Chapter Text
When Link was first assigned to the princess, he didn’t expect to care nearly as much as he did. Though his days were tainted by the pressures of his destiny as the one who wields the sword that seals the darkness, he found himself beginning to enjoy them; regardless of how cold Princess Zelda was towards him at times.
Link always thought to himself that any other knight on the royal guard would despise her. He always thought about how relieved he was that it was him and not someone else, which was the first time he ever felt any type of relief over his predicament. If it were anyone else, rumors would practically be flying throughout Hyrule about the princess being a terrible, mean person. Link knew that wasn’t the case, and he trusted that he was the only one that would know.
She was overwhelmed with pressure; massively. More than anyone he had ever known. More than him. So of course she’d snap at him from time to time. Her father robbed her of any moment she could have alone by assigning Link to protect her. Link obviously understands that, and he tries to give her as much space as possible, but it really is dangerous. He can’t let anything happen to Zelda. Not even just because it’s his duty, but because he just can’t let that happen. He can’t let anything happen to her.
Link had to admit to himself eventually that he had fallen in love with the princess.
When he finally did, it was bittersweet.
The love he felt for her made his days infinitely brighter, especially recently. Things were beginning to turn around in regards to her feelings about having him around all the time, and Zelda was actually having conversations with him, and he was starting to learn how passionate and talkative she was. He could happily listen to her go on and on about flowers, frogs, and mushrooms all day. It was like seeing a side of her he had never even heard of, and he loved her even more for it.
Though that same love weighed him down at times.
Sitting by the fire at night on the way back to the castle from one of the springs, watching Zelda sleep in the warm glow. Realizing he’d never get to truly experience that with her simply because she’s the princess and he’s her knight. The king would never allow anything between them, Link was sure. Sometimes, Link would get lost in the moment watching Zelda flip through her journals and show him sketches, and he’d be reminded suddenly of who they were; a princess and her knight. It hurt.
Every day that pain became more agonizing.
He recalled one chilly night, sitting by the fire with her in silence that was broken by Zelda saying, “I wish we were just regular Hylians.”
Link remembered just staring up at her and breathing out a sigh. A part of him wondered if she felt the same way.
Not that it would matter regardless.
They could never have what he longed for.
It just wasn’t possible.