"I could get used to this... waking up every day next to the one I love." Zelda said sleepily, eyes still closed.
"I could too."
Zelda smiled and opened her eyes then propped herself up on one elbow, head resting on her hand. She leaned over Samus and kissed her lightly. "Morning," she whispered between soft pecks.
"Morning," Samus whispered back.
Zelda lay there looking down on Samus' for the longest time, carefully studying her face.
Samus stared back up at her, looking into those beautifully soft midnight eyes. She thought it might have faded, that gentle peaceful feeling she got whenever she looked into them. But she was delighted it hadn't; if anything it was stronger then ever. If she wasn't careful she could drown in that warm, soothing, deep-blue ocean. As she stared, she could see Zelda's gentle smile slowly grow wider.
"What?" Samus finally asked.
"You're really pretty when you're blushing."
"Uh, thanks for... for helping me last night, you know, singing like that... It made it things... easier." Samus said, sounding a little embarrassed.
Zelda sighed softly. "You know, if it ever gets too difficult, you can... lean on me, always. I'll be here for you."
"Zelda, it... I can handle it, but... well, you... well when you say stuff like that... it makes me feel good... inside..." Samus said awkwardly, not really knowing how to respond to Zelda's words.
Samus rolled her eyes, 'Jeez... what the hell am I saying? That sounded dumb.'
Zelda, however, didn’t think so; she just smiled, overjoyed at what Samus had just said. She stared deep into Samus’ eyes hoping she could catch a glimpse of something that might not have been there before. Was Samus really developing true feelings for her? It had certainly felt that way to Zelda just now. Though if she was, she probably didn't know how to recognize or accept them just yet. Even so, Zelda's eyes got a bit misty, glistening as she looked warmly at Samus, feeling quite emotional. Just the potential that Samus could return her feelings made her feel fantastic.
Zelda put her hand to Samus' cheek, and moved slowly closer. "Love you," she whispered before finally kissing her tenderly. Moving her lips ever so slowly, she kissed Samus as softly as she knew how, using only the slightest pressure.
Zelda sighed contentedly as she pulled away, then laid there, resting on her elbow with her head in her hand, staring lovingly at Samus.
"So it was that same dream? It's always that same one... about your mother?" Zelda asked.
A single light flaxen lock had managed to escape Samus' ponytail, which Zelda was now occupied with, twirling it around her fingers endlessly.
"Mmm... yeah. But it's not... uh," she sighed, "not always exactly the same."
"Samus, you don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."
"It's fine... Sometimes, it goes on after... after she dies, to when I'm all alone. But mostly... mostly that's when I wake up." Zelda took Samus hand in hers, fondling it softly. "And sometimes... a lot of times... I try to save her... I try but I never can. Never... That's the worst part I think. Knowing what's going to happen... knowing that I can't do anything... no matter how hard I try... That...that and all those images from that day, terrible images that are burned in to my memory. Some times I--" Samus stopped. "Zelda? What is it?"
"N-nothing."
"You look... It... it bothers you when I talk about this, doesn't it?"
"No... no." Zelda shook her head.
"It does, I can see it."
"Uh...only... only a little."
"I won't then."
"No. That wouldn't... It's not fair... it's not fair to you if I just say I don't want to deal with it any longer. You can't just push it aside like that! ...so it wouldn't be right if I did."
"Zelda, I don't have to talk about it."
"But you wanted to, right? It helps... It helps to talk about our pain with others. And if it helps you... then I'm going to listen, even if it makes me uncomfortable to think about those awful things."
"I only started talking because I thought you wanted me to."
"And I do... I want you to talk to me. I want you to feel comfortable enough to tell me anything. I want you to tell me what's in your heart and on your mind."
"Why would you want to know that?"
"Why!? ...Samus..." Zelda said softly, "Because..." She caressed Samus' cheek.
"Uh, Ok."
"Ok? So...please continue; tell me about the dreams," Zelda asked thoughtfully.
"I forgot what I was saying."
"You were telling me about the images burned into you're memory."
"Right, I... I see them... even when I'm awake sometimes, if I close my eyes...or if it's too dark to see anything else... ugh...I... I really don't feel like talking about this anymore. Sorry."
"It's ok. You don't have to. I didn’t mean to push."
Samus shook her head then looked at Zelda giving her a quirky smirk, in a deliberate effort to so shake off the solemn mood. "Oh, that's fine... hmm..." she trailed off into a sigh.
Suddenly Samus turned the tables on her. Taking Zelda by the wrists she rolled her onto her back and was on top of her in an instant.
"Oh my!" Zelda exclaimed, staring up at Samus in mild surprise.
Slowly, her shock gave way to a soft smile, mirroring Samus' expression.
Samus stared down on her, still holding Zelda's wrists above her head. Zelda's strawberry-blond hair, spread out on the bed around her head, tickled Samus' fingers. Zelda's look was so innocent yet suggestive at the same time. She was beautiful, just like an angel. Samus moved closer to taste her soft lips.
Zelda sighed happily as a warm rush came over her.
"So..." Samus whispered, after breaking the long kiss.
"So..." Zelda whispered back. She smiled bashfully, looking into Samus' sparkling light blue eyes. She liked it when Samus had complimented her eyes, but she thoughts Samus' were much prettier. Hers were dull by comparison, as where Samus' piercing eyes were so energetic and dynamic and just full of life. They reminded her of sharply cut gemstones glinting in the sunlight. It was an intense gaze that seemed to Zelda like it would cut right through her.
"What's on the agenda for today?" Samus said and gave her another brief kiss.
Zelda looked at her for a bit then smiled oddly. "Shopping."
Samus' face fell a little. "Shopping?" She wrinkled her nose. "For what?"
"For the festival; I need to get a few things."
"Ugh... you already have everything. Why do we need to go shopping?"
"Oh, come on, it'll be fun. What girl doesn't like shopping?"
"This one."
"Samus... I just want to spend time with you."
"Oh... well that's different. You can go shopping, I'll come just to spend time with you... but I won't be shopping."
Zelda giggled. "Ok, ok. But you are coming."
"Of course. But just so we're clear: I'm not doing any sho-- mhff." Samus was silenced as Zelda pulled her into another kiss.
She had started things off, but Samus quickly took over, which Zelda really liked. Maybe it was a bit selfish on her part, but she enjoyed just laying back and letting Samus make her feel incredible. She felt like she was receiving Samus' love. And even if it was only physical love, she could still close her eyes, and imagine and hope it to be something more.
Samus kissed her passionately, taking Zelda by the back of the neck with her right hand. Zelda sighed quietly while wrapping her arms around Samus. A gentle but impassioned moan escaped Zelda's throat, as she felt her body taken over by warm sensations. Her heartbeat picked up and her breathing became slow and deep; Samus could just make her melt into a state of tranquil exhilaration.
Surprisingly to Zelda, she found Samus left hand on her knee, slipping beneath her nightgown. She hadn't expected things to head down that road, and she thought Samus was moving a little too fast, but she didn't really object either. She held just her breath in anticipation, as her lover’s hand made its way up her leg. Slowly, Samus worked up Zelda's thigh, kneading and massaging along the way, moving closer and closer until finally... there was a loud knocking on the door.
"Ugh... him again? Does he do this every morning?" Samus slumped, ceasing her activities.
In frustration, Zelda blew her held breath through tightly pursed lips. "Unfortunately," she sighed.
Samus groaned. "I'll get rid of him," she said as she started to get up.
"No, just... ugh... just let him in. He won't relent."
Samus sighed and rolled off of her, then got up and went for the door. As she walked away Zelda couldn't help but watch her exceedingly attractive backside sway back and forth in those cute white cotton panties. "Uh!?"
"Samus... Put some clothes on first," Zelda loudly whispered.
"Huh? Oh... fine whatever." Samus rolled her eyes. "Don't see what the big deal is."
Samus went to the closet where she kept her bag, got some jeans from it, and put them on over what she was wearing.
"Would you bring my robe as well, please?" Zelda asked. Samus grabbed a robe from the hook and tossed it on the bed as she passed by on her way to the door. She slid the bar off and slowly cracked the large entrance open.
"Good morning your-- What... Why are you in here again?"
"What's it to you?"
"You should be in the guest quarters, not in here!"
"Why does it matter?"
"It's inappropriate for you to be here. You will sleep in the guest quarters from now forward."
"I'll sleep where ever the hell I want."
"Listen you... you are a guest here and--"
"That's right, I'm Zelda's guest. She doesn't seem to have a problem with me sleeping with her. Isn't that right?"
"Uh, well--" Zelda couldn't get a word in.
"Your highness, please. What would people say? A woman in your room every night! Why, some people would get the wrong idea."
"What's wrong about it?" Samus said glaring at him with arms folded.
Ignoring her, he spoke to Zelda again. "How do you expect to become queen if you continue in this... destructive behavior? What would a potential husband think: the princess bringing a harlot to her bed room?"
"Don't call her that!" Zelda shot back.
"Your highness..."
"Enough... please... lets just not argue about this anymore," Zelda sighed. "Samus maybe... could you just stay in the guest room... for now."
"What? I don't believe this! Why are you listening to--" Samus said a bit angrily, but Zelda cut her off.
"Please don't argue!" Zelda said sharply. Something about the way she said it made Samus back down. It wasn't said in anger at all, it sound more to Samus like she was in distress. She shut up and leaned against the wall, arms folded.
"A wise decision. Your highness is most reasonable."
"Gaebora just... ugh... What have you arranged as a memorial for Link?" She said as she stood from the edge of the bed.
"Yes, it will in the morning; Eleven in the morning to be exact. It will be a grand ceremony, worthy of his legend."
"Tell me about it. How many people will there be?"
"We have enough seating for around five hundred in the courtyard."
"That's good... What will the proceedings be?" Gaebora started to respond but Zelda quickly added, "You've scheduled time for my speech haven't you?"
"Yes of course your highness. May I please explain?"
"Yes... sorry. Go ahead."
"Well first, as the people enter, there will be a choir singing traditional psalms. Farore's hymn will be sung once the gathering is full. I know it's not a typical song for when someone dies, but since he held her Triforce we thought it would be appropriate."
"Oh, yes... it will be."
"The temple sage will then lead everyone in prayer. Following that we will unveil that statue of him, which we intended to present to him on the second anniversary of his triumph over Ganon. This is probably a better time than waiting the three months until then. After the statue unveiling, you can make your speech, and finally we shall conclude with a solemn procession of sages and the temple priestesses, while the choir sings more hymns."
"That will be fine. You've done an excellent job. Thank you."
"Will there be anything else, your highness?"
"Well, we'll be going out again today. We won't need horses this time, just some funds from the treasury."
"Out? Again? And where might you be off to today?"
"The market."
Samus could see his disapproval coming to the surface before he even said anything. 'Not this again,' she thought. She wanted to say something, but Zelda's previous objection kept her silent.
"The market? With all those people around? Absolutely not. Not even with two dozen guards around you. It's a security nightmare. Impossible."
'Ugh... idiotic.' Samus thought, but audibly groaned as well.
"Well I... I don't need to bring the guards. I can protect myself, I'm not feeble. And besides, Samus will be there with me."
"Alone with her again?" he muttered to himself, but Zelda managed to hear him.
"We won't be alone. You just said there will be hundreds of people in the market."
"I'm sorry your highness, it's too risky."
"But I need to get some things for the festival."
"Then we'll send someone to pick up what ever you need."
"But I don't want..."
'Come on Zelda, defy him, don't give lame excuses... You sound like your begging for permission.' Samus found it difficult to hold her tongue.
"I'm sorry your highness, but I must put my foot down. This must come to a stop here and now."
'God, shut up! ...Asshole.' Samus wanted to smack him. She hated how his words seemed to make Zelda so uncomfortable.
Zelda's lip began to curl up in anger, but it only lasted in instant before she sighed and deflated. "Alright... forget it. I don't need it anyway. You can go now, Gaebora. Thank you."
'No... don't fold!' Samus thought, she groaned out loud again. 'You're better than that...'
"If there will be nothing else..." Gaebora said.
"There won't."
"I shall have one of the attendants bring you breakfast now."
Zelda only rolled her eyes at that. "...could get it myself," she said under her breath.
He bowed and took his leave. Samus was leaning against the wall next to the door with her arms crossed, they exchanged glares has he passed.
Zelda looked up to see Samus then glaring at her, obviously displeased.
"I know, but... Look its fine, we'll just leave without telling him."
"I don't think so."
"What do you mean by--"
"Why do you let him push you around like that?"
"I... uh..."
"Zelda, you hate being treated like that. Why then? Why do you stand for it?"
"I-- I do hate it... but, I... W-what can I do?"
"What!? Don't take it! Just tell him you're going to do things your way."
"But I... I don't... I can't just order him around."
"Why not... Zelda, I don't get this. You're not yourself when he's around. I... I don't like it."
"..."
Samus sighed. "It's obvious you don't respect the guy; you lie to him, manipulate, and even ignore him, but you won't challenge him directly."
Zelda sighed and looked away.
"Come on! Why can't you order him around!? He has to listen doesn't he? You're the princess after all-- Oh... That's it... isn't it?" Samus' attitude softened at this realization.
She walked over and put her hands on the sides of Zelda's shoulders, caressing down the length of her arms.
"You can't give him orders because... because it reminds you of what you are. Because... it makes you feel more like royalty, just a title, and less like a real person."
"Y-yes..." Zelda said shyly, casting her eyes downward.
"You're in conflict."
"I am?" She looked back up to meet Samus' face.
"You want to be independent, but you also don't want to be authoritative... But with people like him... you can't have it both ways."
"Oh..."
"So just stand up for yourself, Zelda. You are strong and independent, act like it. Stand up to him. Forget about the royalty thing and just do it for yourself."
"For myself..." Zelda briefly smiled, though it faded just as quickly. "But... won't he just think I'm telling him what to do?"
"So? Who cares what he thinks? I want you to go find him and tell him you're going to this market thing and that you're not going to argue about it."
Zelda sighed heavily.
"What? ...Zelda? It's more than just that... isn’t it?"
"Uhg... I... Well it's... It's always been... He's been in this position and making decisions for Hyrule since before I was even born. It doesn't feel right questioning him. He was my father's advisor as well... And he's always made decisions for me... since I was a small child. And I--"
"So what? Who cares if he's been making decisions for whatever since the dawn of time? There's no need to let him talk to you like that and treat you like you don’t matter. Jeez Zelda, you already ignore him half the time when he's not in the room, what's the big deal now?"
"I know... but... It's not so easy to say to his face."
"Why? What, are you scared?" Samus paused, waiting for an answer, but didn’t get one. She sighed. "Link told me you were really brave...that you faced Ganondorf with him even though you were terrified. He said he admired that about you... I do too..."
"Uh! ...I..." Zelda's shoulders slumped. "I guess we all have that one thing that makes us feel weak..."
"One thing...? Oh..." Samus deflated, having her own words thrown back at her. But then she smiled, she realized she now had the opportunity to properly repay Zelda for her help last night.
"The best way to eliminate a weakness is to confront it head on." Samus said confidently in a bold voice, as if she were reading a slogan.
"Huh?"
"Just go and face him. Forget about everything else, and just tell him you're going out." She said much softer now.
"Y-Yeah... I guess."
"And don't be so damn timid! Get dressed and let's get going!"
Zelda nodded, "Ok..." She said with a soft smile. "And... thanks."
Zelda walked into her closet to change out of her sleepwear. She picked out one of her many dresses, taking it from the rack with all the others. She turned around and was about to take off her nightgown but was a bit surprised to see Samus had followed her in.
"So, you haven't told me what we are going shopping for."
"Huh, oh well... this and that, maybe som... nothing important." Zelda said a bit uneasily, distracted by the fact that Samus was watching her undress.
As Zelda slowly undid her gown she became very self-conscious having Samus just watching her like that. It felt weird being watched while changing, and she wanted to say something. But somehow she thought that would have felt even stranger. Why would it matter if Samus saw her naked anyway? After all, Samus had done far more to her naked body than just look at it.
With a slight sigh, she let the gown finally drop to the floor around her feet, completely exposing herself. She blushed, and Samus smirked but didn't make any comments.
"Are you going to tell me, or keep me guessing?" Samus said as she took her T-shirt off, thinking nothing of the fact that she was showing off her assets.
"Oh, don't worry about it... It... It's a surprise." Zelda looked at her standing there topless. She seemed completely comfortable with it.
"Surprise? Hmmm...?"
It was like she had no sense of modesty what so ever. 'She would have answered the door earlier in her panties without a second thought had I not said anything about it. Though, she has no reason to be ashamed, with a body like that...' Zelda sighed softly.
Samus had retrieved a bra from her bag, and was in the midst of trying to put it on when she caught Zelda ogling her. "See something you like?"
"Uh!" Zelda blushed furiously and turned her head to the side, but still kept her eyes on Samus. She frantically finished changing into her dress, which Samus noticed looked more casual than many of Zelda's others.
Samus finished fastening her bra and then put back on the same T-shirt she had worn to bed.
"Uh... you wear that a lot."
"Hmm? Oh, yeah... it's comfortable." Samus shrugged.
"Come to think of it, you don't wear much variety. All I ever see you in is either that outfit," Zelda said referring to Samus' jeans and T-shirt, "that skintight light blue jumpsuit, or that darker blue sleeveless top and shorts getup you wore when we went to see Malon."
"I have an orange one that similar to that too...But... you're right, I only have a small bag, I can't fit much clothes in it. It's not like I can take an entire closet like this everywhere I travel."
"Oh, no I guess not." Zelda paused and studied Samus curiously. "All your outfits are so... so tight, so form fitting..." Zelda paused again, "Is that because you want to show off that impressive body?" She changed the tone of her voice to try and sound alluring, but it came out more awkward than anything else.
"Tight clothes fit better under my armor," Samus said matter-of-factly.
Zelda frowned. "Samus... I was giving you a compliment."
"Oh! Uh... th-thank you... or I mean, sorry I, uh... no I guess 'thank you' is better...um, y-yeah..." Samus fumbled her words awkwardly, embarrassed she'd missed Zelda's blatant flattery. "Let's get going... ok?
Zelda smiled, amused at Samus' awkwardness. "Ok."
On their way out, they ran into a servant bringing breakfast on a tray. Zelda apologized to the woman and said they didn't have the time to stay and eat. Samus however grabbed a few pieces of fruit for herself to eat on the run, and unbeknownst to her, something for Zelda, because she knew she'd get hungry later.
Before going to see Gaebora, Zelda took them to the treasury to get money for their shopping trip, withdrawing three thousand rupees, which she put in a small leather money purse.
------
She stood just outside of Gaebora's office, looking really nervous.
"Come on Zelda, don't worry so much. Just tell him, that's all."
"But--"
"Don't ask him, don't give him an order, don't argue with him. Just tell him."
"He won't agree just like that."
"He doesn't have to. It's not like he could stop us from leaving."
"Then what is the point? Let's just leave without saying a word, there would be no difference."
"Zelda... trust me, it's a huge difference."
Zelda sighed and looked at her feet. She then took a deep breath, looked forward, and pushed the door open and entered the office, leaving Samus in the hall.
Samus sighed. She felt odd babying Zelda like that; Zelda's determined and courageous nature was one of the things Samus liked most about her. She didn't like it that Zelda was acting this way, but she knew this was the way to help her; she felt she had to after the way Zelda had helped her. She was sure Zelda didn’t appreciate it either when she would cower in utter terror from nothing but a memory. No... it wasn’t that she felt obligated to help Zelda, she just wanted to.
"Eh-hem," Zelda cleared her throat, "Gaebora?"
"Oh, Princess, what can I do for you?"
"Oh, nothing at all. It's just, I wanted to inform you that... I, um... I'm going out, you know, to the market... with Samus... and no guards... so goodbye now." She said sheepishly then turned to leave.
"What? No, absolutely not. Were you not listening before? Do you not realize--"
"I was listening... I just... decided I would go regardless."
"You just decided?"
"Well Samus said that--"
"Samus said? Humph. When did she become your advisor? I am looking out for your best interests. Can you say the same for your new... friend? She's only using you."
"No... that's wrong... I..."
"Your highness this is highly--"
"I'm going now..." She said quietly, right in the middle of what he was saying, then turned again and started out the door.
"Your highness! Your highness, wait!" He called after her standing from his chair, but she ignored him and left.
He deflated and slumped back to his seat. "Hmm... the situation is more dire than I thought. I'll need to move up the schedule."
He walked down the hall to where a smaller office resided.
"Medorreil, are you in here?"
"Yes boss, I'm right here." Medorreil said peaking out from behind a mountain of papers on his desk.
Medorreil was a young looking man in his late twenties. He had a thin wiry build and wore reading glasses. His official position was that of royal speech writer, but in practice had the same authorities as Gaebora, and was in fact his right hand man.
"What can I do for you, sir?"
"I need you to prepare that letter as soon as possible."
"Did something happen? Didn't you say you needed it tomorrow?"
"Something has... come up. We are sending word to Ordona province today."
End Part Thirteen