Link had been running around like a busy bee since morning, helping soldiers, discussing the final touches with the extravagant leader of the Masons' guild, and unloading materials. He made a break, sitting on the front stairs of the building.
'I see you quite cheery and energetic, buddy', Ashei noted, handing Link a canteen.
'Nothin' like hard work to ease the mind', he answered, drinking a sip, observing the facade of Snowpeak Fortress.
The fortress had been promptly restored quite close to its former glory, with the help of the soldiers and the masons. Yeto and Yeta would remain as guardians of the building, and a small contingent of soldiers would rotate every month, for maintenance purposes. Ashei would supervise the place twice a month, and Link every six weeks.
He was really proud of his job; the recovery of Snowpeak would mean a lot to improve the Army, and also be a refuge for adventurers, explorers, and travelers from all the corners of the world.
He hoped Zelda would come someday to see the results of the hard labor of all the people under his command.
'What are you thinking of, dude?', Ashei snickered, 'You are all blushy, like those ladies from the court that try to flirt with you or Shad, gross'.
'Jealous of the cutesy, frilly ladies in pastel color dresses?', he tried to deviate the conversation to another point, 'If I were ya, I'd be more afraid of them Gerudo ladies'.
'Shit, you are right', her eyes widened, 'They are beauty, brains, and muscles! I should go write him to remind that nerd who's the boss'.
She quickly went inside.
Link stayed wandering around, thinking about how would be doing a certain lady with skin almost as pale as snow, and with a smile able to melt even glacial ice.
To celebrate the success of the trip and the return home, the last night at Snowpeak Link allowed a party in the dining hall. The soldiers and knights indulged themselves in beer provided by Telma - and a barrel of Moonshine, courtesy of Ashei.
The men and women got the perfect chance to have a more casual gathering, and get to know each other. To Link, camaraderie was extremely important, and considering everyone behaved so well during the six-week stay, it was a more than deserved reward.
'There's a rumor running around, Milord, about you and a lady', a young, brown-skinned man informed his Commander, 'did you know?'
Link almost choked on his beer.
'W-WHAT?!', he shouted, standing from his place, and glaring at Ashei, on the opposite corner of the room.
'It wasn't me! Don't you give me that look!', the raven-haired woman shot back, returning to her lively conversation with the Yetis.
'Please, wouldya elaborate on the subject, rookie Bertie?', Link's eyes set on the young soldier, hardly serene.
'Soren and Meera told us they saw you with a really pretty lady with milkmaid braids, not long before we started training, at Telma's Bar', Bertie spilled the information quickly. 'Then Allen saw her on Castletown, carrying a case that is almost exactly the same as the one you use to carry your stationery things; it was even monogrammed, and Daon saw you with her near the square fountain the night of your birthday'.
Link chugged from his mug as he heard the whole story to avoid falling into a panic attack. Alcohol surely would make this blow less painful- or worse.
'And Sir Artorius bribed your squire Orville to check all the scraps of letters you didn't send, telling him he wouldn't tell you Orville accidentally sent that letter you were so looking for so upset; the only thing we learned is that the lady's name begins with Z'. Bertie paled. 'The rumor on the regiment is that you are smitten with her, but you can't be together for unknown reasons! Please don't punish us!'
By that moment, the whole room was in an awkward silence.
Except for Ashei.
'I knew it', she said to herself, downing another shot of Moonshine.
'You should become spies in case Hyrule goes to war ever again', Link sighed in resignation, 'y'all would destroy any enemy in no time'.
He got up from the table, not even mad at the news of knowing the letter had been already sent. What's done it's done, and he downed the last of his pint.
'I can't punish y'all, because it's all true', Link said as he left, 'except for you, Artorius, you ol' bribey scoundrel. See you at five, you're helpin' me getting all the carts with supplies and gear outta here'.
The following morning, Link found a note under his door.
'Lord Commander, we are all rooting for you, good luck with mystery lady Z! - All of us'
Link left his room laughing out loud, finding the cluelessness of his soldiers amusing, and hoped it never showed in the battlefield.
I should be dead. The avalanche was enough to kill all of us.
Maybe I'll see my old folks again.
But I won't ever see her again. Well, at least not in this lifetime.
We'll always end up bumping into each other.
We are bound together forever by the Triforce.
Link slowly regained consciousness, to see himself - and his men - surrounded by blue light. He checked his men; they were unconscious, with minor injuries. He woke them up carefully.
A translucent, cerulean dome had saved their lives in the nick of time. His triforce was softly gleaming too. If he pushed his hands upwards, the dome raised, as if he had a magic shield.
It's Nayru's Love, he realized. Zelda. She taught me this in Ordon.
'…to always guard and protect you from harm's way'
He remembered her tender voice that summer night, and one determined thought stuck in his head.
I must return to her.
