"Princess, the pleasure is all mine," Link smiled. "there really isn't any need for such formalities," He gestured towards two seats by a crackling fireplace. "Please take a seat."

Zelda thought the room looked simple for a royals bedroom. A tray of lemon cakes sat on the table.

"Help yourself Princess. I know they are your favorite."

"Please, call me Zelda," She served herself one of the small cakes. It felt warm. "How did you know?"

"Impa told me," he said while pouring himself and Zelda a cup of tea. The fire casted long flickering shadows around the room. and Zelda felt glad for the darkness. She had grown quite accustomed to being in the shadows.

"This is a bit unorthodox isn't it?" Link asked. Zelda felt his eyes on her as she picked apart her cake with her fingers.

He was right and Zelda couldn't help, but feel laughter bubble out of her.

"I think that might be a bit of an understatement"

A smile spread across Link's face.

"I want you to be able to trust me Zelda." Link leaned forward, his eyes looked pleadingly at her. Zelda felt something stir inside of her. It felt similar like when she used magic. A feeling of warmth that blossomed in her chest.

"I think I do."

"You know, I don't remember the last time I wore a dress." Zelda examined herself in the full length mirror. The stark white of her wedding gown looked especially vibrant against her sun baked skin.

Imp smirked behind her, as a seamstress kneeled in front of Zelda hemming the bottom.

"Would you like try on the veil too?" asked Saria, voice brimming with excitement, as she held the veil in her slender hands.

Zelda's lips formed a slight frown.

"Of course she would." Impa said taking the tulle monstrosity from Saria.

Zelda felt odd, while Impa adjusted the veil on her golden locks. She had forgotten what it felt like to be a princess. Standing in dressed in a white gown was a striking reminder of days long past.

"You look lovely," Gushed Saria. The green haired girl was so awfully kind and Zelda couldn't stop a smile from forming at her words. "The King will love it."

Oh yes the King. Zelda felt a fluttering in her stomach as she thought of him. Link was an interesting man, unlike any of the royalty she had met before. Zelda didn't know much about her future husband. Only that the servants spoke of him in the highest regards, he had a humble nature, and an odd fascination with the color green.

"I should be going. I am meeting him for lunch." Zelda was starting to feel constricted in the gown, she took a deep breath to steady her growing nerves.

"All done my lady." The seamstress stepped away to examine her work. "Yes, I think the King will enjoy this one." The gown was modest a simple a-line gown with accents of dark forest green.

"Thank you." Zelda smiled as Saria and the seamstress bowed out of the room.

"This is way too puffy." She said as soon as they were gone. Zelda looked back at her reflection and frowned.

"Nonsense I remember your mother's was nearly twice as big." Impa said, while undoing the corset.

"Was it?" Zelda felt a lump form in her throat. All this wedding planning was stirring up an unpleasant emptiness. It had been awhile since she had so deeply ached for her family.

"Yes." Impa continued. "She had to have about three ladies help her into it," Impa laughed "It was such a pain when she had to go to the bathroom." Impa removed the veil from her hair and locked eyes with Zelda in the mirror. "She would be proud of you."

Zelda's throat tightened. "Was she scared too?" Impa's eyes widen at the question. Zelda never liked admitting to fear.

"She was terrified," Impa said as she hung the veil. "but than again she wasn't nearly as handy with a knife."

Zelda had adapted to life on the run surprisingly well. She gritted her teeth and waddled through swamp land, she grew callouses on her hands and feet, she didn't cry when she collected cuts and bruises, and she often went weeks without a proper bath or meal. Zelda made a home in the dessert and slowly forgot the finery she had grown up with. Zelda found herself struggling to recall how soft her childhood bed used to be, but she had a feeling it didn't feel nearly as good as the one she was laying on right now.

She stared up at the ceiling. Her new soft satin dress gathering wrinkles as she laid back on the plush bed. Zelda had an inkling her mother would not approve her being late to a lunch date with her fiancé. Especially with a wrinkly dress.

Zelda felt her heart ache, as a gentle breeze ruffled her hair. She slowly slid off her bed and spared a look at her reflection slowing combing her fingers through her hair.

The dull ache in her chest didn't go away as she made her way to Link's study. A frown forming on her face as she reached the intricately carved doors.

"My lady." Link's guards bowed. "The King is ready for you."

Zelda smiled in thanks as the massive oak doors swung open.

Link's study always smelled like cinnamon and was suffocating with heat. The fireplace roaring all day long.

"Good afternoon."

"Is it afternoon already." Link was leaning over a map of Hyrule, a pair of spectacles sitting precariously on the edge of his nose, numerous documents strewn across his desk. "Sorry, you just missed Shad, apparently Ganondorf is making some interesting movements." He gestured her forward. "Come take a look."

He was asking her advice? She hadn't been present for any of the previous war meetings because of the wedding planning.

"He has increased troops just north of Lake Hylia, but it isn't nearly enough to pose a threat to the Zoras." He frowned. "He has also has troops south of Death Mountain."

Zelda looked over the map. "Well, based on the number of troops and the amount of supplies they have. It looks similar to a scouting party. Perhaps he is looking for something?"

Link stared at her and smiled. "That is a brilliant observation. I was thinking the same thing, but what?" he stretched his arms back.

Zelda felt her face flush from his compliment.

"Enough of that for now." He tossed his glasses on the desk. "Let's grab lunch." Zelda placed her hand in his elbow. Link was so formal it made her nervous. She hadn't much need for etiquette in the desert. He often left her second guessing herself. Making her suddenly very aware of all her mannerisms. "I was thinking a picnic in the garden."

"Sounds lovely."

The guards bowed as they left the study. Zelda was thankful for the cool breeze that seemed to persist through out the castle. Link's arm felt firm under her hand.

"How are the wedding preparations coming?"

"Alright, I tried on my dress today and I am looking at flowers tomorrow." Zelda felt odd at the casual tone of their conversation considering the subject matter. "Everything should be ready for next week."

As they reached the entrance of the garden Zelda saw a table set up in the center with a plate of sandwiches and lemon cakes.

"Are you nervous?" Link asked, as he pulled out her seat.

"Nervous?" Zelda was thrown by his question. He began to pour tea for the both of them. "No, not really."

He looked at her, surprise written on his face as he took his seat across from her.

"I feel guilty more than anything."

"Guilty?"

Zelda found it hard to look into his concerned eyes. She felt a knot in her stomach form. "I can't help but feel like I am robbing you of something. " Zelda began to pick apart her lunch.

"Robbing me of what?" His face was so expressive, she could see his concern plainly. It only made her feel guiltier.

"Of a proper wedding." She took a sip of her tea. "A chance at true love?"

"I didn't peg you as the type of girl to believe in fairy tales." He said stirring his tea in slow moving circles.

Zelda frowned. "I don't… at least not for myself."

"But you do for me?" He was frowning now too, and his bright eyes filled with confusion. Zelda found herself admiring the color. They looked so bright in the afternoon sun. The wind softly toying with his shaggy hair. He looked just like a prince from a storybook, the one her mother used to read to her every night.

"Yes."

His frown deepened. "Why not for yourself?"

Zelda tore her eyes away from him and let out a soft sigh. "I am not sure. The elders from the Sheikah village started planning a marriage for me as soon as I stepped into camp. So, I never even consider having feelings for anyone, but if I am being completely honest it's because I don't feel like I deserve it."

"Why's that?" His voice was barely a whisper. Zelda could feel his eyes on her and she did her best to keep her face impassive. Recounting the names of various plants from the dessert to keep her eyes from tearing up.

"Because I lived and nobody else did." She turned back to look at him and was surprised to see the emotion she was hiding painted clearly on his face. He looked hurt for her. A fresh wave of guilt washed over her when he reached for her hand.

"That's hardly a reason to punish yourself. You, like everyone else you are at the mercy of the goddesses. Besides you were only a child."

She didn't want to admit she liked the feeling of his hand on hers.

"So is our fate not our own?"

Link shook his head. "We are given the opportunity to forge our own paths, through the trials they present us. We just have to have the courage to see them."

Zelda smiled at his words. It sounded oddly like something her mother would have told her. Zelda felt a soft smile on her lips as she looked at their joined hands.

"You are awfully wise, Future Husband."

He squeezed her hand a little tighter. "And you Future Wife, are immensely courageous."

Author's Note: I know there has been a big gap in-between this chapter and the last one...I'm sorry I've been going through some stuff and it's been hard to focus on this! I keep re-writing this and I think I just need to just let it be? Haha If you notice any mistakes please let me know. Reviews are much appreciated.