They never did get sleep, but for a while, they managed to doze, placated by their activities. At some point Zelda woke up and considered going back to her rooms. She even dressed and opened the door, but by some coincidence the door to her own room was opening, and she caught sight of Tilly shooing one of the slave men out of the room. The sun slowly crawled over the horizon, and soon, another day in the desert began.
Link and Zelda spent their morning together as was their routine, lying naked in the bed and kissing. Zelda was half on top of him, one hand gripping his arm for balance.
"I'll wake up early every day if it's like this," he said with a chuckle. "When I can lay with you properly, we'll have a thousand children if we're not careful."
"We'll be careful," she assured him. "My estate couldn't support a thousand children when Hyrule was booming."
He kissed her neck and stroked along her smooth back. "I hope you don't plan on buying too many dresses. I like you just like this."
Zelda laughed and blushed. "Look at it this way, you can always help me take them off."
"I hope you won't have to dismiss Tilly, you won't need help with that."
"Are you going to be willing to dress me as well, then?"
They started kissing again, and Zelda was considering going for it, lifting herself up slightly and Link staring up at her in adoration and anticipation when there was a knock on the damned door and some jerk came in followed by Jalila.
"Din's teeth!" Link cried, sitting up and almost smacking his face into Zelda's. Zelda shouted in warning, almost falling off the bed when she tried to duck behind Link. "Don't you knock?!"
"We did," Jalila pointed out.
"W… well at least give a man some time to get out of bed and get dressed!" He pulled up the bedsheets, trying to cover the two of them as best he could, but of course Zelda's clothes were puddled on the floor in plain sight.
"I apologize. I simply wish to inform you and Her Majesty that breakfast will soon be ready, if you would care to join us?"
"W… well why couldn't you've sent someone else to tell us."
"I had a thought that you would prefer discretion." Jalila smirked and left with a little wave.
Zelda lifted her head up, looking at the closed door, then at Link.
"We're miserable at sneaking around, aren't we?"
"… yeah. Yeah, we are." He sighed. "Might as well clean up and get dressed."
\
Absolutely nothing of interest happened over the next few days. Well, Zelda learned how to play some of the Gerudo card games, Link discovered his Cambri-based fan club, which unsettled him, though at least there were a few men, which gave him someone to talk to (even though they insisted on the clashiest of outfits).
And still, he and Zelda struggled for sleep. Maybe it was the stillness of the desert, the faint howling of the wind (and other things…) through the open windows, or just being in the enemy's territory, his birth country, the very place where the instrument to Hyrule's undoing had grown up. Maybe being there had them on full alert, where sleep was impossible, because who knew what was waiting to strike?
Finally, the wedding.
The ceremony was held in the great hall, with rows and rows of chairs on either side of a long aisle. Link and Zelda sat together on the bride's side, and as promised, Jalila had gotten him some comfortable sandals, though they had little 'stilts' on the bottom that he had to learn to balance his weight on. Zelda wore a dress of a cottony, flowy material, in a soft lavender color.
Jalila's bridesmaids were several of her guards, of course, still wearing their swords (freshly polished and sharpened) and long dresses of red satin and chiffon. Jalila herself wore a dress of palest yellow, and her husband, Herford, wore one of his usual outfits in different shades of blue ("At least he stuck with one color this time," Link whispered to Zelda).
The ceremony was not what she expected; Jalila had a ring placed on her hand, and then earrings put into her ears by one of the bridesmaids. She then placed a ring on Herford's hand, but when she went to hand off earrings, he balked.
"My ears are sensitive," he whined.
Jalila stared at him, frozen, then handed the earrings to his best man. "Never mind it, then," she said with a nod.
"She took that rather well," Link muttered. Zelda shook her head slightly; Link obviously didn't see the way Jalila's back had straightened, her shoulders going back and her chin lifting up. The bridesmaids/guards tensed as well, and one of them even touched lightly at the handle of her sword.
The master of ceremonies delivered the final passages, the new couple kissed; Herford was rather more excited about it than his wife. They bowed together as they were announced Wife and Husband, then the women, all of the women, were ushered off to one part of the fortress to change for the reception, while the men were shuffled off to the other.
The women from Herford's side of the family were left in a sort of lounge room, with barrels of cool Hylian water (Zelda's gift) to drink from, as well as harder refreshments. Several guards and, to her surprise, Zelda, were brought along to Jalila's room to assist her in changing.
"That impertinent little shit," Jalila snarled as soon as they were shut in her rooms. She ripped off her veil and flung it to the floor, fuming, her nostrils flaring.
Zelda remained seated, the drink she'd been given forgotten in her hand.
"He was incredibly rude, Your Eminence," grumbled one of the guards.
"How dare he refuse the earrings? They are all about the symbol of two separate people! It's about carrying two halves of a whole with you all the time, like one's love!" cried another guard.
"His ears are sensitive? Well my damned eyes are sensitive but I haven't stopped him from wearing those damned tasteless clothes!"
Zelda stared at Jalila as she stormed around the room. Not only was this the first time she'd seen the Empress lose her calm, it was also frightening. How had she not noticed the similarities before?
Jalila kicked a wall and then sat down, slouching in a chair and glaring out a window. "Right prick," she hissed behind one hand. "If I'd had the money, if my damned fool brother hadn't used it all..."
She suddenly remembered the ruler of the country her brother had sought to ruin was sitting in the same room, and she glanced at Zelda, unapologetic for her feelings.
"I am sorry if I offended you," she muttered.
"He was a fool for refusing your tradition," Zelda said automatically, frightened of that anger. Was Jalila sure that women couldn't catch the desert curse?
Jalila sighed and closed her eyes, putting one hand to her head. "Thank Din that we'll be spending so little time together. Fucking ponce." She glanced around. "And I probably shouldn't have any boys until after tonight…"
"You truly don't plan on being faithful?" Zelda asked in surprise.
Jalila laughed, a few sharp, short barks. "I told you. I am not so cemented to this relationship as you are with your hero." She practically spat the word. "This is a marriage for money. It is the only marriage with honest intentions. We know exactly what we are getting from it."
She looked away, taking deep breaths. Her guards milled around uselessly, getting her dress for the reception ready.
"Believe this, Your Majesty," Jalila finally said. "A woman is not free when she is married."
"But… I want to marry him. I want to be with him."
"Then be a slave, a slave as much as my boys are. Love itself is a torture, and we are enslaved by it."
Zelda glared at her. "Then I will willingly give myself over as his slave, as he will do unto me."
"Puh. I study men, girl. They cannot be controlled. They cannot be ordered. They fight. They say oh, I am the stronger sex, this is my land. They have to own every mountain."
Zelda smiled strangely. "Not Link. I control him."
"Do you believe this? Do you have proof?"
"Yes. I do. I can tell him what to do, and he does it. No matter what. I can command him to silence, I can order him to subservience. If I told him to move Death Mountain, he would find a way. He would move rivers, he would drain the oceans, he would make a flower bloom in this desert, if I commanded it. I could even command him to kill, if needed." Zelda spoke too brashly, so angered and defensive was she.
Jalila grinned. "You must have a talented tongue to inspire this devotion."
"No. He has done this before I even touched him. Before I even dared to know him in that way."
Jalila looked at Zelda for a long time, considering. "Are you sure you are not part Gerudo?" she asked quietly.
"Not a drop."
Jalila shook her head. "Will he listen to me?"
"No. He is mine." Her tone was final.
"Then…" Jalila bowed her head. "You are truly the superior. All of my boys listen to any of the women here. I have yet to find one who will listen to only me." She took some water and drank slowly, her eyes closed, savoring it. "So clean. We're never able to take all the salt out of our water. I see now… why my brother envied your country."
"You do not have to envy us. We are allies now."
"Yes. We are." Jalila finished her glass. "Have you enjoyed your gift at all?" she asked, calm now.
"No. I am… saving it. For a special occasion."
"What kind of occasion? After all, today is a wedding. That is… special enough."
"No." Zelda shook her head. "We are waiting."
"For what? Life is short."
Zelda glanced around the room, but the guards were talking together of nothing.
"The other woman is pregnant with his child."
"Hm. If you can get to her, there is a common flower that can induce labor at any stage. It's a useful… accompaniment with the harebell."
Zelda shuddered. "No, that's horrible. It may not be his."
"But if it is, do you want a bastard waiting around to take your throne?"
"The child has no chance at the throne. I will demand the money owed in exchange for my silence on the child's parentage."
Jalila smiled again, wider, her teeth showing. It was a bit frightening. "You're a shrewd dealer, Your Majesty."
"One has to be, when her country is suffering."
"Yes. Well." Jalila stood. "I should probably dress and join our guests. If you want, you can go on ahead of me."
Zelda nodded, standing as well. "I will see you soon, Your Eminence."
\
As he'd been asked, Link refrained from drinking excessively at the reception. Zelda did not seem much in the mood for drinking either, nor dancing, so after the meals and the announcement of gifts (Jalila was much pleased with their gift of horses) and the cake and two or three dances, the two of them bowed out to head upstairs. Zelda went to her room at first, to check in with Tilly and to change into a more comfortable dress, while Link opened the curtains to the balcony. It was later than he realized; a narrow crescent moon had risen and the sand glimmered. Were it not for the waves, it would be almost indiscernible from the seaside.
He put his hands in his pockets and frowned; what was that his hand touched? He pulled the item out and realized it was a necklace. It took him some time to realize he'd bought it all the way back in winter, and had never bothered to give it to Zelda. It had been a frightening day. He shuddered at the memory.
His bedroom door opened and he turned, seeing Zelda there in her nightdress, which… frankly, was similar to her day dress.
"I told Tilly not to wait up for me. She understands why." Zelda walked over and stood next to him on the balcony, breathing in the salt air. "Such a shame… this town could be beautiful, if it wasn't for its poisonous influence."
"Yeah." He weighed the necklace in his hand. How could he possibly segue into giving it over from that? It's not poisonous, but it is beautiful… Really? Was that the best he had in his sleep-deprived head?
Zelda looked at him with a smile, then down at his hands. "What's that?" She caught the glimmer of the chain out of the corner of her eye.
"Wh—oh. Um… I got this for you a while ago, but never got it to you." He opened his hand and showed it, and Zelda's eyes lit up.
"Oh! A necklace! Link, you rogue!" She kissed him and then turned around so that he could fix it on her neck, turning around when done. "It's beautiful, thank you." She kissed him again.
"Well, a beautiful necklace for a beautiful woman." Had he really just said that? So tacky! Zelda laughed and hugged him. He smiled and wrapped his arms around her, and his heart was pounding.
\
They alternated between dozing and talking and touching, moving gently against each other. Link had the bright idea to lock his bedroom door at some point, so they felt fairly comfortable with leaving the sheets piled at the foot of the bed. Zelda examined the wound on his arm and frowned; it looked red and puffy, like it had gotten infected, and it wasn't healing as quickly as it had last time.
"Is there any cream or anything in here?" she asked him.
"Uh, I dunno. I haven't really looked much…"
She stood and looked around at the dresser, but there was hardly anything besides a brush and a shaving kit, and there was nothing in the bathroom.
"I'll ask Her Eminence later," Zelda muttered as she returned to the bed, defeated, and buried her face in the pillows. Link sat up and on a whim rubbed her back, and she sighed. "I hope we can sleep once we get home."
"I'm sure we'll be able to," he responded, kissing the back of her neck.
"Should we leave today? I do not know if I could bear another day of no sleep."
"If you don't have anything else to do, we can go."
"I admit, I'm a little nervous about home."
"I'm sure they're doing fine…"
"It'll be a month more until we reach it, though."
"Yeah, that's true." Something about that length of time gave Link pause. There was something about it that worried him. He rubbed Zelda's back to keep his hands occupied, and it struck him.
Verla would be giving birth soon.
He stopped rubbing Zelda's back, the memory of his possible child like cold water to the face. He sat back and Zelda turned over, her nightgown coming askew and revealing one breast. "What is it?"
"Um. Just… yeah, I miss home."
"Oh. Wait—Verla's due, isn't she."
Link nodded hesitantly. Zelda fixed her nightgown and sat up. "Yes, we should get going." She seemed hurried, but not angry, and she took Link's hands with her own and held them. "It is going to work out. You'll see."
\
Zelda went and spoke with Jalila to announce that they were leaving due to her concerns for the country, and Jalila said she understood and wished them a safe trip. In exchange for the generous amount of water they left, they were given goat jerky, rice, spices that were plentiful in Gerudo but rare outside of it, and several hardy plants, including a few bulbs and potted specimens of harebell that Jalila offered up to Zelda with a solemn wink.
They embraced and kissed each other's cheeks before Zelda climbed into her own carriage.
"Do write to me about Prin, if you ever go there," Zelda asked of her.
Jalila smirked. "Of course."
Marion had also embraced Zelda and told her to write if she ever found time, and Zelda assured her she would (but she would later pretend to forget). Link's troupe of followers made him a small monetary gift, as they knew of his struggles, and he thanked them, humbled and surprised.
And soon enough, they were off, Zelda staring out her window at the sea as they trundled out of the desert, Tilly quietly knitting. Zelda's mind was whirring, calculating the days; they had at least two months until the baby would be due for sure, if Link was the father. She doubted he would want her to attend the blessing ceremony with him, and she would certainly draw suspicion when the two countries had strained relations. Really, Link himself would draw suspicion as well, but he could explain they were longtime friends, at least.
Zelda stared out the window for a while, her brow furrowed. What would Jalila have done?
By the end of the trip(during which she did manage some sleep, so deep that when Ganondorf dared to show up in her nightmares she turned him away), she had some ideas, and it involved Tilly's help.
\
The castle was… alright, it seemed. Zelda's advisors immediately swarmed her when she came in, waiting patiently to tell her of all the changes that had happened while she was gone, and she selected them one at a time. The wall reparations around the castle were finished under budget, people had begun the planting with a sense of enthusiasm and purpose ("As they should, it's their food they're planting," she said with raised eyebrows), and the materials left from repairing the castle walls were being sent out to the villages for any reparations necessary there. All the better, that she knew her home was doing well.
But she still needed more funds.
A week after they'd arrived home and unpacked, Zelda was standing in her room, looking at the plant she'd brought with her from Gerudo. It was a little sad and wilty-looking, but she'd been watering it carefully, plucking the imperfect leaves and asking the kitchens to dry them for her own personal tea. It was hard to tell where leaves were missing, but she knew there'd been a few from the top that had been missing and had replacements growing in. She also had the bundle of dried leaves set aside on a cloth napkin for comparison.
"Tilly?" she asked, in an even but stern voice.
"Ah… yes, Your Majesty?" Tilly stood and waited to be addressed.
"Does this… is this plant missing extra leaves besides what I have plucked off?"
"Um… I cannot say for certain, Your Majesty."
"I believe it's been missing these leaves since before we left. There's ten leaves here in this pile, and it's missing… looks like twelve?"
"Ah…"
Zelda turned her head sharply and looked at Tilly, fixing her with a steely gaze. She wanted the girl frightened, realizing that Zelda was still, first and foremost, her ruler.
"I…"
"I saw you escorting a young man from my rooms back in Gerudo. Do you deny it?"
"N—no, Your Majesty," Tilly babbled immediately. Oh Nayru's eye, why did she give in?! He'd been so soft-spoken and kind, and he had a sweet smile…
"So you did have a young man in my rooms?" Zelda took a step towards Tilly.
"I—yes, yes Your Majesty, I did!"
"Hm. And you… copulated with him? In my bed, I assume?"
"No! Not in your bed, Your Majesty. In my own trundle, I swear it."
"Hm." Well, Zelda could hardly berate her for that, it wasn't as if she'd been in the room. "Do you know what this flower is, Tilly?"
"It's… a present from Her Eminence?"
"Beyond that."
"A Gerudo flower?"
"Stop being obtuse!" Zelda's hands were in fists. She hated to admit it, but this was a little fun.
"It—I—Dhiren told me that… that it was a flower that… that prevents pregnancy, and… I did! I took a few leaves, Your Majesty, I apologize, please forgive me!"
Tilly sank to her knees and covered her face with her hands, ashamed. Zelda put one hand to the top of her head. "At least you were smart enough to prevent a problem," she murmured. "Not all women are so intelligent. Like… the Vicereine of Termina."
"Your Majesty?" Tilly was trembling slightly, but curious as to where this was going.
"Tilly. Are you completely loyal to my crown?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, absolutely."
"Would you be loyal to Master Link, if he were part of the crown some day?"
"Without question."
"You may stand, Tilly," she said, stepping back. Tilly stood, not daring to meet Zelda's eyes.
"I need you to do something for me."
"Anything, Your Majesty."
"You are to attend a blessing ceremony for the Vicereine of Termina, once she has her child. You are to attend alone, dress as plainly as possible, and talk to no one except her."
"What will I say?"
"That depends. You see… she believes that her child is sired by Link. There may be a chance of this. After all, he knew her growing up. When you go to the blessing ceremony, I want you to look closely at the child, as closely as you can. If the child does not resemble Master Link, you can leave the ceremony without a stop, and she will be none the wiser."
"If it does?"
"You are to ask her to follow you to your lady's carriage for congratulations, as your lady has difficulty walking. In the carriage will be one of my ladies-in-waiting. She and the Vicereine may… exchange some words. If my lady-in-waiting signals to you, with a knock on the window or some such, then you are to immediately run and find the Viceroy and hand him a message that I will give you the day you are to travel."
Tilly nodded solemnly.
"Can you do what I ask?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Good."
"When is the ceremony?"
"I am not sure, but I will tell you when I find out. It will be soon. You are to tell no one of this assignment."
"I will not, Your Majesty."
"I know."
/
Verla was screaming.
The day was beautiful out; puffy white clouds dotting the sky, the sun bright but not overwhelming, warm breezes from the south combing over the land and the birds singing and chatting as they fed their young. These warm breezes and bird song did little to aerate the stink of shit and blood from the birthing room, where a fire was burning at high heat to keep water warm for cleaning the sheets and the baby.
Verla was hunched up over her massive belly, pushing, sweat soaking her hair and back. Her mother was there, telling her it was always difficult the first time, but that it would get better if she kept pushing. The midwife and her attendants were keeping a watchful eye on a place only her husband (and Link) had previously visited.
"There's the head!" the midwife bellowed. She glanced up at Verla, her mouth pinched and her eyes bright. "Don't you dare relax now, you fool, the hardest bit is yet to come."
"It gets worse?!" Verla asked desperately, her eyes wet with tears.
"Yes, now push, damn it all!"
Verla gritted her teeth so hard her jaw creaked, and she screamed through them as she pushed and strained, her calves cramping with her strain and why was her bitch mother here and this was all Link's fault and she hated this damned lump of flesh, would drown it in the lake as soon as she could get away
Then the sudden release, like pushing a heavy stone with… well, not her hands, and the screaming, flailing, blood-covered thing, and the midwife turning to demand a clean, damp cloth. Verla collapsed back on the pillows, staring at the ceiling. Something else passed from her body, but she paid it no mind.
The midwife snipped the cord protruding from the baby's stomach, and then it was swaddled and presented, finally, to its mother.
"A baby boy, My Lady. Healthy and ready for the world."
Verla could hardly summon the strength to sit up, but her mother pushed her upwards and forced her to take the boy in her arms. The baby fussed a little more, but turned into his mother's smell and warmth with only stifled sobs. Verla stared at him for a long time, and tears started to run down her face. How could she have ever considered, ever thought, of drowning this… child? Her child? How could she conceive of doing anything less but loving him with all of her being? She sobbed, her tears dripping into her ruined bedclothes.
"My beautiful boy," she whispered. "My lovely son."
\
Link frowned when he was presented with a letter one day at breakfast.
"Who's it from?" he asked, not knowing the seals like Zelda did. She immediately saw it was from Termina and went still.
"Termina, sir."
Link glanced at Zelda. She shrugged one shoulder innocently and went back to eating her breakfast. Link picked up his butter knife and cut the seal, unrolling it. He sighed.
"It's an invitation… to a blessing ceremony," he muttered.
"Oh. She had her child, then?" Zelda spoke lightly. She was determined to no longer lash out at Link over his involvement with Verla.
"Suppose so. 'The blessing of Mikal Anders D'Angrive', apparently."
"That is a nice name," she commented.
"Yeah, I guess." He sighed and rolled it up. "It's just an invite for me, I'm afraid."
Zelda smiled politely at him. "That is perfectly alright with me. You know I wouldn't want to have another altercation with Viceroy D'Angrive."
Link looked at her closely, trying to determine if she meant it. He decided she did, and he nodded slightly. "Thank you."
"When is it?"
"In a month's time, at the… Terminian Hall of Peace, early afternoon."
One of the guards whistled, impressed. Link and Zelda looked at him.
"I'm just sayin'… I had a cousin who got married there and I swear, the ceremony and rental of the place was more than the rest of the wedding." He shrugged.
Zelda looked back to Link. "Do you have an outfit?"
"Eh, I was thinking something low-key, a... departure from my usual outfits. I kinda want to… be discreet."
"Understandable. I can escort you to the shop I purchased your previous clothes from?"
"Uh, just the name. I kinda want to… do this on my own."
Zelda nodded. "Of course." She smiled, and finished her tea.
\
He went to the accounting room and was updated on his current balance, though the number seemed a little higher than it should've been. Nonetheless, one of the accountants explained that, due to security, he should request any bills of purchase be delivered to the castle for payment.
Zelda had a maid send him a note with the name and a quick little map of the tailor she had used for his other garments, and Link headed out into the marketplace to get fitted. It no longer seemed quite so… intimidating. It wasn't as busy as it'd been during the fair, though there were still destitute people sitting in the corners, ignored. He had no change left to give them. The sun was bright and the air was warm; this would be a good summer for the plants, he could tell.
Zelda's neat handwriting was easy to follow, and he found himself before a beautiful, old-fashioned shop with wide windows full of example items that had been crafted. Link hoped the Cambrisian style would not be catching on as he looked at the tailored jackets.
He walked in and was greeted warmly by the tailor, who was checking some new material he'd ordered in; ornately embroidered cottons, lightweight linen materials for women's summer clothing, and low luster satins in a multitude of colors.
"Ah! Master Link! It is good to see you for a change." He looked the outfit Link was dressed in with approval. "She almost got your measurements on; looks like the shoulders are a little wide?"
"Uh… it fits okay," Link said with a shrug.
"Well. What can I do for you? A new outfit?"
"Uh, yeah, nothing too flashy."
"What's the occasion?"
"A uh… a blessing. For a child."
"A blessing? A relative of yours?"
"Yeah. Well, a friend."
The tailor nodded and gestured. "Well, pick a color. Her Majesty is rather fond of you in green, I know. It is sort of your trademark."
"Yeah, I uh… I want to avoid that."
"Oh? Something different?"
"Well, you know, don't want to divert attention away from the uh, baby."
The tailor smiled. "Of course. Very wise choice. So. No green, then. Blue? Red?"
"No. Um… how about grey?"
The tailor raised an eyebrow. How secret did he wish to be?
"I do not recommend a grey or a black, sir. Not for an event for celebrating life, if you don't mind my saying."
"No, no, I appreciate it. Um… how about…" Link looked around. Blue seemed safe.
He worked with the tailor, selecting a middle ground of grey and blue, a sort of soft slate colored silk. The tailor began selecting trims, going with an offwhite, and at Link's request he promised to keep the trim minimal. Then caramel-colored pants of breezy linen, and Link would wear the embroidered boots he'd been saving.
"And when do you need the outfit, sir?"
"Well, the event is in a month, and it'll take like… I think a week or so to get there, so…"
"Ah, a rush order." The tailor smiled and nodded his head. "I will work quickly."
"Can you send to the bill to the castle in my name?"
"Of course."
The man took Link's measurements to make sure of the best fit; Zelda's eyes were good, but it was always better to check. He told Link he would like to do a second fitting in a week's time, and Link told him to just send a message, and the tailor agreed.
Then he left the shop, and, with nothing better to do, he wondered whether or not he should pick up a gift for the child, as he believed was customary. He wandered through the marketplace, which was recovering and less anemic (especially with the good weather) and looked around, but he decided it would be best if he brought nothing that might tie him to the child. If need be, he could make a small donation (not that Verla would need money, apparently).
Bored and listless and unsure of what he wanted, he returned to the castle area, then cut around and went to the gardens. The plants were blooming slowly, and the air smelled fresh. He shook his shoulders, feeling that urge to get away, to be somewhere else, anywhere. He left and went to the stables.
Epona was much healed, and she whinnied in greeting. He hugged her gently around the neck and kissed her snout, talking to her. They had some replacement stablehands now, just two (at Link's insistence) and they were doing… a fair job. Now that Link had returned, he was hoping to instill some higher standards in them. This was the royal stable, for Farore's sake.
But he readied Epona himself and led her out, and then they took off running through the great field of Hyrule, over the grass that was growing in lush and green (he assumed all over, except for the well-worn paths and… that spot), towards small brooks where Epona lapped at the water. The birds were singing and he could see nature overcoming Ganondorf's destruction and righting itself.
He rode for some time, looking over the estate, and doubted marrying Zelda; would he still be able to take off like this? Would he still be able to live like a wild forest boy once in a while, drinking from springs and cooking his own meals (self-caught!) over a fire he built himself? Or would he be forced to meals he didn't touch or see until the end of the process, so swamped in paperwork that he couldn't dig his way out? Zelda had told him once she had no intention of letting him take over (in a far nicer way), but he would want to help her, regardless.
He sat out in the grass for a while as Epona munched on the crisp green stuff, finding it a delicious alternative to the grains and oats that she… liked, but was getting tired of. What if they bought the ranch? How had the proceeds from that gone, anyway? He'd forgotten to ask Zelda about it, but she'd been rather distant and busy, rarely coming to his room and only talking a bit before retreating to her own.
Had he offended her? Had Verla's pregnancy reminded her of his past and turned her against him? After everything…?
How could it matter? How could he be so torn between the wilderness and a woman? Couldn't he have both?
Eventually, as the sky turned golden red, he stood and climbed back onto Epona, and rode back to the castle. If it was his child, and Zelda rejected him for it, then… then he would know what his future held, and he would live with it.
He returned to the castle and cleaned Epona up, putting away her gear. He absently rubbed the numb skin on his arm and flexed his fingers, then applied more salve to her hind before giving her another kiss on the nose and leaving the stable.
He paused just outside the door, looking at the castle, at his possible future. Bravely, he headed forward, back into the castle.
\
Zelda felt that she'd done enough work for the night, and so she shut her books and paused, considering. She hadn't spent much time with Link, having to play catch up with over two months' worth of problems (despite the invaluable help of her assistants and ladies-in-waiting), and since she could not stand to spend another minute staring at the dwindling amount of money in their vaults, she decided to see how he was.
He was rather surprised when he heard the knock at his front door, and he climbed off his bed, where he'd been thinking (brooding) and answered.
"Oh, hey."
"Hello." Zelda walked in and he shut the door behind her.
"Everything okay?"
Zelda considered. "Yes, as well as it can be. What about you?"
"Eh. I suppose… I'm a little nervous."
"Oh?"
They sat down at the small table.
"Yeah. The… ceremony."
Zelda laid her hand over his and squeezed. "It is going to be alright."
"What if the child is mine?"
"What about it?" She shrugged her shoulders. "We will have the child announced as a bastard, and it will negate the child's claim to the throne."
"But… it seems sorta… harsh. We're marking the kid for life."
"He will be marked regardless, if he looks like you. People will know."
"I don't want it to hurt Verla's marriage."
Zelda stroked his hand soothingly. "It is not yours to worry over." She wanted that marriage ruined, she wanted Verla to know heartache—was Jalila sure the desert curse didn't affect women? Zelda took a deep breath and released it slowly, calming herself. "I don't want it ruined either, but this is how these things happen. Would you have wanted her to have… terminated the pregnancy?"
"I dunno. Maybe." He looked at Zelda, surprised and relieved to see how empathetic and rational she was being. There was no tearing out of her hair, there was no hysteria at the very thought of Verla. There was simply Zelda, trying to help him with his problem as much as he had tried with hers. He was struck, so suddenly, with a wave of gratitude and love for her that he pulled her over to him, hugging her tightly.
Zelda was caught off guard and almost lost her balance when he grabbed her, but she recovered, hard, off the table with one elbow and clung to him.
"Thank you," he whispered in her ear, "for understanding."
"Of course," she replied. "I love you."
He kissed her longingly. Damn it all, he would give up the forests, the fields, cooking outdoors and sleeping under the stars to stay with her now. He slowly let her go so that she could right herself, and she was looking at him in shock. That was… not what she expected.
"I love you," he answered, "and I want to be with you. Forever. Even if I… if I can't go riding out in the fields anymore, or live off the land alone, or—
"Whoever said anything about that?" Zelda raised her eyebrows, looking at him in surprise. "You can do those things as king. Sure, you would need a few guards by, and I'd at least like to know when you plan on doing so, but…"
He felt like a fool for all his moping earlier in the day—of course he'd be able to run the fields on Epona! Why couldn't he? He would be king, after all! Who would dare to say no to him?
Zelda laughed and hugged him close again. "Is that what you've been fretting about? Losing who you are? I mean, you won't be able to do so all the time, but you'll… you'll still be my wild ranch hand at heart." She touched his chest, smiling at him. "The only thing that will change, will be that… that we don't have to be so private. And there will be more people bowing and scraping before you, but…"
"Eh, but I don't want that."
She moved her hand up to his cheek. "Then you can ask them not to."
Link shook his head. "Are you even sure I'll be any good at it?"
Zelda kissed him. "You will be fine." She kissed him again, to make sure he knew she meant it, and then he kissed back so of course she had to kiss him again, and then she let it escalate so that he was putting his hands up her skirt, pulling her onto his lap by her waist and settling her so that she straddled him, pinning him helplessly in the chair. He kissed her neck and undid the front of her dress with one hand, the other one reaching to touch her.
Zelda gasped. It was as if every time was the first time he touched her. She shivered in pleasure and kissed him, pressing into his hand with excitement. He struggled to undo her dress in the front and she helped him, careful of the seams.
"When we have a good crop," he spoke into the skin above her breasts, "I will buy you all the dresses we can afford so that I can tear them off you."
She laughed, her voice breathy. "I would like to have… a few dresses intact…" Zelda kissed him fiercely, turning his face up to hers with her hands.
"My queen," he whispered.
"Yes," she answered, looking into his eyes.
"I want you," he answered her, a little louder, the words coming out growly because of his still-affected throat. It seemed to be a permanent thing for him.
Zelda looked at him, considering, tempted. She had something to counteract any… planting now, and he did love her, and she'd been ready to have him for months at this point.
"Please," she asked him, touching his face. "Take me."
He didn't ask if they should move, he didn't ask if she was comfortable or had a plan for afterwards if… something should happen. He stared up at her, undoing his pants quickly with his hand and setting his jaw. He put his other hand to the small of Zelda's back, pulling her closer and helping to guide her, to make it a little easier. Slowly, he lifted her up, one hand cupping her backside, and then he let her down again, closing his eyes in pleasure and shuddering.
"It might hurt," he said suddenly, thinking to warn her.
"What?" And then she realized what he meant, and she winced and tensed up, and Link gasped and pulled her down a little faster, until they were fit together like a puzzle. He held her in place, his throat dry and his face pressed against her neck. Zelda stroked his hair and kissed his temple, trying to accustom herself to this new feeling.
"Are you ready?" he asked against her collarbone.
"Yes," she assured him (both of them, really), and then he started to lift her up, moving her atop of himself, his face stern in concentration. Zelda soon picked up his rhythm and pressed her feet into the floor, helping him. He moved one hand back up her skirt and she leaned her head back, shuddering and moving faster, grabbing the back of the chair with her hands.
They moved faster, and faster. Link kissed her chest, found a nipple with his mouth and bit it, suckled it. Zelda gripped his hair and gave it a little twist, crying out—so much for being discreet. In response, Link moved harder, rougher, moving within her without regard for her unfamiliarity with the process.
"Oh Goddesses," she moaned, panting. "Oh Link, oh."
And then he grabbed her hard by the hips and held her against him, giving several quick, hard thrusts.
"Din's breath," he grunted, suddenly still and resting his damp forehead against her chest, panting. Shyly, Zelda reached down between them and touched herself until her body went rigid and then suddenly, blissfully limp.
He kissed the top of her breasts and then buried his face in them while she sat, curled atop of him. When Zelda felt her legs cramping she stood up, and Link mumbled and reached for her.
"Are you half-asleep?" she asked, laughing.
"No," he lied, blinking hard and trying to focus on her face.
"Come on, that chair can't be comfortable."
"Mm." He forced himself up and walked with her to the bed. Zelda stopped him and pulled his clothes off, and he did the same for her, then they both climbed into the bed and curled up together, Link at Zelda's back, kissing her neck and gently cupping her breasts from behind. She pressed her back against his chest, feeling quite warm and content.
"What now?" Link asked after a pause, squeezing.
"I don't know," she replied. "I should… I'll have to get cleaned up at some point, I know."
"Hrm."
"What about you?"
"I dunno. Might sleep for a bit."
"That sounds like a good idea."
He kissed her neck. In response, Zelda rolled over and kissed him, putting her hands again to his face, licking at the part of his lips until he opened his mouth to her. Link pushed at her, rolling her over onto her back and climbing over top of her, and this time it was so much easier, so much slower, and she moved with him, sighing in contentment. Link was gentler this time, lingering when they kissed, looking into her face often and touching her cheek or her hair, as if she would leave if he didn't.
"You look concerned," Zelda finally said, her hands on his shoulders.
"Do I?"
She slowed him down until he was stopped but still with her, and she kissed him. "I'm not going to leave you." She looked him in the eyes, feeling very calm, even when bringing her up, and not just because of her plan. "I promise you."
Link nodded and settled down atop of her, resting his cheek on her chest and softening out of her. He smiled a little, as her heart was pounding.
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Their sleep was deep and dreamless. At one point, very early, Zelda slipped out of his arms and pulled on his shirt, and headed to her rooms through the secret passage. Her room was dimly lit, Tilly sleeping on her side as usual. Zelda walked as quietly as she could to her dresser, looking at the plant. She hesitated, then plucked one large, waxy leaf, and looked it over. She sniffed it, but it had just a faint, grassy smell. She bit off a small piece and a sharp, bitter taste flooded her mouth, and she pulled the piece out, scraping her teeth on her tongue. It left a fuzzy, thick feeling behind in her mouth. But she could not be pregnant yet, and if eating one little leaf would prevent it…
She stuffed the whole thing in her mouth and chewed furiously, taking short little breaths through her nose and swallowing as fast as she could get it down, swallowing, but that itchy furry feeling was thick on her tongue so she poured herself some water from a convenient pitcher and glass, and drank eagerly. It helped. She had a second glass, then, glancing at Tilly to see how she was, Zelda returned to Link's room, stripping and climbing back under the covers, curling up against his warm body.
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When she next woke up, Zelda realized that Link had been awake for some time, looking at her.
"What is it?" she asked, smiling a little.
"Don't know," he said with a shrug, taking up a lock of her hair and twirling it. "It's early again, isn't it?"
"Yes."
He was silent, looking at the ends of her hair, and he sighed. "Why now?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well. We've been fighting it and fighting it—"
"I don't want to fight it anymore. I don't want to resist you. I want to yield to you."
"Then… so are you forgiving me for being… with her before?"
"There is nothing to forgive. You did nothing wrong." Zelda put her hand on his, squeezing. "You loved someone. That's all."
"Why this sudden turnaround?" He looked at her, all curiosity.
"Because… because if she is the mother of your child, the last thing you will need is my jealousy. And you don't deserve to be treated so distrustfully, and I love you, and I want to support you through the difficult time ahead, because you've done the same for me for months."
"Okay." He relaxed and kissed her, resting his head back on the pillow. "Okay."
Zelda smiled and propped herself up on her side, leaning over him and kissing him.
"Again?" he whispered, putting a hand on her side.
"Why not?"