The kidnapping of the little blond boy who idolized her wolf was the first time she realized that her steed was not just a mindless drone and actually had a life, friends and family. The way he had looked at the Ordon kids when they were all reunited was so genuinely happy and relieved, she almost felt guilty for forcing this mission upon his young shoulders. Then later, his despair at having Ilia regard him as a total stranger and the contented smile and the jubilant tone he took on when he spoke about his home in the south of Hyrule – not that he often conversed with her at all, but she couldn't blame him for that.

It came as a huge surprise to her when she found herself wanting him to speak of her that way – as if she were more than just an annoying weight on his back or a nagging voice from his shadow. She supposed that she wanted to feel as though she mattered.

As if someone, just one, might miss her if she died.

After that realisation, she resolved to be kinder to her poor steed and apologise for her truly awful behaviour. It was a shame that when Zant nearly killed her and trapped her means to an end in his four-legged form the apology completely slipped her mind.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda. Point barre, as the French would say.