Thanks to all my reviewers: ultimateCCC, Nintendoes Gamer, A True NaZaMi Fan, WolfishLink, Lady . Zayriah, Guest, KEN, Mini, Generala, Lilac Gemani, Diva, Bloodspire, Astercia, ShadowQueenMidna, and EllaSwanson, and for everyone who added this to their favorite or alert list!

Chapter 4:

Zelda was conscious by the time the first rays of the sun cast blinding shafts of light into the room, creating an orangy tint over the lids of her eyes. Her arms were gently pried off her source of warmth and the bed rose, indicating Link's departure.

That was fine. She cuddled more into the blankets and continued to sleep, chest rising and falling with each shallow breath.

She was exhausted. After last night's activities she wanted nothing but to stay in bed all day.

She heard the creak of the door and then the soft padding of footsteps as someone crossed the room, carrying the clean scent of soap and sandalwood. The bed dipped, fingers caressed her face, trailing along the curve of her cheek.

Zelda sighed in bliss.

"Zelda, it's time to get up."

She pretended not to have heard him, but then he gently shook her shoulder and her eyes accidently slipped open. She shut them swiftly afterward, but it was too late. He had caught her in her deceit.

"Come on, we have plans for the day," Link said persistently.

Knowing that her ruse had been blown, she groaned and rolled over, facing away from him.

"You wanted me to sleep. Well, I'm sleeping," she murmured, brushing a few twisted strands of hair away from her face then resumed snuggling into the pillow.

How was it that a bed could seem like a cold slab of stone at night, yet in the morning it became the most softest and comfiest thing in the world? In that case she and Link must have done an exceptional job breaking it in. She felt like she was on a fluffy cloud.

There was a grunt of impatience. "I didn't mean sleep all the time."

She pulled the blankets over her head to ward off the light. "Should have worded yourself better. Goodnight."

"Zelda," a note of irritation had entered his voice.

Zelda brushed him off, "I said goodnight."

"It's morning, not night. Get your hours straight at least."

"Then good morning. Now would you please leave me to sleep in," she said grumpily. She was losing valuable sleep time because of him. He may be the most handsome devil she'd ever laid eyes on, but she wasn't about to jump at his every whim. She could ogle him any day; sleep on the other hand was a rarity.

Link grumbled darkly, "We have things to do today, if you laze around in bed you'll miss everything."

"Well darn, that's just too bad for me."

He didn't appreciate her sarcasm, and that was shown as his hands suddenly gripped the edges of the blanket and yanked it down and off. Zelda reacted instinctively. She shot her hands in front of her to block the light, simultaneously charging them with magic.

Link jolted as sparks flew from her fingers and collided with his arm. He fell back onto the mattress, wincing as he pushed himself up, rubbing his wrist. "Hey! I said no magic."

She sat up, stretching her arms out and yawning widely. "Force of habit. The castle maids never liked it either."

Link moved so he was sitting on the edge of the bed, keeping a good distance away from her. "You are one insufferable little queen."

"I have a right to be."

Link rolled his eyes. "Apparently. Now get up."

Instead of listening to him, Zelda flopped back down on the bed, uncaring that she was denied her blankets. The room was warming up anyways, and the heat of the sun felt good on her skin.

"Zelda!"

She smiled but didn't say anything. Let silence be her answer.

"Ignoring me won't get me to change my mind."

"Doesn't hurt to try," she mumbled into her arm. "Besides, whose fault is it that I'm this tired? Yours!"

"Oh? And who was it that was doing practically all the work?" he countered a bit smugly. "Me. If anyone, I should be the one still in bed."

Zelda smirked. "You could always join me. Or, I might be inclined to muster up enough energy to continue where we left off last night."

"You're a vixen," said Link in exasperation, pausing, although Zelda thought he might be considering. "How about if I promised you more strawberries."

Almost imperceptibly her ears twitched in interest. Link – the devil – sought to further tempt her.

"With chocolate sauce dip and whipped cream."

She peeked an eye open. "This for breakfast?"

He laughed, a deep-throated tenor that made her insides quiver. "I'm surprised you settle for what the cooks at the castle make for you. With your love of sweets it's amazing that you don't have something like this for breakfast everyday."

That was all it took for her to give in. She held out a hand and Link grasped it and pulled her up into a sitting position. She stretched, back arching in such a way that she knew would heat Link's blood, then swung her legs over the side of the bed and got up, her satin nightgown smoothing out to just above her knees.

"Well I can't just let myself go," she replied, as she moved about the room gathering items for a bath. "Cook always say's that I have to watch my weight. It is unbecoming of a queen to lose control over herself like that."

"Rough," said Link in feigned sympathy.

"That's life," she responded with a yawn, moving into the bathroom where the tub had already been filled with steaming hot water. Link followed her in and sat on a stool, watching her undress, eyes roving heatedly over her. The intensity of his gaze sent a delightful shiver down her spine.

"Some of the other royals certainly let themselves go over the years. I've seen portraits of your ancestors. Not all of them can boast a trim figure like you can," he said, leaning on his forearms.

Zelda dipped a foot in the water, testing the temperature, then immersed herself entirely, sighing softly. The water was warm and soothing, bobbing just above the curve of her breasts. She relaxed in it, letting it wash away the tender aches from their intercourse. Link coughed and shifted in his seat, crossing his legs. She held back a smile and began to wash, lathering her hair with scented lotions.

"Of course. Not everyone can exert such impeccable control as I," she said, spreading the suds down her neck and over the curve of her shoulders, taking her time as she appreciated Link's aroused reactions – subtle though they were.

Link shifted uncomfortably and tossed her a sly smile. "I don't know about that. You certainly didn't display any of that esteemed control last night-hey!"

He wiped furiously at his eyes, clearing out the wad of water she had splashed at him.

Zelda laughed and dunked her head.

They rode out in the sunlight, edging along the tree line as they made their way eastward.

From her position mounted on her horse, a stunning black mare from Link's stables by the name of Dryad, she took full advantage of her unobscured view of Link's dorsal side atop Epona. She could practically see his back muscles rippling through his shirt with every movement he made, every time he tugged on the reins, leaned forward or backward as Epona took the slopes. Her eyes feasted hungrily on his every maneuver.

Her staring must have made him anxious for he twisted around to give her a questioning look. "Is there something the matter, Zelda?"

Zelda thought for a moment, taking the time to flit her eyes over the muscles at work for that small action. "As a matter of fact…there is."

She kicked Dryad's flanks to speed her up a bit and pulled alongside Epona, every other step causing her leg to brush against the red mare's side. For all his battle-hard experience and quick-as-light reflexes, Link was completely taken by surprise as her hand was brought down on his cheek.

His head snapped to the side, eyes wide in bewilderment. Slowly he turned to level a glare at her smirking face.

"And what," he growled lowly, "may I ask, did I do to warrant that?" He rubbed the blossoming red mark on his cheek with ire.

Her eyes narrowed, smirk gone. "You tied me up! I can't believe you had the impertinence to tie me up!"

He looked confused for a moment before realization hit and he shrugged, smiling. "What sort of villain would I be if I didn't get that part at least right. I seem to be going easy on you as far as villains go. I should have you tied to the bedposts, at my mercy," he said, eyes glinting with mischievous intent. "Not that I need to, you're always more than willing." At her death glare he quickly cleared his throat. "Besides, I couldn't have you trying to get away with magic. Tying you up seemed like the best option."

"Yes, well," said Zelda sharply, gloved hands choking the reins, "not that I could do anything at the time anyways. What was in that blasted smoke?"

"No idea," he said frankly, wholly unconcerned. "I got it as a gift from Barnes in Kakariko. It's a new bomb he created, but instead of doing damage it's meant to slow down your enemies, make them weak and easy to take out. I'll have to give him my thanks and a generous tip the next time I see him."

"I shall have them outlawed as soon as we return to the castle."

Link looked at her aghast. "Is that really wise? Many people use them in defense against the beasts of Hyrule. Would you be able to rest at ease knowing you'd be making easy meals of them? Bokoblins in particular are known to enjoy Hylian flesh."

She sniffed, steering her mare around a cluster of trees. "If they are to be abused then I shall have no choice but to ban them."

"They'll just end up in the black market," Link said plaintively.

She didn't think they'd ever be in that high of a demand, but accepted his point. "Then I shall have to ban your possession of them."

Link threw his head back and laughed. "Hah! You can try."

She shook her head, smiling at him fondly. Of course he was right. No power in the world could prevent Link from doing anything he wanted to do, nor could it keep him from anything he wanted. It took two long years and an endless amount of strife on both their parts to realize that.

Zelda didn't know where they were headed, but from their direction following the morning sun she could guess. This guess was proved correct as they broke through the trees and Link led them down a well-trod path that ended at Lake Hylia.

They moved to the southern banks, somewhat obscured by a formation of large rocks. Link chose a secluded stretch of turf with a couple of thin trees as a place to stop and swung off of Epona's back. He dug into her saddlebags, piling items in his arms.

Zelda was in good spirits as she followed Link's initiative and dismounted. She plucked out an apple from her bag and let Dryad eat off her hand, rubbing circles on her furry cheek.

She really was a good horse. Zelda had been moderately surprised when she'd seen that Ivy manor's stables had been full of mares with not a stallion among them. Link certainly was the ladies man. Or perhaps that was more a show of preference.

Once finished, Zelda left Dryad to roam knowing that Link would have trained her to stay close.

She wandered over to where he was bent, flattening a large square cloth over the grass. He sat on it cross-legged and motioned for her to join him.

Eagerly she lowered herself beside him but then he grabbed her wrist and yanked her across his lap, arms wrapping tightly around her.

"Liiiink!"

He squeezed her shoulders. "Hush, lest you frighten off all the wildlife."

She had a mind to elbow him in the ribs but thought better of it. Hurting him now would limit his ability to please her later. Sprawled over his legs, she shifted to a more comfortable position and looked around irately. "What wildlife? That cucco?"

Link darted his head in the direction of her gaze to see a molting grey bird clucking around on a small island out over the lake. It paid them no heed as it busied itself with digging up the ground in search of grubs.

"Ah. I believe you've just found us our lunch." He began to move her off of him but Zelda held on tightly.

"Don't you dare! Cuccos are known to kill in flocks," she said, panicked. It had been a fear of hers ever since her father had told her of a frightening story when she was young, about a boy who would abuse animals, carrying cuccos above his head, tossing them around, making them carry him through the air, and hitting them with sticks. The story ended with him being pecked to death, skin shorn and shredded.

"If I can get it in one blow it won't have time to call for its flock," said Link, attempting to pry her off.

But her fear was rabid. "I don't feel like eating cooked cucco anyways!"

"Well I do."

"Please, Link." The slight whine in her tone usually worked as well as a pout. Link abruptly stopped his struggling, and sighing, slumped back, letting her have her way. Just like he always did… well usually…

"Fine," he grumped, holding her loosely. He grumbled incoherently and then said, "I don't understand it. You eat cuccos all the time."

She smiled secretively. Ashei was right. Link could be such a pushover. "Well I'm usually not there when they're being slaughtered."

"So you're squeamish about death? Have all those hunts been some sort of deceptive ruse to fool your court?" he asked, teasingly.

Zelda shifted uneasily. "Well no, and I have the pelts as proof. You've also seen me slay bulblins and bokoblins before. I am ashamed to say that death and meting out death is a very intricate part of my person."

He tossed her a lazy grin. "As long as it is in battle, or self defense."

Her reply was instant and not roundabout like Link's had been when he'd been faced with that very same question. "It was."

It also ashamed her to know that on certain occasions she even enjoyed the killing. It had the effect of sending a thrill through her. Each time she became alive with sensation and motion. The hunt was a sport as much as it was for survival, and slaying the dangerous monsters that roamed her land was a game just as it was a cleansing. It was horrible to her to think of it as such, but that was the verity of the situation.

Link must have noticed her unease for he squeezed her shoulders in a tender show of affection.

"Well then, Lady Death," spoke Link softly, "let me just say that life is also a part of you, giving it and saving it." She looked at him inquisitively, but he just carried on. "All women are blessed with the ability to create life, but not many are blessed with the power to heal as you are. You and your light magic can do incredible things. You have the power to destroy and to create." He cast her a small grin. "As for me, the most I can do to save a life is hand over a bottle of red potion. My strength lies in harming others and ending lives."

Her heart went out to him, pounding so wildly it was near bursting in her chest. It astounded her every time he could say these most significant things and make it all sound so trivial, and each time her adoration for him grew.

She hoped he could see the love she conveyed for him through her eyes. Words, it seemed, would never be enough.

Zelda placed a hand on his cheek, brushing her thumb across it softly. "You do save lives. Everyday I either see or hear of something you did that went into saving a life. Saving does not have to mean rescuing from death. It can mean just making another person's life better. Giving them light in their darkness, even if it is only a small sliver."

He gazed down at her, his expression neutral but his eyes were heated.

In an abrupt movement he smashed their lips together and she eagerly responded, both determined to express their ardor in that glorious connection.

Zelda sighed when they finally pulled away. Somehow Link never failed to make her feel more loved than she already was.

He leaned back on his hands and tossed her a grin as she wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning into his deliciously chiseled chest. "So, it's just the cuccos, is it?"

She nodded dazedly. "Just cuccos."

"That's fine," he said. "Good thing I brought gear meant for various tasks."

This time when he nudged her to get off she went willingly. He fetched the package he'd unloaded from Epona's saddle and laid it out before them. Zelda eyed it with keen interest. It was long, wrapped in leather and tied with a black thong. She thought it might be one of those dismantling fishing rods until Link opened it up.

"Bows? Link!" she accused frostily.

"For fishing," he said adroitly, grabbing one of the bows and plucking out a coiled string. He fastened it across both ends of the bow then held it out to her.

Zelda reached past to snatch the other one. "I think I know how to string my own bow."

He pulled back, smiling indulgently. "Of course."

He plucked one of the quivers from the pack. Slinging it over his shoulder he walked over to the edge of the water. From there he braced his feet shoulder-length apart and angled his body. He reached back to draw an arrow then expertly nocked it, aiming the point at the water.

Zelda quickly fastened the string on both nocks, taking a moment to admire the lovely leafwork design along the back of the bow. She took a position further down the bank so that she wouldn't interfere with Link then readied her arrow, latching it to the string and drawing it back. Sighting down the shaft she trained her eyes on the water's surface, waiting for that telltale darkening that signified the movement of aqua life.

If it was necessitated she could remain still for hours in wait for game. Many times patience had won out and she was rewarded with prize catches. The buck whose antlers hung in her dining room at her private hunting lodge had been one such prize. It hadn't been too hard to pick up his trail and track him to a wide-open meadow but then she had had to silently stalk him until he came close enough for a clear shot. It was painful bringing such a magnificent creature down, but also invigorating. The meat had been distributed to many people that day, along with the pelt. She'd only kept the antlers for herself to remind her of the fragility of life and the care she must take to preserve it.

There was a zip and then a small splash. Link gave a cry of delight soon followed by the sound of sloshing water as he waded out to claim his prize.

Zelda remained still, her level of awareness not extending past the wide section of water in front of her lest she miss her chance.

Her ears twitched as she heard the rustle of grass as Link sidled up next to her. "No luck, miss sharpshooter? Pity, it seems you did scare off all the wildlife after-"

He was cut off as she released, the arrow piercing the water with a small fwoop. Something shimmering gray floated up, the shaft sticking in the air like a mini javelin.

She grinned. She was about to go retrieve it but Link had already waded out. Yanking up the carcass by the shaft, he scrutinized her catch then plodded back to shore to compare it with his own.

"Mine's bigger..."

"Oh, men and their bloody sizes!" she exclaimed, setting bow and quiver down on the leather wrap before kneeling on the blanket.

"Here, I'll gut them while you start the fire," said Link, grabbing his hunting knife and setting to his task.

Zelda snapped her fingers and a spark of fire ignited above the tips. She swirled her hand around, making it bigger before setting it to hover in front of her, blazing warmly.

Link gave her a downright vicious look and snorted, returning to his gutting. "What was it I said about using magic?"

"You told me to start the fire," she responded, eyes dancing in the firelight. "So I did."

"I meant you to do it the proper way," he said stiffly. "Find wood and kindling then while away for hours rubbing two stones together until I can come help you and show you how it's properly done."

So he wanted her to be dependent did he? Link should really know better. She flashed a hand out in front of her and made to scrutinize her nails. "And chafe my poor delicate hands? I think not. Minister Raleigh would suspect you of abuse and we can't have that."

He mumbled something about her being a cheeky woman. Thankfully she didn't catch the rest of what he said. After he was done he washed his hands in the lake and stabbed the fish on a pair of pointed sticks then plunged them into the ground near the floating flame.

Zelda fluttered her fingers and the fire flared into two rings and proceeded to encircle the fish.

Link looked at her horrified. "What are you doing?"

She blinked at him, her mouth watering at the appetizing aroma of cooked fish. "Speeding up the process."

"No! We do this properly. We cook one side of the fish then turn it over to cook the other side."

"But-"

"You're lucky I don't make you put out your witchcraft and start a fire the right way," he snapped.

Abruptly she shot to her feet, her lips pursed. "Witchcraft, is it?" Turning on her heel she stalked away, blood boiling beneath her skin, along with a small splattering of hurt.

The nerve of him! She knew ever since the Twilight fiasco and Midna's departure that Link had become abnormally sensitive towards magic. It made him uneasy and sometimes it appeared as if he outright despised it. But magic was an intricate part of her, he'd said so himself when he'd spoken of her healing. It was her magic that aided him in the defeat of Ganondorf, her magic that had saved Midna from expiring after Zant's attack. Not all magic was destined to take something away from him. Not like his humanity...not like Midna...

No more than five steps had been taken before her wrist was snagged by a calloused hand as Link pulled her back.

"Wait! Zelda, I didn't mean it!"

She tugged in an attempt to pull free. "Link, let me go."

"No, wait! Please, Zelda, I was out of turn. I shouldn't have said that, it was vicious and rude. I promise it won't happen again."

Zelda paused, anchored in place by Link's firm grip on her wrist. She pulled experimentally only to find that he would not give way. At length she sighed. Really, she was too forgiving for her own good.

She titled her head back to look at his pleading expression, his face filled with remorse. She twisted her hand to intertwine her fingers in his, smiling softly. "You are forgiven. But, I shall hold you to your promise. No more thoughtless comments."

Relief flooded his face as he gripped her hand tighter. "Whatever you wish, your majesty." He brought her hand to his lips and placed a tender kiss on her knuckles. "Now, let's see about having lunch."

"Whatever you say, hero," she voiced wryly.

The fish were done when they returned to them. Zelda plucked her stick from the ground, face falling in dismay as she turned it over. "This side is charred…"

Link looked at it then took in her dismal expression and sighed, handing his over. "Here, we'll trade."

"Really? Oh, thank you," she said, beaming. As soon as the exchange was made she bit into it. Resigned, Link ate the charred fish and winced at the added burnt flavor.

They burned the bones once finished and washed their hands in the lake. They then spent the rest of the afternoon lazing around on the blanket. Link had suggested going swimming but Zelda had merely looked at him askance.

"Have you seen what I'm wearing?"

He eyed her up and down and shrugged. "It's a light dress, shouldn't be too hard to swim in."

"It's white, Link! It'll become transparent."

His eyes had taken on that familiar glint and he surreptitiously raked them over her. "And that's a bad thing…?"

She swatted him on the arm. "If we encounter a Zora, or if someone happens to ride by and see us, then yes it is."

Links face then hardened. "No swimming."

Currently they were seated across from each other playing a game of cards. Zelda was greatly enjoying herself. It had been so long since she had the time to engage in something so simple, although annoyance ate at her as she was losing. It used to be that she'd win four out of five rounds against him, but Link must have been playing a lot as of late for now it proved to be the opposite. She wouldn't put it past him to be spending all his free time at Telma's.

A wave of clouds rolled in and blocked out the sun. Wind started to pick up and Zelda shivered at the sudden coldness.

"It's about to rain," said Link, gazing up at the greying skies. "We'd better pack up. The manor is over an hour away. The weather might slow us down a little, but we should be back before nightfall."

Zelda certainly hoped so. She had no desire to be caught up in the dark while it rained. She felt miserable just thinking about it.

Hurriedly Link rewrapped the bows and quivers, stuffing the wound strings in his pocket. Zelda rushed to gather up the blanket and cards. Link whistled for Epona and Dryad and soon they were trudging up the short incline to the path that would take them directly to Faron woods.

It had begun raining by this time. And it was not a gradual process that started with small droplets, then drizzle before pouring down in full shower. The first steps were skipped as the clouds went right to showering.

Zelda huddled beneath Link's cloak after he'd stubbornly insisted she take it, arguing that she was wearing very little compared to him. It had been tucked away in his travel bag, something he kept habitually in Epona's saddlebags. Link had resorted to using their picnic blanket as his own means of coverage, although it did very little to protect him from the downpour.

Their horses ambled up the path at a slow pace. They dismounted when it became too steep to safely ride without risk and led the mares by their tethers. It was hard going, her clothes dripped heavy with water, mud sucked on her boots making each step a challenge.

Link constantly looked over his shoulder to check on her and Zelda would give a strained smile and nod to reassure him. They were almost up the path. Once they reached the forest the trees would shelter them.

Dryad snorted, expressing her dislike of the situation as she clopped wearily along. Zelda patted her nose in sympathy. Once they were home she'd see to it that the mare got a nice brushing down and a pail full of oats.

However, as Dryad took her next step the stones beneath her fell loose and she slipped, losing all traction in the mud. Neighing in terror, she lost her footing and fell over on her flank, sliding down the ridge, hauling Zelda along with her.

Zelda was yanked off her feet and sprawled in the mud, drifting down with the terrified horse. Lightning struck and Dryad neighed in panic.

"Link!"

Zelda snagged a jutting stone and pulled herself up. She dug in her heels and wrapped the reins around her wrist, pulling with all her might. They were close to the ridge and it was steep and far down enough that if Dryad fell over there'd be no saving her.

"Zelda! I'm coming!"

A roar of thunder and Dryad panicked. She tossed her head and scrambled to get up. Zelda reached to grab her around the neck but was slammed away as she was hit by Dryad's flank. She lost her hold on the reins, the world tilting as she fell backwards. The ground suddenly disappeared beneath her and she plummeted over the ridge. The last thing she heard was a frantic cry from Link before her head hit something hard and darkness consumed her.

A/N: Couldn't help but add a dash of adventure into the plot. I hope that's okay with everyone ^^.

Ah, and there's the sappiness... I attribute that little part to my mushy brain.

One thing...don't ever try fishing with bow and arrows. If you're anything like me you'll fail at it. Miserably. And live with the embarrassment of trying for the rest of your lives.

On a side note, just to make it clear, it never struck me that Link held any sort of infatuation towards Midna. They had been close as really good friends, but I believe that is the extent of their relationship. I doubt they would have been able to tolerate each other as anything more. Midna always seemed rather rambunctious and she'd need someone who could keep up with her, not roll over at her every command (sorry Link).