Chapter 2
Link pulled at his tunic, suddenly self conscious. Why would Zelda want him to wear his Kokiri tunic, when everyone else would be dressed in fancy clothes?
It was the night of the ball, and Link was starting to get cold feet. There would be suitors there to see Zelda, and they would all look pretty great in their red capes and shiny armor.
"What's wrong Link?" A voice asked from behind him.
"Nothing." He lied, turning around to see Saria standing there, her hands on her hips.
"Worried about tonight?" She asked.
"How did you know?"
"It's not too hard to figure out." She smiled, and sat down on a milk crate.
He sat down on his bed, and scratched the back of his neck.
"Zelda wants me to wear this." Link said sheepishly, feeling his cheeks redden.
"So what?" Saria asked.
"So everyone there is going to look really decked out and I'm going to look like a peasant."
Saria sighed and went to sit next to him.
"Link, Zelda didn't fall in love with you because you had money, or a title, or fancy clothes. She fell in love with you because you're funny, nice, loving, caring, and because you love her too."
Link's cheeks only went redder.
"Thanks Saria."
"Anytime Link," Saria gave Link a hug, "you should probably be going now."
"You're right." Link got to his feet and climbed down the ladder.
He raced past the Kokiri, all shouting comforting things to him, and by the time he reached the tunnel, everyone had either told him, "Good luck," or, "Kiss her!"
Epona was waiting by the entrance, just as she always was.
Link mounted her, ruffling her mane affectionately.
"Tonight's a big night for me Epona." Link muttered to her.
Then with a cry, he kicked Epona and galloped through the plains of Hyrule, making his way to the castle.
He was nervous about the suitors. He knew Zelda loved him, but they could never be married. What was going to happen when Zelda had to pick a suitor?
When Link reached the castle, he dismounted Epona, and decided to make a pit stop in the market.
He made his way through the crowd of people, and stopped in front of a cart where a little boy was selling flowers.
Link grabbed a small bundle of white flowers, and paid the boy.
"Thanks mister." The boy looked happily down at the Rupees.
Link nodded to him, and then started towards the castle.
Carriages and men on horseback were already arriving when Link made his way to the castle gate.
He looked from man to man, wondering who could be a suitor.
"You must be Link." A voice boomed from behind me.
I turned to see a large, kind looking man standing behind me, smiling from ear to ear.
"Yes sir I am." Link bowed a little.
"I should be bowing to you Link, for being the Hero of Time." He slapped Link on the back, nearly knocking him over.
"May I ask who you are sir?"
"Of course you can my boy, my name is King Coburg, and I am a friend of King Harkanian."
Link felt himself blush, and silently cursed his skin for acting the way it did.
"I apologize for not being more polite." Link mumbled.
"Don't apologize my dear boy. Frankly, I hate the way people treat royalty, it's highly annoying."
Link laughed, and so did King Coburg.
"Well I should be getting to King Harkanian," King Coburg walked past Link, "it was nice meeting the Hero of Time."
Link smiled.
At least some are kind. He thought as he neared the gates.
"Ah Link, I'm sure the Princess is waiting for you inside." The guard smiled, and nodded towards Link so that he could continue.
Does everyone know? Link thought as he made his way up the hill to the castle.
Once he was inside, Link scrambled about to find someone he knew.
He was grateful to find Impa standing in a corner, inspecting the people as couples danced and others spoke of war and other things of that sort.
"Impa, is Zelda here?" Link asked when he had reached Impa.
"She'll be down soon," Impa smiled, "you look fine Link, just fine."
"I hope so. Everyone else-"
Impa bent down to Link's ear.
"The Princess loves you, not everyone else."
Link smiled at this new encouragement, and straightened up a little.
He and Impa talked of the people, pointing out those who were clearly suitors and discussing their clothing and title.
Finally, a trumpet sounded, and everyone stopped their chatter.
"May I present the Princess Zelda of Hyrule." A guard announced, waving to the stairs.
Link looked up as Zelda slowly made her way down the stairs, her hand on the railing.
She was dressed in a light blue dress with off the shoulder sleeves, and a long, wide train at the back. Her hair was flowing freely, as it always did, and a small crown rested atop her head.
Link gaped at her. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on.
She smiled when she saw Link, and made her way to him.
"Link, you're the most handsome man in the room." She announced, touching a lock of his hair.
"So are you." Link's smile faded when he realized what he had just said. "I mean, uh…you're the most beautiful woman in the room, you're not-"
Zelda giggled, and touched her fingers to Link's lips.
"I know what you're saying Link." She whispered.
His face went red, and he scratched the back of his neck nervously.
"It's very cute when you do that."
That only made him blush harder.
"These are for you." He handed her the flowers.
"They're beautiful Link. Thank you." She brushed her nose along the tops of them, and smiled up at Link.
Another song started up, and Zelda watched as suitors battled with one another, fighting their way across the room to her.
"Oh no." She moaned.
Link saw them too, and held out his hand.
"May I have this dance Princess?" He asked.
She smiled, and took his hand. Impa took the flowers from Zelda, beaming at the couple.
Link led her out onto the floor, and held her hand, while his free hand rested on her delicate waist.
Zelda put her free hand on Link's shoulder.
Impa made her way across the room to King Harkanian.
"I know, I see them." The King said sadly, watching Link carefully guide Zelda around the floor.
"We must think of something, or I fear Zelda will never smile again." Impa whispered.
"I know."
Meanwhile, Zelda had laid her head on Link's other shoulder.
"Are you tired?" He asked, leading her away from a group of suitors.
"No. I could stay like this forever." She breathed.
"Me too."
A tap on Link's shoulder ruined the moment, and the couple stopped.
"May I cut in?" A young man asked.
Link looked from Zelda to the young man, and reluctantly nodded his head.
He watched as the man led Zelda about the floor, and felt a stab of jealousy. He didn't want Zelda to dance with any other man. He didn't want Zelda to be with another man period.
As Link waited for the dance to be over, he listened to King Harkanian and King Coburg's conversation.
"Zelda doesn't like any of the suitors, I can tell." King Harkanian said to King Coburg.
"Does she love another?" King Coburg asked.
"Yes, yes she does. Very deeply."
"Is Link, the Hero of Time a suitor?"
Link listened more carefully after hearing his name.
"He is not of royalty I'm afraid."
"I believe he is the best man hear."
Link's spirits lifted.
He looked up as the song ended, and saw Zelda arguing with the man she had been dancing with.
He was quick to come to her rescue.
"I don't believe she wishes to dance again with you." He said politely, taking Zelda' hand.
"Who are you to answer for her majesty you peasant?" The man asked.
Before Link could answer, Zelda let go of Link's hand.
"He is not a peasant, he is my love, and you are a pig." Zelda pushed the man backwards.
Link suppressed his laughter, and grabbed Zelda's hand, and the two ran off to the courtyard.