It's 2AM but I'll sleep when I'm dead.
Info about possible double update will be described in the bottom author's note.
When Queen Zelda XVII was afflicted with her final illness, she would lay, hands clasped tightly together as if in prayer, passively waiting for nothing. Clarity traveling in and out of her mind like the doctors who took turns monitoring her condition, her room a busy highway of foot traffic. Those moments of vagueness stuck with the young Princess as they became more and more normal, the once-alert glimmer of her grandmother's pools a dewy flower that no longer grew. Her sky orbs were dry and distant, wrinkled mouth pressed into a line; not a single ounce of emotion on her grey face framed with messy white locks. Yet she still looked sad – or maybe that was the Princess's reflection in her cataracted eyes.
Dark reminded her a lot of the late Queen while he sat, unmoving on the jail floor, blank eyes still locked with his lost lover as they bid farewell. His head hung uncomfortably to the side, body stiff and probably sore after three days of leaning against the wall – hell, she feared he would break if he did move! He was like a doll, real to the point of uncanniness, his forlorn expression both his and not.
Princess Zelda studied him from her seat on the other side of the room, finger tapping her knee rhythmically. Gloom hung like cobwebs from the ceiling, rusted bars trapping them within their thoughts as dust settled on the floor. The cell door creaked as Link entered with a plate of food in his hand, the sand-haired man just as solemn and serious while setting the meal down in front of their prisoner. Dark didn't move, snow-white face sunken and ghostly.
"If you will not eat our food, at least educate us how to sustain you," she urged with a level voice, flies already beginning to land on the fruit and vegetables. Link crossed his arms and leaned against the rough bars, sigh showing his growing impatience.
She motioned to the full plate with a slender arm, "I will not lose a valuable informant to starvation. If you do not eat something, then I will have to force feed you." Her threat fell to deaf ears as the shadow refused to even blink. Zelda turned to Link who shrugged in defeat, bending over to retrieve the perfectly good meal until she grunted for him to stop. He stood down, returning to his position to watch her glow with an idea.
The careful monarch straightened her back while in her seat, exhaling a calming breath before crooning, "Darling–"
"Don't." A dangerously deep sound came from the dry throat of the shadow, eyes now hidden behind long inky locks.
She paused before curling her lips into a fake smile, "What do you mean, darling?"
"I said don't!" He growled, baring his teeth with an angry snarl.
"Or what, pet–"
Link grabbed Dark just as he lunged forward, slamming him against the brick wall as he clutched his chained wrist and neck. A dull cutlery knife fell from his grasp the moment Link touched him; he must have taken it when they were distracted. His restraints wouldn't have allowed him to reach her, but it was the intent that counted. He struggled against the strength of her knight, face livid as he raged, "You should have just let me die! Then I could have been with her, instead of torturing me with the fact I couldn't bring her back! Damn you for not granting me that release, damn you!"
He cried out in excruciating pain as Link stepped away. His fist clenched as the chain under his skin shone with his intent, his eyes trained on Dark as his own marking flared in response, ending the electric punishment once he was sure the shadow was tired. Dark gasped for air, glaring at the knight with a wide-grinned threat, "I have killed a Triforce bearer before. It's not that hard."
"Relax," she warned Link as she saw him tense, hoping he wouldn't give into the tempting urge to shock the creature again.
Dark disclosed, "Or you can watch as I stab her; her blood has such a delicious taste–"
"Go ahead." She commanded without thinking, her hatred for what he had done to her body clouding her judgement as she invited his suffering; but she still looked away. He writhed in pain with a pleased smile – he wanted a reaction out of them. Link even reached for the Master Sword in a blind rage before realising what he had done, the shadow's pain transforming into deep pleasure as he sighed with newfound energy.
An amused rumble reverberated in his chest. "You present yourself as a patron saint of mercy and goodwill, yet you won't let a dead man die. That is true darkness of the heart, not me."
"I need your information to defeat Demise, and you need us to be free." She asserted bluntly, ignoring the twist in her gut that only got tighter with each second. She wanted only freedom, once. He spoke truths, she was no better than him and her father; she swore it was his eyes she saw reflecting back at her in Dark's gaze. It made her sick, but she had to do it. There were too many lives at risk to worry about the temporary comfort of a shadow – she only prayed Hylia would forgive her, that she could forgive herself.
He chuckled at her logic, leaning back against the stone wall and lifting his chin to look down at her. "Whether I help you or not means nothing to me. If the Old God kills every single one of you, I'm free, and if you defeat Him then I will wait until I am strong enough to free myself. Either way, I win."
"Bold of you to assume we will give you the chance to become stronger." She raised a brow at him.
He grinned, "Bold of you to assume I rely on chance."
The Princess remained still in her seat, navy orbs trained on him as he weakly focused on her. The tension was thicker than blood, the shadows of the room seemed darker and more animated when around him, sunlight not even trying to squeeze through the boarded up windows.
Dark was first to break their poor staring contest with a snicker. "You're in luck though. As much as I despise your very existence, and would love nothing more than to slide an unsharpened knife into your disgusting beating heart..." His amused grin fell and eyes grew a deeper black, "You aren't the reason why she's gone."
Her eyes widened in genuine shock. "Are you saying you will help us?"
His orbs narrowed at her angrily as he denounced, "He lied to me! I was promised results if I went with His plan but received nothing. He gave that idiot Gerudo a form, allowed him to kill her, and made me believe my servitude to that moron would lead to a reward. I want revenge, I could give a rat's ass what happens to you filth."
"Selfish as always, I see," She chided him, heart heavy like his thoughts.
"Don't act like you wouldn't do the same for him...darling." He taunted with a malicious smile.
"Tell me what you know," She brushed his comment off, despite the wound it left on her conscience.
He crossed his legs and divulged, "He's weak and needs a new body. Corrupting that stupid teen while still connected to the Gerudo was proving difficult, so He needed her to summon Him, and in turn me. I killed the old Gerudo, freeing Him from his soul, but that wasn't enough. Even with the Goddesses weakened, He struggled to regain His true strength, especially since you were already trying to reawaken them. He feeds off the darkness in mortal hearts, but it won't keep him alive forever, he needs a body and a worthy one at that. Keep that from happening, and you have a chance at killing him."
She thought of Igesu and her growing belly.
"How you kill him, I don't know, nor care. If you don't, then I will. Make Him regret even the thought of letting my Queen die and using her people as if they belonged to Him! Creations or not, I belong only to her…" He grew silent again, eyes returning to the misty vagueness from earlier, staring at nothing as his breathing softened and his head hung mournfully. Carefully, Link and Zelda left him with his thoughts.
...
The village was just as dim and grey as the face of the shadow they had just abandoned, wintry clouds painting the red mountains a deep maroon. The weather was pessimistic, and although the village was guarded and teeming with soldiers, Zelda couldn't deny that she too was glum for the future. But she wouldn't let the hopeful fire in her belly be snuffed so easily.
Her hope would burn religiously like Din's flame; she would stoke it with optimism, her people's trust in her the fuel she needed to carry on. Link waved his arm at a small group of guards, imploring them to return to their positions guarding the prison, leading Zelda away from it as quickly as possible. Her knight still held nothing but distrust in his heart toward the shadow, and how could she blame him? There is little room for sympathy for those who have done wrong against you and those close to you – still, she couldn't bring herself to say she hated the creature. She was biased.
You have been awfully quiet, she thought to herself with genuine interest. Ever since they had freed Dark from his servitude, the Queen had been silent, a strange turn of events after being so close to her precious darling. Zelda had expected her to be more zealous and pestering than usual, needing to fight harder than ever to maintain sanity, but it was quite the opposite. Rarely had the ghosts bothered her, nightmare-filled sleep a distant memory and mind null. She wasn't complaining in the slightest, but it just didn't feel right – it was an unnatural calm.
"Your Highness," A dignified voice chimed, owned by a tall Zora female whose scales were adorned with small glittering stones, "We have the list of couples for the feast day."
"Ah, thank you." Zelda took the scroll from her moist hands and began to skim over the names. Link made a grunt of interest toward the parchment, the Lanayru Virgin swatting his hand away as he made a move to touch it. The Princess sighed, "My, how time flies. The last feast day of the year. I hope that Farore will be celebrated by a free Hyrule, at least...What an extensive list."
Link tapped her arm, and with a brief apology, she explained, "Weddings, my love, for the soldiers and their sweethearts before war."
The Virgin eagerly added, "It is a feast day for spiritual law. On this day, you right wrongs, pay off debts, and give offerings to the tired spirits who watch over us daily. Weddings on Lanayru's feasts are good luck, a mass binding of souls rumored to last into the afterlife."
"It will boost morale extremely, that is why Ashei gave the option to our soldiers," Princess Zelda smiled, "So many people...a majority I recognize are at the other village, we must return them here and–"
She stopped mid-sentence, mouth hanging open as her gliding eyes lingered on familiar handwriting. Link glanced over her shoulder and gasped, both of their shock heightened by the sound of playful laughter.
"You got dirt all over you again, pig pen!" A woman standing over a blossoming planter chuckled, handing a white towel from around her neck to her messy partner.
He grinned at her before oinking, an action he knew was inappropriate for a Prince the moment he saw Zelda rush over to them, summer orbs teeming with shock as she shoved the paper between them.
"Explain this!" Princess Zelda commanded, Link just as perturbed beside her.
'His Royal Heighness Prince Harod II of Neighsdon and Lady Ilia of Ordon', the paper read, clear as day with strokes of a pen reminiscent of her calligraphy lessons. The Ambassador and her charge blushed furiously, neither looking at Zelda directly.
Link reached over to grab the Prince by the collar, glaring down at him like an overprotective older brother. "Why did you put her name on there!" He growled, convinced the Prince had returned to his obsessive habits.
Ilia grabbed his arm and shoved him off the monarch, standing between them with an outstretched hand, stating very confidently, "I told him to write our names down!"
"But why?" Princess Zelda pleaded with a furrowed brow, stomach twisting in knots, praying it wasn't for her sake.
Ilia softened like a gentle snowfall, "We were going over the paperwork Alger had saved regarding the Companions Convention. Although the letters between the two Kings mentioned the heirs would unite the Kingdoms with matrimony, the actual terms are a lot more vague."
Prince Harod made it a point to intervene after Zelda started making a sour face, "A morganatic marriage. It says nothing against marrying a member of a rank beneath you, as long as an exchange of land and resources is possible."
She couldn't believe what she was hearing, stunned disbelief keeping her silent while Link glanced between the two. The Ordonian woman offered a nervous smile. "And, on paper at least, my father and I are members of the lower nobility. Ordon was given to us by the Royal Family in return for our loyalty and trade. Plus, as the official Ambassador for Council Nohansen, we have valid documentation of this position, I prove valuable for both Kingdoms. This way, Hyrule will be safe after all this over, no more war and suffering. One less thing for you to worry about."
"The how is not my issue," The Princess shook her head while breathlessly ranting, "It is the why! Ilia, do you understand how big of a decision this is? Marrying into a royal family – our world is so much different than yours; rules for every little thing, eyes on you at all times, you will not be able to jump into rivers or bake pumpkin pies like you do in Ordon. I can not let you go through with this for my sake!"
The structure and strict order of life within castle walls was not for everyone. Zelda thrived off schedules and itineraries; like a staked rose bush, she found support in the controlled growth recommended by experienced gardners, it was comforting. A wildflower like Ilia would be treated like a weed, her random blossoms and unkempt nature would not be appreciated as beauty; but rather, as a problem. They would trim her, uproot her, and border whatever they could to simulate a false look of control while she continued to grow, stretching high in hopes of being seen while her long stem became weak.
The Princess wore her concern openly, praying her friend would understand the gravity of the situation. Ilia; however, seemed unfazed by the fear crossing the motherly monarch's face, wide eyes lowering to mimic the gentle downfall of leaves caught in a spring breeze. She began, "I don't think I will ever be able to get over Elric. When he died," She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "It's the worst feeling in the world, losing your love… I refuse to let anyone feel the same pain I had, especially not you, Princess Zelda." The intensity in her jade eyes blazed as she stared at the two Triforce bearers; she proclaimed it like a wedding vow, her words bound to the Gods and in turn, them. Princess Zelda pursed her lips, understanding that this was above her.
The blonde spoke with honesty in her heart. "I'm not a warrior. I can't fight like you guys, or make up cool battle plans, but I can help this way. I don't know if I'll ever be able to fully give my heart to Harod, but I do know that over time, I can learn to love him," Her gaze shifted to the Prince, who understood every word and condition on her lips, "And that is my decision. I didn't decide to lose Elric, and I didn't decide to be driven out of my village, but I did make this choice. Not for you, not for anyone, just for me."
The Princess remembered now that Ilia was far from a wildflower. Her bare feet were stained with the grass of the valley, hair swept by the harvest winds in the fall, heart full of songs from the native Hawk Grass of Ordon. She was no weak plant, but a proud songbird, born with a strong sense of freedom no matter the cage. Her music would never be silenced, only softened when needed, and nothing Zelda could say or do would change that.
"We make sacrifices we never wish to make, but no matter what, you must take your decision and never regret it. Never run from it," Ilia grinned, "That was what you told me, and I won't. I just hope you'll give us your blessing."
Harod walked over and touched Ilia's arm nervously, bowing his head to the Princess while echoing, "You told me the Gods open paths for us, but we decide whether or not to take them. This is our decision, we paved this path."
Zelda gushed with a thankful smile, emotions overflowing as she couldn't believe her ears. Her body hummed with freedom, wrists light as she felt the shackles of duty disappear. The couple took a relieved breath, Link reaching over to grab his childhood friend's hand and giving it a squeeze.
Prince Harod called for their attention as he eagerly proclaimed, "If it is any assurance, whether she loves me or not, I plan to treat my bride with only the highest respect. She will be safe and happy in my charge, my life will revolve around her comfort!" Link gave him a hard pat on the back, letting the man know he would make sure he kept his word.
"Elric would have wanted me to live a fulfilling life with someone who cares about me as much as he did…" Ilia trailed off, hand reaching up to touch the shiny brooch on her chest, emerald eyes briefly shimmering with approval, heavier than usual.
Zelda took her hand in her own, women smiling through two different emotions. "Thank you," The Princess whispered happily, "Thank you all."
…
Knock knock!
The door opened just a crack, a pair of golden eyes inspecting them carefully before a whole face peeked out. Raerani smiled from ear to ear at the sight of them, even the bun in her hair seemed to tighten in pleasure. She shouted into the Sanctuary in her native tongue, the only indication that she may have been announcing the Princess's arrival was the sound of her name at the heart of the desert language.
Link stretched beside her, his groan of pleasant pain grabbed the Gerudo's attention. She emerged from behind the door to greet them, blue makeup shimmering with a vibrant sapphire shade. The Princess and her knight held back a confused gasp as Raerani was revealed to be wearing a long white dress, muscular body wrapped tightly in the fabric and displaying an engorged belly. Zelda stared at the roundness for a good minute, knowing it wasn't there the last time they had spoken with her a few days ago. The smiling woman held it with her left hand, waving at them joyfully.
"Zeldadorf, I am glad you came to visit. Igesu will be thrilled!" She bubbled, imploring them to enter eagerly.
The Sanctuary was not how Zelda remembered. Once a minimalistic den of spirituality that called forth memories of the past, via soft candlelight and totems of spirits long forgotten, was now dressed in fine silks of every color and thickness, incense overstimulating her senses to the point where she was bordering trance; they were back in the Desert. Towers of hand-painted pottery filled with foreign foods, mountains of plush pillows and textiles, the sound of clanging jewelry and feminine laughter, never had the Sanctuary been filled with such life. The small community of women looked up from their work, some were making beaded necklaces, sharpening blades, cooking fragrant meals, but at the sight of the Princess, they stopped what they were doing to shout, "Sav'saaba Zeldadorf!"
"Sav'saaba," She poorly pronounced, eyes roaming the sea of Gerudo women. Like Raerani, their bodies were clothed in white, bellies large and round to the point where some would place their tools upon it, like a desk. She held back her confusion, not wanting to come across as rude or ignorant, but Link was more than happy to play the role of a puzzled foreigner.
He pointed to Raerani's stomach and played a dangerous game, asking quite innocently, "Are you pregnant too?"
She threw her head back in roaring laughter, the other women giggled girlishly at his question. "Your voe is so funny Zeldadorf, no wonder you keep him!"
A black-veiled figure approached, robes ebony unlike the rest but belly just as protruding. Zelda tilted her head slightly to Saboorudorf, the Gerudo Chieftain doing the same. "Vasaaq Zeldadorf," She greeted with her usual stoic cadence, "You seem alarmed."
A blush crept on her cheeks, "I am a bit lost, sadly."
Saboorudorf gave a humored chuckle. "Tonight is a blood moon. Dark spirits from the underworld rise while the Sand Goddess slumbers, and are especially harmful for pregnant women. It is tradition that the village dress as the future mother to trick the spirits."
A few younger girls lifted up their robes to reveal woven baskets for bellies, some used large green fruits, and others stuffed cloth. The Princess nodded in understanding, wondering if she too should take up the custom while they were there.
"That makes sense," She nodded, even though Link still seemed confused, "And where is the said future mother?"
Saboorudorf silently led them to the sound of rhythmic drumming behind a satin divider. A slender Gerudo woman sat, legs crossed with a small drum in her lap, mouth producing a series of 'hmm' and 'tack' sounds while she pounded her palm against the instrument. She was keeping time, producing a simple song for two figures to dance to, a short distance away.
Nosef and Igesu were somewhere else, eyes in a trance as they maneuvered through a world their audience was not privy to. Beads of sweat ran down Nosef's brow and into the collar of her white dress, yet still she wasn't bothered, body slicing like a blade through air: seamless. Igesu danced to the side of her, long braided hair holding together despite her constant movement. The Princess kept her eyes on her large belly as she swayed and rolled, it almost looked painful against the tight gown. She was ready to pop any moment now, and still she moved with the grace of a gazelle. Link gasped in concern, were such movements safe for the baby?
"These dances help with childbirth, love," She whispered in his ear, "Makes it easier, or so I am told." They patiently waited for the hypnotic song to conclude, the sisters raising their hands into the heavens and twirled like the sun's halo. The musician, seeming to come down from her own altered state, allowed her sound to ebb into silence, a loud sigh releasing her from a stupor. Saboorudorf touched her shoulder, helping her to stand before exchanging brief words in Gerudo.
Slowly, the dancers came to as well, Igesu reaching down to rub her belly as she smiled at her sister who lightly tapped their heads together as a sign of affection. The Princess waited for them to notice their presence, Igesu's heavy-lidded eyes calmly greeted her while Nosef exploded with energy.
"Zeldadorf, what a pleasant surprise." Igesu beamed, approaching with a slight waddle in her step. Her sister immediately grabbed her arm and began to help the pregnant woman, leading them out to the pile of pillows on the other side of the room.
"Finally," Nosef sassed, helping her sister down to sit on the plush bedding. She reached into a nearby chest and threw a large wad of clothing at the Princess. "If you are going to stay, at least help us ward off evil spirits."
Zelda chuckled, "I would, but we do not plan on staying long."
"Even better. Your voe is stinking up the place." The warrior woman looked Link up and down with a challenging glare, he frowned at her coldness.
"Nosef, the voe smells just fine," Igesu gently scolded before sniffing the air, "Zeldadorf, you must have eaten some meat, it was seasoned very nicely."
The Princess covered her mouth with a blush, Nosef chuckling as she passed. The pregnant woman implored them to take a seat with a smooth gesture of her hand that soon became distracted with organizing pillows by color and size. Just as the couple plopped down into their plush seats, a body in the corner of their eyes stood up.
"Raerani!" Nosef called out.
The woman in question shot up like a fine harvest, feet together and hands to her sides in attention, standing half a foot taller than the already towering Nosef. "Captain!" She acknowledged, eyes forward.
"Come with me, my sister wants more Hylian food." She explained, the two taking off without another word.
Igesu giggled, knowing something they didn't. "So, how are you Zeldadorf?"
"I should ask you the same," Zelda's orbs lingered on the painfully large swell of her belly, swearing she could see a little foot kick the side of it.
The Gerudo Priestess rubbed the spot with her sunkissed hand lovingly. "He cannot wait to meet you all."
The stressed monarch was too focused on the future to smile, mind stuck in the whirlwind of Dark's words. Strongfully, she vowed, "We will keep you and your baby safe, Igesu, I promise. Our Captain of the Guard Ashei has already begun placing Hylian soldiers all around the Sanctuary. We have come to assure you that we will do everything in our power to protect him." Link nodded in agreement, placing a clenched fist against his chest as an expression of his duty as he stared at the priestess.
Her nimble hands came up to play with the braided strands of copper hair that rested on her shoulder and chest, gold eyes shutting to reveal an unsettling tranquility about her. Igesu seemed unfazed by the dark forces they had mentioned in their call to action, she was the image of inner peace in mortal form. Her long red lashes held gold flecks on the tips, bright like the burning fire of hope in Zelda's heart. With her usual hushed voice, she emphasized, "I have nothing but faith in your abilities, Zeldadorf. The Goddess has shown me what you will do for us, I have no reason to fear."
Zelda felt herself smile; she wished she could say the same.
Igesu folded her hands atop her stomach and beamed, "I appreciate you and your voe visiting us. Hyrule has been nothing but pleasant."
"I am glad to hear that," The Princess voiced happily, patting Link's knee to share her experience.
"Your Shaman is very skilled. I am unfamiliar with your land's botany, so his ointments were much appreciated."
The monarch chuckled, "Do not let Doctor Borville catch you saying that. He would pop a blood vessel. I assume your ankle is doing better?"
"Very much so, I would not have been dancing if it wasn't. Your Shaman kept a close eye on my ankle, much to the dismay of the halfling. Sister...Telma, I believe was her name."
Link let out a small exhale of humor.
"Tell her to not worry. We Gerudo are beautiful, I know, but I will not be taking another voe in this lifetime," Igesu glowed, her soft voice hypnotically serene and motherly.
Princess Zelda found comfort in her warmth. It was nice, especially after spending days in cold darkness while trying to interrogate the shadow. Link seemed just as comfortable, but it was the many foods that caught his attention. "We should let you rest," Zelda began to stand, "We do not wish to–"
Her words came to a halt as honey eyes widened to the size of large round earrings, scarlet lips parted with shock. "Igesu, is everything alright?" The Princess gasped, causing Saboorudorf to rush over. The priestess blinked twice before turning to her mother, hand reaching up to grab the veiled leader for support before lifting herself up. She staggered to the side, and looking down at the soft red pillow, there lay a damp puddle. Stunned silence overcame the room as they stared at Igesu, her caramel skin brushed with a pink blush.
Link was the first to speak, his casual tone surprising Zelda as he announced matter-of-factly, "Her water broke."
I apologize for this chapter being my shortest; however, you do have to opportunity to a much longer chapter in only two weeks! This is my last double update for this story, and as of yesterday she is three years old. This has really been an emotional journey, and I thank all my readers, from veteran to new, for giving me your attention and time.
Now onto the double update: If we can get this story to 245 reviews, I will post the new ( and much longer) chapter on January 10, 2020. Leave anything from analysis, comments, reactions, or criticisms with the story - I want to hear from as many names as I can! Don't be shy, I don't bite.
Special thanks to: Alpha Church, janed12000, , Shadowhunter79, Oracle of Hylia, Reconzilla117, Generala, and Ultimate blazer
Oracle of Hylia I am glad to hear you feel for Dark and his circumstances. You hate him but you hate to see him sad, right? haha. Reconzilla117, thank you! Generala we are, sadly, coming to the end of this story. I have only a couple chapters left to write and have edited, I will miss reading your comments when this over. Ultimate blazer I miss those children too, man am I such a jerk! haha
My editor who is worth a million bucks: SunnyAirisu222
Stay hydrated and drive carefully on the roads. Hopefully I'll see ya'll early January, Love ya!