Happy Father's Day everyone! And, uh…sorry about this…
I wrote this with TP Zelink in mind, but it can loosely fit itself into any Zelda era, so do with that what you will!
A Daughter's Blessings
When Link and Zelda first learned that she was expecting, they were so excited. They were going to have a baby. A little son or daughter being introduced into their lives. They were going to be parents. A mother and father figuring it all out together, and showering their child with love.
It was such a happy time. The happiest that Link could remember in recent years. There was almost never a moment where Zelda wasn't smiling. She loved watching her belly grow and feeling the baby start to move inside. She would often spend her evenings in a rocking chair, cradling her rounded stomach with both hands while humming the same lullaby that her parents had so often sung for her. Of course, Link simply loved watching his wife behave like this. It was magical, how much this baby meant to her. How much it meant to both of them.
But it wasn't meant to last. As the pregnancy developed, numerous issues came to light. Zelda began to experience sharp pains in her abdomen, followed by blood trickling down her legs. When the doctor inspected her, he claimed that it was a threatened miscarriage. The baby was alive, but these symptoms did not spell good things for either the mother or child. He feared that the eventual delivery was not going to be smooth.
Link was terrified to hear this, but Zelda was different. Her face was like stone; her expression one of absolute resolve.
"The baby comes first," she declares adamantly. She then turns, casting a sapphire glare to both the doctor and Link. "Promise me. Promise me that you'll prioritize the baby's life over my own."
The doctor is very hesitant. He always is when the Queen's life is at risk. "Your Majesty, I don't know-"
"Promise me," she insists. And her tone makes it clear that she will not accept anything less.
The doctor mumbles his agreement. Zelda turns to her husband. "Link?"
He can barely look at her without showing his fear. He is not okay with this. He doesn't want either his wife or child to suffer. And he also knows that he can't bear to lose either of them.
But her gaze. It's so sincere. It's so loving. He can see it, deep within her eyes, the raging fire of resolve that always drives her forward. The resolve that always forces her to be selfless and put others first. The one that shows how good of a mother she is, to happily put the life of her child before her own without a second thought. Eventually, he finds the courage to swallow.
"The baby comes first," he agrees.
Months pass. The pains and bleeding continue. Zelda is always so afraid that she's lost the baby. That she'll deliver a stillborn. But the doctor always assures her that it's still alive, and within a few days she feels its kick to confirm it. After that, she manages to relax again. She resumes her rocking and belly cradling, singing her soft lullaby. On the outside, it appears as if she's doing it for her baby. But Link knows her too well. She's also doing it for herself. In fact, that lullaby might very well be the only thing holding her together.
He prays that it might hold him together too.
It's the middle of the night when she awakens with a moan. Link is awake too, wondering what's wrong. After a bit of shifting and a surprising burst of water, they both look at each other and know that it's time.
It's the moment they've been waiting for. Zelda simply places a hand on her belly before looking at him. She appears uncomfortable; certainly more than a little nervous. But her expression turns calm, becoming one of pure resolve. Her only request is a simple one.
"Stay with me."
Link has no idea what this day will bring. And honestly, he's terrified to find out. But he knows that if nothing else, he can keep this promise.
He escorts her down to the infirmary where the doctor has assembled medicine and tools and numerous nurses to assist him. Everyone is on edge. Nobody knows what to expect. This could be the happiest day of Link and Zelda's lives. It could also be the worst.
The contractions start. Zelda winces and holds Link's hand while she feels her body constrict. It's supposed to be a natural process, but within a couple of hours, it's already falling apart. Zelda starts losing blood. A lot of blood. Link isn't sure if he's ever seen so much before. Not even when he was out slaying monsters. Not even when he slayed Ganondorf. The doctor does everything he can to stop the bleeding, but it's clear that things are going poorly. Eventually, he decides to be honest with them.
"Both the mother and child are at risk," he says, mostly to Link. "If things keep progressing like this, the Queen will lose too much blood. I can attempt to slow the labor, but I fear that if the child doesn't come out soon, its survival will be at risk too."
Link is horrified. He has no idea what to say. Not that it matters, because Zelda is speaking up long before he gets the chance.
"The baby comes first."
The room goes silent. The only sound is Zelda's shallow breathing. There's a fire in her eyes again and she's casting it at anyone who dares to look at her.
Link tries to speak. "Zelda-"
"You promised."
Link frowns under her glare. He can see it again. The protective mother that would do anything to save her child. In the moment, he feels so blessed for having known her. For being allowed to love her for all these years. He softly squeezes her hand before responding.
"The baby comes first."
The doctor just nods. "I'll do what I can." At a time like this, Link knows that it's all he can say.
The hours pass. With every contraction, more blood slips out, and it feels like Zelda takes another step towards her inevitable end. Her skin starts to turn pale, and despite the layer of sweat on her brow, her touch begins to lose warmth.
Link feels overwhelmed with guilt. He can't help but feel responsible. Like he's the one that did this to her. That he's the reason she's dying.
But she looks at him. Stares deep into his soul as if she can read his every thought. And he can already see the answer reflected in her eyes. That she doesn't blame him for any of this. That she's doing this for their baby. Doing it for him. That this pain is nothing and she will gladly endure it for the sake of saving what matters most.
He can't help but admire her selflessness. He decides to incorporate his own by bowing his head in prayer.
If you must take a life, take mine, he begs the Goddesses. Please not Zelda. Please not the baby. Take me. Oh, please, take me…
He doesn't hear anything back, except a small whimper from Zelda as her contractions intensify once again. He leans over and kisses the side of her head. She's been brave. So very brave and he loves her so much. He wishes she didn't have to go through this. That he could spare her this pain by taking it upon himself. But despite his prayer, it seems that the Goddesses have other plans.
The doctor finally tells Zelda to start pushing and she bears down with relief. It's the moment she's been waiting for. Her chance to finally commit the ultimate act of a mother and bring her child into the world.
The pain is more excruciating than anything that's come before. Zelda's sounds are more heart-wrenching than ever too. In this moment, it's obvious to everyone in the room that she's dying. That she's giving her own life in order to produce another.
Link doesn't know what to do, so he only does what he is able. He holds her hand and whispers encouraging words while brushing the hair out of her face. It feels like such a small comfort, but when Zelda glances at him, he knows that it means the world to her. So he doesn't stop. He keeps going and she keeps going too.
She starts to cry, but only a little. Link knows that the pain is overwhelming her. But she doesn't care. She's not living in the present; she's looking into the future. One where her child gets to live a long and peaceful life. It's all she wants. And with that, she bears down for the final time, bringing a bloody and screaming baby into the world.
In the moment, Link wishes he had time. Time to appreciate his newborn's cries. Time to congratulate Zelda as her head falls back on her pillow. Time to even register that the baby is a girl.
But it's all moving so fast. The nurses are cleaning the baby while Zelda continues to bleed. The doctor is doing everything in his power to get it to stop. Link looks to his wife and he nearly turns as pale as she is. She's so tired. Her breaths are nothing more than shallow pants. Her eyes look like they're threatening to close, maybe forever. When she finally speaks, her voice is so hoarse, it can barely be heard.
"I want…to hold her…"
Amidst the chaos, someone hears her and manages to pass the baby into her embrace. Link just swallows, feeling his heart plummet. It's here that the ugly truth finally sinks in. That she isn't going to make it.
The nurses are still running about the room, working on Zelda's lower half in a desperate attempt to do the impossible. To save a life that is on its way out the door. So great is their focus, that no one notices the mother cradling the newborn in her arms. In fact, Link is certain that he's the only one able to appreciate her final moments.
"Oh my goodness," Zelda breathes, hardly believing what she's holding in her arms. "Oh my goodness…"
The baby is bawling. It's supposed to be the greatest victory cry. The only thing the child can do to let the world know that she's alive. Link wants to join her. He wants to cry too. But he doesn't know if he should. If he can, even. He's so overcome with emotion, and the range they cover is about as far as the east is from the west.
Joy. Sorrow. Pride. Sympathy. Amazement. Heartbreak. He can feel it. He's close to breaking. Shattering into millions of pieces. In this moment, the only thing holding him together is his wife's smile as she holds her baby close.
"Hi sweetie," she says, her voice as gentle as a summer breeze. She leans down to place a small kiss on the infant's crown, and after a few soothing sounds from Zelda's lips, the baby ceases her crying.
But now it's the mother's turn. A single tear escapes her brilliant sapphire eyes. "I love you, so, so much…"
Link can feel his throat clenching up. This might be the most tender moment he's ever witnessed. He wants to appreciate it. To savor it. But it's already passing him by without remorse. She has so little time left, and she knows it. They both do.
"Link." Her voice is painfully weak. "Take her…"
Somehow, he finds the courage to move and collect the newborn into his arms. He holds her awkwardly. He has no idea what he's doing. This should be a happy moment. The happiest of his life. And yet he can't even treasure the experience of holding his daughter in his arms, for he's too busy watching the light leave his wife's eyes.
But she's not gone yet. She refuses to let go. Not until he's reassured. Slowly, softly, she reaches up and places a hand against his cheek. Her fingers are like ice. Already so cold and lifeless.
"Promise me that you'll take care of her."
It's her only request, and it's so simple at that. How could he ever say no?
"I promise…" His words sound hollow, but he means them. He really, truly does.
The baby squirms around in his arms and he spares a second to glance down at her. As he does, he feels Zelda's fingers slipping from his cheek. Somehow, he catches her hand in one of his own.
"Zelda, don't leave me. Don't leave us." He's begging. Pleading. Hoping that if there's anything she can do to hold onto life, that she'll do it. But when she smiles at him, it's so sad and so soft. And yet there's confidence too. That same raging fire that was always buried behind her eyes. It burns so brightly as she speaks her final words.
"I won't. I'll always be with you."
Again, Link wishes for nothing but time. A moment to appreciate what is in front of him. But it's impossible, for Zelda's eyes slowly close and her hand goes limp and she takes a deep breath that is very likely her last.
And just like that, she's gone.
The nurses are beyond desperate. The loss of blood is hardly a concern in the face of the Queen's stiff body. The next thing Link knows, the doctor is upon her, using both hands to push on her chest. He does this over and over, praying that her heart will start to beat again.
Link can barely watch. He already knows that it's useless. He can sense that her soul has departed this world for good, if only because it suddenly seems so cold and lonely without her.
The baby starts to cry again.
A few months pass. The funeral comes and goes. Life is so hectic, Link barely feels like he has time to mourn. He's a single father to a needy infant, and he just had the weight of an entire Kingdom thrust on his shoulders too. Of course he has help, and he has support, but it's only enough to keep him going. It certainly isn't enough to heal.
If there's one thing to be thankful for, it's that his daughter is healthy. Despite all of the complications with her pregnancy, nothing is amiss. The girl is as happy as can be.
Link and Zelda hadn't really discussed baby names ahead of time. They had both been too hesitant. Too worried about what the end result would be. If they would even have a baby to name at all.
But they did. Zelda had made sure of it.
Link isn't very confident that he can name his daughter by himself. She's not only the most precious thing in the world, she's also a Royal Princess. Certainly something too good for the likes of a goat herder to be handling. But in the end, he finds an answer, and it's a simple one.
He names her "Zelda", after the selfless mother that sacrificed her own life so that her child could live. To Link, it would've felt wrong to name her anything else.
It's the middle of the night when he awakens. Little Zelda is crying from her crib on the other side of the bed. The side that his wife used to sleep on. She had purposefully set things up this way. Link knew that she wanted to be the one who quieted their baby whenever it awoke in the middle of the night. It's an opportunity that she'll never have, so Link does his best to treasure it.
He slowly crawls out of a bed that's far too big and far too empty for his liking. He doesn't think he'll ever get used to it. When he arrives at Zelda's crib, he scoops her up into his arms and carries her to the chair where he hopes to rock her back to sleep.
But it's not easy. It never is. Link is okay when it comes to comforting her, but he knows that Zelda would have been amazing at it. Not only because Zelda was such a wonderful mother, but he honestly believes that his daughter prefers her. The baby had shared a single, touching embrace with her mother at birth, and now she was likely begging for more. Little did the girl know, that beautiful first embrace between mother and child was also her last. And it killed Link that he'd never be able to give her that again.
The baby continued to scream into his chest while he gently rubbed her back. "I know, sweetie, I know," is all he can say.
He continues like this for a few minutes, hoping that the girl will tire herself out, but he knows that it's useless. There's really only one surefire way to get her to return to the land of dreams. Clearing his throat, he begins to hum Zelda's lullaby. It's the same one that she always sang while the baby was growing in her womb. The same one that had been passed down by her family for generations.
Link has since memorized it perfectly. He knows exactly how it goes. But in his mind, it's a disaster. It's nothing like the way Zelda did it. His soft notes are weak and off tune, and his deep male voice is no match for Zelda's which was always rich with melody. He almost hates having to do this. It feels like he's trampling on her memory.
Nevertheless, it does the trick. Little Zelda is out like a light, breathing softly in her father's embrace.
Link doesn't return her to her crib. Instead, he holds her close and continues to rock in his chair. He wants to take a moment to enjoy this quiet. This peace. Before he realizes it, his eyes start to glisten and he quietly sniffles.
It was funny. When he finally got the baby to stop crying, that's usually when he would start. There was just something about silence that always forced him to tears. And he knows exactly what it is. The absence of his other half.
Link continues to cradle his daughter. He feels like he's almost hanging on for dear life. It's at moments like these that he realizes how much they need each other.
The way she needs him is obvious. He's her father. Her protector. Her provider. He would do anything for her. Be anything for her. His first priority will always be to make sure that she grows up happy and healthy. He'll never settle for anything less.
But the way he needs her is sad. Desperate. Almost pathetic. And yet the fact of the matter is quite simple.
She's the only thing keeping him sane in this cold and lonely world.
Link visits Zelda's grave quite often. Sometimes he brings the baby, but sometimes he comes alone. He feels like it's stupid but at some point he starts talking to her. He knows it's nothing but a tombstone and an empty husk buried in dirt, but he needs to do this. Besides, Zelda said that she would always be with them, so if there's even a chance that she can hear him right now, he might as well speak.
He only ever talks about one thing. Their daughter. He supposed that he could talk about the Kingdom or its current events, but those seem like such trivial matters in the face of the one thing that Zelda gave her life to save. So he honors her by sharing everything. He talks about how the baby laughs and enjoys the simple games he plays with her. He reveals that her eyes and hair match Zelda's own, and he's certain that she'll grow up to be quite the beauty. Hell, she already is.
Link comes back to the grave on the day their daughter takes her first steps. He visits again on the day she says her first word, which of course, is "dada". He talks about her toys. He talks about her favorite foods. He can't help but smile when he describes her giggle after Epona had sniffed her head that one time.
Years pass, and little Zelda is growing up. Link can hardly believe it when he looks at her. She's practically the spitting image of her mother. Blue eyes that are bright like sapphires. Long brunette hair which looks best in a braid at her back. She's so young and yet she's stunning.
Link hates to admit it, but there was a time when he struggled with this. Seeing his daughter take on such a familiar image, he almost felt like he was cursed. Like he'd been haunted by a ghost of the past, and was now forced to live every day with a constant reminder that his wife no longer stands by his side.
But Link isn't pessimistic enough to dwell on these thoughts for long. If anything, he's grateful to see his daughter develop in this way. It feels like he gets to see his wife again. It feels like a literal piece of her has remained behind. That things are just as she promised. That she would always be with them.
He considers it a blessing.
Link happily relays all of this to Zelda's grave, and is so proud when he tells her that their daughter is turning out exactly like her. But it's not all smiles. He can soon hear Zelda's voice in his head, reprimanding him. She's disappointed, and stresses that little Zelda is his daughter too. Even when she's gone, she knows him too well. Or maybe he just knows her too well.
If Link focuses, he can see a bit of himself in his daughter, but it's so difficult that he doesn't even bother to try. The reason it's so difficult is because his vision is clouded. He can never see himself in his daughter, because all he can ever truly see is Zelda.
It's her. She'll always be her.
As the girl grows older, her personality starts to develop. Again, Link feels like she's the mirror of her mother. She's intuitive and smart and kind and gentle and happy and perfect. He can already tell that she's going to go far in life and be loved by all who meet her. How can they not? She's far too adorable and sweet for this world to reject.
But if there's one thing he wishes, it's that she wasn't so curious…
"What was my mommy like?"
Link freezes. He's been dreading this day for years. He doesn't think he can do this. How can he possibly do her justice? How can he possibly describe such an incredible woman using something as simple as mere words?
But he turns to the five-year-old and knows that he has to say something. Still, he takes his time. He wants to do this right. He sits little Zelda down on a loveseat before joining her. He wraps one arm around the girl and pulls her close so that they're both nice and warm.
He then takes a deep breath and forces himself to start. And when he does, he's amazed. The words come to him so easily. So naturally. Somewhere over the years, he had forgotten how much he loves to speak of her.
He proceeds to tell his daughter stories of the Queen, who was stronger, braver, and more majestic than anyone in the Kingdom. He tells her stories of the wife, who was kinder and gentler than any soul he had ever encountered. Finally, he tells her stories of the mother who so dearly loved her baby, and cherished every precious moment with her right up until her final breath. Link goes on to stress how much he and Zelda loved each other, and makes sure to stress even more how much Zelda loved her daughter. He assures the girl that if she had the choice, Zelda would still be with them, always showering them with her love.
When he finishes, his daughter asks if she can see a picture of her. Link smiles before fetching an old pictograph. It was taken a week before their wedding. In it, Zelda is standing beneath a tree in Ordon Village, looking as lovely as ever. Link has always loved this photo, because he feels like it captures her innocence perfectly. A feature that no one else had ever appreciated as much as he did.
But maybe he's not alone, for he watches as little Zelda's eyes sparkle with admiration. "She's so pretty," she whispers.
"Of course she is," Link replies with a smile. "She looks just like you, after all."
The girl giggles and Link laughs too before pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
From that day forward, Link starts a tradition. Every year on little Zelda's birthday, he brings her down to her mother's grave so they can leave flowers there. It's supposed to be a day of celebration, but they both want to take some time to honor Zelda's memory.
Link always decides to let his daughter choose the flowers that are to be gifted. Her choices are peculiar, to say the least. Certainly not the type of arrangements that one would expect to find on a Royal Queen's grave. But Link lets his daughter do as she pleases. It means more to her this way.
He knows that it means more to Zelda too.
Time goes on. As Zelda grows older, Link prides himself on being her protector. Every time there's a storm, she runs to his room for comfort and safety. When her tutoring goes on for too long, he barges in and insists that it's time for a break. She'll never be unhappy as long as he has anything to say about it.
He makes sure to give her a taste of freedom whenever they get the chance. They leave the castle behind and journey out into Hyrule Field so they can explore together. Along the way, he teaches her how to ride horses and use the bow. Unsurprisingly, she's a natural at both. She's amazingly able to do anything she sets her mind to, and he's so proud of her.
Link cherishes their time together. He's come to learn that the bond between father and daughter is the most amazing thing in the world. He'd never trade it away for anything. The moments of joy are so small but so precious. It feels like any time the two of them are together, she's always smiling and laughing, and Link feels his heart becoming overwhelmed with emotion and nostalgia alike.
Because it's her smile. And her laugh.
He loves her so much. He wishes he could give her the world. Endless joy. Everlasting peace. But he knows best that reality is never that simple.
One day, he finds his daughter crying in the castle halls. A crowd has gathered around and for some reason a noble is standing next to Zelda, lecturing her on her etiquette and how she really ought to behave more like a proper Princess. No more running through the halls and daydreaming during her lessons. Oh, and of course, she really ought to stop referring to her father in such a childish way. "Daddy" is to be replaced with the more formal "Father" at once.
It's at this point that Link snaps.
He runs to his daughter's aid. Takes only a second to wipe her tears before asking a maid to escort her away. He doesn't feel that she needs to hear this. Or see it, for that matter.
He turns to the noble with a glare and spends the next ten minutes arguing with him. The noble feels like he's making fair points. He's been at this castle far longer than Link has and there is a proper order to things. And of course, he's not alone in his views. There are plenty of others that feel the same way. That Link isn't raising his daughter to be the Princess that she ought to be.
Link is arguing back, of course, but eventually he sees the uselessness of such a thing and simply goes silent in his fury. It's a warning sign that the noble should do the same, but alas, the man just keeps running his mouth. It's practically the only thing he knows how to do. But Link knows that he's going to regret it. Especially when he hints that the late Queen Zelda was never this misbehaved.
Link smashes his fist into the noble's face, and he falls without a fight. The nearby spectators are dead silent. It's over. Link's won the argument.
From that day forward, nobody dares to challenge the way the King is raising his daughter.
Link goes to find the girl and when he does, she's curled up in a ball on her bed, still crying to herself. He smiles before taking a seat next to her and pulling her into his arms. It's not the first time he's been in this situation, but it still takes him a moment to collect his thoughts. He's found that whenever he needs to comfort his daughter, he's always asking himself, "What would Zelda say here?" It's the only way he's able to come up with anything halfway decent.
"Don't listen to him, sweetie," he whispers into the girl's ear. "He'll never bother you again. You and I are still going to have lots of fun and go on plenty of adventures together. And of course, I'll always be your daddy."
The girl sniffles loudly, but she manages to produce a tiny nod, and Link knows that he's reached her. It's enough to set his heart at ease.
It's been ten years.
He can't believe it. A decade has passed. It feels like the blink of an eye.
It's been ten years.
On this night, Link is sitting at a small table in the family den. He's staring at his favorite pictograph of Zelda beneath that old tree. Suddenly, it feels like she's staring back. He knows what she wants to say to him. She wants him to be happy. To just move on and forget about her. But he can't. He could never commit such a terrible sin.
Link curses. He never curses, but in this moment, he doesn't care. For the first time in a decade, he can feel his grief giving way. Something bitter is breaking through. It's raging from within. It's overtaking him. He feels his teeth clenching shut before he slams a fist on the table.
He's furious. For the first time in his life, he wants to besmirch the names of the Goddesses. To commit blasphemy. To curse them for the way they cursed him. It's not fair. How could they have done this? How could they have taken Zelda away like that? After he had begged to be taken in her stead? How does any of this make sense? How can this be their idea of fate? Are they really so heartless? So cruel?
Link opens his mouth, ready to scream, but nothing comes out. His shoulders soon slump and his head hangs low. He can't do this. He doesn't have the energy or anger he needs to commit to it. He may have once wielded the Triforce of Courage, but in this moment, he is nothing but a coward.
He feels so ashamed as he glances at the photo of his late wife. Even now, he can feel her sympathy and encouragement shining through to the present. She reminds him of everything he's endured. That he has nothing to be ashamed of. He's managed to hold himself together for ten years. Can he really be blamed if he has one moment of weakness?
A few tears slip out of his eyes. He's so close to losing it. To completely breaking down and never recovering. No, on second thought, he's already broken. He has been for a long time.
But he's not alone. When the softest voice he's ever heard speaks up, he nearly jumps in surprise.
"What's wrong, daddy?"
Through his tears, Link glances up to find Zelda approaching him from her room. She walks right up to the table and hesitates once she's in arm's reach. Her sapphire eyes are round with sympathy. Round with concern. It's painful seeing how worried she is for him.
Link looks away. He wants to hide it from her. To conceal his weakness. He does not want to be vulnerable in front of her. It's not who he's supposed to be. It's not who she believes in. He's her father. Her protector. He's supposed to be freaking invincible, and he'll be damned before letting her think anything else.
But when he goes to explain himself, he chokes, and his words completely fail him. All that escapes his lips is a shaky breath.
It doesn't take long for Zelda's eyes to fall on the photo in Link's hand. It takes even less time for her to surmise every single thought that must be going through his head. His little girl has always been clever.
In the end, she wraps her small arms around his waist and Link nearly sobs. He soon pulls her into his arms and runs his fingers through her hair while releasing some more slow, shaky breaths. His eyes have sprung a leak and there's no stopping them now.
In this moment, he realizes that his daughter is too good for him. That he doesn't deserve her. He finally understands the truth. That he's blessed. So unbelievably blessed to have her in his life.
"I'm sorry," he whispers.
"It's okay, daddy," she responds from his chest. "I love you."
Somehow, those words are all Link needs to put himself back together again.
Little Zelda isn't so little anymore. She's grown up. Matured. It's all moving so fast and Link doesn't feel like he has time to appreciate any of it.
But he makes time. Not only for his sake, but for his late wife's as well. He knows that she'd be upset with him if he ever stopped coming to visit. So, for what feels like the thousandth time, he makes his way to the cemetery, finds that polished old tombstone of hers, and plops himself down in front of it. Eventually, he gathers his courage and begins to speak.
"Your little girl has grown into a fine young woman," Link announces happily. "She's everything you could have ever hoped and dreamed that she would be. She's so sweet and caring. So responsible. So sensible. So wise and intelligent and clever. I swear, she could even give you a run for your rupees."
He laughs to himself. He prays that wherever Zelda is, she's laughing too.
"I'm so proud of her. And I know that you would be too," he says softly. "She's the greatest thing our love has ever produced, and I…I can't help but feel grateful for everything I've been given. I'm so blessed. Truly, I am."
If Zelda were here, Link knows that she'd be smiling at him.
"And while it was brief, I'm thankful for the time that you had with her too," he admits quietly. "You were able to carry her in your womb for nine months, and even if it was only for a moment, you eventually got to hold her in your arms and tell her that you loved her. And that…that meant the world to you."
There's no response. The cemetery is dead silent. But Link softly smiles all the same.
"I'm so grateful…for all of my blessings."
With each passing year, Zelda is getting busier. Link feels like he sees less and less of her by the day. Not that he had really expected anything different. She's still rather young, of course, but she's very productive and ambitious. She's not the type of girl to sit still and watch life pass her by.
She starts putting those brains of hers to work and getting involved in the government of her Kingdom. She transitions into the role seamlessly. She's been preparing for this her whole life, and Link has done everything in his power to keep their Kingdom safe and prosperous. Because of his efforts, she'll inherit peace. Support. Freedom. It's everything he always wanted to give her.
She starts writing laws that benefit both the citizens and government alike. She participates in long council meetings and gladly offers her wisdom. She's doing so much good for her Kingdom and she does it so effortlessly as well. She's a complete natural. Before Link knows it, everyone is enraptured by her. The people love her. The politicians respect her. She's the greatest thing to happen to this Kingdom since her mother was in charge.
Link wholeheartedly agrees.
But it's not all cheers and smiles. When is it ever? Soon, another one of Princess Zelda's duties creeps to the forefront of all council meetings. Since she's of an age to be married, they want her to start searching for a husband. In fact, she already has dozens of suitors requesting to meet her.
Suitors…Link isn't sure that a more loathsome word exists.
Over the years, he's come to realize that he could very well be the most overprotective father in the world. It's a title he wears proudly. He'd do anything to keep her safe. Hell, he'd even kill for her. He'd committed far worse atrocities for the sake of saving his Kingdom. Why wouldn't he do the same for her?
So Link steps in and calls for a compromise. He'll allow Zelda to start courting, but he refuses to allow any suitor to see his daughter without meeting with him first. The council proves powerless to deny his request, and they soon vote their agreement. Link is incredibly proud of this plan and happily sets to work. If nothing else, he will always be his daughter's last line of defense.
The suitors arrive and he meets with each of them one-on-one. Unfortunately, it's exactly as he feared. He meets with several young men that are arrogant and lustful as all get out, no matter how desperately they try to hide it. He sends them away in droves. Some of them are so disrespectful, he almost has half a mind to knock their teeth out, and there are times where he honestly comes close. But the worst it ever comes down to is a bit of furious yelling before the boys start scampering out of the room. None of them are brave enough to challenge the mighty King who protects his Princess.
But he can't bring himself to chase them all away. In a world where good people exist, surely that means there are good suitors too. He finds at least a handful of young men who are upstanding and honest and thankful to have even the slightest chance at courting the fine lady that is his daughter. With great reluctance, Link allows a few of these gentlemen to slip through his barriers.
And eventually, Zelda came to fall in love and was willing to take one as her loving husband. A part of Link wants to stubbornly refuse. To deny them their marriage so that his daughter can be the pure, innocent little child that he's always seen her as. But he can't deny that the young man is good, responsible, and wise in all things. He'll make a fitting ruler alongside Zelda. And above all else, he can see just how happy this boy makes his daughter. In the end, all he can do is give them his blessing.
Link had never seen his daughter so excited as she was on the day of her wedding. He recalls that her mother experienced similar emotions on their own wedding day. And of course, he perfectly understands why. She's been waiting her whole life for this. He may be nothing but a foolish old man at this point, but even he knows that it's the day that little girls dream of most.
When he sees her in her white dress, with her modest jewelry and her hair done up all special, he's honestly stunned.
"If your mother could see you-"
He stops immediately, choking on the words. If he says anything more, he knows that he's going to lose it. And he had already decided a long time ago that he would never cry in front of her again.
Besides, his daughter doesn't need words to know what he wants to say. A soft smile on her lips shows that she understands him perfectly. She always has and always will. Once again, Link feels like he doesn't deserve her.
It's probably the most difficult thing he's ever done, having to let her go. To entrust her wellbeing to someone else for the first time in his life. For the first time in her life. But he knows that it's good for her, and that it's what she wants. And if there's one thing that he can never truly bring himself to do, it's to deny her a chance at happiness.
He walks her down the aisle and willingly gives her away to her husband. On the inside, he cries more than he ever has before. But he bottles it all up and conceals it well.
After all, it's not the first time that he lets go of the most important woman in the world.
Link is only in his mid-forties, and yet he can feel himself growing tired. Maybe it's all those sleepless nights without his wife finally catching up with him. Or maybe it can be traced back to his adventuring days and all of his old wounds are finally taking their toll. Or maybe his broken heart has finally finished its long overdue shattering and is now incapable of carrying on.
He's not sure, but regardless, he can sense that he doesn't have much time left.
Link is certain that Zelda can sense it too. One day he makes the mistake of wincing in front of her while his chest is tightening up. Naturally, she furrows her brow and lasers in on him like a protective mother.
"What's wrong, daddy?" she asks, placing a hand on his arm.
Link almost laughs. Even after all these years, she's still using that childish name for him. And of course, it still means the world to him. It's the thing that helps keep him together. It's the thing that reminds him of why he's so blessed. It's the very thing that always brings him back to those final days with his wife. Back when she still had that incredible fire burning in her eyes.
"Link, the baby comes first."
Yes, she would always come first.
"I'm fine, sweetie," he assures his daughter. "I'm just fine."
Zelda seems wary at first, but she eventually nods and lets him go. Honestly, she shouldn't have believed this lie of his. She was far too wise and far too clever. But she had always trusted her father. In fact, she believed that he was the most honest and trustworthy man in the world. He sincerely hoped that one day she could forgive him for telling his first lie.
He only did it for her, after all.
Link isn't sure what does him in in the end. He recalls his breath turning heavy and his chest clenching up, but he feels like that can mean any number of things. Besides, it hardly seems worth dwelling on once he realizes where he's woken up.
The sky is a beautiful shade of blue. So magnificent and rich in its color. The only thing he can think to compare it to is Zelda's eyes when they sparkle with joy. And he's surrounded by trees. Mighty trees that stretch up and scrape that beautiful sky with their branches of emerald leaves. And Link can recognize that they're not just any trees. They're Ordonian trees. He can tell by their shape, as well as the wonderful earthy scent that they produce.
But again, none of this really matters to him. Not when he realizes that his head is resting in a woman's lap. A lovely woman with a lovely voice, who is softly humming him a lullaby while she gently runs her fingers through his hair.
In any other circumstance, Link might have hastily sat up and turned to face her out of sheer desperation. But honestly, he's so stunned that he just continues to lay there. It certainly helps that everything seems so tranquil in this place.
"Zelda," he finally whispers, taking a long moment to drink up her image with his eyes. She's as beautiful as the day he lost her. "You're here."
His wife ceases her lullaby with a smile, although she continues to run her fingers through his hair. "Of course I am. I promised that I would always be with you, and I always have been."
Link swallows. This moment…it's everything he could have ever wanted. They're finally together again. It feels so simple, but it means the world to him. He's been longing for this for years. He has so much he wants to say to her. And yet, somehow, his mind goes blank. He has no idea what to say. No idea what to do.
In the end, the only thing he can think to say is, "Did you get the messages?"
She laughs that same laugh that he's heard a thousand times since the day she died. Zelda's laugh.
"Every word."
Link can only smile back. He soon closes his eyes, losing himself in her gentle touch. "Well…then I suppose we don't have a lot of catching up to do."
But Zelda laughs some more and shakes her head. "On the contrary, I was hoping that you'd tell me those stories again. Over and over and over. I'll never tire of them."
Link feels his heart beat strong and happy. He slowly reaches up and squeezes one of Zelda's hands in his own. To little surprise, her requests are so simple. This is something that he's certain he can do.
"I feel a little sorry though," Link admits. "Leaving her behind like that…Do you think she'll be all right without me around?"
Zelda uses her free hand to cup his cheek before placing a kiss on his forehead. "You wouldn't be here right now if you believed otherwise."
Link smiles as he closes his eyes for the final time. As always, she knows him so well. And it's acknowledging this, while resting peacefully in Zelda's embrace, that he finally allows himself to become whole once more.
And he never shattered again.
A while back, I was thinking about how I had seen some people depict "what if Link dies and leaves Zelda alone with the kid", and then suddenly I felt compelled to explore the opposite. A story where Zelda dies and leaves Link all alone. And, well, this is the result.
For this story, I wanted to focus on all the ways that someone can be blessed, even in spite of enduring a heavy loss. Here, Link lost his wife, but in return he gained a daughter. And while I don't want to say that those things are necessarily comparable, I do think that there is an inherent beauty in appreciating what you have rather than constantly reflecting on what is lost. I hope that my writing was able to convey that at least somewhat coherently.
The cover art is a panel from the TP manga that was graciously and beautifully colored in by my buddy, Hygirl. Isn't it just incredible? Hy's work can be found on tumblr under the username hylaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa (that's with 20 a's lol) and you can also find their fanfic works on AO3 under the username hiya_girlie. Hy has written some amazing TP Zelink one-shots so I beg all of you to please please please go out and show them some support. They absolutely deserve it! :)
Anyway, that's about all I have to say. Thanks for reading!