Zelda stared at her uniform.

"Arms up."

She put them up, letting Senna slide the white shirt over her head. The girl buttoned it, deft fingers making quick work of the task. Next came the jacket.

"Arms out," came her sweet voice. Zelda spread her arms. Senna slid the jacket sleeve over one, then the other, buttoning it as swiftly as she'd done the shirt. Now the hard part.

Senna turned while Zelda let the lower half of the robe fall. The undergarments she could manage herself. The pants, however . . .

Sayge's wife lifted them over Zelda's legs and handled the buttons a third time. She tightened the belt to the third notch, handed Zelda her gloves, and began her hair.

She brushed out the locks until they were smooth and shining, then lifted the scissors. My shoulders, was all the instruction Zelda had given the woman.

Golden hair fell with each snip, and soon Zelda could feel cool air brush the nape of her neck. She shivered violently.

"Would you like your coat, Your Majesty?" Senna asked quietly.

Zelda shook her head. She'd get too hot on the road. Senna nodded, handed Zelda the jacket, and parted the curtains. Her voice was faint.

"She's ready for you now."

The curtains parted once more, revealing Link, already in his uniform. "The soldiers are ready to go," he said quietly.

Zelda could feel his eyes on her and debated dismissing the soldiers altogether. But she knew that wasn't smart. She knew Link couldn't stop her every time.

Her hands twisted together, the white bandages scraping her skin. He'd barely stopped her that night in her room, in Highfort.

She'd never been prone to suicide. That wasn't what the scene had been about, no matter what the soldiers of the castle said. It had been about fear, and escape.

Link watched her, his heart twisting. Hypothermia . . . sometimes the case was bad enough that the mind created scenes, things that weren't happening, but were so vivid the mind convinced itself they were real. His hallucinations had come and gone, but hers . . . exacerbated by her nightmare, by the failed attempt to get her warm after they were found, they lasted longer. Got worse.

They'd stayed at Highfort three days longer than planned. The last night, she'd been reading in her room, trying to focus on the words and not the scenes that still haunted her, when the window had blasted open.

She'd frozen, caught in a hallucination. The cold had reminded her of her near-death on Snowpeak, and her mind had convinced itself she was freezing to death all over again. She'd wandered over to the fire and stuck her hands in the hot coals.

Her screams were deaf to her own ears, but not anyone else's. And when Link burst through the door, when he'd seen her curled up by the grate, her hands buried in the firepit, he'd thought he was having a vision, too.

By the time he'd yanked her hands out, they were nearly black with burns. One look at her face had told him she was oblivious. It's too cold, she'd whispered, tears leaking out of her eyes. I can't get warm.

Looking at her now, staring at the curtain blankly, his heart broke for her. She'd had her weapons taken from her, she'd been kept away from anything she might use to hurt herself with, and she was under guard at all times.

Link's pain for her turned to rage. All because of that damned Talus. No--because Ganondorf wants to play with things he doesn't understand.

He hadn't recognized the soldiers in the Snowfield--nor those in Highfort. Whether they were instated by Ganondorf or he'd simply never seen them before, Link had wanted to leave as soon as Zelda was somewhat stable. He hoped the impending wedding in Zora's Domain would help bring her back to normal.

But first . . . they needed to make a stop in Nol.

Link hoped it would help.

Now, Zelda started forward abruptly, jerking Link out of his reverie. He followed, making sure there was nothing around to agitate her. If there was, she paid it no mind, simply stopping at the door to hug Senna and thank Sayge. That was another thing. She only wanted--only tolerated--either Link or another woman by her side. No men.

Link didn't quite understand that part, but he'd let his men know anyhow. Tuning in, he just caught Zelda's words as she hugged Senna, the first she'd spoken that day.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice hoarse and scratchy. She clutched Senna tightly.

The girl hugged her just as vehemently, squeezing her eyes shut. She pulled back, clasping Zelda's face. "You are always welcome."

Tears glittered in both the girls' eyes. As Zelda stepped back, she remembered something. She turned to Sayge, gesturing to her clothes. "Link was right. I can't even tell they were ever dyed. Your work was flawless."

Sayge was clearly surprised, but he inclined his head. "Thank you, Empress."

"No, thank you, Sayge," Zelda murmured, and with that, she left. Link hurried after her.

/

Zelda set the pace hard for Nol; the sooner she put that nightmare mountain behind her, the better. As the weather turned warmer the further south they went, she took her jacket off, struggling with the bandages.

They were stopped in a field, not unlike the one she and Link had rested in on the way to the Wastelands. Nor was it dissimilar to the one in her dream, up on Snowpeak--

Zelda shut her eyes, taking several deep breaths. When her mind cleared, as Sergeant Nara had taught her to do, she opened her eyes and gazed across the open fields.

Since Link had instated her twenty-four hour guard, Sergeant Nara had taken to accepting more and more shifts. Eventually they'd gone from sitting in silence to talking quietly, and finally, one evening, the sergeant had offered her own advice.

"It's best to clear your mind," she'd said. "The memories will be fresh for a while. When you feel them creeping up, close your eyes and take deep breaths. Think about things you love--your favorite food, the stars at night, your life in Nol--until they go away."

"And what then?" Zelda had asked, throat raw from screaming.

Nara had looked her right in the eyes and smiled gently. "And then you move on."

Zelda stared across the fields, the gently waving wildflowers, the groups of trees blooming green and bright. Summer lasted many days in Hyrule, but even here, autumn was taking hold. Leaves glittered orange and gold and red, grass took on a golden sheen, and the days grew short. It would come soon.

Grass whispered underboot. Wordlessly Link took her sleeves and gently pulled them over her bandages. He'd realized quickly she craved silence--at least from people. But in nature . . . she'd always loved the sounds of life. Now, more than ever.

Link slung her jacket over her horse's bridle. She mounted up, waiting for the others to get ready. In the distance, she could see the towers of Nol spearing the sky.

At Link's word, she set off.

The ride took them until night to reach the city. At the gates, bright lanterns heralded the sounds of life Zelda found so familiar. She hovered in the gates while Link organized their arrival with the guards, taking it in.

Think of what you love.

She turned her gaze to Link, still speaking with the guards. Their visit was his idea in the first place; he'd thought it would be good to see Aryll and Grandma again, and they both wanted to check on the situation with Colin.

She winced slightly. They'd pretty much abandoned the boy there . . . Link could handle that end of things.

Now that she was here, she could already feel her shoulders becoming lighter. Passerby stared at them from the roads, but she didn't care. This was her home--her first real home.

Link came up to her. "We're all set. Let's go."

Zelda glanced behind. "What about the guards?"

"I've told them to stay behind at the inn. I think they'd find their presence awkward, to say the least."

Zelda pursed her lips; the memory of Snowpeak was fading, but it still lingered. She took a breath. She was determined to be rid of it, at least while Link was making such an effort. "Fine. Now I know you're up to something."

Link gave her an innocent look, but Zelda wasn't buying it. She felt a hint of a smile play on her lips as she followed Link through the streets. At that moment, the past months were further from her mind than they'd ever been.

Link made one stop: at a tailor's storefront, he asked Zelda to stay outside and ducked in. He spoke quickly with the tailor, who winked before whisking through a back door. She returned a moment later, large package in hand, and they had another short exchange. Link scribbled something on a paper, stuck it inside, and left, and while his back was turned, the tailor caught Zelda's eye through the window and winked.

Zelda's face reddened, but she thanked the Goddesses Link couldn't see. At the same time, she wondered what was in the package. Had he had a suit tailored?

Then he left the tailor's, back on his horse with a few deft movements, package held in one hand. He whisked her off to the familiar streets, and soon she was on an avenue she would've recognized anywhere.

Her old house.

Her heart ached; how long had it been since she'd set foot here? Link didn't hesitate; he stepped right through the door and climbed the stairs, with instructions to put on whatever was in the box before she followed. Sending him a quizzical look, she ducked into the flat she'd lived in and shut the door. She smiled faintly. Just like I left it.

Though, upon closer inspection, that wasn't the case. She could see another dresser had been added, and clothes were left where she hadn't left them. Boys' clothes. Zelda raised a brow. So Colin took up residence, hmm?

She didn't mind. Setting the mysterious box on the neatly made bed, she opened it.

"Oh," she breathed. Inside lay a dress of white chiffon, tiny flowers of rose gold and pink sewn in. Thin straps held it up, and the back dipped down to her lower spine. It was a short dress, almost to her knees. A blue sash lay beneath it, along with a small white box.

Zelda bit her lip, setting the beautiful dress aside. She lifted the box, but she noticed the paper Link had slipped in earlier and read it.

"I had this made before I knew you didn't like open-backed dresses."

Zelda laughed, her eyes watering. She blinked hard and set it aside, reaching for the box. She let out a shuddering gasp.

She lifted the coiled gold bangle, holding it up to the light from outside. The end of it was carved in the shape of a flower. She felt her eyes burn again, recognizing the bloom immediately.

She'd found one when they'd been heading to the border with Twilight, in some open field. Link had told her the story: of a princess of Hyrule that had held back a monster for a hundred years, all alone. The people had named the near-extinct bloom the Silent Princess after her. And when she and the Hero had finally beaten the monster, the flower had sprouted all over Hyrule.

Zelda had to shut her eyes and take several deep breaths. Link . . .

As the voices upstairs got louder, Zelda swiftly got changed, slipping the dress and sash over her head, struggling a bit with her bandages. She slipped out, sliding the bangle over her bicep.

Zelda took in the apartment as she went; aside from her room, it was just as she'd left it, way back when she'd stopped Aryll from savaging Colin. She smiled, remembering what had happened earlier that day. It seemed that whenever she was at her worst, she always ended up in the place she loved best.

She climbed the stairs, the smooth banister cool beneath her fingers. For once, it didn't bother her.

She came upon the landing and caught a glimpse of bright lights before Link appeared, grinning. He put his hands on her shoulders. "Now close your eyes," he murmured in her ear.

Shivering deliciously, Zelda did so and let Link coax her into the room. Strange. She'd thought she heard voices earlier, but now it--

"Surprise!"

/

"Happy birthday, Zelda darling!" Grandma hobbled forward, clasping Zelda's cheeks. Her eyes were wet. Zelda stood frozen as the others came forward. Aryll was practically bouncing up and down with happiness, her sky blue dress as exquisitely designed as Zelda's own. Beside her, Colin grinned, a drink held aloft in one hand. His shoulder brushed Aryll's.

"Welcome home, Zelda," came a voice from the back, and Zelda hardly believed her eyes as Saria came into the light, her small frame bound in a summer dress of differing shades of green. Her hair was swept back with pearl pins.

Zelda felt tears burn and rushed to take the girl in her arms. Saria clutched at her tightly; Zelda was overflowing with questions, too many emotions in her heart to count, but then another voice was there, one Zelda hadn't heard in far too long.

"I know you're not going to ignore me, Your Majesty," Alana said, hands on hips. Sirela and Faylen appeared behind her. Zelda squealed, breaking away from a grinning Saria, and they rushed forward.

"Now where was my warm welcome?" Faylen asked, though there was only humor in his voice.

"You don't get one," Zelda yelled into Alana's shoulder. She felt the girl tremble with laughter, and as she pulled back, Alana pinched her lips together. "Now don't you go crying on me," she warned Zelda, wiping her face.

Zelda laughed, so full of happiness she didn't know what to do with herself. All her closest friends, those she loved most, together with her in her home. And the culprit, coming up close behind her--

"Happy birthday, Zelda," Link murmured in her ear. She could hear his smile. She whirled, biting her lip. "I didn't even know it was today. How did you know?"

Link shrugged, grinning in a way that he'd done some scheming, but Zelda didn't care. She hadn't felt this light ever. She'd hardly ever celebrated her birthday with people she actually liked: in the castle, it was a whole affair, courtiers tripping over themselves to gain her favor, veiled insults under silky compliments. In Nol, that year she'd spent it in her room, listening to the rain pound down on the roof, reading her favorite novel. And now, the timing of it all. . .

None of it came within a mile of this.

She pinched her lips together, but even Alana's warning couldn't keep her tears at bay. She gazed at the room full of her friends, all of them meeting her with watery eyes. Link in particular wore that smile, the one she could never resist. "Thank you," she cried, the dam finally breaking loose. She buried her face in her hands, but others pulled them away, and the room filled with voices Zelda would never get enough of.

She spent time chatting with each of them, wishing for the first time in a while that this was her life. But then, she thought, watching Sirela tell an embarrassing story about Alana, if my life wasn't what it is, I'd never have met them.

She'd just risen from hugging a tearful Grandma when the sounds on the street got louder. Aryll glanced out the window. "It's starting!"

The small room became a flurry of activity of grabbing coats and shoes. Zelda was about to step out when Aryll seized her arm and pulled her aside. "Link forgot these," she whispered conspiratorially, handing her a pair of white shoes with thin white laces. "Men are men, you know." She rolled her eyes. "Always forgetting the small stuff. We'll wait for you."

Zelda sat down on the couch and yanked off her uniform boots; she'd forgotten she'd even been wearing them. Aryll wasn't wrong often, though she was on one count. The "small stuff" was what Link never failed to remember.

She tied the laces and stood, stopping by the mirror. She swore it cracked.

"Gah!" She pawed at her face, grimacing, brushing down her dress, teasing out the nonexistent snarls in her hair. Her heart pounded. She'd been so caught up in everything that she hadn't given a thought to how she looked. Well, it's less how I look, and who's waiting outside.

After an extra thirty seconds, she deemed her reflection satisfactory and nearly ran outside. The group had waited, as Aryll promised, and they set off when Zelda appeared. Despite her flurry in front of the mirror, all thoughts of her appearance vanished at the sight of the street.

It was packed full of people, all dressed in their finest. The lampposts were decorated with garlands of flowers, and banners streamed across the street overhead. As they passed a storefront, a sign outside said, Happy Solstice!

Zelda mentally berated herself. Of course it was the Solstice--the official end of summer. The warm breezes carried the barest hint of a chill. Aryll seized her arm and dragged her further along, for she had fallen behind the group. "Where are we going?" Zelda asked, but Aryll shook her head and put a finger to her lips. "It's a surprise. Just come on!"

So Zelda linked her arm through Aryll's and they walked along the avenue, pointing out familiar landmarks, and soon she began to recognize the route. As the road drifted downward, curving to the right, Zelda suddenly knew exactly where they were going.

She threw a glance at Link, but he was wrapped up in an animated conversation with Colin. Zelda faced forward, smiling as they stopped at a restaurant with wide, glass windows. The doors were open, admitting the sounds of business--and a lot of it. People stumbled in and out, talking along the sidewalk, and as Zelda's group approached, a trio of intoxicated men stood aside to let them pass.

Zelda ducked inside, closing her eyes and inhaling. It hadn't changed since the last time she'd been there, she thought with a smile.

Someone jostled her, and her eyes flew open. The person--a man with his lady on his arm--apologized and tipped his hat, then squeezed through the crowd. Zelda peered above the heads of the patrons, searching out the bar. Link and Colin carved a path for the girls, but they stopped and grinned after a few feet.

"Is that the birthday girl?" a voice boomed over the packed crowd. Zelda grinned as a large woman pushed through the crowd, hands on hips. Telma seized Zelda in a tight hug. Zelda wrapped her arms around the woman's neck, squeezing her eyes shut. She hadn't realized how much she'd missed her.

Telma set her down, then took her hand and pulled her to the counter. "I know that boy probably gave you everything you could have wanted, but I've still got somethin' for you," she said, reaching into her apron pocket. She winked, handing a long box to Zelda. "Here you go, sweetie."

Biting her lip hard, Zelda opened the box on the counter and couldn't contain her gasp. "Where did you find this?" she whispered, searching Telma's warm gaze.

The woman smiled and shrugged. "Goron merchants might be stingy, but even they will give up their best piece if the deal is good enough."

Zelda lifted the pin out of the box, watching the gems glittering in the light. It was a glass hairpin, in the shape of a blooming camellia, surrounded by tiny sapphires, rubies, and opals. Two thin, glittering strings held small pearls. "Oh, Telma, it's beautiful."

Telma gently took it and set it in Zelda's hair, right behind her ear. She cupped Zelda's cheek, pursing her lips. "Now go find a seat, and send Link my way, would you, sweetie?"

Zelda nodded and departed, finding it harder and harder every second to keep her tears at bay. What had she done, she wondered? What could she possibly have done to deserve such wonderful people in her life?

When she squeezed through a throng of people and reached the group, they huddled around, cooing at the hairpin. As Sirela left Link to join the huddle, Zelda caught sight of his face.

He was staring at her, his face slack. And whatever was in his eyes, something Zelda was sure was reflected in her own, made time slow around them. If only for a second.

Then he smiled, and it was like the sun breaking loose. He brushed past the group and headed to where Telma waited. Colin took charge in his absence, leading the ladies to a large table. Zelda took her seat between Aryll and Saria, and a server came around to hand out menus.

Link was only gone a short while, but they filled the time with debates on the food. As she searched her own menu, Zelda noticed Aryll and Colin seemed on much better terms than when she'd left them. Watching out of the corner of her eye, she raised a brow as Colin leaned in close and pointed out something on Aryll's menu. Their heads brushed.

As Colin straightened, Zelda leaned in and whispered in Aryll's ear, "I hear the Baked Hyrule is a favorite among couples."

Aryll whipped her head to Zelda, her cheeks turning pink. "It's not like that!" she hissed.

Zelda raised a brow, grinning. "Oh?"

Aryll huffed. "I don't want to hear a word out of your mouth when that one hasn't been able to take his eyes off you all night." She jerked her chin subtly at Link, who'd made it to the table. As Zelda glanced at him, he met her eyes and smiled. Zelda flushed and returned to her menu.

Telma swept around and took their orders, and soon after several platters of steaming food landed on their table. Their meal passed in a blur, and then they were streaming out into the plaza, holding their stomachs.

"Where to now?" Zelda asked, lips quirked up as she looked at Link. He winked, taking her arm. "Now for the parties."

He swept them down to the square, where a massive bonfire burned in the center. Above it, more flower garlands were strung around the posts set in the square center. The vendors' stalls were busier than ever; Aryll dragged Colin away to one, sticking her tongue out at Zelda as the empress winked after her. Zelda grinned, acutely aware of Link's hand on her arm. He pulled her toward the square, where people were twirling and clapping their hands in tune with the music. "Dance with me."

Zelda hesitated; she didn't recognize that song, but Link was giving her that smile, and her resistance melted. She let him pull her into the dance line, and they spun, ducked under arms, tapped their feet and jumped till the moon was at its zenith, letting her body move with the tempo. And as the music reached its crescendo, Link's hands tight on her waist as he lifted her in the air, she threw her head back to the sky.

Then it was over; the music dropped slowly along with the crowd's fervor. They spun gently, like leaves caught in a breeze, until the last note drifted into the autumn night.

Zelda was sweating, which made the cool night air all the better against her skin. She tipped her head back, breathing hard, and when she opened her eyes, Link was holding his hand out again, his chest heaving.

The music had begun again, slower this time. Strangers joined hands, closing the distances between them.

"Dance with me," Link breathed.

Almost unconsciously Zelda placed her hand in his, and he pulled her close. Zelda closed her eyes, letting him take the lead. Here, now, it was so easy to pretend she wasn't the empress. That she was a normal girl, and he was a normal boy, and this was their life.

Here, now, this was their life.

She glanced up at him, and found his eyes on her. In them, she could see her own feelings reflected back at her. In a flash, everything between them flooded forward. Every feeling, every almost-touch, every word never spoken.

His fingers on her shoulder in Twilight.

When he kissed her cheek after her promise.

The way he caught her eye during an inside joke.

How he was always there, regardless of protocol or what lay between them.

The way he looked at her, a thousand different emotions in his gaze.

His voice when he teased her, that crinkle at the corners of his eyes.

That smile--the one she could never say no to.

All he ever needed was that smile, she thought, raising a hand to his neck. His own tightened almost imperceptibly on her waist. She took a step closer.

Link's chest rose and fell, brushing her own. His eyes never left hers as she tilted her head up, and his fell--

"Zelda," he whispered, his lips fluttering against hers. He was trembling, she realized. He searched her gaze, and Zelda swallowed.

He didn't pull away, nor did he lean the rest of the way in. He simply shook in her grasp while the crowd disappeared into the background, the music no more than a dull murmur. He was fighting with himself, and Zelda kept her gaze on him, waiting with bated breath.

She was done fighting. She'd made her decision, no matter what hell it might bring them at the capital--all that was left was to wait.

It didn't take long. Link shut his eyes tight, letting out a shuddering breath. "To hell with it," he breathed, eyes flying open, and he kissed her.

His hands pulled Zelda in closer, their bodies flush against one another. Her hand tangled in his soft golden hair. His lips were soft against hers, warm and perfect, and if his strong arms hadn't held her to him, she was sure she would have fallen.

Hell it might bring us, but this is right, Zelda thought, angling her head and eliciting a tiny groan from Link. We're right back where we started--in the city where it all began.

Link's mouth left hers far too quickly, but he didn't go far. He rested his forehead on hers, breathing unevenly. His hands rubbed up her back, and Zelda shivered.

Link grinned. "Was it that bad?"

Zelda snorted, smacking his chest with a fist. He laughed, nuzzling her hair. She grabbed a handful of his shirt, bringing his face back to hers. "Does this answer your question?" she murmured, and kissed him again.

This time his arms wrapped around her, half-lifting her. She broke off the kiss in a laugh, looping her arms around his neck. Link's blue eyes stared up at her, filled with everything she felt. She was filled with so much, the emptiness inside filled in a way keeping busy or even being Empress couldn't do. Goddesses, she didn't think she'd ever been this happy.

A part of her--the part that was still Sheik--rolled its eyes. You've also never been this sappy.

Sappy or not, she couldn't kill her smile as Link leaned again, her "sappiness" reflected on his face. Which was fine--an amused voice did the job for her.

"Sorry to, ah, interrupt," Saria said, obvious glee written all over her face. "But the fireworks are about to start. But, by all means." She held her hands up, backing away, biting her lip to keep a grin down. "Continue at your leisure."

She sauntered away, whistling. Zelda took one look at Link and they dissolved into snickers. Zelda buried her face in his chest, feeling her cheeks burning. "We shouldn't keep them waiting," she murmured, wanting nothing more than to do exactly that.

"Indeed," came Link's response, right by her ear. He took a step back, almost making Zelda whine, but she took his proffered arm and he led them toward the edge of the square, where the road led to the open fields surrounding the city. The road was already clogged with people, their chatter nearly making conversation between Zelda's group impossible, but they managed. They shouted over the noise, linking hands to keep together in the throng.

Aryll took the lead, and as Link's fingers threaded through hers, Zelda reached back for Faylen's. They cut a neat line through the crowd, and soon the buildings thinned out on either side, and they emerged into Hyrule Fields. In the distance, so small it was only a dark hump, Zelda could see Ordon Village.

While everyone battled for a clear spot, Aryll dragged them near the edge of a small rise and laid out several large blankets.

"Hey, lovebirds!" she called cheekily. "You two want your own blanket?"

Zelda's face flamed, but Link called back, "Make it a tent!"

She stared at Link; he only grinned back and pecked her cheek while the crowd hooted good-naturedly. She could only laugh with them--the fact that Link even felt safe saying that sort of thing spoke volumes. As they settled on the wide blue blanket with the others, Zelda nestled into his side and laid her head on his shoulder, eyes on the dark shape of Ordon. "Can you even imagine how Rauru might have reacted if he heard you say that?" she mumbled.

"Shall I try it and find out?"

"Goddesses, no! He'll probably have a heart attack," she laughed, contentment warming her chest. For a moment they fell silent; Sirela and Faylen lay curled together, Aryll and Colin murmured quietly, their hands linked, and Zelda herself watched tiny lights flicker to life in the small farming village, far ahead.

"Do you think they're doing well?" she asked quietly.

She felt Link shift under her. "I know they are."

Zelda repressed a sigh; as much as she trusted Link's judgement, she couldn't help worry. She'd been so consumed with keeping the kids and Saria safe, she hadn't stopped to wonder what the people of Ordon were actually like. She asked Link as much.

She saw him cock his head. "The swordsman there, his name is Rusl, he's a good man. His wife Uli is already a mother--she'll be good to the kids. Colin is their son, you know."

That was news. "So how did he end up in Nol?" she asked him. He didn't answer.

Zelda twisted her head to look up at him, and found his eyes filled with distress. He doesn't want to tell me, she thought. And I bet I know why.

She remembered their conversation, way back when they'd had that awkward dinner at Telma's. She'd asked how soon Colin could be in the city to take Zelda's place while she and Link went to Twilight. Link's response had been . . . flimsy, at best. He'd merely told her he was already there, to "get used" to the city before he started living there.

More likely, he'd planned ahead of time to get Colin there to take Zelda's place. Meaning--

"You already knew I was going to leave," she accused, unable to keep the note of hurt from her voice. "You had it all planned out. Did you do it that way to force me to--"

"No! I would never have done that," Link insisted. "I needed you to come back, yes--a lot of us did. But coercion and manipulation were never an option."

She remembered him saying that, too. Whatever you decide, Hyrule will continue on as it always has.

He didn't want her to think he was lying to her. She had no reason to. But she couldn't dispel the fear in her heart: the fear that the person she trusted most had manipulated her from the beginning.

She fixed her gaze on the horizon, her chest feeling like it was beginning to cave in on itself. Not now. Not here—not with him. Please. "Tell me that's true. Tell me he wasn't there already as leverage."

"He wasn't." She could hear the imploring note in his voice. "Zelda, please look at me."

She did, after a moment. She swallowed. "Are you lying to me?" she whispered.

Link stared into her eyes, his voice strong and weak at the same time. "I will never lie to you."

Zelda's eyes burned; she sucked in a shuddering breath and closed her eyes. Link's forehead bumped lightly against hers. I will never lie to you.

"You'd better not," she muttered, trying like the devil to push down her fear. She needed a distraction. Something, anything. Inevitably, almost with a vengeance, the memory of Snowpeak reared it's ugly head, and weirdly, inspiration struck. She raised her head. "So tell me about this wolf thing." She traced his chest, trying to force her spirits back up to where they'd been only minutes before. "How long has that been a thing?"

Link winced, glancing at the group around them. "I'll tell you back at the castle," he whispered in her ear. "It's not really something that's common knowledge."

Zelda frowned. "I'll hold you to that."

Link grinned, flicking her nose, but it wasn't sincere.

"I hope so."

He kissed her quickly as a blast of color flared across the sky, effectively shutting her up.

Pursing her lips, ignoring Link's smirk, Zelda faced forward again and watched the fireworks show. Some of the shells exploded right above their heads, the bright streams of color fizzling out just before reaching their blanket.

Zelda tried to find joy in them, but the tension of Link's chest was hard to ignore, and she found herself wondering if his deflection had just been another way to manipulate her.

———————————————————————————

Here you thirsty hoes.

And enjoy some angst as well! HA.

REVIEW REPLIES.

To Oracle of Hylia: don't worry. Answers will come soon. Ish. And yeah, I didn't know if it was too much or not, but that's part of the underlying terror of her nightmares. They come out of nowhere, made worse by trauma, and disappear quickly. But like I said, answers are coming. :)

To Ultimate blazer: I say nothing! Haha she's def got a battle on her hands. Your welcome!

To Generala: it's getting dicey for sure. Nah it was real haha. I couldn't not include it ;). Oh yeah, the others survived. Link led them to the fort before he got Zelda.

A/N fun bit of trivia: now that Link's wolf secret is out, I can finally share this. Remember back in twilight, when Zelda heard that wolf howl just before the Shadow Beast arrived? That was Link ;). And last chap, when Zelda thinks, "I wonder if I'll hear that wolfs howl on this mountain too", that was a lead up of sorts to what happened. Yet more Easter eggs XD. Keep on the lookout haha!

Thanks for reading and reviewing, and I hope you enjoy this chap :) later~