"Zelda?" Sonia's soft voice called. "What are you doing out here so late in the evening?"
Zelda looked up at the dark night sky. "I couldn't sleep."
She heard the grass rustle and glanced over to see the Queen sitting down next to her. "Is there anything I can do to help? Tea or a more comfortable bed?" Sonia asked, tilted her head slightly.
Zelda shook her head. "Thank you, though."
Sonia's hospitality always confused her. How welcoming and kind she was to someone she knew little of.
"Do you see the fireflies?" Sonia questioned, pulling Zelda out of her thoughts.
"Well, I always find them pretty. Out here in the moonlight, you can see their green glow quite clearly."
"Yes they are...quite beautiful."
Sonia's eyes flickered with concern for a moment. Zelda wanted to erase that look from her eyes. They had more important things to worry about than Zelda. She could handle being separated from home for awhile longer...right?
"Have you ever tried to catch one?" Sonia asked, humming softly.
Zelda perked up, taking the distraction gratefully. "No, I haven't. Have you?"
"My mother taught me how. Here, watch closely."
Sonia stepped over to the group of fireflies slowly, her movements relaxed. She cupped one of them with her hands, the glow disappearing for a moment, before shining through slightly. “See? Would you like to try and catch one?”
Zelda stood up with a nod. Sonia smiled warmly. “Be relaxed and slow.”
The princess walked up, forcing her jaw to unclench, her shoulders to slump slightly. Very slowly and hesitantly she approached one of the glowing fireflies. She raised her hands up gradually, attempting to cup the bug in her hands. Unfortunately the bug escaped. “Don’t worry, Zelda. Try again.”
Zelda obliged, trying to be more slow and relaxed this time. She managed to cup it in her hands. A smile tugged at her lips. “I caught one! Er, what happens now?”
Sonia chuckled. “You can let it free.” She uncurled her hands and the firefly’s glow grew bigger.
“Do I have to?” Zelda pouted, studying the creature in her hands. “So much research potential!”
Sonia laughed. “If you want to know more about fireflies you should’ve asked. We have tons of books about them in the library.”
“Take me there!” Zelda said excitedly. “We have some back home but all the research has been destroyed.”
Sonia’s smile grew amused. “Not right now, Zelda. It’s quite late in the night. Tomorrow, though, we can spend as much time in the library as you’d like.”
Zelda sighed but nodded, sitting back down on the grass. Sonia made a soft noise that she could barely hear. Something warm and incredibly soft wrapped around her shoulders. She looked at it, and pulled the warm fabric closer. “I won’t demand you go back to bed, however you do need rest. Could you head back to sleep soon?” Sonia requested gently.
“…soon. You can head back to bed now if you’re tired. I can protect myself.”
“I know that well, little bird. I think I might stay up longer though.”
Zelda tensed at the nickname, breath hitching. Sonia seemed to notice. “Oh, I’m sorry, did you not like the nickname?”
“No-No it’s fine.” Zelda laughed, her voice wet. “I haven’t been called that nickname in a long time. It…surprised me is all.”
“If you say so. If it’s not a sensitive question, who stopped calling you that nickname?”
“The Gerudo Chief, Urbosa. In my time, she’s been dead for 100 years but I…she reminds me of you almost. You’re vastly different but similar in some ways.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.” Sonia said sympathetically. “What was she like?”
Zelda rambled about her, describing her incredible lightning powers and her fierce protectiveness, until her eyes began to droop. She yawned, leaning on Sonia’s shoulder by accident. “Night, mother.” She said drowsily.
She fell asleep before she could process what she just said.
