Disclaimer: Why do I do this? WHY? [scratches head] Well, I don't own the Legend 'o Zelda. harrumph I really am freezing here BRRRR!

Zelda's Choice

Attempts at Persuasion

Zelda pulled back from Link, although shyly. She then looked up at his perfect face. Slightly embarrassed for an odd reason, Zelda blushed.

"You're turning red," Link noted, grinning.

Zelda slapped his arm playfully. "Jerk," she replied, "I am not.

"Yes, you are." He kissed the top of her head. "You're a terrible liar.

She swiftly pulled away, turning. "You will get nothing more from me then," she replied, attempting to sound serious. She failed miserably.

Link wrapped his arms around her from behind. Zelda giggled as he began to kiss her ear, and then the back of her neck. Goosebumps formed along her skin from his touch. She sighed. "Link…" she whispered, "what are we going to do?"

He continued to kiss her, making her shiver. He laughed in her ear. "It can wait," Link breathed, warming her neck. Zelda giggled again.

She forced herself to face him. Tracing random patterns on his chest, she said, "Link, I'm serious. We need to talk about this. My father is a hard man to persuade." Zelda looked down. "I cannot be forced to be with another man," she whispered.

He lifted her chin. "I know," he said simply. She smiled in return.

"I love you, Link."

He smiled broadly. "I know." As Zelda attempted to smack him for not replying the same, he covered his mouth with hers. Few words were exchanged thereafter.

* * * *

Zelda sat on her father's indigo sofa, sipping her tea silently. Link sat next to her, although he wasn't drinking any tea - he seemed to be fascinated with the floor. His mouth was tense, and his forehead was furrowed in thought. Zelda sighed inwardly.

The King of Hyrule sat across from the pair, his eyes watching their every gesture. He eventually set his cup of tea down, rather loudly, and cleared his throat. Link looked up instantly, his face stricken with thousands of emotions. Zelda attempted to catch his eye, but he didn't notice. "Now," the king said, "what is it you wish to speak to me about?" He poured himself another cup of tea.

Zelda gripped her tea cup's handle while her heart began to race. She replied, "Father, I…we - "

Link interrupted her, to Zelda's surprise. She looked to him. "I have come, Your Highness, for a request. A very grand request." One of his eyes twitched slightly.

The king raised an eyebrow. "Anything for my late sister-in-law's son," he replied.

Link was so tense that Zelda was afraid he'd fall over - like a wooden board. "I wish to court your daughter, Your Highness," he stammered, his voice tight.

Zelda's heart overflowed right then - Link was very brave to even attempt to ask such a request. Her love for him increased each moment.

The king set his tea cup on the table while simultaneously uncurling his fingers from the handle. His jaw twitched. "No," he answered firmly.

Zelda's heart fell. How could he deny the request so quickly? "Father," she replied, "you haven't even listened to us. Do you think that we would ask such a thing without first contemplating the results? Truly, Father, I - "

Link looked at her, his eyes showing his pain. Zelda became silent. This was his struggle, not hers.

"Your Highness," Link said quietly, "You do not have to remind me of my lineage. I know as well as you that I am a bastard son." He took a deep breath. "But that does not necessarily mean that I would not be a good match for your daughter. Please, hear me out." His eyes became locked with the king's.

"Go on," the king replied slowly.

"I…do not know who my father was. I have always believed him to have been a servant, a man of the lower class." Link frowned. "But I do not even know if that is true. What if, indeed, my father had been someone of higher status - possibly a lord himself?" He paused. "I did not come here to debate my father's position, however," he eventually said. "If you were to allow me to court your daughter it does not mean that I would become a king."

"As simply her consort," the king finished. "Still," he replied, "how does that diminish the chance of losing vital support? You would still be her husband, despite your exact position."

Zelda frowned. The two men seemed to have forgotten her presence. Shrugging inwardly, she began to smile. They meant well. "Father," she interrupted, "do you not think that if I married someone of lower status that we would win great support from the middle and lower classes? Those are the people who are the backbone of Hyrule. Without them, the country would not survive." Link looked back at her, and he smiled. She smiled back.

The king sighed once again. "You have a point." He paused, thinking. "If," he replied, "I allowed you to court my daughter, it would have to be slowly, almost secretly. The lords would need time to become comfortable with the idea." He smiled slightly. "I am not denying your request, but allow me to think about it for sometime." The king added, "Truthfully, despite your unknown heritage, Link, you would be my first choice for a suitor my daughter. Remember that." Rising, he held out his hand.

Link also rose and shook his hand firmly. "Thank you, Your Highness," he replied.

The king waved his hands. "I have not granted anything as of yet, my boy." He then went to his daughter. Taking her hands he asked softly, "Is this what you want, my Zelda?"

She nodded. "Yes, Father. It is. I love him so."

He hugged her tightly. "I'm glad," he replied quietly.

Exiting, Link continued to make known his gratitude, while Zelda pulled on his arm, wanting to leave. The pair eventually walked out the door, and their faces were smiling. The conversation had gone well. It was quite a surprise.