Oathkeeper

Chapter the First

Yeah, I'm writing for Legend of Zelda now. This fic takes place after The Ocarina of Time, and is AU.

Oathkeeper

Ganondorf had finally been sealed away, and Zelda was speaking to Link.

"Thank you, Link… Thanks to you, Ganondorf has been sealed inside the Evil Realm! Thus, peace will once again reign in this world… for a time. All the tragedy that has befallen Hyrule was my doing… I was so young… I could not comprehend the consequences of trying to control the Sacred Realm. I dragged you into it, too. Now it is time for me to make up for my mistakes… You must lay the Master Sword to rest and close the Door of Time… However, by doing this, the road between times will be closed… Link, give the Ocarina to me… As a Sage, I can return you to your original time with it."

By this point, Zelda was almost in tears. However, Link looked hesitant to return the Ocarina of Time to her. Just as Zelda was about to plead with him again, she heard Link speak for the first time she knew of.

"While I want to return, my lady… I can't. I have too many promises to keep. And while you could very easily send me back to before I made them, I would still remember, even if nobody else would. It would feel… wrong, as if I were cheating. I'm sorry, Princess Zelda, but I think… I must insist on keeping the Ocarina of Time, for a while. I hope you can understand my perspective, Princess."

While she made certain not to show half of it, Zelda was overjoyed. Perhaps she could be with her champion after all! But then… "I understand, Link. But if I may ask, exactly what promises are keeping you here?"

Link thought for a moment before he replied. "The Gorons, the Kokiri, and Hyrule Castle Town are all devastated. As the sworn brother of Darunia, leader of the Gorons, it's my responsibility to help them rebuild. And Kokiri Village is my hometown. I have to help get things back to the way they were before Ganondorf's interference. And don't take all the blame yourself for what Ganondorf's done the past seven years. Even if it was on your orders, I'm still the one who opened the Door of Time and allowed him into the Sacred Realm. So I have to help rebuild Hyrule Castle Town as well. Also, Impa asked me to help her put a stronger seal on the well in Kakariko Village, and I also made a deal with Nabooru of the Gerudo seven years ago. And then…"

At this point, Link awkwardly looked off to the side and finished, "I'm engaged to marry Princess Ruto of the Zora tribe."

The entire universe stopped for about three seconds so that Zelda could process that information.

As she tried to rein in her emotions, the princess of Hyrule did a remarkable goldfish impression while trying to think of something to say that would seem neutral, as she was expected to be.

"Hm. That's… That's… really something, Link. If you don't mind my asking, how did it happen?"

Link, still looking off to the side, answered, "In exchange for being given the Spiritual Stone of Water, I had to agree to one day marry Princess Ruto. The battle against Ganondorf took priority, of course, but soon, I'll have to keep my promise."

Curiosity getting the best of her, Zelda asked, "So then… do you love her?"

Not expecting the question, Link was caught off-guard – something rare indeed."I… don't think so. No, not yet. But I think… that one day, I will learn to, yes."

Zelda was almost heartbroken all over again, but pulled herself together and soldiered on through it, saying, "I… I think I understand how you feel, Link. If you ever need anything from me, don't hesitate to ask."

Link, ever the hero, smiled and countered, "Princess, I'm the one who should be telling you that."

Then, in an uncharacteristic display of emotion, he embraced her in a near bone-crushing hug. "Remember that even though I'm going to marry Ruto, I will always be your friend. No matter what happens, I'll be around to help. After all, I'm the Hero of Time."