CHAPTER ONE: GATHERINGS
In the medieval land of Hyrule, in the vast Hyrule Field, a crossroads to all other parts of the kingdom, the morning sun was rising over the green fields. At the base of a tall tree, a beautiful red mare, with a white mane stood grazing. The horse's name was Epona, and she was waiting patiently for her rider to get up.
High up in the tree's branches, lying on a branch, sound asleep, was Link. Link was an 18-year-old Hylian man, quite tall, his build the perfect balance between lean and muscular, with a light complexion. His hair was short and sandy-blond, most of it under his green floppy cap, with a few spiky wisps coming down in front of his forehead, his cap held up by his long, pointed ears, typical of the Hylian people. His eyes, closed in sleep, were storm-blue. He wore his typical garb: white tights on his arms and legs under his forest-green tunic, with fine brown leather boots and brown leather fingerless gauntlets. Strapped to his back was the legendary Master Sword, Sword of Evil's-Bane, the blade that could not be defeated. The blade was a fine broadsword, longer than Link's arm, razor-sharp, magic-infused, and crafted from the finest shining steel. Its hilt was made of blue metal, the hilt-crest two-pronged, extended when drawn, but now was closed in on itself and its sheath, locking it in until needed. Over the Sword was a fine, red-metal, mirror-coated, elongated-hexagonal shield, capable of reflecting light and energy: the Mirror Shield. He was the Hero of Time.
Link yawned as he awoke; the last month had been busy. He'd been training extensively, in both weapons and martial arts, learned from texts in the Hyrulian library, and adapted for use in battle, for his own fighting style. He'd been uneasy the past month, as if he could feel another evil coming. In his training, he'd learned to make use of his Triforce of Courage; it let him sense evil from a distance, as well as sense any attack ... and know how to counter it.
In addition to his training, Link had been patrolling Hyrule's lands, driving off raiders before they could harm Hyrule's citizens; raiders which only added to Link's unease. The only person who made it bearable and worthwhile was Zelda.
Link smiled as he thought of his true love, Hyrule's beautiful and well-cherished Crown Princess. Zelda was the kindest, sweetest, most loving, most wonderful young woman Link had ever known, and she loved him in return. Their courtship over the last month had been slow and romantic: walks in the moonlight, picnics at noon, and their secret place in the Courtyard of Hyrule Castle, in the hidden garden, beneath the fine oak tree, where Link would play his Ocarina for Zelda, and sometimes, there were the precious moments where Zelda sang her sweet melodies, overcoming her shyness of her singing; shyness which, in Link's opinion, was unwarranted, for Zelda had the most beautiful voice he'd ever heard. Link was thankful that she was in his life...and that her father, King Andreus himself, had accepted him.
In Link's time at the Castle, with Zelda, Link had met His Majesty, and was gladdened to know that the King was quite down-to-earth, and easy to talk to, once one earned his respect.
Fortunately, Link had already done so, by rescuing Zelda and freeing all of Hyrule from Ganondorf.
The past month had been busy for the King, too, Link recalled; King Andreus had been busy in the rebuilding process, doing anything from okaying plans to actually pitching in. And, naturally, Link did whatever he could to help, which helped foster the King's good opinion of him.
That had also been how Link had met the Knights of Hyrule. The Knights had been confused on seeing him at first, when His Majesty had introduced him to them, but once the King explained who he was and what he'd accomplished, they'd welcomed him as one of their own, and Link became fast friends with them, and the Knights were happy to share battle techniques with him. They'd also been amazed at his skills, both in battle and in the wilderness, saying he combined the skills of the greatest Knights with those of a top-class Hyrulian Ranger. Link was glad to have made such friends.
Unfortunately, not everyone in the Royal Court thought so highly of Link. The nobles and aristocrats of the Court had as little to do with the Knights as possible, and didn't know of Link; therefore, they were mostly indifferent to him, not that Link really minded. The King had once thought to set the record straight, but Link had asked him not to, preferring to remain humbly unknown. However, because of his patrols and defense against raiders, his reputation as the Hero of Time was getting out, and even though it hadn't reached the nobles, they were starting to wonder 'who in Hyrule was that green-capped commoner.'
Suddenly, Link's ears perked up, hearing a cry for help, and his Triforce sensed that evil was near. Like lightning, Link leapt from his tree-perch, landing near Epona, then mounted the saddle in one move. "Let's go, girl!" Link declared. Epona whinnied in agreement, and they took off. As they rode, Link called out, "Hey, Navi!"
At once, a tiny, winged ball of blue light darted from the folds of Link's cap. It was his guardian fairy, Navi. "What is it, Link?" Navi squeaked.
"What do you suppose it is, this time?" Link laughed. "Moblins?"
"Probably!" Navi replied. "They've been seen around here. If it is, keep your guard up and wait for an opening in their defenses." Link nodded, and they kept going.
Finally, Link caught up to the raiders; sure enough, they were three Moblins: enormous, humanoid creatures with piggish faces, clad in black armor, holding spears. Unlike the Moblins Link had faced before, these three had the crest of a single eye on their armor. They were attacking a trade caravan that was returning to Hyrule.
At once, Link leapt from Epona, drawing the Master Sword and Mirror Shield; as it unlocked and cleared its sheath with a metallic shing, the Sword beginning to glow a silver-blue.
The first Moblin saw Link, and charged at him with his spear. Link deflected the spear-strike with a sweeping slice, then ran forward into the Moblin, sliding his Sword along the spear shaft, and slashed the monster, the Sword's power utterly annihilating it.
Suddenly, Link felt another attack coming; as the Moblin behind him swung his spear, Link's eyes flashed green, and he leapt aside, rolling under and behind the Moblin, then leapt into a leaping spin-strike, destroying it.
As the last Moblin prepared to attack, Link took one of the spears left by the slain Moblins, and threw it, impaling the Moblin's shoulder, pinning him to a tree. "Now," Link said sternly, "who put you up to this?"
"You...will...die..." the Moblin wheezed. "He...will...get...you...Lord Vaa-!!" But he got no further; an unknown force suddenly swooped in and pulled the air from the Moblin's lungs. The Moblin gasped, clutching his throat, trying to breathe, to finish...and then was gone, evaporating in death.
Slowly, Link removed the spear from the tree, and used his Forest magic to heal the wound in its bark; green energy flowed from his hands, mending the injury. The tree-spirit sent its silent thanks to him.
Link's thoughts returned to the Moblin; what had it been trying to say? Shaking his head, he headed over to the head wagon of the caravan. "Thanks, Link!" the leader said. "You saved our necks!"
Link smiled. "Any time." he said. "We all have to do our part." Then, the caravan continued on its way, and Link mounted Epona and rode off, heading towards Hyrule Castle, to report this to the King.
Far away, in the darker corners of Hyrule, in the forgotten Palace of Storms, someone had been watching Link.
That someone's single, all-seeing eye blinked, clearing his mind of that last scene. "That stupid Moblin..." the shadow hissed, "...he nearly revealed my name." He'd had to stop the Moblin, to silence him. He'd have done the same to that dratted Hero of Time, but he was too full of light for his dark magic to even touch him from this distance.
From the nearby table, one of the two cloaked in darkness spoke up, his voice a noble-sounding one, and his clothing betraying his privileged status. "Haven't you dealt with him, yet? How much trouble can one common-born whelp be?"
"That 'whelp' defeated Ganondorf." the shadow growled, angered at how Link had foiled his initial plans, forcing him to modify them. "But make no mistake: he will be dealt with, in time."
"We can't wait, sorcerer!" the second snapped, his clothing similar to the first, but his voice sounding younger. "We must move now!"
"Hush, my son." the first said. "Soon, we will have all that we wish: greater respect and prestige, much greater wealth, and power. And with no 'Hero of Time' to bother us."
"Listen to your father, boy." the shadow said. "You have no idea what's at stake, here. Once I rule Hyrule, you'll both get what you desire."
"We shall return to Hyrule Castle, before we arouse suspicion." the first shadow-noble said. "Don't fail us." Then, they both left.
Only the misshapen entity known as Vaati remained. "Oh, don't worry...I won't."
Before long, Link had rode through the archway that led to Hyrule Castle Town, passing through the Market of that bustling little town, on his way to the Castle. The Town, once ruined by Ganondorf's armies, was being rebuilt, slowly but steadily, returning to the prospering place it once was.
Link soon came into the Castle Outer Yards, outside the main walls of the Castle, its gleaming, ivory-white spires shining proudly in the sun. Link dismounted Epona and headed in, the guards letting him pass with a respectful nod. Link was about to go see the King, when he heard a beautiful, familiar melody. Link smiled, and took another path, heading to the Castle Courtyard.
It didn't take him long to find the secret garden...and there, lovingly tending her flowers, happily singing to herself, was Zelda Aurora Hylandia, Crown Princess of Hyrule, and the love of Link's life. Zelda was a fair bit shorter than Link, her perfect little nose only reaching his chin level, and her figure was flawless, slim and slender, her gown fitting just close enough to betray the outline of her slender but substantial curves; hers was a willowy, ethereal grace. Her long, silky hair was sunshine-golden, flowing down to the middle of her back, between her delicate shoulders, with two golden tendrils twisting down in front of her ears. Her eyes, framed by elegant dark eyelashes, were a glittering sapphire-blue, and her lips were flawless, a moist red that could shame the roses she so lovingly cared for. Her skin was a gleaming moon-white, with healthy tones of peach woven in, softer than the feathers of a dove. The upper piece of her gown was a deep violet, with golden shoulder-pads covering her delicate shoulders, and a golden tiara encircling her head. The gown's lower portion was a simple, slim, rose-colored skirt, covering her slender legs completely. Her hands were covered by long, rose-colored gloves, ending just past her elbows.
She was undeniably lovely.
For a moment, Link was content to simply listen to her singing; she'd always had a pretty voice. On occasion, just before their dates, Link would stop and listen to her like this, without her knowing. She sang more often when she thought she was alone, in her solitude. She simply sang when she was happy.
Then, Link stepped into view. "Hi, Zel." he said, using his affectionate nickname for her.
Zelda was startled, her last note fading as a squeak in her throat. Link hurried to her side, kneeling down with her and taking her hands in his. "Oh, I'm so sorry, sweetheart. I didn't mean to scare you."
Zelda's surprise turned to joy when she saw who it was, and she smiled happily. "Link! You're here!" she exclaimed, hugging him, blissfully sighing as Link returned her embrace. "How are you?"
"I'm fine." Link replied, his smile growing as he stood near her. "I was just about to go see your father when I decided to check up on you, first."
Zelda smiled her radiant smile, the one that could stop his heart in an instant and start it again in the same instant. "Why did you want to see him?" she inquired sweetly.
Link sighed. "There was another attack, today." he said softly.
Zelda's hands went to her mouth in horror. "Oh my goodness, are you okay?!" she cried. "Were you..?!"
"I'm fine, Zel. No-one was hurt." Link assured her; he hated worrying her. "It was just three Moblins. No big deal."
Zelda lowered her hands, fear still in her eyes. Her fingers sought his, and clung. "I just...I get so worried, Link." she whispered. "I don't ever want to lose you..."
"You won't lose me, Zelda. I'll never leave you, and I'd go insane if I ever lost you." Link replied. "That's a good part of why I patrol: to keep everyone safe, including you." He then brought Zelda's hands up, lovingly kissing her small knuckles, earning a happy blush from the woman he loved.
Just then, Link winced, as his right hand began to itch. Zelda noticed this. "Is it your hand, again?"
"Yes." Link answered, his face contorted with the irritation from the back of his hand. "It's been doing that off and on since my 18th birthday."
Zelda took Link's hand in both of hers, and brought it up to cup the side of her face, her hands keeping it there. The sensation of her feather-soft skin instantly soothed his hand, and Link saw her glittering eyes, so full of love for him, pure love. Link knew what to say. "I love you."
Zelda smiled happily. "I love you, too." she cooed. Then, she closed her eyes, leaning forward in blissful anticipation. Link leaned forward to meet her, as he gently embraced her, and her hands rested comfortably on his chest.
Their lips met in a tender kiss, the sweetest tasting of each other. Zelda suckled sweetly on Link's lips, and Link gladly reciprocated. Then, through Zelda's kiss, Link felt the tip of her tongue on his lips, shyly asking his tongue to come and play. Link answered her invitation, his mouth opening and his tongue delving into the sweet recesses of her mouth. Zelda gasped at first, then sighed in pure delight, and Link was glad that he could produce this reaction in the woman he loved.
After a few minutes, the kiss ended, but Link kept Zelda in his embrace, not ready to release this delightful creature just yet. "Wow..." Zelda cooed, happily nuzzling into Link's chest. Obviously, she'd enjoyed the kiss.
"I'll say." Link agreed, smiling, earning him another happy blush from Zelda, as he helped her to her feet.
"I...I just remembered!" Zelda said, still a bit dizzy from the kiss. "My father told me that tomorrow there will be a ball at the Castle, for everyone in Hyrule, to celebrate our new days of peace."
Link nodded. It was a good idea; it had been a month since Ganondorf's defeat, and Hyrule was recovering. It was a good thing to celebrate.
"And also..." Zelda began, "Daddy wanted to address all of Hyrule to thank you for saving us all from Ganondorf. He plans to name you 'Defender of Hyrule' for it."
Link grinned sheepishly. "Aw, Zel, he doesn't have to do that."
"Why not, Link? You saved us all – you deserve it." Zelda said. "And maybe now the nobles will give you the respect you deserve." Her tone became distressed. "You wouldn't believe the things they say about you! They think you're some...worthless peasant-squire, and it hurts me to hear them say that about you!" She cuddled close to him. "You're the bravest, noblest, kindest, most selfless and wonderful man I could ever dream to ask for."
Link held her close. "Zelda, the only person whose opinion really matters to me is yours." he said. Then, sheepishly, he added, "Well...yours and your father's, because he could easily prevent me from seeing you, and neither of us wants that." Zelda nodded. "Which reminds me," Link finished, "I'd best go report to him."
"Okay." Zelda cooed, and then she gave him a loving kiss on the cheek. "Hurry back!" Smiling, Link nodded, and went to see the King.
Before long, Link had reached the throne room, and there, standing in the middle of the room, looking over a parchment, was King Andreus Nohansen Hylandia the Third, King of Hyrule, and Zelda's father. King Andreus was a bit shorter than Link, and a bit stout, with short, silver-white hair and a fine white beard, befitting a man in his early sixties. His complexion was light, but not Zelda's moon-white – she must have taken after her mother, Link guessed – and he had blue eyes. A royal gold crown was upon his head, and he wore fine white pants and a blue long-sleeved shirt under his royal red overcoat.
Seeing him, the King smiled, and Link promptly removed his cap. "Why, hello, Link." he said. Then, the King chuckled. "I was going to welcome you, but I see my daughter has beaten me to it."
"Pardon, Sire?" Link asked, confused. Then, he happened to see himself in a wall-mirror...and noticed the lip imprints from Zelda's kisses. "Yipes!!" Link cried, as he wiped them away. "Uh...um...uh...S-Sire, I can explain..."
But the King just chuckled. "No need to fret, lad." he said. "Believe me, I remember what it was like to be young and in love. I don't mind you and Zelda sharing the occasional secret kiss." His tone turned jokingly stern. "As long as that's all you share."
Link was horrified, as he blushed like mad. "S-Sire, I would never..!"
The King just chuckled again. "Oh, relax, Link. I'm merely joking." he said. "I know you won't do anything like that...well, at least not until you and Zelda are wed."
Link was relieved to hear that. Then, he said, "Sire, earlier, your daughter told me that you planned to make an announcement to Hyrule before the ball, tonight."
"Yes, that's correct, Link." the King agreed. "All of Hyrule should learn that its Hero of Time has come, and that he has saved us all. Which reminds me: many of the nobles have been inquiring about a certain green-clad 'squire' they've seen about the Castle, and have been complaining to me to 'put him in his proper place'. I think it's best that I broke the news to them; this must be cleared up."
Link's smile became a bit forced. "Sire, though I am honored by your plans, is there nothing I can do to dissuade you of this?"
The King sighed. "Link, the people of Hyrule are afraid. Yes, they are eager to rebuild, but they are afraid that something, like another Ganondorf, is going to shatter this fragile peace, which you worked so hard to win for us all. If Hyrule knows that the legendary Hero of Time has appeared, and is defending our country, they will, after seven years of darkness, have hope."
Link nodded, understanding the King completely.
"And, besides," the King added, laughing a bit, "the nobles have been complaining that there have been battles near their estates – no doubt your efforts to drive off raiders. Once they learn that the noise is Hyrule's Defender protecting them, they'll leave me be...or at least find something else to complain about."
Link chuckled, as well. "Well, Sire, I guess I can't really argue with you." Then, he sighed. "I just hope it doesn't backfire."
"Oh, you needn't worry." the King said. "Now, come – time to break the news to the nobles." With that, the King walked off, and Link followed.
When she'd gotten her father's summons, Zelda had hurried to the throne room as fast as she could. When she got there, she was dismayed to find that all the nobles and aristocrats of the Royal Court were there, as well. Zelda positively hated being around them; they were all so arrogant, so petty and selfish, so sure of their superiority, so smug in their social status. And even worse, some of the younger nobles, once normal functions of the Court had resumed, had tried to enter negotiations with her father for her hand in marriage! Naturally, her father had refused, respecting her wishes to be with Link.
Zelda smiled at the thought of her beloved. Link was everything that these...snobs were not: brave, unselfish, caring, kind...his qualities were endless in her eyes. She would certainly sleep better at night, knowing that Link was protecting her, and all of Hyrule.
She was a bit sad that the Knights hadn't come; they'd gone out on a training exercise. Zelda had always liked the Knights, the brave warriors who'd sworn allegiance to the Royal Family. On the occasions, as a child, she'd been allowed to see them, they'd all treated her as if she were their own child; she'd liked to think of them as her dear surrogate uncles.
She'd been so happy when they'd accepted her relationship with Link.
At that moment, her father came in. "Zelda, my friends, I have something to tell you all." he said. "Zelda, my dear, I know that you already know of this, but our dear friends do not, so be patient with your father." Zelda nodded.
Then, she saw Link come in, and she felt her heart flutter happily at his presence. He looked every inch the Hero, his clothes the green of the forest he hailed from, the legendary Master Sword, the most powerful blade ever forged, the weapon no other man could wield, strapped to his back. His eyes met hers for a fraction of a second, and he smiled; it took all of Zelda's discipline that she'd learned in her etiquette classes not to melt then and there.
As Link came in, Lord Ruthlage, the eldest of the nobles present, stepped forward, his gaze falling to Link for a condescending second, before he looked away from someone he'd dismissed as 'common.' Ruthlage had short brown hair, brown eyes – the left eye rimmed by a gold eyepiece – and light skin. He was in his early forties, a bit taller than Link, but of similar build, with Ruthlage's frame not quite as athletic as Link's. He wore black pants, a white dress-shirt, and a long navy overcoat – he wasn't the flashiest dresser, compared to the gleaming outfits of some of the nobles.
Of all the nobles, Zelda disliked Lord Ruthlage the most. He was so arrogant, so cruel...and his son had been the most insistent on her hand in marriage.
"My King, we are truly glad that you have taken our humble advice." Ruthlage said, in his cold, aristocratic voice. "We are pleased to see your intent to put this...squire in his place." The other nobles nodded.
The King chuckled. "Oh, yes, Lord Ruthlage, Link will be given his proper place, but it isn't the place you think it is." he said, causing Zelda to smile knowingly. Her father continued: "I trust you recall that, a month ago, the tyrant Ganondorf was defeated."
"Why...yes." Lord Ruthlage replied, confused by the conversation's shift. "We heard that a single man slew him, but we never found out who. Oh, so this has a double purpose – to congratulate who slew him. So, Sire, which of us is the honored one?"
Zelda crossed her arms in disgust, trying to suppress a frown. Even after seven years of Ganondorf's rule, they'd learned nothing.
"None of you slew him." the King said sternly.
Lord Ruthlage arched an eyebrow. "Pardon, Sire?"
"Ganondorf was slain by the Hero of Time," the King said, gesturing to Link, "who now stands among us."
The nobles, as one, all looked to Link...and burst out laughing. "Oh, Sire..." Lord Ruthlage said, between laughs, "it gladdens us, that...after seven years...you've not lost your sense of humor!"
"Lord Ruthlage!" the King shouted, silencing them all. "I was not joking. Link deserves our respect."
Ruthlage frowned. "Sire, it pains me deeply to see you deceived by such a charlatan. But since you will not believe me, I say this: if he is the Hero of Time, which I doubt, let him draw the Master Sword."
The King chuckled. "Why don't you answer that one, Link?"
"Yes, Sire." Link replied obediently. To Lord Ruthlage, he added, "My Lord, I already have!" And he unsheathed the Master Sword, holding the gleaming blade for all to see.
Ruthlage gasped from a sight he never expected to see – as did the rest of the nobles – and then his face hardened. "Tricks." he snarled, as Link sheathed the Sword. "Boy, all our ancestors tried to draw that blade, and failed. You expect us to believe that you, a peasant, did what we could not? That blade is a forgery."
The King sighed. "I was afraid you'd be that way." he said. Walking to a nearby suit of armor, he drew its broadsword, walked back, held it up, and tried to bend it, until he was red in the face. "As you can see, " he puffed, "this blade is as solid as can be." The nobles nodded, agreeing. "Now, Link, you know what you can do."
"Yes, Sire." Link said sadly, clearly not happy about having to do this. At that, the King tossed the blade up into the air. Like lightning, Link drew the Master Sword and pulled it back, charging its power, its light glowing brighter. When the tossed sword was at his level, Link unleashed a cross-body horizontal slash, letting fly with a crescent-shaped energy beam. The beam struck the sword, searing the metal, cleaving it effortlessly in two, the pieces of the broken weapon clattering on the ground at Ruthlage's feet.
"Thank you, Link." the King said. "Now, my friends, are you convinced?"
Lord Ruthlage picked up the pieces of the blade, gazing in shock at the seared ends of the metal. "It...is the Sword..." one noble murmured fearfully.
"He's a...magic-user..." another whispered.
Ruthlage finally spoke: "That...is the Master Sword..."
Link shrugged sheepishly as he sheathed the Sword. "Surprise..." he said.
Ruthlage's glare snapped to Link, angered that he'd dared to speak to him. Zelda, however, couldn't suppress her giggle at Link's joke. Ruthlage noticed this, and Zelda stopped, as she realized that perhaps Ruthlage had discerned something from her reaction. "Sire," the noble said, "will we allow ourselves to...associate with his sort? Are you allowing the common element to...fraternize with your own daughter?"
"To be honest, Ruthlage, I believe that we could all learn a great deal from 'Link's sort.'" the King said. "And as for my daughter, she is more than capable of choosing who she wishes to 'fraternize' with."
Now Ruthlage looked angry, as did the other nobles. "Regardless of what enchanted weaponry he pilfers or what vile sorcery he arms himself with, a peasant is a peasant." he snapped.
"Which brings me to your original request." the King said. "I'd intended to announce to all of Hyrule that Link is to be 'Defender of Hyrule.' I think it's quite fitting, since he's already saved Hyrule once. As such, he may come and go as he pleases, with my blessing."
Ruthlage looked like he was ready to blow his top. "Sire," he said, controlling every word, "are you saying that this commoner drew the Master Sword by chance, and now you're making a hero out of him, and he can come and go unquestioned?"
The King narrowed his eyes. "I disprove of your choice of words, Ruthlage, but that is the idea."
"This...is...an outrage!!" Ruthlage yelled.
"It is my word." the King declared. "And, as such, it is law."
Ruthlage calmed. "I see. So there is little we can do about it." he said. "Very well, then, Sire, but I believe I speak for all other nobles here: we are not pleased."
"I doubted you would be."
"All right." Ruthlage said. "By your leave, Sire." With that, he and the other nobles left.
King Andreus sighed. "All right, Link. You can say 'I told you so.'"
"I'm honored that you tried to get them to accept me, Sire." Link said. "If anything, I'd hoped you were right."
Link's words tore at Zelda's heart. Link was a kind and gentle soul, despite his fighting skills. He didn't want anyone to hate him; and worse still, the nobles hated him for all the wrong reasons. Zelda hurried to Link's side, embracing him. "It's their loss, Link." she said.
Link smiled, and Zelda's heart fluttered happily as his strong arms embraced her in return. "Thank you, sweetheart." he replied.
Zelda saw her father smile at them both, and then say, "Well, Link, I am truly sorry that didn't go better."
"It isn't your fault, Sire." Link said. "I only hope that it doesn't cause problems."
"I have made my intention clear, so they'll just have to deal with it." the King said. "Now, I'd best go check over the preparations for tonight." As he left, he half-jokingly added, "Now, behave, you two."
Link and Zelda were left alone, now. "Oh, Goddesses, I can't believe Daddy just said that." Zelda said, blushing.
"Yes, he...kinda had a talk with me beforehand." Link replied.
"Oh, no..." Zelda gasped.
"Don't worry." Link assured her. "He didn't scare me away."
"Oh, good," Zelda cooed, cuddling closer to him, "because I couldn't live without you." Then, she noticed that Link looked troubled. "Link, what's wrong?"
"It's probably nothing, Zel." Link replied. "I just...I can't help but feel that...something's wrong. I don't know what, but it's there."
"Oh." Zelda said, and then her expression brightened for his sake. "It's probably just that you're worrying a bit after all the attacks."
"Maybe." Link agreed.
Slipping out of her lover's embrace, Zelda smiled flirtatiously, and said, "If you'll excuse me, lover, I have to go get ready for the ceremony; after all, I have to make myself pretty for you." Giving him one last loving smile, which Link returned, Zelda hurried off.