she had forgotten one could feel sunlight.
when you were directly underneath the sun's rays, the sensation of warmth blankets you. no matter what season, winter or summer— you could always feel its beams.
how could she have forgotten such a simple thing?
after settling within link's home, zelda had idled her time away by exploring. not literal exploring; she seldom wandered too far— only walking across the wooden bridge that connected his house to civilization a handful of times, with link. instead, she studied the minor details within his house, silently questioning their importance.
apparently, a man named bolson had not only given link this house on a whim, but furnished the entirety of it. she found herself wondering why link had chose to live in hateno village, how much time he had spent there, whether he remembered, or missed, his old home within the castle. mulling over these questions, she had been given little to no reason to voice them to link. there was no need. after all, zelda had no burning curiosity behind them. they were simply the byproduct of her wandering mind. most days she found herself aimless, both in body and soul.
wistfulness had overtaken her, just as the flora had overtaken the decrepit remains of hyrule. the destruction was being reclaimed by nature, flourishing despite the ghosts that lay six feet under its soil.
philosophy was omnipresent. zelda wondered whether the calamity had left her with a crater in its wake, or if the malice had simply embedded itself deep within. she had no hypothesis. no proof that she had struggling against ganon for so long, just to keep him at bay. there was no data to collect or testing to be done. she had no scars, such as link, who had something to show for his triumphs and failures. she was virtually the same person she had been, physically, 100 years ago. her magic fled the moment ganon was sealed. she had nothing to show for what had happened.
she hated philosophy.
and so, she dismissed her thoughts. sitting with her legs crossed, she let the last of the sun's setting rays wash over her. even with her eyes closed, she could still feel it. her fingers traced nonexistent shapes on link's duvet.
in, and out. counting her breaths. inhaling through her nose, exhaling through her mouth. in, and out.
over the past months, she had suffered through many failed attempts at bringing herself to at least a semblance of normality. at being present. reminding herself she is once again a tangible, physical being that has biological needs. she had been brought up to save and rule a kingdom. now she could hardly do anything on her own accord. she was fully and utterly reliant on her former knight.
in. then out.
once her thoughts became less self-deprecating, she let her eyes open. staring through the window at the distant homes, of questionable architectural integrity. then, link's began to speak up.
"zelda? ...are you.. alright?" he rasped. apparently, he had been sitting nearby, watching her, for goddess's knows how long. she hoped he wasn't too concerned.
pausing to reply, she mulled over her possible responses first. something casual. she needed to reassure him, right?
"i'll be alright, thank you for your concern." turning to face him, she offered a tentative smile. her words were soft spoken, yet still shone with the clarity they had always possessed.
after everything, she found that link was still as kind and patient as she remembered. bringing her to his home, letting her stay; how would she ever repay him? perhaps a journal detailing all the expenses he spent on her during these months. she'd make sure to pay him back one day, when she was able.
however, with nothing but a thoroughly ruined prayer dress (that she hadn't worn since her arrival) and a title to her name— that day didn't seem like it would come any time soon.
while her words were soft spoken, she never slurred or mumbled. her eloquence, somehow the one aspect of herself that hadn't been lost over time. she could barely sleep, or keep food down, but at least she had the voice of an orator.
nowadays, she didn't have the energy to voice everything in her mind, like she had done before. after all, link had never spoken much. what point was there to fill the air with her nonsensical chatter?
one day, she'd regain the strength she possessed while living on the edge of the calamity.
one day, she would return to her former habits.
one day, she'd be her old self again.
today was not that day. and certainly not tomorrow- or the day after that.
but, one day she would.