it to you."
"When did she say? After my twentieth birthday?"
"No. Your mother got this as a wedding present from her cousin Jan. She said I should give it to you when you...once I felt you had finally met your match. I like to guess."
Zelda turned around, and put on the bracelet. "But Marth's really not my type at all...Impa?"
The nursemaid had already left, leaving the princess thoroughly confused. She looked back down at the bracelet and stood up.
*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~
"Okay, just try to fit in."
Link was giving his friends some last-minute advice before they stepped into the palace. The group all looked very nice, and he had a lot confidence in them all.
It was about 7:15. "Okay, let's go," Mario breathed.
The interior of the castle was beautiful. The five peasants gaped in awe at all the decoration.
"Wow, this is amazing!" Brian said, looking at an old Hylian painting. He was obsessed with art.
"Look at these ancient weapons!" Conner exclaimed, running his hand on the blade of a sword in a knight's hand. "This is exquisite!"
"You think that's great," Roy said. "Look at these!"
"Old quilts!" Mario gushed. "Those are so neat!"
Link grinned at his friends' excitment. He walked off in search of a familiar face.
"Link?"
He turned around, and found himself facing a lovely girl. "M-Meryl?"
She laughed. "Yep, it's me! I'm so glad you came!"
"Same here. I mean...I'm glad you came. You look wonderful!"
Meryl blushed slightly. "Thanks." Her golden hair lay beautifully over her shoulders. Her dress was a cerulean blue, with long sleeves. "You don't look that bad yourself. Especially in those shoes I gave you!"
"Thanks," Link laughed.
"But if you think I'm pretty, just wait until you see Zelda! I've never seen her so beautiful before! Oh, I'd give almost anything to be her!"
"Where is she?" Link asked, pretending only to be curious.
Meryl smiled. "Over there, next to her father."
"Thank you."
Link strode off in the direction Meryl had pointed him to. A few of the people nodded at him, not knowing he was "below" them. He smiled back, trying to act as though he was a lord or a duke.
Then he stopped. He tried to move, but it was like his feet had suddenly gained eighty pounds. Yes, he had seen her.
Zelda was a few feet away from him, talking with her father. King Harkinian walked away, and she gazed at all the people around her.
The princess was dressed in a sparkling black, sleeveless gown. It went down to her ankles, and brought out her slender figure magnificently. Her silky golden hair was pulled back elegantly, excepting two strands that fell against the sides of her face. She also bore two elbow-length snowy white gloves.
Zelda glanced over at Link, feeling his eyes on her. She hadn't seen him earlier. The princess smiled and walked over to him.
"Hi, Link! I've been looking for you."
"Sorry we're a bit late. I know I said I'd be here by seven, but we got attacked by some Wolfos on the way here."
"They didn't hurt you, did they?"
"No, I'm fine." Link glimpsed at her left cheek. "I see your scar is finally gone."
"Yes, thank the Goddesses."
Link hesitated a moment, then spoke again. "You know, I never really looked at black as much of a spring color."
"It's not, really. But you see, I'm in mourning."
"You are? I'm so sorry..."
"It's all right. Audrey died yesterday. She's...Impa's horse."
"Oh. I see."
Ever since the day of the tournament, King Harknian had not let Zelda out of the castle. "Grounding" her, if you will. He said that she was in need of an attitude adjustment towards Marth, and should apologize. When she refused, he banned her from going outside until the May ball.
After a couple days, Zelda realized that she was missing the time she spent with Link. But since there was no way he could possibly go to see her and she wasn't able to go outside, the situation seemed hopeless.
Impa had come up with a solution. She played the part of willing messenger, running in and out of the castle, talking with Link and Zelda. The King wondered a bit why she kept doing this, and Impa explained that she still had a lot of shopping left to do. Wasn't that just so sweet of her?
Anyway, back to the present--
"Link, could I meet your friends again?"
"Sure."
Link and Zelda walked over to Link's friends. The four of them were avidly examining a tapestry on the wall.
"Guys?" Link said. They turned around. "This is Princess Zelda. She asked to have the pleasure of seeing you again."
"Hello," Zelda said warmly.
"H-hi," Roy stammered, gawking at her. The others nodded, unable to get their voices to function. She blushed faintly, smiling. "W-we were just uh...looking at this drape. I mean tapestry! Sorry..."
"It's all right," Zelda laughed. She turned at the sound of her name. "Oh sorry, I've got to go. Meryl's calling me."
She left. Mario smacked his forehead. "Oh, why couldn't I have said something?! We must've looked like complete idiots!"
"Hey, when I said something, I messed up my words! Now that is just humiliating!"
"Don't worry about it," Link said. "She'll understand."
"What is it?" Zelda asked, as Meryl walked up to her.
"Your father wants to see you."
Zelda rolled her eyes and sighed. "Great. I have a nasty feeling he's going to make me dance with Marth, or something. Oh, could you do me a favor, Meryl?"
"Sure. What is it?"
"You see those guys over there?"
"You mean the ones with Link?"
"Yeah. They seem a little uncomfortable around here, like they can't really fit in. Would you mind doing this dance with one of them?"
"Okay!"
Meryl dashed off like a bullet. Sighing, Zelda trudged towards her father. He was standing next to King Lowell and Marth.
"Good evening King Lowell," Zelda said, curtseying and smiling a quite forced smile. "...and Marth.
"My, my," King Lowell laughed. "You look lovely tonight, Zelda."
"Thank you. You...wanted to see me, father?"
"Yes. Marth here has requested this dance with you."
Zelda knew it was pointless. Her father would make her dance with him regardless of her opinion. "It would be a pleasure."
Beaming, Marth took Zelda's hand and dragged her to the dance floor. It was already crowded with other party-goers, who were ecstatic about how "adorable" Marth and Zelda looked together.
Sighing, Zelda remembered the only other time she had danced with Marth. It had been the first time as well. All she had seen was his good looks. Then she met Link, and was blown away. Blown away by his charm, his sense of humor, and just his personality.
Then of course, she had to listen to herself rambling on about him. She wasn't sure what his exact feelings were. She was barely sure of her own. They were good friends, obviously, but...how good?
"Ouch Zelda, you stepped on my foot."
"Oh, sorry."
Link was standing in a far off corner, staring at Zelda and Marth. They did make a good match together, as far as looks were concerned. And besides, what chance did he have against a prince?
He sighed. Ever since he had met Zelda, it seemed like she was all he could ever think about it. Link had looked forward to seeing her every day (or Impa, rather, in the last couple weeks). The only problem was that he didn't know her opinion about him. She must like him a little bit, but just how much? Only as a friend?
The dance was over. Suddenly, Zelda broke away from Marth and ran out the main doorway. The prince tried to follow, but was surrounding by eager Ladies.
"I'm sure she's just headed for the bathroom!" Impa told everyone. "You know, it's rude to interrupt right in the middle of a dance."
Convinced, everyone turned back to what they were doing. Impa caught Link's eye, and nodded towards the door. He ran out of it.
After a few minutes of searching, Link found Zelda. She was sobbing hysterically on a bench by the fountain. When Link approached her, she didn't lift her head.
"Zelda?"
The princess looked up, her eyes red with tears. Link sat down next to her. Quite unexpectedly, she put her arms around his neck and cried into his chest.
"Zelda, what could've possibly happened to make you cry like this?"
"M-Marth...threatened me!"
"What do you mean?"
Apparently, Zelda didn't want to answer. She broke away from Link and rubbed her eyes with her hands. She shook her head.
"All right."
She looked up at him. "You're so lucky, Link. I hate being a princess. I really do! I wish I could live as you do, and not have people constantly bossing me around. Telling me what to eat, what to wear, and even what to say in some cases. And then all those suitors! They just looked at me, and said they'd love to marry me! They only wanted to marry me because I...they thought I was pretty. They didn't even know me, or what I was like! How could anyone possibly live like that?! What is marrige without love?"
"Well, I don't blame them for thinking you're pretty," Link laughed. Zelda smiled slightly, blushing. "But I understand how you feel. When I was a kid, I'd come home from school with a long line of girls behind me. I'd never met any of them in my life." Zelda laughed a bit. "They thought that I was ruggedly good-looking, and they followed me home. So, one day my mother sat down next to me, and said she wanted to talk. She told me that she didn't want me to get carried away with how I looked. 'It's not only the outside that should be pretty. Your heart has to be pretty too,' she said. I didn't really get what she meant then, but I do now. And princess, that is exactly what you are."
Zelda smiled through her tears. She threw her arms around him again, only Link's reaction was different.
He put a hand around the princess' neck, lifting her up to face him. She gazed into his eyes, almost certain about what he was going to do--and under no means was she interested in stopping it. He kissed her. Suddenly, all of Zelda's feelings of hatred and sadness ebbed away. Link put his hands to her waist, bringing her closer.
Zelda's breathing got louder, and her heart was pumping so noisily, she was almost sure that the people back in the palace could probably hear it. Eventually, the two elves broke apart.
The princess sighed with immense pleasure. "There, now I don't feel guilty anymore."
"...what do you mean?"
"Well ever since the tournament, I felt really rotten. You deserved that kiss, and I could never get off the feeling that I owed it to you. But it seems that you've taken the liberty of taking the load off my back. Thanks!"
Link stared at her, slightly confused. Zelda smiled, and she slipped her arms around his shoulders. Slowly, she lifted her legs until they were on his lap. "Thanks for breaking the barrier." Zelda's lips brushed against his softly. It was meant to brief, but it didn't stay that way.
Not able to resist, Link kept the kiss going. Zelda ran her fingers through his hair, oblivious to all else.
"You don't know how miserable these past weeks have been," the princess breathed between kisses. "I've missed you so much."
"Same here," Link consented.
But unknown to Link and Zelda, two people were watching them from the window. Their faces were not happy.
At 6:50, the ball was scheduled to start in ten minutes. Zelda was in her room with Impa. The nursemaid sighed, and took out a box.
"What's that?" Zelda asked, putting on an amythest earring.
Impa opened the container. Inside lay a small, pearl bracelet. "I think you should wear this tonight. When you were born, your mother gave it to me. I feel I should give it to you now."
"Why have you been hiding it from me all these years?" Zelda asked as she studied it. "Goddesses, it's lovely."
"She told me specifically when to give it to you."
"When did she say? After my twentieth birthday?"
"No. Your mother got this as a wedding present from her cousin Jan. She said I should give it to you when you...once I felt you had finally met your match. I like to guess."
Zelda turned around, and put on the bracelet. "But Marth's really not my type at all...Impa?"
The nursemaid had already left, leaving the princess thoroughly confused. She looked back down at the bracelet and stood up.
*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~
"Okay, just try to fit in."
Link was giving his friends some last-minute advice before they stepped into the palace. The group all looked very nice, and he had a lot confidence in them all.
It was about 7:15. "Okay, let's go," Mario breathed.
The interior of the castle was beautiful. The five peasants gaped in awe at all the decoration.
"Wow, this is amazing!" Brian said, looking at an old Hylian painting. He was obsessed with art.
"Look at these ancient weapons!" Conner exclaimed, running his hand on the blade of a sword in a knight's hand. "This is exquisite!"
"You think that's great," Roy said. "Look at these!"
"Old quilts!" Mario gushed. "Those are so neat!"
Link grinned at his friends' excitment. He walked off in search of a familiar face.
"Link?"
He turned around, and found himself facing a lovely girl. "M-Meryl?"
She laughed. "Yep, it's me! I'm so glad you came!"
"Same here. I mean...I'm glad you came. You look wonderful!"
Meryl blushed slightly. "Thanks." Her golden hair lay beautifully over her shoulders. Her dress was a cerulean blue, with long sleeves. "You don't look that bad yourself. Especially in those shoes I gave you!"
"Thanks," Link laughed.
"But if you think I'm pretty, just wait until you see Zelda! I've never seen her so beautiful before! Oh, I'd give almost anything to be her!"
"Where is she?" Link asked, pretending only to be curious.
Meryl smiled. "Over there, next to her father."
"Thank you."
Link strode off in the direction Meryl had pointed him to. A few of the people nodded at him, not knowing he was "below" them. He smiled back, trying to act as though he was a lord or a duke.
Then he stopped. He tried to move, but it was like his feet had suddenly gained eighty pounds. Yes, he had seen her.
Zelda was a few feet away from him, talking with her father. King Harkinian walked away, and she gazed at all the people around her.
The princess was dressed in a sparkling black, sleeveless gown. It went down to her ankles, and brought out her slender figure magnificently. Her silky golden hair was pulled back elegantly, excepting two strands that fell against the sides of her face. She also bore two elbow-length snowy white gloves.
Zelda glanced over at Link, feeling his eyes on her. She hadn't seen him earlier. The princess smiled and walked over to him.
"Hi, Link! I've been looking for you."
"Sorry we're a bit late. I know I said I'd be here by seven, but we got attacked by some Wolfos on the way here."
"They didn't hurt you, did they?"
"No, I'm fine." Link glimpsed at her left cheek. "I see your scar is finally gone."
"Yes, thank the Goddesses."
Link hesitated a moment, then spoke again. "You know, I never really looked at black as much of a spring color."
"It's not, really. But you see, I'm in mourning."
"You are? I'm so sorry..."
"It's all right. Audrey died yesterday. She's...Impa's horse."
"Oh. I see."
Ever since the day of the tournament, King Harknian had not let Zelda out of the castle. "Grounding" her, if you will. He said that she was in need of an attitude adjustment towards Marth, and should apologize. When she refused, he banned her from going outside until the May ball.
After a couple days, Zelda realized that she was missing the time she spent with Link. But since there was no way he could possibly go to see her and she wasn't able to go outside, the situation seemed hopeless.
Impa had come up with a solution. She played the part of willing messenger, running in and out of the castle, talking with Link and Zelda. The King wondered a bit why she kept doing this, and Impa explained that she still had a lot of shopping left to do. Wasn't that just so sweet of her?
Anyway, back to the present--
"Link, could I meet your friends again?"
"Sure."
Link and Zelda walked over to Link's friends. The four of them were avidly examining a tapestry on the wall.
"Guys?" Link said. They turned around. "This is Princess Zelda. She asked to have the pleasure of seeing you again."
"Hello," Zelda said warmly.
"H-hi," Roy stammered, gawking at her. The others nodded, unable to get their voices to function. She blushed faintly, smiling. "W-we were just uh...looking at this drape. I mean tapestry! Sorry..."
"It's all right," Zelda laughed. She turned at the sound of her name. "Oh sorry, I've got to go. Meryl's calling me."
She left. Mario smacked his forehead. "Oh, why couldn't I have said something?! We must've looked like complete idiots!"
"Hey, when I said something, I messed up my words! Now that is just humiliating!"
"Don't worry about it," Link said. "She'll understand."
"What is it?" Zelda asked, as Meryl walked up to her.
"Your father wants to see you."
Zelda rolled her eyes and sighed. "Great. I have a nasty feeling he's going to make me dance with Marth, or something. Oh, could you do me a favor, Meryl?"
"Sure. What is it?"
"You see those guys over there?"
"You mean the ones with Link?"
"Yeah. They seem a little uncomfortable around here, like they can't really fit in. Would you mind doing this dance with one of them?"
"Okay!"
Meryl dashed off like a bullet. Sighing, Zelda trudged towards her father. He was standing next to King Lowell and Marth.
"Good evening King Lowell," Zelda said, curtseying and smiling a quite forced smile. "...and Marth.
"My, my," King Lowell laughed. "You look lovely tonight, Zelda."
"Thank you. You...wanted to see me, father?"
"Yes. Marth here has requested this dance with you."
Zelda knew it was pointless. Her father would make her dance with him regardless of her opinion. "It would be a pleasure."
Beaming, Marth took Zelda's hand and dragged her to the dance floor. It was already crowded with other party-goers, who were ecstatic about how "adorable" Marth and Zelda looked together.
Sighing, Zelda remembered the only other time she had danced with Marth. It had been the first time as well. All she had seen was his good looks. Then she met Link, and was blown away. Blown away by his charm, his sense of humor, and just his personality.
Then of course, she had to listen to herself rambling on about him. She wasn't sure what his exact feelings were. She was barely sure of her own. They were good friends, obviously, but...how good?
"Ouch Zelda, you stepped on my foot."
"Oh, sorry."
Link was standing in a far off corner, staring at Zelda and Marth. They did make a good match together, as far as looks were concerned. And besides, what chance did he have against a prince?
He sighed. Ever since he had met Zelda, it seemed like she was all he could ever think about it. Link had looked forward to seeing her every day (or Impa, rather, in the last couple weeks). The only problem was that he didn't know her opinion about him. She must like him a little bit, but just how much? Only as a friend?
The dance was over. Suddenly, Zelda broke away from Marth and ran out the main doorway. The prince tried to follow, but was surrounding by eager Ladies.
"I'm sure she's just headed for the bathroom!" Impa told everyone. "You know, it's rude to interrupt right in the middle of a dance."
Convinced, everyone turned back to what they were doing. Impa caught Link's eye, and nodded towards the door. He ran out of it.
After a few minutes of searching, Link found Zelda. She was sobbing hysterically on a bench by the fountain. When Link approached her, she didn't lift her head.
"Zelda?"
The princess looked up, her eyes red with tears. Link sat down next to her. Quite unexpectedly, she put her arms around his neck and cried into his chest.
"Zelda, what could've possibly happened to make you cry like this?"
"M-Marth...threatened me!"
"What do you mean?"
Apparently, Zelda didn't want to answer. She broke away from Link and rubbed her eyes with her hands. She shook her head.
"All right."
She looked up at him. "You're so lucky, Link. I hate being a princess. I really do! I wish I could live as you do, and not have people constantly bossing me around. Telling me what to eat, what to wear, and even what to say in some cases. And then all those suitors! They just looked at me, and said they'd love to marry me! They only wanted to marry me because I...they thought I was pretty. They didn't even know me, or what I was like! How could anyone possibly live like that?! What is marrige without love?"
"Well, I don't blame them for thinking you're pretty," Link laughed. Zelda smiled slightly, blushing. "But I understand how you feel. When I was a kid, I'd come home from school with a long line of girls behind me. I'd never met any of them in my life." Zelda laughed a bit. "They thought that I was ruggedly good-looking, and they followed me home. So, one day my mother sat down next to me, and said she wanted to talk. She told me that she didn't want me to get carried away with how I looked. 'It's not only the outside that should be pretty. Your heart has to be pretty too,' she said. I didn't really get what she meant then, but I do now. And princess, that is exactly what you are."
Zelda smiled through her tears. She threw her arms around him again, only Link's reaction was different.
He put a hand around the princess' neck, lifting her up to face him. She gazed into his eyes, almost certain about what he was going to do--and under no means was she interested in stopping it. He kissed her. Suddenly, all of Zelda's feelings of hatred and sadness ebbed away. Link put his hands to her waist, bringing her closer.
Zelda's breathing got louder, and her heart was pumping so noisily, she was almost sure that the people back in the palace could probably hear it. Eventually, the two elves broke apart.
The princess sighed with immense pleasure. "There, now I don't feel guilty anymore."
"...what do you mean?"
"Well ever since the tournament, I felt really rotten. You deserved that kiss, and I could never get off the feeling that I owed it to you. But it seems that you've taken the liberty of taking the load off my back. Thanks!"
Link stared at her, slightly confused. Zelda smiled, and she slipped her arms around his shoulders. Slowly, she lifted her legs until they were on his lap. "Thanks for breaking the barrier." Zelda's lips brushed against his softly. It was meant to brief, but it didn't stay that way.
Not able to resist, Link kept the kiss going. Zelda ran her fingers through his hair, oblivious to all else.
"You don't know how miserable these past weeks have been," the princess breathed between kisses. "I've missed you so much."
"Same here," Link consented.
But unknown to Link and Zelda, two people were watching them from the window. Their faces were not happy.