Hello everyone!

Thank you to Pure Cookies, sauceadmiral, Kirosh, Hero of Lorule, The LegendofBatman, , ZMeditor, crystalwolf99, Alfredman, and spocketlaine for following and/or adding this story to their favorites list!

Responses to Reviews:

Pure Cookies: Aww thank you! I hope chapter 17 and 18 was good for you haha! I'm sorry for making you wait, I know how impatient I can get with stories. I hope that you like this chapter though ;) And lol, that would've been way interesting than what I got! But this dumb couple of mine is so chaste!

Kreshi: Another adorable chapter is here! Haha, I hope you like it! :D

Raven Arya Amaranth: Yay! Thank you, I'm definitely changing the pace (that's supposed to be a pun but it's 1am and I'm not clever lol) I hope you like this chapter!

KHLostEmpress: Mwahahah! ;) I really hope you enjoy this chapter!

Awakening5: Aww thank you! I agree that it is significant, considering that Zelda and Link's relationship is so slow paced in this story of mine, but I feel bad because of that! The whole slow pace thing drives me crazy as a reader, though it usually is worth it in the end. So I'm glad you liked it! :D

jwill21: Thank you! If you've gotten to this chapter, you've probably figured out that you were right, haha!

VainGlory0: I know right! Intimacy is so exciting in novels (I'm not a pervert no matter how strange that just sounded)! And don't worry, I completely understand. I'm glad that you're supportive of my decision, but I welcome any ideas/suggestions, even though my opinions may be varied. Thank you for all of your support!

Guest: Thank you very much! :)

ts879: Haha yes love is very fickle between them! But it's about time, I think ;) Thank you!

The wedding day is here at last! I'm sorry for the wait, but after two weeks of gruelling schoolwork and fitness, I'm just about drained. I genuinely hope this chapter turned out well though, considering how important it is to the couple's relationship and to this story. There are just a few notes I want to make before we begin:

-Thank you ts879 for a beta read! You're great!

-As requested, I will post a one-shot connected to this chapter that will be rated M. It won't have much plot development because I don't want to exclude anyone from the story given their age or decision not to read. But if you do choose to read it, I hope you enjoy.

-The first half of the ritual is an original rite I came up with, but the second half is called "Handfasting" which is a ceremony of Celtic origin that bonds people together using cords of symbolic colors. It's actually beautiful and I fell in love with it!

-The flowers used in the wedding is an easter egg in reference to "The Breath of the Wild", which I cannot wait to play! Though no one has actually confirmed this, I believe that the Tulipa humilis (Alba Coerulea Oculata) are the closest flowers in resemblance to the one's in the game.

-Zelda's hair is styled under one of her design sketches in the Hyrule Historia.

That should be about it. I hope you all enjoy :)

Without further ado, chapter 20!

The day of their wedding finally arrived, and it arrived with a bright sun and a cloudless sky, as if the goddesses themselves were bestowing their blessings to the long-anticipated marriage.

Zelda stretched her arms out on her bed with a pleased sigh. She was never much of a morning person, really, but she'd make an exception just this once. Their wedding day arrived at last; in a matter of hours, she'd be Link's and he'd be hers.

"Good morning, Your Majesty!" the maids chimed cheerfully as Irene pulled aside her voile curtains to let the light pour in. "The day has come!"

Zelda arched her back and yawned into her arm, hair still messy, and the girls giggled at her relaxed behavior. She was definitely in a good mood; she was never this easygoing any other day.

"Are you excited, Your Majesty? You're going to be married!" one maid said, clapping her hands together.

"And on such a lovely day, too!" agreed another. "Just hear how the birds chirp for you and your love."

The queen bit back her blush and ran a hand through her hair to hide any red on her face. Love was always a testy word, it seemed. Eyeing the queen knowingly, Irene shooed them away with the waves of her hands, pinching her eyebrows despite the smile on her face. "All right, ladies, enough of that."

Zelda willed herself off of her comfortable bed, saying, "That's quite all right, Lady Irene." She looked back at the maids, who were making her bed and fluffing her pillows. "I am excited, truly. Thank you." They gave each other conspiratorial grins and Irene's expression softened.

"And that you should be," Irene agreed as she turned to the queen. Her eyes crinkled a little, a laugh bubbling from her lips as the scullery maid in her dared to escape again. She wasn't all that different from the younger maids; she was just as eager to jump for joy. Irene couldn't help the excitement though; the girl she raised from a baby was now a full-grown woman: a woman that was getting married to a full-grown man. She folded her hand in front of her lips. "My, time goes by so quickly…!" Zelda gave her a soft smile as the nursemaid bit her lip to hold back another small laugh and waved a hand dismissively. "Oh there's no time for this!" she exclaimed. "You ought to get undressed so we can get started."

The queen followed her nursemaid's instruction, switching out of her nightgown to a slip before Irene began urging her to the other room for her preparations. "Hurry now."

A swarm of professionals were awaiting her in her sitting room: everyone from manicurists to estheticians with their cases packed and ready to begin. If Zelda hadn't ever been groomed this way, she might've actually been nervous. With all their instruments and gear, who knew what they were planning to do to her? Luckily – if it was considered lucky, that is – she'd been through these types of procedures many times before.

The group set her down on a long cot, the maids arriving moments later and pulling her hair off the top of the bed. As the esthetician cleansed her face, the manicurists fussed over her nails with files and buffers. Many of the first few hours of the queen's preparations were crucial to her health and beauty but even more so, they were terribly painful. Trying to relax with her eyes closed was difficult when there were people tugging at her hair, scraping at her nails and scrubbing her face. She hardly even had any time to think about how excited she was for her wedding; how could she when her hair was jerked back the next minute?

However, when the estheticians began lathering their hands with lotion and the manicurists began massaging her hands with oil, she knew the worst part was over. This part, she recognized, was perhaps the most enjoyable experience of the procedure, their hands kneading everything from her strained forehead to her aching knuckles. Her muscles instantly eased under the light and careful touches, and she sunk deeper into the bed. Zelda couldn't recall being so peaceful before. There was always something to do, every moment of every day, especially with her wedding on the horizon. That constant fear that, even though they'd made the announcement, someone could possibly stop their arrangement haunted her. She'd felt too lucky; something had to go wrong.

But with her settled into the bed, listening to the birds chirp from the adjacent room, she could unwind. It was her wedding day; all that fussing over her and Link was over, and they could be together – once and for all. And goddesses, was she grateful for it.

When all of their procedures were done, the queen's hair was styled. The top of her hair was tied back with a golden clip that was attached to a short veil; to match, an elegant diadem was set at her forehead. While the rest of her locks was free to cascade down her back, two strands of hair fell against the sides of her face, against her creamy skin, it made her look like a Great Fairy of the earth but as beautiful and celestial as the goddesses themselves.

When the time drew near, Zelda was fixed into a corset and the large petticoat as the maids collected the many layers of satin and crepe. All of the relaxation she felt during the last moments of her massage was slowly fading away as she was covered from head to toe in the tight wear. Her face, on the other hand, didn't have to be as layered with cosmetics; the beauticians said her natural beauty should hardly be compromised with.

The queen was fit into her gown with all the grace a dozen maids could manage; it was a fight between the most persistent of women and a mass of fabric. When at last the battle was over and she was dressed, Zelda finally took a look in the mirror. And she was stunned silent.

Perhaps the queen never actually considered herself beautiful, or at least never considered herself otherwise, but looking at herself in the gown made her feel like a princess again. The satin cascaded from her waist and trailed the slightest bit behind her. It was a simple dress as there were little embellishments, save for the lace embroidery on her bodice. The neckline was modest as it usually was, reaching up to her collarbone. Lace flowers circled the outline of her back but left the center of it bare; a thin belt made of the same satin and crepe wrapped around her waist, tying a small subtle bow at the lower part of her back.

But even looking like a princess or a fairy, above all, she felt like a bride. The maids and the servants were right: Zelda was glowing on her wedding day. She felt beautiful and she felt even more blissful.

The queen almost wanted to reach out to the glass, to her reflection; for what reason, she didn't know. But there were people eagerly waiting for her response. Everybody was exhausted from all of the effort they put into making her look beautiful, but they wanted the queen to be pleased with her own appearance. Zelda realized that, despite the bliss she felt, she wasn't smiling.

At last, she allowed the muscles in her face to relax and broke out into a smile. The heap of fabric rolled over itself as she turned to them. "It's amazing," she said, looking over her shoulder at her reflection again. "Thank you very much."

They all let out a sigh, shoulders drooping, and beamed in return. All of the maids and servants immediately broke out into compliments of "You're the most beautiful bride I've ever seen," and "How brightly you shine, Your Majesty."

Irene was the first to step up, however, even though she seemed to be the most tired of them all, with red rimming her eyes. But as she broke into a shaky smile, Zelda realized it was the emotion over the exhaustion that made her face swollen and rosy. "You look so beautiful," she said earnestly, voice heavily laced with sentiment. "I can't believe it's your day at last."

"Thank you," Zelda said softly.

Lady Irene nodded shakily. "I'll let them know you're ready," she said, taking a step back. Her eyes were still on the queen for a moment before she turned and disappeared.

Within moments, the ceremony was ready to begin.

His heart, if not literally figuratively, caught on flames. It was that moment, standing at the entrance of the chapel, that he couldn't believe it was happening. He wanted this – he wanted this for so long – but now that it was actually here, he couldn't recall a time he'd ever been so afraid.

People were already gathered on the lower and upper levels of the chapel, ordered by their status and position. Link was grateful that all the "common folk" were on the lower level, because he could occasionally glance to the front of the aisle where his friends awaited. At times, he'd catch Ilia's eye as she turned back, an overwhelmed expression on her face, but she'd smile shakily at him and he'd feel a little bit at ease.

He knew the ceremony was due to start at noon, but he had no clue what time it was at that point. He'd gotten up and was dressed with the help of some servants a little earlier, but it felt like he'd been in the chapel forever. He memorized the indigo center of the white lilies across the aisle, like ink splotches on a blank page; in his mind, he could recreate the stained-glass representations of the golden goddesses and the light spirits on the tall windows along the walls. The carvings on the dark wood of the seats, Link knew, would forever be engraved into his mind.

The chapel was almost large enough to be the ancient Temple of Time. With an aisle so long, he could scarcely tell what the minister was doing at the time. If Link could guess, he'd probably say that he was rereading the sermon for the hundredth time that morning.

As time passed by, he started to feel his limbs tremble with anticipation. But at last, the organ on the upper floor hit the first chord and he could've sworn it sent an arrow straight into his heart. A choir began singing blissfully, the guests stood and he wasn't sure where to look. Zelda was supposed to arrive at the door at his right side, so he decided it be wisest to train his sharp eyes on the door.

His hands were fisted to stop them from trembling until the door opened and he became undone again. A white light emerged from behind it, glowing brilliantly, and his mouth fell agape. Goddesses, if he thought she was beautiful that night in Gerudo Desert, Zelda was something entirely ethereal in that moment. She wasn't just the princess – or queen of light. Zelda was light.

She was like a beacon, he realized, leading all the people of the kingdom, drawing all the princes and dukes and nobles to her. Leading him across the plains of the kingdom and back to Hyrule, where she was, after he was supposed to move on from his journey. After he was supposed to go back to being a goat herder, a villager, a man who saved Hyrule with nothing to ask for.

But it wasn't her that drew him back initially; he made that decision with no regards to Her Highness. It was after he came back, after he spent time with her, that he couldn't escape. He'd try to, time and time again, but something always tugged him back, like a fish on a line. And Link was hooked.

Zelda smiled, a small gentle smile like the first he'd ever seen on her, and he urged himself to move. His shaky hand reached out to her and met with her bare one, sending that electric shock back up their arms. By the look of her quivering lip, he knew she'd felt it too.

His bride's hand travelled up the length of his arm until her arm was curved into the crook of his elbow. They began their march down the aisle, her pace and movement in time with the music of the organ. Everyone's eyes were on them and Link hardly even noticed.

He did notice, however, that at the end of the winding aisle, Zelda unlinked their arms and gave a low curtsy to the minister so that her gown pooled out around her. Link was quick to kneel as well, as low as she, while the minister began with a lengthy quote in ancient Hylian. Zelda told Link what it meant before time, roughly translating it to: "May this divine love be recognized by the divine; may a timeless love remain for all of time. Three golden goddesses, creators of earth, law and life, I pray to thee that you bear witness, alongside the members of this holy land, to this divine unity. If there may be any reason that these two shall not wed, let it be known at this moment." A pause. "Your silence will be taken as a blessing from above that these two may live in harmony for the remainder of time. Thank you, dear goddesses. May we continue ever onward."

The minister continued in the present Hyrulean language, ordering the couple to rise. "We've all gathered here today, from all corners of the land, to bear witness to the unity of our benevolent queen, Zelda Nohansen Harkinian and the selfless hero Link in holy matrimony. If any one can show just cause to why these two may not be joined together, by Nayru's law or the laws of this realm, let them now speak or else hereafter keep silent for all time." Zelda suddenly tensed up, fear constricting her heart as soon as the minister stopped his speech. It was the final time someone could deny their marriage, but the moment seemed to drag on forever. At last, the minister finalized, "With there being no objection to this ceremony, let us continue."

She let out a breath.

He led the couple up the dais and behind a large ceremonial table where the ritual would take place. Three bowls were set on the table: the first one had coals that were still hot from earlier that morning, another was filled with clear cold water, and the last was filled halfway with soil. The minister led them to the first bowl, stepping aside to acknowledge the guests again.

"Legend states that before there was any land or sea, Din, the goddess of power, forged the red earth with her flaming arms. In honor of her strength, the couple shall now test their endurance and dedication to this unity by dipping their joined hands into these blazing coals."

For any noble or commoner, this test might've have been too intimidating to even imagine completing. But for Zelda and Link, who've both been burned either by vile guards or molten lava, this act was at most disagreeable. The minister joined their hands and Link looked up at his bride for a brief moment, worried for her. Never had she been burned willingly, not that he was ever willing to get burned himself, but he didn't want to have to play a part in her pain.

They both knew how the ceremony would proceed beforehand though, so Zelda gave him a quick nod and drew their hands towards the searing hot rocks. The steam licked at their hands first while their instincts commanded them to pull back. At last they lay their hands in the center, hands sweltering under the sharp heat. The rite only lasted briefly, a short second or two so that the people could recognize that they completed it, but Zelda clenched her jaw in pain. Link was uncomfortable, too; getting burned was never a great experience, but his endurance was much stronger than hers.

They finally pulled back to complete the next task, which was luckily much simpler and more soothing. "The couple must now press their hands into this bowl of water in honor of the goddess of wisdom, Nayru, who bathed our world with law and order. To fairly balance the heat of the coals and to wisely cleanse themselves, they must dip their hands into the cold water, thus proving their ability to heal one another in dire times."

Zelda and Link wasted no time putting their hands into the water, steam rising from the cold contrast of the water to their hot hands. They let out inaudible sighs of relief. After their burns had somewhat soothed in the water, servants waiting at the sidelines of the dais approached and carefully wiped their hands dry.

"The goddess of courage had soon after given life to the land," the minister continued after the servants returned to the sides. "To honor Farore, the couple must now plant three seedlings into this soil. With this, may Farore bless the couple with fertility and good health." The hero fought back the warmth in his cheeks and discomfort in his core at the word "fertility," frowning into the soil to hide his embarrassment. The couple were then handed three seeds, which were earlier blessed by the minister, and sowed them into the earth together. Their hands worked in harmony; one hand slipped over the other to scoop up some of the dirt while the other padded the earth. Taking water from the second bowl and pouring it over the soil, the third feat was complete.

They all circled the dais once more, back to the other side of the table, Zelda and Link's hands still locked as they faced one another.

"Do you, Link of Ordon, take unto yourself as husband to the fair Zelda Nohansen Harkinian, and pledge unto her before the goddesses and these witnesses as her protector, defender and sure resort, to honor and sustain her, in sickness and in health, in fair and in foul, with all your worldly powers, and to keep her unto you so long as you both shall live?"

Link slowly raised his eyes, meeting the sure glance of his bride. His stomach churned when she gave him a small smile, pale eyes crinkled the slightest. He swallowed the lump in his throat.

"Yes." He swallowed again. "I will."

Zelda's smile widened, lowering her head for a moment. "Do you, Zelda Nohansen Harkinian, take unto yourself as wife to the noble Link of Ordon, and pledge unto him before the goddesses and these witnesses to honor and cherish him, to cleave unto him, in sickness and in health, in fair and in foul, be his one true and lasting counselor and solace, and keep him unto you so long as you both shall live?"

"I will," she said firmly. There was no hesitation in her voice; she was sure of this. She was sure of him.

"Golden goddesses, may you bless these rings which Link and Zelda Nohansen Harkinian have set apart as visible signs of the inward spiritual bond that unites their hearts. The circle will seal the vows of this marriage and symbolize the purity and endlessness of their love." Link tensed up as the servants arrived with the rings in question.

Zelda let go of his hand and plucked one ring from the plush velvet pillow, holding it out to him. "Receive and wear this ring as a symbol of my devotion, trust and respect for you." She held his calloused and burnt hand in her own delicate one, nimbly sliding the ring past one knuckle, then another. He took a shaky breath.

"Receive and wear this ring as a symbol of my devotion, trust and respect for you," Link repeated and followed after her until the golden bands were on both their fingers. She was still smiling radiantly.

"After proving their devotion to one another, the fourth and final ceremony may commence, and the queen and hero may at last be bonded in holy matrimony," the minister concluded, and a red ribbon fell into his hands. "Please, hold your hands together," he asked the couple. Link blushed slightly as he held his hands out flat, where Zelda's met them without hesitation. The officiate tied the burgundy cord around their hands, saying, "This red cord symbolizes passion, strength and fortitude."

The hero watched as she bit her bottom lip, the next cord tied around them. "This blue cord symbolizes sincerity, patience and devotion."

The next was secured. "This green cord symbolizes fertility, prosperity and health." With a fourth cord, all ribbons were tied together and their hands were bonded.

"As this knot is tied, so are your lives now bound. Two intertwined in love, bound by commitment and fear, sadness and joy, by hardship and victory, anger and reconciliation, all of which brings strength to this union. Woven into this cord, imbued into its very fibers, are all the hopes of your friends and family, and of yourselves, for a new life together." The minister began undoing the knots. "I shall now remove the cords.

"May it be granted that what is done before the goddesses be not undone by man. Before I proclaim you joined, you must kiss three times on cue. Once for strength." Link reddened again, looking at his boots briefly before planting a short kiss on her lips, the taste of her still lingering on him. "Twice for stability." She let out a nervous laugh and kissed him again, so briefly that he almost made her hold it. "Thrice for bravery." He'd been tested enough that day, he thought. His unbound wrists and sore hands grabbed onto either side of her face and kissed her sweetly, carefully and passionately. The crowd behind them erupted into cheers, but it was all buzz in their minds. The heat on their cheeks didn't lessen as they pulled away.

"By the power vested in me by the realm," the minister finalized, "I now pronounce you husband and wife." Breathing heavily, they both wore relieved smiles. The cheers were now simply deafening.

The ballroom was like a night sky. All of the tapestries and tablecloths were a deep blue, like the royal blue carpets in the castle; the flickering candles and the moonlight pouring in through the long windows lit up the entire room. The same white lilies that were in the chapel were set on every table in clear glass vases, as if they were stars speckled across that same night sky. But if they were the stars, then Zelda in her white gown was the moon, the brightness against the dark. Just as she'd always been.

There was an enormous feast with food brought in from all provinces, a gift from the guests of Hyrule who made merry with anyone they could recognize. All the villagers from Ordon were there, much to Link's pleasure, as well as everyone who'd attended their engagement celebration. The room was filled with laughter, music and fine wine once again.

As the couple made their rounds, a drink in their free hands, they reacquainted with James and Ethel, who Zelda had made sure to invite to the festivities. The mother still seemed as exhausted as she was that day, many months ago after she'd given birth to her son, but Gulley was nowhere to be seen. He was left with one of the maids, she told them, while her husband was once again away for his occupation. It seemed that for their family, nothing had changed.

Every one of Link's friends, on the other hand, seemed a little bit different that night. Shad and Ashei never drew away from one another, Auru was sitting for a fair portion of the evening, and the kids weren't nearly as loud or energetic as they were months ago. It seemed that time was taking a toll on all of them, in differing ways. Only Telma seemed the same, having her own fair share of promiscuous jokes, much to Link's embarrassment. But the hero counted his blessings, for they weren't nearly as descriptive or offensive as the knights' could be.

But as much fun as it was connecting with their old friends, there was something in the air that evening that made every hour drag on a little too long and every conversation feel all the more tedious. It was the suspense, the anxiety and anticipation that crawled under their skin at just the thought of their new life together. It was everything they'd fought for and thought about for such a long time; that night was the distinct shift from what they knew and what was awaiting them, the transformation, the twilight.

As the night neared an end and the soft flow of music arose for a final time, Link pulled the queen in for the last dance on the marble floor, among the many other Hyrulean's celebrating that night. Her graceful hand coiled around his shoulder at the precise moment his hand wrapped around the small of her back, touching her bare skin. The queen drew in an almost inaudible breath – only the hero with trained ears could hear - and her pale eyes sharply glanced up at him. She, for all her beauty and wisdom, had never felt a touch so tantalizing against her skin.

His smile was something between modest and sultry, a strange mix, but he wore it well. Taking another deep breath and holding her head high, she returned a small courteous smile back at him; she wouldn't allow him to know how she felt just then.

Link held her as close as etiquette would allow, their joined hands up high and their feet matching the rhythm and the melody. He'd grown much, she noticed with admiration; he led her throughout the dance without a second thought or missed step, as if their movements were intertwined, as if there was nowhere she could step that he'd miscalculate. His eyes didn't have to stray from hers to avoid bumping into others, like he could sense someone else's presence no matter where they stood in direction to him. It was a good thing his eyes were on hers, Zelda thought, because she couldn't find a place in the ballroom that she'd rather look than into his piercing blue eyes.

"I've had a wonderful evening," she finally said to him, breaking the silence between them.

Link tilted his head with that charming smile still on his face. "I did too." He looked around for the first time and added, "Everyone seems to be having a good time."

She took a small breath in, eyes lidded. "It's well deserved for all." He simply nodded as they continued their dance. Then, her fingers tapped on his shoulder; she glanced at them briefly. "I can hardly believe that we're married," she continued, but her voice was just the slightest bit quieter. "It seems to be too good to be true."

Her eyes fluttered back to his and his expression softened. "I know," he said and with a candid grin, said, "but it's true, Zelda."

Zelda smiled and closed her eyes. Goddesses, what he did to her, without even knowing. She wanted, even for just a moment longer, to stay like that forever. "Link," she said softly before locking eyes with him again, "there's something I've been meaning to tell you." Link nodded just as the song concluded and people started to disperse.

Her pale eyes fell downcast as she realized, for the first time in a long while, that she'd let her emotions get the better of her. She couldn't say something of that nature, not there and then. She held onto his hand for just a moment longer before pulling away. "It can wait," she said abruptly, and Link frowned in surprise: at her unusual tone and the loss of warmth as they disengaged from one another.

As Zelda began to address the crowd and request that they all bid farewell to them at the dais, Link followed distractedly and sat beside her. Zelda hardly acknowledged the question she mentioned or even seemed to tire as the dismissals dragged on, but Link caught her eyes darting sideways towards at him at random and his interest grew tenfold. What had her at such odds with herself? With his curiosity getting the better of him, he hardly had time to recognize the anxiety that manifested itself as the end of the night drew even closer by the second, that they'd be going to the same bed that night.

His fingers involuntarily and impatiently tapped on the armrest for a time he couldn't record, he was so irritated. It wasn't until she exhaled and he blinked out of his daze that he realized there was no one in front of them anymore.

She stood from her large, gilded chair and smiled shakily at him, an odd look in her eyes. "Don't tell me you're tired already," she teased lightheartedly, an effort to ease the discomfort she felt.

He frowned and stood after her. "No…"

"Well then," she said, holding her hands out in gesture, "shall we retire?"

He nodded, following her as she dismissed the guards at the door. Only the servants who were supposed to clean up after the event were left in the ballroom, clearing out the flowers and blowing out the candles behind them. Meanwhile, the hero followed his bride through the familiar labyrinth, back to her chambers. He finally recognized the anxiety in his core as they approached the door; he'd led her there many times before, but only ever to say goodnight. Going in with her…that was something entirely different.

When they arrived, Link folded his hands at his back, unsure of what to do with himself or what to think. The guards at her door were dismissed as well. An unsaid word was exchanged: what was the need of any guard when she'd be sleeping in the same bed as the Hero of Twilight? No one argued with her.

The door opened in a moment, the queen walking in quietly, but he hesitated in the entryway. He wasn't sure why though; he'd been in her room before. When she was still sick he visited, only briefly looking around to see the large and orderly sitting room, and her dark and spacious bedroom. He noted from the entrance that it looked exactly the same, as if no time had passed.

When Zelda noticed he wasn't following her, she turned to him with that same odd look, flickering in and out of the candlelight. Link wanted to know what she was thinking; she was never clear with her emotions, but he never wanted to know what she was thinking as badly as he did then.

"Link?" she asked.

He took a deep breath, nodded and willed himself inside. The only way to pacify his curiosity was to follow in after her, after all.

His eyes searched over the room again, seeing the vanity in one corner and the mirror in the other. He imagined her getting ready in the morning, seeing herself for the first time in her wedding dress; he imagined her smile. The portrait of her family was still hung on the wall with the same little girl, the same puffy cheeks and the hands on her shoulders. He swallowed and forced his eyes forward.

The queen swung open the second pair of doors that led to her bedroom. Her – their bed was waiting in the center, dark duvets tucked in neatly and without a crease; the same ratty blanket was laid across the foot of it. Some of his belongings sat in a chest in the corner, brought in by the maids earlier that morning. He'd probably have time to sort through it in the morning.

Zelda strolled forward tersely, pausing at one of the bedposts and looking away from him. The discomfort was clear in her body language, even when he was simply looking at her from behind; her breaths were heavier than usual, her body even more tense. Finally, he willed himself to speak. "What did you want to talk about?"

She licked her lips idly and focused her gaze on the carvings on the post. "It's been something I've been wanting to say for a while," she started, eyebrows pinching though he couldn't see. "I've never…or rather I could never bear to say this to you previously. I didn't want to, lest something happen before we could wed – or perhaps that was just an excuse…" she rambled on.

He took a step closer and tilted his head. "Zelda?" The queen was always so fluent in her speech, he thought, she only hesitated when words didn't come easily to her. Maybe it shouldn't have, but the way she faltered made him happy, it made him know that whatever it was she was trying to say was the truth. That this moment wasn't one of her political schemes.

But in a way, that also made him all the more nervous.

"Truthfully, I didn't think I could anymore, after all that's happened. I thought that the part of me that ever felt that way had died long ago." She turned around at last, her skirts shuffling in the silence. The moonlight from the balcony behind her bathed the queen in an ethereal light and he held his breath; he almost knew what she was ready to say, but didn't dare believe it.

She tilted her head, her hair falling over her shoulder like water. "I've been wrong. Not just in thinking that way, but also for the ways I've behaved and the perceptions I've invested myself into. With you, I've learned there is no end to how much a person can feel or a limit to how kind a person can be. You've taught me that not all have to be deceitful or manipulative and that there's still good in this world. That perhaps, I wouldn't have to lead my life hiding my emotions for the better of others, for truly, the ways I have changed since you came into my life have only made the people of Hyrule trust and care for me like I do for them.

"All that you've done and all that you've given me," she shook her head and tapped the pads of her fingers against her thumbs, "has shown me more than my fragment of the Triforce ever could."

He took a shaky breath, his stomach turning into knots.

"Link, I...I've fallen in love with you."

The impact didn't lessen with his realization; in fact, it shook Link more than he expected it to. It was as if the air was knocked out of his lungs, breathing becoming all the more difficult.

He couldn't even remember how long he'd been telling himself - he'd been telling others – that they weren't in love. How could they be? They'd met only briefly, over a year ago, and they'd been simply friends for a good part since then. Zelda was far different than he was, so regal and poised, so well behaved and orderly. He was rogue and forceful; his instincts were more physical than social. And she could be so stubborn at times that it could drive him mad.

If it weren't for the prince's proposal, Link wouldn't have even thought about asking her to marry him. Of course he liked her company and enjoyed spending time with her, but they were so young. He barely even knew her still.

But all that she just said, could it be true? Did she really feel so strongly, so passionately for him, that her voice shook and her words failed her? Did the wisest, strongest person he knew really learn from him, and even more so, love him for it?

Where did that leave him?

Zelda, wading in a pool of her own fear and doubt, winced as if she were burnt. He'd taken too long to respond, and she feared that a response that took that long to formulate wasn't one she wanted to hear anyways. "I apologize. Perhaps I've said too much," she said. There wasn't any hurt or fear in her voice; she'd resorted to her cold manner of speech again. "We're still tired; it's been a long day. We better re-"

"Wait," Link said quickly. He wasn't sure why. He still didn't know what to say. "It's okay…I mean…" he licked his lips and tried to devise a response, "do you really feel that way?"

Her eyes creased, like they would betray if they didn't, and she looked aside. "I do."

Zelda looked so forsaken, like she'd broke something between them, something that she couldn't get back. What was wrong with him for making her feel this way? What was wrong with him?

This amazing woman, this wise, beautiful, powerful and strong queen was telling him that she loved him. No – Zelda was telling him she loved him. Loved. And the man who was supposedly the bravest and strongest in all the land cowered at the word 'love' alone.

Link cared for her far before she could even acknowledge him as a friend and he couldn't recall ever wanting anything the way he wanted her company. He thought back to how they hadn't strayed from another all night; how he always smiled when she laughed; how he felt that strange warmth from her touch and her smell alone; how all he could think about for the last few weeks was being wed to her at last.

And he, the one who accomplished things so far past believable, was doubting that that could be love? If that wasn't love, if what they felt wasn't true or strong enough to be described by that cursed four-letter word, than he couldn't think of anything that could be defined by it.

Link took a deep breath, shaking his head. "Zelda," he said quietly, but she didn't move. He didn't urge her otherwise of fear that her eyes on him would only make it harder to speak. "I'm not good with my words," he started, "you know that. I'm not even sure I know what love is…but if I've ever felt it…" The hero swallowed, another lump caught in his throat. He shook his head again, trying to urge himself to speak.

Taking another deep breath and sharply meeting her gaze, he marched towards her in two short strides, her eyes widening and eyebrows raising in confusing. He pressed his lips against hers, eyes clenched tight, heart pounding, but her eyes were wide in shock. It was a chaotic, strained kiss at first, out of pure impulse rather than anything else. He wanted to convey what he felt for her in the way his words failed to, but when she leaned into the kiss, it was warmer, sweeter, just as everything else was with her.

His calloused hand was placed on her shoulder, like he wanted to push her away, against the post, but he only drew closer to him while her hands were pressed against his chest. The warmth that emitted from her was getting to be too much, he realized, with his head getting dizzy. He pulled away, just barely, their lips still touching and her breathing against him.

"Link…" she breathed.

They kissed again because even as heady as his mind got with her soft lips on his, it was only more unbearable without them. When they parted, he leaned his forehead against hers. Zelda's hands ran over his neck to the sides of his head, her fingers kneaded through his sandy hair and her thumbs resting at the fronts of his ears.

"I love you, Zelda...Of course I do," he finally said softly. "I love you."

She let out a choked laugh, her eyes brimming with emotion as she gripped his shirt in her fists. "I've always admired," she said, pale eyes trained on his neck, watching the way he swallowed, "that your actions speak louder than your words." She breathed in and locked eyes with him again. "Show me how you care for me."

The bride waited for her young husband to understand, but even as the tips of his ears turned red and his chest swelled, Link didn't flinch or turn away. Instead, he met her lips again, an electric current spiraling up their skin as the beginning of their life together started. With her hands in his hair and his on her skin, they would say that it was beginning rather well.

She woke up far earlier than he did, smiling warmly as the golden light from her windows shone on his back and lit up his messy blond hair. Zelda knew that she was awaited for just outside those double doors - for once, her maids didn't walk straight into her bedchambers so that they might give the couple some privacy - but the queen couldn't remove her gaze from her sleeping husband. His breathing was so calm and relaxed, his lips parted and eyelashes pressed against his fair cheek.

She wanted to reach out and touch him, but she knew any movement now would startle him awake so she simply admired him from afar until the sun rose completely over the horizon.

Slipping out from under the covers, Zelda quietly walked into her wardrobe and threw on a simple pink nightgown. She ran her hands through her hair as she went into their bath chamber, washing her face in the basin so that the cool water could refresh her from the hot summer day.

As she wiped her face against a cotton towel, the queen heard a muffled voice from the adjacent room. "Zelda?" the hero muttered sleepily, sitting up in the bed.

Her feet pattered against the carpet until she found herself at his side and she seated herself beside him on the comforters. Her hand ruffled his shaggy hair until it landed on the nape of his neck, admiring his lazy smile and lidded eyes for the first time. "Good morning, sleepyhead."