AUTHOR'S NOTE:
I'm sorry to get super personal with you all for a moment. I have severe postpartum depression. I was in a psychiatric hospital for the last week, really, against my choice, but that's a story I won't get into. That was a week of my daughter's life I'll never get back. It put my life into perspective, I thought of everything I'm grateful for and take for granted. I thought about my fiance' and how ceaselessly loving and patient he is with me. I make his life hell a lot of times. They gave me a journal, and I wrote this chapter by hand(in marker) and it is so much better than my first two by far. In these two games, Link never shows us his personality, so the way I write him is almost entirely based on my partner, and the way he talks and treats me. He is a very patient, devoted, kind and loving person that I often don't feel deserving of. I wrote this for him but I'll never show it to him. This story is the kind of love I aspired to have, and finally found in my life.

ANv2:This chapter is…*chef's kiss* The best. I brushed up on my Hyrule Historia, and several parts of this had me sobbing in front of nurses and doctors (LOL) Thank you for reading :)

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"Excellent response time, Zelda. And your footing has improved as well," Link praised.

Beads of sweat were beginning to form across both of their foreheads, and amidst the clanging of swords, and scuffling of feet, was a growing determination inside of Zelda.

All the sword training they'd accomplished over the last few weeks really reassured her in her role as Link's travel companion. Her sacred powers were no longer a viable form of protection and of this, she was well aware. That was more than adequate motivation to perfect this new skill. The thought of him getting injured again was too much for her to bear, and she knew in her heart she'd do anything to protect him.

"My arm still seems to tire much too quickly," Zelda eventually said in between swings. The sun was low on the horizon, and the temperature was steadily dropping. They'd need to set up a campfire soon, the valley wasteland between Gerudo desert and the next closest stable was notoriously freezing at night.

This was the 10th time for Link and Zelda to train together. A lot had occurred in that time, and not just between them.

. . . . . . . . . .

"Link…" Zelda began awkwardly.

The ninth Lizalfos to be slain by Link's sword had just fallen, and he was washing the blood off in the river when she spoke up. He turned to give her a questioning look. Zelda stammered for a moment, then blushed. He was definitely more than curious now and directing his full attention at her as he stood, the sword dripping in his hand.

'Oh just say it already,' She told herself internally. She'd been thinking about this question for close to an hour, ever since they'd boarded their horses at the Wetland stable. They were traveling on foot towards Zora's Domain and the path was riddled with monsters. She knew to expect danger from this specific route, she'd had glimpses of Link's last expedition to the Domain and he'd been struck several times by shock arrows, to her horror. The closer they got to where Lanayru tower once stood, the more amplified her anxiety got, but to her realization and relief, it wasn't raining this time. Every threat they faced, Link handled without effort, but her question still lingered.

"I would like to learn how to fight. Rather, I would like you to teach me how to wield a sword and shield so you don't have to fight alone anymore."

He'd realized some time ago that the princess was mulling over something in her head but he hadn't expected this to be what it was about. His expression lit up, and her heart relaxed. She'd feared upsetting him.

"I would be happy to," came his eager reply. He sheathed his weapon, and pulled the pack off his shoulder to rummage through a moment. "I brought this other sword along as a precautionary, but it'll be your training sword."

"I'm truly surprised you agreed so easily to this," she told him.

"It's a great reason to continue seeing one another after we've concluded this journey," he said with a vaguely shy expression. He withdrew the Royal Broadsword from its wrappings.

"I-yes. I was thinking that too…" Her heart was in her throat for a reason she was unwilling to pinpoint at the moment.

The type of glances she was giving him lately were not lost on him, and in truth he was testing the waters, so to speak, with his statement. She'd just given him the affirmation he was looking for to push it a bit further. He approached her with an expression she couldn't read, and held the broadsword, handle first, out to her. His hand lingered on hers as she took it, and the flustered reaction she gave him was too precious not to smile at.

"Test the weight. If this feels comfortable enough, give it a couple of practice swings for me so I can see," he said while backing up.

Between cliff rocks and pine trees, was the lowering sunset. Her golden hair took on a glowing shine in the light.

She took a deep breath, and gave the best diagonal swing she could without flinging the sword from her grasp. The action felt foreign and uncomfortable, she could only imagine how uncoordinated she looked but it was of little consequence. She widened her stance a bit, and swung again.

"I-I'm sorry," she sputtered.

"Don't be, that was good. Does the weight feel alright? We can find you something lighter."

"No this is perfect, I want to use what you're most adept at yourself."

He removed his wooden shield and passed it over, trailing his finger across the side of her palm as he did. Her expression furrowed, and he quickly decided he wouldn't push it again. There wasn't need for an uncomfortable trip.

The two of them went over the bare essentials of sword handling, and what she needed to do or avoid to remain safe. He demonstrated several basic techniques to her in slow exaggerated movements, and had her attempt a few as he encouraged her. They reached a point where the sun was nearly at the horizon line, and he glanced up the path with a sigh.

"There's an alcove up the hill with an old campsite and cooking pot. I think it'd be best if we made camp up there," Link murmured. Zelda agreed with a nod, and gave the sword and shield back over for his handling. They climbed their way up and found comfortable places to lay their bed rolls, and he prepared a stir fry dish full of assorted vegetables and fresh meat with hungry eyes. She sat by him in reserved silence, and occasionally he looked her way. There was undeniable communication going on, it was silent but direct. They didn't have to speak to recognize the magnetic energy surrounding them, but her expression told him she was struggling to speak. He always listened, he hoped that she knew this as well. It needed time.

In nearly no time at all, Link fell asleep. Always the first to pass out and the last to wake, it was just in his nature. Zelda had every desire to reach over and touch his face, but instead she simply watched his peaceful dream play out through his subtle expressions.

A torrential waterfall of tears spilled down her face.

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"Father, I must insist to you that you've got it all wrong. It sounded much more like this," Sidon proclaimed, before bellowing his own version from memory.

Vah Ruta was gone. It had disappeared a few hours prior to the pair's arrival. To the beings residing and listening in Zora's domain, a strange behavior and sound occurred that caught the attention of everyone. The rumbling of rocks alerted them first.

The Divine Beast traveled its way across the land and towards the deep ocean at a crawling pace. In between that time there was, as recounted by Sidon and Dorephan, a song of sorts coming from the beast in somber dragged out notes. Several citizens, as well as the King and son both tried to recreate its tune, but there was no solid agreement.

"I absolutely must hear this for myself. Perhaps I can even find the meaning behind it. I've no doubt the others are disappearing as we speak. If Link and I leave now, there's a chance we can make it to Goron City in time," Zelda said decidedly. She peeked at him and he nodded at her solemnly.

The goodbyes were said and done, and supplies were restocked. The pair were off again as quickly as they came.

. . . . . . . . .

Getting back to their horse companions at Wetland Stable took less than half the time it took to get to the Domain. Zelda's glider had been safety inspected and tested by Symin before it was handed off to her. The pair took careful direction down every cliff edge they could and eventually they made it back for rest and recharging.

A quick agreement was made to meet back together later. Zelda opted to use her alone time in finding a nearby water source to bathe. They briefly crossed paths with apparently the same idea according to the contents of both their arms; various toiletries, clothes, a towel, soap. They went opposite ways.

An hour passed before her figure reemerged from the darkness headed towards the wooden stools beside the cooking pot. Link was already there and about to finish preparing curry when he looked up and smiled at her. She returned the expression as she sat.

The movement was sudden.

"What has gotten into you?" Zelda gasped.

He started it back up again, playfully this time but without forethought. The pin holding her long hair upright had a tempting placement that his fingers simply couldn't resist plucking from her head. Strands of gold spilled down her shoulders, and the shock across her face straightened out his thoughts at once.

"I'm really sorry," Link replied instantly.

He handed the pin back to her. Her shock and mild annoyance was short-lived and replaced with something a lot softer, and a bit sadder.

"Please tell me what's been troubling you," he begged her softly.

She swallowed thickly and replied, "I'm not ready."

He respected her desires, and simply left it at that. A hasty braid replaced her bun as he prepared their plates.

The routine of their evening was starting to feel like home. The very presence of each other brought it wherever they were at. The sigh of relief that followed them was subconscious.

"Thank you."

"For what?" Zelda replied.

"Allowing me to remain as your protector," he smirked when her cheeks tinted, but continued, "You wanted to argue the issue further, I could see it on your face," he said with crestfallen eyes.

"I want you to be happy," she said in a nearly inaudible whisper.

"Princess Zelda, what have I done to indicate to you in any way that I am unhappy? Let me put you at ease," he pleaded.

"It's nothing you've done, not at all. Please, I think it would benefit my mental wellbeing if you simply referred to me as Zelda from now on. I'm not your princess. I'm… your companion. Your partner." Her words were soft and he was leaning in a bit just so he could hear.

"I can do that. How else can I help reassure you," he asked.

"Your kindness is always my reassurance."

Zelda took his hand and held on for a while. He started humming and it was lulling her. "Sword training in the morning?" Link asked her eventually. She nodded at him and smiled tiredly.

When she was at the moment of head bobbing, they both knew it was time to stand up.

Together they found their separate beds.

. . . . . . . . .

"Oh Link! Do you hear it?" Zelda cried out in wonder.

He nodded, taking a swig of the fireproof elixir she'd mixed for him. Vah Rudania was clutching the rim of death mountain's crater and bellowing something nearly indiscernible from this distance. It was a song just as the Zora had described, and as Zelda frustratingly realized, it was difficult to retain due to the immense length of, and in between notes. She tried the best only a person with no musical training could.

They went to town at her request, but it helped very little. Rudania was digging into the volcano's center and creating noise that cascaded across all the lava fields. Rudania's song rang out as it sank down deeper, until eventually there was nothing but silence. Zelda did her best to transcribe it back from memory, to no avail.

. . . . . . . . . .

"Certain grass growing around the Tabantha region whistles when you blow on it. It's not a great instrument, but maybe if I play along, it'll help you remember it better," Link offered her.

She giggled at that, and nodded. "It's the best we have right now."

As the affectionate two neared Rito Village on horseback, the familiar bellows rang all across the cliffs and mountains. They could see Vah Medoh already upon its departure; it was on the horizon line, but still audible. The stable was in view now, and Link quickly hopped off Pig's back to retrieve the plant. His whistle drew both horses over and he sprinted with them tailing right behind. Zelda was laughing now as her horse stopped following her direction. It was the most genuine laugh he'd heard from her in over 100 years.

They could hear an accordion getting louder, though only the same five notes played repeatedly.

"I know who that is," Link called back at her, "An actual instrument sounds much more helpful."

Kass was more than pleasantly surprised to learn the rumors of calamity's defeat were not only true, but before him stood the legendary princess Zelda his beloved teacher always spoke so caringly of. The avian virtuoso had traveled back home amidst swirling talk amongst his kind, of a song that could be heard coming from Vah Medoh. He could only catch the final few notes.

The recruitment of his services were made enthusiastically. A plan where Kass was to travel ahead by flight to Vah Naboris. His claim was he could speed up the notes for her so it was easier to hear. He insisted upon his perfect pitch, a claim that encouraged Zelda greatly, and quickly thereafter he was off into the sky.

The day was still new and the two were off in the very same direction, after a quick visit in town and with the shivering Beedle for restock of course.

. . . . . . . .

"Please understand and trust what I'm about to tell you. I would never allow my blade to touch you, and there's not a chance at all of you injuring me. That being said, I want you to come at me from any angle, and I can talk you through stances and techniques for defense," Link said a few afternoons later.

Zelda was becoming so much more adept with her sword, and the smug look Link got every time she accurately deflected or parried the things he tossed grew her confidence a bit. It was always small stuff, apples and branches usually. He'd always given direction as she practiced on trees, but now he was stepping it up.

Zelda's heart was racing. He stood before her with a vague stance, a traveler's sword he'd recently acquired in hand, but he was relaxed. He winked at her.

She charged at him, and so began the session.

There was a small gathering of people whispering amongst themselves beneath the tent to avoid rain as the two started their session. A man stood out amongst the crowd, he wasn't speaking to anyone, only observing. After a long while, he approached them confidently. 'My name is Hoz. I need your help," he told them.

Link was interrupted. "We will most certainly help, please tell us what's wrong," Zelda answered automatically.

"There's no mistaking that the both of you are no ordinary travelers. There's been talk of the return of our princess thanks to her legendary hero. There's no doubt about it with the disappearance of the shrines that've been here all this time. It's you both, isn't it... All that rumbling opened several caves around the world, and therein lies our current problem you see. A hoard of monsters are making nests. People are scared, and we have one nearby threatening all of us, right now."

Zelda began, but Link interrupted. "She's a novice, she's staying behind. I'll help you, just tell me where to go." In the most childish manner he'd seen on such a dignified Princess, she pouted.

They were led away with one other brave volunteer, as Zelda lingered behind with worried eyes. To nobody's surprise, Link handled the majority of the Bokoblins and the three nests that lay waiting.

Link returned with a few strange looking seeds in his hands and pocketed them as he waved in her direction. Zelda was smiling with relief and sprinting towards the three men when a glint behind Link caught her eye.

"Buhuhuh…Legendary hero and Princess, your lives are mine!" The stranger cried as a cloud of smoke poofed next to Link's head. He dove towards them both with a sickle in hand.

Link hadn't even withdrawn his weapon before Zelda's pierced through the man's shoulder. He collapsed pathetically and began to cry, removing the mask from his face in the process.

"We won't forget this." Tears and snot ran down. There was another poof of smoke, and Zelda's sword clattered to the ground.

Link was astonished at how quickly she responded to the crisis, it was more bold than any of the training from earlier by far. "Thank you," he laughed in relief, "You are incredible."

"You both are," Hoz boomed. "Listen, the thing is, monster hunting is what I do. I've met others all across here eager to fight now that the guardians have all stopped. If you see yourself in need in the future, please do not hesitate to recruit me. I owe you."

Zelda was enamored with the prospect. "I will take you up on that, brave and noble Hoz."

"Zelda," Link sputtered. "Your hair…!"

"Oh, no. No no…"

She grabbed at it, hands running through until the server was found, half of one side was jaggedly cut to her neckline and she was angry. Very angry.

"I won't forget this either," she said under her breath. "Well. I suppose it's time for a new haircut."

. . . . . . . .

Kass descended before Link and Zelda on horseback in the valley wasteland between Gerudo desert and the last closest stable, and they came to a sudden halt. His eyes were sad as Zelda approached.

"Princess, I have heard the entire melody from the start, and was able to make sense of it for you. She lit up, but he continued. "You may recognize what I'm about to play."

The notes began. Link and Zelda stood beside one another, her trembling shoulders alerted him to the fact that she was beginning to sob.

He touched her shoulder gently, "Zelda…What is it?"

"They were all…saying…goodbye. It's my lullaby."

. . . . . . . . . .

Link was forced by guards to await Zelda's return from Gerudo town. He considered wearing the Gerudo outfit and sneaking by, but Zelda would undoubtedly laugh to tears and blow his cover. He knew she'd be some time, Riju was a descendant of Urbosa, she would take all the time necessary to get to know and befriend her. There was also mention of a touch up on her hair at the salon. He was beneath a palm tree at Kar Kar Bazaar in the meantime, snacking on hydromelon.

It was well into the night when the girls began slowing down on conversation. Link had reassured her that if need be, he'd build a fire and camp out until she returned. The chieftain and Princess sat upon her bed above the throne room, they'd only just finished cackling at the telling of Link's Gerudo attire.

"Link…" Zelda murmured.

Riju was attentive to Zelda's change in demeanor, and sat up a bit.

"I have so much I want to tell him, but it's almost impossible to. I can't bear to know what he'll think of me after I do," Zelda muttered.

"It's something that bad?" Riju said.

"It depends on how he takes it."

"Tell him, be brave. He cares a lot about you, I doubt he's going to be upset with you at all," Riju said softly.

"I think... there's a possibility he loves me," Zelda told her friend.

"I have absolutely no doubt about that at all. You have to tell him."

Zelda nodded vaguely and covered her face with a pillow. Riju lay beside her and hugged her friend. The girls shared the bed for the night.

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The wasteland between Gerudo desert and the stable was dark and cold, and the two were nearly hip to hip before the fire.

Link, I'm ready to talk," She whispered. His palm was over hers as they sat across his bedroll. Her voice was sad and he was watching the struggle plague her features.

"I had many years to myself with only my thoughts, and visions came to me of things I never knew before," She began.

"You and I have a history that has transcended lifetimes. Too many lifetimes to count. To know this is real, to know…" She stopped and took a deep breath. She was getting worked up and needed to explain herself as clearly as possible.

"The first hero of these lands, before it was known as the kingdom of Hyrule, was…you. The people of that time referred to this land as the Land of Hylia. My role then was more profound than I ever imagined could be. The memories I recovered were those of the Goddess. I never knew…What I want to say is, I am…the Goddess Hylia reborn in human form. The first hero struggled, suffered and sacrificed, all in my name. He- you were imprisoned, and cast down upon by your peers, but your devotion never wavered. You lost your life defending the land from the demon king known then as Demise."

Zelda was crying softly but still made herself continue. He was in attentive silence.

"Gods are arrogant, and I was no exception. I was morally wrong, and abhorrently selfish. My parting words to your fading spirit was this," Her voice took on a different tone as she spoke.

" 'Your imprisonment was willed by the Heavens. It was meant to make you strong. It was necessary to transform you into one fit to wield the Master Sword. The sword was tempered by your spirit…you woke it, and will serve as its master for all eternity. This is because you deeply love the Land of Hylia and its people. As I do. I have watched you, and felt your pain like a knife through my body. I will ensure that your gentle, heroic spirit will live on eternally. And I shall…shed my divinity. The next time we meet, I wish to stand before you as a simple human. Whenever the land of Hylia is in danger…we shall be reborn.'"

"Do you see? She- I used you. This curse of yours… You carry upon your shoulders, the weight of the entire world. You were robbed of your choice and freedom, the peaceful rest you always deserved, and I am wholly to blame. It agonizes me so deeply that looking at you in this way…loving you, is entirely wrong and unfair. I cannot excuse my decision no matter how long this eternity of ours stretches on. I'm so, so sorry." She couldn't continue anymore, the weeping was now a deep sob into her hands.

"What does the word 'soulmate' mean to you," He asked her simply.

She was greeted by his gentle smile. His lips pressed to hers. She was crying but she couldn't pull away. His hands cupped her face, thumbs brushing away moisture, and they held on for several long moments. His mouth was soft. She'd never been kissed before, it was pleasant and comforting. She broke away after a minute to breathe.

"You should hate me," She trembled.

"But I love you."

"I love you."

He kissed her again briefly but tenderly, and her head fell against his chest. She pulled him down and across the bedroll and they held each other until they were both asleep.

. . . . . . . . . . .

The journey was at its end Hateno Village was coming into view and Zelda's anxiety was a bit amplified. They'd been gone nearly a month, and the last several nights they had slept beside one another. It was presumptuous to think anything about the next sleeping arrangement, but as she looked across at him, he smiled and asked her, "Stay tonight?"

"I would love that," She softly replied.

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Nothing naughty, just sleep. Promise ;o For now… ;o ;o ;o ;o

I wrote this all by hand and it's crazy to me. Please let me know what you think!~ *kisses all of you*