Chapter 5: The Race

Rosemarie was sitting in the shade of her favorite maple tree. She had finally finished her chores and was writing in her diary as she waited for Zelda. Zelda had a lot more chores than Rosemarie could fathom. Rosemarie was an only child, most of the time, so she should have had the same number of chores. But, Rosemarie reminded herself, Zelda had a much bigger house and she didn't have a maid. Unlike Rosemarie, who had a woman come to cook and tend the kitchen and the animals.

Rosemarie stopped thinking about her life and Zelda's because it only led to depressing thoughts. Instead she focused on her diary story, which she had made a promise to herself that she would indeed make a happy ending. She just finished a chapter as Zelda came running.

"So sorry, I had a bit of trouble finishing everything. The vase fell and poured soil and water all over the floor I had cleaned in the dining room." Zelda seemed a little out of breath. She sat down next to Rosemarie.

"Still writing about Link?"

"Yes, I hope that one day my dream can come true."

"Fat chance, I'll beat you to it."

"Nuh-uh!"

"Oh yeah?" The two girls giggled.

"Anyway, so where are you in your story?"

"Um...it's the part where..." Rosemarie explained her story to Zelda. None of them noticed as Link rode past the plain, a few feet away from them. He stopped.

Link squinted his eyes. They weren't deceiving him. Those two were indeed Rosemarie and Zelda. He could never forget Zelda, with her calm features and warm smile. But Rosemarie was also in his mind. Her jolly and outgoing ways and her beauty. Things that made him fall for both. If only he could choose.

"Hey, Zel! I'll race you to that tree!" Rosemarie pointed to a Weeping Willow in the distance.

"I don't know, Rosemarie."

"Aw, come on! I know you can at least catch up with me."

"No, I meant that you might trip on your skirt...like Last Time."

"We promised never to mention Last Time." To them, that was the code for the terrifying moment when Zelda and Rosemarie had raced through Hyrule Market Town. Rosemarie had worn a dress two sizes above normal. Prince Link was on his tour and he saw them, though he didn't take much notice. That was the time Rosemarie looked up and met his eyes. A second later, she stumbled and tripped. That was very embarrassing, embarrassing enough to be given a name: Last Time.

"Well, since you proposed the challenge...you're on!" Zelda interrupted Rosemarie's thoughts and ran off, Rosemarie running after her.

"Not fair! You cheated!" In her haste, she dropped the diary and pen.

Link smiled as the two rushed off to the Willow, with Zelda in the lead and Rosemarie following, shouting after her. Link remembered the time he saw a pair like them running through Hyrule Market. He was envious of their pleasure when the dark haired one had looked up at him. Suddenly, she had tripped and fallen. It was all Link could do to keep from laughing.

Wait a second...he remembered now. It was the same pair. The same pair. How funny he thought he didn't know them but he really did.

Link was about to turn and head back when he saw something by the tree. It was a small notebook, he thought. He leaned closer to see clearer. Link leaned over so much that he tumbled down from Epona's saddle. She neighed in surprise. Link wasn't listening. He had already rushed toward the book.

Opening it, he saw the title: Saved by a Prince. This was going to be interesting. He sat down and began to read.

"A few more feet and I'm going to win."

"Not a chance, Zel." The two girls raced back from the Willow Tree, each with her own idea of reaching the place first. But they never expected this surprise.

"Oh my Goddesses, there is someone reading a book under our tree," Rosemarie said. She stopped and Zelda followed suit.

"Who is it? Or...may I ask...who is he?"

"I don't know, Zelda. But even from a distance, he's mighty cute."

"Rosemarie! He's Link!"

"What?" They looked closer and confirmed their suspicion. It was the prince.

"He's reading...a book...under our tree!" Rosemarie gushed. "Oh my Goddess!"

"Um...Rosemarie...that's not just any book. That's your diary!"

"What?" Rosemarie realized it was her diary. "Oh no! It has the story. We've got to stop him!" She rushed towards the tree.

"Wait! Rosemarie, you can't just..." With a sigh, Zelda ran after her.