A Couple of Trials (ZeLink)

Chapter 85: The Lover's Pond

**Important note for those anticipating the long awaited smut chapter at the end of this one. No smut in this current chapter tho.**

The sky had darkened above the beaches of Lurelin, the tops of the clouds shadowed, the underbellies illuminated by the moon's luminous glow as it rose, causing the ocean and sand to sparkle. The only other light sources in the village were the torches, lighting up the pathways for the inhabitants.

Even at such a late hour and after all the festivities had passed, many guests and villagers were still enjoying themselves. While some headed back to their huts for the night, others had drinks in their hands, many were talking on benches, and some were even surrounding cooking pots as they tried to mimic the cooking tips Link had taught them earlier. As the villagers continued on with the slower pace of the evening, Zelda was preparing for the quieter hours herself.

She was no longer wearing her royal gown, which had been folded and laid on top of her rented bed. Her new outfit had been gifted to her by the locals of Lurelin–a breezy ensemble of colored wraps around her upper torso and a long, flowy skirt with a high, uneven slit running up the side and revealing a glimpse of her leg as she moved. It was a comfortable outfit, one that reminded her of the simple style she wore back in Hateno during the winter, only even more loose and relaxed.

With a warm smile, she placed her hands on her hips, inspecting her body in admiration of the clothing before turning and looking back down at the dress on the bed. Her smile widened a bit further as she sat on the bed, taking the dress into her arms again. Her eyes soon found the triangular gold-and-blue crest that was prominently centered under her breast when wearing the gown.

"Thank you, Impa," she said quietly to herself, bringing the dress to her chest to hug it. "You really gave me the courage I needed."

After a pause, she lowered the outfit to her lap and twisted to look back at the bed, where another shiny item rested on her pillow, its blue-and-silver accents sparkling wherever moonlight touched its surface. Zelda's smile vanished as she stared intently at the shield, another thought forming in her mind. The night wasn't over; at least, not for her. There were still a few things she wanted to do, but if she were being honest with herself, she hadn't exactly planned how to go about accomplishing them.

Still thinking, she looked down at the dress once more, the gold-and-blue triangles reflecting in her emerald eyes, before she took a deep breath. One thing at a time. The dress was a reminder of what she felt she had to do next, but that required a conversation with him first.

Zelda stood with a decisive nod, and after one last glance back at the shield, she departed from the inn and back into the village. The moment her bare feet touched the sand, she looked around, observing some of the townsfolk casually conversing as they walked by her while others sat on benches near the tall torches. Smiling at the sight, she walked down the village pathways, waving back at those who saw and greeted her, before eventually running into her pilgrim friend, who was sitting on one of the benches surrounding a cooking pot, along with a few other familiar faces.

"Princess!" Celessa greeted, her cheeks red and a drink in her hand. "You finished changing! Aw, you look so pretty!"

"I'm glad you think so. I'm grateful to the village for gifting them to me," Zelda said. "They fit just right."

"You look wonderful, Princess," Hoz the knight said, who was sitting next to Celessa. "A symbol of beauty both with your ceremonial gown and without."

"Thank you, Hoz," Zelda giggled with a light bow, still clutching her folded gown. "Forgive me, but do you know where Link went?"