This needs a little more editing but I thought I'd get it out anyway.

I had fun writing this one.

Chapter 24- The Way to a Gluttons Heart

As Zelda fell into her bed the only thing she could say was, "I'm a moron Sari."

Ten days, it had felt like almost a year of nothing and still she couldn't even muster one word, a single word of thanks. It wasn't like she had any trouble spending time with him. The whole way back Zelda had stayed practically next to his side, talking about whatever random thing popped into her head.

It just felt so strange. He was certainly just as quiet as ever, eyes alert and watching out for any sign of danger and shoulders always rolled back ready to explode into action. Something was different about him though. Every time she spoke his eyes fixated on her like he was holding on to her every word, like precious china, and there was this constant sense of calm as he walked around.

At night she would wake to find him sitting there sword across his lap meditating, ears twitching out at any sound. Zelda wasn't exactly sure if he slept anymore. There was something about the way he held the sword that had changed too. He wasn't holding it like hot coals but more like a treasured family heirloom.

"I'm sure it's not as bad as you think princess," Sari said in that gentle quiet voice. The maid fussed over Zelda's bags which were filled with creased clothes, almost all of them shoved in at force.

"It looks like you were packing whilst being attacked," Sari held up a blouse that looked closer to a foot that had been in water for too long than some kind of cloth. She sent Zelda a knowing smirk. If it wasn't for Sari, people would've found out Zelda was a mess long ago.

Zelda sat up and said, "Okay… it's not my fault this time, Link said we had to pack up before sunrise to get to the Castle as fast as possible. I'm pretty sure people aren't meant to be up before the birds are singing and definitely not before the sun is awake."

Sari' raised her brows conspicuously.

Zelda gave in, "I overslept and had to pack in a hurry. I didn't want to you know… get in his way," She shrugged and fell back onto the bed.

"Just to think a few weeks ago you couldn't even stand looking at him now you're worried about what's the right way to apologise."

Zelda groaned and grabbed at her face as if she was trying to pull off all the mixed emotions. "I stand by all the stuff I said. The way he was acting, you could get more emotion out of one of those guardians. It's just ever since he saved me he's—I don't know changed?"

"Both of you are different from when you first knew each other, maybe he just needed a little time to warm up," Sari suggested as she picked up Zelda's travel boots and wrinkled her nose. "I know most knights are the surly types not like Beckle or the twins, not usually the best for a conversation."

"Maybe…" Zelda said in a voice that didn't even convince her. "If you can believe it, I was close to getting a full smile out of him. I swear I saw those lips twitching. That's one thing though; I have no clue how I'm ever going to get anything close to a sentence out of him."

"If there's anything I learned princess, you always find a way to break someone out of silence. Before I entered your service I hardly even spoke to my parents. All I used to do was go out into the courtyard and watch the birds. It was the only thing that really brought me any peace and comfort."

Zelda nodded. She remembered just how quiet the maid was when she first came into her service, Sari had gotten so nervous that she hadn't even remembered her name. Zelda had seen radishes less red than that girls face, she had practically avoided Zelda for several days, once even squealing when the princess caught her off guard.

After several attempts at making conversation Zelda had almost given up. But one day, after getting bored from testing if she could introduce an invasive ant species to the chancellor's chambers, Zelda had taken a stroll through one of the gardens. She had been surprised to see Sari there staring up at a tree and wearing a peaceful smile. The girl looked almost ready to die there and then, and Zelda couldn't resist but find out just what it was she was looking at.

Turns out asking that question was all it took to find a way to break the ice. After that she became one of the few friends she could rely on in this shady castle.

"You spoke to me just when my guard was down, I don't know what it'd be like here if you didn't," Sari shrugged happily and went back to unpacking the saddle bags.

Zelda's eyes fixated onto a spot on the wall and very slowly her eyes began to narrow as though she was about to pounce onto the celling. Suddenly they shot wide open. "That's it! Sari you're amazing."

She leapt to her feet making Sari throw up several shirts with a yelp. Zelda was already at the door before she could speak and cut her maid off with a quick thought, "I don't know why I didn't see it earlier."

"Princess, what do you mean?" Sari yelled after her but the Zelda had already slammed the door shut hard behind her.

The guards also jumped as she rushed down the hall but, they had already learned better than to shout after her. Their efforts at keeping her in one place had and would always be futile. As she made it to the end she almost ran into the Knight Beckle. He had always been the easiest to talk to since Link's father had gone.

Beckle had a shine in his eyes that made her envy his bright mood. His face wasn't red which probably meant he was sober, which was a rarity. Though it might be harder to get the info, at least she wouldn't end up with some bizarre directions towards Hebra.

"Woah! Slow down we don't want a repeat of the gravy crisis, it took weeks to clean off that poor server and he still stinks."

Zelda ignored that, "Any idea where Link is, it's kinda important."

"'Kinda' important you say," Beckle scratched his head and looked her over suspiciously. "I wouldn't know the kid hasn't spoken to any of us since his father—you know."

She nodded tautly.

"If I was to guess it'd either his father's old courtyard or…" he paused and leaned in slightly, as though he was about to bring forward the sort of nasty rumour that could topple a kingdom. "I've heard he spends quite a bit of time around the kitchens, though I wouldn't know what for."

Zelda grinned widely so much so that she surprised the knight and before he could utter another word she had yelled thanks and ran down the hallway towards the east of the Castle.

Every corner was taken like a demon out of twilight as Zelda's feet slammed against the carpets of the castle floor. Most of the guards she passed were used to her as a child running through the castle grounds and hardly batted an eye. It was the overly pretentious servants and nobles, who she didn't know but should, that stared in awe and whispered.

When entered the guards' quarters she began to slow her pace to a walk. Rows of tables and benches lined the side of the large room and all the men stared at her like she was some kind of new and strange creature they'd only just come across.

Link definitely wasn't here, it was too loud and crowded. She was glad none of the guards said a word and continued on towards the corridor running out.

Finally she emerged into natural light and despite the bad memories of a courtyard of bodies and blood Zelda could not shake the fact it looked quite beautiful.

Either out of fear or respect the whole of the rested Knight's quarters had been left alone. Before the whole opening had been uniform, not a stray plant in sight and the grass cut to the correct length, all the makings of Bryne's order to his life.

Now though vines had spread everywhere, clinging to the hardy stone walls and now finally beginning to display their first flowers. The grass grew a little wildly and wild flowers spotted the green with colour. At the centre of all the mad wild excellence sat Link, eyes closed and sword across his lap. It seemed his natural position.

Zelda was surprised to see the two Knight twins standing over him. She kept her distance and strained her ears a little.

"We don't get it all mate," Maude grumbled with boredom and irritation. Zelda knew how that felt, Link's lack of response could be infuriating and they had clearly been at it for some time.

"You were close with your old man, we gave you weeks of notice and yet," Claude motioned with his hand like he had just performed a genius trick that needed recognition. "Even if you didn't have the courage to face it with others around, which is terrifying if you're the 'chosen one', you still haven't been once to pay respects."

"I've given you the answer," Link said calmly.

"You're answer is a load of crap," Claude snapped.

Link opened his eyes and stared at the brother hard making him shift a little. Soon it became clear that was the final answer Link would provide and the brothers turned away. They both seemed a little startled to see Zelda in this area of the castle but they didn't say a word. She could hear them arguing from further down the corridor and watched them disappear into the darkness.

When she turned back to Link he was stood up and holding the sword casually downwards with two hands.

"Princess?"

"Hey—I mean Sir Link—I didn't mean to disturb…" Zelda stopped herself from visibly cringing and hoped deep down that she wasn't flushing up.

"I don't mind—I mean it's fine," Link scratched the back of his head. He always used to do that as a child when he didn't know what to say, she was glad to see it back. The main thing that surprised her was why he was uncomfortable too, even before she had said her request, for some reason that gave her a boost confidence.

"I was planning to do some studies in Hyrule Forest Park, would you mind accompanying me?" It wasn't how she wanted to say it but it would have to do. The poor boy had little clue this was all part of her plan to ruthlessly crack his social side out like an egg, or more like a rock.

Link took a few moments before he realised Zelda was waiting for a response. "Oh… Well I am you're appointed knight."

"You know, that's not what I asked…" Zelda looked down and up, easing on a smile.

Link looked as comfortable as a Zora in the desert and again took enough time to decide what to say and how to say it in every language in the known world. "No… I don't mind."

She smiled. "I'll get someone to get the horses ready. Meet me at the stables?"

"You want me to get a few more guards too?" Link asked desperately.

"I wouldn't think so…" Zelda's smile turned into a smirk. "I just thought since it's so close, and you are a master in swordsmanship. That is unless you feel uncomfortable with it just being us?"

Link's breath seemed to catch in his throat quickly but he let a deep breath out closed his eyes for a quick moment and said, "I'm fine with that."

"See you in a bit," she said cheerfully and walked away, thinking to herself whether that had gone better or weirder than she had expected. She decided on both.

The saddle bags were packed with food, more than any normal Hylian could eat and certainly more than Zelda could manage. Link was already on his brown steed when she arrived, looking as certain as he always did in the saddle, only he looked more ready for battle than for a trip to a park. All she could hope was that she hadn't given him enough time to eat already.

He didn't look towards her as she approached the horse. This would have to be the first time they had left the Castle together since his appointment as knight. Before… well she had been a few hours ahead before he realised they were actually leaving.

Her white mare still didn't like her and eyed her on approach. It stirred a little as she grabbed the reigns and she repeated "please don't throw me off," in her head around a million times as she pulled her body up and onto the leather saddle.

It was only when she was looking around that Zelda noticed the slightly peaky look on all the servants faces. That had gone much better than the usual.

Not wanting her luck to run out Zelda chirped, "Shall we be off?" and cracked the reigns gently enough.

Link caught her smile but kept that angry look that seemed to be his resting face. Both horses eased out of the castle gates and it wasn't long before Zelda felt a little lighter from the overbearing weight out all the eyes inside that place.

As they moved with the escort through the town they turned a few heads and made only a bit of a commotion. Strangely enough it was one of the few times the attention had been away from her. All the townsfolk seemed fixated on Link. It was rare for him to make public appearances and there was something about him that created an aura of mystery. It was that or the fact he had the fate of the world in his hands.

The gates opened on approach and Zelda had to rack her mind to the last time they'd been shut, especially during the day. A look on the rough looking guards above told her not to bother asking.

As they passed through the walls it was just them. Link kept his horse a little behind as usual with the impossible look of both calm and alert about him. It was the sort of position that killed any small talk before it had any chance of blooming.

Was it even possible to small talk him anyway? "How's your meditating going Link? Sword still there Link? Feeling up for defeating the manifestation of evil and darkness today Link?" Shrugging all doubts to the side Zelda prepared herself for the plan. It was a simple enough plan but if it didn't work this was going to be one awkward outing.

The path was barren of Hylians when they arrived. Even from in front Zelda could almost feel Link relax a little. It was the only sort of message she could get from his body language, just a feeling from all those micro movements that'd mean nothing to anyone else. He did better in the outside even if it was just a park.

Zelda jumped down from the horse and began to tie it to the tree with whatever strange knot she could think up. As she felt Link next to her she gave the lead a quick tug and was happy to see it not unravel immediately. Looking to Link for some kind of appreciation, all she found was a knot that she understood about as well as how those guardians were still running even after 10,000 years. As for Link, she understood him even worse.

After testing his knot and giving his horse a little pat and whisper, he hooked his thumbs in his belt and looked silently at Zelda. She looked back, grabbed the sack of food he didn't know about and began to walk up towards the tallest tree she could see. It didn't take a sixth sense to know Link was following her behind.

It was after what must've been ten minutes that Zelda realised she was just stalling and should just spill everything that had been bothering her over the past few weeks, so she turned around and looked at the boy she used to know. He looked back innocently. It was hard to imagine those eyes being able to kill anything.

"Link… is it okay if we talk, there is much I want to say."

Link eyes widened a tad but he nodded and mumbled something.

"I never said thank you for all you did for me back in Gerudo, in fact I don't remember saying anything after you saved me. I'd say I was surprised but for some reason I knew you'd be there at the last minute." Link looked a little confused at that so she kept going, "I've been pretty rotten to you over the past few months and there isn't much I can do to reverse that so—" she opened the bag to show the contents to hungry eyes. "—I was hoping I could say sorry for everything and that maybe we could start things over. Will you eat with me?"

It was an impossible request. So much had happened in the past few years, especially to Link and all of it was part of them now. Eventually he wiped the surprise of his face and looked down with one of those smiles she didn't realise she missed. He thought for a few moments and looked up again with shining eyes.

"Got cured meat in there?"

Zelda grinned.

The whole studying thing had been a complete lie and Zelda was almost certain Link already knew that but for some reason taking pictures and assessing the life around her had almost become a second nature.

As for Link whether he knew or not mattered little already he was eyeing the bread, fresh fruit and cakes. After watching him torture himself for a few moments Zelda told him to just get it over with and begin to eat.

She watched him take the first mouse bite and almost stopped herself from laughing, "Link I already know you eat like a wormhole. You made it pretty clear at the stable before Hebra."

He blushed a nice colour and then started to eat the food like five armies were attacking it. It didn't take long for Zelda to realise that if she didn't start up a conversation soon the food would disappear into the vanishing cabinet that was Link's stomach.

"How did you find me?"

Link paused at the question and his face turned a little serious again. Zelda cursed herself for ruining the calm state he was in. To her surprise he answered in more than three words, "I followed you out into the storm, it didn't take long for me to run into them," he shrugged. "Yiga aren't really that coy with their secrets it didn't take long to find out where you were."

Zelda looked at him thoughtfully as they got back to eating but something was still nagging at her mind.

"I just don't get it…" Zelda said.

"Get what?"

"I treated you like dirt for months. Ran away, called your names, basically made your life pretty miserable. And maybe I believe how you managed to find me but I don't know what made you jump off a giant camel into a sandstorm, escape a Yiga hideout and risk your own skin for someone who didn't even look at you like you were human," the apple shook a little in her hand.

"Princess…"

"Just please, don't feed me a lie about you duty or your fate. If I hear those two words in a sentence again I'll scream." She took a big chunk out of the apple and screwed her face as she felt it fill her mouth with tart dryness.

Link didn't speak for a while, when he did he stared into the distance, "I won't lie I thought that way for a while. That it was all just my duty," He grinned as though whatever he was looking at through the trees was hilarious. "You're right you sure did make my job just a little bit harder than it was supposed to be but I didn't make things easy for you either."

He looked at her and looked surprised at how just how intently Zelda was listening. She ushered him on gently hoping he wasn't going to back out of his thought.

Link's eyes moved away from her again and continued, "I thought there was nothing left of me and that all there was left to do was to just keep going. Impa's talk of destiny and all that was the only thing left keeping me going. It took me a few minutes in a room with our friend Al' to figure out it wasn't the only thing."

"What was it?" Zelda asked.

Link shrugged, "It's not important. Main thing is you can rely on me… no matter how many times you run away."

Zelda laughed at the cheeky look on his face, "Hey! I didn't do it that much right?"

Link widened his eyes comically and looked to the side.

"Oh come on, how many times?" she complained.

"You really want me to go through them all? I hope you brought firewood because we're going to be here for a while," he said dryly but with just an edge of humour in his voice, more subtle then most would notice.

Her eyes narrowed in on him, if he was going to play this game there was no way he was winning. "Oh yeah? You know it says more about your skills as a bodyguard then it does about me…"

"I always found you didn't I?"

She rolled her eyes "Please, I let you find me."

"You really need to work on your lying I'm not as dumb as the guards you have outside your door." Link dusted off his hands to show he was finished eating.

"That'd be a problem if what I just said was a lie," Zelda looked over to the horses and an idea pinged into her head.

She turned back to him with a mischievous glint, "Alright, if you're so confident all of a sudden then surely you'd beat me to the Great Plateau."

Link's eyebrows raised, "A horseback race? You sure?"

"Positive." Zelda grinned and leapt to her feet and began to run to the horses.

As she called back she realised her voice was practically laughing with glee.

"Be sure to pick up the rest of the food."