Chapter 4! Since I didn't do this before, I'm making a public thank-you to everyone who reviewed - sippurp123, tarooso, iranda20, ShadowNinja1011 & Neko x3.

Thanks to all of you! I love you all!

Story!

Hyrule, Lanayru Province, Hyrule Field

There is little one can do to escape Impa's gaze. It didn't take long for Link to realize this. Her face was almost always stonelike, her features cold, unmoving. If you listened closely, very closely, you could almost hear her breathe. Around him a breeze was blowing, the sun was shining in a cloudless early-morning sky in the field where the knights usually trained, but Link barely noticed. His hands began to sweat. Silence, when you think about it, is extremely irritating. She stood not ten feet away from him, examining him. Watching him. Her gaze bore into him, and he was, quite frankly, uncomfortable. For a long time he thought about coughing or something, to break the prolonged silence that bothered him so, but before he could decide whether to do it or not, she finally spoke.

"Zelda trusts you enough that she is willing to put her life in your hands for the time being,"

Not the most amiable way to begin a conversation, he thought, but nonethess he nodded, determined.

"I too trust you, Hero." She said with a softer tone. Link felt a wave of relief through him. "But you must know what being a bodyguard of a princess means." She walked slowly, in no particular direction, never taking her eyes off of him.

"Are you ready to protect her with your life?"

"Of course,"

"Can you be by her side at every moment?"

"I already am,"

"Will you face any and all danger for her, no matter how gruesome or unspeakable?"

"I will,"

Link could've sworn he saw Impa smile, but his better judgement was sure she hadn't.

"I'd never say this to any other guard or knight, Link," Impa's tone was warm. "Zelda couldn't have picked anyone better for a personal guard."

Link smiled at the praise. It was true, she rarely ever spoke, let alone said such kind words to anyone but those she was close with.

"You'll be moved to the living quarters right next to the Princess," Impa continued, regaining her professional tone. "You'll be with her at all times, always ready to face any danger that may arise. You must report to Auru or myself frequently. Do you understand?"

"I understand completely," Link confirmed, gaining confidence.

"Good then. I must take my leave. You'll likely find Zelda in her quarters. " Link nodded. "Good luck," She whispered, and was gone before Link could look back.

There was a feeling in the pit of Zelda's stomach that she couldn't explain. It was something between happiness and anxiety, and when she thought of Link protecting her from now on, it increased a hundredfold. She didn't quite understand, but she assumed it was her relief at finally being protected. Not being alone. Well, maybe she was never really alone. She always had someone by her side, someone who listened to her, and she listened to him. Someone she trusted. There was a sudden knock at the door, and there he was.

"Link," She said happily.

There was that feeling again.

Link smiled back at her. The two, when alone, shared a casual atmosphere that Zelda shared with no one else. It was special, and rare.

"I guess you're stuck with me, Zellie," Link said, grinning at his joke. Zelda laughed, though quickly & gracefully covered her mouth out of habit.

"No, no... I'm happy. I'm not alone anymore."

Link's expression became much more serious for a moment. "But you never really are alone. I'm always here,"

The princess' face heated up slightly.

And the feeling returned again.

Over the weeks, Zelda had never felt safer. Though Termina began to descend into chaos, she tried her best to help, talked to Aveil often and not once did her nightmare recur. Link, her best friend and now, personal guard, was always by her side. She never thought, not once, that a simple letter could ruin that.

"Your Highness, post arrived from Viscen of Termina," said a castle maid, handing her an envelope with her name in perfect handwriting, and the official Seal of Termina. Slightly surprised, Zelda took the letter.

Honorable Princess Zelda,

I wish I were writing you under better circumstances. Upon the murder of my mother and father, the King and Queen, my beloved kingdom of Termina has most unfortunately fallen into chaos and disarray. I can only wish that the situation in your Hyrule is fairing better. However, I must be direct in the reason for my letter, for you see, the circumstances are quite dire.

Since I have heard no reports of war or thievery in Hyrule, I must commend you and your loyal citizens. Conversely, the Terminian people are in desperate need of a king, and that is my duty to uphold. However, my people also need a queen. This is my humble request.

With nothing but the utmost respect, I implore you to consider. A diplomatic bond between our kingdoms would be nothing but mutually beneficial. I realize this is quite a heavy decision to make on such short notice, so by all means, take your time.

I really do hope you consider my offer. I have nothing but the highest respect for you and your kingdom. Do think it over.

Aveil sends her best.

Courteously,

Prince Viscen of Termina

Zelda read over the letter twice. It seemed unreal, an outright offer like that. Of course, she really did sympathize with the situation in Termina, and she had spoken with both Aveil and Viscen respectively about the possibility of her considering it, but such a sudden request surprised her greatly. Clutching the letter, she rushed up to her study.

"What's the hurry?" Link asked.

Zelda was almost about to smack him for following her around until she remembered that she'd asked him to.

"Oh, I've just got a letter that I'd like to reply to quickly," she said, slowing her pace.

"Ah, I see," Link replied, cheerful as ever, catching up to her. "Might I ask from who the letter is?"

Again Zelda was slightly uncomfortable at his curiosity, but again she remember that is was his duty to protect her, even if that meant a little less privacy for her. Although, what did she care? Link was her best friend, she probably would've told him anyway.

"It's from Viscen of Termina," she explained upon reaching her study.

The name brought back unwanted memories of the banquet so many nights ago. When Link asked of Zelda's love.

"Ah... A-and how is he?" Link feigned a calm, casual voice as best he could.

"Oh, Termina is doing just awful. The people are in dire need of a king," Zelda pulled out the chair at her desk and dug through a drawer for a quill and parchment.

Link smiled slightly. Viscen was a friend, however akward he may feel conversing about him. "He'll make a wonderful king! He'll have Termina back in order in no time," he said, hoping that this was the end of the conversation.

"Oh, I agree!" Zelda said genuinely, but she suddenly looked solemnly at the ground. "But after all... A king needs a queen, doesn't he..."

Link's icy blue eyes shot her a look somewhere between confusion and disappointment.

"You see... The people of Termina believe it would be best for their king to rule alongside a queen," Zelda explained. "Since we had considered it before, I suppose I should'nt be so surprised at this request, but it's taken be off guard a bit."

"He wants you... You're going to..." Link was finding it hard to form sentences from shock.

Zelda couldn't help but giggle at him, though it was quite a melancholy laugh.

"Yes, he's requested I consider marriage to him, for diplomatic purposes. To strengthen both Hyrule and Termina,"

"Only for diplomacy?" Link said after a short silence.

"Yes,"

"Are you... Considering it?"

"Of course, I'll give the situation careful consideration. There is no denying that it would be mutually beneficial-"

"Benefit? Is that all that matters?" Link cut her off, suddenly frustrated. "Nothing else?"

"My best interests are that of the kingdom, Link." Zelda replied harshly. "Neither I nor Viscen can afford to think selfishly."

"Aw, come on, Zelda, do you even like the guy?!"

"That is not relevant, nor is it a discussion I want to have with you right now."

Those words stung.

"I just think that you deserve to marry who you want, why you want."

"I told you, Link, that's such selfish thinking! This is the fate of all princesses, Link. Not everyone gets a perfectly happy ending."

"That doesn't mean you've got to marry the first person to ask!"

"This is a very delicate situation, Link. I can't afford to take my time."

"But Zel, I just think you-"

"Please, Link, I would like some time alone for a change."

"I'm your guard,"

"And you're doing a fine job," Zelda spoke quickly, not bothering to hide the sheer frustration in her voice. "Which is why I'm giving you the next three days off. Goodbye," Zelda walked swiftly to the door and opened it for him. She did not meet his eyes as he walked out, defeated.

The princess buried her face in her hands. How she hated such arguments. Glancing back at the letter on her desk, regret fosters through her. Perhaps Link, from his view of the matter, has a point, she thought reluctantly. But though he is my trusted friend, it was out of his place to argue about it so. She nodded, and got back to her desk.

Link leaned against the door after she shut it loudly and locked it behind him. He immediately regretted the conversation, but decided against going back to talk to Zelda. She'd rip my head off, he thought, and started walking aimlessly around the castle. No one bothered him, not even to ask why he wasn't with the princess. He soon found himself in the stables, and immediately his horse, Epona, whinnied. It might be best, he thought, to leave the princess alone for those three days. She had an important decision to make, after all.

Okay! There's Chapter 4. I know it's been a bit slow and the ZeLink has been scarce, but it's going to pick up soon, I promise. Reviews are cool.

Uploaded on 3/29/13, 10:35 pm, EST