I'm Falling

I. Wary

The sunshine casted exquisite shadows on the halls of the newly rebuilt castle. It had been five years since the end of the Calamity. Link and Zelda in the time since had gotten married and began to work to restore the kingdom to its former glory. The castle and Castle town were the last things to get rebuilt, and everyone was surprised at the fervor Link and Zelda took in rallying citizens to help them. They were dedicated, kind, and strong. No one objected when the day came to reinstate the throne of the Hyrulian Royal Family. In fact, the celebrations were plenty and joyous. The streets of the new Castle Town were crowded with new tenants and visitors alike. It was an optimistic time.

Queen Zelda and King Link took their rightfully earned throne. Together they worked in harmony, and the question of who was more powerful was something no one pondered. They were both on equal ground, for what one lacked in skill the other made up. It was the perfect duality, like the sun and the moon working to bless the land with life and rest.

The land welcomed them as King and Queen with open arms. They also welcomed the Royal Prince, Rhoam, Link and Zelda's four year old son. He had been born within the year of their wedding at Link's previous home in Hateno, now simply a summer home, in the dead of winter. Rhoam, who grew up with the forests and grassy fields of Hateno Village, didn't quite understand the sudden change of pace. Zelda tried to teach him certain traditions of the Hyrulian Royal Family, but nothing stuck well. This was especially so when Link also didn't take to the change of pace well. He was a great leader, but when someone called him King, he tensed and stammered.

Zelda took the role of public figure. She walked with citizens in Royal silk garb, talked to them like a diplomat, and opened her heart to them. Link preferred his usual tunics and casual trousers, which he promptly dressed Rhoam in as soon he was old enough. When Link occupied Zelda he wore his Champion's Tunic, tan Trousers, the Master Sword, and a modest diamond circlet made by Isha in Gerudo Town. He also requested her make Rhoam one to match, which she was overjoyed to do. Zelda was overcome with affection when she saw her little son look like his father, and couldn't help but coddle them both.

Despite the modesty and humility of the Royal Family, they soon became the target of a swarm of criticism. Too relaxed, too commoner, not 'royal' enough. It hurt Zelda to the core, as she and Link had sacrificed a quiet life with their son in Hateno to bring leadership back to the kingdom. When they weren't in Hateno, they were covering every corner of the land. Zelda couldn't stand the idea of a nanny, so they took their son with them everywhere. She was criticized for this after the fact.

One night in their shared chambers, Zelda brushed her hair in front of her vanity. Link finished washing his face and sat on the edge of the bed and watched her with loving eyes. After a moment of staring, he got up and walked behind her. He leaned down and kissed her neck. He hadn't been so affectionate since taking role as King. She blushed. With their haste to bring leadership to a realm, she had forgotten the loving touch of her husband. She sighed and put the brush down.

"We don't travel as much anymore," Link mumbled through her hair. "This is our home now. Let's enjoy our hard work."

"I know what you're thinking…" Zelda sighed again. "And no, we can't do that."

Link frowned. "Why not? Are you ill?"

"No. The contraceptive elixir I requested from the alchemist is not yet ready."

"Contraceptive elixir? What need do we have of that? Rhoam is our only child. Another would be a blessing."

"No, not now. Rhoam is all I need, Link. He's all I want."Zelda stood and made her way to the bed. Link followed.

"I-I suppose you're right." Link paused. "I must've just been missing the feeling of a newborn in my arms. I'm sorry, Zelda."

"I think of that sometimes too. But we're not Hateno villagers anymore. We can't act on our desires without thinking of a thousand others. We haven't been the Royal Family long. I can't bring another child into this instability."

Link furrowed his brows. "Our criticisms are my fault. I-I need to accept my role and fit myself to it. I'll dress in the garb and leave the Master Sword with the Great Deku Tree. Perhaps that will help our image."

"No!" Zelda shouted. "You will not!"

Link flinched. Zelda continued.

"If you do that, you won't be the man I married. You are the hero who beat the Calamity, you are the rightful wielder of the Master Sword. You dress like a protector because you are a protector. Should any wrongdoing infect this kingdom you'll be the first to defend it without me saying a word. I won't let this land forget that."

"What do we do to face these criticisms?"

"I'll address them." Zelda narrowed her eyes. "I'll remind them leadership is in action and not cloth and posture. We've lead this kingdom back to its former glory. It's up to us to mold the image of our family. I won't make it shallow and misleading. This is who we are."

Link wrapped his arm around her shoulder. He kissed her cheek. "Thank you, Zelda. I admire your strength. If only I could speak publicly as you do, it's something in you I find myself envying."

"Don't envy me." Zelda smiled and brushed back his hair. "If you were such a public speaker, you wouldn't be my husband."

They shared a soft kiss. When they pulled apart there was a knock at the door. Link sighed with a small smile. He rose and opened it, crouching down when he did.

"Rhoam, what did mommy and I tell you about sleeping in your own bedroom?" he said. He saw the guard at the end of the hall smile.

"T-That…" Rhoam sniffled into his blanket. "Hyrule worked hard to give me my own bedroom, so I s-should respect their h-hard work and sleep there every night."

"That's right."

"It-It's scary, daddy!"

"It's fine, Rhoam. I check it for you every night. You know I'll always protect you."

"Y-You can't protect me if we aren't in the same room!" Rhoam cried. He sobbed in the hallway, his breathing echoing throughout the corridor.

Link sighed. Before he could decide what to do next, Zelda appeared behind him.

"What's wrong, my dear Rhoam?" she asked.

"I don't want to sleep a-alone! Please, mommy! I-I'm so scared!"

Zelda scooped the boy up in her arms and took him back into their chambers. Link sighed and stood up. He shook his head. He caught sight of the guard again, who was still smiling. Link shrugged at him, which emitted a laugh from the usual stoic figure. He shut the door to their chambers again, then made his way to bed. Zelda and Rhoam were already tucked in, her smile a bright glow in the dark of the nighttime.

Link joined them. He blew out the candle at his bedside and settled in. Zelda's arm moved in a steady, calming motion over their son's hair. In a matter of minutes he was asleep.

"We can't really blame him for being anxious." Zelda sighed. "He's always slept with us."

"That was when it was a necessity. The house in Hateno could only fit one bed, and during our travels we always wanted to keep him close for safety's sake. Those things don't come to play here. He's safer now than he's ever been."

"Yes, but we can't protect him from the void or the emptiness that comes with ample space. It must be scary to him. We've always held him close at night. It confuses him that suddenly we won't do that anymore."

"He can't sleep in our bed forever."

"I know. We just have to ease him in. We're not yet used to this, I don't expect him to be."

"You're right." Link sighed. "I didn't think of it that way."

"We'll let this go on for a little while longer." Zelda nodded. "I'm still not used to the grandeur of castle living. It has been over a century since I have."

Link nodded in agreement. Zelda soon fell asleep, her arm across her son in a loving, yet almost protective gesture. Link studied their forms. He could sense Zelda's unease. Her lack of trust. It was apparent she was wary of being Queen, of having her husband as King, and her son as Prince. The stark contrast of how they were treated before and after taking the throne was a shock to them both. Perhaps they were naive. But how could they not be? They were rebuilding a kingdom from the ground up after a century. They couldn't help but be ignorant to the fact kingdoms where fickle. Link was just starting to discover that fact, but he realized Zelda already knew. That's why she always kept Rhoam within arms reach of at least one of them. They were still unstable in their newness, which made them susceptible to power grabs from the outside. Link scolded himself. He had allowed himself to let his guard down. He couldn't do that, especially with a wife and a son. He had to be ready for anything. Even if it never came in a way he might expect.


Author's Note:

Thank you for reading the beginning to my new BOTW fanfiction! I've received many kind messages of readers who wished to see more of my work, so it motivated me to start a new story. My story The Ruins of an Affair, could be seen as a prequel for this story because they share some overlapping details. However, it's not necessary to read that one to understand this one. But, if you're interested, feel free to check it out! I've given this a "M" rating just to cover my bases for what I may include in the story within future chapters. Feel free to let me know what you think! It means a lot to me, and I appreciate your feedback!

-LovelyCosmos