The two stayed up on the top of the tower until Zelda’s stomach loudly announced that it had gone quite long enough without being satiated. Which meant it was time to go down and rustle something up to eat. It was long past dinner when the pair finally made themselves known to the world again, but neither felt like sitting in the dining hall and eating, anyway. Not to mention the whole…Liesl being confined to her room thing. So, she popped her head into the kitchen instead and asked the cook on duty to send some food to the Princess’s room. The two retreated thereafter and changed into something more comfortable before settling in and waiting for their meal to arrive. Which didn’t take long at all. Princesses and all that.

“Do you think your father will want to see us tomorrow?” Liesl asked. It felt eerily quiet without any real conclusion to this morning’s events. However, maybe that was more of a relief than a worry.

“No,” Zelda answered with a shake of her head popping a piece of bread in her mouth, chewing, and swallowing. “He’s made his decision and I doubt anything I’ve said today will change it. Or Rowan, for that matter. If I had to guess, he stayed behind, right?”

“That’s what Impa said,” Liesl confirmed. “It seems he thinks your father is making a mistake.”

“He is making a mistake,” Zelda countered and emphasized the point by extending a finger from her wine goblet and pointing it at her friend. “And he’s going to cost us all.”

It was hard to argue with that assertion and Liesl only nodded as she sipped at her own wine. “I just wish I knew what to do. I feel so useless.” Liesl hung her head in frustration and let a long breath flow from between her lips.

“It’s not your fault,” Zelda countered before reaching across the bed to squeeze her knee. “And you aren’t useless, you are my dutiful lady-in-waiting!” A smile partially appeared before it was hidden away by the lip of her cup, and Liesl couldn’t help but roll her eyes and look up. (Before matching that smile herself)

“Oh yes , whatever would you do without someone to wash your hair and tuck you in at night!” Goddesses, how would Zelda survive?

But Zelda hummed for a moment as she thought on the question as if it wasn’t completely rhetorical. “I think I would be very sad if you weren’t here,” she answered. “Keeping me happy is a very important job, you know.”

A full-time job more like! “Well, I will gladly fluff your pillows for the rest of your life, if that’s what is required to keep you happy.”

“You better. You know, when you aren’t busy being the pillow.”

“I seem to be your favorite pillow,” Liesl noted as one eyebrow lifted in a little display of playfulness. “Standard or otherwise.”

“Speaking of which,” Zelda started before clapping her hands together and dispersing some of the crumbs on her fingertips back down to the plate below. “This princess would very much like the company of her favorite pillow.”

Well, it seemed duty called. So, Liesl finished her wine in a final, dramatic sip before starting to gather the napkins and various items from their dinner. Zelda helped as well and even provided a quick sweep of her hand to get the remaining crumbs off the blanket once Liesl lifted the tray. “Hmm, it does make quite a mess,” Liesl noted.

“Yes, I guess we’ll have to take breakfast at the table.”

Liesl almost missed the underlying assertion from how casually Zelda said it but she turned on her way to deposit the tray by the door. “You can’t mean to eat all your meals in here with me?”

At this, Zelda scrunched her eyebrows and almost looked incensed that Liesl would assume anything otherwise. “What? Of course, I will you silly woman! I’m not going to eat without you.”

Of course, the notion filled Liesl’s heart with warmth but she still shook her head in disbelief. “You’re insufferable.”  

“I know,” Zelda agreed with a hum and then turned to crawl up toward the pillows in her bed. “Oh, and we’re sleeping in my bed tonight.”

“Zelda,” Liesl’s voice carried an unmistakable note of disapproval but the funny thing about this wonderful, strong-headed woman. She rarely took “no” for an answer.

“I don’t care if my father comes in here himself to try to drag you into your room. You belong right here, with me.”

Zelda held out her hand expectantly and, of course, Liesl walked back to the bed once her duty was done and took it. She was pulled in thereafter until she climbed up properly.

“I think you just don’t want to sleep in my tiny bed…”

“Perhaps,” Zelda admitted. “But big bed or not, I won’t have you anywhere but right next to me.”

Now, how could Liesl argue with that? “Yes, Princess . ”

And it seemed that, for the both of them, being together like this was the only way they were going to get any sleep. Judging by how they held onto each other as they drifted off.

The next morning, the pair awoke and went about their routine as normal. Which felt…odd. So much had changed in the last two days and here they were, getting dressed as if none of it happened. What that day entailed was a mystery to both and since Liesl wasn’t allowed to leave her room (or their rooms), it was up to Zelda to venture out and not only secure them breakfast but also find out what was expected of her. Except, as soon as she opened the door to do so, she found Impa standing there with a cart full of food.

“Impa?”

“Apparently you requested dinner be brought to your room last night,” she said before grabbing the cart’s handle and pulling it in. “I’m assuming you intended the same with breakfast.” No questioning tone hung from those words and Zelda looked back at Liesl for a moment before nodding.

“Yes, that’s right. And all meals until Liesl is allowed to walk the castle freely once more.”

“Like she did yesterday?” Impa asked with a raised eyebrow.

“That was different! I was searching for Zelda,” Liesl protested before suddenly realizing she’d really just walked around despite the King’s command.

“It’s fine, Liesl. You were with me. Though I wouldn’t make it a habit.” Once she was in the room proper, Impa let the cart come to a stop and turned back to Zelda. “From now on, I will have your meals delivered here. I doubt it will make a difference to your father.”

More like he wouldn’t even notice, but Liesl kept that thought to herself or at least stowed it away in the back of her mind to tell Zelda later. Impa appeared to want to help the pair, but it was hard to get a read on the older woman. However, “help” was probably a generous description as she’d only led Liesl around by the nose yesterday before pointing out the obvious location where the Princess would be hiding. One that Liesl should’ve realized sooner.

“Impa,” Liesl started before her hands behind her back for the courage to speak up.

“Yes?”

“The King and Rowan…they both have their opinions, but what do you think? About all this,” she quickly added.

“Yes, I’d very much like to hear that too,” Zelda agreed a moment later.

At first, Impa simply looked at both young women and then held her hands out to either side. “Does it matter what I think?” She asked before clasping them in front of her dress. Well, that wasn’t exactly what Liesl had been expecting and the shock was probably plain on her face.

“Listen to me, both of you. There is no point in trying to yell over those two, their minds are made up.”

“So, what are we supposed to do?” Zelda asked. “If my father won’t see reason, what do we do?”

“I can’t tell you what I don’t know,” Impa said before shaking her head. “For now, trust your instincts, trust each other. Work with each other.”

At that, Zelda turned until she found Liesl’s eyes, and that confusion gradually melted away to determination. Especially once Liesl nodded back.

“We will,” Zelda proclaimed as she turned back to face Impa. “And we’ll figure out a way to save Hyrule with or without the King’s help!”

Impa only hummed her (pleased?) agreement before turning and moving back toward the door. However, she paused with her fingers curled around the handle. “Well, that begins with a change in routine. Zelda, you will no longer attend your regular classes. Instead, you will spend your day strengthening your powers.” Her gaze shifted to Liesl thereafter and her expression shifted back to that unreadable mask. “I suppose I don’t have to tell you there will be no more…games.”

“No,” Liesl started as her face turned sour. “You don’t.”

“You will also be accompanied by guards at all times, Zelda. And they will stay outside your door while you are in your room.”

“What!?” The displeasure in Zelda’s voice was palpable, but Impa raised her hand before further protest could make itself known.

“You must remain safe, Princess. For the good of us all. Besides…” Impa turned once more and finally opened the door. “When they’re with you, no one will be watching the room.”

That final assertion had both Zelda and Liesl wordless as the woman disappeared out into the hall. They didn’t even move toward breakfast as each mind tried to wrestle with the possible implications of what Impa just said.

Eventually though, Liesl shook her head and moved to the cart, pulling it further into the room and toward the table.

“I should’ve known my father would want me to do nothing but try to focus on my power,” Zelda sighed before joining her friend. “Honestly, if all it required was time, I would’ve mastered it by now.”

“You’ll figure it out, I know you will.” How? Liesl had no idea because she was right, if time and effort were the only ingredients then Zelda would’ve had no problem by this point.

At most, the Princess could offer a shaky smile as she sat and reached for a few pieces of fruit while Liesl set the table. “Thanks, I really hope so…”

Liesl nodded and then offered a lukewarm chuckle to try to lighten the mood. “Well, at least we know you have that power within you. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to heal me, right?”

“I suppose you’re right. Shockingly, that takes no effort at all.”

“Really?” Liesl asked as she slid a plated pastry across the table. “It’s that easy? I wonder why it’s so different?”

“It really is,” Zelda said before tearing off the corner of the sweet treat. “I don’t know. Whenever I think about you, I just…feel the power inside me. More than that, I can connect to it.”

“Huh, have you tried thinking about me in your lessons? When you need to draw on it?”

“I’m not sure there’s a time recently I’m not thinking of you,” Zelda admitted with a smile. “So, yes. I’ve tried it.”

“Oh…” Liesl could feel herself blush and did her best to clear her throat and move on despite it. How could Zelda say something so casually! “I…wonder why it doesn’t work, then?”

“I’ve thought about that too and I think it’s because I know it’s not real. With your wound, for example, I know you’re in pain. I can see that it’s affecting you and I want to fix it.”

“So, what you’re saying is I just need to hurt myself enough times for you to figure it out?”

“Goddesses, don’t joke about that! I don’t want my father getting any crazy ideas.”

“No,” Liesl agreed. “He has plenty of those on his own.”

When it came time to say goodbye after the meal, Liesl walked Zelda to the door and then stood there awkwardly, not sure what to say or do. I mean, they rarely left each other’s side so early in the day. And with the realization of their feelings…

“I’ll try to come back as quick as I can,” Zelda blurted out from where she stood across from her friend.

Liesl nodded her understanding and tried to smile despite their impending separation. If only because she had that reunion to look forward to. “Okay. Just…be safe, don’t push yourself too hard.”

“I won’t, I promise.” Zelda looked like she hesitated for a moment but ultimately relaxed. So, before she grasped that handle, she stepped forward and wrapped Liesl up in another hug. “One for the road,” she whispered and then slipped through the door before Liesl could recover or think of anything to say in response.

Liesl heard voices in the hallway thereafter and figured that would be Zelda’s escort for the morning. For a moment, anger flared in her chest because it should be her at the Princess’s side. However, it quickly faded as she let out a long sigh. Well, better get to something. Anything to keep her mind busy. Maybe cleaning? Hmm, that didn’t sound enjoyable but it was worth a shot.

By the time the kitchen staff showed up to collect what remained of breakfast, Liesl had already tidied away everything and had it on the cart ready to go. The maids were sent away too as she took it upon herself to not only make the bed but also deep clean Zelda’s room. Or that was her intention but it seemed that the castle staff really did keep the Princess’s room spotless.

Of course, Liesl’s room didn’t need much attention either because she was hardly ever in it. So, what the fuck was she going to do now? Stew in her thoughts? That sounded awful. Eventually, her legs took her back to Zelda’s bed where she didn’t hesitate to climb in and mess up what she fixed earlier. Maybe she could go back to sleep and skip the day until Zelda returned?

Ugh, but Liesl couldn’t do that every day. Still, she closed her eyes and tried to will her mind to rest. Unfortunately, she stood no chance because as soon as those lids closed, Zelda popped into her mind. Goddesses damn it all! But instead of trying to fight it, Liesl reached up to Zelda’s pillow and brought it closer until she could bury her face in it and inhale deeply.

She didn’t know how long she stayed like that, but the sound of someone eventually opening the door had Liesl shooting up in the bed. Unfortunately, it was only the kitchen staff once more bringing lunch. One serving of lunch. Great, she couldn’t even eat with Zelda now? She was in no mood to talk and simply waited on the bed for the two women to deposit the cart, bow, and then leave the room once more. And was it just her imagination or did it seem like there was something beyond Liesl’s coldness that caused the two to want to retreat hastily? She stayed on the bed thereafter, brought her knees to her chest, and simply stared at the food as her appetite failed to materialize. This wasn’t fair…