So! I figured it was about time that I contribute something to the Legend/Fable ship, so here we are! This ship is one that's really important to me (Alttp Zelink is one of my earliest Zelink ships), so I'm glad to finally start writing content for them!
I had a lot of fun writing this, and I hope you'll enjoy.
Note: the are most definitely not siblings in this fic. No incest here, thank you.
Link stared down at his shield in his lap. It had been years since Zelda gave it to him, but the years barely showed. Scuffs had been lovingly burnished out, scratched or faded paint had been meticulously touched up, dents had been carefully beat out again.
After all, it had been a gift from Zelda, on that festival morning years ago now.
He could still see her lovely smile as she held it out to him, forever branded in his mind like a pictograph.
He ran a hand down the curve of the shield, feeling a burning in his chest and behind his eyes, and clenched his other fist on his knee.
He wouldn’t let Vaati get away with this! He’d find Zelda, seal the monster again, and then h--
TAP
Zelda jolted, nearly tossing her book up in the air. She glanced about the room, seeking the source of the sound—
Her bedroom was empty. Zelda let out a sigh, letting her shoulders relax again. She settled back in her chair and found her place, happily squirming a little as she prepared to relish the hero’s anguish and concern for his kidnapped love as he vowed to rescue her.
He wouldn’t let Vaati get away with this! He’d find Zelda, seal the monster again, and then he would finally do what he’d been dreaming of for mo--
TAP TAP TAPTAPTAP
“Oh, come on!”
This was supposed to be a quiet evening—she’d taken a bath earlier and was snuggled up in her fluffiest robe in her comfiest chair to read one of her favorite books--—Sword of Fourfold Strength, a historical fiction piece. She’d just gotten to her favorite part, too, so it was understandable that she was rather put out.
With a huff, she replaced the silken bookmark and set the book aside, tightened the sash of her robe, and grabbed the poker on the off chance it wasn’t a very confused bird.
It wasn’t.
When Zelda swung open the window, she was not greeted by a disoriented bird, nor even Sheerow come with a letter.
No, instead there was Link, hanging from his hookshot in front of her window, hand raised to tap once more.
“ ‘Sup.”
“Sup?” Zelda repeatedly, her voice strained.
There was a beat of silence.
“Can I come in? My arm’s starting to hurt.”
Zelda jumped, shaking herself out of her shock, and stepped back to give him room. “Oh! Um. Yes. …Come in?”
It took a fair bit of scrambling to get through the window—scrambling that seemed particularly clumsy, punctuated by several oaths. Zelda fidgeted nervously with the belt of her robe, hating that she’d be only in the way if she tried to help, but soon enough Link slid through her window and into her room. He staggered as he landed, swore loudly, brushed himself off, and sent Zelda a wide grin. “Here to report, as promised!”
Zelda blinked. “What?”
Link blinked back at her, tilting his head slightly to one side. “The—the thing. The monster thing. Told me to report soon as it’s done. S’done. So I’m reporting.”
The princess stared back at him incredulously, eyebrows climbing towards high heaven. “You—Link, you could have waited until morning!”
Link scowled “Didn’t want to.”
Zelda grit her teeth and counted to ten. This had to be a dream, right?
She pinched herself.
…Nope.
All right.
She sucked in another breath through her teeth and said, striving for calm, “Link, did you just finish killing a bunch of monsters, come straight here and hookshot up to my ROOM at ten-thirty at night?”
Link furrowed his brow, thinking. After a moment, he nodded. “Yep.”
Zelda threw her hands in the air. “Why?”
Link frowned even more, confused. “You told me to?” He paused, thinking. “Also wanna see you, so, two stone birds.”
There were several things Zelda wanted to address in that sentence, namely the ‘wanna see you’ and whatever ‘two stone birds’ was, but she was, alas, distracted by the fact that she’d noticed the rather large damp spot on Link’s shoulder.
She stared at it, feeling her heart skip a beat, and not in a pleasant way. “Link.” She said, tightly, trying to keep calm. “Are you injured?”
Link sucked in a breath, looking off to one side and shifting his weight. “…maybe.”
Zelda was by his side in an instant, pushing him towards her spare armchair, trying to get ahold of the fluttering panic her heart and stomach had just been sent into. “Then sit down, for nayru’s sake, and let me fix you up!”
Link stumbled his way across the room to the armchair, looking just as lost as the woods, and sort of collapsed bonelessly into the seat. Zelda dashed over to her cupboard, where she kept her emergency medical kit—she was best friends with a hero, and it was wise to always be prepared. She’d never had to be prepared for her injured best friend to hookshot up to her bedroom in the middle of the night, but Zelda supposed there was a first time for everything.
She pulled out the kit and let the doors slam shut, hurrying back across the room and setting the kit on the side table.
“Alright,” She said, turning back to Link and propping her hands on her hips. If she acted business-like and focused on the task at hand, maybe she would be able to stop thinking about how worried she was right now. “I need you to get out of the top half of your tunic.”
It ended up with her taking charge again—he had three false starts trying to simply slip his right arm out of the sleeve—but with a bit of wrestling and muttered cursing from both of them, his tunic was removed down to his waist, and Zelda had access to his wound.
It didn’t look too bad—long but shallow, and the bleeding had mostly stopped. Still, Zelda thought with a tsk, one wondered how much blood he had lost on his run across Hyrule to get here.
With a sigh she grabbed a clean cloth and a flask of alcohol, setting about cleaning the wound.
As she worked, she began to become increasingly aware of several factors. The simpler ones were the cozy light and soothing crackle of the fireplace, the quiet hush of approaching midnight. The… less simpler ones were that not only was Zelda in very close proximity to Link’s chest, but that chest was now shirtless.
Not only was she intensely wear of said shirtless-ness, but she was also intensely aware that, a mere five feet away on her own armchair rested the book she was reading earlier. This would not normally be a problem, but the book in question was Sword of Fourfold Strength, and it happened to be a book that Zelda only brought out and read when she was certain Link was off on a trip and wouldn’t be back for a while.
Or at least shouldn’t be back, if he took the time to properly take care of himself.
Anyway, Zelda bent all her focus on cleaning the gash in Link’s arm, and was very much not thinking about Sword of Fourfold Strength was a historical novel about an ancient hero from before the Downfall, and that one of the major plotlines was his romance with the princess.
She desperately hoped her face didn’t look as hot as it currently felt.
“You smell nice,” Link murmured.
Zelda shrieked in surprise, dropping the rag and jumping back. Link winced away, letting out a groan and covering his ears gingerly.
“What—what” Zelda’s was certain her face looked as hot as it felt now. If she wasn’t mistaken she was rapidly starting to resemble a tomato. “Why would you say something like tha—”
She stopped as she noticed something. Link was staring at her, and if she wasn’t mistaken, one of his pupils looked distinctly larger than the other.
She stepped forward, cradling his face in her hands and peering at his eyes. “Link, do you have a concussion?”
“You have really fluffy sleeves,” Link said admiringly, and Zelda sighed.
“That would be a ‘yes’, then.”
Tonight was beginning to make a bit more sense.
She finished dabbing at the cut and stepped, surveying him with a critical eye. “So, are there any other injuries that you’re hiding, besides the cut and the concussion?”
Link shook his head, winced, and clarified. “Nah, I’m good.”
“Good isn’t the word I’d use,” Zelda muttered, casting a baleful glare at the cut on his shoulder, before turning away and digging in the kit for a red potion. “I swear, Link, sometimes you just don’t seem to think.”
Link made a very offended sound. “ ‘S not true! I think! A lot!”
Zelda glanced back at him to see that he had risen (albeit a bit shakily and was currently swaying slightly where he stood), and was currently glowering her, chest puffed up slightly like an offending rooster.
She sighed and smiled, trying to ignore the warm, fond feeling niggling in her chest. “Yes, Link, I know.” She picked up the red potion and turned back to him, pushing gently on his uninjured shoulder. “Sit down, please, before you trip and smack your head and make the concussion worse.”
Link allowed himself to be gently persuaded to sit again, though he still had a faint scowl on his face. “I solved all those puzzles, y’know. Gotta think for that.”
“Yes, Link,” Zelda bit her lip to hold back a faint laugh. “You’re very intelligent.”
“Oh.” Link’s tone was mollified. “Well, good.”
“I mean,” Zelda held up the potion to the light, mentally estimating how much he’d need to drink. “You don’t seem to think about yourself very often.”
The was a pause as Link mulled this over. “Oh yeah, don’t do that.”
“Honestly, Link.” Zelda poured the amount he needed into a glass. “I’m thankful for everything you do, but you worry me sometimes.”
There was an odd little silence, and Link only spoke when Zelda glanced up to hand him the glass.
“ You’re s’posed to be happy, so…” His head was tilted slightly to one side, his expression solemn. “I’ll try harder. So you don’t worry.”
Her heart leapt like a startled tektite. She could feel the rush of color to her cheeks, so she hastily pushed the glass of potion into his hand. “Thank you, but I’d feel a lot better if you tried harder for you, too.”
Link took the potion and downed it, though Zelda thought she heard him mutter something that sounded like “no promises” as he did so.
Honestly.
He set aside the glass and wiped his mouth with his hand, blinking. He already looked better—his balance was back, and he no longer had a look of vague confusion about him. Zelda stepped closer and glanced over at his arm, nodding in approval when she saw the potion had done it’s job.
“So can I put my tunic back on now?”
Aaaand he’s back to normal. And look, here the blush comes again, too! “Yes, you can.” Zelda stuck her nose in the air, trying not to seem affected. “You should lie down and take a nap, though. You just recovered from a concussion, and I don’t know when the last time you got some sleep was.”
Link finished shrugging himself into his tunic’s sleeve, and stood up, running a hand through his hair as he turned towards the window. “I’m fine. I don’t want to bother you, so I’ll be going. G’night.”
Zelda smoothly stepped in front of him, pointing at her couch and lifting her chin. “Nap.”
The hero’s shoulders slumped and he turned towards the couch. Zelda bustled about the room, getting him a glass of water and a blanket.
By the time she returned to the couch, Link was already fast asleep, cheek smushed against his shoulder.
“I knew it,” Zelda whispered, and set the glass down on the side table, before draping the blanket carefully over him.
Then she paused in indecision for a long moment.
He did just recover from a concussion. She reasoned, sleep is good, but it’d be wise to have someone nearby just in case.
So she went to get her book. She reached for Sword of Fourfold Strength, realized that she’d die of shame and/or embarrassment if she read a love story about the Hero and his Princess while sitting next to Link. So Zelda sighed, gave Sword of Fourfold Strength a regretful look, and grabbed Inn Myrkr Harkastali instead. Her tutors had encouraging her to catch up on her Old Labrynnan, and once she found out Link could speak it the spirit of competitiveness had lit within her.
Besides, while it wasn’t Sword of Fourfold Strength, Lord Raafn (as the text called him) was one of her favorite historical figures.
She sat down slowly, trying not to disturb him. She failed, and he stirred, blinking.
“Zelda?”
“Yes?” Zelda said breathlessly, wondering how he’d react.
“Good,” he breathed out, smiled, and let his head drop against her shoulder. The deep rhythm of his breath told her he was asleep in seconds.
Zelda stared down at the book in her hands, intensely aware of his warmth at her side, of his hair tickling her cheek.
She wasn’t sure how she was supposed to focus on reading Old Labrynnan like this.
Cxxx{]:::::::::::::>
When Zelda blinked awake next morning, she was surprised to find herself tucked into her bed. Last she remembered, she was slogging through a section of Inn Myrkr Harkastali featuring the plotting of Veran and the Twin Witches on the couch next to Link.
She sat up immediately, glancing towards the couch—and her heart sank when she saw it was empty, the blanket folded neatly on the seat.
“He can’t stay still, can he?” She whispered into the echoing loneliness of the room, and smiled sadly.
She slid her feet out from under the blankets and turned—only to see something waiting for her on her bedside table. Inn Myrkr Harkastali, with a piece of paper sticking out of the pages, and a bright red apple.
Her heart sprang up again, and melted for good measure. She reached for the book and opened it, pulling out the folded piece of paper and casting about for a ribbon to replace it with. One her place was duly marked, she unfolded the paper.
Dear Zelda;
Sorry for not staying too long, but I had to go. I didn’t get to report last night, did I?
The monsters were stronger than they should be, and there was a strange magic in the air, so I’m going back to investigate right away. I’ll send a letter if I end up being dragged on another adventure.
Don’t work too hard while I’m gone. Enjoy the apple, it’s one from home, and they’re good for you.
You need to think about yourself too.
Love,
Link.
When Zelda took a bite out of her apple, she could have sworn it was one of the sweetest she’d ever tasted.
Cxxx{]:::::::::::::>
It was a couple (slightly anxious) weeks before she heard from Link again. Word arrived in the form of another letter, this one delivered by the hand of an unfamiliar postman, who didn’t stay long enough for Zelda to question him about Link’s whereabouts.
She ran back up to her room to read it in the comfort of her favorite armchair, and was rather surprised by the contents.
Dear Zelda,
I know it’s been a while, but it’s like I suspected. Off on another adventure, and I think this one might be least-sane one yet. Din’s fire, it’s like the whole mess in Labrynna but on one of Wild’s stamina potions—though I guess you wouldn’t know who Wild is or what stamina potions are.
It’s kind of hard to explain, but I’ve been hopping times and, for nayru’s sake, time-lines with a bunch of other heroes. We’re chasing down the source of the black-blooded monsters—those strong ones you sent me to investigate—and I don’t know for sure when we’ll wind our way back to my time. We’re just lucky the mail system seems to be as messed up as time is right now, or else I don’t know when you’d hear from me.
Keep an eye out for reports of strong monsters in the meantime, and hopefully (though I’m not holding my breath) the goddesses will decide to be less frustrating than usual, and it won’t be too long before I can visit.
Anyway, I said I’ve been traveling with a group of past and future heroes, and we all have the same name (because why make my life easier) so I’m going by Legend now (because again, life hates me)
So I guess I have to sign this off with
Love,
Legend
P.S. One of the heroes I’m traveling with is Four, hero of the four sword. Don’t worry, I’ve told him that you’re a big fan.
Zelda’s face turned red. “Honestly, that--that man!”
She should have known he’d noticed the book, drat him.
Once her momentary rage had passed, she smiled down at the letter, running her thumb over the signature. “Legend, now is it?” Her smile widened. It suits him, even if he’s too humble to think so.
She was about to fold it up, when she noticed a secondary postscript she’d overlooked.
P.P.S. I’ve been taking care of myself, so don’t worry too much, all right? See you soon.
Zelda’s breath slipped out in a shuddering sigh, and she folded the letter back up again, pressing it against her heart.
I want to share the apple with you this time, Legend.
WHAT IM TRYING TO SAY IS THAT- LIKE- IDK- YOU KNOW LIKE MAYBE THERES SOMETHING THERE YAKNOW. IT JUST MIGHT BECOME CANON- AND LIKE I MEAN HES BLUSHING SO LIKE- HES SWOONING AND YOU KNOW THE SIBLING THEORY IS COOL AND ALL BUT LIKE- MAYBE ITS JUST THE SHIPPER IN ME BUT LIKE. COME ON.
Thinking about how legend would react after aurora telling him that she’s his great….. granddaughter.
In case anyone can’t read what it says:
Aurora: Hello great*100 grandfather!
Legends thoughts: ?! ???wait… grandfather?? Father? I’m not a royal??? What does she mean by that, it doesn’t make sens-
….
!!!
Oh. OOHH- frick!!!
*legend and fable blushing intensely
They’re not siblings in this of course.
I am all in for the idea that aurora and her brother are fables and legends closest descendants. I feel like they’d be fine with knowing that, sky and sun as well as time and malon are too, but finding that out must have been so awkward. Personally, I think the Zelda’s figured out quickly who was where in the timeline, ( the links have it a little bit harder because SOME of the them are keeping secrets about their adventures, rightfully so ) so fable and aurora already knew that aurora comes after fable, when the princesses met the links. But then aurora and Hyrule reunited and Hyrule told her about the hero of legend and aurora probably knows about her most famous grandfather or smth and then this happens.
( it would also be funny if they’d find out in dawns and auroras castle. Like they just see a portrait and they’re like …wait… the heck is that??)
I ship them so so much. I love them. They’re so adorable.
Also legend is a tsundere. Just putting that out there.
If this comes over as kinda rude or smth I am sorry but I would like to state something.
The statement below is from Jojo.
Ok. So like. The fandom sees this and goes: WOOO YEAH ARTEMIS/WARRIORS CONFIRMED!!!
Right?
But. Then the fandom sees this, like I get that the oracle games are just not as well known as some other Zelda games but these games are still ,you know ,canon, and they . Just . Kinda don’t care? Although like . That’s (for me anyways) just as massive of a hint/ proof at zelink as the drawing and statement above ^. You know? I know it’s a very small doodle and very missable but still! I would like to draw attention to it,so when this ship should become canon, people can/will be normal about it.
^ this happens in the game! This ending is canon! It’s I think when you play both of the oracle games, that you get this ending.
In the game he SWOONS! He just stands there and hearts appear above him. And Zelda/fable turns away EMBARRASSED! And I mean. Just look at this little doodle. With all due respect dear 99% of the fandom, I just really think that Jojo was trying to tell us something!
That’s all I wanted to state. :( sorry if it came over weird. I mean no offense. It just makes me a little bit sad ( that’s an understatement) that nobody seems to care. It’s just all about ravio and legend/link and Marin and legend/link, but never about fable and legend. And when it is they’re siblings. :/ ( because of one poorly translated sentence might I add. In Japanese it said: “ you are Zelda’s…”. And then it could be last or final hope)
:/ I guess it makes me angry. Idk there’s too little content of them.
