"Your Highness!" Several Hylian knights called, dropping to their knees to bow as they ran into the inn. "Several Zora guards were spotted approaching the village, it appears that your husband and Champion Mipha are among them." The group's captain reported. 

"Oh?" Zelda instinctively turned to an open window to check the sun, surprised that Link would be returning so soon. "Send a force, albeit small to show we mean no hostilities, to greet them. Ask of their business, then report to me. Is that clear?"

The knights nodded and headed out almost instantly. She watched until they had disappeared from her sight. She then turned to the innkeeper, who seemed incredibly shocked that she was speaking to him. "Do you perhaps know where Lady Urbosa might be?" 

The green Zora innkeeper shook his head in remorse. "My apologies, Princess, I do not know her whereabouts." 

Zelda then sighed and brushed a hand down her stomach, keeping her hand on her growing child as she left the inn to find Urbosa. As she walked, she felt her stomach become unsettled again; assuming it was because it was getting late in the afternoon, she was moving quite a bit and her stress was rising noticeably. As Zelda walked through the village, the residents noticed her almost instantly and called out some variation of 'Good evening, Your Highness!' She wanted to disappear into her mind to forget about her rising nausea, but the voices addressing her made it difficult. She eventually decided to distract herself with them, waving at everyone who stopped what they were doing to be heard by royalty. 

"You're so pretty..." A little girl came up to her and said, warming Zelda's heart. 

Although she knew it would make her feel worse, she bent down to the little girl's height, resting her stomach on her knees. "You are a flower yourself." She replied, the heaviness of her voice present as she tucked the child's hair behind her ear. 

The child smiled at the statement before understanding the features of Zelda's voice. She then frowned a little and reached for Zelda's arm. "Are you okay, Your Highness? You sound like Mommy does when she's sick..." 

Zelda smiled sadly, which answered the child's question. Regardless, she decided to respond. "I'll be just fine, I'm just looking for Lady Urbosa, have you seen her? She's really tall and has red hair." 

The little girl perked up. "Yeah! I just saw her, come with me!" 

Zelda laughed at her enthusiasm and followed the best she could. After a little while, they found her among the open-air market stands. "Urbosa!" 

The Gerudo chief turned around. "Little bird." Urbosa came up to them, suddenly chuckling. "And who is this?"

The little Hylian became shy. "It's just Caphia, Lady Urbosa." 

"Well thank you so much." Urbosa cooed to the child.

"Yes, thank you so much, Caphia. You've been such a blessing." Zelda ruffled her hair gently before she ran off to tell her mother, and anyone who would listen, about her encounter with Princess Zelda.  

"I thought you said you were going to rest at the inn until Link returned?"

"I was but-"

"Little bird... you need to start taking better care of yourself... you've got a baby in you."

Zelda shied away out of embarrassment. "I know..."

Urbosa placed a hand on Zelda's shoulder. "I know it's hard... especially with the world being like it is... with your father like he is... but your baby's crying out for you to vouch for them, why do you think you feel as sick as you do?" Urbosa knew just by looking that Zelda was nauseous, but she didn't know until her words were said that mentioning it made her feel worse. 

"I try... but everytime I try, I am needed." Zelda groaned, breathing deeply. She took a clumsy gulp, which alerted Urbosa, who reached out and put one hand on Zelda's shoulder and another on her stomach. "Let's get you back to the inn." Urbosa soothed, massaging her stomach in a way that would hopefully keep everything down. Zelda nodded fearfully, gripping Urbosa's hand and wishing for her husband. They were able to get back without incident, Urbosa laid Zelda down in her and Link's private room. "There's something I need to tell you, Urbosa..." Zelda said before Urbosa left her side. "There's a Zora patrol en route and, according to a report, Link and Mipha are with them."

"I will stay to welcome them on your behalf, little bird, as long as you will stay here and rest." 

Zelda nodded, looking down at her swollen stomach. "The little one and I aren't going anywhere."

Urbosa nodded. "I'll be right back, let me tell the innkeeper we're both back here." 

Zelda nodded as well, watching Urbosa step out before closing her eyes and wrapping her right arm around her stomach. She dozed off faster than she'd expected, for she hadn't intended to doze off at all. However, when she did come to, she saw her sweet husband asleep in a chair right beside her, head leaned on the wicker nightstand. The sight sent a wave of comfort through her, and she was unconscious once again before she could stop it. When she woke up once again, she heard Link's kind voice before she was able to open her eyes. 

"Hey, honey... how'd you sleep?" His gentle blue eyes met her emerald green ones as soon as they fluttered open.

"I'm not sure... the last thing I remember was Urbosa saying she'd be right back... then I think I remember seeing you asleep... but that's a bit fuzzy... there were some other matters but I think I was dreaming then."

He stroked her face gently, making sure the blanket stayed on her; she looked down at it in surprise. "Heh, don't remember getting that? I know, I put it there." 

"Wh-when did you get back?" 

"Mmmm, about dinner time. Mipha asked if you were hungry so I came back here and saw you out like a wet fire. I put the blanket on you, told you I was back and went to go tell Mipha you were sleeping." He smiled softly. "It's been quite a while since I saw you sleep like that... and this time I could breathe because it wasn't because you were hurt."

"...It was likely because I was ill."

He frowned softly and clutched her hand. "Your stomach again?" When she nodded, he grimaced slightly in sympathy. "Oh, Zelly..."

She turned away from him and sighed, eyes shiny as if she was about to cry. Even though she had granted him permission on their wedding night, for he was her dear husband, hearing him use that certain pet name with that tone struck deep into her heart where the deepest and most painful scars from her mother's death lay secret.

"Come here." He pulled her into a hug, hearing her breaths in his ear. 

"Why am I the failed daughter of Hyrule?" She whispered suddenly. "What's wrong with me? Why can't I awaken the power like every other who carried this name?" Zelda whimpered into her husband's ear. 

"You're not a failed daughter, Zelly, and nothing's wrong with you... we just haven't found your trigger yet." He tried to soothe, surprised when her grip tightened instead of loosening. 

"What do you mean 'we?' You've succeeded in your destiny just fine!" She suddenly shoved him back, pouting. 

Link sighed quietly. "I'm just trying to help." Looking deep in her eyes, Link watched the true feelings of the woman he loved become clouded over. He knew at this point that it was likely from Zelda's hormones spiking after her being so emotional, but seeing her become cold to him once again made his panic rise.

"I don't need your help, I am a perfectly capable woman. In fact, I am the princess. Regardless of what my father has trained you to think, I am well within my ability to take care of myself and my people and I will unlock my sacred birthright!"

Before she could snap any more, Link bowed his head and stood to leave. She exhibited no reaction as he walked out... but once he was gone her response to him changed once more. 

"...Link?" He heard her suddenly whimper. 

He froze, waiting to see if his wife would utter anything else. 

"...Link?" She whimpered louder. "Link?! Link!!" 

He bit his lip, then charged back into the room where he had nearly been ejected from just moments before. He took her face in one hand and her hand in his other. "I'm right here, Zelda." 

Tears swept down her face as she pressed it into Link's hand. She looked deep into his eyes, fear in her. "Why did you leave- I thought you were leaving me- you're not supposed to leave my side- what about the baby- where were-" Zelda's soft, crazy rambles were silenced by Link pressing his pointer finger to her lips. 

"Peace." was all Link said.

Her lips closed and breathing slowed as she met his eyes with hers. She didn't say anything, neither did he, they just sat there and stared into each other's eyes with Link's finger pressed against her lips. Only the sound of their breathing (and an occasional groan from Zelda's stomach) was heard. 

After a long silence, Link removed his finger from her face and replaced it with a soft kiss. "May I get you a drink and some food?" He said softly, almost inaudible. 

"Yes." She breathed.

He nodded, then ruffled her hair slightly and stepped out, turning his head to face her when he got to the door. "I'm not leaving you," He reassured. "I'm just going to get things from the market. Would you like me to send Mipha in here with you?"

"That sounds lovely."

Link nodded once more and left, sending Mipha in once he found her. 

"You sent for me, Your Highness?" The sweet Zora asked as she peeked her head into the room.

"Please, just call me Zelda, Mipha. After all, we're friends, right?" 

Mipha nodded. "We are." She then sat down on the bed by Zelda's side. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm better, thank you. How do you fare?" 

"I'm just fine, Zelda." She looked down at Zelda's stomach through the comforter, motioning to her bump as she gasped in surprise. "Is this all you?"

Zelda laughed, pulling the blanket off to showcase her stomach. "It is." She rubbed it gently. 

"The little one's getting big." 

She nodded. "Would you believe that I didn't have a bump two weeks ago?"

"Really? I didn't think it had been that long since I'd seen you." 

"It hasn't. That's how quickly the little one has grown." The two chucked a little more before Zelda placed Mipha's webbed hand over her stomach.  

"Incredible..." She smiled with pride at her sweet friend's unborn child. She felt a warmth in her soul that was stronger than anything she had felt when she harbored romantic feelings for Link.

...It was good... divine even. 

Hylia had chosen Link and Zelda to be together... and they were happy. 

Mipha was happy.

Even though her love had been unrequited, even though Link had fallen in love with and married someone who had originally hated him... seeing Zelda pregnant with his child, watching Link be a loving husband... it was a better feeling, a warmer feeling, than Mipha thought she had ever felt... and she swore to protect it, to protect them, until the very end, no matter Ganon or time.

"Link was gushing about this little one yesterday. I can see why, he or she has just captured my heart." 

"He wants to give him or her a Hateno-sounding name, I myself think that sounds lovely." Zelda chuckled. "His father suggested Zelda Ivee for a girl, and we've grown quite fond of that. We haven't been able to discuss names for a boy yet, however."

"...That's precious. Did the discussion occur naturally or was it somewhat forced?"

Zelda sighed, running her hand down her bump. "Well... even though Father knows, he hasn't made it much easier on me. He continues to remind me how I've failed to awaken my powers, how I've forsaken the people of Hyrule to chase what he calls "pretend desires," how I've behaved so foolishly that Hylia herself has had enough and that, in my conceiving, I would birth a new daughter would be actually useful, a worthful heir." She sniffled and Mipha gave up her Champions' garb for Zelda to dry her tears. "When I brought this up to my father-in-law, he became angry and told me how wonderful and priceless I was, how Link and the Sheikah coming through have marveled at my mind and persistence... That's about how we got on the topic of the child's name." 

Mipha hugged her gently. "Your father-in-law is right. You both are lucky to have his support. Pay no mind to the hate of your father." 

As Mipha released her from the hug, Link came back and became concerned. 

"What happened?"

"Zelda was telling me how her father's been treating her since he found out."

Link snorted angrily, surprising Mipha. "I don't want to talk about that. " He growled. "It's all lies."

"What Zelda's been telling me or-?"

"No. She speaks the truth, her father does not." He snorted again, clutching the sword on his back tighter. "Her feelings aren't pretend!" He snapped at Rhoam, who was not there. "She's been training so hard! Too hard! My wife is not a machine! Is that so hard to understand?!" He then froze, taking deep breaths for a few seconds before sighing. "I'm sorry, I let myself get worked up."

"Link, it's okay, we all got worked up. Based on what both you and Zelda here told me, it's something to get worked up about."

Link wiped the painful tears from his eyes. "It hurts every time. He treats us both so horribly, I always worry about how he's going to discipline us every time we get an order to head back. I wish the Calamity wasn't so imminent so that the two of us could disappear again, probably to Hateno, until the baby is born."

"But it is, Link." Zelda said softly. "Omens appear often to remind us that his return is near... that we are running out of time." She looked down and clutched her stomach. 

Link went over quickly, setting down the things he had brought, to comfort her. He slid onto the bed, laying down on his side right beside his wife, who rolled over to face him. "It's gonna be okay." He soothed, rubbing her ear. "It's gonna be okay."

Zelda tucked herself into his figure, tears slipping down her face. She began to cry into his chest, soaking his Tunic with her holy tears. 

Mipha reached out and rubbed her shoulder as well. 

She cried for quite a while before she finally was soothed. A long pause followed before a soft groan escaped Zelda's lips, Link began to rub her stomach and feel it churn. "Ugh, who ever decided that this was a minor symptom of pregnancy needs to get sacrificed to Calamity Ganon... and who called it 'morning sickness?' You've gotten sick more often in the evening than you have in the morning."

"Oh, Zelda..." Mipha cooed. "If she can keep it down, there are some teas that might help."

Link looked down at Zelda. "You wanna try that?" After a pause, she nodded wearily.

Mipha got up to prepare it. "I won't be too long, you just keep soothing her stomach."

Link nodded and turned back to his wife. "This doesn't get much easier..." He felt things twist and turn within Zelda's middle as well as her tight, enlarging womb, which had expanded further than the boundaries of her hips. For some reason, feeling how tight Zelda's womb was, though it was probably normal, sparked an odd emotion within him, something he hadn't quite felt before. "Hey..." 

Zelda perked up slightly, getting the feeling Link wasn't addressing her but knowing no one else was there. She was surprised with how much he was pressing on her stomach, wondering why he was holding her so tight.

"H-Hey, little one... you in pain too?"

Zelda felt an odd sensation in her lower stomach and grimaced slightly. "I think the little one might be." The sensation struck through her again and she grabbed Link's hand, holding it tight over their child. 

"You and Momma need some help, I know..." He pulled Zelda a little closer, cradling her slightly and slowly as he ran his hand up and down her stomach in an attempt to soothe any discomfort his little family was in. 

"How are you- Oh. Am I interrupting a bonding moment?" Urbosa asked, having come by to say good morning and check on her little bird.

"No." Link sighed sadly, pausing for a while to look back down at Zelda. "I think there might be something wrong with Zelda or the baby."

"What makes you think so?" Urbosa cupped his face up towards hers, worry apparent in her face.

"A gut feeling... and her stomach doesn't feel quite right. Zelda's feeling it too, both physically and in this strange way I am."

"May I?" Urbosa sat down next to him and held out her arms to take Her Highness. Once Zelda was in her arms, Urbosa felt up and down her stomach. "She is tight down there..." She mumbled. "Come on, little bird, what are you feeling?"

"My stomach is ill..." Zelda moaned. "and it feels like something is trying to fold me backwards where my little one is..."

"Link, have you felt her stomach any other times lately?" Link shook his head, holding Zelda's hand tighter.

Mipha came back with a few cups of tea, then saw everyone hovering over Zelda and gasped. She placed the tray of drinks down near where Link had set the things he'd brought for Zelda and went over. "What is the matter?"

"Zel's having more tummy trouble..." Link cooed in concern. "We're worried something's wrong with her or the baby..."

Mipha clutched her heart in concern. She desperately wanted Link, Zelda and their baby to be healthy. "Why don't you lay her down? I can see if there's anything I can heal, and I have the tea for her nausea."

They nodded, Urbosa laying Zelda back down onto her back, propping her up to a half-sitting position as Link held the glass to her lips. 

Zelda moved her hand up and down her stomach, not pausing the motion for anything. 

Mipha extended her webbed hand over Zelda's stomach, but no blue light shone. "I'm sorry... I don't think there's anything I can do."

Zelda looked at her husband, then at Urbosa; both looked back at her with miserable expressions. "I'm afraid..." She squeaked out, hardly holding back tears. 

"We need to get you a good doctor and a safe place to rest." Urbosa declared. "That's the best next step."

"The Domain is the closest location. Shall I go on ahead and ask my father for sanctuary?" 

Urbosa nodded. "Link, you stay here with her. Don't you dare leave her side. I will take half the guards back to Hyrule Castle with me, where we will inform her father of her whereabouts and bring Impa and the best doctor I can find. Once Mipha returns with the Zora King's approval, the remaining guards, Hyrulean and Zora, are to help Link and Mipha get Zelda to safety. Should he refuse, everyone will head to Hateno Village."

Link nodded, already holding his wife closer.

Mipha grabbed her spear. "I take my guards and go."

Gathering the Scimitar of the Seven and Daybreaker, Urbosa turned to look at Zelda once more. "Hang in there for just a while more, little bird, we're going to get you taken care of."