#ilu devin

The Princess slowly walked through her garden, the Hero of Time following her silently.

It was rare that Link and Zelda could find time to see each other, after all, Zelda was ever so busy ruling Hyrule while Link spent his spare time exploring the land and ensuring the safety of the people.

It felt like Zelda hadn't seen her hero in ages.

Zelda had always found Link interesting: he was strong-willed, adventurous, and incredibly heroic. Through all of the time travel they suffered, through all of the challenges they had faced, through all of the evil and adversity they had dealt with to stop the evil Ganondorf, Link had been willing to sacrifice himself for Hyrule. For Zelda's kingdom. For Zelda herself. Of course she would feel something for him. She felt foolish, but who could blame her?

Link had saved her. He had saved everyone.

Zelda spoke on and on about the new developments she had planned for the kingdom, walking slowly, lingering with Link in the calming garden as long as she could. She had sent the servants away long ago: she didn't need them as long as Link was around. Link had just smiled and nodded as Zelda's face lit up with new ideas for her kingdom. He never really spoke much and Zelda couldn't help but think it was admirable. She knew she sounded like an overexcited child and yet, Link just smiled at her. Not amused or condescending, just...understanding. Calming. It was wonderful.

Zelda sighed as she began to talk about her personal life. Her advisers had started questioning her about suitors and they were becoming increasingly more annoying as they pressed the issue. Up until now, she had been able to ignore them and focus on a separate issue, but she was getting older. She couldn't deny that any longer.

Link seemed upset by this, but didn't offer her any advice or words of wisdom. Zelda had assumed he wouldn't. He never did speak much. She reminded herself of this as she suppressed the urge to sigh. She wasn't disappointed. Not over unspoken words. No. Not the princess of Hyrule.

Finally, Zelda stopped as her eyes fell on a batch of tall, orange lilies. She bent down to admire them. She loved lilies. Her slim fingers lingered on a single lily, taller than the rest and as bright as the setting sun. She traced its petals, feeling Link's eyes on her. She felt like slapping herself. She must look so childish to him, playing with flowers. And yet, she couldn't find it in herself to stop. She felt Link kneel down beside her, staring at the lilies as intensely as she did.

“Beautiful, isn't it?” she whispered, letting herself get lost in the sea of colors and smells the lilies produced.

“Yes, it is.”

Zelda turned suddenly at the sound of Link's voice and found herself getting lost in his eyes. They were so incredibly blue...and they were staring straight into Zelda's. Zelda felt her heart race and a small smile graced her lips.

Link smiled back.