Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.
Let's get to it.
Chapter 8- New Steps
Zelda smiles as she feels the sun and light breeze upon her face as she plucks an apple from one of their apple trees. She twirls a bit, letting the skirt of her sundress whirl around her.
Beside her, Link looks up from their vegetables that he's tending and smiles at his wife. "You seem particularly happy today," he says.
Zelda returns the smile at him even more brightly. "I think I should be. It is our second anniversary after all," she says, waltzing over to plant a kiss on Link's forehead.
As she plants the kiss, Link smiles brightly, still hardly able to believe the truth of Zelda's words. It seems hard for him to believe that it's been two years since he and Zelda were married. Two years ago, before the Calamity, he never would've imagined this life for himself. He never imagined he would be married, let alone to Zelda. But now that he has this life, and his family with Zelda, he could not be more happy.
"It was very nice of Mipha to come down to watch Elron," Zelda says. She pauses, then says, "Since she is watching him, perhaps we could take some time to ourselves. I haven't gotten out much lately. Perhaps we could take a walk together."
"I would like that," Link says to his wife. He sets down his gardening tools, and Zelda sets down her basket of apples beside Link's tools.
Link walks over to the house and leans in the front door, where he finds Mipha seated on the floor with Elron, entertaining him with a dolphin plushie she had brought for the boy on this visit. "Mipha, Zelda and and I wanted to take a walk together. Will you be okay watching Elron for a little while?"
"Of course," Mipha responds joyfully, smiling at Link before returning her attention to Elron.
Link takes the Master Sword from its position on the wall beside the door and fixes it into position on his back. He then turns away from the cottage and walks back to Zelda, who is waiting anxiously for him. She stretches out her hand as Link approaches her, and Link smiles as he reaches out and takes her hand. Then, together, they set off together.
Link leads Zelda through the woods around their home, carefully skirting the pond in the midst of it, before walking out of the woods and reaching the road that leads north from Lurelin Village.
As the couple walk along the road, heading north from Lurelin Village towards the groves of palm trees surrounding Lake Floria and the multiple waterfalls that flow into it. As they walk, Zelda sees several rabbits bounding along the path. She smiles and throws out some small treats that she brought along with her, as she likes to feed the animals along the path. She tosses a few, and laughs as she watches the rabbits bound towards her to snap up the treats.
Link smiles at Zelda. "Your laugh is the most beautiful sound in the world, my darling," he says.
Zelda blushes and giggles from slight embarrassment at the compliment before she responds, "Why do you always have to make me blush?"
"Because you look even more adorable," Link says, which only makes Zelda blush more, drawing a laugh from Link.
As the couple approach the forests of palm surrounding the lake, Link turns to Zelda and speaks up, saying, "Zelda, I know I once said I would let you make the decision on this, but I feel I should ask again: It's been two years now, and Elron is now a year. I know you worry about his reaction, but your father does eventually deserve to know we are alive, and that he is a grandfather."
Zelda's face grows more serious. "I know, Link. I know that we cannot stay away forever. Even though part of me wishes to, so we can live the rest of our lives in peace as a family, I know that eventually the guilt for making my father think I am dead, and keeping his grandchild, and possibly grandchildren, from him, would eat me alive." She pauses, then says, "But I am not sure I am ready. Part of me wants to return, but part of me desires a few more years for us to live in peace before returning to the kingdom. And as I said, part of me does not want to return at all."
Link takes her hand in both of his as he stops walking, looking deeply into Zelda's eyes. "I know how you feel, Zelda, and rest assured I do not want you to make a choice you are uncomfortable with. I am not trying to push you into a choice you are not ready to make. We will not return until you are fully ready to."
"But, Link, I know that you are ready and willing to return. I am holding you back," Zelda says worriedly.
"No, my princess," Link says with a smile, drawing a smile from Zelda as well. He pauses for a moment, then says, "I swore an oath to you when we married. I will stand by your side through whatever life throws at us. And until you are ready to return, I will remain here with you. I am happy with this life, but mostly because you are in it. Wherever I am with you, I will be happy."
Zelda smiles more brightly, and her eyes begin to water. "I love you, Link," she whispers.
"I love you, Zelda," Link responds with a smile, and gives her a quick kiss.
The two continue their walk for a short while before they turn to head back to their cottage. Thankfully, it only takes about an hour at this point to return to their home.
As Link and Zelda comes walking up to the door of their cottage, they suddenly hear Mipha call out, "Princess? Link? Is that you? Come in quickly!"
Worried that something bad has happened, the two rush in, only to find Mipha seated on one of their couches, holding Elron's hands to help him stand up. "Mipha! What is wrong?" Zelda cries out, worried something is wrong with her son.
"Nothing. You came just in time. I was afraid you would this," Mipha says. She then leans down and whispers into Elron's ear, "Little Elron, it's mommy and daddy."
Elron babbles happily at his parents. Then, Mipha lets go of Elron's hands. However, the little boy remains standing. Then, to Link and Zelda's shock, he takes a hesitant step forward.
"Linkā¦" Zelda gasps before she drops into a crouch, holding out her hands towards their son. "Elron, come to mother."
Elron giggles and he takes another step towards Zelda. Then another, and another. Zelda is crying with happiness and pride as she watches her son take his first steps. And behind her, Link watches with equal pride at Elron walking for the first time. He could not imagine something seemingly so small could bring him such pride.
Finally, Elron reaches Zelda. With a cry of happiness, Zelda grabs Elron and swoops him up in her arms, laughing and kissing his cheeks. "Oh, my son. I'm so proud of you," she cries happily. Link joins them in a family hug, while Mipha smiles from her position on the couch.
Together, the young family remain in an embrace, enjoying this moment together.
And, I'll end the chapter there. This obviously was meant to be a shorter, sweet chapter to show Elron taking his first steps, but also to show a nice moment between Link and Zelda.
Next chapter will be taking us on another time jump. It'll be up soon. Until it is, please leave a review and tell me what you think of the story so far, and stay tuned for the next chapter!
