Cosmo slowed to a still and I swung my leg over the saddle to dismount. Anju handed down the basket and looked at the ground wearily. I held my hand out and she took it daintily. With a yell, she slip down Cosmo and to the ground safely, "Oh my goddesses."

Then, she looked up with a smile, "That was fabulous, Z- Your Majesty!"

I blinked at the sudden title and glanced behind me. A guard was walking over.

"I can take your horse, Your Grace," he held out his hand expectantly, but I respectfully declined to boarding Cosmo myself.

"It's quite alright," I politely declined his offer again, this time he left with a certain hesitation.

It was the first morning where I had a free schedule. The blankness on my calendar had nearly unnerved me and I double checked with Impa to see if I had missed anything. I hadn't, however, leaving me with hours of time to spend on anything I wanted. While mulling over my options the night before, sleeping in sounded like a handsome idea. I had even attempted it this morning but woke up at my normal hour anyway.

So, the next best option was getting a temporary reprieve and Anju was happy to accompany me.

I smiled back at her with the reins in my grip, "I'm sure he was being kind. Nothing beyond that."

"Kind?" Anju scoffed. "People in Castle Town aren't kind to just anyone. Your ignorance is showing."

I raised a brow at that, and she was quick to add, "Oh, don't worry, it's quite endearing."

As we spoke, I led Cosmo into the back building of the stables. It was a little secluded from the other horses, but she still needed time to acclimate to the busyness of being a castle horse. I've always thought it was hard being a horse as it is. I latched Cosmo's gate and winced when she snorted at me.

"Yes, yes, I know. You'll get your apples, Your Royal Majesty," I jested. I only stopped at a touch on my arm.

Anju's smile had upturned. A sliver of worry snuck up on me.

"I should have said this earlier, but I'm sorry about what happened."

Understanding smoothed the crease in my brow, "It's fine. It happened and now it's over. If anything, I'm happy for him. General is no small deal."

"Those are your true feelings?"

I shrugged, feeling Cosmo push my raised hand with her snout. "My uncle is difficult to show up."

She looked at me pointedly and I attempted to ignore it. The smolder was stronger on me as I distracted myself with grabbing a bucket of apples. Anju cleared her throat loudly. I set the pail onto the wood with a boisterous clang.

I sighed with a certain exasperation, "Between you and Urbosa, I can't escape this. I don't know! It's been a week since the announcement and I can hardly look at him when he's in the room."

"Why?"

Because when I see him all I see is him.

I bit my lip, "I-I don't know." Then, I spun to face her a braced myself against the gate, "Do you know what sounds stunning? If we made a soup to go with the bread we bought."

"Hm," Anju motioned for what was in my hands. "Sounds like a basket full of excuses to me."

Before I could come up with a retort, she took the basket from me and said loudly, "Well, Zelda, we should do this again soon! I'll get the kitchen to make us some lunch!"

I watched her slink away.

What's gotten into her?

Cosmo nudged my head and I scowled, "Okay, okay, I get it."

As I went to pick up the bucket again, I saw why Anju had left. Link was walking down the line of stables, very clearly towards me. I looked behind me to be sure and saw no one he may be expecting. Cosmo huffed and I along with her and began feeding her apples as if I didn't notice him in case he felt the need to walk right by.

But I did and was incredibly conscious of the way his footsteps stopped next to me.

"So, you did steal the horse."

"Hello and good morning to you too, General Forester." The title was still difficult to get used to.

There was a small gap of silence which I filled with petting my stolen horse. I didn't bother to look over. With the glimpse of him, I saw that he wore casual clothes. Not that I cared.

His feet shuffled, "I'm not General yet."

My nose crinkled, "You say that, but I have yet to get a coronation and people still call me Queen with all the fanfare that comes with it. The only thing stopping me from wearing my mother's crown is my own desire not to. You and I are in the same boat."

"Slightly different boats."

"No," I indignantly met him. "You're supposed to be my right-hand man and I say we're in the same boat."

He looked miffed by my speech, though resilient enough to keep himself from avoiding my eyes. The loose white shirt he was wearing was tucked haphazardly into dark trousers. His sleeves ended at his elbow and I tore away from being interested any further.

Link seemed taken, "Were you out today?"

I glanced at Cosmo and back at him, "Yes. With Anju. Why? Did anything happen?"

"Was there anyone else with you?"

My hands let the bucket rest on my hip, it was only half empty now. Cosmo didn't sound thrilled by my preoccupation. She made a partial attempt to reach it, so I set it on the floor instead.

"No, we just went around the market."

He stared up at the rafters for a long minute with slight annoyance on his face before taking note of the horse and walking away. I watched as he brought over a bale of hay with rigidity in his motions. The mare tousled his hair as he dropped it on the other side of the gate. "It didn't occur to you that you might be a target?"

"Don't be ridiculous, Link," I caught myself when his name escaped me. I abhorred his hard gaze and shook it off. "No one would recognize me so early."

His eyes flickered down and I unconsciously cradled my right hand in my left.

"And that makes me ridiculous."

My cheeks reddened, "Imagine if I went out there with a group of guards surrounding me. It would be more than obvious."

Anger was in his words, "You could have taken me. In the least!"

I took a step back and my mouth hung open. Link made a flimsy attempt to catch my arm before I was completely out of reach, but I yanked my hand away in time. "You?" I said, matching his tone. "Have you decided to forget that you're the one who wanted us to remain strictly professional?"

"That would be professional. I'd be protecting you!"

I pressed my lips together as he tried to search me. "That's exactly what got us into this mess."

From where he stood, I could see that he understood me. I wondered if he could tell me how his feelings changed so fast. My own felt sluggish and detrimental. Within a few days, he could lead the war cabinet meetings and though I kept my seat in the back I had difficulty watching when he spoke. At least I knew I had made the right choice when he could quiet Fierlin and Whitehurst. Those two were oil and water, I had only seen my uncle know what to do with them until Link. Still, I learned to hate being in the same room. It seemed as if every time I paid attention, he would catch my eye and I'd fall right into those that cobalt blue again.

The same eyes maintained my own while he said, "I'm leaving tomorrow."

My heart leapt into my throat, "Tomorrow?"

He nodded. I swallowed the sudden rise of alarm, "So soon?"

"The Zora have agreed to send more men this time and I should meet their commander at the border. After that, we have to lay out groundwork for the camp," he struggled for words as I tried to remember if I was ever told of the departure. I knew it was soon, within two weeks, but not so suddenly.

"What about communication? I need… people here."

I needed him here.

"If everything goes as planned, it'll take three days to get a messenger out. It will be faster than before. Unless something unexpected happens, there should be at least two admirals here to carry out your requests," he assured. "But I doubt you'll need them for more than reports."

The man was telling me things I already know. I'd seen the plans on paper and was in most discussions regarding it. After all, I gave them the go-ahead. Surely he knew that.

Cosmo was happily eating beside us, completely unaware of the deep uneasiness. Perhaps she didn't care and I was envious of that. I squeezed my hands together, "Tomorrow… what time?"

"Before dawn," he said quickly, "Hopefully a four-day journey with supplies… and no surprises, of course."

My eyebrows knitted with that familiar beating in my chest. It felt like years since he was my attendant, yet the emotions I had went through were all too recent. Impa has assumed my breakdown was nothing but a childish infatuation – and it probably still is. The fact that I couldn't focus when he was in the same room was proof of it. If anything, I should consider his departure a blessing.

I knew I didn't want to stay, but I didn't want to leave either. Gods, I had to grow out of this… this longing. It was holding him back and it was apparent he was waiting for me to take my leave before leaving himself. I should clue into the notion that he wanted to see me as everyone else did.

"It would be a shame if they took my General."

"I did just get here," he offered a small shrug. I liked this look better on him. He was looser with a small smile that could promise more. The horse-tousled hair added an amount of blasé. It made me yearn.

"Let's not have that happen, please." There was no humor in my voice now. I did care. I cared that he was leaving so soon after such little notice. I cared about his position and rank. I cared about his family and his smile and his happiness. Most of all, I cared about him.

I have to accept that only time can unwind it.

And, like that, I snapped out of it. The tightness in my throat lessened enough for me to speak, "Sorry… I-I'm sorry."

"Zelda-"

"No, I get it. I keep," I tried to gesture out what I was trying to say. My voice was thick and I attempted a smile. "I keep tying you up. You're busy. And here I am, lucky to have a free morning."

Even my laugh sounded forced. I took a step back, giving a passing glance at Cosmo, and then another step.

Link reached out as if to stop me, "Zelda-"

"Your Majesty!"

I spun around to see a short, hobbling man draw near. He was panting heavily, "Your Majesty!"

"Admiral Byron," I said with surprise. "What's happened?"

He took a moment to breathe "Oh," Bryon heaved, "You're here as well, General! Very good."

I shared a glance with Link.

"Is everything okay?" I spoke up again. Then, the admiral smiled brightly.

He nearly jumped with the fervor in his words, "It is brilliant, actually. Perfect. I have intel on the usurper."

My father's study still held the aspects that made it distinctly his. Gold accents decorated most, if not all, of the furniture. The walls crept high and were littered with paintings commissioned by my grandmother to capture the nature of Hyrule. I hadn't used this room much, primarily because I was entirely used to using my own bedroom as a workspace. Another reason was no matter how the desk drawer was scrubbed down, it still had the distinct stench of bourbon.

"I believe we met at court," a woman with a thick auburn braid said. Her features were sharp and I recognized her immediately.

"Yes," I smiled, shaking her hand. "Riju. It's a pleasure to see you again."

Unlike Urbosa, who I learned was her aunt, Riju was quite unapologetic about diverging from Hylian court customs. She wore a short bodice-like top with elaborate designs and a knee-length skirt that showed more leg than most young men had ever seen in their life.

I took a seat at the desk with Impa at my side. A stack of documents that were bound by a leather strap was set before me and I briefly looked up at Byron and Riju.

"How was this achieved?"

Admiral Byron spoke first, his hands excitedly flailing to emphasize his speech, "It should have been obvious, really. With the majority of the Gerudo aristocracy here, it hadn't occurred to us that combining our efforts would exponentially increase our leads on both the Yiga Clan and the usurper – though I am not convinced that they are completely in line with one another. I learned that Lady Riju works heavily with a Gerudo division that monitors underground trade.

"With the tumultuous efforts of Lady Riju's connections, my team as well as hers was able to locate a Yiga camp on the far outskirts of the Highlands. It was through a system of cave entrances where we were able to gather that this was where the rebels were taking camp."

I undid the tight strap and thumbed through the pages before coming upon an outline. On it was a layout of a great number of rooms. Scribbled in each were labels; some underlined with certainty and other with a question mark beside them.

"These are from your team?" I mused, not bothering to look up.

"Yes, Your Majesty. The supposed layout of the caves."

With a furrowed brow, I traced over the page. A large room labeled "Armory" was in the center along with "Barracks".

From over my shoulder I heard Link, "This isn't a camp."

"No," Riju sniffed, "It's a headquarters of sorts. Perhaps Yiga training grounds. I can estimate that it could house three hundred Gerudo."

"Was it abandoned?"

At the lack of response, I looked up to see Riju and Byron exchange a glance. The latter coughed, "We don't know."

I let the paper fall to the desk and glanced over the rest. "What does that mean?"

"Out of ten, only one scout returned to the rendezvous spot," Byron relented to Riju. She stepped forward to continue, "We weren't able to question her further because she died from mortal injuries soon after. However, we do believe they had been ambushed."

A silenced washed over us. I tightly closed my eyes and breathed in deeply, trying not to dwell over the fact that these papers costed ten lives. "If we were to suppose that this… place was at full capacity, where did these soldiers go?"

No one answered. I spoke again, "Could I at least get clarification on the importance of the rest of these pages?"

"Some we couldn't decipher, but it seems they were collected at the site. There are instructions for explosives written in several dialects, which can give us an idea of which areas are being targeted," Riju said with assurance. "We know that there is a reason they don't want us to have those documents."

"Or," Link asserted, "They let that one scout go solely because they wanted us to see them."

"You said you had information on the Gerudo man?" I felt uneasy. A bulge stuck out under the pages and I lifted them up to see what was protruding.

It was no larger than my palm. The cotton was soft and its skin matched the blank white. Long strands of yellow yarn were sewn into the top. Clothing it was a blue and yellow dress secured by pins. Black button eyes and a mute mouth stared up at me.

"It's assumed that he was housed in the caves, at least temporarily. A signature with a male name is used under several documents," Riju mentioned. "The doll, I can't explain. I can only assume it was a child's that had also stayed there. My contacts who have claimed to have seen him have written about a call to traditionalism. The accounts vary and it appears as if he can cross the desert in a night."

The girl couldn't be older than seventeen, but she spoke as if she has lived for twice that. I remembered what Urbosa had told me of how she was a child raised through war and her ability to adapt.

The same woman scoffed, "A coward."

"A crafty coward, Auntie," Riju grinned. "He and his underlings adhere to strict nomadic traditions. The usurper carries little and leaves no scent other than whispering rumors."

I dipped a quill in ink and jotted down her notes, speaking my thoughts aloud, "Lady Riju, if it isn't too much of a trouble, I would like to request steady reports of where he is."

"Your Majesty, he moves too fast to send men," Byron quickly said.

As I was about to quell him, Link interjected. "Ganondorf."

I twisted around to him with a question on my lips. He held a piece of paper, reading out the bottom with a troubled expression. "Ganondorf. He's the usurper."

"How are you so sure?"

"This is an order from months ago to raid the Hylian village at the border," he paused to read more. "No, I'm positive. There were explicit instructions to burn everything."

I watched the emotions on his face flicker from confusion to realization and anger. When his eyes met mine they lingered before he forced on a neutral reflection.

"Admiral Byron," I started, turning to the shorter man. "If there's even a minute chance of slowing him down, I want the efforts to be applied."

He only nodded and began to quietly chat away with the girl. I leaned back in my chair, overlooking the myriad of papers that covered my desk.

Urbosa caught my attention, "Zelda, I implore you to allow my niece to travel with your convoy. Your General will need a strong ambassador."

From behind me, Link set down the document. "I can arrange that."

I only nodded, my eyes never straying far from the doll. Link crossed the room to meet Riju, who was now speaking to Urbosa. For a second, our eyes locked and I saw a monumental weight in them.

"I think we should adjourn for the day," I looked up at Impa. She offered a small smile and held out a hand to help me from my seat.

I woke up to darkness and felt no relief from sleep. Sluggishly, I sat up and knew that I couldn't fall back asleep with the realization of what would be happening in hours' time. My feet found slippers and they scraped along the floor towards my balcony. The door slid open and I found the cool breeze of night on my skin.

Torches danced outside of the gates below and I knew there were people waiting to send off the soldiers. How many would there be? At least two hundred. From the balcony I could hear moving wagons and horses. It would be the first big move of the war, at least for Hyrule. I closed my eyes and… I prayed.

Muscle memory wanted my knees to bend and my head to bow, but that had gotten me no where before. I stayed upright with closed eyes and folded hands. Wind danced on my face as I faced the starry sky. I wasn't sure who I was praying to; be it Hylia or some other celestial embodiment that had a sudden urge of kindness.

When I did open my eyes, I felt lighter. Most likely due to the lack of strain on my joints this time, surely. With a longing glimpse of the torches again, I turned to leave the balcony and wrapped myself in my night robe. It blocked out the chill of the halls. Paintings stared and haunted from the dim light, so I paid them no mind and quickened my steps.

Perhaps I should have tied my hair up before leaving.

Brushing it would've been enough, but I hadn't even thought about it.

The only echoing footsteps were my own and it had occurred to me that I hadn't been in the wing of officer apartments for nearly two years. In hindsight, it was a silly excuse to feel noble. I had heard Link caught an illness. After an especially long night of entertaining, I had snuck over after dinner and set out a big platter of food from the kitchen. The tricky part was knocking and running to find a hiding spot, but the look on his face was well worth it. Hopefully he still stayed in the same room.

Gods, I was proclaimed Queen and would be sending off my General in the same garb.

These halls were nearly as elaborate as the ones by my quarters. There were tapestries and paintings of past admirals that watched over the people that passed by. Tonight, it was empty, but I didn't get the same chill as my ancestors' portraits. Oil lanterns wicked up the wall, casting thin shadows on the stones.

I reached the door and gently tapped on it. Immediately, regret washed over me and I felt that insinuation of childishness. Maybe it was too forward of me to come to his door. What if he didn't want me to see him off? Why would he?

There was a great possibility that he already left.

I jumped as the door opened a crack and then swung open with a rush of air. Link stood in the doorway with wide eyes. I clutched my robe tighter and tried to remember what I was going to say.

He looked like he was about to leave. His uniform was as pristine and blue as the day he arrived, this time an extra star clung onto his sleeve and a scarlet riding cloak adorned his shoulders.

"Um," I tried, the morning tone not quite gone yet. "I came to say goodbye."

The man stepped aside, motioning me through. I followed suit and awkwardly shuffled in. Once I was inside, he checked each side of the halls before shutting the door. Embarrassment thinly veiled my cheeks and I glanced at my slippers. Link was checking because we weren't supposed to be seen together. Not like this.

It was darker in his room and I could barely make out the bed and nightstand from the moonlight coming through the window. The space was small and wasn't meant to be occupied for long.

"It's early," he gruffly said.

"Yes, well," I felt stupid. "I'm sorry for the trouble. I'll let you go shortly. It's just that Father would send off Uncle Nathaniel whenever he would leave. I thought it was appropriate."

I stepped closer so I could make out his face as he had stayed idly at the threshold. His hair was swept back neatly. He didn't move to speak and it made me regret. "Because I wasn't able to do it last night," I scrutinized my hands. "I wanted to wish you safe travels and…"

My mind blanked and I could feel my face redden further. This was not like me. Hylia, I was a child. I felt him staring.

"And that's it. That's all," I sputtered, "I should go."

As I tried to brush by him, he spoke, "Thank you."

My feet stopped, but he didn't move to recover the lost distance. His gaze held an unwavering fixation on me and, for a moment, I thought that I saw that crack in his exterior and the willingness to let me in. I looked away and reminded myself of what had transpired the last time I found myself alone with him.

Despite myself, "When do you think you'll be back?"

"Months," he nodded as he thought through his words. "Most likely not before the year's end. If things are as I see them, we have a lot to accomplish in very little time."

Months. Would that be enough time to forget the way he looked at me right now?

I somewhat expected that response from him, so that sinking feeling in my gut was born of pure confirmation. "Will you write often?" I bristled at my own words, "I mean with reports and updates and the like."

"Every chance I get."

At that, I met his eyes. "Am I holding you up?"

"No. No you aren't."

There wasn't much space between him and the dresser. The closeness was a guilty pleasure. I didn't want to be sad. I wanted to will the fear that I harbored into hope. "Hey," I feigned a smile and nudged him. He didn't move much, but I saw a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Don't get hurt."

Warmth met my wrist as he grasped it loosely in his hand. His callous fingers slid down and before they fell completely, I caught them. Neither of us pulled back as our hands interlaced.

Link spoke softly, "Do you want your ring back?"

I laughed through my sniffling, "You still have it?"

"I do."

I took the time to think. "No, then," I said, wiping the moisture from my eyes with my free hand. "I would have lost it by now. It's far safer with you. There's a reason I don't wear jewelry all the time."

Gently, he brushed back my hair and as he looked at me, I saw that stoic demeanor crack. His touch lingered behind my ear and slowly it circled to cup my cheek. My skin was wet from silent tears that I couldn't hold back. I saw his brows pull together as he searched for something in my eyes. I leaned into his touch like it was the only natural thing to do.

"I thought I could be stronger for you," he mumbled.

His fingers tightened around mine. I welcomed his warmth as he rested his forehead on mine.

"You don't need to be."

I saw the tiredness in the creases of his face. Link had a talent of speaking with urgency and gall. So much that I believed he could move a country if he wanted. Not once did he show the exhaustion and restlessness I could see so clearly now. Even still, there was an intensity to him that burned to do what no one else would.

The hand on my cheek tilted my head up and I felt the hesitation in his motions. He dipped towards my lips and paused centimeters away, unsure and conflicted. His eyes flickered to mine, waiting for me to pull away. The common sense I had left screamed to leave; that this was going to distract me from my duties as Queen and from his as General.

But then there was that soft truth that I may not be able to do this again.

Wariness had altogether left me when I let him press his lips against mine. My mouth moved against his like muscle memory and for a short moment it felt like everything was going to be fine. Maybe he did come back to that little room in the inn and this was all a long, twisted dream that I had been cursed with. It wasn't, though, and the thought left me quickly because the taste of his lips was all too real with the sensation of my back pressing into the cool wood of his dresser.

My heart beat heavily in my chest as if this was what it knew it needed. The grip on my night robe had long left for his bicep and our hands parted to hold each other closer. My hand threaded into his hair and his own met my other cheek. Simultaneously, I felt the fierceness of his passion and the gentleness in his touch. The thought that this would be the last time I could feel him like this for months consumed me. It overwhelmed me and he was careful to brush away my tears.

"Must you go?" I softly gasped against his lips.

His response was to deepen our kiss, tilting his head and making my hands cling to him. If this was a childish infatuation, I decided, then it burns brighter than any I have ever had and I fear the strength that true adoration is capable of. He coaxed my lips to part with his tongue and I voiced my satisfaction with a gentle hum.

My mind drowned in his intoxication and pleaded in dying breaths for more while knowing nothing that feels this way could be good. There was impropriety in my every touch as I explored the broadness of his shoulders and the curves of his neck. Inappropriateness in the sounds of the creaking dresser door. Indecency in the way my night dress hiked to my thighs and the manner of how he gripped them to keep me pinned against the furniture.

"Promise me," he whispered hoarsely. "Promise me you'll be safe."

Through my attempt to recover the breath he stole, I saw the seriousness in his eyes. My fingers found his collar and he let me pull him in again, stopping a fraction. His lips brushed mine as he talked.

"I'm replaceable. You," he shook his head slightly, "You mean everything. Allow me that one promise."

A hand left his collar and drifted up to smooth over his cheekbone. I felt my way through his hair and the point of his ear, trying to memorize the way he looked silhouetted in moonlight. He was striking and it broke my heart. My hand ended to rest on the back of his neck with nothing left to explore.

"I promise."

He met me with more fervor than before, kissing me with such intensity that the dresser handles dug into my back. I didn't mind it and matched him, never wanting to move from this spot.

Then, there was knocking.

It took me a moment to gather my bearings that it was the door and I almost whined when Link pulled away from me. He gently set me on the floor and took a long gaze at my kiss-swollen lips. The knocking rapt again, making him straighten and motion me to the other side of the dresser – away from the door.

From my place, I heard his footsteps cross to the door and its hinges protest.

Then, a voice. "Good morning, Captain," there was a series of gruff rumblings, "General, my apologies, the transition is quite the struggle for an old dog."

"No offense taken, Admiral," Link said. "I take it that we're ready to depart?"

"Almost. I say another thirty, John says fifteen, but the man can't see the face of a clock these days. Before I forget, the men are having issues securing the timber."

"I'll be down in five, then."

There were short exchanges and the door closed soon after. Then, a long sigh.

When he came into view, he offered a small smile. "I'm sorry about that."

"You have to go," I presumed.

He confirmed, "I have to go."

I reached up and smoothed down the parts of his hair that I had messed up. Slowly, savoring, I straightened his coat and collar.

"When I see you again," I said, correcting the shining silver and gold metals. "You're going to tell me how you got these."

"Yes ma'am," he answered simply. My hands lingered on the buttons of his coat and when I let them fall, he stepped closer and wrapped me in a tight hug. "I will see you again."

We stood like this for several minutes until it was clear that there wasn't enough time left. From the foot of his bed, he heaved a brown rucksack over his shoulder and as he met me at the door, he hesitated.

"I'll write to you when we get there."

I tugged at a piece of hair behind my ear and nodded.

There was nothing that had to be said that couldn't be said later.

"Goodbye, Link."

The doorknob turned.

"Goodbye, Zelda."

Note: To the guest you said to not be sorry, you're an angel and I love you!

Also, thank you for all the reviews on the last chapter. They made me smile. :)