Again, I based a lot of this fic on headcanons from my rp blog.

Chapter 1

"Is there anything else that we can do to make you more comfortable, your majesty?"

Zelda looked happily over to a young woman from where she laid on her bed. It was the daughter of her most trusted adviser, Shad. "No, thank you, my dear. You may run along now, Aria." Her voice was aging, and there was more grey than brown in her hair now.

The girl left, and the queen sighed. Her breath was labored; she coughed. Whatever this disease was, it had taken her body by storm; filling her lungs, causing weight loss, and making her more than tired. It was times like these when she had wished she had produced an heir, because she was afraid she would not be able to lead the country much longer. Chills ran through her under the heavy quilts and she looked out a window. Another chest-rattling cough, another chill, another thought of regret. She should have married and had a child—the fate of Hyrule would soon be in Shad's hands, and he was older than Zelda.

"But at least he produced an heir," she thought bitterly.

No one had ever been good enough for the kingdom's beloved queen. It had been around thirty years since Ganondorf's defeat, and in that time she had seen countless suitors, but none held her beliefs. None of them held the same values.

None of them held the triforce of courage.

It's not that Zelda didn't love Link; of course she did. He came by the castle quite often after that mirror broke, and he was great company. However, Link's place was in Ordon, and her place was in the castle. She never told him she had feelings for him; it only would have made their situation more sad. She regretted this most though, because Link had died about twenty years ago after a goat had rammed into his ribs.

Tears streamed down her face as she remembered the savior of Hyrule, struck down by the animals he loved. She wanted to run to his side in his last hours, but by the time they got word of the tragedy in the castle, it had been too late. Zelda had been planning on telling him later that week, but she never got to. They could've gotten married, they could've had kids... They could've been happy.

But that was all in the past now, and Zelda had more important matters to attend to. Even in her state, she was writing letters in her bed, signing treaties, writing laws. She struggled through her pain to better her country and make some things final before she died, to make it easier on the next ruler. This was something she didn't get when she rose to power, because of the sudden death of her father and her mother being assassinated when she was so young. She had so many loose ends to tie up in those first couple of years, and it was very stressful. She didn't think anyone, old or young should have to go through that.

A knock on her door announced the arrival of Shad. He walked in, looking much younger than he actually was, and sat on the edge of the bed.

"Good day, your majesty. Are you feeling any better?" he asked quietly.

"No, but I do not exactly feel worse." She laughed. "Do you need something, Shad?"

"Well, actually, I was going to suggest making my daughter next in line for the throne instead of me. Queen Zelda, you know I am growing very old, and I am afraid it wouldn't be long until she ascended to the throne anyway, if it came to that."

"Shad, I understand. Aria will make a fine ruler one day, but I would still prefer to have you first." A cough shook her whole being. "You seem to be in fine health, and you could do great things for the country, and possibly make it easier for her when she does become either a princess or queen." She laughed. "How old is she again?"

"She is fifteen, your majesty."

"Ah, fifteen. That was the age I became ruler, when my father died. And you were my favorite advisor, but you were barely an adult yourself!" She shook her head. "Shad, I don't want her to go through that. My condition is deteriorating so rapidly; my reign might end with the week. I need you to take care of the kingdom after I am gone, not your daughter. She's so young, Shad. Let her be a girl for just awhile longer. I'd rather her get to come in as a queen, so you just have to hold out for three more years."

Shad nodded solemnly and stood. He knew all too well that his daughter wouldn't be considered Queen until her eighteenth birthday, even if she was orphaned. "I'm going to be out of town for a couple of days." He kissed her hand. "I may be gone when the goddesses reclaim you, but I'll be back soon. Goodbye, my princess. I will always remember you as the young woman whose knowledge and wisdom far surpassed her years."

"Goodbye Shad, I have to thank you for all you have done for me and my kingdom, and what you will do for it when it's yours."

That would be the last time Zelda would see Shad.

Thanks for reading chapter one!

if you could review for me, I'd really appreciate it!

I'll get to the next chapters soon!