Chapter 2

The Amulet

Link had returned to the castle with Zelda, where he had been given a room to freshen up in. After taking a bath and washing the weariness of the fire incident away, he dressed in the clothes laid out for him…The clothes he was to where to the party that night. His tunic and cloak were being washed by several of the castle's maids.

He stood before the full length mirror in his room, now fully dressed and not exactly happy about what he had to wear…What he wore, in a way it resembled his tunic…only it was made of a finer material with extra things added and it was black…he felt so out of place wearing something like it…not to mention the fact that he would have to leave his sword behind…He kept his hair in the same shaggy style he always did, letting it dry out like that and also kept his single earring in his ear. Zelda could feel free to scold him about that later.

There was a slight knock on the door, "Come in." he said simply. The door was cautiously opened and a girl hesitantly walked in bearing a small stack of clothing, she set it on the end of the bed and scurried out. Link slumped down on his bed, not caring if he wrinkled the clothes he wore or not, that's when he noticed something shimmering atop his usual, now clean, clothes piled up on the bed.

"What the heck?" he said aloud to himself, picking it up by the chain. It was a necklace with a black chain and red jewel hanging from it, possibly a ruby…maybe?

He sat there pondering where it had come from, he couldn't recall seeing it before…And why would the maid give it to him? That's when he remembered the woman…she had given him something just as he had turned to leave…he had been too worn out at the time to even glance at it so he had just slid it into his cloak pocket…could this be what she had given to him? It looked expensive, why would she give him something that valuable when she had just lost her home, everything in there? He could sell it…but he had all the money he really needed…when he was in short supply of food he would always go work for some up at the ranch…or Zelda would insist on helping him out.

And that's when he figured out he could give it to Zelda; surely she would love something like this. He decided to go up to her room.

He slipped past several guards, after all, hardly anyone knew he was here, not even Zelda's father, the king of Hyrule…and there was no point in causing a fuss about the fact that he was unknown and just roaming through the castle hallways.

Link quietly knocked on Zelda's bedroom door and it was quickly opened by Impa who left as he entered. She was one of the few who knew anything of their relationship.

"Zelda…" he said softly.

She had been fixing her make-up in her gold framed mirror and abruptly turned and smiled at the sound of his voice. Link's eyes practically bulged out of their sockets and his mouth hung slightly agape. Zelda's natural long golden blonde hair framed her light cream colored skin and her long pointed ears held dangling ruby red earrings in them. She was adorned in a long black evening gown that curved perfectly with her body, she had always looked beautiful, but tonight she seemed radiant.

"What? Do I have something stuck in my teeth?" she asked amused.

Link continued to gape, but then finally found his tongue, "N-no…you just look…beautiful…"

She walked over to him and embraced him in a kiss, "Thank you. Ya know, you cut quite a handsome figure yourself…maybe you should dress like that more often." she teased.

"Yeah…right…" he replied sarcastically. "Not gonna happen."

She laughed and pecked him lightly on the lips, "We'll see about that…"

Quickly changing the subject, Link considered giving the necklace to her now and pulled away. "I have something for you."

"Oh Link you shouldn't have…" she began but curiosity got to her. "What is it?"

"Hold out your hands to find out," Link said.

Zelda did just that, Link placed the necklace in her hands and closed them around it. When Link removed his hands from hers, Zelda immediately pulled her hands apart and gave a small squeal of delight upon seeing the object. She did the clasp about her neck and stood admiring it in the mirror…if only they had paid heed to the strange 'coincidence' of it matching perfectly with her earrings…if only…

"Oh Link, it's perfect for tonight!" she embraced Link once more and gave him several loving kisses on his lips…that is until a certain thought crossed her mind, "Link…where did you get the money to buy something like this? It looks really expensive…"

"I may not be as rich as the Royal Family, but I have money and I bargained with the store owner to lower the price…it doesn't matter how much it costs, you're worth everything and for once I wanted to get you something." his heart felt torn in two to lie to her like that, but how stupid would the truth look? 'Some lady gave it to me after I saved her baby and I thought I'd give it to you.' He could just imagine the look on Zelda's face if he told her that…so he didn't.

"You really know how to charm a girl…" she smiled sweetly at him and kissed him once more. Her kiss melted away all the troubled thoughts he'd had about lying to her.

Then Zelda suddenly remembered the party was supposed to start shortly. "Come on, we should get down there." she said, leading him by the arm, not dragging him this time.

As she led him down different hallways and stairs, she explained a few more things. Link loved her, but was soon wishing she would just shut up as she droned on and on about how he should conduct himself. "The people you're going to meet are very high-classed and sophisticated people, so you must be polite no matter what is said to you because trust me, they know how to hold a grudge and another thing, do not use any slang."

"Don't worry Zel, I ain't gonna use no slang." Link bantered. She fixed him with a haughty glare. "I was joking, don't worry I won't."

"I would hope so for your sake, they'll mock you for it and act like you're stupid even if you only slip up once…" she continued. "And since my father knows nothing about you, I hope you strive to impress him as he can become very overprotective of me…"

Whoa, impress the king of Hyrule? In case you've forgotten, I am no where close to any nobility and am only an ordinary Hylian…how the heck am I supposed to impress the king? Not to mention the fact that people aren't going to like a princess of their country dating someone who is not of any royal blood."

"For one, you are not just an ordinary Hylian and two, he nor anyone needs to know that…yet."

"I thought all the secrecy going on about our relationship was upsetting you?" Link just had to ask…

Zelda sighed deeply, "It is and that is why I wanted you here with me tonight. Until my father comes to like you and accept the fact that we're together, I think we can wait a little while longer before letting that out in the open."

"So basically it's just going to be a social get together of all the snotty high-class citizens of Hyrule…right?"

"Snotty would definitely be the right word for most of these people…and yes, as well as a few dignitaries from neighboring countries…why do you ask?"

"What if someone recognizes me from the ranch?"

"I never did think of that, but I doubt we'll have to worry. Most of these people pay other people do to stuff for them. Besides, you haven't seen anyone you would expect to see tonight up there have you?"

"Actually---."

He was cut off by a gentle nudge from Zelda; people had run ahead into the ballroom to tell everyone that she was coming in and a deep baritone announced this, "And now announcing the arrival of the lovely Princess Zelda."

Before the doors were opened, Zelda pasted a smile on her face and whispered, "Smile all the time, it confuses anyone who wants to mess with you." Link raised an eyebrow at this but put a smile on anyway, feeling totally idiotic, "And also remember to be polite no matter the circumstance."

Arm in arm they entered the room and walked across the laid out plush red carpet. There were quite a few gasps of surprise upon Link coming into view alongside Zelda as well as several boys' crestfallen faces. The king, seated at the head table, widened his eyes in surprise, why had his daughter not mentioned this boy? Then again, it did explain her reason for arranging an extra seat next to hers.

Link had expected some attention on him since he was basically an unknown guest of the princess, but not like this! All eyes were riveted on them and a hush had fallen over the room making it eerily quiet. Zelda gracefully glided across the floor as she led Link to the king's table where they were to sit.

Once they were seated the king spoke, "Let the dinner commence."

The instant the words left his mouth, many servers stepped out from the sides and laid a plate before each person. Link was slightly taken a back when a plate was laid before him as he had been too busy staring in confusion at all the different silverware laid out for him to use, What the heck?

Zelda restrained from cursing out loud as she realized she had forgot to explain to Link about all the extra complications royalty just had to add to eating…she prodded him under the table and indicated he should do as she did, hoping he got the hint. And indeed he did as he nervously repeated her actions, thankfully going unnoticed by the king and the other two people who sat at that table.

"Why did you not tell me of this boy, Zelda?" the king asked, forcing himself to speak good naturedly as he eyed the earring that gave Link a rebellious look with distaste, he was already disliking the boy who had caught his daughter's eye. Link shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, but kept a smile on just as Zelda had told him to.

"I wanted it to be a surprise, this is Link and Link, this is my father." Zelda explained.

"Nice to meet you sir," Link replied timidly, remembering what Zelda had said about being polite.

"I'm sure…" the king replied calmly.

"You certainly did surprise everyone," the woman at their table spoke. "I am Lydia and this is my husband Jack. So Link, are you skilled with anything?"

"He's very good with a sword." Zelda spoke up smiling sweetly.

"A knight in training then?" the king asked curiously.

"Not exactly…" Link replied.

After Link survived the confusing eating affair, the room was cleared to either be a dance floor or for people to just talk casually together.

Link was caught up in talking to numerous people and Zelda was continually introducing him. Some of the people he just wanted to strangle right on the spot, but he constrained the urge to do so and only gave a forced smile, which surprisingly did work as it got them to shut up.

At the moment, he was stuck listening to a woman tell what would have to be the lamest story he had ever heard, "And then this beggar grabbed the end of my cloak asking for rupees, so I threw two or three his way and said 'get off me you filthy trash and take your rupees.' That was such a horrid experience, I had my cloak burned and a new one bought to replace it that very day." she was one of those Link wanted to strangle for insulting people not so high on the money chain, but he refrained and simply smiled as Zelda nodded slowly.

"Come on dear, let us go speak with my father." Zelda said, saving Link from further torture and leading him away.

"Gosh, my cheeks hurt from all that smiling and I thought that lady would never shut up." Link muttered out of the corner of his mouth.

"Ssh, not so loud or someone might hear you," Zelda said softly. "Most of these people like to talk and all you have to do is at least pretend to be listening intently and they'll like you. Don't worry, you'll make it."

"Yeah…whatever…" Link muttered darkly.

Link had expected her to reply to that but she hadn't and that's when he realized they had suddenly stopped. "Zelda?"

He looked at her face confused; she was staring out into space as if in a trance.

The king had seen his daughter and her…escort…coming towards them and was startled to see them come to an abrupt stop. When he saw the dull and out of it expression on Zelda's face, he jumped up. It was safe to say he wasn't exactly too happy with this, "What have you done to my daughter?" he fumed at Link.

Link was startled to hear the king's voice yelling at him, the room had fallen into that infernal silence again as Link timidly replied, "Er…uh…I ain't done nothin'…er, sir." Zelda hadn't even flinched at the king's outburst or even made a motion to support Link and show there was nothing wrong with her…

"Do you hear that? He ain't done nothin'!" the king mocked scornfully. There were several sniggers scattered around the room, Link could feel heat rising up his face, the forced smile completely gone. "Then do you care to enlighten us with what is going on?"

Zelda still hadn't moved…and Link had no idea what to say. Not to mention the fact that the king had walked over to them only to glare fiercely at Link waiting for a reasonable explanation. Before Link could even think up a reply, Zelda suddenly ripped the necklace from around her neck and poised to throw it.

To think that she had been telling him how to act…here she was making a complete fool of herself.

A malicious sneer spread across her face as she threw the necklace as hard as she could. It flew far across the room before smashing into the wall, bursting into tiny fragments. An even deeper silence of shock seemed to follow after this.

"Zelda, what is the meaning of this odd behavior?" the king asked, but suddenly a red torrent of strong wind ripped through the room cutting off any further questions.

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Please do not be offended by the whole rich people are snotty thing as it is JUST a stereotype that I used to make this chapter come together the way I wanted it to. I know that stereotype is not true for everyone that falls in that catagory as I even have a friend from a wealthy family, if you are offended by a stupid stereotype, then just think about how many comments there are about blondes out there.

Thank you so much Jupiter-Lightning and Emperor of Flames for the reviews : )

blondie91

Disclaimer: I do NOT own The Legend of Zelda, but any made-ups are mine, whether they're minor or major characters.