Zelda stood still. She could hear Revali's voice echoing from the inn, where she assumed Mipha was keeping Link.

"He's going to be okay, right?" Revali wondered aloud. He sounded almost desperate, which surprised the queen. Link and Revali were always at each other's throats, but now...

Mipha's soft voice followed Revali's. "I was able to seal his wound, but I do not know if his internal injuries have healed..."

"Is there anything you can do? Anything, Mipha, please!" Revali's voice was hoarse. "The Queen, she needs him."

"Speaking of," Mipha said, looking in Zelda's direction. "Zelda! Are you alright?"

Zelda's eyes warmed with tears. "Can you show me where he is?"

"There you go again," Revali sighed, "worrying about other people before yourself. That's Zelda for you."

Zelda tried her hardest to force a smile; to thank Revali for trying to ease the pain she felt. But she couldn't. She failed, and instead, her lips began to quiver helplessly. Her trusted steed was patiently waiting for her return, while Link was wounded, right before her.

Mipha's hand was gently placed upon Zelda's back. "Here."

Zelda kneeled down beside the bed Link laid on. His skin was a ghostly pale. She watched intently as his chest rose, very, very slowly, then fell, just barely. His breathing was ever so soft.

Her hand drifted to his forehead without a second thought. His skin was clammy. His hair was pushed away from his eyes, and Zelda silently begged for them to open.

"Please be okay," she whispered. "I need your help. Desperately."

"Mipha said he should be okay," Revali said gently, kneeling beside the young queen. His wing landed gingerly onto Zelda's back, slowly moving up and down. "We'll watch over him, your majesty."

Zelda sniffled, using the heel of her palms to rub her eyes free of tears. She cleared her throat a bit. "I forgot. I need someone's help."

"What is it?" Revali asked. "Anything at all, your majesty. We're here."

This time, the smile came a little easier. It wasn't strong—still frail and weak—but it was there. "My horse. She's waiting in a cave. We were surrounded by monsters, and we wouldn't have made it out. So I came to get help."

Revali nodded. "I'll rally the Rito warriors."

"I'll ask for help from my Zora soldiers as well," Mipha chimed in. "We'll save her, Zelda. I promise."

Zelda nodded. "Okay. Okay." Zelda nodded again, trying to steady herself. "Wait, who's going to watch Link?"

Revali looked at Mipha. The two stared into each other's eyes for a short moment, as if communicating through their minds. After a few more seconds, Revali turned back to Zelda. "You will."

Zelda's eyes squinted in confusion. "But, my horse, she-"

"Already on it," Mipha said, holding her hands out in front of her. "We will bring her home safely, so please leave it to us, your majesty."

Zelda was about to protest. She raised her hand, as if wanting to stop her friends from continuing on. She shook her head. "I understand that your minds will not be swayed."

"No, they will not, your majesty," Mipha said with a gentle smile. "We will gather up a group to rescue your horse. She will be safe."

"Wait here. Don't leave, okay?" Revali said. He stared at Zelda, unable to release his gaze.

Zelda sighed, exasperated. "I understand. Thank you." She looked up at Mipha. "Thank you both."

Without another word, the two Champions rushed out of the inn, Revali taking off, and Mipha close behind on foot. With their help, her horse's safety was practically assured.

However...

She turned all of her attention back to Link.

Someone's isn't.

"Hey, Link?" Zelda began, barely above a whisper. Maybe she didn't want to disturb him, or maybe she couldn't even raise her voice any higher, as the stress began to wear away at her voice, almost. "I don't know if you can hear me. But, I just want you to know, I'm here."

Her hand slipped atop his, and she squeezed it reassuringly—if not for him, for herself. It was as cold as ice. She held back tears as she continued to speak.

"Revali and Mipha are going to go save my horse," Zelda laughed sadly. "Poor girl was practically egging me to come back to see you. It was as if she was telling me, 'No worries, Zelda, I'll be okay!' So I set up a wall of magic, hoping nothing could come by to hurt her." Zelda paused. "Oh, yeah. I guess I forgot to mention that, unless you heard me earlier. We were surrounded by all kinds of monsters. I'm surprised I was able to get myself here."

Zelda thought she felt Link's hand twitch, but came to the conclusion it was just her imagination. He was still unconscious, after all. Without thinking, she eyed where Link's wound had been, on his left shoulder. Apollo had thrown his dagger so quickly, it cut through his skin like a knife slicing through butter. Like Mipha said, it looked fine; as if nothing had actually hurt him.

Zelda feared Link would never wake up.

What if the dagger cut through a vital vein in that connects to his heart? Sweat began to appear atop Zelda's forehead as she thought about this further. I'll never be able to face Philip alone. I'll lose the one I truly bear feelings for...

Then, Link coughed.

Zelda gasped, trying not to let her tears fall. "Link!" she jumped up from her knees, standing above her knight.

Link coughed once more, wincing at the pain from his injury. "Zel... Zelda?"

Zelda, still holding Link's hand, squeezed it, just as she had done while he was unconscious. "I'm here. I'm right here, Link."

Link tried to sit up, but only flinched more at the burning sensation he felt from his shoulder.

"No, you mustn't push yourself," Zelda whispered. She shook her head, waiting for him to lay back down. "Please, you have to replenish your health."

Link's eyes rolled over to face Zelda. The bright, electric blue color that once shone in his eyes, was dull. However, the color in his cheeks and skin began to return to his body. In a short moment, his hand began to warm within Zelda's palm, no longer icy and frail.

"I... couldn't protect you," Link mustered. He coughed again.

"Link," Zelda breathed, "you saved my life. I don't know what you're talking about."

Link shook his head, looking as if it took every ounce of strength within him to do so. "No, you were left all alone..." his eyes drifted from hers, now looking up at the aqua ceiling of the inn. "What if... something were to have happen to you...?"

Zelda smiled. "Nothing did."

"But, what if-"

Zelda placed her other hand on Link's bicep. "I'm offended," she laughed softly, trying to lighten the mood, "that you believe I am so weak."

Link's eyes widened, then shut. A smile appeared on his lips. "I couldn't ever think such a thing, my queen. I just worry about you."

Zelda kneeled back down beside Link, laying her head on his chest. "I know," she said, feeling his right arm maneuvering over to her head, as he ran his fingers through her blonde hair.

"You do?" Link asked.

"I do."

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