Zelda? Where was Zelda? The Princess had only left a minute before Liesl but had seemingly vanished into thin air. Well, Liesl supposed she made an incorrect guess on where Zelda would head first, and in that time, she’d slipped away deeper into the castle. That was how Liesl ended up standing in the doorway to Zelda’s room, combing over the empty space with intense scrutiny. Nope, it was just the way they left it this morning, with perhaps some minor cleaning in the meantime?

Once her gaze swept over the bed, it lingered there and Liesl even let her head fall to the side until it rested on the door frame. Her thoughts drifted back to this morning then, when someone had struggled to rise. Goddesses, how many nights had they spent together swapping stories and comforting each other? More importantly, how many more did they have left? Especially with the King’s intentions so clear. Would Zelda soon share this bed with another? Or would she move to a new place in the castle, one without Liesl right next door?

Ugh, that thought finally elicited a sigh and got her moving again. No lazing about! While she walked, the confession played repeatedly in her mind. She is the hero because I love her. At one point, Liesl even considered pinching herself to see if she was dreaming. I mean, had Zelda really proclaimed that? To her father, of all people? Of course, that high note brushed up against the very sour response from the King and his ultimate expectations.

So, that was what he wanted all along? A grandchild to carry their blood into the future. A granddaughter, no doubt. Goddesses, this was frustrating because Liesl had to acknowledge the merits of his concern. Well, if one ignored the growing threat in their own time and detached all emotion from the decision. Hyrule needed the Princess as much as it needed the Hero, but how could you do such a thing? How could you callously demand your daughter do something she didn’t want to? And this wasn’t like trying to get a child to eat their vegetables so they grew up healthy, either. This was deeply personal and against what Zelda desired most, which was apparently…Liesl.

That notion alone made her heart swell and even cut through her worry enough to cause a smile to flash on her lips. Her friend, her best friend over these long years, felt that strongly about her. Now the question was, what was in Liesl’s heart? The question rattled around in her mind as she entered the library and began searching in earnest. It had been a favorite of Zelda’s as they were growing up, both to get new books and also to hide away amongst the rows and rows of tomes and texts.

As Liesl searched, memories flashed before her eyes. Of times when they were small and squeezed together on one chair so they could both read the same book. Of when they were older and would sit across from one another between two tall shelves, books stacked all around them preventing others from getting by. Occasionally, it had even served as an effective place to hide from Impa while she searched for the girls. A hand came up as Liesl walked, grazing over various spines as that shaky smile returned.

They really had been joined at the hip, hadn’t they? Spending most of every day together besides their breaks in the afternoon or the occasional exception. Liesl knew the official reason was because she was there to help the Princess with her everyday life, but it hadn’t felt that way in a very, very long time. If it ever really had. She wanted to be with the Princess every day, wanted to be with her friend. Now and as far into the future as she could imagine. Which is why her heart filled with so much warmth when Zelda asked her not to leave her side. No, Liesl wouldn’t be leaving, even if at this point that might be what the King decided was best. For him, maybe.

Her search continued in that library until there wasn’t a single nook or cranny left uninvestigated. Another sigh escaped Liesl’s lips as she brought a hand up to rub at her temple and make for the exit. No, of course she wouldn’t be here. It was too obvious. Well, onto the next place. Or that was her intention before she almost ran smack into Impa.

“Oh!”

Liesl brought a hand to her chest and took a moment to steady her heartbeat from the sudden jolt. How did this woman always move around so silently?

“Sorry, little one,” Impa said before looking over Liesl’s shoulder into the library.

“Impa,” Liesl said with a nod before pausing and looking across into the older woman’s eyes. “I believe we’re the same height now, you know.”

“True, but I knew you from when you were just a baby. Both of you. So, I’m afraid you will remain as such.” Then her eyes shifted to the entrance of the library momentarily before returning to Liesl. “Not in there, I take it?”

Liesl looked over her shoulder too, but eventually shook her head. “No.” But then she looked past Impa, expecting to find others looking for the Princess. “Where is Rowan?” And the King, but Liesl doubted he would stoop so low as to go looking for his daughter himself.

“He’s still back in the King’s study. I’m sure the two have descended into another argument now that I’m gone.”

That realization caused Liesl’s gaze to drop to the floor, where she kicked at the tassels of a long carpet. “I suppose that’s my fault.”

“We cannot help who we’re born to be, Liesl. It is no more your fault than it is the sun’s for rising and starting the day. Now, come on.” Following her request, Impa turned and started to walk away, but stopped once she realized Liesl was hesitating.

“Where are we going? I need to find her, Impa.”

“I know,” Impa agreed. “But I have a feeling the Princess will come forward when she’s ready. She’s always been that way, even when she was young.”

At this, Liesl knitted her eyebrows and couldn’t help but let her frustration shine through. “But she’s never hidden from me like this.”

“I seem to remember a few disagreements that ended in one of you storming off.”

“I suppose,” Liesl admitted. “However, that was such a rare occurrence did it really count? And I always found her not long after.”

“She’s always let you find her,” Impa corrected. “Though I will say it was usually much faster than others. So, just be patient. I doubt you’ll have to wait very long.” With that, she brought up a hand to once again wave Liesl along.

Curious why she thought that Liesl took a few long strides to catch up to the woman as she walked away. “What makes you say that?”

For a moment, a look of mock incredulity made its home on Impa’s face in a rare display of emotion. “You need to ask? I believe the Princess’s earlier declaration should make it quite obvious.”

Oh, yes… that . “I suppose you’re right,” Liesl said in agreement. “I just wish I could’ve caught her, though.”

“Why?” Impa asked before turning a corner and walking down the next hall. Liesl wasn’t sure where she was taking them and continued to look down halls and in doorways as they crossed them as if Zelda would be there.  

“So, we can talk. So, I can give her an answer to her question.”

“I see, and do you have one?”

“I…think so,” Liesl replied a little sheepishly.

“You think so? That doesn’t sound like you’re very sure.”

“Well, I’m still a little stunned. I can’t believe she feels that way about me.”

But Impa only shook her head and even snorted before stopping suddenly and turning on Liesl, looking her in the eye. “You really had no idea? After all these years at her side?”

Okay, why did she have to go and say it like that? “What? No!” Liesl’s eyebrows narrowed and a touch of color returned to her cheeks at missing something that was apparently so obvious . “Don’t tell me you knew.”

“She never told me, if that’s what you’re asking,” Impa said with a shrug before turning and continuing to walk. “However, the way she looked at you…well, I’ll just say she doesn’t look at anyone else that way. And I’ve watched for as long as anyone can.”

Like no one else, huh? Why did that fill Liesl’s heart with even more warmth? “And what about me? What does my look say?”

“Clever,” Impa said before shaking her head. “But no.”

Well, can you blame a girl for trying? So, Impa wasn’t going to answer, even if Liesl already had her own idea. “And Rowan?” Liesl didn’t include the King because it was quite obvious from his reaction that he knew little of what was in his daughter’s heart (or much about his daughter anyway).

“You’d have to ask that muscle-head yourself.”

Liesl pouted for a moment, but supposed that talk would come sooner rather than later as well. “I just hope he doesn’t get himself in trouble fighting with the King.”

“Don’t worry about him, dear. Those two have a long history and an occasionally contentious relationship. Rowan knows the line and when not to cross it, and the King knows how valuable he is.”

Liesl hoped so because that was something she absolutely could not deal with right now. Losing Zelda was still what she feared the most, but not having Rowan around anymore was a clear second.

The two kept walking through the castle as they talked and though Impa had suggested Zelda would make herself known when she was ready, the two still went about the motions of searching. Or perhaps she knew that Liesl wouldn’t be able to sit still regardless and was only appeasing her?

Either way, their next destination was the dining hall and even though it was nearing lunch, Liesl couldn’t even think of eating. She only stared at the table and the two places set out like normal.

“How many meals have you eaten here?” Impa asked where she stood beside her.

“Too many to count,” Liesl replied without looking over. And though that was the case, each one felt special to her. More private moments in their own little world. Again, Liesl couldn’t help but wonder if that too was limited. If Zelda were to marry, would she eat with her husband? Or would he also be too busy to dine with the Princess? Just like her father. Fools, the lot of them. They should just leave her to Liesl, who would gleefully sit there and listen to the frustrations of the day and complaints about what the afternoon might bring.

A moment later, she even stepped forward and ran a hand over the back of Zelda’s chair, eliciting another weak smile before she looked up and saw Impa there with one of her own.

“What?”

“Nothing,” the woman said before turning. “Well, she’s not here, so let’s be on our way.”

They searched through lunch and even into the late afternoon until the setting sun turned the sky orange. Something Liesl could see clearly because the two women had ended up in the castle garden. Eventually, their search ended with much the same result and the two stood by the fountain once they were done.

“This is where I met her that first day,” Liesl said before bending and sitting down on the edge. “Where she began to turn my sadness around.” As she spoke, Liesl dipped her fingers in and let them gently swirl through the water. “I thought my life was over, that I didn’t have anyone left.”

“That is natural for anyone who experienced what you did,” Impa replied, though she remained standing.

“I suppose…but I was wrong. I have her and that’s all I need.” Following that assertion, Liesl lifted her hand and wiped her fingers on the fringes of her dress before looking up. “Where to next?”

At that, Impa’s head turned in curiosity. “Next? This is where I leave you.”

“Wait? That’s it? You aren’t going to help me search?”

“I wasn’t helping you search before,” Impa admitted before bringing up a hand to indicate one of the castle’s towers. The easternmost tower, to be specific. Her and Zelda’s tower.

What did she mean she wasn’t helping before? Liesl’s mind took a second to ponder that notion but when her eyes drifted to what Impa pointed to, they widened. “You knew about that?”

“There is little that happens in this castle I don’t know about.” And with that, a few steps had her disappearing around a hedge and to Goddesses-know-where.

Well, that was fine because Liesl rose and started hurrying toward the door. By the time she was inside the castle proper, she was running through the hallways and then taking the stairs two at a time. Up and up, she went, dodging other servants and soldiers, who all gave her a look like she was crazy. And maybe she was? For feeling this way about the Princess of the kingdom. The legendary Princess, who was supposed to save them all. Her dear friend who had seen her through one of the most painful things anyone could experience. She had put Liesl’s heart back together and made it stronger than ever.

Of course, Liesl found the hatch open when she arrived at the top of the tower and when she popped her head through, she found Zelda sitting there, knees drawn to her chest and face buried in the fabric. However, when she saw her friend, her head lifted enough for a shaky smile to become visible. “Took you long enough,” she quipped, and it was clear she hadn’t spoken for a few hours from how her voice broke.

“I was delayed,” Liesl admitted as she came up through the opening and didn’t even bother to stand. Instead, she crawled toward the Princess on hands and knees until she could reach out and wordlessly wrap her friend in a fierce hug. But when Zelda didn’t reciprocate that tightness, Liesl leaned back in confusion. “What’s–”

“I’m sorry!” Zelda blurted out the apology and then withdrew her arms so her hands could grab at her chest. “I had no right to put you in that position by confessing my feelings to my father.” She shook her head as she took a deep breath and tears started to form at the corners of her eyes.

“Zelda, it’s–”

“I should’ve told you first,” the Princess started again, cutting her friend off mid-sentence. “That was something that should’ve been done in private.” Liesl waited for a second to see if she was done, but as soon as she took in a breath to respond, the words flowed once more. “This must be terribly awkward to know that’s how I feel about you. I just hope that we can still be friends despite it. If I lost you then–”

“Zelda!” This time it was Liesl’s turn to interrupt and just so Zelda got the idea, Liesl brought her hands up and placed them on either side of Zelda’s cheeks. She lifted then, bringing Zelda’s gaze up from where it had fallen. “Listen to me, please .” Zelda’s eyes went wide following the interruption and they even tried to look to the side as if she couldn’t bear to meet Liesl’s. However, a faint squeeze of those cheeks brought them right back.

Once she nodded, Liesl took in another deep breath to try to calm her heart where it beat furiously in her chest. This scenario had been much easier when she pictured it in her mind over the past few hours, and the fact that Zelda had confessed in front of the small group became that much more impressive. “You never let me answer,” Liesl started before pinching her cheeks. “You ran away, even if I suppose you had a good reason.”

“I was scared of what you might say if given the chance,” Zelda admitted. Which Liesl hadn’t been expecting. She figured it was because of her father’s demands, but perhaps that was a convenient excuse? Or the lesser of two pains.

“What? Why?”

“I saw the way you paused, the confusion in your eyes. I’ve made a horrible mistake, haven’t I? Falling in love with you…”

It hurt to hear Zelda draw that conclusion, and Liesl’s hands dropped to her shoulders. However, she wouldn’t break that touch, if only because she was scared the Princess might try to run again. “Is that what you think?” She asked thereafter. “That I don’t feel the same way?”

The question was rhetorical and thankfully, Zelda didn’t answer. Instead, her eyes held an expectation that Liesl would elaborate. “I value our friendship, yes. However, it’s so much more, isn’t it?” Liesl’s eyes trailed away for a moment and then squeezed shut before she shook her head. “Seeing you at your ball was torture. Thinking you were going to be with someone else cut me to my very core.” That jealousy was embarrassing to confess, but it was the truth. It had been so painful watching suitor after suitor take their shot with the Princess, even if Zelda had assured Liesl no one would win her affection. “And when your father lined up half the damn kingdom in front of that sword, my heart nearly broke. It would have broken if someone else had pulled the Master Sword free.”

“But they didn’t,” Zelda whispered before bringing up her hands and resting them over Liesl’s. The touch caused her eyes to open and shift down to their connection.

“My heart races at the lightest touch, you know,” Liesl continued. Then her gaze went back to Zelda to hold those pristine blue eyes. “So much that it’s hard to sleep next to you sometimes. When I shut my eyes, it’s you I see. It’s you who is in my dreams. When you smile, my heart sings and I would do anything to see it, even if it was wearing a dress that was much too pretty for me.”

As her list grew, Liesl’s voice became more strained as if she hoped her words were getting through. The corners of her eyes even filled with tears to match, though she couldn’t say why. “When I think about my future, the only thing I want is to be at your side. When I think about what I want most, it’s having your hand brush my cheek and your laughter fill my ears.” She had to pause a moment so the words didn’t spill out carelessly or so fast that Zelda would miss it. “If that’s not love, then what is?” In the end, it didn’t even matter what word she used because the feeling and the result were the same. Her heart was filled with Zelda and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Liesl,” Zelda said her name so softly and so sweetly that even in the middle of her angst, Liesl felt warm and safe. The Princess shifted her hands where they rested so one could come up to wipe the tears before they fell. “I guess we’re both hopeless.”

In response, Liesl choked out a short laugh and nodded her agreement. “Yeah, we really are, aren’t we?”

Zelda nodded too, but then that smile grew despite the assertion. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way. You don’t know how much I wanted to hear you say those things. For so long now.” Once it appeared Liesl’s cheeks were safe from any errant wetting, Zelda pulled her back into their hug with all the fervor that had been missing before and dropped her voice low. “You were all I thought about during those dances. You were the one who I wanted to pull the sword, against all logic or reason.” I mean, who would’ve thought to let the lady-in-waiting should have a turn? Well, besides the others who knew she should have. “And then you did…”

”And then I did,” Liesl repeated in a whisper. In a moment of fear and anger when everything felt hopeless. A feeling that honestly persisted even to this very moment. “What are we going to do?” What could they possibly do?

“I don’t know,” Zelda admitted before leaning back out enough that they could look into each other’s eyes once more. “But I’m sure as long as we’re together, we can figure it out.”