( AN: A oneshot of Zelda's affections for Link. Assume this is well past OoT and both are adults once again. Reviews are appreciated, constructive criticism is golden. )
My feelings for him... I will admit here and only here that I did indeed harbor them.
Perhaps I was a frivolous child infatuated with the ideal. I humbly think this to be true. I loved Link, but what right did I have to that love? He probably thought ill of me. I'd not blame him. I had no idea how childish my ambitions truly were, until the unforeseen occurred and he was sealed within the Sacred Realm for those seven years. I waited anxiously for him, secretly wishing for his emergence every day. When he did awaken, I lied to him; using the facade of Sheik to lead him to his destiny. While I am certain he accepted his fate as readily as I did mine, I regretted my deception, necessary as it was.
I saw parts of our entwined destinies in the throes of unrestful sleep, brief but distinct signs that refused neglect. Knowing this, it pained me to accept that even if genuine, it was not meant to be. How would he contend with the wickedness of others - nobles and his own generals who would challenge his authority without due punishment? They would not be the straightforward enemies that would cower at the Sword of Evil's Bane...Though without a sliver of uncertainty I knew as the Hero of Time he would protect me and strive to preserve this beautiful land of Hyrule...yet he was someone else's shining knight.
In the depths of my heart, I knew I had to relinquish those feelings.
As a child, when I saw him again, the feelings of my former self had dimmed in my regained innocence. I looked upon the boy with the fairy not as the answer to my dream, but as a friend. A friend I ironically had time for.