The trip back from Goron City was a long one. Zelda had hoped that Link was finally warming up to her after he'd said her name. The way it had rolled off his tongue so naturally.. wow. But no, instead he went back to his quiet, stoic old self. She wished he'd talk to her comfortably, the way he spoke around Daruk. Was there something about her which caused him to stay quiet? Was she boring?? She sighed and looked out of her window. It was late, the stars were brightly filling up the night sky. Zelda was still having no luck with unlocking her powers. She wanted to explore new possibilities, perhaps researching, doing something she loved, would help her unlock her powers. That was a wishful thought.. Zelda hadn't gone researching in over a year now. She used to sneak out late at night and watch as the Sheikah controlled the Guardians, or watched the Divine Beasts from afar, sometimes she left the castle completely and went to Purah and Robbie to see if they had learned anything interesting. They were Hyrule's brightest scientists. She envied them, being able to research all day every day, she longed for that so badly. Researching now was out of the question with Link's watchful gaze.. or was it? She smirked slightly as an idea sprang to mind. What if she left now? Link was most certainly asleep. A wave of excitement washed over her as she left her bed and grabbed a neatly folded piece of paper. It contained a map of Hyrule, Zelda had photographed it on the Sheikah Slate but it was easier to view here. She traced her finger along the map, searching for a Shrine location. They weren't marked specifically on the map, but Zelda knew the location of some of them. Her finger landed on one such shrine just southwest of Rito village. It was built among the Ancient Columns. She smiled softly, folding the map back up. She then removed her night gown and changed into her everyday gear. She was quite fond of the outfit, it was a little tight but she felt it really suited her. She put it on in record timing before packing a bag. Midway through though, she paused. She needed to leave some sort of note explaining why she was gone, otherwise they may fear the worst and Link could be thrown into the dungeons for failing to protect her. She sighed, as much as she disliked how much Link reminded her of her failures she knew she couldn't let him get locked up. She grabbed a blank sheet of paper and pulled out her quill and jar of ink before beginning to write.

"Dear Hero..

I know you are most likely worried of my current whereabouts. I have gone exploring and I shall return in a few days. You need not worry about me, I shall be fine. Do not follow me, if I find you looking for me then you will suffer my wrath. I'm sorry that you will have to deal with my father's anger, he certainly won't be impressed by this, but show him this letter and his mind will be reassured that I wasn't ambushed in the middle of the night by a group of Yiga.. We will be arriving at Gerudo Town next, unfortunately I'm afraid you won't be able to enter. So pack your things for the desert and get whatever foul elixirs you wish to bring ready.

Kind regards..

Zelda"

She left the note on her desk before continuing to pack her bag. After she was ready she quietly snuck out of her room, down the hallways to the castle's stable. She helped her horse out before mounting the steed and galloping off into the night.

--

Link woke, early as ever. He heard the familiar sound of birds chirping as the sun shone through the curtains. He smiled softly, he loved the luxury of sleeping here. It was so peaceful.. so quiet. It was perfect. He got out of bed a few minutes later, getting himself ready for the day ahead. Once he was satisfied that he looked presentable he stepped outside and walked over to Zelda's door to assume his post. However.. her door was open slightly, that was unusual. He took a quick peek and noted that she wasn't in bed. Curiously, he pushed the door open. She was nowhere to be seen. He walked in, scanning the area for anything unusual. Her night gown was lazily strewn across the banister at the foot of her bed, and her bag was missing. He walked over to her desk, finding a note laying down on it. It seemed to be addressed to him. He picked it up and began reading, he felt a sinking feeling appear in his chest as he continued to read. She'd run off.. Didn't she know how dangerous that could be!? He needed to find her, despite what she said. He quickly exited the room, note in hand. He saw a maid walking down the hallway. "Excuse me! Miss?" She turned her head to look at Link, he quickly walked over to her. "Can you give this to the King? And can you let him know that I'm searching for the Princess?" He handed her the note and without even giving her a chance to respond he passed her by, continuing down the hallway. He made his way outside and down to the castle's stables. Zelda's horse was missing, he quickly unleashed Epona and climbed on, speeding down the pathway, out past the gates and through the busy square of castletown. Soon he was out on the large open plains of Hyrule Field, he was unsure of where to go, Zelda had left him no hints.. he groaned softly before seeing a traveller nearby. He looked tired and weary.. Perhaps he saw her. He quickly rode over to the traveller. "My my, if it isn't Master Link! How are you doing this morning, good sir?" The traveller was warm and friendly, but Link had no time for chit chat. "Good morning sir, you haven't happened to see the Princess by any chance, have you?" He asked in a hurry, his voice struggling to his his desperation. "Actually.. I believe I have. She was in a hurry, it must've been past midnight.. she was headed off towards Rito villa-" Link had taken off. Rito village.. What was she doing?

It took him two long days to track her down, the process had been worrisome and brutal. He'd asked anyone he came across if they knew where she was. No-one else had any knew information. He'd made it to Rito village and checked ever nook and cranny, but there was no trace of her. Disheartened and exhausted, he headed to the Rito stable. He needed some sleep. He had kept himself awake since he left, refusing to succumb to sleep, his duty was more important. He boarded his horse before stepping inside, his appearance appeared as defeated as he was. "One bed, wake me up at noon.." He said glumly, placing a red rupee on the counter. The worker grunted in appreciation and Link walked over to one of the beds. He practically collapsed on to it. "Hey kid, I remember you. You was with the Princess, correct?" Link turned his head to look at a fellow Hylian, he looked.. rough. He had a long, untamed beard and his hair looked quite greasy. "I was.. we were here a week ago.." he sighed softly, just wishing to fall asleep. "Funny.. I saw her here just last night-" Link bolted up, his body filled with a sudden burst of energy. "You did? Do you know where she went?" He asked, his voice laced with hope. "Not exactly.. she mentioned somethin' about researchin' one of them ol' shrine doohickeys. Didn't think much of it at the time but.." Link gave the man a smile and pulled a silver rupee from his pouch. He handed it to the man. "Thank you, so so much!" He beamed before running outside and taking his horse, there were only a few Shrines in the area, so that narrowed his search.

--

Zelda had arrived at the Shrine this morning, she'd spent her time trying to find a way to enter it. She'd pressed the Sheikah Slate up to its pedestal numerous times, she'd circled the entire thing, examined the design of it in case there was some sort of pattern she had to input. Nothing, no evident way to access it. She crouched down by the pedestal, examining it closer, trying to figure out how it worked. She stood once more and placed the Slate against the dull, grey surface, where an eye of the Sheikah was carved. Upon connecting her Sheikah Slate to the pedestal, nothing happened. "Nothing. Just as I thought" She looked up at the door of the structure, skimming through its text. "Hmm.. it appears that this structure was designed to be exclusively accessed by the sword's chosen one. But designs can be worked around, at least I hope." She decided she would keep trying until nightfall, then she would return to the castle. "How do I get inside..? I need to activate it somehow." She heard the neigh of a horse behind her, she gasped slightly before hearing the sound of feet landing firmly on the ground. She turned around and saw Link, making his way forward a bit. She clutched the Sheikah Slate tightly, feeling annoyance fill her being. How had he found her so quickly? She stepped forward. "I thought I made it clear that I am not in need of an escort." She stopped a few feet in front of Link. "It seems I'm the only one with a mind of my own." She placed her hands on her hips and looked off to the side. Why was he here!? She faced him once again, placing a hand on her chest and leaning forward slightly to emphasise her next words "I, the person in question, am fine, regardless of the King's orders." She began walking closer to him, her fists tightly clenched. "Return to the castle-" She passed by him, continuing to walk "And tell that to my father, please." She heard his footsteps beginning to follow after her. Why couldn't he just listen to her?! She stopped where she stood and closed her eyes, silently feeling frustration build up. She turned to face him before yelling, letting out all her frustration, all her anger at failing constantly to unlock her powers, letting out her hatred for his ability to remind her of said failures, allowing herself to pour every bit of hate into a single sentence. "And stop following me!" That was harsh.. She didn't want to be so rude, but he asked for it. She felt bad for becoming so angry with him, it wasn't fair on him.. but- She did say she was going to make him suffer her wrath after all. She huffed quietly, watching him briefly before beginning to turn around. "Zelda, you know I can't." His words made her pause, he said her name again. "Don't call me that!" She replied, immediately regretting saying that, she wanted to hear him say her name again. "What do you mean you can't?" She asked, although she knew perfectly well why. She let out an exasperated sigh. "I mean that if I go ahead and return to the castle and tell your father that I found you and decided everything was a-okay, and that I felt as though you'd be just fine on your own I'd be killed on the spot!" She never heard much emotion in his voice, but now it was full of it. She could clearly sense stress, anger, frustration and.. fear. What was he afraid of? She sighed and looked down. He was right, he had no say in this, he was simply tasked with following her around. She felt ashamed of herself. "I'm sorry Princess I-" "Call me Zelda, and it's okay, I'm sorry for being so hard on you." She gave him a brief smile before turning around fully. "There's a few more shrines in the area that I wish to check out, perhaps you can help me." She informed him before beginning to walk, hearing his footsteps following right behind her. "Are you sure me calling you Zelda is okay?" His tone was softer now, he was calm, or just hiding his emotions again. "It's perfectly fine, Link." She replied and continued on with her journey to the next shrine.