Disclaimer: I don't own The Legend of Zelda, I would be rich by now if I did.
Prologue
Almost five years had passed since the last time he saw her, and it was in days like this (cloudy and rainy to the point it was almost depressing) that he couldn't help but remember her reading by the window; looking almost absentminded to anyone who didn't know her, but vigilant as hawk to him, because he understood perfectly well that the cornice was a good look out post.
Five years meant that she had been gone longer than what they had known each other. The last image he had of her was a pair of silver-blue eyes shining with unshed tears and fury, steel like determination that took her to the other side of the world, away from Hyrule and away from him. So even now, by remembering her face, he understood how childish he had been at that time. It was never worth losing a friend in exchange of recognition, he had withered the small bud blooming between them both while losing the future they could have had together; and above else, he had lost the brightness so common of her, that steadfast light capable of tear apart the shadows in his soul, driving him to try harder to become better.
He had been blind, he had been proud, and he had paid with solitude for his stupidity.
That didn't mean his life went from bad to worse since she left the country, it was just difficult in the beginning. He never understood how much had she formed part of his life until she was gone. But as time passed by and life continued its cycle he learned to live with the consequences of his acts, he learned to live with the consequences of his acts and kept going on hoping she would forgive him for his foolishness, knowing far too well that her friendship had been one of the truest things in his world and nursing, without knowing, the broken heart of a love never bound to grow.
But five years were long gone and for someone of his age five years were too much to wait. Her memory ever so dear became a relic of the past, a bittersweet reminder of what he could lose if he didn't stop to think the consequences of his actions, a constant memento of his present lack of allies.
Even though he didn't think it was possible he still wished he could see her again and apologise.
The prince shook his head, dispersing the ghost of his young and returning to his deskwork, he decided to never have a personal guard after her departure. But now, as he started to revise the meetings for tomorrow and the agreements in momentary stand by, he thought it was silly of him to keep that ideology as he was to be crowned soon. He couldn't keep mourning for long gone friendships and moping over his mistakes. For the sake of his kingdom and his people he was going to be strong, no matter how much it cost him.
No, Prince Link of Hyrule didn't expect to see her again.
It had been a long day for her, harder than others in some ways, better than others in some others. She had passed all day long helping the old couple who had let her stay at their house for the winter with their responsibilities on the farm; it had been hard work, very exhaustive, but Zelda was proud to say that she endured it better than others. After all, being a wanderer has to have its good points. Working in the farm had been fun; the smiles of the elders shinned bright in her mind and the soothing sounds of the animals end up engraved in her soul; it had been another special memory, it was a shame she couldn't stay forever.
It was at times like these, when she had to say goodbye to whoever helped her, that she felt with more clarity the scars of the old wounds. It didn't hurt anymore, the pain had been unbearable at the beginning, but now it made her wish for a place to call her own.
Once upon a time she had had one… she still wished she could go back.
Her pack was already made, her plan was to part early in the morning, even before sunrise. The old couple was informed and her goodbyes were all bid. There was nothing else to do but sleep her melancholy way until the time of depart arrived… but she couldn't, it was always the same every time she got attached to someone; she should have known better than that now, but it seemed she was unable to learn in that area.
Thus, she stayed awake, perched by the window ledge – even though it was slightly uncomfortable –, reading a book the farm's grandma donated her since she discovered how much her guest liked to read.
Only two years she had nurtured that habit and she still couldn't grow out of it, there was no more royalty to protect anymore, why would it matter if she read on her bed or by the window? She was too stubborn for her own good.
Lifting her gaze to the peaceful prairie she could see from her window, she wondered absentminded why she felt more dispirited this time around (it was not the first – and probably it won't be the last – time she had to leave a place she had taken a like to), maybe it was because of the farmer grandpa. He was too stern, almost to the point of being hilarious, his demeanour reminded her of Impa: Hyrule's Lady High Chancellor; so strict and so caring that it was nearly contradictory. Impa had been a family friend, the only reason she was able to get as close to the prince as she did.
Or maybe it was because she was currently at the border Termina shared with Hyrule.
Or maybe it was because it was going to be spring really soon, and his birthday was in spring. He was bound to be crowned this year, he will be 19 after all.
Didn't she promise to be there when it happened? They had parted in bad terms five years ago, but… Wasn't she someone who kept her promises? She had never promised to be with him forever since the beginning she desired to travel around the world, but, only that once, she had promised him something for the future.
And she, Zelda. Prided herself of not being a liar.
Maybe it was time to go back Hyrule.
That's the prologue, it was actually a story that I wrote I don't remember when and recently I decided to share it with the world... just for fun, I hope you like it.
Anyway, this is not a role reversal, Zelda is still the wisdom triforce holder and Link has courage as well, I just make him a Prince instead of Zelda. I have the feeling that if it were like that in the game Link would be really responsable with his duties and Zelda would love to see the world and become an explorer just for the sake of adquiring knowledge, that's it.
I love constructive criticism, and please tell me if you see any grammar mistake, I'm not a native speaker, so I have to be reaaally careful while writing, it takes a little of the fun of it.
Best wishes!