Thanks for the great reviews!
This chapter and the next will fill in some of the gaps from Link and Zelda's adventure while giving you a glimpse into Zelda's thoughts. If you remember those flashbacks well, it will make for a better read. Enjoy!
Zelda stood at the doorway, trying to catch her breath and process what had just happened. Link told her he loved her? It was so contrary to what she had been thinking that it left her confused and immobile for a few moments. It was, of course, wonderful news—but now she was letting him get away!
Zelda was late for her seventeenth birthday—which was not like her. But everything seemed to go wrong today as if fate was trying to make her late. She finished getting dressed and was about to put on her necklace when she heard a noise coming from behind her—at her window. Turning around, she saw a pair of hands reach up on her windowsill and a green hood appearing in her window. She immediately pulled a sword off of her wall and hurried over to the young man who just clambered in through the window.
As he gathered himself, and looked up, she put the tip of her blade at his neck, and lifted up his head to look at her intruder. He was a young man, about her age. He was blonde, wearing a green tunic, with a Hylian sword at his belt and shield on his back. His face was very handsome, with a strong jaw line and piercing blue eyes.
When she looked deeper into his eyes, she found purity. There was no fear in his eyes, as would be the case of an intruder who was caught. There was urgency in his eyes, however, that urged Zelda to lower her weapon.
"Princess," the man said, bowing his head slightly. "Your castle is under attack by a very dangerous man. Your father told me I would find you here and bid me protect you."
This was a lot to digest, and Zelda immediately feared for her father's safety. But there was a scream from down the hallway, and Link quickly asked, "Is there another way out of here?"
Zelda took him to the escape route her father had shown her when she was a young girl, and they escaped down the stairs.
They made their escape. But as the dangerous man shouted down at her from the castle, Zelda knew that her father had been killed. Her father would have come to her personally, instead of sending this boy, if he could. So he was either severely hurt or killed. And Zelda doubted the man would have attacked her father just to harm him. But as they sprinted into the dangerous forest behind the castle, Zelda knew now was not the time for grieving. It was the time for escaping.
Zelda grew intrigued by who her rescuer was as he made false trails and covered their own tracks well. After running and jogging and walking as far as they could, they came to rest at a river bed. Zelda inquired about her father and learned the devastating truth that her father had been killed, and although she was distraught, she felt so proud of her father for standing up to the madman.
As she sobbed and grieved, she was grateful for the stranger's comfort. She knew instantly from his demeanor that she could trust him and confide in him. She told him of her father's greatness and special ability to lead the kingdom. "He knew just how to rule—when to be merciful or execute judgment. It takes a special wisdom to rule this land. It takes a special man," she concluded before realizing she didn't even know the man she was speaking to.
"I'm sorry, I'm so rude not introducing myself," she said, sniffling. She knew she didn't need to introduce herself, but felt it was the polite thing to do. "My name is Zelda."
The boy smiled at her warmly before responding, "Of course you are, Princess. My name is Link. I'm a shepherd from the Koriko area."
"Well, Link, It is very good to meet you. Though I am very sorry it had to be under such circumstances."
Link frowned. "As am I, Princess."
"Please, Link. Call me Zelda"
-0-0-0-
Link would soon grow comfortable calling her by her name. After they had traveled together for a couple of days and found a safe place in Hyrule that she knew well, Zelda had thanked him and told him he could go back home if he so chose. But he would have none of it. Zelda was humbled and admired Link's devotion to keeping her safe and fulfilling her father's dying wishes.
They traveled in secret in a town, trying to learn of Ganondorf's history and plans. Word had traveled from Castletown that he was searching for Zelda in all of Hyrule. He had plans to bring her back to the Dark Land and then overtake Hyrule.
The two discussed possible plans of attack and Zelda told him of an ancient prophecy that foretold a man stealing the Triforce of Power. The prophecy also indicated that the only way to defeat him was to claim the other pieces of the Triforce. So the two determined to set out to the Dark Woods which were nearby. Prophecy foretold that the Dark Woods contained a piece of the Triforce, along with Goron Mountain.
It was quite treacherous, in the woods and the temple hidden within them. But Zelda always felt safe with Link, who proved to be a very skilled fighter and quick thinker. Though, her own wisdom was the key to navigating the confusing Temple. And at the temple's center she was rewarded with the Triforce of Wisdom. It felt so empowering as her hand glowed gold with the Triforce mark.
Suddenly her mind was sharper than it had ever been, and she felt a magical power that she had never known.
That night, however, she felt anything but wise as Link played with her mind. It was his turn to bathe that night. However, he seemed to think his tunic was dirtier than usual after their days in the woods and temple and decided to clean it. So he returned from the small lake clothed only in the small towel they used for drying off.
Not much could phase Zelda, but Link's body did the trick. She always knew he was a handsome man but with naught but a towel on, Zelda was able to see just how good Link looked. He had a very toned chest, with strong muscles. He was lean, and his abs showed beautifully in the firelight that night. His legs were strong and his body just looked perfect to Zelda.
Sure, it might be that Zelda hadn't seen a whole lot of men like this—or any, for that matter, the sheltered princess that she was. But Zelda simultaneously could not look at Link and could not look away from him. She felt much hotter next to the fire than usual as her face turned red. When he tried to ask her a question about her youth, she found she could only respond in short answers, and had to think very hard to do so.
Some Triforce of Wisdom, she thought to herself.
-0-0-0-
"You want to take her for a spin before we start off to Goron Mountain?" Link asked her, after calling his beautiful horse Epona to them a couple days later.
Zelda gladly accepted and was soon racing across Hyrule Fields on the mare's back. She rode Epona to a nearby river and hopped off as the horse drank some water.
"So, Epona, was it?" Zelda asked. To her delight, Epona neighed in response. "You are a beautiful horse. I do hope you are ready for a long and difficult journey. I suspect you've been raised quite well though."
Zelda ran her hand across the horse's side and patted her softly. "Link seems like he'd be a loving owner." She moved to Eponas head and looked into her eye. "I don't know, Epona. What do you think?" The horse neighed in response. Zelda smiled.
"Yes, I think Link is a great man. And don't you say anything, but I fear I like the boy. I know…a dangerous thing to do, given our different backgrounds and difficult future. I'm sure when all this is over, we will just go our separate ways. He'll be glad to be done with me…"
-0-0-0-
They continued their journey, stopping in Kakariko village where they gathered needed supplies. Zelda was especially grateful for clothes that she could be comfortable in and were more practical given their quest. She also carefully chose a towel in which she could get back at Link for his recent display of his assets. She had felt as though there was an imbalance in their relationship because of that, and she would just have to get that balance back by making him as flustered as she had been.
She was rewarded that night when she wrapped the towel tightly around her and Link couldn't function all that well in her presence. She tried to mask her smugness and flattery at his flustered response to seeing her with just a towel.
Yes, there was balance again…
-0-0-0-
But soon enough, there was another imbalance as Link saved her life a second time. Link had to rescue her in a dangerous fight against the monster in Goron Mountain. She thought she was holding her own quite well as Link fought the monster, but was distracted fighting when a giant stone came thundering down from the cavern's ceiling. She nearly escaped the danger, thanks to Link's warning, but a rock broke free of the larger stone and hit her on the head.
She awoke nearly a full day later. Her head ached so badly she couldn't see straight. Her vision was blurry and the lights in the room made her squint. Nevertheless, she recognized she was in the care of the Gorons based on the hard rock bed she lied on. When she was finally able to open her eyes, the first thing she could focus on was the green blur on the left side of her 'bed.' As focus came, she realized that it was Link, who had obviously fallen asleep while sitting at her bedside.
Focus continued to come in, and Zelda was able to take a closer look at Link's face, which looked so peaceful as he slept, despite a healing cut across his cheek. She looked at the state of his clothes—burned and in shreds, and knew he was quite injured. Her heart sunk at the pain she had caused him, but it beat faster, knowing that he had chosen to be here instead of in his own bed.
As if on cue with her train of thought, a Goron woman waddled into the room and said softly, "Oh good, you are awake! Maybe I can finally get this one to rest properly. Although," she continued sarcastically, "according to him, 'no one could possibly get any rest on these beds!' Oh, you're welcome, by the way," she mumbled in Link's direction. "For taking care of you!"
The Gorons helped nurse the two of them back to health for a couple of days. Zelda was so proud of Link as they approached an ancient statue of the Triforce, protected by the Gorons for centuries, and he received the Triforce of Courage. He decisively deserved it the way he so selflessly and fearlessly saved the Goron villages from the earthquakes the monster had been causing. Yes, he was certainly special.
-0-0-0-
Weeks went by, and Link and Zelda continued their journey in search of the keys to a portal to the Dark Land. They caught wind in many of the towns they visited that Ganondorf had returned to the Dark Land, but that the portal he used to get there was scattered across Hyrule in seven pieces. He would return to finish his goal when Zelda returned to the castle to rule. Link and Zelda determined that the only way they could feel safe in Hyrule again was if Ganondorf was gone. So they would find the portal pieces and surprise attack him in his own land, to end the terror he caused to all of Hyrule.
Together, they found three keys, but Zelda convinced Link to split up to obtain the final four pieces. The night before they were to split up found Link and Zelda on their backs gazing up at the night sky. Zelda didn't want to fall asleep because it would bring their separation the following day more quickly. Fortunately for her, Link was also slow to suggest they go to bed.
"Have you heard the story of the Loftwing?" he asked her.
Zelda looked at him curiously. "The Loftwing? What's that?"
Link looked up at the sky and pointed. "The constellation. The Loftwing. It's the shape of a giant bird."
Zelda looked up at the sky. "I don't see it."
Link scooted over so he was right up against her side. He was warm, and it felt nice to be this close to him. He then pointed up at the sky again and traced out a bird in the stars. Zelda was able to follow his motions as she leaned against his shoulder.
"I see it! What's the story?"
Link thought for a moment. "It's been years since I heard my Aunt tell me, but it's about our ancestors from years and years ago. A great evil came to the land—before Hyrule was even a kingdom, I think. The goddesses heard the prayers of the people and created a world in the heavens for them to live, creating Loftwings for them to travel on.
"They sealed the great evil in the earth, but it made the land evil and full of monsters. And after hundreds of years, the evil threatened to escape and reach above to the people who had escaped it. So one of the goddesses gave up her immortality and became a human in an attempt to defeat this evil. Together with a young hero, she defeated the evil. The two fell in love, and became King and Queen of the Kingdom of Hyrule, choosing to stay on the surface. The hero's loftwing flew back into the sky, never to be needed again, joining the stars to tell their story for all eternity."
Zelda looked at Link's face as he finished his story; he looked so innocent and content staring up at the sky. "How do you know so much about the stars?"
"My aunt and uncle, I guess. The stories have been told in my family for generations. I guess it was our way of joining in the adventure despite our boring lives," Link chuckled.
"And now you're creating a story of your own!" Zelda said.
"You know," Link commented. "All those years looking up at the stars, I always loved the adventures they tell of. It's no surprise I've stumbled on one of my own." He looked over at her and smiled softly. "Thanks for making it a good one."
Zelda smiled at Link. And in that moment, she knew she was in love.
Thanks for reading. Hopefully you remembered most of the flashbacks from previous chapters so these make more sense. We've only got one more chapter after this one! Unless you convince me to do an epilogue, of course...
Let me know what you think!