Chapter Two:

Left down the next hallway, then the second right. I had to stay far enough away, but close enough to see. This has been my job since the suiters have been here. I made sure to follow close to the Princess and the Prince of the Southern Isles to make sure things didn't go south fast. There was something about Ruffio I just didn't trust. Things have seemed to be going well enough except he may be on to the unwelcomed follower, he was making haisty turns at random, but I saw right through him. There was no way I would lose them. I caught a few words they shared.

"This is a magnificent kingdom... Never seen such beauty."

"...best gaurds around... no one tries anything out of line here."

Good, Zelda didn't trust him either. She only brags about the gaurds unforgiving nature of traitors to the ones she doesn't trust. Hyrule has the best gaurds this side of the world has seen, but few know how serious we are about the job. Another left and they stoped in a parlor and sat on one of the dozen seatings that were layen about. I hid behind one of the great pillars and looked to my left. Of course Impa was behind the next one, I didn't even hear her behind me, but I should have known. Impa three her hands in different signs, signs that the millitary use when the spies are trying to keep quite. It took me a moment to translate them.

I got it from here, go back to the barracks and get some rest for your night shift.

I signed back to her.

I don't trust him alone with her or alone for that matter. Keep a close eye on the two of them.

She only nodded in responce, I came around the column and gave a deep bow to the royal duo and headed to the barracks, but not before Zelda gave me a knowing look. I returned it saying I'll explain tonight.

Sundown. That's when my shift starts. I escort Zelda to her bedroom for the evening and stand watch at her door until sunrise. I filled her in on my distrust of Ruffio, she was silent for a while, then she finally spoke.

"I agree with you whole heartedly, some of the things he said worries me." she cupped her chin with her hand.

"What things did he say?"

"Things others wouldn't give a second thought to, but, being the holder of the Triforce of Wisdom, I saw through him like a window. He asked of the imports and exports of Hyrule and so forth. He even asked what my crown jewels were, 'In the Southern Isles, ours our ruby and mother pearl.' he told me."

"Do you think hes after the jewels?" I asked working through it.

"I think he's after more than that, let us put our mistrust behind us for now, he may just be playing 'my horse is bigger than yours'."

I agreed, we may just be over cautious because of the peace in Hyrule, what was to us 14 years ago, there was war everywhere. We still are not use to peace at our age.

Lost in thought I nearly collided into the Prince himself, I hadn't gotten a closer look at him before. He had green eyes, and rather shaggy brown hair. I noticed he prefered white dressings rather than Hyrules favored lavender, he had one hand placed in the folds of his dress coat.

"Ah Princess Zelda, fancy seeing you this part of the castle." he gave her a prize winning smirk. "I don't believe we have met, I am Ruffio, Prince of the Southern Isles, have you been?" he turned to me. I bowed while he spoke.

"I'm Link, a knight here in the castle. I'm sorry i cannot say i have, the farthest I've been south is to Termania."

"What a shame." he turned back to Zelda, "may I escort the Princess to her room?"

"No, Thank you Ruffio, Link here is on duty to watch over me for the afternoon." Zelda replied a hint of bitterness in her tone.

"Shame, Well sleep tight Highness, I hope to see you tomorrow." he bowed to her where she curtseyed lightly and we parted ways. Out of earshot Zelda started up again.

"He has been like that all day, I'm lucky to go to the bathroom without him less than five feet behind me!" We arrived at her door, I opened it for her.

"Perhaps a hot bath will help calm you, Highness. If you need anything I will be just outside."

"Thank you Link, really." I gave her a wide smile.

"Anything for you, Highness, anything at all. Sleep tight. And sleep a bit more for me." she returned the smile and closed her door.

And so Ruffio's follwings went on for a week. I was on post at her door around midnight, when something shuffled to the hallway. With my hand on the hilt of my sword, Impa came into view.

"Impa." I nodded to her, which she returned.

"Glad you take your job seriously Link, I wanted tto talk to you about the Prince of the Southern Isles."

"He's leaving tomorrow isn't he?" I couldn't help the excutment in my voice.

"If you would be patient," oh, no. She was scolding me. "The kings advisors rather like him, and have asked for him to stay another week. Keep up your work, I don't want him to be alone for one second, I will be posted at his door, he is not to leave at night without an escort."

"A knights job is never truly done." I sighed.

"Luckily it's second nature to you." she placed her hand on my shoulder and retreated down the hall way, no doubt to her post outside Prince Ruffio's room, I was in for a long week.

"Father, this really isn't necessary, I am not interested in suitors! I'm sorry you and your advisors do not believe I will be a great queen without a husband. However I know I will be the greatest queen Hyrule has ever seen." Zelda was livid when she found out Prince Ruffio would be extending his stay. Not even bothering for her hand maids to fix her hair, she stormed into her fathers office early in the morning.

"Zelda, my dear, I do not doubt you will be a wonderful queen. It's our people I worry will doubt your greatness. The people of Hyrule have not seen a queen rule alone in a very long time and I worry they will not take you seriously." The king placed a hand on his desk, leaning on it. I have not seen him so stressed in a very long time.

"Then I will prove it to them." and with that, Zelda stormed out of the study.

I looked at the king nervously and bowed to him, he nodded and I followed after the Princess. I could see both sides of the royal coin, while Zelda would be a grat queen, I don't know how the people would react. I have seen Zelda in the courts, she is so regal when we aren't alone. Zelda holds her head high and doesn't falter easily. The future queen in her could prove she would be the greatest since the first queen Herself. We ended up in the courtyard, Zelda threw herself on the grass.

She was beautiful in the spring grass, her hair flowed around her like a halo of light and her dress spread around the wild flowers. Beautiful Cobalt eyes hidden under soft pink eyelids. Light red lips relaxed, and dainty fingers entwined on her chest. She was surly a sight to see, the goddesses put her on this land for us to enjoy, a natural beauty like Hylia herself. I laid next to her and stared at the beautiful face. One eye opened to look back at me, and shortly after a smile.

"You will be a wonderful queen, husband or no," I smiled at her "anyone who talks to the king like that would be a great leader, the look on his face was priceless." we laughed.

"Thank you, it did make me feel better watching his face."

We stayed there soaking up as much of the early morning sun, but soon it was time for breakfast and I had to get Zelda to her room to finish her morning routine of getting ready for the day. I took her hand to help the royal girl off the ground.