"If you continue like this, you will perish," the Deku Tree scolded.
Link's grip tightened out of spite, pulling harder on the hilt of the Master Sword. His limbs were screaming. The pain was agonizing – like white hot fire streaming through his veins. His bones felt like they were cracking.
'I need this,' he told himself. 'I need this sword.'
He defeated two of Ganon's Blights without it, but he needed it now. Needed it for Ganon. For Guardians. He was the hero – he should have the Master Sword.
The sword itself refused to budge, and the world around him began to blur. The Deku Tree's face warped in the edges of Link's vision. The tree looked sadder. Older. His voice pierced Link's ears again, telling him to stop. Telling him he was going to die. The words were dispassionate.
'No,' Link thought. Not dispassionate. Annoyed. Impatient.
After all, Link had been keeping them all waiting for so, so long.
Everyone else was waiting. Or, they died waiting. His fellow knights. His friends. His companions died because he wasn't strong enough. They were all dead.
'Everyone's been killed, and it's all my fault–'
For a moment, Link wasn't sure if the voice was his, or someone else's.
But it must be someone else. Link wasn't crying, and those words were forced through a broken sob.
The Master Sword remained in its pedestal. Link growled in frustration. He needed this damn sword to come free so he could leave. He needed to leave. Now. Everything needed to be done now.
His body was aching, desperate to collapse. To stop.
'I need this.'
There was a roar in his ears, and Link gave another futile tug on the hilt of the sacred blade. The air was red around him, and he could see monsters eyeing him from the shadows. Lizalfos, all growling and gurgling. They were saying words, he knew, but for the life of him he couldn't tell what those words were.
The lizalfos cheered, suddenly, when the sky itself started to burn.
Link looked up, locking eyes with a Blight. It let out a screech, calling up a gale of wind. The air tore at his skin, and the hylian clung to the Master Sword. His tunic ripped, and blood ran down his arms and chest.
Windblight Ganon screeched again, but when Link looked up, he was face-to-face with a lizalfos. Black, with golden claws. A broken, jagged horn. She held a silverscale spear to his throat, eyes gleaming under a brilliant, decorated crown.
"The Domain is ours," the general hissed. The lizalfos behind her let out another cheer.
Link's hands slipped from the Master Sword, and he stumbled backward. Windblight Ganon hovered above, summoning tornadoes to knock the champion back further.
'They're dead.'
Link flailed, fingers reaching out for the sword as the wind pushed him backward – he couldn't even reach. He turned his head, hoping to spot someone he knew. Where was the Deku Tree? The koroks? The zora?
Where was Sidon?
Every time he moved to look, it was as if there was a wall - something keeping his head in place. He struggled, whipping his head back and forth, getting blocked each time. He couldn't see around him. The lizalfos' cackling echoed in his ears, triumphant. Link's stomach dropped in realization.
Everyone else was dead.
'Sidon's dead.'
Link's eyes snapped open. His heart hammered in his chest, so much so that it almost hurt. He stared, wide-eyed, into the dark, hearing nothing but his own panicked gulps for air. His eyes weren't entirely adjusted, but he could feel he was flat on his back. Damp hair stuck to his forehead. His head was laying in something soft, yet firm. It kept his head from moving from side-to-side. He couldn't see, but he could tell he was at least indoors. Some kind of room – there was a ceiling, and walls – but it was unfamiliar.
Fear gripped his chest.
He must have failed again. He failed and they put him back in the Shrine of Resurrection. He was recovering from stupid, reckless injuries, and now he had to start all over. He couldn't even retrieve his own damn sword.
Link forced himself to sit up. He grimaced. It hurt to move.
Looking up, he spotted something leaning against the far wall. Vaguely, he registered it was the same shape as the Master Sword. But that could wait – he needed to get up. Get out of the Shrine. See what damage Ganon had left in his absence.
Again.
It wasn't until Link tried to move to his knees that he realized something was gripping his hand. The champion's attention snapped to his right, planning to tug himself free. When he spotted what was holding onto him, he froze.
It was Sidon.
Sidon was right next to him. The prince was slumped over, lying on one arm, and Link finally processed that he was sitting on a bed. The thing that his head had been lying on was just a normal pillow.
The zora's hand was holding onto Link's. His eyes were shut. The prince's gills fluttered gently as he breathed.
Link blinked stupidly for a moment, trying to reorganize his thoughts.
'...Sidon's asleep.'
Then, a dawning realization.
'Sidon's alive.'
It was a dream. Link's breath escaped his lips in a shaky sigh. Just a stupid, panic-induced dream.
He turned back to the Master Sword-shaped object to find that it was, in fact, the Master Sword. His shield, with all its nicks and dents, lay against the wall right next to the blade.
'I pulled the sword out of the pedestal on my first try,' he recalled. 'I went to Rito Village. I went to Vah Medoh, and there was a blood moon…' His gaze turned back to Sidon. The zora slept on, peacefully unaware of Link's flustered state just beside him. Link looked down at himself, finding bandages all over his arms and chest.
'I fought Windblight Ganon,' he remembered. The beast's wind and claws had nearly sliced him to ribbon, but he pressed on. Kept fighting. He could remember now, that desperation that had consumed him in his fight. That need to defeat the Blight now, so he could go check on Zora's Domain. Check to see if the lizalfos had attacked. Check on Sidon.
Sidon, who was right next to him, sleeping and breathing and alive.
Link didn't bother to try and stop the tears from welling in his eyes. Sidon, who had found him beaten and battered at the Ne'ez Yohma shrine. Who picked him up. Carried him. That memory was fuzzy, from when Link was falling in and out of consciousness, but it was there. Sidon was there.
And now Sidon was here, when the zora should probably be in his own quarters, and he was holding onto Link's hand as he slept.
The hylian let the tears fall. His chest squeezed painfully as his breathing grew more ragged, unable to stifle the force of the emotion washing over him. Goddess, he'd never felt so relieved. After all that running, all that worry, the prince was completely safe. Link's tense shoulders eased as tears ran in rivers down his cheeks.
He hadn't failed Sidon.
'He's alive,' Link reaffirmed, leaning forward to lie on Sidon's arm. A quiet sob wracked his small frame. 'Sidon's okay.'
The zora stirred with a grumpy groan. His eyelids opened slowly. Begrudgingly. In half-awake awareness, the prince lifted his head, regarding the form of Link clinging to his arm with confusion. A small, agonized whimper startled him completely awake.
"Link? Link, what's wrong?" Sidon moved his free hand to the hylian's back. Link was shaking. Crying. Didn't even lift his head at Sidon's question. Gently, Sidon cupped Link's cheek, turning the champion's head to see his face.
Link could barely see the other, squinting through the tears. He could only imagine Sidon's worried expression. He was a mess right now, but he couldn't bring himself to care. Sidon was safe. That was all that mattered.
The prince ran his thumb underneath Link's lashes, wiping away the wetness. "What happened?" he pressed. When it was apparent that Link wouldn't answer - couldn't answer, Sidon looked around the room. 'He was sleeping fine,' the zora thought, perplexed. Nothing in the room seemed out of place. Nothing. Nothing had happened. As far as Sidon could tell, the only difference from when he'd fallen asleep was that it was dark now, and that Link was awake.
And crying.
As the hylian buried his face in Sidon's arm again, the zora began running his fingers through Link's hair. He hoped the action was soothing.
"...did you have a nightmare?" Sidon guessed.
Another sob. This time, though, it was accompanied by a nod.
"Oh, Link…" Sidon mumbled. He dislodged his arm from Link's grasp, and pulled the hylian to his chest. He ran his hand over Link's back, trying to ease the champion's haggard breathing. "It's alright. It was only a dream." He gave Link a firm squeeze, staying mindful of the hylian's injuries. "You're perfectly safe."
'You're safe,' Link mentally corrected. His throat was too tight. Too raw. He couldn't even try to explain the nightmare to Sidon. The fear. He opted to curl up to the zora instead, pressing himself as close as he could.
Sidon responded with another squeeze. He mumbled more reassurances into Link's ears, and continued rubbing the champion's back. After a while of that, he alternated, combing his fingers through Link's hair, keeping the hylian as comfortable as possible.
At length, Link's frayed nerves finally calmed. He breathed deeper. Slower. Without thinking, he matched his rhythm with Sidon's. Tired, stinging eyes slowly shut. Link snuggled into the zora's arms, focusing on the feeling of strength in them. Strength, security, and safety. He felt himself drifting, listening to the low timbre of Sidon's voice rumbling through his chest.
Sidon shifted, cradling the champion. He studied Link's face as the hylian's head lolled onto his bicep. Link's cheeks were stained, and his lips parted slightly. His breathing was even. Relaxed.
Link was asleep again.
Sidon gave a quiet sigh. He was reluctant to put the champion to bed properly, enjoying having Link's warm body curled up against him. '...I'll just hold him a bit longer,' Sidon decided. He could put Link back under the covers once the hylian was slumbering more deeply. For now, he let his head rest lightly on top of Link's.
With the hylian asleep, there was no more reason to speak. Still, Sidon found himself whispering in the dark.
"...Everything's alright now, love."
"Sidon, I must ask – Have you lost your mind?!"
Sidon flinched at his father's question. His eyes darted around the throne room, avoiding looking up at the king. "I realize my methods weren't, ah, ideal–"
"Ideal?!" the king roared. "You could have gotten yourself killed!"
"I know – it was incredibly reckless, and I shouldn't have–"
"If you knew it was so reckless, then why, Sidon?" Dorephan's voice lowered, regarding his son with a grimace. "Why put yourself at so much risk? We could have sent soldiers to obtain information about Lake Hylia! Your own unit, even, while you stayed out of harm's way! You knew the lizalfos were preparing for war, and yet you still went to Lake Hylia alone?!"
"I…" Sidon's head bowed. "I wasn't thinking, Father. I'm sorry."
The king responded with a heavy sigh, leaning back in his throne. He brought a hand to his forehead, massaging it. "No. You clearly were not."
Sidon had expected his father to be upset. In retrospect, he wasn't sure how he even managed to get so lucky at Lake Hylia, but the fact remained that it had been a stupid decision to go. His head slowly lifted, and his stomach lurched at his father's blatant disappointment. "I…I did learn a few things about the lizalfos," Sidon began, his words slow and cautious. "Things that the scouts wouldn't have been able to find."
Dorephan peered at his son between the fingers of his hand, his eyes weary. "Did you."
"I was able to converse with one of the lizalfos–"
"You did what?!" Dorephan yelled, his hand slamming on the armrest of his throne. "Sidon! Going to Lake Hylia alone was foolhardy enough, and now you tell me you spoke to those dastards as well?!"
"Just one!" Sidon clarified. "Only one, alone, far removed from all the others!"
The king groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Sidon, you are taking decades off my life."
"He gave me information on their plan, father!" Sidon added hastily, hoping to get through what he learned before the king could launch into another lecture. "They're acting based on problems they're facing in their own home - monsters, and overcrowding, and–"
"Monsters?" Dorephan huffed. "They allied themselves with monsters. How could they possibly be having difficulties with those beasts?"
"I'm not certain," Sidon admitted with a frown, "but I'm guessing the monsters are perhaps inside their temple. There was also…" He paused, thinking back. Gerald had mentioned something about their king, in a hall. Something about wearing his crown in death. He wasn't clear on the meaning. "...Their king. They cannot reach their king. There was something to do with the king's crown as well, but–"
"Ah," Dorephan tapped his chin with a finger. "Well, it's been many, many years since they've had a king. So, they lost the crown, is that it?" He shot Sidon an unimpressed stare. "Son, that sort of plight is their own problem. What does it even have to do with trying to take Zora's Domain?"
"I'm…" Sidon adjusted his cravat, thinking. "I'm not...sure." He met his father's gaze. "But, father, the lizalfos I spoke with wasn't truly aligned with Ganon! He said only a few actually fight for the Calamity; If we helped them–"
"Sidon."
The prince's words died on his tongue. Sidon shrank under his father's angry scowl.
"How do you know he wasn't lying to you?" the king asked with a growl. "How do you know he wasn't trying to lead you into a trap?"
Sidon's mouth opened to protest. Then, slowly, he shut it, looking down. He wanted to exclaim that Gerald was trustworthy. Had to be. But, thinking back, he could understand his father's trepidation all too well.
A lizalfos so resented by his own kind, presented with the opportunity to lead the zora prince into a trap...Gerald would be a hero if he captured Sidon.
The prince's hand instinctively went to fiddle with his bracelet, only to recall he'd given it away. He rubbed his thumb along his empty wrist, his face dark.
"...I can appreciate your desire to end this feud, son," Dorephan sighed. "Unfortunately, things are not that simple."
Sidon said nothing, glaring at his own reflection in the polished floor.
"You know better," Dorephan added, his voice quieter. "You've fought Isolda before."
"Isolda is a general," Sidon stated. "Her actions do not speak for all of the lizalfos."
Dorephan's eyes shut for a moment. When he opened them again, he looked down at his son with a hard expression. "Sidon, as of now, you are not to leave the Domain until further notice."
Sidon's head snapped up. "What?!"
"Your judgement is clearly compromised," the king explained. "Even if your heart is in the right place, I cannot have you galavanting about Hyrule putting yourself in danger!"
"Father, that's-"
"You are the heir to the throne, Sidon," Dorephan stated. "You will not be confined to the Domain forever – Just long enough for you to clear your head. You aren't thinking things through!"
"But I'm–"
"Son." The king's gaze softened. "Please. Leave the scouting to your guards. This conflict with the lizalfos will only end in blood, as it always does. I do not want you in the crossfire."
Sidon hung his head. Words of protest burned in him, but he kept his lips firmly shut.
Dorephan sighed again. "Do not concern yourself with the lizalfos now, Sidon. If we are unable to halt their preparations ourselves, then I am certain we will be able to find assistance in thwarting them." The king smiled softly. "In the worst-case scenario, we can simply ask Link to help us again. I doubt he would hesitate in defending the Domain."
Sidon grimaced. That was the exact scenario he was trying to avoid. Link had enough on his plate. "Father, please – I am one of the best warriors among the zora!" He gestured to the rapier at his hip and the net on his belt. "I was prepared to go out today to see what could be done – We can't keep relying on Link to solve our problems for us–"
"That is a last resort," Dorephan interrupted. "And while you are one of our strongest soldiers, you are still the crown prince. You will not leave the Domain until I have determined you are capable of doing so without putting yourself in unnecessary danger." The king's eyes narrowed, and his voice dropped to a low rumble. "Have I made myself clear, Sidon?"
Sidon knew that tone. Those words came from the King, not his father. He was no longer allowed to argue. The prince nodded, slowly. "...Yes. I understand."
"Good. You are dismissed."
Sidon gave a quick bow and turned on his heel, heading for the exit. Once outside, he let out a bitter sigh through clenched teeth.
'Confined to the Domain,' he groused to himself. 'Confined here while an ambush lies in wait outside.' He knew they could solve this, after speaking to Gerald. He'd been so confident. Now though, after finally managing to get some rest, he could only look at the empty place on his wrist with worry. '...was I too hasty? Was Gerald lying to me?'
But why would Gerald bother with lying?
The lizalfos seemed so sincere. Gave information so readily. Gerald had been excited when Sidon said he would get the zora to help. Of course, that could have been excitement at the idea of leading the crown prince of the zora straight to Isolda. Sidon could try to trust Gerald, try to help and end this war once and for all, or he could stay safe, allowing everyone else to do the fighting and go back on his word.
Sidon clenched his fist, debating.
The noise of someone clearing their throat startled the prince out of his musings. Sidon turned, noticing Tottika staring at him from his station in front of the throne room.
"Sire?" Tottika regarded the prince with concern. "Is everything alright?"
Sidon cleared his own throat with a cough. 'Now I'm getting lost in thought everywhere. ...Maybe Father has a point.' He shot Tottika a grin. "Yes, Tottika, thank you. I'll be going now." He turned, descending the steps rapidly to get out of the guard's line of sight. At the bottom of the staircase, he went left, and then dived off the platform. Once in the water, he breathed deeply.
His plans had hit a wall as large as the Reservoir.
He couldn't go back on his word. That much, he knew. He swore to try and help the lizalfos with their plight. But, how was he supposed to help the lizalfos if he was stuck in the Domain? How could he solve their issues from here, as well as keep Link out of it?
Sidon ran his fingers over his face with a grumble. Things were going so well until this morning. At least, they were going as well as they could, with Link injured as he was. The prince eyed the tunnels in the cliff face with a frown. There was one that led to Doctor Salma's ward – the underwater entrance, reserved for zora.
'...I should check on him.'
He could figure out how to help the lizalfos a bit later – it wasn't like he was going anywhere now. He could check to see if Link was awake. Sidon kicked at the water, propelling himself toward the tunnels, and through the winding paths. Soon enough, he found the underwater section of the ward. A few nurses swam about, tending to zora who were injured in their efforts to stamp out the lizalfos in the immediate area.
Sidon swam further upward, to the above-ground wing. He pulled himself out of the water, expecting to have a short, quiet walk to Link's room.
As he approached, however, he could hear agitated voices echoing down the hallway.
"I'm fine!"
Sidon perked up. 'Link's awake,' he smiled to himself. Although, from the sound of it, the hylian was annoyed. He jogged down the hall, coming up to the door with a grin on his face.
"One night's rest isn't enough to–" Doctor Salma's words ceased as Sidon walked through the door. "Prince Sidon!" The doctor waved at her hylian patient with an irritated huff. "Will you please get it through this boy's head that he can't heal from everything overnight?!"
Sidon smirked at the hylian, who was sitting up in bed with a pout on his face. He was dressed only in trousers. Sidon was pleased to find the bandages on Link's chest and arms had been removed, and there only seemed to be slight bruising left on the hylian's skin.
"Link, you should be listening to the doctor."
"I'm fine," Link grumbled, waving the words away. "Look." He hopped off the bed, standing tall and flexing his arms.
Doctor Salma was unimpressed. "Champion, get back in bed."
Sidon held back a laugh.
The hylian hopped from one foot to the other, in an effort to demonstrate his good health. "I heal fast. Took an elixir, too."
"Well, Doctor, he does appear to be alright," Sidon observed.
Salma muttered to herself, throwing her hands up. "I don't know why I bother. He's as bad as Junayd. Worse, maybe." She pointed a clawed finger at the hylian. "If I have to treat you again in the next few days, you won't be leaving for an extra week!" The doctor turned her attention back to the prince. "Your Highness, if he truly insists on leaving, please make sure he's more careful. I have to go treat that other reckless idiot of yours."
Link's brows furrowed, looking to Sidon in askance.
"Other reckless…? Oh," Sidon realized. "You mean Junayd."
"Yes, the one who got himself cut up by a lizalfos during his last scouting mission," Salma griped. "Who then goes and agitates his wounds again while trying to show off. Thankfully the rest of your unit's been yelling at him for me."
"I'll visit him later," Sidon smiled. "He'll be scolded properly, doctor."
"Good," Salma nodded, packing her things. As she left, she gestured to Link again. "Scold him, too."
The door shut behind her, and Sidon turned to the hylian. Link simpered from where he stood.
"So, you're feeling better?" Sidon asked. "Truly?"
Link nodded, and headed toward his belongings. He rifled through the pack on the floor, looking for clothes. "Wasn't exaggerating – I heal fast."
"That's a relief," Sidon smiled at him. "You had me quite worried."
Link tensed for a moment, and then mumbled. It was too quiet for Sidon to catch, and the hylian stayed intensely focused on getting his tunic on.
Sidon tilted his head. "What was that?"
"…I'm sorry," Link repeated. His eyes flicked up at Sidon, and then darted back to his belongings. He rubbed at the back of his neck. "For worrying you."
"I'm simply glad you're alright," Sidon shrugged. "Your injuries were extensive. Gaddison was absolutely beside herself, and none of us were certain as to what occurred...What in Hylia's name...?" The zora trailed off, seeing that the hylian was entirely preoccupied.
Now fully dressed, Link readjusted the belts holding his scabbard and shield in place. He looked up at Sidon for a brief moment, and then glanced at the zora's hand. The hylian turned his head away, his ears turning a light shade of pink.
'Ah, he's blushing,' Sidon realized, mentally patting himself on the back for remembering the term. '...Wait why is he blushing?' Not only was the champion turning slightly redder as the seconds ticked by, he seemed to be completely avoiding eye contact. Sidon knelt, moving his head down to get a closer look. Link flinched in response, his eyes going wide at the prince's sudden closeness. "Are you alright, Link?"
"Fine!" Link managed, his voice going higher than normal.
Sidon's eyes narrowed. "You...You're blushing, yes?" Sidon asked.
The red on Link's cheeks went a few shades darker in response. The hylian covered his mouth with a hand, looking away.
"Why?" Sidon pressed, growing concerned. One of the main reasons for blushing was embarrassment, according to Kodah. He may have embarrassed Link somehow. 'Maybe something I said…?' Sidon fretted. "Did I do something?" He reached a hand out to try and turn Link toward him.
Link grabbed the zora's hand with his own and held it in front of him. He didn't look up – just stood there, staring intently at the clawed fingers as his ears went red.
"Link, if I've done something to upset you, I–"
There was a knock at the door. Link jumped at the noise, fingers tensing around Sidon's.
A red-scaled nurse opened the door a crack. "Ah, sire? Doctor Salma has given permission for Link to leave the ward."
"Ah, yes. Thank you," Sidon flashed a grin at the girl. She nodded to them and shut the door again.
The champion let out a shaky breath, and then strode purposefully toward the door, pulling Sidon along with him. "Come on."
Sidon was pulled to his feet, hopping up to keep pace with the hylian. "Wha–Where to? Where are we going?"
Link looked up and down the hallway, frowning at the nurses walking about. He glanced at Sidon. "Where's the exit?"
"For non-zora, it's to the right, but–"
The champion tugged Sidon's arm along, walking briskly down the hall.
"Link, where are we going?"
"Somewhere else," the hylian grunted.
"Why?" Sidon questioned. The pair nodded to a confused-looking nurse as they passed, and Link showed no signs of slowing.
"Because I need to walk," Link answered. "I need to move."
"You can't simply walk up and down the hall?" Sidon asked, thankful he was tall enough to keep pace with the smaller man. "Why do we need to leave the ward?" His father's declaration that he was essentially under house-arrest sprang to mind. "I can't–"
But Link was practically running now, and Sidon had to focus on keeping up.
"Link, stop!" Sidon panted.
The hylian finally paused, one foot poised on a rock, readying to push himself further up the grassy hill. He glanced back to Sidon, guilt flashing over his features. 'I shouldn't have run so fast.'
"Would you please explain," Sidon huffed. "Why we needed to go this far to talk?" He waved his free hand at the open sky. "We're nearly at Shatterback Point!"
"I…" Link bit his lower lip. He was still clinging to Sidon's other hand. "I didn't want...There were too many people. In the ward, I mean."
"There was barely anyone on that floor," Sidon countered. "If you wanted to speak with me alone, we could have easily shut the door!"
"I didn't want to get interrupted!" Link retorted. "And I – Just–" He buried his face in his hands, letting Sidon's fingers slip through his. "...I'm sorry."
Sidon sat down in the grass next to the champion, trying to even out his breathing after the run. "What did you wish to speak about?" he asked, his voice gentle.
'You holding my hand while I slept. You being there for me when I woke up from a nightmare.' The champion couldn't decide where to start. Sidon meant so much to him – more than the zora could ever know, and he had to word it somehow, but…
Where to even begin?
"...A lot of things," Link choked out a laugh, hands dropping to his sides. He looked out, over the cliffs, and past the mountains that surrounded the Domain. His face resumed its usual unreadable mask. "I wanted to be outside."
"What for?"
Link shrugged half-heartedly, he still not looking at the other. "It's...It's easier. Out here."
Sidon frowned at the champion. "Easier to do what?"
Link was quiet. The wind whistled past them, and the grass beneath Link's feet danced around his boots. He'd spent so long worrying the prince, and now here he was. Worrying Sidon again.
At long last, the champion sighed, disgruntled. "To tell you I'm an idiot."
The prince stared at the small hylian, waiting for him to elaborate.
"The injuries," Link clarified. "I got hurt because...I was an idiot." He ran his fingers through the short hairs at the base of his neck. "I saw the blood moon. Got worried about the Domain."
Sidon's stomach clenched. 'The one thing I'm trying to get him to not worry about,' the prince mused. 'Damn.'
"I rushed through Vah Medoh." Link's arms crossed over his chest, and his gaze dropped to the town below them. "Took dumb risks fighting Windblight Ganon. Forgot to grab the heart container it dropped."
"What is a heart container?" Sidon asked.
Link turned to him, finally. "Sacred item. They heal me. Make me stronger." He shrugged then, with a sardonic smirk on his face. "...and I forgot to pick it up."
"That's why you were so badly injured," the zora's eyelids lowered.
The champion nodded. "Forgot to heal. Warped straight here."
"That's…" Sidon was at a loss. On the one hand, Link had defeated yet another of Ganon's Blights, which was something to be celebrated. The Rito were surely grateful for his involvement at calming their Divine Beast. The land of Hyrule itself would be grateful. Link was one step closer to fulfilling his destiny as the Hero. One step closer to defeating Calamity Ganon.
On the other hand…
"That was a foolish mistake," Sidon agreed. Seeing Link deflate at the comment, he quickly added, "But, we found you right away! It could have been much worse – it worked out in the end!"
Link laughed, but his voice was hollow.
Sidon reached forward, taking the champion's hand again. The hylian didn't protest, instead opting to quietly stare at the red and white scales of Sidon's arm. The prince ran his thumb over Link's knuckles. "Why couldn't you tell me earlier?" he asked gently. "At the shrine – it seemed like something was wrong with your throat, but it's uninjured."
"That's just…" Link simpered at him. "…me."
"I'm not sure I understand," Sidon looked the champion up and down, confused. "You mean you sometimes can't speak at all? That's normal?"
"Happens when I'm overly stressed," Link explained. "Or, around certain people. Certain situations. I just...I can't talk."
Sidon hummed in comprehension. "So, then at the shrine it was–"
"Stress."
"I see," Sidon muttered. "Is that another reason you wanted to speak outside the ward?"
Link smiled softly. 'Of course he'd figure that out.' "Yeah. It's easier if it's just you." At Sidon's surprised face, Link shrugged. "You're easy to talk to."
At that, Sidon's grin turned almost blindingly bright. "I'm glad! I knew you didn't speak much, so I'm always delighted to hear your voice!"
Link mirrored the grin.
The prince brought his finger to his lips in thought. "Is there no other way for you to communicate, when you can't speak?" he asked. "Such as...Perhaps signing, or something similar?"
Link blinked at him, surprised. "Yeah, I can sign."
"Ah, good!" Sidon grinned. "Then, in the future, you can tell me that way!"
The champion stared at the zora, a quiet happiness blooming in his chest. "You can sign?"
"I can, although I'm out of practice. Mipha taught me, when I was young." The prince gave Link's hand a gentle squeeze. "I assume it was because of you." Link chuckled, and Sidon felt the worry in his heart ease at the sound. The champion appeared to be a little more relaxed now, but there was still a concern at the forefront of Sidon's mind. "Link, why were you blushing earlier?"
"Ah." Link went ramrod straight, and his cheeks started going pink again. His gaze dropped to Sidon's hand. "I, uh. I remembered – Last night." At Sidon's confused frown, he clarified. "...When you...When I was–" He shook his head, lowering it so his bangs covered most of his face. "When I had that nightmare."
"Oh!" Sidon exclaimed, recalling events from his half-asleep haze. Pulling the champion into his arms. Comforting Link as he curled up against Sidon's chest. The prince's heart fluttered. "Ah, yes, that – Are you...You're sure you're alright after that? You were so distressed–"
Link cut the zora off with a wave of his hand. Then, with smile, he pulled his hand from Sidon's and stepped closer, wrapping his arms around Sidon's neck. "Thank you. For being there." He laughed, quietly. "And, sorry...for all the crying."
Sidon held the champion close, delighting at the warmth. He nuzzled his head against Link's with a chuckle. "You needn't apologize for something like that. I'm more than happy to help." His fingers idly caressed the fabric on Link's back, recalling how it felt to hold the hylian the night before. This was nicer, Sidon decided. Link was happier, but still curled up in his arms. The tears were far away now. Link was safe. The prince's eyelids lowered at the memory of Link sobbing against his arm. He'd never seen the hylian so upset. Not after fighting Vah Ruta. Not even after recalling Mipha.
The nightmare must have been awful.
Sidon pulled his head back to look at the champion. "Do you mind telling me what your dream was about? You don't have to, if you don't wish to, but–"
Link pressed his forehead into the crook of the zora's neck with a frustrated grunt. "...Dreamt everyone was dead." His fingers dug into the scales of Sidon's shoulders. "Dreamt I failed. Again."
Sidon's eyes widened. He pulled back entirely, bringing a hand to cup Link's cheek. "Goddess, no wonder you were so upset! Link, that's awful!"
"Yeah." Link's eyes were downcast as he leaned into Sidon's hand. "It sucked."
"Well, I can assure you that none of it would ever happen." The zora grinned broadly, clenching his free hand into a determined fist. "I know you'll succeed in your quest! I believe in you, and I know the rest of the zora do, as well!" He grew thoughtful, his gaze turning to the mountains. "I can't speak for the other groups you've helped, but I'm sure they would all feel similarly."
Link smiled back at him, staring softly into Sidon's eyes for a moment, before patting the hand on his cheek. "Thanks, Sidon."
"Feeling better?" Sidon questioned, hopeful.
The smile on Link's face stretched into a grin. "Much."
"Wonderful!" Sidon chirped. Briefly, he considered speaking to Link about the topics he'd planned to discuss a couple weeks ago - Link's hasty departure. The Divine Beasts.
His own feelings of love and adoration for the champion.
At the moment, though, Link looked tired. Sidon's gaze softened in sympathy '...That can wait a bit longer.' His priority now was Link's health. The prince gestured back down the path to the Domain. "Why don't we go get something to eat? I'm sure you're hungry after all you've been through."
Link's grin turned sly. "Yeah, but mostly from the hiking."
"The hiking, as I recall, was entirely your idea," Sidon shot back with a smirk, moving to stand. "We could have stayed in the ward, grabbed something to eat, and found somewhere more private indoors."
The hylian laughed, turning to walk back down the hills. "I can't admit I'm an idiot hero with that many people around."
"I think you're a fantastic hero," Sidon stated. When Link turned back, he grinned. "Even if, at times, you might be an idiot."
"Thanks, Sidon," Link drawled, rolling his eyes.
Sidon laughed at the response. Suddenly, he recalled his own recent gaffs, and his pace slowed. 'Well, if we're admitting to being foolish while no one else is around…' He cast an awkward glance at the champion. "If it makes you feel any better, you aren't the only idiot in the Domain today."
Link slowed, raised an eyebrow at the prince.
Sidon scritched at his cheek with a claw. "I...I may have also done something quite foolish after the blood moon."
Link stopped walking and crossed his arms. Sidon, misbehaving. The thought tickled the champion, and he smirked at the zora. 'This should be good.' Knowing the prince, it was likely something small – some royal goof or other that would end up being endearing. "What did you do?" he asked, a teasing lilt in his voice.
"I went to Lake Hylia," Sidon admitted.
That wasn't a goof. That was dangerous. Link paled. "You did what?"
"I went to observe the lizalfos. Alone."
"You did what?!" the champion exclaimed. "Sidon, are you insane?!"
"My father asked me the same question," the prince sighed. "I wasn't thinking. I wanted to see what we were up against, so I swam there as soon as the blood moon reached its peak."
"How many?" Link questioned, his face grim. "How many lizalfos were there?"
"Too many to count by sight," Sidon grimaced. "But I did learn a few things, as well as, uh..." he looked to his empty wrist.
Link followed the zora's gaze. He stared at the scales along the zora's arm for a moment, before he grabbed it. He looked at the zora's other wrist, which was decorated by a lovely silver bracelet, one of a pair. Sidon was missing the other. "Where's your bracelet?" Link demanded.
"I gave it away."
Link looked up at him, incredulous. "To who?"
"...A lizalfos I met, yesterday," Sidon muttered.
"You...what?" The champion halted, gawking at the prince. 'Holy shit. Did he actually…?'
"I befriended a lizalfos yesterday, and there was a whole part of the conversation about zora jewelry, so I gave him my bracelet as a gift!" Sidon sped through the words, exasperated. He hadn't gotten a chance to tell that part to the king. He rushed through the rest, hoping, almost praying he wasn't about to get another lecture from Link. "He freely offered me information regarding the lizalfos plans to invade the Domain, and he was actually quite nice, so I thought it would be good to give him something as a sign of our newly-formed friendship!"
Link bit at his lips, trying to suppress a smile. To no avail, though – he burst out laughing, clinging to Sidon's wrist for support.
"...Link?"
The champion groaned through his laughter. "I can't believe this. You absolute dork."
"First I'm insane, and now I'm a dork?" Sidon pouted. "Would you care to explain what's so amusing about this?"
"You make friends so easily," Link tried to explain. "I joked to myself about it. 'Sidon could befriend a lizalfos, if he wanted.' And then," he shook Sidon's wrist. "Then you actually did!"
Sidon's fins fluttered. "You...you believed I could? Before I even tried?"
"Of course I did," Link stated, as though it were blatantly obvious. "I know how charming you are."
At that, Sidon's brain momentarily short-circuited. 'Charming? He thinks I'm charming?' He stared at the champion, who stood chuckling to himself. 'I love him and he thinks I'm charming.' It took nearly all his willpower to not simply grab Link into a crushing hug then and there. That would be too much right now, but later maybe, after he'd confessed his feelings…
Maybe Link truly did feel the same.
"What did your friend say?" Link asked, bringing the prince back into the conversation.
"Oh, right. Yes." Sidon nodded, attempting to get his thoughts back on track. "He told me they want the Domain because their own home is overcrowded. They're having troubles with monsters, as well, and there was also something to do with their king and his crown, but…" Sidon eyes shut as he thought back, trying to recall the exact words Gerald had used. "...I am unsure what he meant by it. I believe all these issues the lizalfos are facing are potentially fixable. Now, if I can get my father to believe it too…"
"Good luck with that," Link commented. He looked over the hills, pondering. 'Monsters are easy enough.' The zora army was strong, and if he was perfectly honest, he wouldn't mind delaying his quest a bit to help out. A part of him twisted at the thought, remembering his haste to defeat Vah Medoh. The reason Ganon was still an issue was because he kept delaying his quest. He kept getting side-tracked. 'But...Sidon…' The champion bit the inside of his cheek, looking up at the zora. "...Do you need help, Sidon?"
The prince was immediately flustered. "No, no! I'm sure I can handle it – You have your hands full as it is." He mustered the most confident grin he could. "You should focus on your own tasks. You don't have to worry about the Domain!"
'I'd rather be helping out here than fighting Blights,' Link thought. Still, Sidon seemed determined to keep the champion on-task. As much as Link hated to admit it, he needed the prince to refocus him. He nodded solemnly, turning his gaze back to the hills beyond the zora. The light dancing on the grass was bright, and calm, unlike the doubts and worries beginning to creep back into the champion's head.
Those thoughts came to a screeching halt when he spotted a blinding cyan among the sea of green.
Link took a step back, hand hovering at the hilt of the Master Sword.
"Link?" Sidon turned, following the champion's line of sight, not seeing anything out of the ordinary.
"I think there's a lizalfos," Link whispered. "It's a weird color, though."
A weird color. Sidon snapped his attention back to Link with concern. "What kind is it?"
"Looks like an icy lizalfos," Link elaborated. He frowned at the shape. It was blue, he was certain. The lizalfos was crouched, like it was trying to hide, but Link could see its orange underbelly, even at this distance. He mentally corrected his identification. The color was far too bright for an icy type. "Blue and orange. I've never seen one so…"
"Link, that's Gerald!"
Link's fighting stance relaxed, and he looked up at the zora dubiously. "...Gerald?"
"The one I met yesterday!" Sidon beamed, now spotting the blue scales reflecting the bright sunlight. The gleam of the sun and the long grass almost hid the crouched figure. Almost. "What could he be doing here? It's a bit risky for him to come so close to the Domain..."
In the distance, Gerald stood, stretching his neck out warily. He moved his arm in a hesitant wave.
"Yes, that's definitely him," Sidon confirmed, waving back.
Link stared at the monster in the distance, placing his hands on his hips. "...He's different."
"Indeed," Sidon agreed with a laugh. "He's – Wait, what's he doing?"
Gerald was waving his arms rapidly, glancing back behind himself. He pointed at the pair, and then at the Domain.
"What's he want?" Link asked.
"I think he wants us to go to the Domain, but we certainly can't speak to him there," Sidon took a few steps toward the lizalfos, calling out to him with a curious gurgle.
A worried yap from Gerald was cut off by the sudden sound of rushing feet. A horde of lizalfos leapt at the pair from above, spears drawn. Link reached for his sword, but not fast enough, already surrounded by several black lizalfos pointing their weapons at him. The champion grunted in annoyance and turned to look at Sidon, who was similarly surrounded. The zora had one hand on the hilt of his rapier, but he too hadn't been fast enough to actually draw it.
In front of Sidon was a smaller lizalfos, though still a heavily armored black-scale. Link spotted the familiar, jagged horn atop her head. She aimed her weapon high, at Sidon, and the zora stood fuming. The silverscale spear at his neck glimmered in the sun.
"Isolda," Sidon growled.
The general gave a satisfied yap in response, making a quick swipe across the zora's chest. The tip of her spear slashed through the clasp holding Sidon's small whistle. The whistle dropped to the ground, followed by the fabric of his cravat. Isolda's spear resumed its place at Sidon's neck as she knelt, keeping one eye on the prince and the other on her prize. She picked up the whistle and brought it to her lips. A short, tiny trill sounded from it, and the lizalfos general let out a high-pitched giggle.
Link grit his teeth, hands itching to draw the Master Sword. Behind their group, further up the hills, were more lizalfos. More and more popped into view, abandoning their camouflage, all different colors. As the general snarled orders at the others, Link turned to Sidon at a loss. He knew she was communicating, but he couldn't make any sense of Lizal.
Sidon locked eyes with Link, and after a moment's pause, let out a low snarl of his own. He yapped at the general, whose head tilted almost to her shoulder in confusion.
Her concentration was broken by the arrival of Gerald, who sped to the front of the group. He hopped up, gurgling and yapping hysterically in front of the general, gesturing between the captured duo.
A curious yap left Isolda's lips, and her eyes split between looking at the prince and the champion. As she studied the two, Gerald chirped at her, pointing wildly at Link. First, at the champion himself, and then the sword on his back. Isolda squinted at the bright lizalfos, and then turned back to Sidon. She yapped again.
"She's allowing me to translate for you," Sidon explained, still glaring at the general.
"How thoughtful," Link hissed.
"You can thank Gerald," Sidon added. "He's been trying to explain that we can help with the problems in the temple – Especially you, being the Hero of Hyrule." The zora's eyes narrowed at the golden claws clutching his whistle. 'Damn her. I could have alerted the Domain with that.'
The pair of lizalfos growled and yapped back and forth to each other. A blue lizalfos further back snarled angrily, but the noise was short-lived, cut off by a roar from Isolda.
"That blue one is telling her not to listen to Gerald," Sidon hissed. "Isolda told her to shut up."
Link's eyes flicked between the spear points directed at him and Sidon. The lizalfos guarding them were watching with intense scrutiny. He couldn't break their circle without getting himself injured, let alone without risking Sidon's life. He scowled at the lizalfos behind Isolda and Gerald. There were just too many.
With a final, decisive snort, Gerald stamped his foot on the ground in front of Isolda. The general brought a claw to her chin, regarding the other with curiosity. She turned her head back to Link and Sidon, and then her mouth split into a wide, sickening smile. She pointed at the lizalfos behind her, barking orders. Then, drawing her claws back to Sidon and Link, she waved at them.
Link's eyes narrowed. "Sidon–"
"They're bringing us to the temple, and they'll delay the ambush in the meantime, but they're leaving most of the army here," Sidon explained hastily. He backed up as Isolda approached him. "You, they can carry easily, but they're expecting me to struggle–"
Behind the zora, a green lizalfos leapt with its weapon drawn. Link didn't have time to yell before it smashed the flat of its Tri-Boomerang into the side of Sidon's head. The prince fell to the ground with a heavy thud.
"No!" Link grabbed the Master Sword from its scabbard, and suddenly his neck was completely ringed with spears. He stood there, with the blades poking into his skin, as Isolda tapped Sidon's shoulder. Satisfied that the prince wasn't getting up, the general sneered at the hylian. She snapped her fingers, pointing at the champion.
Gerald scooted under the ring of lizalfos soldiers with a long rope in his hands. He looked up at Link with a trill, the sound low and sorrowful. The bright lizalfos quickly bound the champion's hands and feet, removing his weapons in the process. The spears backed off Link's neck, and Gerald hefted the small hylian into his arms.
Isolda picked up Sidon's cravat off the ground and studied it a moment. She glanced in the direction of the Domain, pondered it for a short time, and then turned to Link. With a satisfied yap, she brought the white cloth to Link's mouth, and tied it around his head to gag him.
Link glared daggers at the general, squirming in Gerald's grasp.
Isolda brought Sidon's whistle to her lips, producing the sharp noise right next to Link's ears. The champion flinched, and the general giggled again. She roared to the lizalfos behind her, and some began marching away from the Domain. Others crouched, immediately blending into their surroundings.
Link's grunted, the noise muffled by the cravat, and squirmed enough to get a view of Gerald's face.
The bright lizalfos avoided looking back at the hylian, his eyes on the ground as he marched.
