Disclaimer: If I owned Zelda, the Windwaker would have ended with Link having the Triforce and Hyrule being restored. Since it didn't end that way, it's pretty obvious that I don't own Zelda.
A/N: It's all been about Link so far, but a couple of chapters after this one will finally explain Navi's POV. This is just a little spoiler to mess with you.
Notes to Reviewers:
Sakurelle – Thanks for the mistakes. Yes, it was originally a Zelink, but I changed my mind. I hope you don't mind.
Kicksalienass – I know she's a "fricken fary" but you need to read the next couple of chapters in order to understand what I'm doing. You'll like it, I hope.
AnimeDemonNayorin – I don't mean to offend, but I explained most of why I did it in the last chapter Author's note: "I'm using Faeries as the plural form to Fairy because I believe that's what it is. If this is incorrect, let me know and I will fix it." Also, I used Faerie in Faerie Haven because I that's what I planned to name it. I also spell "Great Faeries" like that to show that they are more powerful. If you feel like I made a mistake on this, let me know.
Chapter 7: Meeting Zelda
Returning to the Forbidden Forest Valley was easier than going to Termina since he had all of his equipment. Once he returned, he drew a picture of the Skull Kid on a rock in honor of his adventure. He reorganized all of his equipment for easy access, jumped on Epona, and rode back to the Kokiri Village.
As he was going through more familiar parts of the forest, Link remembered the letter he was given from a certain Princess before going to Termina. Taking out the Princess' letter, he decided to read it on the way to the Village. Then, he would go to the Castle if it were something important. He pulled out the letter from a bag on his saddle and opened it. There was a slight blue glow when he opened it, so he figured Zelda put some kind of spell to ensure that only he read it. It must be pretty important, link thought. Once opened, he began to read:
Dear Link,
I hope you are well, and that your adventures are exciting. I know you couldn't stand to get bored, after all. As the Hero of Time, I'm sure you get into all sorts of interesting predicaments. As for me, well… We finally caught up with all the work that the "disappearing advisor" caused. I figure in a month or two, we'll have the Political friendships we had with the Goron's and Zora's completely fixed.
But I didn't want this letter to only speak of politics and small talk. I wish to see you again, Link. There were a few thinks that we didn't get to talk about, and I hope to tell you these in your face. It's mostly ceremonial; father wishes to reward you for "Service to the throne." Don't worry; we won't get into specifics. Now that Father believes in the shadow memories, he was the one who wanted to give you a reward. I won't get into specifics as to what these rewards are here. These kinds of things are better done in person. Hopefully, you will find the time to see me soon.
Love,
Zelda
Link put the note away as he reached the Village. I've been gone a week. I think that's long enough to go back now. He had a smile playing upon his face as he headed to see the Deku Tree Sprout.
As Zelda felt the seal's magic release, she suddenly was able to sense where Link was again. Finally, after all this time… I thought something dreadful happened. Zelda ran out of her room towards the Throne room. Impa was usually there giving her daily report about this time.
She saw that she was correct in this assumption the moment she entered the Chamber. Impa was bowing at the King, letting all know that their meeting is complete. Impa was dressed in purple shorts and a shirt, which was standard garb for a Sheikah in the palace. As she straightened, she saw Zelda out of the corner of her eye and smiled.
"By your leave, your Majesty." She stated before turning and walking towards Zelda. "Well what's wrong, Zelda? You seem to have to tell me something urgent. Is it about him?"
"It is urgent and it is about him, Impa." Zelda stated in a very official manner. "He's back in Hyrule. After five months of nothing, he's suddenly back. Please go to the Kokiri Village immediately and bring him to the courtyard. I wish to see him as soon as I can."
Impa smiled in a knowing way. To be in love with a man like that is dangerous, she thought. "Well, my lady, I will be off. Can't stand around all day and let Link get away, right?"
Zelda smiled and hugged Impa once before she left. She then went back to her rooms to prepare for his arrival.
"Well this is a pleasant surprise, Link." The Deku Tree Sprout stated, "I didn't expect to see you here. May I ask how you've been? After all, I haven't seen you for five months."
"What?" Link inquired, "What do you mean? I figured it would have felt like a week to you."
The Sprout laughed, "Well, time may be different for the hero of time, but five months feels like five months for everyone, regardless of how slowly you age."
"That's not what I meant. I have been in a land called Termina. While there, I repeated the same three days there for about…" Link began counting in his head, "roughly five months. I expected time to slow down here as well."
"Well this is interesting," the sprout said inquisitively. "It seems that your time travel must only affect the land you're on, but not the whole world. That is very interesting."
Link raised an eyebrow, "Will this cause any problems?"
"No, no, I'm sure it won't. Anyway, tell me about your adventure."
Link began by telling him about the Skull kid. He talked about the Lands of Termina, their similarities to Hyrule, and the monsters he fought. At the end of telling him about the masks he collected, the sun was setting. This was surprising considering the fact that he showed up around noon. Well, it is a long story, he thought. They began to speak about the changes in Hyrule when suddenly Mido entered the Deku Tree's meadow.
"Great Deku Tree, sir!" Mido shouted as he reached the two beings. "Great Deku Tree, a woman has shown up in the Village, and is asking to see Link, sir. I believe she is a Sheikah!"
"Well, this is certainly interesting. Send her here immediately." The Sprout said. Seeing
Link's confused expression he added, "We have not seen a Sheikah in a great many years. After they agreed to guard the Royal Family, they didn't visit as much. Kokiri/Sheikah friendships used to be common, but we rarely if ever see one now."
It's got to be Impa. Link thought as he saw Mido scurrying away. The last of the Sheikah arriving shortly after the Hero of Time reads the Princess' letter. I'm beginning to think that the blue light wasn't to make sure only I read it. Link mused about possible reasons why Impa would be here as she walked up to him. Impa made a simple, yet respectable, bow at the Deku Tree Sprout before offering her hand to Link.
Link reached out and they both grasped each other's wrists. "It's good to see you, Link. These last three and a half years have treated you well."
Link looked himself over. He had to admit that, due to his Gerudo training and other adventures, he was very wiry and muscular. His muscles were all toned, but not particularly large. "I thank you for the compliment. I must say that these last few years have treated you fairly as well." Before she could respond, he continued. "May I ask what brings the Princess' bodyguard out to the forest? Why didn't the Princess come?"
"Zelda didn't come because she's the princess," Impa replied. "She can't just up and leave the castle that simply, Link. Everywhere she goes she needs a guard of at least five people. It's usually more like ten, though." Impa gave a small smile before saying, "My lady was adamant about making sure you come to the castle. The moment you opened the letter she knew that you did and sensed you to find out where you were."
Sensed? Link wondered. Does that work the other way around? Link began to try to sense Zelda. His right hand warmed up, and then he suddenly knew that Zelda was in her courtyard. He guessed it had something to do with the Triforce. "Alright then, take me to her. I want to know what's so important."
Without another word, Impa pulled out two Deku nuts. She stepped directly in front of Link, dropped the nuts, and they both suddenly disappeared.
Zelda sat in her garden, waiting for Link. She felt her hand glow, and knew that Link was searching for her. He must be on his way, she figured. She stood up and began straightening her dress when a sudden CRACK sounded before her and Link and Impa suddenly appeared before her.
"Whoa," Link yelled, "that explains how you get away so quickly!"
Zelda stared at Link with open curiosity. Link has definitely begun to grow, seeing as she now just reached his eye level. His muscles were all very well toned and sculpted, yet young, to make a very handsome young man. A young man whom anyone could see will grow up to be incredibly handsome.
Link saw Zelda standing there, wearing a long purple dress that fit her perfectly. She was beginning to show signs of womanhood, with her breasts beginning to form, and a certain bearing all young girls coming into their own seem to have. Link remembered how he felt about her in the alternate timeline, but didn't dwell on it. Things aren't like that anymore, he thought. I wonder what she wants? Instead of going through small talk, Link began with, "Hello, Zelda. What did you wish to speak to me about?"
Zelda mentally swore. I was hoping to speak to him a bit before this. Oh well, no matter. "Well, father and I were talking and we wished to provide you with a few gifts for your help in defeating Gannondorf."
Impa began to walk away and said, "Alright, I'll leave you two to discuss things."
Link shrugged and said, "Bye Impa." He turned to Zelda and grinned, "Well, I don't think I need any reward. Just being able to live peacefully is enough for me, I think."
Impa smoothed out her skirt, "Well, we still think that you deserve a few treats. Father has already placed a small country estate, as well as a good stretch of land bordering the forest, in your name. He as also decided to give you your own Patents of Nobility and a reward of 5,000 Rupees for service to the throne. Congratulations, Link: You are now a Nobleman."
Link looked completely shocked, "What? I now have lands, money, and I'm a Noble, too." Zelda nodded, "But that's too much, Zelda! I don't need all that."
"Father and I think you more than deserve it for all the good you have done, Link. Besides, what's wrong with being a 'Noble' anyway?" Zelda asked.
Link retorted with, "Nothing, but I was planning on traveling after I finished my search. With all the business of dealing with estates and land, as well as the duties of a Nobleman, how can I do that?"
"Father has already hired proprietors to handle your estates. You don't have to worry about anything. Everything will be here when you return. As for the 'duties of nobility': It's all balls and dances. Nothing really important happens at those things, except of course for the courting process." Zelda slightly blushed at that.
"Well, I don't see the upside to that: Nobility is too pompous and stuck up for me. I'd choose a ranch-girl or a bar maid over a Noblewoman any day."
Zelda made an "uhh" sound and said, "Link, you insult me! Did you forget that I am Nobility?"
"Sorry Zelda, but you know what I mean. Most Nobles are not comfortable with those like me."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you know: 'commoners' who get treats like patents of nobility because we did some good deed. Most who do this rarely get past Squire, or at least a very minor Lord."
"Link, you will be fine. You carry yourself well, and you'll prove you're better than any of them in no time. If you don't like anyone after a while, you can always just find me and we'll talk through the parties. You don't need to get along with the other Lords and Ladies if you don't want to, just like they don't have to like you."
"Then what's the point in even making me a Lord, then?"
"Well," Zelda said, choosing her words carefully, "You've earned them. You've fought harder than any member of the Upper and Lower Families to keep Hyrule Safe. That enough should get you into the Lower Families, if not the Upper."
"Well, what can I do with these 'gifts' you've given me? If I can't get rid of it, then what good is any of this?"
Zelda began to feel a bit irritated at his questioning, but she hid it well. Her plans could go to waste if he does anything rash. "You have complete rule over your estates. You will deal with any crimes committed on your land. You get to choose what happens on your land. You decide whether it's farmland, land for things like ranches or towns, etc."
"As for the Title: that comes with the land. You will be considered a Lord because these lands were property of the Hyrule Royal Family. Even if you sell your land, you will still be considered a Lord."
"Why do you wish for me to accept being a Lord so badly?" Link inquired, stepping closer to her.
Zelda was momentarily shocked by the question, but not for long, "Do you want me to be blunt?" She asked while stepping within arms reach, "I want you to accept this because you deserve it. I don't know anyone other than my father who has shown the necessary skills to rule: Honesty, bravery, a sense of Justice, an even hand, intelligence, the ability to think on your feet, honor, and love to those who are loyal to you. Hyrule needs those in order to survive, and the other Families need to see those in order to become better Nobles. I want you to accept being a Lord so you could better understand your new duties."
Her voice grew steadily louder as she said this, and was nearly yelling at this point. She stopped, took a deep breath, and continued in a soothing voice. "I want you to accept being a Lord so you could begin thinking about the concept of us. Before, in the 'past' you told me we couldn't be together because I was a Princess and you were a commoner. Well guess what: you've worked your way up to being a Lord now. You're nobility through your own right, and now that you're a Lord you can do as you please. We can be together if you still wish to be. I love you, Link. I wish to be with you. Please tell me that you wish to be with me."
Link didn't know what to do. He felt deeply for Zelda, but he never believed it to be love. I don't love you the way you love me, Zelda. Link thought, I don't know whom I love. Link began shifting through his memories, recalling his memories with Zelda. He remembered fighting monsters with her hiding as Shiek, their playing music and discussing Temples, as well as all that happened during the final battle with Gannondorf/Gannon. When he reached the thoughts on their discussion in the clouds, he knew he didn't Love her with all his heart. Yes, he loved her, but he wasn't in love with her. Yes, he believed that they could have a happy, caring life together. But no, he did not believe she was his soul mate.
Link reached out and wrapped her in his arms. He pulled her close and hugged her tightly, causing her to do the same. As he pulled away from her, he gave her a soft kiss on the lips. The kiss was long, slow, and sweet. Zelda thought he tasted of berries and milk. He thought she tasted of cinnamon and apples. As they pulled away from each other, Link rested his forehead on hers and said, "I'm sorry, Zelda. I love you, but not in the way you love me. I know that you will be happy in the future. You'll be happy without me."
Tears welled up in Zelda's eyes and she began to yell, "But I don't want to be happy with another. I want to be happy with you. I only want to be happy with you."
"Me too," Link said, trying to comfort Zelda. "But I know that we weren't meant to be. You and I can be happy, but we're not truly in love with each other. You will find a good man to help you run Hyrule. We both know that I will just leave you to tend to all of Hyrule's business. You deserve better than that."
They gave each other another lingering kiss. This kiss was unlike the last, though: instead of a kiss to show their feelings, this kiss was designed as a last goodbye. Zelda drew as much from Link as she could because she knew, somehow, that this was probably the last time that she was going to see link in a very, very long time.
As the two separated once again Link said, "I leave all lands and properties in your care, Zelda. If you do not hear from me within the next five years, I leave it all to you. Goodbye."
It was another five minutes before they finally let go of each other. Zelda clutched onto his shirt like a lifeline, and he didn't feel like he had any right to force himself away. Zelda eventually resigned herself to knowing that she could not have him anymore, and let him go. Without speaking, Link kissed her once on the forehead, stepped away, and walked out of the courtyard as a heart-wrenching cry filled the air.
A/N: sniff I-I'm sorry… sniff… please review… sob… Review… sniff I'll write later… sobbing quietly