Okay, so I will be uploading every Monday and Thursday hopefully so this will be finished later this month!
There is something I would like to mention about this chapter before you read it. Normally, I don't write fanfiction so I am used to creating stories that are entirely made of OCs. I added an OC to this story whom you will meet in a few paragraphs. I'm sure some of you dislike OCs in fanfiction but let me explain. I added this particular OC because I wanted to give a name and a face to whoever raised Zelda after her father's death. So, this OC is not a self insert or a terrible Mary Sue. Same thing goes for any other characters in this story that were not part of the game.
With that in mind, enjoy!
Zelda needed to brave, to be strong for the sake of Hyrule. It was important now more than ever. Even though Midna's absence caused her every bit as much pain as Link, she hid it. As future queen, she needed to be someone others could look up to, someone to rely on for strength and support. She could show no weakness.
Zelda was also every bit as tired from the fight as Link was. As tired as she was, she had a miserable sleep. A battle still raged within her; a battle between her heart and her mind. Her heart wallowed in the misery of losing Midna but her brain would not let her mourn. Her brain fought to ignore the pain, to cast it aside and never return to it. It was only a matter of time before one of them won.
Zelda was used to relying on both her mind and her heart when she made her decisions. Her soul was in perfect balance, her heart and her mind working in perfect harmony. This war was causing a great division in her.
To anyone else, the bond between her and Midna would have seemed weak. They hadn't known each other for very long and Zelda's personality made her seem detached and polite regardless of her true attachment to the individual. To the average onlooker, Zelda and Midna would seem to be as different as oil and water. Zelda was calm and polite while Midna was more eccentric and sarcastic. That is all the average onlooker would see when they looked at them.
However, when Zelda and Midna met, they instantly knew they were more alike than anyone else could see. Midna had shown in the end how calm and wise she could be. Midna understood exactly what it was like to rule a kingdom, to have not only your concern in mind, but the concerns of everyone. Midna understood the pressure, the expectations that went along with it. Zelda and Midna were drawn together like bees and honey.
When Midna left, Zelda was not completely shocked. After all, it was something she would have done herself in an instant. However, Midna's absence made Zelda feel like she had lost a part of herself- a part she didn't even know she had until they had met.
Zelda and Midna were like two sides of the same coin. Zelda imagined Midna was doing the same thing she was right now. It was also Midna's coronation tomorrow as well. There would be no time for tears.
When the warm morning light poured through her window, she urged herself out of bed and did her best to hide her exhaustion.
Her whole body ached from the battle. She was not used to using those muscles. Her body still tried to repair the damage. She was also covered in scratches, cuts and bruises which had still been untreated. She did her best to hide this too. It was almost easy; she had had plenty of practice hiding pain in her life.
She made her way towards the kitchens, not really feeling hungry but still hoping to ease down a few scraps of food. As she walked down the castle halls, a voice called out to her energetically.
"Good morning, Zelda! Are you ready for your big day?"
Zelda saw her uncle Virion emerging from the castle doors, arms held open to embrace her. She managed a smile and stepped towards him to meet his grasp.
Virion had practically raised her since her father died but he spent an unfortunate amount of time away on business trips. He owned a large business buying and selling pottery, mainly kettles and teacups but also pots and oil lamps. He always insisted on making the deals himself which kept him away from his newly found daughter. Zelda was always happy to see him, however rare that was.
He wasn't really her uncle. The royal family had quite the habit of having only one child before dying at an early age. Her father had no living relatives when he died and, after a bit of debate, everything fell on the family friend, Virion. Zelda couldn't call him father out of respect for her real father which was why she finally settled on uncle.
Zelda remembered the day her father died, although her memories of that time were weak. Her father's death caused a great stir in the kingdom. She was nine years old; too young to bear the weight of an entire nation. However, without any other living family members, it seemed like the only option. It was finally decided that Virion would guide her and take her place until she was eighteen years of age. Only then would she be old enough to become queen.
That was why he was back again that day. It was time for him to finally pass over the crown to her.
Zelda gave him a polite nod. "I am quite ready, uncle. It is all thanks to you."
They finally closed the gap between them in a tight embrace.
Virion smiled, pulling back from the hug. "It's good to see you again. I'm sorry I took so long. Looks like a lot happened while I was gone."
Zelda nodded. "I was the one left in charge when Twilight invaded. I was given the choice of surrendering or fighting and I chose to surrender. To this day, I still do not know if I made the right decision. Would we have survived the battle? Would that road have lead to less suffering?"
He put his hand on her shoulder. "You did exactly what I would have done. I am proud of you. You'll make a fine ruler."
A troubling thought entered her mind, causing a frown to form on her face. "What will you do after I am made queen? Don't tell me you will leave me on my own."
"You don't need me anymore," Virion said. "Besides, I've already taught you everything I know."
"You can't possibly teach me everything you know. Every day we see and hear and feel. Every day we gain new experiences. Those experiences give us a wisdom unique to ourselves. As soon as you think you have taught everything, new material forms. It is a never-ending cycle. That is why I will always need you," Zelda replied.
Virion smiled affectionately. "You are so much like your father. Very well, I shall return. However, I'm afraid I have another business deal tonight."
"On my first day as queen?" Zelda asked, a little anxious. She already knew what he was going to say. She knew he would say that she will do just fine.
Virion simply smiled and said, "I promise I'll come back as soon as I am able."
"It is my honour to have served you these past nine years. It seems like only yesterday that Princess Zelda was just a little girl. Now she has grown up into a beautiful young woman, full of compassion and wisdom. I know she will serve you well. That is why today it is my honour to pass the crown over to her," Uncle Virion announced cheerfully.
Zelda knelt on the ground, one hand placed over her heart. Virion eased the headpiece off of her head and replaced it with a crown.
"Behold your new queen, Zelda!" Virion exclaimed.
Zelda rose, holding her head high despite feeling low. As she looked into the eyes of each one of her subjects, she felt only love. She would do whatever she could to ensure their happiness. At the moment, that meant pretending everything was fine as her world slowly fell apart.
The awed hush turned into a respectful silence. Not even a baby stirred.
Virion knelt and Queen Zelda removed his crown. "Thank you, Sir Virion for caring for me these past nine years and for holding my place as ruler over this land. You are now free to live your life as you were before."
Virion stood up, bowed and left immediately. The new queen was surprised by his fleeing so early. She had thought she had more time with him. Now she felt lost and scared. Even so, her duty was not done. Zelda had always felt it was important to get to know the people.
"Wow, that crown looks so pretty on you! Can I touch it?" a young boy asked. His name was Daniel.
Zelda nodded her consent and bent down so Daniel could reach. He left a small thumbprint on its polished gold surface but she did not care. Daniel was happy.
"That's enough, Daniel. Now, come on," his mother, Kara said. Turning toward Zelda, she said, "Thanks. You know, I waited nine years for today. Not that Virion didn't make a great king but he never had the same affection that you have."
"Thank you, Kara," Zelda replied.
Kara smiled and walked off with little Daniel. Zelda spotted another person she knew and approached him.
"Good morning, Fynn. How is your leg?"
Fynn chuckled. "Ah, it's doing a little better. Still using this cane, though. I reckon I'll be using it until the day I die. That's not so far off, you know."
Zelda managed a laugh. "It's unlike you not to lie about your age. What happened to the whole young-at-heart speech from last time we spoke?"
He laughed. "That Fynn's still around too but, uh, don't let me keep ya." Leaning in closer and lowering his voice, he said, "Looks like there's a young man who wants to talk to you."
Surprised, Zelda turned around to see Link standing behind her. When he saw her looking at him he gave her a faint smile. Zelda could see the melancholy that remained in his expression.
"Link, I must say I am surprised to see you here. What brings you to Castle town?" Zelda asked.
Link wasn't sure how to reply so he merely shrugged.
"May I guess, then? As much as they are trying to help, you feel a bit strangled in Ordon. Is this correct?"
Link stepped back in surprise and nodded.
"I was afraid that might happen," Zelda said with a sigh. "You are free to stay at the castle if you'd like. You saved all of Hyrule. We are forever indebted to you."
Link thought for a moment. He hardly knew Zelda. Would he really choose to be with her instead of with his friends who were practically family to him? There was just something about her that made her so comforting. Besides, unlike the villagers in Ordon, Zelda knew exactly how he felt.
"There is no need to decide today. The offer is always open whenever you want," Zelda said.
Link replied, "I think I would like to stay at the castle... I know we don't know each other but…"
"We do not have to see each other if that would make you more comfortable," Zelda offered, unsure what to do.
Link thought for a moment. "I… I don't think I want to be alone anymore."
Zelda gave a supportive smile. "I think that's a good decision. Very well. I know you do not know me but perhaps this will give us a chance to better understand each other."
Link nodded.
"… and if you ever need me, my bedroom is right here," Queen Zelda said, pointing to a door on her left. "Those five rooms are all spare bedrooms. Feel free to choose any one of them. We also have more spare rooms on the right wing of the castle if you would prefer."
Link shook his head. "No, these will be fine," he said quietly.
"Alright. I'm afraid I don't really have much planned for this afternoon. Is there anything in particular you would like to do?"
Link was silent so Zelda continued, "I shall show you the rest of the castle, then."
"I've been here before, you know."
Zelda paused for a moment. "Oh yes, I had forgotten. There were parts of the castle that you did not see though, correct? You did not see the hall with my bedroom, for example."
"Yeah, that's right."
Zelda continued to lead him down the hall.
"This is the kitchen. Feel free to go there any time."
Link found himself distractedly stop listening. Everything felt like he was in some sort of weird dream. Perhaps one day he would wake up from this dream and find Midna sitting right next to him. He would embrace her and finally tell her about his feelings.
That was his biggest regret; not telling her how he felt. Would it have stopped her that day? Probably not but now he would never know.
"… and this is the training hall. It is set up with swords, practice dummies, bows and arrows, and targets," Zelda continued, unaware of Link's surreal state.
"Is that where you learned archery?" Link asked.
Zelda nodded. "I had never really taken an interest in it but my uncle encouraged me, saying someday it would save my life. He was right."
"Incredible," Link replied, "but there's no way he could have known."
"No, I doubt he predicted this. He taught me sword fighting too. He told me self defence was necessary to fend off potential assassins."
Link was surprised. "Why was he so sure you'd be assassinated?"
Zelda shrugged. "He was always a very cautious- some might say paranoid- man. I suppose you'd have to be in a business like his."
"Doesn't he just sell pottery?" Link asked.
"He does now," Zelda replied, not wanting to say anything further.
Zelda went on to show him the rest of the castle. When they got to the music room, Link insisted that she play something. Zelda played several tunes on her lyre and then on the piano. Sitting there, listening to the songs Zelda was playing formidably, Link realized that he was smiling. A real smile. The first real smile since Midna left.
Well, there it is. Any favourites/ follows/ reviews are appreciated. Thank you so much to the two people who favourited and followed me!
Here is a friendly reminder to you all to pee if you need to, drink some water, go to sleep, etc. I love seeing this when I am on the internet and find it super helpful so I thought maybe it'll be helpful to some of you too.
Thanks for reading my story!