We all are animals anyway

Link and Zelda enter the cave once they hear the car that brought them driving away. Once inside, the Princess begins to search around for some type of ladder. In her head, if they fell through a hole, they needed to climb out of it to go back to Hyrule, the easiest way to do that was using a ladder. But she was not finding anything of the short.

She was avoiding talking to Raziel, since she still blushed when she looked into his eyes… but she could not avoid the interaction any longer.

ZELDA POV

"How are we going to go back to Hyrule? We fell through a hole, that means we have to go up, but I see no ladder or stairs"

Ziel shakes his head chuckling at her "Because there are none. If there where, I would have used them to get down here instead of falling down a hole don't you think?" Link ask her raising an eyebrow.

Damn, I had not thought of that, but he is right, we would have used them…

"How then?"

"We climb" Ziel said as he grabbed some dirt from the ground and rubbed his gloves with it.

Zelda stares at him in horror "You can't be serious, it's not even a steep incline, it goes completely up how are we...." the Princess stops talking when she notices Link's annoyed stare.

"Who do you think you are talking to?" Ziel asks exasperated.

I think I made him angry, but I guess he is right, he is been doing this for some time, why am I even doubting him?

He is staring at me expecting an answer. But what do I answer? Who is he? I have 3 answers to that question actually… I am just going to tell them all.

The Princess breaths in "That depends… you are Raziel, Prince by adoption of Hyrule's King. Or you are Kid, a SWORD agent. And last but not least, you are a young man with a strong build and a lack of morality named Link" Zelda ends folding her arms.

Link raises his eyebrows chuckling.

"Was not expecting THAT answer… seems like I am a lot of thigs" he sighs and looks directly at Zelda "who or what else do I have to be for you to follow my lead?"

That's not it… YOU are not the problem, I AM. You are awesome. You are followed and respected by the beasts I now call brothers... I am just a scared and uncapable girl who became a Princess by luck. The problem is ME.

"I am NOT doubting you; you are…" she doesn't end her sentence "I am doubting myself… I don't think I am strong enough to make that climb" Zelda says in sorrow and a little of shame.

"You don't have to be… just hold on tight to me like before" Links says as he steps close to her and delicately removes the hair tie of her braid.

Fuck he is hot; I think I just wet my panties, that odor he carries is NOT HELPING… I blame all of this on this trip; I think it was an emotionally heavy ride. I mean, at a point I wanted to die, and the next day I was on top of the world; and Link was there with me holding my hand… I must have developed attachment to him. Meaning this is NOT LOVE, I just need to get a hold of my hormones and remember that HE HATES ME.

Ziel proceeds to use Zelda's hair tie to close the reusable bag he brought with the clay pot. After wrapping the elastic band around the opening of the bag and securing it tightly, he places the bag's handles on the Princess shoulders, making it look like she is wearing a makeshift backpack. He then goes down on a knee and ushers her to climb on his back.

NO FUCKING WAY, IS HE SERIOUS? Don't argue with him, he is already kind of angry, and he is also very stubborn… not a good mix to contend against. Just go with the flow.

Zelda climbs on Link's back, he slowly raises and walks to the wall but stops right in front of it.

"I need to ask; did you notice when we used the hole that we slowed down during the fall? Like there was no gravity pulling us any longer"

"We did what?" the Princess asks puzzled.

"I guess you didn't… that is how those holes in Hyrule work, in the middle of the climb it will try to suck us up and spit us out of it, you will feel like you are floating away, don't be scared and don't let go of me" Link warns hers as he starts the climb.

I had no fucking idea holes in my land did that… all of them or a few selected ones? I will investigate that later.

"I think I know why you use gloves all the time" Zelda suddenly interjects while Link was already climbing.

"I would tell you to shut up since you are disrupting my concentration, but now I am intrigued…"

She giggles "To hide the big mole on your left hand… but you don't need to hide it really, it looks kind of eerie but my family won't mind it at all."

Link grabs on a rock to hoist them up, but once he applies pressure on the rock it peeled from the wall falling down.

"Well, that was the easy way up… And it's not a mole, it's a tattoo" Ziel clarifies.

Zelda shakes her head puzzled "Why would you tattoo a mole on your hand?"

"To cover up a birth mark… maybe Claire and Derrick would not mind at all, but why give other nobles something to criticize and shame us for?" He back tracks a little and changes the route of the climb "Had been wondering if it actually looks real, thanks for the confirmation" Link said after reassuming his climb.

He covered it to shade us from being the talk of the kingdom… that was thoughtful of him.

"Wouldn't it be more comfortable to use fingerless gloves instead of complete gloves? They will still cover the mole you know" Zelda suggests.

"Can't do that. The Quantum world, this world we are currently leaving, has technology that allows them to scan fingerprints. They also keep a record of everyone's fingerprints. I am a SWORD agent… I can't be leaving my fingerprints everywhere for them to find and track me"

Finger prints, I am not sure who would scan a whole area for finger prints, but it makes more sense now why he avoids taking them off. I thought he was eccentric but he is just being responsible.

"That's reasonable. By the way, who is Derrick?" Zelda casually asks.

Link suddenly stops his climb; the question almost made him loose his grip.

"What do you think the other D on the King's name stands for?"

Wait… DERRICK IS MY KING? Why didn't I know this? Was I so detached from him?

And for what? for someone like Bardick? The guy doesn't even deserve the FATHER title, but Daphnes does. I like the name Derrick now that I think about it, sounds strong and approachable.

"How do you know that is his name?"

"Why didn't you?"

Zelda was about to retort, but she starts to feel like she was being pulled up and taps on Ziel's shoulder. Link notices and checks by pulling a few vine's leaves and letting go of them, they float a few seconds and then they are pulled up. He grins.

"Princess, I am going to hoist myself up the wall, we will be pulled up and land out of the hole, once we do, I am going to dash out, I am counting on you to hold on tight"

Zelda nods hugging hard on Link and pressing her face on his back. "You didn't even suggest to bandage my eyes this time, I am still closing them, it's up to you if you believe me or not"

"I believe you"

Does he?

Zelda feels as Ziel pulled them up with force, she bit on his shirt waiting for them to start falling down because that is how gravity works, but they didn't. She opened her eyes to see as they were being pulled up by a force she couldn't comprehend. Once they were thrown out of the hole, the Princess looked around and saw the skull kids turning their faces towards them... their eyes shining with malice. She closed her eyes again in dread as the wood foes started moving towards them. The sound of cracking chestnuts these foes made and their mocking laugher unnerved the Princess… but she was not as fearful as the first time. After a few minutes of running everything was quiet again.

"You can open your eyes, we are out" Link says as he goes down on a knee to allow her to climb down.

The Princess opens her eyes, they were at the tunnel entrance of Lost Woods, a few curious Koroks popped out to watch, one of them begun to approach them but Ziel kicked him away with a mock laugh. The rest of the Koroks remained vigilant in their place. Zelda was about to scold Link for doing what he did, but stopped herself after seeing the hurt in his eyes.

That one was Mido was it not? Was that the name of the one who bullied him? well… ALL of them treated him poorly if I remember correctly, but Mido was a special kind of asshole. Yet I see it in his eyes, it pains him, even if just a little but… why does he still cares? I would say FUCK THEM ALL if it were my case.

"Why do you still care about them?" Zelda genuinely asks.

"I don't, that would be a little twisted… but Saria does. She would have reprimand me severely for what I just did. I am sure."

"Would… I ever meet her?" Zelda asks in a low tone already expecting a negative answer.

LINK POV

Would she? I… am not sure. Actually, it may be beneficial. Saria would be a good influence and could become a good friend, BETTER than any other spoiled rotten noble girl. A friend that would keep her entertained whenever I can't take her with me.

*Malon also exist you know*

Damn… yes but, Malon is kind of a hard cookie, she is not reserved and structured like Saria, she is vocal, passionate and untamed. But the ranch girl is also hardworking and honest to herself… yeah Malon IS another influence I want in my future Queen.

"Do you want to meet her? I may go visit tomorrow" Link says as they started crossing the hanging bridge that led to Hyrule field.

Zelda's eyes squinted at him as she pointed at her throat, then suddenly sparkled at the idea of meeting the LAST Kokiri and nods. Links smiles back and points at his own throat, he then flips the hand with said finger, to signal her that he knows he reversed to a normal tone and the change was conscious.

Yeah Princess, I know you don't mind my voice, and you even like it because you are a weirdo, but we are heading to Hyrule… I need to keep it a secret from everyone there.

As they left the forest behind, the Princess sees a carriage waiting for them.

"How?" the Princess asks.

"SWORD always gives a communication device to the King of Hyrule, a cellphone basically, yet none of the previous rulers have EVER used it until Daphnes. That is how he requested SWORD's assistance when the Gerudo attacked. I trusted he wouldn't put it on storage again, so I called and informed my King that we would be arriving today… or did you preferred to walk barefoot to the castle?" Link asks jokingly.

Zelda stares at him with disdain and climbs on the carriage, Link chuckles and follows her. The travel to the castle was traversed in silence. Once they arrived to the castle entrance, Cormac received them effusively, brought a pair of shoes for Zelda and told them to head to the throne room, since the King and Queen awaited for them there.

They both diligently walked to the throne room, not bothering with Zelda's lack of proper clothing and Link's disheveled state. Zelda stops in front of the door doubting about entering, she hugs herself and sighs.

Well, she is obviously distressed by the idea of meeting with them. I myself feel like that too, I have no idea how this is going to go, since Queen Claire was VERY against the idea of Zelda leaving Hyrule. But this isn't my first rodeo, let's grab the bull by the horns and end this.

Link smiles at the Princess and offers his forearm, she takes it and enters the room with him after he pushed open the doors. A few second after entering they both are thrown back by a female scream.

"AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH" The Queen yells and basically jumps out of her throne to receive them.

Claire reaches the Princess and gives her a quick and very weak slap on the cheek "That is for leaving without saying goodbye" the Queen says and proceeds to hug her REALLY HARD. Zelda turns red due to the lack of oxygen. Daphnes is roaring in laughter from his throne, but slowly stands up to also approach them.

Well… the lioness was annoyed, but not irate, GOOD. This is far from a bad scenario.

"How was the trip?" asks the King coming closer, he quickly raises his palm to silence Link "I am NOT asking you Raziel" Daphnes says in a very serious tone.

Fuck… he does not want me to influence the Princess response, he wants feedback directly from Zelda. PLEASE give him a good answer my Princess.

"It was… a trip that forced me to self-discovery and growth" Zelda claims with certainty.

The King and Queen stared at her in a mix of overall confusion and eagerness. She notices and proceeds to explain to them what she means.

"You see… I was kind of forced to consider others and not just myself. I learned I am good with words under stress, that I have it in me to command people, and that my sense of smell is top notch" Zelda smiles at the memory of it all.

"About that last point" Link taps on his nose "is my King completely sure Zelda is not blood related?" Link asks earning a chuckle from Daphnes. The Princess rolls her eyes and continues.

"I am sure I discovered many other things but can't recall them all at the moment. Overall, it was a good experience that opened my eye to realities I refused to acknowledge"

The Queen smiles overjoyed with everything she has heard so far, but gives her daughter a second look and scowls.

"I cant get my head around the idea of what you are wearing… not proper at all for a Princess. Go get changed. I almost forgot, Martin's package for you got here yesterday, its outside your door"

Zelda's eyes widen in enthusiasm as she pulls on Link's arm "those are my corsets, right? I will go change and check on my package" Zelda starts to run out of the throne room but stops and turns.

"Both of you are following the new diet, right?" the Princess asks the King and Queen.

 "YES" "EM…"

answered the says the Queen

King embarrassed

Zelda stares at both of them in shock, turns to look at Link as she points at the royals. Ziel just laughs at the pride reflected on Daphnes's semblance, contrasting with the shame on Clare's, and the utter dismay plastered on Zelda's face. The Princess turns and walks back to face her mother, her face reflecting disappointment. Yet when she spoke, her voice was firm and a little aggressive.

"Are you still a child?" Zelda asks the Queen "of course you are not, you are a Ruler now, stop your silly tantrums and eat what you are supposed to, because I am not afraid to use a funnel to force it down your throat too" the Princess sighs.

"I just can't believe that my father is the one who has embraced the diet change, and he doesn't even need it… BUT YOU DO" Zelda points her finger at Claire. Link puts himself between the Princess and the King to block him from Zelda's sight, and starts trying to push her away delicately.

She said FATHER, and Daphnes heard it. I saw it in his eyes… he broke down the moment she pronounced the word. I need to take her out of here fast. I can't allow her to realize how much pull she has on my King… not yet at least. In due time, but as off now, I don't trust her enough, she could abuse this power.

Ziel clears his throat before speaking "Let's give the Queen some time and privacy to feel bad about her deeds, in the meantime, why don't you check on what Martin send you? I will find Nana to give her this" Link lifts the reusable bag shaking it a little. "So, Nana can cook us something for dinner that Claire will definitely have to eat" he says wiggling his eyebrows.

Zelda smiles at the idea and lets him push her out of the throne room, but says loudly as she is leaving "I do love you mom, but you have to love yourself too, do better to get better for me" Link turns and winks at the royals before shutting the doors.

The Queen is irate for being put on the spot by her daughter, but can't contain the smile of pride that starts blooming on her face. Claire rushes to her stoic King and hugs him from a side, yet he continues to stare at the door with yearn. As Daphnes slowly comes out of his trance, he places an arm around the Queen's shoulders.

"She gave you an earful didn't she… I will need to write all this down so I don't ever forget it" the King says mocking the Queen.

"She did, but my favorite part was when she called YOU father" Claire says giving her King a side glance as tears start rolling down Derrick's face.