Author´s note:
Hello all! First of all, if you´re still with me here at the beginning of chapter 3, I would like to say THANK YOU, it means the world that people are interested enough in whatever story I have to tell that you give me some of your time. I promise I don´t take that lightly.
I would like to address that while I know Mipha x Link is not exactly canon, and that we see that Mipha´s love for Link is mostly unrequited, I felt like Link should have a reason to not hide his emotions anymore while in a way being true to what we see in the game, to show the consequences of not comunicating with his friends or showing his true emotions.
If you do not like Mipha x Link. I can only say, you needn´t worry at all, for this fic is Zelink all the way. But it needs build up, as I personally despise when fics start with them both almost hating eachother and the next chapter is full of smut. It´s just not natural.
Also I would like to note, while this is a heavily romance fic, it still is the adventure of Link and Zelda, so the plot won´t center only in their lovey-dovey feelings.
This is a longer chapter, and there´s more Zelink goodness here.
As always I look forward to your reviews, and constructive criticism!
So, without further ado:
Chapter III
Hopes for the Future
It didn´t take long for them to find Link´s mare, Sonne peacefully grazing what was left of any green grass. Link had whistled some little tune and she came merrily to him, nudging her nuzzle against his chest, only to be met with the sweetest of smiles.
"Hey Sonne, how are you, pretty girl?", Link had quietly said.
Zelda was still in mind and soul up in her Castle, with his father and friends, yet somehow Link seemed so peaceful and content. She did not know how he could be so strong, after all, he had just said good-bye to a long lost love.
When Mipha came to mind, Zelda found that she felt no jealousy. Even back then, when her feelings for Link were surfacing, she knew the extent of the love Mipha professed for her Knight. And still, it was her words that fateful day that had saved both of their lives back in Hateno Fort a century ago. Granted, Link never spoke of harboring similar feelings for the Zora, and still it had come as no surprise when she saw them share the briefest of kisses back on the bridge. His expression had been unlike anything she remembered, one of utter sadness, she felt that, had she listened closely she could´ve heard his heart break.
And yet, there he stood, smiling at her mare, without a care in the world, or so it seemed. It was in this train of thought that Link turned to her with a quizical expression on his face.
"What?" he said, brandishing a toothy grin. Zelda noted how his smile remained only in his mouth. That sadness had managed to latch on to him for a little longer, apparently.
"Nothing, it´s just so... different to watch you smile like that, after all you´ve been through..." She trailed off, closing her eyes just a gentle breeze flew past them both, it was chilly, but something in the scent it carried said that spring was just around the corner. She could hear the grass crunching somewhere to her left, where Link was standing. "Link...", she slowly started, opening her eyes only to see his own meeting them, "...nothing", ended Zelda, quite sheepishly. Link looked a bit taken aback by this exchange, but smiled at her nonetheless.
It was not the time, nor place to spill out her heart to him, for loss was still haunting his blue gaze. But someday, the Princess thought, someday you´ll know for sure. I have waited a century to see you again, I guess I can wait a little longer. Now that he was there, in person, she remembered her last conversation with the Great Deku Tree. But she had all the time in the world now. A faint smile crossed her features, but Link did not see it, for he was unpacking something from the satchel he carried on Sonne´s saddle. It was a white woolen hooded cape. He turned back to her and extended the piece of clothing to her, it was only then she realized she was still wearing her white dress, and felt quite cold.
"Thank you", is all she said as she pulled the cape over her shoulders. He nodded happily. Somehow he still had smiles in him reserved for her. But she knew he only meant to maker feel happy, for that happiness was not fully there inside him.
He motioned for her to get up, while holding both his palms over his knee. She held on to his shoulder and smoothly sat on the saddle. She could feel her dress comming up to her thighs, thankfully the cape Link had just given to her was ankle-long, so he didn´t notice.
It made her heart ache when she remembered bossing Link around a hundred years back, when he had bought what was called a 'woman´s saddle' where the person had to sit themselves in a way that both legs hung over only one side of the horse, making it excruciatingly painful to ride long distances. The exact words did not come to mind, but it had been a petty little outburst in one of the shops, not far from where they stood now, near the limits of Castle town.
Being lost in thought she did not notice when the Knight had taken his position in front of her. How had he done that, she never knew, he even had taken the Sword and noticed it hung on his waist, as to not make the ride uncomfortable for her. She placed her hands on his back and felt how his lungs filled with air. Moments later he sighed silently (for she felt his back going back to normal).
"So, where to now?", asked her golden-locked knight turning his head sideways so she could hear him. Zelda absentmindedly rested her head on his back, thinking hard.
Where to, indeed.
Link had felt something hard press against his shoulder, which was unmistakeably, Zelda´s head. It was strange that it happened, but his heart started to race and his breathing followed due. He could feel her warm breath against his back, which tickled a bit, but also sent shivers down his spine. He could tell she was keeping to herself, but he did not pry. Although his heart and lungs seemed to be on a race with eachother, his mind felt oddly at peace. Thoughts came to him in a way that could only be described as strings, like the ones on a harp, or a guitar. It was the first time since he had awakened a year ago that his thoughts weren´t some convoluted puzzle for him to complete.
"May I suggest we go to Hateno Village? I have a house there after all, we can stay there for the time being. Since the castle is useless as it is right now. We could take a little detour to Kakariko on our way, as I am certain Impa would love to see you again", he felt the weight on his back lift as she shuffled a bit behind him.
"Sounds like a plan", she said pointedly.
With a click of his tongue, the Hylian duo and their mare started the long trip to Hateno Village. It was only then that it had occured to him that offering his house as a place to stay had been, perhaps, a little too much for her, being royalty and all. Luckily his house had two levels and in case he needed it a little cellar next to it where he could stay, should they feel more comfortable that way.
It wasn´t untill they were arriving to Lake Kolomo for a bit of fresh water for them and Sonne, that Zelda spoke again:
"May I ask...", she seemed to trail off quite often now, "did you have any plans, after defeating Ganon? As in, what you wanted to do after all this?", She was sitting beside a makeshift campfire he had improvised. Link had told her they needed to make camp, for the sunset was nearing and he did not want to risk crossing the Dueling Peaks at night. A pair of roasted bass sat by the fire, while the Princess was eating a third one.
This question was one of those things that loomed on him ever since pulling the Master Sword from the pedestal inside the Lost Woods. Somedays he just thought of living a quiet life in Hateno, probably as a farmer. Others he thought of joining Karson and Bolson in their construction business, but that had been out of the question rather quickly, because Bolson had retired and Karson had left for new adventures just east of Gerudo desert, into the unknown.
There were other days, where he simply thought, rather stupidly, that she would have the answer to that question. But now that they were here, it was not only stupid, but irresponsible and immature to ask someone else to decide on one´s life. The last time he remembered thinking of that, he thought of Steen, back in Kakariko. He could teach some of the townsfolk how to use a sword. Then again he would have to either move to Kakariko, or ride everyday from Hateno to Kakariko. It was not the best idea yet. But he had run out ideas and time.
"I really have no idea!" was his answer, "but I think I´d like to lead a quiet life. I thought of maybe farming...", he thought hard for a moment, resting his chin between his index finger and his thumb, absentmindedly looking at a frog that had just caught some firefly, not to far off the shore of the lake. The green little frog had jumped to a nearby lotus leaf and was eating happily his meal. The sounds of insects were groung a bit louder now that the sun was setting. A cold breeze sent ripples through the water. "I also thought of teaching swordfight back in Kakariko. They sure could use knowing a move or two", he chuckled at the thought.
It took a moment before she said anything at all. "Those are some excellent ideas! I wonder what would you farm? Carrots? Potatoes? Maybe pumpkins!" She had ended the last suggestion with a laugh, but he had not seen it. He chuckled at her ideas and added some of his own, each idea being wilder and more far fetched than the last, "I thought I could venture into the Heart Raddish business, or maybe Corn!"
"Or Mighty Bananas!" interjected her Royal Highness.
"Cabbages!" Seconded Link.
"You could try and grow spicy peppers!"
"Or Voltfruits!"
"Palm fruits!"
"Can you farm hearty truffles?"
"We could try..."
"We?!", asked Zelda sarcastically followed by a loud HA! that had them laughing for a good minute.
Link felt light, as if he could climb those towering peaks in a minute if he had wanted to. Then it occurred to him, "What are your plans, Highness?", which changed the mood into a more somber one.
"I truly do not know. All I could think while fighting Ganon was of getting out of there, I never spared time to think of the future.", by this hour the sun had already set on them and the first stars were visible now. She had finished her fish and was now tearing fistfuls of grass, deep in thought. " I think I would very much like to rebuild my Father´s Kingdom... but, I do not know where to begin", she said, defeated.
"Well, if it helps, I know a mason or two that could help with the actual rebuilding", started Link but Zelda cut him off: "You do?! That would be fantastic! It does help! A lot!" said Zelda, for some reason beaming at the fire, her eyes were still wandering along the corridors of her former home, he thought.
"He´s a bit weird, but he´s the hardest working fellow I have known. His name is Hudson, he practically built Tarry town on his own", continued the Knight, "he kept Bolson Construction going, although I think it is now called Hudson Construction. His second in command is a hardworking Goron, so I think they could be of much help!", finished Link, searching for her eyes, although they never found them.
Zelda propped her knees up and rested her chin between them, while poking the fire with a little stick that had been laying around, "That would be amazing...", a small piece of burnt wood creaked and fell to the ground, which sent hundreds of tiny sparks to the air, "I could rebuild my home, it is not lost to that monster after all", she said more to herself than anyone else.
Not long after their conversation, she excused herself and went to the little tent that Link had made for her, which stood close enough to the fire so that she would be warm. He preferred the open skies, for he had grown fond of watching the stars on clear nights like these. Laying on his back, feeling the wool against his skin. He let himself be taken by the sleep only children and happy people know. One that comes without waiting for it to come.
Certain blonde-haired Princess lay awake inside her tiny makeshift tent. Many thoughts were racing through her mind. But one stood out over the rest. What was she going to do now? She always thought of his Father as the King, the Ruler of the Realm. But the reality of it all had struck her when Link had asked her plans for the future 'I will be Queen' was her first thought, but she had opted not to share this one with her valiant Knight, she had noticed that not one of his ideas had her or the castle in them.
And yet, he was already keeping true to their two sided promise of rebuilding toghether. She felt the slightest spark of jealousy at him, for she could never hope to have that quiet life Link had much desired.
Her future was undoubtedly full of hard work, meetings, traveling to this or that country, and when she thought of it it didn´t sound as boring as she thought it was. Still the prospect of thinking that she wouldn´t have him by her side was a sad one.
She could hear him snore just outside her tent. At first she had leapt up, thinking it was a monster, but when she had peeped outside the tent, the sight of Link sleeping on his side (he was facing her tent), with his mouth wide open and snoring like a wild Hinox, brought a smile to her face. It was these kinds of things that she missed, all the imperfections that make a person, well a person. She noticed he was also drooling a bit, he must have been exhausted from the battle just a day ago.
Just a day ago both their lives had changed drastically. She now was the Queen of Hyrule, whereas Link could be... whatever he wished to be. She wouldn´t hold his vow, he clearly did not have the castle or her in his plans. Still, she was certain that he had at least the smallest of feelings towards her. He had closed his mouth now and was mumbling something about bananas, which made her chuckle silently.
For one intense moment she wished with all her might that they could stay here forever. Talking about what made their hearts jump with joy, what troubles they had on their minds, or the best way to farm truffles.
Of course they couldn´t stay here forever, for they both had tasks to complete still. Nonetheless, the certainty of her feelings for her Kingdom, and her resolution was all that stood between a forgoten wasteland and Hyrule Kingdom. She was certain of another feeling, but did not dare to think of it, because she wasn´t certain he would feel the same way, and her heart could not bear breaking again. For the feelings she harbored for her Kingdom and her family, were only rivaled by those she had for the snoring knight just outside the tent.
After a couple of hours of waiting for sleep to come, she finally fell into a dreamless lull.
"Princess", had called a far off voice.
"Princess Zelda", called the voice yet again.
The touch of his hand over her shoulder awoke her, but she dared not move, she could hear his breathing, and from the small opening on the cloth of her tent, the smell of meat made her stomach grumble. He placed his hand on her arm and squeezed in the gentlest of ways, calling her name, "Zelda, wake up".
"I´m awake", she said faking a sleepy voice, "I´ll be out in a minute".
"I made us some breakfast, come out whenever you´re ready... it´s not much but better than having Octorok tentacles for breakfast", he said half chuckling.
"I could eat a Lizalfos", she replied honestly.
"Don´t get your hopes up" he told her while getting his head out of the tent.
There was not much she could do about her dress, which was dirty, to say the least. And her hair was starting to become mated on some parts. Still she tried to make her hair into a ponytail, which quite frankly did resemble the tail of a horse. She shook her head in disbelief, why was she comparing herself with a horse? She tied the neck of the cape around her waist as best as she could, she felt wuite warm and wearing wool over her would be death. Still she wanted to be able to sit down without having to worry about exposing her skin more than she was comfortable with.
"Good morning, sleepyhead", called Link with a smile, he was stirring something on a frying pan he said had acquired form a travelling merchant, "he´s a bit weird, but always seemed to have whatever I needed most at the time, he was happy to part ways with this thing", he had said last night.
"Morning", she said a bit groggily, sitting down across from him. The smell of eggs and bacon, and steak surely woke her up completely. Link had served breakfast on some rocks he said he had found by the shore. They were the largest pebbles she had ever seen. He apologized for his lack of, well everything, but said that he wasn´t used to travel with anyone else. The smallest of stings had reached somewhere inside her gut, or was it her heart? He remembered only parts of it, so he wouldn´t remember that she too, was used to eat with her hands while traveling.
"Don´t worry, food is food. Quite frankly im famished, so if you dont mind passing the bacon", she said extending her plate/pebble. Link graciously put two bacon slices on her plate. Now that she thought of it...
"Link, where did this come from?", asked her while wolfing down her bacon.
"You dont wanna know", replied shortly her Knight, "trust me on this one", he said while eating his scrambled eggs. She ate until she was full, and drank water as she hadn´t done in years and years, not even while traveling with Link a century ago, cupping her hands directly on the water. It was cold and fresh, it tasted a bit sweet, a taste which she welcomed.
After putting everything away inside the bag. They both resumed their journey to Kakariko. As Link had stated, the small opening between the Dueling Peaks was home to some monsters still, which luckily hadn´t taken notice on them. A pair of red Bokoblins and a green Lizalfos seemed absorbed in a cheerful conversation, that consisted mostly on yelps and croaks. Zelda couldn´t help but smiling, as she found the scene endearing.
As if reading her mind, Link said quietly, "Yeah, they´re a bit goofy sometimes. I remember wondering if I could learn to communicate with them, whenever I had to kill them I ended up feeling a bit guilty. They seem so innocent, when they´re not comming at you with spears, swords or arrows", he laughed out loud at that last sentence.
The echo of his laughter traveled all the way to the monsters´ears, but they were far gone by the time the trio of monsters had turned around.
By midday they had arrived to the Dueling Peaks stable, they had decided to stretch their legs for a bit, and Link offered to look for a horse so she would be more comfortable. Which was of course the best idea, but deep inside her mind she had felt a bit sad of not having an excuse to hold on to him all day.
The herdsman of the stable was a young boy, that happily showed them the three horses they had for sale. They were not as fit or cute as Sonne, she admitted, but it would have to do. "I have a more suitable horse far in the Akkala South ranch, you would like her, but it´s just too far right now", said Link reading her face and smiling apologetically.
"Don´t be silly, these are perfect", she said, choosing the fairest mare of the three. A chesnut coated one that timidly had nudged her nuzzle against her chest. Which made her smile and whisper 'yow want to come with me?' On that whim Link had bought the mare for a hundred ruppees, which she hastily offered to pay back as soon as she could. A proposition he plainly ignored.
"You gotta give´er a name, ma´am" said lazily the boy. Link looked at her while she thought for a fitting name, finally comming up with one.
"She´s Mond", she replied.
"If you say so", replied the stable boy, while scribbling something over a very worn notebook.
"Well, she´s yours, whenever you need to leave her do not hesitate to leave her to our care", said the boy in a monotone speech.
"I will, thank you", said Zelda while brandishing what she thought was a sweet smile. The boy merely eyed her in confusion and shruged.
Link offered to prop her up to the saddle, a request she refused, "I knew how to ride before you could even hold a sword, y´know?", she playfully teased.
"Excuse me, Princess!", replied the knight in an equally playful tone.
The stable kid couldn´t look more bored even if he had tried.
The sun was setting again when they reached the bridge of Lake Siela. Link could already see the canyon leading to the secluded village. Zelda rode close beside him. They had been chatting about nothing in particular, it was one of those moments where one would just enjoy the company without worrying about anything.
Her ponytail swung here and there in tow with Mond, her newly bought mare. He knew she didn´t especially love her, but they seemed to understand eachother quite well. Right now conversation was drifting towards how Link was a really good cook, or...something like that. He had been nodding and saying 'aha's whenever it felt right. Ever since morning he couldn´t get her scent off of his mind. He felt as if she had been almost an obsession for over a year. He had always thought his memories would be just that, but flashes of light, shadow, rain and voices had struck his mind´s eye like a thunderstorm.
It was as if she was someone he used to know, or someone had told him he used to know. And the more he had remembered about her, the more curious and obsessed he had been with knowing more about her. He suddenly recalled very vividly reading her diary. A secret he´d have to keep to himself to the grave. And yet, she was a very real person, riding beside him. Speaking his mind away, talking about everything she had wanted to talk for a century. He reveled on the little things, like how she absentmindedly ran her fingers over her ear to keep the non-existent strand of hair from falling in front of her face. Or how she bit her lips every time she was deep in thought, like when she named Mond. He even caught her picking her nose when they were sitting by the campfire last night. She seemed more free than she had ever been before. That brought a smile to his face.
"What?, she said half laughing.
Link merely shrugged, "I had never heard you talk like this before", he said, glancing sideways, "I like it, you sound...", he chose his words carefully, "free, and happy".
"Do I talk too much is what you´re saying?" she asked as he quickly began to stutter an apology, which made her laugh so much she let go of the reins and Mond started to walk to her right, "I´m kidding!", she took a very deep breath while closing her eyes and stratching her arms, Mond was drifting further away from him now, "I feel free!" she almost had to shout the last word, she was now straggling a few feet away from him. Mond had entirely stoppped walking. When she opened her eyes she realized what had happened and trotted to where Link was (Sonne was still walking), "and I feel happy!", she said simply.
"That´s the bacon talking", said Link.
"Oh, shush!", said his Princess while brushing his remark away. Smiling like she hadn´t done before.
"We´re here", both said at the same time, which made them laugh at the time they crossed the thereshold, and into Kakariko Village.
Zelda led the way down the slight slope towards Impa´s house. They tied their horses near an apple tree that stood beside the pond across the biggest building in the Village. Link greeted Dorian with a nod and a smile, which was what he got in return. It took the sheikah a moment to realize who was standing beside him. The moment he did, he knelt faster than saying cucco, and said:
"Your Royal Highness", not daring to look at her.
Link knew why this was, he held no hard feelings for him. Zelda, looked at Link as if asking for this man´s name. "Princess Zelda, this is Dorian".
"Hello, Dorian, but please rise I can barely see your face", she said inclining herself a bit to where Dorian was kneeling.
"Yes, your Highness", Link could hear guilt seep through his every word. Zelda didn´t seem to notice, for she merely asked: "Is Impa home? I would very much like to see her". Dorian nodded.
"Very well, we´ll be seeing you soon, Dorian", Zelda said, being nonethewiser to Dorian´s inner turmoil. Link shared a knowing glance with him, he bowed his head to him. As he passed, Link patted him on the shoulder once. He felt his gaze follow them up all the way while they climbed the very long flight of wooden stairs.
"He seemed so serious, suddenly I feel like royalty, again", she said quietly, he thought he heard a note of concern in her voice. She was about to knock on the door when it opened abruptly, and a white haired teen, very much like them appeared in front of the Hylians.
"Hiya, Paya", said Link, beaming.
"Link? how´re-, when´d-... I mean", she was blushing furiously. Zelda looked at Paya as if remembering something. He had gotten used to her being tremendously shy around him. "Paya, this is Princess Zelda", he said simply.
She stopped on her tracks, looking at him with an horror-stricken face, she turned to Zelda and muttered "Princess...Zelda?".
"I am indeed, it is nice to meet you Paya.", he noticed she had blushed a bit too, but the reason of that escaped his mind, "We´re here to see Impa".
"Of course you are, Zel- I mean, your highness!", she nearly shrieked the last two words. Impa must´ve heard her, for a very old and frail voice greeted them from inside.
"My dear Princess, please do come in".
As they crossed the thereshold, he glanced at Paya, whom looked positively mortified. Link smiled at her, hoping to make her feel better. She smiled nervously and ran downstairs.
"It seems, O Hero of Hyrule, that you have fullfilled your destiny, as has our beloved Princess", said the frail old woman he´d known as Impa.
Zelda did not cross another word with her, she ran straight to her and embraced her as if embracing her grandmother. He couldn´t hear what Zelda was saying, but Impa patted her sweetly on the back and said "I know child, I know".
When Zelda backed up from the embrace, they both stood well ober a head above the sheikah. And still her presence commanded the utmost reverence and respect.
"We knew you could do it", she said knowingly at Link, "we knew you would rescue our Princess". Impa turned to see her now, "my dear child, it brings me joy to know you defeated that demon, we all knew the great power that resided within yourself", Impa smiled sweetly at her, it was almost as if it were a grandma telling her granddaughter how proud she was of her. To an extent this was true, for Zelda and Impa shared the same past. One that had transcurred more than a hundred years ago. Although Impa had not been as frail and old at the time. Link Remembered seeing her many times in the castle grounds. A slender figure, athletic and a very quiet and controlled voice, and the lightest walk had ever seen a person walk. He remembered, oddly, they never crossed a word at that time. And now, she felt like the only anchor to his past.
"I´m glad someone knew this", said Zelda half laughing, half sobbing. Impa let out a very quiet laugh, almost like a lullaby.
"Come now children, you must be weary from your journey, we can talk later", she motioned the hylian duo whilst getting up slowly but surely. Zelda offered her arm, which Impa gladly took. The sight was funny and endearing, because Impa´s arm was stretched almost all the way up to Zelda´s forearm. When they reached the thereshold, he said in a slightly higher voice: "Dorian, please se to it that these children find comfotrable beds, full plates and a warm fire", Dorian had heard every word from where he was standing downstairs. He bowed and stretched his arm out, beckoning them to follow him.
"We will talk later, my dear. I´m afraid these stairs are a little too much for me these days", she patted the Princess on her arm and turned herself around, not without smiling and winking at Link.
For some reason, he felt his face burn from the tips of his ears, to the tip of his nose.
They silently followed the sheikah whose name was Dorian, to wherever they could do all those wonderful things Impa had said.
