Fun fact: this was one of the first chapters I thought of, in terms of what occurs - though back then the context was completely different. Consequently, it's one I've been excited to post for a while, even if it ended up taking a bit of buildup to get to it. I've tried a slightly different format so these events are one long chapter, rather than several short ones. Please, let me know what you think of it. Hopefully you enjoy it as much as I did writing it!

Chapter 26: Crossing Point

Link flinched as he noticed another pair of eyes glance at him from the flood of people seating themselves on the lower floor of the castle sanctum. Despite sitting amongst twenty or so of Zelda's other personal guests on the dais running the room's rim, he couldn't shake the chill of being so exposed.

He'd met many of these people before – higher ranking guards who were off duty, various people from castle town and, if he looked closely, he could even pick out a few Anouki and Goron visitors too – but it was still quite a sight to see them gathered in one spot for Zelda's birthday.

He glimpsed Zelda's teacher – he must have had a name but Zelda called him it so rarely Link had never learnt it – slowly climbing the steps to join them. That was good, he didn't know many of the other guests all that well, but he'd met the man enough to at least hold a conversation. Better still, if Teacher was here, it meant Zelda would be arriving soon.

Teacher stopped before passing him, striking up a conversation with Alfonzo. Link couldn't hear much over the crowd's clatter – according to Zelda the room was designed to accentuate acoustics for musical performances or something – only making out something about an odd wind coming from the north.

Losing Alfonzo to the conversation – and with the seat to his other side filled by a stout, ginger moustached man, who'd dismissed Link after a gruff greeting – he began studying the room in an attempt to find some distraction.

Running around the edge of the sanctum was a long balcony; empty for now but with several stairwells leading up to it – a good spot to get away if he needed. Surrounding each stairwell stood several tables, more than he cared to count, all circular and only allowing room for five or six seats each. They mirrored the long curved one he and Zelda's other personal guests sat at, all arranged to create a circular pattern that left the centre of the room clear. It didn't seem practical to him, so much space was wasted, but that went for most usual behaviours around the castle.

As he looked, he picked out a few guards scattered around; mostly newer recruits, around his age give or take a couple of years. They were spread evenly around the outer wall, all stood to attention, though he noticed a larger number gathered around what would be Zelda's seat.

"It's coming from the Spectacle Mountains, near that new tunnel." Teacher said, causing Link to listen in again. "I'm sorry to ask you, but we're short staffed and you'd just need to check the general area."

The Spectacle Mountains? Those cut between the Snow and Fire Realms, meaning they had powerful winds that made them impossible to explore by train, and suicidal to visit on foot. On one hand the idea of Alfonzo going did make him a little uneasy but, on the other, if you wanted someone who could explore them without worry, then Alfonzo was the best choice.

Although he had to question why it would need exploring in the first place; barely anything grew around the base, and the winds too harsh for anything to reach the top – what would Teacher even expect Alfonzo to find?

"Rise to honour the princess."

He stored the question away, standing with the rest of the room. He could ask later; the topic must've been vital for Teacher to bring it up now of all times, but it was hardly the most important…thing…

His thoughts evaporated as he saw Zelda descend the stairwell behind the dais.

She wore a white dress with a deep red trim and matching gloves. While lacking her usual necklace, she'd replaced it with a navy blue shawl that draped over her shoulders. Her hair, normally loose down her back, was now styled into a swirl-like stylized bun and seemed more like gold than her usual blonde, highlighting her face.

His stomach felt light and he swallowed hard in an attempt to fix it, lagging behind the other guests as they sat following Zelda's lead. Food was quickly brought out for them, and he happily took a large portion of gourmet meat, trying to add some weight back to his stomach.

He eventually found himself glancing to Zelda again as he ate. She seemed perfectly calm, though ate with decorum that seemed out of place with how he knew her, despite being the focus of everyone's attention. How did she manage it? He remembered her once saying she was just used to it, but he'd only experienced a fraction of that notice and didn't think he ever could.

"You're Link, correct?" A girl's voice said.

He shook from his thoughts, now realising that the large man by his side had been replaced by a young blonde girl in a light red dress, maybe a little older than him – though truthfully he really couldn't tell.

He gave a polite smile. "I am; may I ask your name?" He said, copying the tone of the servants who had led them in. It felt stilted, awkward on his tongue, but this girl was clearly from some well off family, who knew what she'd consider polite?

"Mila," she said with a coy smile, though she quickly held a hand fan to cover the lower half of her face, "Lady Mila," she added, turning to another girl sat just behind her.

Link vaguely heard soft mutterings before Mila turned back, the other girl – a brunette in a purple dress covered with pins that vaguely looked like bunny ears – now peering round from behind Mila.

"Maggie," she muttered, the hall's noise nearly covering her words.

He caught Mila rolling her eyes behind her fan, though lowered it as she leant towards him again.

"You're the one who dared to travel anywhere this summer, aren't you? When the tracks were gone?" She asked.

He nodded. Had he become that recognisable?

Mila again turned to Maggie, once more lifting her fan, "I told you so. He isjust like she said."

Did they know he could still hear them, even if it was a little difficult?

"She? You mean Zelda? You're friends?" He asked. It made sense; similar age, from well off families, and personal guests at her birthday - not to mention, who else would know him enough to tell these two?

Both seemed a little surprised at his question – so they really did think their conversation was private.

"Quick too," Mila said, her eyes quickly scanning over him, "though you should know, Link, that it's rude to listen to a lady's conversation without their permission."

He could feel the heat in his face, and started to run a hand through his hair.

"She's winding you up." Maggie said, a little more confidence in her voice.

Mila scowled at her. "Don't ruin it Maggie, I was just testing him." She said, then turned to him and smirked, "although I'll say he passed. We've known the Princess for years now, though it's almost beena year since we last had a chance to see her."

Mila shifted her seat a little closer to his and began twirling the hair that framed her face, "but what about you? You're an engineer, not a recruit, correct? So you've travelled the kingdom; you must be very brave. Tell me, what's it like?"

"Big? I guess?" He said, beginning to tap a finger on his knee, unable to meet Mila's eyes as she looked at him, "and strange; I never thought snowmen could be terrifying - but when something throws its own head at you, you tend to forget how ridiculous it looks."

Mila giggled behind her fan. Was it that funny? He was mostly serious – he and Zelda had panicked when it first happened, they'd barely been able to shoot back, and even then only to buy them time to escape.

A few strums echoed across the room and Link noticed musicians tuning instruments on a far dais. He wasn't the only one, as the whole sanctum quickly fell silent. The band began with the gentle sounds of a harp, backed by slow, calm violin, but soon the rest of the small orchestra joined to make a lively song. Link noticed a few couples make way to the centre circle to begin dancing.

"Excellent timing," Mila said, standing and holding her hand out to him, "you may ask me to danc-"

"Link!"

Link nearly fell, reflexively standing and embracing Zelda as she flew into him.

"Thank you," Zelda whispered before loosening their hug and turning towards the two girls, though quickly looped her arm around his. "Lady Mila, Lady Maggie. Thank you for coming, I've missed you!" Her voice was cheery, but he almost thought she gave Mila a quick glare.

Both girls curtsied to Zelda, returning the greetings and flowing into light conversation. The words, however, were lost on Link, too focused on Zelda. With her hanging off his arm, he now noticed her flushed cheeks, along with the faint spattering of crumbs on them; unnoticeable unless you were as close as they were now. She spoke effortlessly – without hesitation – as if she'd always been a part of the conversation. His body loosened, taking comfort in how she grinned, happily leading the conversation with the sheer confidence of someone in their element. Good, he thought; regardless of what she said, Zelda needed this party as much as anyone – it all but forced her to stop overthinking things and just relax.

Then he noticed that she'd removed her shawl, revealing how her dress was cut, exposing a fair amount of her chest.

Don't look at her chest!

…It took longer than he would've liked to admit for his gaze to return to her face – where it should be.

"I mean, Link's been just about everywhere in the kingdom, I doubt there's anywhere he doesn't know." Zelda said.

"We were just discussing that actually; though I'm not surprised, he isthe country's hero after all," Mila replied.

Link cringed at the title, "I think "hero" is a bit much, I just helped because I could, anyone would do the same."

"Well you are as far as my family's concerned," Mila said, "we own the most trains outside of the Royal Engineers; if you hadn't brought the tracks back, who knows what would have happened to our trade." She focused on him. "Daddy was particularly grateful, though he'd never admit it; that's why I hoped to thank you myself, I thought the train Daddy bought your mentor a little…impersonal of a reward." She finished, flashing him a smile.

Zelda's grip tightened round his arm. "Well, Link helped everyone," she said, "that's why the actual engine was bought from the kingdom's funds – though your carriage donations were appreciated of course."

Link felt as though he'd missed something, judging by the tension in the air. He was about to speak when, thankfully, a polite cough came from the group's side.

A boy, a few years his elder, who somehow had fairer hair than even Zelda, stood waiting patiently. The boy offered a quick wave, then extended his arm to Mila.

"Lady Mila, I hope I'm still able to ask for your dance?"

Mila shot him and Zelda a quick glance then, smirking, turned to the boy. "It would appear so, Granté, thank you," she said, taking his arm in her own. "Thank you, Princess. I shall catch you all after my dance." With that she led Granté to the dance floor, leaving them behind.

"Well then," Zelda said, looking between Link and Maggie, "shall we mingle?"

Link had lost track of the conversation. He'd heard the words, all of them, but that may have been the problem. Zelda had led him, and Maggie, to a larger company, maybe nine or ten people not counting them. It made sense at first, introductions told him there were a mix of people: Tina and Dina – long-time friends of Zelda's parents, Minister Patho – who headed Castle Town School, and countless others Zelda knew one way or another. After that they'd split into smaller groups, but stayed within the bigger one, with people jumping from one to the other as it fancied them.

"You look bewildered, are you alright?" Zelda said, not needing to whisper over the blathering.

"I have no idea what's going on." Link sighed, rubbing his eyes, "we started talking about that fancy shop in town being bought by a new owner, but then I heard someone mention 'Kinstones' – whatever that means, and now there's something about some bug collecting girl who's moved in recently?"

Zelda sniggered, "sorry, I should have guessed. We can take a break if you want? The balconies are a good spot to get away."

It was like she'd read his mind.

"Yes, please."

"Perfect, I'll just excuse us – I probably won't see this group again tonight," she said and began sliding her way into conversation with Minister Patho, who seemed to head the small gathering.

"The Princess's amazing at this sort of thing," Maggie said, the first time she'd spoken unprompted since Mila left. "I wish I could do the same."

"Are you alright to leave?" Link asked, "I'm surprised she didn't ask."

"I've never liked crowds; the Princess knows she doesn't have to ask," Maggie replied. "You did quite well though, I usually find it difficult to follow the conversation's flow at all."

"Eh, one of my first jobs on the trains was as ticket collector, you get used to noticing details pretty quickly." He said, smiling at the memory. He'd hated it at the time, but the skill had probably saved his life more than he could remember. He returned his attention to Maggie, "If not crowds, what do you like then?"

Maggie started fidgeting, focusing on her hands and swaying where she stood. "I've always been keen on animals actually," she mumbled, almost as quietly as when they'd first met. "We have a large collection at home; I like to study them."

That explained her outfit then.

"I should take you to Rabbitland sometime," he said. "The owner owes me, so I usually get in for free."

Maggie nodded eagerly, seeming a little more confident, "I think I'd like that."

He caught a glimpse of Zelda heading back to join them, excited grin on her face.

"Princess, I'd be honoured for you to dance with me."

Link froze. So did Zelda, stuck in a half step, her eyes wide as her smile fell away. Link noticed how the group had quietened, not completely, but enough to eavesdrop.

Zelda had her back to the boy who spoke, having already passed him. He was tall and gangly, wearing an outfit with far more buttons, badges and other accessories than needed. Zelda took a breath and, painting on a smile, half spun to her proposer.

"I'm terribly sorry," she said, finishing her step and linking her arm with Link's, "but I've already promised my first dance."

"Oh…" the boy glanced to Link, his face so red it was as if he'd been on cabin duty all day, before shifting his gaze to the floor, "well hopefully I'll catch you at a better time later." He said quickly, spinning on his heel and rushing into the crowd of people. Link couldn't help but notice the satisfaction he felt at seeing him go alone.

It didn't take long for conversation to restart, but by that point Zelda had already begun leading them away.

"Well that was awful." Zelda muttered.

"Is he that bad?" Link asked.

"It's…It's not that…" Zelda mumbled, refusing to look at him.

Maggie shifted so he was between her and Zelda and whispered, "she hates dancing."

"Maggie!" Zelda yelled through gritted teeth.

"Really? I was going to say I don't remember promising any dance." Link chuckled.

"And we'll keep it that way," Zelda said, glaring at Maggie, "like how that was supposed to stay a secret."

Link laughed, "so, what, are you just terrible at it? Two left feet?"

"You aren't going to let this go, are you?" Zelda groaned, "If you must know, I just don't understand the appeal. I like the music, but I can't listen to it if I'm focused on dancing. I can't have a decent conversation, because everyone's dancing with someone else. I can't even stand aside without someone propositioning me. It's something I'd hoped to avoid tonight."

"There's also what happened with Lord Percy at his ball the year before last," Maggie added.

"What did you do?" Link asked Zelda, trying to bite back his grin.

Zelda turned red. "Lord Percy couldn't take a joke – and if you don't stop asking you'll find out exactly what happened first hand."

With that she marched up the stairs to the balcony.

"If technology was as advanced back then as now, then everything would use steam, but the SS Linebeck was the onlysteam anything until about ninety years ago," Link said to Zelda, who still had her arm looped through his as they strolled along the sanctum's balconies, "and just the basic design was used for trains, the actual machine's nothing like it!"

"Only because the Linebeck was inefficient - it was good for island hopping, but constantly needed to dock for fuel," Zelda responded eagerly. "The Great Sea was too sparse for that, so sail ships were popular." She had a wide grin on her face, as if deciding she'd already won. "I'm telling you, it's all about needs and resources. Trains gain power from the Spirit Tracks, correct? But we didn't have those elsewhere, so of course there were no trains – they're no more advanced, just different."

He knew he was grinning daftly, but he couldn't help it; Alfonzo didn't usually care about debating like this, so Zelda offered some fun competition compared to arguing with himself.

He was about to retort when he met Zelda's eyes and she nodded behind them – to Maggie. They'd been lost in their debate, leaving the girl to follow behind. Too quiet to speak up or leave, Maggie had instead stopped listening and was now staring off around the sanctum. Actually, that wasn't quite true; she was looking around the room, but her gaze kept returning to the same point, one of the guards stood nearby.

In fact, it seemed the guard was returning the favour.

"It's rather late now, isn't it?" Zelda asked, quickly covering up the devious grin on her face, "I think I'll be retiring, how about you, Lady Maggie?"

Maggie jumped, taking a second to answer. "Yes I-I should think so…though I suspect Mila won't be accompanying me," she said, looking below.

Most guests had left as the night grew late, leaving the sanctum feeling larger than ever, but that made it easy to pick people from the smaller crowd. He spotted Alfonzo, seated with Russell on the dais where they'd started, both with an impressive number of empty glasses in front of them; no doubt they'd been competing again. Glancing further round he found Mila, still dancing, though she'd changed partners at some point.

"Very well then, I assume you arrived separately?" Zelda asked, getting a nod from Maggie. "Excellent, then how about…" Zelda started, scanning the immediate area till she caught the eye of the guard Maggie had been looking at, "Parrow, please escort Lady Maggie back to her carriage."

Maggie stared wide-eyed at Zelda, panic and nervousness clear on her face.

"Of course, Princess." Parrow said, giving a quick salute, and approaching the trio. He was broad, practically rectangular, with a wide face. He glanced to Maggie, giving her a smile. "Will the Lady need to gather her coat as well?"

"That…that would be appreciated. Thank you." Maggie stumbled out, brushing her hair over her ear. She turned to Zelda and him, giving a quick curtsey, "It was a pleasure, Sir Engineer. Thank you, Princess," she said, eagerly quick stepping to walk beside Parrow.

Link waited till the pair had left before speaking. "You did that on purpose."

Zelda shrugged, "Maggie's never brave enough to actively court someone, it seemed reasonable to give her a nudge," she said, placing a hand on the balcony's rail and looking towards Alfonzo, who was laughing as Russell pulled Teacher to join them.

"I doubt they'll finish anytime soon," Link said. "Actually, I'd guess they'll go into town in a bit."

Zelda's face lit up. "Ooh, you're free now then? I've got something to show you." She was hopping on the spot, apparently holding this in for a while.

Link smiled at her excitement. "Sure, I'll let Alfonzo know first though, or he'll stick me on carriage duty tomorrow."

"There he is, no entourage though!" Russell said loudly as Link climbed the dais.

Link raised an eyebrow. "Unlike you three, you're all stuck together. You planning on staying out after this?"

"That depends," Alfonzo replied, surprisingly not slurring, and took a swig of his drink, "are yougoing to be with the princess tonight?"

"Y-Yes." Link said hesitantly.

"See, I told you," Alfonzo said to Russell, both of them grinning. He turned back to Link, "Yeah we will; meet at the station at nine tomorrow," he said, before staring at his half empty glass, as if it had just insulted him, "actually make that noonish."

Teacher raised a glass and cheered, before going back to inspecting the table. Apparently he'd tried to keep up with the two pros.

"Hang on, what do you mean 'I told you?'" Link asked.

Alfonzo laughed. So did Russell, but he at least hid his mouth behind his hand.

"Doesn't mean anything," Alfonzo said, leaning on the table, "we just noticed you two…get along well."

"Unfortunate for that Lady Mila though, she seemed keen to 'get along' with you too," Russel; added.

"I'd have noticed if Mila had been…flirting…" Link started, but was cut off by Alfonzo's booming laugh.

"How? You've not looked away from the princess enough." Alfonzo said.

Link found himself fascinated with the table leg, "you only say that because Zelda's pretty."

Alfonzo only raised an eyebrow in response, but Link could feel the heat rising to his face all the same.

"I'd take it from him, Link, he's speaking from experience," Russell added, downing the rest of his drink, "you two hero types tend to get that kind of attention."

Link groaned, the heat now reaching his ears. He spun on the spot and said, "I'm going; if you're not at the station tomorrow I'm leaving without you."

The group of men laughed.

"Say 'Hi' to the princess for me", Alfonzo said, "don't do anything I wouldn't."

Teacher sprung up – Link seeing him from the corner of his eye – wide-eyed, and loudly said, "don't do anything he woulddo!"

The men began laughing again and the last Link heard as he left was them teasing Teacher about being protective.

He headed towards the carriages, needing to cool his head in the night air before meeting with Zelda. It wasn't the first time Alfonzo had teased him about a girl, though it was normally easier to ignore when his mentor didn't have back up.

He'd gotten used to that kind of thing a while ago, it was just them being stupid; after all, was he not supposed to enjoy when Zelda was happy? Or hate it when she wasn't? Obviously he'd like seeing her cheerful tonight, when she'd been so worried about it not two weeks ago. Plus, she was objectively pretty, it seemed unfair to tease him for that. And she always had something to discuss or debate, and was witty enough to make it fun. She worked so hard on things, even when she shouldn't. It was only natural he'd like her. It made sense that he relished the moments she looked at him, or felt giddy when they hugged, or that, when she rambled about her newest fascination, sometimes he'd just want to lean in and kiss her.

…Oh...

Maybe they had a point.