AS YOU WIIIISH

[sealedsun]

[ There were few places in the castle that Zelda found any freedom. Her soul was chained to the responsibility she had to her destiny, the responsibility she had to her father and mother, to her people. Unlock her sealing powers, the holy birthright she held but had no idea how to use. The reason she spent every single day praying, devoting herself to the gods in hopes that she would be granted some kind of divinity.

Her study was her first sanctuary. With all her books scattered around her desk, she could easily bury her nose in texts and waste the hours away on research on Sheikah technology and relics. The second was the kitchen. It was pleasant on the nose and on her weary soul when she walked into meats, vegetables, and her favorite fruit cake.

The third... was the stables. Hay, the earth, and a musky wood surrounded her. It was like being out in the field and away from the confining castle walls. As close as she could come to it while still being on its grounds.

Her white horse, Prince, lifts his head when Zelda enters the royal stables. It's as if he can sense her presence. Prince isn't the only familiar at the stables. Messy, dirty blond hair and a bright blue tunic -- of course, Link is there waiting for her. Almost as if he's been waiting. ]

Good morning.

[ They've been on better terms. After what happened with the Yiga Clan, Zelda has been trying to see him differently. She's not immediately put out that she's alone with Link and joins him as she reaches for her horse's bridle. ]

I suppose I'm not surprised to see you down here. Were you waiting for me?

Comments

[wokeup]

[They had been on better terms for sure. Link, for his part, had always thought they were on good terms from the beginning until a few things here and there happened. It culminated in some of her outbursts that mostly confused him, but his duty was as her champion and protector. He didn't take any of her actions personally and just tried his best to fulfill his task.

After all, he had a lot of responsibility on his shoulders as well but tried to remain positive so that he wasn't crushed under that responsibility. That was mostly in the past now with Zelda seemingly softening much more around him. Honestly, that was quite confusing as well.

Hearing her voice, he turned and bowed his head a little out of respect. He continued brushing his own horse, a strong, brown mare that he had named Epona. As he pondered her question, he was silent for a few moments before finally responding with a slight nod.]

I was waiting.

[Not necessarily for her, but he was waiting for something. Anything. The castle could be boring at times, but he had practically grown up in it, trained from a young age to be a champion. He usually never left it either unless as an escort for the princess. So, in a way, he had been waiting on her.]

[sealedsun]

[ This, she's not surprised by either. Link followed her like a shadow, always behind her and always watching. At first, he unnerved her. She had enough eyes on her at the castle, judging her, that she didn't need another pair. Now that she's opened herself up to his presence and begun to see him differently, the fact that he was waiting doesn't bother her as much. In fact, it's almost a little reassuring. She feels... safe. Strange, since the castle was one of the safest places to be in all of Hyrule. ] I humbly apologize for keeping you waiting then, sir knight. [ The lock to Prince's stable makes a clanging sound as she tugs the door open and walks inside, reaching for his muzzle and stroking it with her palm. The hot breath from his nostrils hits her face and in the cool morning air it warms her cheeks. ] I was thinking... maybe we should travel to the Temple of Time. [ She had started off unsure, but the more she speaks, the more she attempts to believe something different will happen this time. ] It's normally used for royal coming of age celebrations and weddings. To ask for the blessings of the Goddess. It's the only other place I can think of that has ties to the gods and that might help me finally... [ exhale ] claim my birthright.

[wokeup]

[Zelda could be a little... overwhelming at times to the otherwise quiet swordsman. She could get overly excited about things he didn't really understand, and she could also passionately go on and on her own life and such. Mostly, she just dominated every conversation between the two of them because she was quite the talker. Link didn't mind much at all. It made his own quiet nature much less awkward. Besides, he found he quite liked hearing her speak.

So he wasn't exactly surprised to hear her little plan for the day. Since it meant they could leave the castle, he was definitely glad she had suggested it, and even if he wasn't, his duty meant he would go anyways.

As she spoke, he was already saddling his beloved horse and leading it to the stable's exit so he could check the straps and belts in the direct sunlight.]

Our saddlebags are already prepared.

[Meaning they had plenty of supplies in case their trip took some time.]

And the weather is clear. As you wish, princess.

[sealedsun]

[ That excitement didn't come out often, actually. It's only very recently she decided to open up herself to him in the hopes that he would do the same. Little by little, just as she said in her journal, it's worked. Link is so silent, it was difficult not to dominate the majority of their conversation. She wished he said more... Everything is prepared. Of course it is. This is Link. He's always prepared for anything. Meanwhile, she's still slipping the bridle onto her horse and finding the blanket and saddle in the tack room to fasten it. There isn't much of a rush. It's still early -- the dawn light was just peeking over the horizon when she made her way down here. Someone else is peeking besides the sun. One of the stable hands has been sweeping the same spot with a broom ever since Zelda arrived. When Zelda exits the tack room with her saddle, he scurries over and takes it from her. "Here, let me get that, princess." ] Oh. [ Did it appear as if she was having problems with it? ] Thank you. [ Always the gracious princess. Or she tries, anyway. "A princess like you shouldn't do grunt work like this. Leave this to the men." It makes her feel more useless, though. Carrying a saddle is no problem compared to praying and praying and praying and having nothing for it. Her expression goes a bit dark and she stares off towards Hyrule Field. ]

[wokeup]

[At the sound of another voice, the princess' personal guard glances over his shoulder. It's his duty to be always on his guard to protect her, but he somewhat recognizes the stable hand. As much time as both Zelda and Link spend in or near the stables, it's easy to get accustomed to most of the faces. And a servant would always want to please the princess to curry the king's favor, so Link doesn't think too much about the forwardness of the other male.

But he does notice a subtle furrowing of Zelda's brow that makes him wonder.

Leading Epona towards the princess, he stops next to her to watch the stable hand.]

Mh, we'll be able to leave soon.

[He doesn't know if that'll comfort her or not, but maybe Epona's gentle nudging against the side of her face and a huff of hot air from the horse to Zelda's hair will tease her into a better mood.]

[sealedsun]

[ Being taken care of, being pampered, having everything done for her from cooked meals to having the bed made to having a maid help her with her formal dresses... she's used to it. Zelda grew up with it, but there were still some things she preferred to do on her own. For reasons only she would understand, she wanted to do them. So that furrow in her brow cages protest. Funny, considering how much she protested Link's involvement as her personal guard. That was different. He embodied everything she couldn't do and having to acknowledge that by his presence alone was... Things are different, now. Link stands next to her and she slowly turns to look at him, a small haunted cloud hovering over her because someone thinks putting a saddle on a horse is too much for her. The least she could do is-- They'll be able to leave soon and she'll be able to leave some of that behind, too. It is a little reassuring and the pucker in her brow smooths. More when Epona is suddenly pressing against her face. ] Oh! [ A soft exclamation and she reaches up to hold her muzzle, some of her hair a little more windblown. ] I suppose I missed my greetings to you and you're feeling left out. Good morning to you too, Epona. [ Yes. It's put her into a better mood. Her smile is the sun as she rubs the bridge of Epona's nose. On the white stripe. ]

[wokeup]

[Epona makes another huffing sound and seems to enjoy the contact. Link smiles and pats the horse on her side before checking a few more of the straps for another moment. When he feels like enough time has passed for the princess' horse to have been prepared, he glances to her and then back over to the stable hand.

Wordlessly, the blond makes his way over, and right as the stable hand looks to be leading the horse back to Zelda, Link takes the lead from him without much of a second glance at the other male. Then he finds his way back to the princess, holding out the line for her.]

We're ready.

[With a little smile and a nod, he hands it to her before hooking the toe of his boot into one of Epona's stirrup and hefting himself up onto the saddle to wait for Zelda to take her mount as well.]

[sealedsun]

[ When Link does something for her, it feels normal. It feels natural. It doesn't feel like he thinks less of her or that she can't do something. He's just being Link. Now she knows that. She takes the reigns from him, feeling a flutter in her heart when her fingers brush his. Stupid girl. With a shake of her head, she turns Prince until he's standing next to Epona and then hoists herself onto her saddle too. The stablehand doesn't get a second glance from Zelda either before she digs her heels into the sides of her white horse and lopes out of the barn and onto the cobble streets of Hyrule Town. Leading the way to the front gates, out into the green, waving fields of her kingdom. She doesn't stop until they're at the same Sacred Grounds she initiated Link at, tugging back the reigns to look at the center. Prince dances on his toes for a moment and then snorts. ] If I performed the ceremony now, it would be different... [ She would actually put feeling into her blessings. If they amounted to anything. ]