get ready to paaaaaaaaaaaaarty!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Well, Christmas Day had finally come. The castle was buzzing with excitement; servants bustling about fixing decorations, straightening paintings and such. The dinner guests were due to arrive any moment.

Sophie awaited them at the door. King George nodded, and she opened it. Poor Sophie was nearly squashed alive as the throng of people crowded into the castle; promptly banging the door against the wall.

Zelda was still in the kitchen, letting Scarlett help her with her dress.

"Does the prince often do this?" Zelda inquired.

"Do what?" Scarlett asked, tying a sash around Zelda's waist.

"Invi--OUCH, that's so tight--invite servants to balls like these."

"Oh, it's something of a Hyrule custom. In order to thank a servant for his or her services, Princess Peach and the Princes Link and Darryl are told to extend an invitation to one of the servants." She breathed out heavily, handing Zelda a pair of evening gloves. "Here...of course, most of the time, they feel a little forced by the Queen."

Biting down on her lip, Zelda turned around and faced Scarlett. Her sleevless dress was a dark blue color, splashed with light cerulean colors here and there; her hair was pulled back, excepting two strands that hung at either side of her face. Zelda's gloves were tinted silver, and she bore two sapphire earrings that matched the necklace she was wearing.

Scarlett raised her eyebrows and nodded. "Look lovely, Zelda," she told her. "You'll make Malon look like....uh....well, something bad. Blue looks very nice on you."

"Thanks," Zelda said, blushing and stepping down from the stool she'd been standing on.

Then Sophie crashed through the doors, her dress and hair looking a little ruffled. She was heaving very deep breaths, and managed to say, "I was attacked....by a multitude of dukes and duchesses." Sophie turned towards Zelda with a curtsy. "Evening, milady."

"Sophie, it's me!" Zelda said.

Sophie did a double take and looked again. "Goddesses Zelda, I didn't recognize you! You could easily pass for a princess! That's what I thought you were, honest I did! Everyone up there in that party'll take you for one, I'm sure."

"Well, I think Princess Malon will make the point quite clear that I am nothing but a lowly servant," Zelda said in a slightly nasal voice, lifting her head up nobly and impersonating Malon. She practiced a curtsy.

"Where'd you get the material?" Sophie asked curiously.

"Isn't that Princess Peach a dear?" Scarlett laughed. "She lent Zelda the dress and the jewelry!" She looked over at Zelda again proudly, then said, "Well stop wastin' time, child! Go up there!"

"Oh! Right!"

Zelda headed up the stairs and entered the hallway. She looked inside the humongous room where all the guests were gathered. She'd never noticed how the large the room really was. She gulped, then took a step inside.

Trying to find a familiar face, Zelda made her way through the crowd. Some bowed and nodded their heads at her politely, and she acknowledged them with either a nod or a curtsy. She had to grin at all the decorations she and the others had put up all over the castle. It really did look lovely that way.

There were long rows of lengthy tables on each side of the room. People were beginning to sit down, and Zelda decided she'd better find a place quickly. Trying to find a seat was like playing a game of musical chairs.

Then Zelda noticed Link sitting down at the far end of one table; away from his family (who was at the other). It was empty, and she headed towards it. On the other side of the room, she saw a brunette beauty walking over. Zelda quickened her pace slightly, as did the other girl.

Taking two last large and un-lady like steps, Zelda reached him first. "Is this seat taken?" she asked.

"Why no, it's--Zelda!" Link sighed. "N-no, please sit down."

"Thanks." When Link wasn't looking, Zelda quickly stuck her tongue out at the brunette. Looking highly offended, the girl stalked off.

"You look gorgeous," Link said. "I mean....y'know, you always do, but I didn't recognize you for a second in that attire."

"Thank you," Zelda said, her face turning a pinkish color. "And may I say that tonight, as always, you're looking wonderful too."

Dozens of servants entered the room, setting down platters of all sorts in front of the guests. Scarlett, not far from Zelda, winked at her before walking away.

Sophie set down a plate in front of a small boy, who was saying, "My father just got me this great new toy that squeaks every time you--"

"SQUEAKS!!" Sophie cried dramatically, running out of the kitchen and sobbing hysterically. "My poor Squeaks!!" Rolling her eyes, Scarlett felt responsible to comfort her fellow cook, and walked after her.

Malon glared evilly at Zelda. 'That girl's got some nerve!' she thought to herself. 'Showing up at this party almost right after I flogged her!'

"Looks like Link's warming up a bit to Zelda," Darryl said to her, trying to begin a conversation with what was probably not the best topic. "That IS her, right?" Had he been looking close enough, the prince would've noticed steam shooting out of Malon's ears.

Trying to think of something else, Malon looked over at the the other royals. Jane had engaged Marth into a deep conversation; it was the same with Queen Greer and Queen Madeline and the three Kings; Margaret had accidentally spilled pea green soup down her front; and her was Malon: stuck with three boys trying desperately to flirt with her. And yet she wanted none of them.

"Do you like clam chowder?" asked Nick, nodding at his bowl.

"Nonsense, that'll make her nose turn green," sneered Jacob, trying to think up any excuse possible.

"That is a lovely dress you're wearing," Darryl commented.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

After dinner was over, Malon made her move. An orchestra had begun playing a quick jig, and she rushed towards Link. He stood up as she curtsied.

"Good evening," she said, extending an arm. "Would it be at all possible for me to have this dance with you?"

"Um....sure," Link answered, knowing it would be rude if he didn't. He took her arm and they walked onto the dance floor.

Squinting her eyes, Zelda stood as well and migrated to a far-off corner of the room. She looked pointedly at Link, who caught her eye and mouthed an apology. Zelda raised an eyebrow and slowly lifted her fan. She paused, then opened it, breathing in deeply; waved it lightly at her face and then walked away (yes graham, it was in the lizzie bennet fashion). Zelda could take the risk of being a coy flirt.

A young duke walked up to Zelda and bowed, offering her his arm. "May I have this dance, milady?"

"It would be my pleasure," Zelda said through clenched teeth, putting away her fan and taking his arm.

Once the jig was over, Darryl crossed the room towards Malon and asked her to dance the next one with him. It was a waltz this time.

When Malon had disappeared in the crowd, Link walked towards Zelda. "Forgive me if you found my manner rude in any way, but--"

"Of course not," Zelda said, blinking and smiling.

"Would you dance this one with me?"

"I'd be delighted."

Grinning, Link took Zelda onto the dance floor. Zelda wasn't sure how she had learned to waltz, but somehow she just....knew.

Peach, who had been forced into a dance with Marth (and was recieving evil looks from Jane), winked at Link, who smiled back.

"I wonder what's going on up there?" Sophie sighed from the kitchen.

"I don't know," Scarlett said. "Do you know where Cody is?"

"Yeah, he's on guard duty, remember?"

"Oh yeah." Suddenly, Scarlett grinned widely. "Hey Sophie...d'you remember when Zelda told us a while ago that in Altea she used to sneak outside and watch the parties from the windows?"

"Aaaand....where are you going with this?"

Sighing with exasperation, Scarlett grabbed Sophie by the arm. "I'm suggesting that we do the same, you idiot. C'mon."

"W-what?" Sophie asked in shock, as Scarlett dragged her up the stairs. "Have you gone crazy? What if we're caught?!"

"Oh, don't be such a worry wart," Scarlett sighed. "We won't be needed for another couple hours at the least." She grabbed her coat as they prepared to enter the hall, and handed Sophie hers.

"Farore, it's freezing out here," Sophie stuttered, as she and Scarlett trekked through the snow. "And I don't know how to climb trees!" she added, upon seeing Scarlett shimmy up one herself.

"C'mon, I'll help you," Scarlett said, offering a hand.

Through their combined efforts, Sophie was able to get on the second- lowest branch. "Oh look, now we can see!"

"Do you see Zelda?" Scarlett asked, peering down at the people below.

"Erm....what color was her dress again?"

"Blue--oh look, there she is!"

"Where?"

"Over there, by the--GASP!! She's dancing with Prince Link; how nice!"

"I still don't see her. Is she the one over by the stone pillar?"

"What're you--Sophie, that's the Duchess of....something, or other-- Zelda's the one over by the right corner in the--"

"Ohhhhhh, now I see her!"

By the time Sophie had finally found Zelda, the waltz ended.

"It....it stopped."

"Well, what'd you expect?" Scarlett asked sarcastically.

"It's strange," Zelda said, walking off the dance floor; Link right behind her.

"What is?" the prince asked.

"I've never waltzed before in my life," she said.

"That is somewhat strange," Link agreed, "because you dance divinely."

"Thank you," Zelda said, with a curtsy and a flutter of her fan.

Link suddenly found himself surrounded by a group of giddy girls, all asking for the next dance. Zelda only smiled at him flirtatiously before walking away.

"No!" Sophie cried from her position in the tree. "She's walkin' away!"

"'Course she is," Scarlett said. "She's goin' for the coy tactic, I think."

"BOO!" Sophie shouted, before Scarlett clamped a hand over her mouth.

Seconds before the dance started, Marth walked up to Zelda and bowed courteously. "It would seem that a lovely lady such as yourself should not be force to stand to the side on a number like this. May I have this dance....Zelda?"

"Um....yes," Zelda said, taking his arm uneasily. "Certainly."

"EEW, now she's dancing with that Prince Marth character!" Sophie booed. "She's a traitor to the cause!"

"What cause?" Scarlett sighed with exasperation. "Or are you just being overly melodramatic?" She got only a shrug from Sophie.

Zelda glanced over at Link from the corner of her eye. 'That girl is getting a little too close,' she thought darkly. 'Curse her!' She wished she wasn't at such a formal party. Otherwise, she would've beaten the pulp out of the woman dancing with Link.

Once the dance was over, Zelda saw Margaret being dragged out of the hall by one of the servants.

"I don't want to go!" she cried. "I'm old enough to stay! Let me stay! Please!"

Zelda began to walk over, to see what she could do, but Marth grabbed her arm and stopped her. "It would be quite honored, Zelda, if you would bestow me with the next dance."

"I'm sorry, I think I'll step out of this one."

"Are you sure?"

"I am begging to be excused," Zelda answered, giving him an innocent look. Reluctantly, he let her go, and she walked over to Margaret.

"I want to stay!" Margaret demanded.

"Young Princess," Zelda said, "I believe that it would be best for you to do as your parents wish, and get yourself to bed." Margaret gave her a strange look, trying to remember who she was. "I'm Zelda....we met last night."

"Oh!" Margaret beamed. "Do you really think I should go to bed, then?"

"....yes."

"All right. But I want you to come with me," she said, grabbing Zelda's hand. "It's awfully dark in these corridors, and I'd much rather walk them with a friend than with a complete stranger." The Little Princess made a face at the servant who had been ordered to escort her out, and then left the room with Zelda in tow.

"It must nice to be able to stay and dance at the balls like these," Margaret sighed. "I can't wait until I'm older."

"Well, you mustn't wish away your childhood too quickly," Zelda told her.

"I don't wish to squander it," Margaret said, as they turned another corner. "I don't want to grow up. I'm afraid of all the duties that must be fulfilled, and all of that. I just wish I had a little more freedom."

'I know how that feels,' Zelda thought, rolling her eyes.

"Good-night," Margaret suddenly said, opening a door. "See you tomorrow then, Zelda."

"She's left the room already!" Sophie cried incredulously. "Why's she gone?!"

"That's appallingly strange," Scarlett commented.

"You! Up there!" came a voice from beneath the tree they were sitting in. "Get down here immediately!"

He didn't have to tell them to; they fell from the tree out of shock anyway.

"Cody!" Scarlett scolded, upon seeing it was he that had spooked them. "What're you doing? It's just us!"

"Oh, sorry," Cody apologized. "But I heard some voices from up there, and I'm on guard duty, so I'm supposed to....y'know, look out. What're you two doing up there, anyway? Shouldn't you be in the castle?"

"We just had to get somewhere where we could get a better view," Scarlett explained. "The tree really suited us."

"Well, sorry to break up the fun," Cody said, "but I think they could use you guys in the castle right about now."

"Could they really?" Sophie asked, being dragged into the domicile by Scarlett. "How annoyingly interesting..."

Meanwhile, Zelda was trying to find her way back to the ball room. 'It shouldn't be too hard,' she told herself. 'All I really need to do is follow the scent of Malon's perfume. That should lead me right to it.'

Eventually, she was able to hear the sounds of music and laughter wafting through the corridors. 'I must be getting close!' she thought. At that moment, she felt someone bump into her. "Oh, pardon me," she quickly apologized.

"Zelda?"

"....Link?"

"Yes, I've been looking for you."

"You have? How'd you know where to find me?"

"Well, I managed to ask my cousin Irene if she'd seen Margaret, because I didn't see her, then she said she saw you take her out of the room. Well, she didn't know it was YOU, but she described you well enough so that I got the point."

"Oh."

"Follow me, there's something I want to show you."

In the dim light, Zelda went along with Link into a well lit room; the library. The prince walked over to one of the tables and picked up a wrapped box. "Here, Zel. I got this for you. Merry Christmas."

She stood there in shock. Zelda hadn't really been expecting a present from Link; and she also felt guilty for not having one for him. "L- Link, I couldn't possibly--"

"Oh, go on, Zelda," Link said, grinning. "You know you're going to open it eventually, so you might as well make it now."

The servant looked up at him with a sarcastic look, then smiled as she took the package when Link handed it to her. Carefully, she took the paper off and opened the box. A small, silver harp lay inside, glowing with anxiety to be played.

Zelda stared at it. "How....how did you--"

"I heard you playing Peach's harp once," Link answered. "I asked her about it, and she told me that you played one very well and would someday like one of your own. So here's one for you."

She closed her eyes and held it out for him. "I'm sorry, Link. I-I cannot take it; it is too fine a gift."

"Nonsense," Link chuckled. "Go on, Zel. I'll be highly offended if you don't."

Smiling helplessly, Zelda threw her arms around Link's neck (after carefully setting the harp down on the nearby table). "But I still have a guilt complex, I'm afraid. You see, I wasn't able to get you anything."

"That's all right," Link whispered into her ear. He looked up, grinning impishly. "Mistletoe."

"Hm," Zelda said simply. She leaned towards Link and kissed him ardently, getting the same from him. She felt his tongue press against her lips gently, and she opened her mouth so that it could get in. Groping her back and shoulders, Link's kisses began to get more intense; and Zelda accepted them with eagerness.

As this carried on, a figure passed the slightly ajar door briefly. He came to an immediate halt, then turned and peered back inside. It was Roy; but Link and Zelda didn't notice him, because they were completely lost in each other. Roy clenched his teeth together to prevent him from screaming. Burning with rage, he turned on his heel and swiftly walked in the other direction.

Moments later, Link and Zelda broke apart. She grinned up at him then leaned on the small table. "So...." she began, looking about the library. "Read any good books lately, Link?"

"Um...yes, I did actually," Link answered, standing next to her. "Been reading a bit of literature and....this new book on the Sheikah." He picked up a book next to him and handed it to her.

"Yes, I know a lot about them," she whispered, flipping through the pages. "A lot." Suddenly, she felt something in her brain throb, and she shut the book loudly, giving it back to the prince. "L-Link, there's something I've been meaning to tell you. It kind of has to do with the Sheikah."

"What is it?"

"Well...I'm assuming you've read that if raised in a different community, they can adapt to the people and their culture, and instead of appearing to be a Sheikah, they'd seem more like....Altean, for example?"

Link stared at her hopeful and frightened expression. A sudden realization struck him sharply. "Y-you're a Sheikah?!" he asked.

Zelda quickly looked down and strummed the harp strings in a distracted way. "Yes. I am. But I'm not the only one here who is."

"What do you mean?" Link asked, putting his hand down on hers to stop playing the harp (it was getting very diverting).

"It's Darryl," Zelda whispered, small tears coursing their way down her cheeks.

"What about him?"

Looking up to face him, Zelda took a deep breath. "He's not your brother, Link .... He's mine."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

a/n:

well, she's finally told him. and during such a romantic spot, too. plz review!