Agonizing Hope

A tear ran down Zelda's fair skin. She didn't want to cry. She wasn't supposed to cry. Everything was perfect in her life, so why was she crying? Zelda, Princess Zelda of Hyrule, was on the verge of crying because life dealt a horrible blow to her. In an instant of happiness, the cruelty of life was easily able to come from nowhere like a deadly assassin and deliver a crippling shot to that happiness. Not even a month had passed since their marriage that trouble came. And this wasn't anything Link could easily take care of. Link could've faced down dragons, beasts, phantoms, demons, and evil itself but he couldn't stop something as simple and complex as an illness.

Link fell ill. Deathly ill. That was what's wrong with Zelda's life. It can all start too simple, right? One doesn't wash his hands after handling something riddled with germs, a touch of the eyes or mouth, and boom! This person is now bed ridden for the next few days. One ahs to assume the same thing for Link, because he became ill pretty quick and fast. And we all know Link, we barely ever seen him sneeze let alone get sick. He walked through frozen wastelands in nothing but his tunic and tights and walked out fine. So what could've gotten Link so damn sick? What kind of disease was it that plagues Link's system? And why did all of a sudden had to happen right when Link managed to find happiness?

But… whatever it may be, Zelda was going to stick by Link. And so she did. From morning to nightfall, Zelda stayed in the special chamber where Link was placed. She would hold his hand in her and simply wish for him to get better soon. Now, don't think Zelda is dumb; she did call in some of the best doctors of Hyrule to see what was wrong with Link. And all they can tell her is that Link must've contracted a foreign or new type of illness that caused him to not even wake up. So, all Zelda could do is wish that with whatever help they can give that Link will get better soon enough.

"Milady, there is someone that says they could try to diagnose what ails, Sir Link," said a servant. His presence was unfelt to Zelda and never noticed him coming in.

Zelda clenched her teeth and looked back to the servant. She hoped that this doctor would bring some new information to the table. All the others could only prescribe the bed rest that Link could only do and a notorious amount of blue potion. With her tired, red eyes she looked back to Link, "Thank you… you can send them in."

The servant bowed and left Zelda to go get the person. Zelda stared at Link and let out a soft whimper. All she could think about was how cruel Life was. The love of her life was stuck in bed. The only comfort that Zelda found was the thought that Link fought to keep alive. She could see his shallow breathing but she worried the time was running out for him. For them. For whatever hope of a family.

The room Zelda was in was seemingly perpetually dark. Only the light from the open door offered illumination to the sparsely decorated room. But someone blocked that light out. Someone tall and broad, enough that when Zelda turned to look back, all she could see was a black silhouette taking up the entire space of the doorway.

"Princess," he said before getting on one knee.

Even with the lighting and her position, Zelda could tell the man wasn't from Hyrule. Or at least he didn't look like someone from Hyrule. Without a word from Zelda, he stood and walked over to Link. Zelda watched as all the man did was raise a hand over Link and close his eyes. As the man concentrated over Link, Zelda looked down to see Link… completely unaffected by the man's actions.

"Princess, I think I know what has gotten into Link," he said. His face turned grim, "But if I'm right, then there is news you wouldn't like to hear."

"Please, just tell me what you think," Zelda pleaded. It didn't matter to her that there was a catch. All she knew was when the problem was discovered; all that is left is to deal with it.

The man looked down to Link, "From what I can tell, Link's illness isn't cause by natural causes. While afflicted by something bad in his system, its magically imbued to keep its host as stationary as possible. This thing, whatever it is, feeds on the energy Link needs to perform anything at all. And there isn't any known cure for this."

"What?" Zelda asked softly. Life scores another point. What Zelda understood was that Link was always going to be the vegetable right in front of her no matter what she does. That neared the breaking point for her and she was about to just give up all hope and simply cry.

The man walked back to the doorway, again blocking out the light. "How he managed to get such a fate is unknown. I'm deeply sorry," the man spoke. He drew one more breath, "If only we could look to the past and seek the proclaimed Fruits of the Gods." With that, he left Zelda alone.

Zelda was alone. The whole world had deserted her. She was left with nothing but a husband that was better off dead, as if he wasn't considered dead then anyways. More tears came down her face and collected at her chin. Zelda couldn't hold it in anymore. She fell on top of Link and cried on his blanketed body. Each tear she shed didn't make a difference in the world. But that was all she could do then. There was nothing left for her… Link was never going to wake up.

( . ) -----------\

"'So the Fruits of the Gods were left to a forgotten race. Left in their care, they would guard it for eternity even past their lives. Only one who was pure of heart and ready to give their lives for another could play the sacred hymn to awake the resting place for the Fruits.' Why can't there be more information of those stupid fruits?" Zelda asked to no one. She was in one of the older libraries and with a pile of old text in front of her and Zelda decoded each one and read them all. The rickety desk she sat at began to grow weary of the princess' endeavor. With the man leaving that vague message to Zelda, she began to wonder what were the fruits. So far, she could only get so much information.

Zelda was so hard at work trying to find out what did the fruits do that she forgot what her father told her when she started. As blunt as possible, he told her that there would be a tournament, one that could find an adequate guardian for the princess. While Zelda did hear the message, she didn't listen. So when the servant came into the library, Zelda almost lost it. She stormed out of the library and found her father walking the halls with his close bodyguards and made her voice known.

"Father! What exactly were you thinking when you orchestrated this?" she demanded.

"Zelda, need I remind you that you are a princess," her father answered coolly. "Do you really think Hyrule can afford to gamble with their one princess' life and let her doing anything she wants without some protection?"

Zelda didn't like it. To her, her father was just dismissing that Link was never going to wake up. That all Link was nothing more than a dead weight on his wallet. But Zelda didn't give up. In her hour of despair, Zelda asked the Goddesses for an answer and she realized that they had giver her one. That giant of a man gave her information she could use. Whatever the Fruits of the Gods were, they were going to help Link somehow. So came to her point, "Link will get better father, so why don't you assign some regular castle guards to me and let that be it?"

"Zelda, we have to look at it rationally. Impa is gone to who knows where and Link is just sleeping the rest of his life away," he looked away at the hurt in Zelda's eyes as he said so tactlessly. "But those two were the only ones that could ever be your protector. Zelda, Hyrule isn't safe enough for you just to have a dozen guards with you at once. You need someone who can handle the impossible. I called this tournament to find someone who can at least provide a stand in. You shouldn't worry, the contestants have all ready been screened and proved themselves against the best of our knights."

Zelda figured that her father wouldn't listen. She was going to help Link so he could finally awake and they can be together. So what Zelda was going to do? She could've argued some more but her father was king. His mind was set and while Zelda was going to hate it, she knew he was actually right. Link and Impa had been great guardians and Zelda could only think back to the number of times they had saved her. She pouted, "How sure are you about this?"

"Zelda, I told you they have all been screened. There is no one that will win and then turn around and attack," the king reassured. "Now lets get to the courtyard before we are late."

Zelda sighed. She should've argued some more. She didn't want or need anyone new to stick around her all day. She only wanted Link and she could just feel that she was getting closer to the Fruits' secrets. Soon she would have her Link back and it wouldn't matter if she had someone to protect her, she would have Link. But Zelda followed her father to the courtyard where it was made clear to her that the tournament wasn't going to be public. From her position, she could see all the people that came out to see who would become the highest order of knight, Seraphim. Zelda took the seat next to her father. Down below, on the dirt square where the contestants will battle, were all the men and women ready to fight for their country.

The king did his greeting to the public and all Zelda could do was wish that she was back in her library. As the tournament started, there were two contestants that stood out among the rest. One was a man, bigger than the man who diagnosed Link, who simply used his brute strength to win. While weapons were allowed, the man named Ursa never needed his monstrous axe. It was clear that he was set on winning as he made short work of his opponents. The other, well, he was a completely different story…

Zelda didn't want to admit it then but the second person was almost as handsome as Link. Of course, we have to factor that Zelda loves Link and holds a certain bias so we still have to think otherwise. Zelda took mental notes on him and found plenty of intriguing facts. First, Zelda wasn't the only one who thought he was handsome, especially when he came to the squared circle and all his female fans gave high squeals and yells. And then his name was said a loud and that gave the cue for more women to join in his cheering. He was Vincent Dante Aegis II, a redhead man with eyes of a ruby gem. Zelda wondered what was his origin and noticed the pointed ears, which made him even more confusing to figure out. Vincent stood out from above the rest with his long white coat that billowed behind him like wings that eased the fairness in his skin. And unlike Ursa, Vincent didn't use strength to win. He easily confused his opponents and parried of attacks, by either his fist or sword on the matter, and quickly retaliated with an attack.

But Zelda quickly noted his rather smug smile on his face that appeared when he won. She decided to not to dwell on it. She figured that sooner or later Vincent would be defeated because of that cocky attitude of his. Oh, how little did she actually count that he wouldn't be eliminated so quickly. No, Vincent never actually quits, and he had his eyes set on the real prize.

And then it came down to the last two. Much to Zelda's surprise, Vincent did make it all the way through. But we knew he was going to, now didn't we? And then of course, like how its been spoken, Ursa made his way to the top. It was just down to two different people that would decide on who would be the newest Seraphim. They both walked onto the dirt and looked at each other. Ursa, serious and ready for the fight, Vincent with his arrogant smirk that was ready to win.

Ursa began with a charge to Vincent who simply sidestepped it and delivered a blow to the back of Ursa. Ursa then brought a fist close to Vincent's face but the redhead dodged low enough to avoid it. Ursa, having enough, decided to use his threatening nature and heaved his large axe off his back and swung it with tremendous force at Vincent. Everyone watched as Vincent, usually keeping his swords sheathed, drew one and managed to at least block against the attack but left him a few feet away from where he stood before. Vincent drew his second sword and egged Ursa to attack. The giant man lifted his axe high into the air and brought it down right where Vincent stood.

Zelda was shocked. Her father had hosted a no rules tournament where anyone could've been killed. Anyone could've died and it was all for her. She sat back in her chair to soak in the fact that her new bodyguard was a man who wanted to win so bad that he had to kill a man. The order of the Seraphim wouldn't like to hear that. Her father smiled and Zelda looked down at the battle in disgust but what she saw wasn't a man dead…

Vincent stood smiling as the axe never touched him. It was clear to everyone that he used one of his swords to cause the axe to slide away and hit the ground beside him. Its head was deep in the ground and Ursa was stunned. Vincent took the opportunity and kneed Ursa in the stomach. The big man went down, Vincent was careful to hit Ursa's stomach and nothing else. Anywhere else that Ursa would've needed serious medical attention.

It was over and it was plain and simple Vincent would've won. The King clapped his hands, a thank you for the spectacular show and to congratulate Vincent for his win. Zelda stared at Vincent and apparently, he noticed. He caught her eyes in his… and Zelda didn't know what to think. His eyes were very hypnotic, very paralyzing, but still warming. Vincent was egotistical, no doubt about that, but he entered the contest for a reason. He would soon be a knight, a title he had wanted ever since he was a child and his mother would read fairy tales to him before bed. He wanted to be the knight that would save the damsel and live with her forever in love and peace. To protect her forever, that was his dream and it was one step closer to being reality.

Zelda and her father waited for Vincent's arrival at their throne room. The tournament was over and it was best that the royal family retreated back into the throne room. It wasn't long before the Seraphim; the most elite knights in Hyrule garbed in white armor with gold trim entered the room. There were only nine of them; nine knights that soon would be a completed ten. That was probably, no – the most likely reason why the king decided it would be best for the tournament to take place. There wasn't a real reason why Zelda needed a person from nowhere to watch her. Her father's argument held no water; one of the better-known Seraphim could've looked over her. But it didn't matter anymore, they had their tenth member, the last Ring of Choir would be handed out that day. The Seraphim bowed to the King before creating lining up along the way for Vincent to approach Zelda and her father.

And it was then Vincent walked in, accompanied by two castle guards. They left him as he walked into the room. Maybe Zelda knew more humble people but Vincent didn't bother to wait for a command and walked up to the king, passing each Seraph along the way.

Zelda's father stood up from his throne and looked down to Vincent. Again, in another display of arrogance he didn't bow or kneel, simply stood and looked up to the king.

"To excited to bow to your king?" her father asked.

Vincent scoffed, "Listen, we should hurry so I can get to my appointed task."

The king was taken back at Vincent's sly response. It enraged him but Vincent actually had a point. Still… "Kneel so you may be knighted."

Vincent sighed and fell to a knee. The King took the special blade for the occasion handed to him by Blake, leader of the Seraphim. He held it to his side, "Do you, Vincent Dante Aegis II, swear to protect the heir to the crown? To throw yourself between herself and death? Will you do your duty to your country and become her shield?"

Vincent raised his head and looked up at the king. His eyes wavered over to Zelda who simply watched as the ceremony went on. He was ready. He was up to the challenge. "I will protect the princess with all that I can muster. I will serve her as I would the woman I love, I will not falter in my duty to keep her safe."

The king and Zelda looked at each other. How Vincent came up with that was his own accord. Normal soldiers simply say they do, not a more intricate answer. But they shrugged and the king continued. He tapped Vincent on his shoulder, "I pronounce you Sir Vincent Dante Aegis II. But, Vincent, before you rise, there is more to be done."

Blake walked forward and ahead of Vincent. Standing just below the king and above Vincent, he said indifferently, "Sir Vincent, your actions today and by the king's order have allowed you to be inducted into the Seraphim order. We serve as the best in Hyrule to aid the country by how we see fit. While the tenth spot was going to be taken by someone else we felt was worthy of it."

Zelda knew who it was. Link spoke of it before they were married. The Seraphim wanted him as the tenth knight but it wasn't going to happen anytime soon now. A small tear ran down her face as Blake continued.

"And while you possess the abilities and skill as a Seraphim knight, your attitude spoke something differently. A Seraph takes his duty with seriousness and doesn't allow himself to be fooled, even by his own confidence. But alas, you didn't fail and there isn't a way I can deny you the right you've earned today." Blake took a breath. He never talked so much and the speech wasn't repeated often. "You did show mercy in the face of death. You didn't take another's life today even when one was about to take yours. As by order, you are given the Ring of the one you have replaced… since the first order. Between us, you will be formally called the name we issue you. Rise, Azrael, and accept the tenth Ring."

Vincent stood up and stood silently as Blake took the white ceramic box that one of the other knight's handed to him. He opened it and held it front of Vincent. With his fingers to him, Vincent noticed Blake's Ring on his fore finger. Vincent glanced over to the box and saw his. Vincent wondered how the Ring was supposed to fit a specific finger if it was made for another person. He hoped that something like that wouldn't happen. Blake nodded to Vincent and Vincent took the ring from its place within the black velvet and held it, hoping not to do something that could give a reason for his fellow knight to dislike him.

"Azrael was a powerful warrior," Blake said. "He was cunning, brilliant, and a skillful knight. He only took the lives of people that weren't innocent. And even then, only when it was their time. That's why he was known as the Angel of Death and you proved to us today that you follow a similar belief. So by either luck or fate, you are given the Ring of Azrael. Affix it to your tenth finger."

Vincent looked at the ring for a moment. It was small, so it must be designed for the pinky finger. Its design was another thing that caught his attention. A small angel with onyx eyes sat atop with its six wings making the band. On one hand it held a sword and another held a ruby gemmed flower. Vincent slid the ring onto his finger, very thankful it fit.

"Welcome, Azrael, to our order," Blake said.

Zelda stood up from her throne and walked over to Vincent. "Sir Vincent, Azrael knight, keep in mind that I'm only agreeing to this because everyone believes I cannot defend myself and need someone. I have someone and they are coming back sooner rather then later. I'm sorry if your wasting your time but that is how it is. Of course once your duty is complete, you may be placed somewhere else. In short, don't make yourself comfortable."

"Whatever happened to a simple 'Congrats'?" Vincent asked. "Princess, whenever you believe that's going to happen, then that'll happen but until then, I'm your protector."

Zelda didn't quite know what else to say. She looked into his eyes, "Just know that your place by me is short lived."

Vincent smirked, "If you believe so, princess."

A/N: Mmmm, I guess I went overboard with this chapter. Well, review and I'll get started on chapter four.