Author's Note: My apologies that it has been awhile. I hope you enjoy!
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(the day before Zelda's birthday)
The morning before Zelda's birthday dawned bright and beautiful. With the arrival of the Divine Beast Champions' a day prior, King Rhoam had decided to hold an impromptu Tournament of Champions. The excitement in the air is palpable, and the coliseum stands are packed with spectators eagerly awaiting the competition between four of the five champions: Link, Daruk, Urbosa, and Revali. Mipha had chosen not to participate, offering her healing touch in case any participants needed it.
The champions had spent their time before attendees began trickling in, warming up, sparring, and prepping for the event. Daruk had asked Link to assist with his bow work, and Link was giving him a few pointers on stance and draw. Revali sat perched on a ledge nearby and would snort disdainfully whenever Link said something he disagreed with.
Urbosa and Mipha quietly conversed in a corner, and Link could not help but wonder what they were talking about. Things were still uncomfortable between him and the Zora Princess, or at least he felt so. Perhaps it was only his imagination, but his childhood friend seemed unusually quiet and reserved around him. She had barely been able to whisper hello when the Zora delegation had arrived yesterday. Link pushes the regret to the back of his mind as he focuses on his Goron best friend. Daruk was the only one who appeared nervous about performing in front of a large crowd and needed moral support.
"I don't know if I can do this," Daruk frets; the Royal guard bow he holds looks tiny in his enormous hand.
"Why are you so nervous, Daruk?" Urbosa calls. "Today is all in good fun, nothing more."
"Yes," Mipha agrees, clasping her hands in front of her and looking between the four of them with concern. "There's no need to fear or cause any of our friends undue harm."
"Speak for yourselves," Revali sneers. "I intend to sweep today's events."
"In your dreams, Revali," needles Urbosa as soft footsteps approach. They all turn as Princess Zelda enters. She looks radiant in her Royal blue gown, and as always, Link is struck by her beauty and grace.
"I wanted to wish you all the best of luck today," she announces with a smile before turning her luminous emerald eyes to Link. "And Sir Link," Zelda serenely continues, attempting to downplay their interaction in front of the other champions. "As Hero of Hyrule, would you accept this favor from your princess?"
She pulls an embroidered handkerchief from her sleeve, offering it to Link. He accepts the charm, noting a cluster of delicate silent princesses embroidered in one corner. The craftsmanship is as beautiful as their artisan, and he lifts his eyes from the cloth to gaze at her. A faint blush graces her cheeks, and time momentarily stops. He wishes he could kiss her but dares not in front of the watchful gazes of his fellow warriors. All appeared to have a vested interest in the exchange, except Revali, who was muttering something unsavory under his breath.
"Thank you, Princess Zelda," Link says, giving her a slight bow.
"Oh, please, little bird and hero," Urbosa interjects, her eyes dancing with merriment. "What is with the formality? It's not like we all don't know you are wooing."
"Congratulations, little guy!" Daruk shouts, clapping Link soundly on the back, causing him to stumble. "And no hard feelings that the tiny princess clearly has a favorite to win."
Mipha, who has been watching the interaction with a pained expression, looks down at her feet. Link feels his cheeks begin to burn, and Urbosa laughs loudly. "Look at our little hero blushing! I've never seen you so flustered, Link!"
Clearing his throat, Link tries to regain some composure and is thankful when the horns signaling the start of the tourney save him from having to speak. Revali jumps down from the ledge, rolling his eyes as he stalks past.
"All this sappiness is a bit too much," he says sarcastically as he exits into the coliseum. Daruk rolls after him, and with a final smirk, Urbosa gently takes Mipha's arm to make their entrance. The crowd erupts in muffled cheers as the champions enter the arena.
Link watches them leave, feeling a mix of relief and nervousness. He had hoped for a private moment with Zelda, but his embarrassment from the others' teasing makes him suddenly unsure. When he turns to her, she is watching him in amused concern.
"I'm sorry," she apologizes. "I didn't think it would turn into such a to-do."
"It's all right," he says, tucking the charm she gave him in his belt. "Thank you for the favor. I'll do my best to not let you or Hyrule down today."
She leans in to kiss him, "You could never let me down."
Link's heart swells at her words and the feel of her soft lips against his, and he wants nothing more than to stay there kissing her, but the horns signaling the start of the tournament sound again.
"You should go," Zelda sighs, pushing him to the exit. "I'll see you after."
With a nod, Link takes a deep breath and enters the arena to another round of applause and ovations. His friends are assembled by a row of targets, and he joins them, feeling a sense of camaraderie despite their earlier teasing.
First on the docket was archery, and the way Revali saunters to his spot, one would think he had already won the competition. Link and the others find their places, as well, and survey the area. Besides the standard row in front of them, other bullseyes have been set throughout the chamber at varying distances and heights along the walls and lower balconies. The goal was to hit all the targets, and the champion with the highest score would be declared the winner of the archery round. If they missed the mark, they would automatically be out. Link had the utmost confidence in his skill with the bow and was sure he could hit all the targets except one. The final bullseye, which had been hung considerably higher than the others, gave Revali a distinct advantage.
Link takes his time as the competition begins, quickly hitting each target on the ground level. Revali keeps pace with him, their arrows landing millimeters from each other at the center of the targets. Daruk misses his tenth shot and gladly bows out. Urbosa holds her own for much longer, and Link is impressed with her accuracy. It is only with the dreaded final target that her arrow falls short. With a growl and a glare at the offending bullseye, she stalks off to stand with Daruk.
Revali turns to Link, sends him a pretentious look, and steps to the mark below the target.
"Watch and learn," he sneers as he launches into the air to shoot the final target hanging off the first balcony. His arrow hits the center of the bullseye, and he lands with a smug expression and approving cheers and applause from the crowd.
"That was an excellent shot, Revali," Link drawls. "I learned - a lot."
Revali faces him with a raised eyebrow, clearly expecting more of a reaction than Link's shrug and a nod to Daruk. The Goron Champion steps to the mark, holding his palms out, and Link springs onto them, landing in a crouch. Daruk tosses him into the air, and with a steady hand, Link pulls back his bowstring, waiting until he reaches the apex of his arc before letting the arrow fly. A hush falls over the audience as the projectile whistles through the air, hits the target dead center, and shreds Revali's arrow. The fletching of the Rito Champion's projectile flutters to the ground as Link lands, and the crowd goes wild.
Revali stands gaping, anger and embarrassment warring upon his face. His mouth opens and closes like a fish, trying to understand how he could have lost to a pitiful Hylian.
"Thanks for the lesson, Revali," Link remarks with a slight smirk.
"You clever, voe," Urbosa admires, a smile of approval gracing her full lips.
"A lucky shot," Revali finally sputters, still refusing to admit that Link is as skilled an archer as himself. "You may have bested me today, Hero, but this does not make us equals."
There was no winning with Revali, and Link didn't need the pompous Rito's approval or validation. However, good sportsmanship dictated that he try to soothe the ruffled feathers of the Rito Champion and thank him for a close contest. As he is doing so, a horn blast announces the start of the sparring portion, and an overzealous Daruk takes advantage of that opportunity by launching a surprise attack on his best friend. Revali jumps out of the way with a startled grunt, and Link manages to dodge the brunt force of the attack, but not before taking a glancing blow to his shoulder from the Goron Champion's stone crusher.
Link gasps, along with the crowd. "Really, Daruk?"
"Sorry, Link," his friend says, sounding contrite while gearing up for another attack. "Surprise attack is the only way to gain the upper hand with you."
Wincing, Link rolls his shoulder back, seeing Urbosa dodging one of Revali's arrows from the corner of his eye.
"When you're through with him, Daruk," Revali calls. "I'll knock you down a peg or two."
"I don't know why you two are even bothering," Urbosa taunts, her Scimitar of the Seven crackling with electric energy. "We all know Link and I can take you both in a sword fight, but maybe if you join me against him…."
Link could not believe what he was hearing. He had not expected the three to gang up on him, but he says nothing as he sizes up his opponents. He would have to stay focused on avoiding Revali's aerial barrages, which were quick and deadly, all while dodging Daruk's rolling attacks that would flatten him instantly. But Urbosa would be his most formidable opponent. Her fighting style was fluid and loose, with no apparent pattern, and one hit from her charged weapon would see him defeated.
The three champions charge forward, their weapons flashing in the sunlight. Link manages to dodge Revali's arrows, parry Daruk's crusher, and narrowly avoid Urbosa's lightning attacks. It takes all his concentration to keep track of where his opponents are. The crowd's roar fades as he counters with his own advances, striking fast and hard and always staying on the move.
Link defeats Daruk first by timing his dodges so the large Goron rams into the pillars of the coliseum. It takes a few instances of pulling that maneuver before his friend is too dazed and confused to continue. But, unfortunately, it leaves Link winded as well. He has no time to catch his breath before raising his shield to block one of Revali's arrows.
He spins to parry an attack from Urbosa from behind and then rolls out of her path. More parries and attacks continue until Revali finally overextends himself in his arrogance, and Link takes that opportunity to strike. His sword flashes as he knocks the Rito Champion's bow from his grip sending it tumbling to the ground. With a grunt, Revali stumbles back, clutching his bruised forearm.
"Nice, Link," Urbosa commends. "But I'm still standing."
"Not for long," Link retorts, charging forward and swinging his sword with all his might. Urbosa's scimitar blocks his attack, and the clash rings out. She jumps back, circling him, her weapon crackling. She is the ultimate challenge. She towers over Link, is shrewd and clever, and defeating her will take all his skill.
They spar for several minutes, neither gaining the upper hand, and the crowd grows restless. At one point, their weapons lock, and Urbosa leans in to whisper a threat in his ear.
"If you break my little bird's heart, I'll break you." She smiles broadly and, to his shock, nearly disarms him when she throws her head back to laugh at his expression. The audience eats the exchange up, and he roughly pushes the Gerudo Champion away. He needs to stop playing nice and end this once and for all.
Link follows through the next time their weapons clash, slipping his right arm through hers and forcing her weapon down with his sword arm. The look of disbelief on her face as her scimitar clatters to the ground is perfect payback for her earlier threat.
"You've won fairly and honorably," she concedes, sending him a winning smile. "No hard feelings, Link."
Urbosa offers him her hand, and Link grabs her forearm in a conciliatory handshake. Then, turning away, he pulls Zelda's handkerchief from his belt and raises it to her in salute. It smells of her sweet, honeyed apple scent, and he looks up at her sitting in the Royal box beside her father. She beams down at him as her father rises from his seat.
"Hyrule's own Hero has shown his mettle and swept the tournament," King Rhoam announces, gesturing proudly at Link. "However, all our Champions deserve applause for their heroic displays today. We shall rest easy knowing our kingdoms are in their capable hands."
The crowd erupts into thunderous applause, surging to their feet. Link and Urbosa are joined by Revali and Mipha, who support a woozy Daruk between them. They bow to King Rhoam and Princess Zelda before waving to the spectators in the stands. As the crowd begins to disperse and Link's fellow participants depart to meet with their respective parties or to be healed by Mipha, Zelda makes her way out of the Royal box. Link heads toward her, and when he reaches her side, she smiles warmly at him.
"Well done, Link," she praises, her voice full of admiration. "Did Daruk hurt you badly?"
"It's not as bad as it looked," he assured her, even though his shoulder was starting to ache deeply now that the adrenaline from the duel was fading.
"All the same, please have Mipha take care of you." She nods to where Revali stands to the side of the arena, shooting dark looks their way while Mipha heals his wrist. Zelda turns back to Link, and he nods his affirmation.
"I must go to lunch with my father and the visiting dignitaries, but would you care to ride with me this afternoon?" Zelda asks.
"I'll look forward to it," he answers.
"Well, until then." She touches his hand briefly before departing.
Link watches her go, feeling a strong sense of longing. Since they had returned from Akkala, they had both been so busy with their respective duties and preparing for Zelda's upcoming birthday there hadn't been much time for anything else. A quiet ride away from the hustle and bustle of the castle sounded like a pleasant diversion for the afternoon.
He heads toward Mipha, who is just finishing with Revali. The Rito Champion stalks off without a parting word to either of them, and Link grins bemusedly at the Zora princess, who offers him a soft smile in return.
"I still can't believe Daruk attacked you like that," she says in dismay, her smile turning into a frown. "It looked like it hurt."
"It definitely came as a surprise," Link admits.
"Please let me heal you," she says, holding out her hands.
Link nods gratefully and allows her to examine his injury, trying not to wince when her nimble fingers delicately prod his wounded shoulder. She begins to channel her healing energy, and he can feel the pain slowly dissipating.
"Thank you, Mipha," he says, releasing a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
"You're welcome, Link," she replies softly. "You know, I am so proud of you. You have truly grown into a remarkable hero."
Link feels heat rising in his cheeks at her praise but smiles at her over his shoulder. "That means a lot coming from you."
Mipha returns his smile, although her eyes are tinged with sadness. "I want you to know that I will always support you, no matter what. I am honored to know you and call you my friend."
"You have always been dear to me, Mipha," he responds, feeling a swell of gratitude toward his oldest and dearest friend, and tells her so. "I am truly grateful to have a friend like you in my life, too."
She squeezes his shoulder before stepping back. "There, you are as good as new. And now I must attend Daruk. He is quite concussed at the moment, and I will admonish him for his overzealousness in attempting to flatten you."
Link laughs. "May I come with you? I have a few choice words for him, myself."
"I would love your company," she answers, indicating he should follow her back to the receiving room where Daruk is resting. A sense of relief washes over Link that he could finally have a conversation with Mipha, and they could begin to mend their friendship. Hopefully, one day they would put it all entirely behind them and be as close as they had been.
Zelda checks the travel bag sitting on her bed for what seems like the thousandth time, attempting to quell the fluttering of her stomach. She should be sleeping but had known earlier that day that sleep would be elusive and fleeting if it came to her at all.
She did not have high hopes for tomorrow's trip to the Spring of Wisdom and had said as much to Link during their ride through Sanidin Park earlier that day. He had been able to offer her encouraging words during their ride, but she longed for him to whisper those words in her ear while holding her. But, of course, their ever-present chaperone, Madame Yan, had accompanied them on their ride, so Zelda could not seek the solace from Link she had enjoyed during their travels to Akkala. Robbie and Purah had been far more lenient escorts, but they were currently in Kakariko visiting Impa.
After the effusive talk at lunch between her father and the other dignitaries regarding Link's spectacular display of skill at the tournament, the conversation had invariably turned to Zelda and her progress, or lack thereof. She had done her best to suffer through, merely nodding and voicing her high hopes that once she prayed to the goddess Nayru, she would finally be blessed. Her father's unspoken expectation that she will succeed tomorrow weighs heavily upon her, but Zelda knows Link believes in her, with or without the power to prove her worth. And she could really use his comforting presence now more than ever. He never failed to offer her support, silently or with a few perfectly chosen words. He always seemed to know what she needed at any given time, sometimes even before she did.
There is a faint knock on the door to the bridge connecting her room to her study. Zelda turns, her heart racing as hope surges through her that her knight will be standing on the other side when she opens the door. She is not disappointed, and without hesitation, she flings herself into his arms. Link takes a startled step back as he wraps his arms around her, and their lips meet. Zelda wonders briefly at the back of her mind how she had ever managed before, as the warmth of Link's embrace and the comfort of his touch was sweet succor to her.
"How did you know I was thinking of you?" she asks when they break apart, and Link smiles.
"Because I could not sleep either," he says, taking her hand. "Come outside and stargaze with me?"
She looks past his shoulder and sees that he has spread his bedroll under the eave, out of sight of prying eyes from the upper windows and balconies of the castle. "What if I had been asleep?" she teases.
"Then I would have held a silent vigil until the morning," he replies.
"Of course, you would have," Zelda says with a shake of her head, and an idea strikes her. "But wait, I shall be right back." Turning, she returns to her room and pulls two feather pillows and the duvet cover off her four-poster bed. The duvet drags on the floor as she returns to where Link waits by the door. He takes the pillows from her, and she pulls the cover higher in her arms as she follows him.
"We are breaking the rules of our courtship," she says with a giggle watching Link toss the pillows against the wall on top of his blanket.
"True, but it is well worth the risk," he admits, helping her shake out the duvet. "I've wanted to thoroughly kiss you since I saw you this morning."
Zelda arches a delicate brow. "I thought we were going to stargaze."
"Can't we do both?" Link challenges.
"Hmm," Zelda hums, dropping the end of the duvet to curl her fingers around his baldric strap, pulling him close. "Yes."
Her lips brush against his as Link gently lowers her to the ground. His hands are in her hair, tilting her head to press his lips against the delicate skin of her neck, and Zelda feels like she is melting under his touch. Her fingers fumble with the clasp of his scabbard, and the straps slip over his shoulders, and she fears it will clatter unceremoniously to the ground. However, Zelda's momentary guilt is fleeting as Link deftly catches the strap and gently lowers the sacred blade to rest behind them.
"By Farore's wind, you are beautiful," he whispers, his breath in her ear sending shivers down her spine. She leans back against the pillow, giving him better access to her neck, and runs her fingers through his hair. All her fear and worry evaporate as she is consumed by the moment, her veins flooding with desire. Link runs his hands lightly down her sides, and his mouth finds hers again. Zelda parts her lips, encouraging him to deepen the kiss. His arms wrap around her, warm as a blanket; his comforting scent envelops her, and their shared breath mingles as the kiss intensifies.
All thought escapes her, and her concern and sorrow disappear. She is here for Link, and it is his arms that she wants to be wrapped around her in her darkest moments. His strength she seeks when her muscles ache from holding in tears. She'd like to think he feels the same about her, that she is his first and last thought each day. In all her life, she has never experienced anything like this. She thought she had an idea of what love would be, but this feeling was unlike anything she had ever known or read about. She longs for him and feels a connection that would endure beyond the ages.
Link slowly stops kissing her and pulls her closer, nuzzling the skin below her ear. "I'm so in love with you."
"Oh, Link," Zelda breathes, taking his face in her hands to kiss him once more before settling into the crook of his shoulder and resting her head on the pillow. He wraps his arms around her and draws her snugly next to him. She lays her hand on his chest and gazes at the night sky.
"This reminds me of our time in Akkala," Link murmurs.
"Those quiet moments we shared by the fire are some of the best times we've had recently," Zelda agrees. "I was longing for them earlier this evening. It is like you read my mind."
"Well," Link says. "It is my unspoken sworn duty to anticipate your needs."
"Is that so?" Zelda asks with a smile, her fingers tracing idle patterns on his tunic.
Link nods. "Indeed, and I promised you stargazing, too." He rests his cheek on Zelda's head and points at the stars above them. "Do you see the bright blue star there?"
Zelda tilts her head and squints up at the sky. The constellation he points to has a twinkling blue star at its peak with a trail of three stars on either side, outlining the shape of a hooded cloak. "Oh yes! The Blue Maiden."
"An old man at the East Akkala Stable told me that legend has it the Blue Maiden was actually a fierce warrior who defended her people from harm."
"I've never heard that part of the tale before. I thought she was a sage of the mythical moon gates," Zelda remarks. "It is remarkable how different regions come up with varying stories for similar events or objects, isn't it?"
She studies the sky looking for another familiar pattern of stars. "Oh! I found one! Look at 16 hours right ascension and 80 degrees south of the declination. It's the Four Swords."
"Layman's terms, Zelda," Link says with a laugh.
"Right there, to the left of the Sanctum's spire," she points to a cluster of stars with the brightest at the center and four points surrounding it.
"Why didn't you just say that?" His breath in her hair sends pleasant shivers down her spine.
"It's more fun to calculate the coordinates from the vernal equinox in my head," she answers, and Link laughs again.
"You could spout any given coordinates, and I would believe you. I'm not Robbie," he chuckles.
"Thank goodness for that, or I couldn't do this," she snuggles closer and kisses him again before resting her head on his shoulder. She is enjoying Link's company, but staring up at the starry sky, Zelda's anxiety threatens when she thinks about the night passing and the sun rising in the morning.
"I do not think I will find an answer tomorrow," Zelda sighs. "Nor do I believe my power will awaken in the spring."
Link's brow furrows with concern. "Why do you say that?"
"Just a feeling I have," she answers. "It all has been futile up to this point, hasn't it?"
"You mustn't give up hope." Links hugs her tighter. "Your power will awaken when the time is right."
"You found the sword at seventeen," she reminds him, gazing up at the constellation of the Four Swords.
"Seventeen is not a magic number, and pulling the sword drained my vigor," he informs her. "I wasn't strong enough to wield it until I was seventeen, and the sword sensed that. Perhaps your power is similar; maybe you are not physically or mentally ready."
She reaches for his hand, places her palm against his, and interlocks their fingers. "There are ancient tales that state the Triforces dwell within us. Some stories claim they will glow when near the other pieces. One would think, if that were true, being so close to one another, they would react."
Rolling on her side, their clasped hands between them, she gazes at him. Link kisses her knuckles. "Who is to say they haven't?" he muses. "Maybe it is something you feel, not see."
"Do you feel different when you are near me?" she asks.
"You know I do," he answers, his blue eyes glowing brilliantly. "I can't quite make it out, but I feel stronger and sure that with you by my side, I could be the hero everyone expects me to be. And the sword sings in my ears." A sweet blush tinges on his cheeks. "But maybe that's just what love feels like?"
"I do not deserve you." Zelda leans in and gives him a tender kiss.
"You deserve so much more. I would give you the moon if I could," he professes before sighing. "It is getting late, and the moon is rising. I should go so you can sleep."
"Stay with me," Zelda entreats, gripping his hand tighter. "We have to rise before everyone else; if we stay out here, no one can accuse us of anything scandalous."
"I question your logic; there is plenty they could accuse us of," Link counters. "But you won't have to twist my arm."
"Then it is settled," she sighs, nestling closer. They study the sky for awhile longer, but to Zelda's surprise, she finds her eyelids drooping. Link has fallen silent, and she is sure he is asleep from his chest's steady rise and fall. She follows soon after, allowing herself to succumb to dreamless sleep, secure in the knowledge that she is warm and safe in his arms.
Zelda races after Link toward a malevolent maelstrom threatening to engulf all of Hyrule, wondering how it had come to this, and surely it is only a nightmare she will wake up from soon. Yesterday had been near-perfect, despite her misgivings over traveling to the Spring of Wisdom. When she had awoken early that morning still in Link's arms, a small part of her had thought that the visit would be different from her sojourns to the other springs. Wisdom was her Triforce; it stood to reason that praying at a spring dedicated to that power would unlock something within her. But she had failed again. She and Link had spoken little during the trek to regroup with their fellow champions, and it had felt like the routine they had fallen into during any of their previous excursions. Her friends had tried to lift her up, but disaster had struck before the conversation could begin.
She was no tactician, but it was evident Calamity Ganon had orchestrated the perfect trap. Patiently waiting until all the champions had been assembled in one place, far from their posts, and unable to immediately retaliate. The thought was chilling. If a being they thought would be mindless could be so cunning, what hope was there with the current state of affairs?
The Divine Beasts have yet to appear at their appointed positions, and she fears the worst. Mipha was closest and would have reached her beast by now. They should have seen Vah Ruta cresting Mount Lanayru to aim its deadly laser beam toward the castle. Not to mention that Revali was a swift flier if all his boasting was to be believed, and Vah Medoh could cover vast distances quickly through the air. All was lost without the beasts and Zelda's power.
She hadn't even had the where-with-all to issue commands. Instead, Daruk had stepped up, like the true warrior and leader he was, to formulate a plan of attack. Zelda had no idea what she had thought when she insisted she could help, despite being the weak link in an otherwise formidable group of warriors. And none of the champions had questioned her reasoning or suggested that going to the castle in her current powerless state was not the best option.
None of them, herself included, had thought through her proclamation; otherwise, she would not be sitting astride Storm, all decorum forgotten, with her gown pushed to her knees. Rain is coming down in sheets, and she can barely see Link ahead of her as he urges Epona to gallop faster, desperate to reach Hyrule Castle in time. Dark clouds have rolled in, blotting the sun and plunging the land into darkness. Thunder rumbles ominously in the distance, and Storm trembles beneath her, his muscles straining as she urges him forward.
The horses' hooves, pounding on the pavement, are muffled in the pouring rain. Torrents of water slant into Zelda's eyes, but she doesn't dare release even one hand from the reins to try to wipe them clear. Her control over her volatile steed was tenuous in the best circumstances, and their current situation was anything but.
Crossing Rebonae Bridge, she sees that Hyrule Castle and Castle Town are in flames. The downpour does little to battle the raging fires, and faint screams of terrified citizens, fleeing for their lives, carry on the wind. Through the gloom, Zelda can see the glowing lights of Guardians swarming in the distance by the castle and surrounding area. A brilliant, oozing purple mass bubbles over the castle walls and inches over the plain outside Castle Town. As Link and Zelda draw closer, she realizes with sick dismay that the Guardians have started the fires, and her people are fleeing from the mechanical monsters. Over the howling of the wind, the insidious charge of their deadly lasers can be heard, followed by blinding flashes and explosions that scorch the earth and anything else in their path.
"No," she whispers as Link looks over his shoulder, shouting at her to follow him. He veers left off the road, away from the castle and heads toward a copse of trees near the Bottomless Swamp.
Zelda attempts to follow, pulling on Storm's reins with all her strength. The stallion shakes his head and starts to obey when a bolt of lightning streaks across the sky, striking a nearby tree. Storm snorts, rolling his eyes, showing the whites. Zelda can feel herself losing control as he gallops wildly toward the quickly approaching treeline.
"Link!" she screams, yanking desperately on the reins, closing her eyes, and bracing herself for impact. Strong arms pull her from the saddle, and she opens her eyes in time to see Storm turn at the last moment and continue to charge across Hyrule Field before disappearing in the rain and mist.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Link repeats in her ear, holding her tightly in front of him as they enter the relative safety of the copse, and he brings Epona to a halt. They sit momentarily, catching their breath before Link slips from the saddle and Zelda slides off into his outstretched arms.
"Are you all right?" he asks, running his hands up and down her bare arms. She nods, her throat too constricted from shock to speak. She looks at him to see concern etched on his face.
Taking a deep breath, she finds her voice. "I'm fine," she says shakily.
"I saw what was happening at the castle, and my first instinct was to get you to safety. I didn't think about Storm. I'm sorry," he apologizes.
Zelda waves away his apology. "We're too late," she whispers in disbelief.
Moving to the edge of the trees, they observe the destruction. Large obsidian columns covered in glowing purple Sheikah script have sprung from the ground around the castle. More Guardians are pouring out of their sides, crawling in every direction. There are far more than Robbie had ever excavated and reprogrammed. Even Mabe Village and Lon Lon Ranch are in flames, and Zelda can only hope Malon and her father have escaped unscathed.
"Oh, Hylia, help us," Link prays.
"If Calamity Ganon controls the Sheikah tech…." Zelda starts, unable to finish the thought. A mechanical moan from the Lanayru Wetlands rends the air as if in answer.
"Goddesses, Mipha, and the other Champions," Link gasps, turning to look at her, and Zelda's stomach drops at the absolute dread upon his face. She feels an extreme sense of failure, compounded by the fact that Link, usually stoic and unflappable, is horrified by the situation.
"We need to head for Kakariko Village," Link decides, quickly regrouping from his momentary lapse. He tugs on her hand and begins to run, whistling for Epona as he does, but Zelda can't make her legs move, and she trips and falls. Her fists and knees sink into the mud as she stares at what remains of the castle, its walls collapsing as she is on the inside.
All of this is her fault for failing to unlock the cursed power; thousands of her people have died because she was not strong enough to defend them. Without her power and the aid of the other four Champions, no matter how skilled and formidable a warrior Link may be, defeating Ganon is far too great for him to accomplish on his own. The forces of darkness are unlike anything they have ever encountered. The sheer destructive power of the being within the castle is staggering. Zelda takes a deep breath, trying to quell her rising panic, and fails.
"How did it come to this?" she asks, gazing at her useless hands, sensing that Link has dropped to one knee before her. "The Divine Beasts… the Guardians… they've all turned against us… it was… Calamity Ganon. It turned them all against us."
She lifts her head to look at Link, an awful realization dawning as to why their friends have not appeared. Her mind races to the worst-case scenario, picturing the Divine Beasts under Calamity Ganon's control, waiting to unleash further destruction upon Hyrule. "And everyone - Mipha, Urbosa, Revali, and Daruk… they're all trapped inside those things."
Despair washes over Zelda, and she covers her face, her thoughts scattering to all corners of her mind, reviewing what she had done and or hadn't that could have turned the tide another way.
"It's all my fault! Our only hope for defeating Ganon is lost all because I couldn't harness this cursed power! Everything… everything I've done up until now… it was all for nothing!
"So I really am just a failure!" Zelda exclaims, wrenching her hands from her face in anger and looking up a Link. "All my friends… the entire kingdom… my father most of all… I tried, and I failed them all. I've left them… all to die."
Sobbing, she collapses against Link and pulls him to the ground with her. He wraps his arms around her, holding her tightly against his chest. She clings to his tunic and cannot tell where the rain ends, and her tears begin.
"Zelda, none of this is your fault," Link soothes, gently stroking her hair. "None of us knew what we would be up against."
"We have to do something," she pleads. "Perhaps they are trapped inside, holding Calamity Ganon off until we arrive."
"First and foremost, we need to find somewhere safe for you," Link firmly states.
"No!" Zelda exclaims. "Link, all those people in the castle and town! We have to save them!"
"Zelda, my father, and friends are in the castle, too. Of course, I want to save them as much as you," Link counters. "But I swore an oath to the king, your father, that I would keep you safe. I know that is what he would want me to do.
"We need to seek Impa's counsel to figure out another way to stop Calamity Ganon," Link continues, gripping her arms tightly and looking into her eyes.
Zelda knows Link is correct, and her heart breaks even more. Despite everything, and the hurtful things her father has said to her lately, she knows he still loves her. Regret wells within her that they had been unable to speak directly to each other, and now it is too late. But running into the chaos unprepared would not honor her father and his memory, but only make his sacrifice and those of the knights within the castle all for nothing.
Wiping her eyes, Zelda takes a steadying breath and nods. "You are right."
Link helps her to her feet, and they mount Epona. Taking the reins in his left hand, he wraps his right arm tightly around Zelda's waist. With a flick of his wrist, Epona bolts forward, and they burst out of the copse, racing back over Hyrule Field toward Kakariko Village.
Link follows Hylia River, keeping them as far from the roads as possible until they reach Proxim Bridge. Following the path, they gallop through Dueling Peaks, crossing Big Twin Bridge. Lightning streaks across the sky, and Zelda gasps when the swamp and plain appear through the pouring rain in the garish light. Ash Swamp and Blatchery Plain are crawling with Guardians.
"Damn," Link mutters, roughly jerking on Epona's reins, causing them to come to a jarring stop. Zelda has never heard him curse, which frightens her more than the mechanical monsters.
"We can't push through?" She timidly asks.
"They're blocking the road to Kakariko," Link answers, surveying the area.
"Where did all these Guardians come from?" Zelda asks. "We only posted a few at Fort Hateno."
"I don't know," Link grimly replies. "It's like Ganon knew we would head this way and has anticipated our every move."
His grip tightens about her waist. "Change of plan," he announces, digging his heels into Epona's sides, flicking the reins to turn them off the path to follow the tree line toward Fort Hateno.
Despite his efforts, the nearest Guardians detect their movement and scramble toward them. Link pushes Epona to her limit, her flanks glisten from her exertion, and she froths around her bit. They need to slow down, but there is no escaping the onslaught of Guardians quickly moving within firing range.
As they approach Fort Hateno, even through the pouring rain, Zelda can see the fort is not guarded. Trepidation blooms in her breast. Through the thick fog are silhouettes of several Guardians attacking the tall stone walls, with a couple attempting to scale the sides. Several bodies of fallen knights lay crumpled on the ground, while others are draped over the parapets. It is a grisly and gruesome sight, and Zelda has to swallow the bile rising in her throat.
The mechanical beasts are everywhere, and there is no way to pass except gallop through them. Link digs his heels into Epona's sides, spurring her on, and tightens his grip around Zelda's waist.
As they pass, several more Guardians turn in pursuit, and she hears the dreaded charge of their deadly lasers. They are almost to the gate when the steady warning has increased to the kill point. Epona whinnies and Zelda feels the horse tense beneath them.
"No, Epona!" Link shouts in panicked anguish; he tightens his hold around Zelda's waist as his mare rears, sending them tumbling. Epona pivots, exposing her belly to the mechanical beasts, shielding Link and Zelda as they fall.
