Silas fought back a yawn and tugged at the high collar of his pale blue dress tunic. He was sitting at the far end of the family dining table. Link and King Harkinhan, the former King were busy talking about politics, while Zelda and Lilliana talked about the latest trend in fashion. Lilliana glared at Silas as he rolled his eyes over the boring conversations everyone was having. He couldn't help being reminded how she had scoffed at Ashi's choice of attire.

He sighed. I wonder when Father will make his so-called announcement… He was getting really bored, having no one to talk to and nothing to talk about. But as if reading his mind, Link stood up from his chair and gently tapped his fork against his glass to silence everyone, which immediately made everyone comply and grew silent.

Link smiled. “I have a wonderful announcement to make!” Link said excitedly.

Silas tried as hard as he could to look interested, while Lilliana squealed with delight. “Oooooh! What is it, Father?” she asked.

Zelda nodded, equally excited as well. “Yes, dear. What is it?” she inquired politely.

King Harkinhan chuckled at their enthusiasm. “Well, perhaps if you stop asking him questions, my dears…he’ll tell us,” he pointed out.

Zelda and Lilliana nodded. “Sorry, Father.” Zelda apologized.

“Yes, forgive me, Grandfather.” Lilliana chimed in.

Kink Harkinhan nodded and smiled at Link. “Please continue,” he said.

Link returned the nod politely. “Thank you," he began. "Well, it seems we will have a new visitor coming over soon. A very important visitor from a nearby country from the west called Lesdemna, a prince who possibly wants to become Hyrule’s ally.”

Silas and Lilliana froze. Silas’s lips twitched, turning into a wide grin. He let out a low chuckle, covering his mouth and snickering. A prince, eh? he thought to himself. Finally he threw his head back and burst out laughing. Then he winked in Lilliana's direction..

“Oh! The very nerve! How rude of you to interrupt Father like that!” Lilliana huffed, fighting back a blush. It was easy to tell that she was embarassed. Apparently she hadn't forgotten her conversation with Silas in the carriage.

Silas finally calmed down. He shrugged and turned his attention back to his father.

Zelda had a curious look on her face.

Link chuckled. “Something troubling you, my love?” Link asked.

Zelda shook her head. “No, I’m just wondering…is this land one that’s on an island and is always at war?” she wanted to know.

Link nodded. “Indeed, it is, love," he answered. "It is a very wealthy land…many other countries are jealous of that wealth and try to get their hands on it. However…this country is a fortress, with stone walls to protect it from enemy fire should war break out there.”

Zelda put her chin in her hand, a thoughtful look on her face. “Fascinating…but why would Hyrule want to ally with such a country if it meant that we would have to join a war if Lesdemna went to one?”

Link shrugged. “Lesdemna had never lost a war…they only wish to help out Hyrule.”

Harkinhan nodded. “Then let us join together as allies,” he suggested.

Link nodded. “Indeed,” He agreed.

Zelda nodded as well. “Yes,” she added. Link had been worried that she would not be enthusiastic about their agreement, but after hearing Link and her father's views, she seemed to worry very little.

Silas fought back another yawn. That’s it?! That was the BIG announcement? he thought furiously. Lilliana dragged me out of Kakariko Village, just to hear about more pointless politics? I swear…if she wasn’t my sister, I would wrap my hands around her skinny little neck and…

Lillana stood up from her chair, looking a bit flustered. “I’m a bit tired…may I be excused, Mother and Father?”

Link and Zelda nodded. “Yes, Goodnight, Sweetheart.” Link said, as Lilliana gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“Sleep well, darling.” Zelda added, getting the same treatment.

“Thank you, Good Night, Grandfather…Silas,” she added and she walked out the door.

Silas smirked slightly as he stood up from his chair. His anger with Lilliana had faded. Seeing her embarassed expression he again remembered what his father had said to make him laugh so hard. “I am rather tired too. May I be excused as well?” Silas asked as politely has he could, trying to hide the smirk on his face.

Again Link and Zelda nodded and exchanged “good nights” with him, and he was out the door. He could still see his sister walking briskly down the hall to her room. He ran up to her and grabbed her arm. “Sooo…a prince is coming to visit, hmmm?” he muttered deviously.

Lilliana ripped her arm away from his grasp. “Y-yes..so what?!”

“Hmmm…are you blushing, Lily?” Silas couldn't help himself. After his sister had been so rude to him, as well as Ashi, he couldn't help teasing his sister. She deserved whatever she got.

“O-o-of course not!” Lillian said, hautly turning away slightly, hiding the blush.

Silas chuckled. “Sooo, are you going to marry the Handsome Prince on His White Horse? Hehe!”

Lilliana let out an annoyed sigh. “Don’t be ridiculous!” she snapped.

And with that she left Silas behind in the hallway, still fighting desperately to keep from blushing, as Silas smirked one last time. It served her right.
* * *
Two woman slowly emerged from their hiding place behind a house in Hyrule Castle Town without being seen. In the dark of the night it was impossible to tell who they were or even what race they were of but by their graceful movements it was obvious that they were females. Hidden by the velvet darkness and also very cautious as they snuck by the two knights, they managed to sneak onto the path that led to Hyrule Castle. They peered around a tall dirt wall and spotted one guard by a gate.

"Even if we got rid of that one," one of the females whispered, indicating the knight standing in front of the gate, "we couldn't get by that barrier. Looks like we're going to have to do some climbing." The other woman nodded without replying in word.

It was easier than they expected to get up that wall of dirt. Almost right away they found some vines hanging down from the top of the hill that they climbed up with ease. They began slowly creeping across the grass path when they heard a voice.

"Hey, you! Halt!"

It didn't take a moment to realise that they had been seen, but the two women acted fast. Before the knight could say another word one of the woman drew a long curved sword, a scimitar, and hit the knight on the head with it. Even with his armour on, it was enough to knock him out. He fell to the ground at their feet.

"Quick," said the woman who had hit him, "pass me the rope. There's enough in the bag to tie up him and do the other job..."

The other woman nodded and drew some rope from a large sack she brought. She tossed it to her friend, who began tying up the knight, and as she did this the woman with the sack began looking around the grounds. "Doesn't look like anyone's seen us yet, despite loudmouth here," she told her companion.

She had just finished tying up the knight. "Good," she muttered. "We'll just leave him here," she added, nodding her head towards the knight. "Let's get a move on."

Then the two of the guards ran across the grounds towards the castle.