The chirping of birds rang through Zelda's ears. She rolled over in the softness of her sheets and pressed her face into her pillow, wanting nothing more than for the sounds to disappear. She wanted to sleep, to remain deep in the darkness that allowed her to dream. She knew that she would have to be at work soon, and every second of sleep mattered, especially after the rough weekend she had had. As soon as her job appeared in her mind, Zelda pushed herself up from the pillows and looked out the window against the wall.

"What?" Zelda said loudly as she watched the sun rays dance through the windowpane. "Why is it so late? Link? Link, where are you?"

With her lover nowhere to be seen, she jumped from the bed and hurried to the Sheikah Slate that sat on the writing desk. She grabbed it and quickly began swiping through the screens before settling on a green dress. After a tap and allowing the blue strings of light to form, she threw the outfit on before dropping the slate back onto the desk. She dashed down the staircase, ignoring the frazzle of hair she didn't bother to fix before opening the door, only to find Link standing there in the snow.

"Link, why didn't you wake me up?" Zelda asked quickly, ignoring the fact that he had been a bit surprised at the sudden opening of the door. "I'm late for work! You know I have to be up before the sun rises!"

"I'm… sorry?" Link said questioningly. "I guess I didn't think about it because you usually wake up by yourself."

"Well, if I oversleep, then I would assume that I could count on you to wake me up," Zelda responded sourly.

"But, Zelda, you didn't oversleep," Link said. "You said you have today off, didn't you?"

Zelda blinked.

"What?" she asked.

"You have today off, and tomorrow too, in fact," he continued to explain. "At least, that's what you told me on the way home yesterday."

"I did?" she asked. Suddenly, her shoulders relaxed. "I… I do. I do have today off… Prima told me."

"See?" Link said, raising an eyebrow. "I thought you wanted to sleep in since you worked hard last week, especially with how the weekend went. I also made some breakfast for today."

After hearing this, Zelda finally looked down to see two bowls of food sitting in his hands. She sighed before backing up to let him into the house.

"I'm sorry, Link," she said as Link stepped inside and allowed the door to close behind him. "I guess… I guess I've just gotten—"

"Used to the chaos?" he asked, setting the bowls on the table. With a tired smile, she nodded, causing Link to chuckle. "I understand. Come on, come eat."

"Thank you," Zelda said, moving to take a seat on the opposite end of the table where her bowl sat. "Well… We have the whole day to ourselves. I think I mentioned this last night, but I want to spend some time with you today."

"Last night, huh," Link repeated quietly, looking down at his food. His eyes glossed over as he stirred his breakfast with his spoon. The vivid image of the traveler he hadn't recognized flashed through his mind.

"D-do you not want to?" Zelda asked shyly.

"Huh?" he responded, snapping out of his thoughts. He looked up to see that her cheeks had flushed, though she didn't dare break eye contact with him. "Of course, I do. Why wouldn't I?"

"F-for a moment, it looked as though you didn't approve of the idea…" she said, averting her gaze.

Link mentally kicked himself. He hadn't meant to let his frustration show. What he had said was the truth: he did want to spend time with her. In fact, he wanted nothing more than to lay in bed and simply hold her close, something he hadn't been able to bring himself to do for the past few days. Despite these urges, he simply couldn't shake the feeling of worry and guilt, and today was no exception. Overpowering his desires for Zelda was the need to search; to act and ensure that traveler from the night before was just that, and nothing more. Still, this was a truth he knew Zelda wouldn't accept, and one that he honestly didn't want to give her, especially when he saw just how disheartened her eyes had become.

"What did you have in mind for today?" he asked, bringing the spoon he had been stirring with to his lips. Zelda's face lit up.

"I was thinking that… that we could go find and play with the children today," she said. Link practically choked on his food. "Link, are you all right?"

"I'm fine! I'm fine," he said quickly, forcing the food down his throat. "That's what I get for taking large bites. I was just a bit caught off guard."

"By what I said?" she asked.

"Yeah," he admitted. "I expected elixir making or studying– something like that. You've never wanted to just go play with the children."

"Yes, I have! I like the children, and when I see you play with them, you always look like you have so much fun. I felt left out," Zelda said disparagingly. "They only started taking a liking to me recently, thanks to you, so I thought it would be nice. Besides, they're really worried about you, you know."

"Me?" Link asked, taking another bite of his meal.

"Yes, you," she insisted. "They asked me about you a few days ago. They said you kind of brushed them off."

"Oh… Yeah, now that I look back on it…" Link mumbled, thinking back to the last time the children had asked him to play. He had almost entirely ignored them thanks to his fear of the Yiga being around. It also didn't help that his body was throbbing thanks to riding his Divine Beast off of a cliff. "I guess, I did kinda pass by them without saying much."

"I think they would really appreciate it if you spent some time with them," Zelda encouraged, "and I'd have fun as well."

Link watched as her cheeks began to glow a deeper shade of red before his lips formed a tiny smile.

"Do you just want me to play around with you like I do the children?" he asked. Steam might as well have started coming out of Zelda's ears.

"N-no!" she said loudly. "Of course not! It's so the children feel better and we get to spend time together! It's an efficient and effective method that helps everyone!"

"And?" Link teased as he raised an eyebrow. Furrowing her own brow as her whole face began to turn red, Zelda averted her eyes once again.

"A-and…" she said quietly, beginning to fidget with her spoon. "W-we never got to… have a… normal… childhood together, s-so it would be nice t-to… play with you… I suppose. J-just for the experience."

"All right, then," Link said with a chuckle. "Let's do it."

"Are you sure?" Zelda asked sourly. "It sounds like you'd rather not."

"I do, I do," he said. "I'm sorry, I teased you a bit too much. You're right, I have been neglecting the kids lately. I think it's a good idea."

With her eyes still full of bitterness, she stared into Link's soul before sighing.

"Honestly, was it so hard for you to simply say yes?" she asked before taking a bite of her food. "You make things so difficult."

"That sounds like someone I know," Link teased again, which earned him a light, but still painful kick to the shin from under the table.

...

After finishing their breakfast and allowing Zelda a moment to fix her bedhead, the two left the house and stepped into the snow. While the sun was out, the air remained chilly and the snow on the ground refused to disappear. The couple laughed at the number of footprints they had left on the white sheet before moving to the side of the house where the stables sat.

"It feels weird not to be at work," Zelda said as she raised her hands and breathed into them for warmth.

"You've only been working there for a little over a week," Link chuckled as he fed the horses, opting to spoil them with an armful of apples. "Has it already been that ingrained into you?"

"Prima is a tough trainer!" she insisted. "My arms were sore those first few days after all the times she made me repeat the work."

"Practice makes perfect," Link said as Epona finished her apples, allowing him to step over to Storm for his, "and all of your practice paid off, didn't it?"

"I'd say it has, though I'd prefer to practice with someone," she answered. "The times you helped me out were the most enjoyable."

"You mean the time you were upset with me because I was better at dancing than you?" Link asked cheekily. "And by that time, I mean only a few days ago?"

"I never said you were better," Zelda shot back. "I was only frustrated with how quickly you had caught on. I'd like to believe I'm still better at it… at least for now."

"For now," Link teased. "Does that mean you wish to dance with me again?"

"Stop asking obvious questions and let's go," Zelda said, blowing off his question as she wrapped her arms around one of his own.

"I know," he replied with a chuckle as he watched Storm eat the last apple out of his palm.

With Zelda still clinging to Link's arm, the two began their trek across the bridge and down the pathway towards Hateno. The village had returned to its usual state now that the weekend fun had come to an end. Farmers like Dantz and Medda had returned to their fields, shops like the Sayge's dye and Seldon's boutique had opened for business, and those who took care of the roads and storefronts like Ivee had started sweeping the powdered snow away. Even the gossipers were out, standing by the well as they prepared their family's laundry for the week. While Zelda's grip on Link's sleeve slightly tightened, the ladies paid her no mind.

"It looks like they're still recovering from their waltz," Zelda said, watching as they continued to work quietly, apparently not having much to say this time around.

"I think they'll be fine," Link said, choosing to merely glance over at them as they passed by. Zelda giggled before resting her head on his shoulders. With a grin, he asked, "are you tired already?"

"Of course not," she replied. "Can I not just enjoy being near you?"

Link grunted in response. He had allowed his eyes to wander in order to keep track of everything happening around him. Though everything seemed normal, he simply couldn't shake the feeling in his chest. Behind every wall, the darkness of each shadow, and the protection of the roofs above were all potential hiding spots; ones an assassin trained in the arts of stealth could use. Suddenly, the image of the traveler he hadn't recognized from the night before flashed in his mind. Even hiding in plain sight was an option for him if he truly was here.

It'll be hard to move if she's clinging to me like this, Link thought silently. Even if I do enjoy having her so close.

"Link? What are you looking for?" Zelda, who had apparently noticed his moving eyes, suddenly asked.

"I'm just keeping an eye out for the kids…" he answered without looking at her. "It's amazing we haven't run into them yet."

"Maybe they didn't come out to play today," Zelda said, now looking around as well. "I haven't seen a single child out, now that you mention it."

"No, they're always out," Link disagreed with a slightly furrowed brow. "I'm sure they're somewhere. Just keep an eye out and I'm sure you'll spot something, at least."

"If you say so," Zelda said. "Did you know that Prima makes her own alcohol?"

"Does she?" he asked.

"Yes, she's very talented! In fact, as she was telling me about the process, I started to wonder if I could apply it to elixir making. The first thing she does is—"

Zelda continued to talk, with Link giving his occasional thoughts about her ideas as he kept an eye out for more than just the village children. Even though he wasn't entirely listening, he still found it impressive how she could learn and come up with ideas for her projects through simple conversations she had in her daily life. She really was incredible. They continued through the village, passing over the small bridge that crossed the river and up the winding mountain paths until they finally reached the large, fenced-off pastures above the village.

"There they are," Link said suddenly, pointing out into the snowy fields with his free hand. Zelda looked and sure enough, there the kids were.

The children were separated into two groups with a bit of distance put between them. They each seemed to be playing in the snow, building what the couple could only guess were walls. Though they seemed to be having fun, yelling and laughing when the forts would fall over, the cows that were usually wandering in the pastures didn't seem too amused by the unusual disturbance. Occasionally, one of the farm cows would walk past one of the kids, as if threatening to do something if they wouldn't quiet down. The loud ones paid them no mind though, as they continued to have their fun. Confused, the couple walked through the snow until they reached the outside fence.

"What are they doing?" Zelda asked as she placed her hands on the fence. She leaned a bit over the wood in order to get a better view. "Are they allowed to be in there? What if they anger the cows?"

"They aren't, and they'll get hurt if they do," Link said. "Stay here."

With a leap, he crossed over the fence and into the pastures. He stepped his way through the snow before calling out to the little ones. The moment they heard his voice, they all turned to see him getting closer and a smile appeared on each one of their faces.

"Link!" they called as they stood from each of their snow walls. The group merged into one as they hurried over to him, meeting him in the middle of the field. "What are you doing here? Have you come to play with us?"

"I did, actually," Link said as he placed a knee into the snow, now able to talk to them at their level. "Zelda came too, but we had a hard time finding you guys. What are you all doing up here with the cows?"

"We needed a big space to play in!" one of the children said. "The grown-ups will get mad if we play our game down there."

"Okay, and what game are you playing?" he asked them.

"We want to have a snow battle!" another child said. "We each are in two teams, and we have our own kingdoms; like in the stories the elders tell us about!"

"Yeah, yeah!" said one child. "At least, we're trying to build kingdoms. The cows keep knocking our walls down."

"Really?" Link asked as he glanced over at one of the cows. As one of the spotted beasts looked back at him, he gave an awkward smile. "Well… I have a pretty good idea why. They don't seem to be happy with you guys disturbing their peace and quiet."

"But, then, what do we do?" a boy with rectangular glasses asked.

"How about we go back into the village and play your game down there," he suggested. "I'm sure that would be a lot safer."

"But what if we get in trouble?" the girl with the curls asked, who Link recognized as Mayor Reede's daughter, Karin.

"We won't get in trouble," Link said, but when he looked into the kids' worried faces, he chuckled. "How about this: if we do get in trouble, I'll tell them it was my fault. How about that?"

"Deal!" the kids all shouted instantly. Link furrowed his brow.

"You guys knew I would offer that, didn't you?" he said disapprovingly. The children laughed.

"You always do," Karin said with a bright smile. "Now Amira and Nikki will yell at you instead of us!"

"Great, I'm looking forward to it," Link sighed, though internally he was okay with this. He almost hoped those two would give him a reason to tell them off. "All right, come on. Zelda's waiting for us over there."

With nods, the children began bolting away towards the part of the fence Zelda was standing at. Link watched them run away before he turned back to the herd of cows and gave them a wave of apology. Assuming they had accepted it, he pushed himself up to his feet in order to follow after the group. Once all the kids had ducked under the fence, he once again hopped over, planting his feet right next to Zelda.

"Okay, we're going to the village entrance," he said loudly to the children. "That should be enough space for our game."

After a cheer in agreement, the group of kids began to quickly move their little legs down the winding path into the village. The couple began to follow, with Zelda giggling at the sight.

"They look excited," she said as they followed behind at a stroll. "What game are they planning to play?"

"They basically want to have a glorified snowball fight," Link explained as they continued along. "I think you'll have fun."

It wasn't long before the group had arrived near the village front. Placing his hands on his hips, Link looked around before giving a nod.

"This should be more than enough space," he said to the children before internally thinking, and I can keep a good watch over who comes into the village from here.

"Okay, Link! How do we play?" the children spoke up. He looked down to see them, including Zelda, surrounding him.

"What do you mean?" he asked. "Weren't you guys about to start playing? How do you not know the rules?"

"But, you're here now," one of the smaller children said, "and so is Zelda. Plus, you always make games more fun than we could."

"Well, you're not wrong. I do make things more fun," Link said, nodding his head as he ignored the look Zelda gave him. After a pause, he clapped his hands together. "Okay, got it. First, I want you all to get back into the teams you were in. Then, you guys will choose which teams we will join. We'll build our forts, and then we'll have a snowball fight. The catch is, the only ones who can surrender will be either me or Zelda."

"So if we want to win, then we need to make one of you guys quit?" Karin asked. Link nodded. This only made her frown. "That doesn't seem fair."

"What do you mean, Karin?" Zelda asked curiously, along with a few other kids asking the same thing. "What's wrong?"

"You and Link are in love," she explained, pointing at the both of them, "and you used to be a princess, right? Link would never actually try and win against you."

"I… Well—" Zelda started, but a murmur of agreement rang throughout the group. She couldn't help but admit that she was slightly taken aback by the thought-out argument the little girl had given her. "I… I don't think—"

She never got to finish. Before she could find any counter-argument against Karin's words, her vision went dark and her face began to freeze. Slowly, she brought her hands to her face before wiping powdery snow off her face. Everyone turned to see Link, holding snowballs in both of his hands.

"You guys really think I would skip out on a chance to beat a princess in a snowball fight?" he asked with a grin, tossing the snowballs up into the air before catching them. "Please."

"You are so immature!" Zelda yelled as she continued wiping snow out of her eyes. Link simply laughed.

"Come on, Zel," he said, still laughing. "You're the one who wanted to play with the children. If you can't handle it, then–"

Just as he had done to her, Zelda didn't allow him to finish before chucking a snowball of her own right into Link's face.

"Oh, I'm sorry, was that cold?" she teased as Link spit snow from out his mouth. "Unfortunately, I know exactly what that feels like."

"Oh, it is so on," he said as he shook his face free of the snow. "Whoever is with me, I am your new king, and I wanna see the best snow wall ever!"

Suddenly, the group of kids closest to him (who were now laughing) suddenly ran behind him before dropping into the snow. Zelda, furrowing her brow, crouched down into the snow to speak to the remaining half.

"He may claim to be a king, but you guys have a real princess on your team," she said to the group. "What they can do, we can do ten times better. Are you ready?"

"Ready!" her group called before all of them got to work on their own fortress of snow.

Soon, everyone had begun running around in order to collect snow as both teams started preparing their own forts. While the building continued, Link noticed that Zelda had whispered something to the kids on her team before dashing off up the hill towards their house. He furrowed his brow.

What's she planning? He asked before turning to his team, who now had half a wall now built. "Stay on guard, their princess is planning something."

"Do you know what it could be? The kid with glasses asked. Link thought for a moment before shaking his head.

"Not that I know of, at least right now," he said. "She can be pretty unpredictable at times when she wants to be. It's nothing we can't handle, though. For now, get those walls higher!"

"Yes, King Link!" his team roared before scurrying around even faster.

Grinning at his team with pride, he crouched down and ran his hand through the snow before his fingers felt something rough. Grabbing onto the object, he pulled it from the snow to reveal a large stick. He swung it around for a moment before nodding. Mimicking a certain Gerudo bodyguard, he placed the stick out in front of him, the 'hilt' under his palms, and the tip of the 'blade' in the snow. Eventually, he noticed Zelda return, though what she had supposedly gotten from the house remained a mystery. As soon as each fort was ready, both teams retreated behind them before peering over their walls. Neither moved.

"What do we do now, Link?" one of his team asked as they carefully watched the other team.

"If they don't want to, then we'll strike first," he whispered before taking a snowball in hand. "Ready?"

All the children nodded before grabbing their own snowballs. After a pause just to be sure Zelda's team wouldn't attack first, Link yelled "fire!" Snowballs flew through the air before crashing down on the fort opposing them. To his team's surprise, hers did not immediately return fire. Raising an eyebrow, Link peeked out from behind his team's fort.

"Hello?" he called. "Are you guys giving up already?"

The moment he finished his sentence, his ears twitched. He could just barely hear the sound of something beeping; one that only beeped faster the more it continued. Link's eyes grew wide.

"Get down!" he yelled to the children in his fort.

The sound of a chain breaking echoed before a legion of snowballs flew through the air. Gritting his teeth, Link stood as he watched the legion of snowballs barrel towards him. With his stick in hand, he swung, striking any snowball that threatened to hit any of the children that had ducked. Amazingly, none of the kids or himself were struck as the other snowballs had missed and fallen around them.

"You went and got the Sheikah Slate?" he yelled, to which Zelda and the kids—who peeked their heads out of their fort— only laughed.

"Work smarter, not harder," she called back with a giggle as she held the slate to her cheek. "What's wrong, Your Highness? Do your legs begin to shake when a true challenge comes knocking at your door? I do hope your knees aren't ready to buckle in surrender."

"Oh, so that's how we're playing this?" Link mumbled under his breath as she and the rest of her group ducked back down behind their wall. With a nod, he pointed his stick down at the children behind his snow fort. "You lot, I need as many snowballs as you can make. Go!"

From behind Zelda's fort, her team was doing the same thing.

"Do you really think he'll surrender after a few more of these?" Karin asked as she continued making snowballs.

"Knowing him, he'll find a way to come up with something just as creative," Zelda answered as she peered over her wall. "I don't see him though, and I'm surprised he hasn't launched a counter-attack yet…"

"Is this enough?" the children behind Link's fort asked. With a grin, he nodded.

"Plenty," he said. "I want each of you to take a snowball of your own and throw them first, okay?"

"Okay!" they called. Doing as he said, each took a snowball in hand and looked over the fort.

"Ah! Here they come!" Link heard Zelda yell.

His team threw their snowballs, which he could hear smash against their fort. After all of them threw their snowballs, his team ducked back behind their wall.

"What now?" they asked.

"Now they think that was our attack," Link explained as he counted the snowballs they prepared. "But that was just a fake-out. The real attack starts… now."

He could hear the beeping of the stasis growing faster in his ear before the sudden breaking of chains. Instantly, he took in a deep breath and began to hold. Time began to slow down, just in time for him to see all the snowballs Zelda's team had thrown freeze in the air. With a grin, he quickly counted the snowballs in the air before reaching down to take a snowball in hand. One by one, he threw them and each one slammed against Zelda's snowballs, which exploded into white powder in the air.

"What?" Zelda yelled as Link allowed time to return to normal. She sat dumbfounded as she watched—from her perspective— all of her snowballs explode in the air all at once.

That's not all, Link thought as he took another breath, slowing time once more.

He took more snowballs in hand, and yet this time he aimed them directly at her fort. Zelda and her team yelled, ducking as his snowballs slammed against their fort. Almost as soon as the barrage started, it came to an end.

"What do we do, Zelda?" the children on her team asked.

"Make as many snowballs as you can and just throw them!" she commanded, crouching down to make a snowball of her own. "I know he must be tired after doing that! Now's our chance for a comeback!"

Fortunately for her team, Zelda was right. Link crouched down as he brought a hand to his chest, trying to control his tired breaths.

"Link, what do we do?" the children asked as snowballs began to pelt their fort.

"J-just… Just give me a second," Link gasped. "I did that twice in a row… That took a lot out of me. Keep throwing them back, don't give them time to recover."

Their fort continued to be blitzed with snowballs before Link's team retaliated with snowballs of their own. After a few minutes, and a long breath, the king had rejoined the fray.

"Okay, I've got an idea," Link said as the kids continued to throw. "I'm going to invade them."

"Invade them?" the kid with the glasses asked.

"Yup, I'm going to make Zelda surrender with force," he said with a grin before pointing at the rest of the kids. "You guys don't get to do this until you're older, don't mimic me."

After receiving a nod from each of the kids, who continued to keep throwing snowballs, he took his stick in hand.

"Okay, wish me luck. I promise you all that your king will return with victory in hand," he said with a quick bow before jumping over their snow wall.

He ran across the snow, swinging at and dodging each snowball that had been aimed at him. As he ran, he bent down and scooped up a quick snowball into his free hand. After a few more dodges he made his way to their fort before jumping high into the air. His eyes immediately targeted Zelda before he threw a snowball. It struck her directly in the chest, causing her to trip backward. He landed before hurrying over to her body. Before she could get up, Link was standing over her with his stick pointed down at her nose.

"This is quite unfortunate for you, Princess," he said in a mocking, overly grand voice which was obviously for show, "but, looks like this is my win."

"And what makes you say that?" Zelda asked, ignoring the stick pointed at her as she brushed snow off her front.

"I mean, other than the fact that I'm standing over with a sword at the ready while you're on the ground?" he asked. "Seems like a pretty clear win to me."

"That wasn't the conditions for a win," Zelda said with a frown. "The conditions were that one of us has to surrender, and I have not yielded."

"Okay then," Link said. He pulled the stick away from her nose before lowering himself down to a crouch, still very much on top of her. With a grin, he bared his fangs. "I guess I'll just have to make you surrender then, won't I?"

Zelda blushed furiously, however, she closed her eyes and cleared her throat.

"You forget that we aren't the only ones here," she said.

"I won't do anything inappropriate," Link grinned, yet Zelda shook her head.

"That isn't what I meant," she said with a grin of her own before shouting, "now!"

Suddenly, Link's face grew serious as he looked around. Zelda's team had completely surrounded them, with snowballs in hand, all of which were aimed at him. Soon, he was completely under point-blank fire.

"Guys! Help!" he yelled as he climbed off of Zelda, trying to shield himself as best he could with his arms. "Invade! Invade!"

Answering the call to action, the kids from his team all ran, with snowballs at the ready, towards the opposing side to help their king. Before long, the battle had turned from a strategic war to an all-out brawl. The couple, along with their respective teams, had given up on their learned skills or technological advantages. Laughing and running around, they all continued to bombard each other with snow, allowing their forts to fall as they chose to handle things in a more personal fashion.

This (for Link, at least) didn't last much longer. After a bit of time, through the chaos, something caught his attention. Holding his breath, time began to slow as he looked towards the village entrance. Through the snowballs, he could see a traveler with a large bundled backpack coming into the village; one he again, could not recognize. He was an older man, with shaggy blonde hair and a lip-covering mustache. Though the traveler seemed not to be paying the children, Zelda, or him any mind, Link frowned.

Another one I don't recognize, he thought while time was still slowed. I know what Dantz said last night, but this just feels wrong. I should know most, if not all the people in Hyrule, despite what everyone says. Still, with Zelda here, I'll be stopped before I can do anything.

Link paused in his thoughts, looking around at the snow-flying snowballs before an idea popped into his mind.

If it is that Yiga, then he's bound to be watching me, he said as he scooped up a snowball from the ground, and if that's the case, then he's on guard. Instead of waiting for him, I'll strike first, and if he is ready to fight, then I'm sure I can take him with this stick alone.

Bringing the snowball close to his chest, he twisted his waist before raising the snowball above his shoulder. With a powerful swing, he chucked the snowball toward the traveler. Time began to move regularly as the snow whizzed through the air, flying much faster than any of the balls he had thrown before. In an explosion of snow, it slammed into the side of the traveler's face, something that caused everyone in the snowball fight to freeze in their tracks. The man stumbled for a moment before leaning over and crashing down into the snow-covered ground face first. Everyone gasped.

"What?" Link mumbled to himself, yet, before he could think about anything further, he winced at the angry call of his name.

"Link!" Zelda yelled. He turned to see her rushing towards him with her face burning red, and he didn't know whether that was from the cold snow or from anger. "You threw that one, didn't you? You're the only one who could throw a snowball that hard and that far!"

"Y-yeah," Link said reluctantly, "but, you don't understand—"

"Do not tell me you did this because you thought it was a Yiga," Zelda boiled. "Link! Do you remember the last time you thought a Yiga was in disguise?"

Link's brow furrowed in anger. He wanted nothing more than to shout back that at the moment she was referring to; she was spying on him. Regardless of his urges, he clenched his fist tightly.

"Zelda, don't you think it's just a little strange?" he said as calmly as he could. "Travelers have a bit more sense than that; they have to fight monsters on the road. It's just a little weird that a snowball took him down that easily—"

"It was thrown by you!" Zelda cut in. "You're the one acting strange; it's like you don't even care! Go help him!"

As angry as he had become, he knew this was something he couldn't argue against. Deep down, even if he was almost certain the traveler wasn't exactly as he seemed, at least for now, he had hurt a person. He glanced down at the snow, still reluctant to admit that he may have been wrong, yet he still turned and began to head towards the road where the man had collapsed.

"Hey, sorry about that," Link said once he arrived at the traveler, who was now trying to pick himself off the ground. "I guess, you—uh— got caught in the crossfire. Are you all right?"

"Y-yes, I believe so?" the traveler said as he tried to push himself to his feet. Before he could get all the way up, he stumbled.

"Easy," Link said, catching the man before he could fall completely. "Even if it was just a snowball, you got hit pretty hard. How's your head?"

"I… hear a ringing noise?" the traveler said unconfidently. He tried to walk forward but again began to stumble, requiring Link to catch him once again. Taking a quick look, he noticed a large red welt on the side of the traveler's forehead.

"Ah, shoot," he whispered to himself before asking, "where were you trying to go?"

"I was going to buy a few supplies from the general store if you guys have one," the traveler explained, "but, now I think I need to rest for a bit."

"All right, then," Link said. Gently, he guided the man back down into the snow. "Here, why don't you sit down for a moment? Just… Just wait there."

After ensuring the traveler was okay being left alone for a few seconds on the ground, Link walked back over to where Zelda and the children were waiting.

"He's a bit disoriented," he explained once his lover was within earshot. Unable to look her in the eye, he placed his hands in his pockets and looked back at the injured man. "I'm going to help him over to the inn. He's gonna need some rest, but he should be fine after a bit."

"I hope that's all he needs," Zelda responded in a low tone. "Please make sure he gets there safely, I'm sure Prima will know how to take care of something like that. We'll wait for you here."

With a nod, Link turned back and headed towards the man again. The children and Zelda watched as he helped the man back up before slowly guiding him down the road. As they disappeared, one of the children began tugging on Zelda's dress. Though she was still heavily thinking about what she had witnessed earlier, she looked down to see the kid with the rectangular glasses looking up at her.

"Zelda… Is he going to be okay?" he asked. Zelda took a deep breath.

"I'm sure he will be," she answered. "It was just a snowball. No matter how hard it was thrown, I don't believe—"

"Not that guy… I mean, Link," the child said. "You said he would start feeling better and that he would be normal again. You said he always comes back, and he looked like he did today, but…"

Slightly taken aback, Zelda pursed her lips. She looked around at all the children's worried faces. What worried her was she knew she was feeling exactly the way they were. She had promised them that he would get better, and yet, it seemed as though he had taken a few steps back in her eyes. Still, after playing with her fingers for a moment, she crouched down to the boy's level.

"What was your name, again?" she asked.

"Teebo," the child said.

"Well, Teebo," Zelda said nervously. "I'll be honest, I'm not entirely sure what to say. I trust Link to get better, but I've already told you that before. I'm sorry."

"Do you really still think he'll get better?" Karin asked from behind. Zelda turned and looked at her with a small smile.

"I have no doubt in my mind that he will," she said. "It's just… going to be a bit more difficult for him than I thought."

The children grew quiet for a moment. Unlike before, where they immediately accepted her word, this time they looked doubtful, and she couldn't blame them. Still, regardless of her worries, Karin spoke up again.

"I trust you," she said. "If you believe… then I'll believe it too."

Agreement began to murmur through the children, something that brought a more authentic smile to Zelda's face.

"Here, why don't we take a break from our snowball fight, and relax for a bit while we wait for Link to come back?" she asked, taking a seat down in the snow. "I wish it were on better terms, but I think a break would be good for me after all that fun."

Though she was tired, the rest of the children seemed to have energy to spare. Deciding to allow Zelda a moment to rest, the kids began to run around, beginning to play their own game as she watched from her place in the snow. One child, however, chose to sit next to her instead of running around.

"Are you still worried about Link, Teebo?" she asked. The boy nodded before adjusting his glasses.

"He's always been really nice," Teebo answered. "He always seemed interested in the things I found neat."

"Oh? What kind of things?" Zelda asked kindly.

"Well, really there was only one thing, but Link said I probably shouldn't go near it again," the boy answered.

"Did he?" Zelda probed. "Why would he say something like that? What did you find?"

"It was a statue, like the one in front of the mayor's house," Teebo explained, "but it's a lot bigger. Link thought it was cool at first, but then he spoke to it, and after a while, he said I shouldn't go to it anymore."

"A goddess statue?" Zelda repeated. "And you're sure Link spoke to it?"

"He did! He did, I promise!" Teebo answered. "I thought it was weird, too, but he was!"

"But, if it was a goddess statue, then why would…" she mumbled thoughtfully. "Teebo, can you take me to this statue?"

"Huh? Are you sure?" he asked hesitantly. "Link really didn't want me to go to it…"

Though the child seemed hesitant, Zelda had already stood and began brushing snow off the back of her dress.

"Please, take me."

...

It hadn't taken long for Teebo to guide Zelda to where Link had warned him not to go. In fact, to her surprise, he had led her up the path towards the wooden, box-like houses the Bolson Construction company kept on display, the same path she and her lover used to go home. Instead of continuing up the path, though, the boy turned off of it, opting to run off the road towards a thin slope between the mountain rocks. Before he could get too far along, he stopped and turned to his follower.

"It's down there," Teebo said. "It's really big, so it's easy to see when you walk down there."

"Down here?" she asked curiously as she stared down into the snow-covered pass, "but there isn't a road here on the Sheikah Slate's map…"

"It's not really a road, that's why the grown-ups don't go down it," the boy explained. "I only found it because I was adventuring!"

"Were you, now? I see," Zelda mumbled. Without any hesitation, she began to walk down the natural path, only stopping when she realized the young boy hadn't followed her. She looked around before glancing back up the hill where the boy remained standing. "Teebo?"

"I-I'm going to go back to the others," he said. "I don't want Link to get mad at me… I promise you'll see it, and tell me if it talks to you!"

"I will, thank you, Teebo," Zelda said with a smile.

She watched as the child waved before disappearing back into the village. Once gone, she turned back to face the thin slope, with her brow furrowed in resolve, before slowly beginning to descend once more. Though Link had always been a stickler about caution, it usually had to do with specific dangers, and it was hard to imagine that a goddess statue would be on the list in his head. Placing her hand against the steep rocky cliffside to stay balanced, she continued further, listening to the crunching of snow beneath her boots.

Soon, the wall opposite to the one she used for balance disappeared as the path began to hug the curve in the mountainside, leaving nothing but a steep cliff down into the snowy forest below. Carefully her steps slowed, wanting not to fall into the trees below. Before she could grow any more worried about her trek, the cliffside path began to open up, while also revealing the statue the boy had told her about. While her eyes lit up at her discovery, her brow soon furrowed upon closer inspection.

It was an old statue, and while it had the familiar stylistic features to that of the usual goddess statues, those were where the similarities ended. It was much darker than any of the other statues. It was as if it hadn't been touched or cleaned in years. Instead of standing tall with grace, it sat in a fetal-like position with its legs brought together and its chin resting on its knees, along with its cloaked-covered hands choosing to rest on its feet. Though a hood was carved over its head, its face was still very much visible. It had sullen, empty eyes, with a rectangular nose and a small thin smile carved under its nostrils. While its face seemed odd, these were nothing in comparison to its most notable features, consisting of two large horns that sprouted from its forehead and a pair of wings that were placed high on its hunched-over backside. The statue practically reeked with an eerie aura, one Zelda could feel deep inside, something she knew no one other than Link could have possibly felt.

"This… isn't a goddess statue," she mumbled to herself as she stepped closer to the stone carving. Though she didn't like the aura it gave, it felt oddly familiar, yet she couldn't place her finger on it. "What… are you?"

Slowly, she reached her fingers out, wanting to wipe away some of the dirt in order to get a better look at its facial features.

I'd rather you didn't, unless you'll be willing to commit to cleaning all the bird droppings that cover my stone.

Zelda yanked her hand back and almost slipped in the snow as she stepped away. Suddenly, from the snow on the ground that surrounded the statue came thin beams of light, while a deep purple mist began to seep from the statue's feet. As the light grew brighter, the statue's features became more pronounced, showing the bags under its eyes and the detail of the horns.

"Y-you really can talk?" she asked.

Oh? So, you can hear me? The statue asked in turn. Though its features didn't move, its quiet, sly voice was crystal clear, as if speaking directly into her mind. To think, after so long, a second person in less than a year comes gifted with the ability to hear my voice. You are a lucky girl.

"You mean Link?" Zelda asked carefully. "Was he the first?"

The unmoving statue chuckled.

I shouldn't be surprised that you know each other, it said. Though, while the personal lives of my clients don't usually interest me, I can't say that you are the same. I wonder… Why is it that you two, who are so well acquainted, can hear me? It can't be a coincidence…

The statue grew quiet for a moment, something that made Zelda's stomach swirl with unease.

If I may be so bold, might I ask that you step a bit closer? The statue asked. When she didn't immediately comply, it added, fear not, I can't do anything to you, unless a deal is struck between us, that is, like I've done with your friend.

Reluctantly, Zelda stepped forward. The light around the statue brightened before dimming once more. Though nothing touched her, she began to feel strange. It was as if someone was peering inside her soul, caressing and breathing against its very existence. The stone began to chuckle.

Fa ha… Fa ha ha ha… Maybe it is I who is lucky on this day, he said. Your essences, it's the same… While his was similar, something I thought was a fluke, yours is…

"My essence?" Zelda asked. "What is that? What did you do to me?"

Nothing, girl, the statue said. I told you, I can't do anything unless a deal is struck. Let me explain: I am nothing but a simple dealer, one that has the ability to tamper with the spiritual and physical constructs of your essence.

"My spiritual and physical constructs?" she repeated. "Like what exactly?"

Stamina… Life itself… the statue explained, and even more if given the chance, and the proper form of payment.

"What did you do to Link?" Zelda suddenly asked. "You say you tampered with his life? The cost of life must be a hefty price to pay if I've learned anything from living in this era."

Your friend has paid with nothing but rupees, the statue stated. While I choose the cost of temperament, money and life are all as one to me… in most cases.

"I find your words hard to believe," Zelda said nervously. "To mess with a person's being…"

You sound just as she did, the statue said. She couldn't help but hear the very faint sourness in his tone, but, I assure you, I deal with nothing but considerably minor transactions. For many, if they have nothing to trade, I turn them away.

"And what did Link trade you for?" she asked cautiously.

I don't usually tell the business of my customers' transactions… but for you, I'll make an exception, the statue said. Whether he needed more life… or less fatigue, I would adjust his essence to fit his needs… for a pretty rupee, that is.

"That seems awfully shady…" Zelda said, though the statue merely laughed.

Have you never wished for more strength? Or maybe a bit more stamina depending on your duties? It asked. The power to prevail, or the power to endure… Able to be adjusted for the right price when needed. What you call shady, I call convenient. It seems to have proved your friend useful, if he is still alive and well. I've noticed his scars, he must have made difficult choices to get as far as he has… I'd like to believe I've helped him with whatever challenges he's faced, just as he's helped me with my own wealth.

"W-when you put it that way…" Zelda murmured. "Still…"

You still seem to be… skeptical, the statue said. If you're so worried, why don't we strike a bargain?

"A bargain? But, I don't usually fight," she replied, yet the statue only chuckled even more.

Who says you need to battle for my gifts to be of use? The statue asked. I see your dress. You must work, do you not? Would a little more stamina serve you well?

"I… I guess it would…" she answered, remembering how hard it was to keep up during her weekend duties.

Then simply step closer, and I will work…

After a moment of hesitation, Zelda took a step forward, yet before her foot could even touch the snow, she felt a strong force against her chest that forced her back. She stumbled backward before falling down into the snow.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Though the voice rang with gritty fury, it was one she had only heard a little bit ago. She looked up to see Link, with his front facing towards her and his hand outstretched from his push, yet his gaze was not on her, but on the statue that stood behind him.

Ah… My regular patron, the statue said, keeping its calm tone. I had wondered where you disappeared off to. It's been some time.

"You didn't answer my question," Link said menacingly. "What do you think you're doing to her?"

"Link, what's going on?" Zelda asked, yet Link nor the statue paid her no mind.

I was simply answering a prayer, something I believe you're familiar with, the statue answered.

"And what would the cost of this prayer have been if I hadn't intervened?" Link asked with narrowed eyes.

As usual, payment would be as I see fit, the statue said. Do you see a problem?

"Money and life are all as one," he seethed. "You may choose to take rupees, but if needed, you can take essence as payment. As a statue, you have no need to store containers and vessels, so you take money to store in case you're ever freed. But to alter the essence of the goddess herself? That would cost a bit more than a few rupees, wouldn't it? Say… the sealing powers?"

"My… power?" Zelda muttered. The statue simply chuckled.

You're cunning; a lot smarter than I gave you credit for, it said.

"Link, what do you mean?" Zelda asked in a louder tone.

"I guess it didn't tell you that it was sealed away by the Goddess Hylia herself who knows how long ago," Link responded without taking his eyes off the statue. "If it felt your essences, then it also felt more than just stamina and life, but also the essence of the goddess in your blood, and the sealing powers, if I had to take a good guess. You're its chance at freedom, depending on what it charges you."

"W-what?" Zelda stuttered with wide eyes. "B-but, if you knew this, then why—?"

"We're leaving," Link cut in, bending down to take her by the hand. Forcing her up, he began to pull her away from the statue.

Such anger towards me, and yet your words are hypocritical, the statue said as they grew further away. You bash me for going against the goddess's will, and yet you do the same… and still are.

"Wait, what?" Zelda asked, turning her head towards the statue. "Link, what is it talking about?"

Despite her question, Link didn't answer, choosing to continue pulling her away.

Ah, so you don't even know, the statue said. While I may have left some pieces out, I've been much more honest than your friend.

"Link, stop. I said stop!" Zelda said, pulling her hand away from his grasp. She took a few steps away from him, while he turned to face her.

"Zelda—"

"What is it talking about?" she asked. "What does it mean by that?"

I've tampered with your essence enough for me to sense when it's near, the statue continued to provoke. I can also tell. When. It. Is. Not.

"Why don't you stop talking?" Link asked.

You cost me my bargain, the statue said. I'm only receiving payment.

Link balled his hand into a fist and furrowed his brow so far in anger it almost surprised Zelda. Avoiding her gaze, he stared directly at the statue before turning on his heel.

"Zelda. Let's go," he said sternly.

Before she could argue, Link had already started back up the natural path. Confused about what to do, she looked back at the statue, needing it to give her a bit more context, however, the lights and purple smoke had disappeared. The statue had silenced itself. Unable to do anything more as anger boiled in her chest, she dashed up the hill after her lover. She continued her pace until she passed and stopped in front of him.

"What was that?" she asked angrily.

"That was me stopping you from losing a massive piece of your spirit, for good," he answered, trying to walk past her. "Come on, the kids are waiting."

"They can wait, this cannot," Zelda said, stepping back in front of him to block his path. "What did it mean by those things?"

"Are you really trusting its word?" Link asked. "Do you not see where that almost landed you?"

"I only trusted his word because you did," she shot back, "and it sounds like you trusted it a lot, actually."

"So you'll believe what he has to say, but never what I say?" he questioned.

"What, like a Yiga being in our midst?" Zelda humored, however, Link's ears grew red with anger.

"Exactly that, actually!" he said loudly.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Zelda responded, matching his tone, "but, maybe I'd be more inclined to believe you if you hadn't just thrown a snowball at someone's face so hard that it knocked them off their feet! And, mind you, that was only fifteen or so minutes ago!"

"You know what? I'm going home," Link said, throwing his hands in the air before turning up towards the road.

"Link, we aren't done talking about this!" Zelda shouted.

"Yes, we are!" he shouted back. He continued up the path before turning around again to add, "and also, according to Prima, the traveler is fine!"

With that he turned and stormed off, disappearing behind the display houses. Fuming, Zelda kicked the snow, and though she followed after him, she knew full well that she would be greeted with nothing but his silent persona the moment she stepped into the house.