Chapter One
"I remember you."
The first words she had heard in the past one hundred years that didn't come from that damn demon, and she was trying her best not to cry once more. Link had already dealt with far too many tears in the past few minutes - she thought, at least - than she had allowed him to see in total previous to this day. But she couldn't help herself.
To be deprived of the touch, the sound, the simple smell of others for so long and the words - oh, the words she had dreamed of hearing all those years - being the first to grace her. She was in heaven. A love sick sort of heaven.
"But," Link added, attempting to take a step away but her grip on his tunic only tightened. A sigh had left his lips. "I don't remember everything. Bits and pieces. How we got to places, what we said traveling to them…" a pause. A shake of his head. "I don't remember those. I can't remember my family, even. I know my father was a knight but that's only because you had told me he was. But, Princess, I do remember you."
"With time you will remember, I'm sure of it." She spoke without thinking. She moved without thinking, her hands settling on his cheeks so naturally. Her eyes met his, getting lost in the waves that settled within them. "We have all the time in the world, Link, for you to remember."
Silence once again, but he didn't look away, nor did she. His soft, gentle features she had once learned to read were hardened now. He wasn't just her Appointed Knight anymore.
He was her Hero.
The trials he'd faced were written so clearly there. The tiny scrapes and scars from different battles she had only been able to watch over littered his face. His lips were chapped and cracked, but his eyes. They were so full of confusion? Anger? A brew of emotion mixed with...warmth and relief.
"Link, I-"
"We must get going, Princess." Once again he stepped back. This time she let him. "If we leave now we can be in Kakariko Village by tomorrow evening."
She could do nothing but watch him walk to his stallion, the unsung hero in the last battle. She was never good with horses, not like Link, but to see him around the creatures always warmed her heart.
"Kakariko?"
"Impa. She'll want to know before anyone that you're safe and alive."
He offered his hand. She took it. And soon enough she was hoisted up onto the horse, Link pressed to her back in seconds.
"She has a granddaughter now," Link started, the horse beginning to move as she pressed against him. They'd never traveled like this before, but oh, how she wasn't opposed to it. "Her name is Paya."
"A pretty name," She stated, one hand settled on his chest, her ear pressed above it. How she missed the sound of a beating heart. She could get drunk on it. The steady rhythm of life.
Oh, tears, stop threatening with such ease.
But the moment was brief, and soon she was pulling hard on the reigns that settled in Link's grip. There was the familiar look of surprise, his eyes widening, but she could barely enjoy their return as she slipped from the horse to empty her stomach in the grass.
Malice. That's all that filled her frailing body. It burned on the way up, the horrid stench filling her nose once more. She had only just escaped that demon's scent so briefly and now it had returned.
"Well shit," She could feel Link's presence behind her before she heard his voice. Her hair was suddenly pulled from her face and she knew it's texture wasn't the spun silk her maids had prided themselves with. It felt like hay. She dreaded it. He didn't say a thing.
She remained there for some time, emptying her stomach of the only thing she had been surrounded by for a century. The stars came out before she deemed herself recovered enough to stand, but her legs couldn't hold her and she was falling against Link once more.
A hundred years and she had never taken the time to consider what consequences she would face returning to an unused body.
Link was aiding her once more, but the pain in her stomach, the burning of her throat, it was all too much. She knew in her current condition travel would be unreasonable. Looking at her tired knight only confirmed their need for rest.
"Perhaps," she spoke, voice raspy and torn with pain, "perhaps we should rest and travel in the morning. We've both pushed our bodies to the limit, it seems. Although, I must admit, you are far better at hiding your exhaustion than me. As always, Sir Knight."
He wanted to argue. He wanted to push his princess back onto the stallion and ride to the nearest stable. It was only a few hours ride from where they were. But he knew she was right. Neither were fit for hours of travel, by horse or not.
He contemplated warping. Finding someone to get them. To bring them somewhere protected. But he'd have to wait hours for them to arrive, and although warping took far less out of him than fighting camps of bobokins, he was sure the smallest warp would be his pushing point.
It's not every day he had to take on the kingdom's strongest foe, after all.
"Princess-" he started, only to be met with a raise of her hand and a shake of her head.
"This isn't something I'm willing to argue. You've defeated a beast, Link. We need rest. My spirit has only just returned to my body after a century, and you've defeated the strongest monster that has ever inhabited our land. Rest, Link."
She was pale. He was pale. Yet, he managed to take out a duo of bedrolls from his infinite pouch. His legs were screaming, begging him to stop, but the need to protect his princess remained stronger. An instinct. A desire he couldn't quite explain in depth.
She too regained her footing, though not with as much grace as Link. He offered her a change of clothes, which she gladly took. They wouldn't fit well, considering Link was far more physically fit than her, but she didn't mind. They smelled like Link. The only scent that seemed to calm her now. The only scent that rid the remaining hints of malice from her nose.
Bedrolls out beneath a tree, the two managed to get as comfortable as they could in the grasses of a dampened field.
Zelda longed to speak to him. To ask him of his journeys. To ask what he truly remembered, but her aching muscles and struggle to keep her eyes opened prevented such a task. Instead, she simply settled a hand on Link's shoulder, a desperate need of reassurance she was not alone, and drifted into an endless slumber.
—-
By the time she woke, everything had changed. She was in a proper bed, in a room that was oddly familiar. She hadn't been there before, but perhaps, when overseeing Link's adventures, he'd been in this very room.
She rolled onto her side, taking in her surroundings. A vanity, a little table with a book, a dresser and very few belongings. A bedroom, but not hers.
With a sigh, she reached for her hair. It felt like straw, still, but it wasn't as knotted as she remembered it being in the field when she returned to a physical form. She still wore Links clothes. A simple tunic and pair of pants that still carried the remaining hints of a fire.
Slowly she sat up, hugging her knees to her chest, settling her chin there. She was too afraid to move. Her trust in her body had vanished in such a short amount of time, and she was afraid of what she'd find past the doorway.
Mostly, she wanted to know where Link was.
It was several minutes before she finally gave in, attempting to stand with the aid of the wall and headboard. Her legs felt foreign, like her body was not her own, the silent command to walk was a struggle she'd never thought she'd have to bear.
She'd only gotten a few feet when her eyes lifted, meeting those of a young Sheikah in the doorway.
"I-Impa?" Zelda choked. The girl was familiar. Extremely so.
The girl stared at her. "Princess-" the word escaped, barely an audible whisper. "Grandmother!" She ran off down the stairs but her voice carried, "Grandmother! Sir Link! She's awake!"
"Shh, Paya dear, no need to shout. I may be old, but the goddesses have gifted me with a strong sense of hearing." The woman winked, ever so slowly standing off of her stack of pillows.
"Grandmother?" Zelda whispered to herself in confusion, facing the stairs despite the lack of trust she had for her body. A hand on either railing, she took the first wobbly step, then the second. By the third, Link had met her on the stairs, an arm around her waist to guide her down.
Once again, Link was the reassurance she needed.
By the time they'd reached the bottom, the nameless girl had a stack of pillows welcoming her.
Zelda had never been so thankful to sit before.
Comfortable with Link standing a few feet behind her, pillows beneath her bottom, and now a cup of warm tea in her hands, Zelda trusted herself to meet the eyes of the elderly woman on the pillows.
She blinked, staring for far too long. In any royal court she would have been scolded by now, but the woman just smiled. Patient. Waiting.
"Impa!" Her cup was forgotten, the aches in her body suddenly healed as she closed the gap between her and one of her oldest, dearest friends. "Impa, you're alive. I know Link mentioned it but...but you're truly alive. You're here."
"As are you, Princess." Impa held her in her arms. It wasn't the embrace of a long lost friend, but the weakened, loving hug of a family member who'd grown much older than she'd remembered.
"Oh, Impa." Tears. How many times would she cry until she'd returned to her strong self? She didn't care. Not now. Not here. "I thought…I thought I'd lost everyone in the Calamity. Tell me, tell me more people I know live." She looked up, desperate for an answer, "tell me there's more reunions I can look forward to."
"Now, Princess." The woman hushed, petting her hair slowly, "there aren't many, but I am not alone. Sheikah have long lifespans, but the Zora have far longer. There are many who remember you there. The Gerudo, Rito and Goron are unlikely to house anyone you remember. And the Hylians…"
"I have Link." Zelda spoke, knowing where the words would take her. "I am not alone in that regard."
"Ah, so you have grown since we last met." Impa smiled, letting Zelda rest against her as long as she needed. "Your quick thinking on the battlefield brought Link back to us. If it wasn't your directions to take him to the Shrine of Resurrection, the Kingdom would have never returned. Thanks to you and your knight, we sit together once more."
Zelda finally broke her gaze from Impa, looking back at Link who stood only a few feet away, as always. A smile was on his lips, and he seemed...relieved.
"You look well," Zelda spoke, her voice softer as she addressed her knight. "Did you truly just battle Ganon?"
"It's been weeks, Princess." The nameless girl spoke up, blushing hard before shaking her head. "I apologize for speaking out so easily in your presence."
"This is Paya, my granddaughter." Impa nodded to the girl, who was easily the shyest of the Sheikah Zelda had ever met.
"There's no need to apologize, Paya." Zelda didn't trust herself to stand, instead shimmying over to the stack of pillows across from Impa. She picked up her tea once more, basking in the little warmth it still contained. "I have no kingdom to lead. No castle. No throne. There isn't a need for titles or royal rules and procedures. Please," she looked to the girl, nearly begging, "just call me Zelda. That's all I ask."
"With all due respect, Princess, the Kingdom has survived, but not strongly. It is scattered. They need a leader to reunite them all."
"But are they willing to give up their lives as they know it for a Princess with nothing but a name? A legend?" Zelda shook her head.
"This is a conversation we can continue once your body has returned to its normal state." Impa concluded. "Link brought you here here three weeks ago. Your body is far from its original form." Impa smiled, a sad, apologetic sort. "We had a local doctor examine you while you slept. Your muscles are frail. Your body can barely hold down food. It's best you don't riddle yourself with a title at the moment. The kingdom has waited a hundred years. A few more days or weeks will not harm it."
"Until then," she continued, "I trust Paya to aid you in your recovery. Small walks. Stretches, expanding that forgotten stomach of yours," she practically teased. "It may take some time, but the Kingdom needs it as much as you currently do. It will realize that they are truly free. There will be no more blood moons, no more guardians. The dead monsters will truly be dead. Once they realize it's truly over they will look for answers as to why. By then, you will be on your feet again."
Zelda blinked as Impa spoke. During her time battling the demon pig, she'd always thought about coming back to adventures. To technology, to Link and her running through fields, exploring shrines, finding relics. But it was always a dream, she'd known that. A hope to feed her mind during her endless fight.
Yet, coming back to other people guiding her life once more was something she'd always dreaded. The worst of it, was the fact she had no need to argue. Her body was useless. The routine made sense. The words Impa spoke were so obviously the answers.
She hated it, but she didn't show it.
"And what will you do?" Zelda turned to Link. He'd always been quiet, but it seemed even more so now. He'd truly forgotten much, but his duty was etched into his skin. A routine he didn't need to remember. "Your duty was appointed by my father. You've done more than fulfilled your promise to the King, the Kingdom and its people. I cannot keep you as my Appointed Knight without a rupee to my name. You deserve to be free. To live out the remainder of your life as you chose."
"And I am," Link spoke up, almost offended by her mere thoughts, "I chose to stay by your side, Princess. I did not dedicate my life to a title. I dedicated my life to the person behind it. As long as you will allow it, Princess, I will remain by your side."
She bit back a smile with a nod. Could she have argued? Yes. Did she want to? No. "Impa, if I may stay here until I recover I-"
"There is no need to ask, Princess, for it had always been planned this way." The woman smiled, "now, Paya will draw you a bath and give you a proper change of clothes. We will converse more prior to dinner." She glanced over Zelda's shoulder to Link. "Link has rediscovered his love for cooking, but I have yet to enjoy it myself. Perhaps he can gift us with a home cooked meal."
"Fit for a Princess," Link bowed. He smiled, knowing the words intended for his dismissal. He bowed once towards Zelda before leaving the home, headed off to fulfill Impa's request.
Zelda slowly stood back up, graced with the touch of Paya to her waist, guiding her back upstairs. "Thank you, for everything thus far." She smiled at the girl. She was pretty, especially up close. For the briefest moment Zelda almost felt envious, but for what reason she couldn't tell.
"It's an honour, Princess. Grandmother has filled my childhood with stories of you and Link my whole life. To be able to aid you in my lifetime and hers is something both of us are beyond thankful for."
Her smile was even pretty. One Zelda easily returned.
She was sat on a bed she had grown to understand as Payas while a bath was drawn in another room. Her arms hugged at the tunic around her, not quite ready for clothes belonging to anyone but Link. To voice it aloud, she knew her feelings would be obvious. Or perhaps whoever caught on would dub her crazy. A stalker, perhaps. But truly, Link was familiar in a world she hadn't seen much of. He was the last reminder of the champions she'd surrounded herself with. The reason the powers that flowed through her still hummed in her veins. The reason she was still alive. The reason she'd remained fighting for so long.
But duty called and she couldn't grace people beyond these doors with such an appearance, no matter who they were.
Paya soon returned, pulling Zelda from her thoughts and guiding her to the room next door.
"Can you undress yourself?"
Zelda starred in the mirror. A reflection she couldn't recognize as her own. Her hair was hers, her green eyes, her lips and nose and smile. It was all hers, but yet, they weren't. They belonged to a fighter, not a gracious princess parading around in springs and praying to endless spirits. She'd seen battlefields and the losses of wars. Death and dismay. Pain. She was someone new and someone who even she was scared of.
"Princess?" Paya's voice once again reminded her of where she was, and she glanced at the gentle girl across the room.
"If you don't mind, I would appreciate some help." Now it was time for Zelda to have a timid smile. "Back home I used to argue with my maids to allow me to bathe alone, but I don't trust my own legs to hold me long enough to undress." She admitted.
Paya need not hear any more, helping Zelda undress and practically lifting her over the large lip of the tub.
Zelda sunk down, only her chin above the water as she scrubbed her skin with soaps and herbs. She needed to rid every inch of her, every pore of any hint Calamity Ganon was near her. Beneath her fingernails, behind her ears until they nearly bled.
Paya simply watched, handing her soap and scrubs whenever she requested.
Her hair was a chore, and the more she attempted to wash it clean, the more clumps of her golden locks met her hand.
"Paya," she looked at her, silently glad she hadn't left her alone all this time. "Please…please cut my hair."
"But, princess, it's a symbol-"
"I know, I know, but it's dead. If I keep it long I will lose it all, and the kingdom will forget my heroism and remember me only for being bald." She gave her a half hearted smile. "And we cannot have that, now can we."
"But the goddesses-"
"They'll understand. They're the reason I'm in this condition to begin with."
Paya still seemed hesitant. Zelda sighed. "I'll cut it first, then you'll just have to touch it up."
"That feels like cheating." But Paya smiled. She left, only briefly, and returned with scissors.
Not wanting to bathe alongside strands of hair, Zelda left the tub with aid from Paya. A towel, then a robe, and finally a seat in front of the mirror followed.
Zelda stared at herself. She seemed better than prior to the bath, but she still didn't entirely recognize who she'd become. Yet, she was no longer afraid of the image staring back at her. She was, in a strange way, proud.
Scissors met her hair, one snip, followed by another until her locks rested above her shoulder in a little bob. Paya made quick work to even it out, making the whole thing presentable before guiding Zelda to a bowl of warm water to once again fight the mess of her hair.
It seemed like hours the two were together, but by the end Zelda finally felt clean. Her hair was short, barely long enough to tug into a ponytail and the thought, for the first time, made her giggle. "My knight's hair is longer than my own."
Paya giggled as well at the thought.
She helped the princess into clothes Impa had hidden from even Paya until today. Zelda old champions tunic. Her old pants. Boots instead of sandals. She felt ready once more to ride a horse by Link's side. Her body quickly reminded her that wasn't quite a possibility yet, but the idea still made her smile.
"Come," Paya took her hand freely, and Zelda felt a smile grace all the way up to her cheeks, "I want to see grandmother's and Link's reactions when they see your hair."
"I'm sure they'll just be happy to see me in anything other than that dreaded prayer gown. Even prior to the awakening of that -that demon- we all hated that stupid dress."
Paya giggled once more. The two soon descended down the stairs where Impa still waited for them. Link was still vacant from the home.
"Princess, your hair is stunning." Impa smiled. Zelda expected a scolding. This was far better.
"Time did no favours to my hair. It had to go. Paya, thank you once again for everything."
"With pleasure, Princess." A bow. Zelda still hated bows. "If I may be excused, I would like to pray before dinner.
"Go," Impa waved her hand, "and don't return unless Link and his cooking is by your side."
Paya bowed before exiting the home, leaving the Princess and the past royal advisor to some time alone.
"Impa, I must thank you for fulfilling all the promises you had made to me. Link's tunic, his memories, the divine beasts. It was all thanks to you."
"Princess, you know better than to thank me for such things. Yes, you had advised me to do such, but as a member of the Sheikah I would have done just the same without your guidance. Truthfully, with the aid of the Slate alone, I would have had just as much faith in Link to complete the tasks without the guidance to do so."
"I only wish he had recovered more memories than just the ones from the photos I left behind. I feel so selfish, so guilty, that all I could provide him with are moments by my side. His family, his friends throughout the castle, I couldn't provide him with memories of any of them."
"Princess," Impa raised her hand, "Let me remind you that you carried the Slate on the most important journeys leading up to the Calamity. The photos you left behind were not taken with regard to being the capsules used to retrieve his memories. No one planned for him to die."
"The Sheikah of the past had. That's why they built the shrine, and yet, I never considered why they would construct such a contraption. If it wasn't for the sword, I would have never thought to bring him there after his fall."
"The Goddesses truly have kept an eye on Hyrule for far longer than our history allows us to remember. They broke even their own rule, allowing you to hear the sword."
"Desperation. Even they knew I had failed them for so long. If only...If only I had been in a position that allowed my realizations. That allowed the thoughts that truly unlocked my powers. I wouldn't have needed to waste so much time in the Springs. Ten years of my life would have been fulfilled, not wasted."
"Ah, but Princess, what good does it do to dwell on the past? There is so much of a future to be had. By the people of Hyrule. By the future generations that will benefit from its reconstruction. By the future Chosens Ones when your reincarnations breathe air into the Kingdom once more."
Zelda settled her hands in her lap, rubbing the back of her right hand, the Triforce still etched in her skin. "Impa," She spoke, "Do you still have the gloves I used to wear? I...I would prefer not to ride around Hyrule with the Triforce in plain view. Our family kept it a secret for so long, for the safety of its citizens, and quite frankly I'm not ready for the questions to be asked of me in regards to it showing."
"I was not able to recover them, no, but I will have the local seamstress make you a new pair. Link, as well, for his hasn't hidden itself either."
"Thank you, Impa." Zelda smiled, "And Link? Do you know how much he truly remembers?"
Impa shook her head, "That would be a question better to ask him. He has changed, but so have you. No longer a Knight and a Princess, but a Hero and a Heroine."
"Perhaps, after dinner, I will be permitted time to speak with him alone. He knows far more of Hyrule, as it stands now, than I do."
"You need not be permitted time alone with your own knight, Princess, for you're no longer answering to the requests of a King. In time, your true position of Queen will be recognized, but for now you are free to make decisions on your own. All I ask is that you take my guidance into consideration until then."
"Of course, Impa. My respect for you has never wavered after all these years. I am forever grateful to have you here, then and now, assisting me in ways I never knew I needed."
Zelda sighed, her voice lowering as she continued. "I spent my years in the Springs preparing for the Calamity, but I was never taught what to do once it was over. I haven't an idea on how to hold royal meetings. All I know is how to show up to them. My father provided me with no guidance, not unlike my mother, but I still have a teacher. I still have you. And for that, I thank the Goddesses for not falling deaf for my needs in this instance."
"Princess, you have far more understanding than most who hold power in this land currently. The only remaining member of the time past is King Dorephan. Beyond his own court, there are no past rules you must follow. There are some that I would insist you do, yes, for the benefit of our people, but there are many things that have changed in these years. I have faith that you will fill those needed changes with the strongest of abilities."
"You seem to have far too much faith in me, Impa."
"How can I not, when you've sealed the strongest of beasts alone for a century?"
"But I didn't finish him off. I simply kept him from growing more powerful. It was Link-"
"It was the duty of you both, as it is written in our history time and time again. No matter the title given of the hero, no matter the era given of the Kingdom. Whether it was twilight, or time, or sky, or sea. It always falls to two, not one, Princess. Together, you fulfill the wishes of the Goddesses. No one is more important than the other. Remember that, and you will be stronger than ever before."
Silence fell, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It spoke volumes, in fact, to how much understanding the Princess had begun to process.
"I come bearing gifts," Link barged in, Paya holding the door despite her protests to at least knock first. The two had arms full of food, the room soon filled with heavening scents of meat, pumpkin, and dare Zelda even think there was fruitcake in the mix.
"Was he always this bad in regards to privacy?" Paya huffed, setting the food down on tables near the wall, wanting to provide them all with as much space as possible.
"Yes," Zelda giggled, "But it was merely his duty. If it wasn't the case, I would have been killed by Yiga ten times over." She stood. The drifting smells of food calling to her. "You've made a feast, I see. But is it for the whole village, or just yourself, Sir Knight?"
"You know I'm quite the glutton, you said so yourself." Link added, filling a plate with a small selection of foods he'd found to be Zelda's favourites. A book in the castle had told him as much.
"I never spoke those words out loud. I only ever wrote them-" She paused, "You've read my diary!"
"I did. It was in the castle. So was your father's. I have both back in Hateno if you ever want them back."
He handed her the plate, and although she wanted nothing more than to provide a witty comeback, she didn't. She looked at the plate of food, thinking for a moment. "Perhaps I will eat outside. I need the fresh air, and besides, I'm not sure how much I can stomach before getting sick."
Link nodded, as did Paya. Impa seemed not to care either way once the food was presented to her by her granddaughter.
The evening air was warm, but only existed alongside that of a chilly breeze. It was perfect, truly, if Zelda were to be honest. She moved to the back of the house, Link a few feet behind in case she couldn't make it, but the bath from earlier seemed to ease her muscles enough to make the short journey manageable.
Eventually she took a seat, letting her legs dangle off the side as she enjoyed the misty view of a waterfall. She wanted to see the village, but she knew her desire would lead her wanting to see every inch of it, and with her legs as they were and the Triforce still present for all to see, she settled with this view instead.
Link was soon at her side, dangling his legs as well. Before the fall of Hyrule, he would have skipped eating. He would have leaned on a wall, providing her with space. Yet, despite the lack of memory, he seemed comfortable enough to eat at her side.
For that, Zelda was thankful.
They ate in silence. Zelda enjoyed the fresh air. She picked at her food, not wanting to take the risk of emptying her stomach of her first meal in a century, but of all the dishes, the fruitcake was gone entirely.
It wasn't until she set her plate aside and laid back to look at the clouds that she finally spoke. "Thank you for bringing me here. I don't know how you managed, but thank you."
"Of course, Princess." He didn't lay back with her, instead turning to face her. Her hair looked lovely, he noted, but kept the thought locked away with all the others he'd had over the years regarding her appearance. She was beautiful, there was no denying it, but it wasn't his place to say so.
"How did you manage it?" She raised a brow at him, head tilted in his general direction.
"I waited until you fell asleep, which didn't take long I might add, then I used a fairy. It didn't heal me much, just enough for the ride to the nearest stable. From there, I left you with my friend Beedle, warped here and Impa sent out people to fetch you. I warped back to the stable, sleeping until the entourage came."
"Wait." She forced herself to sit back up. "That makes sense, to some degree, except I've no idea what warping is."
"The Sheikah slate," Link produced it from his side, handing it back to Zelda. "Using it, I can warp to anywhere there's a shrine on the map. There's one just up the hill of the village between here and the Great Fairy Fountain."
There were too many questions to ask, just about warping alone, but her curiosity of the slate got the better of her. She had to learn more. "What else can it do? The slate."
"A lot," Link gently took it back from her, settling it on his hip. "But until you recover I can't show you. Some of it's too dangerous to do in the village." He added, a sorry look on his face, "I apologize, Princess."
"No, no, it's alright. I understand." She did, though her disappointment was written all over her face. "It gives me much to look forward to."
He smiled. A true smile. One that Zelda remembered quite well. For the briefest moment, her Link had returned, but the moment faded fast and his eyes returned to the waterfall.
"There's so much I want to ask you," He admitted, "And I'm sure there is much to ask me."
"There is." She nodded, waiting for him to continue.
"There's also so much I want to show you, so work hard in getting better." He insisted, "I've traveled all through Hyrule alone, but there was always something missing. I'd wake up, looking across the fire and expecting to see you asleep. I'd find something, like a flower I'd never seen before, and wanted to share it with you. There were so many moments like these, but you weren't by my side, and it's only recently I knew it was you that had been missing. Before, it was a ghost, an emptiness I couldn't place. But now I realize it was you."
Oh, how easy Link could break her. Make her melt with the simplest of words, but she kept her distance. She didn't want to push him, not when his memories of her were so few. Yet, she settled on reaching over, giving his arm a small squeeze. "I'll do my best to recover quickly. I hate being cooped up inside as it is."
"That, I remember." He grinned, so proud of the fact.
They sat there in a familiar, comfortable silence until the sun went down and the stars greeted them. Only then, did she yawn, holding the railing before her to stand back on her feet. "I think it's time I retire. Thank you, Link, for the food. Your cooking is far better than I remember."
"Let me help you inside, Princess." He insisted, standing and dusting himself off.
His hand on her waist was so natural, though she didn't speak the fact, and soon his arms were replaced with Payas guiding her up the steps to her bedroom.
She changed, only for the sake of keeping her riding clothes clean as possible, into a flowing nightgown Paya had found in the depths of her closet.
"Will you remain sleeping in here for the night?" Zelda asked, greeted with a nod from Paya. "Thank you. I don't believe I'm ready to be on my own. A century with no one but a demon isn't the best of company."
She smiled, as did Paya, before settling in the bed she'd apparently found comfort in three weeks past. Her eyes closed, and soon, she was falling into an abyss of comfortable darkness.