Note: This is just something that came to me the other day. I haven't read a lot in the Zelda fandom, but I'm sure someone has done something like this before. Post war, Twilight Princess. When I originally posted this I did not intend to continue beyond the first chapter, but I have decided to turn it into a series of One-shots since it was well received. Thank you for checking it out.
*Revised for grammar errors, and minor tweaking*
"HEY LIIIIINK!"
Link's eyes snapped open, and he flew into a sitting position on his bed, slamming his head into the low hanging rafters. Damn. Those kids are really getting on my nerves. He carefully extracted himself from his bed, and shuffled towards the window.
"SOMEONE"S HERE TO SEE YOU!" A pre-teen girl's voice continued to assault him.
He arrived at the window, "BETH! Would you SHUT U-" His mouth fell open, the angry words no longer there.
A magnificent, royal, black stallion roamed around the clearing, feasting on dry grass. It's owner stood next to Beth, and Talo.
Link's wolf-like eyes inspected tight, white, arm length gloves; soft, dark brown, riding boots; a royal blue, silk vest lined with silver lace; a short cotton skirt with colors that blended smoothly with the vest; and radiant, shoulder length, golden hair.
His hazy mind registered these details of the princess who owned the beautiful horse, long before it registered the fact that his mouth was still hanging open.
"Z-Zelda? What are you doing here?" He so gracefully stuttered.
The smirk on the girl's face failed to hide what her words did. "I have to visit every province in Hyrule to check on the progress since the war."
Link regained some of his composure, absentmindedly running a hand through his unruly hair, "Oh, and how many Provinces have you checked on thus far?"
She hid her blush well, "This is the first."
He grinned, "Is the Eldin province not closer than the Ordona?"
"It is," She huffed.
"Then wh-" He began.
"Would you like to get dressed, and come down here so we can talk without the whole forest hearing?" She swiftly interrupted.
The two kids standing idly by giggled.
Link snapped, "Talo! Beth! Why don't you go annoy Ilia!" They headed for the village entrance mumbling under their breath.
"That was a little harsh," The acting queen stated.
Link sighed, "I know, I'll apologize later. Hold on, I'll be down in a minute."
"As you wish, O' great one." She mocked.
"Sarcasm doesn't look good on you, princess." He stated boldly, before closing the window.
He swiftly donned a pair of khaki pants and a belt, before snatching his lantern off the redwood table on which it rested. He lit the old lantern, then attached it to his belt, before climbing down the rickety ladder that leads to his basement.
He popped the latch on the nifty little chest in the center of the dark room. Wrestling with his thoughts, he pulled the symbolic, forest green tunic from the chest.
He marveled at how the hero's garb never ripped nor wrinkled, before tugging it over his head. He straightened the loose fitting tunic, and shut the chest deciding not to wear the cone-like hat.
After all he was done being the hero, but it was the nicest outfit he had. And its important to dress nice around royalty, right? He tried to convince himself.
He walked to the back wall, and placed the lantern on the oblong shelve that he added for his large array of weapons.
He picked up the Ordon sword, and the new hip sheath he made so he wouldn't have to strap it to his back, as well as his bow, and quiver. Maybe, I'll do some shooting, He thought absently.
Relieve at having the familiar weapons nearby washed over him in the form of a sigh. He reattached the lantern to his hip, before climbing back up the creaky ladder.
I should replace this, before it breaks, and I end up stuck down here, He thought idly. Once he was safely up the latter, he dowsed the lantern, and mentally noted that he needed to stop by Coro's to restock on oil.
He proceeded to choose his cleanest, leather boots, before heading for the door. Brushing his hair with his fingers as he went.
Zelda stared at him, enthralled as he stepped off the ladder. "What?" He asked, questioning her weird stare. She didn't even realize she was still watching him.
Uhh... What do I Say!, She thought. "You take longer than me to get dressed!" She improvised quickly..
"You know, princess for a noble, your a horrible liar." He smirked.
She could feel the heat rush to her cheeks. "I-I'm not lying, just stretching the truth," She mumbled, striving to change the topic she asked, "So, why do you have those?"
His eyes followed her line of sight, which pointed to the hero's bow, and Ordon sword. "Afraid, something is going to attack me?" She teased.
"Princess, I'd be afraid something would attack you if I locked you in a large chest, and swallowed the key." He wore a smirk on his face, "Judging by the way you manage to get kidnapped all the time, it amazes me that you managed to ride out here by yourself without continuing your career as a damsel in distress."
She huffed at him, "You know wise-ass comments really clash with your charisma, it's a real shame too I thought you were charming," She teased, and with those words she began taking purposeful strides towards the village gate.
Link hurried after her, "I know this isn't a diplomatic trip Zelda."
"What makes you think that?" She questioned nonchalantly.
"Simply your lack of guards tells me that." He casually observed her athletic figure, "It also tells me you traveled here without telling your plans to anyone."
"Oh, what makes you think I didn't tell anyone." She taunted.
"You would've had to tell someone who's mentally challenged, or unable to speak, because everyone else is wise enough to know that you of all people need a plethora of guards." A hearty chuckle escaped his lips.
The feisty royal punched him in the shoulder with enough force to discolor the skin.
"Your lack of faith in my combat skill's disheartens me." She jeered.
"Well, all things considered princess, the only weapon I've ever witnessed you using was my bow, in our battle with Ganondorf, and you missed seventy percent of the time." He responded, while gently rubbing the bruised shoulder.
"Fine, I challenge you to an archery match, we'll use your makeshift range in front of your house."
"Is that a date, princess?" He teased.
Her retort was cut short when mayor Bo was spotted racing towards them. Link hadn't even realized that they had arrived at the small creek that flowed through the quaint village.
Clear your head, man, he scolded himself. Bo reached the duo with a huff, and bowed to the acting queen using as much grace as his weight would allow.
"Your presence here is an honor, princess. Please I implore you to make yourself at home. May I ask how long you plan to stay?" Link noticed Zelda's change in demeanor.
"I am humbled by your respect, and hospitality, I might stay a night or two, but I am not here on a diplomatic venture. I merely have come as a visitor, who wishes to relax and enjoy the peaceful qualities of this fair village of Ordon."
"I knew it!," Link shouted.
Bo eyed him oddly before turning his attention back to Zelda, "Of course, princess. I'm sure someone would be willing to move out temporary, and lend you their home."
"No, no no-one has to go through that much trouble for me. Do you not have any unoccupied rooms anywhere?" She quickly asked.
He searched his mental image of the towns layout, and inhabitants. "I don't believe so.., every house has atleast two inhabitants as it is."
"Well, if I must I shall stay in Kakariko, I will not intrude on anyone's home." The mayor suddenly realized he over looked something. "Oh, I almost forgot Link lives alone."
"I'm sure he can make room, If that's alright with the two of you.." Bo shot Link a wink, while Zelda was inspecting one of her pristine gloves. She was however, privy to the notion.
Link had been in his own world until he heard his name, "It's up to the princess," He stated, not entirely sure to what he was agreeing too.
Just as well, he could not predict how often those words would flee from his mouth in the future. "That will be fine, after all I can think of no greater honor that staying with the hero of Hyrule," She smiled wryly.
Later that night...
"Link! Would you calm down!" The bearer of wisdom softly shouted.
"No princess! You nearly got yourself killed, because of your ignorance, and pride!" The full moon had long since rose high into the black sky, as had Link's feral qualities.
Zelda's hurt expression broke Link's tirade. He took a deep breath, trying to relax himself. "I'm sorry.. Zelda. Its just that was a foolish move. I don't want to think about what would of happened if Rusl hadn't been out patrolling..."
Zelda watched him like a hawk, while he slumped down onto the small, wooden bed that lay along the back wall of the circular room.
She let out a huff of breath, "I know.. That was a very unwise move considering I'm suppose to be the one who's blessed with wisdom."
"I guess... I had tricked myself into believing we were more at peace than we really are.." She brushed her fingers along the scratch that now adorned her shoulder.
It could have been so much worse if Rusl hadn't shown up, unfortunately not all creatures are friendly, she reminded her self.
Minutes passed, before Link responded, "I think.. I've been trying to trick my mind into believing the same thing."
Zelda stood up from the small, wooden stool she had been resting on, and moved over to the bed.
The Hero of Time sat up, and slid over so she could sit down beside him.
"What do you mean?" She asked, her crystal, blue eyes meeting his.
"I've... I've been trying to get used to the life of a farm hand again, and convince myself that I'm done being the hero." He chuckled grimly, "I haven't been successful. I cannot quell the feeling that I'm meant to do more you know? It's so hard to settle down again, after traveling, learning, and fighting."
"I'm not the same person I was, and I never will be." Clearly not wanting to delve any further in that subject he broke eye contact, and climbed off the bed.
"Goodnight, princess," He muttered before finding a spot on the floor, and lying down.
Zelda's mind was screaming at her to protest him sleeping on the floor, but she knew she couldn't sway him. She laid back on the bed, letting the cotton sheets caress her bare shoulders.
She had removed her riding vest, so that all she wore was a white, sleeveless undershirt, and a pair of black pants Link had lent her to sleep in.
"You know," She started, not sure if Link was listening, "There is still quite a bit of rebuilding that needs to be done, and the people of Hyrule could use all the morale they can get. I'm sure they would love nothing more than to have the hero who fended off the twilight among their ranks, helping them rebuild their beloved home."
Zelda waited, and waited, but received no response, so she begged for sleep to take her and welcomed it once it did.
Revelations spread like wildfires through dreams that night.
...
When Zelda awoke, she was assaulted by the alluring scent of greasy bacon, and eggs. Her legs carried her into the kitchen, where Link stood at the wooden stove cooking, shirtless.
She figured he did it just to embarrass her. Two can play at that game, she thought mischievously.
Link noticed her in the doorway, and set their plates on the small, redwood table. "Good morning!" He greeted, while grinning.
"Your in a good mood," She observed.
"Well, my dreams gave me a bit of insight on my problem, last night." He hummed contentedly.
She took a seat on one of the three-legged stools, "And, what have you learned from them?"
He followed suit, and began poking at his food with a fork, "I've decided to return to Hyrule, and aid in the clean up process."
"Really?" Their was more excitement in her inquiry, then she meant for there to be, but she didn't care.
"Yes, but I have a few conditions." He stated matter of factually.
The excitement left her face, and she groaned at his response.
"First, you have to give me a room in the castle." He began.
"Easy enough." She savored the taste of the crispy bacon as she listened.
"Second, you never go into the forest alone, again. I don't want to clean bokoblin guts off my sword, every time you decide to wander off."
"I promise, I will always inform the almighty warrior Link, before venturing into the forest all by my lonesome," A soft, elegant laugh escaped her lips.
The beautiful sound lightened Link's feral heart.
"Smart-ass... and last, but not least you are not to ever humiliate me, publicly in archery ever again. I don't think I'll ever recover from being out-shown by your amazing marksmanship, yesterday." He sighed as the memory of her showing him up replayed in his mind.
A mischievous glint sparked in the princess's eyes, "Deal, but I'm still going to own you, when there are no witnesses."
"I wouldn't have it any other way," He chuckled.
After cleaning up the kitchen the two tri-force bearers headed for the room where they had slept. Unbeknownst to Link the sassy ruler had formulated a plan.
As they were passing through the doorway Zelda abruptly pinned Link up against it. With her surprisingly cold hands pressed against his warm, muscular chest, she leaned in, and lightly dragged her soft, delicate lips, against his, before pulling back, "Just so you know Link, You'll always be my hero," She casually proceeded into the room, grinning at the dumbfounded look on his face.
Link gathered his wits, and hurried after her.
"Wait! I have one more condition!"
~FIN~