A/N: Hello all! This is my first chapter fic, even though the idea only started out as a oneshot...so please, be

This is an odd pairing, I know, but the idea came to me and I just began writing! I worked on it on and off for a few months, and I eventually got so sick of looking at it that I left it alone for a while.

I recently came back to it and inspiration struck, so I managed to completely finish the story and I'm quite pleased!

I advise going into this story thinking of it as a slight AU, as I had written the bulk of it long before I ever actually finished BOTW (I seriously had only visited the Zora Domain when I started writing, and it was my first divine beast haha oops).

I haven't played any of the DLC either, and I'm not expertly versed in the politics/regions of the game/LOZ world, so apologies in advance.

This story was mostly for my own amusement, but I hope you'll enjoy! ^^

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CASCADING STARS

A Sidon x Zelda fanfic

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"It's just as beautiful as I remember it!"

Zelda marveled at the Zora's Domain before turning to Link with hesitancy in her eyes, "I hope King Dorephan is doing well."

Her guardian knight offered a small nod and a reassuring smile at her concern. They had emerged from the battle with Calamity Ganon a few months prior, and after settling Hyrule castle, Zelda asked Link to accompany her to check up on her people in the aftermath of Ganon's downfall. He knew Zelda was unsure about returning and showing her face to the Zora, as guilt over their close comrade Mipha's death plagued her still. The princess was a kind soul, and felt the loss of her friends from long ago deeply to this day.

Link too, carried the burden of having survived the original fight with Calamity Ganon, but knew the Zora would be delighted to see Zelda after all this time. Even though he himself only earned their trust back after freeing them from Vah Ruta's wrath and freeing Mipha's spirit, he knew the Zora would always hold Zelda in the highest regard.

The pair crossed the long bridge leading up to the Domain, and Zelda couldn't tear her eyes away from the stunning waterfalls that gracefully flowed from the ancient Zora architecture. Not much physically has changed over the last hundred years.

She had always admired their designs and craftsmanship, and traveling to their Domain never ceased to amaze her with its simplistic yet powerful appearance hidden away deep in the mountains. The dark stone of their kingdom blended into the towering cliffs that surrounded them, and the many intertwining bridges and pathways allowed a feeling of connectivity to the world around them. What gave the Domain its ethereal presence was the radiance of the luminous stone lamps, which lit up the area in a soft blue glow.

The Zora's Domain was one with nature and the water that surrounded them, and Zelda admired the fact that the Zora were so in tune to the elements.

The damp air around them filled Zelda's lungs as she breathed in deeply, relishing the scent of wet stone and pine not found anywhere else except the Zora's Domain. She stretched her arms and threaded her hands behind her as they trekked across the long bridge, and cast a sidelong glance at her companion.

Link walked close to her side and his deep blue eyes flickered about, searching for any signs of an attack. A bittersweet smile found its way to her lips, and her heart felt heavy with guilt.

Even though they were in a safe place, because of his status as her guardian and escort, he had grown to become always vigilant while in her presence. Upon receiving this assignment, he had to give up his life from the soldier brotherhood to accompany her around, and Zelda hoped her gratitude for his hard work and loyalty was understood, as well as how much she valued his company and effort.

Zelda turned away and breathed softly, instead focusing on the Domain that lay ahead. The pair walked in comfortable silence, listening to the music of nature routinely interrupted by the sound of their boots scraping against the stone beneath them.

They quickly approached the entrance, and the Zora guard straightened up at the approaching figures.

His eyes widened at the sight of the two Hylians.

"Link, welcome back! And is this…are you…?" The Zora guard blinked incredulously at Zelda as realization dawned on his features.

She chuckled softly, "Hello, I am Zelda."

The guard looked between the two before sputtering out, "Y-Yes! Of course! I just...forgive me."

He clumsily bowed forward, "Welcome, Princess Zelda, to the Zora Domain! Let me lead you to the King's Chambers. "

Zelda and Link exchanged amused looks then followed after the Zora guard. As they walked through the square and up the steps leading to the throne room, the Zora gasped at the sight of the princess. They murmured amongst themselves, and Link inwardly mused that their reaction was much like when he first arrived.

Zelda was, after all, Hylian royalty, and though some of the Zora were too young to remember her, many who experienced the initial fight gawked at the sight of the Princess they thought long gone.

Link was now a well-known face in the Zora Domain, so all eyes were solely on the Hylian princess at his side.

Despite her ingrained, diplomatically calm demeanor, he could feel Zelda tense up as they neared the throne room. Link reached over to gently grab her hand and gave it a quick encouraging squeeze before releasing it. She smiled graciously at him.

"Your Highness, King Dorephan!" The guard called out as they entered the throne room, "Link and Princess Zelda of Hyrule have arrived."

Both Hylians bowed before the King. The large Zora leaned forward, his eyes full of disbelief, "Princess Zelda…you are alive?"

Zelda raised herself up and straightened her posture. "Yes, with the help of Link, I was revived and managed to escape from Ganon's spell that kept me within the castle."

The King's eyes softened, "That is a relief to hear. Thank you for saving us from Calamity Ganon."

She smiled sadly, "I couldn't have done it without the help of the Champions. They are the ones who allowed Link and I the true strength needed to defeat Calamity Ganon. I came to see everyone and pay my respects to Champion Mipha and your people. I hope our sudden entrance is not intrusive…"

"My girl, you worry too much! I'm glad you both decided to visit. We are graced with your presence and kindness, dear Princess. It's also been a while since we have last seen hide or hair of Link."

At this Link sheepishly smiled and rubbed the back of his head. King Dorephan chuckled, and then spoke in a serious tone weighted with gratitude, "Thank you for honoring my Mipha by avenging her death and defeating Calamity Ganon…please, stay as long as you like and make yourselves at home!"

Zelda bowed once more and the Hylians took their exit. Link lead her around the Domain and introduced her to all the new Zora, who bombarded her with questions and fawned over her. She reconnected with the aged Zora whom she had known in their youth, and much time was spent catching up on all that had happened while she was trapped.

Link smiled at the sight of Zelda relaxing and chatting with everyone, but kept ever so vigilant into the night as the Zora hosted a small feast in welcoming for the Princess.

He wondered briefly where his friend Sidon had run off to, as he had yet to catch sight of the Zora Prince since their arrival. Normally the Zora man was the first to enthusiastically greet him on his visits to the Domain.

After hours of socializing and good food, the moon arched high in the sky and the impromptu festivities came to a close. Zelda stood beside Link as they overlooked the waterfall that crashed down below them.

"I'm glad we were able to come here, Link. It feels…soothing, to be here where Mipha grew up. I miss her dearly."

She closed her eyes and held her hands over her heart. The soft wind blew her hair slightly, and Link's ocean blue eyes analyzed every detail of her face.

"I wish she could be here with us. She has done so much for me, for the world, but I have done nothing in return for her…"

Link frowned as he recognized Zelda slipping back into her negative thoughts. He placed a hand on her shoulder and licked his lips before speaking for the first time since they had arrived.

His voice was rough from not having used it for a while, "I freed her spirit from Vah Ruta…she spoke to me, and she was happy."

So please, don't be sad.

Zelda met his gaze, and sensed the worry for her wellbeing swirling in his deep blue eyes. It pained her to know how much Link valued her happiness and healing above his own.

"I know, she never committed to anything half-heartedly. Mourning her will not bring her back. I just wish we could have done something different…something more to save her and everyone else…"

Link grunted in agreement and draped his arm over her shoulder, pulling her close in a comforting side-hug.

Zelda let out a jagged sigh, and reminded herself that crying would not bring her champions back.

The two said nothing for a few moments as they wallowed in the weight of surviving the initial attack that took their friends' lives. Sorrow weighed heavy in the air between them, and after a few minutes of silently standing in solidarity together over their unspoken hardships, they collected themselves and turned to join the Zora in cleaning up after the impromptu party.

In the deep water below them, the Zora Prince disappeared under the water, his heart wrenching as he was reminded of the sacrifice his late sister made to ensure the two Hylians above him succeeded in their quest.

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A/N: As I had mentioned before, this story is more of less completed, though I've decided to only upload a chapter a week. The first couple of chapters may be a bit short, but there are plenty of lengthy chapters to come! Thank you for your interest!

x cafalla