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It was one of the most beautiful days I had ever experienced. Zelda and I were playing in the market of the town, carefree as if none of us were ever meant to carry the fate of the world in our hands. We were just children after all and times like these were rare, but necessary. I remembered how Zelda told me more than once, that she envied the other children, who while not able to have the prettiest things, had all the things that she was forbidden from having. Things that rupees couldn’t buy. I understood what she meant, for it was similar for me. Yes, I had a childhood in the Kokiri forest, but I wasn’t exactly someone who fit in. No, I was different. Just like she was.
The bunny hood looked so adorable on her. We took turns in wearing it, but I never minded giving it up, because she wore it best. That yellow dress with a light jacket, probably borrowed from somewhere, matched well. Never will I forget the joy in her eyes as she saw all the things that the castle didn’t offer. Of course she had the finest dinners, finest clothes and finest company, but it wasn’t quite humble. Humility was what she missed. Certainly her Father loved her, but companionship was not what Zelda knew. Not until we met.
“Why must the sun go down?” She complained, a pout on her face. “I was having so much fun…”
“I don’t want to know what Impa will do, if I don’t bring you home now.” I joined in her pout.
“I know, Link… But I hope we can do this again!”
“If it was up to me, we could do it every day!”
“I’d love that, but if Father finds out that I am amongst the crowd, he will put an end to it… Impa only allows it because she trusts you.”
“All because of that thing on my hand, huh?” I looked at the triforce mark on the back of my hand. A mark of courage. Only because of that, the king believed me about Ganondorf. To think that he wouldn’t even listen to his own daughter prior to that…
“No, she trusts you, because… I think she knows people well. She can easily tell if someone is good or not. She did so in… your time too, before you had this, didn’t she?”
“Yes, she did, I guess.” I shrugged. Sometimes I wondered if Impa had much of a choice. She was a great woman, but it is strange to think that she and many other adults so easily allowed a simple child from the forest to deal with saving the world from an evil man.
“So I bring you home now, yeah?”
“Yes, you have to.” She nodded. “If not, I’d stay out until the stars come in!”
“And I’d lose my head!”
Zelda gasped. “Father wouldn’t do that! I wouldn’t let him anyway!”
“I know, I’m joking.” I stuck out my tongue.
“Liiiiink!” She poked my cheek several times.
I laughed. “Hey! But let’s go now!”
After doing it several times, I knew all the best ways to sneak into the castle. If going through the hole that let the water of the fountain flow out, or climbing some walls or doing lockpicking work, I knew my ways of doing it… Until the king heard of it. Thankfully Impa and Zelda both campaigned for me to get a permit to visit the castle officially, meaning I didn’t have to sneak in anymore. The king showed his kind side and allowed it… as long as I told the guards all of my tricks, to strengthen the security of the castle. Thinking of it, he had a point. If a child could figure out how to get in…
With my permit, going in and out of the castle wasn’t a problem, not when I was alone. But when the future queen of Hyrule was with me? That was a different story. The town-girl disguise helped, but we still had to be very careful. At least her having keys meant that we didn’t have to climb through holes.
Within the castle I was fine to walk around, but I still made sure she got back to her chamber without being seen. That time however, we were met with a surprise at her door.
“You’re late,” Impa said, standing there with folded arms.
“I. What? But you said we should be back by sun-down!” Zelda retorted.
“Yes and as you know, the colder months are coming in and thus the sun goes down earlier,” the tall woman pointed out, motioning to a window, which showed that it had gone dark faster than we thought. “You know that we can not take any chances, princess.”
“I was keeping her safe!” I stepped in front of Zelda. “I promise!”
“I believe you, Link, but ever since Ganondorf’s arrest, we can not be sure that there won’t be some kind of revenge attack eventually…” Impa sighed. “I only give my blessing for these short visits, because I know that if I didn’t give it, you would be going out regardless and without any sort of control.”
“I understand, Impa…” Zelda looked down. “I'd better change for dinner then… But Link?” She turned around to face me. “Thank you for another lovely day… This means a lot to me.” At last she was able to smile again.
It was infectious and my smile appeared without delay. “I had a lot of fun too! I’ll come by tomorrow again, if that is okay?”
“But no going out then,” Impa said strictly. “You can visit, but not disturb any royal duties.”
“Yes, I understand.” I nodded. “I won’t disturb… I’ll just support! And make Zelda laugh when she needs it!”
This made her smile grow more brightly. “I appreciate that!”
“That should be fine,” the nurse-maid placed her hands on her hips. “But now the princess better get changed, so that she can dine with the king.”
“Alright, alright. I’ll go. I’ll see you tomorrow!” I waved as I stepped back.
“See you tomorrow!” Zelda waved.
I didn’t believe that I was still the same innocent child at that time, that I had been before my adventure that was then lost to time, but I definitely saw those as times where I could at least pretend to be one. Now, many years later, I was just a man… Admittedly one with some kind of prestige, but it was prestige I had to work hard for. Most people had no idea of the hero who saved them and I supposed that I was fine with it. I was knighted officially and made a name for myself in other ways. Still the years had left their mark. The Gerudo uprising had not been kind to me and my eyes, of which only one remained, were a constant reminder of that. Half the sight didn’t mean that the scars all over myself were any less obvious.
I held the bunny hood in my hands and sighed. The memories of Termina eventually made it too painful to wear these kinds of accessories. One time I wore the mask of truth and nearly hurt myself in the process of ripping it off. Was it fair that a child had to be burdened with all these things? I helped gladly, saved the world gladly, but… I knew that the price I paid for my courage was a heavy one. Perhaps someday the scars will no longer reopen…
“Link?” Asked a gentle voice, coming from the door. Quickly my head snapped back to see who it was - Of course I had recognized her before my eye took in her sight. Queen Zelda.
“Your majesty,” I said quietly, hiding the bunny hood behind me.
“I told you not to call me that when we’re alone,” Zelda pointed out, approaching me. “I know that look… You’re digging into old memories again, aren’t you?”
“Yes… You know me too well.” I sighed, looking down. “Sometimes I look at the items that remind me of my past and hope it will feel better than before.”
“Link…” Her gloved hand took a hold of my chin, making me look at her.
I saw that look of warmth and care in her face. Bright blue eyes that wished nothing but the best for me. A grown woman, leading her country with confidence. My queen.
“Zelda, I shouldn’t bother you with the pains of an old man.”
“You’re hardly old.” She leaned in closer. “Otherwise I would be too.”
“Beauty never ages. You’re just as perfect as the day that I met you…”
“Are you telling me I look like a child?” She pretended to be shocked.
“W-what? Of course not!”
She chuckled. “I got you.” Then she leaned up and pressed a soft kiss onto my lips. “You worry too much.”
Her kiss made me smile at last. “Isn’t that what I used to tell you?”
“Yes and I believe in returning favors.”
“And that is why you are a good queen.”
“But to you, I don’t wish to be a queen… I just wish to be Zelda. Your Zelda.”
“My Zelda… Don’t you ever have any doubts about taking me as your royal consort? That prince from the neighboring kingdom-”
“I don’t care. Father might not have approved, but it doesn’t matter to me. I run this kingdom. You were knighted already and I have been considering giving you one of the extinct titles that would benefit from a revival.”
“Extinct titles…? I am Sir Link now. What would I be then.”
“Lord Link. Perhaps I’ll make you an Earl. Earl Link sounds nice, doesn’t it?”
It sounded ridiculous to me, but if it made her happy, I would take on any title. “Lord Link it is.”
“Good.” She kissed me again. “Now will you join me for dinner? You know dinner with the queen is a very special event.”
“Yes, your majes- … My love.”
