Warnings: SLIGHT Innuendos, SLIGHT Spoilers for Skyward Sword

The next morning, Anemon escorted Link, Zelda, and the soldiers to a hidden exit, one through which they easily escaped into a separate part of Faron Woods, one far from the tracks of the Gerudo and close to the boundaries of the forest. "Where to now, Master Link?" Thorolf questioned.

"We make for Eldin Volcano as you suggested," Link explained, watching Zelda carefully for a reaction as he spoke, "After journeying across the base of the mountain, we'll be within a day or so's journey of Castle Town."

Zelda was not oblivious to Link's eyes upon her. "I'll be fine," she assured him, "The journey will not be difficult for me, really."

Link seemed skeptical, but Thorolf assembled the men, shouting orders before Link could stop him, "We march for Eldin Volcano! Quickly now, we will stop to rest and eat as we go!"

Link pulled Zelda aside as the men began to make their way through the woods behind Thorolf. "We've no horses, Zelda," Link warned, "It's a long walk. The strain—"

"I'll be fine, Link," Zelda repeated, forcing a smile.

Link's mouth twitched, as if he wished to say something, but he remained silent and fell in step with his men.

The men had stopped to eat in a clearing. Zelda missed the gentle echo of flowing water, seeing as there was no waterfall now, but she did not complain. While she would never admit it to Link, she was far too exhausted to waste her breath on such trivial things. Desperate to find a place to rest and regain her strength after hours of walking, Zelda wandered out into the forest.

"Master Link."

Link was snapped out of his thoughts as Thorolf stopped beside him, both of them overlooking the men as they scavenged for berries and divided some of the remaining rations. "Yes?"

"Is everything alright? Between you and her highness?" Thorolf scratched his neck awkwardly, obviously slightly uncomfortable with posing the question.

Link grinned at the antics of the general, "Yes, Thorolf, everything's fine."

"I was just wondering," Thorolf explained hurriedly, "After she snubbed you earlier and all. I wanted, er, to make sure everything was well."

Link's grin faded slightly, but he wore it still, "Yes, everything's well. It was my fault for pressuring her into something like that; I knew that she doesn't like openly displaying affection."

"If you don't mind my asking, Master Link," Thorolf continued, "Do you…love her highness?"

Link exhaled gradually, his eyes fixed on Zelda's retreating figure in the distance, "You know the answer to that question, Thorolf."

"So your feelings for her are unchanged then?"

Link met Thorolf's eyes, replying sincerely, "I've never been in love with anyone, Thorolf. I'm beginning to believe that I simply wasn't meant to."

Thorolf's eyes widened, "Never with anyone? But—what of your first wife?"

Link cast his eyes downwards guiltily, "Patia was my dearest friend, and not a day passes that I don't miss her company as my companion. But…our marriage…you know that it was more her father's idea than anyone's. He was so desperate for someone to be there for Patia, to look out for her. I couldn't—I couldn't disappoint him when he asked me to propose."

"Did she know the truth?" Thorolf asked, awed at the news.

"Yes, she knew that our marriage was her father's doing," Link said, "But we were content with being together. For us, nothing changed. Our friendship never faltered throughout our marriage, but….but no, I was never in love with her."

Thorolf nodded in the direction of the princess, "Again, apologies if I'm sticking my nose where I shouldn't, sire. But if you're not in love with Zelda, why do you—pursue her, so? Why do you try to be affectionate with her?"

Link's eyes filled with sorrow as he, too, gazed after the princess, "Because I know she wants someone to love her. Even if I can't do that for her, I can at least attempt to make her feel that she is loved. She promised that all I needed to be was her companion, but I know she longs for more than that. She thinks I don't know of her pain, but I see it nearly every time I look at her. She has been through so much, and she deserves only the best. The least I can do is try to give that to her in being the best husband to her that I can."

Link's voice turned bitter as he added, "In my last marriage, I was expected only to look after my wife, and even at so simple a task…I-I failed. And I will never, ever repeat my mistake. That is why I "pursue Zelda so;" I refuse to fail her too."

Thorolf was silent, processing all of the information Link had just revealed to him. Link gasped suddenly, bolting away from the general. "Where are you going?" Thorolf shouted.

"To Zelda," Link called back.

Zelda leaned against a rock, looking out past the sparse trees lining the edge of the forest. She could make out the shape of Eldin Volcano and the large clouds of smoke billowing above it. She could see the same sight from the walls of the castle.

Zelda sighed with grief at the thought. How she longed for her home, or even more so, for a friend. Both she and Link were short on them, but at least at the castle Zelda always had Impa to turn to. How she wished Impa could be here now! She'd give anything for someone she could talk to about things—serious things. She couldn't even name more than perhaps three of the soldiers, so she certainly couldn't speak with them. Thorolf was, for the most part, still a stranger to her. And Link…

Zelda pondered her relationship with Link. Yes, she considered Link a friend. They'd never been so at ease with each other since they had upon embarking on their journey. But even with the progress in their relationship, Link was still only a friend. Not a good one that she could divulge secrets to, either. More of a familiar acquaintance, really. Although sometimes, Zelda wondered if he might be…

"Zelda," Link's voice was gentle as he seated himself beside the princess.

Zelda smiled sheepishly, "Ah yes, you can't let me out of your sight, can you?"

Link grinned back, "You said that you were lonely. Would you care for my company?"

Zelda's brow furrowed thoughtfully, "I never said that I was lonely."

Link's own brow also rose with confusion, "You sent word to me that you were—only a few moments ago."

"I've been alone; I never sent anyone," Zelda confirmed, growing more baffled at Link's behavior.

"No, you didn't send anyone physically," Link explained, "You simply told me so. With your magic."

Zelda cocked one eyebrow in disbelief. Link was taken aback by her reaction, not expecting her doubt as he stammered, "It was like when you told me where to find you to rescue you! I-I just felt it…in my mind. Surely you know what I'm talking about!"

Zelda gasped, remembering Takoume's words in the Sealed Temple. "Ah, telepathy. I was unaware you had mastered the art, princess."

"I-I never meant to tell you anything. I did not know I was telling you where I was," Zelda frowned, still not understanding the details of Link's stories, "I was thinking of you earlier, but I did not mean to contact you."

"You were thinking of me?" Link was oblivious to how Zelda's cheeks flushed at the statement, "Perhaps that's how it works then. Think of something else now; let's try it."

Zelda mulled over what to say—er, to think—finally settling on something. Link instantly smiled at her. "I'm glad we're friends too," he replied.

Zelda's eyes widened, "So it does work then! I wonder if it works on you too. You try it—think of something."

Link shut his eyes, concentrating. Then Zelda felt it—it was like the softest of voices, but not audible at all. It was the strangest sensation. She heard, saw nothing. She simply knew. "Thank you," Zelda blushed at the compliment, "I suppose when we think of each other, we're able to communicate then?"

"I suppose so," Link agreed, "Do you think it works on other people as well?"

Zelda shook her head, "I doubt it. I briefly thought of Thorolf earlier, but he's not come to offer me his company."

Link grinned, slipping Zelda's hand into his own, squeezing it gently with promise, "If you ever need anything, Zelda, whether company or anything else, send for me. I'll always come for you."

Zelda smiled appreciatively, "Thank you, Link."

The sun was hanging low in the sky, fiery orange as Link led the men through rockier terrain. The land foretold that they were nearing the volcano as fewer plants were seen and the dirt shifted to sand and stone instead of rich, green earth. Horses would have been much appreciated for such an area, especially as the land beneath their feet inclined, growing gradually steeper. Zelda often found herself breathing heavily, sweat drenching her worn dress as she stopped to catch her breath. Though she absolutely hated having to ask for help (such actions made her feel useless and incapable of doing things on her own), she knew she would not be able to travel much farther without it. "Link," she thought to herself, "Help me, please. Too tired—can't keep going."

Link immediately muttered something to Thorolf at the front of the group, who then promptly took his place at guiding the men. Link fell to the back of the line, where Zelda was struggling to keep up with the pace of the soldiers. "I'm here," he assured her, his hands encircling her waist.

"What—what're you—doing?" Zelda panted tiredly.

Squeaking with shock, Zelda soon learned the answer. Link laughed at the result of his carrying his bride, one hand supporting her back and the other her legs as he hoisted her from the ground. "Put me down!" Zelda demanded indignantly, looping her arms around Link's neck in a desperate attempt to hold on, "Surely you can't carry both me and the baby!"

Link grinned, "Can't I? I see no other solution, princess. Rest while you can."

"Link," Zelda protested weakly, "You'll hurt yourself! Under the circumstances, I'm surely not as light as I was when we-"

"Shh, Zelda," Link shushed her, trying his best to be polite, "It's fine. You're still light as a feather; the baby's added weight is nothing significant. I can handle it. Rest."

Zelda found herself halfheartedly snuggling up against Link's chest, falling asleep despite the heat of the desert lands in her husband's arms.

The whole procession seated themselves in a circle to eat after pitching tents for the night. Thorolf had warned against a fire, seeing as the Gerudo would probably spot the smoke of it in such open terrain. Zelda smiled, the action growing to be natural, as Link sat beside her, offering her some of the last of the bread. "Aye, Master Link," one soldier piped up, "What're we to do about the food? Looks as if we'll be running out a few days short."

"We'll find some more," Link replied simply, his attention on Zelda as he poured some water into a jug for her, "We can either hunt for it or trade for it with any travelers we happen upon."

"Doesn't look like good land for hunting," the soldier muttered to himself.

Another soldier promptly changed the subject, his eyes focused on the royal couple, "When's the new addition to the family due, Master Link?"

Link grinned at Zelda, parting her hair from her face as she drank as daintily as she could from the jug, "Should be about two months now."

Another leapt at the chance of conversation, "Do you have any preference as to the little tike's gender, your highness?"

Zelda smiled down at her stomach, setting the jug aside. "It's tradition for the firstborn of the royal family to be a girl," she clarified for perhaps the dozenth time. Between Link and the members of the royal court, the subject of the baby's gender seemed to be a popular topic for conversation.

"That so? You got a name picked out yet?" he asked.

"Yes, we—" Zelda said no more before the soldier from before spoke up.

"Say, what about Karane? That was me mother's name! It's been passed down since the days of Skyloft, and I always thought it was right pretty."

"Or perhaps Eliana? There's a fine name for a lady if I've ever heard one! It's got a right nice ring to it!"

"Or Merona! I once loved a lass named Merona, and she was the prettiest thing you ever did see!"

Zelda frowned, exhaling with annoyance as the soldiers' voices rose in volume, each trying to shout suggestions over each other. Her mood lightened slightly though, as she noticed Link laughing beside her, obviously finding the scene amusing. Then one voice rang out above the others—

"What about Patia? It's simple, to be sure, but it's still a fine name."

Link's face paled, and Zelda instantly stiffened in reaction. Thorolf frantically silenced the group, but it was too late. "Excuse me," Zelda said sharply, hastening away past the tents.

"Now you've done it!" Thorolf exclaimed irritably, "Can't you fools ever keep your mouths shut?"

"They meant nothing by it, Thorolf," Link said to the general, beginning to follow his wife, "They didn't know."

"I did not request company," Zelda snapped bitterly, sensing Link's presence behind her.

"I know," Link answered, approaching the trembling figure of the princess, "Zelda, don't be upset, please. They didn't know."

"That's just it!" Zelda spun around, facing Link with tears welling in her distressed eyes, "Nobody knows! Nobody will ever understand, Link! Not you, not Impa—nobody!"

Zelda collapsed to her knees, weeping loudly as she covered her face with her hands. She acknowledged the warmth of Link's body as he wrapped his arms around her, and she told him everything. Her wishing earlier for a friend no longer mattered—she simply needed someone, anyone, to pour out her heart to. And at the moment, Link was all she had.

"Nobody will ever know what it was like to marry a boy I hardly knew!" Zelda whimpered into Link's shirt, her voice catching with each of her sobs, "Nobody will ever know what it's like to prepare to rule a country without your parents to guide you like they promised they would! Nobody will ever know what it's like to fulfill the expectations of all of Hyrule while bearing the weight of a child! To never be good enough for everyone! To always ruin something, no matter how hard you try!"

"Shh, Zelda," Link attempted to soothe the girl, holding her close and rubbing her back, "It's alright, shh. You're not meant to struggle with all of those things alone; that's why I'm here. That's why you chose to marry me, so that I could help you. We can do this together, Zelda. Your people adore you; you're going to make a magnificent queen. And I'll be right by your side, being whatever you need me to be."

"But you can't!" Zelda's sobs continued, "I wanted—I wanted my husband to be my husband alone. And yet when I gave myself to you on our wedding night, you couldn't do the same for me! I gave you eh-everything and you can never do that now! Because of your past! You'll never be able to treat me like Patia! She was your first for everything! Your first love, your first friend—it'll never be the s-same for me!"

"Zelda," Link cupped the cheeks of his princess, thumbing away her tears as he met her eyes, "Listen, Zelda, because I mean every word I'm about to say. Yes, I was Patia's husband before I was your own. I had been intimate with her and lived with her for some time, so it is true that I gave myself to her first."

Zelda blinked, her tears returning as she bit her lip. Link shook his head quickly, worry creasing his features, "No, no, no, I'm not done, listen to me, Zelda! But that was in the past. I'm no longer Patia's husband, Zelda. I'm your husband now. And I swear to you, I will keep every pledge I made to you on our wedding day. I'm never going to leave you; I'm never going to stop being there for you. I promised to remain with you always, and that's exactly what I'm going to do. Patia was very dear to me, but she's gone now. I have you now, Zelda, and you and our child are more precious to me than I can say. I can't give you everything, but what I do have is yours. I'm yours, Zelda, and no one else's."

Zelda sniffled, wiping at her cheeks with embarrassment. "But, that doesn't matter," she mumbled, her voice still quivering, "Patia was your first love. You'll never forget her; she's always going to be a part of you—you said so yourself! I don't have anyone like that—just you."

"You don't understand," Link said gently, pushing a strand of Zelda's hair behind her ear, "I…didn't love Patia. I loved her as I might love a sister, but our marriage was more akin to a compromise. I needed a permanent home, and she needed someone to look after her. Her father begged me to propose to her, so I did. I-I couldn't disappoint him."

Zelda wrenched away from Link suddenly, her anger unmistakable. "Zelda?" Bewilderment weighted Link's voice, hurrying after her as she stalked off once more.

"Is that all marriage is to you then, Link?" Zelda spat, "A mere agreement? A compromise of common interests?"

"What do you mean?" Link caught Zelda's arm, only to have her squirm free of his grip.

"You married Patia so that you wouldn't disappoint her father. So you married me so that you wouldn't disappoint me, I suppose? So that you could do the right thing for Hyrule?" Zelda accused the hero.

"I did do the right thing for Hyrule!" Link objected, "Isn't that what's most important? It was my duty to-"

"There's so much more to life than duty, Link!" Zelda exclaimed, "It's so wonderful to know that that was the only thing motivating your actions when you married me, your silly sense of duty! Your cowardly fear of disappointment!"

Link could feel his body grow hot with anger. He was beginning to remember why his relationship with Zelda had initially been such a disaster. "Don't call me a coward," he said fiercely.

"You think you know nothing of fear because of your reputation of courage?" Zelda hissed, "People think me to be wise because I, too, have a reputation. But that wisdom certainly didn't stop me from being blinded into believing my husband had more depth than marrying out of mere responsibility!"

"And why was I supposed to marry you, Zelda?" Link demanded, enraged, "You told me that we need only be friends, and I told you that I would do what my country asked of me! What more did you expect from me? I hadn't seen you in years, and I knew next to nothing about you! Why did you want me to marry you?"

Zelda felt new tears trickling down her face, but not of sadness this time. Tears of…frustration, rage, hurt. She turned away from Link, not daring to voice her answer. She knew Link spoke the truth—as usual. Technically speaking, her marriage really was simply a means of fulfilling duty. Her duty to her bloodline and Link's to his country. Her dreams of loving had still been fresh at the time, and she had often hoped at the beginning of her marriage that she and Link would grow to love each other. But to no avail; their differences were too great. And yet she thought…she had thought, that maybe, just maybe, Link was growing to love her now. She wasn't sure why their relationship had suddenly turned sweeter, but things seemed different in a pleasant sort of way. Perhaps it was being forced to spend time with each other. Perhaps it was being free of the castle walls and her royal constraints. Whatever it was, Zelda had wondered, even though she still could not bring herself to feel anything for Link, if he was, perhaps, falling in love with her.

"Do you love me?" she whispered, her back to the hero.

"What?" yet Link's tone from behind her betrayed his surprise at the question.

Zelda turned around once more, staring up into Link's eyes with her tearful ones, "I asked you if you loved me."

Emotion washed over Link's face, the young prince visibly struggling with himself as he answered, "Zelda, you…you know that we've never—I-I thought you wanted us to not…be that way. What're—why're you—"

"Please just answer me, Link," Zelda implored.

Link gazed into her eyes for several moments, before finally replying softly. "No."

Zelda felt a sob building in her throat, but she swallowed it down firmly. Very wise, indeed! As usual, her husband and his emotions were still a mystery to her. "Zelda, wait!" Link cried as Zelda slowly made her way back to camp, "Please!"

"I'd like to be left alone," Zelda managed bravely, holding back any further crying and wanting nothing more than to sleep by herself for a night, alone with her thoughts so that she could hopefully make some sense of them.

"Zelda," Link beseeched her, reaching for her hand.

Zelda yanked her hand away, feeling some of her irritation from before returning, "Please just leave me be, Link."

"But I can't! I-"

"Go away!" Zelda screamed within her head, focusing on Link within her mind, "Just stop trying to fix everything and go away! It's too late!"

Link withdrew his hand, letting it fall limply at his side. Zelda cried herself to sleep in the tent, muffling the sounds in her pillow.

Well, there's a slightly longer chapter for you! I feel bad leaving you with this kind of ending for a week—try not to hate me too much please! I'll see you all next Friday!