Hello again! Welcome to chapter four! I am very happy to have an update. In case you didn't read the note I left in my profile, I had a cyst removed from my hand last Monday. I had my whole hand wrapped tightly up to my elbow and was unable to write (since I'm a lefty). I also could not type with both hands, so I was basically unable to work on my stories again until yesterday. So I apologize for the delay, but enough talk! On with the story!

Thanks of course to my reviewers- Sakurelle; Futuristic-dudette; Spiritual Stone; sasukeuchiha180; anime/videogame freak; Danza's Mystic Shadow; ygfi; and Infernal Flame Zero. And don't forget my disclaimer: I do not own any aspect of the Legend of Zelda series.

I awoke at dawn, again to the sound of those darn cuccos disturbing my dreams about Link. Disappointed as I was, I couldn't help but smile as I thought back on my reverie. In it, Link stole me away to the courtyard to confess his love for me, then gave me a kiss. Next thing I know, I tell him I love him, and we sneak up to my room...

Oh, if my father knew I was having these kind of dreams about Link, he would surely banish him! My father must never find out that I have already consummated a relationship with a man in my dreams! Only Link and myself will ever know of this. That is, of course, if we marry.

Oh, who am I kidding? I know my place in the world, and it is not with Link. It is with one of those idiot suitors!

I dragged myself out of bed and went to the wardrobe to get my riding clothes. I would be going horseback riding with several of the suitors later that morning, something I was dreading very much. Don't get me wrong, I love riding; I've been taking lessons since I was three. But it's being with those miserable young men that bothers me.

I pulled on my clothes and snuck down to the basement before Impa came to fetch me for breakfast. I entered the Shrine of the Goddesses and knelt before the Triforce statue, praying for the strength to get through the day without losing all my patience, and to find the courage to tell Link how I really feel.

After making my requests, I gave my thanks, standing up and placing flowers at the base of each of the statues of the goddesses- Din, Farore, and Nayru- in turn. As I turned to leave, a mist swirled with red, blue, and green began to whirl around me.

"Princess..." female voices whispered from the mist.

I felt my eyes begin to close as the rhythmic voices rang in my ears and filled my mind.

"Your Grace," Impa whispered, nudging me awake. I opened my eyes and realized that I was sprawled out on my back on the shrine floor.

"What happened?" I mumbled.

"I went upstairs to call you to breakfast, and upon not finding you, figured that you were down here. I discovered you sleeping here. Is everything alright?"

"Everything's fine," I insisted. "I just came in here to pray, and the next thing I knew, you were shaking me."

Impa looked over me quickly. Determining I was indeed okay, she led me to the dining room. When we entered, the suitors immediately stood. Forming a line, they took turns bowing before me and kissing my hand. I feigned a happy smile, longing to be with only one person at that moment, preferably acting out my dream from the night before.

I mentally slapped myself for that last thought. If I intended to get through the awful day that I knew lie ahead, I had to concentrate on the situation at hand. I could sneak out and find Link later. For now, I had to sit through breakfast with a crowd of people all focused on their roles in getting me married off to some stuck-up jerk for political purposes.

I took my seat next to my father. "Where were you?" he whispered.

"Forgive me, Father, but I had some awful dreams last night, and Impa had a bit of trouble getting me up this morning."

"Well, that's what you get for shirking your duties to sit outside and socialize with your protector," he hissed. "Now eat your breakfast and get moving, like an obedient daughter."

"Yes, Father," I said, scowling when he looked away. When he suddenly turned back and nearly caught me, I shifted my attention to piling my plate high with food. I may be a princess, but I'm going to eat what I want, when I want it, and until I'm satisfied.

"Zelda," my father warned. Oops- maybe not.

I went to the stables to get my horse, and found Link. He was brushing Epona, a beautiful mare that was a gift to him from the owner of Lon Lon Ranch and his daughter. I tried to enter quietly when I spotted him, but my presence was given away by Epona, who grunted. She hated being disturbed when Link was paying so much attention to her.

"It's okay, girl, it's just me," I cooed. Link turned around and smiled warmly at me, setting the brush down, which caused Epona to neigh grouchily.

"Don't pay attention to her. You know she gets jealous of the other females in my life," Link teased, reaching up to pat her head. She happily nuzzled her wet nose against his face, causing him to chuckle. "And to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit, Fair Princess?"

"The suitors. I came to get Teagan to go out riding with them," I explained, referring to my stallion. I had named him after one of my father's former advisors that had huge teeth that reminded me of a horse's.

"Oh, am I in your way?"

"Not at all."

Link stopped what he was doing anyway and went to the stable wall to pull off a saddle. He went to Teagan's stall to prepare him for me. "You really don't have to do that, you know," I protested.

"But I want to," he insisted. Suddenly his face lit up. "Or, better yet, how about you take Epona? Then if any of those suitors creeps you out, you can take off quickly. I'll even give you the ocarina for the day so that you can summon her anytime you need to."

"Are you sure, Link?"

"Of course, Zel. I have too many things to do today, so I won't have much time to take Epona out for some exercise. And I think Teagan still needs some rest from that competition a few days ago. Besides, I've trained Epona to be protective of you, like she is of me."

"I don't know, Link. I don't think I should leave you without Epona for the day. Besides, wouldn't you rather come along?"

"Nonsense, Zel. Your father already came to me this morning and informed me personally that I would not need to be with you to protect you today, for you would be with the suitors, and some guards will be traveling with all of you. Besides, I'd only get in the way."

"Don't be silly, Link. You'd never be in the way," I answered.

Link blushed a little. "I just think you need a little privacy with the suitors. You are supposed to marry one of them, after all."

Yeah, but that doesn't mean I will, I thought. "Then when I choose one I will have the whole rest of my life to spend private time with him. But I'd rather have you with me, Link. One can never be too safe. You've said so yourself before. Besides, you're more than my protector, Link- you're my best friend."

Link's face reddened a little more, as he flashed me a grin, causing me to turn a bit crimson as well. "Okay, I'll make you a deal. I'll trail behind the group and watch from the trees, should anything happen. And if anyone sees me or ask questions, I'll just say that your father changed his mind, but he wanted me to stay back and keep watch, so as not to disrupt your activities unnecessarily."

Link is so brilliant! "Sounds perfect. Thanks so much."

"Anything for you, Zel," he insisted, saddling Epona. Once she was ready, he helped me onto her, holding me up as I swung my leg over and secured my foot in the stirrup. He smiled up at me and handed me the reins, kissing the back of my hand like the gentleman that he truly is. "Good luck, and remember that I'll be there to protect you."

"Thanks," I whispered, swooning. I'm never washing this hand again, I thought, imagining the feel of his soft lips on mine.

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