Hello! Here we are in chapter seven! The story is winding down, but fear not, I still have some surprises in store! And thank you to all my reviewers!
Reminder: Link and Zelda switched bodies.
Disclaimer: I do not own any aspect of the Legend of Zelda series.
Zelda awoke early the next morning, feeling quite refreshed. Taking a deep breath, she stretched Link's arms high above his head, lowering them as she exhaled. She then yanked back the covers and prepared for the start of a very important day, the day that Link would be knighted.
Down the other end of the corridor, Link also awoke before dawn, proud of himself for receiving the honor of becoming a knight, even though it would be bestowed on Zelda in his body. He had also slept soundly, having dreamt of Zelda all night. For his dreams served to confirm what he perhaps knew all along, yet refused to accept up until the night previous- he loved Zelda. He loved her with his whole being, and the more time he spent being her, the more he came to love her, instead of resenting her.
As Link, too, arose from bed, he knew he had to tell her, preferably before the ceremony. He quickly dressed in a simple gown, one designed for "normal" days at the castle, and made his way as quietly as possible to his bedroom. Wondering if Zelda was awake, he stopped outside the door and listened carefully. Hearing her rustling about, he got the answer to his question.
Link knocked softly on the door. "Who's there?" Zelda said in his voice, wondering who would call on her at such a time.
"It's Link."
Zelda made her way over to the door, removed the plank, and opened it. Link breezed into the room, closing and locking the door behind him to ensure their privacy. "Good morning, Princess," he said, curtsying before her. "Forgive me for visiting you so early, but there is something I must tell you."
"You are forgiven, but, please, call me Zelda when it is just the two of us," she reminded him. "Now, what is it you wish to share?"
Link took his hand and led Zelda to the table. "After our time together last night, I realized some things about you that I did not feel comfortable expressing. But I believe the time is right now."
"Actually, Link, about that. There is something I feel I must tell you. But you go first."
"No, you."
"No, I insist."
"As do I."
"Fine, we'll say it together," Zelda at last suggested, and Link nodded her head in agreement.
Both drew deep breaths. "I love you," they confessed in unison.
Both were taken aback at their admissions and found themselves momentarily speechless. "I love you, too," they finally spoke up, again at the same time.
Both blushed as they stood there, staring into each others' eyes, knowing neither what to say nor do. At long last, Link made a move which neither expected.
As Zelda watched her face get closer and closer through Link's eyes, she felt his pulse quicken. Their lips met, innocently at first. But then the spark between them grew into a flame.
As the kiss deepened, a strange feeling overwhelmed both of them, causing their lips to separate. A small, dim light appeared across the room, gradually growing bigger and brighter.
Puzzled, the two could do nothing but watch, wide-eyed, as the ball of light continued to grow. Suddenly, it popped, the burst of energy nearly blinding them. As his vision returned, Link looked at the princess and noticed that he was no longer seeing his body, but that of his beloved.
Zelda, too, looked in Link's direction and observed that she could now see him in all his glory, the tight muscles hidden beneath a simple green tunic and breeches, coupled with white stockings and heavy black boots. Without a word, she reached out to him and touched his cheek, and he smiled warmly at her before finally speaking.
"I guess it's over," he grinned. "How cliché- true love's kiss breaks the spell."
"Cliché or not, we're back in our own bodies," she answered, returning his smile. "Now I can admire you through my own eyes."
"And I can do the same," he said, taking her hand from his cheek and kissing it. "You look even more beautiful to me now than when I donned that blue dress for the ball. And I must say, I wore it well."
"You most certainly did, my love. Although I believe I was no slouch myself. Why else would that girl proposition me like that?" Zelda smirked.
Link's lips traveled up Zelda's arm to her shoulder. He then kissed her forehead, her chin, her cheeks, and the tip of her nose before returning to her lips. After they broke their kiss, they just sat there, gazing lovingly into each other's eyes.
"You know, your ceremony is today," Zelda reminded Link after a moment.
"Yes, but it's still early," he commented, looking out the window. "Dawn has just started coloring the eastern sky," he added, a mischievous grin creasing his face, lighting up his still boyish features.
"Which means we have some time before anyone else arises, even the servants," Zelda said, reflecting his look as she caught on to his meaning. "You know, your bed is awfully comfortable, my love. Prior to switching bodies with you, I do not recall the last time I slept so well."
"Interesting," Link answered, his grin ever-widening.
Link gave Zelda one last kiss before arising from the chair. As he scooped her up in his strong arms, she stole a kiss from him, and he returned it eagerly, gently guiding her lips open with his tongue. He laid her gently on the bed and slid in next to her. As the two crawled under the covers, getting more sleep was furthest from their minds.
"I love you, Link," Zelda breathed, as his lips traveled from her face, to her neck, to her collarbone.
"And I love you," he responded, stopping to gaze into her aquamarine eyes. They shared a deep kiss before placing a seal on their love that would forever remain unbreakable.
Please review! Thanks in advance!