Disclamer: I don't own the rights of The Legend of Zelda.

Chapter 2: Adult Timeline

The Wind Waker / Phantom Hourglass

"Seven years ago, a young man in green robes and a pirate captain had a meeting predestined by the gods of Hyrule. The young man and the captain set sail together in a majestic ship in search of treasures and adventures.

They faced a powerful demon king from ancient times and an evil spirit of the seas. They protected the legendary Triforce and saved the King of the Sea himself. No matter how many dangers there were, no matter how untimely the waves of the sea were, nothing and no one could stop this dynamic duo.

During the trip the pirate captain discovered that it was actually Zelda, the last princess of Hyrule. And to top it off, the young man in green robes turned out to be Link, the last incarSenzaon of the Hero chosen by the goddesses. Both, united by the red thread of fate, did not hesitate to fulfill their duties.

After finishing their trip, they found a place to call home. They called it New Hyrule, in honor of the legendary sacred land. Years later, the two young men declared their love for each other, got married, were happy and ate partridges."

ooOoo

"What do you think?" Niko asked proudly after finishing his story. To make it more enjoyable he had used drawings created by himself while he spoke.

The pirate, known as the Tetra's Pirates, didn't seem very happy with the end of the story and their faces of annoyance and anger were enough evidence.

"One moment! The story doesn't end like this", Senza complained. "Captain Tetra is single and always will be."

"True, no man is stupid enough to ask for her hand. And in case the captain got married, she would never do it with that little guy,"said Gonzo, crossing his arms. "He would have to have very bad taste for that."

"Well said, friend," said Zuko. "Besides that, I would have realized if there was something between those two."

"You?" Niko asked sarcastically, very angry that the others doubted and criticized his story in that way. "But if you are blind like a bat!"

"How dare you!" Zuko exclaimed furiously, even though what Niko said was true. "I will cut your tongue!"

Zuko got up but was stopped by Nudge.

"Quiet Zuko," Nudge said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "A pirate never cuts a comrade's tongue. Do you want the captain to be angry?"

Zuko swallowed as he imagined Tetra angry and quickly sat back down. He was so upset that he didn't realize how Nudge took his money from his pocket.

"There is still something worrying about all this," Mako said suddenly.

"What are you talking about, old man?" Gonzo asked with a frown.

"The princess has made it clear that she wants to establish the monarchy in New Hyrule," Mako explained, cleaning his damaged glasses. "For that, sooner or later, you must get married if you want to leave heirs."

"Yeah. New Hyrule will need a wise queen," Niko said as he let his imagiSenzaon fly. "And a courageous king."

"And handsome," Senza added, sighing. "Oh, how lucky she will be if she finds a good big man."

"Ju, well, I'm very sorry for her future husband," said Nudge. "A woman like the captain will never allow her husband to have the same power as her."

"Then he would be prince consort," said Mako.

"More like a lucky prince if he manages to make the captain fall in love," Gonzo replied.

ooOoo

Numerous ships arrived every day in New Hyrule. Everyone wanted to be part of the new kingdom run by those who had killed the fearsome Ganondorf. Since his defeat, the islands and the seas were a much safer place. In addition to the fact that the number of monsters had decreased considerably, which favored investigations, explorations, maritime shops and migrations.

Merchants, immigrants, warriors, pirates, researchers ... Everyone wanted to meet the chosen Hero Link and the pirate princess Tetra.

Both young people had had a lot of work lately. Forming a kingdom, even if it had the support of several races, towns and islands, was not easy. In addition to that they had to send scouts to make sure if there were or not more inhabitants in those lands. Not to mention that sometimes Tetra said she felt an evil presence somewhere...

ooOoo

In a secluded and lonely corner of the beach, there was a couple sharing kisses and caresses. Despite the intensity of the moment, the girl could tell that her boyfriend was not in the mood that afternoon.

"What happens? Today you do not seem yourself," Tetra said after giving her one last kiss and separating from him.

"It's nothing," Link lied as he looked away.

"Do you dare to lie to your captain, grumble?" Tetra asked jokingly. Even so, she didn't get Link to smile a little. Then she placed a hand on his shoulder, forcing him to look her in the eye. "Hey, Link ... Are you alright?"

Link pushed his hand away and moved a little further.

"Tetra," Link said looking into her eyes. The pirate captain had seen him seriously many times but this time there seemed to be something else ... maybe sadness? "What am I to you?"

The question caught Tetra by surprise.

" ... I ... It's so obvious to me that I've never thought about it," she confessed. "Why do you ask?"

"Because for me it isn't so obvious", he replied angrily.

"Do you doubt my feelings for you?" She asked angrily as well. She wasn't liking Link's attitude that day.

"Well… yes", he replied. An expression of pain appeared on Tetra's face.

"... Are you serious? "

"If you really feel something towards me, why don't you let everyone know?" Link asked annoyed. "Why hide that you love me?"

Tetra stared at him for a few seconds and gave a small sigh.

"I am a pirate, no matter how much royal blood I have in my veins, I will always be a pirate," Tetra said very seriously. "If I have got everyone in this place to follow me it is because they respect me, fear me or both. A love relationship can be seen as a sign of weakness, Link."

"I don't see it that way," Link said, shaking his head.

"You grew up on a forgotten island, for Nayru's sake," Tetra snapped. "But I don't, that's why I know how the world works and how people think."

"Well, then, I'm glad I grew up in a forgotten place," Link said with clenched fists. "Because in my town love isn't a sign of weakness but quite the opposite. But of course, what will an ignorant teen like me know about life? "

Tetra realized too late the mistake she had made.

"Link, I'm sorry, I didn't want t-"

"One of the things that made me fall in love with you, was your great dedication to what you considered correct. You weren't afraid or cared what people said about you. Perhaps, discovering that you were a princess did more harm than good," Link said, turning around and leaving. "We have been dating for over a year but I think we should be only friends."

Tetra watched him leave without saying anything. What could she do? Threaten him? No, she would never be able to do that to Link. Force him to stay with her? Too cruel. To beg him? Never, she had her pride after all, so what could she do?

ooOoo

"I-I love him m-more than m-my own life!" Tetra shouted as she tried to drink her fifth bottle of rum. "Why that g-green i-idiot can't see it?"

"Yes, yes, whatever you say," said Linebeck, not at all interested in what happened between Link and Tetra. "Please, could you get off my boat now?!"

A few years ago Linebeck had arrived with his ship, the S.S. Linebeck, to the new earth. He ran a business selling objects and it was rumored that he had occasional illegal business, but they were only rumors. Even so, it was suspicious that he was one of the richest men in the place when he only worked four hours every day.

"Your love problems with that kid are none of my business," said Linebeck very annoyed. "You can't enter in my boat and drink my best bottles of rum."

"B-be careful how you talk to me, o-old man, or I'll cut your neck," Tetra threatened. Linebeck stepped back slightly and stood near the exit of the cabin, just in case.

"Ahem ... And tell me, why that green brat has left you?" Asked Linebeck, in an attempt to make Tetra put aside her violent tendencies.

"He says I don't have the courage to admit to him and the others that I am madly in love with him," Tetra confessed, which for some reason seemed more sober than before. "He believes that my love for him is false, that I am only using him for…I don't know, fun? ... Well, he hasn't really said that, but it's as if he had done it!"

"The truth is that Link is right," said Linebeck.

"What have you said?"

"W-well ... you're supposed to be the great and fearsome Tetra", he flattered her. "Who could you be afraid of?"

Tetra stared at him. Her eyes were cold and hard, she had seen the dark side of this world for too long. She had the eyes of an old woman.

"Link has a big heart but the people out there ..." Tetra stamped the bottle of rum against the wall causing Linebeck to jump. "People out there only think of themselves and how to harm others. If they found out what I feel for Link, they would not hesitate to try to get a slice going for him ... And I don't want that to happen."

"If I remember correctly, Link knows how to defend himself very well", commented Linebeck.

"Of monsters, demons and supernatural beings," Tetra admitted. "But not from bad languages and politics."

"... I think you really just put justifications to avoid telling the truth", Linebeck said very seriously. Tetra shot him a menacing look again. "You love Link, (I still don't know why someone would love that kid), and you're afraid of losing your reputation as a bad girl, as a warrior of the seas. But I will ask you a question, is there a person with whom you would like to share the rest of your life, with whom you would always like to be if you could, with whom you would like to start a family, for which you would give your life without hesitation, for that you would be able to fight a demon king, for whom you would you be able to leave everything behind? "

"Shut up, I get it!" Tetra exclaimed as she hit the floor of the deck with her foot, making a small hole. "And I have made a decision! You and Link have dared to call me a coward and I will show you how wrong you are!"

Rising at high speed, she left the cabin without saying goodbye or thanks to Linebeck.

" ... She's finally gone," Linebeck said, taking a long breath. His legs had trembled so much that he thought they were going to melt.

"Hey, listen!"

"Aaaaah!" Linebeck was about to had a heart attack.

Tetra had returned and didn't seem very happy.

"W-what do you want now?" Linebeck asked. "Know that I am not your personal psychiatrist. Although, it wouldn't be bad if you pay me for the advice I've given you before.

"I stink of alcohol, so I'm going to use your bathroom," Tetra said, ignoring his words. "Where is it?"

"Down the stairs on the deck, just to the right," Linebeck quickly replied.

"Make me coffee while I wash, I want to be sober," Tetra ordered. "And also give me water, I have heard that it is good to avoid migraines."

An hour later Tetra left the ship and Linebeck could finally breathe easy. Once alone, he took care of the inside of his jacket a book that looked very old.

"Thank goodness I have you, old friend."

The book was titled: "A Thousand and One Ways to Escape the Wrath of a Woman". He had found it in a chest, floating in the middle of the sea. Apparently the author was someone called Ganondorf Dragmire.

ooOoo

"Are you going to tell us what's wrong with you, brat?" Zuko asked worriedly.

The boy had walked through the place cutting the grass and trees and then go to Tetra's ship to destroy all the barrels. That was nothing new, Link always used to cut and break things when stressed. Sometimes he even chased pigs.

"W-we have broken or I think so, the truth is that we haven't made it very clear either," Link said when he finally calmed down. Everyone could see that he had been crying.

"Have you broken, with whom?" Niko asked very interested. The others also paid attention, because they didn't know that Link had been dating someone.

"With Tetra," Link confessed. The others stared at him with stupor, then looked at each other and began to laugh.

"Yes, of course, right! The captain and you?! Keep dreaming! Such imagination!" Those were some of the comments that were heard between the laughs. The only ones who didn't laugh were Nudge and Niko.

"The boy tells the truth," Nudge assured them. The others stopped laughing instantly.

"… H-how?" They asked confused.

"He tells the truth, I have seen them kissing and doing other "things" in the most remote places on the beach," Nudge confessed very seriously.

If Link had been more animated, he would have thrown himself on the pirate for spying on her and Tetra.

"Well, apparently I was right," Niko said very happily.

"How dare you taint the captain, damn worm?!" The old Mako exclaimed furiously.

"Huh?" Link replied arching an eyebrow. Maybe he should have shut up, but in those moments nothing mattered to him. "After all that we have done we are both equally tainted."

"I kill him!" Roared Gonzo and Mako at the same time.

Both pirates had to be held by their companions to avoid the death of the young Hero.

"My goodness, how many new stories I'm going to get out of all this," Niko thought excitedly.

"Earthworm, beast!" Gonzo and Mako shouted as they struggled with their captors.

"Language!" Senza exclaimed in shock as she hit them both in the head, instantly reassuring them. "Link, sweetheart, I think you should relax a little and think before you speak. Being so straightforward it isn't your style.

"Leave me alone," Link replied annoyed. Having style was the last thing he wanted in that moment.

"You should listen to Senza, Link," said a strong female voice.

"Captain Tetra!" Exclaimed her surprised crew when they saw her on the ship.

Link looked up and saw the moonlight reflect on his dark skin, giving it a magical touch. His athletic body and his fierce but at the same time kind face, reflected a strong teenage tan in a thousand battles. At times like that Link could not believe that he had broken with such beauty. He felt more stupid than ever.

"Guys, come here right now," Tetra ordered her men. "We need to talk."

Her crew formed a ccircle around her and listened very carefully to her words. Link couldn't hear anything they said from his position, so he waited for them to finish.

"Now get out of here and fulfill my order, freshwater sailors," Tetra ordered aloud. Gonzo and old Mako didn't seem very happy with whatever Tetra had ordered them.

"B-but, captain ..." The old Mako began to protest.

"Haven't you heard me?" Tetra said in a low tone. Her crew rushed out of there. Everyone knew very well how Tetra was when she got angry.

Link, seeing her so authoritarian and with that aura of leadership, felt that he fell more in love with her.

"Tch ... Stop thinking about that, you and she have broken… Right?" he reminded himself with pain and regret.

"Link ..." Tetra said when she was close to him. "I ... I want to apologize."

"W-what?"

"Are you going to make me repeat it?" Tetra asked annoyed. "I told you I'm sorry. I'm sorry I was afraid, I'm sorry I didn't tell you clearly that I love you and I'm sorry I hurt you."

For the first time in that day, Link was able to smile sincerely. Link took her hands and stared into her eyes.

"Tetra, I know you are very proud. The fact that you came here to apologize speaks a lot about your feelings for me."

Tetra simply blushed. Link thought she was very adorable.

"I must also apologize," Link confessed.

"Why?"

"For not being a better boyfriend," he said, surprising her a little. "Since we arrived here, you have barely had time for yourself. There are so many things to do and so many people to talk to ... I haven't been able to support you enough."

"I think you're wrong about that," the pirate captain laughed softly. "If it weren't for you, I would have already killed several men around here or gone crazy. You help me keep my feet on the ground."

"And you help me to see that the world is more complicated than I thought. You help me understand that sometimes you have to make sacrifices in order to create a better future,"said Link, smiling even more.

"But I don't want to sacrifice what you and I have," Tetra confessed. "I want us to be together in whatever the future may hold."

"Do you say it because of that evil presence you sometimes feel?" Link asked worriedly.

Tetra nodded.

"I don't know what or who he is, but what I know is that we need to be together in order to beat him," Tetra said very seriously. "But don't think that is why I love you by my side."

"I know," Link said softly. "The truth is that deep down I'm still a kid. Instead of trying to break up with you, I should have stayed to speak more sincerely."

"..."

They were very close to each other. Their lips touched, giving a sweet caress that became a passionate kiss. Very soon the hands of both were carresing their bodies.

"Brother, little brother! They say that Tetra and you are boyfriends, is it tru-?"

The two quickly separated and looked in the direction from which the female voice came. Aryll, Link's little sister, was looking at them with her mouth open.

" ... I see what Nudge has told me is true," she said after a while of awkward silence. "I-I better leave you alone."

Aryll left from there in a hurry, leaving Link and Tetra very embarrassed on the ship.

"W-what was that?" Link asked somewhat confused.

"You see…" Tetra scratched her head as she thought about how to tell Link the truth. "I have asked my men to tell everyone that you and I are together. I want it to be clear that I am not afraid of anyone or what they will say."

Link opened his eyes wide as he heard that.

"Do you ... do you think it's wrong?" Tetra asked with some shyness.

A wide smile formed on Link's face as he took Tetra in his arms and spun with her across the ship's deck.

"H-hey, get me down!" She exclaimed, surprised. "I'm still your captain!

"And the most wonderful pirate girlfriend in the world," Link added with a laugh.

Spirit Tracks

"Listen very carefully the story of a hero with great courage, my children.

A long time ago, a powerful demon terrorized these beautiful lands. However, the benevolent Spirits of Good used their sacred powers to seal that evil. For this, they created the tracks that we use today to move from one place to another.

A century later, a pirate princess and a hero, chosen by the goddesses, arrived in these lands and named them New Hyrule. Little did they know that under their feet was the demon king: Malladus.

Another century later a young engineer was chosen by our princess to prevent the release of Malladus. But would you believe if I tell you, that Princess Zelda was killed by an evil chancellor? Yes, I couldn't believe it either, but it's true.

But not even death could stop our princess. Her spirit accompanied the young new hero throughout New Hyrule. Together they faced asassins, monsters, demons and black magic.

During the final battle, the princess recovered her body and with the help of the new hero, they destroyed Malladus and his minions forever. And then, our precious kingdom could finally rest in peace."

And that's how old Niko finished his story. The children around him asked him to keep telling what happened next, but Niko just smiled and shook his head.

"If you want to know more, you should ask the princess or the grren hero who always accompanies her," he suggested to the children. "Just do not expect much conversation, the poor is not very talkative."

ooOoo

Link had not stopped talking all day. Overflowing joy on all four sides. Zelda understood him, for Link being named a Royal Knight was a dream come true.

Never in the short history of New Hyrule had anyone so young reached such a position, was unheard of and almost inconceivable. Zelda liked the changes that implied good things, it meant that the world kept moving forward and in the right direction.

"The ceremony will be in a week, don't you think you should rest a little?" She asked worriedly.

"No, I promised you that I would take you a few days to the beach and that is what I am going to do." Link replied very cheerfully. The two went together on the Train of the Gods, which was being directed by Alfonzo.

In the other wagons there were several elite soldiers with the mission of protecting the princess from any danger. Zelda had said that this was unnecessary because he had Link and Alfonzo as protectors, yet his father had insisted, rather ordered, that she was escorted.

Five years had passed since they defeated Malladus and his minion Cole. The tracks had been restored, and communications between cities and towns had returned to normal. Her kingdom was happy and prosperous, what more could she ask for?

"Alfonzo, plea-" Link asked in a somewhat childish tone.

"Don't even say it," Alfonzo replied. "If you want to touch this beauty you must resign your position as a knight and be an engineer again. Also, isn't it enough for you to steal the train four times a month? "

"Tch ..."

Zelda chuckled as she remembered the game she and Link had long devised. When Zelda got bored of the palace routine, the two made an escape to the workshop that Alfonzo had built near the Citadel. There, they "stole" the Train of the Gods and went for a walk with him.

At first Alfonzo was very angry and set traps and guards, but it never worked. Besides that, if the princess wanted, she could order him to leave the train. Even so she never did. Luckily the king did not give much importance to that mischief.

Zelda then looked at Link and a feeling of sadness invaded her heart.

"Zelda, is something wrong?" Link asked when he saw her down.

"Link, why did you become a knight instead of a engineer?"

"To be able to be stronger ... and be closer to you" the latter said it in a low voice as he turned red like a tomato.

"I assumed it," said Zelda, sighing. "Have you never regretted that decision? I know how much you like the trains."

"Sometimes you have to make sacrifices for the people you love," Link said, smiling as he took her hand. "Besides, being a knight isn't that bad. It allows me to see the most beautiful princess in New Hyrule every day."

This time it was Zelda's turn to blush.

"Well, you're Hyrule's most flattering boyfriend."

The two laughed and hugged each other. Just when they were going to kiss Alfonzo interrupted them.

"Those hands," he warned. "I don't want any cuddles, kisses or caresses on my train, understand?"

"Tch ... Party pooper." Link said quietly while Zelda just laughed.

After arriving in Papuchia Village, both Link and Zelda went straight to the beach once they had taken everything they needed.

"These kids ..." Alfonzo commented when he and the soldiers were left with the task of taking all the luggage to the hotel.

ooOoo

"This place is as beautiful as I remembered." Zelda said, seeing the white clouds, the waves of the crystalline sea and the evening sky combined, forming a beautiful image before her eyes.

"Old Niko always says that he and the rest of the founders landed in this area a hundred years ago," Link said.

"That's true," Zelda said. "I have always been told that my grandmother Tetra was a pirate captain, who lived many adventures before arriving here and founding New Hyrule."

"I wonder what the original Hyrule would be like," Link said thoughtfully. "In the books you have lent me, it says that there were many strange races and also that almost everyone used magic."

"Some books may exaggerate the truth, we will never know for sure," Zelda said. "By the way, one day I have to introduce you to my new secretary. She has been with me for two months now. "

"Who is it?" Link asked with interest.

"It's called Impa and apparently it's the last of a race that used to live in the old Hyrule," Zelda said excitedly. "She knows many things and moves around places as if she were a shadow. I'm sure you'll like her. "

After a short talk the two decided to bathe and then play in the sand. They felt like little children again. Moreover, they came to play with several children, who were excited to meet the princess of the kingdom.

Then they went to the hotel and bought some ice cream at a store run by Linebeck III.

"But didn't you trade with train parts?" Link asked stunned to see him there.

"Yeah, nut it never hurts to have more than one business, kid," Linebeck III assured him. "Especially when you must leave the former quickly to avoid the anger of people to whom you owe money, a lot of money."

Suddenly, a small rodent came out from under the tent and Zelda jumped so big that Link thought he was going to reach the ceiling.

"A-a-a-a-an m-m-m-mouse!" Screamed the frightened princess as she sought Link's protection.

"Hum, now I understand why cheese ice cream always disappeared," commented Linebeck III.

ooOoo

"You know, I would have liked to meet my grandparents," Zelda said suddenly while eating ice cream.

"Didn't you meet them?" Link asked.

Zelda shook her head.

"My grandfather died fighting Malladus's minions, who wanted to free him during that time. He prevented that demon from breaking his seal early. He was a great hero in both the old and the new Hyrule," said Zelda sadly. "Dad says that grandmother was a strong and intimidating woman but with a big heart. She didn't allow anything or anyone to disturb the peace of her kingdom."

"She seems a little hard." Commented Link with a smile.

"Apparently my grandfather was the only one able to postpone her anger," laughed Zelda. "However, she was never the same since she became a widow. According to Dad, it was as if he had lost all the desire to live. "

Link put a hand on Zelda's shoulder.

"She died just the day I was born ..." Zelda commented. "The happiest day of New Hyrule was indeed the saddest. One day you will discover that everything was your fault. That's what Cole used to repeat me constantly when we were alone."

Link frowned at the mention of that odious chancellor.

"-You shouldn't listen to the words of a demon."

"A political demon," Zelda repeated. "How redundant."

"Right?"

The two laughed until their guts hurt. When they calmed down, the sad expression returned to Zelda's face.

"But he was right."

"What?" Link asked confused.

"My grandmother's death was my fault," Zelda explained. "My magical power is so great because ... as I have seen in my grandmother's books ... I am the incarnation of a goddess of old Hyrule named Hylia. And my grandmother was too. When she died, she reincarnated in me. "

"Zelda…"

"I know it may seem crazy but it's the truth, Link," said Zelda very seriously. There was nothing in her face that led Link to think she was lying, so he nodded, implying that he wanted to keep listening to her.

That was when Zelda told him about the Gold Goddesses, Hylia, the Triforce, a chosen Hero named Link, ... All taken from the private library of the royal family.

Some stories were not complete and others had "plot holes" but Link listened to all those stories very carefully. When Zelda finished, it was already very dark.

"What do you think?" Zelda asked a little scared. She was afraid that Link would consider her crazy and no longer wanted to be her boyfriend.

"Ok, I believe you," Link said after several seconds of silence. "After the adventure we lived, it would be very silly of me not to believe that there is a certain truth behind what you have told me. Even so, I don't care if you and I are the reincarnations of beings that existed hundreds or millions of years ago. For me you are Zelda, unique and unrepeatable. You are not your grandmother or Hylia, just the most intelligent, kind and beautiful princess in the whole kingdom."

Link caught Zelda's hands in his and looked into her eyes. Zelda's cheeks turned red and her breathing increased considerably.

"You aren't to blame for anything and much less for being born. If you hadn't been born we would never have had the opportunity to be together. "

Tears of happiness began to sprout from Zelda's eyes. What had she done to deserve to have someone so wonderful as a boyfriend? She was very glad she could share her biggest secret with him. And on top of that, he hadn't considered her a mad woman.

"For me you are also unique and irreplaceable. I don't regret being born and having met you," said Zelda gently and affectionately. "I don't care if you're the reincarnation of a chosen hero or my grandfather.

"-You could have saved that last one, it sounded really…"

"Disturbing?"

"Yeah!"

"…You're right, forget that last."

The two laughed again and then slowly approached to join their lips in a soft but loving kiss. A kiss that gradually escalated in intensity, to the point where they let their tongues begin a combat dance for predominance, until they heard someone coughing.

The two quickly separated and looked up. What they saw was Alfonzo's face full of anger. The veins of his head and arms seemed about to explode.

"Idiot!" He shouted at Link. "How dare you kiss the princess like that and in the middle of a hotel?!"

"I'm sorry!" Link shouted scared as he fled from his former teacher.

Zelda could only laugh at the sight of Alfonzo chasing Link throughout the hotel, ready to beat him up.

Zelda didn't know what her future would be like from now on, she didn't know if she would have to face some unknown evil or if she could be a good queen in the future. I wasn't even sure who it really was. The only thing she did know was that the day she asked a young hero for help was the day a new world opened before her eyes.

"Link, I hope you and I can forge a good future together for New Hyrule," the princess whispered.