Link scratched his chin a little in thought, swallowing a moment before heading to his rook to rest. He probably shouldn't put a lot of thought into that, he was just grateful to finally sink into his bed...oh, heaven. Sweet, wonderful heaven. His nap was brisk, but he wasn't expecting to spend all day and night there. He felt refreshed as he headed back out, deciding to see how Ike and Sona were doing. They seemed to be serving more in an advisory role, as well as training the other soldiers some sword techniques.
Ike was overseeing a formation of men, arms crossed with Sona nearby, gnawing on an apple. It seemed she still had yet to uncover the mysteries of eating one. His face was contemplative for a moment, before glancing at Link.
"...You got a moment?"
"...Sure?" he said, brow arched. What in the world had he missed? Was everyone acting strange, or was this the new normal?
"Alright," Ike said. "Sona, I'll be back in a moment." They needed to talk, so they found somewhere a little out of the way from people as Ike leaned against the wall in thought. Link just watched him, confusion clear on his face. Ike swallowed a moment, then finally spoke up: "...Zelda and I...have been...together, sort of-"
Link's first reaction was probably not the best one, but it was the one Ike was expecting. Link's teeth grit faintly in annoyance and he swung his fist right across Ike's cheek. He let out a faint grunt as he stumbled back, shaking his head. He didn't deserve that, Zelda....they had parted ways. What Zelda did was something of her own business, he had tried to make her happy, but it just didn't work. He couldn't help that. It hurt that Ike could just...just waltz in and that was that.
"No," Ike mumbled. "It's okay, Link...I was kind of expecting that." Hero of Time had a mean right hook...
"Why?" Link muttered. "How?"
"It's not as much of a complicated story as you think..." Ike mumbled, still rubbing his jaw as he told the story. Ike was candid, although Link wasn't...entirely happy with what he was hearing, it certainly opened up a new side of Zelda he never much thought about. And he supposed...that was the problem. She was always Princess Zelda, or Queen Zelda. It was hard to picture her as...Zelda. They had known each other long enough for it to be that way, so why wasn't it? He supposed...that's what happened when you were held to an ideal, and you didn't know what to do about it.
"...Why are you telling me this?" Link asked curiously. "I appreciate it, Ike, really...but what Zelda does is her own business."
"Other than the fact that she's practically attached herself to you? I agree," Ike murmured. "Look, just...trust me, alright?" What he was suggesting was to just...throw himself on the Queen of Hyrule, a bold, courageous woman of supreme grace and poise...and she'd just...go with it? That she wanted him, but didn't want how they....did things? It left a bitter taste in his mouth that...essentially, Ike had figured out what he should have. Still, he...missed her. More than he wanted to say...but maybe in hindsight, it was more pomp and royalty and not...a man and a woman in love with one another?
"...She's..." Ike worded carefully. "...She likes passion," that was the best way to put it without making Zelda sound...well. "A lot,"
"...I see," Link mumbled. "And...you're certain?"
"Positive," Ike promised. "You're the Hero of Time, right? You're telling me Zelda scares you?"
"...Women are terrifying, Ike," Link grimaced. "I don't know how to do that around her!"
"...Women are terrifying," Ike agreed, rubbing his head with a sigh. Something he was learning far too much about, far too quickly. "Just...go with it? The first thing in your mind when you see her, just do it." he said.
"I don't understand how the Queen of Hyrule wants...that," Link admitted. "Why?"
"Women are terrifying," Ike repeated dryly. "Come on, Link...what's the worst thing that could happen?"
"Impa," Link said flatly. "Impa could happen."
...A very valid point, Ike had to admit. Impa was like a silent needle, waiting to press into your vein at the worst possible moment. Ike had a feeling she knew way more than she acted like about Zelda. He sighed, hand on his shoulder regardless. "This will work, Link." he assured firmly. "I promise, otherwise we're both going to be in trouble...now go see her, I'm sure she'd like to talk to you again."
"...Alright," Link sighed, hand running through his hair. He really wished he had the courage piece at this point. The first thing that came to his mind...? He supposed he could at least try that. "Thanks, Ike."
"...Sure," Ike murmured. And hopefully, his guilty conscience wouldn't be putting a knife to his throat any longer. Just talking to him about it made him feel so much better. So, Link took a deep breath and headed back towards the castle. He still had a really, really bad feeling about this...
