I succeeded and got a christmas update out! ha! go me!

merry christmas everyone! if you're into that! if not, then happy friday! I hope you've been doing well!

Link gave himself a second to adjust as they slowly materialized on the shrine platform tucked away in the heart of Zora's Domain, blinking the lights out of his eyes. Zelda was already moving, grabbing his hand and pulling him off the platform, wading through the cool water and lake flowers that surrounded the shrine before stepping out into the light.

He winced at the feeling of cold water soaking his trousers and rushing into his boots; he knew from experience that his clothes would be damp for half the day. Whenever he stayed in the domain for more than a day, he always walked around the place barefoot to spare himself from the feeling of soaked boots. But nothing to be done for it, now.

It was a warm, sunny day in the domain, the streams of sunlight making the waterlogged walkways shine. Mipha's statue in the center of the plaza was practically glowing, and Link heard Zelda's breath catch as she caught sight of it.

"Oh…"

Her hand slipped out of his as she climbed the rest of the stairs out into the plaza, wide eyed as she moved around the statue. "Mipha…"

She looked so sad, as she walked through the thin layer of water to press the tips of her fingers against the base of the statue, eyes roving over Mipha's stone likeness. "It looks just like her." She said, and Link moved behind her to place a hand against her arm.

"It does." He agreed. "Everyone…the Zora love Mipha a lot."

Zelda smiled, and the gesture was so sad it made him ache. "That makes sense. Mipha was very loveable."

It was then that Link started to notice it – the whispers.

The whispers brought a feeling of apprehension crawling up his spine – and a sense of déjà vu. He still remembered how it felt to travel to the domain with a hole in his memory, nothing to guide him but an expanding quest and a vague sense of responsibility. He remembered walking through the walkways, blinking the pouring rain out of his eyes, and constantly hearing his name mixed with the hiss of rain. The Zora old enough to remember whispered his name as he passed by like it was an omen – like it was a curse.

And now they were saying her name.

Is that -?

It's not possible –

Zelda?

It can't possibly –

Princess -?

Zelda?

Zelda?

The Princess?

Zelda had noticed it, too – she had stiffened up slightly, eyes staring down at the base of Mipha's statue but not seeing. Link was almost tempted to grab her and warp them away to somewhere else, letting the domain wait another day, but –

But he listened. And he noticed that their tone was different.

It wasn't loathing, but instead…caution. Curiosity. A sense of disbelief. Nothing like anything he was faced with when he first came here.

Slowly, Link began to relax.

"It's…it's alright." He reassured her quietly. "I think…they're just curious."

"…Ah." She said quietly, her tone light. "That's – that's perfectly understandable. We are anomalies, aren't we?"

"…Yeah." Link eventually agreed. "We're a pair of relics."

She laughed, and that lifted the tension from her shoulders, just a little.

"Do you – do you want to go see King Dorephan right away?"

"I…" She looked torn for a moment before nodding and stepping back from the statue. "Yes. At least to let him know of our arrival, at the very least."

The feeling of so many eyes on him made Link feel itchy as he led Zelda up the stairs, trying his best not to stiffen up too much. He found himself falling behind, eyes tracing the way her hair swayed down her back as they walked up the stairs towards the large, open throne room. The whispers still carried on the wind, and Link felt like they were closing in on them, pressing him in –

Quickly overshadowed by King Dorephan's loud hum of surprise, a rumble from deep within his chest.

"As I live and breathe…"

The large Zora was staring at Zelda as though he was seeing a ghost. "Princess Zelda! Link told me himself that you still lived, but – to see you here before me…"

Link moved to stand at Zelda's side as she laced her fingers tightly over her chest, giving the King a smile. "It's good to see you again, Your Majesty. I came to – to inform you of the end of the Calamity, and to speak with you on other matters, if I may."

There was a ripple of voices around the throne room, full of tones Link was familiar with by now – disbelief, surprise, hope – and he frowned a little as he looked around, searching for one Zora in particular.

"The Calamity…" King Dorephan was saying, voice soft. "When the Divine Beast raged, all those days ago, I had hoped – but I didn't dare dream…"

"It's true – the Calamity is no more. Link and I – after I recovered from the battle, we've been traveling across the country to inform the settlements. We've also been speaking with the leaders of each race, in attempts to plan out how we can help each other and recover from the last century. How to improve trade, to deal with monsters and clear the roads. And I –"

As she spoke, her posture had straightened more and more, her voice strong and clear as she addressed the room – but now, she pauses, eyes drifting away and slumping into herself, just a little.

"I…" Her fingers curled into her blouse, and Link's palms itched to reach out to her, to remind her that he was there for her. "I wanted…to apologize to you, Your Majesty."

Zelda raised her head, and her eyes were shining. "The day I appointed Mipha as Champion, I made a promise – a silent one, to myself. I swore that I would do my best to keep her safe – for us to succeed, so that – so she could return to you. And in the end, I…I couldn't keep it. I know you cared so much for Mipha – all of you –"

She looked around, addressing the room. "And I – it ate at me for years. Decades. So King Dorephan, I am so, so sorry – sorry for letting Mipha down, and breaking my promise."

Link couldn't just let himself stand there and do nothing and finally gave into the itching in his palms, reaching out to place a hand on her back. King Dorephan stared down at them, and he could see the sadness in his eyes.

"Princess of Hyrule." He said softly, and in his voice Link could feel the weight of that title and how it pressed down on Zelda's shoulders. "For decades, I resented you."

Even braced for it, the words hurt all the same, and Zelda flinched back for a moment while Link stared up at the Zora, gaze piercing. It was deserved – a small, eternally guilty part of Link believed so – but it still stung. The reminder of their failures.

"It's true." He continued. "The kingdom was in shambles. My beloved daughter was dead. And I resented you – cursed you, your Goddess, your Hero, and the kingdom that brought this ruin all on our heads. But then –"

King Dorephan stopped. Sighed heavily, sounding so tired. "I realized something. I realized that…to resent you would be a disrespect to my daughter. My brave Mipha, who knew the risks when she agreed to be your Champion and took on that chance for the safety of the world. It was hard – Goddess help me, it was hard. It took a lot of time. But dear Princess Zelda – I have forgiven you. You, and your Hero. There is no need to apologize."

His eyes were kind, as he looked over them, and to his left, Link heard Zelda sniffle quietly, and turned to see her face wet with tears.

"I –" Her voice caught in her throat, and she coughed, swiping at her eyes. "Thank you."

"Think nothing of it. We can speak on your other affairs whenever you wish – we can prepare rooms for the both of you, as well."

"Oh, we –"

"Your Majesty, where's Sidon?"

He had scanned the area and could see no hint of the Zora Prince anywhere – he was somewhat concerned.

"Ah!" King Dorephan brightened at the mention of his son. "Sidon has gone to investigate the passage along Ruto Mountain for monsters. If the way is clear, then the Zora can begin to expand, and reclaim the lands we once had a century prior. He should be back with us by tomorrow."

"I see." Link nodded. "Your Majesty, I think we will take up your offer for lodging. We've been on the road for quite some time, and I think it would be best to have these conversations with Sidon present."

"Link, really." Zelda began to protest. "We can just get rooms at the inn -!"

"Lady Zelda, I insist." The King rumbled, sweeping out one large hand. "I will have someone escort you to your rooms."

"Actually –"

He didn't know what possessed him to correct the King but Link certainly couldn't hold his tongue now. "We'll only need the one room, Your Majesty."

The air went still at his words, and Zelda inhaled sharply at his side, blindly reaching out to grasp at the sleeve of his tunic.

"…I see." The King nodded once. He was accepting – but his smile was still somewhat bittersweet. "That will easily be arranged."

Link could understand how much it ached, and he bowed low to the King in respect. "Thank you, Your Majesty. Is there anything else I need to know? Any problems that have come up since I've been away?"

It was the least he could do.

The King told him of one major issue - the Lynel that had returned to Ploymus Mountain, most likely the result of a Blood Moon - and Link promised to go up the mountain and have it settled that evening. It would be the last time they would have to worry about a Lynel – he'd make sure of it.

He bowed once more before grabbing Zelda's hand, giving a gentle tug and starting to lead her down the stairs. King Dorephan stopped them, though, before they could get too far, calling Zelda's name.

"Lady Zelda…"

The Zora bowed his head to her. "I am glad, to see you well once again."

Tears still clung to her lashes, but Zelda gave the King a wide, brilliant smile. "I am glad to see you, also."

A Zora guard approached them as they descended the steps, and after giving them a sharp nod, she led them to where they would be staying for their visit. Zelda didn't relax until they were escorted into the room, the door closing behind them with a quiet snap. Only then did she exhale loudly, shoulders curling inward as she dropped her bag to the floor.

"Goddesses." She said softly to herself. She sounded shaken. "That…went better than I expected."

She turned to face Link, who had leaned back and pressed himself against the door. "I –"

She pressed her hands to her cheeks. She looked flustered. "You – told them." She said, halting. "About us."

Link sagged back against the door, nodding. "I did."

"Is that…should we have? I – I know Mipha, she – made that armor. The one you wore at the lake. Wouldn't they –"

"Mipha is gone." It hurt to say – but it was the truth. "I can't…hold on to the ghost of a memory. I don't – I don't even know her…not the way I used to."

It had torn him up so much, when he first arrived here; that he could barely remember someone that he spent most of his childhood with. Some days it still ached.

He didn't know when his eyes had slid closed, but they opened again when Zelda's hands curved around his jaw, cupping his face. He looked at her, and her eyes were so sad – but understanding.

"Alright." She said quietly, and then she sighed, suddenly looking so tired as she pressed her forehead against his. His hands automatically rose to her hips as Zelda leaned into him until their chests were pressed together.

"I'm tired." She mumbled. "It's barely afternoon, and I'm tired."

"Do you want to take a nap?" He wouldn't mind it, honestly; though the meeting with the King was short, it was still incredibly draining.

"Don't you have a Lynel to deal with?"

"I said it would be dealt with by evening." He pointed out. "That doesn't mean I have to take care of it right away."

Zelda giggled, and Link smiled in return, happy to be the one to put a smile back on her face.

"You make a fair point. Okay, then – let's take a nap."

Link kicked off his boots and tugged off his damp socks with a relieved sigh, and he laughed when he saw Zelda cringe in disgust as she removed her own socks. "Pants are wet, too." He reminded her, and the sigh she let out sounded so exasperated.

"I forgot just how wet Zora's Domain is." She complained lightly, and Link nodded in understanding, unbuckling his sword belt and vambrace.

"Yeah. Every time I come visit, I just leave my socks and boots at the inn so they don't get wet."

Their light conversation continued as they changed out of their damp clothes, Link turning his back to give Zelda some semblance of privacy as he changed into a different pair of trousers and a Hylian tunic. He turned back around when Zelda gave a noise to let him know she was done and opened the windows before sitting at the foot of the bed, leaning back on his hands and watching her take her hair out of its braid.

She smiled at him when she caught him looking and he cocked his head, thinking.

"Are you happy?" He asked her, and she paused, considering her words as she combed her fingers through her hair.

"…Somewhat." She finally answered, getting onto the bed. "I am relieved that talking to King Dorephan went well so far. But – hm. It's different here."

He understood what she meant right away.

In the other settlements, they were myths – stories told to children that were barely believed in. But in the domain – in the domain, there were people who actually knew them, before. That changed things – that held more weight.

"In that aspect, I'm somewhat happy." Zelda continued, scooting across the bed until she was by his side. She pushed herself up onto her knees, hovering over him, and cradled his face in her hands. "But here…"

She smiled at him, and Link couldn't resist and turned his face, reaching up to circle his fingers around her wrist as he kissed her palm.

"Here," she whispered, "I'm so happy I don't know what to do with myself. I really am."

Link looked up at her, and their noses brushed together lightly before Zelda pressed the lightest kiss to his mouth. It was irresistible, and he found himself automatically swaying forward when she pulled away, already chasing her for another one.

"We're going to take a nap." She chided lightly with a laugh. "You have to deal with a Lynel later, remember?"

He sighed but didn't fight her when she pulled him towards the pillows, lying on top of the blankets. "I've dealt with a Lynel in worse conditions." He mumbled, and that just made Zelda throw him a stern glare.

"Well now we're definitely napping. And you won't get another kiss until you get some sleep."

That was harsh – he only just got to be able to kiss her! - and Link stared at her, stricken. Zelda raised an eyebrow, completely serious.

"Okay." He groused. "We'll sleep."

Though he made a mild fuss about it, it wasn't too hard to drift off, once they laid down – especially when Zelda wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close. Faint streams of sunlight entered the room, the distant sounds of children's laughter and burbling water traveling on the breeze.

Humming deep in his throat, Link buried his nose in the column of Zelda's neck, inhaling the faint scent of warm safflina soap coming from her skin, and slept.

-o-

"You don't have to make an elixir for me." Link protested, wilting a little when Zelda threw him a skeptical glance across the cookpot. "I mean it! I have a lot of elixirs, you know."

"Yes, but they're your elixirs." Zelda explained patiently. "Didn't you say that you were lucky if you got a strong one?"

It was creeping close to evening, now, and Link was preparing to go face the Lynel on Ploymus Mountain – hopefully for the last time. He had donned his Zora armor beneath his Champion's tunic and vambrace, strapping a bow, shield, and the Master Sword to his back. After checking his quiver and stocking up on arrows, he was about to take one of his elixirs – one for defense, because Lynels always hit hard – before Zelda protested.

"That won't do anything!" She cried out. "Let me make you an elixir, before you go."

So now they were here, Link staring up at the stars peppering the sky while Zelda hummed under her breath, stirring the thick, purple liquid.

"I just didn't want you to go through the trouble." Link mumbled, watching Zelda take a rugged rhino beetle from the slate and break it apart, tossing it into the mixture.

"This isn't any trouble." She chided him gently, flicking a look at him from beneath her lashes. "You said my elixirs come out a lot better, so – why not do this, so I can help you?"

He watched her as she stirred for a moment longer, nodding decisively after squinting down at the mixture. "It's done."

She poured it into a vial and stoppered it, handing it over to him with a smile. "Wait and take it once you're actually up the mountain." She instructed him, and he cradled the warmed glass in his hands. "It should protect you."

She gave him the slate as well, once her hands were free, and Link smiled, feeling touched as he stowed the elixir away. "Thank you." He said. "You're too good for me."

Zelda blinked rapidly at him, and her cheeks turned a delightful shade of pink as she looked away, brushing her hands on her trousers as she stood up. "Just good enough, I think." She murmured bashfully, brushing her hair out of her face. "Alright. You're all ready?"

"I am." He confirmed.

"Okay."

She took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly, and then walked around the cookpot, wrapping her arms around Link and pulling him close. He flailed for just a second, not really knowing what to do with his hands, but he got it together and gathered her close, pressing his forehead against the crook of her neck.

"Be safe." She whispered, hugging him tight. "I know you've faced much worse, but – well. I'll still worry."

Link gave her a squeeze, rubbing a hand up and down her back. It was always so nice, hugging her. "I'll be back." He promised. "I'll bring you some Lynel guts and stuff."

She laughed shakily, but when they pulled apart, she was smiling.

The mild wind ruffled through his hair, as he walked across the bridge and along the path that would lead him up to the mountain, and he closed his eyes for a moment, sighing softly. It was a little weird, he mused to himself, walking alone like this. Already he found himself straining his ears, waiting for another set of footsteps to catch up to his – but it was just him, now.

He focused as he approached the first waterfall and waded into the water, cutting a line in one powerful stroke and closing his eyes for a moment as the roar of the waterfall filled his ears, a weird, dizzy sensation in his stomach as he began to swim up the falls. It was still a feeling that he couldn't get used to, and he did the same thing traversing up the next two waterfalls, closing his eyes and ignoring the flipping in his stomach.

Link lightened his steps as he approached the summit, pushing his soaked hair out of his eyes and grabbing the elixir Zelda made for him out of the slate. He chugged it quickly, storing the empty bottle, and took a moment to center himself, breathing deeply.

It's been a while since he had to fight, he realized. Throughout this journey with Zelda, there's rarely been a moment where they ran into monsters and he had to draw his sword. It felt like a reprieve; before, there hadn't been a day where he wasn't fighting.

He could hear the Lynel, all stomping hooves and huffing breath, and took another breath to gather himself, grabbing his shield and making sure it was strapped tightly to his arm. The Master Sword sang as he pulled it from its sheath, and Link rose to his feet, eyes hard and mouth set.

Focus. He told himself. Time to go.

Rolling his shoulders out, Link stepped out from behind the rocks and entered the clearing. As soon as he made his presence known, the Lynel puffed up in outrage and roared out a challenge, its voice ringing loudly in the air. It readied its bow, laden with shock arrows, and started to charge him, teeth bared.

Link met it halfway.

It was exhilarating, to move this way again; fighting a Lynel was a challenge, but it certainly wasn't facing a Calamity. He dodged its angered charges and savage sword with ease, taking the opportunity when it came and striking faster than it could react. He readied his bow with cool focus and fired ice arrows when it reared up to breathe fire at him, freezing it in place. Link stayed close and hit it fast and hard, never giving the Lynel a chance to breathe or strike him down with arrows. He felt Urbosa's fury building up in him, automatic, and he released it with a ferocious yell, calling down jagged streaks of lightning to strike, over and over.

Link crouched low and caught his breath as the Lynel keeled over with a strangled roar, its wicked bow falling to the ground as it crumbled into nothing.

Straightening up, he removed the Lynel blood from his blade with a simple flick of his wrist, returning the Master Sword to its sheath. He could feel the sweat pouring down his face and tilted his head back in hope of a breeze, realizing with a start that it was later than he thought, the moon high up in the sky. It didn't feel like it took that long. He hoped Zelda wasn't worried.

Link wandered over to the Lynel's remains to see what he could scavenge, and he smiled, victorious, when he saw that he would be able to gift Zelda Lynel guts like he promised.

It was tempting to just grab the slate and warp back to the shrine in the middle of the domain, but Link put it aside, perfectly content to walk. He took his time, using his paraglider to float down the falls. He was lucky enough to discover a few fairies drifting through the air along the way and took the time to catch them, knowing that Zelda would be excited to see these, as well.

When he returned to Zora's Domain, it was silent, the only sound being the gentle lap of water and his footsteps across the walkways. He made sure to keep up his small habit, going to Mipha's statue and pressing his fingers against the base in a silent greeting. Everyone has probably gone to sleep by now – chances are high that Zelda retired to bed, as well. At least he hoped so; he didn't want her to stay up so late, waiting on him.

But, when he made his way to their room and cracked the door open, Zelda was there, dressed down for bed and hopping to her feet as soon as he entered.

Link stood in the doorway, frozen in place as her wide eyes darted over him, and she instantly relaxed when she saw that there wasn't a scratch on him.

"…I brought you Lynel guts." He finally said, and she snorted out a laugh.

He quickly washed off the sweat and dirt from the fight, changing into nightclothes and returning to the room, where Zelda immediately wrapped him up in a hug, tugging him along until they tumbled back onto the bed.

"Don't you want to eat?" He asked, and she hummed against his ear.

"In a minute. I want to hold you for a bit."

And it wasn't like he was going to say no to that, so he gave in easily, relaxing in her hold as she buried her nose in his hair. He felt like a cat as Zelda began to play with his hair, practically purring in happiness when she gently scratched at his scalp.

Dinner seemed like a trial now, in comparison to the contentment he felt just laying here, wrapped up in a hug – he was tempted to just skip it and go to bed.

But he couldn't, yet – there was something he wanted to talk about, first. Something he'd been thinking about on the walk to Ploymus Mountain.

"Zelda." He mumbled into her collarbone, and she hummed in answer. "I have a question."

"What is it?"

"Could you tell me about Mipha?"

Her hand stilled in his hair, and Link felt a stab of regret as she pulled away to look him in the eye. "Are you sure?" She asked. "I don't – we never talked about things like…like relationships or anything, before. So, I'm not able to tell you if – if you -"

"That's not it." He interrupted her quietly. "I want you to tell me what – what you know, about Mipha."

They shuffled around as he talked, still close together but now lying on their sides, curling towards each other. He watched Zelda bite at her lip, thinking, before nodding into the pillows.

"Okay. I'll…I'll tell you. Let's see, um…"

Her eyes wandered over his face as she gathered her words. "Mipha and I weren't childhood friends like you two were, but – we understood each other. I felt, sometimes, like she could get what I was going through, both of us being royal and all. I – whenever we had to come to the domain for meetings or anything like that, Mipha was always kind to me. She always made sure to spend some time with me."

Zelda smiled a little in remembrance. "And, um…her favorite flowers were swift violets. She was excellent at the spear and would beat everyone soundly in her lessons. There was always a warmth around her. She was kind, but could be hard, when she had to be."

Her smile was a little wobbly, now, but her eyes were still bright. "She was – Mipha was a true friend."

Link's eyes drifted shut, taking in Zelda's words and absorbing them, tucking them away in his heart. It's not the same as getting his own memories of her back but hearing about her…listening to her effect on other people…that was close enough.

"Thank you." He murmured, blindly searching for Zelda's hand and bringing it to his lips. "Thank you so much."

He opened his eyes to see her smile at him, and then pressed a kiss to her knuckles – and then another, and another, until she was laughing, the bittersweet edge gone from her smile.

"What is it with you and my hands?" She teased, and he shrugged, unrepentant.

"I like your hands." He said simply, but it was more than that. He loved her hands; they were soft, but strong, eager to dig into the cracks of the wild and pry it open and see to the heart of it, the things worth saving. They never hesitated, always ready to reach out for him just as much as he reached out for her.

They were an explorer's hands, a researcher's hands – hands that discover, hands that create, hands that protected him and pulled him from the brink a century ago.

Instead of saying any of that, he just smiled at her. "They're really good hands."

He pressed another kiss to her knuckles, and then leaned in to brush a kiss across her cheek, pulling back enough to watch her let out a shy giggle.

"We still need to eat something." He reminded her, and he sat up, using their joined hand to pull her up. "Could you…"

He hesitated. Nervously drummed his fingers across the back of her hands. "Could you maybe – um. Tell me more stories about Mipha? If that's alright?"

Zelda blinked at him before her face melted into fondness, giving his hand a squeeze. "I'll tell you as many stories as you want." She promised, and he felt something in him relax.

"Thank you." He said, feeling so relieved, and he pulled Zelda into an impulsive hug. Zelda squeaked in surprise when their chests collided from the strength of his grip, but she didn't complain, wrapping her arms around him and patting his back.

"Of course." She said warmly. "I think it's only fair. You've spent so much time telling me about your adventures! I think it's past time for me to tell you some things, too."

"Mm. Thank you." He repeated. "What do you want to eat?"

"Hmm…" She tapped her fingers against his back, and Link tried not to shiver at the feeling. "I think just some soup would be good, don't you? It's so late."

"Okay. Warm soup, coming right up."

He finally let her go, hands sliding down her arms until he could grab her hands, and finally slid off the bed, pulling her along with him. She laughed when they left their boots behind, and together they quietly splashed to the main plaza towards the cookpot.

In the corner of his eye, Link caught Zelda staring at Mipha's statue, glowing gently in the night, a sad, thoughtful light in her eye – but whatever was going on in her mind, he would try not to press. If it was important, he'd know about it when she was ready.

For now, he'd make them soup. And when they returned to their room, he'd dry her feet, and make sure her pajamas didn't get soaked. And then they'd sleep, and deal with whatever comes tomorrow. One day at a time.

Link pressed another kiss to Zelda's knuckles, just because he could, and her smile rivaled the stars shining overhead.

okie-dokie, that's that on that. this feels kinda short and meh but I think that's just a me thing, worrying haha.

next up, more time in zora's domain! sidon shows up! the usual talks are gonna happen! maybe a party! and some other stuff!

and! lemme just respond to some questions I got in comments on the last chapter here!

Abigproblem: I really enjoyed age of calamity! I was kinda iffy on the story 'cause it felt kinda flat, character wise? but I think since then, I've warmed up to the story a little more 'cause it did give me more insight to some characters, somewhat. also I just - love getting to destroy so many monsters. also I love the egg baby so much. I will definitely be replaying it soon to try and 100% it.

Zelink fan 354: yes! zelda's dreams and the mentions I have made about the thumping are hints to botw 2! fingers fucking crossed that we get some news about it soon. maybe even a new trailer, haha.

and yeah! I think that's it. comments and kudos are forever loved! I re-read them a lot and they make me smile.

until next timeeee, y'all have a nice weekend!