Dusk soon fell upon the spiraling wooden village as the bird people began to settle down. Rito children ran through the raised staircases towards their wooden huts as the adult bird people pulled out brooms to sweep their wooden platforms for the night. A Hylian couple began to head towards the inn with their conversations consisting of baked apples and their honeymoon choices, while another simple Hylian girl remained sitting at the very same inn reading a book and taking notes in another.
The girl had taken her braid down, allowing her hair to free fall as she tapped a quill against the paper, silently reading as she turned the pages with her free hand. The girl had changed from her stealthy suit into her old royal winter outfit, however for indoors she had removed her fluffy caplet and her soft brown boots, resting them on the chair next to her along with her brown gloves in order to make writing easier. What remained on her body was the white and gold accented corset and coat, and her black tightened pants hugging her thighs.
The girl sighed, bringing her eyes up from the written sentences on the pages to look out towards the setting sun creeping down behind the mountains, swinging her legs with her bare feet freely brushing against the open chilly air to keep the circulation going. He had been gone for quite a while, and while she was sure she could go out and find him; she knew that she had to take a step back. The girl thought back to the night before, remembering the fierce blue eyes of the knight. Looking back, more than just dangerous intent filled his glowing blue eyes. Fear, anxiety, sadness... and now she knew why.
"I wish you would come to me," the girl whispered under her breath as she rested her cheek in her palm. "I don't know what you saw... but if it was of Urbosa, then I understand you know... I hope you come to me when the time is right. Until then..."
Though she wanted nothing more than to console the stubborn knight, Kass's words rang in her mind: sometimes it's the smallest of gestures that allows one to know that they are loved, and never alone. The girl frowned a bit as she continued to look out. A small gesture? What's considered small, and how was she supposed to confront him with said gesture if he stayed distant from her? She looked down at the notes she had been writing, furrowing her eyes slightly. Would what she was working on be considered a small gesture, or just everyday necessities? The girl sighed as her thoughts continued to stir. Would it even matter this evening? It would be surprising if he even returned tonight after yesterday's events...
"Hey, Zel..." a voice called out to her from behind. The girl turned her head, her eyes resting upon the Snowquill dressed knight, the purple legendary sword on his back along with what seemed to be a kite shaped shield on his back. The knight's face remained cold, yet the girl could see a hint of regret and sadness in his features. A silence sat between them as Zelda stood staring with a blank face, surprised he had appeared despite her previous thoughts. Noticing her silence, the knight frowned a bit deeper than he already was. "Sorry for being gone all day. I know you're probably mad that I-"
"Did you complete your trials?" Zelda asked with a soft smile. Link furrowed his eyes a bit, seemingly caught off guard by the girl's calm response. After a moment of silence, the knight slowly shook his head.
"I've got one more," he said quietly as the girl stood, walking over on her bare toes as she made her way towards him. "It has to be done at night. So, I'll be heading out soon again." He looked down at his padded boots, waiting for the girl's usual barrage questions as to why he always did things alone, however Zelda simply pressed a palm to his cheek, making his eyes raise to hers in response.
"Will you be back for dinner?" she asked as gently as she could, even though her eyes seemed to light up slightly. The knight's eyes dilated in surprise, though his face seemed to fall even sadder. The girl continued to give as warm of a smile as she could. "I can stay up and have it ready for you, if you won't be out too late."
Link glanced over at the table the girl had been sitting at where her clothing accents and writing utensils lay. The book she had left open seemed to have come from the library of the castle. Though its edges and pages seemed worn, it was easy to see the pictures' ingredients and the numbers giving measurement amounts. ""You learned how to cook a few more things?" he asked quietly. Zelda nodded.
"I was originally just studying in order to get more well acquainted with basic survival and travel skills," she said, glancing over at the table for a moment as well. "I must admit, the thought of cooking dinner tonight was a sudden one and I don't have Jules to guide me this time, but I think I could make something at the very least edible."
"But... why?" he asked just as quietly as before. "After last night, you really shouldn't-"
Before he could continue, a slender finger was suddenly pressed against his lips. His eyes darted back to the calm green ones he had become so familiar with.
"Link... I understand you're going through something," Zelda said, lowering her finger as Link looked almost dumbfounded at her. "I made a grave mistake last night. Not you. And I hope you can forgive me. I won't prod into your personal feelings any longer. However," the girl brushed the knight's bangs out of his eyes as she gave another gentle smile. "I am here if you need me. Always. I want you to know that."
The girl turned away, beginning to tiptoe her way back to the table as Link watched, her coat lightly billowing behind her. She sat down, adjusting her coat, before returning to her studies. "Will you be here for dinner? Should I try making you something?" Link didn't respond as he stared down at the now sitting scholar. Zelda looked up from her pages once again, noticing the silence in the air. "Link?"
The knight flinched ever so slightly at the sound of his name, as if snapping him back to reality. He shook his head before blinking a few times to focus on her figure before nodding. "Yeah..." he said as his body made to turn towards the door. "Yeah... I'll be back for dinner. Thank you."
Zelda nodded, turning back to the table as she began flipping back through previous pages in order to find a relatively simple meal she could cook without much guidance. The knight watched for a moment before turning his back towards her beginning to slowly walk out. Zelda listened to the sound of his steps as they headed towards the exit, smiling as she began to write down what she would attempt to cook for the night.
"Zel..."
The footsteps had ceased and the sound of her name made the girl lift her head and look at the door once again. The knight had stopped in front of the entrance, turning back to view her once again. "Have you ever seen a dragon before?" he asked. The girl practically jumped from her seat, accidentally landing the entirety of her soles onto the cold wooden floor. After jumping onto her toes in surprise from the sudden frosty feeling, Zelda looked up with bright eyes.
"I've read about them in books back when we were in the castle a hundred years ago!" Zelda exclaimed happily. "Have you seen them? Are you going to see one now? Is it part of the trial?"
Link smiled, pulling the Sheikah Slate from his waist as he checked the time. "Twilight is nearly over. The dragons usually come out at night. You've got a few minutes to get the rest of your coat on."
Zelda's smile disappeared as she gave him a quizzical look, unsure for a moment on what to say. "Get the rest of my coat on? As in, get ready to go with you?" she asked. "Are you sure?"
"We're running out of time, Zel," Link continued, tapping on the Sheikah Slate's side with a finger. The girl's face lit up in excitement once again as she began bouncing on her bare feet. He watched as she rushed over to the table, still bouncing now because of the cold floor while she began to clean up her books and writing utensils. The knight smiled slightly as she began to wrap the caplet around her shoulders. She really was adorable.
With her boots on and bookings in her hand, the girl quickly hurried back over with a bright smile on her face. With a chuckle, the knight took the books and utensils from her hand. with a few taps of the Slate, the items bust into a bundle of blue lines before disappearing. "Ready to go?" he asked, holding a hand out. Zelda, her smile growing a bit larger, placed her hand into his.
"As always."
...
The stars had begun to shine bright in the ever-darkening sky as the two Hylians made their way through the woodland pathway. While the sky grew darker, the tent-like stable at the edge of the woods grew bright as its lantern's radiant light grew more prominent in the darkness. Zelda couldn't help but get a warm feeling in her chest at the stable's familiar sight, having not seen one in over a week.
"Epona as usual please," Link said as the two came within earshot of the man standing at the front of the desk. The stablemaster nodded as he signaled the employees to go fetch the white-maned horse. After watching them walk off, Zelda looked at Link with slightly furrowed eyes.
"What about my horse?" she asked; however, the knight simply shook his head. Before the girl could question him further, the sound of Epona's hooves could be heard from behind the stable. Looking over to the side, there the horse was walking towards the two. Shaking free from the employees trying to guide her, the horse picked up the pace as she began to trot happily towards her owner.
"Hey girl," Link said, raising his hands to the horse's large nose as he petted her. "It's good to see you again too. It'll be a short ride, but a ride nonetheless. Are you okay with that?"
Zelda swore that Epona seemed a bit disappointed at her owner's words, however it also seemed as if the horse could also hear the slight sad tones behind his words. With only a small grunt in disappointment, the horse stepped forward, preparing herself to be ridden. Before hopping onto the saddle, Link turned towards the stable master.
"I heard there was a dragon causing a bit of a ruckus out here," he said casually. "Heard anything about it?"
"I know the Rito Elder was pretty concerned about something like that," the stable master said, playing with his beard as he thought back. "Some Rito would stop in for a bite to eat or a rest before heading out to the canyon near here. Guessing that's why. I believe... a Rito named Mazli is out there today."
"Thanks, good to know," Link said with a smile of gratitude before turning towards his horse. With a step onto one of the saddle's stirrups, and a final leap, Link was fully on the saddle before bending down and holding a hand out to Zelda.
"With you?" she asked. He nodded.
"It's simpler, and faster this way," Link responded, keeping his hand lowered. "Plus, I've been gone all day. This would help close the gap, wouldn't it?"
Zelda's eyes filled with slight surprise; however, a small frown filled her face. "You aren't pushing yourself, are you?"
"On the contrary," Link answered. "I'd say I'm being more selfish than anything."
The girl squinted her eyes for a moment before a smile erupted. She lifted her slender fingers up, placing them in Link's palm. With a gentle tug, Zelda was pulled up onto the horse with herself now sitting in front of the horse's owner. With a tap on Epona's side from Link's fluffy boots, the horse began to trot down the path.
"So, where are we headed to see this dragon?" Zelda asked curiously as they bobbed along the trail.
"Tanagar Canyon," Link said as he guided Epona along the road, his arms outstretched on each of Zelda's sides with the reins in hand. "The map the Sheikah gave me, and the information the stablemaster pretty much confirms it. We just need to wait for it to appear when we get there."
"What do you need to do when we see it?" she asked, watching the woodland area begin to turn more mountainous. "They didn't order you to kill it, did they?"
"No, surprisingly," Link said, a little roughness in his voice. "I just need to shoot it with an arrow for a piece of its horn. And, yes, it's common practice and doesn't hurt it whatsoever," he quickly added on as Zelda turned to look at him with horror. "So, eating a living frog is fine, but shooting a dragon with a harmless arrow isn't?"
"That's different!" Zelda said, facing forward with a huff. "You always bring that up..."
Link chuckled as the two continued to ride under the stars, trotting up the path towards the mountains. Time passed as they trotted along, and soon the wooden windmills of Hebra soon came into view, leading down into a large canyon that made Zelda gasp in wonder. "Link, look! Is this the canyon?"
"This is it," Link said, pulling Epona to a walk as he guided her off the road and towards the canyon's edge. He peered off the ledge, looking down where a Rito guard seemed to be sitting on one of the lower edge side cliffs. "Looks like we're headed down there,' he said as he swung his leg over, getting down from the horse. After helping Zelda off Epona as well, the two jumped, paragliding down towards the cliff.
"So, you're the one they sent to watch the dragon for tonight, Mazli?" Link called out as the two landed on the cliff. Mazli, a slender brown colored Rito, looked over from his position, standing with his spear in hand.
"Link! Good to see you, but why are you down here?" the Rito asked as Link and Zelda walked up to him.
"Taking over your duty. Does the dragon come through here?" Link asked, staring out into the depths of the canyon they now stood in. The birdman nodded.
"Dinraal, to be exact," Mazli stated. "He never does anything but fly through here but old Kenali was worried. Can't blame him after the whole Medoh situation. Still, you said that you're taking over my shift? I guess that means you've figured out how to run him off?"
"Something like that," Link said, now taking a bundle of sticks out the Sheikah Slate. "Yeah, go ahead and go home, unless you want to stay here and watch with me?"
"Never said that. If someone's offering to take my shift I won't deny them, especially if it's you," Mazli said, placing the spear he had on his back. "I'll leave you to it then. Have a good night, Link. You as well little Hylian," he directed at Zelda. With a nod, the Rito jumped off the side of the cliff, now flying towards Rito Village.
Zelda waved as she watched the Rito fly off before looking down at the knight, who had just started a fire with the bundle he had just pulled out. "Setting up camp? Do you think we'll be here long?"
"Depends on when Dinraal wants to show up," Link said, sitting by the fire with a bow and arrow at the ready. He looked up at Zelda, still standing by the cliff's edge, before tilting his head to signal her to sit next to him. Obliging the offer, the girl walked over before sitting and nuzzling next to him.
The two sat in silence for a while, simply listening to the sounds of the night. Crickets could be heard chirping, the breeze blew through the canyon, and the warm fire continued to crackle next to them. The moon had begun to hover high above them, shining brightly in the clear skies as the stars beamed down brighter than before.
"How are you feeling? After yesterday, I mean," Link asked suddenly, but quietly. Zelda stayed silent for a moment, tucking her knees into her arms before answering.
"You were scary," she said. "Of course, I have always seen that side of you. I guess the difference was... it was towards me this time. You really can turn into a beast."
"Sorry," Link said after a moment. "I just... I thought-"
"That I was a Yiga?" Zelda asked. Link looked up in question, though the girl simply shrugged. "It wasn't hard to put together after that. However, you have nothing to be sorry for. It was I who went out trying to spy on you."
"Why?" Link asked. "Why spy on me?"
"You always distance yourself," she answered, raising her head and turning it to look into Link's blue eyes. "You were always there for me when things seemed impossible a hundred years ago. I just want to be there for you; to be trusted. However, I see now that there's some things that you just need to handle by yourself."
"Zel, it's not that I don't trust you," he responded, his face falling at the sudden news. "I... It's me. I've never handled stuff like this. I... I..." he continued; however, Zelda simply placed a hand over his own.
"It's okay," Zelda said with a smile. "I understand. You handle things at your own pace. When you're ready, just remember that I'm here. Just as I've said earlier."
Link looked into Zelda's understanding green eyes, illuminated by the moon that reflected in her irises. He slowly opened his mouth, not knowing exactly what he was going to say, however Zelda suddenly furrowed her eyes, now looking behind him. Her face suddenly filled with glee as she lifted her free hand, now pointing towards the other side of the canyon. "Link, look! The dragon!"
Link turned, adjusting his sitting position to look behind him. Sure enough, there swimming through the canyon was the long, scaly red body. Its large, sharp back scales shone a brighter red than its body as its long curvy like horns glowed brightest. The two stood, taking in the magnificent sight of the beast's radiance.
Zelda ran forward back towards the edge of the cliff, staring at the oncoming beast in awe as it began to pass. Link looked up, noticing its horns beginning to turn blue during its passing. With an arrow knocked, the knight lifted the bow and pulled back the bow string. Taking aim for only a split second, the arrow released, flying through the air before striking its tip against the dragon's horns. The dragon's blue horns grew brighter before shattering, revealing their normal red color.
To the side, Link heard the sound of a shrine rising, however he didn't budge as his eyes remained focused on, not the dragon, but the girl standing in front of him. Her smile was almost as bright as the dragon's glow, the red radiance shining off of her smooth skin and white winter clothing. Her eyes sparkled in the dragon's light, filled with wonder as she watched the dragon slowly swim through the air passing them.
After taking a second to admire the girl's smile, the knight reached behind him, pulling another arrow out of his quiver. Knocking the arrow, he pulled back on the bow once again before releasing it; this time aimed for the dragon's body. With a bright shine upon impact, and a slight rumble from the dragon, something bright shot from the dragon's pierced side. The light shot up before falling down towards them, landing directly into Link's palm. He placed the bow on his back, walking forwards before standing directly next to Zelda. He took her hand, causing the girl to jolt slightly, pulling her attention away from the floating dragon and down towards her hand. Link placed the now slightly glowing item in Zelda's own palm, before pulling his hands back.
"One of Dinraals scales," Link said with a small smile. "It can be used to enhance a lot of different potions. I think maybe you'd like to do a bit of research with it."
Zelda's eyes lit up brighter than ever, only enhanced by the red radiance filling them. She jumped up before wrapping her arms around Links neck, profusely thanking him before releasing, turning back towards the still flying past dragon. The knight returned to watching her once again, however his eyes had begun to furrow as he clenched his fist. That Yiga... he made Link almost attack this beautiful girl. He almost ruined that beautiful smile. And Maz Koshia... he possibly could have thought things through better if he hadn't been through that trial, and there was only more to come. Link sighed deeply, filling with what he could only guess was frustration, now looking towards the dragon along with Zelda. He had to do it tomorrow; tomorrow, was Medoh's Trial.
...
Guys, I have nothing but thanks for 100k reads. I hit this on Wattpad, but the views on here are getting very close. This story became much bigger than I ever thought possible. It's crazy to think this story had humble beginnings and here we are! It's insane to see how much support the story has gotten and I really hope I am living up to everyone's expectations.
If anyone is on Twitter, then you guys should follow me Kenlair! I post updates and chapter announcements, so if anyone wants to do that, go and add me! Maybe celebrate 100k reads on there under the ZeLink hashtag? Just a selfish thought of mine.
I hope you guys stick around for more content; don't forget I will be streaming Breath of the Wild: Master Mode this Friday at 6MST. I hope to see many of you there.
Thank you once again.
Kenny Boi