Woo-hoo, another update! And for inspiring me and giving me some genuinely constructive feedback, thanks to my reviewers- sasukeuchiha180; Ygfi; KaizenYokoshima; Kariah; Silvara; Belle89; Spiritual Stone; imp4ever; Omega87; TheGoddessKnight; Futuristic-dudette; Infernal Flame Zero; Ericketiting; adrian-air-fire; Lachlan; Gir Crazy; Sakurelle; lilykat14.

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

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As Link took my hands, I mentally counted, knowing we would again be interrupted. Three, two, one...

"Zelda, dearest, are you alright?" my father shouted from the doorway. Link immediately let go of my hands and bowed before my father after he headed over to us.

"Don't worry, Father, everything's fine. Link and the knights defeated the suitors, or what used to be them, anyway," I explained. Yes, I'd sort of helped, but I got enough attention, being a princess and all. I didn't want to take away from their heroism.

"Princess Zelda helped, too, Your Highness," Sir Cullen spoke up, as the knights gathered around my father and bowed to him and me.

"Is that true?"

I blushed a little. "Yes, Father. But I thought I might meet my end. Until Link saved me."

Seeing the knights nod in agreement, my father didn't ask any questions. He simply shook Link's hand.

"Link, I do not know why I didn't do this sooner, but you certainly earn this now. Tomorrow, at the banquet, I shall officially knight you."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Link smiled.

As Link snuck a glance at me, I could tell that both of us were the happiest we'd been all day.

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Link walked me up to my room again, much like he had but an hour before.

"Good night, Princess," he whispered, kissing my hand.

"Link, what is it you wanted to tell me?"

"Oh, uh... I'm not quite sure how to say this, but... well..."

"It's okay, Link, just do your best," I smiled, urging him on.

"Well, I know the tournament's tomorrow, but since we have the morning free, I was going to go fishing at Lake Hylia, and I was wondering, since you like to fish and all, and your father said it's alright... would you like to go with me? I mean, if you're too busy, that's okay-"

"I'd love to go," I interceded. Gosh, why did I have to sound so desperate?

Link grinned at me. "So I was hoping to leave around dawn. Is that alright? Your father already told me to sleep in the drawing room again, so I can just get you up, if that's okay."

"Sounds perfect, Link."

After Link checked the rooms again, I got ready for bed. Exhausted, I curled up under the covers. However, I was mistaken in thinking I would fall asleep easily, as I'd become too excited about our outing the next day. I soon found myself laying on my back, staring up at the ceiling and thinking about the day's events.

Wow, I can't believe I'm going fishing tomorrow, just Link and myself. Wait a moment- didn't Madame Hexe tell him to invite the girl he loves to go fishing? Something's fishy here. Ha ha, that was a good one, fishy, and we're going fishing... Get back to the point, Zelda!

I wonder why he invited me to go fishing with him. I mean, he said he knows I like fishing, but why isn't he taking the advice? He could be with the girl he loves instead, and although I'm still jealous of her, whoever she is, he deserves to be happy.

My mind continued ruminating the various possibilities as I slowly drifted off into a deep slumber.

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Hearing Link moving about, I awoke just before dawn, yawning and stretching. I could sense Link close to me, but I didn't know how close he was, until...

"Ouch!"

I opened my eyes to see him rubbing his nose, my hand having smacked it when I stretched.

"Oh, Link, I'm sorry! Are you okay?"

"Fine, Zelda," he chuckled. "Next time, I won't lean right over you when I wake you up."

I sat up a little bit, and the sheets slid down, revealing the bodice of my satin nightgown. Link blushed a little and hurriedly excused himself to the drawing room. "I'll let you get dressed," he murmured, pulling the curtain closed.

I went to my wardrobe and pulled out my riding clothes, which I often used for hunting and fishing since many of the places I went to involved long rides on horseback. Resisting the urge to yank the curtain open and let Link see me, I quickly dressed. "Ready?" I called.

"If you are," he called back.

We went down to the dining room and had a hearty breakfast before going to the stables to fetch Teagan and Epona.

"You know, we can both ride Epona," Link commented. "I mean, why tire out Teagan when we can just take one horse?"

"But what if we catch a lot of fish?"

"Don't worry about that; we'll probably end up throwing most of them back. Since I've been living in the castle, I may not be able to go fishing often, but I still feel the need to only catch enough fish for a meal. You know, like for a fish fry. I was thinking we could have one for lunch today."

"That sounds delicious. Okay, we'll take Epona," I agreed.

I patted Teagan. "Sorry, boy, but I'll bring you some sugar cubes later, okay?" I whispered as he rubbed his nose against my cheek.

As Link prepared Epona, the two horses nuzzled each other affectionately. "We just can't keep these two lovebirds away from each other, can we?" he joked.

"I guess not," I giggled. "But who are we to stand in the way of true love?" Wow, did I just say that? And I just realized yesterday how mean it was to give that advice to Link and Malon, even if she didn't love him after all.

"Yeah, I suppose," Link said. "Okay, looks like Epona's all set," he added.

Both of us patted Teagan good-bye before I stood next to Epona. Link boosted me up, and I put my left foot in the stirrup and swung my right leg over her. Once my right foot was secured, I centered myself, and then Link started to climb up, sitting behind me. He scooted up closer to me and reached around my waist to take the reins.

The warmth of his body and his breath on my hair were almost too much for me, but somehow I resisted the urge to turn my head and kiss him. "Are you comfortable?" he asked me.

Oh, if you only knew. "Oh, yes, I'm fine."

"Well, I'd feel safer if you leaned back against me to help you keep your balance. And perhaps you should take the reins as well, because I can just hold onto you."

"Okay," I agreed, a little too giddily. I leaned back against his chest, and he handed me the reins. Once I had a firm grasp on them, he completely enclosed his arms around my waist, holding his hands together in front of me, and rested his head on my shoulder.

"Ready?" he inquired.

"Ready," I murmured, hardly remembering how to breathe.

With that, we were on our way.

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