I lied, this is actually 5 parts, not 4.

Still very very short chapters.

Enjoy!

If She'd Lived - 2

\,(o),/

Eight Months

\,(o),/

Out of respect for Zelda he didn't stop Hero from seeing her, but Sheik made sure that he was around when it happened. Which, in all honesty, wasn't that often anyway. Hero popped in out of the blue once every few weeks, waiting at her favourite courtyard by sneaking past the guards for his own amusement. He always brought gifts; bottled pink fairies, raw gems straight from some foreign mine, korok nuts and pikori berries depending on the season, gerudo silk, zora crystal.

It got to the point that even royal suitors didn't bandy out such gifts like this, and Zelda had practically collapsed of laughter at the very suggestion that Hero thought himself as one. Needles to say, Sheik was miffed at being made fun of.

"He gives these things to everyone, Tharlaigh. You know Lady Malon Lon?"

"Yes, the heir to over a quarter of the Field regions, why?"

"He's friends with her too, and she has a whole room dedicated to his gifts because she doesn't know what to do with them. She could easily open her own shop with his trinkets. It's just how he shows he cares."

He wondered how the Hero even afforded these gifts. Then again, being the Hero, he probably knew and befriended every single one of the leaders of the Hylian Alliance, who also happened to be Sages. Getting gifts through them must be easy.

Zelda sighed, kicking her heels up. They were in the courtyard, the sun streaming down on them in bright streams, the early spring shoots spotting the garden in blooming emerald hues amongst the blushing flower buds. Just above the cobbled walkway was a source of viridian light, a ball of travel magic that a certain Hero had set up for himself. "Why must you insist on using your bias against him? He's done nothing wrong to you."

"Yet," he grinned back cheekily, making her scowl.

"The one thing you do take seriously it just has to be this, doesn't it."

"I live to be-" the ball of magic erupted in a shower of sparks and the Hero dropped softly down onto the grass, his fairy swirling round his shoulders. "A nuisance."

The Hero looked at him, some fuzzy fruits in hand, confused.

"He meant himself," Zelda said as she stood and raised her hands as if to hug him. But they just clasped arms, a strange gesture of solidarity between Princess and commoner, and Sheik couldn't help a bemused little smirk. He had to admit, they were an adorable mismatched pair, especially since the boy was shorter than the towering Princess. "How are you?"

He nodded, shrugged, grinned.

Navi sighed. "Words."

They broke away, Zelda laughing, Hero blushing. "She understood me fine."

"Yeah I got stuck under an avalanche but I got out without a cold so I'm alright, does not translate with those gestures."

The Hero winced as Zelda gasped. "An avalanche? Link!"

"I'm fine! See?" and he patted himself down even as he sent furtive glares at the fairy. "And it was worth it."

"What would be worth being buried under an avalanche?"

"Frozen spiderwebs," the Hero grinned, adding, "And hot yeti soup."

Zelda insisted they tell the full story as they sat down, peeling the kikwi fruit and nibbling at their sweetly tart segments. Navi insisted in turn that Hero be the one to tell it even when he gave her many pleading gazes. Sheik marvelled at the sheer social ineptitude of this boy, sometimes.

But, Sheik supposed as he blended into the background and the chatting teens sort of forgot he was there, having only a fairy as a constant companion and travelling as a practically homeless urchin would do that. Social cues were taught, and this boy had been taught nothing. Maybe how to survive, and fight, and be (this was grudgingly admitted) generous, but talking to people? No, he was terrible at that.

Part way through the tale Hero's stomach grumbled magnificently, the sheer majestic roar of Hero's gut bringing them to a standstill.

Then Zelda burst out laughing and Hero was quick to follow. Even Sheik had to grin, the fairy scolding him for not taking better care of himself. Zelda was apologizing between giggles, offering to have milk and fruits and bread and other such things brought to them. Hero said he was fine, Navi said that would be excellent, and of course, Sheik found himself running that particular errand.

Disguise aside Hero was proving himself to be a harmless young man, and Sheik knew that Zelda could take him down if the need rose, so he agreed.

On the way back Sheik found himself accosted by Hero's fairy. It took him a while to bring up the name, despite nearly knowing her for eight months. Navi. Right.

Sheik actually vaguely remembered a time when he and she had interacted, in the lost seven years. He'd been watching Hero from afar (at least, he thought he was) to make sure the supposed saviour wasn't attacked in his sleep (or something like it), and the ball of blue light had come at him like a comet, shrieking like a poe. He'd genuinely thought she was a poe (had it been night when it happened?), and had swung his knife at her for a few seconds before losing his balance and dropping out of the tree branch.

Having his breath knocked out of him? That part he remembered quite vividly.

"Your name isn't actually Sheik, is it?"

Clearly Hero got his social ineptitude from somewhere. "It could be."

"Hero definitely isn't Link's name."

Ah, so they'd noticed that. He smiled behind his cowl and his hair, hoping it showed in his visible eye. "But it is his title, and I wouldn't want to seem disrespectful."

"You call Zelda Zelda."

"I'm close to her," he shrugged, "And she insists."

"Would you call Link Link if he insisted?"

I cocked my head. "We'll find out if he does, then, won't we."

"...Why do you dislike him?"

I snorted. "You're one very direct fairy, aren't you."

"So you do dislike him. Why."

"I wouldn't go so far as say I dislike him…" Sheik shrugged, "I just don't know him."

Which was true. Aside from supervising the interactions between Hero and Zelda, Sheik himself hardly spoke to the boy.

"...I see," Navi said darkly, before flying ahead. It only occurred to him after a few more steps that Hero might have shed his disguise while Sheik was gone, that the fairy was keeping tabs on him to make sure the disguise could be reapplied before he returned. Cursing his idiocy Sheik sprinted the rest of the way back, and sure enough he saw the air by the Hero shimmer like a summer haze even as he turned the corner, the magic mirage firmly in place.

Damn.

"Princess, Hero," he simpered with an exaggerated bow, "The finest luncheon is now at your disposal."

"Stop being stupid and hand it over," Zelda drawled, rolling her eyes.

They ate, they talked some more, and Sheik was somehow made to participate, which he was sure Navi had something to do with. He was polite, funny, and impersonal as per usual, almost daring the fairy to try and butt in on his perfectly mannered conduct.

The blue ball of magic chirped up when there was a lull in the conversation. "So, what's our next mission?"

Link grinned at Navi. Clearly he rather liked the term mission.

"Well, I don't really have anything right now… you're more than welcome to stay till I do? Actually, Captain Auru, he's recently been promoted to the head of the guards, and, he's noticed you sneaking in."

Hero rolled his eyes. "Finally."

"He thinks you've been baiting them these last few months."

He smiled a little guiltily. "Uh."

Zelda sighed. "If you could just talk to him I'm sure you both can think of a better patrol pattern. Please? I don't want him to bar you from coming in, if he feels he needs to. It's his job, after all." the last part she added mostly for Sheik's benefit, who played innocent admirably.

Hero sighed, eyed his fairy, and then nodded. "I'll try."

Sheik entertained the notion of somehow getting this boy jailed for his past intrusions and making him reveal who he was at the same time. Except Zelda would probably kill him for it.

"Oh, speaking of missions. Sheik? I need you in Lake Hylia to deal with the Flyer Brothers. The Zoras and the regional Sheikah have lodged an official complaint."

Sheik groaned. "Them? Aren't they just harmless nuisances?"

"Harmless nuisances that are trying to use holy grounds as a place of entertainment and bothering your people."

He rolled his eyes and scratched the ridges of his scar, hidden under his fringe. "Which clan?"

"Inkbeak made the first complaint but they've sent word to the Swordhorns as well. You'll be meeting representatives of both."

He took a final bite of sandwich, pretending to think it over. Swordhorn was his father's clan, and Zelda must have known that Fi was turning ten soon.

Sheik nodded, swallowing the rest of the sandwich before speaking. "Fair enough. Shall I head out tonight?"

Zelda's grin was a tad triumphant. "That would be appreciated."

"As my lady commands," he drawled, standing fluidly up. It would be good to see his sister again, make sure mother was well-looked after as well. "I'll leave you two to your chatting. How long do you need me there, my Lady?"

Zelda grinned. "For as long as necessary."

"You probably won't see me for months, then. Good day, Hero."

"Um," he stuttered, "Wait."

Sheik did so, watching him fumble through his belt pouch till he pulled out a bottle full of viscous amber liquid. Oil?

"For your knives." he tossed it up to the Sheikah, looking nervous. "Hope it's useful."

Sheik eyed it critically, and found himself nodding. "Yes, it will be. Thank you."

He smiled, shrugged, and went back to talking with Zelda. Well, mostly listening. Hero could be practically mute, if given the opportunity.

Sheik sighed once he was out of sight. That kid really was likeable, if it weren't for that stupid disguise.

\,(o),/

Navi watched him go, making sure he was well on his way before returning to the girls.

"It's safe now."

Link slipped off the hat, the magic disintegrating again. She fluffed her hair out, scratching it so vigorously it stuck up in spikes, and Lin wiped her eyes and yawned. Belly full, clear skies, magic released and safe. It was the kind of day that beckoned a good nap. She rolled in the grass and stretched, an arm thrown over her eyes, grinning into the warm darkness.

Zelda chuckled, leaning back on her elbows. "It's a lovely day."

"Mm," in agreement.

"Did you go to the festival, in the end?"

An affirmative "Mm."

Zelda snorted. "Who did you go with?"

"Malon," Lin replied, thinking of Ingo and his supposed chaperoning of them both, though he really mostly hung out around the pubs while the two of them explored the vendors and the games. Being a little more than nervous about the crowds, gripping Malon's hand tight even as Lin worried that the grip was hurting her, yet equally scared that she would be left to fend for herself in a throng of jostling strangers. "It was crowded."

"Festivals usually are. Did you enjoy yourself?"

Apples cooked in ashes and dipped in taffy, glistening sweet and sticking to her fingers and hair, throwing balls into buckets stuck on boards and failing at that but winning game after game of sharpshooting (being allowed to keep playing for free as long as she didn't claim prizes and made competition of other customers and until Malon got really bored), choosing scarves for Malon's hair, picking out another pin to go with it for her but arguing about it for a bit because Malon kept insisting Lin was giving her too much stuff (nonsense, Lin could never repay Malon enough for Epona's company) and dancing without rules (you could get away with spinning in a circle and shifting side-to-side, unlike court balls) and quiet moments eating flour dumplings or skewered insects (Malon had been hilariously revolted by that) and Lin's heart hadn't stopped fluttering once.

"Yeah."

"What was your favourite part?"

Lin breathed in deeply, rolling onto her front and gazing at the grass. She thought of asking Navi to elaborate, but she'd been increasingly less likely to indulge the almost mute Hylian about this. Lin could actually feel the fairy looking at the back of her head, insisting without insisting that Lin be the one to deliver the verbal dues.

Lin breathed out, slowly. "The food, I think. There was apples in ashes, with that. Honey-ish stuff. Burnt sugar?"

"Caramel?"

"No, the thicker kind, more clayish. Sticks in your teeth."

Zelda paused, and nodded. "Taffy."

"Yes, that. And, it got in my hair, so Malon and me had to-" Malon and I, Navi corrected in her head, and Lin stuck her chin out irritably. "...Malon and I had to wash it out at the fountain, so there was a fight. Water fight, not, just splashing, no violence I promise."

Zelda snickered as Lin's face turned a shade of pink.

Navi could feel the smouldering resentful embarrassment in a small corner of Lin's ribs, most of it pointed at the fairy, the rest at her circumstance. Circumstance had made speaking to anyone practically a nonexistent activity, unless they were asking directions or seeking hints about local disasters or monsters. Lin being somewhat shy to begin with, Navi had done most of the talking to strangers anyway, and they hardly spoke to each other as well.

At least, not with their mouths.

So being nearly eighteen yet struggling to converse in Common (she was perfectly fluent in the kikwi dialect of the Deku language, but that only got you so far) frankly, Navi knew, made Lin feel stupid.

But all that was needed was practice, and Navi knew Lin would master her words. Stupid people couldn't complete puzzles in Temples, stupid people didn't survive in the wild, and Navi certainly did not look after stupid people. Her Hylian child was not stupid.

Navi made sure Lin heard her thoughts.

Lin sighed, grumbled into the grass, and kept telling Zelda about the festival. The Princess listened attentively, prompting for more elaborations until the sun had dipped much lower in the sky, and the stone walls of the courtyard glowed shades of dusky tangerine.

"Oh, hell," Lin scrambled off the grass and slipped the hat back on, the air shifting around her and the perception of the body till it was inexplicably male to the mortal eye. "I've kept you too long."

"Nonsense. I enjoy hearing you speak; it's a treat."

Link grinned despite her embarrassment, and rolled her eyes. "I'll talk to Auru."

Zelda rolled her eyes in kind. "I wasn't complimenting you with ulterior motives, you know."

They walked the garden passageways, heading towards the west wing. Link stuck out her tongue, grinning cheekily. Then she shook her head and glowered at Navi, who sighed and switched the mental pronouns. She wished he'd be more open about her identity, but he brought up images of people dealing with a child 'looking for his sister' or 'looking for her brother', how adults and children had reacted to the two different facets of him and her wielding the same blade and the same clothes, being allowed access into places the other had not, liberties and charities offered to one and not the other. How Link was less likely to be approached by disturbing strangers than Lin.

The fluidity was useful, Navi conceded, but didn't he find the confusion exhausting? Revealing Lin to everyone all over again had been a tedious affair, and Malon had been particularly bewildered. And what if he really wanted to get to know someone new? Wouldn't starting off as Lin be better?

People who care don't matter, and people who matter don't care, were the words he threw at her, speaking in Navi's own voice.

Navi huffed and called him a cheeky upstart.

"Lin, I mean, Link?"

Distracted from the old argument Link brought his attention back to Zelda. "Mm?"

"Have you considered my offer? About the Civil Liaison position?"

His expression twisted dubiously. Civil Liaison, as far as he could discern, was basically a sanctioned and safer version of Heroing. Which was fine, Navi would stop nagging him to keep out of danger (yes, you do nag Navi but Link loved her anyway), it let him travel, he could take care of monsters and stay in shape (it wasn't dangerous unless they started getting big as cows, Navi, shut up) but…

It involved people, and people were exhausting. He could barely handle talking to his friends for long periods of time (he liked listening more than talking and there was nothing wrong with that) so talking to strangers all the time? He'd admittedly been pretty good at that as a kid, probably because adults were more than happy about talking to lonely kids, but now…?

"You don't have to go straight into it," Zelda added kindly, "In fact, you don't really have to change anything you're doing right now. I'm just giving our arrangement a more official name, though there is one added aspect that's part of the duties. Actually two."

"Oh?" Navi said, saving Link that trouble at least.

"Are you aware of the custom here, of bringing in workers from outside the castle and have them maintain the grounds?"

Link nodded.

"Civil Liaisons are often required to participate, since it gives them active grounds to interact with the people."

Link groaned. Talking.

"Now now Link, it's good practice," Navi pointed out, a little smugly.

He grumbled and raised an eyebrow, gesturing for the other aspect.

Zelda's smile was a touch crooked. "Civil Liaisons have always been women."

"Oh come on, you too?" Link burst out and Navi giggled.

So yeah, when Navi was alive talking was less of an issue, hence the whole practically mute thing. After Navi died at Kanalet Lin went through a crashcourse in words but mostly only talked to Zelda, because she practically lost her words with Navi too.

Oh and she never went to festivals, after Navi died. Maybe watched from a distance, but never actually went.

I admit this is turning out to be an interesting exercise in character development, so if you guys have an scenarios that you want to see Lin(k), Sheik or Zelda in, let me know!

Kind regards, S.S.