Disclaimer: The Legend of Zelda world and its characters belong to Nintendo.
Author's Note: As always, thank you for reading! This chapter is short and mainly to set up what has changed since Link made the decision to bring Ruto along into the future. There will be more of the 'good stuff' in the next chapters. 😉 I almost went another direction with the Sage of Water, but this made the most sense in my brain. A familiar character makes an appearance here and I hope I have done 'him' justice! Anyway, we can discuss that later; I don't want to spoil it. Hope you enjoy!
Thora's home was filled with signs of a humble life well lived, despite what was happening in the rest of Hyrule. Several lit candles surrounded a chair where she had been mending socks. A worn blanket and small pillow adorned the chair. A bookshelf in the corner of the room was filled with tattered volumes, though none had collected dust. Link walked toward them with a mind to see the titles on their spines, but Thora beckoned him and Ruto into the kitchen area with a small dining table and two chairs.
"Are either of you thirsty or hungry? I made more soup than I can eat – would you like some?"
"Oh, please," Ruto said. "But won't Uncle be home soon? Will there still be enough for him?"
The mention of her husband brought a slight shadow over the older woman. She recovered quickly. "He's out hunting Poes," she answered. "They've been much worse in Hyrule Field lately. Taunting travelers, attacking innocents. Awful…"
She trailed off, lost in thought as she went outside to the soup pot by the fire and ladled some into two bowls. She came back in and set the bowls down on the wooden table. "Anyway, he doesn't come home every night. You know him." She looked back at Ruto. "If he doesn't have something to keep him occupied, he gets anxious."
Link noticed that Thora looked curiously at him every now and then. She handed him and Ruto pieces of bread, apologizing that she did not have butter or cheese. Those were harder to come by these days.
Link was used to the staring response by now from villagers and townspeople. He was the odd boy with the fairy, whereas once he had been the odd boy without a fairy. Thinking of the Kokiri was too much for him, so he tried to redirect his thoughts. Tuning back into the conversation at hand, he realized Thora was explaining to Ruto what Poes were.
When they paused, Thora looked at him again. Link, who had been pretending not to notice out of politeness, met her gaze. When she realized she had been caught, she tried to correct herself. "I apologize for staring – you just look so familiar."
Link smiled to let her know no harm had been done. "Do I… remind you of someone, then?" He remembered Ruto had told him to be delicate, that Thora had some memories that were better not to bring up. He hoped he was being careful enough.
Thora wandered to a stool in the corner of the kitchen and sat. "Now that I think of it, you do look like her. Elwyna, my best friend. You have the same color to your hair and eyes. She was pregnant during the war but insisted on being alongside her husband, one of the great knights of Hyrule. He was a favorite of the king, and she was a great healer."
Link placed his spoon down. The soup was wonderful, but his interest in hearing more of her story eclipsed his hunger. "How did Elwyna… I mean, when was the last time you saw her?"
"It was just before she gave birth. I knew she was close. I wanted to be there for it, but it was a chaotic time." She sighed. "It's something that has always haunted me. Her husband was killed only a few days before, and she was wounded. She healed herself enough to get through the birth, but I expect… well, after everything, I think she felt it hard to go on, even if she could."
Thora looked at him, considering. "Well, if you are who I think you are, then I got to see her child, after all. You've certainly grown up handsome. You look more like her, but I can see a little of him on you too."
Link fell silent as he absorbed the information, and Thora's reverie was broken. He picked his spoon back up and resumed his meal while she turned her attention on Ruto. "And you, my dear. How have you been coping with it all?"
Ruto exchanged glances with Link, Thora's question giving her pause. Since she did not want to give an answer that seemed strange, she replied, "As well as I can. I… it's so much to get used to."
Thora nodded. "Perhaps we can talk more of it tomorrow. I am sure you're tired – have you come a long way?"
"You could say that. We appreciate you letting us stay, Thora. Thank you. Let me help you with the washing up, at least." Ruto took Link's empty bowl and placed it on top of her own.
Link watched Ruto, thinking again how much she had changed since their first encounter. He wanted to help, but they both waved him off. He slipped outside to sit by the fire. His eyes grew heavy as he watched the flames, and he leaned forward, elbows resting on his thighs. Navi danced around his head, her presence a comfort. He felt himself drifting off, his thoughts a mangle of guilt, uncertainty, and hope that Princess Zelda was holding on for him. His mind jumped to how Thora had hinted that there was something for Ruto to "cope" with…
A familiar pair of red eyes swam before him.
Sheik.
All his interactions with Sheik had a dream-like quality, but Link never doubted that they were real. Although Sheik covered most of his face, his eyes said everything. In them, Link was relieved to find understanding… and knowing.
Link. I knew you would find your way back.
The Hylian warrior felt his ears turning pink as he groped for a response.
No, my friend. I am happy for you. The flow of time stops for no one, but the events that take place within it can be altered. Every decision is a chance to move between worlds. Every action has a consequence. As Ruto is with you, she can no longer be the Sage of Water.
Have I messed everything up?
Amusement danced in his crimson irises. To choose differently is not a sin, Link. Her father has taken her place as the Sage of Water. It seemed the best way to keep him safe. But the Zora Domain has become more chaotic without its rightful ruler present.
Sheik's meaning hit Link at once. Jireto…
There is a usurper sitting on the Zora throne now. His alliance with Ganondorf has kept the Domain from ruin, from the ice curse. But the people suffer in other ways.
Link heard Ruto's voice in the distance, calling him back from his twilight between waking and sleeping.
I will save them, Sheik, he promised.
Keep Princess Ruto safe. He still looks for her.
Within seconds, Sheik was gone, and Link felt Ruto's hand on his shoulder. Blinking, he slowly let consciousness wash over him and looked up into Ruto's eyes.
"You okay? You looked like you were about to zonk out there."
"Yes. Sorry. I guess the flames hypnotized me for a second."
Ruto sat beside him and looked into the fire. It did not have the same effect on her. She turned back to Link. "Thora only has one spare bed…"
"I'll sleep on the floor," he answered without hesitation.
"No, you won't. Link, you realize we're adults, right? We can do whatever we want."
They had slept together most nights at the Domain. Link realized his response was silly. A part of him was still grappling with his conversation with Sheik, the overwhelm of everything.
"A rupee for your thoughts?" Ruto asked.
"They aren't even worth that much." He tried to play it off with a joke, standing up and offering her his hand. "To bed, then?"
She looked up at him, searching – for what, she did not know, exactly.
The glow of the fire accentuated her curves in a way that made him hunger for her, and he realized his question could hold a double meaning. It seemed… wrong, somehow… until they had a place of their own. Link tried to swallow his hunger as she took his hand and stood.
"To bed," she answered.