cutegirlmayra
Prompt:
Advised to take caution, a powerful wizard instructed Link to not journey alone.
But with the Master Sword in hand, his hyrulian shield,… what more could a hero need?
That's when Zelda pulled his arm back, just before he charged into the castle which had been taken over by the evil Ganondorf.
"You can't-!" her worried cry moved him a moment, and he looked back with empathy. He cared deeply about her… ever since she told him he was to be the hero, and then he went through so much to free her from Ganon's clutches…
"Link… Please listen to me." She moved up closer to him, almost leaning herself against the left side of his back and arm… She ducked her head, almost touching his shoulder. "Please…"
He untensed… lowering his sword.
"Let me fight alongside you!" a powerful new face traced Zelda's once frail and gentle expression. Her sorrow for her people's fate turned to that of a redeeming princess, ready to risk her life just as much as he was for her people's sake.
His first response was shock, amazed she would take that leap… But then a remembrance of her resilience and strong will brought him back to admiring her again.
He closed his eyes with a smile.
"Please, Link… you needn't do this alone." Her hold on his arm softly laxed slightly.
He looked to it, before turning back to her.
"…Zelda…" it was faint, but his voice pierced every fiber of her being, and hearing her name from his lips caused the very lining of her heart to tremble and become softened… just his presence alone had influence and now…
As he gentle moved out of her touch, he turned and felt a heavy burden, looking to her conflicted face. More than anything… he wanted to give her what she wanted.
"We have grown so close over our adventure together… please… don't leave me behind to worry and pace in anxiousness. I want to be there, Link. So many of my people's hopes and dreams are upon you." She stepped forward, holding her head high, though he wasn't much taller than her at all. "I will not fail them… and I will most certainly not fail you."
It broke her heart to even think of it. She wanted more than anything for him to trust in her strength, both her mind and her physical body. She had limits, but her light arrows were the key to victory, and her aim was always swiftly direct and accurate.
"Please…"
Giving it some thought before the action… Link carefully lifted a hand… and lightly glazed her cheek.
He moved some of her hair out of her face to see her desperate expression, seeing her eyes close to tears if he should deny her.
His face wavered only a moment, looking over her stern expression.
"I'd hate to go it alone, too, Zelda…"
Her joy couldn't be better expressed, she ran into his chest and laughed lightly through her small tears.
Finally… she could be of better help to him.
And he wasn't resisting her either, instead, he looped an arm around her, keeping the shield away from her but the sword even farther in his other hand.
They breathed, just existence for a moment as they readied to focus themselves into the battle to come.
For it would be soon.
"I do have a condition…"
Zelda's head jerked up slightly from underneath his own.
"If you come… let me be at the front lines. If I allow you space to fire, you'll be safe."
She smiled only for a moment before pulling away, "Link," She gave a kind look to him. "I will not fail you."
"…Zelda… you never have."
This gave her a feeling as though her entire people spoke these words.
It made a soaring sensation, as though they all had faith in her, trusted her, and it meant everything to hear someone tell her she has done well.
She could feel it now… the traces of love for the hero… but she held it back to summon the light arrows and follow his lead…
Into the overthrown castle… they walked in… together.