While I am waiting for Tears Of The Kingdom to be delivered to my apartment, I figured that I'd publish this story before it gets here and I start playing it.
The anticipation is KILLING ME.
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It was morning, but Zelda could hardly see the sun for the dark clouds blanketing the sky. They had just reached Link's house in Hateno Village, clothes soaked through from the monsoon-like rain that overtook their journey home. Link was busy building a fire in the hearth while Zelda gathered towels from the cupboard to dry themselves.
"There you go," she heard Link whispering to the spark that had finally latched to the dry wood. She could see his back muscles through his wet shirt rippling as he leaned in to blow on the spark and she felt a heat rush through her. Even when he wasn't trying, she found him difficult to ignore. When the fire had stabilized, he swung the teapot over it and turned back to her with a grin. Trying to look busy and gnawing her lip, Zelda fussed with a towel and handed it to him.
"Please dry off, I don't need you getting sick on the eve of battle."
Link took the towel with a thankful nod and dried his face and hair.
The bad weather and darkness of night had provided good cover, but his worry had immediately shifted from getting away from the armies unseen to keeping Zelda safe and warm. Throwing his jacket over her head and gathering her in his arms, Link had sprinted to where their horses stayed tethered and let her keep his hood for the ride back to Hateno. Even though he had done his best to keep her dry, she looked like she had taken a dip in Lake Hylia and was still shaking from end to end back at the hut.
"Here," he said, taking her shoulders and guiding her to the chair by the fire. "Please warm up, your Highness while I go make us some breakfast. That should cure our weariness and warm our insides," Link instructed softly, turning away from her. Before he could take a step, her hand reached out and grabbed his strong arm. After seeing what horrors lay in their imminent future, she wanted no distance between them. He blushed and she could feel the muscles strain under her fingers in his confusion. He knelt down in front of her and asked, "Everything alright, my Queen?"
No, everything was not alright. They had just witnessed the Blood Moon Revival of all of Ganon's monsters and minions. Link and Zelda stared as the vicious troops rose from the ground roaring and spitting. From their perch in an apple tree a quarter mile away, Link had no trouble counting the horde's numbers and analyzing what they would need to do battle. Zelda knew what they had at their disposal would not be enough for an easy victory. She didn't know if she could even count on one. Zelda's knight who had brought her so much hope in recent days might slip through her fingers on the battlefield, this time for good. Her hand found his, gripping it tight, and she felt an encouraging squeeze from his.
"I'm afraid Link," she whispered. "What we saw, that was only the beginning. The stars warn that the battle before us will be worse than the last one. Now we know why."
Fear pooled in her belly and rippled like malice across her limbs. She could feel him scrutinizing her, but she couldn't meet his gaze. Studying his wood floor, she took a deep breath, fighting the anxiety overtaking her. It was awful the last time he fell. She remembered how valiantly he fought, the whirling of his sword through the air, his cry of pain as the guardians ripped through his skin. She did not think she could handle seeing that again. Too many nights she lay awake remembering that day. Remembering the one hundred years she spent cocooned in evil's snare.
"Link," Zelda's voice wavered, "I fear this time you might not prevail. I'm not sure you'll be able to stop him."
She felt his fingers on her face, drying the tear that swept down her cheek.
"You're cold," he muttered, reaching for the second towel that lay next to the hearth. Using the side warmed by the fire, he methodically dried her hands and arms to stay the chill.
She watched him, less than a foot away from her, touching her as no one has touched her in a lifetime. His face remained relaxed, even as her words hung in the air. Calm. Cool. Collected. His lack of emotion grieved her when he first became her knight, but now it eased the knot in her belly.
"Did you fear that I might not save you when the Yiga attacked you in the desert?" came his voice in a gravel.
She didn't respond, enjoying the feel of his hands. They wandered to her shoes and began unlacing one to reach her cold toes inside. The fire instantly warmed them the moment they were free of stockings.
"I did. But then you saved me," she finally replied drowsily.
"Did you fear when you lay in the belly of the beast for a century?" He asked, unlacing the second muddy boot and slipping it off.
"I was scared, but I believed you would get me out," she sighed, reaching her toes towards the fire.
Turning back to gaze deeply in her eyes, he asked, "Then why, my dear Zelda, do you fear now?" He was close but too far away, flame and shadow dancing across his face. She sat staring at him, her eyes roving from each of his to his straight nose, to his lips.
"You saw that field. You saw his army," she breathed. "Link, I can't lose you again."
Link, usually so full of confidence, kneeled in front of his queen, puzzled. He had long ago accepted death as a consequence of being a knight. He knew on becoming Zelda's sworn hero that the chances of him living a long life was slim to none. Death had taken both of their families, their people, almost everyone they used to know, so how could it still pull on her heart at this point? Why did she worry for him when he spent all of his time worrying for her?
"What happens will happen," he eventually said. "The river flows whether we will it to or not. Time continues as much as we may want it to pause. The sun rises each morning, even if the clouds block its rays."
Zelda had to look away from his serious gaze, out of the window at the storm. She could hardly see anything until the darkness split with a crack of lightning, flashing over the mountains and thundering through her heart. She couldn't think about what a raw deal the Goddesses were giving her, when she had finally found him again. When she had finally gathered the courage to love. It wasn't fair.
She felt Link's hand under her chin and hesitantly faced him again. Eyes locked, seeing his steadiness and confidence, Zelda dazedly leaned towards him, chin tilting when the sound of the teapot screeching brought her reeling back to her senses.
"Ahhh, the tea. And food!" Zelda cried, blushing madly and jumping up to ready the meal.
They got to work, Link at the fire cooking eggs and meat while Zelda readied their tea and slathered cream on bread. For a dessert of sorts, she took the apples tucked away in Link's jacket, peeled and sliced them, then added a bit of sugar and cinnamon on top. If not fancy, at least they would be sweet.
Right before the hot food was ready, Zelda ran upstairs and slipped off her wet clothes. Her amethyst nightdress and robe felt like a new skin, and her slippers like bits of cloud on her sore feet. She sat at the table in front of the mirror and brushed her hair, turning the chaotic birds nest back into a braid atop her head. She was still getting used to the shortness and loved how it elegantly framed her face. So much had changed and she had felt the need to change along with it. After losing her father and home, Zelda's ultimate freedom took getting used to. She could now dress how she wanted, study what she found interesting, even love who she fancied. Marriage was her choice, not some politician's. Staring at her reflection, she pondered who she would marry, knowing there was only one person she truly wanted.
In his newly remodeled room downstairs, Link took his chance while Zelda was busy to also change from his wet tunic and trousers to a comfortable white shirt and warm tan pants. He half expected to find a hot footed frog swimming in his boots for all the water that splashed across the floor while removing them. The master sword he hung in its display case next to his bed, easy to reach if trouble arose. He hadn't brought much on their stealth mission, favoring speed and quiet, but it still took a few minutes to disassemble his gear from his body. Being a highly trained knight, he could not leave the house without at least three daggers, a bottled fairy, a few gold rupees, a bow and quill, and a precious item. His, unbeknownst to Zelda, was a single silent princess. He always had one on him.
"Zelda, breakfast is ready," Link called as he returned to the main room. After one last swipe of the brush, Zelda gathered herself and practically ran to the stairs.
At this point starving, they hurriedly cozied by the fire, too cold to be far from it and made quick work of their meals. Link hummed an appreciative note when Zelda passed him the sweet treat, for red apples were a favorite of his. The only sounds to accompany their chewing was the rain on the rooftop and cackling of the fire.
"Do you understand what your voice was to me when I awoke in the shine?" Link eventually asked softly into the quiet. Zelda turned to him while he stared into the fire. "I was groggy, knew nothing about myself or where I was, when this voice called to me. I trusted her the moment it entered my mind, even though I was sure I'd never heard it before. I knew that whatever I was in life, I needed to aid her."
Zelda's face flushed and her pounding heart reverberated across her chest. Shakily, she placed the mug on the floor before she could spill.
"I didn't realize it at the time, just what all that meant, but never for a second did I stop to think, is this too much? On the plains when I thought I had died," he paused, struggling to find the right words, "I thought, I did everything I could, but I still couldn't save her." Zelda's eyes prickled at the ache in his voice. She started when he suddenly faced her, intensely pressing toward her. "I vow to you, I will not let that happen again, my Queen. I will live long enough to see you safely through this."
Zelda held her breath, absolutely thrumming with his words and proximity.
"Link," she breathed out, "I miss my father. I miss children's laughter ringing through the Great Hall. I miss our mighty Champions who I thought could never fall." She took his hand and carefully cradled it against her face. Pressing her cheek against his rough callouses, she commanded, "Link, do not let me miss you too."
They sat before the fire, falling into a trace in each others eyes. Link's other hand rose to caress her other cheek. Under her fingers on his arm, she could feel uncountable scars in his skin. All examples of his dedication to her.
"I think we need to go to bed, your Highness. I think the lack of sleep is weighing on us," Link whispered.
Zelda felt his breath on her face smelling of sugar and spice. His fingers slid from her cheek into her hair and she thought nothing felt better in her life.
"Yes, my knight," she whispered back, "let's ready for bed."
Neither moved away from each other, when Zelda was filled with the courage to touch her forehead into his. This intimate gesture Link could remember sharing with his mother as a small boy before she died. It opened a door of such comfort and warmth that he nuzzled into Zelda without thinking.
"Please don't leave me tonight," Zelda found herself whispering. "I cannot bear to be alone. I need you by my side," she said, shivers running through her.
Link withdrew enough to nod then brought them to their feet. Hand in hand, they brought their dishes from earlier to the sink, planning to clean them later. Then they moved through the house, closing each window and drawing the curtains.
"Mine or yours," Link asked Zelda, raising a blonde brow.
Wanting him to be sure that she was doing what she wanted, she took the lead, guiding him upstairs to her bedroom. The walls were filled with drawings of guardians, plans to clean and rebuild Castle Town, and negotiations for trade between the Gerudo and Rito. Used to someone tidying after her at the castle, Zelda's room here was rather unkempt, dresses lying across chairs, pillows on the floor, and cold cups of tea left here and there next to stacks of paper. Towers of books hugged the walls and created mazes to tip toe through. A little embarrassed, for she knew Link was a tidy man, she let go of his hand and rushed to make her bed. He smiled as she adorably threw clothes and papers across the room to make room for them.
Not sure what to do at this point, Link studied the pictures on the wall. There were many people, but most of the frames featured him or places only they would know. They had built a fire here to roast the octorock that Zelda dubiously sniffed at before foraging for sunshrooms. There was the time Link taught her how to shield surf in the snowy mountain of Lynaru. Here was a candid picture of Link practicing his swordsmanship while Zelda was supposed to be praying.
When the rustling had stopped, Link turned around to find Zelda sitting on the edge of the bed, once again an adorable pink. Since he had awoke from the shrine and heard her voice, he has always sought it. When he began remembering their past, he yearned for those days of comfort and peace. Even when she was in a temper, he thought the world of her. Now, having saved her and living with her, almost all was right in his heart. But she was his Queen, so he never thought he would receive the gift of her love. He would never seek it, as that was way above his station. He didn't know why exactly she wanted him in her bed tonight, or what she was expecting of him, but his heart was not in the position to refuse her.
"Come here Link," Zelda said much more confidently than she felt. He obeyed at once, kneeling before her and ready for her words. If she wanted him to stay in that position all night, he would happily do so.
"Tonight," she began, red blossoming across her cheeks, "please lay with me. I want to feel you."
"Y-yes, milady," Link croaked. He also was red as the sunset, for he had never touched a woman before, let alone lain with one. Many of the villagers thought he had, for he was the hero who could get anyone he wanted. Even before he was the hero and was traveling from land to land defeating the Divine Beasts, some people tried to make a move. One night a Gerudo woman almost realized he was a man during a heated massage when excited hands kept wandering lower and lower, but before she could touch anymore, he stopped her and bid her good night. Other tavern and stable women across the lands batted their lashes or caressed his shoulders longingly, but he would find an excuse to shirk their attention. Even Prince Sidon he had to be wary with, for being his bestest friend in the world seemed to mean something different to the Prince than what Link expected.
Now that Zelda was asking for more than a knight from him, he was having a difficult time looking her in the eye.
"Please, my lady," he began.
"Link, call me Zelda. I think we know each other enough to forget the formalities. I mean, I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for you." Zelda smiled warmly.
At that moment, the sun peeked through the clouds, basking her in an ethereal glow. Zelda turned to close her flowery curtains before addressing him again, while Link's tongue stuck to the top of his mouth.
"Please, come here Link," Zelda said, patting the bed next to her.
Link gulped, then rose to join her on the bed. He sat on his hands so that they would not be in the way.
Zelda sensed his uncharacteristic nervousness and, becoming more embarrassed herself, sighed. "I'm sorry Link, am I asking too much? I don't want you to do something you're not comfortable with."
"My Queen-"
"Zelda," she interjected softly.
"Zelda," he squeezed out, "I just, I'll do anything you ask. I just have never done this before and uh-"
"What do you mean you've never…?"
"But if you are commanding-"
"Wait Link, what do you think we are doing here?" She asked puzzled. She saw red flash up his neck to his ears.
"Uhmmm, well Zelda-"
"Your Highness!" Zelda screeched, blazing eyes wide having figured him out.
"Yes, your Highness!" Link shouted, springing from the bed to kneel before her again, bowing his head.
Zelda studied her knight in front of her in amusement. Shaking her head, she sighed again.
"Link, I don't want to have sex with you!" She scolded as regally as possible.
"You uhhhh don't?" Link asked nonplussed.
"No, silly, I want you to sleep NEXT to me! Nothing more than that!"
"Ohhhh," he said, absolutely relieved and feeling rather humbled. "I just thought when you said—"
"Well it isn't!"
A toad in the pond outside chose this moment to ribbet in a way that made Link feel like he was being laughed at.
"Would it be better if I just leave, my Queen?" Link asked dejectedly. Now that he messed up so badly, he expected her to not want anything to do with him. The thought of sleeping next to Zelda sounded so serene.
Zelda huffed. "You know Link, you sometimes make it hard to love you!"
His eyes rose to her face in stunned silence. Did she say what he thought she just said.
"L-l-love me?"
"Well by the Goddesses yes, you simpleton!" Zelda cried indignantly, crossing her arms and pouting.
His whole world spun. This he thought had to be a dream. She didn't just admit to something he'd been wanting for longer than he could remember, did she?
A man of action, Link sprung forward and caught her mouth in a heated kiss. After a squeak of surprise, Zelda threw her arms around him so he was kneeling flush against her body between her legs. Their hearts, both racing, beat in unison while his arms encircled her waist. His hands explored her back and hers scratched at the nape of his neck. The war to end all days could have began right outside their window and neither would have noticed in this perfect moment.
He broke off the kiss to pant a breathless, "I love you too."
Zelda pulled him giggling into bed next to her where they shared deeper, exploratory kisses for longer moments. All the fright she felt mere hours ago dissolved with each touch, passion blurring reality away.
After a few minutes more, Zelda broke their kiss to yawn rather unqueen-like. Chuckling quietly, Link kissed the top of her head and tucked her to his side. This was what his heart needed to be full. He now had everything he ever wanted.
Burrowing her face into his chest, Zelda yawned again in contentment. Wars and evil could wait a day. Right now, she needed sleep and Link's arms around her. In her drowsiness, her world quieted til she was only aware of him.
"Good night my Queen," she heard above her.
"Zelda," she murmured, cozy and comfy in his arms.
He pressed a kiss into her hair.
"Good night, my Zelda."
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There it is, my little ZeLink drabble that is probably incredibly inaccurate to the actual game's story. I hope y'all enjoyed my first published fanfic!