The guards surrounded Zelda in a semi-circle, protecting her back as she gazed at the tomb that now held her father's body. She willed herself not to cry, but tears welled in her eyes nonetheless. She wished that it were raining, because then no one would be able to distinguish her tears from the raindrops.
Her father's burial had taken place shortly after his death, when the princess and her knight had been captive in Gerudo Valley. She wished to visit him now, with the title of Queen on her shoulders and no prying eyes to see. Well, unless you count the guards, who thankfully were looking away from her, searching for any foes that dared to interrupt.
Zelda placed her hand on the cool stone and sighed.
I'm sorry, Father, she thought. I love you more than you know.
Digging her fingernails into her palms, she turned on her heel. She had gained the strength she needed to proceed.
They made a quick return to Hyrule Castle on horseback. It was the only way she travelled now, with armed men protecting her on all sides. If she had felt like a prisoner in her home before, the feeling only intensified after her father passed.
She dismounted, her skirt flowing around her and threatening to reveal her thighs in her hurry. She ignored her guards as they attempted to escort her. The Queen of Hyrule knew where she was going.
She entered the formal hallway, where the generals, including Impa, waited at a long, narrow table. Zelda sat at the head. She gave the room a once over, and narrowed her eyes.
"Where is Link?" Zelda asked.
A hand squeezed her shoulder, and she squealed. Her guards chuckled, and Zelda looked up to see Link smiling at her.
Her face grew hot with embarrassment, but she was relieved to see a playful side of him.
"Sit," she said, attempting to regain her composure.
They discussed battle strategies for the upcoming week. As Navi had warned, Ganondorf was still alive. However, what Navi had not predicted was how formidable their opponent would be. Link and Zelda's successful escape angered him, understandably, and now that his initial plan had been thwarted, he was even more direct with his battle tactics.
After the better part of an hour, the generals had formulated a plan, and although they accomplished the goal for their meeting, Zelda felt more stressed than before they had begun.
"You are excused," Zelda said.
Everyone rose.
"Not you," the Queen clarified, giving Link a pointed look.
Her knight settled back into his seat as the others filed out of the hall. He still didn't look well; the fight with Ganondorf took a lot out of him, and he only started to walk again recently. He was still weak after spending so many days bedridden. Zelda's guilt threatened to pull her under almost every time she saw him, because she knew full well that he longed to be fighting against their enemy. Her poor decisions are what prevented him from protecting Hyrule in this moment, and while he would one day recover completely, waiting was excruciating.
Her stomach knotted as she broke the silence between them.
"Link, I am sorry for what happened." His face softened, but she held up her hand, not wanting to see any reaction from him just yet. "In spite of our current predicament, though…," she gulped, "you are integral to our mission."
His hands rested on the table, and she placed hers atop his, keeping her eyes fixed on their clasped fingers. Her breathing was shallow.
"You are the most important person in the world to me," she continued. "And I need you by my side . . . forever, I think." Her eyes met his, and she felt emboldened, her next few words escaping in a rush. "Will you serve me, not only as my knight, but also as my king."
Link's eyes widened. But then, he lifted her hands to his lips, and she heard the most beautiful sound.
"Yes."