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Zelda sighed and rubbed her wrists before wincing. She hadn't realized how much pain she was in until now. It had only been a few hours since the fall of Ganondorf and the rebirth of her dear friend Midna.
Her mind was still foggy from being used as Ganondorf’s vessel, but she knew whatever had transpired wasn't good. Sitting behind Link on Epona illustrated that. With every bump on the road she wanted to cry out. Her body was exhausted but her wrists burned. She feared her left one might be broken.
Clutching her cloak closer, she remained silent. They needed to get Midna back to her own realm as soon as possible, there was no telling what would happen to her in the light world for so long. The last time she was exposed to the light she almost vanished. Zelda couldn't let her own injuries distract them.
“Perhaps we should rest here for the night,” Link said, soft. They had finally reached the edge of Lake Hylia. It would still take a whole day to get to the mirror to send Midna home; they couldn't afford to rest.
“We don't need to stop on my account,” Zelda whispered. She knew that if she hurt this badly after the battle today she can only imagine how much pain Link was in right now.
“I think we all deserve a break princess,” Midna said, summoning a campsite with her magic. The camp was small and not quite a luxury, but it was better than nothing.
Link jumped off Epona before offering a hand to help Zelda get down. Without thinking, Zelda took his hand and winced when he wrapped his strong hand around hers. Her hand was so small compared to his that he was holding onto her wrist as well.
“Zelda, are you alright? Did I hurt you?” Link says helping her off the horse.
“No, you didn't do anything. I'm fine,” Zelda says, trying to reassure him. She didn't think she was doing that good of a job considering the worried looks both Midna and Link were giving her. She could feel the tears welling up as the pain radiated in her wrist. It was definitely broken.
“Sit down princess,” Midna said sternly, “let us see.”
“Really, it's nothing. You two are probably more injured than I am considering you two did most of the battle, I was just an unfortunate accomplice for most of the day.”
“Zelda,” Link says softly cradling her hand, “please. Let me help you.”
Link stared at her, his bright blue eyes swimming with unsaid emotions. Closing her eyes, she nods slowly sitting down on an overturned log.
Link kneels before her slowly taking off her gloves to show her wrists. They were god awful looking. Her pale skin was no longer white porcelain but instead riddled with blotches of red and purple. Her right wrist had an indent from when Ganon had tied her hands together. The chaffing of the cuffs had gotten so bad that Zelda wouldn’t be surprised if she got an infection.
“Princess, you need medical attention,” Link whispers
“I'm fine Link,” the injured princess says.
Carefully Link puts her right hand down and pinks up her left to examine it.Her skin was broken, continually bleeding through her gloves, and she wondered why she hadn’t noticed until now. Her wrist was off center and she could barely move her fingers. The triforce on her hand was a dull gray.
A sob escaped her before she could stop herself. She was so embarrassed, the Princess of Hyrule crying over a broken wrist when her kingdom was falling apart.
“Princess…..” Link whispers, his voice laced with worry.
“I'm fine,” Zelda says, sniffling, “I'll be fine.”
Link smiles sadly before kissing her hand gently, ”I know you will be.”