Zelink Oneshots

Over All Else

So, take this, children, while I go continue to write, lol. I'm working on a lot now, but I want to keep updating frequently.

Dedicated to cakebosslouns13 for always supporting my work, haha. Enjoy more Zelink xD

Please read/enjoy/follow/comment/vote cuz I'm a tired person. Been writing up a storm recently ;-;

This one is hopefully less cliche than the last one lol

~Zel

~~~

Her blonde hair's plaited down her back, and she holds her body rigidly straight. All of her movements are accurate and calculated, yet her mischievous eyes flicker toward him and capture his attention. He just can't tear his eyes away from her, and he has to force himself to remember his duty.

That's something he must always remember.

Duty over all else.

"You will dance with me, will you not, Master Link?" she questions, tilting her head upward to look at him. Her eyes blink heavily, and she keeps her hands clasped in front of her.

But there's no way he will dance with her. He gives a small huff in response, "I wouldn't dance with you if my life depended upon it, Your Highness."

Her lips twist into a sour frown, and she responds with words tinged with what feels like poison, "Is that so? Ah, it's that girl from the kitchens, isn't it, Master Link? You're taken with her? You could do so much better than her, you know. Yet you never had good taste - not for as long as I've known you. You can never see what's right in front of your own face." She spins around and leaves hastily, but he doesn't miss the mixed look of hurt and confusion present on her pretty face.

He accepts her bitter words and bears them with silence, slowly walking down the halls and hearing the echo of his boots echo off the stone walls. Determinedly, he sets his jaw and tries not to feel anything as he makes his way to the courtyard where he knows she will be.

As much as she tries not to be, the Princess is a creature of habit, and he knows her schedule better than anyone else. So, he waits for her in the courtyard, and she arrives at precisely ten o'clock on the hour.

"Do not speak to me, Master Link," she states quickly as she sits upon a stone bench. The boughs of blossoming cherry trees reach for her and surround her. The scent of the sweet smelling flowers greet their noses, and she can't help but smile to herself as she breathes in.

Link merely unsheathes his sword before taking a swing at an imaginary enemy. "I wasn't planning on it, Your Highness," he responds curtly.

She pouts her lip in annoyance before cracking open a huge book and brushing dust off its yellowed pages. "You should go back to the kitchens - I'm sure whoever you're so taken with right now is waiting for you - What's her name? Malon? The one with the red hair? Or is it the blonde this time - Ilia?" She acts calloused, as though she doesn't care, but he knows she does.

Which is why he must hurt her even more.

"How about all of the above and more?" he snips back at her, slicing a thick tree branch off in one blow. "I'm quite popular with the ladies, you know, Ze - Your Highness."

"Don't I know all too well," she responds bitterly. "Now leave me be - I have studying to do."

Although he doesn't want to, he humors her and doesn't answer back, instead continuing to stay sharp, listening for every foreign noise and fighting imaginary enemies. He'll do anything to protect the Princess - even if it means protecting her from himself.

The Princess contents herself with her studies for the next two hours or so before snapping her book closed exactly at noon. She rises carefully from her seat and takes careful steps toward the castle and walks through the corridors back to her chambers. Link follows her, lagging far enough behind her so that she doesn't feel stifled but close enough for him to see all the movement around her.

He stations himself outside her door as it clicks shut behind her. And so begins her preparations for the ball. This will most likely take hours, and he braces himself for a very boring time. Every so often, he'll inspect his sword, running his fingers over the blade or engaging in imaginary battles with made up foes. He's occupied with his thoughts the whole time yet continues to pay close attention to his surroundings.

His job is to defend the Princess, over all else, and he has to make sure no one of danger or ill intent is able to hurt her.

The hours tick by slowly, and finally, he can hear the grand clock chime eight o'clock at night. On the hour, the doors of the Princess swing open, and several ladies in waiting rush out past him. Then come more servants with armfuls of fabrics and materials.

Finally, she exits the room, looking completely breathtaking. He actually chokes when he sees her, unable to tear his eyes away. She passes him a small smirk before taking a step forward, her tiny heels clicking on the floor tiles. Her blonde hair has been swept on top of her head, and tiny wisps of hair frame her face. Her blue eyes twinkle at him teasingly, as though she knows what effect she has on him. Her dress is blue and matches with her striking eyes; it fits her perfectly, cinched at her slim waist.

"I believe it's time for you to get ready, don't you, Master Link?" she states, that smirk never leaving her pink lips.

He doesn't let her see how flustered he is but instead does as she suggests, heading for his room once a temporary replacement relieves him of his job. He makes quick work of changing into a fresh tunic - forest green - and throwing on a new pair of tan breeches. He makes a sorry attempt at combing his unruly hair before sliding his leather boots on. He doesn't look much different normal, but he feels ready to go.

After all, it's not as though he really has to worry about his appearance, anyways - he's just going to watch the Princess from afar; it's not like he'll actually be out in the public eye, dancing. Yes, he'll be just fine.

He's always in the shadows, yet he's content without glory. Perfectly content for it to stay that way. So he watches her dance the night away with prince after prince. Several times, her eyes have caught his from even across the room, and every time they do, he shifts his feet uncomfortably.

Thankfully, he's able to remain unnoticed for the most part, avoiding everyone at all costs and only looking to defend the Princess.

His duty above all else.

But then she takes him by surprise, joining him where he's standing and observing everyone around them. "Are you enjoying the party, Master Link?" she asks, her sweet voice filling his ears. He needs her to go.

"There's nothing to enjoy," he responds simply.

That playful smirk appears on her face once more, "I guess I'll just have to change that... Won't I, Link?" She then takes one of his hands in hers and places the other on her hip. "Now you have no choice. Dance with me."

He takes one look into her blue eyes and can't deny her what she so obviously wants any longer.

Because she knows.

To him, she's means more than anything else in the world.