Chapter I
"Don't you think it would sound better in the tones of your own voice?" the Great Deku Tree replied.
Zelda was quiet. His response shocked her—but she quickly understood his intention. She nodded, a faint smile forming on her face.
It had been some time since that encounter. A hundred or so years, in fact.
Calamity Ganon had fallen waste at Link's hands. With the help of the deceased Champions and Zelda's own sealing power, Hyrule was once again safe. Beyond all this, her Hero had returned.
"We have a lot of work to do," Zelda remarked. She looked out upon the expanse of Hyrule from a tall hill—Link rested against a nearby oak tree.
"Do you ever relax?" he asked the princess. She scoffed. "Just because we've solved one problem doesn't mean that others don't persist," she replied. "You of all people should know that."
Link shrugged. "I do know that, Your Highness," he responded. "I just suppose you owe yourself a break after all of the…madness."
Zelda smirked. "I can take a break when I'm dead. And for goodness sake—stop calling me Your Highness! It's dreadful and boring."
"As are you," Link replied. Zelda turned to him with a frown. He put his hands up. "I'm joking," he said.
It was rare that he talked this much. She thought it odd, but enjoyed hearing the sound of his voice. Usually it was the other way around.
Her voice.
Her mind was quickly taken back to her conversation in the forest. The Deku Tree's words rang in her ear.
She contemplated.
"Princess?" he asked. He knew her mind was elsewhere.
"Hm?" she replied. How could she possibly tell him?
Link stared back at her expectantly. He was a good listener.
How could she tell him in her own voice? How could those words ever leave her tongue?
"Link," she said, quiet.
He held on to the silence, waiting.
"I—I think I'll try to relax more. Thank you," she said.
Link smiled. Zelda turned back to the scenery, her heart concaving.