Chapter 11
Link looked over at Zelda's sleeping form next to him. She was turned away from him, her naked shoulder blades exposed in the cool, night air.
He carefully tucked the blankets tightly around her, and placed a soft kiss on her cheek.
She sighed in her sleep, and nuzzled the pillow with her face. She continued mumbling, and Link laughed softly to himself.
He got out of bed, and slipped on his underclothes. He then sat down to pull on his boots, blushing slightly when he saw Zelda's underclothes lying near them.
As he continued getting dressed, the day's events came rushing back to him…
FLASHBACK
The Great Deku Tree was pleased to see Link and Zelda, although the circumstances as to why they were there wasn't very good.
"Link, you've returned." He spoke in his hushed voice, a voice that sounded like the wind, like the birds chirping in the early morning hours.
"Yes I have. I've also brought Zelda with me." Link bowed his head, as did Zelda, who stood next to him.
She was still a bit shaken from the incident with the Gerudos, but plastered a smile to her face, even in her excruciating emotional pain.
"It's good to see you Princess Zelda."
Zelda lifted her eyes to the Great Deku Tree, and Link watched her from the corner of his eyes, captivated by her beauty.
Her golden hair shined brightly in the sunlight, and blew in the gentle breeze. The color set off her beautiful blue eyes, an unreal shade of blue. Although they were filled with sadness, her eyes were like those described in fairy tales.
Somehow, she managed to make Link's Goron tunic look like the latest fashion trend. Although it was a bit baggy, her womanly curves were clear for all to see. On her feet were a pair of boots Link had found for her in a trunk in his tree house.
Link stared in awe, wondering how he could have received the love of such a wondrous and beautiful creature.
"Great Deku Tree, we come to ask of the assistance of the Kokiri. We ask that any that are willing and able to fight join Link and I to reclaim the kingdom and restore the peace." Zelda's soft yet strong willed voice brought Link from his daydreaming.
Link stared ahead at the Great Deku Tree, praying silently that this father figure would pull through for he and Zelda.
"My dear Princess Zelda, I am only guardian of the forest. The Kokiri are free to decide for themselves if they wish to fight."
Zelda's smile became real at the Great Deku Tree's words.
"Thank you Great Deku Tree." She bowed her head once more.
"Now go and do what you must."
Link raised his head to see Zelda already leaving. He followed her, watching her walk slowly through the tall grass.
As she stumbled, Link reached out and took a firm hold of her arm.
"Rest a minute Zelda," he urged her worriedly, "you are weak from thirst and hunger."
"Then let's eat and drink."
END OF FLASHBACK
Link finished dressing, and glanced once more at the woman sleeping in his bed.
She was so tired, yet so driven to do what she needed to. Her country and her duty came even before her own health.
Link feared that she would grow ill if she continued to push herself any harder. But he knew in his heart that Zelda wouldn't rest until she restored peace to Hyrule.
Outside, everything was still and quiet. The Kokiri were all in their houses, sleeping.
Link sighed, remembering how easy life had been as a child. As a child, he was free to frolic all day with Saria and Navi. He would spend his days playing in the tall grass, practicing his sword fighting skills and playing little games with friends.
Now, he was fighting enemies left and right. His days were spent shedding blood, while the Kokiri lived their lives happily.
Some days, he envied them. But when he was with Zelda, or when he saved a town, he realized just how lucky he was…
FLASHBACK
Link and Zelda felt stronger once they had eaten and had quenched their thirst.
The sun was setting, and the sky began changing colors. From the Kokiri Forest, none of the smoke could be seen. There was only beautiful skies and gorgeous sunsets.
Link had his arms wrapped around Zelda as the two sat on the edge of the tree house, looking up at the sky.
The announcement had been made to the Kokiri after the couple had regained their lost strength.
Almost all of the Kokiri were more than willing to fight. Mido had bragged to everyone that he would kill the most Gerudos, while Saria told him what a foolish boy he was…and that she would be the one to kill the most Gerudos.
The enthusiasm had been encouraging, but Zelda was still worried.
"Link…is this wrong? Asking children to fight?" She asked as her head rested on Link's shoulder.
"Zelda, if they didn't want to fight, they would have declined. The Kokiri are more than capable of taking care of themselves." Link assured her.
"I just can't help thinking that I'm taking away a piece of their childhood. When I have children, I don't want them to worry about war and evil."
Link held Zelda closer, and rested his cheek against the top of her head.
"And these children, how many are you talking about?"
She cracked a smile.
"I want one boy and one girl. I want my son to be strong and courageous, just like his father."
Although Zelda hadn't said who her son's father would be, Link knew that she had meant him.
"And I want my daughter," Link cleared his throat, "to be beautiful like her mother."
In a flash, Zelda had gently freed herself from Link's arms, and captured his lips with hers. Link, although surprised, kissed her back, running his fingers through her long hair.
Zelda gently got on top of Link, pressing her body against his. He wrapped an arm around her delicate waist, crushing their pelvises together.
He kissed her neck, and she moaned softly in response.
"Make love to me." She whispered suddenly.
He looked deeply into her eyes, studying the seriousness reflected in them.
It was death for commoners to make love to royalty, but Link loved Zelda too much to care. He knew that she loved him in return, and so he picked her up, and carried her into the tree house where their passion was unleashed.
END OF FLASHBACK
A sound behind Link drove him to unsheathe his sword. Without even looking, he turned, and thrust the sword to the neck of the figure behind him.
Zelda gasped as the tip of the sword touched her neck, and Link's eyes went wide. He quickly sheathed his sword.
"Zelda…I'm sorry." He apologized.
She nodded, still flustered. But she masked it well, and came to stand next to Link.
He realized that she was still naked, but she had wrapped her body in his bed sheets. Her hair was messy and tangled, and her eye makeup was smudged, but she looked wonderful.
"You need to sleep Zelda," Link wrapped his arms around her, "I don't want you to be ill."
"You should be sleeping too." She pointed out, burying her face in the crook of his neck.
He sighed, and kissed the top of her head.
"Did I wake you?" He questioned suddenly.
"No." She whispered.
Another moment of silent passed between the couple as they stood, wrapped in each other's arms. The two didn't know it, but they were both wishing the same thing at the same time – that the moment would never end.
"Come." Link picked Zelda up, and carried her back inside.
"Link," she said as he laid her in bed, "I can walk."
"I know." He smiled, and laid next to her, holding her close to him.
She rested her head on his chest, and sighed heavily.
"I love you."
Link soaked in her heavenly words, and sighed as well.
"I love you too."
Once Link was sure Zelda had fallen asleep, he closed his eyes and fell asleep too.