C-Support

Kjelle: Hey, you. Why're you sleeping around over here?

Link: ...*yawn*... The sun's out, and there's a breeze... Good day for a nap, right?

Kjelle: You'll have plenty of time to sleep when night falls. So come on, get up. I've got most of the Shepherds joining me for daily stamina training. You belong there too.

Link: ...Nah... No thanks... I'd rather relax today while the weather's nice.

Kjelle: Are you joking? You're fighting in a war for the fate of the entire world, and you think you can afford to take days off?

Link: ...Course I do... Even in my home world, when everyone depended only on me, I had to take breaks... Spending a day riding on my horse, scrounging for rupees, checking in on people... Stuff like that keeps you from burning out.

Kjelle: We Shepherds don't have that luxury. Every day is a chance to grow stronger. It's a lifelong journey that you can't neglect for a moment.

Link: That's a bit of a stretch...

Kjelle: Do you think our enemies take breaks? If they do, then the gap between me and them will only widen. And if they don't? Then my diligence is even more important. I won't fall behind, and I won't die with regrets.

Link: Mmm... You really are Sully's daughter... I shouldn't be surprised that you've become such a disciplined fighter.

Kjelle: I may be her kid, but don't look down on me. It's thanks to her that I value hard work and dedication. What about you? Seems to me like your parents raised a slacker.

Link: ...I never knew my father, and my mother died while I was a baby... I was raised by a tree, actually.

Kjelle: What? A tree?... Are you making fun of me?

Link: No, I'm serious... And I wasn't looking down on you... I greatly respect your dedication, but I also think you're too strict... You should try to lighten up a little.

Kjelle: Not happening. I've already explained my reasoning. If those big ears of yours didn't catch my words the first time, then this conversation is over.

Link: ...I heard your reasoning, I just think that you're wrong... Give your body a break once in a while... Indulge in something fun... If you need an excuse, I've got a lot of weapons that we could do maintenance on... Time to unwind is more important than you realize, Kjelle.

Kjelle: The only reward warriors like us need is the strength to protect our friends and the resolve to get it done. You're supposed to be a hero, but you fail to understand something so simple.

Link: ...Power and courage will help you win battles, it's true... but I think your approach would benefit from some wisdom as well.

Kjelle: Agh! I've had enough of this squabbling! Look, are you gonna train with us or not?

Link: I already told you... No, not this time.

Kjelle: How infuriating... Everyone else wants you to join in too, y'know. You aren't going to disappoint them, are you?

Link: If that's true, then they'll have to get over it... I have plans to take a nap right here in this patch of grass, and that won't be changing... Sorry.

Kjelle: ...Unbelievable... Fine, you're on your own. Have fun lazing in the dirt.

Link: ...Phew... Now that she's gone, I think it's time to bust out a fresh bottle of Lon Lon!

B-Support

Kjelle: Damn it, Link! See where your slacking gets you? This burn is severe...

Link: H-Hey, it's only on my leg... I'll be all right... I've had run-ins with flaming bats before, and I was never good at dodging those... I'm used to this.

Kjelle: You shouldn't be used to injuries like this!... Grrr... This could have been avoided if you weren't so negligent.

Link: The healers have already dulled most of the pain... It's nothing to worry over.

Kjelle: If I don't make a fuss over this, then what'll change?! Any normal person who takes the brunt of an elfire spell will rightfully take steps to prevent it from ever happening again. You, though? I doubt you'll learn anything from this.

Link: Tch... You act like I wasn't giving it my all... Do you think I was just messing around out there?... I'll remind you that there were mages surrounding our group, and the chances of getting away unharmed were slim... What would you have done differently?

Kjelle: For starters, you should be wearing proper armor, you moron... Look at you! A tunic and undershirt? Not even chainmail? If you're going to continue fighting so recklessly, you should be wearing my hulking suit of metal!

Link: I could wear something more protective, sure... but I'm used to dodging a lot when I fight... Less armor means more agility.

Kjelle: Of course you brush my concerns to the side... Nothing gets through that thick skull of yours, does it?

Link: ...Kjelle, why are you so concerned about me?... You seem to fixate on me for some reason.

Kjelle: I am not fixated on you. What I ask of you, I ask of everyone else in this army. You just happen to be the one who puts zero thought into their own safety.

Link: See, that's not true... Look at Lucina, or Inigo, or Severa... They don't wear much armor either, and they still fight on the front lines. Why don't you demand that they also take this more seriously?

Kjelle: …

Link: I think that you don't like me... I blew off your training, and you want to boss me around now.

Kjelle: Knock it off! I'm not that petty!

Link: ...What is it, then?

Kjelle: I treat you like this because I see how everyone looks up to you. I see how they place their hopes in you. That crap about Naga sending you as a messenger? I'm not sure if I believe that, but there are a lot of people here that do.

Link: ...You think I'm that influential?

Kjelle: Yes, I do... That's why I get so mad when I see you take risks in battle. For the sake of everyone fighting on our side, I need to keep you alive. I thought that if I complained enough, maybe that'd help.

Link: ...Hmm... I hadn't thought about that.

Kjelle: *sigh* Yeah, I figured. Maybe you've been spending too much time napping and chugging bottles of milk to notice, eh slacker?

Link: Heh... Maybe so.

A-Support

Link: *pant* Geez... You don't hold back with this... *pant* do you?

Kjelle: Well, yeah. What's the point of a workout if you don't push yourself?

Link: I don't think I've ever run so much in one hour... Though, I guess there was that race I had with the postman...

Kjelle: You got into a foot race with a postman?

Link: Kinda sounds weird when you say it out loud, but... yeah, I did. I won, too... But anyway, I'm sure I'll be feeling this all day tomorrow... I can't believe I let you talk me into this.

Kjelle: Don't act like you didn't enjoy it. You had a big grin on your face the whole time.

Link: Hah... It was hard not to. Everyone was so happy to see me... especially you.

Kjelle: I-I was not! I was just surprised, that's all! I didn't think you'd ever come to one of these.

Link: Sure, sure...

Kjelle: Seriously, though... Thanks for showing up. People really do seem to light up more when you're around. They were more motivated to run laps than I've ever seen them!... Maybe you are some kind of godly figure...

Link: You don't gotta thank me. It was fun, and you were right from the start... I need to show more conviction in my training... There are allies who need me, after all... They're expecting great things from me... As a champion sent by Naga, I have to rise to those expectations.

Kjelle: It's hard for me to admit this, but you don't actually need my training, Link. All it took was for me to see you in battle one time to understand that. You're one of the strongest fighters I've ever met. You don't need to attend these for my sake, okay? I promise I won't annoy you anymore.

Link: Why'd you want me to say yes so bad, then?... Just to boost morale?

Kjelle: That, and also because I was angry with you.

Link: ...That was the first conversation we ever had though, wasn't it?... Why would you be mad?

Kjelle: I was angry because you're so talented. Back then, it seemed like it didn't take any effort for you to become so strong... If I'm being honest, It still seems that way to me... It's even more frustrating because I don't feel gifted at all. I've had to work my ass off every single day to get to this point, but it's not enough to compare with a force of nature like you... I struggled to accept that.

Link: I may sound arrogant when I say this, but... it isn't fair to compare yourself to me... I've been chosen and blessed by a goddess of my world... I've been literally gifted with divine power to some extent.

Kjelle: After seeing you in action, I believe you.

Link: ...So... I'll see you tomorrow for training, then?

Kjelle: I finally let you off the hook, and now you want to attend my training? You are one stubborn guy, you know that? You're just hellbent on disobeying me, is that it?

Link: ...Nah... I think you finally got through to me, that's all.

Kjelle: Hmph... Well, I can't explain how it happened, but you've got me acting out of character too.

Link: ...Uh... How so?

Kjelle: I've got this unusual urge to kick back today. Weird, huh? I was thinking I might enjoy a pleasant ride on horseback, but I've never had a knack for it. You know any riders around here that could help a girl out?... Maybe a pigheaded boy wearing all green? Someone stubborn as a mule but decently reliable?

Link: Ah... I know just the guy.

S-Support

Kjelle: *pant* H-Hey... *pant* Link...

Link: *pant*... What's... What's up?

Kjelle: I... I got somethin' I wanna... wanna say to you.

Link: ...Phew... All right, fire away.

Kjelle: It's just... *pant* I'm not sure this is the best time.

Link: ...Why?... 'Cause we're both... covered in sweat?

Kjelle: Y-Yeah... Pretty much... I should have done this before we ran five miles...

Link: Eh... Some of my most productive conversations with Navi... happened right after I ran across the entire Hyrule Field... I say go for it.

Kjelle: Fine... Just don't forget that you asked for this... *ahem* Link, I want to be your partner... for life.

Link: ...W-Wait... I- *cough*... Maybe you should have waited until we caught our breath... Wow, that was-

Kjelle: Unexpected? Confusing? Shocking, even?... It was all of those for me, and I'm sure it's the same for you right now.

Link: ...Maybe just a little...

Kjelle: I've talked a lot about how you give people hope and motivation just by being around them, remember?

Link: ...I remember. Ever since you told me, I've been studying others' reactions and moods, and... I think you're right.

Kjelle: You can count me among them. It might not have been this way at first, but when you're with me now, I feel like I can do anything... I feel like I can become the woman that I've always dreamed of.

Link: ...Wow... That's high praise...

Kjelle: As great as this all sounds in my head, I'm not one for fantasies... I know that you don't feel-

Link: I accept, Kjelle.

Kjelle: ...Huh?

Link: ...I accept... I'll be your partner in life... and in love.

Kjelle: B-But how? And why?! You're not making any sense!

Link: It took a while for us to come to an understanding... but we did, and I really like the woman that I've come to know.

Kjelle: Enough to commit your life to me?... What exactly do you like about me?

Link: I like that you push me to be better. You're right that I can get by just coasting on my goddess-given talent... but I don't want to anymore... I'll strive to be the best version of me that I can, and I want to do that alongside you.

Kjelle: God damn... This is crazy, Link... How did this work out so perfectly? I suck at this love confession crap.

Link: ...I think you did great.

Kjelle: Hey... If we're partners for life, then you need to start taking better care of yourself! I'm getting you a set of armor tomorrow!

Link: Aw, c'mon... I use a shield... Is that not good enough?

Kjelle: It is a beautiful shield. I've always wondered what the story was behind it.

Link: Despite it's craftsmanship, the Hylian Shield is pretty commonplace. I saved up a ton of money as a child, and it was the first big purchase I ever made... Compared to me, it was so large that I'd wear it like a turtle shell to defend against falling rocks.

Kjelle: Psh... That's very you.

Link: Before I bought this one, I used small, wooden shields, but... they weren't the greatest... If one touched even a lick of fire, it would burst into flames, and I'd be left defenseless.

Kjelle: And that lack of planningahead is also very you.

Link: D-Don't worry, though! I plan on being better about this, just like we said.

Kjelle: Yeah, fat chance of that... *sigh* Looks like I have no choice, then. I'll be your shield, you big idiot. I can't trust you to keep yourself breathing, so your partner will have to take the lead.

A/N:

The further I get into this fic, the more I struggle with redundancy. There are definitely similarities between this chapter and others like Cordelia and Robin. As the writer, maybe I'm just being overly critical of my own stuff. Choosing not to cover every character in the roster could have made for better variety, but it's been fulfilling to test myself in this way, and I'm still having a lot of fun doing it. That matters most, I think.

Thank you all for the positive feedback, as always.