Chapter Text
Zelda may have been born with great wisdom, much of which was inherited from her Triforce, but she still loved to learn about new things; especially if they were from Link.
She loved hearing him tell the tales of his adventure from another time. She knew it was hard for him to talk about, and what he described sounded beyond belief, but the Triforce pieces on their hands always shone bright when he heralded his adventures; marking them as true as the sky and time itself. While the world he recalled was tragic, she could also imagine the great happiness and peace that settled in the land as he traveled, helping with the smallest and biggest tasks, all for her and her kingdom.
Zelda could never thank the gods, especially Hylia, enough for allowing her to spend her life with such an incredible man by her side, always supporting her with great love and care, even in the chaos of their lives as Hyrule’s latest king and queen. She wouldn’t trade what she had for anything, and Hylia spoke and sang in her soul whenever Link came to mind.
While the destroyed Hyrule still had light and happiness in it, Link’s hesitance of telling about Termina left dread in her heart. Zelda had struggled greatly to persuade him to open up about it, finally breaking his shell with a kiss and the promise that she was still there, and that nothing could take her away or make her fear him.
And so, with a deep sigh and a mumbled “Hylia, help me,” Link recounted Termina.
It was unlike anything she had ever seen or heard from Link. His eyes were either constantly closed, distant, or quickly but subtly moving around, emphasizing on the nearby windows or Zelda’s face. When they were open, Link’s eyes were unnerving, fear appearing at the forefront, supported by subtle appearances of sweat on his brow.
His tales spoke of a world of doom, destruction, loss and insanity. The repetitive cycles, seeing his friends from Hyrule, but also not from Hyrule, die or suffer a terrible fate, even when he helped them, only to have them forget him when the cycle started anew. The menacing and maniacal laughter of Majora that both of them knew would haunt Link for the rest of his days.
There were days where she regretted asking Link about Termina and apologized for it, but Link always stopped her. He would hold her hand and face before kissing her, telling her that it was alright, and that she should never blame herself for wanting to learn.
These kind words always calmed Zelda, returning her mind to a state of curiosity. She asked him about everything: The experience of being a child again, the people, the land, and especially the masks. The masks were truly fascinating, giving him special abilities like increased speed, unlimited explosions (although how they never hurt Link boggled her mind), and even the ability to calm people’s hearts and command over Cucco Chicks and Stalchildren.
The masks that caught her attention and fascination the most, however, were the transformation masks. The masks held the spirits of a kind but shy Deku child, a stern and fatherly Goron, and relaxed but dedicated Zora. “These hold a special place in my heart. They helped me greatly, and supported me on my journey when I could not support myself,” he would say with a smile and wistful look on his face that was rare for his tales from Termina. It was clear to Zelda that they were great friends with him, almost like a family that he never had, not even with the Kokiri children.
She asked him to put them on and demonstrate their abilities, which he gladly complied with. With each transformation came a subtle change in Link’s personality. He became more easily flustered when Zelda cupped his small cheeks as the Deku child, kind and big hearted as the mighty Goron, who Link said was named Darmani, and calm and easygoing as the Zora named Mikau, who was a musician in his living life.
However, the mask that intrigued and frightened her the most was, without a doubt, the Fierce Deity Mask.
The item was a mystery to her. Link only talked about it once, describing it as unlike anything he had ever used in his adventures, and more terrifying than Ganon himself. He recalled the mask and ensuing battle with a pale face and nothing short of terror in his eyes, bringing to Zelda’s mind the image of her father on his deathbed, and the sadness that she felt at his passing.
The mask was unique from the others, sharing Link’s facial likeness in appearance, aside from red and blue war marks on its face, gray hair and part of a gray hat, and black eyes that were darker than the void of the Dark World of legend itself. Not only was the appearance intimidating, but the aura it emitted was frightening as well. It carried with it a great sense of rage, insanity, and pure power that paralyzed Zelda. She could sense the spirit within the mask and its intensity, which was completely unlike what she sensed from the other three masks, which all carried calm strength, peace, and love within them.
But what interested her more than the mask’s power was the small hint of divinity she could sense in the wooden item. It was hard to find, but it was well worth the effort. When Zelda did find the godly power, Hylia froze in her soul, Zelda sensing a cascade of tears streaming down her face, but she couldn’t clearly sense why.
“Zelda, what’s wrong!?” Link asked, throwing the mask aside and holding Zelda close.
“It’s H-Hylia. She’s crying.” Zelda said with a soft sniffle.
“What!? Why?” Link asked with a shocked look on his face, his body tensing.
“I-I’m not sure. I feel loss and pain in my heart, in Hylia’s heart.”
“Why would she feel sad? Something from the Fierce Deity!?”
“It is possible,” Zelda said as she calmed down, “I sensed a small hint of holy power in the mask, similar to Hylia’s divinity.”
“That thing is a demon! Why would it hold holy power?” Link asked with a rising tone of rage and disbelief in his voice.
“I don’t know. But if it was a true demon, the power it holds would’ve consumed you completely.”
“I always thought it was the Triforce of Courage holding it back. I noticed that it shone brightly during my battle with Majora.”
“That may be true,” Zelda pondered, “but it could have also been supporting the holy power within. It is most definitely worth investigating.”
Link backed away, his face paler than Zelda had ever seen, even after his worst nightmares that woke him screaming and upright in the bed. His eyes held a flurry of emotions, but she could see anger, shock, and fear within his blue irises.
“No. That mask is evil. I should have never put it on, and am only keeping it so that no one else can ever find it or use it.”
“Please Link, listen to me.” She pleaded, “That mask has a spirit within it, like the others, I can feel it. It’s unique in its clear resemblance to your face and your body, from what you’ve told me.”
“What does that matter at all?”
“Well, Hylia and I share blood and divine power. Ganondorf and Demise from the ancient texts are one and the same, but you don’t have any divine connection, yet are reincarnated like us. Does that not sound strange to you?”
“I have the Spirit of the Hero, don’t I?”
“Yes, you do, but like us mortals, gods also had bodies that resembled their spirits. If my idea is correct, your connection was severed, leaving the Spirit with you, and the mind and body in the Mask.”
“Zelda, I’m NOT putting that thing on again. There’s no changing my mind.”
“Please Link!” Zelda begged, tears starting to fill her eyes, the Triforce of Wisdom giving off a soft glow. “Hylia is weeping for something, and it has to do with you and that mask. Can you please help us? Help me?” Zelda was sobbing now, the sudden sadness in her heart bringing her to her knees. Link kneeled in front of her, his face now framed in a sad expression. It broke his heart to see her sad, and he always did everything in his power to see her beautiful smile again.
However, this time was different. The Fierce Deity was a demon, wasn’t it? It had to be, why would a god have so much unrestrained fury? Ganondorf may have been the King of Evil, but he still planned his actions carefully, and only became insane when he let the Triforce of Power take over, transforming him into the demonic swine known as Ganon. Link considered himself lucky to get out of his fight with Majora with his sanity intact, and he did not want to take that risk again, especially if Zelda was involved. If Zelda was hurt because of him, it would break him.
But Zelda’s words pulled at him. She had such conviction, such belief in her ideas, and the Triforce of Wisdom glowed with her every word. Zelda was never wrong in her ideals and courses of action, which was only part of why Link loved her so much. If she was lost, he would lose her smile, her laughter, her soothing voice, and his humanity. He could never forgive himself.
“Goddesses help me,” he whispered. “Zelda?”
She looked up from having her face in her hands, tears still streaming down her face.
“I’ll do it, but you have to promise me something.”
“Thank you Link! I’ll do anything.” She said with joy and a hug to Link.
“If you see or sense even a slip of control from the Fierce Deity, I want you to seal me away with the mask.”
“What? Why!?”
“Because it’s dangerous,” Link said with determination, “and it’s an incredible risk to anyone’s safety.”
“Link, I know you won’t hurt- “
“PROMISE ME,” Link bellowed with tight teeth, tears threatening to spill from his eyes, “Promise me you’ll stop me if I get out of control.”
Zelda paused, looking at Link’s angry and fearful face. She knew that this was risky, but as long as Hylia and Link were with her, she knew that she would be fine. “Alright. I promise.”
Link pulled her into a tight hug. “Thank you. You’re everything to me Zelda, I can’t lose you again. Not like I nearly did in that other future.”
“You won’t lose me Link. I’m right here with you, and we’re safe.” She said softly, using the words she used when soothing him from a nightmare. Link softened at that voice, looking at Zelda’s face with a small smile before pulling her in for a light but love-filled kiss. Zelda reciprocated, pouring everything she had into the kiss, using it to promise Link her whole heart and trust to him, just like at their wedding.
They pulled back, looking at each other with love and fear in their eyes, bouncing back and forth.
“We’re not doing it today. I’m tired, and its too dangerous to use the mask here.” Link said with a yawn.
“I agree wholeheartedly,” Zelda replied with slowly drooping eyes. “We will do it tomorrow, out in the field, where no one will be nearby.”
“Okay.”
Link and Zelda changed into their respective sleep wear before walking over to their bed, pulling up the covers and holding each other close.
“Zelda?”
“Yes Link?”
“I love you. More than anything.”
“I know. I love you too.”