Disclaimer: I don’t want to get in whatever trouble people can get into when using other people’s characters so - The Legend of Zelda, Link, Zelda, Ganon, Hyrule and other related characters and settings belong to to that wonderous console company, Nintendo. No infringement intended.

Juliet A. Singleton (Scullys@bigfoot.com) & Kirsty Singleton (Indigo_Spacen@mail.com)

Chapter 4

   "It's great to be back here again," Selina smiled, glancing around the Great Hall fondly.

"But, the palace in Dalsona..." Zelda began.

"It's beautiful, but you know, I still do miss this place," Selina interrupted. She picked up her glass of wine, sipping it thoughtfully. "It's all so different there, sometimes I think I shall never get used to it, but it's so wonderful, my life...." she remarked. Zelda smiled at her friend.

"I know what you mean," she replied.

"So it all goes well, with you? We missed you at..." Selina let her words trail off there, looking faintly embarrassed.

"I'm fine," Zelda assured her, quick to avoid even talking about Leigh. They both remained silent for a moment, then Zelda spoke again. "So... it's not long now is, it? You been feeling okay?" she questioned. Selina was five months pregnant. Selina smiled again, looking pleased.

"I feel just great! I'm really excited, the palace physician thinks I may be having twins!" she exclaimed.

"Twins? Oh, how wonderful! Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Zelda asked, smiling back, equally pleased for her friend.

"Well... I wanted to keep a secret until I saw you again," Selina replied, running a hand through her red-gold hair, and grinning. She glanced around the room again, her eyes finally stopping to rest upon Nick, who was stood at the temporary min-bar, as usual, along with Drake, Link and the other guys. "Zelda, he's been such a wonderful husband to me, I still can't believe that we're married!" she said excitedly.

"It'll sink in eventually," Zelda promised, looking over at Nick too.

"And things between you and Link?" Selina questioned.

"The usual. We're great," Zelda replied.

"And the children?" Selina enquired.

"They're fine. Brianna's a bit of a handful, but she's still completely sweet and beautiful," Zelda said, laughing a little.

"So, no more?" Selina laughed.

"Certainly not! Well, I hope not, anyway," Zelda smiled.

"You know, it only seems like yesterday, when we all met. Now look, we're all grown up, with families of our own. Well almost," Selina said. Zelda nodded.

"Goodness, we've known each other seven or eight years now!" she exclaimed.

"I know! I'd never even really thought about it before," Selina agreed. She stood up. "Come on, let's go talk to the guys," she said, noticing Fayette looking over in their direction. Zelda noticed too.

"Good idea," she replied.

   "Ah, here arrives our favourite barmaid!" Drake stated raucously, grinning.

"Excuse me Drake, but I don't quite believe you have the authority to talk to Selina in that fashion anymore!" Zelda laughed.

"Yes, I am the Queen of Dalsona now, Sir, or did you forget?" Selina said, also laughing. Drake pretended to look embarrassed.

"Oh, forgive me, most noble, fair Queen!" he said, bowing clumsily.

"Anyone would think you weren't a highly placed knight, the way you act, Drake!" Zelda grinned.

"Well, ummm... really Princess, you know I..." he began. Everyone else started laughing. As well as himself, Selina and Zelda, Link, Aaron, Dion, Damon, Charles and Nick were also present in the small group. Drake quickly filled up a glass with ale. "How about a toast?" he suggested.

"A toast to what?" Zelda questioned.

"A toast to the beautiful, intelligent, amazing Queen Selina of Dalsona?" Drake said, raising up his glass.

"What a great idea," Nick smiled, raising his glass also.

"Here, here," everyone else agreed. Selina blushed.

"Aww, guys, come off it," she smiled shyly.

"You deserve it," Link smiled.

"Ahem, excuse me, but aren't you forgetting someone?" Zelda questioned. She broke out into a pretty smile, and everyone laughed again.

"Okay, okay, a toast for you, too," Drake conceded, refilling everyone's glasses. "Yes. A toast for the... the... the... erm... the most..." the knight began, stumbling over his words on purpose.

"Drake, that is so not funny!" Zelda protested lightly.

"Now, what was the word?" the knight pondered, grinning widely.

"Let me finish it off," Zelda interrupted.

"No, let me," Link jumped in.

"Oh great, now hear him run off a whole huge list of things, just so she'll..." Drake began.

"So that in which case, I say it instead, amigos!" Dion laughed.

"So say it!" everyone else said together, all grinning.

"Uhh...." Dion began.

"Well, really! If you're going to make fun..." Zelda began. Link laid a hand on her shoulder.

"Really, we aren't. Well, I'm not anyway," he smiled. She smiled back.

"I know, but..."

"It's nothing personal, you know," Drake grinned.

"Yeah, sure," Zelda sighed, placing her now empty glass upon the table. Drake skirted over, holding a bottle of wine.

"Does the beautiful, wonderful, smart, Princess care for a refill of my most exquisite wine?" he asked gallantly. Zelda smiled slightly.

"I guess she does," she replied.

"So does this lady!" Selina called grinning. Drake pretended to look weary.

"Jeez, we really do need a proper barmaid around here," he remarked, more to himself than anyone else.

"Yeah, hey Drake, d'you know that you're doing a woman's job?!" Damon called cheekily.

"Shut up!" the knight growled, as he refilled Selina's glass.

"Oh, talk about being sexist!" Selina complained.

"Well, bar work is really a girl's job," Aaron agreed.

"And you're the last person I expected that sort of talk to come from!" Zelda remarked, looking somewhat amused. Aaron grinned.

"Well come on. When we go to the taverns, have you ever seen a guy going around the tables, refilling everyone's mugs?" he questioned.

"Nope," everyone agreed.

"Well, there you have it!" Dion laughed. Drake returned around the back of the temporary bar.

"Come on Princess, why don't you give it a try?" he suggested, grinning mischievously.

"Oh, you wouldn't catch me even doing such a thing," Zelda replied.

"Jeez, if you weren't standing there right before my very eyes, I'd have sworn that you were Fayette," Drake insulted, laughing. Zelda didn't find it funny.

"Well, really!" she exclaimed, looking annoyed.

"Well, it is sort of a Fayette saying," Link agreed.

"Some husband you are!" Zelda replied, folding her arms.

"He didn't mean it, I'm sure," Aaron said comfortingly, always the peacemaker.

"Well, anywhere where Fayette is concerned..." Zelda began.

"Do we have to talk about Fayette?" Selina questioned.

"He brought it up!" Zelda said, pointing accusingly at Drake.

"Well, excuse me for breathing!" the knight retorted good naturedly.

"Selina's right. Let's discuss ourselves, rather than others," Nick said. He pulled Selina close in a loving fashion. "Besides, we've got some even more good news that I'm sure you'd all wish to hear," he added.

***

   Mara watched the happy crowd from across the hall, frowning slightly. They were all so happy. She smiled faintly. It would not be so once she got her plan into action. She looked down at her hands. Yes, the very hands that would truly re-unite the power of the Triforce. Of course, she'd need some help from the royal couple's young son first of course. After all, it was he who possessed the true power to unlocking the Triforce and all of its secrets. Suddenly, a rather high-pitched voice interrupted her thoughts, causing her to turn. It was that other princess, what was her name? Fayette, yes that was it. Fayette bustled over, clad in a long, wine-red gown, which, Mara thought, really did nothing for the woman. "Mara! Hello dear, you look awfully lonely standing there by yourself, why don't I introduce you to some friends of mine?" offered Fayette. Mara smiled pleasantly at Fayette, although she really couldn't help but feeling annoyed at the mere presence of the girl, never mind a group of her friends.

"Why yes, that would be wonderful," replied Mara. "And so very kind of you Lady Fayette," she added on a quick afterthought. Fayette smiled, glad that someone around here acknowledged that she too, had a title.

"Oh not at all, now, come on while I introduce you to my friends," said Fayette, hitching up her skirt and walking off in the direction of the small crowd that Mara had previously been watching. Mara sighed quietly, then trailed off after Fayette.

   "Don't look now, but here comes Fayette," muttered Drake, as everyone finished congratulating Nick and Selina on their news of twins. Nick followed Drake's gaze and frowned slightly.

"She always has the habit of turning up when she's least wanted," he commented dryly.

"Oh I don't know...I'd quite like to inform Fayette of our news," said Selina flashing Zelda a sly grin.

"Who's that with her? Don't tell me Fayette has a...friend?" asked Drake, watching Fayette as she, and another girl, who had long strawberry blonde hair trail behind Fayette. Zelda shook her head, suddenly realising who it was.

"Oh her, it wouldn't surprise me if she was a friend of Fayette's. She's the new healer, and her attitude is very much below par," said Zelda, slightly snidely.

"Yep, we never could find a decent replacement for you Sel, now we have no decent barmaids or healers!" said Drake grinning.

"Oh come on Zel, she can't be that bad. She can't have been here that long," said Link. Zelda shook her head.

"Look, I just don't like her. You'll see what I mean when you meet her," said Zelda sourly. Link shrugged.

"Whatever you say," he mumbled. Fayette arrived, smiling a little too brightly at everyone.

"Hello everyone, I just thought I should introduce you all to our new healer, Mara, seeing as Zelda obviously couldn't be bothered," said Fayette. Zelda glared at her step-sister with hatred. Fayette shot Zelda a smug grin. Then she half-turned to Mara.

"Mara, this is everyone, everyone, this is Mara," introduced Fayette. Drake put his hands together.

"Bravo Fayette, your hosting skills really are simply amazing!" he said mockingly. Fayette smirked at Drake, displeased by his attitude.

"Drake, there come a point where your mockery just isn't funny anymore," she said in an aloof voice. Mara watched with intrigue, deciding to play the shy, withdrawn Mara.

"Uh hello," she began. Drake, completely ignoring Fayette grabbed Mara's hand and shook it vigorously.

"Mara my dear, it is simply a delight to meet you," he said, grinning charmingly at the young healer. Mara managed a subdued smile.

"Likewise, I'm sure," she said shyly. While the rest were introducing themselves to the seemingly harmless healer, Fayette sidled up to Nick.

"Hello Nick, long time no see," she purred. Nick regarded her coolly.

"No time is ever long enough," he said in a low voice.

"Oh Nick, you don't have to be so, so cold," remarked Fayette quite brightly.

"I believe I have to introduce myself to the new healer, Mara wasn't it?" said Nick. As Fayette tried to stop him, Selina appeared, smiling at Fayette, having already introduced herself to Mara.

"Oh Faye, it's so good to see you again," gushed Selina annoyingly. Fayette frowned.

"I wish I could say the same," she muttered.

"We, that's me and Nick of course, were just telling everyone about our news," started Selina. Fayette rolled her eyes.

"Fascinating," she said in a bored tone. Selina's smile grew impossible wider.

"Me and Nick, we're expecting..." said Selina.

"Expecting?" asked Fayette, looking up in surprise. Selina couldn't possible mean what Fayette thought she meant. That Selina was pregnant? They only been married... Fayette's thoughts trailed off there. She realised they had been married for a while, almost a year. She looked directly at Selina. "You're pregnant?" asked Fayette. Selina nodded, still smiling.

"Twins," added Selina, enjoying the look on Fayette's face. Fayette's frown twisted into a wry smile.

"And they're Nick's, are they?" she had the audacity to ask.

"Doesn't matter what you say Fayette, you won't spoil this for me," said Selina sweetly.

"You still didn't answer my question," said Fayette, smiling as sweetly as Selina.

"Of course they are, like you had to ask," said Selina, slightly annoyed.

"Well, knowing your history," began Fayette. "You ought to watch what you say Fayette, you aren't just talking to Selina the common little bar wench/healer. You're talking to Selina, Queen of Dalsona now. You wouldn't want me to take offence, would you?" pointed out Selina silkily. Fayette frowned sulkily, she hated the fact that Selina was no longer below her in status anymore. She hated it even more that not only was Selina higher in status, but she was married to Nick as well.

"There's no reason to rub it in," said Fayette.

"Like you wouldn't?" asked Selina sweetly.

"Just because you're pregnant, it doesn't mean things between you and Nick will last. One day he'll wake up and realise he made a big mistake in marrying you!" spat Fayette jealously.

"On the contrary Fayette, I'm hoping that one day you'll wake up and realise that me and Nick are happily married, and will never be anything but," said Selina. Fayette narrowed her eyes at Selina, then turned away, with a resounding "Hmmmph," and stalking away across the hall floor.

   "So Mara, do you have any hidden talents we should know about? Our Selina here, she used to pull a pretty good pint in her spare time," said Drake, grinning across at Selina. Mara blushed slightly.

"Well...I'm not one for pulling pints, but I have been told I'm quite a good singer," admitted Mara, which was the truth.

"A singer, eh? Like a bard type?" asked Damon. Mara smiled at the rugged woodsman, he was quite handsome she thought.

"Something like that," she said.

"Well howsabout a little demonstration?" asked Dion with a wicked grin.

"Oh, no I couldn't, not just like that," said Mara modestly. "Perhaps later on," she added with a shy grin.

"We shall greatly anticipate the moment," stated Drake, taking a drink from his tankard. Fayette appeared besides Mara, looking a little disgruntled. Selina gave her a sideways glance. Where ever she had been, it had not been for long.

"Oh lady Fayette, so you have chosen to grace us once again with a rare appearance, the Goddesses must certainly be looking down upon us tonight," said Drake cheekily.

"Drake," growled Fayette warningly.

"Was there something you wanted Faye?" asked Zelda casually. Fayette glanced over at her step-sister.

"Well it certainly wasn't to see you," she stated airily.

"If it makes you feel any better Faye, the last thing I wanted to do today was to set my eyes on you," retorted Zelda.

"Isn't that lovely for you?" asked Fayette.

"Look Faye, if you came here for something, why don't you just spit it out, instead of picking a fight with Zelda?" asked Aaron. Fayette started at the young soldier in surprise. He had never, ever spoken to her in such a way.

"Well..." was all she could say in an aloof tone. Zelda raised one perfectly shaped eyebrow at her step-sister expectantly.

"We're all waiting Faye," she said.

"Am I not allowed to socialise now, without a reason?" demanded Fayette after a few moments of spluttering.

"If you call arguing with me socialising, I'd hate to see you being anti-social," said Zelda cuttingly. Fayette placed her hands on her hips.

"Really Zelda, do you have to be so...so hostile towards me?" asked Fayette angrily.

"Huh? You started it, as I recall," accused Zelda.

"Come on you two, don't start with this again," said Link trying to calm the two down a bit.

"I won't be slandered by her without having something to say about it," said Fayette, raising her voice slightly.

"Slander? I don't need to do that Faye, everyone already knows what a little...what a little conniving snake you are," said Zelda, her voice also raised.

"Ha! Well at least my husband wasn't an immoral little peasant!" said Fayette, getting slightly carried away.

"Well excuse me!" said Link, offended by Fayette's comment. Zelda couldn't help smiling a little at hearing her husband adopting his old phrase. He hasn't said it in years. She quickly turned back to the task at hand.

"He wasn't married to you long enough to realise what a witch you are. And, by the way, my husband is not an immoral peasant. He happens to be Hyrule's national hero, and you're just jealous because the best you could ever do was marry some half baked merchant who bought his title!" said Zelda, her voice starting off low, and getting higher.

"Uh Zel, are you sure you should talk about Ray in that way, he wasn't that bad..." warned Link. But he was interrupted by Fayette.

"That's a fine way to talk of the dead! But then you always did prefer to deface those who were dead, so they couldn't answer back, just like Leigh!" spat Fayette furiously.

"Oh don't bring her up again! You weren't exactly all sweetness and light when it came to Leigh either, in fact I can remember it was you who tried to spread some extremely vicious rumours about her, so don't go on at me about her!" raged Zelda, mad at Fayette for even mentioning the woman's name.

"Ooh, touchy aren't we?" asked Fayette, sensing she'd gained the upper hand over her step sister.

"Oh why don't you go and annoy someone else?" asked Zelda, suddenly remembering she was with company.

"Yeah Fayette, you've done enough stirring for one day," said Selina.

"Oh, and there's another one. Are you sure they're yours Nick?" asked Fayette. Nick stepped forward.

"How dare you..." he began angrily, but Selina quickly placed one hand on his chest.

"I wouldn't bother Nick, she isn't worth it," she said quietly. But Nick ignored her.

"How dare you ask me such a question, and insult my wife. You're not half the woman she is, and you never will be," said Nick, his voice angry. Fayette looked a little taken back, it wasn't usual for the king to raise his voice, with anyone, although he had with Fayette once or twice.

"Well, I was just concerned for you, there's no need to be so..." began Fayette.

"Faye!" chorused several of the crowd. Link stepped forward.

"I think you should go, before you upset anyone else," he said in a calm voice. Although Link was quite a bit taller than Fayette, she still managed to look down her nose at him. Link held her stare.

"Fine, I'm going. But only because I have far better things to do," she relented, before turning and swanning away across the hall.

   "I really can't believe that girl," said Nick shaking his head after Fayette had gone. "Sometimes she takes things more than just a little bit far," agreed Damon.

"You're telling me," said Zelda, finishing off her drink. Nick turned to Selina, and smiled gently.

"I'm sorry she had the chance to say that, and in front of you," he apologised softly. Selina smiled up at her husband.

"It wasn't the first time," admitted Selina.

"What?" asked Nick. Selina gave him a wry smile.

"She asked me beforehand. She has some nerve," said Selina.

"You're telling me," said Nick, looking annoyed.

"Thank you though, for sticking up for me, you didn't have to," said Selina.

"It's what you deserve. I couldn't stand by and let her get away with saying that. I really don't know who she thinks she is," said Nick.

"Well, thank you anyway," said Selina, leaning up and giving her husband a quick kiss.

"Hey you two, you're making the rest of us jealous!" cried Drake. The couple turned back to the group, sheepish smiles on their faces.

"Yeah, there's plenty of time for that later," added Dion.

***

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