A/N: Back at it with another update. I apologize for this one being so late. I've been swamped with work and other commitments that I haven't been able to dedicate as much time as I'd like to the story to get chapters out faster. Bear with me here. The story won't go on a hiatus, and I won't rush chapters out.

Anyways, enjoy the chapter.

The two were walking back to Hateno Village, when suddenly, they were attacked by the Yiga Clan. Link had made the rare mistake of letting his guard down, and Zelda was held hostage as a consequence.

I should've known that the Yiga would've come out of hiding now that their master is gone. I thought I killed them all...

"Make one move, and I'll slit her throat!" yelled out one of the Yiga members.

There were six in total.

"Don't worry about me! Save your-"

He immediately thrust the Master Sword into the ground, Link knew that he was helpless in this situation.

"Giving up are we?"

The other four then tackled Link to the ground, getting in a few cheap shots for good measure.

"Don't hurt him! Link!"

"Remember all those Yiga you killed? Some of them were our closest brothers and sisters. We decided that we should return the favour!"

The Yiga member then stabbed Zelda in the stomach, Link could only watch the agony she was in as she slouched over.

Laughing hysterically, the Yiga member said, "Ohhh, what a sweet noise you just made there! I want to hear it again, how about you, Hero?"

Making a dissatisfied grunt at Link's lack of reaction, he came over and kicked him in the face, "You're going to watch every second of this, and you're going to break. I heard about what you did to our base. How you slaughtered everyone, even the women and children. You should consider yourself lucky at our generosity! After all, we don't intend to kill you... yet."

Link scowled.

I'll kill them... I'll kill every last one of them. Death, is their only repentance.

"I'm so scared, Mr. Hero. How scary will you get when I do... this?!"

"L-Link-" The sickle blade, in one swift motion slit Zelda's throat.

They all began laughing when the captor tossed her body like a piece of garbage.

"How does it feel, Hero? Or should we even call you that? After all, you just let this one die," he laughed. "We'll let you two have a moment together. Savour that feeling, it's what you gave to all of us."

As fast as they appeared, they all vanished.

Link lifted her lifeless body into his arms.

I failed you again... After just getting you back... How... How could I let this happen?!

He screamed skyward. Part of it was from despair, another was from frustration, and... anger. He was mad at himself, frustrated with the fact that he couldn't save her, it tore him inside. His biggest fear came to life, he froze when she needed him most. 100 years later, and things weren't any different...

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Link startled himself awake. He was covered in sweat, and panting heavily.

What in the Hylia was that? It felt all too real...

"Are you okay?" ushered a soft familiar voice from beside him.

Zelda was also awake, though tired. She was staring up at him.

"Sorry, didn't mean to wake you."

"Bad dream?"

He couldn't tell her outright what had happened.

"Something like that..."

"You kept muttering, 'I failed you again. How could I let this happen?!' Everything okay?"

He admired her concern for him, but unfortunately, there wasn't anything she could do to help.

"It's nothing, sorry for bothering you."

"I'll always be here for you, you know that, right?"

"Yeah..."

Zelda repositioned herself to where she was basically laying on top of him. She had both hands on his chest, with her head propped up on them so she could look into his eyes. She swiped at his nose with her index finger.

"Don't, 'yeah' me. I'll always be here for you. Don't ever think that I won't."

"It's not that."

"Then what is it?"

Her pushiness was on another level.

"I don't doubt that you'll never be there for me, I'm just concerned that-"

Holding a finger to his lips, "Shhhh... There won't be anything or anyone that will stop me. Not even time itself. I don't want you to crumble under your burdens anymore, you can always share the load with me if it becomes too much."

It was odd. No one ever willingly offered to help him, save for a very select few. Yet, this woman before him, was willing to carry the weight of the world, even if it would break her, and all for his sake.

Why? Why would she go to such lengths for me? I know that we were fated to face Ganon, but this goes beyond that.

It made him uncomfortable, because he didn't feel like he deserved such kindness.

"I don't think I deserve such a luxury."

"What makes you say that?"

"I guess it's just... I... don't remember. Maybe that's why it feels unjustified."

"I can assure you, that this is a luxury for you, and only you. You've done more than enough to deserve it, and not just with your triumphs after your awakening, but from before too."

"Even with my shortened memory, you're the one constant throughout. Knowing that, only makes me more frustrated for not remembering."

"Hopefully, your memories will come back naturally, because there are ones that I really cherish. However, if things remain as they are... we'll just have to make new ones."

"And you're okay with that? Knowing that I'm not the same from 100 years ago."

"Yes! A thousand times, yes. I'd rather have a fresh start over none at all."

There were still plenty of puzzle pieces missing to finish the picture that was Link, most of which were probably gone for good, but Zelda seen the beauty in that incomplete picture, for her, that was enough. Sure it wasn't the most extraordinary one, the most detailed, or even the biggest one, but it was Link's, her favourite nonetheless.

"There is one thing you could do for me."

"What's that?"

"Stay just how you are."

She couldn't help, but smile. Moving her hands to his side, Zelda rested her head flush against his chest where she could lull herself to sleep to the sound of his slow, rhythmic heartbeat.

It didn't take long for the two to fall back into a deep slumber...

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Zelda was the first to wake; something that never happened in the past. She decided to take advantage of this first by admiring the man that was sleeping under her. She had done it many times before, but doing so while he was sleeping gave her an odd sort of satisfaction. After all, seeing Link in such a vulnerable state was as rare as it got.

He looks... peaceful. It's odd, only once have I ever seen him look so comfortable.

She recalled their time in the field by the Ancient Lab.

Where we shared our first kiss...

Something that Zelda knew she'd never tire of, was seeing that smile of his, "Right, as I was saying. When Mother passed, I came here often at first. Not to kill time or to do research, but to get away. Even though the castle is very big, it still felt constricting, so I'd come here. Close enough to the castle to remain safe, but far enough away to be alone."

"Alright, so why here specifically?"

Okay, this is it Zelda.

Pulling out her Sheikah Slate, she started taking pictures of some of the flowers that surrounded them, ignoring his question, "There's one!"

*Click*

"Oh! And another!"

*Click*

"The flowers we have in Hyrule aren't just beautiful... They're also quite useful as ingredients for a variety of things."

Link already knew this, but took it in all the same.

Ah! There it is!

Zelda crawled over to the flower in question, "This one here is called the silent princess. It's a rare, endangered species. Despite our efforts, we can't get them to grow domestically yet. The princess can only thrive out here in the wild. All that we can hope... is that the species will be strong enough to prosper, on its own."

Zelda could tell that he was lost in thought again. She always took it as a sign that she piqued his interest. Though, right now she wanted to follow through with her plan before she lost her courage. So, she decided to grab his attention.

"Is that what I think it is?! Look at this!"

She scampered over to Link, grinning from ear to ear, "I don't believe it, but I actually caught one! This delicacy is known to have very, very potent effects under the proper circumstances.

"Ta-da!

"Research from the castle shows ingesting one of these can actually augment certain abilities. We wouldn't be in a controlled environment out here, and with your level of physical fitness..."

Level of physical fitness? Nice compliment... Goddesses, I need to work on those.

The look on his face only egged her on further, "You'd be a perfect candidate for the study!"

This was Link's cue to back away and head for the hills. He slowly started to back away, but Zelda inched closer.

"Go on!" she thrusted the frog closer.

"Taste it!" once again, forcing the frog upon him.

Link made a sound of disgust as he reared back.

"I thought you could eat anything Link, don't tell me you've grown cold feet."

He didn't have an answer, and the way she smiled at him only made things worse. With every inch he backed off, she put two closer. The frog had enough of this debacle and hopped off of Zelda's hands, and in her attempt to try and catch the frog mid-air, she fell forward onto Link, which resulted in the two rolling down the hill into the field of flowers.

Normally, in a situation like this Zelda would've stammered away and apologized endlessly, but for whatever reason, she was unmoving, happy to stay where she was. It felt like it was the most natural thing. When their roll ended, Zelda had ended up on top of Link, their faces just inches apart, staring at the other with the same fixation, each exploring the others eyes, as if time itself slowed for the pair in that moment.

After what felt like an eternity, Link was the one to break the silence, "Is this... okay?"

He convinced himself that there was nothing for him, that Zelda would always be beyond his reach. That she deserved better, someone more than what he could ever be. But with the way she looked at him, it sparked that small amount of courage needed to ask that small question.

However, what he didn't expect was for her to wrap her arms around his neck, and lean in to whisper, "This is more than okay, this is perfect."

This was the moment Zelda waited for, a chance to push their relationship further.

At long last...

"I've always felt for various reasons, that anything... more, was not only one-sided, but impossible. Given your position, and my situation," admitted Link.

"I can agree that I thought it was one-sided, but it puts my mind at ease to know that it isn't."

She didn't realize that her eyes became watery.

"Sorry, I'll get-"

"No, don't! I'm just happy."

"Happy?"

"As long as I've known you, and as close as we've gotten, I still never knew if there was anything... more that you felt about me. I wished for it to be true, but I didn't want to presume or force anything that could ruin what we had. But to know the truth, it makes me happy."

"Well, the reason why I restrained myself, was because I feel that I'm not allowed to."

Her heart ached for Link, "You're allowed Link, you're more than allowed. After Calamity Ganon, there will be a life for you."

"I don't know... the sword-"

"Damn the sword!" The curse shocked even herself, but she continued. "I know you feel that you have no place in this world after Ganon, which is why you hold yourself back in nearly every aspect other than preparing against him, but there is more for you. So much more, you just have to carve your own path, and get off the main road that you feel like is your destiny. Yes, we've been fated to fight Ganon, and while that is a stop along the way, that isn't the end. There are many ways to get there, and much road left after that is your life. To achieve your destiny."

"Never thought you'd get philosophical on me."

She giggled, "That's because I hang around this book worm, funny how that works. When I think of destiny, I don't think of a predetermined fate that you can't escape, but rather, some sort of final goal, something that you work towards your entire life."

She noticed him get lost in thought again, and that only made her need to push her point, "I believe my destiny is to be a ruler that protects and serves her people, while staying true to herself. Someone who can make a real positive change to the kingdom, and get us out of this cycle of regression. My father's old ways of thinking, and succumbing to the people's will are exactly what this kingdom doesn't need anymore. I believe I can shed a new light that will allow us to prosper. I'm working on it each day, and I will until the end of my days. Not every day will be easy, and sometimes I'll wonder if what I'm doing is right, but that doesn't mean I'll lose sight of my destiny. It's why I'm still here, despite all my failures. I still believe deep down."

"I guess I need to figure out what my destiny is."

"The answer may be closer than you think. Do you believe in intertwined destinies?"

"People sharing the same goal that they work their lives towards? I can see that, yeah."

"Well as I've said before, there are an endless amount of roads to the same goal, but on a rare occurrence, two can share the same road. I'd like to believe that you and I share that same road."

"Doesn't that go against your predetermined version of destiny?"

"No. It's by a stroke of chance, and a willingness by both parties. There isn't someone pulling the strings behind the scenes. There have been many incarnations of us, and you've mentioned that sword only shows memories of your predecessors up to when the wielder puts it back. Even though the sword is sentient, and can track such things. I believe it only shows you what's necessary in your fight against Ganon, and leaves your destiny up to you. It shows you of their own road up to Ganon, but even then, their paths are different. How they got the sword, and their life after the fact, it's not the same as yours. And what of the incarnations that didn't have to fight against Ganon? There was 10,000 years where Ganon didn't terrorize the land. It isn't that you fade away into obscurity, but rather, that there is no set destiny for you after Ganon. It's up to you to decide where you go from Ganon, not the sword."

"And you believe that we share the same destiny?"

"Yes."

This was it! The time to act was now!

"Link..." Zelda cooed as she closed the gap between them. As much as Link wanted to protest, push her away and get out of this situation, tell her that this was wrong.

All he could do was remain petrified as he stared into her half-lidded eyes.

Was the future queen of Hyrule really in love with a lowly person like him? Was their actually a future for him after Ganon? Their lips connecting were the answer.

It was timid and awkward at first, and Zelda began to worry that she may have overstepped her boundaries, until Link deepened the kiss. All of her pent up feelings; the love, admiration, respect, and genuineness of those feelings poured through the kiss. She wanted him to truly know how she felt, and when she felt those feelings returned, her own resonated.

This is more than I ever imagined, this feeling... I don't want it to end!

Unfortunately, the need for air required said feeling to end. They looked at each other once more, this time finding what they were looking for in the other...

In a way, it was the same situation she was in now.

Things may have taken a weird turn, but we're still together, walking towards the same end goal. Maybe we were always together, it just took us a little while to realize it.

Speaking of the past, she desperately wanted to relive the way that memory ended. Link's lips were enticing, practically begging to be kissed. Did Zelda have the guts to do such a thing while he was sleeping?

She leaned in closer, their lips only half an inch apart.

All I have to do is lean in just a little-

Before she could even finish her thought, she was met with a pair of ceruleans.

Zelda reared back in embarrassment.

"It's n-not what it looks like! Don't get the wrong-"

"Zelda?"

"Y-Yes?"

All he had to do was point at her to get her to realize the situation. She let out a shriek as she pulled the blanket over herself.

"Did you... see anything?"

"They were... white."

She groaned, "I can't believe I let you see me like this. Stupid, stupid, stupid!"

Link didn't know what to say. When he woke up, she randomly freaked out, and accidentally revealed herself to him. He wasn't at fault.

"What spooked you? I can't be that scary looking."

"It's not that, I was just-"

I can't tell him I was trying to kiss him in his sleep.

"Just reliving a memory. It seems like I got lost in the moment, and you just happened to spook me."

"Was it something about me?"

"It was."

"Mind telling me about it?"

Was it a good idea to tell, Link? She didn't know how he'd react to the scenario.

"I don't know, I don't know how... how..." she didn't want to say it outright.

"I'll react?"

"Well... yeah, with what happened yesterday, I don't know what to expect if I tell you certain things about the past."

It hurt to hear that. More than he would ever show. She was afraid that he'd lash out at her again, though, the last time he couldn't fault himself, because she kept pushing him until he finally snapped.

Was I someone that never snapped in the past?

He had no idea, nor did it really matter. The fact was that she didn't trust him. She trusted him enough where she didn't give a second thought about getting nearly naked, and asking that he "keep her warm" through the night, but she didn't trust him enough when it came to potentially vital important information about his past?

He felt it should be reversed.

She won't tell me, but expects me to trust her judgment for not doing so?

Knowing that wounded him more than any blade ever could.

"I understand," was what he eventually told her. He didn't mean it, but thought fighting about it was pointless.

He then decided that he needed to keep his mind occupied on something else, so he began preparing breakfast.

Scooting Zelda off of him, he got dressed before relighting the fire.

Zelda quickly followed suit. She thought about teasing him about not peeking again, but now that he seen her basically naked, it was a moot point. She took her usual spot beside him by the fire.

"What are we having?" she asked.

"Just a Crab Omelet with Rice."

It wasn't often that Zelda got to enjoy Link's seafood cuisine. Apart from the sweets, she felt that his seafood, and the different types of curry he made were her favourites. But, as much as she could go on about his food, the silence between them was bothering her.

"What kinds of food did you make after your awakening? Anything in particular you liked to make?"

"No."

"How come?"

"I didn't know how to cook, or what cooking was for that matter. So, I ate everything I found raw."

She gave him a sideways glance, "What?"

"I had no way to distinguish what was good or bad, what was edible and what was not. I had to figure it out by trial and error."

"But the Sheikah Slate should've had the Hyrule Compendium. It would've told you everything you needed to know about those kinds of things."

He cracked an egg into the skillet, "There was nothing in it when I got the Sheikah Slate repaired. I had to find everything again."

"You still could've done that besides doing trial and error."

He scratched the back of his neck, "I didn't get the slate fixed until around three months after I woke."

"Why? It would've saved you a lot of trouble," she was visibly perplexed.

"How was I supposed to know?" he asked as he flipped the egg.

"Because Father and I told you of its importance right after you woke. He even tried to point you in the right direction."

She makes it sound so easy. Oh yeah, just hurry on along to Kakariko Village, because you were told to. Never mind the fact that he doesn't know who either of you two are, or that he has almost no way to defend himself, has extremely limited supplies, and technically insane. I would've lasted less than a day out there if I tried to simply walk from the Great Plateau to Kakariko.

Snapping a crab leg, "It doesn't matter anymore."

Thankfully, she decided not to press further; this time, but she couldn't help asking, "How did you learn to cook these amazing meals then?"

Handing over her plate, he shrugged, "I'd hardly call these amazing, just something to eat."

Her taste buds experiencing an orgasmic sensation begged to differ, "Allow me to rephrase, how did you learn to cook?"

"Same thing. Trial and error. Figured out what worked well with other things, what didn't. How long to cook for, etc. Took some time, but I figured some recipes that I liked."

"Any dessert recipes?"

"A few, but everything I need to make those are back at the house."

She couldn't stop the frown from forming when she realized that she'd have to wait to have one of Link's delectable sweets.

"Speaking of which, when should we go? How long will it take to get to Hateno Village?"

While cleaning up camp, he said, "Close to nightfall."

"That long?"

"It is pretty close to the southeast tip if Hyrule. So, I guess it's a ways away. Why?"

"I'm just excited to see it is all."

"It's nothing special."

"But it's 'your' place. It is special."

"Our... place. I bought it with every intention of making room for two. Unless... you'd rather stay elsewhere."

"Link... of course, I'd be more than happy to live with you. That makes it even all the more special!"

She never thought in her wildest dreams that she'd hear the day when Link asked her to move in with him. She never wanted to assume that he bought the house for the both of them, but the fact that he thought of her when making the decision made her heart soar.

After everything was tidied up and put away, the two left the library and headed for the main gate of the castle...

Once through the main gate, Zelda smiled.

"You know, they can finally rest now."

Link raised an eyebrow.

"I mean Father, and the Champions. Their spirits are freed, their roles are now finished. They can pass on to the next world with nothing holding them back any longer."

She took one last look back at the castle.

"I was cooped up here all my life; even before the Calamity, and now that I'm leaving, it sort of feels like goodbye."

"A new beginning. Just like the Champions and the king, you're beginning a new chapter in your book."

She shook her head, "'We' are beginning a new chapter, Link. It's our story, and we'll write something special. I can't wait to see how it turns out in the end."

She really does have a smile like the sun. The warmth it brings me feels better than even the best Rito feathered blankets.

"Shall we go?" she asked, still smiling.

Before Link could answer, he felt his entire being grow weak. He let out a grunt before dropping to one knee.

"Link, what's wrong? Are you okay?"

What the Hylia?

Next came a surging pain that was centred in his chest. The feeling was similar to that of obtaining spirit orbs. Similar in the sense that an anomaly was in his body, opposite in that it felt like it was being forcibly ripped out.

Could it be that I'm losing my abilities from the Champions?

"Talk to me, Link! What's happening?!"

"I'm losing... the abilities..."

"What? You're not making any sense!"

A red spirit orb with the symbol of the Gorons then came out from Link's chest.

Zelda's hands flung to her mouth before she pointed at the spirit orb, "What in Hylia is that?!"

"Daruk's... Protection."

He grabbed his chest in agony as a yellow one with a symbol of the Gerudo came next. Link collapsed on his back when the third, Revali's Gale, left, with Mipha's Grace following soon after. The four spirit orbs circled around the two before shooting up, and dispersing into the sky.

"Link, are you okay? What happened?" Zelda was knelt beside him.

His breathing was ragged, all of his muscles were experiencing failure, and his vision became blurred slightly.

"That was... the Champions saying... goodbye," he said in between breaths.

She rested his head in her lap, "What do you mean?"

He took a few moments to recollect his breath.

I never thought it would take this much out of me.

"I'm sure you were able to sense their presence before right?"

She nodded, "Only if I tried to. It's not something I'm able to detect subconsciously."

"I'm sure if you tried again, you wouldn't be able to detect them any longer."

When she tried again, sure enough, Link's words reigned true.

"When I freed each of their spirits, they lent me their unique powers in the form of the spirit orbs you just saw. However, these were only temporary. Once they left to the next world, so too, would their abilities."

"I see..."

"In a way, it's their way of saying goodbye."

"But why did it leave you... like this."

"It's like having part of my soul ripped out. Those spirit orbs melded with my own spirit, that's how I was able to use their abilities as effectively as they did. They were there for so long, that I guess... it was like they were a part of me. To have that suddenly ripped out..."

"It would be like losing a part of yourself."

Zelda knew that feeling all too well. In her own way, she experienced the same sort of pain 100 years ago. When Link died, she felt as though a part of herself died along with him. He was everything to her, essentially, her other half. To have him suddenly taken away, left its own trauma on her.

In a way, the Champions were a part of him as he was to them.

After a few minutes, Link was able to return to his feet.

"Are you sure you're going to be okay?" concern evident in her tone.

"I'll be fine, nothing I'm not used to."

That doesn't make me feel any better.

"We should go, or else it'll be dark by the time we get there."

"Are we walking? Where's your horse?"

Pulling out the Sheikah Slate, Link called upon the Master Cycle. Zelda had never seen this contraption before. She noted that it looked like a horse, but by no means was it actually a horse.

Her eyes lit up, "What is that?!"

When it came to ancient Sheikah Technology, it was hard to contain her enthusiasm.

"It's called the Master Cycle Zero. In that trial to tame the Divine Beasts, it was later revealed that there was a fifth one. I had to fight the creator of the trial on top of a floating platform in the sky. After successfully completing the trial, this was my reward. A one of a kind piece of ancient tech."

"It's... different. What does it do exactly?"

"It's a mode of transportation. Faster than any horse, more durable, low maintenance, and a suspension system that allows me to fall from heights that would normally injure a horse."

Zelda's worry radar began sounding off at him mentioning falling from great heights, this time though, she managed to not lose her composure.

"How does it move? Do you use the slate, or is it like a horse?"

"There's a clutch at the side here, you just kick that in, then hit the gas on the handle and you're good to go."

"Gas?"

"This thing burns fuel. So, materials are required to make sure it remains operational. Once it runs out of fuel, it's useless."

"What does it run off of? How long can this 'fuel' last?"

"Anything really, it converts whatever you toss into the fuel compartment into the materials necessary to keep the gauge full. After figuring out what's the most effective, I made sure to keep those in abundance. As for how long a take lasts? At full throttle this thing can go from Hateno Village to Rito Village on one tank."

"That's incredible! With a horse, you'd need to stop at least twice going that distance, yet, with this you can do it all without stopping!"

Now that she thought about it...

"Wasn't this the thing you rode against Dark Beast Ganon?"

He nodded tersely.

Things were still kind of hazy, but she remembered that he did some maneuvers that appeared impossible. Impossible for a horse anyways, Link had made a habit of doing the impossible.

"We should head out."

Starting up the bike, he then motioned her over.

"Well?" he looked over at her expectingly.

"Y-You want me to sit behind you?"

"Where else are you supposed to sit?"

She tentatively took her spot behind, Link.

"Hold onto me tight, don't want you falling off."

"What?"

Growing a little impatient, he grabbed both of her hands and wrapped them around his waist, "Whatever you do, don't let go."

"O-Okay..."

Giving it one last rev, the two dusted off towards Hateno Village.

What is up with me? Why'd I freeze up like that?

In truth, Zelda simply became nervously excited about being able to hold onto Link for several hours as they rode across the land. Another dream of hers that was impossible in the past. With so many prying eyes, and a reputation to uphold, it was an unavoidable outcome. If word got around that she was smitten with her appointed knight, it would lead to a major headache down the road. Something she didn't want to deal with for many reasons. The biggest one being that she didn't want her selfish request to add to the already endless pile of burdens Link had to endure.

However, thanks to the passage of time, Zelda could now do whatever she wanted with her Link.

A cool wind swirled around her head, the strands of her hair lifting and swirling in it, like ink spilled in water. She inched herself closer, and held on a little tighter. Allowing herself to be selfish this time around...

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

They made it to the village just before dark. As they were riding across the land, she couldn't help noticing how empty the roads were, how many destroyed buildings and ruins there were, and just how many monsters still roamed about.

100 years of darkness have really put Hyrule in a bad state. It could take decades to fix everything.

However, despite all the things still plaguing Hyrule, there were a few bright spots. For one, she thought the blue glow from the shrines and towers looked gorgeous scattered throughout the land. More importantly, she was glad to see her people still finding a way to live their lives. She never heard of this "stable network," but the few they passed the people there seemed... happy.

Is it a viable way of living long-term, though? I know they've managed so far, but they were forced into that way of living, not by choice. I wonder... can things go back to how they were back then.

She looked up at Link in profile as they encroached on a small bridge.

I certainly hope so.

"Well, this is it."

"What is?" she asked, when they came to a stop.

"We're home."