Chapter Text
In the midst of night, Hyrule was asleep. The hot-footed frogs outside croaked ever loudly. As if that had any effect on someone with such an infamous reputation. Known to be a hero, he’d sleep in every morning he could manage. He found himself comfortable, deep asleep in his soft cushioned bed. His hair had been a knotted mess wrapped up in itself. It made a certain someone beside him chuckle quietly under her hand. He deserved good rest, truly. But he’d been the bed hog ever since after the upheaval…
The Princess of Hyrule was almost jealous and lulled. Observing him from the comfort of her desk, she barely has any space leftover to rest her arm over with all the paper, ink, candles and books overcrowding the top of it. She felt her eyes starting to become dry and heavy as they wandered from the window to the bed. Link fell asleep so quickly… She thought, tempted by the ever silent invitation for warmth and rest. Though, it was a quiet, serene scene fitting for reflection. It seemed productive enough, be it though it was a rather late, l ate hour of the night.
She decided to write down the last of her thoughts with her trusted fountain pen, inscribed with a golden crest.
“Just yesterday, Link and I were able to establish more than I could ever wish for. Hateno has been flourishing, and though it’s been difficult, I’m happier than ever to see it prosper. It’s starting to feel like home. There’s always work to be done. Link has been a great help, and I’ve been reliant on him, though I’m grateful for him at my side. I look forward to his meals he makes for the both of us when the stars draw above. Quiet as he may be, he is knowledgeable. Especially where there’s ingredients to be found!”
The ink had been running dry. Yet, a dabble from time to time was just enough to write most thoughts she had on the page. The wax belonging to the candle was getting shorter every night, soon enough to melt down to the plate. She couldn’t help but smile a little, fond of herself for it had served as a reminder of her daily journaling habit.
“I find it rather lovely. He’s agreed to help me wherever he can in my research but it’s been slow, I admit. I’m thankful for his virtuous patience and the hard work everyone has shown. It’s more valuable than they know.”
She sighed, finally closing the diary, not before noting the page for where she’d left off.
As the night became more quiet, the Princess readied herself for bed. Downstairs, the kitchen table had been cleared of any leftovers and prior to brushing her hair she felt the need take a look outside at the garden she’d been tending to. It was a nagging thought since she hadn’t checked on it the day prior she’d been so busy. Putting on a small coat close by, she brought a lantern along with her. However, when opening the door, she felt the chill swept through with a vigor, making her breath visible…
“Let’s make this quick.”
The flower bed beside the house was settling in nicely. The wildflowers, all a vibrant shade of a variety of colors, seemed to be doing just fine. That, alongside the Silent Princess’s that’d been growing well, too. She couldn’t help but smile, seeing her work progress without any worries. She felt adequate, and it served as enough motivation to keep improving at unfamiliar, new hobbies she took interest in.
Upon returning inside, she felt the warmth of the indoors to be just perfect. The bed upstairs seemed to be even more inviting than it had been before.
She almost hadn’t noticed just how free and fair her hair had become, growing longer over the course of months. She’d worn a long, silk made nightgown with light patterns representing mushrooms. It had been both a contribution, as well as a comfortable gift from a girl named Sophie, who managed the Ventist Clothing Boutique just down a ways across the bridge. Zelda found herself in a multitude of thoughts. It turns out that returning home, she would be greeted by gifts and a means for celebration by the people. Evidently, this overwhelmed the Princess. However, with such a reputation, she knew it couldn’t have been avoided.
Her home. A commitment to studies and while there were ventures to be found, returning home every night became a highlight of her day.
In positioning herself in bed, she found herself little space besides the hero. She grumbled, playfully yanking the covers gently over herself, whatever little she could manage. But that’s when the princess made a startling discovery…
“Goodness, Link you’ve got to be hot! ” The princess threw off the covers, discovering Link sweating bullets. Rolling on his back, he exhausted a breath, still in a deep sleep.
The princess placed her hands in her lap. Lifting her arm, she shook Link gently. “Link?” Stating his name. “Oh, Link, this seems like torture for you…”
“Mhmm…” Link groaned, opening an eye soon after. “... Princess?”
Zelda toyed with her hair before getting up. She clasped her hands together, breathing in through the nose. Link noticed first her determined thick, narrow brows. “I’ll have to plead that you get up. I’m going to fix the bed for us…”
Link’s vision was blurred, though he nodded sluggishly anyway. He lifted himself upward, stretching up as tall as he could, still unable to manage the height of the princess.
How Cute. The princess thought, curling her lips.
Link found his back against the cold wall, a refreshing cold that made his head tilt back smiling solemnly, eyes closed.
“Now then, this shouldn’t take long.”
With the sheets in her arms, waltzing over and placing them over her desk. Plopping them down, she continued to fix the bed best she could. In opening the windows a little more, it allowed for more airflow.
“I’ve a blanket downstairs we can use. It’s not as thick nor heavy so it should suit us just fine.” Zelda smiled, her face a rosy kind of red. Link hadn’t noticed it due to how tired he’d been, but it’d been in her eyes, the way she looked at him throughout the time spent in Hateno. The meals she looked forward to, or the thorough help he offered her with research. If he only knew how he made her heart flutter so…
“Right. Here we are.” Zelda made her way back up with thinner sheets lined with floret designs. It had stitches alongside some of the corners.
Before he knew it, Link would be called over by Zelda, finding her patting his bedside.
“Take the window, Link. And while it’s smaller, I also prepared you another pillow.” The princess was pleased with herself, standing with her hands behind her back. “We'll have a busy day tomorrow if we do what we mean to do. So come, then. Let’s get some sleep.”
With the light’s finally off, the two had made their way to bed. It was a small, wooden bed that creaked ever so often. It’d been nothing like her queen sized one back at the castle, long gone now. While this was making due, it hadn’t felt that way. For even if the bed wasn’t the absolute most comfortable one around, the princess had become certainly fond of her new home and the hero beside her. She couldn’t help that her face suddenly became warm against his back. Not with the uncontrollable smile upon her face. It just wouldn’t seem to go away, no matter how hard she’d try. It was a dream to be back home. Pondering the reality of it all, after everything. It proved to be a long, sensible and strange process. She’d have no recollection of the upheaval and the events that transpired, or at least towards the end of it.
From Link’s words, what had transpired was a great battle in the sky. It was magnificent and horrifying. One for the ages, she was told. Yet, she couldn’t capture any memory of it, this great battle that would lead to the peace they lived in now.
The smile would take on more of a somber tone. Zelda; the Princess of Hyrule had arrived safely back again. Away from harm once more thanks to the knight beside her. Settled next to him, she managed her arm under his pillow. Scooching ever closer, she reached for his bare stomach for warmth, burrowing her face into his hair from behind. Link breathed in loudly, half asleep. He reached for her hand, resting it over.
He’s an absolute heater , Zelda thought.
She’d found herself caught with her train of thoughts, all through the evening having not even realized she had. Now she found herself close to the person she’d trusted most within a small place she could call home, once more.