The Perfect Husband.

By Fox McCloude.

Disclaimer: The Legend of Zelda and all its characters belong to Nintendo.

Chapter 1: The promise.

Hyrule Castle…

Queen Selena had been a noble and wise monarch. After her husband's death, she took her responsibilities with the Kingdom of Hyrule very seriously, always looking out for the well-being of her people. She was a very strong-willed woman, but also kind-hearted, and everyone in the kingdom admired and respected her for it. Under her rule, the people flourished and were very happy.

But one fateful day, the noble queen was stricken by a terminal illness. Even though she was a strong woman, and she was attended by the best doctors, her health debilitated progressively day after day. Eventually, she realized that her time was running out, and it was time for her heiress to take her place. So, when she was in her deathbed, she summoned her daughter.

- Princess Zelda, Her Majesty the Queen wants to see you immediately. – A woman in her middle thirties, with pale skin, white hair and scarlet eyes, spoke to a young lady who was kneeled, praying before the altar of the temple.

- I'm coming, Impa. – The young lady answered as she stood up and began walking away.

Princess Zelda was a 16-year-old girl, with golden hair, blue eyes and skin almost as white as snow, considered by many as one of the most beautiful young ladies in the entire kingdom, and a near-spitting image of her mother at the same age.

The young princess walked slowly across the castle's hallways. She kept her hands on her chest and her eyes did not hide at all the sadness and sorrow she felt, as she was aware of the condition of her mother. Once she arrived to the door leading to her mother's room, she took a deep breath and opened it up to enter.

- Mother? – She said upon entering.

- Zelda… come closer, please. – The monarch said from her bed, with a huge effort.

The young woman approached her and sat on the edge of the bed, taking her mother's hand with both of her own, both of them looking into each other's eyes. Even though she was so pale due to her illness, she still looked really beautiful, even for her age. She had the same blue eyes as her daughter, but her hair was a tad darker, and her skin was paler than normal due to her current condition. Nevertheless, as weakened as she was, the monarch managed to gather up enough strength to speak to her daughter.

- My daughter… from the very day you were born, I've tried to prepare you for this moment. – She said in a weak, yet firm, voice. – I will soon be gone, and you will have to take my place as the new ruler of Hyrule. -

- Mother… - Zelda was struggling to hold back her tears, as painful it was, she knew it was true, and she would have to face it soon, she had to be strong.

- I have taught you everything I know of life… and I tried to raise you as best as I could. -

- Believe me; I couldn't be more grateful for all you have done for me. – Zelda said, trying to smile to her mother. – However… I don't know if I'm ready yet. I really… don't think I can live up to you. -

- My dear daughter, I know you're still young, and there's still a lot for you to learn… but I have faith in you. I know you can make it. But, before I leave… there's one thing, even though I've told you so many times… I want you to remember once I'm gone. -

- Mother… – Zelda knew exactly what her mother was about to say. According to her, it was the most important life lesson, and that's why she never questioned her mother when she reminded her of it.

- As the traditions dictate, you can only assume the throne once you become of age and get married. However… I know very well that arranged, loveless marriages bring nothing else than pain and suffering, and in the worst cases, even terrible tragedies. The Goddesses demand that marriages must be made out of love, and that everyone, nobles or peasants, princes and plebeians, deserve to live with the people they love. -

- Mother… -

- Zelda, you were born from the love that blossomed between me and your father. For me… that's the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me, and I want you to know the true joy of forming a family with love. That's why I want you to promise me, I want you to promise me that you'll marry out of love, and not because of your obligations. I'm sure you will choose a good husband, somebody who will love you for who you really are, as long as you follow your heart. -

- I... -

Zelda didn't know what to say. Those words from her mother had been really deep; everything sounded like a fairytale, but everything she said made a lot of sense. Even in her final moments, Queen Selena wished from the bottom of her heart nothing short of happiness for her daughter. The young princess understood just by looking into her eyes, and clasping her mother's hand, she nodded.

- I promise… - She said at last. – It might not be easy… but I will find him no matter what. -

- I'm so proud of you, my little daughter. – The Queen said, smiling. – I'm just sorry I won't be present when you have made your own family… but I'll always be watching over you from the heavens. Zelda, don't forget that I will always love you. -

- I love you too… Mom. – Zelda embraced her mother, she couldn't hold back her tears anymore, and she wept for all she was worth. The Queen somehow managed to raise her arms and return her daughter's embrace. Mother and daughter remained in the same position, after all, that would be their last embrace. Zelda wept in her mother's arms until she fell asleep, she wouldn't let go of her until the end. Once the Queen noticed her daughter had fallen asleep, she used the last of her strength to hold her tightly, and closing her eyes, she smiled one last time, while whispering her final words.

- Please, be happy… -

Sometime later…

The following 12 months were really hard for the young heiress. Since she was not of age to act in the kingdom's business, the Prime Minister would take care of such responsibilities, also giving the Princess time to recover emotionally from the pain of the loss of her mother. Fortunately for her, following the last request the late ruler had given, her caretaker, Impa, assumed the role of a second motherly figure for Zelda. The woman had taken care of her since she was a baby, and she had always loved her as if she was her own daughter, therefore she took very seriously the task of helping in soothing her pain. Thanks to her support, Zelda eventually gained the strength to overcome the loss of her mother.

Once the mourning time was over, the time came for Zelda to assume her responsibilities. While she was young and lacked experience, and many on the royal council had their doubts, the Princess took her duties very seriously, and she demonstrated to be mature and capable enough to face them. Nevertheless, there was still a problem. As the traditions said, the heiress couldn't be crowned as queen until she had married. To that end, a grand celebration was arranged, to choose the one who would rule Hyrule alongside Zelda in the future.

The news spread quickly around the entire continent. Dozens of princes and nobles from Hyrule and the neighboring countries attended the celebration, all of them with a single idea: to become the husband of Princess Zelda. However, the heiress to the throne of Hyrule herself was the only one who did not enjoy said celebration. In her eyes, all the possible suitors were the same. Some of them offered great riches, others offered power, and many others tried to show off their personal skills and abilities… but none of them offered what she really wanted: love. For her, all those men were just a bunch of shallow and arrogant idiots.

The parties, balls and banquets continued, day after day, week after week, but to no avail. As fast as they arrived, they were rejected. The Princess became more and more distant, due to the overstrain caused by the so-called celebration for her engagement, both physically and emotionally. She created an ice barrier between her and her suitors, even to the point of slapping one of them when he tried to go a little too far with her, leaving in clear that she might be young, but not naïve.

A month passed, and the Princess formally announced that she wouldn't get married to any of the suitors who attended the celebration. There was a large scandal at the castle's hall, and many of the presents even felt insulted after being rejected. However, Zelda remained firm on her position, stating that she would be betraying the last wish of her mother if she accepted to become engaged to any of the suitors, and she immediately left the hall, leaving everybody perplexed.

That night, before going to sleep, Zelda sat on the edge of her bed. She was wondering if she had done the right thing, after all the time and effort they had put into the celebration to choose her future husband, but in the end she didn't do it. While she was pondering on it, somebody knocked her door.

- Come in. – She said. The door opened, it was Impa.

- Still thinking about it, Princess? – The woman asked.

- Yes, I guess. – Zelda replied.

- Do you want to talk about it? -

- I guess it could help me. – The princess replied, trying to smile. The woman entered the room, and sat on the edge of the bed next to her. – Impa, answer me sincerely … was I wrong in what I did? -

- The Prime Minister is really upset because all what he invested in that celebration was for nothing. Although… if you followed your heart, there's nothing to worry about. -

- Impa… all this search for a suitor… it's really tiring… I wish I could leave it, if only for a while. –

- You feel a bit tense, don't you? – Impa asked, and the princess nodded. – Maybe, all you need is to leave this castle, and get some fresh air. -

- Leave the castle? – Zelda asked.

- You have been locked up in here for a long time. You and Her Majesty the Queen used to go to out to the Castle Town when you were little. Perhaps, now is a good time for you to know about the life outside the castle walls. -

- That sounds good, but… -

- Yes, I know the Prime Minister will not approve it. – Impa said, sighing with a bit of resignation. – Even so, your mother wrote in her testament that, until you come of age, I'm in charge of your custody, and if I authorize you to leave the castle, nobody can stop you. Of course, we'll have to make some arrangements. We don't want to cause a riot if it becomes known that the Princess has left the castle. -

- That's true. – Zelda nodded in agreement. The last thing she wanted was to cause a scandal.

- You leave it in my hands. This should help you to clear your mind. About the engagement, that can wait a bit, you still are a few months away from your coming of age. -

- Thank you, Impa. – The young princess embraced her attendant, and the woman returned the embrace affectionately. She had taken care of Zelda since she was a baby, and she really loved her a lot, almost as if she was her own daughter.

A few days later…

After one or two arguments with the Prime Minister, Impa managed to get the authorization to allow Zelda to leave the castle, promising that she would be back in a few months. Zelda had applied a brown dye on her hair and had let it down (think that she normally has it in the braid as in Twilight Princess or Brawl). Impa ordered the tailors to make some modest clothing for her, so it wouldn't give away her condition. The young princess was really pleased, as the elegant dresses she was forced to wear could be sometimes a bit uncomfortable, not to mention all of the jewelry she had to show off with them. Impa also gave her a bag full of rupees she could use to survive for about four or five months. Zelda accepted them, although she wondered if it wouldn't be better to try and find a job somewhere. Then again, having lived in that castle for her entire life, maybe she didn't know too much about the works of the commoners.

At the castle gate, Impa gave a few final instructions to the princess before she departed. Since it was nightfall, she would be escorted by some guards up until the castle town, but once she had entered she would be on her own so as not to drag attention. She would spend the night at the inn, and the next morning she would buy a horse to ride in the open field.

- Well, there's nothing else for me to say, just be careful out there, and make sure to come back safe and sound. -

- I shall, Impa, don't worry. – Zelda said. – Meanwhile, please take care of the Prime Minister and try not to get him too hysterical. –

- Hehehe, I will try. – The woman replied. – OK, travel well, may the Goddesses be with you, and watch over you back and forth. –

- Thanks, Impa. – Zelda said, hugging her one last time, before walking towards the Castle Town entrance, escorted by four guards. Impa could only watch as the princess slowly walked away. For a moment, she wished to have accompanied her, but she then thought Zelda needed some time for herself, which she had almost completely lacked as she was the heir to the throne of Hyrule. Whatever the roads had in store, Zelda was no longer a child, surely enough she could face it.

To be continued…

Author's notes:

Hey there, people. This is my first fic of Zelda. It had been finished long ago, but only recently I decided to translate it into English. Some points I'd like to talk about. First, the games never go in-depth in regards to Zelda's relationship with her mother, and as far as I know she has never appeared, the closest thing to a motherly figure she has had is Impa, so I tried to go deep into it. I'll confess that it was hard for me to make her die early, but I felt it was necessary to establish the starting point of the story, which, as you see, is about the promise Zelda makes to her mother before she dies, and that will be the key in the unfolding of the story. Second, as for Zelda "dyeing" her hair, let's just say I needed a pretext to explain the change in her hair color, besides, it'll also have its utility. Let's face it, in the anime and videogames, it just takes to change the hair color and/or comb it in a different style to transform into a completely different person. (At least in the eyes of the in-series characters *chuckle*) Besides, Queen Selena was a character I created a few years ago, and back then I was used to see Zelda blonde, so I obviously made her mother with the same hair color. Although to be sincere, after Brawl came out I began liking Zelda better as a brunette than blonde, but I didn't feel like changing my character's hair color just to adapt to that, so I figured, Zelda could be naturally blonde, but she dyes her hair brown to go incognita. And it works.

Well, that's all I have to say. Be seeing ya.