It had taken time, but thankfully they had it. Deep into the night, Zelda and Link were still talking. He had showed himself a paragon of virtue, he had showed mercy and comforting words at every turn. Hope in her, hope in her kingdom; Zelda had remained silent, intent on remembering his words, the strenght with which he talked. Link had assured her of his support, of his unwavering faith in her, she had let herself fall into him, it was easy, it was nice; she had smiled a year's worth, she was sure, and she couldn't help it.

When it was her turn, she left her uneasiness and concentrated on his feats, on him, she caught him blushing, but she kept at it, she felt it necessary for him to know how much he was worth. He thanked him, his resolve, his strenght, his courage, his wisdom. She heard him come clean too, about his motivations, about his relationship with Midna. He was sad for her departure, but knew she had her reasons, respected her decision, still valued her friendship enough; he let tears fall talking about her, the wound was still raw. He told her of Illia too, how much that had hurt, about his town and friends, about the children, about his unkowing call to becoming a Hero, about how he reacted to the name but still didn't feel it as true.

"You are a Hero." Zelda assured him, brows furrowed and conviction in her voice.

"I'm still just Link," he had shrugged.

And Zelda could understand, she made a point to call him by name from that point onwards, and made sure to receive the same treatment. He had opened his eyes like saucers.

"Princess-"

"Zelda, Link, Zelda."

He gulped and looked at her for a while. He opened his mouth, but Zelda beat him to it.

"You would make me incredibly happy by calling me by name, Link, I may be princess, I may be a ruler, but I am still Zelda, too, and having someone call me that once in a while would be nice."

His eyes searched her face, and he sighed as he nodded.

"Sorry, Zelda, I was expecting you to treat me as I wanted and wasn't even thinking about you."

Zelda smiled, and let it go, it was so easy to talk with him, no hidden motives, no double meanings, no secret alliances, no treason, no fear, just Zelda talking her heart out...

"Zelda?"

She laughed, looked at him, searched his face, and felt a shiver down her spine.

Link sat straight, "Everything you've said to me won't leave my lips," he put a hand to his chest "I swear."

She squinted, "Can you read minds, Link?"

Link relaxed, "Your face is really expressive when you don't try to control it."

She looked up and sighed, remembering her Father's warnings for being an open book.

Link leaned towards her, "I appreciate it," he moved his hands "you talking to me."

Zelda snorted, "It's the least I could do."

"No, you could've easily treated me as a servant, shun me and order me," he smiled as he saw Zelda look horrified at such curt behaviour "but you decided otherwise."

"Stop treating me as if I am such a grand person, please."

Link chuckled, "You are a grand person, Zelda."

Zelda brushed off his words, changed topics and went back to Midna and him.

"I was envious of her, you know, of you. Which is dumb, because it wasn't exactly a walk in the park, and you were scared, and in danger, but, you know..."

"You wanted to do more, I get it."

"... I never got to thank her..."

Link laughed, "Being thanked would not sit well with her, I tell you," Zelda looked confused, "because you see, being thanked by you would've meant that everything she did was for you and the Light World, could you imagine?"

Zelda understood and laughed, "The horror!"

Link smiled, "She would've felt super offended."

Zelda let her laugh die out, the corners of her mouth still upwards, "But still... I would've liked to thank her." She ended with a tinge of sadness. Her eyes grew wide and she turned to Link beside her. He followed her movements lazily.

Zelda squared her shoulders, "I, Zelda Eugenia Harkinian Hyrule, want to convey my utmost gratitude to you...Link..."

Link helped her, "Orden, Link Orden."

"...Link Orden." Zelda then bowed her head.

"Zelda, please." He was glad she hadn't made a fuss about his surname, but this was still too much.

"You better get used to this, I will have you honored with every badge and title I can find."

Link made a face, and she laughed. Zelda felt her eyes grow tired, they had talked for a long while.

"Will you let me? Will you come see me in Castle Town?" she let herself fall into the makeshift bed Link had prepared.

"If Her Majesty wishes me to be there, then I will," he adjusted the clothes in her bed and covered her.

"Link."

"If you want me to go, then I will."

Zelda nodded, too tired to open her eyes, "Yes, please."

He nodded to no one, and settled into the bed.

"You would be a breath of fresh air," Zelda mumbled.

Link turned himself to look at her, his eyes were closing too, and as he tried to reconcilie the Princess he had known throughout his adventure and the one that had bared herself now, he fell asleep.

He gave a prayer to keep the nightmares at bay tonight.