The next morning, things were a bit tense between Link and Zelda. However, they eventually fell into routine and acted like their discussion the previous night had never happened. Though they both still thought about it very much, and they knew something was still off between them.

The days passed on the same way: training in the morning, target practice in the afternoon. Every so often, Zelda would go look at Vah Naboris and work on some of the issues it was having with a few terminals. Wherever she was, though, Link was with her. And she was grateful for that.

After about two and a half weeks, significant improvement had been seen in the Gerudo army. In addition to teaching them important techniques and mindsets, Link also taught them how the Yiga fought, and how to fight back.

In that time, Zelda's archery skills had also improved quite a bit. She was getting quicker and her aim was bettering as well. Link had found her sharp eye and natural talent quite impressive.

Everybody was grateful for the rapid reforms, because to their dismay, there had been news of more and more Yiga attacks. The mishaps were not huge and hardly lethal, yet the fact that they were happening at all was reason enough for a counter strike. However, being widespread as they were, Zelda made another decision. It was time to take back Hyrule Castle and raise a new royal army. She adjudicated that within the month, they would revisit the castle. The real work would begin then.

Word of the Yiga had also reached Gerudo Desert. As it turned out, the clan had managed to select a new master, and that is why they had not yet fallen apart. Their goal was to destroy the Royal Family of Hyrule, however they were not yet equipped to do so.

The news caused Zelda to be a bit more aware of her surroundings, but she also knew she needn't worry too much yet.

~

With all of the success in the army came celebration. The chief elected that they all take a night to honor their guests. She had all of the vai in the cooking class putting together a feast, and she selected a few talented musicians to entertain them. As the sun began to dip down in the hazy sky, the festivities began.

First the princess and champion sat down to eat with the chief and a few other Gerudo. They had good conversations, all laughs and smiles as they forgot about their worries.

After that they emerged into the streets of the city, where music rang out and people surrounded them. Link and Zelda were confused for a moment, looking upon all of the people dancing. Riju laughed and offered to teach them a few basic things about traditional Gerudo dancing. Zelda got the hang of it quite easily, but Link seemed to be having a little more trouble; his moves were awkward and overanalyzed instead of fluid and free. Soon enough, though, he was being whisked every which way by any vai that was close enough to him. It seemed that everybody wanted to dance with the voe. Normally, Zelda would have felt jealousy, but she was quite amused watching her knight try to keep up with the tall Gerudo women.

When she saw the opportunity, she grabbed Link's hand and led him to the Noble Canteen.

"I have heard everybody talking about this Noble Pursuit they have here. We've got to try it!" She told him excitedly. The princess went up to the counter to order, and to Link's surprise, Furosa did not chide her for appearing underage. Had he looked younger pretending to be a vai?

Moments later, Zelda returned to him with her drinks in hand. She handed one to him and then tried her own. It was cool and sweet and made her feel more alive with every sip.

"This is incredible!" She remarked, to which Link nodded. "I wonder what they put in here! What ingredients could possibly yield this effect?" The princess giggled, and in a matter of minutes she was getting the two of them each one more. And after that came another.

Slightly intoxicated and giddy with excitement, the pair returned to the lively streets.

"Want to dance?" She asked with a coquettish grin creeping on to her face. He didn't answer, just pulled her closer and began to move with her. He could feel himself losing control as he fell under her spell. Maybe it was the twinkling of the stars or the tipsiness they both felt. Maybe it was the way her hot breath lingered on his skin. Maybe it was the way she moved her hips so rhythmically, teasing him with every sway. She was so close to him and he couldn't stand the fact that they had to hide it. As she became more and more carried away, he stopped her.

"Let's get out of here." He whispered into her ear, eliciting a giggle from the inebriated princess. The pair stumbled back to Zelda's room, where Link clumsily managed to lock the door behind them. Wasting no time, he pushed her up against the wall, kissing her feverishly. She pulled him closer with her needy hands. When he pulled away to breathe he gazed at her with a hungry look in his eyes. She felt a flame kindle within her and pulled him closer by his shirt so that he was pressing into her. He brought his lips down to hers again and she felt her knees buckle. If he hadn't been holding her so tightly she might've toppled over. He let out a low groan against her lips, placing his hands on her bare waist. She tangled her fingers in his messy hair as they kissed.

As the night went on, the two of them became so enamored and spellbound by each other that they managed to forget about any worries that had plagued them before.

That night, Link didn't make it back to his own room, but neither of them cared. They were happy.

~

The next day, Zelda set out to finish her work on Vah Naboris, with Link accompanying her. She simply had to double check that all was fully functional. They would leave the next day.

As she was thoroughly checking the Sheikah Slate, Link kept watch for her. Since her face was practically buried in the technology, he needed to be on full alert. And when he heard the all too familiar rustling behind him, he jerked around, fear beginning to eat at him. He saw a Yiga warrior attempting to wrench the Slate out of Zelda's grip, the princess yelling obscenities at him as she fought. Full of anger and desire to protect her, Link swiftly brought down the clan member, but not before Vah Naboris had been successfully powered down. The enemy fell, and the hero and princess helplessly waited as the beast sank to the ground. When it reached the sand, they were ambushed by more of the warriors in red.

Without thinking or hesitation, Link threw himself in harm's way to protect Zelda. He stood in front of her and slashed mercilessly at anybody who dared to come close enough. Meanwhile, she had taken a bow out of the Sheikah Slate's inventory in an attempt to put some of her practice to good use. She hastily aimed at the archers and swordsmen, though the Yiga moved quickly and unexpectedly. Many of her shots did hit the enemies, and her efforts tremendously assisted Link as he skillfully took them down. After a few minutes, the number of warriors began to dwindle until they were all gone. And as the hero and princess stood there, catching their breath, they realized that it was time for them to go home.

Instead of waiting, Link and Zelda left during the hot afternoon, hearts full of fire as they discussed their plans for after they took back the castle.

~

They arrived in front of the colossal ruins in the middle of the next day. The field around the castle had been surrounded by unresponsive guardians; as they all had powered down since Ganon had been destroyed. It left an eerie feeling around Central Hyrule. Before Link had saved Zelda, he'd always been on his guard near the castle because there were a seemingly endless number of enemies waiting to strike. Now, it was just... empty. The disturbing calmness made him feel even more on edge.

Zelda had hardly even been back to the area after the Calamity. She was used to seeing a structured world around her that was alive and busy. Instead, she was surrounded by rubble and ruins, this including her own home. Though she was not fond of the life she had led there, she felt a certain sadness and nostalgia when she looked upon the castle. No matter how she tried to avoid her duties and her role, it was an enormous part of her. That castle was where she belonged and there was no doubt about that.

The princess and knight approached the huge walls in front of the castle, climbing off of their horses. Link looked at her, raising his eyebrows to ask if she was ready. Looking at the ruins with determination, she nodded.

They made their way past the empty gatehouses, the strange silence of the place coming over the pair as well. When they finally reached the throne room, Zelda's breath caught.

"So this is it, then." She stated quietly as she scanned the room. Flags and banners displaying the Royal family's crest had been dirtied and torn as they hung lifelessly. The floor was cracked and covered in rubble; the pristine white shine was long gone. The once beautiful, intricate stained glass windows were cracked and shattered and shards of glass laid on the floor.

And her father's throne-- her throne now, was right there, staring at her, daring her to come closer. It sat there- tall and regal and adorned with precious gems ands fabrics, all of which were now ruined. As if she had been hypnotized, her feet dragged forward as she approached it, wide eyes staring straight ahead. Memories of her father sitting in that very throne flashed through her head and she felt as if her world were collapsing around her. The king had been so brave, so strong and hard willed. He had been forceful and cold enough to lead his people, and she worried that she could never live up to his glory. If he could see her now, she often wondered, would he be proud? After her crushing failure that had cost his any many other lives, would he still be content knowing that she'd found her powers at all? Would he be satisfied that she had finally built up the courage to come back to this cursed place, after months of fear?

She shook her head. He was long gone. He had been for 100 years, and it had been her fault. After all of his pushing, all of his desperate attempts to find something within her, all of his efforts had been in vain. It was too late to make him proud now. She only hoped that wherever he was, he had forgiven her for being too late, just as she had forgiven him for his harsh words. For she would endure the sting of his chiding again if she could just have him back. At least to say good-bye.

Zelda swallowed hard, narrowing her eyes. Hesitantly, she climbed the stairs and seated herself on the throne. She surveyed the room from this angle, and it was much different than any other view. Now, she felt as if everything were hers. Hers to have, but also hers to protect and watch over. She noticed Link, gazing up at her with an impressed look upon his face.

"It suits you." He noted, and she almost smiled. However, the princess's heart was heavy with the weights that came with her old home. She knew that they needed change fast, something new to push out memories of old times. She sat for a few moments, taking long, shaky breaths.

Zelda stepped down from her throne, feeling a dull throbbing in her head. Link's brows furrowed as he watched her.

"Are you alright?" She let out a long, shaky sigh. Sensing her doubt, he took her hands. "What's wrong?" Zelda looked away, evading eye contact with him.

"I don't know how I can do it. I don't think I can fill his shoes." She admitted, feeling tears well up in her eyes but not letting them fall.

"Hey... of course you can. Have you forgotten how amazing you are?" She smiled slightly. "It's not going to be easy all of the time, but you out of all people can do it. It will be okay."

He thought back to that moment at the beginning of his journey, when the king had explained everything to him, and how he had begged Link to save his daughter. He opened his mouth to tell her, but chose to hold his tongue instead.

Zelda looked into his eyes and was filled with hope for a moment. Then, she remembered that conversation they had. How she might not even end up with him. What would she do then, if she ruled alongside someone else, all because the person she loved was scared?

The princess jerked her hands from his grip, staring back down at the floor.

"We should go." She stated. "There is work to be done." Link frowned confusedly, wondering why she had withdrawn so suddenly. He had no time to think, though, as she had started to walk off. He hurried to catch up with the princess as she went off to observe more of the ruins of her old home.

~

Here's a chapter. I've been feeling really anxious lately. But thank you guys for 100 followers. Hope you enjoy