Before the Wild

She Doesn't Need You At All

Link

The journey from the Exchange yesterday led to the moment they're at now, back on the Thims Bridge six months after originally crossing it on route to the Great Hyrule Forest. Link smiled to himself as they crossed, reminiscing about the earlier trip he had with Princess Zelda. They were younger, inexperienced in travel, and Zelda definitely hated having him around. Until the ordeal at the Woodland Stable, Link was actually excited and nervous about being with the Princess until they crossed this bridge when everything spiraled out of control. But even though she gave him her tough side, Zelda had soft spots. He learned that Zelda loved the scenery of Hyrule (hence the scenic route around Mount Crenel and the moment she stood agape at the sight of the Korok Forest), she loved history, technology, research, and she was an adept warrior in her own right. Whether it was purely a jest to motivate Link to get better or actually true, Sir Ordon once told Link that Zelda beat him in combat, something Link has yet to do.

Link had also put in the back of his mind that Zelda kicked his ass as well six months ago.

Now he rode upon the Thims Bridge with Zelda again, with a new perspective different from what he had months prior. He was Hyrule's Hero, the Hylian Champion, Master of the Master Sword, and Zelda's Appointed Knight. Zelda was...still the same Zelda. That same Zelda turned back to him, pointing to her left and right, "Which way do we go?"

"We're going to the right. That road leads directly to Death Mountain... Have you not been there recently, to recruit Daruk?"

Zelda nodded as she turned back around, directing Gaepora to the right as she came to the end of the road. "I did go this way, yes, but that was on route to Zora's Domain. Remember that I did have other knights to guide me, but I didn't ask them where to go. They were to do the leading until I arrived in each city."

"But you pull the alpha shit on me." Link bit his lip to refrain himself from speaking his thoughts, muttering "Very well" as he followed Zelda. He pushed Epona a bit to catch up to Her Highness, steading his steed once he was at her side. Zelda caught sight of it, rolling her eyes at the absurdity of Link's actions.

"I am not going to gallop off."

"That's nice to know."

"Then stop riding beside me like a chaperone, hounding me with your presence! It is very annoying. At least invoke enjoyable conversation if you're going to do so, or either get in front or behind me and stay there!"

Link had expected backlash, but not a verbal one. "Princess, I am just doing this for your safety, in case you do go rogue."

Zelda pulled the reins on Gaepora, coming to a halt, kicking up sand in the process. She glared at Link, and in his opinion, it was the sharpest glare he had ever seen. Link, the Hero of Hyrule, the bravest man in the land, was scared by the look Princess Zelda Nohansen Hyrule was giving her. He stilled his breath, anticipating the roar of the lioness, but instead, her voice came out clear and calm as the waters of Zelo Pond beside them. "Let me get one thing clear, Hero. I can take care of myself, more so than probably you could. Let's not forget who had you holding your stomach a few months back. I don't care what fancy sword you wield. I don't care if your split in four. I don't care if you had to come from another world to get me. I don't care if you had to jump seven years in the future to save me. I don't care if Hyrule sunk underwater, and you had to sail on a boat to get me. I don't care if I was having nightmares, and you fought every single one of them to wake me. You are my appointed knight, your concern for my safety is noted, but I don't need it. Protect yourself instead, for you are just as important as I am in the grand scheme of saving our Hyrule." Turning away from the starstruck Link, Zelda held her head high and snapped Gaepora's reins. The Hero sighed, designating himself to follow the Princess.