The days turned into weeks, and the Hero and Princess were busier than ever in a time post-Ganon. The Castle Town was returning to normal, the ice in the Zora's Domain was almost completely melted, and monsters left behind by Ganon's reign were chased off or destroyed upon notice. Zelda could never begin to thank Link enough for his contribution in the revival of the land – his appearance made the whispers of her disappearance for seven long years less noticeable.
Today, the couple – Zelda smiled at that word – found themselves helping out in Kakariko. Townsfolk in droves began to move out to the village in hopes of something quieter, and the princess and Hero of Time were there to help oversee construction and allocation of resources. With a little friendly help from the Gorons and their superior strength, things were looking better than ever in Kakariko.
Zelda felt a peck on her cheek and jumped. Link hung off a rafter on a new building, smiling at her, upside down. She grinned and shoved his helmet over his face. Before she could chastise him, the workers hooted and hollered. The two blushed and looked away.
"When you gonna make her an honest woman, Link?" The foreman teased. Zelda rolled her eyes.
"Get back to work! Sun down is nigh, and the foundation for the new marketplace needs to be done today!"
The foreman chuckled and went on his way. Link dropped from the rafter and dragged Zelda to a corner, hidden away, to steal a kiss away from prying eyes. She melted in his arms – like always – and returned the kiss.
To her disappointment, he broke away.
"Easy there, Princess. I'm a gentleman, and a gentleman saves himself!" He teased, tickling her side. Zelda grabbed his hands away and threw them off her, pretending to be annoyed.
"Don't say such inappropriate things!" She protested, and they smiled once more at each other.
"You should head home." Link replied, changing the pace of the conversation. "Impa will worry if you're not behind Castle walls after sundown."
Zelda sighed, resigned to the truth in his words. "Yes, yes, of course. I'll fetch my horse and an escort for the way home. Will you be home for dinner?"
"Probably not." He admitted. "But I'll make sure to see you before you head to bed."
"I look forward to it." She replied with a twinkle in her eye. Link grinned, turned her and gently pushed her off. "On your way, then!"

"Still an unfinished plate, princess."
Zelda sat at her nightstand, brushing out her hair, dodging Impa's invasive questions. She stared at herself in the mirror, blankly.
"Is it your figure you're worried about? I assure you, a couple pounds are healthy for a girl your age." Impa continued.
"I'm not worried about my figure, Impa, though I thank you for your candor in the matter." Zelda retorted, annoyed at the mention of her weight. "I've just not been hungry as of late. It's really nothing to trouble yourself over."
Impa shook her head, and sat at the princess' bedside. Oh, Zelda thought, here we go.
"I would believe you, princess, but…" The attendant trailed off.
"Out with it, then. It's not like you to be hard for words."
"Well, I haven't had to change your moon cloths since we've returned." Impa looked at Zelda in the mirror. Zelda avoided her, as nonchalantly as she could.
"It's common when a girl doesn't eat that she should become… irregular. Impa, this is a most inappropriate discussion to have!" Zelda chided her, setting her brush down and turning to her attendant. "I won't have such personal discussions with anyone but my doctor!"
Impa raised a brow, and Zelda immediately regretted her choice of words.
"I can't recall the last time you snapped at me, either, your highness." Impa seemed to tread carefully, but she irritated the princess no less. "I've been told when someone is grieving improperly, the intense stress can cause them a lack of appetite, mood changes and irregularity. I'm only concerned for your wellbeing, Zelda. Goddesses, you're all we have left of the royal family. Should anything happen to you…"
"Nothing is going to happen to me, Impa." Zelda smiled. She reached forward and grabbed Impa's hand. "Perhaps you are right, and I could use help dealing with Father's death and all that's happened to me. But I assure you, I'm in peak physical health. If it will calm you, I'll speak to someone about this. Alright?"
Her attendant relaxed a bit. "I'm grateful. Thank you, princess."

Impa left and Zelda was left with her thoughts for a bit. There was nothing to tell anyone, because there was no problem. Nothing she could not handle on her own… Sometime later, as she laid in bed, the princess awoke suddenly. She sat up, and realized a fairy was in her room!
"Why… Hello, little one." Zelda whispered. "What are you doing out of the Forest, and at such a late hour?"
The fairy whizzed around her head, dizzying the princess. She giggled. "Enough, now! What is it?"
The white little creature circled around her room before leaving out the window. It hung outside the frame.
"What is it?" The princess asked. "You want me to follow you?"
Zelda donned a robe and located the back staircase to the courtyard beneath her bedroom. She snuck past the guards – who'd call her a loon if they saw her chasing fairies! – and found her new little friend. It flew past her and deeper into the courtyards.
"Wait!" She whispered loudly. "Come back!"
She followed the fairy to a part of the courtyard she'd always loved. It was surrounded by crystal waters, decked with darling flowers, and just happened to be the first place she met Link. As she entered the courtyard, she noticed someone standing at the far-end, upon the staircase.
"Who's there?" Zelda asked. Just then, the courtyard lit with the colors of green and white all around her! The figure she'd seen was none other than Link! He stepped forward, and she saw he wore a blue tunic, red cape and golden shoulder blades, which she recognized as regal knight attire. Zelda gasped and walked towards him.
"Link… What are you doing here? What are these lovely creatures?"
"They're sprites, from the forest." He answered softly, smiling into her eyes as he took her hands. "They're all over the Kokiri Forest and Sacred Forest Meadow. I brought some with me, for this."
Zelda's stomach fluttered. "For what?"
Link cleared his throat and took in a big breath. Her heart stopped. This couldn't be happening! It had to be a dream…
"I had a speech pr-prepared, but… I can't think straight, right now.." He laughed nervously. His hands, in hers, were sweating. "Zelda… You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. You're so much more than beautiful… You're brilliant, and witty, and strong… You're my best friend."
Link knelt down on his knee. The sprites stood in place, lighting the courtyard dimly. "Princess…"
Her eyes welled with tears.
"I have to have you by my side, no matter what, for the rest of my life. Zelda," The Hero held his breath. "Will you marry me?"