I don't own Zelda. To the fortunate sods who do…damn you.

--

As Link was not permitted to move around much, he ate all his meals in bed. He accepted this for the first lunch of his stay in the healers place, but by dinner time he was bored with sleeping and wanted to get up for a while. When Zelda brought in his tray of food, he voiced this to her. She giggled and smiled at him.

'What's so funny?' Link said, annoyed, folding his arms over his chest, 'I hate being stuck here. It's too…comfortable. I prefer doing everything myself, making my own food, sleeping in mud…'

'Now Link,' Zelda said, placing her hand on his shoulder, 'You shouldn't complain, you're sick, and these people are trying to help. The poison isn't gone yet and moving around a lot will make it increase and spread.'

'I know,' Link sighed, 'and I'm grateful to them, but I'm just not used to being taken care of…'

'Well just rough it for a little while...Besides,' The princess added with another giggle, 'As one who has tasted your cooking, I really don't see how this is a bad thing.'

Link tried to look upset at that insult, but he couldn't help the small smile that formed of its own accord. He sighed.

'I guess its ok then….' He grinned. Then added in his mind; 'At least I get to spend more time with you this way...'

Zelda looked satisfied she'd tamed him for the meantime and handed him the tray of food. His face brightened and started to shovel it in at an amazing speed. She thought about what he said, then reached forward and placed her hand on his forehead. He froze, surprised by her cool touch, a light blush creeping across his face.

'Uh…Princess?'

'Your fever is down,' Zelda stated, taking her hand away. 'If it's gone by tomorrow, I'll talk to the healers about letting you get up for a little while…But only a while! I don't want my favorite hero dying before he's even eighteen.'

Link smiled brightly. He sat up carefully and pulled the princess into a hug, being cautious not to tip the tray on his lap.

'Thanks princess, you're a good person.'

Zelda blushed and pried herself from his grip.

'I just want you to get better, Link…'

Link nodded and started to eat again. Zelda sat in silence until he'd finished, then took the empty bowl and tray, said goodnight and left for the kitchen to help with the dishwashing. While she stood there, the healer drying the plates and putting them away smiled at her.

'So how's the patient?'

'He's getting better…' Zelda answered politely, 'Thanks to everyone here.'

'Hm, It's fairly unusual for a person to be better after the dose of poison he received...I think you might have more to do with his speedy recovery then any of our medicine.'

'What?' Zelda looked up in surprise, confused, 'What do you mean?'

'Only forty-nine percent of wellness is in the body, the rest is in your mind and heart. I imagine it's your love that makes him want to get better so fast.'

Zelda went bright red, and stared open-mouthed at the woman. The woman smiled, and put the last of the dishes in the cupboard. She then curtsied and walked away. Zelda stood there for a moment in shock, then slowly walked back to her room.

--

Zelda lay on her bed, curled up under her blanket, staring out the window at the purple-ish night sky.

That woman had somehow figured out she loved Link, but why had she acted like Link shared those feelings? Link wasn't really that kind of person, to fall in love, let alone with a princess that he had been hired to guard…But then again….He wasn't doing it for money…No, he would never accept money….Then why had he kissed her? And what was that hug at dinner? And why was he getting better so fast?

Unable to come to a conclusion, she groaned in exasperation and rolled over; slamming her pillow over her head like blocking the room would make all her troubles disappear.

--

Link was woken by a cool hand on his forehead. He opened his eyes. Princess Zelda smiled nervously at him and took her hand away.

'Sorry I woke you,' she said, looking away, 'I was just checking to see if you were any better…'

'It's ok,' Link grinned, yawning as he sat up. He then wiped the tiredness from his eyes and looked at the princess expectantly.

'So, uh, is my fever down?'

The princess nodded. Link's face lit up.

'Can we go now?! Please?'

The princess sighed in mock exasperation and smiled.

'Yes, you are allowed to go for a short walk around the property, I thought we could have breakfast outside…?'

Link nodded and kicked the blankets off as he jumped up. He quickly walked over to the chair where his clothes were slung over and started to unbutton his pajama shirt. He suddenly stopped and looked at the princess sheepishly, blushing.

'Uh, could I get changed?'

Zelda went bright red, not realizing she had been watching, and walked out of the room, closing the door behind her.

--

It was really beautiful outside of the healer's home; it was set on top of a hill, with the forest around the bottom, and a stream running on the outskirts, a little gazebo near it. Zelda led Link down the hill, though it took a little while as he was still weak, and they sat on the bench in the gazebo. Zelda opened the picnic basket she had brought and got out a sandwich plate. Link thanked her and tore into them. The princess giggled, taking his gusto as a compliment of her chef skills and began eating also.

'Um,' Zelda said nervously after a few minutes, 'Link?'

'Yes, princess?'

'Do you…Do you like me?'

'Of course I like you,' Link smiled, 'You're a very good person.'

'N-no…' Zelda blushed deeply, staring at her hands in her lap, 'I meant…Do you have any romantic feelings for me?'

Link almost choked on his food. He coughed and spluttered for a moment, then managed to draw breath and swallowed.

'Are you ok?' Zelda asked as Link panted.

'I'm fine….Um, feelings? Well….Does it matter if I do?' Link asked with a fake smile, going red, 'If I did it wouldn't really change anything, you're a princess, I'm some kid from a farm, chances are I'll never see you again after I take you to the safe house. Anyway, I'm all done with the food; you want to head back up?'

Without waiting for an answer, Link pushed himself up and started walking up the hill as fast as he could.

'Damn it,' He thought to himself, feeling panicked, 'How did she figure it out? Oh man I should never have kissed her!'

Back at the gazebo, Zelda sighed and started to stand up. She thought so…

--

Yup, crappy chapter I know, bear with me, ok? And please review quick-smart.