Disclaimer: GrimGrave does not own any of the characters of their respective franchises; Metroid and Legend of Zelda belongs to Shigeru Miyamoto and Nintendo, while Soul Calibur belongs to Namco Bandai. GrimGrave does not make money for writing fiction.

A Hylian's Harem

Epilogue #1

A Tale of Two Souls

Time went on. Days became weeks, weeks turned into months, and it was the beginning of a new year, when snow still blanketed the streets and the days were darker. It all seemed like a dream, still, when Link looked out of his bedroom window and observed people walk by.

Eleven months had passed since he had announced who was pulling his heartstrings and, as much as this was still different to the life he was used to, Link was happy. It had been hectic, a path full of events, but sufficed to say the Hylian had adapted fairly well to this new lifestyle – that of being a taken man, and –

"Is it really that fascinating to observe the commoners, my dear?" Link turned to the source of the voice and smiled.

The woman was dressed in a long, slim, wine-red dress complete with elbow gloves. Her normally slender form had changed with her pregnancy – their child was to be expected soon – but the mother-to-be hadn't lost her coquettish demeanour and still had her ways to lure Link into bed.

"It's interesting to watch. It's a whole different world out there, and I have yet to explore it," he replied. "When we have some time for ourselves, you have to show me around again, Isabella."

The pale-haired noble softly laughed. "You have really taken a shine on addressing me by actual name, my dear. Not that I complain." She strode over to her husband's side – the noblewoman had been impatient and managed to get her man to propose – and gently guided his hand to her belly. "Our child has been kicking a bit more today."

"Feisty as his or her mother," Link teased and tenderly rubbed her. "You shouldn't be walking around too much, Isabella."

The pale-haired woman scoffed. "I am feeling well, and I refuse to remain seated in one room for hours on end. Entertain me," she said and tugged at the tip of her husband's Hylian ears, to his dismay. "I'm bored."

"Ow! O-Okay, just stop pulling my ears!" Link retorted. "What do you want to do?"

His wife smirked – the same foreboding expression she always got whenever she was up to something he'd regret – and tugged even harder. "I believe I just found the cure to my boredom, love."

"Isabella!"

"No need to yell, love. Just squirm like you always do," Ivy replied, amused.

"I-Isabella…you really do love to torment me like this, don't you…?" Link asked.

There were two sides to Isabella "Ivy" Valentine; she was caring, considerate, and protective of her friends, but the complete opposite when it came to her enemies. The British noblewomen, however, had an odd sense when it came to friendship that sometimes could be mistaken as a selfish, evil persona.

In reality, she was just a woman who had her own ways of breaking the ice, such as teasing – a habit she gladly kept around her Hero-Husband.

"I-Isabella," the Hylian pleaded. "Enough is e-enough…!"

She softly laughed. "No, not yet…"

"Isabella!" he shouted, and the older woman, cocking an eyebrow in surprise released her grip. Link quickly realized his error. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to –"

"Don't worry about it," Ivy reassured. She pulled him close and forced him to nuzzle the valley of her ample breasts. "I suppose I shouldn't be cruel. I have to be an example for our child, after all."

The Hylian, his face reddened, stared puzzlingly at her. "For our daughter, you mean."

"No." Ivy smirked. "For our child, regardless of gender; can't have my child run off into the world at the age of ten, after all."

"I turned out just fine, you know," Link stated. "And you're no different."

"You couldn't be any more wrong – you know I had to search for that accursed blade, and you had your destiny to save your homeland. And as strange as it may be for me to say this if our child can be free of such things, then good riddance." She sighed and smiled a somber smile. "It would be nice to have a ´normal´ life for once. Not that I don't miss the adventure…"

The Hylian managed a chuckle. "You're right… It would be for the best if our child could live a happy, normal life." He paused. "Is that why you've been teasing me a lot more lately?" Link queried.

Ivy smiled slyly. "I never said ´normal´ was perfect."

"So pulling my ears is a way to make up for normalcy?"

"One of the ways, yes," she replied. "And don't get me wrong, love; spending the rest of my days with you makes me very happy, but I had grown accustomed to life as a wanderer, the goal of destroying that evil blade driving me on."

That was true; Link was the same, being used to the life of wandering the lands, one adventure after another. He looked at his wife and smiled.

"Hey," he began and gently took her hand. "Come."

His wife gave him an odd look but followed him to the large bed. Link made her lie down on the ebon duvets, only for him to rest his head on her lap.

"Link? What are you up to?" Ivy queried.

"I was thinking, my love, that you're right. We've both the need of adventure still within us, but now isn't the time. We are about to be parents," he replied with a sheepish smile. "When our child is big enough, how about we travel this world, like we used to? Just experiencing new places can be a thrill in of itself."

"Well, well, well." The pale-haired woman chuckled. "I will hold you to those words, my dear."

"I know you will," he said. "…Until then… if you're really bored… then maybe I can put up with your unusual pass-time…"

Isabella "Ivy" Valentine beamed. "Don't mind if I do. And maybe when that's over with, how about I polish your ´Master Sword´ as thanks?"

Link didn't know whether to blanch or blush furiously.

X.x.X

The couple lived out their days by exploring different parts of the world, and was said to never have a dull moment, especially with Ivy's frequent teasing. Ivy gave birth to a healthy boy who, despite his mother's wishes, took after his father and often tried to sneak away on an adventure as grand as his father's.

Link remained happy with his family, however, and Ivy supported him through thick and thin until their last days.