The next day, the two of them landed in hot water. Link had practiced like usual, washed up, and went to see if Zelda wanted to leave the castle for lunch, staying at the foot of the stairs and asking a much-subdued Addie to ask her. Zelda was having her hair put up, and she heartily agreed that another picnic off-grounds would be delightful.

Link got the basket ready, and they met at the stables, climbing up on their horses and cantering off into the distance. Zelda directed them out towards the river again, the sun bright and hot, the air over the water cool as it breezed by. They spread the picnic blanket and set out the food, and that was as far as they got before they started kissing again, Link's hand on Zelda's side and Zelda putting her fingers through his hair.

They were so focused on each other that they did not hear the sound of horse's hooves; when they did, Zelda immediately jerked away and looked around, Link doing much of the same and narrowing his eyes from this intrusion. They looked up at the horse and its rider; it was Corbin, who also happened to have a picnic basket on his arm. He had been smiling in greeting, but his face was very stiff, frozen, and his eyes were switching back and forth rapidly between the two.

Link turned away and started on a sandwich, and Zelda stood to receive Corbin, clearing her throat and deciding her best course was to act as if their little display was completely common and happened all the time. "Good day, Master Corbin." She smoothed her skirts. "You remember my guard Master Link Tolrose."

Link turned and looked at Corbin, and the both of them muttered a weak greeting that was little more than a grunt.

"Are you expecting someone for lunch?" she asked, looking at the picnic basket slung over Corbin's arm.

"Actually," he started, hesitant, "I came to see if you were available for lunch, and while heading to the castle I recognized your horse; I did not know that you had company."

Link narrowed his eyes. He didn't believe it all the way; if Corbin had seen Zelda's horse, he would have seen Link's as well.

"Would you care to join us?" Zelda asked finally, gesturing to the field of sad little sandwiches and cooling tea.

"Ah, I don't wish to interrupt anything…" Corbin started, eyeing Link nervously. Something about him intimidated Corbin, and he didn't want to anger the man.

"It's perfectly alright," Link spoke up, his eyes squinted against the sun. "I don't mind at all."

Corbin shifted awkwardly atop his horse, but finally Link stood and took the picnic basket so he could climb down. Zelda rearranged the plates and pots on their own blanket, and Corbin took back the basket from Link, opening it and setting out the chilled fruit, spiced wine, little sandwiches and suchforth. They ate, and Corbin tried to lead into conversation.

"So… Your Highness, has your father spoken to you about my father's offer?"

Link looked at Corbin, then at Zelda. Zelda glanced back, just for a moment. "The… betrothal? I… he has mentioned it."

"Oh no, a new one."

Zelda raised an eyebrow and tilted her head. "Oh? I am afraid he did not quite detail it for me yet." He hadn't said anything about it to her at all, and Zelda felt a flash of annoyance that her father was trying to keep her in mystery about her future.

"Simply that, upon acceptance of a betrothal, you would move into our home for a while, and live with us, so that you and I could become used to each other in an enclosed space."

Zelda shook her head. "Why would I move out there? It is not that your home isn't beautiful, but we will be living in the castle fulltime once we are married. Should we not be living there?"

Corbin floundered; he didn't have a proper defense against this line of reasoning. After all, it was his father's idea in the first place. "Well, uh, I would hope that we could think of my house as… a summer home, of sorts. A palace to escape the palace. It's quite popular nowadays."

Zelda narrowed her eyes, thinking as she drank her tea. "I will have to talk to my father about this," she said finally, "before I can give you my decision." She did not like what this whole idea of living with Corbin in his house implied. Link would stay at the castle as he would not be needed to chaperone in Zelda's fiance's own home, and he had training to boot.

Link had been silent the whole time, staring between the two of them. He didn't like this idea at all, but his disagreement would mean nothing if the king wanted to do it. For the first time, he wished their lunch would hurry to an end.

-

A torturous and uncomfortable hour later, Corbin helped Zelda and Link collect and sort the plates into the proper baskets. Link shook out the picnic blanket while Zelda and Corbin stood near the horses.

"Will I see you at the ball?" Corbin asked. "I would like to take a dance with you."

Zelda smiled, all teeth. "Of course you will. I think that would be very… appropriate."

Corbin smiled back. "I will tell my father to await the king's decision on the matter, then. I do hope you would like to stay with us, Your Highness."

Zelda shrugged her shoulders. "We shall see."

Link walked to them, the blanket over his arm, and Corbin bowed to him. "It was good to see you again, Master Tolrose."

"You too," Link replied, although he didn't really mean it.

Corbin kissed Zelda's hand. "I shall see you in a few days, then."

Zelda nodded, watching as he climbed up on his horse and cantered off with a wave. The two of them stood there, watching the dust settle over the ground.

"Do you think he'll tell somebody?" Link asked.

"I don't know," Zelda replied. She shook her head. "But perhaps we should cool our passions for a while, in that case."

Link nodded agreement and helped her up onto her horse, climbing up and following her back to the castle, a respectful distance behind.

-

Corbin rode home in stony-faced shock. Hadn't Zelda accepted the betrothal? What was she doing alone with her guard then, the two of them on each other outdoors like two common people! A disgusting display! Especially if the rumors about Link were true; that he was a liar, a fraud. He must have deceived the princess, bewitched her somehow to manipulate her for his own physical desires. Corbin narrowed his eyes; he would certainly write to the king of this when he got a chance, to warn him that his daughter's own guard was making a pass at her virtue. He worked himself up into a good anger, intending to sit down and write the letter the second he got home.

He put his horse in the stables, stomped inside, avoided his parents, and locked his bedroom door, sitting down and writing at a furious pace. He would not sit idly by while his betrothed was entranced by some… charlatan, some conniving beast! Corbin wasn't jealous, just concerned! Really!

He worked and reworked the letter multiple times, trying to emphasize Link's offenses and downplay Zelda's involvement. In the end, it sounded more as if Corbin had rescued Zelda from nearly being raped, or at least that was the heavy undertone.

Corbin read the final draft five or six times, and when he was satisfied, he folded the letter, placed it into an envelope, and sealed it with wax, to be sent to the castle in the morning.

-

Dinner that night was quiet. The king was concerned, because Zelda seemed content to ignore him or answer his questions with a few words; she looked angry over something. Link, himself, looked on edge, and actually asked to be excused early.

The king let Link leave, and it was just himself and Zelda sitting awkwardly at the dining table.

"I ran into Master Corbin Golliet during lunch today," she finally said, her eyes narrowed.

"Oh?" The king tilted his head.

"He told me something quite interesting," Zelda continued through gritted teeth. "That the Grand Duke has made an offer of my living at their residence once the betrothal is settled."

The king nodded. "Yes, he has made such an offer. However, I did not tell you because I am considering turning it down. I would far rather have you in the castle, as you will be living here after marriage."

"That is what I told him," Zelda replied, much calmer now that she knew once again that her father was on her side. "He, however, believes their house would make a suitable secondary palace."

The king nodded again. "It might, but that will be something you will have to consider once you are queen."

"Yes, father." Zelda went back to her meal, a bit heartened, but not much.

-

After an hour, Link was brought some buttered biscuits, a cup of weak tea, and a note. The first two he'd requested, as he'd been hungry, but the third was from Zelda. It was a simple request for him to meet her for a nightcap in the library. Link took his time finishing his late snack, and headed to the library.

Zelda was already there in her evening robes, and she smiled expectantly at Link when he came in. She poured them both a small glass of sweetened sherry, and handed one to him. Link sat down quickly and took a little sip, wrinkling his nose at the taste.

"Because of the incident today, I… think it might be prudent if we restrain our affection for each other for a little while," Zelda started, folding her hands together. She hadn't bothered with a sip yet.

Link looked at her over his glass and nodded. "Well, yeah, I agree with you on that. We… it was a little close."

"Far too close," she interjected. "I cannot risk losing my kingdom and you so suddenly."

Link nodded his head. "Of course not."

Zelda studied her nails. "We shall start immediately, then. No more lunches in the countryside, no… adventures out in the maze. Agreed?"

Link looked down at his drink while Zelda stared at him. "Agreed," he added finally.

Zelda nodded her head and finally took up her glass of sherry, downing it in a gulp that made Link wince. "Good, then. Take me to my rooms."

She did not even let him kiss her hand when they got to the staircase, pulling her fingers slowly from his grip, refusing to make eye contact with him. Link was a little angry at her reaction; after all, it wasn't as if he was the only one who was so in love. Right?

-

Zelda ascended the stairs quickly, her jaw set and her eyes narrow. Putting on a face of anger helped to keep her tears at bay. But maybe it was for the best? They could work on being friends, strengthen bonds that would last well into her reign; a very important thing to share with someone she fully intended to make into one of her personal guards once his training had finalized. And it would be best if their romance halted now, so that it would not be harder later, when there could be far more serious consequences.

But all the same, she stormed into her rooms and shut the door tight, wanting to be alone for a while. She wriggled out of her dress and managed to undo her own corset, unhooking the busk and loosening the stays quickly, casting it aside and pulling on her nightgown. Her servants were mistaken in assuming she would be up late, explaining their absence; they were boozing in the kitchens, supposing that Her Highness would ring for them if she needed them. It was one of the few times Zelda was glad they did not constantly follow her like baby ducks; she did not think she could bear being around others that would want to know why she was so unhappy. She did not think she could hold off telling them.

The castle was a moody place that night.

Link laid in his cot, staring at the barrack room ceiling, even as his fellow soldiers snored and mumbled and grunted in their sleep, tossing and turning. Perhaps, he reconciled himself, it was good that they were taking this break. Not just because they could get in serious trouble, but because that way, he wouldn't be tempted to pull Zelda into a secluded corner and

He was only a mortal, after all, and even as an instrument to the Goddess' will, he had a will of his own. Once more, Link dug his nails into the palm of his hands, letting the sharp pain cool his anger and frustration. He never should have signed up for this. Link closed his eyes. The ball was in three days. He would act the perfect gentleman, and no one would suspect a thing of him. That he could hope for.

He rolled over in his bed, and forced himself to sleep.

-

The next day, Zelda awoke and wondered why she felt so miserable. It took her over an hour to remember that she was calling it off with Link, and when she did remember, she gasped and said, "Oh!" and it startled the girl doing her hair, who immediately screwed up the plait she was working on and had to backtrack a bit. Zelda shook her head, refusing to explain why she'd just cried out, and her maids dared to not press the issue further.

She ate breakfast alone in her rooms, staring out the window at the guards practicing. It took effort for her to put her back to the window and finish her meal. The maids fluttered around like panicked birds; she looked so moody today, and they just wanted to assure that they could do nothing for her. Was she absolutely sure?

Finally, Zelda spoke up. "I am not feeling very well today; I think I want to stay in and rest." The women nodded. It wasn't a complete lie, she was feeling miserable. "Would someone write a note for Master Tolrose that I will not be seeing him for lunch?" she asked softly as she climbed back into bed. The women assured her that they would do such a thing, and left her rooms so she could rest and continue feeling sorry for herself.

-

Link got the note not an hour after he was done cleaning up from training. He read it a few times, and frowned. "She's avoiding me completely," he growled to himself. He crumpled the note in one hand and decided he would spend his day with her father instead. Those proposals would keep him distracted enough, he hoped.

The king was surprised to see Link so soon, but nodded and offered him a good-natured smile in any case, setting down a heavy stack of papers before Link's seat. "The newest ones sent today," the king informed him. Link looked it over warily, but every minute reading those was one less being a little angry with Zelda. So he started sorting into three piles—law, proposal, land barter. He was halfway through the pile when he discovered a sealed note. Well, the king was trusting Link with sensitive notes and most of the kingdom's land dealings (though those weren't usually sealed), why should this be different? Link tore it open and started reading. It was addressed to the king, written on heavy cream paper in a rushed, cursive hand. Link read slowly, but Corbin got right to the point-

To Your Esteemed Majesty,

It is my deepest shame and regret to inform you that Her Highness the Princess Zelda may be in danger. I discovered Master Tolrise pushing her into a compromising position just yesterday, alongside the banks of the Hylian River. I apprehended Master Tolrise before he could compromise Her Highness, but I confess that I am alarmed at his uncouth boldness with Her Highness. I fear that he does not respect the sanctity of her virtue, nor appreciates what a sullied queen could mean for the fragile future of Hyrule…

Link forced himself to stop reading. He was seeing red, and his heart was pounding in fury in his chest. The little snot had better pray to the Goddesses that he did not run into Link at the ball. Link glanced at the king; he was also deep in thought over a letter of his own. As quietly as he could, Link folded up the letter and stuffed it into his pocket, planning to burn it later. He wished to tell Zelda of what had transpired, but it occurred to him she would only cite it as more proof that their affection for each other had to cease immediately, lest others run into them and do not use such accusatory speech.

And they still couldn't get his fake name right!

-

Sick of her room and lacking in adequate books, Zelda finally left her room, still wrapped in her pajamas. It was late, well past dinner (which Link and the king 'enjoyed' in an uncomfortable silence, Link still fuming and the king lost in thought over worries of summer drought. They hadn't yet begun, but there was always a bad one in summer), and the castle was quiet, the occasional raucous laughter drifting from the kitchens.

Zelda escorted herself to the library, picking out a book and deciding, since the chairs were more comfortable on her back than a mountain of pillows, that she would linger near the windows, though it was dark and she could barely see a thing.

The book she selected was a grim story of one of the first queens, who had married and been betrayed by one of Ganondorf's first incarnations. She was painted to look like a traitor as he siphoned money from Hyrule and put it into Gerudo, building elaborate temples and irrigation systems through the desert. Those were the dark, early days. Zelda's great ancestor of that time would have been one of the Seers the queen relied on in times of war.

It was the original Zelda, although in that time the name had been spelled closer to Skaeldaea, Ancient Hylian for "She who Knows". That Zelda had seen the darkness Ganondorf wore as easily as a cape, and warned the queen time and time again. The queen believed her, but a Vision against a member of the royal family was considered treason in that time. Skaeldaea was hanged for her troubles, leaving her husband, Yynczi ("Butcher") and her daughter, Schaekzi ("Secrets"), behind. It was a sad story, even more so knowing it was one of the few times Ganondorf (his Ancient Hylian name was roughly Hyannyndaargh, "He of the Boar's Tusk Moon") had actually won for a while, until Skaeldaea's apprentice Skaeldania ("She who Sees") handed Yynczi's young nephew, Yyngdos ("Carver") a rusty, thin dagger, and told him of his destiny to assassinate the tyrannous king.

Zelda had not even opened the book yet, lost in memory. She traced the worn, gold title imprint on the cover. Had she ever told Link she could trace his ancestors back hundreds of centuries? Mayhap, when all had settled and she was safely trapped in marriage, their restrained friendship easy to swallow, she would show him.

A light outside one window caught her eye. Could they never stay more than several yards apart? Link was out there, lighting a match. This intrigued her, he did not seem the smoking type (except for that time at the ball, but really everyone was smoking, it just seemed appropriate). She squinted through the glass, frowning, watching as he held the match to a piece of paper, catching it aflame. Was it something he'd written to her? Was he planning something she'd ruined? Doubt clouded her thoughts as she watched the heavy paper turn slowly to ash, Link doing the same until it was nearly at his fingertips.

The last bit he flung on the ground and stomped on once, twice, three times with his boot heel, but he couldn't stop. He kicked and stomped at the ground, his hands in fists and his teeth bared. Zelda shrank back from the window, to stifle the urge to rush out and comfort him. Such a thing would only put them at square one right now.

Zelda forced her book open, and started reading.

------------

AN: Well, I suppose this poor thing isn't really very humorous anymore, is it? I'm sorry about the delays and the sudden downturn into Angstville, I can't guarantee it'll get better, either. But thank you everyone who didn't get sick of me yet and are sticking with it!