Chapter Text
Link had an almost uncomfortably boring ride back to Hyrule Castle from the stable near the Lanayru region. After so many months of constant, consistent fear of attacks from monsters, guardians, Blight beasts and Yiga, the idea that most of the threats had passed and there were very few assassins around kind of felt alien to the knight.
The prophecy of Ganon’s return had been known to the entire Hylian Royal Guard for the better part of a decade at this point. The entire time that he had been in formal knight training had been dedicated to the moment that this attack would arrive.
Now the threat had come and gone. And even the groups like the Yiga, who had been large enough to be a problem, had joined forces with the Hylian kingdom. There were no real threats on the horizon, save a few very angry necromancers that were likely to seek Link as a sacrifice to give Ganon another chance.
So, you know, that fun was on the horizon.
But on the whole, what was Link to do? A knight to a princess who was now more than capable of protecting herself. A champion for a conflict already won. What do warriors do in peace time?
Well, one thing he had to get done: his wedding.
Link had not expected when he went down to Zora’s Domain that he was going to receive a proposal, but in hindsight, maybe he should have. Mipha had always been close with him, going back to when they were younger. It was quite the act of fate that he had matured around the time of Mipha’s last growth spurt. They had both reached their race’s respective age where marriage is first seriously considered at about the same time.
Even still, Link had never thought about the ideas of proposals, marriage, or really, life beyond the Calamity. Link had always been an in-the-moment kind of guy. He did have an affinity for romance and cheered on displays of love (though it showed only when he absolutely wanted it to), but things like proposals reeked of planning for the future, which was not exactly something a knight could consider mid-conflict.
Guess that’s why it’s good Zora culture hands that task off to the princess.
One thing Link was certain of after all the time in battle was how much the people close to him mattered. Mipha was nearly slain during the first onslaught of the Calamity, along with all his friends. But Mipha’s attack had struck a particular nerve with him. He’d been around her for ages, and they had grown close over their years together. Though it had never been overtly romantic, there was no question he trusted her completely to be at his side.
And the events of the Calamity calcified in his mind the idea that he wanted her to be at his side throughout his life. So when Mipha proposed with her engagement armor, suddenly, all the scattered thoughts that had been flowing through his mind made sense.
He knew what he was meant to do next.
But duty still called. And thus, after the celebration in the Domain, Link returned to Hyrule Castle, where he was promptly greeted by Princess Zelda, who had been given word of his return. Link bowed as she welcomed him back.
“It’s good to see you returned safely, Link,” Zelda said, smiling. “I hope your time in Hateno and Zora’s Domain went well. What was it that Mipha wanted that was so urgent?”
Link stepped past Zelda to greet Terrako, who had just emerged from the stairwell to see him as well. “We got engaged.”
Zelda blinked. “You- you got engaged?!”
Link nodded as he brushed his hand across Terrako’s eye to clean it. He then turned. Zelda was standing, mouth agape.
“A-and you didn’t think this warranted more of an emotional response?”
Link shrugged. “We already had the celebration, and I didn’t know if that was the only question.”
Zelda looked like she was trying to squint her right eye out of its socket. “Yes! You are correct that I have A LOT more questions!” Zelda looked like she was about to lunge at Link.
And then she did, though not in a hostile way. Link found himself wrapped in a vice-like hug. He couldn’t believe Zelda could have this king of strength.
“But I’ll ask them in a moment, for now, I am so very happy for you, both of you.”
As she let go, Link regained his balance. “Wasn’t expecting such excitement about me.”
Zelda beamed. “I’ll admit, we didn’t start out with the perfect princess-knight relationship. That may have had much to do with the circumstances surrounding it…
“But you can rest assured that you have my full respect and confidence. I consider you a true friend, not simply an underling. And my friendship extends to Mipha as well. I could not be happier for the two of you!”
Link nodded in acknowledgement. He was glad to know that the princess no longer felt the stress of every life on her head now that the Calamity was over, and more importantly, that she could really get a full feeling of joy again after all she had been through.
Zelda continued. “Now, before I continue with my own questions, my father had some intelligence-based questions for you regarding the travel paths to Hateno and Zora’s Domain. Once you answer those, you may return to my quarters and bring myself and Impa the details. I do hope you know that you cannot simply announce an engagement and not receive a barrage of questions from both of us.”
Link put his arm behind his head and smiled sideways. Honestly, he hadn’t considered it - a decision he now regretted.
“Now, then, you mustn’t keep Father waiting. I intend to make the most of this journey to the front of the castle. If you need me, I will be making a walk around the castle.”
Link nodded and began to turn to move. The two separated, with Zelda heading to the front of the castle and Link moving toward the throne room.