Zelda took a minute to sit and relax, propping her feet up on the ottoman in her study and leaning back from the desk scattered with blueprints and official documents that needed delivering. It was odd to think that it had been almost nine months since Hyrule's greatest enemy had fallen and peace had been restored. It felt like no time had passed at all some days when she over saw the rebuilding of Castle Town, the work was slow but they were making serious progress, most homes and stores had been repaired already and life was back on track towards normal. Other days it seemed like years had been spent struggling to get the kingdom back on it's feet, on these days it felt like more work needed being done than there were people to do it. Zelda already invested every minute of her day to repairing the land's infrastructure, a new farming colony had been erected in Hyrule field near Kakariko village to feed all of her people. They were laying the foundation for the new castle but now she had to deal with Ordon's fears that the new farms would rob their town of it's much needed income they would normally make on their surplus crops. Kakariko, similarly, was worried that the colony would detract from their town, dwindling travelers looking for lodging for the night and taking away potential customers from their shops.
The whole deal was just one massive headache for the princess, she rubbed her temples with nimble fingers as she thought about what to do with the farming colony. Despite her people's valid points, the simple truth was without an extreme increase in their food stores the people of the kingdom that didn't live on their own farmland would soon be going hungry. She couldn't pay to have the forest near Ordon cultivated into farm land, nor did they have the time to wait for that to happen, but she could try and get some of Ordon's people out to the new colony...
Within a few minutes she had the proposition to the town's Mayor written up, it detailed her plan to grant land to any of it's member's in exchange for half the crops they grew on it every year for the next ten years. She would be sending the missive to Ordon and Kakariko to be considered, any man willing to do as she suggested was to report to her in one months time with any tools they possessed. Once she knew how many from the two towns she could muster she would post notices around the city to her own citizens to fill the vacant lots.
With a satisfied smile she leaned back in her chair once more, looking at the two neatly bundled letters. If only every issue she had to manage could be so easily handled. She was back to the conundrum of financing the repairs to the castle when there was a knock at her chamber door. "Yes?" she called, standing and moving closer to the entryway. The door cracked open and the uniformed guard who was stationed outside slipped in.
"Your Highness, you have a visitor..." He looked uneasy bothering her. Perhaps, she thought, that had something to do with the fact that she was dressed in naught but a night gown and it was late in the night.
"At this hour?"
"Yes, your Highness, normally I would not bother you at such a time, but this... it is Master Link." That caught Zelda's interest. Whatever would Link be doing all the way out here at this time of night. She hadn't heard word from him since he asked her to be dismissed so that he could go back to Ordon and return home. That was nearly seven months ago.
Instantly she was on the alert, surely Link would not be here unless the matter was urgent. Quickly she thought of all the possible dangers that could drive Link back to Castle Town, short of Ganondorf's sudden unexpected return she was drawing a blank. Her regular scouts in the kingdom reported nothing out of the ordinary. In fact since the victory over the Twilight the monsters of Hyrule commanded a far less pressing presence, now seemingly more a nuisance than a matter that must be dealt with. "Send him in, I will see him immediately." She said decisively, pulling a robe out of her chest of drawers and fastening it around her night gown. The guard looked uncertain about sending a man into her chamber in her current state but he disappeared nonetheless.
Travers was his name, she believed, on the few palace guards who remained on staff from before the Twilight debacle, he'd seen first hand what their enemies were capable of, as well as their allies. He was back in no time, knocking once more and entering only after she'd granted him permission. "Your royal Highness, Master Link of Ordon requesting a private audience." He bowed slightly after the dreadful formalities and retreated back outside with a quick "I'll be just outside should you need me."
Zelda met Link's tired eyes with a sharp gaze, seating herself back at her desk and pushing the ottoman to the other side as an impromptu chair. "Link, what is the matter?"
He looked at her, a puzzled expression on his face, "What do you mean princess?" She blinked, her expression suddenly matching his.
"I had thought that for you to be here something pressing must have come up, am I to take it that I was wrong?"
"What? No. I mean yes, you were wrong.." he cracked a slight smile at his own blundering words and started over, "what I mean to say, princess, is that nothing is the matter. I've just grown weary of the quite farm life and felt that I would better serve Hyrule here assisting you."
Her fears abated Zelda relaxed in her chair, propping her elbows on the arm rest and steepling her fingers before her face thoughtfully. "Your going to Ordon was not about 'best serving Hyrule' you've done that already, more than your fair share I'd wager."
Link cracked a crooked grin, one she'd only ever seen right before Midna went off on him for some witty remark she didn't appreciate "I never imagined you as much of a gambler, princess." She rolled her eyes and cracked a smile of her own.
"Oh hush, it's an expression, I swear you spent so much time with Midna her unfortunate humor rubbed off on you." His face darkened considerably at her off the cuff comment, the smile falling from his face and his shoulders hunching slightly. Worry clouded Zelda's mind, she had not been aware that Link was taking all of this so badly. She deftly turned the conversation aware from her mistake, drawing his focus again and maintaining it. "So then, why are you really here? Need a vacation from your vacation?"
He cocked an eyebrow at her, surveying her facial features in curiosity. "Nothing get's by you, eh princess?"
"Zelda," she corrected, "I think we are beyond such formalities Link." The smile returned, barely, but it was there.
"Zelda." He agreed, "It is as you said. I thought I wished to return to the quiet of the Faron woods, to rest and recover, but the weight of those once familiar places oppressed me, and the listlessness of that slow lifestyle I once longed for was driving me crazy. I need purpose, I need work, and you need all the help you can get."
Zelda remained silent after he presented his goal, he spoke the truth, she needed his help and the Chosen Hero would do more than simply lend his strength. His presence would strengthen the people through moral and hope, the longer she thought about it the more situations came to mind that could benefit from his involvement. He waited patiently for her answer, used to her contemplative ways, finally when she decided that Link's idea was a marvelous one she said: "Where are my manors, you must be hungry and tired, I'll have the maids prepare a meal and a bed for you. It's no castle, but this Inn is comfortable enough, and there's not much use for it right now, tourism is at a bit of a low."
Link knew better than to press her for an answer, he had gotten to know the princess pretty well in is most odd stay in Castle Town before returning to Ordon. They got along quite well then, she was busy and he was trying to distract himself from anguish with work. They'd gotten a lot done in that short time together and only once the Palace guard was reestablished and work on reconstructing the town was in motion did he ask for his leave. She called in the guard to fetch the maid and tidied up her desk while they waited for their dinner to arrive.
Two bowls of steaming vegetable soup were brought to them, Link's eyes gleamed in excitement and she wondered how long it had been since he'd eaten anything but bread and salted jerky. While he ate she spoke between small bites of her own soup. "You are right, I would be very gracious to have your help around here. There are a lot of matters that I cannot attend to personally, but would feel better knowing that someone like you were attending."
"Someone like me huh?" he asked around mouthfuls of too hot soup, "what do you need killed?" She smiled at him but shook her head. "Mostly diplomatic things, documents to be delivered to our towns, but I need a unified kingdom right now. If all of my people squabble in their own self interest, it will be impossible for me to act in the interest of everyone and this land will surely fall to ruin."
"That's were I come in," he interjected, setting his spoon in his empty bowl and stretching.
"Precisely," she nodded, "The people adore you, with you at the head of whatever I say people will blindly follow, for better or worse. I must say, I envy you that, such devotion would make my life much easier."
"The way you talk, its as if you don't know how respected you yourself are." He admonished, "The people in the streets would be writing love ballads to you and singing them at your window were the Palace finished."
"As hard as I find that to believe," she was smiling now, finishing her own soup and pushing the bowl aside. "What my people think of me is a far cry from what they think of my decisions. They all love me until I tell them that I need half their crops, or that their men and sons must come and work for me without pay if they want their homes to be protected. The work is getting done, but people aren't happy about it." They were both serious again, Link nodded that he understood what she was saying.
"What would you have me do then?" He asked, leaning forward over the table and placing his hand on the map of Hyrule that was stuck open with four small tacks in the corners.
"Right now, rest. You look like you just ran here from Ordon overnight, tomorrow come see me after you've slept and eaten... No sooner than noon," She clarified "and we'll discuss what I would like you to do first, I have a job in mind that will work perfectly for you." He nodded, aware that he'd been all but dismissed. He collected their bowls, apparently to return to the kitchen, and made his way to the door. Just before he opened and exited the entryway she called out to him and he turned to look where she was standing. "It's good to have you back, Link." she said softly.
"It's good to be back, princess."
AN: I love writing Zelda's character, she's so easy for me to write. I think if I had to give a reason to it it would be because I identify most with her, at least in terms of the Triforce. If I had one it would be wisdom, and so it's so easy to fall into that thoughtful contemplative narrative. Writing this also reminded me how much I really do love LinkxZelda. They were always my OTP for LoZ until Twlight Princess came along but I think when I'm done with this I might come back to this point and write a little tangential story that involves them getting together rather than the events that will be taking place. I don't know, just a thought. Hope you enjoyed, if you notice any mistake or think anything is too out of character let me know and I'll give it a look. Until next time.