So here's another late chapter. I realized halfway through writing this that I had intended other things to happen first but I forgot to check my notes before I published the previous chapter so... welp. I'll include them later I guess.
I was a bit uninspired at the beginning of this chapter and I dunno if things don't really make sense at the end there but whatevs, it's my fanfic and thoughts I needed to get out so there they are lol.
Hope you all are staying safe during these weird times. Take care and be careful of yourself and others, okay?
Waking up at dawn had been a struggle for Princess Zelda as her father's words about her knight had kept her awake for several hours during the night. She had gotten dressed with the help of her lady's maid in the morning while her eyelids were still heavy with the need of rest and before she knew it, she met the very same person which had filled her mind last night. Link bowed but the Princess barely cast a glance in his direction, fearing that those thoughts from the previous night would flood back to her if she did. She greeted him with only a "good morning" before she passed by him to fetch her white horse which had already been saddled and ready to leave.
It didn't take long for them to pass through Castle Town and leave the stone wall surrounding it behind them; the streets were almost empty apart from bakers, busy with preparations for the day. The first loafs of bread were just about to turn golden brown in the ovens and the smell would soon wake their customers up. It even managed to remind the Princess that it was time to properly wake up.
Green grass on Hyrule Field swayed with the breeze and birds sang in the trees. The smell of freshly baked bread stayed within the city walls and was replaced by cool morning air and dew. Princess Zelda could feel Link looking at her and he didn't have to ask why she was being so quiet this morning; she could already tell that that was what was on his mind. "Oh, it's nothing" she said and faced forward again after glancing at him. "I was just thinking of the Spring of Courage" she lied. Link seemed to understand and faced forward again to let her be, but his presence made it hard for her to think of something else. He was riding right next to her after all.
But her stubbornness soon gave way and her eyes wandered back to her knight. She didn't look at the sword resting on his back this time; no, she took time to look at him. But only a few seconds passed and Link looked back at her, a silent question if anything was troubling her asked with his eyes. Princess Zelda quickly turned her head away. "It's nothing" she said coolly and urged her horse to a trot. Link quickly caught up.
It took them a few days to reach the Akkala region and during that time, the Princess' suspicions about her knight being infatuated with her faded. Nothing about his actions or the few words he spoke confirmed that thought which had been planted in her mind by her father and so, she told herself to not think of it anymore. It would only lead to misunderstandings or something worse.
Besides, she's supposed to focus on the Spring of Power.
They had paid for two beds at a nearby stable the night before but left in the morning to set camp closer to the Spring. The explanation she had given Link on why she wished to camp instead was that they might stay at the Spring for a long time and that it could be too dark to return to the stable after she's finished. But what she didn't say was that it was also a safety net for her; in case she would fail to awaken her powers again, she wouldn't want to return to the stable and feel the disappointed eyes of her people on her. Even if she hadn't given the stable manager a reason behind their stay and he hadn't asked them either.
The morning was cloudy and grey as Princess Zelda was feeling inside. She was afraid of not reaching the Goddesses with her pleas again and delayed going to the Spring for as long as she could. "Let me help" she had said in the morning and refused to let Link set up the camp by himself, and later, by lunchtime, she offered to gather mushrooms but gave up an hour later after not finding any. Few words were exchanged between the Princess and her knight and they ate their meal silence. But when several hours had passed after leaving the stable that same morning, the Princess felt that she couldn't avoid the inevitable anymore.
"I suppose I should get ready to visit the Spring" she said with a sigh. Link was already ready to leave but she needed to change into her white ceremonial dress. "I'll be back in a minute" she said before pulling aside the piece of fabric working as entrance to her tent and stepped inside.
It didn't take her long to replace her riding boots to sandals, her hairclips with golden jewelry and her tight outfit to the draped dress. When she peeked outside the tent, she saw Link guarding her with his back facing her as usual and he only moved his head ever so slightly to the side when he heard her stepping out again. Princess Zelda walked up to him and gave only a nod to signal that she was ready to leave.
Princess Zelda took the lead until they reached the Spring of Power. Then, Link made the Princess wait and stepped through the tunnel leading to the Spring and the Goddess statue with the sword in his hand to check that there were no lurking monsters nearby to hurt her. He found none and turned back to the Princess. He saw that the determination and will to succeed was back in her eyes.
Their footsteps echoed as they stepped closer to the Spring and there were pillars on the other side of the tunnel where torches could be hanged up and a few trees to offer shade. Princess Zelda walked up a few steps leading to a platform before the Goddess statue and looked back at Link. He wanted to wish her good luck but she had already turned back to the statue and dipped her feet in the water. Link remained on the platform and watched the water rise higher up around the Princess' legs with every step she took. She stopped when the water reached her hips.
To Link's surprise, he got the same feeling looking at her as he did at the Spring of Courage. It had been cloudy in the morning but the sun somehow managed to break through and shone now brightly over the Princess. Her blonde hair glittered in the sunlight and the water surface became like a silver mirror, bright for the eyes and sparkling with the ripples the surrounding waterfalls gave. The Spring was beautiful, the Princess was beautiful and it felt like time had come to a still for a moment. It truly felt like an image that would be etched into his memory for the rest of his life.
Princess Zelda looked back to him one final time, maybe in hopes to find some kind of support, and Link realized he got caught staring. He gave her a single nod but the slight worry in her eyes didn't go away when she turned back to face the statue. Link spun around, unhooked the Master Sword from his back to rest his arms on it before him, and began to guard to tunnel they had passed just a moment ago, the only entrance to the Spring of Power. And seconds later, he could hear her gently speak those words he had come to know by heart now to get the Goddesses attention.
Hours passed by slowly and nothing came to disturb them. Link followed his shadow's movement with his eyes and momentarily lost track of it every now and then when a cloud blocked the sunrays. The sound of splashing water from the waterfalls eventually became undefined background noise and the shade cast from the trees and the Goddess Statue got larger and larger. Soon, the sun began to set and the night began. Distant bird song that could be heard despite the waterfalls were replaced by crickets and one or two fireflies passed by Link's vision. Apart from that everything seemed still and quiet. The Princess had stayed in the Spring during all these hours and not moved once. Her will to succeed was palpable.
Link could occasionally hear Princess Zelda mumble or whisper her prayers but he got almost startled when he suddenly heard her voice more clear. He couldn't help but to listen, although he knew the words weren't for him but intended for the Goddesses.
She stated her reason for visiting the Spring of Power, which Link suspected she had already done several times this evening, and spoke to the statue that she had been told that only prayers to the Goddesses will help her get what she needs. She told the statue that both her grandmother and the late Queen had possessed this power she was trying to awaken, and though it was her birthright to carry it too, she felt nothing. Heard no celestial voice to guide her. And her father blamed her for pretending to be a scholar.
Link heard a splash from the Princess' hands hitting the water's surface and listened more attentively.
He could hear in her words and her voice that she was getting tired and frustrated, and he didn't blame her. After spending half a day praying in a spring which water was surely cool by now, who wouldn't feel exhausted? Her tone turned slightly harsher for one second then sorrowful the next, and her words were accusatory. Link could hear waterdrops fall to the surface as she moved slightly and then she asked the Goddesses one simple question: "What is wrong with me?!"
Link fully turned around then and saw his Princess holding her arms in a tight embrace and head hanging low. It pained him to see her like this. So powerless, so desperate and no hope left for her words to reach the Goddesses.
"Princess..?" he began and she must have heard him for her head moved to glance over her bare shoulders. He wished to take her away from here but she remained in the water for a moment longer.
Eventually, she realized it was time to face another failure, give up and return to their camp. Slowly, she moved back to her knight, eyes still low either to avoid his gaze and he stepped into the shallow water to meet her. His left hand was grasping the scabbard to his sword and his right extended for her to take; she took it gratefully and her body felt a lot heavier as she stepped away from the water. Her white dress was soaked from the hips down and clung to her legs.
"We should leave" she said and bent down to squeeze some of the water from her dress when Link interrupted her.
"Actually…" he began, and she looked up, waiting for her knight to continue. "I was wondering, would you mind if I prayed too? The Goddesses might not listen to me either but… I want to help you."
Link felt his heart beat hard and fast against his ribcage as he waited for her answer. There was a frown on her lips while she thought and it felt like an eternity before she replied. "I don't think it will help much, but maybe they'll listen if their chosen Hero speaks to them." She turned to face the Goddess statue again and Link did the same and placed his swords at his feet to lace his fingers together. He felt nervous for some reason, perhaps because it had been a long time since he had last prayed.
Princess Zelda watched him close his eyes and turn his chin slightly closer to his chest and she felt moved by his gesture. But also bad; praying was her job and he shouldn't have to do it for her. So even though she had already spent so many hours on prayers that day, she laced her fingers together, closed her eyes, just like Link had done, and prayed again. But this time, she didn't pray for herself or the future of her kingdom; she prayed for the Goddesses to hear their chosen Hero's words and grant his wishes.
When she was done, she opened her eyes and saw Link looking back at her, waiting for her to finish. "I didn't think you'd finish so quickly" she said, to see that he wasn't still concentrating on praying.
Link scratched the back of his head. "It's been a while since I last prayed. I'm not as good as you are" he replied, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
"Don't worry. I'm sure the Goddesses appreciate a short prayer after hearing mine" Princess Zelda said with a smile that faded too soon. "That is, assuming that they did listen to my prayers" she added bitterly.
Link watched the Princess squeeze out some more water from her drenched dress and picked up the Master Sword from the ground. "I'm sure they did" he tried comfortingly.
"Hm. We'll see, I suppose." She let the dress be and looked back up at her knight. "It's pretty late, but we should probably make something to eat, don't you think? How about some rice?"
Link answered with a short nod and together they walked back to the camp, side by side, with only the moonlight to light up the path.
Sleep didn't come easily to Princess Zelda and after spending at least an hour on twisting around in her bedroll with unkind thoughts entering her mind, she pulled her blanket tightly around her and stepped out of her tent and to the dying campfire. She had seen Link bring a fire to life many times but even if she tried to feed it sticks and gently blow at the embers, she couldn't make a bigger difference. Another thing to add to her list of her failures, she thought bitterfly.
The night sky was still clear and the Akkala air a bit cool, so she held onto her blanket tightly and let the remains of the campfire warm her up. Sitting outdoors instead of staying in her tent didn't do much to divert her thoughts from her father's disappointment in her and wondering whatever was wrong with her for not awakening her powers yet, but at least she had the stars and the bright moon to look at.
She didn't know how long she had been sitting there when she heard something move behind her and she snapped her head around to see what had caused the noise. First, she didn't see anything but then she jumped in her seat at the sight of a man standing between her and her tent. Her heart raced for a second before she calmed down.
"Oh, it's just you" she said and let out a breath, "I didn't recognize you with your hair down."
Link had a blanket draped around his shoulders as well and dragged a hand through the ends of his hair. "I apologize for frightening you, Princess."
"It's alright, I didn't hear you, that's all. How come you are awake? I thought you were asleep."
"I thought I heard something and got up to check." Princess Zelda now noticed the Master Sword in his hand, still in its scabbard but with his hand resting on the hilt, ready to draw the blade.
"Oh" she replied simply.
"… If you don't mind me asking, why aren't you resting, Princess? Surely, you must be tired after today?"
Princess Zelda sighed quietly. "I am but… I just can't fall asleep." She readjusted the blanket around her.
It was quiet between them for a few seconds. "Would you mind if I joined you, your Highness?"
She looked back up at her knight and offered a tired smile. "No, I wouldn't."
Link stepped over to sit down next to her and placed the sword on the ground. He began to work on the campfire to bring it back to life and Princess Zelda observed him while he worked.
"I… never told you how my meeting with father went a few nights ago, did I?" she asked and Link looked up at her and shook his head before he went back to the fire. "Well... I think it went fine. I didn't get to tell him that I still care for him but I think… we both understood it. I want to thank you for making me go to him. Things might still not be perfect between us but at least it's not worse."
Link finally managed to bring the fire back and fed it new logs of wood. "Did you feel better afterwards?" he asked.
"I think so, yes. A little."
"I'm glad." He gave her a rare smile and she smiled back. "So that's not the reason why you couldn't fall asleep then?"
"No, it's not" she sighed.
Link hesitated for a moment before asking, "Do your Highness want to talk about whatever it is that's troubling you?"
She shook her head. "Not really. I'd rather not think about it at all." Link nodded. "What do you do when thoughts are keeping you awake?"
He thought for a moment. "Sometimes I roast some nuts."
Princess Zelda chuckled. "Why am I not surprised to hear that you get up in the middle of the night to make yourself something to snack on?"
Link cast a glance at her and smiled. "Want some?"
"What, you mean now?"
"Sure. Chickaloo tree nuts."
She let out a short laughed. "Alright. Why not?"
Link stood up and Princess Zelda watched him step into his tent and come out with a small fabric bag containing the nuts. He sat down again and poured them out next to the fire. Together, they watched the nuts change color and helped to put them back to the bag. Link gave it to Zelda to hold.
"They'll warm your hands while they cool down" he said.
"Aren't you cold?" she asked.
Link shook his head. "The fire is enough."
Zelda kept her eyes on him and watched the light flicker against his face. "You know, I didn't realize how long your hair was until now."
"Hm, I should probably get it cut sometime" he said and looked apologetic.
"No, I mean, it suits you. I thought it was too long at first but now I'm so used to seeing you with it tied back. If you'd get a haircut, I'm not sure I'd recognize you."
Link nodded. "No haircut, then."
"No, I- Only if you prefer it shorter, of course."
"I was teasing, your Highness."
"… Of course you were." She felt a blush cover her cheeks, embarrassed for failing at reading him. She collected herself and held out the bag of nuts. "I think they're cool now, want some?"
Link took the bag from her. "After you, Princess." She held out her hands for him to pour the nuts in and then he grabbed a handful for himself.
Princess Zelda took a nut in her mouth and looked up to the starry sky. "I suppose it could've been a worse night to stay up. At least it's clear. Aren't the stars pretty?"
Link looked up as well and hummed in agreement. He had seen many clear night skies like this one on their travels while keeping watch but didn't mention it. They were always beautiful to watch but also made him wonder how someone so small like himself would be able to save an entire kingdom from doom.
"Despite that… Their shining light can't stop my mind from wandering. My thoughts are constantly returning to the one thing I'd rather not be reminded of."
Princess Zelda kept her eyes on the stars but Link looked down to her. Something was troubling her and he hoped it wasn't the disappointment of not getting some kind of response from the Goddesses. Without much light, apart from the campfire, he couldn't look around him to find some inspiration to cheer her up as he had done previously. He couldn't suggest racing with their horses and it would be unwise to leave her in the middle of the night to look for something which might interest her. All he had was the chickaloo tree nuts… and himself. It would take a lot of him to force himself to speak, to push away the stoic hero to the far back of his mind and use his words for once. He wouldn't speak freely of course, he had to remind himself that he was not Princess Zelda's friend unless that was something she wished for.
His lips parted and he took a breath in to ready himself.
"Let's talk about something else then."
Princess Zelda looked at him with large eyes. "But you never want to talk much."
Link felt guilt take place in his chest. "I'm sorry for that. But I am willing to try tonight, Princess."
She looked at him in disbelief a moment longer, then blinked and smiled. "That makes me very happy to hear. Tell me, do you read much? I can't remember ever seeing you with a book on our travels but perhaps it's different in your free time in the castle?"
"I hope I won't disappoint you when I say I don't. I… don't really find the peace to. I bet I haven't even read a quarter of the books you have in my life."
"I'm sorry to hear that… but perhaps it was a silly question to ask. Of course you have more important things on your mind than reading books."
"But," Link picked up a few nuts and began chewing on them. "I bet the books I've read are more fun that the ones you've read."
Princess Zelda raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"I once found a book about an overweight Zora Queen that got stuck in a bathtub or something."
She chuckled. "Well, just to let you know, I don't always read ancient textbooks and research papers."
"What do you like to read then, your Highness?"
"Hmm…" She thought for a second. "Mystery. Romance. I admit, they can be awfully cliché sometimes but… there's something about them that makes me go back to them. I suppose they're a nice way to escape reality for a moment."
Link hesitated to ask a following question, but Princess Zelda was quick to ask him one instead with amusement in her voice. "So do you only read Zoran literature?"
"No… I remember my father bringing back a cookbook sometime after mother passed away. I liked to look at the illustrations."
Princess Zelda let out a light laughter. "That sounds so like you!" Link dragged a hand through his hair, unsure how to answer or if she even expected one. "So you really don't read much at all" she concluded.
"Like I said" Link replied and then took a few more nuts in his palm.
Princess Zelda observed him and Link looked back and began to grow anxious under her gaze. Then he realized that maybe she just wanted more nuts and waited for him to offer some, so he reached the bag over to her. She absently stuck her hand in it and grabbed a few nuts.
"You know, I've always wondered…" she began and Link listened. "It's probably a silly thing to ask, and you don't have to answer if you don't want to, but…" She played with the nuts in her palm. "I've heard so many versions but I've never heard yours. Is it… really true that you beat one of our soldiers when you were only four years old?"
Link didn't answer right away. It was a rumor he had heard many times and he was immediately reminded of his role to play as the kingdom's Hero. But he didn't want to lie to her either. "What do you think, Princess?" he asked.
"Well, I… It's an incredible story but I wouldn't say it's unbelievable. I've seen what you can do in battle after all. A Lynel is hardly a match for you."
Link fed the fire some more wood. "It's a rumor I'm afraid."
Princess Zelda raised her eyebrow in surprise. "You're saying it's not true?"
"Well… It depends on how you see it." He kept his eyes on the fire, too nervous to find disappointment in her eyes. "The soldier was a friend of my father's and he let me spar with him, just for fun. But I was serious in making my father proud so I did everything I could to beat him and I think he slipped and I declared my victory after climbing on top of him. My father used to joke about it for years afterwards and I didn't think anyone else had heard of it, or at least not paid enough attention to his story to remember but… I must've been wrong. I first heard that rumor sometime soon after it was known I would join the royal guards. I suppose someone must've heard of the sparring and, as you know… stories travel fast and soon become something different."
It felt like an eternity before she asked him another question and he held his breath in the meantime, fearing what her response might be. "But did anyone ever ask you about it? Did you try to correct them?"
"… No." He didn't add that he had thought it best to let everyone think he'd be the great Hero they've been wishing for. To give his comrades some hope and will to fight by knowing that they'd be fighting with the Hero they'd all heard the stories and legends of when growing up.
Maybe he should trust the Goddesses decision a bit more too.
"I see." Princess Zelda thought for a moment before she continued, and Link found himself to be actually scared of what she thought of him now and what she would say next. "But Link, I have seen the talents you possess and the Sword has acknowledged you as its master. The Goddesses have chosen you and I believe in you too. No one else can handle a sword the way you do. Blessed by the Goddesses with natural talent or from relentless training, you have proven yourself worthy of the Master Sword, Link."
He dared to look at her. There wasn't a trace of disappointment in her face as far as he could tell and he felt that he could relax a little. "I'm glad to hear you think so, Princess" he said earnestly.
She smiled a little. "Of course I think so. I'm very lucky to have you with me once that day comes." And then her smile faded. "I'm sure you've heard some of the rumors about me too. Even I have come across one or two of them. And since I asked you one, I think it's only fair to let you ask me about one too."
Now it was Princess Zelda's turn to feel nervous and anxious. And, sure, she was right, Link had heard some of the rumors and hushed whispers about the Princess in the Castle, but he had also spent a lot of time with her and seen what he believed was the true side of her. So he shook his head. "I don't have any questions."
"None?" she asked in disbelief.
"None" he echoed.
She frowned. "So you're saying you haven't heard any gossip? I find that hard to believe."
"No, I have heard… some." he admitted. "But after spending most of my days with you, Princess, I'd say you've proven all those rumors to be false."
A weight Princess Zelda hadn't known she had been carrying lifted and she felt her body becoming warmer thanks to the fire. "Really?" she said hopefully.
"Mhm." His lips turned up in a small smile and she saw it grow bigger when he noticed her smiling back.
She sat up a little straighter and readjusted the blanket on her shoulders. "You're very kind, you know that? I didn't think you'd be when I first met you. You're a lot softer than you let other's see."
Only for you, Link thought to himself.
"Hm? Did you say something?"
Link looked up at a confused Princess. "No" he replied, perhaps a bit too fast.
"Are you sure? I could've sworn I heard you…" Link felt his cheeks grow hotter and Princess Zelda definitely saw that. "… Are you blushing?"
"No, I'm not" Link lied.
"Yes, you are! Why are you-" Suddenly, she remembered her father's inquiries about her knight's behavior around her and all her thoughts from the previous days came back at once. She didn't have a reason to believe that Link had a crush on her but now she grew suspicious. "… What did you say?" she asked with tone of authority in voice.
Link stayed silent and the tension between them was palpable. She waited for him to answer and several seconds later, Link replied, "I don't think I said anything, Princess."
"Then why were you blushing?" she countered.
Link swallowed and his heart drummed hard against his ribs. "I was flattered by your kind words, your Highness."
Princess Zelda stared at him a moment longer, not entirely convinced but she didn't think he would lie to her either. "… Alright." Deciding to put it behind them and to ease the tension, she signed with her hand for her knight to give her the bag of nuts. He did what she asked for.
Link felt his body being all tense. He hadn't said anything, or at least he didn't think he had. But he must've, otherwise she wouldn't have asked him, right? His heart beat loudly in his ears and he tried to calm himself down… the Princess didn't seem to suspect him for the moment.
… Suspect him for what, exactly? Link wouldn't linger too much on that thought and pushed it to the back of his mind.
"Do you remember when I asked you before, about what you'd like to do after everything is over and you said you'd prefer to just relax? Where do you think you'd go?"
Alright. If she was willing to let it slide for now, Link wouldn't think of it either. "I don't know. Maybe back home, to Hateno? There's a beach nearby the village."
Her face lit up. "Ooh, that sounds lovely! I can't remember the last time I was at a beach… Maybe I should do the same instead of continuing with my research… if father still wouldn't approve." She shook her head and smiled again. "Can you tell me about the beach?"
"In Hateno?"
"Yes."
"Well, it's… I haven't been there for years, but the water is just perfect on some days… There's not too much sand but there's patches of grass instead and some trees and… It's really nice and peaceful when there aren't too many people there."
Princess Zelda placed her chin in her hands and there was a pleased smile on her lips. "I wish I could go…" she said dreamily before adding, "Maybe we could go together?"
Link was about to pop another nut in his mouth but stopped midair. "Together, your Highness?"
"Yes! I-I mean, if you wouldn't mind, of course?"
"I wouldn't, not at all, your Highness" Link replied, grinning.
"It's a promise, then!" She leaned forward and stretched out her hand and her pinkie finger. Link silently joined hers and they locked fingers while staring into the other's eyes. The promise was official and Link felt that he now had another reason to win the inevitable battle against Ganon.
Princess Zelda let go of their grip first and then tossed over the chickaloo nuts to Link before he had time to register her movement, but he somehow managed to catch them anyway. She then lied down on her back and looked up to the stars again. Link remained sitting and listened to the crackling fire and distant crickets, but his mind was already starting to fill with pictures of him and the Princess at his childhood's beach. He imagined that they'd both be able to smile after defeating Ganon and that nothing more would be troubling them. That the sun would be shining brightly and be reflected on the sea surface even brighter, and how the sea breeze would play with the Princess' hair. And she'd turn to him to tell him how beautiful it looked and then soon find a new plant to examine and-
"I didn't say it at the Spring of Power, but I truly appreciated that you felt like saying a prayer to the Goddesses."
Link's thoughts were interrupted and he looked down to Princess Zelda who rolled her head to look him in the eyes.
"I don't know if they'll listen, but I'm still glad you wanted to try. If it turns out that they won't even answer to your prayer, I just wanted to let you know that I appreciated your gesture. It meant something to me, even if the Goddesses wouldn't think the same" she said and smiled.
Link bowed by nodding his head. "I'm glad to hear that you think so, Princess."
She rolled to the side, still keeping her gaze on him. "You did pray for the kingdom though? I'd hate it if you prayed for better food on our travels" she said teasingly.
"I wouldn't pray for that" he scoffed.
"Would you mind telling me then?"
"I, uh…" Link glanced down to the bag of nuts in his hands before looking back up. "I was praying for your happiness, Princess."
The playful smile on her lips disappeared and Link stomach sunk. "Why?" she asked, confused. "Not for the Goddesses to answer my prayers or for Hyrule to stay safe or-?"
"I was thinking…" Link interrupted. Princess Zelda stayed silent and let him continue. Link swallowed. "I was thinking that your Highness' happiness and the defeat of Ganon and Hyrule's peace might be connected. Winning over Ganon would solve most of your current troubles and I think his defeat would make you very happy."
Princess Zelda stared at him a moment longer before rolling to lie on her back again, looking up to the night sky. "Well… You're not wrong." She sighed. "But I'm not that miserable... am I?" She looked back at her knight but he didn't reply back. She turned her eyes back to the stars with a worried frown. "At least, I don't think I am? I have a good life… many look up to me… or least, I hope they still do… I have everything a person could ask for, I can't be miserable. My only worry is Ganon emerging and not being able to stop him."
Link stayed silent and let her come to a conclusion herself. He had seen how unhappy she could be in the castle, but perhaps she hadn't thought of it like he had.
She looked back at him. "Do you think I'm unhappy? And that might be the reason why the Goddesses won't hear me?"
"I don't know" he answered earnestly.
"But aren't the Goddesses supposed to always listen to you, no matter how you're feeling? It doesn't make sense…" She stared at the fire and thought for several minutes before sitting up. "Maybe you're onto something though. Maybe I should pray for your happiness next time, too."
A warmth originating in Link's chest spread throughout his body but also a cold covering his skin as if he'd been splashed with freezing lake water. Warmth from knowing that the Princess cared for him as well, and a cold from fearing what that warmth really meant. His gut told him that he wasn't supposed to feel such warmth. And it shouldn't make his lips want to form a smile.
Link pressed his lips together and suppressed the cold and the warmth so he could wear his emotionless mask again. "You don't have to, Princess, I'm sure the King would like you to pray for other things."
She didn't reply immediately and Link almost regretted what he had said. But it had been the right thing to say, hadn't it? "Hmm," she said, "You're probably right." She readjusted her blanket on her shoulders and sat more comfortably. "Do we have any more nuts? Can I have some?" she asked to change the topic.
Link looked at the bag in his hands, and then back to her, and shook his head. "Nope."
She smiled knowingly. "I don't believe you. Come on, give me the bag."
"Nuh-uh." A playful smile spread on his lips.
"Oh, c'mon Link, you can't keep them all to yourself!" She stood to take a threatening step closer to him, and another and then Link rose to stand as well. His blanket fell to the ground. "Give me the bag."
Link held it up in the air. "I won't hand over the last ones so easily!"
"Oh yeah?" She quickly skipped twice to land next to him and jumped up in an attempt to reach the bag, but Link could read her move and held it up even higher. She tried again and once more, failing both times and Link was grinning when he heard her laughter. She wouldn't give up though and jumped up once more but didn't get close enough before Link swung his arm down and behind his back to switch the bag to his left hand. Princess Zelda was quick to follow and held his arm still in a strong grip and thought she'd finally get it when Link's right hand swiftly took it back again. She protested, he laughed, and a wicked idea entered her mind, one that would surely make her get the remaining chickaloo nuts.
Her fingers began to tickle him and Link tried to sway her hands away. "That's cheating!" he cried with laughter but she wouldn't stop and he had to take a step away from her, but she was quick to follow him. He was forced to take another step backward but he still felt Princess Zelda's fingers on his side and her other hand on his shoulder, but the ground felt suddenly different on his heel. He cast a quick glance down and realized he was standing on the scabbard to the Master Sword. "Zelda, wai-!" He lost his balance on the slippery scabbard under his foot and he fell to the ground, pulling her with him as her grip was still on his shoulder. He heard the Princess yelp with surprise and he landed with his back on the hard ground with a "Oof!".
The air left his lungs a long moment, the world was spinning and she felt heavy on top of him. Link opened his eyes and saw a surprised Princess staring back at him with green eyes. He managed to ask her "Are you hurt?" before he noticed a glint in her eyes and they were looking in another direction. He tried to follow her eyes behind the blonde curtain of hair falling around him from her head and he felt the bag of nuts being taken from his hand.
"Princess Zelda, if I may" she reminded playfully and moved to climb off him. Link stayed still on the ground but raised his head to follow her with his eyes. "And no, I'm not hurt." She held up the bag in triumph and swayed it teasingly. But her joyful expression changed to slight worry when she saw him still lying on the ground. "Are you hurt?"
Link rest his head on the ground as well, exhaled and smiled. "No. It's just nice down here."
She smiled back. "I was thinking of having the nuts now, but perhaps I shall save them for another time instead." She reached for her blanket on the ground nearby, pulled it over her and lied down on the ground as well. "I don't think I've ever been up this late before. I feel like I should try to sleep but at the same time… I don't want to. What's the point of going to sleep when the morning is just a few hours away? I'm wide awake, I can't…" She yawned. "… sleep now." Link looked at her in disbelief. "Honestly! I'm not tired."
"Not even a little?"
"No. Not even a tiny bit."
But it didn't take long until she yawned again and when Link looked over, she had already closed her eyes. "Princess?" he tried and she hummed back. "Don't you want to sleep in the tent?"
"No," she said. "This will be good."
"Are you sure?" he asked after a moment.
"Mhm. The fire's nice." Link was ready to leave it there if she had made up her mind, but Princess Zelda continued, "And it'll keep the animals away and you'll protect me if anything happens. Which it won't" she was quick to add, anticipating Link objection. "I'm not sleeping though, I'm just… resting my eyes."
"Mhm" Link hummed knowingly and she grinned sleepily. But Princess Zelda didn't comment his tone and Link figured it would be best to stay silent and let her slip away to dreamland. It had been a long day after all.
And soon enough, her breathing became deep and even. Link watched the fire flicker over her face, casting dancing shadows over her features. And he wondered, would he see her like this again? Would he lie beside her on a beach when life would be different? It was hard to imagine but his mind did it anyway. He knew he shouldn't and he could hear the old royal guard commander's voice reminding him with a loud voice of the rules about not familiarizing yourself with the royal family or members of the court. But he couldn't help but ignoring that familiar voice, if only for a few minutes. He imagined Princess Zelda smile brightly once she no longer had to fulfill her destiny. He had been lucky to witness a few rare moments when she had smiled from the heart, and he wished for her to only smile genuinely in the future. She had been burdened with her destiny and ugly rumors since her childhood, much longer than he had, and she deserved to be happy once it was over. Months ago, he only wanted to defeat Ganon and return to live a normal life but slowly but surely, he felt that he had found another reason to fight for too. He would do everything in his power to make sure she'll stay alive. He wanted to make her happy.
Link shut his eyes tightly. No, that was wrong. He could be by her side and help her become happy but he could never make her happy. That was not his role.
He opened his eyes again. A heavy feeling rooted in his chest and took over the previously warm feelings as he let himself think of what he hadn't let him think before. It was so very wrong and he had denied it for some time, not only tonight if he had been honest, but he had to admit it: he had begun to develop feelings for the Princess of Hyrule.
Link sighed wearily to himself and dragged his hands over his face. He guessed that this was hardly what Lady Impa had intended to happen when she asked of him to keep an eye on the Princess. Way to go, Hero.
With a sad expression on his face, he rolled his head to observe her. She was pretty, no one could deny that she wasn't, but she meant more to him than just a pretty face or a representative of the kingdom. He had gotten close to her in a way he had never imagined he ever would when he first joined the royal guards. He had come to see so many sides of her no one would've seen by just guarding a hallway in Hyrule Castle. It had been exciting to see someone as important as the Princess pass by him the first few times, but he didn't know her back then, not truly. Now, Link felt that he understood her better than perhaps no one else did. She was charming in her own way and unlike himself, she had so many different sides to show and she wasn't afraid to show them when she felt comfortable to. She was the smart researcher, curious like a child of things unknown to her; she was the equally strong-willed as self-doubting teenager; she was the dutiful Princess, wanting to do the best for her people. But perhaps most importantly, she was the person who could make Link smile.
He loved how she always acknowledged his presence, even if he didn't always say something back. How she wanted to understand him better and felt like she could trust him. Tonight had been the first time in a long time where he felt like he could be like himself and not hide behind a mask, pretending to be the perfect, serious, stoic Hero everybody was depending on, even if only for a few precious minutes.
Link sighed again and looked up to clouds which slowly began to hide the stars. It sure would've been easier to play that perfect Hero role if she hadn't warmed up to him and continued to treat him so coldly like she did before. But he couldn't blame her though; he only had himself to blame for starting to fall for her. He knew she'd never feel the same for him. That was just too wild to imagine.
And he shouldn't even imagine it.
Link stood up and stared at the ground for a moment, trying to think of something else than her, before his eyes treacherously moved back to Princess Zelda. He turned, faced their tents instead and quietly stepped over to hers so as not to wake her up and fetched her a pillow to rest her head on. He crouched down, carefully lifted Princess Zelda's head to place the pillow underneath and readjusted her blanket. Then he lied back down on the ground, pillowless – he wasn't deserving of one. And it would be easier to stay awake and watch the fire without a comfortable pillow.
Link wrapped his blanket around him tighter and studied the Princess' peaceful face one final time before he stubbornly shut his eyes. Tomorrow, he promised himself, he would wear the emotionless mask again and go back to being silent. That was his only way to not risk letting his feelings come through and tonight had been close, closer than what he'd liked to.
In one final prayer for the night, he wished for the Goddesses to let the Princess find happiness and to make him forget about her.
Princess Zelda woke up, to her surprise, before Link. She blinked the sleep away from her eyes, squinted and raised a hand to block the sunlight from hitting her straight in her eyes. Judging by the sun's position in the sky, it was already midday and they should have been up hours ago. But that didn't bother her although it would've normally. After staying up so late last night, perhaps they both needed to rest properly.
Link was lying still next to her, lightly snoring with the Master Sword in its scabbard resting in his arms. He was facing her and she observed him for a few minutes. She was used to see him expressionless but last night, he had laughed with her like she had never seen him do before. It… almost felt like a dream, she thought to herself. His features were calm now too, but he had a look of innocence over him as he slept which made it different from his usual clean slate-look.
Carefully, so not to wake him, she extended a hand to gently brush a strand of dirty blond hair away and place it behind his pointy ear. She could see his face more clearly now, but not for long.
Suddenly, she heard him inhale deeply and he stirred, rolling from his side to lie on his back instead. He took another breathe in before he rubbed his eyes and squinted, just like her, to block the harsh sunlight out.
"Good morning" Princess Zelda said with a smile in her voice and Link automatically rolled his head her way. Their eyes met (or at least she think they did as Link was still squinting so hard, his eyes might as well have been closed) and Link replied "good morning, Princess" with a thick voice and then rolled over to his stomach to heave himself up. His movements were slow this morning, slower than usual, but Princess Zelda figured it might be due to lack of sleep.
She watched him tie his hair back into a ponytail and then pick up his blanket from the ground which had slid off of him when he had gotten up. She sat up as well, the cool air quickly finding its way under her own blanket and she readjusted it and saw the pillow on the ground. She had failed to notice it until now. It wasn't there when she fell asleep, she knew that.
"Was it you who got me my pillow?" she asked her knight, although she already knew the answer. It couldn't have been anyone else than him, unless she was sleepwalking. Which she didn't think she did. "Thank you" she said but only received a nod as reply. Instantly, she felt that something was wrong.
Holding her blanket tight around her, she watched Link as he got more wood to start a new campfire, to warm them up more than the sun could and to prepare breakfast, or perhaps lunch. He said nothing while he worked and she didn't comment anything either. He wouldn't let her help anyway; all her previous offers had always been declined.
Had he really been talking so much late last night or had it all been a dream? He acted as if nothing unusual had happened and went on with his morning routine as normal. Had she fallen asleep by the campfire and dreamt everything?
Or perhaps she had done something to anger him? She didn't think she had but Link was so good at suppressing his emotions that she started to doubt herself. She desperately wanted to ask him but at the same time, she was afraid to hear his answer. Or even worse, not getting an answer at all. So, like her knight, the princess remained silent as well and the familiar feeling of anxiety and self-doubt began to take place in her heart.
She looked at the bag of nuts lying next to her. It hadn't been a dream. The Link she had seen last night was a Link she hadn't seen before, a Link she didn't even know existed, and now she was curious to see more of that side of him.
But how was she going to do that?
Sometimes it's hard to admit to yourself that you're not feeling too great and you try to find any reason why you simply can't be sad. It's just a detail I think suits Zelda well so I wanted to add it to the story.