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‘Oh my goddesses, Link, look at Kheel and Cree!’ The princess leaned inward as she whispered to her knight, positively giddy with delight. The champion’s gaze flicked briefly to Amali’s family, then back to his princess; he found himself grinning.
Cute, he signed to her. It was true - the Rito children had turned into little chubby puffballs for the winter season, and it was painfully cute. It was also true, however, of Zelda, all wrapped up in a fleecy white coat trimmed with gold. Her winter wear was something he rarely had the excuse to see, what with the mild climate in central Hyrule. K-h-e-e-l sensitive, be kind, he reminded her, eliciting a quick, understanding nod in the moments before she turned her attention back to the Rito chieftain.
‘I must say, you’ve outdone yourselves this year, Kaneli; I can’t remember the last time I saw such a spread!’
‘Hoo-hoo! The village has been thriving since the calamity was defeated,’ he returned, glancing up from the haunch of boar he’d been ripping into with his oversized beak. Cutlery was a thing for five-fingered folk, not the winged race.
‘I’m so pleased to hear it. How is Teba doing? Has he recovered?’
‘Ask me yourself!’ The cream-coloured warrior stepped up behind Link, clapping him heavily on the shoulder. He was a right sight rounder than usual. It was far more apparent on his usually athletic body than on Kaneli’s typically rotund frame. ‘How’s my old war buddy?’
‘Fantastic.’ Link’s voice was as soft as ever, though he still signed the words. ‘How’s the family? Tulin still behaving himself?’
‘I’m training!’ A similarly-coloured Rito child whumped into Link’s back and a pair of wings wrapped around his middle. A sharp little beak poked into his spine momentarily. ‘I’ll be ready to protect the whole village soon!’
‘Good man.’
Zelda smiled fondly as she watched Link patting the feathery tips of Tulin’s wings. He had so many friends across the world. What she wouldn’t give to be in his shoes in moments like this – effortlessly integrating into the culture without hesitation or fear of reproach, and so obviously loved by many.
Tulin caught her staring.
‘Is this the princess you talk about all the time, Link?’
‘Oh, all the time, is it?’ The little burst of laughter was melodic and caused a flush to rise in her knight’s cheeks. ‘Only good things, I hope.’
‘Mama says he’s completely twitterpated.’
‘Twitterpated?’
‘Crazy in love,’ provided Teba from the seat alongside Link. He might not have lips, but he sounded like he was smirking.
Help, Link signed, forcing another burst of giggles.
‘Oh Link, it’s okay if they know. We’re not home now. It’s okay out here.’ She leaned back in, smiled, and pressed a kiss to one still-flushed cheek. Once upon a time, she’d been the blushing mess, and Link had been the suave one.
‘Keep that for the midnight bells, princess!’
This was why she loved holidays.