The Battered Princess

Growing Stronger

Author's note: This story literally disappeared off the face of the earth. I'm not entirely sure how, as I wrote it alongside ToZA (which is my very first completed novel), but it did.

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If his friends were to see him, Link swore he would die.

Of course, if they were to see him in general, he'd be dead.

A few days prior, Urbosa had informed him that Zelda was healed enough for his special circumstance to expire. He loved that Zelda was healed now, those stunning jade eyes should never need to darken in pain, but when she started wandering outside the palace... that started the change.

Urbosa could tell that he wasn't going to just pack up and leave. He was still following her everywhere to ensure she was safe and comfortable. And somehow, Link still isn't sure how, Urbosa caught him in his most secret bonding ritual.

Perhaps Zelda had raised just enough fuss when she realized just how he was attempting to bond with her. It wasn't a normal bonding ritual, of course, and that was probably why she was fussing. One thing he'd learned about Zelda already, she could be very fussy. But if they were going to be together in the way he desired, she needed to accept and love him entirely; odd behaviors and all. Even though... she didn't seem to object...

Regardless of reason, Urbosa had gotten herself involved.

Now Link was faced with a choice: leave Gerudo Town and Zelda to move somewhere else, such as Kara Kara Bazaar, or suck up his male pride (not to mention the Alpha Wolf that had developed in Hateno Village) and crossdress to remain with her.

Goddesses! What was with the Royal Family and ridiculous choices?!

He knew he should go, that was the agreement he'd made and the right thing to do. But on the other hand... ugh. Why was being overly concerned with Zelda's wellbeing so hard?

Also... he really didn't want to get arrested yet. He would be arrested upon his return to Hyrule, sure, but if he was taken from Kara Kara... and couldn't get back to Zelda...

Perhaps the fearless knight had finally found something he feared... other than Cuccos. But that was a completely rational fear... those birds were up to something.

He perked to a shuffle beside him, distracting him from the important thoughts. A head full of golden blonde hair opened sleepy jade eyes, looking up at him softly. "Good morning..."

He smiled softly, back in his wolf-like position. "Morning... you doing alright?"

"I'm alright..."

"Good..."

"What's the agenda today?"

"Nothing. I can't leave the palace without getting thrown out, remember? I assume that applies to you too..."

Her face twisted in confusion. "I'll get thrown out if I leave the palace?"

"No. I'll get thrown out if you leave the palace. The condition was I could stay until you were healed."

Her entire body seemed to droop, Link momentarily hoped that it was a complication from her injuries that Mipha hadn't healed, but stamped the thought out and forced himself to be ashamed of it. He always wanted Zelda to be well, no matter the personal cost.

"Oh..." She settled down sadly, snuggling closer. "I did not know that..."

Link's eyes wandered over to the bloodstained fabric that had once covered Zelda's slit hand, now on the table near them. "It's alright... you were in a lot of pain..."

"No, that is no excuse!" She shoved herself up, Link nearly shoved her back down since it had barely been a week since the incident. "I shall come with you! You have been by my side, and I intend to be by yours!"

He was just about to decline when a conspiring voice deep in his mind clamped his mouth shut.

She's giving you exactly what you want, don't be a fool and throw it away!

Zelda didn't see his eyes focus. She was already looking about the room, that researcher's glimmer in her eyes. "Wherever shall we go? Lurelin? Akkala?"

"No." He nearly grabbed her arm. "No villages. We're too recognizable."

A knock was heard, causing both to whip their heads from their private discussion. "Oh, good. You're both awake."

Zelda smiled, leaning a little further into Link's side. "Urbosa!"

Urbosa looked towards Zelda and smiled. "My! You look comfortable, little bird."

"Of course! Link takes very good care of me."

A heat rose to his cheeks and ears.

A cool hand brushed the heat of his left cheek. "You seem warm, Link..." She sighed. "Perhaps we should... you're used to cooler temperatures."

"Hmm?" Urbosa drew closer. "What is the matter?"

"We had been discussing making our way out of town... and perhaps we should go sooner rather than later... the heat seems to be getting to Link. His cheeks are flushed."

Link pulled his eyes away from Zelda, only to find Urbosa smirking towards him. Nearly instantly, he turned back to Zelda's less incriminating gaze. "Are you sure you're strong enough?" He near-whispered, trying to reason his actions.

"Of course!" She slid off the bed, nearly stumbling. "And I'm sure Urbosa will assist us in getting started, correct?"

"Of course, little bird." She took Zelda's hand, leading her gently around the room to ensure she could walk on demand.

Link slid down the bed until he was laying down on his left side, content radiating as he watched the pair walk around the room. Before he knew it, his eyes closed and he felt a purr rumble in his throat.

"It seems like you're well enough to make the journey... but there's one thing I'd like to give you before we depart." Urbosa half-smirked in Link's direction. "Link, could you step out for just a moment?"

The heat came back stronger, he hopped up and headed outside.

He could hear them inside, the fabric muting them to where he couldn't hear words, just noises. He didn't want to explain to anyone why his ear was pressed up against the fabric door, so he stepped back. After what felt like an excessively long time, Urbosa pulled the fabric across to reveal Zelda in a new dress. Her hair was loosely braided as it draped over her shoulder, highlighting her beaded brown dress that fell to mid-calf.

She looked so beautiful... all of Link's breath was taken in an instant.

Urbosa placed an arm around each of them, bending down slightly. "Now come, both of you. We must be long gone before the forces of Hyrule take over the region. Our destination is not nearby, and there is only one way out of the canyon.