Disclaimer: GrimGrave does not own any of the characters or their respective franchise; Legend of Zelda and Metroid belongs to Nintendo, while Soul Calibur belongs to Namco Bandai. GrimGrave does not earn money for writing fiction.

Also a very big thanks to all of you who reviewed chapter 3! I didn't reply to everyone but trust me, your reviews really kept me going. So thank you! I deeply appreciate it!

A Hylian's Harem

Chapter 4

Clash of the Women! Part 1

The metallic box of tools was quickly tossed aside onto the ground. The helmet fell down on the flat surface of the topside ship as the bounty hunter jumped down, a small cheerful grin displayed on her lips as she rushed over from the dismounted Hylian, tackling him onto the ground.

Link let out a loud grunt as the weight landed, pressing him down onto the earth.

"Ough! H-Hey Samus… Could… could you get off for just a few seconds…?" Link said with a cough. Samus let out a short laughter, getting up on her feet before dragging the Hylian up from the ground with a wide grin. A clumsy and random reunion, but a reunion nonetheless.

The bounty hunter spoke up first. "Quite the coincidence to see you again Link!"

"Likewise, Samus! What brings you over to Hyrule?" Link replied to the now puzzled woman. She looked around at the landscape surrounding her.

"Of all planets to crash land on, it was your home world huh…" She said, still looking around. "Though it wasn't planned, I won't complain. Still, a great coincidence I must say."

"It was rather befitting." Link said with a smile. "It's been too long. I don't even recall the last time we met and really hung out." He averted his eyes in thought, a finger resting upon his chin as he did. Samus took the chance to study his face; it had indeed been so long since they last met, she had nearly forgotten how much of a handsome young man Link was.

"Oh!" Link suddenly said. "Now I remember! It was during the-"

"-last Melee-Tournament a few years back. You and I were teamed up against Marth and Captain Falcon." Samus finished. "It has indeed been too long since last."

The blonde man chuckled as he was smiling bashfully. "I know. Forgive me Samus. But truth to be told, I have been very busy these recent years. I had to take care of a grave threat, to keep it short."

Samus laughed. Not particularly at Link, but rather his quirks. They had become close friends back when they participated in the fighting tournament; a strong bond that made them quite the formidable team. It was during that long period that Samus had begun to see Link in a different light, and it grew the more they got to know about each other.

His persona, his earlier deeds and overwhelming courage were fine traits. He could be fierce, yet calm and soothing. He was one-man army with all his gadgets and weapons, a wind of onslaught but equally gentle. He was so foreign to Samus, and all of this had resulted into a crush that the bounty hunter couldn't shake off. She desired him, wanting nothing more than be on the receiving end of his affections.

´Is this a sign…?´ Samus thought to herself. "Link, it's alright. I'm not mad at you. You and I are from different worlds; that alone is as good excuse as any as to why we can't meet regularly." Her voice was firm, but her soft features said otherwise.

"Granted. But I guess I should've have at least kept in touch in one way or another." Link's face was serious – solemn even. "Samus, you are one of my closest friends. I shouldn't have left without a word like that. I'm sorry." His eyes stared apologetically into Samus'. The same kind of stoic firmness, yet caring, gentle.

The bounty hunter felt her face grow warmer despite the cool breeze of the seaside. Hearing Link being so stubborn in his caring and apologetic sent the butterflies in her stomach flying; and what a sensation that was. Her knees felt weak in anticipation. Had she really been mad, she would've forgiven him anyway. Especially when he was so genuine and sincere with his apology.

Samus averted her eyes, trying to cover up her blush that resided on her cheeks. "It's… It's alright Link. I wasn't mad… I'm glad that I get to meet you again, that we are standing here right now."

She didn't have to look at him to know he was smiling. "I think so too, Samus." He replied. Suddenly, his face lit up with a brighter smile across his face, as if he came to a realisation. Samus felt intrigued.

"Here's a thought!" Link exclaimed. "Why don't you stay for a little while? This is perfect for us to catch up on lost time!"

The bounty hunter felt the corners of her mouth pulling upwards; Link her crush and centre of attraction, was asking her to stay for a while? She would be a fool to pass this up. She eagerly nodded, finding it hard to retain the composure at this point. Her heart was skipping with joy.

"I would love too! Besides, my ship is in no condition to take me anywhere," Samus jerked her thumb backwards to her ship. "and if the alternative to fix it is to spend time with you, I rather do the latter. Just let me fetch the helmet and put these tools away."

Before long, Epona whinnied loudly as she dashed across the bridges, with Link steadily on her back and an overjoyed bounty hunter hugging him from behind with her free arm. Neither said a word as they entered the vast field, though Samus let out silent gasps at the scenery – it was foreign to what she usually encountered, but this time there would be no exploring. No dangerous foes lurking about.

It was just her and Link, and all the time they could afford.

:::::

"Might I inquire what you think so far?" Zelda said gently. The group of women had moved from the outskirts into the castle itself, just stepping into royal garden. The lush greenery with ample shade was ideal to royalty, with white marble benches and a polished wooden table in a simple gazebo.

Sophitia took a good look around, stunned into silence over the beauty that was not too different from Athens. She felt a familiar atmosphere as they walked up to the gazebo, following the princess with the other women in tow.

"It is... absolutely marvellous." The Greek said. "I am humbled to be allowed to witness such private quarters, princess."

The blonde princess giggled. "Any friends of Link is my friends. No need for formalities Sophitia. Please, take a seat." She motioned for her guests towards the benches.

"My sincere thanks once again for allowing us to reside here." Ivy said as she sat down. "It means a lot to us."

"You are more than welcome. You fought beside Link in your own world, no? It is the least I can do." Zelda smiled. ´She is rather formal and well-mannered, befitting a noble. If only she could do me the favour and change into something less revealing…!´ She secretly lamented, eyeing Ivy's attire from the corner of her eye.

Shortly after the woman had settled down and begun engaging in conversations, Impa arrived with a simple tray, carrying simple, but finely crafted cups of tea for herself, Sheik, the princess and the guests before taking a seat herself. Under the shade of the gazebo, the sun stood high in the middle of the clear sky as the women talked about anything and everything.

"No way!" Sophitia exclaimed. "Link did all of that as a mere child?! How-"

"He didn't tell you?" Impa asked, genuinely surprised. The blonde Greek simply shook her head lightly before sipping on the tea. The older Sheikah chuckled.

"I guess there is a lot you don't know about him then. A shame, because even as very young lad Link did things most people wouldn't be able to handle. He's brave beyond belief." Impa's crimson eyes darted over to Sheik next to her. "Isn't that right?"

The younger Sheikah blushed underneath her wrappings, timidly caressing her cup. "Y-Yes… It really is a shame he didn't tell you. No matter what dangers ahead, he constantly moved forward."

"Bested monsters and environmental traps alike…" Impa added.

"And never thought of only himself." Zelda lastly added as well.

The two guests stared with open jaws in disbelief. Link had never talked much about himself during their time together, rendering their knowledge about him to very little. All they knew for certain was that he came from another world, where he had defeated a similar evil to that of Soul Edge. But the fact that he had been doing these things from an age as early as 10 was awe inspiring and barely believable.

"Whoa…" Sophitia gasped. "To think he has accomplished such things… He appears more and more like paragon for his people. Athena would be proud!" ´I should ask him to train me sometime… Just him and me, together in our intense training until the sun goes down…´

Ivy nodded to herself. She scratched her chin in thought, clearly impressed further by Link's legacy in his home world. She took a sip of her tea. "We all could see that he was an experienced warrior. But that he had all of this behind his back… I should be offended, but I am even more impressed. I can see why you would hold him in such a high regard, princess."

The white-haired noble mused. ´Well well… A lot more than meets the eye huh? But it only makes him that more attractive, alluring… He can conquer my temple anytime.´

Zelda smiled at Ivy. "Hero or not, Link is someone you can rely on no matter what. Hyrule is fortunate to have him…"

Ivy and Sophitia nodded, occasionally drinking some more tea. They all shared a moment of silence in the early afternoon, quietly watching birds that eventually landed on the grass.

"So tell us." Ivy suddenly said with a smile, earning everyone's attention.

"Link… You knew him since you were children right? What was he like?" Zelda and Impa both smiled greatly at the question. They shared a look before returning the attention towards Ivy.

"When I first met him… He had already met with a horrific evil back in his own village. I never got the details, but he had the proof. I had only seen him in dreams until that day, and I knew he was the one."

Sophitia and Ivy winced, if ever so slightly at the princess's words. "The one..?"

"Yes." Zelda replied. "The Hero. He who came from the forest and would save this land."

"Oh! You mean like that…" The Greek said, sighing in relief. "S-So please, continue!"

Zelda let out a giggle as she happily continued. Impa would intervene and add things as the princess explained, with Sheik jumping in when it came to Link's older years. The retold story of the Hero of Time was as pleasant to listen to, as it was to relive and talk about it.

:::::

As the auburn horse galloped across the green field in her stout grace, Link suddenly sneezed loudly. Samus studied him curiously from behind.

"You didn't appear sick before, Link. Are you feeling well?" Samus asked.

"Yeah… No idea where that came from." Link replied with shrug. Epona trotted carefully up the hillside until she reached the top. All around them was the vast scenery of Hyrule Field, its distinctive landmarks towering in the various distances.

"So what do you think?" Link said with a small grin. "Quite different from the stages we occasionally fought on, no?"

"Very different…" Samus acknowledged. "It's remarkable. You are a lucky man to live here. I think I will enjoy my time here."

´And not because of the scenery.´ She glanced back at Link with a sly smile. This would be her chance to confess to Link after so many years. After all; she was a hunter. And Link was her prey. And Samus always got her target.

"I'm sure you will!" The Hylian exclaimed. With a tug on the reins, Epona began to carefully trot down the hill towards the tall, white wall in the distance. Link pointed at it.

"That over there is the entrance to the castle market. Our destination is the castle though."

"The castle? What are we going to-" Samus stopped herself. She knew what it meant. "Zelda! Of course! It's been just as long since I last met her as well!"

Link chuckled. "She will be just as happy to see you again."

The horse began to pick up speed down the hill, galloping into full speed towards the drawbridge. Link was in a good mood, but Samus couldn't quite enjoy it as much as he did. While the bounty hunter was happy to meet her friend Zelda again, it was also making things harder for her.

After all, one of the reasons she hadn't advanced on Link was because of her. Samus dreaded that they shared a bond that was more than friendship – how was she to know what they really had? They had a lot more in common, they shared the same world. While Samus remained the oddity of advanced technology.

She bit her lip underneath her helm. Her feelings towards the Hylian were too strong to ignore, stronger than her friendship with Zelda. She would have to confess to both of them, and stand her ground.

But for now, she felt content with simply having her arm wrapped around his waist, and their bodies being close to each other.

::::

"So Link even went as far as saving a distant parallel world when he was but a child?" Ivy inquired, though it was more of a statement than a question. Zelda nodded with a smile.

"From what he told us, yes. But wherever he went, he brought some items back as proof. Like those strange masks." She paused. "So I take his word for it. It's amazing, isn't it? That one young boy has done so much…"

Impa patted the princess of the shoulder, a small smile residing on her lips. "A hero in every sense of the word. He will make a lucky girl very happy one day."

Zelda couldn't help but to giggle as she nodded. It was an interesting thought to visualize Link as a married man, or even in a relationship. It was hard to look at it in a believable way, but regardless of how she thought of it, Zelda didn't appear to be thinking about her and him.

No. Link was her friend, and he always would be. She had no budding feelings towards him; he was like a brother to her. Whoever the lucky woman would be, it wouldn't be her and she was fine with that thought. She would remain by his side as a friend, and support him no matter what.

As the princess was locked in thoughts, she remained oblivious to the various grins, sly smiles or dreamy sighs that surrounded her at Impa's mention. Each with their own visualisation of Link being their man to sweep them off their feet.

Until the loud whinny of a horse was heard in the distance, as if beckoning their attention. The group turned their heads to see the familiar auburn horse slowly making its way towards the gazebo from the entrance, carrying an equally familiar man clad in green.

Their joy was evident on their faces as the man came to a halt in front of the gazebo.

"LINK!" They all exclaimed as they got up from their seats, excluding Zelda who remained sitting for the time being. She stared with wide eyes at the group of women, baffled by their overly exciting behaviour towards the man.

´He hasn't been gone that long…´ She mused. She had a gut feeling of what this could be, but her train of thought came to an abrupt halt when Link called out to her.

"Zelda! I hope you like guests because I brought someone with me!" He said, getting off Epona with a familiar woman in tow; the princess felt her face beam with joy, prompting her to get up and running over to her long-time friend.

"Samus!" Zelda cried out. "What a surprise! It's so good to see you!"

"Hey Zelda! It's been a while!" The bounty hunter hugged the princess back, chuckling underneath her helmet before Sheik tackled them both.

"Don't forget about me!" Sheik said loudly, hugging the bounty hunter tightly. "It's so good to see you again Sam!"

"Don't call me Sam, Sheik! Wait… When did you two..?" Samus glanced between Zelda and Sheik. "… Are you separate persons now?"

"Long story." Zelda said with a giggle. "But yes."

"Huh…" Samus took off her helmet, placing it underneath her right arm. "Well, can't complain I suppose. It's good to see you both again. And…" She glanced around at the other girls who eyed her with curiosity.

"And you are?" She stated. Link stepped up to her side at that moment.

"Samus, these are friends I made when I was away. We accompanied each other when we sought the destruction of the evil I mentioned earlier – This is Sophitia Alexandra and Ivy Valentine." He then looked at the two swordswomen. "Ivy, Sophitia, this is Samus Aran. A close friend of mine from the tournaments a few years ago."

"Pleased to meet you!" Sophitia began, bowing politely at Samus. The bounty hunter returned the gesture before doing the same towards Ivy out of courtesy.

"A pleasure to meet you both." Samus replied. Ivy nodded her head, though made no further advances of greeting the blonde foreigner. Samus however took her time studying Ivy from head to toe with a scowl, which morphed into a shocked expression. She eyed Ivy up and down again.

She deadpanned. ´And people made a fit over MY suit…´ Samus felt a trickle of sweat run down her brow at the sight. ´Wherever she's from, that can't be normal clothing. Right? I mean honestly…´

"Oh I almost forgot." Link said, earning Samus' attention. He shot an apologetic look in Impa's direction as he began. "This is Impa, Zelda's attendant. She helped a lot when I was a child, and further more when I grew up."

Samus smiled at the tall, slightly muscular woman. "A pleasure to meet you Impa."

The older Sheikah smiled back. "Likewise, Miss Aran. I have heard of you from our princess and Link. A skilled fighter with advanced technology."

"That about sums it up." Samus replied with a grin. "So, what are the plans"?

"It has been delayed now." Zelda began. "But I was supposed to give Link a tour around here; he only just got back home yesterday, and a lot has changed during his absence. You are all welcome to join us, should some sightseeing seem interesting."

"I wouldn't want to miss an opportunity to see more of your beautiful land." Sophitia announced. "I'll happily join!"

"As will I." Ivy said calmly.

Zelda looked over at the Sheikah women and Samus, who all nodded at her. The princess nodded in return, satisfied with having the opportunity to show so many guests around. She turned to Link.

"Shall we get going then?" Zelda asked. Link nodded with a smile at first, but quickly averted his eyes in thought.

"Actually…" He began. He seemed to regret what he was about to say, his head hanging low while sheepishly scratching his neck. "Would it be alright if I invited one more? It's a long story, but I know someone who would need to have a look around Hyrule as well." He almost winced at the puzzled stares that were fixated on him at that point.

"Another one? Who would that be, may I inquire?" Zelda asked calmly.

"Neither of you know her, but… As I said, it's a long story. But … trust me; she needs to have a look around just as much. She's not from around here."

The princess glanced up at Impa who shrugged. Zelda didn't want to decline Link's wish, but she had begun to grow ever so slightly annoyed over the fact that he had so many friends over at the same time. And now he wished to bring over another one? Not unreasonable by any standards, but the growing number of women seemed… unnatural in a way.

She dismissed the thought, choosing not to dwell on it any further. Zelda smiled back at Link with a light sigh. "I suppose it's only fair. Alright Link, you go fetch your friend. Shall we say that we meet outside the first archway?"

"That will be perfect!" Link exclaimed. "I'll see you all then!"

::::

Link rode on Epona to the market in full speed. When Zelda had mentioned the tour again, he had instantly come to think of Veran. Granted, she had been evil in her own time, but she wasn't a threat now; the evil she served was gone and dealt with.

She had also started to act genuinely nice just before he had to go back then. He felt that he had a chance to help her change ways, and what better way than to make her feel more at home by having her sightseeing? Though, whatever her original home was, it probably was vastly different; but he had to, and would try.

He was sure Veran would come around in the end. While Link was unwavering and remained steadfast in his belief against evil, he wasn't merciless. Veran could be changed.

Just as Epona began to run down the path towards the market, a strange shadowy apparition appeared above him. It took him by surprise, knocking him off Epona onto the ground, straddling him upon impact. He tried to shove the being off him until he heard its voice; its feminine voice which he remembered clearly now.

"I finally found you!" She said. "Just like a thief, you manage to remain hidden even when you're not trying. I knew it was a good choice to make you an honorary member of the Gerudo."

Link scowled. "Aveil… Surely you can think of better ways to greet me than this?"

"But this gives me an element of surprise." Aveil said, getting up on her feet and allowing the Hylian to do the same. He dusted himself off while watching the Gerudo woman smirk at him. "Besides, I heard you finally got back. I had to see you."

"Excitement aside, why knock me off my horse?"

"We would've missed each other otherwise." Aveil said casually. "Can't have you disappear again Link… You rarely visit us as it is."

The Hero felt a slight pang of guilt. Truth was that Link indeed rarely visited the Gerudo. Not because of choice, but rather because of things popping up that he had to deal with. The tournaments had taken up a good amount of time, and with his latest journey consuming even more time it left him with barely any time to visit old friends.

"I… I understand Aveil. And for that, I apologize. But really? Knocking me off Epona?"

The tanned woman didn't reply at first. She averted her gaze. "… Maybe that was a tad bit extreme. But you are well and fine!" She said with a smirk. "Now that we finally meet up though, how about spending some time together, hm?"

"About that…" Link began. "I already have plans with some other friends… But I'm sure you could join us if you wish. It's just a tour around here."

The gerudo arched an eyebrow, her lips smiling. "A tour around with your friends huh? I see… I guess I can't be picky. As long as I get to spend time with you, it's fine. What were you off to anyway?"

Link smiled. "I was on my way to pick up a friend before meeting the others. If you wish, you can wait here near the archway for them. I should be back soon either way."

Aveil appeared to me thinking about it. She tapped her chin, shifting her weight from one leg to another. Before long, she turned back to Link, winking.

"Fair enough. I'll wait here then. Just don't take too long!"

"Deal." Link said with a chuckle before climbing back up on Epona. As he rode off, Aveil watched his back with longing eyes. Broad shoulders and a fitting physique to match, Link was the embodiment of what Gerudo's strived for. He had bested her most skilled guards while sneaking around their own fortress, rescuing their prisoners; singlehandedly!

She walked towards the marble archway, leaning towards the wall as she began to wait for the Hero's return. From the corner of her eye, she could just about make out that there was a small group of women heading her way.

Ohoho! What will happen now when nearly everyone is assembled? ;)

Find out in the next chapter!

- GG