By the time night had fallen, they had set up camp. Cobra and Cloud were with them as well, laying underneath with a blanket overtop of them to keep them warm. Link couldn't allow them to be cold during the night, especially when they had warmth.

While he hunted and cooked their dinner, Zelda had brought out her drawing book and started to draw. She wanted to draw what the Divine Beasts looked like in human form. She had started on Ruta, making sure to his robotic eyes just right. His long hair in a ponytail with slight waves to them to represent the way it was almost like the water the elephant controlled. Then she would move onto Rudania, unsure what his robotic feature was but would make a note on the drawing for future reference.

How Medoh and Naboris looked, that would be another story, and she was a bit excited to find that out.

The smell of Link's cooking reached her nose and knew instantly that he had cooked fish. A small pound was located next to them just a few ways up. He had caught whatever fish lingered around, cooking them with rock salt and possibly Goron spice.

Her stomach grumbled with excitement. She had missed Link's cooking throughout the years holding back Calamity Ganon. Deep down, she hoped he missed cooking for her. Whatever his answer may be, she didn't care. She was just ready to taste his fish dish again. Dovina would be so proud of her son for being able to recall her lessons and to keep cooking, even without his memories.

His cooking could rival Dovina's. Yet his mother would always win that battle. There was no question about that.

Blowing gently to remove the extra pencil shavings, she admired the picture of Ruta. Mipha would have loved to see how her Divine Beast would look like as a human being. Perhaps she could be able to give this to Sidon in honor of his sister and to tell him to always respect the Beast.

After all, Ruta looked cute as a human.

She didn't hear Link approaching her until he spoke.

"Wow, you nailed Ruta's appearance from what we saw," he commented in awe.

"I was thinking I could give this to Sidon. To remind him to always respect the Divine Beast," Zelda replied.

"I think he'd like it," Link said.

"I was also wondering what Rudania's robotic feature was," she continued as she watched him poke at the fish that was roasting over the fire. "Ruta stated they all had a robotic feature, but I couldn't see Rudania's."

Link hummed as he thought. "Maybe his burn was hiding it?"

"Perhaps. We'll have to ask Medoh when we meet up with them," Zelda noted, making a mental note. "Surely they would know what Rudania's feature is."

"You think Medoh's a boy too?" asked Link, turning to face her. "Ruta said Rudania was a boy, and Rudania said Naboris was a boy too. You think this means Medoh is a boy too?"

"There's a good chance Medoh will be," Zelda answered, leaning against a tree that was behind her. "If the others are boys, then I have little doubts Medoh is also a boy."

"Let's play a guessing game!" Link grinned, eyes sparkling. "It's called 'Guess the Robotic Feature,' all we have to do is guess the robotic feature of Medoh and Naboris. Maybe Rudania too. We get the answer when we visit Medoh."

Zelda laughed as she shook her head. "Alright, fine. I'll play along with the game. My guess for Medoh? I guess their arms. What about you?"

"Medoh's feature; his vocal cords."

Zelda blinked, clearly not expecting that. But she didn't comment on the odd choice. She couldn't judge in all honesty. Who knew what the robotic feature would be like? The Divine Beasts weren't like them in any shape or form if you thought deep about it. They were immortal; unable to die and who knew how many Champions they had gone through at this point?

"Anyways, Naboris," Zelda continued on.

Link smirked. "Easy one for this! His fingers. That way the lightning doesn't shock him."

"I rather think it'll be his smile," Zelda said. "A robotic smile to make sure his smile is perfect and to the point of being sincere. Like Urbosa's smile."

The final hero smiled softly as he watched a million emotions flash through his love's eyes. She missed Urbosa above everyone else; it showed perfectly in her eyes.

In a way, he felt powerless to make her feel better.

"You know what else she wanted me to tell you but couldn't?" Link asked, taking her hand into his own as he lowered himself to her level.

"No," she replied. "What?"

"Because our reunion was limited, she didn't get to make sure I'd tell you this, but I knew deep down she wanted me to tell you," he said, kissing her on the lips, smiling softly. "She wanted me to tell you that she never left you and she never will. You love her, right? You love her like a mother."

Zelda nodded, sucking in a sharp breath. "Yes, I do."

"She never left you because you love her. She lives in you," Link told her. "Once you love someone, they remain in your heart forever."

For the first time, Zelda didn't know what to say to the knight. Once upon a time, she wasn't afraid of saying anything to him; even if it was to try and keep him away from her. Now that she thought about it, the guilt returned when she remembered pushing him away because of grief that had comused her when her mother had passed. He didn't understand what had happened, but he kept away like she wanted. But never once did he give up on her from what she remembered.

She felt horrible the more she thought about it. He was always trying to make her feel better and what did she do in response? She managed to make him lose his entire family and friends in a single night.

Zelda knew it for a fact; she didn't deserve Link.

Without thinking, she leaned up and kissed him deeply, pulling away to see his shocked, but very much beaming, face. His heart had leaped for joy at her actions.

Link smiled softly as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in an embrace as he felt her silent sobs. He hated the way she was still blaming herself for what happened to everyone during the Calamity. She couldn't grasp how none of it was her fault; things were just destined to happen that way. But they had righted the wrongs the best they could and they were going to go deeper by rebuilding the Kingdom once they had the next Champions.

They stayed that way for a moment before Link pulled away to check on the fish.

"I know for a fact they're proud of you," Link said after a moment. "Especially our ancestors, you know? We managed to save what was left."

Zelda nodded wordlessly as she glanced down at her drawing. Ruta, in her eyes, was a mixture of Mipha and Sidon. Like it was destined for the siblings to be his pilot.

"They're more proud of you."

Link shook his head, taking the fish off of the rack. "No, they're more proud of you, songbird and you know it."

"Perhaps they're proud of us the same amount," she said.

"We'll say that. But I'm sure they lean towards you," Link winked as he brought her the dinner he had made.

At that, Zelda's stomach plummeted like a rock. He was giving her too much credit and not enough for his own. How could he do that without thinking about himself?

She shook her head, unable to allow him to get away with giving her so much when he got so little in return. That would stop right now. She couldn't allow it to continue on like this. She didn't deserve to get everything when he got nothing but sadness and sorrow.

Unfortunately, he seemed to have sensed her thoughts, for he swallowed and gave her a stern expression, surprising her.

"Stop those thoughts," he ordered. "From what I can remember, King Rhoam was a huge dick to you back then. He put too much pressure on you and we know it. I dunno when it started, but it stops with me. Once Hyrule is back, you rule how you like it— not what he told you."

"Link," Zelda shakily breathed. "Please, I don't deserve—"

He held up his hand. "You do deserve everything and you know it. I know it. I'm going to make sure you get everything. Starting with your Kingdom."

Zelda's hand tightened on her plate. "Damnit, Link! Why can't you see I caused you nothing but pain and suffering? If it weren't for me, you wouldn't be like this! You would still have your memories with you! You wouldn't have to go through this."

"... you forget I chose you," Link reminded her. "I chose you back then, didn't I? Overtime, you picked me too. Back then, I must've known what I was getting into when I figured out I wanted you above everyone else. Just like Mipha wanted Revali and he wanted her. Everyone knows what they're getting into when they pick their desired partner. I wouldn't trade this for the world."

Zelda choked back a sob as she wiped her eyes with her hand. He was aiming for her heart and he hit a bullseye.

"Link…"

"Know this," he continued, pushing his plate to the side as he crawled over to her, placing his forehead on hers, "— I don't care what had happened and I won't care what does; when I'm with you, all I care about is you. Us. I love you, Princess Zelda. I always will."

Zelda smiled through her tears. She laughed weakly as she gave him a kiss.

"I love you too, Hero of the Wild."

Link smiled back. "Now, let's finish eating, yeah? Then, you can draw Rudania while we cuddle."

"Deal."

He smiled widely as he gave her another kiss, reaching for his plate to finish eating, noting how Cloud and Cobra were looking at them with what looked to be happiness and content. He chuckled inwardly. It seemed like they had also reached a good point in their relationship and came to an agreement to push aside their differences.

Later when they had finished up their meal, the sun had set, the fire still going to give them off light with the lantern they had picked up from a stable they walked past much earlier, they were cuddling just like they had promised while Zelda drew Rudania.

As she started on his burn, Link frowned heavily as he thought about how painful it must've been for the Divine Beast to gain such a scar.

He couldn't imagine that happening.

But then again, Link thought, he must've gone through so much that it felt like a small scratch that you never felt nor remember getting.

Fast forward a few minutes later and she had started on Rudania's eyes. He was amazed how life-like she had managed to get them, and for a small moment, he could see Daruk staring back at them on the paper and his heart tightened. Link sucked in a breath as he kissed her head, resting his head on her shoulder, watching her hand move at such a gentle pace.

He tightened his hold around her.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too," Zelda replied.

Link smiled softly. "Hey, I know this is… unexpected and all, but… do you maybe… wanna… you know…"

Zelda's face lit up like a Christmas tree. As did his own. But he felt ready and he would understand if she wasn't ready herself. It was unexpected. He would give her all the time in the world if she wasn't ready.

"I mean, if you're ready," he quickly added.

Zelda breathed out. "You're ready then?"

"Yeah, I am."

"Funny. You were the first to realize your feelings, kissed me, and now you realize you're ready for the next step," Zelda laughed, leaning back into his embrace. She thought long and hard before swallowing. "I am. I'm ready."

Link hesitated for a split moment. "Are you sure? I don't want you saying this just because I'm ready. That isn't how it's working. We'll only do it when you're fully ready."

He truly was raised as a gentleman, she realized. Larkin, Dovina— you did good raising Link.

"Yes, I'm sure."

Link nodded. "Alright, but if you want to stop— let me know and we'll stop."

"Gentleman," Zelda smirked.

Link smirked back, kissing her. "Only for you, songbird."

She laughed again as she pulled him back into another kiss.

…

Sometime during the night, Link heard movement. His eyes snapped open and looked around cautiously. In his arms, Zelda was peacefully sleeping. He didn't want to wake her but he needed to search around just in case.

Carefully, he slid out his arms and drew the blanket up further, ensuring she wouldn't get cold. He slipped on his shirt, taking his sword, as he moved to check the area they were staying in. He hoped there weren't monsters lurking around, Hyrule had been peaceful these past few weeks, he didn't want that ruined.

He jumped in shock when he met the wolf's blue eyes again.

"You scared me," Link gasped, placing a hand on his heart.

The wolf laughed. "You don't have a reason to fear me, cub."

"If you're here to ask how the rebuilding is going, it hasn't started yet. We're trying to appoint new Champions," Link said. "Sorry to disappoint you."

The wolf smirked. "What makes you think you disappointed me?" he chuckled as he watched Link's expression change into slight shock.

The animal wasn't disappointed. In fact, he was barely disappointed. Link didn't know how to reply as he thought about it. He was thankful, glad even, but how did that slip past him? Surely the wolf would've been pushing for the rebuilding harder.

"Oh," he mumbled.

"Something is different about you, cub," the wolf stated, eyeing him as he circled the human in front of him.

Link blinked. "Is there?"

"Yes, you smell a bit like perfume. Nothing like you once smelled like," the wolf explained as it dawned on him.

"Oh, well… uh…" Link nervously began, chuckling.

"You got lucky with that girl of yours," the wolf explained. "No longer a boy but a man. I feel proud of you, cub."

Link went bright red at those words. He felt embarrassed to know the wolf could tell just by simply smelling his scent. Zelda would kill him if he ever told her about this.

But then again, he realized, she didn't believe me when I told her I saw a wolf the first time, perhaps I can get away with this.

"I, uh…" Link swallowed. "Thanks?"

"Ease up, cub. Honestly. I don't bite."

"It's still a bit weird seeing a wolf that can talk. I never met someone like you— all the other animals can't talk."

The wolf chuckled again, holding back on howling with laughter, sensing Zelda was nearby. "Get used to it," he declared. "I'm going to be around a lot."

Link nodded slowly. "Okay, yeah."

The wolf sat down, curling his tail over top of his paws. His eyes went up and down before nodding. He was content with the progress so far. He couldn't rush things after all. That wasn't how he was going to work through this, unlike how the others wanted him to.

He could sense the confusion and he sighed.

"Tell me cub," he began, "— have you wondered who I am?"

"Of course," answered Link.

"Do you want to know?"

Link nodded. Of course he wanted to know. He was always curious to know who the wolf was deep down. "Yes," he answered.

The wolf sighed. "I'll tell you then."

"Please!" nodded Link.

"I'm the one you idolized," the wolf said and Link's eyes widened slightly. The hero racked his brain before realizing he had once idolized ( and still did ) the Hero of Twilight from what Zelda had said. "The Hero of Twilight."

Link felt like his breath was stolen away, he could only stutter as he took in the wolf's appearance, unable to wrap his mind around it until the wolf waved his paw, signaling for him to turn around. When he did, he heard something behind him until he heard the wolf's voice again.

"Turn around."

The appearance that greeted him wasn't the wolf, but instead a Hylian. Link swallowed thickly as he took it all in. Sharp blue eyes, he could see fangs poking through as he curled his lip into a smile, brown hair, a few markings that resemble the markings of the wolf on his forehead. His outfit was an outfit that suited a farmer.

Then he noticed a ring on his finger.

"You're married," Link stated. It wasn't a question.

"I am," the Hero of Twilight nodded. "Love of my life too. Mother of my pups."

"Married… you're married to Zelda's ancestor."

"Yup. Bloodline ran out again somewhere down the line, and now we're here. Us, as ancestor and descendant," came the reply. "Call me Twilight to make things easier."

"Okay, Twilight."

Twilight grinned as he placed his hands on Link's shoulders. "You did good. Skyward's proud of you, so is Time," he explained. "We're all proud of you. Restored Hyrule by defeating Ganon and ending Demise's curse."

Link blinked. "Demise?"

"Yup," Twilight nodded, folding his arms as he leaned against a tree. "Ganon's ancestor. The whole reason why we went through what we did. But, hey, it was no match for us."

"I guess so."

Link felt awful when he realized his ancestor watched him go through everything. He watched him fail where he had succeeded long ago. Twilight must feel embarrassed. He had probably been made a fool and the others must tease him for having such a failure of a descendant.

Twilight frowned. "Hey, ease up, cub. None of it was your fault. Ganon replied with something beyond your imagination. It's never easy to go up against him when he knows all the tricks in the book."

"... Twi…" Link choked back a sob. "I'm sorry. You must hate me."

"Never," Twilight replied. "I could never hate you, cub. You did your best and that's all that matters."

He looked at the ground. Unable to speak a word in reply.

"Right…" Link eventually said.

Twilight smiled, ruffling his hair. "Good boy. Now, get back to your lady," he ordered with a wink. He laughed when Link burned up again. "I gotta get back to mine too."

"Yeah," Link nodded.

As he turned to leave, he shot his ancestor one last smile before heading back to Zelda. If he looked again, he would've seen Twilight vanishing in blue smoke like the other spirits.