Link came rushing out of the stables later the next morning. His back protested with every movement he made but he couldn't let that stop him.

He rushed towards Zelda who was feeding her horse; she turned around when she heard him approach, "S-Sir Link! Why, I didn't think you'd be up-"

"Pack your stuff, your Highness, we need to leave, now." He stepped past her, putting the saddle on her horse. It seemed he was aware of last night's events.

"Excuse me? You're still injured-"

''No time to explain," he shouted behind him.

Narrowing her eyes in puzzlement and slight frustration, she grabbed her stuff and packed speedily.

Five minutes later they were racing round the lake opposite the stable, Zelda's arms carefully wrapped around Link's waist to avoid his injuries as he held the reins in his hands. When they finally ceased to a halt at the crossroads, Zelda started questioning him.

"Now, want to tell me what that was for, and why you thought it necessary to order me around like that? I think by now you are aware of who I am."

He grimaced slightly, though she wasn't quite sure whether it was because of the pain of his still-raw injury or the reminder of his position as her protector.

"Please accept my apology, Your Highness, the stable was no longer deemed safe for you. When I awoke, the bed opposite me held a sleeping Yiga spy. I believe they may be following us again."

Will I ever be free of their constant presence around me?

"While I'd rather you'd have explained to me and refrained from bossing me around in such a brash manner, I am thankful for your discovery." She suddenly remembered something. He hadn't even made a slight sign of recognition towards the death of his horse.

It was like it had never happened.

"Sir Link?" She asked, grabbing his attention. "I am sorry for the loss of your horse."

Still no emotion.

"As am I, your Highness." Her short-temperedness got the best of her again.

"And yet you act as though you couldn't care less! Not a single emotion has shown across your face, Sir knight, your horse was brutally murdered in front of our eyes. Goddess above, you were on your horse when the lightning struck, and yet you act as if nothing happened. You really are a horrible, cruel man. Not worthy of the title of knight, unworthy to be travelling with me."

Link straightened his back, ignoring the strain it was causing the stitches, most likely opening them. At this point he couldn't care less if he spoke out of turn, enough was enough. He was a knight, and princess or no, he was not going to accept these insults any longer.

"So that is what you really think of me? You really think that lowly of me? You will never know the amount of anger I possess right now, Princess. You do not know me, do not even better pretend to understand me.

"You call me selfish and cruel, yet, I recall you complaining when I went to save Lurelin from Lizalfos. You say I'm cold and emotionless, you could ask many a knight in the army if this may be the case, and I can assure you it rarely is. As much as you seem to believe that my destiny was handed to me on a platter of silver and that I have no burden to carry, Goddesses knows how you came up with that, you are terribly mistaken.

"You live a life of luxury and have everything you need handed to you. You do not know what it is like to be homeless and starving, you've never seen a friend killed in front of your own eyes.

"I have lost track of the amount of times I have. So many deaths I could have prevented if only I had trained more, then maybe I would have been able to block the hit aimed at my best friend's chest.

"You think my destiny has been laid out for me but the goddesses have been cruel. The very last connection to my parents I have-" He cut himself off, "Had, was that very horse, Princess. She had been by my side for many years.

"I've been taught since the age of three not to show emotion because it shows weakness. I have to be emotionless around you to hide how scared I am.

"I'm only human Zelda. I bleed, make mistakes, a great deal of them in fact. And I learn from them. I train everyday to become a better soldier. Maybe one day I will avenge those that died beside me.

"I have had many wounds, and other various injuries to save you, and for what exactly? For you to go and insult me? Call me a show-off? That I am arrogant and selfish?

"I remain silent because if I speak everyone around me will discover how truly terrified I am. You know nothing of me and you never will. I may answer to you, but you will never have my respect. Now if you wish for us to continue this journey, you will stop insulting me. You can go to the King and tell him all that I have said, but I no longer care, Zelda. I really don't. I have had it. I am done."

Link's voice was cracking horribly by the end of this, throat raw from the shouting, a couple of tears threatening to leak out. Zelda was crying and Link had long ago gotten off the horse and was now staring at Zelda's tear stained face, not caring in the least that it was his fault she was crying, She deserves to cry, for all the pain she causes me, he thought. He assumed she wasn't used to being shouted at.

"I- I apologise, Link-"

"And that makes it okay-"

"No, not in the slightest, I don't understand you, you have been nothing but nice to me, I understand now. I make all these assumptions about you with no real evidence. I never knew of all the things that have happened to you, and that is my fault because I never thought to ask you. I- may we please continue?"

Link said nothing, but instead chose to walk on foot besides the horse. They turned left at the crossroad, not particularly sure where they were, not particularly caring.