I recieved some really lovely feedback on the last chapter, and it has filled my heart with so much happiness and gratitude! Thank you all for reading and helping me to improve as a writer- it really means a lot to me. Here's Chapter Two!

The days were growing longer, allowing for pleasantries such as lounging lakeside or picking apples from trees with the children of Hateno village. Not that the duo had much time for leisure, in Zelda's research of ancient technologies rediscovered through the calamity and Link's broody training in fear of the return of such an evil. They had not yet worked out how to preserve the Guardians safely the way that the Shiekah had intended all those years ago, and while Purah, Symin and Zelda were by no means short of intelligence, they were seemingly sparse for inspiration.

The Princess now sat at the main wooden table by the entrance of the lab, her head buried in the Shiekah slate and poring over it's unique abilities that had guided her Hero to her side just in time. Her hair was pulled back and secured in a blue ribbon that she'd found, but strands still escaped from the updo to pool messily on the surface in spirals that flickered like flames whenever she moved her head. The slate made noises that felt almost attentive in response to Link, but it didn't make any noise back at her the way she hoped it would. Even when she raised it in the direction of the closest shrine it remained silent, almost mocking, as the screen faded to black every time.

Exhaustion was tampering with her patience, and she jabbed at the screen accusingly, muttering insults under her breath as she fiddled with it, tried pulling it apart and putting it back together again repeatedly. "Bloody ridiculous," she cursed, dropping it with a resounding sigh and receiving pitying looks from the other researchers.

Her chair screeched as she stood up, gathering her things and storming outside to head to the village. There was a light drizzle of rain but she paid no mind, her footsteps sloppily smacking the mud and coating the soles of her boots with cakey dirt in her determination.

As if on cue Link appeared in her peripheral vision, jogging to keep up with her. He was wearing a red tunic, covered in various straps that helped keep his shield, sword and bow tidily sheathed behind him. For once his hair was down, hanging shaggily at the sides of his face and keeping the blaring sunlight and rain from his cheeks. He seemed out of breath, and Zelda guessed he'd been training too hard- as usual. She remembered how he had lectured him in the past about 'babysitting' her, but the genuine concern in his eyes then and now made her bitter comments die in her throat.

She knelt while trying to ignore his presence at the feet of the small Goddess statue, closing her eyes and basking in its warmth. She had felt so much more connected to Hylia since the calamity had ended and her abilities had shown themselves in their full glory. Maybe it was all in her head and her sealing powers had fuelled her ego, but she was welcoming the change. Now she felt less despair when praying and more peace, as though the heavens themselves were sending her their strength and adoration.

"I feel as though you are listening," she murmured softly, a little smile finding her lips in spite of her stress. Link turned his head guiltily but she wasn't speaking to him, and when she opened her eyes again they focused on the clasped hands of the statue. "I am here in search of guidance, strength and wisdom," Zelda continued, "all of which seem to fail me as of late. As I'm sure you have noticed."

Link swore he could hear a giggle from the statue that echoed so softly it felt like it was coming from inside his head. He went to touch Zelda's shoulder reassuringly, but she batted him away, just as it felt she had been doing for weeks. He hated feeling useless.

"I suppose it is a lot to ask, but I mean well, you see I've been trying to prepare the future, leave a legacy of sorts, one that will make my people proud when I one day take my place as their Queen."

A breeze tousled her hair in response, lightly caressing her face before rustling the bottom of the Knight's tunic as he watched her nervously.

"I pray you forgive me for falling short, I have a habit of doing that. I trust that the holy powers will be patient with me, as I will with you, sweet Goddess."

"She can hear you," Link interrupted, causing the Princesses' eyes to wander to his boots, "I think she is proud of you."

He remembered how she would fill his heart with warmth and strength whenever he would pray to her at this very spot, and it made him unfold his arms with a newfound confidence, "She would speak to me, and I would hear it in my heart, not my head or out loud. It was always fleeting, but I know she was watching- no, guiding me."

His kind words made her blush, and so the Princess bowed her head humbly, resting her hands on her knees. She hadn't realised they had been clasped to her chest as the statue's had also been. "I feel that too," she whispered, "I didn't before everything… happened, but I could feel her beside me when I faced Ganon. And I could feel you, and it made me feel strong."

The silence between them lingered with unspoken affection and grief so heavy it was tangible and sat on their shoulders with insistence. She stood, brushing herself off and finally noticing the rain that had developed into a shower, swirling clouds turning yellow overhead as twilight neared.

"We have a lot of time to make up for," Zelda said.

Link nodded, running a gloved hand through his tousled hair before folding his arms once more, a sign of retreat back into himself. She turned to the statue and touched the head of the Goddess lovingly, like a mother to a child, and the very action filled Link with a strange feeling of what could only be described as deja-vu, as though he had been here before, or experienced this feeling that he couldn't put his finger on. He felt the Goddess' presence between them as the sun begun to set. He could hear parents calling their children back home for the night, and he wondered if they were frightened of monsters even here, in a place so safe and even after the Calamity.

"I suppose we should head back to the Castle eventually…" She continued, trying to quietly hint that he should breach the subject of leaving to Purah. She couldn't imagine that the lady would be too happy about them leaving her hospitality, but she had a duty to fulfill, and as such would do so as the future Queen. "I hear your good friend Hudson is doing a good job at rebuilding Castle Town, and it shall be back to its' former glory in no time. At least I shall remain hopeful for that."

Link nodded once more, a grin gracing his Hylian features at the mention of the construction worker. He had no doubts that the place was doing well, but the threat of the looming blood moon in a few nights meant he had to go there anyway to clear back out any resurrected Guardians until Purah and Zelda could finally work on that preservation technique they were searching for.

"I'll talk to her," He promised, "And while I'm there could you please do me a favour?"

She knew he didn't like asking for such things from her, and the way his grin faded proved that, so she knew it was serious, "Of course?"

"There's a letter on the desk in my house over the bridge for Prima, could you deliver it to her?" He was already walking back to the Lab, and all Zelda could do was nod, wondering what business he had with the innkeeper but not having the heart to ask.