The couple had been wide-eyed, grateful and full of stares Zelda tried to fight with smiles.

If there were no rumors when they went back Zelda would announce her plans of marrying Link in the Public Plaza.

Link helped them fix their carriage and offered them to spend the night where he and Zelda had set camp.

Zelda could hear the alarms setting off inside her head, but the couple was so relieved to hear Link say that, and Link was so warm an existence that Zelda smiled and remained silent.

There was something about Link's nochalance that made Zelda want to hug him and stare at him in bafflement. When everything was settled and Zelda sat on her cot to prepare to sleep she heard Link offer the couple his cot.

The couple were getting teary-eyed and Zelda could not fault them for that, but really, there had to be a limit for his kindness.

Link sat in front of the fire, nearer to Zelda than the travellers.

"Why don't you come closer?"

Link turned his head and rested his cheek on his knee, "Because they might talk later."

Ah, so he wasn't that oblivious.

"I think there's going to be talk anyway."

"We want to keep it to a minimun, though."

"Are you going to be all right sleeping there?"

Link smiled, "Are you inviting me over to your cot?"

And Zelda snorted, "Maybe."

Link held his gaze over her face and Zelda could feel her cheeks getting hotter.

"We haven't even kissed yet," Link whispered.

Zelda let out a sigh, "Yeah," Link looked straight ahead, "we ought to."

Link hid his snort in his leg and Zelda laughed before turning and looking to the dark space in front of her.

She half wished there were rumours when they arrived.

The carriage moved slower than Epona so Link and Zelda lost sight of the couple soon after.

"I might have to speed up the process of courting you so when rumors reach the Castle people don't riot."

Zelda laughed and the air whipped her hair around. Rumors were harsh, and rumors were nothing to be desired but now she was riding along and what did it matter?

"Not worried?"

Zelda raised her arm and patted Link's head in a weird angle, "Of course I am, I always am, but you are too nice and I can't hate that part about you."

Link catched Zelda's hand before she returned it to her lap and held it, "All right," Link said, he squeezed her hand, "All right."

Zelda did not hide herself with a cape and the few people that saw them at the stable didn't show surprise. William was waiting for them in front of the barn entrance.

"William," Zelda curtsied, "I will go take a bath and prepare myself for the day. I believe I have work to do."

William smiled and nodded once, all politeness and good manners. Zelda waved to whoever called her name and left, and Link was left alone with William standing still.

"It's the second time you've brought her back to us," William commented to the air, "it's the first time you've taken her from the Castle," Link stood next to Epona's side waiting for William to chastize him, but William bowed his head, "Thank you."

William stood there a couple more of seconds and turned.

"I will present myself to court Her Highness today."

William stopped walking but didn't turn.

Link was about to start explaining himself. I know how you feel, I'm not saying this to start a fight, what are you feeling right now? should I have not-?

"Good," huffed William and bowed with his back turned.

Link had left his door open because he was going to leave immediatly, he had left it open just a bit, he had left it open because he was just cleaning himself up before going to ask for a meeting with the Council-

"Wow," Robert stepped back and blinked hard, "you do realize there are women who would pay to see you like this?"

Link breathed Robert's name, "Close the door for Hylia's sake, you almost scared me to death."

Robert did as told but turned and looked affected, "I was not the one who left your door open, man."

Link waved it off and put on his inner shirt.

"Where are you going all fancy like that?"

"Gonna ask for a council meeting."

Robert raised his eyebrow, ready to strike, "To ask for Her Highness' hand in marriage?"

It was a joke.

A joke.

"Yeah."

Robert laughed it off, but Link was serious and Robert squirmed in his spot, "Wait, for real?"

Link looked up in confusion, "Why would I lie about that?"

Robert looked puzzled, "What?"

Link kept on dressing himself.

"Wait, wait, wait- I mean, sure, it showed that you were in love, I guess, but isn't this rushed?"

"Rushed how?"

"In the way that- I don't know, you've only known her for like half a year?"

Link stood to his full height - still a good 30 cm below Robert - "Till when am I supposed to wait, then?"

Robert frowned. Here it was, Link the straightforward, "Till you're sure?"

"I am sure."

"Well, till you see more of the world, I don't know, you're still pretty young."

Link smirked but bit down the remark that he had already been through the whole of Hyrule thrice times over, oh, and also the Twilight Realm, "And wait for what? For Zelda to find someone who is capable of owning up to her responsibilities? For me to find someone better than her? For us to what? I just don't get what I'm supposed to wait for."

Robert put up his hands in defense. Link was not agitated, nor angry, nor anything. He was being honest and terryfingly calm, "Dude, you really own up to what you believe, don't you?"

Link straightened his tunic with his hands, "I guess I do."

Link moved to the door and Robert couldn't close his mouth, "This is the manliest or dumbest I've ever seen you."

Link opened the door and motioned for Robert to go out, "Come on, maybe you'll get to fight for my honor."

Robert was still unsure but then Link turned and winked at him. Robert ran to catch up, chuckling and feeling oddly assured.

"I'm sure this is what ladies found charming about you."