Chapter Text
He silently watched her - standing in front of him, her back facing him. In his mind he could vividly see her facial expression. Eyes closed, face still and focused at the same time. Her hands were folded in front of her in her silent prayers.
Standing here with her in the Spring of Courage reminded him of their last visit at this place 100 years ago. Or at least it reminded him of the few things he remembered about this trip. His memory was still kinda fuzzy, tethered with holes and spaces that still needed to be filled up - if it was even possible.
But this one memory stung him like the rays of sun at early dawn.
When he had started his travels, this one was the first place from the photos he’d found. He had been on his travel for quite some time, never really minding the photos that much. After all - he had to save the Divine Beasts and find this powerful sword. Even though he was told by Impa to search for those places and the memories that could await him here, he hadn’t pursued this goal that much.
Not knowing who he was was like getting to know himself on his own. Entering foreign memories would make it harder for him he had feared.
But once he found this Spring he could see her in front of him. Standing in the water. Praying hour for hour. Shivering in the cold, only wearing the white Prayer’s Dress. Her words rung through the air - as if she was really in front of him. He first had turned his back on her, listening to her words from his position. He remembers hearing the pain in her voice; feeling the same pain from her words ring in his own soul. He remembered turning around to her, wanting so much to get her out of the cold lonely water; to reach out to her and show her that she’s not alone. That she’s not incapable. That she was so much better than she thought about herself.
But he hadn’t. He couldn’t. And in his position back then he would have never even thought about trying to comfort her.
Last time he was here it had filled him up with this cold loneliness after remembering Zelda for the first time. After that he had travelled through all of Hyrule again - faster than before. Searching for all of the fractions of his memories he could find.
This time he was here again with her. Opening his eyes again he laid his gaze immediately on her.
He was here with her; they had defeated Ganon and had brought peace back to Hyrule. They were travelling this new Hyrule together. They could get to know each other on a new level. He told her about his adventures and what he remembered. She told him about their old life. Sometimes it felt like he knew what she was talking about; sometimes he wondered who this Link in her memories even was.
“I can’t believe the Spring of Courage still exists like this.” Her voice was calm and relaxed; other than the Zelda out of his memory. Cutting through his thoughts she let her hands fall down on her sides and turned to face him again. “You surely can’t deny the traces of time that have marked this place. But the Goddess herself must have protected this place.”
Her mimic fell a little bit. “At least these sacred places have been protected. Not like all the ruins we’ve come across on our way.” She fell silent for a beat; he almost wanted to walk right up to her. Cross the distance between the two of them. But he waited. And listened.
“I know it’s futile to think like this. The “what if’s” won’t help us in rebuilding anything.” Her arms travelled up again, crossing over her chest. Embracing herself, she turned around again, probably so that he couldn’t see the sadness in her eyes.
“I’m sorry, I don’t want to sound childish or desperate.” Hearing her voice growing smaller, the sadness evident, felt like lightning striking him on a stormy night. He watched her turn around completely, her back again facing him. Her shoulders were tense, just like 100 years ago. Her arms fell silently down against her sides again, hanging there almost limply. Hands balled to tight fists.
His throat suddenly felt very tight.
“Wishing for the Goddess to protect your kingdom is quite childish though. Maybe even stupid… After all, this should have been...” My duty. She didn’t need to finish this sentence for him to know what she thought.
He listened intently to her - like he did back then. But this time was different. This time they still shared the same pain - but he knew one thing for sure; he would never let her grief by herself and feel alone ever again.
So he did what he wished he could have done 100 years ago. With fast strides he closed the small distance between them.
His hand caught her wrist. “It’s not.” He spoke to her - almost whispered. He could see her flinch slightly. With his thumb he drew a small line over her arm, stepping even closer to her.
Wanting nothing more than to comfort her.
His action even felt a bit rushed to him and a part of him screamed that he should not be so close to the princess right now. But only a small part.
Zelda stayed silent, still looking at the statue in front of her. In the past few months whenever he said something she started to grow silent. Listening intently to him speaking even though there never were many words. This time was no different. He could tell that she was waiting for him to continue.
“It’s not your fault, princess.” Cautiously he stepped around further, standing next to her. Still tracing a small line with his thumb he could feel her leaning a little bit into his touch. He looked at her, continuing in a calm voice. “And it’s not stuipid to pray for your Kingdom’s safety.”
The tension in her shoulders started to subdue after hearing his words. She let her gaze wander to him, emerald green meeting sky blue.
In her eyes he could see her sadness and the unshed tears; but there was also a glimmer of hope in there. Hope and something he couldn’t quite grasp. Something that may have something to do with his words.
Taking a deep breath she started to calm down again. A small smile graced her lips as they stayed locked in each other’s gaze.
His breath hitched slightly, feeling a small flutter in his chest.
Feeling his cheeks grow warmer and his lips tuck upright into a small smile he let his hand wander down to her hands; letting his finger slide in the spaces between hers, holding her hand tightly.
For a very long second he was afraid that he had stepped a border between them that he shouldn’t have. The moment he felt her fingers clasping his hand softly, squeezing a little bit, was the most relieving feeling he had in a long time.
“Thank you, Link.”, she whispered softly.
Gently he squeezed her hand again; showing her that he was there for her. That he understood her pain. And that he was willing to help her carry the burden of the past.
They remained a while longer at the spring; standing side by side, holding tightly to each other’s hand. Basking in each other’s presence and comfort.
Feeling the other’s warmth and affection.