The Stalkoblin and Stalmoblin stood on each side of Zelda. Zelda fell to her knees. What was she supposed to do? Link wasn't here to save her this time and her Sealing Powers had not returned. Was this it?

The Stalmoblin raised his club, ready to crush the small girl beneath its weight. Zelda had seconds to react. Her eyes stared up into the beast. This was it. It had to be.

Think. Link had taught her many skills. She wouldn't be a burden to him anymore. She wanted to help him too, not just be protected by him. Think. She wanted to help people, to learn this land, to explore, to be herself! She was not just a Princess. She was Zelda! Think!

Zelda jumped out the way of the Moblins club, rolling away, dust flying from the clubs impact with the ground. Zelda noticed a tree branch next to her face. She grabbed it and turned. The Skalmoblin's club was stuck in the ground, the skeleton using its boney arms to try and pull it free. The Skalkoblin, sword and shield in hand ran towards her as its partner tried to free his weapon.

Zelda aimed and threw the tree branch, instantly knocking the head off the the Skalkoblin. The Skeleton fell to pieces, its weapons falling with it. Zelda ran and grabbed another tree branch and the shield the skeleton had dropped, remembering words from a hundred years ago that Link had mentioned to her...

"Link? Why do you always throw sticks at your opponent? Why not just throw your sword? That would make more sense wouldn't it?" Zelda asked as they sat under a tree. Link, who was scarfing down food, looked at her.

"Ve Vood I oo ah?" He asked? Zelda rolled her eyes in disgust, though tried to hide a smile. The princess of Hyrule should in no way shape or form find this charming. In fact... Zelda didn't believe anyone should find that charming.

"Link, please swallow your food before speaking." She said, steeling her face and looking at him again. Link swallowed his mouthful before speaking again.

"Why would I throw the Master Sword? I know I've done some crazy things but I'm not that insane, throwing a legendary sword. I'm surprised you would consider that Princess."

"I don't think you should throw your weapons at all! It makes them break easy. Plus I doubt the Master Sword would appreciate being thrown..." Zelda responded, looking at the purplish bluish sword on Links back. "But why throw sticks? That seems... Unnecessary."

"If it hits, it stuns the enemy long enough for me to hit it, without needing to sacrifice something important. Sometimes the environment is your best friend." Link said before taking another bite out of his cooked prime meat.

"Whatever you say Link..."

The Skelmoblin was up with its club high once again, ready to swipe at Zelda, however Zelda now stood ready. Zelda once again through the tree branch, this time upwards, striking the much larger skeleton, causing it to collapse like the first. She didn't have much time. She picked up the sword the skalkoblin had dropped and swiped at both the skeleton heads on the ground watching the undead life leave their eyes. Zelda, had won.

Zelda was breathing heavily. The sword and shield in her hands were gripped so hard her knuckles had turned white. She had did it. She had protected herself. And it was terrifying. Zelda looked around her. Would there be more? Could she do it again? Zelda looked down at her hand which held the sword she stole from the Skalkoblin. It was shaking. Her breathing got more intense as she took a few steps back.

"Zelda..."

Zelda's eye grew wide as she heard the voice behind her. She brought her sword up, ready to strike the darkened figure as she brought her sword down, breathing still heavy and her eyes dilated. However the figure caught her wrist with ease. Zelda stopped breathing in that instant. It was over.

"Definitely need to work on your form," The darkened figure said. Zelda squinted a bit, only to realize who the familiar figure was.

"Link..?" Zelda asked. The feelings encasing Zelda had evaporated, allowing her to see with blue eyes she had grown to accustomed too these last few weeks. Zelda, whose wrist was still being held by Link, dropped the sword and shield.

"Link, I... I..." She stuttered, wanting to say multiple sentences at once. Link however just softly smiled.

"Your first one is never easy. It shook you, didn't it?" Link asked. Zelda stared into Links features, gasping for a few breaths before feeling the tears roll down her face. Link pulled on Zelda's wrist, bringing her into a tight embrace.

"I thought you had left! I was so scared... I didn't know what to do. I thought... I thought..." Zelda said through sniffles, crying quietly into Link's shoulder.

"I know. I'm here. I never left." Link said.

"Really?" She asked. Link nodded. "I would never actually leave you. You know that. I'm too over protective."

He felt Zelda nod in his shoulder. Link could feel Zelda shaking.

"Can you walk?" He asked. Zelda shook her head. Link took a deep breath, realeasing Zelda for a brief second, to Zelda's dismay, and crouched turning his back towards her.

"Get on," Link said, trying not to show the shakiness in his voice. He couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. This would be a bit of a new feeling. He felt Zelda's warm body press against his backside, feeling every vibration coming from her. He positioned his arms under her thighs and stood properly, now making his way back to the camp site she had created.

"You did well. Really well." Link said soothingly. It had taken a few seconds, but Zelda eventually responded.

"You think so?"

Link smiled and looked back at her, her face now buried in his shoulder yet again. However as he held Zelda, his eyes had made their way at the sword also on his back. Was this really the right call? He couldn't help but hope the Master Sword was right in what it told him... Link had been ready to jump to help Zelda the moment the skeletons had come out, however the sword had stopped him. Was it right?

"Wanna go back to the house?" Link asked, jumping out of his thoughts. Zelda sitting on the ground, leaned against the large log behind the cooking pot. She had been staring into the fire. The shaking had passed but now Zelda just had a blank face on as the orange light reflecting off her features. She nodded.

Link opened the door, allowing zelda into the dimly lit house first, watching as she slowly entered the room. Link sighed. He knew he had to let her grow. This wasn't necessarily something to celebrate. Yea she succeeded, but now she had to deal with the weight and fear of fighting. Link once again looked at the Master Sword on his back before sighing and walking into the home, hoping Impa was right about now being the time to let Zelda get first hand experience.

Link watched as Zelda slowly made her way up the stairs. He scratched the back of his head, choosing to head towards the kitchen table. She probably needed her space, she's got a lot going on and what was Link supposed to do? As much as he wanted to comfort her, Zelda wasn't usually the type to just accept comfort from someone else-

"Link..." A soft voice said. Link, who had a hand on one of the kitchen chairs, turned to see Zelda on the stairs. He could now fully see her, her clothes dirty, a mark on her cheek from where she rolled on the ground, and tear stains had left marks on her cheeks, starting from the slightly puffy red eyes they had been formed from. Zelda was staring at him from the top of the stairs. Link shifted a bit.

"You... Want me to stay with you up there?" Link asked. He couldn't help but blush a bit through the situation. It was rare for Zelda to just stare at him as she did now. Zelda nodded. Link gulped. This should be nothing, Zelda and him have slept in the same bed for weeks, though usually each others back was turned to one another despite Zelda trying to close the gap and Link trying his best to not let urges take over. Link shook his head. This was not the time to have that in his mind.

Link released his grip on the chair, blew out the candles to the table, and slowly walked towards and up the stairs towards the blonde princess. Link passed by Zelda, unclasping the Master Sword to lean it against the bedpost, and started preparing the bed.

"Things will be okay Zelda, you did well today. I know it's scary but I think with more practice and more experience you'll be just-"

Link stopped the moment he turned back to look at Zelda. Zelda was halfway through undressing. Link immediately turned his back towards her, now facing the wall, stiff as a board.

"PRINCESS! YOU REALLY SHOULDN'T DO THAT IN FRONT OF SOMEONE LIKE ME." Link said loudly, burning. Zelda however remained in her small soft voice.

"Link... I'm not a Princess anymore... I really need you... Please? You always have your back turned to me when we sleep... Am I not-"

"Prin-, Zelda. You know that's not it. It's just... Old training sessions die hard," Link said, still staring at the wall. Zelda stayed silent for a second. Link then heard the sound of rustling sheets.

"Please?"

Link internally sighed. She just wanted comfort. She didn't wanna do... THAT. Link was being a child. Reaffirming his mission, he turned and quickly got in bed with Zelda. Before he could turn his back towards her, Zelda grabbed his arm and pulled it close to her. Link felt her warmth pressing against him. Link felt himself getting even more warm. This was a mission. This was a mission. This was a mission.

"Thank You... Link..." Zelda said softly before she dozed off to sleep, her cheek on his shoulder.

Link nearly fainted.