Slowly he opened his eyes to see Zelda staring over him as he laid sprawled out on the floor wearing nothing but a pair of shorts and his blanket haphazard around him. He yawned and rubbed his face. Realizing he was on the floor he tried to think of why.

"Good morning," she said with a chuckle.

Oh, that's right, he was working on sit ups and decided to rest his eyes for a minute. He must have fallen asleep, and he must have woken up at some point just enough to grab his blanket.

"There are better places to sleep on the ground, you know," she said smiling.

He chuckled nervously as he sat up slowly.

"I was hoping you wouldn't mind having some breakfast with me this morning. But you still hadn't woken up yet, so I decided to wait until noon."

Brushing some hair out of his face, he could feel how much of a mess it was. He had left it tied up, but now more than half his hair had fallen from the tie and now stuck up in random places.

"I'll let you have some privacy." She turned and exited.

He rubbed his face unsure of what she was really wanting. But he slowly got up with a big stretch. First, he washed himself clean of the dirt and sweat from his workout last night, then did his best to quell his mess of hair, and finally put some clothes on.

When he stepped out from his room, he was surprised to see Zelda there waiting for him.

"I realized we've never truly shared a proper meal together." She started to walk down the hall and Link followed her as usual. "We have had a few meals on the road, but you always make something for me first, so we're not really eating together. I thought it would be nice to have a proper meal, you know." She looked back at him with a smile.

He found himself confused at her positive attitude and desire to be friendly with him.

"Quiet as ever," she chuckled and lead on. She brought him into a small banquet hall where only two place settings were at one end of the table. "Go on, sit," she encouraged as he simply stood by as she took her seat.

He obeyed and stepped around the table, slowly taking a seat across from her. He worried if she was going to try to get him to speak. This wasn't the first time someone sat him down in a desperate attempt to get him to talk. A few other knights tried doing the same thing. All with their different ways: some forceful, some provocative, some simple. It never worked, however; and most of them left irritated. He let himself appeared unbothered. He looked down at the fancy plates and all the silverware. If he hadn't spent so much time around royalty these days, he'd have no idea why there were so many forks, but luckily he had seen Zelda eat a fancy meal here and there.

Thankfully, Zelda didn't try prompting anything out of Link but instead called for the chef. He soon burst through the doors with a large silver platter in hand.

"And here we are!" he called. "Some wonderful salt-grilled prime meat and sauteed mushrooms. And I will bring out some fruit cake for dessert, just call for me once more when you're, your Highness," he said setting down a plate in front of each.

Link's eyes went wide just from smelling the food. His mouth was already watering by the time his plate hit the table. It took a lot of restraint not to just dig in with his hands.

"Thank you, it looks perfect," Zelda assured.

The chef then went back in the kitchen.

Link looked over at Zelda, waiting.

"Go on," she chuckled. "Eat." She picked up her fork and knife and slowly began to cut a piece.

He dove right into the juicy meat, eating nearly twice as fast as the Princess. The flavor was so rich, Link wasn't sure he'd ever had a meal taste so good. His fork tore at the meat, not even needing the knife as he quickly devoured it. Even the mushrooms were cooked perfectly and complemented the steak's flavor and texture. He did try to slow down when he was almost finished. He felt that he shouldn't finish way before Zelda did.

In the end, he ate everything off the plate, But Zelda wasn't quite able to finish.

"I see you know a good meal when you see one," she said.

He nodded and gave a smile. He wondered about how to say thank you to her.

Again she called for the chef and he brought in two slices of fruit cake, replacing their old plates with the new before going out again.

"Fruit cake is one of my favorites. Especially with wildberries." She took her fork and happily took a small bite.

Once again it was a lesson in restraint for Link not to shove it all in his mouth immediately. He did his best to keep the bites on the smaller side, savoring its creamy and tart flavor.

"So… I have to ask you, Link…" she started slowly, running her fork through some of the frosting. "Why is it you talk so little?"

Link froze, a large bite of cake now stuffed in his mouth, forcing his cheeks to puff a little.

"I don't mean to make you nervous, truly. I wish to understand you, Link. After…." She took a deep breath and set the fork down. "I realized after what happened yesterday that I haven't been very fair to you. And I want to apologize for that. I've shouted at you, complained to and about you, I've dragged you all around Hyrule, and I've not heard a word pass through your lips. Not a single complaint or gripe. It's astounding, really…. But after all I've done to you, you still ran to save me, throwing all concern of your life away into the sand so you could protect me…." She sighed. "I thought it would be fair of me to speak with you for once, and not tell you what to do."

He managed to swallow the cake and then drank some water.

"I do understand if you do not wish to speak to me, but if you could please tell me…." She looked at him with inquisitive but warm eyes. "I mean, I realize I do not even know what your voice truly sounds like. And I don't find that very appropriate for me to take you for granted like I have.

With a hard swallow and a deep breath, he closed his eyes. If anyone at all deserved words, it was Zelda. Anyone else and he'd simply shake his head if they insisted on verbal communication. "I-… it's… it's… d-diff— it's diffic-cult," he managed.

"Is it that you see me too unapproachable? Is that you are afraid?"

He shook his head. "T-to speak…. Difficult… to s-s-speak." He swallowed again and opened his eyes, meeting hers.

"Oh." Her eyes went wide and she sat up. "Physically? Because I have heard you certainly make vocal noises before, in particular when you fight."

"M-m." He sighed and closed his eyes. "Mental."

"It's difficult for you mentally?"

He nodded.

"Oh, well now I apologize for causing you strain," she said in a serious tone.

With a sigh he set his fork down and signed with his hands.-I sign with my hands. If I must speak.-

"Um…." She blinked. "Could you do that one more time, please?"

He signed once more. -I sign with my hands. If I must speak.- And he waited for her to ask what he was doing.

"Sign… hands… speak…" she said, watching his hands with an inquisitive look.

Link looked at her surprised. -You understand?-

She mimicked him, but opposite, pointing to him after signing understand. -Understand you.-

His face lit up and he smiled.

"I do know a few signs," she said sheepishly, "but not much. Many I can figure out from how the signs look, but I'm not very good at it. I'm sorry." She looked at him sadly. "I hadn't realized you could only sign words."

-I don't have much to say,- he signed slowly.

"Sorry… one more time?" she asked with a worried look. He had never seen her look so sheepish and apologetic before.

"You… little… say. You don't say much? Yes, I have noticed," she said with a light chuckle.

He shook his head and spelled out -T-o s-a-y.-

"Ah, the alphabet is something I do remember. Okay. So you mean you have little to say?"

He nodded.

"Why do you say that?"

He shrugged and repeated. -I don't have much to say.-

"Hm. Well if you ever want to talk… well, sign… then I would be happy to hear what you do have so say," she said with a warm smile. "I do hope we can become friends."

Her smile brought a warmth to his chest and caused him to smile in return. He nodded.

"Good. Maybe we could share another meal together some time," she suggested then took another bite her pie.

He lit up even more at the prospect of another delicious meal.

She chuckled lightly. "I shall take that as a yes, then."

He nodded happily.

"I'm glad." She took another bite. "I don't have any exciting plans for today," she said after swallowing. "I might go into Castle Town, however. I used to have a maid who used sign language. That's how I learned the little I do know. I could certainly use a refresher course."

Link smiled warmly at her. Never before had someone offered to learn how to communicate with him. Even his own father had been reluctant. And with a smile he went back to eating and quickly finished the pie.

"You needn't attend with me, but I'm sure you will anyways."

He nodded slowly, unsure of how she'd respond.

"I thought as much," she said simply. "It is your job," she sighed.

Quietly he just sat.

She finished her plate and stood. "Let's go."

For the rest of the day, Zelda spent some time with a woman in castle town with Link at her side, working on being able to read signs. After, they returned to the castle and Zelda spent the evening in her study, and Link went through his usual routines.

And that was how the following few days would go into town and then spend time looking through the documents that the Sheikah brought her: reports on their recent findings.

Things changed pace when they received a letter from Daruk. He wanted to show Zelda his progress with Rudania and asked her to come to Goron City. Ever intrigued by the Divine Beasts, Zelda packed up her notes and started back on the road with Link.

He hadn't been too happy about going back to Goron City, the constant heat and need for the elixirs wasn't all that exciting. But when Zelda said that she would pick up some bottles of Goron Spice to bring home, he perked up.

In the morning, the two set off on their mounts for Eldin. Zelda talked a fair amount to Link, mostly complaining about the pushing and prodding of her father to stop looking into every new detail discovered about the guardians and Divine Beasts. She went on this for a while, talking about how fascinated she was by the history of Hyrule, about how many times the story of "the Great Hero" was told, although only pieces of accounts were known. But most of her time recounting and commenting on history was saved for the guardians.

Link listened, walking alongside her, but still remained silent.

As they neared the first mountains of Eldin, Link looked out and could see something moving atop a shallow mountain. He held up his hand and slowed Epona.

"What? Do you see something?" Zelda asked, slowing Malon, but he stopped a little hard, giving her a light jolt.

He pointed to what looked to be a curved white horn.

"What is it? Some kind of monster, I presume."

He looked at her. -Stay here,- he signed, dismounting Epona.

"Be careful," she warned, eying the mountain.

Link jogged up to the cliff side and found some footholds to start scaling it. When he reached the top, he poked his head over to see what lay in wait. His eyes went wide as three lynels were bashing heads with one another. All three with white coats and dark stripes. Around them was a large group of red bokoblins grunting and rallying them on.

One lynel rammed into the other, throwing it off its feet with its horns. It fell to the ground motionless.

Link swallowed hard.

Another lynel started sniffing the air and turned to look directly at Link and pulled a bow off its back.

He immediately leaped up onto the cliff and drew his sword.

The beast snorted and fired an ice arrow directly at him. But with a shout Link swung his sword through the air and broke the arrow.

All the bokoblins grunted and called out and the two lynels pulled out their swords. One of them charged at Link, its sword outstretched and eyes glaring. Link held his ground. Just as the lynel was about to strike him, he thrust his sword up into its chest. It let out a horrible roar and reeled back its sword to swing down at him as he withdrew his blade. Link strafed right and gave the creature a fury of blows as it followed through on its swing. And with one last thrust into the creature's chest, it roared and collapsed.

Link's body suddenly tensed up as shock waves of electricity coursed through him. When the intense pain subsided, he picked up his sword and readied his stance.

The lynel notched another arrow, electricity crackling around it. With swift feet, Link dodged the arrow and its shock radius as he charged to flank the beast, managing a good swing on its side before it traded back its bow for its sword and shield, catching one of Link's blows.

As the lynel swung, Link quickly jumped back and managed to duck under one of the swings to gain advantage for a moment, striking its chest multiple times before strafing again and meeting the creature's gaze.

It jumped back and took a deep breath. Link sheathed his sword and started running around it as it launched a massive fireball at him. As he dodged the first, he heard a bokoblin start to call out in pain and try to put out the flames on its body. After dodging two more fireballs and making it to its flank again, he leaped upon its back and drew his sword. The lynel leaped and flailed and kicked as Link just started slashing into its back until it bucked him off. He landed hard on one of his knees but ran at it again and thrust his sword deep into its chest with the momentum of running. As it roared out in pain, it swung down, slashing at Link's arm, tearing into his right bracer and into his flesh. Gritting his teeth, Link pushed in farther, twisting his blade until the creature fell to the ground.

The bokoblins all started letting out battle cries and charged in on Link. He outstretched his sword and took two breaths before spinning his whole body and blade around, knocking a number of bokoblins to the ground. A few more rushed him and with a few swings of his sword, they fell around him as well, leaving him alone on the cliff.

He breathed heavily in exhaustion, falling to the ground on his butt to catch his breath as he now sat surrounded by fallen creatures.

"Link!" Zelda called after a moment.

He started to get up but then saw her climb over the cliff.

"Oh my!" she called looking at all of the creatures and scattered weapons. "D-did you befell all of them?" she asked in astonishment.

-Not that one,- he sighed, pointing to one of the lynels.

She shook her head and smiled. "'Not that one.' Of course you discredit yourself so easily." Her eyes settled on his arm. "Let me see that, you're injured." She knelt down next to him to inspect the wound. Taking his arm in her hands, she pulled out a cloth from her bag and wiped the wound clean. "That cut doesn't look too bad, actually. You're fine, for now." She then looked at him. "But you know, there's a fine line between courage and recklessness. As brave as you are, that does not make you immortal." She relaxed her shoulders and turned her gaze to all the monsters surrounding them.

She spoke with a tone of seriousness. "It seems that, not only has the frequency of these types of attacks on the rise… but the scale of beasts we are facing is intensifying as well." She drew back. "I fear that—I fear that this is an omen which portends the return of Calamity Ganon." She pushed herself to stand and brushed off her backside. "And, if that's the case, I'm ready to expect the worst," she said definitively. "We'll need to make preparations as soon as possible." She turned as Link stood to follow.

The two came to the slope of the cliff.

"We will still continue on to Goron City, but we shall only remain there for one night. Then we head home to the castle and work from there." She slowly started to descend the cliff face and Link followed her closely, watching her to make sure she didn't slip.

Managing to climb down faster than her, he took her hand to help her move her feet to solid ground.

"Thank you," she said brushing her hands off from the dust. "And thank you for taking care of those beasts. If you hadn't seen them, they might have shot at us from up there."

He nodded.

She hoisted herself up into Malon's saddle and Link mounted Epona.

"I do have to say, your fighting skills truly are impeccable," she said looking over at him. "Not anyone could knock down two silver lynels and all those bokoblins there."

-Knights are trained to be capable,- he signed, doing his best to still hold the reins, although he knew Epona wouldn't jolt anywhere.

"Well of course they are, but I'm not talking about them, I'm talking about you. Oh brave hero," she stressed with a soft smile. "I think you should start taking credit for your efforts as they are quite outstanding."

Link couldn't help but blush a little. -But even more is expected of me.-

"Well damn those who do," she said strongly. "I'm sorry," she said quickly.

-Everyone expects great things out of me. I do what I must.-

She sighed. "I sure know that feeling…."

-So I can't let myself be satisfied with anything.-

"But you should. If you don't stop for a moment to see how far you've come… well, you might get lost along the way. And you can't charge blindly anywhere simply because people want better of you."

He kept his head down. -We should keep moving. We want to beat the sun.- he nudged Epona forward and rubbed his arm where his bracer was missing from the wound.

Zelda sighed softly. "I'm sorry if I made you upset," she said quietly as she followed.

And soon they made their way into Goron City.

Daruk was happy to see the two and showed them what he learned about what how to operate the actual weapon mechanisms of Beast. Zelda paid close attention and talked with him about it for a good while. By the time they were finished, it was late. Link found a meat salesman and purchased something for Zelda and himself.

Zelda spent most of the evening making notes about the Beast and thinking out loud to Link. Eventually, she did decide to go to sleep, but only because she realized her talking put him to sleep first.

Deep into the night, Link woke up with his skin nearly burning and sweat dripping off him. Quickly he rummaged through his things and pulled out a fireproof elixir. He downed it in two gulps before sighing in relief, already feeling his body start to cool off.

Looking over at Zelda, she looked to be sweating profusely as well while she tossed and turned. Link pulled out another elixir and got out of the bed. Gently he tapped her hand but she squirmed away. He took it again and squeezed it, giving it a light shake.

With a gasp, Zelda's eyes flew open and she retreated her whole body to the head of the bed. "Oh," she breathed upon seeing Link's startled face. She rubbed her sweaty face and pushed her hair back as it tried to stick to her cheeks.

He looked at her worriedly and held out the elixir.

"Oh, thank you." She took it and quickly drank it. "That's better," she breathed. She set the empty bottle on the ground beside the bed and took a few deep breaths, rubbing her face again. "I had the most frightful dream."

Link watched her.

"It was… well, something horrible happened to you because of me…" she said looking up at him.

His shoulders fell as he looked upon her sympathetically. He placed a hand on her shoulder with a light squeeze, assuring her he was still her and that something like that wouldn't happen.

"Thank you," she sighed. "Sorry if I woke you… and thank you for the elixir. I was nearly burnt to a crisp."

-Try to get some rest,- he signed, turning to go back to the other bed.

"And you as well." She laid back down.