Disclaimer: I do not own any aspect of the Legend of Zelda series.

A/N: This story was inspired by a picture I saw on the North Castle Zelda Fan Art Gallery. It's a picture entitled Home At Last by the artist Ingie. Check it out through the link in my profile.

Royal Duty

She bounded down the stairs of her home eagerly, a lavender blanket draped around her shoulders. As soon as she saw him, she sprinted across the living room and fell into his arms. It was the first time she's seen him in nearly a year.

In one fluid motion, he slipped his left hand under her knees and picked her up bridal style. A warm smile graced her lips as he held her close. She closed her eyes softly and inhaled his scent as fire snapped, crackled and popped noisily behind them.

"I missed you, Princess," he breathed quietly.

"Mmm," was all she could say as she inhaled his scent. She was just enjoying the fact that he was home for now, holding her. She sighed contentedly.

Moving towards the couch, still carrying her, he sat down, and let her head rest in his lap. He kicked off his boots and let the fire warm his feet. They rested comfortably that way for a while, him playing with a few of her stray bangs absentmindedly. He gazed lovingly into her eyes, wondering how it was possible for anyone to be as beautiful as she was.

Breaking his train of thought, she reached up and ran her soft hand along the side of his face. She backtracked to trace a scar just above his right eyebrow she was all too familiar with; it was the only scar that remained from his first encounter with Ganon.

"How is the war?" She asked. Hyrule had been at war for a while now fending off the last of Ganon's henchmen and his loyal Gerudo clan, keeping them from reaching Hyrule's gates.

"Bloody," he answered disgustedly. "Nothing new, it's all the same. We don't know who's winning, though the enemy hardly poses a challenge. There are just so many of them. Every time we turn around, there's another pack to fight."

"I'm glad you're home."

Her tone was soft and gentle, and he knew what that meant. He knew she always worried for him when he went into battle. He also knew that she often had dreams of him never returning. And as much as she tried to hide her fears, he could read her face like an open book.

"You know I'd never leave you."

That seemed to ease her troubled mind for now. A silence came upon them and within a short while, she was asleep. He knew how much she hated his job. And as much as he disliked worrying her, he had to remind himself that his job was not only his duty to his country. It was also his duty to her, the Princess of Hyrule, to protect her and keep her safe. And for him, nothing would stand in the way of that.