Disclaimer: I do not own Zelda. But I do own the RPG characters.
Thanks for R&R. Sorry bout the Cliffhanger, but I'm mean like that. Enjoy the story and I will write the next chapter after 5 reviews. Sorry I had to replace a few chapters. The only difference is the ages. Linka is 17, Sheik is 18, Link is 36, Zelda 35, Scott and Ralfisco 18, and Tula and Cally 17. There all the ages are sorted out. Enjoy.

Chapter 3:Royal Scandals

"Why was Scott in my sister's room so long?" Sheik had been watching from around the corner.

"Cause he likes her and is worried, he just doesn't realize it yet," Tula said in a matter of fact tone.

"Really?" Sheik wasn't sure if he liked this.

"Yup.so," Tula timidly started, "Do you want to go out tomorrow?"

"I don't know."

"Linka and Scott can come and it would be like a double-date." 'Wait no I don't want them to come, why did I suggest that?'

"Okay then, see you tomorrow. After I escort you to your room," Sheik escorted her back to her room in silence. Once there he kissed her on the cheek and went to his room.

"What was that about?" Scott crept out of the shadows.

"You have your prize and I have mine."

"Don't be an idiot, I just wanted to see what she knew."

"Right, I'm going to bed now good-night," she went into her room.

Scott and Sheik lay in their rooms.

'What's wrong with me?'

'Does he really love Linka?'

'She's an obstacle in my way that I need to take down.'

'I don't trust either of them.'

'How did she overcome from her brother and me?'

'How did she break away from us? She's not that strong.'

'I wonder.'

'Could the legends be true.'

'.Maybe there is a new 'Hero of Time.'

'.Are we descendants of the 'Hero of Time?'

'But wouldn't Sheik get the title and power?'

'Oh well might as well go to bed.'

'I'll let mom worry about it. I really don't want to kill her.if I can.'

-"Link," Gannon's voice echoed off of nothing. Link could see nothing it was pitch black, "I'm coming. They will soon be gone." Link watched helplessly as an image of his children being murdered played out in front of him.-

"NO!" he yelled bolting up straight.

"Link, what's wrong dear?" Zelda put her hands on Link's shoulders trying to comfort him.

"Bad dream," was all Link said. Zelda pushed some hair away from Link's face. He looked at her and smiled, pulling her close to him. He could remember seventeen years ago.

Zelda just had her coronation and Link was finally done traveling. It was a night a few weeks before their wedding and Link was in his room. His hair was wet and he only wore some pants. His trademark hat was on the bed. He just came from bathing. Zelda peeked in, "You can come in." Link had become very aware of his surroundings.

Meekly Zelda entered. She blushed fervently when she saw his bare chest. She herself was wearing a silk nightgown and her hair was in a braid. Link looked at her and smiled, "so what are you doing here?"

"I haven't seen you in a while." the wind blew in from the window, the silk flew back and outlined Zelda's figure, ".and I just," she started to walk towards Link but stopped. Link went over and wrapped his arms around her. She immediately started to blush even more, but wrapped her arms around him. They had missed each other dearly and as always Link didn't need to say much to get his point across. Zelda looked up and Link gazed down into her eyes. He bent forward and they shared a short, but sweet kiss. Then Link held her tight and asked, "Do you want to sleep here?" She nodded her response. They lay down and she snuggled up to him, still blushing slightly. He held her close and they fell asleep.

She always made him feel better, just as she did now. Although he still had a lingering ominous feeling, he allowed himself to feel at ease.

Sheik awoke to his sister's voice. "That jerk, making a date for me."

"What are you muttering about?" he said sitting up.

"You! You made a date for me so that-that you can go on a date with Tula!" Linka was angry and Sheik knew he was in trouble.

"Um I didn't want to be alone with her and you seemed to like Scott," Sheik was drowsy.

"I'm not so sure," Linka threw a blue tunic and some silver pants at Sheik, "Get up and dressed, they're waiting." Linka exited the room. Sheik got dressed and noticed a gift on the table near his bed. He opened it and saw that it was from Linka. He left the room and asked Impa where the others were. He was informed that they were waiting in the stables.

The stables were in the gates of the castle and were recently built to make traveling to the market easier. When he entered the stables he saw Linka brushing Shadow's mane. Shadow was a black horse with a white mane and tail. He, in every way belonged to Linka. Sheik's horse, Snow, was white in mane, tail, and coat. Scott and Tula were starting to mount two beautiful pintos.

As Sheik entered they all started to mount their horses. They rode to Hyrule market in almost complete silence. Scott glanced at Linka a few times but she was determined NOT to look at anyone. Once at the market, they tied their horses in a stable and Sheik asked, "So now who wants to do what?"

"I would like to go on a tour," Tula said with a huge smile.

"Well I'm hungry," Scott said holding his stomach.

"Then I'll take Tula on a tour and Linka and Scott can go to lunch," Sheik suggested.

"Fine with me," Linka said as she thought, 'So much for I don't want to be alone with her although at least he's showing an interest in courting someone now.'

They split up. Hyrule Market had changed in the seven years Gannon would have ruled. The Shooting Gallery had been enlarged there were now multiple stalls, and contest were held for the best and novice archers. All the gaming booths had been enlarged as well. There were cafes for tired shoppers to rest and eat at. The stores had more and better food from exchanging with foreign lands.
Linka lead Scott to one of the cafes and they sat at a table. A waiter soon joined them and they ordered. After the waiter left them Scott looked at Linka, she was wearing a green tunic and some silver pants with her belt and sword. Her hair was back in a ponytail. Scott was wearing a black tunic and black pants as he did most of the time.

"Look about last night, I'm really sorry about my behavior, I'm not normally like that, it's just, I don't know." she stopped him with a stare straight into his eyes. It wasn't a cold stare more of a shut up stare.

"It happens a lot, but you are the first to attempt that in my bed chambers," she dismissed it, "My father says he had this problem with women in his travels, though if any did or tried that he hasn't told us."

"Still I'm not normally like that," he started.

"LINKA!" a male's voice rang through the crowd. Linka stood up and exclaimed, "Ralf!" a young man with red hair that went to his shoulders scooped her up and hugged her. He wore the outfit of a ranch hand and looked to be one by his build. He was tanned from the sun and had fire-red eyes. He set her down starting very fast said, "Are you hurt? I heard about the attack. You were in the middle of it weren't you? I heard you might have been wounded bad or worse." Linka put her finger to his mouth. She wore a smile of genuine happiness.

"Since when do I need to be fussed over?"

"Since you decided to become a warrior," Ralf smiled, "who's that?" Scott had been sitting quietly while the green-eyed most was showing it's ugly head.

"This is Prince Scott, Scott this is Ralfisco," Linka introduced, "I'm fine, it was only some Stalfoes."

"And a dark magic wielding archer that Linka decided to challenge, and then the archer hit Linka dead on with a powerful spell," Scott informed this stranger.

"Linka, are you sure your okay? Sit down you shouldn't be standing," Ralf pulled up a chair next to Linka and sat down next to her.

"I'm fine, really," Linka reassured him. Scott didn't know what was going on but he didn't like it already. All he knew was he wanted this Ralf away from Linka.

"Are you two in the middle of something?" Ralf asked in a curious manner as a waiter brought them their food.

"Sort of, I'm showing him around. Sheik arranged it," Linka stated. Then she smiled and said in a teasing manner, "Why are you jealous?"

Ralf laughed and then with a fake pout said, "Of course I am! He has the best date in all of Hyrule," then Ralf smiled, "but then again Cally is pretty cute too." Linka pretended to be offended and hit Ralf playfully on the arm. "OO jealous!" he exclaimed.

Scott was becoming very furious now. "She can have you!" Linka sounded angry but she had a smile on her face. Ralf kissed the top of Linka's head as he rose to leave. He looked back at Scott and said, "You better take care of her!"

"So is that your boyfriend?" Scott asked trying not to sound bitter but failing.

Linka burst into a fit of laughter, "HIM? No, I've known him most of my life and whether or not you believe me he is just like a brother."

"Well he is an awfully friendly brother," Scott still couldn't help but be jealous. She just seemed happier when Ralf was around. "Did you ever like him?" Scott stressed the word like.

"No," Linka put bluntly as she ate her food.

"Well why not?" Ralf was very good looking and seemed to care for her.

"I can't say. I guess I just didn't think of him that way," she smiled slyly, "Why do you ask?"

"Just because."

"I suppose I should have said, 'but I like you' or something."

Scott turned bright red. "Well I'm in a better mood. Want to go to the Shooting Gallery?" Links said ignoring his embarrassment.

"Sure I'm full."

"So, why did you get rid of Scott and Linka?" Tula was very curious.

"I didn't want to but, Linka is in a sour mood and needs time to cool off.away from me," Sheik looked a little downtrodden.

"Are you two close?"

"Yeah, actually I think the only other two people we consider close friends are Cally and Ralfisco."

"Who?"

"Ralfisco is a stable hand at Lon Lon Ranch and Cally is a cattle-rangler there. We've known them since we were little."

"What's going on over there?" Tula pointed towards the stables. People were running and yelling orders.

"Oh no, Shadow is at it again," Sheik grabbed Tula's hand and pulled her over to the stable, "Someone must have tried to ride him!"

"Sheik, do ya have somethin' that smells like your sister?" a feminine voice called.

"Here," he handed the young woman a cloth. She took it and immediately tried to put it around the horse's eyes. After a few minutes she succeeded and Shadow calmed down and stopped bucking. After removing the cloth she handed it to Sheik and hugged him.

She was about Tula's size and had brown hair that reached the middle of her back. She was wearing the rancher's outfit of over-alls and a shirt. She was tan and had purple eyes. Most Hyrule royals were of a light-skin color but Linka, Link, and Sheik had tans almost as dark as Cally and Ralf's.

"What happened?" Tula asked as Cally backed up. Tula wondered why anyone would or could want a horse like that.

"Linka saved Shadow from a stable fire when he was a colt. Since then she is the only one he trusts and if someone else tries to ride 'im. Well that's what happens," Cally pointed towards Shadow, "and the only thin' that will calm 'im is Linka or her scent if he can't see." Her accent was thicker than Ralf's because he dealt with the castle trades.

"Cally this is lady Tula, Tula this is Cally," Sheik introduced so Cally would be aware she was talking to a member of a court.as if it mattered to her, "Cally is the only person who knows how to get a cloth over Shadow's eyes."

"Are you two on a date?" Cally asked bluntly. Growing up together Linka and Cally shared similar characteristics, such as being blunt and frank.

"Well it's a tour really," Tula explained.

"Oh, have ya shown her the Shootin' Gallery yet?" Cally asked.

"Not yet," Sheik and Tula piped in.

"Oh 'fraid your marksmanship will be outdone?" Cally teased.

"You wish," Sheik replied. Tula did not like this.

"Anyway, Tula you should know that he is the most unattainable date in the world. He might even be the only guy cuter than Ralfisco."

"Right and you're the catch of the day," Sheik said with a smile.

"Let's go," Now Tula was getting jealous.

"Now what's going on?" Tula was becoming weary of the crowd.

"Wow perfects all the way, hasn't missed yet," they overheard an elderly man say to a younger man.

"Oh no, looks like some sucker challenged our reining champion," Sheik glanced at Tula.

"I can take em," Tula was becoming more interested.

"Okay, Hey Bazoor two bows please," Sheik called. Bazoor the owner of the Shooting Gallery handed them two bows. The gallery had stalls and there were shooters still shooting for this round.

Tula spotted Linka and decided to shoot at the stall next to her. Sheik followed and went to Tula's other side. "Hello Linka," Tula smiled.

"Hello Tula. Are you in the next round?" Linka released an arrow and quickly restrung and shot again.

"Yup, um am I distracting you?" Tula asked because she didn't want to distract her.

"Nope, see perfect score," Linka said pointing to the gems in front of her, a token that she had hit them.

"So you are what everyone is talking about," Tula said surprised.

"Yup, I challenged her and I lost by two points," Scott piped up. Tula glanced at the sign telling how to score: Green Rupees: 2 points; Blue Rupees: 5 points; Red Rupees: 10 points.

"Sheik always ties with me, we just don't know who's the better archer," Linka joked. Truthfully Linka was better on horseback but on the ground Sheik was more skilled.

"Yeah, yeah, Linka it's you who ties with me," Sheik joked back. 'At least she is in a better mood. That's good."

NEXT ROUND!

They all strung their bows and waited. After the all scored, scores went as followed: Linka and Sheik: perfect (64) Tula: 52 Scott: 54 Random Archers: 2-50

"You two are good," Scott admitted.

"We are used to this range," Linka added.

"WOAH, are you showing modesty?" Sheik was shocked, "any more surprises like that and I'll have a heart attack. First the dress, now this."

"Well they aren't like some of the guys who spend every day here just standing around claiming to be good," Linka defended, "I don't boast to them either. I just make them eat their words."

"You don't make excuses for them though."

"It's true, you two are more experienced with this range," Tula tried to help Linka out, "She just wanted to spare our feelings."

"Yeah," Linka smiled, 'maybe they aren't so bad.'

"We lost and that's all there is to it," Scott said as they left the shooting gallery.

"Linka, Sheik," Cally called as she and Ralf ran towards them.

"Hey you two," Linka waved.

"Wanta go horse-back riding in the field?" Ralf offered, "I know you're on a tour but we thought maybe we could help." Ralf patted Cally's head with his hand.

"Are you two courting?" Tula asked hopefully.

"Not really. When we were all younger we agreed that if Linka and Sheik were to marry someone other than us-," Cally started.

"-we would marry each other," Ralf finished.

"It's a pack all of us made and agreed on," Sheik joined in the explanation, "Linka didn't seem to like anyone else."

"I didn't get along with the pampered Princes," Linka crossed her arms.

"Until Prince Scott came along that is," Ralf pointed out.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Linka asked.

"We would love to go riding, wouldn't we Tula?" Scott tried to change the topic; afraid the flirting might start again.

"Yeah let's go," Tula agreed.

"To the stables!" Sheik pointed in the direction of the stables. They arrived at the stable. Linka felt as if everyone was keeping a secret from her. She didn't realize that she flirted with Ralf, or that Scott actually liked her; she was dense in the courting area. (Just like Link)

They all mounted their horses and rode to the field. Once there they decided to race.

"Girls vs guys, or free-for-all?" Tula asked.

"Why do you ask that?' Linka was curious usually this was not an asked question.

"Well women have an advantage in some areas and men have an advantage in others."

"You will find that is not always true, especially if you meet the Gerudos," Ralf budded in, "Everyone line up!" They readied themselves.
"On your mark, ready, set, ride!" They took off and picked up speed. Linka, Scott, and Ralf took the lead; soon it was Scott and Ralf neck to neck. Ralf smirked to himself and leant forward. His horse shot forward and Scott, taken by surprise, recovered quickly. Cally caught up to Linka, but Linka wasn't about to let her pass; she quickly caught up to Scott.

Linka then saw something in a group of trees. 'Oh no.' She urged Shadow forward. As if sensing her urgency Shadow shot forward. Ralf looked back and saw Linka gaining. He started to speed up, but something in her expression told him otherwise. She started to balance herself as she stood up on Shadow. When Shadow had caught up to Ralf's horse, Linka jumped onto the saddle and knocked Ralf off.

"Linka!" Ralf yelled when he hit the ground. Shadow stopped running and waited for Linka to return. Linka rode a few more feet, and then an arrow flew and nearly hit her arm. 'No, Linka,' Ralf thought, 'I'm so stupid some days. My leg, no I need to see about Linka.' He felt like an idiot. His leg throbbed. Linka stopped Ralf's horse, jumped down and ran to Ralf's side.

"Are you okay?" Linka was panting from her life threatening feat.

"YOU MORON!" Ralf exclaimed grabbing Linka's arms, "You could have been killed!"

"I'll take that as a yes," Linka smiled as she told him this.

"What happened? What's wrong?" Scott asked as he stopped his horse.

"The archer is in those trees," Linka pointed to the group of trees.

"Why shoot at Ralf? He wasn't at the party," Cally asked.

"Maybe the archer knew what Linka would do," Sheik but in. Everyone had stopped and gone over to where Linka and Ralf were, "Knowing that, she probably assumed that Linka would be an easier target that way."

"What do you mean?" Tula asked.

"Well we are the descendents of the 'Hero of Time' and she seems to have a grudge against us for it. So maybe she anticipated what Linka would do. Which would explain why she waited until Linka went to save Ralf, but it doesn't explain why she waited until Linka was on Ralf's horse rather than when she was standing; or how she knew Linka would see her."

"Curious, very curious," Linka whispered as she looked at Ralf and said, "You can let go now."

"Oh right," he let go of her, stood up, and glanced around. He subconsciously didn't place any weight on his right leg, but didn't say anything because it didn't hurt much, "Well my horse is long gone."

"Sorry, I should have held onto the reins," Linka stood up next to Ralf.

"Well, you will have to ride back together," Tula suggested.

"No!" Scott suddenly piped up, "He can have my horse, and I will ride back with someone."

"Can't be with me," Linka looked at everyone, "Shadow would have a fit."

"He can ride with me. I'm used to ridin' two people to a saddle," Cally offered.

"Okay. Then shall we go?" Scott asked.

"What about the archer? Any chance she'll attack Linka again?" Ralf asked.

"Don't worry. I don't think she will strike again, not while we are alert anyway," Sheik decided, "Let's go." Ralf went to take a step and fell down in pain; Linka caught him before he hit the ground.

"What's wrong?" Linka almost yelled.

"Must have sprained it or somethin'," Ralf smiled a pain filled smile at Linka.

"Well ya can't go back on a horse by yourself," Cally stated.

"Scott you can." Sheik trailed off as Shadow walked over to Linka and Ralf. He put his head near Ralf's leg. Shadow nuzzled Ralf's arm, "I think he wants to help."

"But I thought no one could ride him but Linka," Tula asked confused.

"She is, or was," Cally pointed out.

Linka helped Ralf walk over to Shadow's side, "Scott hold the reins." Scott did as he was told. Linka slowly helped Ralf on to Shadow and mounted behind him. "Good-boy, Shadow; he knows what to do." Scott mounted his horse in a bit of a foul mood.

"Let's get back before dark or the horses might get spooked," Sheik took the lead and they all rode back in silence. Once back in the stables, Linka insisted Cally and Ralf stay in the castle, "It's already dark and Ralf can't ride himself." They conceded to Scott's distaste.

Later that night after everyone was sent to bed Linka snuck out with her sword. She snuck into Ralf's room and saw him sitting up in bed. "I was wondering what was keeping you."

"So you were expecting me?" Linka pulled a chair next to his bed. She loved his country accent, it sounded so different from what she was used to hearing.

"Well yeah, Shadow only let me ride 'cause you felt guilty, right?"

"Arrogant aren't we?" he could hear the sarcasm in her voice.

"Then why are you here?" he looked at her with a curious expression although he already knew the answer.

"I was bored," she crossed her arms.

"Really," Ralf started slyly. He put his foot on the floor.

"Don't get up. You idiot, you are still hurt and you need rest," she gently pushed him on to the bed, "stay down." He grabbed one of her hands and looked her straight in her eyes.

"You know, you're beautiful."

"But Cally is pretty cute too."

"No, Cally is cute but," he started but then decided against it and instead said, "Remember when your father tried to teach you to dance?

"Yes, and I refused to learn."

"But you let me teach you?"

"I guess, yeah you are the first guy I've ever danced with," she sat on the edge of the bed still letting him hold her hand.

"Why?"

"Umm," she didn't know. She just felt comfortable around him. He kept her secrets. Sheik was her brother and they were close, but he was more of the 'passive type' in her eyes. "Dad wasn't going to be my teacher, he was busy with other stuff at the time. I didn't want anyone else to teach me and I knew that if I messed up-"

"I'd catch you if you fell. I still will Linka. I'll always be here for you," the look in Ralf's eyes was one that Linka saw so often, yet never recognized it for what it was.

"Look Ralf-"

"I know you think of me as a brother, but-" she cut him off by shutting him up with a kiss. She then ran straight out of the room leaving both of them in shock, "-or not."

"Why does she keep interfering?" Scott paced frustratingly in Tula's room.

"I don't know," Tula, said half in a daze, "I'm just glad she's not after Sheik."

"I saw him kiss you in the hall before he went to his room," Scott teased.

'Sigh' "Yeah."

"Snap out of it!" Now Scott was getting annoyed.

"YOU ARE JUST JEALOUS!" Tula spouted, "GET OUT!" Scott left the room fuming.

"Is she mad at you?" asked Cally, "I was walking back to my room and couldn't help but overhear."

"Yeah, she and Sheik are getting along perfectly."

Cally giggled, "Ya jealous of him or her?"

"What do you mean?"

"Are you 'cause you like Tula or 'cause Tula is getting Sheik and you can't have Linka?" Cally asked slyly.

"Why should I tell you?" Scott was intrigued by her straightforwardness.

"Look, Linka and Ralfisco have had a 'connection' since they met. That connection has grown and now she is falling in love with him. That's my opinion anyway."

"What about Ralfisco?"

"He has loved her for many years and I mean many years now. So do you wanta go out tomorrow?"

"Well straightforward aren't we?"

"I need to go to Lon Lon Ranch to tell Malon, Ralf's mother, what happened. I just thought ya might wanta come too." She started to walk back to her room.

"Wait up. I'll walk you back to your room," Scott caught up with her and continued, "Yes, I'll ride with you. Just incase that archer comes back."

"Right, you'll be my knight in shining armor," Cally chuckled and in a faked scared voice said, "Save me my knight, please I'm in danger." He jokingly pushed her arm and she grabbed his hand.

'What are those two fools doing!' she thought angrily. 'My brother will never be saved this way.' She watched a floating bubble with the image of Scott and Cally walking hand in hand joking all the way.

'I'll just have to do it myself then.' She left to pay a visit to an old pain in her side.

Thank You All for R&R. Yes once again I'm evil for the cliffhanger. Special thanks to those who continue to R&R every chapter so far and well.some of you are a little mean cough TheGoddessKnight cough I must have a cold. J I'll update after 5 reviews or I finish typing, whichever comes last. ((((((Hey readers if you own the game Zelda Ocarina of Time, Go to the shooting Gallery as an adult and tell me your highest score in a review)))))) once again thanks :)