On the day of defeating Calamity Ganon, Link and Zelda can rest easily with all of the terror behind them.
~
"A bed for the young couple tonight?" asked the friendly stable-master.
They wanted to lay low, way too exhausted to cause a fuss as the knight and princess who vanquished the Calamity. So if they were assumed to be some ordinary husband and wife, they could be left in peace.
Link nodded.
Zelda lowered her head, face concealed under the hood of the cloak Link had given her. She longed to change into some ordinary clothes. She was anxious about standing out in her floor-length royal garb, even if it was covered by a cloak.
She heard the clink of rupees being set on the table.
"Ah, for that price, our best bed for the lovely couple. That's the bed on the far right."
"Seen Beedle around?" Link asked.
Zelda was still getting used to hearing that sweet, boyish voice with her own ears again. Her heart twisted when she thought of how badly she'd missed him.
"Beedle's always around," the man chuckled.
Link gave a weak laugh.
"Just inside."
Link stepped back and gently took Zelda’s arm in hand.
She leaned into his touch, moving closer until she was against his side.
Link responded by hooking his arm over her shoulders as he walked her inside.
Zelda closed her eyes and the darkness spun her head, her body begging for sleep.
"Yaya! My favorite customer! And you've brought a pretty girl with you, wowee!"
Zelda forces her eyes open and smiled at the stranger, assumedly Beedle.
He had a friendly face and was surrounded by various bags and boxes.
"Got any clothes?" Link asked.
"Whatcha got in mind?"
He tightened his arm around Zelda. "Something that will fit her."
"Sure thing! I know I have something here."
After a few minutes of searching, finding, and money changing hands, Zelda was holding a simple brown dress and a pair of boots that she could lace up to fit. Link bought her a hairbrush too.
For now, the outfit would be unnecessary. Behind a small privacy curtain in the back of the stable, Zelda washed up and changed into a long, soft tunic of Link's to sleep in.
Link silently pointed to their bed before brushing past her to get ready for bed himself.
Zelda awoke from the beginnings of sleep when the bed shifted beside her.
Link's arm fell next to hers and he sighed heavily as he pulled the blankets up over him.
Zelda turned on her side to face him.
He laid on his back. His eyes were open, fixed on the ceiling. She drank in the familiar sight of his face, unharmed, flushed, alive.
A lump rose in her throat and she placed her hand on his arm.
He turned his head to meet her eyes.
"Link," she whispered, "thank you for the clothes and the bed." It wasn't what she'd meant to say, but he did deserve gratitude for every kindness he showed her. "I hope it isn't a hardship."
A faint smile lit his eyes. "It's no trouble, Princess."
"Zelda, please."
The smile reached his lips and he turned fully to face her, folding his arm under his head. "It's no trouble, Zelda."
He'd never said her name before.
Her skin tingled and warmed. "Thank you for saving me, too."
He barely nodded, his amused expression unchanging.
"I...I missed you." Her eyes welled and her heart lurched at her own admission.
Link inhaled a deep breath through his nose and his eyes lit with surprise. "I missed you too. I didn't know how much until I saw you."
"That's how it was for me too. Although," she hesitated, dropping her eyes, "I felt it sharply all along, since I didn't get to say goodbye. My last sight of you—I tried not to think of it but..." Her eyes blurred with tears. She was overtired. She should have stayed quiet and just let him sleep.
"I'm sorry."
"No, I see you now, healthy and strong. I can breathe easily."
"Mm."
They were both silent for a few long moments, gazing into each other's eyes. Even in the darkening room, his large blue eyes took her breath away.
"I wonder if it will ever feel real. It's truly over. We're safe. And together."
Link blinked in his little way that signified agreement. "It will, Zelda." His voice was small as he tripped over her name.
The sound caused the same sensation as the first time she'd heard it. She closed her eyes, blissful. And as soon as she'd let her heavy eyelids fall shut, she was drawn back towards sleep. "I know we need to get to work. There's much to do. Many people to see." Her words were slurred. "But, I'd like to see your house. I was aware you got one while I was watching over you, but of course, I hadn't a chance to get a good look."
"I'll take you there first thing. I bought it with you in mind."
"Really?"
"Of course. Everything...had you...i-in mind." He sounded sleepy too.
Zelda was falling asleep but she couldn't stand missing a single second with Link after all this time. She wished her body wasn't fighting against her. "I wanted to tell you something once I was freed."
"Hm?"
"But it can wait until tomorrow."
"Okay," Link said airily.
She inched closer, imboldened by her own tiredness. "But I'll still be forward tonight. May I...It's been a frightening time. May I come closer?"
She felt Link moving beside her and her heartbeat sped up.
He laid on his back and draped his arm across her pillow.
She lifted her head.
He tucked his arm beneath her and rolled her to him, then dropped his other arm to her waist.
The movements were so fluid, it was as if he'd been waiting on her to ask.
She dropped her head to his chest and curled her arm around him. "Thank you, Link," she whispered, lips brushing against the soft fabric of his shirt.
"Thank you, Zelda," he mumbled in reply, running his hand up and down her back.
Again, she fought sleep to soak in the experience. But he was so cuddly and he was holding on so tight and the slow rise and fall of his chest was too powerful a sedative.
After one hundred years of waiting, Zelda spent the night sleeping in Link's warm, loving embrace.
~
I always write an element of awkwardness to Link and Zelda "confessing" because it's generally a nerve-wracking experience, especially for two teens who are new to the whole thing.
But then I was thinking, I never really notice them acting nervous around each other, even once the subtext is there of them developing feelings in the game scenes. So I thought I'd try writing their friendship shifting into more naturally and comfortably this time ❤️ And I like how it turned out! It was a fun little exercise for me. Hope you enjoy. Maybe I'll write more to go along with this little scene idk 🤷🏼♀️
After rescuing Zelda from the Yiga, she's suddenly treating him differently...
Link was still winded from his battle with the Yiga. It hadn't been physically tiring; running them off had taken all of ten seconds. But he couldn't slow his heartbeat after the sight of Princess Zelda with a blade aimed at her throat.
It probably made her mad to have him staring. And she was probably mad that he'd followed her, even if it had meant her life.
She must be pretty shaken too, though, since she was walking close to him at his side instead of her usual five paces ahead.
Often, when he turned to check on her, she was already looking at him. That made it all the more impossible to calm down. He clinched his fists and fixed his eyes ahead across the sprawling nothingness of the desert.
"It will be getting cold soon," The Princess said quietly.
He nodded.
"How far do you think we are from the stable?"
The Shiekah Slate didn't work this deep into the Gerudo Desert. But they'd been walking for miles. "We shouldn't be long, Princess. We'll arrive before sundown."
She sighed. "That's a relief. Y-You deserve some rest."
It took awhile to register what she'd just said. Was he hallucinating or had she just said something kind to him?
They trudged on in silence while Link’s mind spun wildly in confusion. He felt uneasy. Was she trying a new approach to run away? Would she try running away again tonight? He was about to fall over. How could she possibly have the energy to plan another escape?
Link sat down at the fire and let his aching head sink to his hands. For just a moment while The Princess was inside the inn, he could indulge his exhaustion, shutting his eyes and enjoying the heat of the fire against his hands and face.
One minute. Just a second and he'd start on dinner...
"Link?"
He snapped to position, straightening his back and looking up at The Princess.
She smiled. She was holding a wooden tray with two mugs and bowls on it.
"I bought dinner. It's been a long day. No need to cook."
He blinked, dumbstruck, as she sat down on the stool beside his, tray on her lap, and handed him a bowl of soup and a large mug of water. He should've thanked her but instead he just dug in.
He heard her spoon clink against her bowl and she laughed, genuine, melodic. He looked over slowly.
She was grinning at him. There was no malice in her eyes but he still braced himself for a jab. "You eat fast."
His eyes darted to the right. He didn't know what to make of that so he resumed eating. His headache ebbed with every bite.
By the time he'd finished his bowl and his water, he felt like collapsing into his cot.
"I got you something," The Princess said just as he was about to suggest they turn in. "When I bought dinner, I also bought us both beds for the night."
He couldn't deny it anymore. Somehow, she wasn't angry anymore.
Her cheeks were getting rosier. "The deluxe extra comfy beds."
Link bit his bottom lip, knowing he'd have to reply. "You bought...two beds?"
"Yes. As a "thank you"."
"Princess?"
"For saving me today," she elaborated.
"I—You didn't have to. It isn't worth—."
"It's my life," she interrupted. "No one has ever done such a thing for me. You put yourself in front of me. You could've died."
He dropped his head, his throat tight. "Oh. Well, of course your life is most valuable. That's why there's no sense in thanking me. There's not even a thought as to what must be done."
He was met with harsh silence.
It took awhile for him to screw up the courage to look at her. When he did, the air was knocked from his lungs.
Her eyes were filled with tears and fixed on him.
"Im sorry, Princess!"
She shook her head. "Whatever for? I am the one who ought to apologize, Link."
"No."
"Link."
Link rubbed the back of his neck, scrubbing at his hair.
"Link, I've made your life as difficult as I could. I don't expect you to forgive me, but I am sorry." Her voice rose unexpectedly and she looked away, wiping her face. "I'm sorry for yelling at you. I've felt sorry since I did it, actually. You'd done nothing wrong."
"I'm sorry for always upsetting you, Princess." His voice was choked too.
They faced away from each other and sniffled.
"You didn't, Link. It's not your fault I'm upset."
With those words, a weight was lifted from his shoulders. Months of wondering where he'd gone wrong, and he finally had an answer. If she was taking out anger on him, that was easy to accept. He wish he could've understood that to begin with.
"Let's go to bed," Zelda said after a few minutes of sitting in silence, both trying not to cry, and not looking at each other.
Link nodded and stood. Out of habit, he held out his hand to help her up. It was how he'd been trained. She never let him help her, though.
As soon as he'd done it, his fingers flinched to pull away. Before he could, Zelda's soft, warm hand was in his. Electricity ran through him and he blushed.
She stood up but didn't let go, instead meeting his eyes, standing close, just a hair taller than him. Her gaze was gentle. "Friends?"
Link raised his brows. He wasn't through the shock of her hand in his or her face this close, so it was hard to process that she was speaking to him. "Of course, Princess." The words came out in a whisper.
She let go of his hand and clasped hers in front of her. "Zelda, then. Call me Zelda." She smiled shyly.
"Are you sure?" He was so nervous he was shaking. He prayed she didn't notice.
"Mm."
This time, the silence between them was even more awkward since they were standing so close. She should know by now that he was useless at conversation. Nothing would happen at this rate; he'd continue staring at his shoes until sunrise if she kept looking at him.
"Thank you again, Link." She stepped away, smiling at him brightly. "Let's get some sleep, alright?"
"Yes, Princess."
"Hm?"
He couldn't help but grin as he realized his mistake even as heat rushed to his face. "Okay, Zelda."
Part of a series of oneshots I'm doing taking place shortly after BotW of Link and Zelda figuring out their new relationship. I'm writing them out of order so blanks will be filled in over time.
~
Deep down, Zelda knew she wouldn't last five minutes.
Laying down in her deliciously comfy down-Rito bed, high, high up in the mountains, she tried to swallow the lump in her throat. She looked around the room, trying to ground herself even while shadows started to reach for her like hands, ready to steal her into nightmares.
Pretty curtains billowed around the ornate woodworking of the rounded walls. The place was well-lit with torches. There was nothing scary about her room or the cozy village surrounding.
The Rito were so kind to her. She'd received a hero's welcome, which she felt undeserving of.
But she'd been glad to see how happy their festivities made Link. There'd been dozens of savory dishes, cakes, and drinks. Music was played. Baby Ritos sang.
She again pictured the big smile on Link's face as he'd watched the performance, his cheeks full of rice ball and his face flushed from the bonfire.
Tears burned Zelda's eyes as she felt her solitude sharply. It was time to stop pretending there was any chance of her sleeping alone.
She shot out of bed, taking the large, red blanket from it and wrapping it around herself. She rushed up the stairs from her room and along the boardwalk a story up to Link's room.
Her bare feet were numb by the time she reached the threshold of his bedroom, which looked very similar to hers.
She felt like a child, wrapped in her blanket, underdressed in a short nightgown, and teary-eyed. "Link?" she said, quiet enough that it shouldn't wake him if he was asleep.
"Mm? Zel?" came his voice immediately.
She sighed a breath of relief. "May I come in?"
"'Course."
She rushed inside the small, round room with a large bed in the center. His blanket was blue; that seemed to be the only difference. He'd put out most of the torches too, so his room was dark.
Strangely, he was on the left side of the bed, even though he was alone and could've spread out in the middle for once. She puttered to the other side of the bed—her usual side.
He turned to face her. "Sleeping here?"
He didn't even make her ask.
Her lip pouted out and she nodded.
He exhaled a laugh at her childish reaction. The way he reached over and folded back the blanket on her side of the bed sent her heart racing.
"Is it warm enough? We can use my blanket too. Or not."
"It's cold," Link whispered. "Let's use both."
She slipped the blanket from her shoulders and saw Link's gaze dart sharply away from her. Maybe Link staring would be flattering, but Zelda got a thrill whenever Link shyly looked away from her figure.
She cast the blanket across the bed and climbed in.
Zelda shivered violently as she sunk into the blankets, feeling just how cold she'd gotten only once she was being reheated.
Link laughed. "Were you freezing to death all by yourself?"
Zelda's teeth chattered and she nodded pathetically. "Help," she chirped, shuffling forward to fall into Link's arms.
"Eugh!" He flinched and threw his hands up and away from her.
"Li~ink!" She wiggled towards him, closing the distance.
The bare skin of his arms and chest soothed her achingly cold hands.
Link shot upright with a squeal and picked up his pillow. He herded her backwards with it, rolling her back to her side of the bed. He was giggling but actually seemed annoyed. "Get on your side of the bed. Don't touch me until you've defrosted."
She grinned, weak and easy to push away since she was shivering so badly. "You're heartless."
"You are. You came here just to put your little icesickle hands on me."
She fought the pillow, reaching past it as much as she could with him continuously regaining ground.
Before she knew it, Link was sitting up, leaning over her. He pinned her to her sides with the pillow across her chest.
She couldn't move her arms and she was too exhausted to fight him anyway. "Fine," she said between ragged breaths. "Let me die."
"It's kill or be killed," he replied, smiling down at her, wild eyed.
In the same moment, they seemed to realize their position. Zelda's cheeks flushed as she looked up at him, helpless under his firm grip on her arms.
His eyes filled with panic but he didn't move a muscle.
She didn't know whether he would lean down and close the distance, or apologize and avoid eye-contact for a week. Zelda was scared of both outcomes, although one was better than the other.
Then, inspiration struck.
Zelda gave him a big, innocent smile and bent her knee, raising it to his leg.
He shrieked and flew back to his side of the bed as she started kicking him.
She threw his pillow aside and threw a hand across him while she continued kicking him with her freezing little feet like daggers.
"Hyaaauuuugh," he tried to pull away from her but she moved with him, now with an iron grip. "I quit. I quit, I quit, I quit." He rolled back onto his back, shivered, and sighed in defeated.
"What do you quit?" she murmured with her chin on his shoulder, emboldened by her control over the situation.
"Knighthood."
She dropped her head, laughing. "That's not how it works. You are burdened by destiny, remember?"
He turned his head and looked in her eyes. "So cruel." He raised his brows and pouted.
Her smile faded. It wasn't fair how he could turn the tables so effortlessly. Her heart was racing again.
They leaned forward at the same time, closed their eyes in perfect unison, and brushed their lips softly against the others', both with a breath of nervous hesitation.
Zelda's hand curled into a fist on Link's chest as she fell into his kiss. Her whole body was warm now. He traced a hand across her face as he pressed soft kiss after kiss on her lips. Zelda was eager to deepen the kiss but Link lowered his head, his lips falling from hers and pulling down her lower lip.
She flattened her hand to his chest and felt the pounding of his heart. She was confused at why he stopped before anything had even started but she tried hard not to be hurt by it.
He exhaled a trembling breath.
"I'm not cold anymore," Zelda whispered.
He swallowed and shook his head. "Neither am I."
"Good."
Link looked down between them and furrowed his brow. He tugged the side of her pillow from under her head enough for him to share it.
They still laid face to face, noses nearly touching.
"I suppose we'll have to talk about that," she said in a low voice.
Link averted his eyes, a subtle smile on his face. "We didn't the other two times."
She socked his arm and he giggled. "Go to sleep."
"Okay."
"So immature, I swear."
"Am I? Then do you have something you'd like to say?"
That brat. "I said to go to sleep."
"I don't have enough pillow."
Zelda scooted up slightly, wondering where she was finding all of this courage. Maybe it wasn't courage; just desperation.
She raised her chin and placed her hand on the back of his head, pulling him down to rest on her shoulder. She'd hold him tonight instead of the other way around. He snuggled up as she put an arm around him and kept her other hand on his head.
As Link grew heavier and heavier against her, she began combing her fingers through that silky honey-blond hair. Link hummed happily and nuzzled against her chest.
"Sweet dreams," Zelda whispered.
"Sweedreamzel."
She felt him smile against her and she nearly broke a sweat from the stifling heat.
Actually got to take a break and write out the first little scene! 😍
"And stop following me!" The Princess shouted.
But he had to follow. He had to make her even madder now by disobeying.
He let her gain some distance, while also giving himself a moment to breathe after that punch to the gut. He should be getting used to The Princess' anger directed solely at him, but instead it hurt worse every time.
Link dipped his head and jogged after her, keeping his head down so that if she did look back at him she wouldn't see his wide eyes turning bloodshot as he fought back childish tears.
He'd heard her call him stoic and unreadable many times when talking to The Champions, and it baffled him. Did she really mean that? She didn't see the way he trembled whenever they touched? She didn't read the look in his eyes like a book? If she was oblivious, then he wished he could shake being so scared of her. He'd never been scared of anybody before. But the worst-case-scenerio kept happening. He didn't know what he was doing wrong, but she hated him.
He gave her as much space as he could. She got on her horse and rushed it into motion without another word.
Link exhaled a sigh now that he was alone, watching Princess Zelda ride away.
He climbed on his horse and began to follow, heart racing at the fear of upsetting her again.
Delicate and tired; no one asked her what she thought.
Long lashes covering her lowered eyes. Glossy pink lips with just a hint of a frown.
And when each soldier who'd been given the honor stooped to kiss her gloved hand, that frown grew more pronounced.
He wasn't any different from the other young men in that long row. He wore the same royal blue uniform as the rest and his head was bowed low.
So why had she picked him out?
Why had The Princess taken such a risk?
Link rolled over in his stiff, creaky bunk bed and replayed the events of the day for the hundredth time.
Her voice was stuck in his head like a song.
"Meet me at midnight in the grotto," she'd whispered so quietly he wondered if his mind had been playing tricks, "but only if you wish." She'd squeezed his hand in emphasis. "It's not an order."
He pressed his lips to the silk fabric, feeling the heat of her skin beneath and smelling her sweet perfume.
As if taken over by a spell, he'd nodded.
Then she had moved on.
He rubbed his eyes and checked the old clock hanging on the wall in the barracks.
Maybe he'd go early...
He was definitely going. No question there.
Link held up his lantern and took in the large entrance to the grotto. One had to wind all through the garden maze to reach the mouth of this cave, cut through the cliffside that divided the palace from the roaring sea.
He hadn't been to this cave since he was a boy. He'd always thrilled at the way you could hear the waves once you reached the back of it.
Link looked up at the cloudy, starless sky. The light of the moon shone in the middle or the sky. He checked over his shoulder through the hedges of roses and trees. There was no princess in sight.
Was she already inside?
He took a deep breath and stepped off of the grass and onto stone.
It was immediately colder; a different world only a foot away from the outside. Water dripped from the ceiling into puddles and the thump of the droplets echoed against the broad, high stone walls.
The light of his lantern didn't reach the ceiling.
His heartbeat sped up with every step. The rock surrounding him turned from brown to a glittering gray the further inside he went.
Finally, he reached the heart of it. A large, turquoise pond with a patch of land at the other side of the water.
A small, ornate boat sat at the dock on the other side.
Across the water, there were lanterns illuminating the floor and pond, both shimmering. Old sconces and carvings showed the care that had once gone into keeping up this ancient jewel beneath the palace. Now, it was a secret.
Link had wondered as a child if it was just a secret for him and...
His eyes widened.
The Princess sat in the boat with her back turned to him. She was dressed so plainly and hunkered down so small he hadn't seen her at first.
She wore a maids uniform; he could recognize it easily. A long braid hung down her back. She was moving slightly, fidgeting with something.
Link sat down his lantern and placed a hand over his heart, suddenly captured by nerves so intense he wanted to run away.
"Your Highness?" The volume and the way his voice echoed made him cringe.
She looked over her shoulder and the sight of her face took his breath away. She gave him a big smile and at once he knew exactly why he was here. At least, why she'd picked him from the crowd.
"Link, you came after all." Her voice was achingly familiar and alight with childish excitement.
"Of course I did."
She picked up the paddles that were fixed at the side of the boat and she began rowing back across the pond to him. It was a short trip. She looked up at him, her green eyes gleaming amusement as the boat hit a stop against the stone ground. "Even though you didn't recognize me?"
"Princess, I..." He wasn't sure how he was going to manage conversation with this beautiful girl, gazing up at him so sweet and inviting.
She bit her lip. "You do recognize me now, though?"
He wiped his clammy hands on his shirt, suddenly feeling sharply how plain he must look in his stable-wear. It was all he had aside from his uniforms though. "Yes, I do." His voice was shaking. His face heated with embarrassment.
Her smile broadened. "Thank heavens. I was so afraid you wouldn't. Will you go across with me?" She pointed back towards the pretty side of the pond with the statues and bench.
He nodded but made no move to approach.
She waited patiently, staring at him as though she had nowhere else in the world to be.
Finally, he forced his legs to carry him forward. He stepped lightly into the boat and sat down at her side.
Just like earlier, her perfume intoxicated him. It reminded him sharply that this wasn't just any beautiful girl; this was The Princess of Hyrule.
"I'll row," he said hoarsely.
"Naturally. As is tradition."
The heat was stifling. As he picked up the oars, she leaned closer to him, brushing against his side.
Feelings, new and old overwhelmed him, but the enjoyment, the delirium of her company was taking over.
He exited the boat and held out his hand.
She hummed happily and took it.
Sparks.
Neither wore gloves now. Her bare hand against his solidified all the old, suppressed memories of his childhood playmate.
They sat together on the bench. There was a bag beside it that it seemed she'd brought with her. Before she could offer him anything, though, he found his voice.
"You were quite the trickster as a girl. I've been fooled all this time."
She laughed. "It's not my fault you couldn't recognize me in a bit of makeup, Link."
"You'd said your name was Hylia."
"Mm." She clasped her hands and closed her eyes. She bumped her shoulder to his. "Ancient ancestor of the royal family. Do you know your history?"
"No."
She giggled.
The Princess never smiled. Solemn grace was the manner she was known for.
Link wondered if anyone else saw this girlish side of her. "Besides, who would assume it was The Princess that they'd met in a cave? Plus, you dressed like a maid. You'd said you worked at the castle."
She met his eyes, feigning seriousness. "I do work at the castle. You're trying to catch me in a lie but it won't work. I couldn't exactly wear a ballgown in here either."
"That's true."
"My name is Zelda, really though. Of course you know that." She picked at the skirt of her dress, looking almost-shy for the first time that night.
"I'm not allowed to call you that, though."
She looked at him sharply, her smile vanishing. "You aren't allowed to call me anything else, Link."
"But, I—I would—."
"Please."
He swallowed hard. He couldn't possibly turn down a request from the girl in front of him, who was pouting so cutely and invading his space.
"Zelda," he whispered.
She looked as if she might faint. He thought she really might when she swayed towards him. Then her arms wrapped around his shoulders and she kissed his cheek.
He closed his eyes as his mouth watered and his face went so hot he thought he might melt.
"Thank you, Link." She dropped her head to his shoulder. "You must think me mad. I have gone mad, but...it's fresh on my mind; how we used to be. If you don't feel the same..."
He turned suddenly, nose to nose with her as her arms remained around his neck. "I do. I feel the same. You can—We—." He shook his head, trying to regain some semblance of intelligent thought. "It can be however you want it to be."
She gave him a dazed look that made him think this was all a dream and he'd wake up in the barracks cold and disappointed.
"There's a reason I asked you here out of the blue after all these years. When was the last time we came here?"
"I was ten."
"Then I was eight," she said. "Nine whole years. No wonder you didn't recognize me." She dropped her arms from him and folded her hands in her lap.
"Now that I see you up close, I don't know how I didn't."
That brought a small smile back to her lips. "The reason, after all this time...First of all, it was the only opportunity I've had in a long time. Amazing how the knights' training grounds and my area of the palace are a world away. But also, I felt desperate to see you because my father has decided it is time for me to make a marriage of strategic benefit to the land."
"Oh." Strange, how he'd been with her under an hour, after 9 years, yet his heart was already sinking at the thought of her with someone else.
"Link, do you have a family?"
The question caught him off guard. "My father was a knight before me."
Zelda nodded for him to go on as she reached for her bag.
"But he has passed away. My little sister and grandmother live on the other side of the sea."
It seemed he'd given a good answer. As Zelda sat the bag in her lap, she perked up, grinning at him again. Her face even flushed. "Really? On the other continent?"
"Yes, indeed."
"Have you been there?"
He shook his head. "My father saved up money and moved them there before he died. It was safer at the time."
"It's still safer," she said.
He couldn't have said it, but it was true.
Tensions between Rhoam and the Gerudo's leader, Ganondorf, were high. There could be a war any moment, and it had been that way for years.
"Hmm," Zelda said. "Are you hungry?"
He was always hungry. Soldiers rations were pitiful. "Um."
Zelda nodded decisively, as if he'd actually answered, and she unwrapped a baguette and block of cheese from her bag.
"Oh wow," he said excitedly.
Then she got out a a neatly-wrapped brand new hunk of meat.
Link looked at her in amazement and she giggled.
"There's more," she said, elbowing him teasingly. The last thing in the contents of the bag: a bottle of wine.
"Are you sure?"
"It's very old and expensive," she said. "Will you open it?"
Link was thrilled. This would go down in history as the best night of his life. He was eating food from the actual royal palace kitchen and drinking fine wine with the most gorgeous girl in the entire world.
He retrieved his knife from his pocket and popped the cork out of the bottle like he'd been practicing his whole life (although he'd never done it before).
Zelda clapped. "I didn't bring any dishes or silverware so we'll just have to eat and drink like savages."
"Fine by me," he chuckled.
For awhile, they ate and drank in silence.
Maybe Link shouldn't have taken her permission to eat like a savage so literally but he couldn't help it. The meat and cheese and bread were so beyond delicious and normally he didn't get to drink anything but water. In fact, he couldn't recall the last time he'd drank.
Maybe twice with his father. He had no clue how much or at what pace was acceptable but from the amused look on Zelda’s face, he got the feeling he wasn't doing this quite right.
Still, he was sharing and she seemed to be having her fill so it shouldn't matter.
"I hope you won't be sick," she said as Link was slowing down.
"I'm sorry, Princ—Zelda. I haven't had a proper meal in awhile."
She took the wine bottle and held it up to the lantern light. She swished the remainder around and laughed. "You're going to be sick. I'd better finish it off so you won't be alone."
"What do you mean?"
"Well you didn't drink all this on your own, I suppose." She pressed the back of her hand to her red cheek and clicked her tongue. "Perhaps I should've brought water."
"I have water all the time," he said, annoyed at the mere idea of it.
Zelda polished it off with a wince and set it aside, then packed away the little of the food that was left.
She rested her head on his shoulder and hooked her arm in his. The warmth and her weight against him made Link dizzyingly sleepy. He closed his eyes and leaned back against the wall.
"Link?"
"Yeah, Zelda?"
"Remember how I said the otherrr reason I wan'ed to see you was because Rhoam wants to marry me off?"
She called her father by his first name. That figured. He didn't seem like a great guy.
"Yeah."
"How would you feel, an' be honest, about going to see your grandma and sister...with me?"
"You're going to see my grandma and sister?" He felt funny, half asleep but not sleepy.
She laughed and nuzzled against his shoulder.
It made his stomach flutter.
"If you take me to meet them. It feels like fate that you have family far away in a safer country, one where I'd never be found." She paused and sat up, making Link lose his balance.
He caught himself by taking hold of her arms.
She put her hands on his face in return. "Pay attention. I'm serious. Run away with me. We'll sneak onto a boat. I'll sell my jewelry and we'd-hic-have plenty to live off of. And we'll find your fam'ly and I'll be a regular girl."
Link blinked at the three Zeldas in front of him. "That's crazy," he whispered.
Her lip trembled and she nodded agreement. "It's okay. It was just an idea. Because I don't want to get married."
"We've already snuck away tonight. And you're dressed like a commoner. We could leave right now."
Zelda’s eyes welled. "I was hoping you'd say that. Look." She held up the bag for him to see inside. At the bottom was a pile of luminous gemstones wound in gold; rings, necklaces, bracelets, broaches, hairpins.
"You planned it already," he breathed.
"Mm. I thought tonight, I'd either see you one last time or...you might join me."
"Zelda."
"I don’t want to be a princess. I don't want to live under my father’s rule. I don't want to be in this country. It's selfish..."
He traced a hand through her hair, tucking a curl behind her ear. All of his nerves from earlier were washed away with the wine. "Who would he have had you marry?"
Her eyes welled with tears and she looked away. It took her a long time to answer. "Ganondorf."
The name sobered him, at least a little. He shook his head. "No. No, Zelda." He kissed her cheek. "No." Her forehead. "No." Her temple. "No." He trailed down her face in kisses while she cried. "No, no, no, no, no."
Holding her face in his hands he leaned back and tilted her chin up. "I'm taking you away. Far away."
She exhaled a laughed through her soft cries. "My hero."
"Let's go." He took her hand.
That stopped her crying. She looked at him with wide eyes and a grin. "Let's sleep awhile and then go. I'm a bit dizzy. Aren't you?"
He'd forgotten that he was; he was so overcome by the need to protect her.
She closed her eyes. "Just for a little while. No one will find us here."
"No one will find us," he confirmed, his meaning more broad and final.
She sighed and her shoulders slackened. "I'm so happy."
"We'll run for the harbor, first thing."
She hugged her arms around his waist. They were nearly the same height, but she sunk down until her head was against his chest. "Thank you, Link. You are saving my life."
He really was falling asleep this time, so drowsy that the stone backrest and seat were comfortable. "I'll be glad to see my sister."
She squeezed him tighter and he ran his hands up and down her back. "We'll have fun."
"More fun than when we were kids."
She laughed against him, sounding close to sleep. "Even more. We'll be free. No more Princess."
"Hiya, Mr. Link." Karin was kicking her feet back and forth in the water as she sat at the edge of the pond outside the town.
He pulled back his hood and managed a small smile. "Hey, Karin."
She patted the spot beside her.
He raised his brows and dropped his traveling gear, sitting down next to the tiny brunette.
"I lost my pet bird yesterday," she said quietly.
Link was unlacing his boots. He glanced at her. "I'm sorry. Need help finding it?"
Her pensive expression turned wistful. "No. I didn't lose him like that. He died."
"Oh." He rolled up his pant legs and dipped his aching feet into the cool water.
"I know a secret, Mr. Link."
He propped himself up with his hands on the ground behind him.
"I know about you and Ms. Zelda."
Link made a splash with how he flinched.
"Don't worry. I've known a long time. I won't tell anybody."
He worked to catch his breath and not look mad at the little girl.
"I just wanted to tell you that I'm real sorry. When I lost my friend yesterday, I couldn't stop crying, even though I'd only known him a few weeks. Then I realized that I was crying for you and Ms. Zelda. I was just so upset to think of how bad it must be...to lose your very best friend. I'm sorry, Mr. Link." Her voice wavered and she looked down sorrowfully.
Link's throat tightened. "We'll find her. Don't worry." He was lying. She'd been lost to time. She was a dragon and she could never turn back. He was the only one who knew, though. He couldn't let anyone else lose hope the way that he had.
"Mr. Link?"
"Uh-huh?"
"I'm right, aren't I? You are in love with Ms. Zelda?"
"Uh-huh."
Karin's cheeks turned red and she covered her face with her hands. "I knew it. I knew it! I'm really smart about love; way smarter than anyone else my age."
"Hm." This is why he didn't hang around the school.
Kids could sniff his and Zelda's relationship out from a mile away and he didn't feel like questions especially now.
"You say not to worry. But you're the most worried."
Link met her eyes, his wide and questioning.
"You just look so sad. You'll see her again. I promise." She smiled so big her eyes disappeared.
"Promise?" He forced a laugh.
Karin held out her pinky. "Don't give up no matter what anybody or anything tells you. I've read lots of books and you know what they all say?"
Link let her hook her pinky around his. "What?"
"The princess always gets saved in the end. Because of true love. Because it's so powerful!" She tightened her grip and shook. "I promise you'll rescue Ms. Zelda."
Link dropped his hands back to his lap and slouched forward. He looked down at his blue, rippling reflection and he exhaled a deep breath. "Thanks, Karin."
She giggled and drew her legs up from the water. She scrambled to her feet. "Bye, Mr. Link!"
"See you later."
When she was out of sight, Link fell on his back and draped his arm over his eyes, still kicking slowly in the water.
"Zelda?" Link whispered. "Zelda, is it true?" He bit down hard on his lip and forced his breathing steady. He'd done enough crying on that beach full of Silent Princesses.
After another day of begging Hylia for help, Zelda is feeling mutinous towards the diety. All she can see is the very real hero before her.
Her legs trembled from the long walk. Her knees burned from holding her weight for hours. And her throat hurt from all of her crying and begging.
It felt so pointless– nearly insane to talk to this carved, lifeless stone. She may as well be asking for help from a fence post.
Maybe it was those blasphemous thoughts that held Zelda back from unlocking her powers. Certainly if her father had a glimpse into his daughter's bittered mind, he'd say so.
"Princess?"
Zelda's shoulders slackened even as she caught and held her breath.
That soft voice gave Zelda a rush of energy the likes of which no statue could imbue.
Link's hand hesitated at her arm, causing his fingers to whisper against her skin before he committed to taking hold of her.
"Yes, Link?" She coughed. She'd lost her voice and her words came out as a weak crackle.
"It's far out of my place to interrupt and speak my mind, but I don't think it's safe for you to sit here any longer. You look starved and cold and tired." He took a knee beside her and tilted his head to catch her eyes.
When she relented, letting him see her tears, he gave her a smile that was warm like candlelight.
She smiled back and he strengthened his stabalizing grip on her arm.
"You're not likely to unlock your sacred powers while lying in bed with pneumonia, no?"
She bit her lip. "No," she whispered, amazed at how quickly he could cheer her up after hours of intense distress.
The kind, beautiful blond had pulled her from a bad dream.
"Come on. Let's get you a hearty meal and good long rest, hm?"
Again, she could only just hold back her tears. She was so exhausted it was almost impossible to keep from crying.
Link placed his other hand on her back, his face pinching in concentration, and Zelda did her very, very best to stand up on her own.
She cried out as her knees buckled. Her legs had no strength in them, only pain. Her muscles only ached with effort for a second, though, before Link's arm was hooked under her legs and he pulled her up and into his arms.
"Oh, I'm sorry," she groaned, sitting up rigidly, holding her head up. "Thank you for helping me up and catching me but I'm certain I can walk now so—."
"Princess, it's a bit of a walk back to camp. Try to relax."
Zelda's face flushed and her throat tightened. "Y-You don't intend to carry me all the way to camp..."
"You've done enough work for today. I'll take over here." Somehow, he struck a balance: not giving her orders, yet still ending the conversation.
She sighed and wrapped her arm around his neck then relaxed naturally into his hold. Her head was on his shoulder. She hadn't even realized she had a headache until she rested it. She sighed again more heavily and closed her eyes. "Thank you, Link."
"Of course, Princess."
She barely noticed as he climbed the steps out of the temple and down ancient cobblestone paths until they were free of the sacred grounds. From the moment they were back on the dirt road, Zelda faded to sleep.
She awoke to the sound of a crackling fire and forced her eyes open. She was on her comfortable fold-out cot with 3 layers of blankets tucked up to her chin.
Zelda turned her head on her pillow to see Link cooking something over the fire with his back to her. The smell of meat and veggies and butter and spices made her mouth water. She hadn't eaten all day in order to show her devotion.
It didn't make sense. When she thought of Link carrying her all the way here, tucking her into bed, and cooking a meal, that seemed a much more accurate description of devotion.
Truly, Zelda was hopeless. She didn't understand this Hylia one bit. The feeling of disdain must be mutual...
"Dinner's ready," Link said, interrupting her gloomy thoughts.
"It smells wonderful."
"I'm glad if you have an appetite. You need to eat up to regain your strength."
She felt too tired to sit up and eat, but Link had gone to a lot of trouble. She'd be compliant. She sat up on her elbow and her head sparkled while her vision blurred. Again, Link's hand was on her.
Maybe being sick wasn't so bad with Link around...
No, she shouldn't think like that.
"Mm. I'm sorry." She felt her head drifting sideways.
A hand cupped her cheek, holding her upright. Link blurred into focus before her and her mouth went dry.
His thumb was on her cheekbone, his fingers at her temple. His eyes sparkled with worry.
Zelda's gaze drifted to his lips, rosy, slightly parted, full and kissable.
He licked his lips and she hummed a trembling breath, a powerful longing washing over her.
"Can you sit up a little, just for a moment, while I get your food?" he whispered.
Had she really lost her mind or was he closer than before? She could feel his breath against her face as he spoke.
"Hm?" She blinked a few times. "Oh, um, yes. I'm sorry. I don't mean to be so helpless."
He traced his thumb across her cheek. "That's enough apologizing, Princess."
He steadied the backs of her hands as she held the bowl of simmered tomato stew.
Her arms ached and her hand shook, but she managed a few bites. She didn't have any appetite, but for Link, she finished more than half of the meal. It seemed to make him happy and, indeed, she did feel more clear-headed.
Then she drank two cups of water and felt like a new person. She collapsed back onto the cot with a sigh, turning towards the crackling fire.
"I think we'd better break up the trip another day," Link said quietly, sitting on a rock and stoking the fire.
"Why?"
He raised an eyebrow and she blushed.
"And I suppose I shouldn't argue."
He gave her a small smile. "Just one day. We'll travel to the stable tomorrow since it's close by and rest up there. We can finish the trip after that."
Zelda stretched and rolled onto her back. "That doesn't sound so bad. It's a nice compromise."
"A compromise?"
"Mm. I want to get away from the shrine as soon as possible. But I don't look forward to returning home either."
Link just hummed agreement.
Zelda looked up at the vast starry sky. The moon was high. It must be close to midnight. "You must be tired too. I wasn't the only one having to sit still and vigilant all day."
"My work is quite different," he scoffed.
"Were there shrines where you grew up?" The question took her by surprise even as it came out of her mouth.
"Yes. Just a little one in the square."
"Did your family...go to it?"
Link actually laughed. "Is there a wrong answer, Princess?"
Zelda rolled back over to face him and grinned. "No."
He held her gaze for a bit then shook his head, returning his attention to the fire. "I was always more for throwing a rupee in a well if I wanted something."
Zelda laughed too. "Was that effective?"
"About half the time."
"Mm. Has Hylia beat." Part of her brain begged her to shut up just for the discomfort of being a few miles from the temple. She closed her eyes and that voice in her head grew louder until her heart was pounding. Sleepiness drowned out any logic to ward off the fear.
It was no use. Her panic had turned into an aimless dread and she drifted between waking worry and bad dreams.
When she finally roused herself enough to snap to, she opened her eyes and was met with darkness. That didn't help. The fire had gone out.
She scrambled upright and scanned the little camp.
The stick Link had been using had slipped to his side and his head had drooped forward.
Zelda gritted her teeth. "Link?"
He was a light sleeper. He sat up and looked around, evidently checking for danger. "Yes, Princess?"
Heat filled her face. "I'm scared." How shameful.
He scuffled towards her until he was sitting by the bed. "Bad dreams?"
She averted her eyes from him and nodded.
He was still and silent.
She could understand why. What was he supposed to do about it?
"L-Link? Will you...stay closer?"
She saw his eyes widen by the light of the moon.
"Of course."
Beside her cot was only a patch of dirt and scrubby grass. Still he started to lay down.
Devotion.
She grabbed his sleeve, entirely unsure of what she was doing. "Closer?"
She saw him assessing the distance. There was none between him and the wooden beams of her cot.
She tugged on his sleeve when he looked up at her in question. "It's okay if not," she said, barely audible.
"Are you sure?" There was a tremor in his voice.
"Only if you're alright with it."
He swallowed and his jaw tightened. He dipped his head as he stood.
Zelda peeled back her blankets and again Link’s eyes flashed with surprise.
"Princess?"
"Yes, Link?"
"You're awfully tired. You've had a long day so...I don't want to overstep when you might wake up to regre—."
"I won't. Promise."
He exhaled a sharp breath and slipped his cloak off his shoulders.
It sent her heart racing. She moved over as much as she could and he crawled onto the small cot beside her.
It wasn't as crowded as she'd expect. They were both small. Link seemed smaller than usual with his frame against her.
"You're shaking." She pulled the blankets over him and tucked them up over his shoulders.
"Oh," his eyes darted up and down her face. He looked terrified.
She felt a stab of guilt. "You're uncomfortable. I've crossed a line. I know I have. We can forget I ever—."
"It isn't that, Princess. I'm just afraid I'll cross more lines."
Zelda found his hand at his chest under the covers. She took it and pressed it to her racing heart. "I've done my best today to be righteous, to have pure light bestowed upon me. I have done my best. But the only person in my life who cares to hear my requests...is right here."
Link closed his eyes and his lip trembled. His hand tightened around hers and he drew the slightest bit closer. His lips brushed against hers and she gasped.
She'd never been kissed before.
"Princess?" he said against her mouth.
When she nodded, their lips brushed again and she realized she was shaking too.
"I know you can't, but tomorrow," he kissed her suddenly, "I'll throw a rupee in the well for you."
Zelda could swear there was a sacred light in her fingertips as they drifted to Link's neck. It was too bright. Everything was too bright. She shut her eyes tight as Link inclined over her with his hands on her face.
Her lips parted.
He kissed her hard.
Hylia made her feel weak.
If anyone could make her feel powerful, it was this legendary hero.
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