New Author's Note: Welcome back everyone! I hope you've all been doing well! I have a few things to note before this chapter so I'll just get started and wrap it up as quickly as possible!
First and most importantly, Urbosa uses a different nickname for Zel in Japanese than she does in English. I use that nickname throughout this chapter (again, it's the only thing I'm used to her calling Zel from my own playthroughs so I stuck with it) and I wanted to explain it briefly. In Japanese, Urbosa refers to Zelda as:
"Ohisama" (oh-hee-sah-mah).
That word itself is one that a young child might use to refer to the sun - it personifies it in a fun and innocent/wonderous way. So essentially, Urbosa is calling Zelda "Sunshine" in Japanese, or "My Sunshine" depending on how you interpret it. She speaks to Zel as if she were really her mother, using a term that only the mother of a young child would ever really have a reason to use. That's all you really need to know for the chapter to make sense, but there's still a little extra play on words.
In Japanese, "Princess" is:
"Hime-sama" (hee-may-sah-mah).
You can even add the prefix "O" to the front of it for an extra show of respect as well:
"Ohime-sama" (oh-hee-may-sah-mah).
So not only is Urbosa calling her "My Sunshine" but she's also having fun with the fact that Zelda's nickname sounds so similar to her royal title ("Ohisama" and "Ohime-sama"). I found that really fun and fascinating when I first learned it! And hopefully it won't be confusing during this chapter now...if I did a good enough job explaining it, which I very much hope I did!
And for the rereaders, this chapter is mostly unchanged until the last scene. There aren't huge changes with this one as there were with Chapter 2 but I polished up enough details and wordings that I like the flow of the chapter far more than my original version. So I hope you'll like it too!
Anyway, that's more than enough out of me! I hope you enjoy the new chapter!
"Wait here and I'll go fetch Urbosa. I'll inform her of the basics of the situation, so don't worry about that."
Zelda watched as her other self waved goodbye. She was in a much better mood than she had been earlier that morning and was even addressing the two of them with a bit less formality. Zelda had made it a point not to treat the younger Princess like she normally was; if she was anything like Zelda herself, she absolutely hated being bowed to and tiptoed around. She wanted to treat the girl like her friend. It seemed to be leaving an impression, too.
The other Zelda darted off towards the main gates and entered Gerudo Town, the guards waving her on with welcoming smiles. Since men weren't normally permitted inside the walls, the couple from the future waited together outside the perimeter. Link seemed to be pondering something, though.
"You know, it's been a while since I haven't been welcome in Gerudo Town," he murmured. "I wonder if I should put that vai disguise back on while we're here…" Zelda slipped her arm through his, drawing close and grinning.
"Don't worry, Urbosa can get you in without having to resort to that. Though I think I wouldn't mind if you did; it was quite the amusing sight."
"I suppose it has been a while since you've seen me embrace my feminine charms." Zelda felt herself succumb to a fit of mirth immediately. It was still so rare for Link to make jokes like that and she always loved hearing them when he did.
The couple relaxed by the entrance to Gerudo Town for a short while. Luckily it wasn't all that hot yet; both of them were dressed in their normal traveling attire and were glad they had left early enough that they weren't being subjected to the worst the desert had to offer. And, before long, the younger Princess Zelda returned, followed closely by someone neither she nor Link had seen in a long time.
Urbosa, Chieftain of the Gerudo and Champion of Vah Naboris. Her legacy made her allies cheer and her foes tremble. Her mastery of lightning and brilliance with a blade made her a force to be reckoned with. But Zelda had always placed more importance on the type of person she was rather than the type of warrior.
The Gerudo woman had basically been her adoptive mother for years. For all her fearsome strength, she was gentle and warm. For all her incredible powers, none of them surpassed the depths of her love. Zelda was tempted to cry tears of joy from the first moment her eyes fell on Urbosa. She hadn't seen her in so long…so very, very long.
Urbosa's face shifted, a warm smile taking up residence on her lips. Her eyes seemed to twinkle as she approached Zelda and Link, not a trace of disbelief on her face. And with the same soft, gentle voice Zelda sometimes still heard in her most pleasant dreams, the woman spoke to her for the first time in so many lifetimes.
"Ohisama, it's so wonderful to see you again."
Hearing that nickname alone caused tears to spill from Zelda's eyes. Her past self had, of course, informed Urbosa that she came from the future, from another world. She may even have told her that it had been an unbelievably long time since she'd seen anyone from this era; she wasn't sure just how much the younger Princess had explained in such a short time. But Urbosa still treated her exactly the same as ever, even offering words of comfort that acknowledged her reality. There was no suspicion in her voice, no hesitation, no doubt whatsoever. She fully accepted the situation, accepted that the young woman standing before her was truly Zelda from the future, and offered the same love and comfort she always had.
"Urbosa…"
The older woman stepped closer and drew her into a tight hug. Zelda couldn't help but cling to her hard. It was an embrace she had all but forgotten, one that had been lost to time in her own world.
"Shh, everything is okay."
Zelda's throat was tight, her eyes stung as hot tears streamed down her face. It was the second time that day she hadn't been expecting the intensity of her emotions upon seeing someone. First had been the anger she felt towards her father. But unlike crossing paths with the King, she had been prepared to meet Urbosa again. She knew she would be overjoyed to see the woman but it still surprised her how much her own emotions had gotten away from her. Perhaps these days her composure wasn't as resilient as she thought.
"Urbosa…I've missed you so much…it's been so long…"
"I can only imagine the things you've gone through, Ohisama. Stay like this with me as long as you like."
She nodded against the Gerudo Chieftain, tightening her hug. Urbosa did the same, her powerful arms engulfing her. It was different from the way Link held her. His embrace was the warmest she'd ever felt, brimming with love and care like she'd never imagined. It was the embrace of someone who was her partner in everything – her strongest protector, her star-eyed lover, her gentle supporter.
But Urbosa's embrace was motherly. It was a feeling Zelda hadn't experienced in an unfathomably long time. Her real mother had passed away at such a young age that she sometimes struggled to remember the way she used to feel with her. But though she had lived so many lives since the last time she'd met Urbosa, there was a warmth to her that felt familiar and unmistakable, even now. Before she had fallen in love with Link, Urbosa had been the only source of comfort or support Zelda had been able to hold onto since her mother's passing. And all it took was to feel that presence holding her to break down all the pillars of strength she had been forced to build up and stand upon.
She was vaguely aware that Link had stepped back just slightly, approaching her past self with a serene smile on his face as he thanked her for bringing them to Gerudo Town. The other Zelda nodded, sporting a tiny smile herself, though hers allayed the struggle of holding back tears; the younger girl's eyes were glassy and reflected the desert sun.
Zelda wasn't sure how long she stayed there in Urbosa's arms. It could have been a few short minutes or several long hours. Nobody interrupted the moment, though. Link watched with boundless happiness for her. Her other self turned away and began to brush her sleeves against her face as she sniffled. And when Zelda felt a second wave of tears overwhelm her again, Urbosa simply held her even closer, the embrace she could only experience in her dreams surrounding her again at long last.
The embrace of the second mother she'd lost so long ago.
A short time later, Urbosa led Zelda and Link into Gerudo Town with her. Zelda's other self had promised she would return that night to bring them back to the Castle before transporting home herself, insisting that they have the remainder of the day alone.
Several whispers sounded around the marketplace as Urbosa led a man through town, something many of the Gerudo people had never seen before. Zelda remembered all the times she and Link had come to visit Urbosa in their own past, but they had usually met her outside the walls of her home. Apparently, the same thing had played out in this world as well. She did find herself glad that the attention being directed towards Link didn't upset him. In the past he might have wilted and tried to shy away from it, but these days it hardly seemed to bother him at all.
Arriving at Urbosa's private room, she gestured to a few chairs in the corner, offering them seats before joining them, a grin on her face.
"My apologies for the attention, Link. Many of my tribe have never even seen a voe before, much less interacted with one." Link just smiled.
"I understand. I've had the same experience in our own time, too; it doesn't really bother me anymore. Though the Gerudo in the future all know me and I can come and go as I please." Urbosa's eyes widened just slightly.
"That you have earned your way into Gerudo Town despite being a voe is no small feat. I presume you saved them from a life-threatening disaster or two, knowing you." Zelda felt herself swell with pride; even though this wasn't their proper world, Link was still known well for his bravery and selflessness.
"During the last tragedy that befell our Kingdom, I helped save Gerudo Town from a terrible sand shroud that threatened everyone and forced them below ground. The new Chieftain and I have worked closely together over the years and she opened the town to me after that." Urbosa nodded her understanding.
"She seems quite wise to do such a thing, even if our customs traditionally forbid it. What good is being the leader if you can't use your influence to better things for your people, after all. I wonder…" Zelda perked up as the woman trailed off, sensing something behind her words.
"Urbosa? Is something on your mind?"
"You always read me so well, Ohisama. There's a bit of a story behind it. You see, when Calamity Ganon appeared, each Divine Beast was invaded by an incarnation of his malice. Mine specialized in the same powers of lightning I do and we had a fierce duel. I hate to admit it, but ultimately I would never have managed to defeat it alone." Zelda leaned closer, her eyes alight with curiosity.
"I wanted to ask you about that, actually – how did you manage to survive until my other self and her group rescued you? In my world…you and the other Champions were overwhelmed and taken from us…" Without even meaning to, she hung her head and chewed her lip. Even after all this time, the pain of that day still lingered in her heart. Urbosa reached out and gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
"Ohisama. I know it was long ago for you, but please don't blame yourself. The only reason things in this time are different now is thanks to that little Guardian of yours. If I had faced Ganon's soldier alone, I have no doubt my life would have been snuffed out long before my rescue. But thanks to the little one's powers of time, I was spared." Zelda's face brightened again.
"So Terrako saved you as well?"
"Indeed. He opened a portal aboard Vah Naboris and a Gerudo Chieftain from the future appeared from it. She saved my life and the two of us fought alongside each other until you and Link arrived to spare us. I was wondering before if you had ever met that Chieftain in your era."
"It's certainly possible. What was her name?" Urbosa closed her eyes, allowing a smile to spread across her lips.
"I'll remember her bravery and devotion for the rest of my days. Her name was Riju."
"Riju!?"
"Ah, I take it you know her after all?"
"We do! The Chieftain Link was referring to earlier is named Riju."
"When she appeared before me, she was but a child, perhaps twelve or thirteen years of age at most. But she fought with pride and wisdom beyond her years." Zelda nodded, smiling in turn.
"You've described her perfectly; perhaps it was even the same Riju we know in our world, though these days she is nineteen, very nearly twenty." Urbosa nodded.
"I was told earlier the two of you lived many years beyond the Calamity in your own time. You certainly look a few years older and wiser than yourselves in this era. You have grown into such a beautiful young woman, Ohisama." Zelda felt her face heat up.
"Thank you, Urbosa. I never once imagined I would be able to hear your words of support again. It means so very much to me." She smiled before placing a hand atop Zelda's head, running her fingers through her hair with incredible delicacy.
"Though you may hail from a different world, you are still the same kind, brilliant, inspiring young Princess I have always known. Your mother would be so proud of you, just as I am."
"Urbosa…" Zelda's throat constricted violently. She felt her lip quiver as she fought to hold back her tears. She had already cried enough today as it was.
"You don't have to put on a brave face for me, Ohisama. If you need to cry, then cry. I will be right here to comfort you." Zelda sniffled and smiled.
"Thank you. But if I cry too much I'll give myself a terrible headache. Just ask Link; he's seen it a few times since I've returned to him."
"Returned to him?" she repeated, an eyebrow raising. Apparently the Zelda of this era hadn't told her all the details of the timeline she and Link came from.
"Yes. Um…it's a long story. And a rather painful one."
"You don't have to recount it if you'd rather not." Zelda shook her head, a small smile on her lips.
"It's okay; I want you to know. But…I may need some help getting through it," she admitted, turning towards her partner. Link leaned close and took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"I'm right here, Zel. We'll tell it together." Before they could utter a word though, Urbosa raised her eyebrow again, a satisfied smirk playing across her lips.
"Well, well; I thought the two of you seemed markedly closer than I had expected. When were you going to tell me, Ohisama? You weren't trying to keep things a secret from me, were you?" Zelda blushed and shook her head quickly.
"Not at all! It just hadn't come up yet, I promise! I've been so happy to tell everyone I could about my relationship with Link but I never once imagined I'd be able to tell you about it." Urbosa laughed, her teasing grin giving way to a reassuring smile.
"And I couldn't be more thrilled to hear about it. Though…I get the suspicion 'relationship' might not be a strong enough word anymore, hm? I thought your ring was just because you love Silent Princesses so much but knowing the two of you are romantically involved and seeing which finger its resting on makes me think there might still be more to this story I don't know."
Zelda felt a furious blush explode to life on her cheeks. She was far past the point of feeling embarrassed when she told anyone about her relationship or engagement to Link, but Urbosa wasn't just anyone. She imagined this is what it might feel like to bring your partner home to your parent for the first time…though in her case it would have been quite a different affair given her upbringing.
"P-perhaps we should tell you a few stories," she managed, rubbing her arm sheepishly. Link just smiled next to her and ran his thumb across the back of her hand as Urbosa laughed.
"I'll hang on your every word, Ohisama."
And so, Zelda and Link began to recount their tale for Urbosa, from the moment Ganon had awakened and their timelines had diverged all the way until Terrako's forced summoning of them the other day. Urbosa's face had displayed a wide range of emotions throughout their joint telling – somber when they explained the events of their Calamity, warm when she learned the way in which Link had saved Zelda from Ganon, proud when they detailed the rebuilding effort, ecstatic when they retold the way they had confessed their love for one another, anxious when they had recounted the way she had fallen into the ancient past once Ganondorf had awakened, and utterly horrified when she found out Zelda had been forced to transform her body into the Light Dragon.
They only managed to reach the point where Link brought her back to herself with Rauru-sama and Sonia-sama's aid before Urbosa moved close and pulled Zelda into a tight hug, her eyes wrought with anguish. Zelda recognized that look – it was the same one Link had worn when she'd reawakened in his arms in Hyrule Field. She had tried to tell the story as gently as possible, not wanting to upset Urbosa the way she knew it would, but there was simply no way to avoid explaining her fate and accurately tell the story at the same time.
"Ohisama," Urbosa murmured as she held Zelda tight. Her voice was distraught, her hands trembling. She could never remember anything affecting Urbosa quite like this before, at least not in her presence. She continued before Zelda could say a word, though.
"I only wish I had been there…I would have moved heaven and earth to spare you that awful fate if I had been able…" Zelda did her best to reassure her.
"It wasn't your fault, Urbosa. This happened so far after your lifetime in my world."
"Still…who could hear of something so tragic and horrible happening to the person they think of as their own daughter and not feel responsible…?" Link spoke for the first time since the story had paused.
"I felt a lot of guilt for what happened too, Urbosa. I…won't go into the specifics of how I was thinking at the time, but just know that I can relate to your feelings a lot."
"You shouldn't," she told him, a gentleness to her tone that was usually reserved just for Zelda herself. "You were the one who brought her back. If not for you, Link…I don't want to think about it…"
"It's okay, you two," Zelda reassured them. "I'm here and safe now. Link made sure of that, just the way he always does."
There was something about Urbosa's embrace that was staying the terror that sometimes engulfed Zelda's heart when she remembered her time in the ancient past. Perhaps it was simply the fact that she hadn't experienced this embrace for such a long time now. She had felt particularly upset when they had told her other self this same story yesterday, but right now it felt like nothing more than a bad dream. She was happy to keep it that way and move on before it really got to her.
"You're right. I'm sorry to dwell on such awful memories. It was just…shocking."
"It was to me too," Link agreed with her. "But Zel's right; she's okay now. And I'll never let anything happen to her again so you can sleep easily at night." Zelda felt her heart flutter as it always did when Link made promises like that and Urbosa chuckled lightly.
"There's nobody I would trust more to protect her than you, Link. I'm glad the two of you have each other."
"There's nobody I could ever trust more than Link," Zelda assured her. Finally, the Gerudo woman pulled back, sitting back down beside them and taking a steadying breath.
"Oh, Urbosa?" Zelda began.
"Yes?"
"Please don't mention anything about Ganondorf to my other self just yet. I'm going to sit her down and tell her story before we return to our own time."
"I won't say a word until you've had the chance to tell her yourself. I'll even promise you that I won't let it destroy her life after you've returned home; I know you far too well to not understand that's why you're hesitant to bring it up with her." Zelda gave her a smile that was both defeated and amused.
"You're right as always, Urbosa. Thank you."
"Of course. Okay, help me pull myself together again by telling me how the two of you wound up here…and how you wound up betrothed," she sang, winking at Zelda. Despite the fiery blush that bloomed to life in her cheeks, she accepted with delight.
They quickly detailed Terrako's influence before moving on to the story she really wanted to hear. And after regaling her with the way Riju had helped Link procure his ring and the beautiful tale of their night at Lover's Pond, Urbosa wore a serene smile as she gazed upon them. Link's hand had never left Zelda's once during the recounting of their tale. She was distinctly aware of how natural it felt, his hand in hers. These days, she felt noticeably lonely if he wasn't holding her hand.
"It seems the two of you have managed to find happiness even after your world threw every hardship it could at you. I couldn't be happier that you've both finally arrived in such a wonderful place together." Zelda smiled and leaned against Link.
"I feel the same way. You know, after everything we've survived together, I'd be perfectly happy to just stay at home in Hateno and teach the children every day from now on. I've had enough life-altering adventures, I think." Urbosa laughed.
"You've more than earned the right to do exactly that, Ohisama. But perhaps instead of a life-altering adventure, a more fun, lighthearted one might be in order."
"Oh? Did you have something in mind, Urbosa?"
"How about the three of us go out to the dunes and try some sand seal racing?" Link grinned next to her.
"I've gotten pretty good at riding those seals over the years but I never thought I'd get the chance to race you, Urbosa."
"That sounds like a yes to me! Ohisama? What about you?" Zelda chewed her lip a bit.
"It's not that it doesn't sound fun, it's just…" The Gerudo woman gave her a knowing smile.
"You never did like any mode of transportation aside from your horse." Link drew her into a warm hug.
"We can do what we did at the Lurelin Water Rally if you like – I'll stay with you and keep you steady while we ride. That way you won't have to be so worried about it." She considered him for several moments before grinning over at him.
"Now how could I ever say no when you're so willing to support me like that?" Urbosa clapped her hands and stood.
"Wonderful! You both deserve to have some fun after the way you were dropped into this world from your own. And I want to see you enjoy yourselves today instead of reliving bad memories again and again." Zelda nodded and rose to her feet as well, Link following suit.
"We'd be happy to take you up on your offer!" A sly grin crept across the Gerudo Chieftain's lips.
"But it will be far too hot at midday in the desert for the two of you wearing those kinds of outfits. Come with me; I have some more traditional Gerudo clothing for you!"
Link wasn't too surprised by the outfit Urbosa had given him to wear. It was very similar to the voe armor from the Secret Shop in the Gerudo Town of his era. He was a little curious why Urbosa had something like this at all, not to mention the fact that it fit him when he was so much shorter than the typical Gerudo, but perhaps she had commissioned it for the Link of this world for his visits to the desert. Either way, it wasn't unfamiliar to him and it didn't bother him in the slightest, not even the relatively nonexistent chest guard
Zel, on the other hand, had been more than a little embarrassed at first. Her outfit was also familiar – it looked a lot like his old vai disguise but with deeper scarlet and slate blue coloring. She wasn't used to wearing the comparatively little amount of clothing it provided, however, which had caused her to blush quite badly.
Even though Link had witnessed her in all manner of dress and undress, he had to admit she really did look breathtaking in the Gerudo garb she wore. Her pale skin drew his eye without effort, though he did his best not to stare. His gaze never usually made her uncomfortable, but he had a suspicion that she might be feeling a bit too rattled right now to feel flattered the way she always assured him she did when they were alone. It was hard not to notice her bare arms and shoulders, to say nothing of her smooth stomach, left exposed and unguarded by the garb she had donned. Link suspected he would have blushed a bit himself if she had asked what he thought of her outfit.
Of course, he wanted her to be comfortable for the afternoon so he didn't tell her any that directly. Instead, he assured her that no one would look at her strangely; everyone in Gerudo Town wore similar styles of clothing to what she currently had on, after all. Urbosa offered some words of encouragement herself and Zel finally seemed to settle down a little, though she kept resting her hands in front of her as if trying to shield her stomach from view of the world around her.
As Urbosa led them through town towards the sand seal pens, Link noticed Zel was starting to relax again; nobody in town was giving her any kind of strange look at all, something she was relieved to see. No, instead their eyes were all glued to Link as if he were a strange creature from the desert depths they'd never seen before. That was fine, though. If it made Zel feel more comfortable in her own skin, Link would gladly take all the attention he usually avoided. It wasn't like he had to talk to his onlookers either and he rarely had cause to draw attention away from her the way she always did for him.
Once they were finally outside of the Gerudo Town walls with two sand seals, Urbosa tossed Link a particularly large shield.
"I thought you might want to try this if you're going to be teaching. It'll fit the two of you better than a regular shield."
"Thanks, Urbosa. I was wondering – have you ever considered sleds to go alongside the shields?"
"Sleds?"
"The Gerudo in our time have started using carts without wheels along with sand seals so it's a bit easier to move around if you aren't used to shield surfing." She brought her hand to her chin and pondered the idea.
"That's interesting…I may just try to implement something like that. Plenty of the children in town would probably appreciate that too, not just those who aren't familiar with surfing the way we are." Zel finally spoke up, a bit more relaxed again now that Link and Urbosa were the only two around her.
"Is it really that difficult to do this…? Perhaps it would be better if the two of you raced and I just watched."
"Nonsense, Ohisama. It's delightful! Besides, Link would never let anything happen to you, right?" She gave a defeated smile before nodding.
"Right."
"I promise it's easier than it sounds," Link reassured her.
Link and Urbosa set about readying their seals, Zel looking on with interest at the process. Even if she didn't particularly enjoy the idea of sand seal racing by itself, she did so love to learn new things. He deliberately performed his tasks just a bit slower than usual to give her time to make mental notes of them all the way she liked.
Finally ready, Link stepped onto the large shield. Their seal, resting nearby in the sand, was calm and docile, something he was glad for. Once in a while he'd found one out in the desert with a less friendly disposition and it made the process much more difficult. Luckily, Zel wouldn't have to deal with that. It would make showing her what this was all about even more enjoyable, he hoped.
"Here, come stand in front of me," he offered, gesturing to the shield. Zel took a slow breath before throwing caution to the wind and stepping onto the metal object, making sure her feet were properly in position.
"So…we just hold onto those reins, right?"
"Yeah. The seal takes off and we influence it by leaning right or left. That's all there is to it; nothing to be worried about at all, my darling."
"O…okay! We can try it. It could be amazing, after all, and I'll never know if I don't give it a real chance."
"That's the spirit, Ohisama!" Urbosa called from nearby. She was ready and in position, delighting in watching the couple together. Link reached down and lifted the reins from the ground, handing them first to Zel before stepping closer to her.
"I'll brace you with my left arm and help you hold the reins with my right, okay? That way you're not on your own to steer or hold on but I'll still be able to keep you steady."
"Thank you, my love."
"Are you ready?"
"I suppose so…I don't think I'll ever be any more ready than I am right now, at least."
"Hey, I've got you, Zel. I promise. But let me know if it's too much, okay? We'll stop right away if you're having a bad time." Zel seemed to feel much better as a result of those words alone. She turned and kissed him on the cheek.
"You're wonderful. Thank you for taking care of me, Link."
"Always, my darling."
"Okay, I'm ready!" Link grinned and glanced across the sand towards Urbosa.
"Are you ready too?" She nodded, her red hair flowing in the muggy breeze that swept across the dunes.
"Ready when you are! Let's just get a feel for things for now."
"I was thinking the same."
"Then let's get started!"
Link wrapped his left arm around Zel's waist and held her closely against him, his right joining her on the reins. At his insistence, they urged the seal forward and it took off without a moment's hesitation. Zel yelped in surprise and fell against him but Link only held her tighter, reminding her she wasn't going anywhere.
The seal swam through the desert sand with grace and ease, carrying them forward effortlessly. Nearby, Urbosa was veering left and right, as if showing Zel the method to do so. Link leaned in close to her ear.
"Do you want to try moving to the right?"
"Um, s-sure! We just…lean our bodies in the direction we want to go, yeah?"
"Exactly. Here, lean with me."
He began slowly shifting his weight towards the right, coaxing his skittish partner with him, adjusting his hold on her just a bit so she'd feel more secure. Zel followed his movements, her body tense as she did so. Maybe this was a little much to ask of her after all. As the sand seal began to veer right, however, she called out to him, her voice excited.
"We…we did it!" Link couldn't help but light up. She was always so happy when something new went according to plan.
"We sure did! Want to try left this time?"
"Yes!"
Easing her to the other side, Zel timidly leaned with him until he stopped. Their seal responded quickly, veering the other direction and sending them sliding to the right as it moved. Zel squeaked as the motion caught her off guard but Link held her just a little more firmly, reassuring her. She let out a quick breath before nodding.
"I think I'm starting to understand this," she called out to him.
"Ohisama! You're doing great!" Urbosa shouted from nearby, leaping from the top of a nearby dune as her seal picked up speed going downhill. Link felt a defeated grin steal his face. He sincerely hoped Urbosa wasn't still demonstrating things for Zel to try on her first time out.
"L-let's not do that," she all but begged him. Link laughed and leaned in close.
"Don't worry, we won't."
"Thank you."
The two continued their joyride for a while longer. With each turn that went well, Zel's confidence grew. As they went down a small hill, their seal sped up and Link heard his partner gasp but still she held the reins tight and didn't panic. For how much she didn't like things like this, she had a gift for learning new skills with impressive speed that applied even to these situations.
After a few minutes more, Urbosa pointed towards a stone archway that Link remembered from the sand seal races they had gone to after Zel had been freed from her century-long battle with Ganon. It had been quite the event that day and the memory of it still brought a smile to Link's face. This could only mean one thing – Urbosa wanted a real race around the desert.
Urging their seal to stop, they stepped off their shield, Zel's legs a little shaky from the adrenaline. She wore a bright smile, though, and Link felt pure joy surge through him. Seeing her have such a good time was a gift he would never tire of receiving. As Urbosa came to a halt nearby, she flashed a grin towards them.
"Ohisama, you did wonderfully! You didn't fall once your first time out! Even I didn't manage that." Zel giggled and drew close to Link, taking his hand.
"It's only because I had Link to support me, both literally and figuratively. I had fun though!"
"That's wonderful to hear. Link, perhaps you should take up teaching sand seal surfing around here; I'll pay you handsomely." He knew she was joking but answered all the same.
"Flattering as that is, Urbosa, I'll have to pass. The only woman I ever want my arms around is Zel." At his words, she leaned in even closer and threaded her arm through his, squeezing tight. Urbosa's teasing grin gave way to a serene smile.
"Seeing you be so in love is enough to make even me a little jealous, Ohisama. And Link – I can see there's no reason to caution you to be good to her, not that I had the slightest doubt after the stories you both told me earlier." Link gave the Gerudo Champion a smile of his own.
"There's nothing I've ever wanted more than to make her the happiest woman alive." Zel blushed next to him but leaned close and kissed his cheek.
"You do that every single day, my love."
"Well," Urbosa continued, that sly grin returning, "I hope it won't make you too sad to watch him lose to me in a sand seal race! That is…unless you want to race as well?" Zel's eyes widened and she shook her head quickly.
"N-no, I think I'll sit this one out. I had fun leaning to ride but I'm not prepared for that kind of intensity just yet." The Gerudo woman approached and squeezed her shoulder.
"I was only teasing, don't fret. And we can simply head back to town and relax if you'd prefer. This is a day for the two of you to have fun together, after all." Zel shook her head, a relaxed smile on her pink lips.
"This is a day for the two of us to have fun together with you, Urbosa," she amended, earning a warm smile from Champion.
"You are so very kind, Ohisama."
"I learned it from my mothers." Link thought he saw Urbosa's eyes become glassy for just a moment but before he could really be sure it had already passed, her gaze clear as ever.
"But," Zel continued, a grin of her own having appeared, "I would quite like to watch the two of you race! I've only seen such spectacles a few times in my life and when else will I have the opportunity to watch the most important man in my life race the most important woman?" Urbosa gave her a confident smile.
"Hah! Very well! Link, would you do me the honor of a race?" He chuckled and nodded.
"The honor would be all mine," he assured her.
"I'll be rooting you both on," Zel promised, stepping back so they could ready themselves.
As Link knelt down in the sand to readjust his shield, he chanced a quick glance at Urbosa. This time, he knew his eyes weren't playing tricks on him – a single tear was rolling down her cheek, the smile on her face brighter than the desert sun. It seemed Zel's comments had touched her heart just the same way they always did his own.
It was a beautiful sight, Link thought to himself. He was truly glad Zel and Urbosa were able to spend time together again.
"Vah Naboris is just as incredible as I remember it being," Zelda murmured. The awe she was overcome with when on board one of the Divine Beasts wasn't something she had felt in a long time, yet it came back to her without a moment's hesitation once again.
The sun had just set on the Gerudo Desert. Zelda, Link, and Urbosa had spent the afternoon enjoying themselves like few other times she could remember in her life. Link and Urbosa had indeed raced…several times. Link managed to win the first race but Urbosa wouldn't accept defeat that easily, challenging him again and winning the second round. After she won the third race, Link, the fire of competition now lit within him, extended his own invitation for a rematch. This has gone on for quite a while until the two decided to call it a draw, much to Zelda's amusement.
They had enjoyed food in town after that, Zelda feeling more comfortable in the unfamiliar Gerudo attire as the afternoon went on. She had considered changing back into her traveling attire, but it was miserably hot with the sun at the highest point in the sky. And ultimately, Link had been right – nobody cared that she wore that outfit in Gerudo Town. The fact that they had all stared at Link like he was a creature from the center of the earth did more than she wanted to admit to settle her anxieties, though.
The remainder of the afternoon had seen them wandering the town and visiting different shops and attractions with Urbosa before she invited them onto Vah Naboris the way she used to as darkness began to fall. With the oppressive heat of the day behind them and the chill of the desert night descending over the land, Zelda and Link opted to change back into their traveling attire before crossing the desert once more to the Divine Beast.
Zelda hadn't been aboard Vah Naboris in what felt like eons. She remembered falling asleep on Urbosa's lap here, under hers and Link's watchful eyes. She had been startled awake that night by a fork of lightning, Urbosa playing a practical joke the way she sometimes did when she wanted to tease Zelda. It was a warm memory, despite the difficulties of her life back then. Even during the miseries that plagued her during her days before the Calamity, her time with Urbosa was always a respite from her crushing responsibilities. She had never been forced to be the Princess of Hyrule with her. She could be who she really was at the time – a terrified, sixteen-year-old girl who didn't know her way forward. And she was never judged for that.
Urbosa led Zelda and Link deeper into the Beast, the exact route she used to take them down in the past. Link held her hand every step of the way. His unwavering support was just as strong as the last time she'd been here, but his devotion to her had of course transformed from duty to love. Aside from that one incredible difference, she could almost believe she had been taken back to her own past once more for how familiar the scenery was.
They arrived at the long walkway attached to Vah Naboris's side. They had sat here for hours at a time before, the cool open air of the evening enveloping them as they gazed out onto the desert through the open walls the same way it did now. The moon was hanging high in the sky, its silver glow illuminating the rolling dunes below. It was just as peaceful as Zelda remembered.
"I thought it might be nice to relax here for a while before you returned to the Castle," Urbosa explained, lowering herself to the ground and leaning against the wall, a smile on her face. Zelda sat down beside the Gerudo woman, Link following suit to her right. He slipped his hand into hers and she smiled, threading their fingers together.
"It's a perfect way to finish the amazing day I've had," Zelda assured her.
"I'm very glad you've enjoyed yourself, Ohisama."
"It's all thanks to you and Link. How could I not have the most wonderful time with the two of you watching over me?"
A calm silence fell over them and for several long moments it felt as if they were alone in the world. Soon, however, Urbosa shifted slightly, meeting Zelda's eyes.
"I wanted to ask you something," she began. She was soft and warm as usual but a glimmer of sadness had appeared in her eyes.
"What is it? You can ask me anything at all, you know that."
"I was told you had a rather difficult morning at the Castle."
"Oh…I suppose I did, yes."
"Someone you know quite well asked me to make sure you had a wonderful day to make up for it," Urbosa sang, her eyes sparkling. Zelda giggled.
"How very kind of her; I'll make sure to thank her later. And honestly, I did forget all about it for how fantastic it's been to see you again."
"I couldn't be more glad to hear that, truly. And I hate to bring it up at all, but…I wanted to ask you what happened in your own time with your father. If you don't mind telling me, of course."
Zelda couldn't help but deflate a bit. She didn't really want to remember her father right now. But…if anyone in the world would be able to give her good advice about her current feelings, it was Urbosa. As Link squeezed her hand in a quiet display of support, she drew a breath and steeled herself. It wasn't something she wanted to hide from forever, anyway.
"I don't mind telling you at all. From what I've discussed with my other self, it seems she and I had very similar lives up until Terrako appeared here. In that sense, you already know most of what my father was like in my own time. The only real difference is…the end. On my seventeenth birthday, I departed the Castle with Link and the Champions, all of you. We were approaching the Spring of Wisdom in hopes that the Goddess might finally reveal my path forward. It was then that Ganon appeared and engulfed Hyrule Castle. I don't know if it was through Ganon's power or the monsters he unleashed upon the Castle, but my father was lost to us that day.
"The last memory I have of that man is him staring down at me from his throne in the Sanctum, his eyes filled with disapproval. He sent me to the Spring of Wisdom without a single word of encouragement. For ten years, I hadn't felt the warmth or love of the father I used to adore when mother was still alive. And I suppose I was destined to never feel that warmth or love again."
"Ohisama…"
"You know, I still remember the last words he ever said to me. 'Zelda. We have run out of time. You must unlock your powers lest all of Hyrule be lost to Ganon forever. Depart for the Spring of Wisdom and awaken your Sealing magic. There can be no failure this time and I will tolerate no more excuses. You will set off within the hour. Do not disappoint me again.' I can hear them so clearly in my mind it's as if he still stands before me, speaking them at this very moment."
She felt Link's grip tighten. No doubt those words upset him to hear just as much as they upset her to remember. Nobody had heard those words spoken in his voice but her, though. It was incredibly unlikely they were the last words he'd ever spoken, but she'd never know his true last words. That diatribe may as well be it.
"Your father…is a complicated man," Urbosa sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Occasionally, I would see flashes of the person he was when your mother was still with us. But he refused to show you compassion and love despite anything else. I'll never understand if it was because he believed something like that would distract you from your training or hamper your ability to awaken to your Sealing magic, but no matter how deeply it galled and hurt me to see…I never could call into question his decisions. It wasn't my place to criticize the King…" Zelda shook her head, a small smile on her face.
"The fact that you wanted to is more than enough for me."
"He really never changed in your world, then," Urbosa murmured. It wasn't a question. Link leaned forward and spoke for the first time since boarding the Divine Beast. Zelda had been alone with him so often since returning that she sometimes forgot he very much preferred listening during conversations like this than contributing.
"When I awakened on the Great Plateau, his spirit guided me for a short time. I had no memories and he told me the state the Kingdom was in. When he spoke of Zel, he seemed closer to the way the other Zelda described her father to us. But it was far too late at that point. It took his own death to make him regret the things he did and said."
"And learning that in death is far too late for the sake of the living," Urbosa concurred, nodding slowly.
"Urbosa, I wanted to ask you something too, actually," Zelda began. The older woman brought her eyes up again, locking her gaze with Zelda's own.
"Anything, Ohisama."
"Did you see the way father changed in this world as it happened? My other self seems convinced he realized his errors before she awakened to her Sealing magic but…I just can't shake the feeling that those powers had something to do with it in the end. I cannot fathom a world in which Ganon alone was enough to break his ten-year streak of stubbornness and neglect." Urbosa leaned back and closed her eyes.
"I did meet your father again, before she reunited with him. At the time she and the Link of this world saved us Champions from our doomed fates, she still had not awakened to her true powers yet. When I discovered that your father was still alive on the Great Plateau, he said many things to me that I never expected to hear."
"Like what?"
"He said he was a fool to have treated you the way he did. He credited you with saving his life because of your brilliance and dauntless research into the artifacts of the ancient Sheikah. The one that stood out to me most, though, was that he lamented what your mother would have thought of him. He told me she would be terribly disappointed in him if she had witnessed the way he'd hurt you and pushed you so far away over the years." It wasn't lost on Zelda that Urbosa had begun addressing her directly instead of continuing to refer to her other self.
She frowned and stared at the floor beneath them, her mind racing and reeling. He had said those things to Urbosa before the other Zelda had awakened to her powers, or at least before he'd been made aware. Then…had he truly come to realize the hurt he'd caused before getting what he wanted from her? The Sealing magic he had demanded she unlock for a decade…he had ultimately accepted his love for his daughter without her achieving that goal?
"Urbosa…do you think my father has truly become a better man in this time?" A long silence hung in the air before she finally responded.
"I believe he's trying. Of course, I've had many conversations with you about him since the Calamity…or perhaps I should say the 'you' of this world. She has accepted his feelings and wants to grow closer with him, despite the wounds he caused her in the past. I believe that's admirable and I truly hope one day their relationship can be mended."
"She said the same thing to me this morning. I accepted it at the time but thinking about it now…I don't believe I could make the same decision myself were I her." Urbosa placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"You don't need to. Whatever you feel going forward is yours alone, Ohisama. You don't need to justify or deny it. Just because your father in this world is trying to become a better man, that doesn't change what you suffered and endured in your own lifetime because of his actions."
"I don't know that I can forgive the things he did or said to me…"
"Then don't."
Zelda blinked several times and watched Urbosa in surprise. She knew the Chieftain would never dismiss her feelings, but she had expected her to try to encourage finding a middle ground.
"…don't?"
"Don't. Some things can't be forgiven, even if the apology is sincere. Just because your father in this era regrets what he's done doesn't mean your feelings of anger and hurt are suddenly unimportant. It doesn't change the reality you lived in your own world. It's up to you to accept those feelings or not, Ohisama. It's up to you to ultimately decide if your own father was capable of changing in the same way. There is no right or wrong answer to that. Sometimes, deep hurt cannot be undone by kind words. Sometimes, the scars left on one's heart simply cannot be healed."
"I've…never thought of it that way before."
"I'm not encouraging you to hate him either, mind you. I only want you to spend some time with your thoughts and feelings, to decide your own way forward for yourself. Nobody can tell you what you should feel or think after everything you've endured over the years. Only you get to make that decision." Zelda smiled at last.
"Thank you, Urbosa. I'll take some time to consider everything that's happened and really look at my own feelings. You know, it's amazing; even after everything I've experienced, I still always learn something new and invaluable from you every time we speak." Urbosa chuckled.
"I'm very glad you feel that way. I only hope my other self was able to help you and be there for you in the same way I always tried to be here." Zelda gave the woman a warm smile.
"The Urbosa I knew in my era was every bit the wonderful woman that you are. In fact, I have to keep reminding myself that you're not truly one and the same; I might forget myself and believe I've gone back in time in my own world otherwise."
"I'm very glad I was able to provide some comfort to you, then."
"You always did. The moments I shared with you are some of the only good times I can remember from that point in my life. Thank you for being there for me every step of the way. Words cannot explain how grateful I am that my other self succeeded in saving you in this world, truly."
"Thank you, Ohisama. She was a wonder to witness, just as I know you, too, would have been."
"Urbosa, what was it like to fight alongside her? I never got the opportunity to support you with my powers in my own world." Urbosa's face softened and she leaned back, the memory playing through her mind.
"What a sight she was. She wielded her Sealing magic with such grace and power I could hardly believe she was the same girl I'd helped raise for her entire life. The sight of her warmed my heart. Occasionally she would even begin to glow, as if she were herself becoming a beacon of light for every living thing in Hyrule." Zelda smiled.
"That sounds incredible. I am so very happy for her that she was able to make such a difference in this world, that she saved Hyrule by her own hands." She also made a quick mental note to ask her other self about that glowing power. Perhaps it was something she could learn too…
"It seems you have saved your own Hyrule many times as well, Ohisama." Zelda shook her head gently.
"I would have achieved nothing without Link. I owe him my life twice now," she said, leaning towards him and resting her head on his shoulder. Link spoke again at last.
"You've saved mine at least that many times yourself. You don't owe me anything, my love." Zelda smiled and nuzzled him.
"Then I'll just settle for thanking you for saving me again." Urbosa gave a light chuckle.
"The two of you are so wonderful together. Have you decided when you'll be wed?" Zelda blushed badly but relished the feeling of giddy excitement that sprang to life in her heart.
"Not yet, things are still fairly unsettled back home. But once Hyrule is in a better place, we have every intention of deciding on all the specifics of our wedding together." Urbosa met Zelda's gaze once more.
"Once you figure it out, see if you can get that little Guardian of yours to bring me through time to you. I would do anything to see you on that day and share your happiness with you."
Zelda felt her throat tighten a bit. She wasn't even sure if she knew how to contact Terrako from her own timeline. If this was truly her Terrako, then there was no little Guardian she could ask to help her back home. And with the ancient technology of the Sheikah all but scrapped following the Calamity, the odds of her being able to assemble such a counterpart to Terrako was impossibly low. But now wasn't the time to dwell on that. Besides, the offer and sentiment were so beautiful all she could possibly do was accept. It was what she truly wanted.
"If there is a way for Terrako to allow that, I would bring you there in a heartbeat, Urbosa. It would make what will surely be the happiest day of my life even better." Link leaned forward and met the Gerudo Champion's gaze.
"If it really is possible, you must join us. But you should probably prepare yourself – I'm sure the people of our time would be overwhelmed if the Gerudo Champion of legend suddenly stepped through time just to attend our wedding." There was a hint of teasing in his voice that wasn't lost on Urbosa.
"I'll have to make sure I'm ready then!" Link seemed to ponder something for a moment.
"Actually, that's one way we could figure out if our Riju is the same one who came through time to help you. She's never mentioned something like to Zel or I so it's possible the Riju you met is from the future of this timeline." Urbosa laughed lightly.
"You know Link, you're much more talkative and relaxed than you are in this world. I've noticed it all day but I can hardly let the two of you return to the Castle tonight without commenting on it." Zelda laughed at her words as did Link himself before he spoke again. It made her happy that Link was so much more open with Urbosa than he had been all those years ago.
"I really have opened up a lot since the Calamity, and certainly since Ganondorf was destroyed. It's all thanks to Zel."
"I'll be interested to see if the Link of this world follows a similar path as you."
"He very well may. After all, if anyone knows the way the Zelda of this world feels towards him, I'd imagine it's you," Link asserted with a sly grin. Urbosa chuckled.
"Guilty as charged! She and I have discussed her feelings several times now as well as why she waits to say anything directly to him. But if I were only looking at Link himself, it would be much harder to say with certainty – I can never quite parse what he's thinking. Perhaps that's not much of a surprise, though." From next to Zelda, her own Link laughed.
"Not in the slightest. I was so quiet and withdrawn back then."
"I'd say some things never change, but I've clearly been proven wrong today, haven't I?
"I suppose so - I imagine the Link of this era might not challenge you to race rematches over and over again just because he lost."
Urbosa broke into genuine laughter, Zelda and Link following suit. It was delightful to laugh together like this. Even back when Urbosa had still been alive in their own world, they had never shared moments this lighthearted. It was a new feeling for Zelda and it was one of the most wonderful she'd ever experienced.
"Urbosa," Zelda continued after they all settled again, a wistful quality to her voice. "Do you think the Zelda of this world will end up as happy with her Link as I am with mine?" Urbosa shot her a playful grin.
"I imagine it might take several years for anyone to be as happy as the two of you are." Zelda couldn't help but laugh lightly at her words, scooting a bit closer to her partner. "But yes, in time I imagine they will grow quite close, especially if the pressures of the nobility are removed from the equation. And if all else fails, she'll still have me to make sure things don't go off track."
"I'm so glad you're able to stay by her side; I feel no worry for her future knowing that truth!" Zelda sang.
"And I feel no worry for yours seeing you be as happy with Link as you are." Zelda lit up at once, a bright smile stealing her face.
"I've never been happier in all my life."
"You deserve that happiness, Ohisama. I've never known anyone who deserves it more than you. No matter the world you hail from, that will always be true."
Zelda was suddenly overwhelmed by a feeling of melancholy. Once they returned to their own time, she wouldn't see Urbosa anymore, just as she hadn't for countless years now. The Gerudo Champion who had all but become her mother all that time ago…she didn't realize just how much she missed the force of love and acceptance the woman was. She would cherish these moments and memories for the rest of her life. She would be glad that herself in this timeline got to live out her life with Urbosa still staunchly at her side. But it didn't make the sting of losing her again any more bearable, even now. And it couldn't stay the tears that began to spill from her eyes.
"Ohisama? What's wrong?"
"It's just…I'll miss you so much when we return home, Urbosa…"
Link gave Zelda's hand a squeeze before letting her go, never moving from her side. Zelda turned and threw her arms around Urbosa. She wanted this night to last forever. Maybe if she stayed in her arms, she wouldn't have to leave after all. Link would stay with her too…
Urbosa hugged her tight, her strong arms wrapping around her without a moment's hesitation. She leaned in and placed her forehead against the top of Zelda's head, her soft voice breaking through the melancholic thoughts swirling within her mind.
"Ohisama, I'll always be with you. Even if you find yourself an impossibly far distance from me, even in another world where I no longer can stand at your side, my love for you will echo across time without end. You will be in my heart forever." Zelda felt a fresh wave of tears overwhelm her.
"Urbosa…I was scared when we first fell through time but I couldn't be more grateful that it happened now. I'm so happy I got to see you again. You always reminded me you weren't my real mother, but I don't think that's true. I think you're one of two real mothers I have. I don't know where I'd have wound up without you."
"Ohisama…"
"I love you, Urbosa. I wish I could just stay here with you forever. Link and I could build a life here, we already discussed it the other night. If we couldn't return home, we were both willing to stay here with each other. Maybe…things would be okay if we did that…" The Gerudo woman's voice sounded in her ear again, almost trembling. Zelda had never heard her this way before.
"I love you too. I wish with every selfish part of my heart that you could stay with me from now on. Perhaps I'm greedy, but I would never turn down the idea of having two of you in my life." They managed to laugh together at that comment before she continued.
"But you have a life of your own in your world. You have the children in Hateno Village who depend on you and love you. You have a fledgling Kingdom of people who look to you for guidance. You have friends who adore you and would wonder forever what became of you if you never returned. You have a home with Link that the two of you built across so many years of love and devotion. That world is where you truly belong. You are loved there more than you know." Zelda sniffled before nodding.
"You're right. I know you're right. It would be far too selfish to stay here forever. I can only imagine the problems I'd cause for my other self, too." She managed a small giggle. "I just don't want to lose you again. We've only just been reunited…"
Urbosa considered something for a moment before leaning back and reaching towards her arm. Curious, Zelda looked up and watched as she removed one of the golden bracelets that adorned her wrist. Carefully, Urbosa reached out and fastened it around Zelda's own, the gentle warmth emanating from it wrapping around her. It felt just like her embrace.
"I want you to take this, Ohisama. It's a symbol of our bond, one that you can hold onto when I can't stand by your side. No matter how far apart we may be, no matter how many timelines or worlds may separate us, know that I think of you each and every day. Know that I wish nothing but the greatest happiness for you. And know that my love for you is without limits and without end. I will always think of you as my very own daughter, Zelda."
Zelda was stunned. Urbosa hadn't called her by her real name for as long as she could remember. From the first memory she had of the Gerudo woman who was friends with her mother, she had always used that nickname for her. She loved it. But there was something impossibly wonderful about hearing her given name spoken by Urbosa's warm voice too.
Tears spilled down Zelda's face as she smiled, placing her hand over the small, gold bracelet that now adorned her wrist. To her complete surprise, Urbosa was crying too. Zelda had never seen her shed tears like this, no matter the situation. But it only served as proof that their bond was special in a way that could never be lost or replaced.
"I'll treasure this for the rest of my life, Urbosa. I'll think of you every day as well. And if Terrako really can bring you to our wedding, I'll do anything to make that happen."
"I'll look forward to it until the day it comes to be. Your happiness will always be my happiness, Ohisama"
Zelda was drawn back into Urbosa's embrace. The deep love she felt filled her heart entirely. Between Link and Urbosa, it was a wonder Zelda could feel anything but pure elation at all. She had truly been given a gift by Terrako, one that she would make certain to thank him for when next she saw him.
She had been able to meet Urbosa again, the woman who had all but become her mother since she was six. She hadn't ever considered that they may cross paths again someday. In fact, it had seemed impossible. And yet, here she was, held in the same comforting embrace she had come to rely on so much during the most difficult years of her life.
Perhaps she would never see her again once Terrako sent them home. It would be sad, of course, but not necessarily surprising. And though she would never allow herself to leave this place without seeing Urbosa one more time, the truth was…this world wasn't hers. She had her own place in her own time. But that didn't change the fact that Urbosa would always hold an immutable place in her heart, a bond that could never be shattered by time or distance. And it made her impossibly happy to know that somewhere out there, Urbosa had survived the Calamity and was now able to live out the her life alongside Zelda's own younger self.
She felt herself smile, an uncontrollable sensation of joy overwhelming her again. She may not know what the future held, but she knew right now, in this moment, she was impossibly happy to have been reunited with Urbosa. And nothing could ever take that reunion away from them.
It was something Zelda would remember and cherish for all of her days.
7/4/2023
Original Post-Chapter Note: Welcome back everyone and thank you so much for reading!
I had a lot of fun writing Zel and Urbosa in this chapter and I hope you liked it. Obviously Link took a bit of a backseat this time given the relationship we were focusing on, but he'll be back in a big way next chapter, don't worry!
I actually had never dug much into Zel's relationship with Urbosa until I played AoC. I had a bit of a weird experience with BotW the first time I played it (which I may detail at some point towards or at the end of this story), but suffice to say the game's story didn't really resonate all that deeply with me during my first playthrough. Over the years, though, I've found a much deeper appreciation for it and especially since TotK made me just fall in love with Zel's character completely. All that is to say, writing this dynamic was challenging at first but also extremely fun and rewarding in the end! I hope it came across well and you enjoyed all the sincere emotional moments and the fun, goofy moments as well.
Anyway, that's all I've got this time! Chapter 4 will be on it's way soon and I'm looking forward to getting it started (and rewritten)! Until then, thank you all so much for reading and I'll see you again soon. Take care!