Thank you for the constructive criticism. I'll include some of those ideas in this chapter. Heart-promise.
So, in this chapter we introduce a malevolent guy who doesn't like Link. Any guesses? Anyone?
Fine then. I'll just have to show you.
THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS VIOLENCE AND LANGUAGE NOT SUITABLE FOR YOUNG KIDS. READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED
Chapter 5
"I Love You"
--
When Zelda awoke the next morning, the first thing she noticed was a boy in her bed. Link stirred when she moved.
"Good morning," he said slowly, "I hope you slept better than I did."
Zelda giggled. "I did. Now get out. I have to get changed. Papa said there's a guest coming to see me today."
Link sighed dramatically and got up.
"Fine. I didn't want to stay anyway." He said jokingly.
Zelda laughed as he shut the door.
--
"Zelda my darling! Your guest is here!"
Rathos' voice sounded throughout the castle, and a few moments later, Zelda came down the stairs in a dress.
"Zelda, may I introduce you to Prince Ganon Dragmire, of Termina."
Ganon bowed, and Zelda curtsied.
Rathos smiled. "I'll leave you two to get acquainted."
Zelda and Ganon walked around the castle, seeing what there was to see.
"Your father tells me there is a boy living here with you."
Zelda nodded. "His name is Link and he's really sweet."
Ganon chuckled, or was it a snigger?
The two royal children found themselves walking outside toward the archery grounds, where Zelda could see Link practicing his aim.
He stuck his arrow into the ground when he saw them and waved.
Zelda went running over to see him.
"Hiya Zellie. I've been working my aim. Want to see?"
"Yeah!"
"Alright, go sit in the grass with your head a little to the side of the bull's-eye."
Zelda skipped over and plopped herself on the ground. She looked at the target to make sure she was aligned.
Ganon went walking over to Link.
"Handsome bow."
Link grunted. "Thank you."
Link let go of his feelings and stared intently at his target.
Ganon reached over and poked Link on the back just as he loosed the arrow.
There was a sickening sound and a scream of pain, and Link realized too late what Ganon had done.
He turned to Ganon and punched him in the face. The two men fell to the ground in a whirl of fists, feet and yelps.
--
Meanwhile, Zelda lay on the ground clutching the arrow protruding from her shoulder.
Everything was white. All she could hear was Link yelling at Ganon.
"YOU…FAT…LOATHSOME…SON...OF...A...BITCH! LOOK WHAT YOU DID TO HER! YOU'RE LUCKY I DIDN'T SHOOT HER DAMNED EYE OUT."
A guard came over and lifted Zelda up. He carried her to Impa's office, leaving the boys fighting.
--
When Zelda awoke, Link was by her side, his face scratched and bloody, and he was sporting a massive black eye.
"What…happened?" she moaned.
Link sighed. He looked like he'd been crying. "Ganon nudged me at the last second and I missed the target. Goddesses Zellie I'm so sorry."
She felt her shoulders. Nothing was there.
Link held up an arrow. "Looking for this?" he asked quietly.
She sighed. At least Impa had gotten it out.
"Where's Ganon?"
"Stupid bastard left to get ready for the ball. I'd go, but I don't wear formal clothes."
Zelda sighed again. She had been hoping that Link would go. Where there was a ball, there were no doubt suitors looking for her.
--
Zelda stood in front of the mirror admiring herself. It had taken her a little over an hour to get ready, and she felt beautiful. She had her blonde hair in curls, and she was wearing a simple white dress that her mother had left hr in her will.
The dress had ruffles at the bottom, and it stuck a little bit like a hoop skirt.
Malon came in and her jaw dropped.
"That prince from Termina will positively die when he sees you." She said.
"But I don't want the Terminan. I want Link."
"I know sweetie, I know. But your daddy would freak if you fell in love with Link. "she said sympathetically.
Zelda wanted to try one last time before heading down to the ballroom. She knocked on Link's door.
"Yes?"
"Are you coming," she asked nervously.
"Nope."
"Fine then. I'll see you when I get back."
She turned and walked away, a single tear sliding down her face.
--
Link got up off his bed and opened the door. He saw Zelda's bedroom door close, and felt sorry for what he had said.
He went to his wardrobe and pulled out the formal wear that Mamma Forrester had left him.
He put it on and it was a snug fit. He placed one hand in his pocket to see how he looked, and felt something. He pulled out a piece of paper.
My dearest son,
If you're reading this, then you've worn the tuxedo, and you're probably going to see the girl of your dreams. We just want you to know how proud of you we are.
Love,
Mommy.
Link almost cried when he read this. He had never known his parents, so he had assumed they didn't want him. But now he ha this, solid evidence that they did care.
He grabbed the tuxedo jacket, and left his room.
--
Zelda walked slowly down the stairs. She could hear the clamoring voice in the ballroom below. She had so desperately wanted to be going down these stairs with her handsome Link by her side.
The announcer noticed her coming, and called out to the room, "May I present, Miss Zelda Harkinian, Princess of Hyrule."
There was massive applause as she descended the stairs.
--
"May I present, Miss Zelda Harkinian, Princess of Hyrule."
Link's pace quickened as he heard this. But, damnit, he was lost again.
What had Saria said? He strained to remember what the blue-eyed girl had said all those years ago.
"Saria, I Am Lost" he murmured, and Saria appeared.
"Link. I haven't seen you in 8 years. And now you're lost. How fortunate for me."
"Yeah, hi Saria. I need to get to the ballroom, and fast."
Saria looked at a door.
"Go in there, close the door, count to 3, and open the door."
Link hugged Saria.
"Thank you so much."
Saria just smiled. "Get going. She's miserable."
Link went into the room, which turned out to be a broom closet.
--
"May I present, Mr. Link Forrester, Resident here at the castle."
Link opened his eyes and found himself on the stairs. He descended into the crowd, and looked for his friend.
--
Zelda heard Link's name announced and she headed back towards the stairs, leaving Ganon alone.
She didn't know she had gone right past him until someone tapped her on the back.
"Excuse me milady, may I have this dance?"
She looked up into blue eyes.
"I know you from somewhere." She said, as she tried to rack her brain from where.
The person reached up and ruffled his hair.
"Link!" she threw herself into his arms.
He hugged her back. "I heard how sad you were and I just had to come."
The band struck up a slow tune.
Link stuck his hand out to Zelda. "May I have this dance?"
Zelda took his hand, and Link guided her onto the dance floor.
--
Many hours later, most of the guests had gone home, including Ganon, but Link and Zelda remained on the dance floor.
Most of the band was packing up their instruments, save one trumpet player and an ocarina player who remained to play a slow tune for the happy couple who dance well into the night under the golden roof of the ballroom.
--
Later that night, as Link and Zelda stood at Zelda's door, Zelda hugged Link once more.
"Thank you for coming Link."
Link placed his hands on her back. "It's what I do."
Zelda pulled away, and they gazed into each others eyes for a moment. Then, slowly, and without even realizing they did it, their faces crept closer and closer together.
Link felt her lips brush against his, and a small shock went through his mind.
They pulled apart, and they each went to their room.
Link lay on his bed, in complete disbelief of what happened.
He stood up and opened the bathroom door and found Zelda about to knock on it. He pulled her in close, and kissed her full on the mouth. She didn't even fight back.
They eventually pulled apart, and Zelda rested her head on his shoulder.
"Link?"
"Yes Zellie?"
"I love you."
Link smiled. "I love you too."
--
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
Aren't they such a cute couple?
But the fun doesn't last long next chapter because Rathos finds out!!
Longest chapter with close to 1500 words.
I give much, much credit to my friend Kelly for helping with chapters 4 and 5. As homage to her, I named the Terminan warrior after her.
Teaser for Chapter 6
"Ah, Link!" exclaimed Rathos. "This man is from the Hyrule Military Camp in the Barrens."