A/N: Sorry for the delay. Life happens; surgeries, falling in love with other fandoms, the brutal reminder of graduation... yeah. But here you go~ Thank you for all your support! I shall continue to do my best!

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Chapter Five

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The faint, pitter pattering of rain on leaves filled Link's pointed ears, a sound like sweet music played by the goddess Nayru. Cool air laced with the scent of moist earth wreathed his skin, and he opened his eyes to greet a misty dawn.

"So. You're awake."

Zelda was standing behind him, a tiny smile painted on her face that Link mirrored. "Your Majesty-" Then he stopped.

No. She wasn't quite Zelda. She was too young, and her dark blonde hair had a rosy cast to it, as if she stood before a sunset; she was the Zelda from his memories of Ganon's defeat, and yet she was also Ilia when they had taken the the young Epona to the Ordon Spring and he had ridden the mare for the first time...

"This is a dream," he murmured, as his heart dropped into his stomach with dread. "You're not Zelda."

The girl sighed softly. "Is it a good dream, at least? You ran so fast just to take me to Castle Town, I wanted to do something special for you."

I... ran? He scowled faintly as she approached, trying to decipher his more recent memories and identify her.

"You're the fairy?"

She nodded and smiled. Her tiny hand caressed his cheek, like Midna had done while still in her cursed form. "I made you a dream from some of your fondest memories... but I guess you should wake up now."

The whole world seemed to rain tiny stars; they bled through the wooden walls, tearing the illusion down like a simple painting. Her magic is running out - that means...

Her life is, too.

"No!" He reached for her; but she and everything else vanished with a flash, and he was left reaching for the ceiling in a richly furnished bedroom. Pink sparks still filled his vision - the fairy's last gift, and the last trace of her life. The bearer of Courage slammed his fist down on the marble floor, guilt poisoning the soothing magic that filled his limbs with energy.

Leaning against the wall and willing himself not to wallow in his grief, Link took in his surroundings. The bed was large, with piles of cream sheets like clouds and a relief with the same pattern of Triforce and wings as on his shield. Dark wood formed the rest of the furniture, with golden accents that shone in the light of dusk.

I'm in Zelda's bedroom, he concluded rather suddenly, blushing as he rose self-consciously and tried not to touch anything with his grimy hands. But why would I be in here?

Distantly, he could hear Ashei dishing out orders and the scuffle of feet doing her bidding. He opened the door quickly, almost decking Shad in the face and catching the empty flagon the scholar dropped.

"Oh, hey, Link, glad to see you're awake, do you mind taking these flagons to the kitchens for me? Thanks!"

Bundling the empty containers into Link's arms, the scholar vanished into a side room just as Ashei turned towards the still-open door to Zelda's room.

"Well, don't just stand there, yeah? Go!" She waved her hands at the swordsman, who decided that for now, at least, he had better do as she said. He smiled ruefully as he saw Shad peek from the doorway to make sure the coast was clear before heading off again. Maybe someone will tell me what's going on as I work.

The kitchens were a veritable beehive of activity, with Link feeling decidedly out of place in the stuffy chambers. Everyone around him worked with intent and skill; in this, he had neither. Piling the flagons onto the nearest table, he caught the arm of a young server on his way to some other task.

"Pardon me, but what's with all the activity?"

"Why, sir," gaped the boy, green eyes wide with surprise, "didn't you know? The Cobblians are only a day away from us!"

A fresh curl of dread entwined itself around Link's spine to vanish as soon as it came. He shook himself firmly as the server gave him a questioning look. "Are you all right, sir?"

"Yes, I'm fine. I remember now. How long ago did... word come?"

"Two days ago, sir, by a fairy."

"Thank you," he murmured disinterestedly, releasing the boy to return to work as he slumped against the wall for a moment. I've been asleep for... two days? He scowled suddenly, pushing away from his support and taking off back into the hall.

I wonder if Zelda's been worried about me, he reflected, rather absently, then chided his own selfish musings. I'm certain the Queen has better things to worry about then some goat herder.

He opened the doors to the main room of the Castle with a little more discretion this time, lest he assault someone by accident with the flat oak surface, and caught sight of a few familiar figures leaning over a table in the center.

The Queen of Hyrule was trailing a pale finger over some scroll before her, with Midna peering over the shoulder of its bearer with a faint smirk. After a moment, Zelda's eyes rose and alighted on him.

"Link."

He could not hear her voice over the crowds, but he could see her lips shape his name like none other could before they arched into a gentle smile. Zelda, he replied inside his head; Link felt his knees weaken briefly before he jogged over to the table where Midna tugged on his ear playfully before he could say anything.

"Long time no see, goat boy. Word is that you've been asleep in your bed for two days. Without me, I guess you don't even try to be a hero, eh?" The tall Twili smirked, though Link's attentions kept being tugged back and forth between his old friend and her fair companion.

"Well," he rubbed the back of his neck, flushing slightly, "I just woke up on the floor of Her Majesty's bedroom, so I would dispute the accuracy of your source."

Midna snickered as Zelda clapped a hand across her mouth. "On the floor? Oh, Link, I'm so sorry. I suppose I should have been more specific when I ordered that you be moved from your Castle Quarters with the fairy this morning, but... oh." The Queen glanced away.

"You would have figured it was obvious that you wanted Link in your bed?" the Twili inquired sweetly.

If Link hadn't had trouble meeting Zelda's gaze before, he certainly had now. The suggestion in Midna's observation had caused his already dark cheeks to flood with color, and he could scarce breathe with mortification.

"By the way, where is that fairy that brought the message?" continued the Twilight Ruler; if not repentant for her remark she was at least willing to change the subject. Not that the new one was much comfort to her friend.

"She healed me," he confessed, eyes still on the floor as the tone of the conversation sobered. "I tried to stop her, but..."

A cool hand rested on his shoulder, and Zelda gently turned him in order to capture his gaze.

"Do not blame yourself," she soothed, "for the choice of a selfless creature. Thank her for her gift and don't look back."

"We're ones to talk about that, aren't we?" Midna snorted. "I know you feel just as indebted to Link as I do, if not more..." she trailed off, then glanced down at the chips of Twilight magic being pulled off her skin before flashing a smile.

"Well, I'll see you two around, I guess!"

With a splash of black, square sparks, she was gone again, leaving Zelda and Link alone.

Breathe, he reminded himself before turning to face his queen as her hand returned to her side. "Is there anything I can do to assist, your Majesty?" he fumbled, shifting his weight and forcing his eyes to meet hers respectfully.

Cheeks just tinged with pink, the Queen nodded.

"If you'd like, you can help them," a wave of her hand indicated two young men struggling to lift a table, "convert this hall into a dining hall, then go see Ashei. I don't have anything specific for you, and I trust that you know your own limits."

"What limits?" He offered, coughing self-consciously at his own nerve. "Ahh, but I know what you mean."

A soft chuckle escaped from his Queen's lips; a sound he hadn't heard for a very long time, and made him melt like snow in the spring. Turning away before she could see yet another blush cross his softly grinning cheeks, he bowed again.

"Ah, I shall... see you around, your Majesty. If you will excuse me," he added.

"Of course," was her calm reply, and the Ordonian rushed away to assist the younger Hylians before they dropped the table on themselves or another.

-x-

The lamp chandeliers had been lit long ago; their beeswax candles burnt down to mere nubs and most of them snuffed out by the night breeze by the time Link declared his work done. The hall was filled with tables, the kitchens stocked with food waiting to be chilled, mixed, baked or boiled for the morning, the staff had all long since gone abed, and even the soldiers were dozing. It was exactly as he liked it.

A faint smile danced across his lips as he treaded carefully on the polished marble floors, skirting massive tables and intricately carved chairs thrown into sharp relief by the hazy yellow moonlight. He had only to grab the belongings that had been stored in the Castle bedroom he had given up for the new arrivals, then he would be taking his well-rested mare to Hyrule Field where they would sleep under the stars like they used to, when both were younger.

Golden candlelight was still seeping out from under the door to Zelda's bedroom. Link hesitated outside, wondering what kept her Majesty up so late, and reached out a hand to knock.

"Come in, Link."

Her soft voice took him off guard, but he obeyed at once. She was curled up on her cloud-white sheets, settling a cream-colored ribbon between the pages of a neat little tome that she set aside as she turned and gave him her full attention. Soft brown hair, faintly curled from being in braids all day, framed her thoughtful light blue eyes and brushed the square neckline of the light but decent nightgown. "I recognized your steps. No one else approaches my door as though it were a nervous animal."

He bowed out of habit again. "I apologize if I am bothering you, your Majesty-" he glanced up and noticed her teasingly arched brow, "-Zelda," he amended, saying her name with shy reverence, "and I merely wondered what kept you up so late?"

"A good book," she replied, indicating the novel beside her. "Go rest, Link."

He scowled slightly, tempted to protest on how he had rested for two days but simply sighed. "As you wish, your-"

Suddenly struck by an idea, he stood a bit taller and looked his Queen dead in the eye. "I have a request to make of you, Zelda. I'll call you by your name only... only if you promise to laugh more often."

At her slightly confused expression, he shifted his weight and glanced down. "I'm sorry if I seem forward, but... I want to hear you laugh more. You deserve to be happier than you seem..."

Trailing off, he bowed quickly and started for the door.

"Wait, Link."

He froze, his fingertips just brushing the doorknob. "Yes, your Majesty?" he asked, his voice breaking a little on the last syllable as he cursed his forwardness.

"We have a deal."

The swordsman spun around, dark blue eyes wide with surprise as his Queen turned back to her book, a tiny smile just breaking through her reserved mask. "Does my happiness mean that much to you?"

"It means everything to me," he confessed, before his typical reserve around her could silence it.

The Queen did not reply and time ticked slowly on between them, like water trailing down a choked, drying stream.

"You may go," she murmured at last, and Link bowed one last time for good measure, turning back and slipping through the door. "Sleep well," she added.

"Sleep well, Zelda."

As he closed the door and returned to his previous mission, Link sent a new prayer skywards. Goddesses who made Hyrule...

...Please send us your divine rain, and Zelda a downpour of blessings. She needs them now, more than ever.

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Old prose is old.