Very happy with this chapter. Hope you all enjoy it!
Also hope you all are safe! We British folk are on lockdown now :')
My brother even moved back in with us cause he currently doesn't have a proper fridge to store food. Our poor cats aren't enjoying having a puppy in the house.
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Chapter 10: Foreboding
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"I come seeking help regarding this power that has been handed down over time. Prayer will awaken my power to seal Ganon away or so I've been told all my life… and yet… grandmother heard them—the voices from the spirit realm and mother said her own power would develop within me. But I don't hear… or feel anything. Father has told me time and time again… he always says 'quit wasting your time playing at being a scholar!' Curse you… I've spent every day of my life dedicated to praying! I've pleaded to the spirits tied to the ancient gods… and still, the holy powers have proven deaf to my devotion. Please just tell me… what is it…? …What's wrong with me?!"
Lynk fought back the sting in her eyes at the defeated and distraught tone. "Zelda."
The Princess turned.
"It won't do to linger any longer, the water is cold."
Zelda sniffled, eyes red but she conceded with a nod; slowly wading through the water to step out. Lynk was there with a towel to wrap her up in. "Take as much time to get ready as needed. We are in no rush."
Lynk sat Zelda's travelling bag with dry clothes in against the wall as she left the Spring of Power to tend to their horses. It was painful for Lynk to see Zelda so tormented and unable to truly comfort her.
Zelda joined her five minutes later, quiet and frazzled.
After offering her an apple, which Zelda took, Lynk began to ready their horses.
Amber nickered softly as Lynk scratched his jaw and held his reins to allow Zelda to climb onto his back, Lynk followed by getting onto Myth.
"Would you like to stop by Zora's Domain on our return?" Lynk asked softly. "You'll be able to check up on Vah Ruta this way."
Zelda's lips tremored, threatening to curl upwards into a grin; she knew what Lynk was trying to do. Finally, she gives Lynk a soft smile. "I would be most appreciative if we could."
"To Zora's Domain then."
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Lynk heard it before even catching a glimpse. A slight tug at Myth's mane had him halting, Zelda followed her example with Amber.
"Lynk?"
Lynk strained her hearing to make sure she wasn't just imagining the sound of monsters ahead. No, she was definitely hearing them. "There are monsters further along." She slid from Myth's back. "Stay here while I deal with them."
Staying low, Lynk trudged toward a ledge that would allow her to overlook the surrounding area. She was expecting Lizalfos or Bokoblins, not both as well as a Silver Lynel. She choked on a breath in her surprise.
Drawing back, she pursed her lips, debating how to go about the attack. If she could take down the Lizalfos and Bokoblins first, then she could focus solely on the Lynel. Confident with her plan, Lynk pulled her bow off her back, notching an arrow and aimed for the heads.
Firing rapidly let Lynk discard of the all seven monsters and she set her eyes on the Lynel. Pulling an ice arrow from her quiver, she acknowledged she only had three of them and a Silver Lynel wasn't a monster to simply wave off like any other. Being a fire version too meant her Ice Arrows would do more harm—but again, she only had three…
She would have to make do with both ice and normal (normal arrows wouldn't do much harm, their hide much too thick to cause major damage…), weaken it, then get close enough to attack with her sword. Good thing she'd brought her shield with her just in case.
Drawing her bow, she lined up the shot and once the Lynel stopped moving—
The arrow hit, exploding into ice and the Lynel reared and roared. Lynk ran along the cliff edge, getting closer while notching a second but normal arrow, she aimed for the legs. If she could do at least some damage to them, its mobility would be affected and allow for her to get close.
The next several minutes consisted of Lynk never stopping long enough for the Lynel to fire its own arrows (or charge at her because she had the high ground) while she continually fired at its legs, doing more and more damage to the point it was stumbling.
She skidded down the slope, pulled the Master Sword and ran for the beast. She used a small outcrop to jump onto its back and thrust the sword into its spine.
The Lynel roared in agony, legs giving out and Lynk went flying as it swiped at her with its remaining strength. She cried out as she hit the ground, feeling as jagged rocks cut her skin. She pushed the dull throb aside to rush the Lynel a final time, yanking the Master Sword from its back as she flipped over the downed creature to avoid another swing of its arm to thrust the blade into its throat, finally killing it.
The Lynel hit the ground, blood quickly forming a puddle beneath it.
"Incredible!" Zelda's voice brought Lynk back to the present, her adrenaline rush finally and slowly dying down.
Lynk turned with a frown to the Princess to see her grinning excitedly. "Were you watching the entire time?"
Zelda's grin turned sheepish and red-tinted her cheeks. "I wanted to see you in action against a Lynel—a Silver one too!" She nudged Amber down the rocky path, Myth following loyally behind them and up to Lynk's side. She pat his neck.
"It went better than I expected truthfully." Lynk rubbed the back of her neck at the praise. "I only really have experience with Blue-maned Lynels."
"Still, you did magnificently! Not many people can claim to have gone up against a Blue-maned, let alone a Silver-maned, Lynk!"
Lynk bit her lip to stop her smile.
However, Zelda approached the Lynel, a worried furrow of her brow appearing as she looked over the monsters from atop of Amber. "It seems that not only is the frequency of these attacks on the rise, but the scale of bests we are facing is intensifying as well. I fear this is an omen which portends to the return of Calamity Ganon. If that is the case, we'll need to make preparations as soon as possible."
Lynk nodded silently in agreement, swinging herself up onto Myth's back. "Would be best to get a move on then."
"Of course."
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By the time they reached Zora's Domain, the sun was beginning to set. Mipha met them at the bridge into the city.
"Princess Zelda, Lynk." She greeted. "A pleasant surprise."
"Princess Mipha." Zelda returned. "My apologies for bargaining in unexpectedly. The journey back to the castle is quite the long one and thought perhaps Zora's Domain may have two free beds if it isn't too much of a sudden appearance."
"Heavens, no." Mipha smiled. "Spares beds will always be available for you both."
Returning the smile, Zelda followed behind Mipha and Lynk felt a strange contentment at the sight. Shaking her head, she jogged to catch up to them.
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The movement of Vah Ruta's tusk was as elegant as her driver, raising both Mipha and Lynk up high to witness the sunset over the entirety of Zora's Domain as Zelda lingered inside for a check-up on Vah Ruta.
"I was thinking… this reminds me of the time we first met." Mipha commented softly, a fond and reminiscent smile gracing her lips as she healed Lynk. "A wild child… always getting yourself hurt at every turn and every time I would heal you. I thought it was funny how, despite being young, you tried to look so grown-up."
Lynk ducked her head, hiding her grin but her shaking shoulders of laughter gave her away. "I'm not going to deny my, ah, 'adventurous days' as dad likes to call them."
Mipha joined Lynk with her laughter. However as Mipha trailed off, Lynk gave her a concerned look. "Is something the matter, Miph?"
Mipha sighed. "I have been thinking. About this Calamity Ganon. If in fact, he does return, what can we really do? We just don't seem to know much about what we'll be up against."
Lynk nasally exhaled, eyes watching the setting sun thoughtfully. "I…" She wrung their hands together. "We're not sure what to expect. Art and writing left behind showed a battle fought with more than just out past selves. Zelda and I have been talking about it, we hope that in the case she's unable to unlock her power, that the Divine Beasts and Guardians will help exceptionally."
"We can only hope and pray." Mipha added quietly, resting her head against Lynk's shoulder as they continued watching the sun in silences.
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"I'm quite sure Zora's Domain is one of the more beautiful places I'll ever see." Zelda commented absently later that evening after a feast and they had retreated to a quiet corner of the Domain. Mipha thanked her for the compliment
"She sure is." Lynk agreed rather nonchalantly but her phrasing didn't pass over any heads.
Mipha flushed as red as her scales.
Zelda bit her lip, successfully muffling her giggles; she had to admit it, Lynk and Mipha were adorable together. She could see why everyone assumed they were dating when they sat so close and Lynk was this forward with flirting.
(Thinking back on it, Zelda felt disgusted with herself for wanting to use their relationship against Lynk. Lynk had caused her to do a lot of thinking and revaluating as of late, not that Zelda truly hated it; in fact, Zelda enjoyed hearing someone else's opinions that wouldn't give a bias. She knew she could count of Lynk to give her that, Lynk had even stated unless they were her superiors she didn't have a problem voicing her differing views and even then, she'd offer her voice in a more respectful manner.
If was definitely a refreshing experience. Zelda knew Purah, Impa and others that she had grown up with would offer her advice, but it wasn't quite like the way Lynk went about it. There was a strange sense of familiarity about it, in fact.
Zelda wondered the relationships between their past selves—Zelda knew Lynk was the first recorded female Master Sword wielder, but there could possibly be female predecessor that had not been written about or even time had simply muddied the history they had come to know?
There were records about Heroes marrying a past Zelda—not always, but it had happened. In fact, the previous Link had married the previous Zelda!
It also made Zelda curious about her own reincarnation. She supposed Lynk would be the more likely one to change gender than her, seeing as she was supposedly Hylia in mortal form and Hylia was ever much female.
But it left her curious nonetheless.)
Lynk's face didn't give anything away but her eyes certainly did—very much gleeful at Mipha's response to her flirting.
"I—I'm glad you think so too, Lynk." Mipha stuttered before clearing her throat. "So how's the wedding planning coming along?"
"Oh? Wedding plans?" Zelda perked up.
Lynk smiled softly. "My father proposed to his long-time girlfriend, Leona. She's the Head Seamstress at the castle."
"Leona, Leona, ah!" Zelda's eyes widened in recognition. "Yes, Madam Leona certainly earned position. She's designed and crafted my clothes for as long as I can remember. I feel rather silly that I'm only now hearing about this, especially since your father is the Head of the Royal Guard too."
Mipha giggled softly. "Leona is quite humble about her craft, and doesn't broadcast very much."
"And dad is often distracted with work and so he only speaks about it when asked." Lynk turned to Mipha. "But to answer your question, they've set a date for early autumn, when the leaves are beginning to fall to match the red, orange and white colour scheme."
"Sounds lovely." Zelda smiled, picturing the sight.
"The plan is to have the wedding in Kakariko Village." Lynk added. "Since Leona has family there and my grandparents passed away several years ago on both sides of the family. Father is quite happy to go along with Leona's wish for a more Sheikah traditional wedding too."
"Curious. I wonder how they differ?" Zelda inquired.
"Sheikah have a lot more than just a ceremony and after-party. It's very much a contrast from a normal Hylian wedding. " Lynk huffed fondly. "But their clothing is a big factor in the entire thing."
Mipha sighed dreamily. "I can't wait to see what Leona has designed."
Lynk chuckled. "I know what I'm wearing, she finished designing my dress weeks ago. Still having trouble decided hers, however."
Zelda smiled happily, her hapless morning all but forgotten.