Chapter Thirty-Four

Days later, the Captain's words still echoed in Link's ears. He did not dare confront Zelda about it, though. Things had finally become amiable between the two of them, and he was not about to risk it over what he was sure was petty court politics. As promised though, the Captain along with several soldiers, had set off for the desert, leaving the Lord Commander Mora in his stead. It had always amazed Link that the most highly ranked member of Zelda's guard did not protect the Queen personally, but rather trained the others, though he supposed it made sense. Someone had to show new members the ropes, teach them the rules.

Still, the man unnerved Link. He shared the same unsettling red eyes that Itil had, but he was certain the pair was not related. "He's a good man," Zelda sighed, noticing Link's unease. They had been spending more time together since his recovery, and he was certain her condition played a role in that. The pair casually strolled the gardens, Zelda's arm looped loosely around Link's. Mora, as the Captain always had, kept his distance, but stayed close enough to act should something go wrong.

Link nodded and focused on the sun, just starting to set in the sky, bathing the gardens in a light orange glow, one he would forever associate with the Twilight Realm, with Midna. Zelda sighed, and he wondered if she shared his thoughts. "I hope she's doing well," the Queen said after a long moment. They stopped and sat on a stone bench near the hedges. Link feigned confusion and glanced over at her. It had been months, and though they had just begun to discuss the horrors they had endured, they had never once spoken of her. "You don't have to do that," she sighed. "I know you think of her often."

"We spent nearly a year together," Link reminded and ran his thumb along the back of her hand. He wondered, not for the first time, if he ever could have been truly happy with Midna either. He would have had to go to her realm, leave the world of the light behind, and he doubted the court politics were much better there, especially since they would be recovering from a coup. Still though, he had loved her, though sometimes he was unsure love was enough.

"I know," Zelda sighed and casually picked a light blue flower. Link knew they were her favorite, she always had them in their rooms, and she always gravitated toward them, but he had never asked why, or even what they were called. She twirled the flower in her hand as she spoke. "I'd be concerned if you didn't miss her," she admitted. "If you just acted like the whole thing never happened." She was silent for a long moment. "I think about her," she said. "Pray to the Goddesses that she is fairing well, though I'm not sure they answer prayers for her realm."

Link just nodded, unsure of what to say or of what to do. He had stopped praying to the Goddesses long ago. They had been a formality in Ordon, something parents would tell their children they should believe in, but also something that was never really enforced or followed. He had seen the Light Spirits with his own eyes, but the Goddesses remained a mystery to him. He wasn't sure he wanted to believe in three Goddesses so cruel that they would force this life upon him, even upon Zelda. Though he did not love her in that way, he had come to value her as a friend, as a companion. If nothing else, she kept him from his loneliness.

Zelda smiled slightly and gently placed a hand on her stomach. Link had noticed a bump beginning to appear. "Itil believes we are to have a boy," she commented. Link smiled slightly, deciding not to remind her that he had been present during that conversation. "She's always had a knack for things like this, you know. Only been wrong a handful of times." Link rolled his eyes, though not unkindly, and placed a hand over Zelda's. She turned to face him after a moment. "How has your arm been?" she asked, concern in her blue eyes.

"Better," Link sighed. He still could not train for more than an hour or so without it locking up, and he was still sore for days after even shorter, easier sections. On more than one occasion, he wondered if he would be better off learning to use his opposite hand to fight with. Still, it had taken him years to become proficient with his left hand. He did not want to spend years more re-learning everything on his right.

"That's good," Zelda smiled slightly."I hope you continue to improve. I know how much you love your fighting." He wanted to correct her, to tell her that he hated fighting, always had. He enjoyed the motions, the rituals of learning to use the sword. He enjoyed sparring when there was no threat of real injury to the other person, and he enjoyed practicing techniques on scarecrows and mannequins. He hated the fighting. He hated knowing he had ended lives, that he had killed. But he remained silent, content in at least knowing she had made an effort. Zelda sighed and rested her head on Link's shoulder. He sighed, but did not move.

"It's late," the Queen said as the sun set further into the horizon. "It will be nightfall by the time we return to the castle." Link nodded and helped her to her feet. She took his arm once again, and he escorted her back, navigating through the labyrinth that was the castle gardens. Commander Mora stayed close behind them, as he always did. "I like this," Zelda said as they walked. "Spending time with you." The Hero nodded and focused on the way back. He had come to like the warmer, kinder Zelda, though he feared it to be only a temporary change in her personality. For once though, he decided to be happy in the moment, and to worry about the future when it came along.