Thank you to everyone who reviewed. If you didn't, go back and DO IT!!
To the person who requested more ZeLink goodness, I've been writing from an 8 year old's perspective up till now. He ages in this chapter, so he starts to look at Zelda in a very different way.
Chapter 4:
Growing Up
Link's bruises got rapidly bigger and bigger and more swollen each day. There came a day when Rathos let him have the day off training to heal himself and get some much deserved sleep.
By age 9, Link had developed the habit of getting up early to watch the sunrise, and walking to his lessons all by himself. His friendship with Zelda was taking a toll however, as he was almost never around when she wanted a friend the most. Despite having so many good friends in the castle, Link was starting to feel more alone than ever.
At age 10, Rathos announced that their lessons were coming to a close. The time had come when Rathos could be bested by Link. Link had to move on.
He was to start lessons later with a Terminan named Kelly. She was one of the best warriors in the entire world. She was said to have downed 50 Bokoblin soldiers with a single stroke of her blade. These lessons were harder than the lessons with Rathos, as Kelly didn't hold back. For the first few weeks, he required minor medical attention, namely for cuts, bruises, and concussions. He could feel that these lessons weren't going to be easy.
By age 13, Link could best Kelly, and was almost half as wise as Rauru. He had read the entire Royal Library, and still yearned for more. He could recognize a foe by its blade type, and knew the weakest point on a Stalfos.
Despite all this to distract him, he felt himself being pulled inexplicably towards Zelda. He was suddenly aware of the way she flipped her hair if it was in her eyes, or how she giggled when she walked in on him after a shower.
What he didn't know was that Zelda felt the same way.
He didn't know that she sighed dreamily whenever he came back from practice all sweaty. He didn't know that she saw him in her dreams. He didn't know that Malon and Romani had sworn to rip his head off if he was ever mean to her.
At age 16, he really noticed a change in his feelings. He looked at Zelda, and a part of him wondered when she had filled out. Another part told him to go over her and kiss her. He had better manners than that, so he always shook his head to rid him of the thoughts, and he carried on with his day. Another thing he noticed was what he did when Malon and Romani passed him in the hallway. He would stare at their backs as they went down the hallway, and slowly, his gaze would drift down to their bums. He usually caught himself and punished himself for it, but occasionally, a guard had to shake him out of it. He found himself gazing at Zelda during their studying time until she looked up at him.
"What?"
"You're just…so…" He cut himself off. He wanted to say beautiful, but he didn't want to scare her.
"…nice." He finished lamely.
Zelda smiled, "Link these are my casual clothes, jeans and a t-shirt. If you want to see me nice, Papa's car keys are in the security office downstairs."
Link suddenly found himself rushing to finish his assigned work, and get downstairs to those keys.
--
Link ran into Zelda's room 15 minutes later with a set of keys in his hand.
She rushed over to him and gave him a hug.
"Be in my room at 10:30 tonight," she whispered.
Link nodded.
--
At 10 30, Link was snugly in bed. The guard came around as usual to check that they were both asleep. As soon as the door closed, Link pulled back his covers, revealing his street clothes. He tiptoed through the joined bathroom, and knocked three times on Zelda's door. She opened the door and pulled him inside.
He looked at her and his jaw dropped. He had never seen her with make-up on before. He couldn't see what kind of shirt she was wearing since she was wearing a sweater over the top. He opened his mouth to ask, and she pressed a finger to his lips.
"It's a surprise."
--
The two friends made their way through the castle, evading the guards, until they reached the underground parking lot.
"Who's driving," asked Link.
"You," replied Zelda.
Link sat in the driver's seat and buckled his seat belt. He motioned for Zelda to do the same before starting the car, and pulling out of the lot.
--
"So, where to?"
Zelda shrugged. "I've only been out of the castle once before, and that was to go into the city with Malon and Romani. That was when I was 7, and even then I had my own army of guards around me the whole time. Sometimes I think father is so protective that no one even knows he has a daughter."
Link nodded.
Zelda looked out the window. "Link! Pull in here."
Link pulled into the parking lot and parked the car. The two friends got out and walked towards the club.
"Ah, Zelda. We aren't 22, we'll get caught."
But Zelda kept walking towards the door. When the bouncer caught sight of her, he pulled back the rope to let her and Link pass.
"Thank you Greg."
"You know him?"
"Silly, he used to work for my daddy as security."
Link frowned, "What happened?"
Greg growled. "I let her go down to the city with Mal and Ro."
Link chuckled.
--
4 hours later, Link and Zelda staggered out of the Vamperical. Their heads pounded from the music, and they were leaning on each other for support.
Link was eternally grateful that he had no lessons the next day.
--
Link didn't know how he had managed to drive home, but he was glad they both made it. He carried Zelda up the stairs to her bed and laid her down in it. She grabbed onto his arm
"Don't go…" she whispered.
She moved over a bit, and motioned for Link to lie down next to her.
He lay down, and she snuggled into him. Now his heart was really pounding. He wanted to kiss her so badly right then, but he resisted. He lay there with Zelda at his side, and drifted into a deep sleep…
--
See? Told you I'd write more tasty ZeLink goodness.
There's been a change in chapters, so unless my friend can give me a title for the next one, it won't be up until tomorrow.
Longest chapter: 1153 words…they're just gonna keep getting longer