This is my first real Lemon fanfic, so I'm a little bit nervous about writing it. I'm pretty sure I'll have the second chapter up within a day. I'm a HUGE ZeldaXLink fan, by the way. Please enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Zelda or any of the characters in the game. I do, however, claim this story as mine :)

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Something in Return

Chapter 1: Secluded

Bathed in the moonlight, Princess Zelda stood in front of an enormous marble fountain, staring determinately into its icy waters. She shuddered as she thought of what might happen if she threw herself in, which might have made what she was doing a bit easier. Still gazing into the pool, her azure eyes widened as they spotted a glimmer of pink under the surface. "Ah-ha!" she exclaimed in triumph as she moved towards the shiny object, carefully stepping through the damp grass. She reached to remove her lace gloves, then smiled as she felt only bare skin. Zelda had taken them off earlier, feeling the need to abandon her daintiness along with her princessly duties for the day. She hated how uptight of a job being royal was, and whenever she got the chance, found herself rebelling against her position. With the exception of pretty dresses, of course. A girl could never have too many of those.

The princess took in a deep breath and positioned her hand above the surface of the fountain. After a moments hesitation, she closed her eyes and plunged her arm into the pool. Instantly, the cold hit her, stabbing into her skin like hundreds of tiny little daggers. Why, she asked herself, did she have to lose her necklace in the middle of winter? Couldn't she have picked a more convenient season to drop it in the fountain? Of course this inconvenience was mildly her fault, as she could have merely asked a guard or servant to fetch it in the morning. But this was also the reason she had to do it herself. She was sick of people waiting on her hand and foot, and desperately craved independence, even as meager as this.

Feeling something hard under her numbing fingers, she clutched it in her hand, and brought it to the surface. Moving her fist into the moonlight, she uncurled her fingers and saw her little pink accessory in her palm. Smiling victoriously, she unclasped the necklace and brought it up to her neck, then reeled back as the cold metal brushed her throat. Giggling at her foolishness, she tucked the jewelry into her dress pocket and stood up straight.

"Going for a swim, Princess?" came a cool voice from behind the blonde maiden. She whirled around in surprise and braced herself, searching for the source of the sound.

"Who's there?" she demanded, peering into the shadows surrounding her. Although no one would dare to come into her private courtyard, it had been done before and she had learned to be more than cautious. She didn't even let her guards in, only allowing them to patrol on the other side of the walls, her only precaution to keep intruders out. "Show yourself!" she commanded, hearing no response from her would-be attacker.

A dark leather boot stepped out of the darkness, followed by a sturdy young man clad in green. He opened his arms in gesture and held his hands up to show he had no weapon, then smiled ominously at the princess. "Why your highness," began the man, his eyes darkly gazing at her from beneath his golden bangs. "Don't you recognize me?"

Dropping her guard, Zelda exhaled in relief and smiled warmly at the intruder. "Of course I recognize you!" she replied, walking towards her friend to embrace him. He happily received her into his arms, and held her close, protectively pressing her torso against his own.

"I missed you, Link..." said the princess, burying her face in his chest. They stayed embraced for a moment longer, then Zelda released her hold on her hero. Link's arms stood fast against her, as he tilted his head down to the maiden and breathed in her scent.

"Link, you can let go now." joked the princess, and she attempted to back away.

"But why?" came the hero's calm voice, as he loosened one arm and stroked it down Zelda's back, stopping just above her hips. The blonde maiden shuddered as his fingers began tracing meandering lines up and down her spine.

"You know why! Now let go, this isn't funny." Zelda pouted, wiggling in the hero's arms. Chuckling, Link released his grip on her as she stumbled a few feet away, trying to regain her posture. Standing up straight, she turned to the man and scowled. "Now what was that for?" she demanded.

"Temper, temper, your highness," the blonde man mocked, slowly walking towards her. "And besides," he said, taking another step closer, "I think you know exactly what that was for." he whispered, hovering inches from her ear.

Immobilized with bewilder, Zelda's eyes widened with shock as she could feel his warm breath on her cheek. Blindly feeling her hands behind her, she began to back away from the advancing man, who only continued to follow her paces. Her hands felt cold marble behind her as she pressed herself against the fountain, the light mist of the water sending shivers down her spine.

"As I recall," continued Link, "I seem to have saved you quite a few times, princess." he said as he placed his hands on either side of Zelda's, drinking in her features. "Don't you think I deserve a little something in return..?" he purred menacingly, lowering his face to hers.

"Link..." Zelda whispered breathlessly, a wave of realization washing across her. Opening her mouth to call for help, it was quickly met by Link's finger pressed against her lips.

"Don't bother, princess. There's no one to hear you scream." Link murmured as his mouth claimed hers.

Zelda's vision went black as she fell limp into the arms of the hero she once trusted.