(A/N): Hey, it's geekyfiki here, and I'm just telling you guys that I'm trying to write a Zelink fanfiction, but I haven't totally mapped it out yet. ^^' Yeah, typical of me, I know. Sooo if you have any cute ideas, let me know! I'm rating this T juuuust in case Zelda swears or Link chops off someone's head. Who knows.
Also, if you've read my other fanfiction, A Link to the Middle, you'll notice that Miriam is in here. To say the least, I'm not shipping Miriam with Link this time (which is a huge surprise, actually). But enough of my ranting. Just enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Legend of Zelda or any characters other than my OCs ((Miriam, that one archduke guy, etc.)). I really wish I did, but I don't. Sorry, kids.

Chapter 1

Zelda stood over the balcony overlooking Castle Town with a rather persisting sense of emptiness. It was true: Link had saved Hyrule from Zant and Ganondorf, had banished the Twilight Realm into where it belonged, and had conquered death various times. However, the princess still found herself feeling isolated from her people and her country as a whole. That being said, it did comfort the heir to the throne that her country was finally at peace. With her turning of age, her coronation was hastily approaching her like a skilled Sheikah.

She sighed, straightening her back. No matter what she felt, the princess knew she had to handle her usual princess duties. Hiding her pout, she walked back inside the castle, strutting down the halls with her chin high. Zelda had learned to be a rather exceptional actress. The blonde wandered the corridors, smiling on the outside, while she pondered other things inside. I wonder where Link is, she mused for the twentieth time. As soon as Midna had disappeared, he had gone off and completely vanished. Her court had told her that he was off fighting the remainders of the war, but she still pondered whether he was doing well. Is he even alive? As soon as the thought popped into her innocent mind, she shoved it aside roughly. In the back of her mind, however, the gears turned without any hint of stopping.

With all the thoughts swirling in her head faster and faster, she had little time to think about her surroundings. As a result, she clumsily bumped into a servant, startling her. "I'm so sorry, your highness!" the servant exclaimed, picking up the tray she had been holding. Zelda bent over to help her.

"No, no, it is my fault. I was not watching where I was walking," the brunette smiled, handing the servant her tray before smoothing her cream colored dress. "I have not seen you around here before. What is your name?" she asked politely, as the princess had never actually had an informal conversation with anyone.

"My name? It's Miriam, my lady," she bowed her head, though it was obvious she had never had experience working with royalty before.

"It is nice to meet you, Miriam. I will be more careful next time," the princess laughed, walking away before Miriam the servant had any time to say another word of apology. Continuing her stroll down the halls, Zelda resumed her lost thought about absolutely nothing in particular. She was sure that her childhood tutors would have scolded her for using her imagination on anything but works of art or poetry, but the princess did not care. She was an adult now, and she could use her imagination all she wanted.

Finally, she came across her favorite statue in the entire castle: a simple angel folding its hands in prayer. It was barely smaller than the princess herself, the wings not quite spread out all the way. She traced her delicate fingers along the statue's wings, recalling when she used to look up at those wings as a child. The statue seemed massive to her child self, but now seemed rather small. Looking around, Zelda made sure no one was around. Not only was the statue lovely, but it was also very helpful. She tugged on the left wing of the angel, and a satisfying click! occurred. With that, the entire wall moved, revealing a secret passageway.

Zelda rapidly moved inside, closing the entryway behind her. The torches on the walls lit up the secluded room with dim, flickering luminescence. Being in her own mysterious cavern, she could finally toss manners aside as if they were nothing more than an average piece of trash. Lifting her skirts, she ran over to the far end of the wall, where the elegant ruler flung the wooden piece covering a hole. From there, she could look out of a grate and into the large meeting room. One of the brunette's favorite unladylike things to do was eavesdrop on the court. And one of the favorite topics in that room was talking about Hyrule's future. Specifically: Princess Zelda.

"She is of age now!" Count Maurice, shouted. He was always yelling and carrying on about things, while the other noblemen did not seem to care.

"Yes, but she can rule on her own," Bernard the grand duke reminded in a calming voice. Zelda rather liked Bernard. As far as she could remember, he was one of her father's closest friends, and he was always calm and collected. The white haired man never took situations too hastily and always thought things through. "Her grandmother did that for quite some time."

"Yes, but her husband died," another nobleman pointed out. The princess gritted her teeth- another action she really was not supposed to do.

"Hyrule tradition states that a princess marries before becoming queen," Maurice cried out. The other noblemen nodded, agreeing.

"Aye. However, who do you suggest she would marry?" Bernard questioned. "There are no countries around with princes her age, you realize. Since there are no suitors of royal blood, we would have to train and work with another child. It takes years for them to learn how to be royalty. It has taken our very own princess eighteen years, and she was practically born to be a princess."

"Do you really think Hyrule's people will accept that? 'We don't have a king for you because we couldn't train him in time.' There will be rioting everywhere. The princess has supporters, but even they would agree. We need a king," Maurice growled, his voice still booming. Zelda's face was as red as a cherry with absolute furry. She felt violated, infuriated, and frustrated. It was her life they were talking about, not just some petty matter of property. Eighteen years of her life had been spent on working to become the monarch of Hyrule—how could they think she was inadequate? The more she thought about it, the more loathing she felt toward the court.

Instead of staying to hear the repulsive conversation about her matrimony to some noblemen who hardly knew who she was, the rather enraged princess exited her secret room, checking to make sure no one was in sight. She continued her seemingly indifferent walk down the halls of the castle. No matter how skilled she was as an actress, the petite brunette could not seem to hide her newly provoked attitude. She could feel her cheeks start to turn brighter with disgust. Her brow furrowed— a scene that was unusual for anyone who knew her.

"Milady?" someone interrupted her thoughts. She turned around, still dazed from her collision of emotions. In front of her stood the servant from earlier. What was her name…? Miriam! That's right, Zelda applauded herself for remembering.

"Yes, Miriam? Is there something you require?"

"It may not be my place to say so, but you seem rather upset. Is there something you need?" the girl asked. Her emerald eyes gazed into the princess's cerulean ones with no hint of fear or startle. She seemed quite sincere.

"Ah… Yes, but I am afraid I am to be alone in my worry," the princess sighed.

"I understand. Let me know if you need anything," Miriam bowed her head, leaving Zelda's presence. It was still obvious she was new around here. She was respectful, but the way she presented herself made one think that she was not raised in a castle, or even trained to be in one. Zelda pondered the girl's mannerisms. She could hear a song down the hallways from where Miriam had headed off. She listened closer, walking in that direction. I have heard that song before… she mused. She recalled something from long ago. Is that not the song Link hummed just months ago? It's Epona's Song, with that thought, Zelda had two unladylike choices: yell down the hall for Miriam, or run after her. She chose the latter.

Picking up her skirts, the princess jogged down the corridor toward Miriam. "Miriam!" she cried, finally catching up with the servant. Miriam turned around, perplexed.

"Yes, milady?" she answered loyally. "Is there something you needed?"

"Where did you grow up?" Zelda asked, trying not to pant.

"Ordon Village, your highness."

"Would you happen to know Link?" Miriam let out a laugh.

"Of course! The ranch hand from Fado's ranch. I grew up with him. Everyone knows him, especially since he saved all of Hyrule."

"Do you know his location?" Zelda questioned further, hoping to get an answer out of her. Miriam nodded, thinking hard for a moment.

"He should be around Kakariko Village, near the bridge of Eldin. Last I heard, he was clearing out the rest of the Bulbos there. The villagers aren't too fond of those creatures. But if you need him, I may be able to go out there and find him."

"Oh, that will not be necessary. Thank you, though. You have given me more information than even the members of my court have been able to do. Would you like to be promoted to lady-in-waiting?" Zelda smiled. Miriam looked astonished.

"M-milady, I would love to, but I am afraid that I will only be staying here for a short while. Not to mention that I am absolutely dreadful at helping people with their hair and makeup. I can't even do my own," she giggled, running her hand through her long brown hair. "However, if it makes the princess happy, I will be thrilled to be your lady-in-waiting."

"Your answer delights me. I will send a letter to the head butler at once informing him of your promotion. Thank you for your patience, Miriam," the princess curtseyed to the newly promoted servant.

"Thank you, your highness," Miriam said, attempting a rather pitiful curtsey right back to Zelda. Zelda stifled a giggle, walking away toward her room. Upon opening the large wooden door, familiarity greeted her. The room was rather plain, a simple bed with lavender bed sheets, a dresser in the corner to match, along with a nightstand and desk. It was always kept clean in her room, though she was not in it very often. Her life was full of activities, and when it wasn't, she was usually strolling around in the castle, eavesdropping, evading her ladies-in-waiting, and doing other things that really were not fit for a princess.

She walked over to the desk, quickly writing a letter to the head butler in her best handwriting—her only handwriting, for that matter. Zelda was sure that if she were not trained in such a thing, her handwriting would resemble cucco scratch. Then again, the princess thought she would make a fantastic townsperson. She rang a bell for a servant, gave it to them, and sat at her desk again. Her fingers drummed against the wood of the oak writing desk. Moments later, another servant arrived.

"Your highness," he greeted, bowing deeply before rising again. "The Arch Duke Bernard has requested your presence in the throne room, along with the other members of the court."

"Thank you, you may take your leave," the brunette told the servant, letting out a small sigh. No doubt Bernard was the one to tell her about the marriage agreement. The other noblemen did not want to bring such news to the princess, though her company did nothing to spook the gentlemen. No, quite the opposite, in fact. She was nothing more than a fragile pawn in their little games. But what they did not realize was that the princess did have a temper. And after eighteen years of staying rather composed, she was about ready to snap.

Zelda stood up, brushing off her dress and walking out of her room. The last thing she wanted to do was to get married to some kind of stuffy prince who thought he knew more about Hyrule than its own princess. She shook her head. I cannot let that happen, she sighed. As much as Zelda did not want to marry, she also wanted the best for Hyrule. Her love for the country ran deep in her veins. She had been raised to love it, but not many could find fault in their nation. It was peaceful, full of people who were kind souls and supportive. Hyrule was beautiful and unique, and it was Zelda's job to protect it.

She finally made it to the throne room, her pale hand resting on the handle. Taking a deep breath, she pulled it open with great force and entered the room with her back straightened, hoping she looked more confident than she felt. The throne room hadn't been occupied for quite some time, so the court members kept it in use by turning it into a kind of meeting room. The small table set up in the corner was filled with her members of the court, who stood upon her arrival. At least they have manners, the princess considered, trying to comfort herself.

"You may be seated," she growled in a cold, regal voice. She sat at the head of the table, sitting up as straight as she could, making eye contact with as many noblemen as she could. The only ones who did not look away was Archduke Bernard.

"Your highness," he said, bowing his head with respect. "It has come to the court's attention that you have not been crowned yet. We have one request before you are crowned-" She couldn't stand it. Her insides were burning with rage, and the feelings begged to get out somehow. Zelda stood up.

"You want me to marry," she finished for him. Bernard nodded. The other noblemen refused to look at the princess, and instead marveled at the plain wood table. Her hands slammed on the table in a rather unprincess-like way.

"I refuse," she hissed through clenched teeth. "If you do not believe that I can rule on my own, you are wrong. You are wrong. I may be a woman, but I have studied war tactics and economy for my entire life. I am more trained in this profession than you will ever realize. Hyrule does not need a king. It may be tradition, but it does not need to be continued. I refuse to marry, and if you argue, do not be surprised to find yourself without a job." The court was silent. Every jaw in the throne room seemed to drop. Even Archduke Bernard was petrified. The princess never lost her temper. With that, she exited the room. "Get my cloak," she told a butler. She was going to go on a walk.

If you enjoyed it, please leave a review! I take constructive criticism-anything to help me improve my writing skills! Reviews only take a few minutes, so it would be so appreciated! Leave any cute ideas or compliments in the reviews. I'm already working on Chapter 2, so it won't be long before it's up! =D

-geekyfiki