#And thus he ended up in termina whoops

[dadith]

Things change

It seems going back home wasn’t truly an option.

PART 1

bonus:

[universal-kitty]

   I see nice tags from @blackquills-wife, I want to keep writing ideas. So have a bunch of headcanons/fun facts about my SI-OCs for LoZ!!! Cause I’m thinking a LOT about this series rn. Obviously.

The very first incarnation of Ethel in the timeline- during the wars of Demise and Hylia- was a sickly young woman. Separated from humanity when Skyloft was formed (she didn’t get on the land in time to ascend with the rest of them), that is what made her within reach for Orona to obtain her soul.

This implies that she died just as young as the First Hero.

Originally, Ethel was supposed to be the “failed” heroine for Orona, where Aquaria was supposed to succeed. Over the years, they’ve both grown to have their darker moments and their brighter, happier moments.

Ethel is the name for most of the incarnations of Orona’s heroine. However, there’s also Evadne (Majora’s Mask and A Link Between Worlds), Aquaria (toon series), and Saorise (Link to the Past + The Legend of Zelda & Adventure of Link).

Ethel (and her incarnations) typically are paired with one: Link. However, this romance is typically unrequited...

Aquaria- when in a Four Swords deal- typically falls for Purple/Violet Link, addressing her connections to Orona. The only time this changes is in Tri-Force Heroes, where she ends up dating Blue. (Due to her name connection and the fact Vio isn’t canon to the game...for some reason...)

She’s also had a crush on Vaati. Again, with the purples.

In Skyward Sword, Ethel moves on from her crush on Link thanks to Groose, who also had moved on from his feelings for Zelda during the course of the story. They end up married and with kids...who would one day become the Gerudo race.

(Fi is just a major AU bc I think that sword spirit is really dang cute.)

There’s also Princess Ruto of the Zora from OoT... In one timeline, that sure happened.

Ganondorf is a minor crush throughout the main storyline, but Ethel’s incarnation in Hyrule Warriors has it for the King quite badly. (As well as a small crush on the hero, as usual.)

BotW sees Ethel fall for Link and Sidon...because really, who wouldn’t? (As well as a Gerudo OC I’m still trying to make, whoops.)

It’s said that- some 10,000 years ago- she also was deeply in love with a certain king from the desert..... Hmm! (BotW 2, help me.)

Over the years, various weapons and steeds have been bequeathed to these cursed heroines. Here are some notable ones:

Arion: A black and white pinto stallion from Ocarina of Time and BotW. A horse with attitude, he’s known to be rather troublesome and sassy, but does his best to make room for that and assisting his rider, Ethel.

Ghost Reaver: Ethel’s destined sword (the Master Sword to her Link) and originally introduced in Skyward Sword, with a sword spirit by the name of Castalia. Though now dormant for centuries- much like Fi- her being still echoes through the blade with a comforting, assuring warmth... Legends like to say the Ghost Reaver can cut down any foe- alive or dead- with ease. Thus, the blade’s name.

Raim: Aquaria’s bird companion in Wind Waker and Phantom Hourglass. Large enough to ride, Aquaria can ride him instead of using a boat, which makes her seasick. He isn’t one for strangers, but adores Aquaria and is very protective of her.

Shadow Bow: Detailed in Hyrule Warriors, this bow allows Aquaria to shot arrows coated in black-purple malice at her enemies. The bow glows in the same energy. Tales say this bow and it’s supply of arrows feed off of anger and darkness to power it...

Celestial Cleaver: Named in HW, this is Evadne’s secondary weapon. It’s a blade that shines like an opal, with a decorated hit and guard. There seems to be a language on the blade, but none but Evadne, Fierce Deity, and the Giants can read it.

Trident of the Giants: A rare, four-pronged trident built in reverence to the Giants of Termina, wielded by Evadne, named in HW. This is her primary weapon. It’s a rust-red color (matching the giant’s skin color) except for the tips, which fade into a light green color.

Unnamed Loftwing: Ethel’s Loftwing in Skyward Sword. Though given no name (or perhaps, one that is lost to history), they made themselves remembered through time with his coloration: black with purple sheen in the light. Tailed, with red eyes, too; worried as a bad omen, but was simply Ethel’s temperamental partner. Over time, that became that. A calm creature, nurturing and sweet... Though nervous around strangers.

Honestly, pretty close to Impa, through the timelines. Sort of like a distant relative, where they’re awkward around each other, but do care, when it comes down to it. Impa is an inspiration for Ethel, and she has a motherly sort of view on Ethel, wishing her the best for the journey ahead.

Ethel once had a crush on Sheik. Never lived it down when the truth was revealed... (Though was one of her own incarnations earliest realizations of, “Oh, I am...not straight, actually.” Especially considering- in one timeline- she’d later fall for Princess Ruto.)

In Twilight Princess, Ethel takes on the form of a panther in the twilight. (It’s because I’m cat obsessed. We know this.) Alina is her companion of the twilight. (A Twili banished from her homeland many years ago. She’s survived by staying out of the sun, hiding in caves and tunnels.)

In OoT, Ethel has a fairy named Thera. Like how Navi is short for “Navigation”, Thera is short for “Therapist.” Because damn she be needing one...

Modern AU Ethel is a Mess. Orona gives her no peace.

Speaking of the Fourth, Exiled Goddess-!! She had a lover, once. Not Demise, but a being named Ryleh. Her powers influenced his creation- much in a similar way of Demise and the other three with Hylia- and the two ended up falling in love.

Orona- in my view- is a representative of Darkness and Shadow. And though there is some evil tied in there, it is not ALL of who she is. A misunderstanding that’s only gotten worse over the years, to the point where her existence has been denied in later years. (For an idea of this, by OoT, it’s but a little known myth. By the first of each three timelines post-OoT, it’s essentially gone from all records.)

Orona is sweet, just misled. Thinking she’s doing good when she is creating chaos and cruelty. Instead of being corrected, she was shunned and banished for her wrongdoing.

...Despite this, she took the soul of who would eventually become Ethel and waited. Because it didn’t take long for Orona to miss her sisters, and long to be with them again.