The children of Castle Town left hundreds of silent princess flowers at the front gates to the castle. Zelda's favorite flower.

The King of Hyrule returned to the throne. After escorting Philip personally out of his kingdom, he was finally able to understand how horrible he had treated his daughter. The King was taken away by Sheikah warriors and Hylian knights as soon as Philip took over the kingdom. He was to be protected in case Zelda never returned.

Meanwhile, Zelda moved the flowers the children had left her to her bedroom, laying them in the middle of her room, right where she got dressed each morning. She stood in a ring of the flowers, staring at herself in the mirror.

She smiled.

Her eyes gravitated toward her glass doors that lead to her balcony. Her smile began to fade as she thought about the times she stood on her balcony, waiting for him to come up to see her, or watching him train during the knight courses down by the barracks.

She hadn't seen him in four months, since everything changed.

"I'm sorry, Zelda..." her father had begun sadly, already knowing the pain and heartbreak he was going to cause. Earlier that morning, Philip had been sent away back to the Kingdom of Aeryll, where he would never return to Hyrule. After he departed, Zelda spent the next few hours around Link.

"Sorry for what?" Zelda had said with a gleaming smile. "Running away? Oh, father. Don't be silly. I'm more than happy you were able to find a place to be safe."

The king shook his head, ready to continue. "No, dear, that's not exactly—"

"Or, marrying me to a crazy prince?" Zelda laughed. "Mother would have loved to hear that story, I'm sure."

At the mention of his late wife, the king couldn't help but smile. Maybe this is not the right decision, the king had thought to himself.

"I'm glad things are starting to get back to normal, that I'm back to just being "Princess Zelda," now..." Zelda sighed.

"About that, my dear—" the king had begun again, when Zelda gasped.

"Oh! Father, I've been meaning to ask, is it alright if Link escorts me to Kakariko?" She clasped her hands together excitedly. "I've been meaning to visit Lady Impa again, since all of this is over, as well as—"

"Zelda, I forbid you from seeing that knight again." The king had watched as Zelda's smile immediately fell. Her eyes became glossy and her shoulders fell.

"What?"

The king shook his head. "Listen, my sweet Zelda... I know things with Philip ended in the worst way possible..." He stared down at his lap. "But I want to start looking for a suitor for you again. One that won't try to harm you or the kingdom this time."

Zelda only stared at her father.

"I still want to, you know... Step down and ensure your future is safe, Zelda. You understand that, don't you?"

Zelda's hands fell limp. "Yes..." There was no arguing last time, so surely, there is no difference about this time. "I... I understand."

The king looked up to face his daughter. He seemed confused; almost wearing a surprised expression on his face.

Zelda began to walk away from her father, in the direction of her bedroom.

"Zelda?" her father called. "About that trip to Kakariko—"

Zelda laughed softly. "It's alright, father. Maybe some other time, perhaps?" She had continued to walk away, without looking back.

And now, she stood in the middle of a ring of flowers, yearning to travel back in time to change her father's mind.

Zelda slowly fell to her knees, sitting herself down in the flowers. She laid on her back, inhaling the sweet aroma of nature's beautiful gift. Ever since she returned safely to her castle, the children of the town left gifts toward the gate of the castle. Even now, months after returning. She tried to smile, plucking one of the flowers beside her.

It flopped to one side, it's stem a brownish color, it's petals turning yellow.

"It's wilted," Zelda whispered aloud, sadly. "Out of all the flowers, I picked up this one..." She laid her hands upon her chest, with the flower underneath her palms. It's scent was not as strong as the other lively flowers around her, but she still felt a strange connection to it. She closed her eyes, imagining a beautiful field of flowers on a hill, swaying in a calm morning breeze. She pictured her wilted flower, hunched over beside all of the other perfect flowers, struggling to find its place. To be like the others.

Zelda opened her eyes, lifting herself from her floor. She placed the wilted flower beside her bed as she laid down on her mattress. Her soft blankets and pillows enthralled her, begged her to fall asleep with them. Her eyes struggled to stay open, despite the sun still shining only a little after noontime. Zelda groaned, forcing herself off of her bed. She walked over to her balcony, throwing the curtains shut. Her room became much darker, and she slowly glided back to her bed, falling atop the mattress sloppily. She sprawled out, closing her eyes.

~~~

Zelda sat down beside Link in the royal dining hall. Her plate held the contents of fresh vegetables, flavorful steak and a salad. She drank cold water from a cup. She turned to Link, smiling. "What're you having for dinner today?"

Link grinned. "Lots of meat. After I lead the knights to the hinox's hideout, we were able to slay it and retrieve parts of its body in order to trade with the Sheikah tribe." His eyes tilted down toward his plate. "So, needless to say, I'm really hungry."

"Gotta get that protein in," Purah, a scientist visiting from her home in Hateno Village, chimed in. She looked down at her plate of delectable fruit, with a slice of pumpkin pie on the side. Her small body made it hard for her to reach the table, so she sat upon the lap of her partner, Symin. Ever since an experiment went wrong, Purah has been the size of a toddler.

Everyone at their dinner happily, surrounded by friends and assistants. Zelda smiled as she ate her food, happier than she had ever felt in a long time.

After finishing, she walked out into the castle garden with Link. The moon was rising into the dark night sky. Her right hand slipped into his, their fingers intertwining with one another. She started at the moon. "I wonder what must be on the surface," she said softly. "Of the moon, I mean. I think I wish to travel there some day."

"Maybe you will," Link laughed gently, looking down at the young princess. "I'm sure one day, you'll fly up to the moon and visit the moon-men."

"Moon-men?" Zelda asked with a chuckle, her eyes drifting toward Link.

Link kissed her cheek. "The moon-men. Do you think they're nice people?"

Zelda looked back in the sky. She pointed to the moon. "Look! I think I see a face."

Link squinted his eyes. "You think? I can't see anything."

Zelda shrugged her shoulders. "Looked like a man to me." She lead Link over to a bench she loved to sit on, right beside a small pond filled with all kinds of Hylian fish. They sat down together. "I'm so glad I can be with you, Link."

Link smiled. "Me too."

Zelda leaned her head on Link's shoulder. "I'm very happy." She squeezed Link's hand. "I love you."

Link leaned his head atop Zelda's. "I love you more, my princess."

Zelda gasped, clasping her dress over her chest. She sat up in her bed, frantically looking around. That wasn't a nightmare, so why do I feel so... upset? she thought to herself. She wiped her forehead, sighing as she calmed her nerves. She swung her legs over the side of her bed, standing up carefully. She rubbed her eyes, clearing her vision completely.

A knock emitted from her door. "Your highness?"

Zelda looked out her balcony window. It seemed as if the sun was setting.

"Your highness?" the voice persisted.

"Yes?" Zelda said, her voice hoarse and tired.

"May I enter?"

Zelda sighed quietly. She closed her eyes, running her hands through her slightly-tangled hair. She nodded, unable to muster a vocal response. She walked to her door, opening it.

"Good evening, Revali," Zelda said, forcing her lips to a smile. She loved visits from her friends, but her mind was still spinning from the dream she had earlier. She only wished to fall back asleep.

Revali nodded. "Your father sent me to ask why you did not show during dinner. Everything alright?"

Zelda's face fell in her hands. She sighed once more. "I fell asleep. I apologize. I was very tired earlier, and I guess I must have slept for too long."

Revali smiled. "It's no problem, princess. I'll let your father know."

Revali turned, but before he walked away, Zelda reached her arm out, grabbing his wing gently. "Revali?"

He turned. "Yes?"

"How... how has he been doing?"

Revali turned to face Zelda again. His smile was sad, now. "He's doing great. He... still talks about you, every night."

Zelda smiled softly. Her eyes drifted to the floor. "Good... that's nice to hear... I miss him."

"It's been four months," Revali said. "I'm sure you do."

Zelda let go of Revali's wing. "Well, I'll be seeing you, then..." she trailed off, shutting her door quietly behind Revali.

The moon began to rise from behind the mountaintops in the distance. Zelda frowned, understanding that she would have a hard time getting to sleep tonight, now that she had been asleep practically all day.

"Time to get started on some work," Zelda mumbled to herself. She shuffled through parchments that sat upon a table by the door. She read through them, imagining ways in order to solve the problems her kingdom was currently facing.

She read the date at the top of one paper. "Wait, this was dated—" four months ago, she finished in her head. She read the description of the plea.

"We people of Kakariko Village have suffered a strange plague upon our crops, specifically our famous fortified pumpkins. We fear that, if we do not find help soon, our pumpkins will rot our fields, and we will never be able to farm again. Please, generous King and kindhearted princess, find it in your hearts to aid our people as quickly as possible."

Zelda skimmed the rest of the paper. As she did so, she recalled the time her and Link set out on their first ever short journey together, that lasted only two days. They encountered a few hiccups in the road, but still enjoyed the time they spent together.

Zelda wandered to her closet, inspecting the Sheikah garb the both of them were given that same day they aided the people of Kakariko Village.

"I wonder if he thinks of me when he looks at his..." Zelda wondered aloud.

A knock on her door interrupted her thoughts.

"Revali?" Zelda asked.

No answer. Only a second knock.

"Revali, is that you?" Zelda pressed again. She closed her wardrobe's doors, holding the request from Kakariko Village rolled up in her right hand. "I'll be down to meet with my father in just a moment."

Again, no response. The third knock sounded more urgent this time; quick, and more aggressive.

Zelda's heart began to beat just a bit quicker in her chest. "Um, hello?" Zelda called. "Who is it?" She drifted closer to her door. She thought she heard someone's voice, but decided against it. It must have been a shy servant of hers. Her free hand raised atop her door knob, twisting it, pulling her door open.

The four-month-old request from Kakariko Village fell from Zelda's right hand. Her eyes were open wide. Her left hand fell from the doorknob.

Link's lips were pressed securely upon hers. His hands cupped her face in his palms.

Zelda backed away quicker than she thought she would. Her hands covered her mouth, her fingertips grazing her lips. "You—!" she began, unable to finish her sentence as she ran back to Link. She wrapped her arms around his neck. "What're you doing here? You cannot see me!"

Link hugged Zelda tightly, his hand running through her beautiful blonde hair. "It's been too long. Every night that goes by, Zelda, I think about you, and how much I want to be with you." He pulled away, looking into her deep blue eyes. "I've survived four months without you at my side, and I can't go any longer. The past four months have been absolute hell without you."

Zelda's eyes began to water. "I feel the same way, Link, but—"

Link nodded sadly. "I understand, you are not permitted to be with me. I do, I really do understand, but... I just had to see you, once more, before I never do again." He took her hands in his, squeezing them gently. "If I have to say goodbye, then so be it. But I just want you to know that I love you, Zelda."

Zelda's left hand fell from Link's, and she wiped the tears that began to trickle down her cheeks. "I love you too. I've missed you," she said softly, enveloping her knight in another hug. "I want you in my life, Link."

Link only hugged the princess back, standing in silence.

Zelda shook her head vigorously. "I will not stand for this any longer," she said. "Even after spending such a long time apart from one another, my feelings for you have not diminished." She looked up at Link, smiling. "Right now, standing here with you, is the happiest I've been in months, and I..."

"It's okay, Zelda," Link said, pain echoing in his tone. "We can't be together. I just... needed to let you know how I've truly felt about you, even after all this time."

Zelda clenched her teeth, keeping herself from saying any more. The longer she stood with Link, letting him know her true feelings, the more heartbreaking his departure in a few short moments would be. Yet, something deep within her kept her in the exact spot she stood in. She did not move, nor did she wish to.

"That's it," Zelda declared. She squeezed Link's left hand tightly, opening her bedroom door. It slammed against her wall, and Link almost gasped. He followed behind Zelda as she dragged him along with her. She stormed down the west wing's tower, into the throne room where her she knew her father would be.

She noticed him, sitting quietly in his throne.

"Zelda!" Link began to protest, but knew he would be unable to stop her.

The two stood, hand in hand, before the king.

The king's eyes widened. "Zelda—!" he bellowed.

"I will not listen any longer," Zelda shot back before allowing her father to finish. "I love Link with ever fiber of my being, and yet, you wish to push us apart from one another! I have not seen him in almost half a year, and my feelings have not faded in the slightest! Banish me from my own kingdom, father, I do not care anymore. But I love him. He is a good man."

Link gave Zelda's hand a soft squeeze of reassurance. She squeezed back.

The king stared in silence at the two, unable to speak.

"Your highness, if I may—" Link began, when the king held up his right hand.

"Zelda, I understand. Link," the king looked at the young knight, "you better hope to the Golden Goddesses above that the people of Hyrule accept you as their next king."

Zelda's heart skipped a beat.

Link's mouth hung open. "Y-You mean...?"

The king smiled. "Zelda, I've been waiting for you to confront me," he said. "I know how much you two care for one another. I know how much you two wish to be together, and today, I hereby declare that the Royal Law in regards to royal suitors, is no longer law."

Zelda could hardly move. "But... but why?"

Link grinned. "Zelda, aren't you happy?"

Zelda nodded her head ever so slowly. "I'm absolutely overjoyed, but, father?" The young princess walked closer to the king, her hand falling from Link's. "Why did you put me through so much pain, knowing that this was your decision all along?"

The king's smile grew soft. "Zelda, my dear. I raised you to become a powerful and strong queen one day, and I know you will be just as such. I want you to fight against the wrong. I knew, sooner or later, you would come to me and ignore the Royal Law. I was sure of it."

Zelda could not smile. "That was cruel, father."

The king sighed. "I cannot apologize enough, my dear. I understand if you resent me. I was only trying my best to make you stronger, and I see now where I have failed you..." He stood from his throne. "You know, your mother once hated the Royal Law in regards to children's suitors. She thought it was nothing short of horrible. And, she was right." Tears appeared in the old king's eyes. "I should have listened. All that matters is that you're happy, my dear. And I should have seen that, but I was too afraid... too afraid that you would be alone."

"I've been alone for a while now," Zelda said, walking closer to her father. "Instead of spending time with the one I love, I've been locked away from him. It hurt, father."

The king reached out a hand to his daughter. His hand sat upon her cheek. "I know now, my dear. I was only hurting you, and for that..." he paused, almost wincing. "I am so sorry. I should have never put you through this. I hope you can forgive me, although, I do not think I can even forgive myself."

Zelda smiled, nuzzling her head against her father's hand. "Of course I'll forgive you." She looked up at him, placing her hand on the back of his. "I understand now, you were only looking out for me in your best interest, and I cannot thank you enough for only doing your job as my father." She stood on her tip-toes, kissing his cheek. "You've made me the happiest girl in the world."

Zelda turned to Link, whose smile was so bright, so happy, that it made her heart sing. She found herself walking back toward him, jumping as she wrapped her arms around him once more. The two laughed together. Link kissed Zelda's forehead.

"I'm so happy," he said quietly. "I've missed you."

Zelda smiled in Link's chest. "I've missed you, too."

__________________