"Come on, Zelda. Concentrate. You can do this, I know you can. Just forget about him." Princess Zelda encouraged herself.
Heavily frustrated, the Princess let out a sigh and slammed the book shut before resting her head upon the table, cushioned by her arms. Despite being mad at her knight, she couldn't help but miss him. His absence was something that she always felt whenever they were apart for too long and it was even worse when they were in the middle of a disagreement. In times where they had fought in the past, she'd always left him hanging on a sour note, but this time it was a little different. She had her reasons for being mad at him, yet she knew that he was only fulfilling his duties. Though sometimes it was those duties that made her unhappy. Everyone only saw him as her knight and couldn't care less if he got hurt; not her. She cared about him and would absolutely hate for him to end up injured because of her.
Seven days. That's how long it had been since their last proper conversation. Seven days since their fight and the only words that had been exchanged between them were cold hellos and even colder goodbyes. But what hurt her the most wasn't the cold tones they had been speaking in, instead it was that he had referred back to calling her Princess and Your highness and not using only her name as he usually did. Just thinking about it brought tears to her eyes.Out in the castle gardens, Link thrust his sword forward and impaled an invisible enemy made up of nothing but air.
How could she get mad at him for that?
How could she get mad at him for doing his job?
Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!
His shoulders slumped and he sheathed his sword. With his thoughts running wild it was almost impossible to focus on brushing up his skills. He gave up on trying and headed back inside the castle wishing that the day would just end already. Though what he really wished for was to make things right with the Princess. Unfortunately it was highly unlikely. She'd gotten so mad at him, which had only caused him to get mad at her too and during the heat of the moment, he'd said something that now, seven days on, he regretted.
Walking through the castle halls, he passed by the library but paused as he heard the sound of soft cries coming from within. Knowing exactly who they were coming from, he hesitated for a moment, pondering whether or not he should enter the room. He stepped closer to the door, and seeing that it was ajar, he peeped his head around it.
"Link… Oh, Link… Please come back to me. I miss you too much." The Princess cried, unaware that she had eyes on her.
Taken aback by her words, Link froze in shock. If she was mad at him, then why would she be crying about missing him? Though seeing her this way caused the regret over his words to surge in size. His mind dizzy with questions, he fell forward causing the door to swing open with a loud creak and causing him to stagger almost drunkenly into the library. He froze in place as the sudden noise startled the Princess and she jumped up from her seat and turned around, staring at him with wide doe-like eyes.
"Uh…" She hummed, frightened over the possibility of what he may have seen.
"Pardon me, Princess. I didn't mean to intrude." He half apologized formally.
Hearing those words again, Zelda could almost hear her heart shatter. The sound of cracking and breaking was so loud in her mind that she was half expecting it to be audible to Link. She hated it with a passion when he addressed her merely as Princess. Knowing that they were closer than that, it was awkward to go back to addressing each other using formalities.
"Oh, it's quite alright… I guess." She sighed.
"Right. Well, in that case I shall be on my way then." He concluded and turned to head back out the door.
Zelda's gaze dropped to the floor but lifted again as she couldn't bear to let him leave once more without at least attempting to make things right. Seven days was far too long for a fight between them to go on. She was tired of feeling lonely and wanted her friend back… Or, if she was being honest with herself, something more.
"Wait!..." She called out to him.
He stopped halfway out the door and turned around, closing it again behind him. He looked across the room at her, staring directly into her eyes; an action that, even from a distance, caused her body to stiffen.
"Yes, Princess?" He questioned, raising an eyebrow.
Not quite knowing what to say, she searched her head for something that wouldn't worsen their situation.
"Please, don't call me by formalities… You know I hate that." She requested.
"That's the thing, Prin- Ugh, look I don't know what to call you, so the formalities are better than nothing." He stated.
"Not for me." She disagreed.
"Fine… Then tell me what is better for you." He demanded.
"What's better for me is what you've always called me from the first time I told you that formalities were unnecessary. My name. I mean, you have no idea how it feels to hear those stupid words come from you after so long." She explained.
"Well excuse me, Princess, if I don't find it fitting to use your name after a week of silence! Why are you so snooty?" Link snapped.
Zelda's eyes grew wide at his disrespect; something he'd never used on her before and certainly not on such a level. Suddenly, her mood sank even lower.
Being shocked by the words that had just come from him, Link's hand flew up to cover his mouth as he mentally kicked himself. He had not meant to be rude or disrespectful in the slightest, in fact, he wasn't even sure why he'd said it. But as usual with words, it was too little too late to take them back now. They were already out, silencing the room like the news of death.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean that, I just-" He tried to apologize, but didn't get to finish before she cut in.
"No! Is that really what you think of me?" She interjected.
"Of course not. Zelda, I've never in my entire life thought of you as-" He began to answer, but once again was interrupted.
Her heart leapt as she heard her name come from his mouth for the first time in seven days, but her relief did not outweigh the anger that his words had caused.
"Actually, forget it! I don't want to hear it… Just go!" She demanded.
"But-" He began to protest but stopped as the Princess shook her head and pointed towards the door.
Dropping his gaze to the floor, he sighed in defeat as he turned his back to her and exited the library. Closing the door, he sank down with his back against it, placing his head in his hands.
"I'm sorry, Zelda." He whispered, knowing that it was useless because she couldn't hear him.
Had he really done the wrong thing by fulfilling his duties? At the time it had felt like it was the right thing to do, but given everything it has caused, he couldn't help but to second guess his decision.
Lake Hylia; Seven days earlier…
"This seems like a good spot…" Zelda stated, eyeing the shaded spot underneath a tree just a few feet away from where Lake Hylia flowed.
"It is indeed." Link agreed, shaking out the blanket and laying it down on the grass.
Giving him a warm smile, she sat herself down on top of the blanket and placed a little wooden basket that she'd brought along beside her. After ensuring that she was comfortably seated he joined her on the blanket, sitting beside her. He watched intently as a pure white butterfly fluttered by, stopping and perching himself on Zelda's index finger. He couldn't help but smile as he watched her face light up.
"Beautiful…" He sighed under his breath.
"Sorry?" She questioned, having heard him speak but not catching what he'd said.
"Oh… Uh… Nothing, don't worry." He shrugged.
The Princess gave him a nod, assuming that whatever it was wasn't important otherwise he would have repeated himself. She watched in awe as the butterfly spread its wings and flew away, fluttering clumsily in the air.
"Butterflies are such beautiful creatures, wouldn't you agree?" Zelda questioned, still watching the butterfly.
"Yes, they really are something." Link agreed, focused completely on the Princess and not looking at the butterfly at all.
Once again, Zelda gave him a smile as she reached inside the basket and pulled something out before offering it to him. Looking down, he noticed that she was actually offering him an apple. Taking it from her hand, he felt his fingers brush ever so slightly against her soft skin and resisted the urge to place the apple aside and just hold her hand in his own. Instead he took the apple gratefully and uttered a thank you.
Bringing the apple to his lips, he opened his mouth, preparing to take a bite when suddenly a group of sloppy bokoblins came running towards them. Before he'd had the chance to react, the only green one of the bunch had begun to harass the Princess. Thinking fast he lowered the apple and then lobbed it at the bokoblin in question, causing it to stagger backwards as the piece of fruit hit it right between the eyes. Drawing his sword, he watched as the ugly creature barreled into its team and without hesitating he jumped in front of Zelda.
Swing his sword horizontally, he sliced three of the four out in one go, leaving only the green one. As it came at him, he impaled it through the head with his sword, withdrawing it as the monster withered and died. Relaxing his shoulders for a second, his relief was short lived.
"LINK!" Zelda yelled, the tone of her voice causing him to drop his sword in shock.
Spinning around, he saw two Lizaflos closing in on the Princess, who was now backed against a tree. Without giving it much thought, he leapt through the air and tackled one of the lizalfos to the ground, fighting it with nothing but his bare hands. Raining down punches upon the creature, he knew that he didn't stand a chance without his sword and especially not against two of them. While he was busy with the one he'd rugby tackled to the ground, the other hovered over him, ready to strike.
Zelda glanced between the unfair fight and Link's sword that lay discarded on the ground. Taking her chances, she dived for the sword and picked it up before tuck rolling back to her feet. Getting as close as she could without gaining the attention of the looming lizalfos, she threw the sword towards where Link was still pinning down the one he'd tackled. As it landed only inches away, he began to reach for it and as he did, Zelda took the bow from his back and three arrows.
Gripping the sword as the lizalfos gained the upper hand and pinned him to the ground, he brought his knee up and kicked it off of him. Using the opportunity, he jumped back to his feet and thrust his sword forward, stabbing the lizalfos right through the heart. But before he could turn to face the other one, it dug its claws into his back. Yelling in pain, he dropped to his knees. The lizalfos raised its scaly hand and prepared to strike him again when it was suddenly struck down by an arrow, landing in its back, followed by another that struck its neck and a third that struck it straight through the heart. As it screeched and burst into ashes, Zelda dropped her bow and raced over to her knight, kneeling down in front of him and hugging him tightly.
"Are you alright?" She questioned in panic.
"I'll be fine, Zelda. It's just a few scratches on my back, nothing to be concerned about." He answered honestly.
"Good!" She said, then swung her hand and slapped him in the face.
"Ah! What was that for?" He asked, confused as he rubbed his now red cheek.
"How could you act so foolishly? Tackling a lizalfos with your bare hands! You could have been killed!" She exclaimed.
"I was doing my job, protecting you! Jeez… Is this the thanks I get?" He defended himself.
"Wha- I…" Zelda stammered, unsure of what to say.
"Don't!" He warned. "I don't want to hear any lame excuses." He added.
"You could have been seriously injured… Or worse! You're lucky that all you got was a scratch on your back!" She pointed out, raising her voice.
"Well yeah, duh! Of course I could have but I was doing my job, protecting you! And the reason why I take it as far as I do? It's because I care too damn much about you!" He fumed.
"But don't you think that there are people who care just as much about you?" She questioned.
Link paused for a moment, swallowing hard and letting out a huge sigh before even attempting to answer her. He knew that she cared so much about him, but part of him really wished that she didn't because it made it that much harder to do his job as well as keeping her happy.
"Yes! I am aware of how much you care, Princess! But if I'm being honest… I really wish you wouldn't. I hate it! I hate it so much and I hate this job! I hate having to always jump in to save you because you always get yourself in sticky situations by not listening to those around you! Why can't you get that through your head?" He raged.
Zelda gasped as his words felt more like an arrow that pierced through her heart. She bit her bottom lip to keep it from trembling, wanting nothing more than to just curl up in a dark corner away from everyone and everything.
"Is- Is that really how you feel?" She asked, her voice just above a whisper.
Getting back to his feet, Link looked down on her. "I could go on." He said coldly, taking her hand and helping her to her feet despite his words.
The journey back to the castle was one that was spent in silence, and from the second they arrived there, both went their separate ways; Link to the courtyard and Zelda to her bed chambers.
_ _ _ _
Disheartened by how their conversation had gone, Link got back to his feet and began to walk away, taking one last longing look over his shoulder at the library doors before disappearing around the corner. From there, he did not stop. He continued walking down the steps of the castle and then towards the front doors. He felt way in over his head and it was clear that the Princess was not interested in reconciling. With the way things were going, it was highly unlikely that she still felt something for him; if she even did before their fight. Just because he felt strongly about her, it didn't exactly mean that his feelings were requited.
Meanwhile, still standing in the exact same spot as she was when he'd left, Zelda's mind raced with a million thoughts. Should she have just let him leave? It seemed that her attempt to set things straight with him has only made them a whole lot worse. Perhaps when she'd called him back, she should have just started with a simple apology and taken it from there. But it seemed that all sense of logic flew out the window the moment his name passed through her lips.
Did he really hate being her knight? That was the question that lingered in her head everyday since he'd said it. All this time that was spent escorting her places and saving her life… Did he regret all of it, and if so did he regret sticking by her and the champions throughout the calamity?
It was a ridiculous notion though, surely? She already knew that without a doubt Hyrule would no longer exist without his sacrifices and good deeds. Without him, she was incomplete. That wasn't just one of her thoughts, that was a fact. Closing her eyes, she saw Link's picture fresh in her mind and began to recall some of their best memories together as well as some other unforgettable ones. Seeing him first thing when she closed her eyes, she couldn't help but try to imagine what her life would be like without him. Forcing all memories she shared with him, she thought long and hard to picture her life in his absence.
One minute passed… It quickly turned into two. But two did not turn into three.
Before three minutes could pass, she opened her eyes again. Try as she might, the only vision for her life without him came up blank and she came to a conclusion; she wouldn't have such a pleasant life without him in it. Realizing what she had just done by ordering him to go, her eyes widened with worry and without any hesitation, she took off running.
She couldn't let him leave. If he left the castle now thinking that she hated him then the chances were that he would never come back. She was done lying to him, and even to herself. After seven days she was no longer mad at him. Not even a smidge. She wouldn't let him get away without at least apologizing first… And she needed to know if he really did mean what he said. If she didn't find out now and he didn't come back, then she would never know and it would eat away at her mind every single second of every day.
Racing through the halls, she skidded around the corner as she came to the steps and then paused for a millisecond to regain control of her movements before descending the staircase. After reaching the bottom, she swiftly made a run for the doors and outside, only stopping to look around, trying to locate him. The strong wind caused her to shiver and wearing only her simple white dress, the bitter cold nipped at her. Her eyes searched the grounds frantically and only when she spotted him heading for the Castle Town exit did she continue running. Picking up her pace, she weaved in and out of all the town residents and the stalls that some had set up.
"LINK!" She yelled across the town.
He carried on walking. It was clear that the distance between them had kept him from hearing her and even though she was out of breath, she sprinted across the concrete to catch him up. Having gotten close enough to touch him, she reached out with her hand but tangled one foot with the other, sending her flying to the floor with a harsh thud.
Startled by the commotion, Link jumped and turned around to see Zelda having a rough meeting with the ground.
Why had she come after him when she was the one who'd told him to go away in the first place?
Seeing her sprawled on the pavement, he did something he hadn't done since he'd seen her for the first time after she'd spent a hundred years fighting Calamity Ganon alone… He winced. Her physical pain had become his mental torture. Putting aside his anger and frustration, he knelt down and offered her his hand.
"Are you alright, Princess?" He questioned as she took his hand.
"I… No!" She cried, throwing her arms around him as soon as she was back on her feet.
Taken aback by her sudden move, he froze for a moment before wrapping his arms loosely around her waist, resting his hands on the curves that separated her hips from her ribs. Feeling her hug him again the way she always used to, the anger he was holding began to slip away.
"Talk to me, Zelda." He prompted.
As soon as her name left his lips, she released him from the embrace and stepped back, wiping at her eyes as she did so. He'd called her by her name, and this time not in a way that shattered her heart but the way he usually did; filled with warmth.
"I can't let you leave, Link. I…" She began, struggling at first to get the words out. "I'm sorry." She said, looking directly into his eyes.
That's all he'd wanted. Her anger towards him seven days ago had surprised him greatly. He was used to being told off and scolded by her whenever he followed her somewhere she didn't want him to, but she'd never come across ungrateful towards him when he'd protected her. Working up the courage, he cleared his throat and prepared to speak.
"See? That's all you had to say. All week, all I wanted was an apology." He said.
"There's more to it, but I can't tell you yet." She informed him.
"Why not?" He questioned, anxious to hear her answer.
"Because I need to let you go. You said it yourself, you hate being here, hate doing this job… And now you probably hate me also." She told him.
Even though she had said them innocently and honestly, her words stung him. But he couldn't be angry with her for thinking like that because it was his own fault. He told her that he hated protecting her, yet nothing could be further from the truth.
"Awe, no, no, no… I don't hate it. Not one bit. And I don't hate you either. Look, Zelda, I'm sorry I ever said that. You're not just the Princess of Hyrule, you're MY Princess and it has been an honour to be by your side all these years. I know I said that, but I'm promising you now that I didn't mean it." He clarified.
Zelda couldn't stop the smile from reaching her lips as she took in his words. They'd lifted her spirits so high up that she almost felt as though she was floating like the clouds.
"You don't?" She asked.
"Never for as long as I live." He assured her.
Sighing in relief, with the air finally clear she now felt as though she could be completely honest with him. The only trouble was that she didn't know where to begin trying to tell him.
"I'm not mad at you anymore, either. It faded pretty quickly, but I didn't know how to approach you after what you said." She stated.
"It's okay, we can put it behind us. Now, what was it you wanted to say to me?" He questioned.
"Oh. Right. That." She said awkwardly and panicked.
It all seemed so sudden. She hadn't prepared any words or practised them like she would if she were speaking to her people and she wasn't even sure if he would like what she was about to say. At a loss for words, things fell silent between them for a moment, but she didn't want to let the opportunity to fully open up to him without holding back slip through her fingers. She'd been hiding this for far too long, and not knowing how he felt was killing her. Without giving him any warning, she leapt forward into his arms and crashed her lips against his.
A few seconds passed and Zelda pulled back, looking into his eyes to see how he felt. She saw something in them that she hadn't noticed before, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it and so instead of speaking, waited for him to react.
"I… Woah… What was that for?" He questioned.
"Please don't make me explain it… Because I can't put into words the way I feel about you." She told him.
"Would you at least give me something? You see, the thing is that I want nothing more than to kiss you again right now… But I can't do it unless I know that it's what you want." He reasoned.
Feeling her heart flutter like the little white butterfly that had perched on her finger only a week ago, she knew that she had to say something. She couldn't leave him hanging after he'd just made that confession.
"I've missed you this week, Link." She stated, thinking hard for a second. "And just before I came after you, I tried to imagine my life without you but I couldn't. All I saw was darkness and it made me realise that without you my life would be empty. I don't just need you in my life as my knight… I want you in it as my everything." She confessed.
"You know how long I've been waiting to hear you say something like that to me?" He questioned. She shook her head. "Only since the first time these sappy eyes of mine saw you." He answered.
She had to say. She couldn't say it. Those three words could change everything. There's no way she could say it. She was going to say it.
"I- I love you, Link." She admitted.
A smile tugged at his lips and spread quickly into an even wider grin. His heart pounded in his chest; not from fear or anxiety, but from how those words sounded when they came from her. Not being a man of many words, it was never easy for him to express himself, but he knew that this was his one chance to tell her. Pulling her closer, he leaned in so that his mouth was in line with her ear.
"I love you too." He whispered.
Before she could say a word, he brought his lips back to hers and locked them in a gentle kiss, holding her more tightly and closer than he ever had before, because to him she was the only person he felt this deep connection with. The only one who made him feel whole again.
