The rest of the day Zelda spent with Purah at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab. She was elated to see both Zelda and Link, and Zelda was excited to see the technology at the lab. Link left the two to go scavenge for supplies, promising to be back for Zelda by sundown.
Link went to Nadyra's Snowfield, a forest just below Mount Lanayru. As he was gathering food and supplies, he heard a familiar puff of smoke, followed quickly by another. He turned around quickly, un sheathing his sword and readying his stance. Before him appeared two Yiga foot soldiers out of the puffs of smoke. They charged at him, but Link was quick and dodged the attack, swiping one of the soldiers in the process. He then dodged another attack, and rushed the soldier responsible in a flurry of attacks. The soldier fell in defeat, and disappeared in another puff of smoke, leaving only one more Yiga. The soldier swiped and Link, missed, and Link quickly jabbed at him, sending him away too in a puff of smoke. Link sheathed his sword once again. He was startled; not by the fight, but by the existence still of the Yiga. Had they not given up? Who was their leader? Links thoughts were interrupted by one word: Zelda. He sprinted towards the lab, mind spinning with possibilities. She will be okay. He tried to assure himself. Purah can protect her. As he saw the lab come into view, he picked up his pace, running to the doors and flinging them open. Purah, Symin, and Zelda all turned around. They were standing around the center table, examining studies strewn about. "Everything alright?" Zelda said, a worried expression on her face. Link looked around the room, panting. Zelda stepped forward, her eyes wide with concern. Link composed himself, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah," he replied, shutting the doors behind him. "Just got followed by some bees." He lied. He thought it better not to tell Zelda the truth. He saw how she seemed to get nightmares in her sleep already, he didn't need to worry her more. He smiled at her, reassuringly, and she returned it. "You need to be more careful, Link." She scolded him playfully.
"Yeah... well we better get back to the house," Link started. "It's getting dark."
Back at the house, Link and Zelda readied themselves for bed. Zelda rambled on about the fun she had at the lab, but Link's thoughts were focused on the Yiga. He just prayed they wouldn't come after Zelda. He wasn't sure why he felt the need to be so protective over her still. Maybe because he felt he owed it to the King, or maybe it was something else...
"Isn't that strange Link?" Zelda questioned.
"Uh yeah. Very." Link replied, hoping it was the right answer.
"So we will need to go to Zora's domain tomorrow to check it out."
"Great!" Link said, excited at the prospect of seeing Sidon, one of his best friends. "Why again?" He asked, knowing he had never heard Zelda the first time. "To inspect Ruta," Zelda responded bluntly. "I just told you, it has been having problems."
Link nodded, and sat down on the stool beside the bed, putting out the light. Zelda insisted he take his own bed, but he denied, and Zelda begrudgingly lies down, hoping her nightmares would not persist tonight. She had a big day tomorrow.
Time passed, but sleep evaded the two. Link worried about the Yiga, while nightmarish scenes when Zelda closed her eyes kept them awake. After a while, Zelda looked over at Link, and noticed that he was still awake, though drifting off.
"Link?" She whispered.
"Can't sleep?" Came the reply.
"No."
"Me neither."
Zelda sat up for a moment, and fought for words to say.
"Um..." she stumbled. "Link?"
Link looked over at the princess.
"Would you, um, lay with me?" Zelda blushed ferociously at the last words, but luckily it was unseen in the darkness. "Just to maybe... help us sleep." She added.
Link nodded. "If you're sure." He stood up, and Zelda slid over in the bed to make room for her knight. He slipped under the covers, and Zelda leaned up against him, her head resting on his shoulder. Link slowly hugged Zelda, eyeing her with wide eyes to make sure it was alright. He closed his eyes, and slowly let himself drift off to sleep. He was comforted by the fact that Zelda was safe, here, with him. Nothing could hurt here here. Zelda smiled. The frightening images faded away, and she was free to sleep, surrounded by the warmth of Link's arms. She nuzzled her head into his chest, and his arms wrapped more around her as she did. She blushed, butterflies fluttering around her stomach, easing her to sleep.
