Translated by MissQuestions-LaAmazingNabo
This chapter hasn't been corrected yet, but I didn't want you to wait more for it. I'll update it when it's corrected.
Like I said in the previous chapter, this is the last. I hope you like how the story ends. Thank you for read it til the end. Also, thanks for your reviews, favourites and follows.
My next story is being translated, but it will be a while until I star to publish it. I have a third fanfic finished in Spanish, but I need a translator for it. If there is someone interested in translating it, please, send me a PM. Thanks.
The Legend of Zelda series and its characters are property of Nintendo.
Chapter 9
Ceremony
Finally, the day awaited by many in the kingdom arrived, the day of the union between the princess of Hyrule and the hero chosen by the gods. There were still several hours left until the big event, but everyone in Castle Town and the castle were anxious for it to begin. Of course, some nobles did not share that excitement, they were still reticent from the choice the princess had taken.
The streets of Castle Town were beautifully decorated with ribbons and white and sky-blue colored garlands. The path the princess had to follow to arrive at the temple had been cordoned off and was strongly guarded by castle guards, whose breastplates and helmets had been carefully polished, and shone reflecting the light of the sun. Large tables had been placed throughout the Central Square to celebrate with food and drink, after the ceremony, the wedding of the couple and the princess's coronation, all payed by the royal treasury.
In the castle there was a great hustle. The servants hurried to finish all the preparations. They had to prepare the dining room where the guests would be received and the banquet held. Everything had to be perfect and on time.
Ilia was nervous, it was an obvious fact. She had to accompany the princess during her way to the altar and she was afraid to trip or do something wrong. They had practiced the entire ceremony's procession several times, but that didn't stop her from being restless in case she messed up.
A few maids had dressed and groomed her and she now sported her dress as the princess's maid of honor, a long, long-sleeved, sky-blue dress, tightly-fitted at the waist, whose bell-shaped skirt fell in an elegant manner to her feet.
She found herself in that moment in the princess's chambers, observing how her ladies-in-waiting made the finishing touches to her dress and hairdo. The princess's dress was of a cream color, had long-sleeves that were wide on the ends, with a slight cleavage and was tightly-fitted a bit above the waist. The skirt of the dress was similar to Ilia's, but longer, brushing along the floor. On her back, at the height of her waist, she wore a large tulle bow, its ends falling until reaching the floor. A pair of gloves, also cream in color, covered her arms up to the elbows. Her hair had been pulled up in a large bun behind her head, but a few, previously curled, strands fell from the sides of the hairdo. To finish, the princess sported some gold, Triforce-shaped earrings and a necklace, also gold, with Nayru's symbol. After doing her makeup, the ladies-in-waiting put tiny white flowers on her bun and veil.
"Why are you so nervous, Ilia?" The princess asked, looking at her. "It is I whom is getting married."
"You are not nervous, Highness?"
"Of course I am, but with time I learned to not show my emotions. Things like worries and feelings are not well seen among rulers, so we learn not to show them in public."
"It is not fair to not show how you really are before others," Ilia said a bit sadden by that revelation.
"I know. Luckily, Link is different," Zelda replied with a feeble smile. "With him I show myself just as I am, he does not judge me nor does he criticize me, and if I make a mistake in something, he smiles and forgives me. Sometimes I wonder how is it possible that, in a corrupt world full of atrocities such as ours, exists someone so pure and innocent like him."
"He is like that," Ilia said with a grin. "Always forgiving and never hating. I know that even those nobles, whom he doesn't precisely get along with, he doesn't hate them. Like any other person he shows feelings like wrath, rage, and hostility, but he is incapable of hating anybody."
She looked at the princess, whom returned the look with another grin. She knew that Zelda had noticed that bit of Link's nature, but she also knew that she needed to express that out-loud, to give the security the princess needed in that moment.
"But you can't only show how you are in front of Link," She continued saying. "I, and any of Link's friends, would be pleased to know the real princess of Hyrule… well, soon to-be queen."
"Thank you."
That was the second time that the princess of Hyrule thanked her in such a gentle and sincere manner. She felt good because of that, perhaps they could become good friends.
When she tired of seeing how the ladies-in-waiting finished grooming the princess, Ilia excused herself and left the room. She wanted to see Link, see how he was doing, so she walked a few meters and called at the door next to Zelda's. After a few seconds, a servant opened the door and let her in.
Link was lazily sitting on one of the armchairs. He seemed calm and relaxed, as if it were any other day.
"Hello, Ilia," Link greeted jovially. "That dress suits you well. I think it's the first time I've seen you so groomed."
"Thanks. You aren't bad either, dressed like that."
The boy laughed. His weeding outfit consisted of a light ceremonial armor that consisted of a breastplate, armguards and greaves. A thick, white shirt and black pants could be seen under the armor. The leather boots he was wearing were black, they reached to half of his calf, were pointy and had a little bit of heel. He also wore a pair of leather gloves, which were also black. His blue earrings had been substituted by some golden ones. Ilia also noticed that his hair had been carefully groomed, with almost all of his hair tied back in a small, low-ponytail and knotted with a black, satin ribbon. She had to recognize the good work of whoever did his hair, they had managed to keep his rebellious bangs from falling over his eyes too much.
"My lord," A servant said, "it's almost time to go to the temple."
"Right."
He rose from the armchair and a couple of servants approached him with a dark-blue cape in their arms.
"You are not nervous?" Ilia asked as she watched how they placed the cape over his breastplate.
"Why should I be? It's not like my day to day is going to change much after this."
Ilia knew he was lying, she could see it in his eyes, but preferred not to say anything.
When he already had the cape well fitted, one of the servants approached with a cap on his hand. It was long and pointy, like the one he always wore, but black. Link took it and put it carefully over his head. Ilia looked at him with a raised eyebrow in a questioning manner.
"Don't look at me like that," Link said as he finished donning the cap. "It was Her Highness's idea. She said something about it being my characteristic feature or something like that," He told the servants with a gesture to leave the room and these obeyed him immediately. "She also said I look adorable with it." He added with a blush. "I don't know what can be adorable about a cap."
Ilia laughed. She had to agree with the princess on that subject, that strange cap suited him very well. She observed him attentively from top to bottom. He really was handsome. It was moments like these in which she regretted renouncing to him.
"Why are you wearing an armor?" She asked with genuine interest.
"Apparently it's tradition among soldiers," He answered a bit hesitant. "Even though I'm not really within the military ranks, I'm officially a soldier, so I must wear it."
"Right, you are the princess's personal guardian," She said with a grin. "She is certainly an intelligent woman."
"Why is that?"
"Isn't it obvious? Because she has been fast, and clever enough, to catch you."
Link stared at her with a frown, it seemed he didn't get what she was implying. He could be a bit dense sometimes.
"What are you implying?" He asked.
"How can you be so oblivious?! I've seen how the girls in Castle Town follow you around like animals in heat…"
"Ilia!" Link yelled in a reproachful tone.
"What?! It's true!" She herself had been like those girls, so she knew what she was talking about. "And the princess is not so different from them," She paused, seeing the annoyed expression of his face. "Don't look at me like that. You should be more aware of yourself and of what the rest think of you," He didn't know how she did it, but Ilia always ended up scolding him for one thing or another. "You are an attractive man and, though it may not look like it right now, intelligent," Link looked at her with reproach. "Any woman would feel attracted to you, including the princess."
"You are not saying anything she hadn't told me before.," He said, looking away, blushing.
Ilia tilted her head to a side and arched an eyebrow, curious. At least the princess had confessed to Link that she found him attractive, it was a good start.
"What I mean to tell you, Link, it's that she had her eye on you since the moment she offered you a job here at the castle. Unlike other women from Castle Town, she doesn't see you only as the great hero who saved her, she sees you like a man."
It looked like Link was starting to understand what Ilia was trying to tell him. She couldn't tell him directly, that was something the princess had to make him know. But she saw it necessary, he need to know that Zelda appreciated him more than he had imagined.
"I'm going to ask you something very important and I need you to be completely honest with me," Ilia waited for him to tell her to continue. "Do you love her?"
To say that she was nervous was an understatement, she was extremely nervous. She had been calm, busy, and concentrated on leaving everything ready until the day before, but not nervous. However, on that same instant, she felt her heart pounding with force inside her chest. She breathed in deeply, she needed to calm herself. Everything was going to be fine, she had prepared all mindfully, but there was always the risk of something going wrong. She only hoped that someone like Lord Wallace would not come to interrupt the ceremony. Luckily, in a couple of hours, everything would end and no one could come to reproach her for her choice.
Someone called at the door. One of her ladies-in-waiting opened it and let Ilia in. The girl had a grin on her face. It seemed like her nervousness had vanished, giving way to joyfulness.
"I have been told to tell you, Highness, that the children are ready and are waiting in the reception room," Ilia said.
"Thank you. I am almost ready."
Cecile, her personal maid, placed the veil over her head with care, holding it with a diadem of gold and diamonds, while the other two placed a dark-blue colored cape over her shoulders.
"All done, Highness," Cecile said with a big smile. "You are lovely. If Sir Link had not yet been captivated by you, he would once he sees you."
Zelda took a deep breath and smiled lightly. The time had come.
When they finally arrived at the temple, she felt more relaxed. The sound of the dry maple leaves under her feet had helped her get distracted and relax. While she walked ceremoniously towards the temple, she could see with her own eyes how the streets of Castle Town were beautifully decorated. The townsfolk smiled and shouted jubilantly as she went by.
Heading the procession was Malo, carrying a cushion with an object on top of it, covered by a white handkerchief. Behind him, Beth threw different-colored rose petals on the way. Zelda and Ilia were next, the latter guiding the princess by her arm; she thanked for that, she couldn't see much with the veil over her eyes. The last ones were Colin and Talo, holding the train of her dress. Six guards were in charge of escorting them towards the entrance of the temple, one in front, another in the back, and two on each side.
Just as she passed through the door, her mind blanked. Nothing of what she saw or heard was processing through her brain. She advanced in an automatic manner and ignored the priest's ceremonial words. Only when she saw the hero's gorgeous and fierce eyes did she react; without knowing, she had turned towards Link and he had removed the veil from her face. He was serious and seemed nervous, but Zelda could see a tiny spark of satisfaction and admiration in his eyes. Everything went well, she told herself.
The ceremony continued. The princess's mind wandered again, but this time she did it voluntarily. The sermon about the virtue of marriage and the favor of the goddesses that the priest was offering them was long and tedious, she had even noticed a concealed yawn from Ilia, who was at her left. She glanced at her right to look at Link. She noticed that his eyelids were lower than usual. He was bored. Zelda had to contain her laughter at the sight, but couldn't help to smile just a bit.
It seemed as the man never tired of speaking. Her feet began to hurt from standing there a while. It would have been better to wear flat shoes, after all, they could not be seen with the dress. Finally, after an endless hour, the moment everyone had waited for had come. Among the lower class it was tradition for the bride and groom to exchange vows and promises of love and respect, however, presents were exchanged among nobility and royalty, for the majority of those marriages were for political reasons, almost never for love. But Zelda loved Link, so she didn't want her gift to be just material. Malo approached her with a tray on his hands. The princess removed the handkerchief and revealed her princess circlet. She took it and showed it to Link. She heard the murmur of the attendees, many were wondering why the princess would give something so valuable.
"I have carried this circlet for many years, it symbolizes who and what I am. It has been with me at all times, both in the moments of joy as of sorrow, watching all my actions and decisions, including those that will pursue me for life. Despite it being a burden on several occasions, it has also been what guided me until today. With its weight over my head, reminding me at every moment what I had to do and what path I had to take. For this reason, I give it to you, with the hope and wish that it will be you who, from this moment on, will accompany and guide me through the right path."
Link extended his hands in front of her, accepting the gift. There was a small, but warm, smile on his face. He placed the circlet over the altar with care and turned towards Rusl, who carried his gift. With the present in his hands, the young hero turned towards the princess. Zelda looked at the sheathed sword in his hands, it was simple and the handle was worn. She recognized it immediately, it was the sword he was carrying since he had left the Master Sword until she gave him the one that was hanging on his belt at that moment. Link took it with both hands, one at the base of the handle and the other near the tip, and showed it to her.
"Originally, this sword had been forged as a gift for Her Highness, but because of the circumstances of the moment, it was I who ended wielding it. As many know, I was only peasant, a goat-herder, but the arrival of the Twilight changed my life completely. I went from playing with wooden swords with the village children, to fighting with one for my loved ones and my own survival, to risk my life each time I drew it. Now, wielding a sword is my way of life, my day to day, and I am content for that. This sword symbolizes my life, that is the reason I give it to you."
Zelda's breathing stopped in that moment. On one occasion he had told her that, after the wedding, he would be completely hers. She had interpreted it from a metaphorical manner, but now his tone of voice told her that he was being serious, he really was giving himself to her. And just as that time, the princess didn't know how to interpret it.
Silence and stupefaction reigned in the room. Eloquent words for a simple peasant, many thought, but the majority couldn't deny that they had been moved. The hero's words denoted affection, kindness, and absolute devotion to the princess. Zelda was also moved. She wanted to cry, but gathered her strength not to. She couldn't show her feelings in public.
With trembling hands, she took the sword she was offered and placed it on the altar, in front of her. After a few more seconds of silence, the priest continued with the ceremony. The princess became mentally absent again. Her thoughts kept going to the man next to her. That devotion he showed towards her a few instants earlier weren't only from friendship, were they? She wished it were from something else, but she didn't want to bring her hopes up.
"I do," She heard Link say.
Without noticing, they had arrived at the final part of the ceremony. She had to focus. It was completely necessary to be hundred percent alert during that part. The priest repeated the same question, but this time towards her.
"I do," She replied after a deep breath.
After a long blessing from the priest, he gave them permission to kiss. Zelda turned towards her now husband and felt his large and strong hand over her shoulder. With that hand, he brought her closer to him, to lean and place his lips over hers. The kiss was short, but gentle and full of tenderness. When they parted, they looked at each other's eyes. Zelda couldn't help to smile at seeing a smile on his lips.
The wedding ceremony was over and now another, no less important one, had started. It was time for the princess to be crowned as queen. The priest made a gesture with his hand towards a pair of novices and these moved towards them with a crown each over red velvet cushions. The priest took the bigger one and approached Zelda.
"Kneel, Highness," The priest told her.
Ilia removed the circlet she was wearing. With difficulty because of the dress, and with help from Link and Ilia's part, Zelda kneeled and bowed her head. The priest held the crown over the princess's head, at a certain distance.
"Do you swear, Highness, to serve Hyrule and its goddesses for the remainder of your life?"
"I do."
"Do you swear to govern in a just and benevolent manner, according to the goddesses' judgement?"
"I do."
"Raise your head."
Zelda obeyed and the priest placed the crown over her head.
"By the power vested in me by the goddesses and the crown, I hereby declare you queen and sovereign of Hyrule."
Zelda, with help again, stood up. The room burst in applause and cheers, but the ceremony wasn't over yet. Zelda took the smaller crown from the other novice's hands and turned towards her husband.
"Kneel, hero," She said solemnly, to which the hero obeyed after taking his cap off. "To you who have sworn to me protection, as a soldier of my army that you are; to you who swore to me loyalty through a promise of marriage; you who will remain at my side until the end of your days, I bestow on you your new title. Raise your head. I, Zelda Nohansen Hyrule, queen and sovereign of Hyrule, name you prince consort."
Looking at him at the eyes, the queen placed the crown on her newly named consort.
The ceremony had been celebrated according to the plan and the festivities also went on in a satisfactory manner.
After the ceremony, the bride and groom had changed their outfits a bit: Link had swapped his armor for a fine evening shirt and a jacket; Zelda, on her part, had taken off her veil and cape. Still, both sported their respective crowns over their heads, to the hero's chagrin. After changing, both had entered the room, being received by the fanfare of trumpets and great ovation, all of it very exaggerated according to Link's opinion. Zelda had laughed about that remark as they went down the stairs towards the room; she had assured Link that that was expected of a royal wedding. They had eaten and they had danced, between them and with other guests. Now they found themselves sitting in their table, watching their guests talk, drink, and dance.
Zelda felt tired, it had been a very long day and there was still a long night ahead, or at least she hoped. She glanced at Link at her side, who, by his posture, also seemed to be exhausted, to the point of falling asleep in any moment.
"Do not fall asleep," Said the now-queen, amusedly. "It will be bad for your image if your head touches the table by doing so."
"It's late," He murmured in response, his head resting on his hand. "Couldn't we go to sleep now?"
It was really late indeed. Some of the guests had begun to retire a long while ago, Link's friends among them, so it was acceptable for them to leave too.
"All right, let's dance one more time and then leave with discretion."
Link rose from his chair and helped her do the same. They walked slowly towards the middle of the room and danced one last piece.
"You do know that, even though we leave, the night has not yet ended for us, right?"
Zelda had asked him with a suggestive tone, surrounding his neck with her arms and pressing herself to him. Link blushed a bit in response. She giggled.
Just as she suggested, they left the room discreetly, without many people noticing, although they heard commander Aster wish them luck as they crossed the door. In the room they were to share from now on, Cecile was waiting for them with the sleeping clothes ready. Zelda noticed that the gifts they interchanged were resting over a dresser.
"Majesty," Cecile said, calling her attention. "If you permit, I will help you take the dress off."
"Thank you."
Accompanied by her lady-in-waiting, Zelda walked behind a large folding-screen that was at one end of the room, not without seeing first how Link took off his crown and jacket and threw them carelessly over a couch. She felt better once she was free from that heavy dress. Cecile helped her again to put on a nightgown and then retired from the room.
When she came out from behind the folding-screen, she saw Link sitting in the middle of the couch with his legs stretched in front of him, his head back, resting over the backrest, and his eyes closed. He had left his boots laying around, same as his gloves, but he remained completely dressed, though. Zelda sighed.
"Link, are you not going to change your clothes?"
He moaned in protest as a response. The queen stood in front of him and crossed her arms.
"Link!" She said in an imperative tone. "Undress and change!"
"For you is easy," He said with a reproachful tone. "You have someone to help you dress."
"It was you who refused to have a valet, so carry with the consequences."
Even though she felt a bit irritated by the lack of cooperation from his part, she smiled at an idea that just passed through her head. She lifted the skirt of her nightgown a bit and sat on her husband's lap, with her knees resting on the couch, one on each side of him. Link looked at her in a questioning manner and she smiled slyly as she held him delicately by the collar of his shirt.
"Well then, if you need help to take off your clothes I can offer mine," She suggested.
He didn't respond at first, limiting to stare directly at her eyes.
"If that is what you wish to do, who am I to refuse?" He said finally, with a smile on his lips. "But before that," He said as she slid her hands down to the first button of his shirt. "Didn't you and I have a deal?"
Now it was her who looked at him in a questioning manner.
"Our deal was that I would speak to you in an informal manner if you would also do it after the wedding," He explained, "but you are still speaking formally."
It was true, they had come to that agreement. Not that she didn't remember, but her head was full of other thoughts that had nothing to do with her manner of speech. She nodded and resumed what she was doing, while he rested his head on the backrest again.
She unbuttoned the shirt slowly and with care. Once finished, she placed her palms over his abdomen and moved them up but by bit, caressing his skin, until reaching the shoulders. She lowered her hands through his arms, lowering the shirt in the process until it reached his elbows. She looked at Link, who kept his eyes closed and his head lowed back, giving Zelda a perfect view of his neck. Without a moment's doubt, she descended towards that area and placed a small kiss over the scar he had at its base. She trailed small kisses throughout his neck while caressing his abdomen and chest gently. She heard Link let out small sighs and felt how his large hands were placed over her waist.
"Zelda," He said almost as a whisper, "I have something to tell you."
"Now?" She asked against his neck, annoyed by the interruption.
"It's important."
Zelda sighed. Reluctant, she pulled away from him a bit and looked at him in the eyes. His expression was serious, grave.
"It's something I wanted to tell you for some time, but I wasn't sure how to do it or if I should. But Ilia insisted that I do so," He paused and looked away. "When you spoke of marriage, I lied."
Zelda looked at him with worry. By his expression, it must be something severe. He had insisted that the engagement didn't pose a problem to him, that he didn't love anyone, but, what if it wasn't true? If he really loved another woman and had felt obligated to marry her, Zelda would feel terrible and guilty because of that. She didn't want to ruin his happiness.
"When I agreed," He continued, "I told you that I accepted because it was my duty as a hero and because our friendship was very dear to me. In a sense, all that is true, but I omitted a certain detail," He removed his hands from her waist to pass them over her back and pull her towards him, hugging her. "I love you, Zelda," He whispered near her ear.
That was the last thing she expected him to say. Of course she wished that one day he would tell her those words, but she had gotten rid of that idea, she didn't want to get her hopes up. She buried her face against his neck, inhaling his scent, and smiled. She felt happy.
"I have also lied to you, Link," She said without separating from him. "When I proposed this marriage, I told you that it was for Hyrule's sake, but I was not at all honest. I really though, and still think, that it is the best for my people, but I only used it as an excuse. The truth is that I love you, Link; that is the real reason for which I wanted us to marry."
She separated a bit when she felt his hand on her face. Those beautiful and fierce eyes fixed on her. Link moved his hand from her face to the back of her head, pulling her towards him again and kissed her. That kiss was different from any other he had given her before, it was passionate, intense, and full of desire. As they kissed, Zelda felt the hand on the back of her head tenderly caress her hair, the other remaining on her hip, giving light touches. She on her part, stroked his torso, feeling each muscle on her palms, each scar. When they finally separated, they looked at each other in the eyes. His gaze was intense, like that of a beast about to hunt his prey, a look that sent currents traveling throughout her back.
"Tell me, Zelda," He said suddenly. "I told you in Ordon that I would be completely yours after the wedding, and today I've reasserted that. Tell me what is it that you desire and I will be delighted to please you."
Zelda continued to look at him fixedly. She felt warm and nervous for what she was about to ask him. She raised her hands and placed them on both sides of his head, intertwining her fingers with his blond hair.
"I…" She interrupted herself, remembering their deal. "Make me yours."
Link smiled. She slipped one of his arms around her back, the other under her legs, and rose from the couch with her in arms. Zelda, in fear of falling, held on to him tightly with arms and legs. Wasn't he supposed to be exhausted?
The hero slowly headed towards the bed, where he put her down gently and remained above her, his hands resting on the bed. He finished taking off his shirt, throwing it carelessly to the floor, and descended on her, placing a soft kiss on her lips. When they pulled away, Zelda placed her right hand on his face.
"Tell me Link, you have said that you are willing to satisfy my desires, haven't you?" He nodded. "But what are yours? I also want to do all that is possible to make them true."
Link kissed her again softly and smiled.
"All that I desire is in front of me."
THE END