Disclaimer: The Legend of Zelda world and its characters belong to Nintendo.

Author's Note: I really appreciate anyone who has reached out to me regarding this story. We're inevitably approaching the end, which makes it more challenging as I try to tie this up both in a way that makes sense and does right by these two. I appreciate your continued support and patience with me!

Epona gave a demure snort as Link tended her hoof. It was difficult, if not impossible, to dislodge stones using only twigs or his fingers.

"We have a long journey ahead of us," Link said softly to her. "We'll stop by Lon Lon along the way to find better tools for this. I promise." He plucked the stone aside once it finally came loose. Rising to stand, he ran his fingers through the horse's mane and fed her a carrot. He'd grown as fond of her as she was of him, and it seemed she was his only companion once again in these dark days. Ruto had refused to speak to him for a week; he hated to leave to go to the Gerudo on those terms, but it had to be done. Perhaps absence would make the heart grow fonder and break the icy chill between them.

"I'd best go and say goodbye," he whispered. "Wish me luck." Giving Epona one more pat, he turned and headed back inside the house. Entering the room he shared with Ruto, where she lay on the bed, he shut the door behind him. He gathered his cloak from the floor, where he had been sleeping since she had become upset with him. He had voluntarily done this, but she neither affirmed nor protested it.

He cleared his throat, but her eyes remained fixed on the ceiling.

"I'll need to be going now," he prompted.

Silence.

"I promise to return to you as soon as possible," he continued. "May I trust that you'll be alright?"

He worried about what she might do without him around to prompt her to eat and take care of herself. Of course, Thora would do all that in his absence, but Ruto could be stubborn.

"Ruto?" he said. "Please answer me."

In so faint a voice he almost thought he had imagined it, she answered, "What does it matter?"

Link moved to sit on the edge of the bed. "It matters to me. I need you to be alright." When she didn't answer, he added, "I know you're going through a lot right now—"

"And how would you know that?" She sat up. "How can you possibly know any of what I'm feeling right now?"

Link was quiet as he thought through his answer. He had never known his parents, but he knew what it was like to lose someone. The Deku Tree, Saria, Darunia, Ruto in the alternate universe. Some of these had hurt more than others – namely Saria. She had been his best friend since the beginning. Finally, he said, "I've lost people too, Ruto. I've seen people die, too. Some were people I didn't know, but that doesn't mean I don't carry it with me every day."

"He was my father, Link. He loved me more than anyone. It's not like your mother, who just dropped you in a forest—"

The Hylian could feel his ears warming. "Don't talk about her like that."

"But she did! She just left you with people she didn't even know—"

"It was wartime, and she was dying—"

"To even carry through a pregnancy in a war is despicable, not to mention selfish—"

"You think she should have… gotten rid of me, then?" He had trouble controlling the tone of his voice as he interrupted her. As much as he tried to fight the feeling, he could feel himself growing angry with her now. Did she really think she was the only one who knew pain?

Her last comment stuck with him, making him think perhaps she felt she'd be better off if she had never known him. And maybe it was true. If he had not gone back to the Domain to deliver the letter to her… if he had remained a stranger to her… King Zora would still be alive and well.

The hurt on his face made her stop. Her eyes watered, as much at the thought of a Link-less world as understanding that she had wounded him. She had thought it would feel satisfying for him to feel even a fraction of her grief, but she realized she had been wrong. She sniffed and blinked her tears away. "I'm sorry, Link," she said after a long pause. "I take it back."

His eyes were trained on the floor, but he nodded in both an acknowledgement and acceptance of her apology. She scooted to sit a little closer to him, some of the ice chipping away. She reached down to take his hand in hers.

Link glanced down at their connection, closing his thumb over it. He couldn't bring himself to speak just yet, but this was a start. As he ran his thumb over her fingers, he realized she was not wearing her ring. His frown deepened. "Have you changed your mind, then?"

"About…?" She realized where he was touching and blushed. "Oh. No. I haven't." To prove her point, she reached over and pulled the ring out of a drawer near the bed, then slipped it on.

His lips formed a slow and gentle smile, although it did not reach his eyes entirely. The sun would be almost at its highest point in the sky by now – well past time for him to get going.

Ruto observed him for a moment, opened her mouth, then seemed to rethink what she was about to say. Another beat went by before she said, "I think we should marry when you return from the desert."

"Wha—"

"Whatever is to become of us… I want it to happen while I am your wife. I want to be with you." She couldn't go with him to the desert, not just because of the nature of his mission, but because of her own nature. But she hoped this would be the last time they ever had to be apart. He would get the last medallion, and then… what? Would it all be over? Would the world go back to normal? Somehow, she had a sinking feeling that it would not.

Link was silent, considering her. This was a huge jump from not speaking at all. But then, her request was not immediate. She still had time to change her mind if this was a bout of emotion, for it could be days or even weeks before he returned. Slowly, he gave a tiny nod. "When I return, then."

"Thank you." Ruto stood and took his hands to pull him up.

He pulled her close into a tight embrace. It felt good; the chill between them was entirely gone now. "You'll be alright?" he asked.

"I will." She allowed herself to sink into him, reveling in his scent. Hay, rain, and horses. He always smelled like the rain, but the other two varied from time to time. She wished she could commit scents to her memory so that she could have some way of holding him the nights that he would be gone.

"Link?" she said. "I really am… sorry. For what I said and everything the last few days."

He shook his head, not letting go of her. "Don't apologize. There is no need."

"Yes, there is." She nuzzled into his neck. "You are my protector, my lover, and my best friend. You're all I have left." She felt a lump rise in her throat at her verbal acknowledgement of the truth. "And aside from that, I love you."

"Ruto…" He could feel heat rising within him at their proximity, her admission. He had been about to protest, thinking of the time. As she ran her hands underneath his tunic, any need to hurry disappeared. Everything but her seemed unimportant in this moment. At her touch to his bare skin, a shiver ran down his spine.

"I love you too," he whispered, succumbing.