LOVE IN A TIME OF CALAMITY
Part 3: Letting Go
Chapter 23: Half-Truths

A/N: More LIATOC, yaaay! I'm really happy with this chapter. It took me forever to get the middle right but I'm finally content. On a side note, I have opened writing commissions if that is anything anyone here has any interest in. Details and guidelines are on my Tumblr page. Enjoy this chapter, and don't forget to leave a review! Last chapter review responses at bottom per usual.

"With all due respect, Princess, after all that has happened, I must insist that you retain Barlow for your journey. Surely a guard from the castle would suffice to protect the Domain…?"

Zelda firmly shook her head. "I cannot in good conscience leave the Domain at risk for the two or three days It would take to receive aid. Link has proved more than sufficient guard on his own in the past, and I believe Barlow would benefit from having additional time to recover from his wounds before traveling. My decision is made."

Dorephan looked at her appraisingly, but finally sighed. "I defer to your judgment, Princess. However, if I may make a suggestion?"

"Yes, of course."

"If for no other reason than to ease my own worries, consider traveling… incognito. You can leave the royal saddle and bridle with Master Barlow to return to the castle when he is relieved by a replacement, and I'm sure our innkeeper would have some spare commoner's clothing for you to wear. I fear you are such a target on your own, and the safety of the roads has drastically declined since the Calamity. Please…"

Zelda bit the inside of her cheek as she considered the King's request. Though she wasn't entirely sure she agreed, she supposed there was no harm, especially if it put him at ease…

"Yes… I suppose I can agree to that."

Dorephan smiled. "Wonderful. And do you still insist upon leaving this afternoon? Can I not convince you to stay one more night?"

Zelda smiled politely, once more shaking her head. "No, I am afraid not. We have already lost enough time, and I can ill afford to delay my return to the castle. However, I do thank you for your hospitality."

"Of course, your Highness. After what you and Master Link have done for myself and the Domain today, it is the very least I can do."

-:-:-:-:-

An hour later Zelda sat once more atop her new steed, riding through the Lanayru gorge as she and Link finally departed the Domain. One of the Innkeepers—a bubbly woman named Kodah, had been quite helpful—if a bit overexcited, in preparing Zelda for travel 'incognito'. She dug through the lost-and-found whilst regaling the Princess with praise for her and Link's "heroic actions", finally pulling forth a pair of light brown leather boots, tan trousers, and a cream colored cotton shirt. A loose-fitting sleeveless burgundy tunic completed her "commoner" look, slipping over the shirt to be bound at the waist by a canvas sash and brown leather belt. It was quite different from what she was used to wearing—the material far courser for one—but plenty comfortable all the same.

In her enthusiasm Kodah had even gone so far as to offer to style the Princess' hair differently, quick fingers knotting her long, golden strands into a tidy French braid, the length of which draped over one shoulder. After glancing in the mirror to gauge the full effect of the Innkeeper's efforts, Zelda had to admit she looked… quite ordinary.

Link likewise had undergone an outfit change, though his clothes were at least his own. He'd swapped his Champion's tunic for a forest green Hylian tunic and tan trousers, throwing on a dark cloak to help hide his face. She likewise had donned one and pulled up the hood, despite her disguise—better safe than sorry. And though he hadn't been particularly happy about it—even going so far as to voice protest, however modest—he'd consented to wrapping the master sword and securing it to his horse, sporting instead a simple traveler's sword so as not to garner suspicion.

Yet despite all their joint efforts in preparing for departure, whenever possible he had avoided her—ignored her, answering only direction questions with short replies. Even Kodah had subtly raised an eyebrow, though she didn't dare comment on her knight's clipped behavior. Zelda had awoken that morning feeling concerned about him after the events of the night prior; and though it was a toss up where his mood had been at the start of the day, it seemed after the Wizzrobe attack that her fears had ultimately borne out.

Then there was that. She still could scarcely believe he had done such a dangerous and foolish thing as jumping off the top of the stone fishtail. It must have been a drop of over a hundred feet! Her heart fluttered at the mere thought. If he'd missed, even by a small margin, he could have… she shuddered. Had he not even considered such a possibility? Surely they could have managed without such a risky maneuver… Hyrule was in a delicate state and he was one of their greatest assets—the kingdom couldn't afford to lose him! Not to mention how distressed she would be, should he…

She didn't linger too long on that thought.

Though she couldn't deny her gratitude that he'd made it out unscathed, thought the thought of the alternative caused her stomach to churn; and, in a strangely contradictory and yet seemingly fitting manner, set a fire burning in her veins simultaneously. He was just absolutely, thoughtlessly reckless…

So consumed was she by these hot-and-cold feelings towards Link, she couldn't even bring herself to think much on the miracle of the strange magic she had somehow performed—a continuation of the mystery that was her Goddess-given power. Every time she tried to divert her thoughts to other matters—whether trying to cast her mind back to the moment she had enacted her mystical feats, or making arrangements for Barlow's stay in the Domain—inevitably, unfailingly, her mind would somehow return to Link. And once more she would be consumed by that stomach churning fear and burning anger, would again feel that heart-stopping anxiety at the mere thought of what could have happened if things had gone just a little bit differently…

She had far more important and pressing things to be dealing with, and yet it was just Link, Link, Link in her head today; it was bothering her to no end.

She could freely admit, at least to herself, that she was properly mad at him. His callous disregard for his own welfare during the battle with the Wizzrobe and all that disregard entailed, his cruelty towards her the night before, as well as his utterly unwarranted frigidity this morning, had pushed her to her empathetic limit and any lingering sympathy from the night prior had evaporated.

It left her with but one thought, bouncing angrily off the walls of her skull as she mounted Ponli and departed the Domain with a tight expression thinly veiled upon her face: What, exactly, had she done so wrong to warrant this treatment? What gave him the right?! Had he not insulted her enough already?

Well… two could play that game.

She made the decision as soon as they had crossed the Bridge into the Ruto Mountains. If he was insistent on giving her the cold shoulder, she would give as good as she got.

In contrast to her usual talkative manner, she remained utterly silent, refusing even to look at him as the road rose with the swell of the mountain. Naught but the occasional chirping of birds, the distant rushing of the river, and the gusting wind could be heard between them; and with both of them pointedly refusing to speak, Nature's otherwise peaceful serenade sounded almost deafening.

She forced her attention elsewhere—anywhere but him, mentally reciting the scientific name of every flower and tree they passed to keep her mind occupied. Solanaceae Caeruleum, common name: blue nightshade… Betulaceae Lanaris… common name: Lanayru birch… She kept her back straight and face impassive—an effort to affect bored indifference. But despite herself and her encyclopedic knowledge of Hyrule's plant life, she couldn't ignore the tension growing between them.

An hour passed in silence before she felt her resolve begin to crack. Biting the inside of her cheek, she forcibly suppressed the urge rising within her to speak, keeping her lips resolutely shut and her head from swiveling in his direction. With effort she turned her gaze towards the river, watching the current with laser-like intensity and a furrowed brow as she eyed the fish periodically breaking the surface for insects. Salmo Gelidusfin, common name: chillfin trout… Micropterus Hylianis, common name: hylian bass… Link Nothiel, common name: big fat jerk…

Inwardly, she groaned. Despite her efforts, she could still feel her anger simmering within her just as strongly as when they left. It shouldn't be this hard to ignore him!

By the time the second hour came and went, not a word had passed between them; but her patience and stamina had reached its limit. It was utterly unfair that he held this kind of power over her! As they crossed the Oren bridge into the Zodobon Highlands, she finally turned towards him. Shoulders stiff and expression disdainful, she broke the silent standoff between them.

"What, pray tell, have I done so wrong to merit your contempt?" she inquired snappily, apropos of nothing. She lifted her chin in that haughty way she knew he hated, just to spite him; yet he did not look at her as he answered, keeping his eyes focused on the road ahead as he spoke in a hollow imitation of polite deference.

"Nothing is wrong, your Highness."

She stared at him, distinctly unamused, as several beats of silence passed between them.

"Do not try that with me," she warned lowly.

Link did not respond, continuing to stare straight ahead, his silence stretching as though to mock her. As the seconds turned to minutes she spoke once more, anger and impatience more prominent in her words.

"Answer me!"

Finally, he turned to her, fire in his eyes as he threw his hands into the air with uncharacteristic aggression

"What were you thinking? I told you to stay in the sanctuary. I saw what happened—you could have gotten yourself killed running out into the plaza like that! And then where would Hyrule be, Princess, with no one left to sit on the throne?" His tone was uncharacteristically mocking and he emphasized her title just a little bit scathingly. Yet the slight went momentarily unnoticed as her own anger flared.

"Are you joking?" she scoffed, "What was I thinking? What were you thinking, Link?! You jumped blindly from two hundred feet off the ground—in the middle of a thunderstorm! You could have gotten yourself killed! I've told you before, there is a fine line between courage and recklessness!"

Link eyed her sharply, ignoring her accusations in favor of his own. "You couldn't have known you'd be able to perform the magic that you did. Had you not, that lightning would have killed you."

Zelda snorted, "Yes, well, I did manage the magic that I did, didn't I? And it isn't as though I had a choice—Prince Sidon and Tumbo would have died had I not gone after them." She narrowed her eyes as she pointed an accusing finger, her other hand gripping the reins in a tight fist. "You couldn't have known you'd make a clean fall into the water—especially with all that wind. Had you missed, even by a small margin, you'd have landed on solid stone—from hundreds of feet up! SOLID STONE, Link!"

Link smirked at her, crossing his arms and narrowing his eyes. "Yes, well, I did make a clean fall, didn't I? And it isn't as though I had a choice—there was no other way to get the shot."

"Dammit, Link, you're missing the point!" she shouted angrily.

"No, Zelda, you're missing the point! I'm disposable! I've done my job, I've fulfilled my destiny. Hyrule doesn't have another heir!"

His words hit her like a slap in the face, echoing off the canyon walls in the sudden silence. Zelda stilled, the fire in her veins quickly dying as a pit settled uncomfortably in her stomach.

He… was right. No matter what she did, no matter what she desired or what happened, he would always be the one putting himself at risk—on the front lines doing whatever reckless thing ensured that she, the almighty, all important solitary heir to the Kingdom of Hyrule, remained safe. She would always have to watch him risk his life for her, time and time again, always left to wonder when his luck would run out. And when it finally did, he would be replaced—just like all royal guards when their time came. It was an inescapable truth for both of them—one she suddenly realized she'd been distinctly ignoring since the Calamity. She knew that was his job as her appointed knight—to protect her, even at the cost of his own life. In the basest sense he was disposable, but to her…

She turned away, her anger evaporated, leaving only a painful hollowness in its wake. Despite herself her eyes stung and her throat felt tight, but she blinked back the moisture before it could form into tears. She responded lowly, her earlier fire absent from her voice.

"Yes… yes, I suppose… you're right."

Without waiting for him to respond she spurred her horse forward, settling into pace several feet in front of him. Thankfully, he did not pursue her, instead trailing a respectful distance behind.

It began to drizzle by the time they reached the Soh Kofi shrine, with the threat of more rainfall promised in the thick, dark clouds moving in over the mountains. The shrine would have to be their cover for the night. Link led their horses up the path as he had days before, and they silently tied their horses beneath the cover of the ramshackle traveler's stable before hauling their packs to the dry safety of the shrine's interior. Silence reigned between them as it had for much of the journey. Every now and then he would glance in her direction, but she pointedly ignored him; or perhaps she simply couldn't bear to look at him.

He had been so cruel to her the evening prior beneath the city, and then had gone right on ahead and been an ass to her today, too. Gods, what was wrong with him?! Really, he deserved her silence—her contempt. Hell, he deserved a stay in the lockup for his atrocious behavior of the past two days.

He was being petty and he knew it, clinging to a slight that, really, was utterly unreasonable. They were both reckless fools who had gotten lucky today. Either of them could have been far more hurt than they ended up being had things gone just a little bit differently—and neither of them could have reasonably done anything differently without dramatic consequences. It wasn't fair for him to hold her actions against her when his had been just as bad. So why was all of this getting so deeply under his skin? He'd been trained for situations just like this, and had never had a problem before.

Inwardly, he sighed.

If he were honest with himself, he knew—he knew what was truly bothering him. The pieces were all there and had been for a while, he'd just refused to connect them until now; and he wasn't quite sure he was ready to look at the picture they made.

Still, he needed to apologize. Somehow.

Hauling the last pack off of Zelda's horse, he carried it down the damp slope and into the interior of the shrine where Zelda was already setting up camp, unpacking her sleeping roll and arranging her bags. Silently, Link set the heavy sack down beside the entrance, turning to arrange his belongings parallel to her own.

The interior of the shrine was roomy enough for two people, but not so roomy that the silence between them didn't feel awkward and stifling. He wanted to say something—to let her know he was sorry, that he hadn't meant to hurt her; that he felt like such a damned fool and regretted every hurtful word that had left his lips and every kind one that hadn't. Yet whenever the words formed, shame crept up on him and he held his tongue.

With the light rain soaking all the wood around the area, a cook fire was off the table, and so once Link had finished laying out his bed roll a respectable distance from Zelda's—or as respectable as one could get in so enclosed a space, he dug through his pack for the dried meats and fruits he'd saved for just such an occasion. Zelda sat cross-legged on her bed roll, still dressed in her commoner attire though her wet boots sat along the wall near the entrance with her cloak. He settled onto his bed roll as well, handing a large strip of dried meat and an apple to her mutely. She eyed him hollowly before accepting his offering, taking a bite out of the apple as she turned her gaze to the misty landscape.

He needed to apologize. But what should he say? He knew he couldn't share some of the things on his mind and in his heart, but that didn't mean he didn't owe her a sincere and heartfelt apology. Come on, Link, you're the goddess-damned Hero of Hyrule. A simple 'I'm sorry' shouldn't be this hard!

But perhaps that was his problem—a simple 'I'm sorry' didn't feel like nearly enough to atone for how he'd treated her.

In the end, he chose to do what he did so often in battle—charge in head first and figure the rest out as he went along. Adjusting himself on his bed roll, he glanced up to see her still staring out at the landscape and pointedly ignoring him. Taking a breath, he spoke quietly, shame keeping his voice soft and low.

"Zelda, I'm… not very good at this, but I—I wanted to apologize."

Slowly she turned her head towards him, but the look on her face was not one he was expecting. It wasn't anger or contempt, it was… sorrow. He felt his breath momentarily leave him, guilt gnawing viciously at his insides.

She stared at him a moment, her eyes holding far too much weight, before nodding slowly. He continued with a good deal more nervousness than he'd started with.

"I… wasn't fair to you—about today. I shouldn't… I shouldn't have held your actions against you when mine were just as risky. And I…"

He paused, taking a breath before soldiering on.

"And… I'm sorry for last night. You aren't—you didn't… you didn't deserve that, either. I know you were only trying to help…" He shut his eyes, running a hand down his face as the gravity of the last two days washed over him—as the memory of her stricken expression beneath the Domain rose sharply in his mind's eye. He turned from her, unable to meet her gaze, his voice coming out raspy. "I—I'm so sorry…"

He stewed in his own misery for only a moment before gentle fingers grasped his arm, slowly lowering his hands from his face. Surprised, he turned to her, seeing her eye him softly, albeit a bit sadly.

"I appreciate that Link, thank you."

She lowered her hand from his arm, turning her gaze away to stare at the ground.

"I…" she hesitated, glancing up to him with unsure eyes, and though he felt anything but confident, he nodded encouragingly for her to continue. She bit her lip and looked back at the ground.

"If I am honest, I was… hurt—am hurt; by last night, and today," she murmured, twisting her hands in her lap, "And it might take me a little while to get past it, but… your apology goes a long way." She lifted her head, meeting his gaze with a timid, half-formed smile. He felt hope flare weakly within him.

"And I would like to apologize as well." She looked away once more, staring out at the drizzly landscape. "I overreacted regarding your actions with the wizzrobe. You performed your duty admirably and with skill—I cannot fault you for that." She let out a breath, finally turning to look at him directly, her eyes large, seeming to gaze not at him, but into him. "I know yesterday was extremely hard for you; and to be followed by a day like today? I'm… sorry I could not have more compassion."

Her words hit him like a punch to the gut, and he felt something within him break. He had been cruel and callous, he had disregarded her feelings and stonewalled her all day, yet she was apologizing to him? What on Hylia's green earth had he done to deserve…? He didn't—he wasn't…

Something must have shown on his face because she scooted closer, reaching for him once more and taking his hand in hers. Gently, she ran her thumb over his knuckles, looking up at him with a soft, reassuring gaze. He suppressed a shiver.

After several moments of peaceful silence, she stilled her hand; then spoke—quietly, tentatively.

"I… don't want to overstep my bounds, and I don't mean to criticize when I say this, but… you keep so much inside. I want you to know… you can talk to me; regardless of all that has happened the past few days—you can talk to me. I do feel it would help to get some things off your chest. Whatever you want to share… I will listen without judgment." She gazed at him with sincerity, her eyes large and soft and sweet.

His gaze lingered on hers before he turned from her once more, feeling tears sting his eyes. Quickly he blinked them back, overwhelmed by her unyielding gentleness. He didn't deserve this… didn't deserve her… And though he wanted more than anything in this moment to show her his gratitude, to show his trust and faith—the trust and faith he had failed to show over the past two days—he couldn't bring himself to burden her with his own worries and doubts and fears, especially when he knew how monumental her own were.

That was, until her quiet voice crossed the small space between them.

"Please—let me in, Link…"

He lifted his head, her turquoise irises sparkling imploringly, openly—honestly. He could never hope to deny her when she looked at him like that… And… perhaps she was right. Maybe it would help to get some things off of his chest. Though he still worried about overburdening her, he supposed he would simply have to trust her—trust her judgment. Taking a deep breath he opened his mouth and shut off his brain, letting the words simply flow.

"I… I think I was so angry about today because I watched it happen. I was at the top of the tail, getting ready to jump when I saw the lightning heading straight for you. There was nothing I could do… Barlow was incapacitated, I was too far away, and I—" he hesitated momentarily, feeling his chest tighten, but forced himself on. "I… thought I was going to watch you die," he finished quietly.

He had thought he was going to watch her die… Until the words left his mouth, he hadn't realized that was how he felt; that his anger towards her had been, perhaps, merely misdirected fear—the fear of losing her. Several things clicked suddenly into place in his mind; but he kept the revelation to himself.

After a moment she twisted her hands in her lap and looked down. Her voice was soft, almost shy, as she spoke. "I don't think I ever told you, but… I'd thought the same thing—in the woods after we fled Castle Town the day the Calamity returned. When I heard your head hit the tree…" she shut her eyes tight, struggling to reign in a pained grimace. Link felt his heart ache.

"I'm sorry," he said lowly, his voice rough, "I… you know I can't—I'd do it again if I had to, to keep you safe. But…" he reached out to her, gently enfolding her hand in his own, "I understand—and I'm sorry…" …for putting you through that, for making you feel that fear…

She sighed heavily, then lifted her head to meet his gaze with a pained smile. "I know; and thank you."

Conversation flowed easily after that. It was as though some invisible barrier between them had fallen at her words, at her simple invitation, and Link found himself speaking freely with her about things he'd told few people, if anyone at all. Much of it was little things—his knight's training, his experiences as a royal guard before his appointment, growing up in a military family. Occasionally they would veer into more delicate territory—like the fight with Ganon. But throughout it all, she did not judge, did not interrupt or criticize, though she did occasionally ask rather minor questions—a significant effort on her part not to let her curiosity get the better of her; an effort which did not go unnoticed by him.

Eventually, though, as easier subjects thinned, conversation turned to the elephant in the room—the very thing he had been dancing circles around.

"And… what of Mipha?"

They rested side-by-side against the back of the shrine, half-tucked into their respective beds. Her question was soft, tentative, though she looked to him with a curious gaze. He sighed, feeling the knife twist in his heart as he gazed back into her beautiful green eyes, feeling that same draw he'd felt beside the campfire as he contemplated her question. He knew, whether it was with her or quietly in the privacy of his room back at the castle, he would need to examine the damage Mipha's death had wrought upon his heart. But now, in this moment—gazing into her gentle, kind eyes—he couldn't help but want to examine those feelings with her, in spite of the inherent contradiction that posed.

So, as he'd done with many things in his young life, he dived off the precipice of the known, submerging himself into the dangerous unknown.

"I don't know if I'd be feeling this way if I'd never known… I'm sure it would have still hurt, but… I just… I feel like I betrayed her." Opening his mouth to say more, he stopped, then shook his head, frowning. He needed to be careful not to reveal too much. Zelda eyed him sadly, misinterpreting his reticence.

"If it's too painful, you could tell me something else. Like… how did you two meet?"

Though that was far from the reason for his withholding, as he recalled the first time they'd met, a small smile rose to his lips. He could share that—he wanted to share that.

He spoke for over an hour—probably the most he'd ever spoken to her at once. He told her of how he and Mipha first met, of their youthful friendship gallivanting around the Domain, of how things just weren't quite the same—how he wasn't quite the same—after he'd drawn the sword… of how they saw less and less of each other once he had been appointed to guard her. Zelda simply listened, periodically asking questions or laughing at a story of his foolhardy childhood exploits. When he ran out of stories he spoke of his pain—of feeling like he'd failed her. He spoke of guilt, of sorrow, of regret for all the times he didn't come to see her when he could have. By the end, once he had expelled the burdens from his heart and his voice had gone hoarse, they fell into silence, each staring out at the canyon as Zelda leaned her head on his shoulder with her hand gripping his reassuringly, their sleeping rolls now side-by-side. The drizzle of rain added a haziness to the darkened view, and created a soft pitter-patter which slowly lulled Zelda to sleep. Link, however, remained very much awake, a final, lingering thought keeping him from rest.

It was the one thing he didn't—couldn't—tell her, the one thing tormenting him about Mipha's death that he would not share with her. What was really, truly killing him, more than the fact that she'd been so deeply in love with him, more than the fact that he hadn't returned her affections, even more than the fact that she was gone—was that his heart was falling into the hands of another, and had been for some time. As much as he had tried to deny it, to bury it, to hide from it—he couldn't any longer. Mipha's gift had forced him to face a stark and painful reality about his love life, a reality he could no more hide from than he could his destiny.

He had betrayed Mipha—one of his oldest and closest friends—in the deepest and most cutting of ways. While she had spent likely countless painstaking hours hand crafting a gift to symbolize her love and devotion, he had been busy getting to know another princess—and falling for her in the process. And now that she was gone and all that remained of her love was this gift, it should be so easy to be faithful to her memory with no imminent threat of marriage or awkward confrontations, and yet… he couldn't stop thinking about Zelda.

Mipha had given him everything—her love and her life, and despite Zelda's words of comfort he had never given her nearly enough in return.

And Zelda… He turned his attention away from the blue glow of the Inogo bridge and down to the blond head resting on his shoulder. She looked calm, peaceful despite the weight of their conversation. Several strands of hair hung down in front of her face, and with careful fingers he tucked them behind her ear, a small smile rising to his lips. As soon as he registered the action, however, he immediately frowned, withdrawing his hand.

Through the course of their conversation, the real reason he'd been so angry with her for running out into the plaza during the battle with the Wizzrobe had solidified uncomfortably in his mind. Yes, he had feared he'd been about to witness her death atop the giant statue, but it was more than that. If it had been another soldier in her position, or even one of the Zora citizens, he would not have felt the heart-stopping panic he had—that was only because it was her… because he…

No. He wouldn't say it, not even to himself.

He had entered dangerous territory. If he were a wise man he would take the opportunity of this realization to distance himself—now, before he got too far down the rabbit hole. His appointment was for life. Barring any serious lifelong injury, unless the King were to wake and dismiss his service, or were Zelda to do so herself—an unlikely prospect—he would be by her side for the rest of his life. Though he had never thought too deeply about it before now, Zelda was, in fact, a Princess—and the only heir. She would eventually need to marry some nobleman or prince and have children to carry on her line, likely sooner rather than later. And he would have to be there through all of it; he would have to endure her courtships, stand by at her wedding watching her make vows to another man, guard her while she was with child… A pit of jealous anger settled deep in his gut at the thought. Could he really endure all that and feel the things he now felt for her? Could he if he let those feelings grow?

And yet… as he gazed down at her sleeping face, long dark lashes draped over rosy cheeks, he felt any resolve crumble. For all his fears of what might come should he let himself truly fall for her, he couldn't bear the idea of losing her friendship: of never again getting to escort her on a research mission and see her excitedly clamor over some new discovery, or hear her teasing laughter, or be the recipient of her tender smiles. Neither could he stomach the idea of depriving her of one of the very, very few friends and confidants she had in the castle simply because he was weak. Though it might end in his heartbreak, if he was prepared to give his life for her—he could risk his heart as well. Perhaps, he thought bitterly, he could truly atone for his sins against Mipha by suffering a similar fate with Zelda.

Wearily he sighed, laying his head gently atop Zelda's and shutting his eyes despite his restless heart. Life would never be simple, would it?

REVIEW RESPONSES!

Nightwing2013: Yeah, pretty much. The wizzrobe fight is almost entirely canon in terms of mechanics. Just a few embellishments here and there to make it fit my story (for instance, a wizzrobe would not actually be in or near Zora's Domain in the game)

Ania Nicole: Awww, your review made me smile so much! Well, I hope this chapter delivered on some of what you mentioned in your review! Got a little slowburn ZeLink, and a little heart-to-heart. We will be seeing more mage-Zelda but not till the next part, and I don't have plans to make her too OP (In my mind she's kind of a "support class" mage, to put it in video game terms), so fear not!

And yeah, I had a ton of fun with Zelda and baby Sidon's dynamic. Seeing them together in the DLC cinematic made me be like :333 oh my gosh such cuteness could be had! I want to write in some interactions between baby Sidon and Link, but I felt like Link needed some time to process Mipha's passing first. Also, to answer your post script, I totally don't already have plans for Zelda to meet Link's parents *cough cough* in part 4 *cough* and part 5 *cough cough*, such outrageous speculation...

So in sum: thank you so much for your review!

kansa: Thank you! I really enjoyed writing this, I felt like it gave some thematic and plot variety that was much needed since it had been all drama. And hopefully this chapter satisfies the ZeLink slowburn a little bit, and answers your question about what Link's problem is! (answer: he's a dork in love)

LuniaWolfe: Well, I don't know if this came off as terribly epic but hopefully it was still good!

JakeStateFarm: Ah, thank you so much! :333

Lu: Oh gosh, thank you! I tried to pull from the subtleties of the game as much as possible to help characterize him, so I'm glad you like it and that everything flows naturally!

christinedbadia5: Haha, that's a cute idea. I'll add it to my ever-growing list of possible story ideas and companion pieces (it's... unfortunately a long list. My imagination is... overactive)

Thanks again everyone, and until next time!