Greetings from chapter six! Thank you to all my reviewers since my last update- TheGoddessKnight; adrian-air-fire; Omega87; Ygfi; Futuristic-dudette; sasukeuchiha180; anime/videogamefreak; Sheik's twin; Sakurelle; and Infernal Flame Zero (for two reviews).

Disclaimer: I do not own any aspect of the Legend of Zelda series.

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I went down to dinner and greeted the suitors with genuine warmth, and they bowed to me as I took my seat. My smile faded as I realized that Link was seated in a far corner of the room, instead of next to me. I greeted him quickly as the servants gave me a plateful of food. Not as much as I'd have liked, but I wasn't about to complain.

The suitors, clearly still wary of me, spoke primarily with my father as we dined. However, I continued to act refined, causing my father to beam with pride. "I am so glad you came around, dearest," he whispered as the servants cleared the table to serve dessert. "Do you think you will be ready to choose a husband from amongst these fine young gentlemen by the end of this week?"

"Yes, father," I lied, smiling all the while as the suitors looked at me strangely. After dessert, I excused myself from the table and retired to my room early. As I walked up the stairs, Link caught up to me.

"You feeling okay, Zel?" he questioned.

"Just fine. Why do you ask?"

He shrugged. "I don't know, I guess because at dinner you were actually acting like a princess."

"Well I am one, in case you forgot," I grinned.

"I know that. I just mean... I was expecting you to be rude to the suitors again. After how they treated you at lunch, I'm just surprised is all."

"Well, Link, let's just say that Impa convinced me to show respect, regardless of personal feelings."

"Oh, I see," Link nodded. "Okay, well, I'll leave you alone now. I just wanted to check on you, is all."

"Well, I appreciate it. Good night, Link."

"Good night, Zel."

As Link started down the staircase, I suddenly remembered something. "Wait, Link! There was something you wished to tell me the other day, you know, when Impa saw us together."

"Oh, that. Well, do you mind if we find somewhere a bit more private to talk? It's kind of-"

"Pardon me, Princess, will you be in need of another blanket tonight? It is supposed to be a bit chilly," one of the servants interrupted him.

"No, no, I'm quite alright," I answered, trying to hide my annoyance. If I'd had it my way, I would have Link to keep me warm. Oh, great, there I went again! Surely he would be in my dreams that night.

As the servant went off to prepare the beds in the suitors' rooms, Link started to walk away.

"Where are you going?" I asked him.

"I'm sorry, Zel, but now just isn't a good time. I don't want anyone else to see us and start spreading gossip."

"But you're my protector. People expect to see you with me."

"Perhaps, but not climbing the stairs to your room together. Good night, Zel."

I opened my mouth to object, but closed it when he kissed the back of my hand, then bowed respectfully before continuing down the steps.

"Good night, Link," was all I could muster.

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I awoke the next morning to sunlight streaming into the room, after another night of... vivid dreams about myself and Link. Impa had come in and drawn back the curtains, and stood near the bed smiling on me.

"Ah, Princess, glad you are awake. I bear excellent news."

I shook off the last of my sleepiness and sat up eagerly. "What is it?"

"Well, I spoke with your father last night, after you excused yourself. And he told me that because of your change in behavior, you need not wait for the suitors to leave before you start going into town."

I smiled from ear-to-ear. "Whatever made him change his mind?"

Impa grinned back at me. "Well, let's just say I can be quite persuasive. But besides that, His Highness will be taking the suitors hunting. They will leave soon, and are not expected back until tomorrow evening. And Link will be going with some of the guards, for protection."

I frowned at this. "Won't he be with me in town?"

"Well, Your Grace, we feel that having him in town with you will raise suspicions, as it is such common knowledge that his job is to protect you. We can't very well put you in disguise, only to have him squiring around you. Besides, we both know Link is a fine hunter. He can have fun, and your father may start to realize certain things about him."

Well, she did have a point. I knew I would miss Link like crazy, but perhaps my father would finally figure out why Link would make a perfect husband for me. And I didn't want to be exposed by accident just from having Link around. Plus, the suitors would be gone, at least overnight, anyway.

Even though Link would be gone, the more I thought about the circumstances, the more excited I became. No father or suitors to pester me, and I could finally go into town and help out my subjects firsthand. Yes, they won't know it's me, but at least I will have the satisfaction of seeing how the things I do actually improve their lives.

I got out of bed, and Impa instructed my to stand before her, so I did. She simply snapped her fingers, and a poof of smoke appeared around me. When it disappeared, I discovered that my nightgown had been replaced by a very simple dress. Like many of my dresses, it had long, loose sleeves, a fitted bodice, and a full, ankle-length skirt. But what made it peasant-like was that it was a simple brown, and a heavy cotton. No expensive fabric, or bright colors, or intricate details. Just very plain.

In addition to the simple dress, I also wore a brown cloak with a hood that covered my golden hair, which was now tied up in a bun. My feet were stuffed into black leather boots with thick, clunky soles. As basic as my garb was, it was quite heavy. But as long as I fit in with the townspeople, that's what matters.

"It's perfect," I murmured.

"Wonderful. Keep in mind that although I will teach you how to change into and out of this form, make sure every time that you change completely, especially into the gypsy form. Keep your hair hidden, and do not wear make-up or jewelry. Other than this," Impa instructed me, handing me a small box.

I opened it to reveal a beautiful necklace. It was solid gold, with a small triangular pendant with three gems, a ruby, an emerald, and a sapphire, one at each point.

Impa helped me put it on, explaining the significance of it. "This necklace has been in your family for generations. Legend holds that it is infused with the powers of the goddesses themselves, but it was hidden away for many years. It was rediscovered just this morning, as if you were destined to receive it. Keep the pendant hidden under your garments at all times, and should anyone ask questions, tell them it is from Termina. There's a place there that has made thousands of imitations, and they look so similar that even jewelers have been fooled into thinking them the real thing."

When she mentioned the goddesses, I recalled the events of the prior morning, when I fell asleep in the shrine. It was as if they themselves had answered my prayers by revealing the necklace to protect me. Thank you, I whispered mentally, looking up.

Impa snapped her fingers again, causing me to revert back to my sleeping clothes, but with the necklace still on. She started to help me dress for a "special breakfast," when there was a knock at the door.

"Who is it?" I called out.

"It's Link. I just came to talk to you about something before breakfast."

I started for the door, but Impa held me back. "Princess, you are in your undergarments!" she reminded me sharply.

Oops. I couldn't very well let Link see me this way. As tempting as it was...

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