(Edited 05/02/18: fixed grammar)

(Updated: 31/03/17)

Hi there everyone!

This is the second part of the backstory filler chapters. It's a rather long chapter! It's also the last backstory chapter, and we'll be back to normal chapters next week! The story was moving too fast for my liking so I felt the need to add some fillers to bulk it out a bit :3

This chapter does include a lemony scene!

Now, please enjoy the chapter!

Chapter Eight

Of course, the peace did not last. Zelda continued to long for Link, who continued on his journey. One night, the Knights came back, tired and defeated. They had been out to find another clearing for a new settlement, but it had not been successful. One of the horses had taken a tumble off of one of the steep hills, and had to be put down. It just so happened that this horse had been Link's, and he had taken a tumble too.

Zelda rushed out to see them as they returned back to the settlement, and gasped when she saw Link, his uniform covered in blood and his arm in a make-shift splint for the break in his bone.

"Link!" She cried, rushing forward. He smiled back at her, before wincing. "What happened?"

"My horse… He fell down one of those steep hills I keep telling you about," Link looked down, chewing his lip. "Unfortunately my horse was not as well off as I am."

"Oh, Link. I'm so sorry. I know you loved that horse," Zelda put a hand on Link's good shoulder. "Come on, let's get you to the healer's house."

Link let Zelda lead the way. When they arrived at the healer's house, Zelda found that most of the blood on Link hadn't actually come from him; Link only had a few cuts and bruises and a minor fracture in his arm. The Healer set his arm properly, and mixed up a potion for him.

"Put this on your wounds thrice daily," the healer told him. "And they will be healed enough for you to go back to work in a week."

A week! Link didn't have a week to be sitting around. He had to get back to work, and lead the others to find the new settlement. But there was nothing for it: the healer had told him he needed a week off, so he was to have a week off.

Whilst Link grumbled about being stuck still, Zelda, on the other hand, was over the moon to be having Link home for a whole week. As a surprise, she had planned a date for her and her husband; They hadn't been on one in ages. Karane agreed to take care of the twins for the entire night, allowing Zelda a complete night to spend alone with Link.

She decided, in the end, to have a starlit picnic with Link on one of the far off Islands on Skyloft. It had been a few days since Link had returned injured, and he was able to ride his Loftwing again. Zelda decided that they would spend the night on the island, and set about procuring a tent. This wasn't that difficult, as it was common sleeping gear for the Knights. She took one from storage, leaving a note promising its safe return.

Zelda flew up to the island she had chosen on the morning of the date. Link had been told that she had a surprise for him in the evening, and he had been curious all day. Zelda set up the tent, filling it with blankets and pillows. She then went back down to the surface, and after pushing Link out of the house to go and play with the twins at Karane's, she prepared a feast of all Link's favourite foods; sandwiches, cold meats, a flask of pumpkin soup and (Okay, this was probably more one of Zelda's favourites, but Link did like it too!) a strawberry-jam pie. She wrapped it all up neatly, and placed it all in a basket.

Finally, she washed out her hair, put on some nice clothes and even a little makeup. When she went to collect Link, after kissing her babies goodbye Zelda felt more her age than ever. As soon as Link laid eyes on her, his jaw dropped. Zelda always looked beautiful to him, but today she looked positively gorgeous.

"Zelda…" He blushed. "You look… Amazing."

"Thank you, Link," Zelda twirled once for him, before planting a kiss on his cheek. "Are you ready to go on our date?"

"I am," Link nodded, "I'm excited to see what you've got planned. I hope it doesn't include being thrown off of things!"

Zelda laughed, and hugged him. When she drew back, she took Link's hand.

"See you two love-birds tomorrow!" Karane called as she shut the door behind them, and Zelda waved goodbye.

Link and Zelda hopped on their Loftwings, and Zelda led them to the island. Link playfully groaned, pointing to the tent as they touched down.

"I thought I'd got away from sleeping in these tents for a little while," He joked. Zelda slapped his arm lightly. Out of the basket, she pulled a blanket, which she spread out in front of the tent. Zelda also took out some candlesticks and matches, since it was starting to get dark already. Link's smile widened, knowing that in the basket was food that Zelda had cooked. Zelda's cooking was the best kind of cooking, hands down.

Zelda laid out the feast, and Link felt his tummy grumble. Everything looked and smelt divine! By now, the sun had set completely, and the stars had come out. Zelda sat back, and invited Link to sit next to her.

"Help yourself, sweetheart," She said, gesturing to the food, and Link gladly complied.

With bellies full of food, Link began to tell Zelda some of the funnier stories of things that had happened out on campaigns. Such as Harley, Link's second in command, meeting with a hornet's nest, which had caused him to have to jump into the river to get away; One of the new Knights getting thrown off his horse for saddling him wrong; and one Knight who had had his uniform stolen whilst he was bathing and had been forced to look for it bare naked.

Zelda shared her own stories back: People getting detentions for doing stupid things, like starting food fights and trying to be smart with the teachers; Aria throwing up in class one day all over the student who sat in front of Zelda; and some gossip stories that Karane had told her about her and Groose's life behind closed doors.

The two indulged in the time they had together, talking, laughing, making jokes. As the evening neared an end, Link found himself watching Zelda's lips. And Zelda found herself doing the same. Link cupped Zelda's face gently, and kissed her softly. They stayed like this for a while, sharing a pure kiss, one of lovers reunited.

Then the kiss deepened. The raw pain of being separated so long rearing its head. Their hands began to move over each other's bodies, become more and more desperate for skin.

"Zelda," Link gasped, coming up for air "Come. Come into the tent."

Zelda let Link lead her in, and lay her down on the blankets. They undressed each other quickly, the desire to be within her driving Link on, making him forgot the dull pain in his arm. He knew so much more than that first encounter they had shared together. He kissed her neck, letting his good hand travel up from zelda's hip to her breast, his finger-tip touch making goose pimples appear on her milky skin. He fondled her gently, making her gasp gently as he brushed her nipple with his thumb.

"Please," Zelda begged him, her voice raspy. Link's hand left her breast, and he moved back down to her legs, dipping his hand in between. Zelda gasped again as he parted her with his fingers, and then moaned as Link found her clitoris. He circled it a few times, making Zelda squirm.

"Zelda, you feel so good," Link breathed, making the girl shudder.

"Please Link," she whined. Link kissed her once more, and then gave her exactly what she wanted in that moment. He positioned himself at her entrance, and then as he pushed in he crushed his lips to Zelda's, kissing her passionately. Link reached down as he moved, finding Zelda's sweet spot again and rubbing it in time with his thrusts, causing Zelda to reach her climax fast and hard. After that, he did not last much longer.

Breathing heavily, they laid back together and embraced, letting their heart rates come back to normal.

"I missed you so much," Zelda breathed, nuzzling close to Link. Link wrapped his good arm around her a little bit tighter.

"I missed you too."

By the end of the week, Link was back to work. Another horse had been found for him, and he was back in the thick of it. It didn't take too long after that to find land for a second settlement; houses went up almost immediately, and a series of pipes and a pump was put in to draw water from the nearby river. Plans were made for people to move in.

And then, three days before the move date, a problem arose. The mother of the person who was to become the mayor of the new settlement suddenly fell ill, and so the woman had dropped out of being mayor and moved back to Skyloft to take care of her mother. Without someone to take charge, the move could not go ahead. Suddenly, it was a wild panic to find someone who would be willing to take charge, or risk postponing the move.

"I just don't know anyone who would be willing to take it up," Karane sighed, her hangs wrapped around her mug of coffee.

"Link's already busy with the Knights," Zelda added, taking a sip of her tea.

"I'm not too sure about Pipit, but I know he wouldn't go unless his mother came too." Horii added.

The three ladies had a day off, so they had met up for a drink. The most popular topic at the moment was to find the person who would step up to be the Mayor of the new settlement, and so of course they were discussing it as well. There had been multiple different suggestions of how to do it: Headmaster Gaepora had been asked to pick someone, but he didn't believe in forcing people to leave if they didn't want to. There had also been a call for a ballot, but that had been dismissed as there was no candidates and it would be too difficult to try and decide.

"I think Pipit would be good at it," Zelda spoke up, "I mean, he's been a knight guard for a while now, he would do very well at keeping a settlement afloat."

"He does enjoy his duties of making sure everyone is safe." Horii nodded thoughtfully. "I mean, he loves it. He's always talking about the people he's helped and the crimes he's stopped."

"He'd be perfect for it," Karane agreed, "He always loved his work."

Zelda had felt the mood change between the two girls since she had returned from the surface the first time. It had been a long time since Pipit had broken off his arranged engagement to Karane to be with Horii, but tensions till rose between the two girls. Now, they treated each other more like best friends.

"I'll ask him," Horii decided "But like I said, I doubt he'd move unless his mother wanted to."

As promised, Horii asked. Pipit had confessed to her that his mother had suggested he go for it, but he had been reluctant to ask Horii about it because he was worried that she would not want to go, that she would miss Zelda too much. Horii had laughed and told him that of course she would miss her friends, but if it made him happy to go, then it would be okay. And so that was that. The move went ahead, with the Knights along with Pipit, his mother and Horii leading the way, with 7 Skyloftian families following in close suit behind.

This move was a lot simpler than the one from Skyloft to the main settlement; they could use wagons to move furniture and luggage from A to B instead of having to tie bundles to their Loftwings and hope nothing fell. It had been rather precarious at times back then, but this was so much more easy.

Pipit fell into his duties feet first, sorting out houses for everyone and settling people in. In less than a week, an Inn had been set up along with a local store. Provisions would come from the main settlement every other week. Horii settled in as a sort of assistant to Pipit, and the pair worked hard. Pipit had been a good choice for the mayor, and everyone knew it.

"Zelda." Professor Owlan called out to the girl after class, holding Zelda back.

"Yes, Sir?" She asked, collecting up her books.

"Your father told me he wanted to see you," He nodded, "He said he'd found something that might interest you."

"Oh, thank you!" Zelda grinned, and Professor Owlan dismissed her with a wave. A child on each hip, Zelda made her way to her father's office. After thudding on the door gently with her foot (she had no hands to knock,) and being called in, she swung the door open with her hip. Headmaster Gaepora's face lit up when he saw Zelda, and she smiled back.

"Hello, Father," she beamed. Gaepora stood up and reached out to take one of his grandchildren, as with both of them and her school bag Zelda looked like she was going to topple over. She passed him Aria.

"Hello, Zelda! And hello, little ones." He tickled Aria's tummy, earning a shriek of laughter.

"'top!" Aria laughed, trying to stop the ticking. "'top!"

Eric started to grumble at the loud noise, and Zelda put he own hand the hand her father was using to tickle her daughter, making him stop.

"Sorry, I've upset the boy now!" Gaepora laughed, and waved to a seat. Zelda sat down.

"Professor Owlan said you had found something I might find interesting?" Zelda asked, cutting to the chase.

"Yes, I have." Gaepora opened one of the drawers in his desk, and pulled out a book. It was quite large, bound in leather and the cover gave away nothing as to what was inside.

"A book?" Zelda asked, shifting Eric up onto her shoulder to free up her hand to take the item from her father. "Thank you, what is it about?"

"I found it in the library the other day, whilst restocking the shelves. It's all about the Goddess and her life. I thought it might be of interest to you."

"Oh, yes!" Zelda exclaimed, tucking the book into her satchel. "It'll be very interesting to read! Thank you very much, Father!"

Zelda stayed and chatted a bit longer with her father before she had to leave. It was the end of the day, so she headed straight home, itching to read the book and see if she could find out any more secrets about her, or rather the Goddess's, life.

As soon as Aria and Eric were down for their nap, Zelda opened up the book and started to read. The book held all the normal stuff, stuff that she already knew from traveling around the Surface with Impa. Zelda felt a pang in her chest for her friend. It had been well over a year since the woman had left this world, but Zelda was still pining for her. She had, after all, looked after her for nine months and kept her safe, and even delivered her babes.

There were, however, a few interesting things she read; apparently, it was possible for the Goddess to use magic. Zelda was interested in being able to use magic, but unfortunately, there was no one else that she knew who could use magic; without a tutor, there was no way to figure out how to awaken the talent, and then of course she'd need to know how to control it. It was something Impa could've helped her with.

And then, she read another paragraph, one that made her feel numb. Impa had mentioned that the Goddess she had known had been unable to bear children. But, from what the paragraph said, it turned out that the Goddess was actually infertile. The book read that it was because the Goddess was meant to be a symbol of purity, and therefore she was unable to bear children. Zelda subconsciously laid a hand on her stomach. Of course, she had conceived the twins, but then again she had been pregnant before the Goddess had been awakened in her. It would be very sad if she couldn't have any more children, it had always been a goal of hers to have a large family. She decided, in the morning she would go to the healer and see what she had to say.

The next morning, Zelda left Aria and Eric with Karane and headed off to see the healer. When she arrived, the healer welcomed her in.

"Hello, Dearie!" She greeted. The healer was an old lady, but no one really knew how old she was. It was rumoured, by giggling students in the schoolyard, that she was immortal. However old she was, the healer always had a spring in her step which brought life to the small house that she called home.

"Hello, Healer," Zelda greeted her with a small smile, nerves filling her stomach.

"What can I do for you today?"

"It's a rather… sensitive matter," Zelda replied, wringing her hands. The healer understood straight away, and held her arm out to the door to her consultation room, gesturing to Zelda to enter.

The room in which the healer saw patients was tiny, the space filled to the brim with potions, poultices and salves of many descriptions. A folding chair sat in the centre of the room, with just enough space to fold back into a bed. The healer sat Zelda down.

"So… what is it I can help you with, Dear?" she asked.

"You know I'm the Goddess, reborn…" Zelda started, and the healer gave a curt nod. "Well, my father found a book about the Goddess, and I've been reading it. It says in there, that the Goddess is infertile. I was then wondering; might I be infertile?"

"Hmm," The healer mumbled thoughtfully. "Yes, I have heard that the Goddess was infertile to keep a pure image. Considering you have already bore two children, it may not apply to you. Never-the-less, I can perform a simple blood test to test for a hormone named progesterone, which will indicate if you are ovulating or not. Are you sexually active?"

Zelda blushed, and looking down she nodded. "Whenever my husband is home," She added.

"So how often…?"

"Maybe once or twice in a fortnight in the past few months?" Zelda hid behind her hair. Sex was a topic she liked to avoid. She wasn't ashamed of her relationship with Link, but she had been brought up for sex to be private.

"And you are using any contraception?"

"N-no." Zelda wished for the ground to swallow her up.

"Hmm, it does seem like you should have conceived again, given your age. You are more fertile in your late teens than any other time. I shall conduct a blood test, if that is alright with you?"

"Yes, that's fine," Zelda nodded, glad the conversation was over but worried over the implications. The healer grabbed a band, a needle and some vials. She tied the band around Zelda's upper arm, bringing up a vein in the crook of her elbow. Zelda looked away for the needle, screwing up her face at the sharp stab when the healer inserted it. The ordeal lasted only a few seconds, and the healer had taken three vials.

"It's just to make sure," She told Zelda "If one shows a negative result, and another a positive, I have another to check."

The healer then told Zelda it would take only a day to do the tests, and to come back the next morning. Zelda thanked her, and left.

It was an unrestful day from then onwards. Zelda was so worried about what the test results would be. She had so wanted to have more children, brothers and sisters for Aria and Eric to play with. She couldn't concentrate in class, she forgot to change Aria for a few hours, and even forgot she was making food that evening, burning the rice she was preparing. Sleep was welcome when it finally came, after many hours of tossing and turning.

The next morning, Zelda shoved Aria and Eric at Karane again, who took them with a promise to be told what was going on later. Zelda marched herself to the healer's house, and went in.

"Oh, hello, my Dear," the healer greeted her. "Would you like to come to the back?"

Zelda nodded, and followed the old lady into the back room. She sat down again, and waited patiently for the healer to break the news.

"I'm afraid, my dear, it is as you suspected," The healer frowned, her eyes sad "You are not ovulating anymore, which means you are, in fact infertile."

Zelda felt like she had been hit by a herd of horses. She had suspected that she was infertile, but hearing it was different.

"Do you have someone waiting for you at home?" The healer asked. Zelda nodded, and stood up, forcing a smile.

"Thank you very much," She said, acting cheerful as not to cry. Zelda headed back to Karane's house.

As soon as she stepped in, and saw Karane with the three toddlers around her feet, she burst into tears.

"Zelda!" Karane cried, manoeuvring around the children to grab her best friend "What's wrong?"

"I went to the healer," Zelda sniffled "I read a book that said the Goddess is infertile. And well, the tests prove it."

Karane immediately switched from best friend to mother.

"Groose!" She called, and he came running. "Get out the house. This is girl time."

Groose, his mouth slightly open, stood for a second until Karane shooed him. Springing to life, he grabbed his jacket and left, nodding a goodbye to Zelda.

"Come on," She moved Zelda from the entryway to the table, and sat her down. "You need a cup of tea."

"Why cry?" Lee asked, coming up behind Zelda. Zelda tried to smile at him, but ended up crying harder.

"Oh, Lee, baby," Karane soothed, swooping up the toddler in her arms. "Come on, you, Aria and Eric go play in the bedroom for a moment. You can't get into too much trouble in there."

"M'kay." Lee agreed, grasping Karane's skirt in one hand and sticking the thumb of his other hand in his mouth. Karane came back moments later, and finished making the tea.

"I'm so sorry, Zel," Karane said, looking at Zelda. "I knew how much a big family meant to you."

"And now I can't have one," Zelda sobbed into her tea "Oh Karane, how am I going to tell Link? What if he doesn't want me anymore?"

"What?" Karane asked, astonished "Why would he not want you anymore? Zelda, Link loves you!"

"I'm damaged now though. I can't have any more children."

"Oh, Zel," Karane's face softened with sympathy "Link loves you too much to care about things like that. He married you, remember? And you already have two beautiful kids together. I think he's happy how things are."

"Maybe you're right," Zelda nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. "I hope you're right."

Just after the twin's second birthday, Zelda, Horii and Karane graduated from the Academy. Horii had been doing her classes from the new settlement, and although Karane was two years older than them, she had been pushed back a few years after the birth of Lee. Zelda, of course, was finishing late as a result of being swept away to the surface and then having Aria and Eric. But, despite the setbacks, the three girls sat proudly in their graduating uniforms. They were just for show, of course, since none of them were actually to become knights. Horii already had a profession, and Karane and Zelda were mothers. Even so, they felt overwhelmed with pride at being able to wear the uniform, even if only once.

It played out much the same as Link's graduation before. This time though, it was a much less exciting ordeal as it was the entire class graduating, not just one person. They all wore the same orchid-purple tunics, and they all stood all, pride in their hearts at finally finishing.

Link had even been given leave for the events of the past week; first, Aria and Eric had turned two. Their birthday party had been small, but eventful of course. Aria had managed to pull a tablecloth off one of the tables, bringing all the settings down with it, and Eric had fallen over into a muddy patch, ruining his nice new party clothes. Apart from the mishaps, it had been an exciting day full of happiness.

Secondly, was Zelda's graduation. Link sat right at the front, as Zelda had done for his graduation. Link still felt responsible for the speed in which Zelda had had to grow up, and so seeing her finally get to graduate was such a relief to him. He was over the moon to see her finally succeed. Learning had always been Zelda's main passion.

After the ceremony, there was of course a party. Lots of food, lots of drink, and lots of laughter. Zelda was just happy she could kick back and relax, as her father was babysitting so she could enjoy herself.

Somehow, Horii had dragged Zelda onto the dancefloor, and they danced a number, with everyone watching. Zelda had already had a little to drink, so she was quite free with her movements. After a few dances, and a few more drinks, Horii got up on one of the tables at the venue and began to sing. She was very good at singing, so no one really minded her doing it, although the owner did look worried for the table at. There was a point though when enough was enough, and Link and Pipit had to drag their wives home. Karane followed behind, laughing at how drunk her friends were. Karane had decided that she did not like to drink, so she was the only sober one left of the three girls.

Horii and Pipit were staying at Link and Zelda's house for the evening. The men put their wives to bed in the double bed together, and went to the living room, Pipit on the sofa and Link taking the floor.

"That was an eventful evening," Link laughed. Pipit joined in his laughter.

"It sure was. Who knew our lovely, demure ladies could be so wild!"

"they're still quite young," Link reminded him, sighing. "Sometimes I feel like I ruined Zelda's chance at being a normal teenager."

"I think she's very much happy with being how she is," Pipit told him "And anyway, the ladies of Skyloft are usually married early twenties. Zelda's what, nineteen? That's only two years off early twenties."

"I guess so." Link rolled onto his back "I hope they'll be okay in the morning. They drank so much."

Zelda and Horii were very not okay in the morning. They started off just a little headachy, a little nauseous and groggy. Link had managed to get some eggs on toast down them. It was half an hour later when Zelda suddenly threw her hand to her mouth.

"I'm going to be sick!" she exclaimed. Link quickly passed her a bucket, and she threw up in it. Unfortunately, this made Horii also feel sick, and she followed suit. Luckily Link noticed, and gave her a bucket too. Good thing they had more than one stashed away.

"I am never drinking again!" Zelda decided out loud. And Horii mumbled a feeble response.

Link and Pipit shared a look, and began to laugh at their wives.

Soon enough, Link had to go back to work. This time, he would be away for quite a while. And so, it was decided Zelda, Aria and Eric were to move in with Karane, Groose and Lee.

And extension had been built onto the house to add an extra room. Karane and Groose had been happy to let Zelda move in, especially since Karane knew how lonely Zelda got stuck at home all day with the twins. It was only temporary, Zelda had been told, whilst the Knights explored. It would be maybe a year, or two until they would be back. Link had promised he would try to get leave to come back as often as he could, but Zelda knew that he would stay committed to his men first.

And that's where Zelda and the twins stayed for the next year. Groose decided that he needed to get away for a bit, and Karane, though upset, had agreed that he should do what he needed to instead of being chained down with her. Groose had always had an interest in exploring the surface, ever since he followed Link down here. It was a wanderlust that could not be satisfied at home. So Karane let him go.

"He'll come back." She had assured Zelda, with tears in her eyes "I'm certain he'll come back."

Zelda took Karane's hand, and they looked out at the Goddess statue for a while before heading back home.

Thank you for reading! The point at which Groose leaves is about 2-3 months before the start of US (Because some of you were worried about how Karane would be pregnant again if Groose wasn't there... and quite rightly so!)

If you were curious as to how I write my fanfics, I'll let you know: First of all, I write the chapter onto a big word document with the entire fanfic on it. Then, I separate the chapter onto a new word document, and spell and grammar check. I then upload it to my Doc Manager, add the formatting and my authors notes! I can't say how long it takes me to complete a chapter, since it really depends. It definitely takes more than a day to do!

Please don't forget to leave a review, like if you enjoyed and follow if you want to read more!

Meiko x