#1 Talon Fan

Should he address her as Champion now, he wondered? He tried to show her the respect she deserved, just as he now had to do with Link. Although he’d known the girl since she was little, she was still Zora royalty and now a guardian of Hyrule itself.

”Oh, yes, it is,” Princess Mipha hastily said. “I was just wondering something, actually. I… well, as a Champion, there will be far more travel expected of me, and… I usually travel by water way. But I don’t want to be a burden to the others, you see. I was wondering if you could teach me how to ride horseback.”

Abel stared a moment, and then his face softened a little. He wasn’t entirely sure how he would teach a Zora to ride a horse, but he would try. And he knew someone else who could help.

Tipping his head, he said, “I will teach you to ride when I am able, Princess. Perhaps we can begin this evening, if time allows for you. In the meantime, I encourage you to go to the stables. Epona is gentle, she will let you approach her. Get acquainted, you’ll ride her this evening.”

”Epona! Oh, that’s Link’s horse!” Mipha said brightly. “Yes, she’s very sweet, I’ll do that. I can make time this evening. Will we meet at the stables?”

Abel nodded, and the young princess thanked him profusely and excitedly before hurrying off. He hid his smile - her energy was always so warm, he was thankful she hadn’t lost that excitement. She seemed far calmer and more formal during the ceremony, as expected, but the girl had an almost bubbly energy to her when she wasn’t constrained by duty.

He hoped Link would be around the stable when she went. He knew that, aside from the training grounds or the kitchens, that was the boy’s—young man, he reminded himself for the hundredth time—favorite place to linger when off duty.

He supposed Link wouldn’t really be off duty anymore, just as Abel hardly ever was. But perhaps there would be a chance that the two could run into each other. And, if that were the case, perhaps Link could give her a lesson too.

It was a little strange that the princess had singled Abel out in the first place, honestly. As a newly appointed Captain of the Royal Guard, his duties kept him fairly busy. But also, Link was right there. Had something happened between the pair? Mipha had been chatting with Link during the festivities.

Abel brushed the matter aside, moving to focus on his duties for now. As he strode down the hall to somewhere else, Mipha wandered the castle in search of the stables. She had a general idea of where they were, but…

Oh! Was that Link? She grew strangely hesitant and excited all at once, new emotions making her blush and shy and oh, how frustrating and confusing it was! But she also just wanted to check on her friend, and she could push beyond her own feelings to do that.

She’d initially thought to ask Link to teach her to ride, but, well, she’d wanted to surprise him and also… she didn’t want to add more to his burdens. More than anything, she didn’t want that.

But Link noticed her, and she wanted to check on him anyway, so she approached him with a smile. “Good morning, Link. Are you alright?”

Her friend nodded. He was in his new Champion tunic, just as she was. It looked good on him. But his somber expression was still something she was getting used to, despite seeing it intermittently for a few months now.

There was silence for a moment, and Mipha had slowly come to realize that it wasn’t awkward, it was just… well, it varied. Right now it was expectant. Link watched her, waiting to see if she needed something.

She supposed he couldn’t really relax here, in this castle. It wasn’t home for either of them. So she tried to just cheer him up.

”It’s good to see you,” she said with a smile. “I think yesterday went well overall, don’t you? I only have one more day in the castle after today but I was hoping to make the most of it, so I asked your father if he could teach me to ride—”

Oh, wait, maybe she’d said too much. Oh no, oh no—

Link’s eyebrows rose a little, lips parting slightly. It was the closest to eager or excited that she’d seen in ages.

Mipha felt some hope flutter in her heart. Or was it anxiety? She wasn’t sure.

”Do you… want to ride with me?” Mipha asked hesitantly, feeling her cheeks burn at the question.

Link’s mouth closed, face calming once more, and he nodded. Then he held out a hand to her, and Mipha felt her heart rate skyrocket.

Oh. They were, uh. They were going to hold hands? Okay.

Come on, stop being silly, she yelled at herself internally. We’ve held hands so many times!

But not since reuniting. Not since he’d grown up so fast. Not since… everything.

Slowly, Mipha reached out, her fingers intertwining with his, and she felt herself relax a little, despite the jittery sensation that made her shiver for an instant. The two locked eyes for a quiet moment, and then they both glanced down at the ground before Link turned and guided her towards the stable. She squeezed his hand in some kind of reassurance, and he squeezed it back, before they slowly released each other.

So much and so little in such a small gesture, but it… was nice.

Mipha figured Link had duties to do today. But perhaps he didn’t have to hover around Princess Zelda while she had the entire royal guard protecting her. She would take what little time she could get, even if she felt a little bad taking his free time from him.

Neither seemed to notice or mind, though, as they interacted with Epona. And by the time sunset came, and Abel headed for the stables, the captain saw the pair quietly giggling together, Link guiding Epona around while Mipha was in the saddle, tucked away in a corner of the castle that wasn’t very visible. Link tried to keep his smile off his face, but the softness of his expression glowed with the sunlight, and Abel smiled for him.