A/N: Hello all! Hooray, I hath updated within a week! This story is pretty much almost written anyway. Thankyou all for your reviews, esp Nonnahs and Sakurelle who seem to take the time to read all my efforts. You bring a smile to my lips every time I check my emails!

By the way, I have decided to name Link's sister Aretha. Mainly because it sounds more like a gypsy name. PLEASE don't review telling me his sister's name is Aryll, I know.

Love y'all! Silverpistola


Chapter 2

"So you spoke with him?" Sheik asked, that evening, as they studied together in the palace library.

"Briefly."

"Where did they come from?"

Zelda sighed. "Our conversation was not that illuminating. I did not even manage to ascertain his name."

Sheik shook his head.

"He was a most frustrating man. He had no idea who I was, nor even the interest of knowing."

Sheik laughed, softly. "Oh Zelda, I doubt that he is unaware of who you are. Unlike the people of Hyrule, he owes you no respect. No wonder you found him so frustrating."

Zelda pushed aside a geography text, finally bored of studying.

"My Father said he would force them to leave soon. No doubt Malon's family have been complaining."

"No doubt," Sheik agreed.

"I would speak with him again. I feel someone ought to apologise to them."

Sheik's lips curled into a secret smile.

"Of course Zelda, it would be a matter of duty."

She nodded, not noticing the sardonic tone of her companion.

"Quite right."


However, for a few days it seemed as though he had disappeared. The tents remained at the side of the bank, the children still playing beside the water each time Zelda passed. She had not spoke of the travellers with her Father since their argument, but they were never far from her thoughts.

Finally, as they passed through the market place en route to the palace, she saw him, bartering over a small, silver dagger.

"Sheik look!"

Already Sheik had caught her arm as she moved to approach him.

"Zelda!" He hissed, "The consequences of you being seen with that boy are too dire for words."

"But I must speak with him!" Zelda cried, turning her large, cerulean eyes upon him.

"And you shall. But not here."

He pulled her into a deserted alley, where they watched him from afar. Today he was dressed in blue, the same deep blue as his eyes. Zelda felt her heart flutter, inexplicably, at the memory of them.

It seemed as though he had been successful as rupees exchanged hands and he hooked his new blade onto his belt. As he turned, his eyes met the Princess' and he smiled, that same delighted smile.

Zelda gasped, stepping backwards into Sheik. "How could he possibly of known I was watching him?"

Sheik was smiling too. How infuriating!

"I believe he knows more than you would think."

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

"Oh Zelda, I do wish sometimes that you would not mistake me for a girl friend of yours."

And Sheik laughed, manically, surprising Zelda no end.

"You two may be the worst spies the world has ever produced," A deep, clear voice informed them from the shadows in the alley. He stepped into the light, not smiling, but with eyes full of laughter. Zelda felt herself blush.

"Might I assume that you are looking for me?" He asked, stopping before them and eyeing Sheik who was still chuckling.

"I… I wished to apologise. For my behaviour that day, but also for my people's unwelcoming attitude toward you."

He furrowed his golden brow and Sheik ceased laughing.

"There is no need, Princess. Feel no obligation to make pleasantries; we are accustomed to hostility, after all."

So he did know who she was, after all!

"But I-"

"Good day to you Princess," he interrupted, his eyes suddenly cold. He nodded to Sheik and strode past them out into the market place without a glance back.

"I… don't understand. Did I offend him?" Zelda whispered, watching as he turned the corner that led to the drawbridge.

"Perhaps your courtesy was mistaken for pity. If anything, I'm certain he and his people are proud."

She knew she should turn back, return to the castle, where she belonged. She knew she should leave the boy alone, stop allowing her thoughts to stray to him. But the spirited rarely allow what they know to affect their decisions.


The children were barefoot, running through the shallow waters of the river. Zelda could not help but smile as she watched them, giggling and splashing one another. Suddenly one of the children looked away from the game and noticed her standing there. It was a small girl with large brown eyes and long straight dark blonde hair that fell to her knees. She looked to be around five years old and was dressed in a periwinkle blue dress with a wreath of tanned leather upon her head. With a timid expression, she approached Zelda.

"Hello," she said, shyly.

Zelda crouched down to get a closer look at her. She smiled kindly.

"Hello. What's your name?"

"Aretha."

"That's a pretty name. Is that a crown on your head?"

Aretha smiled, her cheeks glowing. "Yes. My brother says I'm a Faerie Princess and when I'm older I'll dance across the sky with the stars."

Zelda laughed, lightly, charmed by the sweet little girl.

"I'm sure you will," she curtsied, expertly, "a pleasure to meet you, your Highness. I am Zelda."

Aretha curtsied in reply.

"Aretha!"

The little girl caught hold of Zelda's hand. "C'mon Miss Zelda! Come meet everyone!"

Zelda was a little hesitant, but allowed the girl to pull her along. As she was being introduced to many of the children by the river, each one dressed in bright colours, she heard a light chuckle behind her.

"Aretha, what have you brought home this time?"

Aretha's eyes lit up.

"Miss Zelda, this is my big brother Link. Link, this is Miss Zelda."

Zelda reminded herself not to smile at him. Link's lips turned upwards in a charming smirk and he bowed his head.

"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Zelda."

"And you also."

Link turned to Aretha. "The sun is setting, bed time for you Faerie Princess. Time to say goodnight."

Aretha turned her pleading gaze upon Zelda. "Will you tuck me in Miss Zelda?"

Zelda nodded, under the girl's spell already. "Of course."

Link picked up the girl with ease, holding her to him with one arm. The other, to Zelda's surprise, he offered to her.

"Miss Zelda."

Trying her hardest not to blush, she slipped her arm through his and allowed him to lead her to one of the smaller tents. Darkness had settled over the sky and she prayed that Sheik had not allowed her absence to be known.

They bowed their heads as they entered the candlelittent. It was, Zelda was surprised to see, quite homely. There were two beds, the smaller of which Aretha ran over to. She pulled a book of fairy tales from under her pillow which she held out to Zelda.

"Will you read to me Miss Zelda?"

"I see I have been well and truly replaced," Link spoke, feigning hurt.

Zelda took the book and sat down on a small stool beside the bed. Within a few pages, however, Aretha was fast asleep. Link draped a thick quilt over her, brushing her hair away from her face and kissing her forehead.

"Sweet dreams Faerie Princess," Zelda whispered.

"Why are you here, Princess?" Link asked, his attention distracted from his sister.

"Where are your parents?"

"Dead," he answered, bluntly. "Now please answer my question."

"I am here to be angry with you for refusing my apology. When someone takes the time to be nice to you the least you can do is accept their kindness, graciously."

"I don't need your kindness Princess. Besides which, you have nothing to apologise for."

"Don't I?"

Link shook his head. "Don't you think your being here is a little dangerous? Royalty aren't supposed to associate with gypsies."

"Is that how you see me? Just another noble? How can you be so hypocritical? You hate the way you're discriminated against and yet you allow yourself to discriminate against me."

With that, Zelda stood and fled from the tent, running through the long grass that was already damp with dew. She had almost made it to the bridge that separated the field and the village, before his hand closed around her wrist and pulled her around sharply.

"Why? Tell me why you have started this? Is it a game? A jest to amuse your friends?"

Her eyes filled with tears as she whispered the truth.

"I just want to know what it is like to be free."

He released her wrists, gazing down into her eyes, and took hold of her elbows instead, tugging her closer to him. His hands were infinitely gentle as he coaxed her into his arms, dipping his head so that his cheek brushed her own. Trembling with hope and fear, she slipped her arms around his neck and closed her eyes as he kissed the corner of her mouth and then her lips. And right then she tasted it, like a cool breeze on a warm day, like the lightest sprinkling of sugar over strawberries. Sweet and fleeting. Warm and gentle. Freedom.

"Oh that you were free, Zelda," he whispered as their lips parted, speaking her name without title for the first time.

The tears spilled down her cheeks as he held her against his chest.

"You must go back. It is so late," he whispered.

"I must always go back. My being is tied to that place."

He held her tighter, whistling sharply. Zelda could hear the approaching hooves and made no protest as he swept her off her feet and placed her onto the horse.


Sheik was waiting at the gate when they arrived. Somehow he had got rid of the guards who stood on watch each night.

"I feared you would not return."

Link scowled, helping Zelda to the ground. "She is unharmed."

"Link," Zelda spoke.

"I meant that I feared she had left with you."

Link paled, suddenly sheepish. "I apologise," he murmured.

"You will not leave, yet, will you?" Zelda asked, her heart hammering with fear of his answer.

"I don't think Aretha could bear leave without seeing you again, Miss Zelda," he answered with his trademark smiled.

Zelda smiled in relief as he mounted his horse and left her, standing at the gate of her prison.