Author's Note: I'm pleased to report that my story has gotten over 40 hits in less than 5 hours! Thanks! And an extra thank-you goes out to my first reviewer, Time to Surrender! I'm glad you like the pairing, and I completely agree with you. Thank you very much! I'm hoping to get the next chapter up in less than a week, but reviews will make the updates come much faster. So, if you all like my work so far, please review!
CHAPTER TWO: BALLROOMS AND BATTLES
Link had never been so nervous in his life, even before fighting Ganondorf.
The time had come for the ceremony, and he stood outside the door to the throne room, where Zelda, the King, the Knights, and the rest of the Royal Court were waiting. Just then, the aide nodded for him to go in, and Link opened the mighty doors to head in, reviewing what he was supposed to say as he did.
The room was the same long corridor he'd seen with Zelda, as a child, where Ganondorf had falsely sworn fealty to Zelda's father. It looked different, from the inside.
Slowly, solemnly, he began to walk towards the throne, staring straight ahead. He first passed the Royal Guards, in their golden armor. Next, he passed the Knights of Hyrule, clad in their slightly dull steel battle-armor, weapons at attention, and, out of the corner of his eye, he saw them each nod in silent respect as he passed. Lastly, he passed the nobles, ignoring the glares they sent him. Finally, he stopped before the throne of the King, and the slightly smaller throne of Zelda next to it.
The King had kept his usual garb, and now held a royal scepter in his hand. Zelda, however, now wore a shimmery, deep violet gown, the upper part coming up to her collarbone, leaving her creamy shoulders bare, the sleeves covering her slender arms, the ends of the sleeves slightly extended, the entire dress accentuating her curves with perfect modesty, the long skirt trailing a bit more than her other gown. She'd kept her usual tiara and Triforce-shaped earrings, and her smile was sweet, her eyes twinkling and sparkling for him.
She was breathtaking.
Forcing himself to look away from the woman he loved, Link knelt before the King, slowly drawing his Sword and using it to steady himself, as he'd been told to do in the ceremony. "I, Link, wielder of the Master Sword, pledge allegiance to the Royal Family of Hyrule." he said. "On my honor, I vow to come to the aid of His Majesty in whatever he requests for the good of Hyrule, even at a moment's notice. I vow to protect the Royal Family 'til the end of my days, until my King release me, or death take me. I swear it." He bowed his head at that.
The King rose from his throne and walked down to Link. "A champion bound by an oath spoken with truth and honor." he said. "No kingdom or King could ask for more." On each shoulder, the King lightly touched his scepter to Link. "Rise, Link, Hero of Time, Defender of Hyrule. I accept your oath."
Slowly, Link rose, quietly sheathing his blade. By then, Zelda had walked down from her throne, walking towards Link and stopping in front of him, smiling shyly, her hands clasped in front of her.
The King seemed to read his daughter's intention. "Link, would you do the honor of being escort for my daughter for the remainder of this ceremony?" he asked.
"I'd...be honored, Sire." Link replied, fighting the crimson tint he knew was creeping across his face, matching Zelda's now-rosy complexion. He extended his arm to her, and she laced her arm around his, before following the King at a respectful distance. As they walked, he felt Zelda lean her head on his shoulder a bit, giving a small, happy sigh.
The nobles were not pleased.
In minutes, the King, Link, and Zelda were on a balcony overlooking the Castle grounds...where all of Hyrule had gathered. Link could see Gorons, Zora, Kokiri, and Gerudos among the Hylians, and he thought he could see some of his friends among them.
"People of Hyrule!" the King called out. "We have all come through a long, dark time, and now that time is over! We have all worked hard to rebuild our country and our lives! I know that many of you are afraid, that the darkness may return. I say to you now that you need never fear it again, for, after so many years, an ancient promise is fulfilled! The Hero of Time, the one who drove the darkness away, has come at last! He will protect our Hyrule from the darkness, so that none of you need ever fear it again! My friends, I give you the new Defender of Hyrule, the Hero of Time!" With that, he stepped aside, letting the crowd see Link, and the crowd let out a great cheer.
Link could only smile sheepishly, and gave a small wave to the crowd. "This is...kinda embarrassing..." he whispered to Zelda, without breaking his smile.
"I know; be thankful this is only the first time you've done this." Zelda teased sweetly. "Royals do this sort of thing almost every other day."
Link chuckled. "You poor girl." he replied.
"Now," the King called to the crowd, "I suggest we all disperse, to celebrate this day!" With that and more cheering, the crowd headed off to the festivities, as the King, Link, and Zelda headed back into the Castle.
By the time the sun had finished setting, as the rest of Hyrule's citizens celebrated with a fine feast outside, King Andreus and the rest of the Royal Court, including the Knights, his dear daughter, and Hyrule's new Defender, had sat down at the banquet table. Andreus sat at his usual place, at the head, and Zelda sat next to him, on the right, and next to her was Link, and next to Link were the Knights. On Andreus' left sat the nobles, beginning with Lord Ruthlage. Andreus was always at ill ease when dealing with the man; Ruthlage always had this manner where nothing about him was exactly how it seemed. And Ruthlage's son, Caspian...that boy was the personification of everything that was wrong with the nobility and aristocracy; he was arrogant, selfish, haughty, assured of his own superiority, and lately he'd been insistent on trying to wed Zelda, likely from Ruthlage's aim for the throne. Again, Andreus was glad he'd chosen to let Zelda choose her own husband.
Andreus looked to his right, and smiled; every few seconds, Zelda and Link's hands would brush together for a fraction of a heartbeat, or their eyes would meet, exchanging loving smiles and unspoken promises.
They were so very much in love; it was all over them both. Andreus was so glad that his cherished only daughter had found someone worthy of her loving heart, her innocent soul. When she was with Link, her heart opened to the young hero completely; she was just like her mother that way...
Furthermore, Link loved her in return. The lad was perfect for Zelda, Andreus freely admitted. Link was honorable, true, brave, kind, polite, loyal, and he possessed a core of honor, and a strict code of ethics, as well as a nobility of spirit that made him trustworthy, a quality that one could not simply inherit, but had to be instilled and nurtured.
One which Caspian and all young nobles like him were sorely lacking.
Before long, the meal arrived, and the banquet began in earnest, as the nobles began their usual, mindless chatter, finally ceasing the glares they were sending Link. Andreus had to suppress a chuckle as Link struggled to keep his eyes open, bored silly by their gossip, while Zelda suppressed a polite little yawn.
When the meal was done, Andreus motioned for the band to begin playing a slow song, as Link and Zelda headed onto the dance floor; or, more accurately, Zelda led Link onto the dance floor, clearly excited to dance with him. Andreus also saw many of the younger nobles glare jealously at Link, with Caspian at the front. He was also surprised to see a few young ladies of the Court gaze longingly after Link. Andreus knew that Link and Zelda were now among forces who would rip their love apart, given half a chance.
"But not if I can help it." Andreus said softly, as much for his own sake as for those of the two young lovers.
"Link, come on! Let's dance!" Zelda giggled, happily leading her beloved onto the dance floor, her hands holding his.
"Uh...I don't know how, Zel." Link quietly admitted.
"It's easy!" Zelda assured him. By then, some of the Knights and their wives had joined them on the dance floor, as well as some of the older nobles and their wives. Zelda guided Link's right hand to rest on her waist. "You just hold me here..." she said, as her left hand went to his right shoulder, and her right hand interlaced with Link's left hand, her Triforce of Wisdom and Link's Triforce of Courage momentarily flaring from proximity, "...and we hold hands like this...and then just move with the music." Then, they began to slowly dance.
As they danced, Zelda was lost in Link's embrace; nothing else mattered. She felt so safe, so loved when she was in his arms...and he danced divinely.
Then, she happened to see that several other young ladies of the Court were staring at them. 'Are we so difficult to look at without staring?' she thought. Then, as she looked into her lover's storm-blue eyes, a new thought entered her mind: 'He...really is that handsome...' It was true: Link had the kind of face that any girl could gaze upon for hours...
Fighting her own insecurities, Zelda smiled, and said, "It appears the ladies of the Court are taking a liking to you."
Link chuckled, and his words soothed her worries instantly, as did his charming smile: "Well, someone will just have to explain to them that my heart already belongs to you."
By then, that dance had ended, as all participants applauded the skillful orchestra. "I'd...like to go freshen up, Link. I'll be right back." Zelda said. Then, feeling bold, she quickly kissed him on the cheek, before hurrying off, her heart singing.
After Zelda had left, Link put his hand to where she had kissed him, a goofy smile on his face. He felt like the luckiest man in Hyrule...
"I see someone's made a good impression."
Recognizing the voice, Link turned and found Lord Ruthlage. "My lad, I believe we've gotten off on the wrong foot, so let me start over." he said. He extended his hand. "Lord Ruthlage, Governor of the Western Estates. You needn't bow; I'm sure you're appropriately honored."
Warily, Link shook the man's hand; apparently, this was as polite as he got. "Link, citizen of Hyrule, and wielder of the Master Sword." he replied simply.
"I do hope you weren't terribly offended by my words, earlier. Shock made my tongue somewhat clumsy." Ruthlage continued.
Link nodded warily; clearly, Ruthlage was up to something, but he didn't know what. Link hated deception, but if he was going to deal with people like this, he had to learn to see through it more easily.
Lord Ruthlage sighed. "Sadly, I'm afraid my fellow gentlemen have...taken a disliking to you."
Link arched an eyebrow. "Can I ask why?"
"Oh, for several reasons." came the answer. "There's the fact that you drew the most powerful blade ever forged. Then, of course, there's the fact that you seem to have too much popularity among the...common folk, as well as the King, himself. And then, with the younger ones, such as my son, there is the fact that Princess Zelda seems to favor you too highly for their liking. From the way they're grumbling, I fear they may try to move against you, somehow."
"I see." Link said. "And why don't you like me?"
"It's more of the fact that you're...dangerous." Ruthlage said coolly. "You seem to give the commoners hope, make them think they can be better than they are."
"Maybe they can." Link replied.
Ruthlage chuckled. "We'll see. Regardless, I simply had to warn you."
Link saw the threat as plain as day; this was Ruthlage's not-quite-so-subtle way of telling him to leave. "Well, my Lord, since you came to warn me, I may as well give you a warning for them." Link said flatly, making sure his meaning was clear. "They don't scare me. I've faced and defeated things they've only seen in their nightmares, so their intimidation is wasted. They'd best get used to seeing me here...because I'm not leaving."
Ruthlage's expression collapsed. "Very well." he said. "Have a pleasant evening, boy." Then, he walked off.
"Someone givin' you trouble, laddie?"
Turning, Link smiled as he saw Sir Cortez, one of the Knights of Hyrule, and one of Link's good friends. Cortez was of similar build to Link, and a few inches taller, in his late fifties. His hair was white and spiky, kept in a short rat-tail at the back of his head, as well as a light moustache, complementing his light-tanned skin. He'd lost his left eye in a battle, and wore an eyepatch over it, his right eye an emerald-green. He wore his usual battle-armor, made of plain steel.
"Oh, nothing I can't handle, Sir Cortez." Link replied.
Cortez glanced briefly at the retreating noble. "Well, ye handled it pretty good, I'd say. Haven't seen Ol' Fancy-Pants that steamed since...well, since the last time I talked to 'im!"
Link nearly burst out laughing. "'Old Fancy-Pants'?" he chuckled.
"That's what we call 'im." Cortez said. "One time, 'e comes up to me an' starts whinin' about how, oh I don't know, my horse grazed on part of 'is estate or somethin'. Finally, I get so fed up I just look 'im in the eye and say, 'Oh, blow it out yer ear, Fancy-Pants'. An' 'e hasn't spoken to me fer five years since, the best five years I've ever 'ad!"
Link could barely keep from laughing at that. "I agree: he's...something else." he replied, once he could speak again.
"Aye, 'e's somethin', alright, but 'is lad, Caspian, could well be worse." Cortez said, his tone serious. "That's the problem with Ruthlage an' 'is kin; they're from a 'distinguished' family – their noses are so high, if it rained, they'd drown. The point is, Caspian is one to 'ave an eye out for. Fancies 'imself a swordsman, but ye can easily take 'im blindfolded."
"Then why be wary of him?" Link asked.
"Because 'e's 'ad 'is eye on Princess Zelda." Cortez said, causing Link to freeze. "Granted, His Majesty doesn't like 'im, an' Princess Zelda despises 'im, but 'e doesn't quit. That's one o' the reasons we're so glad you came along, Link; maybe now 'e'll back off. That's part o' the reason why Fancy-Pants is so sore; with you around, 'e's lost 'is shot at the throne through a union with 'is son an' the Princess." Then, chuckling, he finished, "Well, that's enough ramblin' from this old man. Enjoy yourself, tonight, lad; ye've earned it." Then, Sir Cortez walked off, and Link opted to get some punch at the refreshment table.
Andreus was watching the ball from a distance when Lord Ruthlage walked up to him. "Why, hello, Sire." he said. "A lovely event, isn't it?"
"Yes." Andreus replied. Under his breath, he added, "It was."
"It appears that Link and Her Young Highness have grown rather...close." Ruthlage said.
Now Andreus' smile was genuine, as he recalled how happy Zelda had been, dancing with Link. "Yes." he agreed.
"I do hope she snaps out of her little infatuation and chooses a companion of suitable social status."
Andreus sighed; he should have known better. "You really hate him, don't you." he said flatly.
Ruthlage put his hand to his forehead, as if developing a headache. "Sire, he's...not a gentleman."
Andreus fixed him with a stern glare. "He may not meet your criteria, Ruthlage, but Link has many qualities that many nobles – many Lords – do not; qualities that are infinitely more worthy than any that the nobility displays. And Link possesses these qualities many times over."
Ruthlage sighed. "Oh, Sire, surely we aren't going to have a repeat of yourself and the Queen Alara, are we?"
Andreus froze, his fury growing. "You forget yourself." he said dangerously. "I chose love, and I will be glad to give my daughter the same choice."
"Yes, the choice to marry a commoner, as the story goes." Ruthlage said. "But that isn't the real story, now, is it?"
Andreus' temper flared. "Lord Ruthlage, I will say this but once." he growled. "Overstep this boundary ever again, and I will personally send you packing out the Castle doors in the nude."
Ruthlage calmed, and humbly bowed. "My deepest apologies, Sire." he said. "By your leave." Then, at a nod from Andreus, Ruthlage left.
Only Andreus' thoughts kept him company, now. How had Ruthlage known the truth about his beloved wife – Goddesses rest her soul – now 17 years perished, the secret he dared not even tell his daughter? He knew the day was coming when he'd have to tell her.
It was coming soon...and he had no idea how she'd react.
"So...you're the Defender, are you?"
The voice was familiar to Link, resembling another. Turning, he found a young man, around his own age, with short brown hair, brown eyes, and the same complexion as Lord Ruthlage. He was about Link's height, but of lighter build, and he wore black pants, a white shirt, and a gleaming white-and-gold overcoat.
Link sighed. "I'll take a wild guess and say that you're Caspian."
Caspian's eyes narrowed, as Link saw him mentally determine that 'this peasant is far too insolent'. "Yes, I'm perfectly aware of who I am!" he snapped haughtily. "Now answer the question!"
Link shrugged. "That's what His Highness keeps telling me." he said, trying to make jest of it.
Caspian looked him over. "You don't look like much to me."
"Opinions tend to vary." Link said calmly.
Caspian's eyes flashed angrily. "I suggest you watch yourself, boy." he snarled. "You may have the King fooled, but cross me and you'll regret it."
Link simply folded his arms. "I'm scared. Really." he said flatly. "Can't you bother someone else?"
"Remember what I said, peasant." Caspian growled, and he stormed off.
By then, Zelda had returned. "Miss me?" she cooed.
"More than you'll ever know." Link said, smiling. "And you're as lovely as ever."
Zelda shyly blushed. "Flatterer." she giggled. Then, she took his hands in hers. "The orchestra is starting again, so let's go!"
But Link hadn't heard her; he'd sensed something, something dark...something near. His Triforce never lied, especially about this.
"Link?" Zelda asked, worry in her crystal eyes. "What's wrong?"
Link met her gaze, and, though he hated to worry her, he couldn't lie to her.
He told the truth: "Trouble."
At that, the main doors burst open, and a battalion of Moblins swarmed in. All the nobles retreated in terror, as the Knights formed a line, blades drawn, to protect the King. By pure reflex, Link stepped in front of Zelda, to protect her.
The King moved to the front of the Knights' line-formation. "What is the meaning of this?!" he demanded. "Who are you?!"
The lead Moblin spoke: "We are the soldiers of Lord Vaati!" At that, Link heard Zelda gasp, and saw the King freeze. "Our Lord demands that the throne and the Princess be turned over to him," he pointed at Link, "and that he be brought the head of the Hero of Time!"
"Zelda," Link said softly, "go with your father, you'll be safer."
"But..." Zelda protested.
"Zelda, please. If you're here, I'll worry about you and make mistakes." Link pleaded. "I'll be okay." Reluctantly, Zelda went to her father, and they both moved behind the line. Drawing the Master Sword and Mirror Shield, Link moved to the front of the defensive line, and answered the Moblin's challenge: "We will never let your master take the throne or Princess Zelda, and if you want my head...come and get it!" The Moblins needed no further provoking, and attacked.
Link was a deadly, bladed dervish as he fought five Moblins at once, the Knights picking their own similar battles. Link blocked one spear, deflected a second on his shield, stabbed the third spear-wielder, and sliced the last two before whirling into a backspin strike to slay the remaining two.
Link then noticed a group of Knights fighting off Moblins...and saw three Moblins sneaking up behind them. Link drew his fine, oaken Fairy Bow, and fit three Light Arrows to it, aiming for a three-way spread-shot. He pulled the string back, and let them fly; the gleaming arrows seared into their chosen targets, eradicating the Moblins.
Turning, Link was horrified as one Moblin stalked towards the King, who was shielding Zelda with himself, facing the Moblin bravely. Link drew and extended his Megaton Hammer, charged his magic into the mighty sledgehammer, and slammed it down; the resulting shockwave traveled to the Moblin, knocking it into the air. Link re-drew his Bow and destroyed the Moblin with a Light Arrow.
Sensing a Moblin charging him from behind, Link leapt aside, drew his Longshot, and fired; the spring-loaded chain lanced out, snagged the Moblin, and reeled him back in, where Link destroyed him with a stab-attack.
By then, the Moblins were very few in number, and not a single Knight had been lost. Master Sword still at the ready, Link closed in on the remaining Moblins, as did Sir Cortez. "Laddie, let's give these vermin a good thrashing!" the old Knight declared.
"Fine by me!" Link agreed. Then, Hero and Knight both charged at the Moblins, ready to cut them all down.
The Moblins had finally had enough; they all turned tail, running out the doors as fast as their legs could carry them.
Once their foes were gone, Link and the Knights all sheathed their weapons. "Now that's a party!" Sir Banon – one of the other Knights – declared.
"Aye! Darn good fightin'!" another agreed. "Wish all parties could end that way!" That statement earned a few laughs from the rest.
Link hurried to Zelda's side, and found her trembling in terror. "He's...he's real." she whimpered.
"Who is?" Link asked soothingly. "Zel, what's wrong?"
"She's found out that an old nightmare is real." the King said somberly. "I myself thought the same...but Vaati is real."
Vaati. Link didn't like the sound of the name, but now he knew what the Moblin from early in the day had been trying to say...and what had silenced him. "Who is Vaati?" he asked.
"About five hundred years ago, a sorcerer named Vaati learned to command the wind and the darkness with his magic." the King said. "Instead of using his powers to help Hyrule, however, he tried to seize the throne for himself. My ancestor, the King of that time, led the army against Vaati's forces, defeating them, and then interrupting Vaati in preparing a spell to bolster his power. The spell twisted and mutilated him, until he was no longer a man, but a horrendous monstrosity with untold power. He overpowered the King, and would have killed him, had the first Sages of Hyrule not intervened. They imprisoned Vaati in shadow, but not before the sorcerer-thing swore vengeance on the Royal Family...an oath that has haunted us to this day."
"And now Vaati is back." Link finished. "Sire...earlier today, one of the Moblin raiders mentioned his master, beginning with the words "Lord Vaa-!!" before he perished. His men also were wearing the crest of a single eye. Forgive me for not telling you, Sire, but it hadn't seemed important at the time."
"There is nothing to forgive, Link. You couldn't have known." the King said. "What matters is that Vaati is back, though clearly not with his full power, else he'd have come himself. I'd best go speak with the Knights, and co-ordinate a search for his lair."
"What should I do, Sire?" Link asked.
The King gestured to Zelda, a sorrowful expression on his face. "Comfort my daughter." he said. "I will return soon." Then, he headed off, several Knights following him.
Moving closer to Zelda, Link gently took her in his arms. "Hey, it'll be okay." he soothed.
"I...I can't believe it." Zelda sniffled. "When I was a little girl, whenever I misbehaved, Impa always said, 'Now behave, Princess, or Vaati will get you.' Vaati was the shadow behind my door, the monster under my bed, the thing every Princess had to fear! And he's real, Link! He's real, and he's coming to get me..!"
Zelda was nearly hysterical, now. Gently, Link kissed her forehead. "Over my dead body, he will." he promised. "Zelda, I won't let him even touch you. If he tries to harm so much as a hair on your head, I'll make him wish he'd never even heard of the Royal Family." And he meant every word; he despised Vaati for upsetting Zelda so much.
Zelda's fear subsided, as she nuzzled closer to Link. "Thank you so much, Link." she whispered. "You're so wonderful."
Just then, the King hurried back over to them. "Link, there's trouble." he said. "A citizen just reported another raiding party, heading for Lon Lon Ranch!"
"I'm on my way!" Link declared. To Zelda, he added, "I'll be back soon, Zelda. I promise." Then, he hurried off.
As she watched Link leave, Zelda felt reassured. She believed him; a promise from Link was worth its weight in gold. Turning, she headed towards her room, to retire for the night.
As she walked, she passed through a dark corridor, the darkness causing echoes of her fears to creep into her mind...
Suddenly, someone from behind her clasped a hand over her mouth, muffling her scream, forcing her to inhale a vapor from a flask being held in front of her. The gas dulled her senses; she was going to pass out. The last thing she heard was, "Lord Vaati will be pleased..."
By the time Link, on Epona, reached the outer gates of Lon Lon Ranch, it was two hours past midnight, four hours 'till sunrise. When he reached the gate, he found no Moblins, only one small man. "Sir," he called, "did you report the Moblins? Where have they gone?"
"Hee hee hee..." the figure giggled, "...oh, yes, young hero, I reported them...but there never were any Moblins."
"What?!" Link cried. "How could you..?!"
"Lord Vaati had to get you out of the Castle somehow..." the figure said, before fading away – an apparition.
Vaati! He'd done this, lured Link away so that he could move against the Castle...and Zelda...
Oh, Sweet Goddesses, what had he done?
"Epona, hurry!! Back to the Castle!!" Link cried. Epona whinnied, and galloped towards the Castle at her fastest pace.
Link had to get there...though part of him knew it was already too late.