I don't own Zelda, Link, Hyrule or any other Nintendo Characters. I do, however, own this story!

I am no weakling. If Ganondorf should ever show his face in Hyrule again, which I doubt very much, he would not find me such an easy target as my forebears apparently were. I would not permit him to capture me, as did my feeble ancestors. I do not rely on the strength of others to protect myself and my own.

They say that when I was born, the Triforce shone so brightly on my hand that it outshone the sun itself. From Lake Hylia to Castletown people made the mark of the holy triangle on their chests and prayed to the Gods. I was proclaimed to be Zelda - Princess of Hyrule and bearer of the Triforce of Wisdom. The golden triangle shining brightly on my right hand was a sure omen that the dreaded Ganondorf, King of Evil, was stirring from his long slumber in the sacred realm. The Triforce, dormant for so long was awakening. The Gods had honoured me with a part of their power. I would be the one to lead this holy nation through the coming darkness.

What nonsense!

Chapter One

My hair is my favourite feature. It is a soft brown colour with golden undertones and it is softer than silk. It is so long that when it is loose (which is not often), I can sit on it just by tilting my head back a little. I am doing that now as I admire my reflection.

I am not vain. There are many things about my appearance that I dislike – my arms are too long; my skin is too white (and it burns if I so much look at the sun) and I am not as well developed as the other girls I see around the castle. As I gaze at my reflection I cannot say I am entirely pleased with my appearance today. Somehow the sophisticated image I was aiming for has turned out more like a child dressing up in her mother's clothes. I am wearing white– a colour, which only makes my skin even paler. The purple overdress I chose makes me look emaciated. I frown at my reflection for a moment and sigh. It is so hard to know what to wear. Today is my birthday. I am sixteen. Do I choose to dress as the child I was, or the woman I am to become?

Not for the first time I begin to wish my mother was here to guide me. My father, bless him, tries his hardest to advise me, but no matter how old or experienced he is – he will never understand what it is like to be a sixteen year old princess. My mother would have understood this and would have told me which dress to choose out of my extensive wardrobe for the occasion, what to say to the crowd who have gathered at the castle to see me (which I can hear even from my bedroom) and could have soothed my nerves. I softly wipe a tear from my eyes and can't help but think, even though I am not vain that I look pretty when I cry.

I can barely remember my mother. She died when I was five. Sometimes I can hear her voice singing a lullaby, or I can see a flash of her image dancing before me. I knew she was always laughing and merry. She had golden hair and deep blue eyes. I do not remember her face clearly. I just remember the warmth and joy that I always felt when she was near. Sometimes when I feel lonely, I pretend that she is still here, sitting like she used to on the edge of my bed, telling me stories of past kings and queens that I cannot now recall.

I close my eyes and picture her as best I can. I have always found it strange that there are no pictures of her in the castle. It is almost like her memory has been erased. Perhaps my father found her death too painful to bear. Perhaps he could not tolerate even a little picture of her taunting him in his grief. I do not know. My nursemaid, Impa, would not talk about my mother either. For years and years I begged her to share her memories but she would not. Perhaps Impa had found it painful to remember, like my father did. She had been my mother's nurse. My mother had given her the nickname, named after the nurse of a long forgotten Hylian Princess. To this day I do not know what Impa's real name was. When my mother died, Impa became my only comfort. She vanished when I was twelve. My father decreed I no longer needed her. My nurse, my second mother, did not even say goodbye to me. For this I cannot forgive her.

She left me, as did my mother.

I sigh again and drag my thoughts away from her and my mother. No matter how much I wish it, she cannot be here with me now. I will have to do this on my own and I can do it because I am no weakling.

I look myself in the eye and repeat. 'I am no weakling. I am Princess Zelda of Hyrule. I fear nothing because I am strong.' I nod at myself in the mirror. For a moment I study my reflection again, hiding a smile. Outwardly I will be serene and calm. As long as I can portray this image, the people and my father will be satisfied. Inwardly I will be panicking but I am determined that no one shall ever know my true thoughts. Nobody will see that inside I am a frightened little girl missing her mother – scared and alone. I can overcome anything for I am a princess.

I can hear my heart beat. I know my face is flushed. I know my hands are trembling. My stomach is churning. I am grateful that I am standing above this sea of people. They will not see how I shake as panic sets in. My father stands beside me steadily addressing the crowd. I wonder if he ever gets scared? Does he ever gaze down on this vast ocean of faces and lose his nerve? I cast a furtive glance at his face. I do not think my father has ever been afraid of anything.

In the end, my maid dressed in a beautiful gown of gold and cream. It was a gift from the proprietor of the most expensive boutique in Castleton, Cremea's. Obviously they are hoping that this generous, and I might add exquisite, gift will influence my later shopping inclinations. Of course, it will also encourage other ladies, providing they have the limitless rupee supplies needed to even enter the most expensive establishment in Hyrule, to visit. Normally I would object to being used in such a manner. I am perfectly aware that this gift is not a simple gift. It is a two-fold arrangement. I get the dress – Cremea gets a free advertisement. However, right now the bright sunlight is reflecting on the gold sequins and cleverly hidden crystals in the skirt of the dress making it shimmer; the slight breeze is playing with the ends of the long golden ribbons trying up the corset back and I know I have never in my life looked more beautiful. I can see Lady Crimea, the designer, standing near the front of the crowd, a slight smile curving her lips. I know exactly why she is smiling. Every woman in the crowd will see me in this dress and want to become just like me. Although not one of them could become the princess of Hyrule, they could certainly look similar, providing they have the resources to purchase such an ensemble. Cremea catches my eye and drops a slight curtsey. I think I can forgive her for using me in such a manner. Thanks to it I at least look the part of Princess of Hyrule, even if I do not feel it yet.

My father's rumbling speech is reaching its conclusion. He has the crowd's full attention. I do not listen, not because his speech would embarrass me, but because I know that as soon as he is done, it will be my turn to talk. I have written a short speech, I have learnt it word for word, my father has approved it but the thought of standing before all these people and talking makes my heart thump so much that I feel ill. I glance at my father again. How long did it take him to be at ease? I wonder. Was there ever a time he felt afraid of speaking to a crowd?

"Thank you, friends, for hearing me. It is my honour and privilege to introduce my daughter…" My father's voice breaks into my panicking mind. I feel the colour draining from my face and all I can hear is my heard thumping in my chest. My hands are visibly shaking now. There is applause, thunderous applause. I hesitate. I cannot move. I cannot force my shaking legs to take that first step onto the podium. I can see all the eyes on me. I know that they think I am weak and foolish. I cannot do it. I cannot. I cannot.

I feel my father's hand taking mine, to the crowd it seems as though he is helping me up the steps to the podium. They do not see him squeezing my hand softly and his thumb rub my palm. Nor do they hear his words. But I feel his touch, and I hear his voice softly whisper, "You can do this, little one." Thus irrepressibly propelled onto the stage, I cast a nervous smile at him and find my eyes fixed on the crowd. Am I seeing things, or have their numbers doubled? Bile rises in my throat, threatening to choke me and I heart is beating so fast now that it hurts. I see my notes before me on the rostrum and I take a couple of deep breaths. The crowds' cheering diminishes as they see I am ready.

I try to recall everything I have learnt about public speaking so far. Look at the crowd. Smile. Fix your attention on one person for a moment, then another. Speak slowly, clearly and distinctly. I clear my throat and hope that my nerves will fade once I start speaking.

"Good day, my fellow Hylians." I begin. I almost panic, as I hear my own voice. Even in my own ears, I sound like a mouse. I take a huge breath and clench my fists. I glance at my parchment and look up again. I notice that a quite a few people in the crowd are smiling at me. For a moment of shame, I think they are laughing at me, but then I realise that they are willing me on. "I am so nervous, I am sorry." I hear myself laugh. The crowd chuckles in response. And then it happens. I am not afraid. Every single person in the crowd is smiling along with me; I have their understanding and their attention. I glance back at the parchment and know that I know my speech word for word. I can do this alone. I am Zelda, Princess of Hyrule. I am not afraid of anything.

"I am honoured to be standing here before you all on my sixteenth birthday. I thank you all for the many beautiful gifts that I have received and I thank you all for making the effort to be here to celebrate with me." I begin my speech. I am pleased to hear my voice is back to its usual tone. I force myself to speak slower and louder than usual, knowing that it is sometimes hard to hear a speaker when one is standing in the midst of a crowd.

My speech lasts for no more than ten minutes. When I rehearsed, it seemed to go on forever, but when I performed for real, the time flew by. I was shocked to discover I was enjoying myself (Although I cannot say that I am disappointed when I arrive at my closing remarks). I pause for a moment before saying: "I once again thank you all from the bottom of my heart for making this day so wonderful for me and I wish you all a peaceful and prosperous year." The crowd begin to applaud but I have not yet finished. I shout above the noise, "Long live King Daphnes, Long Live Hyrule!"

The answering roar from the crowd fills me with energy. They begin chanting my name. I smile happily at them, soaking up their adulation. I am not vain but this feeling is incredible. They love me. I am their Princess. I will one day be their queen, and every one, from the humblest sweep to the grandest courtier loves me. I have felt so empowered in my life. I turn to glance at my father, wanting to see the pride he must feel, in his eyes. I am surprised and disappointed to see that my father is not looking at me. I cannot help but glare at the solider he is speaking with. How dare he interrupt my moment of triumph?

The soldier must have felt the heat of my glare for he glanced up at me and hastily bowed. My father finally looks at me. I smile brightly, waiting to see his eyes light up, as they always do when I have done something good. My smile fades, as I see no answering smile on my father's face. In fact, he looks rather thoughtful. I can see a slight frown in his eyes. Have I displeased him? My bubble of happiness pops instantly. I feel the smile freeze on my face. My father turns to the solider and dismisses him. He turns back to me and the smile of pride, that should have been there all along, has returned. He crosses to my side, and in a typical kingly gesture, kisses my forehead. It is not becoming for the royal family to publicly embrace, of course, but I think a hug would have been nice at this point.

That is it. That one little kiss was all the attention I received from my father that day. Something had distracted him. I knew it would be something huge to divert my father's attention from his only daughter's birthday celebrations. I was annoyed by this but was sensible enough not to let it show. Besides, I had a ball to attend, presents to open and exclaim over and my first glass of wine to sip. I could not help but be happy that day. So many months of planning and so many rupees had gone into making this day perfect and I did not want to let anyone think I was unappreciative. So I ignored my father's obvious distraction and was oblivious to the increased number of guards running around the stone corridors of the castle. I was determined to enjoy myself. As long as nobody noticed that my laugh was a brittle and my smile was sometimes forced, all would be well. However, I was determined to find out what was happening. As I danced, I tried to tease the information from my partners. As I socialised, I tried to encourage gossip. I even approached one or two guards and pretended to be scared, hoping that their chivalrous natures would get the better of them and they would tell me the reason why I should not be afraid. None of my tactics worked. Either people were as ignorant as I, or they were very good at keeping their own counsel. I learnt all manner of things that I had never known before but not a single person could tell me what had distracted my father.

That has not altered my determination to discover the truth. As I dance with one of the younger lords I see my father slipping unobtrusively from the room, the soldier from earlier accompanying him. I think quickly. I pretend to slip and then gasp in horror. I take the hem of my dress in my hand and cast an apologetic grin at my partner. I whisper, "I have ripped my dress. I must go an fix it, would you excuse me, please?" Without waiting for a response, I slip from the dance floor, heading towards the rear of the room. My exit is as subtle as my father's had been. If anybody asks me, I will say I am going to the bathroom. They do not need to accompany me there.

I close the big oak doors behind me and sigh a little. I had not realised until I left the ballroom, just how hot and airless it had gotten. I glance up and down the corridor, wondering which way I should go. Considering there is a room filled with some of the most wealthy and influential people on the continent, there is a distinct lack of guards in this hallway. I decide to go right. My father's chambers are in this direction. I tread as softly as I can, hiding in the shadows. There is no need to do this really. Even if a guard discovered me, they could hardly question what I, Princess Zelda, was doing wandering around the castle at night. It just makes it more exciting. I have always believed that being stealthy is a vital skill for any princess to have. How many kidnappings and evil witches could have been avoided in fairytales if the princess had had enough sense to hide or had learnt how to protect herself?

The deep rumble of my father's voice snaps my attention back to the present. I cannot hear words distinctly but I know it is he. I also know that he would not be pleased if he knew I was spying on him. I creep softly forward, keeping to the shadows.

"Your Grace, it should not be a difficult mission." I hear the soldier's voice for the first time. To my surprise he sounds very refined. And here I was thinking all soldiers had at one time been peasants.

"Yes" Answers my father. I find it hard to hear everything; they are both speaking very softly. "And what would you suggest, Valo?"

"I would suggest a small contingent of men, my lord, we do not want to alarm the people. If I take an entire troop it would unsettle them. It is quite a journey too."

"Take ten men on horseback." My father decides. "Will that suffice?"

"I would say five, sire."

"Five then. You are absolutely certain you are right?"

"Yes, your Grace. There can be no doubt it is him."

Him? Who are they talking about? My mind is filled with all manner of possibilities, from a fugitive to Ganondorf himself. I creep a little closer hoping to hear more. I can see them now, the king and the soldier; my father glances up and down the hallway. I know I will be in huge trouble if he catches sight of me. I catch my breath and press against the wall and my heart begins to thump unpleasantly in my ears. I wish that my dress were not cream coloured. I keep perfectly still as my father's gaze sweeps the wall when I am hidden. I hope that my hiding place behind a statue is sufficient.

"Very well." I hear my father say quite clearly now. "You may leave tomorrow. I expect you back in three days time."

"Yes, Your majesty."

I peep out from behind the statue and see that they are both walking back in my direction. I just know they will hear my heartbeat at any moment. I know it is senseless to close my eyes, but I do. In a childish manner I hope that because I cannot see them, they will not see me. I am so sure that I will hear my father's voice commanding me to step forward that I do not realise that they have walked right by me. I stare at their backs in amazement. Obviously my sneaking skills were better than I had imagined. I am rather pleased with myself. I wait until the soldier and my father part company at the other end of the corridor before I allow myself to breath again. My father bids the soldier farewell and pauses for a moment glancing suspiciously around the corridor and then returns to the ballroom.

I cautiously edge forward. I am still no closer to finding out what is happening. I must discover who 'he' is. It is vital. I do not think I can sleep unless I find out. Is it the fabled Ganondorf – the childhood nightmare monster? I laugh at this thought. Ganondorf is no more real than the so-called Twilight Realm. Is it 'head-off Freaar', the most dangerous criminal in Hyrule? Is it Prince Avaldo, missing heir to the throne of Holodrum?

I simply must find out who 'he' is.

There ya go, first chapter! I hope you enjoyed. Please, please, please R&R! Thank you..

Next chapter coming soon... providing I get at least 1 review :p