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You stared at yourself in the mirror once the servants were done helping you into your outfit. Today was the day. The day that had been plaguing your mind since you had agreed to it nearly a year ago. Your wedding day. Even though you were twins, Zelda was technically older than you, so you weren't the heir to the throne. Not that you necessarily wanted it but you were constantly treated with lower expectations than your twin sister (whether the King wanted to acknowledge it or not). You would be lying if you said you didn't feel a twinge jealous of her. Even with her high, nearly unrealistic, expectations of wielding the power of the goddess, there had been times you wanted that attention. Had Mother been around, maybe you would've gotten it.
But here you were; getting married to another royal from a far-off kingdom. It was custom and not such an uncommon occurrence. You'd read many tales and histories of royal families marrying off their children. It still didn't mean you necessarily wanted this. You shake your head and adjust the adornments and jewelry on your outfit--fixing the crooked triforces and royal crests that were dangerously close to getting tangled up in a giant mess. You looked nice all dolled up like this. You had wished it had gone differently, is all. "Your highness," one of the servants bows, "your escort is ready."
It was Hyrule custom for arranged royal marriages to go through a traditional ceremony. It involved the Hyrulian betrothed to make the journey from the castle all the way to the Temple of Time over on the Great Plateau. Then from there they would travel with them to their new home. This was to represent the journey from one kingdom to the next. At one time you thought it was poetic and intriguing, but now? You knew your anxiety and anguish of leaving Hyrule was only going to worsen during this procession. You were going to have an escort from the Royal Guard with you; maybe you could make conversation on the way? Either way, you had a lot of time of traveling ahead of you. An hours' worth at the very least.
As you follow the servants down the stairs to the main entrance of the castle, your eyes scan the walls that you'll probably never be able to see again. The halls you and your sister used to explore. The paintings that you would make fun of. All those memories would be out of your reach for, likely, the rest of your life. Your footsteps echo in the stone halls and you try your best to keep that in your memory for the future. You were leaving your home forever. Soon enough, though, you reach the outdoors. A horse is awaiting your arrival, and it is also wearing the royal gear normally used for occasions such as this. The gold twinkles in the light as the horse whinnies and clops its hooves on the ground. You also notice a familiar figure petting the nose of your assigned steed. Your heart thumps when you realize it's him.
"Link?"
He looks up from petting the horse and smiles widely. The young knight was assigned to be your sister's protector; why wasn't he at the Plateau with the rest of your family? He gives a silent greeting with a wave of his hand and you hug him tightly. After pulling away you frantically start waving your hands around to start communicating with him through sign language. After living in the castle for many years, he'd taught you and Zelda how to do so. There was an official interpreter, but the three of you spent so much time together that it made more sense to just learn. He knew how to speak, but his voice was weak from an accident as a child, and he usually preferred this silent communication.
"What are you doing here?" You say and sign at the same time
"I'm your escort." Link says as if it's a matter of fact.
"I thought Reginald was supposed to be my escort?"
"He was, but I volunteered to take his place." He gives a pained smile. "I wanted to see you off myself. One last time."
You sigh, relieved you'll have someone you love and trust with you on this final journey. Of all the people in Hyrule, you wanted it to be either Zelda or him. Though, there's a painful tug in your heart. Ever since Link was brought to the castle you had a soft spot in your heart for him. He was endlessly kind and hard-working. Traits you found admirable and drew you to him even more. He was said to be the goddess' chosen hero, and wielded the Sword of Legend, just like a hero out of a fairytale. He was honest and humble, so, many times you even forgot about his legendary status. You never told anyone how disappointed you were when he was assigned as Zelda's personal guard and not yours. Though, it seemed like she saw him as a nuisance or an obstacle, unlike you. Your unrequited pining only made this arranged marriage feel worse for you. It was your duty, though, so you felt that you had to follow through with it.
Link waves a hand in front of your face. You must've spaced off. "Oh. Sorry. Let us be on our way." He helps you onto your horse and then mounts his own right next to you. For the first 10 or so minutes there's no conversation. It was probably in part due to the fact that nearly all the citizens living in the Castle Town were lined up along the streets to watch you pass by. With the biggest smile you can muster you wave to your subjects as they cheer you on. Eventually you make it to the gates and take the path going to your left. After the first fork in the road you come across another and as you start to turn to the right, Link trots ahead and points to the other path.
"Link, that is the long way. We need to go this way."
"Trust me. This way." He turns without waiting for your reply. Your eyes shift from the correct path, then to Link, and groan. Hopefully this didn't add too much time to your journey. After another couple minutes Link waves to get your attention and you turn your head to see what he has to say. "Anything on your mind?"
Obiviously... You grumble to yourself, but shrug while looking away from his blue eyes.
"Do you want to talk about it?" He tilts his head.
You heave a sigh. "Not necessarily." He'd understand your hesitation on this whole marriage thing. He always understood your worries. To you, though, he was a big reason as to why you were having second thoughts. It was a big responsibility, being a child of royalty; the older you got the more you realized this. Not only did you represent your father, you represented your entire kingdom and all its people. You had to act a certain way around people. You had to speak a certain way. If you angered the wrong people it could mean big trouble for your father, and you didn’t want to upset him.
Then there was your sister, Zelda. Father was always harder on her than he was you. Between the two of you she was the one who inherited the power of the goddess and you were left with nothing. You envied the attention she got but didn’t envy the high expectations she had hanging over her; father was constantly trying to get her to awaken her abilities as early as he could and was always pushing her to pray at the springs. Over the years, her visits to the three separate springs became more frequent and she was always accompanied by her trusty knight, your best friend, Link. You always knew whether or not she was successful based on how they came back into the castle; her eyes clouded with worry and disappointment and Link’s posture stiff. She always got an earful from Father—
“Y/N.” Link’s weak voice rasps and you’re brought out from the void that was your spiraling thoughts.
“Huh? Oh,” you realize you’ve stopped in place and he’s several paces ahead of you, “sorry.” You trot back up to him and before you can keep moving forward he starts to sign a message to you.
“Something’s bothering you. I can tell.”
“I’m fine, Link.”
“No.” He answers and you’re once again shocked by the firmness of his raspy voice. “Please, tell me what’s wrong.”
A moment passes between the two of you that is so devoid of noise that you can hear the water flowing down the nearby river on the other side of the hill to your left. The crickets chirping and darners flying around buzz in your head madly as you think of how to even steer this conversation away from the topic it’s heading towards. If Link was anything, he was stubborn and persistent, so you knew that it was next to impossible to get him to back off the topic.
“I… don’t want to do this…”
You finally slump your shoulders down as you let go of all the tension you’d been holding in your posture. The front you were putting on was exhausting. Link’s head tilts to the side as he looks on at your pathetic stance.
“I don’t want to marry this stranger. I don’t want to move far away. I don’t want to have this responsibility.” Your words start to meld together as you ramble off everything that’s been plaguing your mind the past several months. You begin to move forward along the path again. At first you thought was your duty to go through with this. You tried to convince yourself several times that it was what you needed to do; what you wanted to do. But deep down you knew you were regretting agreeing to this arrangement. “I want to be free.”
You notice Link’s horse get uncomfortably close to yours and he places a hand on your shoulder. “Then don’t.”
With a shake of your head you start signing back. “What am I going to do—run away?” The look Link gives you tugs at your gut. The storm of butterflies roar inside your stomach when your eyes meet his. You can read his message loud and clear without him communicating it verbally or with his hands. Why not? Is what he’s saying with that slight tilt of his head and the upward arch of his eyebrows. “Link… I can’t…” What about father? That would ruin his relationship with this kingdom, and no doubt bring consequences in the future. What about your duty? What about Zelda? Would you ever see her again?
“Yes you can. You can live with my dad and sister in the village.” Link was seriously giving you a way out. Right here. Right now.
A pause. “But… what if they recognize me?”
“Not many people have seen what the royals actually look like over there. And if they do, I’ll say something about it. You could just be a family friend in need.” Which wasn’t too far from the truth. You’d heard many stories about his father, a former knight that you had seen only a handful of times while growing up. You had seen his sister even less; only from the photo that he had taken of them on his Sheikah slate from one of his visits home.
You start to seriously consider his offer. Your eyes shoot down to your wedding attire. “My clothes will give me away.” Without a word Link sifts through one of the pouches on his horse and pulls out a plain tunic, trousers, and shoes. “Did you bring these for me?” Link shrugs with the ghost of a smirk, but you knew he was planning this. It seems he was more perceptive than you thought. “Link… I… Am I seriously going to run away from my own wedding?” A laugh escapes your lips and when you meet his eyes again you freeze. Link’s eyes are warm and full of adoration. A look you’d seen a few times, mostly when he was eyeing a rather tasty meal or rare cut of meat, but this one was slightly different when it was directed towards you. You could get lost in his vibrant blue eyes any day, and it was happening at this very moment.
“There will always be time for another...” He signs hesitantly then scratches the back of his neck. “Go change. I’ll wait right here.” He halts his horse and you follow suit, sliding off the saddle and hiding behind a nearby tree and bushes to change out of your wedding regalia.
“Um… Link? I need your help…” You call out sheepishly after remembering there were a few parts of your outfit that required some assistance. You hear his footsteps near you, and pause once he’s right next to your bush. “You can look, I’m still decent.” He rounds the corner and helps you take the various triforce adornments and other pieces of your outfit that require his help. Once you’re unbuttoned and unzipped, his hand lingers on the final zipper. You grow rather anxious at the feeling of his breath on the small bit of exposed skin on the back of your neck. “I-Is everything okay?”
“Fine.” His voice barely above a whisper. Link quickly turns to leave you alone and you stand there for a moment to let your heart calm itself down in your chest. Once you return back to your horses, Link helps you pack your clothes into the packs of your horse’s saddle and hoists you up to your place on your steed’s back. Despite being vertically challenged, Link’s strength was unmatched.
The two of you reach a fork in the road once you reach the end of Whistling Hill. To your left is the Owlan Bridge and to the right is the path that will take you through the Forest of Time, and in turn all the way to the Great Plateau. You look to your friend, hoping he’ll give you the last sliver of courage you need to follow through with this. “Head south along the river until you reach the East Post. Go East towards Dueling Peaks and follow the path to Fort Hateno.” He starts to furiously sign his instructions and point on the map of his Sheikah Slate. “Follow the path without taking any turns until you reach the woods. Head east, up the hill, and you’ll find Hateno Village. My house is a secluded one across a bridge in southern portion of the village. Just tell Dad that I sent you.” He points to a house on the map and you nod in understanding.
Your mind is racing at the thought of meeting his family so suddenly. What if he doesn’t believe you? As if reading your thoughts, Link takes your hand, puts it atop the Sheikah slate, and then rests his on top of yours. “When he sees this, he’ll know.”
“What if the soldiers at Fort Hateno recognize me? What if they stop me?” You’re not necessarily looking for excuses not to go, but you definitely don’t want to go alone. Link pulls out one final item from his pack; the cloak he always wears when traveling. Without another word he drapes it over your shoulders and pulls the hood over your head.
“You worry too much.” He chuckles silently which elicits a small pout from you. “I’ll stop by as soon as I can. I’ll need that back.” He points to his Sheikah slate in your hands. “I’ll see you then.” Link gives a light whip of his reigns to indicate he wants to go faster on his horse but you call after him.
“Wait, what are you going to do?” He doesn’t answer, but sports a mischievous smirk as he rides off, turning down the path that leads to the Great Plateau.
This was it. Your final chance to change your mind again and follow through with the wedding... What were you thinking? This was your ticket out, why throw it away? You never thought you would have the chance to just walk away from your responsibility as the king's child, but here you were. The only regret that sat in your mind was leaving your twin on her own. Yes, you had the responsibility of a royal, but hers was tenfold compared to yours. You hoped one day you could see her again to help encourage her to keep trying. To not give up.
You take a deep breath and follow Link’s instructions, double checking your map every few minutes to make sure you’re going the right way. It takes a while, but you finally make it to town and hitch your horse outside his home. So this is where he grew up… Well, before he moved to the castle, that is. It was a quaint house and you could hear muffled voices inside. A gruff man and a young girl. His father and sister, most likely. You go to knock on the door but freeze. What if they all found out where you were hiding? Would his family get in trouble? Would Link get in trouble? You would feel awful if that happened.
Before you could rap your knuckles on the solid wood door, it swings open and a young blonde girl stares up at you with curious eyes. “Daaad. There’s someone at the door!” She rushes back in and you stiffen when you see the burly man that you recognized as Link’s father stroll towards you.
“Hello. How can I help you?”
“Um… I’m a friend of Link’s and, uh, I was in trouble and he told me to come here. Said you would be able to help me…” You fumble for his Sheikah slate to present to him and his father’s eyes are unreadable. You can’t tell if he’s judging whether or not you’re a threat or if you’re even telling the truth. After a rather uncomfortable silence, he simply nods and gestures for you to come in. You sigh, let your shoulders relax, and take your final step as a member of the royal family into the mundane world of a commoner. You weren’t sure what you’d tell him—if you would even tell him the truth—but you knew you had to come up with something. A name, a vague story, but you knew that even if you did lie, your adoration and gratitude to Link couldn’t be faked. As you sat at the dining room table you smiled and thought about the next time you’d see Link. Whenever that would be, it couldn’t come any sooner. Until then, you’d have to pretend to be a normal person in this vast kingdom. You had a lot to learn, but it was much better than the alternative.
Thank you, Link…