Link came to a stop on Meadow the moment that Vah Ruta came into view on the path they traveled to Zora's Domain. The Beast stood on the top of the pointed cliff, still facing Hyrule Castle. He had to crane his neck up from where he was to get a good look at it, the cliffs and trees surrounding the winding route to Zora territory placing him at a disadvantage.
He wondered, would there be new Champions to move the Beasts eventually? They served for a singular purpose, a Divine one, but now they were little more than statues. Maybe they would sit unused and eventually be forgotten just like last time. He thought to the Master Sword still strapped to his back and wondered if that too would be a relic forgotten until it was needed.
He imagined standing on a balcony from the castle years later and looking out to see the Divine Beasts, still poised and ready to help him defeat Ganon, a testament to the struggle they all faced. A relic of the past.
A whinny from Royal, the white horse he found and tamed that looked nearly identical to Zelda's mount from before, got his attention and he looked to see Zelda coming to a halt by his side. He thought it was important to introduce the two of them at long last, now more than ever. Meeting with the other races, not as an individual but as a member of royalty, putting her best foot forward was important.
"I forget how tiring long rides can be," Zelda sighed. "Thanks for stopping… oh." He watched as her line of sight moved up to the Divine Beast. "Huh."
He looked at her puzzled, though it didn't affect much as she wasn't looking at him. He waved his hand for her attention so he could ask, "What are you thinking?"
"Well, Vah Ruta generates water, correct?" She asked it as a question, but he knew that she knew the answer. "What if we could find a new…"
A new Champion. Even though he had just been thinking about the same thing, he understood her hesitance. Even though the Champions they once knew had been gone for a long time, it still probably felt fresh to her. Him too, if he was being honest. He only recalled them in a few memories, but the ones he remembered, they were good. Not to mention the fact that they helped him take down Ganon in the end anyways, temporarily gifting him their powers as well as piloting the Beasts from beyond.
"It's okay," he signed, trying his best to be comforting. "We don't have to talk about that now."
She looked thankful and gave him a nod, and they rode the rest of the way to Zora's Domain in relative silence, Vah Ruta's shadow following them as a reminder it was still there.
"It's almost as I remember it," she murmured as they reached the first bridge, the one high up that functioned as a near scenic view of the Zora's home. Link felt the now familiar pang of jealousy when he heard her talk about the past, wishing he could remember it the same as she could.
"It looks like they downsized the Hylian friendly space," Zelda continued. Then she turned to look at Link. "But that makes sense. Hopefully, they still have a few beds- not that I mind camping out. I'm starting to enjoy it, actually."
She wasn't being entirely honest, but he knew she was just trying to put on a good face about the whole thing.
Sidon must have seen them coming or been making his usual princely rounds because he met them at the start of the last bridge. He practically ran to them, arms outstretched, nearly as tall as his horse, as-
"Link, my friend!" Sidon greeted him, which included wrapping his arms around Link and pulling him off the saddle of his horse. He yelped in the commotion, the sound louder and higher pitched than he would've liked. His legs dangled in the air, not able to meet the ground with how high Sidon was still holding him.
Behind him, he heard Zelda giggle. "Prince Sidon, you've grown," she said through her giggles, which only continued to grow as Sidon moved from a hug to simply holding Link with outstretched arms, his hands hooked under Link's arms. Link watched as Sidon's face turned from glee to confusion at Zelda's giggles turned to laughs.
"You're- you're holding him like- like," she tried to say, her own laughter interrupting her," like he's a grumpy puppy."
Sidon returned to looking at Link with an inspecting eye, and an even bigger smile grew over his face. "You're right!"
Whatever look on Link's face that made them so entertained must have deepened as both of them matched in their laughter as if on cue. Link raised his arms and wiggled out of the grasp of the royal red Zora, landing firmly on his feet.
"How have you been, my friend?" Sidon asked. "And who's your delightful companion?"
Link signed his answer – that he was doing well – to Sidon's visible slight surprise. The tips of Link's ears turned red, knowing Zelda must have picked up on it. He talked verbally with Sidon. It started when Sidon helped him with Vah Ruta, but the man was a very friendly and understanding force of positivity. It was hard not to feel at ease around him. Not that Zelda made him uneasy, just- ah, it didn't matter.
"And this is Princess Zelda," he signed at last. Sidon looked mildly surprised, like he could believe it but just couldn't believe that it was happening now. "We've come to talk to the King."
"Zelda? The Zelda? As in the Princess that saved Link's life?" Sidon asked in rapid response. Then he took Zelda's hand and shook it furiously. It was Link's turn to laugh, the over enthusiastic handshake shaking her entire arm, all the way up to her shoulder. "Ah! Bless you, your quick thinking then helped save us now! Link has been a tremendous help to us in these trying times."
The look on Sidon's face dropped, just slightly. The handshake came to an end, but he still held on to her hand. "But… ah, I must warn you."
"Of what?" Zelda asked, trying to carefully and respectfully pull her hand back. It didn't seem to work, not the way she was going about it, and she looked resigned to sit on Royal with her hand being held in a stale handshake.
"There is a Hylian woman here who has been… well, acting in place of a perceived absent leadership. I tried reasoning with her and my father that since Link has returned to us the same as he was a century ago, then the same could be said of the last Hylian princess." He finally let go of her hand, his head shaking slightly. Disappointed, Link guessed, at himself. "We waited on word of you after the defeat of Ganon but Ayruna, the Hylian woman, pushed for action."
Link waved his hand to get Sidon's attention and then asked, "What does that mean?"
"It means that two weeks ago, the Zora court has recognized Ayruna as the acting leader of Hyrule."
They all let that statement sink in. Link wasn't an expert on Hylian politics, and from what he remembered of being a royal knight and the Princess's personal guard, it wasn't something that he needed to know to begin with. Go there, protect that, take watch. The only difference might be in the where and who. But he couldn't imagine what Sidon said being a good thing.
Zelda pushed on ahead without another word, leaving Link and Sidon behind. They both watched her go, watched as the posted guards talked with her, watched their reactions and how one ran ahead to announce her arrival. Then Sidon turned to Link.
"I know I've already asked you this, but how are you doing?"
Link cleared his throat, but even then his first few words to Sidon came out weak and dry. "I haven't been sleeping well. Being around her… it's bringing a lot back."
"Is that a good or bad thing?"
Link shrugged. "It comes back in pieces- hard to put together. Like when you see someone you know and remember something involving them, but you don't go through your entire history with them. Which…"
"Which is easy when you already remember your history with them," Sidon finished for him. "I wish I could help you. If its sleep that's troubling you, we have people trained in healing and potion making."
Link nodded as an answer. He wasn't sure he wanted to take something to help him sleep if it meant being unable to escape an unpleasant memory in his dreams, but maybe at least one full night of sleep would do him some good.
They headed in, Link leading Meadow by the reigns rather than mounting back up again for the short distance. Zelda had apparently left Royal with the one remaining guard at the gate, so he led the both of them to the first pool of water, the statue of Mipha watching over them as the horses took a drink.
Link missed her. He felt that way every time he looked at that statue. The memories of her he had, she was a good person, a good friend. Now he knew that he apparently meant much more to her, the Zora armor in his bag a reminder as much. He didn't remember feeling the same way, but that didn't keep him from missing her, from knowing who she was and what she had done to help him, even after her death.
He no longer felt her healing presence, not since the final battle. While that meant he had to be a little more careful in how he fought, it was becoming more evident that the post-Ganon state of Hyrule needed less fighters and more leaders, more workers to rebuild. Still, he had a place, an important one, at Zelda's side. He took some comfort in that.
After the horses finished drinking, he took them out the northwestern gate and tied their reigns to the nearest tree before heading back. He found Zelda upstairs in an audience with King Dorephan, already some ways through their conversation, if you could call it that.
"I mean not to insult your decision, but my priorities in aiding Hyrule did not start in diplomatic formalities. There is no precedent for this kind of situation, and I started by visiting the small pockets of my surviving people. I have gained the support of two major communities and already begun reconstruction efforts in Hateno region. I beg of you to retract your acknowledgment," Zelda said. Link, for one of the first times in his memory, found he couldn't read her expression. She wore her feelings on her sleeve, but whether she was feeling sad or mad or betrayed, he couldn't tell. Maybe all three.
"Young Princess, I maintain that my decision was done using the knowledge we had at the time. The Lady Ayruna was asking for the kind of help we provided to your kingdom's nobility and appointed officials. As you said, we have little in our recorded history for situations like these and how to proceed." The king of the Zora paused, tapping at his chin. "Perhaps you should talk with Lady Ayruna and ask her to relinquish her claim. She does not come at this alone or without a plan. She has people she has been working with to rebuild Hyrule, same as you."
At this point, Link could tell Zelda was just barely keeping her anger in check, her fists clenched, her brows drawn, the way she stood not on the balls of her feet but on her toes, like she was ready to move at a moment's notice.
"If I was dead or unable to perform my duties, this might be considered legal, but I have not died and I am still the crown princess. With my father-" she choked up a bit, but carried on without missing a step, "- with my father dead, that makes me the acting reagent."
Link was off to the side still, just barely on the top of the stairs that led up to the throne room, so he was able to spot the Hylian woman that climbed the opposing set of stairs: dark brown hair, nearly black that was pulled up in a loose bun, strands of hair poking out this way and that like she had been working just a moment ago. She looked about a few years older than Zelda and himself – early twenties if he had to guess. She had sharp brown eyes and sun tanned skin spotted with endless freckles.
She looked familiar, but he couldn't place where. As she took the last step to reach the platform, she locked eyes with him and smiled, the turn of her lips not forced, not a pleasantry. But she didn't linger on him for long, turning into the chamber with a remark already ready on her tongue.
"Princess, if I may," she said, greeting Zelda with a bow, one hand tucked towards her stomach while the other was outstretched, leaning forward as her right foot slid behind the other. "By your own words, 'if you are unable to perform your duty' sounds like it may apply to the century you were battling with the calamity to keep it contained. Even in times of war, duties are relegated if the acting reagent is on the front lines with their generals and knights." The woman shot Link a look, as if she was trying to pull some meaning from his presence.
Zelda saw him then, following the woman's line of sight to him. He wasn't sure what he should be doing, if she wanted him by her side during this, but he did see in Zelda's eyes the look of desperation she gave to him. She needed help but he didn't know how to give it to her.
"You've just come out of a stressful ordeal. I know the people, I know the land, and I know how to help them. I appreciate the work you've put into rebuilding Hyrule thus far, but I already have several systems in place for rebuilding Hyrule. You could let me take the reins for a while you acclimate to life now. I'm sure a century away from your people has left you… out of touch with some of our modern troubles."
Zelda's face started to turn red.
"Oh, I apologize. I don't believe I've properly introduced myself. I am Ayruna of the Wastelands, your highness. It's an honor to meet you- and thank you. Without you-" A pause, then a gesture from Zelda to Link. "Without the both of you, rebuilding would be impossible."
Then, as though an idea just occurred to her, she turned back to Link and said, "Actually, we could still use your service. I've heard stories of your prowess, and we still have many monsters stalking the roads."
Ayruna continued talking, even as Zelda stormed off without another word. She brushed past Link, her shoulder hitting his as she descended the stairs. Not sure what to do – everyone staring at him, from the King to Ayruna, even his guards – Link followed right behind her.
Zelda walked with purpose, which made sense since she actually remembered this place, and headed straight to the Seabed Inn. With Link shadowing her just a few steps behind, he watched as the familiarity washed over Kodah and Kayden at the sight of her, similar though not the same to how they reacted to seeing him again.
"Princess Zelda!" Kodah exclaimed, her eyes flickering to Link in recognition but keeping her focus on Zelda. "My, you haven't changed one bit. Hopefully, you still remember us?"
Link stepped up beside Zelda, knowing where her head was at and that it wasn't probably the best headspace to be in for a friendly reunion. "Two beds?" he asked, already pulling the rupees from his bag as payment.
Kodah shook her head. "No charge, not for you two." Kayden seemed a little apprehensive about that so instead Link suggested a discount, which pleased them both.
"Do you want a room with two beds or two rooms?" Kodah asked him, but Link left the answer up to Zelda, giving her arm a little nudge with his elbow.
"One room. Please," she said. The bright color from her face was already starting to fade, though the cross look she wore had stayed relatively the same.
Kayden nodded and led them through the back door, descending down a spiral staircase until he reached a room about four doors down. "Master Link. Princess Zelda," he said, opening the door but not stepping inside. He gave them both a professional, not formal, bow and slipped Link two keys to the room as they entered. "Let us know if you need anything during your stay."
Link signed his thanks and closed the door behind him, watching as Zelda walked towards the bed on the left side but didn't sit or lay down. Instead, she began pacing in front of it. He took a seat on the opposing bed, bouncing up and down from the motion of the water filled bed. It was several minutes of pacing before Zelda said anything, and when she did speak, her tone hadn't changed from what it had been upstairs.
"You remember my father, don't you?" she asked. He nodded, though it didn't seem like she actually needed the confirmation as she didn't look to see his answer. "He made me perfectly aware of the consequences of if I should fail, telling me the court's gossip as if I didn't already know."
"A princess without a kingdom, if she fails. We're all doomed," Zelda mimicked the century's old gossip in a high pitched voice. "And- and, I didfail. I know Hyrule is still here, Ganon didn't win but… goddesses, I know they're dead but I can just picture the courtier's last thoughts being of vindication. We knew it," she mimicked again.
"In the sense of the kingdom falling to ruin, I failed. They were right. I was the wrench in our plans – the wrong person for the role. You…" She stopped in her pacing and looked softly at Link. "You were perfect. You did everything right even as I did everything absolutely wrong. And because of me, you nearly died."
This time, she fell silent and stayed that way, looking down at her feet. Did she consider everything happening now a punishment? In terms of causality, he supposed that yeah, his lost memories, the state of Hyrule, it was this way because of her actions but also of his and the Champions and Ganon's hijacking of the Guardians. Maybe there was no good outcome to the fight, just less bad ones.
He wanted to say that, to tell her they just had to deal with the now and not worry about the past, but something stopped him. A memory flashed in his eyes, clouding his vision, sweeping him away: the sight of the Guardians staggering outside of the Castle, Ganon's shapeless form swarming about the castle, Castletown falling apart and on fire. Bodies laid in the street as they ran through the streets, trying to reach the castle for their first attempt at taking down Ganon.
"We have to try," Zelda begs. They're tucked between two buildings: a baker's shop and a general goods store. "Perhaps my powers will come when we need them most."
He wants to believe her. He wants to stop this disaster from going any further than it already has. The people in the Castle, he wonders if they're alright. His thoughts turn to his parents, his mother in the library most likely and his father… Then he tries not to think about it.
He nods. "We will."
The memory became less lucid after that, turning to flashes of still pictures with a ghost of a sound, almost like he was quickly skipping through the pictures on the Sheikah Slate. The muck of Calamity Ganon, shooting the yellow eyes with an arrow to clear the paths. The sanctum, the King's body motionless on the throne, the barely formed body of Ganon – nothing like what he fought just weeks ago, less shapely. He remembers it being hard to hit. An image of Zelda, covered in the dirt spray from when Guardians unknowingly passed them, their claws kicking up dust and dirt, with her hand outstretched, saying something, trying to seal him away.
And nothing.
He remembers the cackle from Ganon, the visions it showed them in that moment to tease them of their defeat. It showed them the Divine Beasts wreaking havoc, the forms of itself controlling the machines in place of their friends. He remembers Zelda's scream. He remembers dragging her out of there, the cackling echoing down the halls in their escape.
Link blinked and found himself returned back to the moment, Zelda on her knees in front of him, holding his hands within hers. The soft look from before stayed, tinted with worry and stained with tears. When he locked eyes with her, she leapt up and from the ground and threw her arms around him and knocking him on his back on the water bed with her partially laying on him, stifled sobs next to his ear.
"You were gone for so long," she choked out. Her arms held him even tighter, and he tried to comfort her by holding onto her too, only to find the comfort was his own and he held on even tighter. She felt like an anchor, her touch and warmth holding him to the present. Link nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck and kept his eyes open, afraid he'd be lost in the new memories again.
"I'm sorry," Zelda said. "I'm so sorry, Link. I- I shouldn't linger on the past so much, I know. I'll do better. I promise. I'll do better for you."
He wasn't completely sure of what she meant. How long was he stuck in those memories? It hadn't felt so long, but it had been enough to worry her this much. He couldn't reassure her with words, not as they held each other, so he gave her a brief squeeze, a reassuring stroke of the back. He was alright, he tried to let her know.
Link knew he could've let her go and told her as much, but he wanted to hold on to her. Just for a little while longer.
