XX: A Risk Worth Taking

Before the Calamity

Zelda's POV:

I ran.

I ran as fast as I possibly could.

There was nothing but pure fear pushing me forwards. I sprinted through the desert, frantically grasping at the edges of Kara Kara Bazaar but my feet sinking too far into the sand with every step. I looked behind me once and he was there. The Yiga.

I had no idea what was about to happen to me. Maybe I would leave the world before the Great Calamity happened and I couldn't stop it. Maybe all the pain people would suffer through... I wouldn't be there to watch.

Regardless, I sprinted like my life depended on it. It did. I could feel my heart banging against the inside of my chest as I ran for my life.

Suddenly, two more Yiga slid in front of my path. I was trapped. I looked back for an opening, but the Yiga was still there and I lost my footing in shock. Helplessly, I fell to the ground, scurrying around in attempts to evade their blades.

The Yiga that chased me from behind grew closer to me. I knew I had lost. That was the end...

As he raised his blade in the air, I shut my eyes and prepared myself to die. But the attack never happened.

I opened my eyes after hearing the sound of two blades strike each other. I saw the Yiga lifelessly fall to the ground, and my gaze moved to the person that saved me. Link.

He was just in time. I looked at him with pure wonder- I was completely and utterly defenseless without him. He undoubtedly saved my life. If it weren't for him, I would have been murdered.

He stood in front of me, completely shielding my body from the other clan members. He faced them with fearless eyes, his sword ready in his hand. Seeing their friend slaughtered, the other two ran away, terrified. His gaze must have struck fear into their eyes... I knew I was safe. I breathed heavily while staring at him. He was miraculous.

Without a thought for his own life... Why would he risk it all for me? After everything I've put him through, it would seem that he would want nothing to do with me. I was wrong. Through every twist and turn, Link had stayed by my side... even when I wished he wouldn't.

I stood up shakily, still in shock from what happened. I wanted to let him in. I wanted to let him in so bad, but I was afraid he wouldn't come.

Link whirled around, his fists clenched and his face drenched in worry.

"Did they hurt you?" he asked me frantically. I heard how hard he was breathing... He was unlike his typical collected demeanor.

"No, I'm okay. Only thanks to you," I said with a slight smile. He smiled back.

"I won't ever let them get that close again, Princess."

There it was again... "Princess." I decided to let it slide, considering he just saved my life. I walked towards him, trying to calm my shakiness. He put his arm around me and I felt instantly soothed. He walked me back to Kara Kara Bazaar where I could stay in the Inn.

♦

Upon arrival, Link spoke to Kachoo who allowed for the Inn to be closed for me. 

"It will be made completely private for the Princess," I heard her say to Link.

After I prepared for bed, I sat in the room alone. I thought of everything that transpired earlier, when Link saved me from the ruthless blades of the Yiga clan. The one person I needed... he was the one person I kept pushing away.

Maybe I pushed him away because I was scared of him rejecting me. I thought... maybe if I do it first and show no signs of weakness that I couldn't get hurt. How wrong I was...

I stood up from my bed and walked towards the curtain that had been drawn. I pulled it back slightly and peered around where I saw Kachoo who was sitting at the counter. When she saw me, she immediately straightened her back and fixed her hair.

"Is there anything I can help you with, your Honor?" she asked me.

"Yes," I said, trying not to sound demanding. "Have you seen my knight?" 

"He left a while ago- he was going to sleep outside, I believe."

"Would it be too much trouble to send for him?" I asked.

"Absolutely not Princess, I will do that immediately."

I thanked her and retreated behind my curtain. I was scared in there alone. The world had changed so much ever since the threat of Ganon became prominent again. Being alone in Hyrule scared me.

I recognized Link enter the building by the sound of his footsteps. He came towards my room and spoke from behind the curtain.

"You called for me, Princess?" He asked.

I walked back to the curtain and pulled it back so I could look at him. I looked around to see if the innkeeper was watching before I whispered, "Can you come in for a moment?"

Link nodded and stepped behind the curtain. He kept a good distance away from me as to assert that we weren't doing anything inappropriate.

"Don't leave," I pleaded.

"What do you mean?" Link asked.

"Will you stay here with me? Please?"

Link contemplated for a moment before agreeing. He left to retrieve his belongings from outside and returned to me with haste. Then, he set his sword down on the ground and sat on the floor, leaning his back against the wall. 

I felt an overwhelming sense of safety when he stayed there. I climbed back into my bed and faced him. He had is eyes closed, but I knew he wasn't asleep. His sword was right next to him. 

I relaxed and flipped the other way, facing the wall. I imagined it was slightly similar to when we stayed together in Goron City. I slowly drifted to sleep, knowing that nothing bad was going to happen to me.