The soldiers acknowledged Link's strenght, that much was clear, but there were still gossips and murmurs and Link could feel the heat rising within him.

The air was still settling around them when Link pinpointed a few mistakes the soldier had made.

A sigh, "Yes, sir."

It was dumb and Link had to learn to just not take things to heart, but it wasn't in his nature, "Is there something you want to say, soldier?"

Link could might have imagined the smirk on the soldiers' face, the light and the dust made people make funny faces sometimes. What was true and made Link squint in suspicion was the overly quick answer that came after, "Well, it doesn't matter, right, sir? We can't go against you or we'll have the General on our arses."

Link didn't even have to turn to know that Robert was walking to his side, glare in place. For all his complaints about looking like Link's lapdog, Robert did end up acting like it. And Link was sure Robert was starting to enjoy it.

Robert was right behind Link, right over his shoulder, two steps back. Robert knitted his brows together and the soldier just glared back.

Link made as if looking around - with Robert moving out of his field of view - and then settled back on the soldier, "I don't see the General now, though?" And by now they were attracting attention. "Go on and ask whatever you want, fight me again, if you so wish."

The soldier blew air through his mouth and shrugged, "No, sir." As it was rude and it could get him into trouble, the soldier just remained still, looking at Link with bored eyes and a slouch that made Robert want to smack him.

Link bit his lip and stared at the man. There was no use in pressing on someone who already felt he had lost, and by the unaffected look the soldier was pulling it was clear he saw no point into facing whatever trouble's he had with Link. Link waited two seconds to calm himself, knowing that conflict - though he would do his best to avoid - was the way he resolved things. Link swirled his sword on his hand and retreated, a motion that meant the next spar was to begin.

"Are you being paid by nobles?" Said one of the soldiers who had perked its ears at the sight of conflict.

Link raised his head, looked at the man, "No," it had caught him by surprise, this question, "they don't want me here, why would they pay me?"

The soldier laughed and nodded, letting the matter go. A burly man some steps behind the first soldier frowned, "Then why do you hang out with one?" his eyes were fixed on Robert.

Robert gave his most dispassionate look back to the man, then made a fancy hand movement that meant to encompass all of himself, "Last time I heard I was disowned and without a Rupee to my name, so I don't get what you mean."

Another soldier chimed in, "Well, it's not like I haven't seen your story before, when are you gonna marry a cousin?"

Robert gave a wry laugh, "If Hylia allows me, then never."

A couple of soldiers looked away and ignored Robert. From behind someone shouted, "Why are you so chummy with the Princess?!"

A good amount of soldiers laughed and Link shouted back, "I kind of saved her from a weird fella that wanted to overthrow the kingdom!"

And this time the whispers where about Link's obvious strenght and experience and less about his overall incompetence in handling the matter.

"Is the Princess paying you?"

"No. No one is paying me."

"Then why are you helping out people you don't know about?"

Link turned to face the soldier who had said that, and he recognized the daughter of a man killed in the invasion, a woman who had gone one day to help tend to Misses Lorn's garden. Link didn't have an answer, "I'll let you know once I know it myself."

"Are you like, wanting to be King?"

Link coughed, "I will help and aid Her Majesty in whatever form I can," Were his ears red? "but I wouldn't dare assume Her Majesty's wishes or desires."

Link heard a mocking whistle somewhere but he wasn't prepared to look for the source.

"Why did you accept to enter the Army?"

Aside from being the only thing Link could be useful in? "No offense," this was an easy one, "but you guys suck at fighting."

Link was flat on his stomach and the sketch he was drawing was giving him trouble. Illia's hands were never so long and Talo's nose was bigger. Malo's eyes were looking at him as if scolding Link and Link knew he had done that good, at least.

Link rolled and looked at his ceiling. Without Robert around everything was a little too quiet, the wind blew right over his head and the sun was saying goodbye already. His room was dark. And Link, as usual, started to ponder whether this was what he wanted. Had he known before? Before all the Twilight fiasco happened? Had he had a dream? Link was sure he hadn't even think about it. He had had no time. First Illia and the kids in the village, then Midna at his side, now Robert. People who supported him, guided him, needed him. If one took those out, then what? Link was having fun fighting, teaching, seeing the soldier's growth filled him with pride he always bit down. But then what?

Now what?

Zelda. That was what. He had been ready to fight and die for her before, it was no different now. The only thing that was different was-

It was dark and Link blinked hard, trying to see with the help of the moon. Three knocks. And Link was moving so fast he stumbled on the way to the door. Link couldn't even explain it well enough, there was nothing to cue him into who was on the other side of his door, but he knew. Two knocks, and Link's hands were sweaty.

Two knocks, and when Link opened his door Zelda came in with almost practiced motions.

Link could feel joy in the pit of his stomach, "Aren't you worried people will see you?"

Zelda looked at him as if he wasn't into some juicy information, "Midna didn't tell you?" Link looked puzzled, and Zelda smiled, "We can sense people's presence," Link cocked an eyebrow, "How do you think you and Midna could sneak into the Castle back when I was a prisoner with nobody finding you?"

Link looked to the ceiling and exhaled, adding dramatism, "Well," he started, "I had a pretty good nose back then."

Zelda snickered, a little too tired, and then moved her hair from her face. Link could see the bags under her eyes and everything was complicated now, under the Twilight he had been able to destroy everything that caused harm, but now- "Are you all right?"

Zelda sighed and shook her head, the strand of hair she had put behind her ear fell to the front again. "No," she whispered.

Link was about to cross the line again, put his hands on her upper-arms and show concern, but Zelda blushed and talked first, "Can you come to my room tomorrow?"

Link was baffled and just kept his mouth open.

"At eleven at night I am left to my own devices, the candles on my room are put out but for the one next to my bed." Zelda swallowed, "Do you think you could come?"

It wasn't even a question for Link, he was nodding before he said anything, "Of course. I'll be there."

Zelda lifted a corner of her mouth, mouthed a thank you and tried again to put her hair behind her ear. "Oh," she remembered, "You can't let anyone see you, though."

Link scoffed, "Of course I won't."

Zelda opened her mouth and then stopped, she looked to the door behind Link and then retreated to a shady corner, "You have visits."

And Link was praying it wasn't that maid again.

A knock. Link opened the door and glared.

Robert flinched back, eyes open in surprise, "Were you right next to the door or something, you weirdo?"

Link rolled his eyes and put his weight on his right let, "How can I help you?"

Robert squinted his eyes, "I'm going to see Telma so I was wondering whether you'd like to tag along-"

"No, thank you, I want to have a full-night's sleep."

Robert squinted harder, I-am-used-to-short-naps Link wanted a full-night's sleep? The room was awfully dark and Link's nervousness was telling. "You hiding something, lover boy?" Robert could see Link holding his breath, "Maybe you fell to a certain maid's charm?"

Link shook his head in disapproval, "Tell Telma hi." And then the door was closed.

Robert blinked for a while, unsure of this turn of events. Link had refused him something. Link. Linky Link. Link who never said no to hanging with Telma. Link who never said no to anything. That Link. Robert wasn't sure whether he was more angry or surprised at being shunned.

Robert decided to stay with amazed. He was amazed to see a new side to the blond. Now the question was why? Link would never ever let that maid get into his quarters, but for Link to act like that... someone had to be there. And it wasn't Robert, clearly. Had Link made new friends or something?

Had Link...?
Or was it...?
Nah.
Couldn't be.
No way.

Robert stopped mid-movement before hitting a rock, his eyes opened and he could tell he was getting excited for no reason. Robert had known. He had told Link.

Oh, Hylia.