Zelda's blue eyes drifted open, settling upon the relaxed hand right before them.
There was a wince in her expression as slowly sat up, emerging from her slumber with tired blinks of her eyes.
Her and Karane had been studying the base of the goddess for any carvings that would hint to more information on the Triforce. The desk Zelda fell asleep on was messy as she looked at it drearily.
She could still hear what likely lulled her to sleep in the first place, the chirping birds, the calming breeze, the gentle rustle of the trees. As she looked around, she wasn't surprised at all that she had dozed off.
She was, however, surprised that she was alone where she sat. Karane and Pipit, who had come along with her to not only help her research but to get a change of pace and some fresh air, were now gone completely as she looked around from her chair.
Why would they leave without her? Why didn't they wake her up? She can't walk back home on her own, and flying in her condition wasn't the best idea. Maybe they would come back.
Zelda sighed, gathering the things on her desk and resigning herself to the fact that she would likely have to walk home alone.
Yet, something caught her eyes, a pink flower resting upon a book. Zelda's brow creased as she picked it up, her fingers running across its' delicate curling petals.
"Azalea," she said with a smile. "Link."
She stepped away from the table, looking around for him.
"Link?" She called out before her eyes darted to an entire trail of pink flowers leading into the open temple at the goddess' feet.
Her heart warmed as her expression sank into a thankful smile, her eyes curving along with it.
Just from here she could see the glow of the Triforce, picking up each flower as she came closer until she was right before the relic with a whole bouquet of pink flowers.
"You did it," she said softly with tears in her eyes. She was addressing Link, but she knew he wasn't there, it becoming, in her eyes, hopeless words she just wanted him to hear.
She bowed her head with a sigh.
"I wanted you back more than the Triforce."
"I wasn't sure."
She looked to where the voice came from quickly with wide eyes and parted lips.
He was leaning on a column with a smirk, his arms crossed.
She dropped the flowers as she started to run, hugging him so quick and fast that they fell to the ground.
"Zel," Link said with a laugh. "Be careful."
They were facing each other where they lay, Zelda bringing a hand to his cheek and rubbing her thumb along it.
"I am," she said, resting her head down on the ground as she admired his blue eyes, got lost in his smile.
Link met her hand where it touched his cheek, kissing the inside of her palm before he entangled her fingers in his.
"Zel, I…I got the Triforce back. I'm so sorry for—"
"I don't care," Zelda said with a shake of her head. "I missed you so much."
Link's eyes drifted down to her stomach, letting out a chuckle when he saw the bump was now much more pronounced. He placed a gentle hand on it as their foreheads met.
"How far?" He asked.
"Three months," Zelda said with a smile. "You were down in those tunnels for about two. I figured you'd lose track of time."
"I don't want to lose anymore," he said before his mouth crashed into hers, the familiarity so soothing he almost forgot to breathe. With a small smile, the kiss broke only for second, only to return and deepen.
"Mm," he said as he finally withdrew. "I want to show you something."
He helped her up, leading her to the Triforce and covering her eyes.
"Link, I saw the Triforce when I came in."
"I know," Link said with a smile. "But this is something else."
"I learned," he continued. "That if you look closely, each piece will reveal it's true owner. Courage belongs to me. Power has been cursed by Demise, to return like we feared."
"And wisdom?" Zelda asked, hoping the answer was a bit less worrisome.
"Wisdom," Link said before uncovering her eyes and sliding his arms around her stomach. His chin went into the crook of her neck. "Is someone I'd like you to meet."
"Link…" she said shakily. "Is…"
She was already crying, Link could tell.
"Is that…?" Zelda asked.
"Our child," Link said before kissing her neck. "That's why it disappeared from my hand when it did. It went to my offspring. That's…it's destiny…to be passed along bloodlines."
Zelda let out a chuckle of disbelief as her tears continued, turning around and hugging Link tight.
"I'm so sorry I was so hard on you," Zelda said. "I never want you gone again."
"I assure you, Zelda," Link said. "Nothing is going to keep me away from you now."
With hands held, they walked home from the temple, a casual stroll as the sun set on Hyrule and an orange glow pierced along the horizon, through the leaves of the trees.
After they exhausted the topics that had the narrow depth of pleasantries, about two months with only Groose for company and how the weather has been so serene lately, their conversation deepened. Link took multiple quandaries to the health of the baby, to which Zelda assured him that Greba had checked her a few days ago and that everything was going as normal.
When Link apologized again for his absence, Zelda would cite her great faith in him, that her love would carry them through any time apart. Jokingly, she requested that he stay put for now. Link heartily agreed.
But the next topic was inevitable as they approached their house, Zelda stopping in the yard.
"You got the Triforce back," she started. "You told me the Sheikah gave it freely. I didn't press the matter but…"
Her words faded.
"They're in the house," Link said to her profile. "They want to talk to you."
Zelda closed her eyes with an exhale.
"Is that supposed to console me?" She asked. "Their well-being—"
"Is of their own accord," Link finished for her, likely different from what she intended. "They made their choice. Maybe you forced their hand then, but when I went to them, they chose your authority freely, even when I expected them to act in revenge against us. Zel, what Hylia did was wrong but…they survived it."
Zelda opened her eyes as she nodded. She brought a hand to her slightly swollen stomach.
"I wish carrying wisdom would grant me some."
Link placed a hand to the back of her head and kissed her forehead. Zelda looked over.
"You were already the wisest person I know before you carried our baby," Link said. "Any apparent wisdom on my part is surely attributed to that."
Zelda's smile sank her expression along with her exhale.
She started to walk forward again, Link by her side.
Indigo, in her impatience, came through the door, her tall frame and similarity to Impa stunning Zelda completely as Indigo stepped outside.
"Your Grace," she said before kneeling with a bowed head. "It is an honor."
Zelda held back her relief and her happiness, remembering formality and grace, the composure she had relearned. To embrace this Sheikah and celebrate their presence and existence would be to disrespect the years upon years of service they did in Hylia's name, as if only this moment mattered. This Sheikah was offering formality and Zelda was determined to return it.
Perhaps with her own mortal twist, she supposed.
"The honor is mine," Zelda said, kneeling to the level of the Sheikah and placing her hands on either of her arms. Indigo met Zelda's gaze in slight surprise.
"To see your race alive and well is an honor on its own," Zelda continued. "Thank you for your bravery."
Zelda started to tear up. She tried to ignore that her composure wasn't working before tears befell her cheeks.
"I…I'm sorry," Zelda said, moving her hands to wipe away her tears and hiding her face. "This is completely inappropriate."
Zelda felt a hand on her shoulder, yet when she looked to it she realized it wasn't Links.
"We blame you not for your deeds as a Goddess," Indigo said. "We treasure your life as you do ours. It is for this reason that our race did not die in vain. Blood was shed from all who fought, and in their names, we must prevent blood from ever spilling upon Hyrule again."
Zelda had tears in her eyes that she ignored, nodding in agreement.
"Speaking of which," Indigo said. "It's time we talk about your Triforce."
Link sat back down on the couch, handing Zelda a cup of water silently before he leaned forward on his elbows.
"No one?" Indigo asked, looking between all who were gathered in Link and Zelda's living room.
It was everyone who knew of the Triforce, except for Zelda's father, who was not in attendance. Link and Zelda sat on a couch opposite Indigo, with Pipit and Karane on the couch to their right and Groose in a chair that completed the square.
"What about the Sky Keep?" Zelda suggested. "That's where it used to be."
"No safer there than underground," Groose said with a shake of his head. "With the right amount of effort, it would still be a target."
With a blink of his eyes and a crease in his brow, Link's head shifted downwards. Zelda knew how to read that by now.
"What are you thinking?" She asked.
"The Triforce wasn't just hidden in the Sky Keep," Link said.
"What do you mean?" Zelda prompted.
Link looked up among the group.
"When I was searching for the flames," he started. "To forge the Master Sword…I had to undergo trials."
"The Silent Realms," Indigo said. "Where you received her gifts. They were meant to test you."
Link nodded.
"But there was a version of those when I got the Triforce from the Sky Keep," he continued. "Each one was in its own individual silent realm and I had to use the Master Sword to access it. For some reason, they were always connected to the Master Sword. I had to use it to enter a realm beyond this reality."
"Are you talking about the Sacred Realm?" Karane asked, Zelda looking to her immediately.
"I don't think so," Link said in reply.
"What is that?" Groose asked.
"We found it in one of the books," Zelda said. "It's a realm parallel to Hyrule…the supposed land of the goddesses…a myth, really."
"Do you think we could move the Triforce there?" Pipit asked.
"If it is real, then maybe," Karane said. "Even then, how would we get in?"
"Through the Master Sword," Link suggested. "Maybe it works the same as the others, like the Master Sword is some…gateway. And if we put the Triforce in there only pulling the Master Sword would release it. Even I can't do that anymore."
"So as long as the Master Sword stayed in its' pedestal," Pipit clarified. "The realm would be sealed, and thus the Triforce."
"Wait, hold on," Zelda said. "We don't even know if the Sacred Realm is real."
"If it isn't," Link reasoned. "Then I won't have gone anywhere."
"Whoa," Zelda said as she turned her head to him. "Who says you're doing it?"
"Of course I'm doing it," Link said. "I'm the only person who can hold the hilt without getting blown back."
Zelda sighed.
It was true, it had to be him.
"I can protect you with my magic," she said. "Try to direct the Triforce to the Sacred Realm…maybe Hylia has been there before. Maybe I can keep you out of it."
Link nodded.
"But Link…" she continued. "None of this is a guarantee. Are you sure about this?"
"We have to hide the Triforce, Zel," Link said. "And if this is how we do it, then this is how we do it."
Everyone looked to Indigo, waiting for her opinion, her authority.
"I am somewhat familiar with the myth," she said with a nod. "It's an unprecedented situation, but it could work."
Link and Zelda's hands met as the group of them smiled.
Indigo's red gaze was on Link and Zelda.
"Even with the incarnate's magic it's risky, but I can't see any other alternative. This is the best option we have and if you say it's worth the risk, then it is worth a try."
Link nodded.
"What about concealing it from history?" Karane asked. "There's hiding the actual Triforce but couldn't the idea of it could still cause civil war, dissent, chaos."
"Because so few people know," Zelda said. "I think we're on the right track. But with people moving down here we have to be extra careful about it. About what we say, about hiding evidence like books and texts."
Indigo nodded.
"That's a good start," the Sheikah said. "But I want you all to keep in mind that your race will never truly be completely safe from this potential corruptive greed. Even my race, although I hate to admit, can fall prey to it. Going forward, you must keep in mind that this an inward battle that will never end. You fought and won a thousand-year war between the forces of good and evil, easy to define, to draw a line upon. But before you is that same struggle inside your souls, between good and evil. Hylia loved her people for the innocence of that struggle, perhaps placing to much hope in your victory, but you must be careful to wage it with a great awareness. Never think it has been won, or it is most assuredly lost."
The group of them nodded in agreement.
"We'll attempt reaching the Sacred Realm tomorrow," Indigo continued, changing the subject and standing up. "Until then, enjoy the rest of the day. I know this is tiring for everyone."
Everyone else stood up, the meeting at an end. Indigo stepped to the side, watching Link and Zelda in particular.
"How's the leg?" Link asked Pipit as the yellow-clad knight helped Karane to stand up off the couch.
"Better," Pipit said in reply. "Off the cane and walking…ish…I'd say that I'll be returning to my duties as a knight soon, but with Karane entering her final trimester, it's unlikely."
"Honestly I might take a break soon too," Link said. "Relax a bit."
"You two just leaving me to do your jobs," Groose said, crossing his arms. "Pathetic."
"Well, no matter what the future has in store," Zelda said. "You are all invited to stay for dinner."
"That sounds great!" Karane said excitedly as Link put his arm around Zelda. Groose, Pipit, and Karane entered their own excited conversation.
"Do you need any help preparing?" Link asked, turning his head to her.
"Sure," Zelda said. "Thanks."
He released his arm from her shoulders, taking a couple steps before a
"Link," made him turn his head to Indigo.
Indigo gestured her head to prompt him to come over, Link looking to Zelda.
"I'll be right there," he assured Zelda, his wife nodding and moving to the kitchen.
"I need to discuss something with you," Indigo said once he came closer, Link looking up at the tall Sheikah, "about the Sacred Realm."
"Okay, what?"
Indigo looked over at the people in their vicinity, the happy smiles, the joyous conversation and laughter as they all went to the kitchen and started talking with Zelda.
"Not here," Indigo said. "It's about the risk. I suggest going somewhere else if you don't want to worry your loved ones. If you choose to, you can always tell them my warnings later."
Link nodded.
"I understand."