Couple of the Wild (ZeLink)

Chapter 44: The Gerudo Champion

The Divine Beast sat in silence, overlooking the land of Hyrule from its perch on the mountain top it rested upon. Its long legs remained curled with its extensive neck and head lowered; a far cry from the readied stance it had taken before and during its attack on the castle a few months prior. Then, it was a weapon aimed and prepared to destroy. Now, it was a peaceful camel bathing in the warm Gerudo Desert sunray's that shone off its rough textures. The beast seemed to be watching the sky begin to turn from its bright blue to a slightly orange color as it listened to the slight breeze that coursed around its body, massaging its gears and mechanical devices. Though Vah Naboris seemed at peace, the two Hylians that appeared next to it in a flash of blue light couldn't match its absolute tranquility.

"Are you sure you'll be okay?" Zelda asked as she began to inspect the knight's armor for any faults or loose belts, running her fingers along the silk of his turquoise garb before adjusting his gold accented shoulder pad. "Do you want to eat before you go? Maybe we should wait to do this until tomorrow. You'll be able to get a good night's rest and-"

"Zelda, I'll be fine," Link said, gently raising his hand up to take one of hers, slowly lifting it from his shoulder. He held the soft hand in his own, beginning to massage the top of it with his thumb. "Trust me. He already put me through a death trial, so I doubt he wouldn't put me at death's door again. I'll eat when I come out of the beast."

"See, Link, that's how I know you're a bit nervous," Zelda said, moving her other hand and placing it on top of his. "You rarely turn down food. You did it once before a few times when you had just become my appointed knight. I doubt you remember, but you were so nervous that you would mess up in front of me, you didn't eat. Or do anything but stand there for that matter. I only realized that after we had become actual friends..."

"I vaguely remember," Link said, smiling awkwardly. "I knew how I got when it came to food. I didn't want to embarrass you."

"Well, you failed," she responded with a small smile, looking down at their now clasped together hands. "I get embarrassed watching you eat all the time with how much you stuff your face."

"Thanks, I do my best to embarrass you these days..." Link chuckled quietly, now staring at their hands as well. The two sat in silence before Zelda looked up, watching his dirty blonde bangs sway slightly in the breeze.

"Link..." she began quietly. "Do your best, alright? I made extra for this morning's meal so it'll be ready for you when you get back, alright?"

The knight silently nodded, a comforting smile remaining on his face as he envisioned Zelda waiting for him to return from the Divine Beast. In all honesty, he didn't want to remove his hand from her warmth as he lingered, still staring down at their clasped hands. After a few moments however, the knight closed his blue eyes. He knew his job had to be done, and the sooner he finished, the sooner he could return to the warmth of her hands. Taking a deep breath, he slowly began to pull away from her. He felt his fingers slide against her soft skin before unwillingly slipping away from her fingertips.

He slowly opened his eyes, looking up into Zelda's features expecting to see a sad frown or possibly a face of worry. However, to his slight surprise the girl had a calm, gentle smile as her unusually steady green eyes stared directly into his own. The sun had begun to set even more, allowing the golden light of the sunset to shine in those same eyes while also giving her skin an almost unearthly aura.

"While I wish you would rest just a bit before you went," Zelda said, seemingly taking note of the hint of surprise in Link's face. Her smile grew even more as a sudden, slightly stronger breeze passed through them. "I have no doubt in my mind you'll come back to me. You always do, she finished as her hair swayed.