CHAPTER FOUR: SOMEWHAT TIPSY

Or: In which our Princess and her Hero come to terms…following some Noble Pursuit-induced silliness.

In the depths of the Gerudo Wasteland – or Desert, depending on who you asked – the Kara Kara Bazaar was widely known as an oasis – a refuge for all who traversed the sands, voe or vai as the Gerudo said. Its reputation was well-earned, for two reasons. The first was the fact that it was built around one of the only free sources of drinkable water outside of Gerudo Town.

And the second reason was the fact that the Bazaar was often frequented by the denizens of Gerudo Town, who brought the signature beverage of the Town – the Noble Pursuit – to anyone who was curious…

…which included Princesses Royal, apparently. "I'm going to do it!"

Standing just a few steps from Her Grace – who was in a very wobbly approximation of a hand-to-hand combat stance – Link grinned and held out his cupped hand – her target. "I'm sure you will, Your Grace."

Still wobbly and sporting a determined grin, Princess Zelda balled up her right hand into a fist. "I will!"

"I believe you." With a triumphant smirk at Link's words, Princess Zelda pulled back and swung.

All things considered, Link had to admit that Her Grace's first punch in her life – so far as he knew – wasn't the worst he'd seen for someone with zero combat training. Her technique wasn't great – although that could have been the one-and-a-half Noble Pursuits she'd downed – and her actual physical strength left a lot to be desired. Still, her fists were in the proper form – thumbs outside the rest of her fingers – and with her smaller hands, even her striking force could have the effective impact of a stronger brawler. Link had to say that, on her own, Her Grace could, at the very least, knock out a few Bokoblin fangs or bruise any noble that got too handsy…though he wasn't sure which of those scenarios chilled him more.

Of course, she would need to be able to hit her target first.

Her swing going wide, Zelda squeaked with alarm as her momentum carried her all the way forward, past Link's hand and into the dust to Link's right. Sitting up with a cough, slightly sandy but otherwise fine, Princess Zelda stared at him with wide, hurt eyes. "Link! Why did you not catch me?!"

Link felt horrible about the grin he had to suppress. "Forgive me, Your Grace. I thought you would be fine."

"Hmph! A fine Hero you are, indeed!" Zelda huffed, though the smile on her lips told Link she was joking. Standing up and dusting herself off, Princess Zelda walked – or wobbled – to the stone by their personal campfire – further away from the rest of the night's revelry – and sat down to finish her drink in one gulp, bringing her nightly total to two Noble Pursuits.

Link had to wince. Even one of those could leave a grown man with a Goron-sized hangover. "Might I get you some water next, Your Grace? Those Pursuits can go to your head before you know it."

The Princess waved him away. "Oh, hush! I am perfectly fine!" she said. "I am merely…somewhat tipsy."

Link arched an eyebrow. "Folks don't knock themselves over if they're "somewhat tipsy," Your Grace."

At that, Princess Zelda's face fell. Her emerald eyes wetted with tears as her pink lips quivered. "You…You think me a drunken buffoon!" she wailed. "You think I am a helpless, useless waif who cannot even drink right!" Sobs racked her as she buried her face in her hands.

Link felt lower than Lynel shit. "Never, sweet Princess," he vowed. "There is so, so much that I admire about you. If I ever made you feel that way, then I am…sorry?"

His declaration ended in a question, as he realized that her sobs didn't sound right…and when she lifted her face, he saw why. Giggling mischievously, Princess Zelda wiped away her Lizalfos-tears. "Fooled you!"

Link groaned, his expression flat. "Very funny, Your Grace."

Smiling smugly, Zelda folded her arms. "It certainly was!" she declared. "I suppose I can't blame you for not knowing how funny it was. It seems that your one flaw is your absent sense of humor!"

Link liked to think he had a thick skin, physically and emotionally; Goddesses knew the Princess had battle-tested the latter. Question his skill? Sure. Imply that he didn't deserve the Master Sword? No problem. Challenge his manhood? She hadn't tried that yet, but he was pretty sure he could shrug that one off…but insult his sense of humor?

Crown Princess Zelda Bosphoramus Hyrule had officially gone too Dindamned far.

Link kept his expression blank as he folded his own arms. "Oh, I think I do know how funny it was, Your Grace. It's about as funny as that foam-mouthed sand rat that's climbing up your left leg."

"EEEEEEEEEEKKK!"

The Princess' scream hit an octave Link was sure that only Maraudo Wolves and Hylian Retrievers listened to. The moment he'd said that, Princess Zelda leapt from her seat into his arms, forcing him to hold her bridal-style, which set his face afire for a moment. "Get it OFF me! Get it off, get it off, get it OFF!" she shrieked, burying her face in his chest, her fingers scrunching Link's Champion's Tunic, her legs kicking frantically. "Where is it?! I don't see it! Where did it…go?"

Her Grace's frantic tone faded to confusion as she looked up at him…and saw his grin of pure wickedness. "No sense of humor, Princess? You sure about that?"

As guilty as Link felt for tricking her, he had to admit that her expression was worth it. At a loss for words for the first time Link had ever seen her, Princess Zelda gaped at him, her eyes wide and her mouth dropped open. Her silence proved short-lived, as her eyes narrowed and that lovely pout crossed her lips. "You…you…oh, you heartless brute!" she wailed, half-heartedly pounding her fists against his chest. "How could you do that to me?! Of all the things to say! That was…that was..!"

Her semi-tearful tirade died away, and was replaced by laughter. "That was brilliant!" she laughed. "I…I never would have expected it, least of all from you!"

Smirking as he set her back on her feet, Link shrugged. "A word of advice, Your Grace: NEVER try to outfox or outprank a Ranger or ex-Ranger. We have a long-standing tradition of being Keese-crap crazy, as I'm sure you've already seen."

The Princess was giggling. "I have no doubt," she agreed. "Well, I suppose I had that coming, didn't I?"

Link's smile was guilty. "Yeah, you've…kinda been asking for it, these past few months," he admitted. "If you were one of Lady Carvahn's statues, you'd have a pair of underpants crammed over your head by now. At the very least, I might have occasionally thought, "Well, excuuuuuuuse the f…"" he caught himself, "…the foul word outta me, Princess! It's not like I ASKED the Goddesses to stuff this stupid piece of three-pointed gold in my hand!""

That remark sent the Princess into fresh gales of tipsy laughter. "You…you are so funny!" she giggled. "And you've certainly had an interesting life before me, my Hero. How rude of you never to mention it."

"I never thought it necessary, Your Grace. You had my file from Director Purah. I just assumed you'd read it and didn't care."

Oops.

That comment instantly sobered the Princess' jovial mood. Her expression dropped into one of abject sadness and self-hatred. "I…I have certainly given you cause to think that," she murmured. "The way I have acted..!"

Link quickly jumped in, trying to turn her from that path of thought. "Don't think about that, sweet Princess. It's over now. We can focus on moving forward from here."

That seemed to deflect most of her self-recrimination. Princess Zelda reined in her tears. "Thank you," she said. "It's hard to believe that, just a few days ago, I wanted you to go away."

Link chuckled. "It certainly is, Your Grace," he agreed…

…and at that thought, he was back at the Kara Kara Bazaar, the night air cool under the lean-to and carpet he'd set up for his bunk outside the main shop. The quill pen was in his hand as he started drafting his letter, formally requesting that he be allowed to relinquish his noble rank and return to the Armoured Corps. He was willing to serve as Hyrule's Hero, but that duty did not expressly dictate that he be the Princess' personal Knight.

Her Grace had made it utterly clear that she wished nothing to do with him. He had no illusions of being any kind of gentleman, but even a Roughnecker-turned-Treadhead-turned-Knight had manners enough not to linger where a lady did not want him. 'I'm more of a front-line man. She doesn't need me…'

A horse's whinny interrupted his thoughts. Looking up, Link felt dread grip him as he saw Tempest race by without his rider, with the Bazaar staff frantically trying to corral him. Link quickly recalled that his Princess had intended to visit the Arbiter's Grounds, in the morning; if she'd tried to go without him..!

Instantly in motion, Link climbed to the top of the main shop in record time, peering out at the sands…where he spotted a lone figure with golden hair fleeing from another figure with a sickle.

Link never even stopped to think. Running and leaping so fast – faster than he'd ever done so in his life – he opened his glider and leaned into the wind for all he was worth. Just meters ahead, he saw Princess Zelda stop as two more Yiga killers surrounded her. Her lovely face was filled with fright as she tripped, barely able to move, her breath catching in her throat. One Yiga was stalking closer, raising his arm for the kill, and she let out a strangled cry of anguish..!

One thought ran through Link's head: NEVER.

Dropping out of his glide right above the would-be killer's head, Link drew the Master Sword and sliced the Yiga's shoulder as he fell. The holy steel cleaved the traitorous ex-Sheikah's flesh like butter, tearing off his arm before he could bring down his sickle. As the assassin fell screaming, while his Sickle flew away from his now-bodiless hand, Link stood between the remaining two Yiga, who had suddenly lost their nerve. Focusing every ounce of fury into his voice, Link brandished the Blade of Evil's Bane at them. "If you traitor devils even THINK of touching her, you can lie down with your friend right now."

The two clansmen simply looked at each other, and ran off as fast as they could.

With only one Yig left, Link turned back to the fallen assassin, who was trying to crawl towards his sickle. Link's fury swelled again, as he strode towards him; as he passed the Princess, he made one request. "Don't look, Your Grace."

The Yiga was inches from grasping the sickle when Link kicked it away from him. The Yiga snarled. "You wretched little shit! Blind little DOG! One day, one of us will kill you for Master Ganon!"

Link didn't bat an eye. "Even IF that was true, traitor, it WON'T be you," he growled. He raised the Sword. "Now pick a Goddess, and pray that She has more patience for scum like you than Her sisters." Before the Yiga could even twitch, Link thrust the Sword into his skull, turning his scream into a gurgle, with a gasp coming from behind Link a second later.

The Princess had seen him kill.

Link scrunched his eyes in dismay, and flicked the Sword to clear off the blood before he sheathed it, and turned back to her. It was as he'd feared: the Princess was staring at him, her eyes wide with terror. 'She's afraid of me.' Link kept that thought in the back of his mind as he looked her over; fright aside, she seemed fine, though she was still hyperventilating. She hadn't moved, which told him that she might not be able to walk. "Your Grace?" he asked gently. "Are you hurt?"

Princess Zelda did not speak – which unnerved him further – but she shook her head no. "I am going to take you back to camp," Link said softly. Slowly, he moved towards her, half-expecting her to cringe away, and was reassured when she did not. With the greatest of care, he lifted her into his arms – marvelling at how light she was – and began to walk back to the Bazaar. Still expecting her to berate him, Link was surprised when her arms moved to loop around his neck.

Perhaps she didn't despise him outright.

When he got back to the Bazaar, Link set his Princess down on his bunk-mat, and gave her a more thorough checking over, making sure she had no injuries that he missed…and feeling the pressure of her silence building. "It was not my intention to kill that Yiga in front of you, Your Grace, but there was no other way. Even a crippled Clansman is dangerous. I am sorry that you had to see me do that."

His Princess remained silent.

Link tried again. "Would you…would you like me to call for Lady Urbosa, Your Grace?"

Still she was silent.

Link sighed, as his worst fears welled up again. "If…if it pleases you, Your Grace…I…once we return to the Castle, I will submit a request to His Majesty to relinquish my Knight's rank, and you can find a…"

"Th-THANK YOU!"

Princess Zelda's cry drowned out Link's sentence, as she buried her head in his chest, her hands scrunching his tunic. "Th-Thank you! Th-Thank you so, so much!" she wailed. "I was…I-I was s-so scared..!" Her words dissolved into tears, which morphed into an anguished wail of pure terror that tore Link's heart in twain.

All thoughts of returning to the front lines vanished from his mind. He now knew that he would do anything, face anything, just to never hear his Princess cry like that again. With the gentlest touch he had, he placed his hands on her shoulders. "You are very welcome, sweet Princess."

Princess Zelda's sobs started to slow. She hiccupped miserably. "I…I've been so awful to you..!"

Link shook his head. "Don't think about that, Your Grace. You're safe now; that's all that matters to me." He motioned towards the main shop building. "Would you like to retire to your chambers? I can call Lady Urbosa for you…"

"N-No!" Her denial was fierce. "I-I want to stay here!" Her face turned rosy. "With…w-with you."

Link's eyebrows shot up. "I…are you sure, Your Grace? It can get cold…"

Princess Zelda looked up, and her teary face dispelled any power he had to refuse her. "P-Please let me stay with you?" she murmured. "P-Please?"

Link sighed, smiling tiredly. "Of course, sweet Princess. Your wish, as always, is my command." That drew a soft giggle from her, along with a hint of a smile. Reaching for his saddlebag, Link drew his camp blanket from it, and wrapped it around her. "This is what I normally use, Your Grace. It might not be what you prefer, but it'll keep you warm."

Princess Zelda's eyes widened. "But…w-what will you use?"

Link chuckled. "Don't worry about me, Your Grace. I've handled colder nights than this," he replied. "Morning is still a few hours away. You should get some rest."

His Princess started to look hopeful. "And…you won't leave me?"

Link half-glanced to his pack, where he kept the draft of the letter that he now knew he had to tear up. "Never, sweet Princess," he promised. "Forever and always, I will be here."

And he meant it with all his heart. Oath or no oath, he could never leave her now.

Those words finally brought a smile – a true smile – to his Princess' face, and in that moment, Link knew that no sunrise could compare to her. "Thank you…Link," she whispered. With a smile of his own and a nod, Link turned his gaze towards the horizon, and laid the Master Sword across his lap, ready for trouble…but his focus was derailed by the sudden warm pressure on his shoulder, accompanied by wisps of gold across his vision, scented with Her Grace's favorite perfume of Courser Bee Honey and Swift Violets. Inching next to him, Princess Zelda had leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder, sleep claiming her as the wind played with her hair.

Link had been battling his own bottled feelings up until then, but Princess Zelda's actions, along with that radiant smile, had fanned the embers he'd been trying to put out into a full flame. Up until then, he'd tried to dismiss what he'd felt as infatuation strengthened by proximity, respect for her determination and intellect, and empathy for her struggles…but there was no denying it now.

He was in love with Princess Zelda Bosphoramus Hyrule…which meant that he was well and truly fucked.

"Link..?" His Princess was murmuring in her sleep, a sugary smile crossing her face with her dream. "You smell…so nice…"

That whispery tone – coupled with the fact that his Princess might be dreaming of him – went places in his mind that were well beyond the limits of protocol. 'Oh, Goddesses…oh, you're not getting any sleep tonight, Ranger…'

…and indeed he hadn't. In the handful of days since then, that realization had kept sleep even further from him than it was on its own. Link had a hard enough time sleeping – with nightmares and recurring combat-memories rendering any sleep fitful unless he worked himself into dreamless, exhausted oblivion – but thoughts of Princess Zelda swirling in his head filled up any empty head-space he tried to build so that he could sleep. Compounding the issue was her change in demeanor towards him; after that day, Her Grace's expression and opinion of him had softened. Where once she'd bidden him to stay away, now she often sought him out. What was more, she'd begun greeting him with those same radiant smiles. She asked his opinion in planning her future expeditions and listened to his advice. When they were riding, she asked him questions, both about what he knew of the local area, and about, well…himself.

As glad as he was that she no longer hated him, her shift was making it that much harder to bury his feelings…

"Link?" His Princess' inquiry stirred Link from his musings, to find her looking at his travel-satchel quizzically. "How do you do it?"

Link arched an eyebrow. "Do what, Your Grace?"

Princess Zelda huffed adorably. "How do you fit so much in this thing? I've seen you withdraw an entire cooking set, enough foodstuffs for a complete meal, and one of those gigantic spike-clubs that Silver Lynels use! That's…that's simply impossible!"

Link chuckled. "Not when you have Korok friends, Your Highness."

Zelda blinked. "Koroks?"

Link nodded. "The Children of the Forest," he confirmed. "They're the little forest-spirits that continually hang around the Deku Tree. I've been running into them all over Hyrule for the past few years. Their magic expanded my satchel's carrying capacity. I can fit an entire armory and kitchen pantry in there; it's like carrying 10 kit bags at once."

Princess Zelda's expression fell again. "I…I've never seen any of them," she murmured. "I have never seen spirits of any kind…"

'Din blast it. Think fast, Ranger.' Link quickly interrupted the Princess' self-criticism. "Well, of course you haven't, Your Grace! You haven't been playing with them!"

Princess Zelda blinked again, doubly confused. "Playing with them?"

"Exactly, milady. "Children of the Forest" isn't just a nickname. Every Korok in Hyrule sets up a game and hides itself. In order to make the Korok show itself, you need to play its game. Find enough Koroks, and they use their magic to help you."

Zelda was intrigued. "What kind of games do they play?"

Link grinned. "Anything their little wooden heads can think of, Your Grace: rock-circles in the water that you have to throw pebbles into; oddly-placed balloons that you have to pop; leaves in the wind…"

Zelda gasped. "T-The parapet on the tower next to my room!" she exclaimed. "I…I could have sworn I'd seen a cloud of leaves and flickering lights atop it!"

Link shrugged. "Chances are, that was a Korok trying to get you to play with it, Your Grace," he suggested. "On our way back to the Castle, you might want to keep an eye out for any natural features that don't seem all that natural."

Glancing towards Link's satchel, Zelda picked it up to examine it. "And I might one day have a travel-bag that can fit an entire library in it?" she asked excitedly. Her face turned quizzical. "But…how do you draw items from it? Doesn't it get jumbled up in there?"

"Not really. You just have to know – or at least have a general idea – of what you want to take out," Link said. "Say if I wanted to pull out my old Armored Corps uniform, I just have to think of it, reach inside, and poof! I've got it!"

Flipping open the satchel's flap, Princess Zelda did just that, and pulled out Link's old pair of grey-black combat slacks, a black short-sleeve shirt, a grey-black combat jacket with a snarling silver wolf's head stitched on the back, and a dark beret with a metallic cap badge – the Wrench and Sword of the 1st Armored – pinned in it. Link had to smile. "Well, you've certainly got the hang of it…"

"I know this uniform."

Seeing the Princess' perplexed expression, Link paused. "I'm sure you do, Milady. Before becoming your Knight, I was the 1st Armored's CO; you'd have likely seen us at any of His Majesty's annual war games…"

"No, I mean this uniform specifically!" Princess Zelda insisted. "This symbol on your jacket! I've seen it before!" Her lovely eyes narrowed in determination, she stood up and walked over to Link, before draping his jacket over him and placing the beret on his head haphazardly. Out of reflex, Link adjusted it to fit properly, which made his Princess' eyes go wide in surprised recognition. "It's YOU!"

Link was lost. "Uh…what's me, Your Grace?"

"My 15th birthday! I'd run away from the Castle, and stumbled into a tavern! I was so upset after Father had scolded me – again – and I just wanted to forget and I'd heard Urbosa remark that drinking could help with that! Some Moblin-sized drunkard started to accost me and I started crying, and…and you were there! You drove him off, and…and you were so kind to me…"

Now Link's eyes were wide. He remembered that night nearly two years ago all too well. After a successful mission, the Corps had returned to base for some R&R. He'd accompanied his unit – after Leonas had badgered him into it – and found the local drunk shitstain bothering a pretty girl. Once he'd told the prick to fuck off – with his fists as much as his words – he'd found out that said pretty girl was Princess Zelda. "You…you remember that night?"

Zelda sniffled. "You…you never told me..!"

Link thought fast. "Because I didn't think you remembered, Your Grace," he said, managing a sheepish smile. "I did remember you being a bit more than tipsy, that night. As far as I knew, the booze had washed that memory right out of your head. I had no illusions of making any impression upon the Crown Princess."

"Not making an impression?!" Zelda exclaimed. "Link, do…do you have any idea what that night meant to me? After Father's constant disapproval of my research and lack of results in my prayers, and the Court's endless gibes behind my back, having someone express faith in me…it buoyed me for so many days since! I never forgot it!" Horror started to fill her lovely face. "And…and I've..!"

'UH-OH.' Link knew what was coming. "Sweet Princess…"

His soothing words came too late. "I've…I've been so NASTY to you!" Zelda bawled, as she dropped back onto her seat and buried her face in her hands, crying her eyes out. "I've been HORRIBLE! How can you stand me?!" She sniffled. "No-one would have blamed you if…i-if you'd left me to the Yiga…least of all me…"

"No." Link's voice offered no room for argument as he knelt before her, taking her hands in his. "Never say that again. Never think that again."

Zelda's tears stopped, as she was too surprised to keep crying. "But…why?" she whimpered. "Why do you not hate me..?"

"Because I understand, sweet Princess. I understand what pressures are on you; then and now," Link said. "I understood that all the frustration and anger you threw at me, you really meant for yourself." He smiled gently, and placed a gentlemanly – he hoped, at least – kiss to her left knuckle. "I could never hate you…nor could I ever leave you," he finished. "And I still intend to thrash any who besmirch or sully your name and your efforts, just as I promised back then."

A tiny smile appeared on the corner of Zelda's lips, along with a rosy tint on her cheeks. "E-Even the Hero?"

Link laughed. "Even the Hero," he agreed, as he sat down on the rock next to hers. "Though I'm quite sure that the moment I said that part, the Goddess Farore must have laughed and laughed."

Zelda giggled. "I'm sure She did!" she exclaimed, her tears finally abating. "Thank you, Link. Thank you so much."

"You are more than welcome, sweet Princess," Link said. "And when we return, if anyone besmirches your name, you need only point them out; I'll be happy to set that fu…" he caught himself again. "…that foul one straight!" 'Nayru save me, I've gotta watch that…'

He hadn't been quick enough. "Link," Zelda asked, in a conspiratorial whisper, "were you…about to say a…a naughty word?"

'FUCK.' Link sighed and hung his head low. "My apologies, Your Grace."

With a gasp, Zelda's hands flew to her mouth, though she couldn't completely hide her scandalized smile. "I cannot believe it! My Knight and Chosen Hero has a penchant for foul language! A flaw, after all!"

Link snorted. "Compared to some other soldiers, Your Grace, my vocabulary is rather tame," he retorted. "And while I am on my best behaviour around you, I hardly think that cussing constitutes a flaw – it's just how us soldiers let off steam." He grinned wickedly. "Try it. You might like it, and if anyone here needs to let off steam, it's you."

Zelda gasped again. "Link!" she exclaimed, still smiling. "How could you even suggest that? As Crown Princess and Heir to the Holy Bloodline of Goddess Hylia, taking the Three's Names in vain would be…sacrilegious! I am having enough difficulty winning Their favour as it is, thank you!"

"Fair enough," Link agreed. "But there are plenty of ways to cuss without crassly invoking the Three – most of which revolve around words for excrement and the f-word."

Zelda blushed fiercely. "You…you mean…f…f-f…f-f-fornication?"

With a groaning, piteous laugh, Link drooped his head. "Oh, Your Grace."

Zelda's huff was utterly adorable. "D-Don't LAUGH at me!" she shouted, stamping her foot. "Have you any idea what kind of governesses I had as a child?! I would have gotten my mouth washed out with the most awful soap if I ever so much as said "phooey!""

Link stifled his laughter. "My apologies, sweet Princess. You're right. I should not mock you for having better manners than me," he relented. "And I suppose your governesses should be thankful we did not meet before. I'm quite certain that I would have made any of them faint with my younger antics."

Zelda's giggles returned. "Such as defacing Lady Carvahn's statue collection?" she asked. "I can recall several times when Father and I visited the Carvahn estate, only to find that Lady Carvahn's statues had some…unconventional decorations! That was you..?"

"I said nothing of the sort, Your Grace. I merely observed once that there was a correlation between Lady Carvahn's ill treatment of the commonfolk – and her younger staff – and how often her statues were "decorated." As I've once heard you remark, correlation does not automatically imply causation." Link gulped. "That said, I'm sure Mipha has stories aplenty of what a rambunctious little hellcat I was."

Zelda was trying to hold back her laughter. "No doubt she does! You sounded like such a scamp!" she exclaimed. Her smile grew shy. "And I am sure my governesses would faint at how I know you, Link – just not for the reasons you claim."

Link was confused. "Your Grace?"

"You might think yourself a ruffian or a grizzled war-dog," Zelda continued, "but I can see that you are very kind, and…and quite charming. A lady could easily find herself falling for you."

Link chuckled nervously. "Oh, I am sure that is just the Noble Pursuits talking, Your Grace."

"That does not make it wrong." And with that, she scooched to the side…and sat down on his rock, just a book's length from him.

Link felt his blood go cool and his head get hot at the same time. "Uh…Your Grace? Is something wrong?" he asked. "You're…getting a bit close."

Zelda giggled again, only softer, in a breathy tone that sent Link's blood rushing to places it had no business going – not when she was near. "I dare say that I am not close enough," she murmured, as she inched towards him again, cutting the distance between them in half. "And I have been so rude: you saved the life of your Princess, and she has not even thought to reward you."

Link felt a bead of perspiration trickle down his temple. "I need no reward, Your Grace. Your safety is more than enough…"

She silenced him with a single finger to his lips. "It most certainly is not, my Hero. My rewards are mine to give, as I choose," she sweetly chided. Her blush grew. "And so…I hereby give you permission…to kiss your Princess."

Link almost had to jam his fist in his mouth to stop himself from automatically accepting. "You're…You've had too much to drink, Your Grace," he said, as much to himself as to her. "Y-You don't know what you're saying…"

Zelda pouted. "I most certainly do know what I am saying, Link!" she exclaimed. "Just as I know that – even if I awaken my power and we defeat the Calamity – my prospective suitors are abysmal! My choices for a potential husband are either too old, too young, or utterly distasteful! Is it so wrong of me to want my first kiss to be with someone who…who I hope actually cares about me?!" Crushing disappointment started to fill her face. "Or…Or do you simply find me repulsive?"

"NO!" Link's response was automatic and adamant. "Goddesses no, Your Grace! You…you're…gods, even dreams cannot compare to you! I simply…don't want you to do anything you will regret."

Her smile began to return. "The only thing I regret, my Hero, is being so blind to how wonderful you are," she murmured. Her face began to inch closer. "Please kiss me?"

'Oh, Goddesses, this is TORTURE!' Link didn't know what to do. He knew there was no way he could kiss her; for one, with how he felt, he'd never be able to stop kissing her if he did. What was more, if anyone ever found out, he was beyond dead – the King would have his head on a pike, and that was only if Urbosa didn't get to him first.

But to refuse her – to make her think he didn't want her – that felt like death itself. He was stuck…and she was getting closer. "P-Princess…"

"Zelda," she corrected. "I know that you must be disciplined and proper in the Court's eye, my Knight…but out here, in the wilds, I would be so happy if you just called me Zelda."

Link's head was spinning in a way that no drink could ever match. "Z-Zelda, I…" he began, but the rest of his words vanished, boiled away by the sheer luminance of her overjoyed smile. Zelda's eyes fluttered closed as her lips grew closer; Link was powerless to even want to resist…

…as her lips collided solidly with the fabric of his Tunic.

The sight of the Princess – Zelda – falling asleep onto his chest doused Link's furtive thoughts with a lakeful of cold water. 'Well, I sure hope you enjoyed that, Ranger, because that's the closest you're EVER going to get.' Sighing to himself, Link gently lifted the sleeping Zelda into his arms, and started to carry her back to her tent. 'Farore save her, she's going to have a rip-roaring hangover tomorrow…'

"L-Link..?"

Link had just carried her through the opening flap of her tent when her sleepy inquiry made him pause. He glanced down, and was rewarded with another smile – this one so beautifully hopeful. "Did you…kiss me?"

'Oh, Nayru, matron of love, how You must HATE me,' Link thought, as he gently laid her down on her bedroll. He couldn't say no to her, but he couldn't lie to her…so he did neither. "Go back to sleep, sweet Zelda," he urged softly. "You'll need your rest for tomorrow."

Zelda's smile turned sweetly giddy as her Pursuit-soaked mind drew its own conclusions. "Okay," she agreed. "But…before I do, promise me something?"

"Anything."

Zelda chewed her lower lip nervously. "You've been so closed off since you became my Knight – and I'm not blaming you for it!" she said quickly. "But…would you please be open with me? Like you were tonight?" She gulped. "I just…I love what I see when you do…"

As if he had any hope of refusing her request. "You don't even have to ask, sweet Pr…sweet Zelda," he corrected himself. "My book may be closed to most, but you can have the key anytime you like."

Her face lit up as if he'd offered her all the treasure in Hyrule and beyond…or, more likely, the complete knowledge and secrets of the ancient Sheikah, knowing her. "Th-Thank you!" she said. "Oh, thank you, my darling Hero!" She giggled. "Good night!" And with that, before he could even think of protesting, she grasped his collar, reached up, and pecked him on the lips, before she collapsed back onto her pillow, out cold.

The kiss lasted barely a moment…but that moment – with its tastes of wildberries, fruitcake, and some other flavour that could only have been uniquely her – would be burned into Link's memory for the rest of his days. 'Oh, Goddesses…I'm going to the Dark Realm for this,' he lamented inwardly. With Zelda lost in sleep, Link could only pull the blankets up over her, tucking her in to make sure the deathly chill of the desert night air did not touch her…as he tried frantically to keep the false hope that her kiss had stirred out of his thoughts. 'She said that she loved what she saw…and called me "her darling Hero." Does that mean…maybe she might – STOP it!' Link shook his head hard. 'She wasn't just drunk – she was plastered! She had no idea what she was saying! She doesn't love you! And even if – IF – she did, once she finds out about…about THAT day..!'

Even the mild reference to what had happened at the Naboris excavation was enough to pull Link back to that day. He could feel the heat of the malfunctioning Guardian's beam-weapon as it had glanced by him. He could hear himself screaming orders at his unit to re-form in response to the Yiga attack…and he could feel the weight of poor Chip, bawling like a baby in his arms.

"I…I w-wanna g-go h-home! I…I WANT M-MY M-MOMMA..!"

Those words – Chip's last words – echoed in his ears even louder than before, drawing tears from his eyes. Suddenly unable to breathe, Link left the Princess' tent as quietly as he could, and made his way to the far side of their campsite, away from prying eyes. 'Dammit, Ranger, get a HOLD of yourself!' Making sure no-one had seen his panic-attack, Link focused on his breathing, steadying it as he often did before combat. 'Inhale…hold for 1…2…3…4…and exhale.' After several cycles of that pattern, Link took a swig from his waterskin, and made his way back to the entrance to Zelda's tent, where he took a seat next to it, to keep watch.

It wasn't like he ever got any sleep, anyway – not with the nightmares that always crept into his head unless he worked himself to exhaustion. This was just more of the same. He could bear it.

For her, he could bear it.

ZZZZZZZZ

When Zelda came to, the first thing she noticed was the troupe of Gorons dancing all over the insides of her skull. With a piteous moan, she turned over…right into the rays of the morning sun that peeked through her tent flap. As the sunlight screamed into her eyeballs, Zelda let out a cry of anguish as she covered her face. 'Oh, Goddesses…what did I do..?!'

"Finally awake, little bird?"

Urbosa's normally-soothing voice was ground glass in her clearly-bleeding ears. Zelda could only whimper piteously. "Not so loud…"

Urbosa chuckled. "Noble Pursuits; divine blessings in the night, but infernal punishments in the morning. Did I not warn you?"

Zelda sniffled. "You did."

"And did you listen?"

Zelda hiccupped. "I did not," she conceded. "Please don't tell Father..?"

"Of course not, sweetness; what you feel now is punishment enough. Believe me, I know," Urbosa said, before she yanked the blankets off Zelda, and headed outside. "Now get up, Your Grace. Lying about all day will only make you feel worse, both from the hangover and wasting the day. You can start by getting some breakfast in you, and your Knight was kind enough to make one for you."

'Oh, Goddesses. Link.' As if her behaviour towards him before the incident at the Bazaar hadn't been enough, she'd made a total fool of herself in front of him. Though the details were hazy, she could recall her teasing him to the point where he'd finally – if playfully – retaliated, before badgering him about the nature of his seemingly bottomless travel satchel…although the notion that she might be able to invoke the presence of Korok spirits by playing their "games" was a novel one.

But the absolute worst – the most mortifying moment – had been the realization that Link had been the then-nameless soldier who had been so kind to her, on her 15th birthday. She had been taking her childish anger out on the one who had given her nothing but quiet support, likely from then until now. What made it worse was that, despite her utterly wretched – and half-drunken – attempt at an apology, Link had forgiven her, if he had ever been angry with her at all.

As the events of the night before started to trickle through the chorus-line of the Gorons tromping through her head, Zelda felt her face catch fire as she recalled how she'd attempted to kiss Link…though some hazy half-memory told her that she had kissed him. 'Oh, Nayru…oh, matron of the heart, what a fool he must think me!'

She had no idea where that impulse had come from. Certainly, she had realized that some ladies – not her, of course – could be drawn to the kind of steadfast silence that Link had exemplified, in the past. And yes, she could appreciate his kindness, now that she had actually seen it. And yes, she knew that, physically, he was quite handsome – she wasn't blind, for Din's sake! – but that didn't mean she'd wanted to kiss him, regardless of how often she had fantasized about meeting that unknown soldier again…

…and that furtive thought was enough to pull her back to that night, near five years ago. It was all too easy for her to recall the sheer frustration and self-hate that her conversation with Father had evoked; even on her 15th birthday, he'd shown no mercy in reminding her of her failings in unlocking her sealing power. Unable to bear the Castle – with its combination of crushing silence and courtly whispers behind her back – she'd snuck out through the mine carts in the East Passage, and made her way into town. Specifically, she'd gone to one of the local pubs – Thelmina's, she believed – to drown her sorrows, as she'd heard that many of the soldiers posted in the Castle were wont to do.

She'd barely placed a red Rupee on the counter for her third drink when some burly brute had cornered her. Too upset and inebriated to think of declaring her identity, Zelda could only sniffle. "P-Please, just leave m-me alone..!"

The brute grinned, showing missing teeth amongst his rotten-mouth smile. "Aw, don't worry, pretty; I'll be gentle..!"

"You heard the lady, asswad. She said to get lost."

Startled out of her tears, Zelda followed the brute's glance as he turned to face the newcomer. The young man – older than her by two years, if that, and leanly muscled, barely a few inches taller than her – was clad in the dark grey slacks and jacket of the 1st Armoured Corps, his beret covering his short, dusty-blond hair, with a pair of goggles looped around his neck, his blue eyes hard. The brute scowled. "Piss off, treadhead! Nobody asked you!" Turning away, he started to reach for Zelda, who could only cringe..!

His grimy hand never reached her. Like a Gerudan Cobra, he darted to Zelda's side, his hand grabbing the goon's wrist and twisting, causing him to scream with pain. "I wasn't asking, shitstain," he snarled, and he pulled forward, slamming the crown of his skull – the hardest part – into the brute's face. As the thug stumbled back, the soldier flowed behind him, to grab the scruff of his collar and push down, smashing his face into the bar, knocking him out.

The entire bar went silent at that, with all the patrons looking their way. Zelda felt the weight of their stares, but the soldier just stared back. "Back to your drinks, folks – it's just Fadin, again!" That was all that was needed; with a collective groan, the bar crowd resumed their revelry. Turning towards her, the soldier smiled gently. "Sorry to step in, miss, but this clown has a bad reputation of bothering young ladies who've had a few too many. Was he upsetting you?"

Zelda tried to steady herself. "S-Somewhat, good sir. You have my thanks."

The young man smiled…and Zelda felt her stomach flutter. "What can I say? As an officer and a gentleman – if only at heart – I do what I can in the defence of…" he paused, as he got a closer look at her…and his eyes went wide, his voice dropping to a whisper, "…Y-Your Grace..?"

"What's going on out here?!"

The young soldier looked panicked as the owner – a Gerudo-blooded woman as tall as Urbosa, and amply-bosomed – strode into view. Frantically, Zelda looked at him, wordlessly begging him to stay quiet. The Goddesses were kind to her this time, as the young man smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, Mama Thelmie. Fadin was pestering this young lady, so I had to step in. I think she's a bit shaken up, so I was going to escort her outside for some air. If there's any damage, I'll be happy to pay for it…"

"You'll do no such thing, honey. I've warned this lout!" the owner – Thelmina – declared. To Zelda, she added, "Don't you worry, darlin'; this piece of trash isn't coming in MY bar, any more!" With that, she grabbed the brute – Fadin – by his collar, and hauled him off, while Zelda could only follow as her unknown savior escorted her outside.

Once they were alone, the young soldier removed his beret, and dropped to his knees. "Please forgive my impertinence, Your Grace. I could only surmise that you did not wish to be recognized; if I overstepped…"

"N-No!" Zelda cried. "Th-Thank you, kind sir! You have no cause to be sorry!"

Slowly, the young man rose to his feet. "Begging your pardon, Milady, but…what in Din's, Nayru's, Farore's, AND Hylia's Names are you DOING here?" he exclaimed. "An establishment such as this is no place for a fine lady as yourself! Why would you subject yourself to oafs and boors like Fadin and I? And on your birthday, no less?"

The crux of the matter came rushing back to Zelda. She could feel the tears prick at her eyes, and clog her throat. "I…I had to get away!"

The soldier's concerned frown softened. "From what, Milady? Why would you wish to flee those that surely love you..?"

"Because Father DOESN'T!" Zelda screamed, as her tears broke loose. "Every day! Every day he berates me or scolds me because he thinks that I am not doing enough to unlock my sealing power! He tells me that my studies of the ancient technology are a waste! And the Court! The Royal Court snickers about my failures at every chance, I KNOW it!" She buried her face in her hands, trying to stop her sobs. "I…I am doing everything I can! Why do the Three ignore my pleas? What have I done to make Them hate me so?!" Horror crept into her voice and thoughts. "W-What will the Hero think of me when he comes to draw the Master Sword..?"

Her self-recriminating query trailed off by the young man's gentle hands on her shoulders, trying to comfort her as best he could. Daring to glance up, Zelda saw no disgust, scorn, or even pity in his face – only sincere sadness. "Oh, sweet Princess…I am heartbroken to hear you have suffered so," he murmured. "Please forgive an ignorant fool."

Zelda tried to still her sniffles and failed miserably – she shouldn't have been surprised. "You have no need of my forgiveness, good sir; you are not responsible for my shortcomings, nor could you have been expected to know of them."

The soldier's sad eyes did not leave hers, his kindly intent gaze setting Zelda's cheeks afire. "I ask forgiveness, Your Grace, because I refuse to believe that one such as yourself has as many shortcomings as you think," he said. A gentle smile crossed his face. "I do not ask you to take my word for it, sweet Princess, but there are those that have faith in you; you may count this humble Treadhead among them. I will be all too happy to clock anyone – commoner, noble, or even the damned Hero – who besmirches your name or your efforts, spiritual or otherwise." He chuckled. "I also refuse to believe that you have no-one that cares for you in Hyrule Castle."

Zelda glanced down. "Well…there is Urbosa," she admitted. "And…and my handmaid Rosalie."

"There you go," the young man replied, before he looked in the distance behind Zelda. "Your Grace…might this "Urbosa" be Gerudo? Clad in gilded armoured garb, and carrying a masterfully-crafted shield and scimitar?"

Surprise took hold of Zelda's face. "H-How did you know?"

The soldier chuckled, and called out behind her. "My Lady Urbosa, might I have a moment of your time? I believe I have found whom you seek!"

Turning around, Zelda barely had time to gasp with surprise before she was bundled into the frantic hug of her surrogate mother. "You are here," Urbosa whispered fiercely. "Thank the Three, you are here. Little bird, you must swear to me never to do that again! I was a breath away from a burial ground with worry!"

As she met Urbosa's eyes, and saw the tears she was just barely holding back, Zelda almost began to cry anew. "I…I am so sorry, Urbosa!" she sniffed, feeling utterly horrid for worrying her so. "I did not mean to…I…I just had to get away..!"

Urbosa shushed her as she often did: by touching the tip of her nose to hers. "I know, my sweetness," she murmured. "I am not angry. You are safe. The rest is no matter." Drawing back from her, Urbosa met the young man's gaze. "You have both my thanks and Hyrule's young man – though Hyrule will likely never know it."

The soldier just gave a half-smile. "I am honoured, Milady, since I am in need of neither. As you said: Her Grace's safety is thanks enough." At those words – and the young man's smile – Urbosa seemed to pause. Her expression quizzical, she took a few steps forward, and leaned down to look the young man in the eye, studying…before her eyes widened slightly. The soldier voiced the confusion Zelda felt. "My Lady? Is something wrong?"

Urbosa moved back, her expression turning neutral. "No, no," she said. "I merely…I thought I saw a friend's ghost." Her usual smirk returning, Urbosa turned to Zelda with an arched eyebrow. "Little bird? Are you not going to introduce your voe?"

Zelda's blush fanned itself to full flame at her words. "U-URBOSA! He is not…we are not..!"

Urbosa's resonant laugh filled the night air. "I only jest, sweetness. Still, did you not ask your hero's name?"

Zelda fidgeted anxiously. "I-I..!"

The soldier's chuckle saved her. "We had not yet exchanged names, Ladyship. Once I realized Her Grace's identity, I became a bit sidetracked from introducing myself," he said. "You can just call me…"

"Boss! Howler, we got a problem!"

Hearing that call, the soldier turned towards another – this one with Sergeant's stripes – who stood in the bar's door. "It's Walsky, Captain; he went and flirted with the wrong woman, and now her husband is after him!"

The soldier – "Howler" – groaned. "AGAIN? Din blast it, we've BOTH warned him!" he groused. "Hang tough, Sarge; I'll be but a moment." Turning back to Zelda and Urbosa, Howler gave an embarrassed grin. "My apologies, Your Grace, Ladyship; that was the wife. One of the kids had an accident, and now we have to clean up the mess."

At his description, Zelda couldn't help but giggle. Urbosa laughed again. "By all means, young wolf!" she exclaimed. "We will leave you to your business…though I think we both will keep an eye out for you."

As Howler gave an approximation of a courtly bow before dashing off, Zelda nodded her agreement. She knew she would never forget him…

…and indeed she hadn't…though her memory had clearly been more addled by drink than she'd expected. 'The Goddesses know I've dreamt of him nearly every night since…oh, NAYRU! I…I've been…I was fantasizing about…oh, merciful Golden Three, please make me a STONE!'

As she'd come to expect, the Three ignored her internal prayer. Getting to her feet, Zelda fought the ache behind her eyes, coupled with her loudly-protesting stomach. 'Merciful Three, could you at least quiet this hangover long enough for me to get some water, and a bit of food? Surely THAT is not so much to ask!'

For once, the Goddesses seemed to agree, as the ache in Zelda's head subsided somewhat, allowing her to order her thoughts enough to decide what she had to do. 'Regardless of what I said last night, I…I must apologize to Link – PROPERLY, this time! After everything, he deserves a considered, sincere apology, not the blubberings of some drunken waif!' With that decided, Zelda stood up straight, set her gaze ahead, and walked out of her tent…

…only to immediately want to head back in, dive under her blankets, and not come out until sundown.

Already high in the sky, the desert sun's unrelenting rays made Zelda's hangover return with a vengeance, the blazing heat threatening to steal away what little moisture remained in her body. Moving into the shade as much as she could, Zelda steadied herself, and looked around for her Knight…before she spotted him by their campfire spot, at which point her heart threatened to leap out of her chest. No longer in his Champion's Tunic and Knight's Greaves, Link had exchanged those for a set of clothes styled after Gerudo garb, although these had clearly been tailored for a male. Link's sandy mop was tied into a rat-tail higher on his head, with a jade-gold headband about his brow, inlaid with cooling sapphire shards. His torso was half-bare, covered only by a gold-sapphire shoulder-guard and blue-green single sleeve, and his pants were made of light fabric, loosely fitting enough to breathe in the blazing air.

Part of Zelda wanted to faint then and there, though she suspected it had nothing to do with the heat or her hangover. Worse still, Link quickly took notice of her, and glanced her way with a warm smile…which made the flush in her cheeks flare as hot as Din's Fire. "How are you feeling, Your Grace?"

Keeping her poise as best she could as she walked over to him – 'Oh, merciful Nayru, please make these Gorons in my head take a blasted curtain-call!' – Zelda managed a faint smile. "I am…recovering, Sir Knight," she admitted. "I thank you for…tolerating my drunken ramblings."

Link chuckled. "You make it sound as if it was a burden to spend time with you, sweet Princess. I do not know how much you remember, but you were a delight to speak with."

'Oh, bold Farore, WHY did you give your latest Hero such charm?' Zelda lamented inwardly, fighting the flare in her cheeks. She sat down at an angle, hoping to hide her reddened face until her fires dwindled. "I remember…bits and pieces," she said. "Most of all, I remember…how I first met you." She bit her bottom lip. "And that I attempted an apology."

Link's expression saddened. "Sweet Princess, you need not…"

Zelda raised her hand to shush him. "I most certainly do need to, my Knight," she insisted. "I…I have behaved more horribly than a spoiled child towards you; I blamed you for things that most assuredly were never your fault to begin with, when you had done nothing but support me in your own quiet way. That is not the kind of ruler – Goddesses, the kind of person – that I want to be!"

Try as she might, Zelda could not keep the quiver out of her voice, or from her lip. "And…A-And I am so sorry," she whimpered. "I know I have no right to ask this, but…but I would be so happy if we could simply…if we could forget all the unpleasantness that transpired between us thus far and…and be friends." She sniffled, as her voice became a whisper. "B-Because I don't have many of those."

For several long seconds, Zelda did not dare look at Link, until the silent tension became too much. She'd expected to find scorn or annoyance on his face, but instead, she found only a sad smile. "As I said last night, sweet Princess, you have never needed my forgiveness. I understood the pressures you face. What's more, my friendship has always been yours for the asking." His smile turned wryly teasing. "But what's this nonsense of you thinking you have so few friends? Does Lady Urbosa not adore you endlessly? Would Mipha not drop anything to comfort you at a moment's call? Is Daruk not a Goron-hug away from being anyone's friend?" A sour frown crossed Link's mouth at his next words. "As for Revali…I wouldn't worry about him, Your Grace. The less anyone has to listen to Master Blabberbeak's endless boasting, the better."

Zelda couldn't stop the surprised – and mildly scandalized – laughter that bubbled forth at her Hero's snarky words. "Link! You mustn't talk about your fellow Champion that way!"

"I'm sure he's said worse of me, Your Grace."

Zelda's laughter gave way to a genuine – if somewhat admonishing – smile. "Well! I had no idea that you could be so snarky! I am finding out all manner of things about you, today!"

Link smirked. "With respect, Your Grace, you're the one that wanted me to open up."

Zelda softly giggled, and hid her smile behind her hand. "That I did," she conceded…just as a particularly cruel ray of sunshine struck her brow, turning her smile to a wince. "Now…would you be so kind as to make the sun stop screaming at me?"

Link glanced skyward, and then back to her with an embarrassed look. "I would gladly do so, sweet Z…er, sweet Princess, but since I am not one of the Three, I doubt that it will listen," he said. "Instead, perhaps I might offer a means of plugging your ears to its shouting?"

Utterly miserable, Zelda inched along her seat into the little shade that was available – which brought her that much closer to Link. "At this point, I will accept any aid," she whimpered. "And you are still allowed to call me by name, outside of the Castle and in private."

With a flush of his own colouring his face, Link scratched his head. "Oh. Sorry. I…wasn't sure if you remembered that part." Taking out his satchel, he reached in…and withdrew an utterly delicious-looking meal, complete with cutlery: savoury cuts of meat cooked to perfection, and sides of greens, fruit, and mushrooms. "I figured you could use a good meal, and a little cooling draught," he said, before he fished out a bottle filled with a light blue elixir. "I made that dish with Chillshrooms and Hydromelon juice; it'll keep you cool for most of the morning, so save that elixir for the afternoon."

Zelda was dumbfounded. "You…you cook?"

Link was suitably smug. "That and more, sweet Zelda." To prove that he wasn't done surprising her, he drew one last dish from his satchel: a piece of fruitcake – done with her favourite blend of apples, wildberries, and Mighty Bananas – perfectly moist and with a flawless frosted sheen. "I'd have this with your morning meal; I'm not sure if it'll keep in the heat."

Zelda could only gape, her mind struggling to grasp what Link had done for her, after everything. "You…this…how..?"

"…did I know it was your favourite?" Link finished for her. "As far back as when I was in the Ranger Corps, every time I checked in with Central Command at the Castle, I stopped by the Royal Kitchen to see the Head Chef. We have a little deal worked out: I find him rare ingredients, and he gives me cooking lessons." He grinned. "Over time, I noticed that almost every time the Royal dinner was prepared, a slice of fruitcake was made for you. When His Majesty tapped me to be your Knight, I asked the Chef to teach me his fruitcake recipe, should I ever need to whip one up."

Zelda felt her eyes start to moisten. "I…I do not know what to say…"

"You needn't say anything, sweet Zelda – at least not until you taste it." Link's smile was now a bit nervous. "This will be the first time I made it under field conditions; for all I know, one taste might make you want to whip it at my head."

From the look of the cake, Zelda couldn't imagine wanting to throw it at Link. Despite all rules of propriety forbidding her from sampling dessert before her meal, Zelda's curiosity overtook her. Taking her fork in hand, she sampled just the tiniest morsel on the corner – cake and frosting both – and popped it in her mouth…and nearly fainted.

She almost didn't want to admit it – given how passionate Head Chef Carlos was about his craft, learning he was now her second-favourite pastry-chef would have reduced the sweet man to tears – but Link's cake was the best she had ever tasted. The moisture and texture of the cake, amplified by the fruit flavours and the sweetness of the frosting…it sent Zelda's tastebuds into paroxysms of bliss that raced up her tongue, into her brain, and out to the rest of her body. Unable to help herself, Zelda felt her back arch, her toes curl, and her eyes flutter closed as an involuntary sigh of pure delight passed her lips.

When the surge of culinary pleasure released her senses, Zelda opened her eyes, to find a blush on her Knight's face. "I…I guess that means you like it?"

Zelda knew she was just as red. "It…It is my new favourite," she confessed. "But please do not tell Chef Carlos I said so; it would break his heart."

"As you command, sweet Z – er, Your Grace." Link's voice quickly turned serious and professional, though his eyes were motioning behind her.

Zelda's confusion lasted only a breath, as a familiar laugh echoed across the desert sands. "Goddesses be praised! It's about time you two started getting along!" Urbosa exclaimed, as she walked up to them with two of her guards. "Feeling any better, little bird?"

Zelda sighed. "I think I will after a good meal, which my Knight has so kindly provided."

The Gerudo swordswoman to Urbosa's left huffed sourly. "Chilled Meat and Greens and a Fruitcake?" she said bitterly. "My husband certainly never did that for me, Your Grace. Any chance you could tell my sisters where you found your voe?"

Zelda flushed as red as Urbosa's hair. "H-He's not..! W-We're not..!"

The Gerudo to Urbosa's right perked up with a smile. "No? Then could I have him, Your Grace?"

Link paled. "U-Uh…"

Urbosa's frown silenced both her tribeswomen, as she glanced to her right. "Hunt for a husband on your own time, Iveil!"

Zelda nodded with her own irate frown. "Link is not anyone's property to be given away! I will thank you to remember that!"

Her irritation forgotten, Urbosa glanced back to Zelda with surprised eyes. "Did I get sand in my ears, little bird? Or did I just hear you defending your Knight?"

Zelda's blush returned in full, but she had to smile shyly. "You heard correctly, Urbosa. Though it is doubtlessly long overdue, I have been fully disabused of the horrifically incorrect notions I previously held regarding Sir Forester," she answered. "Though I will issue my own formal edict upon our return to Court, I shall henceforth take any slights against him as slights against myself."

The swordswoman to Urbosa's left chuckled, as she whispered conspiratorially to Iveil. "And she says he's not her voe..?"

"Adira," Urbosa admonished, before smiling at Zelda once more. "I gather there is a story behind this, little bird?"

"Yes," Zelda confessed. "One that I would rather not repeat. The matter is resolved, Urbosa. Can we not leave it at that?"

"Certainly. After all, I am sure that you and your "howling" Knight have much to discuss yet."

Zelda nodded. "We certainly do, especially…" Her voice trailed away as she realized what Urbosa had just said. "You…you…you KNEW?!"

Link's eyes narrowed. "I thought you said you hadn't heard my callsign, Ladyship."

"I said nothing of the sort, young Hero," Urbosa retorted with a sly smile. "I merely remarked that it was not the reason I called you "young wolf.""

Zelda was on the verge of hyperventilating. "You…all this time…you let me make a fool of myself..?!"

Urbosa laughed. "Well, would you have believed me?"

That made Zelda pause. "I…I would have…I…" She sighed. "Most likely not."

"Then there you are," Urbosa chided. "Until you stopped seeing Link as a problem, you would never have seen him as anything else, little bird."

That fact made Zelda hang her head in shame, until Link spoke up. "It is as you both said, Your Grace, Ladyship: the matter is resolved. All we need do now is move forward."

'Thank you, my Hero.' With the handful of moments Link had provided, Zelda was able to recompose herself. "Urbosa," she began, "if Link's call-sign is not the reason you call him "young wolf," then what is the reason?"

Urbosa's smile was knowing. "You are the studious sort, little bird. I am quite sure you'll answer that riddle without any help from me." Before Zelda could press her on the matter, the Gerudo Champion changed the subject. "I imagine that you two should want to get going soon. The rainstorm season will soon be upon the Akkala region, and if you mean to visit Director Purah and the Spring of Power, that leaves you little time."

Link nodded, before glancing to Zelda. "I can have our camp stripped down in less than an hour, Your Grace. With a quick start, we can reach the Wasteland Stable by mid-evening…after your meal, of course."

Her Knight's comment drew Zelda's attention back to her plate…which caused her stomach to grumble its impatience. She managed to quell her appetite long enough for one last question. "Urbosa? Will you be returning to the Castle?"

"In time, little bird. I must attend to a few matters in Gerudo Town," Urbosa replied, still with that knowing smile. "Some of the guards posted there reported a…somewhat unusual vai around town, recently."

Link had just taken a sip from his waterskin when he coughed, to Zelda's confusion. "I…I am sure you will get to the bottom of it, Ladyship."

Urbosa chuckled. "I am sure that I will, young wolf." With that remark, and one bow to Zelda, Urbosa and her two tribeswomen walked off, heading to Gerudo Town.

While Zelda knew she would have little luck getting answers from Urbosa, Link was another matter, especially since he was in a hurry to start breaking camp. "Link? Why did Urbosa's words cause you alarm?"

Link chuckled, with a nervous smile. "W-Why do you think they did, Your Grace?"

"For one, I have never heard you stammer before," Zelda said, as she started to smile. "And I never heard how you knew I was at Divine Beast Vah Naboris, the other day! I told no-one outside of Gerudo Town…which is off-limits to men! How in the world did you find out?"

Link had since paled, looking as though he wished to be anywhere else. "Is there any chance we could go back to you hating me, Your Grace?"

Every fiber of Zelda's being answered that question as one, and none of her being could stop the blush that crossed her face as she did. "No, my Hero. None whatsoever."

Next time:

Moon (Or: In which our Princess learns the story behind her Hero's old military callsign, and her Hero introduces her to one of his old friends…of sorts.)