Hello all! This is my second Zelda fanfic. I got the idea for it the other day and finally got around tostarting it today. I hope you enjoy it.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Zelda series, nor any of its characters.
Link walked into North Castle, went straight to his room, and collapsed onto the bed, exhausted. He had just finished rescuing Princess Zelda of Hyrule- again. Strong-willed, intelligent, and able-bodied as she was, she still managed to get into big trouble on a consistent basis. And as Hyrule's hero, Link was expected to come to her rescue every time. It got to be such a routine that Link could often predict trouble just by looking at the clock.
Link sighed as he glanced at the clock in the corner of the room. I have about thirty minutes to rest before the princess will need rescuing again, he thought, wishing that he could just run away from it all. Maybe he wouldn't mind so much if the princess at least showed a little appreciation. But every time he would save her, no matter how deeply in trouble she was, she would always insist that she didn't need anyone's help, his in particular, and that he wouldn't even be there if it weren't for his extensive training and access to all the weapons he could ever want.
As Link pondered the most recent escapade, he found himself growing more infuriated. Why can't the princess just say thanks once in awhile! I'm not asking her to admit that she needs saving. All that I want is some gratitude. Like it's so hard just to say, "Thanks, Link," and leave it at that.
All of Link's anger momentarily melted away as he suddenly realized how hungry he was. He sat upright and stretched, thinking about how much he wanted just one day to himself. One day to do what he wanted, to just be a sixteen-year-old. Most young men and women his age were thinking about marrying, having children, and working, but it seemed like all he ever did was come to someone's rescue, namely Princess Zelda. He finally got up and made his way downstairs to the pantry for a meal.
As he walked down the back staircase, he came upon Impa, Zelda's elderly nursemaid. "Her Royal Highness wishes to see you in the King's Quarters, Link. She says it is a matter of utter importance," she informed him.
"Royal Highness. Ha. Well, she's a royal something..." Link muttered under his breath.
"What was that?"
"Oh, nothing. Please tell her I will be with her in a moment," Link said, hurrying the rest of the way down to fetch a snack before going to see Zelda. He grabbed an apple, wiped it off with his tunic, and began to munch on it as he made his way down the corridor to the Monarch Wing.
Link finished off the apple just as he arrived at two massive, solid oak doors, each carved with the royal crest. He tossed the apple core carelessly out a window, then knocked softly on one of the doors.
"Enter," Zelda commanded from within the room.
Link opened the heavy door and entered, closing it behind him, and saw that Zelda was seated at a table. "You wished to see me, Your Highness?" he asked, bowing with forced respect before her.
"Yes, Link. Please be seated," Zelda instructed, pointing to a chair across from her. "I know I just saw you but a few minutes ago, but upon retiring to my room, I discovered a letter on my bed." She handed it across the table to him, motioning for him to read it.
Dearest Princess,
I have admired you from afar for some time and must say that you have grown into quite a lovely young woman. Forgive me for being so forward, but I feel compelled to express my feelings for you. I would like to meet you in person so that we might begin our courtship. I have talked to your father already, and he has given us his blessings. Please leave your response at the foot of the Triforce statue in the center of the courtyard.
-Your Secret Admirer
Despite his disdain for Zelda's attitude for him, Link actually felt slightly jealous. As he looked up from the letter, he saw Zelda looking at him crossly. "Pardon me, Princess, but I'm not sure I comprehend the importance of this, other than that you have caught a young man's fancy."
"Is this your idea of a funny joke!" Zelda shouted, surprising Link by her sudden burst of anger. "How dare you jest like this! You know very well that I am not interested in suitors at this moment."
"What... what... what are you talking about, Your Highness?" Link stuttered, genuinely bewildered.
"Oh, yes, Link, that's rich. Your naïveté amazes me," she growled. "But you know exactly that to which I refer."
"I... I don't understand."
Zelda rolled her eyes. "Yes you do. You sent this letter to me. You hold some sort of foolish grudge against me for reminding you that I do not need your help, so you decided to play with my mind by tricking me into thinking that some young man wishes to pursue some romantic interest in me. I've had enough of your tomfoolery, Link. You may get away with this amongst the commoners, but I will not tolerate it here. And when I tell my father, I'm sure he will be inclined to agree with me. If you dare carry on in a joking manner, I will have the guards keep an eye on you," she snarled, speaking to him like a mother punishing an insolent child.
Seeing that there was no reasoning with her, Link could feel his anger boiling over, but he simply conceded to her misguided belief that he authored the letter. "My sincerest apologies, Your Highness," he said through clenched teeth. "I assure you it will not happen again."
"Then you are dismissed from my sight for now. But bear in mind that I will be watching you closely, Link. If you do not tow the line, I will be forced to take drastic measures," Zelda remarked, waving her hand matter-of-factly.
Bowing farewell, Link left the room, closing the door quietly. Once in the hall, it took all of his willpower not to explode with fury. Disregarding any potential ramifications, he dashed down the corridor and up the stairs to his room, slamming and locking the door behind him. He sat at the table with a quill and piece of parchment and began to write a letter, explaining that, since he was now a young man, he felt it best that he should take his leave of the castle.
I'll show her, Link fumed. When she wakes up tomorrow, there will be no more Link to push around, and she will have to save herself. Maybe then she will understand how hard it is to be me.
Across the castle, Zelda sat in a huff on her bed, with Impa at her side in a seemingly futile attempt to get the princess to let go of the matter. "That Link is so ungrateful. One of these days, he'll need rescuing of his own, and no one will be there for him," she grumbled.
A shadowy figure watched from outside her window, concealed amongst the rosebushes. "That can be arranged," he whispered, a sly smile creasing his face.
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