Disclaimer: Legend of Zelda in all of its world conquering glory and general amazing-ness belongs to the undisputed genius of Shigeru Miyamoto who I have recently taken to referring to as 'God'.
Chapter 12: Kindred Spirits
A.N: How could you people think I'd leave it at the end of the last chapter? If a wedding is hinted at then you can sure as hell bet on there being a chapter devoted to it! So here it is, and hopefully it's not too mushy and sickening. Eventually, the accompanying lemon to this chapter will be posted under an NC-17 rating, but it's not finished yet and I thought I'd better post these two chapters before you people think that I've abandoned you.
Oh and by the way, with thanks to The Piccolo Pixie, I now know that Link lollies are on sale in the USA! Yay!
A cheering crowd welcomed the victorious army home, with the lines extending to eight men deep to cheer their heroes as they made their way through the town. At the head rode Olaran, flanked by Aidyn and Calamar, and behind them came Zelda and Link on Epona, on account of the fact Demeter had thrown a shoe and was unable to be ridden. Zelda wasn't complaining, as her position in front of Link in the saddle meant that his arms were wrapped around her waist and he could whisper whatever he wanted to her without the risk of being overheard. Both made her smile.
"As soon as I see your father, I'm asking him." He informed her, kissing her behind her ear as he said it.
Zelda smiled and leant further into his arms.
"I like when you do that." She murmured. "It feels good."
Link smiled and kissed her again for good measure.
"Knock it off you two." Aidyn laughed, turning to talk to his brother at an inappropriate moment. "You're not married yet."
Link shot his brother a withering look and wrapped his arms around the princess tighter.
"I know that, and that's why I'm not letting her get away from me." He said stubbornly.
Olaran heard his son's comment and smiled.
"To be young and in love, eh?" Calamar said. "I must say that lad of yours is smitten with our princess, as she is with him."
Olaran nodded and waved at the crowds, receiving a cheer before continuing the conversation.
"I am certain that it won't be long until their wedding."
"Damn right it won't be!" Link said, and his sentiments were echoed by the look on Zelda's face.
Olaran, Aidyn and Calamar laughed, as well as those around who had heard.
The Gerudo and Goron forces had already headed for home, bidding their farewells to their allies. They had their own victory celebrations to attend.
As the army trooped up the hill towards the castle, Zelda suddenly got a deep, sinking feeling which deepened with every step she took towards her home. She hadn't seen her father for weeks, and her reappearence with the army would do more than raise a few eyebrows, particularly when she was riding home in the arms of a handsome young man. Her fingers had been entwined in Link's, but with her thoughts brooding in such a manner as they were, her hand slipped from his. He looked at her in concern.
"Something wrong?"
She looked up into his eyes and smiled to reassure him.
"I just think we should play it a little cooler before we tell my father, he might get suspicious."
Link frowned and then nodded, kissing the top of her head.
"OK, I won't. Don't want him thinking that I've been spending long, passionate nights with you, do we?"
Zelda smiled. It was only semi-true after all. Nights had been spent in one another's company, but no passion had been involved. On the last night however, she had snuck from her tent in the Gerudo section and joined her intended in his. They had layed awake, nestled together beneath the blankets to guard the cold while discussing their future. Although their liason was entirely innocent, Zelda had crept away before dawn to return to her tent, fearful that if they were discovered that someone would read too much into their embrace. After all, it was highly irregular for a woman to be in a man's tent at the best of times, even if they had recently become engaged.
"If it helps, I'll talk to him first to explain our situation." Olaran offered. "I think your father may be a little shocked to learn that his daughter's engaged to his dead godson, Zelda."
Zelda laughed, particularly when Link's eyes had widened in surprise.
"He's my godfather?" Link asked.
Olaran nodded.
"Of course he is. We lost touch after he got married, but when we met up again it was as though nothing had changed. You were born nine months later and it was only natural that he became your godfather, and it was with that thought that he decided you should be his son in law if he ever had a daughter, which he did three months later."
Link smiled and then turned his attention to his bride to be.
"Whaddya know? We're godbrother and sister!"
Zelda smiled.
"Doesn't bother me, particularly when it means that we practically have my father's consent already."
******
An hour and a half later, following an absurd amount of hugging, laughing and exclamations of happiness from the King of Hyrule, Link and Zelda finally managed to escape from the madness and spend some time together.
"Where are we going?" Zelda asked, as Link led her from the castle grounds and out from the main gate.
"To see Rauru." Link informed her. "Because it would seem that we have a lot to talk about, children in particular."
Zelda's shoulders fell. She knew that sooner or later they'd have to address the subject of their firstborn, only she had hoped that it would be later rather than sooner. She sighed.
"I know, I just thought that we might be doing something a little less... I mean, you only get engaged for the first time once, and..."
Link silenced her by turning around and kissing her by surprise. She kissed him back before he finally pulled back to talk to her.
"Now Zelda, you and I both know that we can't be naughty until the wedding night." He teased. "Protocol requires us to show discipline and restraint upon our animalistic..."
Zelda had wrapped her arms around his waist and had positioned her lower body mere millimetres from his.
"Urges?" She asked innocently.
Link suddenly found his collar had got incredibly tight.
"Zel..."
"What do you say we ride out to your treehouse for a bit?" She asked, sliding her right hand up his back until it was behind his neck and her fingers were playing with the hair at his nape. "Oh, we won't be naughty, not in your sense of the word, just a little bit..."
Her lips were now brushing his jaw, and they now found themselves on his earlobe.
"...Nefarious."
"Nefari what?"
Zelda laughed softly.
"Morally objectional."
Link's eyes widened in surprise, alarmed at how his once polite and proper princess had become such a lustful, wanting temptress.
"You're making this very difficult for me..." He warned her.
She laughed again and kissed him chastely upon his lips.
"You're so cute when you're fighting your animalistic urges."
Thankfully for Link's self control, she moved away from him before he lost discipline all together.
Only one month to wait, and then she'll pay for this torture. Link thought.
I'd be glad to. Zelda replied.
Link frowned.
"Hey, no mind reading without permission!"
Zelda laughed and linked her arm with his.
"You were asking for it."
They continued down the path, arm in arm and enjoying the mid afternoon sunshine.
"So, we're still going to see Rauru?"
Link shook his head with an evil grin on his face.
"Nope, we're going to be nefarious."
******
The following month
"Where's the ring? Where's the ring? Where's the RING?!"
Catrine pulled the sheets over her head and groaned.
"Aidyn you didn't lose the ring did you?"
"YES!" Her husband cried in exasperation. "I have lost the wedding ring that my brother entrusted to me to keep safe. And he is going to mutilate me."
Catrine sighed heavily and poked her head out from the blankets.
"I told you to put it away last night, but you wouldn't listen to me."
"Please kitten, I could do without the lecture..." Aidyn pleaded, tossing clothes across the room as he searched through the drawers.
"Aidyn."
He looked up and saw his wife tossing a gold disc up and down in the palm of her hand.
"You are a miracle." He told her, kissing her cheek before reaching out to take the ring.
Catrine's palm closed upon the ring and she shook her head.
"No way. I'm giving this back to you just before the ceremony. Knowing you, you'd only lose it again."
"That was different, I was a little worse for wear last night." Aidyn protested.
"A little?" Catrine scoffed. "Link had to carry you upstairs!"
Aidyn flushed.
"Really?"
Catrine nodded, but got up and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Really. But I didn't mind, you always say the sweetest things to me when you're 'a little worse for wear.'"
Aidyn grinned sheepishly and kissed his wife tenderly, easing her back down onto the bed when the door flew open with a thud.
"Where's the ring?" Link asked, oblivious to the evil look being shot at him by his brother.
Catrine laughed softly.
"We just had this conversation and you'll be pleased to know that it's safe."
"And you don't need it for another five hours." Aidyn said pointedly.
Link ignored his brother's expression.
"Ranny's awake by the way."
Aidyn groaned and covered his head with a pillow as Catrine got up off the bed.
"Is he bawling?"
Link shook his head.
"Nah, he was just lying on his back and gurgling, bit like his father was last night."
The pillow flew through the air and landed smack in Link's chest.
"Go away before I personally see to it that your wedding night is ruined." Aidyn threatened.
"You wouldn't dare." Link taunted.
"Oh boys please, stop it!" Catrine cried in exasperation. "Honestly, you're like children. Don't either of you have better things to do?"
A light of realisation flicked on in Link's eyes and he grinned.
"Not for another five hours, then I'll be a married man!"
With no further ado, he dashed off in the direction of the courtyard to ride Epona. Catrine sighed.
"That is one excited young man."
Aidyn nodded and shut the door, drawing the bolt across the lock.
"And this is another one."
******
Zelda sat at her dressing table, reading through a letter that Nabooru had written with wide eyes while Impa combed her hair.
"Interesting reading material?" Impa asked.
Zelda murmured something incomprehensible and carried on reading.
"I'll take that as a yes."
"Hunh? Oh, sorry Impa." Zelda said, coming out of her daydream. "What's the time?"
"Five minutes after you last asked me that question." Impa replied.
Zelda blushed foolishly.
"Sorry, I suppose that I'm a little excited."
"I'd never have guessed." Impa replied, smiling at her young friend. "Now, how do you want your hair styled?"
"Down... No wait, up! I mean..." Zelda frowned and held her head in her hands. "I don't know."
Impa smiled and started to braid Zelda's hair away from her face.
"Which earrings are you wanting to wear?"
"The diamond ones that Olaran gave me for my birthday." Zelda smiled. "Link loves them."
Impa tied the ends of Zelda's braids together with white satin ribbons.
"There. I'm going to send Catrine out to get hold of some flowers for your bouquet, do you want her to get anything else for you?"
Zelda made a quick downwards glance at her letter and shook her head.
"No, I think I'm fine. Have we got many feathers in the castle?"
Impa raised an eyebrow.
"Feathers?"
Zelda blushed and nodded.
"I'm not even going to ask, particularly if Nabooru's behind it."
Zelda smiled and got up from her seat, folding the paper up and putting it aside.
"Should I get dressed?"
"Well you've been looking at it for the past hour and a half, so I think you should."
Zelda took her dress from her bed and went behind her dressing screen, throwing her robe over the side while talking to Impa.
"I don't think I've ever been so nervous." She laughed. "I've got butterflies in my stomach and my hands are shaking!"
"Do you want me to help you?"
"No, I'm OK!" Zelda replied.
There was a tap on the door and the king stepped tentatively into the room.
"How's everything in here?"
"Oh fine!" Zelda called.
"She's just putting her dress on." Impa informed him. "Are the guests arriving yet?"
"They've been arriving since dawn." He smiled. "I'm not sure how we're all going to fit in the Temple of Time."
"What?!" Zelda squeaked.
Impa laughed.
"He's joking child, don't worry."
"Oh."
Harkinian smiled and seated himself on the edge of his daughter's bed.
"Link's running about the place as excited as a school boy on the last day of term." He informed his daughter. "He's been asking for the time every five minutes!"
"I wonder who else shares that quality..." Impa smirked.
Zelda laughed sarcastically.
"Ha ha Impa."
She walked out from behind her dressing screen, and Harkinian was so taken aback that he stood up.
"Sweet goddesses of Hyrule..." He gasped.
Zelda blushed embarressedly and looked at her feet.
"Do you think it's too much?"
The dress was made from ivory silk, with a tight fitted bodice and a long flowing skirt. This skirt split at the center, revealing another silken skirt underneath that swept the ground, while the outer skirt flowed in a train behind her. The sleeves were fitted too, though they came only to the shoulder where they ended in a ruff that met with the neckline. Her shoulders were bare, with the loose strands of gold that fell from her hair serving as a striking contrast to the pale fabric that covered her body from shoulders downward.
"Too much? My darling, I've never seen anyone or anything look more beautiful than you do right now."
Tears shone in the king's eyes as he moved to hug his only child.
"I am so proud to be your father." He whispered, kissing the top of her head. "And I love you with all my heart."
Zelda hugged him back, knowing that this would be a memory she would always hold dear.
"I love you too, papa."
******
"I have never seen so many people in my entire life." Link announced with a slight tremor in his voice.
"Rubbish." Aidyn scoffed, dusting his brother's bottle green velvet tunic. "This is half what was on the battlefield last month."
But that did not help calm Link's nerves as people were still arriving and crowding by the doors of the Temple of Time, unable to get inside because the building was already full. Link felt a pang of sadness that none of the faces were Kokirish, as he would have liked nothing more than to share the happiest day of his life with those he had grown up with.
"Do these people have nothing better to do than stand around and watch me get married?" He asked.
"It's not you they'll be looking at bro, it's Zelda."
Link nodded and wiped his hands on his pale green leggings.
"Have you got the ring?"
Aidyn nodded.
"I do."
"Oh Gods..." Link groaned. "You just had to use that one didn't you?"
Aidyn chuckled and patted his brother on the back.
"You'll do fine, it's just nerves. Just wait. The moment she is standing opposite you and you look into her eyes then all the nerves will vanish."
Link took a deep, stabilising breath and nodded.
"OK, I'm alright." He told Aidyn, though mostly to reassure himself.
A fanfare blew and all of the hushed whispering and general hubbub evaporated into silence. Link swallowed the large lump that had formed in his throat and looked up. He scanned the crowd for familiar faces and saw Impa and Nabooru seated beside one another, Impa smiling encouragingly and Nabooru grinning and giving him the thumbs up. Next he spotted Ruto, whose bottom lip was quivering at an alarming rate, sitting beside her father and wringing a handkerchief in her hands. Link thought that it would be best to move on before she caught him staring at her and spotted Darunia, grinning broadly and talking to a little girl beside him. Link blinked and could barely contain his delight as he recognised Saria. She spotted him and gave him a little wave, beaming at him in a typically reassuring way.
"Everything is perfect." He said to himself. "I couldn't ask for more."
Olaran smiled fondly at his son from his place beside Catrine.
"Today's going to be a good day." He said contentedly.
Catrine nodded.
"I couldn't agree more." She agreed, cradling Ranny in her arms. "The family's getting bigger and bigger."
Olaran laughed and nodded.
"And if I'm not mistaken, here comes the new arrival."
All eyes flew to the entrance of the temple, where the King of Hyrule, garbed in ceremonial robes and looking splendid, stood with his hand upon that of his daughter. Link's eyes widened in amazement at the sight of his bride while the thought spun through his head that this beautiful creature was to be his wife.
Zelda's heartbeat quickened at the sight of Link, standing there with a look of amazement on his face that had appeared the moment he saw her. She smiled happily at him, knowing that she could very easily read his thoughts at that moment and so she did.
Wow.
She blushed a little and lowered her eyes, concentrating on walking. The next time she walked down this aisle, she would be Link's wife, and that made her feel warm and happy. She barely noticed that she had reached the altar when her father relinquished his hold on her hand. He smiled fondly at her and kissed her cheek.
"Enjoy yourself." He told her in a fond whisper.
She smiled, particularly when she heard him address Link.
"But not too much until tonight."
Link looked shocked, but then turned his attention back to his bride and smiled at her.
Aidyn had been right. The moment that their eyes met, it was as if nothing in the entire world had any significance other than the person who stared back at them. Dumbly, the pair repeated their vows, too caught up in each other to even notice what was being said. Moments passed like hours until finally, the priest raised his hands and announced the words that Link had been waiting for all day.
"You may now kiss the bride."
Link's hands flew to the veil that covered Zelda's face and tossed it away with urgency before he tilted her chin upwards and met her lips with a gentle carress from his own. Zelda smiled and ran her tongue along the inside of her husband's lip, being intentionally provocative. There was no way he's going to let me get away with that, Zelda thought mischieviously. This polite kissing is far too refined for my taste.
Link drew back with a smile before chastely pecking her on the lips. The sparkle in his eyes told her that he was certainly going to do something about her brashness later.
It was then that the extravagant cheering of their enthralled audience hit them, and the gravity of the situation became apparent.
They were married.
They walked arm in arm down the aisle, both grinning inanely before Link finally spoke.
"I love you." He said, whispering his endearment in her ear.
She smiled brightly and kissed his cheek.
"I love you too."
******
Raucous laughter echoed around the great banqueting hall as the wedding party got fully underway. The Gorons had brought their strongest ale with them, which looked as though it would take many casulaties, paticularly the King whose already elated state of mind had prompted him to enter into a drinking competition with Darunia. Zelda buried her face in her hands.
"I cannot believe he's doing this to me..." She groaned.
Link laughed and drained his goblet.
"Zel, where would we be without embarrassing parents?"
At that moment, Olaran jumped on top of a chair, banging his goblet with a knife.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have you attention please!"
Link groaned and banged his head on the table.
"Oh Gods..."
Zelda grinned.
"Link, where would we be without embarrassing parents?"
He raised his head off the table enough for her to see his withering look.
"Today, we are gathered to celebrate the marriage of Princess Zelda to my son, Link."
Everyone in the room cheered loudly until Olaran quietened them.
"Eighteen years ago, I thought that this day would never arrive." He said. "I thought that I had lost my son with my wife, but thankfully that was not the case. I don't need to tell you what a great man he is, because you are all aware of his incredible courage, honesty and his great strength of character. Eight years ago he saved my life for the first time, a month ago he saved me twice more, even though he was presented with no reason to do so, and for that I thank him."
A polite round of applause rang around the room, and Link felt Zelda's fingers entwine with his under the table.
"It is perhaps by some amazing coincidence that His Majesty jokingly commented that he'd like to have my son as his own some day, and hoped that should he ever be blessed with a daughter that they'd be joined in marriage. Today that day has arrived, and I also have the good fortune to be inheriting a new daughter. And I think that you would agree friends, that she is a beautiful daughter at that."
"HERE HERE!"
Zelda blushed, and Link took the opportunity to kiss her cheek.
"Words cannot describe how wonderful this young woman is. Someday, she will do great things that will make her name immortal in history, and our descendants will look back and be proud to be Hylian because of her."
"And Link!" Saria called.
Everyone laughed, and Saria went bright pink.
"And Link." Olaran added. "But for now, I'd like you all to raise your glasses and make a toast."
Everyone stood up, raising their goblets to the high table.
"To the bride and groom!"
"THE BRIDE AND GROOM!"
Link smiled and clinked his goblet with Zelda's.
"To my bride."
Zelda smiled.
"And my groom."
People had started banging on the tables, demanding that a speech be made by someone else. Link stood up, keeping his hand on Zelda's shoulder.
"Well, now that my father has well and truly embarrassed us with his speech..."
Titters of laughter sounded around the room.
"...I'd like to make a rather pathetic speech of my own. First, Zelda and I want to thank all of you for your good wishes and support, you've made today one to remember. Secondly, thanks to my father in law for putting on this spectacular party."
People clapped and cheered.
"Of course, there are people who we would have loved to be here with us today, but sadly could not. The Kokiri people, my horse Epona..."
More laughter.
"And many friends and brave men who died in the Serpent War, in particular Hathan Alansas, a good man and a great friend who died a brave and cruel death."
Zelda smiled sadly, particularly at the sight of Hathan's weeping mother who she had invited to sit at the top table.
"Death is a cruel thing that robs us of many great people." Link continued, aware that this was a rather morbid subject. "It is for that reason that neither my mother nor the Queen are here today."
It was only half untrue, Zelda reasoned. It was because Ariala was dead that her mother was not at her wedding. She sipped her wine and then froze in horror as her eyes caught something at the back of the hall. Staring at her unblinkingly, with her head covered in a grey shawl, was Cordelia.
Her face was emotionless and unremorseful, and she held her gaze with that of her daughter. Not one redeeming feature betrayed her state of mind, and Zelda felt a pang of anger strike at her.
What are you doing here?
Cordelia's expression shifted to shock, unaware that her daughter was telepathic.
Is that any way to talk to your mother?
Zelda's eyes narrowed a little.
You aren't welcome here.
Last time I checked this was still my home.
Not any more. Get out.
"But above all things," Link continued "I want to thank my wife."
Zelda's attention was on Link, who had taken her hand and drawn her up to stand beside him.
"What can I say about her that hasn't already been said? She's the most amazing, kind, sensitive and special person that I've ever had the privilage to meet. Words cannot do justice to how much she means to me, and to say that I love her would be an understatement on my part."
She smiled at him as everyone collectively went 'ahh.'
"I had no idea that I married such a hopeless romantic." She laughed.
Link smiled and chucked her under the chin.
"You have no idea."
He kissed her, much to the joy of the audience who whooped in delight. Zelda kissed him back, and for a moment forgot everything about the unwanted guest.
Cordelia felt her heart wrench, as for a moment she remembered herself indulging in such an embrace with a man who had passed many of his qualities onto his son.
The couple finished their kiss and Link was speechless.
"Well, I think we should all start dancing." Zelda suggested, grabbing her husband around his waist.
The band struck up as Zelda led Link to the dance floor.
"Your mother's here." Link said quietly.
Nobody heard him over the music except Zelda, who nodded.
"I know."
"Do you want me to..."
"No." Zelda whispered. "She's not worth the breath."
She rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, sighing happily.
If you are still here by the time this dance is finished, then I will personally tear every hair from your head, is that clear?
Cordelia's eyes widened.
You wouldn't...
Wouldn't I? You've ruined enough lives already, I won't have you ruining my wedding day as well.
Cordelia turned on her heel and slowly walked away, feeling undoubtedly uncomfortable, and sad beyond belief.
"And she won't bother coming back." Zelda told her husband. "Nobody can touch us."
Link smiled and held her closer to him.
"Nope, that they won't."
