Link tugged at the collar of his pale blue dress tunic. He sighed.

"How long does it take for one woman to dress for a party?" Link asked King Harkinhan.

Harkinhan laughed and slapped him on the back.

"Get used to it, my boy. She takes after her mother." Harkinhan said with a wistful look in his eyes. Link could see a glimpse of tears.

"Does everyone dress like this in a royal party?" Link asked, indicating his dress attire.

"You do not like the attire my servants picked out for you?"

"Oh, no it's not that. It;s just that my peasant attire is a little more comfortable."

Harkinhan laughed.

"Plus, I look like an absolute dork in this!" he wanted to add.

He was wearing a pale blue dress tunic with a shiny black belt strapped around his waist with a decorative sword and a high necked white collar, and matching dress trousers with shiny, knee high, black dress boots. Since it was a formal occassion he wasn't allowed to wear a hat. That made him feel very naked and awkward. The fact that the servants washed and dressed him mad him feel even more awkward.

He crossed his arms.

"Come on, Zelda! Just pick a dress!"

Finally, the two great doors opened and Impa walked in with Zelda. Everyone in the ball room bowed. Impa did the Salute of Oath to Zelda and walked over to stand with the King's Personal Guards.

Link's heart jumped in his throat. Zelda looked absolutely ravishing! She was dressed in a pale blue, drop the shoulder, satin gown. Her hair was up in an elegant bun.

She smiled.

"Good Evening, darling. You sure look handsome tonight." she said with a mischievious grin.

"Evening, Z-Z-Zelda! You look absolutely beautiful!" Link said, flabbergasted.

Zelda laughed.

"Can you say that without your tongue hanging out?"

"M-my tongue isn't hanging out! You know how hard it would be to talk with my tongue hanging out?! It's not hanging out...is it?"

Zelda snickered.

"I was just teasing you! Would you do me the honor of giving me the first dance?"

"The honor is all mine!" Link said.

He bowed to her as she curtsied and offered her his arm, leading her to the dance floor.

"I'm next!" Harkinhan declared.

"All right, Harkinhan. But it might be a bit awkward dancing with you!" Link said with a laugh.

"Oh, Link," Harkinhan laughed.

Everyone watched as the young couple danced. Some would say, "Is that Link, Hero of Time?" or "What a pretty pair they make!"

Nobody noticed a tall hooded figure moving toward the young dancing couple. Zelda giggled with delight as Link twirled and dipped her.

"Ah, yes! What a pretty pair they make, indeed!"

Link and Zelda froze.

"We meet again, Link, Hero of Time!"

"You!" Link bellowed

"Ah, Princess Zelda! Leader of all Sages! Sage of Wisdom! Princess of Destiny! After all these years of watching you...and you don't even show your gratitude to me by inviting me to your engagement party? You cut me deep!"

"That voice!" Zelda gasped.

Impa with sword drawn approached the hooded figure.

"Who are you? How dare you speak to the Princess so! Show yourself, or you'll meet unhealthy circumstances!"

"Ah, Impa, Shadow Sage. Last remaining survivior of the Shiekah race. Do you not remember that it was your race's sharp tongue that made them meet their unfortunate demise?"

"Silence, you!" Impa order and raised her sword in a threatening stance.

The hooded man sighed.

"You'll just never learn. Will you?"

And with that he raised his hand and Impa was sent flying across the room, crashing into the wall with a loud "thud." Everyone screamed and gasped, some ran out of the ball room.

"Impa!" Zelda screamed.

"You monster!" Link shouted.

The hooded man cackled again.

"Fear not. She is not dead, but she will be if she tries another stunt like that again!"

The hooded man threw off his hood. People in the ball room gasped. Zelda almost fainted.

"Dark Link!" Link exclaimed.

"Long time, no see. Time to fulfill my promise I made to you in the Water Temple."

Link shook his head violently.

"No! Do whatever you want with me, but please, i beg of you! Dont involve Zelda!"

Dark Link laughed.

"Ah, what a Knight in Shining Armor you've become! It is not you I want! Not yet."

He raised his arms in the air. There was a loud booming sound, then a blinding flash of light. As the light cleared, Dark Link was no where in site. As Link looked around, he realized that Dark Link wasn't the only one who left.

"Zelda!"
************************************************************
"Zelda?"

Zelda was lying on a bed, unconscious. She stirred a bit at the sound of her name. She moaned.

"Zelda...darling, wake up. Open your eyes."

Zelda opened her eyes and saw a figure in pale blue clothes and blond hair. She jumped up, hugged and kissed him.

"Link! Oh thank goodness! I was so afraid. Let's get out of here!"

Link sneered at her. He pushed her back on the bed.

"I'm afraid that's not possible, Princess." he hissed.

He gave her a leering look.

"No!"