Chapter 42

Links To The Past

Link's PoV

When I wake up Zelda has already gotten out of bed. I find a note on the headboard saying she left for a morning walk. I stretch beside the bed and notice a poster on the opposite wall. Walking over as I rub the sleep from my eyes I realize it's a recipe of eggs, butter, cane sugar, and wheat to make something called an "Egg Tart." I wonder if I can find those ingredients nearby. I walk outside and greet Tenne, casually asking her if she's tried the recipe inside.

"Sure have, it's very delicious. We keep a stock of all four ingredients here at the stable since many travelers ask about it. For only twenty rupees, what do ya say?"

"Yes, please." I agree, unsure that's a good deal at all.

"Be right back."

As she walks inside a small storeroom next to the horse stalls, I mutter to myself about how easy that was. I walk inside and grab my wallet and return as she does. I trade her twenty rupees in payment for a small round pie pan filled with all the ingredients I need. She gives me a few tips on making the meal, wishing me good luck and I thank her generously. Zelda walks up and wishes me good morning as I light the cooking pot with fresh firewood. I say good morning and tell her I'm trying a new recipe, but warn her it might fail.

"Sounds good. I'm sure with your chef skills you'll succeed." She says, sitting down on the wooden bench next to me.

I follow the directions that the stable lady gave me, mixing the butter with the sugar and wheat then spread half of it into the small pie pan she lent me. I crack the six eggs and whisk them in a bowl, adding a little rock salt and herb seasoning to it, before pouring the mixture into the center of the crust. Next I use the rest of the butter/sugar/wheat mixture to make a round top crust and place it on top, pinching the edges as I remember Impa doing at home. Lastly, I set the pan into the cooking pot and place a lid over it.

Twenty minutes of baking later, I take the lid off the pot and am relieved that it at least looks like I somehow got it right. The crust is flaky and light brown and Zelda tells me she hopes it tastes as good as it smells. I cut into the tart, put a serving onto the plate she holds ready and let her try it first. Zelda chews slowly, the look on her face is hard to read so I can't tell if it's any good.

"Yummy." She says dragging out the word after she finally swallows, and I let out a breath, relieved. I dish myself some, take a bite and agree that it's delicious. The egg practically melts on my tongue perfectly paired with the flakiness of the surprisingly perfectly done crust. This is definitely one of the tastiest breakfast meals I've ever made. I proclaim to Zelda that I'll be making this more often and she says she looks forward to it. I offer some to Stamm, the self-proclaimed traveling chef we met yesterday, who also stayed at the inn. He takes it gratefully and praises me on my cooking seconds later.

x.x.x

Zelda's PoV

We leave the stable about noon, not in a real hurry to move on. As we walk our horses down a gorgeous mountain canyon that blows my mind with all of its colorful trees, I tell Link about the dream I had last night.

"We were up at the citadel, only all those immobile Guardians we walked by up there were active and walking around. They didn't attack us until we started climbing the tower blowing off chunks of it at a time. It was so vivid and real feeling. Being at the mercy of a real one like that would be so beyond terrifying. I'm so glad those things "died" in the Calamity. Good thing dreams are dreams. I'm surprised I didn't wake you up when I gasped and hyperventilated myself awake."

"Zelda. If you ever wake up like that and I'm not awake, feel free to wake me. I'd rather help you calm down than have you lie there in the dark freaking out."

"You're so sweet. Thanks." I say smiling at him. Link gives me a smile full of love back and I feel warm inside gazing in his eyes.

"Anytime."

We cross paths with a Goron man and stop to chat with him for a little. I love meeting people of different cultures on the road. Well, really I enjoy meeting any other traveler along the way. The Goron, Naboor, tells us we should consider visiting Goron City, giving us a warning tip of "Just remember lots of fireproof elixir!" following the comment with a hearty laugh. Until that moment, I was not aware such a thing existed. I ask him more about it and he says "all you've gotta do is douse yourselves real good in it." He also assures me that the stuff works and all of the stables in Akkala, Eldin, and Tabantha keep stock of it for travelers. I tell him that I still don't know if volcano adventure is for me, and the light-hearted Goron tells me we should really consider it. I wish him a good day and safe travels as we part.

At the bottom of the canyon, the landscape opens up vastly. Far ahead the scene reminds me oddly of the Dueling Peaks', as two mountains before us come up at each other in a point with just a large gap between them. I wonder how many other similar landscape references to other places I will find as time goes on. We come across so many animals as we quietly continue down the road. Boars, deer, herons, squirrels, foxes, pigeons. Granted, they all run or fly for cover upon seeing us, but it's so nice to that Akkala is full of peaceful wild animals. Link tells me that there are a lot of wolves as well, though, so we will have to keep our guard up.

North Akkala is certainly what Link meant by open countryside, peaceful and nothing but green, green grass, rocks and boulders, and rolling hills. I can't spot one house or farm for miles. To think, there are places that are seemingly untouched out there. I just love it. Soon I see the giant horse head of another stable peeking out over a grove of trees, which makes me want to giggle for some silly reason. It's like its saying "Here I am. I see all." Even if said Stable is high up in altitude, I couldn't see it when we were further away.

"Welcome to North Akkala." Link says as we approach the stable. "There are several places we can go from here, just pick any direction." He adds, gesturing with his arm all around us.

"That way." I say pointing downhill from the road we just walked up.

x.x.x

Link's PoV

We spend the next hour or two down at the world's only spiral shaped peninsula. It's more of a giant sandbar technically, probably only classified differently because most days it sits above the ocean surface. When I tell Zelda this area is only above water during low tide, she's amazed but her expression falls. I tell her we've got nothing to worry about as that won't be fo several more hours, we've got at least until sunset to spend out here. When we reach the center, or end, of the peninsula, we dismount our horses for a rest. I catch a few of the many crabs that live out here and cook them in our portable cooking pot. Zelda gazes out into the ocean as we eat and listen to the seagulls in the distance for quite a while.

I lay back against our saddlebags we've relieved our horses of and fall asleep at some point. When I wake up from a much needed nap, it takes me a minute to locate Zelda swimming in the ocean to my right. When I stand up, she calls out to me to join her before floating on her back. I kick off my shoes and strip off my shirt and pants before going in. I walk along the ocean floor and place my hands one under her back, one behind her knees, and lift her out of the water.

"Hey!" She squeaks, her eyes popping open.

"Quite indecent for anyone to see." I say, smirking at her.

"So? It's just us out here. I seriously doubt anyone can make us out from shore."

"Still, I wasn't really expecting you to go swimming in just your underwear." I say with a smirk, before setting her back in the water. Zelda stands up in front of me, the water level with her shoulders.

"Got a problem with it?" She asks, her eyebrows raised.

"Absolutely not." I say, slowly, looking her over in the clear, unmurky water. Zelda laughs and splashes a small wave of water in my face. I splash her back before I grab her by the waist and toss her up and backwards through the water, taking her by surprise. Zelda swims back and pushes me backwards by the shoulders making us both plunge underwater. I hold her to me as resurface, laugh, then I'm drowned by her kisses as we stand in the ocean.

x.x.x

A while later I look up at the sky to see there are some dark grey clouds forming. I tell Zelda we should head back towards land, pointing up. She looks warily up at the sky with a fearful expression when I add on it's likely about to storm. We quickly pack up our things and mount up our horses and we are on our way down the sandy peninsula, traveling at a quick pace. We don't make it back to solid land before it starts raining and I yell over the downpour to Zelda to follow as I bring Epona to a gallop down the last stretch of the peninsula.

I glance over my shoulder to check that Zelda is behind me as a bolt of lightning hits the center of the spiral where we were minutes ago. Zelda screams as the next strike hits something in the sand forty feet to our left, the electricity crackling loudly afterwards. We both yell and push our horses as fast as we can toward land, scared shitless. It feels like an hour in the time it takes us to reach the grassy hillside up from the beach, the rain coming down so hard it's hard to see. I spot the old house that sits at the bottom the hill here and yell to Zelda pointing frantically towards it. I leap off Epona and yank open the door, which is thankfully unlocked, and we usher in quickly. I guide our horses inside as well, seeing as leaving them out in a lightning storm is definitely not an option. I practically slam the door shut behind Starlett's tail and lean against the wall, breathing heavily.

Zelda stands across the room from me with her arms wrapped tightly around herself. She's shaking head to toe and tears are running down her face as she gazes forward with wide,terrified eyes. I cross the room and she throws her arms around me before I can embrace her.

"That storm came on so quickly and the lightning was so close! We were so lucky to get up here alive! Goddess, that was so scary! We probably almost died!" She exclaims, gasping for air at the end and hyperventilating.

I pull her in tighter and nod with my chin on top of her head. I realize that I am shaking as well and I breathe in a deep breath and let it out before responding. "Sorry. Thank Hylia for this old house."

Several minutes later when we've both calmed down and checked on our horses to see if they're fine, I take a first good look at the room we're in. The place is doesn't look bad for being abandoned. It actually looks as if someone lived here not too long ago. I'd think we intruded into someone's home while they were out if it weren't for the thick layer of dust and many cobwebs that cover everything. I walk around and look at all the picture frames and artwork on the walls, covered in fine layers of dust like everything else.

I pick up a small frame from the table next to the couch and brush away the dust with my fingers. There are three people in this hand drawn portrait; a woman who looks about forty and man and woman who are probably around twenty. I stare at the man and squint to make sure I'm seeing right.

It's impossible...

There is no possible way this is who I think it is.

But I can't help but see so many resemblances. Same eyes, same hair, same everything that made him the man he was. I sit down on the couch as I keep staring at picture, studying it hard, my heart speeding up and slowing down.

"I wonder who they were." Zelda says, placing her hand on my shoulder and I glance up at her to see her gazing at the frame in my hands.

"I think I know..."

"Oh? Who?"

I clear my suddenly dry throat and speak slowly. "This man looks like my dad."

"Whoa. Really?" Zelda says putting her hand on her chest.

I nod. "But that's would be crazy. It can't be...couldn't be...and if it is, if it were him, whose house is this?"

"Maybe the older lady's? I've noticed a few things in here that make me think that. Like that super old sheikah radio over there, my grandmother had the exact same one. Or maybe this old, antique and rusty framed mirror?" She says pointing.

"Considering this is my dad...maybe it was my grandparents I never met who owned this house. " I say, only believing the possibility half-heartedly. That would be insane, not to mention it would be a freakish coincidence to take refuge in a relative's house.

"You never know." Zelda says with a smile.

I set the frame down in my lap and lean my head back against the back cushion of the couch. I let myself picture it...my parents. Here. Both of them? I raise the frame back up in front of my face quickly and stare at it again. This time I focus on the younger woman beside the man. She has long, light colored hair and dark eyes.The man's arm is wrapped around her shoulders and she's smiling. I don't recognize her. But I wouldn't...my mom died when I was two years old. I take a deep breath and put the picture back on the table.

"Are you alright?" Zelda asks as she sits next to me.

"It's just a lot to take in if..."

She takes my hand and nods. "I know."

xxx

When the storm passes a few hours later, we leave the house and retrack our way back up the steep hill we're at the bottom of. Once we get to the top I ask Zelda if she's ready for our next little adventure.

"And where is that to?"

"Just over there." I say pointing to our left where we can just see the tops of the taller buildings of Tarrey Town peeking over the small hill across the road.

Zelda looks where I'm indicating and then back at me, her mouth gaping open and closed a few times. I can't hold it back; I laugh at how comical her face looks as realization takes over.

"You didn't even notice we passed by, did you?"

"I- uh...Oh shush, what's over there in the ocean is equally as amazing." She says, her cheeks turning pink. Zelda turns away from me quickly and brings her horse to a quick trot away toward town. I shake my head and laugh as I follow her, dumbfounded by how she totally missed the big plateau town on the other side of the road.

x.x.x

Zelda's PoV

As we cross the large land bridge over Lake Akkala, I can't see how I possibly missed Tarrey Town. Seriously, how could I not have looked to my right and taken this place right in? Geez. I'm usually pretty observant, but I honestly didn't even notice there was anything on that side of the road earlier! I don't blame Link for laughing at me; that was a serious 'Did I go blind or something?' moment. I want to laugh in my face as well.

We dismount our horses and leave them with a pretty girl at the entrance, who guides them into temporary stalls. I'm equally surprised by how large the town really is and how many people are here when we walk in. Link explains this place is a popular trade post among the well traveled roads of the Akkala Highlands. A town for passing travelers to rest for the day and find just about anything you could ever need. There are shops and a really nice tavern or two, but no inns.

The perimeter of Tarrey Town is lined with several two-story colorful buildings, all built in block style like the few houses I remember seeing on the gate side of Hateno Village. All of the buildings on the left side of town are different types of specialty shops, such as music, weapons and armor, art, clothing, and cooking supplies. Hand-carved signs hang above all of the doors with the respective words for that type of shop. Wooden tables are set up in front a few of them showing displays of their goods. A tavern sits to our right with three tables outside it with red sun umbrellas and custom made chairs. There is one non-colorful building in whole town; a medicine shop. I find that particularly interesting because the only other place I've come across one was in Castle Town.

A wide wooden heptagon sits in the center of Tarrey Town with the most unique fountain system I've seen yet. Somehow the architect found a way to make the water fall straight down the both sides of the four, narrow, rectangular eight-foot tall fountains falling into a crystal clear pond. Behind each fountain sits a box shaped water catcher that also filters the water down both sides of each metal fountain, making each of them actually three small waterfalls in one. The sound it makes is heavenly, mixing in the ambience of other noises around us. Lanterns sit at the top of each fountain and I'm sure the whole thing looks lovely at night. I can't wait to see it as soon as the sun goes down.

A few kids run around town playing with a couple of dogs, squealing and laughing. People of all races and cultures stand or sit around talking. A few musicians play wind instruments in front of the tavern and two men spar in front of the weapons' shop with a crowd of spectators around them. Link was right when he said this place was lively, the atmosphere feels just that: alive.

We wander through a few of the shops, admiring mostly, pointing out things we like. Every shopkeeper is kind and polite with their own type of compelling sales pitch and I'm almost hooked on buying more than a few things that I could use, but don't really need. Link tells me that if there's anything I really want and don't have money enough to buy, to let him know. I say I will, however a part of me will probably always feel bad for taking his money or letting him buy me things because that's just who I am.

x.x.x

We decide to grab a drink at the tavern called "The Nutty Deku." I wonder what a "deku" is as we walk in. The room is wide and spacious with a bar on one side and tables filling the right side of the tavern. The floor in the middle is open with a stage in the center of it. Behind the musicians performing up there, the back wall of the tavern is a floor to ceiling panorama of windows instead of a solid wall, letting in plenty of light and giving a phenomenal view of the outside scenery off this side of town. I lead the way over to the nearest table to the fantastic window wall and a waitress comes over and greets us.

"Welcome! My name is Jayli. What can-" She starts but cuts off, stares at us for several seconds, then her face lights up in excitement. I know what's coming before says it and I'm prepared for it. With Link at my side, I can handle anything; Even secret identity exposure.

"Wow. We've got two Golden Arrow Champions visiting us today!" She says, her voice rising in volume with every word. The noise of chatter in the room dulls and the music stops abruptly. I notice many people turn in their seats to look at us. A man walks up behind her and greets us then.

"Link and Sheik. What an honor to have not one, but two of Hyrule's most famous people in my tavern this afternoon! Who would have thought? Name's Hoan. It's so nice to meet you both." He says holding out his hand, I reluctantly take it to shake. "Whatever you two would like is on the house tonight."

"That's not necessary, sir. I don't want special treatment." I say, forcing a smile.

"Is that so? Never thought I'd have a customer refuse free food and booze." He says with a loud laugh. I nod in response to his question.

After the two of them walk away with our orders, several people get up from their seats to come over and talk to us. I expected this to happen when we first entered town, but I guess nobody was paying close enough attention to us. Anyway, I'm slightly surprised when everyone seems to practically ignore Link and instead bombard me with ecstatic questions. But I should have been expecting this, considering I'm the one the world knows close to nothing about. I've spent the past week preparing myself on how to deal with everyone who recognizes me now, silently pep talking myself that I'm ready for the world to meet me ever since we talked to that reporter outside Zora's Domain. Speaking of that interview, I notice one of the women in the crowd around our table is holding a newspaper. She catches me eying it and speaks up loudly over everyone else.

"Have you seen this? I loved reading your interview with Traysi from the Hyrule Ledger." She offers me the paper and I take it. The headline on the front page is printed in bold, capital letters reading: EXCLUSIVE NEWS! GOLDEN ARROW CHAMPION SHEIK COMES OUT OF HIDING AT ZORA'S DOMAIN!

Sheesh, how dramatic. Comes out of hiding? Okay okay, I guess I did hide in Lurelin for a year, but when I left to become an adventurer I never avoided others. The only exception to that is when I wore a disguise at the Festival of Warriors. I entertain myself by reading the article below, genuinely curious to read just exactly what the reporter wrote. Link takes over entertaining our fans while I read.

"Yesterday afternoon I was lucky enough to come across two of the world's most currently famous people, one of which being the woman the whole world had been curious about the last two years. Although Sheik was cryptic with her answers in our interview, I've still got a lot of juicy information to share.

As we all know, Sheik is a nineteen year old blonde woman with green eyes. When I asked where she had been the last two years, she simply said she has been traveling all over Hyrule, "laying low" in her own words. Since she refused to even reveal the place she lives, I guess there is still a lot of mystery to discover about her.

Interestingly enough, Sheik admitted that she has been traveling alongside This year's GA Champion, Link. Bigger news is that when five-time Golden Arrow champion Revali from Rito Village announced to the audience she was at the Festival of Warriors, she really was there right under everyone's noses! That only brings up another big question, did Karane actually pick a fight with Revali to save Sheik? When I asked Sheik about this she said she believes that's what happened.

Back to our famous power duo. Link and Sheik's story started earlier this year in Hateno Village, where both of them participated in a small archery contest for the winning prize. After spending time on the road together the two are now a couple. Perhaps we will learn more about both of them in the near future as they are to continue their adventures into Northern Hyrule."

Traysi goes on mentioning the questions she asked me and my responses to them. I'm surprised by how much of the article sticks right on point to the half-truth, white-lies I told her. She adds a few extra details here and there for drama, like how Link and I were holding hands during the interview - which I'm sure we weren't - and saying how he carried me down the mountain -which again, he didn't, even if that would have been nice. But I don't mind, things like that are harmless and we don't hide the fact we're together as we travel. I'm not surprised that Traysi gushed about how we are a couple traveling Hyrule together, which I'm sure lots of people are talking about. I didn't think about what telling her we met in Hateno would mean for me either, since I stayed there for two weeks and everyone saw me with Link there. Plus, they also know my real name.

Oops. Guess my cover's blown there.

I also read some information about myself that I definitely never said. It's nothing bad and completely made up, so I decide to laugh and plan to read those parts out loud to Link later.

The owner of the tavern orders everyone to leave us alone when he personally brings our meals and drinks to the table. We thank him and he says if we need anything to just ask Jayli, the waitress. Link points out an article on the back page of the newspaper when we're done eating.

"Looks like you're in more than one story in this week's edition."

I pick the paper up again to find this article is about the Indigo-Go's. I smile when I read about them telling another reporter I sang with them in Zora's Domain. Now that is some news I can be happy about. I didn't even think about ending up in the paper after performing with them. I wonder if our friends and family have read about that too.

x.x.x

Link's PoV

Zelda brings up the portrait we found in the abandoned house, which I have definitely not been able to stop thinking about. We took it with us when we left, with her idea that someone might recognize them. She hands it to me after she pulls it out of her backpack. When the tavern owner comes back over to check on us, I show him the portrait and not even a second later do I have an answer.

"You must have gotten this from Grandma Hazel's house. It's been almost fifteen years since I've seen the two with her around."

"Who are they?" I ask.

"This second woman was her daughter, Amira. And this man, Andrew, he was her husband and one hell of a drinking buddy." Hoan says with a huge grin.

Okay. I felt like I knew the truth the moment I first saw this portrait, but hearing confirmation fills me with so many different feelings. This is incredible, impossible, and crazy at the same time. I stare at the portrait for several seconds taking it all in. It's actually them. I can't believe it's true.

I didn't recognize the younger lady in the picture, but I couldn't have. Aryll and I lost our mom when I was two. It's not a shock I didn't remember her face. I've also never seen any illustrations of my parents together. I wonder if Rusl or Impa have some somewhere. I hear a squeak and I look across the table to see Zelda looking at me with wide eyes and a huge grin.

"Oh my goddess! It really is them!" She exclaims.

"What is it?" Hoan says looking back and forth between the two of us.

"I-" My throat is suddenly dry and I take a quick gulp from my glass of water on the table. "I wasn't sure who they were until now. Even after hearing you confirm it I find it hard to believe...but Amira and Andrew were my parents."

Haon gasps. "You don't say?! Whoa..." He pauses for several seconds before he continues thoughtfully. "Well, those two would be proud to have such an accomplished son. I can just imagine their reactions."

"You knew them well?"

"I grew up friends with Amira. She was brilliant and quite the incredible woman. Your dad came into the picture when we were eighteen and the two of them quickly fell for each other." Hoan says with a chuckle. "She left for Kakariko a year later after many letters and visits back and forth."

Zelda takes my hands across the table as I finally let it sink it and feel happiness overtake me. I ask Hoan a lot more questions about my parents and learn so much that Rusl, Impa, and all the other adults in Kakariko never mentioned in the stories I grew up hearing. It's especially great hearing more about my mom, who I never knew, from one of her childhood friends. Zelda asks about my grandma that I never knew I had up here. Hoan tells us how she was quite the tough lady. I learn my grandpa died young when my mom was ten years old. When I ask what happened to my grandma, Hazel, Hoan sadly tells me she didn't last long after the death of her daughter. She was in poor health at that time and when she heard of Amira's passing she was devastated by her loss. My good mood drops but at least now I have the answer of why Aryll and I never met our grandma on our mom's side. Or if we did, we were too little to remember it. I can't help but wonder why Impa never mentioned her once, leaving a gap in the story that Hoan has no answer for.

Zelda squeezes my hand in hers and manages to bring my mood up when she mentions how Aryll is going to love all of this new information when I tell her.

x.x.x

Zelda's PoV

I'm really happy for Link, today was full of lost answers for him and it was wonderful to see him so happy learning more about his family. We spend the whole afternoon in town socializing with other travelers. When sunset comes around, a man lights the lanterns around the fountain and it is just as beautiful as I knew it would be. We enjoy the music that a few musicians perform in front of the fountain before we retrieve our horses, who have been fed and watered in our few hour absence by the town stable girl who took them off our hands earlier. I thank her for looking after them before we leave for the night.

As we cross the bridge, I notice a faint glowing through the grove of trees to our right across the lake. I point it out to Link and he tells me it's a hot spring just like the one above Kakariko. I immediately ask if we can go over there and he says "of course." I try to keep my excitement contained as we take a turn off the road and head through the trees. Just like Link said, this spring is nearly identical to the other one we visited with a big, round basin of glowing, steaming water.

We relieve our horses of our belongings next to the trees before I change into my swimsuit. I honestly wouldn't mind skinny dipping right now, but there's always that chance someone else will come along so there's no way I can do that. I step into the spring slowly, taking a deep breath as I get used to the hot water and sigh as I sit down. How come there are not more of these around the world? It's totally unfair. I feel like I need a good soak like this to soothe my muscles a lot. I close my eyes as I lean my head back against one of the large green leaves circling the spring. I could literally fall asleep like this.

I hear the water swishing as Link gets in and open my eyes. The sight I get then causes my comfy relaxation bubble to pop as I stare at him, completely naked. The glowing water of the spring makes his tanned skin glow, making his beautifully toned, muscled body the most glorious sight. Obviously this isn't the first time I've seen him like this. That perfect evening up at Lovers Lake springs to mind as well as the several times we've made love since then. Still, I love seeing him like this. I find it ironic how just a minute ago, I was thinking I wished I could step in here nude and then Link surprises me by doing that exact thing himself. However, standing by my earlier logic, right now we're in a place anyone could just walk up on us. I know, technically that logic applies to anywhere we ever go, but I'm more concerned about it than usual because we are so close to a town and these springs are no doubt popular among travelers. Yet, here he is, standing in the waist deep water 'au natural'… or so to speak. I mean, I don't mind seeing him this way, I actually really enjoy it, but hasn't he got any decency? I gaze at him, feeling my body warm with that certain sensation head to toe and then blink and snap out of it. I sit there gaping at him, my mouth opening and closing twice as I'm unable to get the right words together to say to him.

"Yes, Zelda?" Link says, finally sitting down.

I take a deep breath through my nose with my eyes closed before I shake my head and look at him again. "Really?" I ask him, gesturing my hand out of the water toward him.

"Why not? Nobody's around."

"But someone could be." Link shrugs his shoulders before leaning back and I give up. If he feels comfortable enough to sit there naked, then, well, I'll stop wasting my time bothering to think about how he probably shouldn't be. I scoot closer to him and lean my head on his shoulder. Link puts his hand on my thigh and gaze up at his face to see his eyes are closed as he rests there. He looks so incredibly handsome. Link always does, but something about the light this spring emanates accents every feature he has in the most perfect way. I smile, bringing my hand out of the water and pushing his hair back from his eyes and he peeks through his lashes at me.

"I could stare at you forever in this glowing water."

"I could too." Link says, sitting up and using his other hand to trail his fingertips up and along the right side of my body. I tremble and blush as he looks at me with the deepest look. His eyes are so beautiful as they shine along with the trickle of water on his cheek that my hand left on his face as I moved his bangs.

"This is so relaxing. I wish there was a hot spring everywhere we go."

"Agreed. I know of at least four other ones in the world."

"Where is the next one?"

"I've heard there is a huge one up near Death Mountain."

I think about that, contemplating whether that's a good enough reason to head up that way or not. I get an idea just then, curious about what his reaction will be. I sit forward and reach my hands around behind me to grab the strings of my bikini top and pretend to pull them. Link grabs my arms gently.

"Zel-"

"What? You don't mind if people see you naked but you care if they see me?"

"Of course."

When I gaze in Link's eyes he looks so serious. I can't hold it back, I start laughing and let go of the tie on my back. I can't tell what's funnier, the fact he is suddenly at attention and so serious when I start taking off my swimsuit or that he has no regard about himself at all.

"I'm curious, what makes it different?" I ask when I can stop laughing.

"I don't want anyone seeing you like that except me."

"Who saysI want other people seeing you naked? And your reasoning a few minutes ago about nobody being around, that's null when it comes to me too?"

Link doesn't say anything for several moments before his eyebrows raise and he says "Well played. However, my comment still stands. You're my girl, and I want to protect your dignity at all costs."

My dignity. I almost laugh when he says that. It sounds cheesy and I wasn't aware I needed that protected, but I feel fluttery inside at how much he cares. I listen as he continues. "I don't particularly care about someone seeing me, I've got nothing to hide."

"If you say so. Just be prepared for when we end up in the newspaper." I joke, then laugh again after a moment.

Link looks at me with a grave face, his eyes wide before speaking in a deadpan tone of voice. "Impa probably would personally dismember me if that happened."

I laugh even harder.

"Would she even track you down?"

"Undoubtedly." He whispers with a look of fear in his eyes.

x.x.x

Since the night sky is clear and full of stars, we're ninety-five percent sure it's not going to rain or storm so we decide to make camp near the spring. I light our lantern near the trees where it's darker and we get ready for bed. Link and I decide to use the hammocks we bought when we were in Castle Town. We had both pretty much forgot we had them until I pulled mine out of my saddlebag a few minutes ago. We've only used them once, on that one night we tried them out on The Great Plateau. I recall that was the night before we kissed for the first time atop the tower and I decided that sleeping cuddled up next to him was far better. It still is, but I want to give sleeping in mid-air another shot tonight. Besides, what was the point of buying these things if we weren't gonna use them?

There are four trees placed almost perfectly in a square, so we tie the hammocks up side by side. Link helps me into mine like he did last time, holding open the sides until I'm situated. Then he covers the opening of the hammock with the blanket I have as well, in case I get cold. I smile and thank him, adoring for the umpteenth time that he just thinks to do things like that for me. I wait for Link to put out our lantern and get in his own hammock before I say goodnight.