Chapter Text
“And how are you feeling today, my Champion?”
Link blinked sleepily at Sidon, then gave a small smile. That in itself was an answer, though Link did enhance it with a few quick signs. ‘I’m better every day.’
“And it is a delight to see.” Sidon grinned widely, walking over to the window of Link’s room. His dearest champion got somewhat self-conscious sometimes about changing clothes in front of Sidon, and Sidon would never want to do anything to upset Link. “The healers are rather impressed with your progress, too. Once again, you give us cause to marvel at your strength!” There was no response, of course, but he liked to think Link was pleased at such praise. Sidon went on to speak about trivial things, the sort that wouldn’t require a response but might amuse Link momentarily. Finally he heard a snap of fingers, signaling that he could turn around again. Link had changed into his day clothes, and was standing next to his bed.
‘Go for a walk with me?’ Link smiled, head tilted in question.
“Nothing could delight me more, my champion.” Sidon gave a bow, grinning. “First, though, some breakfast? We wouldn’t want you running out of energy before we have finished our walk.”
Link crinkled his nose, no doubt displeased at the reminder that he was still less than healthy, but nodded. Good. For all his admirable qualities, Link had trouble admitting his own needs sometimes.
Sidon kept up his idle chatter as they made their way toward the center of Zora’s domain, where the royal kitchens would no doubt be glad to prepare a lovely breakfast for their prince and the Hero of Hyrule. Link was walking slowly, still, but considering the condition he had been in when he arrived, this was still a sheer miracle.
Sidon wasn’t sure he could ever forget the sight of his precious hero as he was carried in, wounded so badly they had surely thought him beyond saving. However, Princess Zelda had pleaded with them to do their best — Queen Zelda, now — and while none of their healers could rival Mipha’s power and skill, Zora still had some talent in that area still. And now, Link was on his feet again, though he still had a long way to go until recovery.
“Actually, there is something I wanted to talk to you about.” Sidon waited for Link’s nod as they stood across from each other at the breakfast table. It would have been quite useless to discuss something when he couldn’t even see Link’s response, after all. “We received a letter from Queen Zelda.”
Link tilted his head in question.
“She was inquiring about your health. Apparently, she is looking forward to making you her personal knight once again once you have recovered.” Sidon smiled. “As much as it pains me to think of parting from you, I am happy about you receiving such an honor. You have earned every bit of it, of course. All of Hyrule owes you our gratitude.”
Link flushed, looking down. Ah, their humble champion was the same as ever.
“Ah, but please don’t think you should push yourself into recovery! We are honored to be helping you regain your health, so please do not think of your presence as a burden.” Sidon grinned with all his teeth. “I am certainly delighted for every moment I get to spend in your presence, my champion.”
Link looked even more embarrassed, but truly, Sidon could not hold back his praise. Link’s mere presence made him feel as though he was breathing the coolest, freshest water directly from a spring, his heart beating faster in excitement. It would be a pity indeed when they had to part ways, but at the same time, he would not dream of standing in the way of Link’s success. Link had truly earned every possible honor offered to him, and Sidon’s adoration was surely a mere side note in the chronicles of his accomplishments. Link signed a question about the upcoming festival, no doubt to change the subject. Sidon was happy to go along with that. After all, he was looking forward to showing Link every aspect of life in Zora’s Domain while he was still here.
If nothing else, it would give him happy memories to treasure once Link left him behind.
*
Sidon was getting rather ashamed of himself.
Not that he had done anything shameful, not quite. However, while his actions might have been pure and well-intentioned, he was finding that his thoughts were not as honorable.
Link was recovering further every day, and Sidon should have been delighted about that. And he was, truly he was. His beloved friend was growing stronger and healthier, and that was obviously a cause for celebration. Yet there was a part of Sidon that almost wished that hadn’t been the case. Not because he wished ill on his precious champion, but rather because Link’s recovery would usher in his departure from Zora’s Domain. After all, he had a Queen waiting for him back in Hyrule, one Link had already sworn his life to. Sidon could not possibly compete with that.
Thankfully the sight of Link always delighted him, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to hide his shameful thoughts from his friend. As such, Sidon found a smile already rising to his face as he approached Link’s room. He knocked at the door frame, then stepped in. Link had assured him it was fine, and Sidon hoped he had not yet lost that right.
Link was not in his room.
That was… new. While Link had recovered enough to move around the Domain on his own, he still tended to wait for Sidon every morning, so they could have breakfast together and catch up on any news before parting for their own activities as needed. Why would Link have left without him?
Stepping further into the room, Sidon noticed something rather alarming. A familiar piece of clothing was resting on Link’s bed, blue and silver glittering in the soft light of Domain. There was a letter folded on top of the Zora armor. Even before reading it, Sidon knew this was not a good sign.
Gingerly picking up the letter, he started to read. Each word made his heart sink further.
“Sidon,
I have to apologize. It has become clearer than ever that I am not the person you think I am, and certainly not the Champion you like to call me. I wish I were, I wish I could be the person I see reflected in your eyes, but I am not. I am merely a coward.
As much as I hate to do this, I will have to let you down, and let down Queen Zelda. Honorable or not, I cannot accept the position of her knight. I cannot even claim the name of Champion, not anymore. After all, a knight and a Champion both should be prepared to fight for Hyrule, and I can’t do that, not anymore.
I’m tired, Sidon, so very tired. I have fought two wars, died once and almost a second time, and I have long since lost count of the monsters I have slain. Ever since my childhood, I have lived to bear the blade, and now that Ganon is gone, I can’t bring myself to do so any longer. I am tired of fighting, of spending my every waking moment on guard, of never knowing what enemy I must face next. While I know you mean nothing but well in your wishes for me to return to my duties, every word from you or the queen cuts deep as I know I cannot stand beside her again. I’m too tired to lift my sword anymore, too tired to face another enemy, and for that, I apologize.
I have no intention of claiming honors I do not deserve. I have left behind the armor Mipha made for me, as she prepared it for the person I can’t claim to be. Next, I am going to take the Master Sword back to its resting place, and give up my claim on it. After that, I plan to pray to the Goddess to take back the strength I have been given. Perhaps she will find someone more deserving of it to bring honor to her name.
Thank you for all the support and encouragement you have given me. I hope you find someone who is truly worthy of your love. I’m sorry it couldn’t be me. I wish it could have been me.
With all my heart,
Link”
For a while, Sidon stared at the letter, not sure he was reading it correctly. However, no matter how many times he read it, there was no mistake. Link had left. Sidon had failed Link, had failed to see what his Champion truly needed, and needlessly added to his grief. And because of his failing, because he had not protected Link from everything he deserved to be protected from, Link had left.
His wail of despair echoed through the very depths of Zora’s Domain, but at the moment, Sidon could not bring himself to care.