Chapter Text
CH1
The moment Zelda's feet touched the ground, Link was already sprinting toward her. Relief flooded through him- she didn't look injured, ghostly blue flames didn't surround her, and she was here.
Zelda turned around and looked at him with confusion.
"May I ask... who are you?"
Link could only stare at her in confusion. What did she mean 'who are you'? Didn't she know him?
The realization hit him.
"Do you remember anything?" he asked carefully. She shook her head.
The world lurched beneath him for the third time that day. "I'm your..." her what? Her knight? Her friend? The person that failed her? He didn't know how to finish the sentence.
Then she swayed, her knees buckling.
“Zelda!”
He lunged forward, catching her just before she hit the ground. Panic surged through him as he knelt, cradling her against his chest.
His fingers pressed against her wrist- her pulse was steady. He leaned closer, his ear hovering near her lips. She was breathing. Shallow, but steady.
Relief crashed into him, but it was fleeting. She still wasn’t waking up.
Fumbling with his pouch, he yanked out a small vial of fairy tonic. Uncorking it with his teeth, he carefully tilted it against her lips, willing it to work. She didn’t stir.
Standing here wouldn’t fix anything. He needed to get her somewhere safe, somewhere where he could get help and look after her better. He glanced at the horizon. He had no idea if Guardians still roamed these fields.
He had to get to a stable.
Carefully, he lifted her onto his horse, mounting behind her and holding her close. He settled her head against his neck to support her and so he could tell if she started to stir, and so he could feel her breath and reassure himself that she was okay. As slowly as he dared- he didn't want to risk jostling Zelda- he started to ride towards the nearest stable.
The stable was a welcome sight, its lanterns casting a warm glow against the encroaching night. Link dismounted carefully, keeping a firm hold on Zelda as he eased her down. She was still limp in his arms, her breathing steady but light.
"Two soft beds"
The stable master raised his eyebrows. "Afraid we're all full up. The sky turning dark and all of the noises from the direction of the castle spooked everyone- you wouldn't happen to have anything to do with that, would you?"
Link didn't answer. His grip on Zelda tightened.
The man exhaled through his nose, eyeing them both. "Just for you, I'll offer you my bed. Only the one of it, though."
Link nodded. "Put it on my tab. I'll pay up in the morning. Happen to have any doctors staying with you?"
The stable master shook his head. "No, but I can offer you help wrapping those wounds."
Link realized he must be quite the sight. Dirt and dried blood streaked his tunic and fresh bruises dotted his skin. All of him ached.
"I'm fine," he muttered. He jerked his head in the direction of his horse. "Take care of him."
The stable master gave him a long look before leading the horse away.
Inside, the single bed was hardly luxurious, but it was soft, and that was enough. Link eased Zelda down, propping her head on the pillow. She didn’t stir.
He did a good enough job of wrapping his wounds, making sure that they were clean mostly. His wrapping job was clumsy, but it would be fine for now.
His body begged for rest. He barely had the strength to think.
Without much thought, he eased down beside her. Close enough to watch over her, close enough to feel like he hadn't lost her again. The moment his head hit the mattress, exhaustion pulled him under.