Link was so dead.
He'd just committed holy treason.
He knew what he had done was right, that Hylia would eventually bless him for doing so, but that didn't remedy his broken knight's oath or change his treason to honor.
He brought his hand up to soothe Epona, reminding himself of the blood spilled on him. Normal blood, monster blood specifically, belonged there. However, the way this blood carried a shimmering gold outline no matter the lighting… This was no normal blood.
The one it belonged to, equally as gold, lay still in a quickly-fashioned sling. The finest craftwork in the land covered her frozen figure.
He had to get her out of Hyrule. He just had to.
Should I have done this?
Was this really the right thing to do?
Will she see it that way?
Link fought to keep his mind filled with thoughts, whatever thoughts he could, in order to drown out these doubts. But they just kept coming. Link knew what could shut them up, and he finally allowed himself to think the thoughts that would. The thoughts about where this all started.
"Oh, Link!" His princess greeted him with a newly-found warmth. "Profound timing, look!" She turned all her divine energy towards the courtyard, where Sheikah researchers were doing experiments with Guardians. "We can almost control them…" She settled her upper body on the bridge's rim, he looked gently at her before focusing entirely on the Guardians.
One had attacked her once. He wasn't about to let anything, ancient technology or not, get close enough to threaten her. To show he supported her in this interest, he grunted warmly.
"Come on!" She yanked on his arm, he moved only because he hadn't expected the pull. "This is part of our destiny! These Guardians will defend us in the fight against the Calamity!"
The emphasis on 'our destiny' made him a bit uncomfortable. She was beautiful, sure, but she was the Princess. It would be the highest treason to pursue any romantic involvement with her. They were destined to fight together, and had found each other throughout time, and maybe that implied that they were supposed to be together, but it also didn't change the current laws.
Link found the head-spinning entertaining, but he found his eyes trailing to the gleeful woman beside him more often than not.
If only that moment could have lasted.
"What are you doing, Zelda?"
Zelda tensed. Even if Link had never known who the voice was, he'd know Zelda was frightened. He dropped to his knees and faced the oncomer.
"Zelda, are you listening?"
She gulped discreetly, finally turning to face the voice. Her body was rigid, Link could hear her breaths.
"I grow tired of repeating… how long are you going to shirk your duties to this kingdom?"
"I…" Her voice was quieter than the breaths. "I was monitoring the initial Guardian trials. So much of our history is stored within them, and there's so much we don't know. I… I figured someone had to monitor it."
"Someone does. But that is none of your concern. Depart."
"But, Father…" Her voice implied protest, but her feet took a few steps back and fear became stronger in the little Link could smell of her. Something was wrong.
"I said it is none of your concern. You have other matters to tend to, like the safety of your own kingdom!"
"Father! I am trying my hardest! I have been doing everything I must to awaken this power!"
"I am no longer fazed by your excuses, Zelda! Tell me: yes or no, do you have your sacred power?"
"B-But Father, I-"
"Yes. Or. No?"
She began to cringe. "N-No…"
"Then why are you wasting the time of your people's lives engaging in this folly?"
"Tis not folly, Father. This technology was the key ten thousand years ago."
"I know that! What I do not know is why you are sacrificing thousands for your own self-gain!"
Link stamped out the rest. Eventually… There was physical confrontation. Zelda lost her balance on the rim because of it, slicing a hand open on the stone's edge before falling.
The thoughts returned.
"No… no, Princess… Princess, wake up…" He looked down at her body, broken and splayed on the ground. His arm slid under her chest, balancing her head with his elbow, while his other gingerly held her slit palm. He was only beginning to open up to her, and he didn't speak within the Castle walls if he could help it, but the words seeped out. As her breaths became smaller, he heard a tiny groan. "I've got you, Princess… you're gonna be okay…" Zelda's breaths became smaller until they were so small, it was difficult to determine if she was even breathing.
At this, Link swiped his head to the sky and glared at the one who stood where she had just been. "How dare you strike her!" He snarled once again. The first time had been right after she'd fallen, filled with disbelief and fear. The fear remained, but rage filled him. He gathered his parachute and fashioned a sling by tying the ropes to each other. Once the basic shape had been done, Link slid the fabric underneath her, then tied the final knots and slipped the back onto his shoulders and rose. "Epona!" He screamed, staring intently for the mare that soon appeared. "Get us out of here, girl. Get us out." He ordered as he got Zelda and himself onto her back.
Epona ran like she'd been bred to race. Without explicitly being told, she knew something had happened to Zelda.
Now it was just the matter of where to go. Thankfully for Link, it wasn't a very difficult one.
They were racing to Gerudo Town, the safe haven of the unconscious princess and the one place Rhoam and the Royal Guard couldn't enter. He had pulled an elaborate switch near Outskirt Stable, where he'd sent Epona to Tabantha so she wouldn't give away their path when she returned. After seeing Epona off, he found a gentle wild steed to continue the path untracked.
He looked down at Zelda. Her body was already swelling. Her bruising would be ugly. She hadn't bruised yet, which gave Link hope that her bones hadn't broken.
While he rushed towards the forbidden city, he also looked for a place, any place, to rest for a moment and examine Zelda.
He soon found that place deep in Gerudo Canyon.
It was a secluded cave, one that could only be found if someone was looking. He tied up the now-tamed horse to an inside stalagmite and prepared a small place to lay Zelda down. "H-Hey, Princess…" He slammed his eyelids shut in an attempt to stop crying. "I-I'm here… we're g-gonna get you to Urbosa… and t-then you're gonna be o-okay…" He checked her temperature, checking to see if she was cooling, then felt for her pulse. It was slow, a testament to her unconscious state, but it didn't seem to be failing. She did have some bruising already on her right shoulder, but her arms looked somewhat alright. Nothing looked dislocated or broken. Her hand was still bleeding, he cut off the cuff of his left pant leg to use as a bandage for her. That was going to scar.
They wouldn't be leaving just yet. The horse needed rest and Zelda's wounds needed tending to.
Link ripped open his pouch, digging through the bag for an elixir base, any spare monster parts, and a cold darner. After finding these items and producing a cooling elixir, he poured the liquid into a small bag he had and held it to Zelda's cheek and forehead where she'd been originally hit. He shook more violently the more he examined her injuries.
He'd failed to protect his princess. Now she was gravely injured.
"No one's ever going to do that to you again." He exhaled harshly before gently turning her to face him. "If they want to hurt you, they're gonna have to take me out, alright?"
No response, just tiny inhales and exhales.
They stayed there until sundown, when the shadows of the Canyon made their escape a little easier. After getting Zelda resituated in the sling, Link took his tunic and undershirt off; gently tucking the fabric around her body to protect her from the nightly chill.
He surrendered the steed to the stable and ran off into the desert evening, keeping an eye on Zelda as the air grew closer. She was so close to safety… she just had to hold on a little longer.
"Sa'oten! Stop right there, voe!" A group of three Gerudo soldiers confronted him, suspicious of his bare chest. "What's a shady character like you doing this late?"
"Gerudo…" He mumbled to Zelda. "Here we are… it's okay…"
"Silence, voe!" The leader pointed her spear at him. "Who are you speaking to?"
Link carefully held out Zelda's body, tears streaked on his face. "Help."
They instantly stumbled back. "It's Missy Zelda!" The one on the left cried. "This voe must be the knight!"
"The Hylian Champion!" The soldier on the right replied.
"We must see Lady Urbosa. Please."
"Of course, Hylian Champion. Please, follow us. The desert night is no place for two young Hylians." The Gerudo leader gestured for her companions to stand at Link's flanks while she took the lead towards Kara Kara Bazaar.
The sand grew frigid under Link's feet. Somehow, it was colder than snow. He held Zelda a little closer.
"Here. Please head inside, the keeper will get a room for you." She gestured towards the door, then turned to the companion on the left. "Tavane. Please remain with them." She turned to the other guard. "Masairi. There should be a few other guards around the bazaar. Let them know what has happened while I alert Lady Urbosa."
"Yes, Captain Tearisu." They both replied, Tavane approached Link. "You are the Champion of Hylians, are you not?"
Link nodded softly.
"I was under the impression that voe were not supposed to appear this way in front of their royalty."
"It's not so much a rule as a… well, a knight cannot act in a way that might make him appear involved with his princess… She is divine after all. It's her that can't be looked at immodestly."
"Then why do you do so?"
"I didn't want her to get cold."
"Hmm, so you do have feelings, voe."
Link snapped his head away from her, bringing it closer to the unconscious princess. "Of course I do."
"Ah. One who hides their feelings has the makings to be very unstable. We Gerudo discovered that too late; Missy Zelda paid the price with her mind." She placed her arm around Link. "This is a tragedy, that much is known." Tavane softly brushed Zelda's face. "But we must not lock our emotions away. Missy Zelda was forced to do so at the death of her mother and it destroyed her. Though not as strong, you are grieving her. You will meet the same fate if you are not careful."
Link tried to imagine himself losing his temper as Zelda often did. He tried swapping him and Zelda in the memory he had of her screaming outside the Shrine in the Column Ruins. He couldn't do it. Zelda was always the one losing her infamously short temper, no matter how many times he tried to imagine himself in her place. But maybe… Link suddenly wondered in realization. Maybe her temper is just because she's not able to bottle her emotions any longer…
But he didn't bottle his emotions, Link reasoned. He had several safe places out of the public eye where he could express himself without causing anyone to worry. Zelda had nowhere. She was always watched by someone, ensuring she stayed 'lady-like' at all times.
Link was convinced that a true lady could show her emotions. What they were doing to Zelda was reducing her to a shell. And how could a shell be a good ruler? He looked down at her body, seeing bruises and swelling begin to set in. Now, she was a shell… completely emotionless; bombproof even. Not even the Great Calamity would stir this once turbulent soul.
When this was all over, he would ensure she had places to express herself. He promised her several times.
"Where is she, Captain Tearisu?" A powerful, familiar voice reached Tavane and Link's ears.
"They're inside the inn, Lady Urbosa." The other voice replied before they entered the inn, seeing Link sitting on a bed with Zelda in his arms.
"Little bird!" She nearly charged Link, collapsing on the floor. Her hands fell, shaking, onto Link's arm. "Please, Link… what happened to my vehvi?"
Link blinked tearfully. "Something terrible… She was in the Castle… observing some of the initial Guardian tests… she just wanted to ensure it was another way to ensure the safety of her people…" He continued to slowly and tearfully recount the event, his voice shattering as he got near the end.
Urbosa screamed in anguish. Her hands gently stroked the outlines of Zelda's body. "She must come to Gerudo Town…" Urbosa's voice shook. "Only there can I be certain she is safe."
Link knew this would happen, and it's what he wanted. Yet somehow… panic arose. "I have to stay with her!" He clutched Zelda closer and cried.
Urbosa, stunned at his unspoken request for something she couldn't give him, watched tears once again running down his face. This knight was falling apart. "You know our laws, Link…" She gripped his hand. "Even as Chief… I don't think there's anything I can do.
"Hold a council, Lady Urbosa." Tavane suggests. "Let our vai determine this, whether this voe unlike others may enter our walls to remain with his battered princess. That will give you leverage to make such a decision if needed."
"I believe our vai will find that fair. We have raised Zelda to protect her from such a fate like this, it seems only right that all of them will determine what to do now." She brushed a lock of hair from Zelda's forehead. "However, with this late hour, it would be better to wait until morning. I am assigning you three here. I trust you will use your knowledge of battle medicine to treat what wounds you can."
"Of course, Lady Urbosa. Most of her wounds should only need a cooling elixir, which is a blessing. If I could get two antiseptic elixirs as well… I believe that will be the correct dose for her. She may have a little body, but that higher dose should treat any infections that might be starting."
"You may send one guard to retrieve any medications you believe she'll need. Get any that she'll need up until midday tomorrow."
"I will send for three antiseptics, four cooling and one calming elixir then. I'll give her a follow-up antiseptic dose in the morning after a higher initial dose now."
"Very well." Urbosa looked down at Zelda with a painful glance before leaning down and kissing her forehead. "You'll be alright, little bird…" She turned towards Link. "Take care of her."
"With my life." There was a newfound passion and intensity in his voice. Once, he was just a knight. Now, he was Champion of the Hylians and defender of the princess herself. While she lay here unresponsive, he would ensure any threat would meet a swift end.
Urbosa headed for town to prepare the next day's council, the three Gerudo guards with them.
Link did not set Zelda down, he kept her cradled in his arms even while Tearisu treated and bandaged the wounds.
"You did a fine job bandaging this." She motioned to Zelda's cut hand. "I must ask, where did you find a dressing of such quality?"
Link chuckled nervously and showed her the uneven ends of his pants.
This sacrifice made Tearisu's smile bright. Throughout history, Hylians had gained a reputation as selfish and cold beings, perhaps because of their connection to the Goddess, but this Hylian… he did not fit that bill.
As the night went on, he only became more devoted to her. In the dark of night, Tearisu and the others heard his voice, vibrating and deeper than normal, sing to her. He started with an old Hateno lullaby, his voice so soft that the guards thought they were asleep.
"Hey. Hey. Hey, Tearisu. Tavane." He suddenly called, continuing to do so until he got a response.
"Ugh, what do you want, voe?" Tearisu mumbled sleepily.
"Could you send for Mipha? She has healing powers… she can help the Princess."
Tearisu shook the sleepiness out. "Of course… Would you like to write it, or me?"
"Could I? I know I'm on the run, but…"
"You may. We have a correspondence route that runs untouched by Hyrule." She handed some paper and a writing utensil over to him, only then did he gently lay Zelda down on the bed and write his letter to Mipha.
"Do you think Urbosa would mind if I put words in her mouth? To keep the real reason secret?"
"I believe Lady Urbosa would not mind. After all, it would be for the safety of Missy Zelda, and you are a fellow Champion."
Dear Mipha,
It's been a while, hasn't it? I came across a Gerudo soldier while on duty, and she'd ask me if I'd let you know that Urbosa wanted to see you. And if a Gerudo was willing to approach a voe for that, I figured it was important. So here you are. Would you go see what Urbosa needs?
Your friend (who does NOT want to get zapped,)
Link Imperial
Link handed it to her, picking Zelda up once Tearisu took the letter. "Thank you…"
"Of course, but you should get some rest. From warrior to warrior, events like this are exhausting on the soul and body."
"She needs me."
"You won't be any help if you are exhausted. Get some sleep."
He stubbornly shook his head, turning his attention downwards toward Zelda.
He was right. He wouldn't sleep. When morning came, the three Gerudo awoke and saw him still watching over Zelda, deep bags under his eyes.
Her wounds seemed worse than they did when she arrived, now a quarter of her covered in bruises as she remained limp in her familiar formal dress and tiny golden heels.
He didn't respond when a guard came to escort them to town. All he did was seamlessly slide out of bed, Zelda's body nestled against his chest, and follow the Gerudo women back to their city. Once he was inside the walls, for the guards instantly let him through, he wasn't even interested in taking in the sights of the forbidden city. Although he had just become the only male to enter Gerudo Town's walls since Hylia-knows-when, no sense of achievement was found in him. There never should have been a necessary circumstance.
The Gerudo women inside gasped in horror, many moved to tears. Urbosa approached Link and gently brushed his face, giving him a painful, knowing smile as a few tears slipped down her face. Coming up from behind Urbosa, a guard approached Link and tried to take Zelda's body.
Link reacted within a moment; tearing away from her, holding Zelda tighter and screeching inhumanly.
All the Gerudo but Urbosa took a few spooked steps away from him. "He watched this happen to her…" Her voice shook at the sight. "He's having trouble letting her go… to trust others with her once again."
The guard nodded, bowed a little to Link and backed into the crowd.
"It's okay…" Urbosa soothed once again. "no one's going to take her from you…"
Link sat himself down on the steps of the palace, paying more attention to Zelda than the ongoing council. He only paid attention when the same guard who he'd been reactive towards touched his shoulder.
"You may stay, Hylian Champion. The town has decided that, should you remain in the palace, you may remain here with Missy Zelda until she heals. Come, I'll help you both get settled. Lady Urbosa will follow shortly." She led him back to Zelda's old bedroom, near the sand seal pen, and helped him lay Zelda gently on the bed. "She will be safe here… and you will too… please try to rest."
Once again, Link made a sound of defiance, now stumbling as he tried to get Zelda comfortable in the bed.
"You need sleep, voe, both for her safety and yours."
He flopped down behind Zelda like a large dog, watching her and their surroundings. Had he been a full-blood wolf, a large and powerful tail would have pressed itself against the backs of his legs, held together while providing a barrier. The points of his ears and head seemed to be tilted with a definitive purpose, and strong arms held him up even in exhaustion. Two passion-filled eyes locked with the guard's.
"I will tell Urbosa you are settled then." She backed away from his stare. "Please, don't hesitate to let someone know if you need anything." Right as she turned to leave, another guard met her.
"Chief Urbosa wishes to see you in the throne room, Esosu."
"Yes, Captain Tavane, of course."
They made their way to the throne room, where Urbosa was in a private council with a smaller red Zora.
"I came as soon as the letter arrived." Her voice was soft and almost melodical.
"Thank you, Mipha. I am afraid I'm still quite troubled."
"What happened, Urbosa?"
Urbosa turned her head to face the two guards. "Captain Tavane and Palace Guard Esosu, if you would escort Champion Mipha and I."
They bowed. "Of course, Chief Urbosa. Please come with us, Champion Mipha."
"Thank you." Mipha gracefully followed, looking with concern towards Urbosa, whose dried tears were beginning to refresh. With heavy motions and a bitten lip, Urbosa pulled the room's curtain aside.
Link, now lying down, was holding Zelda's bloody hand with his face near hers.
The expression on Mipha's face is enough. They never let men into the walls.
"Exactly." Urbosa murmured as she watched the two Hylians.
Link's head snapped up at the familiar voice, eyes widening at the sight. "Mipha!" Once again, he broke down sobbing. "Thank Hylia you're here…"
"Link…" Mipha approached slowly, looking gently at him. "You're an emotional wreck… what happened?"
He curled back a little, whimpering. "Her father struck her." Wincing, he is forced to recall the painful memories from the day before, snuggling close to her body and trying to give her warmth. "She fell… off one of the bridges… at the castle… from the impact… a height equivalent… to several Guardians…"
Mipha gasped as her hands flew to her face in horror. "Oh! Link! Zelda!" Tears began to pour down her face as well. "May I aid her?" Although Link has been incredibly reactive towards the guards, he pulled back slightly to give Mipha access to Zelda's body.
The princess lit up with the healing blue, showing more injuries than they originally thought.
Mipha's expression dove into a further cringe. "She's bleeding… internally it seems…"
"I could've protected her." Link squeaked, pulling her body closer. "I'm her knight… it's my job to keep her from harm."
"You had no way of knowing it was coming. Even Zelda, who you said even cringed in expectation for a beating, couldn't have known that she would get knocked off the bridge." Urbosa bent down to his level, soft concern for him, not Zelda, seeping through.
Link shook his head, reordering himself to hold her once more. "She knew it was coming… I should have stepped up and defended her then and there… then she could have walked away… not be carried away…"
"Oh, Link. You didn't know… and besides, it's against the law for you to raise a weapon against the King." Mipha didn't move from healing Zelda, watching her minor injuries fade and the bleeding stop. She sighed when she saw the severe injuries were still present. "She'll need me to do this for several days… she's wounded too badly for me to heal all her wounds at once."
Link nodded and clutched her protectively, ready to defend her from all harm until she heals. His eyes closed as he held her closer, brow furrowed in intense internal thought.
Mipha ran her hand down Zelda's face and right arm, evaluating the still-present damage. "She got quite fortunate. None of her bones broke in the fall."
Urbosa nodded solemnly. "Hylia's favor was upon her. She could have died, Link may not have had the courage to confront His Majesty, they could have been captured and my people didn't have to let him in." Mipha nodded as well.
Link sighed, apparently finished with whatever private business he was attending, and flopped down to rub Zelda's ear.
"You need to get some sleep, boy. Don't fret over Zelda, she's safe now. She's in a place where people love her, and she's got you as well." Urbosa snuggled Zelda close to Link, covering them with a large quilt.
"Don't worry about me…" He mumbled sleepily, nuzzling Zelda half-consciously. "I've been trained to fight my limits." However, the warmth of Zelda's body pressed against him as well as his dropping adrenaline made his eyes flutter close, curling his head right beside his unconscious princess.
"I should head out to alert the others. King Rhoam likely has the whole army plus the Sheikah looking for Link and Zelda. The other Champions should be involved." Mipha near-mumbled, almost stammering slightly.
"That is a good plan. She needs to know how much people do love her… but exercise caution. It is only a matter of time before the Hyruliean forces make their way to all four Champion homelands. Seeing you randomly walking around Rito Village or Goron City, two places a Zora should not be, will raise suspicion… and that suspicion, when the army does arrive, will be noted."
Mipha took a deep breath before nodding once again. "I will do my best. On that note, I believe that heading to Rito Village is the best choice. I firmly believe we can trust Khosha; she can assist in keeping the press down and will be able to get me and Revali out faster than I could alone."
Urbosa smiled. "The bird, being from Northern Hyrule himself, will look much more in place in Goron City. That is a wise plan, Mipha. Khosha's silent wings, if she chooses to assist further, can also get you both over the Gerudo Highlands back here faster with virtually no tracking."
Mipha nodded once more, a silent 'then it is decided,' before preparing to head out.
Urbosa adorned her with simple armor made of rubies, which would grant her aquatic scales protection from the cold while hiding her distinguishing features.
She departed for Rito Village, Urbosa stayed in the room with Link and Zelda. "I know, when you were first assigned," She softly reminisced to the asleep Link. "I told you to take care of her, as you would be working for her for the rest of your days. However, these actions you've shown, the emotions raging through you even now… they are not the duty of a knight nor the devotion of a simple friend. You love her, boy… I hope you realize it soon." She smiled softly, ruffling his hair with the utmost gentleness. "You'd be good for her…good for Hyrule as well… and I have a feeling she loves you too."