The full-length mirror that Zelda's aunt had sent to her room reflected her image well, and she could not help but smile. It was not her own reflection that amused her but the room reflected behind it; a reminder of how far she was from home.

The gown she chose to wear to the ball, a pale blue silk with strings of sapphires to braid up into her hair, was more simplistic than she would wear to a castle celebration. She reasoned that an intimate gathering such as the one planned for that night would not warrant her full finery, and instead chose a more approachable, attractive dress. The short sleeves covered just the very top of her arms, but long white gloves made up for the bareness. Its neckline, though tasteful, was still much lower and more provocative than she would have comfortably worn among the prudish old nobility at home. The rules of fashion were relaxed so far from its center, so she hoped the outfit would be completely accepted.

Another glance in the mirror made her adjust the top of the dress. She tried to step back and see herself in a new light, but she could not shake her feeling of being overly exposed.

"Knock, knock!" The spoken sound at the door surprised her, particularly because it was not Elinor who spoke, but Elise. She carefully found her way to it, then opened the door to allow her inside.

"Elise! Thank you for coming! I needed a good opin...." Zelda stepped back, examining her cousin's dress with wide eyes. "That's a... a very beautiful dress! It's certainly...."

Elise laughed. "In the northern realms we dress less conservatively than you're used to; I can tell by the look on your face!"

The dress Elise wore was a soft patterned green color, cut similarly to Zelda's but without the finesse of a royal tailor. Its sleeves were fitted to her elbow and a thin band of satin ribbon lined the bottoms of the sleeves and the dress. It was the neckline that startled her, dipping far lower than she had ever worn and daring to reveal the soft curve of cleavage.

"But it's very beautiful! It's just... well, as you say, less conservative than I'm used to." Zelda smiled awkwardly. "I meant to ask you if mine was cut too low, but I suppose it must seem rather matronly."

"On the contrary, it's exquisite. I'm sure my mother's friends have never seen such finery, and I'm certain my friends have not! The jewels, are they...?"

Zelda nodded. "Sapphires."

Elise's eyes grew big. "My Goodness! I should have expected them to be such."

"May I ask your opinion, though? Is the dress appropriate for the occasion?"

"Oh, certainly!" Elise nodded. "And if you're lucky, the men shall spend more time gazing at your pretty face than the expanse of skin below it."

Zelda thanked her. "At home, I'd have asked Link's opinion. It is not always what I want to hear, but he is honest. Here, I shall rely on you for the same."

Elise smiled. "I shall do my best to act in his stead."

"The only thing I can't expect from you, my dear cousin, is to provide the honest response of a man. That is one opinion I'm sure no woman can offer!" Zelda chuckled. Elise admitted it was so.

Zelda once again found herself staring at her reflection in the mirror; this time wishing her neckline was just a bit lower, or the cut just a bit more flattering. She resolved instantly to have a new dress ordered the very next day.

"I intend to enjoy myself tonight," she murmured matter-of-factly to herself, lightly powdering her face and chest. One final glance in the mirror told her that she was ready. With a deep breath to calm her nerves she linked arms with her cousin and elegantly strode toward the great hall, hoping to make a favorable impression.

The great hall of Ellefson Manor was filled with fine food, rich wine, and beautiful people. Zelda's aunt Katriel had spread the word among Gennasea's elite and all of them came to see the glittering princess. While waiting for her to appear they entertained themselves by dancing to the fine music Henerik had arranged.

When the door finally opened, every head turned and the music stopped.

"My daughter, Lady Elise of Gennasea, and my dear niece, her highness Princess Zelda of Hyrule Proper!" Henerik announced loudly, striding to greet them amid the whisperings and murmurings of nobles receiving their first glimpse of their future queen. Zelda and Elise each clasped one of Henerik's arms and he escorted them to the dining tables. Once they were seated, he motioned for the band to begin playing again.

Zelda realized she had been holding her breath. She softly exhaled.

"I don't think I've ever been so nervous," Elise murmured. "So many eyes."

"You may think I've become accustomed to it, but when it comes time to make my appearance I always feel terribly nervous. Where is Elinor?"

"In the midst of the couples, as usual. A new gent every minute. I'm more inclined to enjoy the company of one." Elise regarded the dancing couples forlornly.

"Who is he, then?" Zelda smiled keenly, having understood what Elise had not admitted. Elise blushed rapidly.

"Oszkar Cadwallen," she said, then laughed. "But just Oszkar to me."

"I've not heard of him," Zelda teased, then winked. "But I'm sure I shall."

Just then, Elinor's voice aroused both their attentions. "Why are the two of you not dancing! My goodness!" She had a young man on each of her arms. "Here's an available partner. See what you can do with him." She released one of the men and then tugged on the arm of the other. They returned to the dance floor.

Elise shakily stood and tried to compose herself.

"Cousin, this is my dear friend Lord Oszkar Quentin Cadwallen of Gennasea." She took the arm of the tall, fair haired young man with piercing dark eyes and a fine soft jaw. He bowed low with respect.

"Your highness," Oszkar greeted. "It is my honor to finally make your acquaintance. I have heard many things about you from your cousins."

"I can only hope they've all been favorable! The pleasure is mine as well."

Another man had come up behind Oszkar and greeted him warmly. Oszkar seemed surprised, but shook his hand and returned the warm greeting. He was slightly taller than she but shorter than Oszkar. His auburn hair, long but pulled neatly into a queue, and kind blue eyes were very appealing. For a moment she compared them to Link's, but she quickly pushed the thought out of mind before she could decide on whose were bluer. She found herself smiling far longer than she ought.

"It seems that we're both without a partner, sir. Might I ask your name?"

"Aurick Salbatore, your highness. I would be greatly pleased to have an opportunity to dance with you this night." He bowed and smiled warmly. "That is, if her majesty approves."

"My goodness, I'm due for a dance. Take me away, Lord Aurick!" She dramatized, her smile escalating to a broad grin.

So she was escorted into the line of dancing couples, and the two dipped and spun and pranced their way to the end of the dance. When it was over, Aurick escorted her back to her table, where Elinor sat rubbing her foot.

"I haven't danced like that for several years!" Zelda exclaimed as she settled into a seat. Elinor laughed.

"Obviously, neither have I. Oh, I shall have blisters aplenty come tomorrow morning. But it is worth it!"

"Might I have the pleasure of your highness' company?" Aurick motioned to a seat beside her. Zelda nodded, and Aurick seated himself. From the corner of her eye, Zelda saw Elinor recoil and then shakily stand.

"Well, I'll have to tolerate them as best I can! Back to the floor I go!" Elinor limped off suddenly, startling Zelda. Bewildered at her cousin's sudden departure, she blinked and shook her head.

"Well, that was a surprise," Aurick huffed.

"Yes, quite. I wonder what made her react so?"

"Tis no matter, I'm sure. Elinor is a flighty girl; sweet, but absent-minded. You know it to be true."

Zelda was a bit miffed. "That is my cousin you are speaking of, sir! Would you insult her to my face?"

"Ah, I fear I have piqued her highness' anger." He bowed his head and made a gesture of guilt. "My own opinions of your dear cousin should not have been so forcefully imposed upon you. Please, forgive me."

"I accept your apology, on the grounds that you shall never insult my dear cousin again. To my face, or any other."

"A welcome sentence." The smile spreading across Aurick's face was infectious, and soon Zelda too was smiling again.

"Tell me about yourself, Aurick. What do you do?" Zelda relaxed in her seat and smiled encouragingly. "What is your story?"

"My father is a banker. I have simply been learning my family trade," he explained, leaning forward in his seat. "I studied at the university for a couple of years before returning to help him in his duties."

"And what of your mother? Or sisters and brothers?"

"My mother keeps up our society's presence through tea luncheons and monthly guild meetings. I've no brothers or sisters to speak of."

"Neither do I, so I suppose we are even on that count." Zelda smiled and was about to go on when she was interrupted by Elise.

"Ah, Zelda," Elise said breathlessly, "how are you enjoying the ball?"

"Quite well. And the two of you?" She smiled at Oszkar, whose face was flushed with excitement.

"Oh, delightful. I'd like to introduce some friends to you, if I may." Elise motioned to a pair of ladies with curly brown hair. One came to stand beside Elise as she introduced them.

"This is Iryna Melisande, one of my closest friends," Elise said, motioning to the lady beside her. "The other is her sister Alasne."

Zelda greeted both girls and admired their beautifully made gowns. "Pray tell, where did you have those wonderful gowns made?"

"Our mother, your highness. She is a seamstress." Iryna said softly, managing a nervous curtsy.

"Well then! I shall have Elise bring me for a visit sometime in the coming week. I'd adore a new dress." She smiled warmly and the girl seemed to relax a bit. "And it's much simpler just to call me Zelda."

"Very well, Zelda." Iryna smiled brilliantly.

Suddenly Alazne, who had been quiet until then, broke her silence.

"Interesting company you're keeping these days, Aurick." She pinned the man with her young gaze and spoke with sharpness. "Moving along quite nicely, considering."

"Thank you, Alazne." He said simply, meeting her gaze with an air of confidence. Alazne's eyes flashed with barely repressed fury, and she stormed off in the same fashion as Elinor had earlier. Zelda was greatly confused.

"You have quite an effect on young women, Aurick." Zelda commented.

"I wonder what has offended her so?" Iryna wondered aloud. Oszkar regarded Aurick curiously.

"Excuse me," Aurick said, standing abruptly, "but another dance is starting up, and I would like to ask your highness for the pleasure of being her partner once more."

"Ah... well, I suppose. No other man has requested a dance." She stood and allowed him to lead her away.

"There is something about that man I do not like," Iryna murmured, once Zelda was out of earshot. "He seems nice enough, but after my sister's actions I can no longer fully trust him. I shall have to speak with her later."

"Yes, and then let me know what her motives were." Oszkar said. "I do not know what the situation may be." He shared a concerned glance with Elise.

Out of the corner of her eye, Elise saw Zelda and Aurick dancing. They kept in perfect time with the other couples, laughing as they twirled and switched sides. His beaming smile covered his features and Zelda shared his good cheer.

"Come, Oszkar... a good dance will put this behind us." Elise took his arm and the two strode toward the couples, hoping to soon understand what had passed between Elinor, Alazne, and Aurick that had caused such resentment all around.

Dinner soon followed. Zelda sat at a table with her aunt and uncle, cousins, Oszkar, and Iryna, and enjoyed the feast.

"Hasn't this been a spectacular party?" Katriel asked her niece between bites of roast goose.

"Quite! I've been able to dance just about every round." She smiled sympathetically at Elinor, whose sore foot had been attributed to a sprained ankle she had kept to herself.

"And with almost a new partner every time!" Elise said, after taking a spoonful of soup.

Zelda sipped her wine and examined Elinor curiously. The usually chatty girl was silent, ate slow, and stared into her soup.

"Are you not feeling well, Elinor dear?" She questioned.

"No! No, I'm just fine. My foot's still a bit sore, but I think right after dinner I'll be good for another five or six dances!"

Her enthusiasm seemed genuine, but Zelda knew it was markedly forced. Something was bothering Elinor.

"Once we are finished eating, I would like to take you around and introduce you personally to some of my closest friends and colleagues," Henerik commented, adjusting his napkin. "Would that be alright with you?"

Zelda agreed to be taken around, and once they were finished eating Henerik did so. He took her to many of the tables and introduced her to his colleagues in the law business, old friends he valued dearly, and some of his newer acquaintances as well. By the time they returned to their table, nearly every well-known person in Gennasea had met and spoken with their princess.

Once Zelda and her uncle had returned to their seats a toast was ordered, and after they had toasted the night's wine supply away, they took to the dance floor again. The ball lasted to the wee hours of the morning, when everyone dragged themselves to their carriages and began the short journey into town. It was all Zelda could do that night to climb the stairs to her room, carefully remove her gown, and slip into her nightshift. Her mind reeled with the excitement of the evening, particularly the intrigue with Aurick. She could not shake the sound of Alazne's rancor, nor could she forget Elinor's peculiar change in mood. Aurick was charming to be sure, but Zelda felt that he was tainted somehow.

She gazed at the quill pen and blank sheet of paper lying ready to receive her experiences, ponderings, and observations. She felt the need to write while they were still fresh in her mind, but her mind was so befuddled with wine and excitement that she could not concentrate. Instead she turned back the covers and fell into bed.

Luckily, sleep was not so elusive that night.

"Hylian Law, volume eighty-three. No, no, the other way... yes, that one."

Link climbed the ladder and withdrew the book from its lofty position. He brought the dusty tome to the King and dropped it onto his desk, stepping back as the dust flew aloft in every direction.

"What a book!" Link exclaimed, using his hand to brush the thick dust from its cover. "And there are a hundred volumes just like it, this big?"

"Hundreds. Hylian politics are a very complicated science, Link; this is not the Hyrule of old where there was just one small kingdom to govern. Now we have provinces, territories, alliances, diplomatic relations to keep up... it's a great deal of work."

Link sat in a chair beside the king and watched him do his work. His boredom had reached such a level that he had offered to run errands for the king. Today the king asked him to fetch books.

"What exactly are you doing, there?"

"Right now, going over a trade agreement." He adjusted his spectacles. "I have to dissect each line to make sure foreign countries don't try to deceive us."

"Would they do that?" Link said incredulously.

"Oh, in a heartbeat. Loopholes were made for exploiting, Link, so I must be sure to close them before they can be breached...."

"...Kind of like chinks in armor."

"Precisely! You catch on quickly." The king smiled and went back to his work. Several pages later he stopped again. "Hylian Law again, but volume forty-nine this time. You may take eighty-three back."

Link cradled the heavy book under his arm and climbed the ladder, cringing as it shook precariously. He understood why the king wished someone to help him retrieve them. The gap left by the first volume was obvious; he replaced it quickly, found forty-nine with little problem, and brought it back to the desk. He plopped it down in similar fashion and then resumed his seat.

"I wonder what Ze... her highness is doing, this moment?" Link wondered aloud.

"Probably what every other young lady in Gennasea is doing; gossiping or sipping tea. Though sometimes they do take fine walks through the countryside. The land is mightily beautiful up there, you know. Very rugged, very pristine."

"I've never been that far north."

"Perhaps you shall, someday." The king dipped his pen into his inkwell and continued writing, leaving Link lost in his thoughts again.

"Do you think she's meeting many new people?" He spoke aloud once more.

"I intend for her to. She led such a sheltered life here; I'm hoping that this journey will give her a fine introduction to the world. She'll make many new friends among the Gennaseans, her cousins will see to that. I also know for a fact that there are many eligible young men among them, very fine men of good breeding." He paused a moment while he opened the tome and found the page he sought, then continued.

"I fully expect her to evaluate them with marriage in mind."

Link's spine bristled suddenly. "Mma... Marriage?"

"Well, she is approaching eighteen, you know. That is a prime age for a young princess to marry. If we are lucky, we shall see her return with a potential mate in tow."

"You're that confident she'll find a husband there?" Link said, unable to keep the despair out of his voice. The king nodded and then went back to his work, leaving Link to despair to himself.

'Why am I upset?' He asked himself. 'Did I ever truly think I had a chance?'

He stiffly stood and went to the window, leaning himself against the sill and berating himself silently.

"Don't look so glum, boy! The bonds of your friendship with my daughter are not so easily broken."

Link heaved a great sigh and endeavored to look nonaffected.

"What sorts of books does your library hold, exactly?" Link changed the subject, examining the tall wall of books.

"Many that the castle's library does, and many that it does not," the king answered cryptically. "There is a great deal of fine knowledge if one knows what he is looking for."

Link was quiet for a moment. "Hylian history."

"What era?"

"I don't know, well... starting with early primitive Hyrule I suppose. When did my ancestors come to be?"

"About that period. Try...," The king examined the wall, then pointed to a shelf in the far right corner. "Those are from about that era, you should look there.. Are you looking for anything in particular?"

"No, just something new to read." Link dragged the ladder to that section of the library and climbed it. He examined the titles and pulled out two comparatively small but still heavy books.

"You're becoming quite the reader, eh?" The king went back to his writing.

"I'm becoming quite the practicer. I'm not sure if I would go so far as to call it reading yet." Link carefully descended the ladder and brought the books to his chair. He began to sit, but the king stopped him.

"Actually, that should be the last for today. If you are equally free tomorrow, come see me again." The king replaced his pen in its well and shuffled his papers.

"I'll do that. May I bring this book back tomorrow, then?"

"Certainly. You may keep it as long as you like."

"That's alright. I'll only need it for this one night." Link thanked the king, then left him, eagerly anticipating what the books would contain.

Link,

I fully intended to write this letter this past evening after the
ball when the events were fresh in my mind. However, fine wine and
a barrage of events made me too tired to do so. I shall attempt to
chronicle them in as much detail as I can bear, using every sheet
of paper I own if I must.

Oh, the ball was wonderful, so different from the balls at the castle.
There were only about thirty or forty people present, but everyone
was dancing and laughing and talking! Oh, I've not had such a fun time
at a ball in years. But I won't bore you with details of each dance,
as I'm sure you're more eager to learn about the partners! Elise and
Elinor introduced me to a...

A knock at the door made Zelda lose her train of thought. "Coming!" she shouted, replacing her pen in its well and hurrying to the door.

"Are you awake?" Elinor peeked inside, inquiring quietly.

"Oh yes, I was simply writing a letter. Is something the matter?"

"Oh, no! Elise and I are going into town and we thought you might like to come. We can stop by Iryna's mother's shop and see about having you that new dress made, and then we can call on Oszkar."

Zelda looked back at the letter she had meant to write last night. She had felt guilty about not writing it then, and she felt even more so about not writing it now. The paper would still be there when they returned, she reasoned, even though her memories might not. Perhaps she would have more new things to write about then! She made up her mind.

"Why not! Let me get my coat and hat. I'll be down shortly." The twins beamed and said they would wait on her outside, and Zelda closed the door. She quickly strode to her closet to remove her coat and hat with sea-green ribbons.

"Forgive me, Link... tonight, I will finish your letter!" She exclaimed as she donned the outerwear and hurried to meet her cousins.

The library was coziest with a fire roaring and a chair drawn close. Link had drawn it there many hours before, and now sat rather comfortably as he digested the contents of the books he had taken from the King's library.

He started with his earliest known ancestor, the Link known as the Hero of Time. Compared to his other ancestors, very little was known about him. He had simply appeared one day as a child, dressed in the strange green clothes of the Kokiri, and had befriended the Princess. It was she who called him the hero, but he had done nothing heroic in the public's eye. Some speculated that his title came from something no one save the Princess and Link would ever share. A footnote told him that there was more to the story, but that the Princess Zelda would only hint at its content. She would only say that Link was a greater hero than their world had ever seen, and that every being owed their life to him. It seemed to be a perfect fairytale, but in the end, Link chose a farm girl over the princess and no one understood why.

The next Link, several hundred years down the way, was the son of a Hylian knight. Link II claimed he heard the princess's voice calling to him one rainy night, begging him to help. It was a tale of magic and monsters, of power corrupting absolutely, and of the first known rise and fall of the wizard-creature Ganon, whose henchmen murdered the king and bewitched most of the royal guards. His father had gone off to help that rainy night, but curious Link had disobeyed his father and followed him. Later that night, when his father lay helplessly dying by the castle, the child took up his father's sword and shield and went on to help Zelda to safety and to restore power. He became a royal guard himself after that and served the country well. Though the Princess and the Hero were close friends, both married independently and grew apart.

After that came the dark years of Hyrule, when Ganon rose more powerful than ever and succeeded in bending all to his whim. The land was changed, barren, and fearful. Its inhabitants hid their homes under bushes or in caves, All the fine temples were again filled with creatures whose existence reeked of sorcery, and the boy Link was again called upon to help. Again, he defeated Ganon and retrieved the Princess. After the kingdom was rid of the wizard Link set out to help rebuild the kingdom. Those were years of great prosperity for Hyrule. When he came of age he was told that one of Zelda's lineage had been magically put to sleep years before, and lay waiting for the one who could finally restore her life. Ganon's henchmen, having scattered to the wind once their master was defeated, were rousing support to find and kill Link and then use his blood to revive their fallen king. Link was ultimately victorious and it was often rumored that the princess and the hero had romantic feelings, but in the end Link decided to set off on a voyage of discovery and explored the world.

Several hundred years later, he himself would become an entry into the books. His only difference was that he did not yet know how his story would end.

Link sat back and sighed. He slammed the book shut with a great flourish and laid it on the floor beside him. A million stories and names were running through his mind, a million heroic deeds that made his own seem futile. Even as the words ran through his head he could scarcely believe them. Most were tales of great magic and mystery, things which simply did not exist in Hyrule anymore. Monsters were devices to scare children, not beings who walked upon the same ground as humans. And throughout the stories he noticed one recurring theme; the stories never ended with a fantasy's flair. The princess never married the hero, only befriended him.

Link could only wonder how his own chapter would read. He had not known of the legends when he, as the son of a castle scullery maid, had helped the Princess escape from the castle amid the explosions of cannons and clanking of swords. Then, once they were safe some distance away, he was able to rally local townsfolk to help retake the castle (especially with the foreign army weary from their battle.) He became Zelda's protector and best friend, just like the books said he would. He was her bodyguard through many crises, ready to escape with her at a moment's notice if need be. That was his duty, and the reason the King had given him a room in the castle. But as years went by and diplomacy culled the rising tempers of foreign nations, peace became the overriding norm and his duties were loosened. The Princess could be safe without him.

'So where do I fit in?' He asked himself. He was not a fine swordsman. His courage and strength were not extraordinary. And try though he might, he was not the smartest creature. His father and mother were too poor to send him to school, so he had learned only simple things helping his father on their small farm. Once he began living at the castle, Zelda began to teach him how to read. Many of his fondest moments were spent close to the fire as he was now, sharing the oversized chaise with Zelda as she helped him work through the words in her schoolbooks. He could almost sense her there, feel the warmth of her tucked in beside him, her cheek resting on his shoulder as she read along.

She was in his thoughts as always, but the reminder of their happy times spent before the fire made him yearn for her company all the more. He remembered the glow of her face in the firelight as she patiently urged him on, laughed gaily at his mistakes, and rapped him gently on the head when he became discouraged. The memory of his very first kiss, a chaste little moment of experimentation that brought about a flurry of innocent giggling, lingered favorably in his mind. But even the innocent affection they shared as children could not shake the overriding truth history had shown him; that he was living a fantasy destined to end in reality. Though it was painful to admit, the wheels were already turning in favor of her finding a mate in Gennasea. The more time passed, the more she slipped away.

He stomped to the window and looked out into the night. The cloud-obscured sky held no stars to wish on and no moon to give him hope. He pursed his lips indignantly and looked out toward the north, imagining he could see across the land to Ellefson Manor. He could no more see the place than he could know her heart.

"The bonds of your friendship with me are not so easily broken," Link whispered bitterly, echoing the King's words. He leaned heavily on the sill. "But friendship is all we may ever have. Your father will see to that."

He suddenly felt very alone.

---

On to Chapter 3
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