helloooooo, back agaaaaain, happy mondaaaaay!
I'm on a roll with writing lmao. I dunno how long it'll last but my god will I ride inspiration this for as long as I can.
thank you all for your comments on the last chapter! you're all so nice, they really made me smile.
but anyway! that's enough out of me for now. off you go then!
The day before they were meant to depart from Gerudo Town, Link took her to see Vah Naboris.
They didn't take the horses; Link just wrapped his arms around her and used the slate, taking them to the tower that rested on Spectacle Rock. When Zelda blinked the lights out of her eyes, she was greeted by the sight of Naboris, a burnished orange in the light of the rising sun, head still turned towards Hyrule Castle.
It was a little chilly due to being so high up, but she didn't mind it too much. They decided to change into their Gerudo silks, since they wouldn't be here long, and Zelda didn't bother tying her hair up before Link spirited her away, and the strands blew across her cheek from the wind. She didn't pay it any mind, standing near the edge of the tower and looking over Naboris' dim blue lights, fading in and out just like the others.
She didn't jump when she felt Link's hand press against her back, but the hair on the back of her neck stood up from the awareness of how near he was, at the warmth of his hand sinking into her skin.
"It feels a little sad," she admitted in a whisper, "to leave them like this. It doesn't feel right to just – leave them here."
Zelda turned her head a little to look at Link, who was staring out at Naboris as well, eyes narrowed in thought.
"Do you think it would be possible to bring them back? The Divine Beasts? I don't want them to be turned into monuments, I…they could be good for something."
She didn't want the Divine Beasts to be remembered as her Champions' final resting place, or for the terror they had brought –
But a century was such a long time. Maybe that was the only fate for them – to be put aside as nothing more than a bad memory, left to gather dust. But Zelda wouldn't know unless she tried. And that was the very least she could do.
"I think," Link said slowly, considering every word, "that right now, we just need to take it one day at a time. You don't have to take every issue on at once."
He looked away from Naboris, giving her a little smile. "The Divine Beasts won't be forgotten." He said, and he sounded so certain. "But we'll work up to dealing with that – okay? One issue at a time."
Link sounded so sure about it – that the Divine Beasts would be used once more. Like it would be something so simple. Zelda knew deep in her bones that to bring the Divine Beasts back to the public would be the opposite of simple, but –
She felt his thumb brush across her skin, soothing.
He was right. One issue at a time.
"You make a fair point." Zelda said, giving him a little smile. She turned back to Naboris, watching the lights flicker across her hull, in and out. "I always get ahead of myself. I just –"
She sighed, unable to find the words to explain just how much it aches, seeing Naboris like this. She had put so much time into studying them, hours into tuning them up for her Champions and figuring out how they work. Zelda had put so much of herself into the Divine Beasts, into the Guardians, into understanding them – when she had nothing, when she was spoken of by the townsfolk as a sham of a Princess, of a Goddess – she had her knowledge. Her books, and her studies – that, she could find her worth in, that was where she could be good at something.
Zelda couldn't find the words, after all – but Link nodded as though he understood.
"I know. It's okay."
They were quiet, as they gazed upon Naboris, and she was about to ask if they should return to Gerudo Town when Link suddenly spoke up.
"Do you remember when I told you about how I saw all the Champions, after I freed the Divine Beasts?"
"Yes…?"
"I promised I'd tell you about them. I want to tell you about Urbosa."
Her heart ached with a grief so potent it almost took her breath.
Urbosa.
Zelda tried not to think about it too much, but it was hard when you turn and every sight reminded you of what you lost. The days they've spent in Gerudo helped her feel a little closer to her lost friend, but there were still moments where she walked through the markets and turned, expecting to see her.
She swallowed, forcing herself to speak past the lump in her throat. "What – what was it like? Seeing her again?"
Link tilted his head, closing his eyes as he thought on his words.
"Seeing her again…it was like she had never died."
He pressed his lips into a line. "She had a presence around her that was so strong. I wouldn't have been surprised if she snatched her spirit away from the Calamity's hold without my help. But with that strength…there was a warmth in her, too. She told me something, before I had to go."
Link opened his eyes, and they were piercing, pinning her in place.
"What…did she say?"
"She said that – that this, here –"
He didn't look away from her as he gestured out to everything before them, to Naboris, sleeping down below. "Everything that happened with the Divine Beasts, the Champions…this was the way things were meant to happen. That no one needs to carry any blame, and that – that you don't need to worry anymore. And Urbosa said – she wanted me to tell you that she has never been more proud of you."
Zelda didn't want to cry – Goddess knows that she was getting so sick of crying – but she could feel the press of tears behind her eyes all the same, the lump in her throat growing until it was choking her.
She missed Urbosa. She missed her Champions – her friends.
Everyone tells her that it wasn't her fault, that she doesn't need to worry – Link, Impa, and now Urbosa from beyond. And she tries – she's trying.
But she remembers, in clear, terrible detail – the fire, the smoke, the whine of Guardian lasers mixed with the cries of her people, begging for help – begging for her.
She is trying not to blame herself, still. But some days it's so hard.
Despite that, Urbosa didn't think the least of her – said that she was proud of her, until the very end.
Zelda sniffled a little and swiped at her eyes. "I'll…I'll try. I'm trying, you know?"
"I know. I know you are."
Link wrapped an arm around her waist, and Zelda let herself be pulled in, wrapped up into the tightest hug she's ever received. For a second, she didn't know what to do with herself, but eventually she moved – wrapped her arms around him in return, clinging to his shoulders and hugging him back just as tightly.
It hit her then, that as close as they have gotten since they reunited, Zelda hasn't been hugging Link as much as she should. They've seen each other down to near nothing, slept in the same bed wrapped around each other every single night – but this was different, even with all that between them. This was so warm, and safe…and with how tightly he held onto her, it felt like he was keeping her together.
Zelda decided then that she would make sure to hug Link more often, letting out a big sigh as she pressed her cheek against the curve of his neck.
"Thank you." She mumbled. "For telling me that. For bringing me here, to see Naboris. We can go back whenever you want."
Link hummed, and the sound rumbled against her ribs. He reached up, combing his fingers through her hair to cup the back of her neck, and Zelda's heart felt ready to burst out of her chest at the sensation.
"Just a little while longer." He murmured, and she gave in to the soft request with no complaints, pressing closer into his arms as they watched the sun climb higher into the sky.
-o-
"I must admit, I am a little sad to see you two go."
Zelda looked up from packing her bag to see Riju standing in the doorway of their room, hands laced behind her back. She smiled, just as Link said, "it's not like we're never coming back," from where he was sitting on the bed. "We'll probably come through again before you even have any time to miss us."
Riju frowned a little, stepping into the room. "I know that! But still…it's been an enjoyable few days, having both of you around."
It has been nice; when Zelda wasn't running around the Gerudo province with Link, they were spending time with Riju, whether it was poring over possible avenues for Gerudo Town's future or talking over a shared meal. Zelda can easily admit that she enjoyed spending time with the little chief, and was sad to part from her, as well.
"We certainly don't want to overstay our welcome –" Zelda started, but Riju waved a hand, cutting her off.
"Oh, please – having you underfoot was giving everyone something to talk about. And Link being such a people-person is always a plus when something needs doing."
"You're just sad you're losing me as an errand-boy." Link stated, and the stink-eye Riju threw at him made Zelda choke with laughter.
"I changed my mind – Zelda is going to be the only one I will miss."
"Riju!" Link pressed a hand to his chest, wounded. "After all we've been through! All the chores I've done for you -!"
"Enough out of you!"
Zelda could no longer hold it back and quickly dissolved into giggling, closing her bag and hitching it over her shoulder as she stood up. "You both are being so silly," she laughed, opening her eyes and giving them a fond smile. Link was blinking rapidly at her, a glazed look in his eyes, but he quickly snapped out of it when he noticed her eyes on him, sitting up straighter with a faint, pink tint to his cheeks – at least she thought that was what she saw. With the veil on, she was never entirely sure.
But no matter – Riju was shaking her head and muttering under her breath, and Zelda caught her saying "foolish, obvious voe –" before the girl noticed her approach, reaching out to meet her halfway.
"Link is right, though." She grabs Riju's hands, giving them a gentle squeeze. "We will come back to visit – this isn't goodbye! You'll see us again."
"I know, I know…" She sighed, squeezing Zelda's hands in return. "But I won't keep you. I actually came this way to see you off myself and give my goodbyes. I already know Link was up at a disgusting hour because the horses are prepared."
"He was? Link!"
"At least I didn't wake you up this time!"
It was a bittersweet feeling, walking through the market square one last time towards the stables, even though Zelda had just promised that they would return. She'd always felt that way, whenever she had to leave Gerudo Town – that feeling of leaving one of her few sanctuaries behind, going back to the world and the responsibilities that waited for her.
She placed her bag on Mint's back after greeting him with plenty of scritches behind the ear and an apple just to sweeten him up and turned back to give Riju a proper goodbye. She was giving Link a hug, when she returned, and the girl tried not to look too sad when she stepped back so Zelda could get a hug as well.
"Be safe out there." Riju said as they mounted up onto their horses. "Just because there isn't a Calamity out and about anymore doesn't mean there still isn't trouble. Try not to run into it – especially you, Hero."
"I never run into trouble." Link denied staunchly. "Trouble always runs into me."
"That makes me feel so much better."
Riju took a few steps back, towards where her guards were hovering nearby, keeping an eye on her, and gave them a smile.
"Sav'orq, Link. Zelda. Be well, until we meet again."
Zelda grabbed Mint's reins and gave the girl one last smile. "Goodbye, Riju. We'll see you soon."
It was already sweltering outside when they moved out into the desert, slowly traveling down the path that led to the bazaar, and Zelda shielded her eyes with her hand, squinting out at the horizon.
"So," Link said, slowing Licorice down until they were riding side by side. "Do you want to go to Outskirt Stable and then make way to Hyrule Castle from there?"
"Ah –"
Zelda opened her mouth, but the words stuck in her throat, making her hesitate. Link noticed, of course, but he waited, giving her time to speak her mind.
"I think…I would like to stop at Kakariko, first."
Link raised an eyebrow, but he didn't protest. "Kakariko's a ways off, but we can do it. Do you want to take the horses the whole way?"
"No, no…I want to get it out of the way." The sooner she told Impa her plans so far, the better. "Maybe…we can use the slate, for this part? We can take the horses to the stable at least and go from there."
She felt that visiting Hyrule Castle was necessary – and she didn't forget the promise she made to Kaneli. But that didn't mean she wanted to linger.
"I understand. That's fine. We'll stop at the stable in the Gerudo Canyon to change, and then we'll leave the horses and go from there. Sound good?"
"Yes – oh! Actually…could we maybe…send the horses a little closer to Hateno?"
Link stared at her for a moment before turning back to the path, a little smile curling at the edges of his mouth.
"Softie."
"Well -!"
"We can send the horses to Dueling Peaks." Link promised. "Then you can visit Mint as much as you want."
Zelda fiddled with Mint's reins, embarrassed at how easily he could see through her, but she quickly shrugged off the feeling, giving in with a smile and combing her fingers through Mint's mane.
"Thank you." She said, soft.
"It's no problem. Chestnut needs more friends, anyway."
They fell quiet, and soon left the Gerudo Desert behind, entering the shaded paths of the Gerudo Canyon. Zelda sighed at the shade, grateful for the cover to take away some of the heat of the sun that was bearing down on her shoulders.
"So…"
Link's voice breaking the peaceful silence between them was startling. "You didn't really say, so I'm wondering…what made you want to stop at Kakariko?"
Oh. She didn't actually explain why. She reasoned it out in her head, but never said it out loud.
Guilt prickled across her skin. "I'm sorry, Link. I'd been thinking about it for a few days. I just want to go to Kakariko for the day and talk to Impa because the last time we talked it wasn't…"
Zelda trailed off, unable to find the words, and Link cocked his head. "It wasn't good?" He guessed, and she shook her head.
"No, no, it wasn't – it didn't go terribly, but it wasn't the best conversation, either."
Zelda never responded well to being pushed, and Impa meant well, she knows this – but despite knowing that, there was still a stilted air between them, when they last spoke. She hoped that this sign of progress in her decision would make things a little better.
"Zelda…" He said slowly, "I know you said that you want to do this, but…are you positive -?"
"Yes." She cut him off, sharper than intended. "I already told you – this was my choice."
She didn't mean to get so short with him but – she was so irritated at constantly being doubted, her motives being questioned by others again and again.
The flush of anger passed as quickly as it came, and soon all Zelda was left with was the guilt.
She couldn't bear to look at him, but she scrounged up enough courage to peek at him, an apology building on her lips. But then she saw his face – stony, holding onto Licorice's reins with a grip so tight his knuckles were white – and the bravery she gathered crumbled into ash, words sticking to her tongue. Her heart sank to her toes as he set his jaw, averting his eyes, and pulled at Licorice's reins, urging the horse to fall back –
Separating them exactly three paces apart.
Zelda felt like she'd been slapped.
The peaceful air between them had vanished, and the remaining ride to the stable passed in an awkward, chilled silence.
She hopped off Mint and grabbed her bag as soon as they reached the stable, leaving the horses with Link and scrambling off to the most secluded corner she could find to change. She felt somewhat better in her regular traveling clothes and returned to the stable as she was just finishing braiding her hair, quickly scanning the area to see where Link had gone. He was nowhere to be found, so Zelda assumed that he had gone to change after boarding up the horses. She picked at the hem of her shirt as she waited, eyes glued to the ground and her dust covered boots.
She had to apologize – Zelda knew that she needed to apologize. It wasn't fair, to snap at Link that way, especially since he's been kind enough to go on this journey with her, to open up his home to her when she had nowhere to go. But Link putting that distance between them had frozen her up like nothing ever had.
Zelda began to gnaw at her lip, picking at the skin as she laced her hands over her anxious heart.
"The horses are all set."
Link's voice startled her so badly that she almost leapt out of her skin, whirling around with wide eyes. He blinked slowly at her, his face a placid mask, and she felt her heart start to ache all over again.
I'm sorry. She could feel the words, sitting on her tongue. I didn't mean to snap at you.
"O-oh. Alright." Zelda tried not to cringe, feeling like a coward as the words shriveled up in her mouth. "Should…should we depart, then?"
"Yes."
It felt…horribly awkward, shuffling forward and stepping into the circle of his arms. It wasn't – it didn't feel close, even though they were pressed against each other. Even this closeness felt distant. She didn't like it, the chill between them – she had to fix it. Now was the perfect time.
Apologize, Zelda hissed to herself. Apologize, you silly, foolish girl! Open your mouth and say it!
Tears pricked her eyes, but her mouth remained stubbornly closed. Blue lights filled her vision, and Zelda quietly cursed herself for being such a prideful coward as they were whisked away to Kakariko.
-o-
Zelda tucked herself into the shadows and curled into herself as tight as she could as she looked down at the pond behind Impa's house, watching the fish lazily circle around.
She could distantly hear the lively sounds of Kakariko Village dying down as the day slowly came to a close, the sky a bruise blue shade of dusk. Her talk with Impa went as well as she thought it would – and dragged on longer than she expected. What she thought would take only an hour or two dragged on to the end of the day; Impa had been holding back a lot more of her opinions than Zelda thought. But she hadn't been the royal advisor for nothing.
It had been…an enlightening conversation, to say the least. Impa had looked like a weight was taken off her shoulders, when Zelda told her that she was making moves to reclaim her throne, and she felt guilty at taking so long to make a decision – and still doubting her choices, even now.
Absently, she wondered where Link was, what he was doing, and just the thought of him made her curl into herself even further.
He didn't come with her, to speak with Impa. She had put her foot in her mouth, again, once they arrived to Kakariko, walking down the hill and entering the village in silence. Once they reached the stairs leading to Impa's home, they stopped, staring at each other, and Zelda had jerkily said, "well, I – I suppose I should –"
Link's eyes had drifted away before she could finish her sentence, and he nodded once, a sharp gesture, before walking off without saying a word, leaving her bereft at the stairs, Dorian and Cado staring at her in concern.
And now she was here, hiding in the shadows behind Impa's house, anxiety buzzing like courser bees beneath her skin.
She should be pleased; despite the cold wall between her and Link, everything with Impa had gone well – better than she had hoped. Zelda already knew she approved of her decision to speak to the settlements and their leaders, and she was proud of her decision to go to the castle – probably, Zelda thinks, because Impa assumes she's checking to see if it can be rebuilt.
There was no pressure, no pushing, no awkward, stilted air – she had come to Kakariko and accomplished everything that she had set out to do.
So why was she so anxious? Why did she feel ready to burst out of her skin with nerves?
"Y -your Highness?"
Zelda jumped a little at the soft voice, and turned to see Paya shuffling forward, nervously twisting her fingers together.
"Y-you've been out here for quite some time…" she said shyly, and Zelda finally noticed just how dark it had gotten, sunset fireflies lazily drifting in the air around them. "Are – are you alright?"
"I –"
I'm fine, she started to say, but the words wouldn't come. It wouldn't have been true, anyway.
Paya anxiously shuffled in place as the silence stretched on, and she took a hesitant step back, bowing her head in apology. "Sorry! I – I shouldn't have bothered you, Your Highness, I –"
"No!"
The protest burst out of her, and Paya froze in place, brows wrinkling a little in worry. Zelda curled her hands into fists, trying to collect herself, and slowly curled out of the tight ball she had made herself into.
"I'm the one who should be sorry." She said, a little more composed. "I was just – thinking. You can stay if you want?"
She wouldn't mind the company, but she didn't want to force Paya, if she didn't want to stay.
"A-are you certain? I don't w-want to, to bother you or anything, Your Highness –"
"You wouldn't be a bother. And please, you can just call me Zelda."
That request made Paya turn bright pink. "I don't – I don't know if I can do that!" She burst out, embarrassed. Despite the protest, she slowly walked over and carefully sat next to Zelda, her hands twisting nervously in her lap.
She huffed out a quiet laugh. "Well, if you're not comfortable with it, it's fine – I understand. I'm sure I've been…built up quite a bit, by your grandmother."
"Mm…Maybe a little."
Zelda laughed again, and Paya's lips quirked up in a shy little smile, the two girls soon falling quiet.
It was nice, to have some company, and Zelda tried not to fall back into her buzzing thoughts as she stared up at the night sky, watching the fireflies drift overhead.
"You –"
Paya spoke up, and she tilted her head to let her know she was listening.
"You…you said you've been thinking? All this time?"
"…I have." She answered slowly, stretching out her legs and hooking her toes around the bars of the wooden railing.
"Wh-what were you thinking about? If – if I may ask?"
"I…"
Zelda took a minute to gather her thoughts, and then she turned to Paya, her expression serious.
"Paya…you'll have to take over as head of the Sheikah after your grandmother, right?"
She wasn't expecting that question and jerked back, dark eyes wide with surprise before she regained some of her composure, nodding hesitantly.
"I – I will, yes."
"And – are you ever told things, about how you should…lead the Sheikah? Expectations?"
Zelda feels so obvious, asking her question. But ever since she decided to go on this journey –
It is your right. You are the last of the royal line.
What does that mean for our future? A crown? The world thrust under a Hyrulean banner once more?
What do you get out of this…is it fealty you want? A promise to back your return to the throne?
"Everyone expects…so much, from me." Zelda says slowly. "I…I feel like there's this – this assumption that I, I could…turn back time. Make Hyrule the way it was before. And every time I think about it –"
Every time she thinks about it, her chest tightens up. The thought of going back to the castle, to Hyrule as it was…she feels like she can't breathe.
"I guess I - I'm asking you because – do people expect the same thing from you, and how you will lead the Sheikah? Do – do people ever assume that – oh, I don't know if I'm even making sense right now –"
"No," Paya interrupted quietly. "No, you're making sense."
Paya's expression was calm, and her hands were no longer fidgeting in her lap as she looked straight at her.
"My…my grandmother…I've been told stories all my life, of how she led the Sheikah in the aftermath of the Great Calamity. Times back then…it was – chaotic. Grandmother, she – she had to be tough. Hard. And she – she expected that from me, too, I suppose."
Paya's eyes drifted down to her lap. "I – I'm quiet. And…and I get nervous so easily. And – and I know my grandmother was saying that I need to toughen up because she thought I would have to lead the – the next generation of Sheikah under the shadow of the Calamity. But – But I don't have to, anymore."
Zelda listened to her words, rapt.
"I – I understand where you're coming from, Your Highness. This…this world is different, now – especially with the Calamity gone. And what is expected of you, it – it might not fit. For you. And for this world."
She dragged her thumb over her knuckles. "Grandmother wanted me to be a hard, tough Sheikah leader. But – but that's not who I am. And I don't think – I don't think that's what I want to be. But – but what I want to be, as a leader of the Sheikah…that's something I must figure out on my own. So, I – I guess that's something you must figure out, too."
Paya looked up to give Zelda a nervous smile. "You don't have to listen to what people assume you'll do. You – you have to figure out your place in this world, and what you'll do."
"But what if I don't know how?" Zelda asked in a whisper, bringing her hands to her chest. "It would be – easier, to go back to how things were, before. But I don't think I want that. And…I don't think the other settlements want to go back to how it was, either. I - I want something better."
She feels a little better, now that she's admitted it and gotten the words out – her muscles relax, and she slouches a little out of the tense rod her posture had become.
"Have you talked to Master Link about it?"
Zelda jumped a little at the mention of Link and stared at Paya with wide eyes. "I –"
"I th – I think you should!" Paya interrupted. "You and Master Link…are working together. Right?"
"…Yes."
"Then you should speak to him." She said, resolute. "I'm sure he'll have insight for you, too. He wasn't –"
Here, Paya hesitated a little, her eyes drifting away. "He wasn't, um – looking well. T-today. I saw him with Koko and Cottla, and –"
Zelda's heart sank.
"Of course." She said quietly. "You're right, Paya, I – I should speak to him. Soon. And…thank you."
"Your Highness?"
"For what you said." She clarified. "I…I think I needed to hear it."
"Oh!" Paya flushed lightly. "I - It was n-no trouble at all! I - I'm happy to help!"
"Well…"
Zelda rolled onto her feet, stretching her arms overhead and feeling her joints click from sitting curled up so long, groaning quietly. "I suppose I should…retire, for the night. I didn't mean to keep you – or to linger here for so long."
Paya quickly scrambled to her feet. "Oh, it – it's fine! Please, don't apologize! Have you – have you eaten any? I know you had lunch with grandmother, but – but that was so many hours ago –"
"I'm fine –" Zelda started to say, raising a placating hand, but her stomach decided it was the best time to growl loudly, and they both stared at her midriff, startled.
A snort burst from Paya, and she slapped a hand over her mouth with a squeak, laughter sputtering out of her as Zelda pressed a hand to her burning cheek, embarrassed.
"I'll make you something to eat." Paya laughed, gesturing for Zelda to follow her to the cookpot. "It wouldn't do for you to go to bed hungry."
"You don't have to –"
"I – I insist! Who do you think does the cooking for my grandmother?"
She made sure to thank Paya profusely over her food, the Sheikah girl keeping her company while she ate, and once she was done, she said her goodbyes and quickly made her way to the inn. The innkeep was sleeping, when she entered the inn, and Zelda gently poked him awake, quietly asking which room Link had purchased for the evening. She slipped into the room, closing the door silently behind her and pressing her back against the wood, and stared out into the quiet space.
Link was lying in the middle of the bed, his back to her, and even though he wasn't moving, Zelda knew he was awake. He had left the light on for her, and her heart ached, at that little bit of kindness.
She moved quickly, grabbing her nightclothes and rushing off to bathe. She didn't move much, but she still felt a little stale, even though the only thing she did was sit around and talk for hours.
When she returned to their room, she turned the lights out for the evening, and when she turned to the bed she hesitated, a hand automatically rising to her chest and curling into the fabric of her shirt.
Getting into bed now felt daunting; she could still feel that wall between them, and it froze her in place, kept her legs from moving.
She hated this – and it was her own dumb fault. She didn't want this to go on any longer.
"Link, I –"
Zelda's voice caught in her throat, and she huffed, frustrated at herself.
In the bed, Link didn't move, didn't speak – but she knew he was listening.
Move! Don't be such a coward!
Zelda inhaled shakily and slowly crawled into bed. She slipped beneath the blankets and then she – hesitated. Just for a moment. But she set her jaw and moved forward. She moved until she was pressed along Link's back, and she could feel him stiffen in surprise as she pressed her knees into the backs of his, worming her arms around him until her fingers were laced together over his heart. Squeezing her eyes shut, Zelda pressed her cheek against the top of his spine and held him close, hugging him from behind.
"Link, I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry."
Her voice shook a little, but she kept going. "I didn't mean to snap at you like that. You – you've been nothing but kind to me. You're going on this journey with me, and you – you never complained, not once, and I – I know you worry, but that doesn't mean I should've snapped like that. I don't want you to think I'm – I'm pushing you away, or anything, I –"
"But what if that happens?"
His voice startled her into silence, and her eyes snapped open, confused.
"Wh-what do you mean?"
"I've been thinking about it. You taking the throne. That…that's going to change things. Whether you like it or not. People will expect things from you. They won't –"
He cut himself off, then, and Zelda could feel him stiffen up even further in her arms. But she wanted to know what he was going to say, so she pressed. "They won't what?"
"They won't –" Link sighed. "They won't want for you to be. Like this. With someone like me."
Zelda blinked slowly as she registered his words, and her eyes narrowed sharply, lips curving in a frown as she quickly let him go, rising onto her knees. She was a little clumsy as she practically crawled over Link to the other side of the bed, and she could hear him squeak in surprise as she tumbled onto the space next to him, scowling fiercely.
This conversation would be best had looking each other in the eye, whether he liked it or not.
Link was gaping at her, his loosened hair tumbling over eyes that were wide as saucers, and she could see from the dim light the lanterns outside were throwing into the room that he looked embarrassed. Still scowling, Zelda reached out to gently grab the sides of his head and yanked him close until his forehead solidly connected to hers.
"Hey-!"
"Link."
His eyes quickly snapped to hers, protests dying on his lips.
Zelda closed her eyes and took a second to think on her words – this would be very important.
"I don't care what people expect out of me," she said slowly. "Not when it's about you."
She opened her eyes in time to see his lips part slightly, but he didn't say anything. So she kept talking.
"The truth is – I've been really worried about taking the throne. Mostly because of what everyone expects out of me. I've felt like – like they think I'm trying to bring back the Hyrule before the Calamity, and I – I don't think I can do that. I'm still not sure about what I can do as – as a Queen, to make Hyrule better than it is. I worry about that, and what people think of me, and want from me, because – because that will affect everyone. But what won't affect them is how I am with you."
I care about you so much. She wanted to say. You're so important. They can't take you from me – no one can. You're mine.
Instead, she said, "I don't care what they think. Link, you and me, we're – we're a team. Always. We're going to – to rebuild Hyrule together. Always together. And if I – if I made you feel like that would change, then I'm really sorry. But I meant what I said that day. Remember?"
No matter what – no matter what happens, or what I decide, I'm always going to need you!
"I remember." Link mumbled, and if his eyes looked a little shinier than usual, Zelda didn't say anything about it. "Zelda…"
She felt his hands curl around her waist, sliding around to press his palms into the small of her back.
"I'm sorry, too." He said quietly. "For pulling away like that. I should've just talked to you, instead of going cold."
Zelda sniffled lightly, combing her fingers through his hair, stroking the soft bit of skin behind his ears with her thumbs. "I accept your apology." She murmured. "Do you accept mine?"
"I do."
"So we forgive each other."
"It seems so."
In the dim light, he smiled at her – the smile she loved to pieces, that made his eyes crinkle so charmingly – and when the tip of his nose lightly brushed against hers, Zelda was gripped with the wild urge to lean in and press her lips against that lovely smile.
She almost did it.
But she held back. Pressed her lips together as she ran her fingers through his hair, again and again.
"I guess…" she said slowly, "we should go to sleep."
"Mm."
Link was relaxing into the sheets, his eyes slowly closing the longer she played with his hair – he must have been tired, Zelda realized, from what had happened today. That made her feel a little guilty, but she pushed past it. She had apologized – she explained herself and made things right –
At least she hoped she did.
"I can hear you thinking." Link mumbled, opening his eyes a little. "No more worrying for the day."
"Easier said than done."
He hummed, pressing his hands against the small of her back to pull her impossibly closer. "It's fine." Slowly, he ran a hand across her back, up and down. "We can stay up a little, if you want."
"No…" The warmth of the bed was slowly sinking into her muscles, and the soothing path of Link's hand across her back was mesmerizing. Bit by bit, she started to relax, her eyes getting heavy. "It's fine." She whispered. "We can sleep."
Eventually Zelda got distracted by the way Link's eyelashes fanned over his cheeks, and absently started counting them as the hand rubbing her back got clumsier and clumsier as Link slowly fell asleep.
It didn't take long for her to lose count as she fell asleep, too.
-o-
Dressed in her chemise and dark riding pants, Zelda stared at the shirt resting in her hands with an unreadable expression.
She pinched the sleeve between thumb and forefinger, rubbing the fabric between her fingers, and the texture was as cool and soft as she remembered.
She hasn't looked at this shirt since Impa had returned it to her, so many days ago – she hadn't been ready, then, to wear it. She didn't feel like she deserved it. Or that maybe she wasn't meant to, anymore.
But maybe she was ready to wear it, now.
In her lap, the blouse she had hidden away stared back at her, a bright royal blue.
Zelda felt a little shaky, as she slowly pulled the blouse on, and her hands fumbled a little as she fiddled with the buttons, as she pulled her gloves onto her hands. She pushed herself off the bed, the heels of her boots sounding loud against the wood as she moved to the mirror to braid her hair, and she stumbled to a halt when she saw her reflection.
It still fit perfectly. Just as before.
Zelda felt that she had been changed, irrevocably, but when she looked in the mirror she saw the same girl from before – that scared, frustrated girl from a century ago.
She pressed a hand against the mirror, staring at her reflection.
She had changed, she reminded herself, her hand sliding away from the mirror. She wasn't that girl anymore – still scared, yes, but she was different. She was – she felt – she felt ready. Ready to face the challenge of this new world, and the efforts to bring it back to rights and make it better however she can.
And she would not be rising to face these challenges alone.
Zelda let out a sigh, and she smiled a little at her reflection before reaching up to braid her hair.
She soaked in the light of the sun as she left the inn, and hopped down the stairs to find Link, wherever he went. She found him rather quickly, sitting at the cookpot and minding whatever he was making them for breakfast.
"Link." Zelda called out, a smile already growing on her face just from seeing him. "Good morning!"
She watched his face brighten up, his mouth opening to reply –
And his eyes widened a little when he noticed what she was wearing.
Zelda tried not to let her nerves show too much as she gave him a little smile, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "We…we match again, don't we?"
He quickly snapped out of it and shook of his surprise, giving her a small, shy grin in return. "Y-yeah…yeah, I guess we do. About time you put on your own Champion blues."
Zelda rolled her eyes as he reached out to her, but she couldn't stop smiling if she tried, her heart so warm at his words. "What are you making today?" She asked, slipping her hand into his and letting him pull her around to sit next to him. She leaned against his shoulder as he told her about the omelet he was making – another recipe from Koko, of course – and let her eyes slide closed.
She knew where they were meant to go, today, and her chest tightened just thinking about it.
But right now, she wouldn't worry about it too much – for now, she would enjoy the quiet air of morning, listening to Link talk as he prepared their breakfast for the day. She wasn't as ready as she would like to be, but…it would be alright, one way or another.
At least this time she wasn't going to Hyrule Castle alone.
next up: hyrule castle
how's THAT gonna go, lmao.
hope y'all enjoyed this little interlude! comments and kudos are loved forever and extremely appreciated! I hope today has been easy on y'all and that you have a good week.
until next time!