Courage.
Courage isn't to be strong or brave.
Courage isn't to be reckless and defiant.
Courage is to be yourself in the face of ridicule.
It is to love those you wish to love in the face of dogma.
And protect them no matter what in the face of danger...
Twilight sat idly near the east gate, facing the Korok Forest and more distanced Death Mountain, seated on a loose stone.
His sapphire eyes gazed over the hills and mountains with a tint of longing. For adventure.
Reaching inside his tunic, he tugged on his necklace, revealing an attached horse call, in the shape of a horse-shoe. He observed it's markings, so intricately crafted on it's white base.
"Captain!" A young Zora, clad in the armor of the Hyrule army, ran out from the gate, stopping and saluting him.
"Ro." Twilight greeted with authority, releasing the horse call. "Speak."
"Um, It's the Princess, Sir." He prattled, unnerved. "She's hailed you, to Sir Link's Room."
"Hmm?" He raised an eyebrow, standing up. He was a few heads taller than the boy. "Thank you, Ro. Get back to your post."
He bowed and quickly made himself scarce, leaving Twilight to stare at the ground in contemplation.
"He said something...didn't he?" He mused, already beginning to warp. "...Damn it."
Re-materializing outside the room, he rapped his knuckles on the door. "Princess?"
A soft click was heard, the door slowly opening. He entered, shutting it behind him.
The room was a mess, items strewn about. A lot of them armor, clothes, and weapons Wild had used during his adventure. One article of clothing was missing however, which he took notice of.
Zelda herself, with circles around her eyes, was pacing around the room.
"Y'know, if you want my opinion-" He began.
"I don't!" She snapped, holding up some parchment. "He left without telling me!"
Twilight's eyes scanned over the letter, blank expression turning to one of relief.
"It's about time!" He laughed heartedly.
"I-it...I mean..You knew we loved each other!" She blushed furiously. "It's not even important now, we need to go find him!"
Twilight's expression softened. "Princess, he said he'll be back. As a Link, that tends to mean he will be back."
"I don't care! I-" Her voice fell dead, looking at her feet. "I...need to see him."
Twilight frowned.
So much for the happy romance.
"Princess, judging by that letter, we really shouldn't look for him." He said. "This is something he must do on his own."
"I do not care." She replied firmly, head snapping up. "I will find him, without your help if need be."
She walked out of the room, leaving him behind. Rubbing his eyes in exasperation, he followed her.
Rome, a Hylian guard, ran up to them almost immediately.
"Princess! A sentry at the Ranch spotted Sir Link riding past, he was heading east, towards the woodlands!" He said.
"Woodlands?" She repeated, scowling. "...He's going to Korok Forest. I wonder..." She looked back up. "Did he look any different?"
The guard nodded. "Yes, Princess. He was wearing green."
A knot tightened in her stomach. "You heroes..." She muttered to Twilight, flexing her hands. "Rome, retrieve my horse immediately, I need to go after him."
"Uh...Are you sure, Princess? Can't you just send the captain after him?" The guard questioned.
"He." She seethed, teeth clenched. "Has refused to go. Please, Rome, prepare my horse for the journey."
"Yes, at once, M'lady." The guard bowed, rushing off.
Turning up her nose, she walked down the hall to her room to change into her tunic. Twilight stayed behind, standing in the middle of hall looking after her, his face contorted into a heavy frown.
"..." He didn't speak, somewhat reminiscing about his lifetime. Her mood, the way she acted right now...it reminded him alot of...
He shook his head, pivoting on his heel and walking the opposite direction, towards the barracks. He needed to sort his thoughts out.
Dressed in her Champion's tunic, Zelda walked down to the stables, finding her white stallion ready to go.
"Good morning, Rhoam." She patted the steed's mane. "Ready for another adventure?"
A whiny was it's reply, causing her to smile lightly. Hopping up into the saddle, she snapped the reins and headed off down the path towards Castle Town.
"Wait!"
She had just passed through the East gate and was heading along the road, next to Romani Plains, when she heard the familiar voice.
Looking behind her, she saw Twilight charging after her on Epona, green clap billowing in the wind.
"Decided to help me anyway?" She mused, turning to face him.
"No." He said bluntly, fixing his cap. "The guards deemed it necessary that you have an escort."
She sighed heavily, brushing her hair over her shoulder. "Very well...Let's be off."
They both continued on along the Orsedd bridge and through the pass between Crenel hills and Crenel peak.
Along the way, Zelda took notice of something around Twilight's neck. A necklace with horse-shoe shaped object, bouncing from the ride.
"Is that keepsake?" She inquired, hoping to break the silence.
He cast a glance of curiosity at her, then down to his necklace. He reached for it, seemingly to put it back inside his tunic, but his hands softened around it instead, looking at forlornly.
"It's a horse call my wife gave to me, long ago during my adventure." He smiled warmly. "I can play songs on it and it reminds me of her, so I've always kept it with me. "
Zelda cocked her head in curiosity. Twilight never talked about his family, even 100 years ago. "What was her name?"
"Ilia, she was the daughter of the Mayor of Ordon Village, my home..."
"Heh, Perhaps you were always royalty then?" She smiled.
"She used to say the same thing..." He chuckled. "I spent most of my days there as a traveling swordsman, and of course, herding the goats. It was always a brighter day with her around though..."
"...Why don't you talk about her?" Zelda asked, lips forming a line. "Maybe it'll...help?"
"Melancholy isn't so easily fixed, I'm afraid." Twilight gave her a forlorn look, his hand releasing the horse call and hovering over his heart. "It hurts to get up every day. Knowing that they're all gone..."
His expression hardened. "That's why I want you and Wild to be together. Don't reject your love, embrace it."
"But...you didn't love your Zelda?"
"I loved her as my queen." He restated firmly. "My heart was with Ilia, no one else." He took the horse call in hand once more. "No one..."
They rode along a bit more in silence.
"Do you know any songs?"
Twilight hummed for a moment. "Yes, I know quite a few."
Taking the horse call in hand, he blew into it, generating a fast-paced, thrilling tune. Epona, upon hearing it, seemed alot more energetic. Truthfully, it was a very delightful tune with a high pitch.
"I call it 'Epona's Song.'" He said, patting his steed's mane. "I could actually play this on a special type of grass, but I can't seem to find them anymore."
Zelda thought for a moment. "Anymore songs?"
"Yeah, I actually made this one for Ilia." He played once more, this time the tune was more calm and low.
It invoked the feeling of saying goodbye to a dear friend, and that you would never see them again...or maybe you would.
"'Ilia's Song.'" He said, releasing the horse call. "Simple as that."
"You are a wonderful musician, Twilight." Zelda complimented, smiling happily.
"All us Links tend to be." He commented. "Seriously, catch Wild in a good mood and he will sing you a song that will make you weep."
"Oh? So he's made you cry before?" Zelda raised an eyebrow, grinning.
"Uh...N-no..." He stuttered, tugging at his collar.
They continued onward...
"So you can sing too?" Zelda asked.
"Nayru help me..." Twilight muttered. "Um...Yes, I can sing."
"Alright, let's hear a song." She smiled at him.
Twilight sighed with utmost grievance, seriously reconsidering even coming along. Scratching his cheek, he tried to think of a song.
He did know one...
"Alright...I didn't write this." He said, snapping his fingers. Dark magic manipulated the horse call around his neck. "When I showed Ilia the song I composed, she spent the time to add lyrics to it..."
"Aww...That's sweet." Zelda said. "Let's hear it."
Twilight blushed slightly. "A-Alright..."
The horse call began to play itself, replaying Ilia's song from earlier, but this time, Twilight began to sing...
"I knew you
Once before
Scent of hay, the sky so blue
Always there-
Right by my side-
With golden hair-, the blue-eyed wolf-
Where-ev-er- you may- go-, I'll wait here- for- you-
We were young
So naive
All those days, you stayed with me
You don't need
To worry
I'll wait here
Al-ways-
Always there-
To be with you-
Your trusty mare-, trust in her hooves-
What-ev-er- time you may come-, I'll stay here- for- you-"
The tune died and Twilight tucked the horse call back into his tunic. Zelda only stared, slack jawed with her eyes wide open.
"T-that...was...beautiful." Was her only remark, completely baffled at how amazing his singing was.
"You. Heard. Nothing." He retorted lowly.
She quickly nodded, facing forward once more.
"What will I tell him?"
"...Do you love him, Princess?"
"Yes, of Course. But..."
"Stay in the moment, let your feelings guide you through."
Thankfully, the songs and singing had shortened the journey exponentially, both having arrived at the Lost Woods.
Dismounting her horse, Zelda looked around at the warped trees and ghostly fog. Curling her lips and putting her hands on her hips, she tried to remember what the trick was to the forest.
"Well Princess." Twilight mused, leaning forward in the saddle. "How're you gonna sort out this fine mess?"
"Oh hush." She clicked her tongue, walking forward along the path, past a few of the torches. She eyed the flames for a moment, taking note of a nearby hand-held torch hidden in the brush. "Ah! That's right!"
She picked up the torch, lighting it in one of the fires, and holding it up high, the embers and smoke moving in a single direction.
North.
"It's the wind." She grinned, hurriedly taking off.
"But-" Twilight began, but she was gone. "Ugh..."
He instantly warped to her side, nearly knocking her down in the process. "Yeah, don't leave me behind like that."
She stuck her tongue out at him, holding the torch up once more.
West.
They passed by some trees with odd faces scratched in them. Zelda checked the torch after they walked a few more paces.
South.
Walking a bit more, the fog began to clear, and the odd voice that she had begun to notice began to fade.
West.
The fog finally cleared as they walked down a narrow path, the sunlight finally breeching through the thick canopy. Blowing out the torch, she discarded it and walked through a large open log that led directly towards the Master Sword's Pedastal.
In which lay the sword that seals the darkness, it's Master nowhere in sight. Unsure, Zelda stepped up onto the pedestal and inspected the blade.
She felt an odd energy radiate off of it, one that she had never felt when in it's presence. Looking over her shoulder to see Twilight sitting in the shade nearby, she stepped forward, past the blade.
A with a mighty yawn, the Great Deku Tree awoke.
"Hrmm..!" The deity looked down upon her. "Oh! It's you, Princess! I hadn't expected you to return so soon."
He gave a hearty laugh, to which she returned, albeit a bit softer. "Tell me! Have you delivered your message to your Knight?"
"Oh." She blinked, that was rather blunt. "I...Well, you see...We..."
"Ah, so you have not." He grumbled. "Well, your Knight seemed sure of himself when he took on the Trial, so perhaps you will have your chance..."
"Trial?" She inquired, looking at the Master Sword.
"Indeed, he replaced the Master Sword within it's pedestal, and he took on the Trial of the Sword." The tree explained. "It is a dangerous, even lethal challenge. But he seemed confident enough to take it."
"But, what will that gain!?"
"If he completes this Trial, the Master Sword's full potential will be unlocked, and his own power increased exponentially."
She looked at her feet, green eyes contemplating the ground.
"When will he return?"
The Great Deku Tree chuckled. "See for yourself."
Eyes wide, she whirled around, hair whipping in her face. Blue wisps of light, similar to the Shiekah Slate's warping function, began to emerge from the Master Sword.
The blade itself also glowed, with a blue light of power.
The blue wisps began to take shape, forming the familiar silhouette of her appointed Knight.
Gradually, the light faded, and there he stood, dressed in a green Hylian tunic, with bandages just under the chainmail, gripping the Master Sword's hilt like his life depended on it.
She thought back to when he first pulled the Sword, he had been terrifying, eyes full of fury and rage, dressed in heavy armor that didn't seem to fit him, odd and cumbersome.
Yet here, his eyes were closed and calm, the simple green tunic looked as if it was made for him.
His breath wavered, and he pulled the blade from it's Pedestal, and held it high. The Blade glowing a powerful blue, it's power coursing through his arms. He leveled it down, eyes opening faintly to stare at it.
A chime made Zelda freeze in shock.
His eyes shut once more and he sheathed the blade, letting out a breath.
Arms dropped to his sides, his eyes opened.
For a moment, they stared at one another, at a loss for words on both sides.
"I heard the voice..." He said, smiling faintly. She just stared. "Heh...I'm sorry I ran. I just-"
His words whisked away when Zelda threw herself at him, wrapping him up in an tight embrace.
She was spewing words of sorrow, anger, and gratefulness at him being safe, voice muffled as she buried her face into his tunic. His scent was wild and smelled of food. Link simply took it in stride, hugging her back, burying his nose into her golden hair. Her scent was sweet and smelled of honey.
They stayed like this for another moment, rocking back in forth as they both rambled on incoherently. Sweet nothings and empty threats were both thrown about, meant in good faith.
Everything in their blood and bodies told them to stop, but they didn't care. They were both sick of the world getting in their way, it was time to let it know that Love brings even the most contrasted people together.
The Energetic Princess...
The Silent Knight...
Holding her face in his hands, Link lifted it up to face his own. Tears streamed down Zelda's cheeks, a happy smile on her face, one of relief.
"I love you." Was one of the few coherent sentences she managed to get out.
With renewed strength and an open heart...
He kissed her.
Emotions swirling in her head and happiness bubbling in her chest, she melted into it.
Without a care in the world, they reveled in their feelings and love.
They were happy. That's all that mattered.
Riju sighed heavily. Today was the day she had been loathing, the day she set out to board the Divine Beast. Controlling Vah Nabooris would prove to be quite the challenge indeed.
"Mistress, remember to retrieve the Thunder Helm from your room." Buliara called from the Throne room.
"I will." She called back, turning around and walking up the stairs. The heirloom sat on her bed, where she had left it.
She was completely unaware when a shadowy figure landed in from the window. She had picked up the Thunder Helm and turned around when a blade touched against her throat.
She stared at the intruder with wide eyes, mouth opening to yell. His face was sharp and...Gerudo-like beneath the bandanna he wore.
"Scream. And your entire Guard dies."
Courage is to give it a shot, knowing that you could lose, but you try anyway.
Sometimes...trying is just enough. :)
Ugh, I had to end on a sinister note, didn't I? Completely ruin the romance. XD
Gonna title drop the next Saga soon, so be on the lookout. :)
Of course, the song lyrics. I didn't come up with those, they were written by a commented on a Youtube video of Ilia's Song. Thank you, Bunny Chan, for such beautiful lyrics. :)
Yes, Twilight is behind the new lovebirds the entire time, and has the biggest shit-eating grin possible. He is so proud! :D