To Capture the Heart of a Hero

Chapter 38 – Horse Bathing

As expected, by the time Link and Zelda made their way back to the center of the village, the feast was ready to begin. All of the villagers congregated in a clearing near the stream, where numerous wooden tables had been set up and conjoined into one long, makeshift table. It seemed that everyone in Ordon planned to dine together this evening.

As a sign of respect, Mayer Bo insisted that Zelda sit at the table's head, since this feast was prepared in her honor. She accepted, and the Mayor and Fost ended up taking seats to her left, while Link sat to her right. It didn't take long before Ilia suddenly appeared, sitting by Link's side and planting a small kiss on his cheek.

"Finally, I get to have you by my side again," she said with a smile.

Zelda just frowned as she looked away. She wasn't sure why, but watching this display of affection just made her feel positively nauseous with jealousy, and she really didn't care to upset her stomach before the meal.

Fortunately (or perhaps, unfortunately), Ilia soon turned her attention to the Princess as she continued to flash her bright smile. "How are you doing, Princess? Are you enjoying your time in Ordon so far?"

Zelda nodded, making sure to be polite before all else. "Of course. I mentioned to Link earlier that I feel very welcome here."

"That's wonderful," Ilia said with a grin. "I'm happy to hear that."

"As am I," Bo agreed. "We weren't quite sure what to expect from a Royal Family visit, but I think I can safely say that it's been an enjoyable experience for all."

"Which is what we were hoping for," Fost said with a nod. "I'm sure that the Hyrule Council will be happy to know that this tour was such a wonderful success. I believe that all of Hyrule's citizens now feel closer to our Princess because of it."

"And I to them," Zelda said with a smile. "Thank you again, Mayor, for welcoming me into your home. I truly appreciate it.

Bo just released a loud, hearty chuckle, not unlike the one that Darbus so often produced. "Of course, Princess. The pleasure is all ours. You'll always be welcome here, as will your father."

Zelda gave him a grateful nod. "Perhaps I'll insist that he visit. Once he fully recovers, that is." She then smiled, growing eager at the thought of sharing the stories of her travels with her father. Somehow, she had a feeling that he would enjoy Ordon just as much as she had.

Before long, the feast was served in full. There were numerous dishes, consisting of turkey, fish, fruits, vegetables, and goat cheese. Bo assured his guests that everything on the table had either been hunted, grown, or produced here in Ordon. The food itself appeared humble but tasted excellent. It was obvious that the women of Ordon hadn't simply been twiddling their thumbs all day. They had put their heart and soul into these dishes, and the taste showed.

Eventually, dessert was served as well, in the form of a warm pumpkin pie alongside genuine Ordonian goat milk. It was around this point that Ilia piped up, looking both proud and giddy.

"This is the dish that I made. I hope it suits your tastes."

"You made this?" Fost asked as he finished swallowing his first bite. "Why, it's wonderful, lass. Simply wonderful."

Zelda just hesitated, suddenly wondering if she even wanted to take a bite of the piece that had been set before her. She didn't want to be reminded of how perfect Ilia's cooking was, on top of everything else. Still, she knew that she was just being spiteful for no reason other than her own selfishness, so she soon took a bite. She then paused, hating how easily her taste buds had betrayed her heart.

"My, this is delicious," she said, now marveling at the pie before her.

Ilia produced a bashful smile. "Thank you, although I'm sure that it doesn't compare to the meals served in the castle."

"Please," Zelda said with a stern shake of the head. "This really is quite good. My compliments to the chef."

"You are too kind, Princess," Ilia said as she closed her eyes and bowed her head. She soon did the same motion for Fost. "And you as well, good Minister. Please consider this my way of saying thanks for always looking after Link when he is away from home."

Upon hearing this, Link just paused, forcefully swallowing his own bite of pie. "Why do you make it sound like they completely take care of me when I'm there?"

Ilia simply frowned. "Don't they?"

Link shrugged, feeling a little embarrassed. "Well, sure, they've helped me out a lot…"

"Then let me thank them," Ilia said, before playfully squeezing the Hero's arm. "Knowing you and your lack of manners, I'm sure that you never thought to."

Link grumpily frowned at her playfulness. "That is not true."

Ilia gave him a skeptical look, as if she didn't fully believe him. She then gave Zelda and Fost another bow. "I really do hope that he doesn't cause much trouble for you."

Zelda immediately frowned, waving a hand as she spoke up to defend him. "Oh, of course not. Link has been nothing short of a great help, and a wonderful companion to have around."

"Indeed," Fost agreed. "And Master Link really does seem rather well-behaved. We Ministers on the Hyrule Council find no issue with him at all."

Link soon shot a scowl back at Ilia, as if to say "see?". Ilia simply smirked before rubbing his arm some more.

"That's good to hear. And my father?"

Zelda blinked in surprise, but waved her hand once again. "We have no issues with Mayor Bo, either. He has also been a big help to our recovery efforts."

"Very good," Ilia said with a small nod. "Sometimes it's hard to know who is keeping these men under control when they are so far from home."

"Oh please, Ilia," Bo said with a shake of his head. "We're grown men. We know how to behave ourselves."

"Hmph," she replied with a shrug, as if she didn't fully believe that.

Zelda just curiously stared at the girl from off to the side. Truth be told, her actions and behavior towards her father surprisingly reminded Zelda of herself. The way she treated Bo as if she was the parent looking after him. She wondered if it was because the girl's mother had died many years prior, and now being the oldest matron in her home, she felt the need to look after the men in her life. The same way that Zelda did.

The Princess soon shuddered. Sometimes, she felt uncomfortable knowing how similar she and Ilia were.

Ilia soon leaned closer to the Hero, smiling as she still loosely hung onto his arm. "And how does your slice of pie taste, Link? I still haven't heard any compliments from you."

He softly smiled at her. "It tastes as good as always."

"Which is how good?"

"Amazing," he admitted.

Ilia beamed as she rubbed his arm again. "Good. I couldn't have done it without your help earlier, so thanks."

Zelda simply averted her gaze from the girl's bright and cheerful face. She hated having to watch Ilia bask in her moment of glory. Especially when she was hanging on Link's arm like that! Zelda wondered if the girl would ever let go. If she would ever let the Hero breathe a little bit…

Which, she soon did, but only so she could turn her attention to Zelda again. "Princess, can I ask you something?"

Zelda just turned to her with a curious expression. She couldn't help but notice that Ilia's demeanor seemed to have shifted throughout the day. The girl had initially seemed rather nervous in front of the Princess, but now she seemed rather outgoing. It was almost as if she was in a playful, spirited mood. What exactly had changed? Was it the fact that Link had returned to her side?

"Er, yes, of course," Zelda answered slowly, still not sure what to expect.

"What are your plans for tomorrow?" Ilia asked, flashing nothing but an innocent smile.

"Tomorrow?" Zelda repeated. She took a second to think. "There's nothing pressing that I'm aware of. I imagine I'll simply spend more time roaming the village and getting to know everyone better."

Ilia smiled some more, as if that was the answer that she had been hoping for. "In that case, would it be all right if you and I did something together?"

Zelda blinked. "The two of us? You mean…alone?"

"Mm-hmm," Ilia said with a quick nod.

Zelda nervously bit her lip, suddenly feeling hesitant. "What exactly did you have in mind?"

"Well, I was hoping that we could take a trip to the Ordon Spring. It's a great place for washing horses, and I'd still love to meet your beautiful mare."

"Oh," said Zelda, suddenly remembering her promise from earlier in the day. "Of course, I'm sure that Reina would love that."

"And I'm sure that she's not the only one," Ilia continued before turning to the man next to her. "Link, when's the last time that you bathed Epona?"

Link blinked, looking like he had just been accused of a crime. "Um, before the tour. You helped me out with it, remember?"

Ilia shook her head disapprovingly. "And you haven't bathed her since? As I thought."

Link frowned, quickly growing defensive. "Well, we've been really busy every day, what with all the traveling…"

"I know, I know," she said quietly, almost as if she was talking to a child. She even patted his arm a bit more, likely in an attempt to appease him. "Still, it sounds like she could use a bath, so I'll gladly give her one when I take the Princess to the spring tomorrow." She then paused, before turning to the Princess once again. "That is, if you're willing to accept?"

Zelda hesitated to provide an answer. After having met her, Zelda wasn't sure if she wanted to spend any time alone with Ilia. Especially not after their conversation in the girl's bedroom earlier that day. However, she knew that it would be rude to deny her, and she had already promised to introduce her to Reina, so she felt like she had little choice.

"Very well," Zelda replied with a forced smile. "I look forward to it."

And so, the next day came, and Zelda gathered Reina's reins and began leading her to Link's home on the edge of town. There she found Link handing Epona's reins over to Ilia, although he seemed a bit reluctant. He soon asked why he couldn't join them as well, but Ilia just shushed him, claiming that it was her turn to spend some time alone with the Princess. Besides, she claimed that they had secret things to discuss; things that a man like himself had no business hearing. Zelda just rolled her eyes at this. She truly dreaded the thought of Ilia asking her to repeat all of Link's compliments towards her again.

Link soon relented and wished both of the girls a fun morning. Zelda then took a moment to remove Reina's saddle which she left by Link's home. It would only get in the way of the bath, and the Hero assured her that he would keep an eye on it. After that, she and Ilia took a short trip down the road before eventually arriving at the spring.

Much like the day before, the spring appeared to be both tranquil and beautiful. The bright sunlight shone through the leaves above, casting everything into different shades of green and gold. The water itself was clear and calm, with nothing but the gentle waterfall in the back to disturb it.

"This is the best place to get away from the village," Ilia said with a smile. "And of course, it's the best place for washing horses too. Isn't that right, girl?"

Ilia reached up and rubbed the chestnut mare's neck, only for her to happily whinny. She clearly knew what was coming, and she was excited about it.

In spite of her apprehension, Zelda smiled as well. She soon rubbed the neck of her own white mare. "What about you, Reina? Would you like a bath?"

Reina just sniffed a bit before shoving her face closer to Zelda. It was a sign that she wasn't quite sure what to expect, but she trusted her master.

Zelda simply smiled some more before turning the horse's head to Ilia. "Reina, this is Ilia, by the way. The best horse caretaker in all of Ordon, according to Link."

Ilia blushed a bit at this comment, but she soon stepped forward, offering a hand to the white mare. "Hello Reina," she said timidly. "It's nice to meet you."

Reina was slow to trust her, as she always was when it came to strangers, but she eventually allowed the girl to pet her muzzle. She soon released a soft but satisfied snort.

Ilia giggled a bit. "Oh, she's just as lovely in person as she is from a distance, Princess," she said with the utmost sincerity.

"Thank you," Zelda replied with a nod. "I find her quite breathtaking as well."

Ilia grinned. "Well, you have excellent taste."

Zelda just paused, closing her eyes as she realized that Ilia's comment not only applied to horses but to men as well. Specifically, a Hero clad in green. However, she quickly shook her head with a disapproving frown. She really needed to stop thinking such foolish thoughts.

"So what now?" Zelda asked, glancing around at the spring that sparkled in the sunlight.

"Now we step out into the water," Ilia replied before immediately leading Epona forward. The mare just cheerfully splashed her hooves in the pool as she followed the girl. Ilia smiled at the horse, but she soon frowned once she spotted the Princess still standing at the bank. "Oh, your dress…I'm sorry, Princess, I should have warned you to wear something else."

Zelda simply smiled before shaking her head. "Oh, it's no trouble. Just give me a moment." She then released Reina's reins as she set to work. She removed her brown boots and set them off to the side, along with her long white gloves. She then reached under her skirts to roll up her white legging a bit, leaving her bare ankles and feet exposed. Finally, she gathered up the folds of her dress and managed to tie them into a tight knot. Now, her hem hung far from the ground, and her clothes were no longer in danger of getting soaked. With a confident smile, she took up Reina's reins once again, and led the white mare over to Ilia's side.

Ilia just gave the Princess a happy smile. "How stylish," she noted. "So, have you ever bathed a horse before?"

"Of course. I bathe Reina from time to time back at the castle, but I've never had the pleasure of doing it in a spring before now."

"It's pretty simple," Ilia insisted. She then grabbed two small buckets and offered one to Zelda. The Princess glanced down to see that there was a soft scrub brush inside. "We use the pails to run water over them. You can use the brush to clean any dirt or mud off."

"That sounds simple indeed," Zelda said with a nod.

"Just be careful not to be too rough," Ilia advised. "Sometimes when Link pours water on Epona, she can get a little skittish."

Zelda nodded again. She knew well enough the dangers of a wet horse. Still, she wasn't worried about her own mare. She soon reached over and rubbed Reina's muzzle. "You'll behave yourself, won't you?"

Reina snorted, as if to say that she wasn't promising anything. Zelda just smiled before she set to work. She bent down in order to scoop some clear water into her pail before slowly pouring it over Reina's neck and back. The water itself was cool, but in the warm rays of the sun, it felt rather refreshing. Zelda continued to do this, moving at a careful speed that Reina was comfortable with, until the mare was properly soaked from front to back. After that, Zelda set about scouring for any tiny specks of dirt that clung to the horse's side before taking the brush to them. Reina just snorted as the bristles rubbed against her, but she stayed still for the sake of her master.

As time passed, Zelda found that she was honestly enjoying herself. She always loved spending time with Reina, even if cleaning her was a bit of a chore. She also loved this sequestered grove, and the calm atmosphere that it provided. It was just so quiet, cozy, and peaceful.

That is, until Ilia spoke up again, her voice cutting right through the tranquility.

"Um, Princess, is it okay if we talk?"

Zelda frowned from behind Reina, where Ilia couldn't spot her. Honestly, she would've preferred the peace and quiet over a discussion with this girl whom she wasn't necessarily fond of. But she supposed that she couldn't (or rather, shouldn't) say any such thing, so she answered back politely.

"Of course, what do you wish to discuss?"

To her surprise, Ilia was blunt and to the point. "Link."

Zelda stiffened, feeling her once swift brush in hand start to slow. "What about him?" she asked hesitantly.

"Is he…?" Ilia paused, taking a moment to pour another bucket of water down Epona's back as she considered her words. "When he's at the castle, is he doing okay?"

Zelda frowned again. She took a second to step around Reina, so that she could glance at Ilia out of the corner of her eye. "What do you mean?"

"Well, he gets along well enough at the castle, right? He doesn't have a hard time or anything, does he?"

Zelda raised her eyebrows a bit, wondering where the girl's sudden concern was coming from. "Of course. So far, Link has done very well in the role that we have given him."

Ilia slowly nodded. "The role of 'Hero'."

"That's right."

Ilia then frowned, looking rather displeased. She distracted herself by pouring another bucket of water over Epona. "Is it dangerous?" she asked quietly.

Zelda blinked. "Hmm?"

"Being a Hero," Ilia clarified. "Is it dangerous?"

Zelda paused, taking some time to think it over while she continued to scrub Reina. "Not inherently," she eventually answered. "We have not assigned Link any tasks that have put him in danger. There has been no need for such a thing."

Ilia frowned some more, only to turn to Zelda with surprisingly soft eyes. "But you would," she said, almost accusingly.

Zelda blinked, not quite sure what to say for a moment. Still, the words that eventually spilled from her lips were completely honest. "If a threat were ever to rear its head against our Kingdom, then yes, I would ask for Link's assistance in dealing with the matter."

"I see," Ilia mumbled before staring down at the water. "That's what I was afraid of…"

Zelda felt her own expression soften as she looked at the girl. She could tell that she was genuinely concerned about something. "Ilia…What's wrong?"

Ilia just breathed a deep, stressful sigh. "I don't really understand all of this 'Hero' business. I know that Link is strong and reliable, but I just…I don't know. I can't help but get worried about him."

Zelda slowly nodded, starting to understand. "You're worried that he's putting himself in danger."

"Yes," Ilia admitted. She looked a little ashamed, but she quickly tried to explain herself. "You don't understand how hard it is, Princess. How it feels being stuck here, while he's gone for long periods of time. Not knowing where he is. Whether he's safe or not."

Zelda swallowed, stopping herself from speaking up. The truth was, Zelda did understand how Ilia felt. In fact, she had lived through such a situation herself. Back during the Twilight Invasion, when she was imprisoned in a tower and had almost no way of knowing what Link and Midna were up to for weeks at a time. Not knowing if they were safe. Not knowing if her Kingdom would be spared. Not knowing if anyone would come out of that terrible situation alive.

But Zelda digressed. She knew that this was Ilia's moment to lament, and she fully intended to hear her out.

"Sometimes I wish that things could go back to the way they used to be, before the Twilight Invasion," Ilia continued. "Back when everything was safer and simpler. In fact, sometimes I wish that Link would just settle down and stay in Ordon for good. Just to know that he isn't putting himself in danger. Just to have him close where I can keep an eye on him. Maybe then things would be easier. Then everything would be the way it is supposed to be."

Zelda remained silent for a while as she stewed on the girl's words, but she eventually sighed. "I understand how you feel, Ilia, but I can assure you that your concerns are not necessary. As I mentioned before, Link will only be asked to fight for his Kingdom if a great threat appears, and we believe it is very unlikely that one will at this point in time. At the very least, we will never ask him to do something that we don't believe he can handle. Additionally, I want to assure you that Link's time and talents are not going to waste, and that he truly is helping a lot of people by assisting us."

"I know, Princess," Ilia said, slowly nodding. "Trust me, I know that what he's doing is helping others. But still…sometimes I wish that he would just focus on helping himself."

Zelda frowned, wondering what she meant by this. "Does Link need help?"

"I think so," Ilia said with a shrug. "He's not invincible, you know. Even Heroes bleed."

"Of course, but Link is still very capable," Zelda insisted.

"Sure, but is this really what's best for him?" Ilia wondered with a frown. "Does he really belong in a castle? Don't you think that his days might be better spent living peacefully in Ordon rather than gallivanting across the Kingdom?"

Upon hearing this, Zelda just froze, suddenly feeling herself growing frustrated and angry. She turned away from Ilia as she cast a glare down into the water. Zelda knew that the girl had only said it for Link's sake, but she was honestly appalled at how selfish it sounded coming from her mouth. Ilia herself had been saved by the Hero when he was on his journey. If it weren't for Link, she might still be out there in Hyrule Field or Castle Town, wandering around with amnesia. She might still be captured in the clutches of the Bulblins. Didn't she realize how much good Link was capable of achieving? Didn't she realize how much Link's Kingdom needed him? How much the Princess needed him?

"Not at all," Zelda eventually replied, sounding both strong and stern as she found her voice and the confidence to back it up. "I believe that Link's talents have been a tremendous help in assisting with the Hyrule Recovery Effort, and I am eternally grateful for his support. Truth be told, I would be very disappointed to hear that he had withdrawn to Ordon for the remainder of his days. Not when he is still capable of accomplishing so much. Still capable of helping others and making a positive difference. And Ilia, while I do understand your concerns for his safety, I feel that they are completely and utterly misguided."

Zelda released a small breath of air as she finished. She then stood there in silence, honestly feeling rather surprised. She hadn't expected such a passionate speech to boil out of her like that, but she couldn't help it. Not when she felt like Link's character and role were being challenged.

Ilia looked stunned as well, almost as if she was a child that had just been badly scolded. She soon frowned, avoiding the Princess's gaze as she glanced down towards the water. "Oh, I…I see…"

Upon seeing this, Zelda quickly bit her lip, inwardly cursing herself for being so reckless with her words. She quickly went to explain. "Forgive me, Ilia. I don't mean to sound harsh, but this is how I truly feel. I too wish nothing but the best for Link, but I have my doubts as to whether that future lies in Ordon as opposed to his current role."

Ilia slowly nodded. "No, I understand," she said quietly. "Things have changed, and Link isn't relegated to Ordon like he used to be. And you're right, I'm probably worrying over nothing…"

Zelda bit her lip some more. She felt like Ilia had been in the wrong, but she never intended to make the girl painfully admit it like that. She felt rather awful about the whole thing.

Oh, Zelda, you malicious fool, her conscience chided her. Do you see what your destructive feelings for the Hero have done?

Zelda soon sighed. She didn't need to be reprimanded by her conscience to know that she had gone too far. Or at least, she thought that this was her conscience. Even the more reasonable voice in her head had started to sound more hostile after all this time. She soon decided that another apology was probably in order.

However, before Zelda even had a chance to open her mouth, Ilia chose to speak up, all while flashing a timid smile.

"I'm sorry, Princess," she said, sounding sincere. "I won't take Link away from you. Not as long as I know that he's in safe hands."

Zelda just let her mouth fall open, not quite sure what to say to this. She wasn't even sure what Ilia seemed to be implying with that statement. "I, um…"

"However," Ilia quickly continued, her expression growing more confident, "if Link is going to continue performing his duties as a Hero, then I want you to promise me something."

Zelda blinked, feeling lost once again. She honestly felt like she was on the back foot in this rapidly moving conversation. "What is it?"

Ilia flashed a genuine smile, no longer appearing timid or ashamed. "I want you to promise to take good care of Link. To keep him safe for me when he's away from home. Can you do that?"

Zelda blinked again, only for her sapphire eyes to meet the girl's emerald ones. Immediately, she could see the sincerity that lay behind them. The gentle, pleading look that was asking this favor of the Princess. The small favor of looking after the man that she loved. Zelda soon found herself producing an encouraging smile while she nodded. She and Ilia may have had their differences, but the Princess had no intention of ever breaking such a promise.

"Of course, I promise to never let harm befall him," Zelda said clearly. "I assure you that Link will always be in good hands whenever he visits the castle."

"That's all I can ask for," Ilia said before giving a bow. "Thank you, Princess."

"It's my pleasure," Zelda assured her.

Silence fell over them after that. Both girls became a little too engrossed with washing their respective horses, as they refused to turn in the other's direction. The silence only grew more awkward as the minutes ticked away. It seemed that both of them had said things that might have gone a little too far, and now the echoes of their conversation hung in the air around them. This thought, however, wasn't nearly as troublesome as the realization that the two of them didn't quite see eye to eye.

Zelda saw Link as a Hero, someone who needed to leave his home and come to the aid of his Kingdom. Ilia saw him as the opposite, someone who had done his duty and now deserved a relaxing retirement in the safety of Ordon Village.

Zelda ended up shaking her head as she mulled over these viewpoints. Truth be told, she wasn't quite sure which one was correct. She wanted to believe that her own analysis of the Hero was accurate. That he enjoyed being a Hero and was happy to visit the castle and aid his Kingdom, but another part of her wondered if Link felt differently. She wondered if Ilia, someone who by all rights knew Link better than she did, was actually correct and Link had begun to grow weary of the constant tasks being asked of him. Maybe he really did deserve nothing more than a peaceful ending to his already chaotic life. And if that was truly the case, then Zelda was at fault for keeping the Hero bound by commitment.

The Princess shook her head. She couldn't believe such things. She honestly couldn't even stomach the thought of Link being anything other than what she knew him as: a courageous Hero who was always willing to help others. That was his true character. It always had been, and she had complete faith in it.

Eventually, Zelda was pulled from her thoughts as the awkward silence was quickly torn asunder. Both horses immediately raised their heads as voices could be heard coming from the front of the spring. The two women also perked up a bit, finally sparing a glance at each other before turning their attention to the source of the noise.

There, they spotted Link, who was holding a squirming Talo by the back of his shirt. The Hero lifted the boy up with one hand so that he was suspended in the air. Link just held an unamused look on his face, while Talo threw his arms and legs around, fighting for freedom.

"Link, let me go, would ya?" the boy demanded. "I said I was sorry!"

Link frowned and shook his head. "Not until you apologize to the person you truly wronged," he said sternly. He then took a few more steps towards the spring, all while keeping a firm grip on the child's shirt. "Sorry for interrupting, ladies."

Zelda and Ilia glanced at each other again, feeling confused, before returning their gaze to the duo. "It's no trouble," Zelda said slowly.

"What exactly is going on?" Ilia asked.

Talo immediately stopped fidgeting once he realized that the women were staring at him. "N-Nothing!" he said, quickly looking away.

"Yeah right," Link said, shaking the boy a bit. "Why don't you tell the Princess what you were doing with this." Link then held out his other hand, revealing a long, sheathed weapon in his grasp.

Zelda recognized it at once. "That's my rapier."

Link nodded before glaring at the boy. "Go on, Talo, tell her."

The boy just gulped before producing an innocent smile and nervously laughing. "Well, it was the weirdest thing. I just found it lying in the middle of the road, ah ha ha…"

"Talo," Link growled, shaking the boy some more.

Talo just closed his eyes as he sighed. "Fine. I took it from the Princess's saddle…"

Ilia's eyes went wide. "You stole the Princess's weapon?" she asked, making it sound as if this were an incredibly serious crime.

Zelda, however, was much more calm and forgiving. "Talo, why did you do that?" she asked softly.

Talo avoided her eyes, suddenly feeling uncomfortable about the whole thing. "I just wanted to take a look at it and, you know…practice using it a little bit."

"I found him in my yard, unwrapping it from its cloth," Link explained. "I caught him before he did anything stupid or dangerous."

Zelda simply sighed before wading her way through the water. Once she stood in front of him, she extended her hand out to Link, who promptly handed her rapier over to her. She then took the sword in hand, slowly unsheathing it. The bright metal of the blade began to sparkle as it met sunlight.

Zelda held the weapon before Talo, while staring at him with her stern sapphire gaze. "Talo, I want you to understand that this is not a toy. It is a weapon, and it can be very dangerous in untrained hands."

"But I am trained!" the boy insisted.

Link just rolled his eyes before shaking the kid again. "No, you're not."

"B-But I will be, someday!"

"Even so," Zelda continued. "It is not safe for you to handle it. You could have gotten seriously hurt, and that would have saddened me greatly."

Talo just went silent, staring up at the Princess's sincere expression. He was surprised at how truly concerned she was for him. Even Link felt a bit taken aback by her solemness.

Nevertheless, Zelda soon sheathed her sword, feeling that her point had been made. She then fixed her eyes on Talo for the final time. "I want you to promise that you will never do something like this again, all right?"

Talo sighed, looking at the ground once more. "All right…"

Link just frowned, feeling unsatisfied with this response. He went to shake the kid. "All right, what?"

Talo frowned. "I promise not to do it again…"

Link shook the kid once more. "And?"

"And I'm sorry for stealing your sword."

Zelda couldn't help but smile at the two of them. "Very well. I forgive you."

Link soon smiled as well. "Great, then it looks like we're done here." Without warning, he then released Talo from his hand, allowing the boy to fall flat on his butt.

"Hey!" he complained.

"Oh, you're fine," Link said with a shake of his head.

Zelda smirked a bit as she watched the boy scamper to his feet. She then turned to Link, giving him a small bow of the head. "Thank you, Link, for keeping an eye on things."

"Yeah, no problem," the Hero said with a shrug. "It's my job, isn't it?"

At this point, Ilia spoke up from across the pool. "It's true. What would we do if we didn't have you around, Link?"

Zelda just paused as she stared back at her. The girl's words sounded innocent enough, but Zelda couldn't help but feel like there was some deeper meaning behind them. Even now, while she watched Ilia's genuine smile, she noticed the subtle hint of a smirk on her lips, as if she was trying to prove a point. That Link truly belonged here. That he was needed here, and always would be…

Zelda frowned as she looked to the ground, letting her thoughts wash over her. Ilia had posed the question: what would Ordon do if Link wasn't around? But Zelda had a more pressing query in mind, one which painfully tugged at her heart as she considered it.

What would the Princess do if Link wasn't around?

Oooh, Zelda and Ilia conflict! Drama! Opposing views! What fun.

Anyway, the next chapter will be the final chapter set in Ordon Village. That's right, we're finally moving on to other things! Who would've thought we'd ever see the day? lol