So Stupid
Ch. 2

Sun peered through the windows of Link's bedroom and he groaned as he rolled over to escape it. After a few moments, his eyes fluttered open and he slowly drifted out of sleep, his thoughts immediately going to the night before. He and Malon had walked together for about an hour, talking about her life on the ranch and about horses. Then, Malon had noted how late it was and suggested they meet the day after next at 9:00 AM and she'd take him to see the ranch. Link found himself agreeing and even excited at the prospect. She'd left then and he'd gone back up to the castle, body tired, but mind full of thoughts.

Link pulled himself out of his bed and got himself ready for the day. He was to have a lunch with the Princess and then go get fitted the formal armor he was to wear at the wedding. He sighed and wondered how long tomorrow would take.

---

In the market place, Malon walked through the crowded stands, looking over heads in the search for her father. "Where could that man have gone to?"

"Who? Link?" Malon turned to face the voice behind her to meet a pair of violet Zora eyes. The Zora was dressed in a fine dress and held herself like an empress.

"I'm sorry," Malon began, "Who are you?" The eyes of the Zora widened then narrowed. She turned her head haughtilly, as if the poor ranch girl infront of her were undeserving of her direct gaze.

"My name is Princess Ruto of the Zoras, and you need to stop cavorting with Link. He's engaged, you know." Malon just stared at her, managing a straight face while, inside, her heart beat faster than it ever had. She was scared that it might just leap from her chest and hop down the street. Ruto looked at her, a small smile playing on her lips as she let her eyes close dramatically. "Yes, that's right. Link and I are to be married. We've been engaged for a long time. Finally, next month, we'll finally be married, our relationship sealed forever, and he will someday rule the Zoras beside me." Malon looked at a pebble on the ground, feeling a little hurt -- Link had seemed so interested in her. She looked up to Ruto's now open eyes, seeing a twinkle of glee in them. 'She must be really excited,' Malon thought, and turned away from the Princess to return to her search for her father, though with a little less fervor.

Ruto smiled and walked away, thinking about how she would manage to get her fiance back to the Zora Kingdom. She'd get him to fulfill his childhood vows if it was the last thing she'd do.

---

"Link, why are you so stiff?" Zelda was smiling as she walked arm-in-arm with Link down the avenues of the market place, on their way to a little cafe run by a nice old lady and her family called Mama Rosa's. The hero looked down into the deep blue eyes of the princess. Could she tell...?

"It's nothing, I'm just a little cold." That was a complete lie -- it was a warm Summer morning, how could he possibly be cold. The princess got a worried look on her face. She took one pristine white glove off and held her bare hand to his forhead.

"You don't feel like you have a fever, but I could be wrong. I hope you're not comming down with something." Link saw the care in her eyes and felt guilty for not returning her feelings. She was beautiful, kind, pure... but had nothing Link desired beyond platonic friendship. Perhaps it was because she was so pure, so delicate, so naive that he wasn't attracted. Link was suprised to find himself in the cafe. He didn't recall opening the door...

"Follow me, please." Link and Zelda followed the blonde waitress to their seat in the back. The building was small and square, its interior having hard wood floors tables and chairs with the occasional maroon accent. A fat white candle sat in the center of every round table, it's small flame a comfort at night, casting shadows on the walls and a yellow light on every surface. It was not night, however, so the candles weren't lit. Instead, white sunlight poured into the cafe, little dust particles dancing in it.

The two sat at their table and ordered their drinks then looked over the menu to decide what they'd eat.

"This sounds really good, don't you think, honey? ...Are you paying attention at all?" Link realised that Zelda had been talking to him and looked at the princess infront of him.

"I'm sorry, I spaced out. What did you say?" Zelda gave him a quizzical look.

"All I said was that this," and she pointed at a dish on the menu, "sounds really good, don't you think?" Link briefly glanced at it: a salad of sorts.

"Yes, that sounds delicious."

"What are you going to have?"

"Umm... I haven't really decided yet." Nothing seemed appetizing to Link at the moment. It all looked bland and tasteless. He wanted something a little different, something a little spicey... a little spunky... a little less pure. His mind went to Malon and he thought of her beautiful auburn hair, how it fell across her shoulders just so, how she'd flip it behind her when it did, how musical her voice sounded, how kissable her lips were...

"Are you ready to order?" Link looked at the waitress. Zelda had just ordered. He didn't want her to think he'd been spacing out again. She might really start to wonder then.

"I'll have what she's having." It was a very tasteless meal.

---

Ruto watched the couple walk into the cafe together and felt jealousy creep into her chest. She knew Link was engaged to Princess Zelda, everybody did, it seemed. Well... not the ranch girl, Malon. She didn't even know who Link was. She didn't know that he was the Hero of Time, that if it weren't for him, Hyrule would be a very different and sad place. Ruto imagined she lived a very plain life, after all, she didn't have the parties and the social gatherings. All she had were cows and horses.

The Zora Princess waited until Link and Zelda finished eating and walked out of the cafe. As she watched them leave, about to turn the corner, she called out to him.

"Link!" He stopped and turned to look at her. "It's me, Princess Ruto!" She ran up to him and wrapped her arms around his torso. "It's been so long since we last met. I've been waiting patiently for you, you know." Zelda stared at her for a minute, then looked to Link and back.

"Princess Ruto, what on earth are you talking about?" Ruto looked to Zelda, they'd only met once or twice before at social gatherings.

"Oh, nothing to worry your pretty little head about." She looked to Link, wondering if she should just say it to make the princess angry, but decided against it. "Link, you think about it. I know you know what I'm talking about." She stood on tip-toe a moment and kissed his cheek before leaving, wondering what the consequences of her actions would be.

---

"Link, what was she talking about?" Link looked at Zelda and wondered if he should tell her.

"I'm not sure. Maybe she has me confused with somebody else?"

"It didn't look like it."

"Whatever it is, I'm sure we'll find out soon enough."

"I suppose..." Zelda looked at him with those cerulean eyes and turned them back to the road as they walked together in silence. Navi, who up till now hadn't said anything at all, hovered by Link's ear and told him something he already knew.

"Ruto's here... that can't be good."

TBC

Thanks for the reviews, they really encourage me to write more. Tell me what you think about this chapter, too, 'kay?
AA