It's Friday! Friday! Gotta get down on- Wait, that song's shit. I know this for a fact; as I type this, Bublé fills my ears with his magical serenades. So take that, Ms. Whatever the hell your name is. But yeah. Long-ass week. So to celebrate the end of school for a couple days, enjoy a new chapter! I mean, they come out every day, but… well… Yeah.

Music

This really wasn't a terribly difficult thing to learn. Actually, it had come to her rather quickly, since she sat down and played for an hour each night. But it was also relaxing, and very enjoyable. Why hadn't she ever thought to try this sooner? Probably because she hadn't learned to unwind before meeting Link. She wouldn't have ever imagined creating music back then – she was completely committed to making herself and her boys richer with each day that passed. But now… It was nice to slow down and branch out.

She had always enjoyed music, especially when she was little and her mother would occasionally sing while working. But the inspiration had probably settled into her mind after returning from Hyrule. Medli and Makar had been part of their greeting party, and had played a beautiful ballad duet to mark the end of the threat across the Great Sea. It had spoken to her; ever since then the urge to try playing an instrument had settled in the back of her mind, occasionally jumping forth like a curious child.

She secretly enjoyed singing like her mother, but was shy of her voice and only did it when alone. And ever since Link had caught her, she'd been terribly careful of that. However, pouring her energy into an instrument was a different form of expression, and it was quickly becoming one that she thoroughly enjoyed. Medli's gentle strumming had piqued her interest in the harp, so she had bought a decent quality one the week prior when they had stopped to restock at a major port.

The fact was that she had an exorbitant amount of money stashed away in a hidden reserve. And since she never really bought anything beyond food and supplies, her wealth simply accumulated to extreme figures. She was technically rich enough to purchase an island half the size of Windfall, if she so deemed. But since there were a variety of uninhabited islands already, that idea was utterly stupid. So it grew until something ever occurred and she needed money to fall back on.

Or until she happened across something she really wanted. She could have easily purchased Link a diamond for a birthday gift, the size of which almost all of the ocean's population could only dream about. But what would he have done with anything expensive? Truthfully, she'd been rather happy with the chain; true to his word, she had yet to see him without it faintly visible under his clothes. So that had worked out without the need to fall back on money. Besides, the harp was a practical excuse of spent money; you could only stare at a diamond.

Ultimately, her plan was to practice a song and then surprise him with it when they were alone. She'd been committed to it, practicing without missing a night regardless of how tired she may have felt. It was showing, though: her playing was becoming much more steady and confident, and her song was almost perfect. It was a simple tune that was popular on Dragon Roost, but it sounded especially pretty on the harp. She knew he'd enjoy it; he had some musical knowledge himself from the Wind Waker, and was sure to find it soothing. She just had to ignore her nerves and play it properly in front of him.

She closed her eyes as she lay on her bed, letting the gentle melody float around the room. Goddesses, music was relaxing. She could really get into this. Maybe she could find a piece to sing along to! She could offer shows whenever they docked, playing on the side of the road and making a bit of extra money. Not that she needed it, but it was a sincere form of appreciation. But she was probably getting ahead of herself. She had a long way to go before something like that, but it was nice to have a goal to work toward.

A faint knock on her door shook her from her imagined future, her playing ceasing immediately. Knowing the knock, it was likely Link. But what was he doing up at this hour? It was well past sunset; he should have turned in hours ago. Calling out, "Come in," the door swung open a crack and the familiar blonde head poked inside with a smile.

"Hey," he said, eyes tracing over the harp. "Thought I could hear music. Whatcha doin'?"

"Uh…" So much for her surprise. She felt like a kid caught stealing a cookie. "Well, I bought a harp," she answered lamely, holding up the instrument. He nodded and closed the door, walking closer and taking a seat on the edge of the bed. "I thought that I'd learn a song and surprise you. So… ta-da?"

He laughed. "Sorry, I didn't mean to spoil your plan. I just thought I could hear music when I was trying to fall asleep. It sounded pretty nice."

"Thanks," she told him, honestly appreciating the compliment. "I've been practicing every night for a week, though. I don't know how you didn't hear me before if you did now."

"Well, before I've been up early and working all day," he answered with a shrug. "Today, though, I didn't really do much. So I'm not really tired, and was conscious of subtle differences when trying to sleep. Make sense?"

She nodded. She hadn't thought her playing could be heard, but then again, he had also caught her singing while on the deck of all places. Maybe her room wasn't as soundproof as she thought. That had been a pretty stupid assumption on her part.

"So can you play me something then?" She looked up, staring at him. He wanted a song? She wasn't sure she was quite ready. But the way he looked at her didn't leave her with much of a choice. So she shrugged and hugged the instrument to her chest, taking a deep breath. She began to pluck the strings as the familiar melody filled the room once more.

He closed his eyes and softly nodded to the beat, a small smile curving onto his lips. She smiled and closed her eyes as well, letting her fingers guide themselves in the familiar movements. They sat in silence and let the music carry them away, far away where they were nowhere near the ocean, or the sky, or anything comprehensible. They were in a place that had nothing. Nothing but each other, staring into the other's eyes and dancing softly to the lyrical tune that emanated from her playing. And because of it, it was a place that held everything.

In her mind, she sighed in contentment. She could only imagine her excitement if he happened, by any chance, to be envisioning the same.