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It was the day before Zelda’s birthday. Link had planned a two day journey for the two of them. He got up from their shared bed, careful not to disturb Zelda from her sleep.
Link knew Zelda. Ever since he got his memories back and the Calamity ended, Zelda has been working on restoring peace to the land. Link had been planning something special for her today, since he felt like it needed to be made up because of her last birthday.
They didn’t talk about the champions much, it was always a tough subject; everything before the Calamity was. But Link was determined to make this birthday so good she forgot about her last one. He just hoped he could do it well enough.
Link made his way downstairs to cook breakfast for the two. Around the time he was done Zelda woke up.
“Morning Link” She said half awake.
Link looked up and smiled. “Good morning, breakfast is on the table.”
She walked to the table and sat down to eat. Link was a good cook, being taught by his mother before the Goddess had chosen him to fight the Calamity. It was over though, the calamity, the struggle, the stress. It was rather peaceful now. They still came across monsters occasionally but with the blood moons stopping once Calamity Ganon was defeated they were a rarer appearance.
Link knew Zelda had some books she wanted back from the Castle, she had been talking about them every time she failed to find something in the books that Impa or Purah had given her. So he decided that was the perfect birthday present. He had looked through them when he was up there searching for his memories and a surprising amount of them were in good condition and actually readable. It would take two days to get from Hateno Village to the Castle but it would be worth it to see Zelda happily reading her books again, something he missed from the pre-Calamity days.
After Link was done cleaning up the cooking mess he joined Zelda at the table. They did this routine daily, it was a calm, peaceful routine that he enjoyed.
“Any plans for today Link?”
“Actually, we’re going to the castle.”
“We?”
“Mhm.”
“Why? It’s not like there's anything of use there.”
“What about the books in your old study?”
Zelda immediately perked up. “Do you think they are still in good condition?”
“When I went there last I looked and most of them were still in good shape.”
Zelda shot up out of her chair. “I can’t believe this! I could have access to all my old books and studies!”
“So you’re up for it?” Link smirked.
“When do we leave?”
They packed rather quickly, Zelda being excited and all. And they mounted their horses and were off.
“So I say sleep at the Riverside stable the two nights, since I don’t see why we can’t make it there by nightfall.” Zelda said while looking at her map.
“Good idea, because I love dealing with a sleep deprived princess at midnight.”
“Oh shush.” She said while playfully punching him in the arm. Link laughed in response.
They talked, talked about their plans for when they got there, the future of Hyrule, the past, basically everything they haven't already shared with each other.
They arrived at the Riverside stable close to midnight, giving them only 6 or 7 hours of sleep if they wanted to get enough daylight for their plans.
“You go pay and I’ll put the horses away.” Zelda instructed Link, and handed him a pouch of Rupees.
Link did as told and handed the stable worker 40 rupees, then went to help Zelda with the horses. He sneaks up behind her and puts his hand on her shoulders.
Zelda quickly turns around and steps back
“ Ah Link! Don’t scare me like that!”
Link smiles satisfied.
“And get that stupid smile off of your face.”
Link was not good at listening.
They headed to their room and got dressed for bed.
“Tomorrow’s your birthday.” Link noted abruptly.
“It is.” Zelda replied without looking up.
“How old are you turning again? One hundred and eighteen?”
She rolled her eyes, “Like you can talk, we’re the same age.”
Link smiled at her.
“You’re cute.” Link told her, then planted a kiss on her cheek.
Redness formed on her cheeks while she smiled.
“Thank you dear.”
They slipped into bed and drifted off to sleep.
***
They awoke early the next morning to continue their journey to the castle. Link was a bit worried about what they would find there but he was sure everything would be fine, he just needed to make sure Zelda was safe. He knew that they could only realistically take around 20 books with them, but knowing Zelda she would push that number as much as she could.
They quickly got dressed and headed north to the castle.
“I wonder how many books are in good shape. I hope the ones on the Sheikah tech are some of them. I have many notes I know I could reference and add to with Impa and Purah. Oo or the ones on the special potions and food. Remember the frog? I bet we could retest that!” Zelda joked.
“Oh maybe not..” Link stammered.
Zelda giggled in response. Link couldn’t help but stare. Her beauty was so wonderfully captured in the dawn light. He will never get tired of seeing her happy, since it was a rare occurrence before and all.
“What?” Zelda asks, tilting her head. She had noticed that Link was staring.
“Oh nothing, just thinking about how pretty you are.” Link admired.
“O-oh. Thank you Link.” Zelda faltered.
“What’s wrong princess? Can’t take a compliment?”
“I will kick you.” She joked.
And they decided that was the end of the conversation. Link turned his focus to the surrounding area as they came up to the ruins of castle town. The earth had retaken almost everything. Moss and grass covered what ruins were left and flowers grew in places that were once filled with houses and streets. On one hand, this made a part of him happy, happy that at least something grew from the wreck of the tragedy that day, on the other hand though…
He always wondered what it was like. What the residents' last thoughts were. But most of all he wondered what would be different if he hadn’t failed that day; it was the anniversary afterall, it just so happened to be his girlfriend’s birthday. He hoped she didn’t feel the same guild he does, even though that is unrealistic, and they would have to talk about it eventually, but he had gotten used to hanging on to hope in devastating times. He had the hope he would see his family again when he was taken, he had hope that he and the princess would grow close, he had hope that everything would be okay when they ran from Calamity Ganon. Only one of those things had come true, you could argue for the last one but he didn’t, because in the end he failed the whole kingdom.
He looked back at Zelda, who was now in front of him due to him slowing down to look at the ruins. The truth was she was his hope, she was always his hope. Even when he had no clue who she was. He always felt attached to her, whether it was his heart or the triforce to blame for that, he had no clue.
“We’re here!” Zelda exclaimed.
“You ready? I don’t know what lies in there.”
“Is Link my personal Knight showing fear? I didn’t know he could feel such things.” Zelda teased.
“Eh more like worry for you.”
“I can handle myself, thank you very much!” She crosses her arms and turns away.
“Remember Gerudo Desert and the Yigas?”
“Oh right.. Fine, I’ll stay close. But you better do your job.”
“Of course princess, I would never let you down.” He takes her hand and leads her through the front gates.
“It’s much easier to get through here without 20 guardians on my ass” Link states. Zelda chuckles in return.
They found their way to Zelda’s study with few bad encounters; a Bokoblin here and there but it was easy overall.
Zelda looked around the broken room. “Wow, I haven’t been here since-”
“Since?” LInk questioned.
“Since my last birthday.” Zelda managed.
“Yeah.”
“Do you ever feel- like it's our fault Hyrule is like this?” Zelda begins. “Becuase if I awakened my power before we could’ve worked together and saved Hyrule and none of this would’ve happened. And everything would’ve been okay. And all of our friends and family would be alive if I didn’t fail, if I could’ve just been better.”
“This isn’t your fault Zelda.”
“Yes it is. Mipha, Revali, Daruk, Urbosa, my dad, your family.” She turns to Link, “they would all be alive, we would get to be happy with them and-”
There was a long, silent pause.
“And my dad wouldn’t have died disappointed in me.” She whispers as tears stream down her face.
“Zelda. I am almost positive if your dad didn’t push awakening your powers onto you, then you would’ve awoken them before the Calamity came. Your dad is the only one to blame for this.” Link says, using his hand to point out the broken window. Link takes her hands. “None of this is your fault. Hell you saved this place. This place, these people, they are still alive because you awoke your powers, you saved me, and you managed to keep Calamity Ganon at bay for 100 years. You didn’t fail, you saved this kingdom. You saved me.”
All Zelda could do was cry into Link's shoulder. Link just rubbed her back even after she was done crying. He held her for as long as she needed, and would’ve held her for all of eternity if she wanted him too.
“I love you, Link.” Zelda says finally.
“I love you too Zelda.”
Zelda pulls away from the hug and wipes her eyes.
“Now let's get you those books shall we?” Link says.
Zelda nods.
They gathered the books that were in good enough condition to carry back with them, including Zelda’s diary, which Zelda was not too pleased to hear that Link had read in his time here, but they laughed about the contents anyway.
And they set off back to Hateno Village.
“I can’t wait to show Purah these books! I wonder how many things we can add with the knowledge we have gained!” Zelda says when they’re back on their horses.
“I’m sure it will be enough to keep you busy for at least two weeks.”
“Are you insulting my research?” Zelda glares.
“No, I am simply saying you work fast.”
“Mhm, sure you are.” Zelda says sarcastically.
“What? I’m telling the truth!”
“I believe you.”
“No you don’t”
Zelda laughs in response.