Chapter 8

Terrible Timing

Zelda's baby was due any day now, and the castle was buzzing with servants, making sure the birth would be as good as the first. Link was again, found to be as anxious as ever. His old fears about birth difficulties were arising once more.

On the other hand, Zelda had thought nothing of it. She, herself, had already been familiar with the process and found that she was more than able to deal with it, despite the agonizing pain that labor brought.

Nonetheless, it still didn't reassure Link.

As for the children, they did not have the slightest clue as to what happens during childbirth, so naturally, they were not concerned. And when one is not concerned, it's not really a problem for them to ignore what was going on around them that relates.

"Mommy.", whined Adah. "Can we go to the Marketplace today?"

This question had been asked various times throughout the morning and would persist until receiving a yes.

"Adah, I've already told you, Mommy is busy today. Maybe tomorrow.", answered Zelda, getting up from her place in the rose garden, where they were planting some new flowers.

"Please.", cried the little girl, extending the word as fully as possible, looking up at her mother with sad, blue eyes.

Zelda stopped, gazing down at her daughter, which now took hold of her left leg, grasping it tightly. The young one's pigtails were crooked, falling in curls around her shoulders, making her unbearably cute.

Zelda sighed, not being able to deny her child's happiness any longer. Giving in, she called to the castle, "Link!"

Looking back down, she saw that the previously fun-deprived child was now replaced with an elated Adah baby that she knew so well.

"Thank you mommy!", she exclaimed happily, hopping around, then hurrying inside to fetch Cole. Zelda rolled her eyes, laughing lightly, and crossing her arms.

"She gets me every time."

The royal group walked among the crowd in the busy marketplace, accompanied by Impa, who took the role of bodyguard. They were dressed in their best, due to the fact that the public had barley seen them out of the castle. It was important that they made a good example of royal family.

Adah's hair was now fixed, no longer held in pigtails, but rather falling freely down her back. She wore one of her best dresses, and had a silver tiara, made just for public views.

As for Cole, he had something far from what his previous apparel was, for now he was part of the family, and was dressed in one of the finest tunics in Hyrule. Of course with the usual pants underneath, rather than Link's old Kokiritunic style.

And when it came to Link and Zelda, they were of course, the finest looking couple to walk the streets. Not that the townsfolk had a problem with the well dressed family. They were known as the most favorite King and Queen in Hyrule's history.

All eyes were on Cole now though. For weeks, he had been the talk of the town. It was no surprise to the Hylians to hear that their fair Queen had yet again done a lovely task, but to hear that she had taken a homeless orphan in as her own, heightened their belief that she could do no wrong.

And that was not to change anytime soon.

So, Link, Adah, Zelda, and Cole walked through the town, holding hands, being admired by the townspeople, and carefully watched by Impa.

"Daddy, where should we go first?", asked Adah, to Link.

"Wherever you want to go.", replied Link, looking down at her. His eyes held a hint of uneasiness, like he hoped to hurry home soon.

"Don't worry, Link.", assured Zelda, noticing this anxious look. "I'm fine, enjoy today will you?"

Link sighed, saying, "I just don't think you should be out when your this late into pregnancy."

Zelda stopped, making Cole and Adah jolt backward. She moved close to Link, placing a delicate hand on his shoulder. "I am fine.", she stated firmly. "What more do you want me to say?"

He smiled weakly, reassuring her that he understood. She smiled back, pecking him on the cheek, and retuned to walking. "Come, lets go to the bakery.", she said happily, leading the group towards the pastry smelling building.

Afterward, the group visited many shops, buying many things, and having servants take them up to the castle as they bought it. After hours of shopping, they decided to take a rest. All sat on a large bench. Zelda leaned her head against Link's shoulder, ready to fall asleep.

"Watch them while I rest.", she whispered to him, burying her head on his shoulder to block out all light.

Link did as told…

Well, until he found himself sleepy, and decided to close his eyes for just a bit and lean against the wall.

But just a bit became more like a nap, and Impa was on her break, leaving the children unattended to.

Adah was watching as her father fell asleep, and her mother nearly there. She huffed with boredom, kicking her feet over the edge of the bench, trying desperately to entertain herself.

And Cole, well, he seemed to be falling into dreamland as well, resting his head against Zelda.

So, here was Adah, the only one still conscious of herself, ready to die of boredom. What is a little girl to do? She looked around for interesting sights. Perhaps something important was going on. Like a parade or maybe something out of the ordinary.

Then she saw them. A small gang of boys, performing street tricks, in front of a large group, for rupees.

And this wasn't just any old group of boys. It was Cole's brothers!

Excitedly, Adah nudged Cole to wake up. The boy groaned, turning away until Adah had to knock him halfway off the bench.

"Hey!", Cole snapped, regaining his balance, and coming to a standing position.. "Why did you do that."

Adah jumped off the bench, pointing the group of boys. "Look! It's your brothers.", she squealed, taking his hand and pulling him towards the boys.

Cole's eyes lit up at the sight of his friends. "Hey!", he called to them, as they made their way up to the boys.

Sean looked up from what he was doing and immediately smiled upon seeing Cole. Without another word, Cole jumped into the arms of Sean, hugging him tightly. "I missed you.", he exclaimed, not wanting to let go.

"Missed you too, kiddo.", Sean laughed, letting him on his own feet again. "How have you been?"

"Great!", said Cole. "I get hot meals, warm bed, and even my own room!"

Sean smiled, looking over to Adah. Cole did the same. The other boys stopped their performance to greet Cole.

"Everyone, this is my new sister Adah.", he said, introducing the princess to the boys. "She's really nice."

Adah curtseyed for the boys. A thing she remembered proudly from the first lesson Saria had taught them.

"Pleasure to meet you again.", said Sean smiling widely. "Your parents are very kind to take Cole in. Please send them my thanks."

"Well, if you want to thank them,", said Adah smiling. "they're right over there." She pointed to the two over at the bench, who just so happened to be waking up at the moment.

Zelda shook her head, getting the sleep from her eyes. "Alright, I'm up.", said Zelda to the now empty space, where Adah and Cole were supposed to be sitting.

Seeing that they weren't, Zelda began to panic.

"Link.", she said sternly, grabbing his arm. "Where are Cole and Adah!"

Link, who was also just waking up, replied with a dumb, "huh?"

Once finally coming back to earth and realizing that the children had wandered off, he instantly jumped up, searching the crowd for them.

"There!", Zelda yelled, spotting them just yards away. Running to the spot and calling their names, she frantically wrestled with her long dress, making it hard to get to them.

"Look.", said a delighted Adah. "Here she comes now."

Just seconds after declaring her mothers arrival, she was swooped up into the arms of a very roused Zelda.

Link followed after, clumsily tripping over his feet on the way.

"Oh, Adah. Cole.", said Zelda soothingly. "You two scared me so much! You really have to stop that. "

She was now squeezing Adah so tight that the poor girl was being deprived of air. Placing Adah back down, she now noticed the group of boys, who were bowing to her.

"And who might you fine sirs be?", inquired Zelda, encouraging them to lift their heads.

"This is my old family.", answered Cole happily, pointing to each one as he said their names. "Sean, Tyler, Quentin, Paul, and Trent."

"Oh ?", Zelda exclaimed, interested. Her eyes lit up with joy. "Cole has told us so much about you. I am pleased to see that you look like fine boys to me."

Although, the truth was, they really didn't. The poor kids had nothing but old, dirty clothing. But still, if they had been in nicer apparel, the boys would look rather respectable.

"Thank you, your highness.", replied Sean.

There was an awkward pause between the group as each were wondering were to go from there. Zelda cleared her throat and began to speak.

"What if I told you, that each of you could have a home?", asked Zelda. "I have a wonderful friend of mine who lives on a very large ranch."

The boys' eyes all lit up at Zelda's offer. "Really?", spoke up one of the twins, who Adah had guessed to probably be Paul.

Zelda leaned down to the boy's level with a smile. "Really.", she said, standing back up. "She would be very happy to adopt. Probably even all of you."

The boys could help but beam. They were so excited that they had to retain themselves from going up to Zelda and giving her a big hug.

But of course, that would dirty her beautiful dress.

"Many thanks.", said Sean. "I can't say how much that means to us."

Zelda and Link smiled warmly, seeing how much it brightened up they're day.

"Well I suppose we should waste no time at all.", said Zelda. "Let's get you-"

But Zelda didn't get to finish her sentence. With a little squeak, she held on to her oversized belly in pain, with her other hand gripping the side of Link's shirt.

Link instantly came to her for support, holding her hand, knowing exactly what was happening.

One the other hand, the rest of the group, aside from Sean, had no idea what was happening to the Queen. They stared, horrified at the scene of Zelda buckling at the knees, ready to scream out.

"Mommy?", Adah said weakly, tears forming in her eyes. Link assured her, along with the boys, that everything was alright, and that Zelda was going to have the baby.

"I need…", Zelda started, pushing the words, through gritted teeth, with all her might. "to get… home. And fast!"

And so the family did, but not alone. Seeing as that now the boys had already been offered a home, Link couldn't just leave them there.

So, naturally, he invited them up to the castle. Of course, not to watch the birth. Not even Link could do that. Or stomach it for that matter.

So, this time around, not only Link was waiting outside of Zelda's room, but also a group of boys, his adopted son, and Adah. All too quiet for comfort.

After hours of silence and waiting, finally Impa walked out of the room. Smiling, she announced, "Trinity has been born."

Everyone sighed with relief. Link stood up from where he had been sitting, and out of the blue, he hugged Impa.

Impa, being the non-emotional Sheikah that she was, stood there shocked that someone had come out and hugged her. But with the situation she managed to crack a smile on her aged face.

"Seeing as we already have visitors, that are to be Malon's, do you I supposed I should inform her family and request that they arrive at the castle as soon as possible?", she asked, looking at the boys.

"Yes, thank you Impa.", he said, rushing into the room. Adah and Cole followed closely.

Sitting up in bed, with newborn in arms, was Zelda. Link sat on the bed next to her, smiling with glee.

Cole and Adah had ran up to the other side of the bed to observe the new addition. Cole smiled widely with wonder in his eyes.

Adah did not use so much energy to see, on the other hand. She was content with her feet firmly on the ground, looking upward at her mother and the new child.

"Trinity?", Cole asked, hanging half of himself off the bed, managing to hold on . "That's her name right?"

"Yes,", answered Zelda. "That is her name."

"Hi Trinity.", Cole said. "I'm Cole. Your brother." He looked down and pointed to the ever so quiet Adah. "And that's your sister, Adah."

Adah didn't bother to speak. All she did was stare idly up at them without a word, managing to smile fakley for a few seconds.

Link leaned down closely, next to Zelda, wrapping one arm around her. "Well,", he said. "Now you have it. Just what you wanted. Two girls and one boy."

Zelda smiled widely, turning her head to Link. "And not to meantionthe husband I've always wanted.", she said pointedly. With that, the two kissed, making them too cute for words.

But this time, when they kissed, something was different. This time, there was no squeal disgust from Adah. No, she was, even now, very still.

All the family was beaming with joy, from the arrival of little Trinity. All for the exception of one.

Instead of seeing happiness of little Adah's face, there was something quite different. Something that perhaps might be said as sadness. Loneliness. Jealousy even? But only she, herself could see it. Only she, herself was paying attention. And she didn't understand what and why she was feeling what she was, but she felt it alright.

All Adah did realize, though, were that things were going to be very, very different from now on.

another chapter! woot!

thanx for the reviews guys!

dan heron: thanx...yeah, behind every good guy, there was a woman who taught him manners :)

LadyAkki45: yup..thanx! :)

Crimson Ashes:)

Nessa-Cuthalian: nu uh! im not going to kill her! im not that mean. oh but that's very saad :(...i feel sorry for the poor parents.

Hyrule Master:)...yup, and im sure its not corny humor either...which is good. :) ...i dont think there was really any in this one tho..hmmm... thanx! :D

getfuzzyfan04: lol, thanx! (feels flattered)

Kat: sry...usually i just copy n paste to make it go faster n i dont pay attention. :P.. i saw ur profile! thanx! :D... YES! im important! hahaha!...(cough)...sry...im not meantion in profiles a lot. :P see ya when u get back! have fun! :)

Floofy: thanx :)...oh i promise i wont make it confusing...its just that they are based on two different subjects...see "Grow up" is about the childhood- tween age of the crew and the next one will be called "Heartbreakers" which is more centered on relationships and teen-adults stage. I promise i wont let ya down. :)