Hello, and welcome to my new Zelda story! Please note that this is not connected to any other stories I have written on Zelda. I came up with the idea this evening and already have some plans to continue it, but naturally a warm reception will help encourage me to keep going. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda series, in whole or in part.

I sighed as the cock crew, waking me up from my pleasant dreams about my secret love. I got out of bed and went to the window overlooking the courtyard. Gazing out as the morning sun peeked over the horizon, I could see the roses in full bloom around the courtyard.

It's Spring in Hyrule at last. The past Winter had been particularly miserable, between the snow flurries, and the constant threat of a siege of my home, Hyrule Castle. Now is the season of rebirth- of plants blooming, and animals multiplying, and of Hyrule's residents falling in love.

And indeed the residents are falling in love. In fact, it feels as if everyone but me has found someone. Even the servants' children play their games of chasing each other around and trying to steal kisses.

But I do not have the time to devote to such foolish endeavors. I'm the princess; it's my job to run the kingdom at my father's side, and ensure the safety and happiness of my subjects. I've known from childhood that it is my destiny to marry for political strategy, not for love. My father tells me I am fortunate to be the first woman in the Harkinian family to not have been betrothed at birth; I wish I had been. At least I could have spent the last several years accepting that I would marry a certain person and get to know him, instead of fretting over the many suitors due at the castle over the next few days.

A soft knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. "Come in!" I called.

"Your Majesty, you must get dressed," Impa, my nursemaid and dear friend, insisted.

"Don't worry, Impa. I was just looking outside."

"Ah, yes, dreaming of your love again?"

I sighed longingly. "Must I really attend to all these suitors? I already know the man I want."

"Perhaps that is so, but you know your duty to your family and the kingdom."

I knew she was right, but I refused to resign myself to that. Instead, I walked back to the bed and sat on it, nervously finger-combing my hair. "Yes, but why me?" I asked, addressing no one in particular.

"Because you are the princess," Impa reminded me, in her characteristically sympathetic, yet matter-of-fact tone. "Now, please, get dressed before the both of us get in trouble."

I stood up and went to the wardrobe with Impa. She began to remove several dresses, with me nodding my disapproval at every one. Finally she gave up, insisting that if I didn't like what she picked, then I'd best pick it out myself.

I immediately went for an emerald green dress, with elbow-sleeves, a fitted, v-neck bodice, and a full, ankle-length skirt. Part of the reason I picked it was for the fit, along with a few subtle details. But what I dare not tell anyone was that I chose it primarily because it was his favorite color. It would match his tunic that I knew he would be wearing for his daily visit, because he'd been wearing the same one (or something reasonably similar to it) every day since I could remember.

Impa raised her eyebrows. "Yes, trying to impress our young warrior and protector again, are we not?" she commented. How did she always know?

I drew a deep breath. "No point in hiding it. I love Link. I love Link!" I proclaimed.

Impa simply shook her head. "Do not bother with it, Princess. Despite your feelings for him, you know you must choose a member of the nobility."

I refused to accept this. As she helped me dress, I pretended to concede defeat, all the while formulating a plan.

I stood outside the double doors and knocked.

"Enter."

I pushed open the doors and went through, closing them behind me. My father looked up from his many papers and smiled warmly at me, and I immediately curtsied. "Good morning, dearest. Are you ready to meet with your many handsome suitors?"

"Yes, Father," I lied. "But that is not why I came. You see, I feel like my royal duties have taken away from my personal obligations." I explained, taking a seat next to him.

"But royal and personal duties are generally one in the same in this family."

"Perhaps I was a bit vague. I simply mean that as much as I love helping you rule the kingdom, I wish to take more of a hands-on approach. I want to help residents directly, instead of dictating orders from a fancy chair in a huge castle."

"What exactly did you have in mind?"

I hesitated. Much to my chagrin, I actually had to stop and think hard to form a reply. I hadn't expected to get this far into the conversation. "I want to meet with residents in person, to help them with the simplest of tasks."

My father looked a bit puzzled. "Suck as what tasks?"

"It is the season of love, Father. I want to help them find love. It seems many of them have, but I want to make sure they stay happy."

"You were always known for your sympathy and empathy. You get it from your mother, rest her soul. But how exactly do you plan to help?"

"I can offer them advice. Almost like a matchmaker, except I'll encourage them to find their own mate instead of pushing them towards someone specific."

It was my father's turn to raise an eyebrow. "You know, my daughter, love is not one of the 'simplest of tasks.' I do not question your devotion to the kingdom, but are you sure you wish to take on such a massive problem common to so many persons?"

"Yes, I'm sure, Father. I know I can do it."

"And what of your identity?"

"I'll disguise it. With some assistance from Impa, I can learn to play the role of a gypsy."

"I do not like the idea of you carrying on as a commoner, much less one that attempts to channel forces far beyond my understanding. But if it pleases you, very well then. I give you permission to try it, on two conditions: that you wait until the suitors leave to begin your 'practice,' and if ever you or anyone else is led to believe that your safety is in danger, then you must terminate your efforts immediately."

I sighed. It wasn't so much his standpoint on my safety that bothered me, but the fact that I would have to wait for all those awful young men desiring to court me to leave, which wouldn't be for at least two days, at best.

I thanked my father before curtsying again and bidding farewell. As I trudged up the steps to my room to finish readying myself, I heard a voice call to me from the bottom of the staircase. Link's voice.

I quickly whipped around to find my hero, my protector, my love- mind you all one in the same person- grinning up at me. I hurried downstairs to meet up with him. He gave me a courtly bow before I extended my arms to him, longing to hold him close to my body. At that point, I cared not what anyone said. I would find a way to be with Link, no matter the cost.

Please review! Many thanks!