The Hero's Ball

Chapter 6

A/N Sorry about the huge wait. Over the summer I had no will to write and since school started, I've had no time...

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There he was, dancing with the princess again, but who could really blame him? Zelda was beautiful and refined while she, well, she was not. Ashei let out a sigh as she crossed her arms and went back to her wall, where she could lean back and watch it all. There was a feeling gnawing at her stomach; one that she had never really felt before. No matter how hard she tried to avoid it, she found her eyes continually being drawn to the scholar and princess. Shad's earlier words echoed in his head, making her frown.

"Jealousy is a petty thing, Ashei!"

"Peh. Jealous, I'm not jealous!" she snarled out loud.

"You know, Ashei..." She turned to see Link approaching her, semi-amused smile coming to his lips. "If you actually had a weapon on you, I think I'd have to arrest you for the way you look like you're going to cut Princess Zelda's head off." He squinted, trying to follow her gaze. "Or maybe Shad's... Both?"

Ashei managed a short laugh. "Do you really think I'd need a weapon for that?"

"For most people yes, for you no... So are you saying that I should arrest you?" He arched an eyebrow at her.

"Depends, would it get me out of here quicker?"

"In theory... That and it could get me out of here as well."

"It's tempting, yeah? But I think Telma would kill me."

Link nodded. "Yes I've noticed that she's quite... set on bringing you and Shad together."

Ashei found herself blushing as she considered that. "Is it really that obvious?"

He shrugged lightly. "Well I've really had nothing else to do except observe others... In fact she's planning something right now. Look." He gestured towards the barmaid, who was talking to Auru, Rusl, and his wife. She suddenly made a gesture, and the trio fanned out, looking set for some purpose.

"Oh goddesses. This isn't going to be good for me, yeah? I really am going to kill that woman one day... Do I even want to know what they're doing?"

"Probably not. If I were you, I'd-"

"Oh Link!" Telma's voice cut across the ball room making the pair wince slightly. "Could you come here for a moment?"

Link offered Ashei an apologetic smile. "Looks like she's going to drag me into it too."

The warrior felt like face palming. "Great... Just don't do anything too crazy, yeah?"

"Well it's Telma... I'm not too sure I can made that promise."

"Of course you can't." This time Ashei actually did face palm, watching Link leave through her spread fingers. As he vanished from her field of vision, she sighed, eyes going to Shad and Zelda once more. Why must Telma meddle? This wasn't going to end well, she knew it. She was startled as Link was suddenly beside her once again. That man sure was quiet... Rather eerie really. "Hmm? Have you gotten your orders already?"

Link smiled at her slightly. "You could say that." He offered her his hand. "Come on, let's dance."

She rose an eyebrow at him. "Goddesses, Link dancing? This is leading no where good, I'm telling you."

"Oh, I wouldn't say that," he replied. "Well... You may suffer from a few broken toes, but Telma's plan seems sound for once."

"Oh fine..." Ashei took his hand, putting her other on his shoulder. She could not help but notice how much stiffer the warrior was than Shad had been. The two started out, and within a few seconds, she winced, her foot already trod upon.

"Sorry..." He grinned rather sheepishly. His eyes darted around the room, making it obvious that they were being steered toward some sort of target location.

"Where are we going, yeah? Might as well tell me the plan..." She glanced around, noticing they were heading toward Shad and Zelda. "No wait, save it. Probably better not to know."

"You'll find out right about... Now." They were right next to the princess and scholar now. "Mind if we switch?"

"E-Eh?" Shad stammered, looking over to Link. "Oh, well, I suppose not." He reluctantly released Zelda, allowing Link to take her instead. The scholar looked to Ashei, taking her hand and putting his other around her waist. "I'm glad to see you found someone to dance with after all."

"He insisted, yeah?" Ashei glanced away as she noted Shad's gaze focusing on Link and Zelda.

"It's hard," he began. "Watching someone else dance with someone you care about. It makes you wonder, if they even know your feelings."

She could not stop the scowl from spreading across her face. "Yeah, that makes two of us."

"You and Link are so alike," he reasoned. "I'm sure that you'll make a good couple."

"Link?" Ashei nearly blurted. "I knew you were clueless Shad, but I didn't think you were that clueless, yeah?"

Shad stared at her for a few moments, pure confusion spreading across his face. "Ashei, what do you mean?"

"Forget it, yeah? It's not important." She went to pull away from him, but he held on fast. Not expecting the resistance, she stopped suddenly and was pulled forward instead, being pressed against Shad. She looked up at him, face flushing from the sudden warmth.

"Ashei, do... Do you mean to say..." Shad trailed off, a flush coming to his face. "O-oh my. If-if I had known I would not have... So then this explains your odd behavior." He released her hand, instead putting his hands on her upper arms and pushing her back slightly to look at her. "Ashei, I had no idea."

"Yeah, well." She glanced down at the ground. "It's not like that would have changed anything. It's like you said. I'm just an unrefined warrior woman. Compared to the princess..."

"You are incomparable," the scholar answered shortly. "You're unrefined, different than any other woman I've ever met."

Ashei snorted. "Thanks Shad. That just makes me feel all special inside."

He continued. "That's why I never imagined in all my dreams that you'd feel this way about me."

"... You done being shocked yet? It's getting old."

"Ah! S-sorry, what I mean to say is that... That I've known you a long time. Ever since I've joined the Resistance. Tell me, haven't you ever noticed that... That when we have a meeting that I always sit next to you? I never said anything because I guess I thought that you weren't like other women. That you'd never be interested in a frail little scholar like me. I thought-"

"You talk to much," Ashei cut in shortly before she raised her head, pressing her lips to his.