Chapter-33 All is quiet in love and war

"It's gotten so quiet all of a sudden. I don't understand… where could they be?"

"Where could who be? The others? Link, they are still over by the castle ruins clearing out what little remnants of Ganon remain. They should be here shortly."

Link fumbled in her hold, body-worn and ragged. The faint sharpness in his breathing caught Zelda's attention, and she heaved a worried sigh for his sake.

"No, I mean, someone else should have arrived here today. He said they were coming. A new enemy..."

"Who said?" Zelda questioned, lifting her hand to her lips, curiously worried.

"The one who Malroc spoke of. A witch!"

"Witch? What witch? Are you certain you heard him right?"

"Yes, no doubt about it. During his last breaths in this world, he told of another, one far more powerful than he. This… witch..."

As Link leaned forward, he rushed up to scour the area, but he soon crumbled under the weight of his wounds and weariness.

"Link!" Zelda hollered, rushing to catch him in her arms. "You're in no condition to look for anyone right now… Rest… The others will be here soon. Please, you must take it easy for now... you're not invincible."

"And neither are you..."

"I'm not the one trying to wander off and find new foes to contend with at every waking opportunity."

"Oh, really, so you swinging that sword earlier wasn't doing just that?" Link snarked, followed by a sharp grin.

"Hey! You were supposed to be unconscious! How long were you watching? Hmmm?"

"I may have been able to show up a moment or two sooner. Hard to tell, you were so—"

Zelda cut him off. "So, you were just willing to let me do battle with that monstrosity? What if something terrible happened?" Her eyes glistened, amused by his antics and eager to hear what she would believe to be a well-rehearsed response.

Link confidently cleared his throat. "But nothing did, and that's good enough for me. And besides, why would I intervene when you looked so… cute...?"

Zelda's pointy ears perked, and her mouth opened. The fluttering of her heart bounced in her chest. But, she knew she had to calm her emotions. Not yet.

Link continued. "I mean, you were fearsome, of course, but… cute nonetheless waving that blade around," he said, poking fun again. "I was actually kind of worried for Malroc to tell the truth. I mean, with how good you looked swinging that sword around, I could've been out of a job." He teased with a smug, long, lean back from her hold.

Zelda's chin fell to her knee. "Here I was on the verge of death, you left in shambles on the ground, doing battle with the supreme lieutenant of Ganon, terrified beyond all reconciliation, hardly able to wield the thing, and all you have to say for yourself is… cute?"

"Yep."

"Cute?" She questioned again. She had to be sure she heard right.

Link chuckled, and Zelda quickly cupped his mouth for him before he could spew another snarky remark to spoil the moment. This was one compliment she wanted to keep to her chest. She shook her head and bit her lip.

Even here on this desolate battlefield, my cheeks have still found a way to glow warm after all we've been through. But how could they not? He looked so adorable when he said that. Here we are seconds away from death, terror closing in around us, the likes of which none have faced before in an age, and the first thing to come across Link's mind is that I'm cute? Wait a minute, does that mean he notices me… as a lady? Have I a chance then?

After chewing her lip for a moment, Zelda rolled her eyes and let out a gasp of amazement to the heavens on the matter. "Oh, Link, what am I to do with you?"

For her knight's sacrilege, the princess could've sworn the goddess herself would require some sort of penance for this ruffian. Glancing down to her hero she was given to care for and back up to the clouds beyond him, she could only sigh a little laugh to her counterpart. This is who you wanted, don't look at me for how he behaves! Zelda thought as she pondered the skies above.

The notion that her chosen knight would rather get a few more seconds of a better view than act on his oath astonished her. But, even still, the idea of that excited her even more.

Cutting through her thoughts, Link answered her question. "Well, for starters, you could let me rest here for a while. I think I've earned that much—"

"And more," Zelda said, finishing his sentence.

"At least, until the others arrive." He said, falling back into the warmth of her embrace.

Holding him close, Zelda glided her fingers through his hair while his head lay in her lap. Taking this opportunity to treat him to a well-earned, restful massage to the back of his neck. Her hands trembled as she proceeded to feather her fingers through his hair and feel where his neck met his strong shoulders. A warm sensation swelled inside her and blossomed like an ecstatic electric current that pulsed every which way. One she couldn't resist, filled with wonder and excitement. A feeling unlike any other she ever felt before.

Her lips quivered, and she paused to raise one hand to hold it back even as she continued her affection. She had never been so close to him before. At least not anything like this in well over a hundred years. And even then, she never had the opportunity to feel him like this. The proximity and the touch of his skin sent shivers from her head to her toes. A wave of heat and emotion flowed through her body and bounced until it all would just coalesce in her waist where it met her lap.

She couldn't understand how these powerful feelings could have commanded her senses. And at a time like this, no less. A war just ended, for goddess's sake. Blood still lay wet on the ground beside her, and moments ago, the chaos of battle was just roaring all around them. How could this be happening to her now? The situation was surreal.

However, she couldn't shake this new feeling. When she glanced at her hands, a warm hum emanating from her inner thighs leading straight to her tingling fingers left her craving him more with a burning desire. Perhaps, this was the reason why she felt this way. The rush of adrenaline from almost losing everyone and everything she loved and cared about in this world must have sparked a primal desire within her to spring forth. Finally able to breathe. Now brave enough to dare and break free to let it all go.

That would be enough excitement for right now, She thought. But by a happy turn of chance for her before she could get too carried away, as she fingered his hair, her brows lifted, interest piqued by just the distraction she was looking for. She cleared her throat, still gazing into the deep ocean blue of his eyes, fumbling to find the words but managing to do so. Anything to distract her from these other thoughts.

"Your hair has gotten so dark since I've met you. And long too! I mean, it's full of ash currently, but even still. It's dark as the night now.""

"Would you say that makes me… cute too?"

Zelda gasped. Her emerald gaze glistened back only to see the reaction of the closed-eye smirk he wore while laying in her lap.

Link then surprised her and opened his eyes, stretching his hand up behind her head. "Or, do you think I ought to chop it off to match yours?"

His hand grazed the giant chunk ripped from her long, honey locks.

Zelda's mouth fell as she pulled away. "Ha… ha… very funny..." she chuckled snarkily and rolled her eyes. "Of course, just my luck. Just as you were becoming so charmingly handsome, dashing, and palatable, you had to go and spoil it… You know, that wasn't my fault!" she said, quickly raking through her missing patch of hair, feeling for every strand she may have lost during that scuffle with Malroc.

Her cheeks were as rosy as a hydromelon. But even with that, she desperately tried to retain all the regalness of a queen in her defense."I was in a struggle for my life, for your information! And to be honest, I'm surprised that was the only injury I sustained."

"Now, if I recall, and I know my memory can be bad from time to time," Link jousted, emphatically putting his foggy recollections as of late in jest. "But I was in the battle too, and all my hair is intact?" Link poked again.

"Well, then I hope for your sake that among the many 'flawless talents' you crown yourself with, one of them is the ability to sleep with one eye open. Because who knows, maybe one morning you might wake to find that those luscious bangs of yours have departed you for good. Hmph!" Zelda said, folding her arms and wearing a pouty smirk. She knew full well how long Link could sleep in some mornings and that the apocalypse could be happening all around him, and he would be none the wiser.

"You wouldn't dare."

"Try me." she blinked, and a breathy pause lingered between them.

Link shrugged it off confidently, yet again. "I know you wouldn't."

"Oh, and you know this how, mister 'Master Swordsman'? I presume now added to your long list of talents is that you're a gifted fortune-teller?"

"No," Link said, folding his arms behind his head. "It's because you like my luscious locks more than anyone..."

Zelda could have stomped at his cocky grin. But, in her heart of hearts, she knew he was right. She loved everything about him. Especially his confidence. She was smitten by every crease of his smile, every strand of his hair, every twitch of his strong muscles when they flexed against her, and the soothing reassurance of his eyes. Such kind, selfless and willing eyes to help all those around him in need.

Hell, even the way he walked mesmerized her. The way he entered a room so confidently without appearing arrogant. So, humble, yet proud of where he is from, even if he was low blood. He had the charm and valiance of a noble prince from a fabled tale; the kind only heard about in the whispers of ancient stories; yet carried the spirit of an adventuring farmer. One who longed for the sights and sounds of new lands begging to be discovered. And when she thought she knew everything there was to know about him, he found new ways to surprise her. Link was still very much a mystery to her.

She was smitten, alright, like a dragon. The kissing touch of his hands against her fingertips alone was enough to arouse all her senses; when they glided against her own. Strong, yet gentle. Rough yet, sensitive. Even his breathing had her floating when he was near, especially when she could feel the rhythm of his heart beating against hers. A duet would be formed between them. A single melody made for each other and always in tune. Oh, how bad she hoped for it to be.

She was on the verge of letting go of all restraint but didn't want him to win this match of words. She would have to get in the last laugh.

Taking to heart what he said, she swallowed and spoke. "...Well, my tastes have been known to change from time to time. Perhaps a change of seasons is in order. Hmph!" Zelda retorted with a pout, before one eye glanced at him before turning away.

"Well, be sure to wake me when it rains then..." he said back, not skipping a beat. So much so, he even had the sudden urge to roll up off her lap.

Zelda huffed, taken aback by his carefree attitude. And as Link was about to stand from seeing the fire in her eyes, a surge of fatigue gripped him, and his knees buckled to a dizzy spell.

Zelda's pout instantly melted to worry once again as she lunged to catch him in her arms yet again.

Link groaned, trying to lift his heavy head to meet her gaze as she held him. "Ugh… Sorry, I'm just so tired..."

"Well, of course you are, silly! You were just in a major battle! It would be insane if you weren't."

"No, I mean, I think something entirely different happened back there. I can't be sure, but it's the only explanation."

"Huh?" Zelda's brows raised, perplexed by the meaning.

"Sure, I was sore from the fight earlier and tired, but something happened. I can't explain it. But, when I held that sword, you brought in my hand..." Link gulped, still trying to rally his strength to his trembling muscles. "And when I disappeared out of my control, it felt as if all the life within me was being sapped away. Instantly, I felt drained of my strength. I knew that if I held it in my hands under those circumstances any longer, I wouldn't be able to wield the powers it offered me."

Zelda thought long and hard about what he said. And after she stewed over it for some time, she spoke to change the subject until she could ponder it further for another day. "Well, it's over now. You're safe. That's all that matters."

"Yeah, don't mind me. I think I really am going to take you up on that offer and nap again right here. If you don't mind… At least until the others get here." He said, relaxing again back to where he lay in her lap.

"Oh really? Nap? Even if I do this?" Zelda smiled and leaned in for a kiss. Knowing full well it would be the one wake-up call he needed to draw a soldier's attention. Even still, her heart ached and worried for him, and she didn't want him to lose consciousness while being left alone. This was precisely the medicine he would need to stay awake. At least until he could properly see a doctor.

Link's pupils shrank, and his eyes widened as she leaned toward him. Unexpectedly, he was met with a rush of vigor. But, before he could complete his lips against the delicate pucker of hers, a call shouted toward them.

"There you two are!"

CLANK!

Startled, Zelda jumped while cradling Link, accidentally dropping his head to the hard ground. Swiftly and without skipping a beat, she replied to Sidon. " Oh yes, sorry, we were just on our way to go find you." She finished nervously, shuffling and dusting her pant legs.

Link groaned as he rolled on the ground from the thud to his head, not before finding the strength to climb up to his feet.

Zelda had to turn away to clear away the rosiness in her cheeks before she could continue to speak to Sidon. The face Link made was a priceless one. One she would savor for many years to come. So close, yet so far. She, too, wanted to taste his lips. But feelings such as that would have to wait.

Sidon stepped closer. 'I wasn't interrupting anything, was I?"

"Oh, no, no!" Zelda and Link both explained in one unified voice and smiled. Each were frantically fanning away the notion that Sidon was on the precipice of anything monumental that was about to happen in their lives. Of course! Our luck!

"Well, I, for one, am delighted to see you're both alive! I was frightened to the gills that something may have happened to you both. I am very relieved that you're well, your grace!" Sidon said, finishing with an elegant bow and a shiny sharky smirk.

"As am I," Zelda said, beaming back to him.

On the other hand, Link was still rubbing the throb to his head.

"You, though, my friend, have seen better days," Sidon said, chuckling at Link.

"Well, let's just hope today is the beginning of such days. Goddess knows I have longed for them..." Link groaned.

Zelda giggled at his childish grumblings while more of the others trailed around the crumbling ruins from where Sidon came. But, her moment of joy was short-lived. Her laughter would be interrupted by the gaudy and high-strung voice of Lord Simon calling out to her. "Your majesty, I give you the realm!" The princely man said, waving his hand across the cityscape. With the way he acted, you would think that he was the one who conquered it. "...Your castle awaits!"

"I see..." Zelda replied, clearing her throat while waiting for the inevitable barrage of regal matters that were soon to follow. So many things she still had to resolve and make right. The battle against Ganon may have been over, but the war raging in her heart of having to choose between a unified peace for her kingdom or to love had just begun.

Authors Note- Thanks again for reading. As always leave me your thoughts, it helps the story get exposure and helps me to write. I appreciate it greatly. So long and stay well wherever you are in Hyrule- Sky