Angel by Life Is A Highway66

My annual Christmas story, I feel I need to say that while I would ask for criticism, please do not with this. It's something I've been wanting to write for a long time, and have only found the courage to write. I am also sorry if I offend people with this.

Legend of Zelda © Nintendo

Dear my beautiful daughter,

Link stared at the paper momentarily; much as he had been doing for almost ten minutes after writing the first sentence. Never had he ever stated that he was talented at articulating himself, however, as he sat, he found himself wanting to tear his hair out at the idea that of actually writing down his feelings. Not that he had to, not like he had to go and save the Princess' body. After months of the words following him, pestering him, on this day, he decided to once and for all grant them their wish and write them down.

I know I should have written to you earlier, and for this fact, I apologise. I am unsure as to why I am finding it my duty to do so, I know that you would make do with a simple 'I love you', but I am certain that there is more I want to say to you.

He sat back again, taking in his work so far. He looked out of the window of the castle; his life since marrying the Princess had been a lot different. While he was used to living in a small house, sharing it with other people, he now had a castle. A whole part of the building being dedicated to him and his wife. He was sure when his next meal was coming. He never had to worry about when he was getting more Rupees to live. Everything was handed to him; a life that seemed foreign to him.

The door to the room creaked open, and he looked to it; his lips cracking into a smile as the seventeen month old ran shakily toward him, falling when she was near him and grabbing onto his bottoms to steady herself. He chuckled, picking her up and holding her close. Although he was well travelled, and had seen many scenes which only a select and special few had had the privilege of replaying in their minds, he could happily say that the child in his arms was one half the most beautiful things he had ever seen. The child clung onto her father's green tunic; seemingly attempting to memorise his scent, or listening to his dissolving heart melt. He kissed the top of her head, and ran his hand through the hair which seemed that it would grow to be an exact replica of Zelda's.

I can remember the day your mother told me about you. I remember it almost as clear as rain. I promise you, I have never been happier than when I was that day. Just imagining holding you for the first time was enough to make a hero fall to his knees and cry with joy. I enjoyed my life as a hero. I enjoyed a life that was unexpected. I always wanted to do it; it felt as though it was my destiny, as though the story of Link the Hero was engraved in my veins. However, when we named you, Nico, I was sure of it. Fatherhood, though not my original idea of a perfect life, it would be one that I would easily get used to. I did. I looked at your mothers' middle in awe as I tried to get used to the concept that you were living inside. The only way I could get used to the idea of this fact was to make a pair of mittens; and although they were not the perfect pair, I was sure they would fit the small hands that I would soon by holding.

The door opened for the second time, and in strode the second half of beauty; Zelda, holding another small child. A worker of the castle followed the Princess; holding a box, and put it down near the lit fireplace, they exchanged pleasantries, wished each other a good holiday, before the worker left. Zelda put the child down, and allowed her to run around. The elder girl walked to her husband and kissed him gently on the lips, "Hey, Link." She smiled, and looked down to the small girl that was still in his arms. "Hey, Nico!" She picked her up and looked to the desk, noticing the paper on which the man's handwriting was scrawled. He turned it over, and awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. "Ah, I see." She smirked, "Writing a letter, hm?" He chuckled and held his wife's hand, kissing her slender fingers, and smiled to her.

He looked to Nico's twin, his smiling only growing as she was pulling the Christmas decorations from the box. Every so often she would come across one which would make a sound, even if it were only a bell inside the decoration, and would be amused by it for a while. After this had passed, she began to pull out the other ornaments. Nico looked down and grinned happily, wriggling from her mother's grasp until she was finally granted permission to join her sister. Link watched after her momentarily, before going back to the letter.

I was scared. Scared of what you might think of me. Would you cry when you first saw me? Would you scream when I wanted to hold you close? When you woke in the middle of the night, would you never soothe to the sound of my voice? It was difficult for me to adjust to the idea I was soon going to be looking after a baby. A small child that was going to be partly me, and partly the women that was the love of my life. I had spent so long perfecting the idea that I was going to travel for the rest of my years, being known throughout the world as Link: The Hero. However, the more I thought about having the family, the more I was sure that I could live happily, just knowing that you would think of me as Daddy: The Hero. But soon after the news of you was told to me, your mother and I began to argue more and more and it began to dawn on me that you would hate us for this fact. And I guess this is why I am forcing myself to write this.

Zelda was watching over his shoulder as he wrote this, she took the cap from his head and ran her hand through the soft blond hair. He closed his eyes, and allowed the smile to take over him once more. He look up to her and got lost in the sorrow that was her eyes, she took a seat next to him, resting her head against his shoulder and sighed. He pulled her close and held her tight; attempting to savour this slight piece of heaven of which they had been granted. He looked to her slightly, feeling his tunic dampening, to see the tears falling from her eyes. He held her face, and with his thumbs, attempted to dry her cheeks. He kissed her deeply, and she gave herself permission to melt so that the two became one. "I'm fine." She whispered, her soul mate moving away slightly, "Don't you worry. I'll decorate. You continue writing."

He nodded slightly, stealing one more kiss before she went to the children to decorate the room for the festive season. He looked to the small family; how could he have ever doubted the fact that this would be the perfect existence? He could not think of any place he would prefer to be other than spending the night curled in bed with his wife and twin daughters.

I am unsure as to if I am able to put my feelings into words. I have tried. But all I can think about is that night. Your mother crying to me. Screaming. While we waited for help, I just held her as close as I could get. Part of me knew what was happening. When the screaming ceased and blood started, the doctors told us what we knew. Your life was over before it had begun. You took a part of your mother that night. And while she went for a night long walk, I found myself holding her pillow tight. Remembering the plans that we had begun to make about our future. I looked it, imagining your face. Her eyes, my nose, and a unique smile that would blind the world. Just the thought of this, just my imagination game of this allowed me to sob.

His eyes stung as the tears burnt once again. The same ones that haunted him when his daughter had passed away within her mother's womb; deciding that he did not want to allow Zelda to see him in tears, he took a break from the letter and help with making the monotonous room a spectrum of colours. And although the sadness still existed somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew that his first daughter, wherever she may be, would want him to enjoy the winter and celebrations with the children that were around them.

We knew nothing of you. All we knew is that you had a heartbeat. That you were going to be a baby – not just any baby. My baby. There was always a nagging feeling within your mother and I that you were a little girl. And at no point in your painfully short existence did we refer to you as a he, or even an it. All I am sure of nowadays is that I miss you, and not a day goes by when I do not think of you. I want to reassure you that you are always in the back of my mind.

Your sisters are a year old. The twins; however, who knows. Maybe one of them is you? Maybe you wanted a second chance at your life. Everyone was surprised at how quick fatherhood overcame me. None more so than myself. It has taken me more courage than I ever thought I would be able to gain. And for this, I have to thank you. You helped open my eyes to the fact that fighting monsters and battling dungeons was not my life's purpose.

I love you always,

Dad

Link sat next to the burning fireplace, the room radiating a joy which he had only come across once or twice. He sat cross legged, and held one of his daughters as she slept silently. He felt the eyes of Zelda burning against the back of his head, and after a moment she sat next to him. Their knees touching, and that alone was enough for the two of them. The four sat. The perfect family. Athough no words were spoken, Link held her hand tightly. His face scrunching up, as the tears flowed freely.

Zelda moved closer, hugging him and stroking his hair as he cried onto her. The angel whose presence was felt around the four at the forefront of their mind. The mittens, that were although not perfect, hung upon the top of the fire place. Just by this fact alone, the fire that came from the logs began to warm the four more, and the united heart of the parents ached.

For my beautiful niece; I hope you enjoy your second Christmas in heaven. Never a day goes by without my thinking about how beautiful you would have been.