Hero by Heart

Chapter 23

To say Zelda was surprised when Link suddenly seemed to break down on the floor was an understatement. She was deeply shocked to see him so lost and emotional.
     After their talk he seemed to feel better, and honestly, she did too. Somewhere deep down she had always had her questions about his relationship with Mipha, but he assured her it was never more than friendship.
     Strangely enough, it felt like a relief. Even though the Zora Princess was gone, she would feel awful about coming between them. Knowing that she was never a second choice helped too. Deep down she was a little scared of that, but it seemed ridiculous now.
     Link had cared deeply for Mipha, that was clear, even with his disordered memories. But after talking about her and helping him remember certain things, he seemed to be determined that it was never romantic.
      Sure, Mipha had loved him, enough even to make him engagement armour, typical Zora fashion, but she had known Link didn't reciprocate those feelings.
     Zelda felt bad for the girl. She had her hopes shattered probably more than once, but still couldn't give up on her childhood friend. She had indirectly given her life for him.

Long after their conversation had died down Zelda and Link sat on the hard floor in the massive halls of Vah Rudania. It was dead quiet, but neither of them broke the silence. They didn't have to.
     Zelda was there to support him in trying to understand his memories and he was there to protect her and give her courage to keep going.
     Without him she wasn't sure if she would have the strength to get up every day. Losing her father, the champions and almost the entire kingdom weighed heavy on her. And it only seemed to be getting heavier every day.
     Eventually Link cleared his throat and started moving, getting ready to stand up.
     'We should continue. Our time here is precious, we shouldn't waste it.'
     Zelda nodded and took his hand, which he extended to help her get to her feet. She didn't feel like they had wasted time, though. They both needed some time to think of the past.
     After all they were inside the very Divine Beast where Daruk had given his life to protect Hyrule. It was worth remembering that. He deserved to be remembered.
     Zelda noticed Link looking still a bit grim, as he turned to go look at some designs on the wall. Just before he was out of reach she grabbed his arm and pulled him back.
     With a startled expression he landed in her arms, where he instantly relaxed. He laid his head on her shoulder and smiled into her neck, as she tightly hugged him.
     'We're going to be alright. You'll always have me,' she whispered.
     He didn't answer, but tightly wrapped his arms around her. She smiled into his hair and took some time to enjoy feeling his body against hers. He was here, he was alive, that was what counted.
     Eventually they broke apart and Link kissed her forehead, before smiling and turning back to where he was heading earlier. He looked much happier now, so Zelda let him go, looking after him.
They spent the rest of the evening in silence, until finally they were both exhausted and retreated to their little camp.
Zelda took some time to go over her notes and compare them with her older ones from Vah Ruta. It still didn't make a lot of sense to her, but she was optimistic that it would eventually.
     As she sat there studying her own little scribbles in the faint light of the glowing lava outside and their little campfire inside, she completely lost track of time.
When she finally looked up she found that Link had fallen asleep already. He lay there curled up in his sleeping bag, looking like an angel. His golden blond hair was shining in the firelight, splayed out in all directions, making it look like a halo of gold around him.
So deep in sleep he seemed completely relaxed, forgetting all worries of the day. He looked so peaceful, much younger than he normally did.
Zelda looked at him for a while, her notebooks completely forgotten in her lap. Instead she studied his fine features and the muscles tensing from his dreams.
She didn't get to see him like this a lot, so vulnerable. He actually looked like the young man he still really was, not someone who should have had to bear the burden he did.
Zelda could almost see the innocent soul behind the silent exterior he always showed. She wanted to be there for him, be the one he could always turn to, someone he would always trust with anything. She was never going to leave his side. Because after all, he was actually still a young person who needed to feel loved just as much as anyone.
He needed family and friends, people who cared about him. He needed to have a place where he could feel safe, instead of always having to be the one to protect others. He was basically just a kid still, just like she was. The world had already put way to much weight on their shoulders.
     Finally Zelda put down her notes and lay down. She closed her eyes and listened to the soft and steady breathing of Link, which slowly soothed her to sleep.