In the end, the party traveling to the Deku tree were the Hero and Princess, the pilots, Impa, and Koshia. Koshia was still recovering, though his strength was returning at a rapid rate. They rode horses for the first part of the journey, until Amphritus and Darlas met up with them near the Lost Forest and they continued on foot.
Once on foot, Link found himself falling in step with Koshia. He covered any discomfort well; had Link not known he was recovering, he wouldn't have guessed the magician turned sage had even been injured. It was the typical Sheikah stiff upper lip. They spoke of lighter issues until the topic of the future came up.
"So, I was thinking we could build these shrines that could help a future Hero," Koshia said.
"Help in what way?" Link asked.
"Well, we've been working on manifesting these things called Spirit orbs, they are gifts from the Goddess Hylia and can be used to improve physical ability. But Impa made the good point that they shouldn't be easy to get to, otherwise people could try and abuse the gifts."
"I mean that certainly sounds like a good idea, how can you manifest these… spirit orbs?" Link asked.
Koshia became withdrawn suddenly and avoided the question. "It was just a thought, I don't think it will be ready for a long time."
Impa butted into the conversation. "Were you talking about our shrine idea?"
Koshia nodded.
"I already have so many ideas for puzzles and challenges. I think they're going to also help the future Hero master the Sheikah Slate." Impa seemed actually excited, which was a nice change.
"I certainly want to give the future the best chance," Link said, "this was all hard enough as it was."
Their conversation was cut short by the ominous forest looming in the distance. The trees soared dark and tall, with twisted branches and roots. The canopy held the under forest in darkness, a darkness aided by mists. It was silent, save for his own heartbeat. Even their steps were deafened in the soil and mosses.
The party all exchanged uneasy glances, save Darlas, who regarded it with awe.
Darlas, still blinded by his excitement to see the legendary ever-blooming deku tree, snapped out of the awe and led the charge.
The party followed. Link berated himself internally for feeling such reluctance after traversing Hyrule Castle's dungeon and fighting the embodiment of evil, but truthfully his courage had never been the state of being without fear, but rather pushing through that fear. And push through any fear he surely could.
A delicate hand slipped into his and he glanced over to see Zelda had migrated to be by his side. Suddenly all thoughts of the fell and fey were overpowered by the joy of realizing it was his wedding day. Zelda wore a veil so he had yet to see her face that day, and her dress was for traveling as she would change when they got there.
"There's an interesting phenomena in these trees actually," Impa started saying to Kadli. "I'm not actually one for the natural sciences, but this had applications for a stealth design I was thinking about. Basically, the forest itself is very dense. But beyond that, this whole area is built on lava rock, which is generally more porous than normal rock, absorbing the sound.
"How to incorporate a landscape feature into a more person sized thing is something I will have to think on but…" Impa's words faded into a quiet buzz to Link's ears. He was trying to listen beyond, into the silence.
There were creatures in the forest, but not monsters… not that he could sense. The group went forth, guided by Zelda. She had a path memorised from her childhood apparently.
It was long and slow going. Slower than travel outside of the forest. Finally, after what felt like hours in the muted atmosphere, the mist started to clear. They passed under an arch to be met with the largest tree Link had ever seen.
"So, you have come at last," the Deku tree said, its branches covered in pink flowers.
Zelda knelt, and the rest of the group followed suit. Small creatures popped up with curiosity from the foliage, exclaiming their delight. "The Koroks are pleased to see you as well."
"Great Deku tree, I would ask you to watch over the master sword until it is needed again." Zelda asked.
"Is that all?" it asked amusedly.
She hesitated for a moment, and Link figured it was out of bashfulness, something he wondered if he'd ever get tired of seeing from her. "No. I would also… wish for you to witness my marriage."
"And I will gladly grant both of these. Step forward Hero."
Link, forgetting himself for a moment, stepped forward, feeling the weight of the sword on his back.
"I will watch over the Master Sword, it is a duty I am honored to find," the Deku tree said.
A rumbling from the earth, caused the party to go onto alert. From the mud and spring water that covered the ground arose a triangular platform. Where and how it'd appear, Link wasn't sure. Either the power of the goddess, or the Deku tree's own power. Either way, it's purpose was clear, and Link approached it. Trying to ignore how ceremonious it felt, Link silently said his farewell to the sword as he drew it to place it in its pedestal.
To say goodbye for a second time was hard for both of them, but it hadn't expressed any sorrow, only a reassurance, for better or worse, they would meet again. He'd never heard its words so clearly before.
He sealed it, and with it a bit of power in the world was gone.
Link let out a breath, and the deku tree seemed to smile. "It's good to hear her voice again."
Zelda then asked for a place that they should hold the other ceremony, and for a place for her to change.
The koroks came forward to lead them to separate areas for the men and women. They had prepared earlier it seemed. "Bwee Hee!" one of the koroks said, "Come this way. We brought out the goddess statue to a good spot, Maply was in charge of decoration, so it all looks very nice!"
Link thanked the small creature and after flashing a smile to Zelda, followed the korok. Another korok led the women to the other side of the tree. At the location, Link had to admit it was decorated nicely.
It was a raised part of the lowland, allowing them to keep from getting their feet wet. There were logs and stones arranged for the guests to watch, and a freshly cleaned Goddess statue at the front. The statue was dressed in flowers and garlands. In fact, flowers and garlands decorated the entire area, giving the air a faint perfume.
It was simple and also amazing. Link removed his traveling cloak, though he'd come in his wedding attire for the most part. He combed his hair and listened to the males of his party talk. Darlas was speaking with a korok, Firn, while Koshia and Amphritus were talking about shrine placement and puzzles. Link started to get nervous again.
This time not for any worry of danger, but for the future. For his future with Zelda. Would he be enough as King? Would he be the right choice? He knew that she loved him now, but what if it was really just gratitude like she'd made it sound at the start. What if something went wrong?
His downward spiral was hindered when Koshia asked him. "Are you two having a honeymoon?"
"Uh–" oh right, honey moon, where they would– "I believe the royal tour is the equivalent of that."
"It might be the equivalent, but it's not quite what a normal one would be."
"I suppose that's true…" Link responded. Right, they couldn't exactly be as lovey-dovey on a royal tour as a normal couple could on a honeymoon. They couldn't lose themselve for a few weeks. And they couldn't travel beforehand because of the coronation.
Koshia shook his head. "I know you're both busy but even royalty will need a vacation eventually."
Darlas was brought over by the conversation, still more interested in the flora, but trying to be supportive. "The hot springs on Death Mountain are pretty popular for honeymooners if they have the proper heat protection, if I'm to believe right. It's sort of hard to tell, but they do like those private ones."
"Impa and I went to a hot spring there for our honeymoon," Koshia said, "It was a lot of tinkering on her part to make the fire proofing bracelets. Expensive too."
"Yeah, I know Jernu was working on a potion that could allow non-Gorons to survive the temperatures, but it's slow work. Hardly anyone wants to test it too."
Can't imagine why, Link thought. Though he would be willing to test it. He didn't mind being a lab rat if it was for the greater good. With some trepidation, he remembered that Zelda probably wouldn't let him for his own safety.
Before their talk could continue, the koroks from the other side of the Deku tree started singing a song, with the jingling of their body movements as accompaniment. Firn started pushing the men folk into the proper places as the Deku tree had told it to. How the Deku tree knew what a Hylian wedding ceremony looked like, Link didn't know.
The women of the group came over with some degree of embarrassment at the grand show. Though it was obvious it was for the bride primarily. Link's heart caught in his throat when he saw her.
Sure, her dress was pretty. He'd never seen her in a non-pretty dress. But it was the fact her veil was off her face finally. She shone like pure gold, her hair completing the illusion.
The witnesses sat, and Koshia stood between them in front of the goddess statue. They were in front of the Deku tree as well, and the Koroks made a large audience.
"We are gathered here today to witness the union of Zelda and Link. It is thought that the Goddesses created us with a great ability to love and protect one another, and these two lovers have exemplified those traits." Koshia started. Link admittedly blushed when he'd said lovers, but he supposed that's what he and Zelda were now.
Admittedly, Link spaced off a bit as Koshia continued into the more traditional vows. It wasn't his fault, but it was all a lot to take in. He was, however, paying close enough attention to know when it was time to present the gifts, or in their case, rings.
Link pulled out the small pouch from his pocket. Zelda drew out a small box. They both weren't wearing gloves for once, as it was against etiquette to wear rings over them. His turn was first, and he emptied the pouch into his left hand and reached for her. Delicately, he placed the sapphire ring on her finger, feeling his face heat up at the intensity she gazed at him.
Then it was her turn. Without saying a thing, she opened the box and withdrew a golden band inlaid with the blue, red, and green of the goddesses. Link didn't have an eye for jewelry, but he did appreciate that she took all of his requests in order. It was relatively simple, with a slim profile. She, with equal care, slid the ring onto his finger.
"And with that I pronounce you husband and wife," Koshia finished.
Their guests clapped and the Koroks erupted into cheers. Little trills came from the forest spirits as they threw petals and flowers. Link looked at Zelda, well, his eyes hadn't left her as he ingrained that moment into his memories. Then, remembering how wedding ceremonies usually ended, he leaned forward to kiss her. It was just a chaste kiss, but when he leaned back he saw she was blushing deeply.
He then smiled, feeling for one in his life, everything was going pretty smoothly.
…
They couldn't exactly have a wedding night in the middle of the Lost Woods, not only because it was a dank forest, but because the koroks refused to leave them be for even a moment. They were all so curious, having not gotten visitors very often. Even as excited as he was for his wedding night, he couldn't find it in himself to be upset with the little creatures.
They camped next to the Deku tree, lulled to sleep by the gentle jingles of the koroks.
The next morning they had to return to the castle. Guests would be arriving for the coronation and the princess and her new prince needed to be there. The koroks were sad to let them go, but the Deku tree only said, "We shall not see each other for a long while. Farewell Princess and Hero."
They said their goodbyes, and set out. The return trip held less excitement from either, for while married life was something both looked forward to, the coronation was still a heavy subject.
On the path out of the forest, still treacherous, but less so, as it seemed to push them out, Zelda had a familiar look in her eyes.
"So, wife," Link started, feeling out a new way to address her, "I cannot tell you how pleased I am with the ring you chose."
The look in her eye remained and she reached for his hand to hold it up. "I'm pleased you're pleased," she said, "husband." and kissed his hand.
This display, to both of their embarrassment, was witnessed by the rest of the group. Who'd been drawn from their own conversations to watch the newly weds. Before Link could become too embarrassed, Reba and Kadli had executed a pincer move.
"Oh don't mind us," Reba said, stooping to rest her arm on Zelda's shoulder.
"Oh yes, don't mind us," Kadli said, standing on her tiptoes to lean on Link.
They could only keep straight faces for so long before everyone erupted in giggles.
Traveling went smoothly, and soon enough they were back at the castle.
…
The coronation was a much larger affair than the wedding. It would've been so even if they had had a public wedding. Still, Link thought back to all the ceremonies he'd been in for the royal family. His own knighting now seemed almost subdued, compared to the last rites, his own wedding, and now the coronation. He supposed the only thing that could be more grand would be the birth of the next heir, but that wouldn't be for a bit.
It would be longer than a bit if he and Zelda were never allowed their wedding night!
They'd arrived back late in the evening and due to travel, despite staying in the same bed, both had only wanted to sleep. Come morning, they'd been rushed to get ready to catch up on greeting guests, and then the day after had been the coronation.
Three days of being married and they'd hardly been able to do so much as kiss! Link thought it very much an outrage. Zelda did too, if her passive aggressive comments to some of the nobility who'd been more vocal about Hyrule's rather small royal family were anything to go by.
Finally, it was the day of the coronation. The day Zelda would become the queen she never wished to be, but Link was sure she was born for.
Unlike their wedding it was not a day of smiles. It was a day of responsibility. It was a day of solemnity. Zelda's hair was bound in braids in a complicated updo, a style that could support a crown. His own hair was tied back and his clothes the finest he'd ever worn. Because, as he kept forgetting, he was about to be crowned king.
He would say he lacked the proper education, but Zelda insisted he knew the important things. "You've helped me more than you know," she'd told him, "I'll help you as much as I can, and… well… it's not like you can't rest on your laurels for a bit at least."
His dreams of being a carefree consort to the princess long past, Link appreciated the sentiment, even if he knew he couldn't follow it. No, he understood this responsibility.
They stood in front of the doors to the royal cathedral, and for all his courage, he was still nervous. Zelda gripped his arm tighter in comfort and remembered once more: He wasn't in this alone.
The doors opened with a herald and the pair made their way to stand in front of the goddess statue. An elder sage received them and bade them knelt. The crowd was large and silent. Not a cough nor a sniffle, and Link could feel every single eye on him.
The Sage recited the rites in an ancient language, one Link realized he should've learned better. He'd already memorized his responses well enough, and repeated them when he needed to. Finally, the pair knelt before the goddess to be crowned. Zelda first, as she was the actual blood of the goddess. Link second.
Her crown was based on her grandmother's, the last queen of goddess blood. It was a proud crown, inlaid with sapphires and emeralds, along with a row of pearls. It was beautiful and matched her golden curls.
Link's own crown was more simple, matching gold with a subtle leaf motif. It weighed heavier than he'd been expecting. Still, he kept his body language proud, and stood with his queen, signaling the crowd to bow.
Together they faced their subjects, and ushered in a new era.