Think I've replied to all my reviewers, if I've missed you out I apologise. Now for those who I couldn't reply back to:

thereviewer – Yeah Link is gonna need a lot of hugs, I'll give him one for you. Don't worry I laughed at your review, I wouldn't take that to heart. Bring your walrus I like parties, though good look getting in with my German Shepherd X Rottweiler he's my guard dog. Same with your emo guy, though he might not like me since I'm what people call a 'chav' but a nice one believe it. Hey I've gotta give Link a break, but there's still more harshness to come. Sure get the explosives ready, and I'll take a pork sarnie if you're gonna roast him. Oh yeah and I'm a girl, lady, woman, whatever you get the picture.

Lordetron911 – I can use a mouse with my right hand, it's just typing with only one hand that's a pain in the backside. Hey maybe you and 'thereviewer' can team up, he wants to shove explosives up his rear end, so maybe you can provide the cannon.

emmagination – Thanks for the review I can't reveal that just yet, but you will find out soon as well as a little insight on some of the things that has happened to him.

Disclaimer: I don't own 'The Legend of Zelda' never have, never will.

Zelda sat by Link's bedside watching him sleep, one hand held his good one while her other stroked his head. Link had passed out shortly after he had quit his struggling, so it made it easier for a knight to carry him to a room next door to Zelda's.

His tunic and hat lay neatly folded on a table after Impa had changed his bandages, and heavily wrapped his broken wrist. Zelda looked down at her own-bandaged wound and sighed. Maybe she should have done something about Ganondorf. Sometimes she was too forgiving for her own good.

Zelda smiled at Link's peaceful face. He wasn't so tense when he slept. His face was relaxed and didn't show any signs of fear or pain. She dreaded his reaction when he woke; just when he was starting to open up to Zelda, Ganon had to knock him back to square one.

Maybe it was her loving nature or maybe it was something else. Either way she wanted to protect Link and show him there was more to him than just suffering and pain. The sun was starting to set, and Zelda was getting tired, with a little squeeze of his hand Zelda moved his hair and placed a soft kiss on his forehead.

"Sleep well… Link."

With a final look of longing, Zelda exited his room and addressed the knights outside.

"Nobody is to enter this room except for myself and Impa. Is that clear?"

"Yes, your highness."

Zelda watched the knights' bow before nodding her head and entering her own room. Zelda was exhausted but sleep wouldn't come, she tossed and turned trying to find a comfortable spot. Each time her eyes closed Link's terrified face and pain filled scream would make her snap her eyes back open.

The room was etched in darkness, indicating it was the middle of the night. She couldn't remember ever dosing off but she guessed she'd had maybe, three hours sleep at the most. With a sigh, Zelda dressed and headed for the room next door.

The door shut with a quiet click as Zelda turned and headed towards the seat she had previously occupied. The moon shone just outside the window lighting up the room more so than it did hers, Link's light breathing filled the silence as she once again took his hand in hers. His broken wrist rested over his stomach, rising and falling with each breath he took. Zelda's eyes started to drop, and she too fell into a peaceful slumber with Link's slight snoring acting as her lullaby.

The light of the morning sun shone over the blond haired boy, causing his eyes to twitch and a sleepy groan to escape his lips. Link couldn't remember a time when he had slept so soundly, he decided against lifting his right hand when a dull throb shot up his arm. It felt heavy, along with a weird sensation in his wrist.

Instead, he attempted to lift his left hand to move his hair that had fallen over his eyes. Link turned his head when he realised something was keeping him from moving his hand, his eyes narrowed in confusion when he saw his sleeping Queen in the chair holding his hands tightly.

Flash backs of yesterday's events rushed to his mind, Zelda protecting him, Ganon using him as a punching bag, and the excruciating pain in his wrist. Despite the ache, Link lifted his broken wrist to rub his head as Zelda's voice echoed inside his head.

'Forgive me Link. It's for the best. Unhand him NOW. Link! Stop struggling NOW. Sleep well… Link.' Link stared a Zelda a little longer; he was confused; she never gave him any orders for when he awoke. Would she me mad if she found him still in bed?

Link turned to the door as it began to creep open. He tried to pull his hand away, but Zelda's grip was just too tight. Link began to panic; he was never allowed to sleep in this late, and he was touching the Queen. His body shook as he bowed his head when he saw a figure enter the room.

"There you are; I had a feeling you would be here."

Zelda stirred, and turned towards the voice that had awoken her, blinking the sleep out of her eyes.

"Good morning to you too. Link, how do you feel?"

Link looked between Impa and Zelda unsure of how to respond. He sat frozen leaning against the headboard, blankets pooled in his lap, and Zelda still holding on to his hand.

"Link? How is your wrist?"

Zelda stretched, releasing his hand now that she was fully awake. Link bowed his head as he cradled his wrist to his chest. It was a little comfort gesture as if it would somehow stop them from grabbing it and causing him more pain if they so wished.

"Can I take a look?"

Link jumped back when he realised how close Impa had become, a startled gasp escaping his lips. He cradled his wrist tighter, shaking in fear when he remembered Ganon's agonising grip. He deserved it he thought, a fitting punishment for touching the Queen of Hyrule.

How could he be so stupid? Someone as worthless as him laying hands on the Queen. No wonder Ganon broke his wrist; the message was clear. A thief has their hand chopped for taking something they shouldn't, so why not have their wrists' broken for touching something they shouldn't?

Zelda watched a range of emotions flicker through his eyes, then finally a look of understanding before going back to his emotionless stare.

"Link, whatever you're thinking about, stop it. None of this was your fault; you didn't deserve this. Think about it, if we didn't care what happened to you, why would we bother to heal you?"

Zelda felt like hitting her head off the nearest wall. It was clear words were not going to get through whatever walls Link had built up, she would have to show him.

"Link, look at me."

Zelda could see through his blank stare, the look of fear was still very much present. It was clear Link didn't trust Zelda not to snap any second and attack him just like Ganon had the day before.

"Give me your hand." Zelda asked.

"…you're good one." Zelda added as an afterthought when his gaze flickered to his broken one. She held her hand out expectantly, only willing to meet him half way. Zelda watched as he brought his shaky hand up. He paused and hovered his hand over hers. He swallowed thickly and slowly brought his hand down, cringing expecting to be hit as soon as their skin made contact but kept his hand there.

Zelda said nothing but slowly closed her fingers around his hand. She could feel the tremors that racked his body, her heart broke, but she held firm. If he was to conquer his fears, he must meet them head on.

Impa shuffled her feet, she had lost track of the minutes they had sat there unmoving still in the same position. Zelda stared at Link whose gaze was on their joined hands, his shaking had subsided a bit, but it was still there. There was still mistrust in Link's eyes; did he think she was simply playing a game?

A little longer and Link's shaking had stopped, yet Impa still didn't understand what holding hands was going to achieve.

"My Queen, May I ask what the point of this is?"

Link jumped at the sound of her voice, his breath quickened but kept his gaze on their hands. Was he supposed to move now? He didn't understand any of this, a petty commoner holding hands with the Queen it was out of his comfort zone, he could feel his heart beating faster; he was starting to panic.

"Since I know Link won't answer, I will ask you." Zelda caught Link's eyes making sure he was listening closely before turning to Impa. "Listen up Link. Impa what are we doing?"

Impa stared at Zelda as if she had two heads, was this some trick question? "I don't understand."

"State the obvious Impa, what are we doing?"

"You're holding hands?"

It came out like a question, that is what they were doing wasn't it?

"Am I hurting you Link?" Zelda directed her gaze to Link; she waited patiently until he lifted his eyes to meet hers before slowly shaking his head.

Of course she wasn't hurting him, he wasn't bleeding yet.

"So I've been sitting here for at least 20 minutes since you first touched my hand, tell me I have once caused you pain in that time."

Link held her gaze as he once again shook his head, totally missing her emphasis on the word 'you'.

"Don't you see Link, you touched me."

Link stared at their joined hands before a look of recognising washed over his face. He snapped his head back up to Zelda's face, swiftly moving his hand back to his lap. His body shook with terror. Was it going to be a repeat of yesterday this time with his left hand? With that thought, Link bowed his head clenching his eyes shut; trying to brace himself for the pain, he was expecting to come.

Maybe that was what Zelda was waiting for him to realise he was the one that touched her first; it was his entire fault, yet another punishment he could have avoided. He shouldn't have touched her whether she asked him to or not, that's what she was doing testing him, and he had failed.

"Why the change of heart, Link? Have I given you a reason why I didn't want to hold your hand? Was I hurting you?"

Link stared at his palm not having the courage to meet her eyes. He was in his zone trying not to think about what his punishment would be, or how much pain she wanted to inflict. It was one of the most basic of lessons Ganon had drummed into him, and he could still hear his voice echoing in his head. "Worthless scum like you have no right to touch royalty." Along with the twenty lashes he got just to make sure he got the point.

Impa nodded her head towards Zelda finally realising what she was doing.

"A very wise approach Zelda."

Zelda placed her hand back in Link's.

"You don't have to associate touch with a beating Link. Relax; I don't expect you to open up today or even tomorrow. Please, all I ask is you don't shy away from me. I only want to help, as I said before I'm not going to hit you nor will I ever cause you any kind of pain. Trust me."

Zelda was about to give up; not even that approach had seemed to work. Link hadn't responded, he just kept his head bowed staring at their hands in his lap. Zelda closed her eyes about to pull away, when very slowly she felt Link's fingers close around hers.

His grip was shaky yet firm, he was still nervous she could tell. It was a baby step, but one she welcomed with open arms. She was shocked when Link lifted his head, a breath-taking smile plastered on his face. Zelda laughed as tears of happiness streamed down her face; his first real smile.

Zelda abandoned his hand to wrap her arms around his neck, all the while being careful of his broken wrist that still rested in his lap. Her body shook with tears but she made no move to stop them. Link tensed at her embrace, still not used to contact and unsure of what to do. He made eye contact with Impa who gestured with her hand to hug her back, very slowly his left arm curved around her, his hand resting on her lower back.

Zelda pulled away wiping her tear stained face.

"Thank you."

Link let out a surprised gasp when she cupped his face and placed a gentle kiss on the same spot on his forehead. Zelda thought she had went too far when Link bowed his head and fiddled with his bandages, but when she leaned back on her chair she laughed a little noticing the red blush that covered his face…