Chapter 12

As they entered the room, Link locked the door and Avalon turned to him.

"I am not happy that he did that. We don't have enough money to stay in our hotel past our three nights I paid up front. I'm down to my last three thousand gold."

Link gasped, being sarcastic, of course. "That's horrible!"

"It is horrible, for me! Now we'll have to stay in a regular suite... how dreadful! I hate staying in less than royal places." She pouted.

"Well, as angry as the chancellor is, darling, you need to get used to staying in lower class places. You shouldn't be embarrassed about that. You're standing up for what you believe in, and if you really do love me, then you should enjoy being a peasant."

She hung her head for a moment. "I'm not a brat, Link. I do not mean to sound like one. I just don't like the idea of a king and queen living in a farmhouse. I will feel better though once the remodeling is done. I had a new bathroom, and kitchen put in. I also ordered some furniture and curtains."

Link let go of her hands in surprise. "How did you know about the farmhouse?"

Avalon took his hands again. "One of the people at the bank stopped me." She replied. "And told me about a handsome stranger with pointed ears, wearing a very rich looking robe and suit, with a sword of gold at his side. He asked me why such a wealthy man would buy a pitiful little farm, and I went out there. I also had a phone line put in. I also ordered some things like pots and pans, towels, bath stuff..."

"Darling, we can't afford things like that."

"I paid it all off before the chancellor took my account away." She smiled, and kissed his cheek.

He let go of her hands. "Avalon, you have to get used to not having money. I know it's going to be hard, but some things in life are more important than new tubs and stoves. We had a perfectly good kitchen and bathroom, and we don't need a phone when we live on a farm."

Avalon's eyes started to water. "I want to be a good wife to you, but I don't know how. I didn't want to make you mad at me."

"Ava, darling, I'm not mad at you. I'm just worried that we're going to go bankrupt."

She sniffled. "It's really hard to go through such drastic changes... yesterday, I had all of the money I could ever need, and today, I had to buy a peasant's wedding gown, just so I could have a tub and shower in my bathroom."

"I know it's going to be tough on you, that's why I'm reminding you."

"Okay." She replied, sounding quite saddened. "I just... can't handle this lifestyle."

"Yes you can. You are a very strong woman. I saw how you fight. You are very strong, and beautiful. The most strong and beautiful girl I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I bet you are the fairest woman alive."

'I'm going to be an ugly housewife...' She thought to herself. 'I'm going to get fat, and wear rags... I'm going to smell like cows and chickens... Link's going to leave me, and I'm going to die alone.'

"Avalon, darling, that expression on your face... please don't cry my love. There is no reason to. I love you dearly, and we'll get through this." He held her close and stroked her hair. "I want you to know that I love you, and I did the moment your beautiful personality showed. That first night we met, while you slept in the guest room on my island, I heard you crying and I wanted to come in and comfort you. I wasn't bold enough, and if I had, I'm sure you would have never trusted me at all, never loved me."

"I know that we can make it through this, Link. I'm going to try my hardest to be a good wife." She promised, as she shook her head and the tears went away. "And starting now, I won't cry anymore."

"You need to cry, when you're upset. It doesn't bother me one bit, love. If you don't cry, I won't know if something's bothering you, and I can't comfort you."

"I'll try not to cry. I'm not going to be a brat about this. I left that kingdom to be with you, and I will stay with you even if we die in that little farmhouse."

Link kissed her lips lightly. "We won't. We'll save up money and remodel it. I bought a couple horses, and I'm going to bring yours back from the palace, along with their supplies. I already phone Theo. He will be moving in with us relatively soon. Today he has agreed to ready the horse's things, so I can fetch them in a few days. I figure we can make money by breeding your beautiful horses, and selling chicken eggs."

Avalon nodded. "Breeding OUR horses, Link. Nothing is 'yours or mine' anymore. Well, not after this evening, right my husband to be?"

He nodded. "Right, my bride to be."

"Let's go get lunch now."

"I'm not hungry." Link announced, as he leaned against the wall.

"I'm too nervous to be hungry. I arranged the ceremony to take place at six o clock this evening in front of the church here in town. I invited Theo to the wedding. He'll have to be your best man. He'll be here at four to help you get ready. All of the other guys will show up about five..."

Link smiled. "And who exactly are 'the other guys'?"

"Booster, Mallow, and Wario."

"And who's helping you get ready?"

"Bow and my dear sister Cherry. I'm surprised she's in this area. She's actually getting married this week too. It's quite a strange coincidence... also, in the town square..."

Link kissed Avalon's cheek. "I'm very excited about this. Everything... We're going to have a farm. A beautiful farm, with lovely little chickens and ducks, and beautiful male and cute little plain female peacocks to kill the snakes that will come to eat the chickens... And the ponies our two horses will have... beautiful little fillies and stallions with their glossy coats and bright eyes..."

Avalon smiled. "It sounds very nice."

Silence for a moment... Link was actually looking forward to farm life, but he felt guilty that his bride was going to loathe it. He wasn't looking forward to the meals she was going to make... knowing her, she would try to make him a meal, but with no experience in the kitchen, she would burn everything. Maybe Link would cook instead.

Avalon had something else in mind. She was going to start cooking lessons with Tayce T. the following morning. She hoped to learn to cook well enough to make Link happy. He would be disappointed with his meals unless she learned to cook them well.

The queen already new how to bake cakes, cookies, and pies to die for, but she had never cooked a real meal before. How surprised her king would be when he came in to his meal, roasted duck with truffles, white button mushrooms and potatoes, a delicious apple pie for dessert! He would be so pleased with her.

"Darling, I'm going to leave now." Link announced as he gave her a peck on the cheek. "I'll see you tonight at six."

"I'll see you then." She replied, as she looked around for her handbag. She had many things to do, and she had to go soon too.