At first, Princess Zelda had thought she was hallucinating when she first opened her eyes and her sights were locked on Sir Link. The Hero of Hyrule.
Of course, he'd save them all again. She wasn't able to watch him defeat the Demon King this time like she watched him slay Calamity Ganon, but something in her mind know; before she swallowed that tear that he would defeat him. She had mentally cursed herself for doubting him, she never would again. What a foolish woman she was.
For starters, they'd have to make their way back to Lookout Landing and inform Purah that everything had turned out alright. That everything was going to be okay. But deep down, Princess Zelda knew what comes before a good ending, a deep struggle. Link had barely interacted with her, and deep down it had hurt her that he had been deadly quiet. She hadn't seen this much stoicism from him in over a hundred years. Literally.
It was a beautiful day in Hyrule, and the sun shining on the two of them couldn't get any more brighter. They had been walking for quite awhile, both of them more quiet than the environment around them. She had been grateful that they hadn't seen anybody, nor any monsters around them. She certainly didn't want that as of now.
She wanted to hear his voice, but for some reason he was withdrawn from her. Distant from her. She hadn't known how long it's been for him back in the present, but she had abeen longing for him for over a thousand years. She had learned a lot from being around Sonia and Rauru for that time, how the two had always looked at each filled with love and affection. How they'd always talk to each other with soft eyes and voices. She had seen the king had been filled with grief and sorrow staring at his wait wife's grave. Zelda shook her mind off of the sad memory, and fixated her eyes on Link.
He didn't have his usual hair tie in, his golden locks flowed just above his shoulders with each step he took. had been shirtless for some odd reason, and she had struggled to not look at him with feeling herself blush. Skies, she has to keep herself under control.
"Do you need to rest Princess?" She heard the voice she's been waiting for to ring through her eardrums. Link had looked at her with a expression of worry and exhaustion. He had light dark circle around his eyes, and his hair had been a frizzled mess. Nevertheless, she could sense some pain and discomfort within him. She had nodded her head no, and he had nodded his head in acknowledgment.
She didn't want to burden him anymore than she has, that they should get to Lookout Landing as soon as possible, so that she can sit down and rest her legs without having to get up and walk an odd number of more miles.
What had happened within the time she was gone? She didn't quite remember herself as a dragon, and the last humane thought she had was...Link.
Her Link. Or at least she thought, it wasn't like they had shared a house together, or slept in the same bed together, or hold and clutch each other right like they were gonna disappear together. No. It definitely wasn't like that.
The walk they endured had been a bit painful on her end, he had completely fallen silent. No hint of emotion in his face, and it had all but reminded her of how he was 107 years ago. How he was focused on the mission, focused on protecting her. Like that had been his entire personality. She remembers getting him to open up bit by bit and learning how honest, caring and random he can be at times. How he could stuff an entire Nayru's Day feast by himself.
The pair made their way through Hyrule Field, seeing Lookout Landing just over the tiny hill the blocked most of the shiekah tower that had been towering over them. The sun still had basked them in it's warmth, barely any wind had bothered the two of them; as it was only a light breeze that kissed her skin.
"We'll be arriving at the lookout soon," Link had spoken shakily, she saw him slightly flinch when she had laid her sight upon him. It had hurt her a little that she would get such reaction out of him by merely looking at him.
"Is everything alright, Link?" She found the words slipping out of her tongue before she could stop them.
"I'm fine, Princess."
"Zelda," She corrected him.
He tensed up before merely looking away. "Zelda." He repeated.
The two had made it over the hill and it wasn't long until they walking through the gates of Lookout Landing. The knights that had been guarding the door had the color drained from their faces and were quick to get on one knee in unison.
"Princess!" The left guard said, he had kept his head bowed and eyes locked to the ground before he had continued. "Welcome back! Purah is currently awaiting your arrival!"
Zelda had nodded. "Yes, thank you. You may stand up." The guards had stood up before they looked straight ahead, continuing their duty. The duo had walked into the entrance and it wasn't long until all eyes began to look upon them.
Zelda had wanted to hurry to Purah, she wasn't in the mood for attention and greetings. She felt rather tired, she wanted to lay in a bed and curl up into a ball, falling asleep.
People had began to mutter and murmur 'Is that the Princess?' Or 'Is that the hero and Princess?' They had made their way to the headquarters of the Lookout Landing where Purah was standing on platform, surrounded by the sages.
"Zelda!" Purah had yelped, practically jumping into her arms.
"Princess!" Sidon exclaimed.
"You're alright!" Tulin had squealed. The sages had practically gathered around the two, engulfing them into one big group hug. Zelda had closed her eyes and took a deep breath, nudging her head against Purah's shoulder. Indeed, it did feel good to be home.
"How was it?" Riju asked. "Being a dragon?"
Zelda had chuckled. "Oh, well I didn't exactly remember anything after I swallowed the tear."
"Well, it is certainly a relief to have you back Princess," Sidon had concluded with a small smile. She had seen Impa walk up behind the gigantic fish with her oversized hat.
"Impa!" She squealed.
"Hello my child, it is great to see you well once again." She returned the hug Zelda had casted upon her. "Is it true? The Demon King is defeated?"
"It is." Zelda confirmed.
"Yeah, we totally stuck it to the Demon King!" Yunobo raised his fist might high in the air, almost reminding Zelda of Daruk. The rest of the sages has cheered in unison, Zelda couldn't stop the small smile that had formed on her face. They really outdid themselves this time.
"Thank you all for your efforts, I owe you a great deal. We shall continue with what we started right away: rebuilding Hyrule." Zelda stated.
"Now, now. You and Link just got back from saving Hyrule," Purah cut in. "I think you deserve a little break."
"Yeah," Sidon agreed, putting his hand on Link's shoulder. "You two have sacrificed a lot for us and Hyrule. A break would be nice, right Link?"
A break? Zelda wasn't so sure, despite the last five years being dedicated to rebuilding Hyrule, there wasn't much time to rest and relax. She didn't want a break, but she was exhausted and she could tell that Link was exhausted.
"Link, what would you like to do?" Zelda had asked her knight who eyes had widened at the sudden call out, he nodded his head and stepped up.
"Whatever you're willing to do, Princess." He simply said with a nod, he wasn't one for talking and long sentences but when he spoke, he made his point.
She nodded, not correcting him on calling her 'Princess.' Turning towards, Purah she sighed before she spoke.
"A week. I'll only need a week." She concluded.
Purah made a smal sound, fiddling her instrument in her hand before letting a small smile take upon her face. "Good enough for me Princess," She looked towards the sunset that now reigned upon Hyrule, coloring the land in orange. "I know you now reside in Hateno, let's all meet back in seven days to discuss matters."
A mutual agreement had rang upon the group. Turning towards Link; she watched him nodded silently towards her, Zelda had bid her farewells to the group before leaving to sleep in one of the tents sent up around, she had lost her adventure clothes when she had been zipped back to a time that was practically mythical.
Then she swallowed that tear...her last human thought being Link. She turned her head around, letting her eyes set on the hero who was exchanging words with Purah and Impa.
Link had glanced towards her direction, before he had returned to the discussion he was having at hand. She turned back to the tent that had made for her before she crawled in, for some reason being a dragon for thousands and thousands of years had drained her physically, she hadn't felt this tired since...the Calamity.
She shoved those thoughts out of her head, before she saw the flash back of Ganondorf killing Sonia. Her face painted with shock and pain, how the color drained from her face and how she saw Rauru quake with rage. How she watched him mourn her at her grave, seeing his sluggish body language hunched over his wife's tombstone. It'll happen to us all one day.
"Princess," She heard Link from outside, she quickly sat up before peering her head out of the tent, seeing the knight standing in the sunset. The orange glow had smacked off of his face...for a second, she thought she had fallen into a trance looking into his water blue eyes.
"Link?" She greeted with a look of confusion on her face.
"I...I didn't get the opportunity to ask you, how you are doing?" Link simply said, now crouching down to her eye level.
She blushed, having the feeling of feeling his face close to hers, she felt that all she had to do was jump up and steal a kiss from him. But now wasn't the time for that. She had nodded her heard.
"I'm fine. I just need to rest, this tent is not the most comfortable or luxurious place to sleep I'have slept on. But it should get the job done."
"I have a suggestion, if I may." Link blurted out, not realizing his own words.
Zelda's ears perked up. "Oh? Well, what do you have in mind?" It was quiet for a few moments, and she watched Link pull his sight off of her and his eyes laid onto a few soldiers training and sparring. Without looking at her, she'd seen the deep breath he took before choosing his words.
"I built a home in Akkala when you were gone, so that I wouldn't have to dread staying in the house I gave you. It made me feel...uneasy." Link spoke quietly, she listened intently. "I had it built, because I didn't want to sleep in that house knowing you were missing, and that it doesn't feel right anymore. So I had Hudson help me out. I...I think you'd like it."
"What do you mean exactly?" She asked softly.
He turned toward her, those blue eyes licking onto her green ones. "I would like to show you it."
She had almost missed it due to how quiet he had delivered the words. She felt a blush of pink crawl up her face, and she didn't attempt to hide it. Link had built a house? And he wants to show it to me?
"You can say no." He reminded her, she was well aware of that. But why would she?
"No! I mean, I'd love see it Link; I'm sure it's lovely. We'll just have to travel back to Hateno, and grab my-"
"I already...moved most of your clothes there." He abruptly cut her off looking in the distance, he had snapped his head back realizing his mistake. "Forgive me. I did not mean to cut you off."
"It's alright Link, I..." She had stopped midway before unzipping the tent, she had stood to her full height before they stood eye to eye. "I understand how you feel about our home back in Hateno, it's just mind boggling that you built another house."
He didn't exactly respond, instead of looking back towards the sun which was now almost completely gone. The night sky had suddenly covered the land of Hyrule, engulfing it in its darkness. The moon's had rose high in the sky, watching down upon them.
"We can leave first thing in the morning, Link. I would rather you get rested. And I'm tired so myself." Zelda stated.
He nodded wordlessly, before walking off to the tent next to her, crawling in. He had disappeared inside. She had huffed, before retreating back into her own tent. She was...excited in a way. She had wanted to see what kind of home Link had built. When she first arrived from fighting the Calamity, she had seen how dull his home had looked, the only decide were the champions weapons and the portrait of the champions.
She had lied on the bed that hadn't exactly given her comfort, but it would do tonight. If it meant she got rest. It wasn't long until sleep had claimed her, and she felt herself drift off into a dreamless state.
...
And that's what they did.
Leaving first thing in the morning, the pair had grabbed what they had at the lookout before they made their way to Akkala. She still had been clothes in the Zonai dress that Queen Sonia had lent her, and she couldn't feel more confident that she needed a wash up. Link had spent some rupees on hoods so that if it rained while they were traveling, they wouldn't be soaked.
It was a long, dreadful and tedious journey. Although she was surprised that they didn't run into any issues or monsters. She knew instantly when they had crossed the Akkala line from Lanayru, the air had almost changed as the was engulfed by a breeze that picked up various leafs off the ground before they touched down softly in their new spot.
The weather had been cloudy with a cool breeze that brushed again her skin, she couldn't help but shiver slightly. She was only in a traditional dress and a hood. The horse had trotted their way through the king field of Akkala, before they eventually slowed down to climb up a hill.
Luckily it hadn't rained much, merely drizzled. She had her hood off letting the cooling breeze brush against her face. She couldn't take in the reality that she was really her, she looked at her hands watching them bob up and down rhythmically on the horse.
It was hard to take in, she looked towards Link hadn't looked back for quite a while. He looked awfully distracted, like there was something in his mind that he couldn't shake. Link was never one to pour his burdens out on other people.
Even in the one hundred and seven years she's known him, she could only remembering him telling her vaguely about his family, a little about his ambitions and never his emotional state. As far as she knew, she'd never seen him cry either. Like he was devoid of emotions.
He had put his hand up before he threw his leg over his horse, and slid off smoothly. He had taken the reigns intertwined within his fingers, before he made a clicking sound.
Ocean blue eyes aimed at Zelda. "We're almost there...just up the hill and around the corner." He said bluntly. The two eventually reached the top of the short hill before the rounded around a rock.
There, sat a house. A two floor house, with the obvious rooms on the top of the almost container looking house. The view of the ocean was something she could get used. She seen the small garden on the left side of the house that had been slowly but surely blooming of colorful flowers.
"I will set the horses up. I have a little stable for them in the back." Link grunted, before leading both horses towards the rear of the house. He left her alone standing in front of the wooden door, she could smell the interior of the house which smelled like a mixture of nature and apples.
He reappeared with a key in his hand, swiftly putting in it in the keyhole. A click and he turned it tot he left before pocketing the key. He opened up, motioning her to walk in first. Of course, can't go an hour without being a gentleman.
She softly smiled before she walked into the house, taking in its scent. It gave her a cozy feeling. A dinner table for two had been nearly set up and placed in the middle of the house. A kitchen with a pot to her left, most likely where Link spends most of his time. He had numerous weapon racks placed on the wall opposite of her, they had looked ancient for the most part. She felt a pang of familiarness when she looked at each weapon. They had name tags on top of the mount. The particular one she was looking at was called the "Dusk Claymore."
"Zelda," She snapped her head in the direction Link was, he held out a towel. In confusion she hesitantly took it before looking at him with a raised eyebrow. "You mentioned you wanted to take a shower. It's in that room right there."
Oh, right. "Yes. I do remember saying that. Thank you Link."
"I will prepare dinner." He simply said nodding at her. She felt her heart lunged, he had been acting like this since they've been reunited. Distant. Stoic. Like how he was a hundred and seven years ago.
She retreated to the path to the shower. Luckily, there had been a patch of grad between the floors as if it hadn't been finished yet. She stepped onto the grass barefoot, feeling the soft surface under them. She stepped into the wooden floor that had led to the shower. There had been a curtain in the entranceway of the room luckily, and she didn't need to worry about getting in dressed in front of Link.
Not that she would mind.
After all, they've shared a house together for five years. Well, two if you count this one as well. They shared a bed, the same cover and they've huddled together before. It wasn't new to be expose to Link. They've just never taken it that far.
She had freshened up in the shower using the little shampoo bottle that had smelled wonderful, she had wondered where Link could get such scented shampoo. She'd need to ask.
Zelda didn't take a long shower, she hopped out and realize that some folded clothes had been put on the step of the shower. It had seemed Link had brought them to her while she was in the shower.
She picked them up, and had quickly slid them on. It had been one of her blue tank tops and black pants. The aroma of food had tickled her nostrils, and she immediately followed it. Link was standing over the pot shaking some Goron spice into it.
"What are you cooking?" She asked softly.
"Prime poultry pilaf." He answered. "Steak's already done, just cooking the sides now."
She widened her eyes a bit. But then, how could she be surprised? He always cooked a good meal and always spoiled her with cooking.
"Is something wrong?" Link asked, snapping her out of her trance. He must've read the expression on her face.
"No," She quickly replied. "I wasn't expecting you to cook a full meal for me."
A small frown took over his stoic tone. "Did you not think you were deserving of it?"
"I didn't think you were up to it to cook such a meal." She interjected. He resumed storing the pot, he had added some salt to the pot before stirring it once more.
"I am your knight. I will care for you anyway possible," The sentence made her heart flutter. He was quiet for a moment, before he placed the spoon on the wooden counter where most of the ingredients sat. Link turned around to face her. "You have been through a lot."
"You have too."
"Not as much as you," Link said more clear. She had opened her mouth to rebuttal but kept his close out of curiosity of what he was going to say. "You have sacrificed a lot for Hyrule. I merely pick up the pieces."
Zelda sighed. He was downplaying himself again, like he used to do a hundred and seven years ago. "Link, you know that's not true."
Her voice was stone with statement, that had made Link keep his next rebuttal to himself. He had picked up the spoon, before he sipped the spoon. He made a nod of satisfaction before he turned to her.
"The food is ready."
The two ate in silence, only Link asking her if the food was adequate. It was. It always was. She felt like a pig almost scarfing the entire plate down, Link doing the same thing. She had gave him praise and a thank you over the meal and he was humble as always, saying that she didn't have to thank him. Always a gentleman.
Eventually nightfall fell upon Hyrule, basking it in it's darkness with the illuminating glow of the moon. She had looked out the window, full moon tonight. What a coincidence.
She made a mental note to thank Link for bringing most of her clothes over from Hateno. She was fairly liking this house more than the one in Hateno, it even had a shower! She had to bath in the lake back at Hateno.
Link insisted she take his bed for the night, whilst he sleep downstairs. She had nodded, almost disappointed that he wasn't joining her in the bed. But she accepted, the two had been through a lot and she did agree in a way, she wouldn't want to blow his eardrums if she inevitably woke up from a terrible nightmare.
She flopped on the soft bed, it might've been the softest bed she had ever laid on. Even softer than the one back in Hateno. She couldn't lie, she felt exhausted but she was afraid to fall asleep. What if she didn't wake? Like when she swallowed the tear, she lost herself with a chance to never return the same. By some miracle by the Goddesses she was returned to her normal self.
Zelda's breathing had slowed. She didn't realize that all the thinking she was doing had wore his brain down, and she was ready to close her eyes and try to get some sleep.
...
A crash had made her jump up, then a few footsteps. Then the front door opening. "Link?" She called out. No answer.
Her heart started to beat a bit faster as she quietly slipped out of the bed, someone could be in the house. She wanted to call out to her knight but didn't want the risk of someone knowing she was in the house. The Princess of Hyrule of all people.
She had quietly stepped downstairs, no one was in the living room. Good. She had sighed, before she quietly tiptoed outside. The night brought a chill, then she remembered they were in Akkala. The ground was cold against her bare feet, and it didn't help that it also felt a bit wet. Did it rain while she was sleep? It was still dark, so how long was she asleep for?
She rounded the corner to find Link tending to the two horses in the paddock outside of the house. She had let out a breath of relief again, it had looked like one of the horses had knocked their food over. He had caught notice of her footsteps, glancing over his shoulder. He kneeled up and turned around to face her, holding a lantern up to her face.
"The horses needed food." He informed. "I had to refill it."
"Seems that way." Ah, yes. Link, the Hero of Hyrule; had been worried about the horses more than the mysterious crash she heard. "And the crash?"
"They knocked over their food." He answered. She chuckled before she felt the cold air smack against her skin making her shiver.
"Have you not been to sleep, Princess?" She frowned at the fact that he had called her by her title and not her name. She had fought her intrusive thoughts to correct him.
"I was asleep for some time, before I heard the crash." She said. "What about you?"
"No. I've been sitting in my chair in front of the fire pit reading. I...I don't think sleep I'll be able to sleep tonight." He says making her frown. She didn't want him to be restless over her, she had touched his toned arm. He had only stripped down to a shirt that had hugged his arms along with some shorts. "Do...do you want some tea?"
She smiled. "Yes. I think I'd like that."
He finished up what he was doing and led her back into the house. He had set the tea up with her grabbing the tea pouches. The two sat in the chairs that had been side by side in front of the fire place. There was a silence between them before she heard him slurping his tea, zoned out staring at the fireplace.
She wanted to pick his thoughts apart. Before all this, after the calamity; he used to be open with her more. Now he's back to the determinate and zoned out stoic knight.
"Is there something on your mind, Princess?" She heard his soft voice rang out.
She perked up. "You."
"Me?"
"Have I...done something wrong?" She asked, fiddling with her cup.
Link was taken aback, as if he had seen a ghost before his stoic gaze took over again. "You have done nothing wrong, Princess."
"Zelda." She sharply corrected.
"Zelda." He repeated.
There was a pause between the two, and Zelda knew she had to be the one to spark the conversation again. "I just feel like you've been distant towards me. Like you're trying to avoid me, I don't know what I did. But, whatever it is; I'm sorry."
Link had set the tea down onto the floor, next to his chair. It had still been filled with a good amount of tea left. He had wiped the corner of his mouth with his forearm before he slumped back into the chair. He looked at her with a gaze, a gaze of intensity.
"It's nothing you did." He declared.
"Then what is it, Link?" She asked, desperately. Setting her tea to the side as well. "What has gotten you like this? You can tell me anything..."
He was still for a moment, his gaze burning into the fire. He sighed, before he looked towards her with a face of sincerity. A rare expression
"A few days before the battle with Ganondorf, Sidon had asked Tulin and I if we wanted to join them in clearing up an area of monsters," he began. His voice had been clearly and much louder than how he sounded. Kind of he used to before the Upheaval. "It had turned out, that both of them discussed meeting and talking with me prior."
Zelda listened. She would listen to Link's words any given day. She nodded for him to continue. And so he did. "They were worried about me. How quiet I had became again, how I was stoic and emotionless once again for three months when you were gone. They had expressed this worry after we were done clearing out an area filled with monsters, I had reflected on a lot of things. I ignored people, distanced myself from them. Didn't accept help or support for that time."
She smiled to herself. Back then, Link didn't have a lot of friends. It was good he had ones like Tulin and Sidon. Yunobo and Riju as well, but they had been busy being a chief and running a company.
"Ganondorf had created an illusion of you," he said, she could heart the venom of his voice. He had been staring silently into the little fireplace of the home, his eyes not blinking nor faltering from the heat source. "He ran me all across Hyrule, had you doing these horrible things. He...used you to trick me...and I let him. I couldn't stop him. I..."
She couldn't bear the sigh of him watching her do destructive things. It was out of character for her, she doesn't wish to harm anyone. She had went to assure him, but his mouth had parted once again to speak.
"I had fell back into my old ways. Stoic. Emotionless. Focused on the task..." She heard his voice wavering, and that was something unlike Link. He had sat up putting a hand on his face, before looking at her with a look she's never seen before. Vulnerability. "I...failed to catch you. I failed...you."
"No," she was quick to shoot down the statement. She cupped his face with both of her hands, positioning it so that he was looking at her. He had a look of tiredness and defeat on his face. "I'm here Link. You saved me. You didn't fail me, you have never failed me. You could never fail me."
His eyes brimmed with despair. Something she never saw out of him.
"I thought I lost you..."
"I'm right here."
Their eyes had never looked away from each other. Blue and green locked together. She could swear she felt herself inching closer towards his face, their nose almost brushing. Zelda knew she couldn't hold it in anymore, she had yearned for him. For a hundreds of years, and that he had yearned for her as well.
It felt as time stopped, and that they were the only two in Hyrule, or even the entire world for that matter. Just the Hero and Princess, in front of the fireplace. Both in a state of wanting and needing of one another.
She had slowly captured his bottom lip between hers, feeling him slightly kiss back. She had pulled away from him slightly, their foreheads still brushing against each other. Link had brought his hand up her soft cheek, his thumb rubbing circles around it. He had brought her closer, kissing her more passionate.
Both of their lips locked together, a hunger of desire and yearning between the young lovers had engulfed them completely in lust. She had climbed over his lap, settling down. She straddled him on the chair, essentially trapping him. She let her hands interlock behind his neck, before letting one of them slide up his neck and into his locks. His rough hands had taken their place on his hips, rubbing them near her backside but not fully there. She mentally cursed him for stopping.
She felt his forearms wrapped around waist, pulling in closer. As if having her straddled around him wasn't enough. He had left her lips, letting his lips drag down her neck and onto her collarbone; earning a soft moan from the Princess. She reeled her head to the side, giving him more room and access to her neck.
"Would you like me to stop?" He was muffled by her neck.
"No...No." She breathed out. "Don't...don't stop."
She felt the sparkling sensation that rode up her spine, giving her a chill. His lips ghosted across her neck, and chest. Giving her a taste of what he would do with her.
"Would you like to take this to the next step?"
She hesitated, before she leans closer and pecked his lips. "Yes."