A story by: Waendolien
Summary: Zelda is an arrogant, hot-tempered princess who doesn't want anything do to with anyone of a lower class than her. But when the peasant Link is appointed by the King to protect her, will they be able to cope with one another?
Diclaimer: Urggg.. I don't own Zelda! So don't sue me!
The Protector
King Harkinan sat hunched forward from his throne, his elbow resting on his knee and his head propped up by his palm. His eyes were shut tight and his brow was furrowed, a small frown playing against his scraggly features.
To most people, he would appear to be a grand, magnificent, man, deep in concentration upon the symbol of his royalty. But in actuality, the king troubled and weary. His personal assistant and chamber servant, Francis, hovered anxiously next to him.
"I'm old," the king moaned suddenly, reaching next to him and grabbing Francis's bony upper-arm. "Look at me, Francis. I haven't slept in days. I'm in need of a shave. I looked wretched. Wretched!" He let go of his assistant's arm and buried his face in his hands.
"Y-you look f-fine, Sir," Francis stammered nervously, his orange curls bouncing and bobbing as much as he was.
"Don't lie to me," Harkinan snapped, looking up. Just then there was a knock on the chamber door. "Go on, go see who is," he sighed heavily, leaning back in his throne.
Francis bowed clumsily and skittered down the many stairs leading down from the throne, making his way hastily to the large wooden door. Harkinan listened to the sliding of the wooden window in the door, the murmur of two people talking, the shutting of the window, and Francis calling, "It's S-sir Dominic, King."
"Let him in."
There was the creak of the door and a knight entered, following behind Francis. As they reached the throne, Sir Dominic bowed gracefully and took off his helmet. He was a strong built, handsome man with long black hair, and standing next to Francis, who was short and scrawny, it was quite comical. King Harkinan suppressed a laugh.
"What news do you bring from the South?" the King inquired.
"King Harkinan, I bring ill news," the knight said solemnly. "I've spotted Gannondorf's forces moving swiftly from the southern forests. They appear to be moving north, towards the castle."
"How many allies did he appear to have with him?"
Sir Dominic thought for a moment. "About three-thousand, but growing as each day passes."
The King's mouth had suddenly gone dry. He paused, doing some quick thinking, and then said, "I want you to bring the other knights and scouts back here immediately. The only thing to do now is to prevent them from taking siege of my castle. You are excused." Sir Dominic bowed again and quickly made his way out of the chamber. The king sighed heavily and rubbed his eyes. "Francis, get rolls of parchment, a quill, and ink. I need you to make some notice signs for me."
A young man in a green tunic rode his chestnut colored horse on a narrow path through the forest. The man's name was Link, and his faithful horse was called Epona. The trees began to thin and Link could just make out a large black iron gate looming closer with each trod Epona made.
When they were within a few feet of the gate, Link led Epona down a side path instead, which led to a horse stable. After he had dropped his faithful horse off, he slowly made his way back to the gate and quietly slipped in, trying to look unconcerned and nonchalant. Lately he couldn't walk around anywhere without people (mostly young women) following him around or flooding him questions. He had high suspicion that it had to do with him winning the annual town Tournament. He had beaten the former champion, Mido, who supposedly had had a winning streak held for four years.
He looked around the market place. It was a large, circular place, with a large, beautiful fountain in the middle. Tall white buildings housing stores stood around the perimeter of the town. There were also many vendors with their carts, who lined up along every possible empty wall space, shouting and waving their product around eagerly.
"Another day at work to get through," he muttered, walking reluctantly across the cobbled stones, his head bowed. But there's no mistaking a green tunic, especially if you're the only one who wears them. As he walked, a sudden outburst of excited murmurs broke out. Luckily for him, the weapon-repairing store he worked at wouldn't open for another half-hour, so he didn't have to worry about being bombarded by crazy townspeople… yet.
He quickly entered the shop and slammed the door shut. He adjusted the unusually large "Sorry, we are closed" sign so everyone could see it. "Ready for another day of great business?" said a cheery voice behind him.
Link turned around and glared at Popo, his fellow coworker. Popo was a portly, red-faced man, with frail wisps of blond hair combed over his balding head. He was quite an optimistic and boisterous man.
Popo didn't seem to have noticed the glare. "Ah, cheer up, lad!" he said cheerfully. "Think of it this way: the more money we get, the more money you'll get."
"Oh, that really helps," Link said acidly. "And I realize that, but this is getting out of control!" he added exasperatedly. "Just look at all of those people waiting outside! The only reason they come here is because of me!"
"Well, now, I wouldn't say that," Popo said, scratching the back of his head and looking unconvinced.
"Do you really think those young women come here to repair their weapons?" Link said irritably. "And I can hardly imagine the elderly carrying swords around with them." He walked over behind the counter and slumped down on a stool, staring hard at the ground, looking glum and defeated.
Popo stared at him fixedly for a moment, and then said with a slight smile, "Go on, Link." Link quickly looked up. "Get out of here. You deserve better than this. I was just so excited that we were finally in good business that I didn't realize I was hurting my friend."
"Seriously?" Link said weakly, slightly taken aback.
"Of course I'm serious!" Popo roared, walking over and slapping Link heartily on the back. "And don't you worry about me," he added with a wink. "There is no reason to mope because I know you'll be happier leaving here. Why, I'll find a new coworker quickly enough." There wasn't a trace of doubt in his rosy cheeks. Link grinned and got up from the stool.
"Thanks a lot, old friend," he said, shaking Popo's hand warmly. "I owe you one, some day." He began walking toward the front door and then paused. "Er… I think it's better if I go out the back door." The sound of the impatient crowd was audible now from outside the shop.
"Just what I was thinking," Popo agreed, motioning him to the door. "Oh, and I'll tell the crowd you were… eaten by moblins or something. That oughta wipe the crazed looks off their faces." Link laughed. "Say—" Popo placed a hand on Link's shoulder, preventing him from leaving, and dug around for something in his pocket. He pulled out a wrinkled piece of parchment. "Read this," he said, and looking, if possible, happier. It read:
To the knights of Hyrule:
This is an urgent message from King Harkinan. I need a knight to be appointed a special job for me, but only the one who proves himself worthy will get it. This is a serious and difficult job I am besetting on one of you, and it's not to be taken lightly. If you are interested, meet in the lower courtyard (with the bird fountain) at noon tomorrow. Bring your weapon of choice.
King Harkinan.
Link looked up, confused. "What's this about?" he asked.
"Don't you see?" Popo said, his voice quivering with excitement. "This is the perfect job opportunity for you! Why, you're better than all the knights of Hyrule! That tournament proves it! I heard, Link, some of those knights grumbling about your skill over theirs!" Popo's night job involved being a servant in the castle. He cleaned, washed dishes, and helped prepare breakfast for the next morning for the knights; word about anything traveled fast in the castle.
Link leaned against the door, his face a mixture of shock and pleasure. He surely thought the King's own knight's would be better then him. He imagined himself wielding his sword and slaying large and intimating monsters…The King himself would look deeply impressed, and would honor him with a large sum of gold and even the opportunity to be knighted…The other knights would be standing watching him with deep scowls on their faces because he was only a peasant…
Link's face suddenly fell. "But I'm a peasant, Popo, remember?" he said forlornly. "And he only wanted knights to do the job, anyway…"
Popo laughed merrily. Link stared at him in disbelief. How could he see the good side of this situation? "But Link, you can prove to these knights and the King that you're worthy of the job. Trust me. I know you can do it."
Link sighed. "There's no harm in trying," he said. There was sudden hammering on the front glass window. Link looked over Popo's shoulder and saw the townspeople pressing their face against the glass eagerly, some banging their fists impatiently or yelling, "Open up!"
"Oh, great, now they've seen me," Link said. He couldn't suppress a smile. Popo grinned as well. "I guess I can't tell them you were eaten, then," he said.
"Oh, what a shame," Link sighed sarcastically. "I was hoping if you told them I was eaten by a moblin, the entire town would rebel against Gannondorf and just kill him off for us."
Popo chuckled, but suddenly felt a sad feeling in his heart. He hadn't realized how much he would miss his best friend. "Try and visit me once and a while, will you?"
"Of course I will," Link said honestly. "I never forget my friends."
Popo nodded, feeling slightly better, and said, "Now go! Get going, lad. And good luck be with you."
"Thanks, Popo," Link said. Without another word, he slipped soundlessly out the back door and into the morning sun, making his way toward the castle.
A/N: Well, what do you think? Was it too boring? Too short? I'm really sorry if it was! Don't worry, the next chapter will be better. And Zelda WILL be in the next chapter. I'm not sure when my next update on this will be because school starts soon and I'm also busy with cross country. But this story is much more planned out than my other one, which is why I discontinued it, so I'll try to update this as fast as I can! PLEASE REVIEW! It would make my day!