~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The next morning, Zelda lazily got out of her bed. She knew that she'd woken up later than usual, but that was about the same time everyone else would be getting up too. Sighing, she tried to close her open window, feeling that it was getting a little too cold. It refused to shut. Grunting with annoyance, she decided to forget the window and deal with it later.
Humming quietly to herself, Zelda got out a comb and brushed her hair. Her eyes slowly shifted towards the small bell on her nightstand. She shivered, remembering the dreams she'd had last night.
Putting on a dress that was made up of burgundy and grey colors, Zelda walked to her bed. After she made it, she picked up the small bell Kathryn had given her last night. She wondered if it had really been a dream. . .but then, what else could it have been?
Someone could've played a practical joke on her. They might've snuck into her room and put the bell into her dress. . .no, that wasn't possible. For one thing, the door was locked, and for another thing, Zelda was a very light sleeper. She just couldn't grasp the concept that she had an object from her dream now--when she was wide awake.
"I'd better hurry," Zelda whispered to herself. "I'll miss breakfast." She opened her door, and in doing so, bumped into Link. She managed to hold onto her balance, as did he. For a few moments, they stared dumbly at each other.
"I-I'm sorry, your higness!" Zelda squealed, not able to meet his eyes. "I--I didn't know you were there!"
"Don't apologize," Link said. "How were you to know that I was passing by your door at the same time you were coming out of it?" Of course, Link too remembered his dream. He suddenly felt very awkward.
"Um. . .your highness, I was just wondering if. . .well actually, sir, it's the window in my room. I can't get it to close, and it's freezing. So I was wondering if, your majesty, you could possibly give me a hand."
"Of course, I'd be perfectly willing," Link obliged. "On one condition."
"Yes, your higness?"
Link smiled, as they walked back into Zelda's room. "Just call me Link." The Prince tried to remember what he had told her in his dream. "When people use titles, it's like they. . .you know, it's like they judge you before they get to know you, just like they know who you are because of your station."
"All right," Zelda said, grinning. It could be a little difficult to adjust to, but she'd give it a shot. She'd been in Hyrule for three days, and already Link was beginning to warm up to her. . .or so she hoped.
"Oh yes, this one," Link sighed, stepping onto the window sill. "It's given us trouble for years!" He pulled on it. "You've just got to know how to handle this one; it seems to like being op--WHY WON'T THIS BLASTED WINDOW CLOSE?!?! It's never been such a difficulty before!"
"Wait a minute, I think I know what we've been doing wrong," said Zelda. She had just noticed a small lever near the top of the window. "If you can reach it, pull down on that lever and see if it works."
"All right, I might as well give it a try." Link reached up and pulled down the lever as hard as he could. Just as Zelda had guessed, the window swung shut almost immediately, forcing as much wind into the room as possible before it was closed.
"Well," commented Link. "That worked."
"Thank you for your help, majesty," Zelda said gratefully, even though she'd been the one to tell him what to do.
"Link."
"Right, sorry. . ."
"Don't worry about it," Link said. He opened the door for her, then followed her into the hallway. "If we don't hurry, we'll be late for breakfast--c'mon!"
"Link, I've been looking all over for you!" came Malon's voice from behind them. Link turned around with dread. "Now hurry up darling, before we are officially late for breakfast! ZELDA! What're you doing in the Prince's presence?! Go down to the kitchen at once!"
"Yes, milady," Zelda said, curtseying. "I'm sorry to have stalled you, your highness," she added, addressing Link. Blushing, she quickly dashed off to the stairway that led to the kitchen.
"That was a little harsh, don't you think?" Link asked Malon, frowning slightly. "She wasn't bothering me."
"Don't be silly," Malon laughed, steering him into the dining room. "Zelda has always been a bother to everyone."
'Not to me,' Link thought easily, staring at Malon with great dislike. She, of course, didn't notice. Malon's hate for her only made Link admire Zelda more.
"There you are, Zelda," said Scarlett, as the servant sat down at the table, heaving deep breaths. "We were about to think that you weren't going to show up!"
"Sorry, I was having some trouble shutting my window," Zelda wheezed, trying to catch her breath.
"Aye," Sophie said. "You're stayin' in that room with the nutty window, aren't ye?" Zelda nodded. "'At's what I thought. There ain't no one who comes to this castle and stays in that room without inquirin' about that screwy window."
"I can't blame them," Zelda sighed.
"There's something else, isn't there?" Cody asked, sitting down. "You seem a little tired, Zelda."
"I barely got any sleep," she responded. "Dreams kept me awake all night."
"What'd you dream about?" Roy asked.
"I'd rather not say, if that's all right," Zelda replied, turning red again. Inside her pocket, she clutched the small golden bell.
"Why not?" Sophie asked. "There weren't no certain Prince Charming in this dream, was there?"
Zelda didn't want to lie. "Well, actually, Link was in one of my dreams. I was going to tell him something, but I can't remember what it was. I do remember, though, that there was a green field, and a sunset, and then he danced with me and--"
She was interrupted by a loud sob from Sophie. Sighing, Scarlett handed her a handkerchief. "That's so romantic!" Sophie sniffed. "I wish the Prince was like that with me! I ain't never had no quixotic relationship with no one, not even in any of my dreams! I wish I had control of what I thought about at night. . .but NO! It's always nightmares 'bout Squeaks gettin' run over by a deranged driver who was on his way to buy some pickles and save the whales!!"
No one spoke for a minute. "Right," Scarlett finally said, breaking the strange and uncomfortable silence. "Anyway, Zelda, I'd like to give you some advice. As Malon's servant, you've already told us that you know she's pretty serious about Prince Link. I'm warnin' you to stay away from him. You may be more familiar with her than I, but I know she'll stop at nothing to get him into her arms."
"She set her cap for him years ago," Cody added. "There ain't nothin' that'll stop her from gettin' him to marry her."
"It was just a dream!" Zelda said hastily, though wishing it hadn't been. She blushed again, throwing her arms into the air with frustration. "I can dream, can't I?"
"Of course you can," Sophie answered. "Not like we can be in charge of what you think when you're asleep. We just don't want you to get your hopes up. Link may be the kindest of the two Princes, but us servants still don't have no chance with him."
"I know," Zelda sighed, putting her elbows on the table and placing her head in her hands.
Roy stared at the table darkly. Link's "irresistable" charm had worked once more. Zelda was slowly being drawn to him, and now Roy had absolutely no chance. 'It's not fair,' he thought to himself. 'I have known Zelda longer than he has, and yet she already likes him! Does she find me unattractive?'
"Roy, is something wrong?" Zelda asked, noticing that he was baring his teeth menacingly at the table's wood. "You seem a little upset by something."
"No, it's fine," Roy said quickly. "It was just this dream I had. I can't remember what happened, but I wish for the life of me that I could." That much was true. The only thing he could recall was that he loved the dream and that Zelda was in it.
Zelda pushed away from the breakfast table. "I'm sorry, but I'd better be going. I'm not very hungry right now."
"Okay," Scarlett said. "Bye, Zelda."
The servant climbed up the stairs that would lead out of the kitchen. Straightening out her dress, she walked towards the royal gardens. Peach had made a point of telling Zelda that everyone and anyone was permitted to take a stroll through the garden at any time they wished.
Closing her eyes, Zelda lay down on the grass near a tall willow tree. The breezes gently blew her hair across her face, making her wonder why she'd never felt such a sensation back in Altea. Then of course, she remembered she was barely outside there, unless she was doing Malon's dirty work.
Before she knew it, Zelda had dozed off. The lack of sleep last night had made her extremely tired this morning, and she couldn't help it. A few minutes later, Roy walked up and saw her.
Roy smiled as he knelt down beside her. Like Zelda, he never really got outside much. Marth and Malon seemed to have reserved the outdoors for royalty, and strongly believed that all servants should stay inside. Roy sighed, wishing he could stroke Zelda's hair out of her face--but of course, she was such a light sleeper that it would definately cause her to wake up. So instead, Roy satisfied himself by listening to her gentle breathing.
"Roy, what're you doing here?! I've been looking all over the place for you!"
Fearfully, Roy stood up and turned around. He saw Marth and Link, about a hundred yards away. The servant ran up to them. "Forgive me, milord, I was only admiring the beauty of. . .the garden."
"Pray excuse us, Link," said Marth, grabbing Roy's shoulder roughly. "I've got some discipline to carry out." They stormed off, leaving Link to wonder what Roy's fate was to be.
The Prince of Hyrule looked up. He saw a tall willow tree, and decided to rest in its shade. Link walked towards it, then jumped. "Zelda?"
Zelda's eyes snapped open, and she sat up. A little embarassed, she quickly stood up and bowed. "Forgive me, your highness, I--I fell asleep while lying here under the shade of this tree."
"No apologies are needed," Link said, sitting down on the grass, motioning for Zeld to do the same. "Come, please sit down again."
"Thank you, your highness," Zelda whispered, sitting down again, blushing a deeper red.
"Please, I've already asked you," Link laughed. "Just call me by my first name. . . unless of course, you've forgotten it already."
"No, I'm sorry, LINK," Zelda chuckled. Slowly, she rested her back down onto the grass with a contented sigh. "Are your late autumns always as nice as this?" she asked, once again enjoying the breeze that tickled her face.
"Y'know, sometimes," Link answered, shrugging, lying down as well. "Just as many as any one else does. . .you know, I feel somewhat tired myself out here. I didn't sleep very well last night."
"Neither did I," said Zelda. "Dreams kept me up until early morning."
"It's the same with me!" Link said. "And they were the. . .strangest dreams, I tell you. . .very queer."
"Mine made almost no sense whatsoever," Zelda laughed.
"For some time, I've been known as the dream interpreter here. Perhaps, if you wouldn't find me being TOO impertinent, you could tell me what you dreamt. . .?"
"Oh no," Zelda said quickly, her face turning a red brick color. "I'm sorry, but I couldn't possibly!"
"I could command you to, you know," Link said, grinning. "But I won't, because I'm simply the nicest guy around."
"I admire your modesty, Link," Zelda laughed, making Link laugh as well. Zelda let out a small, satisfied hissing sigh.
Link jumped. "You do that too?"
"Do what, majesty? I mean, Link?"
"My brother sighs exactly the way you do," Link responded, grinning. "I've never heard anyone else do that before."
"You mean Darryl?" Zelda whispered.
"Um. . .yes, he would be my only brother. You know Zelda, you remind me a bit of my cousin Margaret. You both have the same spirit and you approach things the same way. . .of course, I can think of a few minor differences. For instance, Margaret is only nine years old."
"Yes, that's a bit younger than me," Zelda chuckled.
"She likes to travel. Do you like traveling?"
"If I could do it, I'm sure I would."
"Oh yes, sorry. . ." For a minute, Link had forgotten he hadn't been talking to a princess. As a servant, Zelda probably didn't get around much. "Yes. Margaret's planning a trip to Nawiat soon. I'm to go as her servant; only of course if I understand I am to be treated very harshly."
Zelda laughed. "It would be nice to meet her someday."
"You can," Link said. "At Christmas, she and her family will be coming over for our annual ball! I'm sure she'd love to meet you!"
"Like I said, I wish I could meet her as well. But unfortunately, my chances of being allowed to a ball are very slight. Her highness doesn't like me to follow her to most royal occasions."
"Don't be ridiculous!" Link laughed. "I insist that you come along."
"Is this a personal invitation?" Zelda asked, smiling warily.
"I command that you come!" Link said, pretending to be angered.
Laughing, Zelda sat up, and saluted the sovereigen. "Aye aye sir! You can count on me to be there." She stood. "But I'm afraid now that I must go."
"Go?" Link asked, standing as well. "What is the reason?"
Zelda's face, which had come so close to getting rid of all the blush, became very red again. "Malon will be expecting me in her bedroom shortly to help clean her teeth." She made a face, then started to walk away again.
"Please, allow me to escort you there."
"No, no, that's fine. I'll be able to find my way this time."
Watching Zelda walk away, Link sighed and lay back down on the grass. Why had he wanted her to stay? Perhaps it was because he could actually have a normal conversation with her. . .you know, not one like he'd have with Malon where all he'd say would be "how are you," and "nice weather we're having," or "I don't like spinach puffs," and all that other nonsense. Then, feeling quite fatigued, Link's eyes slowly closed.
A few minutes later, Zelda came running back to the willow tree she'd just been at. She realized that her bell had fallen out of her pocket, and that was the first place she tried to look for it. Zelda was surprised to find that it was there--she hadn't been expecting to actually locate the bell so quickly.
Bending down to pick it up, Zelda noticed that Link was asleep. She melted completely. He looked adorable in this position, lying in the grass and barely making any noise at all. She bent down and tentatively stroked his cheek.
The prince stirred, but slept on. Gathering up all the strength and courage she had, Zelda quickly kissed his forehead and then flew out of the garden.
Of course, Link had been awake the whole time. He smiled. After noticing that Zelda had left something behind, he decided to see what she'd do. And now he knew.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
weird, i know.
The next morning, Zelda lazily got out of her bed. She knew that she'd woken up later than usual, but that was about the same time everyone else would be getting up too. Sighing, she tried to close her open window, feeling that it was getting a little too cold. It refused to shut. Grunting with annoyance, she decided to forget the window and deal with it later.
Humming quietly to herself, Zelda got out a comb and brushed her hair. Her eyes slowly shifted towards the small bell on her nightstand. She shivered, remembering the dreams she'd had last night.
Putting on a dress that was made up of burgundy and grey colors, Zelda walked to her bed. After she made it, she picked up the small bell Kathryn had given her last night. She wondered if it had really been a dream. . .but then, what else could it have been?
Someone could've played a practical joke on her. They might've snuck into her room and put the bell into her dress. . .no, that wasn't possible. For one thing, the door was locked, and for another thing, Zelda was a very light sleeper. She just couldn't grasp the concept that she had an object from her dream now--when she was wide awake.
"I'd better hurry," Zelda whispered to herself. "I'll miss breakfast." She opened her door, and in doing so, bumped into Link. She managed to hold onto her balance, as did he. For a few moments, they stared dumbly at each other.
"I-I'm sorry, your higness!" Zelda squealed, not able to meet his eyes. "I--I didn't know you were there!"
"Don't apologize," Link said. "How were you to know that I was passing by your door at the same time you were coming out of it?" Of course, Link too remembered his dream. He suddenly felt very awkward.
"Um. . .your highness, I was just wondering if. . .well actually, sir, it's the window in my room. I can't get it to close, and it's freezing. So I was wondering if, your majesty, you could possibly give me a hand."
"Of course, I'd be perfectly willing," Link obliged. "On one condition."
"Yes, your higness?"
Link smiled, as they walked back into Zelda's room. "Just call me Link." The Prince tried to remember what he had told her in his dream. "When people use titles, it's like they. . .you know, it's like they judge you before they get to know you, just like they know who you are because of your station."
"All right," Zelda said, grinning. It could be a little difficult to adjust to, but she'd give it a shot. She'd been in Hyrule for three days, and already Link was beginning to warm up to her. . .or so she hoped.
"Oh yes, this one," Link sighed, stepping onto the window sill. "It's given us trouble for years!" He pulled on it. "You've just got to know how to handle this one; it seems to like being op--WHY WON'T THIS BLASTED WINDOW CLOSE?!?! It's never been such a difficulty before!"
"Wait a minute, I think I know what we've been doing wrong," said Zelda. She had just noticed a small lever near the top of the window. "If you can reach it, pull down on that lever and see if it works."
"All right, I might as well give it a try." Link reached up and pulled down the lever as hard as he could. Just as Zelda had guessed, the window swung shut almost immediately, forcing as much wind into the room as possible before it was closed.
"Well," commented Link. "That worked."
"Thank you for your help, majesty," Zelda said gratefully, even though she'd been the one to tell him what to do.
"Link."
"Right, sorry. . ."
"Don't worry about it," Link said. He opened the door for her, then followed her into the hallway. "If we don't hurry, we'll be late for breakfast--c'mon!"
"Link, I've been looking all over for you!" came Malon's voice from behind them. Link turned around with dread. "Now hurry up darling, before we are officially late for breakfast! ZELDA! What're you doing in the Prince's presence?! Go down to the kitchen at once!"
"Yes, milady," Zelda said, curtseying. "I'm sorry to have stalled you, your highness," she added, addressing Link. Blushing, she quickly dashed off to the stairway that led to the kitchen.
"That was a little harsh, don't you think?" Link asked Malon, frowning slightly. "She wasn't bothering me."
"Don't be silly," Malon laughed, steering him into the dining room. "Zelda has always been a bother to everyone."
'Not to me,' Link thought easily, staring at Malon with great dislike. She, of course, didn't notice. Malon's hate for her only made Link admire Zelda more.
"There you are, Zelda," said Scarlett, as the servant sat down at the table, heaving deep breaths. "We were about to think that you weren't going to show up!"
"Sorry, I was having some trouble shutting my window," Zelda wheezed, trying to catch her breath.
"Aye," Sophie said. "You're stayin' in that room with the nutty window, aren't ye?" Zelda nodded. "'At's what I thought. There ain't no one who comes to this castle and stays in that room without inquirin' about that screwy window."
"I can't blame them," Zelda sighed.
"There's something else, isn't there?" Cody asked, sitting down. "You seem a little tired, Zelda."
"I barely got any sleep," she responded. "Dreams kept me awake all night."
"What'd you dream about?" Roy asked.
"I'd rather not say, if that's all right," Zelda replied, turning red again. Inside her pocket, she clutched the small golden bell.
"Why not?" Sophie asked. "There weren't no certain Prince Charming in this dream, was there?"
Zelda didn't want to lie. "Well, actually, Link was in one of my dreams. I was going to tell him something, but I can't remember what it was. I do remember, though, that there was a green field, and a sunset, and then he danced with me and--"
She was interrupted by a loud sob from Sophie. Sighing, Scarlett handed her a handkerchief. "That's so romantic!" Sophie sniffed. "I wish the Prince was like that with me! I ain't never had no quixotic relationship with no one, not even in any of my dreams! I wish I had control of what I thought about at night. . .but NO! It's always nightmares 'bout Squeaks gettin' run over by a deranged driver who was on his way to buy some pickles and save the whales!!"
No one spoke for a minute. "Right," Scarlett finally said, breaking the strange and uncomfortable silence. "Anyway, Zelda, I'd like to give you some advice. As Malon's servant, you've already told us that you know she's pretty serious about Prince Link. I'm warnin' you to stay away from him. You may be more familiar with her than I, but I know she'll stop at nothing to get him into her arms."
"She set her cap for him years ago," Cody added. "There ain't nothin' that'll stop her from gettin' him to marry her."
"It was just a dream!" Zelda said hastily, though wishing it hadn't been. She blushed again, throwing her arms into the air with frustration. "I can dream, can't I?"
"Of course you can," Sophie answered. "Not like we can be in charge of what you think when you're asleep. We just don't want you to get your hopes up. Link may be the kindest of the two Princes, but us servants still don't have no chance with him."
"I know," Zelda sighed, putting her elbows on the table and placing her head in her hands.
Roy stared at the table darkly. Link's "irresistable" charm had worked once more. Zelda was slowly being drawn to him, and now Roy had absolutely no chance. 'It's not fair,' he thought to himself. 'I have known Zelda longer than he has, and yet she already likes him! Does she find me unattractive?'
"Roy, is something wrong?" Zelda asked, noticing that he was baring his teeth menacingly at the table's wood. "You seem a little upset by something."
"No, it's fine," Roy said quickly. "It was just this dream I had. I can't remember what happened, but I wish for the life of me that I could." That much was true. The only thing he could recall was that he loved the dream and that Zelda was in it.
Zelda pushed away from the breakfast table. "I'm sorry, but I'd better be going. I'm not very hungry right now."
"Okay," Scarlett said. "Bye, Zelda."
The servant climbed up the stairs that would lead out of the kitchen. Straightening out her dress, she walked towards the royal gardens. Peach had made a point of telling Zelda that everyone and anyone was permitted to take a stroll through the garden at any time they wished.
Closing her eyes, Zelda lay down on the grass near a tall willow tree. The breezes gently blew her hair across her face, making her wonder why she'd never felt such a sensation back in Altea. Then of course, she remembered she was barely outside there, unless she was doing Malon's dirty work.
Before she knew it, Zelda had dozed off. The lack of sleep last night had made her extremely tired this morning, and she couldn't help it. A few minutes later, Roy walked up and saw her.
Roy smiled as he knelt down beside her. Like Zelda, he never really got outside much. Marth and Malon seemed to have reserved the outdoors for royalty, and strongly believed that all servants should stay inside. Roy sighed, wishing he could stroke Zelda's hair out of her face--but of course, she was such a light sleeper that it would definately cause her to wake up. So instead, Roy satisfied himself by listening to her gentle breathing.
"Roy, what're you doing here?! I've been looking all over the place for you!"
Fearfully, Roy stood up and turned around. He saw Marth and Link, about a hundred yards away. The servant ran up to them. "Forgive me, milord, I was only admiring the beauty of. . .the garden."
"Pray excuse us, Link," said Marth, grabbing Roy's shoulder roughly. "I've got some discipline to carry out." They stormed off, leaving Link to wonder what Roy's fate was to be.
The Prince of Hyrule looked up. He saw a tall willow tree, and decided to rest in its shade. Link walked towards it, then jumped. "Zelda?"
Zelda's eyes snapped open, and she sat up. A little embarassed, she quickly stood up and bowed. "Forgive me, your highness, I--I fell asleep while lying here under the shade of this tree."
"No apologies are needed," Link said, sitting down on the grass, motioning for Zeld to do the same. "Come, please sit down again."
"Thank you, your highness," Zelda whispered, sitting down again, blushing a deeper red.
"Please, I've already asked you," Link laughed. "Just call me by my first name. . . unless of course, you've forgotten it already."
"No, I'm sorry, LINK," Zelda chuckled. Slowly, she rested her back down onto the grass with a contented sigh. "Are your late autumns always as nice as this?" she asked, once again enjoying the breeze that tickled her face.
"Y'know, sometimes," Link answered, shrugging, lying down as well. "Just as many as any one else does. . .you know, I feel somewhat tired myself out here. I didn't sleep very well last night."
"Neither did I," said Zelda. "Dreams kept me up until early morning."
"It's the same with me!" Link said. "And they were the. . .strangest dreams, I tell you. . .very queer."
"Mine made almost no sense whatsoever," Zelda laughed.
"For some time, I've been known as the dream interpreter here. Perhaps, if you wouldn't find me being TOO impertinent, you could tell me what you dreamt. . .?"
"Oh no," Zelda said quickly, her face turning a red brick color. "I'm sorry, but I couldn't possibly!"
"I could command you to, you know," Link said, grinning. "But I won't, because I'm simply the nicest guy around."
"I admire your modesty, Link," Zelda laughed, making Link laugh as well. Zelda let out a small, satisfied hissing sigh.
Link jumped. "You do that too?"
"Do what, majesty? I mean, Link?"
"My brother sighs exactly the way you do," Link responded, grinning. "I've never heard anyone else do that before."
"You mean Darryl?" Zelda whispered.
"Um. . .yes, he would be my only brother. You know Zelda, you remind me a bit of my cousin Margaret. You both have the same spirit and you approach things the same way. . .of course, I can think of a few minor differences. For instance, Margaret is only nine years old."
"Yes, that's a bit younger than me," Zelda chuckled.
"She likes to travel. Do you like traveling?"
"If I could do it, I'm sure I would."
"Oh yes, sorry. . ." For a minute, Link had forgotten he hadn't been talking to a princess. As a servant, Zelda probably didn't get around much. "Yes. Margaret's planning a trip to Nawiat soon. I'm to go as her servant; only of course if I understand I am to be treated very harshly."
Zelda laughed. "It would be nice to meet her someday."
"You can," Link said. "At Christmas, she and her family will be coming over for our annual ball! I'm sure she'd love to meet you!"
"Like I said, I wish I could meet her as well. But unfortunately, my chances of being allowed to a ball are very slight. Her highness doesn't like me to follow her to most royal occasions."
"Don't be ridiculous!" Link laughed. "I insist that you come along."
"Is this a personal invitation?" Zelda asked, smiling warily.
"I command that you come!" Link said, pretending to be angered.
Laughing, Zelda sat up, and saluted the sovereigen. "Aye aye sir! You can count on me to be there." She stood. "But I'm afraid now that I must go."
"Go?" Link asked, standing as well. "What is the reason?"
Zelda's face, which had come so close to getting rid of all the blush, became very red again. "Malon will be expecting me in her bedroom shortly to help clean her teeth." She made a face, then started to walk away again.
"Please, allow me to escort you there."
"No, no, that's fine. I'll be able to find my way this time."
Watching Zelda walk away, Link sighed and lay back down on the grass. Why had he wanted her to stay? Perhaps it was because he could actually have a normal conversation with her. . .you know, not one like he'd have with Malon where all he'd say would be "how are you," and "nice weather we're having," or "I don't like spinach puffs," and all that other nonsense. Then, feeling quite fatigued, Link's eyes slowly closed.
A few minutes later, Zelda came running back to the willow tree she'd just been at. She realized that her bell had fallen out of her pocket, and that was the first place she tried to look for it. Zelda was surprised to find that it was there--she hadn't been expecting to actually locate the bell so quickly.
Bending down to pick it up, Zelda noticed that Link was asleep. She melted completely. He looked adorable in this position, lying in the grass and barely making any noise at all. She bent down and tentatively stroked his cheek.
The prince stirred, but slept on. Gathering up all the strength and courage she had, Zelda quickly kissed his forehead and then flew out of the garden.
Of course, Link had been awake the whole time. He smiled. After noticing that Zelda had left something behind, he decided to see what she'd do. And now he knew.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
weird, i know.
