It had been five days since Zelda had awoken in Kakariko Village.

She'd spent her stay only in Impa's home. Her and Paya had played games to pass the time whenever she wasn't training her body to work like most other Hylian would. Stretches, long nightly walks when no one would interrupt, endless laps up and down the stairs between Paya's room and the main floor. Anything and everything the little space could provide to aid her healing body.

On the fifth day, when Zelda was sure her sanity would be suffering from being in the same, unchanging surroundings, the local seamstress arrived with Impa's promised gifts.

Gloves

A matching pair for both herself and Link. They were brown, leather, matching the belt and boots of her riding attire. The tops were fingerless, allowing for easy movement, and of course the most important fact was they covered the triforce on her hand well.

"You've outdone yourself, Impa. These must have cost quite a bit. I promise to repay every ounce of hospitality when I'm back on my feet again."

"Nonsense. They are a gift, a part of our peoples duty if you will. Now go," The woman waved her off, smiling, "Explore the village while the sun is high."

Zelda didn't waste another second, pulling her new gloves on and running out into the village air. Link, who'd only just received the gloves himself, waved from the stable where his horse was resting, and Zelda was quick to return to his side.

"Let's go," She tugged his arm, a giddy, childish need for exploring apparent in her eyes. "You said there was a Great Fairy Fountain nearby. Let's start there. Then I want to meet everyone and learn their names. I won't be satisfied until I can place every face to their proper name."

Link starred at her, allowing his arm to be tugged but barely budging beyond that. There was something in this moment that made the gears in his mind turn. A memory that desired to escape, but it simply couldn't.

A shake of his head and a smile later he began to move his feet, allowing his princess to guide him the first few steps. "Princess," he chuckled as she quickly whipped her head back to him, looking ready to argue if he denied her request, "Let me lead the way."

Zelda blushed, letting go of his arm and nodded. She stood, waiting for him to be not nearly a step ahead of her before following him. "I've only ever seen drawings of the Great Fountains. Father said the fairies residing inside were far too mature for me to see."

"I agree with the King," Link added, a shiver coursing through him, "And if you don't mind, I'd rather we don't see a fairy, either."

"You've met one?" Her eyes lit up, a curious wonder filling them.

"Yeah, but they're not like the ones in stories." He insisted, "They're very...touchy."

A laugh escaped the Princess. A true, joyous laugh as her imagination ran wild. Link, so stoic and unmoving, afraid of nothing and not even hesitating to take down a legendary demon. Oh, but a great fairy, that was his one true fear. That was where the Hero drew his line. It was comical and she couldn't help but laugh even more.

Link was smiling, looking to her as she lost herself in a fit of laughter. It was contagious, the joy in such a simple moment. "Your laugh," he spoke, "it's familiar."

"Perhaps because it was very rare anyone got me to laugh besides you and a few of the other Champions." She caught her breath, holding her side just a tad. She hadn't laughed in one hundred years, but the pain in her ribs was a welcoming one. A reminder her emotions were still true.

They continued their short journey through town, taking their time as they began up the hill. Zelda had climbed it twice with Paya in the evenings prior, when she couldn't sleep for fear of her own dreams, but in the day it seemed so different. A cucoo met them outside of the shrine Link had mentioned warping to, and Zelda knelt down to greet it.

"They must have gotten loose again." Link stayed back, watching the Princess. "Let's pretend we didn't see it for now. I'm sure I'll be asked to get them all rounded up later."

Zelda giggled, looking up at the shrine before her, standing and dusting herself off. "Could we go in one?"

"If you'd like, though this one is pretty boring." Link shrugged, "I'll bring you to one with a puzzle instead of a fight. Your inner nerd will love trying to figure them out."

Zelda stared at him, blinking once more. There was so much he seemed to remember, even if he hadn't realized it himself. "I'd like that," a nod. She glanced towards the next hill, starting to take the lead once more.

Link was quick to follow, regaining his single step in front of her. She moved far slower this hill, but he didn't mind, enjoying the slow pace of things after the past year of rushing.

It felt natural for the two to be wandering so freely side by side. Princess Zelda looking at every small detail. Trees and what grew on or under them. Flowers, where they bloomed, what they could be used for. Animals she could admire from a distance. The only thing missing for the sight was the Sheikah Slate and a journal in her hand.

Link had returned to his usual walk as well. Watching the Princess wherever her feet lead her. Admiring as her eyes lit up, shaking his head when she suggested he tried some strange mushroom or herb she'd only just discovered. It had been only minutes since they'd reached the top of the hill, but with the amount of exploring in the short time, it felt like hours.

He welcomed it. She welcomed it.

A simple return to something that, for once, for them both, seemed normal. Right. Like they were meant to be there.

Finally done her exploring, Zelda turned to him, hands clasped in front of herself with a pleasant smile. "Let's continue to the fountain, shall we?"

"This way, Princess." Link smiled, leading once more as she easily fell in time with his steps.

Her gasp was audible when the fountain came into view. Fairies galore resided in the small pools of water surrounding the most massive of plants she'd ever seen. "Link," She breathed, reaching for his arm and grasping his sleeve, "It's been so long since I've seen something so…" She couldn't find the word, shaking her head and holding onto him as they approached closer.

The fairies soon disappeared from sight, the flowers surrounding the area continued to give off a soft glow.

Among them were her favourite. Silent Princesses. A memory she had, but dare not speak, for she wanted to see if Link would remember on his own.

"This one's the weakest, but don't tell her I said that." Link spoke in regard to the fairy before he winked at her, sending a shiver through Zelda's spine.

If he'd noticed, he hid it well.

"All of this right outside of Kakariko," Zelda started, kneeling down in a pool of water to admire a plant that had grown so easily there. Her knees and lower legs would be wet, but she wouldn't mind. Riding in the rain had always been her favourite, and she was never one to back out of a dip in Zora's Domain. "It's fascinating how much has prospered while so many others have suffered during the past century."

Link knelt beside her, admiring the flower in her hand as well. Another memory, he was sure of it, but he couldn't rack his brain enough to remember.

"A Silent Princess," She spoke, looking to Link. "it's quite amazing, really. It has benefits when consumed. It boosts stealth abilities," her gaze returned to the flower, "It seems fitting for it to reside in the home of the Sheikah for that reason."

"I haven't seen many," Link admitted.

"You wouldn't, no. They only grow in the wild without the aid of people." She shook her head, "At one time in history they were believed to be extinct because lovers would pluck them as a sign of their undying love. A proposal prior to a ring, I suppose. But now, even here, they prosper."

"Princess, if I may ask a favour."

Zelda let go of the flower, looking to Link, "of course."

"I have a memory around this flower and it ended with me nearly eating a raw frog. Please, for the sake of the frog and myself, let's not have that happen again."

Zelda starred, blinked, laughed and nodded. She returned her gaze to the flower, trying her best to hide the sheer joy she felt. He'd remembered that day. That moment. One of the first times they had actually enjoyed each other's company. He'd remembered it.

"Do you remember what happened after you made me let go of the frog?"

"No," Link shook his head, "What happened?"

"I spent the whole afternoon searching for frogs. We didn't end up at the nearest stable until past midnight. You had to pay the host extra to take us in because we had woken them at such an early hour." She paused, beginning to laugh," And you fell asleep in the hallway waiting for me to dress the next morning, so I put a frog down your shirt."

"You didn't. I would have remembered that."

"Oh, but I did. And you befriended it." She added, matter of factly. "You let it out in a pond by the stable before we left and refused to talk the rest of the trip."

"I don't believe you," Link started, although something of the story rang a bell, "If I had befriended a frog I would have named it."

"You did. You named it the same as every other creature you'd ever found. Epona. Just like your old horse."

"No way," Link's jaw dropped, "I named my current horse Epona."

"A natural instinct I see," The princess laughed, standing back up to her feet, "Now, you must show me the rest of the village. It already seems similar to how I remember it being. Do you perhaps know where Purah and Robbie's homes are? I'm nearly certain Impa would have told me if they had passed."

"I know where they are, but they're not in Kakariko." Link began to walk, waving her to follow. "Robbie has a lab in Akkala with his wife, Jerrin. And Dr. Purah lives in her lab out in Hateno, along with her assistant Symin."

"They're not working together?" That seemed odd to her. The two had been inseparable when they'd resided in the castle. It was always Impa who seemed the outcast of the trio.

"No." Link shook his head, letting the Princess hold his sleeve as they descended down the hill towards the village once more. "They moved separate ways once the Calamity happened so the Yiga couldn't get to all three of them. That way, one would be alive, at least was their hope, when I returned."

"It seems to have turned out positive if they're all alive."

"Only because Dr. Purah cheated death," Link snorted, "You'll see what I mean when we meet her."

"Soon." Zelda nodded, her gaze returning to the homes she'd remembered so vividly.

She'd only visited Kakariko a few times when she was younger, but she'd always loved the architecture of the village. It wasn't stone and marble, or flashes of gold and blue to show off power to the people throughout Hyrule. They were so simple. Homey. The way Zelda would have preferred to live. But after Purah and Robbie had joined Impa in the castle residence, she had no reason to visit Kakariko. Without even a Divine Beast residing there, she'd all but forgotten her love for the village. But now, with Link by her side, her desire to enjoy the atmosphere had been rekindled.

The people were the same as she remembered, taking the afternoon to meet each one. Link was helpful, already knowing most by name, occupation, and whatever favour they'd eventually owe him for.

A sales clerk he'd shown fireflies once. A man with an unhealthy obsession with cucoos. A guard who once belonged to the Yiga Clan, though that was a story she was told to keep secret. Each person in the village had a story. Zelda wanted to learn them all.

By evening, she found herself knelt in front of a goddess statue. This time, though, unlike her past prayers, they were not begging for power, but instead thanking them for the ability to save the home she'd loved the most. The people of the Kingdom. And silently, she had added Link to the list. A special place just for the Hero of it all.

"Princess," It was Paya who spoke, joining Link by her side. She seemed flustered, just standing so close to him. "I've been told to collect you and bring you back for dinner with grandmother." She glanced to Link, a blush creeping on her cheeks, "And Master Link, your presence has been requested by Cado. It seems his cucoos have disappeared again and he's having trouble returning them home."

Link glanced to Zelda. A smirk playing at his lips, screaming I told you so.

With a bow, he left to aid the man Zelda was quickly deciding she would avoid most. Joining Paya's side, the duo headed back to the Elder's home, both silently eager for whatever was to be served.

"Princess, you look well," Impa gestured to a stack of pillows by her side. Zelda took the seat without hesitation. "I hear you've acquainted yourself with nearly the entire village. I would suspect you're fairing far better than I had expected you to in such a short period of time. Then again, I suppose you're not an average Hylian."

Zelda smiled at her words, waiting for her to finish before speaking up. "It's lovely. Link seems to know everyone so well, and his aid has been appreciated. He also spoke of Purah and Robbie, and I intend to visit them as soon as we leave the village."

"I must object," Impa shook her head. "I believe you should head towards Zora's Domain. I have sent news to King Dorephan of yours and Links return, and he's eager to speak with you both."

"Only to Link, I'm sure. In regards to me, he'll probably ask me to rid myself of the title I still hold." Zelda sighed, smiling sweetly at Paya when she brought their meals in. She took a seat on Impa's other side, listening intently throughout the conversation.

"I would suspect the same. The Zora are proud people, and they've survived with little struggle while the Hylians have struggled to make ends meet." Impa took a sip of her tea, nodding to Zelda to eat. "As far as Link goes, he can no longer marry their daughter, for she has passed. Yet I believe the King looks at him as a son, and the Prince has taken fondly to him with ease. It may be bold of me to suggest, but it's in the best interest of yourself and the Kingdom if you keep Link at your side more than ever. He is an image of your success. It will eat at them if they dare to think of ridding the land of the return of a monarchy."

"Although your ideas most certainly will ring true, there is one fear I know I must face with my time there. The Zora are proud, but they also hold a high regard for tradition, and without Hylian Nobles to bring forward their sons as suitors, I'm afraid they will present the Prince himself."

Paya choked on her tea, nearly sending the beverage up through her nose, "Prince Sidon?" Paya's eyes widened as she stared between the two in disbelief.

"Nobles marry other Nobles, and the Zora hold the only monarchy currently established."

"But, Prince Sidon? Grandmother, you cannot be serious. The true suitor is staring us all in the face." Paya insisted, practically forgetting Zelda's presence in the room. "For it not to be Master Link-"

"He's a knight, not a noble," Zelda spoke after swallowing a rather chewy bite of meat. "And with his memories forgotten there's no point in fighting it. As much as my love for him remains, he doesn't remember it was ever there in the first place."

Silence. Not a comfortable one, either. The three looked between each other, so much they wanted to say, but no way to say it.

"Well, now, that's only if the idea comes up." Impa concluded, "Most likely, you will be argued with on the stability of the Kingdom without need for an overriding monarchy. We must not jump to conclusions."

"But we must also speak of every possibility in preparations for the conversation. If such a situation would arise that Prince Sidon is presented as a suitor, I don't want to seem surprised or rude when given my answer."

"And what, if I may ask, will that answer be?" Impa glanced to Zelda.

Her appetite was gone, her plate settled on the floor beside her as she stared at her reflection in the spoon she held. "No, thank you. Time's have changed. As you told me when I first arrived, some rules are to be reinstated, others shall be forgotten."

"Is this all in hopes for a miracle regarding a certain knight?" Impa raised a brow.

"Yes. As silly as that may sound. I've spent a century of my life practically forgotten. A legend. A bundle of light in a prison alongside a demon to protect those whom I've never met. If the Goddesses will allow him to remember, then I intend to do something for myself. Just this once, I desire to put myself before my Kingdom."

"And if he never returns as the man you once knew?"

"Grandmother, is that truly appropriate to ask-"

"Then I will find a suitor who wants me for more than political gain." She paused before adding, "Besides, our biology isn't compatible. Although I wouldn't mind marrying a Zora if love was the motive, I would never be able to carry a child with them." She glanced to Impa, "And as we know, we must keep the royal bloodline for the sake of Hyrule. I will have a daughter, as every other Queen before me, and her name will be the same as my own. That is the only way the Goddess' blood and the triforce of wisdom will remain in Hyrules hand."

"I'm impressed, Princess. You spoke to me stating you had no clue what you were doing in regards to your placement as future Queen, and yet, you've argued with me well. Your points, at least some, come from certainty that cannot be argued."

"That you, Impa." Zelda stood, glancing at her nearly full plate. "I apologize, but I've seemed to have lost my appetite. I think I will pray before making preparations to leave in the morning."

"So soon?" Paya looked hurt, yet understanding at the girl she'd quickly grown so close to. To be friends with the Princess was a dream come true.

"It's best not to avoid the inevitable. Besides, I think Link is ready to ride until his horse falls over. He was never good at staying in one place for very long."

"I will gather an entourage to accompany you. A few of our warriors." Impa insisted.

Zelda paused, thinking about the offer for some time. "That's rather thoughtful of you, but I must decline. Perhaps after the Domain visit I will need such assistance, but for now, I wish to travel by Link's side alone. It's not something we will be able to do after the visit, once the Kingdom knows what we've managed. I want to embrace the little time we have of freedom while I still can.

"Although I would argue, I believe your mind is set. The offer remains, both before, and after you've returned from your visit with King Dorephan."

The Princess nodded, but her expression was unreadable. "Thank you, Impa. I will be sure to say farewell to you both in the morning. For now, I must pray for our safe travels."

She left before Impa could reply. A sigh escaped her, the fresh air cooling her nerves. She hadn't realized how anxious she had become in such a short conversation.

The Princess knelt before the Goddess statue once more. She cradled her hands in prayer, whispering the words she'd had written in her memory for as long as she could remember. Had she learned to walk before the words of prayer? Sometimes, she questioned such a fact.

"Princess."

"Sir Link." She replied without opening her eyes. Without turning to him.

"It's been hours." His hand settled on her shoulder. "Impa told me you want to leave in the morning. We can't do that without you getting some sleep." He insisted, gently shaking her shoulder.

"Hours? Has it been that long?" She opened her eyes, looking down at her gloved hands. Her right hand ached, and hesitantly she removed the glove covering the triforce. As she suspected, it was bright with a warm, gentle glow. "Interesting."

Link took the glove, carefully pulling it back on her. She didn't resist, but her eyes didn't break away from the symbol, even once it was hidden under the leather.

He'd seen her like this before, but when and where he couldn't place. One hand settled on her waist, the other in her hand as he slowly helped her stand, guiding her towards the Elder's house. Still, the Princess gave no resistance, her eyes remaining as they were.

"Princess?" Paya looked up from a game of cards she was playing with her grandmother. The elder had been too stubborn to sleep.

"She's in some sort of trance," Link continued to guide her through the home, ignoring the rule of keeping from Paya's quarters in order to aid her to a comfortable bed.

Paya allowed the rule to be broken, of course, following Link worriedly before kneeling in front of her friend. "Princess Zelda? Whatever is the matter."

Zelda hummed a little, taking off the glove again to reveal the warm glow once more. "Do you think, perhaps, I've failed? That the Calamity is merely sleeping and will awaken tomorrow?"

"It won't," Paya insisted, carefully wrapping her hands around the glowing hand of the Princess. "You and Link have succeeded, Princess. I've read many books, and this is a common sort of occurrence."

"Is that so?" Zelda finally looked up, glancing to Paya with a strange sort of smile. One forced for Paya's sake alone. "Then I suppose we have nothing to worry about. Do return to your card game. I'll be alright."

Paya was hesitant, glancing at Link, who merely nodded and watched as Paya left the room.

Her appointed knight knelt before her next, taking off his own glove and holding her hand with his own. Both triforces glowed, before the light evaporated, each returning to a resting state.

"Marvelous," Zelda blinked, looking up at Link, who only stared back in concern. "I wonder what would happen if all three pieces came together."

"For the sake of everyone, it's best we don't find out." Link pulled away, easing Zelda to lay down. "Sleep, Princess, the journey to Zora's Domain is a few days' time."

"Will you stay? Right where you are? Until morning?" She asked, voice timid and small.

"I will." Link nodded. "Now rest, Princess."

She looked at him, reaching for his hand. He hesitated, but allowed her to take it, and only then did she manage to close her eyes and fall victim to sleep.