It's been a long while, but I'm back, again.
I've gone back and made changes to every previous chapter! Made corrections and just rewritten pieces that felt awkward. So I hope they're a lot better now!
YeetNibbaReeee: Yes, I'm still writing, despite the long wait between chapters. I was in a bit of an funk when I came to writing for a while—I'm mostly on AO3—and I move from piece to piece as inspiration hits me.
Lavenderwave0: ah yes, grammatical errors are every writers bane. Hopefully, I've caught them during my edits! I'm glad you're enjoy still!
NekoDaemonQueenZelda: the king's name was an error on my part. Thanks for pointing it out, however, lol. Picking Jin's name wasn't purposefully chosen because of Japanese roots. I think it was because of something I was reading at the time? Can't remember to be sure lol.
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Chapter 11: Moments in Time
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It was a beautiful sunny morning, one that Zelda and her father were eager to enjoy their breakfast under as it got closer and closer to a turn in weather as the year marched onward. Watching the distance where she could spot a herd of horses grazing in their field, she turned to her father with a question.
"While in Zora's Domain yesterday, Lynk spoke of her father's upcoming wedding to Mistress Leona."
"Ah, yes," King Rhoam nodded, "I am happy to see him finally tying the knot. He and Leona have been together for many years, truthfully I did not think he would. Helkura was an amazing woman that no one can replace."
"Then you know they plan to wed as Autumn arrives?"
"I do," Rhoam confirmed, curiosity grazing his wised face, "What has bought this conversation up, my dear?"
"I…" Zelda flushed lightly, "I was wondering if I would be allowed to attend? Lynk said since she herself would be going, that her father would be most delighted if I could attend."
Rhoam smiled, "Of course, Jin has been a long-time friend, my only regret is that I myself cannot attend." He then hummed, setting his teacup down, "You would likely not remember, being so young, but you and Lynk had been playmates as young children."
Zelda nearly split her tea onto her dress in shock, "P—Pardon?!"
Rhoam laughed heartily, before slowly growing solemn, "You both are only a few months apart, and as I considered Jin a close friend, it only seemed right. But at the time of Helkura's passing, Lynk isolated herself in her grief and so those playdates came to an end. I suppose it is my and Jin's faults for not pushing you both to remain friends."
Zelda swallowed her shock, "Y—Yes, it seems that…I had forgotten."
It made her guilt worse at the fact they had been friends once before, but also a part of her happy for Zelda did not truly have any friends her age. Her life as Princess kept her busy and thus, close-knit relationships had no time to form.
Zelda also couldn't wait to share this news with Lynk—she could picture the momentary blank look she'd get, an almost dumbfounded one, before uttering a simple 'what?'.
She giggled at the thought.
(Her imagination hadn't proven her wrong. The look Lynk made—)
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Zelda doesn't think she's ever seen Lynk smile so much—hadn't stopped smiling from the moment she'd woken up that morning. Zelda giggled again, watching as Lynk, dressed in a stunning Sheikah styled dress, sat patiently as Leona painted symbols that Zelda recognised as daughter, bridesmaid, acceptance, love, and lots more.
Truthfully, Zelda was attending this Sheikah wedding with no knowledge of what traditions they have and she's eager to learn and while Zelda herself won't be receiving any markings as she was not family, that didn't mean she wasn't able to join in with the pre-wedding ceremonies.
This evening there would be a party celebrating the last night of separation before they would be bound together. This party would include mostly family and family friends where there would be speeches given.
("Leona has always been a mother to me, even before my mum passed. Sometimes I couldn't help but wonder the what-ifs, however I know I wouldn't trade the treasure I'll be given at getting the chance to officially call you my mum, Leona.")
("My dear Leona, my eldest who has finally found love—" there was plenty of laughter at that, "—and I hope the future husband and wife have a great and fortunate life together.")
("My to be, a woman who has supported me long before the loss of Helkure. Who we both loved dearly for the laughter and life she brought to our family simply for knowing her. I am forever lucky to have this chance to make you my wife. I have no doubt Helkure would have kicked my behind for not doing this so much sooner." More laughter.)
There was dancing, Zelda beamed at the sight of Lynk and Mipha twirling and singing happily along with no chance of being called out for it. At one point, Lynk pulls Zelda onto the dance floor herself, where Lynk pretty much sweeps Zelda off her feet with the grace in which she dances with—but Zelda really shouldn't have been so surprised; the grace Lynk displayed while fighting must apply in other areas too.
By the time the pre-wedding ceremony comes to an end, Zelda has never felt so exhausted but so filled with life.
The next morning, Lynk is swept away with Leona to get ready and so Zelda and Mipha spent that time talking about last night.
When the main ceremony starts, it's to Lynk dancing on the mandap. A dance that Zelda comes to learn is performed by the closest person to the groom. She wonders how long Lynk had practised, if this exact dance was done every time or the performer creates one themselves. But watching the way Lynk moves, fabrics lose and flowing all around her is a beautiful sight.
Mipha beside her sighs dreamily and Zelda gets to witness her cheeks burning as brightly as her scales.
As Lynk sweeps in a bow, the loud applause has her blushing brightly. She settles off to the side of the mandap, where the priest steps up, smiling in Lynk's direction quickly before starting the ceremony.
Jin is called onto the stage first, where he does another speech, speaking of Leona's greats and downs. That he will love her until death parts them and even beyond that.
Leona joins him on the stage and does the same, eyes damp and clearly fighting those tears to not ruin her makeup.
A young boy from Leona's family, Tarna, brings the rings which they slide on each other.
The Priest steps forward and wraps a red ribbon around their joint hands.
"From this day forward, Jin and Leona Velarde, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. With Goddess Hylia as your witness, I pronounce you Husband and Wife."
They kissed and there was loud applause and cheering as the married couple parted, grinning away.
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These past three days are something that I can't find ways to put into words. I have gotten the chance to experience something so profound that I doubt there will be another that I will partake in.
Seeing Lynk so carefree and beaming nonstop is something I will cherish greatly for the rest of my life. She doesn't smile enough, doesn't laugh enough and grin enough and I'm reminded of the burden on our shoulders.
I'm glad to see she has the chance to be eased of them, even if temporarily.
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"Sometimes I just can't believe the beauty of Hyrule," Zelda mused softly, watching the castle in the far distance, it's enormous size seems to fit right in with the wilds of Hyrule. It was just such a beautiful sight!
Then her eyes dropped to the ground by her feet and—she gasped, falling to her knees in awe.
"Zelda?" was Lynk confused voice behind her but Zelda was far more interested in the Silent Princess before her.
"How amazing…" she whispered and Lynk walked forward to kneel beside her, taking in the sight of the Silent Princess too.
The Knight smiled.
"Such rare and endangered species always tend to be the most beautiful, ironic, yes?" she reached out hesitantly, not quite daring to touch it in fear she could bring it harm, "Despite how efforts, we can't get them to grow domestically yet. The Princess can only thrive out here in the wild."
"Where the Master Sword was kept," Lynk began, "It was covered in them."
Zelda drew in a breath at the thought, "Really?"
"Hmm," Lynk nodded, "It was what caught my attention first, even before I noticed the Master Sword."
Zelda let out a pearl of laughter but then, something moving in the grass caught her attention—oh! She grinned and struck quickly, "Look! I've never been able to catch one before!"
She turned and opened her hands to show the green frog to Lynk, she deadpanned.
"This delicate is known to have very, very potent effects under the proper circumstances," she beamed, "Research from the castle shows ingesting one of these can actually augment certain abilities," her smile turned to a grin, "How about we test it!"
"Zel—"
"Come on, Lynk! Try it!" she held her hands out, watching the way Lynk baulked and shuffled backwards but Zelda just followed, grinning away at her friend's disgust.
"Zelda, no! That's disgusting!"
She laughed.
Then the heavens decided to open, the downpour sudden and unexpected and it had the two rushing up the hill to take shelter under an outcrop with a large tree on top. They couldn't help the laughter that escaped, mostly in disbelief at the sudden turn.
But the downpour didn't seem to be easing up anytime soon and so, they'd be taking shelter for the next however long.
"You know, I've noticed that your path seems to mirror your father's," Zelda spoke up after some time, "You've pushed through more than any other Hylian woman that came before us. The first Knight in recorder history, a great feat."
Lynk turned, gazing softly at Zelda as she continued with her musing.
"Your commitment to the training necessary to fulfil your goal is really quite admirable. I can see why you would be the chosen one…" she trailed off and Lynk took a seat beside her, allowing the princess to gather her thoughts.
"But what if…one day…you realised that you just weren't meant to be a fighter? Yet the only things people ever said…was that you were born into a family of the Royal Guard, and so no matter what you thought, you had to become a knight. If that was the only thing that you were ever told…I wonder then, would you have chosen a different path?"
Lynk exhaled and glanced at her callused hands, "I think it's…a complicated thing. Situations and family. Had I been born into any other family, I doubt I'd be who I am today. I would likely be engaged to a man from Castle Town and to be wed sometime in the future, as is common for a woman in nobility."
Zelda hummed in agreement and both women watched the rain.
"…But…I knew from a young age that I was meant for more than just…marriage. I suppose it was my soul's way of telling me who I was going to be, and my mum would always tell me to follow my heart. In fact, she's the one that encouraged me, she's the one that persuaded my dad to allow me to train. She wasn't born into nobility, you see, she grew up with lots of freedom at her fingertips and she spent years travelling."
"She sounds wonderful," Zelda smiled, she wished she could do that—spend her days endlessly wandering Hyrule with no destination in mind as she just walked where he feet took her.
"She was," Lynk smiled sadly, "She sent me to bed every night with different stories and I suppose looking back on it now, were most likely exaggerated for my child self but I can remember desperately wanting to be strong like her. Someone who grasped her future with both hands, no matter the difficulty."
Lynk gazed off into the distance, the night sky clear and stars bright. The night air brought a chill but wrapped up in her thick blanket felt Lynk carry on without feeling it.
"Sweetheart? What are you doing out here by yourself?"
Lynk blinked and turned to look at her softly smiling mother. "Couldn't sleep, mama. Wanted to watch the stars."
"Ah, I see." Helkura stepped up beside her daughter and gazed upwards too. "What's troubling your sleep?"
Lynk scrunched her nose up, "I…I wanna be a knight like papa. I wanna be strong like papa! I want to help the kingdom like papa! But…I see no women knights…"
Helkura knelt beside her child, brushing a hand through her hair. "That's because there isn't, I'm afraid."
Lynk wilted, she'd thought so…
"What made you want to be a knight like your father?"
Lynk blushed. "I wanna protect Zelda. I wanna protect her because she's my friend! I wanna…I wanna…" she trailed off. "…Zelda's my best friend and…I…I want to protect her?"
Lynk wasn't sure how to exactly word her desires, that was the best she could get out and she made a noise of frustration at the struggle.
"I see," Helkura lifted her daughter into her arms. "You want to get as strong as your father because Zelda is important to you. You want to protect her from harm."
Lynk nodded—her mama seemed to understand!
"…Is that wrong of me to want too?" the child questioned hesitantly. "I see all the woman wearing pretty gowns and avoiding any sort of stuff to do with fighting or getting dirty and—is there something wrong with me for wanting to become a knight?"
"No, no, of course not, my dear." Helkura soothed, rubbing Lynk's back. "Society has set a standard for women, that they should care for the home, care for the children."
Lynk wilted further, she didn't want that!
"But," Her mother continued with a smile, "If anyone is going to break that standard, it's going to be you, my dear. I know it with my very soul."
"It was her belief in me that pushed me to make that leap to make my stance known on what I wanted. That I wasn't going to allow society to depict my future for me." Lynk looked skyward and smiled, "She was the drive of a lot of things I did when I was a child. Her belief was everything to me. Even now, I just have to remind myself of that belief and it's like I know I could do anything I put my mind too.
"…Zelda…my mum once said 'Fate is a complicated thing, darling. I've always believed we each have a path to follow, even if we may not favour what that path leads us to. We don't know what our future holds, but that's the way of things'," Lynk met Zelda's eyes, "Belief in one's self is important, the belief you can, you must. Through hardships and stagnant moments, everything that happens crafts who you are. It'll come when the moment is right and not a moment sooner."
Zelda let out a shaky breath and nodded, smile soft and eyes ringed red, "Right."