AUTHOR'S NOTE: Reminder that this chapter has been edited to fit FF's 'Mature' rating. You can read the full (smutty) version on AO3 - same title and username.

… … … … … … … … … … … … …

Title: Hyrule Castle Survey Team

Chapter 3: Zelda's Bedroom Delight*

Author: Sailor Song

… … … … … … … … … … … … …

"..da"

"Z…a"

"Zelda!"

Her eyes snapped open to find Link beside her, looking down with great concern. "What happened?" she asked.

"I… I have no idea," he said with a sigh of relief. "You were having a nightmare, I think."

"Was I? I don't remember anything," she said as she blinked and looked around to try to get her bearings. Once she recalled their evening, she looked back at him. "I'm sorry if I worried you."

He shook his head. "It's okay, come here," he said as he reached his arm out to hold her. "It's just been a while, that's all."

As the Calamity neared one hundred years prior, she had near-nightly terrors that caused her to wake up screaming or covered in sweat. There were occasions where it didn't wake her and she was trapped in her own nightmare, until Link came in and eased her out of her dreams. After their victory over the beast, she had bad dreams again, but rather than these being portents of a returning evil, these were more typically attributed to guilt whenever she visited a new area and saw the destruction caused by the monster that she failed to prevent.

These night terrors actually played a role in sparking the pair's early relationship. Link's memory was still recovering with gaps here and there, so he gave her space at first to let her adjust to this new Hyrule and new him. However, the first time she had a nightmare, he acted before thinking, running to join her in bed and holding her to let her know she was safe. Soon enough, they slept in the same bed every night, and although it took a few months, they found more than just comfort in each other's company.

He could hear her breathing become steady as she fell asleep in his arms, but he stayed awake a little longer as he tried to recall the paths open to them for exploring. In time, mentally traversing the castle worked better than counting sheep, and he too succumbed to sleep once more.

… … … … … … … … … … … … …

After breakfast, they set out to explore more of the castle interior. Link knew this leg of their search would prove futile, since much of this area had been ravaged by malice and the occupying monsters, but it was important for her to see all she could. Her current path had her on track to claim the throne within the next few years, and the castle would likely be restored as her home.

Link cared little for where they lived, only that they stayed together. If asked, he would have said he wouldn't be bothered if the castle was swallowed by the earth, but if it could be salvaged, he supposed that was the better option for the future queen.

Not long after they completed their interior survey of the minor connecting passages, a rather violent morning storm swept through, keeping them inside a bit longer. As they ate a quick lunch, they reviewed her list to plan out the remainder of that day and the next. She mentioned an interest in visiting her chambers, so he suggested focusing on the western side.

"And then the library tomorrow?" she asked, and he saw a strange, mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

He nodded. "Docks too."

"If there's time," she said playfully.

This caused him to chuckle. He leaned in, pressed a soft kiss to her lips, and told her, "I love you, Zelda."

She smiled. "Are you having fun so far?"

"That certainly wasn't what I was expecting," he confessed. "But I am enjoying this. Yesterday was a pleasant surprise."

"Good. There's more to come."

… … … … … … … … … … … … …

The worst of the storm had passed by the time they made it out of the lockup, but the rain continued in waves from drizzle to downpour. With a couple of Korok leaves, they were able to keep from getting drenched as they used the exterior pathways to locate her chambers. They climbed up the steps to her room, and he let Zelda enter first. This had been the only place she had visited after the defeat of the Calamity, and that had mostly been to recover a change of clothing. Much of what had been in her room that was worth salvaging, Link had already collected for her in the years since.

"Shame about the bed," she said offhandedly, as Link finished building a fire and setting up their bedding for the night. "I'll have to improvise." He watched as she looked around and peeked out the curtain that led to the caved-in hallway. "Your room is buried," she said sadly.

"My room?" he asked, joining her to look at the rubble.

"It was just there," she said, pointing to the left.

He shrugged. "I don't know that I really remember using it all that much," he said as he watched her walk to the pile and dig into it with the toe of her boot. "I doubt there's anything worth recovering." Since waking up in the Shrine of Resurrection, he had become more of an item collector than he remembered being in the past. It had started out of necessity, but ended up benefiting others, not just himself. Back when he was a knight of Hyrule, however, he could easily gather any travel supplies he needed from storehouses or the kitchen.

"If you say so," she said, walking back and stopping at the broken doors of her chambers. "You spent a lot of time standing here, wearing that," she said and pointed to his Champions tunic. She licked her lips as she walked over to him. "Ready to resume the game?"

"Here?" he asked, though he had to admit he was glad she hadn't planned something for the lockup. He knew the monsters he had slain in there over and over again, and no amount of cleaning could salvage that area.

She nodded and pulled him back into the room by the bottom of his tunic. "Yesterday I confessed that in our early days together I had feelings about you that I didn't fully understand." She let him go and stood in the warmth of the fire. "Do you have any idea when I started to realize to a small extent what was happening?"

Given his surprise with her revelation in the guards' chambers, he couldn't even begin to think what she had planned here, but he did know when things started to change between them. "After Gerudo Desert?" he guessed softly.

She gave him a nod. "We came back from the desert, and despite how horrible my behavior toward you had been up until the incident, you were kind and never left my side until you had made sure I was safely in my chambers. Immediately after, even though you did not have to guard me within the castle walls, and especially when I was in my room, you took on extra duties and stood out there day after day. Do you remember that?"

"I remember being afraid," he said truthfully. "Up until that point, I had never been so scared in all my life."

"Me too." She thought of the vision of him standing in front of her with the Master Sword drawn, challenging the Yiga to try something as if he was ready to take down more of them for what they had almost done to her.

"I nearly lost you. No one was going to punish me, because as far as everyone was concerned, I had saved your life. They called me a hero, but I felt like a fraud, and part of me just wanted you to go back to yelling at me again."

"Do you wish I had?"

"Of course not. That's just how I felt, at least, until you emerged from your room and we started to become friends. Until then, I was going to stand out there for as long as it took to help you feel safe, but I was also serving penance for my own perceived failure."

She touched him softly on his arm. "Link, we aren't gods. You never fail me."

"But Zel-"

"Ever!" she interrupted, her green eyes piercing into him. Her gaze softened, as she raised a hand, settling it gently on his face. "Would you like to know what was happening on the other side of that door you so penitently stood watch over?"

He raised his own hand to cup hers, then answered with a nod.

She stepped back a little and started undoing the buttons on her blue travel clothing. Link offered to assist, but she held up a hand to him.

"At first, I didn't leave my room because I was still shaken from the experience, but as soon as I learned you were out there standing watch, I felt better almost immediately. Part of me wanted to send you away to give you time to rest and recover, but the more I thought about you standing out there, I started imagining… scenarios."

His eyebrow raised. "Did you, now?"

The travel coat fluttered to the floor, and she nodded as her fingers began to work on the buttons of her blouse. "Protecting me the way you had, I was in awe of you. I desperately wanted to see you, but I couldn't come up with a reasonable excuse to get you in here." The white blouse joined its companion on the floor. Soon after, her boots, travel pack, and pants soon followed.

"I'm here now," he assured as another offer to help, his fingers wanting to be of work.

She stood before him in her brassiere and underwear, pushing him gently and forcing him to sit on the velvet footstool. "I did not know what I wanted or needed at the time, but now that I do, I want to share this with you." She turned around and sat slowly on the cushioned chair across from him, her legs slightly opened. "As I lay in bed, I thought of you coming in and holding me to make me feel safe." She wrapped her arms around herself, moving them subtly at first. "It wasn't long before my hands began to explore, and it was difficult to disconnect you from my thoughts and my body's desires." She moved one of her hands over her breasts while the other dipped down to gently massage between her legs. There was a slight whimper that escaped her lips as a finger applied brief pressure to her lower region.

All at once, she stopped and looked him in the eyes.

"I was embarrassed by what I was doing, and while I liked how it made me feel, I couldn't help but think there could be more. I wished to know if fingers other than my own would feel different. The thought occurred to me that you might burst through that door and, if asked, touch me, help me feel pleasure, but I knew better. You were bound by rules and duty, making it impossible back then." She paused, hoping he would agree with her request. "Link, I wish for you to touch me now."

He removed his gloves, braces, and sword to have them join her discarded clothing. Leaning in, he kissed her gently before whispering in her ear, "As my princess commands."

Whether because of her teasing leading up to this game or just his own natural inclinations, he took his time as he kissed his way down her jaw, moving to the sensitive flesh of her neck. For a time he lingered in the area, waiting to hear her gasp. Once she gave in, he smiled and moved his right hand to her arm while his left snaked around behind her neck so that he had a better hold on her.

"More," she whispered.

While his mouth continued giving attention to her neck, his hand began to move up her arm and slowly down to touch her. The sounds coming from his princess were raw and unrestrained. He lifted his head, but let his hands continue their task. "Are you ready for what's next?"

She nodded eagerly.

He instructed her to take over where he had been. He then ran his hands down her stomach until they came to rest on her waist, touching the top of her underwear. Gradually, he slid them down, reaching behind and smoothing them over her smooth buttocks. With her assistance, he was able to pull them off completely.

He moved back to sit on the stool, taking in his fully nude goddess sitting in a red velvet chair. She was adorable with her blushing and using her hands to cover herself rather than continuing where he left off, nothing like the minx who had been teasing him incessantly for the past week.

"I want a second to remember you like this," he said, pointing to his head to indicate he was taking a new mental picture. Not wanting to slow the momentum, he dropped from the stool onto his knees before her. He placed his hands on her legs, and starting at the knees, he began kissing his way up to her inner thighs.

"Link…" she moaned, making him smile to hear his name said in such a way.

"I'm here," he whispered as he pressed his lips against her flesh. With a surprising move, he slid her quickly down, causing a gasp to escape her lips. He looked up into her eyes and watched her chest heaved as she stared back at him. "I won't stop again," he told her. "Put your hands wherever you want, say what you wish. Enjoy yourself."

"And you?" she asked.

Link flashed her a rare wolfish grin and cradled her head in his hand, kissing her hungrily. His other hand traveled down, causing her to gasp while they were still connected. Zelda was treated to what felt like an eternity of pleasure by her knight. He stayed with her through to the end, holding her hand and keeping her from falling out of the chair, as her breathing slowed to normal.

She looked down and whispered his name as her chest rose and fell gently before moving forward and slipping from the chair to drop down against him. He wrapped his arms around her to prevent her head from falling back against the chair, lifting her with ease. He carried her to the bed he had made by the fireplace, and the pair sat together in the warmth of the aftermath of their lovemaking.

"I sometimes fantasized about you too, you know?" he confessed in the silence as he brushed his fingers along her bare skin.

She looked at him and smiled. "You did? What kind of fantasies?"

"Ah, well, it was nothing like these scenarios you've imagined for us here," he said. "You sticking your ass in my face while photographing flowers and hunting frogs gave me enough stimulation for many, many evenings." He left out the fact that once he had recovered that specific memory, he spent many more lonely taking care of his own needs to it as well.

She curled into him. "That was intentional," she admitted. "I was… experimenting."

"Were you?" When she nodded, he chuckled slightly. "Yeah, sounds like you. Should I ask what else you attempted?"

"I found opportunities to touch you on the arm or forehead when you had an injury, brushed up against you while we traveled… I wasn't as creative early on."

"It was enough," he told her. "I may not have known your feelings, but we did start becoming friends. That is when my rigid ideals began to break down, and I saw you as something other than duty."

She giggled. "If only we'd talked about all of this in those days. Imagine all of the secret rendezvous we could have enjoyed in the secret recesses around the castle."

He shook his head. "Your dad would have had me castrated," he said. "He had already less-than-subtly hinted at that when I was appointed your knight."

"That would have been a real shame," she said. "I have plans involving that particular part of your anatomy tomorrow."

"Do I get any hints to help me prepare this time?" he asked.

He had fully expected her to keep everything a mystery, so he was surprised when she did. "I told you we would be spending quite a bit of time in the library tomorrow."

This kept him awake, because he had no past memories of being in the library other than visits where he stood guard while she did her research. In the present, his many visits to that area were filled with monsters hunting, recipe collecting, and book gathering, which made for neither a positive nor an erotic experience.