**Chapter 4: A Soothing Balm for Traumatized Souls**

Zelda tenderly wrapped Link in a warm, wet towel, trying to shield him from the distressing images on the screen. She gently rocked him back and forth, attempting to comfort him as he whimpered and trembled. Ayumi, however, found this spectacle absolutely hilarious. The Holodrumian princess doubled over, her laughter echoing through the room like a series of musical notes. "Oh my, Zelda, you look like you're trying to smother him!" she choked out between giggles. "I've never seen anything so adorable in my life. You're treating him like a fragile little doll!" Zelda's eyes flashed with irritation as she tried to maintain her composure. "This is no laughing matter, Ayumi. I've had to do this before, you know. When Link was younger, he had a similar experience with a dark and stormy night. He was terrified, and I had to comfort him just like this. It's not funny; it's a traumatic event that can leave lasting scars." Ayumi's grin only widened. "Oh, I can just imagine! You, as a little princess, trying to comfort Link from some childhood fright. Ha! I wish I could've seen that." Zelda's face darkened, her patience wearing thin. "It wasn't funny then, and it's not funny now. You have no idea what it's like to have to protect someone you care about from their own fears and anxieties." Her voice took on a stern tone. "Link trusts me to take care of him, and I won't let him be subjected to such callous disregard for his feelings." As she spoke, Ayumi's laughter only intensified, and she began to snort and guffaw uncontrollably. Zelda's expression turned glacial, her eyes flashing with warning. "Ayumi, I swear, if you don't take this seriously, I'll... I'll have to reconsider our friendship." The Holodrumian princess wiped tears from her eyes, still chuckling. "I'm sorry, Zelda, I really am. But you've got to admit, this is pretty funny. You're usually so composed and regal, but here you are, fussing over Link like a mother hen." Zelda's hands tightened around the towel, her knuckles white with tension. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. "You wouldn't understand, Ayumi. You've never had to deal with the kind of emotional fallout that comes from being a hero's companion. Link looks up to me for protection and guidance; I'm not going to let him be traumatized by some careless movie choice." Ayumi's amusement showed no signs of abating, and she began to compose herself, still snickering. "I think it's adorable, Zelda. You really are a mother hen, aren't you?" She paused, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Tell me, what's the worst that could happen if Link watches a few scary movies? He's a hero, after all. He can handle it." Zelda's expression turned icy. "You have no idea what you're talking about, Ayumi. I've seen the effects of traumatic exposure on a person's psyche. I've lived it, and I won't have Link go through that again. Not while I'm around to prevent it." Her voice dropped to a whisper, the menace in her tone unmistakable. "I'll have you know, I've seen friends and family members struggle with the aftermath of traumatic events. I won't let that happen to Link, not on my watch." Ayumi's laughter finally began to subside, replaced by a look of mocking curiosity. "Oh, Zelda, you're so much more intense than I expected. I think it's time I started calling you 'Mother Hen Zelda'." The nickname was like a spark to gasoline, sending Zelda's temper flaring. Her eyes narrowed. "You wouldn't understand."