Zelda Animated Series and CDI Redesigns, Part 2!!!
Link and Zelda from The Legend of Zelda: CDI Games (Faces of Evil, Wand of Gamelon, Zelda's Adventure):
❀I've thought WAY too much about what the CDI games' stories could have been like, had there been a bigger budget and better management. They're not even half bad once you embrace the sillier nature of their world! I also like to think of the CDI games taking place after the Animated Series in their own timeline, so these are the successors of the cartoon Link and Zelda!❀
Link, Squire of Great Courage and Hero of Koridai
This Link's outfit is largely based on his character model, but his clothing is loose and a little too big to reflect his free, outwardly joyful spirit and all the room he has to grow. There's a winged helmet in the game that I incorporated into his hat (This kind of represents how his head is often in the clouds). The boots are fancy just because ^u^ Link also wears a skeleton key to cope with the paranoia of getting stuck somewhere he can't escape from, and for good reason. There are three CDI games, and this Link spends a total one and a half games imprisoned while Zelda must battle monsters to save him. This poor kid's gotta have some issues after that 0.0
I know that the Phillips CDI has a really goofy take on Link. The voice actor and animation make him seem kinda ditzy, but he still displays a good heart and an innocent excitement for adventure. Instead of being offended by the CDI's almost-parody of Link, I decided I'd lean into it, because those character traits are actually pretty unique when done right. I see this Link as more on the younger side (15ish). He's still naive and clumsy and many things still fly over his head, but his innocent and unwavering optimism outshines his physical faults. So what if he's a bit too enthusiastic and prone to wandering off--he also has a heart of gold and is determined to see the best in everyone. (his hidden gift is having a knack for empathy because of some expanded lore/family things I gave him, but I'll save that for later!)
Zelda, Princess of Hyrule and Hero of Gamelon and Tolemac
Like her ancestor from the Zelda Cartoon, this Zelda's outfit reflects her rank. It's embellished with the elegant marks of the royal family (and based on the Zelda designs from Link to the Past and The Wand of Gamelon's cover art), but it's also practical; a perfect balance for a young adventurer. Her 7-stone amulet and circlet are both elements from her design in the 3rd CDI game, as is her slightly lightened hair. I also kind of misinterpreted her wand as a rapier, but she seems like the kind of princess to know how to use one--especially after two entire adventures as the main character (LONG before echoes of wisdom!).
This Zelda is is probably one of the most unique depictions of the princess because of her adventure status, as well as her intense personality (I blame Cartoon Link and Zelda for passing that spunk down, ha!) This Zelda is bold, confident, and smart, and not about to let someone tell her no when she knows now is the time to act. There's a scene in game 2 where an enemy is fading away with a classic, "AAAAgh! You've killed meeeee!" and she immediately responds, "GOOD." >w< I like thinking that she and Link have been friends since childhood, and because she's usually the one making decisions, Link just sort of follows along until he starts to mature and becomes his own man a bit later in life. Also, Zelda may be tough, but she's definitely got a sweet spot for her dear friend (maybe more?), and is always looking out for him. The feeling is deeply mutual =)
Link to Part 1: Zelda Cartoon Redesign
⚠️💚 Please Comment, Like, and Reblog DIRECTLY from the original post!!! In light of Tumblr almost changing reblogs so original posters can’t see notes, this is the best way to make sure I see any comments, & lets me know you're reading/what you enjoyed! Just in case Tumblr does anything crazy again. I love to talk art/writing & answer questions! ^u^
6-year old Link loses his way in Hyrule Castle just after the death of his father. Lost in more ways than one, he can do nothing but curl up and cry… until a certain little girl stumbles upon his hiding spot.
Author’s note: Here's one of my CDI one-shot fics! I like expanding the existing world of under-appreciated media ^u^ There's so much room for character growth! Much of the expanded lore in this story is also in my CDI doodles, so go check 'em out in my art tag if you're curious! (And let me know what you think!) Enjoy!
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(💚Please comment and like directly from the og post in case Tumblr does weird things again! Tumblr reblogs are ok but never repost, thanks! <3)
>>><<<
Escape.
It was the only word he could think of.
Nothing was right anymore. The world had flipped over and crashed in on itself, tossing him senseless in an endless saltwater sea.
Little Link choked on his own breaths as he ran full tilt through the crowd. No one noticed him, for he was too small. And it was all too easy for a 6-year-old to disappear among the panicked shuffle of Castle Town Square.
“An avalanche?!?”
“Goddesses help their families…”
“I heard that monsters did it…”
“Cursed abominoms!!!”
“What a tragedy…”
“How many…?”
“Most were saved… the shining captain…”
“He was a hero to the end.”
“…didn’t make it out.”
“May Hylia grant peace upon brave Sir Philip—”
Link slammed his hands over his ears.
Escape. Escape.
ESCAPE.
His feet carried his body away, away, away, mindlessly following the path he and his father had walked oh so many times before. His brain hurt. His throat hurt. His head, his heart, everything stung and pounded and ached and nothing would ever be the same again—
Escape escape escape ESCAPE!
Boots on cobblestones. Through the gate. Up the big stairs. Down the carpet. Through a door. Across the tiles. Another door. Longer carpet. Pictures—too many pictures, too many eyes, back out, down some steps. Another hallway. Run down the hallway. More doors. More tiles. More stairs. Had he seen this room before? No, wait, go back up the stairs. Which door… This one. Wait, where were the pictures? Which room was this?
Where am I?!?!
Link clutched his chest, wide green eyes darting in every direction for some semblance of familiarity. He began to hyperventilate as the chilling reality of his situation finally sank in.
He had absolutely no idea how to get home.
The cold stone walls of the castle loomed over him, towering and curving inwards. Slowly, they compressed, pushing out the air from the room and his body, closing together like monster hands that sought to ensnare him forever.
Link tried to cry out for his Papa, his voice nothing more than a squeak.
But of course, nobody came.
Link’s knees gave out underneath him. Arms shaking like chuchu jelly, he fumbled backwards, dragging his limp body towards the only window in the shrinking room. Slowly, the boy managed to hoist himself onto the window seat, where he buried himself in the soft nest of pillows someone had left there.
Mentally and physically exhausted, Link clutched the silken pillows to his chest, hiding his teary eyes in the soft fabric. His entire being felt fuzzy. He sniffled as his body grew weaker and weaker, until all he could feel was the gentle embrace of lavender silk, and the gaping hole in his heart.
>>><<<
"HEY!"
Link bolted awake.
A little girl with a sparkling headband was frowning by his window seat, squinting down at him with her arms crossed.
"This is my secret spot!” she huffed. “Who are you?"
Link clutched a pillow, eyes blown wide and shoulders trembling. Who was this girl? Was she mad? She looked mad. Mad at him. He'd done something bad, hadn’t he? What would his Papa say?
...No, Link thought. Papa can’t say anything anymore.
The little boy hiccupped and buried his head in the pillow, shaking with fresh tears.
Beside him, the little girl gasped.
“H-hey, hey wait!” she stuttered in a panic. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to—please don’t cry, you can be here if you want!”
Vaguely, Link felt the little girl shuffle onto the window seat beside him, her fancy dress fanning out like a butterfly around her.
"Hey,” she said softly, patting him with her small hand. "Why are you sad?"
Link shrunk further in on himself, shaking his head desperately. He didn’t want to talk. He couldn’t. Not without Papa.
The little girl hummed as if she were stuck on a very hard puzzle. “You kinda look familiar…” she said. “I think I saw you with the knights once. Hey, did you know? They just came back from a big mission today—! Oh. But then Impa said something bad had happened and everybody was really quiet. I think the captain—”
Link whimpered, pulling the pillow over his head as if that could block out the truth.
The girl was silent for a long time.
Link had always had a hard time with clocks, but he knew the quiet must have lasted ages in that empty chamber. Idly, he watched the specks of dust that were floating around in the afternoon sunlight. He wished he could float like that, too.
Slowly, the little girl scooted closer to him, leaning down to brush her shoulder against his. Quietly, softly, she asked, "You lost your daddy, didn't you?"
His heart shattered.
Link broke into a shaking sob and nodded, feeling utterly, completely alone. The girl griped his arm tighter, but what more was there to say to her, when he’d lost his whole world? What else could he—
Little arms wrapped around his shoulders and yanked him into a sitting hug. As if she had turned into a bear, the girl clung tightly to Link’s shoulders and buried herself there, refusing to let go for even a moment.
The warmth of her hug was overwhelming. It poured out from her heart, silent yet strong, spreading across every painful part in Link’s chest. It spilled out of him through his tears, washing out his loneliness. And somehow… he found himself clinging back.
After a long stillness, once Link had cried all his tears away, the girl poked his arm gently. "…Hey."
He rubbed his nose with his sleeve and looked up at her.
"My name's Zelda. Do you want to read a story with me?"
Link sniffed and looked away. "…Dunno," he murmured, barely audible. "’S hard."
"That's ok," the little princess pulled out a book from behind one of her pillows. "I know how it goes! Wanna listen? Oh, and then we can go explore the castle!"
Link glanced at her timidly, but her friendliness was beginning to win him over. She's not so scary after all, he thought. She's... nice. Warm. She gave me a hug.
And who could say no to a tour of the castle?
Warm light washed over their backs from a window full of the setting sun. It was getting late, and Link knew that he was probably being searched for... but going back home now would only make him think of sad things.
He scooted closer so he could see the book's pictures. "…How's it go?"
Zelda beamed. Delighted, she began to recite the story alongside her brand-new friend.
>>><<<
Out on the twilit streets of Castle Town square, Lord Kiro was losing his mind.
The frantic knight tore down yet another alleyway, the patter of his leather boots bouncing off the walls. The blue feather once fixed to his cavalier hat had long since come undone, and he’d lost count of how many times he’d dropped the cap and subsequentially stepped on it.
Not that anything that trivial mattered now. Not when he’d left a widow alone with nothing but her grief. Not when he’d lost track of his best friend’s only son.
Oh, Philip… Phil, you courageous, self-sacrificing fool…
He swallowed down a powerful pang of sadness as he turned in a circle, desperately calling out the boy's name until his throat began to choke him.
He couldn’t lose another person today.
“Philip,” he whispered, his bloodshot eyes refusing to stop their search. “Please. Help me find your son.”
Kiro turned a corner and froze.
There, before his very eyes, were the cold and mighty walls of Hyrule Castle.
He couldn't have...
…Except he absolutely did.
Where else could Link have so completely escaped everything, except for the labyrinth of a castle so vividly intertwined within his father’s life?
Hang on, milady Nyn, thought Kiro, striding towards his new objective. Just a little longer, and you’ll have your dear child back.
Kiro paused at the castle steps, taking one last look at the budding north star glowing in the cloudless sky. He drew in a shaky breath.
Thank you, Phil.
And that was how Lord Kiro found himself bowing to the king.
"Please allow me to look around for him, Your Majesty!" he begged. "Trouble is the farthest thing from my mind, I assure you. But the boy... he very rightly loved his father, and I fear his grief is so great that he's surely gotten lost—"
"Peace, Lord Kiro," King Harkinian said gently, motioning for him to rise. "I understand more than you know. My little Zelda acted in much the same manner when her mother passed. These dark days take their toll on all of us, young and old alike."
The king bowed his head, green eyes swimming in remorse. "My deepest empathy to you, Lord Kiro. Sir Philip was an amazing hero, and an even greater friend to you, I understand."
"Like a brother, Your Majesty.”
Harkinian hummed in thought, turning to mumble something to his advisor, Gwonam. The wise Koridian wizard nodded in approval, and with renewed spirit, the king faced Lord Kiro once more.
"In that case, we shall all search the castle without cease until his boy is found,” he decreed. “What did you say his name was?"
"The child’s name is—"
The doors to the throne room squeaked loudly behind them. The men all turned at once to see two children dash into the room, hand-in-hand.
Kiro gasped as he recognized the young princess Zelda, who held tightly to none other than…
"Link!" the lord beamed, shoulders sinking in relief.
Gwonam raised an eyebrow at the name.
"H-hi Uncle Kiro," Link waved sheepishly, hiding behind the princess.
To everyone's surprise, the little girl stepped forward. The stern look on her face could have belonged to a queen, rather than a 6-year-old, but she somehow pulled it off.
"Daddy!"
Harkinian bit his lip beneath his beard. "Yes, dear?"
"I'm the princess, so that means everybody has to listen to me, right?"
The king coughed, holding back laughter. "W-well—!"
"This is Link!" Zelda interrupted, pulling the bewildered boy up beside her. "He's my best friend now and I love him, but he was sad earlier, so I read him a book and then we went exploring! And then he was really happy! But then the mean old butler said he wasn't supposed to be here, so I said, ‘I'm the princess and I order you to let him stay,’ and he laughed, Daddy! Actually laughed!"
It was clear that Zelda found that to be the most offensive thing she'd ever heard in her life, and Link patted her back gently.
The adults were trying their best to keep straight faces.
The princess continued, oblivious, "So then I said, ‘If Daddy said Link could stay, would you listen?’ And he said yes, so I came here!"
Zelda threw her tiny arms around the boy, who hugged her back just as tightly, both close to tears. "Oh, Daddy, make him stay! Please don't make him leave, I wanna keep him!"
Harkinian and Kiro met each other's eyes, moved by the innocence before them.
Kiro looked carefully into Link’s teary gaze. "Are you truly feeling a bit better now, Link?" he asked.
Link frowned, thinking deeply, before nodding vigorously and hiding himself in Zelda's embrace.
"…She's nice," he murmured.
The adults smiled.
"…Plus she ordered me not to be sad."
Harkinian sputtered and raised his eyebrows. "Zelda!"
"It's not fair, Daddy! He's hurt! It's not fair, I don't want him to be sad, I don't want him to leave!" the little princess began to hiccup, salty tears spilling over her soft face.
Link whined desperately and hugged her close, evidently terrified that he'd done something wrong.
"Oh, my..." Zelda's nursemaid, Impa, tsked as she entered the chamber behind them. "It seems you've gotten yourself into quite the conundrum, Your Highness."
Harkinian sighed. "Oh, Zelda..."
Kiro stepped closer, kneeling down before the children. "Princess?"
She turned her head slightly, still crying into Link's shoulder.
“…Link has a mother that is ever so worried about him right now,” Kiro continued gently. “She loves Link just as much as you do, and right now, she is very, very sad. But Link can help her feel better, just like you've helped Link. So, my dear, he must to go to her tonight—"
"Noooooo!" Zelda sobbed, grasping her friend tighter.
"—But," Harkinian continued for Kiro, "Link is welcome back in the castle any time you two wish to play. He can even come tomorrow, if you'd both like."
The crying children sniffed, looking up with big, hopeful eyes. "Really?" they said in unison.
"You mean it, Your Majesty?" Lord Kiro echoed.
The king nodded. "My Zelda doesn't have anyone else her age to play with, and given the circumstances, this may be the perfect way for Link to heal."
‘For both of them to heal,’ went unsaid, but Kiro understood. He smiled down at his honorary nephew. "How does that sound, Link?"
The boy cried and nodded, hugging Zelda again in relief.
After a long, tearful goodbye, the children finally parted, and Kiro carried Link back to his worried mother. Impa stood with Zelda until the little boy left, then gently took her hand. She led the little princess to her chambers, finally leaving the king and Gwonam alone in the throne room.
"Link and Zelda... hmmm."
The king turned to his advisor. "Rupee for your thoughts, Gwonam?"
"It's just curious, Your Highness. A boy named Link and a princess named Zelda? It rings more than a few bells, does it not?"
Harkinian's eyes widened. "Oh, surely you can't be considering—"
"I think with all these monsters rising, it is foolish not to consider it," Gwonam waved a finger. "There is a very real chance this meeting was fated."
"How can you be sure? There are plenty of boys named after the heroes of the past—"
Gwonam laughed. "If you cannot trust my insight, Your Majesty, trust your own flesh and blood. Your daughter certainly seems determined to keep the boy by her side, and the bond so often shared between hero and princess is no secret amongst the legends."
Harkinian stared at him a moment longer, before allowing himself a hearty chuckle. "I see. Then it seems we may have some history unfolding before us, Gwonam."
"Indeed it does, Your Majesty," he smiled, the image of the two smiling children still fresh in their minds.
"Indeed it does."
>>><<<
End of Fic!
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Author's note: Hope you liked it! Feel free to drop a comment if you did or have questions ^u^
Extra Note: I am a children’s book/family friendly author, so please keep all comments Safe For Work (no swearing please!) I want to do my best to make this a place for everyone. Cheers!
(💚Please comment and like directly from the og post in case Tumblr does weird things again! Tumblr reblogs are ok but never repost, thanks! <3)
Sure, it all had started out as a childish joke, a silly game from so many years ago. She'd never given it much thought. But now...
Author’s Note: A fun twist on the "How about a kiss" line from the Legend of Zelda: CDI cutscenes ^u^ Chronologically, this comes after my other one-shot CDI fic “Found by Fate” though you can read this one by itself. (However I’d love if you checked out both!) This story doesn't require any prior CDI knowledge either. Happy reading!
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(💚Please comment and like directly from the og post in case Tumblr does weird things again! Tumblr reblogs are ok but never repost, thanks! <3)
>>><<<
8-year-old Princess Zelda of Hyrule held her chin in her hand, scrutinizing the checkerboard before her. She and Link had successfully smuggled it out of the castle, and now sat in their favorite spot in the middle of the castle gardens. It was a lovely spot, with an excellent view of the trickling fountain and the flower-filled courtyard. Birds twittered to each other somewhere above the children, hopping through the branches of the large oak tree that graciously offered them its shade.
Link was looking rather proud of himself, having just captured one of her pawns. However, he now failed to see the frightful position that move had put him in.
Zelda smiled innocently as she leapt her black pawn once, twice, then three times over his checkers.
"Ah!" he shouted in surprise. "Aww... how come you're so good at this game?"
"I'm a Princess of Wisdom," she batted her eyelashes.
Link snorted at the fake, frilly accent she’d put on. "Well, I guess that just means I'll have to be more smart than you!"
"Smarter," she corrected.
"Yeah! That too!"
"Oh, make a move already, Link!"
Before Link could even raise a hand, a commotion broke out by the rotunda near the fountain.
A visiting duchess was striding out of it, followed quite closely by a duke from another region. He reached out for her hand, stopping her in her tracks.
"Must you really leave so soon, my dear?" He dipped into a bow, pouting up at her, "How about a kiss, for luck?"
For a quiet moment, the garden stilled. Everything seemed sharper and more vibrant as the children looked on in anticipation. Even the roses and daffodils seemed to smell sweeter. Link and Zelda leaned forward, pointed ears perked, waiting to see what the woman would say.
She covered her mouth, her eyes wide. Then, slowly, the duchess leaned forward…
...and connected her fan to the man’s head with a resounding THWAK!
"OH! You've got to be kidding! A kiss?!? How dare—!"
The weaselly duke scrambled for his life as the fan lady gave chase, threatening to THWAK! him again.
Zelda and Link blinked. Bewildered, they turned to each other, slowly.
Their eyes locked.
THWAK!
The children erupted into uncontrollable, sputtering laughter, falling on their backs and rolling in the grass. From somewhere by the fountain, the adults chastised them, but the situation was far too funny for the children to care.
Link sat up, rolling his eyes up to the sky and sticking his nose in the air. "‘Hhhhow about a kiss, for luck?’ OooOOooo!"
Zelda wheezed. She put the back of her hand to her head, falling dramatically onto Link's shoulder. Then, in the snobbiest, fluffiest voice she could muster, she said, "YoU'vE GOT to be KIDDING!"
Their laughter came back with a vengeance, shaking them so hard that their little bellies began to hurt. Faces flushed and teary, they laid side by side together, still wheezing with silent giggles.
Forget checkers.
This was going to be a fantastic new game.
>>><<<
"C'mon, Zelda! Ganon's a pushover. I doubt he took over the entire island!"
Link, freshly 13, bounded over a table in one leap. He was buzzing with energy, his long, wavy hair practically standing on end as he stuffed his sword into its scabbard.
Zelda frowned as she watched him go.
She didn't blame Link for being so restless. They hadn't heard from Ganon in months, and it was beginning to get worrisome. Though, she had to admit, Gwonam's account did seem a little far-fetched. Seizing the island of Koridai? It was a bold move for Ganon. He'd never tried anything to this scale before, and part of the princess doubted he'd actually gone through with it.
Link shook her father's hand goodbye, stumbling as the king gave him a hearty pat on the back. Grinning from ear to ear, the boy practically flew to Zelda's side.
"Gotta go now, Zelda!"
She couldn't bring herself to smile back. Something deep in her gut told her something here was wrong. Something was different. Dangerous.
Tsk, Stupid Gwonam, saying only Link can defeat Ganon. I want to go help him!
In front of her, Link's boyish face pouted with worry. "Hey... what's wrong?"
Zelda looked into his big green eyes, hating the flecks of doubt she'd put there. She swallowed, crossing her arms. "Just... promise you'll be careful, ok?" she murmured.
"Well, I'll sure try, but..." Link's face wormed into a poorly concealed smile.
"But... what?"
"Before I go," he giggled, "…How about a kiss, for luck?"
"I—Oh!" She laughed, shoving him and rolling her eyes. "You've got to be kidding!"
How dare he catch her off guard with their joke at a time like this! Zelda couldn’t help but smile as Link slapped a hand over his goofy grin, barely able to cover his bouncy laughter. It almost made Zelda forget the tug of loneliness that was already pulling at her heart.
Gwonam shuffled over, wringing his bony hands. "Have you finished your goodbyes?"
Link nodded with vigor. "Yes sir!"
"Then climb aboard, boy, we haven't any time to lose!"
Link dropped himself onto the wizard's magic carpet, waving excitedly to Zelda. "Bye Princess! Don't worry, we'll be back before you can say Gohma's Grandma!"
She smiled at him, trying desperately to squash the building dread in her chest. "Gohma's Grandma!" she shouted back.
Link blinked. "Wait, that's not how it—"
"Squadala! We are off!"
Gwonam lifted his hands and the carpet came to life, whisking Princess Zelda's best friend higher and higher into the air. She watched them until they were nothing more than a tiny pinprick in the sky, and in a blink, they were gone.
>>><<<
They had not, in fact, been back before she could say “Gohma's Grandma.”
Ganon had been immensely more powerful than they'd once assumed. He'd terrorized the people of Koridai. He'd set his fiendish minions loose to live out their own sick desires for his entertainment. He'd even kidnapped Zelda, a trauma which she couldn't even fully remember because of all the sleeping magic he and his goons had poured into her. Not knowing what they'd done to her in all that time... Brrr. She didn’t want to think too deeply about it.
The young princess shook herself, blaming the shiver on the cool winds whipping past her face. Instead of dwelling on it, she looked over her shoulder.
Link was clinging to the flying carpet beside her, watching as Koridai gradually grew smaller and smaller behind them. He looked exhausted beyond belief. His hair was in knots. His eyes were baggy. But despite everything, a weak, relieved smile refused to leave his face.
Gwonam was in front of them, just as tired and focusing the last of his magical energy on flying the hero and princess home. Even still, he too wore a smile, for they had succeeded. Good had prevailed, and Koridai was already experiencing a fast recovery. Zelda would ask her father about sending extra supplies to the province when they finally reached the castle, but for now, it was enough to see the island birds reclaiming their sky.
"I must commend you, Link!" said the wizard. "You have shown great courage, and from hence forth it shall be written: You, Link, are the Hero of Koridai!"
Link ducked his head bashfully, his hand worming its way into his hair as he blushed and smiled. Zelda giggled. He always got mushy and shy whenever someone praised him, and it never ceased to tug at her heart.
Link met her eyes over Gwonam's shoulder, and somehow, his goofy grin got even goofier. When his eyes twinkled like fairy dust, she knew exactly what he was going to say:
"I guess that's worth a kiss, huh?"
...Was it weird that she kind of wanted to say yes?
"H-hA! You've GOT to be kidding!!!" she laughed far too quickly. Eww eww, gross, gross, gross! I never wanna think that again!
He was her best friend and he just saved her life. It was just the relief talking. Give him a big hug when they got home? Sure. Absolutely. She'd feed a dodongo barehanded before she did the other thing which shall remain unnamed.
"Hey. Hey Zelda."
She jumped as he poked her shoulder, drawing her focus back to him. He'd spoken so softly, leaning towards her and smiling as if he were about to share some big secret.
"W-what?" She asked, trying very hard to focus on his kind, impish eyes and not her embarrassing thoughts.
He made a little victory fist and circled it in the air. "We won! Whoohoo!"
Zelda snorted and quickly covered her mouth.
He was such a dork.
>>><<<
Zelda and Link stood side by side, staring down the beastly maw of Ganon.
Every bone in the princess's body ached. She'd been traipsing across Tolemac for so long she'd lost count of the days, battling monsters at every turn. Beaten and bruised, her new perception of victory was when you could get out of a fight alive.
How simple their little adventure in Koridai seemed those two short years ago.
Ganon's seize on Koridai hadn't been a fluke. It had been a warning. The dark sorcerer had escaped his prison twice, each time growing stronger, and conquering more lands. Gamelon and now Tolemac had been no match for his greed. Now he stood before them, transformed into a towering, snarling amalgamation somewhere between man and wild boar. Two enormous hands clawed at the ground. A trident hung at the ready on his back, so big it could have skewered both youths on the same rung and left room for more. Magic and raw strength oozed through him, and he laughed maniacally at the two puny children who thought they could defeat him.
Zelda couldn't stop shaking.
"Princess?"
She glanced to her left.
Link's sword hand trembled as he struggled to lift his blade. He was pale, much too pale, porcelain skin putting his dark bruises on full display. With ragged breaths, he stared at her, unable to hide the pure terror that rampaged through his eyes.
Zelda gulped thickly. He'd looked like that ever since she'd rescued him from Ganon's dungeons.
What had that monster done to her sweet, innocent friend?
Link glanced back at their gloating enemy, who seemed to be vainly waiting for the children to make the first move. The young hero glared into the eyes of his captor with a flicker of hatred—a scary expression Zelda had never seen in Link's eyes—before he closed them.
When he opened his eyes again something had changed. He still looked like a lynel had chewed him up and dragged him through the mud, but his breathing was steadier. A courage had come over him in that moment, and with a little less trembling, he turned back to his princess.
He gave her a weak smile.
"Hey. Before we beat this guy up… h-how about a kiss, for luck?"
Something leapt in Zelda's chest. Her hero had been kidnapped and imprisoned for weeks, and yet he’d somehow found the energy to tell their silly joke to lift their spirits?
The surging emotions in Zelda's heart suddenly made Ganon seem very small.
Link was smiling at her like she was the only light in the room.
Goddesses above, she really didn't deserve him.
Zelda laughed shakily, trying to drown out the sound of their snarling enemy. She was going to utterly destroy him for hurting Link like this, mark her words, but for now, she would latch onto that glimmer of hope the young hero had offered her. She slipped her muddy hand into Link’s, smiling at him and twining their fingers as they faced Ganon together.
"You've got to be kidding."
>>><<<
Princess Zelda leaned against a ground level railing just outside the castle, gazing out at the beautiful courtyard gardens but hardly seeing a thing. Her mind was elsewhere.
He hadn't said it in a while.
Why was it that the moment she decided on the perfect new comeback for their little inside joke, Link seemed to be avoiding it?
Ever since she and Link had defeated Ganon in Tolemac, Hyrule had experienced an age of prosperity. It soon became clear that after several years of peace, the dark sorcerer wasn't coming back. Which, considering he was dead, should have been obvious, but you never knew with sorcerers.
Life had gone on. Bands of monsters cropped up from time to time, but Link and the knights of Hyrule were often quick to dispel them. Much of their work now consisted of keeping peace between the citizens and exploring new lands.
And it was... nice. Things were pleasant. But lately, it seemed that Zelda had been seeing less and less of Link. The young man had thrown himself into his role as a knight with a smile on his face, always willing to help others and explore. And though there were wondrous days where Zelda, as a fellow hero, accompanied him on his adventures, her duties as a princess always came first.
Recently, that distance had become hard to bear.
She wondered for a moment if he'd forgotten their joke. Every time she'd expected him to say it, every moment she'd spotted the perfect opportunity or even given him a subtle nudge, silence or an awkward reply followed. He'd get fidgety, too, which would have been adorable if he would just get on with it and say their silly joke!
No, Zelda tapped her fingers on the marble railing, undeterred. He couldn’t have forgotten. She didn't know for certain why he was acting this way, but she did have a hunch. And if she was right...
"Hey, I found you!"
Zelda squeaked and turned around. Link was jogging up to her, decked out in his adventure gear. He blew a wavy lock out of his face and grinned down at the princess, and his hair turning golden in the glistening light of morning.
Zelda felt her face heating up as she looked up at him. He'd grown a head taller than her since Tolemac, while she'd barely gained an inch. It was entirely unfair… for a number of reasons.
Link caught sight of her lifted chin and giggled like a fairy. He backed out of her personal space so they could see each other more comfortably, and immediately, the part of Zelda's brain that made her think stupid things sent an ache through her chest. Did he really have to step away so soon?
Her blush deepened.
Shut up shut up shut up get a grip, Princess!
Link—completely oblivious—was now tugging at the back of his hair. "So... um... the knights are going on a cave quest today in Koridai! Said they were gonna check it for rogue monsters and wanted someone who knew the map to lead them in, and... guuuuuuess who got picked?"
Zelda's heart sunk. Today? He was leaving today? But they'd planned today. They were going to catch up and have lunch and...
She sighed, knowing full well how priorities functioned in castle life. "I'm guessing they didn’t pick Impa, huh?" she joked, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.
Link snorted before he could stop himself. In an instant, he'd slapped a hand over his mouth, eyes wide and apologetic. "Sorry!"
Zelda smiled genuinely. "It's ok, Link."
"No, no, but I made a promise to you! And... well, golly, I really tried my hardest to tell the captain. But he—"
"Link," she took his fingers in her hands. "These things just happen. It's really ok."
"Not when they happen all the time..." Link muttered under his breath, pouting. "S'not fair..."
Zelda squeezed his fingers gently, fighting the urge to tap his nose. "Hey. Look at me."
He turned his sad eyes to hers, and for a moment, everything she'd just been thinking vanished. The princess felt herself getting lost in the forest green of her hero's gaze, his emotions sweeping over her like a fog. Distantly she felt the brush of his thumbs on her hands. They were quite close again...
Zelda blinked, tearing herself out of her daydreams. She looked away from his face in a hurry, but something in her refused to let his warm hands go.
"It's ok, Link. Honest," she said. "The sword on your belt should have clued me in sooner to what was going on. Yeah, I hate that you have to leave today, of all days, but there'll be others."
She moved one hand to fiddle with the golden skeleton key he wore around his neck—a mark of his stalwart survival of Ganon’s dungeons—and tugged at it gently. She looked up at him with a wink. "Takes a lot to keep us apart for too long. You should know that by now, Hero of Koridai."
Zelda didn’t miss the slight blush that grew on his face. He covered her hand with his over the key, eyes darting everywhere else, and squeezed her fingers gently. "I'm still sorry I couldn't spend the day with you," he murmured.
"...Would a big hug make up for it?" Zelda asked.
Link immediately brightened, throwing his arms wide, and she dove into them. His long arms wrapped around her, drawing her into a blanket of warmth and comfort. Zelda sighed as she snuggled against his chest, earning a quiet hmm from Link, and he dipped his head to rest on hers. She giggled, her heart squeezing as tightly as he squeezed her. He really was the best at hugs.
The pair held each other for several moments. They fell into a quiet sway, completely content in the other's presence and the glittering songs of distant birds.
"Zelda..." Link murmured to her, barely audible.
She hummed lazily in response.
"...I lov—"
As soon as he'd uttered those syllables, his spine went ridged. "Um!!!"
Zelda's heart flipped. Had he almost said...?
"I-I um, I-Io..." he coughed. "I'll-u-uh—miss you so much! W-when I'm gone!" Link spoke entirely too quickly, pulling his head off hers. She could feel his heart running a marathon.
No. No, he would miss her, certainly, but that's not what he was going to tell her. She was sure of it.
"Link—"
His hands flew to her shoulders as he awkwardly stepped away. "I... I should probably get going, now!"
"...Oh," said Zelda. She couldn't keep the disappointment out of her voice.
She saw regret spiral through his eyes, and for a second, it looked like he might say something else. Instead, he reluctantly let his hands slip away.
Zelda bit her tongue, in frustration or loneliness, she couldn't quite tell. There goes the moment.
"Link..." she spoke softly, not trusting her voice to stay steady, "I... I hope you have a safe trip." She glanced once more at him. "I'll really miss you, too."
His eyes widened. He lingered in her space, staring into her, one foot planted and the other turned to leave. A war was waging within his mind.
Link glanced behind him in the direction of the barracks. His feet shifted.
Zelda felt her hopes falling like leaves around her as her hero started walking away.
Then he stopped.
He stared at the barracks only a second more, a decision almost made, when suddenly he turned back to Zelda. In three steps he was in front of her again, a big, goofy smile smeared across his face.
"Hey Princess?"
Her breath caught. That was a very specific goofy smile. The kind that he only put on when he was about to—
"B-before I go... How about a kiss, for—"
Zelda didn't let him finish. Instead, she flew to her tip-toes, lips brushing messily against his cheek.
Link let in a shuddering gasp. "G-golly...!"
She giggled, red tinting her cheeks as she hid her face in his shoulder. "Good luck, Link."
He swayed as if someone had struck him. Through his tunic, she could feel his heart doing flip-flops. His arms wrapped around her slowly, clinging to her like a lifeline. "Zelda... y-y-you mean... you really..."
She snuck a peek at his face. "I love you too, Link."
Link's face was tomato red. He stared just over her head like a startled deer, ridged and silent for so long that Zelda feared she'd broken him.
A bead of doubt trickled down her spine. He had been about to say "I love you," a few minutes ago, hadn't he? All his awkwardness in their usually comfortable friendship, all the stammers, the blushes... she hadn't imagined it all, surely?
Her own heart began to hammer. Oh my gosh I just kissed him. I just kissed my best friend. I actually did it, not just thinking about doing it for our joke I actually did it oh my goodness I kissed him did I just ruin everything?
Suddenly, Link's eyes fell back on hers, and she froze. Her hands shook against his chest.
"L-Link, I—"
She jumped as the silliest giggle she'd ever heard bubbled out of his mouth.
"Aw gee... oh wow, oh golly oh wow..." Link swooned, eyes fixed somewhere in the distance. "I just got kissed by a girl!!!"
He backed up and spun, fumbling around with all the grace of a newborn foal. "Oh boy, oh WOW!!!”
He ran back to her wearing the stupidest grin she'd ever seen. "I love you too, Zelda!" A laugh tumbled from her lips as Link grabbed her hands and spun around with her, his eyes overfilling with joy. "I love you, I love you, I'll love you for a million years!" he shouted.
Relief bloomed in Zelda’s chest like a spring garden, spreading out to her fingers and toes like the warmest of roses and daffodils. He loves me back. He loves me back!
Link stumbled to a stop, drawing her to him with an utterly desperate expression.
"I-I'm sorry I chickened!" he said, looking like a kicked puppy. "Earlier, I mean. It's just, you're my best friend and you have been forever, and I was so scared of ruining everything and—"
"Link?"
"Yeah?"
"Breathe."
"Ok."
She let in a shaky breath and reached up to his face, wiping away a happy tear with her thumb. He choked on a laugh and nuzzled into her palm.
"I love you," he mumbled again. He kissed her hand shyly.
Warmth flushed through Zelda's body, and she squeezed her eyes shut. "Love you too..." she whispered back. She was grinning so widely it hurt.
"Um, Zelda?"
"Yes?"
He was gazing down at her with the softest of eyes, taking in every detail of her face with a deep sort of longing. Zelda's heart felt light. They were leaning closer.
With a voice thick with adoration, Link asked, "Do you think… M-may I kiss you? F-for luck, of course."
Zelda laughed breathlessly. She was soaring. Surely, this wasn't real! Any moment it seemed she would wake and the butterflies in her chest would all fly away. Yet with one look into his deep forest eyes, she knew he wasn't kidding anymore.
With a grin splitting her face, she gave him a tiny nod.
Slowly, shyly, Link brought his head down. Zelda stretched up to meet him, eyes slipping shut...
Until their noses bonked together.
"Oop!" she laughed.
"Sorry," Link murmured. "Try again..."
And he kissed her.
Zelda felt weightlessness and warmth wash over her entire body. Everything that had been so fuzzy before was now crystal clear, and even the air in her lungs seemed sharper. She laughed against his lips. Her dearest friend held her tighter.
Joy cascaded from his smile like a sunbeam, spilling onto hers with every touch. Every stroke through her fine hair, every nuzzle on her cheek felt like a final puzzle piece clicking into place… like everything would be ok.
And maybe it had been all along. She wouldn't trade her bond with him for a million rupees. Every fight with Ganon, every night spent wide awake with worry... she'd do it all over again, every line, if it meant that she and Link would still end up here, together.
And sure. It all had started out as a childish joke, a silly game from so many years ago. She'd never given it much thought. But now...
Link pulled away from her, hovering a few inches above her face. He held her like she was the most delicate, valuable feather in the entire world, and when Zelda looked into his eyes, so bright and filled with love...
...she knew she was the luckiest girl alive.
>>><<<
End of fic!
Fic Masterlist
Author's note: Hope you liked it! Feel free to drop a comment if you did or have questions ^u^
Extra Note: I am a children’s book/family friendly author, so please keep all comments Safe For Work (no swearing please!) I want to do my best to make this a place for everyone. Cheers!
(💚Please comment and like directly from the og post in case Tumblr does weird things again! Tumblr reblogs are ok but never repost, thanks! <3)
These are more centered on my expansion of Link's family =) [His parents' designs are based on designs for Link's parents in the LOZ Valiant Comics! Though they are fundamentally different characters]
Link's Father, Sir Philip Cedar, was a highly respected and well loved captain in Hyrule's army (and adored by Link). His nature was extremely warm and outgoing, his heart as big as his presence in a room. One of his quirks was his curious and constant goal of trying to get more education in festival games for children. After he valiantly gave his life saving the rest of his men from a monster attack and rock slide, he was honored as a hero, and a festival game like the kind he'd always wanted was created in his honor.
Link's mother, Lady Nyn (pronounced "Nin") Tenno Cedar, has always been rather soft spoken, but hers is a quiet strength against all odds. After loosing her husband she pressed on and poured all her love and attention into Link, teaching him how to cook, care for others, find joy in difficult times, stay humble, and be confident in his own uniqueness, no matter what others had to say. Link is extremely close with her and is always checking to make sure her needs are cared for. She has a permanent home right by the castle in Castle Town.
I talked about Lord Kiro in the other set of doodles but here he is again >u< HUGE mentor figure to Link, deeply misses his friend Phil. They often said they were like brothers, making him Link's "uncle".
Also, inexplicably, CDI Link looks good with a mustache, lol >u< He's got a lot of influence to grow one from the role models in his life. Zelda doesn't mind in the slightest 🤣
...y'all are gonna have to tell me if this is interesting to anybody or if i'm just rambling haha
⚠️💚 Please Comment, Like, and Reblog DIRECTLY from the original post!!! In light of Tumblr almost changing reblogs so original posters can’t see notes, this is the best way to make sure I see any comments, & lets me know you're reading/what you enjoyed! Just in case Tumblr does anything crazy again. I love to talk art/writing & answer questions! ^u^
Bit more lore here this time! Zelda and Link have been friends ever since they were little kids, Zelda the more leader-like (read: headstrong) of the two.
Link's no pushover when it comes to battling monsters, though! Because his game controls are notoriously difficult, I translate that to mean he's incredible at close-combat swordplay. A lot of that skill is thanks to lessons with his honorary uncle, Lord Kiro (A real CDI character! Though my redesign and lore of him is very stylized haha).
In my CDI lore expansion, Kiro was Link's father's best and oldest friend, and took up the father figure roll when Link's father passed. Kiro is a lord but an esteemed knight first and foremost, and helped instill that Lawful Good chivalry into Link.
Gwonam and Impa are fun to think about! They're the guide characters of Link: Faces of Evil and Zelda: Wand of Gamelon, respectively, and I think that Hero/Old legends super-fan Gwonam would have a soft spot for Link, and Impa, being the princess's nursemaid, dearly loves Zelda. This is a point of cold war debate between the two of them. I think they'd politely bicker a lot, ha!
⚠️💚 Please Comment, Like, and Reblog DIRECTLY from the original post!!! In light of Tumblr almost changing reblogs so original posters can’t see notes, this is the best way to make sure I see any comments, & lets me know you're reading/what you enjoyed! Just in case Tumblr does anything crazy again. I love to talk art/writing & answer questions! ^u^
More Zelda CDI and Animated Series doodles because I'm crazy like that >u<
He found her a cool bug!
Meanwhile, in a different era (and because of that one episode where Link got turned into a frog)
One day I should share my official designs for these guys if y'all want to see. These doodles may be a bit off-model because I did them by memory, but they're supposed to be based on those. =)
⚠️💚 Please Comment, Like, and Reblog DIRECTLY from the original post!!! In light of Tumblr almost changing reblogs so original posters can’t see notes, this is the best way to make sure I see any comments, & lets me know you're reading/what you enjoyed! Just in case Tumblr does anything crazy again. I love to talk art/writing & answer questions! ^u^
