Disclaimer: I don't own the rights of The Legend of Zelda
A/N: I'm sorry I deleted this chapter before, but when I first published it, it had too many mistakes because I was too tired and I was careless. I think it's better now. I am sorry for the possible problems caused.
Chapter 5: Fallen Timeline
A Link to the Past / Link's Awakening
Under the watchful eye of the Hero was the evil priest of darkness, Agahnim. The Hero had come too far to give up now.
"Aha ... Link, I've been waiting for you! Heh, heh, he ... I was hoping I could make Zelda disappear in front of your eyes. Here's the last moment of Princess Zelda!"
"Don't do it!" Link roared when he saw how the villain directed his dark magic towards princess Zelda, who in her weakened state couldn't do anything to avoid it.
"Link ..." was the last thing the princess said before fading into the shadows.
Although Link had met her a few days ago, he felt a strange connection with her. Now that connection was completely lost. All because of Agahnim.
"Ju, ju, ju ... You're too late Hero," Agahnim scoffed. "Now with the seven maidens imprisoned in the Dark World, my plan can no longer be stopped. Not even the legendary warrior in green robes can do anything against me."
Link didn't listen to him, he only had one thing in mind, to avenge Hyrule and all those who had suffered under the evil of Agahnim.
"You're going to pay with your life for what you've done," Link said very seriously as he raised the Master sword, which for some strange reason seemed heavier.
"That's ... let the darkness fill your soul," Agahnim advised maliciously. "Only then can you beat me. Use your anger, use your hate, they are the only weapons you can count on right now."
The battle was tougher than Link imagined. The priest of darkness didn't hesitate to disappear and appear continuously, and also attacked with electric balls that the young hero returned as he could.
Link's anger increased at times when he was unable to hit his hated enemy. That the weight of the Master Sword continue to increase every second doesn't help at all.
"Link... Link..."
The hero looked up. Time seemed to have stopped completely. Nothing and nobody moved except him. Even Agahnim was still frozen in his fighting stance.
To his surprise, before him was the translucent figure of Princess Zelda. The young princess didn't seem to be suffering because her face was of absolute calm.
"P-Princess Zelda?" Link muttered confused. Where did her voice and figure come from if he was no longer in this world?
"Don't let darkness dominate your heart, Link," Zelda begged. "You are the hero that Hyrule needs so much. Hate and vengeance will not destroy Agahnim's sins. You have a very big heart, promise me you will not let anyone take it away from you."
Link looked at her without believing what she was asking. Letting go of his hatred against that evil was almost unthinkable. Anger was what gave him strength to continue fighting.
Link was going to explain all that to her, but when he saw her crystalline and pure gaze something lit up in his heart, burning the darkness that tried to nest in him.
"I promise, your highness," the words came out of Link's mouth before he understood what he was doing. And for some reason, that didn't bother him.
Zelda smiled and then Link noticed with surprise how the Master Sword became incredibly light. Now he was prepared to fulfill his destiny. Although deep down, he kept wondering what the strange effect the princess had on him.
ooOoo
Link and Zelda had defeated Ganon. The Triforce had rejected all the evils of Agahnim and peace reigned in Hyrule. Even so, Link couldn't forget the last words of his parent's murderer, who had been betrayed and killed by his master Ganon.
"I-I ... w-wanted power," a dying Agahnim had whispered. "Y-your parents ... they knew how to see the darkness that began to surround my heart. They should have killed me, but they loved me like a brother ... T-they tried to convince me to escape Ganon's influence but the power blinded me and I ended up betraying them..."
"… Do you regret doing it?" Link asked as he clenched his fists tightly. Zelda put a hand on his shoulder to reassure him.
"Yes," Agahnim replied with tears in his eyes. "I wish I had been stronger... Please, promise me that you will defeat Ganon ... Don't let that demon get the Triforce ... Don't let the hearts of weak people like me darken..."
"I promise," Link replied firmly.
"I'm glad you are just like your parents... Link," with those words Agahnim's previously corrupt soul left his body. Meanwhile, Link and Zelda were preparing for the final battle.
"Are you all right?" The princess asked the Hero, seeing that he dried the tears from his eyes.
"I will be, when we have defeated Ganon, your highness."
"I know we can do it," said Zelda. She put her hand on Link's and looked him straight in the eye. "You have been tempted many times by evil, you have known anger and the desire for revenge and yet you have moved on without becoming what you sought to destroy. You are someone more than worthy of admiration."
"I have only done what I should, your highness," he replied, somewhat embarrassed by the princess's words.
"Zelda."
"What?"
"You can call me Zelda, because you and I are no longer unknown and have gone through too many things to treat us with such formality," said the princess with a tender smile on her face.
"B-but I don't ..." seeing the sad look of Zelda, the young man rectified and decided to fulfill his wish. "Okay, Zelda."
Link would never forget how everything around him brightened when he contemplated the wide and cheerful smile of that wonderful young woman.
ooOoo
Several years later…
"Dad, dad, wake up!" A boy and a girl shouted in his sleepy father's ear.
The king of Hyrule opened his eyes and saw that he had fallen asleep under his favourite apple tree. At his side were his children, "the terrible dynamic duo" is what everyone called them in the castle because of all the pranks they did.
The king never scolded them because he was equal to or more childish than they were, so the queen was forced to be the only adult in the place when someone had to stop them.
"What's the matter, little ones?" Said the king, taking both twins with his strong arms.
"You promised us you would tell us a story today," said the girl.
"But you fell asleep," the boy scolded, "again."
"You are right, I have been very bad," the king admitted, pretending to be very disappointed in himself. "Why don't we all go with mom and so she also hears this story?"
"Yes, yes, yes, yes!" The children exclaimed with great enthusiasm when they heard his suggestion. Link looked at them and stroked their heads tenderly. Marin and Tarin were the best thing that could have happened in his life.
"What were you dreaming about, Dad?" Marin asked curiously.
"Dreaming?"
"Yes, you seemed very happy."
"Hmm ... If I'm honest, it was a dream that became prettier in the end," the king confessed with a smile. "But when I woke up I found something much better."
"With what?" Their children asked curiously and enthusiastically.
"With two little imps, of course!" He exclaimed as he hugged them tightly. His children laughed and tried to escape him, but the effort was in vain, they ended up full of kisses for all their little bodies.
ooOoo
"I see you have finally decided to return," said Queen Zelda when she saw her family in the throne room. The children ran to her and hugged her. The anger of the queen vanished immediately at the tenderness of her offspring.
"Dad said he's going to tell us all a story," the children informed her.
"I didn't know you were a storyteller now," Zelda said raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, it seems that I am a whole box of surprises," he said as he leaned down to kiss his wife.
"I have that very clear," she said, immediately corresponding to his kisses.
"Ugh," his children said when they saw their parent.
Both adults laughed and then all addressed the four of the children. There, Marin and Tarin sat on their mother's lap while the king began their story.
ooOoo
Long ago, a young Hero left Hyrule to become stronger, and be able to defeat a bad future that would ravage his beloved kingdom. The Hero knew that the trip would be hard, but it was necessary if he wanted to fulfill his destiny.
The Hero toured the seven seas, until he encountered a severe storm and was shipwrecked on a mysterious island. On that island he was assisted by a young woman and her father, two people of great heart who welcomed him in their house until he recovered from his injuries. They even showed him the island and presented it to the rest of the inhabitants.
It was on one of those days, when the Hero was visited by a strange owl who asked for his help to awaken the god of the island from his deep sleep. For this, the Hero needed the eight Instruments of the Sirens, which were in very dangerous places. But waking up the god of the island would be the only way to return to Hyrule, along with his beloved.
Even so, things were not so simple. An evil being called DethI was creating nightmares, creatures of darkness that became people's greatest fears. Even so, none was a rival for the Hero.
Seeing that the Hero was still successfully collecting the Instruments of the Sirens, DethI decided to disturb his mind by revealing a great secret...The island and all its inhabitants were really a dream created by the island god. If the Hero woke him up, the island would disappear forever.
The Hero didn't want to do it, but he had to get out of there to save his homeland from future dangers. So I made a difficult decision and continued his journey. DethI tried to dissuade the Hero by telling him to think about all the lives he was going to destroy, but the Hero was clear that sometimes you have to make sacrifices. Also, if all that was a dream, the inhabitants were not really alive, right?
After passing many tests, the Hero defeated the evil DethI and woke up the god of the island, making the dream disappear forever among the waves of the sea.
ooOoo
The children had been asleep for a few hours. The king and Zelda sat in the castle garden while they watched the night sky. Both had their hands intertwined and enjoyed each other's company.
"Do you still regret the decision you made, Link?" Zelda asked softly.
"Every day of my life," the king confessed after sighing. "And I know I shouldn't. They were not real ... none of them were."
"Maybe not for the rest of the world, but for you," Zelda said looking fondly into his eyes.
"Worst of all, they reminded me of people I had already met in Hyrule."
"Hmm ... Maybe your subconscious was so strong that it influenced the dream of the Fish of the Wind, that's why they all looked like people you knew," Zelda explained. "After all, you are the former bearer of the Triforce of Valor."
"Maybe"
Zelda looked at him with some sadness. Despite the years Link hadn't lost an iota of that kindness that characterized him. The cruel reality of the world hadn't been able to steal the light that still shone in his eyes. But that didn't stop his heart from being scarred.
Carefully, Zelda took his face in her hands and kissed him slowly and then in a more passionate way. Link didn't take long to react and soon both were sharing their love with a passion that had not diminished over the years.
"And that was for?" He asked laughing when they finally separated.
"So you remember that your life and your family are not a dream," she replied as she stroked his face. "You don't know how glad I was to see you alive after so many years disappeared in the sea."
"The feeling was mutual, I assure you," Link said smiling. "You and the twins are all my life."
"I know, Link."
The two were like that for a long time, hugging each other in silence, until they began to notice the cold in their bodies.
"We'd better go back inside," Zelda suggested. Link nodded and began to walk towards the castle. Suddenly, a white bird flew by and its wings reflected the brightness of the moon for a few seconds. The white bird disappeared as fast as it had appeared.
Link was paralyzed for a few moments, believing that everything had been an illusion since the bird had seemed like a seagull. And there weren't seagulls in that area of Hyrule.
"What have you seen?" Zelda asked curiously to see her husband's nostalgic look.
"Nothing ..." he replied calmly after taking a last look at the sky. "Just a link to my past."
Oracle of Seasons/Oracle of Ages
For centuries Farore, Din and Nayru had watched their sister and her hero through the ages. As their love had been tested again and again while fighting against the forces of evil.
They almost always won, but other times their story had a very unpleasant ending. At times like this they wished they could have done something else, but they knew the rules very well, they themselves had created the majority.
However, when Hyrule's story was divided into several time lines, the Golden Goddesses saw an opportunity to leave behind and for a time, their divine forms and contemplate the world with the same eyes as mortals. After all, Hylia had done the same and hadn't done so badly.
Their mortal forms were weak, limited powers and physiological needs were an annoying addition to all the problems that entailed not being a goddess. Luckily, the three soon got used to it and left for different lands, looking for a way to help Hylia in that new era. It wasn't the first time they did something like that. During the era of the Hero of the Minish, they also acquired more mortal forms that interacted very little with Link and Zelda.
Din was kidnapped by Onox, the dark general of Holodrum. Nayru was owned by Veran, the shadow sorceress of Labrynna. Farore, however, didn't suffer any kind of mishap because she avoided being kidnapped by the Birova sisters, and had a good time on her journey through Hyrule.
After numerous adventures and misadventures, Link's new incarnation saved Din and Nayru and along with Zelda, brought peace to the three countries.
-Goddess of Wisdom / Oracle of Ages-
Every time Nayru saw Zelda, she felt her eyes fill with tears. Even in her mortal form, her sister Hylia maintained her same beauty, bearing, mischief and intelligence. How much I missed her. Maybe I shouldn't have let him get away from her ... No! I shouldn't think that way. What was done was done. Now I had to concentrate on enjoying my time with my sister.
oOo
Princess Zelda was reading in her garden while drinking tea. She had nothing important to do that day because she had made sure of it. Although reading was one of her favorite hobbies, she wasn't able to concentrate cause she was impatient for the arrival of a certain person.
"Good morning, princess of destiny," Nayru greeted her as soon as she reached the garden. The beautiful young girl with blue hair was wearing a warm smile on her face.
She and Zelda had immediately agreed upon meeting three years ago, when evil forces tried to resurrect Ganon.
The Oracle of Ages and she shared a taste for riddles and puzzles, both loved playing the harp and reading books that expanded their knowledge or that simply allowed them to escape from the real world for a while.
"I'm glad to see that your trip from Labrynna has been without incident," Zelda commented as they both had tea.
"I owe it all to my good friend Ralph," Nayru assured her. "He is always taking care of me. He is a very good person despite being somewhat clumsy and overprotective."
"It reminds me a lot of Link," Zelda said with a chuckle. "Above all, in the overprotective part."
Nayru didn't overlook Zelda's affectionate gaze when speaking of the Hero
"I have the feeling that your relationship with the Hero is quite good."
Zelda blushed slightly as she nodded.
"He and I have become quite close."
From what Zelda had told her on other occasions, Link had been chosen as the princess's guardian because of his incredible talent with the sword and his sharp mind. In addition, he was the hero of not one, but three countries.
"Link has taken a while to adapt to the life of the castle, but he never complains and is always willing to help others in any way," Zelda said proudly, after which she giggled. "People sometimes call him the errand boy, but they do it with love."
"And the other nobles see with good eyes that you spend so much time with him?" Nayru asked curiously.
"Honestly, I don't care what that group of stretched and brainless think," Zelda replied. "Link is one of the best things that has happened to me and I don't want to let anything or anyone make me believe otherwise."
Nayru could only laugh at those words. She liked to see that, despite having gone through so many reincarnations, she still retained that internal fire.
"I'm glad to see that your bond is still unbreakable," Nayru whispered.
"What?"
"Nothing, I was just thinking out loud," Nayru replied quickly as she thought of a way to change the subject. "Tell me, don't you have anything to tell me about how life treats you?"
"Life? Better than my father."
Nayru raised an eyebrow at the princess's mood change.
"Really?"
"He thinks I shouldn't meddle so much in politics," Zelda began. Her gaze distilled fire plus her tone was calm. "He says that I should spend more time with my companions rather than training fencing with Link ... And he also thinks that I should think about choosing a worthy husband to be king."
"I see," Nayru said very seriously.
"You ... do you think my father is right?" Zelda asked, staring at her.
"If I'm honest, no," was Nayru's answer. "It seems good to me that you are interested in politics since you are smarter than all those ministers who despise you. As for fencing, it seems very necessary that you know such noble and ancient art, I am sure that your subjects and soldiers will welcome a princess who can defend herself. Never hesitate to make yourself stronger, although for me you already are."
"Do you really think that?" Zelda asked a little flushed. Nayru gave her a supportive smile as she nodded.
"And about choosing a husband, you're still very young and you shouldn't speed things up. When the time comes you will know who is right to reign by your side."
"Nayru," Zelda put a hand on her friend. "Thanks for cheering me up."
"Don't thank me, I've done what any friend would do."
"If you really are my friend, then I want you to treat me in a less formal way."
"B-but princess ..." Nayru said, pretending to be scared at that request. Being closer to her was her biggest dream at the time.
"Please," Zelda pleaded, "I don't want to have to be so formal with my best friend. Unlike my companion ladies, you really care about me."
"Okay, Zelda," she said with a smile. "By the way, what is that rumor I've heard about Link?"
"Rumor?"
"Yes, he seems to have a lover whom no one has seen yet," said Nayru, looking at Zelda's reactions to her words. "You won't know who she is, right?"
"Why would I know?" Zelda asked as she hid her smile and blushed behind her cup of tea. "You shouldn't pay much attention to unsubstantiated rumors. Link spends all day with me or working, he has no time for secret lovers."
"True," Nayru said as she winked at the princess.
-Goddess of Courage/Oracle of Secrets-
Farore was always sure that the boy should be her chosen one. Link was full of insecurities, fears and wasn't sure what to do with his life. However, he overcame all that only to be able to protect and care for his loved ones, his land and his goddess. After observing him for so long, she felt like more than her patron goddess. His joys, sufferings, triumphs and defeats ... she felt them as her own. She had seen him grow and mature so many times that for her, he was like a son ... And in a way he was her son.
oOo
Link walked quietly next to Farore. The mysterious girl with a childlike appearance and green hair used to always wait for him near the Lost Forest.
Once a month they were there to chat and exchange information related to Hyrule's security. Link was one of the few people aware of the existence of the Oracle of Secrets. The others were Zelda, Din and Nayru. The Birova witches were dead, as were Onox and Veran, who had never suspected the existence of a third oracle.
"Surely you don't want to know who Duke Dagianis is cheating on his wife? Or what does the king do at night in his rooms when he is alone? Or what the ladies of the court say about you?"
"The gossip and lives of the nobles don't interest me, Farore," Link repeated for the tenth time to his informant.
"Well, you should," Farore laughed. "These kinds of things are power in the world of nobility, my friend."
"I don't like relying on that kind of power."
"And that ennobles you, Hero of the Oracles," Farore admitted with a small smile surrendering. "Okay, so what do you want to know?"
"Is there something or someone that threatens our kingdom?"
"Peace reigns throughout Hyrule, my friend," Farore said happily. "There are some loose bandits out there and the odd monster, but since you are general of the army both the first and second have been repelled by the soldiers."
"Hum…"
"What about that hum?"
"Everything is going well for the moment, but Hyrule's army has always had the bad reputation of failing at the most important and decisive moments," Link said with a worried gesture. "At least that's what the history books say."
"Well, some books really do," Farore confessed with a nervous laugh as she scratched her head, "but you have to keep in mind that there are many factors that influenced those crushing defeats."
"That's why I want the soldiers to be so strong that the next generations are willing to overcome them," Link said with some more enthusiasm. "That way our descendants will not suffer under the grip of evil."
"Our descendants?" Farore repeated with a mischievous smile on her face. "Do you already know who you want to have descendants with?"
"W-well ... I-I ..." Link was so nervous that he didn't know what to say.
"Maybe there is a beautiful maiden whom you are already courting in secret?"
"..."
"Calm down, your secret is safe with me," Farore said, winking. "Tell me, Link ... Do you love her?"
"More than anything in this world, I'd give my life for her," Link confessed without hesitation.
"Then don't be afraid of anything," Farore said, very serious. "I am sure that your love belongs to those who survive the passage of time. Do not let anything or anyone separate you."
"... Thanks, I will follow your advice," Link said surprised. "... Does anyone else know?"
"No, only me. Although I suppose that very soon you will give him that shiny object that you bought that goron the other day," Farore said. She had a hard time not laughing at the sight of Link's surprise. "When you give it to your maid, I fear that your relationship will no longer be a secret."
Link finally smiled as he gave a small sigh.
"I don't know how you can find out everything," Link said with some admiration for her friend, "will you ever tell me?"
Farore laughed at the question.
"I'm sorry, but it's a secret for everyone."
-Goddess of Power / Oracle of Seasons-
Despite having helped her, Din believed for a long time that Hylia's decision to lose everything to a mortal was stupid. Feeling love for a mortal ... What nonsense! ... Now that she had personally met Link, she could understand his sister. It was impossible not to fall in love with that mortal. A pity she would have realized so late. What she would give to be in her sister's place...
oOo
Din watched, hidden behind a tree, as a young couple exchanged kisses and caresses in a corner of the garden. She had come to Hyrule Castle in the hope of confessing something very important to Link. But when reality came, it hit hard.
Holodrum's dancer watched with some envy as Link took out a ring and asked the question that the princess had been waiting for so long. She saw how they hugged each other while tears of happiness streaked their faces.
"Everything is predestined," Din whispered.
The pain could be felt in her voice. She felt so stupid for believing that during her time at Holodrum, Link would have developed deep feelings for her. Feelings that perhaps exceeded the red ribbon that linked him to another goddess.
The Oracle of the Seasons knew very well that to interpose among them would be to break the oath she made so long ago. No matter if she had finally opened her eyes, the chosen Hero and her sister must be together.
"I've made many mistakes in my long life," Din said sadly. "The biggest was to grant the Triforce of Power to the manifestation of Demise's hatred. I thought I would use my gift to change his evil nature, but it wasn't so. I won't make the mistake of hurting my sister, whom I love so much."
Din smiled. She was so direct and passionate that she didn't tend to meditate very well on her decisions, luckily at that moment she saw a reddish-gold tie linking the hero and princess's wings, which was the definitive sign that made her realize that she was taking the right decision.
"Goodbye, Link ... See you at your wedding ..."
ooOoo
Farore, Din and Nayru watched from afar as young people exchanged oaths of fidelity and eternal love, something not common in a wedding of the nobility.
But the couple weren't ordinary people. Princess Zelda and General Link were just reaffirming something that the oracles themselves knew. That Hylia and her beloved would always be together, one way or another.
"They look very happy," Nayru said, watching the couple kissing as if they were never going to see each other again.
"They'd better be happy," Farore said with a wide smile. "After all the problems we have had to go through so that they always reincarnate in the same era."
"No doubt our little sister is very lucky," Din said, crossing her arms. "He has a husband that many women would kill for."
"Women like you?" Farore laughed.
"S-shut up!" Din roared in embarrassment and with red cheeks.
"For me, Link is the lucky one to have our little sister as a wife," Nayru said.
"Let's leave it in that the two are very lucky," Farore said, not wanting to start an argument.
The three Goddesses/Oracles walked together to the newlyweds to congratulate them and without them knowing it, blessing again the bond of destiny that united their souls.
"Nayru, Din, Farore," Zelda greeted them when she and her now husband were somewhat away from the other guests. "Thank you for coming to our wedding."
"It makes us very happy that you can be on the most important day of our lives," Link said as he held his wife's hand firmly. None of the three oracles had ever seen him with such a wide smile and such bright eyes. No doubt the young man was happy.
Din hid her sadness very well when she saw the hands of both intertwined tightly. Nayru had to wipe away the tears that subtly poured through her blue eyes with a handkerchief and Farore hugged the couple with joy.
"I wish you had the courage to face the difficult mission of marriage," Farore said.
"I wish you have the wisdom to accept your problems and correct them," said Nayru.
"... I wish you have the power to overcome any obstacle that gets in your way," Din said after slapping them on the back.
"And we want the light of the Goddesses to always guide your path," Zelda said with a tender smile.
"Thank you so much for your blessings," Link thanked them.
"No, thanks to you Link, for helping us understand that things are never what they seem," they said at the same time. "We also thank you, Zelda, for being able to see with the soul and not just with the eyes."
Link and Zelda were somewhat confused by those words, but only bowed their heads and smiled. After this everyone, except Farore, returned to the party because the chefs had already brought the huge wedding cake, and the guests were dying to try it.
A Link Between Worlds/Triforce Heroes
"Ravio, after much deliberation, I have decided, for once in my life, to take charge of my destiny," Hilda said very seriously. This time I will not let anyone, not even the council, influence my decision.
"Decision, princess?" Ravio asked somewhat confused. It wasn't common to see Hilda so nervous when she was usually ... dominant. In his eyes that made her more attractive, although he would never say it out loud.
Despite having been courting her for a year, he still didn't know what he could say and what he couldn't. He was very afraid of going through some kind of invisible line and spoiling everything.
Hilda took a breath before releasing the great news.
"Ravio ... do you want to marry me?"
ooOoo
"And what did you say?" Link asked intrigued.
"And what was I going to do? I said yes, of course!" Ravio exclaimed very happily. "I am a coward, but not stupid. Although if I'm honest, I never thought that someone like me and Hilda ... Well, you know. We are childhood friends and since Yuga is gone we have become very close ... But I never thought we would get to this!"
The two friends could chat using mirrors thanks to a Zelda spell. Link watched with some envy as Ravio smiled just like those fools in love that he had seen so many times when walking through the Citadel.
"And tell me, how about you and Zelda?" Ravio asked when he left his reverie.
"What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean."
"No, I don't know," Link replied reluctantly. He crossed his arms implying that he was not going to give in to Ravio's insinuations.
"Well, you and I are "the same" so I deduce that our tastes for women may or should be similar.
"I doubt it," Link snorted. "Zelda is nothing like Hilda."
"True, Hilda is much better."
"Ravio…"
"It's truth!"
"Zelda wasn't about to destroy two kingdoms and didn't invoke the most famous incarnation of evil."
" ... That's too low, dude."
Link decided not to answer. It wasn't the first time they had that kind of discussion and I didn't feel like talking about how Zelda's virtues were superior to Hilda's. Nor did he want to hear Ravio saying otherwise.
"What's the matter with you? You look depressed," Ravio said, somewhat worried when he saw the discouragement on his friend's face.
"... I ..." Link thought it wasn't worth hiding that from Ravio. "Hyrule's advice has finally given me permission to woo Zelda."
"But that's great news! How quiet you were, huh?" Ravio said with a mischievous smile. "Although I do not understand why you're not happier."
"I-it's complicated." Said Link nervously.
"Complicated?" Ravio still didn't understand the attitude of his counterpart.
"I've also received a letter from Hytopia's advice," Link confessed finally. "I am strongly asked to court Princess Styla."
Ravio was speechless. That a commoner was granted the honor of courting not one, but two princesses was something unusual and inconceivable. Lorule's merchant didn't know if he was jealous or sorry for Link.
"... And what are you going to do?" He asked after several minutes of silence.
"I don't know," Link replied sincerely. "Zelda and I... I met her three years ago because of Yuga, but I feel like I've known her for a lifetime. Whenever I am with her, it is as if ... we complement each other."
"And then what is the problem?" For Ravio it was very clear to whom Link should woo.
"I don't want to provoke a war!" Link exclaimed in anguish as he put his hands to his head. "You don't know what the inhabitants of Hytopia are like. They take everything too seriously, especially Styla. Because of a witch she got caught in tight tights, and she never wanted to leave her room anymore! For some damn tights!"
"…Tights…"
"Ravio, stop thinking about Hilda like that," Link advised after seeing his friend's blush.
"How do you know what I'm thinking?!"
"Because I thought the same with Zelda."
Ravio coughed sharply and looked away.
"Well ... I think you shouldn't be afraid to listen to your heart," Lorule's merchant advised. "If it's because of Zelda that you feel something, then don't hesitate. Don't be a coward like me."
"Ravio, you really underestimate yourself. Without you, I wouldn't have been able to beat Yuga and not only Lorule, but Hyrule would have fallen as well," Link said very seriously. "It was thanks to you that Hilda regained her sensibility. Someday you will realize how brave you are."
"If you think you're going to get excited about that speech, you're very wrong," Ravio said as he put on his rabbit mask to keep his tears from seeing.
"Sure, whatever you say," Link mocked amicably. "Thanks for everything, I will follow your advice."
"Don't worry. If a war occurs, I will make sure you have Lorule as an ally."
"You better…"
"Hey, and the two heroes who helped you in Hytopia?" Ravio asked as he remembered what Link told him a while ago.
"Those two" Links "were clones created with magic that Zelda lent me," Link confessed. "If I hadn't taken two more people with me who had the "traits" of a hero they wouldn't have allowed me to save Styla."
"Then I fear that this human princess is going to run out of her Hyliano hero."
ooOoo
Link was in front of his beloved princess. Kneeling and with the head fixed on the floor. Elder Impa had warned her that Zelda wasn't very happy so he had to be careful. As he suspected, he had found her staring at her favourite painting, in which an ancient hero came out hugging a princess.
"Princess ... No, Zelda," he said, looking up. "I'm sorry I doubted and made you wait. For me you are the only princess I would marry and my love for you is immense, however, having doubted I have questioned my love. If you don't want me to court you, I will accept it without any resentment. I just ask for your forgiveness."
Zelda stared at him for a few minutes, minutes that seemed to Link years, until finally a smile appeared on her face. Zelda reached down and took Link's face in her hands. Her bluish eyes indicated that at least she wasn't furious with him.
"Link, of course I forgive you," she said softly. "It is true that I am somewhat hurt because you have considered the offer of the ministers of Hytopia, but I can understand your motives."
"So...?"
"Yes, I accept being courted by you." Zelda barely had time to finish speaking because Link hugged her tightly as he filled her face with kisses and said words of thanks to her ear. The young princess laughed as she kissed him back with equal or more fervor. "Even so, you will have to compensate for all these worrying hours."
"I'll do anything you ask, my princess," Link said immediately.
"You are going to send a letter to Styla and the ministers of Hytopia telling them your reasons for rejecting their offer."
"W-but that would not be better if you did it?" Link asked, turning a little pale.
"No, my dear hero," Zelda replied with a mischievous smile on her face, "you better get used to doing this kind of thing if you ever want to be my prince consort."
"O-of course..."
In order not to leave him with a bad taste in his mouth, Zelda kissed him again and this time with more passion. The words that Link whispered would have made Impa faint, luckily only they were there.
ooOoo
"Did Link really tell you all that?" Hilda asked curiously and why deny it, some emotion.
"Yes, he seemed so sorry that I couldn't tell him anything I planned," said Zelda, whose anger at Link had completely vanished.
"You must impose yourself more," Hilda advised. "You have to make it clear that you are the one who takes the lead in the relationship."
"Hilda, relationships are based on love, respect and equality," Zelda quarreled. "The two sides carry the lead."
"You're too kind," Hilda sighed. "Even so, he will be responsible for his actions."
"Maybe I should help him with the letter," Zelda said thoughtfully.
"No! As you said, it is better if he get used to these kinds of things."
Zelda gave a small sigh.
"True ... And how is your relationship with Ravio?"
"Very good!" Said Hilda with excessive joy. "So good that I still can't believe it."
"Why?"
"That someone like me, who has made so many mistakes, can be happy and that a person as good as Ravio loves me ..." Hilda couldn't finish because painful memories assaulted her mind. "It seems so surreal. No matter how many times I was mean to him, he always forgave me and tried to help me ... in his own way."
"Because that's what you do for the people you love," Zelda told him. "You are with them and you help them not to go into the wrong way. Hilda, you promised me you wouldn't doubt yourself again. You are a good regent and together with Ravio you will make Lorule great again."
Hilda was silent for a few moments, processing her friend's words.
"... You are one of the few people who don't doubt me, Zelda. In moments like this I can see why Link loves you. You have a heart too big."
Zelda blushed slightly.
"Hilda, what I have is wonderful people by my side who have taught me to value the important things in life. You and Ravio are going to be very happy if you keep supporting each other."
"Thank you, princess of Hyrule," said Hilda with a smile. "I wish you and Link a happy life as future monarchs, never stop having such brilliant souls."
"Thank you, princess of Lorule."
The Legend of Zelda/Link's Adventure
My life was complicated. Since I was a child, I just wanted to go to a land full of abundance. A land in which I could live in peace. But you didn't let me.
I didn't know you, but there was always something in me that made me look for you. Maybe that's why I went to dark lands, maybe that's why I walked tirelessly, wondering why? Why were you pulling my soul, forcing me to be an adventurer who doesn't know why he seeks adventure?
I didn't know the answer to that question, but I never cared, because an immense happiness invaded me when I thought of you, despite not knowing you.
The goddesses have a curious way of working, because who would imagine that an old woman in the middle of the road would lead me to you.
The poor woman was hurt and being attacked by monsters, but they were no problem for me and my sword. That old woman, Impa, was the one who told me about you.
"You must save her," she told me with tears in her eyes. "You must save the legendary princess Zelda, who is said to be the reincarnation of Goddess Hylia."
You were a goddess. Now everything made sense. Or so I wanted to believe, because what matters could a goddess have with someone as simple as me? I wasn't a prince, nor a rich man. I hadn't done any great feat either. So why did I want to be by your side?
"Find the eight pieces of the Triforce of Wisdom, which are hidden in secret dungeons. Then kill the demon Ganon and return the peace to Hyrule…" were Impa's last words before leaving me alone in the middle of the road.
At times like that, I wished I had stayed home.
Saving a princess was a mission for powerful knights, but killing the demon Ganon? Restore the Triforce of wisdom? Save Hyrule?
Why did I decide to accept? I believe i know it. For you, it is always for you.
ooOoo
"It's dangerous to go alone, take this." That was what the strange old man in the cave told me, after giving me a sword.
But I am not alone. I've never been, or at least that's what I felt in those moments.
I reached the castle. I killed Ganon and saved you ... or so I believed. But she wasn't you. It seemed, but it was only a clone created from dark magic.
A hoax to avoid wars for the throne when Ganon killed the royal family. A hoax, so the people of Hyrule didn't dare to rebel against Ganon. A hoax Impa used…for the peace of Hyrule.
That thing gave me chills every time I looked at it. Seeing a pale reflection of you made my soul ache. And Impa knew it, but said nothing, knowing that I was not ready yet.
A year had to pass for Impa to end my suffering.
"In the Castle of the North, that is where the true princess Zelda lives, who is in deep sleep for centuries."
Centuries? How long have you been suffering? My blood boils every time I think about it.
"Why is she in an eternal dream, you ask me?" Said Impa. "Let me tell you an ancient legend."
Apparently her older brother was a sadistic and distrustful tyrant who only craved the power of the full Triforce. But Princess Zelda refused to tell her the location of the Triforce of Courage. Tired of hearing the princess's excuses, the prince asked a wizard to question her.
The wizard had been an advisor to the former king and his powers were undoubtedly immense. Only some knew of his insane taste for black magic. Princess Zelda suspected that her brother's violent attitude was due to this wizard's bad influence.
Zelda / Hylia's mind was too powerful so the wizard failed in his endeavour. Despite his continuing threats, Zelda remained impassive and even rejected the wizard's magic. The enraged wizard used his most powerful spell and plunged her into an eternal dream.
But the spell was too much and the wizard died instantly. However, his death reached the ears of Ganon, his lord and leader of a sect that sought to conquer Hyrule.
The prince felt guilty about his sister's condition. Not being under the spell of the wizard, he regained his sanity and moved his sister to the tower of the North Castle, hoping that one day she would wake up. In addition, the prince decreed that every girl born in the Royal Family of Hyrule would be named Zelda. That way, he would always remember his sister.
After revealing your story to me, Impa gave me a chest with six crystals and ancient writings. With them, I would have to travel through Hyrule and open the way to the Grand Palace, where the Triforce of Courage was.
I could finally see you. I could finally meet you. Cults, monsters, my own fears and insecurities, my inner darkness ... Nothing could stop my sword. Nothing could prevent me from reaching you.
You were beautiful. Even asleep. I couldn't help kissing you. Maybe I did wrong, maybe not. I only know that kissing you made my soul ascend to the heavens. I had never felt anything like that.
Your beautiful blue eyes watched me with surprise and joy. Surprise I can understand, but joy? Why? I only know, that when I saw your soul, my whole world was completed. I finally knew you, I finally remembered you.
"Link." That was your first word, uttered by a soft voice that pierced my whole being. "You have finally come back to me."