#It's raining in Hateno. They have nothing to do so
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Pillow
#It's raining in Hateno. They have nothing to do so#zelink#fan art#zelda#legend of zelda#princess zelda#my art#tears of the kingdom#totk#totk zelink
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The Rise Before the Fall
read on AO3
Zelda cannot remember the last time Link sheathed the Master Sword.
She watches gore and Malice drip into an earth already saturated with both. It’s all she can see, just like the cold rain sliding down her neck and the blisters splitting her feet are all she can feel. Some of that blood must be Link’s. But he won’t stop. He’s only paused long enough to survey Blatchery Plain.
“We have to circle back,” she says numbly.
His fingers dig into the bark of the massive oak that conceals them from the Guardians. A gust of wind smatters their faces with rain. Someone screams from the battlefield, a thin sound of mortal terror that climbs down Zelda’s throat to seize her heart before it falls abruptly silent.
Link turns his head to look at her.
“North,” she insists. “Then south again to Kakariko…”
He points. Three Guardians crawl out of the dark mouth between the Dueling Peaks. A fourth follows moments later. The Calamity is right behind them.
“There has to be another way. We’ll never make it across that field.”
“We will,” Link decides. The words are rough and quiet, his first in hours, yet filled with that absolute certainty she once mistook for arrogance. “The road’s too open. Go east until the forest ends. Then across the field, there’s more cover on that side. The Guardians will be on me and on the fort. You’ll have a clear path to that hill.” He points north. “And then you’re out of sight. Kakariko Bridge is on the other side.”
Zelda stares at him through the rain. He’s never spoken that many words so quickly or so clearly. But her sluggish mind still rejects them.
“We can’t go back,” Link says.
“We can!” Her voice sounds shrill and childish. “I’m going back, and you’re coming with me!”
His left leg trembles beneath him when he shifts his weight off the tree. He studies his bloody clothes. His darkened blade. Her blistered ankles and useless hands. “I’ll meet you at the bridge,” he says finally. “Please, Zelda.”
“No! I can’t leave you. Don’t ask me to leave you!”
Link steps forward. His face is hard and focused like he’s already on the battlefield. One hand still clutches the sword. The other slides along her jaw. He shutters the violent blue of his eyes and presses his lips to hers.
It’s nothing like Zelda imagined, nothing like their first kiss should be. He’s burning. She’s freezing. When her hands come up around his body there’s no caution or gentleness, just raw desperation. Link shivers breathlessly in a way that has nothing to do with romance and everything to do with his broken ribs. They’re drowning in the rain, in the screams coming from Fort Hateno, in each other.
All she can think is that she waited too long. She should have kissed him when he pulled her out of the Spring of Power and enveloped her cold hands in his. When he climbed through her bedroom window with a stolen fruitcake and a wolfish smile. When he sank into stone-faced silence to escape it all. When he ignored their crumbling kingdom to let her pour seventeen years of grief into his muddy tunic.
But she’s too late. They only have this one moment, the rise before the fall, and Zelda ruins even that by sliding her hand too far down his side, where the tunic ends and his burns begin. Link makes a sound in the back of his throat, and he’s back in his ruined body, and she’s back to smelling his charred flesh.
“This is all I can do,” he says raggedly. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Zelda.”
She tries to hold onto him. To carry some of his weight. But Link is already pulling away. The last look he gives her is more open and more heartbroken than she could have ever imagined. Then he turns, and she does not understand how someone so damaged can move faster than the wind.
She clutches the tree. He disappears into the rain and the smoke. The world thins around her.
Stumbling away in the opposite direction is the hardest thing Zelda has ever done. Her legs went numb somewhere in Central Hyrule. Her mouth tastes of copper. Time slips by nonsensically. Mount Lanayru looms on the horizon, a cruel reminder of her last chance, her last moment with her friends.
She sees Mipha atop the waterfall, accepting a fate that would tear her away from her baby brother. Revali hiding his weakness at the flight range. Daruk trying to smile right before the end. Urbosa shoulder-to-shoulder with her mother, laughing the way they only ever laughed around each other. Her father’s silhouette on the ramparts, watching her leave for the Spring of Wisdom.
Zelda nears Fort Hateno in time to hear a tattered cheer rise up from its defenders as most of the Guardians move westward. All those men understand is that they’ve been granted a moment’s reprieve. They can’t know that somewhere amid the sparking pile of metal corpses, Link is trading his blood for Hyrule’s hope, just like he’s been doing since he was twelve years old.
Do you keep any hope for yourself? she asked him once. He only turned aside to hide the way his face cracked open, which was an answer all on its own.
He never expected to reach the bridge. He means to purchase Zelda’s life with his own.
She’s on her knees at the edge of the forest. Her path to the hill and the safety beyond it stands clear, as he promised, but the window is closing fast. If she makes it to Kakariko—and that seems a considerable if—what will she do? What use could she possibly be? This kingdom doesn’t need a failure of a princess.
Link does, if only so that he won’t die alone.
Zelda sprints back the way she came, keeping to the trees until her only choice is to strike out towards the maelstrom that separates her from him. Maybe he’ll hate her forever for discarding his wishes. She doesn’t care. Forever is drawing its final breath.
Link has turned the plain into a jumbled maze of dead Guardians, forcing the live ones to approach him over narrow, slippery terrain so he can pick them off and drop back into cover before his next move. Zelda feels a fierce surge of pride, to love and be loved by this boy who has retained his ruthless ingenuity against impossible odds and unimaginable fatigue. It’s almost enough to make her believe they still have a chance.
And then she sees him.
Little guy, Daruk always called him, and right now Link looks so small—a lonely figure soaked in mud and worse, trapped between the mountains of his fallen enemies. Desperate to see his face, Zelda’s mouth forms his name before she realizes he stands between her and a Guardian.
The machine compensates for its missing legs with an awkward shamble that would have invoked pity a few days ago. Now she watches it drag its dead weight around the bend and prays to a deaf Goddess that its roving gaze never falls upon Link.
But he’s waiting for just that. Pieces of him are missing. He clutches the sword between both hands and raises his head, assessing his dwindling options as the red laser fixes on his chest.
Then he moves. He’s still fast, but his legs buckle twice. He can’t possibly have the strength to end the enemy before it ends him. Zelda flounders through the freezing swamp, numb, breathless, blind.
As always, Link surprises her.
He throws himself at the Guardian, his foot finding purchase in the hollow place left behind by one of its missing legs, his fingers seizing hold of some groove that gets him onto its body. And somehow—despite his injuries, despite the slippery surface, despite the laser following his every move—Link hauls himself hand over hand up the metal shell.
Zelda stumbles forward. She can’t reach him in time. She can only watch.
The Master Sword plunges into the Guardian’s eye at the same moment the laser fires.
Link screams.
The world explodes with blinding heat. Through a cloud of steaming rain, Zelda sees him hit the ground rolling. The machine twitches and sparks and slumps over dead, but Link is not dead, he can’t be dead, not him, not the only thing she has left in the world.
Her knees sink into the swamp. She doesn’t feel it; she doesn’t feel anything. Especially not the unbearable heat radiating off him or the blackened shreds of his tunic flaking away as she turns him onto his back. Her hands roam over him helplessly, trying to stave off the blood, to piece him back together.
Link’s fingers twitch around the hilt of the sword.
Zelda gasps his name and his eyes fly open, wide and blue and panicked against his filthy face. He heaves out a horrible, sanguine cough that lasts eternities and breaks every part of Zelda that wasn’t already broken.
“Link, I’m here,” she sobs. “Can you hear me? Can you look at me?”
He tries. His eyes are glassy and unfocused. His lips part over crimson teeth. She cradles the unburned side of his face, hunching over his body to hide him from the miasmic light flickering in her peripheral vision.
“Zelda,” Link whispers faintly.
The first time he spoke her name, it was a new beginning, a light shining through the cracked surface of her. He says it like an end now, choked out between reedy gasps. But all at once, Zelda realizes she did not come here to die with him. She came here to save him, the way he saved her with every smile and every swing of the Master Sword and every stolen piece of time.
“Go,” he begs.
“Not without you,” she vows. “Get up.”
Link looks up at her despairingly. His breaths stutter out of him as if dragged by a hook. Malice cuts through the rain, drawing closer.
Zelda kisses him. This one is so brief and so soft and tastes entirely of blood. Link’s eyes remain closed after she pulls back, tears and rain carving clean tracks down his face. For a terrifying moment, she thinks: He’s gone. I finally killed him.
But his hands slide through the mud, bracing as much weight as he can bear, and together they get him upright. Through sobs of pain, her knight—her dauntless, lionhearted Link—stabs his sword into the marshy earth and levers himself onto one knee while blood and charred cloth and burnt skin slough away from his body.
Despite everything, Zelda feels an infinitesimal spark of hope. “Now run, Link. Save yourself. I’ll distract it—I’ll be fine, don’t worry about me—"
The Guardian crawls closer and closer to their pocket of safety. In one impossible movement, Link surges to his feet, his blade springing free from the muck as he staggers back. Death rattles through his lungs.
The machine’s spindly legs fold up and over the last barrier. Zelda blinks and sees Ganon in its place, all fog and fury, teeth baring for the kill. She has one thought as the red beam slices through the endless rain: It was all for nothing.
Link doesn’t run. He doesn’t lift his blade. He doesn’t look back. Everything he wants to tell her is there in his unbroken stance, in the defiant set to his chin, in the pure ferocity of his eyes. They flash to Zelda in terror when she steps in front of him, but he’s given his answer to the silent question that has loomed over them both since they were born. So she gives hers.
It sears up from a place she didn’t know existed, bright and visceral and real, filling her up and blazing forth to rend the fabric of the world. Zelda erupts into gold. Nothing in her life has ever felt so right.
But even that comes too late.
.
.
.
#my writing#loz fanfiction#botw fanfiction#zelink fanfiction#botw zelink#loz#botw#zelink#zelink fanfic
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More Modern AU stuff because I’m too jazzed from getting off work an hour ago Anywhoozle -
Thinking about their styles? Like personal styles and their like careers/lifestyles.
Sky would be all soft hoodies worn under like a bomber style jacket (Sun totally got him that, it’s brown leather with the Hyrulian shield emblem on the back, patches on the front and sleeves of like a Loftwing, a cloud, a copy his pilot wings pin, etc). Baggy pants with lots of pockets, sweatpants, yoga pants, or anything very comfy. Combat boots. Sometimes a beanie, sometimes no. Always looks super soft and comfy, very unintimidating, and squishy. (Misnomer, Skyboi will throw down if you burn through his patience fast enough).
Sky is NOT an active pilot, but he did earn his wings. Skyloft is home to the only Military school that’s solely focused on one branch, it’s their Air Force. So by graduating from Skyloft Academy, he earned his wings. He is considering going to college for a Mechanical Engineering degree. Maybe. He hasn’t decided.
Hyrule is all things that are good to move in. Loose jeans, yoga pants, good hiking boots, loose graphic tees, windbreaker type rain coat. It’s all practical things. He likes the colors red, brown, and green for his clothes. Occasionally orange, if he’s feeling spicy. All his socks are patterned and are in general very silly.
Hyrule is a landscape photographer, but currently in a non professional capacity (to himself). He’s enrolled in online courses for Photography and Photoshop Editing, so he can better himself at his craft.
Wild is that one guy who everyone knows has a lot of clothes, who wears said clothes, but is always seen in the same outfit. He’s a cryptid and loves it. Generally seen in a blue graphic tee, brown pants, and brown hiking boots. I will not go into the contents of his closet at this time, it’s too vast. No.
That said, Wild currently works as a tour guide for the local Dueling Peaks National Park. He takes tourists to the top of the Peaks safely and back down again. He’s currently deciding between a degree of sorts (undecided) or culinary school.
Twilight is (in public) generally in some combination of work clothes. A plain t shirt with either overalls or jean work pants. Everything is stained, ripped, and patched to all hell. He doesn’t care, just rolls with it. When he knows he’s going to be going somewhere with friends, he’ll clean up nice with some good, unblemished by work jeans and a nice shirt (especially if they’re going out dancing). When at home he’s in the few comfy clothes he owns, sweatpants and loose tees, a pair of overalls that Uli gave him once that are soft and patched with cutesy patterns for aesthetic purposes (he knows she gave it to him as a gag, he doesn’t care it’s soft) and Ordon wool sweater. Things like that.
Twilight is in Veterinary school and currently works for the local farm in Hateno. So he’s usually going to school and coming home in his work clothes, doing that school and work grind. It’s not sustainable how he does it, but hell if he’ll stop yet.
Wind is graphic tees with jokes on them, layering shirts on shirts, and cargo shorts. He absolutely wears socks with sandals and crocs unapologetically. If he could wear swim trunks to school, he would.
Wind is still in middle school, so nothing really affects his sense of personal style other than maybe girls.
Four is going wear whatever is most practical for working in the smithy. Other than that PJs. Not in between unless he has to be plussed to find one. It’s very rare when it happens though. I’ll be honest, I definitely have to do more research on smithing and all that.
Time, being retired, tends to wear whatever is comfy and doesn’t require him to keep it clean. He helps out around the ranch and often just wears work jeans and plain shirts. Malon has gotten him a couple of sweaters and when the boys are around, they’ll get him some silly graphic tees.
Time is a retired Ambassador. He mainly is around the Ranch and enjoys making the “trophy husband/wife” comments about himself.
Warriors and Legend both are very into their looks and I’ve only combined them here because I’m still looking into WHAT I want them in. Like Warriors is an Ambassador, he has to look semi presentable all the time and I need to figure that style out. Legend on the other hand just likes to look good all the time but it needs to be practical. He’s a travel blogger, so he needs clothes that hold up to both his standards and what he’s putting them through.
#lu modern au#linked universe#wandering thoughts#Lu chain#currently the first four are SPEAKING to me#I’ve got so much on them#the others are a bit of a struggle
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Finding Her - Chapter 2
Link makes notes, takes photos and keeps time on his quest across Hyrule, in the hopes of finding Zelda and staying sane until does.
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Log date 18:00. 5th month 17th day 104AC
Location: Unknown, please upload SkyView data.
Weather: Mild. Clouds clearing.
Can’t stop flexing my sword hand. Another thing gone — this time the Master Sword. There was a shining light, just outside the Temple of Time, and it seemed like the Sword wanted to go. So I let it go.
Still feel stripped bare without it, without them both. Am I a guy with a magic hand attached or a magic hand with a guy hanging off of it?
On solid ground now at least. Cooking up herbed chicken and mushroom stew in these village ruins I found. With some wheat, could have made pie, then maybe some honey apples, and roasted tree nuts—
Getting distracted. Just glad to be home. Zelda’s voice called out from that research camp that Dr. Purah set up. Lookout something? Heading over at first light tomorrow. Sleep, search, eat, repeat.
A photograph from below of Great Sky Island, hovering high in the distance.
Caption: Please don’t fall
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Log date: 05:00. 5th month, 20th day 104AC
Location: Lookout Landing Emergency Shelter
Weather: Cool. Sunny weather forecast.
Where to start. Didn’t even have time to do one of these yesterday or the day before. Got back to this bed and passed out. It’s still early, someone is snoring in the bed just over from this one. (Atmus? He mumbles about his son in his sleep). Got time to write before sun up.
In summary: No one here has seen Zelda. Except, some of us did. At the Castle. Hylia help us — the Castle. It’s not looking good. Zelda’s gonna be so mad, she spent ages planning the refurbishments for it.
But she was there. Just for a second. Near the First Gatehouse. Went there with Hoz — good guy, loud voice. Zelda was standing on those floating rocks up above and then she just… I don’t know. The way the stars go out just before sun up, twinkling and shining and then, nothing.
Didn’t she see us? (see me…?)
Anyway. We came back here, rested, rice balls for dinner, and the next morning they … launched me into the sky. Can’t sum it up any other way. (Dr. Purah scares me a little) But, got my paraglider back. Now a new generation of Sheikah SkyView Towers peppers the landscape, waiting to send a skydiving-certified Hylian high into the air.
Hero of Hyrule? Legendary Swordsman? Appointed Knight? Yeah, along with every other job you might need.
Shouldn’t complain. It was fun. Josha asked me to check out one of the nearby Chasms with Robbie today. More fun? We’ll see.
Photograph taken of Central Hyrule from high in the air, a floating Zonai archipelago visible in the foreground.
Caption: Contact Link of Hateno Village for all your land survey needs
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Log date: 14:00. 5th month, 20th day 104AC
Location: !! ERROR ERROR ERROR !!
Weather: !! ERROR ERROR ERROR !!
A blurry, hastily taken photograph of a large statue located in the Depths underneath Hyrule, a gloom aerocuda advancing on the camera
Caption (applied via voice commands): no don’t open the camera i just need to get out of no no stop why does this thing even have voice commands open the map just open the damn
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Log date: 20:00 5th month, 21st day 104AC
Location: Lookout Landing, Research Lab
Weather: Mild. Rain clearing
Zelda — did you know about the Depths? Because if not, you’re never gonna believe what’s down there. The caverns below the castle were just the start.
They’re calling all this the Upheaval. Seems about right. Everything has changed; a blizzard in Hebra, gloom over Eldin, mud in Lanayru and who knows what in Gerudo. Monsters and Yiga and Chasms all over the place.
There are so many people here at Lookout Landing ready to fight and do their part. Now it’s my turn.
Do you remember what you said, after we defeated Ganon? Went something like — the old Hyrule may be lost, but it’s the people of today that will rebuild, and I look forward to meeting them all.
Well they’re here, Zelda. So where are you? We need you. I…
Anyway. Starting with Hebra. See you there?
A photograph of a soft brown mare, saddled and ready for travel. Link is sitting in the saddle, smiling at the camera. The immediate next photo is a self-portrait taken by a Hylian Guard, Scorpis, the camera too-close to his face as he tries to snap a picture of himself and Link, who is waving to the camera from his horse.
Caption: Setting off. Hope to be back soon.
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stricken by questions in the middle of the night. hateno. do you have any fun facts + what does your link think of it + when did he get there and what happened
OH actually i have a few :D
ALRIGHTY!! for fun facts: on page 98 of creating a champion (you can view it for free) its noted that the people in hateno wear warmer clothes because theyre near a very very cold mountain which is mount lanayru and also it has a nordic aesthetic apparently! because of that once i. do research i think im going to make hateno based a bit off finland just for fun. or poland but poland is more of a personal thing. and also requires research. speaking of being at the base of mt lanayru youve probably seen this but theres little mountain symbols all across hateno (like on the signs, the pots, and some secret back sheds)! the mayors house is referred to as a church in the files (TwnObj_Village_HatenoChurch_A_01) for some reason, likely because it has the hylia statue. ALSO. this isnt confirmed at all but before i was researching those little stacked rocks. theyre up above the signs as well as near the mayors house. im half sure theyre cairns, stacked rocks made by humans thats usually for signalling a hiking trail. this site also sparsely mentions them + has insight into the architecture + the ancient tech labs (though i havent read a lot of it </3). anyways those may just be for fun/for visitors/decoration (i like to think its all of them) + its likely rock balancing. i Did find a site like this and while im inclined to trust it i dont think it applies here. also while prewriting the main ideas i thought there was cairns in goron city? but i cant find them so! yeah maybe theyre in totk otherwise theyre just in hateno and tarrey town. also while its raining karin i believe will read a little book thats in oots/wws opening cutscene style with a little prince in blue riding towards the castle. i think its neat but doesnt have too many implications besides possibly reinforcing some tloz games could be the same legend told over and over like a telephone game. also theres more in the second win mod but i cant play it because. not optimized at least for me. also. lots of footage to go into and i dunno how much was truly added
what does link think of it!!! i think he likes it a bit, especially the inn. its just cozy + both loshlo harbor and hateno beach are just kind of good thinking places. loshlo harbor especially, its just a nostalgic place for him. also i feel like he’d have a lot more use for his house than we’re given in game (custom photos, a journal, a chest so you can put items in to store them ((maybe food)), souvenirs (he’d have a lot of those i think. mainly stealing mugs), and also actually being able to cook in there). to be fair the champions photo being the only item we could place in links house had an effect, but i do want this to be. an actual house. also i think he’d get deja vu from being in the house and the harbor. nothing like stunting or debilitating but he’ll be cutting up vegetables or building a sand castle and for a moment a memory? or an image flashes and in that. thing. hes doing the exact same thing hes doing now. same place same thoughts . though some would be more memory flashes, those would be easier to tell as its not deja vu but . like finishing someones sentence without knowing what theyre going to actually say. and then he realizes ‘WAIT A SECOND’
i think he wouldve gotten there later than normal. miphers was done first, did a bit of traveling (partly because he. didnt know where it was despite the map). he probably got there somewhere after his 2nd-3rd divine beast. funnily enough i think it wouldve taken him a While to find lurilen and the forgotten temple. lurilen especially why would he Go There (he didnt read the signs in faron). he finally gets a house but at the cost of capitalism. once he gets the camera he goes to impa and then he takes a Long detour to get every single memory and without getting (too) sidetracked. he thought a fallen star was one once but it disappeared as it turned day so he never found out what that light was until he saw one physically crash into a hill. he actually mightve done the divine beasts before the camera and is delaying clammy ganon
as soon as he saw the house i think he rushed up to it, because even if it Wasnt his house it shouldnt be destroyed!!!! it was like there was a time limit. he panicked when he didnt have the money (he didnt sell gems or dragon parts at the time…) but he prevailed (selling monster parts). he does not like chopping wood.
when he got there there wasnt much fanfare? everybody thought he was Just Some Guy (he never wears the champions tunic, as well as never using the champions weapons because theyll break). he completely didnt see the guard guy and just. activated the shrine. he would learn of the statue through the small glasses child and would probably talk to the statue more if a heart container wasnt just stolen. if he could save scum he would to avoid the encounter entirely but because he cant he may just. let the statue have it. until extremely later and he talks to it again after years. i think hed show the fireflies to the statue. also i dont think he talked to anyone besides bolson and purah and symin. except for the stolen sheeps person + the shopkeeper. everytime hes there he will Always buy milk rice eggs etc. cooking ingredients are something hed never pass up. he would be a regular of yammo despite her traveling.
though i think he’d spend a lot less time in hateno than you think. its his home but also he likes to travel + have fresh air and places, and also he visits the champions villages more often than not. except for zoras domain unless he Needs to. otherwise he’d still be in lanayru and visit ruta but still be a bit of a distance away. he also doesnt visit goron city a lot though hes less averse to that. also i think he’d like ebon mountain, especially because its behind his house + he gets a good view. he would tell the guy there the actual heart lake location. also i think fairies spawn there at night (both locations)
i think some locations would be there pre cal but arent post cal. i have the excuse of the mayor mentioning that hateno was still built back from the ground (i can get the dialogue if you want!!) . specifically thered be this one hot chocolate place he’d go to that doesnt exist anymore. through a quest he can get the recipe and share it with the elders but yeah. maybe a library and actual church but shrugs
also sometimes i like to think a time capsule was buried in the backyard/under water. however thats neither here or there + it all depends on the au and how the story goes. he would miss his mom and have mixed feelings on his sister (they were also distant believe it or not. but that was his sister). he’d almost have the same reputation as purah for not leaving the house visibly i think and not talking to almost anyone.
also he hasnt dyed any of his clothes. theyre good enough for him 👍. pre cal he wouldve liked dying the act of dying a piece of fabric a lot
ALSO he doesnt hang the champions weapons in his house. he holds onto them and doesnt let go
one more thing: he’d make a note of picnic/quiet spots. theres one near the village but he doesnt really picnic with anyone even pre cal. he mostly just sits there
i will do tarrey town in the next bit!
#HELLO!!!#i . will get to the revali friendship arc. its not at all forgotten and i cant stress thst enough#wreath of the bild#not much happens </3 sorry#its more of a place to go to when he just wants to sleep and Not talk to anyone#also when he wants to retrace a part of his roots and what child him felt even if he can barely remember#even if he doesnt quite remember it his feelings would
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A Summer’s End
A very belated happy birthday present for long-time community member of awesomeness @zeldaofhyrule . I hope you like it!
Zelda pursed her lips as she failingly wielded the spatula, cooked eggs flopping and flipping in ways improper for a neat omelet. Once again, she supposed as she mashed and divided and stirred, it would be scrambled eggs for her breakfast today.
Though she had watched him do it more than once, she had no idea how Link flipped and folded omelets so perfectly. If she had known a hundred years ago the finesse required, she would have gone herself down to the castle kitchens and praised the cook.
“It’s just practice,” Link had said, and with full confidence adding, “you’ll get it eventually.”
And so Zelda mixed in cheese and minced stamella shrooms, lopped it all into the wooden bowl, and stepped outside with a fork held firm within her grasp of the bowl. She walked up the grassy ramp and climbed up to set herself on top of the wooden structure that framed the doorway. Zelda allowed her feet to dangle off the thick yet stable planks of walnut wood. Her salty breakfast soothed her morning hunger as she enjoyed the peace of a Hateno morning.
The long flag on the hill across the bridge whipped in the wind, sporting faded colors of a kingdom long gone, grayed blues, reds, and golds ripped and torn by time. Yet the flag still stood, signaling sanctuary, as it was planted lifetimes before she was born. For the first time since seeing those flags soaked in blood during the Calamity, Zelda finally felt safe.
A pair of hands covered her eyes. Where a century ago she might have screamed for her knight attendant or cried out to the castle that a Yiga was attempting to assassinate her, she simply smiled, her chuckle exposing her teeth. She lowered her half-eaten bowl of eggs to her lap.
“Good morning,” she said. “If you want to surprise-feed me another bug I might dump you. I’d rather eat it willingly.”
She heard Link’s laugh behind her, today it sounded sweet, like the earthy sugar that saps from maple trees in the springtime.
“Not a bug,” he said. “But yes, a surprise. Close your eyes, I’m gonna need both my hands for this one.”
“My trust in you degrades with every passing day, I’ll have you know,” Zelda said as she closed her eyes underneath Link’s hands. Link just as soon removed his hands, something Zelda was able to tell because of the way the sunlight wanted to breach into her eyelids, orange hues dyeing black.
“They’re closed?” Link asked to make sure.
“Yes, Link,” Zelda assured him. She felt his presence lean forward to check regardless.
The sensation she felt a moment later was familiar, her heart warmed by the shoulder-affirming cloth of a Hylian Hood. The first time Link let her borrow his Kakariko-sewn dark blue waist-length cape was the evening after they reunited in Hyrule Field. Link didn’t even need a single word from her to tell she was uncomfortable approaching a stable full of strangers with her shoulders exposed and a neckline far lower than she was used to adorning outside private sessions with goddess statues.
The second time was a couple weeks after, when an unexpected bout of rain trashed their picnic of fresh fruits and homemade meat pies. They had panicked to get everything dry until they were just soaked, and laughed at themselves until they were just dancing in the rain. In a moment of stillness and awe, they blinked away raindrops before they both partook in their first kiss.
Thus signaled a summer of romantic bliss for the pair. April showers passed and May welcomed fields of blooming wildflowers, even the once thought extinct Silent Princess. The sunny months to follow were nothing but joy and laughter, rolling in green fields and making crowns out of the pink flowers in Blatchery Plains, nights of cooking lessons and sleeping under the stars, mornings of being in each other’s arms and just… breathing…
Yet the end of August still brought quite the hot day, and Zelda questioned why Link would drape the Hylian Hood over her shoulders. Even in the morning, the breeze brought her no chill.
“Can I open my eyes?” she asked, suspecting there was something more. What else would explain the excitement in this wild-raised young man?
She looked down to see not the dark blue she had imagined but a dark brown. From the latch grew two long ends that pointed towards the triforce below her breast line. Her forehead warped and she chuckled in disbelief.
“Link, did,” she touched the collected hood behind her neck, and peeked at the pattern sewn into the back of the cape before looking behind her at Link. “Did you have this made for me?”
Link nodded.
“By Lasli herself,” he said. “She said no one has ever asked her for a custom version of the Hylian Hood, so I paid double for her efforts when I asked a few months ago. I caught a Rito postman on the way back from hunting today and there it was in a tan parcel, wrapped in twine and labeled “Link”. I guess I’m so well known that that’s enough to identify where mail goes.”
Zelda was speechless as she gaped in disbelief at the man before her.
“I-I don’t know what to say,” she stammered.
“You do like it, don’t you?” Link asked, with a touch of fear in his voice.
“Like it?” She questioned. “Link, I love it.” Link breathed a sigh of relief. “It’s just you go to all this trouble for me and all I ever have to thank you is words.”
“Hey, this is nothing more than practical,” he argued jokingly. “Now I can actually use my own cape. You know me, all selfishness.”
“Uh huh, sure,” Zelda said, taking a bite out of her breakfast. Her next words were spoken with a half-full mouth of ingredients Link had collected, although she prided herself on harvesting the green mushrooms the day before. “Your selfish tendencies are much appreciated.”
They now sat facing each other on the secure wooden planks above the door. Any Hateno resident would have thought them crazy for not sitting inside at the set table, but both of them felt far better out here in the wild. Tables and interiors were for egregiously hot days and warring storms. A morning like this was not to be wasted, sparrows chirping and squirrels scuttling, neither fearing a wayward Bokoblin or a sauntering Moblin.
Zelda pulled in closer to Link as he pulled out his own breakfast, a chunk of honey-glazed nutcake. He ripped off bites of it as he pulled Zelda close to his side, her knees bent loosely in front of her and her bowl of eggs cupped into her hands. Zelda tipped her head onto Link’s shoulder and slowly hummed in content. Their horizon of snow-capped mountains, of a distant Death Mountain, of West Necluda and an even more distant Hyrule field was a moment of peace they knew not to take for granted.
Or at least, they thought they did.
#zelink#zelda#link#breath of the wild#fluff with one line of angst#I think that's pretty good for me#botw#hateno
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Journ
Bruv rauru is dangerouly, his arm is jus ta fraction. Sonia mother figure to zelda? Im glad. Im still thinking about the 10.000 years ago figure on the sheikah war against the calamity ganon. Green tunic as i wear now, but the red...
Their ears were really big in the past. It mustve been really long ago since we've got much smaller ears nowadays. And referencing Sonia in this case
Its the second time ive arrived in kakariko. This time the knowledge of this puppet zelda has been figured out and so the research can go on. I myself am pretty fond of these rylics. Though as i am the only one to be able to get them... it provides pressure.. im glad some of the sky islands in which i thought nothing of note was to be found. Still had some use.wortsworth and i had a good conversation about this matter and i gave him two. Now im on to research the rings. After that i should go get the last dragon tear geogliphe. What is it that really just happend to zelda, time travel can have her be really anywhere.
Tauro is the reason i came headfirst to kakariko the first time. I had no particular reason to get to kakariko at that time. But it was a nice detour as it was southward towards the gerudo's. I still wonder why his cloth is such a small size and yet he still wears it. Funny seeing him next to all others. Despite that him being a genius was an amazing discovery. Im truly surrounded by geniuses, may zelda return again.
I'm still in kaariko, i think the researches are looking at me crazy. But im really not that in a hurry for researching. The fact is i havent been here in so long even koko grew so much more. I went around town and found the sunflowers. Then i heard in the shop of nana being sick. The sisters running the shop seemed sleep deprived. It made me sick to my stomache so i hurried to see them. And indeed its because of miasma. I just dont have the milk to create some ricepap. I hope ill find it soon so i can help. But ill need to go to hateno then. I guess ill do the rings research before i go then..
All these people from lurelin all intergrated in central hyrule and around. Im scared to see what happend to the people. I will never forget the first time i learned how to make paella from them. It was delicious. And it was with
TRISSA HAS NOTHING IN HER SHOP. What happend to all my favoirte old ladies around here.. i feel so bad.
How weird the dragon naydra, it went trough the shaft.. i went after it, and it went the way the zora statues went. Yet the zora statues stopped appearing when i neared this weird frog. But i'm barely able to stratch these monstorsities in comparison to what they do to me. Its dangerous. Im better off getting the zonanium and getting out. Ill find out what naydra been up to down there another day.
So I have a saved The dudes in protecting was this Stone tablet in the In The East There We Know on the back of the Creator and I just Wicked Out What is that don't There And then Trisha for First at first favorite Oké so I help Them we got that new Stone tablet I went to solo towdo and he Said Ok So we need to find me now is the one in the in the Dragon Tears de meernaar zo en Now I left kakariko because ja and We're Just I was Building Another I was helping to do with the dude with the ad thing from bolson and there it was again that red sky that nighgtmarish sounds and the faint sound of zelda. Instead of this time i didint hear zelda nor did i see her ib my hallinucion. Itscared me more then when i saw her alone standing there. Where is she. Is she wiped aroind from this eart in this tiem line. She is written in all stoen tablets. Its daunting now. Im headed out, towards hateno since its close by the research center tauro is headed to. Now i build a car, and it was raining and it drove away without me. Drastically i ran after it. It fell into the water iand i fell along. It became a boat :D. I got fish! So it had something positive. Next to that i found a ruin at the end of the river.
Korok, i thoyght lemme do it this once before i go in the under cave. Boom the korok talke dfor the first time not taunting me. It said there was skemthign koing on in kork woods. I went there once and i xouldnt get past the purple fog at all. I found hestu a few days later in the main place. And then this? Saying its weird is true. Il be going there when its on the route. Or just go to hestu bcs i would like to have a plan. Now i went back to the route towards hateno and i ahevnt been here so lonh while it was the plac ei went 103i2o29292x times. Its so good so tsee it agajn. It wad the first stable i went to too! Tho im very mad at the spirit of the goron it broke my car.
I spend my day towards kakariko, ofcourse i helped my dear korok i found along the way. As they once more warned me for the strangeness in the korok woods. It made me think as i continued my journey to hateno. Last time i found korok's they never spoke to me of issues, they only teased. Yet this time there is actually soemthing wrong! Could the korok tree be in danger.. or did malicious zelda puppet have been of influence. At least hestu is safe. I should go by still. Oh well i arrived in hateno.
Its my first night in the hotel, and i have seen alot of hateno's change. Loose of the known school which is great. I even went by my previous house which is TO MY SURPRISE zelda's. I say in a perspecfive from outside. But then i found a surprise in the well. My old... elastic... thing. Anyway. Went trough alot. Brother i wen ttrough that thing with them 100 years ago shit and and the thing from a few years ago man. I foudn a note, my clothing is left in the throne room. Yet i dont really dare going back.. especcialy after that last encounter with the ghost of ganondorf. I have never eaten so much. Although i just needed 3 times to understand his strategy. The first time he made the miasma spread was very scary... well at least i survived. Esp when them champions arrived. Now to hateno. I found the legend of cece ive been hearing all over. Her clothings are very nice, i helped her out with the mayor voting selection. I even helped them out getting some cheese. The moemnt i had that cheese i made the most beuaitufl pizza. Well, further than that i helped the kakariko grannie, havent seen the sister come by hateno tho. I finished by helping out in hsitroy and cooocking class.. it was a nice few days hideout. Now on to the last dragontear, and finding out where zelda truly is.. ill go to the rings with tauro after. Ill also try to free lurelin, the afterhought off all these people from lurelin in hateno even reminding me of it. Its been long enough.
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Hair brushing and/or braiding with BOTW Zelink? Congrats on 200!!!!!!
Hi @sweetlystarry! Thank you so much and here you go!
This fic that follows is a continuation of A smile in the rain, but I've linked everything from that underneath.
As always, kindly beta read by @zeldaelmo, @braidy-maidy and @zeldadiarist :)
Read on AO3 here or continue on tumblr below:
Link briefly thought about an answer to her question, before deciding it was irrelevant, and not where his immediate focus should lay, no, that should lie solely in the change in her demeanour, the gloominess and downcast look that seemed set in her face.
Nothing would threaten her smile as radiant as the sun if he had any say, and he sheathed his sword, walked across, and gently tugged her up, ignoring her queries and dragged her out, beyond the protective branches of the tree, into the pouring rain.
He twirled her once, twice, three times before a small, sad smile appeared, and he decided to do something stupid to change it to a real one.
He guided her into the classic pattern of a jive, featuring a series of high-speed, ridiculous leg flicks and kicks that had her properly laughing, and ended with them inevitably slipping in the mud.
But at that moment, he didn’t care, for her smile was back… and that was all that mattered... Until he realised they were now in a right state. Not at all suitable for presenting back at the castle.
So, after making a thorough mess of themselves in the mud, that even the rain couldn’t entirely clean off, Link ended up guiding Zelda to Hateno. It was probably safest to show up at his home and deal with his mother asking what mischief in the Goddess’s name had they been up to, instead of rocking up to the castle with KingRhoam questioning instead.
At least his mother wouldn’t behead him. Probably. Actually, there was no guarantee.
Still, he didn’t really allow himself to worry about all of that. It was all said and done now, nothing could reverse time and alter them back to how they were before it started pouring anyway.
And Hateno wasn’t far from here, the Bridge of Hylia, if they rode hard and fast. Hopefully they’d arrive in 4 hours.
The Princess hung tightly onto his back, her clothes soaked through and he was worried about her catching something, but he didn’t have any spare clothing. And that was useless. Hylia had decided to drown the world in her tears that day, there would be no real escape from the steadily increasing torrential downpour.
“This rain… it is rather strange Link.”
Rain? Strange? He pondered briefly what she meant.
Words flowed easily between them now, she’d coaxed him into a level of comfort he had with few people. Although… their newfound closeness wasn’t doing him any favours with restraining the growing bud of feelings he was starting to realise existed solely for her. Recently, it was starting to feel like it could erupt at any given moment. Just now, dancing in the rain, he’d been so tempted to- her arms cinched tighter around his waist, her fingers outlining his tensed abdomen as she adjusted her position and he choked out a “Hm?” as a response, mind derailing for the thousandth time in her presence.
“This rain has not stopped for three hours now, if anything it’s increasing in vigour. Hyrule Field has never experienced such eccentric weather patterns. Normally, the rain would be a light drizzle. Certainly, for the spring time that we’re in, I’d expect a lighter load, not this sort of deluge.”
Link was still torn between where he had wanted to press his lips on her skin as they slipped into the mud in a fit of giggles, and where her hands were currently pressing into him to really lend much brain power to such a statement. He decided for something open-ended, to give him time to recover his wits. Goddesses, this was happening much too frequently for it to be a good thing. “It’s almost like we’re in Faron.”
“Precisely! You see! It’s the same volume you’d expect for a summer, humid monsoon type of rain. And yet, it’s quite chilly! Not warm by any measure of the sort. Most confusing.”
He remembered Daruk mentioning that Death Mountain hadn’t experienced this sort of activity for centuries. He wondered if that extended to the rain. He wasn’t going to bring it up though, not after he’d only just managed to pull her from that depressing stream of thought.
“You never mentioned where we’re going, Link.”
Well, he’d been distracted. “Oh right! Sorry. Hateno.”
She stiffened, head popping across his shoulder to stare at him, “Link! I can’t meet your mother like this! What will she think of me?!”
Goddesses above, now she was even closer. NO, FOCUS LINK. He had to look away, back to the road to guide Epona even though Epona knew it like the back of her hoof and didn’t need guiding. “She won’t think poorly of you, Zelda. And we can’t exactly go back to the castle like this.”
She simmered back down, slammed her forehead in between his shoulder blades. “Fine. I accept your point.”
“Are you going to have a strop now,” he teased.
“None of your business, Sir Knight.”
He chuckled as she muttered something about her hair and how it was in a rightful state and how she did not look appropriate at all.
*
Link’s mother had been very polite. Too polite. Link could feel the daggers she shot at his back, as he showed the Princess the bathroom, and he investigated his wardrobe for something she could possibly wear. The storm was not easing anytime soon, so they would be stuck here until it at least calmed, before making their way back to the castle. Hopefully tonight, but hell, he wouldn’t mind an evening at home, with mother’s food. Oh… now he was distracted thinking of stuffed chicken pies, pumpkin soup, and apple crumble for dinner.
“So, will you explain, you raucous child, what you were actually doing?”
Jiving in the rain, mum, didn’t you know? Even though he was 17, wielder of the Master Sword, Captain of Her Royal Highness’ Guard, he would forever be her ‘raucous child.’ “I was trying to cheer her up a little. It’s… it’s been a long few weeks with the praying schedule and the trips to the spring. We accidentally slipped in the mud and, well, I thought it best we came here to clean up.”
She shook her head. “I’ll never quite understand why she is forced into it after ten years of doing the exact same thing. There must be something else.”
He agreed, but it was the King’s decree. Anything against it would be treasonous. So whilst he didn’t dare defy Rhoam’s orders openly, he tried his best to bend the rules whenever he could. She came over and patted his head, probably to avoid the mud that was prevalent pretty much everywhere else. “It’s good of you to have brought her here, Link. I’ll cook up something warm for you both. Chicken pie and pumpkin soup?”
He beamed. “Thanks, Mama.”
She kissed his head, “Anything for you, my child.”
*
This was embarrassing. Zelda, with her hair flipped forward, stared at the knots intermeshed in her locks and they stared back, unrelentingly stubborn. She’d been wrestling with them for about 15 minutes; it was simply too long to obey the vigorous wrenching she’d put it through with the comb she’d been given by Link. He had wandered off to see his mother, after he checked she was okay. Well, she had been okay then. But now she was starting to realise she was really and truly lost on how to handle the drying strands, stuck with knots, when she couldn’t even reach the back of it properly.
Why, oh why, had he convinced her to drink some hot tea first, before tackling her hair? It had already started to dry and by that point, the knots had become even more entrenched.
It screamed Princess Privilege, but she’d never soaked, sullied and knotted her hair to the extent she had done today. Yes, she’d trekked in the wild plenty of times, and gotten it wet as a result, but it was always braided, and most of the time, it was relatively easy to comb through. It was rare for it to truly get as entangled as it had. Probably, that happened as a consequence of all the shimmying she’d done in said rain, the journey here and all the scrubbing she’d subjected it to, to get rid of the mud stains.
Link popped his head around the door, and spotted her with eyes peeping out of the split in the tousled half-dry golden curtain, and he stopped mid-stride.
“I imagine I look quite the sight.”
He was nice enough to simply ignore that comment. “Do you want some help?”
She stared at him, the boy once carved of stone who was now one of her closest friends. Funny, how previously the thought of accepting his help had burned her like touching fiery magma fresh off Death Mountain. “Yes please. I’m… not sure what to do to fix it.”
Link hesitated, walked back out and she waited patiently until he presented himself with a bottle of warm safflina oil extract. “This should help.”
She shrugged, handed him half of her hair, whilst dipping her fingertips in the oil and trying to rummage it though. Link was a lot gentler than she was. And certainly more patient, too. He carefully sectioned out her hair, and slowly picked at one of the knots, individually teasing out the twisted strands with fingers slick with oil.
Huh. Maybe he had a technique she could copy. It was certainly better than ramming it through like she’d been doing.
At some point, he took over entirely, her arms tired from all the brushing, coaxing and teasing and he flipped her hair back the way it was supposed to go, whilst she leant back on the chair, neck stiff and pained from all the bending. “Relax, Zelda. Let me handle it.”
And so she did. His fingers were warm and supple as they eased through her thick strands, detangling from left to right. “Ah. Thank you, Link. It feels so much better.”
A slight smile was on his face as he popped around to her right. “Hey, I want to try something with your hair.”
She sat up, “What?”
He jumped up, going straight into his cupboard. He pulled out a box, filled to the brim with flower crowns he must have built, all varying sizes and shapes. She stared, incredulous. “I made these whenever I was sent on tour. It… proved a valuable way to pass the time. I… I really want to try to braid your hair, Zelda. And then… if you like any of these, you can pick one? Or- or I can make you another one, too. Or you know we could just, um, stop.”
“Is that a representation of a summerwing butterfly?” She plucked it out of the pile, admiring the fuchsia and pale pink tulips he had delicately weaved together, with a little dandelion poking at the top to complete the image. She looked up at him, absolutely stunned at the beauty of it. “This is truly spectacular Link. It’s easily the best flower crown I’ve ever seen…”
She quite literally amassed her hair and put it in his hands, “Do what you want. I want to see what mastery you’ll cre-” Her breath caught as he directed another flower crown towards her.
“I made this for you, after our day in Irch plain. I… just didn’t quite know when to give it so…”
She gently fingered the royal blue-tinged centre of the otherwise pristine white lily that made up the centerpiece, its leaves spanning the rest of the crown intermixed with small strands of lilies of the valley, that curved into a circle. It was a Silent Princess mimic because he’d listened and known they were endangered, so he’d found a replica. From who knows where.
She fought back tears. She hadn’t received such a thoughtful gift in a long time. And from someone she was so cold to barely two month ago. “Thank you, Link. I… truly, this means a lot to me.”
He wiped the tear that fell from her cheek. “Come, sit down.” And then he began to carve sections of her hair, first pinning some of her longer waves at the back into rolled up curls, before twisting the strands framing her face carefully into a braid around the crown of her head.
An hour later, he fixed the crown on her head, removed the pins and softened the curls that had formed. She admired the waterfall braided design he’d gone for, as he leant forward, his hands touching the table with his arms around her a little and he looked into the mirror with a silent question on his lips.
“I’ve never felt more beautiful, Link.”
Red tinted his cheeks, “Now you’re ready to be a Princess of the Wild.”
Curls framed her face as she twisted to look at him, hand outstretched, “Join me on my quest, Hero?”
He gently brushed the strand back into place behind her ear, slipping his hand into hers, “Always.”
#zelink#legend of zelda#botw#botw zelink#zelink fanfiction#breath of the wild#zelda#link#zelink fanfic#the legend of zelda#a smile in the rain#hair braiding#flower crowns#fluff
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So, I am still struggling with the next chapter of the forest guides you. So remember that Freaky Friday fic I wanted to write a while back, well I guess this is how it starts.
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It was thought provoking, how different the Hyrules could be from each other. From the vast watery expanse of Wind’s Hyrule that needed a boat to navigate, to the floating islands of Sky Loft set high among the clouds. They where all similar and yet all so different distinct and foreign. However, nothing really left them with a sense of foreign quite like the vast roaming expanse of quite and empty wilderness that was Wild’s Hyrule. Coincidentally, that was where they had ended up, yet again. The portal had beckoned them form the quiet peaceful Faron region of Twilight’s world, and spat them straight into the instantly recognisable continent of Wild’s kingdom.
There had been much grunting when the chain had exited the portal, none of them even bothering to ask the usual questions of weather or not some one recognised this Hyrule.
Hyrule had been the first to inject some enthusiasm in to the situation,
“Well this time it isn’t raining at least.” He had turned to the others with a grin that could split him from ear to ear, he had always been the most amicable towards the largest of their kingdoms.
“Well yea, there is always that. So Wild do you know where exactly we are in your Hyrule, and how much danger are we in?”
Everyone in the huddled group looked over at Wild, their expressions ranged from apprehensive worry to barely concealed exhaustion.
“Well actually, we have been let out on the great plateau. It’s one of the safest areas in the kingdom.”
At this Wild held up his hand to shade his eyes from the harsh sun and pointed to the north.
“The whole place is surrounded on all sides by steep cliffs. So its hard for anything to get up hear. Aside from a few small bokoblin camps and a talus there is nothing up here. We should be safe enough.”
He finished his little informative speech on the area with a shrug, but as he looked around he saw the question forming in both Twilight and Wars’ mind just as fast as they where being formed on Legend’s lips. Wild’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the three of them standing together in the pack.
“And before you bother to ask, the weather here is consistently mild day and night you don’t have to worry about rain or thunder storms.”
The three of them looked significantly cowed at the comment directed solely at them, but relief none the less swept over the pack. Memories of dangerous thunder storms and near constant rain fall was the prevailing impression of Wild’s Hyrule.
“All promising information, however, if the plateau is covered on all sides by cliffs how do we get off of it?” Asked Time.
Sighing wild pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Unfortunately, the only practical way for all of us to get off is for us to teleport.” More collective grumbling from the chain. As a general notion most of the others where weary of the
Sheikah tech that Wild carried around with him. The idea of surpassing even death sat unsettling in most of their heads, but the very real and present threat of its stomach twisting, vomit inducing form of fast travel was enough to cause them to sigh in unison.
“Up top of the processional way, past the Temple of Time is the entrance to the Shrine of Resurrection, that is probably the best point to co-ordinate teleportation out. We can walk up there and I can do trips three at a time to Hateno village. If there has been any suspicious activity regarding the monsters in the land, Zelda and Purah will have detailed information on it.”
Wild, for all the sigma he held of being more than a little mental, could always surprise them with how pragmatic he could be in times of duress. So it was with only mild grumbling that they conceded to his plan and knowledge of the landscape, and started their walk along the plateau’s decayed processional fare.
“What was this place?” Wind was always the first to ask questions in areas unfamiliar, most of them enjoyed his avid curiosity.
“I’m not sure, the king once told me that this was the cradle from which the whole kingdom of Hyrule was born.”
Although it had been Wind who asked, everyone was paying inconspicuous attention to Wild’s explanation, it was, after all, so rare that he talked about his own adventure or kingdom.
“Ok, but what does it do?”
“Nothing much of anything anymore. But at one point I think it was the religious and cultural capital of the kingdom. Though I can’t remember much more than that.”
The pack had started a slow walk through the mild morning sun and where coming up towards the entrance way of the template of time.
“But you seem to know so much about this place?” Wind’s incessant questions continued as they walked.
“I spent a lot of time here, it was a long time before I figured out how to get off of the plateau.”
Wild had moved to the front of the pack leading them along the path, in the distance the faint sound of bokoblin snorts could be heard, softened almost into melody by the distance. Wind had made his way beside Wild. Wild’s last comment giving him cause to raise his eyebrow. Though the conversation was between only the two of them, the others kept close all listening to the new depth Wild was giving of himself.
“Get off, but it’s so rounded on all sides by cliffs.”
“Yea, that’s why it took me such a long time to figure it out!” There was an undertone of humour in Wilds voice as he said it.
“But, then how did you get up here?” Ah that was the question. And it surprised Wild how quickly he was able to answer.
“Well I woke up up here.” It was with this comment that the others struggled with keeping silent.
“You woke up here? Like after 100 years?” Hyrule was the first to break the spell, he quickened his pace to fall instep beside Wind.
“Yea,”
Finally looking at the others around him it was almost like the magic of the moment had passed. Wild’s answer trailed off after only the confirmation, and his stare remained dead ahead. When it was just Wind’s youthful curiosity the words flowed from Wild like he had no care in the world, but now that the others had made their interest in the conversation clear, Wild’s lips fell quiet.
A self conscious silence falling over him. Hyrule turned his eyes down when what he had done became apparent to him. His interruption had ruined the moment. Hyrule bit his lip as he started to let his footfalls slow content to fall back in line with the others behind them and let Wild and Wind continue with their discussion. Though it was obvious to everyone that no more information about this kingdom or his adventure would be forthcoming.
#linked universe fanfic#linked universe#lu warriors#lu legend#lu twilight#lu wild#lu wind#lu hyrule#lu time#lu sky
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Hello! I’ve been binging your fics/oneshots and given that your requests are open, I figured I can’t pass this opportunity up! There is a severe lack of “Zelda reacting to Link with his hair down” fics for botw zelink, so my request is just that! :D
heyyyy anon i hope you like what i came up with!!
Hairstyle
Zelda had many memories of Link. They were what compelled her to keep holding out for his awakening over the course of one hundred years. She relied on them for comfort, and in her imprisonment of malice, she remembered them often. One thing she noticed throughout all of them, besides his silent and stoic manner, was that he always had his hair pulled back into a ponytail. It was styled (well, she used that term loosely, considering he cared not for looks) the exact same every time—two strands hung loose to frame his face and his hair was parted to the side.
During her one hundred years of fending off Calamity Ganon, she came to understand that, wherever she was, she had no body. No hair, no fingers, no stomach. Yet, she had a soul, and that soul longed to feel herself again, soft skin against smooth nails, hair through her fingers. It was the little things that they had taken for granted.
She longed to do her hair once again.
So, one of the first things she did after Link defeated Calamity Ganon, and subsequently saved her from the otherworldly limbo in which she’d been trapped, was braid her hair. She did it slowly, savoring every feeling of her fingertips on her locks, every subtle and light tug on her scalp, the sound her hair made like grass in the wind.
In the stable that night, where she sat on the bed Link had rented for her and carefully braided her hair, she stopped to stare at him. Despite losing his memories, he was still the same. His hair was in the same style he swore by one hundred years ago. Ponytail, sideburns, side part.
It annoyed her. He had a body for much longer than her. He had fingers and hair and a stomach and he didn’t even bother to take care of them. How ungrateful, she thought.
But she didn’t say anything to him that night and fell asleep long before he did.
The next day, they set off in the direction of Hateno Village, a name that rang vague bells to her. He explained that he had purchased a house there. On the way, though, it began to rain, so they stopped at a cabin just past Fort Hateno. They sat under the overhang and watched the rain fall.
“I’m going to go get some firewood,” he said at one point, moving to lift himself off the ground. She reached out and gripped his shoulder.
“No. I’ll do it,” she offered, pushing him back down and she stood instead. “You’ve been doing everything.”
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but instead shut it as she walked away. As she did, she didn’t cover herself from the rain; it was something she hadn’t felt in a lifetime, and she relished in the cool drops as they spattered her skin and wet her hair.
When she returned to the cabin with a bundle in her arms, Link was fixing his ponytail. Hair in one hand, he stretched his band with the other, but it snapped. He stared at it in his palm and frowned.
“Do you…?” he looked up at her questioningly, and she shook her head.
“I don’t have one,” she replied apologetically, dropping the firewood beside him. He sighed, let go of his hair, put his chin in his hand.
She breathed out a quiet woah. His hair reached a little below his shoulders and, despite how messy and unkempt it was, she found it charming. She cleared her throat, brushed a strand of sunny hair behind her ear, and sat down next to him.
“What’s wrong?” he asked when he caught her staring. She blushed and looked away.
“Nothing. Nothing at all.”
He side-eyed her as he picked up the firewood and coaxed her inside where they fueled the fireplace.
They set off again the next day, where the rain stopped but puddles still dotted the road and the grass was still damp. The entire time, she gazed at his thick, light brown locks, the way they came to rest on his shoulder, the way he looked slightly more rugged (in a romance novel sort of way, the kind she wasn’t allowed to read one hundred years ago), the way she couldn’t believe he didn’t wear it down more. But it made sense, the logical side of her knew, because long hair infringed on one’s ability to fight.
When they entered Hateno Village, he turned to meet her gaze. “You keep staring. What’s wrong?”
“N-nothing. I’m just daydreaming,” she said hastily. He squinted at her suspiciously before leading her to his small house, a little run-down, but cozy nonetheless. He helped her get situated, showed her the picture of the Champions that he put on his wall, to which she said nothing and only stared.
Then, at the table that night where they ate the mushrooms and meat he’d cooked, she was staring. Again. And he caught her. Again.
“Seriously, Zelda. Is there something on my face?”
She sighed with a nervous smile. “No. I just… um…” She set her fork down. “I like your hair.”
“This?” he said through a mouthful of meat, gesturing to his messy, dirty mane. Zelda nodded. “Thank you, I think.”
“Link, will you let me play with it?”
This time, he was the one blushing. “Play with it?”
“Yes. Like braiding it, styling it, you know.”
“Why can’t you do it on yours?”
“Because I like your hair,” she answered honestly. “It’s… nice.” He looked down at his plate, almost empty.
“Okay, fine… you can play with it, I guess.”
That night, she kneeled behind him on the bed while he sat on the edge, and she braided his hair up and over his head, like she’d once done with hers long ago.
“You look like me,” she said triumphantly.
He didn’t say anything, but she caught the small smile blossoming on his face.
“Was that so bad?” she asked as she got off the bed, allowing him to situate himself under the covers.
He shook his head. “No,” he agreed, and beckoned her to get into bed with him. She did so, and he continued, “I think you should do that more.”
She closed her eyes and smiled. She dreamed of all the ways she would do his hair tomorrow.
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Desired Fate, Chapter 18
Read on AO3
Read on FF.net
I wanted to post this tomorrow, but I couldn’t wait any longer. Here it is! Warning, this chapter is coming at you with razor blades and lemon juice. You were warned.
Revali drew back the string of the Great Eagle Bow, preparing to deliver the killing strike to Windblight Ganon as it had grown more and more languid in its movement, and while it was still distracted by Sooga.
“This is it!” Revali called victoriously, letting the bomb arrows fly.
Sooga dodged the incoming explosives and they collided with Windblight in a grand explosion. The creature’s resounding bestial shriek was like a reward for a battle well fought.
Lowering his bow, Revali watched, savoring the moment as the blight hemorrhaged malice. He had faced the most grueling battle he’d ever experienced, and he would live to regale his fellow Rito of his triumph.
He turned his attention to the Yiga, still at a loss for their motivations. What had possessed them to turn against Calamity Ganon?
Well, whatever… Revali thought. At least it wasn’t the vexingly silent knight wielding the sacred blade who came to save the day. He’d never live it down if it had been him…
Revali alighted before the two, holding back any outward sign of exhaustion or weakness. He regarded the Yiga with a hard look of suspicion.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I must thank you for coming to my aid. But just as a warning, if you do anything to make me question this...alliance, I won’t hesitate to -”
“Your threats won’t be necessary,” Sooga said simply, resheathing his dual blades.
Sooga’s words were clear despite the mask he wore, yet Revali paused, contemplating his words, not fully believing the situation. Revali braced himself for a surprise attack that never came as the moments passed.
He stared into the inverted crimson eye painted on Sooga’s horned mask and the long crack that ran across it, slightly unnerved that he could not see the man’s eyes or facial expressions. He’d have to rely on the man’s body language and tone of voice for assurance that he was not a threat.
Kohga approached, having remained a safe distance away during the fight. “Well done, Sooga! That was quite the display of Yiga bravado.”
Revali opened his beak to say something more, but before he could form the words, their attentions were drawn to the thunderous and deliberate footsteps of a Divine Beast.
He lifted off the surface of Vah Medoh to see which of the other Champions had come to his aid. Kohga and Sooga likewise rushed across the mossy stone that stretched the wingspan of Vah Medoh to look out into the distance.
“This should be interesting…” Revali remarked as he watched Vah Naboris approach.
“Urbosa’s coming….?! ...That’s our cue to leave!” Kohga blurted before retreating into a cloud of smoke and falling talismans.
Sooga turned to Revali and shook his head. “Master Kohga can be a bit of a coward when it comes to the Gerudo Chief. “Uh… Don’t tell him I told you that!” And with that Sooga followed after Kohga, leaving Revali alone.
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The was a sterile, stillness that belied the Champion’s victory over the blights as Hyrule Field was cast in a dreary grey. There would be no breathtaking sunset to behold, nor the comfort the moon’s brilliant glow could bring, only the world darkening as night crept in.
The four that had seized the bokoblin camp for a moment of rest could sense the encroaching storm from the dark clouds above, but none spoke of it aloud.
Robbie cleared his throat. There was no longer a levity in his voice. “Where are you headed next?”
Astor didn’t meet Robbie’s eyes as he smoothed Zelda’s long golden hair with his gloved hand. It took a moment for him to respond, too focused on her downcast gaze.
“Fort Hateno... That’s where she is fated to awaken her inner power.”
“Then I wish you both luck.” Robbie offered, humbly.
Zelda hung her head and Astor squeezed her hand in comfort. The bleak refrain of Zelda’s court came to mind.
Heir to a throne of nothing…
She said nothing in response, and he wondered if she was thinking the same. She seemed to have retreated inward, having cried herself out.
Purah leaned forward to address Zelda. “Princess, I have faith in you, I do. You are not alone and we’re not going to give up trying to turn back the Calamity. I think we could all benefit if we set up camp here and call it a day. And if any monsters come by, we’ll beat them with our flails.”
“No… I must go to Fort Hateno right away.” Zelda replied shakily.
“I hate to be blunt, Princess, but you aren’t in any condition to operate the Master Cycle.”
“I’ll be fine, Purah.”
She didn’t sound fine.
Zelda quivered in his arms, and Astor’s chest tightened with unfamiliar apprehension.
Purah’s earlier antics would have made Kohga proud. Just like Kohga, she was perceptive, yet Astor was relieved to see a more serious side to her - as the situation demanded. He just hoped Zelda would heed Purah’s warning.
“A rest wouldn’t disturb fate, Zelda. And you do need the rest,” said Astor.
Purah and Robbie observed the couple pensively, and Astor felt like an oddity under their analytical gaze - as if they were trying to ascertain what Zelda had done to tame the Prophet of Doom himself - something Astor was in awe of as well.
“I won’t rest until I awaken my inner power,” Zelda said with as much determination as she could muster looking up at him with reddened, weary eyes. “We don’t have a moment to waste. Let us be on our way.”
Astor followed Zelda. Despite his fatigue, despite his trepidation about getting back on the Master Cycle, he couldn’t fathom not going with her.
“Astor!” Robbie called after him.
“Hm?”
“Take care of her.”
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Their journey to Fort Hateno proved to be miserable and treacherous as it had begun to rain not long after they departed. As they neared the West Necluda region, the moisture laden clouds above spilled their cold tears on the Goddess’s descendant and her elect. The rain slicked the grass and turned the packed earth roads to mud. The Master Cycle was at times buffeted by strong winds that made it difficult to maneuver. Visibility was low. Bridges became slippery.
Astor’s grip on Zelda’s waist tightened. Dread and guilt crept in as she began to second-guess her decision.
Why are we doing this? All my previous attempts to awaken my power have failed. What is it about Fort Hateno that will suddenly change everything? Ugh, I can’t allow myself to think like this.
The Master Cycle traversed through Dueling Peaks, and Zelda felt as though those towering cliffs were pressing in on them. The cliffs gave way to a vast plain, and the mountains in the distance were barely an outline in the night sky.
Zelda took care as they crossed the Big Twin Bridge, breathing out in relief when she had made it to the other side.
Almost there…
Even as Blatchery Plain stretched out before them, Zelda felt no closer to awakening the power within herself, and she didn’t know what recourse she had if this too did not work. These thoughts lingered as she pressed onward.
Blatchery Plain lay in ruin, desolate, and devoid of life - or so it seemed. A figure appeared in the immediate dim horizon, and Zelda’s heart froze as she swerved to avoid colliding with it. The Master cycle dipped a little too far for comfort to one side. Her heart thumped rapidly as she struggled to keep it upright. The tires squelched through the mud as they veered off the path and then returned.
“It keeps finding us…” Zelda said worriedly.
“Ganon always knows where we are…” Astor replied, trying not to let fear enter his voice.
Zelda looked back over her shoulder, a pit opening in her stomach when she realized the Harbinger wasn’t as far back as she expected. No, it was following them at a speed unlike other Guardians.
“Astor, whatever you do, hold on tight…” her voice was nearly muffled by the rumble of the engine.
A chill ran down Astor’s spine as he perceived the words of Calamity Ganon. It was a voice he knew all too well from prophetic dreams, the one that had urged him so fervently to kill the princess.
You are nothing, my wayward prophet without a prayer.
“Leave me alone!” Astor screamed, tearing his circlet that bore the eye of malice from his forehead. He turned and pitched it at the charging Harbinger. The red and yellow stone was crushed under its rampaging claw the next moment.
Do you think you can rid yourself of me that easily? That was merely an outward symbol of your devotion to me. Nothing more. You’ll never be able to wash the taint of malice away. Everyone is going to know who you are and what you did. You belong to me!
With the Harbinger closing in on them, Zelda pushed the Master Cycle to its limit. The engine chugged. Her stomach soured as the cycle struggled to gain speed.
There was a dreamlike sensation of slow-motion despite her rapid heartbeat, beating in time with Astor’s against her back. She felt as though -
The Harbinger’s laser is trained on them and after what feels like a silent eternity it fires. The high-powered beam of ancient energy tears through his back and exits her chest. They are enveloped in a blinding blue light as that final scream of failure is ripped from her.
She snapped herself out of that grim vision, still awash in panic. It had been easy to outrun the Harbinger in the Lost Woods, but there was nothing to slow its chase out in the open plain.
Her panic-fueled delirium reached a fever pitch. She didn’t dare look again, but she could hear the gurgle of malice and the mechanical whirring of the automaton itself.
Goddess Hylia... It’s right on us...How is it so fast? It’s somehow running at full tilt on three mechanical legs just to get at us. The effort alone should cause it to break down. It wasn’t designed to go at that speed.
Zelda despaired, thinking of how something her mother made so long ago with loving care had been corrupted by Calamity Ganon.
This was her final thought as the Harbinger swung its distended bladed arm, colliding with the vehicle’s back tire. The Master Cycle wavered pathetically from the force of the automaton’s slap, and then went down, skidding through the mud.
The sky and ground spun as she felt herself hit the ground, narrowly missing becoming pinned under the fallen Master Cycle.
The falling rain on her skin brought Zelda back to a vague awareness. Groaning, she opened her eyes. She barely registered that they were lying in a crumpled heap, but when she did, she reached for Astor as he stirred slightly. Her hands moved over him as she fought to regain her bearings.
“Astor… Please say something...” She could only mumble as her fingers stroked the braids that draped the side of his face.
Astor sucked in a breath, wincing. “I... think I’m still in one piece…”
There was mud all over her dress and numerous scrapes on her exposed shoulders and arms. The rain stung her open wounds, but that was only the beginning of her pain.
Lifting her head weakly, she saw that the Master Cycle was a complete loss - and the Harbinger loomed over them, its corrupted red display ebbing outward hypnotically as it regarded them.
“Zelda, run....” Astor urged her, helplessly.
She took in the glowing blue of the Harbinger’s many blades. It was toying with them, taking its time as a predator with prey.
“I can’t outrun it any more than you can. I won’t leave you.” Zelda gripped his hand, her voice resigned and weak.
The Harbinger began to emit a discordant tune.
To Zelda, it sounded so familiar in her mental haze but deeply wrong. However, Astor knew it all too well.
There were times when the Harbinger used to play a strange song. Even Kohga and Sooga had heard it ‘sing’ at odd intervals. They didn’t know what to think at first. Then, Astor learned the origins of the Harbinger and he realized its significance. The tune was little more than a malfunction - simply the machinery morbidly regurgitating a lullaby meant for the princess out of key. Kohga and Sooga’s howls of laughter carried through the Yiga Hideout on the day they came to the same realization, much to Astor’s annoyance. The toy Zelda had once cherished was now possessed by the most malignant spirit in the realm and Astor was hanging on its every instruction.
“I’m sorry this happened to you, Terrako…” Zelda said numbly.
And then Astor heard her make a seizing sound. The alarm and pain in her voice turned his stomach to rot.
Zelda stared at her feet in horror. They were as black as a decomposing corpse. She held them out as if paralyzed with pain. The same concerning blackness had appeared on her cheek, and others were appearing elsewhere, spreading.
“No, not her!” Astor screamed, taking hold of her in his arms.
Malice licked and traveled her body like a flame. It had started at her feet, blackening her skin and sandals, and traveled up. The malice infected her body, consuming her dress, her hair, and finally blooming in the whites of her eyes.
He cradled her in his arms, her darkened eyes staring back at him in wide open agony, and he wished the malice would consume him as well. She opened her mouth to say something, but the only sound that came forth was a terrible gasping sound.
“No… No…”
He pressed his face into the exposed skin of her shoulder, feeling the blighted flesh against his own. Her body gave no warmth, just a husk of her former beauty.
The anguish crashing down on him was unbearable as his raging thoughts took over - Hylia’s words turning over and over again in his mind, and all the things he wished he’d told Zelda.
I was supposed to die that way. Not her… I can’t let her die believing she’s a failure.
Hyrule’s future lay in ruin along with his own. What was fate if even the prophecy of the Goddess could be undone?
The Harbinger watched the prophet grieve, viewing the scene in the red tones of its censor. Certain the princess who bore the goddess’s blood would soon pass away, it turned to retreat.
Astor raised his head, hearing himself utter words he never thought possible.
“I love her… Know this, Calamity Ganon...I love her!” His voice shuddered in horrible defeat and desolation. “And I always will...”
Zelda grit her teeth as she shakily held her wasted right hand high.
The Harbinger had stopped in its tracks. It had ignored its former prophet’s confession, but now sensed a holy power brewing within the nearly lifeless girl.
A golden light had manifested in the palm of her hand, and in the next instant intensified into a brilliant and blinding dome that eclipsed the field.
Astor lifted his arm to shield his eyes, still embracing her with the other.
The dome of light faded out. Astor opened and closed his eyes, his vision coming back into focus.
“That light… It's…”
She held her arm out still, rigidly. Astor could only stare in awe at the unmistakable triangular mark on the back of her hand, and when her extended arm began to falter, he clasped her hand before it could fall limply to her side.
Zelda serenely closed her eyes. Astor thought he heard her exhale softly as she sank back into his arms, going limp. The black malice receded slowly, beginning at the sacred mark on her hand. The skin beneath had an otherworldly immaculate quality to it. And though the malice departed from her body and hair, it was plain to see that her clothing and jewelry would remain corroded and black.
The Harbinger was gone. Astor could only imagine it had retreated. There was nothing but the calming sound of rain falling as it began to taper off, and the dark clouds began to break, leaving nothing but the starry night sky and the moon. Astor’s gaze rested on the soft rise and fall of her chest.
There was the clanging of armor and Astor turned his head to see two Hyrulian soldiers approach.
“What was that light?” The soldier let his gaze fall on the girl in Astor’s arms and then the wrecked vehicle, going silent.
“Who are you? What did you do to the princess!?��� the other barked.
“I... I’m her seer. I helped her awaken her sacred power.” Astor gave them a tired, elated smile, too thankful to Hylia that Zelda was alive to demand respect from these two lowly Hyrulean Soldiers.
The soldiers glanced at one another skeptically, not sure whether to take the strange, suspicious man at his word, but there was no denying the light shining dully from Zelda’s hand.
“Should we believe him? I know of no royal seer in attendance to the princess. Where is her appointed knight?”
“He certainly doesn’t look the least bit royal to me… Anyways, we need to get Her Highness to safety. Alright, Sir, you’re going to carry Her Highness to Fort Hateno, and you’re going to mind your hands while you do.”
Astor bit back a scathing insult and gathered the princess in his arms, following the soldiers in the direction of their destination. It wasn’t long before his arms ached terribly, and he didn’t think he would be able to carry her any longer, especially in his condition.
“Just a little further,” the first soldier said, not unkindly.
Astor adjusted his aching arms, Zelda still not stirring, and he pressed on.
They passed by countless broken-down Guardians.
“That light… It seems to have disabled the Guardians in the vicinity.” The soft-spoken soldier remarked.
They passed through the raised iron gate and the stone-faced soldier directed Astor to a tent.
“She can rest here. You rest over there,” the soldier ordered testily, pointing to another tent some distance away.
“You must be joking... We haven’t been apart during the entirety of the Calamity.” Astor felt the words leave his mouth helplessly.
“I care not! And I’m going to be keeping an eye on these tents to make sure nothing untoward happens until she can be reunited with her rightful appointed knight or advisor.”
Astor’s chest tightened, furious and in disbelief at the soldier’s callousness. “Just what are you accusing me of? We were attacked! Listen to me, you presumptive scab, there’s a very dangerous Guardian still out there and it's not done with us. I can’t leave her side. She’s incapacitated and defenseless.”
The soldier drew his sword. “Which is exactly why I won’t let you stay by her side,” he spat. “I’m not going to let you take advantage of the Calamity and sully her reputation, whoever you are. You expect me to believe your tall tales? I’ve yet to see a Guardian I couldn’t handle. Now, do as I say. I’m already granting you far more accommodation than you deserve!”
Astor shut his eyes in surrender and hugged the girl in his arms, knowing he could not afford to escalate the situation any further. He laid her in the tent and then turned to tiredly lurch toward the other, grumbling under his breath about how he was going to be sleeping with one eye open.
In his dreams, they stand under the Blood Moon hand in hand. The sky and land are awash in a scarlet glow. As her right hand clasps his left, he can sense her power resonating. Zelda stares up at the beast circling her home, undaunted, and smiles.
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royal pain in the ass - chapter 1
Chapter 1: Era of the Wilds
Queen Zelda rebuilds her palace.
[first] - [next]
read it on ao3!
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Three months ago, Link started this time travelling journey. Before he left through that portal, with eight heroes waiting behind him expectantly, he held onto Zelda’s hand and promised he’d tell her everything.
They were a good bunch, by Zelda’s judgement. She was relieved knowing that the Hero of Twilight was looking out for her former knight. And the Hero of Time and Hero of Warriors seemed to have good heads on their shoulders, so she certainly shouldn’t be worried there. And Link was even friendly with the others, like the Hero of Hyrule and the Hero of Winds! She was glad there were at least some people there to indulge him, once in a while.
One of their visits landed on a beautiful day, right on the edge of summer. As a bit of a treat, Zelda let the Hero of the Four Sword and Hero of Legend loose on what remains of her library. She idly watched as her Link—Wild, the others called him—disappeared into Castle Town with Wind in tow, both of them giggling.
“We should probably follow them,” Twilight grimaced.
Zelda startled, caught off guard by Twilight’s suggestion. They were sitting against the wall below the castle’s observation room, comparing and contrasting their respective monarchies when he’d abruptly changed the topic.
“What for?” she questioned. “There’s not much trouble for them to get into. Let them have their fun.”
He sighed. “Wild’s idea of fun usually involves explosives.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re exaggerating. He can be very responsible.”
“You were there when he launched himself halfway across Hyrule, right?”
Zelda paused for a moment, glancing back to the palace gates Wild had disappeared past. Their last visit, he had wanted to show off to Hyrule just how far he could launch himself with his bombs, and, somehow, he’d made it all the way to Hateno.
“Perhaps I’m a bit lenient with him,” she relented. “I suppose I just like seeing him happy.”
Twilight said nothing, but he arched an eyebrow at her. Something about his scrutiny made her heart drop, and for a split second, she wondered how much he knew about her and Wild’s shared past. What happened to him, how she couldn't save him before-
“I mean, he deserves as much, doesn’t he?” she hastily explained. “He’s got a second chance, now.”
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Queen Zelda Sarya Hyrule awakens for the day, leaning her hands on the balcony as she looks over her kingdom’s sunrise. It’s a bright, fresh morning, the smell of last night’s rain still in the air. This morning marks three months, officially, since Link's last visit.
Zelda sighs. She supposes she ought to be used to this. She’s got a hundred years’ worth of experience waiting for Link, she can survive however long it takes him to finish this mission. She could spend her time worrying over her friend’s safety, but really, eight other heroes from eras past? He couldn’t be in safer hands.
It’s only a shame they had to halt their weapons training, for the time being. Zelda’s getting tired of sparring with dummies.
She steps away from the balcony, stretching her arms out. She’s been using the observation room as her temporary quarters. And it’s not that she wouldn’t rather stay in her old room, if it weren’t for the broken bridge and collapsed roof, it’s just…
Well, Link always referred to his life as a new beginning. Maybe this can be one for her, too.
First thing to do, get dressed. Yesterday was laundry day, so her clothes are nice and clean.
Second, get some breakfast. What she wouldn’t do for some coffee-
Splash!!
“Oh shit!”
“No! The pallets!”
Upon further analysis, it appears Zelda won’t have any time to get dressed before her day begins.
She shows up to the moat wearing an old, plain shirt and shorts, her pajamas since she’s woken up. Her hair is messy and tangled, and she’s still having trouble keeping her eyes open. But when Bolson and Karson notice Zelda, the latter bows to her as though she were the picture of beauty.
She has to resist rolling her eyes. What would her father think of this?
“What’s the issue?” she asks them as Karson rises. “I heard something about palettes?”
“Ah, well-” Karson stammers. “You see, your majesty-”
“Our horses,” Bolson explains, mercifully cutting Karson off. “They were carting pallets of material for our work today, when something spooked ‘em. Knocked the pallets into the water, ‘n Karson and me were trying to figure out how to fish ‘em up.”
Zelda raises an eyebrow, glancing at each side of the bridge. Aside from the rushing water and the slight breeze, all is still.
“What could have possibly scared your horses? There’s nothing up here, and-” She peeks down at the river. “The Zora aren’t supposed to arrive for a few more hours.”
Karson speaks. “I’m sorry, your majesty, I don’t know-”
She holds up a hand. “I’m not blaming you, Karson. I’m simply confused.” She sighs. “Don’t worry about your supplies. Do whatever else you can for now. When Prince Sidon and his guard report to the palace, I’m sure I can convince some of them to scavenge your belongings.”
“Thank you, Queen Zelda,” Bolson responds before Karson can make a fool of himself again. “Hudson went after the horses. Karson, we should see if he needs any help.”
Zelda watches as the two of them leave. Link had personally attested to the quality of work Bolson Construction could do, and truth be told, she’d hired them on his recommendation alone —though the fact that one of their members had built an entire town by hand had been particularly alluring. Her father would have thrown a fit at Bolson’s “manners”, or lack thereof, but that very trait was the reason she enjoyed working with him so much. He understood that she was in the same boat as the rest of them.
But that story about the horses had her worried. On such a calm morning, when most of the kingdom had yet to stir, she couldn’t help but fear that whatever had spooked them so bad had been malicious.
She looks back over the bridge, trying to peer down into the dark water. It wasn’t so long ago that the castle had been teeming with monsters, after all. Sure, they aren’t quiet, but is it possible some of them were missed?
Well, whatever it is, it could at least wait until she’s dressed.
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“I’m worried about excavating the Great Hall.”
Zelda is enjoying her breakfast (buttered bread, Hylia, how she misses Link’s cooking), when Yunobo approaches her. He, along with several other young Gorons, volunteered to help clear the debris from Hyrule Castle and its adjoining town.
At first, Zelda had been a bit concerned about having not only Vah Rudania’s new pilot, but Daruk’s direct descendant working so closely with her. Daruk had been a dear friend of hers, after all, and she wasn’t sure she could bear having a reminder of him walking around her home.
But right away it had become apparent that Yunobo is nothing like his grandfather. He’s innocent where Daruk had been optimistic, hesitant where Daruk had been a leader. It was easy enough for Zelda to pretend that there was no relation at all.
Wordlessly, she motions for Yunobo to sit beside her, which he does.
“Link got your slate to you, correct?” she asks, pulling out her own.
Zelda had been quite shocked when Purah had presented her with a brand new slate, a replacement for the one she’d given to Link. Apparently one hundred years of research and a now-peaceful world meant technological advancements could happen fast. And with the correct payment, she was willing to make a few more for the rest of the new Champions.
Yunobo nods, shyly taking his slate out. His is much larger than the ones provided to the rest of the Champions, on account of his larger hands.
“Perfect.” Zelda pulls up a file, a diagram of the castle’s interior, and taps their slates together. “Did that transfer work? You should have a copy of the castle’s blueprints now.”
“Oh wow!” Yunobo holds his slate to his face, marvelling at his screen. “This is amazing, your majesty!”
Zelda can’t help but smile along with him. “I thought the same thing when I first started playing with the first one,” she admits. “You can use this to show me what’s troubling you.”
“Right.” He points to the main entryway to the Great Hall. “See, we’re focusing on this part here, because it’s easier for us Gorons to move around. But I’ve been noticing a lot of rocks in the rubble from further up the castle.” He sighs. “It’s unstable. If we keep going as we are now there’s going to be a hole in the rock right up to the Sanctum.”
Zelda frowns, eyes fixed on the blueprints. So far, they haven’t had any issues like this. Most of the ruins have been from the stone lining the hallways, not the mountain itself. And, despite being a researcher, she’s not exactly an engineer. Can something like this even be fixed?
“Well, first of all, we’re stopping construction on that area immediately,” she instructs. “Make sure the rest of the Gorons know that. Then, go to Bolson with your concerns. His work has been temporarily delayed, so I’m sure he’ll be happy to help you figure out this problem.” She tucks her slate at her side. “Does that work for you?”
“Thank you!” Yunobo beams, and isn’t that a sight? Link told her he used to be very anxious a while ago. “I’ll get on that right away, your majesty.”
What she wants to say is ‘No need for that. Call me Zelda.’ But something about it gets caught in her throat.
“If there are any other issues, let me know,” Queen Zelda says.
△
▲△
There have been talks, lately, of turning Castle Town into a trading hub for the rest of Hyrule, and Zelda thought it was a wonderful idea. It was, after all, how the capital had been established many years ago, and returning to its roots would be a good way to build it back up again. She’s already gotten the word from several villages that they’d be willing to send merchants. The only thing left to do is to strike up a deal with the Gerudo.
Lady Riju is wise beyond her years, and Zelda can’t help but see herself in the girl. Forced into a role of importance at such a young age, carrying the burdens of loss and leadership on her shoulders…
“Using Castle Town as an in-between for your trades with the Gorons would make for shorter journeys in the long run.” Zelda and Riju are seated at a table in the dining hall, which the Queen has converted into an office of sorts. Both are flanked by several guards, yet their attention is focused on the slates in their hands, displaying a map of the kingdom.
“We would get our gemstones faster,” Riju reasons.
“Exactly,” Zelda says. “Not to mention, this would also open up opportunities for you with Zora’s Domain. I’m not sure whether you would appreciate their fish, but one of their other major exports is Luminous Stones.”
Hearing this, Riju raises her eyebrows. “Now that is interesting.”
The Gerudo are lucky to have Riju, Zelda decides. She knows there’s only one jeweler in Gerudo Town—aside from a few hobbyists—and yet, the chieftain was clearly interested on her behalf. Now that the Calamity is gone, the Gerudo may as well expand their horizons a bit.
Urbosa would be proud.
Zelda immediately shakes that thought off like a dog out of the water. “Of course, you’ll have to work the details out with the Zora themselves, I’m just offering the venue. But Prince Sidon is supposed to come by later today.”
Riju hums to herself. “Buliara,” she says, turning to the guard by her side. “Make sure we get a meeting with him before either of us leave.”
“Yes, Lady Riju.”
With that assurance, Riju faces Zelda once again, standing. “Well, Queen Zelda, it looks like we have a deal, then.” She offers Zelda a hand.
“Thank you, Lady Riju.” Zelda takes her hand, and the two shake. And that’s where Zelda assumed it would end.
“Actually,” Riju clears her throat, and suddenly it isn’t Riju, Chieftain of the Gerudo standing in front of her. It’s Riju, the thirteen year-old child, eyes wide and pleading, awkwardly holding onto one of her arms. “I was wondering, if you’re not doing anything for a while…”
Zelda winces, and in that instant she sees Riju avert her gaze. “Oh, Riju,” she says. “I’d love to, but…”
Riju holds up her hand. “It’s no matter, your highness,” she claims, displaying strength as if Zelda didn’t just see her put a wall up. “I should discuss the changes to our trade routes with the Gorons, anyway.”
Some other time, Zelda promises herself. She’ll make time for Riju soon. But as Riju beckons her guards and leaves, she can’t find it within herself to say it out loud.
△
▲△
Zelda really thought she could do it this time.
Ever since she’d gone through the process of selecting new Champions, new pilots for the Divine Beasts, Zelda has spent quite a bit of time with them. Training, maintenance, everything to help them move along as smoothly as possible. And it’s been fine with all of them!
Well, with the exception of one.
Riju and Yunobo are both generations removed from their ancestors, and if Zelda doesn’t remind herself, she can almost pretend there’s no connection at all. And Teba isn’t even related to any of the former champions. But Sidon…
Zelda storms into the makeshift infirmary, a large tent just outside the castle, to find Sidon having a wound wrapped by a nurse. Noticing her arrival, the nurse offers a bow before sliding out of the tent past the Queen.
“Prince Sidon,” she fights to keep her tone diplomatic. “Please tell me Captain Bazz lied to me.”
Sidon is so Mipha.
“Queen Zelda-”
“Stop,” she commands, and some part of her mind recognizes it as one her father took often. “You-” She points a finger at him. “-the crown prince of the Zora, a race known for their weakness to electricity, decided to take on a Lynel, of all things. Is that correct?”
Somehow, in all her five-foot four-inches worth of glory, Zelda has successfully gotten Prince Sidon, a fish towering over ten feet, to cower under her glare.
“Yes, Queen Zelda.”
Of course, Mipha wouldn’t have been nearly as brash as her brother. She knew her limits, knew the risks of facing a Lynel head on, especially a Silver one. She knew she wasn’t the one to take on that task.
Sidon, for some reason, didn’t.
“Okay,” Zelda sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Why?”
“Why?” Sidon echoes back at her. He finally meets her eyes, matching her own harsh gaze. “Your highness, that Lynel was too close to Helmhead Bridge! If I hadn’t stopped it, it could have gone on a rampage throughout Castle Town!”
But he had her passion, that’s for sure. Where Mipha had been drawn to healing the injured, Sidon found himself drawn to battle away every danger that could befall the innocent. In that sense, the two of them were the same.
Sidon, like his sister, is a protector.
“You were under orders to clear out the Military Training Grounds! That’s it!” Zelda counters. “That Lynel was not your responsibility!”
“Hyrule is my responsibility! You made it my responsibility when you gave me Vah Ruta!”
Sidon is Mipha in every way that Mipha wasn’t. And how dare he come to her castle, acting the brasher, braver Mipha?
How dare he, Mipha’s most precious brother, risk himself for her?
“I’ve already led one set of Champions to their deaths, Sidon!” Zelda shouts, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. “I’m not going to let you die as well!”
Sidon reels back, looking at Zelda with wide eyes.
Zelda covers her mouth, and her spine goes rigid, like ice. She turns on her heel, making a beeline out of the tent.
“Your highness!” Sidon calls after her. “Zelda! Wait!”
But Zelda ignores him. She pushes the flap out of the way, and once she’s finally outside the tent, she runs.
△
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Of course it’s her old room. Zelda hadn’t even realized it was her destination until she arrived there, eyes blurry with tears. She slams her door shut behind her and sinks to the floor, finally letting herself cry. Sobs rake through her body, and she’s reminded of the times a hundred years ago, when she would lock herself in this same room after yet another day of failing to unlock her powers.
It’s been a century since then, and she’s right back where she started.
The Champions, all of them, deserve this future much more than Zelda does. She failed them all.
She’s not sure how long she sits there, curled in on herself, crying like a toddler throwing a tantrum. Seriously, what’s wrong with her?
Suddenly, there’s the sound of wings flapping from the literal hole in the room, rattling Zelda out of her sorrow enough to look up.
It’s Teba, because of course it is. Who else would fly all the way up here? His expression is difficult to read, but he’s focused on her.
“There you are,” he says, landing on the ruins of her wall. He hops down. “You scared Sidon, back there.”
Zelda looks back to the floor, head turned away from Teba. Her face and chest burn with shame.
“I’m sorry,” she mumbles.
There’s warmth next to her, Teba sitting by her side. “Now, why are you saying that?” He drapes one of his wings over her shoulders.
It’s disgustingly casual, certainly not the image a distinguished queen should be projecting. But Teba is concerned for her, and Zelda can’t remember the last time she let someone do that. Even Link, her closest friend, she’s kept at a distance. He’s been struggling so much, how was she supposed to burden him with her own issues?
“I keep ruining everything,” she admits, choking back a sob. “His sister is gone because of me. I let Hyrule fall.”
“Zelda-” and how great it is to hear her name. Not your majesty, your highness, the great and wonderful queen who could do no wrong. Just Zelda, the person. “It’s not your fault. You couldn’t have known what would happen.”
If only it were that easy.
“I should have,” she retorts. “How stupid were we to believe that pig would fall for the same trick twice?”
“You’re a kid.”
Zelda can’t help but laugh at that, though it isn’t particularly funny. Some of her loose hairs fly away from her face as she does so.
Teba, unamused, sighs. “What are you doing here?”
She rolls her eyes. “I came to my room to cry, obviously.”
“No, I mean-” Teba tries again. “Why are you at the castle?”
“To rebuild Hyrule,” Zelda answers automatically. “To lead my people.”
“Who told you to do that?”
Zelda blinks, and she realizes she doesn’t have an answer for that. Rarely does she ever find herself in this situation.
“Well, no one, but…” she struggles. “It’s what my father would want.”
Teba points at her. “There’s your issue,” he says. “You’re putting yourself in this box, trying to be the person you think everyone wants you to be. And in the process, you’re ignoring yourself.”
“Teba-”
“The reconstruction effort doesn’t necessarily need you, Zelda,” he tells her. “We’re glad to have you, but if you need to go off somewhere on your own, we’d get along just fine.”
Zelda scoffs. “Where would I even go?”
“I don’t know.” Teba shrugs. “Maybe you could check out what Link’s been up to?”
△
▲△
Teba’s suggestion rings in Zelda’s mind. She tries to sleep, truly, she does. But she ends up kicking her way out of her bedroll in frustration.
So, just as her day began, Zelda finds herself standing on her balcony, staring out at Hyrule. The night is cloudless, the vast sky full of twinkling stars. Hyrule Field is still, save for the breeze that passes through it. It catches her hair, long and golden, bringing it to sway.
Maybe she should cut it.
Hyrule is large. She’s heard from Link of his journey and saw much of it herself. Their initial tour had been half a year ago, when the Calamity had finally been defeated. Sadly, they’d been limited to the main settlements, focusing on making peace with their leaders and spreading the news that, yes, it was over. They hadn’t had much time to divert from the path, to see the little wonders Link spoke so fondly of.
Zelda knows Link would want to show her these wonders himself, but perhaps she could find some of her own to show him? Do something nice for him, for once.
If he ever comes back, that is.
Once upon a time, Zelda told the Hero of Twilight that she was happy for Link, happy for his second chance. Oh, what she wouldn’t give for a second chance of her own.
Behind her, she hears it. The sound of reality tearing, ripping at its seams. It’s a sound she’s heard before, everytime Link and the other heroes dropped in unexpectedly. She turns around, and there it is, the oval portal glowing a soft, golden light.
She leans against her balcony and waits, patiently, for Link. It’s rude of them to show up so late, especially when she’s so underdressed, but she can make an exception for the heroes.
But nothing happens. Instead, Zelda feels a tug in her own chest, an instinctual pull that says ‘Hop in’. And she’s reminded of what Link told her about how the group finds their portals:
They’re drawn to them.
△
▲△
When Zelda doesn’t show her face the next morning, they go looking for her. They find the observation room scarce of most of Zelda’s belongings, her bedroll and clothes all missing. The queen herself is also gone, and in her place is a note.
Dear all,
I went to go see Link. Keep up the work without me. I will return sometime soon.
Your friend,
Zelda
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A Dream of the Past
Post-botw Zelink Fanfiction
version française : Un rêve du passé
Together we rode through the wind and weather as the rain whipped into our faces and soaked through our clothes to the skin. From then on, I watched Zelda to see if she managed to keep up, or if the heaviness from the relentless rain affected her too much. She was too stubborn to admit that she had reached her limit and pushed herself beyond it. As far as I could remember, she had been like this before the calamity, spending hours in the sacred waters of the springs to awaken her strength.
Slowly a memory crept into my consciousness that I thought I had forgotten:
I watched over the entrance to the spring of power while Zelda prayed until the early hours of the night, however without success. She opened her heart to me and revealed her sorrows and grief, then when I heard her voice tremble, I knew she was fighting back her tears and turned to her. As her chosen knight, I was not allowed to watch her pray, let alone look at her during this sacred ritual in her white dress that had become transparent from the water. But I had to do it, as her best friend and closest companion.
The bright moonlight illuminated her bare shoulders, while half of her face remained in darkness. Her right green eye reflected the light of the moon as tears ran down her face. So far I remembered through the images in the Sheikah Stone, but what came next struck like a fallen star to the ground.
I sheathed my master sword and, defying the resistance of the holy water, ran to her. I barely managed to catch her as she collapsed clutching at my arms. She was exhausted, physically as well as mentally. Sobbing and trembling, she cried her soul out as I held her head tightly against me.
"Link, why does it hurt so much? This burden on my heart, I can hardly endure it and feel myself drowning. Link. Please reach out your hand to me and pull me out of this darkness of uncertainty!" Zelda's voice trembled and broke off as she lifted her head in my arms and looked up at me. Her eyes were reddened from her desperate effort to hold back the tears and now they shone like the surface of spring water reflecting the radiance of the moon. Gently I stroked the strands of her hair behind her ear, worrying that I might shatter her. I leaned my forehead against hers, looked deep into her eyes and exhaled my desperate breath. It was hard for me as well to carry the burden of the hero, when all I wanted to be was a simple knight from Hateno, living modestly and untroubled with my family.
I noticed a heavy tear running down my cheek and how tenderly Zelda wiped it away and looked sorrowfully into my eyes, tears gathering at the edges of the corners of her eyes.
"Shhh, Zelda mark my words. I will follow you into any darkness, however dangerous and hopeless," I whispered against her lips, but before I could give in to her pleading eyes and break the chivalric oath, I reached into the water for her legs and lifted her into my arms. I stomped through the hip-high water, shifting my weight with each step, deliberate, so that I wouldn't fall into the wet with her.
"Link? Are you all right? You just said my name and then spoke of dangerous darkness... isn't it safe here?"
Her concerned voice snapped me out of my reminiscence. My heart was pounding and my breaths were heavier than usual.
'What was that just now? It felt like I was there again!’ it flashed through my mind. 'It felt so real, I could sense her lovely scent!'
"Link!"
I looked up with a jolt and gazed into wide-open eyes. In the shadow of the rain clouds and her hood, her normally emerald eyes now shimmered in the dark green of the Gerudo Desert plants. Not sure I was back in reality, I squinted my eyes and shook my head slightly to clear my head.
"Forgive me princess. I saw a vision of sorts, I'm not entirely sure though, it felt like I experienced it once. If I startled you by talking while I was doing it, I'm sorry. Nothing like that has ever happened to me before, at least there was no one close enough to say it did."
I saw her looking at me curiously and puzzled, but she didn't ask what it was about. She always gave me the space I needed to open up on my own, which I appreciated about her. Only once had she pushed me to give her an answer to my silent behaviour before the calamity, but after that she began to understand me even without words. I didn't even know if she could remember it, if it was really a memory and if I had just fantasised it, which wouldn't necessarily make it more pleasant to tell her that I was having strangely intimate dreams about her.
She gave me an encouraging smile and I returned it with the same. But then her pale lips caught my eye and abruptly stopped her mare while I signalled my mustang to halt.
"Let's rest in the old barn up ahead, our horses need a rest. The rain is draining their strength too." If I had told her to take a break, she would have looked at me defiantly and ridden on without me. But so I made her pay more attention to the feelings of her companion animal and secretly persuaded her to warm up.
In the old barn we found some hay, which of course we scattered on the ground together to give us and the horses a dry and pleasant-smelling place to lie down. Altay and Himawari lay down on the hay mats that Zelda and I had laboriously scattered, almost as if we had agreed. We looked at each other simultaneously and smiled at the cheeky behaviour of our animal companions.
While I knelt down next to Altay, I asked Zelda to sit down next to me, between both of our horses. I dried and cleaned Altay's coat as much as I could with a scrap of cloth, while Zelda took off her mare Himawari's saddle and groomed her. It was quiet yet comfortable between us. We heard only the pounding rain hitting the wooden façade and the sleepy breathing of our horses. Even though the unpleasant wet cold came in through the lack of a door, I felt myself getting toasty warm. I turned my head to Zelda to make sure she was warming up. Leaning against Himawari, she zapped through the Sheikah Stone, ignoring her reddened fingers. Sighing, I put down my master sword and shield, took off my hood and tunic and laid both on the ground to dry. As I thought about building a small fire, I felt her gaze on the back of my neck. She stared at me with her mouth slightly open while I looked at her questioningly.
But then I realised that she was looking at me somewhat absent-mindedly and she was looking through me, to a time that had long since passed. 'Did the scars on my body, trigger the memory of the day of my defeat?'
Carefully, I touched her on the shoulder. "'Zelda, I am here, I am alive and it is because of you. Please come back to me. Zelda!"
She blinked hard, pushing tears from her eyes.
"Link? Oh, by Hylia, I'm so glad you're alive!" she trilled between tears and a relieved laugh as she fell around my arms, throwing me onto my back with them.
I hardly dared move, my arms hovering discreetly over her back as she snuggled closer and closer to me, hiding her face against my neck. I shouldn't think about how it felt for me, no, I wasn't allowed to think about it. But I could not deny that I was deeply relaxed at that moment.
Relieved, she sighed against my neck and looked up into my eyes. At first she looked at me contentedly and even played with the strands of my hair, but suddenly this veil before her eyes disappeared and the expression in them became clear, like a cloudless sky.
She startled to her feet, fell to the side and held a hand in front of her sensuous mouth.
"Link! I'm sorry... I... I don't even know why I did that!"
Slowly, I sat up and run a hand through my hair, troubled. From the looks of it, her soul still couldn't distinguish what time she was in, due to the hundred year seal and the loss of space and time. I just knew I had to help her break out of this darkness, as I had promised in my vision. I let out a loud sigh and gave her a soft, honest smile.
"It's okay. Whenever you need my warmth, don't hold back." I slid close to Altay and leaned my back against him. He lifted his heavy head briefly and looked at me sleepily, but when I stroked his face he settled back to sleep. I turned my attention back to Zelda, who still looked confused.
Then I took the initiative and tapped my chest to show her that she could lean against me.
Slightly uncertain, she joined me and tentatively rested her head on my chest.
"It feels like a miracle to hear your strong heart beating in your chest. The last time I heard it, you were... you...." she whispered weakly. Just the thought of the word 'dying' caused her tremendous grief.
I felt that she was no longer herself; more fragile, more sensitive and full of sorrow. Her soul was shattered, and it hurt in every inch of my body. I felt her shoulders begin to shake, again struggling with her heart.
It had only been two days since her rescue from Gannon's clutches and yet she expected far too much of herself.
I pulled her onto my lap and tenderly lifted her face with one finger, I leaned my forehead against hers and sighed. At last, I was no longer bound by an oath.
With my fingertips on her chin, I stroked her soft, pure skin, her jaw, her cheeks, eyes, nose and finally I stopped at her lips. She relaxed noticeably and leaned closer to me.
"Whatever darkness you are in, however dangerous and hopeless, I will follow you there and save you," I breathed against her lips. My heart pounded and my breath trembled, I wanted to take away her pain, to help her heal. One last time I looked into her emerald green tortured eyes and closed the gap to her soft lips with mine.
I kissed her with the thirst of a desert wanderer who finally found water and the tenderness of snowflakes touching the ground.
Zelda interrupted our kiss; shaky breathing, she whispered my name.
It was all I could hear, nor did the drumming of the rain on the roofs reach me, nor the soft snoring of our horses, only her breath whispering, I once vowed the same words in the sacred spring of power.
#zelink#botw2#fanfic#writing#legend of zelda#hyrule warriors#botw fanfiction#botw zelink#loz botw#botw link#botw aoc#botw sequel#zelink fanfic#zelink fanfiction#love#living with ptsd#sorrow#comfort#link#horses#poetry#loz zelink#zelda x link#linktober#link x zelda#zelda breath of the wild#princess zelda
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Linktober: Graveyard
Here’s the start of Nocturne of Shadows week!
AO3 link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/26749021/chapters/65839948
Summary: A few Links have something in common, and wonder why that is.
Warnings: Mentions of death but nothing too graphic
Day 7: Graveyard
It was cold and rainy when the Links arrived in Legend’s Hyrule. It was good that they ended up so close to the castle, because a majority of them were unsure if they could go another half - day’s trip to the nearest inn with how exhausted they were. As soon as the castle guards caught sight of their resident hero, the group was immediately led inside with open arms and welcoming smiles, and had no qualms about bringing the Links to this Hyrule’s Zelda.
A full - course meal was a nice surprise for them. After they had gotten the chance to check in with the princess, the staff had eagerly ushered them into the royal dining room where every food known to man stood freshly prepared on the table, the warmth radiating from the meals almost palpable in the air. The afternoon was spent with light banter and hums of satisfaction as the heroes easily chatted with each other, enjoying the taste of real food and simply being grateful that they didn’t have to spend another night sleeping in a monster - infested forest. Soon late noon had turned into early evening, and the heroes took to doing whatever they wanted to do: from writing letters to reading books to whittling to sleeping, all the Links were busy doing something.
“Hey, you see that?”
Twilight stopped in his tracks and directed curious eyes towards Wild’s direction, following the latter’s gaze to where a castle window stood. He squinted past the clear panes to get a better look at what his protege was so interested in, and finally drew his brows together when he caught sight of a lone figure sitting in the heavy rain.
He leaned forward as he noted, “ Red tunic, blond hair … that’s Legend, isn’t it? What’s he doing out there?”
The clack of heels didn’t become evident until they were just a few steps away from the two heroes, and both of them turned just in time to catch Fable, Legend’s Zelda, looking through the window alongside them.
She scrunched up her eyes as she searched around outside, and when she finally found the person of interest, her lips pressed into a thin line.
“It’s that day already, huh,” She murmured as she drew back. “ Felt like it’d only been yesterday since he last did this.”
The two others were quiet for a second, before Twilight hesitantly spoke up.
“If you don’t mind me asking, Princess, but I’d like to know why Link is outside on a day like this.”
“That’s none of your concern, now is it?”
The both of them were taken aback by the sharp words, but her tone held no bite. She appeared solemn and serious, not a single bit of her boisterous and mischievous personality to be found.
She soon continued her steady pace down the halls again, eyes trained carefully ahead as if the harsh rain outside did nothing to faze her; but before she was able to round the corner, she paused and quietly said,
“Link is at the Royal Graveyard, mourning someone he had lost two years ago.”
Her words were weighty, and they were enough to make Twilight and Wild feel like a wave had crashed down on them. They were at a loss for words, and neither of them made any move to pry more information from the princess or even bother to stop her from disappearing from view; the two simply stood there in stunned silence, acutely aware of the little rain droplets that dribbled down the window.
It was Wild who finally broke the silence when he said, “ I’m gonna go talk to him.”
“Wait, seriously? Don’t you think he could use a little alone time? He’s usually really keen about settling things on his own, especially when it comes to people.”
“I know that but I...” The Hero of Wilds bit his lip for a moment as he glanced between his mentor and the window. “ … but I just have a feeling. Listen, I’ll hang out there for a sec, and if he really wants to be left alone, then I’ll leave, okay? Promise.”
Twilight opened his mouth to say something but thought better of it. If there was anyone that could deal with mourning and loss in the group, it was Wild, and if his instincts told him to go to Legend, Twilight wouldn’t even second - guess it. He held his breath as he watched his protege’s retreating form, hoping with all his heart that his cub was right on this one.
It didn’t take long for Wild to find the graveyard - just a left, a right, another quick left, down the stairs and he was there, the rain’s cold chill already beginning to settle in his bones. He carefully made his way through the neatly lined graves, and didn’t stop until he found Legend silently kneeling in front of a particular stone.
The Hero of Legend looked worse for wear: his blond hair was pasted haphazardly to his face and neck, and his red tunic was soaked with the rain from above and the mud from below. He looked weary from where he stood, and his shoulders were hunched forward as if the weight of the world were pressing down on them, forcing him back to the ground whenever he had an inkling of hope that he might be able to stand up and walk away.
This was a different Legend, Wild frowned, not the gruff and testy teen they all knew and loved, but rather a young boy who had seen one too many destroyed towns, fought one too many battles, and saw one too many people die because of him. The Hero of Wilds felt his heart break at the sight.
“Go away.”
That was Legend’s voice, but his tone was low and raspy, holding none of its usual fire. Despite the other’s command, the champion tightened the grip on his cloak and took a step forward.
“Legend, you shouldn’t be alone here.”
“I want to.”
“You say that but you don’t mean it.”
“I do.”
“Look, I know what you’re going thro -”
“Hylia, Wild, just take the hint and leave!”
The outburst was enough to shut Wild up, and prevented him from taking another step. He stood quietly as he watched Legend’s head dip lower, and he had to strain his hearing in order to hear the other murmur out,
“Please, just leave.”
He could’ve sworn that it started to rain harder, like Hylia herself was crying for Legend’s loss. The graveyard became enveloped in a misty fog, and any semblance of the evening moon was covered up by gray clouds that refused to leave. The Hero of Wilds stood still for a few seconds before eventually settling himself on the muddy ground, just a row away from where Legend’s loved one resided. With a steadying breath, he began,
“I used to have a lot of friends and family, y’know. According to Zelda, I used to be one of the most loved soldiers in all of Hyrule, and the pride and joy of my family. I lived with my mom and dad and sister in a little house in Hateno, and the people there told me that I used to spend the whole day playing with the village kids until the sun setted. My dad was a knight, and the whole reason I was even discovered to be Hylia’s Chosen was because one of the visiting soldiers saw that I could wield a sword at the age of five. It’s kinda weird, right? Having a bunch of old guys watch a little kid wave a sword around.”
Wild looked up to see if his attempt at humor had worked, but Legend remained as still and silent as before.
“And Zelda said I was thrown into the army by the next night. She said she remembered me following my dad around like a lost puppy, and I barely talked to anyone, even when they were asking questions directly to me. I made friends with Mipha and Daruk really quick, and then Zelda and Urbosa and Revali; I wouldn’t talk to them no matter what, but Zelda said Daruk and Revali were doing most of the talking anyway, so it didn’t really matter. I would spend the whole day training instead of playing, and she said I almost never went home because Rhoam forced me to stay so I could protect the castle and the royal family. My dad went home to my mom and sister, and Mipha, Daruk, Urbosa, and Revali all went home to their families, and I was the only one left.”
“I was alone, and Zelda started to hate me because of how annoying I was. Soon everyone started to hate me because of how much Rhoam loved me, and I couldn’t do a single thing about it. I was told that since I was a hero chosen by the Goddess, I had to do whatever the kingdom wanted me to do, and whatever I thought didn’t matter; it was always protect Zelda and do whatever the king asked. I missed out on a lot: my childhood, my friends, my family, all because I was supposed to be some legendary hero.” He choked out a watery laugh. “ Now I can’t even remember any of that: I can’t remember my mom’s or my dad’s or my sister’s faces, I can’t remember how the soldiers used to treat me before they started to hate me, I can’t remember the places Mipha, Daruk, Urbosa, Revali, and Zelda used to take me - I can’t remember anything. I’m just some former champion that was nearly killed by the Calamity 100 years ago, and I have feelings that I can’t explain the reason of.”
Wild’s throat grew tight with emotion, and he did his best not to let the sobs wrack his body. A small part of his brain reminded him that no, he shouldn’t be throwing himself a pity party, he should be comforting Legend, but he couldn’t help it. It was all so unfair: all the other Links could remember their friends and family even if they were long gone but Wild was the only one who couldn’t; all he could remember were fragments of his time under Rhoam and whatever his Zelda told him to be true. He was a blank and empty slate that could barely remember his friends and family but still held a myriad of emotions towards them.
He wondered if he should just go on in life pretending that the last 117 years didn’t happen - that all the good and bad memories he had of his friends and families were all due to vivid fever dreams.
“My uncle died two years ago.”
The champion was caught off guard when Legend finally spoke, and although the former was barely holding it together, he did his best to listen to the other’s soft words.
“It was when I was on another adventure. I came back to the castle as soon as I was back in Hyrule, and the moment I stepped inside, I saw Zelda waiting there with my uncle’s sword and shield. She didn’t need to say a thing; by the way she looked at me, I knew what was up: my uncle was dead, stabbed by an Armos when he least expected it. She told me the death was quick, and that the soldiers travelling along with him made sure he died as comfortably as possible. They said his last words were ‘tell Link I’m proud of him’, but I don’t know if that’s what he actually said; maybe the soldiers were just trying to make me feel better.”
“I was locked up in my house for days, and no matter how many times the castle’s soldiers tried to break down my door and threaten me, I wouldn’t leave. I was depressed, and I didn’t want anything to do with Hyrule anymore. He was everything to me: he took me in when my parents were trapped in the Dark World, he taught me how to fight and wield a sword, and he gave me all the unconditional love I could ever ask for.” He tilted his head up to the sky, and Wild wasn’t sure if it was rain or tears falling from his face. “ I wonder if things would’ve changed if I was back home instead of out there adventuring - if I just became a regular soldier at Hyrule Castle instead of being a Goddess - forsaken hero.”
His frame was shaking, but his voice stayed strong and firm. “ I miss him more than anything in the world, but I don’t regret having any memories of him, and you shouldn’t regret having any memories of your friends and family either, no matter how little they are.”
It was ironic, the champion thought: here Legend and Wild were, two links in the same heroic chain, that were supposed to be selfless and loyal and a beacon of hope to the citizens of Hyrule, crying in a graveyard. They had been through their own set of adventures, faced their own trials and tribulations, but they both still had the same feelings as a citizen towards death. They were two broken kids who just wanted to enjoy a happy life.
Wild took in a shuddering breath and quietly asked, “ Do you think people die because we’re Chosen Heroes?”
Legend’s answer was short and simple, not an inking of hesitance in his voice, “ Yes.”
<Previous Next>
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I’m basically confused forever and always, and my writing reflects that more than I would like to acknowledge. Anyways... the story.
~~~
Rain is really quite common, but it doesn’t mean Link dislikes it any less. A light drizzle is kinder than the weather that it could be, but it’s not great. Better than lightning and a downpour.
Link takes a deep breath, “We should probably get this over with, huh...” The wolf beside him simply wags his tail.
The pair spending a few moments overlooking the distance beyond a cliff in Hateno before heading off to the final goal. A little bit of peace before something so daunting seems right. It seems nice, rain or not.
Link slowly gets to his feet, running a hand through his hair, before looking to his wolf companion. “It’s time for you to go,” he says.
But the wolf simply gives a wag of his tail and tilts his head. “I can’t ask you to do this,” Link tries to go on but is stopped by the wolf getting closer and nudging him. He huffs out a single “fine” before turning to leave Hateno. The wolf follows.
After a couple of days of travel they make it to the Dueling Peaks Stable, and a few days after that they’re spending the night in the ruins of a ranch. Link doesn’t dwell on the thought of who lived there, he doesn’t want to. Link doesn’t sleep with how close to the castle they are, and as soon as the sun begins to rise he packs up and prepares so head into the ruins of Castle Town.
What follows is a long and dangerous march all the way up to where Ganon waits. There is very little time to prepare for the fight as they fall into the depths. There is little time to prepare for the devine beasts’ attack. But there is a bit more time to prepare, after the surprise of needing to fight a giant boar made of malice.
At least the wolf seems surprised, Link is more just irritated. But irritation quickly changes into joy when the battle is won. He may not remember much, but Zelda is here now and she can help him.
Joy is an emotion that blinds you.
It’s a terrible thing. The joy of winning a tiring battle, if left unchecked, can lead one to miss the wounds of those closest to you.
Link leads Zelda to the nearest stable and they settle in to rest before making the trip back to Kakariko. As Link is cooking the wolf sits down next to him. He’s looking off into the distance, a bit battered, and a bit charred.
The wolf turns to Link and gives him a little snuffle, and before Link can pet him he stands up and limps away into the woods.
Link jumps to his feet as soon as he realizes what’s going on and runs after his wolf companion. He calls out for him, but the wolf is gone. He’s lost another friend.
And unlike the last friends he’s lost, he doesn’t wait to shed tears. Instead, he falls to his knees in those woods and cries, knowing he’ll never see the wolf again.
After a few days, Zelda decides that they’re both well enough to head for Kakariko. Link says nothing of the wolf.
A week passes in Kakariko before Link decides to ask Zelda if he can return home. She replies with a kind of amusement in her voice, “Link, you no longer have to follow my orders or ask to go home.”
He departs the next day and he never makes it home. His horse is left to be found by a stable and all of his supplies come with him. He’s found a new adventure, not willingly, of course.
He panicks at first, some strangers suddenly in front of him. They all feel as disoriented as him, but he doesn’t know that.
After a few hours, bar the 30 minutes it took to calm him down and the next 45 it took to get him to talk, he learns that these strangers apparently all already knew each other. And they’re all named Link. Great. He also learns that he’s not in his Hyrule anymore.
All of this leads him to be suspicious of the other Links. Especially since a few of them are quite standoffish. He spends more time observing that he does interacting.
Eventually he comes around to them, something that was hurried along by their lack of cooking skills, and they start calling him Wild.
It’s raining when Wild sees him. The group was staying in a town and Wild was sitting under an overhang watching the rain. It takes him a moment to notice, but there’s a wolf scooting closer to him.
He nearly cries as soon as he notices, and the wolf can tell. So he just scoots closer and gives Wild a little snuffle. Together they watch the rain fall as Wild realizes that his wolf companion has been closer than he thought since he met the other heroes.
~~~
And thus, Yormp proceeded to forget how writing works for the rest of her life and never did it again.
I jest. Maybe.
But really, I’ll probably be back next Sunday with another thing- if I can manage to stick to this.
#Sundays at the Birdhouse#what is consistency?#still figuring stuff out before i actually write that big-ish fic#botw#Link#Wolfie#i’m tired#what even is quality?#Wild#twilight#this is really only LU at the end#Linked Universe#ahskfnajakdjfhak#im sorry#this is a sad birdhouse sunday#dont look at me#i am shame#otter brain strikes again
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[Mutual Feelings Pt. 13, Revali x Reader]
Author’s Note: I ain’t sorry.
Summary: Who knows? We can only go up from here, right?
“No.” You called out to whoever was knocking. The knocking persisted despite you barricading the door with stacks of books and unused chairs that had been left in the hall days prior. Ink dribbled across your desk, large blobs of black liquid obscured your old workpapers that were now crumbled and torn. They didn’t matter anymore.
The old book given to you laid open on the board in front of you. Its pages were tattered and picked at, ripping slightly at every seam and corner. It had to be in here somewhere. Keumi had passed a few weeks ago and you hadn’t bothered to return to the Village as facing Seoi was something you had no desire to do. The least you could do for her was stay away. Afterall, that is what she wanted.
“Open up!” It was a male’s voice, Revali. He had been visiting often after the incident. The majority of the time, he was already on the grounds for Champion-related events and had found your room at the direction of a few gossiping maids. The talk had taken an upward spike in the castle after your return. Very few would stop you, but those that would always asked about your relations to Revali. It wasn’t any of their business. Plus, nothing was official. Nothing was going on.
“No.” You repeated with the same monotone sound.
“Then I’ll break the door down.” The door began shaking, almost comically. The hinges creaked and squeaked as the handle juggled this way and that as the assailant attempted to grant himself entrance. The nob turned and stopped, then turned the other direction. “Excuse me?” He must be speaking to someone outside. His voice became muffled as you assumed he walked away, possibly giving up. You should have known him better than that by now.
You traced the map in front of you, a small line linking your route in the desert to the other locations of materials you gathered for the elixir. Everything had been done exactly to the “t” as per the book’s instructions. How could it have gone so horribly wrong? You had been trying to contact this supposed “medicine man,” but each and every Zora you spoke to couldn’t identify where he resided nor where he was currently. The bowl the elixir had been made in was encased in glass in the corner of your room. The cage you used in the desert was next to it. Maybe you had miscalculated something there? Perhaps the material used to encase the flower was incorrect… or maybe there wasn’t enough water flow.
Shaking your leg at a swift pace, you studied the excess materials. The minerals were all fine, they were typical ones used in medicine. The greenery was fresh when used, now dried and pinned to the wall. You groaned, squeezing your eyes shut to ward off the third headache of the day. It wasn’t even lunch yet, just past breakfast in fact.
“I hope you don’t me letting myself in.” Revali stepped through your window, a gust of wind swirling the loose papers around the room.
“Revali!” You rose to your feet, jumping to grasp every paper. He paid no mind, trotting over to the unmade bed where he sat down and crossed one leg over the other. His eyes scanned the room, he had never been in here before. Your desk was a mess, stacked high with new books and papers while older ones were stacked in front of the door. The bed he was sat on was inlaid into the wall, a few trinkets were posted and sat on shelves. He noticed the drawing of him you had done around the time the two of you first met, the extensive studies on the Divine Beasts, and the group photo you had been left out of at the time.
“Good to see you too.” He chuckled, making himself comfortable. “When did you last sleep?”
Too homed in on your work, you brushed him off.
“When did you last eat?” Persisting, he kicked one leg over the other and continued ruffling up your blankets. “When are you going to answer your lover?”
Eyes wide, you shot him a confused look only to get a proud one in return. He gave you a tight-lipped grin, closing his eyes. “We aren’t together.”
“The castle gossip travels fast. According to everyone out there, we are.”
“Well, we aren’t.” You turned back around and focused on a small passage hand-written in the book.
“Whatever you say, but that’s not my opinion on it.” He hummed. “Clear this out from your door while I’m away. I’ll be back.” He motioned to the junk near the door. Kicking some stuff from his path, he pried the door open and left.
While there is currently no evidence of the ability for revival from death, it has been recorded in legend regarding the Goddess Hylia and the Hero. Given this knowledge, there is chance that this phenomena is existent in Hyrule. Mouthing the words as you read, you groaned. There was nothing telling you what to do. You had been attempting to find a way to bring her back since you got back to the castle after her death. Nothing was turning up.
The attacks on travelers and villages rose as the Calamity’s power grew. Red ash would rise from the ground some nights, the clouds would rush as if in a hurricane, and low growls could be heard echoing from the castle’s depths. The moon would turn blood red on nights like these. Nobody would go out.
Another ceremony was scheduled for tonight, but you had no intent of attending. The King had never required you be present for any of them, only present when he needed updated information on how the scientist’s research was coming. You hadn’t heard from Purah or Robbie in a few weeks. It was hard to when they didn’t live on castle grounds.
The book turned up no trails to follow, no leads to take. Tossing it aside, you scrapped everything on your desk relating to Keumi. It was over. She wasn’t coming back. Throwing your window open, you let the cool air flow in and swirl around the cramped room. Laughter resonated from the upper levels; the stomping of feet signaled they had just begun their celebrations. The rich aromas of mouth-watering dishes were swept through the air, a sweet smell blanketing the area.
With a renewed sense of direction, you grabbed everything you had relating to your updates on the Divine Beasts. Opening the book you kept on Medoh, you began writing. In the margin, you wrote: Resurrection = possibility?
Revali wandered the halls as he attempted to recall his way to your room through the maze of sprawling entryways. He passed kitchen staff carrying platters of steaming-hot foods. Snatching a plate from one of them, he continued on his way. Finally arriving at his destination, he tried the door. To his surprise, it gave way with ease.
“Still buried in work, I see.” He looked more put together than he typically did. A new garb was wrapped around his figure, dawning the blue color of royalty and the crest. His old one was hidden beneath it. It was far gaudier than his original. Gold speckled the trim, thin silver chains were attached to shoulder pieces, and his braids were done differently.
“Here.” The plate clacked against the wood of your desk. “Now, I need to get this off. It’s rather…” he racked his head for the words he wanted, “not me.”
Metal clinks rained down upon the room as his shoulder pieces and the new garb landed in a pile along with your discarded work. A plate clanked against your desk, its smell alluring. Tearing your focus from your papers, you eyed the plate. It was steaming. A perfectly grilled pork steak sat on wild greens with a side of rice from Hateno. The smaller plate held a slice of decadently rich chocolate cake that looked to have been prepared just minutes ago. Caramelized sugar dripped over the sides, gliding down to the chocolate shell below.
“Would you mind undoing these?” His braids whipped around in your face as he turned his back to you. “I would, but I don’t want to.” He continued speaking as you moved to detangle the intricate designs. “You know, the ceremony was as dull as ever. I had searched the crowd for you, but I suppose expecting you to breach these walls was rather idiotic of me.” He tossed his head to the side, eyeing you. “Have you had enough tea lately? Have your teeth gone yellow yet?” When you didn’t respond, he continued on. “I do really think you need to rest more. Your lack of sleep is troublesome.”
“I’m fine.” You finished the last braid, leaving the ribbon strewn into it on the floor.
“You’re not. You need sleep…” he pondered for a moment, taking a deep breath before stating, “Keumi would want that.”
The beating of your heart thrummed in your chest loudly. Your breathing stopped, catching in your throat, suffocating you. A cold sweat broke out upon your brow and at the nape of your neck. Your determination turned to anger as you pushed yourself up to your desk, turning your back on Revali. “Don’t talk about her.”
“It’s what she would have wanted, and you know that.” He approached the back of your chair, the heat radiating from his body only adding to how uncomfortable you had become. Your leg bounced up and down as you attempted to work out the tension that grew within you. It felt as if vines were climbing up your spine.
“Revali, stop.”
“No.” A firm grip held your shoulder as he attempted to tug you around to face him. “Face me and listen. She didn’t die so you could sulk around here all day.”
You had enough. Pushing up from your chair, you disregarded it as it went tumbling to the floor. “Shut up!” More than anything you wanted to slap him. You wanted him to go away and never come back. Why was he here anyway? What did he really care?
“You need to listen to me. Quit acting like a child. That will get you nowhere.”
“She wouldn’t have died if I hadn’t tried something so risky!” You jerked your shoulder away from his grasp and immediately began gathering a few notebooks in your arms.
“You did what you had to!” He said firmly, stepping to block your exit.
“I did something stupid and I ruined a family.” You choked back the tears that were brimming your eyes. “They’ll never get that back, Revali. It’s all my fault.” You had grown considerably quiet, almost whispering.
“It’s not.” His tone had weakened a bit, his stance was softer. “Come here.”
Crashing into his arms was more comforting than you had expected. He rubbed circles into your back as he walked the two of you over to the bed. “We’re going to fix this.”
“How?” Your words were muffled by his thick coat.
___________________________________________________________
“Excuse me?” An unfamiliar voice called as the door creaked open. Revali’s head rose from his spot on the bed.
“Yes?” He called back, keeping his tone hushed. A gentle wing covered your head, stroking your hair down. The motion coaxed soft snores from you and put a loving smile on his face.
“The King requests your presence in the dining hall, sir.”
“Give the King my deepest apologies, but I have to decline.” A moment passed as the guard pondered what to do. He was taken aback by Revali’s answer, expecting him to join him in an instant.
“Of course.”
The door closed as a hushed silence fell upon the room once more. It had grown dark in the castle, the only light in your room came from the candles that threatened to extinguish themselves in the melted wax below. The papers remained scattered across the floor along with the chair that was still overturned. The meal he had brought had grown cold, hardening with each passing hour. But none of that mattered.
What mattered was what lay softly upon his chest, breathing deeply as exhaustion finally gave in. What mattered was the little moments that prospered from your twisted and tangled history. What mattered was the way Revali’s chest swelled when he thought of you and how his heart grew as he finally admit something to himself. It was true.
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