A Couple of Trials (ZeLink)

Chapter 93: The Epilogue

A few weeks had passed since the couple returned to Hateno Village, and things had gone relatively back to normal. Just as she had during winter, Zelda awakened before sunrise, tiredly prepared her hair before eating breakfast, then walked to the inn to start her shift. The only difference between then and now was that Link wasn't there in the bed next to her nor was he there to see her off to work.

He had already begun the work given to him by Purah for their reconstruction plans, venturing out of town to collect wood and other materials to take to Central Hyrule. He also worked with the Hudson Construction Company to organize where the heavier, more intricate building materials were going—whether it was for the Central Hyrule plan, or rebuilding the deteriorated ruins scattered about the land. Even without the Sheikah Slate, Link retained his in-depth knowledge of Hyrule's terrain, allowing him to assist the company with where the stone was supposed to go and the best way to get there.

While he was out of the village, Zelda spent her days working at the inn in the mornings before heading up to the tech lab to help with the Central Hyrule construction designs, in addition to brainstorming strategies for reestablishing and reconnecting Hyrule. Today was different though, for Purah and Robbie had decided to travel to see the site progress in Central Hyrule, and while Zelda wished to go with them, she decided it was best to stay behind, reasoning that she needed to stock up as many rupees as possible. She could only work at the inn for so long before her newfound royal duties with reconstruction took over entirely, and a startup fund would be useful in the future. While this was a legitimate reason, her deeper reason for staying behind was that she actually just wanted to enjoy the simple life she had led for some time during the previous winter, before her duties would eventually overshadow it.

It didn't hurt to want to relax a little before things eventually ramped up, right? And with the two Sheikah gone, she could take the remainder of her day to herself to simply enjoy existing in Hateno Village.

Smiling to herself as she swept the inn's dining hall, she wondered what she would do once her shift came to an end. Shopping at Pruce's General Store for home goods? Maybe some stitch work on the new Champion's Tunic for Link now that the previous one she'd been repairing had disappeared in the Slate? Though it was disappointing to know it was gone, it really had been too raggedy for continued use, so it had been time to make him a new one anyway. Or, maybe she would simply relax at home and enjoy a nice book. Regardless, all of these thoughts made her smile, which Traysi saw from the table where she was seated.

"You look unusually happy," she said, placing her elbow on the table and her cheek into her palm. "Especially when you consider that Link isn't here."

"My happiness isn't purely related to whether Link is around or not," Zelda said simply. "I can enjoy quality time by myself, thank you very much."

"I'm not so sure about that," Traysi continued. "Your mood drastically changed when Link returned back when we were in Lurelin."

"That's because I hadn't seen him in over a month," Zelda clarified, "and he was undergoing an extremely dangerous trial, and after joining him in one of said trials, I'd like to believe my concerns were valid."

"Whatever you say," Traysi shrugged. "So why are you so happy?"

"Because I get to enjoy myself today," Zelda said, her smile growing a little wider. "I'm considering my options for later relaxation."

"The princess wanting to relax?" came a voice from the dining hall's entrance. Zelda and Traysi turned to see Celessa entering the hall, still wearing her inn uniform. "I never thought I'd see the day."

"Celessa! Perfect timing—bring me another drink," Traysi said, waving the new barmaid over. "I need another one."

"You're having a good time bossing me around, aren't you?" Celessa asked with a frown, only for Prima to yell from the counter.