The Girl with the Green Hair

by ZeldaRubix

Link is contemplating marriage, but has second thoughts due to his clashes with the royal family and the secrets they posses. Things get more complicated when a mysterious woman comes into his life that reminds him of his beloved childhood friend Saria. Rated T for language, action, and adult situations. THIS STORY WILL BE REWRITTEN.

22. Chapter 22

Inspirations: FFVIII & FFX, "Training Day", The Legend of Zelda, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Donkey Kong, Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey, Fabio (the model).

Major Shout Out: To the regular readers: thank you all for reading, this is the beginning of the end.

Author Note: If none of the inspiration makes any sense now it will later. This is the first of the last three chapters. Only two more to go! ADDENDUM 4/17/2013 I apologize for the long delay, but I have some crazy I news! I got married April 12, 2013, so that is why I wasn't able to update until now. Thank you all for reading. ~ZR~.

---

The Engagement Party: Part 1

Chapter 22

The next six days passed in relative peace. I stayed with Saria and the old man in the meantime, and decided to help them pack and head to Kakiriko Village. Since the presence of the portal over Lake Hylia, it was considerably more dangerous for the both of them to be living at the laboratory alone. The old man's condition was still cautionary, but at least he was stable. He had to wear a neck brace until his recovery was complete. The wound he sustained went through several layers of subcutaneous flesh, and as such, he was fortunate to be alive.

That blue chu jelly is really something, I thought.

The last thing I wanted, or needed, was to hear that anything had happened to either one of them.

There was enough for me to worry about.

How is this going to go down? I wondered. Why couldn't Daphnes and I at least try to vie on the side of reason?

It was no matter of real concern, I knew the meeting with Daphnes would have its eventual outcome. However, I couldn't lie, I was hoping for some civility. Zant was on the move, and planning a decisive strike against the kingdom. There was an immediate need on all fronts for cooperation to defeat him. As it stood however, the only thing the king and I could agree on was that we would adamantly disliked each other.

That's a start, I thought sarcastically.

Even still, I needed a plan to counter the upcoming insurgence. The only thing that seemed doable was making sure there was a heavy military presence during the party tomorrow. I already briefed all factions of the army on Twili logistics and counterattacks. Many of the men were openly confused with what I was talking about. Most of them not even knowing what a 'Twili' was. After the briefing, some of the men inquired of my health and thought I was going mad. I couldn't I say I blamed them, there was a little madness behind what was about to take place.

Let's hope there's some real foreseeable outcome through all this, I thought.

In all honesty, hope was the only thing I had to bank on regarding this situation. Hope and my sword, and there was only so far my sword could reach. My biggest dilemma was how I was going to protect the civilians. I knew Zant was banking on using them as a distraction. If all of Hyrule showed up, that would be well over a hundred thousand people in attendance. I paused and thought about that.

A hundred thousand people... I let my mind trail, that's going to be a bloodbath.

Even if all one hundred thousand didn't show up, there would still be a considerable number of casualties. I sighed while pondering over all this.

If Daphnes would just cancel the party... I thought, but I had to let my reasoning go.

There was no reasoning with a dictator.

I didn't understand how he thought the party would be an element of surprise when Zant already knew of its inception. It was more like an element of stupidity.

I'll never understand that man, I thought.

Even still, I had to make do with what I was given. I made sure to memorize the itinerary for the party. I wanted there to be no surprises in relation to the festivities. In fact, I planned my whole line of strike based off the party schematics. It was all I could do to stay on top of everything. I really had no other alternatives.

It was either that, or the true element of surprise, I thought.

At ten hundred the party would begin. At the same time the ground troops would get into position and station themselves at their posts. Fifteen minutes later, the guests would give their greetings and thanks to Zelda and I. During that small window, the captains and generals would give the signal to stand guard, but be on full alert. At noon the Gerudo dancers would take to the floor, providing an exotic alternative to the usual orchestral entertainment. In the mean time, the soldiers would continue their watch and only disengage the stance of ease if there was any untoward activity on the horizon. At twelve forty-five the Eldin Circus would take to the floor for jokes and theatrics. This time was vital, as this left a brief window of delay in protection. When the troupe came in, there would be a lag in rotations. I would keep my senses heightened, because Zant may have chosen to attack during that small period. At thirteen hundred forty-five the meal would be served, and the cavalry would be on standby. At fifteen forty-five the guests would present their gifts. At the same time, dispatches would be sent to all areas where portals had actuated. At seventeen hundred, the guests were to begin clearing the banquet hall, and hopefully Zant wouldn't be a threat any longer.

This ends tomorrow, I thought, one way or another.

In the present, I was loading a wooden crate onto the back of Saria's wagon. The laboratory was nearly cleared out, when she noticed the subdued expression on my face.

"What's the matter?" she asked me, pausing for a moment before she handed me anything else.

I shook my head and ran a hand through my blonde hair.

"Nothing," I replied.

Saria frowned at me, knowing that wasn't true.

"When you sound like that, you're begging for someone to ask you something otherwise," she said to me, putting her hands on her hips. "Come on, out with it. I know something is wrong."

I paused for a moment, then gestured for her to hand me the next item.

I don't want to make more of this than what it already is, I thought.

"When you get to Kakiriko Village, just stay put," I said, loading a large urn onto the wagon. "I don't want you or the old man leaving for anything unnecessarily."

Saria nodded, then handed me another jug to load onto the wagon.

"I know what you mean," she replied, "I'm just grateful gramps has the extra room to let us stay."

I noticed she completely glossed over what I said. I gave her an offhanded look.

"Saria," I said, "did you hear what I said?"

She looked away for a moment, then reluctantly nodded.

"Yes," she replied, "I heard you."

Her tone was a little short. In all honesty, I didn't care that she was upset, her life meant a lot more to me than anything else.

"I mean it Saria," I said with a stern undertone, "I don't want you or the doctor leaving."

She avoided my eyes and jumped down off the wagon.

"I'll make sure the doctor stays put," she said to me, then turned in a hurry to go back into the laboratory.

However, before Saria went off, I took hold of her hand.

"What?" I asked her knowingly.

She thinks she's sly wording it the way she did, I thought.

Saria looked at me slightly upset.

"I'm going to make sure the doctor is safe," she repeated.

I gave her another funny look.

I knew she was thinking of doing something she shouldn't, I thought.

"I'm talking about the both of you," I said to her.

Saria bit her lower lip and shook her head.

"I'm not promising you that," she said to me defiantly.

I looked at her, feeling a slight annoyance with her stubbornness.

"Saria-" I started.

"You might need my help," she interrupted, "you may be the Hero of Time, but I still could be of some use to you."

I took in a deep breath, jumped down from the wagon, and unwrapped the course fibers I had around my hands to protect me from splinters.

"I thought we discussed this already," I stated.

Saria looked away from me, but I turned her face back to mine.

Come on Sar... I thought.

"We didn't discuss anything," she said to me upset, "you told me you didn't want me there."

I hated the fact she was putting it that way.

"But can't you understand why?" I asked, trying to be reasonable. "It's going to be dangerous."

Saria looked away from me again, and took in a frustrated breath.

"I won't get in your way," she said, still trying to fight me.

I turned her face back to mine once more.

"Saria..." I trailed, not needing to finish.

She rolled her eyes.

"Are you sure there's no other reason you don't want me there?" she asked suddenly. "You seem adamant about not wanting to see me."

I gave her at offhanded stare.

What is she getting at? I wondered.

"I don't follow you," I said, "what do you mean?"

Saria swallowed hard and still avoided my eyes.

"Are you sure it isn't because you don't want me to see how much you're going to flirt with your future wife?" she demanded.

I looked at her mildly stunned. I was surprised at this unnecessary jealous spiel. She knew as well as I that I had to play a role. There was no getting around that. Zant was going to attack at the engagement party. I knew Saria was only saying that because she was angry. Even still, she knew that a comment like that would get under my skin, especially considering she knew how much I loved her.

I'm not going to let that fly, I thought.

"That isn't funny," I replied.

She finally looked into my eyes.

"It wasn't meant to be funny," she said. "You think I'm going to be comfortable with the whole kingdom there to congratulate you on your upcoming marriage to the princess? Think Link. How do you think that makes me feel?"

I narrowed my eyes slightly.

"You know I want you as my wife," I said, "and once this is all over, we are going to get married. Stop being so defiant because you want to argue."

She shook her head.

"Do you think it's going to be easy to leave her when everyone thinks you're going to be their king after today?" she went on. "You aren't going to be able to just leave her after everything is said and done. I know you too well. You have too much honor for that."

I didn't know what it was, but something in her words struck a deep chord within me. I wasn't going to admit it, but she had a ring of truth there. I would never allow Hyrule to suffer due to my selfishness. I was a man of duty and sacrifice. My entire life was built on such service. However, I also wasn't going to stand there and let my best friend think the worst of the situation. There was still hope.

We can still have a future, I thought.

"Saria you're going to be my wife," I reassured, "stop worrying."

She took in an irritated breath.

"Link-" she tried.

I had heard enough.

"Drop it!" I snapped, raising my voice slightly. "I don't want to hear anything that ridiculous come out of your mouth again, do you understand me?"

Saria looked at me surprised. She knew I was dead serious. She raised her eyebrows and took a step back. We were silent for a few minutes. I knew the stress of everything was starting to get to us. There was so much pressure from all sides, and the kingdom being threatened only added to the magnitude of the situation.

"Okay," she muttered finally, "fine, whatever."

I sighed at her reply, knowing she didn't see things completely the same way as I did, and tried to hug her. However, she pushed herself back from me.

"You may be able to give me orders, but you can't touch me at your beck and whim! I am not a whore!" she said with a nasty undertone.

I looked at her surprised, but didn't reply. I knew she only said that because she was upset.

She knows I wasn't doing that for anything other than what it was, I thought, she knows I don't think she's a whore.

"Saria-" I started.

"I've got to go get the rest of my things," she interrupted, and walked away from me.

I looked after her and sighed. She brushed past the old man briskly as she went into the house. The scientist looked at her confused, then turned to me.

"What's wrong with her?" he asked me.

I shook my head.

"Nothing a good night's rest won't handle," I replied.

The old man raised his eyebrows.

"Sounds like a lover's quarrel," he said to me.

I grunted softly.

More like a warriors quarrel, I thought, I didn't realize Saria could be so headstrong.

"How are you feeling?" I asked, changing the subject.

He sighed and tried to come down the stairs on his own. I immediately stopped what I was doing and went to help him. His gait was still unsteady, and I didn't want him falling.

"Thank you," he replied. "I'm about as good as I can get to answer your initial question. I think I can take this brace off in a day or two."

I only nodded. To say I was relieved he was going to make a full recovery was an understatement. The doctor had been a constant help, and was an innocent bystander in this mess. I would have hated for anything detrimental to happen to him.

I'm glad he's going to be okay, I thought.

"Good," I said, jumping back onto the wagon bed to make more room, "and with more amenities in Kakariko Village you have better access to care right there."

The old man tried to nod.

"True," he replied, "but I am taking my ingredients with me for my potions just in case. The old woman at the potion shop might be stingy."

I smirked, almost forgetting he had a relationship with her.

That's true, I thought, it did take a long time to get her to sell blue potions. She has a strange affinity for rotting mushrooms.

"Right, better to be safe than sorry," I replied.

The old man chuckled a hoarse chuckle.

"By the way the analysis on the crystal is complete," he divulged, changing the subject, "and those portals will be fully functional tomorrow."

I felt my grin fade as the seriousness of the situation precluded my thoughts once more.

That means... I didn't finish my thoughts.

"Did you tell Saria about your findings yet?" I asked, detracting a little.

The old man sighed and tried to shake his head no.

"I didn't want to frighten her with a potential problem," he said to me honestly, "it is still theoretical."

I merely nodded, understanding his conjecture all too well.

"It seems like the best course of action right now," I replied.

Why make her worry about something we are not absolutely certain about? I thought.

The old man sighed again.

"I hope so," he said more to himself than to me.

I paused at his tone.

He's just as worried as I am, I thought, but who wouldn't be?

"I hope so too," I replied, and tried to grin again, but then turned back around to see what was taking Saria so long with those other things. "I'll be right back."

I jumped down from the wagon and hurried up the porch steps to enter the laboratory. I didn't see Saria anywhere downstairs in the living room or the kitchen. So, I went upstairs and checked the hall. She wasn't there either.

Why is she doing this now? I wondered, slightly upset. We have to go.

I finally went up to her room door and knocked. Out of nowhere, there was a sudden loud bang and a tumbling of materials of sorts that succeeded after it. At hearing that, I immediately opened the door. I looked around the room concerned for her safety.

"Are you alright?" I asked.

Saria's was looking at me with wide frightened eyes that then narrowed in anger.

"Why the hell did you open my door?" she snapped, she was holding a towel around her neck. "What if I were naked Link?"

I gave her an offhanded stare and was taken aback slightly. I wasn't expecting this reaction. I didn't understand her anger.

We're moving, I thought of her odd logic, why would you be naked?

I was surprised at her rude tone.

"I was worried you may have hurt yourself," I said to her calmly, giving her a suspicious look.

She swallowed hard.

"I'm fine," she said quickly, "now could you please get out?"

I gave her a full once over with open distrust and didn't budge.

"No," I replied, "what are you doing in here?"

Saria took a step back, and nearly fell over a stack of books. I tried to help her, but she wouldn't have it.

"I'm fine," she snapped, holding on tightly to the towel, "I want you to leave!"

Whatever she was hiding had to do with her neck. I took a step towards her. She took a step back.

What... is she doing? I wondered, narrowing my eyes at her.

"Remove the towel Saria," I ordered all of a sudden.

She stiffened when I said that.

"No," she said in defiance.

I took another step towards her.

"Remove it," I said more firmly, showing her I was not playing with her.

Saria held onto to it tighter.

"No," she replied again.

I took in a deep breath, and clicked my tongue irritably off the side of my teeth.

"Okay," I replied, coming towards her, "I'll remove it myself."

Saria put her hands put defensively and panicked.

"No Link!" she begged, but I gripped the towel and pulled it away anyway.

I looked at her startled when I saw the gaping wound at the base of her neck.

What the hell? I thought, but then I saw the knife she was trying to conceal.

I grabbed her wrist and pulled the knife from her grip.

"What the hell were you doing in here?" I demanded, thinking I already had an idea.

Saria looked away from me, then undid her other fist to reveal a diamond shaped twilight crystal. I took the crystal from her grip and held it up in front of her face accusingly.

"You were going to put this damn thing back inside you, weren't you?" I demanded.

Saria nodded, but didn't answer right away.

"I wanted to help you," she said finally.

I looked away from her having to check my temper and closed my eyes and took in another deep breath. Saria kept her eyes averted to the ground; she looked so innocent just then.

"This crystal gives me extraordinary abilities..." her voice echoed through my memory.

She was going to put this dangerous thing back in her to try to give her an edge to fight, I thought, I won't allow her to do that.

I sighed and took her in my arms and hugged her tight.

"If you want to help me," I whispered into her ear, "you'll stay in Kakariko and look after the old man."

After a few minutes went by, Saria finally hugged me back and buried her head in my shoulder. She trembled a little bit as if she were crying.

"Okay," she finally said in a muffled voice, "I'm sorry, you win. I won't help you."

I pulled her back to look into her eyes.

"You keep saying that as if the only way to help me is if you put your life in danger," I replied. "Staying safe and looking after the doctor is a great help to me Saria. I would worry more if you didn't."

Saria didn't have a reply to that.

"Don't play with your life like this," I said to her seriously, "you're not expendable... you're going to be my wife one day."

She avoided my eyes and blushed. I turned my attention back to her wound and put the towel back over it.

"Sew that up," I said, "I'll meet you downstairs."

I made sure I had the crystal in my possession before I left the room. Saria sighed, then wiped her eyes. I left her room, went back downstairs, and gathered a few more things to put on the wagon. Afterwards, I joined the old man in the front of the wagon. A few minutes later, Saria came out the front door carrying a basket of clothes with a bandage at the nape of her neck.

The old man looked at her puzzled.

"What happened there my dear?" he asked her.

Saria sighed, then grinned at him.

"Something that I shouldn't have been doing," she said honestly, then hoisted herself up the back of the wagon.

The old man still looked confused and shook his head.

"Okay," was all he replied, realizing he would never understand the current generation of young people.

I smiled, and turned around to look at Saria.

"Is the door locked?" I asked her.

She nodded.

Afterwards, I giddied the horses. It was near evening when we finally arrived at Kakariko Village. We decided to leave later in the evening so we wouldn't have as many rubberneckers gawking when we arrived. I knew some of the villagers still had sour feelings towards Saria. The bazaar owner was already asleep, so we chose not to disturb him. I helped Saria and the scientist unpack and settle into their modest old slash new residence. It was past midnight when everything was cleared and put away. Saria tucked the doctor into bed, then came and sat with me at the table to have a cup of tea. Saria poured the ginger tea in both cups before she sat down.

"Today's the big day," she said, looking out the window at the predawn black sky.

"Yeah," I sighed worried, "today's the day."

Saria looked over at me and grinned.

"You'll do fine," she said to me confidently, "one thing about you Link is that you are incredibly resilient."

I tried to smile back at her.

"I hope so," I said.

She reached over and squeezed my hand.

"You will," she said to me quietly, "You have a..." she stopped herself for some odd reason.

She trailed and I raised my eyebrows for her to continue.

"A what?" I asked.

Saria sat back and grinned at herself for some offhanded reason, then shook her head.

"Nothing," she replied.

I looked at her puzzled.

Wait a minute... I thought.

"Tell me Sar," I said to her.

Saria shook her head.

"It's not important," she said, "if it were, I promise I would have told you."

I looked at her for a moment. I didn't like she was keeping things from me, especially after that stunt she pulled upstairs in her bedroom, but I decided to let it go. She sat with me, looking like she was in some deep contemplation, before she got up from the table and headed for the staircase.

"Goodnight," she said to me softly, taking her teacup upstairs with her, "I'm tired, you should get to bed as well... hero."

I was surprised she was retiring so soon.

"You don't want to talk for a little bit?" I asked her. "Or... anything else perhaps?"

Saria looked at me mildly stunned at my outright invitation. She blushed, paused at the staircase, and tapped her fingers on the guard rail.

"No... we better not," she said quietly, "you need your rest, but thank you anyway."

After saying that, Saria continued upstairs to her room. I stared after her and took in a deep breath. I wanted to comfort her, knowing she was skeptical about how everything was going to turn out.

"Goodnight," I said.

I then got up from the table myself and went to lay down on the couch. I stared at the ceiling for what seemed like forever.

It all goes down today, I thought, then induced myself to sleep.

~SSS~

I woke up at dawn and dressed in my white tunic and silver cloak. I left the house without disturbing either Saria or the old man. I headed for the castle and arrived at Castle Town a little before the seventh hour. Even with the early onset of the day, there were hundreds of people already lined up outside the gate to head into the castle. I shouldn't have been surprised, but I was, and once everyone saw me approach they instantly began greeting me.

"Good morning Sir Link," a young man said to me, "congratulations!"

"Yes good sir!" another man said spiritedly. "Congratulations!"

A few young maidens bowed as I walked by. I nodded in return. I paused when a little boy asked me if I could sign his wooden sword.

"I know that seems strange," he said, speaking like he was conjuring a million words a second, "but I told my brother I would get my sword signed by you so he could do my chores for a week."

I chuckled at his incredible dialogue speed, and everyone laughed at the boy's honesty. I simply shrugged and gave the young man his menial request, I signed his sword.

"You're going to grow up and be a great swordsman someday, right?" I said to him enthusiastically.

The little boy's eyes widened.

"I want to be just like you Sir Link!" the little boy replied. "A hero and everything!"

I smiled at his innocence and caught sight of a little girl hiding behind her mother's skirt in my periphery. I glanced over at her and she hid her face again. When she looked at me once more I grinned at her, and gestured for her to come to me. The little girl looked up at her mother before she came over to me, her mother nodded at her, signaling it was okay, and the little girl slowly walked towards me.

She's really going to be captivating when she grows up, I thought.

The young girl could've been Zelda's little sister, her resemblance to the princess was uncanny, with her with her strawberry hair and striking blue eyes. She came up to me from the line and handed me a flower.

"Congratulations sir," she said quietly in a little voice.

I smiled at the child's small gift, then kneeled down to look in the little girl's face.

"When you come of age young maiden, you make sure you get a man worthy of you," I said to her, "someone much better than me."

The little girl's eyes widened and she blushed when I said that.

"There are hero's better than you Sir Link?" she asked me incredulously.

The immediate crowd surrounding us laughed. Her mother quickly came to gather her daughter.

"I'm sorry sir," her mother apologized to me, "she just admires you so much."

I stood up and looked at the young mother, she appeared to be my age.

"It's quite alright," I replied, smiling at her.

The mother had the same reaction as her daughter, she blushed. To soften the milieu, I took her hand in mine and kissed it gently. The woman's eyes grew wide and she nearly fainted.

"S-sir Link!" she said shocked, not knowing what else to say.

"Thank you for honoring Hyrule with your beauty," I said.

The crowd of citizens immediately cheered and applauded. Some of the women looked at the young maiden and her daughter with outright contempt. I then bowed at the two maidens, and made my way back down the road.

"What if the princess finds out sir?" one of the older men called from the crowd jokingly. "They'll be absolute mayhem!"

I stopped and smirked at him.

"We'll keep it our little secret then," I joked, and looked back at the woman, "won't we?"

The young woman blushed again.

"O-of course Sir Link!" she replied.

The crowd broke out in laughter.

The praise and adulation didn't stop as I made my way to, and through, the castle gate. I smiled at everyone, and nodded graciously at their thanksgivings and well wishings. When I left the crowd behind me and headed towards the castle I felt an uneasy sense of dread overcome me.

How many of those people are going to die today? I thought all of a sudden, then looked up at the floating fractal in the sky. Daphnes you are such a damn fool.

Before heading to the banquet hall, I went to the military operations room, the Situation Room, and spoke to the captain of the guard.

"Good morning sir," the captain said to me on full on alert.

"Good morning," I replied, saluting him, "at ease soldier."

The captain relaxed his stance and put his hands behind his back.

"I need for you to have the full army on standby today," I ordered, not beating around the bush. "They must be fully ready to fight, fully equipped and everything. There's no telling what will happen today. Remember the itinerary we went over the last few days. Don't deviate from that for a second, do you understand?"

The captain nodded, but held a flummoxed expression on his face.

"I do indeed," he said, but then asked, "are we expecting an attack sir? With the way you've been preparing us, you'd think Ganondorf himself were returning."

I paused for a moment to answer him honestly.

This individual is no Ganondorf, I thought, but he definitely has the vices of a psychotic menace.

"Yes, we are expecting an attack," I replied, "but this mustn't get out to the public. For whatever reason his majesty believes the citizens will be more of a diversion if they are not in the know. If the citizens find out we'll have mayhem on our hands."

The captain gave me a queer stare.

"You mean... they're being used as bait?" he asked.

I wish I could say no to that, I thought, but given Daphnes' apt stupidity in this regard, I can't help but think the same thing.

"No," I said, not sharing my thoughts with him, "the king would never intentionally do that."

I didn't want my cynicism for his majesty to spread throughout the army. It was one thing for me to feel what I felt. It was completely another if the entire military felt what I felt. Even still, the guard didn't look reassured.

"I see," was all he had to say.

I needed him to stay focused. It was very important that he knew all the cues in relation to the timeline. In a minute decision, I decided to go over them with him once more.

This needs to be spot on, I thought, there can be no hiccups.

"When I was walking up I saw the men on standby," I said, "and I commend you for making it look for like a security measure as a opposed to full on readying for an insurgence."

"Thank you sir," he replied.

I nodded and went on.

"Now," I continued, "what's happening at ten hundred?"

The looked at me seriously just then.

"The troops will take their posts," he said.

I nodded.

"What's happening at ten fifteen?" I asked.

"The military will be on full alert," he stated.

"At twelve hundred?" I inquired.

"Watch for erroneous activity," he replied.

"At thirteen forty-five?" I went on.

"Cavalry will be on standby," the captain said.

I nodded again.

"And at seventeen hundred?" I asked.

"The threat should be averted," he said.

I was pleased he was on point, that was vital to this operation having any success.

The captain nodded himself, but then gave me a look of inquiry.

"Sir, if this threat is so untoward," he began, "why not postpone today's activities? Why have the party at all?"

I looked at the captain, wishing I had a lucid answer for him, but I didn't.

"I agree with your assessment soldier," I said, "unfortunately, not everyone sees things the way you and I do."

The captain tried to hide his surprise, but couldn't.

I know just how you feel, I thought, but couldn't let that emotion become the standard of practice.

"Even still," I said, moving the conversation along, "we have our duty, and we will do whatever it takes to protect the citizens. Remember the evacuation drill we've been practicing for the past two years. We may utilize that today, so be ready. I will signal it in our usual fashion, understand?"

The soldier sighed.

"Yes sir," the captain replied.

I nodded.

"Go," I said to him, saluting him once more.

The captain then went to execute my orders.

I closed my eyes and sighed when he left, then headed back to the castle.

We'll have to wait and see what Zant has up his sleeve, I thought, I don't like being only on the defensive.

I headed back through the main corridor and directed myself to the banquet hall. I stopped short of entering and raised my eyebrows to how beautiful the room looked.

Wow, I thought, this certainly is beautiful.

The room was decorated to perfection. White tapestries hung from banisters. Chandeliers hung high with soft candle light, and marble urns, overflowing with white tulips, accentuated the four corners of the room. There were three thrones placed at the center of the room near the northern most wall. That way the southern entrance doors, opening from the gardens where the guests would come in, would lead to a plush red velvet carpet directing the guests to Zelda, Daphnes, and myself. The red carpet was littered with white rose petals, and embroidered with the crest of the royal family.

I took a whiff of the air and smelled the beginnings of what promised to be an excellent luncheon.

Is that satay I smell? I wondered.

The meal was going to be humble but opulent: roasted pheasants, sweet potato and cherry chutney, and roasted assorted vegetables. In addition, there were going to be three three tiered cakes that could garner three thousand slices each.

Zelda prepared this engagement party like it was our actual wedding, I thought, shaking my head at the grandeur.

I continued to look around at the spectacle when a moment later, I heard a gong dispel the sound barrier. I turned and saw Daphnes enter the room. I took in a deep breath at the sight of the king.

Let's make this as pleasant as possible, I thought, I have to fight and be civil today.

I bowed mechanically, but couldn't lie, I was slightly disgusted by the sight of him. I didn't understand why he was willing to put so many people's lives in danger when he knew what was expected to happen that day.

What else is new? I wondered.

Daphnes paused when he saw me, then advanced slowly.

"Good morning Sir Link," he said to me routinely.

"Good morning sire," I replied, not really wanting to speak with him, but I knew I had no choice, he was the king.

There was a brief silence before I broke it.

"I alerted the guard," I said matter-of-fact, "they are on notice about Zant's attack. All preparations have been made based on the timeline."

Daphnes merely nodded.

I looked at him and raised my eyebrows.

Is he having a change of heart? I wondered.

"If... you want to call this party off and just focus on the military engagement that's completely understandable," I said, hoping Daphnes would choose the side of reason.

Daphnes looked at me and smirked snidely. It was such a strange gesture.

"You already know that isn't going to happen," he replied.

I looked away and let out a frustrated groan.

The true mark or a sociopath, I thought, someone who has little to no empathy for anyone else. Why did I even bother?

I decided to leave the king to his own misgivings and watch for the standard order of defense. There was no way I was going to enjoy myself anyway. A moment later, Zelda entered the room looking stunning in a dark pink gown that complimented her fair skin tone. Her blonde hair was up in a crystal crown with two locks flowing free at the sides of her lovely face. I raised my eyebrows at the sight of her.

She really is one of the most beautiful women in this country, I thought, not denying Zelda her due.

Zelda looked at me hopefully when she saw me staring at her.

"Good morning Sir Link," she said to me quietly.

I bowed respectfully as she approached.

"Good morning your highness," I replied.

Zelda took in a deep breath and smiled at me.

"Wonderful day for a party, don't you think?" she asked me.

I didn't hide the disregard in my face.

She must be joking, I thought.

"If it were under any other circumstance I would wholeheartedly agree with you," I said to her honestly.

She raised her eyebrows perceptively and smiled warmly at me.

"Would you mind coming with me for a moment?" she asked me all of a sudden.

I looked at her with uncertainty.

"Why?" I asked.

She clasped her hands in front of her dress civilly.

"I need to give you something," she said with a vague encryption.

My eyes widened slightly, and I simply nodded. I wasn't going to lie, I was slightly intrigued, and there were still several hours to kill.

Maybe she has something of some use, I thought.

Zelda then took my hand and led me to a corridor leading to the artillery room. She closed the door behind us, making sure we were alone. Afterwards, she went over to a table and pulled up a satin cloth to reveal a crystal sword embedded with the symbol of the Triforce. Zelda picked up the sword and turned and presented it to me.

"This is the sword you have to use to defeat Zant," she said to me quietly. "It is fused with the power of the Triforce of Courage and Wisdom."

I looked at her surprised and nodded. I had no idea she was having a weapon like this made. I took the sword and put it in my sheath. Zelda stood back and admired me for a moment.

"You really do look dashing sir knight," she said to me sweetly and smiled.

Maybe it was her tone, because I couldn't help but smile back.

"Thank you princess," I replied.

Zelda stared into my eyes and immediately had to look away when she became overcome with emotion. I looked to the ground when I saw the tears fill her eyes. I hated to see her cry.

"I know this may mean nothing to you Link," she began, blinking back her tears, "but I'm still in love with you."

I took in a deep breath after hearing her say that. I was torn with my situation with Zelda quite honestly, and in many ways I was just as responsible for what happened between us as she was. I didn't have to ask her to marry me. I didn't have to lead her on for eight years. I didn't have to feel obligated because it was expected of me, but I did. So rightly, Zelda did have entitlements to her feelings.

It's not something she can just cast aside, I thought.

"I know princess," was all I could reply.

The situation was honestly too complicated right now for me to think about.

I need to focus on Zant, and stabilizing the defenses, I thought, matters of the heart can wait.

Zelda took in a deep breath and smiled again.

"Shall we go in?" she asked me.

"Of course," I replied, presenting her my arm.

Zelda took it graciously, then we headed back to the banquet hall. I initially thought she wanted to go arm in arm to do a mock run through of how she wanted us to enter, but I was stunned to see people already gathering in the banquet hall when we arrived.

What's going on? I thought.

I glanced over at Zelda slightly confused.

"Zelda?" I whispered perplexed.

The princess didn't answer.

It's starting already? I thought surprised, looking back out at the crowd. I thought we had a few more hours. I needed those extra three hours!

"Presenting her Royal Highness, Princess Zelda Alexandros Nohansen, and the First Knight of Hyrule Sir Link," a master of ceremonies announced as we stopped at the entrance of the north gate.

To say I was surprised was an understatement. I was downright blindsided by this turn in events. Even still, the crowd broke out into a thunderous applause. I forced a smile across my face.

I wasn't expecting any of this, I thought, feeling anxiety creep into my bones. The last thing I needed, or wanted, was any unnecessary surprises going on throughout the day. I thought I was filled in on everything. What the hell is going on?

"When was the introduction put in the itinerary?" I leaned over and whispered into Zelda ear.

She glanced over at me and smiled.

"The master of ceremonies and I decided on it last night," she whispered back to me.

I looked at her surprised.

"When did you decide to start the party two and a half hours early?" I asked, trying to keep the frustration out of my voice.

Zelda forced a smile and waved to the crowd.

"We needed an element of surprise," she replied, trying to keep up her appearance of refinement, "father and I made the decision last night."

Great, I thought, having to keep my temper in check.

I swallowed hard and smiled back at the crowd.

"Why didn't you inform me of the changes?" I asked, through my clenched smile. "Why did the citizens know, but I didn't?"

Zelda continued to look at the crowd.

"I sent out late invitations last night," she replied.

This is just great! I thought annoyed. My whole military strategy was going to go based on that goddamn timeline! Now I have to improvise.

I didn't let it show, but I was pissed. I needed to find the captain of the guard and I needed to find him in a hurry. Everything had been thrown by this. The only slight advantage we may have gained was throwing Zant off his timeline. I scanned the crowd looking for him, but saw that he wasn't in my line of sight.

What else was changed? I wondered. Damn it!

"Are there any other surprises I need to know about?" I asked, trying to stay civil.

Zelda smiled and waved at the crowd again.

"No," she said quietly, "at least not right now."

Great, I thought with sarcasm.

We then descended down the steps and stationed ourselves at the thrones. I was to the left, Daphnes was to be seated on the right, but was absent, and Zelda was in the center.

Where's Daphnes? I thought searching the crowd, then finally spotted him talking to the captain.

I took in a semi-relieved breath.

At least he's making himself useful, I thought, I wonder what he's saying to him.

The party then got underway with greetings from the citizens. There were at least two thousand people in attendance. It was much less than I initially thought, which I was grateful for. Two thousand people to protect was much easier than one hundred thousand. Even still, two thousand greetings was going to be taxing to say the least.

Two thousand greetings, I thought miserably, but forced a smile, two... thousand... greetings.

The first to approach was an older married couple of obvious wealth and privilege. They both bowed.

"Congratulations Princess Zelda and Sir Link," the woman said, "you two will be the most attractive couple in the entire kingdom."

Zelda nodded and smiled.

"Thank you madam," she replied to the woman.

"Sir Link," the older gentleman started, "I bet every man in here would love to switch places with you."

I wish one of them would, I thought honestly.

I forced a grin.

"I would be all too eager good sir," I replied.

The older gentleman looked at me strangely with regard to my curt undertone, but soon thought nothing of it and bowed. Both he and his wife then departed. The next to approach and give a greeting was the little boy I met earlier and his older brother. They both bowed then approached.

"Congratulations sir and madam," the little boy said enthusiastically, but then turned to me. "Could you please tell my brother Sir Link that you signed my sword and he has to do my chores for the next week?"

Zelda looked at both the young men surprised at their uncouth manner.

I merely smiled.

"I'm afraid it's true," I told the older boy. "I signed it for him this morning."

"Really?" the older one said. "Oh great, this sucks!"

I chuckled at the two boys antics, but some in the crowd were openly showing their disregard for the boy's apparent indiscretion in the use of their language. I saw no problem with it.

Come on people, they're children, I thought incredulously.

Zelda took in a deep breath, then nodded towards one of her attendants. Soon, a guard came and ushered the two boys away. I looked over at Zelda surprised, finding the gesture incredibly rude.

What the hell was that all about? I demanded in my head.

"I can't believe you just did that," I said to her quietly, forcing a smile so no one got suspicious, "they're children Zelda."

Zelda turned to look at me.

"Believe it," she said quietly. "They're children apparently raised in a harem. We have many more guests to get through, and can't spare the time for nonsense. Besides, those children had a serious lack of manners."

I turned my face from her to check my tongue.

As do you, I thought, sitting back on my throne, getting more and more uncomfortable with this situation as time progressed, this is ridiculous.

The next person to approach was the lovely milkmaid from Lon Lon Ranch, my old friend Malon Lon. She bowed respectfully, then came forward. She was with her beau Stephen. I smirked at the sight of the two of them, wishing I had some more free time to give them the proper visit they deserved. I knew Malon was getting married soon, and wouldn't be allotted such free time. In any such case, I was glad to see a familiar friendly face, and it was nice to see some commonality in amongst a sea of stiff aristocracy.

These are my kind of people, I thought.

"I wish you all the best," she said sweetly to Zelda and myself.

Zelda smiled at her.

You know, I thought, I really need to thank Malon for teaching Saria how to domesticate her horse with her song.

"Thank you," Zelda replied softly.

"You two make a stunning couple," Stephen complimented.

I leaned forward and rested myself casually on the armrest of my chair. I saw Zelda's eye widen, and she looked like she was going to have a heart attack.

"How is everything at the ranch?" I asked Malon, wanting to make conversation.

Malon's bit her lower lip, and Zelda turned crimson.

What's the big deal? I wondered.

"Darling," Zelda said to me gently, "we don't ask questions during greetings. It's the custom of the people to wish us well not the other way around."

Is she serious? I wondered in slight disbelief. Are we supposed to be like statues just sitting here or something?

I looked at Zelda surprised, then turned back to Malon whose face was beet red.

"We don't ask questions at greetings?" I repeated to Zelda, trying to make light of it. "Well, what do we do my dear? Just sit here and look pretty?"

I fashioned the question as a joke, which did garner some laughs, but I could see in the faces of Zelda, and then looking over at Daphnes in the distance that they were not happy with my behavior. I was to the point that their discretions were no longer a concern of mine. Hell, Daphnes was willing to sacrifice most of these people anyway.

Who cares? I thought, tired of the stiff necked nonsense.

There was a brief tense silence, and poor Malon looked like she wanted to get away from there.

"Uh... everything is fine," Malon answered, unsure if she should or not, "thank you for asking. I wish you all the best again. Come on dear." She tugged on her fiance's arm.

With that, they both bowed again and hurried from in front of us. I nodded at Malon and Stephen, and didn't hide the slight irritation in my face.

This is ridiculous, I thought upset, did Zelda really have to do that in front of someone?

I was so annoyed, I didn't even notice the next set of well wishers. Zelda nudged me on the side, and I finally came back to reality from the preoccupation.

"Dear..." Zelda trailed.

I was getting tired of this. I didn't want to do this in the first place.

I've got your dear, I thought.

"Uh... thank you," I said with an oblong undertone, not hearing a word the new couple said.

I wanted these proceedings to be done with.

This is taking a ridiculous amount of time, I thought.

"Is everything okay Sir Link?" the gentleman asked me.

"He's fine," Zelda segued for me with a smile.

I was tired of her meddling. I turned to Zelda and looked at her.

"I can answer for myself," I said to her firmly, "my dear."

Zelda looked at me shocked as did the young couple greeting us.

I turned my attention back to them.

"I'm fine good sir and madam," I said, "thank you for asking."

The young couple looked at me perplexed, especially considering the expression on my face.

"Uh... indeed," the young woman said to me, "all the best to you sir."

I only nodded as they walked by.

When I saw who the next person was I groaned slightly, and tried to hide my face.

It was Prince Tidus from Zanarkan.

I hate this guy, he always has something stupid to say, I thought frustrated. Why doesn't he just go play blitz ball or whatever that silly game is?

He bowed and approached the throne. He looked deeply into Zelda's eyes.

"If only all the world were as beautiful as you Princess of Hyrule," Tidus said to Zelda, "we would be in a much better place."

He took her hand into his and kissed the back of her palm.

Oh goddesses, I thought annoyed, is he for real?

Zelda blushed.

"Thank you Prince Tidus," she said to him softly.

Tidus looked over at me, then back to Zelda.

"Sir Link," he said to me stiffly.

The feeling was more than mutual.

"Prince Tidus," I said with a nod of respect.

Tidus then turned his attention back to Zelda.

"It's too bad you didn't have more time to consider my offer," he said to her boldly, "you would have been the perfect queen of Zanarkan."

I smirked at him.

"Believe me good prince," I began, "if she could change her mind, I'm sure she would."

Zelda looked over at me surprised at my assertion.

Tidus narrowed his eyes at me.

"Yes," he said to me quietly, "I'm sure of that too."

Tidus bowed, then went to the wayside.

I merely nodded at him.

Next to approach was Prince Leonhart from Balaam. The handsome devil hated my guts ever since I beat his record three years back during a hunt in his home territory of Balaam Garden.

He's probably still pissed about that, I thought with a snide grin.

"Princess if there were but one word to describe you at this moment," Leonhart began, "it would be 'innocent.'"

Wrong, I thought, there is nothing innocent about this woman.

I didn't mean to, but out of nowhere I started chuckling at the ridiculous rhetoric.

Prince Leonhart looked at me with slight repugnance.

"Is there something funny Sir Link?" he asked me with obvious disregard.

I just looked at him.

"You mean besides the silly words coming out of your mouth?" I replied. "No."

Prince Leonhart narrowed his eyes at me.

"If I didn't respect her highness so much..." he trailed.

I narrowed my eyes at him.

"You'd what?" I challenged.

Zelda quickly cleared her throat and forced a smile across her face.

"Thank you for your compliment Prince Leonhart," she said quickly. "It is always important to have such a prudent ally."

Prince Leonhart took Zelda's hand and kissed it, then glared at me.

"All the best to you Sir Link," he said mechanically.

"Likewise," I said, turning from facing him.

The greetings went on for another two hours.

I honestly thought my behind fell asleep.

"When is this going to be over?" I muttered to myself annoyed.

Zelda glanced over at me in slight irritation with regard to my attitude, apparently having heard what I said.

"It's going to get better Sir Sourpuss," she whispered to me.

I looked around the room to see where Daphnes had gone and he was still standing near the captain. Apparently, he conjured up some plan that I wasn't in the know of. Even still, the captain initiated several aspects of the plan we constructed before. I saw the soldiers dispersed inside the hall, and outside surrounding the wall in the gardens. They were on full alert.

At least the captain knows how to improvise, I thought.

Zelda saw that my attention was diverted, and that actually caught the attention of several of the guests. To circumvent what was going on and liven up the party, the princess cued the master of ceremonies to introduce the Gerudo Sword Dancing Troupe. It was a good save.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Hyrule is proud to present you with the exotic apparitions from the eastern Gerudo Desert, the Gerudo Dance Troupe!" the master of ceremonies exclaimed.

The audience cheered and clapped as they cleared the main floor. Nine beautiful Gerudo dancers pranced onto the marble clearing and prostrated themselves of the floor.

"Your highness and sir knight," the lead dancer began, "we as part of the Gerudo tribe fashioned this dance for your ceremony in honor of our two nations now at peace."

The Gerudo woman put her hands together and then bowed. She rejoined her troupe as they waited for the cue of the music. The musical cadence began and all the women stood up slowly, then they each pulled out two long Katanas and started gliding across the floor. The audience gasped in wonder as the women tossed the swords to each other and flipped into aerial attack pirouettes gracefully without injuring themselves. However, the main gasp came when the women ceased with the swords, and pulled off their warlike garb revealing skimpy two piece outfits and transitioned into a risqué belly dance. I raised my eyebrows when I saw that.

Now this is more like it, I thought with a subtle grin.

I think every man in that hall was now paying attention.

I knew I was.

The lead dancer strayed away from the group and shimmied up the steps, clanging her castanets, and coming towards the thrones of Zelda and myself. She was smiling and her beautiful red hair was a striking contrast to her golden hazel eyes and caramel brown skin. I could sense Zelda was not comfortable with the overt sexuality of this woman, but she tried not to let it show.

"I didn't realize they were going to do this dance," she said quietly to herself. "Maybe I should have reminded them children were going to be here."

The woman stopped in front of Zelda and smiled sweetly, but then furtively made her way over to me and raised her arms into another shimmy and flexed her flat abdominal muscles back and forth and winked at me. She clanged her castanets near my ears flirtatiously before sitting down temporarily in my lap. She didn't initiate any movement for a lap dance, but I think everyone in that hall knew she wanted to give me one. Instead, she jumped up, kissed my nose, and pretended it was an innocent gesture.

Well played, I thought.

"Congratulations sir knight," she said to me seductively.

I didn't wink back so as not to start a controversy, but I did raise my eyebrows and smirk.

Nice... silhouette, I thought of her sexy curvaceous body.

"Thank you," I replied back, clearing my throat a little.

The Gerudo woman then went back down the steps and ended the number with her troupe. The crowd broke out into thunderous applause, especially the men.

"Encore!" one man stated boldly, but then had to remember where he was.

A few of the guests laughed at his spiritedness.

I second that, I thought with a raised eyebrow, that was one hell of a dance.

Zelda cleared her throat uncomfortably and turned to me. She stared at me for a moment.

Oh boy, I thought, knowing what was coming next.

"Did you like that part of the party my dear?" she asked me with an accusing tone.

I took in a deep breath and casually shrugged my shoulders.

"Yes," I said honest, "actually I did."

Hell, if she can have two princes outwardly flirt with her in front of me, why can't I have one Gerudo dancer do the same? I thought, feeling justified.

Zelda narrowed her eyes slightly at me and turned back to the crowd.

The crowd began whispering to each other when they saw Zelda's jealous reaction. It didn't make it any better that Zelda and I both had somewhat strained expressions on our faces. We didn't look like two people in love at all.

This is all we need right now, I thought, looking for a deferment.

Out of the corner of my eye, I did notice a more heightened awareness from the guard. Several inside the hall were routinely going through the crowd to check individuals who seemed out of the ordinary. I panned my vision to the doors leading to the garden and saw some guards scouting the grounds for anything untoward.

I sighed at stress starting to overwhelm this situation. One of the children I spoke to earlier looked at me and waved. I waved back.

"Smile," I muttered to myself, and forced myself to show some teeth, "just pretend like everything is okay and smile."

The moderator looked at Zelda and I helplessly when the buzz from the crowd didn't quickly dissipate. Zelda quickly nodded at him signifying for him to announce the next act. It was just in time too.

"Uh..." the master of ceremonies started reluctantly, still sensing the tension in the air, "thank you ladies from Gerudo."

The murmuring hum didn't go away, in fact after the announcer said that, it got a little louder.

Come on people! I thought incredulously. It was just a dance!

Zelda glared at the master of ceremonies, wanting him to hurry up and broadcast the next announcement.

"Next we have a special treat for all the children in the audience!" the moderator finally said.

The announcer was hoping the segue to a family oriented event would displace the new found tension. It worked to a degree, because the audience suddenly perked, and... it wasn't just the children who were interested.

"The circus is in town!" the master of ceremonies said excited.

Many of the audience members cheered with enthusiasm.

"The circus?" an older gentleman said excited. "I love the circus!"

I looked over at the man and grinned.

Don't we all, I thought.

"And to introduce the fun here's Faaaaaabio the clown!" the master of ceremonies announced.

Many of the audience looked at the announcer strangely after he said the name.

"Who?" a lady asked perplexed.

"Faaaaaaaaabio the clown!" the masters of ceremonies repeated.

Fabio? I thought incredulous. That's his name?

The audience broke out into another hum of confusion, however it was short lived. Fabio, an ultra buff, bare chested clown with perfect blonde hair, made his appearance from behind a ceiling tapestry and floated down using a cuckoo. He tossed several green rupees out to the audience, and suddenly his name didn't mean much of anything to anyone anymore. Fabio had just become fabulous. He made clowning look sexy, and all the women noticed. I chuckled to myself.

Gerudos for the men, I thought, and Fabio for the women, well played Zelda.

I glanced over at the princess and grinned.

"Good morning boys and girls!" he said enthusiastically. "Who wants a balloon?"

"I do!" several kids and adult females alike said in unison.

All the teenage girls immediately screamed at the sight of him. Fabio immediately got to work blowing up balloons and handing them off to children. There were even several adults who shamelessly asked for Keaton balloon sculptures for themselves. The next twenty minutes Fabio continued entertaining the audience with flexing his muscles, jokes, and making balloon art for the children. The jokes were pretty corny, but they were funny nonetheless. Once Fabio was done the master of ceremonies returned to the floor.

"Thank you Fabio!" the master of ceremonies said excitedly. "I'm glad you weren't just... clowning around!"

A few guests chuckled at the joke.

Oh goddesses, make it stop, I thought sarcastically.

"The show isn't over yet folks!" the master of ceremonies announced. "We have a special treat for you gymnastics lovers out there! Please help me in introducing the high flying aerial quintet of beauty and wonder! The dynamic sensation making a wave across our great nation! Please welcome the Eldiiiiiin Acrobats!"

I raised an eyebrow when he said that.

The Eldin Acrobats? I wondered, clapping with everyone else, never seeing their show, but only hearing of them in name only.

Zelda looked over at me, and for a moment seemed pleased I was enjoying the festivities she put together.

A moment of civility? I thought in mild disbelief. I can't believe it.

The crowd clapped in anticipation, and suddenly five nimble women dressed in red and yellow diamond patterned body suits, all wearing white make up, and all with black hair, flipped out onto the floor. The first girl was tiny and entered with a somersault. She landed gracefully and smiled at the audience. The second girl was a little taller than the first, and entered with a front flip. She bowed and waved when she stood up. The third girl was all smiles when she tumbled onto the floor. She landed into the splits and waved to the crowd spiritedly. The fourth girl entered with a back flip, and then front flipped into a back flip. She got several 'oohs' with her entrance. That was pretty impressive. Finally, the last girl who was the tallest cartwheeled into a somersault and landed on the shoulders of the fourth girl. She then front flipped off her friend and bowed, she was pretty impressive as well. Each of them had smiles on their faces.

That's one hell of an entrance, I thought, clapping again with the rest of the audience.

I sat back on the throne, trying to get comfortable, but I had to do a double take on the last girl because she suddenly looked familiar.

Wait a minute... I thought and narrowed my eyes slightly.

I narrowed my eyes and stared at her perplexed. Zelda noticed she had my attention and touched my forearm.

"What's the matter?" she asked me quietly. "Is something wrong?"

I shook my head of my thought process thinking I was being silly.

Optical illusions Link, I told myself, optical illusions. That isn't who I think it is because I told her not to come.

"Nothing," I replied, then turned to give Zelda a smile.

Zelda stared into my eyes for a moment before she grinned back.

"Okay," she said to me.

A gong sounded and the routine began.

The girls started off with an in sync lyrical dance cadence that led into more complicated leg work and flips. They separated into two teams of two and one team of one, and back flipped onto each other's shoulders and walked across the hall blowing kisses and making faces at children. The audience loved it and applauded the girls talents. The routine transitioned into tumbling across the floor while the girls front flipped off the shoulders of one another. The audience 'oohed' excitedly when the girls flipped nearby. One little girl tried to run in the middle of the routine and get on one of the acrobats back. The acrobat coming by on her pass saw the child and flipped over the little girl dodging her. The stunt generated a little applause, and the girl's mother, who was embarrassed, came and pulled her back into the crowd.

"I told you to stay away from there!" she scolded.

I had to admit I was impressed with the level of talent these women displayed, but there was one girl I couldn't take my eyes off of. I could tell under all that make up she had an extraordinarily beautiful face, but it was her body movement that I was so intrigued by.

I've seen movement like this before... I thought with a trail suspiciously, but she can't be... she better not be.

The routine ended with the five girls stacked on each other's shoulders, and the one I had my eye on was on top doing a triple flip into a front somersault and landing gracefully at the edge of the stairs leading up to the thrones. She put her hands in the air and smiled enthusiastically at me and Zelda.

"Congratulations Princess Zelda and Sir Link!" she said to the both of us.

I raised my eyebrows at the sound of her voice, and then I saw something I wasn't expecting. It was a flash of green underneath the girl's black hair.

Wait a minute, I thought and narrowed my eyes again at the woman, is that...?

Zelda merely smiled and nodded at the dancer, signifying her acknowledgement of the girl's thanksgiving. I looked at the girl with open distrust for a moment, but then had to realize I was going to bring undue attention to the situation. I forced another smile across my face and nodded.

"Uh... thank you," I said politely to her.

The crowd extolled another round of applause, and the five girls quickly exited out of the south gate to the garden. I watched the one girl pull on hair slightly and it shifted.

That's a wig, I thought suddenly, and stood up. That is who I think it is!

Zelda looked up at me surprised.

"What's the matter?" she asked me quietly, wondering what had gotten into me all of a sudden.

"Nothing," I said quickly, and then without explaining, hurried down the steps to the garden outside.

The crowd looked at me shocked.

The master of ceremonies looked stunned. He glanced over at Zelda, who merely nodded to him stating it was alright and to hold the next item on the itinerary for now.

Outside, I looked around the commodious garden, until I saw the Eldin Circus wagon parked near the castle gate entrance. I power walked over to where the wagon was, getting confused looks from many of the other acts and some of the guards patrolling the area.

"Is everything okay sir?" a guard asked me wondering why I left the party.

I simply nodded at him, not wanting to arouse anymore suspicion.

The Gerudo troupe who had just performed looked at me surprised to see me outside, but then the head dancer smirked at me seductively.

"You want another dance my lord?" she asked me.

I smirked back at her.

"Later," I replied with a wink.

When I got to the Eldin Circus wagon, I stopped short from entering the acrobat's dressing room. I knocked on the door impatiently and waited.

I know that's her, I thought.

When the door opened, one of the girl's looked at me confused and surprised, she bowed immediately.

"Good morning Sir Link," she said to me politely.

I didn't mean to be rude, but I barged in past her to the girl I had been looking at during the actual show. The woman turned away and wouldn't look at me.

"Good morning madam," I said to the woman in a quiet undertone.

"Good morning Sir Link," she replied.

I could tell she was trying to mask her voice.

That isn't going to work, I thought.

"What are you doing here?" I asked without beating around the bush.

The other women looked at me confused.

"What is he talking about?" they whispered to each other.

There was a brief pause between her and I.

"I'm a part of this acrobatic routine," she said to me softly, still not looking at me.

I didn't reply right away.

"I know it's you Saria," I accused.

The other women's eyes widened in surprise.

"Saria?" one of them said confused. "She's our friend Selma."

Another girl stepped forward and gave the woman I was talking to a strange look.

"You are Selma, aren't you?" she asked.

The accused young woman quickly turned to look at her colleagues.

"Of course I am!" she said to them. "You saw me do the routine! How would I know if I wasn't one of the Eldin five?"

I was getting tired of the charade.

"Saria stop with the act!" I demanded quietly. "Take off that wig and show them who you really are!"

The other girls looked from her to me, not knowing who to believe now.

"He doesn't know what he's talking about!" she said quickly to them. "Tell him I've been practicing with you for the past five years."

The other women's eyes got wide when she said that. They knew that was no way to speak to soon to be royalty. They knew something was amiss.

"Selma..." one of them trailed.

I wasn't going to waste time going back and forth over this matter, especially when I knew better. I went to pull off the girl's wig.

"Sorry ladies, this is not Selma," I said, reaching over, taking off the black hair, and watching Saria's green hair flow down her back.

Saria closed her eyes and took in a deep breath.

"Damn it," she muttered to herself.

The other girls gasped in shock at my action, but they were even more surprised when they saw Saria had deceived them all.

"I can't believe it," one of them said still stunned.

Another girl was shaking her head.

"What have you done to our friend?" she demanded of Saria.

Saria sat in the seat looking at her reflection in the vanity mirror. I was sure she was angry that I exposed her little farce.

"Your friend is fine," Saria said quietly, "she's taking care of a friend of mine."

The doctor, I thought.

"Will you ladies excuse us for a moment?" I asked the other women. "I need to speak with Selma slash Saria alone."

The women hesitated for a second, but then made their way out of the wagon trailer. I followed after the last girl exiting to close the door behind her. I turned back around and looked at Saria upset.

"I told you not to come here," I started, having to keep my temper in check.

Saria stood up and turned to look at me.

"I know, but I couldn't stay away," she said to me honestly.

I got a little annoyed at hearing her say that.

"Saria-" I started.

"I didn't come here to argue," she interrupted me, "I came here to bring you news about the crystals. In a way, I'm glad you caught me."

I looked at her puzzled, but she immediately had my attention after saying that.

"What news about the crystals?" I asked, detracting for a moment.

Saria sighed.

"The doctor found out some new info this morning and told me they are time triggered for intermittent bouts of distortion," she began, "meaning that they open and close within a certain time frame."

I looked at her surprised.

"Did the doctor say when the countdown starts to when it finishes?" I asked.

Saria shook her head.

"He isn't sure about that," she said with a sigh, "all he knows is that it's diurnal, so it's going to happen during the day, and once it's open there is a span of two hours before it closes."

I looked at Saria perplexed.

"The crystals are diurnal?" I inquired confused. "But we've seen Zant use them at night."

Saria nodded.

"True," she said, "but the doctor told me the true power of the crystals can only be exerted throughout the day. The problem for Zant is, he only has that two hour window to use that power. The problem for us is, he can elicit his entire army through the portals he's created and cast the whole land in Twilight."

I felt my stomach churn at the sound of that.

Two hours to unleash hell on Hyrule, I thought.

I took in a deep breath.

"And Daphnes wanted to have a damn party today," I murmured to myself upset.

Saria looked at me and raised her eyebrows in understanding.

"Maybe he thought Zant would be sympathetic towards the civilians," she said, trying to be optimistic.

I gave her an oddball look.

"You give that man too much credit," I said to her seriously, "his madness is right up there with Zant's, it's no wonder they're related."

Saria sighed, then looked at me.

"What are you going to do?" she asked, getting the subject back on track.

I looked at her and shook my head for a moment.

"What can I do but wait," I replied.

Saria nodded and looked down at her gloved hands.

"I guess that's the only option," she said with a sigh.

We were silent for a moment, and I grinned suddenly at her appearance.

"What gave you the circus idea?" I asked her. "It was a pretty clever cover."

Saria's eyes widened and her face softened with a smile.

"It was actually brought to my attention by Cujo last week," she said with a grin.

I looked at her puzzled.

"What?" I asked, feeling my smile widen.

Saria gave me an obvious stare.

"You told him I joined the circus, and he asked me how that was going," she said to me, "I had no idea what he was talking about."

I chuckled, but then stopped all of a sudden.

"You didn't beat up their friend Selma did you?" I asked suddenly.

Saria looked at me surprised.

"No!" she said quickly. "I just asked her if she could look after the doctor while I took her place for the day. Why the hell would I do that Link?"

I smirked at her again.

"You do have that crazy assassin thing going," I replied.

Saria was initially going to get upset, but then thought about it and chuckled.

"I'm never going to live that comment down am I?" she asked me with a grin.

I shook my head no.

"Not as long as you know me," I said with another chuckle.

Saria looked into my eyes for a moment and just smiled.

"I guess I had that coming," she said.

There was another brief silence between us, but before I could break it and continue the conversation, there was a loud pounding on the trailer door.

What in the world? I thought.

I went to open it, but was beaten by the over eager person wanting to get inside from the outside.

It was Zelda.

Holy Hylia, I thought surprised.

She was looking at me furious, but when she saw Saria she became livid.

"I knew it!" she said angrily to me.

I tried to take hold of her, but Zelda pushed herself away from me.

"Why didn't you just advertise Link?" Zelda demanded of me. "Everyone knew where you went!"

I took in a deep sigh.

"But no one knows who she is," I tried to reason.

Zelda then turned to Saria, who bowed at the sight of her.

"Your highness," Saria said respectfully.

Zelda narrowed her eyes at her.

"And you..." she trailed, her voice was filled with so much venom, "the entire kingdom is in an uproar because of you!"

Saria took in a deep breath and swallowed hard.

I knew Zelda meant much more than she was letting on. She was trying to blame my belated feelings for her on Saria.

"Your highness-" Saria tried.

"Shut up!" Zelda snapped at her.

I stood in Zelda's way so she wouldn't get access to Saria. I had to bring down the tension so nothing extreme would happen.

"Look, I'm on my way back to the party now," I said to Zelda, trying to diffuse the situation, "just calm down."

Zelda's anger didn't subside when she turned to look at me.

"Calm down?" she demanded of me shaking her head. "Why can't you just stay away from her? Why do you insist on hurting me like this?"

I nearly scoffed.

Hurting you? With what you've done? I thought in disbelief.

I took in a deep breath, knowing she already knew the answers to those questions.

"Because I love her Zelda," I said honestly. "You may have made the three words I want to tell her be her trigger to die, but she knows I love her. I can say that without any regrets."

Zelda stared into my eyes as hers filled with tears. She quickly turned away from me and sobbed into her gloved hands. I hated that the situation had turned angsty like this, but it couldn't be helped. I wasn't going to lie. Saria was looking uncomfortably at the ground while all of this was taking place. She glanced up when she saw Zelda's back to her, then looked over at me. Saria made a gesture to hug, then pointed to the princess. I shook my head no, but Saria made a fist at me in a threatening gesture and insisted.

'Do it,' she mouthed.

I sighed and rolled my eyes.

Reluctantly, I took Zelda in my arms and hugged her tight. Zelda buried her head in my chest and continued to cry. Saria gave me the thumbs up signal and I couldn't help but grin at her, especially with the way she looked in her clown garb. Zelda pulled back when she felt the rise and fall of my chest when I chuckled. She looked repulsed at what was going on.

"You think this is funny Link?" she demanded of me.

Oops, I thought.

I sighed again, not meaning to come off offensively.

"No I-" I tried, but before I could finish she slapped me across my face and stormed out of the trailer.

I looked after her stunned, then turned to Saria.

"What the hell was that for?" I demanded.

Saria shook her head and looked at me surprised.

"Go after her you idiot!" she ordered me quickly.

Realizing that was the only way to diffuse the situation, I hurried out the door and followed after Zelda.

"Zelda!" I called to her, but she didn't stop.

Several of the performers and guards were watching us curiously as we stormed by. I nodded and tried to smile.

"Zelda!" I called to her again hoping to reach her before she reached the banquet hall.

It was too late, she was already stalking inside and beginning to turn heads in the crowd as she stormed by. I finally caught up to her and turned her around by the elbow, she looked at me defiantly.

"Do you honestly think I-" she tried, but I interrupted her by pressing my mouth against hers.

Just shut up, I thought, cupping her face and kissing her deeply.

There was an initial gasp from the audience, but the gasp soon turned to applause.

"Way to go Sir Link!" a young boy said enthusiastically.

"I wish my husband would kiss me like that," I heard a young woman say with a sigh.

"I can only imagine what the honeymoon is going to be like!" another young maiden said dreamily, "The princess is so lucky!"

"That's the way you end a lover's quarrel!" an older aristocrat stated bluntly.

"Showoff," I heard Prince Leonhart mutter.

When I pulled away, Zelda stared into my eyes shocked.

I swallowed hard hoping that would be enough to keep her quiet.

Please Zelda... don't make a scene, I thought, trying to convey that to her with my eyes.

She put her hand to her mouth and blushed which generated more applause.

"I want to be just like the first knight!" another young man stated animated.

I looked over and smirked at the gentleman and then turned back to the princess.

"Shall we go back to our seats?" I asked her gently.

Zelda merely nodded and took my hand into hers. I glanced at the crowd, most of which were still cheering and guided Zelda back to our seats. When I sat down, I did notice one of the acrobat girls standing in the shadow of the gate looking at both Zelda and myself. It took me a moment to realize the girl was Saria because she had put her wig back on. I could see from the distance she was grinning, but it was a sad grin; she must've saw what happened.

I had to Sar, I thought guiltily with a sigh.

As if answering me in my head, Saria merely nodded with approval and went back outside the gate.

I looked to the ground for a moment and realized the entire audience had their eyes on Zelda and I. I cleared my throat and tried to smile.

"Uh... please continue," I said, trying to force elation into my voice.

The master of ceremonies glanced at Zelda, and she nodded the okay. She was still blushing and took my hand and squeezed it affectionately.

That apparently worked, I thought.

"Uh..." the master of ceremonies started, "the citizens of Hyrule would like to impart their goodwill upon their future king and queen by bestowing a gift for a long and prosperous rule."

I looked a little confused.

They're doing the gift giving before serving lunch? I wondered. Another change in the itinerary that I didn't know about.

The citizens all began lining up near the staircase with their gifts in hand. I sighed at the thought of having to unwrap two thousand gifts before I had anything to eat.

The first person to approach the throne was a young merchant. He was actually the merchant I cut off from seeing Daphnes last week.

I hope he's still not upset, I thought.

The merchant bowed and then presented his gift: the Staff of Somaria.

I looked at the gift intrigued.

Zelda's eyes widened.

"It's beautiful," she stated softly, "how does one use it?"

The merchant smiled at her.

"It's a secret to everybody," he said cryptically, "I'm not even sure."

And you want to give it to the royal family? I thought in disbelief. Bad move.

"Thank you," I said to him as he walked away.

The next person to present his gift was the extremely creepy happy mask salesman.

I may be twenty five years old, but he still scares me, I thought.

He bowed and opened a suede box. In it was a magnificent blue ring.

"This ring is supposed to offer its wearer long life," he said to us.

I looked at the ring intrigued.

"What's the name of it?" I asked.

The salesman looked at me like I was a fool.

"The Blue Ring," he said to me.

I raised my eyebrows at the obvious nature of the logic.

The salesman then bowed and walked away.

I still can't believe what he almost had happen to Termina, I thought.

The next person to present their gift was a mother and a daughter of humble means. They presented a gift of cured cuckoo meat in a glass jar. The sight of it made my stomach go grumble, grumble.

Man I really must be hungry, I thought.

Zelda bowed to the gift graciously, then took the woman's hand in hers.

"Thank you so much for giving your best," she said gratefully to the woman.

The woman teared up and bowed.

"You're welcome your highness," she said.

I smiled at the gift and nodded my head in respect.

"This is my favorite gift so far," I said honest.

The woman and her little girl looked at me surprised.

"Thank you Sir Link," she said sincere.

The woman and her daughter then bowed and walked away.

The next to present was the Mailman.

I looked at him strangely, surprised he was taking a day off.

I don't want a letter telling me something I already know, I thought, wishing the proceedings could go faster.

The Mailman bowed and then approached. He presented something I honestly was not expecting: the Titan's Mitts.

How in the hell did he get his hands on those? I thought in disbelief.

Zelda's eyes widened in surprise.

"The fabled Titan's Mitts really do exist," she said, nearly speechless, "thank you for presenting such a powerful gift."

"Allow me madam," the Mailman said pulling out stationery from his pocket, "the gift came with a card."

I looked at him confused, but then realized he wasn't giving the gift, he was delivering it.

This guy never takes a day off, I thought.

The Mailman cleared his throat. Everyone was waiting eagerly to hear what the note's contents read.

"Ahem," the Mailman started, "'Donkey Kong ain't got nothing on these!' thank you."

Everyone looked at the Mailman confused.

"Who's Donkey Kong?" I heard one man ask another.

"I don't know," the other replied, "but I wish I knew the gift giver. I would kill for the Titan's Mitts."

The Mailman then bowed and walked away.

The next gift was presented by a strange looking old man in a dark brown cloak. The man clapped his hands and two of his attendants came up the stairs with a beautiful looking blue and gold trunk embossed with intricate embroidery.

I raised my eyebrows immediately when I felt an innate sense of alert go off inside me.

That trunk looks similar to the ones I used to find in the temples where the bosses hid their keys, I thought.

As the man approached he had his arms open in a gesture of goodwill, but I stopped him from approaching.

"Who are you?" I asked the man rather blunt.

Zelda looked over at me surprised.

"Link..." she trailed at my rude tone.

I ignored her sense of formalities at the moment.

"Who are you?" I repeated.

The old man smiled.

"I'm a mere traveler from a distant country coming to pay my respects to the future king and queen," he said to me simply.

I never took my eyes off him and inherently placed my hand on my sword.

"Oh really?" I replied with open distrust.

Zelda was embarrassed at my quick movement to draw and went to open the box. Inside was a three piece strange looking armor.

Zelda had never seen it before.

"What is it?" she asked the old man confused.

The old man smiled at her.

"In my country we call it the heirloom of enchantment," he replied with an encryption to his words.

The heirloom of enchantment? I wondered.

I looked from the armor to the old man suspiciously.

There's something not right about all this, I thought.

I narrowed my eyes at the old man, then stood up.

The citizens waiting behind him looked at my actions incredulously. Zelda too, was surprised at my stance.

"Link what are you doing?" she asked me in a worried tone looking out at her subjects.

"It's some mysterious weapon of Zant's Twili father called the Fused Shadow," Saria's voice echoed through my mind.

I looked down at the three pieces of armor once more and abruptly slammed the lid to the chest shut, then drew my blade.

Zelda looked at me shocked.

The old man narrowed his eyes at me.

"There will be no enchantment here," I said in a low threatening voice.

The crowd was suddenly on edge and people began walking in the opposite direction of the throne.

"What's going on?" I heard a woman whisper to her husband.

"I don't know," he replied to her, "but I think we should leave."

The staircase suddenly became a hum of murmurs.

I gripped my sword knowingly.

"Oh yes sir knight," the old man said to me in a low whispery voice that I immediately began to recognize, "there will be enchantment. Your whole land will be covered in enchantment!"

The lid to box suddenly shot open and the three piece armor floated in the air.

The old man's countenance began to change into just who I was expecting it to, Zant.

A woman from the crowd immediately screamed and tried heading for the exit along with several hundred other people. However, the doors suddenly slammed shut and everyone inside the hall was now stuck.

Zelda gasped at the sight of Zant.

"Z-Zant!" she said breathless.

Zant merely smiled back and held up his blade.

"Hello my lovely little niece," he said to Zelda menacing, "so the enchantment begins."

---

Please write a review and tell me what you think. Chapter 23 is coming soon!