(Zelink) The Legend of Zelda and the Last Knight

Why we failed pt. 19 A Kiss of Deception

Why we failed pt. 19

A Kiss of Deception

After making some distance from the two girls, Link and Jun slowed their pace, weaving through the bustling campsites. The festive atmosphere around them seemed at odds with the tense conversation brewing between them. Jun let out a dramatic wheeze as they paused from running, clutching his sides.

"I don't get it," Jun panted, catching his breath and standing upright. "Why are you so bent about her finding out who you really are?" He shook his head, clearly baffled. "I get it, you like her, and yeah, so what, you're not nobility, and you're worried what she might think. But, who cares! If she doesn't like you after all you've done—and after you tell her the truth—then that's her own fault."

"It's not that simple," Link replied, his voice suddenly cold. His gaze flickered to the passing crowd as merchants and common folk bustled around, oblivious to the internal battle he was fighting. A man selling wares stumbled in front of them offering his goods and Link waved him off. "Besides, there were stories told about me."

Jun arched a brow, intrigued. "Stories?" he stepped in front of Link, blocking the path and forcing him to engage fully.

"Yeah..." Link trailed off, unwilling to meet Jun's persistent eyes.

"Were they true?" Jun asked earnestly.

"Of course, not!" Link snapped accidently in his defense. "Somebody has been spinning yarns about me," he said, stomping ahead only a mere two paces. Realizing he may have went overboard in his denial, he eased up. "You wouldn't understand." Link sighed and turned to face away and gander off into the distance and some trivial scene happening among the busy festival grounds, raking the back of his hair.

His squire ran up beside him again. "Try me," Jun shrugged, crossing his arms however Link remained silent in his thoughts. The lad glanced at the tents and colorful banners that lined the path, but his attention was fixed on Link who didn't budge and remained silent as a shadow. Thinking better of it to prod he offered another idea. "Fine, maybe I won't understand all that sort of stuff, but hey," Jun suddenly grabbed Link by the collar of his shirt, pulling him back into the conversation. "If she's too much trouble, why not go for that Zora girl instead? She seemed nice and is pretty too. As Zoras go, I mean. Their kind can be tall for sure, but she's short enough, even for you."

Link frowned, narrowing his eyes at the squire's less-than-graceful phrasing. "What's that supposed to mean?" he clapped back.

Jun stammered, immediately regretting his choice of words. "I uh, I meant no offense! Just that, you know, she seemed... uh, more approachable? You know, more—"

"Never mind that," Link interrupted, running a hand through his messy, unkempt hair again. His fingers tangled in greasy strands, reminding him just how far he was from the polished image of a knight. He was in need of a bath and of course both the girls had to see him prior to a good washing. Just what he needed, to look even more less than what he already was. "In any case, that Zora girl you speak of... she's a princess too, Jun. So, you see, it's not that simple."

Jun threw up his hands in exasperation. "Sheesh! What is with you and the royal ladies?"

"Nothing!" Link said defensively, his tone sharper than he intended. He let out a frustrated sigh, rubbing his temple. "Nothing is going on between any of us." The words felt hollow even as he said them. Zelda's serene image, her radiant smile and those soft, lingering glances from earlier in the day, flashed in his mind. Compared to her, he felt like a stray, wet, shaggy dog—no better than the muck at her feet.

Jun tilted his head, clearly unconvinced. "Well then, if there's nothing going on," he said, eyes gleaming with mischief, "what is it you suppose they see in you, huh?"