"Looking pretty nice,if I do say so myself," Link said to himself.
The day of the Grand Ball and the King's mysterious meeting was finally here and Link was just finishing getting ready to go down to the Ballroom. There was a knock at the door and a maid walked in.
"My lord, Princess Zelda is ready for you when you are ready," the maid said.
"Thank you," Link replied," Tell her I'm ready and I'm on my way."
The maid nodded and shut the door. Link looked in the mirror one last time before exiting his bedroom.
* * *
Zelda and Link, arm in arm, slowly descended the large staircase into the Ballroom, after being announced.
"Should we dance?" Link asked Zelda. Zelda shook her head. Link could tell she was nervous.
"Hey, it's going to be okay," he said while grabbing gently on to her hand. She smiled with thanks at him and began leading him into the room more.
The crowd was overwhelming and bits of conversation could be heard everywhere.
"What do you think the King is going to announce at the meeting?"
"Do you think there's trouble in the castle?"
"Did you hear about the wedding?"
"Some kind of shadowy creature has been seen sulking around Gerudo valley, but it can't seem to get in. Once it's spotted it disappears."
Link shook his head at all the noise and was thankful for Zelda, she seemed to know exactly where to go. She led them to her father.
"Hello Zelda, Link. Enjoying yourselves?" the King asked. Link just shrugged with a slightly confused look on his face, and Zelda smiled and nodded.
"Well just enjoy yourself while you can.. There might be trouble," he said.
"Father, what do you mean? There's been so much rumor around this meeting of yours. What's going to happen?" Zelda asked with a slight authority to her voice.
However, the King just shook his head and motioned for them to go on. Zelda sighed and stepped out onto the dance floor, dragging Link with her.
"He doesn't tell me anything," she said once they began dancing in the crowded room.
"Zel, are you okay?" Link asked, but Zelda just shook her head. He took the hint and didn't ask any further.
The music came to an end and the King could be seen standing up from his throne.
"Welcome everybody to Hyrule castle," he announced. There was a round of applause.
"I would like to thank everyone who has come tonight. It's wonderful to see old friends and new ones. I hope you enjoy the foods, they have been specially prepared for you," he continued.
"The rock sirloin is great!" shouted a Goron.
Damadais laughed and continued. "The meeting will be called soon, but please, until then relax and enjoy yourself."
There was another round of applause and the music started up again. This time Link and Zelda went off to the side. Zelda sighed heavily again and Link looked over at it. He had to do something to try and make her feel better.
"Zel," he began.
"Link!" said a man's voice. Aleron, Link's father, cut through the crowd toward them.
"Link, I need to talk to you before the meeting is going to start," he said. Link looked desperately over at Zelda, but she began to walk away. He shook his head and looked at his father.
"Yes, sir," Link said.
"Come outside with me, so we can have some privacy," Aleron replied. Link followed his father out of the Ballroom in the the hallway. It was full of empty and lavishly decorated and brightly lit walls.
"I know what the meeting is about and it concerns me," Aleron began and after a pause he continued," The King is going to ask the other races for an alliance, stronger then the one we already have. He is even going to ask for the Gerudo to be apart it."
"I think that's a great idea. Why should we be concerned about it?" Link asked.
Aleron looked at his son with an odd expression, like Link was supposed to have picked up on something.
"The Gerudo boy, the Gerudo. Why would the King allow a council with those thieves? It was they who started the war 15 years ago. It's their fault I never had a son for 10 years and the reason why your mother died. I don't want a part of this if he's going to allow it," he said.
Link was slightly offended. He knew little of the war that happened before his birth, but he did know Nabooru.
"Dad, whatever happened 15 years ago, happened 15 years ago. You have to forgive people, or there will only be wars in the future. With this council and alliance it may be possible to never have another war again," Link replied.
Aleron took a step back away from Link, looking at him with disbelief.
"I see... If that's the way you wish to have, fine then. But I won't be here for it. At the meeting, I'm announcing my leave. I will not be apart of this catastrophe waiting to happen," he said.
"Dad no, you can't leave," Link said, but it was too late, Aleron had already walked away. Link looked at the ground and kicked it.
"Fine, go then... Who needs ya'," Link said quietly to himself.
Link walked into the Ballroom again and went strait to the food tables. Filling up a plate for himself and obtaining a glass of juice, he sat down at a lonely table.