They were leaving Zora's Domain that day, Zelda still had yet to explain why she said they weren't returning to the castle just yet. After they said their goodbyes and went on their way Zelda turned around to face Link, causing him to stop. She moved close to him and placed her hands on his chest. "You recall how I said 'we'll see about that', don't you?" He nodded soflty, looking down into her eyes. She had a knowing smile on her face. "Well, there's two reasons why. The first being that I want to go to the Spring of Courage again and pray for some time, it's been a while since I have. And- since it's your birthday in two days I was thinking that perhaps we can stop off at Hateno Village, I'd like to meet your family and I think you'd like to see them." His joy at her suggestion was too great to be measured. He nodded vigorously. "I'd really love that." She turned away from him again and began to take the lead. "Very well then, we'll return to our horses and then we will go to the Spring of Courage before finally making our way to Hateno." She huffed and he began following her. They soon returned to their mounts and they both climbed on. Link thought of suggesting a race but decided against it considering how well that went last time. They made their way over to Faron woods, and on their way they passed some infamous Zonai Ruins. Link figured Zelda would have some level of knowledge on the structures to share. "What is known about the Zonai?" He inquired softly, watching a smile rest on her face at the question. She cleared her throat before sitting up. "Well, we assume that they are responsible for building the giant Lomei Labyrinths which are scattered across the Kingdom, they also have built a lot of structures here in the woods as you can see. From what we can gather they were barbarians, and very tribal. Some say that they had certain magical abilities too. Typholo is a prime example of their magic at work. The small forest is just north of the Korok Forest and is constantly encased in an eternal darkness. We have no idea how they achieved this, but it proves that they had access to knowledge and power that we have no idea about. I hope someday to find some more examples of their work, there are ancient drawings from long ago, dating back before the arrival of the Sheikah's technological age 10,000 years ago. Some believe the Sheikah caused them to die out, whilst others believe their descendants reside in Lurelin village. I don't wish to make an assumption until we have more concrete evidence, but it is likely that they still have descendants. Unfortunately, it seems that their knowledge was lost to time." He listened with fascination, their was so much history in Hyrule that almost no-one knew about, it was insane. "Someday you'll discover something worthwhile." He assured her, receiving a smile of gratitude.
They arrived at the Spring soon after that, Zelda changed into her ceremonial robes before getting into the water. Link kept guard at the entrance of the Spring, watching closely for any attackers. He knew that Faron woods was notorious for being the home of many enemies, it was always an extremely dense place where you had to watch your back. He listened absently as she began to pray quietly, her voice sounded determined in awakening her powers. He was glad that she still carried hope. The hours ticked by, it soon became nightfall. Link remained cautious, watching carefully as Zelda kept praying. Soon, however, her tone sounded exhausted as time progressed, but he didn't wish to disturb her unless she needed assistance. She went quiet suddenly. He turned around with a frown before watching her collapse and fall into the water. He rushed in and helped her out, her face looked strained, she must've been battling to stay awake. He decided he should take her back to the stable in the woods, the lakeside stable. He slowly placed his arms under her and picked her up, carrying her back to Epona. "Link.. I'm okay.." She fell asleep as he hopped up, holding onto her still before positioning her against him. He held her with one hand and took the reigns with the other before beginning to travel back to the stable. She seemed okay, her breathing was normal and she didn't feel too cold or too hot. He arrived at the stable soon after and took her inside before placing her in one of the beds. He got in beside her after some time before falling asleep.
--
Her eyes opened wearily, she was in an unfamiliar setting. She looked around before realising she was in a stable. She didn't recall falling asleep here, she had just been at the Spring. "Look who's up." She turned her head to look at Link, he seemed to have been cooking breakfast as he walked over to her with a plate full of food. He had made crepes and had made some sauce by crushing up some wildberries. She sat up slowly before taking the plate gratefully. He took a seat at the end of the bed and began to eat his own meal. She broke away some of the crepe before dipping it into the sauce and taking a bite. She hummed approvingly as she looked over at Link. "My goddess, this is wonderful, Link!" She beamed, and by the look on his face she could tell that he was glad. She took another bite hungrily, the combination of her hunger and the incredible taste of the food paired nicely. "What happened last night?" She asked in between mouthfuls. He finished what he had in his mouth before speaking. "You became tired at the Spring it seems, you then fell asleep as I was getting us on to Epona. I then took you back here to allow you to sleep." She nodded softly, she felt well rested now, that usually happened after she returned from a Spring, she'd be completely drained falling asleep before being full of energy the next day. "Well, thank you. I appreciate that." They ate the rest of their food in silence for now, once Zelda was finished she decided she should change. "Give me a few minutes and I'll be ready." She announced, and so he got off the bed, giving her privacy before she changed clothing. Once she was ready she opened the curtains and got out of bed. "Right then, I suppose we're off to Hateno." She hummed softly. "Indeed, it's raining a bit but not too heavily yet." Link explained, Zelda sighed in annoyance, she never enjoyed the rain, it made her utterly miserable. "Hopefully it doesn't get any worse then." They made their way out and got on their horses before beginning to make their way back the way they came so that they could travel to Hateno. On their way though, the rain began to increase. "Here, follow me. I know a place we can stop at." Zelda glanced over at Link before following him to this spot he knew about. They stopped under a tree, there were two small statues placed by the tree. She took a seat against a rock whilst Link began to train with his sword. "My uncle used to take me here often, taught me how to use a bow here. I wish you could meet him but he's an overseas merchant. He said he'll be back in a few years." She smiled softly at the image of seeing a younger Link struggling with handling a bow, however, her joy dimmed as she glanced up at the sky. "I doubt this will let up anytime soon.." She focused on Link, watching him skilfully swing his blade. "Your path seems to mirror your father's. You've dedicated yourself to becoming a knight, as well." She wondered briefly what led Link to follow in his father's footsteps. She was quite fond of his dedication, he truly did have a talent for wielding that sword. "Your commitment to the training necessary to fulfil your goal is really quite admirable, I see now why you would be the chosen one." She noticed him tune in to her words, she looked away from him. She wished to open up to him just as he had done, but she couldn't bring herself to do it properly, so she tried to see what he thought first. "What if.. one day.." She tried to formulate the words in her head as she spoke. "You realised that you just weren't meant to be a fighter." She knew he was looking at her know, seemingly done with his training for now. "Yet the only thing people ever said.. was that you were born into a family of the royal guard and so matter what you thought, you had to become a knight." She glanced at him, his eyes were full of understanding. "If that was the only thing you were ever told.. I wonder, then, would you have chosen a different path?" She felt a stray tear roll down her cheek as Link walked over to her, kneeling down in front of her. He placed his hand under her chin, she found herself returning his gaze. "Zelda, if that was how my life went, I don't think I could bring myself to live through it. Whoever may be going through a life such as that, I can't help but admire their bravery to face everything thrown at them head on." She realised that he understood that she was talking about herself. She sighed shakily before wishing to dismiss the subject. "Yes, it truly is tragic.." She glanced up at the sky. "I'm guessing you still doubt this will let up anytime soon?" She giggled quietly at Link's response, she didn't know how he could so easily lift her mood, but she was glad he knew how. "Here, let me show you how to wield a sword." She blinked, eyeing him suspiciously before he helped her up. He handed her his sword, it felt light, but strong. She gazed down at it, it was a blade tied to their history, her ancestors had fought their foes alongside this very sword. She felt him behind her, placing his hands on hers from behind. She allowed him to show her multiple techniques, and she quite enjoyed herself.
After some time, the storm finally passed over. They made their way to their horses before hopping on and continuing their journey to Hateno. She had only ever been there a few times, typically to see Purah. Purah was 10 years Zelda's senior but they got on quite well. Zelda was a complete bookworm and Purah often provided her with books. When she wasn't taking books from the library, Purah was smuggling in some books for her to read, for which she was thankful. "Are you looking forward to seeing your family?" She gazed over at him, she figured he was excited about it based on the way he reacted back by the Domain. "Of course, my sister may be a handful but I'm sure you will get on well." She nodded thoughtfully, she was a little anxious to meet them. She didn't want them tripping over themselves in an attempt to please her, she just wanted normality. As they made their way to the entrance, Zelda noticed that many trees were cut down, presumably to provide Carlson Constructions, the local building company. "They reckon these trees won't regrow for 70 years. It's quite insane to think about the time difference." She glanced over at Link, she wondered what life would be like for them in 70 years, she wondered if they would even be together, or if something would have driven them apart. She would most likely have retired as the Queen at that point, and she finally would be able to relax. As they entered the village, Link pointed at the house that had been given to him by the people in the village. It wasn't anything special, but it was decent for one person, perhaps two.. she smiled softly at an incomplete thought of her and Link becoming normal everyday citizens after this all and living in that house, but she knew such a thought was wishful.
They travelled a little ways up a hill until they reached a house with a farm out the back. She could see cuccoos running wild and some Hateno cows were present. They dismounted outside the small building before she heard some barking to her left. She looked over and watched as a dog ran over, tackling Link to the ground. She watched the little guy reunite with his owner, affectionately licking Link's face. "I missed you too, boy." Link slowly tried to escape his dog's assault, getting to his feet soon after. The dog then walked over to Zelda, sniffing her feet before looking up at her. She knelt down and began to stroke the dog's fur before looking up at Link. "What's this little one's name?" She peered back down at the precious thing before hearing Link's answer. "Bruno, we've had him since I was 6." She nodded softly before getting back up onto her feet. "Shall we see if anyone is home then?" She took a good luck at the house, it looked quite big from what she could see, large enough to fit a family of four. Link walked up to the door and rapped on the wooden frame three times. She stood next to him before hearing the knob turning. The door opened revealing quite a strong man. His hair had gone grey and the top of his head was going bald but he had a thick moustache and a short beard. He had some gloves on and was wearing an apron. He looked at Link for a moment before pulling him into a tight hug. "My boy!" They held each other in an embrace for some time before pulling away. "How's life at the castle been going?" He seemed rather cheerful. "It was tough to start, Zelda here wouldn't give me a break." She scoffed before looking at his father and extending her hand out. "Hello sir, I'm the girl who's going to give your son a slap if he keeps speaking about me in such ways." She glared at Link before William took her hand, shaking it firmly. "The both of you are very welcome. Please, come inside, I'm just about to put on the dinner." Link allowed her to step in first, so she did. The place was well kept, she noticed a large array of ingredients stacked in a basket by the fireplace, and a cooking pot hung above it. "If I knew you two were arriving I would've cleaned up a bit more." Zelda looked around, the clutter gave it a homely feel. "Oh nonsense, it's barely noticeable." She replied quickly before looking at William. "So what brings you two here?" Zelda glanced at Link, allowing him to answer. "Well, Zelda suggested that we come and stay here for my birthday tomorrow, and well I couldn't refuse to see you and Saria." She watched William smile before looking towards the stairs. "Saria will probably be down soon, she's reading at the moment." Zelda felt herself smile at that, she could do with being around another avid reader. They soon heard footsteps approach the top of the stairs and Zelda looked up to see a small girl with blonde hair and blue eyes standing at the top. She looked to be about 12 which is what she recalled Link telling her. "Linky!" She rushed down the stairs to greet her brother, wrapping her arms around his waist. He chuckled lightly before placing his hands on her shoulders. "I missed you too." The young girl then pulled away and looked up at her. "Who's that?" She looked up at Link, he glanced at Zelda before responding. "That is the Princess of Hyrule." Zelda watched as Saria's eyes shone brightly. "Wow, a Princess?" Zelda nodded politely before Saria reached out to shake her hand, to which Zelda took the little girl's hand and shook it. "I remember reading a story about a Princess and a Hero who had to fight this mad Gerudo King in the past, supposedly after it all they fell in love and ruled the land together." Zelda frowned slightly at that, wishing it was so simple.
A while later they were just finishing their dinner, Zelda quite enjoyed the meal. It was on par with Link's breakfast from this morning. "That was lovely, thank you." She glanced outside, it was night time now. "Not at all, it was my pleasure, Zelda." She gave William a smile, glad that he was willing to call her Zelda rather than Princess. She heard Saria yawn softy, she was perched on Link's lap, comfortably settled against Link's chest. "She's getting too old for this." He sighed softly and she smiled sympathetically at him. "Okay, I'll just bring her upstairs, it's probably time she gets some sleep anyways." He gently stood up, struggling to carry the girl up the stairs. Zelda watched until they were out of sight before turning to William. He was looking at her with a soft smile. "Is there something going on between you two?" She blushed softly, had it been that obvious? "Link doesn't look at any girl that way, nor does he ever bring a girl here." She nodded softly, her cheeks felt flushed. "Yes, I suppose we are something of a couple." Her tone became desperate with her next words. "Though no-one can know, if word got out then we'd both land in hot water." William nodded understandingly. "I see, well then I guess there's no need for me to get you a sleeping bag." She nodded before watching William stand and begin gathering all the plates. "Oh no, please, I can do that for you. And I'll get Link to help me if I struggle." He eyed her for a moment, thinking before sighing. "Get him to do most of it, it's been too long since he's done any work around here." He placed the plates back down before stretching. "I'll head to sleep I suppose. Don't stay up past midnight and no fooling around, my house, my rules. Understood?" She giggled softly before nodding. "That's quite understood, William." She got to her feet and began to clear off the table as his father walked upstairs. A few minutes later Link came back down and immediately began to help. "So, how did everything between you two go?" He glanced up at her as he put some plates away, "Rather well, actually. I can tell you more about it later though. For now, you'll wash these and I'll dry." He nodded gently before they began cleaning the dishes and cutlery. After they were done Link dried his hands off before wrapping his arms around Zelda. She looked up into his eyes lovingly, placing her hand on his cheek. "I love you, Zelda." She blushed hard, had she heard that right? Did he actually love her? She smiled brightly before stroking his cheek softly. "I love you too, Link." She leaned up and kissed him softly before pulling away and yawning softly. "We should get some sleep." She announced, taking his hand and leading him upstairs. His room was fairly barren, she figured he had moved his stuff out. They laid down on the bed before both falling asleep soon after.