Warning: this chapter contains high level of fluff. Read at own risk.

Ralph and Malon left just over a week after they arrived. It had been wonderful time, full of memories and fun. Some of the mud ha dried up and although the temperatures were cool at night, the family had picnicked in the orchard on two occasions and gone for long afternoon walks. In the evening they would pop corn and have hot cocoa and then visit until late at night. Even the younger girls had been given grace concerning the normal bedtime hour.

Nothing else was said about Bipin's proposal to Ralph-not even Blossom mentioned it-but it caused some strain for several days. Blossom, and Ralph, and Malon were all privy to the details and prayed fervently. By the end of the visit all was well. It was impossible to say when they would see the young married couple again, so everyone was extremely thankful for this good time to gather.

The day they left, Zelda and Bipin saw them off and then went to the store. Zelda was feeling positive ecstatic about their visit an hummed as she worked, but Bipin, even though he'd been all smiles at the stage office, was rather short with her and even abrupt with one or two customers. Zelda noticed it but didn't have a chance to say anything until near noon.

"Would you like me to run over to the hotel and get us some dinner, Father?"

"No," he said shortly. "I'm not hungry."

Zelda stood silently by the desk. All morning he'd spent as much time in the office as possible.

"Maybe next time we'll get to visit them," she said softly. Bipin looked at her sharply. Not easily intimidated, Zelda stood facing him.

"What does that mean?" he snapped.

"Well, I know you miss them," she said kindly, "and I just thought it would cheer you to think about going to see them in Hyrule. I know I would enjoy it."

"Is that so? Well, I for one have no interest in going to see where you sister has made a life for herself, one that does not involve anyone but herself." This was completely unfair, but Bipin only went angrily back to his work.

Zelda had always known that her father was self-centered, especially compared to her very giving mother, but never was it so clear as right now. She knew her mother's father had never approved of the relationship between her father and her mother, but that hadn't stopped Bipin from taking her away and marrying her. He had other ideas now that it was his daughter. Not to mention that fact that he had given his blessing. It occurred to Zelda suddenly that her father did not like thing he could not control and that she tended to be the same way.

Zelda could feely admit that she wished Malon lived closer or wrote more often, but she could see that her sister was happy and blessed, and she wouldn't have wished anything else for her. And if their home was as large as it sounded, she had plenty to do.

Malon has also told Zelda of the different people she and Ralph ministered to. Her life sounded very fruitful and peaceful. How could their father want any less for his oldest daughter?

"Well," she said softly when Bipin continued to write, "I'm going across the street to get something to eat."

Bipin's head came up as she left, his brow drawn forward as he watched her leave. He knew he'd been unreasonable harsh, but he didn't feel like apologizing. Besides, why couldn't Ralph set up here? Bipin knew just where and how it could happen. There was an empty store adjacent to his, and Kakariko Village needed another bank.

"Young and headstrong," Bipin muttered to himself. "I know what's best for him and Malon if he would only listen."

Once again the angry man went back to his accounts.

(&)

"The first of July-" Blossom commented after lunch that afternoon. "It's hard to believe the month of June is already gone." Sari was working at the store, and Ruto and Romani had gone on an outing with Kafei.

"I'll be back in school before I can count to ten," Zelda complained. Blossom smiled understandingly but then tuned to look at her daughter.

"What is it that you want to do so badly, Zelda, that you want to be finished with school?"

Zelda's hair swung to one side as she tipped her head in thought. "I don't know exactly. I like working at the store, but I guess I'd like to travel a bit."

How this dream would be financed was not mentioned, but Blossom said, "Any place in particular?"

"Hyrule," she said without hesitation. "I'd love to see Hyrule and Malon."

"Would Labrynna enter into the picture in any of those travel plans?" The question was kindly put.

Zelda hugged the dish she'd just dried against her chest and shook her head. "I don't think so, Mother. He's never even hinted at my visiting, and I simply couldn't go if I wasn't welcomed by Link himself."

Blossom agreed softly but turned away before Zelda could see her face. Zelda's eyes were so wistful any time his name was mentioned that it almost broke her mother's heart to watch.

The kitchen was in good shape now, so she left her daughter to go work on the rooms upstairs. Zelda finished drying the dishes on her own and started some baking. It was dreadfully hot, but they were out of bread and Father's favorite cookies.

She had just put the bread dough together when she saw him. She had no idea how long he'd been standing there, but Link Taggart was in the doorway watching her. Zelda moved like a woman sleepwalking. She came around the table and stopped just two steps away from him. All the love she felt inside was written on her face before she could come to her senses.

Link watched her blush and said gently, "Hello, Zelda."

Eight months! She hadn't heard his deep voice for eight months! Zelda smiled suddenly.

"I can't believe you're here," she admitted and looked away from him, feeling rather flustered. How many times had she practiced what she would do and say if she ever saw him again? Now all of it flew from her head.

"Please," she nearly stammered. "Sit down. You must be tired."

"Thank you," Link said, taking a seat at the table. He couldn't stop looking at her. She was so different from the last time he'd seen her, and that Zelda was the only one he'd been able to visualize.

"Are you...um...I mean," she stumbled painfully, "would you care for some lemonade? I just made some."

"Sure, that sounds great."

Zelda nearly dropped her mother's good set of hollowware as she moved to the table, but she did finally manage to pour two lemonades. She started to sit down across the table from Link, but he pulled the chair out on the end and she sat beside him. It was her father's chair. Link was in the side chair were her mother always sat.

"How is your family?" Zelda blurted, and Link told her things she already knew.

"Oh, right. I guess you told me all about that in your last letter," she said with an embarrassed smile. After that she rattled on, making no sense at all until Link came to the rescue. He gently laid a hand on hers.

"Zelda," he spoke tenderly. "It's me, Link."

Zelda became utterly still. He touch was doing odd thing to her heart. She told herself not to cry, and even managed to obey; however, she could no longer keep her thoughts to herself.

"Oh, Link, I've missed you so much."

His hand came up then. He tenderly stoke her cheek with the back of his fingers, and Zelda's heart melted.

"I was going to be so witty and charming when you came, and now I've been an idiot."

"I don't think you're an idiot." His hand was on hers again.

"How long can you stay, Link?"

"I'm not certain," he admitted, keeping himself from adding, it all depends on you.

"Where are you staying?"

Link smiled. "I don't know. I was rather hoping your father would let me crash at Uncle Error's."

"It's rented," Zelda told him. "Maybe I can ask Mother-" she stopped suddenly. "How did you get here?"

"Your mother let me in."

"But I never heard the door."

"You were too busy making something in the bowl over there."

"Oh!" Zelda's hands flew in the air, and she dashed back to her bread dough. "I've got to punch this down, or we'll have a monstrosity."

"Would that be so bad?" He learned back in his chair and just gazed at her.

"Well, I guess not. Especially if you like your bread the same size as the town hall."

Now that was something she would have said in one of her letters, and Link felt every heartened. He knew why he'd come, but he didn't dare tell her that his sole reason was to learn if the girl from the letters really existed.

"I read a story one time," Zelda now spoke conversationally, feeling suddenly at ease. "It was about a woman who had black hair. It would fall in her face. Naturally she would push it back, and even while she baked. The people in the town didn't to believe any work should be done on Sunday. She wholeheartedly agreed with this, except that she showed up at the church one morning with flour in her hair."

Link smiled. "What did the people do?"

"Oh, they were upset, but the pastor was new and he hadn't heard all the rules the town had imposed on itself. He took one look at her and fell in love, flour and all."

They both laughed at this, but it was short-lived. Link looked at Zelda's eyes, and Zelda started back, her hands still buried in the bowl.

"I had to come, Zelda," he whispered. "Your letters are doing things to my heart, and I had to come."

"Your letters are doing things to my heart, and I had to come."

"I'm glad you did. My mother asked me if I would ever go to see you. I told her I didn't think I'd be welcome."

Zelda just looked at him. "I didn't remember how handsome you were, Link. I'd forgotten the way the sun bleached your hair and the way it falls on your forehead."

"You were about ten pounds lighter the last time I saw you."

Zelda looked down at the dough, her hands working again. "I was a little upset."

Link was next to her before she could take another breath. Zelda turned and looked into his face. She loved the fact that he didn't tower over her. She knew Malon loved Ralph's height, but it was not for her. Link had only to lean in order to press his lips against her forehead. Zelda blushed at her own thoughts.

"You were more than a little upset, Zelda." Link ignored the color in her face and went on. "I'm sorry I was so insensitive."

"You were so pleased to be leaving, and I felt utterly crushed. It wasn't anything I could really share with you."

"I understand."

"And now," Zelda admitted painfully, "you're here to find the girl in the letters. Well, I don't know if you will, Link. I mean, I just get all flustered when you're around, and I can't seem-"

She cut off when he placed two fingers over her mouth.

"I want you to listen to me. Well you do that?"

Zelda could only nod.

"Like I said, my heart is changing. For all I know, yours is too. I'm here to see if there's something between us, Zelda, not hurt you or pressure you in any way." Link finally moved his hand. "I felt it was best to be up-front."
Zelda nodded. "Thank you, Link." She looked away to pick up the towel for her hands and then back at him. "I'll go and find Mother now and ask if you can stay."

"All right, but I think maybe I'd better talk to her first."

Zelda looked at him for a moment but then understood. She found her mother in the living room and explained what she wanted.

"Of course he can stay with us, honey."

"Well," Zelda wasn't sure how to say it, "he wants to talk to you first."
Blossom stared at her and then said, "Well, by all means, ask him to come in."
A moment later, when Link came alone to the living room, Blossom was smiling. However, he looked so strained that she felt a prickling of fear. Had he told Zelda in plain terms that he was just here as a friend? Or had he come to ask of becoming engaged? When Blossom had opened the door and seen him standing there, her heart had tripped with gladness. Was she right or wrong?
"Sit down, Link. What can I do for you?"

"Thank you, Blossom. I appreciate your hospitality, but I think I need to tell you that I've come for a reason."

Blossom leaned forward in her chair.

"I've come to see if the things I'm feeling for Zelda are real. I think you know that we've kept in touch while I've been in Labrynna, but I had to see her. If I still looked at her like a little sister, then I wouldn't hesitate to accept your offer, but I think you should know that my heart is changing."

"I see," Blossom said simply.

"That isn't to say that I'd dishonor her in any way, no matter how my feeling have changed, but I thought you should know."
Blossom's heart felt like a butterfly just released from its cocoon. "The fact that you've come to me, Link, and laid your heart at my feet, tells me that Bipin and I have nothing to worry about."

Link smiled. His won heart feeling a good deal lighter all of a sudden.

"Thank you. I'll go and tell Zelda." Link rose to do this but never got to the door.

"Link is here?"

The shout could be heard from the other room, and then Ruto and Romani were upon him. The both hugged him before Romani dragged him to the sofa and began a line of a thousand questions. She seemed to have no concept of how far Labrynna was from Hyrule and asked if he ever saw Ralph and Malon. It took some time to explain the geography to her, and while they were talking, Zelda joined them. Link didn't spend the whole time gazing at her, but he knew she was there. And for today, that was enough.

That is just a taste of the fluff between Link and Zelda to come.