Type: Short Story
Relationship: Zelink
Link sighed as he pulled on his boots. This was going to be a long day. As Captain of the Royal Guard, it was his duty to ensure everyone's safety. Even the other guard. And today it was going to be infinitely worse. Considering they were attacking the enemy head-on. Link straightened his cap. The enemy, a cult called the Yiga, had been preying on some of the smaller civilizations outside Castle Town. And recently, the King's appointed spies had done their job to locate the Yiga's base. Now as Head of the Royal Guard, it was his job to storm it head on.
Grabbing his sword and slinging it over his back, Link left the training room and headed towards the armory. Once he arrived, he immediately shoved open the door. "ATTENTION!" The 30 or so half-dressed Royal Guards immediately snapped up into position. "Yes, Sir!" Link fully entered the room and began to pace around, his hands behind his back. "Our job as the Royal Guard is to protect the people. We get in, rescue the citizens, and get out. We will not kill unless needed. The King's orders are to scare them off. Capture anyone remaining by the time we are finished, as we might need them for information." Link stopped pacing and faced the group. "Do I make myself clear?" The soldiers all nodded. "Sir, yes Sir!"
"Good. Now finish getting ready, and do NOT, I repeat DO NOT, forget your shields." Link finished and left the room. Those guards needed to learn a few things, but they were the best out there. Now there was one more stop to make before heading out. He began the ascent up the many flights of stairs to the princesses' room.
Upon finally reaching the top, he steeled himself and knocked on her door, before kneeling down and bowing his head. Not only was he the captain of the guards, he was also the princesses' appointed knight, sworn to protect her at all costs. The only problem was...well, the princess was incredibly adventurous and would often sneak out of the castle unnoticed. He was here today to ensure that it wouldnothappen. The door slowly creaked open, pulling Link out of his thoughts. "Link!" The princess, Zelda, had appeared in the doorframe. Link glanced up. "Permission to stand, your Majesty?"
"Of course, Link." She exclaimed with a smile. "And I've already said you can just call me Zelda."
"Thank you princess, but that would be disloyal."
"Seriously Link?" She covers her mouth to hide a laugh.She's so cute."That's a new one!" Zelda grabs Link's hands in her own. "You're myfriendLink. Youknowthat."
I wish I could be...
No. I can't be having thoughts like that. I could get beheaded for treason!Link stood up and kissed Zelda's hand, trying to hide his blush. "Thank you, but we both know your father wouldnotlike that. My job is to protect you." Link clearly states. "Speaking of safety, I need you to promise me something."
"And why should I, the princess of Hyrule, promiseyousomething?" The joke in Zelda's voice is clear. "Princess, please." Link repeats.This is no time for jokes."I need you to promise me you won't sneak out today, as I can't watch you during the battle."
"Is that all? Fine." Zelda consents. "But you'll owe me something."
"Whatever it is, it can wait." Link sighed, relieved. "Permission to leave?"
"Permission granted."
"Donotmake a sound." Link whispered to his fellow guards as they crept through the trees. The hideout had been found to be a secret base underground, in the remains of a deserted cave. What they had to do was simple. Get in, save people, get out. Undetected. Easy enough right?
Wrong.
Everything started to go awry the moment they spotted the hideout. A soldier in the back of the group suddenly stood straight up. "NOW!" With a shout, he disappeared in a cloud of dust, his laughter echoing behind him. A couple of other soldiers disappeared along after.
Crap.
Link smacked his head. He should have known. They had been betrayed. "Charge!" Link shouted to the remaining soldiers. With a ground shaking yell, they ran forwards, charging through the onslaught of arrows, Link in the lead.They were so close to the cave, if only they could just push through!A large group of Yiga appeared in front of them.We have no choice but to keep going.Jumping past the first few, Link drew his sword and leapt into the fray. Swords were clashing, and blood was flying everywhere. It was a slaughter, but who was on the worse end he couldn't tell. Turning his focus back to the burly Yiga he was fighting, Link gritted his teeth as he dodged another slash. The Blademaster was weak. Weak, pathetic and slow. His swings were easy to dodge, his hits were easy to parry, every move was a breeze to counter. Quickly dispatching him, Link rushed towards the cave. "I'll take care of the prisoners! Hold them off!" He shouted before he flew to the ground. Picking himself up, Link felt a searing pain in his back. Feeling for the supposed wound, he found something wet dripping down his skin and soaking his uniform. Ignoring the pain, he felt for the wound.
An arrow.
Shit.
He had been shot.
Steeling his nerves, Link slowly heaved his body off the ground, despite the pain blasting through his spine.There was no time to deal with it now. The prisoners were in desperate need of help, and he could easily get it bandaged up back at the castle.
He began to shamble into the cave.
The hideout was like a maze. Sandy corners heading in every direction, looking identical. Luckily, it seemed all the Yiga were outside fighting, so he had time. Besides, the maze was relatively easy to figure out, considering those oafs had carved a banana into only one of the pathways, and Link hadn't met any dead ends following it yet.Ugh.The pain was getting worse. His walk slowed to a limp, and he was starting to get dizzy from blood loss.
And, just in time, he reached the final cavern. Looking around, Link quickly located the cells. The poor civilians looked up through the wooden bars in hope as he limped forwards, raising his sword, preparing to break down the bars.
"Oh, I would reconsider that if I were you."
An empty voice sounded in Link's ear. Whipping around as fast as his injury would permit him, Link took up the defensive stance. It was a Yiga. Bigger and burlier than the other Blademasters, his mask had a sort of ornament sprouting from the top, and he emanated an aura ofpower.
He must be their leader.
"Andwhy,you might ask?" The Yiga stepped aside to reveal another human, hands chained together. Link recognized her immediately.
Princess Zelda.
Thoughts sped through his mind.
What was she doing here?
Why was she here?
How was she here?
What happened?
But most importantly,
She promised!
A sense of betrayal and anger were beginning to form in Link's mind.
"Let. Her. Go."
"Now,now!Let's not be so hasty! Don't you want to know my name?" The Yiga exclaimed.
"Not really."
"Tsk, tsk. So rude. I'll let you know anyway. My name is Sooga." The Yiga called Sooga began to pace around Zelda, who was looking at Link with fear in her eyes. "And, unlike my comrades, I have a sense of honor." Sooga stopped and looked Link dead in the eye. "We fight. Winner takes all. I win, I keep the prisoners,andyou. You win, You take the prisoners and I call off my men." Sooga finished. "Something we can agree on,Captain?"
"You release them,unharmed?"Link asked questioningly.
Sooga nodded solemnly. "Unharmed."
"Alright then." If that was what it took, he would agree. Readying his sword; Link took up his stance, realizing too latehehad forgotten a shield.That was gonna come back to bite him. Sooga leapt forwards right off the bat, bringing down two massive katanas Link's height. Link dodged the first easily, but had to block the second. Sooga was strong, pushing the sword down hard, almost breaking Link's defenses. But not quite. And that was his mistake. Purposely letting Sooga 'break' his defense, Link hopped out of the way of the forceful swing. Now that that threat was out of the way, Link zoomed in on his senses bringing his sword down on Sooga as if in slow-motion.
Sooga gasped in pain as the blade hit him, but quickly disappeared; laughter bouncing off the walls behind him. Link turned around the room. He couldn't have gone far. A moment later, Sooga appeared. Right in front of him. Sword buried in his gut. Link gasped in surprise, blood spurting from his mouth.
"Surprise,Hero." An eerie laugh slipped from Sooga's lips.
No. Not like this.
It's not over as long as I'm alive. It's my duty as a knight.
Pulling himself off the end of Sooga's blade, Link promised he would live to see those prisoners free. Pulling out his bow, Link mustered up what little strength he had left, and hopped in the air.
Time seemed to slow down. Link painstakingly pulled his muscles taught as he aimed the bow.It was now or never.Letting go of the string, the sound whipped through the air as the arrow sped into the unsuspecting Sooga's head. The behemoth toppled over with one last grunt, dead.
Link landed on the ground, and nearly fell over in the process. Standing up, he turned around and cut open the bars. "Let's go." He grunted.He could do it. He just had to survive a little bit longer. Then, it was up to fate.
"You have failed. You have failed me, you have failed the kingdom, and you have failed my daughter." King Rhoam's voice seemed to echo throughout the entire kingdom.
It had been over a month since the rescue of the prisoners. Link, miraculously, had survived the whole ordeal, having been rushed to the healers the moment they had returned.
And here he stood.
Bowed on one knee before the King of Hyrule. His daughter, the cause of all this, standingoh soinnocently next to him, tears glistening in her eyes. "Your Majesty." Link muttered, grimacing. He was in trouble. Big trouble. The King of Hyrule stood up from his throne, a look of disappointment spread across his face. "I trusted you. I trusted you with the guard, I trusted you with my daughter. With her life." The King knelt down to Link's level, whispering. "And this is how you repay me?"
"Sir, I..."
"No." The King interrupted. "Youlet my daughter get captured.Youlet traitors join the guard.Youlet 30 young lives be lost."
"Sir, there were too many-"
"NO EXCUSES!" The king shouted. Clenching his fists, he steadied his breathing. "You will resign as Captain and as bodyguard. You may re-join the guard, but you will havenoauthority."
"But sir!" Link exclaimed.Why? I've worked so hard for this! I couldn't have known!
The King sighed. "It didn't have to come to this, Link. But you leave me with no choice. It is done." The King walked back over to his throne. "Begone from my sight. Leave me to think."
"Sir."
Link stood up as fast as his still-healing injuries would allow, and exited the room. "Link! Wait!" Zelda was hurrying after him, eyes dazzling with tears.She looked so pretty like that...If only he could've gotten to know her better.
"I'm sososorry!" Zelda exclaimed, pushing her face closer to his. "Please can you forgive me?"
Link's heart broke. "I'm sorry princess." Ignoring her pleas, Link turned away, leaving Zelda with her tears.
Link sighed. He was done with tears. They were of no use. But he couldn't help but to wallow in sorrow. His family was dead, and he had just lost the only job he knew how to do. He was dressed in dirty old clothes, hanging off his frail form. He was practically living on the streets!
Sighing again, Link laid his head back on the tree he was sitting under. The sky was so pretty this time of day, the pink and blue and purple dancing across the heavens. The wide expanse of Hyrule seemed to stretch on forever, not a soul in sight. It was...relaxing.
"What areyoudoing here?" A female voice startled Link out of his thoughts. Link whipped around, nearly smashing his head into the bark.It was her.
"Link?" The princess of Hyrule asked again, peering around from the other side of the tree.
"Ditching your guard again?" Link snorted.
"Yes, matter of fact." Zelda put her hands on her hips. "And you are?"
"Just out here living my best life." Link smirked.
"It would do you good to show the princess a little morerespect!"Zelda exclaimed, returning to her side of the tree. A moment later, a quiet sniffling sound could be heard.Great. Now I've done it. Making the princess cry.Link punched himself internally. Picking himself up, he made his way over to where Zelda sat, face buried in her hands.
"Princess." he murmured quietly, kneeling down beside her.
No answer.
"Zelda." Link finally consented. "You know, I used to think I had everything. I had a loving family, friends, and a home. Until that was all ripped away. My father, a loyal soldier, died in battle. His last wish was for me to take up the same role. I never wanted to." Zelda stopped sniffling, but didn't respond. Link continued. "And I know that you are dealing with the same thing. You're destined to seal the Calamity, but that destiny was forced upon you, wasn't it?"
Zelda nodded, starting to look up.
"And.." Link paused, tears starting to come to his eyes.He had been such a jerk."And it hurts. No friends. Everyone looking up to you, blaming you if they fail. I never wanted to draw the Master Sword. To me, that sword is a curse. It's the reason I've been so cold, never wanting to fail." Zelda's face appeared over her hands. "Now, that's no excuse for how I've been treating you." Link gulped. "What I'm trying to say is...I'm sorry."
Zelda was silent.
It seemed like Link was waiting in fear for hours until she finally replied.
"I forgive you."
Zelda leaned her head back on the tree.
"I'm sorry as well. I know you're going through a lot."
"Zelda." Link interrupted. "There's no need to apologize."
"Well I'm going to anyway."
Link smiled as he stood up. "I forgive you." He whispered, offering her a hand.
Zelda took it with a smile.
"Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?" Link asked, hauling her up.
"Well..." Zelda trailed off. "I know I broke the promise, buttechnicallyyou owe me something."
"And what would that be?"
Zelda, suddenly looking nervous, approached him slowly, hands behind her back.
Looking him in the face, she closed her eyes and...
...kissed him. On the lips.
Startled, Link tried to pull away, but she grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him in.
What was she doing! This was totally inappropriate!
But...I LOVE her...
With no other options, Link gave in to his feelings and kissed her back.
Time seemed to stop. Link felt like the night would go on, and so would the world, but they would still be there. Forever wordlessly confessing their love, they could just leave this world and it would survive without them.
He felt...normal.
Finally pulling away from the kiss, Link stared at the ground. "Zelda...Iloveyou." He confessed.
When he finally looked back up, Zelda was smiling. Smiling, tears in her eyes. "Then the feeling is mutual!" She exclaimed, rushing forwards into his arms.
Link smiled, hugging her back. He had never,neverdreamed she would like him back. He had never dared hope. Yet here he was. Confessing his love to the princess of Hyrule.
"You know your father wouldneverapprove, right?" Link asked. "Especially after what just happened?"
Zelda smiled mischievously. "He doesn't ever have to know."
Link sat down and glanced at his new girlfriend.
Things were starting to look up. The world could be after their heads tomorrow, but at least now, in this moment, they were inseparable.
For the first time in forever, Link had someone. Someone he loved. Someone he'd give the world to. Someone he'd die for. Hopefully, it wouldn't come to that, but for now he could relax.
Because he finally,finallyhad someone who cared for him.
And he would do anything for her.
They could worry about what would happen to them later.
Yet for now, he sat down with Zelda, and they watched the stars knowing this one peaceful moment would be shattered tomorrow when the King found out.
But today, that moment would last.
Forever.
Exactly 2800 words LET'S GOOOOOOOOO!
ThereMIGHTI repeatMIGHTbe a part 2, but we'll see!
Thanks for sticking with me this long, and I hope you enjoyed!
Peace.