Link stood on a balcony of the castle, watching the five brilliant souls from the future make their way to the sky and disappear. He felt exhausted - uninterrupted hours of fighting against a cursed monster will do that to you sometimes. Beside him, ever close by his side, Princess Zelda said a short prayer.

Too close.

He knew if he turned his head, he would see her bathed in golden light - the last rays of a setting sun gleaming on her hair and jewelry. Just the way he had seen her as she ran to rescue him from the shards of Calamity Ganon with her powers only yesterday, with some sort of emotion etched into the lines of her face. So he tried to keep looking straight ahead over the balcony instead and focus on the moment.

He sure tried.

He was thwarted by a gentle weight on his shoulder. Instinctively, he tensed and glanced at his shoulder to see the princess, shining and radiant, leaning on him. He cursed inwardly and tried to ignore his skyrocketing temperature. If he was exhausted, she must be on the verge of passing out. Unlike him, she didn't have any formal military training to help her stamina. He wrapped his arm around her and supported her to a nearby rock and she sighed with relief. He knelt by her side and kept his hand on her back in case she showed any signs of reduced consciousness.

"Little Bird, are you all right?" Urbosa knelt in front of Zelda, studying her carefully.

"I…believe so," Zelda murmured from her place on Link's shoulder. "I am positively spent after the battle and I shall need to rest soon."

Urbosa smiled gently down at her. "And you certainly have earned it. You fought bravely today. Your mother would be so proud. Young man," her eyes snapped to Link, "will you be able to escort the princess to her chambers?"

Link dipped his head in a brief nod.

"Then please, take care of her. I will speak with King Rhoam and assist the others in finding accommodations for the night. I'll send you a relief as soon as I can."

"Thank you, Urbosa," Mipha said, "We would be most grateful for your help. I will be all right for now, so I will tend to the wounded and stay in the infirmary for the night. Please do not worry on my behalf."

"That is kind of you, Mipha, thank you."

"Good night!" called Daruk.

Mipha bowed to the princess and left quickly.

"I will go with you to see the king. I'm sure my many talents will be useful to him now." Revali smirked and cast a sideways glance at Link. "Unlike some, whose measly purpose is already finished."

"Yeah, yeah, talents and nonsense. I'll go with you two and see if there's anything I can do." Daruk patted Revali as gently as he was apparently able to do so, and the squawks could be heard miles away. "Good night, Princess and little guy! See you in the morning!"

Link bowed to his friends on their way out, then turned back to the princess. He stood first, gently, so as not to harm the head that slid off his shoulder and helped the princess stand, his hand still protectively on her back. Zelda's feet took a hesitant step forward and trembled gently in place, getting ready for another step.

The castle had been partially destroyed with the battle they had just won, and Zelda's room was on the far side of the castle. They would have to walk through all the debris to get there. Link judged distances and turned back to the princess.

"I know it's not exactly appropriate, but would you please allow me to carry you?"

"I certainly couldn't ask that of you. You've been fighting just as I have and I do not want you to waste your energy on my behalf after all you've done for Hyrule today."

"Princess, please. I'm concerned for your safety. You won't make it back easily by walking on your own. You appear to be at your limits."

She bit her lip thoughtfully, eyes cast towards the ground.

"Besides," Link continued, "I don't consider it a waste. In fact, I think it's absolutely necessary as a victory lap!"

Princess Zelda giggled. "Well, I have never had a victory lap before, and I am curious… Very well! Let us take a victory lap and I will express my gratitude to you at another time!"

"Then let's go!" Link said, grinning. His arm pulled her closer and wrapped around her arms, then he leaned down and pulled her knees together and up–

Zelda shrieked with laughter and clung to Link's chest as he raced around the corridors and passageways of Hyrule Castle, only slowing once they approached Zelda's room. He leaned down and gently set her feet on the floor of the hallway, then stood to ensure that she was steady before he let go completely.

"Wait here. Could have monsters."

She nodded, still matching the grin on his face with her brilliant smile and set to work on her hair with her fingers.

Link slid the Master Sword from its sheath and very slowly turned the knob to Zelda's room. His steps whispered and his eyes bored into all areas big enough to fit a monster for a general-approved reconnaissance. He popped back out of the room just a few minutes later.

"Are there any monsters under the bed?" she asked.

"None, Princess!"

"Any in the closet?"

"None, Princess!"

"Not even," she breathed as she drew closer, "in the tub, Sir Link?"

His eyebrows decided to attempt flight. With the ghost of his smile still on his face, he said, softly, "None, Princess."

"Good." She inhaled quickly and her eyes dropped from his. "Thank you very much for all that you have done for me, especially in the past few days. There is nothing I could have accomplished without you. Please just know how happy it makes me that you are still here by my side."

"Of course, Princess. It is my honor and duty to be with you always."

She smiled, and before he knew it, he found just the barest trace of arms around his neck and lips on his cheek as she closed the door with a quick, "Good night, Sir Link! And thank you very much for the victory lap!"

Huh.

He had heard the soldiers talking about celebrations with mountains of food that were promised to be held in their honor and his stomach grumbled. There was talk of rupees, land, and titles that were to be handed out. But, even if the only prize he received was this quiet moment in the hallway outside of the princess' room, he would be satisfied. There could be no other treasure in the world he would value as much as her smile and the slightest hope of her feelings.

He pulled his hand away from the spot she'd touched on his face and set his back to the door. The princess deserved a restful slumber after the day she'd had. He would keep her safe.

After all, he was a humble man. He had nothing else to offer her.