Chapter 4

This chapter picks up after the events of Tears of the Kingdom. This is also assuming they found a way to return the castle to ground level.

"Oh Link…I'm home!" Zelda smiled as tears welled in her green eyes.

Link felt a familiar sting in his own eyes, but pushed them away as he leaned forward and threw his arms around Zelda. Zelda was surprised by Link's sudden actions, but she embraced him tightly as Link's knees gave out, pulling her down with him. Her tears fell into Link's shoulder as Link pulled her closer burying his own face in her shoulder. He breathed in her scent and felt a calming presence that he had not felt since she fell into the chasm. His princess was home.

For Zelda to transform back, they both must have channeled their abilities through you, Link.

Zelda could not stop thinking about the message within Mineru's last words. Sonia and Rauru had the power to reverse her draconification, and yet, Link was the key to actually reversing her transformation. Zelda read through her research notes on Zonai ruins and anything she could find related to dragons and time magic, but nothing gave her the answer she wanted. Draconification was irreversible as Mineru said, but Sonia's recall ability and Rauru's light power through Link returned her to her Hylian form.

Yes, the purity of light and the power of recall had to be what brought me back. But how was Link the missing key? Zelda thought.

A knock at the door of Zelda's study pulled her from her thoughts.

"Come in," Zelda spoke.

The door opened and Link entered the room.

"I wanted to check on you. I thought you would be here all night if I didn't interrupt your thought process. Looks like I was right," Link crossed his arms with a smug look on his face.

Zelda huffed and closed her journal.

"I can't help myself, Link," Zelda had become more casual with Link in the way she spoke, and he liked it. When he was appointed as her knight, she always had to maintain a regal presence and be careful about the way she spoke and acted around other people. Link was the exception, and only with him could Zelda truly relax and be herself.

Zelda put away her things and exited her study with Link behind her. They walked across the outdoor bridge that connected her study to her bedroom. As Zelda was walking, she had a lingering thought that would not leave which caused her to stop halfway across the bridge. Link stopped behind her, puzzled by her actions. The moon was bright and beautiful that night.

"Link, what do you think Mineru meant by 'Rauru and Sonia channeled their powers through you'? How were you the key to reversing my draconification?" Zelda asked as she turned and faced Link.

Link felt his cheeks growing warmer and he looked at his feet embarrassed. He had wondered this himself and came to his own conclusion. He cleared his throat and met Zelda's gaze.

"At that moment, all I could think about was how much I wanted you back the way you were before. Then Rauru and Sonia appeared, and our combined power turned you back into a Hylian," Link paused as he looked at his right hand, "I kept thinking how I just want to see you smile again, and to protect my princess."

Link looked at Zelda again and was surprised to see tears welling in her eyes. He did not know how to respond and froze in place. Zelda walked over to Link and stood eye to eye with him. Link felt his heart pounding with her standing this close to him.

"Zelda?" Link asked nervously.

Zelda placed her hands on Link's cheeks, cradling his face tenderly. Link felt his breath hitch, and the warmth in cheeks spread all the way to his ears.

"I awakened my sealing power because of you," Zelda spoke softly while brushing a piece of Link's hair behind his ear, "When I saved you from that guardian, all I could think about was protecting you. My feelings for you allowed me to awaken my power, and it seems your feelings for me are what brought me back."

"Zelda…" Link breathed.

"Link…" Zelda sighed as she gently pulled Link's face into hers and kissed him.

Link felt all the tension in his body melt away as he pressed his lips further into Zelda's. He wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her flush against his body while she wrapped her arms around his neck. The moonlight shone down upon them as their kiss deepened. At some point Zelda pulled back and gave Link the sweetest, most loving smile he had ever seen. His knees nearly gave out when he saw the way she looked at him. Link had one more thing to do before telling the princess goodnight and felt this was the perfect time to do it.

Link reached into his pocket and removed the handkerchief that Zelda gave him so many years ago. Zelda immediately recognized it and felt the tears roll down her face.

"You kept it?" Zelda inquired.

"Yes, I always keep it with me in case I'm having a bad day or if I'm thinking about you," Link answered, "I never forgot how kind you were to me that day."

"Oh Link, that's so sweet," Zelda smiled as she wiped her tears. She sighed then continued, "Well, it is late and I should go to bed. We have a full day with the sages tomorrow. Goodnight, my silent knight."

Link smiled genuinely at his old nickname and responded, "Sleep well, princess," and bowed deeply as he always did before.

Zelda nodded and walked into her room with a big smile on her face. Link walked back to his own room and collapsed on the bed. He took a deep breath to try and slow down his heart while running his hand through his hair. He thought about Zelda's kiss and touched his lips lightly. As Link drifted off to sleep, a smile went across his face as he thought about Zelda.

The next morning, Zelda's ladies in waiting arrived to her room to help her get dressed for the day. She and Link had a meeting with the sages to discuss future plans for Hyrule and its settlements. One of the ladies in waiting noticed a smile on the Princess's face as she was adjusting Zelda's garments.

"You seem very happy this morning, Princess," the lady in waiting stated.

Zelda snapped out of her daze and felt flustered.

"What-? What do you mean, Hilda?" Zelda stammered as she blushed.

Hilda and the other ladies in waiting giggled.

"You have been smiling all morning," Hilda teased, "Did something happen last night with a certain someone?"

"Hilda!" Zelda exclaimed as her entire face and ears turned red. The other women in the room laughed.

It was no secret how Zelda felt about Link. Most of the castle staff were aware of the Princess's feelings for her knight. But the women who served as Zelda's ladies in waiting were close with the princess, and there had been multiple occasions where they would stay in the princess's room a little longer than usual to discuss the latest gossip around the castle. Hilda and the other ladies in waiting finished dressing Zelda, and the princess made her way to castle dining room.

Breakfast with the sages went well and multiple ideas were discussed in regards to improving Hyrule. Throughout the meal, Zelda and Link stole glances at each other hoping no one would notice. However, Riju, the Gerudo chief, immediately noticed how the princess and knight glanced at each other even if the moments were brief. She smirked to herself then looked over at Sidon, the Zora king. Sidon had also noticed the coy looks between Zelda and Link and returned Riju's gaze with a head nod of acknowledgment.

After breakfast, Zelda and Riju went on a walk around the castle grounds.

"Now that the gibdo population is under control, we should be able to rebuild Gerudo Town and even expand it. Maybe we could add a path to make traveling to Gerudo Town easier," Zelda stated.

"Both of those ideas are excellent, Princess," confirmed Riju. She paused and then continued choosing her words carefully, "If you don't mind me asking, Princess, when will you be coronated? I'm surprised it hasn't happened already."

Zelda lightly chuckled and responded, "Hyrule is still repairing itself from the Calamity and the wrath of Ganondorf. It felt wrong to have such an extravagant celebration when my kingdom is still healing," Zelda paused then continued slightly embarrassed, "And…I have not chosen someone to marry and serve as the king of Hyrule."

"Hmm…I can think of someone," Riju smiled teasingly as she looked up at Zelda.

"Wha-?! I mean, what are you saying, Riju?" Zelda panicked then quickly regained her composure. Zelda stood in place waiting for Riju's response

Riju stopped and turned to face Zelda.

"I saw the way you were looking at Link while everyone was at the table earlier. You were not exactly subtle," Riju smiled lightheartedly.

Zelda was about to retort but held back and hung her head as her face turned red. She was too embarrassed to look Riju in the eye.

"Does anyone else know?" Zelda asked quietly.

"Sidon and I shared a look so he seems to be aware, but I would not be surprised if other people knew. Even before today, I've seen the way you two look at each other. Your eyes are always filled with admiration and love when you see him," Riju said kindly.

Riju continued stepping closer to Zelda, "And…I may not know much about voe, however, I've seen the way Link looks at you and I know he feels the same way."

Zelda immediately recalled her and Link's kiss from the night prior and felt heat run through her face and ears. She even felt a sensation in her lower abdomen that she had only felt when Link was around.

"Being a ruler is a heavy weight to carry, and I do not want to place this burden upon him. He has been through so much. We both have," Zelda stared at her hands opening and closing them recalling the night she awakened her sealing power. Link died that night protecting her, giving everything he had until the very end. He ultimately was revived and saved due to the Shrine of Resurrection, but she awakened her power because of her love for him.

Riju placed her hand gently on Zelda's shoulder causing the Princess to finally look Riju in the eye.

"I know that Link is the right person to handle the responsibility of being a ruler, especially with you at his side. He is loved and respected by the people of Hyrule so there's no worry of him not being accepted," Riju smiled with Zelda returning the smile, "Also, you are the only nobility left so you really can marry whoever you want."

Both girls laughed and continued their walk around the castle grounds. At the same time, Link and Sidon took a walk around the castle and stopped at a nearby balcony. They could see Zelda and Riju walking and talking below them. Link could not help himself and a small smile crossed his face upon seeing Zelda laughing with Riju. Sidon grinned wide and chuckled while clapping his hand on Link's shoulder.

"Man, you have it bad, Link," Sidon joked.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Link said flustered failing to hide his blush.

"I see the way you look at the Princess and the way she looks at you. Everyone sees it. You two are completely smitten with each other."

Link did not deny it. He always had feelings for the princess but suppressed his feelings because he knew it would never be allowed for a knight to marry a princess even if he was a higher rank. Even though Link was thrilled to hear Zelda's confession the night before, he was not sure what this meant for their relationship.

Link leaned over the side rail looking at the ground below, "Sidon, I am common born and she is royalty. There's no way we could ever be together even if we do have feelings for each other. Plus, I am her sworn knight. It wouldn't be proper."

"Agh Link how can you be this sworn by duty?!" Sidon exclaimed causing Link to look at him surprised, "This is a new time for Hyrule and Princess Zelda is the ruler of the kingdom. If she wanted to court you, I'm sure she could make it happen."

Sidon folded his arms and proudly stated, "And if you ask me, I think you and Princess Zelda would be a fine couple. I also think you would be a good king."

Link laughed, "Imagine that, me as the king of Hyrule."

"I'm serious, Link," Sidon affirmed. "You are kind, courageous, and wiser than you realize. Not to mention the people of Hyrule adore you since you've saved the kingdom more than once."

Link was touched by Sidon's words and considered them.

"Do you really think Zelda and I could be together? And rule a kingdom together?"

"I don't think, I know. When you finally have time alone, you should ask for permission to court her. I know she will say yes!" Sidon cheered with his shiny smile and fist pump across his chest. His signature move.

Link smiled and nodded appreciatively, "Thank you, Sidon."