Through The Test Of Time
This story takes place after Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. If at any point you're just not getting into it, no worries, the back button is always there. Feel free to leave comments and criticisms, I'm an aspiring writer so its always helpful to hear what I'm doing that's either working or isn't.
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Lastly, this is a requested Fic for princessanastasia6467, who came up with the concept for the story and the words for the lullaby.
Without further adieu, I really hope you end up liking it!
XXX
A quiet spring breeze rustled through the fields of Hyrule. The castle grounds were in full bloom, wild poppies and daises emerging to greet the warm afternoon sun. The guards patrolled their usual rounds, in a state of blissful anticipation for their shifts to end with the coming nightfall. Their eyes were firmly fixed onto their respective mundane patrol routes that afternoon. They didn't bother to look up. Why would they? High on the castle battlements, brown boots scuttled quietly along the white marble surface in effort to make as little sound possible. Eyes as blue as the ocean scanned the castle courtyard below. A smug smirk rested on the little boy's face. Taking careful steps, he inched closer and closer to the final edge. This was it. He'd have to jump now. Taking great care not to ruffle the already-smashed daisies in his left hand, he edged as close to the end as he was able without falling. With a deep breath, he dove off the wall and into the hedge maze below. The sound alerted one of the guards, who was absolutely puzzled as to where the source of it was. When the man's back was turned, the boy dashed out into the courtyard with a heavy sigh of relief.
Link, not only the famed Hero of Time, but also the Savior of Termina, was just about walking on air at the sight he was met with. This sight was worth the sneaking around that he had to do each and every time. Pink and yellow petals wafted in the breeze and into the little fountains on either side of the large courtyard. Perched in the flower bed, humming what sounded like a lullaby, was Princess Zelda. She continued to hum softly to herself, perhaps unaware of her visitor just yet. With an internal giggle, Link snuck around and out of her line of vision. Just behind her, he held up his hands, counting down to himself... three... two... one... now!
"BOO!"
The loud and sudden noise caused the young princess to shriek, flailing her arms for a moment before ungracefully falling backward into the grass. She sat up groggily, fixing her headdress as streaks of blond hair were still poking out of it. She glared daggers at Link, but he was laughing to hard to notice.
"What was that for!?"
"Sorry, Princess... Its just that you're so cute when you blush..." The zero sense of shame he had in saying this did nothing but worsen the red color blooming like a rose on Zelda's face.
"I-I am not! What are you doing here anyway?" She crossed her arms over her chest, determined not to let him get the better of her. Link sat down beside her, beaming ear to ear.
"Well, to see you! I picked these for you, Princess!" He held out a bundle of daisies like an artist proud of his work. Zelda's brow narrowed as she took the crushed flowers in her delicate fingers. Several stems were bent... White petals were droopy... Yellow buds were pressed in... Green leaves were torn to shreds.
"Uh... Thanks," she said softly. It seemed to satisfy the boy, who already started off on a different conversation.
"Don't you want to hear about my quest in Termina? You gave me this, remember?" He pulled the blue ocarina of time from the little pocket on his tunic, brandishing it out to her as if it were as common an object as a cookie. With eyes wide, Zelda snatched up the ocarina into her own hands.
"I'm glad you kept it safe at least," Zelda spoke as she studied the ocarina for possible dents or scratches to chastise him about, finding nothing but the sleek azure painted wood. Even as her own voice trailed off, a hurricane of memories emerged from the day she first met this boy. Truth be told, she had spent very little time with him. How could he talk to her as if he had known her for years? The very idea was baffling. It made her feel like he was playing some kind of game. Of course, that didn't stop Link from showing up here in her courtyard when it should have been impossible.
"Termina was soooooo weird. You should have seen all the places I had to go. Oh! I got all these cool masks too," Link excitedly started pulling out things to show her. Mask after mask they grew stranger and stranger. Link insisted in modeling a few of them for her. He seemed particularly fond of a pair of bunny ears, keeping them on his head the whole while. When the princess started to nod off, Link put his hand to his chin in thought. Like a light switch was flipped, Link snapped his fingers and pulled out the Keaton mask. Without a word, he stuck it on Zelda's face.
"Hey, what—!" Her protests were muffled instantly. She was getting tired of this. Finally standing up, she tore the bright yellow thing off her face and shot a questioning look down at the boy. The grin on his face was replaced by a puzzled frown.
"Link, what are you really doing here?" The no-nonsense tone of her voice seemed to prompt Link to stand up and face her. He dusted off his tunic, even though the grass stains blended perfectly with the fabric.
"... To see you... What's wrong?"
"Look, I'm grateful or what you did for me and for Hyrule, but shouldn't you go back to where you came from before all that?
"Go back but... I..."
"Why do you keep coming back here? Those guards—how do they never catch you!? This is—" Her rant was cut off when Link took both of her hands in his own and smiled brightly at her.
"Well the real reason is... Princess... I love you!" Link's skin was a harsh red up to the tips of his ears. The princess mirrored the blush, despite herself. Suddenly she wasn't so angry at him anymore. What she felt now could only be described as... Pity. After all, Link was a ten year old boy. He didn't know what love was. At ten years old herself and being a girl, Zelda boasted a much wider knowledge of the idea. Obviously girls were far more mature when it came to matters of the heart, no matter the occasion.
"That's... Nice..." she answered slowly.
"Uh... Nice? But..." Link searched her face for some reasoning, but Zelda pulled her hands away roughly. A bubble of combating emotions flooded in Link's eyes. It only made her feel worse for what she was about to say next.
"Link, I'm sorry, but... I barely know you. You don't really know me. There's no way you actually love me." She tried to brush it off as a joke, to ease the awkward tension away. She knew the boy would cry soon. It was all she could do to prepare herself for it. But... Instead of crying, Link smirked suddenly. This caught her off guard. At her perplexed expression, the boy seemed to feel the need to explain himself.
"I forget sometimes that you don't remember all the stuff we went through... After all, time was kind of rewound afterwards. I've been jumping through time a lot these days."
"Huh?"
"Eh... Its hard to explain... But I do know you, Princess." He was talking as if he were much older. The twelve-year-old face looking back at her and the words coming out of it were a stark contrast to each other.
"It looks like I'll just have to make you fall for me again." Link faced her, determination glinting in those sky blue eyes. Zelda blinked at him. Had she heard that right? Where were the tears of rejection? She tried to say something, but the words buried in the back of her throat were battling between protests and more confusion. The scene was mocking somehow, as Link stood there declaring this to her with rabbit ears on his head.
"Y-yeah well... You can forget it! There is no again! I'd never fall for you, one time or another," Zelda finally whined. The slight sputtering in her voice wasn't making her weak words sound any more convincing. Link was already beside himself, grinning like a madman. She could practically see the clockwork makings of a scheme bustling through his head.
"I won't stop trying! Don't worry, you'll see! " Seeing this as the closing part of their conversation, Link sped off at a pace that left Zelda's head spinning. Just what was wrong with that kid anyway? Make her fall for him? More like make her sick of him. Zelda scoffed aloud. Clenching her fists at her sides she headed back to the little raised platform in the courtyard. She couldn't help but wonder just what that little hero was going to do...
xXx
If she was expecting to Link to forget about his declaration, the idea was dashed by the boy popping up in her life at least once every week. It didn't matter where or when, he would just sort of show up. While some small part of Zelda found the stubborn behavior cute, the bigger half of her found it annoying. Zelda's father caught on to their little game after a few months of finding little gifts meant for his daughter around the yards and even inside the castle walls.
"My dear... he called to her one day from his writing desk, Link has been getting better at sneaking in lately. Do you know anything about this?" He chuckled dryly. Zelda blanched at the questioning look in his eyes.
"It's really just a phase he's going through, Father... I'm sure he'll stop eventually."
"You are wise beyond your years, Zelda... We are lucky its just Link, and not something more dangerous... Just in case, I may need to change some of our security measurements."
"Please do. Anything to keep him out of here—"
"Zelda... I can't help but wonder... You don't have any feelings for the boy do you? "
"WH-what!? No! No, of course not!" her face burned a horrible shade of crimson, "He's just a little menace! " The king of Hyrule looked down at her, his chin turned in a way that made him look tired. There was the slightest hint of mischief in the far reaches of his serious gaze. He motioned for Zelda to come closer, the way he did when he was about to tell her a bed time story. The young girl took a seat on his lap, and he put a warm hand on her back.
"My dear, have I ever told you about the day I left home?" The sudden shift in topic made Zelda blink a few times. She sighed, preparing for what was sure to be a long story.
"No... "
"I left home to see the world, and feel Din's fine earth beneath my boots. I traveled all over Hyrule to find my place in the world. So the first thing I did was venture off to the castle."
"But surely they didn't let you in?"
"Of course not. But, I met an amazing young lady right there in the market place. After that day, I went back there almost every day to see her. I didn't even know I'd been with the princess of Hyrule all that time."
"My Mother snuck out of the castle? To play in the market place? What a thing for a princess to do!"
"Of course, she was always spirited. As time went on, I grew to love her more and more each day. I wanted to propose to her, but it was forbidden by the king. So, I was banished."
"Father... They banished you for being in love? That's horrible! That's—"
"It was alright, my dear. I wouldn't have challenged the crown, but I loved your mother ardently. So I sought out the Great Fairy that was said to exist at the peak of Death Mountain..."
"You were going to use fairy magic?"
"That was my plan. But I never made it that far... On the pathway there, I saw a struggle taking place. Three dodongos had escaped the caverns, and one brave young Goron was fighting them off. Back then, Gorons despised Hylians going into their turf. But this Goron needed help, and without thinking about it, I jumped right into the battle beside him. We threw bomb fruits into the beasts mouths until all of them were history. Today, that Goron and I are sworn brothers. We two are the link that connects our races. He even offered me a place to stay at the Goron City."
"Why didn't you?"
"I wanted nothing more than to return to your mother."
"But... You were banished..."
"Your mother was clever, my dear. My travels took me near and far, from Death Mountain to Zora's domain. All the time I was away, your mother went to the Temple of Time to pray to the Goddesses that our union be permitted. And wouldn't you know it, it seems as though the gracious Goddesses of the Triforce are romantics themselves. They gave her their blessing."
"Really? Just like that? My mother must have been very good in their eyes."
"Of course. Word was sent to me that the King had changed his mind, and I was once again welcome in the kingdom. It was proven that your mother and I were connected by the Goddesses themselves."
"That's beautiful..." Zelda stared down into her lap as the story unfolded in her mind's eye. What would it be like to love someone so hopelessly? She couldn't help but notice the parallels to her own situation with Link. He had gone through countless perils, all at her request. He never asked for anything in return. Maybe she had underestimated him...
"You and Link... are also connected in a way that no one else on this earth will ever understand. Two pieces of the Triforce found their way to their destined guardians." He took her small hand in his own larger one, brushing a thumb along the shining gold triangle imbued within her very skin.
"Maybe you are right," he continued softly, "and it is just a phase that Link is going through. But you never really know what another person is feeling until you go through it yourself. I know the workings of a young man's heart well enough to tell you this. Link is going to be a man one day. There is nothing quite like a stubborn young man to make a father worry about his daughter. That's why I want you to listen to me now, Zelda... Don't lead him on. It will only make it that much harder for him to be able to let you go."
"I never thought about it that way... but Father, I'm not leading him on! He's the one being a pest!"
"Then perhaps you will have nothing to worry about, my dear. Just be careful."
"You know I'm careful, Father!" The old king nodded, and Zelda took this as a sign of confidence in her. She wouldn't let herself be swept away with ideals of romance—
"Hiya, Princess!" The new voice made Zelda fly away from her father's chair with a high-pitched yelp. When she was safely on the ground again panting, she figured it out. There was Link, grinning at her like always as he came out from his latest hiding place.
"Link, my boy, you got her good that time," the king laughed right along with the hero. Zelda was beside herself. Of course they would be in on it together. The king adored Link. (Well, he only adored him when there wasn't a potential romance blossoming between the hero and his daughter.) Fed up with the both of them, Zelda set off down the red carpeted hallway with a loud huff. However, Link was at her heels like a cucco chick following its mother.
"You're not still mad, are you, Princess?" He had the nerve to ask , still holding back the last bit of his own laughter. She groaned loudly.
"Obviously! This is ridiculous. What's the point, if even my father won't throw you out?"
"Well... If it makes you feel any better, Impa usually does kick me out when she catches me." Ah there were the Goddesses showing their blessed mercy on the princess of Hyrule. "Anyway, I'm here for a reason today." Link finished. Zelda stopped, turning to face him with an air of annoyance.
"And that reason is?"
"Your birthday is coming up, right? Obviously, I'm going to get you something. So I wanted a few ideas!" He beamed. So this reason... Was basically the same as it had always been.
"Ugh—don't trouble yourself. I don't want anything from you."
"Hmm... Well... I guess I'll just have to surprise you then!"
"Whatever you say, Link." She said this mockingly, hoping it would hurt his feelings enough that he would just leave. If anything, it seemed to heighten his determination. He nodded his head vigorously, pumping a fist into the air.
"Yeah! I'll do something so cute that you'll definitely fall for me!"
"Good luck with that, Mr. Hero."
"Oh! I was going to ask to make sure, but... Is it okay if... Can I call you Zelda?" Link's cheerful demeanor was quick to change. He was still smiling of course, but now there was a faraway kind of twinkle in the depths of his eyes. Zelda turned her gaze to the side. She didn't like the way her heartbeat had sped up.
"I suppose... It wouldn't hurt anything if you called me by my name..."
"Really!? Wow, thanks! I'll see you on your birthday, Zelda!" He tested her name on his tongue as if it were a musical note. With a spirited wink, Link flipped himself out of the nearest open window. Zelda was about to call after him don't, you'll get hurt! However, the streak of green running across the yard confirmed that he was just fine. Zelda sighed. Was that 'surprise' of his something to look forward to or something to fear?
xxx
"Hark! Fair maiden, I call out to you— oops—I mean, to thee!" Oh no. What in Hylia's name was he doing!? It was bright and early on the morning of the princess's birthday. So early that the cucco's hadn't crowed yet, and the sun was still a halfway hidden ball of orange in the far distance. Zelda sat up in bed, rubbing the sleep from her burning eyes. She saw Impa chuckling quietly to herself over by the window. Leaping to her bare feet, Zelda rushed to the open window, poking her head out into the chilly morning air. When Link saw her face, he offered a tiny wave up to her window. There was a little creature beside him, wearing orange and green leaf clothes of the forest and a little white skull mask hiding its face. The little creature was lightly blowing into a little flute to create a lulling sort of song. Meanwhile, Link had his ocarina out, lifting it to his lips in preparation. He looked over to his friend, who nodded, and they began to play a song together.
This had to be the cheesiest...
"Isn't that sweet, your highness?" Impa glanced at her with a smile. The princess flushed, unable to take her eyes off of what was going on down below. Link's skill on the ocarina wasn't exactly the best, but he was definitely improving since the last time she had heard him play. She wasn't quite sure why, but the song they were playing together reminded her of the forest... She found herself relaxed by the simple melody... Until she realized that she was supposed to be passive towards the hero. Surely the guards would spot him but where were they? This was getting more and more embarrassing as time went on.
"I can't take it anymore!" The princess threw her hands in the air, rushing to dress herself. With the haste of an angry cucco, she set about darting downstairs as quickly as her feet could carry her. Only when she reached the bottom did she realize that she'd forgotten her bonnet. Her golden blonde hair was left long and completely uncovered. With not a second to fix the mistake, she made her way to the courtyard where the concert was still in session even without her gaze from the high window.
"Good morning, Zelda! Did you like your present?" Link called out in his sunniest tone of voice. Without a word, Zelda roughly gripped the green fabric of his tunic and dragged him off behind a large white wall.
"What is the matter with you!? T-the guards could have heard that. My father even... Ugh!" She shouted up at the air at the fact that Link hadn't stopped giggling since she'd dragged him off.
"Ow okay, okay! Truce!" He held up his hands when she prepared to scold him again. Zelda reeled back, forced herself to calm down. This was not very lady-like. She was more angry at herself than at Link now. The boy gave her a little longer to calm down. Then he tipped his head to the side to see her face past her loose blonde hair.
"Do you love me, yet?"
"No," she said through her teeth. Despite the harsh word, she said it with a twisted grin. The absurdity of the question was suddenly the funniest thing she'd ever heard.
"No? Aw deku nuts..."
"Are you going to give up then?"
"Nope. I'll just have to try even harder!" Zelda quirked a brow at him. To her surprise, perhaps to her chagrin, there was still a dopey grin slapped across the boy's puffy red cheeks. His eyes still had a bright kind of glow to them that only existed for a boy in love with an impossible idea. Link wasn't deterred even the slightest by her constant rejections. He would pout for a few seconds, and bounce right back into his unexplained cheerfulness. Zelda sighed, actually feeling content with the boy at the moment. The little jumps in his steps made him look a bit like a rabbit. No wonder the large yellow ears fit him so well. The thought drew out a chuckle from the young girl.
Okay... Maybe Link wasn't completely bad... But the princess was confident the two of them would never be more than friends.