Zelda Laid her back against the cool ground. It felt amazing. Her previous endeavour was a unique one. Link didn't typically talk that much. She took note that he did only seem to talk when he was extremely overconfident or angry. Which, during the majority of that fued, he was both. Link had fallen asleep after tending to wounds. Zelda only just noticed how late it was, and began to prepare a fire.
Zelda gazed at the view of vah Ruta. The realization of just how close they were to Zora's Domain began to set in. Right, the entire reason they left in the first place. She found herself consumed with dread. She wanted to go to sleep and never wake up. No! That's stupid thinking, she thought. Long ago, Urbosa had said that this type of negative thinking was counterproductive, and only made your dread worse. However, the princess couldn't help but be scared. She imagined herself walk into the domain, her head down, doing all she can to avoid eye contact. She could hear the angry mutters, "It's her. The princess who failed her people, and killed our Lady Mipha." Her thoughts swirled around her mind. She imagined the horrible looks she would receive for her incompetence as a princess. She had been useless in leading and protecting the Champions. She had the sealing power, yet Link did all the dirty work. For the past 100 years, all she came to be, was nothing, nothing but failure.
A sharp burn cut off the princess's thoughts. Her mind drifting had caused her to lean her hand in the fire. She grumpily muttered, and searched Link's bag for a means of healing.
"What's on your mind?"
Zelda flinched from Link's sudden question. She had concluded he was fast asleep, however, he was merely playing dead. She neglected to answer his question honestly. "I'm fine, just….. thinking about.. the future." Zelda mumbled. Her answer was both right and wrong.
"Anything else? I didn't just see you purposefully burn yourself, did I?" Links voice rose slightly.
"No worries. I just got deep in thought, and accidentally touched the fire." Zelda snapped . She tried to sound confident, but she was begging the conversation to end.
"You need to relax. Not everyone is out to kill you. If this had anything to do with going to the domain, then I promise you that the worst you'll get is dirty looks from Muzu." Link Placed his hand on Zelda's shoulder, "Please, everyone is really nice, especially the younger zoras."
Zelda was losing her composure. Link's comfort should make her feel better, yet she grew more anxious.
"Look," Link said, "When I first came there, yes, it was awful. Elders hated me...I hated myself. I hardly knew why, but I did. But all it took was a few nice people who made the experience livable. And after I reclaimed Vah Ruta, the elders started to lighten up a bit, even Muzu! He even apologized! Muzu! Apologizing! Please realize that I already threw out some of those previous tensions. I'm sure people who remember you will be very happy to see you." He consoled.
Zelda practically forgot how to talk. She believed Link, but at the same time she didn't. She was tired, upset, and embarrassed with herself. She wanted to just sleep off the grief. She moved Link's hand off her shoulder, and said in a monotonous tone, "Your right, lets just go to sleep." she turned to Link and gave him a fake smile, "Okay?" Link looked only half-convinced, but nodded. He turned over slowly as zelda tended to her burn. To think only hours ago, her and Link were having fun with their adrenaline, and some feisty monsters. Now, she wished the monsters had struck her dead.
Once again she found herself under water as she dreamed. But this was different. She could breath, and hear slightly. The eyes that normally stared her down were strangely absent. She could hear a muffled voice of a woman. Concentrating hard on what she was saying, Zelda made out a few words.
"Why...acting...Helpless! ….For you! ...Some backbone! We don't...Time. The children...important than…. overdue… childhood...! Shape up….change your ….. gone."
A nearly painful silence followed. Meanwhile, Zelda was confused. What was this? Why is she dreaming it? Is it an old memory she doesn't recall? Is it perhaps, an omen?
Suddenly, loud thumps rumbled across Zelda's ears. Footsteps maybe? Then the world went black and cold. Zelda slowly woke up.
"Zelda, We need to get going." Said a voice. Zelda slowly crawled up in confusion. She then recognized Link, who was already set up for travel. Embarrassment swallowed the princess.
"oh-OOOH-of course!" she stammered, "Yes-uh- j-just give me a few moments!" She had been so caught up in a dream that she was running them late! She snatched her travel wear and scurried out of sight to get changed. After what was about eight minutes, she ran from behind trees, pulling up her left boot, and hopping on one foot. Link had a stupid grin on his face.
"It's usually me who runs us late. I guess we switched today." link teased.
Zelda shot a glare at him, and quickly gathered her things. But then a realization hit her, the sheikah slate was cracked! She panicked, and looked at Link, who had it at his side. He looked down at the fragile piece of tech.
"Yeah I know, It still works though. We just need to be extra careful when using it. The screen still works!" Link chimed with a comforting expression. Zelda relaxed a small bit.
"Then we're off I suppose." Zelda muttered, unsure of the future. The domain was in view, and was certainly of walking distance. The princess took a deep breath, and moved forward.