Disclaimer: Don't own The legend of Zelda,
Nintendo does. I just own OCs and plot.
Another Day in a new Life
The sun beats down on Zelda's back as she works her way through the flax field, its hot rays lessened by the cool winds blowing from the north. She is helping the family harvest their flax, a task she is struggling with heavily.
She quickly had come to realize the task is the most work she has ever done in her life, and she fears it is showing through to her body. Before she had left the castle, the most work she had ever done had been weaving a tapestry. Now she is doing actual physical labour, sweating in the field and getting cuts along her hands.
For what feels like the hundredth time that day, she stops to give her hands and arms a break. For a girl who's spent most of her life sitting at a desk reading from books, swinging a sickle back and forth, she realizes, is really tiring. Holding up her hands, she grimaces at the blisters and cuts developing on her once porcelain skin.
She glares at the crude farming tool she has been working with. It lies in the cut flax, seemingly taunting her and her lack of stamina. If not for her training with Link, she wonders if she would have thrown in the towel already.
At least they didn't give me a scythe. Zelda chortles at the idea of herself trying to wield a scythe with her noodly arms, finding it ridiculous.
She looks to her right where she sees Linka, Ravio, and San swinging their scythes back and forth, levelling the flax with each forward swing. They make it look so easy, though that is probably because their bodies were used to the work by now.
She sighs tiredly when she sees how much flax is still left. Even though she had volunteered to help with the harvest, she is already kicking herself. She takes out her flask and sips down some water the way she has seen the others do, sighing in satisfaction as it refreshes her. She picks up her sickle and continues cutting the flax.
Time seems to slow as she labours in the field. After a while, she decides to look at the sun's position, the way Link had taught her and judges the time is around noon. Finally! Zelda mentally sighs. Now I can swap out with Aryll.
Setting her sickle down in the ground, she stuffs the harvested flax in a bag for storage before calling to the others to let them know she is done and heading to search for Aryll. She finds the young girl outside the barn, feeding the pig. As she approaches, the pig lets out a happy squeal, making Aryll look up from her work and smiles when she sees Zelda.
"I'm guessing it's my turn to help harvest the flax?"
"Yes," affirms Zelda, a tired look in her eyes.
"Okay," Aryll chirps gleefully. "So are you going to your appointment then?" she asks, referring to Zelda's doctor appointment.
Zelda bit at her lip briefly, dreading her appointment scheduled during last month's physical. Where did the time go... She gives Aryll a wearied dip of the head in reply. I doubt I've changed one bit since I've arrived in Holodrum... "I will soon. I just need to wait for Link to finish his work."
Aryll nods slowly in understanding. "In that case, see you later, Zelda."
The two wave farewell as Aryll races to help with the harvest. Zelda trudges into the barn to see how Link is faring. She finds him handling two goats and tying a rope around the doe. He lifts his gaze to see who has entered and smiles upon seeing her.
"I assume it is time to go?" he asks.
"Yes," Zelda affirms, smiling as she pets the doe on the head.
"Alright. Just let me finish here and we can go." His face lights up as an idea forms in his mind. "Actually, can you give me a hand, Zelda?"
"Sure," she replies, continuing to pat the goats. "What do I need to do?"
"First off," Link says looking Zelda in the eye. "What do you know about animal husbandry?"
"Animal husbandry?" she echoes, confused. Think, think! she tells herself. Animal husbandry, animal husbandry; what do you know about animal husbandry? She frantically rakes her mind for an answer but pulls up a blank. Nothing! You know nothing about animals except how to feed them. Husbandry? You don't even have a husband!
Meekly, she looks up at Link and responds in embarrassment, "Nothing."
"In that case, consider this your crash course." Link hands her the rope he had tied around the doe. "Lead her out, and tie the loose end to the post."
Zelda leads the doe out and ties the rope as tightly as she can to the post which she found on the right side of the barn. Moments later, Link calmly emerges, guiding the billy out by another rope. He leads the billy behind the doe, keeping a tight grip but giving the billy a lot of slack.
Zelda watches closely, curious to see what will happen. Her childish curiosity transforms into bewilderment when she sees the billy mount the doe.
"Oh! Oh... oh.." Zelda gasps, speechless.
Link howls in laughter at her reaction. "I assume you don't see this often in the city."
Zelda doesn't respond. She just watches wide-eyed as the billy breeds the doe.
The billy finishes its job and dismounts the doe. Link leads it back into the barn, telling Zelda to bring the doe. Zelda dumbly obeys, trying to process what she has just seen.
After the goats are put away in their stalls, Link closes the barn, locking it tight. With grins, he and Zelda stride down the road away from the farm, side by side, on their way to her doctor's appointment.
As they walk, Zelda thinks back to earlier. Her mind has finally cleared, and she feels foolish for reacting so shocked - to a situation she has been aware will eventually happen to her, since her first menstruation.
She shakes her head, trying to dispel those unpleasant thoughts. Even though she had to work hard labour, even though she lives a different life, even though a part of her longs for the familiarity, she had already decided not to go back. She will not be like the doe, used for producing an heir and treated like a lesser being. That doe probably has a better life than I ever did. Zelda smiles at the irony.
"Everything alright?" Link asks, a puzzled look on his face.
"Everything is fine," Zelda quietly says, staring ahead. "Just thinking about how much my life has changed."
"What was life like back in Hyrule?"
Zelda is silent as she mulls over her thoughts. She can't exactly tell Link the truth... Or can I? Maybe I can tell him, she thinks. He has done nothing to make me worry about his trustworthiness. What's the worst that could happen?
As she's about to speak, her courage abandons her and she withdraws into herself. She feels his hand on her shoulder, and it sends a shiver trailing down her spine.
"If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine," he reassures her, but Zelda could detect a trace of hurt in his voice.
"It... It is fine," she tells him. "I will tell you later. I just need more.."
"More time," Link finishes for her.
"Yes. More time."
Link squeezes her shoulder gently before withdrawing his hand and resuming their walk in silence.
Zelda paces beside him in equal silence. For some reason, she finds herself missing the feeling of his hand on her. Maybe I just find his presence comforting, she convinces herself. Yes, that is probably why. A quick look at the sun reveals that hardly any time has passed during their conversation. Zelda quietly sighs. This is going to be a long day.
Time seems to continue its slow crawl, but they finally reach the doctor's office where Link bids Zelda good luck, promising to wait outside for her. She shyly walks in on her own, the doctor already waiting for her.
After an exchange of reiterations, just like before, the doctor tells Zelda to strip and then step on the scale. Zelda complies, wanting to have the ordeal done as soon as possible. As she approaches the scale, she hesitates. She has noticed she filled out over the month... But what if it's not enough? She takes a deep breath, attempting to calm her nerves. Best to just get it over with, she tells herself as she steps onto the scale.
Zelda bounces on her toes, humming a merry tune as she leaves the doctor's. Anyone watching would note the extra spring in her step. She could feel a smile on her face, and she didn't try to contain it. Bursting through the door with such speed she almost flies, she tackles Link into a hug, nearly knocking them both over.
Link, after regaining his balance, quirks an eyebrow at her as if amused by how the usually quiet girl is suddenly bursting with an aura of positivity.
"I'm assuming everything went well." Zelda just nods, too happy to speak. "So, don't keep me hanging here. What were the results?"
Zelda beams as she looks up at Link, her usually modest smile stretching from ear to ear. "I have gained one whole stone.!"
Link smiles proudly at her as he returns her hug. "That's wonderful, Zelda. Wonderful! Does this mean your other measurements have gone up as well.?" he inquires as they break their embrace.
Zelda smiles smugly, sticking out her chest with her hands on her hips. "Yes they have!"
Link holds back a laugh at her out-of-place behaviour as if he finds it cute and childish. He composes himself before asking, "Did the doctor have any questions for you?"
"None, aside from asking how I put on so much weight in so little time."
Link laughs hard. "Yes, it is rather amazing. Did she give you any new goals?"
Zelda merely shrugs. "Only to gain another stone by next year."
He chortles heartily. "At this rate, that should be easy enough. Now come," he says as he offers his arm to her.
Zelda's cheeks turn rosy pink as she accepts Link's arm. Though years of courtly mannerism drilled into her head told her to worry for onlookers getting the wrong idea, her bubbling joy urged her to refuse her instinct.
Link leads Zelda back through the town. As they walk by, people wave at them and offer friendly greetings.
She had learned quickly during her stay that Link's family is held in high esteem among the general populace. Link himself, she thinks, is especially admired for his generosity and his service as law enforcement. The young maidens especially adore him - and those with shadier histories fear him.
They soon arrive at the local pub, making Zelda look at Link in questioning amusement.
He gives a savvy grin. "I figured we could celebrate your accomplishment."
An equally wide grin crosses Zelda's face. "I won't mind," she replies amused.
The smooth, heavy door lightly creaks open and a small bell chimes above as Link leads Zelda into a dully lit room with aged tables, creaking chairs, sagging benches, and ale stains littered all over the place. All heads momentarily face them to see the newcomers. Upon seeing Link they give a loud hearty greeting before returning to their drinks and conversations.
Scanning the crowd, Link and Zelda find all seats are taken except for a small secluded table. With difficulty they wade through the sea of bodies and benches, letting out sighs of relief when they sit down at their table. They wave a waiter over and order a pint of ale each. As they wait for their drinks, they indulge in some small talk.
Eventually, the conversation turns towards Zelda's training - a topic she has mixed feelings about.
"Relax Zelda, you're not that bad," Link reassures her.
"You are only saying that," she says looking, down at the floor. "I am a pathetic fighter."
"You only lack experience," he tells her, looking exasperated. "You have already improved greatly."
Zelda scoffs wryly before looking Link in the eye. "How is getting knocked flat onto my butt a hundred times each session great improvement?"
"In the last two you were able to land a hit on me."
She sighs. "I barely grazed your shoulder last time."
"But you still landed a hit," he emphasizes. "That alone is sign of your improvement."
Zelda looks away from Link sadly. "...Thanks," she replies shyly. She still isn't used to receiving praise, even for small accomplishments.
Their ales arrive, and they drink them in silence. Afterwards, Link goes to pay for the bill, leaving Zelda alone, and giving her time to reflect.
Whether it is the effects of the drink or not, all traces of her earlier happiness have since dissipated like the smoke from a candle when it is blown out. Life as a commoner is proving more complicated than I'd realized. Looking down from a tower, she realizes, could only reveal so much about the outside world. For once in her life, she is doing actual labour, be it working in a field, sewing clothes together, or feeding barn animals. Zelda looks down at her hands, noting new ridges and patches of blue and black spread beneath her skin. She lets out a sigh, rubbing her sore forearms from knots buried in her forming muscles and wishing she didn't wake up weary and aching each morning.
But the shift of movement causes a jingling noise to sound from her apron. Sliding a hand down, she briefly touches the warm surfaces of a number of small, rough coins and smiles at her hard-earned pay. But after all, I guess I have never really owned my own money before.
Furthermore, she is not being badgered by her tutors or her father and his council, for which she is very grateful. She no longer had to attend hours of lessons and for once has some spare time on her hands - Spare time that she spent relaxing, be it alone, with the animals, or with her new friends.
The hours they spend together are some of Zelda's favourite, and thanks to them, she has finally learned how to swim. Zelda giggles, relishing the fact that swimming is an activity that her fellow nobles will never know.
Though, she still found bath day unsettling. As someone who used to take her baths alone with only her handmaids assisting her, she finds being nude in front of a whole family something else. An uncharacteristic snort escapes her lips as she remembers how skittish she'd still acted during last bath day.
The one thing that hasn't changed (for the most part) are Sunday mornings. Like before, she would attend Sunday services at the local temple with Link's family, pay tithes, and leave when the services had been other.
Yet, a small frown crosses her face, for despite the familiarity she couldn't help noticing the differences. The priest had been a good preacher, but she missed Father Rauru's sermons. The congregation had been smaller, but she dismissed it for the smaller size of the village. The biggest difference had been the lack of goddess statues. She remembers nearly panicking when she couldn't find a goddess statue to pray at. Arlette had explained to her that they had no goddess statues in Holodrum and that the three golden goddesses were held in higher reverence than Hylia. This had been alien to Zelda on a whole new level. Hylia is the mother of all Hylians, Zelda remembers explaining. How could she be revered less than the golden goddesses?!
Zelda's reflection is interrupted when someone bumps into the table. She expects it to be Link, but is surprised when she sees a man she does not know.
"'Shcuze me li'le lady," the man slurs. "Mind iv ee sshit by ya."
Zelda doesn't have a good feeling about this man. He was obviously drunk from the way he slurred his speech, and how he sways from side to side. A hungry look glitters in his eyes, as if he were staring at an entire pork tenderloin from the window of the butcher's shop - and the grin on his face is creepy to say the least. It reminds Zelda of the sickening expression of the four men who had tried to assault her.
"No you may not." she firmly tells him, trying to hide the discomfort in her voice. She her straightens her back and looks the man in the eyes.
Just when she thinks he's going to walk away, he grabs Link's chair and clumsily sets it next to hers. Zelda scoots away as far as her chair would allow. The drunk man's intentions become clear when he pulls Zelda into his lap and begins to grope her. Zelda tries to scream, but the drunk forces her into a kiss, muffling her cries. The stench of alcohol hits her, and she nearly suffocates from the intoxicating smell.
Zelda's adrenaline kicks in, and she starts struggling more aggressively, lashing out with her limbs. She manages to land a lucky shot on his head, momentarily stunning him and allowing her to pull away and catch her breath, but he retains a strong grip on her arms, not allowing her to escape.
A fist slams hard on the table, making both look to see - much to Zelda's gratefulness - an extremely pissed Link.
"Gregore," he addresses the louche drunk. "I advise you to release the maiden and leave now."
Gregore stupidly looks at Link while saying, "Back ofv, Link. Can't ye shee vve arrrre buzy.? Go findt yerr own bitch."
Link's face twitches ever so slightly. He clenches his hands so hard his knuckles turn white. "I will pretend I didn't just hear that," he says, his voice ice cold, and with each passing second, it becomes rougher around the edge. "Gregore, I am warning you. If you know what is best for you, back off now. We do not need a repeat of Farore's day."
Gregore must have been as drunk as he looked. He doesn't give any reaction of comprehension at Link's words and seems to be oblivious to the danger he was placing himself in.
"T'at fight 'ad been uncalled furrr."
"UNCALLED FOR?" Link roars, frightening Zelda further so much she nearly soils her clothes. "UNCALLED FOR!?" Link forces his heavy breath from bared teeth, and Zelda notices his canines seem unnaturally long. "You!" He points a shaky finger at Gregore. "You had ASSAULTED ARYLL!"
By then, everyone in the pub was looking at the confrontation with fear in their eyes. Several back away in their seats, and some even run out the door. Those who are drunk merely looked confused.
Gregore, as one of the afore, regards Link with the dumbest look of all time. "Eall ee did wassh grope 'er."
"That still counts as assault in my books." Link's body trembles and he seems a thread away from snapping. "I suggest you leave now, if you want to live."
Unfortunately, Link's threat goes completely over Gregore's drunk head. "Fuck you," he spits at Link, and gives Zelda another squeeze.
Before Zelda can react, she is on the ground, and Link pounces on Gregore, tackling him to the ground. Link's fists repeatedly flew high into the air before crashing down in mighty punches, his face snarling and growling with each punch.
Zelda watches in wonder and in fear. The kindhearted, easygoing Link is gone, and in his place was a primitive animal. Poor Gregore in his drunk state didn't stand a chance.
After what feels to Zelda like minutes but is probably only seconds later, Link freezes mid swing. As if snapped from a trance, he looks down at Gregore in surprise and at his bloodied fist in equal shock and horror. He backs away from Gregore, and Zelda is able to get a good look at his face. She chokes back a sob. The split and swollen skin on Gregore's meaty face welled with oozing blood. His nose had been bashed in, and one eye is swollen shut. If not for the rising of his chest, Zelda may have thought he is dead.
Link gets up off the ground, a blank look on his face. He makes his way to the bar where he pays the owner for the damage. Link helps Zelda to her feet, and the two leave the establishment in silence. Once the pub is no longer in sight, Link halts his steps, letting out a long sigh into his hands.
"Are you alright, Zelda?" he asks her.
She looks away, rubbing her arm nervously. "A little shaken," she tells him. She then becomes aware of a dark stain in her skirt, and a terrible smell in the air. "And I am in need of a change in wardrobe."
Link turns away in shame. "I am sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."
Zelda tenderly grasps Link's hand in her own hands, looking up at him with a forlorn look in her eyes. "Are you okay? Do you want to talk about it?" she asks, referencing his outrage.
He gives a pause and seems to be giving deep thought to it. He opens his mouth as if to speak but closes it tightly and shakes his head, looking sad and defeated. "Some other time. I will tell you later."
Zelda feels like she's been punched in the gut, realizing she has said the exact same to him on multiple occasions.
As they walk back, people wave at them as usual, but Zelda can hardly bring herself to wave back.
She loved how the people of Horon have accepted her into their village. She loved it even more that people actually liked her for who she was as a person and not because of her wealth and status. Their smiles are genuine, and so are their words.
Zelda suddenly feels a shiver run up her spine. Looking around, she catches sight of her least favourite person, Styla, haggling a shop vendor on the other side of the street. She looks away and quickens her pace. Link matches her, giving her a questioning glance. She simply mouths "Styla," and he nods in understanding.
Zelda had quickly learned that there was little that could actually be done about Styla. Styla's family possesses great wealth and prestige. Her father holds a very important, and influential chair in the village council, being in charge of all financial deals and business, so Styla is for all intended purposes untouchable. The most they could give her was a slap on the wrist, and that was it.
When they arrive home, Zelda is swarmed with eager questions about her appointment. Nevertheless, when they see the stains on her clothes they become concerned. Zelda briskly walks by to her room, leaving Link to explain what happened.
She returns in fresh clothes and wanders into the main sitting room where she picks up a book she has been reading - loaned to her by Linka - and attempts to distract herself by reading.
She thumbs the cover depicting a romantic scene of a heroic knight saving a princess from a monster, much like all the romance novels she had back at the castle. However, unlike those books, this one had been written in the vernacular language, not the scholastic languages she was used to. As such, she has been having difficulty reading the book, for even though she can speak the vernacular language, she has scarcely read it before, and she realized she is grossly under-practised.
It is during her fourth attempt at reading the same sentence that her attention is snatched by the sound of the front door creaking open. In walks Lysander, travel-worn, with his head bowed and eyes tired. Arlette gets up from her seat by the hearth and greets her husband with a kiss at his return. Zelda finds it sweet, even though Aryll makes a gagging noise.
"How was your trip dear?" Arlette asks Lysander, her voice quiet and gentle.
"It was a success," he says pulling out a bag of rupees from a knapsack which he gives Arlette. "And at the moment I am tired and need rest, but first I have news to share from Hyrule."
"Should I wake up mom and dad?" San asks his brother as Arlette helps him into a chair.
Lysander gives a casual wave of his hand. "No, let them sleep. We can inform them later."
"So what's the news?" Arlette queries.
"Believe it or not," he begins "But apparently the crown princess, Princess Griselda, has disappeared."
By now, everybody was giving Lysander their full attention, especially Zelda who feels the blood drain from her face.
Everyone muttered amongst themselves, in denial of the news, with the exceptions of Link, sitting and silently listening and Arlette who doesn't seem all that perturbed.
"I know it sounds crazy," Lysander says, motioning for everyone to quiet down. "I too, didn't believe it at first, but after recieving confirmation from a few of the soldiers and by visiting the local establishments, I have no choice but to accept it as fact."
"How long has she been missing?" Arlette asks in a neutral tone.
"I haven't been able to get anything definite, but according to the rumour mill, she has been absent for around a month."
"And we are only hearing about this now?!" she questions hotly.
"Once again, according to the rumour mill, the royal council has been trying to keep quiet about this because they didn't want to start a panic. If you ask me, they wasted precious time doing that. The princess' trail will be cold by now."
"Do they at least have wanted posters up?" asks San, looking dismayed.
"Yes, several, but I don't know what good they'll do. The description they give is vague at best. Something as good as 'Look for a scrawny maiden with blond hair, blue eyes, pale skin and walks with a delicate step. Only average height.'"
"Heavens!" exclaims Arlette. "That describes half the young maidens living in Hyrule itself.!"
It takes all of Zelda's self-control to not snicker with glee. That wanted poster, she realizes, is as good as useless. She has changed a good deal in the past month. While she isn't exactly curvaceous, her body has filled out a generous amount allowing her some actual muscle on her bones, though she internally sighs at her perpetual slimness. Nevertheless, days of being out in the sun have given her a light tan.
Even though the poster isn't much of a match anymore, Zelda feels conscious that the guards are searching for her. She wonders how long it will be before they start looking outside Hyrule. A cold, worming pit of anxiety begins to sprout in her stomach. She wonders if she can risk telling the people in the room her secret - the family that has taken her in. But she shrinks back from the thought, too afraid of the uncertainty shrouding their reaction.
She looks at everyone in this room, and when her eyes meet Link, he meets her gaze with his own. Though it only lasts for a second, Zelda sees a look in his eyes that leaves her feeling unpleasant. It is almost as if he had been searching for something. She wonders if he was guessing at anything, putting any pieces together.
Suddenly, Zelda excuses herself, saying she is going to take a nap. In truth, she only wants to be alone to think for a while. As she climbs the stairs to her room, unbeknownst to her, Arlette is closely watches her every step of the way.
Duh, duh, duuuuuuuuuuuhhhhh! Zelda is settling into her new home, but the guards are actively searching for her back in Hyrule. Will they find her? ...Wait and find out.
Okay, so next upload I will be updating my first two chapters. When that happens, go check them out and let me know what you think of the updates.
Reply to review from Lightblade1121: You say you found chapter eight a little funny, eh? You're welcome, even if I wasn't trying to make it funny. Let me know what parts you found funny.
Sorry if updates seem slow, me and my β reader are going as fast as we can, but we are both busy with other things, so please be patient with us please.
Until next time. Stay tuned.