Security.

President's Orders.

That evening, Zelda was hosting an embassadorial gathering of all the officials across Hyrule to discuss the threat posed by Ganon. As tradition, it was being held at her Palace. These meetings usually lasted all week so each official had their own suite.

Both Zelda and Link hated these meetings. Zelda hated being surrounded by strangers. Link hated the fact that Zelda was surrounded by armed people who weren't her guards. He knew that all officials security guards were also charged with protecting the President but Link worried non the less.

Being in such a predicament, Link insisted that security also be placed inside her suite. There were guards in the living room, outside the bathroom, outside the bedroom, in the lounge and on the balcony. Zelda appreciated that Link wanted to be cautious but she couldn't stop the feeling of being watched all the time now with these extra guards.

Link was stood over the dining table which had been turned into the base of operations for all the security cameras. He was surrounded by the captains of the guards which were posted around the building. Link was going over the final checks to make sure everyone was in their place for the night, when Zelda stepped in, silencing them.

Not wanting to appear rude in front of the President, they kept quiet, thinking she was only going to go into another room which branched off from the dining room. Instead, she walked straight up for Link, making the other captains look away awkwardly, trying not to intrude on what was clearly a conversation not meant for them.

"Not that I don't appreciate your protection, but I thought we had gone over this, Link? Are all these 'extra measures' necessary?" She questioned.

"I'm sorry Madam President but I don't think we can afford to take risks considering the last few months," Link replied, sincerity laced in his voice.

"Well," Zelda sighed in defeat, "If you're not going to withdraw your men, you could at least join me for a drink."

"I'm kind of on duty at the moment," Link spluttered, a little surprised as he smoothed a hand over his suit to emphasise his professionalism.

"Well as President, I out rank you. So you, me, drink now." She said curtly but jokingly as she gestured towards the lounge before starting off in its direction, obviously meaning for him to follow.

The captains of the guard stood awkwardly for a few moments as they tried to pretend they didn't hear the fact that their boss was invited for what seemed like a friendly - almost intimate - chat and drink as if they were old friends. She had actually told him off for being overprotective then demanded he abandon his post just to sit and have a drink with her. It wasn't something the captains saw everyday.

Link cleared his throat to break the awkwardness before he turned to the captains, "You know the drill, boys, patrol the perimeter and do radio checks every twenty minutes."

With that, he turned on his heels and walked into the lounge. Two guards were posted inside just by the doors. Zelda motioned for them to leave but they seemed conflicted. They looked to Link who nearly always had the authority on whether they could leave their post or not. Sighing, Link gave them a nod and waited for them to leave before he turned back to Zelda.

She was by the drinks table, pouring some brandy into glass tumblers before she sat herself down on the sofa, holding one of the glasses out for Link to take.

"One won't hurt," Zelda rolled her eyes playfully when she saw Link's skeptical look at the alcohol she was offering, "Besides, I could use some company and since it would look rude to drink alone, consider this an official order from your President. Drink."

Link gingerly took the tumbler and sat himself down next to Zelda on the sofa. He took a sip timidly as he wasn't really keen on alcohol especially when he was still on the job. Zelda wasn't usually keen on drinking either but she did enjoy a glass here and there but she had never gotten herself drunk, it would be improper for a President.

"Do you ever wonder what life could have been like if we weren't here today? I was never President, you were never my bodyguard?" She cut through the silence, looking down into her glass before looking back up at him.

"Occasionally," Link admitted after a few seconds thought.

"Me too. It seems strange to imagine what my life could have been. Would I be out with all my friends, doing what normal young people do? Would I have a boyfriend? Girlfriend? Perhaps I'd be married? Maybe I'd have children? I wouldn't have missed out on everything." She sighed sadly as she took a gulp from her drink.

"You make it sound as if your Presidency means nothing," Link scoffed, "You've brought about a Golden Age of peace and prosperity for Hyrule. You don't give yourself enough credit."

She considered this for a few moments before she finally piped up again, "But sometimes I think I missed out on a lot. I was elected just when I should have been going out into the world. Now look at me, a President, but with no friends or personal life to call my own."

"What's done is done. You just have to learn to make do with what you have..." Link said quietly, throwing them back into silence.

They stayed in comfortable silence as the two finished their drinks, lamenting over everything and nothing.

"Sorry for degrading you earlier in front of your men. I just needed some company..." She admitted sheepishly, looking away, "I'm just worried is all. All this fiasco with Ganon
... I suppose I just need a friend right about now and you're all I have."

"I'm honoured," Link chuckled at this not only to lighten the mood but also to reassure her as he had never seen her so beat down, "And don't worry about the captains. Like me, I'm sure they would rather see you happy than see me at my post. Besides, they respect you as I do, they know to keep their mouths shut."

"Thank you," Zelda said sincerely as she took Link's hand in hers and gave it a slight squeeze in appreciation.

"Any time, Zelda," Link smiled back at her; he rarely had the opportunity to call her by her proper name but he always loved saying it.

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