Chapter 4 – Link Learns the Truth

Impa kept to the shadows as she followed Link and Zelda through the castle, she had an idea of where the two of them were headed, as she walked behind them she was thankful that all of the soldiers had been allowed to spend the day with their families and friends because she would not have been able to follow the two teenagers otherwise. As Link and Zelda made their way outside, Impa noticed that Link and Zelda were practically standing in the same spot, and then once they had made it to the castle gardens (as Impa had expected) Zelda may as well have sat in Link's lap, they were so close together!

Slowly, Impa made her way along the wall behind some tall plants and she could hear Link and Zelda quiet clearly.

"I never thought that you would have faked and injury in a fight with Impa Link."

"It would have gone on for a long time if I did not though, plus now we can be alone for longer." Link said as his voice got quieter as he was talking, Zelda did not reply to Link's statement so Impa risked a look at the two young adults, whether she was surprised or not at what she saw, she knew that King Daphnes had to know about what she had seen, and Daphnes was definitely going to be pleased.

"Daphnes," Impa said as she reached his study, "I have an answer for you." At this the King looked up at the person that he trusted the most hoping for a good answer.

"Well?" Daphnes asked, he was looking at Impa's face, it looked like she had witness something bad, "They do not like each other the way that would be best for them." Daphnes sighed. Suddenly he heard laughter, he looked up to see a rare sight, Impa was laughing.

"I cannot believe that you fell for that." She said in between laughs. Daphnes just stared at her in anger, until he started laughing along with her, he had started to cry, not because he was sad, not due to laughter, but tears of joy, joy of the fact that the arranged marriage between his daughter and Link would be happy together.

"Oh Impa," Daphnes said, getting up and hugging her, "This is amazing, the two of them shall be happy together. I will have to tell Link later in his lesson with me."

"Shall I tell Zelda then?" Impa asked.

"No, I think Zelda should find out on her birthday." Daphnes said, Zelda's birthday was only a week away and preparations had already begun. "I have been able to keep the suitors off for this long, but on her eighteenth birthday they would be free to try and win her hand. Not that we will have to worry about them." Daphnes said, he had a feeling that Zelda was going to enjoy her eighteenth birthday.

. . . . . . .

"Link, your lesson will be with King Daphnes in his study in private today." Impa announced to Link and Zelda who were having lunch out in the garden after their little make out session. They were about to protest when Impa said, "Zelda, your father has to tell something to Link which concerns him, therefore it must be in private, I'm sorry." With that Impa left knowing that Link would be happy when he found out the real reason why Daphnes wanted to 'teach' him in private today.

. . . . . . .

King Daphnes was sitting in his study waiting for Link to arrive, he was wondering how to tell Link about him being Zelda's consort. Link on the other hand, was wondering about what he needed to learn that was so important it needed to be taught in private, he and Zelda were given the talk together, so what was this important?
Once Link had reached King Daphnes' study, he knocked on the door and waited, "Come in." Daphnes said from behind the door. Link then entered and went to sit down at the desk opposite Daphnes, but Daphnes said, "Sit by the fireplace please Link."

Link, who was slightly confused by that, all of his other lessons were at the desk, why was this one different, but he went over to the chairs by the fireplace as Daphnes had asked.

As King Daphnes walked over to the fireplace, he said, "I presume by now, you are wondering why this lesson is different from the rest."

"Yes your Majesty." Link answered.

"Well this is not a lesson Link," Daphnes began, "But I need to tell you something."

"What is it?"

"Have you noticed, that in many other Kingdoms, the princess' have been receiving male visitors from the age of fourteen, and that I have not allowed male visitors for Zelda?"

"Do you mean Suitor's Sire?" Link asked.

"Yes Link," Daphnes said, "Do you know why I have not allowed Suitors to come and try to win Zelda's hand?"

"Well, one reason, which Zelda is hoping for, is that you would want Zelda to be free for as long as possible before becoming someone's wife, or, the reason Zelda is dreading, is that she already has a Consort." Link answered.

"Yes, those answers are the two reasons for not Suitors coming to the castle, though they are both correct in Zelda's case."

"You mean that she already had a Consort?" Link asked, sadness clear in his voice and body language.

"Correct Link," Daphnes said, "And I am certain that I have made the right choice for her."

"Then I wish to challenge this person for Zelda's hand." Link said, with his teeth clenched. At these words the King threw his head back and laughed. "Sire why are you laughing, by law I am allowed to fight for her hand in marriage against someone."

"Yes, that is true," Daphnes said after he had calmed down a bit, "But tell me Link, how would you be able to fight yourself?"

"I do not understand?" Link said in a confused tone.

"Think Link, you said that you would challenge Zelda's consort for her hand in marriage," Link nodded at those words, "Then I will ask again, how would you fight against yourself?"

Suddenly, realisation dawned on Link's face, "You do not mean,"

"Yes."

"But that means."

"Oh yes." Daphnes was smiling so much that it was hurting a bit, not that he noticed it, Link was just completely shocked.

"Well there goes the big speech that I had planned out saying why I would be a good husband to Zelda and how I would be a good King as well."

"Never mind that Link," Daphnes said whilst laughing, "Will you take my daughters hand in marriage?"

All Link said was one word, just one word, and it was the one of the most powerful words ever

Link said, "Yes."