Goodness! How long has it been since I last updated? Nobody knows! (1 year 7 months 27 days, but who's counting.) Anyway, I know it's been a while, and that this fic is over seven years old by now, but don't worry. It's reaching the end very soon.

Before we get into the fic, though, there's something I need to do. Honestly, I have to say thank you to everyone who's stuck with me this far. I know this fic probably isn't the easiest to read when it gets to chapter eleven, and definitely not at chapter thirteen, so thanks for staying around. Thanks for being encouraging, even though I don't know any more about Legend of Zelda now than I did seven years ago when I took this request. I also have to apologize. Because of how much time passes between updates, you can probably see changes in my writing style and it might be a little jarring. My bad.

Point is, we're nearing the end and I'm happy you all are still here. I really do appreciate it.

Days passed quietly now that everything had settled down. The servants continued preparing for the wedding while Delak worked with Gronuk to provide safe passage for the people of both their realms. The two princesses spent their days in relative leisure, with Zelda immersed in her studies and Midna overseeing her lands. At present, to allow the two realms to acquaint themselves with one another, the wedding was set for a few months in the future.

Everything seemed to be moving along well. While things had been tense in the beginning between the two realms, the people appeared to be getting along quite nicely. Once he'd healed up, even Link had taken the time to go through the portal to explore before setting off on another journey. The guards kept a close watch on the portals to be certain nothing suspicious happened to them. Everything was going according to plan.

Until six weeks into the portals being opened, that is.

Zelda groaned softly as she held her head. Delak watched her worriedly and his ears twitched with each movement his ruler made. It was breakfast time, but Princess Zelda had barely touched her food. Upon inquiring about the dishes, Delak was reassured that the food was fine. Yet still, Princess Zelda continued ignoring it.

"Your Majesty?" Delak spoke up hesitantly. He had been watching her over the last week. He'd taken note of certain… changes with her. He didn't want to overstep his boundaries, but it was within his ruler's best interest if he confided his suspicions to her.

"Speak freely, Delak," Zelda murmured. She just wanted to curl back into bed, but that would hardly be useful. She had duties to attend to. Wedding preparations, invites, treaties… All of it needed to be done. There was no time to sleep.

Delak took a deep breath. Glancing to the servants around the room, he tilted his head toward the door. All of them took the hint and scurried out. One of the seasoned servants gave him an understanding nod before she shut the door.

With prying ears out of the way, Delak returned his attention to his ruler. Princess Zelda lifted her head to look at him, waiting. Now or never. "Your Majesty," Delak said carefully. "I believe you may be with child."

A beat of silence filled the air. Delak watched as Princess Zelda's face paled, the information sinking in. Zelda knew those words, she knew what they meant. She was pregnant. She was likely feeling the effects of morning sickness. Dizziness fogged her mind as she tried to wrap her head around it.

Looking down at herself, Zelda took a shaky breath. She was going to have a baby. Okay. That made sense. However, the problem was that, even though she knew exactly who the father was, explaining it could be… dangerous.

Delak's ears stood at attention as he took in Princess Zelda. Her breathing had become erratic, which was not at all good. She was likely thinking of all the things that will be upset by the news. As her Advisor, it was Delak's duty to minimize her stress, even in times like this.

"Princess?" Princess Zelda's eyes snapped to him. "Perhaps, the day's duties should be put on hold? This is likely a big surprise and I would hate to cause you further undue stress." He cleared his throat. "A day or two to digest the information should suffice?"

Silence hung heavily between them for a moment before Zelda took a deep breath. "Yes," she said quietly. In a stronger voice, she continued, "Yes, that would be best. Thank you, Delak. If it's not too much trouble, please keep this information to yourself until the plans have been reworked to include it." She stood from her seat and paused. "Ah, but it would be best that Advisor Gronuk know of the situation? It would be rude for him to be caught unawares."

"Of course, Your Highness."

Delak bowed as Princess Zelda swept out of the room. Once she was gone, he released a soft sigh. When her dear parents parted this world, he'd promised to watch over her and help her as needed. He had no idea that would involve portal dimensions, new treaty negotiations, and a baby.

"I have sworn myself to the royal line. I stand by that oath wholeheartedly." He paused. "I should begin training an apprentice as soon as possible."

Zelda made her way back to her chambers and sank onto her bed with a deep sigh. She was most likely pregnant. Delak had been around a while, he had a good eye. If he said she might be pregnant, she believed him. Still, this threw such a large wrench in her carefully made plans.

What's the matter?

Zelda nearly jumped out of her skin at the voice in her mind. It hadn't been that long since she and Midna had used their mental link, but it was the first time that day, so it took her off guard. Pardon?

You seem out of it, Midna explained. A bunch of negative energy is coming through the bond. Are you okay?

Zelda chewed her lip. On the one hand, she could tell Midna through the link and save herself the initial reaction. That would be beneficial if she was enraged. However, that might not bode well as her anger could just simmer and grow. On the other hand, waiting to tell her when she returned to Hyrule would mean Zelda would be within grabbing range if the initial reaction was unpleasant.

It's just a little overwhelming sometimes, she decided. Nothing to worry about right now. That would buy her some time to think over the best approach.

In the Twilight Palace throne room, Midna's eyebrows pulled together in confusion. Zelda's message had been informative, but still pretty vague. Were the wedding preparations taking a toll on her? Midna could put some of the work on her own servants if that were the case. The last thing she wanted was for Zelda to stress out.

If you're sure. That didn't sound good enough. Midna wanted Zelda to know she cared. We can talk about it when I return, if you'd like? It might help.

That sounds good, Zelda replied. Perfect. She had time. She had to prepare.

Midna relaxed in her throne as the connection went silent. They would talk about it and she could ease her princess' worries. Zelda didn't deserve to be stressed out. A wedding was supposed to be a time of celebration. Midna would make sure Zelda was the happiest she could be.

For the rest of the day, Zelda alternated between sitting on her bed with her head in her hands and pacing the length of her room. Occasionally, a servant would come in with a meal for her. Alongside, they passed her something with the insistence that 'Delak said it would help your stomach'. Delak likely spread that she wasn't feeling well to preserve discretion. She drank the mixture and was somewhat surprised that her stomach did actually settled afterward.

As the sun began to set, Zelda took a deep breath and stood from the bed. It was about the time Midna usually returned to Hyrule. Moving to the portal, Zelda waited as calmly as she was able for her warrior to return.

"Your Highness." Gronuk cleared his throat as he accompanied Princess Midna to her bedchambers. "I have been summoned by Hyrule's advisor. The note didn't seem urgent, but it is best that I go as soon as possible. If it is not too much trouble-."

"You may enter the portal to Princess Zelda's chambers," Midna told him, already knowing the question. "It is faster than using the one in the town square. Don't dawdle, though. From what I understand, only consorts and servants are allowed to see the Princess' Bedchambers."

Gronuk gave a soft chuckle. "I will always be but a servant to Your Royal Majesty," he pointed out. "But I shall make haste. I will return home through the square."

Midna shot him a smirk as she pulled aside the curtain hiding her portal. Stepping through, she was greeted to a beautiful sight. Setting eyes on Zelda would always be the best part of her day. Either in the morning when she was leaving or the evening when she was coming back.

Gronuk stepped through and dipped his head respectfully to Princess Zelda before heading out. He wasn't privy to exactly what his princess did with her consort, but he would hate to intrude. Princess Midna could be very eager, after all.

Midna gently wrapped Zelda in a hug and brought her close. She'd been feeling mounting and falling anxiety all day. Something had Zelda upset and Midna wanted to do all she could to ease her Princess' mind.

"What's been happening to you today?" she asked gently, stroking Zelda's hair. "You seemed to be more stressed than usual. Is it the wedding preparations?"

"Not, ah, not quite." Zelda swallowed and stepped back. She took Midna's hand and guided her over to the bed. Midna sat, watching her curiously.

Alright. Moment of truth. Zelda needed to tell Midna what was happening. She fidgeted under Midna's gaze as she she wondered how best to go about this. Even though she knew there was nothing to be afraid of, and that Midna would likely be happy to hear the news, Zelda couldn't help the smallest shudder remembering that Midna didn't always think rationally. Cold seeped into her stomach as she recalled what a lapse in thought had done to the both of them.

Still, this needed to be said. Midna would find out eventually, it's not like Zelda could really hide this. It was better she find out sooner rather than later. And it needed to be from Zelda.

Midna, for her part, simply sat on the bed and watched her love. It wasn't like Zelda to keep quiet when there was something to share. Whatever was troubling her must have been something big. "Zelda," Midna murmured. "It's just me. You can tell me anything. Is someone harassing you?"

"No." Zelda rubbed her arm self-consciously. "Nothing of the sort."

Midna was more confused now. If it wasn't harassment, then why was Zelda so on edge? "Then… what's wrong?"

Zelda clasped her gloves, a dark purple pair today, tightly in her hands. Midna could see her trembling and her blood boiled with mounting rage. Someone had frightened her dear Zelda to the point of being unable to confide in Midna for fear of her reaction. That thought cooled the anger a bit. Midna had promised that she would think rationally from now on. Displaying anger could cause Zelda to regress and that's the last thing Midna ever wanted to do to her.

The silence between them weighed heavily as Zelda wondered how to properly convey the news. All of her thinking that day had yielded no easy ways to say what she needed to. Zelda knew Midna wouldn't be angry about it. Or, well, she hoped Midna wouldn't immediately jump to anger. Unfortunately, 'hope' wasn't enough to calm her nerves. At last, Zelda took a deep breath and whispered the news into the quiet of her bedchamber.

"I… I'm pregnant."

Midna stared at her love blankly, blinking in confusion. Nothing was said between them for a moment. Zelda watched Midna carefully, prepared to bolt at the first sign of danger.

"I don't understand," Midna finally stated. This didn't make any sense. Yes, the spell had given her the outer physicality, but wasn't that it? "I know I have the equipment, but I don't think that would be enough." A thought suddenly occurred to her and her eyes narrowed slightly. "Have you been with someone else?"

Why is that her first thought every time! Zelda thought, a chill running down her spine. "No," she replied, taking a few steps back, just in case. "It's only been you."

Midna slowly stood, her mind working quickly through the information. "You're sure it's just been me?" she asked softly. If it was just her, and Inuri hadn't managed to succeed, then that meant the magic had worked in full.

On a different track entirely, Zelda did not at all like how soft Midna's voice had become. Her mind flashed between the past and present, throwing memories of an all too similar scenario at her. Her eyes darted to the door as she drew in shallow breaths. Could she make it? Midna was a highly trained warrior; she was more skilled at hunting her target than Zelda. And she was fast, too, especially in this small space. Would talking her down this time work?

Zelda swallowed thickly. "It's only been you, no one else," she explained. Her voice cracked a bit as her throat constricted with fear. If that didn't convince Midna, Zelda would have to run and fast.

Midna's ears twitched at the sound her Zelda's voice breaking. Blinking out of her stupor, she fully looked at her lover. Zelda's entire being exuded terror. She had already been nervous about telling Midna the news. Without confirmation of Midna's emotions, she must have been internally panicking. Midna mentally kicked herself. Of course Zelda would be scared of her reaction, especially after what happened in the past. She needed to reassure her princess now, marvel at the magic later.

"Zelda, I'm not angry," she said. She slowly raised her hands where Zelda could see them to convey that she wouldn't hurt her. "I'm not mad."

"You-you're not?" Zelda breathed, blue eyes focused on her for any hint of a lie. Midna kicked herself again. Zelda was probably prepared to run.

"I'm not," Midna affirmed. To show she was serious, she sat back down on the bed, hands lowering to her sides harmlessly. Instantly, Zelda's body began to relax. Good. The stress would do no good for the baby. "I'm just… a little shocked. I hadn't expected the spell to work to such an extent."

Zelda's breathing slowly calmed now that she knew she wasn't in danger and she moved closer to Midna. "You didn't know the spell would work to this degree?" she inquired curiously. Now she wondered what spell it was that could give the bearer this gift. Was there a reverse? An inverse? Different forms?

"I had no idea," Midna chuckled. She held out a hand and was relieved when Zelda took it without hesitation. She pulled Zelda down into her lap, holding her close. "But… I guess this means there's no need to search for a sire, huh?"

"Not one bit," Zelda agreed, snuggling against Midna. "I think I much prefer it this way, though."

"Me too." Glad she didn't potentially ruin this surprisingly good news, Midna gently wrapped an arm around Zelda's waist as her free hand rubbed Zelda's stomach. They were going to have a child, a child that would be theirs. They would be strong, beautiful, charismatic, and amazing rulers. Their birth would be the best thing the two kingdoms would see since the-

Midna's eyes widened. The wedding! "We need to speed up wedding plans," she said, making Zelda glance up at her. "If I remember correctly, your royal line doesn't approve of children born out of wedlock, right?"

"True," Zelda murmured. Conception would hardly matter to anyone, especially since Midna had already officially proposed to Zelda. But children born before a royal union would be contested for the throne by children born after the union.

Tapping her chin, she hummed. "I am not far enough along for anyone to know when they were conceived, but the sooner the wedding, the less people have to ponder it."

Midna grinned and wrapped her arms more firmly around Zelda. Her eyes fell to Zelda's stomach before she leaned down to nuzzle Zelda's hair. "I'm sorry I worried you," she whispered. "I'll do my best not to do that from now on."

Zelda nuzzled Midna's neck. Now that she was sure she was safe, she felt more at ease. Midna was trying. Healing took time, but the effort Midna was making definitely helped. They could talk to their advisors tomorrow. Right now, she just wanted to curl into her warrior's warmth and sleep.

Like I said earlier, thanks a ton for sticking around. Next few chapters will be up much sooner than a year and a half. Of that, I'm certain. See ya then!

Remember, occasional sneak peeks and updates are available on my tumblr, gothalbinoangel-fanfiction. You can also ask questions. I just opened up commissions, too!