If there was any aspect of your journey that you dreaded the most, it was climbing up towers. In order to unlock more pieces of his map on his slate, Link had to climb up these mysterious towers that touched the sky and glowed orange. Most of them were relatively easy to get to, but some of them had been guarded or, well, more like swarmed with monsters.

Link had spotted one far off in the snowfields and so you were on your way there. It was still quite a ride away, even if you took the horses at a gallop. You didn't want to push them that hard, however, so you and Link were taking your detour nice and slow. When you made it to the tower, you'd loop back around to the village and take the marked road where the treasure supposedly was.

For now, though, you enjoyed the scenery as you rode. You were comfortable in the saddle, surprisingly enough, and maybe that had to do with the absolute gorgeousness of the day. The sun dipped in and out from behind clouds and the wind was pleasantly cool. The road wound through the foothills of far-off mountains and was quite rocky on the edges, but the horses didn't seem to mind this so much.

There weren't any monsters to be seen on the ride so far, but that was until you rounded a corner and saw a large encampment just off the side of the road. Unfortunately, there was no time for you to duck behind cover, because one of their three archers had spotted you and had already sounded the alarm.

You took out your spear and spurred Nayru into a run, charging through the camp. The Bokoblins on the ground dove for cover but you were too quick with your spear. You managed to, in your first sweep of the camp's grounds, kill five of the monsters. You slowed Nayru and leapt off of your mare who whinnied valiantly and pawed the ground, evidently pleased with herself, when she came to a stop. Nayru trotted off with her head high over to Epona who was already busying herself with a patch of grass.

The Bokoblins you hadn't been able to reach had either retreated to their small tower in the tree or had been on the archer posts. Link had taken care of two of the archers and was just finishing off the final one when you raced past him, sword and shield at the ready, chasing the red creatures up the steps.

Upon reaching the first landing, you saw four red Bokoblins. You were sure that this would be no problem, until a white Bokoblin came down the steps and joined the fray. As you parried a blow from a red one's club, you noticed Link run by you and up the steps. You had seen a Moblin up there as you rode Nayru, stabbing monsters as you went, so you knew that that was where he was going.

You couldn't focus on what Link was doing, however. You had your own issues to deal with. The red Bokoblins were putting up an excellent fight, but not good enough. You parried and dodged, bashing into them with your shield, and dancing around them. You stabbed a Bokoblin through the heart and turned around- and in that same moment you kicked a Bokoblin off of the landing and to the ground below. You heard their dying screeches and increased the rapidity of your attacks to try to finish off the rest quickly.

One of the remaining two red Bokoblins had picked up a small bow and was struggling to line up a shot. You didn't even have to dodge the arrow for it to miss you. As you sliced off the arm of the other red Bokoblin, fending off the white one as you did so, you heard the unmistakable sound of a Moblin being slain. You could see, out of the corner of your eyes, its dead corpse fall to the ground from the landing above the one you were on.

Link ran down the steps to check on you. Seeing that you were still fighting, he grew angry. He only dealt with a few measly archers and a rather stupid Moblin, who barely knew to swing the club it wielded, and here was the bulk of the camp, fighting you. He knew you could fend for yourself, he was certain that you didn't need his help in the slightest, but he couldn't help the anger bubbling up in his chest.

"Why don't you all fight me, huh? You all gang up on her? Cowards!"

With a mighty cry, Link sliced the head clean off of the unsuspecting white Bokoblin and, as if he was in a frenzy, killed the one you had just dodged a blow from. As the monster fell and disappeared in a cloud of black smoke and dust, you looked up into Link's eyes. There was a dangerous, hostile look to them. It was almost animalistic.

"Link," you said cautiously, now that all of the monsters were dead. "What was that about?"

Link, taking a deep, calming breath, sheathed his sword and stood up straight. "It was nothing," he said, more to convince himself than you. You didn't buy it, but didn't pry. You only hoped it meant what your heart wanted it to.

---

The road was rocky and rough, the grass on either side becoming more and duller and dry, the sky becoming grayer. A cold wind blew past you, chilling you to the bone. It was still mid-afternoon but it looked like dawn with how damp and gray and dull everything looked. The clouds overhead were menacing and covered the whole sky. You were approaching the snowfields.

Hyrule as a whole wasn't known to have devastating winters. If you didn't count Death Mountain or the Gerudo Desert, then the whole of Hyrule experienced winter. However, if it was a typical winter, then the most regions usually got was one or two light snowfalls. Winters were mild in Hyrule.

In the Snowfields, snow fell year-round. It was always cold and always had a layer of the powder on the ground. Sometimes there was as much as ten feet covering the ground, and sometimes the tips of the dull green grass could be seen poking out of the thin layers covering it.

And as you approached them, you wondered why the fields became such a popular tourist attraction. The way the wind nipped at you was bad enough already. Your eyes were dry from the wind and you had a consistent layer of goosebumps on your arms underneath your tunic.

Link was actually enjoying himself. He, like you, hated the extreme heat and found this to be much more pleasurable. Where you found it unnatural for there to be a place with snow during the summer months, Link thought it was wonderful. Though you hadn't gone far enough to experience the snow for yourself, you could see the snowcapped hills and mountains in the near distance.

Link was excited to throw on his hat and gloves and dive headfirst into a snowdrift.

You were ready to bundle up by a fire and drink some hot tea or cocoa.

Your plans were thwarted by one of the most dangerous threats in Hyrule- a Lynel.

You and Link had already faced one before together. It was very difficult, and while you emerged victorious from the battle, the both of you ended up with many injuries and were forced to take it easy for a week before you felt well enough to travel extensively and fight again.

It was standing just on the edge of the snowfields. The centaur-like creature, as ancient as it was deadly, paced back and forth on the road ahead of you. Lynels had very good instincts, reflexes, and senses. There was no going around this monster. You'd have to fight it. Even if you could get around, you wouldn't want to leave the next travelers to fight it, especially not if they were only tourists trying to enjoy the sights of the snowfield.

If the snow became painted with red with innocent blood because you wanted to avoid a fight, you'd never be able to live with yourself.

You and Link adopted the strategy you had discovered and used by the end of your first fight with a Lynel. You grabbed your bow and ran off to the side of the road into a small ditch where you'd be able to duck down to hide. Link unsheathed his Master Sword and his strongest shield. For the first part of the fight, Link would distract the Lynel, getting a few hits in at a time while you provided a steady hailing of arrows. If the Lynel picked up on the strategy and charged at you, you'd join the fray and assist Link in fighting it head-on.

Link walked along the road, leaving the horses to graze at a healthy distance away from the fight. You crouched down in the ditch but peeked over the top, watching as Link walked bravely towards the four-legged monstrosity as it paced. Link twirled his sword in his left hand, staring at the Lynel. As it turned once more, it noticed Link approaching it and you pulled an arrow back in preparation. Your fingers were cold and shaky but you steeled yourself in preparation for the fight.

The cold was actually helping you stay alert. You could see your breaths come out in puffs before floating up into the monotonous sky. You lined the shock arrow up, its head surging with electric power. It was nearly silent on the battlefield set out in front of you. The Lynel stood up straight, flexing its muscles as it grabbed its weapon (which looked like a mix between a trident and spear) and shield. Its blue eyes glowed bright as it stared down into Link's.

Link stopped walking a few yards away from the Lynel. It reared up, roaring a mighty roar which seemed to shake the ground and shatter the sky. The roar, had you heard it only a few months ago, would have sent fear into your heart and paralyzed you from moving with its intimidating looks alone.

Now, though, you saw the intense power that was matched with the monster's intelligence and respected the creature. Not enough to let it live, however. You only respected it enough to give it a good fight to end its life.

With grim determination in your eyes, you tensed your body and prepared to release the arrow. The arrow was not lined up currently with the Lynel, but closer to Link. From your previous fight with a Lynel, you found that, as powerful as it was, it was quite predictable.

It had fire attacks which it would use to get out of a panicked situation. When it grew angry, it would charge again and again at its unlucky target. You knew that it would start off by charging, so you lined up the shot with where the Lynel would be. Link would be well out of the way by then. Dodging quickly and well was crucial when fighting a Lynel. You both had learned that in your first fight with the monster.

The Lynel charged. It ran towards Link with its head low, ready to impale Link with its horns. Link was far too prepared and quick to let that happen, and jumped to the side. And just when the moment was right, you released the arrow and it hit its target.

Quickly ducking down into the ditch, you looked for your next hiding spot. Lynels were quite smart- it would know where the arrow came from and would sent a flurry of shock arrows your way if Link didn't distract it quickly enough. There was a small, thin bush just out of the ditch, and you decided that that would be the best spot to hide in next.

Peeking over the top of the ditch again, you saw that the Lynel had its bow out but was busy trying to block Link's attacks. You mentally thanked your partner and hurried towards the bush. Ducking behind it, you readied another arrow. The Lynel roared and leapt away from Link.

It reared again, but did not charge. It instead readied its fireball attacks. Link prepared himself for that and since you were well out of its range, you stayed where you were. You lined up another shock arrow.

You let go of the arrow and it went flying, right into the Lynel's mouth. It roared in pain, interrupting its attack and causing smoke to come pouring from its mouth instead of fire. It ripped the arrow out of its mouth and took its weapon out just in time to parry Link's jabs with the Master Sword.

Using its shield, the Lynel bashed Link out of the way, sending him flying a few feet onto his back. Link had tried to counter it but the Lynel was physically stronger and managed to push Link away. Your eyes widened with concern before you realized that the Lynel's eyes had made it to yours and were glaring at you.

You quickly sent one more shock arrow its way, getting it in the leg in your haste before putting the bow on your back and taking out your sword. The Lynel wasted no time in charging at you, making it to you in mere seconds. You were ready for it, however, and side-stepped it as it trampled over the bush you were just hiding behind.

You took your shield out and blocked a swing from the Lynel. The force of the impact thudded through the shield and you were sure that you had just bruised your shoulder. Deciding that now really wasn't the time to worry about that, you took a swing at the Lynel only for it to jump away from you. It pawed the ground, giving you only a moment to prepare yourself before it was charging at you again. You leapt out of the way just as it reached you and it looped around to come at you again. Out of the corner of your eyes you could see Link slowly sitting up, holding his head.

You briefly wondered if he was seriously hurt before dodging the Lynel once more. You had done it at the perfect time, and time seemed to slow down as you jumped up and thrusted your sword repeatedly at the Lynel in the span of a mere second. And just like that, you were back on the ground and the Lynel was charging past you, significantly more hurt than it had been only a moment ago. The Lynel roared from the sudden pain and skidded to a stop.

It turned around, fire already sparking from its mouth. Its icy eyes met yours and you merely stared back at it defiantly. The wind blew some of your hair into your face but you ignored the loose strands. Deciding that it had waited long enough, the Lynel threw its head back before lowering it to send fireballs at you. You dodged them easily and ran towards the Lynel, ignoring the heat that came past you in waves that intensified with each passing step. You took a spear from your back and threw it at the Lynel, getting it square in the chest as you ran even closer.

Link was, by now, standing. He shook his head and focused on the fight. He had gotten a glimpse of you attacking the Lynel while he was trying to get up and was impressed (though not very surprised) with how well you were doing on your own. You were a tactical fighter, and a strong one at that, but you really only shone when you worked together. Your plans were crafted so well and neatly that they always were successful. On your own, you were scary. You seemed to abandon any plan you might have had but your moves were still calculated and looked like something you had choreographed.

He picked up the Master Sword and his shield and ran back into the fight. You were already engaging in close combat with the monster when Link joined you, the both of you working together to overpower the beast. The two of you were quick, but the Lynel was able to hold the two of you off for quite a few tense minutes. You kept up your assault, eventually overtaking the Lynel and each of you got a few hits on it. The Lynel leapt away, skidding to a stop. It was starting to grow weaker, you realized.

The fight from that point on could go in one of two ways. There was the more desirable option, in which the Lynel grew very fatigued and became slow in its movements, allowing you to easily overpower and kill it. Or, there was the more likely option, in which the Lynel gained a second wind despite its injuries and came at the two of you harder than it had before. The first Lynel had gone the first route. This one didn't seem so eager to give up.

In fact, this was confirmed with the earth-shattering roar that came from it. You sent a quick look at Link, and he looked to you briefly. You saw fiery determination in his eyes, alit with the fire of courage. In that moment he looked effortlessly strong with the way he presented himself. He oozed confidence and you felt in that moment that he could do anything. So you stood back, brought out your bow, and prepared to cover him for the final assault.

The Lynel was already charging when the understanding had passed between you. You sidestepped out of its path and Link jumped to the side. You had a regular arrow ready, having used enough shock arrows for the day. You walked slowly across the field in a relaxed manner, knowing that you were only there to provide cover for Link if he so needed it. Something gave you the feeling that he wouldn't.

Link was thrusting the Master Sword faster than you had ever seen him do, not that you were surprised. The boy always managed to surprise you, after all.

The Lynel grew angrier and swung its weapon haphazardly. His swings were sloppy and slow and Link easily dodged the blows. On a particularly slow swing, Link leapt onto the weapon and used it as a platform at which to leap towards the Lynel's head. You seemed to watch in slow motion as Link grabbed the sword in both hands and stabbed the Lynel in the brain. The sword was buried to its hilt in the Lynel's head, and Link, with his feet bracing him on its face, was breathing heavily but seemed to be pushing the sword further into the Lynel.

You put your bow away and walked back out onto the field towards the Lynel as it roared. It tried to buck and kick but it lost its energy quickly. Link twisted the sword with a quick jerk of his hands, and the Lynel died. It fell to its knees and with one more guttural roar, disappeared in a puff of smoke. Link dropped down from where the Lynel had been and put the sword away. When you reached him, you stood next to him quietly. Link was looking down at the ground and wiped away the sweat on his forehead with his sleeve.

He finally lifted his head and grinned at you, suddenly a bright ball of energy. "So tell me," he said, catching you off guard, "how cool did I look just then?"

---

The crackling of the fire kept time as you cooked that night. You were making a simple meal, but it was one of Link's favorites. In the past few hours all the two of you had done was continue along down that road until you found a decent spot to set up your camp for the night. You were in a forest of pine that had very recently seen snow, but most of it had melted already.

You were sheltered by the wide branches of the evergreens from the main onslaught of the wind but the air was still frigid. You huddled closer to the fire, warming your hands as you waited for the food to be ready. Link was nearby, sitting on his knees as well. You each had a blanket around your shoulders in your futile attempts to stay warm.

Through a break in the trees you could see the distant top of the tower you were heading towards. It stood tall, the bright orange dim in the distance but standing out clearly against the cloudy sky. You could see small patches of stars between the clouds you could see, and it was right about now that you hoped that the trip up to the tower was quick and uneventful. You liked looking at snow and you figured that playing in it was fun, but that didn't mean you wanted to spend more time trudging through the snow tomorrow than you had to.

Your limbs were sore, and the cold certainly didn't help. What you really needed was a nice trip to a hot spring. You'd never been in one, but you heard that they were lovely and as hard as it was to get to them, they were reinvigorating and well worth the work. The Lynel from earlier had given you quite a fight, and though you hadn't felt the effects of the battle initially, it pained you to move your legs and your arm muscles strained every time you lifted them. You were bruised and dirty, with a few cuts and blisters, but you were relatively unhurt except for your muscle pains.

When Link finally defeated Ganon, you'd take a nice vacation in the nicest place you could think of and you'd stay there for a year before setting out again. Your body would certainly appreciate the time off.

The food finished while you were lost in your thoughts, and Link gently tapped your shoulder to get your attention. You smiled sheepishly at him, thanking him quietly, before retrieving the food and setting the bowl down. Taking a ladle, you distributed the food into two smaller bowls and handed one to Link. Giving him a spoon, you told him to enjoy as you grabbed one for yourself.

After Link took his first bite, he smiled as he swallowed. He sat back, relaxing. "(Y/n)," he said, "have I ever told you just how much I enjoy your cooking?"

"It's been implied," you said simply as you added another stick to the fire to keep it roaring.

"Well, I love it so much, I could eat this every single day until I die and I'd be happy," he said with a grin as he took another bite.

"That may not satisfy all of your nutritional needs," you replied. "Hylia forbid if you don't get your daily dose of sugar."

"That's what dessert is for," he said with a roll of his eyes.

"Oh, that's right. How could I have forgotten?"

Link shrugged as he swirled the soup in his bowl. "I don't know. All I know is that you're a fantastic cook."

You smiled. "I hope that when you look at someone that's not the only thing you're looking for."

"It's one of them," he admitted, "but you gotta look at character and intelligence and wit and I dunno, other stuff. I'm just upset you haven't taught me how to cook yet."

"I'll teach you to cook at a later time," you promised, "but not right now because I like being able to do something you can't, other than being able to form a comprehensible plan."

"Wow," he said, feigning hurt, "that's a low blow."

"Like I keep saying," you said, taking a sip of your soup, "you make it so easy."

Author's Note: this chapter took a while mainly because I was playing Hey Ya by Outkast on repeat and it was a legitimate jam fest in my bedroom

Anywho, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. The next one shouldn't take so long, as long as homework doesn't pile up again.

Y'all know what I love? When your best friend invites a new best friend to all the places he used to take you. Like dang. You can't replace me that easily- your parents love me and invite me everywhere regardless of your wishes and our friends don't like your new one. So check yoself before you wreck yoself, buddy-boy. 

Of course, I'm the only one on his snapchat who granted him the name 'Xx_BussyDestroyer_6969_xX' so I mean, I'm not going away anytime soon. ;)

See y'all in the next chapter! Some more cute times are coming up soon, followed by some drama, but after the drama, the romance will be on its way. So don't worry, the wait is almost over. Only 22 chapters left, after all.