I'm not dead you guys, I promise! I have a great excuse for my delay... it's called laziness. Another part was my classes began and my job and you probably don't care so i'm just gonna shut up.
Thanks to all my reviewers- I love you... marry me.
And a HUMONGOUS thanks to BlueFrenchHorn97 for beta-reading my story! You shoulda seen it, I didn't know diddly-squat on how to work beta-reading (I'm not stupid!) so I hada get taught... so embarrassing...
Well I'm done... enjoy!
I don't LOZ... if I did, chaos would erupt * maniacal laughter*
Link double-checked to make sure the lock was in place before turning back to the grinning four year old. He looked down at her with a small smile in place, "ready to get going?"
Zelda nodded enthusiastically and grabbed hold of Link's hand before skipping down to the entrance of Death Mountain.
After a much chaotic and exhausting morning, which involved a certain princess screaming her head off for not getting her way, Link decided it was time for the other sages to get a taste of their own medicine. Link remembered vividly their smug expressions when he was told Zelda would be in his care. Sure he agreed but it didn't mean the others could gloat about it. He was the Hero of Time dammit! Not the Hero of Babysitting.
So Link thought it would be a great idea to give Darunia a little 'surprise'. Not that the Goron would care… the man liked anything that had feet.
Zelda happily hummed next to Link, catching his attention from his rapid thoughts. She was dressed in a white puffy dress that had small black swirl designs and a black ribbon that was tied into a bow on her back. How Link had managed to tie the bloody thing, he would never know.
Link also made her wear the fur coat despite her protest and pleas. Zelda knew she lost when he didn't break down when she crossed her arms and pouted.
As Link walked with the princess, he pointed out the different villagers that were out and about, telling her a story about one or a secret of another.
"Mr. Link, how do you know all of this?" Zelda looked up at him, a thoughtful expression placed upon her.
"Zelda I told you already, it's Link, He huffed, "and I just do so don't question your superiors," He added with a wink
Zelda didn't take the bait, "that doesn't make sense and that wasn't a reasonable explanation."
Link shrugged, clearly bored of being topped off by a four year old, "I know because I'm smart."
The two finally reached the entrance and took notice of the guard standing there.
Oh crap…
Hopefully the guard was young enough to not know what the princess looked like when she was four. Link wasn't in the mood to be brought to the castle and explain why he was with a smaller version of the princess.
The man didn't even blink a reaction as the two walked by, clearly not caring about the two Hylian's.
"Hi mister!" Zelda waved happily when passing him. Link scowled and tugged her along.
Leave it to Zelda to get herself noticed…
The path to Death Mountain was hardly as dangerous as before. Ever since Ganondorf was defeated and Link was brought back in time, Zelda got cracking down in 'purifying' this land. Link would watch his princess travel to and fro making sure the Zora's could handle Jabu-Jabu or the Gorons had enough rocks to satisfy their stomachs. Link was proud to say she outranked all the other councilmen when in meeting, a shock to many that a girl at the young age of 16 could take control within seconds.
Of course Link would always travel with his princess when she set out to make things right. He liked how she took order with her wisdom, could control men twice her size and make anyone cower when being stared down.
Over the years Link saw the land change for the better. He always knew the princess would be a great leader but never guessed at such a young age. It wasn't until two years later when Link decided to leave in search for Navi.
Sure he knew it would be a futile attempt and the thought of leaving Hyrule, and the princess was unnerving to say the least.
Now, looking down at the princess, Link could honestly say he made a grave mistake.
"Mr Link I'm bored…" Zelda said with an exasperated sigh.
"It's Link and I don't know what to tell you," He glanced around and didn't blame her. All there was was rock.
"Tell me a story!" Zelda hopped up and down, shaking Links hand excitedly.
"No."
"Why?"
"Because."
"Because why?"
"I said so Zelda, now zip your lips."
"Pleeeeaaseee!"
"Great Goddesses! Fine I will okay!?" Link's scowl deepened all the more while Zelda clapped happily.
After a few silent moments, Zelda shook Link's pants, "come on, and start!"
As persistent as always…
"Have you ever heard of the Great Deku Tree?" Zelda shook her head, face full of confusion.
"Well, years ago the Great Deku tree called upon a fairy named… Navi."
"Navi?"
"Uh yeah…" Link frowned, "anyways, the Deku Tree wanted a boy. But not just any boy, this boy was the holder of the Triforce of Courage."
"The triforce?"
"Yup but the child didn't know at the time, all he thought was he was a Kokiri child."
"Was he a Kokiri child?"
"Nope."
"What was he?"
"A Hylian."
"Like us?"
"Yup."
Zelda nodded and glanced up at him, silently ushering him on with his story.
Link continued on, noticing how the princess eyes would widen or how she would gasp from time to time. The hero had to constantly pull her away when she was too close to a rock wall or a stray crack one could trip on. The princess seemed too absorbed in the story to notice anything.
"Did the princess kick him out when she saw him?"
"Nope, she asked if he came from the forest."
"He said yes, right?"
"Well he only nodded."
"Why didn't he speak?"
Link quietly laughed to himself, "Because he was afraid the princess would end his life right then and there."
Zelda frowned, "but she was a princess and princesses do not hurt others."
Link cocked his head at her, "oh really?"
"Yup! Princesses are supposed to stay in tall towers and wait for her knight and shining armour!"
Oh how she was so wrong…
"So you don't think princesses should disguise themselves and learn to fight, whilst helping defeat evil?"
Zelda shook her head and crossed her arms.
Link nodded, "interesting."
"Can you continue now?"
"Alright so where were we?"
"The princess was a dummy and didn't call for the guards."
Link sighed and nodded, "okay Zelda, I have a feeling you don't like my story."
"I don't."
"Then you tell one."
Zelda nodded, "very well then. The princess is locked in her castle all by herself while the big scary monster dragon is outside eating up her poor soldiers." Zelda pouted then smiled, "but then her knight in shining armour comes and slays the monster and they live happily ever after!"
Link raised an eyebrow, "really? That was it?"
Zelda nodded, "yup! Isn't that a romantic story?"
"Sure."
Zelda tugged on Link's arm, "oh oh but wait there's more!"
Link grinned, "Do tell."
The pair continued up the trail, the hero listening to what the princess was saying. At times Link wanted to ask questions about her absurd story but decided to keep quiet and listen to Zelda's own legend.
It was a little before noon when the two reached the top of Death Mountain. Zelda repeatedly complained to the scorching sun pounding on her fur coat and Link, albeit reluctantly, agreed with her and helped her take it off.
Link noticed the different structures near the entrance of Goron City; all though it was a bit unnoticeable considering it was all rock.
"Um Mr Link, what's that?" Zelda pointed her tiny fingers in front of them.
Link looked over and peered at the rock… the moving rock?
Oh shi-
"Cool! Look at it!" Zelda started moving towards the Goron, oblivious to the fact that she would be flattened in seconds.
Link grabbed her arm and tugged her to the side, letting the uncaring Goron pass to descend the hill.
It's like they want to hit you…
"Can you please stop running off?" Zelda pouted and nodded, making the hero feel guilty for yelling.
Link grabbed her hand and started for the entrance, "all right, let's go."
"Where?"
"To see Darunia."
Zelda smiled giddily and hopped up and down, tugging Links arm with her. It started hurting after a while but Link sucked it up.
Please let Darunia be child-friendly.
"This place is smelly."
"What do you want me to do about it?"
"Make it smell nice and pretty!"
"Yeah sure, I'll get right on that…"
Link spotted Darunia and sighed in relief, happy to see someone that didn't have single digits in their age and could have a normal two-side conversation.
"Brother!" Darunia's voice boomed as he walked over. Before Link could react, the sage grabbed him into a bone-crushing hug that would make Ganon run for his money.
"Darunia… great to see you too." Link gasped out while squirming to be released.
Zelda smiled and held out her arms, "can I have a hug?"
Darunia let go of Link, who checked to see if he didn't break anything, and turned to Zelda.
"Sister!"
He picked up the small girl and was about to hug her when she was ripped out of his grasps. Link held Zelda and looked at Darunia sternly.
"Darunia how many times do I have to tell you to not hug Zelda?"
Darunia scratched the back of his neck, "um… like seven or eight?"
"Then why do you keep forgetting?"
He shrugged, "I'm a huggable person. Can't help it."
Link frowned and placed Zelda on the ground, grabbing her hand.
"So what brings you here today?" Darunia asked, crossing his arms.
Link scratched his neck, "oh you know… I was in the neighbourhood and decided to check in and-"
"Is watching the princess really that bad?"
"WHAT? NO!" Link looked down at Zelda who beamed up at him. When she looked away he nodded vigorously.
"Zelda just wanted to see her favorite sage," Link shook his hand that was holding Zelda's, "right Zel?"
"Yup!" She smiled and closed her eyes.
Darunia took the bait, "really? Her favorite sage!" He smiled with pride and punched his chest which in turn, made Zelda laugh. He looked over at the two and ushered them in more, "come on! I'll show you around," he looked at Link, "since brother hasn't been here for the past year."
Link murmured something along the lines of 'shove it' but both parties didn't hear it and continued on their way.
"Impa!?" Zelda gasped and smiled happily. She let go of Links hand and made a run for the nursemaid that was a few feet away.
Link scowled, "what are you doing here?"
Impa bent down and snatched a running Zelda up before hugging her closely, whispering something in her ear which made the princess laugh.
Link shifted and ran a hand through his hatless head. When the three made their way down to the centre of Goron City, Zelda took a liking to Links hat one again. He didn't want to see her unhappy so he quickly gave her his hat which she now grasped tightly in her hand.
Link cocked a brow, "hey don't go saying inappropriate things to the princess, Impa." He challenged.
Impa whispered in Zelda's ear again and the princess giggled before looking at Link, "zip it skirt boy!" She started laughing while Impa smiled and looked at Link.
Link glared daggers at the Sheikah before looking at the young princess.
Fine. Two could play at this game.
Link sighed loudly and looked down, "that wasn't really nice Zelda and that really hurt my feelings." He started turning around but not before seeing Zelda's crestfallen face. "I guess since you like Impa so much I'll just get going..." He sighed again and started walking to the stairs that led to the entrance.
Zelda gasped and wiggled out of Impa's hold before running over to Link. She clutched onto his tunic and buried her face on the side of his leg.
"I didn't mean it Link! Impa told me to say it and I did and I didn't know it would make you sad and I'm really sorry and-"
Link bent on the heel of his feet and met Zelda's sad blue eyes. "So I'm not a skirt boy?"
Zelda shook her head franticly, holding onto his hat with both hands, "no no! Your skirt is very nice!"
Link frowned, "it's not a skirt Zelda, and it's a tunic."
Zelda nodded, clearly still thinking it was a skirt.
Link leaned in closer and smirked, "I'll forgive you on one condition."
Zelda nodded again, "what?"
Impa, who was standing on the other side of the room, looked at the two with a raised eyebrow. She looked over at the sage of fire but he too didn't know what the two were talking about.
Zelda unexpectedly turned around and smiled at Impa. She placed both hands behind her back and tilted her head up.
"Impa you're a cheese head!" She said excitedly while Link pressed his lips together to keep from laughing.
Impa, not phased in the least, looked at Link, "really? That was your insult?"
Link shrugged before standing up and patting Zelda's head. She smiled and grabbed the end of his tunic while still holding onto his hat.
"What can I say; I grew up with children half my life. Cheese head is a really big insult. Right Zel?" She nodded eagerly and he grinned.
Impa glared at Link before looking at Zelda, "suck up."
"So is the cure almost done?" Link asked as he leaned back on his chair. It wasn't as much as a chair as it was a rock, which made his back curse his ever existing.
Impa nodded slowly, "kind of."
"Kind of? Like kind of done or kind of barely done? Come on Impa I'm babysitting the princess for goddesses sakes!" Link looked at Zelda who was currently sprawled out on the floor, drawing on a sheet of paper. She had her tongue poked out and her eyebrows knitted together in concentration even though she was really just scribbling everywhere.
Impa pursed her lips, "it is not a simple task to be handled Link, I am trying everything in my power to hurry this processes up. Only a day has gone by, give it time."
Link frowned, "then why are you here?" Sure it was a blunt question but really, he didn't care at this point.
Impa looked at the princess, "I just wanted to check up on her."
"Or on me." Link clenched his jaw, "you don't think I can take care of her huh?"
Impa blinked, "I never said that."
"But you were thinking it."
Impa crossed her arms, "you're nineteen Link, not thirty."
Link looked puzzled, "so? What does that have to do with Zelda?"
She sighed, "All I'm saying is a boy your age is not used to taking care of a child. It's a big leap from going to Hero of Time to a nanny."
Link ignored the 'nanny' comment, "nineteen is not a young age you know, and a lot of people already have families."
"I know but your surroundings have been different, much violent because of Ganondorf."
Link blinked in confusion then scowled when he realized what she meant.
"Do you think I would ever be violent to Zelda or in front of her?!" He frowned much deeper and held Impa's gaze.
Her silence said it all.
"I can't believe it! I would- I wouldn't- Zelda's too important to me! I would never hurt her!"
Impa sighed, "you have a tendency to get angry quickly and since Zelda is young-"
Link scoffed, "I don't have a quick-temper!"
Impa and Darunia shared a look.
"What?" Link looked at both, "come on spit it out."
"Well brother, since you were chosen to defeat Ganondorf, it seems like you lost tolerance in others. You get angry much quicker," with Link's heated glare, Darunia quickly added, "not that I blame you! You have been through a lot indeed!"
Impa nodded, "that you have and I truly hoped when you set off to find Navi you would find a calming atmosphere."
"And?"
"It seems like you have; only your anger is still evident there." Link frowned once more.
Zelda looked up, finally coming out of her concentration and saw Link's unhappy face. She frowned and stood up before walking over to him.
"Link?" She cocked her head to the side. Link looked down at her and suddenly felt a burst of emotion. He missed his princess. Sure she was right here, but not in the state he wanted her to be. Zelda was the only one that could put up with Link's anger, even when others couldn't. She understood what was wrong at any time and he never took note of how much she really cared for him. Of course he had feelings for her and of course he knew she felt the same way. It wasn't hard to find out really, every time he looked at her she would blush like a mad woman. Now when Link needed her the most, she wasn't even here!
He looked at the princess's innocent face and sighed. Of course she was here or else he would send out a search party for her. He just wanted her back so he could finally confess how he really felt. Going to Termina was definitely a mistake.
But the hero knew nothing could be done right now. Having Zelda young was better than having her missing. And taking it out on a poor four-year old was just unheard of.
Link leaned forward, "yeah Zel?"
She smiled as he frowned. She knew by now that was his 'smile'. The four year old was smarter than what she was taken granted for.
"Look what I made you!" She held up a drawing (which was mostly just scribbles).
Link smiled and took the paper, looking at her creation. He really couldn't make out what it was but hurting the princesses' feelings were out of the question.
"Zelda this is wonderful." He smiled lightly at her happy grin.
She hopped on her feet slightly, "really?"
"Yup. I can't wait to show it to everybody, they'll be jealous of your drawing skills."
Zelda became worried which instantly made Link frown, "what's wrong Zel?"
"Oh but I don't want anyone to be jealous! Then people will hate me and I'll feel bad!"
Link nodded and placed his finger on his chin, "that is true…. Well I guess I won't show anyone." He leaned in close, "it can be our little secret."
Zelda looked at Impa and Darunia, "but they know." She whispered to Link.
Link looked up at the two and turned to Zelda, "I don't think so," he whispered back. She looked over and immediately the Sheikah and the Goron looked away and whistled, twiddling their thumbs.
She looked back at Link and, still whispering, said "I don't think so either!"
Link nodded, satisfied, and leaned back. He placed the drawing next to him and stretched his arms behind his head.
Zelda yawned and rubbed her eyes before climbing onto Link's lap, surprising the hero.
"Tired already Zelda?" Link asked as she leaned against his chest.
"No." She yawned once more despite her answer.
Impa stood up, "we should get going soon then, seems the day is almost over."
The Goron nodded before standing and speaking about fetching the trio some food for their trip down before exiting.
Impa looked over to Link who was gazing at the drawing, "hero, you should depart shortly." With that she exited the room.
Link sighed and nudged Zelda, "come on princess, time to get going." But she didn't move. Link peered over her shoulder and saw her eyes closed, her head bent on his chest.
The hero smiled a little before carefully reposition the princess so her front was facing him and her head was on his shoulder. She didn't budge which relived Link and he proceeded to leave the room, but not before grabbing the picture.
I hope you enjoyed it! I was reading my last chappy and I was like "Holy sh*t Link's a pedo!" I swear he isn't! He's a good boy! *snuggles a plushie Link*
Now I'm off to do something with my life *not*