Chapter 29 - Doom
-Ghirahim-
With a confident stride, Ghirahim walked the carved mountain path to the home of the Gorons. Quaint little creatures they were. It was almost adorable how strong they thought themselves.
As he walked, he mused over them. They certainly had stout and dense muscle fibres, resulting in a brutish and unrefined physique.
What people so often mistook about creatures with large bodies was how much they were slowed by all of that pointless extra mass, as well as their need for consuming more nutrition than two regular Hylians.
He smirked again. Perhaps one Hylian could eat as much as Gorons, but he would sooner die than grant Link any kind of accolade.
Refocusing, he knew that slashing them with his weapon would be ineffective. The dense muscle fibres would be tricky to slice. In the name of his lord and master, he would waste nothing. A precise stab with the tip of a blade would be a far more efficient use of his efforts
Perhaps the armpit then. Weaker skin there, no matter the creature. It would be most agonising too.
His smile grew. Two beneficial results from a single action. It was a delightful notion.
He continued the walk, satisfied with his hypothesis. It would be time to test it soon enough, the prospect stirring a flutter of excitement in him.
Soon, the large stone columns of the Goron's home came in to view.
"Halt!" barked a hulking Goron guard, rising clumsily from his rightful place in the dirt. Ghirahim's lip curled ever so slightly at the interruption, irritation flickering like a flame. Though he quickly snuffed it out. Ugliness had no place in the work of his lord.
Before the guard could finish spreading his arms, Ghirahim vanished in a shimmer of violet light, reappearing behind him. A quick, precise stab under the arm, and the Goron slumped, his mouth opening in a silent gasp.
Ghirahim clicked his tongue. "Such unnecessary noise."
With a deliberate twist of his wrist, he drove the blade through the Goron's vertebrae. The guard's body twitched violently. He did always enjoy how his lessers could dance.
"Much better" Ghirahim murmured, letting the blade linger for a moment before withdrawing it with a graceful flourish. The weighty body collapsed to the floor, kicking up a dust cloud.
Batting aside the cloud of filth with a quick magical gust, he resumed his path.
As he came to the top of a plateau, some twelve insignificant brutes stepped out of their dirty home. These ones were dressed in some crude iron plates adorning their oversized chests. Adorable. They still had no protection for their armpits. The backs of their knees were exposed too. Before he could make a new hypothesis, the brutes rudely interrupted his thoughts.
"Halt! Identify yourself! Guards, find out why Durvali let someone through." the biggest one barked. Several bloated ones waddled away to find out what had happened to their meaningless friend.
Introductions were everything, Ghirahim recalled. The lesser beings had to know when they were in the presence of glory. He didn't need to straighten his posture, for he knew he was already perfect. Raising his head a little, he spoke with confidence.
"Morons, I am Ghirahim." he said with an exaggerated bow. Couldn't show them too much courtesy.
"I am pressed for time, but I am not without kindness, so I shall allow you a small mercy" he said, observing the dumbfounded guards. Of course they looked displeased. They were not perfect after all.
"Step aside and you shall all live. If you do not, you shall all die." he finished with succinct simplicity.
Undaunted, the beasts started growling as they moved to surround him. He was unmoved.
"You dare speak to the proud Goron's in such a manner?! And death threats too?" said the largest one as it lumbered towards him, swinging it's filthy gorilla arms. It was almost comical.
The large thing slapped its chest in a strange show of force.
"I am Patriarch, champion of my people. Leave now, or face me!"
Ghirahim couldn't take the mountain of muscle seriously. His threat was unfounded and he did not know any better, rendering anything he said unimportant.
"Mercy, wasted on the foolish," Ghirahim sighed, snapping his fingers as if bored. "Very well, let's end this."
Multitudes of black diamonds appeared in a cloud around him. Several of the lumpy Gorons jumped back in shock. At least those ones had a lick of sense.
"Why do you cower, brothers? Simple magic poses no threat to a true Goron body!" barked Patriarch, whilst flexing.
The diamonds shot forth, whistling through the air with deadly precision. One Goron dropped to his knees, clutching at the neat wound in his neck. The others hesitated, realizing too late that they were outmatched.
Patriarch roared and rushed forward, his massive fists swinging. Ghirahim sighed, sidestepping effortlessly before a diamond shard zipped through the air, slicing through the back of his knee. The brute crumpled, his eyes wide with shock.
"And I was polite enough to warn you..." Ghirahim said with a bored smile.
In an instant, the brute swung his fist behind him, connecting with Ghirahim's jawline. A resounding crack filled the air. His head lurched to the side under the heavy impact, leaving his jaw stinging.
"You disgust me! Now, you die." shouted Patriarch. He twisted his body around to swing with his other fist, but to no avail.
Partirarch roared in pain as Ghirahim drove the tip of his sword under the natural rock armour of his fists, straight down his forearm.
"Insolent...fool!" he seethed through bared teeth. He twisted his sword. The brute roared in agony as his arm shook from the shock.
"You dare..." Ghirahim spat, stabbing in to the brutes belly, twisting the blade again.
"...touch…" he snarled, piercing the tip of his blade in to an eye of the rotten brute.
"...perfection!?" he shouted as he drove the blade in to the ugly thick neck of the beast.
The muscle pile clawed at the blade fruitlessly. Ghirahim twisted again, causing agony. He wished he could take some more time to punish him.
The thing managed to gurgle something.
"I… die... unbent... you vile thing" as he spat at him, Ghirahim pivoting out of the way.
Life slowly bled from it as its remaining eye started to falter and close for the last time. With a paltry attempt to push the blade away, the large wretch finally went still.
"No! Lord Patriarch!" bleated the sole remaining Goron. It was time for the next part of his plan.
Wiping his blade clean, Ghirahim snapped his fingers again, the swarm of black diamonds surrounding the remaining one. He took a deep breath, he had lost composure and that was unacceptable. Servants must be perfect for their masters, he reminded himself.
"I am very unhappy." he said coldly. "I offered you life and you all chose death instead. You have sealed the fate of all Morons."
Stepping towards the lone Goron, he felt composure return as he saw fear in the pitiable face.
"You, however, shall have the honour of living. Tell whoever comes, that I will claim the final piece myself"
The Goron nodded rapidly, and managed to stammer.
"P...please...don't harm u...us!" he said, shaking.
He clicked his tongue, irritated once more.
"You really should have just stepped out of my way."
Snapping his fingers once more, he knew his magic could easily afflict a broken mind. The tool of the goddesses could never succumb to it though, he recalled.
The lone Goron fell to the floor, utterly unconscious. He would not wake for a full day.
Massaging the sore spot on his jaw, he applied a current of magical power to soothe it.
Angry at himself for allowing the large Goron to strike him, he started pacing, unable to shift his frustration.
"No. Enough" he said aloud.
Looking in to the entrance of the Goron's home, he took a breath as he tried to calm himself. A moment later he felt composed, in control and ready.
"Now, let's begin."
He strode through the entrance, sword drawn.
-Link-
Link and Zelda sat together in the royal library. She had delegated her responsibilities to her ministers, saying she wanted time to relax.
In reality, she hadn't left his side. After he had told her he loved her, they had both kissed and felt a level of elation that Link hadn't realised was possible. She had asked her guards to change shifts, giving Link a moment to slip out of the room quietly. He had essentially broken in after all.
He took the chance and walked around the castle grounds a while, bouncing on his feet all the way.
Eventually, she had managed to buy herself free time to spend with him and sent for him to come to the library. She had a plate of pastries, tea and coffee sent to her for them both to enjoy.
They sat together in a quiet part of the grand library. Normally, scholars would frequently come here as they buried themselves in their various projects and research. Once they had seen her come in, they excused themselves. The library was practically empty now, which is exactly what they both wanted. Time alone together.
Zelda had an impish smile. She read from a history book, detailing old battles fought in Hyrule long ago.
"Did you find something good?" Link asked.
"Ah, nothing I have not read before. But I had an interesting thought, that some scholars are probably writing you in to history as we speak." she smirked.
Link didn't mind her teasing. He didn't think anything could sour his mood.
"As long as they remember that I leave a trail of gold wherever I walk and got all the cats out of trees" he said playfully.
Zelda's mood mirrored his. She laughed happily.
"But surely they'd write you in there too? Can't forget the princess who slid down a mountain on a frozen leaf"
"Oh, I have no doubt. Maybe they would say that sugar in tea was my crowning achievement?" she suggested.
Link raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, if you wanted to use a book for kindling, I'd chose that one."
"You can be very mean!" she pouted, slapping his shoulder lightly.
Smiling happily, he took a cinnamon pastry and offered it to her.
"Ah you're right. Please take this thing I definitely made as an apology. I'll only use that book as a doorstop instead."
She giggled happily again. In the few short hours they had spent together, it was as if she had become a different person. There was a sense of optimism and confidence in her. Up until recently, Link hadn't realised how single minded she had been.
Then, she surprised him. She leaned herself on him across the couch, resting her head on his lap.
"I shall convince you of sugar in tea one day. For now though…" she said, getting more quiet.
"...Yes?" he asked, eagerly.
"Indulge me again" she whispered.
He leaned down and kissed her once more. It felt as if a jolt of electricity ran across his face and then down his back, giving a pleasant tingle down it.
She held his hand with both of hers, holding on to him as she didn't break the kiss, savouring every second.
A full minute passed before his back started to tense. Reluctantly, he slowly sat up. She remained on his lap, blissfully happy now.
The light feeling in him urged him on. He then rested his hand on her head gently and stroked her hair. Her eyes fluttered as she shut them, wearing a serene smile.
For so long, he'd thought of her as untouchable. Hyrule's princess, destined for duty and grandeur. But here she was, vulnerable and carefree, resting against him like there was nowhere else she'd rather be. The thought filled him with an almost overwhelming sense of wonder.
It was hard to believe this was the same woman who carried the weight of the kingdom on her shoulders, every smile tempered by duty. Now she seemed unrestrained, her touch light and warm, as if she'd finally allowed herself to be herself.
"I have not had my hair stroked like this since I was a child. I hope you do not mind doing it for a while longer?" she asked gently.
He leaned down and kissed her head.
"Of course not"
He stroked her hair for a while longer. Both of them just enjoying the peace and quiet. Eventually she sat up.
Surprising him again, she turned to face him and leant in to him as she planted another kiss on his lips, wrapping her arms around him. A moment later she whispered in to his ear.
"I did not realise how much I wanted that. I love you, Link"
He felt his heart skip a beat. It had only been a short time since they had admitted to each other how they felt. He pinched himself, to check the state of reality.
"I love you too." he said, unable to think of anything clever or profound to say. His mind in a state of blissful nothingness.
She leant back and started to eat the pastry he had given her. Link let his thoughts settle, eventually realising something he had forgotten.
"Hey, do you know what happened to Sabbah and the Gerudo women at all?"
Zelda nodded as she finished her bite of pastry.
"Yes, they are in the castle. I have had our diplomatic councillors speak with them. They have been in discussion ever since we got back." she said a little breathlessly.
Link supposed he shouldn't have been surprised. Both Zelda and Sabbah were pragmatic people after all.
"That's promising! How have things been going?" he asked, eager to learn more.
She sipped her tea as she thought.
"Well, they discussed our past attempts at communication, like how many letters they and us have tried to send. They are now convinced that Ganondorf was interfering with our attempts to communicate. Our councillors are trying to broker a treaty with them now. That is all they have been focusing on. I do not know the full details of it all yet, but I am assured that talks are proving to be quite productive." she said proudly.
Link could only smile. Real progress with the Gerudo was looking even more likely. Still, he had hoped to see them again. He had promised Sabbah after all that they would share whisky.
As if reading his thoughts, Zelda chimed in.
"Sabbah told me she's eager to have drinks with you too. All of them actually. She says she wants to play 'look like, sound like' again"
"Hah! Of course. It's a lot of fun actually. Do you think you'd like to join in with us?" he offered.
"Thank you, but no. In truth, I feel embarrassed at the notion of making animal noises" she admitted.
"Hm. I have to wonder what noises I could make you do" Link said innocently.
Zelda spat our her mouthful of tea, blushed bright red and turned her head. He wondered what he had said.
"Hey, are you alright? I didn't say anything bad did I?"
Zelda coughed and took a few slow breaths. She turned back to him a moment later, blushing a little less now. Link was confused, having no idea what had gotten her so worked up.
"No, you did not say anything bad." she said shakily, taking a moment to compose herself. "Perhaps I will show you one day" she said. Her lips curved into a mysterious smile that left Link wondering if he'd ever truly understand her.
"I think I'd like that!" he said happily, if a little confused.
He hadn't noticed her bashful smile.
The afternoon blended in to evening as they sat together. They spoke about nothing important for a while, then about life in the castle and joked about their time together on their adventure. Eventually, her royal duties had to resume. They both got up and dusted the pastry crumbs off of themselves and shared another sweet kiss before separating, but promising to meet together again as soon as they could.
She left to meet with the councillors once more, and Link was left alone. The second she left the room, a pang of longing struck him and he knew exactly why.
Shaking his head, he decided on action to distract himself. He could go and see Ashei perhaps, see how she was doing. Despite telling Zelda he loved her, he hadn't forgotten what he had done to her. Shad would probably be unhappy with him too. He would have to go and apologise as soon as possible and do something to try and make up for it.
He was sobered now. Later, he arrived at the infirmary and asked the Doctor on duty to see Ashei.
Looking up from a thick notebook, he gestured for Link to head over to her and resumed his work in an instant. Shad was besides her, holding her hand delicately.
He felt his stomach clench. He already felt bad about how he had handled his duel with her, now he would have to bear whatever Shad would rightfully have to say him.
"Come on, Link. Get brave…" he uttered to himself.
He walked over and sat besides them. Ashei was asleep and Shad didn't even turn his head, focusing entirely on his partner.
"I don't believe you understand the meaning of the word 'spar', Link" he said dully.
Link felt his gut twist again. Shad's usual cheerful pomp was gone.
"Shad...I…" Link began, before he was cut off.
"Over-reacted? Didn't care? Hated her?" he said, equally as calmly.
He was taken aback, Shad had never been so blunt. Though he knew exactly why.
"...The first one." he said meekly.
Why was it so hard to get the words out for him?
"We did agree to a duel. For what it's worth…" he added.
A moment of silence started, stretching out horribly.
"You broke three of her ribs. She has the nastiest looking bruise I've ever seen in my life. It covers her chest and side. It hurts her to breathe, more to talk. It'll take her two weeks of staying in this bed before her ribs are even slightly healed. Shall I go on?" he asked, still as unnervingly calm.
Link was at a loss. Hearing everything she was suffering through made it hurt to think about.
"...I don't know what to say." he admitted quietly, wishing he could be anywhere else. A simple apology wouldn't be anywhere near enough.
Silence again. Ashei took short breaths as she slept. She winced a few times, her sleep light thanks to the pain and discomfort.
"I had made significant progress with rebuilding the Twilight Mirror. You'll understand that I no longer wish to help you" he said, still with eerie calm.
"Of course" Link said, without delay.
He was actually grateful to Shad for that. He had spent too much time longing for Midna, to his own detriment.
Silence again. His mind ran frantically as he tried to think of anything to say, but nothing came to him.
"Why did you come here? To ease your guilt, perhaps?"
"To try and apologise, though I know that wouldn't be enough"
"You are correct."
Why couldn't Shad just shout at him, throw a punch or smash a flower vase over him? This emotionless calm in his voice was unsettling. He had to say something. Anything.
"I wish I knew how to make this right..." he eventually managed to eke out.
"Leave" Shad said simply.
Link's resolve crumbled. Defeating a Kraken suddenly felt easier to deal with. Standing, he looked over Ashei once more, then to Shad.
"I'm sorry. When she wakes, please tell her the same" he said, hoping it would at least count for something.
Then, he turned to leave. The doctor didn't even glance up from his notes.
He wandered the castle aimlessly. Zelda would be tied up in meetings for a while, there wasn't anything to do that he could think of. Though he didn't feel like doing much at the moment.
It was late in the evening, the sky now dark as the lights of Castle Town cast a faint glow over the buildings. He wanted to get out of the castle for a while, maybe just go to sleep.
Walking through the grand halls slowly, he saw the evening staff going about their business. Some greeted him, others hurried by. He eventually found himself heading towards the stables. He hadn't seen Epona in some time.
Stepping outside into the cold air, his senses sharpened. Despite everything weighing on his mind, he was still still alive at least. His breath fogged in front of him as he walked toward the stables, guided more by instinct than thought.
The familiar scent of hay greeted him. Inside, the warmth of the stables wrapped around him like a blanket. Lantern light flickered softly on the wooden walls, casting gentle shadows. The earthy smell of horses and fresh hay was comforting.
Epona's head lifted at his approach, ears pricking forward. She gave a soft rasp, stepping over from her stall with her usual slow confidence. Her eyes held no judgment, only quiet recognition.
"Hey. Good to see you" he murmured.
He reached out and ran his fingers through her mane with slow strokes. She pressed her head against him, and he let out a long breath, leaning his forehead gently against hers. She didn't ask questions or didn't push for explanations.
"I envy you sometimes"
Epona tilted her head slightly.
"Getting to run around. No guilt. No wondering if you said or did the wrong thing…" he trailed off.
She let out a huff of air, snorting at him.
"I see…" he said, hoping she was trying to give him encouragement.
Finding the grooming brush hanging by the stall door, he started to run it through her mane, his hands moving on instinct. She was already clean but he needed something to do with his hands. Something simple.
The soft bristles of the brush moved in long strokes, matching the steady rhythm of his breathing. He let the sounds fill the silence in his mind
At some point, he stopped brushing and just leaned his back against Epona's side. She didn't move away. The weight of her presence was grounding.
"Sorry..." he muttered, not sure who it was meant for. Ashei? Shad? Zelda? Himself?
Epona shifted and nudged his arm.
"Yeah, I know. Get on with it, right?" he said quietly, rubbing at his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. "Easier said than done."
His body slowly grew heavier, his eyes drooping without him realizing it.
His legs ached, his arms were sore, and for once his mind wasn't running itself ragged with thoughts. It was just quiet. His eyes closed and he eased himself down, sinking into the pile of hay at the back of the stable. It felt softer than it should have. The warmth of the lantern light flickered on his face, and Epona's soft breathing filled the space around him.
It wasn't a bed, but it was familiar. It reminded him of the times he'd slept in the Ordon barn as a boy. He tucked his arms behind his head and no more than a minute later, sleep claimed him.
Some time later on, he heard a murmur in his mind. Stirring, he heard it more clearly another time around.
"Link, wake up" said a soft feminine voice.
It took a great effort, but he forced his eyes open and blinked away his disorientation. Zelda came in to focus in front of him. Several of her attendants stood beside her, blushing slightly.
"Hello Princess" he said sluggishly.
He sat up and slowly rolled his shoulders forwards and backwards, shifting some of the discomfort and waking himself up in the process.
"It cannot be pleasant sleeping in a pile of hay."
"It's not so bad once you get used to it. It's peaceful." he admitted.
Something that reminded him of home too. Though he didn't quite feel like saying that out loud yet.
"Have you just finished your meetings?" he asked, standing up.
"Yes. I wanted to find you afterwards. Imagine my surprise to hear you wanted to sleep outside again. The staff couldn't bring themselves to rouse you. Shall I fetch you a bowl of water and a nice steak bone?" she teased gently.
"That would be lovely, thank you" he said with a tired smile.
Some of the attendants laughed quietly, Zelda smiled happily too.
"Come inside. You do know this is a castle, with more rooms than we know what to do with?"
"Oh! Are you inviting me to stay for the night?" he asked, suddenly happier.
Her cheeks flared a shade of pink as some of her attendants looked bashful, giggling nervously. Link had no idea why.
Zelda turned to her attendants. "You may return to your duties, I shall not need further assistance tonight" she said firmly, but kindly.
The attendants bowed politely and hurried away.
"In answer to your question? Yes, I suppose I am. I can have a room prepared near mine" she said a little weakly towards the end.
"Near yours?" Link asked earnestly. "Thank you. I appreciate you doing this"
She smiled, happy with the praise. Then, she gestured for him to follow her, so he stood and dusted of the strands of hay and walked back in to the castle with her.
As they walked the long corridors together, Link found himself wanting to know how her day had been.
"Did your various meetings go well?" he asked.
"Well enough. Tedious, but well" she sighed. "Though I have finalised an agreement to send to the Gerudo".
"Oh? So...what does it involve?"
She explained that Hyrule would offer a gift first, as a show of good faith. Apparently it was an important step in negotiations with any people. It would be a significant sum of Rupees meant to be used on improving infrastructure in the Gerudo lands, like building roads or deep water wells.
Then, there was a promise of trade. That Hyrule would offer books, cloth, medicines and grains. In exchange, the Gerudo would provide their own wares, like silks, spices and metals mined from the various mountains they inhabited.
"Sabbah and her sisters were instrumental in arranging this. As far as I could tell, they were completely open with us about what they had available and what they needed. It was the most straightforward negotiation I have ever handled." she explained.
Link felt proud of her. She was making a great effort to further stabilise relations across the lands. And it appeared that she was succeeding. She seemed pleased with herself too, wearing a proud smile as she walked.
"You're an absolute natural at all of this! Excellent work. Assuming the moon isn't about to crash in to the world, then this is going to benefit both sides" he enthused.
Her smile grew more and a pink blush appeared on her cheeks again.
"That is nice of you to say. Thank you"
Then, surprising him, she held and squeezed his hand gently. This time, Link's smile grew wider.
"So, how did you fare today?" she asked.
Then, his smile faded somewhat. Still, she had been honest with him, he would be with her too.
He explained everything that had happened with Ashei, then Shad. How he felt foolish for letting the duel go too far. Then how he felt horrible at how Shad had spoken to him, sparing no detail.
Zelda listened patiently to every word, letting him vent his thoughts. She had already learned about what had happened with Ashei, but not what Shad had said about it.
"That is a shame. Though I suppose I can understand why he would be so...defensive" she thought aloud. "How do you think you would react to a man who duelled me and rendered me in to a similar state?"
"I would despise him" he replied coldly.
"And the same would be true of me if those roles were reversed. Forgive yourself Link. You have already made an effort to try and apologise for it. Shad does not have unlimited anger in him. Once he has had time, he will calm and you will be able to speak to him again." she said, soothing every frayed nerve he had about it.
He managed a small smile in response.
"I'm very grateful for you telling me this. But for now, I just feel rotten." he admitted.
Zelda stopped halfway up the staircase they were climbing. She had a look that Link had never seen from her before. It almost looked maternal. She seemed to be wrestling with a thought.
Then, she took his hand.
"Link...stay with me tonight" she whispered.
"What?" he blurted, eyes wide with surprise.
Zelda's face turned crimson. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came at first. Her hands lifted, hesitating mid-air like she was grasping for something invisible.
"Ah...forget I said that! I meant a room near mine, of course! Not mine. I mean it wouldn't be proper, and I..." Her words tumbled out too fast, her voice cracking under the weight of her own panic.
She squeezed her eyes shut for a second, rubbing her temple.
"Why did I even say that?" she muttered under her breath.
"Zelda?" Link said, trying to catch her attention.
"I'm sorry! That was foolish of me and completely inappropriate! I'll have a guest room prepared…"
"Zelda!" he said firmly this time.
She stopped. Her eyes darted to him.
"I would love to stay with you" he said quietly, taking her hands in his. His thumbs brushed gently over her knuckles.
"I was just surprised, that's all."
Her shoulders relaxed as relief flooded her. She let out a shaky breath then pressed her lips into a thin line as she nodded.
"Good. Then follow me," she muttered.
She turned quickly and walked ahead, a little faster than before.
Link followed behind. She led him to large set of doors at the upper levels of the castle. He felt as if the throne room was just above this floor, from what he recalled of his time during the Twilight crisis.
Stepping in first, she gestured for him to come in, still blushing.
Inside, the room was spacious. There were no golden laurels, marble flooring or even ornate sculptures. Her bed was simple looking with a plain purple bedsheet. Rows upon rows of books in a private library adorned one side of the room. A varnished wardrobe with a full length mirror mounted in it seemed to be the most expensive looking thing in the room. It looked like the bedroom of a well paid librarian, Link thought to himself.
"Welcome, Link. You, besides me or my attendants, are the first person I have ever brought here" she said shyly.
"I always wondered what it would be like in a royal bedroom. Thank you for having me here." he said equally as nervous.
An awkward silence developed between the two of them. Link had no idea what to say or do next, his stomach was starting to clench.
"It's certainly nicer than my tree" he remarked quickly.
"Your...tree?" she asked, at a loss.
"Back in Ordon village, the villagers helped me hollow out a big tree to live in. It was mine for a few years before I donned the green tunic. It was a pretty looking place, but do you want to know the drawbacks of living inside a tree?"
She nodded, suddenly curious.
"Termites, beetles, ants and sometimes wasps. Seems like they like living in trees, no matter who sleeps inside it. Woke up once to find red ants all over my body!"
Zelda laughed quietly, the tension already melting away.
"That sounds horrible!"
"It's not so bad. There's ways to repel them. Though the easiest would be not living in a tree." he admitted.
She laughed again. Smiling now, she sat on the bed and gestured for him to join her. The bed was incredible. He felt himself sink in to it a little as it warmed him.
"I think I would like to take another trip with you, one day. Getting out of the castle, just us together, solving problems... The journey up to Snowpeak was the most fun I've had in a long time." she recalled.
"I enjoyed it too. But I've realised something this past day that I think is quite special"
She looked over with an eyebrow raised.
"You've gotten comfortable enough around me that you use contractions with your words more. I only realised recently that you never used them before. It feels strangely satisfying to hear you say 'I'm' or what have you."
"Hah! And here I thought declaring our love for each other was special." she teased.
"Oh, just a little." he teased back.
The tension and apprehension had melted away. Zelda had a curious smile on her face.
"You know… we will both have to undress in here…"
In an instant, the apprehension came straight back.
"Ah, of course…" Link said, suddenly quiet.
Zelda however giggled at his reaction.
"Don't worry Link. There's a dressing screen we can take turns with. I usually use it if I have an attendant in here" she said as she pointed to a tall folded board by her dresser.
"Ah… alright…" he said, more quietly than before. How was she so nervous a moment ago and then suddenly so brave?
His reactions seemed to entertain her at least. Though it did little to soothe his suddenly frayed nerves.
"In truth, I'm somewhat nervous too." she admitted, almost reading his mind once more.
"But I trust you, Link. I...also happen to like you. A lot."
His heart warmed at hearing that, the nervousness was quelled a little.
"I suppose my nerves will be fine once we've done this once" he managed to say. "And as for you? There's no other place I would rather be and no other person I'd want to share a bed with."
This time, she blushed again, her sudden bravado dented. She smiled warmly, leaned over to him and planted her lips on his. He leant in to it, flutters appearing in his stomach. This time, she didn't break the kiss. She carried on as her arm found his waist and tightened around him.
Compelled, he reached out and found her waist too and pulled her closer. Somewhere inside him, a fire was lit.
Back and forth, they shared a passionate kiss, neither wanting to part from the other. Her other hand found the back of his neck and held it softly.
His heart raced excitedly as the fire grew in him. His mind dulled to the world around him as all he could think of was her. His every nerve now primed and sensitive to every touch. It was almost electric.
Her breathing quickened now and her touch became more insistent. He felt such an overwhelming urgency now, the feeling of the fire in his chest was driving him. He held the back of her head, fingers feeling through strands of silken hair as he dragged his finger nails firmly down to the nape of her neck.
She shivered at the sensation and broke the kiss. Her breathing was rapid and her eyes wide. He recognised this look. She looked as if she were ready to pounce. The mere thought sent the fire in him in to an inferno as his tried to steady his own breathing.
"Zelda... I want you…" he whispered urgently.
She gasped, then her eyes flared as she tensed.
Then, there was a loud knock at the door.
"Princess? Forgive me, but are you still awake?" came a voice from the hallway.
"What?!" she snarled, furious at the interruption.
"M...My apologies, but there is dire news." said the nervous voice.
"Can it wait?" she said urgently as she slid her hand up the back of his shirt and pressed her nails in to him.
"Your majesty...the Gorons have suffered genocide."