Welcome to the first chapter! Thank you to my reviewers thus far- fantasymask, Sakurelle, and maximushyrule.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda series, in whole or in part.
Word of the miscarriage spread like wildfire throughout Hyrule. As Link and Zelda made their way back to Hyrule Castle, they were greeted by many residents, wishing them sympathy and offering to do anything they could to help. The couple simply thanked them, saying their support was more than enough.
When they reached the castle grounds, King Harkinian saw them and hurried out to meet them in the courtyard. "Oh, dearest, I'm so glad you're home," he proclaimed, hugging his daughter. "You, too, Link," he added, hugging his son-in-law as well.
Once the king let go of her, Zelda simply walked into the castle, not saying a word. The king and Link exchanged glances.
"It's been a miserable few days," the latter explained at last. "Once she had enough strength to come home, we kept passing people offering sympathy. I know she appreciates it, as do I, but all their kind words reminded her entirely too much of our child. She's been walking about as if entranced, but I know she hurts much more than words can express."
"Understandable," the king sighed, his heart aching not only for himself and the loss of his grandchild, who would have eventually inherited the throne, but for Link and Zelda. Both had been so excited about the baby.
Agahnim watched the scene transpiring from a turret overlooking the courtyard. He grinned as he now realized the totality of what he'd done. His plan was working perfectly so far- he had weakened Zelda emotionally, causing the king and Link to become preoccupied with watching out for her. As they and the others in the castle focused on taking care of her, he could search the kingdom for the people he would need to break the seal.
Link and King Harkinian followed Zelda into the castle, as Link gave details of the miscarriage and the journey back. When the two got inside, they noticed Zelda going down the hall to her and Link's quarters. They heard her close the door and place the wooden plank across it to secure it and prevent any interruptions.
The king motioned for Link to join him at a table in a private room, which he did. "I only hope that my daughter soon finds her strength again. I do not wish to pressure you and her, but I was really hoping to have a grandchild before I pass on. I am getting old, and I feel my time is near."
Link would normally feel that this was entirely too much pressure, but he knew his father-in-law had the best of intentions. "It is just too soon to even think about trying for another baby. Of course I want to produce an heir or heiress before your time comes, but it won't happen for awhile. Since her breakdown, she hasn't even let me get near her, except to help her on and off the horses. Any time I get close, she curls up and starts mumbling something about it being her fault."
The two sat there in silence for a few moments, until Link came up with an idea. "Perhaps there is a way."
"What's that?" the king asked.
"Well, I mean obviously there is only one way to create a child, but there may be some method of getting Zelda's mind off our loss until she feels more like her old self. We can give her work to do around the castle. It's only natural to want to do everything for her, but I know that even before the loss she sometimes felt like her help was unwanted. We became so adjusted to doing things for her so she could relax, that she often told me how lackadaisical she felt, due to being told not to do anything."
"I got it!" the king proclaimed, standing up. "As a child, she loved studying the oldest Hylian dialects. Some scholars recently found some very old books when rebuilding the library, so old that even many of them cannot understand the words. Zelda can translate the books for them, and maybe even teach them the dialects. I know that if she didn't have her royal duties to be concerned with, she would love to teach. Surely that would help to cheer her."
"Sounds great. I will bring it up to her during the evening meal. Now, if you will excuse me, Your Majesty, but I wish to clean up before your guests arrive," Link answered, referring to some members of the nobility from his homeland of Calatia, who would be staying in the castle for a week. They would be at the castle that evening, just in time for a banquet.
"Of course," King Harkinian said, shaking Link's hand.
Link hurried off to his and Zelda's quarters. He knocked at the door to their sitting room, figuring it was still locked.
"Come in," Zelda said listlessly.
Link pushed open the door and entered, locking it behind them. He crossed the room to another set of doors, these ones opening into their bedroom. Entering, he found Zelda stretched out on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.
"My love, time to get ready."
"Ready for what?"
"To welcome your father's guests."
"Oh, what does it matter? We meet people, we get to know them, we hardly ever see them again."
"Well, if we hardly see them, then is that not all the more reason to be welcoming right now?" Link said, in a slightly exasperated tone.
"Must we?" Zelda questioned, either not noticing or deliberately disregarding his annoyance.
"Yes, we must. Come along now, my love. I'll help you get ready."
Zelda simply continued staring upwards, as if she hadn't heard Link.
"Please, Zelda. I know you're hurting, but feeling sorry for yourself will only make it worse."
Zelda turned towards him and shot him a nasty look, the most emotion she'd shown since her breakdown. "How dare you speak to me like that? You may be a man, but I am still Princess of Hyrule, and I do not have to answer to you."
"Then do it for your father, and your kingdom," Link responded calmly, refusing to back down. "You have a duty to be diplomatic towards any guests of the kingdom."
"Don't patronize me, Link."
Link simply stopped speaking at that point. He knew a losing argument when he heard one. He just went to the wardrobe to retrieve a green doublet (his trademark color), white shirt, and black breeches that he saved for special occasions. He also pulled out Zelda's dress, a wedding gift from Impa. Laying the garments on the bed, he started to strip off his clothing.
"Link," Zelda whispered. "I'm sorry."
He turned to her and could see from her expression that her apology was genuine. "I'm sorry, too."
Zelda moved closer to Link and reached for his hand, so he could help her up. Once on her feet, she hugged him tightly, nuzzling her face against him. "I love you," she murmured into his bare chest.
"I love you, too" he whispered back, kissing her forehead and lovingly stroking her brown locks. Normally this would've led to a very heated exchange, but he wasn't about to nudge her in that direction. He would let her come to him.
Still holding him to her, Zelda smiled warmly up at him. "We'd best be getting ready. We have guests coming," she said, stroking his back with her fingertips.
Seeing the look in her blue-green eyes, Link pulled away from her. He could tell she wanted him to take care of her, to show her love without smothering her.
"Wait right here," he said, kissing her. Still wearing his breeches and boots, Link walked to the bathroom and filled the tub, as Zelda unbuttoned her dress and pulled it off. He returned and helped her remove her petticoats, then led her to the tub and helped her get settled in the warm, rose-scented water. He wanted to join her, but he was afraid of losing his self-control if he did. So he settled for bathing her instead.
Link helped her step out and dry off, and she insisted on dressing herself, so he could bathe. The water was a little cold now, but he didn't care, as he didn't have much time anyway. When he finished, he dried off, drained the water, and went to the bedroom to dress.
As he walked in, he caught sight of his wife, and was breathless. She was in a dressing gown, standing at the vanity and brushing her damp hair, twirling it around strips of fabric to make curls. She looked beautiful in her simplicity, with no makeup on and the sunlight causing her porcelain skin to glow. In the last few days of her dressing in heavy, black garments and worn boots, with her long hair tied back and stuffed into a hood, Link had nearly forgotten just how stunning she could be.
Zelda saw Link staring and smiled at him, then turned back to the mirror to finish twirling her hair. He put on his doublet and shirt, nice breeches, and brand-new leather boots, then helped Zelda into her dress. It consisted of a fitted bodice with elbow-length sleeves and white lace scallops bordering the neckline and sleeve hems. The full skirt reached the floor, but was quite loose, allowing her to move easily, as her heels were high enough to prevent it from dragging. The color matched her eyes perfectly.
Once Link finished lacing up the bodice, both went to the vanity, so he could help her unravel her hair. Once that was done, she finger-combed it, then pinned back the sides and left it cascading down. As the final touches, Link combed his hair, while Zelda put on her makeup and slipped into her shoes.
"You look amazing," Link breathed, kissing her.
"So do you, my love. And thank you."
"For what?"
"For not giving up on me. I know I've been atrocious to you the last several days, but I've just been in so much pain. The physical pain is gone, but the mental anguish lingers."
"I could never give up on you," Link insisted, gazing into her eyes. "And I don't want you to feel bad, or guilty. I know you blame yourself for what happened, but sometimes things just aren't meant to be. There will be other children, Zelda. I just know it. But for now, let's just concentrate on the evening ahead of us. I have some good news for you, and I am very much looking forward to announcing it during the meal."
Sharing one last kiss, the couple linked arms and made their way to the ballroom together to welcome their guests, holding their heads high in formality, which disguised the pain that haunted them both.
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