To Capture the Heart of a Hero

Chapter 57 – A Dance with Danger

The night of Hyrule Castle's first formal ball in months had finally arrived. It was a beautiful evening, featuring a clear sky adorned with stars. Under this view, the castle was aglow with torchlight, becoming a magnificent beacon amidst the otherwise dark landscape. Many spectators murmured their awe as they walked, arm in arm, through the front gates.

A horse and carriage soon entered through the gate as well, crossing the courtyard before pulling off to the side and halting. It was here that the door opened and Link stepped out, finally getting the chance to admire the castle for himself. He gawked at how magical it appeared at this time of night, especially with all the lanterns and decorations that had been set up.

However, his attention was soon pulled away by his companion, who was still seated inside the carriage. "Um, Link, could I have a hand here?"

Link smiled before approaching the carriage and extending a hand. A moment later, Ilia took it, holding on dearly as she slowly descended the steps. Once she was on solid ground, she managed to steady herself.

"Ooh, that's better, thank you," she said before smoothing out her long dress. "I'm just not used to moving in this thing."

Link produced a playful grin as he eyed her up and down. Ilia currently donned an amber-colored dress which covered her arms and shoulders before flowing all the way down to her ankles where it widened out. Link agreed that it was definitely an unfamiliar look for her. He had seen Ilia in dresses before, but they were much simpler garments, and of Ordonian style. Certainly a far cry from this formal wear that one would expect to find in Castle Town. In fact, Ilia didn't even own this dress. She had borrowed it from Telma, who had apparently donned it in her younger years, when she was (in her own words) a "skinny little thing".

Link laughed at the thought before focusing on Ilia again. "Well, you better get used to moving in it," he teased her. "We are at a dance, after all."

Ilia shot him a mild glare. "You're one to talk. You look a little stiff yourself."

Link laughed again as he glanced down. Naturally, he was dressed up in fancy clothes that didn't really suit him either. When he mentioned to Enzo that he didn't have any formal attire, the Minister had insisted on having a suit tailored for him at once. Link now donned said suit which consisted of the traditional green colors of Heroes past. Honestly speaking, he felt that it looked quite good on him, but his collar was a bit tight around his neck, and his dress shoes were small and far from comfortable.

Still, he wasn't worried. He had always been light on his feet. "I can manage," he assured his partner. He then extended his arm, elbow out. "Come on, the ball awaits."

Ilia softly smiled before locking his arm in her own. The two of them then started a slow, careful walk forward, making sure that neither of them would stumble in these unfamiliar getups.

As they departed, they took a second to thank the carriage driver for escorting them. Apparently, being an important member of the Roundtable meant that an escort would be sent directly to your residence for the sake of easy traveling. This carriage in particular had been sent to Ordon to collect Link and Bo, but the mayor had declined to attend. He claimed that he was too old for such things, and simply encouraged Link and Ilia to have a good time without him.

The Hero glanced over to his partner, and soon smiled at the anxious expression on her face. "Are you nervous?"

"A little bit," she admitted. "This is my first time attending a formal dance after all. As well as visiting the castle."

Link nodded. He felt the same way about the dance, but fortunately, he at least felt comfortable about visiting the castle at this point. "Don't worry. You'll get used to it as the night goes on. Plus, I'm sure we'll see a lot of familiar faces here."

"I'm sure you will," Ilia corrected him with a smirk. "You're so well-connected."

Link laughed before tugging on her arm a bit. "Well, I'll happily introduce you to anyone you don't know, and then you and I will be on the same page."

"That's sweet of you," she said before drawing a bit closer to his side. However, as they neared the castle, she couldn't help but pause and turn her gaze upwards at the looming structure. "Oh wow…It's huge."

"Yeah, definitely a lot bigger than when you see it from Castle Town," he agreed. "But come on. The interior is what's truly amazing."

Ilia nodded and allowed herself to be pulled along. A couple of guards were standing on either side of the double doors that led into the castle, but they weren't stopping or checking anyone. The castle had graciously opened its doors to all of Castle Town, so there would be no unwelcome guests tonight. Link and Ilia soon passed through the threshold, only to stop and admire their surroundings again.

The main hall of the castle was brightly lit, with big, beautiful banners hanging from the ceiling. They came in a variety of colors, and each one carried the insignia from one of Hyrule's various provinces. Link smiled when he pointed out the ring-horned goat surrounded by trees to Ilia, and she grinned back. Aside from the banners, there were many other decorations lining the space as well, such as ribbons and potted flowers. It was clear that the servants had gone to a lot of trouble to make this place look festive.

It was here that some of the guests stopped and chose to mingle, but Link and Ilia forged onwards. After walking through a short hallway, they finally arrived at the ballroom. As expected, it was just as glorious as everything that came before it. Smooth floors that were so polished they almost shined under the dazzling chandeliers that hung above. The incredibly high ceiling that required you to crane your neck back just to properly look at it. The shiny suits of armor and fancy furniture that dotted along the walls. But of course, none of this was comparable to the guests who occupied the ballroom from front to back. Many of them had already taken to dancing, swirling about in their beautifully colored attire. It was such a breathtaking sight.

And the music? Wonderful. Almost mesmerizing. It all originated from the stage at the back, where a group of Hylians accompanied by a Goron and Zora took up their instruments. Between their number, they covered wind, strings, and percussion all in perfect unity, thus leading to the creation of the softest melodies imaginable. It was perfect for this setting.

"Wow…" Ilia breathed, hardly believing the atmosphere of such a place.

"I know," Link replied, equally stunned. "The Hyrule Council really went all out for this."

Ilia brought her free hand up to where their arms connected, and nervously rubbed it against Link. "There sure are a lot of people here," she murmured, watching the various colors blend together over and over as the music rose and fell.

Link reached over and offered her hand a reassuring pat. "Should we walk around and see if we can find anyone we know?"

Ilia gave him a shy but thankful nod. He smiled as he pulled her to the nearest wall. It was here that the guests could step away from the dance floor and participate in conversation if they wished. Or at the very least, it was a place for them to relax and catch their breath. The young couple strolled along for a while, keeping an eye out for any familiar faces. Naturally, there were many guests here that Link did not recognize, and it seemed that many of them did not recognize him in return. Not that he minded, of course. He was perfectly happy to keep his head low at such a large social event.

Fortunately, it wasn't long before the two of them stumbled upon a friendly face. Link smiled when he spotted him, but Ilia was the one who cried out his name.

"Renado!" she cheered, running forward as fast as her dress would allow.

The Shaman in question turned to them before producing a warm smile. "Ah, Ilia, how delightful it is to see you again." He opened his arms wide, and Ilia gave him a small hug.

"I know, it's been too long," Ilia agreed with a grin. "How are you?"

"I'm doing well."

"And Luda?"

"She's good too," he said with a small chuckle. He soon turned to the Hero. "Link, it is always nice to see you as well."

"Likewise," Link greeted him. "Are you here alone?"

Renado nodded. "I figured this would be a good opportunity to socialize with new faces. You never know, I may be able to find someone who is interested in relocating to Kakariko Village. We're much better off than we were a few months ago, of course, but we're still happy to be accepting new residents."

"I wouldn't mind stopping by to visit sometime," Ilia announced with a smile. "I learned a lot from you during my last stay in Kakariko, and your teachings have been very useful back home in Ordon."

"Ah, you are interested in pursuing a medical practice?" Renado asked with mild surprise.

"Of course!" she responded. "I love being able to treat people and make medicine. Although, there's still so much that I don't know."

"I see. And now you are eager to learn more?" Ilia nodded and Renado laughed. "Your passion for such a thing is very admirable. Please feel free to schedule an extended visit to Kakariko Village sometime. I'd be happy to teach you everything I know."

Ilia clasped her hands together with glee. "Oh, I certainly will! Thank you, Renado."

"It's my pleasure," he assured her. The Shaman then took a moment to scan the crowd before his eyes fell on the young couple once more. "Tell me, is Bo in attendance tonight?"

Ilia softly smiled before shaking her head. "I'm afraid not. He said that he wasn't interested in formal dances."

Renado also shook his head before releasing a sigh. "That old codger. Leaving me to fend for myself at an event like this."

"I take it that you don't care for this sort of thing either?" Link asked, just now noticing that Renado hadn't even bothered to dress up for the occasion. He was still wearing the typical shaman robes that he always donned.

"Not particularly," he admitted with a shrug. "But as I stated, I do not mind the social aspect."

"Did someone ask for a bit of socializing?"

The three of them froze as a new voice rang out over the music. They soon managed to trace it back to a friendly barmaid, who was all too eager to greet them with a large smile.

"Telma!" Ilia exclaimed before running over and securing a big hug. "Oh, it's so great to see you here."

Telma chuckled before separating from the embrace. "It's nice to see you too, honey. And oh, just look at that dress! I knew it would look perfect on you!"

Ilia giggled before hugging her again. Link just smiled as he watched the two of them. Telma behaved like a warm, motherly figure whenever Ilia was around, so it was always sweet to see the two of them reunite.

However, that wholesome moment was short-lived as Telma soon turned her gaze to the Hero. "You," she said, in a tone that was surprisingly stern. "You still treating this girl right?"

"I…what?" Link asked, completely caught off guard. "Of course I am. What are you even suggesting?"

Telma gave him a knowing look, although Link had no idea what he was supposed to derive from such a thing.

"Oh, Telma, don't be so harsh," Ilia interrupted with a playful laugh. "I'll have you know that Link treats me wonderfully."

The barmaid laughed in return, tossing her head back as she did so. "I know, darling, I know. I just like to keep our Hero on his toes."

Link could only roll his eyes. Of course Telma was messing with him, same as always. Thankfully, being the social butterfly that she was, her attention soon fell on her third and final victim.

"Hey stranger," she said, walking right up to Renado.

"Ah, Miss Telma," the Shaman replied with a blank expression. "What a pleasant surprise to run into you here."

Despite his deadpan tone, the words were still enough to make the barmaid grin with delight. "Oh, well aren't you sweet? How about a dance?"

Renado could only sigh, allowing his shoulders to slump in the process. "I suppose it would be rude to refuse?"

"Incredibly rude," she asserted.

"Very well then."

With some level of reluctance, Renado extended his hand to Telma. The barmaid merely smirked before grabbing her favored man and pulling him away to the dance floor. As she did, she gave Link and Ilia a quick wink.

The girl simply laughed. "It's always so fun to see her."

"On the contrary, I think she has too much energy," Link said with a laugh of his own. "But you're right, she does always have a way of livening up the place. Now, is it just me, or are you in the mood to dance too?"

Ilia blinked as she watched Link extend a hand to her. She then smiled before sincerely nodding. Taking his hand, the two of them journeyed to the dance floor, where they joined all the other guests in a slow, relaxing waltz. Admittedly, Link wasn't very good at dancing, but he managed to perform the motions well enough. Thankfully, Ilia was a bit more graceful than he was, so she always led him through the steps whenever he needed a bit of correction.

Link softly smiled as he stared into her deep, green eyes. Ilia blushed a bit but found the courage to stare back into his own. They may have felt a little out of place at such a formal event, but as long as they were together, holding each other in their arms as they gently swayed to the light music, everything just felt perfect.

They danced for a few songs before they both agreed to retreat back to the quiet haven that was the walls. Ilia claimed that she could use the break, and besides, there were probably more friendly faces to chat with at this point. Link agreed and they began making their rounds across the ballroom. Eventually, they reached a table where fruity drinks were being served. The young couple took a moment to help themselves, feeling much cooler and refreshed after the beverage passed their lips.

It was around this point that trouble decided to rear its ugly head.

"Oh, my lovely little Link! So you have shown up after all!"

Link nearly choked on his drink at the mention of his familiar yet undesirable title. He soon turned to find the only woman daring enough to refer to him as such.

"Hello Kanora," he said meekly.

The Chief in question happily strutted forward, accompanied by a handful of other Gerudo ladies. They were each decked out in fancier garments than Link had ever seen from their kind before. They weren't so much dresses as short tops and long skirts, leaving their midriffs exposed like always. The skirts were slitted as well, giving the tall women every opportunity to show off their long, smooth legs as they walked. And of course, they donned only the most extravagant jewelry. From earrings to brooches to necklaces to bracelets to rings, all consisting of gold, silver, and gems. Link couldn't help but notice that they were certainly the flashiest guests in attendance tonight.

Kanora soon came to a halt, although not before invading the Hero's personal space. "It is so wonderful to see you here tonight! Oh, and look at your little Hero-themed outfit. Isn't that just the cutest thing?"

The Chief reached out, grazing the fabric without permission. The ladies that accompanied the Chief murmured their agreement, gushing over how handsome the valiant Hero looked tonight. Link quickly grew uncomfortable and took a step back before awkwardly clearing his throat. "Er…yes. Minister Enzo actually had it tailored for me."

"Oh, the wonderfully handsome Enzo did that, did he?" Kanora asked with raised eyebrows. "Perhaps I'll have to personally thank him for it, because seeing you like this is just such a treat…"

By this point, Link's face was turning red from sheer embarrassment. Would Kanora ever stop making such suggestive remarks? No, an even better question, would she ever learn to just shut up? In a desperate attempt to force his eyes anywhere other than the women who were fawning over him, the two blue spheres eventually fell on Ilia before promptly freezing in place.

The girl glanced back and forth between the Hero and Gerudo, appearing very confused, as well as a little displeased. Eventually, she spoke up. "Um, Link, who are these women? And how exactly do they know you?"

Link gulped. Her question would have been innocent enough on paper, but something about her tone made it sound like he was in terrible danger. He soon opened his mouth in an attempt to clarify the situation. That is, if such a thing could even be done.

Unfortunately, Kanora cut him off long before he had the chance to try. She stepped forward again, nearly pushing Link out of the way in order to face Ilia head on. She then smiled that sweet and innocent smile which she loved to display so often.

"Oh my!" she gasped. "You must be the lovely little lady who has captured Link's heart. Oh, it's such an honor to meet you. He's told us so much about you, of course." Kanora graciously offered a hand forward. "Your name is Ilva, correct?"

Ilia just blinked before frowning and furrowing her brow. "It's Ilia, actually."

Kanora playfully smacked her own forehead. "Oh, Ilia, yes, of course! That does sound a bit more familiar, actually. Apologies for that, dear. I can be a bit scatterbrained at times."

"That's all right," Ilia said hesitantly. She then reached out and accepted the Chief's handshake. "And who are you, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Oh, I don't mind at all! I am Kanora, Chief of the Gerudo Tribe, and Queen of the Dance. Although that second title is a secret, ah ha ha ha." The Gerudo women all laughed at the Chief's joke, but no one else did. "Anyway, it's a pleasure to meet you, lover of Link's."

This time, Ilia's face turned red, and her mouth tumbled open as well. To be referred to as Link's lover was perhaps the most embarrassing thing that could have come from a stranger's lips. Although, as it turned out, the comments that the Gerudo were about to make were far, far worse.

As was typical of their character, the Gerudo ladies soon stepped forward, freely entering Ilia's personal space in order to take a closer look at her. Their eyes inspected the girl from top to bottom, completing a full analysis within seconds.

"This is the woman you fell for, Hero?" the first one asked.

"She's not much, is she?" another commented.

"Why, she's as skinny as a twig. Where are her curves?"

Link watched in horror as Ilia's face somehow turned an even deeper shade of red. And he had a feeling that it wasn't simply due to embarrassment, but also due to frustration. He didn't need a lesson in female social commentary to know that what these ladies were saying was incredibly rude. Thankfully, Kanora seemed to pick up on this too.

"Okay, ladies, that's enough!" Kanora said, frantically clapping her hands together. "Remember, we're only supposed to be seeking out the hearts of lonely, single men. Not those who are already spoken for. Let's do another sweep of the room, shall we?"

The Gerudo frowned a bit, clearly displeased at having their good time ruined, but they soon nodded their agreement. As they made their way back to the dance floor, they couldn't resist saying goodbye to their present company.

"Farewell, Hero!"

"If you ever change your mind, come and seek us out."

"We'd be happy to show you a good time, hehehe."

And with that, the storm that was the Gerudo disappeared. Although, they had somehow managed to leave a hurricane in their wake. Link slowly turned to face the woman that was currently glaring daggers, pitchforks, and spears at him.

"What was that?" Ilia muttered under her breath. She was so upset that her fists were clenched and they almost appeared to be shaking. "What was that?"

Link nervously swallowed, trying to think of how best to diffuse this situation. "That was, um…That was the Gerudo."

"Well, I can't believe them!" Ilia scoffed. "I can't believe they made such rude comments. And to my face, no less! Oh, and then there was the seductive labeling and the way they acted so close and familiar with you…It honestly makes my blood boil. I'm quite certain that I've never met such scandalous women in all my life!"

Link could only sigh under that fiery gaze of hers. "I know, and I'm not sure I've ever met anyone as eccentric as them either. But please, try to be forgiving towards them. I don't think they always realize exactly what they're saying. They are from a different culture, after all."

"So being from a different culture means that all manners are thrown out the window?" Ilia demanded with crossed arms. "They actually made it sound like I'm unfit to be in a relationship with you!"

Link softly smiled at her. He could tell that she was bothered, and honestly, she had every right to be. At times like this, Link knew that he had to step up to comfort her. Fortunately, he was a natural at it. He soon walked behind Ilia and placed gentle hands on her shoulders before rubbing them a bit. He then leaned forward so he could softly whisper in her ear.

"Oh, don't be like that. Who are they to tell me who I belong with? The only ones who should decide that are you and me."

His touch, his words; both worked like a charm. He could feel Ilia physically relax within his hands as she let out a deep sigh.

"You're right," she admitted. "I shouldn't care about what the gossipers say."

Link laughed a bit. "That's the best advice that you can receive in this castle. Trust me, I would know."

Ilia smirked a bit as she glanced back at him. She appeared a little sympathetic as well. "The people here gossip about you?"

"Nothing as offensive as what you just endured. The rumors about me are mostly fun and innocent."

"Oh? Like what?"

"Like, did you know that I'm able to win a tug-of-war contest against ten men? And with one hand behind my back to boot."

Ilia couldn't help but giggle, finally turning around to face him. "You're right, that does sound pretty fun. I actually wouldn't mind watching that sometime."

"Well, unfortunately, the difference between rumor and reality can always be a little disappointing," Link teased her. "So don't get your hopes up."

Ilia giggled again before pulling her man into a hug. She took a moment to rest her head against his warm chest. "Thanks, Link. You always know how to make me feel better."

"Of course. Anytime," he promised with a grin.

They soon separated, now in much better spirits than before. To celebrate, they helped themselves to another round of fruity drinks before continuing their search around the ballroom. After their encounter with the Gerudo, the couple figured that they were due for some more pleasant company.

"Oh, Link, look over there!" Ilia said while pointing a finger. "It's Prince Ralis!"

Link glanced over and smiled. Sure enough, the young Zora Prince stood there, donning the formal garb of his people. It had been a long time since Ilia and Ralis had last seen each other. In fact, they hadn't interacted since Ilia had helped nurse Ralis back to health in Kakariko Village, and that had been back during the Twilight Invasion. Because of this, Link knew that Ilia would be excited to greet him again, and the young Prince would probably be eager to see her too.

However, Link stopped dead in his tracks as the crowds shifted, allowing Ralis's company to enter the Hero's field of vision. The young Prince was currently conversing with a group of women. Gerudo women. Link just rolled his eyes and sighed.

Why did it seem like there was so much danger afoot tonight?

"Come on, let's go over and say hi," Ilia said as she tugged on his arm.

But Link was stubborn, choosing to hold his ground. "Wait," he said, tugging her arm back.

Ilia spun to a stop before giving him a curious look. "Hmm? What's the matter?"

"I, um…" Link paused, glancing over Ilia's shoulder at the Gerudo that surrounded Ralis. He could just imagine it now. What would happen if he chose to walk over there. The Gerudo would likely fawn over him just as their predecessors had, only to meet Ilia and proceed to make rude comments to her face once again. Link would then get embarrassed, Ilia would get upset, and it would just be a miserable time for everyone involved. Fearing this outcome more than any other, Link quickly attempted to come up with an excuse.

"I just spotted someone I know over there," he said, gesturing to the left with his head. "Um, why don't you go speak to Ralis and I'll stop by in a few minutes? I'm sure the two of you have a lot of catching up to do, after all."

Ilia furrowed her brow, clearly not pleased at the thought of splitting up. Nevertheless, the argument was fairly sound. Of that, Link was confident. Even Zelda might have had trouble finding a flaw with it.

Well, maybe that was an exaggeration, but the Hero dared to hope.

"Are you sure?" Ilia eventually asked.

Link nodded. "Yeah, this other person spotted me too, so it would be rude if I didn't say hello."

Ilia frowned some more, but she soon nodded back. "Very well. Don't take too long, though. I'm sure Ralis wants to greet you tonight too."

"I won't," he promised her. "See you soon."

And with that, he watched her go, making her way to the Zora Prince on her own. He frowned as he retreated backwards, disappearing into the crowds. He hated having to abandon Ilia like this, but he figured it was for the best. This way, at least the Gerudo wouldn't learn of any connection between the two of them, and might even treat Ilia with a little more respect.

Link continued to sift through the mob of guests, trying to keep his head low. He supposed he could try to find someone to actually have a conversation with, but he wasn't exactly eager to be recognized. Especially not with so many Gerudo women in his proximity. Thinking tactically, he decided to retreat to the walls on the opposite side of the room. Perhaps he would be able to hide there for a while.

However, as soon as he broke free of the throng of dancers, he found himself in immediate danger once again. So swift was his movement that he didn't notice the beautiful woman striding towards him until they had already collided.

"Ah!" they both said in surprise, stumbling a bit as they untangled their bodies.

"Oh, please forgive me!" the woman said, immediately bowing her head. "I wasn't watching where I was going."

Link smiled and shook his head. "Oh, that's okay. It's really my fault–"

But Link suddenly paused, his mouth falling open in surprise. He realized that he recognized the beautiful woman before him, and naturally, she recognized him too.

It was Zelda.

Admit it. You knew it was only a matter of time before these two ran into each other, didn't you? ;)