Few things built excitement within Zelda like learning new things. And while the overwhelming task of sorting through all of the tomes within the Hyrule Castle library was melancholic to stay the least, there were moments that made it all worth it.
She sat cross-legged on the floor, dressed in a blue tunic and a pair of old leggings she didn't mind dirtying for the sake of progress. The Princess was surrounded by piles of books brought over by the Hylian volunteers who agreed to help with the restoration effort. Tattered editions too damaged by malice, age, weather, and vermin were cast aside to be burned. There was no escaping reality: not all of the library's content would be salvaged after a hundred years. But the tomes destined for the fire were fewer than she anticipated, and for this, Zelda was grateful.
It was difficult not to delve into reading all of the interesting books she came across. She had a growing list that she wanted to come back to reading when the opportunity arose. Using her concentration, she could go through a stack in a short amount of time. But when distraction hit, tearing herself away and focusing at the task on hand was challenging, to say the least.
"Find anything good, Princess?"
Zelda's head came up from the title page of a book that sustained minimal damage on the upper corner to see her knight weave his way through the piles. "Link! Yes, as a matter of fact. I've found a perfect selection to send back to Hateno for the school. We also have quite a collection building for the refurbished shelves here, once we ensure the wood is structurally sound."
"Glad to hear it." Link replied. He crouched nearby and looked over her shoulder. "What've you got there?"
"This one? It's so fascinating! It's one of the histories of ancient Hyrule."
"Don't we have countless history books? What makes this one special?"
Zelda's eyes shone as she turned the page to a full color illustration. "Dragons."
"Dragons?!" Her knight lost his balance in surprise. His hand flailed for anything to try and catch himself to keep from landing on his ass, but only came on a stack of books. His feeble attempt availed him nothing but the tower of tomes falling atop him with a thud that echoed through the library.
Zelda laughed at the irritation written all over her Champion's face before she moved the books to unbury him. "Was it really that surprising to know there are dragons in Hyrule's history given what we know and we've personally experienced?"
"Not really. It just, I mean, I… Never mind." Link grumbled. He stacked them with more force than necessary and shoved them aside. "Anyway. What've you found?"
"You've seen the three dragons we have in the skies now; Naydra, Farosh, and Dinraal. I've found lore and depictions of numerous other dragons spanning generations upon generations in the past, all the way back to the first Hero and Zelda. There's even some sketches of how they might have looked!" Zelda thumbed through the book til she found a second full page illustration of a fierce dragon with two heads of differing colors.
"That looks like one of the Gleeoks Ganon awakened with the Upheaval," Link marveled. "Except the heads are different, and it's missing one."
"These are slightly different. It's called a 'Two-Headed Gleeok', and the reddish colored head was said to spew fireballs, and the blue would shoot ice at their enemies."
"Remind me not to piss them off," he chuckled. "That's really cool looking though! What other dragons are there?"
Zelda smiled at his shared enthusiasm. "There's a whole collection here! I'm thinking of commissioning a series of dragons to hang in the Great Hall. We've already got the Champions and Sages lining a few walls, and landscapes planned for the suites. I would like to pay homage to our history and the roles dragons have played over the years."
"Do it," he replied simply. "Contact Pikango. He'll appreciate the work, and we'll enjoy the paintings when they're finished. It's a win for all of us."
"I agree." Zelda swayed happily from side to side. "I can't wait for him to get started!"
Link lovingly shook his head at her excitement. "Since he finished the portraits of the Sages, he took a break from the castle, remember? Said he needed open air for a while. I'll check in Kakariko first since it's one of his favorite spots. Need anything else while I'm tracking him down?"
"Just pass along my love and well wishes to Paya and Impa while you're in the village. I'll pay them a visit again soon, once Impa's recovered from her present illness. Praise Hylia, it's nothing serious."
A light kiss was pressed to the top of her head. "I'll be back by dinner. No matter what they try to say, don't let the books claim you as a permanent resident for the library. You've got other responsibilities, Princess."
Zelda playfully pushed at his leg in a feeble attempt to knock him off balance again. "I think you're the one who needs that reminder more than I do! They tried to bury you, not me."
"Oy! Says the one surrounded by books on all sides," Link countered with a faint huff. He couldn't keep up the feigned gruffness and broke into a grin. "But I wouldn't have my Princess any other way. You're happy and in your element."
"And now there are dragons."
"Dragons make everything better," he agreed with a wink. His Purah Pad was now in his hand, and he was selecting the shrine he wanted to travel to. "Let me know if you need anything else."
"I know how to reach you." she reassured him. "Thank you, Link."
"Think nothing of it, Princess. I live to serve." He gave a dramatic, sweeping bow, and blew her a kiss before he activated the warp to the shrine above Kakariko.
Zelda shook her head and gazed down at the book in her hand. What a discovery amidst the myriad of the tomes in the library. She couldn't wait to pay tribute to the dragons of Hyrule's lore and history!
Six weeks later, Zelda finished her preparations for the day with her customary braid over the crown of her head and checked it in the bedroom mirror. Her hair was growing out, almost halfway to the length it was prior to cutting it. She pulled the ends into a low ponytail then flashed a satisfied smile at her reflection.
"Zel. Pikango is asking for you." Link poked his head around the door, then let out a low whistle. "Whoa… You should wear that color more often."
"You like it?" Zelda looked down self-consciously. Her new ensemble was a sleeveless tunic in a dark shade of green with a brown belt that matched her adventuring boots. Beige leggings completed the look, creating a modified version of the legendary Hero's outfit.
"I'll say. You might even look better than me dressed like that," he teased.
"Isn't the princess supposed to be the most beautiful in all the realm? That's what all the fairytales say."
"Ah! As smart as she is beautiful! The humble knight is no match for his Princess. I yield." Link dropped to a knee as he came into the room in a sign of fealty. "May I kiss your hand and offer an apology for my indelicate words?"
Zelda giggled and shook her head at him. "Maybe later. I shouldn't keep Pikango waiting. He was working on the next painting in the series."
"That's exciting. Let me know what you think. I've got a training session with the castle knights. I'll catch up with you later. Stay out of trouble, Princess." He shot her a wink and let himself out of the room.
She followed a moment later, taking her time going down the stairs from the suite beside her study. The clean-up and rebuilding was nearing completion, and she was proud of all the hard work that the dedicated team of workers had done to restore it bit by bit. The castle felt like 'home' once more, albeit nowhere near as cozy as the smaller place she'd lived during the construction process. But things like the paintings added to the sense that things were finally returning to normal again.
She rounded the corner to the Great Hall and Farosh greeted her from the far wall. And the faint humming of the painter responsible for the artwork filled her ears as she approached the large tarp with his current work in progress.
"Good morning, Princess." Pikango greeted. He stepped back from the painting and wiped his brow with the back of the hand holding his paintbrush. "Forgive the early request but I thought you'd want to see. I'm nearing completion on the red dragon."
"Valoo, if the legend holds true," Zelda acknowledged. She stood a couple of paces back from the artist and carefully scrutinized his work.
The canvas was almost twice her height, befitting for the amount of wall space that it was going to be occupying. The bright blue background with minimal cloud detailing allowed the large head and curved neck of the red and white dragon to be the focal point. The gold of his eye drew her attention, as did the long, narrow beard dangling off his jowls.
"Impressive attention to detail," she praised. "You said it's nearing completion? It looks like you have a bit of background, and maybe…?"
"Background, refining details on his face and neck, then shadowing," Pikango confirmed. "Should be done by the end of tomorrow if I can keep up at a decent pace."
"You never cease to amaze with your speed and talent." Zelda went to offer him a hug, but he lifted a hand to stop her.
"Better not this time, Princess, though I appreciate the gesture. I don't want you to be covered in paint." He gestured down to his clothing with a chuckle. The open Sheikah-style gray vest over a sleeveless tunic, capris, arm-wraps, and sandals all were littered with spots of different color paint in various stages of shine versus dryness. Even his white hair and skin showed splatters of pigment. "Not when you're wearing such a pristine outfit."
"Ah, I suppose you're right. Well, know that you have my thanks in addition to the rupee payment for the artwork." Zelda smiled warmly at him. "Have you had a chance to read through what I passed your direction?"
"Afraid not. Painting's kept me a little busy. But now we've gotten, what'd you say the names of these were? Faron, Valoo, of course, and… and… Oh, I don't remember the others."
"Farosh, Aquamentus, and Argorok. Having seen Farosh myself, I must say I'm especially fond of that piece. You captured him perfectly." Zelda gazed at the three mounted paintings on the wall. "We've still got quite a list established, though I'm not sure if we're going to do all of them. Do you remember anything standing out to you?"
"I was actually thinking, Princess, would you consider including the 'Light Dragon' to the collection?" Pikango was back working on the canvas, the brush making soft noises as it spread the paint over the surface.
Zelda watched him work for a long moment before she responded. "It's a rather interesting thought, and one I've contemplated. You have many references for her appearance, and Hylia knows the stories are already being cataloged for inclusion in the next volumes of the 'Hyrule Historias'. It would make sense, I suppose."
"I sense a hesitation though," he observed without looking up.
"It simply feels odd. She's me, and yet at the same time, she feels like an entirely separate entity. Like the time I spent in her form was a dream. I have memories of strong emotions, and of seeing Hyrule from high atop the clouds. Of witnessing storms and changes to the very land itself. Of speaking at length with Fi, to ease both of our pain and anguish at the circumstances we found ourselves in. Or rather, her pain, as she couldn't communicate emotion similarly." Zelda was quiet for a long moment. "But knowing what it, I mean, she means to Hyrule, it would be doing us all a disservice to not include her in the dragons being honored with a place on our walls."
"I can see how you'd be thinking that way. But I'm inclined to agree that she deserves to have a place with the others. I don't have to make her the focal piece of the series, but she'll be my next painting." Pikango stood back and admired his handiwork on the background. "Do you have a name for the collection, or shall I come up with something?"
"I have one, if you don't mind me choosing," Zelda admitted. "I'd like it to be the 'Painting the Skies' collection. And when they're all complete and hung, I fully intend to host a celebration here to showcase them if you're willing to receive that honor and the accolades of the people."
Pikango blushed deeply. "If that's your wish, Princess. I'm just a humble painter. No need to shower me with more than what you're providing. But if you're sure it's necessary, you have my heartfelt gratitude." Pikango lowered his brush and bowed to her. "I hope that the painting series will meet your expectations."
"It already has. From the descriptions and sketches in pages of lore in the Hyrule Historia to the refurbished walls of the castle, it's been amazing to see the dragons come to life. Thank you, Pikango, from the bottom of my heart." Zelda smiled warmly, and after a slight nod from the painter, she stepped past him to examine the completed paintings.
From the vicious teeth and black wings of Argorok to the deep tan and gold scales of Aquamentus, the paintings captured the unique appearances and atmospheres connected with each of the respective dragons. Zelda paused for an additional few moments in front of the painting of Farosh. The lightning glow effect Pikango had created was breathtaking, and if she closed her eyes, she could see the great electric dragon itself rising from the depths of Lake Hylia to take flight over the bridge and into the skies. Soon all of the main corridors would be lined with paintings of the dragons, and among them, the white and gold scales of the Light Dragon would be added.
She breathed a prayer of thanks to the Goddess for the many blessings she had received, including the restoration of her Hylian form and the ability to commission this tribute to the dragons of the present and of eld. And with it came another request sent up to Hylia: May the legacy of all the artworks included in 'Painting the Skies' offer blessings from this lifetime to all the generations yet to come.