What's a Soulmate?

"Papa, what's a-a soulmate?"

D'aylen blinked in surprise at hearing that sort of question from his seven-year-old son. "Where did you hear such a word, Link?" he asked after a moment, putting his tools down to focus solely on the boy.

"When you dropped me off for school the last five-day, I heard someone say something about you and mom to the Headmaster. Then he said that you guys were soulmates, and belonged together, and that's why you got married. So what's that mean?"

There was an intensity to the question, a sharp intelligence in the small boy's usually sleepy blue eyes, that took the older man aback. Not that his son was unintelligent, far from it. He just wasn't usually so... focused. But there was enough frustration at the delay in answering in Link's features that he knew that for some reason, his son was very interested in the answer, and because of that, he was also interested enough in the subject that he was definitely going to pursue it.

"Well, it's... hmm. I suppose it's like a best friend, only more, more of all the things that makes the person so special to you in the first place. They're... they're the one person in the world that loves you no matter what. They know you better than anyone else does, and often understand you without you even having to speak."

Ah-ha. Link's eyes had just sharpened even further at that description.

"So, that's what you and mama are, and that's why you got... married?"

"Yes...?" D'aylen allowed, one brow cocked into his bangs, the question intriguing him even more. Just what was going on inside the boy's head?

He opened his mouth to ask, but didn't get the chance before another question came zinging at him.

"What's 'married' mean?"

What? What in the world did he hear to be asking these sorts of questions? I'm going to have to ask Gaepora about this conversation...

"A marriage is a... a sort of vowing done in front of your family and friends – and the goddess. You make a vow in front of everyone promising to stay with that person for the rest of your life, and only them. And then you live together, just like your mother and I."

The look of concentration on Link's face doubled at that.

"Does getting married please goddess Hylia?"

Uh-oh. If Link thought it would please the goddess...

"Yes, of course it does. It's one of her divine rules, and weddings are usually overshadowed by joy, a joy that you can feel comes from the goddess herself, as much as anyone else. It pleases her when her children are happy, you see. I can't think of a single wedding I've ever been to that didn't have that feeling of contentment, of happiness from Her Grace, come to think of it."

And suddenly Link's face rearranged itself into a satisfied expression, and he nodded to himself, like he'd decided something of the utmost importance. But before D'aylen could even ask, his son turned around and ran off with a, "Thanks, papa!" shouted behind him, and that was that.

The older man just peered off after the boy's disappearing figure, uncertain what to think about the conversation that had just taken place.

But one thing was for sure – whatever that had all been about, it certainly involved his very best friend, Zelda. And if it was what it looked like that had all been about, then D'aylen could only smile, and set the previous conversation with his son aside to mention to his wife later, when Link was good and asleep.

Maybe they really did already know their future daughter-in-law.

A few days later during mid-morning lesson break, Link covertly studied Zelda as she prattled cheerfully about something that she found important. He wasn't really paying attention to her words, simply content that in the moment she was happy and untroubled. He let her bright chatter wash over him as he considered a subject he found important; his father's explanation of soulmates, and marriage.

And the fact that apparently, they greatly pleased goddess Hylia.

He had not forgotten that she had once spent so much time with him in his dreams, nor that she had promised that he would see her again, despite his young age.

Zelda was his best friend, one promised to him by the goddess herself, something else he had not forgotten. The young girl had long-since summarily announced to all and sundry that the two of them would be together forever, so wouldn't the goddess be made happy if he and Zelda made the vows, too? After all, it seemed as though his father had perfectly described the two of them when he'd explained what soulmates were... and Link was not wrong, despite his youthful, innocent interpretation of the concept.

Now he just had to explain it to Zelda. He was sure she would agree with his conclusions, and then they could vow before the goddess to stay together forever, and it would be done, and everyone would be happy all around.

What could be better?

He was pulled from his thoughts by Zelda going quiet, but wasn't surprised when she narrowed her eyes on him and suddenly demanded to know what was wrong. Another thing his father had said about soulmates – that they knew you better than anyone else – and she did. She always knew when there was something on his mind, just as he did her. In fact, it had been commented on more than once by several different adults. They just seemed to know and understand each other to an extraordinary degree, even without words.

According to Professor Owlan, bonds of such strength were very rare, and they usually meant that the goddess had plans for the two involved. Link had shrugged – he already knew that. Her Grace had, after all, told him beforehand that he would be meeting someone that would be his best and most beloved friend, had said that his heart would tell him when he met her, and that was exactly what had happened. He'd known it was Zelda the goddess had spoken of the moment he'd laid eyes on her.

He wasn't sure how to make others understand, but he was still very young, and age would eventually give him the words to articulate certain concepts that he knew and understood inwardly, but had no frame of reference to be able to explain to others at this point in time.

"Link!"

Zelda's voice yanked him out of his thoughts, and he blushed at his inattention. "Sorry," he mumbled. "I was just thinking."

"About what?" the bright girl asked, her head tilted to the side in curiosity.

"Well," he fingered the bottom of his tunic absently, which Zelda knew he did when he was thinking deeply about something important to him, "last five-day, after my dad dropped me off for school, I heard someone say something to your dad about my parents, and then he said that they were soulmates and belonged together-"

"Soulmates?" the girl interrupted, blinking several times in confusion. "What's that mean?"

"I asked my dad when I was home for my two-day about it, 'cause I was curious, too. And he said that they were like a best friend, but more. They know you better than anyone else and can understand you without talking. And then your dad said that was why my mom and dad got married, which means that they vowed to stay together forever in front of their friends and family, and the goddess, too."

He paused to take a breath, and Zelda burst in, her eyes wide and shining with excitement. "Oh! Then we must be soulmates! I mean, what your dad said is just like us, right? And we've said we're going to be together forever in front of everyone, and I'm sure the goddess heard us, so does that mean we're married, too?"

The little boy frowned in concentration, not having considered that maybe they were already married. But then he shook his head doubtfully. "I don't know," he said slowly. "Dad said that when you get married you live together, like he and my mom."

"Well, we live in the academy together most of the time, don't we? I mean, five days we spend at school, and you only go see your parents for your two-day. That should count, right?"

Link shrugged uncertainly. "Maybe we should ask your dad."

Zelda, a hyperactive child at any time, but especially when something excited her, immediately jumped to her feet and grabbed Link's hand, pulling him after her. "Then let's go find him before we have to go back in for more lessons. I want to know!"

However, just as they were about to enter the academy building in search of said father, a bright red pompadour bearing the name of Groose got in the way, scowling at the duo's clasped hands before deliberately sticking his foot out and tripping Link, who went sprawling with the force of their interrupted flight. Terrified that Zelda would get hurt, too, he gently slipped his hand from hers so as not to take her to the ground with him. Being as he was still a very small boy, however, Link wasn't quite able to get his hands down in time to brace himself, and so he went face-first into the ground with a pained 'oof' that immediately had Zelda rushing to his side in a panic. When Link managed to lift his head, his face was scraped and bleeding, which absolutely enraged the equally small (but entirely fierce) girl. She gently helped him up, then spun around to glare furiously at the red-haired bully and his laughing buddies, hands balled and arms akimbo.

"Groose!" she shouted angrily, which instantly stopped said laughter, "I'm gonna punch you if you don't leave us alone! Go away and bug someone else, you stupid boy!"

"Hey! I'm not stupid," said boy protested, "Link is! I don't know why you'd want to be friends with him, anyway. We're better than him. You should be friends with us!"

"No way! I don't like mean people, and you're mean! I'm going to tell my dad what you did,"she threatened, "and I hope you get in big trouble. I'll never be friends with you bullies!"

Then she stopped, and smiled smugly at the now-glaring threesome.

"Besides, me n' Link are soulmates, and we're going to be together forever. And you can't stop us, so there!" She stuck her tongue out at the sputtering Groose and his cronies, then turned her back on them and deliberately took Link's hand again. "Come on. My dad has stuff to help stop it hurting." Her voice was now soft and gentle, though she made sure to slam the academy doors right in the other boy's face, hoping with all her seven-year-old might that it would scare Groose into falling over and getting scraped up, too.

When she turned to lead her companion down the corridors to her father's office, though, she noticed Link wince and scowled again. "That big jerk! I hate it when he hurts you. I always want to punch him when he does stuff like that!"

Link shook his head at her with a worried expression. "No, Zel. You shouldn't. I don't want you to get hurt, and his head is hard, so if you hit him, you would."

"I don't care. It would be worth it."

She continued muttering vengefully under her breath as she led Link to her father's door, and the young boy couldn't help but smile a little, though it stung his poor, scraped cheeks. Zelda wasn't afraid of anyone, even if they were bigger than her. Not that it really mattered, because if anyone did try to hurt her, he would defend her no matter how bad he got hurt for it. He always wanted her to be safe and happy, and most importantly smiling, because when she did, it was like the goddess' own smile – better than anything else in the world.

He was already a smitten little boy, and that would not change as they got older, it would only grow deeper. In a still-limited fashion because of his age, Link knew that he loved his best friend more than anyone else except his parents. As he got older and matured, that knowledge would deepen and change from the understanding of a small boy to the adoration of an adult man, but that was still some years off. For the time being, their affection for each other was innocent, as they were.

Unlike anyone else seeking to speak to the headmaster, Zelda didn't stop and knock on the door to her father's office, she just opened it and marched right in, tugging Link with her, an angry scowl plastered across her usually smiling face. That didn't change one iota when she realized that her father wasn't alone. While she was normally respectful towards her elders and knew not to interrupt them when they were busy, right now she didn't care. All that mattered to her was that her best friend was hurt – even their earlier questions about soulmates and marriage were temporarily forgotten, subsumed by her upset at his injuries, and her righteous wrath at the cause of said injuries.

"Zelda?" Gaepora began, surprised by his daughter's emboldened behavior – until he caught sight of Link's scraped and bleeding face, and then he understood. A little concerned himself though he knew the boy's injuries were far from serious, he stood up and began gathering the necessary supplies to clean and numb the scrapes. When he had what he needed, he motioned Link over, and Zelda, still refusing to let go his hand, tugged him silently over to her father's side.

Once he had the boy's scrapes mostly tended to, he asked, "What happened?"

The extraordinary bond the two shared was highlighted once again as Link and Zelda locked eyes, and Gaepora would have given much to be able to listen in to their silent communication. Whatever it was that the boy was saying didn't seem to be pleasing to his daughter, though, because she almost looked mutinous for a moment – but then she gave in with a frustrated sigh, and looked away.

"N-nothing, sir," Link finally stammered. "I tripped and fell while we were running."

Zelda muttered something that sounded like, "Yeah, over Groose's foot, that bully," but when her father looked over at her, she was still staring at the far wall, and Link had cringed, so he decided to let the matter rest there. However, since he was pretty certain by now what had happened, he made a mental note to have a word with the quite-a-bit-larger young boy a little later on - sort of let him know he and the rest of the instructors would be watching. Hopefully, it would help at least ease the situation somewhat.

Gaepora's company, Fledge's father, had watched the interactions between the three curiously, but after a few moments excused himself with a, "I'll catch up with you later, Gaepora," and a faint smile at the two youngsters.

Zelda looked mutinous, clearly still upset, but Link seemed remorseful and a bit embarrassed, mumbling apologies to the adults for interrupting. Both men demurred, and then Fledge's father saw himself out, leaving the headmaster and the two children alone.

He studied his daughter knowingly, and then smiled gently at his small companions.

"Was there something you wished to speak to me about?" he asked kindly, taking his seat again. "If so, we must be quick, for class is about to begin again."

That seemed to recall their original purpose in seeking her father out to Zelda's attention, and she nodded, becoming excited again. Unfortunately, she got a little overexcited, and her attempts to explain became garbled fairly quickly. When her father merely looked confused, Link spoke up.

"It's okay, Zel, I'll explain," he said quietly, and the little girl smiled at him gratefully.

"Okay."

Gaeopora was tempted to laugh at the role reversal there – usually, it was the other way around. He was also interested to note that Zelda was still clutching tightly to Link's hand.

"Well, sir, last five day, I heard you talking about my parents," the little boy began, and Gaepora tilted his head, surprised. "You said they were soulmates, and that's why they got married."

Ah. The headmaster nodded, now recalling the referenced discussion.

"I was curious about what you meant, so I asked my dad, and he explained it to me-"

"-he said that soulmates are like best friends but better," Zelda burst in, unable to hold herself silent any longer, despite her words still practically tumbling over each other, "and that they understand you more than anyone else and even without talking! And then they make vows to stay together forever in front of their friends and families and the goddess, too."

"Yes," Gaepora allowed cautiously, "that's right. So what was your question?"

"Me and Link are soulmates, I know we are. We have to be, 'cause what his dad explained is 'xactly like us. But we weren't sure about the being married part, 'cause we've both said we're going to be together forever in front of everyone, and I know the goddess had to have heard us, too. His dad said that when you're married you live together, though, so he wasn't sure about the married part. I think we are, 'cause we mostly live together here at school, but Link said we should ask you."

Now understanding, Gaepora had a very hard time keeping a straight face. He managed somehow, but it was a close call. Oh, he couldn't wait to tell this one to D'aylen and Merilee – it was almost scary, and it was definitely funny, but to the logic of a child it all fit together nicely, and he could perfectly understand why they would have thought what they did. Again the urge to laugh took him, but with a truly herculean effort, he managed to once again push it away.

"Hm. While it is quite possible that you and Link are soulmates, my dear," he began, "and only time will truly tell, I can assure you that you are not married. Simply saying that you are going to be together forever doesn't quite qualify as a valid vowing. Marriage vows are spoken during a very special ceremony, and are stated in a certain way, as prescribed by the goddess. And just living in the same building together some of the time isn't the same as a married couple living together."

Once again the two children looked at each other, and during the following silence, Gaepora had yet another chance to marvel at the bond between them. Despite his rather vague answer about their status as soulmates, inwardly, he was almost sure that they were, indeed, just that. He had never known any two people that were so closely entwined, that despised being separated so very much, not even Link's parents. Oh, they had other friends, Fledge and Karane and even Pipit, but accepting one child meant accepting both, and even the other children knew it.

Gaepora was pretty sure that was exactly why Groose hated Link so much – simple jealousy. He wanted Zelda's attention for himself... but that was never going to happen, no matter what he tried.

Both children nodded at each other, and he knew something had been mutually decided between the two in that moment. Considering the topic, he wasn't really surprised to hear what his daughter had to say.

"How do we do this ceremony thing, then? We want to make our vows. We're soulmates, and we want to get married so everyone else will know it, too. Maybe then someone will leave us alone."

Oh, dear, I did forget to mention that you have to be an adult to get married. Zelda's not going to like that answer...

With a properly regretful face, he shook his head. "You can't do that right now, my dear. You have to be an adult in order to get married."

Aaanndd cue mutinous expression. Zelda was most definitely not happy to hear that, though Link looked disappointed, too.

"Says who?" she demanded, finally letting go her hold on her friend's hand to set hers on her hips. "We're not dumb, we know what being together forever means, and we're not gonna change our minds!"

"I'm sorry, little one, but those are the goddess' rules. Besides, does it really matter right now? You're not married, but you're together most of the time anyway, aren't you? And when you grow up, if you still want to be together forever, you can make the vows."

"But-"

"Zel, it's okay," Link said, stopping his daughter's pique in its tracks as she turned to look at him again, her expression going soft with devotion as she did, and Gaepora knew it then - beyond a shadow of a doubt - as the young boy looked back with the same devotion in his eyes.

They would end up married someday, it was only a matter of time, and nothing more. Their hearts were already decided, and probably had been since the moment they'd met.

Still, like everyone else, they would have to wait 'til they were older to make those vows, and they would definitely understand why as they aged. Right now, they were a little young to grasp all the finer points of what being married truly meant, and he was glad for that, because that was definitely a conversation he wasn't ready to have with either one of them yet.

Not that he ever would be, but...

"If goddess Hylia says we have to be adults, then that's just the way it is," Link continued. "Like your dad said, it doesn't really matter, 'cause we're together most of the time anyway."

"I guess," Zelda eventually gave in with one last plaintive try. "If we got married, though, we could be together all the time, and not just for your five-day. That would be so much better."

"Yeah, I know. But like you said, we're soulmates, and we'll get married someday, right? I mean, the goddess even said we'll be best friends forever, so who cares what Groose thinks? We'll just keep ignoring him and Cawlin and Strich."

"Fine," Zelda sighed deeply. "We'll wait. But as soon as we're old enough, papa, we're getting married, so don't you forget it. And you have to tell your parents, too, Link."

"Okay."

"Okay."

It was Gaepora's turn to sigh. He would be telling Link's parents, too – and he could hardly wait. He could just imagine D'aylen's face, especially. Merilee would probably just laugh herself into the ground.

"Now, you two should go, class is about to start again, and you don't want to be late. Zelda, please tell Instructor Owlan that I would like to speak with him after lessons are over."

"Yes, father."

And with that, the two children - once again hand-in-hand - left the room, and as soon as the door was closed, Gaepora laughed until tears were rolling down his cheeks.

Those two were definitely going to be a handful in the years to come.