A/N: Welcome back to Slice of the Wild! - a (somewhat) slice of life story circulating Link and Zelda and a cast of charming characters. Please enjoy this "mini-chapter." Welcome aboard leviibanez, WayfinderRinku, charboogity (oh hey there!), ChitterGC, Busterm, Bedriko99, FAdude, Dragomaster150, and deushire! - and thank you all for joining the list! Happy to have you all here.

zViridian, I want to dedicate this chapter to you. I read your comment, beamed, popped right up from my couch, and grabbed my notepad to start detailing out this chapter. I really appreciate your support!

Iknowtoomuch, thank you for your feedback! - though, I really wanted to see and hear Link's arrow split the driver's hand and craved the onomonopias.

leviibanez, thanks for reviewing the pace. I've been messy about that before - happy its leveling itself out. As for the world, the Post-BOTW world can feel a bit empty - but, that's its natural consequence, I suppose, since it's post-apocalyptic. I'm embellishing details, but I hope its restoring to the game what would naturally be there. I totally see a community of compassionate drunkards in a bar - as well as gangs and turf wars.

charaboogity, hey! I know you! Charboogity, thank you so much for your review! I looked down at it in the car last week and... just... dah! Thank you! You're the best.

Guest, for sure! I'd say fighting off a monster for a century will make a warrior out of anyone. I think Link will get more help than he knows what to do with!

melodicConvergence, hello again! Thank you so much for another review! You know, Jane Austen is fantastic as narration - I will never be able to compete, but I love the way she's in her character's minds and infecting the setting of her stories through their perspectives. Gah, I think she's smart and witty, but I'll have to settle for what I've got. I'm happy you are enjoying it this far - expect much more awkwardness!

LINDINI200, hey again! Thank you for your review - happy to give you another chapter. Enjoy your night, alright?

Have a great night you all!

Chapter Seven

Five hours of road stretched on between the ruins of the Wetland Stable and Kakariko.

Smoke from the bonfire shrouded the intense summer sunlight; ash blotted out the eastern view of the far slopes of the Sahasra where the western entrance stood adorned in the Sheikah flags. The elder's lookout was a knuckle in Link's fist if he stuck out his hand into the distance. With the castle unveiled - could Impa see them now? Did they know where they were? Who else knew? The rest of the Wetland Greens? The River Roans beyond Eagle Bridge? Surely, the Yiga knew by now.

Link held his breath, fixing his garments into a bed for the Princess

"Link?" She wheezed.

Link looked up from his task.

Half asleep, she leaned back into the frame of the wagon. "You're unharmed? You are certain?"

"Yes, Princess," he told her once more. This she kept asking - not that he minded. But, it implied that reign of a deeper pain gripping her - one he could not mend. He saw its ferocity in those eyes, especially as she gazed upon the ashy heap of the once-cozy stable. For the weight of her legacy had crash-landed - like the burning horsehead of the inn dashing the floorboards. And the inn that afforded them a simple four days had burned away. From the flames of his own ignorance burned the Princess of Hyrule in frightening glory - and he lacked the courage to take her shoulder and help her into the bed he had made. The snowquill tunic was no pillow, but perhaps the way he bundled it would help her sleep - if she would let herself, of course. But, here she was, stubbornly awake, wanting more words from him.

So much did he want to give her those words, but all he could say was, "I'm okay."

"No burns?"

He shook his head.

"Your side?"

"Lawdon patched it up."

She nodded - looking so much like a normal girl, breathing in deeply. A long exhale followed.

So many things Link wanted to ask - especially now that they were alone. But, his nerves got the better of him. And soon came Lawdon. A salvage basket hung on the crook of his elbow; his hands were wrapped in towels; between them, he held a large, charred pot.

"Food!" He said all too loud, setting down the pot. He handed out two flame-bitten bowls from his basket. Fire had teethed on the rims. Lawdon gestured to the singed marks, "Don't worry, the ladies washed them."

The Princess took hers weakly - Link watched her react.

She stared deeply into the bowl of brown rice while Lawdon laid a saucy, steaming cranberry-seasoned pork-cut onto the heap. She ogled the thick sauce as it flowed down the brown bed and lap up at the bowl's rim before finding the stablemaster's gaze - the most vulnerable of 'thank you's' as she fell deeper and deeper into exhaustion. Her eyes shook - a testament to the ghost of century's captivity finally plaguing her after four days of running adrenalin.

"Do you have any coffee?" She murmured.

"Sorry, Lass. I don't think so." Lawdon followed through with another hasty dollop of sauce and a clumsy bow - never taking his gaze off the Princess.

Her fingers were dirty, but she still ate. No fork, Link ate too as Lawdon laid his piece into his bowl.

Then, ever so slowly, the Princess fell asleep mid-bite.

Link looked up from his pork-cut - its sauce on the rim of his mouth.

Yes, the Princess was asleep, shallow breathing with her fingertips slipping ever so slightly off the bowl. Link caught it from spilling over on her pants, then gaped the stablemaster for a cue on what to do next. But, the two only shared their looks of cluelessness.

Running an inn? Sure, the money is good.

Hunting down thugs? Never easy, but doable.

Ending Calamity Ganon? Perhaps!

But, making the Princess of Hyrule eat? Lawdon ran off to get his wife.

"You men are hopeless!" Link heard as the couple approached. Missus Lawdon wiped her hands on her apron before swinging herself up and over the wagon bed. "Look, Link, honey - I know you're young and handsome, but that won't get you very far if you don't know how to take care of someone! You men need to be competent! Look, half the population is bound to be female. And you're bound to run into one every so often, so just treat her as you would a brother or something."

"But, Leekah honey, she's - "

"A girl who needs help!"

Link tried to say something. The Princess stirred - her brows furrowing. From the noise? The beginning of a nightmare? He cared too much to look away.

"I'm talking to you too, Lawdie!" Whispered the Missus - hushed, but still loud. She scooted in next to the Princess, took her bowl from Link's hand, and retrieved a lone spoon from the pocket of her apron, "You let your friends run wild, but I will not have this I'm-too-manly-to-care kind of attitude in this next generation. Goddess, our son is at risk! And even Hylia knows we have enough tough, incompetent men. I can count at least six looking that way."

She gestured to the ashy view. Before the pillar of smoke, Box and Lick rode around on their horses, hounding the last persons at the campfire. They dragged a string of Wetland Bandits left and right.

"Sit, Link." Said the Missus.

Schooled, Link sat.

"I won't make you hold her up this time, but I do want you to take notes."

Link checked the stablemaster for a cue - what to do? Should he get paper? Really take notes?

"Don't look at my husband, look at me." She snapped.

Link froze.

She then wrapped her arm around the dozing Princess. "See how I'm supporting her back?"

"Y-Yes."

"Nothing awkward about it - just tough Hylians taking care of tough Hylians. Now!" She took the bowl and kept it just beneath the Princess's chin, "I'm holding the bowl up high, so I don't get this blouse of hers dirtier. Nothing awkward," she repeated once more.

Though Link was not thinking 'awkward.'

No, he retreated into himself and felt out the areas of lack.

Did his parents look at him the way Leekah looked at her kids and the Princess? How would it feel to have his mother's arm wrapped around his back? Her chest cradling him as he leaned in and slept?

But, no memories of parents or brothers or sisters predating the Shrine of Resurrection. He had been born to a dark ceiling; no parents looking into the cradle, just a dark cave and trees that went on for miles and miles. And none of them taught him to care for the Princess of Hyrule - a Queen, a heroine, a legacy, a girl, nonetheless.

So much did he want to sink into himself and pull forward a memory from his own mother, but all he could remember was humming. Yet, humming could not teach him what to do next for Leekah and the Princess - grab a handkerchief? Refill the Princess's bowl when Leekah was done?

No, nothing but close observations and fitful fantasies had introduced him to familial care - the kind that parents raised their children to understand so that they might come of age, make supper for their own children, and care for them when they cried.

She had hugged him back there, hadn't she? Surely, she had - he could still feel her hands wrapping around his waist; could still smell the scent of her hair; the feeling of her cheek pressed against his neck burned. He traced the spot - had it left a mark?

"And Link - " Came Missus Lawdon.

He looked up.

"See how I'm pacing her eating, alright?"

"Y-Yes."

"I don't want her to choke."

"Right."

"Good. Now, can you cut the meat into small portions?"

Link nodded - grabbing a clean knife from his bag.

Beyond their wagon, people were finishing their meals, washing their bowls, and packing up what remained of the Wetland Stable. Among clanking dishes and contaminated sponge suds, the plan was passed around - get the kids to Kakariko. Rushing, mother's strapped their babies to their backs, women passed out weapons - or rather, anything with a sharp point. First went the rusty swords, then the blunt spears. Next, people began taking cutting knives and old burnt-out rakes. Grandmother Leslie armed herself with a horse's whip; Quince sharpened the end of an abandoned broom and waved it around for his friends to see.

Box and Lick never stepped down from their high horses; they corralled their thugs into a wagon and placed Old Man Gen as the guard. He armed himself with a rusty spear in case any of them should act up. , the string of four - with Clemins nursing the bruise on his head - looked more smug than worried. Their wagon's direction was the Wetlands, where more of them stalked to ambush the group. On this topic, they went on and on about her while Gen poked them with his spear.

Link couldn't help but listen to the commotion while Leekah helped the Princess finish the last of her rice.

"I know what you're thinking, Link." Came Lawdon, pulling his children up into the wagon bed, "Won't such a party as big as this attract attention? Let me answer that. Yes, we will attract attention. But, if we have your wagon boxed by the thug's cart as well as Abigail's over there and Box and Lick circling with their horses, we'd pose a threat to the local gangs. We've armed the men - and women - on the ground, and Box is adamant about kidnapping every by-passer and throwing them in the thugs' cart."

Link dropped his bowl. Little Pris retrieved it for him.

"I don't ask questions, Link - I asked Box for safety, and this is what we've got."

"Look what we've got here!" Came a voice ahead. At the front gate, Box hopped off his horse and tackled a newcomer - a worn traveler with scrawny limbs and a damp tunic. The initial brawl left the brute standing: Box strung the man up by his collar. "Hey, Lawdie, we've got Yiga here!"

Link grabbed his bow; Lawdon's hand stopped him.

"Box, we haven't even set out yet!"

"But, he's Yiga!"

"But, do we know that?"

"Please," the man squirmed, "I've just come to see the castle! There are a few of us that heard the news!"

"Castle, my ass! He's in disguise, Lawdie! I can tell! Get me some ropes! I'll toss him with the Wetland Gang. You're coming with me."

"Like I said," Lawdon swung himself up onto the wagon, "I doubt anyone will get close." He then turned to his kids, "Go on, don't be shy. Give them what you found."

Linus handed Link some arrows.

Pris gave him a bouquet of dandelions, bluebells, and buttercups. Link took them warily - they were beautiful.

"Some of the guys outside picked those flowers."

Link hesitated, imagining Box, Lick, Quince, and Yolero picking flowers for him.

"For, the Lass here." He corrected.

Oh - that seemed more likely.

"Unless you want flowers, Link," Leekah added.

"No," He set them down by the Princess's hand, "I'm fine."

"Quince says those yellow ones are for good journeys - I don't know why he knows that."

Just then, the Princess stirred against Leekah's shoulder. A silent whimper suppressed with tight lips and a furrowed brow.

"Is she okay?" Came Linus, sitting beside her.

Leekah gestured for Link, "Why not take her. With that side of yours, are you strong enough to lift her? I'll push your bed to the back so she can lay out with all of us here.

He nodded - suddenly feeling nervous.

"Like a brother or family member, remember." She started. "Not like a sack of potatoes."

Nodding, Link scooped her up in his arms - all while watching Leekah for approval.

"Protect her head - support her neck, yeah?"

Yes, Link let her head rest on his chest all while Leekah organized the last of the details in her bed, fluffing the make-shift pillow, dispersing the fabrics, flattening the creases.

Mistaking ignorance with politeness, Link distracted himself by counting the holes in the bonnet ceiling - yet, the weight in his arms was too surpassing to ignore. Princess Zelda - his encouragement for a year in a half, in his arms. She was small yet heavy, but wonderfully so - a testament to the fact that Princess was here and, no less, a Hylian girl.

Her scent was homely - cold, stone walls and wildflowers. Something about it carried Link off to a distant time. He looked down to investigate, but the sight froze him up. Princess Zelda curled into him, suppressing a whimper. Her nose brushed his collar.

"One more second, Link." Said Leekah, bundling his clothes into a second pillow.

He let out a long breath - staring down into that face, promising himself that he'd be competent. After all, he had protected once today - surely, he could do this. He could keep protecting her.

His own mother heavy on his mind, Link let himself hum.