He'd been here before not long ago, but it had only been for a while. Months ago there were more pressing issues to be dealt with. When he looked back at those memories there wasn't really anything he remembered about the locations he'd gone to. Everything felt so vague and not worth remembering since during his travels, there was really just one thing on his mind. Her.
The last time he'd been here was brief, he had only come here to complete that one goal and left immediately to tame the other divine beasts. It was like having tunnel vision. He blocked out everything around him and hadn't given much thought to anything or anyone for that matter, except his one goal. He tried to complete his mission has soon as possible. She had spent 100 years waiting for him, fighting against the Calamity with all her might and all because of his failure to protect her. When he regained the memories of what had happened, and who she was he swore he would never let her down again.
His visit to Zora's Domain was under different circumstances now. His tunnel vision was gone and now he could appreciate the surroundings he had ignored before. The domain shone bright even though it was probably almost midnight. They had arrived a couple of hours ago, it had been a long travel. The glass columns illuminated around him with blue undertones. It made him feel serene. It had been so long since he'd felt this calm.
He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath and held it in. It filled his lungs and he felt his heartbeat through his ears. Everything felt weightless as if he had lost a hundred pounds in one night. His burden had been lifted and it was because Hyrule was no longer in danger.
Everyone would be safe.
The princess would be safe.
He let out his breath and opened his eyes.
There weren't anymore threats to face, he and Zelda had saved Hyrule. No more deaths or people in danger. Everything would be okay and the kingdom would flourish. Then why did he feel sad?
An inevitable frown crept its way to his face as he looked at the statue before him. They had perfectly managed to capture the soft expression she had always worn. He wished he could remember more about the Zora Princess. She'd been so kind to him. She never doubted his skills even for a second and... that was it. That was all he could remember about her.
He stared into her face.
She had also loved him deeply, he could feel it through the memories they shared. The way she spoke to him and in the way she acted around him. Her father had also confirmed this.
He furrowed his eyebrows at her statue.
Did himself from 100 years ago know about her feelings?
What if she told him all those years ago… what did he respond?
Questions started to plague his mind, there was so much he still couldn't remember. He felt himself grow impatient. He stared desperately at her as if her statue would somehow give him the answers to his doubts.
His thought were interrupted when he suddenly heard something shift behind him. Link immediately unsheathed his sword, turned around and got into his fighting stance.
Then his muscles relaxed when he saw who it was.
"Forgive me, princess" he said and hastily put away his sword, "I'm still used to-"
"I understand," Zelda interrupted.
All the monsters that had once swarmed the land died away with Ganon. He knew that but now he was so accustomed to always be on guard. Always prepared for an eminent attack. It would be hard to grow out of that habit.
She frowned.
"Is there something you need, princess?" He asked.
Seeing Zelda at this hour was the last thing he expected.
The trip from Hyrule Castle to Zora's Domain had been a long one and not once did she complain about how exhausted she was. When he set up camp, Zelda would remain awake and stare at the fire the whole night. Sometimes she began trembling but he couldn't figure out if it was from the cold or something else. Link tried to ask her about it but she just smiled to dismiss his worries answering 'I'm fine.' or something along the lines.
"No, there isn't anything." she shook her head, "I just… when I woke up you were gone."
"I'm sorry." he answered.
Zelda smiled.
"She's beautiful isn't she?" she said.
At first he didn't know who she was referring but then he saw her walk up to the statue that was origin to most of his troubles.
The princess smiled sadly.
"She didn't deserve an early death, neither did the champions." she said more to herself than to Link. "I wish they were all still here. We could celebrate our victory together."
He agreed silently with a nod.
Even if he wanted to, there was nothing he could say. His oath didn't permit him to.
They stood there in silence, admiring the statue before them. None of them spoke but at least he was thankful that the silence wasn't an awkward one. Instances like these were common for Link, he wasn't the most outspoken person. When he spoke to people he would respond with a nod or with short words, leaving the person he spoke with with nothing to respond. He couldn't blame them, it was hard to maintain a conversation with him and he knew that. Zelda didn't seem to mind this about him.
She just accepted the way he was and joined him in silence so we wouldn't feel pressured to speak.
Now that she thought about it, she didn't care about any of Link's flaws. She was just glad he was here with her and they were both alive.
No one would ever experience what they had been through. Impa and Purah were the only ones who had lived 100 years and yet they would never be able understand their pain. They were alone and only had each other. That was why Zelda was here looking for Link in the first place. She panicked when she woke up and noticed he had left. She'd been alone for so long that she felt scared to lose that company.
She would never confess this to Link and for many reasons. One was the fact that he was her knight. She could never burden him with her troubles like that. He hadn't willingly accepted the duty to be her appointed knight. Her father had chosen him for her and he there wasn't much he could do other than oblige.
She didn't even know if he enjoyed his duty, so she tried to make it easy for him and not share personal matters.
The second reason was one she didn't want to acknowledge, although it stood right in front of her and not in a figurative way. The second reason was literally standing in front of her and Link.
'How much does he remember about her?' the princess thought to herself.
Out of all the places he could be at she found him here. This shouldn't surprise her as much but it did. It made her heart ache.
Zelda shook her head, trying to shake off the feeling.
She couldn't think about herself right now, not after everything Link had done for Hyrule. He had sacrificed so much already, there was no way she could ask him for more. She would repay him for his efforts, but how? What would Link want as a reward?
She would find out eventually.
"Well," Zelda started, "I just wanted to know if you were okay. I'll... be returning to the guests chambers."
Link nodded again "I will escort you there."
"I don't mind walking alone." she shook her head at his answer.
"It is my duty." he insisted.
Zelda frowned.
"Of course." she said emptily.
She started to make her way to the room king Dorephan had kindly let her borrow and Link followed shortly behind. When she arrived she opened the door.
"I'll guard your door for the night." he informed her.
"All right. I bid you goodnight." Zelda said not turning back to look at him.
She entered her door and locked it shut. Zelda started to get ready for bed when she stopped to notice her reflexion in the mirror. She was still wearing her white dress.
'I really should get new clothes.' she thought to herself.
It was stained everywhere and started to rip in the edges. It was in terrible conditions, there was no way this could be fixed. She sighed, realizing that inevitably she would have to part from it. Her vision turned to the small table that was situated in the corner of the room. There lay one of Link's green tunics.
That would do for now at least.
Zelda took off her dress and changed into the green garb. It felt soft and smelled nice, like someone had recently washed it. After combing her hair and tying it into a braid, she got under the covers and closed her eyes.
She felt so exhausted that she didn't even realize when she started dreaming…
A knock woke her up the next morning. Zelda rubbed her eyes open and yawned.
She looked out of the window, the sun had barely risen. The sky was still tinted in dark blues and red. She had slept well but she really wished she could just sleep a little longer.
The knocks came again but this time more loudly.
'Someone sounds desperate.' she thought to herself.
"I'm coming!" she said and got out of bed.
Zelda ran her fingers through her hair and combed it as best she could and opened the door. Link wore a worried expression, his fists clenched at his sides.
"What's going on?" she asked.
Link took in a deep breath.
"King Dorephan he…" he paused, trying to find the right words, "He was attacked. Muzu has been arrested for treason and murder."
Zelda felt here eyes widen. She must have heard wrong.
"Murder?" she asked quietly.
Link averted her gaze.
"The king was pronounced dead this morning."