Disclaimer: I do not own The Legend of Zelda games or any of the characters except for my OCs.
Harvest Festival
"I think that's enough for today," Link says as he wipes the sweat off his brow before offering his hand to Zelda. Zelda grunts as she begrudgingly takes his hand and allows him to pull her to her feet.
She still hasn't entirely forgiven him for leaving her for Styla that day at the inn. Even though over a week has passed since that day, and Link has apologized profusely multiple times, she still holds a grudge. She had been looking forward to spending time with Link-had for once been looking forward to possibly being courted-only for Link to leave with Styla while Zelda had been using the chamber pot.
One might say Zelda's current behaviour is childlike, as she isn't even making the effort to talk things out with Link, but Zelda simply doesn't care.
As always at the end of their training sessions, Link wades into the spring to bath himself. However, Zelda doesn't bother waiting for him. She doesn't even take a peek at him. She slips on her kirtle and leaves without another word.
This is how the days pass by. If his family is noticing the tension between them, they make no note of it, but Zelda notices Linka and Aryll are noticeably talking less to Link as if Zelda's grudge is rubbing off onto them.
One day, as she is leaving work and doing her best not to think of Link, her feet wander to the village centre. Decorations hang from the buildings and poles that have been erected during the week, and long tables and benches are lined up in neat rows.
Zelda allows a small smile to break through her hardened expression, knowing what all the decor meant. The harvest season is almost over, which means the harvest festival was upon the village. Having never attended a harvest festival before, she smiles a little wider, anticipating it with glee.
The sound of merrymaking reaches her ears, and Zelda looks off to the side across the street where she sights Holly giggling and conversing with a young sailor. The latter slips his hand into Holly's, and a blush dusts the young maiden's face.
A wave of jealousy crashes over like a storm. She looks away and walks in the opposite direction, her smile gone.
A cheerful greeting distracts Zelda, and she looks up to see Merari taking long, graceful strides towards here with his cloak billowing in the breeze. A large smile appears on Zelda's face. She and Merari have been spending a lot of time together lately, seeing each other almost every day now. She always looks forward to their time together, like how she used to look forward to her time with Link.
A shadow passes over her face at the thought of Link, and a thorn of pain pierces her heart, making it feel as if a weight is resting on her chest.
"Are you alright, milady?" Merari asks, taking Zelda's hands in his own.
"I.. I am fine Merari," she lies, looking down. She forces herself to meet his eyes and plasters a fake smile on her lips. "I am just feeling a little under the weather."
Merari brings her hands up and plants kisses her knuckles making Zelda blush profusely. "In that case, I wish you a swift recovery, milady. Before you go-" He pauses and appears to be thinking about something. He straightens his posture and squares his shoulders, giving himself a haughty, dignified air. "I would like to issue an occasion. How would you like to attend the harvest festival with me?"
Zelda can only stare back with her hand over her mouth. He is courting me! She fixes her composure, straightening her posture and replies, "I would love to join you, Merari."
His face splits into a wide grin, and Zelda sees something gleaming in his eyes. "In that case, I bid you good day, and I look forward to our time together." He whirls about and strides away down the road, leaving Zelda to walk home smiling and giggling all the way.
When she arrives at the farm, Zelda is greeted with a peculiar sight. Set up in the middle of the pasture are a number of haybales with targets strapped on them. A bow and a quiver full of arrows leans on the side of one of them. It is not very long, but it has plenty of mass in the curve, and it recurves at the ends. Judging by its two contrasting colours, it is made out of plywood.
The idea came as quick as a bolt of lightning. Smirking giddily, she picks up the bow and quiver and scurries to the other side of the pasture. Her heart beats like a drum with anticipation. She has never done archery before, but has always wanted to. Slender fingers plucks an arrow from the quiver and nocks the bow. She brings the bow up in front of her like she has seen the archers at the castle do. Brows knit tight in frustration and determination as she struggles to draw the bow. The bow creaks in protest as the string inches towards Zelda's face. With a final tug, a pain shoots up her arm and a cry escapes her.
"It's not as easy as it looks."
With a jump, the string springs from her hand, slapping against her arm, stinging as her arrow goes wild. Whirling around, her surprise turns into displeasure when she sees only Link. "Don't scare me like that!" she huffs, puffing out her cheeks.
"And you, stop looking so cute," Link replies jokingly.
Zelda fights a blush from forming as she yells, "What are you doing here?"
Link holds up his hands in defence, a smirk ever-present on his face, but his features relax, and his smile disappears, replaced by a grim line. "We need to talk Zelda."
She wants to argue and refuse, but the strong, determined look in his eyes makes her feel like a deer stalked by a predator. She shivers and relents, giving a small nod of her head to show she's listening.
Link closes the distance between them but stays at arm's reach. "Zelda," he begins. "I know you are upset. I know I messed up a great deal, and I know I can never say sorry enough times, but I never meant to hurt you."
"Well you did!" she spits back, deliberately trying to make him feel even more guilty. She watches his face closely and when he flinches she knows she has won, but his face screws into a grimace, brushing a strand of hair behind his ear. An ill feeling awakens in her gut and she looks down at the ground. "Why did you leave?" she asks unable to meet his gaze.
Link sighs heavily. "She wanted to talk with me. She said it wouldn't take long. Said it was important." He sighs again, shaking his head. "In the end she barked my ear off about how I should be courting her and that if I knew what was best for me and my family, I would marry her and kick you out of the house."
Zelda can't stop a shiver from crawling up her spine. The idea of Link marrying Styla was unappealing in itself, but the idea of him kicking her out was even more painful. Stop this! she berates herself. You have no say in whom he marries. No say at all. Besides, Link would never do that to anyone-kick them out just because Styla said so, right? ...Right?
She searches Link's face for some sort of confirmation. He must have seen the unease in her because he rests his hands on her shoulders, giving them a firm squeeze. "Don't worry. I told her I could have her arrested for threatening civilians. That made her shut up immediately."
"I left her then, but when I returned to the inn, you were already gone with Merari."
Zelda hangs her head even lower. She realizes she has been so focused on her own emotions that she has not bothered thinking about how Link must have felt returning to find her gone.
She on impulse tackles Link in a hug as tears start to fall from her eyes. "I'm sorry Link," she sobs into his shoulder. "I'm sorry for being such a jerk lately."
"It's okay," Link whispers as he runs his fingers through her hair.
"No, it is not okay!" she exclaims through her sobbing. "You are my best friend, and I have been treating you as less. I- I..." Zelda gasps for breath, unable to continue.
Link stops brushing her hair and pulls her closer, tightening the embrace and rubbing circles on her back.
After some time, Zelda finally calms done enough to speak. "Is it possible for things to go back to the way they used to? Can we be friends again?"
"Of course," Link whispers softly into her ear. He pulls away and plants a kiss on her forehead.
Zelda feels the heat rise to her cheeks. Even as Link pulls away and says something that flew completely over her head about dinner, all her mind can focus on is that kiss and how pleasant it had felt. She stares at his back as he starts to walk away, but for some reason she wants him to stay.
"Link!" she cries out.
He looks back at her with a questioning look. "Yes?"
Zelda looks away, embarrassed. She glances around, frantically looking for an excuse, and her eyes fall upon the bow and quiver of arrows from before. "Can you teach me how to shoot?" she asks.
Link smiles back warmly at her, and Zelda feels the heat rise within her. He walks towards her and picks up the bow. "As you wish," he says.
An afternoon peace is broken by the twang of a string, the whistle of an arrow, and the sound of said arrow lodging into the side of the barn.
"Damn it!" cusses Zelda as she misses the scarecrow standing between her and the barn. She has been training with Link in archery for the past few weeks, and while she has gotten stronger, her aim still needs some work.
She tries again, but in her haste shoots too high and hits the weather vane. "Link!" she calls.
Link strides over from where he had been watching, chuckling to himself along the way.
"Don't laugh; it's not funny!" Zelda yells as she puffs out her cheeks.
"And stop looking so adorable," Link jokingly remarks. "Now come here. You want my help or not?"
Zelda stomps over to Link and slides her legs into her stance.
He circles around her like a predator would with its prey, examining her stance from every angle. "First off," he says as he stops behind her. "Your legs need to be shoulder width apart." He nudges his leg between hers, forcing them to spread apart. "Keep your back straight." He places one hand against her stomach and the other above her bosom and presses until her back is flush with his front. He instructs her to raise her bow. "Good. Now, draw back the arrow not with only your arm, but also with your back. I'll even help you."
She draws back her arrow with Link using his own arms to keep hers steady. Their close proximity causes a blush to rise in Zelda's face. She hopes Link doesn't notice. "Keep your elbow raised and look down the length of the arrow," he tells her, his breath brushing over her sensitive ears. A shiver tendrils down her spine. She refocuses and takes aim. When her eyes lock on the target, she releases the arrow. The string slaps against her arm, but the arrow whistles through the air and sinks into the scarecrow.
Zelda smiles gleefully when she sees the arrow buried to the fletching in the bullseye painted on the scarecrow's body. She spins around and gives Link a tight hug, giggling gaily. Link chuckles along with her, his voice drifting merrily on the breeze and sounding like music to her ears.
They remain like that for a moment before moving to clean up their equipment. As they head back, Link grabs her arm, halting her in her tracks. She looks up at him with a quirked brow. He fidgets where he stands, eyes flicking from side to side. He takes a deep breath and meets her gaze with his own. "Zelda," he begins. "I have a request to ask."
"Yes?" she encourages.
He looks away again, rubbing the back of his head, giving several false starts without saying anything. After a while he gives a frustrated sigh, knitting his brow, his features set into a look of determination. "Zelda," he says strongly. "How will you like to attend the harvest festival with me?"
Zelda's about to happily scream with agreement, but she remembers she had already agreed to go with Merari. Her smile disappears, and she swallows slowly, her hands hanging limply at her sides. Link's own smile evaporates and his eyes hold a pleading look.
"I'm sorry Link, but I can't go with you. I already promised Merari I would go with him."
"I understand," Link replies stiffly. "In that case, I hope you and Merari have a good time." He smiles reassuringly at her, but she can see his smile doesn't reach his eyes. He walks stiffly towards the house, a shadow clouding over his face. Zelda remains where she is, feeling cold and troubled as she watches his retreating form.
The harvest festival has arrived. Zelda is busy preparing for the event, washing her face with rosewater and, with a practised hand, applying pigments to her face effortlessly. After slipping on her finest clothes, she leaves her room, ready for what is bound to be an eventful evening.
She exits the house, locking the door behind her, for she is the last one leaving, and is greeted with a pleasant sight. Merari is waiting for her as had been planned, and a late-rose is in his hand. He offers it to her, and she accepts it willingly, giving him a small smile.
Someone clears their voice and Zelda finally notices Link standing off to the side. "Link! What are you still doing here?" she asks befuddled.
Link doesn't budge. He remains leaning against a tree with his arms crossed and his gaze somewhere between a glare and a neutral, emotionless stare. "I am to be your chaperone for the evening."
Zelda gives a shard intake of breath. Does no one trust me enough that they feel like I need to be escorted like a child? I am a responsible adult and Merari is a respectable gentleman, I do not need a chaperone!
She realizes Merari must have been having similar thoughts, for he had chosen to speak his mind. "Link, as honoured as we would be to have you accompany us, we are two responsible adults who have no need of your services."
Link focuses his hollow eyes on Merari, but when he speaks, the slightest tang of humour seeps in his voice. "Someone needs to keep an eye on the children. Make sure they don't do anything naughty."
Merari's mouth twists into an ugly scowl with his brows knitting together above his eyes. "How dare you insult my honour and the honour of this woman! Do you take us for a couple of baseborn dogs? Furthermore, last I recalled, you are of an age younger than I!"
Link shakes his head and sighs heavily. "I see your ability to detect a jest is as dull as ever."
"If you insist," Merari grumbles. "If your jesting is done, can we please leave before the feast begins without us."
Link nods once before gesturing for the others to follow him. Merari takes Zelda by the arm and together the three of them walk towards the village.
The journey there is silent, and a tension hangs in the air, but Zelda pays it no mind for she is focused completely on the men before her, unable to help but compare just how different they truly are. Link is taller, but Merari is broader and stockier. Link's skin is tanned bronze from years of working under the sun. Merari in comparison is a pale phantom. Link confidently walks around bare-legged with the exception of his poorly tailored, mud-caked boots which he had probably made himself. His finest tunic-bright green with gold embroidery-had a few stains that refused to be washed out, and his long hair fell in front of his eyes. Merari wore hosen and a pair of tailored leather shoes along with a scarlet tunic with gold embroidery and a royal-blue cloak that billowed behind him like water in the ocean. Not a single stain or blotch could be found on his raiment; his shoes are polished to a shine; his face is clean shaven, unlike Link's, and his dark locks were neatly combed back. Even their personalities were different. Merari is formal, gentlemanly and has a sense of familiarity with her past life. Link is different. More lax and informal; alien in comparison, but not unpleasant.
They arrive shortly, just as the feast is about to begin. The whole village was there and every bench was packed full. They are able to squeeze in at the end of a table with Zelda sandwiched between Holly and Merari and Link sitting opposite her next to Styla, and he did not look happy about it.
Once everyone is settled down, the priest-Father Brun-offered a prayer to the goddesses asking for their blessing over the people and the food. Only when he is finished are they allowed to eat.
Zelda enjoyed herself splendidly. While she doesn't consider herself a glutton, at this point in time, she probably looked like one. She stuffs herself with food that she had piled onto her plate remembering her table manners one moment and then forgetting them the next when a new choice morsel catches her eye. While eating, she engages in some small talk with Merari, Holly, Link, and unfortunately Styla. She is far from pleased with having to sit anywhere near Styla and she is convinced the feeling is mutual. Yet, for the sake of everyone else, she managed to remain civil. It helps that Styla mostly talks with Link throughout the meal. However, it doesn't escape Zelda's notice that Styla is clearly doing more than just talking. She is leaning into Link, starring at him with a hungry look, batting her lashes at him. Every now and then, Zelda would see her "accidentally" brush her hand along his arm. Zelda watches Link, pitying him, and his face fluctuates between mixes of beet red, ghost white, and bile green. Glancing at her friends revealed to Zelda that Holly is mortified, while Merari looks amused.
After much eating, and too much Styla, the feast comes to an end. Electricity buzzes among the people, for it is now time for the games.
Excited partygoers move to a wide field outside the village where more than enough room for all the entertainment awaited them. They seat themselves next to a wide oval track that had been cut in the grass. Zelda hears loud neighing and braying. Soon after, accompanying riders lead several beautiful horses onto the field.
It would appear a horse race would start the games. Zelda feels a thrill as she watches semi-patiently. Among the racers, she spots Link and Merari. Link rides a lovely chestnut shire mare with white socks, mane, tail, and blaze, but her eyes widen when she sees Merari's horse. A black thoroughbred! Such a horse likely cost a small fortune, she thinks.
All racers line up at a white line of paint in the track, but Zelda focuses solely on Link and Merari who are side by side.
A horn is blown signalling the start of the race. The horses charge off, kicking up a cloud of dust. Link and Merari quickly outpace all the other racers, leaving them literally in their own dust. They keep even pace with each other, never allowing one to outdistance the other. They remain neck in neck for the rest of the race and no one else is able to match their speed. Zelda realizes the race might end in a tie. The audience is dead silent as they hold their breath.
Zelda leans forward, clutching the folds of her dress so tightly as to turn her knuckles white. The distance between the racers and the line grows ever smaller. Suddenly, Link gives a loud shout and his mare puts on an extra burst of speed, edging in front of Merari by mere inches. Link crosses the line, winning by a muzzle.
As if a spell had been broken, the crowd roars with cheers and applause that booms almost like nearby thunder. The other racers cross the line and congratulate each other, shaking hands and slapping each other on the back. When it's time for Link and Merari to shake hands, something seems off to Zelda. It is hard to tell at her distance, but their posture appears stiff and rigged, and when they shake hands, tension only seems to increase.
Afterwards, Mayor Ruul directs everyone to the centre of the field where the rest of the games would be held. Unbeknownst to everyone, when no one had been looking, Merari wipes his hand that Link had shaken on his cloak.
The games blow by without a hitch, one of the events including a folk dance that had been performed by the young lasses, of which Aryll and Holly had been a part. There were contests of strength, in which Hob proved that old men could still tangle with the children. Competitions between farmers to see who had bred the better livestock or grown the better crops that year. A poetry contest that Merari won, and a sword fighting tournament. Along with two wrestling tournaments-one for men the other for women-in which the competitors wrestled in the skud. By the end of the wrestling, Zelda is beet red and in need of a cold bath.
Throughout the games, Link and Merari compete against each other. Link wins the pastoral competition and the sword dual, whereas Merari wins in the arts and wrestling.
Now the events are down to the archery tournament, the final game of the night. There is only one tournament, and anyone-man or woman-can enter. Zelda had originally planned to sit out despite Linka-who had competed in the women's wrestling and is now taking part in the archery herself-coxing her to join in. But Link-who had been listening in on them-gives her a reassuring smile. She agrees, grabbing a bow and a quiver and stepping up to a target, trying to remember everything Link has taught her.
She survives the first elimination rounds without any hiccups, the cheer of the crowd boosting her confidence. Only four contestants and one target remain. Linka shoots first and her arrow lands right between the bullseye and the first ring. Merari's next, and his arrow barely enters the white bullseye. Link walks up, smiling merrily and holding his head high and his back straight. He looses his arrow, and it strikes the bullseye dead centre.
Now it's Zelda's turn. She slowly creeps forward, her bow creaking in protest as it's drawn. Her arm shakes as she holds at full draw. She looses, and her arrow goes off-centre, landing right next to Link's, eliminating Linka and Merari from the competition. Zelda doesn't allow herself to relax. It is now her against Link.
He shoots first and-as always-hits the dead centre of the bullseye. Zelda walks up to the straddling line and pulls back her arrow. Her heart beat quickens and it feels as if a weight is pressing down on her. Everyone is watching her and her body quivers at the thought. Taking her time to aim, she imagines she is back at the house training with Link. She feels his hands on her own, his arms aligned with hers, their bodies flush together. A sense of calm envelopes her. As she looks down her arrow at the target, it seems to grow bigger. She takes a deep breath and releases her arrow. She hears the twang of the bow, followed by the crack of splitting wood. Link's arrow had been split in twain, making Zelda the victor!
She looks at her arrow in disbelief, even as the crowd rushes in, cheering her name. Moments later, they heave her up and carry her on their shoulders, parading her around the range. Though she tries to fight the urge, she cries. It strikes her that this is the first time any large mass of people have been genuinely pleased with her. Their approval is sincere. They are proud to have her and all because she won a little archery tournament. From her high seat, she sweeps her gaze over the many smiling faces and finds Link. She smiles at him, trying to display her gratitude towards him in one small action. And Link? He raises his hand and smiles back, right at her.
The night isn't over though. While the games are finishing, a bonfire had been prepared in the centre of the field. By the time everyone arrives, it is blazing at full strength. Reaching several feet high and several feet wide, its heat could be felt from ten feet away.
Father Brun steps in front of of the fire to address the crowd in his froggy voice. "Tonight is not only a night of festivities and celebration of life but also a celebration of death as we remember those who have dearly parted from this world for the next."
A sombre silence falls upon the crowd, even the wind seems to die out of respect. The joy Zelda feels from earlier shrinks and fades, being replaced with a sense of loss and longing for the one who had loved her most.
"If any of you," continues Father Brun, "have lost someone dear to you, I encourage to come forth, light a candle, and offer a prayer in remembrance."
One by one, the people of Horon village step forward, slowly at first, like a trickle of water from a dam that slowly builds up until the walls burst. Each on arms themselves with a candle made from animal fat which they light using the bonfire.
Zelda takes a candle of her own. She hesitantly approaches the fire with it, the intensity of the heat beating down on her like the harsh words of an ungrateful father. She finds a stray tongue of flame and uses it to light her candle. When it lights, she quickly finds an empty patch of grass and kneels down, cradling the candle in her bare hands.
She fervently prays, never minding the heat she feels on her back, the sweat dripping from her brow, the hot fat dripping onto her palms, or the wind blowing the smoke into her. She doesn't stop her prayers until her candle burns out.
She opens her eyes and is surprised to find Link kneeling beside her.
"How long have you been there?" she questions.
Link smiles softly at her. "For a while."
She frowns lightly but not out of resentment. "You could have said something," she counters.
"I didn't want to disturb you." He glances down at the melted remains of her candle. "Who were you praying for so desperately?"
She looks away, silent tears surfacing to her eyes. "My mother," she whispers.
"I am sorry," he softly says. His voice, feeling like a gentle breeze, is saturated with emotion. "How did she die?" he gently asks.
"The pox."
Link's large and heavy, calloused hand gently grasps her shoulder. She looks up and meets his gaze with her wet eyes. He brushes a stray a tear off her cheek, even as more fall, and she is surprised to see tears of his own run down his face. She leans into his chest, feeling his warmth wash over her and openly sobs because she has found someone who actually cares.
After she calms down, Link leaves, saying he will come back soon. Zelda silently waits in the grass, feeling better already. Music floats through the air as a band strikes up a song. Couples find each other for a dance or two, and drinks are passed around. Someone clears their throat behind her. Zelda turns and smiles upon seeing Merari.
"Are you alright?" Merari asks, scrunching up his brow. "Your eyes are red."
"I am alright," she tells him. "I was simply overwhelmed with sorrow earlier."
Merari nods his head. "That is perfectly understandable. 'Tis normal to feel grief when thinking of departed loved ones. I myself have shed a few tears before." He quickly glances away as if embarrassed. "Though I try not to."
Zelda struggles to hold back a chortle. What a typical man's response.
Merari clears his throat again. "Anyways, I was wondering if you would care to join me for a dance."
She immediately agrees, and Merari sweeps her off into a waltz. The sense of familiarity she always feels when with Merari brings her a sense of calmness, and she allows herself to relax, leaning slightly into his arms. She quickly catches herself and steps back, blushing heavily. Merari smiles, and a small chuckle escapes him, and she soon joins him again to resume their dance.
So caught up are they in their dance and so focused is everyone else on their own merrymaking, that nobody noticed Link sulk away from the bright lights into the shadows of the forest.
This will actually be a double chapter upload today, so make sure you check out the other chapter!
Review Replies
Lightblade1121 -Yes, Styla is from Triforce Heroes. The "dumb Zelda game that dealt with clothes" and is unfortunately canon.
ZELDAFAN -Glad you are enjoying the story despite Link's personality. Yes, it is a twist. I purposefully meant for it to be a twist from other stories. You WILL see more chapters soon! I'll be looking forward to your review at the final chapter.