An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Link had to stop himself from falling into old habits, from stepping back three paces, as Zelda and Yunobo spoke. After he and Zelda sealed the Calamity, he happily faded into her shadow as she worked with the rising leaders of the new Hyrulean Federation. Now he stood by her side, her partner in the blistering attention of leadership. Queen Regnant and King Consort. But no title would ever drag him completely out of introversion, so he only listened and let his eyes wander the town. The old Gorons Volcon and Tray were still here (three years into planning their vacation, no doubt). Up the road, Fugo worked the forge, his hammer ringing across town. Elder Bludo, having spotted his protégé talking to the Queen, pulled another Goron to his side and began his slow walk to join them. Behind it all, Death Mountain sat silent. No ominous clouds circled its peak; no tremors shook its sides. The sight of the mountain at rest always calmed Link. Daruk once told him the mountain would warn of trouble, and the volcano roiled not long after—the first portent of the coming Calamity. The Calamity was sealed. The Demon King slain. They were done. And yet, here they were, said some terrible little voice in Link’s heart. On Death Mountain, investigating trouble. A portent.









