"Link?" Zelda asked him quietly beneath all the cheering. "Could I have a word with you?" She asked, giving him a sincere look.
"Of course. Fair maiden. Take my hand and we shall depart to places not for mere townspeople." she laughed at his impression of a nobleman. Puffing out his chest, he held out his arm for her. She took it, and together they left the cheers and laughter behind.
Zelda led him back up the dirt path, but instead of heading inside to the courtyard, she stopped before they would have had to go past any guards and sat down beside the nearest tree. "Listen, Link..." She looked away. "You know that paper? I'm really...worried. You see..." She bit her lip, trying to place the words correctly.
Link sat down across next to her. Pulling an apple from his bag, he motioned for her to continue, trying to hide the fact that just her being worried, worried him.
"You see..." Zelda licked her lips a few times, staring at the ground. All her childish fears were gaining on her. "It's just...Ya know. That time...in my life...when...well...I have to choose a suitor...you know? And... Well...there's a Prince coming...But..." Zelda bit her lip. She didn't want to have to say any of this. It felt like the wrong place at the wrong time...
Link took another bite of the apple. " Zelda. Look I don't mean to jump to conclusions on your behalf, but we've both cared for each other for a long time. Nothing will ever change that for me, but you're the princess." he paused to finish off the apple. " You need to find someone who can do things right. I say go for this prince guy. You deserve better than an orphan who's only good for fighting." he could see that she was upset, so he slowly out his arm around her.
She shuddered. She didn't want to think that he already knew she...well...loved him. She finally got up the courage and looked up at Link. "But this orphan who's only good for fighting has a wonderful heart...and what if I'm just not ready for this?"
He smiled at her. " Zelda, I have no idea why I usually find it so hard to bring this up, but I really do love you. And I know that you're ready for anything. It wouldn't matter if good old Ganon sauntered up here right now, you'd be waiting for him. Please, just go for the prince. If you wont do it for me, or for yourself, then do it for them." he waved his free arm to show the various people toiling in the fields. Her people.
Zelda looked down. She couldn't respond. She didn't want to. How could she marry another person when she was in love with one already? It was against human nature. It just wasn't right. She suddenly broke into sobs and buried her face into Link's muddy tunic. "But...I...can't..." She sobbed.
He stroked her hair lightly, pulling her face away to meet his. She looked so helpless, her face streaked with mud and tears that he couldn't help but smile softly. He looked into her eyes, and nodded, a single tear running down his cheek.
"Link..." She whispered softly. "How can you tell me you love me and turn me away like that...?" she asked, tears pouring from her eyes.
" Because I'm not so selfish to think you belong to me. You belong to your people, and they look to you to provide for them. And I'll still be right here, whenever you need me." he took her hand and pressed it against his chest. " I'll make you a deal. The rest of this day is ours. Then whenever you feel like you cant go on, I want you to remember that my heart beats with yours, okay?"
Zelda sniffled a few times. "I'll always need you..."
" And I'll always be here for you. Believe me, I wish I could go down that aisle with you, more than anything in the world, but it wouldn't be right." he slowly moved closer to her. " And I will always be with you." he kissed her cheek. " Always," he whispered into her ear.
Zelda felt guiltier than ever now. She wanted more than anything to kiss Link now...but it'd just make things worse. She stood up slowly without a word and turned, heading up the dirt path, not taking a second glance back at Link. It only made her heart heavier...
Link stood, his every thought going against what he was about to do. Time seemed to slow down. He ran after Zelda. Catching up with her just outside the gate, he grabbed her arm. She turned to face him, the tears running freely. He embraced her, not sure he could ever let go.
Zelda was surprised...and yet she wasn't. She looked up into Link's eyes. She didn't want to break away from them. She couldn't...she closed her eyes and lifted her lips towards Link's. She wanted to...so badly. But she didn't. She stopped herself midway...she couldn't. She bit her lip, "I have to go..." She broke away from his embrace, turning back to the castle.
"Wait," he called out to her. She stopped, but didn't turn. " I can't do this. I know it's for the best, but I can't give you up. Your father is here; he can manage for a few days. We can run away, spend some more time together. Please, Zelda, say you will."
Zelda closed her eyes, clenching her fists. "Don't tell me to go against what you just told me to do." She said slowly, feeling that that was rather harsh...she couldn't decide..."I can't run. They need me, remember?" Zelda didn't turn, but motioned towards the market place with her hand like Link had done before
"I...can't run..."
"So we can come back. Zelda please," link stopped pleading. " Alright, choose. If you come with me then we can return in a few days after we've sorted this out. If not, then I'll leave. You wont hear from me again, and you can get on with running things"
"Link...why are you doing this? You're making me choose between a beautiful life and going to heaven after death.... what am I supposed to choose?" Zelda turned back to Link, the two ringlets on either side of her face sticking to her cheeks with tears.
" I can't help it. I'm sorry, I just..." his face hardened. " You know what, forget it. You have more important things to worry about than me. Go run your kingdom, little princess." he turned to walk back down the path.
"LINK! No!" Zelda called. Why did he have to make things so hard? She looked between her Castle, to Link, to the Market Place with all her people. She fell to her knees, her face buried in her hands. She had no more tears to cry, so the clouds cried for her...
