No Woman Beyond

A Dangerous Game

Your POV

You could feel your diaphragm contract uncomfortably. Link chose to give everyone a brief interlude. You weren't sure why Link called the momentary break, regardless you were grateful. The smothering tension between you both was enough to lay rest to a Stalchild. It was detrimental at this point. You weren't sure you could survive it much longer. Also, you found your nagging insecurities returning. Why would Link choose you? Out of every beautiful and capable woman in Hyrule or outside its parameters; why you?

"I can't hide in this bathroom forever." The stinging sensation of tears threatened to return. You stared at your reflection in the mirror. "Goddesses, if I cry-I'll surely be a poor sight with all this make up muddled on my face."

"Then perhaps you shouldn't." A gentle voice glided past you, making you aware of the second reflection in the mirror. Princess Zelda's eloquent presence stood, gazing back at you. Her eyes met yours in the mirror. A glib statement escaped her peony pout. "It seems Link seeks you at this time."

"I'll be right out," you stammered at her reflection. You were instantly aware of how provincial your dialect was compared to that of her highness. She showed no instigation of moving from where she stood. She studied your reflection in the mirror, rather passively. An observation came forth from her then. "You seem troubled. Why, I don't recall my face replicating yours even when Ganondorf captured me. A sacred union with your true love should not make you look this way. Marriage is a celebration, unless..." a glimmer of sorrow broke through her regality, "Unless you are me." You turned to meet the princess face to face. Why was she being raw with you?

Something about the princess made you want to bare your insecurities that plagued you from within. She was as regal and poised as the next noble, but in that moment, she was as you were. A human burdened with the unknown possibilities the future could bring. A human who just wanted to be loved. "Princess, I..." you were unsure where to begin.

"Zelda. I will not have the wife of the hero of legend venerate me. I am venerated enough." The same impression of sorrow returning to her face once more. "Why do you hide from Link? Do you doubt your union? Do you fear he shall be called to bear arms against the forces of evil once more?"

"All of those things. I just..." you felt silly divulging this to Zelda. She was tall and curved with muscle to defend her kingdom. Her hair was a long, blonde shawl of silk down her back. Her royal jewels on her neck seemed to be lost to the brilliance that was her face. Her eyes shimmered like aquamarines against the pearly flesh of her taut cheeks. The goddesses most definitely smiled upon her. Until you remembered the sadness on her face when she spoke of love.

"Why would Link choose me? He could have chosen anyone. I mean, just look at you princess." This made Zelda's impregnable seriousness falter and she began to laugh.

"Oh Hylia, forgive me. For I always think of duty. I suppose before duty, we are women, aren't we? She gave her chin a soft caress and then cupped it in thought. "May I share with you a story? I feel it would lay rest to your worries. " You nodded, still amazed the princess was asking for your permission to speak.

"When Link defeated the beast that was dwelling inside the Water temple-"

"Morpha." You beamed at her. She smiled gently, "Yes, Morpha. You have heard this story, I take it? Bear in mind during this part of Link's journey I was under the alias of Shiek." She gave you a quick glance to make sure you were following along. You recalled Link mentioning the mysterious 'Shiek.' You also recalled your surprise when he revealed that 'Shiek' was none other than Zelda under some form of magic. Staring at her up close and personal, you surmised she was just as beautiful as a man.