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There weren't enough hours in the day. Every minute of Zelda's life was taken up either by her duties as princess or in prayer to any goddess who would listen. She would sneak away on occasion—to analyze guardians or to rifle through books in the library.
But her father wouldn't have any of that.
That's why Zelda’s private study was her favorite place in the castle. In the dead of night, no one would come to find her. She could focus on the task she longed to do: research.
A report from Purah laid open on her desk - research on medicinal properties of flora across Hyrule. Her reading light cast an eerie glow, the only light source besides the dull moonlight. It was far past the time she should be asleep.
As Zelda's eyes skimmed over the text, she found herself reading the same line over and over again.
Maybe this was better suited for another time.
She carefully slid the report back into its folder and pulled out a different project - a diagram of a guardian. One of the mechanics that worked on these machines had given it to her, in order to analyze the mechanisms inside. A few in particular were having some issues aiming properly. Zelda was discreetly given the task of finding a possible solution.
The paper was too large to fit on her desk - it had to be laid out across the floor. It was littered with notes in every possible space, scraps of paper taped in the margins containing thorough details of each function.
Zelda sighed as she sat down on the floor, running her fingers over the thin lines of the diagram. Her previous observations appeared unintelligible now. It seemed, in her earlier excitement, proper penmanship had been thrown aside.
She couldn't focus, eyelids heavy with exhaustion. A promise was a promise, and she had assured the mechanic that she was up to this task.
Progress needed to be made. Only after that would Zelda embrace the enticing promise of sleep.
Link yawned, completely exhausted from the day. Moblins had come near the castle and they put up a more of a fight than expected. Thankfully, he wasn't injured. But his muscles ached, more than ready to collapse into bed.
He was scheduled to be Zelda's guard tonight. This used to be terrible news—being ordered to stand alert in the dark, lonely corridor. Not anymore. Zelda has since allowed Link to join her in bed, if he so wishes.
And right now, he would gratefully take that opportunity.
Link approached Zelda's door and knocked softly. Knowing Zelda, she would still be awake.
No answer. He tried knocking again before opening the door.
Zelda wasn't in her room. The bed was still freshly made.
Link knew exactly where to find her. He took a blanket from her bed, draping it over his shoulders before stepping outside onto the bridge to her study.
Link entered Zelda’s study and nearly tripped over a book. The floor was littered with books, haphazardly thrown about. Countless pens and scraps of paper were strewn across the floor. In the center of the mess was Zelda, leaning forward with her shoulders hunched, facing away from the room’s entrance.
“What are you working on, princess?” Link asked softly as he took another step forward, pushing a book to the side.
Zelda didn’t respond.
“Zelda?” Link asked again, a hint of concern in his voice.
The sound of her name startled her. Goddess, she had almost drifted off for a moment. She couldn’t afford such incidents.
Zelda turned to face Link with a sigh.
“I need to figure this out. And then I'll come to bed,” she replied before turning back to her work
“I promise.”
He knelt on the floor beside her, careful not to move any of her scattered notes.
“This looks awfully complicated.” Link noted.
“What are you trying to do, exactly? Can’t it wait for another time?”
Zelda crumpled up the paper she was holding, tossing it aside.
“No, it can’t,” she replied curtly.
“You don’t need to worry about me.”
They sat in silence for a moment, and Link studied Zelda. She looked just as exhausted as he was, eyes glazed over with fatigue. Surely, this wasn’t that urgent of a project.
He picked up one of the books that had been tossed aside. The open page displayed a detailed map of a guardian, one that could fly. It had far too many numbers and details to understand. He didn't know how Zelda could decipher that, especially at this hour.
It didn’t seem to be going very well, as she tossed another crumpled paper aside with a frustrated sigh.
Link cast the book aside and moved to sit behind Zelda, leaning forward to rest his head on her shoulder. He adjusted the blanket on his shoulders so that it fell over her as well.
“What did I just tell you?” Zelda snapped.
“I’m fine. Please, just let me focus.”
Zelda should have sent Link away. He was only a distraction. His arms were now wrapped around her waist, and the warmth of his body only made it harder to stay awake.
Link's voice disrupted the silence.
“You never did answer my question.”
“What question?”
“I asked what this is you’re working on.”
“Oh. Well, this represents a guardian,” she began
This part, the core, is what controls it,” Zelda said, pointing to a part of the diagram as Link looked over her shoulder.
“And this is the mechanism for the legs, which can be quite complicated as it’s made up of many different moving parts…”
Link didn’t interrupt Zelda’s ramblings as she provided a detailed description of each and every part of the machine.
After a while, she slowed down. In-depth analysis turned into simple explanations. A pause while she yawned.
Then, silence.
Zelda finally closed her eyes, leaning back against Link for support.
“That's enough for tonight,” she managed to whisper.
Link gently pushed her forward, moving to stand up.
Zelda whined softly in protest as the cold air surrounded her skin once more.
The chill was short-lived. Link scooped Zelda up into his arms, preparing to carry her back to her bedroom. This mess of paper and ink could be dealt with tomorrow.
She nestled her head against his chest, appreciating the pleasant warmth.
Within a moment of lying down, Zelda had already taken the opportunity to curl up against Link, her head resting against his chest. Link’s arms loosely wrapped around her waist, holding her close.
The pair quickly drifted off, unable to resist the plush mattress and cozy blankets.
Link was right. Zelda’s research efforts could be resumed tomorrow. Right now, it was time for some much needed rest.