Chapter 2

The Next Morning...

A yawn exited from Zelda's mouth as she sat on her bed and stretched. Judging by the late morning sunlight shining into her bedroom, she assumes her parents had let her sleep in. She exits the bed and proceeds to get ready for the day. Like the day before, her necklace is the final thing she puts on. This time, she looks at the Triforce part between her thumb and index finger. Zelda gazed at it, remembering the knowledge that it was the only thing that whoever put her in the river left her with.

Was it some sort of memorabilia? Some way to show that whoever left her still cared? Or was it a clue as to who she was?

The Triforce shape had her curious. Legends of the Triforce had passed Zelda's ears throughout her lifetime. The Triforce is said to be a powerful sacred relic that the three goddesses, Farore, Nayru, and Din, left behind when they created Hyrule eons ago. No one knows where this relic is kept or if it exists in the first place.

Casting those thoughts aside, she gathered her archer's gear, including her new bow, and went downstairs. She saw a single fresh apple and a note on the table near the kitchen.

'Zelda,

I am helping Sera today, and Bo is busy with Azazel on village matters. We informed Damon that you may be unable to help at the ranch today. We will see you later tonight.

-Mom'

Just as Zelda figured, her parents had let her sleep in and were considerate enough to give her the day off. She sat at the table and started eating her apple. She tried to relax, but the turmoil in her head prevented that. The silence lasted until footsteps echoed throughout the room.

"Hey, sis."

Zelda turned to see Ilia standing in the kitchen doorway.

"Hi, Ilia...How are you?"

"I'm good. I took care of Ahearn."

"Thanks…"

"May I sit with you?"

The older girl nodded, granting Ilia permission to sit at the table across from Zelda. They would start a conversation immediately, but no words were exchanged. Only the sound of silence. Ilia was the first to break it.

"Nice morning, isn't it?"

Just by her tone alone, Zelda could tell Ilia was trying to hide the Hinox in the room. "Don't try to hide it. I know they told you."

"I, uh..." Ilia sighed in defeat. "They did last night." The teen's face dampened.

"Everything?"

Ilia nodded. "It was an interesting revelation. Though, I'm not totally shocked that you're a Hylian."

"You knew?"

"I did suspect it on occasion. But I figure it was me being ridiculous."

A frown grew on Zelda's face as she looked away from Ilia. She sat in silence, finishing what was left of her apple. After she ate it to its core, Zelda got up from her chair and headed to the door, stating that she needed some fresh air for a few hours.

"Are you mad at them?" The words of her...sister made Zelda stop at the doorway. "I know they shouldn't hide this from you, from us, but I'm sure they meant well. They still love you. Nothing has changed."

"I'll see you later." That is what Zelda managed to answer before leaving the house.

Every instinct in Ilia told her to go after Zelda so badly and talk to her. She wanted to do the same thing after her parents told her the truth last night. But they told her that Zelda needed time to think and that it was best to wait for her before they could talk. Even if Ilia didn't want to wait.

Zelda went straight to the horse stable next to her house. She gave the stallion a pat on his snout before prepping him for a ride.

"Good morning, Zelda." A woman's voice had spoken. Zelda turned to see a short-haired blonde woman a little over a decade older than her, holding the hand of a small boy with the same hair color. Zelda recognized the woman as Rusl's wife, Uli.

Like many others, Uli is a longtime village resident and has known Zelda since she was a baby. She and Rusl met while they were teenagers and married a little over a decade ago. During Zelda, Link, and Ilia's childhood years, Uli loved to spend time with them, even when she went into her teenage years. Uli treated them as if they were her own children.

Holding Uli's hand is Colin, her and Rusl's ten-year-old son. The boy is the spitting image of his mother. He's more timid compared to the other children, but he's very friendly. Like his friends, he often spends time with Zelda, Link, and Ilia. They even refer to them as the 'cool kids.'

"Hello, guys," Zelda greeted them. "How you two doing?"

"We've been fine. Colin's Cucco Pox is gone."

"Rusl told me last night. It's good to see you're doing better, Colin."

Colin smiled at her. "Thank you, Zelda."

"What brings you both here?"

"We were on our way to check on Beth. Poor thing is still sick with Cucco Pox. We planned to look for you afterward but saw you here, so we decided to come here first. Colin wants to give you his present. Rusl offered to do it yesterday, but Colin wanted to do it himself."

"What is it that you want to give to me?" Zelda smiled as she kneeled at Colin's level.

Colin held out what appeared to be a woven bracelet. "I made this, with the help of Mom, for you."

The bracelet itself was patterns of threads of dark light blue. Along had other designs of the Triforce. Zelda took the bracelet from Colin and put it around her right wrist. It was a perfect fit.

"I made it go with your necklace. Do you like it?"

"I do. It's lovely. Thanks, you two." Colin smiled and slightly blushed at her compliment. Zelda could never confirm it, but she suspected Colin was infatuated with her. He wasn't the only boy in the village to share those feelings. Many boys around her age had attempted to court her for the past few years. Unlike most of them, who constantly liked to show off, Colin at least was more modest about it, even for a boyhood crush.

Uli leaned down to her son's level. "Colin, why don't you go on ahead to Beth's. I need to talk to Zelda about a few things."

"Okay, Mom. Bye, Zelda." Colin ran in the opposite direction, leaving the two women alone.

"Is there something you want to talk about?"

"I want to tell you something, but can you promise to keep it between us?"

"Of course, Uli."

Uli looked around, making sure no one was around to hear them. Then, she leaned close to Zelda's ear and whispered. "I'm pregnant."

"Oh, Nayru. Is it true?" The woman nodded her head, and a smile grew on her face. "Congratulations!" Zelda hugged Uli, and they stayed that way until they pulled apart. "How far?"

"Three months." Uli gestured to her stomach. Upon closer inspection, Zelda could see the bump starting to show.

"Do Rusl and Colin know?"

"Rusl does, but Colin and the village don't. We plan to tell Colin tonight and announce it to the village in a few days. I've been dying to tell someone, so I wanted you to know first."

"That's...that's really sweet. I'm happy for you."

"Thanks." Uli gave an unexpected pause. "There's another reason why I wanted to stop by. You're normally at the ranch by this time and don't take a day off unless necessary. Are you alright?"

If the phrase 'mothers know everything' had a physical form, Zelda knew Uli would be the perfect candidate. Even before becoming one, Uli had always had that motherly vibe. Uli most likely knew the truth about Zelda's adoption but did not wish to disclose that.

"I'm fine. I just have a lot on my mind."

"Is there anything I can do?" Uli tenderly placed a hand on Zelda's shoulder.

"No. Just some time to myself."

"Alright. If you ever need anything, don't forget we're all here for you."

Zelda looked at the woman. The tone of her voice and the look in her eyes indicated that her words were valid.

"I'll keep that in mind. Give Colin my thanks again for the gift." Zelda turned away and finished saddling up her horse and got on his back

"Be safe out there," Zelda responded to the woman with a nod.

Zelda rode out of the village and straight into Faron Woods. The next couple hours she spent clearing her mind by riding on Ahearn around the forest or practicing her archery by shooting arrows at some trees. None of these help clear her mind. After hours of archery and riding, she decided to take a break. Ahearn was walking when Zelda noticed the Ordon Spring. Halting her steed to stop, she got off Ahearn and guided him to the springs bank.

As Ahearn simply drank from the spring's waters, Zelda sat beside him, looking into the water. Zelda had always seen the spring as a place of peace and serenity, precisely what she needed. Questions that still haunted Zelda went through her head as the water rippled. But no matter how many questions she asked, all of them would not have the answer to one particular question.

Where did she come from?

The thought of Uli's unborn baby quickly came to her. A feeling grew inside of Zelda the more she thought about the child. It was weird thinking this way, but she couldn't help but feel...envy for the unborn baby. The child would be born into a loving family that was unwilling to give them up. They would stick by his or her side through their life, protect them, giving them their love.

Zelda remained sitting at the spring's bank for a long time, staring at her reflection in the water. Her trance was broken when Ahearn nuzzled her head. She couldn't help but smile at the gesture. She petted him gently.

"Zelda?" A familiar voice calls out her name.

"Link!" Zelda exclaimed, seeing her friend standing not too far away with his horse. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at the ranch?"

"I got done early. I went to your house to check on you since you didn't arrive. Ilia told me you were probably out here." Link guided Epona next to Ahearn and then sat right next to her. "Is everything alright?"

"You...You could say that…" Zelda looked away from Link.

"What's the matter?" When she didn't answer, Link placed his hand on her shoulder. "You can tell me."

"You remember how yesterday I said that my...parents wanted to discuss something important with me?" Link nodded his head. "Well...This is what they told me."

Zelda then told Link what her parents had told her last night about how she was really adopted and how she arrived at the village by floating in from a nearby river, much to the shock of everyone. Link didn't move or say a word when she had finished.

"I don't know what to make of this." Zelda brought her legs up to her chest and buried her head in them. "Everything I thought, everything I am, is a lie."

Hearing those words come out of her mouth made Link's heart ache for her. Link could relate to her since he never knew his birth mother. But that was because she had died when he was too young to remember, and he had his father for a good while afterward. Zelda was just straight-up abandoned. He could tell Zelda was conflicted, but he knew the truth and decided to tell it.

"Zelda...Listen." Link moved his hand from her shoulder to her hand. "What happened before...how you got here doesn't define who you are. I still see the girl two great people had raised as their daughter and love her so much. I still see the girl that the adults in the village that had guided her throughout her life. I still see the girl children look up to and want to be like you. And I still see that same girl who I'm glad to call my best friend. Nothing has changed."

Zelda just stared at him. "Ilia said the same thing."

"Because she's right. You know that." Zelda didn't reply back, her face still somber. Link then got an idea. "I know something that might cheer you up!"

"What?"

"Get on Ahearn and follow me."

The pair rode through the forest, with Zelda trailing behind Link. After a while, they arrived at a tree that was as wide as a house and was so tall it went beyond the treelines.

"The Great Faron Tree..." Zelda muttered. "Why'd you bring us here?"

"It's been a while since we've been here. We used to climb this tree a lot."

"Until my mother found out and grounded me for a week, which is why we stopped..."

"Well, she won't find out this time. Even if she did somehow, you're practically an adult now, so I don't think she can ground you. What do you say, princess?"

Zelda gave him an odd look. "Princess?"

"Your little statement yesterday. I thought it would be a nice nickname."

"We haven't had nicknames for each other since we were children."

"How 'bout just this once? For old time's sake."

"...I guess it wouldn't hurt."

"Shall we, princess?" Link gestured to the tree.

"Sure."

Link jumped off Epona and sprinted to the tree. The Link was already several feet above the ground when Zelda started her climb. Zelda heard him urging her to catch up with several as they reached from branch to branch.

"You're only ahead of me because you had a head start!"

"You're just too slow. Besides, you've always looked up to me!"

"Yeah, but it's not much of a view!"

"Well, excuse me, princess!" Link shouted back, pretending to sound offended, to which Zelda could only laugh.

The friends spent climbing for several more moments, even beyond the tree lines of the woodlands. Link managed to reach a massive branch near the top that was big enough to hold him and Zelda. He reached out his hand for Zelda's grab to pull her up. They sat on the massive branch, legs dangling on the side, enjoying the view. They could see the top of the Faron woodlands and the rock formations that surrounded Ordon Village not too far away.

"I bet the king himself doesn't have a view like this," Link commented.

"His view is probably better, living in a castle and all," Zelda added.

"They say if you climb high enough on this tree, you can see Hyrule Castle."

"You believe that?"

"I'll be willing to prove it, but some other time. You're more important." Link moved closer to her, putting his arm around her shoulders. "Feel better yet?"

"Yes…" Zelda smiled. "I've been thinking about what you said while riding over here...You're right. I may not be related to my family biologically, but they still love me. And the village still cares for me." She wrapped her arms around Link. "Thank you for reminding me of that."

Link gave a smile to her as he hugged her back. After a while, they pulled away and returned their gaze to the view around them.

"I still wonder who would leave me in the river and why."

"Whatever the reason, all it matters is that you were found. I can't imagine what would happen if Isabel hadn't found you."

"Actually, you were the one who found me, Link...Mom told me you and your dad were fishing when you wandered away from him to fish alone. She thought it was odd because you were a well-behaved toddler."

Link was quiet as the expression on his face indicated that he was surprised to hear of this. Yet he looked as if he knew what Zelda was talking about. "Now that you mentioned it, I remember bits of that day. I always thought it was just a dream, at least...until now."

"What do you remember?"

"I remember I was watching my dad fish when I heard a voice in my head."

"A voice?"

"Yeah. It sounded like a woman. It urged me to fish near the river entrance and kept on urging me until I did go there. I threw my fishing line and reeled in a basket. I opened it, and you were staring back at me. That's all I remember." Link paused, clasping his left hand. "I think something weird also happened."

"What?"

"I remember reaching into the basket, and the backside of my hand...glowed." Link lifted his left hand, staring at the back of it.

"Your hand...glowed?"

Link shrugged. "Like I said, I only remember bits of that and figure that was just my toddler imagination. But I do know something did lead me to you. Whatever it was, I'm glad it did. Otherwise, I wouldn't have grown up with such a great friend," Link said happily, which made Zelda smile.

Zelda leaned closer to Link, staying by his side closely. She was glad to have a friend like him. They both return their gaze around them.

Later that day, Zelda returned home. Spending the day with Link had defiantly helped improve her mood. It also helped her think more clearly. She entered her home and saw Bo and Isabel again sitting at the kitchen table. She knew what she had to do next. Taking a deep breath, Zelda decided to make her presence known.

"Mother, Father…" They both looked at her. "Can we talk?" Both of them nodded. Zelda sat down at the table with them. "I've been thinking about what you told me last night."

"If you're still upset at us, we understand," Bo said.

"...Part of me is still upset that you guys never told me of my origins," Zelda simply stated. "But that doesn't change the fact that you're my parents. You both took me in without a second thought. Treated me as I was your own daughter."

"You still are," Isabel stated.

"I know. And there's nothing that can convince me otherwise. I love you both."

"And we love you too, Zelda," Bo replied.

All three of them smiled before enveloping each other in a group hug.

Later that night, Zelda is lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She was finally feeling better than she did this time last night. It would take some time, but she's slowly coming to terms with her adoption status. A knock was heard on her door later on. Zelda sat up on the bed as she invited the person in. Ilia opened the door.

"How are you doing?" Ilia asked as she walked in.

"Much better now,"

"You sound better. Mom and Dad looked happier. All of you talked?"

"We did."

"So, you're not mad at them anymore?"

"I was never mad. In the end, nothing changed. This village is still my home. Mom and Dad are still my parents."

Ilia smiled. "Nice to see you back to your usual self."

"Thanks...Ilia. I'm sorry if I acted cold around you this morning."

"You were going through some things. No hard feelings."

"So I'm still your dear big sis?"

"Unfortunately, yes." That had earned a small punch on Ilia's arm. "I was joking!"

Zelda playfully smirked. "I know."

"Well, let's see how you like this!"

Ilia threw a pillow at Zelda. Several feathers came out upon impact. Some had even gotten into Zelda's mouth, causing her to spit them out.

"Oh, it is on!"

The older girl threw the pillow back. The room was quickly filled with nothing but the sound of joyous laughter and the pillow feathers flying around the room. But Zelda didn't care as she was busy having fun with her sister. She'll clear up the mess later. Elsewhere within the house, Bo & Isabel can hear the joyous laughter echoing off the walls. They smiled as they realized that the pair of sisters' relationship hadn't changed.

After almost an hour of pillow fighting, both girls quieted down. They were sitting on Zelda's bed, looking at the full moon outside her window. Ilia had fallen asleep on Zelda's shoulder. Zelda looked at her sleeping sister and reflected on events in the past twenty-four hours. It was true that she had been abandoned as an infant. But it was the goddess's will that brought her to this village. The same place where she grew up happily, with people who loved and cared for her like she was family.

It was undoubtedly a good life that she lived, and Zelda hopes that it never changes. Fate would be too cruel to take all of that away.

Link said the thing! (I've spent a good 10 minutes debating if I should let Link say that or not).

Anyways, Zelda came to accept her past and is happy with life. Surely nothing can change that, right? (If you read the original, you know the answer. Don't say anything though).

In other news...How 'bout that new Smash Bros Direct?

Favs, Follows, and Reviews are appreciated.