Prologue
"May I ask, do you really remember me?"
Zelda stood in the wide expanse of Hyrule field, hands clasped as she waited for his response. She watched as he stopped, a few paces in front of her, staring unblinkingly at her. He looked so familiar, yet so distant. Like an old childhood friend that moved away, only to see them again many years later.
"I do, your highness." Link said softly, after what felt like years of silence.
A surge of relief flooded Zelda, along with an urge to run up and lock her knight in an embrace the goddesses themselves weren't worthy of dealing. The urge became to strong, and Zelda stepped forward and locked him in a hug. Zelda felt Link stiffen at the contact, but eventually he seemed to relax, and returned the embrace.
"I'm sorry." Link said softly, through her hair.
"What do mean?" Zelda asked curiously as she pulled away to look him in the eyes.
"That I failed you, left you to fight that… thing… for so long, while I should have been by your side." Link said quietly, his voice full of despair and regret.
"No. This is not your fault, but if it is anyones then it is mine. If only… my powers would have awakened sooner, the all our friends… wouldn't have…" Zelda's voice cracked, and suddenly her face was wet with tears.
This is all my fault Zelda thought my father, my friends, would all be alive if I just her thoughts were cut short by the sudden warmth of Link, hugging her.
"No." He whispered, as he rubbed small circles on her back in an attempt to comfort her. "What happened couldn't have been avoided, no matter what. It is not your fault, princess."
What felt like hours passed as the two stood in the middle of Hyrule field, Zelda sobbing into Link's tunic while he did his best to comfort her. Eventually, Zelda's crying turned into a soft whimper, and eventually the two pulled away.
"I'm sorry for that… I didn't mean to act so brash" Zelda said, regaining her composure.
Link merely nodded, and helped Zelda onto Epona, while he began walking along side of Epona.
"Wouldn't we travel faster if we both rode on your horse?" Zelda asked curiously.
Link froze at her request. What she was asking was against the Knights Code of Honor. But, the kingdom died a hundred years ago, along with the rules and expectations.
"If you wish, your highness." Link responded after some deliberation.
Zelda moved forward to allow room for him, and as Link climbed on and took Epona's reins, she felt her cheeks getting warm on their close proximity. She immediately brushed the thought aside, noticing how tired she was. Guess that's what fighting an evil pig-thing for a hundred years does to you she thought. Feeling the warm embrace of darkness slowly consume her, she drifted off to sleep.
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A/N: Hello! I recently "100%ed" BotW and it left me with some inspiration. So here it is! More chapters to come in the near future. I also apologize for any mistakes. I'm still new to writing… Also, please review with constructive criticism. It helps ALOT.
Bye!