Author's Note: Welcome back everyone! Another earlier upload for you this week - I hope it makes your Friday night a good one! I'm trying something a bit different with my writing schedule so this might be the more standard upload time going forward. My goal is to shift everything back a day and have the chapter fully ready on Thursday night (late) and post it up at an earlier time Friday evening from here, so we'll see how that works for the next few weeks!

Quick housekeeping acknowledgement - I updated some of the chapter titles in the Chapter Index to reflect where each different Book begins! So now you can tell at a quick glance where each Book starts and which part of the story we're currently in without having to load anything up directly. I figured it was a nice little quality of life thing so I hope it helps even one person at some point!

Y'all, I did some massive brainstorming and plotting for a big chunk of the remaining story and I am *extremely* excited to share what's coming with you all! We've got...like a lot more to go lol, each "Book" is essentially really that - an entirely new book of this story. And I have at least 4 Books planned as of now. I think much more than that will start to drag and I do have an ending I'm planning out as well, so this won't just go on indefinitely until it fizzles out and everyone loses interest; it'll have a proper conclusion and hopefully won't overstay its welcome. As a result of putting it all in one work, though, it'll wind up looking pretty long, but I still think it's better than I'm keeping it all together so nobody has to track down a new posting of this story. It's just much more convenient to keep it in one place for myself as well instead of each new Book losing all its visibility that I'm so grateful it has.

On that note, thank you all on both Ao3 and FF for reading, reviewing, commenting, favoriting, and all the other support you give to me and this work of mine! I really appreciate it so very much and I can only hope these chapters manage to bring some fun and joy to your lives each Friday. It's an enormous part of why I enjoy doing this so much and why I'm happy every week that I get to sit down and write a new chapter to share with you all. Thank you for sticking with me for this project - it really is a delight to work on!

With all that said, thank you all for coming back for more and I hope you enjoy the latest chapter! See you on the other side!


Book II – Family

Chapter 6 – Signs of Love

'It's been so long since I've seen Father. Has he always looked like…such a stranger…?'

That was the first thought that echoed in Zelda's head as she and Link entered the Sanctum of Hyrule Castle together, her father greeting them with no small measure of surprise. Despite his unexpected guests, though, he still offered a larger smile than she'd witnessed in years. At the very least, she knew that smile wasn't meant for her; it was Link's smile and Link's alone.

Perhaps that was part of the reason she almost didn't recognize her own father…she wasn't used to seeing him smile like this. Of course, she usually kept her eyes trained on the floor in his presence, but even when she didn't, he never turned his face towards her with such happiness.

"Thank you for agreeing to see us on such short notice, Your Majesty. I'm sure you're extremely busy and I appreciate your making time for us like this."

Link still maintained his mask of formality, despite how much he hated situations like these. After conversing with Duke Nell for so long, Zelda had wondered if he would feel exhausted from keeping up such appearances, but if he did he certainly hid it well.

Her father waved a hand easily.

"Nonsense, Link. I always have time to meet with the Hero of Hyrule!"

She watched Link's mouth twitch, fighting off a grimace. After all these years, it surprised her that her father didn't understand how much Link hated being revered like that.

"I very much appreciate it."

"Now then, what brings you so far from your home today? Certainly there must be a pressing reason for you to have journeyed all the way to Castle Town in the midst of such a bitter winter."

Zelda wasn't surprised that her father hadn't spared her more than a quick glance since they had entered the throne room. She would have been far more surprised if she were acknowledged by him at all.

"Well, unfortunately there was a bit of an incident Zelda and I needed to resolve," Link explained, his voice steady. It always made Zelda feel calm to hear him like that.

"An incident?" The King's voice was immediately wary.

"It's nothing to concern yourself over, we've already handled it," Link assured him. "But I wanted to keep you apprised of things just in case we can't solve such issues by ourselves in the future."

The King nodded, a look of relief on his face.

"Of course, I would very much appreciate that. It is reassuring to hear that there are no further problems, but I regret that you were inconvenienced to such an extent. What happened?"

Link had told Zelda his plan on the short ride to the Castle - he was going to explain the details of the situation without naming specific names. Though her father would likely ask for one, he didn't want to cause more trouble with Duke Nell after having only just resolved their conflict. Besides, knowing they had chosen to protect him might further ingratiate them to the nobleman, a useful relationship to maintain.

"Well, I'd rather not point fingers at anyone since we were able to find an amicable conclusion, but there were rumblings among the nobility that it was unacceptable that Zelda live in a small village like Hateno instead of in the Castle. Evidently, there was a desire to appeal to you directly and have her brought back here.

"I had hoped to resolve everything without needing to involve you directly – certainly with all you have going on, there are better things to spend your time and energy on. So Zelda and I met with them personally to assuage their fears and calm the situation. Thankfully, it worked. But I still wanted to tell you about what happened so you weren't blindsided if such a thing were to happen again in the future."

The older man frowned and stroked his snowy beard.

"So the nobility saw fault with mine and Hilda's decision and saw fit to inconvenience you over it?"

Zelda could tell he was frustrated; everything he'd done since the beginning of this whole arranged marriage process had been to ensure Link was both content in Hyrule but still tied to the Royal Family. That his own nobility would go against those desires so blatantly was surely aggravating.

Link responded with the same calmness in his voice.

"They had hoped if I agreed with them, you would listen to their request to bring her back. Of course, I don't agree with them and I don't want Zelda anywhere but by my side. I still stand by what I told you and Hilda when last we met – having Zelda next to me makes all my days so much more wonderful than they ever were before I met her."

Zelda couldn't fight the urge to blush this time. She didn't have to maintain her composure in order to intimidate anyone here…

Her father offered Link another smile, his frustrations seeming to lessen.

"I am glad to hear you say such words once more. I had hoped things would work out well for you."

"And Zelda, too, seems quite happy. I would never let anyone get in the way of that."

"Hmm, is that so?"

"I certainly believe it to be true. I'd never presume to speak on her behalf, though. I'm sure she'd be happy to tell you more herself."

Zelda's eyes widened in surprise. Link was trying to…make him speak to her? Acknowledge her?

"I suppose you have a point," the King murmured, still stroking his beard.

He turned his head at last and met Zelda's gaze; she hadn't locked eyes with him since the day he'd ordered her to Link's side.

"I trust everything in Hateno is going well?"

It wasn't much. In fact, it was rather dismissive…but it was still better than she'd received in years. Drawing up all her courage, Zelda spoke to him for the first time since she was ordered to Link's side.

"It…is. I…am quite happy there. Link is…wonderful and the people in the village are very kind. I am…extremely grateful to have been sent there in the first place."

"Excellent. I'm glad you have no hesitations about remaining there." His voice sounded unconcerned like always.

In an uncharacteristic display, though, Zelda spoke again. She had never offered her own opinions to her father like that, certainly not since she'd been old enough to remember. Perhaps her own mask from their meeting with Duke Nell earlier still remained somewhat in tact.

"I…would go further than saying I have no hesitations. I…want to stay there…with Link."

His eyes widened an almost imperceptible amount and he nodded thoughtfully.

"Hm. Perhaps Hilda was wiser than I'd first realized when she proposed sending you to Hateno. At any rate, I am glad to hear things are going well between the two of you."

"T-thank you…"

He quickly turned his attention back to Link.

"And aside from today's regrettable inconvenience which you may rest assured will never happen again, you are feeling similarly content with life in Hateno? Is there anything you or your village might need?"

He was going out of his way to ensure Link's comfort, just as he'd done many times over the years. Link's residency in Hyrule had been of paramount importance to him as the King for a long time now. A small part of her wondered exactly how much Link might be able to force him to acquiesce to if he threatened abandoning that residency altogether…

Link, ever diplomatic, simply offered a relaxed smile.

"No, Hateno is doing wonderfully, especially considering the mess that happened with the Yiga at the end of the last year. Our displaced residents have a new home and the villagers are coming together like never before after what they've survived."

The King grimaced.

"I can't help but feel some measure of responsibility for what happened with the Yiga Clan given that you were responding to a summons here at the time – they were clearly waiting for your departure, after all."

"It's no fault of your own, Your Majesty. The Yiga have long been a contemptible group. They were fools to try kidnapping Zelda, though." His voice had darkened considerably with those words.

Even now, it made Zelda's heart leap.

"Any man who would willingly cross blades with you, Link, must not possess the highest level of intelligence," he agreed, laughing lightly. "On that note, actually…I had a few things I wanted to ask you about that."

"About the Yiga?"

"Loosely. More about the kidnapping itself…but…"

He was hesitating – that was unlike him. For as long as Zelda had known her father, he had never been hesitant at all; he spoke his mind with force and certainty. This was something new entirely.

The aged man's eyes flickered to Zelda for but a moment before he cleared his throat and threaded his fingers between one another.

"I would like to spare Zelda from reliving the details of her kidnapping. As I mentioned, I feel rather responsible for the reality of that situation and I should like to avoid causing any further issues with regards to that day. In that spirit, would either of you take issue with my speaking to Link alone for a few moments?"

Zelda was stunned entirely. The last time her father had given her any kind of consideration she could remember was the morning after Hilda had locked her in the dungeon. He tried to figure out what had happened to her and even attempted to console her some, at least in his own way. But this…this was entirely unexpected.

Somehow it was also rather nice.

Zelda almost offered consideration of her own, thought about explaining that her kidnapping no longer brought her any unsavory memories and he didn't have to worry about her. In fact, all she remembered about that day now was how gallant Link had been when crossing blades with that Yiga general, Sooga, and how determined he'd been to save her.

But she swallowed her words. For the first time in more than a decade, her father was trying to show her some small kindness. She wanted to accept those feelings and express her appreciation for them. He hadn't done something like this in so very long…

"I…am grateful for your consideration, Father. I have no problem with that."

Link glanced at her in surprise. He knew she didn't really mind discussing the Yiga incident at this point. But he said nothing, instead following her lead with silent trust.

"If Zelda prefers that, then I, of course, have no issue with it either." He turned towards her and offered her a gentle smile. "Will you be okay alone?"

She felt her heart flutter and smiled back at him.

"I will be. I'll enjoy the view from the Sanctum Approach while I wait for you."

"That sounds nice. I'll come join once I've answered His Majesty's questions."

The King cleared his throat and nodded.

"I won't keep you long, Link. I just need to understand a bit more about the situation so we here at the Castle may respond appropriately to the threat of the Yiga."

"Of course," Link agreed.

Zelda gave a quick bow and began to retreat from the Sanctum, though not before catching Link's knowing smile as she turned. He had probably figured out why she went along with her father's words already.

"Zelda."

She had to stop herself from gasping in surprise as her father's voice rang out across the expanse surrounding them. She hadn't expected he'd acknowledge her again in any way. Trying to hide her shock, she turned and met his eyes for the third time that evening.

"Y-yes…Father?"

The man wrung his hands together for a moment before clearing his throat again and giving her a nod.

"It's…good to see you looking so happy. Take care of yourself."

Zelda felt her mouth fall open; she couldn't stop it. Link, his gaze still turned towards her instead of her father, had a similar look of disbelief on his face. He hid it quickly before it was noticed, but she understood his feelings well – that was the last thing she'd ever expected to hear too…

Finally snapping from her reverie, Zelda swallowed the small lump that had formed in her throat and nodded.

"Thank you…Father. I will. B-be well…yourself."

The King grunted his acknowledgment and gave her another nod before turning his focus back to Link. Zelda collected herself and left the Sanctum, the guards opening the large doors for her and closing them at her back once she had crossed the barrier to the outside.

'Father…acknowledged me. He…said he was glad to see me happy. Do I really look so happy to him? I'm sure I must've looked quite pitiful the last time he saw me, but…have these past three months really brought about such a noticeable change in me? I…never even realized it…'

The sun was already starting to set on the horizon, the brisk chill of the winter day plummeting to a frigid bite that tore through her Royal dress and snapped at her pale skin. She had no way of knowing how long it would take her father and Link to finish their discussion, but a particularly gelid gust of wind left her shivering and decided her next course of action for her.

'Perhaps I won't stay on the Approach after all. I'll wait for Link in the reception hall just inside. I might very well catch a cold if I wait out here…'

Zelda walked quickly down the familiar path that led back inside. Once upon a time, she had frequented this walk often. Now, it was just a tattered, bitter memory that had long since lost its significance. A sensation of otherness and a feeling like she didn't belong settled in her core as she gazed out over Castle Town, the golden sunset bathing it in warm light, quite the contradiction to the icy temperature that surrounded her.

'I never thought…I'd be so willing to admit that I'm glad I don't live here anymore. What a drastic change from last year.'

Arriving at the large doors at the end of the path, Zelda entered the hall and relished in the feeling of the much warmer air enveloping her. It was as if she were thawing out in real time and a shiver of warmth and delight raced down her body. She found a spot near the doors to wait, a content sigh passing her lips.

'Now all that's left is for Link to return. Then we can decide what we'll have for dinner this evening. I wonder if anyone in Castle Town will recognize me or if we can go wherever we please. Now that I think about it, though…it's far more likely everyone will recognize Link. I know he hates attention like that …p erhaps we could have something brought to us at the inn instead. That would likely be much easier for him.

Zelda's face flushed badly as an entirely different thought occurred to her.

'I…was so focused on our meeting with Duke Nell earlier that I failed to realize…we're sharing a room for the first time tonight. At least…we have our own separate beds. I…I don't think I could handle it if that weren't the case. But…what will we do about changing clothes and the like…? P-perhaps…I should come up with some excuse to leave the room so that Link may change in peace? Though he'll likely be thinking the same – he's always so very kind and considerate, especially towards me…'

A tiny smile spread across her lips as she thought about how thoughtful Link always was where she was concerned. It was one of many things about him that had become the focus of her thoughts recently.

"Well, well, what have we here? If I didn't know any better, I'd say I was looking into a mirror. But then again, my hair couldn't possibly be that ugly."

Zelda's thoughts stopped dead and her heart froze in her chest as an all too familiar voice rang out across the hall. It was the same voice she still regularly heard in her nightmares. She slowly raised her eyes, not wishing to lay them on the person who had spoken to her. But of course, it was unavoidable at this point…

For the first time in more than three months, Zelda's eyes fell upon her twin sister, Hilda.

The Crown Princess of Hyrule was entirely alone. Usually, Aisen accompanied her through the Castle, but today she was by herself. Perhaps that was a good thing; Zelda hated the idea of conversing with both of them at once.

Hilda was wearing a long dress with sleeves, a fleece wrap around her neck; it was rather fitting for the winter air that had engulfed the Castle the last several months; Zelda remembered how cold it got up in the tower they had once shared. Her sister's outfit was turquoise, her usual preference of color to compliment her purple hair, and her red eyes were as sharp as ever.

Zelda had to stop her teeth from chattering as she met her sister's condescending gaze. She tried to convince herself it was just because of the cold…

"H…H-Hilda…"

Her sister raised an eyebrow and gave her a look of mock hurt.

"'Hilda?' I'm not 'Onee-sama' anymore? Am I just not that important to you these days, Zelda?"

'She…she doesn't deserve my kindness. That's what Link said. That's what Link saidbut…'

"O-of…course you are…Onee-sama…" she managed in a tiny voice. For all the progress she might've made the last several months, she was right back where she had started: someone unfit to so much as converse with the Crown Princess. She hadn't considered herself worth of that in a very long time

A smug smile spread across her sister's lips.

"Oh, what a relief. And here I thought you had gone and forgotten about poor, little me after you took up residence in that backwater wasteland. How have things been in Hateno, dear Zelda? I've been wondering what you could possibly have taken to filling your time with these last several months."

Zelda's racing heart was slowly starting to settle. Hilda was being her usual arrogant self, yes. But…so far she had only insulted her once. That was better than usual. Was…was Ruli right in saying that she…actually missed Zelda? Surely not…

Despite the fact that her sister wasn't yet berating her, Zelda still struggled to find her voice when speaking to her.

"Um…I…uh…things have been…wonderful, actually…"

Hilda's face darkened for just an instant before snapping back into a smile.

"What a reassuring thing to hear. Did they fit you for a pair of overalls when you first arrived?"

There was a strange bit of mirth to Hilda's question, but Zelda didn't quite understand. Nobody in Hateno wore overalls…did they?

"Um…n-no. B-but…Link was…kind enough to have me fitted for…many other outfits for the winter and spring…"

Her sister's face morphed immediately into a frown and she took a few steps closer, her voice dropping.

"He did? Why?" Her tone was somewhat accusatory.

"W-well…I…um…I didn't have…much that I brought with me…and Link thought…I needed better clothing for the winter…"

Hilda smiled again; it didn't reach her eyes.

"Oh, you misunderstand, Zelda. I meant 'why' as in – why would he bother caring about someone as useless and pathetic as you?"

Zelda felt her heart ache as her sister's cruel words lashed across it like a whip. She was used to hearing things like this, of course; she had lived like this since she was nine. But…it felt different at the moment. It stung a bit more than it once had. Perhaps…it was because she was so used to hearing the kind things Link said to her now…the way he cared about her so.

The walls of ice that used to encase her heart had long since thawed thanks to Link's warmth. But now that soft heart of hers was more vulnerable than ever…

"U-um…I…"

"I wasn't looking for a real answer," Hilda interrupted, rolling her eyes. "The actions of that low-class simpleton never make any sense to me. I could go out and listen to boars snorting in the woods and I'd glean just as much intelligence from them as I do from watching him."

Zelda felt a tiny spark of anger light in her stomach…but it was quickly drowned out by icy dread. She couldn't speak up against Hilda…nothing good ever came of that. Besides, if she could just endure this until Link returned, then they could leave the Castle and she wouldn't have to see her sister anymore…

"Anyway," Hilda continued, giving Zelda a cold smirk, "you must tell me – were you expected to pluck vegetables for the harvest? Have you been crawling around in the dirt like a good little farm maid since you first arrived? Though it's quite unbecoming for a member of the Royal Family to subject themselves to such things, the thought of you slaving away in the filth of such a slovenly place is shockingly appropriate, don't you think?"

Zelda averted her eyes and tried to find her voice. Hateno was nothing like Hilda described. She was judging an entire community of wonderful people so harshly and inaccurately, so unfairly. She would never change her mind, though…the possibility of that hadn't once occurred to Zelda in earnest.

"I…um…n-no, I…L-Link and I…don't grow vegetables…"

"Oh? Well then, what have you been doing for three months? Surely you haven't just been sitting there like an invalid; even a failure like you can accomplish something, right?"

Zelda felt her heart grow even colder as she was again subjected to Hilda's favorite insult for her – failure. It was a word she hadn't heard herself called in months outside of her nightmares…

'Link…told you you're not a failure. D-don't…listen to her…'

"U-um…I…I, uh…I…"

Hilda sighed and gave her a sad smile.

"How disappointing that you can hardly express yourself even still. What a waste of space you are, Zelda. Truly, it's a gift that Father agreed with my decision to send you away in the first place. At least you and that ignorant hick have been able to wallow in your mutual stupidity together."

The flame of anger in Zelda's stomach ignited again, this time a little stronger. She didn't expect any kind words from her sister; she'd given up on that dream long ago. That she was so disrespectful of Link, however, was…unacceptable…

"W…w…why did…you try to have…Duke Nell force me to return…to the Castle, then?"

Hilda's eyes widened in surprise and she actually took half a step back as if she'd been grazed by a shock arrow. A moment later, though, she broke into laughter, exaggerated and loud. Zelda wasn't sure what to make of this response, but after her sister caught her breath again, she met her gaze with a rather amused grin.

"That might be the first time you've talked back to me since we were children! I wish you'd done it more before we sent you away; it's incredibly amusing."

Hilda stepped a little closer, lowering her voice so nobody could possibly overhear.

"So, you do have a brain rattling around in that unsightly little head of yours. Though, it's not that big a leap in logic to assume that I had a hand in Nell's scheme to bring you back here, is it? He, like the rest of the nobility, hasn't cared about you in more than a decade."

"B-b-but…why…?"

Hilda's face morphed into a dark grin.

"Because it sounded like fun."

"F…fun?"

"Yes, dear Zelda, fun!" she sang, clapping her hands together. "After the way Link embarrassed me on the day of the Year's End Ball, I spent a while brainstorming ways to get back at him. I couldn't believe at first that he really cared about you at all – certainly he had to be exaggerating his feelings to get under my skin.

"But eventually I decided that, on the off chance that he really wasn't lying to me, I could use you to get my revenge. You know how stubborn Father is, though – he would never have walked back his decision, even if I were the one to ask him. So Ruli agreed to help me bring you back home where you belong. I have to say, it was so much easier than I thought it would be, too – here you are! It's good to see how quickly that big oaf rolled over once the nobility came calling for your safe return to the Castle."

'She's…speaking of Father so rudely…? Has something happened between them since I left…?'

"Aren't you excited, Zelda? You get to live with me again! I've been bored out of my mind these last few months, I must admit. Aisen is mundane company at best and Ruli has been so busy lately searching for a proper suitor worthy of marrying into the Nell family; I've been alone in my tower more evenings than not, wishing for a fruitcake or stew just like you used to bring me!"

Zelda was surprised – Hilda didn't know. When she cleared her mind from her sister's shrill voice, it wasn't surprising that she thought she'd won. Zelda was here in the Castle and she had no idea that Link was speaking with their father only a short distance away at the moment. It was exactly like Link had said…she was so overconfident in herself that hadn't once considered any other possibility.

"I…um…I'm not…coming back here…" Zelda managed at long last.

Hilda's delight and laughter evaporated in a heartbeat, her face growing cold.

"Excuse me?"

Zelda shivered a bit but held her ground.

"I…I said…I'm not coming back…to the Castle."

"Too bad you don't get to decide that."

Zelda nodded, though her action was timid.

"Y-you're right. Father…ultimately does. And…since Link and I…made Duke Nell change his mind and give up on his plan…Father's desire for me to stay with Link in Hateno…s-still stands…"

Hilda's icy eyes bored into Zelda's own and she frowned, her lip curling almost imperceptibly.

"I'm sorry…you and Link forced Nell to change his mind, you say?"

"Y-y-yes…we did…"

"Then what are you doing here in your Royal dress? The timing is just too perfect otherwise. What a bad joke, Zelda; you shouldn't mislead your only sister so."

She didn't want to accept her loss.

"It's…the truth. L-Link and I…wanted to explain the situation to Father…s-so…this wouldn't happen again. They're finishing their meeting…right now…"

Hilda's teeth ground together, reality finally starting to sink in.

"So you and that lowlife…managed to win over Nell…?"

Despite the aggravating insult towards Link yet again, Zelda simply nodded, hoping that her fiancé would return to her side quickly. She wanted this conversation to be over – things always got worse when Hilda was genuinely angry…

"Hah! Fine! Who cares, anyway!? The idea of you wasting away in that dirt heap is far more amusing to me than anything I could possibly dream of subjecting you to! Cooking a meal at midnight for me is hardly comparable to the squalor and filth you must live in there!"

Hilda was shouting her words now, her voice angry and spiteful. There was no one else in the reception hall to overhear them and she had lost her desire to be subtle…not that it really mattered. Nobody in the Castle would have dared interrupt the Crown Princess if they had been within earshot anyway.

Zelda was at least glad nobody else was being subjected to this scene, though…

"U-um…Onee-sama…y-you…have the wrong idea about Hateno Village. The people there…are wonderful. They live…upstanding lives. A-and-"

"Shut up," Hilda ordered, her voice cold. "They live in a nasty little hovel in the middle of nowhere; there can't be anything more to the lot of them than simply being the dregs of society, cast aside by those who actually have value and purpose. Perhaps it's fitting for Link to have settled there, in the end. And it's more than perfect for you to be there right next to him."

The little fire of anger in Zelda's stomach grew a bit hotter.

"Nobody in Hateno…is that kind of person. C-certainly not Link. He's a…he's a great man…and a kind one. Y-y-you…l-lied to me about who he really is."

Hilda's angry expression morphed into a hungry grin. It was as if she had been waiting for this.

"Like I said, dear Zelda – it's so much more fun when you talk back to me. By the Goddess, I wish you hadn't been so pathetic to have just given up like you did before. Hearing you take exception to the things I say…it's almost intoxicating; it makes me want to tear down every shred of confidence you've managed to build until you're left with absolutely nothing but your own manic delusions."

Zelda wanted to cower and hide her face…it's what she'd always done when Hilda got this way. When her sister's vindictive nature overtook her…she was terrifying…

But for the first time in her life…Zelda tried to resist that natural inclination. She wouldn't let Hilda speak badly of Link, not after everything he'd done for her. Not when she was just beginning to understand the depths of his feelings for her. Not when she was starting to consider the way her own were evolving…

"I-in Hateno," she began, earning a befuddled gaze from Hilda now, "I…I…make lunch or dinner for Link…while he's out hunting for the sake of the village. I…spend time…getting to know him better. I have…f-f-friends for the first time in my life. I…can spend time exploring my passions. I can spend time…being myself. And it's…all thanks to Link…so no matter what you say about him…I'll never think badly of him. He's…changed my life…and he's someone I know…I can trust…"

Hilda's mouth had fallen open in shock. She blinked several times, silent for a long enough time that Zelda was starting to feel concerned for her. Just as she was debating whether or not to say something, her sister managed to speak again.

"Really…? You? No, no, no, that can't be. I can't possibly be right about this…can I?"

"U-um…Onee-sama…?"

Hilda locked eyes with Zelda, her own still wide with amazement.

"You're in love with Link."

Zelda felt her cheeks burn scarlet in an instant. It was the most sudden blush that had ever overcome her. She had been starting to wonder what her own feelings for Link really were but to hear her own sister say something so extreme like this…

"I…I, uh, I, u-um…" She stammered and sputtered but couldn't manage a single sentence.

Hilda began to laugh. It wasn't a happy laugh, but rather a judgmental one fraught with disbelief.

"You? In love with Link? That is rich! Oh, I haven't heard something so ridiculous since the day Sophie asked me if I'd ever marry him! Oh, Zelda! That's just too funny!"

A nervous anxiety settled over here as she took in her sister's words.

"W…why…is that funny…?"

Hilda brought her laughter under control again after much effort and leaned in close, her cold, red eyes locked with Zelda's own.

"Because, dear sister, you won't ever be able to love him."

Zelda felt her heart plummet yet again…but it fell a lot further this time…

"W-why…not…?"

Hilda reached out and placed her fingers beneath Zelda's chin, lifting her face towards her own.

"Because you're broken."

Anguish welled up within Zelda but she tried not to let it show in front of Hilda.

"I…I'm not…"

"Oh, my poor, sweet, deluded Zelda," Hilda murmured, sliding her hand up to her cheek and leaving it there. "You are. You're very broken and you always have been. It's why you're so useless. It's why you're such a failure. And it's why you'll never be able to love Link properly."

Zelda was fighting back tears as hard as she could. She had always tried not to cry in front of Hilda…it always made things worse. But this time…she didn't know if she could stop herself…

"I…I can…l-love…properly…"

"Your head is so in the clouds that you've forgotten reality, my dear sister. Isn't it the duty of a wife to be her husband's partner in all things? How could someone like you ever begin to support someone like him? I bet you don't even know the first thing about him."

"I…think I…do…"

"How could you ever hope to offer support to him? If he came home angry, you'd never be able calm him down or cheer him up. Who would ever be happy to see you in a moment like that anyway? Not that it would really matter - you'd probably just get scared and cower away from him like he was going to hit you, right?"

"L…Link…would never…"

"If he came home sad, you'd never be able to comfort him. You don't have the emotional capacity to empathize with others' feelings, Zelda; I've watched it for years. I've tried to give you so many chances to better yourself and you ignored each and every one. It's really quite sad to look back on."

"That's…that's not…"

"If he came home happier than you'd ever seen, it would still be wasted on you. Someone like you, someone so broken and joyless…you could never share in his feelings in a moment like that. Even if you claim to be Link's partner, he would still be completely and utterly alone."

Zelda had started crying long ago but Hilda kept going. She wasn't even speaking in a harsh tone; her voice was very soft and gentle. It almost…made her sound sincere. It sounded…like she really was telling the truth…

"But, my dear sister, there's one enormous reason you could never properly be in love with Link, one even more important than everything else I've said."

Zelda couldn't bring herself to acknowledge her sister's words; she pressed on anyway.

"It's because you don't even know how to love."

"T-that's…not…"

"Not true? Are you sure? You're so unable to connect with someone else; I bet you haven't even held his hand yet."

"I…have…" she managed through her tears. Even now, she didn't want to give up on her feelings for Link, no matter what they really were. No matter how right Hilda may be…

"You have? Are you certain? It wasn't Link who took your hand first? Any and every time it's happened?"

'She's…right…'

"It isn't Link that tries to foster closeness between the two of you? It isn't Link who's been pining for any kind of reciprocation of his feelings? Have you ever even once expressed a romantic interest in him?"

"I…"

'I…want to be that person for Link. But…what if she's right…? What if…I really can't share those things with him…? After the life I've lived…I don't know that I really could…'

Tears streamed down her cheeks anew; she was unable to keep even a semblance of control over herself any longer. Hilda finally drew her hand away from Zelda, shaking a few loose droplets from her fingertips.

"See what I mean? You can't even acknowledge your own faults. How could you ever hope to even better your sorry self, much less love someone? Especially someone like Link. He's already such a complicated person that even I can't understand him; what chance would a failure like you have of connecting with him? In fact, I feel just terrible about the whole situation."

Zelda wanted to reply. She wanted to deny everything Hilda had said…but…could she? Wasn't everything she'd said…true? Just like it always was…?

Hilda leaned in close, her voice barely above a whisper, and spoke into Zelda's ear.

"You know, I used to hate Link, but now I think I just pity him – having to be loved by you is a curse I wouldn't wish even on my greatest enemy. He would never be happy to hear that you love him."

Zelda's heart shattered into a thousand tiny pieces.


Link emerged from the Sanctum at long last, relishing the brisk winter weather as he drew a deep breath. That had taken far longer than he'd hoped. Zelda was surely bored out of her mind waiting for him. He glanced around the Sanctum Approach and was glad he didn't see her there; she'd have gotten sick if she waited out in this weather for him.

Heading for the reception hall where she likely was, Link reflected on the afternoon. He'd had far too many long conversations with far too many people he didn't really want to talk to. At least things had worked out properly and there was no longer any threat to Zelda's happiness. Or his, for that matter.

The only thing on his mind at this point was getting back to her side so they could return to the inn, change into more relaxed clothing, and have a nice conversation over dinner – talking with her was something he found quite relaxing these days, especially by comparison to the first night they'd met. No matter how much he'd been forced to converse that day, he would happily be able to find words for her. Maybe they could even spend a while chatting before they fell asleep in the same room for the first time…if he could actually relax enough to do so…

He wasn't the only one a bit unsettled lately; he had noticed Zelda had been more bashful than usual the last several weeks. Little things that had once only earned a small blush from her now caused her to nearly freeze entirely, like taking her hand or hugging her. She still seemed to enjoy those things, but he was starting to worry that he was coming on a bit too strong. Maybe she was slowly but surely becoming overwhelmed by his behavior and actions…

As Link entered the hall, his mind still swimming with uncertainty about his current prospects with his fiancée, his eyes fell on a sight that immediately made his blood boil and rage course through his veins like he'd never felt in all his life.

Zelda was crying. She was crying harder than he'd seen in a long time. Her face was turned downwards towards the ground and her body was trembling with anguish as her thirteen-year-long tormentor Hilda stood before her with a sneer on her face.

Link had no idea what had happened between them. He couldn't even begin to guess what heinous things Hilda had said to her. But any sense of tact or diplomacy he'd managed to hold onto after all the meetings and discussions he'd endured that day evaporated in an instant at the sight of Zelda crying like that. He stormed across the hall, taking his fiancée in his arms and turning her face into his shoulder, hoping to shield her from her sister. She didn't resist.

"Get away from her," he snarled at Hilda, his eyes boring into her own.

The Crown Princess was surprised to see him, but it was only a moment before her face settled back into its usual smugness.

"I'd heard you were scuttling around the Castle somewhere but you always do pick the most inopportune moments to show up."

"Shut up, Hilda."

She shot a dark grin at him.

"Are you angry with me? Whatever for?"

Link felt every nerve in his body, every fiber of his being, screaming at him to run her through with his sword. He would never act on such primal impulses, of course…but the simple fact that the feeling was so strong almost made him nervous. He had never felt something like this before…

"What did you say to her?" Link demanded, dismissing the unsettling thought and instead tightening his hold on Zelda. Her arms were limp at her side even as she cried with abandon against him.

"I just told her the truth, that's all."

"All you did was lie to her. All you ever do is lie. Even that comment was a lie, Hilda." He was worried he might scare Zelda; his voice was cold and angry like few other times in his life.

"Oh, Link, you just don't understand. Part of the reason Zelda should come home to the Castle is so I can keep her grounded in reality. Otherwise, she might actually start believing the ridiculous ideas her overactive imagination comes up with."

"She will never live here with you again. Ever, do you understand me?"

Hilda let out a heavy sigh and rolled her eyes.

"She told me you ruined my scheme with Nell. I'm not that surprised; he's about as useless as the winter is cold, anyway. But that doesn't mean there aren't more opportunities to get what I want."

Anger flooded his heart hearing her flippant words.

"Keep trying, Hilda – I'll stop you every time. You'll never take Zelda away from her home."

"Hah! The Castle is Zelda's home and always has been."

"You're such a fool."

Her fiery eyes narrowed.

"Excuse me?"

"Home is a place where people love you; it doesn't have to be where you grew up. Everyone in Hateno adores Zelda. They care about her and want the best for her. That's her home, you self-absorbed sow, not this place."

He was resorting to childish insults now but he couldn't stop himself. Nor did he care. His hatred for her was far too powerful to hold back any longer. To her credit, Hilda didn't bite.

"'Sow?' That's the best you can come up with, farm boy?"

"I grew up with my sister for eighteen years – the best I can come up with is a lot more vulgar than I want to subject Zelda to. It would certainly be fitting for someone like you, though."

"Ah, sparing her delicate ears. How chivalrous of you! I didn't know you had it in you to respect a Princess based on my own history with you. But then, she's not really much of a Princess, is she?"

"This is pointless," he interrupted, his voice sharp. "We could trade insults and argue like children all night, but the simple truth is you hate me and, at this point, I couldn't hate you any more if I tried. So why don't you just disappear and go do whatever it is you pretend to do around here? I'm going to get Zelda out of this wretched place and take her somewhere safe."

Hilda's jovial farce crumbled into a much more natural face for her – bitter frustration.

"Just who do you think you're talking to? As the heir to the throne of Hyrule, I have far more responsibilities to this Kingdom than any washed-up recluse like you could ever hope to enjoy."

"I don't care, Hilda. We're done here. I'm leaving and Zelda's coming with me. I meant what I said to you last time – I will protect her from you for the rest of her life, no matter what it takes."

Hilda glanced pointedly between Link and the still sobbing Zelda before she raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"Good job."

'She's goading you. Don't fall for it'

It still took everything in Link not to lose control of himself. He gnashed his teeth together and glowered at the Crown Princess.

"Don't ever speak to her again."

Hilda raised a hand to her mouth in mock surprise.

"Don't speak to my own sister? How could you say something like that? It would just be cruel to abandon her after we've already lost our mother! How can you encourage another member of her family to disappear from her life?"

"You're no family to her!" Link roared, finally losing what little composure he had left. The bile of hate inside him poured forth in the form of a second thunderous shout. "What good has your presence ever been for her!?"

Hilda smiled darkly at him. He forced himself to take a breath and calm his voice before he scared or upset Zelda any more than she already was.

"You're a vicious little leech, Hilda. You latch onto her and suck away all the happiness in her life out of some sick, twisted need to ruin her. Your joy comes from causing her misery; there's no light in your sad existence otherwise. All you do is drown in these feelings of jealousy you have towards your own sister and punish her for how inadequate you feel."

"Me? Jealous of her? Hah!"

"Deny it all you want. And maybe I'm wrong; maybe you're just cruel and horrible. Either way, there's something deeply wrong with you."

She waved a dismissive hand.

"So you've said."

"And I mean it more than ever before. You're rotten, Hilda. Truly, intensely rotten."

Her face darkened considerably.

"What did you say?"

Link held Zelda tighter. Her shoulders were shaking…she still hadn't stopped crying. He wanted to end this and spare her from listening to more. She was so heartbroken…hearing him come unglued like this wasn't helping her in any way.

But he had already failed his fiancée once this evening. He had let her be alone, left her out in the open by herself in the one place her sister could find and hurt her. He wanted to make it clear to Hilda that she would no longer have her way with Zelda, not as long as he drew breath.

"I said you're rotten. Like a spoiled apple or a rancid egg. Everything inside you is sick and putrid. You cover it up with nice dresses and a phony smile, but it's all a farce. Your personality, your heart, your mind, your spirit – it's all disgustingly rotten beyond compare."

"You have some nerve speaking to me like that," she hissed, her eyes flaring.

"Somebody needs to do it; you've never grown up in all your life."

"And you're the person to wake me up to the truth?"

"No. I won't waste another minute of my time on you. I tried to help you better yourself before the Calamity. You're a lost cause, Hilda; you always have been. Zelda is my priority now. And she'll be my priority each and every day that comes. You'll never hurt her again, do you understand me?"

The loathing etched on every bit of Hilda's face was more intense than he'd ever seen. His own hate matched her easily, though.

"You think you can stop me from doing whatever I want?" she demanded, her eyes flashing dangerously.

"I swear to you here and now that I will."

"I suppose we'll see, then."

"You'll see; I already know the way this plays out."

"I certainly hope you don't fail her again."

"You mentioned yours and Zelda's mother earlier."

"And?"

"You should never compare yourself to her; you're nothing like the amazing woman Zelda's told me stories of. I never knew her myself, but I'm certain she'd be unbearably disappointed in you for the way you treat your only sister, the sister who used to love you so much."

Link turned Zelda from his body and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, guiding her past Hilda. He very deliberately kept his body between them, making certain Zelda's eyes couldn't lock with her sister's again. Link, however, could see the effects of his comment as clear as day.

The Crown Princess looked like she might burst every blood vessel in her head. Her face was red with rage and fire all but leapt from her eyes.

"Where do you think you're going, you wretched waste of breath!? You think you can say whatever you damn well please to me and just walk away!?" she shrieked, her voice echoing off of every wall and corner.

Link never stopped moving, steering the still crying Zelda across the reception hall.

"We're done here. I need to take care of someone far more important than you."

"You…how dare you!"

This time, however, Link didn't bother to acknowledge her again. Zelda was the most important thing in his world. He'd drawn his line in the sand and Hilda could dare to cross it if she wanted to. But for now, ensuring his fiancée had time to recover was his highest priority. Being there for her mattered more than anything.

As the doors to the reception hall closed behind them, he chanced a look at Zelda. Her tears had lessened but her eyes looked…hollow. She was so hurt by whatever had been said to her. And Link couldn't help but blame himself for leaving her alone again…


Zelda was completely silent on the carriage ride home. Link offered her as much comfort as he could, but he didn't ask her to repeat anything that was said to her. In fact, he didn't try to make her speak at all. She felt grateful for that…her words weren't something she should be subjecting him to anyway…she had been presumptuous to ever do so in the first place…

Once they arrived back at the inn, Zelda went to her bed, curled up into a ball beneath the blankets, and stayed there. Even her head was covered by the luxurious bedding the inn had chosen. Link looked on sadly as she disappeared from view, reaching out for her almost helplessly, but she just couldn't bear to face him. Even though he had defended her from Hilda. Even though he always tried so hard to take care of her.

If she wasn't careful…he'd have to deal with someone like her falling in love with him. He didn't deserve to be subjected to something so undesirable…

'Hilda is…right. I don't know how to love. I could never hope to make Link happy when I can't even make my own family happy. I'm…broken. And I always have been…'

Link tried to talk to her a few times but she just couldn't bring herself to respond. She was afraid she'd start crying again. The idea that everything she'd felt the last three months would be a cruel thing to subject him to…was overpowering. Stifling. Suffocating.

'And it's true…that's the hardest part of all…'

He tried several times to coax her out of her cocoon. He suggested they find some food to eat, offered to take her anywhere she'd like to go, said they could even book a carriage right now to take them back home overnight if she couldn't bear to be in Castle Town any longer.

But the thing she could no longer bear…was herself.

'He's being kind again…I don't deserve it. I've never deserved it…'

Just when she thought he'd finally given up, she felt an unfamiliar weight on the mattress nearby. Maybe Link had placed something on the bed for her. But when she heard his voice gain, this time soft and melancholic, she realized that the weight on the bed was actually being caused by him.

'He…came to sit with me…? Why…?'

"Zelda," he murmured, hesitating for an unusually long time. His tone was so different than before. "I…won't ask you to repeat the things Hilda said to you. I didn't even want to bring up what happened but…I know you must be hurting so badly right now. I'm sorry…that I left you by yourself at the Castle. I shouldn't have let that happen. I promised I'd protect you and I…I failed you…"

'No, you didn't. It wasn't your fault. It was mine…it's always my fault…I'm the failure…not you'

"Are you…no, that's a really stupid question. Of course you're not okay. If you were okay, you wouldn't have been crying when I found you. You wouldn't be hiding yourself away like this…"

'It's okay…really. She's right. I'm just…broken…'

She felt his hand come to rest on her shoulder through the blanket. Even though she couldn't feel his touch directly, it was still rather comforting…

'Don't do that. Don't cling to someone you can never make happy. It's unfair. It's selfish. Link…deserves so much better than you…and you've always known that…'

His familiar voice broke through her thoughts again.

"I…know I may not be able to take the pain away…but…please know that I'm right here for you. I'll never leave you. I'll never abandon you. I…won't leave your side for the rest of the night if that's what it takes to reassure you even the tiniest bit."

'You don't have to waste your kindness on someone like me…I don't deserve it anyway…'

Link's hand gripped the blanket harder, as if he were twisting the fabric in his fist. She wondered why he might be doing that…was he frustrated that she was hiding the way she was? Probably…

"Zelda…I…I said I couldn't hate Hilda more if I tried earlier. But…I hate myself a lot more right now. I…should have been there for you. I told you that you were safe. I said you could trust me. And for the second time, I failed to protect you."

'That's not true; you came for me in the end. Besides, Hilda was right anyway…I just didn't want to hear it…'

His hand seemed to twist the blankets even harder. She thought she felt shaking through the fabric.

"Will you…please come out? Just for a minute…" His voice wasn't nearly as steady as usual.

Zelda hesitated. He was asking her to show her face…so she should, right? But what if…what if she kept falling for him? What if, eventually, she really did come to love him? She couldn't burden him with such unhappiness

And yet…he hadn't left her side since they'd returned. She should come out and face him…even if it was simply to apologize to him and promise she wouldn't disappoint him by forcing her flawed feelings onto him…

"Please, Zelda…" His voice was a haunted whisper.

That alone shook her from her daze for a brief moment.

'Why…am I ignoring him…? He sounds…so upset. What am I doing…?'

Slowly, she began to shift around beneath the blankets, the grip Link had on them vanishing as she did so. She pulled the covers down from over her head and brushed her messy hair from her face so she could at least see him. The room was dark, not even the flickering of a lantern illuminating the space around them. But even though the muted moonlight pouring through the window was the only source of visibility, her eyes had long adjusted to the dark. And she couldn't stop herself from gasping as her gaze fell on Link at last.

His eyes were glassy and filled with tears, a few having spilled down his cheeks. She had never seen him like this. In all their time together, she had never seen him so overcome with grief or anguish that he would cry. She had done it time and time again but Link…? Nothing made him react like this.

Forgetting the truth of Hilda's words for just a moment, she sat up in bed quickly and reached out towards him…before stopping short. She was too scared to approach him first like this.

"I bet you haven't even held his hand yet."

Before she could become lost in her own dark thoughts, Link drew her into a sudden, tight hug. She hadn't even seen him move but, in an instant, she was engulfed in his familiar embrace.

"I'm sorry, Zelda…I'm so sorry…"

He was…crying over her? Why? She couldn't possibly be worth his tears…

"I…I let Hilda hurt you so badly," he whispered, his shoulders shaking. "I let her…abuse you and break your heart even though I swore I'd protect you from her. Even though I know how much you've been through. And now…the most important person to me…is…"

He trailed off and simply held her tighter. Zelda felt her heart stir for just a moment. Something about his embrace always felt so…right.

"L…Link…" she murmured at last. Her voice was weak and trembling.

He pulled back slightly, though his hands never released her shoulders.

"It's so good to hear your voice again."

'It is…?'

"You…don't have to cry over me…"

"Of course I do," he answered, another pair of tears rolling down his cheeks. "Look at what she did to you…look at what I let her do…to my fiancée. You were so happy earlier…so confident and radiant. You've been working so hard every day to take your life back…and she…she tried to take all that away from you again. I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you. I'm so, so sorry."

"It's okay…"

"It's not okay."

Zelda shook her head and gave him the best smile she could manage; it still felt tremendously sad, like she was only managing a pained grimace.

"It really is okay…because…I was already broken in the first place…"

"Z-Zelda…?"

"You aren't…responsible for that. I've been broken…since the day I was born…"

"Is that what she told you?" he gasped, drawing her in tight again.

Zelda couldn't resist his embrace, no matter how much she was aware she didn't really deserve it. She timidly placed her arms around him, allowing herself a moment of selfish weakness.

Link held her even tighter and spoke into her ear, his voice overflowing with anguish.

"Zelda…please forgive me for what I'm about to ask you." Her heart sped up in her chest as he continued. "I always try to respect your boundaries and your space. I never want to force you to talk about things before you're ready. But…I can't let you go on believing whatever foul lies Hilda filled your head with tonight. Please, Zelda…please tell me what she said to you. I'll get down on my knees and beg you if I have to. Please…"

Zelda felt her heart freeze over again. Hilda had…simply told her the truth. That really was it…

"She…she said…"

'W-wait…why are you…repeating it? It's the truth. Just accept it…'

"Hilda told me…"

'Why…am I repeating it…?'

"That I…can't love properly…"

Link held her tighter still and she slowly felt her rigid walls begin to crack.

'I see…it's because…no matter what she says…I still trust Link more than anyone. Even if I don't deserve it…I still don't want to let him go. I just want…my Link…'

Tears spilled from her own eyes as the horrible words she'd internalized in the reception hall played through her mind again.

"She said…I could n-never make anyone h…happy. Could never…share in someone's joy…support someone when they're sad…help when they're angry. She said…she said my love…is a curse…that she wouldn't wish on her worst enemy. That nobody…could ever be happy…that I loved them…"

She hadn't even realized how hard she'd begun crying as she repeated those words. It was true…but it still broke her heart. All she'd ever wanted was to make someone happy. All she'd ever strived for was to be a positive part of someone's life, whether it was for her family or Link. But it was far too late for that…

'After all…I'm just a failure. A useless, worthless, delusional failu-'

Zelda's thoughts stopped dead as Link pressed his forehead to hers. The sudden rush of overwhelming feelings tore her heart in so many different directions she couldn't take them all in. She felt her cheeks catch fire as they so often had the last several weeks; his face had never been closer. She could feel his breath on her very lips…

"Zelda," he began, still holding her tightly in his arms. His voice was much steadier now. "Every single word she told you is a lie."

"L-L-Link…"

He refused to pull away.

"It's all a lie. She hates that you're happy in Hateno. She hates that she can't make you miserable any longer. She's jealous of you. So she filled your mind with horrible lies, tried to poison your happiness and ruin your life again, just the way she always has."

"I…I…"

"Zelda…anyone you gave your love to would be unbelievably lucky to have it."

"H…huh…?"

"I mean it. Platonic love, romantic love, familial love – there isn't a single person in this world whose life wouldn't be so much better for having you in it. For having you care about them."

"I…"

'That…can't be true…can it? I've…never managed to make anyone happy like that…'

"If you decided you loved my sister like family, she'd be overjoyed."

'I…suppose…Aryll really did say…she wanted to be…my sister…'

"If you came to love Mipha as your friend, she would be elated."

'S-she…has always been…so good to me…so kind…'

"If you…t-told me…that you loved me…romantically…"

Zelda's heart leapt into her throat as Link hesitated for a long time. He was still so close to her…

"I would be…the…the happiest man alive…"

Her heart began racing at his words.

'He…would feel happy…?'

Tears overwhelmed her again, but they felt different this time. They felt…like tears of relief.

"L…Link…"

He slowly pulled away, letting his palms trail down her arms and taking her hands in his.

"I'm not exaggerating even a little. And just in case you still don't believe I could really feel this way…"

Zelda wasn't even sure what had happened. One moment, she was looking into Link's eyes and the very next, he had leaned to one side of her face. She felt something soft against her cheek. His…lips?

He placed a delicate kiss upon her pale skin, lingering only for a few seconds before drawing back. It was enough to shock Zelda into near paralysis, driving even the awful memories from the Castle from her mind. Her tears seemed to freeze in place. She reached up slowly and placed a hand against her cheek, her eyes growing to the size of saucers as she gazed at Link.

He met that gaze with certainty, his brilliant blue eyes sparkling beneath the starlight that spilled in from the nearby window.

"That…is just a little of how I really feel about you, Zelda."

"Link…"

"Would you please listen to what I want to say?"

"Of…of course…"

His eyes never left her own.

"You are not broken. You have never been broken. You've been hurt. You've been abused and mistreated by your family for almost your entire life. And you're still such a wonderful person to everyone around you despite that, when you have every reason to never trust another soul again. I'm begging you, please, don't ever believe you're broken. You are not."

"L…Link…"

"And I'm not trying to tell you what to do, but you shouldn't ever listen to Hilda again either. She's the broken one; she can only take pleasure and happiness in causing you pain. Nothing she says to you is true. Absolutely none of it."

Zelda felt the fog of misery start to dispel around her heart, slowly but surely.

"You…would really be happy…if I…?"

She was too embarrassed and scared to finish the thought, but Link met her gaze again with confidence.

"I would be thrilled beyond compare."

Zelda felt her cheeks flush badly again. It was a strange sensation; the tears on her cheeks were still there but felt cold against her hot skin.

"I…don't know how to make someone happy though…"

"Neither do I," Link assured her. Her eyes widened in surprise as he continued. "I'm the guy who turned down dates to practice with my sword, remember? You can't possibly think I have things all figured out."

He allowed a light laugh to escape him and Zelda, for the first time in what felt like days, did the same. Her heart…felt warmer. The wounds on it were slowly starting to mend themselves. All because of him.

"Then…um…how do you know…if you'll be good enough…for someone?"

"You already are. You've been so much more than 'good enough' since the day we met, Zelda. You always try to help the people around you. You're selfless and kind like I've never seen before. Even the first day you were with me, even though you were scared and unsure, you took it upon yourself to do so many thoughtful things for me; nobody's ever done that before. Even though you had so much to deal with yourself, you still went above and beyond for me. That's how I know you're more than 'good enough.' For anybody."

"Link…"

"Hey, um…I know I sort of implied something big tonight," he began, shifting his gaze awkwardly away from her. "We…don't have to talk about it right now. As a matter of fact, I'd prefer we didn't. You've been through so much today and…if we ever really do have this conversation, I'd like it to be because you want to, not because you feel forced to."

"B-but…I…"

"We haven't really known each other all that long when you think about it. Just because I feel a certain way doesn't mean you need to have your feelings figured out already. No matter what the case is in the long run, I don't want you to force yourself to feel one way or another because of anything someone said to you, not even me. So please, take your time and do whatever feels right to you, Zelda. No matter what that may be."

"It's…it's okay…for me to do that?"

"It would make me extremely happy if you did."

"Are…you sure…?"

"Certain. And I swear, I'll never leave you. No matter how long it takes for you to sort through your feelings, even if they aren't the same as my own in the end, I won't ever abandon you."

Zelda felt her heart swell at long last…she hadn't felt that way since she'd awakened on his shoulder in the carriage that morning.

'I…really must be a fool. I let Hilda convince me to doubt him. I can trust Link. I've always been able to trust Link. So…'

"C…can I tell you…the things I've been thinking about already?"

Link blinked in surprise a few times before smiling at her.

"If you're comfortable with that, of course you can."

Her cheeks flushed yet again but she felt a tiny smile spread across her lips too.

"U-uh…um…I…feel very happy…when I'm with you. A-and…sometimes…the things you say and do…make me feel bashful and embarrassed…but in a…g-good way. I…like it…and it makes me…smile…"

Link's own cheeks had reddened some but he never averted his eyes.

"I'm really glad to hear that. I was scared when you first arrived in Hateno that you might never feel happy there…or feel happy with me."

Zelda shook her head and forced herself to keep eye contact with him.

"I…haven't ever felt so much happiness in all my life…and it's every bit thanks to you. Sometimes…I hardly know how to handle it."

"And you can take all the time you need to figure things out. I'm not going anywhere. I promise."

"I…know. I trust you…I really do."

"I can't tell you how happy I am to hear that."

"L-Link?"

"Yes?"

"U-um…"

She hesitated for a long moment. Link had always been there for her from the day they'd met. She had thought so many terrible things about him in the beginning. She had doubted his kindness and sincerity. She had questioned his motivations. But then…she had slowly come to trust him. She had smiled with him like she never had in all her days. She felt closer with him than anyone. She…really believed he was the most special person in her life. The most important person. Even if she wasn't sure what love really was or how it felt, even if she might not be able to love properly…he didn't care. All he cared about…was her.

That was enough to finally convince Zelda that Hilda really had been lying to her – none of what she'd said at the Castle was true.

Zelda threw caution to the wind as she reached out and took Link's hand in her own. Hilda may have been wrong about a lot, but she had been right that Zelda had never once initiated any kind of physical connection with Link of her own volition. It was always him that took her hand or squeezed her shoulder or hugged her or even kissed her cheek like he had tonight. The one time she had ever asked for a hug, he had granted her request, of course. But this…was different.

This time…she didn't ask first.

"Z-Zelda?" Link sputtered, his face red.

She averted her eyes and began to wonder if steam was pouring out of her ears.

"S-sorry…I just…I really wanted…to do that…"

"I…don't mind."

"Hilda asked…if I'd ever once taken your hand first."

"I see. Then this was a way of proving her wrong?" he asked, a small smile on his lips. His surprisingly soft lips…

Zelda shook her head quickly, though.

"N-no. I…don't care what Hilda thinks about us…not anymore. I did this…because I wanted to…"

Zelda felt her cheeks burn scarlet as she admitted the truth. Link's own became even redder in the dim moonlight.

"You can…do this any time you like, Zelda."

"R-really?"

"Really."

He reached out and wrapped his free arm around her, pulling her in close. Usually, Zelda would have felt a bit overwhelmed by this, but tonight was different. Perhaps it was because of the shock she'd felt when he pressed his forehead to hers or when he had bestowed that breathtaking kiss upon her cheek, but she felt…very calm by comparison. Like everything happening right now was the most natural thing in the world. Like the one place she truly belonged…was right there in his arms.

Relaxing into Link's body, Zelda kept his hand in hers, unwilling to let go.

"L…Link?"

"Yes?"

"I…don't think I want to see Hilda again…"

"I don't blame you. I promise I'll never let you be alone with her again. And I won't break that promise this time."

"I trust you…completely. Um…I…know things weren't happy earlier but…thank you for protecting me from her. I've…never had anyone do that for me."

"I'm sorry again that I took so long to get to you…"

"It wasn't…your fault. You tried to go along with me in accepting my father's courtesy; that's why I wound up by myself. You didn't send me away."

Link gave her a small smile.

"I thought that might be it. I'm glad he at least offered that much, even if it's not nearly enough to make up for your past with him."

"That you even made him look my way…was extremely kind of you."

A moment later, Link's smile turned to a grimace.

"I'm also sorry…that I got so angry earlier. I really hope I didn't scare you…"

She shook her head emphatically.

"Please…don't be sorry. You're the only person who's ever gotten angry for me like that; it means…a lot. And I…could never be scared of you, Link."

The worry on his face melted away at her soft words.

"Thank you, Zelda."

"No…um, t-thank…you."

"For what?"

"For…not giving up on me…when I tried to close you out before…"

Link pulled her in a bit closer.

"I'll never leave you. No matter what happens, you'll always have me."

Zelda took a steadying breath and turned her eyes back to Link's, trying to muster up all the determination and certainty she could.

"I…may not always be the most confident…and I may not even understand a lot of my own emotions…but…y-you…h-have me…too…always…"

Link's look of absolute delight was enough to keep her smiling for the next several months.

"I couldn't possibly be happier to know that, Zelda. And I trust you completely."

Later that night, Zelda fell asleep with a smile on her face, her awful memories of Hilda having been replaced by the wonderful memories of Link's gentle kiss and his reassuring words. Her dreams were sweet; there wasn't even a single instance of her sister appearing in them.

And early the next morning, eager to return home, they left the inn hand in hand – Zelda was the one who took Link's first.

10/27/2023


Post-Chapter Note: Welcome back everyone, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, even though it was a bit darker than the last few have been. So wow, where do I begin with this one? A lot happened, huh?

The bit with the King was pretty short but I did want to establish that there's a bit more to him than just straight up being a horrible person. Now, he's not a particularly *good* person where Zelda's concerned, but if absence makes the heart grow fonder, his daughter having left the Castle and then looking far happier when she returns and even saying she never wants to come back likely made him reevaluate some things about his relationship with her. I've done a much more in-depth character study of King Rhoam before and this story won't see him be much more than an occasional supporting cast member, but I always like for even my background characters to have a certain amount of nuance to them and I hope you found him to fit that bill this time as well.

And then, of course, there's Hilda. Still a venomous, hateful snake to everyone around her but especially Zelda. It always breaks my heart to write poor Zelda going through such terrible things (even though it's always meant to serve a purpose), but unlike the first chapter and even the memories/nightmares she's had since going to Hateno, this time she had Link to come to her rescue in real life. I'm sure most of you probably aren't surprised that Zelda had a reunion with her sister for the first time in 15 chapters now. Everybody's pretty vocally hated Hilda so far (which is absolutely what I'm going for) but I wonder how much hatred she just garnered based on this chapter alone? That said, even though Zelda later says she doesn't want to see her sister again, you and I will be seeing more of her as this project goes along - her story isn't done by a long shot.

The last scene with Link trying to bring Zelda back to him emotionally was pretty easy to write but very difficult to get the specificity I wanted in some cases. Zelda's internal monologue and struggles to wrestle with both her heart and Hilda's words took some time to polish and get it to a point I was satisfied with. I added more as I kept going through it to make sure it was prevalent enough and edited a ton after that as well and I think I finally found a decent balance for it. I hope you felt as steeped in her thoughts and feelings as I wanted you to be and could really feel her emotions radiating through that scene in particular.

This was also the first time we've seen Link react really emotionally in front of Zelda, too (beyond being angry when something's happened to her - though he himself found that he was angrier than he's ever been when he first found her inside). Link's head over heels for Zelda at this point and I absolutely believe he'd be devastated that Zelda had her heart broken so badly while he was so close by. But unlike any other time she's had to endure Hilda's tormenting, this time he was able to help her through it and be her anchor. Even our stoic, loner hero is starting to really open his heart to Zelda, which is something I always enjoy writing.

There was a pretty big amount of relationship progress too! :) Which I hope made the bitter parts of this chapter go down a little easier. Next chapter won't be nearly as brutal to read, promise. And I hope you're excited to see their relationship keep progressing from here!

But for now, that's plenty out of me. Thank you all so very much for reading another chapter and I hope you enjoyed it! Have a wonderful weekend and I'll be back next Friday for another installment! Take care everyone and I'll see you in the next one!