Hello, and welcome to my next Legend of Zelda story! I got the idea today and decided to go for it, so I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda series, in whole or in part.
As the cock crew with the dawn, Princess Zelda awoke and stretched.
"My love, wake up," she whispered, nudging the body curled up next to her.
"Do I have to?" a male voice mumbled, tightening his arms around Zelda's dainty waist.
"Yes, today's the day of the big announcement, and I need to get ready. You know how my father is when I'm late," she insisted, referring to King Harkinian's temper.
The man occupying her bed, Link, pulled the sheets over his head. When Zelda attempted to pull them away, Link grabbed her, leaned her back, and began to kiss her.
Zelda giggled as his lips touched her skin and playfully pushed him away. She managed to slip from his arms and got out of the bed, and he quickly followed. He cornered her, but she had grabbed a pillow and promptly whacked him with it, sending feathers flying everywhere and distracting him just enough for her to make her escape.
Link finally caught up to his love and wrapped his arms tightly around her, making sure she wouldn't be able to get away again. He scooped her up, walked to the bed, and laid her on it, refusing to let her get back up. Not that she wanted to.
"I love you," Link whispered awhile later, giving Zelda a good-bye kiss. "I'll see you soon."
"I love you, too."
Although she was always sad to see him go, Zelda forced a smile as she watched her lover stealthily scale the wall from her second-story window at North Castle to the grass below, taking care to dodge the rosebushes. After making sure it was clear, he furtively stole away to the soldiers' barracks, where he and the royal family's other protectors lived. He turned to wave to her before disappearing inside.
Link tried to be as quiet as possible, but his best friend, Quinlan, caught him sneaking into his bed.
"Another long night with Her Highness, eh, Link?" he whispered.
Link simply grinned at him and quickly crawled under the covers to take a short nap. The soldiers were supposed to arise with the dawn, but the commanders gave them an hour afterwards before making the rounds, meaning Link had about ten minutes to sleep. Because of the constant threat to Zelda's safety, he had gotten into the habit of sleeping in his everyday uniform. Of course it had benefits- it made it a lot easier to get ready in the morning, and Zelda would often tell him that she loved how he looked in it.
Once the commanders came around, Link hurried out of bed, quite alert despite hardly sleeping all night. After roll call, the soldiers went into formation and marched to the castle, where they were to have breakfast with King Harkinian and Princess Zelda.
As her bodyguard, Link sat to Zelda's right, while her father sat to her left. As they ate, Link and Zelda flashed each other looks, the memories of last night still fresh in their minds. They had been so busy preparing for the Spring Festival that they had hardly had any time with each other, which had made the night all the more special.
After breakfast, the soldiers were dismissed to the barracks to ready themselves for the festival. Zelda and Link again had to temporarily part ways, but they dare not do so as they did earlier. Link simply bowed to her and her father before he and the other soldiers departed.
Zelda curtsied to her father in farewell before returning to her room. Her close friend and nursemaid, Impa, helped her ready for the day's events, which would commence at noon and last long after sunset. Which Zelda knew meant spending long hours in the relentless Hylian sun, in a heavy dress, layers of petticoats, and tiny, uncomfortable shoes.
As Impa pinned up Zelda's hair, she noticed a small bruise on the young royal's neck, one that had been hidden by the long brunette locks earlier.
"Princess, what is this?" she said, pointing it out in the vanity mirror in front of which Zelda sat.
"Oh, nothing," Zelda answered, her hand instinctively flying to her neck to cover the mark as her faced turned crimson.
"It's from Link, isn't it?"
Zelda gulped, knowing she was caught. "How do you know?"
"Dearest Princess, it is obvious to myself and many others that you and Link have a special relationship. Although I'm not quite sure I realized how special it was until just now. Many of the servants have reported seeing him sneaking about outside your window at all hours of the night, and early in the morning. How often does he stay with you?"
"Umm, well..." Zelda stuttered.
"Well, forget I asked. And I will not say a word of this to your father, but you cannot possibly keep this up much longer. You will be of age soon and soon must find a husband, someone of noble birth. Do not let your judgment be clouded by this."
"But I love him."
"Even so, Your Highness, you know your duties. Now, come along, we must get to the courtyard."
Zelda fanned her face as the scorching afternoon sun beat down on the festival's participants. She watched as her father arose from his seat to make his big announcement.
"Welcome, one and all, to Hyrule's annual Spring Festival. I am pleased to make two announcements."
Two? Zelda thought. I thought he was only going to make one, something about Link.
Zelda turned her thoughts back to her father as he continued. "First of all, I am proud to announce that my daughter's longtime bodyguard, Link of Calatia, has come of age this past winter. As a result, he shall be knighted on the last day of the festival. Please, Link, come up here."
The crowd applauded wildly as Link arose from his place next to Zelda and took a spot next to the king after shaking his hand. He blushed as he profusely thanked King Harkinian for his kindness, then returned to his seat at the insistence of the king.
"And now that that has been said, I am even prouder to make the next announcement. I hereby present Prince Carden of Calatia."
A tall, slender young man with blonde hair and blue eyes that had been seated on the other side of King Harkinian arose and greeted the crowd. They applauded until the king motioned for them to be silent. Once all was again quiet, the king turned to Zelda and smiled at her, then looked back at the crowd before proceeding. Zelda wondered what the point was of her father introducing the prince. She quickly came to wish she had never known the reason.
The king's smile broadened as he began to speak again. "I am pleased to announce that my daughter will soon be sixteen. Upon the arrival of Summer Solstice, my daughter will be married. Zelda, my dear, meet your future husband," he proclaimed, motioning towards Prince Carden.
Husband? Him? Zelda thought, just before fainting from the heat.
Please review! Thanks :)