Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

She doesn’t know when she started dreaming, but when she does, it’s of roiling thunder.

Of churning storm clouds dark as blood, spreading their shadows as far as the eye could see.

Lightning, jagged forks of violent red and purple, streaking, blinding her.

When she dreams, she dreams of Calamity.

Malice rained around her like ash, burning whatever stretch of skin it touched, but she cast it away before it could cling, before it could fester. The darkness pressed in on her from all sides, suffocating, and laughter rumbled in her ear, earthshaking. Her aching fingers tightened around her sword.

He would try and smother her in this unending dark, but no darkness would prosper in her presence. Her light would cast out all the shadows.

She spread her wings, and light cut through the endless storm, blinding – it reached the murkiest corners, where the malice tended to hide, and the Calamity screamed.

It screamed, and she fought.

She felt like she’d been fighting for days. Weeks. Months. Years. How long has it been? How long has it been? Eons, surely. Time slips through her fingers like sand – hard to keep track of, hard to hold onto. But despite it all she fought. Endlessly, clashing over and over with sword and bow and sometimes even her own hands, clawing in deep and tearing the Malice away, screams and curses ringing in the air.

It howled, and she screamed back, her anger righteous and endless, and she fought.

She had to hold on. Had to protect them.

Protect who?

(Protect her land, protect her people, protect protect protect -)

She couldn’t remember. But she knew – it was what she was born to do - and so she fought.

How long has it been? She thought as the Calamity dragged her down, down, down into the bowels of the earth, and she tore at it, holding it back, hands bright with holy fires. How long? How long how long how long how

The Calamity’s eyes burned down upon her, and it screamed, malice dripping onto her skin and burning like acid, as it raised a claw and –

 -o-

“Zelda.”

Her eyes snap open, staring into calm blue in a room gold with the dawn.

Link.

Her nails dug into the hand that was cradling her cheek (when did she grab his hand?) and she speaks, disoriented. “Where –”

Her voice was a whisper of multitudes – from her mother, and her mother, on and on, overlapping. Thousands of mothers. Hundreds of Zeldas. Blending together into one.

Hylia.

He doesn’t flinch, doesn’t blink – only stares at her, thoughtful, the gold light of dawn reflecting in his eyes. He flips the hand that was on her cheek, grabbing her hand, and pulls it to him, resting her fingers against his neck. His pulse was calm beneath her fingers, steady – it made her aware of her racing heart, and his voice was a low rumble.

“Listen. What do you hear? Tell me where we are.”

Breathing shakily through her nose (why was she breathing so hard?), she closed her eyes, focused in on what she could hear.

(She could hear everything, because she was in everything – in the wind, the trees, the grass, the water, the blood rushing through his veins, she could hear every shift and groan of the earth beneath them -)

She focused.

The wind reached her ears, first – then, the quiet burbling of water. The soft, hollow tinkling of wood charms, coming together. Gentle, peaceful sounds. Familiar.

“Kakariko,” Zelda whispers, and this time, her voice was her own. A relief. She listens more, straining her ears, and notices that she can only hear the wind, and the water, and the chimes rustling together – no sounds of movement, of activity. No voices. No people.

Her question must have been showing on her face because Link is quick to reassure her. “It’s late. Well into the evening.”

But –

She was about to protest, to ask then, why it was so bright, when she realized. Realized when she saw her hand on his neck, glowing, golden. Realized that it was so bright because of her - that she was the reason for the dawn.

Link lets go of her hand, still resting limply against his neck, feeling his pulse, and places a hand on her arm. “It’s okay, Zelda.” He assures her, calm, “it was just a dream. It’s not real anymore.”

He called me Zelda. She wonders absently. When did he start that? He rarely used to do that, before. Slowly, bit by bit, the light recedes, until it was just Zelda, lying in the dark. Eventually, her heart calmed until it was almost in time with his, her chest rising and falling in time with his breathing. She bites her lip, guilty – she woke Link up, disturbed his sleep.

“I’m sorry.”

He didn’t repeat himself and say that it was alright, but by the look on his face she knew that’s what he was thinking, and slowly, she began to focus in on her surroundings. Noticed that her muscles ached, like she’d been moving for hours, and when she rolled her shoulders, she felt normal-girl skin stretch and bend in response to her movements, no wings to be found. She noticed she was in a soft bed, in an unknown room, in an unknown house, and that Link was lying next to her, resting on top of the blankets.

It made her heart squeeze tight in her chest. He hasn’t been so close to her – not since…since -

The questions on her face were clear.  It’s not like she was hiding it. Link quickly provides more answers. “We’re at Impa’s. Paya is letting us use her room.” He looks down at his hands, now resting in the space between them. “She, uh…helped you wash up. Changed your clothes, and everything.”

Zelda said nothing, still sinking in the realization that she was in Impa’s home. That her old friend was so close. Just mere feet away.

“How did we get here?” She asked slowly, “the last thing I remember was –”

Was –

What was it?

She wracks her brain, sluggish – still so tired. She remembered the castle, gutted but free of malice, the pillars surrounding them finally shining a calm blue. Remembers looking up at the broken spires, a feeling akin to a goodbye washing over her. And then – nothing.

Link fills in the blanks for her, “We stopped for the night, after we left the castle. But the next day –”

His brow wrinkles with concern as he remembers, his gaze distant. “The next day, you didn’t wake up. You just wouldn’t wake. So I brought you to Kakariko as fast as I could. You – you’ve been sleeping for several days.”

How, she wondered blearily, could she have slept for so long, and yet she was still so tired? Her limbs felt like they were weighed down with stones, and she had to work to pry her eyes open, to stay awake and hear what Link had to say.

She was beginning to tire again now that she had calmed from her dream, and Link must have noticed. “Are you awake enough to try and have some food? Or some water?”

“I –”

Zelda’s eyes closed no matter how hard she tried to keep them open, her voice slurring from her overwhelming exhaustion, “I want –”

She didn’t get to finish her sentence, her limp hand sliding from Link’s neck and landing between them, fingers curling against the cool sheets.

Quickly, immediately, Zelda slept.

This time she does not dream.

 -o-

The next time she wakes, Zelda doesn’t know how many days it’s been since she fell asleep, but she woke to the sun streaming into the room, the faint noise of voices and movement from the outside reaching her. She shifts beneath the blankets, and the smell of lavender wafts up from her hair, making her still.

She had forgotten how nice lavender smelled.

Zelda looks around, and realizes that she was alone in the room, this time. After a moment of stretching, rolling her ankles, she decides to finally test her limbs. She felt better when she woke up, this time – less weighed down. Slipping out of bed was easy. Standing straight was easier still.

Her dirtied prayer gown was gone, replaced with soft Sheikah attire, and her hair was washed clean, free of dirt and blood and malice and braided neatly down her back.

She remembered Link telling her that someone named Paya helped her change, washed her hair. Zelda wondered who Paya was. Wondered where Link went.

Wondered if she would get to see Impa.

There was only one way to find out.

Steeling herself, Zelda crept out of the room and slowly makes her way down the stairs. The wood of the steps creaked just the way Zelda remembered, and the large sitting room was practically the same. The woman sitting on the stack of pillows, though – she was different.

But she was Impa. She had to be.

Her head was down, occupied with the scroll she was reading in her lap, and the ornaments on her large hat jingled with every slight movement. Zelda knew she had been heard, though – there was no getting past those sharp Sheikah ears.

“So,” the woman said, turning her head to look at her – and though her face was lined with wrinkles, those sharp brown eyes were the same, “you’re finally awake.”

Zelda’s eyes burned with tears at the proof in front of her – the proof that time really had gone by without her. That the world had left her behind.

But she lived. And Impa still lived, and Hyrule still lived – at this point, she was just grateful that there was still a world to be able to catch up to.

“Impa.” She croaked, stumbling forward until she was kneeling in front of that stack of pillows, taking Impa’s hand between hers – and she was shaken at how wrinkled the skin was, how she could see the knobs of her knuckles and track the blue lines of her veins. Her grip was the same, though, and as strong as ever, and her eyes shined as she squeezed Zelda’s hand.

“Impa, I –”

A thousand things she wanted to say sprang to mind and clogged her throat, the words sticking behind her teeth. Zelda wanted to thank her – thank her for still being alive, for helping Link when he finally woke up and showing him the way, for helping them to be able to be rid of the Calamity. She wanted to say she was sorry, so sorry. She wanted –

But Impa ran a gentle thumb across her knuckles and wiped her mind clean with just a few words: “Thank you, Princess.”

“But I –” She started, protesting, but a simple shake of Impa’s head made her fall silent.

“Because of what you gave, I live.” She said simply, “I have children and grandchildren, and I lived to see them grow. I have seen Hyrule recover and survive – because of you. And now you are here, alive – and haven’t aged a day!” Impa cackles, squeezing her hand, and Zelda couldn’t help but give her a watery smile.

I had to, Zelda wanted to say. I had to do it – so many died because of me.

But that wouldn’t do – that wouldn’t be right. To do that would take heavy blame that rightfully belongs on the Calamity’s shoulders. All the destruction – the weight of those lives – that fault was the Calamity’s to carry. She knew that. She knew.

And yet…and yet.

So Zelda says nothing. Impa must have known anyway, how she felt – but she said nothing, didn’t call her out on it, and just gave her hand another squeeze. “Do you want tea? Or food? My Paya is out at the moment, but I can still get around well enough to make tea.”

That name, again. Zelda tilts her head. “Paya?”

“Ah, yes – you haven’t met her, yet. Paya, my granddaughter.”

“Oh!” Granddaughter, Zelda mouthed to herself, awed. Impa has a granddaughter. Goddess above. And then Zelda’s mind registered her question. “Ah – no, no, I – I’m not really hungry, or anything. You don’t have to.”

Impa looked over her with a shrewd eye, and Zelda tries not to squirm, truly feeling like a child under that sharp gaze. “Zelda,” Impa finally said, slowly, “you have been asleep for days. Surely you want something to eat?”

Zelda opened her mouth to deny it – but paused. How could she try and explain it to her? The feeling that she just wasn’t completely settled in her skin – that she felt too big for her body, still, packed tight back into her normal-girl skin, and nothing quite felt right. That after not feeling it for so long, she could hardly remember hunger, or thirst - and if she did want those things she certainly couldn’t tell.

Instead of all that, Zelda says, “I can try some tea.”

She helps Impa to her feet, and makes tea, and soon they were back in the sitting room, the scent of warm safflina and cinnamon wafting up to her. “I am really happy,” she finally says to her steeping tea, “to see you again.”

“And I am glad to see you.”

“Do you know,” she asks after another moment of silence, “where Link is? I haven’t seen him since –”

“Ah - last I saw, your Hero was off running errands around the town. I believe I was told he went off to do some cooking with Koko.”

“Oh.” She took a slow sip of her tea, warmth and honey coating her tongue. She savored it, reveling in the sweetness. She had forgotten it, the taste of honey. She forgot how good it was. Zelda parts her lips slightly, hesitant. “Could you…tell me about Kakariko? Of how it’s been, since I –”

Her words fail her, here; she didn’t want to say she had just ‘gone away’, like it was a long trip, and it didn’t feel right to say ‘captivity’, because that didn’t sit well with her, either. Impa must have understood despite her silence, and began to tell her what had become of Kakariko, past the Age of Burning Fields and beyond. Not once did Impa try to ask about her future plans for Hyrule, and not once did Zelda try to bring it up. Impa only talked of Kakariko’s endurance throughout the century, and Zelda listened. Zelda listened until her tea was gone, and she began to tire again, nodding off every second or so and suddenly jerking awake.

After Zelda started to list to the side again for the fourth time, Impa laughs and shoos her away, gesturing to the stairs. “You’re dead on your feet, girl – go, and rest. Apparently almost two weeks of sleep wasn’t enough. You sleep more than I do, and I’m old!”

“I don’t know why I’m so tired.” Zelda complains, pushing herself to her feet. “I was fine when I – when I left the castle, I don’t –”

“Holding back an ancient evil for a century is tiring – it must have started to catch up to you, I think. Now go. Sleep. We have plenty of time to catch up, now.”

That was true, wasn’t it? But still…

Reluctantly, Zelda goes back upstairs to her borrowed room, but she does not sleep. She wanted to, but part of her dug her heels in. She had already missed so much. Instead, before Zelda laid down, she opened the window, and listens to the sounds going on outside. Relished in the warm summer breeze brushing against her arms. How long has it been, since she’s felt warm? She doesn’t know – she can’t remember.

She doesn’t sleep, not fully, but she does slip into a doze, drifting in and out to the sounds of laughter and heckling and wind chimes. Drifts until she went from listening to the wind to being the wind, brushing against the wood chimes and making them dance. Until she was in the grass, and the water, and the bright sun beaming down on Kakariko village. She can watch over everyone this way, keep them happy, keep them safe, and -

“Mister Link?”

“Yes, Koko.”

Zelda quickly comes back to herself at the voices that floated up to the open window, getting closer by the second.

“What happened to that lady you brought with you?”

“Ah...” They were a little closer to the house, now, Link’s voice a little clearer. “Well…I know you and your sister like to run up to the shrine, sometimes…do you remember the cloud that was around the castle?”

“Yes! Granny Impa said it was a monster.”

“Well - yes, it was. The lady I brought with me has been fighting that monster all this time and keeping it in the castle so it wouldn’t get to anyone. So when I went to help her, she was really tired, after.”

“Wow.” That little voice said, awed. “That’s so brave. I hope the lady’s doing okay. Mister Link, do you think she was scared?”

Zelda wakes up a little more, at that, opening her eyes to stare at the beams of sunlight streaming into the room, dust motes dancing in the light. I was. She wanted to tell that little girl. I was very scared.

She was so scared. But she did it anyway – she had to. She wouldn’t let the Calamity completely decimate her home. Not when she was able to stop it.

And so she made her way to the castle, after making sure the master sword was safe in the Lost Woods. She dealt with as many guardians as she could, cleansing them of their malice with a wave of her hand.

As she stepped through the demolished castle gates, through the flame and smoke of what used to be Castle Town, her legs shook the entire way. Tear tracks streaked through the dirt and blood and soot that stained her face. But Zelda would not stop.

She raised a hand and called the Calamity to her, her powers a siren song, and thought of all the destruction she passed. Of all the burnt and bloody husks of what used to be her people. Of her Champions, her friends, struck down. Taken away before their plan could even begin.

Of her Hero, slowly being put back together, piece by piece.

She knew what she had to do, and she was scared – who wouldn’t be? But there was anger in her, too.

And as the Calamity rose above her, she would not flinch as it dived towards her, roaring, stretching its smoking, gaping maw.

The Calamity swallowed her down.

And then the Goddess swept her up.

 “…I think she was scared.” Zelda heard Link finally say. “But being scared doesn’t have to stop you from doing something.”

She didn’t hear Link’s goodbyes to little Koko, but she heard his low voice as he entered Impa’s home, the wood creaking when he eventually made his way upstairs. She rolled away from the window in time to see his eyes widen a little in surprise when he entered Paya’s room and saw that she was awake.

“Impa told me you went back to sleep.” He said, closing the door behind him and moving across the room, sitting next to her on the bed.

“I am tired.” She admitted. “But – I just don’t want to miss anything else. I already feel like I’ve gotten too much sleep.”

His expression softens a little, and Link toes off his boots before swinging his legs up onto the bed. “Well,” he says, grabbing the Sheikah Slate from where it was hooked onto his belt, “since you’re up, I can give you this.”

His fingers fly across the screen, and Zelda slowly sits up with wide eyes as blue streams of light began to coalesce in his hand, becoming a round something, wrapped with Korok leaves. Zelda feels her mouth fall open with a gasp as she stares.

“When on earth did the slate start to do that?” She asks, outraged. “When I had it, it only took pictures!!”

Link shrugs, somewhat preoccupied with slowly unwrapping the leaves from his small parcel. “I can’t say. It was doing that when I woke up. It can do plenty more than that, now - it’s been very useful.” He stops unwrapping for a moment, frozen in thought, “I can’t remember how much I have in here.” He muses. “I’ll have to go through it, later. But anyway –”

He pulls away the last of the Korok leaves, and the smell of baked apple and goat butter reaches Zelda’s nose.

“Koko made this for you.” He explains, holding up the hot buttered apple. “She made soup, too, but we can probably try that later. Do you think you can eat?”

It smelled wonderful, but Zelda’s stomach felt nothing in response. She frowned, considering it, “I…I’ll try.” She decides. “But - I don’t think I can eat all of it, myself. Can we – can we share?”

Link’s lashes flutter as he stares at her, stunned. It lasts for just a moment – eventually, his face evens back out, returning to calm stillness.

“…Yeah,” Link finally says. “Yeah, we can share.”

He scoots a little closer to her, and Zelda leans in a little and watches as he takes out a small knife to cut the apple into pieces, melted butter running and collecting in the dips of the leaves. It looked so delicious, and yet – she didn’t feel anything. But she must be hungry; it has been a literal age since she last ate

And Koko must have worked very hard. She thinks to herself, still considering the apple. It’d be rude not to try.

She knew Link was watching her, as she picks up an apple slice and brings it to her mouth, teeth sinking into the soft baked flesh. Warmth and sweetness spread across her tongue, the soft tang of the goat butter sweeping in at the end, and before Zelda knew it, her piece of apple had vanished, and she was licking the remaining traces of butter off her fingers.

Link wasn’t smiling, per say, but there was certainly amusement crinkling the corners of his eyes, and Zelda scowls at him, face warming under the scrutiny. “I’m not hungry.” She emphasizes, reaching for another slice of apple, “I can’t remember how it feels. It just – it tastes good.”

Anything would taste good after having nothing but malice coat her teeth for a century. After screaming in the face of hatred for so long her throat was torn ragged, the taste of her own blood thick on her tongue as she spat it into the Calamity’s eye.

She wouldn’t say that, though. Instead, she shoves the apple slice into her mouth and reaches for another.

Link was faster than she expected, and the apple slice she had picked up was plucked from her hands. “If you eat too fast, you’ll throw up,” Link says, taking a bite of the apple he stole from her. “Trust me – I had to learn the hard way.”

“Of course you would, you and your ridiculous appetite.” Zelda mumbles around her mouthful of apple, and Link huffs a quiet laugh in response but says nothing else, popping the remainder of the apple slice into his mouth.

They finish off the apple in relatively peaceful silence, and even though it settled oddly in her stomach, Zelda licked the remaining traces of butter off her lips and felt –

Not satisfied, really, but…good enough.

She didn’t know when she started listing to the side, dozing off from the warmth in the air and the meager amount of food in her belly, but Zelda snaps upright when she slumps onto Link’s shoulder and feels him stiffen slightly in response.

Her memories after leaving the castle were dimmed by exhaustion – but she could remember the time before she went to sleep. Vividly.

She remembered watching the red sky vanish in the blink of an eye, the air finally cleared of malice and sweeter than ever. The years of weight that finally left her shoulders. She remembered scrounging up her courage and turning around, pressing her clasped hands against her racing heart and asking, hesitant: may I ask…do you really remember me?

She remembered the stiff silence that followed.

Zelda knew that she didn’t really get her answer, on whether he remembered her or not from before. Things between them haven’t been awkward, she thinks – but what does she know? She’s been unconscious for most of the time they’ve been reunited. For all she knew, Link has spent most of the time in Kakariko away from her. But this, now, has been…fine – easy, almost.

But she still didn’t have an answer. Or maybe the silence was his answer…she didn’t know. She wanted to know. Does he remember her? Is he staying near her because he wants to, or because of a deeply ingrained sense of duty towards his Princess?

Is she even a Princess anymore, after this?

She doesn’t know. And she was too tired to try and figure it out.

Zelda lists to the side again. She is so, so tired.

“Sorry.” She mumbles, nonsensical. “It’s – it’s fine. You know? What I asked, before. If you don’t remember, it’s fine. I’m just – I’m glad you’re still here. That’s enough. That’s enough…”

Maybe later, the soup? Zelda wanted to ask, remembering the soup that Koko worked so hard to make, but she wasn’t able to get the words out before she finally gave in to the pull of sleep.

 -o-

 A few days after she falls into another deep sleep, the Princess goes missing.

Link knows this because he starts the day to the people of Kakariko in a panic, stirred up into a frenzy he’d never seen before. It was a hot, muggy day, thick and humid, and it was raining, the sky blanketed by heavy, dark clouds and thick sheets falling from the sky. Despite that, people still scrambled around regardless, running back and forth. He could hear Impa from the top of the steps of her home, barking out orders and sending her Sheikah to find wherever the Princess ran off.

For a moment, Link allowed himself to worry; could someone have snuck into Kakariko and taken the Princess away? Could it have been the Yiga?

He considered that possibility for a second before casting it aside; the Yiga were crafty, but they certainly weren’t stupid enough to pull a risky move to spirit away the Princess. Not under his watch.

So, yes – after that, Link resolutely ignored that possibility, continuing to watch as the Sheikah ran across the village, calling the Princess’ name. After a moment of this, he pulls up the hood of his cloak to futilely try and block out some of the pouring rain and makes his way through the village, figuring he could try and do some searching of his own.

From what he could remember, he used to be very good at finding sneaky, runaway Princesses.

He pokes around in the stores, ruling out by the time he reached the clothing store that she would be in any of them, quickly returning to the inn to see if she could’ve gone there. He was walking near the hill that leads to the shrine, soaked through at this point and wondering if it was possible that she actually left the village in her current state, when he sees it.

It was small, and so, so easy to miss with how heavily it had been raining – a small, bright globule of golden light, drifting through the air before fading away.

How did she even get up there without being seen? Link asks himself, mildly exasperated as he slips and skids his way up the hill. The blue lights of the shrine were blinding against the dark backdrop of clouds and rain; in the distance, thunder rumbled, and Link could see Hyrule Castle, an empty skeleton shadowed by the downpour.

It's nearly been a month, but he still needs to check –still has to remind himself that the castle contains nothing but stone and broken glass, free of malice once and for all.

He hopes.

Another ball of light drifts past his ear, warm as sunlight and reminding him of his purpose for being out here in the first place. Pushing back his hood, because he was past saving from getting soaked at this point, he pushed on.

He finds the outer layer of her borrowed Sheikah robe first, draped over one of the colorful living displays around Cotera’s fountain.

There were more fragments of light, behind the fountain, drifting to and fro in the air like fireflies before vanishing into nothing, and Link followed them, knowing where they’d lead him

He finds her hidden, curled up in the tall grasses and fast asleep. She was easy to miss – no wonder the village was in a panic.

Her back was to him, and with the outer robe gone, Link could see the stretch of her skin as she adjusted in her sleep, the rise and fall of her shoulder blades as she breathed. She was soaked through from the rain and glowing – only a little this time, the wisps of light breaking off her skin as she dreamed and floating away.

Now that the missing Princess had been found, Link was content to crouch down and sit back on his heels for the moment, watching her.

It’s fine. You know? What I asked, before. If you don’t remember, it’s fine.

He reaches up to fiddle with his earring, chilled from the rain. A nervous habit he just couldn’t shake. Did he have this tic, before? He couldn’t remember.

In front of him, the Princess sighs in her sleep.

Link thinks back on that day – the day the Calamity was banished, the day the malice cleared, and the Princess descended from the sky like a star falling to earth. Thought back on her too-bright eyes and her nervous question – do you really remember me? – and how the answer got stuck somewhere in his chest, held back long enough for the silence to become awkward. Somber.

Now he didn’t know how to tell her at all.

Link prods at that uncertainty in his chest, trying to figure it out; even though he’d been working for months to get to this moment, he wasn’t entirely sure what to do now that it was here. How to cross that gap and reach out to her, after trying so hard just to get the chance to see her again.

Her shoulders rose, fell, and Link curls his gloved hand into a fist. He wanted to reach out and touch her – felt like he shouldn’t. Couldn’t. Something in his gut always twisted, old instinct him it wasn’t allowed.

But hasn’t stopped him before.

He had to be sure. For days, now, he’s given into the impulse to check, to place a hand against her cheek, or her neck. The first days after they left the castle, and she wouldn’t wake, Link dreaded the day he’d wake up and see her pale and ghostly and cold, green with spirit fires.

But that day never came. Instead, she glowed, bright as sunlight and just as warm. Instead, she woke up, talked with him, shared an apple with him.

I’m glad you’re still here. That’s enough.

Link finally gave in to that persistent urge, reached out to press a hand against the exposed skin of her back. Warm, wet skin greeted him, the steady thud of a heartbeat against his palm. It reassures him, and Link feels the tension gathered in his shoulders unwind, letting out a slow breath.

Another rumble of thunder rolled over them – closer, now – and Link slid his hand up to cover her shoulder, giving her a gentle shake. “Zelda,” he said softly, a little louder than the rain that poured over them, “Zelda, you have to wake up.”

Her name sounded odd, in his mouth. It fits oddly against his tongue – like he didn’t get to say it often. He probably didn’t, before. The thought quickly slipped away as she slowly rolled over to face him, her eyes drifting open. There were hints of gold in her irises.

“Link.” She murmured, and though it wasn’t as strong as last time, Link still felt his hair stand on end at the undercurrent of Hylia in her voice, the multitudes of voices wrapped together.

“It’s me.” He confirmed quietly. “You caused quite a stir in the village, you know – everyone’s been looking for you.”

That caused her to really wake up, the light under her skin abruptly vanishing as she shoved herself up onto her elbows, eyes wide.

“They’re what?” She gasped, horrified. “Oh, no, I didn’t mean – oh, Goddess, I feel awful, I –”

Huffing, she tried to stand up, but her legs wobbled as she rose to her feet, and Link was quick enough to stand and brace her so she wouldn’t fall. She was soaking wet – hair plastered to her skull, her braid a wet rope down her back, and Link had the oddest urge to laugh at the absurdity of it all.

“Here.” Grabbing her arms, he placed her hands on his shoulders, slowly turning around so he could crouch slightly and offer his back. “Get on.”

Behind him, the Princess sputtered. “I – I don’t need you to –”

“It’s fine. You’re dead on your feet, I can tell. Just – come on. So we can go dry off.”

A beat of hesitance, and finally, so soft it was almost drowned by the rain, the Princess agrees. “…Alright.”

Once she was settled on his back, Link scooped up her discarded outer jacket and they were off, slowly making their way out of the forest to head down the hill and call off the frantic search party down below.

“How did you even get over here without no one noticing you?” Link asked as he walked, and he felt her curl her fingers into his soaked cloak.

“I didn’t do it on purpose,” she said, embarrassed at all the fuss that was occurring, “I – it was early morning, and I just – I wanted –”

He didn’t have to see her face to know she was biting at her lip. “I just wanted to – be outside, for a moment. I haven’t – I wanted to feel the sun, you know. The grass. It’s been a long time. I don’t know when, but I…I fell asleep. As you saw. Still tired and all that, I suppose.”

There was a longing in her voice, soft and aching, and Link felt his chest twist; he remembered the first few days he woke up, and how everything had felt so…new. The sun on his face, the grass under his feet, the wind brushing against his skin – it was exhilarating, feeling it all again. In a way, he understood her longing.

“…I get it.” He says slowly. “Next time, if you do decide to sneak off again, just let me know, alright? That way we can avoid another panic over you possibly getting kidnapped.”

The Princess laughs quietly, and Link feels the soft weight of her pressing her forehead into his shoulder. “I can agree to those terms.”

They pass the brightly lit shrine, and Link makes sure their backs are firmly turned towards the castle as they traversed down the hill, moving slowly to make sure they didn’t slip. Halfway down, he could hear the relieved calls of the Sheikah, declaring the Princess found.

“Link.” She calls over the rain, her voice tired, and he hums to let her know he was listening. “Do you…still have that soup? I’d like to try it, if you do.”

His lips twitch in amusement and was glad that the Princess couldn’t see his face. “That was days ago, you know – that soup is long gone by now.”

She sits up straight at that, and her gasp was so affronted that Link couldn’t hold back his laughter anymore, tiny huffs of amusement slipping past his lips. “Koko wanted me to try it! And you just ate it, oh, you glutton, I cannot believe –”

“If I just held onto it until you woke up, it would’ve gone bad!” He protested, and she lightly slapped his shoulder. “Look – I’ll make it up to you.”

“Oh?”

“I can just cook you some soup.” He offers. “It won’t be as good as Koko’s, but it’s the recipe she gave me so it’s close enough.”

“…Hmph.” She sniffs, and Link could picture the smile she was trying to stifle. “Very well, then. That’s acceptable.”

He brought the Princess to Impa’s home with little fuss, up the stairs to where Impa was still standing, waiting for them. Paya was standing next to her, letting her lean on her arm, and Link gave her a smile in greeting that she returned shyly.

Impa was staring the Princess down, who at least had the grace to shrink back a little, hiding her face in Link’s shoulder. He didn’t have to look back to know that guilt was written all over her face.

“I’m sorry.” She whispered into the soaked fabric of his cloak. “I just went for a walk and I – I fell asleep. I didn’t mean to worry anyone – I was going to come back, but I got tired.”

Slowly, the stiff set of Impa’s shoulders softens, and she sighs, loud and exasperated. “You’re the same as ever – sneaking off like you always do.”

She turns to her granddaughter. “Let’s let them in, before they catch their death. Paya, dear heart, can you -?”

“Don’t worry about it, Impa.” Link stepped over the threshold, jostling the Princess in his arms lightly. “I’ve got plenty of stuff – I can let her borrow something until her clothes dry.”

Behind him, the Princess sputters in protest. “I – I don’t – really, I don’t need to impose, I –”

“It’s fine.” He says lightly, setting the Princess back on her feet, keeping a hand on her arm to make sure she stayed upright. “I’ve got a lot of clothes.”

With his free hand, he pulls the Sheikah Slate from his belt, holding it out to the Princess in a silent request to hold it. Slowly, she takes it with one hand, and Link quickly selects a spare pair of trousers and his Champion’s Tunic, the clothing appearing in streaks of light. As he selected clothing for himself, he says, “Paya, can you take her with you and help her change?”

“Y-yes, of course!”

After placing Impa on her mountain of pillows, Paya gently takes the Princess by the hand and begins to lead her towards the stairs, but she was busy looking between him and the tunic that rested in her hand, lost.

“I –” She began, her voice faint, but Link shook his head, and she fell silent.

“You can wear it. It’s fine.” And then he gave her the smallest of smiles. “You’re a Champion too - don’t you know?”

A sheen of tears films her eyes, making them glassier than ever, and the Princess blinks rapidly, giving him a short nod. She’d started to hold the clothing close, pressing it to her chest, but quickly remembered she was soaking wet and kept the cloth at a distance. Squeezing Paya’s hand, she finally followed her up the stairs, and Link watched after her until she vanished from his sight.

Once she was gone, he sighed, and scooped up his own clothes to change into. “Impa, once I’ve gotten dry, can I borrow your cookpot?”

 -o-

Zelda knew that her burst of energy wouldn’t last forever. After bathing and dressing into the clothes Link gave her, she could barely keep her eyes open. By the time they finished dinner, Zelda was barely upright, listing from side to side as she kept her eyes open. The last thing she remembered was tilting to the side, her head landing on Link’s shoulder. She doesn’t remember anything after that.

Soon, she slipped into dreams.

The next thing she knew, she was running for her life.

The rain lashed at her skin, icy – it stung her skin, made her wish for a cloak, for shade – something She was blinded by the water pouring into her eyes as she stumbled and tried to keep up with Link. Thunder cracked overhead, and the deep rumble of it shook her bones, made her feel like the earth beneath their feet would crumble any minute.

Her lungs burned, and she wanted to stop for a moment – just for a moment. She just needed a second to rest, to catch her breath. But they couldn’t stop. They had to run.

Link’s grip tightened on her wrist, to the point of pain, and she clutched at him with numb fingers, trying to blink the rain out of her eyes to see him, but she couldn’t. She couldn’t see anything. The trees arced over them, the branches long, grasping shadows, and – and they had to keep running, they had to, because everyone –

Everyone was -

Lightning flashed, blinding, and Zelda gasped as her hand slipped out of Link’s grasp, and she scrambled forward, searching, but she couldn’t find him. Wiping the rain out of her eyes meant nothing, because she couldn’t see, she couldn’t find him, she couldn’t –

Thunder rolled overhead, so loud that it rattled her bones, and over the noise she heard the high-pitched whine of a Guardian, ready to fire. In the distance, she heard Link, screaming her name, voice cracking with panic. With pain.

“No!!” Zelda cried, reaching for something she couldn’t see, just as the trees that surrounded her, trapping her in, burst into flame. She threw her arms up, shielding her face as the heat washed over her, as the smoke choked her, and when she slowly lowered her arms, she was standing in the ruins of Castle Town.

She whirls around, squinting through the smoke. “Link!!! Link, where are you??”

He doesn’t respond. He doesn’t say anything. The only thing Zelda recieves in response to her cries is the crackle of flames – the dead silence that only comes when all life has been scrubbed from the earth.

Thunder rumbles again, and it sounds like laughter.

Zelda looks up, and the clouds have changed - once dark and heavy with rain, they now pulse with malice, and two large, bulbous eyes rolled around wildly until they focused on her, glowing with hatred. The thunderous laughter became a roar, became a screech, and the Calamity opens its gaping, smoky maw and swallows her whole.

And she fights. She must. She’s always been fighting.

How long?? She howls. How long until this is over??

The Calamity digs its claws into her, and she burns it with all the fury within her. When it tried to break free from her grasp, she would pull it back into the depths and pin it down with her blade. When it tried to see what it has done to her land, she shoved her light into its eyes and kept it blinded.

All she could see were the dark clouds of malice surrounding her – smothering, claustrophobic. Red lightning forked across her vision, and the Calamity’s laughter rang in her ears as the darkness pressed close around her.

Spreading her wings, she pushed the Calamity back and fought.

How much longer?? She screams as her face was slammed into the dirt, the whole might of the Calamity pressing down on her as it dug its claws into her wings, trying to tear them away. How much longer, I can’t –

I can’t –

The weight of the Calamity vanished. Zelda gulps in great lungfuls of clean air, greedy.

The suffocating clouds of malice were replaced by a blue, cloudless sky, the light of it slowly spreading in swirls and eddies, like paint in water. A warm wind danced across her skin and smelled sweeter than anything. Cool grass swayed around her where she lay – all she could see was an endless stretch of green, like Hyrule Fields, and Zelda felt like herself again – no longer something big and bright and endless.

The scent of silent princesses carried in the air, and at the edges of her vision, Zelda could see them, so many of them, swaying in time with the wind.

Eventually, she registers that there was a hand on her back, right where the Calamity was digging in its foul claws, trying to tear her to pieces.

It was familiar, how large it was – how the warmth of it sank into her borrowed tunic and calmed her heart. Automatically her muscles relaxed. It reminded her of the times when she was small – before her mother had died, and she’d had nightmares about little, nonsensical things. The hand gave her a gentle pat, comforting - once, twice, and –

Overhead, there was a sigh. A deep, familiar sigh.

“My dear Zelda…” A familiar, rumbling voice said, and her eyes automatically filled with tears. “I have not done right by you for so long. Nothing I can do now will make up for that. But this –”

A pause, and Zelda could almost see her father’s small, so tired. So sad. “This is the least I can do. Sleep, my sweet little bird. Sleep, and have peace. Nothing will come for you here.”

Her father started to hum softly, and the tears poured out of her eyes, streaking over the bridge of her nose as she recognized the tune of the lullaby her parents used to sing to her. The whisper of the wind through the grass played in harmony, and everything around her was so warm, so sweet – safe.

How long it’s been since she felt safe. It washed over her, covered her like a warm blanket – it weighed her limbs down, made her eyes heavy. Wait. She wanted to say. I don’t want to sleep! I want to stay with you…let me stay…

Father…

Zelda was asleep before she even realized it.

She wakes to the sound of her own hitching sobs, sunlight streaming into the room and staining it gold. The ghost of the warm weight of a hand still resting on her back.

Chapter Text

“I think we need to leave Kakariko.”

Impa blinks at his statement, slow, a placid expression on her face, and Link stares at her in return, resolute in his decision.

“‘We’, you say?”

“Yes.” He nods sharply. “We.”

A pause. “Well, if you’re ever going to get to why, I’m all ears.”

Link exhales in amusement at the slight bite of impatience in Impa’s tone, staring down at his knees as he plucks idly at his tunic. He pressed his lips into a thin line as he thought about what to say to Impa. What could he tell her?

He could mention the incident that happened several days ago, when he went to the Princess’ borrowed room to bring her something for breakfast and found her hunched over in misery, weeping. He could mention the nightmares, and how she glows because of them, and speaks in a hundred hundred voices. Either would have been excuse enough for him for why he decided this. It played a part of it, anyways.

But the real thing that hardened his resolve was this:

Last night, he couldn’t sleep. He knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep, and he didn’t bother trying, instead walking around the silent Sheikah village and listening to the wind rustling through the wind chimes. It was eerie, how quiet it was; even though there was still some noise, from the chimes and the rustle of trees, it was still odd to not see Kakariko so lively, full of crowing voices calling wares and the shriek of children.

The trees swayed, outlined in silver by the moonlight, and Link paused in his strolling and warily looked up. It was a beautiful night, comfortably warm and not a cloud in the sky; there were more stars out than he could count, and the moon shined brightly overhead, big and full, brilliant.

The whole reason he couldn’t sleep.

The Blood Moon rises once again…

He knows everything is over, now – he knows they came out of this alive and victorious. He made sure that it happened with his own two hands. But shaking off months of wariness, months of staring at the sky as it burned, the moon a rolling, fiery orb as a faint voice whispered in his ear…it was hard.

Please, be careful –

At the top of the hill near the shrine, Link saw it – something moving through the shadows and drifting beyond the shrine.

His senses sharpened, and Link’s hand automatically hovered over the hilt of his sword, his steps light and swift as he made his way up the hill.

The rough exterior of Ta’loh Naeg’s shine was outlined with the silvery light of the moon, the blue lights highlighting the still form of the Princess a few steps away. Link relaxed once he saw her, his hand falling back to his side, and he made sure his steps would be heard so he wouldn’t startle her.

She was dressed in borrowed sleepwear, feet bare and hands limp at her sides. Strands of hair slipped from her braid, and were tugged by the wind, glowing faint platinum in the moonlight.

Her back was to him, her head turned towards the dark silhouette of Hyrule Castle, and she wasn’t saying a word. Link wondered if she was even breathing, she was so still.

He slowed to a stop when he was only a few paces away from her, almost within arm’s reach, and even then, she didn’t move. Still staring at the castle.

“Pr – Zelda.”

Link curses silently, biting at the inside of his cheek. He had almost slipped. It just – it still felt odd, saying her name…it still felt like something he wasn’t supposed to do.

Link hoped she hadn’t noticed.

The Princess stirred, then, at the sound of his voice, and turned to stare at him.

Her pupils were glowing – a bright, molten light that cut through the darkness and pinned him in place. The air vibrated with…with something – something like magic - and Link could hear a faint, high whine, like the ringing of a bell.

“Link.” The Princess’ voice was almost carried away by the wind, it was so faint - but she sounded like herself. “I…I couldn’t sleep.”

“Neither could I.”

He moved a step closer to her, slowly, and the Princess fully turned to face him. She looked tired, blinking slowly like it was taking everything in her to stay awake. Her eyes were still glowing.

“Why did you come all the way out here?” Another step. A little closer, now.

“I –” Her expression turned pained, and she started to look over her shoulder, turning back to the castle, but he was in arm’s reach, now, and and placed a hand lightly on her arm. The touch pulled her back, brought her focus back to him. “I had to…I had to check. I needed to remind myself.”

The Princess’ eyes quickly bounced up to the moon, shining so brightly over them, before returning to Link. Her pupils continued to glow, luminous.

“It…it would have been a Blood Moon, tonight.”

Of course.

Link sighed softly, and the Princess smiled tightly at him as they quietly commiserated together. “…I remember.” He says quietly. “I couldn’t sleep because of it, either. It’s…hard to really believe.”

She said nothing in response and just - looked at him. And her eyes - her eyes were still glowing, glowing, glowing – she looked like she wasn’t entirely here. She looked like half of her was here and half of her was somewhere he couldn’t follow. His hand, still on her arm, slid down until it latched onto hers, curling his fingers around her limp palm.

“Come on.” A gentle tug, and Link was pulling her away from the shrine. Away from the castle. “Let’s go back.”

Her face crumpled a little, at his words, and he couldn’t understand why.

He led her back down the hill, the air somber between them. Brought her past Impa’s house, to the sitting area attached to one of the stores, preparing to light up the cooking pot after sitting the Princess down. After checking to make sure she was still with him, he reached for the Sheikah Slate on his belt and grabbed a few things – some flint, a bottle of milk, a jar of courser bee honey, and a pair of ceramic mugs that he’d bought in Gerudo Town.

Link moved quickly; light the fire, warm the milk, pour the honey into the mugs – a little extra honey for the Princess, because even though she hasn’t yet remembered how it feels to be hungry or thirsty, she still savors the taste of sugar.

The warmth from the mugs sinks into his hands as he takes a seat next to the Princess, the heat of the fire brushing against their backs.

“Here.” He places his mug down to curl her fingers around the mug meant for her, carefully placing it into her hands. “I know it’s a little warm for it, but –”

He hesitated, here, words hovering on his tongue. He owed it to her, though – openness. Honesty. “…It helped me out, when I was traveling.” Link quietly admitted. “Made me feel better.”

Bringing his cup to his lips, Link peeks at the Princess out the corner of his eye, watching her slowly raise the cup to her mouth and biting back a smile when her expression lights up at the extra sugar.

The silence between them was less wary, though the Princess still shot nervous looks up at the moon. It was fine – he understood. Link knew he wouldn’t be able to fully relax until he saw the moon disappear into the dawn.

The last few weeks press down on his shoulders, and Link sighs quietly, fingers tightening on his mug as he drags a tired hand down his face. He’s been…still…for the first time in weeks. Months. And yet he can’t seem to calm down. He can’t relax. It still feels like –

It feels like it’s not over.

A different weight on his shoulder pulled him out of his thoughts, and he looked down to see the Princess resting her head on his shoulder, tracing her fingers around her empty mug.

Her eyes were still glowing.

“…I’m so tired,” she whispered, and he understood. He knew she wasn’t talking about her inability to sleep. It was everything. Everything.

And he didn’t know what to say.

That was the moment – the moment he’d decided it was time.

Pulling himself back to the present, Link sighs and finally lifts his head, looking Impa in the eyes. “I think she needs this. To see…to see something other than the castle. To see the rest of Hyrule.”

Impa’s brow wrinkles deeply from her frown. “It’s barely been a month – don’t you feel it’s too soon, to try and move her around?”

“Impa, she’ll be alright.” He stressed all his confidence into that statement – because he truly believed that it would be fine. That maybe seeing the world they saved will help, will reassure something in the Princess, telling her over and over – it’s alright, now. It’s alright.

He didn’t want to see her cry anymore; he wanted her to have a night where she could sleep, and no terrors would follow her into her dreams. He wanted to give her some peace. He swore to himself in his journal – he promised -

I want to see her smile again with my own eyes.

Maybe his words were enough. Maybe, for once, his thoughts were showing on his face, because Impa closed her eyes for a moment, sighing softly. “…Where will you go?” She finally asked.

She was agreeing. She wouldn’t fight him. Link felt some tension leave him.

“Hateno, first. After that…” Link’s eyes drifted, a hand coming up to tug one of his earrings. “…Once we get there, we’ll work from there.”

“Will you be visiting the settlements of the races?”

“No.” Link’s hand quickly returned to his lap, sharp eyes snapping back to Impa with a frown. “It’s too soon. Maybe another time, but that’s not the goal, right now. I just –”

He bit at his lip. “Right now, I just…want her to get better. That’s all. That’s what matters.”

That, it seemed, was that.

 -o-

“Do you feel up to leaving Kakariko?”

Zelda didn’t expect that question when Link spirited her outside for lunch; her eyes widened as she snapped her head up to look at him. “…What?”

Link shrugs, eyes focused on the cookpot as he stirred the rice, making sure it didn’t burn. “I’ve been thinking about leaving, for a while; I never really planned to stay here for very long, so I just – wanted to know if you were up to it. Leaving.”

Zelda was stunned at the question, at his explanation. He – he wanted to leave. Link wanted to leave Kakariko, but he – wants her to come with him? He doesn’t –

“You want me to come with you?”

Link looks at her when she asks that, and his brows wrinkled, confused. “…Yes? Of course I do. I’m not going to just leave you behind.”

But why??

The question hovered at the tip of her tongue, ready to fly free, but Zelda bit it back in time. “Are we…are we going to visit the settlements of the other races?” She asked slowly, still reeling over the fact that he wasn’t going to just – leave her. “It makes sense; we do need to – to inform them of everything that’s happened, and that the Calamity –”

“You and Impa.” Link chuckled, shaking his head. “You two really think alike. No, we won’t be going to any of the settlements. Not this time.”

“Oh.”

Zelda wasn’t entirely sure how she felt about that. She felt – complicated. Part of her felt guilty, of course; it would be so rude, to snub the villages this way and put off word of her return. But the rest of her felt – relief. Which just made her guilt worse.

If Impa brought the idea up to Link as well, that that means she knows, too. But – but to do that would mean -

I don’t want to go back. I don’t want to go back into that castle.

She didn’t want to think about it – couldn’t bear it, having to return to the place where she spent a century in the belly of the Calamity fighting it off. Holding it back. Her stomach sinks just thinking about it.

Zelda was clenching her hands too tightly, the sharp sting of her nails digging into her skin bringing her back. She needed to calm down. Slowly, she breathed, staring down at her white knuckles and making the effort to relax, to open her hands.

“Where…where will we be going, then?” She finally asked, rubbing her hands against her trousers to take the sting out of them.

“We’re going to head to Hateno, first. After that, well –” Link cocked his head, attention turning back the rice. “…I won’t tell. I guess I just want to surprise you.”

That admission surprised her, and Zelda’s heart jolted in response. The corners of her lips quirk upwards, and she tucks her chin into her chest to hide her smile, even though she knew Link’s laser focus was on the risotto he was making.

But still – a surprise. He wanted to surprise her. It was thrilling.

Nervously twisting her hands in the hem of her jacket, Zelda laughs. “Alright, then. A surprise. I’m looking forward to it. When will we leave?”

“In a few days; I need to get a few supplies together. Here.”

A savory, earthy smell surrounded her, and Zelda looks up to a small plate of mushroom risotto Link was holding out to her. “I put some hearty truffle in it, to help you feel a little better.” He explains as she took the plate, and she just didn’t know what to do with the warmth that swelled up in her chest.

“Thank you.” She says, her voice a thin whisper, and slowly began to eat. It tasted as good as it smelled, the rice perfectly creamy and the earthy taste of the mushrooms blending with the truffle. She was still working on remembering the feeling of hungry, but she was determined to eat all of it, even if it upset her stomach in the end.

“What supplies will you be needing?” Zelda asked when Link took a seat next to her with his own – much larger – plate of risotto.

Link shrugs, digging into his meal with gusto. “Nothing crazy; a few arrows, some food supplies – and I assume you’d like your own clothes?”

She hums around a mouthful of food, nodding. “I – you and Paya have been very generous, but – I think I’d like to have some things of my own.”

“I figured. Hateno has a little more in options, but we can get something here to hold you over until then.”

The declaration that he was making then – that he was offering to buy her clothes – fully hit her, and Zelda almost dropped her plate.

“Wait! Are you – Link, you don’t need to – to buy me clothes, that’s -! I don’t want to be a bother, I –”

“You’ve been saying that a lot.”

Link looks at her head on, his expression so serious that Zelda felt the rest of her protests dry up in her throat. She shrinks back a little, her shoulders hunching up towards her ears.

“Zelda, you’re not a bother. I want to help you. Alright? So, you don’t have to say you’re a bother – because really, you’re not. Not to me.”

Her mouth was hanging open – Zelda knew she looked ridiculous, but - but she was stunned at the earnest sincerity in his words. A tight ache was building at the back of her throat, and she valiantly tried to blink away the telling prickle of tears in her eyes.

“Besides –” Link’s expression morphed into something teasing, “I have so many diamonds I can probably buy you a whole wardrobe.”

“D – diamonds?? Diamonds??”

He shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal. “A guy in Zora’s Domain gave me diamonds in exchange for luminous stones. I didn’t really – I didn’t do a whole lot with them so they just…built up.”

The fact that Link just had precious stones stocked up was so absurd that Zelda wanted to laugh. “Well – well, in that case, I suppose it’s alright to get a few things. As long as it’s really not –”

Link points his spoon at her, stern. “Don’t finish that sentence. I already said it was alright, Zelda.”

It didn’t feel alright; it felt like she was imposing on his kindness, taking advantage of his loyalty and clinging to him when she should be – she should be trying to –

Her temples throbbed at the thought of a weight of a crown on her brow.

“Sorry.” She whispers, taking another bite of her risotto – colder now, but still delicious. “I’m just – well, you know me.”

As soon as the words slipped past her lips, Zelda immediately wanted to snatch them back. Her shoulders stiffened, and she hunched further into herself as the air between them went still. It was awkward. She made it awkward, bringing up – he didn’t say that he remembered anything, how could she assume that – how could she go and say something like –

“I think I’ll take a walk, now.” She says, stiffly rising to her feet and placing her half-empty plate where she once sat. “Thank you for the food – I’m sorry I didn’t finish, but I promise it was delicious.”

Swallowing, she braved a glance over at Link, and saw him looking up at her with an expression she just couldn’t decipher. She used to be good at figuring out his expressions, before – but now, well.

Well.

“I won’t be long.” Zelda murmurs, and she turns on her heel and starts to make her way to the hill that led to the shrine and the forest beyond.

 -o-

The morning they were leaving for Hateno was warm and sunny – a perfect summer day.

Link was doing final preparations for their departure when Zelda was called down by Impa, and the two of them sat in the main hall, staring at each other.

“Do you know what you will do, after this?” Impa asks, and Zelda has dreaded this question for a while. Anxious, she drums her fingers against her legs, pressing her lips into a thin line. “…I haven’t decided yet.” She finally answered, and Impa’s expression tightened up in response.

“Princess.” She starts, and Zelda bristles a little. “You know you must –”

“Impa, do you think that I don’t know what I must do?? That I haven’t had this on my mind for days?? I know what needs to be done, I just –” Her breath hitched, and she fell silent.

She thought about the castle, in all its brokenness, and saw all the dirt and decay in her mind’s eye. Thought about the burnt, empty husk of what used to be Castle Town. Heard the laughter of the Calamity in her ear.

“I just need more time.” She pleads, a thin whisper. “I need more time to decide.”

Impa’s expression was unreadable, and Zelda felt a twist in her gut when Impa bows her head, letting out a soft, tired sigh. “I understand, Princess. I understand.”

Zelda felt wretched, denying Impa like this; she knew reclaiming her title as soon as possible was the right thing to do for Hyrule…but was it right for her, now? She didn’t know.

“Well, since you’re about to depart, I do have something I would like to give you. Help me, so that I may grab it?”

She scrambles to her feet, offering Impa a hand so that she could step down from her seat and get her footing before shuffling off into another room. Zelda didn’t follow, choosing to awkwardly stand in the middle of the room and fiddle with her tunic, guilt still bubbling in her stomach.

“Here, now.”

Impa came back into the room, and Zelda’s stomach swooped into her toes at the familiar shade of blue that rested in Impa’s hands.

“I’ve taken very good care of these, since you’ve been gone.” Grabbing her limp hands, Impa placed Zelda’s royal blue blouse and trousers into her hands, folded into a neat little bundle. “I figure it’s only right to give them back to you now, since I don’t know when you’ll come through again.”

Slowly, Zelda curled her fingers around the clothing, reveling in how soft they were – she’d forgotten, how comfortable they felt. “We - we’ll be back to visit again.” She forces past numb lips. “We won’t be away forever. I - I promise.”

“See that you don’t.” Impa gave her hands a gentle pat before pulling away. “Come give this old woman a hug, and then I’ll let you go.”

Impa’s hugs were as tight as she remembered, and Zelda buries her face in her shoulder, pressing as close as she could as she pressed her clothes to her chest.

“Thank you.” She whispers, choked up. “For everything. Thank you, Impa.”

By the time she steps out into the bright sunlight, Link was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs, holding a hand up to shade his eyes from the sun.

“Ready to go?” He asked once she reached him, and Zelda nods, still clutching her returned clothes to her chest. “Yes. I have to put these in my bag, and then we can depart.”

He leads her to where the horses are kept, and Zelda slows in shock when Link, after she handed him her clothing, moves to put it in the pack attached to the one horse – Link’s horse. “Oh, I – I don’t have my own horse to ride?”

Link frowns at the question, fastening Zelda’s pack closed. “I didn’t have time to grab an extra horse for you. We can, at one of the other stables, but – I was just…focused on getting to Kakariko.”

She remembers the flash of worry in his eyes, when he talked about how she wouldn’t wake after their battle with the Calamity, and bites at her lip.

“Is it going to be okay? Riding together?”

“I – I’ll be fine. Will you?”

“Shouldn’t be too bad.” He shrugs. “We should get to Hateno in a day or so, if I remember right – it’s been a while since I traveled by horse.”

Before she got the chance to delve into that and ask what he meant, Link steps up to her and offers her a hand. “I’m ready to head out – you?”

“Ah…yes.”

She reaches out, lightly placing her hand in his, and as Zelda moves a little closer, she notices something and jerks to a halt, frowning. “Hey.”

Link stiffens up, concerned. “What. What is it? Did you change your mind? I can go and -”

“You got taller.”

Her voice was accusing, almost close to a pout; before the Calamity, she had a couple of inches on him – a thing that she playfully lorded over him once they got along - and now they were the same height. Outrageous. Ridiculous. Unfair.

Link raised an incredulous eyebrow, and he looked like he was about to laugh. “That’s what happens sometimes. It’s been a year – can you blame me for getting a little taller? Now, up you go, shortstop.”

Zelda gapes at him, outraged. “I beg your pardon?” She sputters. “Just because we’re the same height now doesn’t mean you can say that you’re taller than me, you -!”

Her tirade is quickly cut off as Link pulls her in, placing his hands on her sides, and Zelda squeaks as he lifts her up, giving her a boost to climb into the saddle with no trouble. Once she was situated, he swung up onto the saddle to sit in front of her and reached for the reins. “Alright?” He asked over his shoulder. “Gonna be comfortable enough?”

“…Mm.” She reaches up, nervously grabbing at his tunic. “This is fine.”

Link nods, and with a sharp whistle, the horse was moving, and they were off. Past the pumpkin patch and plum trees, past the hill that led up to the shrine and the distant, looming figure of the castle. Wooden arches passed overhead, the rocky walls bracketing them on either side as slowly, slowly, the noise of Kakariko village faded away. The clunky wooden chimes and burbling water were soon replaced by the hush of wind rolling through the grass and the soft clip of horse hooves.

The world opens up ahead of them, wide and green and endless, and Zelda stares at the long stretches of land ahead of them with wide eyes, the brush of warm wind through her hair the best thing she’s ever felt. She didn’t know what to say, and she clung a little tighter to Link as he gently encouraged his horse into a gallop, and they were off.

She gapes at the endless blue skies as they cross over Kakariko Bridge, attention then caught by the rushing river that ran beneath them before they veered onto another path. “Are you sure your horse can carry two people for so long?” Zelda asked, a little concerned for the horse that has been in a light gallop this whole time.

Link hummed, “Chestnut can handle it for a little while. If she gets tired, then we can always walk for a little while and give her a break – if that’s alright with you.”

Being able to walk around and soak in the sun, and the water, and miles and miles of green? Why wouldn’t that be alright with her?

Zelda made sure to say so, and Link laughs, slowing Chestnut down from a gallop to a light trot. It was quiet between them – but it wasn’t something awkward, far from it. It was peaceful, taking in Link’s quiet breaths as she soaked in everything around her. Eventually she broke the silence, “…can you tell me about Hateno?”

“What do you want to know?”

“Oh…everything you can tell me, I suppose.”

“Well…” Link draws it out, thinking. “It’s one of the largest Hylian settlements we have; there’s a lot more people there, than in Kakariko. They’re a little gossipy, but they’re good folk. They also provide a lot of the fabric and dyes, which was why I said we can get you more clothes once we get there. And they have a few little legends like – okay, so - the first day I get there, one of the kids say they found this statue –”

As Link continues telling her his story, she leans closer to him, resting a cheek against his shoulder as she soaks in his voice. Relishes it.

He never spoke to her this much, before – without prompting, at least. It was…it was honestly really nice.

Hiding her smile, Zelda listens, and made sure to respond at appropriate times, gasping once he got to talking about the statue and what it actually does.

They did give Chestnut a couple breaks, hopping down from the saddle to walk slowly down the path, the horse following them at her own languid pace. Zelda thought a couple times they’d stop for lunch, but Link had planned ahead, packing some riceballs so they could eat on the go.

It was nearing late afternoon as they continue their travels, back in Chestnut’s saddle, and the sun beams over a familiar stretch of land, making Zelda freeze in place. Link must have noticed how her grip had tightened on the back of his tunic, because he slows Chestnut to a stop. He didn’t have to ask if she was alright.

 How could he, as they neared the Guardian filled graveyard of Blatchery Plain?

Her hands were shaking – she could almost feel the rain, stinging her skin, icy, numbing - hear the crackle of flames and the whine of a Guardian, gearing up to fire –

“Zelda.”

A hand grabs hers, and she blinks rapidly, trying to focus and stay here, in the now.

Her skin was glowing.

“Zelda.” Link calls again, soft, pulling at her glowing hand and wrapping it around him, pressing her hand flat against his chest. “Come back. It’s okay.”

His heart beats against her palm, steady and strong. Reassuring. And that’s the thing that pulls her back, that grounds her. It was over now. They succeeded. Link was still here.

Zelda exhales shakily and winds her other arm around him to press both hands to his heart, holding on tight and counting out the beats, reminding herself. He was here. It was okay. He was here. It was okay.

“Do you want to hear about the time I first saw a dragon?”

Link gently urged the horse forward, and Zelda turns her face into his shoulder to hide after nodding, closing her eyes.

“Alright. I was in Faron, and I’d found one of the stables there when someone pointed out something coming down the waterfall. I could kind of see it, but not really, so I climbed up this ladder to a watch point they made outside the stable. And coming down the waterfall was this –”

He just kept talking, telling his story and keeping her distracted as they continued to pass through the remnants of the worst day of their lives. Even once they made it into the shade of Fort Hateno, leaving the empty husks of the Guardians behind, he continued to talk.

It was soothing, his voice a quiet murmur, and it eventually lulled Zelda to sleep. She wasn’t sure how long she slept, soothed by the rocking canter of the horse and Link’s storytelling – but at least her sleep was dreamless. She was grateful for that.

“Zelda.”

“Hmm?” Rubbing clumsily at an eye, she groans, not quite ready to wake up yet. “Are we camping for the night?”

“No, we’re here.”

Her eyes snap open, and Zelda’s head jerks in disbelief.  She looks around, disoriented. “Wh-what? We are? How – what time is it -?”

“Pretty late.” Link hopped off the saddle and offered a hand to Zelda to help her down. “Come on, let’s get inside so we can sleep.”

She didn’t see the hand Link had offered her though, staring blankly at the building before them. A small cottage, with a small pond and apple trees off to the side, a cookpot with smoldering embers on the other side. Small flowers swayed in time with the push and pull of the wind, surrounding a sign proudly displayed in the front -

Link’s House.

“Wh-when did you get a house?” Zelda looks down at him, a little lost, and finally sees the hand he was holding out for her. She quickly placed her hand in his, and he carefully pulled her from the saddle, hands tight on her sides so she wouldn’t tumble to the ground. The heat of his hands sank into her skin, soothing, and it pulled her away from the shocking fact that Link had a house.

“I bought it a while back.” He explains, a little sheepish. “A few months after I woke up, I think. Bolson was really nice about it, gave it to me kind of cheap. You’ll probably meet him tomorrow.”

Link grabs Zelda’s pack where it was hitched onto the saddlebag and placed a hand against her back, ushering her over to the house. Zelda was still stunned silent, wracking her brain if she had seen a glimpse of this house in her vigil, and so she moved with his touch without complaint. He opens the front door and holds it out for her, sweeping out his arm in an ‘after you’ gesture, and Zelda slowly makes her way inside. It was – comfortable. Homey, furniture filling out a comfortably sized kitchen and dining area, and in the corner of her eye she saw stairs leading up to a sleeping loft.

She steps deeper into the house, absently dragging her hand across the surface of the table as the weapon mounts in front of her grab her attention. Zelda couldn’t register her feet moving, her steps carrying her forward until Mipha’s Lightscale trident was right in front of her, an arm’s reach away. Next to it was Daruk’s Boulder Breaker, and she could see Revali’s Great Eagle bow at the edges of her vision, as bright as she remembered.

Tears start to swim in her eyes as she brushed light fingers against Urbosa’s sword, and her shield, Daybreaker, was as colorful as ever.

“They’re still here.” She whispers, shaken. “How -?”

The lump in her throat was choking her, clogging up the question she was trying to ask, and she looks at Link with wide eyes.

He was standing near the foot of the stairs by the door, and his eyes were solemn. “The leaders of the settlements gave them to me after freeing the Divine Beasts from the Calamity. I, uh –”

Link’s eyes slid over and away, down to the floor. “I couldn’t – really bear anything happening to them, so I –I brought them home. Hung them up here. So they’d be safe.”

Exhaling shakily, Zelda swipes at her eyes, dashing away the tears before they got the chance to fall. “I’m glad,” she said earnestly, “I’m – I’m so glad they’re still here. That they’re not gone.”

“I am, too.”

“Will you – will you tell me about your travels? One day?”

He looked back up at her, and his eyes crinkled with a bemused smile. “But I thought you were watching over me the whole time?”

His voice was teasing, and Zelda flushes, looking away.

“I – I was, but – but I still think I’d like it more hearing it from you. I want to know your thoughts.”

Hearing about his experiences, what he went through and how he felt – it would be different. Not like fretfully watching from the outside at all.

Zelda could feel that space between them, as they stared at each other across the room – the yawning gap that’s been there since she woke up. But right now, it didn’t feel so impossible, reaching out to him.

“…Alright.” Link finally says, his voice soft. He was staring at her with a look she just couldn’t read. She couldn’t figure him out. “I can tell you about it. But not tonight – tonight, we’re going to eat and get some sleep. We’ll be back on the road soon, so it’d be best to get some rest.”

“Alright.” She echoes back at him, and the sensation of chilled metal still clings to her fingertips as she leaves the weapon mounts behind.

She thought it would be impossible, to get to sleep – but after a quick meal and a bath, Zelda was curled up beneath the blankets in bed upstairs, Link lying next to her on top of the blankets – like always. He laid on his side, too, turned towards her, and they said nothing as they stared at each other, inches apart. It felt so cozy, now – intimate. So much so that she almost had the urge to look away, to turn her back on him. But she couldn’t.

Zelda had so many questions sitting behind her teeth, building; she wanted to ask him, again, if he remembered her. She wanted to ask what he wanted to do after this, where he wanted to go – if he was happy, with her constantly at his side. If he would rather be happier letting her go.

She wanted to ask him what she should do – what was the right thing to do.

The air was filled with the calm rhythm of their breathing, Link’s brows wrinkling as his eyes roved over her face, lost in thought. As he looked at her, Zelda wondered what it was that Link saw – who was it that Link saw. Part of her still wondered – his work is done, his destiny fulfilled. She wouldn’t have blamed him if he wanted to move on and make his own way, without her obstructing his path. As soon as she started to improve, Zelda expected that Link would pack up and go out into the wild on his own – leaving her behind. Instead –

Instead, Link brought her with him. He made space for her, made time for her, opened his home to her. And he didn’t have to. He didn’t have to. In her mind’s eye, she can see the confused expression on his face when she was surprised that he wanted her to come.

I’m not going to leave you behind.

But you could have. She thinks, watching the way Link’s lashes fluttered as he started to drift off. I would have understood.

She was glad that he didn’t, though.

Zelda lets out a quiet sigh, turning her face into her pillow as she closed her eyes, breathing in the scent of grass and clean cotton.

Eventually, Zelda drifted off to sleep.

Chapter Text

Zelda has decided that she likes Hateno Village very much.

It wasn’t because of any spectacular reason; she hasn’t seen the people yet or walked around the village to see what was there after a century.

The reason she likes Hateno is quite simple –

Her reason is because she woke up to sunlight warming her hair and soft wind brushing her face, fragrant with traces of summer. Because she sat up, blankets slipping off her shoulders, and saw that the window had been opened for her, letting her hear the quiet rustling of leaves from the apple tree near the pond. She likes Hateno, because –

Because for once, since the day she banished the Calamity, she finally slept through the night without any terrors following her. Because she wakes up after the most peaceful sleep she’s had in a very, very long time and feels…rested.

Zelda looks down at her hands, pressed against the mattress, and holds them up in front of her face. Slowly, she clenches and unclenches her hands, feeling the bones and muscles bend and flex in response.

She feels – better. Slightly. She feels – more aligned, more in tune with herself. It feels like her body was hers, again.

Sighing lightly, Zelda rubs away the remaining traces of sleep clinging to her eyes and slips out of the bed, stretching her arms as high as she could go and humming with satisfaction as joints pop and click into place. It was quiet, in Link’s house, and it wasn’t the kind of quiet she remembers – where Link would say nothing, but she knew that he was somewhere nearby. Curious, she crept over to the banister of the loft and looked over, confirming her suspicions; the kitchen area was empty, and Link’s boots were missing by the door.

She was alone.

Zelda only allows herself a second to feel bereft about it before she notices something sitting on the table. “What’s this…?” she murmurs to herself, the wood creaking beneath her bare feet as she makes her way down the stairs. Upon closer inspection, it was a flat…something, wrapped in Korok leaves – perhaps a plate? It was meant for her, obviously, who else would it be for? Carefully, she unwraps the parcel waiting for her, pulling apart the leaves until the scent of apples and sugar wafts up to her.

Her heart clenches in her chest as she takes in the pair of crepes left for her, filled with baked apples and drizzled with honey – there were even a few slices of fresh apples on the side. The crepes were small, because her appetite wasn’t – it wasn’t all there, yet, but just the notion that Link would make something for her, to make sure she had something to eat before he left…

Zelda sniffles a little. It was nice.

She knew she wasn’t going to be able to eat the entire plate, but it was better than when she first woke up; Zelda felt a sense of triumph as she got through one crepe, dragging a couple of the apple slices in the honey that had pooled on the plate. It was decadent and felt a lot more like a dessert than breakfast, but it felt – good. It was good, to be able to revel in all the sweetness.

Licking her fingers clean, Zelda decides to freshen up and brave Hateno Village on her own. It would’ve been nice to have Link with her, so he could point out the shops and the people, but she could figure it out well enough on her own. They’d probably run into each other eventually anyway.

Besides – she’s been to Hateno before. It was a long, long time ago, but – that must count for something. It couldn’t have changed much…could it?

With that small plan in mind, Zelda rose from the table and readied herself for the day. Picking out clothes from her pack, Zelda hesitated when her fingers brushed over soft fabric – her royal blue blouse. Pressing her lips into a thin line, she pulls it from her bag and rubs it between her fingers, traces over the gold edges and white sleeves.

Eventually she puts it away, picking out one of the tunics Link bought her in Kakariko to wear instead.

She wasn’t ready for that, yet.

Zelda decides the braid she slept in was still decent enough to keep, and once bathed and properly dressed, she takes a deep, fortifying breath to prepare herself before opening the door and stepping outside.

The sun shines brightly overhead, and Zelda shades her eyes, blinking rapidly as she adjusts to the bright light. She was starting to wonder how late she slept until a voice broke her out of her musing before she really began.

“Well! Link didn’t mention that he had company.”

Startled, she squeaks, whipping around to see two Hylians sitting near the cookpot under the tree.

The first Hylians she’s seen in person. The first Hylians she’s seen in person in over a century. Goddess.

“Um -! Oh, hello!” She nervously brushes off her tunic, to give her hands something to do. “Good morning, I didn’t see you there. Ah – do you – do you know Link?”

“Know him? Ha!” One of the Hylians slaps his leg, “I sure do know him – especially since I got that boy a house.”

Zelda’s eyes widen with recall. “Oh! Are you Bolson?”

“In the flesh, honey.” He winks at her, adjusting the –very interesting collar of his vest. “And who might you be? Link didn’t tell us he brought a lovely lady home with him when we saw him this morning.”

She felt the heat creeping across her face, but Zelda refused to give in to her embarrassment at Bolson’s assumptions. Lacing her hands behind her back, she gives them the brightest smile she can. “My name is Zelda. It’s very nice to meet you, Bolson – Link did tell me a few things about you. Do you happen to know where Link went, if I may ask?”

She works to push the conversation along before Bolson got any suspicions about her name – let him think whatever he wanted, for now.

“Hmm, he said he was doing some hunting, right boss?” The other Hylian asks, and Bolson strokes his beard, nodding.

“Right, Karson, that’s true – told us he’d be back in a couple hours, so he should be back any time.”

That was good; knowing that Link would be back soon made her relax a little, and the tense set of her shoulders loosens some.

“Will you be waiting here for him, Miss Zelda?” Bolson asks with a raised brow, and she shakes her head, tucking a loose strand of hair from behind her ear. “No, I – I’ll just walk through the town. I’m from – from the Tabantha region, so I’ve never been here. I’d like to see what’s around.”

It wasn’t her best lie, but it’ll do for now.

“I’m sure we’ll bump into each other soon.” Deciding to make her escape, Zelda walks towards the bridge, giving them a wave. “It was very nice to meet you!”

She feels a bit rude, cutting off the conversation so abruptly, but that doesn’t stop her from quickly making her way across the bridge, past some very…cubical looking homes and into the town proper. A child sprints past her as she steps onto the path, laughing loudly, and – and she could see Hylians, everywhere, so many –

Zelda allows herself a minute, to take it in. Surrounded by her people for the first time in so, so long.

Once settled, she makes her way through the town. She makes note of the stores as she passes them – a dye shop, a general store, a clothing store in the distance – and tries not to bristle at the feel of eyes on her. She remembers Link’s explanation of the townsfolk, how they were rather gossipy, and she knew that she would be an interesting topic of discussion for some time.

Zelda kept walking, though – especially when a bright flash of blue in the corner of her eye caught her attention. It was a lamp, holding a flickering blue flame, and curious, Zelda moved towards it, seeing another in the distance – and another, and another, lanterns holding eye-catching blue flames winding up a hill and leading…somewhere. How curious.

She had to follow them.

Somewhere ended up being a lab at the top of a hill, far away from the rest of Hateno Village. The furnace that sat outside the building pinged something in her memory, and the Guardian shell tied on top of the building furthered that feeling. She remembers Link, talking to her about Hateno while they were on the road, telling her about the Sheikah lab – and Purah.

Purah was here. Purah was still alive.

The frog statue wearing large, red spectacles cemented that fact – even at her age, apparently, Purah kept that streak of fun alive in her.

Zelda’s hands shook as she neared the door, stamped with a large outline of the Sheikah eye, and her knuckles rapping against the wood sounded so light to her, she wondered if Purah even heard it.

One way to find out.

Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door and goes inside.

The room was covered with clutter, almost every square inch of the space littered with stacks of books or piles of paper and Guardian parts. On the left side of the room, a guidance stone was shining brightly, and Zelda almost didn’t know where to look, eyes bouncing around the room.

A loud crash grabs her attention, and Zelda jerks her head around to see a tiny Sheikah girl standing next to an older Sheikah man, eyes equally wide as they stared at her. An object one of them had been holding had crashed to the ground, its pieces scattered across the wood floor.

“Um.”

Zelda wasn’t entirely sure what to do with that reaction, and she nervously laced her fingers tight to her chest. “Hello…I’m here to see Purah? Are you, um – her children? Or, ah…grandchildren? I know it’s been a long time, but I’m sure you’ve probably heard stories about me, or –”

As Zelda nervously rambles on, the little girl slowly walks up to her, her large red glasses slipping down her nose, red eyes still comically wide as she gapes at her. She was very…familiar – from the way her hair was styled in a bun to the shape of her nose and the glasses perched precariously on it. This girl really looked so much like Purah – so much so that it gave Zelda pause.

Slowly, she kneels until she is eye-level with the girl and just looked at her, eyes roving over her face. Because there was no way.

It was impossible.

It was ridiculous.

But she was here, living in a world that was already so ridiculous, so impossible – she couldn’t discount the option no matter how much she’d like to.

So, in the softest voice she could muster, Zelda asks her –

“What have you gotten yourself into now, Purah?”

A film of tears glossed over her eyes, making them look bigger and glassier than ever, and Purah throws herself into Zelda’s arms, bursting into tears just as the door opens.

“Purah, I have a question abou – oh.”

She peeks over her shoulder, smiling sheepishly at Link as he stands in the doorway of the lab, eyebrow slowly rising as he takes in the scene before him. “You have some explaining to do,” Zelda says, running a hand down a sobbing Purah’s back. She tried to keep her tone stern, but it was hard with the smile on her face over this incredibly ridiculous situation.

“Linky!!” Purah wails into Zelda’s shoulder. “How c-could you not tell me that you – you went and got the Princess?? Why didn’t you t-tell me?! I wasn’t r-ready!!”

She dissolves back into belligerent sobbing, and Link slowly closed his eyes for a moment before sighing quietly. “Symin, can you help make some tea? We’ll be here a while, I think.”

 -o-

‘A while’ turned out to be a few hours, calming Purah down turning into getting the story of how she was so – so young turning into fussing over Zelda which almost looped back around into calming Purah down from another bout of tears as she berated Link once again for not telling her.

“I figured you knew!” He burst out. “The whole sky turned red the day I went and got her; I don’t know how that wasn’t an obvious enough sign that something was happening–”

“The sky turns red every month!!” Purah sputters. “No one’s paid attention to things like that for years –”

“Purah, it was in the middle of the day – it lasted for hours!! How did you not -”

Zelda wasn’t quite sure what to think of their – their friendly bickering. Because that’s what it was! It was a stark difference from their interactions a hundred years ago, Purah’s prodding always met with Link’s stalwart silence.

Sitting between them, cradling her cup of tea in her hands, Zelda’s eyes bounce back and forth, silently taking in the air of camaraderie between them. Another new thing she would have to adjust to.

Zelda raised her cup of tea to her lips to hide her smile.

This change was one that she didn’t mind too much.

It’s nearing late afternoon by the time Purah’s tears have dried, and Zelda’s mind slowly started to drift back to the other crepe she had left back at the house, wrapped back up in Korok leaves. She wondered if it was still good to eat – it was Link’s cooking, so even if it was cold, it would probably be still good.

After long hugs goodbye and promises to visit Purah again, Link opened the door for Zelda, and they had started to make their way back into town before she remembered.

“Oh – Link, didn’t you have a question for Purah about something?”

“Huh?”

“The whole reason you showed up. You sounded like you had a question.”

“Oh. Oh!!” Link’s eyes went wide as he remembered, jerking to a halt. “Right!! Okay, just – stay here. I’ll be right back; I’ll be just a minute –” And he turned on his heel and sprinted back up the hill to Purah’s lab.

Zelda breathes out a bemused laugh, watching as he quickly vanished from her sight; she wouldn’t mind doing as he asked, for once, and waiting until he returned – she had such a lovely view of Hateno, from here.

Lacing her hands behind her back, she took a moment to enjoy the scenery that stretched out before her, closing her eyes for a moment as a warm breeze brushed her face. Even though her perusal of the village was quick, Zelda could feel that Hateno was a nice, comfortable place – she could understand why Link would want to buy a home, here. It felt secluded, cut off from the rest of the world –

Well. Almost cut off.

The peaks of Mount Lanayru stretched high over the lab, and Zelda shivers at the memory of the cold she felt, that day – inside and out.

Pulling away from that dark path, she found herself rubbing her arms as though she caught a chill, and slowly brought her hands back to her sides. She – she needed to calm down, ground herself and remind herself that she was here. That it was over now, and the constant thrum in her veins reminded her that if – when she decided to go back to the Spring of Wisdom, she would never be faced with silence again.

Today had been good, so far – it’s been such a good day. Zelda didn’t want to get stuck in the past, now.

“I’m back.”

She wasn’t expecting Link’s voice to be so close by and squeaked, startled by his sudden appearance.

“Where did you come from?” Zelda gasped, pressing a hand to her racing heart. “You were only gone for a few minutes!!”

The space between Link’s eyebrows wrinkled a little as he frowned. “No? I was gone for about fifteen minutes. I made noise so I wouldn’t startle you, but I guess you were really in your head. Anyway – are you ready to head back to the village?”

“Ah.” Zelda lowers her hand, taking a deep breath to calm her heart. “…Yes.”

They slowly make their way down the winding path, Link’s hand gentle on her arm, as Zelda’s mind drifts back to why he had run off in the first place.

“Did you get an answer to your question?”

“Huh – oh, yes! It was something about the slate.”

“Oh?” That piqued her interest even more. “What was the question?”

“You’ll see. Were you able to stop by the clothing store today?”

Zelda saw the easy deflection for what it was, and she frowned a little. Did he just – not want to tell her?  She presses her lips into a line, trying not to press. “…No, not yet.”

“Okay, we’ll go there before heading back to the house.”

The silence that fell between them was somewhat awkward – she wondered if it was because of her.

“Do you know…when we’ll be departing?” Zelda tentatively asked, and Link hummed thoughtfully.

“A couple of days. We can’t leave without the slate. So, we’ll use the time to get ready.”

“Ah, is that why you went off to go hunting, this morning?”

“Who told -?” She saw the light spark in Link’s eyes as he connects the dots. “Oh, of course. I take it that you met Bolson and Karson today?”

“I did. Bolson was very, hmm – interesting. But he was quite polite. I can see why you like him.”

“Yeah, he’s a little out there, but he’s a good man. Most of his crew are – I know another one of his construction companies, out in Akkala; he’s getting married, soon.”

“Really?? Link, that’s wonderful!!”

They continue to meander down the hill that way, light chatter drifting into the air as they rejoined the town, walking down the well-worn path as Link led her to the clothing store. She still felt a twist of guilt in her gut at having Link buy her supplies, but – he told her not to feel bad. And she was trying.

Besides – she didn’t know how long they would be traveling; it would be best to be as prepared as possible.

It’s fine. She reminds herself as Link holds the door open for her, a little bell singing overhead and announcing their arrival. It’s all fine.

 -o-

 “I have a quick question.”

 Zelda paused her motions of folding another tunic into her pack, looking up at Link with a slow, tired blink.

She wasn’t used to being up this early, yet, but Link insisted, shaking her awake just as the sun began to creep over the horizon. “We’ve got to have an early start.” He explains, apologetic. “Here, I’ll help and start packing your bag – you go get dressed.”

“What is it?” She finally asks, realizing that Link was waiting for a response.

“Do you feel okay with walking, for now?”

Zelda took a minute, to absorb the question, eyes widening slightly. “We…we’re going to walk to our destination?” She asks, incredulous.

“No!” He holds out his hands, placating. “We’re going there another way, but I just – wanted to ask. I know you’re still not all the way better, but I felt it’d be best to check in, instead of assuming. We won’t be walking everywhere, but I just wanted to ask and make sure if it would be fine. If not, I can get the horses.”

She gave herself time to think about it, going back to folding her things into her bag as she pondered on it. Zelda certainly didn’t feel as weak as she did a month ago, barely able to keep her eyes open, but she didn’t feel as strong as she used to be, before the Calamity.

“I think,” she said slowly, “I can do it. As long as we take breaks, if I need it.”

Link nods, looking relieved. “That’s fine. And if you do need a horse, you’ll tell me? I’ve got a horse at a few stables around here, so it’s no trouble.”

“Is that why I didn’t see Chestnut, a couple days ago?”

“Uh – right. Yes. I sent her back to Dueling Peaks.”

Zelda hums in response, closing her bag and swinging it onto her back as she rose to her feet. “I will let you know, if I get tired.” She vows, and Link nods again. “I’m ready to go – are you?”

“Yup. All set.” Link patted at the Sheikah Slate on his hip, and then swept an arm out towards the door. “After you.”

“So, how are we getting to our destination?” Zelda asks as they step outside, Link locking the door to his home shut behind her.

“We’re gonna use the slate.”

That stopped her short. “The – the slate??” She sputters. “How – how is the slate going to get us there?? Is that even possible?? Does it -??”

“You’ll see. This is what I was asking Purah about. Though –” Link stopped short, and he kicks at the ground, looking a little embarrassed.

“…Though what?” Zelda prods, wondering what it was that suddenly made Link so shy.

“…We have to be close to each other. For it to work.”

 The implications of that slowly sank into her brain, and Zelda felt itchy heat spread across her face and down her neck. “…Ah.” She says lightly, fingers twitching nervously at her sides. “Well…alright.”

Link peeks at her through his bangs, nervous. “You don’t…mind?”

“If it’ll get us where we need to go, I’m sure it will be fine. Purah said that it would be alright?”

“Yes – she was insulted at me asking, but I had to make sure.”

Zelda laughs a little at the thought, imagining Purah puffed up in indignation from her head to her frilly, poofy skirt. “Alright, then –” She fiddles at the strap of her pack to give her hands something to do. “How do we do this?”

Link’s response was to pull the Sheikah Slate off his hip and hold open his arms, waiting. After taking a fortifying breath, Zelda takes a few steps forward into the circle of Link’s arms and prayed that he couldn’t feel her pounding heart.

“Okay.” He says, and Zelda looks over at him to find his eyes focused on the slate – though his cheeks did look a little pink. “So, for this to work, allegedly, Purah said we have to both have contact with the slate, so – here.”

He holds out the other handle of the slate, and she reaches out to grasp at the rough stone, stepping closer until they were pressed from chest to hip. “I feel like I should warn you…” Link says quietly as his fingers danced across the slate, pulling up the image of a map that would’ve captured her attention if it weren’t for his voice. “This is going to feel really weird. It’s convenient, but – it never stops feeling weird, to me. It’s hard to explain. So just – brace yourself, alright?”

“Brace myself for what -?” Zelda had started to ask, but Link pressed a button on the screen before the question fully formed, and then –

And then, well – she can’t entirely describe what happened. First, they were just standing there, in Hateno and the growing light of dawn, and then –

She was blinded by blue light.

It felt – strange. It felt like she had dissolved into so many pieces but was simultaneously still intact. Oddly, it reminded her of those dream-like days within the Calamity where she was the wind, making the leaves of the forest dance and grass bend and sway to her whims. It was incredibly overwhelming, to the point that she found herself closing her eyes, even though she also felt like she had no eyes, wind whipping past her ears and Link’s arm tight around her waist –

And as quickly as it had started, it was over, and Zelda felt her knees buckle a little as they landed on solid ground. She probably would’ve fallen over if it wasn’t for Link holding her up.

“We’re here.” He announces, and Zelda pushes past her heart pounding in her ears to a cool wind on her face and the heavy scent of salt in her nose.

For the moment, though, finding out their destination could wait.

“Link.” She gasped, clutching at his tunic. “The slate can – it can travel?? Wh – how does it do that?? When was it able to do something like – what capabilities even make that possible -??”

Questions and theories were bubbling over her lips, faster than her mind could keep up, and Link watches her talk with a small smile on his face.

“I don’t think I can answer all your theories,” he said once she finally ran out of steam. “But I kinda figured out a few things, while I was traveling. As far as I know, the slate has been capable of this form travel since I woke up. I connected the dots throughout my journey and think that the towers across Hyrule might have something to do with it – they power up the shrines, so I figure they play a part with the slate, as well. That’s how we were able to get here.”

He gestures at the platform of the shrine they were standing on. “Every shrine I activated became a place I could teleport back to. It was really convenient.”

Zelda looked over at the shrine, awestruck. “That’s why you said you haven’t traveled by horse in some time.” She states, and Link nods.

“The slate was a lot more useful in getting around. Cut down my travel time by a lot. We can ask Purah about all the other questions I can’t answer when we go back to Hateno. So…”

He draws it out, grinning a little. “…Do you finally want to see where we ended up?”

Another salty gust of wind brushes by them, and Zelda looks up from the cliff they were standing on and stares out into the wide, open expanse of the sea.

Her eyes widen, and she moves a half step forward, awed at the sparkle on the horizon from the slowly rising sun. “Oh,” she breathes quietly, overwhelmed – she can’t remember the last time she’d seen the ocean.

“Lurelin Village is down there.” Link explains, pointing in the small town’s direction. “I don’t think anyone is awake, yet, it’s still a little early. Maybe a few fishermen. But we can go to the beach, and I can teach you how to use some of the runes on the slate.”

Zelda tears her eyes away from the ocean to gape at Link, eyes impossibly wide as he gives her another small smile. “Really?” she whispers, stunned.

“Yeah, of course. Come on, let’s get down from here.”

With Link’s help, they make their way down the cliff that the shrine was perched on and head down the path that leads into Lurelin Village. Like Link had predicted, there weren’t a lot of people up and about the village, the only villagers they saw being a couple men greeting them with a wave, pushing boats out into the surf as they went to gather fish.

They seemed to recognize Link, who greeted them in return with a wave and a smile, but kept walking, leading her until they were a little ways from the village.

“Right.” He says, gesturing for her to deposit her pack beneath one of the palm trees. “Before we start testing them out, I want to let you know what each rune is for –”

He lowers himself onto the sand, gripping the slate with one hand, and gestures for Zelda to sit with him. She slowly kneels, taking a moment to absorb the feel of the cool, rough grains of sand beneath her fingers, and stiffens a little when Link held the slate out to her.

“You’re supposed to hold it.” He says after a moment of her just – staring at him. “So you can learn how to use the runes. It was your slate, wasn’t it? Before. Purah said so, when we first met.”

“Uh –” Zelda stumbles, truly off foot. “I – I was only borrowing it, really. The use of the Sheikah Slate was intended for the Hero of Hyrule.”

“Oh, so we can both use it, then.”

“What?!”

Link raised an eyebrow at her, frowning. “Do I have to say it again?”

 The memory returns to her without her prompting – of Link, handing her his Champion’s tunic to wear. His words echo in her brain, along with the memory of his small, warm smile: you’re a Champion, too.

“I couldn’t have defeated the Calamity without you, you know.” Link continues. “Hyrule wouldn’t be here without you. So, you’re as much of a Hero of Hyrule as I am, in my opinion. Come on – take the slate. I know you wanna learn about these runes.”

I’m the reason there’s barely a Hyrule at all. Zelda almost says it, but she bites the words back; the thought must have shown in her face, however, because Link’s frown deepens, the slate lowered onto the sand between them.

“Zelda –”

“I know.” She interrupts. And she knows, she swears she knows. But she turns her face away, unable to look him in the eye. That wouldn’t stop him, however, as he only leans in closer and ducks his head until she finally has to find it in her to look at him.

He doesn’t say anything right away – for a moment he just…stares at her. His eyes just take her in, looking over her face, and Zelda feels like he’s looking straight into the heart of who she was. She’d forgotten how blue his eyes were. How striking.

It was unbearable.

Finally, Link must be ready to put her out of her misery, and he speaks. “…You know it wasn’t you, right? It wasn’t your fault.”

“I –”

“It was the Calamity.” He insists. “All of it. Did you taint the Divine Beasts? Did you take the Guardians and turn them on people? Did you cause these ruins?”

The lump in her throat was choking her, but Zelda forces the word past her lips, a thin whisper. She shakes her head. “N-no. No, I didn’t.”

“Then don’t blame yourself.” Link’s gaze pins her in place, makes her unable to look away from the conviction in his eyes. “It’s because of you that there are still any Hylians at all.”

Her eyes itched with the prickle of tears, and Zelda wipes her sandy palms on her trousers before swiping at her eyes, stopping the tears before they could really begin.

“Alright.” She sniffles, scooping up the slate and placing it on her lap. “Show me how to use my upgraded slate.”

She can’t express her thanks in words – she doesn’t even know where to begin - but hopefully Link could tell she was grateful. He must have, because his posture relaxes, lips curving with a smile.

“Sure. Okay, so when you hit this button here, it takes you to all the runes. Now – yeah, there – we’re going to start with cryonis –”

 -o-

 Figuring out how the runes worked was exhilarating.

Using cryonis, Link gives Zelda a boost onto one of the blocks of ice and they carefully hop across the little ice path she creates until they were a decent distance out to sea. Once there, they sit, legs hanging off the edge of their makeshift seat, and Link teaches her how to use magnesis. It was incredible, seeing the magenta outlines of treasure chests sitting at the bottom of the sea, and Zelda couldn’t help but laugh in amazement as she used the slate to pull a dripping chest onto their ice block.

Link beams at her, looking just as excited as she felt. “Great! Want to see what’s inside?”

He quickly breaks the rusted lock and pries open the chest, and Zelda gasps quietly as she takes in the large pile of rupees within. “Well, now you have a little money of your own.” Link says, poking at the rupees. “Do you want to get the other chests, or do you want to see how stasis works?”

She was so curious about stasis, of course – but she wanted to see what was in the other chests more.

After clearing out the treasure chests and wringing a promise from Link that he’d show her how the last two runes functioned, they head back to shore, one cryonis block at a time. As soon as they were back on solid ground, Link decides that it was time for lunch, even though Zelda wasn’t really hungry – but she wasn’t a great judge of that, at the moment, so she would follow Link’s lead.

After knocking down the remaining ice blocks and grabbing her bag, the pair returns to the village, which was much livelier, now - running into an elderly man standing at the docks near a raft, watching the waves with a peaceful smile.

“Ah, Link!” The man calls out as they approached. “Good to see you again! How are you? Staying out of trouble?”

“Hi, Rozel.” Link says pleasantly, smiling. “I’ve been doing alright.”

“Who’s the lovely young miss you’ve brought to our town?” Rozel extends his hand in greeting, and Zelda takes it with a smile. His palm is warm, calloused from years of island work – but his grip was soft. Kind.

“This is Zelda. We’re traveling together.”

“Zelda…” Rozel says slowly, and her shoulders tense some, her smile becoming slightly strained as the pause drags on. “Well – a beautiful name for a beautiful girl. I do hope you’re enjoying your stay here, Zelda.”

“I am, thank you.” She says, the set of her shoulders relaxing. “I haven’t been to the ocean in quite some time, so this is – it’s very nice. I really like it.”

“Good, good! I won’t keep you, then. Good to see you as always, Link!”

They continue their path back to the village, and Zelda pressed a hand to her chest to calm her racing heart.

Link suggests they make a quick stop at the inn, purchasing two beds and a place for Zelda to deposit her bag before they went in search of the cookpot to make lunch.

“Oh, it is you! Hello, Link!”

A woman calls out to them as they exit the inn, placing a basket down and making her way towards them with a wide smile. Zelda shuffles in place as Link was swept up into a hug, nervously lacing her hands in front of her chest.

“It’s so good to see you!” The woman exclaims after letting him go. “How have you been?”

“I’ve been alright, Miss Kiana. Have you all had any monster problems since I’ve last been here?”

“No, no, everything’s been fine – it’s been safe enough to go fishing properly again for a while, thank the Goddess. And who’s this? Link, you didn’t tell me you had a friend!!”

“This is Zelda.” He wraps a gentle hand around her arm and pulls her in. “We’ve been traveling together for a little while.”

“Well, any friend of Link’s is a friend of mine! Will you be staying long? You two are welcome to come by for dinner, I insist – the kids will be happy to see you again!”

“Oh –” Zelda starts a little as Link turns to look at her, waiting for her input. “Well, um – yes. Yes, that’d be lovely, thank you.”

“I have goat butter.” Link offers as he turns back to Kiana, hopeful. “And some rice.”

Kiana laughs, quickly taking the hint. “Alright – seafood paella it is.”

“You’ve gotten quite popular in my absence, haven’t you?” Zelda asks as they sit at the cookpot, watching Link select a few items from the slate – butter, milk, wheat, fish stock and vegetables from the local grocers, and a few of the blueshell snails that dotted the shore.

“I don’t think I’m that popular.” Link protests, starting a fire under the pot, and Zelda lifts a doubtful eyebrow. “I’m not!!”

“Link, Hero of Hyrule.” She continues, teasing. “A true man of the people. Here for any species in need, no matter how small the dilemma –”

He makes a face at her. “Keep making fun of me and I won’t feed you.”

But Zelda knew he was bluffing, the bowl of chowder he later presented to her quickly proving her right.

She was able to eat the entire bowl, for once, and when they finished lunch, the sun was high overhead and the weather steadily growing warmer. Zelda eventually removes her boots and socks and rolls up her trousers to walk in the cool waves of the sea, pausing here and there to pick up a shell or rock that caught her eye. “Hey.” Link calls, getting her attention. “Do you want to see what the stasis rune does now?”

He points to an abandoned camp some distance away, littered with barrels and crates, the corner of his mouth turned up in a grin. They run to the camp, and Link quickly instructs her on how to use the rune. She points the slate at a barrel, and gapes as it was ensconced in a golden light; quickly, Link starts to kick it – once, twice, three times – again and again, until the gold light turns a furious, blinking red.

And then, whatever was holding back all that momentum broke, and the barrel went flying across the beach, breaking into pieces once it hit the sand.

Zelda lets out a shocked, delighted laugh, and Link takes in her expression with a wide grin. “Let’s do that again!” She exclaims, pointing the slate at another barrel.

Once she was fully satisfied with getting all the fun she could out of the stasis rune, they continued exploring the beach, Link showing her ruins on Palmorae Beach that had led to a shrine, and a cave that contained a pool of water and hunks of ore hugging the walls.

“Okay - now I can show you the bomb rune.”

“Bo –Link, you don’t have a hammer of some kind?”

“The last one I had broke.”

“How did you break a hammer??”

“Well, it’s not like it’s hard –”

When they finally decided to return to Lurelin Village, it was nearing sunset, and Zelda was beginning to tire. There was still seafood paella from Kiana to look forward to, and she wasn’t going to miss that no matter how sleepy she was. But Link said there was one more place he wanted to go, and so Zelda trails behind him as he leads the way, occasionally stopping to hold up the Sheikah Slate.

“Alright – I think we’re here.”

‘Here’ was apparently the rock outcropping near the beach, where Link had shown her how to use the runes. She looks around, confused. “We’re back where we started the day?” She asked, “Link, I don’t –”

“Look.” He points, out towards the sea, and Zelda looks out in the direction he pointed, wondering what it was he wanted her to see. Her eyes grow wide, and her breath catches in her chest as she stares into the beginnings of a glorious sunset.

Link had brought them at a wonderful time – the sun was just starting to sink into the horizon, the sky blending into a beautiful mix of pinks, oranges, and golds. The sea opens up before them, big and wide and endless, and finally – finally, Zelda feels small.

“Oh.” She breathes, and an awed smile spreads across her lips before she could help it. “Oh, Link, this is lovely. What a wonderful view!!” She had loosened her hair from her braid halfway through the day, and long strands were tugged by the wind, making her raise a hand to brush her hair away from her face.

“Zelda.”

“Yes?” She turns to Link with a smile, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, just as the click of the slate’s camera function went off. He lowers the slate, checking out the picture that he took, and Zelda feels her face heat up as he smiles slightly, nodding to himself.

“Did – did you take a picture of me?” she asked, bemused.

“I did.”

“Why?”

He shrugs, hooking the slate back onto his hip. “It was a very photogenic moment; the sunset looked really nice…and you looked happy.”

Zelda could only hope that the heat of the day could cover up the blush that was crawling across her face, and she pressed the back of an embarrassed hand to her cheek. Link was so honest now, so ready to say the things on his mind – she was still getting used to it.

Link, it appeared, didn’t seem to notice how just – just saying things like that has an effect on people, and was looking back at Lurelin Village, torchlight slowly appearing now that the dark bruise colors of dusk began to spread across the sky.

“Kiana probably has dinner ready.” He offers a hand to her, like it was easier than anything – like it wasn’t something that threw her off every time, him touching her. The fact that he wanted to touch her. “Ready to go?”

Slowly, Zelda reaches out and places her hand into his.

Even though it was so different, she couldn’t resist the urge to reach out and hold onto him, every time.

“Yes.”

Chapter Text

Link makes the decision that they would stay in Lurelin Village for two more days.

It was easy to make happen, since he had so much he wanted to show the Princess, anyway; there were plenty of things to do to pass the days. The first day, they spent half of it exploring the beaches beyond Lurelin Village, showing her the rocky tunnels he’d found, lined with pools of water and hunks of ore along the walls, and the tide pools full of fish and coral – and the occasional treasure chest or two. He made sure they took a break, halfway through their explorations, feet resting in the tide pool as they ate lunch.

While they ate, the Princess poked through the Sheikah Slate, taking occasional, distracted bites between her navigation. There was a frown on her face, and it was growing the longer she scrolled, and Link was about to ask the Princess if something was wrong when she looked over at him, accusing. He tensed up a little, dizzy at the wave of déjà vu that overcame him from that look – he must have gotten it a lot, before. From what he could remember, he felt sure of it.

“The compendium is empty!!!” She cried out, jabbing a finger at the slate. “I – it took me ages to record everything! And it’s gone!!”

The tension flowed out of him as quickly as it appeared, and Link almost laughed outright, but he held it back in time. “I’m sorry.” He said sheepishly. “I did get started on it, but I got so busy I forgot about it.”

The Princess pursed her lips at that, lunch completely forgotten as she switched the slate to the camera rune. “Well,” she said grimly, rising to her feet in determination, “let’s get started on fixing that.”

They spent the remainder of the first day scouring the beaches, the Princess taking pictures of whatever she could find for the compendium until the sky was burnished gold from the sunset, the sun slowly sinking into the horizon. Link had to use the slate to take them back to Lurelin, as after a day full of movement, the Princess was too tired to walk back. He made sure to keep a careful eye on her as they ate dinner and prepared for bed at the inn, and she seemed – fine. She was fine.

He continued to check on her as they went to bed – in separate beds, to avoid any gossip – and Link didn’t close his eyes until he saw the Princess’ breathing slow, evening out into the deep rhythms of sleep.

Link didn’t know when he fell asleep, continuing to watch over the Princess long after she fell into slumber, but he was quickly shaken awake by the innkeeper, eyes wide and form outlined with gold light. “Is your friend – is she okay??” She whispered, and Link was awake in an instant, throwing off the blankets and jumping to his feet.

In the bed next to his, the Princess was asleep, curled up on her side – but that golden light was back, shimmering under her skin as she clutched at her blankets, pulling them to her chest as her breath caught in her throat.

Link felt his heart sink into his gut, but he quickly shook it off, turning to the innkeeper. “I’ve got it, miss Chessica,” He said softly. “It’s okay. Just – don’t tell anyone about it. Please?”

He didn’t want their journey to continue with rumors dogging at their heels, whispers of the legends of the Goddess Princess and her Hero meeting them wherever they went. If the Princess wanted the world to know who she was, he wanted it to happen when she was ready.

He didn’t move until Chessica jerkily nodded at him, waits until she leaves, the door a quiet snap behind her, and then he pulls the blanket off his bed and moves to the Princess’ side, quickly sliding onto the bed next to her and throwing the extra blanket over her despite the heat.

“Zelda,” he whispered, sliding as close as possible to her and pressing a hand to her cheek. “It’s okay. It’s just a nightmare.”

Her skin was warm as sunlight, and gold light streamed through the cracks in his fingers as the Princess’ hand snatched out to clutch at his sleep shirt, nails catching onto the fabric.

Link couldn’t help but feel sad as he continues to whisper to the Princess that it was alright, that she wasn’t there anymore, and he tries to push the feeling down in frustration. He wasn’t expecting this to be an instant fix – it wouldn’t be fair, to want something like that. He still has nightmares himself, sometimes, of things that happened and things that didn’t; he still dreams of the Calamity, a churning red cloud screaming into the sky as it appeared. He dreams of the deaths of the Champions, the Guardians and their relentless pursuit, and of the Princess throwing herself in front of him, hand raised as she used her own body to shield him, but no light appears to protect them both as the Guardian fires.

Things weren’t going to suddenly be okay overnight – he knew that. But…he was still sad. He didn’t want to see her suffer anymore.

“Wake up, Zelda.” He hums, brushing a thumb over her cheek. “It’s alright, now. You’re not there anymore, it’s okay.”

She stirs, slowly, and opens her eyes, showing Link glowing gold irises. “It’s alright.” He repeats. “You’re here now, remember? You’re with me. It’s okay.”

He reassures her until the light vanishes, leaving the Princess lying there, looking at him with tired eyes. “Link…” She whispers. “I’m sorry.”

Link shakes his head, pulling the extra blanket he tossed onto the bed up to their ears. “Why are you sorry? It’s fine.” He promises. “I still have bad dreams, too, sometimes. Don’t apologize. Just go back to sleep, okay? I’ll be right here.”

“Promise?” She whispers, eyes already drifting closed.

“I promise.” He confirms, keeping his hand pressed to her cheek, watching over her until she went back to sleep. Eventually, he went back to sleep, too.

The Princess seemed subdued, when they awoke on their second day at Lurelin Village, but Link hoped to wipe that melancholy away with a quick breakfast and a trip to that heart-shaped pond the locals have told him about.

“Really, Link.” She huffs as they walk. “Does every location have to be a surprise?”

“Yes.” He says, resolute, and tucked his head to hide a smile as she scoffs, exasperated. It was a perfect summer’s day, warm and not a cloud in sight, and Link wants to get to the pond before it got too hot out. The stalks of grass wave in time with the breeze, and when looking over at the Princess, he was happy to see a content look on her face, taking in the scenery around her.

He was glad to see the subdued air she had around her that morning had cleared, though he knew it wouldn’t last forever – everyone had bad days.

“Are we almost there, at least?” The Princess asks, raising an eyebrow at him, and Link quickly checks the map on the Sheikah Slate, looking at how close they were to the stamp he placed. “We’re getting close.” He confirmed. “It’s just over here – come on.”

The heart-shaped pond looked exactly like he remembered when he first found it, flowers and stems of hearty radishes waving in the breeze as the water glittered under the sun. “The locals back in Lurelin told me about this.” He explains as he moves towards the pond. “There’s an old myth that if you go to this pond, you’ll meet the person you’re meant to be with. There was a Hylian trying to ask a Gerudo out, when I got here, but he was nervous, so I had to help a little bit. But it’s a nice place – and radishes grow really well around here, which is good for stocking up on supplies.”

Link’s ears twitch as he notices that there no matching footsteps following him, and he stops, turning to stare at the Princess who was looking at the pond, face bright pink.

“…Zelda?” He asks carefully. “Are you alright?”

She snaps out of whatever trance she was in and scramble to catch up with him, face still flushed. “Fine!” She squeaks, suddenly unable to look him in the eyes. “I’m fine, I just – I’ve heard stories about this place. Before.” She still looked embarrassed, but her eyes were bright as she looked over the pond, “I’ve never been able to see it in person, though.”

The Princess finally turns to him, and the smile she gives him warms him to his toes. “Thank you, Link. It’s very nice!”

Suddenly he became the bashful one, and kicks at the grass, looking away to the edge of the pond. “I’m glad.” He mumbles, pleased. “That’s good. Do you want to stay for a while? Or do you want to go back to the village?”

“I’m fine with staying here right now. Besides –” The Princess reaches out, plucking the slate from his hands. “I need to add the radishes to the compendium! Should we dig some out, and take a picture of the whole thing? Or maybe just the stalk is enough –”

“Hold it!” He takes the slate back before she could get too far, and the Princess gapes at her empty hands, blinking rapidly. “You should eat something first. It’s been a while since breakfast.”

“It hasn’t been that long.” She grumbles, petulant, watching him poke at the screen. “When did you even make time to cook? I didn’t even see you!!”

“I made time.” Link says firmly, as blue streaks of light began to form together in his hand. “Anyway, here –”

A loaf of banana bread formed, wrapped up in Korok leaves to keep it warm. “I had some mighty bananas that were getting too ripe, and I had to do something about them before they spoiled. I’ll cut you a slice, and then you can take pictures of all the radishes you want.”

“You didn’t have to.” The Princess mumbles as she took the offered slice. “I don’t want to be –”

“Don’t finish that sentence.” Link warns her, scowling as he cuts himself a slice of banana bread. “Zelda, it’s fine. I like cooking. And it’s nice to not have to cook for myself.”

That was partially false – he cooked for people at the stables, before, when he was on his own; he always made more than he needed, so he found himself sharing with whoever was sitting by the cookpot with him quite a lot. But this was different.

At least the admission softened the Princess enough to eat without complaint, and she finishes her snack without any issue. Link cuts another slice for himself, watching the Princess as she skirts around the edges of the pond, Sheikah Slate in hand as she tries to find the perfect angle to capture a photo of the hearty radish stalk.

“Link!” She calls over her shoulder. “Hurry up and finish eating! I want to take a picture of the entire radish to compare!”

Her eyes were alight with determination, and Link hid his smile by stuffing his remaining slice of banana bread into his mouth, jogging over to her side to help her out.

Their second day at Lurelin Village passed by just as well as the days before, and the end of the day found Link staring at the slate as the Princess prepares for bed, trying to decide where to go next. He had a few stickers placed across the map, and he was considering one a little ways north of Lurelin Village. Judging the distance, he guessed that it would take a day or so to reach the destination, which wasn’t too bad – he would ask the Princess if she was fine with leaving tomorrow.

With that decided, Link moves from the map to the camera gallery, looking over the pictures that had been taken in the last two days. There were a lot of pictures from the Princess, stills of fish and plants and beetles that she spent the days capturing, and eventually he landed on the last photo he took. He considers it for a moment, staring at the Princess, bathed in the light of sunset and tucking a lock of hair behind her ear with a smile, and then moves on – searching for a photo he had taken months prior. Link stares at the same stretch of land near the beach, empty and colored by the sunset, and rapidly flips between the pictures to compare.

A world without the Princess, and this new one, with her in it.

It settled something in him, seeing the difference, and Link sent the camera rune away, clipping the slate to his belt and staring up at the starry sky for a moment before returning to the inn. The Princess was just settling in as he entered, hair tossed over her shoulder as she carefully braided it for bed.

Link quickly retreated to change, and then pulled his blanket off his bed to drag it to the Princess’ bed, sitting atop her blankets and throwing it over their legs. Chessica kept quiet, just as he asked, and he was grateful – but it was probably best that he be close from the start. Maybe it would keep the nightmares away; it’s worked best for them so far.

“Do you want to head out tomorrow?” He asks as the Princess ties off her braid, and she smiles at him, indulgent. “Do you already have a destination in mind?” She asks, and he nods. “Yeah – we’d have to walk, though, if that’s alright with you. It’d only take a couple days, I think, if the weather’s good.”

“Well...” She hums, brow furrowing as she takes some time to think about it. Tapping her finger against her chin, she nods sharply, a decision made. “I think I can do it. I’ve felt much better, as of late.”

Link believes her, because she looks better, too; there was a healthy flush to her skin from days spent in the sun, replacing the ghostly pallor of a century locked away.

“You’ll let me know if you need rest.” He checks in, just wanting to be sure, and the Princess nods, burrowing beneath the blankets. “I will. I promise.”

He lies down after that, pulling his blanket over his shoulder, and he just – looks at her. The Princess stares back, eyes starting to drift shut before she pries them back open to stare at him some more. She looks like she has a question she wants to ask, just sitting on the tip of her tongue, and so Link waits, wondering what she was about to say.

“Link…” She finally says, sleepy. “Will you, tomorrow…perhaps you could tell me of your journeys, while we travel?”

She was ready to sleep, eyes stubbornly drooping and fluttering closed, but she wouldn’t give in until she got an answer. Link remembers her standing in his home, asking to hear of his travels, how he saw the world after a century of sleep, and, well. He did say that he would tell her.

“Yeah.” He answers slowly. “Yeah, I’ll tell you. I did promise. Be ready, though – it’s a really long story.”

“I look forward to it.” She sighs, finally falling asleep. Link watches over her slumber, just for a moment, counting out her deep, even breathing. Carefully, he reaches out and stretches his arm around her, placing a careful hand on her back. Even through two layers of blankets, she was so warm – and Link was glad for it.

His breathing gradually fell in time with hers, in and out, slow and deep, and before he knew it, he had fallen asleep, too.

 -o-

When Link awoke the next day, he was alone, hand resting on a cool, empty space beside him.

The Princess was gone.

He felt a spike of panic, just for a second, but quickly pushed that aside – old anxieties from days long past. Wherever she went, she couldn’t have gone far, so he slips out of bed to search for her, exiting the inn and standing on the steps, squinting in the morning light.

Thankfully, he didn’t have to look far.

She was at the beach, sitting in the sand as the surf washed over her knees, soaking her sleep clothes. She was just – sitting there, watching the sun rise, and it was only until Link got closer that he saw that the Princess was glowing. Her eyes were open but distant, dreamy – like she wasn’t entirely there, and it made him worry.

The tide comes forward, pulls away, and she drags her fingers through it, streaks of gold pulling away from her skin and swirling in time with the seafoam before dissolving into nothing.

“Are you okay?” He sits next to her, uncaring of the water soaking into his pants, and the Princess stirs from her reverie, blinking as she looks away from the sunrise.

“Yes.” She sighs, turning to him with a smile. “Just dreaming.”

“Good dreams?” He hopes they were, and they must have been; the light under her skin was soft, muted – nothing like the violent, blinding glow that occurs when she’s panicked, when she’s scared.

“Mm. Yes. I was –” She holds up a hand, and the water that dripped off it looked like beads of molten gold. “I was dreaming about – well. Sometimes, when I – when I was in the Calamity, I could…slip away. In a sense.”

Link lifts an eyebrow, confused, and when the Princess looks over at him, she laughs at the look on his face. “I know. It’s hard to explain. It’s like –”

Her brows wrinkle as she mulls over her words. “It was like…I was still there, keeping the Calamity contained, but I was also…somewhere else. I was in the wind, and the grass, and the water. I was in the rain, and the sunshine…I…it all just feels like a dream I barely remember. But I remember the feeling.”

Lowering her hand, she laughs, the sound so bright. “All this to say I slept very well! Your company probably helped, too. Thank you, Link.”

She smiles at him, and Link could do nothing but stare.

The Princess was different from what he remembered.

In almost every memory he gathered, the Princess always seemed irrevocably sad, spine stiff and shoulders heavy with a burden he didn’t know how to help with. But this Princess…though she was still victim to melancholy, she was…looser. Her smiles came easier – she was just as goofy as he remembered, but here, in the present, she gets to laugh more.

She had changed – but he didn’t mind it. You’re different than what I remember, he wants to say, and she probably thinks he’s different, too. Link knows she does, from the startled glances every time he reaches out to touch her, or the pleased light in her eyes as they trade soft jabs at each other. Like they were friends.

And they – they must have been friends back then, eventually. Right?

The moment goes as quickly as it comes, and Link sighs quietly, smiling at her. “I’m glad. Do you think you’re ready to head out? If we leave now, we might make it to the stable before dark.”

Brushing away the sand clinging to his hands, he rises to his feet, offering the Princess his hands to pull her up. That startled bewilderment appears again, but only for a second, quickly replaced with a smile as she placed her hands in his, laughing lightly as he rocks back on his heels to pull her up.

“Sorry about your pajamas.” She says as they walk back to the inn, gesturing to their soaked clothes, and Link shrugs. “It’s alright. We’ll just wash them when we get the chance.”

Packing up was easy, as the Princess already had most of her things tucked away into her pack, and Link just used the Sheikah Slate for everything at this point. So once they bathed and dressed, they said their goodbyes and thanks to Chessica and made their way out of Lurelin Village, deciding to eat the remaining banana bread as their breakfast instead of lingering to make something new.

“Now, Link.” The Princess says as they slowly make their way up the hill, Lurelin Village and the endless, stretching horizon of the sea growing smaller with each step. “I remember that you promised me a story?”

Her smile she gives him is cheeky, ears twitching slightly as she waits, and Link couldn’t resist grinning back at her, the anticipation contagious.

“Sure.” He says easily – stories were always the easiest thing he could give. “I don’t remember much, from when I was asleep; I don’t even know if I dreamed. But the first thing I see when waking up was this light –”

As they walk, Link tells the Princess his story, as though she wasn’t the first voice whispering in his ear after a century; like she didn’t encourage him, guide him, hope for his safety – all while keeping a demon at bay. She occasionally interjects, telling him her side of certain moments – what she saw, what she felt. What she could remember. Eventually the clear blue skies were shrouded by the thick, lush canopies of the jungles of Faron, and Link reaches out without thinking to grab her hand, keep her close.

The walls of plants and trees on either side of them felt claustrophobic, the way they pressed in, and Link knew very well how easy it was to get pulled in by the lush greenery, something always catching your eye and pulling you in until you lose the path. He discovered many wonderful things that way, yes – but it wasted daylight, too.

The Princess starts at the sudden touch, and Link pauses in his storytelling, an apology sitting on his tongue - but slowly her fingers curled around his, and she encourages him to continue.

So he keeps talking to her – about his journeys around the Great Plateau, about the strange old man that guided his way. He told her about the towers, and the shrines, and how he thought that they were…fun; he enjoyed the challenge of the ones he’s found, each one a puzzle in their own way. The Princess brightens up at the mention of the shrines and practically vibrating with questions, and he laughs as they come spilling out, doing his best to answer what he could.

Link steers them back on track once her questions had been exhausted, continuing his tale – working his way through the shrines, learning about the runes, his first terrifying experience with a Guardian –

“It couldn’t move.” He recalls when the Princess’ grip tightened on his hand. “I didn’t even know what it was called, yet – but I saw it, and I couldn’t breathe.”

He wouldn’t linger on that for long; there was so much he had to say.

By the time they crossed the Floria Bridge to the Lakeside Stable, it was nearing dusk, and Link was telling the Princess about how the strange old man that had been helping him had revealed himself, telling him of is true identity as Hyrule’s last king – and of what caused the country to collapse a century ago.

At the mention of her father, the Princess’ expression falls slightly, and they slow to a stop a few feet away from the stable’s entrance.

“Did he…” Her voice was small as she stares down at their joined hands, unable to look Link in the eye. “Did he – did he say anything? About me?”

Her eyes were so sad, despondent - and that just wouldn’t do. That wouldn’t do at all.

Link doesn’t say anything until she looks at him, and then he gives her a little smile. “He said that you were dear to him.” He easily admitted. “And brave. And that all he wanted was for me to save you.”

The film of tears made her eyes look even glassier, and the Princess leans into him to rest her forehead against his shoulder. She sighs, though it came out sounding more like a sob, and Link herds them into the stable, paying for one bed and asking for an extra blanket.

Link didn’t want to end the day on such a sad note, leaving the Princess in such a low state. He watches over her, as he makes dinner – carrot stew, with a little hearty truffle shaved in, to help keep her strength up. She didn’t ask to stop for a break once, during their walk, and that left Link feeling optimistic; that this outing really would help her recover the way he hoped.

She seemed to come back to herself, once he hands her a bowl of finished stew, and starts up a light conversation as they eat. “We’ll be continuing to our destination tomorrow?” She asks, and Link makes a noise of confirmation around a spoonful of food.

“We should try and head out in the morning, weather permitting. It shouldn’t take us too long, getting there; you handled the distance really well so far.”

The Princess preens around a mouthful of carrot. “I’ve been feeling much stronger – nothing like how I was before – before the Calamity, but…I still feel the difference!”

She looks so proud at getting her strength back, and Link was just happy that he was able to take her mind off such a sad topic, at least for a little while. He was able to keep up the light air until they went to bed, sliding under their respective blankets and curling up to face each other, like they always do. The Princess blinks slowly at him, and he blinks in return; she looks tired, but it was a good tired, this time, from constant movement – nothing like the early days in Kakariko, where Link was worried that he would wake up one day to find her gone.

“Link.” She whispers as he puts an arm over her, pressing a hand against her back. “After my father – he – what happened next?”

She was asking for more of the story, and Link hums, tapping his fingers against her back. “He gave me a paraglider.” He whispers back, like it’s a secret. “It’s a tool that – with it, I can fly.”

“I remember that.” She said, her voice so soft; he likes the feeling of them whispering to each other, buried beneath the blankets. It makes him feel like they were in their own little bubble, stuck in their own world. “When you jumped off the Great Plateau, I thought - it looks…frightening. Wonderful. You can really fly?”

“I can.” He swears. “I’ll show you, one day.”

“I can’t wait.” She smiles, and Link continues with his journey to Kakariko to find Impa. She fell asleep while he was describing how it felt to find the Dueling Peaks Stable, seeing Hylians for the first time after days on his own; his voice was hoarse, from so much talking, but he kept whispering, even though she was sleeping, until his voice drifted off.

They woke in the morning to oppressive, muggy heat and an ominous rumble of thunder, and Link groans, sitting up and pushing his sweat-damp hair away from his face. He noticed that they kicked their blankets off, in the night, and the Princess groggily looks up at him, rubbing sleep out of her eyes. “What time is it?” She yawns. “Is it still early?”

Link could tell that it was late morning, which was odd; he rarely slept past sunrise, these days.

“It’s still morning, but it’s a little late.” He speaks. “We’ll have to move quick, so we can beat the storm.”

“A storm?” That woke the Princess up a little more, and her eyes flash with worry. “Should we just…stay here?”

Another rumble of thunder came, and Link cocks his head to the side, listening to it. “It’s on the way.” He announces. “But not for a while, yet. We can beat it, if you’re up for it.”

“I…yes. Alright. But we must be quick.”

There was no time to cook anything, so a quick breakfast of apples would have to do, the Princess adamant at getting on the road as quickly as possible to outrun the storm. She was jumpy at each flash of lightning, shoulders tightening at each crack of thunder, growing louder as the storm neared.

Link probably had a good idea why.

“Zelda, it’s okay.” He reassures her. “Storms happen in Faron all the time; it’ll be gone the further we go.”

She gives him a tight nod, but doesn’t say anything else, a muscle in her jaw jumping from how tightly she was clenching her teeth. He wracks his brain, trying to figure out a way to keep her mind off the weather. “Do you want me to keep telling you the story?” He offers, and she nods jerkily, reaching out to grasp his arm.

“Do you remember where we stopped?”

“You –” Her voice was a hoarse whisper, and she licked her lips. “You had…just gotten to the stable at Dueling Peaks...”

“Right.”

He resumed his stream of words, to help keep the Princess’ mind off the weather, watching her out the corner of his eye as they continue traveling through the jungle. She relaxes more and more as the storm clouds crawl away, blue skies and streaks of sunlight taking its place, and by the time they reached the Zonai Ruins, she had completely loosened up from his side, taking the Sheikah Slate to take pictures of the stone monuments.

“I always wondered about the Zonai.” She murmurs to herself, brushing a hand over the worn, stony surface of the ruins. “It was so curious – not a trace of them to be found, except for these structures. I wondered, since their ruins are located near the Spring of Courage…they possibly could have been worshipers of the ancient golden goddesses, instead of Hylia.”

She taps at her chin, considering the ruins, but eventually they move on; the heat of the day was worsening by the hour, and the humidity wasn’t helping either. By the time Link saw the bridge, letting him know their destination was close, he had removed his undershirt, and the Princess had braided her hair back to keep it off her neck, the two of them shining with sweat.

“We’re almost there.” He announces, and they pick up the pace.

He sighs in relief as the Bridge of Hylia comes into view. “We made it.” He says, relieved, and the Princess slows, looking around in confusion. The bridge was as empty as he remembered, a broken cart and rotting barrels and crates resting in the center by the dried-out fountain. In the distance, he could see the peak of Hyrule Castle, but he didn’t worry – they wouldn’t be up here for long.

“Your…next destination was the Bridge of Hylia?” The Princess asks, hesitant, and Link shakes his head. “Not the bridge.” He gestures down to Lake Hylia below. “We’re going down there.”

“The lake?” Now she sounded even more confused. “What for?”

Link smiles. “It’s a surprise, remember? But until then, I think cooling off with a swim is reasonable enough. We can pass the time that way, until then.”

“Swimming…” She says slowly, considering him. “We came all this way…for swimming. Weren’t we just at the beach?”

Her gaze was sharp, trying to see through him to his real intent, but Link wouldn’t give it away; he still had an excellent poker face. “Not for swimming.” He emphasizes. “That’s just a way to pass the time.”

“How are we going to get down there?”

“Well, I was going to let you choose. Do you want to go by slate, or do you want to do the paraglider?”

“The paraglider?” That stopped her short, eyes widening. “Who – how – do you really think that it can carry the both of us?”

“I don’t see why not.” Link shrugs. “And I did promise to show you.”

The Princess was intrigued, but hesitant, warily eyeing the long drop down to the lake. “Hey.” He reaches out to touch her arm, soothing. “It’ll be fine. Do you trust me?”

She pressed her lips into a thin line, clutching at her pack with a white knuckled grip. “…With my life.” She finally says, eyes firmly locking onto his.

“Then it’ll be okay.” He vows.

Still somewhat wary, the Princess watches as he pulls the paraglider from the slate, hooking it back on his hip and unfolding the contraption. “You’ve gotta hold onto me for this.” He explains. “So get on my back and hold on tight.”

Adjusting her pack once more, she climbs onto his back, hooking her legs around his waist and her arms beneath his; she didn’t want to wrap her arms around his neck and choke him on accident. “Are you positive that this is going to work?” She asks meekly as Link walks to the side of the bridge, paraglider at the ready.

“Yes.” He answers, putting all his confidence in his voice. Hylia Island was in his sights, and he made sure he had a straight shot to it. “I’m pretty sure this is enchanted; it survived a lot of stuff it shouldn’t have, so I think it can handle carrying two people. Just don’t let go, okay?”

“I won’t.” She says, voice small, and her grip tightens on his tunic as he holds the paraglider overhead. He inhales deeply, exhaling slowly as he bends his knees – and then he jumped off the bridge.

For a moment, they sank like a stone in the air, and the Princess let out a thin scream before the wind gathered in their sail and jerked them to a stop, turning their descent to a smooth glide. Link couldn’t see her face, but he heard her laughter – breathless, disbelieving as it was carried off by the wind.

-o-

Once they settled on Hylia Island, the Princess finds a slight issue.

“Link!” She cries out. “I don’t have anything to swim in!!”

“Oh.” He pauses for a moment, considering. “What about just swimming in your underclothes?”

He never bothered buying any kind of swimming clothes in his travels, and it didn’t come to mind when they were in Lurelin; they didn’t really swim when they were there.

That suggestion made the Princess flush pink to the tips of her ears. “I can’t do that!!” She exclaims, pressing her hands to her cheeks. “That’s – that’s not – no!!” She looked so embarrassed that Link immediately felt bad for suggesting that, and he wracked his brain for ideas. “Well, you can’t swim in your clothes, so…oh!”

He snaps his fingers. “Zelda, do you still have that Sheikah top? The one Paya gave you?”

“…Yes?”

“Okay, get that. And – hold on –”

Grabbing the Sheikah Slate, Link quickly looks through his armor collection, eyes dancing across the screen until he finds what he wanted. Light coalesces between them, and the Princess’ eyes widen as his set of Zora armor forms at their feet, neatly folded.

“Here.” He offers the Princess the Zora greaves. “You can wear these. They’ll help you swim a little faster, too.”

Her movements were hesitant as she reaches out, slowly taking the greaves into her hands. “…Link –” She starts, but he shakes his head, cutting her off. “It’s fine.” He insists. “I’ll wear the armor too, so you won’t feel left out. Go ahead and change.”

He turns from her and moves to another part of the island to change, giving her a moment of privacy. When he returns, decked out in the Zora armor and his undershorts, the Princess was nervously shuffling in place, running a finger over the overlapping scales on the greaves.

“Are you sure this is fine??” She immediately asks as soon as he was close enough. “I don’t – this armor, did –”

“Yes.” He confirms. “Mipha made it for me.”

He reaches up, pressing his palm against the fine fabric, feeling his heartbeat against the fine scales. “I didn’t know of it until I went to Zora’s domain to free Vah Ruta. I –”

“Do you miss them?” The Princess blurts out, and she winces but doesn’t take the words back, and – well. Link makes a soft noise but doesn’t give her an answer right away; instead, he gestures towards the water, offering her a hand that she slowly accepts.

The water was refreshingly cold, as they slowly waded in, and Link sighed at getting some relief from the oppressive heat. He’d forgotten how clear the water was, how easily he could see the fish darting around, the rocks that covered the lakebed, and the cloudy darkness of deeper waters ahead. He could feel the Princess’ eyes on him, and he turns to face her, wading deeper into the water. “I’m not ignoring you.” He reaches up, tugging at his earring. “I just…don’t know how to answer.”

The Princess follows him into deeper waters, and he presses his lips together, unsure. “…I don’t know. If I miss them. It’s like –”

He stops, considering his words. “It’s like…a dream. Like a whole different life that wasn’t mine. It still feels like it all just…happened to someone else. And I – I think I miss them. But it’s in a rather…abstract way. It’s not – as sharp as it should be. Does that make sense?”

Link looks over at the Princess, hoping she understood, and oh – her eyes were so sad. It made his heart ache. “Yes.” She whispers tightly, and she suddenly looked so close to tears that he wonders what he said wrong. “Yes, I – I understand.”

She says she understands – but does she really, given how sad his answer made her? He didn’t know how to ask, and she swam away before he could try.

This wasn’t how he thought the day at Lake Hylia would go, he thinks, a sour feeling spreading across his tongue – upsetting the Princess before the day was half over. That must be a world record.

Link watches her swim away from him, the flex of muscles in her back as she cut across the water, and sighs loudly, flipping onto his back to let himself float across the water, staring at the shadow of birds that soared across the sky.

He wondered if she was hurt, that she couldn’t remember the Champions well enough – that she was the only one who did. Link could recall them in those flashes of memory, in the quick conversations he had with their spirits before he was whisked away…but nothing near to how he must have known them, before.

Aah, this wouldn’t do – he was doing all this to lighten her sadness, not make it worse. Huffing in frustration, Link rights himself and began to swim, strokes long and powerful as he moves further out into the lake. He thinks back on the days they spent at Lurelin, and how it was – it was good. It was almost familiar, how he was at her heels as she ran back and forth across the beach, Sheikah Slate in hand. Aside from the moment with the slate, he was able to successfully keep the sorrow away from her eyes, to always see her smile.

His whole reason for doing this was to show her how life pushed on despite everything, growing from the ruins, and that there was still a world to know – that something came out of all this pain, after all.

Cold water splashed against his cheeks as he made his way back to Hylia Island, where the Princess waited for him, sitting on the rocks and wringing water out of her hair. Her expression was unreadable as she stares down at her lap, legs still submerged in the water, but once she saw him near, her lips curved into a slight smile.

“Coming here to swim was a good idea.” She said lightly. “I feel much more refreshed now – thank you.”

“Are you still sad?” He asks bluntly, wading out of the water and sitting next to her as she jumps at his straightforward question. It was rather abrupt of him, but he wanted to cut to the heart of the matter, not dance around each other with cautious words.

The Princess' teeth sink into her lower lip. “I – hm.”

“You just looked so sad, after I answered your question.” He continues as she twirls a damp lock of hair around her finger. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

The Princess sighs, so quiet, and turns her head to face him with a sad smile – a horribly familiar expression. “I think I’ll always be sad, Link.” She says quietly, a tinge of resignation in her tone. “I miss our friends and family. I – I miss the way the world was, before. The towns, the people. Some days will just be harder than others, I suppose.”

Link wasn’t sure he liked that, and he frowns, biting at the inside of his cheek. It doesn’t seem fair; the Princess stated it like it was just a fact of life – that she would always be meant for sorrow.

“I think it’s fair to be sad, sometimes.” He says slowly, dragging a foot through the water. “But – Zelda. I don’t want you to be sad forever. It’s true that the world isn’t going to be like how it was before, but – I think there’s still good things out there. It still has a lot to offer, despite - despite everything.”

“You think so?” Her tone was so wistful that it broke his heart.

“I know so.” He states firmly, confident, “I’ll prove it.”

He didn’t want her to despair forever; he wanted to remind her that there’s still beauty in the world – that there were still discoveries and magic and wonder. Though it tried to, the Calamity didn’t wipe it all away.

“You’ll prove it.” She repeats, laughing quietly. “Well…alright. I look forward to it.”

“You can count on me. Don’t lose heart, Zelda.”

There were good things to find in this world – and he’d show her.

Starting tonight.

 -o-

“Come on, Zelda – you’ve gotta stay awake.”

“Link.” She groans, swatting at the hand that gently shakes her shoulder. “How much longer?? I’m so tired.”

Their day at Lake Hylia passed uneventfully, spent swimming or reclining in the cool waters to escape the heat. Eventually the Princess gave in to her usual urge to wander and made her way around the little island, picking up smooth lake rocks that caught her eye and putting them into her bag. Link made sure to pull her back every now and then from swimming or wandering to eat something, and he resumed telling her the long, winding tales of his journey at her request.

When the sun finally began to sink into the sky, Link walked off to make a fire and give the Princess a moment of privacy to change out of her soaked clothes. He had caught some fish, earlier, a few Hylian bass, and they were roasting on sticks by the time the Princess returned to take a place by the fire.

The silence between them was comfortable as they ate, and the Princess laid back against the rocks once she was done with her food, resting her hands against her stomach as she stared up at the stars. She’s wide eyed, wondrous, as the Princess has been every time she looked up to see the stars – and it was fair, Link figured, since she couldn’t see the stars for such a long time.

She asks him to join her, after a moment, and the two spend some time looking at the stars, Link pointing out the constellations and the Princess explaining what they meant, each time – even though she probably knew them better than he ever could.

As it got later in the evening, she starts to doze off, head lolling to the side, and Link felt awful when he shook her awake, every time.

“It’s not much longer.” He soothes. “Just a few minutes, now. Come on, stand up.”

He helps the Princess to her feet, and the two of them shuffle to the edge of the island, cold lake water lapping over their toes, the sharp bite of it refreshing. Link had to check the Sheikah Slate, just to make sure that his promise wasn’t false, and was relieved to see that his answer was true – just a few minutes left, now.

“Link, what are we waiting for?” The Princess asked after taking a few deep breaths to wake herself up. “It’s not the stars, is it? I assume not, since we were stargazing for hours –”

“No, not that.” He assures her “It’s –”

He hesitated, not wanting to ruin the surprise. “It’s, well…I don’t want to spoil it. You’ve probably already seen them before, since you – you traveled and everything, before. But –”

Link drags a hand through his hair, free of his hair tie and damp from the lake. “I just wanted you to see her. I don’t know why but – she’s my favorite, out of the three.”

The Princess opens her mouth, probably to ask what on earth he was talking about but didn’t get the chance as something burst out of the lake.

Cold drops of water misted over them, and her eyes go wide at the long, serpentine body that rose out of the lake, clawing at the air as she climbs higher and higher into the sky, and Link watches contentedly as Farosh appears to make her nightly rounds.

The air seemed to vibrate, whenever the dragon was around, and Link felt his hair stand on end at the level of magic in the air, clinging to his skin like static. Sparks of lightning radiated from her scales, and the bright green lights reflected in the Princess’ wide eyes, making them look electric.

She’d raised her hands when he wasn’t looking, as though she was trying to reach out and touch the dragon, and – something in the Princess rose up to meet the magic hanging heavily in the air, the resonance ringing like the high chime of a bell. Slowly, light spread across her skin, but Link wasn’t afraid – it was the soft, muted glow of contentment.

Farosh’s great eyes roll around, taking in the landscape, and for a second, Link felt as though she was looking over them, considering them before continuing her path, clawing across the sky.

The Princess’ laughter was breathless, amazed, and her eyes when she looked over at Link were luminous. “This is incredible.” She breathes, bringing her hands back to her sides. “Thank you, Link.”

She turns her gaze back to Farosh, and Link’s fingers twitched towards the slate, unable to resist switching on the camera rune and capturing the light of her smile.

Chapter Text

“Link.” Zelda whispers, barely breathing. “Do you see this?”

“Mm.”

“Can you grab the slate?”

He was two steps ahead of her, Sheikah Slate already in hand, and Zelda did her best to stay as still as possible, holding her breath as she gapes at the warm darner resting on the tip of her finger.

The ‘click’ of the camera rune sounded unbearably loud in the silence, and Zelda flops back into the tall grass as the darner floats from her fingertip and darts off, startled by the noise. “Oh, the bugs are always the hardest to get.” She sighs, looking over to where Link sat in the grass, just within arm’s reach. “Did we get it? How does it look?”

Link quietly hands her the slate, and Zelda holds it overhead, squinting against the sunlight. “Wow!” She cries out, pleased. “You got it!” She stares at the picture of the darner, the camera zoomed in as close as Link could put it to capture it, and smiles widely, looking over the blend of colors in its wings. “Excellent work, Sir Knight.” She praises happily. “We’ll fill up this compendium yet.”

Link lets out a soft huff of laughter, and Zelda’s eyes close, lowering the slate and letting it rest on her stomach. The grass surrounding her sways and rustles with the breeze, and she feels like if she just – if she just keeps her eyes closed, she could tell herself she was back home – back before all this.

She could almost imagine it now – the metallic clattering of armor and weaponry, the voices and laughter of men, the collision of weapons and grunts of effort as they sparred. The groan of carriages and the rhythmic clip of horse hooves. Her knight, who knew her, who remembered her, always quietly at her side – it could almost feel like that, if she tried hard enough.

But in the end, no matter how hard she tries, her imagination could never cover up reality.

Sighing, Zelda rises from the tall grass she was hiding in and looks out at the Outpost ruins. Quiet, she takes in the broken-down stones, the rusted, moss-covered husks of Guardian corpses.

Ever since they left Lake Hylia, she’s seen nothing but ruins.

Link was gazing across the scenery – keeping an eye out for any stray monsters – but he quickly looks at her as she sits up, and Zelda does her best to paste on a smile. “I feel much improved.” She says lightly, rising to her feet and brushing any stray grass clinging to her clothing. “I’m ready to keep going, if you are.”

Zelda has noticed that they’ve been heading north, carefully moving through the outskirts of Central Hyrule. The goal for the day was to make it to a stable before nightfall, as there were still some monsters roaming about, and Link didn’t want to get caught unawares. Unfortunately for Zelda, the previous day of travel and swimming caught up to her, and she found herself repeatedly asking for a break, lowering herself onto the grass and surveying the stretch of ruins that surrounded her as she caught her breath.

As they walk, Zelda slowly slips into deep thought, processing the days of traveling they’ve done – more specific, the day they spent at the lake. Her mind continues to return to it, despite her efforts to keep her mind off it.

Link’s admission about the Champions that day had hurt her more than she was ready to admit to him; it had stolen her breath, and she’d needed a moment away from him – a minute to herself to absorb the admission, to think, because –

She can see it, in her mind’s eye – Link, scouring across Hyrule to find the locations she’d left for him on the slate. Zelda remembered it, spots of brightness in those long, horrible, dreamlike days, and she – hoped. She’d hoped that maybe…it would be like a key, opening something that was locked away, pouring free all those other unrecorded days they spent together, with the Champions. And that when they finally reunited, she would be faced with Link again – her Link. But if it – if it was just like how he described – like looking from the outside in at a life that didn’t feel like his own…

Zelda stares at Link’s back – so familiar, but so different – and feels the urge to cry.

She feels horribly alone; yes, she has Impa and Purah, still, but – but this was different. By the time the Calamity came, Link was…he was one of her closest friends – her best friend. Link was still the same in so many ways, from his silence and his subtle jokes, and his kindness, and how he always took a moment to pause and think before saying what was on his mind. But – but if he looked at her, and he didn’t see – if all he saw was a Princess, and he was doing this for her out of pity –

She forces herself to calm her breathing and tears her eyes away from Link to look at the scenery instead. In the distance she could see glimpses of Hyrule Castle towering over the horizon – broken down, just like the rest of her land.

That wasn’t fair, Zelda chides herself. That wasn’t right to say, because – because though so much had been destroyed, life still found a way. The land was greener than she’d ever seen it, stretching on endlessly, and there were still signs of life in the plants, and the beasts that roamed through the wild – in the people, that carried on and made their own way, despite it all.

It was still her home, and it wasn’t as beaten and broken as it seemed – just something to catch up to.

There was so much to catch up to, she thinks, her eyes drifting back to Link. Always coming back to him, in the end.

It all still hurt so much – she doesn’t know when it will ever stop hurting - but she wanted to close that gap; to figure out her new friend and her new place in this new, strange world, whatever that entails. Whatever it could be.

They leave the Outpost ruins behind, and the dilapidated walls of the Great Plateau tower over them, shading them and giving some reprieve from the heat. She wasn’t yet used to how – how quiet it all was, out in the wild, the only sounds being the rustle of the trees and the occasional birdsong.

It felt so lonely.

Zelda stares up at the walls, pursing her lips for a moment, and sharply turns away, jogging lightly to catch up to Link, a few paces away.

“Link!” She grabs onto his arm, keeping them connected in some way as they walk. “Do you mind continuing your story while we walk?”

He turns to smile at her, and she feels the tight knot in her chest loosen at such an easy gesture. “Sure.” He says. “I think when we stopped…I was telling you about when I got to Kakariko?”

“Yes.” She answers. “You had gotten to after you met with Impa and talked about the Divine Beasts.” Link makes a noise of recall, and his quiet storytelling pushes away the empty silence for the remainder of their journey.

They only stop for a quick lunch, and by the time they reached Riverside Stable, the sun was sinking below the horizon, turning the sky a burnished orange. Link makes a beeline to the cookpot to get started on dinner while Zelda moves towards the counter inside, requesting one bed for the night and an extra blanket – she was used to the routine, at this point.

Dinner was simple – salt grilled fish with some rice – and they sit together as they eat, watching the sun fully set and a blanket of stars slowly appear in the sky. In the distance, she could hear the quiet lapping of water at the bank of the river, and it helped add to the overall feeling of peace in the air. “So,” Zelda prods, gently nudging Link. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going this time? Or is it another surprise stop on your – our journey?”

“It’s technically not the next stop I had planned.” Link replies, giving her a sidelong glance. “I’m looking at it as more of a detour. So…I guess I’ll tell you for this one. We’re going north –”

“Yes, Link, I’m well aware we’re going north –”

“– to see the Great Deku Tree.” He finishes, his voice overlapping with hers as he gestures out to the path from the stable, stretching on into the dark.

“Th – the Deku Tree?” That stops her short. “For – why there?”

“I suppose…” Link taps his fork against his empty plate, considering his words. “I want to fulfill a promise.”

That wasn’t an answer at all. Zelda frowns at his lack of forthcoming, and he shrugs, sheepish.

“Though, I guess it’s not really a promise.” He amends. “The Deku Tree doesn’t know. It’s just something I feel like I need to do, after I went to the Korok Forest.”

Zelda looks down at her plate, poking at her half-eaten food as she mulls over his reasoning. “…I think I understand. Alright, then – it’ll be…it’ll be good, to see The Deku Tree again.”

On good terms, this time, she thinks to herself, but she feels the words hang in the air, nonetheless. “How far out are we?”

Link silently asks for the slate, and she removes it from her belt to hand to him, and she watches him open the map, considering the path ahead of them for a few moments. “I think…we’re about another day out.” He says slowly. “Wetland Stable is there, if we need to stop for the night, but we can probably push it and make it to Eldin Canyon in one go.”

“You think so?”

“Sure.” He says with confidence. “You’ve been doing a lot better, since we left Hateno.”

Zelda shrugs in agreement. She can’t argue with that. “I have been feeling a lot better – I feel stronger. Not as strong as I was, but – better than before.”

“That’s good.”

“It probably has something to do with all your cooking!” She nudged his side again, teasing. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed all the hearty truffle you’ve been putting in the food. I’m not surprised if I’ve eaten my weight in it at this point.”

He had the grace to look a little embarrassed. “It wasn’t like I was hiding it! And I have so many truffles, I have to do something with them.”

“Why not sell them?”

“You think I haven’t?”

They poked at each other for the remainder of dinner, Zelda eventually giving Link the remaining portion of food she just couldn’t finish. She was proud, she reminds herself, that she ate most of it – progress, compared to her eating next to nothing back in Kakariko.

After that, there was nothing left to do but to prepare for bed.

Zelda tries to control the shy flutter of her heart as Link slips into bed next to her, lying on top of her blankets as he prepares the extra blanket she’d requested for him. Close, but never too close. Just as it’s always been.

She wonders when this will stop feeling so startlingly new, being so close to him – certainly she’ll adjust with more time. Until then, she will stealthily count all the things that were different about him until she fell asleep. The spray of freckles from being out in the sun. A scar that wasn’t there before, a clean, healed line over his eyebrow. His jaw having lost some of the soft roundness it had when they were young.

Ridiculous… She thinks sleepily. You’re still young now.

Though it didn’t feel like it, sometimes.

 -o-

The air was crisp and mild as they departed Riverside Stable the next day, and Link warns Zelda that they might have to stop as they head down the path. “It feels like it’s going to storm today.” He says. “So it’s probably best to make it to Wetland Stable before it hits.”

Currently, the weather was gorgeous, the sky unbearably blue and faint wisps of clouds in the sky, but Zelda knows that Hyrule’s weather was temperamental on the best days, and prone to turning sour at any moment, so she takes Link’s words to heart and quickens her pace.

It was quiet between them, and Zelda was fine with that; it didn’t feel unpleasant, and so she used that time to take in the scenery. It really was lovely out, despite all the emptiness; it’s startlingly easy to get wrapped up in the silence of it all and sink into one’s thoughts. She was pulled out of her head slightly by the approach of a bridge, old yet sturdy, and the familiar curves and banks of the Hylia River.

“Careful here.” Link warns, his steps turning cautious. “There’s usually an Octorock sneaking around in the water.”

Sure enough, there was a suspicious tuft of grass a few paces away in the river, and Link quickly arms himself with a bow and dispatched themselves of the problem before it even appeared.

“Good shot!” She praises, and Link accepts it with a small grin. “I’ve been stunned by so many of these things in my travels, I refuse to even let them have a chance, now.” He explains as they continue walking, placing his bow back into the holster on his back. “The ones on Death Mountain are the most annoying.”

Zelda makes a face. “Oh, yes – I remember them.”

“A good bomb can solve that problem, nowadays.” Link advises, and Zelda can do nothing but throw her head back and laugh.

Zelda was hoping for luck, and that the good weather they had the last few hours would hold; they stopped for a quick break after heading up a hill, taking a quick lunch at the mouth of another bridge. But sure enough, just as Link predicted, dark clouds began to roll in, heavy with rain. The shadows the coming rain brought made the vibrant green landscape stand out even more, and Zelda’s quick pace slows down a bit, eyes wide as she takes everything in.

The hills that bracketed them gave way to open air, and a body of water catches her attention, leading her wandering eye to a path that led to nothing. Her breath hitches as she stares at what was once Goponga Village – now nothing but a waterlogged crater in the distance.

Her heart sinks in her chest, and she struggles to swallow around the sudden lump in her throat.

More ruins. There would always be more ruins.

“We’re almost there.” She hears Link call out, and Zelda shakes her head and works to catch up, leaving the rubble behind.

They made it to Wetland Stable just as it began to rain, and they ran inside as the light sprinkle turned into a blinding downpour. Zelda stands just within the doorway as they catch their breath, resting a hand against the wood as she stares out at the thick downpour and the silhouette of the castle beyond. “How long do you think it’ll last?” Zelda asks, speaking up just enough to be heard over the rain.

“I’m not sure. Maybe an hour or so.”

Link squeezes in until he was pressed next to her, the two of them standing in the doorway and watching the downpour. Even in such gloomy weather, Hyrule still looked so green. So bright. Nothing like how it was back then.

That doesn’t stop the chill that runs over her skin. Zelda wraps her arms around herself, trying not to shiver.

“I was hoping we wouldn’t have to stop here.” She admits in a whisper.

The stable – it was too close to things she would rather not remember. This area….it was familiar. She knew it wasn’t the exact spot…but it was close.

I’ve left them all to die!!

“I understand.” Link says after a minute of silence, and Zelda wonders if he truly does. “We’ll head back on the road as soon as the rain passes.”

She hums absently in response, gripping her elbows tight as she continues to stare at the rain.

They were lucky, for once; the rain turned out to be a flash downpour instead of one of Hyrule’s infamous thunderstorms that could last for hours. There was still plenty of daylight, so as soon as the rain lightened, Link and Zelda were back on the road, leaving Wetland Stable and the awful memories that hover nearby behind.

Link sticks close to her as they walk instead of leading the way as he’s usually done, and she was grateful to have him near. They didn’t try and fill the silence as they walked, and that was fine with her – she couldn’t really think of what to say now, anyway.

They turn onto a curve on the path, and the hills swallowed them up, Hyrule Castle blocked from her view. A momentary reprieve.

Night was falling when they arrive at Woodland Stable, and Link had started to get antsy the darker it got. When she finally inquired about what was making him so high strung, he jerkily shakes his head, hand twitching towards the Master Sword resting on his back. “I know it’s probably over, but –” He bites his lip. “There used to be – creatures. Undead ones. If I traveled at night. So I’ve made sure to be at a stable before nightfall.”

He smiles, rueful. “It’s a pretty hard habit to break.”

Link didn’t relax until they reached the stable, the crackle of firelight loosening the tense set of his shoulders, and Zelda was so tired from the walk that she was ready to forego dinner entirely, heading into the stable to request a bed for the night and wash up.

In the end, she did just that; she hadn’t meant to, intending to stay awake until Link returned, no doubt having gone to the communal cookpot while she prepares for bed. But the mattress was so soft, the blankets wrapping her up and pressing her into the bed so comfortably that she fell asleep before Link ever arrived.

 -o-

She wakes in the morning to malice coating the back of her tongue.

The sensation was so jarring that Zelda wakes immediately, eyes snapping open as she jolted upright in bed, blankets falling to rest around her waist. Her heart races as she looks around, disoriented. Where is it? What could have caused this? Have her dreams followed her into the waking world? Her sudden movements wake Link up as well, and he quickly sits up, hand automatically reaching for the sword resting next to him.

“What is it?” He asks sharply, alert. “What’s wrong?”

“Malice.” Zelda whispers, and she can feel the distressed hum in her veins, hear the undercurrent of multitudes in her voice. “I don’t – I don’t understand – how -??”

Her stomach feels like it’s in knots, twisting, twisting, and Zelda fights the urge to be sick. Is this it, then? It must be – she’s gone mad. This was all some elaborate dream, and she was still wrapped up in the Calamity, keeping it chained up, blinded. But no, no – this has to be real, it must –

She throws the blankets aside, slips out of the bed and darts to the entryway of the stable just to see – to remind herself –

The castle looms over them, as broken and empty as she remembers – and free of malice.

This was real. Not a dream. She wasn’t there anymore.

So where -??

“Zelda?” Link’s voice is background to the panicked static in her ears. The warmth of his skin was shocking, sinking into her chilled skin as he places a concerned hand on her arm. “What is it?”

“Link.” She forces out through numb lips. “The Calamity is gone – I know it is – and yet I still taste malice in the air. Why? Why would that be when I know it’s gone?? I know it is!!”

She was trying to keep it together, trying so hard not to panic – but her chest was so tight – she couldn’t breathe - and the humming in her veins grew louder, louder, louder –

Where is it?? Her blood cries out. What has brought this filth, this poison –

She wants to find it – she wants to find it, and eradicate it, and make sure not one trace of the Calamity’s scum remained – not while she lives to protect this land –

“Zelda.”

Link’s hand on her face snaps her into focus, his touch gentle as he turns her head to look at him, brow wrinkling as his eyes stare into hers. She can see a reflection of gold in his eyes, and she stares back at him, helpless.

“…I think I know what it is.” He says. “But we need to get dressed first. Quickly.”

Dressing was the last thing on her mind, but Zelda heeded the request, picking a random tunic and trousers and not even bothering with her braided, sleep tousled hair.

Link leads her up the path to the Great Hyrule Forest, and the malice in the air increased to a point that she wants to retch. “Almost there,” Link promises, leading her off the path and towards a shining blue pillar – a tower, she notes blankly. She’s seen them throughout their travels so far, tall blue beacons littered across the land – she never thought she’d get to see one so closely.

“Come on.” Zelda comes back into focus as he offers a hand, and she blinks, staring for a moment. Eventually, she grabs it, and he helps her up the small rocky cliff, leading her up and heaving her over to see –

She recoils – she could taste the malice, stronger than ever, and it makes her sick.

Surrounding the tower was a stretch of brown, muddy liquid; it made a thick, sticky sound as bubbles slowly rose to the surface, and the air around it reeked with the Calamity’s contamination.

She swallows heavily, feeling so ill. “What…what is this?” She whispers, and Link shakes his head, nose wrinkling.

“I think….” He licks his lips. “It used to be water- maybe a lake. But…it got infected by the Calamity. It was like this when I found the tower. This is probably what you’ve been feeling.”

Disgust roils in her gut, and tears come to her eyes. “This is horrible.” She says shakily. “This – this is, I –”

She thinks of the people near the stable, the people that come and go that had to live near this refuse for years – of the birds, the fish, and the plants that were long dead, choked to nothing by this poison.

I won’t allow it. It cannot be here any longer.

Something in her rises to the challenge, and she takes a shaky step towards the tainted bog, and then another, and another, reaching out –

“Wait!” Link grabs her hand, holding her back. “It’s poison, you’ve got to be careful – it’ll hurt you -!”

“I am a goddess.” Her voice leaves her in a hiss, the full brunt of Hylia in her throat. “And I will not let any remnant of the Calamity’s filth exist while I still live.”

Light churns under her skin, agitated - called by the heavy curtain of malice in the air, and Link’s grip loosens on her hand, enough to let her slip from his grasp and towards the bog. Before, Zelda had always felt outside of her own skin, as the Goddess flowed through her veins, but this time she never felt more present, glowing with purpose as she strides to the edge of the bog.

I have to do something. She thinks, desperate. I can do something, I know I can do something, I can, I will, I will, I will, I –

She plunges her glowing hands into the tainted water.

The water burns with bright, golden light.

Zelda stares with wide eyes as her power ripples across the surface in waves of gold. She doesn't know if this will do anything - doesn't know if this will work - but she must do something. She has to try. Please. Zelda prays, frantic, eyes squeezed shut. Please work, I beg you! Please - !

She pours everything into it, everything she can – gives all of her endless self – and watches as the murky, tainted bog gives way to cool, clear water.

By the time she pulls her hands away, rivulets of gold streaming down her wrists, there was nothing but clear waters, lapping against the base of the tower. Not a trace of malice to be found.

Yes. Her blood whispers. Yes, this is right – this is how it should be.

The urgency that buzzed under her skin vanished, leaving nothing but relief, and Zelda sags into herself, breathless as that boundless energy fizzles away, waiting for the next time it would be called.

She lists backwards, and it was only Link rushing to brace her that kept her upright. Zelda leans into him, turns her head to look into his wide eyes, and for a moment they just – stared at each other.

“I’m sorry for snapping at you.” She whispers quietly just as Link tells her, “You’re amazing.” breathlessly.

Zelda gapes at him, and Link says nothing else, taking her in with wide, earnest eyes. “I –” she starts to say, but was interrupted by the loud, rumbling growl of her stomach. They both stared down at her stomach, incredulous at such an interruption – of what, she couldn’t even begin to fathom – but Zelda pushes it aside, focusing on the growing revelation that she was hungry.

She was starving.

“Link.” Her voice was so quiet, as though acknowledging the feeling would make it go away. “I’m…really, really hungry, for once.”

The smile he gives her was brighter than the sun. “Well, lucky for you.” He says, reaching for his slate. “I still have your dinner from last night. And some other things.”

They sit together on the banks of the purified lake around the tower, eating meat stew with bread, still warm and steaming as thought it had been freshly made, and a delectable egg pudding after that. Zelda eats it all, using the bread to sop up the remains of broth clinging to the bowl, and is more settled in her skin than she’s felt in weeks. Zelda is so relieved, because finally she feels hungry - she can eat, and savor it, and ask for more, besides. She almost gives in to the urge to ask for seconds – but she knows that they have somewhere to be.

“Alright.” Link claps his hands together once the food was all gone, a pleased light in his eyes. “Are you ready for the Great Hyrule Forest?”

 -o-

The journey through the Lost Woods was different than the one she took a century prior.

Link was with her this time, hand warm in hers as he leads the way with torch aloft, instead of only having the Master Sword for company, holding it in a death grip as she followed its whispered instructions through the thick, cool fog. Now, the sword is content in its silence, letting its master lead the way into the heart of the woods. Occasionally, he would squeeze her hand, and Zelda always squeezed back. It was a reminder that they were here, together.

Yes – she is happier to return to this forest on better terms.

The fog and grasping branches fade, changing into a green so lush and vibrant that it makes Zelda dizzy.

Sunlight streams into the forest like liquid gold, and around them there’s a chorus of rattling and giggles from the various koroks, both out of sight in the branches and peeking around to look at them as they pass by. Zelda catches one staring at her, and she waves at the korok with a smile before it squeaks and disappears into the brush, embarrassed.

Link busies himself with putting out the torch as Zelda continues onward, moving towards the pedestal that rests at the base of a large tree, now empty.

Overhead, there is a creaking and groaning of wood and a rustle of leaves as the tree before her moves, letting out a great yawn.

“Who’s there?” A deep voice rumbles. “Who is it, now? Aaaah…”

Zelda feels its focus slide over to Link. “Back again in my forest, little Hero? What brings you here?”

“I brought someone to see you.” He steps forward to stand next to her, and Zelda can feel it when the Great Deku Tree’s eyes move from Link over to her.

“Aaah.” The great tree sighs, and it sounds like wind rustling through the leaves. “The Goddess Princess, home again. And you brought her to me, Hero?”

“I remember what you said, the last time I was here.” Link explains. “And I – well, I felt like I had to make it come true.”

Its face didn’t move much, but she can feel the warmth of a smile in its voice. “I am honored that you would think of me and would bless me to feel the warmth of the Princess’ smile on these old leaves once more.”

Her heart swells at his words, and Zelda clasps her hands to her chest, moved. “It is good to see you well, Zelda of Hyrule.” The Great Deku Tree says. “Why, you’ve barely aged a day since we last met.”

Zelda laughs, and the sound is brighter than the sunlight that streams through the leaves. “Thank you, Great Deku Tree.” She says, beaming at the giant tree - though she is thanking it for more than that, for more than the kind words. She is thanking it for everything. “It is good to see you are well, too.”

Her heart aches – in gratitude, for another guardian that helped them save their home. In fondness, for Link and his thoughtfulness and his need to correct the smallest of wrongs, to fulfill any promise.

“Come.” The Deku Tree beckons, rustling its branches in another great stretch and sending a shower of pink flower petals over them. “Rest and recuperate – I can tell that the both of you have had a long journey.”

Quite the understatement, Zelda thinks wryly, and she takes the offer gladly, removing her boots and resting her feet in one of the many pools of water gathered among the Deku Tree’s mighty roots. It feels healing, almost, sitting there and soaking in the sunlight, laughing at Link as he gives in to the koroks’ increasing demands to play. She is glad to be here, she thinks to herself – she’s glad to be able to have the chance to feel the sunshine again, to see the world stand back up after disaster, and to have forces around her that ensured they will live to see it.

They spend a portion of the afternoon in the Korok forest, with the korok spirits and the Deku Tree, climbing the trees and playing games and talking to the giant forest guardian in the quieter moments.

When they finally leave the Great Hyrule Forest, Zelda was constantly turning back to wave goodbye to the koroks, the lush green fading away and obscured by mist with every step. They emerge into the late afternoon, the cool mist that surrounded them quickly replaced with the muggy summer heat.

“That was wonderful.” She gushes, grinning at Link. “That was so thoughtful of you, to go see the Deku Tree, after everything. Thank you.”

“It was nothing.” Link waves a hand, smiling bashfully. “You hungry? We can start heading back to the stable now.”

“Yes.” Zelda stresses. “Something to eat would be lovely, thank you.”

Together they walk down the sloping hill leading back to the stable, and they just passed the shrine when Link stops, eyes brightening as he looks further down the hill. “Zelda.” He says. “I just had an idea about something.”

“Oh?”

“Do you want to try out the paraglider?”

She whips her head around to look at him, incredulous. “Do I what??” She gasps. “Do I – I don’t even know if I can –”

“This would be a good place to try.” Link grabs her hand. “Come here, look –”

He takes her further down the hill, towards a slope of land that goes straight to the stable. “It’s an easy shot.” He encourages her. “And I think it would be good for you to know how to use it, just in case.”

Pulling the Sheikah Slate off his belt, Link quickly summons the paraglider while Zelda looks down at the small jump, daunted. “Link…” She says, hesitant. “I don’t think –”

“Zelda, I’m not going to just hand you the paraglider and send you on your way; you need to learn how to open it and use it before we try a jump.”

She’s still unsure about it, looking at the paraglider with apprehensive eyes, and Link must notice, lowering the paraglider to his side. “Zelda.” He calls, coaxing. “Look at me.”

She jerkily turns away from the paraglider and looks up at him. “Are you scared of it? I know you were a little wary about the paraglider back at Lake Hylia, but I thought –”

“I’m not scared.” She blurts out. “Well - not about that, I just –”

She bites her lip. “What if I mess it up, and – and break it, somehow?”

She was nervous about the paraglider at first, she won’t deny that. But – but she remembers the swoop in her stomach that gave away to flying, the sensation of the wind in her hair and the incredulous awe she felt as they soared through the air. Zelda can’t forget a feeling as exhilarating as that.

Link’s expression shifts at her admission, concern melting into something softer. “You won’t break it.” He swears. “Besides, I told you before – this paraglider’s been through a lot of stuff. I’m sure you won’t break it. Do you think you’re up for trying?”

He holds out the paraglider in offering, and Zelda slowly reaches out, curling her fingers around one of the handles. “Okay.” She whispers. “Let’s try.”

Link meant it when he said he wasn’t going to just give her the paraglider and let her go; they spend some time working on her timing, making sure she could open the paraglider before she hits the ground. After that, he makes sure she holds it properly, teaches her how to move her body to make turns, to shift the direction of the paraglider any way she wanted.

By the time he deems her ready to go, Zelda was antsy to get going and use the paraglider just to see if she could. “Okay,” Link says. “Remember – just straight down the hill to the stable. Okay? I’ll be down there waiting for you.”

“Wait –” She feels a stab of panic. “You won’t – you can’t go down with me?”

“No…I’ll be waiting right there –” He points to a large stone near the wood fence. “You just have to head to where I am. You can do it, okay? Don’t worry.”

He reaches out, squeezes her arm with a smile. “I’ll be waiting for you. Right there. Okay?”

“…Alright.” She says faintly, and Link gives her one last encouraging smile before running down the hill. Zelda keeps an eye on him the entire time he runs, taking note of his position as she holds the paraglider overhead, waiting.

“Whenever you’re ready!” He calls out, voice so small at this distance. “You can do it! Just jump!”

“Like that’s so easy.” She scoffs under her breath, shifting in place. Inhaling deeply, she adjusts her grip on the handles of the paraglider, eyes focusing on the bottom of the hill. “…Just jump.” She whispers to herself. “It’s easy. It is.”

Bracing herself, Zelda inhales again, exhales, tightens her grip on the handles and runs to the edge of the hill and –

She jumps.

And it really is easy.

The wind catches the paraglider’s sail without an issue, and soon she’s – she’s flying. She lets out one short, incredulous laugh, the noise carried off by the breeze as she glides down towards the stable – towards Link.

It feels amazing – the closest thing to flying she could ever get, here, contained in her normal girl skin – here, where she wasn’t bright and endless, able to coast on the wind without a thought.

Link is moving, running to meet her as she gets closer, arms outstretched, and Zelda turns the paraglider to fly right into his arms. He catches her with a grunt, arms around her waist and holding her up, and Zelda lets the paraglider dangle down in one hand, throwing her freed arm around his shoulders as she laughs, breathlessly giddy.

“I did it!” She breathes. “Link, I did it! That was – that was amazing! That was so fun!”

He grins at her, and the light of the setting sun turned his eyes gold. “Yeah.” He says, so warm. “You did it – I knew you could.”

Chapter Text

“Do you want to pick where we go next?”

A splash of water, a surprised squeak. “M-me?! Are you sure?”

“Yes?” Link pauses in scrubbing his clothes and looks over at the shrine the Princess was hiding behind, doing her own laundry. “I don’t see why not.”

Returning from their visit to the Korok Forest, Link and the Princess had a talk over dinner and decided to spend a couple of days here to rest and prepare for the next part of their journey. The next day brought them to the shadows of the lake behind the Woodland Stable, using the day to clean up and wash clothes; Link was confident that with the shadow of Death Mountain towering over the Eldin Canyon and the overall stuffy summer heat, their clothes would be dried by the end of the day.

“But…” The Princess starts, her tone amused. “Wouldn’t that ruin the surprise?”

Ah – right. Link frowns at his hands, still submerged in the water. Link did like surprising her – bringing her to different places and seeing the light in her eyes at each discovery warmed him in a way he couldn’t describe. And it wasn’t just the surprises that he had waiting for her at the destinations, but the little things they discovered along the way; her joy at figuring out the runes, the sparkle in her eyes when they looked at the stars at Lake Hylia, and the wonderful disbelief at the warm darner landing lightly on the tip of her finger.

Knowing the destination wouldn’t take the surprise out of anything, Link decides. It would be fine – even now, Hyrule found ways to trip him up and surprise him; he supposed it would still be the same for the Princess.

“No.” He says firmly, resuming scrubbing down his clothing. “I think the trip will still end up surprising you, no matter what you choose.”

“Hmm…”

There was another splash, and Link looks up when the Princess’ golden head peeks around the shrine. All he could see of her was her face and the warm, bare curve of her shoulder, and his eyes dart back to his laundry to give her some semblance of privacy, face burning. He was in the same state of undress, stripped down to his undergarments, but for her –

It wouldn’t be proper, for him to see her like that.

His eyes were pulled back to her at the sound of her laugh, quiet and shy. “I can really pick where we can go next?”

“You can – I have a lot of options.” He truly did, his map of Hyrule littered with stickers after he ran out of the glowing pins that the slate provided.

She smiled at him, and her eyes were bright as jewels – brighter, even. They practically glittered with excitement. “Alright. We’ll look at our options over lunch!”

The Princess vanishes back behind the shrine, and Link smiles down at his hands, wringing out the tunic he was washing and putting it in the pile that needed to dry.

The remainder of their chore passed in peaceful silence, and Link hops to his feet to stretch once all his clothes were washed. “Zelda?” He calls out. “You all done?”

“Yes!”

“Do you want to borrow some of my clothes again?”

“Oh – well…if you don’t mind?”

He was already reaching for the slate, quickly searching through the sets of spare clothing he had before deciding that it would be fine to give her his climbing gear until their clothes dried. “Here they are.” He calls out as they neatly materialize into his hand. “I’m coming over to hand them to you, okay?”

“Alright.” She sticks an expectant hand out from behind the shrine, and Link carefully keeps his eyes averted as he places the clothes into her hand. “Just let me know when you’re all set, and we can hang these up to dry.”

The Princess murmurs her thanks, and Link retreats to dress, putting on his own gifted set of casual Sheikah clothing from the beginning of his travels. Once the Princess appears from behind the shrine, tugging the loose shirt in place, the two return to the stable to dry their clothes, using a pair of the nearby trees to string up a rope and hang their clothes on a makeshift clothesline.

“What do you want to eat?” He asks once their clothing was squared away, and the Princess graces him with another bright smile.

“Everything.” She says honestly. “But I suppose for now…maybe some curry?”

“Okay.” That should be easy enough; he’s pretty sure he’s got some Goron spice left over from the last time he braved Goron City. Some poultry curry sounded like a good idea for lunch – his stomach growls, and Link decides to make a little extra, just in case. The Princess’ awakened appetite could probably rival his own at this point.

They settle at the cookpot, and once Link gathers all the ingredients he would need, he passes the Sheikah Slate over to the Princess, who takes it with a smile.

“Goddess – Link, do you plan on us going to all these destinations??” She cries out once she sees all the places marked on the map, and Link shrugs. “Not all at once.”

Besides, he was pretty sure some of those stickers were left over from his quest; shrine riddles that he’d solved, or boko camps that he’d deigned to avoid until a later date. He probably needed to clean up.

Nothing he could do now; for the moment, he just watches the Princess’ finger trace across the map, her brow furrowed with familiar wrinkles as she thinks over her options.

By the time she had decided, the curry had finished, and he nudged at her elbow with her plate. “Hm? Oh – oh!” Sheepish, the Princess reaches out and takes her food. “I apologize, Link! I didn’t know I was taking that long!”

“No worries.” He reassures her, digging into his food. “It’s fine. Did you make a decision?”

“I…” She places the slate aside, picking up her spoon and bringing a heaping spoonful of curry-soaked rice and meat to her lips. “I did, yes. I think…I’d like to go to Satori Mountain.”

That decision surprises him – of all the places, he wasn’t expecting that. “Really? You’re sure?”

“Well, I don’t see why not! Look –” Moving her plate to one hand, she grabs the slate and slides it into her lap, scooting over until she was pressed against his side. “If we go this way –” Her finger traces up, across the ridge around Hyrule Castle and through the Breach of Demise. “– It could take a little while, but it’s perfectly feasible.”

Link leans in, their heads pressed close together as they hover over the map. “Why don’t we just cut straight through Central Hyrule?” He suggests, pointing out the path. “It’s a little more straightforward. Shorter, too.”

The Princess absently brings another spoonful of food to her mouth, brows once again wrinkled with thought. “I suppose…” She slowly considers, halting. “I just – I know that Central Hyrule was – dangerous.”

Link remembers the dangers with sharp clarity – Guardian stalkers to the north, and moblin and bokoblin camps to the south. The Princess was right that Central Hyrule was dangerous, and though the Calamity was gone, he was unsure about the status of the Guardian stalkers that remained – and he wasn’t ready to try and test their luck.

“It was dangerous.” He agrees. “And I’m not entirely sure how safe it is, now. We’ve been lucky so far, with the monsters – I’ve barely seen many during our travels, so maybe they’ve retreated now that the Calamity’s influence is gone. But –”

“- But you’re not sure about the Guardians.” The Princess finishes, and Link nods. “I’m not – and though I hope that maybe the Guardians deactivated after we defeated the Calamity…I don’t want to take that risk. Not until we know.”

Link taps his spoon against his chin, thinking over it. “…We can take the path you suggested.” he decides. “It will take a little longer by a day or so, but I think we’ll be alright. It’s not like we’re in a rush.”

“There’s also no stable.” The Princess points out. “Will you be alright with that, too?”

That he felt a little less sure about, and Link grimaces. “I guess…it’s a good way to find out if those undead creatures were from the Calamity. I know the swarms of Keese weren’t, though – those are incredibly annoying. Hopefully those will be gone, too.”

Laughter spills from the Princess’ lips. “I think we’ll be alright – we’ll look out for each other.”

“Yeah.” He knows she was capable of watching his back – the memory of her yesterday rose up in his mind, the spectacle of the Princess glowing brighter than sunlight, placing her hands in the poisoned bog around Woodland Tower and purifying the water with just a thought. “We’ll be alright. When do you want to leave?”

“The day after tomorrow would be fine, as long as the weather holds.”

With their plans made, the rest of the day passes rather peacefully; the Princess tugs him along to the Minshi Woods, quickly moving into the trees to forage while Link prepares his bow and silently moves up the path.

He had felled a deer by the time the Princess found him, lucky enough to take down a large buck before it could dart away, and he had started to field dress it when she arrived. “I found more mushrooms! I added some to the compendium!” She calls out. “And I discovered some hearty truffles for you to add to your collection!”

The Princess giggles at him when he gives her the stink eye. “We’re selling those truffles.” He states flatly. “I really don’t need any more. What kind of mushrooms did you find?”

“Oh, plenty – but I can show you later. I didn’t mean to interrupt!”

“It’s fine.” He turns back to his work. “This was a really lucky shot – I think this will be enough meat to last us for a while.”

“Mm.” The Princess crouches next to him, eyes on his careful knife work. “If we had time, I’d say to dry some of it out. Where will you put all of it?”

“Oh, I just put it in the slate.”

He can see her eyes widen in his peripheral. “The slate can store meat?! Really?? And it doesn’t spoil?!”

“It doesn’t, no.”

“Oh my goodness.” The Princess whispers, breathless at the discovery. “The Sheikah were able to – to harness stasis power? I know there’s the rune, but – to use it to keep supplies in stasis! So nothing ever spoils, or – oh! Every time you brought out a meal from the slate – it was always still warm!! This is incredible!!”

She goes off into a tangent, wondering aloud if it would be possible to use the power outside the slate, asking herself how it would work – and Link smiles to himself, feeling something settle in him as the Princess’ theories and questions fill the air.

 -o-

The next day at the stable, Beedle shows up.

“Oh, good.” Link says when he looks out the entryway to the stable and spots that familiar backpack. “Hey, Zelda?”

“Yes?” The Princess looks up from where she was sitting on their bed, rummaging through her bag.

“Come here, we’re gonna go get you some more money. Bring your bag.”

“I – alright?” She was confused, scoops her bag up and meets him at the entryway, the two of them stepping outside. He leads her to where Beedle was sitting, setting up their station, and the merchant’s face lights up the second they saw him.

“Link!!” Beedle calls out. “My best, favorite customer!! Good to see you!!”

“It’s good to see you too, Beedle!” Link smiles. “Haven’t seen you this way in a while.”

“I know!!” They laugh. “It’s a lot easier to head up this way, now – much safer, now that that big monster hanging around the castle is gone. I’ve never seen so little mon – oh!”

Beedle finally notices the Princess hovering awkwardly behind Link, and their face brightens up. “Link!!” They cry out happily, clasping their hands to their chest. “You didn’t tell me you met someone!! Who’s this??”

“Beedle, this is my friend Zelda.” Grabbing the Princess’ hand, Link pulls her until she was standing by his side, pressed shoulder to shoulder. “Zelda, this is Beedle – they’re a merchant.”

“The best traveling merchant in Hyrule!” They declare, puffing up proudly. “From Tabantha to Akkala, I’ll be there! And I’ll always have the best prices – or my name isn’t Beedle!” Beedle beams up at the Princess, who smiles back, shyly. “Zelda, huh? Wow! It’s nice to meet you!”

“It’s nice to meet you, as well.” She says, a bit of her old Princess Voice slipping into her tone, and Link bites at the inside of his cheek to keep back a smile. She must be nervous, if she’s doing that.

“You know, I never thought I’d get to meet someone like you – I’m glad Link’s finally got a friend to travel with! Every time we ran into each other, he was always by himself.”

“You’re one to talk!” Link says, lifting an eyebrow. “Every time I see you, you’re always on your own!”

“I travel with caravans!” Beedle protests. “Or other travelers – I’m never on the road by myself! Not like you were!”

Link would give them that much, and he shrugs in acquiescence. “Alright then. You got me there. Fair enough.”

“Of course I do. Now –” They fold open their small counter and give them a smile, ready for business. “How can I help you today?”

“What have you got?”

It was the usual back and forth between them, and Beedle hands over a sale flyer with another laugh. Link makes sure to clean them out of arrows, as usual – you could never have too many arrows. He didn’t really need anything else, though; he was still plenty stocked with hearty lizards, and though cold darners would be useful for the future, they weren’t what he needed right now – besides, he probably still has some of those stocked up, too.

“Thanks for your business, as always!” Beedle said happily. “Need anything else?”

“Yes.” Link said, absently scrolling through the slate. “Ihe Princ – ah. Zelda has a few things she’s interested in selling.”

Link winces internally at his slip of the tongue, quite easy to do with his mind somewhere else as he sorts through the slate. His mouth moved faster than his brain, and he hopes to the Goddess that the Princess didn’t notice.

He feels the Princess go rigid, still pressed against his shoulder.

“Oh, you do? What have you got?”

“Yes…yes, I have – a few things.” The Princess’ voice was different – no longer stuck in that overly police Princess Voice but…stilted. Awkward.

Oh, no.

Gathering his courage, Link looks over at the Princess, who turned away from him and was searching through her bag, grabbing the things she’d gathered so far on their trip – the hearty truffles from yesterday, some hunks of amber and opal and one lucky sapphire from Lurelin – and when she turns back, her expression was…tight.

Upset.

Link’s heart sunk into his toes.

She heard him – she had to have heard him. With as close as they were standing together, it was impossible not to.

The Princess exchanges her items for rupees, and it feels like it's happening at a distance, conversation muffled like he was underwater; all Link could focus on was her answering Beedle’s questions with a quiet, subdued tone. She attempts to smile at them, but it dies as soon as Beedle turns away. He opens his mouth, but – he doesn’t know what to say to her. He was mute with horror as she gave Beedle their goodbyes, the air between them extremely tense as they made their way back to the stable.

This wasn’t supposed to happen. For so long, Link had been so careful – taking care to have space between them and to avert his eyes when it wasn’t appropriate. To keep his thoughts to himself, because – because she needed time. Because at the end of this, Link always knew that – he knew that she -

He swallows, his throat dry. “I –”

“Link.” The Princess cuts him off, turning away. “I’m going to go take a walk. I’ll be back in a bit.”

He feels so helpless as he watches her walk away, and as soon as she vanishes up the trail into the Minshi Woods, Link covers his face with his hands and swears loudly, crouching. He blew it – he slipped up, and he blew it, despite how careful he was, and now he has to try and explain, and –

Stressed, Link roughly rakes his hands through his hair, tugging until his scalp stung.

He’s going to – cook. Practice sword forms. Take his own walk? Walk, practice sword forms, and then cook. Fine. It’s fine He could do that for now, and – and whatever comes, whenever it comes, he will face it.

Nodding to himself, he turns in the opposite direction Zelda went and walks a little ways down the road, trying not to panic. After his walk, he goes to the lake behind the stable, and practices with the Master Sword until he feels like his arms were going to fall off. By the time he’d finished, it was late afternoon, slowly creeping into evening, and the Princess still hadn’t returned. Link stomps down the urge to go find her, makes himself take a breath and remind himself to give her space, and goes to the blessedly empty cookpot instead of towards the Minshi Woods.

He cooks for their coming departure – meat skewers, mushroom skewers, riceballs – things that would be easy to hold so they could eat while they walked. He stores them in the slate and then moves on to other foods; the little selfish recipes he knew, so he could fully relax. Honey crepes, berry crepes, carrot cake, egg pudding, hot buttered apple – he hopes that the Princess didn’t mind having dessert for dinner.

He thinks about fruit cakes, and the rumors of the Princess’ favorites, and wonders if she still liked them. If she would want one.

Link almost succeeds in relaxing after the afternoon’s blunder – until the Princess returns. Her trousers were streaked with dirt, and her eyes were rimmed red, like – like she’d been crying. Link feels every bit of calm that he worked for flee at the realization, leaving nothing but a hollow, horrible feeling in its place. He never, ever wants to be the reason for her tears, not ever again, and here he is making her cry like a fool.

He feels his throat close up, and Link stares at the Princess as she gets closer and just – doesn’t know what to say.

She looks at the spread of food around him, her expression unreadable. “I see you’ve been busy.”

Link swallows, and forces the words past his tight throat. “I…hope you’re ready for dessert for dinner.”

The corners of the Princess’ mouth quirked into a faint smile, and just as quickly it faded away. If this were a different day – a better day - she would’ve laughed. This time, she does nothing. “Dessert for dinner sounds nice.” She says mildly, taking a step toward the stable. “But – I apologize. I don’t really have an appetite.”

“Oh.” That isn’t true – he knows that isn’t true. He knows that these days, the Princess is always hungry – all the time. To deny food – he feels a little ill. “Alright. That’s…fine. Ah –”

He hesitates. “Are you…okay?” He asks slowly, and he wants to snatch the words back into his mouth when her eyes slide over to him. What a stupid question to ask. Did she look okay?

“…I’m fine.” She finally answers, and Link knows she was lying. “I’m just…tired, now. I think. Should we retire soon? We should probably have an early start tomorrow.”

They clean up in silence, and Link peeks at the Princess as they enter the stable, quick glances out the corner of his eye. She was looking at her hands, her eyes very far away, and he feels his heart sink all over again.

It wasn’t fine – nothing was fine, and Link knows it, and the feeling expands further when after returning from preparing for bed, he sees the Princess buried beneath the blankets of their shared bed – with her back turned to him.

Link feels winded, like he’s been punched in the gut. That – that’s never happened. Every night, every night since they defeated the Calamity, they always fell asleep facing each other. Link feels wretched – he almost grabs the spare blanket off the bed to just curl up on the floor, because what right does he have to lie next to her? What right does he have to stay by her side? But – but despite that, even now, he wanted to be close. He always wants to stay close.

Slowly, he slips into bed, curling up beneath the spare blanket. Always close, but never too close. Just as it’s supposed to be. He wants to sleep as he always did, curled up, facing her – but he doesn’t want to intrude on the space she made for herself. It feels like a wall between them as he turns onto his side, his back towards her, and it takes hours for Link to fall asleep.

He has to make this right; he hurt the Princess, and he needs – he needs to fix it. Needs to apologize.

Earlier that day, he’d told himself – whatever happened, whenever it would come, he would find the courage, and he would face it.

Where was that courage, now?

 -o-

The silence continues to hang over them like a heavy cloak throughout their entire first day of travel.

Link starts the morning waking up alone. He washes up and dresses for the day, trying to hold back the panic fluttering in his chest as he rushes outside. When he sees the Princess sitting at the cookpot, he relaxes some, tension leaving in a rough exhale. She was staring vacantly into the fire, hands resting limply in her lap, and she looked –

She looked tired.

His insides twist with guilt, and Link allows himself one fortifying breath before stepping closer. The Princess turns to face him as he approaches, and she just – stares at him. Link opens his mouth to say something, but the words – they stick in his throat, behind his teeth. Eventually, he just closes his mouth. The Princess’ expression doesn’t change, but there’s a tightness around her eyes, the corners of her mouth twitching for a moment. Just a moment. And then her eyes slide away.

“…Are you ready to depart?” She asks, turning away from him without any of the usual morning platitudes. Before he could clear his throat enough to answer, the Princess was already striding away, hitching her bag higher on her shoulders.

Heartsick, Link could do nothing but follow.

Beyond that, the Princess barely says a word to him, and Link could only stare at her as she walks, three paces ahead of him. The familiarity of it should be comforting – instead, it makes him feel sick.

Her hair whips behind her like a golden banner as they walk over the hills that surrounded Hyrule Castle, and Link notices that when the Princess’ eyes weren’t focused ahead, they were locked onto the castle.

The Princess seems determined to walk the entire day, but Link makes an effort to get her to stop at least once to eat lunch. Sitting beneath the nearest tree, they quietly munch on riceballs as the Princess continues to look over at Hyrule Castle.

Link still remembers how it felt, being this close when the Princess was still keeping the Calamity contained; if he closed his eyes now, he could still see it – the pillars around the castle glowing red, a constant, poisonous cloud always swirling, swirling – keeping the castle obscured. The ground around the castle always trembled subtly, moving in a rhythm that felt somewhat like a heartbeat.

It was always…unsettling, whenever he had to skirt around the castle – he’d made the effort to avoid it, some days, the effort made easier with the slate’s travel function.

Now, though, the air around Hyrule Castle doesn’t feel unsettling – now, it just feels sad.

Apparently, the Princess feels the same way.

“It doesn’t seem so terrifying, now.” She suddenly admits, startling him out of his thoughts. “I thought – seeing it now, I thought I’d be petrified, being so close to it again. But – it doesn’t seem as scary, anymore. I think.” The Princess looks down at her hands, laced tightly in her lap, and presses her lips into a thin line. “Now, it just…seems sad.”

“I wonder…” She squeezes her laced hands, gathering her thoughts. “If – is it even possible, to build it back to how it was? To make it into something better than before?”

She looked over at him, and her eyes – they were questioning, open – like the past few hours hadn’t happened. But then her face slackens with recall, and the Princess turns away, frowning. It suddenly feels too familiar – like those early, tenuous days together as her knight. Just like then, Link just…doesn’t know what to say. And so he decides to just– keep quiet. Say nothing.

If the Princess is hurt by the silence, she doesn’t show it, and she sighs quietly before pushing herself to her feet, brushing off her trousers. “I think I’m ready to continue.” She says stiffly, and Link could do nothing but scramble to his feet and follow as she quickly strides off.

She doesn’t speak to him again for the rest of the day.

By the time they stopped for the night, the sun had long since set, and Link was starting to get twitchy with nerves. The Princess finally decided to stop once they reached a stretch of ruins in the North Hyrule Plain – ruins that, he recalled from his previous travels through here, were once the Royal Ancient Tech Labs.

The wind blew around them, and Link nervously cleared his throat as he pushed past the vice around his neck to speak. They couldn’t stay in silence forever – he had to say something. “I…I can set up camp if you –”

“Did you bring me along with you out of pity?”

The Princess’ voice was ice cold. The question caught him off guard, and that vice tightens around his throat again, voice dying down to nothing. The Princess whirls around to face him, arms crossed tightly over her chest, and she looked furious, her eyes fiery and hurt. “I heard what you – what you almost said, back at the stable.” She spits, voice shaking. “And now I – now I’m wondering why you even bothered bringing me with you at all!”

“I –”

Her eyes were shining with tears, and the Princess angrily swipes at her eyes, lip curling. “All this time – all this time I’ve been wondering if you just brought me with you because you just felt sorry for me!! Or if -”

“That’s not –” His pulse was racing, heartbeat thudding loudly in his ears. “That isn’t – I –”

 “– If you were just doing this out of some leftover sense of duty –”

“I’m not!!”

Link’s voice echoed around them, and his eyes widen at the volume, not expecting to be so loud. He didn’t mean to yell. But it just – burst out of him – because it wasn’t true.

But his outburst doesn’t mean anything to her, arms still crossed over her chest, tight, tight – so tight he wondered if she could breathe. He certainly couldn’t.

“Then why!?” The Princess demands, tears clinging to her lashes. “I don’t understand –”

“It’s because -!” Link grips at his hair, frustrated. “I – all I heard from everyone – from the random travelers I met, from the Sheikah – was about how you were just some…legend. How you were this – this untouchable thing, that was going to pull Hyrule out of the ashes. All I’ve heard was how you would – you would take the throne, and rebuild Hyrule to how it was before, so when I – when I saw you again I just, I just remembered all those stories, and those words, and –”

And he thought it would be easier, to separate them in his head, to keep her at a distance emotionally despite how close they’ve been, because – because she was meant for better things and would eventually have to leave him behind. His job was done – the Calamity gone, the Princess safe - what else was there for him to do?

He was honest – it was the only answer he could give – but all it seemed to do was upset the Princess more, her expression twisting in anger as her arms finally fell to her sides.

“I am not a princess!!” She screams, face red and hands clenched tight at her sides. “I’m not – I’m not anything!! I don’t know what I am, now!! And I – I’m tired of people just – just assuming what I’m going to do!! Without letting me have the time to think and decide, and – and look around you, Link!!”

She throws her arms out, gesturing at the ruins that surround them. “Rebuild?? I can’t – there is nothing to rebuild. I have nothing!! It’s just like my father said –”

Her voice cracks, and furious tears spill down her face. “I am an heir to nothing. I can’t -I don’t know what I’m going to do. I don’t know what I can do. Everyone – everyone expects me to just put a crown on my head, and make a miracle, but – but what if Hyrule doesn’t need me? What if they don’t want me? There hasn’t been a monarchy in over a century!! The world has moved on, so - how can I help then?? What can I do then??”

She looks miserable, and Link feels guilt sink like a stone into his gut. “…I’m sorry,” he says hoarsely, his throat finally clear. “I just – I assumed that of you, like everyone else, because of all the stories I’ve heard, what Impa told me, and I thought – I figured that one day you would just have to…leave me behind. Because I’ve done what I was supposed to do. Right? So…there’s no need for me, anymore.”

She shakes her head, still trembling with anger. “Well, that’s stupid!!” The Princess cries furiously. “Because I don’t know what I’m going to do yet! I don’t know if there’s anything I can do! And no matter what – no matter what happens, or what I decide, I’m always going to need you! You’re all I have!”

Swiping at her cheeks, she looks at him with watery green eyes. “I’m not a princess, Link – not now. I don’t know if I will ever be one again. And I can’t – I can’t bear to believe that that’s all you think of me when you look at me.”

Her words hit harder than a kick to the gut, and Link looks at her – really looks at her, from her red eyes and teary face to her rumpled tunic and her hands, back at her sides and curled into clenched fists, and he –

He thinks back to the past days together, seeing the Princess laugh, and joke with him – seeing her eyes light up with discovery, or wonder, and her moments of goofiness and excitement. He thinks about every day he’s spent with her, closer than he ever thought possible as he watched her sleep and pulled her out of her nightmares.

Link looks at her, and thinks of those days, and – he doesn’t see a Princess at all.

Instead, it’s Zelda – just Zelda.

Biting his lip, he walks up to her, slowly, like he was approaching a spooked horse, and carefully reaches out for her hands, gently uncurling them out of their tight fists. He looks down at her open palms and brushes his thumbs across the imprints her nails made, dark crescent moons from digging into the skin too hard. Looking back into her red rimmed eyes, Link sighs quietly and feels despicable.

“I’m sorry.” He repeats, his voice catching in his throat as he cradles her hands in his – but what right did he have to cry? “Zelda, I’m so, so sorry.”

He’d say it a thousand times, if he could.

“I didn’t bring you on this journey with me because I felt bad for you, or out of duty. I brought you with me because I wanted to. Because I wanted you around. I’m sorry if I made you feel any different – I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry for making you cry.”

I don’t want to be the reason you cry anymore.

Zelda’s eyes were searching as she looks at him, trying to find any hint of falsehood, and when she finds nothing but sincerity, nothing but how truly sorry he was, her face crumples, and her fingers curl around his, holding him back just as tightly. Sniffling, she brings their joined hands to her chest, pressing them to her heart, and takes another step to lean into him, pressing her forehead against his shoulder.

“You’re so stupid.” She warbles, and Link laughs wearily, pressing his cheek against the top of her head.

“I know. I know. I’m sorry.”

-o-

With the air clear between them, the next day of travel passes much easier.

They wake with the soft light of the dawn, groggily rising and clearing up their makeshift camp. Link quickly changes into a fresher Hylian tunic while the – while Zelda went off behind one of the crumbling stone walls to change. Link looks through the cooked meals gathered in the slate while Zelda dressed and decides that some hearty riceballs would make a fine enough breakfast for today. When Zelda returns to his side, he holds out two riceballs to her, and she accepts them with a smile.

He soaks in it like a plant that’s been denied sunlight.

Since Zelda was the one that picked their destination, she was the one that got to look at the map on the slate and lead the way, and by mid-morning their breakfast was finished and they were walking through the arching, overlapping rocks of the Breach of Demise.

“We’ve covered more ground than I thought!” Zelda declares, looking up from the map. “Once we get through the Breach, we should be at Satori Mountain by early afternoon, if we’re lucky!”

“It was probably thanks to us barely taking any breaks yesterday.” Link pointed out. “And you didn’t get distracted by anything – we moved faster than I expected.”

“Yes, and my legs are paying for yesterday, now.”

That made Link slow down a little, concerned. “Should we stop for a little while, then? Are you alright?”

“Oh, I’m fine!” She waves away his concern. “Don’t worry about me – my legs are sore, but it’s nothing terrible. It’s…a good soreness. I don’t feel tired at all.”

“You promise?”

“Yes.” She looks over at him with a smile. “Being out here, seeing the world…it really has helped! I feel much stronger!”

They exited the rocky Breach of Demise, stepping back out into the sunlight, and Zelda shades her eyes with one hand as she absorbs the warmth of the sun with a grin.

Zelda wouldn’t lie to him about her health – they’d been through too much together, to try and lie about anything, Link is sure of it. So he trusts her, and gives her a little smile when she hooks her arm through his, continuing to let her lead the way.

“Ah -” He says when they walk past a familiar stretch of land, littered with cliffs and circular rocks. “I remember this – this was a shrine riddle.”

“A riddle?”

Link stops her with a hand on her arm, leading her off the path and into the grass. “I was heading to Tabantha, towards the Rito.” He explains. “When I heard music. I followed it and found a Rito bard – his name’s Kass, you’ll probably meet him eventually – and he had all these songs that were puzzles for the Hero to solve to discover shrines.”

Zelda’s eyes were wide as she listens to his story, and he stops her to stand before the rocks that helped him find the hidden shrine. “I had to shoot an arrow.” He mimes stringing a bow. “And get it through two rocks that were aligned just so – it took me hours to try and find it, but when I did –”

He gestures to the activated shrine a few feet away.

“That’s incredible.” She breathes. “Riddles! To shrines! Did he say how many there were? How did he know about these riddles? Who taught him?”

“Apparently he learned all the songs through his teacher, who taught him how to play.” Link frowned thoughtfully. “I don’t know who he was, though. Kass said he was going to tell me more about it later, but – we never got around to it. Anyway – come on.”

He pulls Zelda away from the shrine, gentle. “We’ve just got to go over the bridge, I think – then we’ll be at Satori Mountain.”

“We need to be careful, though.” He warns as they neared the rickety Jeddo Bridge. “I feel like this thing is gonna fall apart any day now.”

“It’s been standing for a century, disrepair aside.” Zelda points out as they slowly make their way across. “I don’t think two little Hylians are going to be the reason this bridge falls to pieces. Oh, look, Link – there it is!!”

She lets go of Link’s arm to hop off the bridge, running off towards the rolling heights of Satori Mountain.

“Hey – Zelda, wait up! Hold on!”

A pair of crows went flying with a croak when he catches up to her, slate hooked to her belt as she stares up at the mountain. “Have you ever been up there?” She asks once he caught up to her. “I know you must have heard the stories in your travels about the Lord of the Mountain. Have you ever -?”

“I haven’t.” He admits. “I’ve…meant to. It’s why I placed the pin, but – something always came up. I was never really lucky enough to make it up there. Another quest, a shrine, a blood moon –”

“Yes, hard to sightsee when you’ve got the Calamity hanging over your head.” Zelda muses dryly. “Well – shall we head up? We’re wasting the day!!”

“Are you up for climbing?”

Zelda gives him a look. “Why would we need to climb when there’s a perfectly good path over there?” She points at the trail, winding up around the mountain, and Link shrugs.

“I always find cooler stuff by climbing.”

Rolling her eyes, Zelda begins to walk to the path, Link soon to be on her heels. “You can find just as surprising things by walking, you know.”

She turned out to be right; just a little ways up the path, they found a small pond, more crows scattering away at their arrival. “Ooh, some Armoranth!” Zelda quickly pulls off her boots and socks and rolls up her trousers to wade into the water, squeaking at the cold temperature for a second before grabbing the slate, already trying to find the best angle to get a picture. Link decides to wait on a large rock that sat nearby until she was done, closing his eyes and enjoying the occasional breeze that passes by.

The closer they got to the Tabantha region, the cooler it became, and at their current height on the mountain, it didn’t feel like summer at all, the crisp, cool winds reminding him of one of the nicer spring days.

“Did you get a good picture of the Armoranth?” Link asks when Zelda wades over to him, slate pressed to her chest, and she grins at him, pleased. “Yes! We can keep going, now.” She quickly dries her feet and pulls on her socks and boots, and they continue making their way up the mountain.

Soon, they find a large apple orchard, streams of dappled sunlight shining through gaps in the leaves and making the area glow. The scent of overripe apples hung in the air from the fruit that litters the ground, and Link shares a silent look of agreement with Zelda, walking through the orchard and grabbing some apples for them to snack on.

Or to use for baking. Link thinks to himself. He owes Zelda a hot buttered apple or two, anyway, after everything.

Zelda quickly wanders off into the trees, and Link picks an apple tree to rest under until she returned, plucking an apple from his chosen tree to eat before he sits down. The wind quietly rustles through the trees as he slowly eats his apple, the warm beams of sunlight a perfect contrast to the cool wind, and Link found it so comfortable that he could nap here, if he let himself.

“Um – Link…?”

He looks up when Zelda’s confused tone echoes through the trees, taking another bite from his apple. “What is it? Is something wrong?”

“I don’t think so…” He hears rustling as she takes a couple of hesitant steps towards him, and he can see her through the gaps in the trees awkwardly holding out the slate. “It’s just – the Sheikah Slate, it’s…buzzing?”

“Oh – oh!!” Link straightens up with the realization, holding out a hand. “Let me hold the slate for a minute. I know what this is.”

Link was on his feet, apple quickly discarded and forgotten as Zelda meets him halfway, handing over the slate. He moves the slate back and forth, nodding as the vibrations increased some once he moved in a certain direction. “Okay, that way.” He says under his breath, turning back to Zelda who was looking on in confusion. “We have to keep going up – we’re not too far.”

“Not too far from what?”

Link can’t hide the cheeky grin he sent her way. “This I’m going to let be a surprise. You ready?”

Zelda throws her hands up for one exasperated second before letting out an amused breath. “As ready as I’ll ever be. Lead on, Hero, to whatever surprise you have waiting for me.”

Link’s smile widens, and he lets the sensor lead them further up the mountain. He can see the pink blossoms of a tree – the alleged place where the Lord of the Mountain resides – but the slate’s vibrations became even stronger when he moved a little past that location, and he frowns thoughtfully. “Okay…” He mumbles. “I think…this way. Come on.”

He forgot how annoying this function of the slate was; it was never as accurate as he liked, and has left him running around in circles for literal hours many, many times. When it was just him, it was fine – but he didn’t want to lead Zelda on this wild goose chase, as well.

The path got a little precarious, in some places, and Link had to help Zelda up when the inclines became too steep – but eventually Link finds the right path, and the vibrations get stronger, and stronger, until –

“Link.” Zelda gasps, and he wants to laugh in triumph at the awe in her voice.

He runs up to the shrine, the crows perched around the stone platform scattering at his approach, cawing loudly. It glows bright in the shade, a warm, dusky orange – deactivated.

“Link.” Zelda whispers, clutching at the back of his tunic. “This – this is a shrine. A – a shrine. And it – it’s not blue, so that –”

“I haven’t been to this one.” He places the slate against the pedestal, and it flashes with light – the stone walls part, same as all the others, and display the platform that would lead into the belly of the shrine.

“But – but –”

Zelda sounds so stunned, and Link peeks over his shoulder to look at her, still staring at the open shrine like it wasn’t real.

“But I thought –” She sputters. “You – didn’t you – did you find all the shrines? In your travels?”

Ah, here we go.

Link hesitates, slowly hooking the slate onto his belt. “…No.” He quietly admits. “I didn’t.”

“But you told me – during your journey, the riddles –”

“That was for some of the shrines, yes, but – not all. I don’t…really know how many shrines are left, out in Hyrule.”

“Weren’t they supposed to train the Hero??” Zelda asks, her voice rising in incredulity. “Shrines, scattered across the country, meant to train you to face the Calamity, and you – you didn’t find them all?? Why??”

Heat starts to prickle up the back of his neck, and Link scuffs a boot against the stone of the shrine. “The reason is embarrassing.” He mumbles, and Zelda tugs at him to make him turn around and face her. She says nothing, placing her hands on his arms and waiting in silent expectation for his answer, and the embarrassed heat spreads to his cheeks.

“Why, Link?” She asks again, and his eyes slide down and away.

“Because I got scared.”

She must not have been expecting that to be his answer, and blinks rapidly at him, confused. “…What?”

“I was scared.” He repeats, still unable to look her in the eye. “I thought that – that the longer I took, traveling the country, trying to find all the shrines…I would come to Hyrule Castle, finally able to help you, and in the end, I’d be too late.”

It feels ridiculous now after witnessing what Zelda can do and knowing what she was capable of, but at the time, that fear was all he could think about – that instead of meeting Zelda, warm and alive, she would be draped in spirit fires, and he would see her long enough to get to say goodbye.

“It was all I could think about.” He continued. “I would dream about it. And I was just – so worried, that one day I thought – screw with it. I cooked as many meals as I could. Made more healing potions than I really needed. And then I just – went to the castle.”

Zelda looks at him, dumbfounded, and her fingers curl around his arms, holding onto him. She was staring at him like – like she’d never seen him before, and Link knew the blush on his face was spreading to his ears, he was so embarrassed.

“I know it was pretty ridiculous.” He begins to ramble nervously. “And reckless. I know now what you can do, and that you – you could handle it. But I was still worried, and I just wanted – I wanted to -”

His rambling cuts off as Zelda steps into his space, the hands on his arms sliding around his waist and clinging to his tunic as she yanks him into a hug.

“You’re right.” She whispered thickly. “It is ridiculous – the Calamity couldn’t kill me. I would never let it.”

She was smiling, he knew she was – he could hear it in her voice - and Link slowly wraps his arms around her, hugging her just as tightly. “I know that now.” He says quietly. “But it all worked out, in the end – and I got to see you sooner.”

Zelda laughs lightly, and he pulls away from the embrace to gesture to the shrine, sweeping an arm out in an ‘after you’ gesture. “Ready to go into the shrine?” He asks, and she practically glows with happiness.

 -o-

Taking Zelda through a shrine was probably one of the most nerve-wracking things he’d ever done.

His stomach drops when he sees the precarious metal swings, swaying back and forth and nothing but open air between them, and he almost wanted to pull back and try to find a different shrine, a safer one – though none of them are ever really safe.

But Zelda was, unfortunately, ridiculously, irritatingly stubborn.

“We can do it!” She cries out, determined. “If it was just one of us, on our own – then I’d be worried. But we can get through this shrine if we work together!”

“I don’t want anything to happen to you!” He protests, heart already racing. “These swings – what if you fall??”

“Well, what if you fall?” She shoots back, hands on her hips. “I’m not going to sit here and wait and let you do this on your own! Besides, this is probably the only difficult part – the rest of the obstacles look like they happen on steadier ground.”

So – Link grits his teeth, and they go.

The metal swings really were the worst part; after a moment of consideration, Link follows Zelda’s suggestion and uses the Magnesis rune to send her across first, and then follow after. He holds onto the swing as she carefully steps onto it, holding onto the chains, and she yelps when he lets her go, the swing arcing forward and heading to the next platform, where she jumps and lands with a light hop. After he takes a second to calm his pulse, Link reactivates the rune and quickly follows behind.

Zelda beams at him when he reaches her, though the expression was somewhat shaky. “See? We can do it! Now, to the next one!”

He doesn’t fully relax until they are back on solid ground, and quick as lightning he readies his bow and shoots at the strings holding the drawbridge up, stepping back as it lands in front of them with a solid ‘thud’. Behind him, Zelda was looking around at the large, open space in awe.

“How were they able to do this??” She marvels as Link grabs her hand, leading her across the bridge. “Could it be – magic, or – maybe we’re in a completely different realm? This is incredible!!”

“Maybe it could be something like the storage function in the slate.” Link offers. “Makes it bigger on the inside.” Clutching at his hand, Zelda squeaks at the possibility.

He ignores the chest that was on the right side of the platform, instead heading directly for the spiky balls. “Zelda.” He calls for her attention. “I need you to stay close to me for this one, okay? We’re gonna have to be fast.”

It was a harrowing experience, and Link would have gotten knocked off the platform by a spiky ball near the end if it weren’t for Zelda grabbing onto him and yanking him out of the way. The new bow he discovered in the chest at the end of the platform also helped lift his spirits.

“It seems that Magnesis is the main thing they want you to use here.” Zelda says, standing at the top of the steps and staring at the large metal blocks a distance away. “Link…can I give it a try?”

“Oh – sure.” He walks up the stairs to stand next to her, handing her the slate. “Just be careful.”

“Of course.”

Her face is tense with focus as she carefully pulls the metal blocks towards them, slowly making them into a set of stairs. Together, they hop across the gap onto the blocks, and Link scrambles up the stairs and readies his paraglider, floating down to the chest that she had exposed.

When Link opens it, he grins widely, and turns around, cupping a hand around his mouth. “Hey, Zelda! I found a gold rupee for you!”

“You found a what??”

She had to rearrange the stairs so he could get back to her, and then they were on the last platform, facing large metal doors, barred by a wooden blockade and covered in foliage. Link chews at the inside of his cheek for a moment before nodding decisively, unhooking his bow from his back. “Can I see the slate really quick?”

Zelda hands it over, and Link summons an arrow, tipped with a red arrowhead and smelling vaguely of smoke. “It’s my last one.” He notches the fire arrow and takes aim. “I knew it would come in handy for something.”

His aim was true, and soon the wood and leaves were all burnt away, leaving nothing but the metal doors, waiting to be opened.

“I’ll let you do it.” Link says, and Zelda’s eyes shine as she uses the Magnesis rune to push the doors open, exposing the chamber where the Sheikah monk resided.

“Good job!” He praised as they walk up the ramp. “You were right – it wasn’t as bad, with the two of us working together.”

“I can’t believe I got to do this.” She says faintly, pressing her hands to her cheeks. “I never – I always hoped –”

They stop before the monk, and Zelda beams at him. “Thank you, Link. This was – this was incredible.”

“There’s more where that came from.” He says, reaching out to touch the barrier that surrounded the monk. “Though, I’m not sure if anything is going to happen, now that the Calamity is gone.”

The barrier shatters into fragments of light, and Link jumps a little as the monk’s voice echoes in his head – and Zelda reaching out to grasp at the sleeve of his tunic tells him that she can hear it, as well.

Your resourcefulness in overcoming this trial speaks to the promise of a Hero…

Link’s eyes widen as something warm presses into his chest, and he places a hand over his heart as he was given a Spirit Orb.

“Wh – a Spirit Orb? Still?” He looks over at Zelda, confused. “But…the Calamity’s gone. It’s over.”

Zelda looks just as confused as he did – and somewhat troubled. “Maybe.” She says slowly. “Hyrule isn’t done with us just yet.”

The feeling in his chest was automatic, knee-jerk: no. That’s not fair, that’s too much.

It was the same panicked kick in his chest when he first saw the Calamity rise from the castle on the Great Plateau, when he was told of his past, and his failures, and the weight of the wrongs he had to right in the world.

We’ve done our job – we’ve fulfilled our destiny. How can they ask for more?

His thoughts must have shown on his face, because Zelda bites her lip and plucks at the hem of her tunic, looking upset, and no – that wouldn’t do.

“I guess…” He sighs. “If our work isn’t done, then we’ll rise to meet it, whenever it comes.”

Link reached out and took her hand, giving it a squeeze. “Are you ready to go?”

“…Yes.” She nods, a faint smile on her lips. “We still have to make it to the top of the mountain.”

Before them, the monk begins to fade away, and as they leave the shrine in wisps of light, Link hears the monk’s last words echo in his ear.

May the Goddess smile upon you.

 -o-

It was well into the evening by the time they finally left the shrine, and as Link blinks rapidly, adjusting to the darkness around them, Zelda gasps in delight. “Link, look!”

She points up, to the top of the mountain, and he sees that it was bathed in an otherworldly green light.

“We got lucky!!” She whispers, grinning. “I think that means the Lord of the Mountain is there!!”

“Yeah.” He smiles at her, pressing a finger to his lips. “We’re gonna have to be quiet - I’ve heard that the Lord of the Mountain is very skittish – you ready?”

“Yes!” Zelda hisses back, voice tight with excitement, and they leave the shrine behind and quietly creep up the hill to the mountaintop. As they get closer, Link makes sure that the camera rune was up on the Sheikah slate, ready to capture a picture of the Lord of the Mountain.

And the look on Zelda’s face, when she finally sees it.

Chapter Text

The beds at the Swallow’s Roost are the most comfortable beds Zelda have ever experienced – not even her childhood bed at Hyrule Castle can compare.

Zelda was surprised when Link said that their next destination would be Rito Village; she knows that he wants to visit the settlements at a later date, and she shared her thoughts with him, wondering what changed his mind. He grimaced at her question. “I know I’m breaking my own rules, here – but where I want to take you next is really cold. We need to get you some of your own cold weather gear.”

Link had offered to shorten their trip by having them travel by slate, but Zelda declined; Rito Village wasn’t that far, and walking never hurt. She admitted it slightly, but being out in the wild really was helping; it felt like – like every time she walked along the trails, or laid in the grass and dug her fingers in the earth, or closed her eyes and soaked in all the sunshine, and the rain…she felt stronger. Like the land was bolstering her, helping her get back onto her feet.

So, a walk would be fine.

They departed from Satori Mountain the next day, and now here they were, after a day and a half of travel, at Rito Village. Stars winked overhead as they crossed the bridge into the village, Zelda trailing after Link as he greeted the Rito guards on post with a wave, and cool wind brushed against her face as she paused at the village’s shrine for Hylia.

She was in a prominent position, the first thing a person sees when they arrive, lovingly cared for and draped in flowers. Zelda quietly reached out to Her, and the humming in her blood increased as she ran a thumb across the stone cheek. She let herself linger, just for a moment, before turning away, heading back to Link, who was waiting for her at the foot of the stairs, giving her a minute to herself before they made their way to the inn.

Now, Zelda was freshly bathed and melting into the soft beds at the inn of Rito Village, holding the slate overhead as she looked at the map, squinting.

“If you drop the slate onto your face.” Link warns her. “I’m going to laugh at you.”

Zelda pays him no mind, bringing the slate a little closer to her face as she stares at the land in mild annoyance.

These past few weeks, something about the slate’s map has been bugging Zelda. She’s been trying to put her finger on it.

It’s nothing major – all the main towns (the towns that still exist, at least) are still there; Zora’s Domain, Lurelin, Hateno, Kakariko…so on and so forth. They’re all there! But something about the map was still so off that it tickled Zelda’s brain in the most irritating way.

Squinting harder, she zooms in on the map for what felt like the millionth time, eyes roving over the areas until, suddenly – it hits her.

“That’s what it was!!” She cries out, startling Link so badly he almost falls off the bed.

“What?! What is it!?”

He looks jumpy from her outburst, and Zelda winces a little in apology. “Sorry, I just – the map has been bothering me.”

“You kids alright over there?” She looks up at the approach of a female Rito, and Link waves off the concern with a smile. “We’re fine, Miss Cecili; Zelda just startled me.”

Always so kind – no wonder everyone liked him, it was just like in Lurelin Village. Cecili had brightened up when Verla, the greeter of the inn, announced that Link was there, and practically fluttered with delight when she caught a glimpse of Zelda. “Link!!” She had cried out. “You didn’t tell me you finally met someone, who’s this??”

Wrinkling her nose, Zelda pulls herself back to the present. “Yes, I’m sorry – I just noticed something and got excited. Speaking of! Link, come here, I’ll show you –”

Rolling onto her belly, she scoots over and makes space for him on the ridiculously expansive bed they were sharing, patting the open spot she made. Link rolls his eyes, but flops over onto the space she made, shoulders knocking together as she lays the slate onto the bed so they both could see.

“So, as I said - something about the map had been bothering me.” She explains, quickly zooming in on the map. “Every time I went to look at it, something just felt off. And I thought – well, I don’t know what I thought, at first. It just felt weird! All the landscapes are the same, and the names of major villages and settlements are still there, so – what was it?? And just now, I finally realized!!”

She jabs a finger at the screen of the slate. “Some of the names are different!! Of the locations!! Look, see –”

Link’s eyebrows are slowly rising, and he looks amused as Zelda presses closer, pointing at one of the mountains in Hebra. “There! Rhoam Mountain? That’s completely different from a century ago! Maybe someone named it after – after the Calamity, for my father. And Irch Plain…”

She traces her finger over a stretch of land, curved on the edges of Hyrule Castle. “You probably don’t remember, but it hasn’t been called that since, oh…four or five queens ago? I remember it from my history lessons, somewhat. It’s been a really long time.”

A fresh wave of melancholy fills her, and Zelda frowns down at the map – so familiar, but so different. Just like everything else.

“Did someone find outdated maps?” She wonders aloud. “I know we have – had some at the castle, but…it wasn’t safe.”

Zelda remembers this; she’d seen many enter the smoking, infested remains of the castle over the years – and never come out.

Humming to himself, Link looks over the map, zooming out so they could look over the breadth of Hyrule. “Maybe…” He murmurs to himself, tapping at the screen. “From here?”

On the slate, Link had placed two glowing pins – one near Woodland Tower, and one in Akkala. “These used to be military locations.” He says. “So maybe there were some maps kept there? It feels especially likely for the Akkala Citadel; I’ve heard lots of stories about that place.”

It's possible; Zelda makes a noise in concession and folds her arms. “I’m glad to just realize, honestly.” She admits, resting her chin on her arms. “But it’s also…hm.” Zelda laughs, though the sound wasn’t entirely happy. “I really do have to get to know the world all over again.”

She was trying not to complain so much – every day she fiercely reminded herself that at least there was a world to come back to – but most days it was just so hard.

Her laugh tapers off into a sigh, and she turns to rest her cheek on her arms instead, looking over at Link who was staring at her with a complicated look in his eyes. Her gut twists with nerves – with doubt.

Who is he looking at, a part of her whispers, who does he see? But Zelda tries to ignore that doubt, because he apologized – he promised he brought her with him because he wanted to. Not because she was a princess, but because she was Zelda.

Her unsaid questions hang in the air between them – do you know me? Do you remember me? – and she can feel the tension of them pressing down on her shoulders.

“Link –” She starts to say, but her words are quickly smothered by a huge, jaw-cracking yawn. Directly into his face, too – how embarrassing.

But Link apparently didn’t mind, because all he did was laugh. “Yeah, it is kind of late, isn’t it?” He agrees. “And we’ve been moving around a lot, too.”

“This is the comfiest bed I’ve ever been on.” Zelda mumbles. “Better than the ones at the castle, even.”

“Miss Cecili will be happy to hear that. We should sleep, though; we’ve got some shopping to do tomorrow.”

“Yes, of course.” She sighs, handing Link the slate before pushing herself up and crawling to the head of the bed, quickly slipping beneath the blankets. The further the evening stretched on, the colder it got, and Zelda shivers a little as she pulls the blankets to her chin. “And after our shopping, will we be departing?”

“No.” Link says as he gets into bed, throwing a second blanket over them as he settles next to her. “I’ve got some other preparations to do. Mostly cooking. And I need to buy an extra blanket; I have one already, of course, but another one wouldn’t hurt, and the Rito make the best blankets.”

“Link, I’ve been to Hebra – surely it won’t be too terrible.”

He looks over her in consideration. “When I traveled through Hebra, after I had just woken up…it felt like I would never warm up again, even with the cold weather gear. I wasn’t used to it, yet. I’m pretty sure it might happen to you, too, so I want to be as prepared as possible just in case.”

Ah. It was easy to forget, with how much easier it’s been to move around and how settled she feels in her skin, that she’s only been back out in the world for a couple of months.

“How did you end up in Hebra during your journey, anyway?” She asks, and Link shrugs, plucking at the blankets between them.

“…It’s hard to explain.” He finally admits. “But sometimes I would just…get stuck in my head. Lose time. And I would walk, and walk, and walk…”

As he speaks, he slowly walks two fingers up Zelda’s arm, all the way to her shoulder, and she feels the hairs on the nape of her neck rise at the light touch.

“And whenever I finally came back to myself, I was halfway across the country, or in the middle of a jungle, or halfway up a mountain. When you’re by yourself for so long, in the wild, you kind of...lose the edges of yourself. I could walk for days without realizing anything.”

Once his fingers reach the top of her shoulder, Link lets his hand fall back onto the bed, and Zelda frowns at him. The way he explains it makes it sound like it wasn’t that big an issue, but none of that sounded good at all, to her – it sounded dangerous.

It sounded lonely.

She can picture it in her mind (her imagination? Or maybe a memory?) – Link, walking across Hyrule, going wherever whimsy took him. Paying no mind to the sun, or the rain, or the way day slipped into night – just moving forward, eyes constantly ahead.

The thought brought an ache to her chest, made her unbearably sad. Worming an arm from beneath the blankets, Zelda reaches out and grabs his hand, scooting closer to him. “Well.” She says, making sure to keep the trembling in her heart out of her voice. “It’s a good thing I’m here now, so you don’t get too out of it, isn’t it?”

Link looks at her, eyes wide and bright, and Zelda feels like she can see directly into the heart of him. “Yeah.” He agrees, and his voice was full of emotions she couldn’t decipher. “It is.”

Eventually they fall asleep, hands still connected.

 -o-

The next day, before they went to the armory shop, Link checks to see what parts of the cold weather gear she would actually need.

“I can afford to buy clothes now!” Zelda protests. “I have my own money, I don’t want to –”

Link gives her a look, and she bites her lip, letting the words die on her tongue. “I know, you don’t mind.” She groans. “I’m sorry. But still!”

“I’m trying to save you some rupees here. I think you just need the headdress and the tunic; I have some snow boots and trousers that you can borrow.”

“I don’t want to take anything away from you!”

“I have the full set of Rito gear.” Link says with infinite patience. “I promise you’re not taking anything from me. Now let’s go get you some clothes.”

Rito Village is livelier this morning, with more of the bird folk out and about, milling about on the wooden walkways and soaring across the clear blue skies. Overhead, Vah Medoh was perched over the village, wings spread wide and head still turned towards Hyrule Castle. Zelda looks up at the Divine Beast, over the outstretched wings and flickering blue lights, and she smiles, a small, sad thing.

She was quickly pulled out of her encroaching melancholy by a high, trilling cry of “Link!!!”, and Zelda turns just in time to see him get ambushed by a colorful flock of Rito children.

“You didn’t say you were coming to visit!!”

“Link, you missed singing practice, and you promised –”

“Link, Link!! For lunch, can you make –”

“Link!! Link, have you seen dad lately –”

“Link, who’s that lady??”

“Girls!” A Rito woman with green plumage approaches, wings outstretched towards the five little Rito clinging to Link’s legs. “My loves, give Link a little breathing room, won’t you??”

“It’s alright, Miss Amali.” Link says with a sweet smile, closing his eyes as Amali steps in to fuss and groom over him, fixing his hair and plucking at his clothing. Once Amali is satisfied with his appearance, he returns his attention to the girls. “Cree, I don’t have a way to send a message, so I couldn’t let you know I was coming to visit, anyways. I’m sorry, Kheel, I didn’t mean to miss your practice! I can’t stay long this time, but I promise I’ll come to the next one. Genli, I’ll only make you salmon meunière for lunch if your mother says it’s okay. No, Notts, I haven’t seen your dad lately, but I can tell him you said hi the next time I see him. And Kotts, this is my friend Zelda. We’re going shopping.”

He turns to Zelda, sweeping out an arm. “These are Kass’ daughters, Cree, Kheel, Genli, Kotts, and Notts –” he points at each girl he introduces “- and his wife Amali. Girls, say hi.”

“Hiiii, Zeldaaaa.” They trill in unison, and she can’t help but smile at them, already utterly charmed. “Oh, hello! It’s nice to meet you!”

“Mommy!” The little blue Rito (Cree, Zelda reminds herself) flutters up into Amali’s arms, “Mommy, she’s got the same name as the lady in daddy’s stories!”

Zelda’s heart skips in her chest, and she tries not to stiffen up too much and give herself away, but Amali just nods patiently. “She does, sweet – some people like to name their children after the lost Princess, in honor of her.”

“Ohhhhhh,” Cree says, nodding solemnly like it all made sense.

“Now -” Amali adjusts her hold on her child. “We should leave Link and Zelda alone for now, so they can do all their shopping. And I’m pretty sure you all have singing practice today, so  - Genli, if you get through practice without any issue, and all of you help gather the ingredients, then I’m fine with Link making some lunch for you.”

The girls flutter around them, cheering, and quickly sprint towards the stairs; Cree jumps from her mother’s arms and spreads her little wings, gliding through the air and trailing after her sisters.

“Bye, Link!!” The girls call out. “Bye, Zelda!!”

They leave as quickly as they came, a whirl of colors, and Zelda was completely taken with them. “Sorry that they ambushed you.” Amali was saying as Zelda watches the girls depart. “It is good to see you, Link. Vah Medoh gave us a scare a couple months ago, firing that beam out of nowhere – but most of us had a feeling it was you. I had an inkling you’d be coming back around, eventually.”

Her tone was light, casual, but her eyes – her eyes were bright, filled with a light Zelda couldn’t bear to put out. “I remember the stories, of course, from my husband. And the songs. And…I must ask – Link. Has it -?”

“Yes.”

Zelda doesn’t realize she had spoken until Link and Amali turn to her, and though her cheeks heat at the attention, she doesn’t take back the word, straightening under their gaze. “It’s gone.” She continues, confident. “The Calamity is gone.”

There it was – the familiar sense of vertigo crashing over her as she said it – the overwhelming feeling of unreality, of disbelief - ‘I can’t believe this happened’. But it did; she’s seen the hollowed-out castle, stared at it and dug her fingers into the earth to stay present and remind herself that she’s here and no longer there.

The Calamity was gone. No one would have to endure this again for another ten thousand years.

I would rather no one have to ever endure it at all, a part of her whispers.

Amali sags with the news, folding her wings to her chest as she curls inward with relief. “Goddesses.” She whispers under her breath. “At last. At last. Thank goodness.”

She straightens, and her eyes sparkle with tears. “Thank you.” She stresses, voice thick with gratitude. “My children will never have to live another day under the shadow of the Calamity. I –”

Amali reaches out, brushig the tips of her feathery wings against Link’s cheek, and places her other wing on Zelda’s shoulder, and when the Rito looks at her, Zelda feels seen.

“Thank you.” She repeats. “Both of you. I don’t – I can’t imagine this ever happening, without your help.”

“It’s nothing.” Link says, his voice soft, reaching up to brush against the feathers resting against his cheek.

“It’s not nothing.” Amali’s feathers fluff as she bristles. “It’s – oh, goodness. I send the girls off so you can do your shopping, and here I am holding you up!!”

Amali steps back. “I wonder, also, should I – who should I tell, about -?”

Zelda shares a quick glance with Link, and he shrugs in a light gesture of ‘well, why not?’.

“It wouldn’t hurt to get word out about the Calamity.” Zelda says slowly, considering it. “We were planning on coming back to spread the word eventually.” Link adds. “This just speeds up the process a little bit.”

“Okay. Alright.” Amali nods to herself. “I’ll – I should probably go speak to the elder. I’ll leave you to your shopping, now.”

As soon as Amali is out of sight, Zelda’s breath leaves her in a gusty sigh, and she shuffles over to Link to press her forehead into his shoulder. “We still have to prepare for our trip.” She reminds Link shakily, and he lets out a short laugh. “We do – we’ll have to move fast, now; knowing the girls, they’ll rush through practice so they can have lunch sooner.”

“You and your cooking.” She sighs as he leads her to the armory shop. “The easiest path to one’s heart, I suppose. No wonder those little girls are so taken with you.”

A pink flush appears on his cheeks, and Link’s lips part in affront, starting to say something, but he was quickly cut off by the loud crow of “Link! Well aren’t you a sight for sore eyes! You don’t need more clothes, do you?”

Link’s lips press together into a thin line, and Zelda huffs out a quiet laugh as he sighs deeply through his nose.

“No.” He says, raising a hand in greeting as they step into the store. “But my friend needs some – we’re traveling to Hebra, soon.”

“Hebra!” The Rito behind the counter cries out. “That’s a hell of a place to take your lady on a trip, Link. Where’s the romance in that?”

Zelda watches in amusement as the blush on Link’s face deepens as he sputters, belligerent. “Well…” She muses, looking over at the Rito with a sly smile on her face. “I suppose I am quite an unconventional girl – so that means I’m meant for an unconventional romance, as well.”

“Zelda.” Link says, anguished, and Zelda needs to take a second and brace herself on her knees from the force of her laughter.

“I’m teasing, I’m teasing! Sorry, Link – you made it too easy!!”

Wiping the tears of laughter from her eyes, Zelda skips to the counter. “Link told me you have the best Rito down for the cold, so I’d like to purchase your headdress and tunic, please.”

Zelda’s coin purse was painfully light when they made their way to their next stop, but she has wonderfully warm winter clothes now, so she wasn’t too upset. “I almost miss my winter whites.” She sighs longingly as they enter the general store. “But there’s no way they survived a century, is there?”

Link shrugs, his face still a little pink from her earlier teasing. “Stranger things have happened – you never know.”

Their trip through the general store is quick, Link picking up a few ingredients for cooking and a thick, elaborate quilt, and after they went to deposit their things, they head to the room where Zelda saw a cookpot.

Sure enough, just as Link predicted, five little Rito girls surround the cookpot, a few of them laden with ingredients as Genli glares at the wood, as though the heat of her stare alone could start the fire.

“Link’s here!!” Kotts cheers, fluttering her wings. “Link, we got all the stuff!! And we did good at practice!! Can you make lunch now, pleeaaaase?”

He laughs, fond. “Since you all did so well during practice, how can I refuse?”

As the girls cheer, he looks over at Zelda, who has been staring at the Rito children with a silly smile. “Do you wanna help out with cooking?” He asks, snapping her out of her daze, and her head whips over to look at him in wide-eyed disbelief. “Me?? Are you sure I won’t burn anything?”

Link purses his lips, thinking about it. “I think as long as I’m there, we’ll be alright. You can make elixirs after lunch for the trip, if it makes you feel better – I feel like you’re really good at those.”

Zelda eyes the cookpot with trepidation as they near it, feeling like the ingredients would burn to ash just by her touching them. But – but it didn’t end in a disaster like she thought it would. Link was right, after all; with him nearby, things turned out alright, and soon they had five happy girls devouring their salmon meunière.

Zelda watches them eat feeling the most accomplished she’s ever felt in her life – and she’s held back the Calamity.

“Told you it’d be alright.” Link says smugly as he cleans out the cookpot, and Zelda gently elbows his side.

“Thank you!!” The girls chorus once their plates were cleared, and Link grins at them. “Sure thing. Zelda and I have to finish getting ready for our trip tomorrow, so go see your mom, okay?”

“Aww.” Kheel pouts at them, feathers ruffled. “You can’t stay?”

“Not this time. But we’ll be back to visit soon, okay?”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

After wringing multiple promises from both Link and Zelda that they would return, the girls finally say their goodbyes, fluttering off to their mother.

“Alright.” Link claps his hands together. “Let’s get cooking.”

 -o-

Zelda tries not to fall into a doze as Link’s fingers comb through her hair, helping her put the Rito headdress in place and threading the rubies into the strands. The sun slowly crawls into the sky, the air holding onto some of the evening chill, making Zelda thankful for the Rito tunic she wore.

“I’m not very keen on this early departure.” She mumbles as Link finishes braiding the headdress in place.

“I know.” He slides off the bed, raising his arms overhead in a stretch. “But the earlier we get started, the more progress we make.”

“I understand – but I don’t have to like it.”

“I’ll make you breakfast.” He wheedles, and Zelda glares at him. “You better be making breakfast.”

After a meal of wildberry crepes and a cup of strong tea, the sun was higher in the sky, and she felt a little more awake and ready to travel Hylia knows where, shouldering her bag and adjusting the snow boots on her feet as they leave the inn. “Before we go.” Link says, turning to hand her a glass bottle. “You should probably take one of these, to be prepared.”

She takes the bottle, staring at the vibrant red liquid inside, and grimaces. When she made the elixirs yesterday, Zelda took care to measure out the best balance of ingredients, producing only the strongest of heat elixirs to stand against the Hebra chill. It burned the whole way down, and Zelda coughs at the kick in her chest. The effect was immediate – heat spreads from her chest outward, and the mild weather and Rito down soon felt stifling as the elixir warmed her up.

“I’m ready.” Zelda rasps, stepping into the waiting circle of Link’s arms, winding an arm around his waist and clutching at his tunic as she reaches out to grab the slate.

Dissolving into streams of light was just as disorienting as the first time, and Zelda closes her eyes against the feeling, even though it doesn’t do her any good. In what feels like an instant, they materialize before a shrine, and the cold immediately slams into her and snatches the breath from her lungs.

It was like she stepped out into the cold naked – like the Rito down and the elixir weren’t even there. Zelda was wracked with shivers, and she wraps her arms around herself as tight as she can, staring out the alcove the shrine was tucked into at a sea of white. Pressing closer to Link, she tries to leech heat from him, teeth beginning to chatter.

“Hold on – we’re gonna have to climb out of here. I’ll help, okay?” Link futilely rubs her arms, trying to warm her up. “Give it just a second.” He promises as he lets her go, a length of rope appearing from the slate. “You’ll warm up soon, I promise. Let’s get out of here.”

He quickly scrambles out of the small cave and throws the rope over for Zelda. Hand over hand, she ignores her shivering and climbs out of the cave, bracing her feet against the rocks, and is greeted to snow stretching ahead for miles and miles.

“Goddess.” She whispers, the frigid cold still sinking into her bones. She works to keep it out of her mind. “Well…where to now?”

Removing the slate from his belt, Link squints down at the map for a moment before pointing ahead. “We’ve got to go that way.”

Sidling up to Link’s side, Zelda looks down at the map, and then over to where Link was pointing – an incline, going up and over a mountain, obscured by snow. “It’s a pretty steep hill.” He explains as he looks back at the slate. “So we’ll go slow. There’s going to be a lot of hills, so just let me know if you get tired, okay?”

The paraglider appears in a swirl of light, and Link holds it with one hand and hooks the slate onto his belt before reaching for Zelda, wrapping her gloved hand in his. “Ready?”

Shivering, she nods, blinking away the snowflakes clinging to her lashes. “Ready as I’ll ever be.” She says shakily, and Link leads them to the edge of the cliff. “Hop on.” He says, squatting down and offering his back, and Zelda climbs on and latches onto him while he readies his paraglider, preparing to jump.

It hits Zelda again, just how warm he was – practically radiating heat, and Zelda holds onto him a little tighter, wanting some of that warmth to transfer over to her and chase the cold away.

The hill, Zelda thinks to herself as she and Link glides to the ground, seems much larger up close, the incline so steep it almost looked like it was going straight up, in some places. It looks intimidating, to say the least, and Zelda wonders with some trepidation if she could actually do this. If she lost her footing and fell, well…the landing wouldn’t be too kind on her.

“Hey.”

Gnawing on her lip, she turns to Link, trying not to look too nervous about the climb ahead. It seems that he could see right through her, though, and reaches for her hand with a smile. “It’s going to be okay.” He promises. “I’ll be with you the whole time. You can do it.”

She exhales slowly, and then grabs Link’s outstretched hand with a slight eye roll. “We’ll see about that.” She says as they make their way towards the hill to start their climb. “Hopefully I don’t run out of energy halfway through!”

“That’s why I had you make some stamina elixirs.”

The climb was awful – her legs start to burn halfway up the incline, and the air becomes thinner the higher they go, and there are times she has to ask for a moment to catch her breath. She doesn’t fall, though, not once – Link makes sure of it, with her hand wrapped up in his and her borrowed snow boots giving her better grip. It takes them an hour just to get up the hill, and the only positive of the trek was that Zelda certainly didn’t feel the cold anymore, the heat of the elixir and exertion finally warming her blood.

She brushes her hair away from her face as she looks at the scenery ahead of them, swooping hilltops and towering mountain peaks, all obscured by a heavy blanket of snow.

“How did you even find anything out here??” She wonders aloud as they carefully walk down the hill.

“Sometimes I just stumbled onto it.” He answers. “Other times, things just stumbled onto me – oh, hey, look, some cool safflina.”

He points it out, the thin blue flower waving in the wind. “We should grab it.” He says. “Do you want a picture of it, too? I’m pretty sure it’s not in the compendium.”

“Oh, yes!” Zelda eagerly takes the slate when it’s offered, running to the safflina to get a good picture, and as she kneels, she finds another object behind the flower nestled against against the rocks, buried in snow.

Curious, Zelda reaches for the object after she has her picture, picking it up and brushing the snow away. Once all the snow was gone and Zelda could see it clearly, she gasps in delight, turning to Link and holding the object over her head. “Link!!” She calls out, grinning. “Link, look!! I found some truffle!!”

She watches his expression crease with annoyance as he comes closer, and she laughs. “No, no, this one’s different! It’s huge, see?? Oh, I should take a picture of it!!” Zelda places the truffle on the ground, holding up the slate to take a quick picture, and she watches with satisfaction as the big hearty truffle was added to the compendium.

“Do you think you could make truffles into soup?” She asked Link, giving him the slate and the truffle, and he wrinkles his nose in thought. “That’d be some pretty stinky soup.” He says. “Truffle’s pretty powerful on its own, so I don’t think it’d be very good.”

 “That’s disappointing…” Zelda frowns. “Oh, maybe we could find a bird, and make some soup! We could probably use the truffle then. Or – or maybe some risotto -” She starts to rise to her feet, brushing the snow off her knees, but Link stops her, placing a hand on her shoulder and staring her down.

“…You need lunch.” He states, and she flushes to the roots of her hair.

“Huh? What, I -? Oh, no, I’m fine!!”

“You’re talking a lot about food.” Link points out. “We can stop for lunch.”

 Zelda shakes her head. “We’ve only just gotten started, that’s not ne –”

“It’s fine - you can eat while we walk.” He gives her a small parcel wrapped in a Korok leaf, and Zelda blinks at the sudden appearance of it, as if my magic. More likely, Link grabbed it from the slate while she was protesting. She unwraps the leaf to find a riceball waiting for her inside and looks over at Link. “If you want another, let me know.” He says, feeling her eyes on him. “But you should eat it fast – the cold makes the rice pretty unpleasant after a minute. We can keep walking while you eat, come on.”

He leads the way down the snowy hill, map in hand, and Zelda takes a large bite of the riceball as she trails behind him, sighing happily at the glazed meat inside.

A quick snack was probably a good idea in the end - the food helped keep her energy up as they continue their journey. She makes sure to stay close to Link, because it feels dangerously easy to get turned around and lost, the snow obscuring everything and covering up their footsteps. She doesn’t know how far into the day they were, the sky covered up by a dreary blanket of grey clouds, blocking out the sun.

“It’s early afternoon.” Link answers when she asked where it was in the day. “We’ve been moving for a few hours, but I think we’re getting close.”

He gives her a quick grimace of apology. “We’re about to do a little more climbing.” He says, pointing at yet another steep hill, and Zelda openly groans loudly at the clouds.

“You’ve been doing great!” Link assures her around his laughter. “I think after this hill we’ll be there – and it’ll be worth it, I promise.”

“It better be.” Zelda threatens, facing the hill with long, determined strides. “For all this cold, and snow, and these – mountains –”

Behind her, Link sputters out a laugh and quickly catches up to her, making sure that she doesn’t lose her footing.

After the first hill they had to climb, this one is tame in comparison, though Zelda is still slightly out of breath when they reached the top. The world decided to give them a kindness, as well, and the snow stopped, the clouds parting slightly and giving them a glimpse of pale blue sky.

“Alright.” Zelda huffs, catching her breath. “We made it. And now?”

“Now.” Link says, pointing. “We go over there.”

‘There’ was a flat cluster of rocks, the gaps between them hinting at something waiting down below. Zelda’s eyebrows lift at the distance, and sure enough, when she looks over at Link, the paraglider is in his hand. “We’re gliding over there?” She asks, incredulous. “Is that safe? Will you be able to get us both there?”

“Sure.” Link answers easily. “I’m a lot stronger now than I was when I first came through here. I should be fine.”

“Do you promise?”

He must have caught the worry in her voice, because he smiles, bright and full of confidence. “I promise.” He declares. “That we’re gonna make it, no problem. Climb on.”

If Zelda’s grip is a little tighter than normal when she climbs on Link’s back, well – that’s no one’s business but hers. Link doesn’t call her out on it, so it’s fine. He walks to the edge of the cliff, paraglider ready, and Zelda breathes against the familiar swoop in her stomach that comes with the quick, heart stopping second of freefall, the wind soon catching the sail and sending them soaring.

“How did you even find this place?” Zelda asks in his ear against the roar of the wind, and Link jerks his chin down at the flat planes of rock, slowly getting closer. “There used to be lizalfos on those rocks.” He yells back. “I was fighting some of them off when I lost my footing and fell in.”

“You fell?!” She yelps, concerned. “Were you okay?? You didn’t hurt yourself too badly, did you??”

By this point, their glide has slowed to a gentle, floating descent through one of the gaps in the rocks, but Zelda barely pays it any mind.

“It hurt a little bit.” Link admits. “But it was fine – I was able to recover once I took care of the lizalfos. And I found this.”

“Found –”

The air around them changes, from bitingly cold to deliciously humid and warm, and Zelda gasps at the sudden temperature difference. Link angles the paraglider, trailing their descent towards a bank of land, and Zelda openly gapes as they touch down, staring out at a small expanse of warm, bubbling water.

Hot springs.

“You just – found some hot springs by falling into them??” She breathes, incredulous. “Of all the – the preposterous, ridiculous luck –”

“Yeah, I know.” He says bashfully. When she looks at him, he’s smiling.

“We can camp here for the night, since it’s so warm.” A flash of blue light, and camping gear appears at Link’s feet – a large tarp, rope, stakes. “We’ll have some lunch first, and then I can set everything up and – and you can go in. To the water. If you want.”

“Oh.” Zelda looks at the hot springs, and then spares a glance at Link, but he wasn’t looking at her, eyes intent on the slate. The blue glow of the slate hides it, some - but Zelda is pretty sure that he was blushing. “I…yes. That sounds lovely.”

“Good. Okay. Do you want to borrow the Zora armor again -?”

“No!” She cuts him off, and heat prickles across her cheeks. “No, I – I think…I think I’ll be fine with no armor, this time.”

It was risky, but – after all this walking through snow and wind and cold, she wanted to feel the heat of the water on her skin, thawing her out. Besides…with the chemise she was wearing underneath, and her undershorts, she’d be just fine.

Her hunch of Link being embarrassed is confirmed with the proof before her, rosy red spreading to the tips of his ears. “Okay.” He coughs, turning his face away. “That’s – alright. Um. What do you want to eat?”

“You made more curry, right? Let’s have that.”

“I put more goron spice in it this time.” He warns her, dragging his focus from the slate to her. “It’s going to be spicier than usual.”

“Some extra spice would probably be good, given how cold it is.”

It starts to snow again while they eat, and Zelda contentedly listens to the wind whistle through the rocks, watching the snowflakes drift through the cracks and instantly melt into vapor. After a second helping of curry, Zelda sets up the fire while Link begins putting up the tent, setting it up in the corner near some rocks. Once the fire was crackling away, well – there wasn’t much left for her to do.

And the water looked ridiculously warm.

“I’m just letting you know I’m changing, now.” Zelda announces, reaching for the buttons on her tunic. “I’ll let you know when you can turn around.”

Link lets out a noise of affirmative, and Zelda quickly strips out of her tunic and kicks off her boots so she can peel off her socks and shimmy her trousers down her legs. She decides to leave the headdress braided into her hair – she would probably get it tangled if she tried to take it out herself – and after quickly braiding her hair down her back, she wades into the water.

The warmth of it instantly wraps her up, banishing the lingering cold and soaking the ache out of her muscles, and she sighs loudly in relief. “Oh, this is wonderful!” She kicks out, moving into deeper waters, and slowly makes her way to the other side of the spring.

By the time Link has finished setting up the tent, she was beaming, heaving herself out of the water and sitting on the bank of rocks on the opposite side, legs dangling in the water. The temperature contrast was interesting – the cold, biting wind colliding with the muggy, humid air, constantly pushing against each other. Link turns from the completed tent, eyes bouncing around the spring as he looks for her, and once his eyes land on her, his face turns pink all over as his eyes snap down to his boots.

“Link, come on!” Zelda waves him over, happy to use the heat as the reason for the flush spreading across her cheeks. “Don’t worry so much – the water feels really nice! I won’t look.”

She gives him the same courtesy he gave her, covering her eyes as he strips out of his clothes, only pulling her hands away when she hears him splashing into the water. When she focuses back on him, his eyes are closed, content, as he soaks in the heat, and then he opens his eyes and pushes forward, cutting through the water in one powerful stroke.

Zelda continues to kick her legs back and forth in the water as she watches Link swim around, a smile teasing at her lips as she slips away into her thoughts.

As out of the way as this journey has been, these little discoveries always make the travel worth it, in the end. She wonders where else they’ll go, after this.

She wonders how long this will last.

“You look like you’re thinking.”

Zelda blinks as she comes back into focus, watching Link swim in her direction. “That’s because I was.” She confirms easily, and his brow wrinkles a little.

“Nothing upsetting?”

“No. No, I was just wondering –”

She cuts herself off, shoulders hunching in a little as she crosses her ankles in a sudden fit of nerves. Exhaling slowly, she looks up at the drifting snow, how it vanishes before getting to hit the ground, and gathers her thoughts.

“I guess I’ve been wondering this for a while.” She starts. “Our journey so far…it’s been nice, but so far…aimless, I suppose? Not that it’s a bad thing! But. We’ve been going to places just to go, with no concrete reason at all, just for the doing – or that’s how it feels, I think. To me. I could be wrong. But I guess – I think I’d like to know your thoughts, Link.”

She finally gathers her courage and looks at him, still treading water in the deeper part of the spring, and the look in his eyes was – complicated. It was always complicated. Always so hard to read, these days.

“This whole trip has been amazing, and fun – I’ve enjoyed every day with you, and every destination. I guess I’d just like to know – how you put it all together? What made you want to do –” She gestured out towards the spring. “– All this?”

Link’s brows wrinkle further, and he bites at his lip as he stares down into the water, thinking. Finally, he seems to come to a decision – his eyes were bright, his jaw set – and turns back to where he set up their camp. “Give me a second.” He calls over his shoulder, quickly making it to the camp and grabbing the Sheikah Slate before returning to the water.

“Be careful with the slate!” She calls out, but Link had it covered – holding it overhead with one hand as he paddled back to her with the other. He didn’t stop until he was close to her – really, shockingly close, his collarbones brushing against her shins.

“Here.”

He taps at the screen, swipes a few times, and then places the slate in Zelda’s lap, sitting back and waiting. Picking up the slate, Zelda looks at what Link wants to show her and sees – pictures. A gallery of pictures – likely from his travels; she knows he took a lot of photos, once the camera rune worked. She frowns, forehead creasing in thought as she tries to understand what Link was showing her – when it clicks.

She looks over one picture – Lurelin Village, the sun slowly setting in the distance and turning the empty stretch of beach Link was standing on golden.

The same beach they stood on during their visit.

Another picture, this time of Lake Hylia, Farosh caught mid-motion, clawing through the air as she began her nightly route over Hyrule.

Satori Mountain in the distance, taken at night, an ethereal glow at the mountain’s peak alerting the arrival of the Lord of the Mountain.

There were other pictures, too, of places she didn’t know, yet – lakes, and mountain peaks with sunrises and sunsets at every angle, a glittering fountain – but she won’t pay those too much mind, yet. She scrolls ahead, to the pictures that they’d taken on their journey, and sees –

She sees herself.

Pictures of her, smiling at Link on the beaches of Lurelin Village, bathed in the sunset. At Lake Hylia, a faint light under her skin as she reaches out to Farosh with a breathless smile. At Satori Mountain, peeking over the rocks as she takes in the Lord of the Mountain with wide eyes.

Slowly, the pieces were coming together – somewhat. But – she wants to hear it.  She wants to hear him say it.

Closing out of the camera rune, Zelda places the Sheikah Slate to the side and looks at Link, searching, bracing her hands against the rocks as she leans forward a little. “I don’t…think I understand, yet.”

He blinks at her, slow, and then moves into her space. His hands wrap around her knees, fingertips pressing into the soft divots behind, and he rests his forehead against her knee with a sigh. Zelda’s heart kicks so loudly in her chest that she wonders if Link heard it; the heat radiating off his skin was overwhelming, and the amount of skin that was touching her sent the hair on the back of her neck up with shivers – but despite it all, she waits.

She wants to hear what Link had to say.

“I think…” He starts slowly. “When I first felt it, it was after…after when I remembered the day the Calamity came.”

Zelda goes still.

“After I remembered that…” He shakes his head. “I just…walked. I went to Hateno. Traveled down to the beach, and just…kept moving. I didn’t even notice where I was going. When I came back to myself, I was in Lurelin, and – I stayed there for a few days.

“And one day.” He continues. “I was walking along the beach, and – I saw this sunset. And it was incredible. And – and I didn’t even know you then, all I had was your voice, but – but I felt like you should’ve been there. And I turned to say something to you, where you’d usually be, and you just – weren’t. You weren’t there. And I just felt – so unbearably lonely. I watched that sunset, and it didn’t feel right, and I was just wishing that you were there, watching the sunset with me. I didn’t think about it, the first time, I just – grabbed the slate and took a picture.”

He picks his head up, resting his chin on her knees, and his eyes are clear, open. “The locations.” He says. “Were from every moment I saw something amazing in this world, and I wished that you were there with me to see it. And this trip has been me making sure that wish I made so many times finally came true.”

Zelda feels the prickle of tears in her eyes, but she won’t look away, nails scraping against stone as she curls her hands into fists, chest aching.

“The longer I went on this journey and the more I saw, the more I remembered about you – the more I missed you.” He admits easily, eyes bright. “I missed you, even when I didn’t know you, but the more that came back to me and the more I saw, the clearer it became.”

She’s starting to cry now, unable to keep the tears at bay, and Zelda sniffles as Link’s face softens, reaching up to brush a thumb across her tear-stained cheek. “I’ve seen spirits, and dragons, and the world growing around ruins.” He continues softly. “And none of it felt right or, or fair to see, because you weren’t here to experience any of it with me.”

Zelda can’t keep still anymore and pushes herself off the rock to throw herself at Link, wrapping her arms tight around his shoulders and clutching him tight. He catches her easily, arms winding around her waist as he holds her tightly as Zelda bawls into his shoulder.

“Why didn’t you say??” She wails. “At the beginning, after – when I asked you, if you – why didn’t you say anything?? I thought – I thought you didn’t –”

“I know, I’m sorry.” He says in quiet anguish. “I tried, but I couldn’t – the words, they just got stuck. I’d been working towards that day for so long, when it finally came - I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know how to say it.”

Zelda understands – remembers how he explained the feeling of a vice around his neck, holding back his words, keeping him silent.

“And I –”

Link pauses, hesitant. “I thought – I think. We. We were friends. Before. At the end. Weren’t we?”

Zelda jerks back and looks at him – really looks at him. His bright eyes, his earnest expression. Her lip trembles, and she nods jerkily. “Yes.” She answers shakily. “Yes, we – at the end of it all, you. You were one of my best friends.”

“Oh.”

Link smiles at her, relief etched into every line on his face, and it was bright as a sunrise. “That’s – that’s good. I’m glad.”

Zelda lets out a wobbly sigh. “I – I thought, this whole time, I thought –”

She sags into him, and Link holds her up effortlessly, bracing all her weight. “I was so scared that I would be alone.” She whispers. “That – I know you said you wanted me here, but I still thought you – you did it out of pity, or some leftover duty, and after that – I’d be alone. I don’t want to be alone anymore.”

“That’s never going to happen.” Link promises fiercely. “It’s you and me, okay? No matter what happens – because I always need you, too.”

No matter what happens, or what I decide – I’ll always need you! You’re all I have!

Fresh tears fill her eyes at Link repeating what she said to him days ago, and she holds him a little tighter, pressing her face into his neck. The feeling of being pressed so close, with so much warmth, so much skin – it was overwhelming to Zelda, left her feeling like she was about to burst from the feeling. But she won’t let go of him for anything.

“All this just because you missed me?” She sniffles. “Really?”

“Really.” Link says firmly. “I kept thinking about how’d you react to things or wondering what you would think about stories I’ve heard, or I– I was asked to find leviathan bones, during my travels. And when I found one, I immediately wondered what you’d think about it, and it made me miss you so much that I didn’t even bother trying to find the other ones.”

Zelda giggles wetly and Link smiles triumphantly when she pulls away from his neck to give him a smile. “There. That, too.”

“What?”

“I remembered –” His smile fades slightly. “You were always so sad, before. I also did this so you could – so I.”

The flush in his cheeks deepens, and Link lets out a short exhale, irritated with himself. “I just wanted you to smile. It’s all I wanted – just to see you smiling again.”

There was a trembling feeling, growing in Zelda’s heart – so familiar, as a century ago that trembling, that aching - it all spilled over and became light beneath her skin.

She couldn’t put a name to it. What was she to do with this? What can she do with this achy, shaking feeling, building up and spilling over in her heart?

For now, it was all she can do just to hold Link close. It was enough.

Eventually they part and spent most of the day in and out of the hot springs; when they weren’t swimming in the warm waters, they were always sitting close, talking. When the gloomy weather darkens around them, they decide it was time to dress and prepare for bed, having a meal of spicy meat and seafood atop a bed of rice.

“Don’t think of doing anything ridiculous, like keeping watch and letting me have the tent to myself.” She warns him as Link grabs their bedrolls and two Rito quilts.

“You caught me.” He said, deadpan. “My plans, foiled. You really can see right through me.”

“Ha-ha.” Zelda says dryly as he sets up their sleeping arrangements. “Be sarcastic all you like, but that is something you would do.”

“I would do it for a Princess.” He points out, voice muffled from within the tent. “But you’re not a Princess, remember? You’re just Zelda. And you and I -”

He pokes his head out of the tent, waving her in. “Are going to sleep.” He finishes, and she snorts. “Alright. Move over.”

The quilts were soft and warm as she kicks off her boots and slides beneath them onto the bedroll, and Zelda marvels at the comfortable weight – the Rito really do make the best blankets. She sighs, wiggling around to make herself comfortable, and stops when she watches Link begin to lift the first blanket up – keeping the second blanket between them, like always.

“No.”

Link stops at her short tone, and she frowns at him, grabbing both of the blankets and flipping them back, gesturing him to get in.

“Uh –”

He hesitates, eyes darting down from the empty space next to her to her face, a nervous flicker back and forth. “No Princesses here.” She reminds him. “And Link? Even though we spent all day in a hot spring, it is still very much freezing outside. So come on.”

"There's a fire." He protests weakly, but Zelda will not be moved.

She pats the empty spot, waiting patiently as Link takes off his boots and slowly moves into place next to her. As soon as he was lying down, she tucks the blankets around them and pulls them up to their chins, wrapping an arm around Link and snuggling close to him for good measure. And for good reason, too – he was warm, radiating the same amount of ridiculous heat as ever, and soon the blankets were toasty.

Link had gone still, when she’d gotten close, but bit by bit, he relaxes, slowly reaching out to wrap an arm around her, just like he always did. It was different, without the blankets between them, muffling the sensation – but it wasn’t a difference that she minded.

The day was starting to weigh on her, and she could feel it in the sleepiness that pulls at her eyes and the welcome ache settling in her muscles.

“Link.” She murmurs, starting to doze. “Thank you for taking me with you. And thank you for missing me. I missed you, too – I really did. Every day. Every second.”

He doesn’t say anything, but his arm tightens around her, so Zelda knows he understands.

“Where are we going tomorrow?” She asks, tucking her cheek into the curve of his neck. She feels him laugh lightly. “Tomorrow, I’m gonna take you to see the leviathan skeleton I found in Hebra. After that, well – it’s a surprise.”

Another surprise. Zelda bites back a smile. That was fine; she doesn’t mind the surprises all that much. There are so many wishes from Link’s lonely days left to come true.

“I can’t wait.” She says happily and drifts off to sleep.

Chapter Text

Link knows Zelda wasn’t expecting to return to Hateno.

He can tell as soon as she blinks the sunlight out of her eyes, eager curiosity about their new destination melting into confusion once she takes in the familiar scenery. Link knows she was expecting someplace different, since he’s been so determined to keep their next destination a surprise – and it was! Hateno is just a necessary pit stop before heading to the actual destination.

“Hateno?” Zelda asks him as they step off the shrine. “Well, I’m a little confused – what have we gone back home for?”

It’s an innocuous sentence, really – Zelda probably wasn’t paying attention while she said it, eyes still roving around the village. But Link feels like he’s been kicked in the chest by a lynel, with the way those words take the breath out of him, and his heart squeezes in his chest. He blinks rapidly as Zelda walks ahead of him, staring at her back as she moves towards the path to his house.

Or…will it be their house, now?

A giddy nervous feeling fills his chest at the idea, but he puts it aside for now to catch up to her. “We had to stop here for a bit.” He explained. “We’re gonna need a couple days to get some stuff, and then we’re going to our actual destination.”

“Another detour?” She asks wryly as they walk over the bridge, and Link laughs, nodding. “Another detour. And then we’ll be back on the road.”

“…I don’t mind.” She finally says. “It’s probably wise of us, to take a small break before going back to traveling so much. Oh -! Bolson, Karson, hello!”

As they approach the house, Bolson and Karson are sitting under the tree, like always, and Link raises his hand in a wave as Bolson hops to his feet.

“Well aren’t you two a sight for sore eyes!” He calls out as they got close. “Haven’t seen you two around in a while.”

“We’ve been traveling!” Zelda explains brightly. “We’ve gone to Lurelin, and central Hyrule, and Tabantha – it’s been fun!”

“Oh-ho?” Link feels heat prickle along his cheeks as Bolson raises an amused eyebrow at him. “Showing your lady around, are you?”

“Bolson, come on.” He groans as Zelda smothers a laugh behind her hand. “You’re killing me, here.”

“Sorry, honey – don’t make it so easy, then. And actually -!”

Bolson reaches out, clapping Link on the shoulder. “I want to talk to you about something really quick.”

“Okay…?”

“Well, I’m sure you don’t need me here.” Zelda lightly touches Link’s arm with a smile, “I think I’ll go take a nap – see you in a bit?”

“Yeah, I’ll be there soon.”

He watches as Zelda gives her goodbyes to Bolson and Karson, who was still sitting by the fire, and doesn’t turn away until she vanishes into the house, the door closing behind her with a soft click. When he turns his attention back to Bolson, Link is faced with two raised eyebrows of judgement, and Link feels the heat in his face increase.

“What is it you wanted to talk to me about?” He asks before Bolson could say something and embarrass him even more.

“Well.” Bolson says, eyebrows still raised. “Just to let you know you were starting to cut it pretty close, kiddo – it wouldn’t have been cute to keep us waiting.”

“I didn’t forget!” Link protests. “That’s why Zelda and I are here – we’ll be heading to Tarrey Town in a couple days. I just need to get a few things before we head that way.”

“Hmph!” Bolson gives him a stern once over. “Got any gifts?”

“I got some bottles of plum wine for Hudson, when I was in Kakariko a couple months ago.” Link says. “I haven’t found anything good for Rhondson, though – I was thinking maybe some good, dyed fabric, since she’s a tailor, but that doesn’t feel very nice.”

“No.” Bolson hums, rubbing his chin in thought. “I’ve met her, while we were getting everything together for this shindig – giving her more stuff for her job?? That’s not fun.”

It is useful, though, Link thinks to himself - and Rhondson seems like the type of person that likes useful gifts. “You’re probably right.” Link agrees aloud. “Maybe I should get alcohol for her, too? I can probably do that.”

“Can’t help you there.” Bolson shrugs. “The gift’s gotta come from you, so you’re the one that’s gotta figure it out. Just make sure you show up on time, hear me? The wedding’s in a week.”

“I’ll be there.” Link promises and shoots the man a grin. “I’ll probably make it there before you, I bet.”

“The cheek, from this one!” Bolson gasps, giving him a shove as Link laughs. “We’ll see about that. Anyway – that’s all I wanted to say. I’m sure you’re tired from all the traveling you’ve been doing.” He grins lascivious. “Go ahead and go inside to your lady love.”

Link can feel the mortified blush spread across his face immediately, and he stutters violently as Bolson roars with laughter. “Bolson!!” He sputters. “It’s not – that’s not – I don’t – I have some errands I need to run, anyway!”

He wasn’t planning on doing this until he got some rest, but a nap can wait – he can’t even look at Zelda right now without feeling like he’d die of embarrassment.

“Sure, sure, kid.” Bolson chuckles. “Go run your errands – but don’t leave Miss Zelda alone for so long.”

“Goodbye, Bolson!”

Link power-walks across the bridge back into the village with the sound of Bolson’s laughter ringing in his ears. He roughly rubs his hands across his cheeks, as though that would will the lingering blush away, and shoulders his way into the clothing shop, looking over at the corner where Sophie usually resided.

“Oh!” She perks up from her shy hunch when she sees Link enter. “L-Link! It’s…it’s good to see you! We – we’ve been wondering where you’ve been these p-past few weeks!”

“It’s good to see you too, Sophie.” He says kindly. “I’ve been out traveling. I was coming in because I needed to purchase a couple things.”

“Do you?” Sophie brightens even more at the prospect of business. “Ho – how can I help you?”

“I’m going to a wedding in a week, and uh –” He scratches at the nape of his neck. “I guess…I’d like a tunic nice enough for it? It’s not ridiculously fancy, or anything, but – still. Oh, and – do you remember the – the friend I had with me, before I left.”

“Your – oh! Oh, yes! Miss Zelda!”

“Right.” He confirms. “Can I get – can I get something for her, too? A dress, and some hose? She’s coming to the wedding, too.”

The transaction goes smoothly; he remembers Zelda’s measurements from their last visit here and gets a promise from Sophie that everything will be ready in time for when they had to leave. After handing over his rupees, Link leaves the tailor shop feeling a little better, now that one of his small errands had been taken care of, and ready for a bath and a nap.

It’s quiet, when he returns to his home, and Link takes care to not make any noise, closing the door silently behind him and grabbing his bathing toiletries and a change of clothes before going to the bathing room behind the house.

He feels better after washing off all the dirt and sweat from travel and changing into a more comfortable set of clothes, and was more than ready to get a little sleep, creeping upstairs to the loft where his bed waits for him.

And Zelda.

She had bathed and changed too, while he was away, and her eyes move beneath her lids as she dozes – hopefully it wasn’t a bad dream. Her golden hair was strewn across her pillow, and Link sighs as he moved onto the bed, flopping down next to her and throwing an arm across her stomach.

Zelda grumbles in protest at being jostled, and Link watches slivers of green appear as she pries her eyes open to glare at him. “That was rude.” She scolds sleepily. “That talk lasted quite a long time.”

“I went and ran a quick errand after I talked to Bolson.” He says. “That’s what took me so long. Sorry.”

“Mm. It’s fine.” She inhales, slow and deep, trying to wake up a little more. “Are we doing anything else, today?”

Zelda turns under his arm, curling up on her side, and Link is momentarily shaken at just how – easy it all was. How they move towards each other easy as breathing.

“…No.” He answers after a moment, his hand automatically finding the curve of her waist. “No, there’s nothing really important to do, today. We can just rest.”

“Good.” She sighs, eyes already sliding shut. “That’s good. I’m…more tired than I thought…”

Link takes time just watching Zelda sleep, even though his own eyes itch with the need for rest as well. It’s sinking in, how much they had been moving, and he is more than ready for a minute to just be still, the softness of his mattress pulling him in. But he can’t stop watching her, because Zelda – she looks different.

Not in a bad way, not at all – she just looks…lighter. The stressed wrinkle that always sat between her eyes is gone, and there’s more evidence that the few weeks they spent in the wild did some good. There’s a healthy color to her skin, a flush to her cheeks – Link often finds himself absently counting the new freckles that have appeared from their days beneath the sun, in those quiet moments before they went to sleep. It’s good, seeing the positive effect this trip had on her, so far; he is glad of the decision he made, all those weeks ago.

Link wants to make sure that the light air around Zelda stays. He wants to show her all the things in Hyrule he discovered and be by her side to see all the things he had yet to find. He can’t explain the feeling – he just knows that he wants to be near her, all the time, to make up for all the days they had lost.

He doesn’t know when he finally gave in and went to sleep, but when he wakes it was nearing sunset, gold beams of light cutting through the windows, and he was alone.

Link isn’t too worried about it, sliding out of bed and stretching his arms overhead, sighing happily as his back pops loudly.

“I’m down here, so don’t start worrying.” He hears Zelda call out, and he lets out a snort as he moves down the stairs. “I wasn’t worrying.”

Zelda’s raised eyebrow screams ‘you can’t fool me’ as she takes an imperious bite out of her meat and rice bowl. “I got hungry when I woke up.” She answers his silent question. “And I’m sure you want a break from cooking. I know we had some leftover meals from our trip to Hebra, so –”

She shrugs, taking another bite from her food. “I would’ve grabbed something for you, but I didn’t know when you’d wake up, so I figured it’d be best to wait and let you do it.”

“Thanks.” He takes a seat near her at the table, reaching for the Sheikah Slate. “How long was I asleep?”

“Only a couple hours. You woke up a little after I did.”

The conversation that fills the air was light as they eat, and a full belly wasn’t helping Link with staying awake, even though he’d only just got up. He folds his arms atop the table and sighs, feeling lazy; he had never had so much free time, before. There was always something to accomplish, somewhere to go – the next shrine, the next Divine Beast, the next request from a traveler or villager. Even when traveling with Zelda, there was the focus on getting to the next destination.

He's never had the chance to rest like this, before. When he took small breaks, as he freed the Divine Beasts, Link always felt an ache of guilt, that only increased with each passing moment. Now, with nothing ahead of him…he almost doesn’t know what to do with himself.

“Link.”

He moves from where he was resting his head on his arms, turning his head to look at Zelda as she traces her fingers against the table, eyes unfocused in thought.

“I’ve been thinking.” She begins. “I’ve enjoyed our journey so far, but – but after our visit to Rito Village…it’s had me wondering –”

She looks up at him, tapping her nails nervously against the wood, “I’m happy to keep our trip going as it is but…is it possible to start visiting the settlements, as well?”

Zelda stares at him nervously, as though he was going to say no, which was ridiculous; the only reason he postponed visiting any of the settlements was for her. So, if she felt that she was ready to go visit them, then they will.

“Alright.” He said easily. “We can do that.”

He feels a stab of concern, for a moment, an image of Zelda draped in blue silks with a crown on her brow and terribly sad forming in his mind and he just – he has to ask.

“Zelda.” He says, cautious. “You’re not doing this because…because you decided to –”

“No.” She cuts in, shaking her head. “I – I still don’t know what I want to do. What I should do. But…this is a good way to start and find out. And we – we need to tell them. We need to let them know that the Calamity is gone, and while we’re there, maybe we can figure out…what they have, and what they need. And how we can help each other.”

Her eyes brightened as she speaks, filling with determination. “Maybe Hyrule doesn’t need a princess, anymore. Or a – a queen. But – but that doesn’t mean we can’t try and help make this world safer for everyone again so we can reach out to each other.”

Link’s relief grows the longer she talks, and slowly the vision of her dressed in royal finery and sorrow fades from his mind. He wants to picture it with her – a safer Hyrule, built into something better than it was by her people working together. Link tries to imagine it, seeing towns instead of ruins, of rebirth instead of disrepair…

It feels possible.

“Okay.” Link says, feeling warm. “We’ll play it by ear and visit the settlements as we go.”

Zelda’s smile is as bright as the sunlight that streamed into their home. “Thank you, Link. What else will we be doing today?”

Link kicks his heel against the leg of his chair, thinking. “We can just do laundry.” He finally says. “The rest of the things we need to do can wait until tomorrow.”

They clear up the dirty dishes and take the small amounts of dirty clothes they had to scrub them clean in the pond by the house. By the time they string the clothes up to dry, the sun had fully sunk behind the horizon and the dusky sky was starting to show the bright pinpricks of stars.

 -o-

It is slowly creeping into late afternoon during their second day of rest at Hateno, and Link was still coming up blank on what to get for Rhondson as a wedding gift.

It’s starting to stress him out, especially as the date of the wedding slowly creeps closer. Bolson was no help, and he’s getting no closer to making a good decision on his own, so that left only one option:

Zelda.

But that is a problem.

Link really wants to keep their destination a surprise; he wants to hold on to it until the very end, to see her eyes light up when she discovers an entirely new town, built in her absence. But he also really wants her advice on what would be a good gift for Rhondson.

Eventually the need for guidance wins out, and Link gives in with a sigh and starts to seek Zelda out.

He finds her outside, sitting beneath the shade of the apple tree near the house and writing away in a journal she bought that morning. “Zelda?” He calls out, and she hums, partially turning her face to him to let him know she’s listening, eyes still on whatever she’s writing in her journal.

“I, uh…” Link hesitates for a moment before walking over and lowering himself on the ground next to her, nervously plucking a blade of grass and twisting it between his fingers. “I need, uh…some advice.”

“Oh?” That fully grabs her attention, green eyes sliding away from her journal and landing on him. “What is it?”

“Well…” Link drops the blade of grass and reaches up to fiddle with his earring. “Do you remember back when we first came to Hateno, and I told you about one of Bolson’s employees that was getting married?”

“Getting m – oh! Oh, yes, I remember!” A suspicious glint shines in Zelda’s eye as she smiles. “I’m guessing this marriage has something to do with our next surprise destination?”

Link shifts in place, suddenly finding the grass extremely fascinating to look at, and Zelda laughs, triumphant. “Of course it does!! Alright, then – tell me your issue.”

She nudges him, encouraging, and Link explains his situation with a sigh. “The past couple days, I’ve been trying to think up a good gift. I got something for the groom, back when we were in Kakariko, but for the bride…I’m having a hard time.”

“Hmm…” Zelda purses her lips in thought, setting her journal to the side. “Tell me about the bride, then. What is she like?”

“The bride – her name’s Rhondson – she’s Gerudo; I met her when I was in Gerudo Town to tame Vah Naboris, and I gave her advice to go to Akkala when she was looking for a place to open a new business. She’s a tailor, really hardworking and good at her craft, so I was thinking about getting her some supplies to help her with her shop, but…Bolson doesn’t think that would make a very good gift.”

“It’s not like you can give her something frivolous.” Zelda points out, and Link sighs, deflating a little. “That’s true…but I’ve been stuck on it. I just don’t know what a good gift for her would be.”

“The equipment for her shop would be a good start.” Zelda says, tapping her chin in thought. “Maybe some fabrics from Gerudo and Hateno? And some tailoring supplies if there are any available? And maybe…hmm…”

Zelda closes her eyes as she thought, her brow furrowed, and then her eyes snap open with a sudden epiphany.

“Akkala gets cold sometimes, doesn’t it? Maybe you should get her something for that, as well – maybe something with rubies?”

“Oh, that’s a good idea.” It feels a little silly, that he didn’t think of it himself – but he’s glad to have Zelda to talk it out with. He feels a little more inspired, now; he can probably depart for Gerudo Town today, and grab most of the things he’ll need for Rhondson’s wedding present.

“I take it I was able to help?” Zelda asks, an amused light in her eyes, and Link quickly nods.

“You did – you helped a lot. I’ve – I’m going to Gerudo Town, to try and pick up most of the gift now –”

Link hops to his feet, heading into the house, and Zelda was quickly at his heels. “You’re going to Gerudo Town?” Zelda asks, a skeptical eyebrow raised.

“I thought you said you were watching over me the whole time during my journey.” Link stresses as he picks up the Sheikah Slate, and he watches in amusement as a dark flush spreads across her cheeks.

“Maybe I exaggerated!!” Zelda cries out. “Link, you know I told you that – that it got fuzzy, sometimes –”

“I know. Hold on, I’m going to go change.”

He went upstairs to the loft, selecting the Gerudo silks he bought as he went – the green and white one, this time; he liked that one more.

“I had to find some way to get into Gerudo town, to get information on how to free their Divine Beast” He explains as he changes, shaking his hair out as he freed it from his hair tie. “But you know they don’t let any voe into the city.”

“Yes…”

“So I had to improvise a little.”

He’d forgotten how cool the silk felt, as he slips the dress over his head, combing his fingers through his hair as he grabs the sirwal pants and puts them on. He swiftly braids his hair back and clips on a pair of opal earrings as he goes down the stairs, and gets to watch Zelda’s eyes grow wide as dinner plates as she takes in his appearance, eyes darting across his figure. “Oh.” She squeaks, and he stifles a laugh as the blush on her face spread to her ears. “That’s. Very effective!”

This time, Link did let a quiet chuckle slip out. “Thank you. I’d ask you to come with me, but I don’t want to bother you –”

“Oh –” Zelda waves her hand, a faint blush still on her face. “It’s alright. I’ll stay home, I’ll – I’ll probably go see Purah, I think. I’ve been meaning to since we returned.”

She smiles at him, and then stepped into his space, Link’s breath catching in his throat as she reaches out to tuck an errant lock of hair back into place. “We’ll go together next time.” She promises, her hand falling back to her side. “But for now, I’ll be here when you get back.”

His skin still tingles lightly, from where she touched him, and Link nods jerkily. “O-okay.” He stumbles, grabbing the slate from his hip. “I’ll – I’ll see you soon. I won’t be long.”

He quickly selects the shrine settled outside of Gerudo Town and looks back up to let Zelda’s smile be the last thing he sees before he’s swept up in swirling blue lights.

As soon as he reappears in the blistering heat of the desert, he’s moving, running through the sands to the gates of Gerudo Town and giving the guards keeping watch a wave of greeting as he runs inside. His shopping trip will be quick, now that he knows what he’s going to get, making a beeline to Starlight Memories, giving his hellos to Cara and Isha before putting in his request for a ruby bracelet. He gives them the necessary jewels and rupees and is promised that it would be done in a few hours before going on his way.

After that, he purchases fabrics, a few yards of Gerudo silks and cotton in various colors, and he smiles to himself as he runs his fingers over the cloth, hoping that Rhondson would find it a satisfactory wedding present.

With nothing left to do but wait for the bracelet, Link wanders around, greeting various women that call out to him with a wave and a smile, and stopping by the vendors to look over their wares. A few times, his eye was drawn to the palace, where he knows Riju resides, but he decides not to bother her; she’ll probably be busy. Eventually, Link ends up at Fashion Passion, looking at the Gerudo silks and sirwal that were for sale.

We’ll go together, next time. Zelda’s voice echoes in his head, and Link taps at his lip in consideration.

“Link!” He looks up when Saula appears from the back room, brightening when she sees him. “Sav’aaq, little vai! Here for another set? That one looks perfectly fine!”

“No, No.” He declines, voice light. “I was looking for –”

He hesitates, biting his lip and flicking at an earring. “I was thinking of purchasing one, for my vai at home.” He finally says, and Saula claps, delighted. “A vai?? Link!! Wonderful!! When will you be bringing her?”

“Ah, um – I’m not sure. We’re – going to Akkala soon; I’m not sure if you knew her, but Rhondson’s getting married. So I’ve come to get gifts for her.”

“Such a good vai,” Saula says warmly. “Well, if you want to buy a set before you go, let me know.”

He looks over at the set of silks again, imagining them dyed a different color – maybe green, to match Zelda’s eyes, or a shade of blue.

“I think I will buy the set.” He hears himself say and is soon back out in the market square with a new set of clothing for Zelda.

Sighing, he looks down at the wrapped piles of folded cloth. “I’ve gotta work on my spending.” He mutters, going back to the jewelry store to pick up his final purchase.

By the time he returns to Hateno, it’s late afternoon, and he walks back to his home with his arms full of cloth and trinkets. Zelda peeks up at him as he shoulders his way into the house, welcoming him with a bright smile.

“Welcome back!” She chirps happily, rising to her feet to help dispose him of his wares. “Did you get everything you needed?”

“I did.” Link answers, weary. “I’ll probably grab more fabrics from the shops here tomorrow – I’m really tired.”

“I can imagine.” Zelda hums in sympathy, laying his items on the table as he undoes his braid, roughly scrubbing his hands through his hair.

“Did you have a good time visiting Purah?”

“Yes, thank you! After getting scolded about not seeing her as soon as we arrived, Purah – wait, what’s -? Oh, Goddesses! Link, honestly, you shouldn’t have!!”

Link looks up as she picks up the Gerudo silks he bought for her, a bashful air hovering around him. “You know I could’ve purchased them myself!” She cries out, and he scratches at his cheek. “I know.” He mumbles. “But I just saw them and – I bought them without thinking. I thought – well. Since you wanted to go next time…”

Zelda’s teeth digs into her lower lip as she stares at him, torn between scolding him more and giving in, and eventually she gives in with a loud sigh, pulling the clothing to her chest.

“Thank you, Link.” She says, quiet. “Really. I appreciate it. This is good – especially since we were going to go to Gerudo later, anyway.”

“You can dye it, if you want.” Link points out. “The dye shop down the way can do it, any color you want, as long as you have the supplies.”

“As long as I get to pay for it.” Zelda says in warning, and Link raises his hands in surrender. “You can pay.” He vows. “I’ll keep my rupees at home - I won’t spend any more on you, I swear.”

“Any more?” Her eyes narrow as she catches the wording. “Link…what else did you buy?”

“Mmm…” He averts his eyes, fiddling with the slate on his hip. “I’m not telling.”

“Link.”

“It’s a surprise!!” Link cries out, fighting down a smile, and Zelda practically puffs up with outrage.

“You – you – oh!! You and your surprises!! You’ve already done so much for me, really, you know you don’t have to -!”

“I know I don’t have to, but I want to – please, you already know I don’t mind.”

Zelda fiercely stares him down, but she was still holding onto the Gerudo silks he bought, so Link wasn’t feeling too bad about her ire. It never hurt him to make sure she had everything she needed. It was the easiest thing in the world.

Eventually Zelda sighs, deflating. “Oh, alright – okay, fine! But this can’t be a habit, Link, I mean it! I’m really serious!”

“But what about holidays?” He asked, making himself look pitiful. “Or your birthday?”

She can’t keep up the irritated expression and snorts with laughter, covering her mouth with her free hand. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it! Go wash all the sand off, you animal, and we can scrounge up something for dinner.”

Link scoops up his toiletries, making faux-hurt noises the entire time as he stumbles out the door to the bathing room, and looks up just in time to catch the curve of Zelda’s smile before the door closes on him.

 -o-

The day of the wedding dawns warm and clear, not a cloud in the sky as the sun slowly crawls above the horizon.

Link wakes Zelda up at dawn and is faced with a lot of complaining about it as he brews some tea to wake them up.

“I haven’t had to wake up at dawn since I was made to do my prayers.” Zelda whines as Link places a cup of tea for her on the table, nodding at her plight. “I know. But Uma gave me some strawberries yesterday, so you’re waking up at dawn for strawberry pancakes instead. Which is a better reason than praying for hours, in my opinion.”

Zelda grumbles but sipped at her tea, laying her head against the table to watch Link gather the ingredients he needs to make their breakfast. “I probably wouldn’t need to pray for hours, now.” She mumbles into the wood, and Link hums in agreement before he shoulders the door open, stepping outside onto the cool, damp grass and heading for the cookpot.

She comes outside a few minutes after him to keep him company, her cup of tea cradled in her hands, and they sit together in comfortable silence while Link cooked up a tall, fragrant stack of strawberry pancakes.

“We should get a freezer box.” Zelda brings up once they’re back inside, Link pulling milk, goat butter, and honey from the slate. “The slate is extremely useful, but...a freezer box would be good. For when we’re back here more often.”

“I could probably commission Bolson for one. But how would we be able to keep items cold? Just throwing ice in there would melt it.”

“Hmm…” Zelda taps her fork against her plate as she thinks over it. “Maybe…chu-chu jelly? Or perhaps –”

They brainstorm back and forth about it until their plates were clear, and Link rises to his feet with a stretch, letting out a loud, satisfied sigh. “Okay – time to get dressed, and then we’ve got to go. I’ll let you have the bath first, but – I’ve got something for you.”

“Is it that surprise you brought up a couple days ago?” Zelda asks wryly, and Link grins as he goes upstairs and pulls a folded bundle of clothing from the dresser – the clothes he requested from Sophie that he had quickly hidden when he picked them up the day before.

“Here!” He leans over the banister and waits until Zelda is close enough to drop the clothes into her waiting hands. “I’m pretty sure I got the measurements right.”

She throws him another look, clutching the clothes to her chest, but goes off to the bathing room without complaint. Link gathers his bathing supplies while he waits for his turn, picking up the tunic Sophie made for him and his usual trousers and boots and then settling at the table downstairs.

He soon gets a little bored of waiting and fiddling with his clothes and decides to get up and make another cup of tea; a little extra energy wouldn’t hurt, he thinks.

Link was halfway through nursing his second cup when the front door opens and Zelda shuffles inside, adjusting the belt around her waist. “Your measurements were spot on.” She confirms, tossing a lock of hair over her shoulder. “It fits perfectly.”

He suddenly feels like his tongue was twisted into knots, his eyes darting to and away from Zelda faster than a darner’s wings.

“…Yeah.” Link mumbles. “I…remembered your measurements from the last time we went.”

It was just a dress – simple, pale pink cotton, with a short sleeved white undershirt underneath and a brown belt and hose to match. Sophie had even embroidered stalks of warm safflina along the hem, to give it another splash of color. Link has seen Zelda dressed in all kinds of finery, draped in gowns for every occasion – but somehow, this simple dress –

It's different.

“It looks nice.” He stumbles, absently reaching up to mess with his earring. “You look nice.”

Link peeks up to see a light blush settle across Zelda’s cheeks as she smiles at him. “Thank you. Now, you go get ready, too, so we can be on our way! I’ll grab the gifts while you dress – go on!”

The space did him some good, the fresh air and lukewarm water of the bath clearing his head as he quickly scrubs himself down and rinses off. Once clean, he pulls on his underclothes and trousers and picks up the tunic Sophie made for him, unfolding it and holding it up to see its handiwork. It was a deep, midnight blue, with patterns at the ends of the short sleeves and the hem of the tunic, all embroidered in stark white thread that stood out brightly against the shade of blue.

It was very nice, and Link decides to forego a long-sleeved undershirt, knowing that it would heat up later in the day. After combing his hair and tying it back up, he deems himself presentable enough for a wedding and leaves the bathing room, going back inside to quickly deposit his things and lock the front door before looking for Zelda, ready to depart.

He found her sitting out in the yard, among the flowers that Bolson had planted for him, in the middle of carefully braiding all her hair up into a crown around her head, pausing to pluck a few white flowers from the yard and deftly twine them with her hair.

“Where’d you learn to do that?” Link asks, announcing his presence, and Zelda doesn’t even turn her head, focused on her current task.

“Oh, I learned it from – from one of my handmaidens, before.” Her fingers had halted for a moment, at the mention of the past, but Zelda was soon back to smoothly braiding her hair. “She would braid flowers in my hair, for spring festivals – one day I asked her to teach me how.”

Once finished, she pins the braids in place and hops to her feet, brushing away any dirt or grass that clings to her skirt as she turns to face Link. She falters, when she sees him, eyes taking in the new tunic, and Link has to fight the urge to do any nervous fidgeting.

“…You look nice.” She finally says. “The color of that tunic really suits you. Brings out your eyes. Sophie’s very good, isn’t she?”

“The best.” Link agrees. “Are you ready to go?”

“I am! I put the gifts in the slate for you – I figured they would be easy to carry, that way.” She holds out the slate in offering, and Link takes it and opens the map, finding the shrine that was closest to Tarrey Town. “All set?”

“All set,” Zelda confirms, reaching out to the slate and pressing into his side, and they vanish in a swirl of light.

The humid warmth of the Akkala region washes over him, and Link’s eyes were already on Zelda as soon as he blinks the spots out of his eyes. He watches with some excitement as she looks around to take in where they ended up, hopping off the stone platform of the shrine as her eyes brightened in recognition of the scenery. “Akkala…” She murmurs, and Link steps off the shrine to sidle up next to her with a smile, leading her to the edge of the cliff that overlooked the scenery.

“I know you said we’d be coming here…but where…?”

He lets her figure it out, watching her eyes dance around before widening as she notices the town at the center of Lake Akkala.

“Link.” She whispers, blindly reaching over to grab his arm. “What’s that?”

“Tarrey Town.” He says happily. “It’s the first new town that’s been created since the Calamity.” He scratches at his cheek and kicks at the grass, suddenly feeling bashful. “I…kinda helped them out. With building.”

He looks at her and there – there was the look he wanted. There was the light in her eyes. Zelda stares at the new town with wonder, a smile slowly spreading across her face. “We’re going there?” She shakes his arm lightly. “Is that where the wedding is happening??”

“It is.” Link confirms. “And we have two choices: we can either get there the normal way –”

He points to the path that leads to Tarrey Town – straightforward, though it would take a little while.

“Or.” He continues. “We can go the fun way.”

Link points out, over the cliff, and mimes using the paraglider to Zelda with a crooked grin. She laughs brightly. “We should probably take the normal way…seeing how it’s much more proper. But -”

The grin she gives him matches his own, and he feels a swoop in his belly. “I think I like the fun way much more.”

So did he – the wind blowing through his hair accompanied with Zelda’s exhilarated laughter in his ear made soaring through the skies much more enjoyable. They land in a small grove of trees and walk the rest of the way to Tarrey Town, arm in arm and windswept, grinning ear to ear.

“About time you kids showed up!” Bolson hollers as soon as they walk into the town square. “The wedding’s on later this afternoon and we need some help getting ready! Link, go with Karson and help him and Fyson set up some string lights for the party. Zelda, be a dear and help Pelison out with setting up the flowers around the square. Once you’re done, come find me and I’ll give you something else to do, alright?”

Bolson claps his hands together loudly, a determined glint in his eye. “Okey-doo, kids, let’s get moving!!”

Link doesn’t get to see much of Zelda after that; after helping Karson and Fyson put up the string lights they made – a home-made invention of fairies captured in little jars and bound together with rope – he’s shoved on to the next task. He catches glimpses of Zelda, here and there – running around with Pelison with armfuls of flowers, helping set up the banquet table, and talking quietly with Kapson as she slowly escorts him from the inn, both of their expressions softly melancholy.

People slowly gathered at the town square, convening around the Goddess statue, and Link gathers from that that it’s almost time. He’d just seen a few Gerudo women slip out of a house – Rhondson’s family, he assumes – when Bolson calls out, “alright, everyone – it’s almost time!”

Link goes to find a good spot, before it gets too crowded, and sees Hudson standing by the statue, wearing a nicer vest with a bowtie and talking to Kapson.

Soon he feels a presence at his side and looks over just as Zelda moves next to him, a smile on her face. “This is so exciting!” She says, quietly gleeful. “I haven’t seen a wedding in, well – ever!! I’m really looking forward to it!!”

Her eyes soften, and she reaches over to loop her arm through his. “Thanks for bringing me along.” She whispers, and Link’s heart swells in his chest.

“Of course.” He whispers back. “You’re the only one I’d want to bring with me.”

Zelda’s eyes shine, and she smiles at him again just as the chatter in the crowed quiets to a hushed murmur as Rhondson appears, statuesque and resplendent, draped in silks of white and gold.

Link knows that Hudson wasn’t a very expressive person, always succinct and to the point. But the look on Hudson’s face right then was like the sun breaking through the clouds as Rhondson approaches, and she gives him a smile before they turn to face Kapson, who is standing before them at the altar of the Goddess.

Kapson coughs once, loud and sharp, and the quiet hum of voices fall silent. “Silence, please, everyone – we shall now begin.

“We are gathered here today, to join Hudson and Rhondson in matrimony. Hudson –”

The old Zora turns to Hudson. “Before the eyes of these witnesses, and before the eyes of the Goddess Hylia, do you take Rhondson to be your wife, to have and to hold, in good times and in bad?”

“I do.” Hudson vows, his voice rough with emotion, and Kapson nods.

“Excellent. And Rhondson –”

He looks over at the Gerudo. “Before the eyes of these witnesses, and before the eyes of the Goddess Hylia, do you take Hudson as your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health? And –”

Kapson pauses for a second before continuing. “…Do you also vow to…ah…name your children in accordance with the Bolson Construction naming guidelines?”

Link can feel Zelda freeze next to him, and he harshly bites at the inside of his cheek to hold back a violent snort of laughter. Slowly, he turns to take in the expression on her face, and finds her already looking at him, eyebrows high on her forehead in judgement and incredulity.

Is he serious??? Her eyes scream at him, just as Rhondson exclaims, “wait a moment – those vows aren’t traditional by anyone’s standards!!”

“What do you mean?”

“They’re as traditional as it gets!” Bolson calls out from the crowd, and Link finds it harder to suppress his laughter.

“I knew Bolson and his men were…eccentric.” Zelda says to him, barely a whisper. “But I didn’t know they were that eccentric. Or have wedding vows changed in my absence, too?”

Link covers his face with his hand just as Rhondson sighs in exasperation, muttering under her breath about guidelines before finally saying, “…I do.”

Kapson coughs once again, and Link fights for composure to see the rest of the ceremony through. “And so, with the blessings of the Goddess Hylia – dearly beloveds, let us greet this newly married couple. I wish this couple nothing but the utmost happiness as they set out on this journey of marital bliss!”

Rhondson leans down to meet Hudson for a kiss, and Bolson lets out a loud whoop. The small crowd begins to clap as Bolson, Karson, Pelison and Fyson enthusiastically throw handfuls of flower petals over the new couple. The petals catch in the breeze, swirling over the crowd, and Link finally gives into his laughter as Zelda make another face at him. Shoulders shaking, he presses his forehead into her shoulder as she turns her face up to the flower petals with a grin, reaching out to let some of them flutter into her waiting hands.

 -o-

After the ceremony comes the reception. And with the reception comes food.

Link has been looking forward to this part after Bolson had tasked him with all that cooking, stomach yawning with hunger as they prepared the banquet table, laying out dish after dish.

“Oh, my feet hurt.” Zelda sighs as they sit at the long table. “We’ve been doing so much all day.”

“Yeah.” Link agrees. “I’m so hungry I feel like I could eat everything at this table.”

“Isn’t that how you are on a normal day?”

He shoots her a glare, and Zelda covers her laughing mouth with a hand as the table echoes with cheers and applause as Rhondson and Hudson appear, sitting at the head of the table. Once the couple had arrived, that was the okay to start eating, and the air was soon filled with the sounds of cutlery clinking against ceramic as plates were made and passed down.

“As silly as those vows were, near the end.” Zelda says as they eat. “The ceremony was…actually quite nice! But seriously, Link – did that part really need to be in the vows?”

Link shrugs. “Those guys are ridiculously serious about their naming guidelines. When I was out helping Hudson find people to build up the town, he told me every time before I got back on the road to make sure that whoever I found, their name ended in -son. How I was able to find people must have been some work of the Goddess, because I don’t get it.”

Giggling, Zelda accepts the sticky slice of honey cake that was handed to her with murmured thanks. “I believe it. It’s odd, but…”

She looks around at the town, colored gold by the sunset, and her face is soft with wonder. “But it brought us this beautiful little town.” She says, quietly happy. “So…I don’t mind the path it took for us to get here all that much. Even though it is a little weird.”

“You don’t have to sugarcoat it.” Link says around a mouthful of cake. “It was bonkers. Ridiculous. A one in a million shot. A –”

“Link! I’m trying to be polite!”

Sunset moves into the dark blues of dusk, and people get up to light torches around the town square to brighten it up. The string lights draped across the town begin to glow, the fairies inside beginning to emit a soft light, and a cheer rings over the table when music starts to play.

Link looks around and sees Karson, Fyson, and one of Rhondson’s family members off to the side, playing instruments and filling the air with music, accompanied by the rattle of cutlery as the tables were cleared.

“Oh, Link!” Zelda grabs his arm. “The gifts! This is the perfect time to give them away, come on!”

With a groan, Link pushes himself up from his seat, following Zelda’s insistent tugs to the head of the table where Rhondson and Hudson sit.

“Link!” Hudson calls out as they approach. “I just want to thank you – we couldn’t have gotten all of this together without your help. The town, the wedding – all of it. You’re a good kid.”

“Yes.” Rhondson said warmly. “I do not know where the paths in my life would have turned without your guidance. I am glad that fortune smiled on you for your deeds the way it has for me.”

Link bites back an embarrassed denial, not wanting to be rude, and Zelda gives him a proud smile as he shyly rubs the back of his neck, looking away. “It was nothing.” He mumbles. “That’s not why I came up here, though – Hudson, Rhondson, this is my friend, Zelda.”

“It’s wonderful to meet you!” She greets brightly, hands clasped to her chest, and Hudson silently looks over at him with raised eyebrows.

“We got you gifts.” Link says loudly over whatever it was Hudson was thinking. “Hold on, I’ll just –”

He brings Hudson’s gift out first, and it appears in his hand in a swirl of light. “Hudson, I got you some good plum wine, from Kakariko. I’ve never seen you drink anything but beer, so I think it’d be nice to try new things, now and then. And Rhondson –”

This one he’s a little more nervous about, but he pulls the gifts out anyway – he wouldn’t know if she liked them if he chickened out. “I, uh – I wasn’t sure what to get you, at first, but Zelda helped out, so it’s a gift from both of us. Uh –”

He offers out the bundles of cloth first. “I got you some more fabrics from Gerudo. And Hateno. For, uh, your shop. And also –”

Zelda plucks the bracelet from his nervous grasp and hands it to Rhondson with a smile. “I know it gets cold in Akkala, in the later months.” She explains. “Though I’m sure you’re used to the cold of the desert, we still figured it would be nice to have a little something to help stay warm, regardless.”

Rhondson accepts the gifts with a pleased smile, and Link feels all his muscles relax in relief. “Sarqso.” She says. “Such wonderful gifts! You two are so thoughtful.”

“It’s nothing.” Zelda waves a hand. “It’s only polite to bring gifts and, well – they had to be nice, especially since –”

She smiled. “I haven’t been to a wedding in such a long time. I’m glad Link brought me along, because it’s nice to see so much happiness and celebration after so much…sadness. I just – I’m sorry if this is too forward, but may I?”

Zelda offers her hands to them, and under the light of the torches, it looked like her skin shimmers faintly with gold. When Rhondson and Hudson slip a hand into hers, she beams at them and gives them a squeeze. “May the Goddess and your ancestors bless you, and your marriage – I hope that – that no matter what path life takes you, that you may always be able to find happiness in each other.”

Gold light winks around her fingers, and it almost could be played off as a trick of the light, if anyone but Link saw it.

“Thank you, Zelda.” Hudson says. “Link, you better hold onto this one.”

Link doesn’t even bother making an attempt at protest, instead silently reaching out and holding onto Zelda’s hand as she moves back to his side. “Nah.” He says softly. “She knows she’s stuck with me.”

“Okey-doo, lovebirds!” Bolson calls out. “Enough sitting around! It’s time for the bride and groom to have a dance!!”

Applause fills the air, and the banquet table is pushed out of the way to make more room as Rhondson and Hudson walk out onto the makeshift dance floor. The music changes to something sweeter to dance to, and Link leans back against the table as the new couple begin to dance.

“That was nice of you.” He says to Zelda, eyes still on the dance floor, but he can still feel her shrug.

“I felt…moved to do it, I suppose.” She snorts. “The Goddess was asked to bless their marriage, after all.”

The dance goes on, and Zelda leans in a little more, Link only starting slightly when she rests her head against his shoulder. “I’m getting tired.” She says quietly, and he hums in understanding. “Do you want to leave?”

“No, no…I want to stay. This has been really nice.”

There was a beat of silence as the music ends, the air filled with light applause, and then the music changes to something more lighthearted and upbeat as more people move forward to dance.

“…Link.”

“Hm?”

“Since you’ve been awake, have you – have you, you know…been to any other parties, and seen how much the dancing has changed, or -?”

“Nope.” He shakes his head. “Can’t make time for parties when you’re out fixing the world.”

“Ah…”

“But we can figure it out together.”

Link pushes away from the table, and using their connected hands, he slowly tugs Zelda towards the dance floor.

“Oh, but -!”

Her eyes look huge, nervous. “Are – are you sure? If – you just said you don’t know any dances, so it’s fine –”

“I don’t think it’ll be too hard to learn.” He stops when they are just at the edges of the dance floor. “It’s not like they’re expecting dances from court, or anything. Zelda, hey.”

Link runs a soothing thumb over her knuckles until she’s looking at him. “Do you want to dance with me?”

A blush as pink as her dress appears on her cheeks, and she gives him one short, shy nod. “…Yes. I’d like that.”

“Then let’s go dance.” He smiles to reassure her. “I think between the two of us, we can figure it out. We faced a Calamity – some new dances are nothing compared to that.”

Her laughter is so bright, and she gives in with a smile, letting him sweep her out onto the floor.

Link looks over the people dancing with a quick eye, taking in what everyone else was doing so he and Zelda don’t look too foolish. Some were dancing in pairs, doing quick turns across the floor in time with the music, while others were dancing alone, moving in and out of step as though they were in a line dance, or just dancing to their own beat.

They can manage.

Zelda hesitantly places a hand on his shoulder, and Link raises their joined hands as he slides an arm around her waist. “Just follow my lead.” Link instructs. “And we’ll go from there, I guess.”

They begin to turn in time with the music, moving across the floor with the other dancers, and the longer they dance, the more Zelda relaxes. “You know?” She whispers to him after a moment. “We aren’t doing too bad.”

“We’re holding our own.” Link says, and he lets Zelda go to give her a twirl, to her delight.

The moon slowly creeps across the sky as Link and Zelda spent most of the night dancing, and not always with each other. For a moment, Zelda is pulled away for a dance with Hudson, while Link spends a few songs dancing with Rhondson. Link even gets a turn across the floor with Bolson, who asks him for a dance with a cheeky wink.

Eventually it morphs into a line dance, and Link finds himself between Pelison and Greyson, holding onto them and attempting to stomp in time with them to the beat, trying to look like he knew what he was doing as he weaved and spun around bodies to link arms with someone else. A few times he catches Zelda’s eye during the dance, and the smile she gives him was the widest he’s ever seen, a healthy flush on her face and eyes dancing along with the rest of her.

It's – it’s fun. It’s the most fun Link’s had in ages.

After a dance like that, he needs a break, and breaks off to stand around the edges of the dance floor and catch his breath.

The music changes again from the fast pace that carried most of the night to something slower. His eye automatically wanders over the heads in the crowd, searching, and he soon finds Zelda dancing with Bolson, ducking her head to laugh at something he just said.

Once he knew where Zelda was, Link allows himself to relax fully, letting out a gusty sigh and hooking his hands on his belt. He tilts his head up, staring at the blanket of stars that wink overhead, letting his eyes slide closed as the warm winds brush across his cheeks, drying the sweat at his temples.

“Getting tired?”

Link opens his eyes at the new voice at his side and gives Hudson a small smile. “A little.” He admits. “But it’s a good tired. I’m still having fun. What about you?”

“Taking a break for the wife.” He points over at Rhondson, who was sitting with an older Gerudo woman, resting her head against her shoulder as they talk – her mother, Link assumes.

“We’ve spent most of the night dancing and it’s finally tired her out.” He crosses his arms over his broad chest, staring out at the people that were still dancing. “Tonight’s been good.” Hudson declares. “Something just feels different – like we’re allowed to have fun again.”

“…Yeah.” Link says in quiet agreement. “It does feel like that, doesn’t it?”

“It’s good.” Hudson reaches out and claps Link on the shoulder, his hand firm and warm. “Especially for a pup like you – every time I saw you, you were always running off somewhere. It’s good to slow down, loosen up.”

“It is. It’s the most fun I’ve had in a long time.”

On the dance floor, Zelda catches his eye over Bolson’s shoulder, and she smiles widely before laughing giddily as Bolson spins them around.

“Hudson.” Link says, already taking a step forward. “I’m gonna go. I gotta –”

“Yeah, alright. Good seeing you. And, hey –”

He lets him go, but not before Link’s hand is caught in a firm handshake. “Thanks for coming.” He says seriously, and he can’t help but smile in return.

Moving forward, he weaves around dancing bodies, keeping an eye on Zelda’s golden hair until he catches up to her near the Goddess statue, still dancing with Bolson. Link coughs loudly, and they both look over as he smiles sheepishly at Bolson. “Mind if I cut in before we call it a night?”

“Oh, well if you insist.” Bolson says, stepping back with a sniff and giving Zelda a low, dramatic bow. “My lovely Zelda, it was wonderful chatting with you. You can always stop by to say hi when you get sick of lover boy over here, alright honey?”

“Yes.” Zelda giggles. “Of course! Thank you, Bolson – for the dance, and for your company.”

“Anytime.” He gives Link a wink and a nudge towards Zelda. “She’s all yours, hero.”

With a jaunty wave, Bolson vanishes into the crowd – probably to find someone else to dance with – and it was just them.

Clearing his throat, Link nervously scuffs his boot against the wood before peeking at Zelda and offering a hand. “You up for one last dance?” He asks quietly, and the smile he got in return was warm and sweet.

“You can have all of my dances.” She said fondly, placing her hand in his. “Though I must admit I don’t have many left in me, tonight.”

They stay by the Goddess statue, Zelda placing a hand on his shoulder while Link wraps an arm around her waist, and they just – slowly spin in place, swaying in time with the music.

“Did you have a nice time?” He had to ask, to make sure, and Zelda nods, humming in content. “I did – I don’t think I’ve ever had so much fun dancing in my life!”

“Better than all the dances at court, right?”

“Much better.”

Strands of Zelda’s hair were slipping out of her braids, framing her face and making her look soft and golden in the firelight. She looks tired, but it was the good sort of tired - the kind of tired you get from having too much fun. It suits her, looking so happy and comfortable; Link wants to make sure that she looks that happy all the time.

“I’m glad I was able to bring you here with me.” He admitted softly. “I don’t know if this would have been as fun, without you. On my own.”

Zelda looks at him with an expression he can’t figure out, and she lets go of his hand to wrap her arms around his shoulders, bringing them closer as they continue to sway in place.

“I’m glad I was able to be here, too.” She whispers. “I’m glad you wanted to bring me along.”

“I want to bring you along with me everywhere. All the time.”

He will, too; Link has so much left to show her. He wants to catch shooting stars with her and bring her to Naydra and Dinraal. He wants to go swimming with her in one of the pools in Faron and return to Hebra to show her the otherworldly lights that appear in the sky on those lucky nights when the weather is clear. He wants to find the leviathan bones with her, and discover more shrines, and watch her talk a mile a minute with questions and theories as they solve the puzzles.

Link wants to go to every corner of Hyrule with her and fill up the album on the Sheikah Slate with their memories together until those crushing days he spent alone felt like nothing but a horrible dream.

He wants to show her everything.

“I want to show you everything.” He whispers the thought aloud like it was a dear secret, leaning in until their foreheads were touching. “I want to show you the whole world. I’m going to.”

The reflection of firelight in Zelda’s eyes makes them look golden, like they were glowing, and she closes her eyes and smiles as he wraps his other arm around her waist, lacing his fingers at the small of her back.

“I look forward to it.” She murmurs. “Knowing you, I’m sure you’ll find a way to make every day exciting.”

The pool of water that surrounds the Goddess statue makes soft, rhythmic sounds, so hypnotically soothing that Link felt like he could fall asleep standing up – he’s done it before. He does’t even notice that they’d stopped moving until Zelda hums lightly, moving her hands down to his shoulders to squeeze his arms, bringing him back to earth.

“Wake up, Link.” She says, hushed and sweet. “Let’s go home. We can plan our trip more in the morning.”

Once again, he feels his heart swell up at her words – home.

Home. With Zelda.

“Yeah.” He responds, feeling oddly overwhelmed. “Let’s go home.”

The party is slowly starting to die down, music slowly tapering off, and the tired wedding guests were none the wiser as Link quietly spirits Zelda away, the two of them dissolving into light and drifting back to Hateno.

Drifting back home.