The Legend of Zelda: Fate's Design

by Opal223

"How powerful a love like that must be; to easily transcend the barrier between life and death...How lost and unsure she must feel…of her worth or sense of being, perhaps? Maybe I would feel the same way had I lost Ilia to death or someone else precious to me? The only difference is...I have never been in love..." **Mostly TP Link's POV. Set after events of Twilight Princess.

45. Chapter 45

Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda Series or its characters. I also do not own "Beauty and the Beast", "Les Miserables", or any other musical or piece of music mentioned in this story. This story is purely for entertainment purposes only.

Hello, everyone! Thank you again for your continued support! I am having so much fun writing the latter half of this fanfiction! After such a long hiatus with many life changes, I am happy to have the chance to pick up this hobby again. My husband has been my biggest support, for which I am so thankful. As always, please leave a review! I'd love to hear what you think! Enjoy chapter 45! ~Opal

Chapter 45: The Aftermath

Link's POV

I woke up in the hospital the next morning. I was still in a lot of pain, but the red potion the three of us were each given as soon as we arrived is really helping. I'm incredibly thankful that no one else was severely injured or killed, but I can't help but feel angry with myself for Colin and Sally getting hurt. I sat up and moaned in pain as I looked around the room. That's going to hurt for a while. I noticed that my sword, shield, and other belongings were in the corner of the room. Some guards must have gathered them for us. I heard a knock at my door and said, "come in."

"Someone missed you." The doctor came in. "I tried telling her that she should also be getting bed rest, but she kept on going on about how she should 'have the right to see her fiance'." He chuckled. He turned to let Sally inside and she slowly entered the room and smiled at me. "I'll leave you two be." He shut the door.

"Good morning." She said quietly as she walked up, her hand against her side as she favored her rib.

"Good morning." I replied. I could see the cuts and bruises on her more clearly today. "Are you okay, sweetheart?"

She yawned. "Yes. Just sore and tired, but that's nothing compared to you." She sat on the bed.

"I'm doing just fine!" I teased her, but I wasn't fooling her as I tried to turn myself to sit on the edge of the bed with her. "Ow ow ow!" I yelped.

She giggled and then trembled, putting her hand to her side again. "I guess we're both a little beat up, huh?" We made eye contact.

I leaned my face into hers and locked lips with her, kissing her tenderly. "I'm sorry you ended up getting injured." I whispered as I pressed my forehead to hers.

"I'm not sorry that I did." She rubbed noses with me. "You spend all your time taking care of others, it's about time someone takes care of you."

"But you already do." She looked at me quizzically, so I kissed her harder, gently licking her lips as she opened her mouth to welcome my tongue. We French kissed for a minute and then stopped kissing. I opened my eyes first and watched her slowly open hers. I caressed her cheek. "You take care of me by loving me." She closed her eyes and leaned towards my hand against her cheek with the corners of her lips slightly upturned. Suddenly my communication orb started going off, so Sally stood up to try and get it. "Sally, you don't need to do that." I looked at her with concern as she tightly shut her eyes from the pain.

"I'm okay." She slowly made her way over. She grunted as she bent down to grab my communication orb and stood back up with it in her hands. "Hello?"

"Sally!" Midna's voice replied. "Curtis called Jeremy this morning and told him what happened. Are you two doing alright?"

"We're doing okay. Really sore, but we're doing okay."

"Thank the Goddesses!" She sighed. "I mean, really though...we know how much you two love each other, no sense in risking life and limb all the time!" Sally laughed slightly but let out a whimper and started to cough. "I probably shouldn't have made you laugh."

"No, Midna. I really do appreciate you making things light-hearted." She retorted. "Unfortunately, laughing is just not easy right now."

"Dang. That sucks." She said. "Is Link nearby?"

"Yes. I'm sorry. It'll just take me a second."

"As expected." She paused. "Not to worry."

Sally beamed at me as she slowly walked my way, handing me the communication orb. "Hey Midna."

"Link, you're an idiot."

I was perturbed. "What?"

"I already know for a fact that you didn't let her fight with you initially." She groaned. "Had Jeremy done that to me he would have been sleeping on the couch for the next month!"

I shut both of my eyes and grimaced, feeling like I was a child being chastised. "Midna...there was more to the situation than that..." Sally interjected in my defense.

"I know enough to know that it would have pissed me off if Jeremy did that. Link, we all know that you value your ability to protect others, but sometimes you need to accept help from those who care about you."

"Mid-" Sally began.

"Curtis told me how worried sick you were." Midna interrupted. "Link...just don't worry her so much when she's your wife, okay? We ladies can kick ass, too!"

"Yes ma'am." I replied, looking at Sally.

"Thank you, Midna..." Sally said, her voice breaking as her eyes filled with tears. I put my arm around her as she sniffled. "E-enough about us, though. How's the baby?"

"We had a healthy baby boy!" She exclaimed.

"Congratulations." We both said at the same time.

She chuckled. "I can't wait to introduce you both to him at your wedding."

"I look forward to that." I said, looking at Sally and rubbing her back as the tears kept falling from her cheeks.

"Me too." Sally mumbled.

"Glad to hear you're doing okay. Now get some rest, you two. Bye!"

We said goodbye to her, and the call ended. I put my communication orb on my pillow, turned to face perpendicular to her, and wrapped her in my arms as she laid her head on my chest, holding her from the side as she cried. "I'm sorry..."

"It's okay." She shut her eyes and nuzzled her face back into my chest. "I'm just glad you're safe."

We stayed like that for a few minutes and then I heard another knock at the door. We came out of our embrace. "Come in." I called.

Colin stepped in through the door, his hand wrapped in fresh bandages. He smiled at us both. "Good morning, you two."

"Good morning." I spoke. "How's the hand?"

"Sore, but better than it was." He gently rubbed it with his other hand.

"That's good." My mouth upturned.

Sally nodded, not looking up. "Yes. That's good."

Colin noticed that she had been crying. "What did he do, Sally?"

She looked up with tears welling in her eyes. "You both have been worrying me sick!" She sniffled and reached up to wipe her tears.

I reached up and wiped her tears with my fingers. "You don't need to worry." I kissed her on the cheek.

"She's still going to worry, Link." Colin crossed his arms, walking up to Sally and placing his hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, Sally. We're both okay."

She looked at him. "Thank you so much for all that you did to help me, Colin." She then turned to me. "And thank you for being my hero and the love of my life." I rubbed her shoulder and she started to cry again, putting her hands to her face and finally leaning against meas she sobbed.

Colin furrowed his brows. "She's pretty shaken up, isn't she?"

"Yeah." I replied as I placed my hand on her head and began to stroke her hair.

"I'll leave you two be for a while." He smiled at me and left the room, shutting the door.

I stopped stroking her hair and turned so she could rest her head back on my chest. She did so as she continued to cry, traumatized by everything that happened last night. I slowly ran my fingertips up and down the length of her arm to comfort her. She started to fall asleep and I chuckled quietly to myself. I struggled to lift her and lay us down in bed but was able to manage. Her eyes scrunched while she was asleep and she woke up with her face on my chest as she laid on me. "I'm sorry, Sally. I didn't mean to hurt you. I was trying to make you more comfortable." I rubbed her head.

She looked up at me and shook her head. "You don't need to be sorry. It's just been painful to lay down with this rib. I've been having to sit up in bed. It's why I'm been so tired this morning."

"Oh." I said.

She winced again as she turned herself onto her left side, laying her head on my chest. "Maybe it'll be better if I lay like this and keep the pressure off of my rib."

"That's a good idea." I said, reaching with my right hand to gently rub her side up by her rib cage, hoping to help relieve some of the pain from her rib.

Both of our faces were flushed as she sighed contentedly. "Thank you, Link. I love you."

"I love you, too." I watched her eyes get droopy and fall back asleep as I continued to rub her. I stopped 5 minutes after she closed her eyes to make sure she was in a deep sleep. I guess she needed that...I just laid there for another minute until I also fell asleep.

I was asleep with her for a couple of hours and didn't even hear the doctor knock and then come into the room. "Sir Link." He whispered.

I opened my eyes and stared at him in shock, reddening self-consciously. "I-I'm sorry, sir. She fell asleep, and I did, too."

He smiled with his lips. "No worries. I brought you some pain medicine. Take it when you need it." He placed a bottle on my nightstand.

I bobbed my head. "Thank you."

He left the room and ran into a nurse before shutting the door. "Miss Sally's in here with her fiance."

"Oh good." The nurse responded with a sigh. "I was worried when I didn't see her in her hospital room..." The door shut and I didn't hear anything more.

A couple of minutes later I heard another knock. "Come in." I said.

In stepped Colin. He looked up at us and his eyes widened, but he blinked and smiled. "How is she doing?" He spoke in a hushed tone as he walked up to us.

"Fast asleep." I smiled.

"Good." He looked at me. "I came to tell you that Rusl, Uli, Curtis, Tilanya, Martha, David, Ilia, and Evan are here to visit us. They have been spending time with me, but they want to visit with you and Sally."

"Oh!" I said with surprise. I gently tapped Sally's cheek. "Sally, wake up."

She opened her eyes, saw that Colin was in the room and was instantly embarrassed. "Sorry!" She tried to quickly get off of me, clutching at her rib cage. "Ouch!" She cried out. I groaned as I sat up and placed my hand on her shoulder. She looked back at me and beamed.

"You're good." Colin smiled as we both sat on the edge of the bed. "We just have some visitors."

They came inside and gave us each a hug. David lightly punched me in the arm. "I didn't know hospital beds were double occupancy now!" He winked at us.

Sally and I blushed. "Um..." I began.

"Oh, shush!" Martha playfully poked him in the arm and grabbed his hand. "They've been through a lot."

He huffed jokingly. "You're right." He kissed her on the cheek.

"You two really need to stop scaring everyone!" Curtis cackled with a grin. "I forbid near-death experiences for the next 6 months!"

We all burst out laughing, Sally and I both shutting our eyes tightly from our afflictions.

The three of us were in the hospital for a week with the help of strong medication and potions and were released 3 weeks before the wedding. I was so happy to be able to function without being in pain, as was Sally, and Colin's hand was healing well.

Another two weeks have passed since and Sally has been slowly moving more of her things into our home. I can't believe it's only 7 days until I get to marry her! I am so excited, anxious, impatient; God, I'm feeling a whole whirlwind of emotions! I got up out of bed and got dressed. Today I'm heading out to castle town early to talk to the royal family about setting up a surprise for Sally on our wedding day and then I'm going to Sally's house this afternoon to help her move some of her clothes. I slung my sword and shield over my shoulders and popped on my hat, headed out the door, and then unhitched and mounted Epona. I rode off towards Hyrule Castle and arrived around 9:30am. I came up to the entrance to Hyrule Castle and a couple of guards standing guard smiled at me. I then instantly recognized them through their full suits of armor. "Hey, you guys!"

Gregory and Thomas smirked and each gave me a thumbs up. Thomas spoke first. "What brings you here a week before the big day, Sir Link?"

"I'm here to talk to the King of Hyrule." I answered.

They both frowned. "You're not still mad about the 'expectations' placed on you and your future wife, are you?" Gregory asked, using air quotes.

"Don't worry; it's not about that." I said, waving my hand.

"Okay, good." He let out a huff of respite.

I turned to Thomas. "Did you talk to your ex-girlfriend?"

He grinned. "Yes. I brought flowers to her place and asked to talk."

"And?" I nodded for him to continue.

"I apologized and told her how much she means to me and then insisted that I take her out to dinner." He sniffled with a grateful smile as he wiped a tear. "We're back together and stronger than ever!"

I flashed my teeth. "I'm so happy for you!"

"So what do you need to talk to the King about?" Gregory pried.

"I'm planning something special for Sally and need his help."

"Something special?" They both looked at me with wonder, very interested in what it entailed.

I laughed, taking out our duet piece and holding it up in front of them. "Sally and I are going to sing this duet on our wedding day."

Gregory studied it for a minute with his finger to his chin. "Yep, it's music, alright!"

I gazed at him with a raised brow. "You don't know how to read music, I'm guessing?"

"Nope!" He chortled. "Not a clue!"

"But I do!" Thomas held out his hand and I handed the piece to him. He looked at it and nodded. "Let me guess, you're going to see if the royal symphony can accompany you?"

"Bingo!" I grinned widely.

"How Romantic!" Gregory said in a daze as he exhaled piningly.

"Good choice, Sir Link!" Thomas winked, handing me back the piece of music.

"Let him go now, Thomas!" Gregory put his hand on Thomas' shoulder and then placed his other hand over his heart, looking up to the sky. "Our valiant hero has an important mission to fulfill! A mission of LOVE!" He yelled the last word.

Thomas and I started cracking up at the sight. "You'll have to forgive us, Sir Link. Samantha is visiting him from Termina this week and he can hardly focus on his duties!"

I laughed. "So, things are getting serious already?"

"Yes!" He put his hand to his heart. "I offered for her to stay at my place, and we slept in the same bed last night!" He swooned.

Thomas put his hand on my shoulder. "Better head in there before Prince Charming starts reciting a sonnet!" We both chuckled and I started walking into the castle.

I spoke to the King, Zelda, and Anton and they were all agreeable on the symphony accompanying us for our duet but insisted that they do a reception for us at the castle as well. I was pleasantly surprised. "Are you sure, your highness?" I questioned, lowering my head a bit in shame. "Even after I expressed my uneasiness with what you said you needed from Sally and me?"

"Of course," King Rupert replied. "I understood your reaction. You're nervous because you're soon going to be a married man. We want to celebrate the two of you!"

"Thank you, your highness." I beamed. "I humbly accept your offer!"

Zelda and Anton looked at each other and smiled. Zelda spoke up. "I'll take care of catering the food and Anton will help me arrange other music to be played by the symphony. It will be a stupendous reception! She'll be delighted, I'm sure!"

"Thank you both." I nodded my head. "I'm really looking forward to everything!"

I left Hyrule Castle feeling accomplished and jubilant. I waved goodbye to Thomas and Gregory and left Castle Town to mount Epona and head to Sally's house. I never thought in my life that I would be in this moment...getting ready to get married and settle down with the love of my life. I really didn't think something so extraordinary and yet ordinary for many was possible for someone like me. Before her I had resolved to be alone, and I was very jaded. I'm so thankful that I was wrong. Fate has brought her to me, and I will never let her go. I exhaled and looked up at the sky as I rode, embracing the sunshine and this overwhelming feeling of happiness in my heart. What did I do to be blessed with the presence of this woman? This sassy but compassionate, thoughtful, funny, brave, talented and beautiful woman...and to think that I get to love her and be loved by her in return!

I arrived at the farmhouse in Eldinaire and knocked on the front door. Sally opened the door and hugged me tightly. "One more week!" She squealed.

I laughed as we hugged, rubbing her back. I faced her and stared intently, stroking her cheek with my palm. "One week left until you're my wife!" She jumped at me. "Woah!" I exclaimed, catching her by the thighs with my arms as she wrapped her legs around me, locking her lips with mine. She exhaled through her nose with satisfaction as we continued to smooch. After a minute, I set her down and pecked her cheek. "I can hardly wait!"

"Me, neither!" She laid her head on my shoulder as I held her.

We then went inside, and Curtis and a woman got up from the couch and each gave me a hug. "My soon-to-be son-in-law!" I grinned at him with my lips.

The woman's name was Margaret. She and Curtis were childhood sweethearts before she moved away and he then met Charlotte, and now after 26 years apart they were dating. Sally told me the story of how they reunited several weeks ago:

Curtis was visiting Castle Town one day getting some supplies for the farm. As he was walking down the cobblestone streets he heard a voice mumble "Curtis...is that you?"

He turned around and saw a woman about his age, holding a basket of fruit by the handle with both hands, her long brown hair blowing in the wind. "Margaret? It's been 26years since I last saw you. How are you?"

"I'm doing well." She blushed. "And you?"

"I'm doing great. Preparing for my daughter's wedding." He smiled.

"I'll bet she's excited."

"Yes. She found a keeper." He grinned. "Something we all wish for our children, huh?"

"I don't have any children." She answered.

"Did you and your husband decide not to?" He asked.

"I've never been married." She looked down at the fruit.

"What?!" He said in shock. "How's that possible? Surely you've found someone in your life, I would think."

She shook her head and then looked back at the fruit, looking bashful. "I couldn't...my heart was already taken long ago."

"Did you find him?" He questioned. "Living life alone wouldn't be a pleasant thing."

"It was you, Curtis." She said boldly, looking him earnestly in the eyes. "It's always been you."

He was flabbergasted. "I-"

"I had heard from the grapevine that you had met Charlotte and were smitten, so I never reached out again, even after moving back to Hyrule; I knew it was too late." She took a step closer to him as they both reddened. "My heart ached for you when you lost her. I can't imagine what losing a spouse feels like, and I almost reached out then, but heard that you had tried to find another to give your daughter a mother-figure."

"Which was a mistake." He retorted. "My whole second marriage was a mistake."

"I've never forgotten you, Curtis." She laid her hand on his shoulder. "I would like to come back into your life, if you'll have me."

He pulled her in and kissed her, causing her to drop the basket of fruit. "Yes. I would very much like that, Margaret."

She smiled. "Me too." He knelt down to the ground and helped her pick up the fruit.

End of Flashback

He looked so happy to have her by his side and for once, Sally was happy, too. We both have gotten to know her, and she is a very kind and selfless individual.

Curtis nudged my arm. "Are you nervous? It's just a week away."

"Yeah, but I feel like I'm floating, too." I said shyly.

"That's normal." He smiled as he looked at both Sally and me. "There's always a lot of anticipation leading up to the big day."

"Thank you for coming over to help, Honey." Sally took my hand.

I brought her hand to my lips and kissed it. "Of course. Anything for you."

Curtis put his hands on his hips and smirked, looking back at Margaret as they both laughed softly. Sally and I both reddened and we walked to her bedroom and left the two of them there. Sally's room was almost completely empty now, save for four suitcases on the bed, two small and two large. She set one of the small ones aside. "These are my clothes for the rest of the week while I live my last days here, so that won't need to go yet." She beamed at me.

I stared into her eyes and grabbed her hand. "So, the other ones are going?"

"Yes." She said. I let go of her hand as she walked over to her closet and grabbed the last item of clothing, her winter coat. "And this, too."

I grabbed both large suitcases in my hands. "Ready?" She nodded as she grabbed the other small suitcase and carried her coat. We attached the suitcases to both Epona's and Biscuit's saddles with rope and mounted them, heading for Ordon Village. Part way along our ride there, one of the ropes snapped from overuse and the small suitcase came crashing down to the ground from Epona's saddle, bursting open and clothing strewn on the ground. I quickly stopped Epona and dismounted to pick it up. Sally stopped Biscut, dismounted and came to help me. She shrieked and I felt the heat rise to my cheeks when we saw the contents; it was full of socks and...her undergarments.

"Oh, Goddesses!" She said with humiliation. "You weren't supposed to see that!" She knelt to the ground and started to put them back. I knelt down with her and helped her, my hands shaking as I touched some of her underwear and corsets. Some of them were plain, but there were a couple that were more ornately made with lace. I blushed madly imagining her in them. When we picked everything up she examined the suitcase and saw that one of the latches had broken when it met the ground, causing her unmentionables to make a surprise appearance. She put her hands to her face in shame. "I'm sorry, Link. I'm sure that was awkward."

"I-I-It's okay." I stammered, improper thoughts swirling in my mind.

"I was really hoping you wouldn't see all of that." She huffed with one hand resting on her crimson cheek. I felt inclined to say something to reassure her, but I couldn't stop thinking about her in that underwear. I took a deep breath and heaved it out. "Are you okay, Link?"She looked into my eyes.

"W-w-will I get to see you in them on our w-wedding night?" I stuttered.

She looked like she was going to faint, her face resembling a juicy red apple. "L-Link..." She fumbled for words.

"I really hope so." I looked away from her, my face painted scarlet. I picked up the suitcase and grabbed another rope out of a pack on Epona's saddle as she remained sitting on the ground, her mouth wide open in amazement. I tied the rope around the suitcase to keep it from bursting open again and grabbed another to once again tie it to Epona's saddle. I went over to her and held out my hand. "Would you like some help?"

She grabbed my hand and I helped her up, her face still hot pink. "Thank you." She looked at me and then turned away shyly. We mounted our horses and continued to our house.

When we arrived I helped her carry the suitcases inside and into the bedroom, leaving her to unpack as I sat in the living room on the couch. I tried to distract myself with a book but kept on thinking about what I said to her every couple of sentences. I facepalmed after setting the book in my lap. I think I came on too strong; I shouldn't have voiced my naughty desires to her. I was brought back to reality when she came out of the bedroom. "Link, can I talk to you for a minute?"

I gulped. "Y-yeah." I hesitated for a second, got up and walked towards her.

She looked me in the eyes and kissed me passionately at the doorway. She then took my hands and brought me into the bedroom, her face red. "I came up with an answer...and I want you to pick which one."

I was puzzled as she gestured towards the bed. I took in a breath of surprise as I saw two sets of lace underwear on the bed with matching corsets. "What?" Was all I could say.

"I'd like you to pick which I should wear on our wedding night." She looked at me and then looked away bashfully.

"I-I..." I tugged at my shirt collar. "I don't feel qualified to make this decision."

She fidgeted with her fingers. "Well, you are going to be my husband in a week." She kissed me on the cheek. "So, I'd say you're qualified."

"I-I want you to pick." I replied. "Either one looks lovely."

"Okay." She gave me a peck on the lips.

I picked her up and she gasped as I laid her on the other side of the bed and lay on top of her as we kissed. "I'm looking forward to seeing you like that." I said as both of our faces reddened. We kissed again and laughed, enjoying the moment together.