Before the Wild

Shelter In The Storm

Link, Day 4

The ride out of Faron Woods was a quiet one. Zelda, distraught by the fact her power hadn't revealed itself, dreaded the return to Hyrule Castle. Though the pair planned only to stay for a day to prepare (and do a little research; after all, the Guardian experiment is tomorrow), the princess had a feeling she'll encounter her father, and it won't end well. She also wanted to avoid Impa after what she did with Link yesterday. The Sheikah was like a hawk when it came to what Zelda could and couldn't do with her knight, and it was really getting on Zelda's nerves. She felt like a fairy in a bottle, just wanting to be released and free.

She felt like the silent princess.

Link chewed on a roasted apple as he let Epona lead him and Zelda out the forest. Like Zelda, he had some things on his mind too. Zelda's failure (he couldn't think of a better word) meant they'll have to travel across the country more. The Spring of Power was next, located in the northeastern Akkala region of Hyrule. The Spring of Wisdom, located on Mount Lanayru, will be the last spring to visit. Speaking of Akkala, Link was eager to visit. His father, Sir Rusl Ordon, was stationed there for the time being at the local fort, as the next class of soldiers prepares to become full knights. If Link wasn't under Zelda's service, he would be graduating right now.

The other thing on his mind was Zelda's actions last night. Once again, she had kissed him on the cheek, but she had never...slept with him. Yes, they have slept in close proximity many times but not...like a couple would. Hopefully, since she woke up first (as usual), she didn't see if he was...sharp or blunt. But why did she do it? She was sad, yes, and probably needed comfort, yes, but it was her words that made it different. "I...know our friendship is borderline inappropriate, and you wished to not past that line, but...can you hold me?"

How much he wished he could pass that line, and theoretically he would, but Link didn't think he and Zelda could manage a secret relationship. That would be bad for her, once she resumes her royal duties. It would be bad for him, once other contenders for her hand arrives. It'll be bad for them both, once they are forced to be separated by duty and life. Even with his advantages with being a noble child, being the son of the king's own knight, and being the Hero of Hyrule, he was sure others were more likely to be a better ruler. He had the king's favor, so he had a chance.

But...maybe he's just being stupid and making a situation what it isn't...but is it possible that the Princess of Hyrule could have feelings for him? He turned around, looking at the saddened princess. She had knowledge of his past relationships, something not even his father had knowledge of. She probably knew him better than he knew himself, and she made such an effort to know him. Most people Link knew of only knew him either as Rusl's son, Zelda's knight, or the Master Sword's master. But Zelda knew him as all three, plus as a mother's son, an older brother, a villager from Hateno, and an amateur explorer. She had fought alongside and saved his life a few times. She knew how to raise his spirits when he was down, and to scold him back to earth when he got high and mighty.

Link had made friends with many girls, but none had ever care that much about him as Zelda has. Of course, nobody had ever given him much stress as she has or tried to make him...lick a frog. Just thinking about that put a bad, slimy taste in Link's mouth, and he threw the apple off the side of the Bridge of Hylia. Breakfast was officially ruined. As he tried to wipe his mind clean of what transpired a few days ago, Zelda giggled, though tried her best to contain it. "What's so funny?"

"You."

"Me? What I do?"

"The way you threw the apple, you must have had a disgusting thought. Was it the frog?" Link reacted by cringing, making Zelda laugh even more. Link rolled his eyes, turning back to the area in front of him. He focused on the sky, where dark clouds could be seen gathering above Hyrule Field. He took notice of them once they were out the forest, and had hoped they were moving north, but it seemed east was their direction. Once more, a lack of preparation would cost them time. He didn't want to ride in the rain, low visibility could be dangerous if they came across monsters. He was sure Zelda didn't mind the rain if it was light, but heavy rain is avoidable. Even if the Hylians didn't care, the horses would. If the clouds were producing a thunderstorm, the animals could be spooked.