Hey. Sorry again, but I really don't have any excuses except for the fact that school is kicking my ass. .-.

I didn't take much time to revise, but I hope you enjoy it anyways :)

This is after Zelda's multi-incarnation nightmare...

"Zelda!" Link shakes me awake. Tears flow down my face and I throw my arms around him, sobbing into his neck. "It was… terrible… you were… I mean, I-"

"It's okay." He whispered. "It was just a dream."

I wanted to believe him. I wanted more than anything to believe they were only dreams.

I pulled him around me and held on so tight my fingernails drove into the back of his neck. His breathing jolted at the pain, and he cooed in my ear to try and calm me down. "It's okay. We're both here." My hands gripped at his bare back, still afraid he'd turn to mist. I pressed against him harder, hoping that he won't vanish if I release my grip.

"Don't leave." I whimper to him. "I'm not." He responded softly. Even with him this close, I can tell he might break away because of the situation earlier. I hold his head mere inches from my face with my hands, then press my lips to his furiously. He blinks in surprise at the ferocity, but quickly recovered. I dropped my head to his chest and pressed my ear against him, wanting proof he was here, alive and well. Link slipped an arm around my waist and pressed me against him. "It's okay." He whispered. I held on tighter and forced myself to sleep. When I did, I wished I hadn't.

I was in the throne room again, with the Goddesses all perched how they had been on my first visit. "How is it possible?" Nayru hissed. "She is so physically and emotionally enamoured with him, and yet we are able to make a connection again."

Din cleared her throat and gestured to me.

They turned. Nayru was seething.

"You foolish girl! You disgrace me!" Nayru spat in my direction. Farore placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Calm, sister. You forget mortal devotions and passion. No matter who's gift, she is still a young girl whose heart has been won."

Nayru took a deep breath. "I suppose." She turned her gaze down on me. "But I still entrusted you with a task and you disobeyed, intentional or not.

"The boy is more manipulative than we thought.."

She growled, and it sent shivers through me. "W-what do you mean?" I squeaked. Nayru's cold and calculating eyes disregarded me.

"It's okay, Princess." Farore said. "She has simply made accusations about our hero is all."

"Accusations?" Din snapped. "Have you met Nayru? And also, her point is very valid."

My expression must have been enough, because Din cleared her throat and continued. "He told you he wanted to gain the triforce of power so that the pieces would bend to his will, but have you considered the third piece? And how exactly he is going to take it from you?" My stomach turned to knots. "Yes." She said. "You would have to be dead. Of course he needs your help to gain my part, but after you do that there is no guarantee he'll keep you alive. It seems innocent, some petty repayment of debt or defiance against us, maybe even love, but honestly? Link has gotten a taste of true power, and you think he will simply make a small and foolish wish when anything could be achieved? We may not be able to reach him, but we know his hunger is growing. His darkness is growing."

I looked at the ground.

"Um… 'know' is a strong word, Din." Farore added. "It's not like it's positive." She said in as best of a cheery tone as she could muster.

Nayru just scowled and turned her face.

"Look," Din sighed. "You may think he loves you, you may think you know him, but heed our words."

Farore looked angrily at her. "Din! The boy might be a bit… at war with himself, but he does love her."

Din's hair flickered like flames. "If you say so. Just beware the curse that power brings, Your Majesty." I nod slowly, then turn to Nayru. "I-I'm sorry, I just…" My voice trailed off.

"Human nature and judgement is a worthy foe, na kiime." I bit out. Nayru looked upon me with her cold, calculating eyes.

"It truly is."

Farore cupped the side of my face in her hand as I was swept by the wind. "Save him. Have courage, seek wisdom, and gain power." She frowned. "Turn to your gifts now. Go and save him."

And I watched her green eyes and lovely face fade away.

I woke with a start. I slid my hands under the sheets, but couldn't find Link. I stretched and sat up, eyes still searching for him, part of me dreading it. I slid out of bed and my feet grazed the wood. I cast my gaze to the nightstand with a piece of rugged paper on top. A gasp caught my throat as I realized it was a note. My stomach dropped.

Zelda,

Fado ran into some trouble today at the ranch, went to help. I trust you'll be safe.

Some breakfast is over the fire, and Ilia lent you a dress and boots also. (I left them by the table.) We'll set off when I return.

P.S. Good morning, Your Highness.

-Link

I sighed in relief, then studied the note. Link's penmanship was poor, but it was far better than I'd expected. I highly doubted they offered a very good quality education in Ordon, and I'd doubted that Link was literate at all until he took on a knack for reading.

I smiled at the parchment.

As I ended my climb down the ladder, I smelled fresh-cooked meat and eggs. The pan over the flame was still hot, and a wholesome breakfast sizzled expectantly. It wasn't very aesthetically pleasing, but anything would look like castle food at this moment.

I then noticed the dress. It was solid blue, a light and washed-out color, and I found it to be made from a cotton scratch material as I ran my fingers over it. The boots were brown and dusty, but functional. I undressed and slid the rough fabric over my cold torso numbly, trying to be grateful for something else to wear.

The dress came down to my lower calves, revealing the simple boots. I laced the small white ribbon across my midsection, tying it in the back.

For the first time, I noticed my reflection on the wall.

I froze.

My brown hair fell over my shoulders in a rush, stopping below my bust line. My pale skin seemed washed out, and my face was unmade. The dress was nothing like I'd ever worn, I had only known soft silks and lavish fabrics. The boots were worn and clearly visible, starting just under the end of the dress. I stared at this girl curiously.

She could be just another girl, a simple peasant with a simple life.

A life with Link.

The thoughts of being normal taunted me, laughing in my face for being so foolish. Yet still, I couldn't take my eyes off of my reflection. I hadn't seen myself with my hair completely down in ages, and certainly not dressed in something like this.

But this was the girl Link could end up with. A girl he could deserve and eventually marry.

I do a small twirl in front of the mirror, my hair splaying behind me. I wanted to be this girl, and so I pretended.

Link was my lover, a hero, yes, but he would return to see me all the time. I would wait in front of the path for him, and he would hold me up and spin me, telling me how much he missed me and how many great adventures he'd had. He would kiss me silly, and we'd go to the village. They would be as much of my family as his, and we'd all laugh and talk over the dinner that Uli, Ilia, Beth and I had made. (With a few 'taste tests' from Link)

Now I was waiting for him to return from work, just a silly peasant girl awaiting a lover and future husband. A girl that would giddily await him, forcing down the butterflies in her stomach. I girl that loved him without trial or the displeasing eye of anyone.

I longed for this life, a life with him. Once upon a time I would have been repulsed by the idea of being an unknown commoner, or at the prospect of being married - to anyone, - but times change, and the love I have for Link changes my mind about a lot of things.

My expression hardened.

I knew that there could be no possible way that he would lay a finger towards my harm. They were wrong. I closed my eyes and imagined his face, his golden-sheen dirty-blonde hair, his stunning eyes, glowing skin. His smile that lights his entire face and reaches his eyes so completely. I cherished every detail of him, still wondering what life would have been like had I been the way my reflection looks.

But would he find other women? It was no secret that he had lady admirers. In fact, many girls I knew were infatuated with him. With no princess in a castle, would Link even bother with me? I chided myself for having such thoughts, but somewhere inside I knew it could be true.

Even now, I felt jealous from time to time.

I pushed the thoughts away and continued to look at the commoner in the mirror and envision her life.

It wasn't long before I heard the clopping of hooves and ran to the door. I was mixed with excitement and fear, that maybe he wouldn't like the way I looked, but I was anxious to see him either way. I opened the door and stepped onto the grassy platform.

Link was leading Epona into the clearing, a content smile on his face. I waved to him madly. He grinned and waved back, then his face went almost white. I descended from the ladder and went to him, but it seemed he couldn't reach me fast enough himself.

He held me in an embrace and kissed me, then pushed my shoulders away from him and took a step back, looking at me. I blushed.

"Zelda… You look… I mean, wow…. A good wow, of course!" He stammered. "I've never seen you like this, and your hair… It's lovely."

I beamed. "Thanks. It's a bit of a change, I know."

A smile curled at his lips as he looked me over again. I blushed a little and looked down at my boots. Link's hands gripped my waist and he pulled me in close, kissing me again. I wrapped my arms over his shoulders and leaned into him, his hands still on my waist, tugging me closer. After a few more moments of this bliss, he leans down and hugs me, then brushes his lips against the side of my neck, giving me a happy shudder. A breath caught in my chest with excitement as the brush of lips turned more passionate. He pulled away and smiled at me happily while I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

"We should really head back," He whispered, almost like he wanted me to say otherwise.

I looked around the clearing, disappointed. Some of me wanted to pretend forever, some of me wanted to stay and be a peasant.

But I couldn't neglect my title any longer.

I reluctantly nodded. Link held my hands in his and kissed them. "There's a blanket inside, might help with the soreness." He turned and began ascending the ladder to his home.

Absentmindedly my eyes searched the natural surroundings. I was going to miss this place, no matter how brief my visit was.

There was rumbling, shouting, and the sound of hooves beating on the dirt. I looked at the path in alarm as a brigade of horses and hylian soldiers rushed into the clearing. "Li-!"

His name didn't even escape my lips before the dust shot up around me.

"Your Majesty? Is that… you?"

I turned my head, seeking the familiar voice. Aeris sat upon his dark horse, looking down at me in shock.

"What in Din's name are you wearing?" He asked, clearly mistified.

"Easy. I wouldn't swear in the Goddess's name in her presence if I were you." Ealing said in his usual snooty tone. "My apologies," Aeris muttered. "Princess, what are you doing out here? Are you alo-" His sentence was interrupted by the door swinging open.

"I have the... blanket…" Link's voice trailed off. The hero looked at them with surprise, then cleared his throat.

"Evening. Welcome to Ordon, Lord Aeris. Ealing." He nodded to the stewart. Ealing just regarded him.

"I should be flattered," Aeris said. "The little hero remembers my name." He narrowed his eyes at Link, tone challenging.

"Maybe I thought you'd take the liberty to learn mine." Link simply stated coolly, climbing down the ladder. Aeris cleared his throat. "The Princess disappeared yesterday morning, might you have anything to do with it?"

Link shrugged off the accusation. "Maybe, but no, I didn't take her anywhere or tell her to go anywhere. She simply left on her own, by her own free will."

"Then what did you mean by the 'maybe'?"

"I was unaware she would find me."

"Where is her apparel?" Aeris narrowed his eyes again.

"Inside by the bed, I'm guessing." Link sneered at him.

"Namen Sudah!" Aeris spat. "You! How dare you even insinuate..?"

Link's face turned to a smirk, but he raised his arms up in surrender. "Okay, okay. Sorry."

Aeris let out a huff and opened his mouth again.

"Stop." I said forcefully. They both looked at me like they'd forgotten I was there.

"My apologies, Princess." Aeris sighed. "Has any harm come to you?"

"No."

"Did you ever leave the castle unwillingly?"

"No."

Aeris sighed again. "Princess?" Ealing ventured.

"Yes, Ealing?"

"Link protected you, I presume?" I smiled. "Yes. He did." Ealing bit his lower lip and said something I'd never expect to come from his mouth.

"Then why not make the boy part of your personal guard? He is an honorable young man, and no doubt the most able-bodied."

I gawked. Did he just call Link an 'honorable young man'? I thought he hated him.

Aeris sighed. "If you say so, stewart. But I plan on escorting Her Majesty back to Hyrule, and until it is official, he'll go nowhere near her."

I grumbled curses under my breath and wondered who made him in charge of me. Aeris's handsome features were wrought with stubbornness and accusation, but he nodded to Link once and offered his gloved hand to me. I almost obliged

"L-Link?" Ilia stood at the gates to Ordon. "What's going on?" Her long light-brown hair fell over her shoulder, her green eyes full of fear. A few guards stepped in front and behind Link. "Pay her no mind." Aeris ordered. Ilia stepped towards Link, passing close to the lord's own horse. Aeris looked at her with a strange glint in his eyes. He reached down and held the side of her face in his hand, then looked back at Link with a crooked smirk. I stepped forwards, but a guard was in my way.

"Mm." Aeris considered. "She's lovely. Wouldn't you say, hero?" He traced a finger down Ilia's neck, lower and lower.

Link's eyes widened. "Don't touch her!" He lunged forward but was blocked by the guards and sent to his knees. Aeris smiled. "Perhaps you should be a bit more respectful." One of Aeris's guards held Ilia's hands behind her back. Link made a noise like an animal in pain and lurched forwards. Ilia gasped in fear as Aeris's hand rested on her collar, then began lowering again. "Stop!" Link yelled, pleaded. "Please!"

Aeris stopped for a moment. "I seem to enjoy it when you beg. Not so snark now, are you?" He chuckled. "Beg."

Link's expression turned to rage, and he lashed out at the guards for the first time. Link never fought against the guards. He threw his feet out at one of their shins, causing him to fall. One even threw out a sword in Link's direction, but was quickly evaded. He drew his own sword and bashed one guard over the head with his hilt, then dove towards Aeris, who had dismounted and held a knife towards Ilia. Link stopped dead.

"Aeris, stop!" I yelled. He looked at me and sighed. "Fine. Batol, release the girl." The guard threw Ilia to the ground, who was caught in an instant by Link.

"You thought you were treated like an animal before? No." Aeris sneered at Link.

"I would show respect for your superiors, Link. And watch yourself, any actions indicating other than the words you've spoken will be tried against you when I accuse you for kidnapping."

The word 'when' rang in my ears.

Link stood and helped Ilia to her feet. "Go home." He hissed at her. "Just go." Ilia placed a hand on his shoulder and began to talk, but no words came out. She closed her mouth and turned, then ran through the gates.

"You are not my superior." Link growled.

"And try me for what you wish. Hang me if it appeases you, Your Grace." He bowed, and surprisingly enough I heard no sarcasm. Aeris rolled his eyes and opened his mouth.

"-But only if Her Majesty wishes it." Aeris looked down at him with suspicious eyes. "I only bring justice, Link." His expression softened. "Faithful hero." He murmured, then grabbed him by the collar and pulled him in close, whispering something into his ear. Link clenched his fists and his jaw tightened. Aeris chuckled again.

I wanted to strike him across the face.

Aeris mounted again. "Don't worry. I will be merciful and not try you for assaulting my men. Zelda, you will ride with me." I was seething, how dare they use Link's emotions like that? I knew well that it was all a bluff, but Link had absolutely no experience in matters like this. I knew why Aeris did such a thing, but why to Link? That tactic should not have been used, Link was a friend to Hyrule and shouldn't be treated like a barbarian.

I mounted the horse reluctantly and refused to look Aeris in the eyes.

We rode for a long time, and at least Link was able to ride his own steed, but he was surrounded by wide-eyed guards who seemed to flinch at his every move.

By the time we reached Hyrule, the sun was high in the sky, and birds flitted around happily. We crossed the bridge into Castletown, where Link asked to be excused from the guards presence.

"Wait." I piped up for the first time since Ordon, when I spoke out against Aeris. "I want to go with him." I didn't exactly know why, but I really felt a need for him, to apologize I suppose. Just as Aeris was about to object, I threw myself from the horse and onto the streets, then fastened on my black cloak, hiding my face and some of my apparel. Link's horse had been left outside the doors, so I went with him on foot, not bothering to say goodbye to the young lord. I could hear him shout protests after us, but I didn't acknowledge them.

I trailed him closely down the streets, now hauntingly aware of how normal I looked, and how nobody seemed to notice me. (Save for a drunken soldier.)

We went into an alleyway, towards Telma's Bar. He still didn't speak, but I figured he would talk to me later.

The bar was warm, with happy faces and singing, laughing people just having a good time. Telma herself sat at the counter, talking to some customer asking about mead. When she saw them, her face lit up. "Link! This is a pleasant surprise! What brings you here, honey?" She then began to bow her face towards me, but Link stopped her by pressing a finger to his lips discreetly. Telma got the message and pretended to have been looking at her washrag. She grinned up at us and winked. "Who's this? Another lady friend, Link?" They both laughed a little, but Link's seemed a bit tense.

A few soldiers who passed clapped Link on the shoulder, saying they haven't seen him in a while, and other common courtesies. Nobody but Telma had paid me enough attention to know who I was.

"I need a room," Link muttered. "I don't think I'll be staying at the palace for a while." Telma nodded. "Okay, I'll have you one set up. Just don't forget that you're better than all the soldiers and nobles of Hyrule combined, honey." Links smile was small and sad, but I could tell he was grateful for the compliment. There was a small room in the back of the bar, with nothing but a simple candlelight and a bed. It was more of a cellar than anything, really, but Link seemed to think it was heaven. After Telma left, he took off his gauntlets and straps and practically face planted onto the bed. My legs ached terribly and I climbed in soon after. I pushed myself into him, trying to gain warmth and also to comfort him, but he was asleep before I could even try to talk to him.

So here's the link to my new Smash Bros. story! I think you guys'll like it (Or I hope) :)

s/11157924/1/This-Beautiful-Anarchy