"What a grand ball, your highness!"

A young noblewoman's condescending smile drew Zelda's attention away from the waltzing couples. She smiled accomodatingly and nodded.

"Such wonderful music, such beautiful dancing...," the noblewoman continued.

Zelda sipped her champagne and watched as a young nobleman came to sweep her away in a whirlwind of laughing and gaiety.

"... and a complete lack of excitement," Zelda finished. "No, not such a grand ball after all."

Sitting gracefully atop her velvet-cushioned throne did not constitute her idea of a wonderful evening. However, the king's birthday was an event to be celebrated, and celebrated grandly. No expense was spared in the food or garment, great pains were taken to make the great hall sparkle, and hours were spent braiding and updoing Zelda's hair in just the right way. She longed to be among the couples, dancing for an evening with a nobleman whom she may never see again, but whose company she would enjoy for the length of a dance.

Before the ball began, her father had cornered her and said, "this is too grand an occasion, my dear, to allow you to mingle freely as usual. You are to stay by my side this night, a portrait of poise and grace, and allow the others to be envious." Of course this did not go over well with her, but she had simply stiffened her posture and looked the other way. Now she was bored. Not to mention in pain. The bodice-figures she wore beneath her jeweled gown were unbearably tight, especially when sitting.

"Pssst!" Her eyes opened wide at the faint sound. "Zelda!

"Father, would you excuse me?" She stood up stiffly, and he nodded.

"Return soon - the others will not like to see you gone."

She nodded her thanks, picked up her skirts, and stepped through the thick velvet curtain into the castle halls. She knew the sound's source.

"You were invited, you know. Papa said you're as good as family, anyway."

"Odd that he finds me good for anything." Link smiled wryly. "You look nice."

"Thank you." Zelda grinned and touched a strand of pearls woven into her ornate hairstyle. "Thought it's all a bit heavy."

"I can imagine. How's the party?"

"The event of the century. You should have come, if only to keep me company."

He chuckled. "I'm here now, aren't I?"

"Yes, you always are." She grinned.

Link offered his arm. "Would her highness care for a walk?"

"Surely. But papa said..."

"Just a quick walk. You need to breathe a little."

Zelda bit her lip. "I'll never hear the end of it if he comes after me...." Sheaccepted his arm and fell in step beside him. They walked several hundred feet down the corridor, then returned to the curtain.

"You're so lucky, not to be required to attend these things. I wouldn't mind so much if papa would just let me dance a bit. This..." Zelda adjusted the tight bodice, and took a deep breath. "This bodice is just unbearable. But standing helps, and dancing even more."

"What was his excuse?"

"He would rather me be a spectacle, to be gazed at and admired, than to be dancing among the other folk."

Link only smiled. "As wonderful a spectacle as you make, I believe it is more healthy for you to be participating with your people."

"And I also!" She exclaimed, then sighed. "I should be getting back. Papa's temper rises with each passing moment."

"Haste, then! Return to your pedestal!" Link joked, then respectfully kissed her hand. "Evening, Zelda."

She smiled defeatedly at him and disappeared through the curtain.

"My dear, your cousins have been asking for you since you left!" Her father exclaimed when she appeared.

"My cousins? Where are they?" Zelda looked among the crowd. "When did they arrive?"

"Not long ago. The family decided to drop by to extend birthday wishes."

"But from the North? Such a hard journey, in such weather!" She was surprised, for the Northern climate was colder than the region where the castle stood.

"Zelda!"

The cheery female voices startled Zelda, who whirled around and found herself being hugged by two people at once.

"Elinor! Elise!" She exclaimed, hugging the twin girls back as best she could. "I'm so happy that you've come!" As children they had seen each other frequently and were the best of friends, but had been separated when their father, her uncle Henerik, had Ellefson Manor built in the northern lands. Pulling away, she saw coppery-gold hair and brown eyes repeated before her. Elise's face was a bit thicker, perhaps. They were seventeen, the same age as she.

"Oh, Zelda, what a wonderful evening! Father hoped it would be a surprise, our coming tonight. But then we heard that Elise's chambermaid Luila told Garett the delivery boy, whom she's sweet on, and we thought the entire world would know by sunset! But luckily Garett's word traveled slower than our horses did," Elinor recounted breathlessly. Elise nodded.

"And Hyrule Castle is so beautiful at dusk, with the sun setting in the distance and its spires reflecting the golden light. Much more grand than our little manor," Elise commented.

"Ellefson Manor is a beautiful home, Elise!" Zelda broke in. "I hear the gardens and the lake are lovely!"

"We're glad you think so, cousin! Very glad..." Elise began.

"...because father has given us permission to ask you to come back with us!" Elinor finished excitedly. Elise swiftly narrowed her eyes in her sister's direction.

"B...but we weren't supposed to ask you just yet. He wanted to clear it up with your father first," Elinor added, glancing apologetically at her sister.

"I would love to spend some time at Ellefson Manor!" Zelda hugged both cousins. "How long did you have in mind?"

"Two months, perhaps? Maybe three, maybe more! As long as you like, really," Elinor said cheerfully. Zelda was silent for a moment.

"So long!" She laughed weakly, thinking about all that she would leave behind. She did not have to think long, for she heard her father's voice above the din.

"Zelda, bring my beautiful nieces over here!" The king shouted, jovially. The three quickly covered the distance, and each hugged their uncle. "My dear brother here wishes to extend an invitation to you. Would you hear it?"

"Of course!" She said, winking at Elise.

"My dear niece, we would be honored if you would consider returning with us to Ellefson Manor for an extended visit. Your father and I both agree that the change of scenery may be of great benefit to you, and I believe my girls look upon you as a sister they rarely see. He and I have agreed on a term of four months, in which time we shall both enjoy the comforts of Ellefson Manor and also the beauty of the northern lands. What do you say?"

"Of course!" Zelda exclaimed joyfully, and found herself again being hugged by two at once. She laughed and felt excited, but deep down she knew she would be leaving behind as much as she would be enjoying.

The next morning, she wrote a short note to Link:

She slipped it under his door on her way to an early breakfast.

Link arrived promptly at noon and found her already there.

"Is something wrong?" He asked, sitting on the cold marble beside her.

"No... not exactly. Nothing's wrong, per say. I'm very excited. But bittersweet, I suppose."

"Yes... why?" Link pressed for more information.

"After I returned to the ball last night, I learned that my cousins from the north had arrived, hoping to surprise my father. They invited me to return with them to Ellefson Manor, their home. And I agreed to go."

"Is that all? Zelda, I was worried that something bad had happened! How long?"

Zelda bit her lip. "Four months."

Link was silent for a long moment. "Four months is less than a year, I suppose."

Zelda smiled. "That's true. But it's still a long time. Who are you going to antagonize every day? Who will you take fishing and then regret it when he or she catches a bigger fish than you? Who will argue with you about little things?"

"Now that you mention it, not having you around might make life somewhat peaceful...."

"...What?" Zelda turned on him quickly.

"...but certainly less enjoyable. Four months is a long time to be away," he finished.

"Yes, definitely."

They sat in silent contemplation for a few moments, and then spoke at the same time. Zelda motioned for Link to speak.

"What... um, not that I'm looking forward to it, because I'm not, but when do you plan to leave?"

"Tonight."

"Tonight?"

"After dinner, we leave for Gennasea. My uncle has brought several of his servants as bodyguards to ride protection, and father is sending a few royal guards to see us halfway."

"Tonight..."

"Yes, it is rather sudden. I wasn't expecting it to be so soon, but Aunt Katriel left some things unattended to, and Uncle Henerik has business in town."

"So be it, then," Link nodded. "You'll be learning all sorts of interesting new things, and exploring new places. You must come back and describe them to me."

"I will miss going fishing and enjoying the outdoors with you, Link. Truly, I will."

"And fishing won't be the same without you," He murmured gruffly.

"The fish will enjoy my hiatus, though. Give them my regards."

Link nodded and stood. "Be careful, out there. You're going on an adventure, and I won't be there to bring you back down to earth when you get carried away."

"Or to catch me when I fall." Zelda stood and surprised him with a long embrace. "I'll miss you terribly," she whispered into his shoulder.

"And I, you."

She removed her arms from his shoulders and gave him a sly punch to the arm. "Well, I've got to go help the ladies pack my things. I'll... I'll see you at dinner."

No tears fell as Link watched her sprint away, but he was sure that if he had not been so guarded, they might have soon escaped.

Dinner passed without occasion that night. The cooks made every one of Zelda's favorite foods, and her father made a gift of a new handcarved ivory quill and inkwell, plus a stack of fine paper. She promised to write often, as much as her travels would allow. And then the dinner party left to the castle gates, where the carriage was packed and ready.

"This is really it, then. I have spent my last night in the castle for four months," Zelda whispered to herself, standing before the carriage. Elinor interrupted her melancholy.

"Oh Zelda, it will be so wonderful! There will be all sorts of balls and events in town to attend, and places to take you, and people to introduce you to! Elise and I will have such a fine time making you at home!"

"Elinor, dear, I'm sure you shall." She smiled warmly. "I will be along shortly. Let me just say a final farewell, and we shall be off."

Once Elinor had climbed into the carriage, she approached her father. Much to her surprise, Link had joined him.

"My darling daughter, be careful in your journeys. I hope that this voyage will teach you much about yourself, and more about the world." He strode forward and wrapped his arms around her, lifting her into the air. A lilting giggle was the result.

"Thank you, father. Four months from now I shall return a changed person."

"Not too changed, I hope," Link said, smiling. "Take care of yourself." He reached for her hand and lifted it to his lips, applying a gentlemanly kiss.

"You too." She said, sadly. With a deep breath, she turned away from them and strode to the waiting carriage. Once in, she leaned through the door and waved. "I'm off, then! Good bye!"

Zelda watched from the carriage door until the castle was no longer in sight then lay her head on the back of the carriage seat. Elinor and Elise were both already asleep, and her aunt and uncle were nodding off. The silence of the night in which they traveled left Zelda alone in her thoughts, prompting her to think anew of the things she was leaving behind on her journey and all the new things she would find at the end of it.

All night and all day they traveled. And when they stopped for a meal in a northern town, Zelda found time to take out her new quill and ink and put her thoughts to paper.