Couple of the Wild (ZeLink)

Chapter 38: Link's Nickname for Zelda

'Okay Zelda, this is a good chance to have some quality time with Link... Zelda thought to herself as her white horse trotted just behind Link and Epona.

The two had stopped by the stables just down the road from the Akkala Tech Lab. Zelda couldn't help but wonder how the stable workers were able to get their horses to them in such a timely manner, for they had left their horses back in the Lanayru Region. However, when Zelda opened her mouth to question it Link put a finger to her lips as he shook his head. Apparently this was just one of those things one shouldn't think too hard about.

Though the wonders of how it took only a mere hour for the stable to retrieve their horses remained in the back of Zelda's mind, more pressing matters had taken place firmly in the forefront of her worries: she was supposed to be bonding with Link. The Guardian was a wonderful opportunity to engage with Link a bit more, however Zelda had regretfully allowed fear to take over. Zelda sighed to herself as she looked upon the autumn colors of the grass and trees spanning the East Akkala landscape, thinking back to only a few hours ago.

She really had made a fool of herself. Why on the Goddess's Earth would she close her eyes? All she had to do was hold her shield up. Of course, eventually she had gotten it, and yes, Link did praise her...

I'll always be by your side...

Those words repeatedly rang throughout Zelda's head. Maybe that little blunder she had made wasn't such a bad one after all...

"You alright back there?" Link called back towards Zelda, giving her a quick, sudden jolt out of her thoughts. "You're unusually quiet. You aren't still worried about the Sky-Watchers are you?"

"N-No Link, not at all," Zelda said, just a bit of blush filling her cheeks. "I'm just a bit lost in thought is all."

Though it was true Zelda was in fact lost in thought, she may have stretched that answer just a bit. In reality, Zelda couldn't help but still be a bit nervous at the looming idea of Skywalkers being on the Islands Link kept talking about. Link looked back at her, slightly bouncing at Epona's trot, before facing forward.

"You have nothing to worry about, princess," Link said gently. "As I've said, I am here to protect you."

"There you go again..." Zelda muttered, frowning just a bit. "Calling me 'princess'..."

"Mm?" Link grunted, turning back to look at her again. "Do you not like me calling you that at all?"

Zelda raised an eyebrow, now focusing her eyes on her best friend instead of the scenery.

"Is there another reason to call me 'princess' other than formalities?" Zelda asked. Link thought about that before turning to face the road again.

"I mean... I guess it's out of an old habit most of the time," Link said. "However, sometimes it's because... I'm one of the few who truly know who you are. I guess I considered it a type of... nickname in a way."

"Nickname?" Zelda asked curiously. She tapped her horse's side gently with her boot, signalling it to catch up to Epona to allow her and Link to ride side by side. "What do you mean by nickname?"

"Well... like Urbosa used to call you 'little bird' and stuff," Link said, now it being his turn to fancy the scenery around him instead of Zelda. Zelda shook her head in confusion.

"That was the childhood nickname Urbosa used. The real name was coined by my mother. I never really knew where she got it from though..." Zelda said, her eyes starting to mystify at the memory of Urbosa and her mother. Link suddenly turned towards Zelda, realizing he had brought back potentially painful memories.