A Couple of Trials (ZeLink)

Chapter 82: The Giant of Taobab

The shifting of gravel beneath Epona's hooves echoed in Link's ears as they traveled over the mountain path. With the mare's reins in one hand and the Sheikah Slate in the other, Link carefully guided their way up the mountain, occasionally glancing at the Slate's illuminated screen to read the map on display. It was no wonder many people were unable to find Lover's Pond; the path leading up to it was nearly impossible to follow. Even for someone as skilled as Link in the art of travel and exploration, alongside owning the most intelligent horse ever he'd ever known, it would've taken months for him to find had he not had the Sheikah Slate's map.

They continued onward along the path until Epona could go no farther. She skidded to a stop and reared up on her hind legs, neighing in confusion before dropping back down onto all fours with an audible clop. After calming Epona down, Link looked to see the path had ended at a wall of stone. It was too high for Epona to climb over, yet he knew he'd be able to climb it just fine. Swinging his leg over and sliding off the saddle, he gave Epona a pat on the neck before looking down at the Sheikah Slate still in his hands.

"Yup, it's right over this," Link said to himself, looking at the heart-shaped spot on the map before turning to his horse. "I'll be back, alright, girl? Don't stray too far."

The horse snorted and shook her mane in agreement. Smiling, Link brushed her chestnut coat one last time before turning toward the rocky wall. With a "hup," he jumped and gripped the stone blocking their way, his fingernails digging into the tiniest of crevices. Adjusting his grip, he climbed up the stone wall, one leg and arm at a time, quickly reaching the top. Heaving himself over the ledge and dusting himself off, he surveyed the view before him.

It was a small, secluded, grassy field, enclosed by cliffs and peaks surrounding the perimeter. The grass was tall and vibrant, with several types of flowers in varying shades growing all around, and a pond in the shape of a heart situated in the very center. There was no doubt about it; this was Lover's Pond.

"So it is real," Link murmured to himself, stepping to the water's edge. He felt the stirring of a gentle breeze, causing the clear water to ripple. "A perfect heart, just like everyone said. I guess I should have known, since it looks like a heart on the Sheikah Slate map, but still..."

As he continued to survey the area, he realized he wasn't alone. There were two others standing on opposite sides of the pond—one a Hylian man and the other a Gerudo. Link raised an eyebrow. Was it true? Did the pond really have the power to reveal the perfect partner? Curious, he looked back and forth between them. He wanted to speak to one of them, yet the Gerudo made him uneasy.

There was a reason he was so curious about Lover's Pond; a subconscious goal he hadn't even revealed to himself. Along his journey in the wild since he had awakened, something had been building in his chest; a curiosity that grew stronger as more memories of Princess Zelda had returned to him. While he was remembering his encounters with her, he was remembering his feelings as well.

Did he...feel something for Princess Zelda?

Of course, he knew they had become friends-–close friends even. That much was clear from what he remembered. But the more he thought back to those memories, the more he wondered how he felt about her. Of course, that was all that had been on his mind. He was only thinking about his own feelings, for that was all that mattered. There was no way the princess of Hyrule felt something more for him. At least, that's what he'd thought. It wasn't until he'd heard a particular song that his belief came into question:

A princess's love for her fallen knight...

It was a simple song he had heard not long ago, one that had been constantly replaying in his mind. What did love mean? Was it a fancy word used to describe the importance of the princess's actions in that moment? Was it supposed to represent simple care for him, just like the rest of her people? Was it love for a close friend? Or was it love in its purest form for...him?