Hey guys! Here's something short and sweet for the new years! I wish you all happy holidays!! :)
For the first time in his life, Link spent the turn of the year away from his home in Ordon. It felt appropriate, somehow, since he couldn't even recognize the person he was from last winter. It'd been such a long and life changing year for him that just thinking of it turned his stomach and made him dizzy.
He knew he could've gone home; he knew Ordon would welcome him back with open arms and possibly even a great big feast. But it hadn't been the same since his adventure began, and he didn't really feel like spending the evening in his home feeling somehow not at home.
Just the same, he knew he'd be welcomed at Telma's bar, where surely everyone from town would be. Everyone, that is, except for his friends from the resistance, who were still scaling the mountain alps of the north. Being there without them just didn't feel the same, especially when Telma would already have her hands full running the place.
The queen, his newest and perhaps most unlikely friend, wasn't able to spend the evening with him. She'd been invited to an annual exclusive dinner party amongst all the aristocrats and the princes that still persistently lingered after her coronation. Even if they offered him an invitation, he really didn't want to spend the whole evening being the subject of their non-whispered insults and not-so-subtle looks.
After an entire year of meeting new people and travelling the kingdom, it looked like he'd be celebrating the new year all alone.
When he finished with work for the day, he took his dinner to his room and stripped down to his most comfortable slacks. Even from his open window, he could see the people hustling and bustling in the snow-covered town, with salesmen peddling their wares and minstrels performing their ballads. It really did look like everyone took to the streets to celebrate, and despite his loneliness, he found himself smiling at the sight. At least the people were safe and happy; after the year they'd had, they really did deserve it.
His meal was delicious: a fresh roast, vegetables, and a glass of champagne to boot. Not enough to get him drunk perhaps, but just enough to unwind for the evening. At the stroke of midnight, the bells chimed in a chorus below and an explosion of light erupted like vibrant flowers in the night sky. Closing his eyes, he sent out well wishes for his friends - in and out the realm. He wished his family in Ordon a bountiful year, his friends at Snowpeak a safe dismount, and he wished Midna, whatever she was doing now, true happiness.
And for Zelda...well, he wished she'd have a wonderful year ahead. Secretly, too, he wished he'd be a part of it.
All tuckered out from a busy day of work, he tidied up his dinner tray, set it on his dresser, and curled onto his bed like a kitten. Awash in the silver light of snow, he drifted off to sleep almost immediately.
He couldn't tell how long it was before he heard a soft, subtle rapt on his door. Had it been anyone else, it would've hardly stirred them from sleep, but he was a light sleeper, and while it proved to be fortunate in most circumstances, he couldn't help feeling annoyed about it then.
Under furrowed brows, he looked at the door with a frown. Who in Hyrule would be knocking on his door at the dead of the night? He rubbed his eyes, pushed himself up and sleepily ambled to the door.
It was the queen.
She looked as equally confused to be there, her hand still up in a fist before it slowly fell to her side. Donned in a midnight blue dress, she looked ever the vision. Her chestnut hair was braided just as always and her face, though weary in the eyes, was adorned with evening makeup, and he realized that she must've still been dressed from her event.
Her eyes swept over him quickly before darting away, flustered by his state of undress, and she cleared her throat. He'd only been wearing a flimsy shirt and some old trousers, after all, and so he folded an arm over his chest in an effort to maintain some dignity. Had he known it was the monarch of his kingdom at his door, he probably wouldn't have opened it in his bed things.
"I apologize. Have I woken you up? I assumed you would've been awake for the festivities."
"No, I -" He scratched the back of his head. Well, yes he was, but sleep hardly mattered now. He was far more concerned with what she was doing there. It wasn't everyday the queen came knocking on his bedroom door. "I mean, it's okay. Did you...Did you need something, Your Highness?"
"Zelda," she corrected. It seemed to take a bit of time for him to adjust to the change, but she could hardly blame him. Not many people were permitted to call her by her name; surely any noblemen would be scandalised by his permission to do so, but she very well didn't care. She was the queen and damned it all if she couldn't choose her own friends. "I was hoping perhaps you might join me in the dining hall. But I understand that it's late and I certainly wouldn't want to disturb you."
"No…!" he interrupted, perhaps a bit too eagerly. Reining it in, he amended, "No, I mean, I would. Sure." He looked back in his room for a moment. "Just, err - give me a minute." She nodded in understanding and primly folded her hands as he darted back in the room, clambering about.
Though curious, she made an effort not to look around his room. She'd seen the chambers before, obviously, when she arranged his accommodations, but she'd never seen it lived in by him. It felt oddly intimate. Fortunately, he appeared not long after with a woollen shirt haphazardly thrown over his bed things. "I'm ready."
"Very well." She set forth without further deliberation and he hastily followed suit. Many questions arose in his mind, like the fireworks sparking in the dead of night, but he hesitated to ask.
Eventually, her trek led them down a familiar hall, though far more quiet than usual. Perhaps everyone had retired to their chambers, nobility and servants alike, exhausted after hours of celebration. Though Zelda's steps were just a touch heavier than usual, possibly drained herself, she seemed a bit eager as well.
She looked back at him momentarily before opening the door to the dining hall in which they typically shared dinners. He knew they had a celebration earlier, but it looked far more decorated than he expected. Though the dishes were cleared, there were fir garlands across the table, garnet flowers hung in bushels, and a slew of candles scattered across every surface. The flames flickered, casting shadows and a warm, amber glow throughout the room.
But the thing that confused him the most was two buns on a silver tray on the table. There were no rows of cutlery nor separate plates. It was strange, in that it was scarce and barren, but also refreshingly casual and comfortable.
Zelda quietly shut the door behind them, one palm to the wood, and he partially turned to flash her a curious look. "Your - Zelda, what are we doing here?"
She smiled softly, politely and almost demurely, as if queen of Hyrule, with all her dignity and grace, was actually shy. She gestured him to the table as she circled it to her usual seat at the end and held on to the back of her chair. "I was hoping you might join me for some Hytide bread." His brows raised and she elaborated, "It was a tradition I had with my family. On the turn of the year, we would break bread together, and the person that found the hidden bean would be granted a wish." She looked away briefly. "Perhaps it's a bit silly, and to be truthful, I haven't done this tradition in years, but I hoped that you might join me anyhow."
His heart fluttered at the thought. Zelda was renowned for being reserved and untoward to nearly everyone – councillors, dignitaries and commoners alike. She wasn't unkind, by any means, and she was always polite, but she scarcely showed her inner most thoughts or feelings with anyone. It was nearly impossible to interpret her expressions, as well-versed as they were, and trying to read her mind was an impossible yet noble ambition. But here she was, opening up to him willingly, deliberately, and even premeditatedly.
Without further delay, he nodded, causing her shy smile to brighten, if only subtly enough for him to see. The brilliance of it suited her. She gestured for him to sit just before following suit and offering him the plate. When he chose his, he held in his tight fist with momentary contemplation as his eyes scanned the table for a fork or something. Of course, he'd eaten with his hands before: the villagers in Ordon hardly worried about such formal etiquette. Though he shared many meals with Her Highness, there were typically a thousand utensils he'd inadvertently learned how to use. "Do I just-"
To his surprise, she placed her gloved hand on his forearm and his gaze flashed to hers. "Relax, Link. It's all in good fun," she said. "You may just 'dig in', as they say."
He swallowed but felt his shoulders drop at her little joke. "Right." Drawing her hand back, she tore the bread into a smaller piece and took a bite, and somehow she still looked as elegant as ever.
Link did the same and after a moment of silently eating away, Zelda spoke up once more. "Does Ordon village has traditions for the new year as well?"
"Sort of. We would do our chores during the day and then stay up all night together, usually with a fire or something. But we always spend holidays together."
She nodded thoughtfully. "That's a wonderful tradition. Holidays ought to be spent with loved ones." She seemed to catch herself and fell quiet for a moment. Her wording paired with the way they were together now, celebrating the holiday, made her blush. It wasn't often that she misspoke, but she noticed it becoming a trend around him.
Though he rose a brow at her silence, he didn't seem to catch on to her slip up. She shook it off and smiled politely. "May I ask, why didn't you join in the town's festivities?"
"Oh I just…well, all my friends are out of town or busy." That was true - partially anyways. He didn't really know how to put the other part of it into words, the part where the holiday somehow placed all his confusion and grief on the forefront. After such a long and complicated journey, after losing everything he ever knew and becoming someone completely different, he couldn't help but mourn the year that'd past. His brows furrowed as his eyes wandered to his plate. He hadn't realized he was tearing the bread into pieces.
He knew she – of all people remaining in the light realm – would know better than anyone. She was there for part of it, after all. And he knew, more importantly perhaps, that she would be kind about it. With a small intake of breath, he tried again, "I just…I didn't feel like celebrating."
And even with so few words, she understood. Her heart sunk in her chest, weighted like an anchor, and it dragged her entire body into a slight slump. In her mind, everything that Link didn't and yet did say was her fault. It was her fault for failing her kingdom, for not standing up for them, for not protecting them. She grabbed her napkin and wrung it in her fist. "I understand. It's been an especially difficult year for us all, but more so for you than anyone else."
She hazarded a smile, the smallest upturn at the corners of her painted lips, and bowed her head to catch his eye. "Yet perhaps you ought not to only reflect on the year that's past. It's just as important, I believe, to look at the possibilities for the year ahead. It's certainly possible for this year to be the best you've yet to have."
He returned her smile, forlorn and pained as it was and yet brightened, if only slightly, by her words. "Thank you, Z-"
A sudden clunk stopped him midsentence and his head snapped to the sound. Zelda's smile brightened, tinted with amusement, as she said, "It appears the goddesses agree with me." He picked up the bean between his fingers, looking at curiously; he'd nearly forgotten why he was there in the first place.
"What – What was this for again?"
"You're supposed to make a wish."
"'A wish?'"
"Yes." Then, she added, "It can be for anything your heart desires."
Link looked back at her, and for a split second, his gaze grew heated as it darted over her. Had it been anyone else, they probably wouldn't have caught it, as quick as it was. But this was the queen of Hyrule: the woman who'd grown up in court and was practically trained in the art of the subtle looks and gestures; the woman who could read a look as though it were a written language.
Her eyes widened, if only slightly, and he noticed. Feeling his face darken with a blush, the blond looked away and cleared his throat. Though he didn't need to give it much thought, he took a moment to silently make his wish.
When they'd finished up, Link had insisted on walking the queen back to her chambers, as he typically did after their dinners together - not that she'd put up much of a fight. By then, everyone - including the servants - were tuckered out and tucked into bed, making the halls nearly as quiet as Kakariko's graveyard.
"Thank you for joining me tonight," Zelda said softly. "It's been a long time since I've participated in my family's tradition and it means a lot that you were able to share it with me."
"Of course."
"I apologize for waking you late in the night for it, however. Sometimes, the councillors' dinners can take longer than expected."
"No, it's okay. I'm glad I could join you."
"I truly hope this year is kind to you, Link," Zelda continued. "I cannot think of anyone more deserving."
"You?" he suggested.
She shook her head with an amused smile and jested, "Well, I suppose I wouldn't deny a prosperous year as well, should it come knocking on my door."
"I hope it does."
Her smile softened, a fair dusting on her fair cheeks, but she smartly turned away and they receded to silence until they arrived at her door. Then, she turned the key and he respectfully took a step back. "Goodnight, Link," she said, opening the door.
"Goodnight, Zelda."
When she stepped inside, he turned away, but was surprised when he didn't hear the door click shut. Before he could look back, he heard Zelda say, "Link?"
Pivoting to face her, he rose a questioning brow. She seemed to hesitate for a moment, looking at her door as her mind seemed to battle itself. Then, determined, she met his gaze. Beneath her curled lashes, that same demureness returned to her pale blue eyes and that soft pink tint returned to her cheeks. His heart hammered against his ribcage. "And whatever it was you wished for," she said, almost knowingly, "I hope you may receive it."
With a small intake of breath, he searched her carefully, trying in vain to read her mind. But after a moment, he surrendered and instead decidedly said, "Me too."