Light in the darkness

[hylianxsheikah]

[Zelda peers out the window of the laboratory on the shores of Lake Hylia, looking to see if the rain has slowed. It's pouring down as hard as ever, and the sparsely furnished laboratory is feeling damper and chillier by the moment. She sighs and turns away from the window, resigning herself to spending the night here. At least there's a stack of

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[hylianxsheikah]

[She's startled to her feet by the sound of the door suddenly opening and turns quickly, sucking in her breath in an involuntary gasp. She almost sags with relief as the firelight illuminates a familiar face.]

Thank the goddesses it's you, Link.

[hylianxsheikah]

Oh no, please don't. [Now that he's here, she realizes she much prefers having his company to having none; it frightens her to be alone in these circumstances.] Stay if you don't mind, I have the fire...I'm too tense to be alone.

[She wraps her cloak around herself again, sinking back to the floor.] I'm sorry I have no better hospitality to offer.

[hylianxsheikah]

I suppose sometimes there's little better one can wish for than a roof over one's head. And companionship. [She smiles a little, watching him go through his pack. She's already begun to relax in his company; it's a relief to have someone she trusts here with her.]

If you would, I'd be grateful...I'm nearly frozen. I'll try to see if I can make this fire any bigger.

[hylianxsheikah]

Magic's well and good, but better not to waste it if you don't have to.

[She patiently feeds more kindling into the fire while Link is up in the loft, glancing to the side now and again as wet clothes land on the floor. She glances up again as Link comes down, then abruptly looks back at the fire with her cheeks a little pink; she's not accustomed to seeing men in any state of undress.]

I think it's a little warmer, at least. [Yet she is still shivering.] May I have a blanket?

[hylianxsheikah]

If you think it's needed, please do. But what we have now may be enough.

[She sighs as one of the blankets settles around her shoulders, embraced in warmth. It isn't just the blanket itself, but the heat of Link's body close to hers.] Thank you.

Oh no, no! [she answers immediately] It isn't that at all, it's just--well. I'm not accustomed to seeing... [She waves a hand, apparently searching for words, her blush deepening.] Men's bodies.

[hylianxsheikah]

A little, yes. [She pulls the blanket tightly around her, hoping to insulate herself in its warmth, hoping that she'll at least stop shivering soon.]

[Her blush deepens.] You don't have to stay out of sight, you know. [But leaning back against him sounds nice--comfortable. She moves back a little, settling carefully against him.] I'm glad you're here, truly. Actually, there was something I needed to speak with you about.

[hylianxsheikah]

[She settles back more firmly against him, eyes half-closing as she watches the fire.] You mustn't think that was the reason I looked away, because I assure you it is not. I've seen scars. I have scars. You don't have to spare me, and I insist you don't.

[She sighs.] I'm sure you already know something of this. A short time ago, I...I went to the citadel in the north, accompanied by someone who helped me immeasurably. We found the spiritual stones, and took them. I was hoping that I might convince you to take one of them for safekeeping. You're one of the few people in this Hyrule I am certain I can trust.

[hylianxsheikah]

I'm quite fine now, don't worry. [Then she belies that with another blush as Link wraps his arm around her waist. Oh well, at least he can't see it this time. And it is more comfortable like this, not to mention warmer.] Yes...thank you. I thought I'd be cold forever.

I'm grateful. I believe it's possible that the stones may help us to escape this world.