A Couple of Trials (ZeLink)

Chapter 84: The Shoreline Festival

A gentle breeze blew through the fields of Hyrule Ridge, causing Link's sandy bangs to flutter before his eyes. Pushing them out of his view with his fingers, he looked up at the evening sky above him, trusting that his dark-coated stallion would follow the path.

"It's getting dark," he said, lowering his gaze from the golden clouds. He looked over to his horse's side, where a much lighter-colored horse was clopping beside them, carrying its own rider. "We'll have to set up camp soon."

"Hm, it is getting a bit late, isn't it?" Princess Zelda mused, looking up at the sky herself. "I hadn't even realized..."

This wasn't surprising for the knight to hear. The princess had been out of it ever since they left the castle a few days prior. Even for Link, it was a tough memory to recall—the day her father had arrived on the bridge to her study. While the king's tone was fairly calm, the gravity of his words were crushing to just listen to. He couldn't imagine taking in such a scolding if those same words had been meant for him the way they had been for the princess.

He gazed at Princess Zelda a moment longer, watching as her long golden hair gently swayed in the light breeze, then spoke again.

"It's a wonder you lost track of time," he said. "You're usually pretty stiff while riding, even after our lessons on horse care. It keeps you attentive; maybe a little too much."

At this, the princess giggled.

"It did, and admittedly, it still is a little nerve-racking; however, your lessons in horse care truly helped," she replied before reaching forward to stroke her stallion's white coat. "'Be sure to take the time to soothe your mount... That's the only way it will know how you truly feel.'"

"You remembered what I said?" Link asked, somewhat surprised.

"Did you think I wouldn't?" Princess Zelda asked curiously. "You offered those lessons in order for me to learn. I wouldn't let them go in one ear and out the other; that would have made it all a waste of time."

"Yes, but...to remember my words verbatim," Link said.

"Do you find that strange?" the princess asked. Her tone took on a slight edge, a change only her knight would notice. Link shook his head.

"Not at all. I'm glad I was able to explain things so well," he answered, a small smile appearing on his usually expressionless features.

"You did, and your advice was quite helpful," Princess Zelda said, the slight change in her tone reverting back. She looked back down at her steed. "I thank you. This little one and I are getting along quite well now."

"'Little one,'" Link mimicked with a chuckle as Princess Zelda continued.

"At first, I wasn't sure if I should outfit him with all of the royal gear," she said, gesturing toward the purple-and-gold jewelry and leather around the horse's neck. "I thought maybe he should have to earn it first, but I decided against it."

"Why the change?" Link asked curiously.

"Well... He's been by my side for some time, dealing with my lack of knowledge and mediocre care for him," she said, gently rubbing the stallion's neck. "Why make him work even harder for something when I was the one who...simply didn't understand."

Her smile faltered, her eyes glazing over for a moment. Link resumed his stoic expression, knowing full well her thoughts had returned to the scene on her study's bridge a few days ago. Blinking, the light in her eyes returned, along with her smile, though it was much less cheerful than before.