AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey, guys! Thanks for coming back to read this chapter! Please remember to comment your suggestions or anything else about the story. Please enjoy the story!

(I do not own The Legend of Zelda)

"Raising my sword to level it I braced for the attack."

"How?" Zelda asked disbelievingly.

"How?" He repeated, confused.

"How were you able to retain such strength despite everything? Your father was dying, every single one of your soldiers was dead, you were five, and you yourself were dying!"

"Don't you see? That's why I could keep my strength. My fallen comrades, my father . . . they were my strength. The beatings and torture, too, even though it was a different kind. The kind that made me want revenge for everyone, and even though it's selfish, for myself, too."

"I . . . I didn't think of it that way. You make a good point, but feelings and emotions can only get you so far. By the sound of it, any normal human being would've already died. I understand that emotions can be your greatest weapon, but they can't win the battle by themselves. You were gravely injured, how were you physically able to move?"

Link stood and pondered the thought, the night breeze gently pushing his hair.

"I guess it'd have to do with faith," Link concluded.

"Faith?"

"Yes, faith. Faith that I'd win, faith that I'd get my revenge, faith that-"

"But what you're saying is that you had faith in your emotions and that brings us right back to the start- emotions don't win battles by themselves," Zelda interrupted, clearly frustrated. Link wondered why she was so invested in this detail of his backstory- he was living proof that emotions can prevail. Then he saw it on her face. She believed him. She wanted to know how she could use the same power he did to get stronger.

Link sighed at the thought.

"You are right, indeed- that brings us to where we began. But now our emotions are stronger, now they are powered up by our beliefs- our morals. Yes, emotions can't do much on their own, but that's why they aren't actually the weapons in the battles. They are the forgers who make the blade, who sharpen it. They make you stronger, they sharpen you to a point. When you're weak and are about to break, they fix you. And the better the forger, the better the result- the stronger you become. Without those emotions I had I would've died in that cell. But I couldn't die. The forger just kept fixing me- willing me to stand. Do you get it now, Zelda?"

Zelda stood rooted to the ground, completely losing whatever argument she had had cooking up in her head. Her jaw was visibly slacked and she seemed to be taken aback by what he had said.

"Zelda?" Link asked, trying to regain her concentration.

" . . . Oh! Sorry, um . . . yes, yes you make a good point. But, uh, how did you figure this out when you were five?" Zelda was still very clearly bewildered, but she was doing a better job of hiding it.

"I never learned that. The only way I learned was in their cave hideout. Believe it or not, I was actually one of the worst soldiers that had, another reason why my father was so worried about my plan of attack and why he was so surprised when I managed to take two of the bandits out. Honestly, Zelda, it's an in-the-moment deal," he explained as best he could.

"If what you say is true, then why don't they teach the other soldiers that?" Zelda questioned, very much so involved in Link's point of view.

Link's face seemed to brighten a tad as he smiled. He loved the way that she was asking questions. Every good warrior wants to know the best secrets- wants to know how they can get strong fast. He saw all of that in Zelda's moonlit face- as well as in her questions.

"Are emotions something that can be taught?"

"Well, no, but-"

"That's why. Yes, you can tell them ahead of time that their emotions are their greatest ally, but what's the point if they won't do anything with it? All commanders and trainers give this information to their troops. When I started out here the information that I'm giving to you is the very same information that was given to me." Link stated, sweetly, but it was not obvious.

Zelda's eyebrows furrowed in concentration.

"So . . . they couldn't use their emotions for battle unless that was how the goddesses shaped them? Unless it was part of their genetic makeup? They couldn't learn to?"

There was a slight unease and worry in her voice that Link happened to pick up on. He smiled in response to it.

"Don't worry, Zelda," Link comforted, placing his hand gently atop her head. "I've known you for a long time. It's good to make decisions that require wisdom with the mind, yes, but it is good to use your heart in the heat of battle- as well as feeling pain and growing strong and impactful relationships. I see those things in you Zelda. I know you can accomplish anything that you put your mind to."

Zelda looked up at Link, eyes unsure and doubtful- a look that he returned with a smile full of hope.

Lips quivering, she lept into his arms, letting him embrace her. Link's arms wound confidently around her as she nuzzled her head into his chest.

"T-thank you, Link. I don't know why I'm even crying! It's all so stupid . . ."

"Don't say that, Zelda. You know as much as I do that everyone gets impacted in different ways by different things. The fact that you're crying about what I just said to you proves I was right in saying so. You're going to be a great warrior-queen, Zelda." He held her closer, letting her tears soak his tunic. He wouldn't feel it regardless because of his armor, but even if he could it wouldn't matter.

"Oh, Link. I don't deserve you . . ." Zelda mumbled into his tunic.

"It's quick the opposite really, Zelda. I don't deserve you. You may not see what I see now, but give it time. You will." Link replied encouragingly.

"But . . . but what if I mess up real bad? What if I'm not meant to be queen? What if I die on the battlefield, believing I was meant to be a warrior and leave the kingdom to ruin? What then?" Her voice wavered unsteadily from the sudden and unexpected surge of tears that began streaming down her face, only to be soaked up by Link's tunic.

"Don't worry, Zelda-"

"But it's my job to worry, Link!" Zelda pushed herself away from Link,shouting angrily, not angry at him, but at her own responsibilities. "My job is to protect my kingdom with flawless wisdom and dexterity with the public. I can only fake so much before being queen, but when I actually become queen what am I to do, Link?"

"I'm not sure, Zelda, I'm really not. But that's because I'm a knight, not a king. I know nothing of the politics and government that you and others control because it is none of my business. But listen to me when I say this, Zelda, " He grasped her shoulders and looked her directly in the eyes as he spoke. "You are the only person that I would want to work under. If it is for you, Zelda, I would gladly offer my life. You will be a wonderful queen, especially if you make mistakes. Every queen was once in your shoes, your mother included. They were all worried and scared, maybe they even did this alone, but you won't have to. I will be there with you every step of the way. No matter what, Zelda, I will always be there for you."

END NOTE: Hey, guys! Hope you liked this chapter! I thought that we should take a break from all the action, and trade it instead for some wholesome moments with Link and Zelda- hopefully, you guys agree! But anyway, that's all for this chapter! Don't forget to comment, and I will see you guys next chapter! Bye!