I need a distraction from the stress I’ve been enduring writing my latest fic, so I’m making this!
Tag your mutuals (or anyone else you would like to tag) to receive an explanation about their username! (No pressure if you don’t want to tell)
@mailrebel (this is your reminder to do a welcome post), @spoiledspine , @pitchblackespresso , @miadearden, @echoingvoids, care to start this for me? Anybody who sees this is welcome to play!
Ripclaw300 has been my go-to username for many social media/websites ever since 2010-2011. It came from my brother, who upon making his Minecraft account, gave himself the username ripjaw300 (we both were big fans of Ben 10, and if you don’t know, one of the aliens is named Ripjaws). As the annoying little sister who always copied her big brother, when the time came to make my Minecraft account, I wanted a username like his. I was just getting into Warriors, and Rip- seemed like a viable warrior name prefix, so I subbed out the suffix -jaw with -claw (a common warrior name suffix). And the rest is history. I love this username!!!
Thanks for the tag @echoingvoids! Though I don't exactly have a lot of fics; this is more so about my AO3 works in general, I suppose.
To quote @abbyz-elda:
I’ve noticed through lots of different conversations that an author’s most popular fics aren’t necessarily their favorites! I wanted to create this opportunity to let people share their top 3 fics by either hits or kudos, followed by top 3 fics by personal favorite (and share where they do or don’t line up!)
I will be doing top 3 by their kudos!
1: Constant Yawns - This is the first fic I ever wrote; a one-shot utilizing the popular headcanon in LoZ: TotK that Link and Zelda live in the same house. I do wonder exactly why this is my most popular fic in hits, kudos, and bookmarks (though interestingly lacks comments); it's likely because it has moments between Wild Era's Link and Zelda (easily the most popular Zelink) and is based on such a popular headcanon. Considering it's my first fic, I'm so glad it continues to do well!
2: At First Sight - This is not a fic, but rather a prose poem detailing what I think the Zelda from Twilight Princess thought upon seeing Wolf Link. Given that, I'm surprised it has such a high kudos/hits ratio! Though I suppose that may be because it's not exactly a traditional poem. While there are lines I'm proud of, I feel it gets a little cliché in the middle and end, which prevents me from fully appreciating it.
3: Forget Me Not - Second place for hits! However, I find it hard to appreciate this emotional OoT Zelink one-shot. While I do admittedly love the emotions behind it, and I'm proud of some lines (both reasons why I think it's more popular), I can't help but feel like I could have written it better (I feel the dialogue is particularly bland). This was a rushed project, so it's a relief to see others call it beautiful. One commenter even said it made them cry, which honestly is the highest compliment I could get from a fic like this lol.
Now my top favorites!
❌ 1: In a Bind - Maybe it's because this involves Telink and Spirit Tracks (admittedly not the most popular topics in LoZ fandom) but I'm a bit surprised this isn't more popular! It's the only multichaptered fic I've written so far, and I like seeing everything flow together! I feel like I've gotten decent dialogue, character moments, and especially foreshadowing! There's also quite a bit of references, if you can spot them! Though I have had people tell me what an enjoyable ride it is!
❌ 2: What Once Was - Again, not a fic, but a poem! A contrapuntal poem, to be more exact. Contrapuntal poems are not easy to compose, and this comparison between SS Zelink and BotW Zelink was no exception. I think my efforts paid off! Though again, it's not very popular due to its nature as a poem, one that's harder to read, at that.
✅ 3: Constant Yawns - Ok, I can somewhat understand why this fic is popular. I remember feeling so passionate writing it! I think the prompt lines up very well with the situation, and who doesn't love domestic fluff and two ship-able characters caring for one another! I feel like this is the best dialogue I've written yet, and the character moments are satisfyingly full of emotion. I feel the actual relationship I wrote between Link and Zelda is natural, and you can feel their love! It's a simple short story, but sometimes that's all you need!
Honorable mention for Rainbow -- This is yet another poem, but it doesn't belong to any fandom. However, it has a 50% kudos/hits ratio; easily my highest rated work on AO3. I think this is the best poem I've written yet; do consider giving it a look.
Be on the lookout for more fics this upcoming Zelink Week! Hopefully I can write some more popular works. I write fics to practice my writing; thank you for supporting my work!
Now...who to tag...
@louwhose, @improbablescience, @zelink5ever, @zeldaelmo, @onewingedsparrow, and anyone else who would like to join!
This 2,180 word fic wasn't made from a prompt, just an idea I had flying around my head regarding TOTK's Tarrey Town house quest! Basically, would Link be thinking of Zelda/making some parts for Zelda while building it? This made it harder to write, so let me know what you think!
It's about time Link gets a dream home! But how can he make his dream home when his thoughts keep going back to the missing Zelda...
Big thanks @miadearden for beta-reading this one-shot (and helping me come up with the title lol)!
Full fic under the cut!
“You really think I should…get a house?”
Steeling himself against the new morning’s glare, Link eyed the enigmatically geometric homes around the lake island. Tarrey Town’s houses looked like stacks of colorful boxes, quite the interesting style for the esteemed construction builder standing before him.
Hudson gave him a hearty slap on the shoulder.
“It’s the least I can do to pay you back for all you’ve done for us, Link.”
Link averted his gaze.
“I really should keep moving along–”
“You stayed up all evening helping me with the balloon. Did you even rest once before then?”
Link cringed, and nervously scratched the back of his head.
“The place I want to go is not far from here; I’ll rest then.”
“And where will you rest?”
“I’ll rent a bed at the stable–”
“My boy, every-son must settle down at some point; now you can’t spend the rest of your life camping when a warrior like you needs proper rest.”
Link sighed, his eyes downcast, noting how heavy his eyelids seemed to weigh.
Hudson blinked at him, his hand still resting steadily against his shoulder. His bushy mustache fluttered as he murmured once more. “Even if you’re always traveling, you should have a home you can always come back to.”
A home…
Link felt something inside him perk up at the word.
He let his stare take him across the rocky cliffs bordering the rolling hills of Akkala, jagged sandstone fangs piercing the clear cerulean sky, the burnt orange of tree leaves setting the highlands ablaze in the strengthening light. This region was as fair as any to have a home, and perhaps it would be easier to contact Robbie about anything regarding the Shiekah and Zonai tech. Being squeezed in between Death Mountain and Lanaryu also meant swift aid if the Gorons or Zora needed it, nor was it particularly far from Necluda. Or the Rist Peninsula… And Hudson and Rhondson seemed so excited at the thought of another client getting their “dream house,” how could he bring himself to say no?
He reluctantly turned back to Hudson.
“Alright. Thank you.”
Hudson’s beady eyes brightened as he enthusiastically patted Link’s back.
“Good man! Go talk to Rhondson, she’ll get you started. I have to get back to work.”
Hudson turned and began to walk towards the construction site. “And back to not worrying about Mattison…” Link heard him mutter.
Link gave a sullen look at the sun-washed square of grass. Rhondson and Grantéson had already given their approval for work to be done on the plot tucked inside of the open fields of Kaepora Pass, just off from the path leading to Tarrey Town. Rhondson had even been generous enough to give him a discount on the piece of land, but Link’s thoughts couldn’t stop straying to the vibrant aqua of Malin Bay just a little north, how going from Tarrey Town to the plot took him just a little farther away from the sandy spiral on the horizon.
Best to get this done quickly.
Hudson’s idea of having the client build their home from preset rooms like a child playing make-believe with toy blocks was an amusing notion, if not one that was slightly inconvenient having to wait for preset rooms to be manufactured one by one, especially if one changed their mind about something.
So Link looked again at the room catalog, rubbing his tired eyes as he tried to envision the house’s layout in his head, mentally building it piece by piece before he could tell Grantéson to prepare the rooms.
A weapon stand room.
A bedroom.
A kitchen.
A blessing room.
A paddock.
Link paused and traced his fingers over the next option: a study.
“It’s a cozy space to spend quality time alone.” the description read.
He pondered the idea of adding it to the house.
Wouldn’t she love something like that?
Link imagined her packing the sole bookshelf full of journals compiled from many field studies, maybe filling the room’s picture frame with a photo of a new specimen. He could see her now bustling around the small space, even hearing the animation in her voice as she’d gush to him about whatever recent finding was discovered, whatever new project was successfully completed. He would come home to her nearly falling asleep in her chair, with only the deskside lantern lighting the house–
Oh.
She already had a place to study at Hateno. It was a secret study hidden in a well, but she had fixed it up to be quite serene and homely, the sound of the underground pond providing a soothing ambiance. It was a cozy place where she could be alone nonetheless; there would be no need for her to have a study here.
Link shook his head, clearing his mind of her.
It was best not to dawdle.
He continued leafing through the catalog, stopping when the next page featured a garden pond, and a flowerbed. Three small neat garden plots, three large color-splashed troughs, all filled with fertile soil.
Wasn’t that something she wanted to do…?
He imagined her practicing from sunup to sundown with the supplied tools, not stopping even if she got absolutely coated with dirt. While he never looked at Hot-Footed Frogs the same way since recovering his memories, he almost couldn’t wait to see her excitedly bringing him one she would catch from the garden pond. She could grow mighty thistle, blue nightshade, silent princess–
Oh.
Now he could recall the project she wanted to work on. A place where flowers from every corner in Hyrule could grow together…and she had asked Magda to help. Magda was the most knowledgeable and passionate person in Hyrule when it came to flowers, and the corner flowerbed was likely far too compact for her ambition, anyway.
Link hurriedly checked the rest of the catalog, trying not to think of her.
It was best to make haste; soon the last light of day would begin to retreat away over the mountains.
He sent Grantéson for the rooms, and the oversized dollhouse segments slowly began to appear next to the plot as he organized the house’s layout, a task made astonishingly swift and simple with the telekinetic powers of the Ultrahand. As the final rays of sun slipped out of view, the several-days-long project of building a house was already completed, and Grantéson gave his approval it was structurally sound. At last, Link could take his first steps into the new home. Despite having quite a bit of clutter that came with the furnished rooms, the lack of walls and doors in between different sections made the building feel wide and open, if not slightly off-putting. But it was still his own place to rest, and Link figured he would get used to it.
Finding himself suddenly famished, he made his way to the kitchen, which contained a wide stone hearth housing a glowing fire with a cooking pot already sitting atop it, much to his delight. Though it was a bit fancy to be preparing the simple meal of fried greens, which would normally be cooked over a campfire as wild as the vegetables he had harvested while traveling the rural highlands, Link found himself humming a jovial tune nonetheless.
Once the food was cooked to his satisfaction, he plated it and brought it over to the table–
Oh.
The table that came with the other furnishings in the broad dining room was set for two.
Link’s smile faded as he set the plate down, noticing how similar the decorations adorning the table were to the ones found in Hateno. Looking across the table, he half-expected to see a pot of homemade Creamy Heart soup, and her excited face as he anticipated his feedback on her hard work. Bringing his gaze aside, he noticed the flowers that adorned the vase sitting in the middle of the table. A painful ache stabbed his heart as he realized the type of flower. Tiny, delicate, blue star-shaped blooms.
Forget-me-nots.
Link felt his appetite suddenly vanish, and he ran more than walked to the front door.
The night air was cool, something Link was grateful for as he slowly breathed it in.
Leaning against the fence bordering Tarrey Town, he closed his eyes, not wanting to allow his gaze to settle on the horizon’s ocean.
But not allowing himself to see only made his mind run wild.
“Link, you must find me.”
Just what was she thinking about?
“I’ll be…forever changed.”
Link quickly brought a hand to his face, feeling it twist underneath his grasp as he clenched his teeth against the tears he could feel beginning to burn under his eyelids, the lump forming in his throat.
It can’t be. She wouldn’t.
“To become an immortal dragon, is to lose oneself.”
Link growled as he kicked the fence’s post in frustration.
She was centuries–a whole world–away from him, why must the only answers he got to her whereabouts be disjointed fragments? Why were they in the shape of the tears from this random, mysterious dragon that just appeared out of nowhere? Why did he have to fail in catching her when she fell? Why couldn’t he just be by her side again like he was for the past six years?
He brought his aching head out of his hands and stared hungrily in the direction of the Rist Peninsula. He knew he saw that tear fall there.
As if on cue, a booming roar sounded far above him.
The Light Dragon was making its rounds.
He looked up at the velvet sky, to see its pale, serpentine body slither into view, swimming between the stars. The Light Dragon’s presence had always brought a strange comfort to him, and he allowed himself to be entranced by the turquoise glow of its horns and back spikes, the shine of its all-too-familiar golden mane in the moonlight…
He only stopped when he heard a differently familiar voice behind him.
“You’ll catch your death out here, boy.”
Link turned around to see Hudson approaching him.
He settled beside him against the fence. “What’s got you so down? Not liking the dream home?”
Link sighed, putting his sight back on the Light Dragon.
“I don’t know where home is…” he murmured, just under his breath. “What are you doing out here?”
Hudson looked out over the hills.
“I had to get some fresh air. Any longer in that house, and I’d drive myself crazy thinking about Mattisson…”
Link looked back at him, noticing his drawn, worry-worn expression.
His concern must have shown on his face, for Hudson’s frown brightened into a smile, and he gave a chuckle as he rested his hand on Link’s shoulder. “Oh, I know she’ll be alright! No need to worry about me, Link.”
Link gave him a small smile, before an idea sprung to his mind.
“How do you…?” Link trailed off, tentative in his inquiry.
Hudson furrowed his brow, and gave a sigh as he realized what Link meant.
“It pained me to see her leave. But I had to keep a smile on my face when I said goodbye; I couldn’t let her adventure be tainted with worry about how her old man’s getting along. And I know this isn’t goodbye forever. I will see her again one day, and it’s that hope that stops me from despairing. Besides…”
Hudson gave Link a warm look. “She’ll never leave my heart.”
The men stood in silence for a moment, watching the moon overlooking the sea.
Link pondered Hudson’s words as the Light Dragon began to move out of sight.
He remembered how she would fuss over him even when he got into the tiniest of scraps with an enemy. How she held his name in high regard for his strength. How…confident she sounded in the last memory harbored in the geoglyphs.
“Link, you must find me.”
Zelda spoke the words with such certainty. No matter what state she was in, she could be found. She would be found. The thought didn’t send Link into a worried frenzy, but surprisingly took a weight off his shoulders. And as he felt himself breaking into a yawn, he realized Zelda also wouldn’t want him staying up any longer when he should be resting.
Link took in the cold night air once more before bidding Hudson goodnight (which brought him great relief), and starting back towards the new house.
Laying in his own bed, he couldn’t help but notice the distinct lack of Zelda’s scent on the pillow, as well as the essence of blue nightshade, something she had added to the bedding as a sleeping aid. He took a deep breath, breathing in the fresh smell of recently washed linen. Perhaps he could buy some of the essence in the morning, before heading out once more.
He held the soft comforter to his chest as he let out an amused hum, feeling the corners of his lips rise ever so slightly.
The last challenge for Zelink Week 2025 @zelinkcommunity! This was a very fun and enlightening way of challenging myself! Thank you for all your likes/kudos and comments as I take my first official steps into writing!
A contrapuntal poem about how sad it is that the Link and Zelda in Skyward Sword loved each other so much, only to reincarnate in Breath of the Wild, and they initially don’t like each other.
I couldn’t write anything for Wish, but I was able to do Day 3 @zelinkcommunity!
This was one of the harder ones to write, I had ultimately based it off of an alleged fairytale detailing the origins of the name for the forget-me-not flower. I eventually decided to make a short story about OOT Zelink.
A one-shot where Link and Zelda meet in secret, courting away from disapproving eyes, only for things to go wrong.
Big thanks @echoingvoids for beta-reading this fic!
Full fic under the cut!
Tension coiled my muscles as I stalked the carved stone passage, my breath caught between the sorrel and clover.
Rounding the corner, I pounced into the first hall of the maze-like corridor with a “Ha!”
But to my surprise, Link wasn’t hiding here.
Curiosity pierced my playful mood as I approached the mouth of the maze, peeking past the moss-covered rock walls. The entrance to the Sacred Forest Meadow was also empty.
I called out for him, my voice laced with concern. Link would never leave me alone in the Lost Woods, and I knew better than to wander off by myself, but I was still prepared to do so if anything had happened to him.
But before I could move, I heard a loud SPLASH behind me, and I turned around just in time to see Link wrapping his arms around me.
We both fell onto the plush sourgrass, mirth rising in our throats. He had chosen to hide in the small pool tucked into the valley wall at the far side of the hall. I did eventually shrug him off of me as the cold water he was soaked in began to seep into my clothes.
The sun’s warmth could shine unblocked on us in that clearing, but Link had a special place he wanted to show me before our outing was over. Arm-in-arm, he led me through the Lost Woods, until he told me to close my eyes. I didn’t need to have them open to sense his excitement; I could sense it in the way he clasped my hands.
I felt the sun’s heat on my face once more, the light brightening behind my eyelids as I was led out from under the wood’s ever-reaching canopy.
“May I open them?” I asked, not being able to hide my grin.
I felt Link’s grasp slip away from my hands as he stepped behind me.
“Now.” he whispered in my ear, his tone betraying his own smile.
Opening my eyes, I drank in the sight before me, my breath stolen away.
By now, twilight was beginning to fall upon the forest, the sun setting the clearing ablaze with gold. A small rock wall obscured the trees enclosing the glade up front, and fine threads of crystal water cascaded down into a small pond that stretched across the hollow. Duckweed and lilies encircled the still surface, the blossoms glowing in the half-light. The grass was carpeted by a myriad of small, multicolored flowers. Trees surrounded the glade, providing mottled shade, the sunlight setting emerald green leaves alight against the stark blue sky. Though there was still some daylight, fireflies danced wild and free through the air, and my vision was peppered with the blinking of blue and yellow lights.
“Oh, Link…” I breathed.
“Do you…like it?” he asked quietly, his gaze unsteady and his arms slightly crossed in a self-hug.
I pulled his hands away from his arms, taking them in mine.
“It’s beautiful.” I purred, and he gave me a coy smile as he led me further into the glade.
We settled near the water’s edge, buried in the sweet smell of wildflowers.
I gently traced the round petals of a light blue one with a bright yellow star center, the clustered blooms dotting the grass.
“These flowers are beautiful. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one in Hyrule, let alone the gardens.” I said as I admired them.
Link nodded, watching my movements.
“I don’t think I’ve seen many of these flowers outside the Lost Woods. Those I have really only seen here; I asked Saria, not even the Kokiri have a name for them.”
Interest sparked inside of me, and I pulled my attention away from the flowers.
“How is Saria? I haven’t seen her since we were children.”
My sudden turn-around caused him to straighten after realizing he had begun to lean towards me, but he spoke without apprehension, returning to a more laid-back demeanor.
“She still prays at the Forest Temple. But nowadays she mostly just talks to the Deku Sprout. He is growing stronger everyday.”
He let out a sigh.
“But I haven’t seen her very recently either. Haven’t had the chance between training and patrols. And seeing you, of course.”
He flashed me a boyish grin, and I looked away bashfully, before uncertainty stirred in my belly.
“You know I sent you back in time to live your life freely; are you sure joining Hyrule’s military is the right choice? I wanted to spare you from war and fighting.”
He laid his hand reassuringly on my shoulder.
“Hyrule is at peace; I’m in no danger. Besides, I like that I get to use my skills this way, to protect our people. And I can be closer to you.”
“But then maybe we would not have to hide away like this.”
He removed his hand from my shoulder, becoming lost in thought. Finally he piped up:
“I’ll get better as a soldier! The captains say they’re impressed with what I can do. Maybe if I become one, we’ll be able to meet under more normal circumstances…”
I weighed the possibility in my mind, my thoughts interrupted when he spoke again.
“And when have you ever cared about what other people think, Sheik?” he murmured mischievously.
I gave him a playful shove at the name, and he responded with amused laughter.
“You’re the one who devised a whole plan to defeat Ganondorf when your own father didn’t listen to you.”
“And you are the one who listened. Trust me, if I cared about what he had to say about us, I would not be out here with you. But maybe Father would approve if you were someone of higher ranking…”
Link gave me an amused smile.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Our excitement died down, and we glanced at the sights around the glade, an awkward silence suddenly falling upon us. I turned his proposition over in my mind, wondering if it could be true. My father could probably approve of a friendship between us if he was a more respected soldier, as long as friends were all we could be. However, part of me couldn’t help considering the possibility of something more…and heavens knew I wanted it. The thought made my face flush, but it faded as Link spoke again.
“Do you think we’ll always be like this?” he said tentatively.
I sighed as I gazed out across the gently rippling pool.
“I want to stay like this forever. But regardless of what happens, you know our circumstances will only change as time passes.”
Link stretched himself out on the grass, letting the sun dry his clothes.
“You once told me that the only thing that doesn’t change with time…is memory.”
He slowly trailed his fingers along the stems of the delicate blossoms before turning his head to face me.
“Is that what I will be?” he breathed, the shade of his grief-stricken eyes not unlike that of the flowers in the glade’s dusky glow.
I leaned over him with a cheeky smile.
“You know what I also said about the passage of time?” I whispered.
Link sat up to reveal a fistful of the dainty blue flowers, and he gently threaded one into my hair, a sad smile on his face.
“That nothing can stop it…”
My heart fluttering, I held his hand to my face as he began to pull away, staring deep into his eyes.
“That it turns young love into…”
I trailed off as surprise rippled across his face, locking his eyes to mine.
Time seemed to slow as we stared into each other’s souls, and an unknown force began to steadily push our faces closer together, my heart fluttering in my chest all the while. Our noses almost touching, I felt my eyelids fall…
Only for them to snap back open as the sound of thunder rolled through the air.
Link and I drew apart as we searched the clear sky.
“Must be a distant storm…” he muttered, keeping his face to the heavens, though I didn’t miss the blush that was spreading over his cheeks.
“We really should be going either way…before it gets too dark. Impa can only cover me so much.” I murmured coyly under my own blush.
Link stood, offering a hand to pull me up. The flowers shook in my hair as I rose, and I gently pulled them out before they could fall.
I let my sight rest on them in my hand, before I turned my gaze back to him.
“I’ll keep these, so I’ll always remember this moment.”
Link smiled as he offered his hand, and I gave them to him so I could draw the Ocarina of Time with my free hand.
Encircling our arms together, I played a triumphant melody, and we were swept away by a golden wind.
That was our relationship, a sprightly dance on the line between lovers and friends.
The evening in the glade was one of the first of our secret outings, but it only confirmed our feelings for each other. We continued to meet under the cover of days off duty, dedicating time to prayer, and any excuse Impa could make up to cover me. Through afternoon swims in Lake Hylia to rides through the countryside, I found that our time together had taken on a different tone, one resembling more of a courtship. Clandestine as our relationship was, we refused to let the rules of others stop us. Our love was true, and I could never treat it as something wrong. I could feel us getting closer and closer, and many times we would throw our cares about our responsibilities to the wind in exchange for innocent affections. But our getaways were always tainted with fear. Not just due to the risk of getting caught, but also because we knew this couldn’t last forever, for better or worse.
I pondered how I could keep our precious connection as I sat in front of my vanity, fingering the now pressed flowers Link had given me. Despite spending days wedged between the pages of my journal, they still kept their azure hue.
I never let my father’s orders stop me, and why should they stop me now? I would always fight for my love, for Link’s love.
A knock sounded at my chamber door.
I quickly tucked the flowers back into the pages of my journal.
“Enter.” I called, hurriedly closing the vanity drawer.
One of the maids stood in the doorway of my chamber.
“Your Highness, His Majesty has requested an audience with you. You are to meet him in his chambers.”
Surprise fluttered in my chest, but I made sure to not let any of it show as I rose from the vanity.
The maid led me down the elaborate halls to my father’s chamber, briefly opening the door to announce my presence. With a curt bow, she left us alone in the room.
My father, with his flowing grey-streaked hair and gold trimmed coat, stood tall and imposing against the burning hearth. With a rumbling voice devoid of anger or pleasure, he addressed me.
“You have been late to suppertime, and just a few days ago you were almost late to court. You had always been punctual before. Care to explain these sudden disappearances?”
Internally I kicked myself for not being more careful about how long I met with Link, but I managed to remain composed.
“I…have been losing track of the time. It will not happen again, Father.” I said as I bowed my head.
My eyes closed, I heard him let out an unconvinced “Hmm…” before his footsteps moved to the chamber’s tall window.
“I have received word from the neighboring kingdoms. One of them has agreed to present their prince here as a suitor for your betrothal.”
My eyes snapped open, and I slowly drew my gaze up.
“When he arrives, the council and I will judge how worthy he is as a potential husband for–”
“And if I refuse him?”
My father turned his head to glare at me. I would hardly ever openly disobey him like this, but my passionate rejection of being forced into a loveless marriage broke my composure.
“You have the right to refuse him, however you must realize it is your duty as Hyrule’s future queen to marry and produce an heir. However many you will meet, I expect you to accept one.”
My brows furrowed and my hands balled into fists as I glared back at him in rebellion.
“And if I fall in love with another? Someone who is not of royalty–”
I was interrupted by him pounding his foot against the floor, and I flinched as he raised his voice.
“The Royal Family of Hyrule has had pure blood running through its family line for as long as time itself. You are a princess; I will not allow anything less than a prince for you.”
He advanced towards me, towering over me so I had to crane my neck up to look at him.
“You must never forget your duties, Zelda. You can not allow even love to interfere with them.”
My throat began to burn, and I forced my gaze down in frustration.
My father seemed to sense my displeased attitude, and he returned to his place at the window, his back facing me.
“You must understand, this is what is necessary to secure our future happiness.” he murmured in a more gentle tone.
I said nothing as I clenched my teeth, my sight fixed to the floor.
He let out a malcontent sigh.
“You will be notified when your suitor has arrived. You are dismissed.”
I barely heard the words when I ungraciously rushed out of his chambers, just taking care to not slam the doors.
Forcing my feet to walk steady back to my chambers, I took deep breaths in an attempt to quell the onslaught of tears, the feeling of tension in my brow. Though after I was out of sight of scrutinizing eyes, I threw myself on my bed.
I was out of time.
Conflicting emotions warred within me. Over the course of my life, I was never one to mindlessly obey whatever command my distant father would give me, at least not without secretly doing something else he would disapprove of. He never understood me, nor did he ever really try to. My heart screamed in defiance; that I couldn’t stop seeing Link, not after everything we had gone through.
But every time it would, my logic countered it. My father was right that I had a duty to my people; I could not abandon them, not like how I did those seven years locked away in time. I felt devotion for them too, and they did not deserve to suffer for something as selfish as my love.
Then my thoughts drifted to Link.
He could climb the ranks of the Royal Guard to its very top, my father made it clear that a union between us would never be approved, not by him or the Council. I had already begun to draw suspicion in regards to our meetings; continuing them while courting a suitor would be extremely difficult if not impossible without getting caught in the act. Even more so should I marry. Should we be found…
I shuddered at the thought. My father was a benevolent king and he recognized Link’s exceptional military prowess, but if our affair was discovered, Link’s life would be threatened.
I curled up into a ball, burying my face in my knees as I compelled myself to accept what I must do.
I had to protect him, even at the cost of our broken hearts, our incomparable bond torn asunder.
Despite being dried out, the pressed flowers still kept their azure hue, glowing periwinkle in the moonlight. I sat on the steps of the castle courtyard, my figure still, save for my fingers as I caressed the stems. I kept my gaze on them, trying my best to not resume my crying, only looking up when footsteps on the courtyard’s stone entrance sounded above the moat’s running water.
Link stepped out of the shadows and into the moonlit clearing, illuminating his face, handsome features lined with concern.
“You used telepathy to tell me to meet you here. You haven’t used telepathy since the night Ganondorf attacked…”
Words catching in my throat, I looked back at the flowers, keeping my eyes on them once more even as he approached and took a seat beside me on the steps.
“And we haven’t been here since we first met.”
He let out a soft chuckle.
“Wish I could say the guards have gotten more observant.”
I could feel his stare boring into my side, but I could not bring myself to look at him.
He leaned around me, trying to glimpse my face, but I turned my head away, screwing up my eyes and pressing my lips together.
“Zelda, please, tell me what’s wrong.” he gently pleaded as he took my hand.
The ache in his voice cracked my heart, and taking a deep breath, I forced myself to look at his worry-worn expression.
“One of the princes from the neighboring kingdoms is coming here. He is to be my suitor.” I said quietly.
Link said nothing, but his slowly widening eyes betrayed his shock.
“We can’t risk ourselves seeing each other anymore–”
Link’s face hardened into a mask of determination.
“Zelda, wait, what about what we talked about? I’ll get stronger, better! I’ll climb the ranks, I’ll be someone worthy of being yours…”
He trailed off as I sadly shook my head at him.
“Father is adamant that I marry a prince.”
Link softened, his eyes downcast and shifting, as if searching for a miraculous solution hidden in front of him.
I swallowed, trying to keep my resolve.
“He has also started noticing how I’ve been gone. Link, if he finds out we’ve been seeing each other…you could get killed.”
Link looked away, and I heard him let out a sigh.
“Don’t you know I’d rather run the risk of being caught and killed than risk never being with you…”
He spoke the words with such hurt, such defeat, and tears began to cloud my vision. Self-loathing suddenly pounced on me, overwhelming.
“Oh Link, I should have fought harder for you.” I began to ungracefully blubber, screwing up my eyes.
“You were right; I never let him stop me, not when I knew I was right…when did I get so weak–”
I stopped when I felt Link’s hand cup my face, opening my eyes to glimpse his tender look.
“You’re not weak, Zelda. You…have to be one of the strongest people I know.” he gently soothed as he swept his thumb underneath my eye, wiping away a tear that slid from it.
He drew me into an embrace, and I buried my face in his shoulder.
“You have no idea how much I want to…run away from it all.” I wept.
Link softly hushed me as he slowly stroked my hair.
“You would never abandon our people, and I know you would never willingly put me in danger. I’m just worried about you. Being forced to marry someone you don’t love…”
I pulled myself away, keeping my sight on his perturbed expression.
“Our meetings–being with you was the happiest I’ve ever been…but Father said I should never let love interfere with my duties. As much as I hate to admit it, this is what I have to do…to keep you safe.” I said, keeping my voice steady.
Link closed his eyes and sighed once more, his hands still clasping mine.
Finally, he reluctantly stood up.
“I should go…before anyone hears us.”
We held each other’s gaze for a while, neither of us wanting to say goodbye; the words caught in our throats.
Then he solemnly turned and began to walk back to the gardens, leaving me still sitting on the steps.
I couldn’t bear to see him go, to accept that this would be the last time we knew each other as friends, as lovers, so I turned my face down in shame, my vision falling once more on the flowers I still held in my hand.
Something inside of me jolted, spurring me to my feet, the same unknown force I felt in the glade all that time ago.
Link spun around when he heard my footsteps, and I met him in the middle of the moonlit courtyard.
I wordlessly extended the flowers toward him, letting my guilt show on my face, but he gently pushed them back to me. We locked eyes once more, a sorrowful, yet bittersweet air clinging to us as he spoke.
“Keep them, so you can always look back… and remember…” he murmured, bringing his hand softly down the side of my face. His fingertips held my chin as the dull acceptance in his eyes flared to a pained desperation. “Zelda, please do not forget about me.” he whispered.
The affliction in his voice pierced my throbbing heart, and I resolved to give him a better answer, a more deserving farewell.
In response, I stood on my tip-toes and cupped his face, closing my eyes as I brought our lips together.
I sensed his surprise, his reluctance to give into me, but I pushed forward, and eventually I felt his hands wrap around my waist, drawing me flush against him as he deepened the kiss.
Heat blossomed in my chest as we kissed again and again, warming me from head to toe. I desperately sought to feel him, to memorize the tender softness of his lips, the protective strength of his arms as he held me, the shy sweetness in his voice as our quiet moans harmonized. For what felt like an eternity, we knew nothing more than the feel of each other, our figures moulding together.
Growing breathless, we broke the kisses, our eyes still closed as we rested our foreheads against one another.
Finally, I opened my eyes, my stare fierce in the emotions I sought to convey.
“I could never forget you, Link.”
He brightened gratefully at me, love reflected in his eyes, but his pleasant mood fell once more as I gave him a gentle push.
“Now go, before I decide to never release you.” I urged, my voice breaking slightly as the tears returned.
He began to step back to the courtyard’s entrance, not letting go of my hands until only our fingertips touched.
Finally, we were drawn apart as he backed into the shadows, giving each other a subtle wave as our hands remained hovering in the air.
An apology was written over his misery-wrought face, an image I mirrored back at him.
Then Link turned around, and disappeared into the gardens.
That was the last time we ever met each other.
As the years dragged on, we became strangers. I would eventually rise as the Queen of Hyrule, fulfilling the duties my father expected of me, while Link climbed the ranks in Hyrule’s military, eventually becoming Captain at an age unparalleled to even the youngest promoted captains in history. Still, our new responsibilities only further isolated us from each other.
Without his presence to soothe me, I felt myself becoming a husk of who I used to be, my days moving past me in painful monotony as the fire of a rebellious princess died out, and as I ever saw Link stone-faced and rigid (the rare chances I did see him), I could only wonder how he was getting on. Every part of me longed to talk to him, to care for him, to know him as I once did, as no one else ever could. If nothing else, just so that I knew he was alright. We were both still so young, and already he was leading our troops to war…
I drew my furred cloak tight around me as I walked through Kakariko Village. The loud crunching of the dry leaves beneath my feet could not overpower the metallic clank of the armor of the guards behind me, which haunted my every outing since I took up the mantle of queen. Their armor was colder than the autumn breeze chilling my bones.
The sight of Kakariko struck me with a devastating wave of nostalgia, but I couldn’t let my feelings overwhelm me. Not as we reached the graveyard.
Although the overcast sky allowed no sunlight to grace such a dreary sight as the dead’s resting place, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of warmth as I approached the most recently dug grave. The grave of an exceptional captain of Hyrule’s military who curiously lacked a house name, taken far too soon in battle.
Tears welled up in my eyes as grief and guilt lodged themselves in my throat, but even in his death, I couldn’t let anyone know how I felt about him.
Parting my cloak, I held the pressed forget-me-nots out in the open air.
By now they had become disheveled, and the ends of the petals were beginning to wilt. I took great care as I laid them down on the grave, as the now brittle stems threatened to snap.
Despite the age and hardship they endured for years, they still kept their azure hue.
Ask game (if you want to play): list 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the askbox for the last 10 people who reblogged something from you! get to know your mutuals and followers ✨️
I suppose I could use thinking of things that make me happy…I thought of these in no particular order.
1. Clear skies!!!
It’s been so overcast and rainy where I live recently, but I’m always happiest when Mr. Blue Sky is here. I also really like large cumulonimbus clouds on the horizon. Overall, I just don’t like it when clouds are above me. Either on the horizon or completely gone. I do like rain though, especially when it lasts a while and doesn’t stop within like 5 minutes. Summer usually brings great clear skies and cumulonimbus, perfect for listening to nostalgic music! Which brings me to…
2. Music!!!
I live in the music I love. Nothing could make a mood better, no matter what it is. I love to sing (when my voice agrees with me), and I wish I could dance.
3. Long car rides!!!
Combine the two above and I am in heaven!!! This is the best time to daydream. Same with plane rides. I also like seeing new possible areas, night or day. As long as I’m the passenger and not the driver…
4. Playing video games!!!
Pretty self explanatory. No matter what it is, I always find one or a few to hyperfixate on at a time. Set my imagination on fire! I can spend eternity in these made up worlds.
And even though I can whinge about it a bit…
5. Reading and writing!!!
When I was a child, I read voraciously. Now I’m trying to get back to it. I can lose myself in anything fiction or nonfiction, provided it’s a subject I’m interested in. Some of my recent subjects in uni have been exhilarating! My favorite genre is fantasy, though. This all bleeds into my passion for writing. My favorite thing to write is poetry; I love submerging myself in emotions and descriptions, and it can help me understand my own feelings better. My poems are the only writings I’ve done that I truly enjoy re-reading. Speaking of which, I have to finish one now…
Time for my big Zelink Week showstopper @zelinkcommunity! It’s my first attempt at a multi-chaptered fic!
People seem to agree that even as the leader of New Hyrule, Tetra cannot resist her pirate tendencies. This prompt made me think, surely that would land her in a bind? One that Link would need to save her from…
(Fic takes place in between WW/PH and ST) After an unexpected event involving Malladus, Anjean gives Tetra the Spirit Flute, and the authority of the land that will eventually be known as New Hyrule. But this new sense of responsibility intimidates Tetra, and so, she decides to have one last pirate adventure before she’s locked into duty forever…
This fic is 6 chapters long, so I can’t put it all here (head to my AO3!), but the first chapter is under the cut!
Big thanks @echoingvoids for beta-reading this fic!
The earth rumbled as the speeding train broke out of the treeline.
Its aged, terrified conductor urged the machine onward faster, streaking down the rails that split the field, dragging its one cargo car along.
“Link! Tetra!” he cried, anxiously glancing behind his shoulder.
Link and Tetra burst forth from the cabin, leaning on the car’s railing as they looked behind them.
“There they are, the overgrown swine!” Tetra cried indignantly.
Two hefty Bulbos charged out of the forest’s shadows, still carrying their Bulblin riders.
Even with the train at full speed ahead, they immediately caught up to flank it. One of the Bulblins nocked an arrow into its bow and fired at the engine.
Link and Tetra were barely able to back into the cabin in time for the arrow to whistle past between cars. A sudden boom sounded where the arrow landed.
“Bomb arrows!” the conductor shrieked, cowering as low as he could to the engine’s floor.
“Hang in there, Aurus! Keep the train going!” Link shouted as he ducked back into the cabin.
Kneeling on the floor, he looked at Tetra.
“Can you hit them with your arrows?”
“They’re too far back for me to aim at them. I can’t reach far enough around the car.”
The ground shook again as the Bulblins fired another arrow.
“How do you want to do this?”
Tetra’s eyes scoured the cabin, stopping on a pile of rope in the corner of the empty car.
“I know what we can do, but you’re going to have to trust me.”
Calm settled in Link’s eyes.
“Of course I trust you. Just tell me what to do.”
Tetra smiled and grabbed the rope, fastening one end to her left hand.
“Tie the other end of this rope to your right. On my signal, we’ll climb up to the roof of the car.”
Link nodded in understanding.
They stepped back out of the cabin, Tetra clinging to the right side railing as Link clung to the left.
“Aurus, put on the brakes!” Tetra commanded.
“What?!” Aurus gawked at her from over his shoulder.
Another boom sounded near them as another one of the arrows missed.
“Just do it! Hang on, Link!”
Aurus groaned and pulled the train’s brake.
Tetra braced herself against the railing as the train suddenly slowed on the tracks, sparks flying almost high enough to meet her.
Russet flashed in her vision as the Bulbos sped past.
“The roof, Link!”
The pair climbed onto the cabin roof, steadying themselves against the shaking car. The rest of the long rope shook loose and free between them.
Up ahead, the Bulbos crossed each other at the track, doubling back to hit the train again.
“Speed up, Aurus!” Tetra called down at the engine.
Now Link was looking at her with a cocked brow.
“Wait, Tetra-”
He crouched down to steady himself as the train lunged forward.
“The rope, Link! Drop down now!”
Tetra drew her cutlass with her free hand, the blade facing the train’s right flank. Link quickly followed her example, drawing his own iron sword.
The two jumped off the opposing sides of the roof, bracing themselves upright against the walls with their feet and the now taut rope supporting each other’s weight across the roof.
The Bulblins struggled to get their arrows in place as their enemies were suddenly approaching fast.
With a swift flash of blades, Link and Tetra slashed through the Bulblins as they passed either side. Their bodies slumped and fell from the Bulbos, who ran wildly on.
Pulling themselves back onto the roof, Link and Tetra saw them crash back into the forest.
“We’ll need more than just swords to take those things down. But without their riders, they’ll probably leave the passing trains alone.” Link sighed and faced Tetra.
“This isn’t the craziest thing you’ve pulled, but couldn’t you have at least told me the rest of the plan?”
Tetra winked at him.
“How many times would you have gone with my crazy plans if you knew about them first? Besides, where’s your sense of adventure?”
Link rolled his eyes at her.
Untying herself from the rope, she swiftly crossed the roof and dropped down to the engine’s floor.
“Hear that, Aurus? Those things shouldn’t be bugging you anymore.”
“Oh, thank the Spirits.” Aurus sighed, standing up from the floor.
Tetra leaned against the railing, taking in the sight of the rolling green meadow as Aurus slowed the train down so it was puffing along the track at a steady pace. She closed her eyes as she breathed in the sweet air that blew through her hair, finding herself back on the pirate ship she called home most of her life. Nothing could compare to the rolling cerulean waves that sprawled across the horizon, the kiss of salt spraying from the sea, but Tetra had come to realize this was the next best thing.
Aurus’s voice broke her from her reverie.
“So are you two heading back to camp, now? I can drop you off.”
Tetra peered over the wide plain, bordered by nearby mountains. Peeking through them was the Tower of Spirits.
“Stop by the Tower of Spirits. I’d like to update Anjean about the Spirit Tracks.”
Aurus nodded affirmatively at her before directing his eyes back on the path ahead.
Tetra felt Link lean next to her against the railing.
“Can you believe this place has been our home for five years?” she heard him murmur.
Tetra scoffed. “We can’t call it our home yet, not until Anjean and the others approve of us. I know we’ve been doing favors for the native people for five years, but it’s still their home. We’re just desperate scoundrels who washed up on their shore.”
Link looked at her.
“From what you’ve told me about Anjean, she thinks much more highly of you than a scoundrel.”
“I doubt she thinks highly enough of me to call me her leader…” she muttered.
Link playfully leaned against her.
“We think highly enough of you to call you leader.”
Tetra shook him off, giving him a ghost of a smile before gazing back to the passing landscape.
“How do we know this land is supposed to be the next Hyrule?”
Link studied the clouds above them.
“I don’t know, but we should fulfill the promise we made to the King.”
He gave her a gentle nudge.
“Don’t you think it would be exciting to build a kingdom here? Where’s your sense of adventure?”
Tetra opened her mouth to counter him, but was interrupted by Aurus.
“Here we are!” he called, slowing the train to a gentle halt in front of the Tower of Spirits.
Tetra hopped off board.
“I’ll be back quick.” she reassured them as she passed through the tower’s broad double doors.
“Anjean, where are you?” Tetra finally called inside the dark lobby.
There was no sign of the old sage anywhere.
Tetra eyed the stone train statue that stood in the middle of the floor–the Spirit Train, as Anjean called it. Tetra would usually find her meditating behind it.
Rounding the train’s edge, Tetra suddenly jumped back as the sound of clashing metal came from behind.
She backpedaled hard into the room’s center as she narrowly dodged a jagged broadsword lunging out of the shadows, which slammed into the train as it cut through air.
“A Phantom guard?” Tetra gasped.
As if in response, the animated armor stepped out in front of her, lifting its sword into a defensive position.
Tetra drew her cutlass as the Phantom swung its sword down at her.
Dodging the blade by flipping back, she waited for the sword to crash into the ground before leaping forward and nimbly running up the Phantom’s arm.
She swung her cutlass against the Phantom’s helmet.
Jumping down, she saw it clatter to the floor, the rest of the armor quickly following suit.
“But what could’ve caused this one to go rogue-”
She was interrupted by the Phantom’s body suddenly glowing a familiar lilac as it began to reassemble itself.
“Anjean?!”
A croaking laugh came from behind the Spirit Train.
“I see your skills are still sharp, my friend.”
The shrunken old woman creeped out of the shadows, her hand glowing the same lilac that emanated from the Phantom.
Tetra scowled at her as she sheathed her cutlass.
“Anjean, I just had trouble with a bunch of Bulblins, now you’re throwing a Phantom at me?”
Anjean released the Phantom, and it lumbered back to its original post beside the tower doors.
“Didn’t think you’d use your precious guards for a silly little prank like this.” Tetra teased.
Anjean winked at her.
“If it means keeping you on your toes, my dear, it’s worth the trouble.”
Tetra feigned an exasperated look, but her smile betrayed her amusement.
“Link and I were able to check up on the Spirit Tracks; all seems ship-shape in the Forest and Ocean Realms.”
Anjean nodded approvingly.
“I can sense the energy flowing from the north, so I harken a guess the tracks remain strong in the Fire and Snow Realms. I was just going to strengthen the energy here.”
Anjean plodded towards the tower’s spiraling staircase, ascending a few steps before she turned to face Tetra.
“Care to join me?”
Excitement sparked in Tetra’s chest.
“I’d be honored to. I’m sure the boys can wait just a little longer.” she said as she waved a dismissive hand.
Anjean led Tetra up the tower’s copious floors until they entered a golden chamber illuminated by fractals of merigold light, cast by a stained glass mural surrounding the door leading outside, as if the doorway were encased in amber. In the middle of the room was a painted dais, cyan and maroon forming a flowered pattern, and eight carved jade pillars stood at each corner. Tetra marveled at the sight previously unforeseen, not expecting the top floor to look so ethereal.
“That’s only part of it, my dear.”
Anjean was grinning at her, eyes shining with delight, an expression Tetra mirrored back at her.
The path continued past the stained glass up a flight of stairs circling the outside upper reaches of the tower. The stairs led to the tower’s very top: a stone altar sheltered beneath the tower’s pointed roof. Pillars instead of walls supported the roof; a wooded pavilion that allowed the high winds to blow over the altar. Anjean stepped towards it, her cascading lavender hair blowing in the cool breeze.
“This is where the power chaining Malladus in his earth prison is at its strongest. You know that the Lokomos of each realm use their sacred instruments to energize the Spirit Tracks that bind him, alongside the Force Gems at their temples. This is how I energize the power within the lock for his cage.”
Anjean then produced a pan flute in her hands, holding it out for Tetra to admire.
The six wooden pipes were pale and smooth, each sporting a band of painted color where they crossed the polished bronze handle, each respective color lining the pipes’ ends as well. Twin teal braided ropes flowed from either side of the handle, decorated with gold and wood beads.
“This is the Spirit Flute.”
Then Anjean brought the flute to her lips, and began to play.
Fair notes whistled through the open air, ringing around the pavilion.
Tetra sat on the steps of the altar, allowing the song’s melody to fill her ears.
She began to hum the song as Anjean played, feeling something well up inside her as she did. Something warm, yet intense, almost primal. An energy she thought was long gone.
But before the pair could finish the duet, an unknown force powerfully shook the tower.
Anjean stumbled, dropping the flute.
Tetra rushed towards her to keep her from falling.
The once well-lit pavilion was now shrouded in darkness, blocking out the natural light that shone through the pillars.
Tetra clung to Anjean in horror as she looked above the altar.
Between the churning blackness she could just glimpse a skull-like face materializing from the shadows, grinning down at her with flaming crimson eyes.
