Exhaustion covered Zelda's face as she dropped to the ground, panting heavily. "Please tell me that was the last of them."
"All the enemies in this wing of the castle have been defeated. There remain yet-"
"Don't tell us how many are left, Fi. Please." Weariness had settled in Link's voice as well. "I think we're done for the night."
"Very well, Master Link. You are able to set up your camp without fear in this room." Fi gave the all clear and disappeared, leaving the newlyweds alone for the first time since the noon hour.
Zelda leaned her head onto Link's shoulder. "Well, we've made it safe to spend the night here."
He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I'm so proud of you. Keeping up and continually facing enemies like that is no easy feat."
"I couldn't let you fight them alone just because I was getting tired," she explained. "They didn't let up, so we couldn't either."
Link shifted his leg and winced, an action that didn't go unnoticed by his wife. "A break will do us some good."
"Link. Are you injured?" she asked, concern creeping in as she turned to face him.
"It's nothing. Just didn't jump back fast enough and one of those Moblin kicked me hard in the shin. I'll be fine," he protested.
"Let me heal it so you're not weakened."
"Love, you're in no shape to be doing any healing. You're exhausted, you haven't eaten in hours, and healing me will just leave you weaker."
"I don't care! We're going to rest, and I know you're going to force me to rest more than I wanted to anyway. Let me do this," she insisted.
Link shook his head stubbornly. "No. Save your energy for healing more life-threatening wounds. A bruised shin is hardly reason enough."
She shot him a dark look. "But it's enough to make you limp. If you're slowed down, then you could become overpowered by enemies."
"Are you saying you don't trust my ability to take care of myself?" Link raised an eyebrow at her. "I was doing just fine until I rescued you. I don't need you constantly fussing over me."
"Well, excuse me for caring about you," Zelda snapped, turning away in frustration.
Link huffed and pushed himself to his feet. "I'm going to get some firewood."
She didn't say anything or even bother to look at him as he left the room. They were in the far end of the castle she'd dubbed the 'guest wing'. All of the large bedrooms were set up for visiting dignitaries or guests of the royal family, each with their own private washroom. The drapes over the windows had long since disintegrated, and she didn't even bother looking at the bed to know it was unfit to be used.
She tiredly pulled herself up and went to the window. Rain made soft sounds against the glass, though the dreariness matched her mood. All she wanted to do was help him be at his very best. Yet he refused. His stubbornness could match her own at times. She hugged her arms around herself and sighed softly. The stress was getting to her. To them both. It pained her to no end to see how badly the castle was damaged and had fallen under disrepair. Months of work would be needed to restore it to liveable condition, to say nothing of what would be needed for the coronation. If they focused on the throne room, the main entrance and walkways, and a handful of bedrooms, including her own, perhaps it would only take a couple of months before it'd be ready for the coronation. Full restorations would take far longer, but at least it would be a start.
Her ears picked up the sound of footsteps, and she tensed, her hand on the Sheikah Slate at her hip. She relaxed when Link came back into the room, his arms full of wood chunks, leftover pieces of what remained of a broken table, if she had to guess. He didn't turn as he knelt in front of the fireplace and began the task of building a fire.
Temper cooled, she slowly crossed the room and knelt to undo their bedrolls. Both Hylians worked in silence on their respective tasks, the only sound in the room being the rain on the window and the soft crackle of the fire as it grew.
"I'm sorry, Link," Zelda finally spoke up after adjusting the bedrolls three times and refolding the blankets twice. "I don't know when you want me to heal you instead of allowing it to heal naturally. I want to be the best I can for you. I don't want you to be disappointed in me."
Link sat back on his heels. "I'm not disappointed in you, love. I don't want you to be spending unnecessary energy on anything not bleeding or causing immense pain."
She nodded slowly. "So, I can use my energy to heal grave wounds, but you don't want it on just cuts and scrapes."
"Yes." Nearly silent footfalls denoted his movement, then his arms were around her. "I don't want to argue with you."
"Me either," she whispered into his shoulder.
"Pull the bedrolls closer to the fire. We'll want the warmth tonight," Link advised. "I'll cook up some meat skewers and we'll eat some of the fruit with it."
"I have no doubt that you'll find a way to keep us warm, regardless of the fire," Zelda blushed but nibbled on his earlobe in spite of it.
He gave a soft groan, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist. "...food can wait."
The sun was peeking through the east window when the couple managed to untangle themselves from the blankets. Breakfast was the forgotten meal from the previous night. Link whispered in Zelda's ear, bringing the rosy glow back to her cheeks. She shook her head, not dignifying him with a response.
"Oh, c'mon." Link's wolfish grin was back in full force.
"You're incorrigible, did you know that?" She said with a mock stern look and shoved him away, causing him to sigh as he leaned over to kiss her cheek.
"You might have mentioned it." He folded the blanket and tucked up the bedroll. "Don't you feel better now, after some rest and-"
"And lovemaking until I could scarcely move, let alone breathe?" She interrupted. "Yes. I could have slept longer, but I think we'll manage."
"Your mood is better when we've had that kind of night," he commented.
"Nights will come when we can't spend as much time on such activities, if at all." she pointed out. "I assume you've had a lesson regarding how a woman is able to bear children."
"One of the few so-called 'benefits' of being in Gerudo Town," Link replied with a grimace.
"Prepare yourself. I haven't had a monthly since we defeated Ganon. A hundred years in a form of stasis without oneā¦" Zelda trailed off.
Her husband blanched. "Maybe we'll get lucky and you'll be pregnant so we won't have to worry about that for a while?" he hoped aloud.
"Perhaps. I'm prepared, regardless of what happens." She forced herself to sound more confident than she felt.
"Ready to clear out more monsters?" Link asked to change the subject, handing her the belt for the Sheikah Slate.
"As prepared as I shall be today. Where should we start?"
"We have the two Lynels in the towers, the throne room," Link paused. "The throne room is the same as the sanctum, right?"
"Correct." Zelda affirmed. "Dining room, my father's chambers, and my wing of the castle."
"Master Link has failed to recall the lockup and docks in listing off areas containing monsters," Fi chimed in.
"No shortage of areas to choose from," Zelda mused. "Let's take out the Lynels so they're not a concern anymore. From there, we'll go into the sanctum."
"How many monsters are currently in the sanctum?" Link asked.
"There are three different encampments scattered throughout the largest room within the castle. Those consist of four Moblins, seven Lizalfos, and ten Bokoblins," Fi responded. "All are of varying levels of strength."
"Meaning it's going to be a challenge to clear them out, and we can't just wear one mask, because if we do, the others will attack us. Strategy will be key for that." Zelda thought aloud. "Is there rubble to give us cover?"
"Yes. There are chunks of stone wall, including the balcony that were destroyed during the fight with Calamity Ganon," Link remembered. "That beast had no qualms with destroying the entire place if he wanted to."
"So, it'll be up to us to make sure that it's restored to its former glory," Zelda said firmly. "I'm not going to allow my home to remain looking like this!"
"... have I mentioned how much I love it when you're fierce?" Link asked with a smirk.
She rolled her eyes. "Since we've been married, you love nearly everything I do."
"Because I love you," he replied bluntly. "And I get to tell you, and show you, every single day."
"As much as I would enjoy having you make good on that presently, we have quite a collection of monsters to clear out," Zelda reminded him with a soft sigh.
"Right. Sanctum, here we come."
"No, the Lynels," she corrected.
"Oh. Right," Link said sheepishly. "Fi, what can you tell us about the rooms that house the Lynels?"
"The Lynels are housed in the pair of gatehouses. The doors have been rigged to closed when you enter to face the monster," the spirit explained, making her appearance by the embers of the fire.
"So, we'll be trapped inside like I was when I killed the Stalnox in the lockup," Link pondered aloud. "That's hardly promising."
"Actually, I've got an idea regarding that. How tall are the windows near the top of the room?" the princess spoke up.
"Why would you need- OH! Brilliant thinking, love!" Link grinned as realization dawned.
"Are the windows tall enough to sit in so we can hit the Lynel with an arrow without actually entering the room?" Zelda clarified.
"Yes. They are a considerable height off the ground, so caution will be needed to make the climb."
"I don't suppose there's a ladder we could utilize, is there?" the princess mused.
"No. Any ladders have disintegrated over the last hundred years. Believe me, I would have made use of one had I found one here," he commented wryly.
"It'll be up to you then, Link. I don't think I'm strong enough to climb up a wall like the outside of the gatehouses. We passed by one on our way in last night."
"It will be a challenge for Master Link, but not impossible," Fi confirmed.
Zelda followed her husband into the hall and outside. She inhaled deeply, enjoying the scent of rain. "I'm thankful it's stopped raining but it smells lovely out here."
"Let's hope the bricks aren't too slick." Link made a face. "I've lost the calluses on the tips of my fingers before from trying to climb something while it was wet."
She winced. "That sounds dreadfully unpleasant."
"Not the worst thing I've endured, but not fun either."
Zelda drew her bow and turned her back to the gatehouse. "Please be careful, Link. I'm going to make sure we're not going to be attacked while you're taking care of that."
He brushed her cheek with a light kiss. "Thank you, love. I'll be down in a minute." He tucked the bow over his shoulder with his quiver and began the slow climb. Fortunately, the sun peeking out from the clouds had hit the wall enough to dry it, so his grip was firm.
The princess took a deep breath, scanning all directions for monsters. It was hardly ideal, but going about taking out the Lynels this way was their best shot to avoid a repeat of Hebra.
Link exhaled softly as he slid into the large windowsill and pulled his bow off his shoulder. He had to keep as quiet as he could. The one downside of this plan was if he could see the Lynel, he was also visible to the monster. He nocked an Ancient Arrow and drew it, honing in on the brute. A low whistle from the Hylian had the maned-head of the Lynel snapping up to look at him, giving him the perfect headshot. The monster collapsed, dead instantly from the arrow.
"Lynel's dead," he said conversationally while he climbed back down. "That was nearly too easy."
"Thank the Goddess." Zelda breathed a sigh of relief. "To the other gatehouse then?"
"Yes. It shouldn't be too much difficulty there, long as the setup is the same."
"It is a mirror image of this gatehouse, Master Link," Fi confirmed as Link slid to the ground. "There are three Bokoblins to the south of the entrance into the northern gatehouse."
Link shouldered their pack of supplies. "Let's go then. It'll be easy to take them out."
"Should I use a bomb first like we did with the last trio?" Zelda inquired.
"That worked well before, so yes. Just like last time." Link scoffed. "The monsters are so stupid, they tend to group the same ways no matter where in Hyrule they are."
"I had noticed that," she mused. "While they don't have ability for speech, they seem to have enough intelligence to ascertain the basics of how to cook and prepare food, as well as to handle simple weapons."
"They communicate with each other. But it doesn't make them any less of a monster to be killed for the safety of Hyrule and my princess," Link argued.
"Very true," Zelda conceded. "We shall rid the castle of these fiends once and for all!"
The Bokoblins and the second Lynel were eliminated with minimal effort on the part of the two Hylians, much to the princess's relief. They took a brief rest in the doorway of the second gatehouse to catch their breath and have a bite to eat before venturing back into the castle. Zelda let out a sad sigh as she caught sight of the tattered remains of the once ornate carpets and tapestries in the sanctum. Nothing was as she remembered it. The Calamity had an effect on everything.
As Fi had informed them, rubble from the broken balcony in the throne room littered the room, creating areas the monsters used to their full advantage. A massive crater filled the center of the floor, leaving little room outside the areas the monsters occupied. Zelda gave Link a pained look as she pulled her bow down from her shoulder. There would be much work done in this room before they could hold the coronation.
He stopped mid stride and scanned the room. It certainly looked worse than it did after his fight with Ganon, but it wasn't completely destroyed. "We'll rebuild it, love. It won't look like this forever."
"I know, but that doesn't make it any easier right now," she whispered.
He pressed a kiss against her forehead. "Focus on the monsters. It's the first step to rebuilding."
She nodded slowly, swallowing down her grief.
Sensing her mood, he handed her the Bokoblin mask. "Why don't you hide to the right and send some arrows into the encampment? It'll help you feel better."
She made a face. "Is the mask really necessary?"
"Suit yourself," he shrugged.
"What are you going to be doing?" Her eyebrow lifted when she saw him grab a handful of bomb arrows.
"I'm going to have some fun," he grinned at her.
"Be safe, please," she pleaded. "Don't do anything reckless."
"Without a bit of recklessness and fun, there's no adventure," he quipped, but quickly sobered. "I'll be careful. I promise."
Zelda hardly looked convinced but she allowed him to slip left to target the group of four Moblins. She honed in on the group closest to her comprised of three white Bokoblins. The trio was seated around a small campfire, grunting softly to each other. Grumbling under her breath about the unpleasant, monstrous smell, she pulled the mask over her head and took cover behind the edge of a large chunk of rock. Peeking over the edge, she lined up her bow for the first shot. These creatures weren't worth wasting an ancient arrow. Bomb arrows that would send them flying would be adequate.
An explosion to the left was quickly followed by another, drowning out the slight whoop and holler from Link as he barreled toward the remaining Moblin. She shook her head at his antics, then turned back to the task at hand. The distractions had caught the attention of the Bokoblins but they had been slow to move, giving her a perfect target for the bomb arrow. She ducked her head as the explosion rocked the ground, sending the monsters flying.
The challenge she'd found with the white Bokoblins was that they were tougher to kill. A single explosion wouldn't suffice. Fortunately, a well-placed second bomb into their midst when they'd righted themselves was enough to take out the first one. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to keep one of the two remaining from spotting her and making a beeline straight for the shaking princess.
"LINK!" she screamed, fumbling for the dagger at her hip.
The Bokoblin squealed angrily and leaped at her, tackling her to the ground.
Link swiftly finished killing the other Bokoblin, and ran to his princess, wrenching the monster off her. Blood covered her green Hylian tunic as well as the beige leggings she wore. Her Bokoblin mask had been shredded across the face and hung limply by a few scraps of fabric. A glance at the wide-eyed stare of the monster he'd discarded confirmed its demise. Zelda, for her part, had a white-knuckled grip on the dagger, her breathing shallow and uneven.
"Zelda. It's okay. It's dead. Relax your grip on the dagger," he encouraged, gently sitting her up.
She shook her head, still clutching the hilt tightly. "There's more. I have to be ready. I can't be caught off guard." Blood dripped from scratches across her face, evidence of the only injuries she'd sustained.
"Princess," Link sighed, gently prying her fingers loose and letting the blade drop to the floor between her knees. "Zelda, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have had you face them alone."
"It's fine. I'm fine. I just need to keep taking them out," she argued, picking up her dagger and cleaning the blood off on her already-ruined leggings.
"You're holding it too tightly, and your breathing is irregular," he pointed out.
"Master Link, the Princess is experiencing severe anxiety and is incapable of thinking rationally," Fi informed him. "There remain seven Bokoblins and seven Lizalfos in the sanctum."
"We can't rest here," Link mused, concern in his voice. "We have to power through. Can you sit here for a few minutes?"
"I'm not a child! I can fight," she huffed.
"You're in no condition to fight," he argued. "You got attacked head-on by a Bokoblin and you nearly collapsed in anxiety."
"Let me use my bow then! I much prefer it. It wasn't my fault that brute chose to come after me!"
He blew out his breath. "You know what? Fine. As long as you can do that without hitting me."
Her hands shook as she sheathed the knife back on her hip and picked up her bow. The string was sticky with blood, which she tried to clean with a corner of her stained tunic, with no success. Her breathing came in frustrated puffs, as her anger rose. How dare he insult her like that? How dare that monster attack her! She wasn't weak! She wasn't-
"Zelda. Take a deep breath," Link advised. "You're going to pass out if you're not careful."
She shot him a dark look. "I'm perfectly fine, thank you!" she snapped. "You worry about those monsters."
He shook his head and rolled to his feet. "Sure sounds like you're fine," he mumbled sarcastically.
Zelda growled in the back of her throat. "Is there a problem?"
"Not unless your aim is as bad as your lying to me was."
She seethed silently, watching him stalk toward the group of Lizalfos. Her hands still shook, and she had to blink repeatedly at the spots clouding her vision. Despite her protests, she wasn't doing as well as she claimed. Fear had gripped her and refused to let go. She was unable to take a deep, slow breath. The room spun, then turned black, fading into nothingness.
Link was taking out his frustration with her antics on the monster swarms. Almost on autopilot, he launched spin attacks and countered attack after attack with the Master Sword and the Hylian Shield. A Lizalfos' forked tongue caught him on the bruised shin, and he winced, removing the offending appendage before killing the monster. Eliminate the threat. Kill the monster and move on. It was always the same. Some things never changed, regardless of the location in Hyrule.
"Master Link. All the monsters in the sanctum have been eliminated," Fi reported, floating beside him. "Princess Zelda lost consciousness moments ago."
Link whirled to face the direction where his wife had been sitting to watch him. Her still form was slumped over sideways, with the bow fallen across her lap. "Zelda? ZELDA!"
His heart was in his throat as he raced over to her. She'd been panicked, hyperventilating, and he knew she'd been in bad shape. But the monsters had to be dealt with. His eyes gazed at her features as he skidded to a stop.
Her face was deathly pale, a stark contrast to her blood-stained clothing. Her shallow breathing proved that she was still alive, but there was little he could do for her. He knelt down, wrapped his arms around his wife, and allowed himself to weep. Though they'd been arguing before, it mattered little. There was nothing more valuable to him than his princess. All he could do was close his eyes and pray to the Goddess that she would awaken soon and return to full health.
