Link sat by the pond, licking his fingers. Is there anything better than hot buttered apples he wondered? Stomach full, he leaned against the fence. No. The answer is no. Well except maybe fruit pie. Or creamy heart soup...

A young girl skidded to a stop in front of Link. "So, did you like your food? Didn't I tell you Koko is the best cook arooooooound?!" Link chuckled, nodding. "Tell your friends Mr. Hero. Koko will keep practicing until she is the greatest chef in all of Hyrule. Maybe I could cook in the Royal Family's kitchen one day! Maybe I'll be head chef in Hyrule castle!"

"I'll put in a good word for you with Princess Zelda, Koko." Link ruffled her hair.

"Thanks Mr. Link!"

Link fixed his eyes on Impa's home as Koko darted away through the crowd. Zelda had been in there a while. No doubt the two had much to discuss. Link only hoped their reunion could bring Zelda some peace...

A group of women caught his eye. They had been staring at him some time. It wasn't anything new. Ever since he woke from his 100 year nap, people had been whispering about 'The Sleeping Swordsman.' It seemed at every stable, in every village, no matter where he went someone was murmuring about the legendary knight's untimely death, questioning if he had truly died or if he merely slept the last century. Many spoke to him directly on the matter. He had laid low, saying he wasn't anything more than a wanderer, an explorer. But eventually, word of his feats and the truth of his identity spread. Ever since, the curious questions of men and the hungry eyes of women had followed him. Judging by how these women giggled and pointed, he could assume they were wanting to spend some 'quality time' with the swordsman of legend.

Uncomfortable, he fixed his attention back on Impa's door. To his dismay, the women began walking towards him. The celebration of a free Hyrule and the drinks of victory seemed to make many much bolder than he remembered. He had refrained from alcohol ever since he woke in the temple of resurrection and the years before when he first became Zelda's appointed knight. He wasn't overly fond of the stuff. It dulled the senses and disoriented a person. Being in that condition if an emergency or attack happened could get you, or the person you were guarding, killed.

"Oh sleeeeeeeeping swooooooordsman!" The girls stopped in front of Link. "You truly slayed the beast? That Calamity Gannon?" Link stood, brushing himself off. He gave them a quick nod. They erupted into oohs and ahhs. He recognized one of the girls. She stood behind the others, blushing and seeming to wish she wasn't there. Paya.

"I told you it was true!"

"He IS the hero of legend!"

Link offered a polite smile, moving past them toward Impa's. A hand caught his arm. "Oooh don't leave now! Stay with us for a while Master Link."

Zelda walked out of Impa's home. She stood on the top of the stairs feeling overwhelmed. Her new training would begin tomorrow. It was for the best and she found herself a bit excited at the prospect. But she was a scholar of sorts, a princess who loved spending her time reading and researching. Am I really cut out to be...

A ruckus caught her attention. She scanned the crowd of celebrating Kakariko villagers and spotted Link. He was drowning in a crowd of women. A foreign feeling coiled itself in her chest. Anger? Jealousy? Whatever it was, it propelled her forward. She marched toward him, fists clenched. "Link," she barked. The women around him didn't budge. Rolling her eyes she pushed her way to the front of them. "Link?"

He locked eyes with her, relief spreading across his face. Without a word she grabbed his hand, noticing a twinge of possessiveness as she did so.

"Are you truly leaving so soon," one woman asked.

"Please, stay a while. Tell us of your adventures!"

"Link and I have duties to attend to. And the events of the day having been as such, we are quite tired." Zelda was horrified to feel her cheeks flush in embarrassment under the judgmental gaze of the jealous women.

They exchanged looks, giggling. "We had some duties of our own we were hoping the Master Swordsman could attend to..."

Zelda's mouth dropped open. Surely they didn't mean what thought sprung to her mind...

"P-p-please. That's e-e-enough." The entire gaggle of women turned to face Paya.

"What do you mean," one of them asked.

Paya was wringing her hands, her cheeks bright red. "I mean...Th-this is-is Master Link. And P-P-Princess Zelda. Don't you find your forward advances to be inappropriate?"

The women turned back to face Zelda and Link. Zelda noticed she still had a firm grasp on Link's hand. "Yes. I suppose this is the Princess. Forgive us Your Highness. Master Link. The sake is strong tonight..." Bowing, they moved away.

Link blinked and then moved forward with a lurch as Zelda pulled him along. "I leave you for a few moments and you're covered in scandalous women?! I suppose you are quite happy with yourself. Is this how it has always been? Have I been blind to the manner in which women throw themselves at you until now?"

They reached the inn. Zelda let go of his hand, sighing. "I'm sorry Link. I don't mean to be difficult. A snippy attitude is childish."

"You've had an exhausting day," Link said.

Zelda felt herself relax. Link's voice had that effect. It had taken months of traveling together and gentle prodding before she ever heard him speak at all. Soft and even, she found his voice quite soothing. Even though they had come to trust one another enough for him to speak, he rarely did so. But when he did, it was usually words of wisdom, levelheaded advice or calm observation.

She turned to him. "Thank you. Your support and strength is an immense help to me. It always has been." With a laugh, she reached a hand out to wipe a crumb off his tunic. "And now that your belly is full, I suppose you must be exhausted as well, having fought Calamity Gannon and whatnot." She smiled. "What was your food of choice? Buttered apples I'd wager."

Link broke into a big smile. Before he could answer, the inn doors slid open. The inn owner walked down the steps to meet them. He bowed deeply. "Princess Zelda. Master Link. I have a room waiting for you both. You must be close to collapsing where you stand. Please, come with me."

He led them into the second floor of the inn, stopping in front of a large set of double doors. He opened them with a flourish. Zelda's eyes fell on the bed, a big, comfortable, soft bed...She stopped. ONE bed. The room had a single bed.

"Thank you for your hospitality," she said with a smile. "I cannot help but notice that there is only one bed..." She felt her cheeks flushing red again in embarrassment and cursed her lack of emotional control.

The inn keeper bowed deeply. "I apologize that we do not have more fitting quarters for the Princess of Hyrule. Though we are safer than we have been in a century, I imagined the Princess's appointed knight would not want to be far from her. And we have some guests celebrating here tonight who have reserved rooms. If Master Link requires his own room..."

Zelda put a hand on the inn keepers shoulder. "This will do fine, thank you."

Bowing once more, the inn keeper left. Zelda walked into the room. It was small, enough space for a large bed and a fireplace. But the privacy of a separate room and a closed door was more than any other average inn could offer for sleeping quarters. The fireplace was lit, bathing the entire room in a soft, warm glow.

Zelda wandered toward the bed, tracing a hand along the intricate quilt that was etched with the telltale eye of the Sheikah tribe. She saw a pile of clothes, neatly stacked. She assumed they were for her.

"This is quiet lovely, as is the entire village of Kakariko. The way its Sheikah people have maintained the ancient customs and traditions is admirable. And the way those ancient ways are reflected in the architecture and interior design is enchanting..." She turned around. Link stood in the doorway, looking uncomfortable. "Oh don't be silly Link. Come in."

Despite the confidence which she ushered him into the bedroom, she felt her cheeks flush. It was highly inappropriate for her to share a room with her appointed knight. Or any male for that matter. But what choice did she have? Her heart beat uncomfortably in her chest at the soft sound of the click as the door shut. When Link turned to face her, that uncomfortable thing her heart was doing picked up its pace. This was the first time she had seen Link like this, the first time she had been in such close quarters with him, especially in such an intimate setting as a bedroom. She watched as he walked over to the corner of the room and plopped down, right there on the floor.

"Link, I do not expect you to sleep on the floor!"

He looked up at her with those deep, blue eyes and she felt trapped. She realized that she didn't, that she shouldn't, intend on inviting him to share the bed with her. But where else could he sleep but the floor then? Horrified she realized what her wording suggested.

"Princess..." That soft deep voice broke her thoughts.

"Please. Link, after all we have been through, after everything you have done for me, you can stop the formalities. You may call me by my birth name."

Link seemed to think on this for a moment. "Zelda..."

She smiled, a bit taken back by how hearing her name sounded in Link's voice.

"I have spent nearly night since I awoke in the Shrine of Resurrection sleeping on the ground next to a fire."

"Which is all the more reason for you to have the comfort of this bed..." Zelda mentally slapped herself. Stop suggesting you'll share the bed with him, her brain screamed. She felt torn between wanting to provide better sleep for the hero who deserved everything and at the same time needing to remain above reproach by not sleeping in the same bed with another man...

"I've come to find sleeping by a fire calming." He smiled at her. "Trust me Zelda, the sleep I get tonight will be the best I have had in a very long time."

Zelda felt reassured by his words. And that smile...she had never seen him smile that way before...

"Well alright" she huffed, turning to climb into the bed to hide the flush she felt returning to her cheeks. She heard the soft clank of his weapons and gear coming to rest on the wooden floor. "I would ask for items to wash up but I am too exhausted." She climbed into the bed, pulling the covers up to her chin. "We do need our sleep. Tomorrow I'm expected to already begin training."

She looked toward Link. He was peering at her curiously. "Training?"

She nodded. "Tomorrow Impa says I am to begin training. She doesn't feel it wise we travel farther without it. Ways to protect myself I believe she said."

Link's brows furrowed.

"I could not have ever asked for a better appointed knight. Hyrule could not have prayed for a better hero. But I almost lost you 100 years ago. You almost died protecting my life. Thank Goddess I have figured out how to use my powers..." She allowed a soft smile in the darkness at the thought of the root of her power, the power of love..."but they aren't enough. What happens when we are ambushed roadside? What happens when Lizalfos attack? My powers drain me and are to only be used in the most dire circumstances."

Link's eyes were fixed intently on her. She felt her own well up with tears. "I cannot bear being a burden anymore. I am tired of being a fragile thing that has to be protected, helplessly watching as all around me are destroyed or endangered on my behalf. So I am going to learn to fight. The Sheikah are going to teach me the art of the ninja."