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sunset-peril · 3 months

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Guilty as Ganon

She couldn't figure it out fast enough to save her own face, or Link's for that matter.

Rhoam wanted her to confess, in front of all these people, what she had done. He wanted her to submit herself for a public condemnation provided by her own father.

And what a father he had been to her.

Had Rhoam actually been what he needed to be, Zelda determined after her witch trial was all over, none of this wouldn't have happened.

She was upset. Okay, upset was an understatement.

She was downright, undeniably, worthy of all the Gerudo profanity she knew, furious. And in her mind, she had every right to be. She knew what she had done, and the Goddess whom she had gotten ill for time and time again (yet still had somehow ignored her dedication) egged her on to do such a thing as if it was the last piece to finally unlocking the power that she'd lost everything for. And if it were that last step, then condemn the Golden Goddesses above she was going to do it!

Did Father seek to gain anything by making me look more unworthy for the throne that no one else is able to inherit? By Naryu's name, what could it ever be? By defacing her, a descendant of Hylia and Link, Hylia's hero chosen over and over again, Rhoam was only asking for his kingdom to burn.

The armor grabbed tight at her waist, worse than that cursed formal dress, but she feared about as much as she fumed.

"And why is that?" Zelda's fists grew tense as the sound of his voice in her mind. "What is more important than training to awaken the power to save all of Hyrule? Do you, Zelda, want Hyrule to burn to ashes along with all its people?"

She wanted to bash that head in over and over again, screaming profanities that matched or exceeded the ones he and the court used to describe her.

These feelings weren't hers, she tried to convince herself at the beginning. But they were, oh so real, as real as the persistent enduring ache deep in her stomach, belonging solely to her scarred and tattered soul.

It had been so long, if ever, since she had smoldered with such fury. She wanted to let it all out on the person who had deserved it most over these past ten years.

Urbosa had taught her ways to cope with such turbulent emotions, but the one that worked the best was unusable. Whenever she got debilitated by the feelings harbored in her soul, she would always head down to the Noble Canteen for a drink known as a Valiant Cause, which was the exact same thing as the famous Noble Pursuit but minus the alcohol. It didn't exist on the menu, but the bartender began to serve it when Urbosa took Zelda in following her mother's untimely death. Now, with the small but undeniable round in her stomach, she was instantly denied access from the bar without a second glance or eloquent argument.

"Gerudo law prohibits pregnant vai from any form of access to adult beverages or establishments." That same bartender nearly snapped at her, not even rising from the main desk. "I think of all vai, you should know that, hmm? Come back after you've finished nursing."

The words didn't frustrate her as much as the fact that Zelda's coping mechanisms were vanishing into thin air. She needed something material to work through, whether that was an ancient robot or a nearly frozen fruit punch. She used these material things because she felt like it was unfair that Link was always having to fix her problems, and without them it seemed like he was having to stop more meltdowns than ever before. Most were from her raging hormones, which caused mood swings so bizarre that the emotions came and went before she could even realize their presence.

She missed Link…

The poor boy was in the Lockup until Hylia-knows-when.

Rhoam had sentenced him there until proof of his legal marriage to Zelda was provided. If it became clear that Zelda was pregnant outside of a marriage bond, he'd be sent to the Castle Town Prison for the rest of his days. If the records showed that he was married to her, then no punishment could be done. A member of the Royal Family is above the law after all.

Sweet Hylia, Zelda wanted a hug. She was balancing on a fence of unbridled violence, but she wanted a hug so badly.

She couldn't take it any longer. She nearly flew into a standing position, checking to make sure the armor still adequately protected her growing baby from any conflict she might encounter, and headed towards the Lockup.

"Link!" She softly called into the cell, three heads turned.

"Zelda?!" Link cried, stumbling to his knees. "You're not supposed to be here!"

"Hey, it's the Princess!" Another voice called.

"How are you?"

Link reached through the bars to stroke her face. "I'm fine. You've gotta get out of here. You're not supposed to be down here."

"I'm not leaving. Not yet. I miss you."

"I miss you too. But it will be okay, Urbosa will provide everything His Majesty wants."

Zelda aggressively kissed his lips, the others in the cell jumped back in surprise.

They had known Link was in the Lockup for an improper relationship with the Princess, but seeing her return such ways sent them reeling. Did she initiate the relationship? Was it all her idea? Why was she so upset that he was down there?

Link tore back for air, Zelda's face seemed like her heart was about to break. "Zelda… please, it's alright. I'll be out soon… But this, this isn't healthy for you."

"Neither of us are alright! We need you!"

"I can't stop anyone if they react to you being down here. Please… go back to where you're supposed to be… it's safer that way… just for a little while…" He held onto her hand, brushing over her knuckles.

"I-I can't…" Zelda's voice swung in and out of her controllable range. Her body flopped down onto its side.

Link's breath caught in his throat as his eyes failed to find the bulge in her stomach. Where was his child?

She wasn't breathing deep, all her breaths were quick and shallow. He snuck a hand down onto the metal covering her stomach, only then did he find her trapped bump.

"It hurts… but it's the only thing that feels safe… with this… they can't hurt me as much."

This was enough to put him over. He wanted to rip the bars of the Lockup open and pull her close. He wanted to rip that tight armor off her and replace it with a loose, comforting dress. "Urbosa said she'd be back within forty-eight hours." His voice had become stale. "This will all be over soon…"

“But…”

“Go. Now.” He rubbed her stomach for a few seconds before pulling away. “Stay with Impa, or Urbosa once she gets back. You don’t have to be alone, you just can't be here.”

She nearly threw herself against the bars. "Link!" Tears began to pour down her face. "Don't leave me alone… please."

Link ripped off his white undershirt, lovingly crafted by his late mother, and slipped it to Zelda. "Here… Tide yourself over with this…"

She brought it up to her nose and verified that it smelled like him. "But, Link…"

"You're my wife… what's mine is yours. And besides, you need it more than I do right now. You can give it back when this is all over. Now please go. I trust Impa to take care of you."

"Okay… just promise me you'll come back."

"I have, several times… but I promise again. I'm coming back."

Zelda clutched his shirt to her chest and jogged back out of the Lockup.

His cellmates crept up to where he was. "What was all that about?"

Link slipped the Champion's Tunic back on. "Just doing what I need to do."

"Why would you promise her that you're getting out of here? How could you?"

"Because we're married." He waited for the gasps to die down. "Once Gerudo Chief Urbosa brings all the proof of our legal marriage before the King, he'll have no choice but to set me free." He looked down at his anklet.

"So… we're locked up in here with… our prince?"

"Pretty much."

"B-But how did you legally marry Princess Zelda? If King Rhoam had already banned such a relationship, how could you be so confident that it will stand binding in front of him?"

Link chuckled. "Oh, that's a long, convoluted story. But we have time, so let me tell you."

~~~~

"Princess! There you are!" Impa ran up to Zelda in the hallways of the castle. Where on Hylia's blessed land have you been?"

Zelda began to cry again, snuggling her face into Link's shirt.

"Princess, it's okay… it's okay…" She smelled Link on the fabric. "Wait. Where did you get this?" She tried to touch it, but Zelda stubbornly protected it. Impa's voice firmed accusingly. "You went and saw him!"

Her sobs became louder, she held one hand on her stomach and the other held the fabric to her chest. "I had to! I need him!"

Impa's anger dropped away. "Princess Zelda…" She stroked her shoulder gently. "It will be okay… Here, let's get you to your room; it's nice and quiet there, and I'll stay with you until Urbosa returns." She led her back to the room, then convinced her to change out of the armor into a loose silk dress. "If anyone tries to hurt you or the little descendant of Hylia, I will defend you. Please make yourself comfortable, you probably haven't been since the last time you trained at the Spring of Courage."

"Okay… thank you, Impa."

"Of course, Your Highness. I'm always here for you."

Zelda chose a long blue nightgown, completely lacking of a corset or any tight shapers, and slipped in. As she did so, her hands brushed the new curves of her stomach. The feeling made her weak in the knees, she grabbed onto the nearby dresser. "Impa! My knees have given out."

"Oh!" She rushed over, helping Zelda over to her bed and laying her down. "Rest, Princess. You've had a stressful few days."

"...Impa? Would you… mind?" She rolled over towards Impa and carefully showed off her tender bump.

"You want a massage?"

"Yes… please."

Impa stepped closer to the bed and put her hands on Zelda's stomach, massaging carefully. "Oh… I can definitely feel the baby… They're a lot bigger than when we first scanned you…" She felt Zelda stiffen up. "Hey, Princess Zelda, relax."

"Father won't overturn Mother's pact to keep Link and I apart, will he?"

Massages changed to long strokes down Zelda's stomach. "In all honesty, I cannot see how he could. Your mother was a descendant of Hylia, a mere Hylian like your father cannot overturn her words. Besides, even if he could, we could definitely prove that his actions are intentionally causing harm to you, the last descendant. But I believe he will accept all of this after Urbosa returns. He does not need three more wars to fight.

"Will my baby get to meet their father?"

"I believe he will be with you for the rest of this journey."

Zelda nuzzled into the mattress next to her head, ready for her husband to be with her again. "I long for him."

"Already? You couldn't have been apart for more than ten minutes."

"I need him to be here, Impa. You don't understand…"

She felt something twist in Zelda's stomach. "I think I do. I'm going to call a doctor, just to make sure you're doing alright. Please try and sleep." Impa stepped outside, closing the door to keep threats out, spoke quickly with a nearby guard to request medical attention for the pregnant princess, and then returned.

Zelda was blinking slowly, beginning to drift to sleep. Impa repositioned Link's shirt in front of her nose; she snuggled up, sighed, and closed her eyes almost instantly.

"Sleep well, Princess." Impa wished softly, laying a blanket over her. She sat down on the stool near Zelda's bed until the doctor arrived.

She was an older, sweet-looking Sheikah woman, a healer badge on her arm and a few instruments in her possession. "Lady Impa, I'm here."

"Wonderful. Would you please check the princess over? She's not looking entirely well."

"Of course." She walked over to the bed, looking at Zelda with her nose snuggled in Link's shirt. "I must have you know, I am not allowed to refer to Champion Link as her husband until the King has been given satisfactory evidence."

"Of course. She was asking me earlier, and I would like another perspective, do you think His Majesty will find the evidence satisfactory? I attended their wedding, so I fear a little bias on my part."

"I believe that His Majesty will have no choice but to accept it if even a simple marriage license shows up. The pact between the queens was quite clear that Her Highness could receive any Gerudo ceremony Urbosa or her wished. Although a bit of a loophole, the Gerudo marriage ceremony is permitted under that pact. Because the ceremony was part of Gerudo law and not Hyrulean law, Urbosa had the authority to marry Zelda to whatever man she wished, no matter the tribe or occupation. If a Gerudo marriage document appears before him, that is proof enough."

"I am glad to hear that. She will be too."

"I must move his shirt to examine her. Do you think she'll react badly?"

"Yes. She's incredibly stressed. Her Highness wouldn't settle until she had the Champion's undershirt. I fear removing it will cause her to lash out."

"I'm going to wake her then, so she won't panic as much." She shook Zelda softly, a pair of emerald eyes fluttered open.

"I am truly sorry to wake you, Princess. I've been summoned to examine you, and I must move this shirt to do so."

A heartbreaking whimper sounded before Zelda picked up the fabric, smelled it once more and slipped it under her pillow for later retrieval.

"Thank you… You can have it back in a little." She pulled out a stethoscope and slipped it under Zelda's dress. "Little heartbeat…" She stopped to feel Zelda's stomach. "Oh, I feel the womb. You are one hundred percent, without a doubt, pregnant, Your Highness. Do you have any idea how far along you are?"

Zelda took a few gasping breaths. "Three months… I am three months."

"Well then, you feel normal; carrying pretty large though."

"In your professional opinion, how big does she look?"

"About two months ahead. She really looks about five right now." She took the stethoscope off her stomach and moved to her back. "Your heart sounds good, is that baby putting pressure on your chest? Your breathing sounds a little strained."

"It does?" Zelda took a few more deep breaths. "I would guess so then. I noticed I was always feeling out of breath, but I thought it was just because of the baby."

"It is, your body's so tiny, your growing baby's body is pressing against the rest of your organs. If you rest on your side, you'll be able to breathe easier."

Zelda rolled over carefully. "Oh! Yes, this is much better!" She stretched herself out.

"You already sound better." She turned to Impa. "Make sure she's eating well, and she doesn't need to be up and working unless she has to. I will tell His Majesty what we've found here. Congratulations, Princess Zelda. I would suggest meeting with a midwife now to discuss a special care plan."

"Thank you so much."

The doctor waved goodbye.

"Well, now the little one is official." Impa looked at Zelda's bump. "I'm quite impressed with your ability to hide this. For you to look five months… and just now getting discovered, that's quite a feat."

"It was tiring…" Zelda pulled Link's shirt out from under the pillow and went back to sleep.

~~~~

"Champion Link?" The doctor walked into the Lockup.

He had pressed himself up against the door of the cell, laying down but wide awake. "Yes? Who are you?"

"I'm a healer. I just came from examining Princess Zelda."

Link perked up, so did the other prisoners. "You did? How is she? Is she alright?" He grabbed her sleeve and yanked her towards him, concern and fear sparkling in his eyes. "How's our baby? Are they okay?"

She blinked in confusion. "You already know she's pregnant?"

"Yes! I've known for about two months now. Are they both okay?"

"I've asked Her Highness to meet with a midwife for a more reliable evaluation of her pregnancy, but she is doing alright. She's very stressed, however, and her body is already feeling pressure from the child. Her womb seems to be pushing up against her lungs."

His tears started falling down. "Will she be alright?"

"All of Hyrule knows how much we need this child. We will take care of the Princess and ensure she delivers a healthy infant safely." She dried his tears. "You're sweet and tender-hearted… I can see why she fell in love with you." She unlatched the lock. "Now will you come here? His Majesty has demanded a health check on you."

He approached slowly, looking around for anyone who would attack him.

"You're both nervous wrecks aren't you?" She slid the door closed behind him before any of the other prisoners could get out. "Come up here, I won't bite." She chuckled a little at his uncharacteristic nervousness.

They arrived at a private room where she examined him, finding him to be in perfect health aside from his nervousness and his few scratches. She took him back, then returned to King Rhoam.

"You say both of them are in perfect health?"

"Perfect physical health, yes, Your Majesty. Her Highness needs a midwife to examine her overall health, as her pregnancy is confirmed. Champion Link is still shaken from his imprisonment."

Rhoam sighed in displeasure. "This is a mess… and why is he so shaken? He knew of the consequences for pursuing an inappropriate relationship with my daughter!"

"He truly believed himself married to her, and he might be able to sense her unease."

"But in even pursuing that marriage, he violated the highest laws of Hyrule!"

"If Her Highness spoke the truth, then she believed she legally could marry any man she desired. By association, she believed she could pursue any of the steps needed to make that decision. Regardless of reason, all we can do is wait for Chief Urbosa's return."

~~~~

Upon Urbosa’s return, she delivered all records to His Majesty, then made a beeline to the Lockup and Zelda’s bedroom.

“I’m here, little bird…” She ran her hand up and down Zelda’s side, feeling her bump. “I’m here… It will be okay…”

She cooed sleepily, responding more as Urbosa leaned towards her ear.

“He wants you to know how much he loves you.”

"Tell him I love him too… so much… and that I miss him…"

"Of course, vehvi." She played with Zelda's long hair. "How are you feeling?"

"Stressed… kind of sick."

She pulled another blanket over. "Rest."

A maid knocked.

"Enter!" Zelda called out, she stepped in.

"Your Highness, His Majesty has announced that yours and Champion Link's trial will occur in two days. You have been asked to complete an evaluation with a midwife prior to then."

Her voice shook under her breath. "Without him?" She glanced towards Urbosa.

"Thank you." Urbosa replied, watching the maid walk out.

"I have to do that… without him?"

"Little bird… We'll do what we must in order to make your father happy… he is the one on the throne."

She sighed, rubbing her stomach. "Okay…"

"We'll get it done tomorrow. For the rest of today, Impa and I will make sure you are not bothered. Please rest, and we are here to talk if you need us." Urbosa put a few pillows underneath Zelda to prop her up comfortably.

~~~~

Hyrule's Final Stand

#fanfiction #legend of zelda #breath of the wild #zelink #hyrule's final stand #this fic is technically unfinished #however it's been untouched since mid-2022 so we'll call it finished #link botw #zelda x link #pregnancy #pregnant zelink #oneshot #but also tied into a series #royal wolfbred family of hyrule

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