AN: For those who haven't done so already, and want more detail on the adventure our favorite lovebirds experienced during their honeymoon, check out my one-shot "Lovers Island". It's set between the events of the last chapter, and this one. Consider it a tangent for those more romantically inclined. In the meantime, enjoy the chapter. ~Mickey
A little over a week had passed since Tarrey Town had hosted the wedding for the princess and her beloved knight. Life within the quiet village had returned to normal, though discussion about the wedding came up regularly.
For the newlyweds, the time had passed in a blink. After the first night in Rito Village, nearly a week had been spent in the Faron region, lingering around Lurelin Village. The final two days were spent quietly in Link's house. A stern look from the Champion had Bolson and Karson steering clear of their favorite spot for those two days, much to Zelda's relief.
Zelda felt like her cheeks were going to be constantly rosy. Being married had brought out a relaxed, playfulness in Link that was unfamiliar but welcomed with open arms. She felt like she could breathe easier around him, not having to hold back her feelings. Shy curiosity transitioned to a point where all that was needed was a look from either the princess or the Champion, and the other would drop their task in favor of their lover's embrace.
It was with a soft sigh one morning that Link reminded her of their mission. "Zelda, my love, it's been more than a week. We need to think about gathering the needed supplies and going to the castle."
She nuzzled against his chest. "I know. So, Tarrey Town for the majority of the arrows and such, then Akkala Ancient Tech Lab for the ancient arrows?"
"Yes to both," Link replied. "With a brief stop at one of the stores here for our food supplies."
"And the plan is camping at the castle until it's clear of monsters, then we'll begin the task of gathering the craftsmen needed to restore the castle," Zelda mused aloud, lazily trailing her fingers across his skin to hear his breath hitch.
"Exactly. I'll be counting on your bow skills to help me," he stated. "You'll have the Light Bow, and I'll be using the Great Eagle Bow. Do you want to have a sword as well?"
She shook her head. "I have the dagger Beedle gifted me. Will you have the Sheikah Slate?"
"Actually, I was going to have you carry that as well. Having the bomb runes at hand if you need them will be beneficial. We're going to work together as we go through the castle- nngh. Zelda!" he cut himself off, distracted by the attention she'd begun to give him. An hour passed before the couple finally pulled themselves out of bed and dressed for the day.
"The general store in town will have what we're looking for here," Link began, packing up their bedrolls. "We'll make a quick stop there before we go to Tarrey Town."
She nodded, tucking what remained of their fresh food into the pouch of their pack. "How are we going to do laundry?"
"Honestly? We won't until we're done. So, prepare a couple of outfits, and figure that bathing and laundry will come only when absolutely necessary."
Zelda cringed slightly. She'd grown accustomed to regular bathing, and she knew how easy it was to end up coated in dirt and monster blood. "There's still the river that runs underneath the castle, correct? I suppose we can bathe there if we become desperate."
"Good thinking." Link tied up the bedrolls on the bottom of the pack. "We have a second quiver for your to carry with your bow, and we'll get a belt that you can loop the Sheikah Slate onto when we see Rhondson."
"She told me when we came back the next time that she'd have more undergarments for me too," Zelda casually commented, glancing sideways at her husband. "I'll have at least a half dozen sets. She told me that's the minimum a married woman should have."
"You know I won't complain. Speaking of… I think that set from Eventide still needs a good scrubbing," Link pointed out with a sheepish grin.
"You mean to get rid of the grass stains YOU got on there, after insisting that grass wouldn't do that?" Zelda shot him a mock angry look. "You're going to be the one scrubbing, or buying a replacement."
"But was it worth it?"
She huffed and gave a slight growl in the back of her throat. "Why must you infuriate me like this?"
"Because someone has to keep you on your toes and put a smile on your face when you're reminded of the fun that caused the stains you're griping about," he shot back easily.
She blushed and busied herself filling her quiver with the few arrows they had.
"Zelda. Should I bring this?"
She turned, and stumbled backward, tumbling to the floor with a yelp. "What in the world is that!?"
Link pulled off the Bokoblin mask and began to laugh. "I'm surprised I hadn't shown you these yet. There's this… bizarre man who's obsessed with monsters and masks. He creates ones that allow you to trick the monsters into thinking that you're one of them, until you're ready to attack."
She eyed him suspiciously. "I don't see why not. Does it work on all the monsters?"
"Bokoblins, Moblins, Lizalfos, and supposedly Lynels, though I don't own the last one. I'd prefer to use an ancient arrow and be done with those brutes." He shivered subconsciously. "Say, you know, it might not be a bad idea to get you a set of masks too."
Zelda blinked twice. "Please tell me that you're joking."
"I'm serious, love. We'll have the element of surprise, which we need fighting as many monsters as there are." Link handed her the mask. "It's surprisingly lightweight. Try it."
She gave him a look of disgust, but sighed, pulling it over her head. "It smells funny," she complained.
"It smells like monster guts and my sweat," he agreed. "Not the most pleasant of smells, but it could be worse."
Zelda lifted her head to look at him. "Please tell me I look every bit as ridiculous as you do in this monstrosity."
"You look adorable," he retorted. "Not much like a Bokoblin, but enough to fool the stupid monsters."
She huffed and blew a raspberry at him. "So, where do we find this strange, monster-obsessed man?"
"Kilton runs the Fang and Bone. It's only open late at night, and he sets up his camp down below Tarrey Town," Link explained.
"Perhaps the plan should be the Tech Lab, then staying the night in Tarrey Town, with a late trip down to see Kilton. That should fill the day," Zelda planned, pulling the mask off her head and shaking out her short hair.
"Let's get to it then," Link grinned at her, pressing a kiss to her forehead before shouldering their pack.
"Is everyone inside the Ancient Tech Labs going mad?!" Zelda asked incredulously as they walked from the Dah Hesho Shrine around toward Tarrey Town.
"I think you know the answer to that," Link grinned at her.
"Overall, I find my interactions with Purah to be more pleasant," she said decisively.
"I'm inclined to agree. But Purah doesn't create the ancient weapons and arrows we need. Robbie does," he pointed out. "At least our stop was brief."
"Thank the Goddess for that. I don't understand it. Perhaps after nearly a hundred years of research in one place, I'll be going mad as well."
"You're not going to be doing only research though," Link argued. "You're the Princess. Research will only be a small portion of what you do."
"True," she acknowledged. "Even still, I think one would go mad from the same walls day in and day out."
"I'll remember that when you're confined to the castle under the guise of 'handling affairs of state' or whatever nonsense you wish to call it." Link shot her a look. "I'll remind you and use that as an excuse to kidnap you for the rest of the day."
Zelda huffed. "You can't just do that any time you think I'm overworked."
"Watch me."
"It sounds to me like we're going to need a serious discussion before the coronation," Zelda said firmly.
"Mmmm, serious discussion? How serious are we talking? Like, I can't be distracting you like you did with me this morning?" Link reminded her.
Zelda's face turned beet red. "That was different," she sniffed.
"Oh? How exactly was it different?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Zelda clammed up as they entered Tarrey Town, and Rhondson waved the Princess over.
"We'll finish this discussion later," Link whispered, going to set up their room at the inn for the night.
"Well, Princess, how is married life?" Hudson grinned from ear to ear.
Zelda's flush and smile said it all. "It's been lovely. But we need to head to the castle to clear out the monsters."
"Holler when you need someone to start rebuilding the town and castle for you, Princess. I'd be happy to help," the Hylian offered. "And Rhondson can help with new fancy curtains."
The Gerudo woman shot him a look. "I'm capable of speaking for myself, thank you."
"Awww, don't be mad. You know you were planning on offering anyway," Hudson protested.
"I was, but that's beside the point. Wasn't there something you needed to take care of in the house?" Rhondson raised an eyebrow at him.
"Oh, right! Enjoy your chat, ladies!" Hudson left the two women in front of his wife's small shop.
"Now then, I've got the sets of undergarments I promised, as well as another two pairs of pants, and a simple tunic for while you're at the castle. It's easy to clean, and will be comfortable even when you're using a bow," the redhead explained, handing Zelda a stack of clothes.
"I can't begin to thank you for everything you've done," she replied.
"No need for thanks. I'm glad that I can keep you properly clothed. Oh, and here. I've got two more pairs of underwear for Link too. He hasn't asked for any, but if he's anything like my husband…" Rhondson shot the closed door of their house a glance before continuing. "He probably wouldn't tell you when his underwear was wearing out."
Zelda laughed softly. "That sounds about right. Wear it until it's threadbare. Link has a pair like that, as well as one of his sleep shirts."
"I'll work on replacing that before the winter comes. You won't need it while you're in the castle, I'm sure," the Gerudo seamstress commented.
"I heard my name. I didn't do it." Link joined them again. "Room is set for the night. Just need to talk to Fyson and stock the quivers with arrows."
"You didn't do it YET," Hudson joked, returning from his chores inside. "You'll be trying to say the same thing when the Princess is round with child, and we'll know that's a lie."
Zelda flushed deeply. Link chuckled and wrapped an arm around his wife. "No, I won't deny it then. She'll be carrying the royal bloodline, and hopefully by then, she'll be crowned Queen."
"Children come as the Goddess permits," Zelda reminded him, hugging the stack of clothing against her chest. "They are a blessing to the parents and those around them."
"Amen," Rhondson commented, rubbing the swell of her stomach. "Would you care to join us for dinner?"
"We'd love to," Zelda smiled.
"Come. I don't have much preparation left to do for it, but you're welcome to assist if you'd like," the redhead offered.
The princess handed Link the clothing and followed her inside. It was pleasant to have the company of another woman, and Rhondson had shown a willingness to open up. Zelda was thankful she had someone she might be able to call a friend.
Zelda stifled a yawn as the couple walked down the steep path that led to the beach of Lake Akkala. The evening with Hudson and Rhondson had been pleasant and full of laughter. Now with her belly full, the day was catching up to her.
"Time with Kilton won't take long," Link said, catching the second yawn she wasn't able to stop in time. "I've got the monster parts he'll want in exchange for mon, which is his personal payment system, and he should have the masks in stock."
"Are we getting the Lynel one too?" she asked curiously.
"No, just the Bokoblin, Moblin, and Lizalfos," he reminded her. "No need for the Lynel mask if we're taking them out in a single shot with the ancient arrows."
Zelda didn't respond, too busy staring at the unusual stand. The back of it was a large, misshapen, conglomeration of various fabrics in bright colors. Near the bottom, just above head height, was a glowing purple orb, the only source of light in the makeshift shop. Reflecting off the garish display above, it gave a creepy vibe to the entire stand. Upon further inspection, skulls adorned the sides of the stand in several places. A hooded figure stood behind a wooden counter, and Zelda cocked her head, looking for the face in the opening.
"Is that a Moblin I smell, or perhaps…" the figure turned, and Zelda realized they'd been looking at the back of his head. He startled with a shriek at the sight of the pair and clutched the counter. "Oh, it's just you. What can I do for you tonight?"
She studied the figure while Link pulled out the monster pieces and interacted with the strange man. He stood a foot shorter than herself and Link, and his bald head took up a good portion of that height. A single curl of white hair remained just above his forehead, matching the white curling mustache and beard, the latter being bunched into four spiky clusters on his chin. A pair of fangs rested on his lower lip, and Zelda resisted the urge to raise an eyebrow when she caught sight of the monster claw gauntlets the man wore. There was a perfect word to describe him, if Zelda recalled from her studies. Eccentric? No, Beedle is the embodiment of eccentricity. Eldritch! That was the term.
Link interrupted her thoughts by handing her three folded masks. "That should do it, I think."
"Can I interest you in any monster extract this time?" Kilton asked in his odd, gravely voice.
Zelda unconsciously took a step back. Monster extract? What in the world would one do with monster extract? She didn't want to stick around and find out.
"Not this time," Link declined, and Zelda breathed a silent sigh of relief.
"Very well. I'll see you again on another monstrous night." Kilton waved as the couple walked away.
Zelda quickened her pace as they got to the bottom of the hill. "Next time, you're going to see him without me."
Link chuckled softly. "He's unusual, to be sure."
"Unusual? He's creepy! I can be respectful of all different types of people, but that doesn't mean I necessarily wish to spend much time with such… rabble."
Link stopped her and pulled her in for a kiss. "Understood. I won't bring you if we need anything from him again."
She sighed and relaxed against him. "Thank you."
"Of course. Come on, love. There's a hot bath and warm bed calling our names back at the inn. I promise by the time we fall asleep tonight, you will barely remember having to stop by and see him."
Zelda blushed and whispered something low in his ear, causing Link to shiver, and the leisurely walk back into town immediately became more brisk for the lovers.
Rain poured from the sky when Link and Zelda's feet touched the platform of the Katah Chuki shrine. The princess pulled the hood of her cloak over her head, resisting the urge to shiver. Link had given her the choice: to start from the castle town and work their way through from there, or to go through the docks and work their way up through the castle from its underbelly. She had chosen the former, wanting to see the front of her home and what little remained of the town that had once flourished.
A pang of guilt and regret washed over her as the couple turned onto the path that led up to the castle. Perhaps the rain was a fitting reflection of the melancholy that filled her soul. Gone were all the buildings. Only rubble and pieces of Guardians decorated the courtyard of the town square. Even the once lustrous fountain in the center had fallen to pieces, partially covered by a lifeless Guardian, bringing a tear to Zelda's eye. She paused, taking in the sight of the ruined town that many of the staff, including her few personal maids that she considered friends, had called home.
Link's hand rested on her shoulder, though he said nothing. His somber attitude matched hers. What could they say? A hundred years of decay, combined with an unapproachable evil that blanketed the castle had led to the death of hundreds, and the ruin of more than just the castle town. And the worst was still to come.
"Master Link. There are no enemies detected in the castle town. Four Bokoblin archers stand watch over the gates into the castle." Fi appeared by Link's side. "All are clearly visible, despite attempts to hide."
"Then let us begin." Zelda turned and pulled both of the Bokoblin masks out of the pack. After sliding hers into place, she pulled her Light Bow off her shoulder and nocked an arrow without drawing it.
Link pulled his mask over his face and matched her with the Great Eagle Bow. "It's time to reclaim our home."
Fi gave a short nod and floated behind the couple. Her insight into enemy locations would prove invaluable during their time in the castle. Time in her physical form drew short. But she would continue to serve Master Link, so long as there was a need.
The rain did nothing to aid the Hylians, though it did little to slow them. The first set of arrows eliminated their intended targets, with the second round swiftly following. Zelda's hand brushed the rough stone walls of the outer gate as they passed through, and she breathed a soft sigh. There were a few things that hadn't changed in a hundred years, but finding such items was difficult at best.
"Fi, are all of the Guardians dormant?" Link asked curiously.
"Since the defeat of Calamity Ganon, all Guardians have ceased hostility and remain in a state of static inactivity One might refer to it as dormancy."
He breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. I didn't relish being targeted by those lasers the entirety of our time fighting the other monsters."
"I had a feeling that might be the case when nothing attacked us in the castle town," Zelda pointed out. "That would've been the perfect opportunity, since there were the remains of so many Guardians."
"... I had forgotten," Link admitted sheepishly. "Where's the highest concentration of monsters, Fi?"
"Within the Lockup, where you previously defeated the Stalnox to obtain the Hylian Shield," the spirit replied. "The Sanctum has become a haven for monsters as well."
"And the fewest?" Zelda dared to ask.
"Within the tower housing the bedroom belonging to the Princess. A Lynel has taken residence in the adjacent tower. A Black Moblin occupies the bedroom, and two Bokoblins in the study."
Zelda's eyes widened and she froze. On the one hand, she wanted nothing more than to be back in her own bedchamber again. Yet, the practical part of her brain screamed that nothing within would be as she remembered it.
Link's attention turned to his wife's face. She'd gone pale, and silent. He could almost hear the thoughts warring within her brain, and he lowered his bow, wrapping her in a tight hug.
She stiffened, but rested her head on his shoulder. "I don't think I'm ready," she whispered. "I can't do this. I can't do this, Link."
"Take a deep breath," he encouraged. "We'll work our way around the other way. It's not going to be cleared out in one day, or even two. We have time."
Tears ran unchecked down her cheeks. "I don't know what will be worse: my own rooms, the sanctum, or the room where my mother drew her last breath.
His grip around her tightened. "You're not alone anymore, remember? One room at a time."
She nodded dumbly, clinging tightly to him.
"Master Link. Two Lizalfos sense your presence and approach from the south," Fi interrupted their tender embrace.
Zelda hastily wiped away her tears. There would be more time for weeping and emotions, but with enemies that could appear at any time, they had to be on their guard. The monsters were plentiful, and it wasn't unlike the fairytale stories she'd read of a valiant knight facing hordes of enemies single handedly. But there was no need for him to be alone. She was going to prove that as princess, she was more than a figurehead. More than a damsel trapped in a tower awaiting rescue. She would fight alongside him. She would prove her own strength.
