Zelda organised the folders of the recently discussed court topics on her writing desk. She'd flown through the documents with ease, setting aside those she didn't need and keeping the more relevant ones. Councilman Stura had been kind enough to organise her a small list of topics to be discussed soon, many involved the safety of villages nearby in the growing reports of monster activity and bandits.

Those she might put aside for Link since he knew best how to approach monsters, but others like city defense and miscellaneous supplies, she could handle.

Two days before we discuss city defence, I'll send a letter to Commander Cassian if Link isn't back… Or should I ask General Lance? She scrapped the second idea. General Lance was busy with overseeing the troops in Akkala and fortifications. Commander Cassian was less than half a day's ride away at Hyrule Garrison, he could head home afterwards if need be.

Zelda tried to take a breath. Her heart had been trying to beat out of her chest all morning, even the night before. She'd reached out to Doctor Finri and he'd cleared her as fine, maybe just a bit anxious, but her current heart rate had appeared fine even if it felt like it was trying to escape her rib cage. Her bouts of anxiety-induced nausea had subsided, but

There was a knock at her door.

"Princess, it's Lady Impa." She heard Impa call out through the door.

"Come in." She called out. She turned her chair to face the door as Impa walked in with a few documents in hand. "I'm sorry I'm running you ragged." She apologised. She pushed herself out of her chair with a bit of effort

Impa rushed forward and let Zelda sit back down. "There's no need to apologise, please stay seated."

Zelda let herself back into her chair. She'd come to reluctantly accept Impa's new manhandling of her. "I ought to greet you properly at least… It's been too long and I'm already slaving you away." A pang of guilt struck her chest.

Impa had told her through letters that she was being trained to take over as Head of Kakariko, but still, it felt wrong to start bossing her around the moment she'd returned to the castle following the reveal of the Yiga's presence in the castle.

"It's nothing, you know I am here to serve you, " She set the documents down on the table and knelt briefly before standing once more. "You've had me worried." she spoke earnestly, a rare smile gracing Impa's lips.

Zelda chuckled and rolled her eyes. "That's everyone I fear," she turned to the documents and flicked through them. "Thank you for bringing me more busy work, I've become quite bored these days."

Impa leaned over Zelda's shoulder to review the pages that had already been there. "Is it busy work, or are you simply too anxious to do anything else?"

Zelda froze, her hand still mid-page flick.

"Yeah." she admitted, the words thick and heavy in her throat. "No sighting of Link or Captain Arn. We still have no idea where they are or if they're even still alive." She could feel warm tears pooling in her eyes yet again.

Calm yourself. You've been told a dozen times you would know if he was dead, Zelda forced herself to recall. Just about everyone she'd admitted that to had told her the exact same words. Have hope, they told her.

Hope… She was meant to be theirs and yet she seemed to barely remember it was something she needed as well.

"All will be fine, I promise." The Sheikah woman promised. "And if another week goes by, I'll go out there myself and tear through jungles and mountains to find him for you."

As much as she appreciated the offer, it seemed too monumentous of a task to bear on one person's shoulders. "Thank you Impa, but I couldn't possibly." she'd already sent out two search parties, but none had returned with any word. A letter to each champion, but she'd only heard back from Daruk and Revali so far, and neither had sighted or heard a thing. Her messenger was only just meaning to arrive at the Domain this morning and the one encountering Urbosa likely wouldn't make it there until tomorrow.

"I mean it, Princess. I would keep the task of finding him until he turned up." Impa's tone turned serious. "Just because we see each other on fewer occasions doesn't mean you matter any less to me."

Zelda could feel herself choking up again . "Impa please, I've cried twice today!" She prayed the tears away, her eyes wide and her head tilted up to somehow push the tears back in. It wasn't even mid-day yet.

"Alright, alright, I'm sorry!" Impa pulled a handkerchief and readied herself to dry any tears but none fell from her eyes.

The clock in the corner of her room began to ring, a few strikes signalling ten o'clock. Zelda pushed aside her busy work and took a deep breath. Today, she would be going to the councilroom for the first time alone and she was sure there was no way it'd be an easy day.

Councilman Stura showed up at her door a few moments later with a crisp knock. Like Impa, he was a Beta but he was also on the minority side of the Council, made up mostly of alphas over the years. While he was often bullied into being the bearer of bad news, he was still a councilman who had to deal with the political ramifications of the other members trying to push for personal gains over public ones.

Stura had proven himself a trusted advisor by Link for his honesty and the way he could explain complex issues with ease to make up for Link's educational shortcomings, something most councilmen could seldom be trusted with the way they tended to spin things for their own benefits.

And so Zelda wasted no time in asking the important questions.

"Are there any reasons you might think as to why the councilmen seem to want Link more than anyone else?" Zelda inquired with the man.

"A few, why?" the councilman told her.

They were coming up to the large doors to the councilroom. Zelda took her deep breath once more and readied herself to deal with the dozen high-saddled egos inside the room that would no doubt push her buttons.

"What would they be? Speak freely."

The councilman nodded and seemed to almost hesitate before speaking up again. "For one, he's an alpha and he's a man, but he also lacks any formal education in the matter."

"So he's easier to manipulate." Zelda deduced. No formal education meant the complex lingo flew over his head and she doubted Link carried a dictionary with him with the definitions of such terms. That first point made him seem like part of their group, but the second was moot if he couldn't understand half the conversation.

Stura nodded. "I'm thankful for how many questions your Consort asks, but should I or Councilman Reinhartd be absent, I fear he'd be at risk of the other councilmen twisting their words to make themselves look better."

Zelda stopped a few paces from the door. She couldn't recall what role Stura held in the council, but she certainly would've remembered his name being listed under scribes given how much he seemed to take on the role.

"What's your position?"

"Treasurer, Your Highness."

Zelda turned, surprised. "Why in the world are you scribing?" And why in the world was he the bearer of bad news everytime something bad happened if he held such a high position?

He shrugged. "Because that's what they've been having me do for weeks. I apparently have nice handwriting."

Zelda pinched the bridge of her nose. "You are no scribe, hire a scribe or get a Page to do it." For goodness sake, he's the damn treasurer and they use him to write… Unbelievable.

She motioned for the doors to be opened. With her shoulders straight, head held high, she strided to the chair typically meant for the Crown and took a seat. She spared no unnecessary glances to the other council members until she was seated.

Fifteen members total: eight wore a symbol of their home regions where they were in charge of reporting biological, environmental and structural problems that needed an eye, one had legal expertise with the current law, the head of the council was seated next to her, and Stura sat next to her as the treasurer, and another she didn't quite recognise but he wore a similar military uniform to Commander Cassian so she assumed his role as military advisor. Next to him was a political advisor meant to ensure tensions didn't rise between the different races of Hyrule and the other neighbouring nations.

She noted the only female member present apart from herself was a mature Gerudo Woman who often served as a messenger for Lady Urbosa when she couldn't come.

While the council itself didn't dabble in Gerudo politics, having such a close relationship with the women of the desert made it crucial to have one of their own on the council.

Keep yourself calm. Show no weakness. She reminded herself.

She glanced at each member, properly taking them in one-by-one. At least half the table was alpha from her understanding and the other half beta. Some seemed more confident in their stances, others were watching her curiously and whispering to themselves, but she noticed how many were looking at her uneasily. Some had the distinct spark in their eye that she quickly identified as those who might attempt to suck up to her or manipulate.

"What's today's order of business, chairman?" Zelda asked. She tried to keep her inner peace intact.

The chairman stayed quiet in his seat. He had his pages flipped face down and refused to speak.

How am I supposed to do anything if he won't speak to me? Without looking directly at them, she could tell a few were smug in their seats.

She heard the faintest finger tap next to her.

She turned to Stura. "Treasurer, if you would." She gave him room to speak.

He nodded an acknowledgement and stood up straight. His demeanor shifted in an instance and he seemed much prouder, more confident than usual. "Princess Zelda has joined us this morning for our discussion, make your identities known to Her Royal Highness before we commence." He took a seat.

There was a brief silence where many of the council members looked between each other.

Zelda feared a repeat would happen with the Chairman where everyone would simply refuse to speak, but a few spots down the table, a gentleman stood. The one in the military outfit stood and looked her way.

"Colonel Basset of the Garrison, Your Royal Highness. I serve in place of Commander Cassian."

Following him, there was a shorter pause than before until another stood. She recognised this man as she'd seen Link speak to him before. He bore the familiar dark hair and dark eyes reminiscent of Captain Reinhartd. This is the younger brother I think.

"Councilman Faris Reinhartd of Central Hyrule, Your Highness." He bowed his head with the same level of professionalism as she'd observed with the guards.

Another one then declared himself from West Faron, one from Hebra followed then from Tabantha in quick succession. Most of the regions' representatives introduced themselves, until there seemed to be only four who hadn't yet risen. The Chairmen and the representatives from Akkala, Necluda, and one from East Faron hadn't yet risen. They seemed to be stubborn enough to keep their seats.

It was only when the military advisor glared and coughed that the four finally rose and introduced themselves.

"Thank you for the introductions, you may proceed." Zelda glanced at the chairman, but he seemed to refuse to speak. His pages had been flipped up and he could clearly read them, but he chose not to speak.

How is it ever going to start if he doesn't say anything?

"The next time they try to stop you, simply replace them."

Feeling bold, she stood up. "It seems the chairman can't read." Zelda sighed and took his pages before he could stop her.

The councilmen looked at her confused as she walked over to one of the guards, pages still in hand.

"Could you fetch me Lord Davis? Tell him there's a new spot that opened in the council."

The chairman stood up abruptly, sputtering. "W-wait! Your Highness, there is no need for such actions." he shouted indignantly. His eyes flicked back and forth, a barely noticeable actions, but enough for Zelda to pick it up.

She turned on her heel and stared coldly. "If you cannot read or speak, you are clearly unfit for your position."

She could hear some of the councilmen snickering and others mumbling. If replacing him was too drastic, maybe peer-pressuring him with embarrassment might work too. She just hoped shattering alpha egos wasn't going to bite her in the behind eventually.

"Y-you Highness, I shall read..." the chairman opened his hand and motioned for the pages back. His skin was flushing and his eyes looked back at the men around the table. Some were still whispering and mocking him.

"Don't make my repeat myself." She looked at the chairman with a frown. "What's your name again?"

Disbelief flashed in his eyes. "Lord Henry Coris"

Time to shatter his ego again. "I'll try to remember that, Lord Harris." She pushed the pages back into his hand before he could correct her and returned to her seat.

"It's Lord Henry, Your Highness." He corrected her.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Lord Harold. You must not have made much of an impression for me to forget so carelessly." She knew he was of the rank of Earl, but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of being respected if he was going to be an ass.

She motioned for Councilman Stura to speak and begin the meeting properly.

.

An hour later, things had been taken care of for the most part as far as Zelda was aware, safe for a few small bits.

The biggest problem she now had was the councilmen's apparent attitudes and their lackluster reports for her. Something regarding each region having little to no problems was noteworthy and none of them could provide reasons as to why their respective regions had nothing to improve on when she herself knew better than that.

The thought that perhaps they were trying to make themselves look good and efficient at problem-solving popped into her mind, but it felt more defensive than that reason.

It simply felt like they didn't want to tell her anything.

Zelda looked at the papers in her hand, neatly placed in a folder made her wonder. What could she do to improve on the matters?

"Your Highness, please i can deliver the papers myself." Lord Not-Henry insisted. He was following her around since she'd left the meeting. She had already insisted she bring these to Captain Reinhartd, but the head chairman had followed her anyway.

He only wants attention, don't give it to him. "your efforts are appreciated, My Lord." She droned on, unimpressed at his attempts.

He insisted anyway. "Please, you need not worry yourself with such minimal duties, Princess." He held his hand out for the papers.

"You're right, Lord Harris." She stopped and smiled at him. "I shouldn't worry myself." She motioned for a nearby servant girl to approach.

The girl bowed her head. "How can I be of assistance, Your Highness?"

Zelda gave her the folder. It didn't have any classified information inside anyway. "Please bring this to Baron Reinhartd."

The servant girl took the papers and bowed her head again. "It shall be done, Princess." She rushed off in the other direction.

Meanwhile, the lord beside her sputtered to himself. "Princess, these matters shouldn't be handled by palace labour hands."

She feigned surprise. "Oh but Miss Marjan is such an efficient worker," she wasn't lying, Marjan had started working for the palace one year ago and she was indeed efficient—not to mention her cookies were to die for according to Dame Caya and Sir Balar.

She spotted Captain Randall of the guard turning the corner. She made eye-contact with him briefly and he approached.

"Princess, allow me to assist you next time—"

"Good afternoon Captain, would you escort me yo the library please, I'm getting a bit of a headache." She reached for the crook of the captain's arm and allowed him to walk her away from the lord.

They left the lord behind and she only let go of the captain's arm when they were far enough away. Lady Impa was at the end of the hall waiting for her.

"The Lord harrassing you, Princess?" The captain asked, looked back behind them to make sure they hadn't been followed.

"Just a tad." Zelda shrugged. "Thank you for the convenient excuse, Captain." She waved him off with a smile and made her way to Impa quietly. The Sheikah woman had a finger to her lips and she was motioning her over.

Each step brought her closer until she heard two quiet voices just around the corner. "Oh please, give me a break Rike, you don't honestly think she has the balls to replace us right?"

Zelda recognised the cocky male voice as the councilman representing East Faron. He seemed to be talking with his younger counterpart representing the western part of the massive forested area.

The younger councilman cleared his throat. "I personally wouldn't test her. It's just plain rude, regardless if she's a princess or not."

She exchanged a glance with Impa. At least one of the two men seemed to have a regard for manners. She couldn't see them, but she could feel the arrogance from around the corner.

"She's not going to replace any of us. She's just Rhoam's spoiled daughter throwing a tantrum to get what she wants."

Zelda's eyes narrowed. A plan began to formulate in her mind.

"What are you thinking?" Impa asked her quietly, walking away from the conversation.

Zelda waited until they were completely alone in the hallway before smiling mischievously. If the chairman was going to be stubborn and the councilmen would try to pull that trick again, then she too had a few tricks up her sleeve. "I'll replace him with his worst nightmare."

"And that would be?"

"A woman."

Impa snickered behind her hand. They turned and left the two councilmen to talk amongst themselves.

Don't put too much energy on them, you have other things, Zelda. "I have a meeting with Lady Litha this afternoon, correct?" she asked her companion.

Impa nodded. "Lady Litha and Duchess Deilia."

"Alright, I suppose I ought to get ready for that then-" Zelda paused in the hallway.

A soft warmth enveloped her body as though she'd decided to sit in front of a most welcome fireplace.

"Princess?" Impa called out to her.

Zelda ignored her. She looked around for the source of the heat but found no torch closer than any other. Her heart beat fast like earlier, but the warmth had settled there as well, filling the emptiness she had come to know the last few days.

A nameless feeling tugged her forward, like a puppet master pulling on a string.

She wanted to leave, to run as fast as she could even if she had no destination in mind. She just wanted to follow the pull.

"In how much time is tea from now?"

"Two hours or so? What just happened?" Impa stepped closer.

Zelda had no words to describe it. The pull became strong. "I… I don't know… But I want to follow it."

"It?" Impa exchanged a glance with one of the nearby guards. "Princess, maybe some rest?"

She shook her head. "Tell them tea will be postponed until later." She began walking, following the tug that pulled her forward. I don't often believe in signs… but this feels too peculiar to ignore. Hylia? No, maybe it's Link? The mere thought of him brought imagery of fields and well-ridden dirt paths.

Before she knew it, she'd broken out into a sprint down the hall.

The castle was slowly becoming clearer as they neared the quarry. Never had Link been more excited to see the large ancient stones, the moat, the towering peaks of Hyrule Castle.

He wanted to push Cookie harder, get them to Zelda faster. It had to be sometime around noon when they'd exit from the Breach.

So close. He was so close to seeing Zelda again.

He wondered what his princess had been up to since he'd been gone. How stressed had she been?

"I don't know what you've taught that bitch of yours, but I promise the both of you a painful end."

Zelda had to defend herself… She was alive, that was what mattered, Link tried to calm himself. But she still had to defend herself… He prayed to Hylia she hadn't been hurt, hadn't suffered injuries in his absence. It had only been one week, but it had felt like forever on his part.

He assumed nothing bad had come to their unborn child, the Yiga hadn't mentioned or taunted him with anything concerning that, thank the Goddesses, but it didn't alleviate the worries that plagued him.

I can rest easy when I'm home… Zelda will be there, maybe Impa, Purah, Barns…All of them. Link pushed Cookie a bit harder until they passed the western gate of Castletown.

Just a bit further and they'd be on Castle grounds.

They hadn't been in the town for more than a minute when Arn began shifting behind Link. His hand tapped on his shoulder. "Link, wait, stop!" he shouted urgently over the loud clopping of hooves against the stone.

Link urged Cookie to a stop, turning to ask Arn what had happened when he heard another horse nearby.

He quickly spotted Auntie Elise atop their own chestnut gelding, running at them at full speed.

"Go to the castle," Arn patted him on the back and dismounted. "Go see your princess," he shot him a wink before taking two steps forward. "ELISE!" he shouted joyfully, arms out wide as he grinned from ear to ear. As Link urged Cookie back to pace, he watched Arn get tackled to the cobblestone by Elise, who was half his size.

Even as he moved away, he could hear her sobs of happiness, the tears and words of affection shared between the old couple.

I need to get back, Elise has him taken care of. He strode off towards the castle, determined as ever to see Zelda. He briefly caught sight of Arn's youngest daughter sprinting out of an alleyway, red-faced and out of breath, but he didn't stop. He simply locked eyes with her for a moment before continuing on to the large castle's bridge.

The familiar gong of the Castle's bell rang when he'd reached half way up the stones and he noticed one guard waving at him from atop the giant looming gates.

"Link! 'S that you?" he shouted, happy.

Link waved and nodded and watched the gates creak open. He wasted no time with pleasantries and pushed Cookie into the castle's pathways, passing a plethora of guards watching curiously, some in shock, some baffled, but Link paid them no attention.

Zelda. She's the only one I want to see.

He continued to climb the up-spiralling road until the Sanctum's gates were in view.

His heart thrummed in his chest like never before.

Imprisoned, starved, escape, survival… so much had happened and he was only steps away from Zelda. His Zelda.

He nearly threw himself off Cookie and dashed the rest of the way. The gates began to open and there she was.

Hair as golden as the sun, eyes bright and green like the lushest valleys. She was gowned in deep blue trimmed in gold—the sky and the sunlight and oh how he had missed her. Her style of gown had changed, belted below the bust to accommodate the swell of her belly. She was gorgeous.

He'd barely registered Zelda before she was rushing towards him. Her eyes went wide and liquid. He gasped for breath and reached for her, following the song that bridged them.

Link had barely caught his footing before Zelda collided into him.

Warm. She was soft, and warm, and he'd so dearly missed the air of flowers and the hints of old books in her scent. Delicate and cool, like the Silent Princesses she so loved, and the slightly thicker smell of parchment and dust. It seemed to almost wrap around his chest and constrict, but it was nice. It was distinctly her. She tucked her head into the crook of his neck and breathed him in. He felt her begin to relax as she inhaled. Link's arms were locked around her and he distantly registered that he was shaking. Over her shoulder, Link glimpsed the assembled guards beginning to relax as well, talking amongst themselves.

"You're back," she sobbed into his shoulder. Her face buried into his neck and he felt a dampness on his shirt. "I was so worried…"

Link's arms wrapped around her tightly, a hand at her lower back and another in her hair. He missed her silky hair. He missed having her in his arms. He missed his princess.

"Never do that again." Zelda's body visibly relaxed as she pulled back. She wiped her tears with her hands and struggled to catch her breath.

"I won't," he promised through a light chuckle.

A smile broke through her sobs as more tears streamed.

Link even felt tears well up in his own eyes, but he'd been barely aware that one had already rolled down his cheek. He lifted his hands to her cheeks and wiped away her tears.

"I'm home."