Welcome to chapter nine! I really don't know what to say about it, except I hope all of you like it, because it was really fun to write! Thanks to my chapter eight reviewers- Lachlan; Sakurelle; lilykat14; Gir Crazy; Belle89; adrian-air-fire; The Fierce Deity; Ygfi; Omega87; sasukeuchiha180; Infernal Flame Zero; The Mist Alchemist; Sheik's twin; TheGoddessKnight; Ericketiting; The Al Bhed Princess.
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Link's eyes went wide, as did those belonging to the suitors, as he continued to stare up at me. Unfortunately, I hadn't thought about how the others would react to my outfit. However, that mattered not, as clearly I'd already gotten the desired effect from Link.
Surprisingly, my father was actually smiling up at me. "Oh, dearest, you look beautiful!" he proclaimed. "Come, come, let me lead you into the ballroom."
I reached the bottom of the stairs and curtsied before my father and the suitors, who were still staring at me, mouths agape. Link was hidden towards the back, still wide-eyed.
I took my father's arm and went with him into the ballroom, the suitors following us. I turned around quickly and saw Link hanging back, as if he wasn't permitted to enter. I would have to sneak out and fetch him.
Maybe not. Soon after I sat down, Impa entered, ushering him in with her. They sat at a table near the one I shared with the suitors and my father. I could feel Link continue to stare at me throughout the meal.
"Princess, pardon me, but I wish to speak to you in private," Prince Evan suddenly whispered to me.
"Of course," I found myself whispering back. After all, of all the suitors, he had been the most tolerable thus far. Besides, it was my mission to do what I could to show Link what he's been missing out on by liking Malon. Assuming he does.
We excused ourselves from the table, and I could feel several pairs of eyes lock on us-including Link's- as we went to the courtyard.
"Now, what is it you wish to discuss?" I asked.
In response, Prince Evan leaned in and kissed me. I pulled away immediately, but somehow resisted the urge to slap him.
"How dare you!" I proclaimed. And to think, I'd gotten the impression that he wasn't so bad!
"Princess, please forgive me. I do not know what came over me. You just look so lovely, and I-"
"You what?" I cut him off. "Did you think that I was going to surrender myself to you? Honestly, what did you expect?" Not waiting for an answer, this time I didn't resist the urge to slap him.
My eyes widened in horror as he caught my wrist. "You wouldn't dare," he hissed, his viselike grip making my eyes tear.
"Let go of her!" I heard a voice shout.
We both whirled around to find Link standing but ten feet away, his left hand on the hilt of his sword as if prepared for a fight to the death.
Prince Evan let go of my wrist with a huff, leaving it tingling with pain. I hurried to Link and cowered behind him. Peering out at Prince Evan, I watched in horror as he morphed before my very eyes, into a tall, skeleton-like creature- a stalfos.
Link unsheathed his sword and lunged at it. It blocked the blow with its shield, and Link blocked its stab in return. Acting quickly, he suddenly jumped up and did a downward stab. The stalfos, mortally wounded, crumbled into a pile of bones.
Link watched for a moment to make sure it didn't reform before sheathing his sword and turning to me. "Are you alright, Princess?" he murmured breathlessly, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
"Fine," I managed.
"What were you doing out here anyway?"
"Well, I-"
"Oh, dearest, I'm so glad you're alright!" my father interrupted, hurrying over and hugging me. "I heard the noise and arrived in the archway just in time to see Link destroy that terrible creature. I would have come out sooner, but Impa insisted I stay behind until we were sure it was really dead. Where is Prince Evan?"
"He had a change of heart and went home," I lied.
"Well, in that case, Link, I insist that you come sit at the main table with us. You can take Prince Evan's spot. Come now, let us go back inside. The servants just served dessert."
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Later that evening, my father called Impa and myself into a conference. Link remained with us, while the rest of the guards went on their nightly patrol.
"Zelda, have you chosen a suitor yet?" my father asked me bluntly.
"Um, I'm working on it."
"Well, seeing as how I went on that hunt with the suitors, I would like to give you some input."
"Okay, Father."
"Your Highness, may I say something?" Impa spoke up.
"Of course."
"Well, since we are on the subject, I wanted to inform you that I found some documents indicating that, should Zelda be unable to choose a husband, for any reason, you must choose for her."
My father raised his eyebrows. "Is that so? Well, I must say I'd be honored to do so. I already have three choices in mind. Or, make that two, rather, due to Prince Evan's sudden departure."
Oh great, I thought. I'm sure Impa intended this as an opportunity to choose Link as my husband, but there are too many ways that this can go wrong. "Excuse me," I said, suddenly jumping up. "But it is quite late, and I'm a bit tired. Good night, all."
The other three immediately rose, my father and Impa to hug and kiss me good night, and Link to escort me to my room.
"Is everything okay, Zel?" he asked me as we made our way up the staircase. "You look a bit pale."
"I'm just worn out, is all. It's been a rough day."
"Well, I'm sure a good night's sleep will fix that."
"I hope," I sighed, reaching my bedroom door. I started to push it open, but Link stopped me.
"Please, let me check first, to make sure it's safe," he explained, pushing open the door the rest of the way and lighting the lantern hanging near it. He proceeded to check every nook and cranny, including those in an adjacent room, before motioning for me to come in.
"Well, I guess this is good night. Thank you, Link."
"Anything for you, Princess. I'll be patrolling outside your room tonight."
I wish it was in my room, I mused.
"Link!" I heard my father shout up the stairs just as Link left my room and closed the door. "I insist you stay with my daughter tonight. There is a drawing room adjacent to and only accessible from her bedroom. I have already asked Impa to come make up a bed for you in there."
"As you wish, Your Highness," Link answered. I opened the door just in time to see him remove his cap and bow to my father respectfully.
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About thirty minutes later, I was finally ready for bed, as was Link. It didn't take long to make up his bed, as he'd insisted on sleeping on the floor, with only some blankets and a pillow. What took so long was readying myself for bed, with Impa's help to get out of the dress.
"No fooling around tonight, Princess," she said to me with a stern look on her face, but a playful tone in her voice.
"Yes, Impa," I answered, trying to look like an obedient daughter.
Although Link had already retired to his "room," I couldn't help but feel excitement at the fact he was so close to me, and could walk in on me at any moment. After Impa and my father left, I closed and locked the door behind them. I removed my robe, hanging it in the wardrobe before walking to the curtain stretching across the doorway to the drawing room, offering the only privacy between the two rooms. "Good night, Link!" I called.
"Good night, Zel," he answered sleepily.
I climbed into bed, a smile on his face. Somehow this is so wrong, but it feels so right.
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