"Sav'ooootta!"

Zelda woke with a start the next morning at Urbosa's sing-song voice from not far away. She felt distinctly like she'd forgotten about something, or made a mistake, and she was right. The sun was well up, but Link's arms were still around her.

She looked up barely in time to hear Urbosa coming up the stairs, and hurriedly she brought the blanket up to cover Link as well as her chest. She flew up to sit upright, trying to position herself in front of him as Urbosa leaned against the doorway.

"I know you're tired, but there's someone here to see you downstairs. And you've got mail," she added, waving a letter towards Zelda with a smile.

"O-okay," Zelda replied quickly, "I'll be right down."

After Urbosa turned and left, Zelda let out a sigh of relief. Link's arms snaked around her from below the blankets, and dragged her down suddenly. She turned in surprise, only to find Link's lips on hers, and he moved suddenly to her jaw and her neck and her chest and-

"Link!" she whispered, stifling quiet laughter as he planted a flurry of kiss over her body. "Sa'oten, if she'd seen you-"

"She didn't," he replied, lifting himself up a little as the blanket fell back from off his head. His eyes were brighter than before, his scars somewhat more faded. Rest was clearly helping him. Zelda smiled down at him, bringing him close for another embrace. But if she wasn't down soon, Urbosa would come back upstairs to call for her...

"I have to go downstairs," she finally said, reluctantly dragging herself out of bed. "You think you can still sneak out okay?"

"Easy," he replied simply, propping his head up on one elbow. "Come see me after and tell me what the news was."

Once she'd changed into new clothes, Zelda headed hurriedly down the palace steps, smoothing her hair as she went. She was hoping that it wasn't someone super important, because she certainly didn't look her best. But she'd been incredibly busy over the last couple days, and surely whoever it was would understand. She wondered now why Urbosa hadn't just told her who it was, but as she came around the corner into the throne room, she realized why.

"Impa!"

The Sheikah woman had been facing away from her, but Zelda knew the distinct outfits of Kakariko and the near floor-length white hair that set Impa apart. She turned to see Zelda now, a smile pulling on her lips.

"There you are. I was so glad to hear the good news."

Zelda approached hesitantly at first, but Impa seemed to know what she wanted, and closed the distance between them in a hug.

"Congratulations. I'm so happy for you."

"Sarqso," Zelda said, her voice muffled through Impa's shirt - even among the Gerudo, Impa was tall.

"I have a letter to give you from a friend I ran into along the way," she said, pulling back and fishing an envelope from her shirt pocket. Impa held it out to her, and Zelda took it carefully, immediately noticing the royal Hyrule wax seal on the front.

"I have an inkling as to what King Rohan has to ask of you. Whatever it is, don't make up your mind too fast."

Zelda nodded quickly in return. Impa flashed a smile and then turned to Urbosa.

"It was good to see you again. I shouldn't overstay my welcome," she added with a laugh, but Urbosa shook her head quickly.

"You're always welcome. I'd tour you around, but-" Urbosa trailed off, glancing down to Zelda.

"I'm sure whatever this is, I can handle on my own. Go," Zelda reassured her.

Urbosa looked hesitant, but Impa smiled and linked her arms with the Gerudo woman.

"You heard her. Tour time!"

With Urbosa finally dragged out of the palace, Zelda got comfy in her throne for the first time in a while, and then slowly opened the letter. It felt wrong even tearing it because the paper was so nice and pretty, but she was too curious to find out what the message was. Finally it unfurled in front of her, in King Rhoam's classic handwriting.

Princess Zelda of the Gerudo:

On behalf of the Kingdom of Hyrule, I would like to offer my sincerest gratitude and congratulations for your victory against Calamity Ganon. Destiny is a tricky beast, and mastering it takes patience and perhaps a little luck. How lucky we are, then, that our fates were in your hands. We are all indebted to you.

I have a request that may be asking too much. Please do not think any less of me for it. I am growing old, and have no heir to show for the throne. The time is coming to select a new ruler of Hyrule. Technically, were I to pass, the role would go to the captain of the royal guard. But I do not wish for Hyrule to be governed by a military mind.

I am formally requesting that you take your place as Princess of Hyrule, and eventually Queen when I have passed. I understand you may not want to leave Gerudo Town. I understand you may not want this at all. Please consider it regardless.

I would hope to hear your answer soon.

Best regards,

King Rhoam Bosphoramus Hyrule

Her hands were shaking by the time she finished reading the letter, and her heart was racing. He seriously wanted her - her - to rule all of Hyrule? She'd hardly left the desert, hardly met anyone in the kingdom, and he wanted her to take his place? She'd been in the castle maybe once altogether, and he wanted her to rule it? She folded the letter, put it back in the envelope, and then promptly took it back out again to re-read it and make sure the sun hadn't been getting to her over the last few days.

Zelda sunk into the pillows on her throne, zoning out as her mind raced back and forth between the two options. If she didn't leave, the throne would go to the captain of the royal guard - Link's dad. He'd just been injured in battle. He was a good man, but didn't seem like the ruling type. And if he didn't take it, then - Link?

She wasn't sure if the hierarchy really worked that way, or if it would go down to another nobleman instead. Either way, she wasn't sure how she would bring it up to Link at all. But her first instinct was to say no. She didn't want to abandon her people, not now, after everything that had happened. She was supposed to live a long life looking after them. She was supposed to produce her own heirs for them.

The night before flashed back into her memory, and she covered her face with her hands. Why did she expect Link to just stick around after all that? She wanted to be with him, of course she did, but he had his own kingdom to help and look after - and so did she. In a way, this was providing her a way out of that obligation, a way to stay close to him, but that felt far too selfish a reason to accept King Rhoam's request.

No.

I have to stay for Gerudo.

The decision, in her mind, felt final. She was too bitter to cry over it. All she could think was that, maybe, at least Link would be happy with her decision.

Later that day, after Urbosa saw Impa off - and looking strangely in a better mood than usual - Zelda met with the champions for the first time since Ganon's defeat, in the war tent outside. They were silent when she walked in, but before she could say anything, Daruk was up and embracing her in a rocky but comfortable hold, and the others followed quickly - even Revali.

"Guys," Zelda laughed weakly, pulling away after a moment and smiling.

"Despite the odds, you did it," Revali said suddenly, sounding distinctly surprised at the outcome but also impressed. Zelda smiled skeptically at his tone, but took the compliment for what it was. The Rito had a cast on one of his feet still, and a makeshift bandage on one of his wings. Apparently he'd have to wait a bit before he could fly again, because he'd suffered a fracture.

"Thank you, Revali," she replied, looking sympathetically towards him, but he only scoffed in response.

"Don't give me that look. I'm fine. If Ganon needed fifty Guardians to go after me and Medoh, then at least even he knew I was a threat."

"How's Medoh doing, by the way?" Daruk asked, looking nervous to hear the answer. The rest of the champions and Zelda turned expectantly to Revali, who looked uncomfortable at the question.

"She's -" he paused, looking as if he was trying to find the words. "Well, I'll just be out with it. She's broken, just like her pilot."

"You are not broken," Urbosa retorted, but Revali only looked back at her with a sharp stare.

"A bird that can't fly isn't broken, hm?"

"You'll be in the air again soon," Mipha reassured him, her voice gentle.

"And so will Medoh," Zelda added, meeting Revali's eyes. He looked unconvinced.

"Well. It's not like Hyrule will be needing either of us anytime soon, anyways. So-" he said, suddenly looking eager to change the topic - "what's the news?"

Now it was Zelda's turn to be put on the spot. She looked warily towards Link, who had been silent this whole time, but was now smiling as he turned his gaze towards her. She had an idea of how the champions might take it, and what they might think, but she had no clue how he would respond.

"King Rhoam - um- sent me a letter," she began, looking towards Urbosa for guidance. The chieftain only tilted her head, raising her eyebrows expectantly.

"He asked - he's asked me to act as Princess of Hyrule," she stammered, "but I'm going to say no."

"What?" Urbosa asked suddenly, and Zelda looked up at her in surprise. "You're declining?"

"Of course she is," Mipha responded quietly. "She wants to stay for her people. Right?"

Zelda looked back at Mipha gratefully. At least the Zora understood.

"It's not like the ruler of Hyrule should be someone who's barely stepped foot into the kingdom, anyways," Revali chirped up, rolling his eyes.

"But the Princess would do a fantastic job," Daruk argued, and Zelda was surprised at his passion. "King Rhoam doesn't have an heir. She'd be perfect!"

As if on queue, everyone turned to Link then, curious to hear his input. Zelda was hesitant to meet his eyes, but when she did, she was surprised. For the first time in a while, she couldn't read his expression. It was as if he hadn't made up his mind on the matter.

"I- I don't know," he said suddenly, his shoulders dropping. He glanced quickly at the other Champions, and then she remembered - they didn't know about them. They didn't know they'd been spending nights together. Urbosa probably had a feeling as to what had happened, considering that Zelda told her how she'd thrown herself at Link to save him. But she'd left out the part about loving him. Part of her hadn't yet come to terms with that. And in a way, she was embarrassed. Not about loving him, but that that emotion, and not her love for her people, was what saved the kingdom.

"I support her decision," was all he said then, glancing away and fiddling absently with his earring. Zelda tried to hide her frown. Something about that wasn't very believable, but they'd have to discuss it in private later on. And besides that - how would she go about telling everyone about their relationship? Her and Link were celebrities enough on their own. But if she didn't come out with it, the rumor mill would get a hold of it and who knows what sort of crap they would start to spread throughout the kingdom…

She looked back to Urbosa, who seemed conflicted but finally let out a sigh.

"I think you'd do well, little bird."

"It's not that I'm worried about - how well I'd do," she lied - she absolutely was worried - "but the town, Gerudo town… we just went through so much. They need me here."

"Have you asked any of them?" Daruk piped up suddenly, and it gave Zelda pause. Urbosa smiled at his question and looked at Zelda matter-of-factly, but she was too stubborn.

"No, and I don't need to worry them over it, not now," she retorted. "There's enough to do without me abandoning them. I'm going to write a hawk to King Rhoam today, so there's no need to speak any more of it," she finally said, sighing.

"You don't need to write a hawk," Link said then, looking a little nervous. "I'm leaving today. I'll take it with me."

...what?

"You're leaving today?" Urbosa asked, looking a little surprised. Link scratched the back of his neck.

"Yeah," he replied quietly, "Dad wants me to go back to help out, since some of the troops are out of commission, and - you know, we lost a couple."

Zelda's mouth dropped open. The tent was suddenly dead silent. Why didn't he tell her? Why didn't he think of telling her in private, instead of now? He was just - after last night, after everything - leaving? She couldn't show how distraught she was at this news, and turned abruptly to leave.

"I'm going to check on the wounded. I'll see you all later."

She didn't wait to listen to their protests, didn't look back at Link, didn't stop at all before leaving and heading straight for the medical tent. She felt like a fool, and a distinct and familiar pain was tugging at her heart. The notion of Link leaving was too much to handle. She couldn't face him. She didn't want him to chase after her, didn't want to have to justify her feelings to him, didn't want to admit how much it hurt her. She'd been left before, after all.

She sat on one of the empty cots in the medical tent, face in her hands as she tried to sort her feelings, but a voice distracted her.

"Rupee for your thoughts?"

She looked up and back in surprise; in the bed behind her was Eagus. She didn't recognize him at first. A tuft of blonde hair here and there escaped the wrap he had around his head. Zelda did a double take at his left arm - it was gone, wrapped at the shoulder instead. Her heart jumped to her throat.

"Eagus," she greeted him, choking on her voice. "I'm sorry. I didn't see you there."

"S'alright," he replied, sounding strangely chipper despite his circumstances. He looked at her expectantly then, and Zelda let out a sigh.

"King Rhoam asked me to look after Hyrule in his stead, but I'm afraid I'll be leaving that job to you," she replied, trying not to sound too bitter. Eagus' expression dropped.

"Goddesses, I wish ya wouldn't. I'm not fit to look after things. And if it weren't me, it'd be Link. I love my boy, but he's not the best under pressure," he added with a laugh. Zelda looked at him quizzically.

"Isn't he? He's Hyrule's hero, he… he slayed Ganon."

"Don't get me wrong, I'm proud of him. Best swordsman I know. But he wears his heart on his sleeve. Too much of a people pleaser. The stress would probably get to him, same as me," Eagus admitted, looking up honestly at Zelda as she turned to sit cross-legged on the cot.

"Sure you don't need me telling you your job is hard," he continued, looking sympathetic. "But you seem well-suited to it. Rhoam wouldn't ask just anyone."

Zelda was surprised at the vote of confidence from someone she barely knew, but she wanted to believe him. Maybe it was just that he had the same striking blue eyes as Link. There was something comforting about them, and she was inclined to listen.

"I can't leave my people," she finally sighed, looking down at the floor. "They need me more than ever."

"Who says you'd be leaving 'em?" Eagus questioned. "Ah, nevermind. It isn't my place. You do what you think is right."

Zelda nodded in response, but couldn't shake something Link had asked her before - is it a gut feeling, or just guilt, and found herself unable to answer it. The feelings were beginning to blur into one. She would no doubt feel guilty leaving Gerudo Town, but she also felt bad leaving Hyrule. And as much as she loved him, her gut told her Link would not want to be leading the kingdom. No doubt he was excited to put down the Master Sword for good, too.

But she couldn't help feeling like she'd already made up her mind, and there was no going back on it. She bid farewell and thanked Eagus, and then left for the palace to write her response to King Rhoam. The entire time, she wished Link would show up, but sneaking into Gerudo Town in broad daylight would be tough. Eventually, Urbosa arrived at her doorway, knocking the stone walls.

"Hey, little bird. Link is heading out soon. Come down and see us, okay?"

"I've - got some thinking to do, actually," Zelda replied, trying not to have her voice break on the words. "I can't. Can you ask him to take this letter to Rhoam? And say sorry for me?" she asked, her hands shaking as she sealed the letter and stood to hand it to Urbosa. But the chieftain looked unconvinced.

"You're not serious."

"I can't stand to say goodbye to him," Zelda finally said, tripping over the words and unable to fight the tears that fell now. She wiped them away halfheartedly, avoiding Urbosa's eyes. "I can't. I can't, I'm sorry."

"What happened with you two?" Urbosa asked, her voice quiet now, but Zelda only shook her head in response. She couldn't find the words. Not now.

"...Alright," Urbosa said with a sigh, taking the letter resignedly and turning to leave. "But you make things better sometime soon, okay? He's done a lot for Gerudo Town."

"I know," Zelda replied weakly as Urbosa left back down the stairs, and a moment later, she crawled underneath the blankets of her bed and wished she would just disappear.

She'd nearly cried herself to sleep when Urbosa finally came back up to her room.

"If you're done the pity-party, the town has something to say to you," Urbosa said, shaking the blankets and rousing Zelda from her dozing. Bitterly, she dragged herself up and out of bed, and followed Urbosa down the steps. She wasn't in the mood to receive anymore thanks or praise from them, but nearly the whole town had gathered nonetheless in the square, so Zelda tried to make herself look presentable as she stood ahead of them. To her surprise, Urbosa walked down the steps in front of her and then turned, standing in front of the crowd - and then she spotted Mipha and Daruk in the midst as well. She tried not to blush. She was embarrassed for her actions earlier.

"Princess Zelda," Urbosa began, "on behalf of Gerudo Town, we formally request that you accept your place as Princess Zelda of Hyrule."

Zelda was shocked. She couldn't stop her jaw from dropping. Had Urbosa told the whole town of what King Rhoam had asked? She wanted to kill her, but then-

"Urbosa told us that you didn't want to abandon us," Torae spoke out, taking a step forward and out of the crowd. "But none of us see it that way. You would honor us, and the Gerudo People, by doing this."

Honor? She couldn't wrap her head around the sentiment at first, but as she looked around the faces in the crowd, they were all smiling proudly up at her.

"Make sure you come back to visit!"

"We believe in you!"

"Congrats!"

Urbosa headed back up the steps then, resting a hand on Zelda's shoulder.

"I can handle things here while you're gone. Really, little bird. You should go."

"I already gave Link the letter to give to King Rhoam," she protested - a last ditch effort at holding onto her stubbornness - but Urbosa only tilted her head at her.

"Then I guess you'd better leave right away."

She'd never packed so fast. Urbosa promised to bring her more clothes the next time she took a trip, but in the meantime, Zelda threw a heavy bag over her shoulders, took a sand seal to the desert gateway, and prayed she'd reach Link in time. Thankfully, it was a little slow-going there due to the boulders still being cleared away, and as she approached the stable, she could see Link - not far away, riding on his stallion and holding a rope attached to Lilac. He clearly had meant it when he said he'd look after her.

Zelda was about to call for him, but instead waited a moment. Sure enough, the blond looked over his shoulder, and even from such a distance she could see his eyes suddenly widen and the horses come to an abrupt stop. She caught up with him, but Lilac greeted her excitedly before Link had a chance, and she gave the white horse a few grateful pats before looking up at the blond. He looked surprised, but also relieved.

"What are you doing?"

"Do you still have that letter?" she asked, and Link nodded silently as she hopped up onto Lilac and untied the rope he'd had attached to her saddle.

"Can you rip it up?"

She looked up at him. His lips dropped open a little, and then shut into a smile.

"Yeah."

"Your dad said you might not be so keen on running the kingdom," Zelda said then, glancing away only briefly before looking back at him. "So I guess I'll do it. You know. For you."

Link let out a breath of laughter, and then looked back to her with bright eyes.

"I love you, Zel."

well - this is it! hope you enjoyed!