Staring in disbelief, Link didn't quite know what to say. He had mustered up the courage to walk over to her and take both of her Porcelain like hands into his own, rough and calloused ones.
"It's good to see you Link."
"It's good to see you too, Princess."
"My dear Knight, I see that you have been struggling a lot since starting this quest..."
"Oh Zelda, it's not a big deal, really it's not. I can carry on, it's not a problem at a-"
"Hush, it's okay. You are allowed to admit that you're struggling, we all need help at times." She interrupted.
Dropping his hands to his side, his face twisted into an expression of pain as he struggled with his memories.
"But I have no recollection of the events of that night. How am I supposed to save you and the rest of Hyrule when I can't remember?"
"Oh Link... You can do it. I believe in you, and I always will."
"Please, I need to know what happened that night."
With his pleading eyes burning into her own, Zelda tore her eyes away for a few seconds, weighing up their options. If she were to fill him in on those events, it might be the final straw that could break him. But then again, if she kept the information to herself, Link wouldn't stand a chance against Zant.
"Alright, I shall tell you but in return you have to promise me one thing."
"Anything. Of course, anything you want."
"Please Link... Do not let the recollection of those events crush you."
"I promise."
Satisfied with his cooperation, the Princess stood silent for a second, going over the events in her head before speaking them aloud to ensure that she had everything in order.
"You see, after you passed out, those despicable creatures attempted to attack you while you were down. I couldn't just stand by and watch so I made a move. Before they could touch you, I grabbed the Master Sword from where you had dropped it, and I managed to slay them somehow... But then Zant himself showed up, and I just... I wasn't strong enough to take him down alone."
Link stared at his love in shock at this new piece of information. He wasn't surprised at all about the Princess fighting, he always knew that she was capable of that. Instead he was more surprised at Zant showing up, and was desperate to hear the rest of the story.
"Stupidly, he tried to lay his hands on the sword, which shocked him. That gave me just enough time to call on Hylia and have her store the sword away deep into Faron Woods, inside the Sacred Grove where the Temple of Time is located. Before I could use the power provided by the Triforce, Zant had already recovered and he used his powers to weaken my own. As soon as I was too weak to move, he closed in on me and used one final hit to knock me unconscious. After that he left you lying on the floor and took my body with him into the Twilight Realm, storing it in a glass coffin." She finished explaining.
Silently seething, Link tried his best not to let her see his anger. It was not directed at her, but instead the King of Twilight, Zant. It wasn't enough that he had cursed Midna, but he kidnapped Zelda and had even gone as far as to harm her physical body. He wanted not only to murder Zant, but to make him suffer in the process.
Though he knew that the Princess, no matter what the monster had done, would be disappointed if he ever took pleasure in any of his killings besides that of goblins and monsters. He would not disrespect her by being so full of hate and malice. All he would do is take down Zant and banish him to a place where he would never be able to hurt anyone ever again.
"Link, are you okay?" She questioned.
"Yes. I'm fine."
"I think now you will stand a much better chance at going up and winning against Zant."
"Don't you worry Princess, I won't let you down. I know that you need me right now. Both you do."
Confused by his last sentence, Zelda tilted her head to the side with a questioning look upon her face.
"What do you-"
"I know."
"You know? Know what?"
"I know about the pregnancy."
"Oh... I... Link, I'm so sorry. I was going to tell you, I swear." She rambled in panic.
"Hey, hey. It's quite alright. I know that you had good reasons for hiding it from me and I forgive you... Furthermore, I promise that I will not let you down. From now on I am going to stay strong in the face of any challenges and I will have you safe in my arms once again." He stated.
Touched by his noble words, Zelda couldn't help but tear up a little at how loyal he remained to her, even after all this time and after she had kept the biggest secret from him. Before speaking again, she threw her arms around him in the biggest embrace she'd ever given anyone.
"I have no doubt in you at all. I know that you will succeed." She assured him.
Withdrawing herself from his arms, she took both his hands into her own and this time held his eyes with hers. Looking into his lapis lazuli eyes, all of his anguish and his struggles over the past few days had become visible to her. In a matter of only three days he had been tormented to the point of breaking by the darkness in Sacred Grove and lost his childhood best friend.
Zelda's heart ached for Link after seeing everything that he had been through and all for the sake of her safety.
"Oh my... You poor soul... There's so much pain in your heart."
"It's nothing really, especially in comparison to the pain that your absence brings."
"Link, please stay strong. Have faith in yourself as I do in you. I know that you will conquer this quest and we will be reunited." She reassured.
"But Princess, I am not that strong."
"Yes you are. You just have to believe it."
"There is just one more thing before you go... I was meant to tell you that night but I never got the chance."
"Go on, tell me now... We don't have much time."
"I was going to say that... Well... A few years ago... Back after the Twilight take over, I was hanging out with Ilia, allowing her to spend some time with her beloved Epona and... we were talking about life and then she kinda... Uh... kissed me."
The smile on Zelda's face fell and a knot began to form in Link's stomach. Was this something unforgivable? He dreaded her response.
"Y... You kissed her?" She stammered.
"No! She kissed me... It didn't go any further than that though. As soon as she planted her lips on mine, I pulled away and made it clear that you are the one I want... You know I would never hurt you like that."
"Right. Of course."
"Awe Zelda... I'm sorry, I didn't-"
"Just answer me one question."
"Sure."
"Did it mean anything to you?"
"No. Of course not. The only one who has ever meant something to me is you. No one else has my heart captured the way you do."
"Well... If that is the case then I can forgive you."
Relief washed over Link as he gave his love one final look before she faded away as their time to talk had come to an end. He was glad to get that off his chest, and despite the guilt, he did not feel as bad now that she knew about it.
"Now come, young hero, it is time for your final memories." Hylia called to him.
Turning his full attention back to the Goddess, he finally felt ready to see this through.
A/N: Sorry for the late update. Things have been crazy around here.
I also highly recommend the two stories; The Hero, The Princess and the Bounty Hunter and Worlds Collide by BlueCharlieDeltaEcho. You will be amazed by these stories.
