Link woke up early, and for a second, he had forgotten that he was injured, before absentmindedly pushing himself out of bed and falling onto the floor. Groaning slightly, Link opened his eyes again and pulled himself back up onto the end of his bed. Feeling more alert, he remembered that he still had to make sure Zelda was happy, and was desperate not to end up forcing her to take care of him. Suddenly, he heard a large bang as Zelda burst into the room. Link was surprised that she was already awake, but even more surprised that her dress had a large scorch-mark, and she appeared to be a lot more awake and out of breath than he was.
"Link, I heard a noise. Are you alright?"
Link raised his eyebrows momentarily in surprise, but soon regained his composure and responded.
"Yes, I'm fine. What are you doing up so early?"
Zelda blushed and muttered something about breakfast, before helping Link up and escorting him out of his room, despite Link not asking for help. He was about to say something and ask why she was leading him out when he saw what she had done. Gasping slightly, Link looked around the room to see that everything had been cleaned furiously, and there was even a bowl full of fruit next to a steaming plate of fish. Wondering how Zelda found the time to do this, he turned back, but before he could ask her anything, she meekly said,
"Do you like it?"
Link was in too much awe to answer for a few seconds, before he found his voice and stammered out,
"I… I love it!"
Zelda blushed and smiled, but was soon asked more questions by Link.
"How did you find the time for all this? Did you do it all yourself?"
"I just woke up early Link. After all, I couldn't have you doing all of this yourself with a hurt leg."
Link looked down at his leg for a split second after being reminded of his injury, before forcing himself to look up with a smile and reply, "Thanks Zelda, I really appreciate this."
Zelda blushed even more and tried to suppress a giggle, but failed. Link, meanwhile, had started looking on the floor for something. Before Zelda had the chance to notice and ask what he was doing, he carefully stepped over to an old curtain rod, then hobbled over to where his old knife had been placed. While Zelda was still wondering what he was doing, Link started to whittle down the end of the rod for a few seconds, before he tapped it on the floor a few times, and then, having decided it was sturdy enough, used it as a makeshift crutch to get back across the room to the table. Now it was Zelda's turn to be impressed.
"Link, that was amazing!"
"Oh, it's nothing. I could never force you look after me for days."
Zelda's face fell slightly as she thought of the chance of helping Link slipping through her fingers. However, she was still eager to show him that she wanted to help. Sitting opposite him at the table, she quickly grabbed the knife and fork she had laid out and started to cut his food, only stopping when he called her name.
"Zelda, you don't have to do that, it's not like my arms are broken."
"But it's no trouble! I insist!"
Link gave Zelda a strange look, then decided not to interrupt her. However, after she had finished cutting up his food, she put some on the end of his fork and held it in front of his mouth. Link raised his eyebrow and tried to talk to her.
"Zelda, what are you doing?"
Zelda slowly realised what she was doing as she put down the fork and blushed. There was an awkward silence between the pair until Zelda sheepishly muttered, "I'll get you some water…"
Zelda was glad that Link couldn't see her blushing face as she walked to the sink and got Link a glass of water. Walking back to the table, she sat down again and looked sheepishly down at the floor. She desperately wanted to help him, but she knew that she was beginning to go too far. Absentmindedly, she swung her leg a little, accidentally poking Link with it. She didn't hurt him, but it startled him enough to make him choke on the water he was drinking and spill it. Even though Zelda knew she shouldn't try and be overly helpful, she couldn't help grabbing a napkin instinctively and dabbing at Link's tunic, startling him even more.
"Zelda, what are you doing? I'm not a child!"
Zelda paused and slowly sat back down again. Feeling humiliated with herself, she looked down at the floor to avoid making eye contact with Link. She had tried to be helpful, but she had failed. Zelda turned away from Link and stared harder at the floor. Willing herself not to cry, Zelda took deep breaths and tried to think happy thoughts, but one thought kept coming back into her mind.
"You can't help him, and you never will. You're useless."
Zelda tried to force herself not to cry, but as she closed her eyes, she heard herself sniffing and whimpering. Cursing herself for making this breakfast more awkward, Zelda opened her eyes for a second and noticed something.
No tears. No sniffing. Feeling strange, Zelda realised that she had heard someone crying, but it wasn't her. Letting her mouth fall open in shock, Zelda turned to see Link, with his face buried in his hands, weeping. Zelda was full of nerves. Link had seen her cry multiple times, but Zelda had never seen anything like this from him. Slowly swallowing her fears, Zelda pulled her chair up next to Link and put her hand on his shoulder and rubbed it gently.
"Link, what's wrong?"
Link was shaking, but he anxiously raised his head just enough for Zelda to see the pained expression in his blue eyes. One of his hands slipped free, so Zelda clutched it softly, then squeezed it. Link's sobs appeared to slow down, but Zelda knew now how she could help. Wrapping her spare arm around him, Zelda pulled Link into a hug and held him tightly for a few minutes. The tears kept coming, but Zelda kept holding him. Rubbing her hand across his back, eventually Zelda heard the tears coming to a close, so she whispered to Link,
"What's the matter, Link?"
"It's…" Link began, interrupted by a short sob, "I feel useless Zelda. I'm the only hero in the whole of Hyrule who can't move his leg! How am I meant to look after you if I can't even walk?"
Zelda kept her arms wrapped around Link as she replied. "I know how you feel."
Although Link didn't say anything, the look in his eyes told Zelda he was wondering how.
"Link, I feel useless here. I can't help you, I keep hurting you, and you've given me so much. I really do know how you feel."
"Zelda, you're not use-"
"You're not useless either Link. Think about it. You took me in, gave me food, shelter, looked after me when I was sick, forgave me when I hurt you… you've done everything for me. What have I done for you? Nothing!"
The positions were reversed, as now Link was feeling better, while Zelda was beginning to cry. However, Link managed to stop her by comforting her.
"Zelda, you've done much more important things than that. You've kept me company, you've been my friend, Zelda-"
Link gently grabbed her chin and made her look at him.
"You've made me happier than I've ever been since I can remember. That's more important that food or shelter."
Zelda cracked a smile, but it soon fell.
"I just wish there was some way I could really help you…"
Link thought for a second, then sighed and asked Zelda a question.
"I was planning on going through Gerudo Desert later. I need to get to the desert colossus. I wasn't going to ask you because I was worried you'd get hurt, but… now that I think about it, I might need help. Would you like to come?"
Zelda's face immediately brightened up. "Oh, Link, I'd be delighted! When will we go?"
"I don't know. Now, if you're ready."
"Oh Link, this is so sweet of you, I'll go and get my cloak now!"
Link blushed as Zelda ran off to get ready. On the one hand, he was making her happy.
On the other hand, he really hoped she wouldn't get hurt…