A/N: After so many months and years of kicking the can down the road, it feels good to finally resolve to sit down and get back to writing. I've always felt that the characters from A Friend in Need and the Festival of the Golden Land still needed just one more story, and now I'm finally going to start it. Reading those two fics first is highly recommended, but if you want to start here anyway just know that the character Nick is a childhood friend of Tetra and a historian who specializes in Ancient Hyrule while Sophia is an overly optimistic homeless girl who Tetra took onto her ship. Otherwise, please enjoy.

It was a quiet day in the budding kingdom of New Hyrule, but those who knew its inner workings would have instead described it as the calm before the storm. One of the signs of its approach came in the arrival of a certain young man at the gates of the castle. He was somewhat well dressed with the early autumn breeze rushing through his bushy brown hair, and of a high enough authority that the guards let him in without and argument. A voice could be heard informing those in charge of his arrival. As he walked through the sturdy doors to the grand hallway he silent reread the note that he had received three days prior.

"Dear Nick, the moment we've been waiting for is now only weeks away. Please come back to the castle for a special celebration of the prosperous future that awaits - Your friend, Link."

After six strenuous months in assisting with the development of New Hyrule's outer reaches, Nick had returned to the center of the young nation where the founders of this growing kingdom were now reconverging once more in anticipation and celebration of the upcoming birth if the royal throne's first true heir. For the historian, walking through those gates and making his way through the extravagant halls where the guards and staff bowed to extend their welcome to him gave a sense that this was a day burned into his very destiny itself, but, above all that, when he actually took hold of the doorknob to enter the chamber when the duo chosen by fate were waiting, it was all about being there for a friend who had changed his life in her greatest moment.

He opened the doors to reveal the bedroom where the princess was awaiting his arrival and she was not alone. Her hero and lover Link was at one side off her while their other longtime friend, Sophia, was at the other.

Link had worked his way well up the social ladder in the dozen or so years since his journey began. He carried himself with a level of poise that those who knew him as a child found almost hard to believe. His innocent charm hadn't dissipated, but he had also developed a heroic charisma all his own that served him well as the husband to the queen and head of the New Hyrulean military.

Sophia had also come into her own quite nicely. Her time as a downtrodden outcast were far behind her. She had now come out of her shell as the essence of elegant femininity and an invaluable asset to the crew she had joined eight years prior. In particular, she had worked had to smooth out Tetra's rougher edges to enable her to function at her best as both royalty and a leader.

"Nick!" they all seemed to notice him simultaneously.

"I have to admit I might've missed the whole thing if you hadn't sent out that message," Nick hung up his jacket, "With all the traveling I do, it's really easy to lose track of time," he greeted them.

"How are things in the outskirts," the queen inquired, "I've unfortunately had to limit my travel as of late."

"Anouki village is quite a fascinating place, and the Tower of Spirits seems to be hiding this land's own incredible lore," he replied, "Anjean says hi, by the way."

"I'm so glad you made it, Nick!" she welcomed him back, "I couldn't imagine having to do this without you."

"I appreciate it," he nodded.

"Your words say that, but your face and tone suggest otherwise," Tetra frowned. "You don't have to get stiff about this, Nick. Enjoy yourself here."

"I'm trying, but I'm just not the sort that's good at getting super emotional like these two over here," he explained, "This whole thing is a bit surreal to me. I've never had any siblings so this whole thing is a new experience for me. I'm just fishing for the right way to express how I feel."

"Lighten up. What's so surreal here? It's just us starting the kingdom and family we've always dream of." she smiled.

"Yeah, but it's just that I left pretty much right after I learned that you were expecting," he recalled nervously, "And now I'm with you again and seeing how you've... developed."

"Oh, of course," Tetra chuckled, "You haven't gotten a good look at my dashing new physique yet."

Tetra adjusted herself on the bed so that the reason for this private gathering would be on even more prominent display. The journey to this undiscovered land had changed all of them, but none among them would argue that it wasn't Tetra that had changed the most of all. While she could be just as wild and stubborn as ever, seeing the world and taught her the importance of being more open and trusting of others. Her softer side wasn't something she fought to hide anymore but accepted as part of who she is as both a pirate captain and monarch. It was this new acceptance that finally pushed her to say yes when Link finally asked to take her as his wife. She also managed to open herself up to him in a few other ways and the results were showing quite clearly not even a year later. Tetra was not only now eight months pregnant, but she was happily flaunting her fertility with Link and Sophia sitting beside her, taking their time to admire her glow.

"I certainly can't believe that you haven't seen a pregnant woman before. What's with the weird face?" she raised a curious eyebrow.

"I have, sure, but I never envisioned it in my head that you'd get this much larger. " he made an uncharacteristically tactless remark, "It's almost amazing, really."

"Nick! That's rude even for you!" Link objected, also knowing how much her potential for moodiness had grown as well.

"It's fine," Tetra took his observation surprisingly matter-of-factly, "To be honest, I've thought the same thing myself at times."

"Come on, Tetra. You aren't that big," Link disagreed.

"Link, you haven't been around while I've been shopping for my maternity wardrobe, Yes, I am."

"It's not just sheer size but how you're proportioned, and you've grown in all the right places," Sophia interjected. "Sure, you grew surprisingly big for a girl your size, but, because you have no excess fat, all your growth has been smooth and uniform. After the baby comes, you should definitely be able to burn off the rest of the weight naturally. The shopkeepers all thought you looked wonderful, and I do too."

"Please, please, don't misunderstand me," Tetra ran her hands along her abdomen, "I'm proud of how my body has changed these past several months. I want the world to know that we've got a healthy, beautiful baby on board here. Especially those such as you guys who have poured so much of you time and energy into nurturing it one way or another. The extra weight is nothing compared to that."

"Well, it's a message that I've gotten loud and clear," Nick respectfully lowered his head, "I'm struggling for the right way to reciprocate this."

"I know what'll help!" Sophia spoke up, "You should show him how the little one is coming along after he's been away for so long."

"That sounds nice" Tetra consented, "It could use a bit of fresh air."

Reaching down, Tetra pulled the loose gown she had been wearing up and over her head drawing looks of awe from those around her when she exposed her shapely stomach from underneath. With Sophia's encouragement, Tetra developed an affinity for clothing that accentuated her bump, but now she was lying on her queen size bed in only tube-top and flexible pants that left her blooming belly completely out in the open. The degree of tan that the skin around her rotund stomach showed that she had no qualms about acquainting her unborn child with the light of the sun.

"Oh goodness, Zelda!" Sophia gushed, "It's absolutely gorgeous. You've got just the right shape, not a mark out of place on it and that popped out belly button is adorable.

"I appreciate your kindness so much, Sophia. I never thought I could make the pregnancy look work for me, but you went above and beyond with your advisement on fashion and personal care and taught me to love this pregnant body as much as I do now," Tetra beamed with a motherly aura.

"Trust me, Zelda. This is by far the most beautiful baby bump I've ever seen. We simply must do those maternity pictographs I was telling you about," she gave it an affectionate rub.

"Sounds like a date," Tetra took up her offer.

"It really is a sight to behold," Link cozied up next to Tetra and added his hand as well, "It's so incredible to think about how that's actually my kid in there. My little girl. Just a few more weeks."

"Just don't get so excited when you see her that you immediately try to get to work on the next one."

"Of course, but I'll definitely be ready the moment you are."

"What about you Nick?" Tetra focused on him once more, "I'm sure you've got your own choice words lined up for me."

"T-Tetra, y-you..." he began fumbling over his speech as he gazed upon her.

"Come on. Let me have it," Tetra egged him on, "I wouldn't be baring myself like this if I weren't prepared for all your quips and nicknames. If I were in your shoes, I think I'd go for the beached whale comparison."

"Honestly. I don't really have much of an idea of what to say here," he worked up the nerve and join the trio on the bed, "I think back to when we were kids and to see you like this now and it's just... woah."

"Aw, really?"

"This look just suits you phenomenally, Tetra," he continued, "You may not expect it, but this sort of stuff actually does get me a bit emotional. I think of everything I've been through this last dozen or so years, and it's as if a tremendous weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. I now feel like everything that I've been through up until now was all so I could see you carry and give life to this baby."

"If that's how you feel, it's definitely mutual. Despite some rough spots, this pregnancy has been the greatest miracle of my life, and I'm so thankful you to be a part of this with me," she took his hand into hers.

"Then again, it'd be odd for me not to feel a great deal lighter after getting a good look at you right now," he finally reverted to form.

"There we go, That's the lovable jackass I wanted to be with me for my special moment," Tetra let out a laugh and patted her belly, "Now come here. These two have already spent hours with it, so it's only fair to offer you some time with the baby too."

"Really? Like how?"

"Come on and take a feel. I promise not to bite... hard."

"Okay, but I really have no experience with this," he slowly moved in, "Let me know if you're feeling uncomfortable."

With a light yank on his wrist, she guided his hand right to the center of her stomach as the other two retreated to allow him some space. A jolt ran up his arm the moment he made contact with her skin.

"Wow, that's really something. It's so warm and surprisingly soft yet firm," Nick began to rub her abdomen gently,

"I know," Link laughed," It's been great to heat up my hands on during those colder nights."

"I like to think of it as a crystal ball and make wishes on it," Sophia added.

"Then I could definitely use a nice, new watch," Nick took her suggestion with a wide, circular rub.

Tetra giggled at the memories as Nick eased into the mood and drew in closer to her stomach.

"I know that none of you envisioned yourselves being involved in the rebirth of a long-lost civilization when you first met me, so I just want to say again that I can't thank you enough for all of the support," she expressed her gratitude.

"It means so much to hear you say that, but I feel almost unworthy of it," he lowered his head, "I know I'm a wise-ass, but it's different this time. Not to brag or anything, but I've known you longer than anyone in this room right now. We played kickball together. You've been like a sister to me. Seeing you now, fully grown, ready to be a mother, and carrying the first full-fledged heir to the Hyrulean Throne in centuries. It's honestly a bit overwhelming to me."

Tetra was not accustomed to such poetic displays of emotion from the snarky scholar, so she immediately grasped how personally invested he had become in this which is what she was hoping for an extended an arm to pull him into her completely as he was still hesitating a bit.

"Don't feel like you have to keep your distance from me Nick. Lend an ear and take a listen to the life we've nourished."

With a little further guidance, Tetra coaxed him into resting his head on her navel where he finally seemed to drop his guard fully to nuzzle up with her blossoming belly. His mess of hair tickled her skin as he sunk into the sounds of the life within her that even seemed to respond to his presence with a couple of playful jabs.

"Did I just feel it moving?" Nick asked, still unfamiliar with the sensations involved with unborn children.

"You sure did," she confirmed, "Just as she has been doing since you first opened the door. She'll respond if I tell her that Daddy, Uncle Gonzo, or Auntie Sophia are nearby, but she always seems to know when she's about to make a new friend. Especially with all that we've already told her about you."

"I swear to you that it's the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth," Link chuckled.

"I'm sure it is," Nick started to crack a smile, "So how much of what I'm hearing is the baby and how much of it is you?"

"Yeah, that gurgling is me. I'm getting kind of hungry," Tetra blushed lightly

"You should've said so from the start, Zelda," Sophia readied herself to jump into action, "We've still got some of that roasted Octorok left over from earlier."

"Octorok?!" Nick laughed, "What else are you shoveling down your gullet these days."

"Shut up! I didn't ask for these cravings!" Tetra spat.

"Yeah, but a lot of it is for stuff I didn't even know people considered edible," Link commented.

"We've been to islands where cats are considered a delicacy!" Tetra defended herself.

"Hey, in holding you up from whatever poor creature you plan to feast on next," Nick started to lift his head before Tetra stopped him.

"Please, there's no need to rush on my account, " she pulled him back in, "Food can wait. I want to make sure this is a moment you can always cherish. Your first time hearing the heartbeat of your godchild."

"My what?!" he immediately shot his head back up.

"It's the entire reason I called you and Sophia to this particular gathering here today," Tetra announced, "She's already accepted, but we want you to be the one to take the mantle of this child's godfather."

"Me? Wouldn't someone like Mako or Nudge be better for this? They're a bit more responsible than I am."

"There are too many things I want her to learn that she would only pick up from you. I expect you to pass on more than a few unhealthy habits, but you'll also pass along the traits that have made you indispensable to me."

The two continued this highly personal exchange by locking into eye contact with one another as if continuing the conversation through telepathy. After about fifteen seconds Nick finally allowed himself to breath.

"Alright," he exhaled, "Even after all these years, you still love throwing me in over my head."

"I wouldn't keep doing it if you didn't rise to the occasion every time," Tetra hugged him back into her belly, "Now offer up some words to your future goddaughter. She's been waiting a long time to hear your voice."

"Based on the conversations so far, I take it that you already know that it's a girl," Nick again took listen of her little life.

"You bet, Our little Zelda. For all the old traditions that we'll buck and the new ones we'll forge, you've convinced me that that's one worth keeping. A name to echo throughout history alongside the hero's."

"Another Princess Zelda, huh?" Nick even started to whisper into her stomach, "You're going to be a Zelda unlike any other."

"Damn straight," Tetra nodded and ran her hands through her friend's hair as he forged his own bond with her child.

The other two came in to offer their own words of encouragement and offer a hand to feel the movement of the child who was really squirming around now. Through all of this, the atmosphere had become so serene that Nick was on the verge of falling asleep with his head on Tetra's belly with the exhaustion of his hasty journey catching up to him.

"Looks like someone's worked himself too hard again, as usual," she noted, "Is my stomach that comfortable. I wouldn't know since it's always everyone else lying on top of it."

"Yeah, it's pretty nice," he murmured.

"Seriously though, this thing is heavy enough without you sleeping on it," Tetra playfully complained

"Oh! Sorry about that!" Nick realized how close he was drifting on the edge on consciousness and pulled himself up before he could go over completely.

"Hey, no need to run off. I was only messing with you. Link passes out on top of my belly all the time," Tetra grinned, "I won't hold a short nap against you."

"It's the comfiest pillow I've ever slept on," the hero reaffirmed to his wife with a thumbs-up.

"This really is wonderful, but I have some other work I want to get done before I really get too comfortable," Nick took his jacket off of the hanger.

"Still an incurable workaholic I see," Tetra shrugged, "But you've got a lot of catching up to do. You're welcome to spend time with our little girl here whenever and however you wish,"

"It's an offer I definitely intend to take you up on once I get my reports to the other people who need them," Nick let himself out of the room.

"And I'll go fetch those Octorok leftovers," Sophia excused herself with Link following in pursuit right behind her.

Nick was making his way to the castle exit but not before he was caught by Link and Sophia giving chase.

"Before you go, you do know that we're all holding a baby shower for Tetra this weekend, right?" Link inquired.

"Yeah, I heard," Nick affirmed, "I hurried to make sure I wouldn't miss it."

"But beyond that we were also planning to make sure those of us in the original crew brought Tetra an extra special present just for her," Sophia added, "At this moment more than any other, we want her to know how important and how much she means to all of us. We're all going to present our gifts together so make sure you have something."

"That's plenty of time for me to get ready, and I agree that it's something we all owe her," Nick consented, "Trust me. I'll get her something so special she'll treasure it until the day she dies."

"Any less and I'll be severely disappointed," Link waved a finger at him as he finally departed the castle. Once the historian was gone, Link had to turn to admit to Sophia, "If only I weren't still clueless on what I want to do."

"Relax," Sophia put a hand on his shoulder, "I've still got some work to do myself, but you're closer with her than anyone. It'll come to you if you let it."

Link let out a sigh of relief as not only he, but his friends and fellow pirates all readied themselves for the greatest gift hunt of their lives. Nick sought an item that would express his gratitude to her as both the princess and his friend, Sophia yearned for an offering that showed how much it meant to now have a place to belong when she had previously had none, and Link desired a gift that would show even a fraction of the joy he felt regarding the gift she was about to deliver for him. All in all, for them it would be one that would honor the past and mark the beginning of all their futures.