Time continued to drag into the afternoon, and Liesl was left with nothing but her thoughts. The attack, the King’s demands, her conversation with Impa…and with Rowan. Rowan . She hadn’t been very fair to him, had she? Yelling at him and then clamming up, refusing to let him explain further. And despite that, he had stayed behind with the King, fighting for her to be treated with even a modicum of respect if not fully as the person she was born to be. The hero. From what she could tell, he’d tried before too, even potentially risking the King’s wrath to do as much as he did.

Eventually, Liesl must have fallen asleep because she didn’t remember the next few hours passing by. She didn’t stir from her position on the bed, hugging Zelda’s pillow until she heard the door shut and felt a presence standing over her.

“So, this is what you chose to do while I’m gone?” There was a hint of amusement to the soft voice and Liesl opened her eyes immediately upon hearing it.

“You’re back,” she said before scrunching her face and sitting up from the bed after letting the pillow fall from her arms.

“I am,” Zelda said before indicating her pillow with a nod of her head. “Miss me?”

The realization that Zelda had seen Liesl snuggling up to the pillow caused her cheeks to heat to a furious red before her eyebrows knit. “Well, obviously!”

Zelda giggled thereafter but moved around from the foot of the bed to the side. “Here, let me help with that.”

Before Liesl could figure out exactly what that relief might look like, Zelda leaped onto her, tackling her and sending them both to the duvet below. More giggles flowed from the Princess’s lips while a shocked inhale fell from Liesl’s.

“Zelda!”

“Mm, I’m home.”

That assertion stole any further complaint and Liesl simply let the Princess further shift until she laid on top. She continued to watch Zelda settle and her expression change from amusement to something more…weary. As if the Princess could let that mask drop now that she was back in her room and with her friend, who knew her as a person and not a figurehead.

Once Zelda stilled, Liesl brought up a hand and let the fingers run through the long, blonde hair as she tried to provide some comfort to a tired body. “Rough day?” She asked while repeating the gentle movement that would hopefully calm Zelda, as well as her own heart. It sure was thumping right now, wasn’t it?

At first, Zelda only groaned and then buried her face further in the taller woman’s neck to sigh her frustration. “It’s like the whole tone has changed,” she started. “They just kept pushing and pushing, not giving me a moment’s reprieve. As if that will make this any easier.” After another moment, the Princess opened her eyes and looked up then to find Liesl’s. Goddesses, even with the exhaustion evident in that gaze, their vibrant color still made her stomach knot. “I wasn’t even allowed to come back and eat lunch with you.”

Ugh, the pain in Zelda’s voice was currently ripping Liesl’s heart in two and she wanted to go find whoever was responsible and give them a piece of her mind! “I’m sorry,” Liesl whispered. “I was hoping you would at least be able to do that much.”

“Yes, I–”

However, Zelda’s next words abruptly ended following a sudden knock on the door and both women scrabbled to get untangled in time before it opened and the kitchen staff came through. The pair stood awkwardly at the side of the bed as two women entered, pulling the cart full of their dinner. Phew, that was close, and it seemed Liesl would have to have a conversation with the staff about knocking and then waiting for permission to enter.

“Good evening, Princess,” the older one started before looking at Liesl. “Miss Liesl. We put extra on there since you skipped lunch.”

“You what?” Zelda asked before looking over at her friend and narrowing her eyes.

But Liesl didn’t answer and only fixed her friend with a stare as if to say later . Whereupon she returned her attention to the servants. “Thank you, and no need to worry about setting up. I’ll take care of it.”

“Yes, Miss Liesl.” A bow from both followed before the two women disappeared once more.

Of course, as soon that door was closed, Zelda spun on her and placed her hands on her hips. “You didn’t eat lunch!?”

Well, so much for later . “It was an accident,” Liesl said before starting to set the table for their dinner. “Well, kind of. It just didn’t feel right eating without you and then I fell asleep…” But she was paying the price now as the smell of the rice pilaf plated high for each made her stomach growl with hunger.

Zelda nodded her understanding and no further chastisement came, only a gentle hand on Liesl’s shoulder that made her pause her preparations. “Just promise me you’ll try to eat lunch tomorrow. You need your strength.”

“What for?” Liesl couldn’t help the sarcasm in her voice, but she knew Zelda was only trying to look out for her. “Sorry,” she quickly added before turning and facing her friend properly. “It’s just…being stuck in this room is already driving me crazy. And it hasn’t even been a day!”

“I know,” Zelda said before using that hand to rub her back. “Come on, you’ll feel better with some food in your belly.”

Would she? Or would it be Zelda’s company that reversed her sorrow? Both in the conversations they had at dinner and the bed they would share later. Liesl thought she knew the answer, but there was only one way to find out…

By the third day, Liesl’s mood truly began to spiral. However, at least she wasn’t lying on the bed anymore after her morning chores. That habit had persisted through yesterday as well, but with some more gentle encouragement from Zelda, Liesl decided to occupy her mind if her muscles couldn’t get much use. And since eating lunch didn’t feel right at the table without her friend, she’d wheeled the cart over to the couch where she was currently busy reading a book.

It was there she sat when the door suddenly swung open so hard it nearly smashed into the wall, causing Liesl to jump and drop the grape she held in her fingers. And there she was, none other than the Princess herself.

“Zelda?”

“Let’s go,” she exclaimed before stalking over to the couch and grabbing her friend’s hand.

“I don’t–”

“We have to hurry before the guards realize this is where I went!”

No…she hadn’t, had she? “You snuck away from your escort!?” Even though it was shocking, there was an undercurrent of amusement in Liesl’s voice. Goddesses, Zelda really was something else.

“Well, I doubt they would’ve approved me coming here,” she said with a smile. “Besides, I figured you could use a visit!”

Right…

“A visit doesn’t require me to break your father’s rules, you know.”

“Oh, shush! You’re with me, just like Impa before.”

Well, Liesl wasn’t quite sure the same protections applied, but she didn’t argue. Once Zelda got to the door, she stuck her head out for a moment and then proceeded through, pulling Liesl along. The same procedure repeated then, the Princess checking around each corner they came to before bringing her friend around it.

Thankfully, the portion of the castle that contained her quarters was less populated since visitors and business was dealt with elsewhere. Still, they did run into the occasional wandering servant, but they only shrank away as the pair ran past. Down and down into the castle, to the point that even Liesl wasn’t sure where they were going or where they were.

“You’ll have to learn the route,” Zelda said as she finally eased up on their pace.

“The route to where ?” Liesl asked in confusion. “And why do I need to learn it?”

But Zelda didn’t answer. She only took one more turn and then stopped in front of a plain-looking door. “You need to know how to get to your new training hall, silly.” With that, she opened the door and stepped through after dropping Liesl’s hand.

Training hall? Liesl mouthed the words to herself before curiosity drove her to follow a moment later. It looked to be an old storeroom of sorts at first glance but the grunt of effort from off to the side immediately drew Liesl’s gaze. There she found Rowan, jacket open while he heaved one box on top of another off to one side. Considering the height of the others stacked around and the dirt on the floor, he’d had to move quite a few.

“Rowan,” Zelda said the soldier’s name to get his attention. He turned thereafter, clapping his hands together before he froze when he saw Liesl.

“You came,” he said.

While true, she hadn’t exactly known that Rowan was waiting for her or anything about why exactly she was here. At first, she only turned to Zelda, who stepped up a moment later and took a hand in both of hers. “Please don’t be mad,” she started before squeezing gently. “There was no time to explain.”

“I’m not mad,” Liesl replied while looking between them. “Just a little confused.” Honestly, it felt good to see the man again after so many days. However, she was still very much in the dark, and that was somewhat annoying. Especially since these two seemed to have planned this secret rendezvous.  

“You didn’t tell her?” This time, Rowan’s question was directed at Zelda, who shook her head in response.

“As I said, there was no time.”

“Well, there’s time now,” Liesl cut in. She seriously doubted anyone was going to find them…wherever they were.

Rowan took a step forward and looked like he was about to explain, but Zelda brought up a hand to signal that she should be the one. Which he seemed to agree with from his silence. “My father made a mistake not training you and that is not a mistake I intend to repeat. It doesn’t matter if he’s forbidden you from your…well, whatever you were doing before with Rowan. Now, I want you to prepare for real.”

Liesl looked stunned for a moment, but then her eyes narrowed, head tilting. “Your father is alright with this?”

“The King? Goddesses no,” Zelda said with a derisive snort. “But he doesn’t need to know, does he?”

“No…” Liesl turned to Rowan then and couldn’t help but notice the expectant look on his face as if he were wishing she would agree. “You’ll train me? For real this time…with a sword?”

“Yes,” Rowan nodded. “With any number of weapons, like I should’ve been doing all along.”

Well, he’d get no argument there. “Why now?”

Rowan let out a sigh and then brought a hand up to run through this white hair. “Because it seems we are running out of time and…well, the Hero has to know how to wield her sword.”

Her sword. Her Master Sword (if only for a time).

Honestly, Liesl didn’t know what to say and only nodded her head in response. Slowly at first, but it soon picked up speed as she became sure of her answer.

“Wonderful!” Zelda said before leaping forward and wrapping her in a hug. However, before Liesl had a chance to mirror the embrace, the Princess was already leaning out with a smile on her face and pride in her eyes. “I knew you would agree and I know you can do it, Liesl.” Her hands shifted on Liesl’s body until they came up to gently cup both her cheeks. “Now, I have to get back before I get in too much trouble.” A squeeze followed and Zelda was already moving to the door but turning as she did so to keep her eyes on her friend.

“I’ll see you for dinner, right?” There was no small amount of desire (and perhaps a little sadness) in Liesl’s voice that turned Zelda’s expression to something softer.

“Of course, I’ll see you then. And I expect a full report!”

After Zelda closed the door behind her, Liesl looked back to Rowan, who managed to look even more uncomfortable than he had a minute ago.

“I see you two are still getting along,” he said after clearing his throat.

The observation caused Liesl’s eyes to narrow as if confused as to why that needed saying. “Of course, we are.”

“So, her admission was well received? You…feel the same way?”

Oh, that’s what he was getting at. Though she would be ashamed to admit it, Liesl hesitated for the briefest moment to give him her answer. She’d seen how the King reacted to all this and Rowan had been so focused on defending her as the Hero, he hadn’t shared his opinion on what came with it. 

“I do,” Liesl said before nodding her head and bringing a solitary hand to grab at her dress over her heart. “I love her too.” Goddesses that felt weird to say! And if it weren’t for the doubt over what he might say, she’d almost be giddy. 

However, she apparently needn’t have worried because as soon as she confirmed her feelings, a wide smile broke out on his face. “You do?”

“You aren’t mad?” Liesl asked hesitantly.

“Mad? Why would I be mad?”

“I don’t know,” she said before shaking her head and bringing that hand up further to use her palm to wipe away some tears she hadn’t realized were gathering. “I treated you so poorly and…well, the King was so upset about Zelda’s feelings…”

“Liesl,” Rowan started in a calm, low voice. “I don’t blame you for being upset with me. And as for you and Zelda? I couldn’t be happier for you. I mean, you’re both so amazing.”

Really? He thought so? Okay, now she really was overwhelmed and Liesl couldn’t help but take a few steps forward before practically running at the big man. She hit against his chest a moment later and did her best to wrap her arms around it as her tears started to flow in earnest. “I’m sorry I yelled at you, I’m sorry you have to fight with the King.”

It took him a moment, but Rowan eventually brought his big arms up and wrapped them around Liesl too, squeezing her gently. “It’s okay, sweetheart. I’ll do it every day if I have to.”

Her fingers bunched some of his jacket and she realized the tears were probably wetting his undershirt. Another thing to be sorry for! But any further words couldn’t make it around the torrent of emotion, only sniffles and gasps for air.

“You’ve grown into a wonderful young woman, Liesl. And now it’s time you grow into the Hero you were meant to be.”

The Hero ? Some hero she was, crying into his shirt. Liesl lifted her face, her sight blurry, and swallowed hard. “What if I can’t? What if I can’t protect Zelda? What if I can’t even have the sword?”

“One step at a time,” Rowan replied before patting her back. “I don’t believe you’d ever let anything happen to the Princess if it was in your ability. So, that’s where we’re going to start.” Following his words, Rowan lifted a hand and pointed off to her right. When Liesl turned her head, she found a pair of swords she’d seen used in training matches.

She nodded thereafter and then looked back up to him as her features shifted to something more determined. “When do we start?”

“Right now,” Rowan said before matching her expression. “And every day thereafter.”