Disclaimer: GrimGrave does not own any of the characters of 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, I apologize for the short update! I sound like a broken record, but it will be longer next time!

HOWEVER! I have an announcment I would love for you to check out at the end of this chapter - I think it will make up for the short update. ;3

A Hylian's Harem

Chapter 9

Night of the First Day part 2: 11 hours Remaining

"So which rooms are ours?" Aveil inquired genuinely as she looked around. Hylian architecture, especially up close, was a strange thing to come across for the Gerudo despite their somewhat frequent visits for males. She took a good look at the walls and its decorations till Zelda beckoned her attention.

"Your rooms are just down this corridor to the right." She smiled back at the redhead. "The rooms all have the same layout so it won't matter which one you pick. I also had them stocked up with any necessities you may need for your stay."

Sophitia, who walked right next to the princess, smiled adorably at her. "Thank you, Princess. I'm very grateful for your hospitality."

Zelda returned the smile. "There is no need to thank me, Lady Alexandra. It is only natural that I provide with ample hospitality for our guests, friends or not." The group, excluding Link, (who had vanished earlier to prepare himself to bed) took a turn for the right. Before them was a very long corridor, decorated with vibrantly painted urns and pots as well as portraits hanging on the walls depicting landscapes and members of the Royal Family. An ever extending red carpet was perfectly lined up in the middle of the floor between the wooden doors on either side. "Here are your rooms. You may choose whichever you want, there's plenty to spare."

"They look rather homely…" Veran said with a mild sigh. "But princess, if I may inquire, what is it with that door down there? With the symbol above it I mean." She pointed at the door down the left side nearly at the end; the door itself was just like any other, but above it was the Triforce emblem marked. The other women, with the exclusion of Impa and Sheik who has seemingly chosen their rooms looked in the same direction, equally curious. Zelda felt her heart speed up for but a moment. She bit her lip nervously.

"That… That would be Link's room. It's Link's private room here in the castle…" She silently regretted having to tell them, even if they would find out eventually. She could see how the women's body-language changed accordingly; from stiff and casual, to unsettling. Neither of them wanted to appear obvious about their feelings towards the Hero, but they all wanted a room that was as close to Link's as possible. Even Sheik and Impa, who slept in their own rooms on the next floor, wished to be closer.

A small part of Zelda wished to berate her. If she was honest with herself, she could admit that she understood what they all saw in the Hero in green; he was a dashing young man. He was indeed very handsome, and with a selflessness and courage that rivalled his features all made him a highly desirable young man that would one day make a certain woman very lucky. But the way these women gathered around him like moths to the flame, they would eventually get burned.

Zelda had no doubt they all wanted what was best for Link, and that whoever pulled his heart-strings would treasure him dearly. But for the time being, there was a baleful aura in the air – and Zelda did not wish to be a part of it. She bid her farewell for the night, wishing them all a good rest, and silently left for her own quarter with Impa and Sheik in tow. Veran, Samus, Aveil, Ivy and Sophitia all glanced at Link's door, hesitating all the same to make a move for any other door.

So far it had only been Sophitia and Aveil who had prematurely chosen rooms – a decision they regretted deeply – and the others were still on equal distance from the room next to Link's. Had the situation been seen from any other perspective, it would've surely been amusing to watch.

They glanced at each other carefully. Neither moved, but they knew they were all thinking the same thing. Suddenly, Samus made a swift move towards the door and Ivy dashed after her. Veran, who simply chuckled, teleported just as the two of them was nearing the door, resulting with the three of them gathered right at the door. Samus's power suit shoved the other two aside with its broad shoulders but Veran and Ivy remained just as determined.

"I do believe this is my room." Ivy said, her lips curling into a sly smile. "Would you mind stepping out of the way, please?"

Veran stifled a snicker. "That's my line. I think you've got it confused with the door at the opposite end of the hallway." She grinned back at Ivy. "Be a dear and get out of my way."

"Is that another threat I hear?"

"It depends."

"Both of you are in the wrong, in more than one way." Samus suddenly said calmly, but solemnly. Veran and Ivy shifted their attention to the blonde, whose face was completely expressionless as she gave each of them a single glance each. "So behave like the adults you are and calm down. You should go back to your rooms and get some rest, and everything will feel better in the morning."

"I was about to, but someone is stopping me from entering my bedroom…" Ivy said dryly. The three of them kept standing by the door, neither moving an inch until Sophitia and Aveil both were heard behind them.

"I wish you a good night then, Link." Aveil said with a smirk. "Rest well." Surely enough, Link had returned and was currently walking down the corridor, cap and gear tucked under his right arm, and the tunic unbuttoned. Golden eyes observed the toned body briefly as he walked by.

"Likewise to you Aveil." Link replied politely. "And don't sleep in like I will!"

Aveil giggled. "No promises."

Link laughed heartily as he continued walking on, eventually walking by Sophitia who bowed very lightly. "Good night Link. Sweet dreams!"

He smiled back. "You too Sophitia. See you tomorrow."

"Indeed." She giggled and waved him goodbye before she went back to her room, as did Aveil. By now Link had walked up to the trio, slightly puzzled until his eyes shifted for a brief second, and then looked back at the blonde bounty hunter.

"Oh, so you're in the room next to me, Samus?" He asked genuinely. Veran and Ivy, both confused with Link's statement, looked down to see Samus' hand on the doorknob. The bounty hunter smiled widely.

"Why yes, I am. I promise I'll be quiet with the power suit, it can be a bit clunky to take off sometimes."

"Not a problem Samus, the walls should be thick enough to drown it out." Link replied with a chuckle. "Good night ladies."

"Goodnight…" Came the simultaneous reply. Samus smiled softly, turned the knob and entered her room while Veran and Ivy were still at a loss for words. It was silly really, but for whatever reason, the room closest to Link's were a foothold, a foothold that they all wanted to themselves. She closed the door, chuckling softly as she heard the other two gasp on the other side.

The night grew darker the later it went on. By now everyone had supposedly fallen asleep.

The castle was silent. The only stirs of life in the endless halls of stone and marble was the occasional guards on their rounds, but even they fell blind to the schemes of the night walkers on the first floor. It had just turned midnight when the sound of a creaking wooden door slowly went ajar. A golden eye, which almost sparkled in the blackness, peered cautiously around – the coast was clear.

With a lowly snicker, Aveil carefully opened the door enough so she could slink out. Closing it behind her, she immediately sprung to action and proceeded with extreme caution towards the other end of the hallway, Link's room. A sly grin was plastered on her face.

"One would call this cowardly, or even downright dirty…" She snickered further. "But a thief always gets what she wants. Gerudo's honour."

Still silently making her way over to Link's room, the Gerudo thief remained oblivious of a pair of scarlet eyes that watched her from behind.

To be continued.

So, as you may or may not be aware of, it was brought to my attention that many of you wanted me to write a second harem story featuring Link - and I responded that I would definitely write one, and even asked you to throw me suggestions of girls, crossovers or not.

As of late, I've been thinking, and feeling rather eager to at least get to work on that story. Nothing super major, but at least start on it a little.

ANYWAY! What I wanted to announce was that I will upload a poll on my profile, featuring the girls that was the most popular by all suggestions, both from reviews and PM's. So head on over to my profile and vote for the girls/women YOU wish to see in the next story. The poll will be staying up for a while, but I can guarantee you that I will definitely write at least a prologue once it's all done.

And be prepared, you'll be having a good chunk of selections to choose from.

Until next time!