Zelda was almost as silent as Link on the journey to the Spring of Power. Her eyes had gone dull after her father's chastisement. Her only smiles were less than half-hearted.

Link continued to pretend not to notice, to avoid throwing salt on the wound. Besides, his usual strategy for dealing with his own problems was to keep silent. He couldn't blame her for not wanting to talk.

Now, he kept watch as Zelda stood waist-deep in the cold waters of the Spring, wearing her elegant white prayer dress. She gazed longingly up at the mossy statue of the Goddess Hylia.

"I come seeking help," she pleaded over the dull roar of the waterfalls, "regarding this power that has been handed down over time. Prayer will awaken my power to seal Ganon away... or so I've been told all my life." She sighed. "And yet, Grandmother heard them. The voices from the Spirit Realm. And Mother said her own power would develop within me. But I don't hear... or feel anything! Father has told me time and time again... he always says, 'Quit wasting your time playing at being a scholar!'" Her voice broke. "Curse you!"

She threw her hands down to her sides with a splash. "I've spent every day of my life dedicated to praying! I've pleaded to the spirits tied to the ancient gods, and still, the holy powers have proven deaf to my devotion!" She hung her head, gazing down at her submerged feet, and her voice took on a hysterical undertone. "Please, just tell me... What is it? What's wrong with me?"

Link turned toward her. "Zelda..."

She began to sniffle, not just from the temperature. Tears dripped into the Spring. "Am I broken?"

He shifted. Deep down, everyone was broken. Some more than others. But how was he supposed to respond to that? Instead, he strapped the Master Sword onto his back, grabbed the blanket from her bedroll, and pulled his boots off. Then he hopped down into the Spring. Shivers immediately raced up his body. The icy water took his breath away. Apparently, the Princess was much more used to this. Regardless, he waded his way over to her, and without a word, wrapped the blanket around the top half of her cold body. Three of the corners fell in, but most of it remained dry.

He gently led Zelda out of the Spring to their campsite, where he quickly prepared a fire. She went behind a few bushes to change into dry clothes while Link pulled out some food and began roasting it.

When she came out the tears had stopped, but the remaining moisture in her reddened eyes reflected the flickering firelight. She sat down silently, watching Link turning the meat over. "Am I not good enough?"

Link paused, then stuck the skewers into the ground leaning over the fire. "You are good enough," he said. "You just lost your teacher. Maybe... Maybe prayer isn't the answer."

The logs crackled softly. She pulled the blanket tighter around herself. "I was very young when she died. She never had the chance to show me how to use it. I... I..." She broke into sobs.

Link fought the urge to slap a hand to his forehead. Oh, Hylia, I only made it worse again!

"I miss her so much! I try not to think about it, but I still miss her!"

Link was still shivering a little, but he wrapped his own blanket around her on top of hers, trying not to let his teeth chatter.

"We... used to play hide-and-seek in the castle. She would always hide in her closet behind her dresses. Then she would read to me in the library for as long as I wanted."

He stood and joined her and sat on her side of the fire. "She sounds wonderful."

She threw her blanketed arms around him and held him as if she were afraid he would be taken away. Link blinked in surprise. He wasn't accustomed to physical affection, but if this was what the Princess needed, then that was that. He returned the gesture, running a hand over her silky golden hair.

"Please," she begged, "Don't ever leave me."

He rested his chin on her head, gazing absently at the warm flames. He didn't know if he could guarantee that, considering the looming Calamity and his duty to protect her with his life. But then again, he knew how to handle a sword better than anyone in Hyrule. If anyone could save her and himself, he could. "I promise."