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Usually, Prince Link and his Knight have an uncomfortable aura of silence surrounding them. Link ignoring his knight, focused on a book or cooking, and Zelda fidgeting a metre behind him. When they converse it is usually Zelda, momentarily forgetting who she is supposed to be, and who she is with. During these moments, Link stares at her with a wide-eyed expression of fear, surprise, and mild annoyment.
As the Calamity draws closer, panic becomes more visible in the Prince’s movements, only increasing the amount Zelda talks to him. Though this originally just irritated the Prince further, as she blabbers on Link finds himself warming up to the offending Knight. His near silence prevails, as it always does, but he becomes passive, and Zelda doesn’t seem to mind that he never responds to her questions. Today, it seems he’s had a change of heart. Today, as they walk side-by-side through the gardens, he watches her intently.
“You’re strange.” Link eventually says, “Your name.”
Zelda furrows her brow, “How so?”
“If I were born a girl, or if Mother didn’t die when she did, you would have to be called something different. You have a Royal name.”
“What if a girl is born in your family? Would I have to change it?”
“No, you would be older than her, you would be respected by her. But of all the chances, it's rare for someone with your name who isn’t a Royal to even exist, let alone be of your status.”
“I’m a common Knight.”
“You’re the captain of the Royal Guard, and the Prince’s appointed Knight. That’s no small feat.”
“There is no need to flatter me, your Highness. I remain under the impression you hate me.”
“It is not impossible to compliment those you hate.”
“So you do hate me?”
“Your curious nature is demanding and intrusive. However, I will admit it is nicer to have you here than to not.”
With that, The Prince goes back to his silence, and Zelda is of no position to order him otherwise. So she just smiles, folding her hands in front of her as they continue walking.
In the air, the ripples of friendship.