Zelda (POV)
-3 weeks later-
I stood at the front of Hyrule castle giddy with excitment and Link at my side. Everyone was going to be here within an hour and I couldn't wait.
Link chuckled at me "Its adorable how excited you are." He said. I blushed hard "N-no its not!".
Over the past few weeks me and link had become closer. Now he talked and expressed himself more. He even showed some physical affection. Like giving me hugs when I was sad. It made me love him even more.
But that also made me more nervous for the day we finish Hyrule Castle. What was I even going to say to him? What if he didn't reciprocate? Urbosa had said once that he felt the same as me but I couldnt help but be skeptical. I mean how could someone as amazing as him like me? I was rude to him in the past and an awful princess. It was definitely a long shot.
He chuckled again "Whatever you say princess~" even though I was indeed the princess it still made me blush when he said that. It sounded like a nickname and it made me feel loved. If only...
Just then I felt the ground rumble and saw rocks rolling towards us "The Gorons!" I exclaim. They came over to me and bowed when they got there. Their leader stood up "Prinsess we are reporting to help with the rebuild of Hyrule Castle!" He said in salute.
It honestly took me by surprise to such authority but I was prepared to act formal as well. "Yes of course. For now we must clean up the bridge leading into the castle so everyone can come and go more smoothly." I stated. The goron nodded "Alright troops you heard her highness! Let's get to work brothers!!" He shouted. The gorons stood up and ran over to the bridge picking up fallen rocks and even starting to put it back together with cement they had brought.
Link being Link wanted to go help but I told him to stay with me until everyone else was here so him being the loyal person he was stayed right next to me.
Next came the Rito who were ordered to blow away dust and debree into the river and away from the path. Then the zora who were told to swim around and take out the big rocks and clean the water system. Then the gerudo came who patrolled the outside of the castle to make sure no one else got inside.
After the bridge had been finished we decided to work on bedrooms and guest rooms. Link "secretly" told them all to start working on my bedroom first which they did. Me and link walked around assessing what rooms would need the most and least amount of work. The worst rooms were the library, dining room, and my study. I was excited to get that fixed up. I would go into hateno village to get decorations like desks, paintings, and other niknaks. I would also get multiple journals and books. It was all so exciting to think about! I ranted about this to link who stayed quiet and listened to me. I was happy that he didn't seem to mind my blabbering.
At the end of the day everyone set up a huge camp in front of the castle. They had finished over 20 of the bedrooms including mine. I could tell we would be making fast progress here.
Me and link sat on the ground with everyone else who was talking and laughing amongst themselves. Link had made seared steak and baked apples for everyone which everyone was overjoyed to eat after a long day.
Around and hour later everyone had gone to sleep except me and link. He actually thought I was asleep because I had laid down around 30 minutes ago to try and sleep but my thoughts kept me awake. If the prosses was going by so quick I would have to confess to him faster. I could hold it off but its hard enough already so I knew I had to do it then.
Link was over by the fire drawing in his journal. Probably finishing up that picture. I had thought about it before and now I knew that I actually really wanted it in my room. I would definitely ask later.
I decided now was the time to try sleeping again. I couldn't wait to have my room finished so I could sleep in the soft bed with the fluffy sheets.
Thats when I relized I needed to make link a room. 100 years ago he slept on the rock hard beds down in the knights training area but now I was for sure going to give him his own room right next to mine. He deserved it being the hero of hyrule and all.
And with that I closed my eyes and drifted off into sleep.
Link (POV)
I decided that I would have to stay up tonight. Yiga or something else could come and ruin our serenity and peace so someone had to be aware. To pass time I drew in my journal.
I found it weird drawing myself. It made me look at my features and flaws and I didnt like that one bit.
A half hour later I sighed in content. It was finally done. I was proud of my work. Though I was a bit worried. I knew Zelda had found the journal because it was in a different slot then what I put it in. I hope she didn't find my art bad or anything. What if I offended her. I really hope not.
I felt like drawing some more so I decided to draw my master sword. I layed I out in front of me and began to sketch it. I smiled at it when I got the stencil out. I put it back in its sheath and worked on details. I smiled when it was finished. I really liked it.
I then just sat there for a while. I had quite a few hours to kill so I just sat in my thoughts. I hoped that it didn't show I had stayed up all night in the morning.
-In the morning-
Zelda (POV)
I woke up to the sound of quiet chatter among the group. I looked around and saw that everyone had a simmered fruit bowl. The gorons ate rock hard food though. In all honesty it looked distcusting, like eating sand.
I heard footsteps next to me and I looked up to see link holding out a plate for me. I smiled "Thank you link!" He smiled and nodded sitting down next to me. As I was eating I noticed that link was yawning constantly. I looked over and saw there were slight bags under his eyes "Link did you get any sleep last night?" He looked at me and nodded. But I could tell he was lying. He was looking down at his fingers instead of in my eyes. I frowned. Why didn't he get any sleep?
And hour later everyone was up and ready to get back to work. Link went off to get some more meat for dinner so I spoke to the gorons about another room "I want it next to mine please and a big window going from it if you can." They nodded and went off. I decided to go help everyone with my room. I was excited to get it started.
I walked in "Can I help with anything?" I asked. One of the goron looked at me "Well the gravel underneath where the staircase is needs to be moved into this bin." He gestured to a big blue plastic bin "You can use this shovel to put it in there if you want prinsess?" I smiled and nodded "Perfect!"
I got to work with shoveling it into the bin. I knew my back would be sore after this but I didn't care. It felt amazing to actually help today.
It took a lot longer to do this task than I thought it would have, but I managed to finish without any major problems. Underneath the gravel I found a red carpet that I thought would look nice in my room so I took it to wash and sew later tonight.
I went down to the camp to put it with my other stuff that sat off to the side of Links. I relized Link was coming back at this moment and he looked rather frustrated. It was kinda funny the face he made but I didn't want to upset him even more.
I walked up to him and noticed that he was soaked with water "Whats wrong link?" I asked. He looked at me and pouted like a child "Its stupid... you'll laugh at me" I smiled and shook my head "I wont laugh I promise." he looked at me giving me a skeptical look "Are you sure?" I nodded "Positive." he sighed and looked at the ground begining to mumble something under his breath. "What was that?" I asked. He looked over at me with sad eyes "A goat knocked me into a river!"
I dont know what came over me but I lost my composure and started laughing hysterically with my hands on my stomach slouching over. Link looked at me shocked "Zelda! You said you wouldnt laugh at me!" He yelled. I stood up fixing my posture and put my hand to my lips to prevent any further laughter "O-oh Link im so sorry but I-" I looked over to see his face again to see a sad and shocked face. I started laughing again "Thats hysterical! Link I love you but I-" I paused frightened. Oh my Hylia I just said that. "I uh gotta go! Ill see you at dinner! Bye!" and with that I ran away from a very confused Link.
I walked througout the castle with my hands on my face with only my eyes showing "Why did I do that?" I repeated over and over and over again. How could I be so stupid? Thank Hylia Link was actually very dense but still! I almost outted myself just then.
I looked up at the sky through a window and saw it was almost dusk so I figurd to start heading back now.
I walked into the camp to see link sitting on a log with his hands cupped like he was holding something while looking at the ground. He noticed my presance and walked over to me.
"Hey uh- I feel bad for before so I got you something..." My eyes widened and I grew guilty. "Oh Link it wasnt your fault I-" he cut me off "No no its okay I know I was acting stupid but I kinda lied..." I frowned "What do you mean?" he kicked his boots on the ground "It uh... Happened more than once so I was a little frustrated so sorry if I scared you with that." He paused and looked up at me panicked when I didnt say anything. I would have but i was too focused on not laughing again. "B-but I got you something! Here." he stuck out his still closed hands and opened them.
I laughed lightly and smiled when I saw the little creature. It was a frog. "In one of the memories I saw you had a thing for frogs so..." I beamed "Oh Link you are the sweetest person ive ever met." I said taking the frog into my hands. I looked at it and smiled "Hello there little one. I going to name you..." I smiled "Goat." I looked over at Link with a sly smile while he glared at me "Thats so mean!" I laughed. "I know."
We ended up letting Goat go "So uhm... Do you accept my apoligy?" He asked me as I watched Goat swim in a small lake. I smiled "only accept mine. Sorry for leaving you there." He smiled "Of course!"
Later that night after I had finished washing the rug from earlier me and Link dried it with a korok leaf.
After that I got to sewing some of the torn peices. Link sat next to me smiling. "So Link, you know that drawing of the two of us? Can I have it?" Link looked at me panicked "U-um what picture?" he asked. I snorted "Oh come on Link. I saw it. It was amazing! If you will let me I would like to keep it in my room when its finished. Wait. Is it finished?" Link sighed in defeat "Yes I suppose it is... But wouldnt you rather a professional one? I know a guy-" I cut him off "No. I want yours." He smiled "Okay..."
Okay you guys thats the end of this chapter! I really hipe you guys enjoyed it! Byeee love you!!