Death By Princess {Complete}

CH 17

Link stands there blinking as he flickers his gaze from Lillian to the two strangers. It has been months since him and Lillian had left Hyrule and even longer since he left Royal Grounds. He fears what the news is and the first thing that comes to his mind is that something has happened to Zelda. He grips his fists tight. He vowed from the beginning that if Gannondorf harmed her in any way, he would avenge her. Zelda can't very well stop him if she's dead.

Lillian notices Link's tension and she knows exactly what is going on his mind. It has been a long fear of hers that his suppressed ties to the castle, and Zelda, would manifest. She prays that should that happen, it will only be a fleeting feeling and that everything will back the way it once was. The way it ought to be.

"May we come in?" says Melinda after the awkward silence went on long enough.

Link nods to Lillian who moves aside, making room for the two guests to enter. Melinda takes the basket and sits by the fire.

"Lillian and Rama. I am sorry to have to ask but could Link and I have a moment alone?" says Melinda.

"Whatever you have to say to him, you can say to me too," says Lillian walking by Link's side.

"I'm sorry but this pertains only to Link. If he wishes to tell you after, that will be up to him."

Link takes Lillian's hand. "Please?" he says softly.

She looks at him then at Melinda before she turns around. Rama opens the door and follows Lillian outside leaving only Melinda and Link and life changing news.

"I remember you now," says Link still looking at the door. "You're the castle's midwife."

"Aye. I am. And I remember you too, although vaguely," she says. "I do remember you spent quite a bit of time with Miss Zelda. I reckon you got to know her quite well, no?"

"Is Zelda safe?" says Link. "If Gannondorf harmed her I am coming with at once to--"

"Don't worry, she is safe. But how should I say this? She is in a bit of a predicament. Well, I should say that the both of you are." She chuckles as she reminisces about the time she brought home her new baby. Her and her husband were thrilled. She puts back on her serious face when she remembers that this isn't a laughing matter.

"What do you mean? I haven't had ties with them in some time now."

"The truth of the matter is that you will always have ties with the Royal Family."

"Please just tell me what the hell is going on," he says.

Melinda puts the basket on her lap and takes off the blanket and motions Link to come close. He does what she suggests and peeks into the basket at the baby. "What I'm trying to say is that your blood has been mixed with Royalty's blood."

"I don't understand," he says watching the cooing baby. "Why is this here?"

"Could you be so naive? You spent time with Zelda, did you not? Has it ever crossed your mind of the possible consequences of spending time with Zelda the way you did?"

Link stops and Melinda can tell he is calculating the months in his head. His face grows hot as he recalls the intimate moments between himself and Zelda which all happened a little less than a year ago.

"But it was only couple of times," he says.

Melinda laughs. "Do a grown man like yourself really need a lecture on sex education? It only takes one time."

"Ye-- yeah, I know that but... there is just no way. No," he says folding his arms across his chest. "Zelda would have told me. The baby is Gannondorf's or somebody else's."