#I also didn’t mind watching for the zelink too ;)

[kaykeecreates]

I love Legend of Zelda and I was super inspired to make Zelda’s white prayer dress from Breath of the Wild. It turned out really cute but wow it was difficult drafting my own pattern for it!

Out of all my ooak customs so far, my husband loves this one the best. I love her faceup; Zelda’s expression turned out perfectly wistful and Goldielocks from Ever After High was a perfect base.

[zellink]

to caress a thunderstorm

a post-botw zelink fic. [ one-shot // 13k words // E-rated for sexual content ]

>> Read on AO3

Summary: Zelda realizes that it doesn’t matter if they’re underneath the roof of the house, at a clothing boutique, in the secluded Sheikah village, or by the bay. It is the air that he carries around him that is warm and electric, emanating from the skin that wraps around his life force, his soul. So long as she stays by his side, it will always be that way. Two weeks before their journey to see the kingdom, a thunderstorm brews in their home.

Notes: I've been working on this for three weeks now and I'm so glad it's finally finished! Special thanks to @aquaticpal for beta'ing and helping me bring this piece to fruition. <3

to caress a thunderstorm

“Could you pass me the shears?”

They are kneeling in the dirt, by the bushes in front of the house that they now try to manicure into a neat hedgerow. Zelda’s hands are dirtied from planting seedlings of hydrangeas earlier, but it’s nothing compared to the soil that covers Link’s fingers, finding its way into the crevices underneath his nails.

She grabs the tool that lies not too far from her, and hands it to him. He grips it by the handles, mutters a thank you, and begins to trim off the leaves at the top.

“I never knew so much goes into shearing the perfect hedge,” Zelda says. She thinks of the hedges that once decorated the sprawling gardens of her now-destroyed castle. There was that one metal bench that she loved so well, cocooned in a hedgerow that formed a square, each shrub shaped like a cone and as tall as herself. She used to read a lot there, usually to avoid the man that she now shares a house with. She really took things for granted, back then. She took him for granted, too.

“Honestly, I didn’t know either. I usually just let them overgrow.” She watches the muscles in his arm flexing, the veins underneath his skin shifting as he cuts and cuts. “But I think it’s pretty straightforward. It’s just tedious.”

“Oh, well.” She purses her lips. “If you like it overgrown then we can leave it be. It’s your house, after all.”

Zelda has said this a few times before. The first one was born of a real worry that she was imposing on him. He was quick to assure her that she was not. The second and third and the next ones—well. They were still coming from a place in her mind that wouldn't stop whispering all sorts of doubt, but she also just wanted to hear him say it again, that’s all.

“It’s your house, too,” Link corrects her. His eyes do not leave the greenery in front of him, but there’s a slight smile on his lips. “And no, I don’t mind. Trimmed or not—either way looks good, I think.”

“Maybe we can let them grow out after this and see if that would look better?” she asks.

“Yeah, that’s a good idea.”

The shears are making their way to the end of the row, now—and she notices his brows furrowing in concentration as he attempts to shear a corner into a more rounded shape.

Three weeks ago, the sky turned crimson red for the last time before it made way for light and endless blue. Three weeks ago, she dropped to her knees, century-old exhaustion finally catching up to her. Three weeks ago, he caught her before she fully fell to the ground and cradled her in his arms—her tears absorbed by his blood-stained tunic.

Three weeks ago, she finally heard his voice after a hundred years of being robbed of hearing it, saying I may not remember enough, but I’m here, Zelda, I’m here.

Today, they are kneeling in the dirt, tending to their garden, the early autumn sun beating down their backs.

The breeze feels cool against her cheeks, where tears start to roll down. ********

In the evening, they cook prime meat roulade with pesto. She has always insisted on learning new recipes, eager to remedy her lack of cooking skills, so Link assigns her the task of crushing Hyrule herbs, chickaloo tree nuts, garlic, and salt in a mortar with a pestle. He prepares the meat with practiced ease—carefully slicing it into a long thin slab with a kitchen knife.

Zelda, meanwhile, is less graceful in the kitchen; she has to lean her entire body weight onto the pestle as she grinds the ingredients into a near-fine paste. It takes a bit of time to do so, and in her periphery she sees him finish slicing the meat, so she picks up the pace and grinds and grinds, feeling the muscles in her arm burn.

Link laughs—a beautiful sound, albeit still a little foreign to her. “Take your time. This meat isn’t going anywhere.”

She'll have to get used to that, Link laughing freely. Just like she'll have to get used to watching the swell and fall of his chest underneath his tunic.

Once she’s done, she slides the mortar to him, and he begins to spread the green paste onto the meat.

It’s strange, she thinks, as she watches him meticulously slather the sauce onto the surface, careful not to miss a spot. Those hands, those fingers. Calloused and crisscrossed with scars. Capable of cooking the best dishes she’s ever tasted. Capable of pulling the holiest sword known to man out of its pedestal.

Capable of divine wrath.

“After you’ve spread the paste evenly, you can start laying down the bacon like so,” he says, taking a strip and laying it down, one by one. Once finished, he takes the bottom corners of the sliced meat and begins rolling. “You want to roll it tightly like you would a carpet.”

“But will it not unfurl when we roast it in the cookpot?” she asks.

“That’s where the string I got from Uma earlier today comes in handy,” he says, eyeing a small spool of cotton string on the other end of the counter. Zelda retrieves it and places it next to the cutting board. “You can cut the string into roughly six-inch bits. Use my hunting knife.” He nods at the leather sheath attached to his belt. She reaches for it, pulls the knife from its holder, and when her fingers barely brush the fabric of his pants, for the thousandth time since she moved into his house, she swears she could feel a jolt of electricity.

Her breath becomes ragged all of a sudden. She ignores it, chalks it off to the humid room.

Once the strings are cut, equal in length, Link begins to tie the string around the roulade, tying the ends off at the top, each tied string about an inch apart, keeping the meat from unfurling. Zelda gazes at his fingers as he knots the last string, lost in the simplicity of his movements, the way the metacarpals shift underneath the scarred skin of his hand. They’re dirty again, she’s noticed—this time with herb paste and grease, and in her mind she sees blood instead. Cupping her cheeks, wiping her tears away. Gentle despite his undeniable strength. Zelda, we have to get moving. Please. Please—

It’s his voice that catapults her back to the present.

“All right. Now it’s time to fry it.”

They bring the cutting board and a pair of tongs outside to the cookpot. Link hands the board to her so he can start the fire. Flint against steel beside dry grass atop a bundle of wood. Then, a spark, caught by tinder, which he blows a lungful at until the little specks of orange grow into flames. Firelight licks his features, his golden hair, turning him into a sculpture akin to those that used to reside in the gallery at the castle. There’s a hint of a satisfied smile on his lips.

It has only been twenty-two days since they reunited, but in moments like this, she couldn’t help but notice the faint contrast between the Link from a hundred years ago and the Link now—in the way he cooks, the way he builds a fire, the way he shears a hedge, the way he talks. Something much, much wilder resides within him, now. Or perhaps, it had always been there, but was tamped down by years of masterful stoicism born out of a need to avoid watchful eyes and whispering mouths. But after his long slumber, it bleeds through the cracks and makes itself known.

He grabs the roulade from the board and lays it gently in the pot, unflinching even as burning flecks of oil start to fly. He presses the roulade down with his bare fingers, getting a good sear across the surface. Any other person would recoil from the heat, afraid of the burn, but Link—

Well, Link is no other person.

Eventually, he retrieves the tongs from her side and tosses the roulade around with them, making sure it cooks through evenly. Once done, they bring the food and cooking tools back inside, and she prepares the dining table while he serves the roulade with mashed potatoes that they made earlier on.

They eat in comfortable silence, and without the sounds of the outdoors to fill her mind, Zelda studies his hands again—a fork in his left, a knife in his right, slicing and slicing and spearing before bringing the piece of food into his mouth.

Two thoughts bloom unbidden in her mind, though she knows they have lurked beneath the surface of her consciousness since long ago—since before she had painfully achieved her godhood, before she had even pulled her head out of the sand and realized just how wrong she was about him.

Two thoughts.

First, everything he does is wildly beautiful.

And second—

Her soul loves his soul. ********

Zelda slips into her only nightgown and crawls underneath the blanket draped on Link’s bed. For the past three weeks, she has lied in it alone while he sleeps on the makeshift pallet downstairs. ’I’m not going to let you sleep on the floor,’ he said, voice soft yet stern, during their first night together in Hateno. She wondered then, and she wonders now, how long he’ll sleep on that pallet before they finally throw caution to the wind.

There was that late night in Kakariko, following the final battle in the fields. Still in her dirty prayer dress after her long and tearful conversation with Impa. Link, patiently waiting for her behind the Chief’s house, by the waterfall. Dread settling in her throat.

They talked and talked. Feeling the mist from the waterfall on her face, her hair. Pondering aloud about the future. Swallowing that dread and trying with all her might to keep her voice steady even as her insides were unraveling.

’Your work is done, Link. I can’t ask you to do more. Nobody can.’ Tears in her eyes. Keeping them at bay. ’So I understand if you would just rather leave and live your life. Goddess knows you have earned it.’

Link shaking his head. ‘But I wish to stay. By your side. If you’ll let me.’

The dam breaking inside her.

’I want that,’ she whispered brokenly into the crook of his shoulder. ’That’s all I’ve ever wanted.’

A kiss on his neck before she pulled away. A thunderclap of a noise, his small gasp. She didn’t mean to do it, but there was a phantom magnet in her lips and underneath his skin. Simply hard to resist.

In return, a kiss on her temple.

“Zelda?”

Link is standing at the foot of the bed, a questioning look in his gaze. She pinches the bridge of her nose, clears the thoughts away.

“Sorry—what did you say?”

“We should go to Ventest tomorrow, get you fitted for some winter clothes.” He says. He’s wearing his sleep clothes, now—shaggy blonde locks all loose on his shoulders. “Rito Village can be unbearably cold even in the autumn.”

Rito Village, Zelda thinks wistfully. So much for stretching out this private bliss. In the end, duty calls her; reminds her of who she truly is.

When they left Kakariko, Impa quickly sent letters to the various chiefs spread throughout the kingdom, officially announcing the long-awaited victory over the Calamity, and the Princess’ wish to meet the people who had helped the Hero throughout his journey. The Rito was the first among the four races to respond; expressing that they would be more than happy to welcome Zelda and Link two weeks after the fall equinox. After that, they must journey to Lanayru to Zora’s Domain, then Goron City, and lastly, Gerudo Town.

“Right.” She frowns a little—the reality of having to leave this sanctuary of a house starting to settle in. “Can’t ever escape the royal in me, huh?”

Link takes a few steps to stand by her bedside.

“You know you can always say no, right?” His eyes are steely, and the earnestness she sees in them sends gooseflesh down her neck. “You’ve earned the right to do whatever you want now.”

“I know. But I want to do this. Visit each of the races. See the kingdom with my own two eyes. I just…” she sighs, shoulders slumping. “I just wish we had more time.”

Link’s voice turns unbearably soft. “More time for what?”

Heat rises in her cheeks. Oh, I don’t know.

Perhaps more time for her to gather her courage—while they tend to their front yard, while they pick berries in the forest behind the house, while she learns more recipes from him. To take those battle-worn hands in hers and pull him into her space, pull him into her. To tell him that terribly simple truth; that she loves him and wants nothing more but to have him completely, selfishly.

Zelda calculates each of these answers in her mind. All of them seem too dangerous to even be pondered upon, let alone uttered aloud to him, so she decides to say none of these. She opts for something safer.

“To do nothing. With you.”

She finally looks up to meet his eyes, and oh she’s stupid for thinking that it’s safer.

Because there it is again—the jolt of electricity, the air turning warm and heavy. It’s not unlike the air that they shared when they first embraced each other behind Impa’s house. Not unlike the spark against her fingertips as she retrieved the knife from his belt. Not unlike the million other times when they touched, whether it be intentionally or by accident, in this new century or the previous one—when the charge of two energies becomes too strong.

She sees it in his eyes, too; a wolf in its perch in the thick snow, staying still as it awaits its prey’s next move.

“Well,” Link starts as she watches his throat bob, “we still have two weeks.” A tongue wets his lower lip. “To do nothing.”

“Two weeks,” she echoes him. The air continues to turn warmer—lightning on its way to form. She tries to mull it over in the span of a millisecond. Release it or let it dissipate? “Though I guess I wouldn’t call our artful hedge maintenance ‘doing nothing’.” She grins.

Let it dissipate, it is.

Link lets out a soft laugh. Dimples on his cheeks—he’s smiling. Zelda hates him for it. Hates those lips, pink like spun sugar—for how they make her heart somersault.

He turns to the nightstand next to the bed and extinguishes the fire in the oil lantern. The loft turns darker, but his eyes stay impossibly blue even without ample lighting.

“Are you sure you don’t want to take the bed?” She asks. Or perhaps join me?

He shakes his head, something fond about his expression.

“Good night, Zelda.”

Beneath a sheet of blanket, her fingers curl and uncurl.

“Good night, Link.”

>> Continue reading on AO3

[needfantasticstories]

Zelink snippet from TBD:

Contains: romance, Gerudo vai set, sudden disembodiment.

AO3

(post BotW, pre LU if I decide to tie it in later)

Zelda sat across from Link, a large omelet divided between them.

“No, your expression looked just like this!” Zelda made her eyes wide with mock terror and her mouth agape, then broke into a laugh, “You truly thought Farosh was about to eat me!”

Link smiled, “I never saw her land on the bridge before, and I didn't know you had the topaz earrings on yet! She came out hours earlier than I expected. I mean, I was still cooking the elixirs when you ran off to the bridge, shouting—” 

“With a back-up pair of earrings for you,” she interrupted with a grin, “I never thought you could put on that rubber fish suit so quickly!” She laughed, “An elegant dance you performed, hopping as you ran.”

“I still can’t believe Farosh let you touch her face. She’s never stopped for me, let alone let me touch her.”

“Maybe it’s because I’ve never shot her,” she winked. 

“Or maybe it's because you’re a goddess. One who would absolutely shoot at her to get your own dragon parts,” he laughed back, “but out of all people, she would mind your arrows the least.”

Zelda laughed, and asked, “Do you think…” her smile mellowed, and she looked aside in wonder, “Do you think they would ever let me…ride them?”

He laughed hard, and at her taken-aback look he explained, “for you, perhaps they’d make an exception again, but I tried riding Dinrhaal once. Only once,” he said, digging into his  omelet, “I had my fire suit too. But I rolled down her entire back, flames everywhere, before I fell a few hundred feet because my glider tore on her scales. I had to replace all the armor and pay generously for a stronger sailcloth. It’s honestly one of the scariest things I’ve ever done. I don’t recommend it for anyone except you…unless…then again, I never tried…” he looked lost in thought, “if I use that in the elixir…” 

She watched him with amused horror, “You really will try anything, won’t you?” And she muttered, “I suppose I’m glad I didn’t see every adventure you had.”

He laughed and answered, “Well, you’ll read and study just about any subject, won’t you? It’s almost the same.” 

“That’s…somewhat true,” she conceded, looking at the looming mountain of books she’d collected alongside his weapons stash, “But my books don’t usually light me on fire.”

“We should find you some more exciting books,” he laughed,“So, Impa’s training. How was it?” Link asked, setting his empty plate aside. 

“Oh, well,” She thought of the least interesting parts she could share without giving it all away, “we talked about my ideas for a school here in Hateno. She liked the idea so much she taught me some of the ancient Sheikah language. Paya even started gathering books for it!”

“That’s kind,” he observed. 

“She is also confident that my… condition… is nothing to worry about, and will fade as I continue to adjust to a mortal form.”

He listened intently. It had happened a few times now, both while they were watching the stars at night on the road home from Laurelin. They’d ridden horses the whole way there and back so she could see the whole road, one she’d never taken. On the road back, they’d stopped at a hot spring where they relaxed and cleaned up after eating. They were getting ready to sleep when they both dipped their feet in the water and watched the stars. Then, she began to glow. He’d taken her hand only to find he could not. He called her name, and she saw herself, and returned.

It happened again just before they returned to Hateno and slept under the stars. She stared at the sky for a long time, then began to glow. This time he was quick to call her name, and at dawn they left for the Kakariko shrine and Impa. 

“I only hope she’s right,” Zelda sighed, “Honestly, I had a terrible dream last night. I walked into the castle on my coronation day, but when I stepped into the sanctum… I just…I disappeared again. I couldn’t hold on to anything. I couldn’t even see the world as I did back then, only darkness.”

Link sighed. 

Silence held them for a moment as they stared at the empty plates. 

Link looked up at her, eyes firm with certainty. “If you were truly going to fade away, you’d have done so by now. I believe Impa.”

“Why do you think that? How are you so certain?” 

“I’m not, but I guess when you go through something big like that, you can lose yourself, for a while, but eventually it all comes back,” he answered.

“Your memories,” she nodded. 

He nodded back, “And that day, when we left the field and walked to the inn, you kept glowing. I didn’t tell you, because I didn’t know what to say. Every time, I thought it was the end, that you would disappear along with the others; but, you came back. That’s part of why I held your hand that whole day. But when we made it to the Inn, you held the slate and fixed it so we could both use it. That's when I knew it would last. You survived, like I did. You saved us both.”

“I think… I know that now. It’s just been so strange, adjusting to a physical body, needing food and sleep, and I suppose Hylia forgets, or takes over when I’m feeling overwhelmed by things,” she blushed.

They cleaned the plates together; him washing and her drying. 

 He paused and looked at her with a smile, “Are you still hungry, Princess?”

Zelda looked at him with curiosity. Weeks ago, after meeting rulers and citizens for days, she grew tired of being called  “Princess” at home too. She had insisted he call her Zelda in private. He usually did, but when he presented an idea or plan that he wanted her to agree with, he would revert to her title. She wasn’t sure if he was aware of his habit. 

“I could eat a little more, yes,” she answered, wondering just what strange meal he had in mind. She hoped it wasn’t monster extract again, but curiosity compelled her. 

“Then could you grab something from my pouch for me?” He held up his soapy hands. 

She nodded and moved to his back.

“Could you grab, uh, …let me see if I remember…wheat, sugar…two apples, and some winterberries?”

Fruitcake! She grinned and opened the pouch. She had learned a trick to getting items quickly by simply thinking about them, which had proved invaluable in the wilds as Link guarded the slate. Not even Purah had learned her trick yet. 

 “Oh, I can certainly manage that,” she laughed, and her thoughts rushed. It had been a few weeks since they had shared fruitcake with Teba and  ———‘s family. Little Tulin had eaten half of it before they even cut it! But Zelda had already prepared another. Oh, how she missed eating it with her mother and father. Before the Calamity, Lady Urbosa used to make it for her whenever Zelda visited…how she missed her Gerudo surrogate mother…

“What’s this?” She said in confusion. Instead of the wheat she intended to grab, out came a sheer, silky blue fabric. 

“Oh! Uh, yeah, definitely not that,” Link blushed as he saw her holding up his Gerudo veil.

“Is this what I think it is?” She laughed, and took out the rest of the set, “It’s beautiful. Link, is this for me?” she held it up, “Hm, for some reason, it’s a little big,” she laughed at his deepening blush. 

“You know all about it already,” he laughed and quickly dried his hands. She’d seen so many of his journeys, he’d learned, and while it felt less embarrassing that she already knew, but he still could not help feeling a bit warm. 

“I couldn’t have looked away from the Hero of Hyrule sneaking into an all-women capital,” she smiled, “You disguised beautifully. I’d love to see you wear it again,” she held the clothes up to him and nodded in approval. 

“Would you?” he replied, taking the veil. 

“Indeed,” She smiled like a child asking for a toy, her eyes big, “Purely for research, of course. The sociological and philosophical implications of—.” 

“If you want to see it that much, I guess I’m compelled. And will you promise not to document this research?” he asked, eyebrows raised.

She said quietly with a smile, “In memory only, I swear. You shall remain an anonymous participant.”

He saw the childish joy on her face, stunning and contagious. He smiled back, “Alright, for your research.”

He went upstairs and double checked all the windows. Then he carefully put on the whole set, even adding a pair of earrings to complete the look, knowing he’d get a bigger laugh. 

He came down to find a surprise: a Sheikah warrior, exactly the Princess’s size, washing berries.  

“Oh, we have a visitor?” He asked her.

The masked Sheikah turned and laughed. 

“Oh! You look stunning!” Zelda said, examining him. she turned herself around and smiled, “And what do you think?” She stepped back and held out a stick of sugarcane threateningly in place of a knife, striking a fighting pose.

“We’ll, I’d never challenge you in a cook-off,” he laughed and grabbed a shield of the Sheikah people from the wall for her to add.

She held it uncertainly at first, but finally hoisted it up and posed with the sugarcane again. 

“You look fierce,” Link said. She could probably cut someone with that sharp sugarcane tip if she chose to.

“You mean that,” she said with surprising sincerity, setting the shield and sugar cane aside, “Thank you,” she said, and hugged him. 

Link held her in return. He had no desire to move. They lingered a moment, beyond simple gratitude.

“I guess we should get on with the cooking. I won’t make you stay in this,” Zelda said, and touched his veil. He released her, but she stayed near, reached up, and slowly unclipped his veil.  

Link smiled. Her blue eyes had caught him like magic. Mesmerized, he gently pulled down her Sheikah mask, revealing her gentle smile. She was studying him, he realized, as she drew a little closer.

He drew nearer too. His pulse raced.

She moved a loose strand of hair behind his ear, and let her hand rest on his shoulder, then pulled him down to close the small gap remaining between their lips. 

He met her kiss. 

She stroked his neck, and he caressed her hair as they kissed. 

Catching his breath, he pulled his face gently away, “I’m…I’m no prince. I don’t want to harm you, Zelda, or make things difficult for you, or the kingdom, or…,” he let her go.

She gently pulled him close again, and looked at him with terror and hope, “I will take no other,” she whispered. She brushed away the hair that had fallen over his eyes, and smiled, “I am already yours.”

He set his mind free, and kissed her, closed his arms around her, pressed her beautiful body into his, and she did the same. 

They left the kitchen for the stairs, leaving a trail of discarded shoes and weapons behind. 

She put out the candle, and they sat on the bed facing each other, caressing each other’s faces and gently massaging one another’s arms and hips. They slowed, their kisses drawing long. They cooled a bit, and helped each other undress slowly. 

As Zelda’s Sheikah top dropped from her chest, she began to glow.

She gasped, and shivered. He wrapped her in a blanket and took her in his arms again until the light faded.

“Let’s talk to Impa in the morning,” he said, holding her tight, terrified she really would disappear this time. She nodded, and for the first time they shared the small bed.

[hlizr50]

I'm very excited to introduce this fic to the world!

Thank you @zelinkcommunity for Zelink Week 2023, which is what started me down this path!

This FBAA-based Legend of Zelda fic started with me wondering about Twilight Princess Zelda, and how I could pull from her stoic and serious character. Combine wanting to explore that with the knowledge that Zelda has been assigned a personal knight in Breath of the Wild, and my mind immediately drifted to From Blood and Ash.

And, thus, From This Moment to the Last Moment was born.

This will be multiple chapters, and as soon as I know how many, I will update the count on AO3. Also, be aware, the ratings and warnings are likely to change as this gets written. Any of you who know me as a writer know that I will likely get dark and angsty, but we haven't made it there yet!

Read Chapter 1 on AO3

Or read below!

Zelda looked down over the courtyard, her face a mask of stoic calm as the gathered citizens begged for answers. Were they safe? Would they be protected? Would things get worse?

All she could do was listen with clenched fists as her father spouted weak platitudes and made false promises that if they remained faithful to the crown, they would be saved. The princess could see the distrust in their faces, could feel the righteous anger billowing into the air like steam.

The people hated them; hated her. And she didn’t blame them in the slightest.

Zelda hated her father, too, though nobody could know. Every dissenting word was met with the heavy hand of discipline and the burn of the lash. The king had every reason to assume she’d been beaten into submission, her endless silence pulling her conscience down into the depths. She’d watched farmers whipped for the failure of their crops, soldiers brought to tribunal and sentenced for simply surviving when their superiors had ordered them into an impossible battle. All the while she stared, memorizing every name. Every moment. 

Would her people hate her any less if they knew about the list of names hidden away in the bottom of her desk drawer? If they knew she remembered every undue punishment and execution at the hands of her father? Remembered every citizen that died while she stood by and did nothing, under the king’s keen, watchful eye?

And now there was Ganondorf to consider, as well.

She didn’t trust this new ally from the desert, with his cruel eyes and wicked sneer. Her father told the citizens that he knew how to fight these monsters that had begun prowling the fields at night, but Zelda was suspicious. Did he know how to win because he was strong and powerful? Or did he know how to fight them because he was the one who commanded them? All she knew for certain was that the attacks had only become more common and more brutal since his arrival.

And then there was the matter of his obvious infatuation with her. Ganondorf would often corner her in the corridor, his sole purpose to make her as uncomfortable as he could. The first time it happened, she thought perhaps there was some cultural miscommunication. The second time, when she looked into his eyes and saw the darkness there, she’d gone to her father for aid.

And when she received a harsh reprimand and the threat of more extreme disciplinary measures if she displeased their visitor, Zelda understood that there would be no escaping the unwanted attention.

To make matters worse, she no longer had the comfort of her personal guard. Kieran had done his best, within his limited power, to run interference between her and Ganondorf. She appreciated that all the more now, since he’d been carted away – accused of being a rebel sympathizer. And all she could think when she found out was that she wished she’d known. She could have talked to him. Could have shared her opinions and possibly even have done something.

Now he was gone, another name to add to the growing list of senseless tragedy. And whoever her father appointed next would likely stand aside and allow the desert adviser to do whatever he pleased.

And so, the golden-haired princess stared down into the courtyard and took in the sight. She let herself feel the weight of the contempt that the people had for herself and for her father, allowed it to settle deep within her. One day she would harness it. She would make her father pay for the things that he’d done, and she’d prove to the nation that the crown could be fair and just and generous.

Until then, she wore her mask.

And she stared, with clenched fists.

And she waited.

[deiliamedlini]

Happy 300 followers!! 🥳 first of all, I would like you to know that every single time I have sent you an ask, you have been so sweet!! You give off such good vibes! 💚 and your writing??? Omg?? It is SO GOOD like *chef's kiss* lol you're one of my favorite zelink writers, a treasure to this fandom, and you deserve many more followers!! Now, if I may 😂 I have this idea living in my mind rent free for ages: how about some zelink, modern AU, famous actor or singer!Link heavily flirting with hyrule's princess on live television. I hope it is not too specific? 😅

DO YOU KNOW WHO'S THE WORST? ME! I had this half done forever and then that's when I conveniently hit my writer's block! BUT I FINISHED IT! It's not quite what I had initially envisioned, but I wanted to make sure I got this done while my brain was working !! THANK YOU FOR THE PROMPT AND i"M SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG

Also on AO3 if that's easier to read! (Some suggestive themes ahead but nothing crazy)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There was a moment when the jacuzzi jet stream hit Link’s sore muscles just the right way that he let out a sigh and sank deeper into the warm bathtub. Suds covered his mouth, and he blew them away with a small huff and ran his hands through his scraggly hair.

It was his first night actually at the hotel in… gods, it had to be a week. Night shoots and hours of being on set had left him exhausted, sleeping in his trailer, staying at friend’s rooms who were closer to the studio where they filmed The Twilight Realm, a popular television show that he was the male lead in.

If it weren’t a safety hazard, he’d have fallen asleep right in this bathtub.

Still, he couldn’t escape. His mind wasn’t blissfully empty; it was filled with pages after pages of memorized lines from his script. His ears still rang with the explosions from their pyro work on an exploding bridge today. His eyes burned from exhaustion and smoke and lights.

And still, tomorrow, he had a charity gala to attend.

A long yawn escaped him, and he grabbed the bath pillow and a glass of wine from the closed toilet seat and leaned back, trying to de-stress.

But it was a little difficult when that charity gala would be attended by none other than the Princess Zelda of Hyrule herself.

With a rueful look at his wine, he set the glass by the sink, tossed the pillow out of reach, and forced himself up, watching the water spiral down the drain almost hypnotically.

Only when it was all gone did he towel off, and throw himself onto the bed, passing out before he could even pull the comforter up.

The next thing he heard was a voice.

“Link, let’s go you’re going to be— OH! Link! What?”

His eyes creeped open at the familiar shriek of his best friend and cast mate, Midna. She flipped her red hair over her shoulder and pulled a pillow from under his head, letting him fall with a thud, before firmly setting the pillow on his lower waist. “I didn’t need to see this.”

“What? What’s even happening?”

“Do you know how late you are?” Midna chided, grabbing one of his suits off the hanger. “Get dressed.”

Finally, his eyes blinked open and he saw Midna leaving the room in a shimmering black gown.

A black gown.

The gala.

“Shit!” Link hissed, tossing the pillow off of him. There was a draft, and he chuckled seeing that in his exhaustion, he’d forgotten to put anything on. “Sorry, Mid!”

“Yeah, not like I haven’t seen your dumb ass before on set!”

Link slid a pair of sweatpants on so he could cross the room to return to the bathroom. Midna was pounding on his couch on her phone.

“Well,” Link scoffed. “It’s less embarrassing when I’m wearing a modesty sock, so I’m still sorry.”

“Accepted,” she sighed wearily.

Midna and Link had gone on one date before realizing their chemistry was solely on set and as friends, and since the popularity of the The Twilight Realm blew up to extreme proportions in season 2, he was so grateful to have Midna with him every step of the way. Even now, while filming season 4, the level of fame he had was still so wild to him. Grocery shopping in peace was a thing of the past and it was all online orders and deliveries if he wanted to have a day without feeling the flash of a camera in his eyes.

Link cleaned his face in the sink a bit haphazardly, leaving red marks everywhere before sighing at his reflection. Baggy circles under his eyes, tousled hair. He looked a wreck. But still, he brushed his teeth and returned to his room, dutifully donning the pressed suit and expertly knotting his tie before combing his hair out. In the limo would be their stylists to fix their hair and makeup before the red carpet, so he left it as it was.

“Look okay?” Link asked, coming out of his room with his arms wide to show his outfit off.

“Yes, sure, you look great. Come on, Beedle texted. They’re waiting outside.”

“Alright,” he muttered, fixing his cuffs as he grabbed his things back off the table. Nothing was ever put away. Nothing ever had to be. It wasn’t like he’d stay here long before needing to go to a new filming location anyway.

~~

Flashing lights, bulbs so bright his vision became tinged with blinding stars blocking out his vision.

He was used to this. It was hardly his first red carpet, and with his hand firmly against the skin of Midna’s back, he felt grounded, despite his lagging tiredness and barely functioning mind.

Face slack so he wouldn’t strain his jaw from smiling, he posed as perfectly as he’d been taught. His hair flipped in the way that had the internet swooning. He tilted his head in the way that won him “Sexiest Man in Hyrule” two years in a row.

He played yet another part of his to absolute perfection.

Little did they know that the famous actor struggled with back pain, crowds, and—thanks to the list of his ‘accolades’— several self-conscious body image issues.

At the table, food was served, and he politely excused himself when he’d finished the two vegetable portions from the food that was on his approved diet plan for his role on The Twilight Realm, and instead took his checkbook around, dropping checks off to a few people that he and his financial adviser had already written out in advance.

It was all so… normal.

When the plates were cleared away, he grabbed a merlot off a passing tray and skulked to the corner.

“Did you eat enough to drink that?” Midna asked, leaning beside him.

Link shrugged and took another sip. He had, but he certainly couldn’t wait to go back to the hotel and order something he actually could eat.

“See the Princess?” he asked, watching the blonde Princess Zelda of Hyrule daintily savoring a glass from her table, surrounded by armed guards and looking about as miserable as he felt.

“I do see her. No photography allowed in here,”she muttered, watching Zelda set her glass down to stand and wander, trailed by her guards. “How the facades fall when the public stops watching.”

“They’re always watching,” he scoffed, looking around to see a set of eyes of a gossiping group watching him and Midna as they conversed. Anxiously, he took a swig of the remainder of his drink and set it down, already looking for another.

The need to drop his mask for just a moment overwhelmed him, and he gave Midna a kiss on the cheek. “I need air. You okay if I ditch for a bit?”

“Oh, of course. Go! I have mingling to do anyway!”

“Thanks. You’re the best.”

“Tell me something I don’t already know.”

He winked before undoing the buttons on his tux and heading into the hallway. Security nodded at him as he passed, and he carefully moved past another set of suits who stood at the door to the terrace.

It was surprisingly empty. He expected it to be filled with any guests needing an escape or air, but he paid it no mind, preferring the quiet solitude he was so often denied as opposed to idle chatter.

With a relieved sigh, he threw himself down onto one of the outdoor sofas near a maintained firepit and groaned, closing his eyes in relief.

“Oh!”

“Shit!” he hissed, sitting up with a speed that would have called for a stunt double. Especially when his leg knocked against the flames of the fire, warming him with a far-too-close call, but nothing else. He swore before hopping away, brushing at his pant leg, looking up to see the last person he expected.

Princess Zelda of Hyrule.

His eyes bugged out. He’d just sworn and nearly fell into a fire in front of the princess.

Idiot.

Bowing low, he tried to shake off his nerves. “Princess!”

And then he saw her. Princess Zelda of Hyrule was watching him with a surprised look on her face from just behind a pillar where she leaned out against a railing. Her gown was long, the train was gorgeous. The embellishments alone cost more than Link’s paycheck, and he was well-paid. Long blonde hair cascaded down her back, still neatly styled with pins in an effortless look that had probably taken an hour. And her eyes; verdant greens alight with curiosity had him rapt immediately. The cameras really did lie: she was far more gorgeous up close and in person, and she was already beautiful on tv.

“I-I’m sorry, I thought I was alone out here,” he managed, rising from his bow just enough to catch the hint of a smile touch her lips before it disappeared almost naturally.

“How did you get past my bodyguards?”

“Your…?” he looked behind him, confused. “I…”

“Nevermind, it’s okay.” Her brows peaked. “Oh! You’re Link Faron! Wow! Um, hello! It’s nice to meet you.”

Shaking his head, it was almost unfathomable that the princess knew who he was. Not unreasonable, given the show’s popularity, but it was hard to wrap his head around. “No, the pleasure is all mine, Princess.”

“The Twilight Realm is one of my favorite shows. I’m… just a little star-struck.”

“Is it?”

“Yes, that, Into the Wild and—”

She cut herself off, her face flushing a bright red as she covered her mouth with a delicate hand, attempting covertness but failing.

“And?”

Her eyes glistened as she turned her head towards him, watching his deliberate steps. She'd already outed herself as a fan of not only him, but two shows when he'd showed everything off. His own face was red as he waited.

"The Bodyguard."

He bit his lip as he tried not to chuckle. A more serious role... where he'd fallen in love with the Princess he was protecting. A limited series with more sex scenes than the four seasons of Into the Wild combined.

"Our Princess has a type of show, it seems."

"And you have a type of role. It's not my fault you're a good actor."

He snorted, leaning beside her. "They don't hire me for my skill. They hire me for my ass."

"Well, who can blame them on that front at least," she muttered.

And then, eyes bugged once again, she clasped her hand over her mouth.

Link beamed at her, embarrassment and humor sending him onto a high. "Oh?"

"You'd think years of practice would afford me some grace, but I've simply fallen apart in the mere presence of you," Zelda laughed anxiously. "My apologies for that comment. It was crass and simply slipped from my tongue before I could stop myself!"

Link ran a hand through his hair and focused on her shoulder. A fine spattering of freckles caught his eye for far longer than he'd intended it to before it drifted to the strap that thinly drew more attention. And it was red. A pop of color that matched her lips, which he was dying in his attempts to avoid looking. "It's okay. I'm quite comfortable with the topic at this point. It's the modesty sock conversations that will still make me blush."

Zelda's brow scrunched, and he regretted his words immediately. Gods, had he just brought that up to the Princess?

And then, it got worse.

"A what? Socks?"

He licked dry lips. "Oh, just... it's... it's kind of like a sock that you use... to... well... it's...  it's not a sock. But you use it for... modesty." He glanced at her confusion and tugged on his bowtie to loosen it. "You put it on during sex scenes and nude scenes."

Zelda's eyes, for the third time, widened. "Oh! Oh, gods, I didn't know!"

"Did you just think we wandered around bare-assed, hanging out?"

"Yes!" she laughed, running her hands through her hair. "I always just thought you were  very confident in yourself."

"Hardly!"

"Really?" she asked skeptically. "With the way you look?"

"Would you strut around set with nothing on, Princess? For one as gorgeous as yourself, it would surely be easy."

Gods and godesses, why would he put that image in his mind. Why would he say that to a royal? What creature was possessing him?

"Mr. Faron--"

"Link."

"Link," she smirked, "You're far more amusing than you let on in pictures and interviews."

"Far more nervous, Princess. When I've imagined speaking to you, it was never about my full frontal nudity clause."

"Please, Zelda is fine. We've reached a level of personal conversation, at this point, that I believe you're allowed my first name. And for that matter, you think of me often?"

He let himself relax a bit. There was a comfort in knowing that the Princess of Hyrule was willing to flirt with him, even knowing what a wreck he was. He was able to pull from his stores of acting skills to play it cool, leaning against the railing a bit, stretching out. Reveling in her eyes taking a spin along him. It gave him a moment to swallow his nerves.

"Who hasn't thought of the Princess?"

"And who hasn't thought of Link Faron?"

"You?"

Zelda scoffed. "Oh, please! We've already accidentally established that you're my celebrity crush. How much more obvious could I get?"

"For what it's worth, Zelda, you've always been mine." He relished her name on his tongue, and couldn't stop himself from letting his knuckles graze against her skin as he pushed a piece of golden hair behind her ear, letting his hand linger and touch for far too long.

"I'm sorry," he said, stepping away. "I've taken up your private time with far too much self indulgence. I'll let you go."

"Wait!" she said, grabbing his hand. "I'm enjoying your presence, unlike all the donation seekers in there. Stay."

"Is that a command?"

For a moment, she considered, and a wry smile worked over her face as she watched him already inching back towards her. "Yes."

"Then how am I to disobey?"

~~~~~~~

Link hadn't even had time to register the light through his window when Midna threw herself onto him, whacking his arm excitedly.

He sprung up, looking around frantically. "What?!"

"You dog!"

"What?"

"Gods, you sleep in too often! Get up!"

He barely blinked in time to see her ponytail bobbing on her head, her sweatpants and sweatshirt hanging loosely over her. Exactly the opposite of the glamor she donned the night before.

Link grumbled, rolling out of bed in his boxers, rubbing at his eyes as he followed her to see what the fuss was about so he could roll back into bed.

"--and the Princess were seen getting extremely close last night. In exclusive footage, we can see 'The Twilight Realm' actor putting his skills to work on our future monarch, seducing her as much as she seemed to entrance him. Was it wine? Or do we have a new royal wedding to look forward to?"

The clip of him and Princess Zelda by the fire, him pushing her hair behind her hair, them laughing, even later in the evening when she'd grabbed his hand and he hadn't pulled away, and later when they'd moved to sit closer to the firepit and he'd given her his jacket. All of it aired.

"Oh, shit. They didn't get..."

He trailed off as the next clip was Zelda's tender goodbye kiss on his cheek hours later.

"Shit."

Midna watched him sit down, numb. "Link, can you call your girlfriend?"

His phone rang on cue. His agent.

Link toyed with the phone, his eyes on the screen watching the clip replay of her kiss. He could still feel the phantom tenderness of her lips on his cheek, hear the ring of her laugh, the lines of her discontentment on her forehead as they talked about their interests, their lives.

And he realized that, regardless of what he was about to hear, he regretted none of it.

[lemonlushff-iy]

Do you want to play a game?

You do? Good.

You know how these games work if you’ve ever seen one of Clearwillow’s...but game rules are HERE since it’s slightly different! I hope this is fun for people...that was my goal! And I hope you catch the “Easter Eggs” in it. I’m curious how many people will find them all. 

I’ll post everything once it’s done on FFN and AO3, and you can catch what I’m doing for @clearwillow‘s game early on my Patreon HERE! (It might be more smut...It might be fluff. WHO KNOWS! It will be OLR related...and it will go up as soon as it’s finished!)

Special thanks to @underwater0phelia​ for kink help and @clearwillow​ for additional edits...and the IYFF BC for brainstorming! Art by @clearwillow​ for @eringobroke​ - used and edited with permission. 

And now without further ado... The first treat (aka, the “freebie”).

Starting Fires

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from the Inuyasha universe.

"Inuyasha, stop," Kagome giggled, trying to wriggle out of his hold as he pressed wet kisses up her neck. "I don't want to burn your bacon…"

"It's just bacon," he reasoned, his hands sliding up under her shirt. Or should he say his shirt? Fuck...there wasn't a better sight in the world than his best friend...his best girl...Kagome...Wearing his shirt in their kitchen in their house. Now that he had her again, he weren't never letting go of her. "I don't mind eating something else for breakfast."

"You will when your stomach is rumbling later," she blushed, grabbing his hands and pulling them down, his fingers grazing over the lace fabric of her panties. "Behave yourself and go grab a cup of coffee."

"I'd rather grab your—"

"—Coffee!"

She reprimanded, flipping the bacon in the pan. He placed a gentle nip to the side of her neck before moving away from her, a disappointed pout on his lips.

"Fine. But let it be known that I'm doing it under protest," he grumbled, moving to his cabinet to pull out a mug.

"Your protest has been duly noted, Sir," she teased, turning away from the stove to pick up her own cup of coffee. She brought it to her lips, sipping from it as she watched Inuyasha pour himself some. Their life together felt so surreal still. It felt strange to wake up in their house and cook them breakfast.

But it was a good kind of surreal.

The kind where she found herself pinching her arm to make sure it wasn't all some crazy dream. This was their life. And...she loved it.

"Mmm," he moaned, taking a sip from his cup. "As good as ever, Kags," he grinned toothily, and she risked entering his personal space to press another kiss to his lips.

"Glad you like it," she replied, running away from him again when he moved to squeeze her ass. She removed their bacon and eggs from the pan as a text message chimed on both of their phones, and Inuyasha raised a brow in curiosity. She watched him slide his thumb across the screen, before muttering out a low "Huh" as he read the text.

"What is it?" she asked, picking up their plates and placing them onto the island.

"See for yourself," he shrugged, placing the phone down next to her plate. "It's from Sango."

That already piqued her curiosity. Kagome picked up the phone, leaning over the countertop as she read it.

"Hey Guys!" She began aloud. "Miroku and I decided to throw a Halloween party this year. We know it's a bit last minute, but we were hoping you guys could come since you aren't heading back out to California like you thought. Let us know if you can make it! Trying to plan in terms of food. Love you!"

"Love you too," he grinned, and she couldn't stop the shy smile even if she wanted to. She didn't think she would ever get tired of hearing that again from him. The words were like a balm to her soul.

"What do you think?" Kagome asked, handing him his phone back as he began digging his fork into his eggs.

"Up to you," he shrugged. He really didn't care either way. He was just glad he didn't have to go out to California with her. Though, to tell the truth, he wouldn't have minded. They could have had a night in...just the two of them...And he was always a fan of nights in with her. But..."We can go. I know you wanna…"

It was true too. He had seen the way her eyes lit up when she was reading that message. The way she was practically bouncing on the balls of her feet. Kagome didn't want to spend the night in. She wanted to spend her first Halloween back in Montana at a party with old friends.

"But...You...Don't?"

He shrugged.

"Don't matter either way. I'm fine going. I'm fine staying home and fucking ya seven ways from Sunday."

"Yash!"

"What! It's tha truth," he replied with a smirk. "And you can't tell me ya don't like the sound of it," he continued, running his tongue over his fangs. The cute little blush he pulled from her was worth it.

"Well...How about a compromise?"

He paused, lifting his brow in curiosity.

"Go on…"

"What if we went to the party...Just for an hour or two...and then afterward we can come home and have sex? Oh! We can even wear couple's costumes again!"

The phrase couples costume made his butt clench so tight he could probably twist off a beer cap with his cheeks.

"I'll agree to go to the party...but not the couple's costume."

"But Yash," she whined, coming around the island to take his hands. "That's part of the fun…"

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"I'll wear something slutty?"

"N—" He began, ready to tell her no again when his brain processed her offer. "Keep talking."

"I'll wear something slutty and sexy?"

"...Uh-huh...And what else?"

"...And you get to take it off of me?"

He almost said yes...but he was a greedy fucker. He was probably gonna take it off of her even if she hadn't offered that.

"Do I get to do more than that?"

"You mean other than wear a matching outfit?"

"I do."

"Well," she began, tilting her head to the side and pursing her lips in thought. "I'm assuming that sex is a given…"

"But you can say it anyway, and make it interesting," he shrugged. If he was going to get roped into this...because he was going to say yes, because he loved her...then he wanted to squeeze as much as he could out of this.

"Ok...If you do it, sex is on the table...and I'll also add you picking the place and position," she decided, causing his eyes to light up.

Place and position huh?

"Well...In that case Darling, you've got yourself a deal!"

Her childlike squeal and the way she giddily clapped her hands, bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet, made him feel like he made the right decision.

"Now let's talk costumes…"

He groaned, shaking his head and digging his fork into the eggs on his plate.

Then again...Maybe not…

He let her prattle on for a while, running different ideas past him...But he knew that it ultimately wouldn't matter. He was going to give in to whatever she wanted. If she wanted him to go as a hot dog, and she was going to be a bottle of mustard? That was what was going to happen. Wasn't sure how she could make it sexy...but sure. Her call. Prince and Princess? No fighting it. Batman and Catwoman…

It had piqued his interest, but she almost instantly changed her mind. The cowl would be uncomfortable for his ears.

So, she decided on a fireman and a dalmatian. He looked over at her phone when she held up a picture of the costume she had found for him and sighed.

"That's what you want?"

It didn't look too bad. And it looked like he could maybe get away with just wearing the pants. He was going to have to be sneaky about it though...He could do just a t-shirt and those pants.

"Please?" she beseeched, batting her long lashes at him. "It will be so cute! And you'll look so good!"

He tilted his head to the side, and she chewed the inside of his lip as she watched him roll her suggestion around in his head. She really liked the fireman outfit. She thought it would be fun! And he would look good in it too...She could already picture him slowly taking off the jacket to reveal his bare torso...the suspenders holding up his pants hanging limply at the sides as he slowly peeled himself out of—

"—What are you thinking about Kagome?"

She looked up at his face and saw him looking at her, a smirk stretching his lips as he limply held the phone, leaning down across the island.

"N-nothing," she blushed, swiping out to grab the phone from him, but he pulled it away from her at the last second.

"Nu-uh. I can smell it when you're lying…and I can smell it when you're—"

"—NOTHING!"

She insisted, grabbing the phone from him this time, and his grin turned predatory.

"Ain't nothing, or you wouldn't be smelling like that," he countered cheekily before his gaze began to darken. "Ya know...You don't have to keep that bottled up…"

"Inuyasha," she warned as he straightened, running his carefully filed and declawed fingers along the island countertop as he slowly came around to her side.

He was ignoring her, however.

"Kagome," he replied, closing in on her in just a few short strides. "Were you thinking about me in that fireman outfit?"

Sometimes she swore he could read her mind.

"N-no…"

"Liar," he purred, placing his hands onto the granite top on either side of her hips. He had effectively trapped her...and he was looking at her like prey.

It made her swallow because her mouth was suddenly dry. And made her lower abdomen heat. The intensity and desire in his gaze...the slight glint of fang in the morning light…

Fucking hell...She wanted to be his prey. Wanted to be captured and eaten and...eaten…

He inhaled deeply, his eyes rolling to the back of his head as he lowly moaned, "Fuck Kags…"

"W-what," she swallowed, and his smirk widened into a fangy grin before his lips crashed into hers.

AN:

I WILL ONLY DO THIS WALL OF TAGS ONCE! All future treats will be completely hidden under cuts so I don’t spam everyone’s timeline with in your face kink!

@clearwillow, @keichanz, @dangerouspompadour, @nartista, @kaze-ranna, @superpixie42, @sticky-llama-perfection, @pinkpigeonstudio, @mcornilliac, @itzatakahashi, @zelink-inukag, @juliatheanimelover7, @i-dream-of-soup, @smmahamazing, @the-lucky-ones311, @cyncyn981, @animemomma96, @ayari17, @underwater0phelia, @sailorbabydoll92, @l-taisho29, @animelove1313, @littlemissinukag​, @gofoulpuppycollector, @umacaking, @chanin29​,  @willowandfog​, @lebiishoujo​, @theinuyashareader​, @bluejay785​, @irrationalandimpossible​, @cstorm86​, @ruddcatha​, @desiree239​, @littledaisy91​, @liz8080​, @cannibalsforbreakfast​, @horriblehowl​, @arcprz​, @daisy-st-pati3nce​, @senneth-pendra​, @nsr0716​, @eringobroke​, @kagometaishostory​, @thisshipisbananahs​, @sunsetskys​, @ajoy3fanfics​, @sangoslays​, @v0dka-cat​, @cloudsz04​, @lavendertwilight89​, @yurawiththegoodhair​, @saturnsilence​, @lavaffair​, @blairex​, @fawn-eyed-girl​, @fandomobsessions016​, @neutronstarchild​, @preciouslyours​, @kalsies​, @shnuggletea​, @ladyphoenix0711​, @littlestuffstohide​

See you at 500 notes!!

[iwroteinapastlife]

i have too many zelink ideas :( i sent asks to other people but i do not think they saw them,,, how about a scenario (pre calamity, but right after zelda is rescued by link) in which they travel in the snow, probably for the princess research; they accidentally get soaked after the ice breaks under them. they slowly make their way to a shelter, where they have to get undressed and let their clothes dry. link makes some fire and does his best not to look at the princess (and she tries to look away too) while he gives her blankets since both of them are naked (he peeks a little and becomes embarrassed). some time passes before zelda says they should cuddle for warmth, it’s freezing and when it’s late the temperature lowers considerably. link at first panics of course, he doesn’t want to overstep boundaries but they have to survive the night. yeah that’s it ;; overdone trope but i watched shadow and bone recently and i thought it was fitting

Overdone trope? Yes.

One of my favorite tropes? Also yes.

--

Zelda tries not to cry as Link makes them a fire. He kneels down next to the pile of wood and strikes metal on flint, and all she can do is sit there and watch, shivering and wet and wrapped up in most of the blankets they brought while he does all the work with only a single blanket draped over his shoulders despite being just as soaked as she is. With the temperature on Mount Lanayru, she knows his clothes must already be starting to freeze on his body, yet he doesn't show a single sign of discomfort. He doesn't shiver, he doesn't grimace, he doesn't even look displeased or disappointed or resentful of her as he should be. He just looks the same as always. The image of calm and grace as he goes about his dutybound tasks without complaint.

Why can't she be like him? Why can't she just do what's expected of her--what's needed of her--despite the obstacles in her path? Despite the trials and tribulations it seems are constantly thrown her way?

If Link can set a fire in the snow while his clothes freeze him solid, why can't Zelda unlock her goddess forsaken sealing power even after praying in a cold spring for hours on end to the point of collapse?

"I suppose in the morning they'll be waiting," she says in a somber tone. Link looks up from where he's started setting up a makeshift tent around the fire, but she just stares at the budding flames hiding amidst the kindling under the logs, yet to take hold. "The other champions will be expecting me at the Lanayru Gates, ready for good news." She clutches the blankets closer. "And again, I'll have failed them."

Link doesn't say anything. Even if he's come to speak with her on occasion, he knows by now that nothing he can say will help her in a moment like this. So he says nothing, and goes on making camp.

"Lanayru was my last hope," she continues. "Of all the goddesses, I always felt she was closest. More so than the goddess whose blood supposedly runs through my veins. I thought, 'of course courage and power didn't respond to me, I'm neither of those things,' but wisdom?" She laughs bitterly. "I fancied myself wise, but now I know I'm just a silly girl."

He's finished making camp then, so he takes her hand and tugs her forward, guiding her to a bedroll he's set next to the fire. As she sits down, Link walks around behind her and gently starts to pull her hair back from her face and out from under the blankets. It draws her from her thoughts somewhat--having his fingers delicately weave through her wet, tangled hair. It's unexpected, but nice.

"Your hair is going to make you more cold like this," he explains as he braids it back for her. She can immediately attest to the truth of his words; just having her hair out from under the blankets so it's no longer pressed to her bare shoulders is already helping.

"Thank you," she murmurs.

In a quieter voice, as if ashamed to say it, he adds, "You should also undress." He must be able to see the way she tenses up at the thought because he immediately continues, "Your clothes are going to freeze and you'll get sick. I-I'm going to undress too, but I'll face the other way."

He's done with her hair so he walks over to the other bedroll, angling his face away from her all the while. When he sits down, he's quick to pull off his shirt--first the champion's tunic, then the shirt he wears underneath it. He sets them aside as if they were poison and scoots himself closer to the fire, letting the skin of his back soak up as much of the heat as it can. In the light of the flames, she can see goosebumps lining the entirety of his arms, and though she feels guilty that he spent so long enduring the cold to prioritize her care, it's also somewhat of a relief to know he's still just a Hylian underneath it all.

Zelda gets distracted by the way the light shines off his back, the way his muscles flex with each of his movements as he slides off his--

With a quick intake of breath, she looks away, remembering who she is and where they are and that she should not be watching this man take off his clothes. In her peripheral, she can see him automatically turn towards her, but he stops before turning completely.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes," she answers perhaps a little too hastily. "I-It's just cold, that's all."

She shakes herself as she turns around, putting her back to the fire as well. Hesitant and dreading the cold, she finally forces herself to unwrap the blankets so she can take off her dress. She immediately feels a little better having it off of her--and not because of the cold.

Link clears his throat to get her attention before saying, rather timidly, "Let me know when you're ready, and I'll hang up your dress."

"R-Right." Her heart speeds up the slightest bit, and she thinks to herself that she'll at least have no trouble keeping her face warm. Finally completely undressed, she wraps herself back up in the blankets and says, "Okay, it's safe."

She looks up as he approaches and her breath catches in her throat at the sight of him. He has the blanket wrapped around his hips, but his torso is completely exposed, leaving every muscle and every scar on display. She has to force herself not to outright stare as he bends down and takes her dress. Thankfully, he appears to be looking anywhere but at her--though a small part of her whispers its disappointment at that.

"The bedroll and blankets should keep you warm," he murmurs. "You should get some rest."

Nodding and swallowing down her nerves, Zelda crawls into the bedroll and lays the blankets over the top. The cold of the snow seeps through the bottom into her back, but the blankets and the fire next to her help to ward off the worst of it. It's not comfortable, but it's enough.

She tries to sleep but it seems her mind can only take her one of two places, and neither of them give her rest. The first is to dwell on her unending failure as a princess--on the fact that no matter how hard she tries she's never good enough, and Calamity Ganon could awaken at any moment and they're unprepared and--

And the other is the simple fact that Link lies only a few feet away without any clothes on his body--his body that she so very shamefully keeps picturing in her mind, the memory of it bringing her more heat than the fire ever could.

Less than an hour has passed when she hears it. The slight shaky breathing that he tries to hold in, tries to hide. Shivering.

She turns over to look and sure enough, she can see the slight tremble of his body under the bedroll. How selfish she is, to be lying here with most of their blankets stacked on top of her while he freezes half to death.

"Link." He angles his head toward her but doesn't turn. She's surprised by the calm in her own voice as she says, "We should share a bedroll." If he has a reaction she can't see it. "I can hear you shivering. We'll both be warmer if we share heat."

A few moments pass as he seems to think about it, and he shivers throughout the seconds. Finally he nods his agreement. As he starts to get up, she turns over again and scoots over in the bedroll to make as much room for him as she can. It'll be a close fit, but the warmth will be worth whatever discomfort it causes.

That same shameful part of her mind sends a small rush through her stomach, excited at the prospect of him pressed close to her.

Zelda flinches at first contact; his skin is ice cold. "Sorry," he whispers, and she's already shaking her head.

"It's my fault," she says. "I should have known you wouldn't be warm enough with only one blanket. I wasn't thinking."

He's kept the blanket wrapped around his hips, she realizes as he finally settles in behind her. She supposes that's probably for the best--and immediately following that thought is her mentally slapping herself for having been disappointed. Dear Hylia, is she actually going to be able to handle this?

Link seems to be trying his best not to touch her at first. It's not until he stops shaking entirely that he finally seems to ease into place, allowing the smallest bits of contact. He keeps his arms bunched up in front of him, creating a barrier between them, and at that, Zelda truly is disappointed.

She convinces herself it's the cold, but really it's her restraint weakening when she tells him, "You can come closer." She feels more than hears him hold his breath. Softly, she says, "Please come closer."

His arm is still a little cold as he lays it over her, but his chest is warm against her back. As he finally settles into her, a small delicate sigh escapes him, and she feels it on the back of her neck. The sensation sends a pleasant shiver down her spine, and she fails as she tries not to soak in that feeling.

"Thank you," he eventually whispers.

A tiny laugh escapes her as the comment sinks in, because the more she thinks on it, the more ridiculous it sounds. "You're joking, right? You nearly froze. You--You pulled me out of the spring water, woke me up, bundled me in blankets, started a fire and set up camp and braided my hair all the while no doubt burning from the severely frigid clothing on your skin, and you're thanking me? I can't even unlock a power that is supposed to be in my blood, that is supposed to save all of us from certain doom, while you learned to wield the master sword as a mere boy, and you're thanking me? That's-- It's--,"

"Shh," he cuts her off with just a simple hush, whispered into her hair. His hand comes up to hold hers and he runs his thumb across the backs of her knuckles in a soothing gesture, arm tightening around her with a comforting hold. He says nothing more, but his actions are enough to have tears prickling at the corners of her eyes.

They're supposed to be in this together, fight this calamity together--him with the sword and her with the goddess power. So she's been told her whole life. He held up his end of the bargain, and yet here she is, nothing more than a simple girl who wouldn't stand a chance against an eternal evil. They're supposed to be a team, a partnership, and she in her adolescent bitterness treated him with distain for months when he was always nothing but caring towards her.

In a trembling voice, she whispers, "How can you comfort me when you're the one I've failed the most?"

For once, his words come with no hesitation. "You could never fail me."

Her chest swells with the deep breath she draws in. She feels his words resonate in her soul. By reflex she wants to take them as the considerate words of a knight who is dutybound and obligated to be nice to her. Past that, she hears their genuine nature and she wants to think they're the kind words of a friend merely trying to make her feel better.

But it's neither of those. She can hear it in his tone, perhaps feel it in his hold. Or maybe she just recognizes it because it's the same way she feels for him.

Slowly, hesitantly, Zelda turns until she can see him--see the confirmation in the way he looks at her. The way he cherishes her in his gaze. He truly is the courageous one, she thinks, meeting her with those eyes that are so unafraid to admit what their feeling.

On a whim, or perhaps a mere stroke of curiosity, Zelda closes what little space there is between them, softly pressing her lips to his.

He breaths in long and deep, but otherwise shows no reaction. When Zelda pulls away, she finds him with his eyes closed, as if holding onto the feeling. When he finally opens them, he says nothing, simply watching her with the same calm understanding with which she watches him.

His heart beats steady under her ear as she lays her head on his chest. Wrapped up in his arms, sheltered in his warmth, Zelda finally allows herself to fall asleep.

[snidgetwidgeon]

Son of Hylia, Daughter of Farore

A roleswap Zelink AU

Art by @anxioussailorsoldier and used here with permission

This story is a one-shot inspired by the prompts from @drsteggy and was gifted to her in a fic exchange.

~~~

Link awoke suddenly, desperately trying to cling to the vision of a woman surrounded by bright light as it diminished from his foggy mind. Try as he might to enter back into the haze of his mysterious dream, sounds came louder and clearer to his ears, and he registered the rustle of the sheets sliding against his feet as he stretched, his senses slowly returning. Today would be a trying affair. He always remained fatigued after she appeared to him, ever speaking yet rendered frustratingly silent.

Perhaps he could try to lay low, hide in the library, and search yet again on the shelves he’d already scoured for something he may have missed; something to prove it was possible that he was having the visions vessels were known to have had. He just couldn’t interpret them. He spared a bittersweet thought for his late mother. She would have known, would have shown him. Or perhaps she would have bore a daughter, and there would be no question; and he could have supported his sister when they found out the Calamity was foretold to return.

But the Kingdom of Hyrule was left with a Prince at the precipice of doom. He’d never felt more useless, or more determined to do something about it. He would find a way. He would protect everyone.

Zelda shifted her feet, practicing her forms to warm up before training. She missed her scimitar. This new blade felt so different and she had to relearn how to make it an extension of herself. It was humbling when sparring partners she had previously bested came out on top. It just proved she still had much to learn and needed to become proficient with many weapon types if she wanted to be the greatest.

She recalled being a bit intimidated as her group of friends grew over the years. Where they used to be physical equals, they now towered above her; but she supposed she could be thankful for the challenge because it caused her to become an incredibly scrappy fighter, always looking for openings she could wheedle into.

This time she wheedled too far and forgot to watch her flank while in pursuit of one of her opponents. Another warrior swept in and bashed her ribs as she was on an upswing and it sent her flying. As she was pulled up, she couldn’t help but think spitefully that the same would not have happened if she were allowed her weapon of choice. She could have recovered with her scimitar but the swing on the Master Sword was different.

“Nice air you caught there,” her sparring partner teased in Gerudo. “Again?”

Zelda recovered her blade from a few paces away and declined, “I think I’ll just nurse my wounds and ego for awhile, thanks.”

“Suit yourself. I recommend you do solitary for a few days with your new acquaintance,” she pointed her chin towards the Master Sword in Zelda’s grip. “See if you two can make friends,” she winked and ran back to join the fray.

Zelda stared down at the sword with slight contempt. Urbosa had told her of the legends she’d learned from the late Queen of Hyrule, and her son, Prince Link- that the sword was wielded to protect Hylia, and how the blade itself chose its master and would even communicate. Someone being chosen meant that a shit storm was likely brewing.

Urbosa also mentioned that preparations were being made against some sort of Calamity. The word made Zelda’s blood run cold and she knew it was something to be feared. If the sword was not speaking to her, perhaps it chose wrong and she was not suited to the challenge. She had tried everything she could think of, even hours of meditation, which she hated because she didn’t like sitting still for long.

But it was all for naught.

She wove her way through the stalls and bustle of the marketplace, sword heavy on her back, and day after day it had only served to weigh her down even more. She could no longer stand it. She exited the north-western gates and ran along the outer wall. Heart pounding and sweating all over, she dug a rather shallow and pathetic hole, chucked the sword in and kicked sand over it before walking away in a huff, muttering, “Curse the day I found your infuriating silence!”

She’d been training in the desert when she discovered it, exploring further than she ever had over the dunes. Following the statues with their guiding swords, she finally came upon the last one and sheltered under her cloak at its base as a sandstorm passed. Thankfully, it was short and as she stood to shake as much sand as she could off her person, she noticed something strange in the distance. She could have sworn she’d reached the last statue of the warriors. Perhaps she’d miscounted as there stood another on the horizon, the reflection of its sword glinting brightly in its grasp.

Zelda took a drink from her ration, taking note of how much was left before deciding she could manage one more. If anything, it would improve her survival skills.

As she neared the solid figure rising out of the sands she noticed that the sword it held was elaborate. Oddly enough, a scabbard for it was slung over the shoulder which made it appear that someone had just left it there. She looked around but only saw a few cacti bearing voltfruits, perfect for carrying around extra moisture for the return trip. Some movement caught her eye behind a cactus and she ran over, pulling her scimitar, in case there was meat to be had, but she was met with a poof of sparkling petals and could have sworn she heard a childish giggle.

After investigating thoroughly, she cut the fruits and placed them into her bag before returning to the statue. It would be a shame to leave such a fine piece of work out in the middle of nowhere. She climbed the figure and slipped the scabbard off the shoulder, letting it fall to the sand before holding the neck and planting her feet against the torso so she could reach the hilt with her free hand. It did not budge. Hiking herself up, she wrapped her legs around the neck so she could use both hands to pull on the wings above the hilt.

She was straining when she heard the laugh again, accompanied by a rattle, and in her distraction, the blade suddenly came loose and they both tumbled into the sand.

She’d thought nothing of it until returning to Gerudo Town.

During a routine visit to the throne room, Chief Urbosa had nearly sent away visiting dignitaries when she spied the sword on Zelda’s back. After the meeting, Urbosa called her into her private quarters, which was very unusual. Perhaps she was to be given a special assignment.

“Where did you find that sword?” Urbosa asked with intense interest and a hint of concern.

Zelda stood at attention and replied concisely, “In the desert, Chief.”

“Zelda, have you any idea what you’ve found?”

Zelda began to doubt her decision to play finders keepers. Maybe it was a ceremonial sword or relic that should have stayed where it was. Though she had been raised with the Gerudo, she certainly did not purport to know all of their culture and was horrified by the idea that she’d deeply offended them.

~~~

Urbosa removed her bracelets and hair ornaments, letting the thick, red locks fall down her back. Making sure her tea would be in reach, she snuggled into her bed and opened a letter from her favorite Hylian. She always saved his letters for the end of the day when her attention could be undivided and she could imagine actually having a conversation with him. He was so bright and inquisitive, and optimistic- as his letter revealed. Just like her love.

~I have not given up my search. I keep thinking that surely, there is a pocket in the library I have not scoured. But then another duty and another day takes me away from it. I see her, Urbosa. It has to mean something. If only I could find evidence that there has been a son of Hylia. Why else would I be given visions? If only I could interpret them...

Do you know how mother did it? Did she ever say anything?~

He then went on to describe his involvement with the funding of the research at the Royal Ancient Lab as well as other gossip that he and Urbosa kept up on, including their inside jokes about stuffy nobles. He also wanted to hear more about the warrior who had pulled the Master Sword.

~Does the bearer of the Blade that Seals the Darkness fare well? The moment I learned of her, I hoped that it was a sliver of evidence to prove my case. If there is a woman as Farore’s chosen, then perhaps it lends weight to the fact that a man could be Nayru’s chosen. But I’m harping. Perhaps I will be able to meet her soon, though father keeps me tied up in social engagements. He has taken to parading me at events where there are ample amounts of young debutantes to vie for my attention. I’d much rather be studying.~

Urbosa wrote back early the next morning after skimming the letter again.

~It seems our chosen Hero is having trouble awakening the power within the blade. When you sent word of legends that say the sword speaks to a worthy master, she immediately felt inadequate. Zelda excels at any challenge and eventually overcomes all obstacles, so when she continually failed to connect with the sword’s spirit, she took out her frustrations in a childish manner. The other day she was witnessed burying it in the sand outside the town walls. She must have blown off all her steam because she did retrieve it later that night.

I think that learning her fate has been weighing on her. She puts on a stoic face but I can see she has reservations. Perhaps if you two came together, something will give?~

After reading Urbosa’s reply, Link laid the parchment back down on his desk and pondered her proposition. He had been wanting to expand his search outside the castle for sometime and though he enjoyed visiting the Royal Lab, it did not hold any answers for what he sought; they were just a bunch of rowdy mechanics who were a lot of fun to hang around with. But to understand his history and role, he wanted to go on a pilgrimage to the known spiritual sites of Hyrule, and perhaps discover unknown ones as well so he could be better informed on how to defeat the Calamity, and possibly awaken the power of Hylia along the way.

He would start making arrangements right away.

~~~

King Rhoam rapped his knuckles on the door of his son’s study. When Link answered with a curt nod and a polite greeting, he entered, leaving his guard detail outside. He thought it prudent to retain at least some privacy for this matter, considering the gossip it could generate.

“I hear you’re planning some sort of trip,” it came out as a statement more than a question.

“A pilgrimage. To try and find any proof of my suspicions-”

He was interrupted by his father’s large, dissatisfied sigh. “Link, you really must stop harping on about that nonsense. Hylia has only ever been reincarnated into the mortal body of a female, that’s just the way it is. A tradition that extends even far beyond what we have in written history.”

“Exactly. We don’t know everything. How do you explain my visions? Mother had them. She knew how to interpret them.”

“Perhaps they’re just dreams,” Rhoam offered again in a misguided attempt to engage.

Link smacked the book he was about to pack on the table in frustration. “I can’t believe you keep saying that, you just don’t understand.”

“What I understand is that you continue to foolishly insist on chasing dreams and fantasies rather than doing something tangible for your people. You’re wasting time, Link. You should be courting and choosing a wife so that you can pass on the bloodline to a potential Princess who will-” Rhoam saw the shock in his boy’s face and tried to change track, “We have no idea when the Calamity will strike, we should be doing everything we can to prevent disaster.”

Link clenched his jaw as a deep anger and loathing swelled in his breast. Voice trembling in rage, he rebutted, “I am not going to produce an heir just to send her to the slaughter. I will fight my own battles. This Calamity is coming down on us! I just need to figure out how to awaken Hylia’s power.” He grabbed his bag and stormed out before Rhoam could push his agenda further.

~~~

The next letter Urbosa received from Link outlined his travels. She grinned as she read through them, glad that he’d managed to get away.

~The Forgotten Temple was very difficult to access, and though it did not produce any results, it was a breath taking trip. It has the largest Goddess Statue I have ever seen and I felt a peculiar familiarity while standing under her benevolent smile. I think this is promising.

We’re now at the ruins of the Temple of Time on the Great Plateau. I’m no stranger to the place of course, but the Priestess has been most helpful in providing old texts to study that were not available at the Castle. She’s even offered to assign a scribe to make copies for me.

I hope to be underway again soon and I would like to visit the Seven Heroines. I want to leave no stone unturned. I shall send a dispatch for when we expect to be arriving in the desert.~

When the time came, Urbosa bid Zelda to be an escort for the Prince across the sands to Gerudo Town. “Listen carefully, Zelda. Being the Prince is more than reason enough to keep him safe, but there may be a chance that he is so much more. The fact that you wield that sword lends weight to his theory that he may be Hylia reborn.”

Zelda’s eyes widened but she remained silent, nodding dutifully.

“I’ll need you to deliver some supplies to him so that he may enter unmolested upon arrival.”

“Chief?” Zelda asked, uncertain about the order. Hylia possibly being in a boy she could handle, but in all her time there, she’d never heard of a voe entering Gerudo Town. For Urbosa to speak of it almost as if it were done every other day was- confusing, to say the least.

Urbosa raised her brow at the question. “He is my Oten’vehvi and knows how to behave within these walls. You need not concern yourself with the politics, just act as his personal guard.”

“Yes, Chief.”

She made her preparations and checked that all was secure with the ‘contraband.’ The idea of meeting the Prince was troubling to say the least. She felt completely inadequate, bearing a sword that considered her unworthy. Perhaps she could pass it onto him and he could find the most courageous person in Hyrule. With his resources she was sure it wouldn’t be that hard. Then again, legendary swords weren’t known for choosing incorrect Heroes, so what was wrong with her?

They would just have to work together somehow.

She rode most of the way at a leisurely pace behind her sand seal until she noticed a scuffle as she neared Kara Kara. “HUP!” she directed her seal to go a bit faster to investigate.

A couple of Hylian vai shrieked when they saw her. “The Prince! Please save our Prince!” they cried as they pointed west.

There were two Yiga chasing after a nimble blond clad in light blue. She sprung after them, tongue rolling in a call to let her mount know they needed to go as fast as if they were fleeing a molduga.

The Prince was doing well for himself until he fell, a prey disposition coming over him. He scooted back but could only stare at the assassins, frozen in fear.

Zelda used her inertia to whip across the sand and jumped to land between the Prince and his attackers. She drew her sword, imbued with courage and confident that she could easily protect the boy against the likes of this desert rabble. She almost become distracted by the sword’s sudden glow before exchanging blows with the masked Yiga. They soon realized they were no match for her and dispersed in pops of red and orange light, laughter echoing in their place.

Breathing heavily, she turned back to face the Prince who was still flat on his bum. They both ogled the glowing sword.

An ethereal, disembodied voice broke the silence, “Master, it is good to see you again.”

Their eyes snapped to each other and searched for understanding. There was an immediate and unmistakable bond between them. They’d both heard it.

“I see...” Zelda began. She glared down at the Master Sword, fist clenching the handle and shaking with anger. “So you only deign to speak when your charge is present?” Her voice rose, “I wasn’t good enough for you?! You picky piece of shit!” she yelled as she hurled the sword into the dunes.

Link gaped in disbelief that his protector was so uncouth when something profound occurred to him. He fell back into the sand laughing, a massive wave of relief washing over him.

She looked at him curiously. “What? What is it?”

His laughter died down and he gazed into the sky, moisture glistening in the corner of his eye. “She’s with me.”

Zelda’s eyebrows knitted in confusion, unaware of the turmoil he had experienced regarding his identity.

Link stood and brushed himself off then held out his hand in greeting. “You must be Zelda. Bearer of the Blade that seals the Darkness.”

She accepted his shake and added spitefully, “More like the blade that won’t open its trap unless its mommy is around.”

“You know, I find it very intriguing, my mother’s name was also Zelda.”

“Yes, my mother was a big fan. It’s kind of flattering, she was a great lady. But people always joke that I’m the lost, secret princess and other nonsense.” She started to move away but he touched her arm and she paused.

“Thank you- for saving my life; but also for revealing the truth. Now that I know she’s here,” he touched his heart, “I will find her.”

Zelda eyed him like a strange bug, still unsure as to what he was on about. She patted his shoulder as she walked over to retrieve her weapon, “Good luck with that.”

~~~

A few nights later, Link and Urbosa took a stroll just outside of town to enjoy each other’s company, catching up on their daily lives. The stars twinkled brightly and the moon shone pale on the dunes, a steady breeze drifting the sands away to the dark horizon. He’d just intimated what his father would have him do to stay the coming Calamity.

She touched his shoulder in support, “And what did you say?”

“That this was our battle. And I would absolutely not have a child just to-” he sighed deeply. “I mean, I know the legends. There will always be a vessel of Hylia and her chosen Hero, but to be so deliberate and unfeeling about it, I just...”

“It’s alright. Your father has always been rather blunt, and practical to a fault. For what it’s worth, I believe in you. The visions you describe sound very similar to what your mother shared with me.”

He looked up to her with a smile, “It’s worth a lot, you’re my Oten’baba; your opinion matters to me more than anyone else.”

They continued on for a short time in companionable silence when Urbosa stopped and lifted her head to the night, listening and placing a hand on her scimitar.

“What is it?” Link asked, only noticing after he’d taken a few steps ahead.

A raucous laughter cut across the desert and as quick as Urbosa had been to draw her blade and prepare a snap of deadly electricity over her foes, two of them grabbed the Prince and held their sickles to his neck causing her to stay her hand.

“What a lovely package we have here tonight. Not only can we bag the boy, we can finally rid ourselves of the thorn in our side, Gerudo Tempest!” a Yiga foot soldier, hidden amongst the rest, spat the last two words out in disgust.

They attacked and dozens fell upon the Chief, running head on and popping up behind. A dance of blades began and Link struggled to free himself. Urbosa tried to lead her foes away but Link’s captors followed, dragging his feet through the sand.

“You’ll not be using your lightning with the precious Prince so close, will you?” gloated the same antagonizing voice.

Link cried out in terror when he saw a Yiga succeed in cutting her arm. She seethed and decked them right across the jaw. When they fell she jumped onto their back and launched herself in the air so she could shoot off a bolt.

“Oh, no! Is the Tempest in distress?” the voice goaded, and the masks cackled.

Link couldn’t tell where the mocking was coming from, they were everywhere and nowhere at once. There were too many. Urbosa was becoming overwhelmed and aid may not arrive in time- a gash landed on her leg- he was going to lose her. The laughing was getting louder, the air becoming so thick with magic that it tasted like chalk on his tongue- a slice was delivered up her back and she cried out. He squeezed his eyes shut and thought of his mother. What would she do? There hadn’t been anything he could do for her then, but he was here now for his living mother.

Link’s eyes shot open just in time to see Urbosa drowning under the onslaught and his insides fell into oblivion. They were replaced by a warmth that spread through his body and beyond. He jerked his head in confusion as those that held him fell away. He was free. Sparks akin to those he felt when he fell asleep on his hand in the library spread through his fingers and he launched himself into the foray. He clawed through Yiga soldiers to get to her and did not see how each one he yanked was thrown back with a force of golden energy.

“Urbosa! URBOSA!?” They hit the ground.

The desert was lit with a false sunrise as Link crushed Urbosa in a desperate embrace. The light washed over her, healing her wounds as it cascaded around them in a dome, their enemies lying motionless on the outside.

After a few stunned moments, they opened their eyes and picked each other up. Urbosa held his face in her hands and wiped his tears. “Just look at you,” she said, smiling proudly.

“I- I couldn’t. I was,” he stumbled over his words as more tears fell, “I was going to lose you. I couldn’t lose you too,” he cried into her chest and she held him close.

~~~

Link was a natural at seal surfing. That’s what Zelda thought before she realized that he must have actually visited Gerudo Town previously and she just didn’t know it. They had left at sunrise and arrived to their destination mid morning. After taking a much needed rest, re-hydrating and snacking, Link took a leisurely walk around the place to get his bearings while Zelda tended to the sand seals. She joined him after they were settled for a long siesta and the two of them began their research of the Seven Heroines in interest.

There were orbs scattered about the place. Very large, Link noticed. He pushed one with his foot. And heavy. The sand seals might have to work after all. He tasked Zelda with collecting any she could find and in the meantime he studied the statues, picking up rather quickly that some had prominent corresponding symbols to the orbs on various parts of their bodies. Some he couldn’t make out as they were too high so there would be some educated guesses by process of elimination.

Zelda couldn’t help being drawn into his enthusiasm, the way he took notes- the face he made when he took those notes; it was all very quaint, and a bit impressive. Having spent most of her time advancing physically, she appreciated the mental gymnastics they were doing. Where most might sit back defeated, Link pushed through with a calm determination. They tried dropping the orbs in the pedestals in numerous combinations, each with a sound theory behind them. How was Link to know that if shrines had been activated, he would have succeeded in getting a result on the first try? A fact that they both wouldn’t learn for another 103-odd years.

After the sun set, Link scrawled until the dimming light rendered the page unreadable. Zelda had already set about making camp. They could head back to town in the morning, both were knackered. Even with the help of the seals, they’d heaved plenty of orbs around for hours. Eventually he plopped down on the rug with her and heaved a big sigh.

“Wow, you been working all day or something?” she asked in jest as she turned the vegetables in the fire.

“Yeah, something like that. It’s been a long while since I’ve been out in the field.”

She regarded him thoughtfully. “What’s it like up at the castle?”

“Stuffy.”

She chuckled and didn’t press but it wouldn’t be fair to leave it at that. For all its faults, it deserved more. “I loved exploring the halls as a boy. I’m fairly certain I found long lost passages even the castle historian didn’t know about. My favorite places are the Library and the Observatory. “

“Sounds about right,” Zelda smirked.

“Ha ha. But really, the Library has books as far as you can see, you’d never finish them in one lifetime. And my mother used to take me to the Observatory. I still go there to feel close to her.”

They sat in silence for a moment when Zelda touched his forearm. “I’m sorry you lost her.”

Link nodded in thanks and Zelda started to collect the hearty truffles from the coals. “I lost my father,” she began, and Link was a bit surprised she was sharing.

“He was a knight. We didn’t have any other family close by and mom didn’t fancy moving to Tabantha Village. She hates the cold,” Zelda added as she passed Link a stick laden with dinner.

“Thanks. So she just came to the desert instead?” Link asked before blowing generously and taking a bite.

“She had a close friend here who is practically my auntie. I think she was hoping we could just get away and start fresh from everything we knew before. But then I had to take after dad. Took her a while and a lot of arguments to come to terms with the fact that I was also a warrior.” She shook her head. “I feel bad. I’ve put her in a constant fear of losing me too but... you have to do what your soul tells you, right?”

Link closed his eyes and thought of Hylia, feeling a vibration in his core. “Right.” He agreed thoughtfully.

“Anyway, then this happened,” she said, unsheathing the sword on her back a few inches and letting fall back in with a shinck. “That was not a fun conversation.”

“I can imagine,” Link commiserated as he thought of his own recent rows with his father.

Zelda took a bite of her own truffle and regarded him up and down. With no tact for manners, she said with a full mouth, “You’re alrigh’ fo’ a Pince.”

Link laughed and his genuine mirth spread warmth through Zelda’s chest. “And you’re alright for a Hero.”

[heynikkiyousofine]

Don’t hate me for the chapter, we got some angst going on here in Chapter 4! The final chapter will be up Sunday! 

The Red Strings of Fate Chapter 4  

read it on ao3 here 😊

The autumn leaves continued to change until they fell from their branches, covering the forest floor with an abundance of colors. The bare branches, thin and frail, held the first snowfall as Kagome continued to visit Inuyasha. Some days, when the clouded sky brought chilled winds, she would accompany him in his cave, with a warm fire, telling each other childhood stories. Often, Inuyasha would forget his spot in retelling a story, becoming too distracted and mesmerized by Kagome’s laugh. In turn, Kagome would be rendered speechless catching Inuyasha’s intense stare whenever she would speak about her childhood, his gaze looking into her soul. It was in those days, they each began to fall for one another, neither of them saying it aloud.

Days when the sun shone brightly on the white landscape, Inuyasha would hang out in sturdy branches, next to Kagome, as she pulled her strings over the neighboring village. He didn’t see much of Miroku and Sango, knowing the wintertime was harsh for most humans, but did see a few demons who were able to find warmth in a pack. A wolf demon and his mate were trying to produce their own cubs when Miroku spoke about providing a blessing for the wolf tribe up north on one fo the few walks he and Sango took.

Asking Kagome if she could help, she just smirked at him and wiggled a finger on her left hand. The two red strings, braided with one another, were coiled tight as she added a third to the mix. Smiling at her involvement, he knew by spring the wolf pack would grow once more. It was moments like that, Inuyasha and Kagome silently wondered if they would ever get their own little string added to their own fate.

Winter continued to ravage the lands and yet Kagome still visited, never letting the frosty weather hinder her travels. Inuyasha wondered if the coldness ever bothered her, since she normally arrived barefoot and in nothing but a silk dress, her hair cascading down her bare back. The thought of Kagome suffering often made his heart ache, so he always made sure there was plenty of firewood to keep them warmth on the coldest of days. He had asked her one day if she ever got cold and she had only laughed and shook her head, explaining that ebbing a goddess had its perks.

He thought about all the secrets they had shared with one another, his fear of being alone, her love of flowers, his favorite food and hating spiciness, her disgust towards creepy men, but knowing a good soul when she sees one and so on. He thought about the warm evenings in his cave, thinking of it at home for the first time in a while, where she would get closer as the night wore on, almost ending up in his lap by the time it was time for her to leave. He thought about the night she discovered he turned human, smiled and continued with her conversation like it was nothing. He noted to himself, that she had stayed a little later that evening and arrived much earlier the next morning. In all his thoughts, he realized he had fallen in love.

As winter came to close, the days becoming a tad bit warmer, Inuyasha knew spring was on its way. It wasn’t until he was hunting a rabbit mid afternoon, he realized Kagome had yet to visit. Worrying, he finished up his hunt to take the animal back to his cave, hoping that she would be there waiting. When he arrived however, there was no sign of her. Her scent, jasmine, faded from the previous day, clung to the blanket he hung near the cave opening. Gripping the blanket tightly in his claws, he looked out to see nothing but meeting snow and dead trees. Continuing to get his meal prepared for the night, his mind preoccupied with the concerning thoughts of Kagome.

Days passed, with no word from her and he began to increasingly get worried. One early spring morning, he watched high from a tree branch with sprouting leaves, Miroku helping a pregnant Sango through the foliage on a walk. Smiling to himself, he was sad and happy at the same time. He was happy for the couple, Kagome’s job complete for this particular area, but sad because he may never get that chance at a family, but also, that Kagome’s job was complete. He doubt he would ever see her again. He began to get angry and fled towards his cave, his growing anger into a blinding rage. How dare she?! He seethed, as he tore through a branch with his claws.

How dare she leave and not say goodbye?! How dare she just disappear without a trace?! Did she know that he loved her?! His eyes flashing in anger, red seeping in, he noticed the soft, calming jasmine waiting for him at the entrance of his cave. Leaping from the last tree, he landed in front of her, only to see her stormy eyes filled with tears. Rushing forward, he reached for her shoulders, just as she latched onto his bright, red robe. His anger dissipated completely, leaving only confusion and worry in his gut.

“You idiot! What have you been doing all this time?” He growled, pulling her forward, closer to him.

“I’m sorry Inuyasha, were you waiting for me?” Her muffled apology came from below his chin, his hand cradling her head close. She began to cry harder and Inuyasha hugged her as close as he could, not understanding why she was so upset. He hated when women cried, especially her. He couldn’t bear her tears and sadness. 

“Kagome, what’s going?”

“I have to leave, but I-“ she began when he wrenched her away to stare into her eyes.

“You can’t!”

“Inuyasha!” The way she called his name made his heart soar, yet break at the same time. “I have to! I finished everything I needed to here. It is time for me to move on.” She looked down at their feet, while he just continued to stare, speechless, at her.

“Fine.”

“Inuyasha?” There his heart went again, this time, breaking for sure.

“I said fine. You shouldn’t have ever came back. I was fine before you came and I’ll be fine after you go.” Inuyasha let her go and turned to face the forest around him. Hearing her sniffle, and take a deep breath before her hand touched his bicep, the warmth nice in this chill, instantly regretting his angry words.

“Inuyasha, I don’t want to leave you.”

“You don’t?” He asked, shocked that she felt that way, turning to face her once more.

“No, I don’t, but I have to. I wish there was a way for you to come with me, but I will always be able to see you though. I just want you to be happy. I want you to laugh a lot. I don’t when I’ll be able to see you again, or what I’ll be able to do for you in this life, but I’ll always be by your side if I ever get the chance again.”

Reaching forward, she grabbed both of his hands, intertwining their fingers and stood high on her tiptoes. Inuyasha, still stunned by her speech, watched silently as she reached up and gave a quick peck to his cheek, leaving a warm touch behind. She let go and turned around, beginning to disappear into the forest.

“Wait! Kagome!” He called, reaching out a clawed hand as she disappeared, “I love you…..” He whispered to the air, with no one there to hear him.

taglist: @lemonlushff​ @enchantedink-ag​ @sailorlolo​ @kalcia​ @kaleyana​ @kagsandinuyasha​ @liz8080​ @swaggingtomboy​ @malditamigs​ @knittingknots​ @neutronstarchild​ @writemydaydreams​ @zelink-inukag​ @kawaiichan67​ @11volleyballcaro @yesthatsgreat @celestialmaiden5 @ruddcatha​ @olicucciola14 @thirrinwildcat @capricornsiren @mylindylady @perhapsitmaybedragons​ @briartss​ @artfanatic263​ @mlb-stuffs @inusgirl​ @anisaanisa​ @blairex

[obsidiangst]

now for those drabbles....how about some OoT zelink, maybe after Link returns from Termina and they reunite, could be angsty or fluffy. I leave that to you, but knowing you I have an idea for which one you'll pick :)

You should know which one I'll pick, but fair warning, I've not playyed OoT so I'm just going off what I know about OoT Link and Zelda. Thank you for the request!

Drabble is under the cut!

Words: 662

Link had sat in the castle gardens for hours. He’d been told by a guard that the Princess was busy, but he’d arrived in the morning and it was nearly sunset now. What was keeping her so busy? Link frowned to himself, anxious thoughts running rampant through his midn. Maybe she didn’t want to see him. Maybe she was angry that he’d been away for so long and was hoping he would leave if she took a long time to get to him. She’d sent him away before after all.

The pang in his chest at the thought made his resolve to see the Princess of Hyrule waver and he frowned even deeper, touching his chest over the tempestuous organ that had kept him away from Hyrule for so long. It seemed like the longer he’d stayed away the harder it was to come back and face her again. He knew she had no idea what her future self had done to him emotionally by sending him back to the present. He’d never had the heart to tell her. It’s not like there was anything she could do about it. The blood he’d shed, the tears he’d cried, and the pain he’d endured during his trials to save Hyrule from Ganondorf’s reign of terror no longer existed anywhere except inside his mind and in the paranoia fueled nightmares that kept him awake some nights.

No one knew the depth of what he’d done to save Hyrule except for him and it would always be that way.

“Link?” His ear twitched as her familiar voice broke through his thoughts and for half a second it felt like his heart had leapt skyward and the ground had fell away from under his feet as he turned his head to look at her.

Zelda stood a few paces away, wearing an informal light blue dress, without her crown, and her hair plaited back to fall in it’s natural waves behind her head. She was breathing a little hard, like she had been rushing to get there, but was unsure about approaching him further.

She was just as beautiful as he remembered her being. He offered her a small smile and his trepidation about seeing her again shattered into a million pieces as he watched her face screw up and a few rogue tears streak down her cheeks.

“Oh, Link!” Zelda exclaimed, closing the distance between them and wrapping her arms around his shoulders. He tensed at the sudden contact, unused to touching anyone in such an intimate way. She pulled back away after a moment thankfully, resting her hand on his shoulders and meeting his eyes. “I was so worried about you! I hope you didn’t wait too long Link, I’m so sorry- They didn’t tell me you were here until a few minutes ago.”

Link nodded in understanding, finally moving a hand to rest on her waist. She smiled through her tears at him and she ever so gently lifted one of her hands to brush across the scar left by the injury that had taken his right eye.

“You must have been through so much… I’m sorry,” Zelda whispered, dropping her hand. Link was quick to catch it, pressing her palm to his chest and smiling again at her. The relief in knowing that she didn’t scorn him for his ten year absence was a burden lifted from him and she returned his smile briefly before looking down at their feet. “I remember sending you away.” She said and Link’s heart lurched again. “Also some other things that I don’t quite understand.”

Zelda looked up again. “Link?” She was still misty eyed, but no longer truly weeping. “Ten years ago, before you left, you told me bits and pieces of what happened when you were sent to the Sacred Realm…” She took both his hands in hers and pressed them together between them. “Will you come inside and tell me everything this time?”

[toweroftickles]

ZELINK FIC - TICKLES THROUGH TIME

This is for @dyingtoleeya who suggested that I write about my “first ship ever.” That sent me on quite a nostalgia trip! Lol I’m a 90s kid, so most of my influences come from there. I didn’t expect to crank this fic out so fast, but something about it just inspired me. Hope you guys like it. :)

The fall of Ganondorf had seen the kingdom of Hyrule, though still shattered and broken, return to hope. The Hylian peoples had come together to rebuild, to settle into their old lives after seven long years. But for Link, and for Zelda, they had finally earned their rest.

It was a late night in the castle garden. Torches gleamed against white stone walls. The small stream that had once been present before the King of Thieves’ reign was dammed, but its mouth still bubbled peacefully through slabs of fallen rock. The stained glass windows, though broken, still cast their colorful lights into a swirling dance of shapes on the nighttime grass. Fireflies fluttered around. One landed squarely on the princess’ nose, and she giggled before returning to rest her head on the Hero of Time’s shoulder. They said not a word to each other, only breathed in the cool air, and listened for the sounds of a land returning to life. But finally, the princess spoke.

“So many years I dreamed I’d see you again,” she whispered, not looking directly at Link. “It’s funny...we only knew each other so briefly, but whenever I lost hope, I could always see you clearly in my mind. Waiting for you to wake up...was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

Link silently brushed Zelda’s long hair behind her ear and gently stroked her cheek. They smiled at one another, and Zelda couldn’t help but reminisce.

“You probably remember better than I do...when I used to sneak out to see you?”

<whooshing flashback noises>

Young Link and Zelda relaxed on the beach of Lake Hylia. As Zelda watched the swirling Guay chase Navi overhead, Link waded barefoot into the water and flung a rock with all his might.

Twice...three times...six whole skips! The Goron Bracelet definitely helped. Link grinned, pumping his fist triumphantly. Zelda laughed and clapped for him, and he returned to the grass beside her.

“This is so much fun,” Zelda sighed as the wind blew her headdress around. “I wish I’d been able to have a whole childhood like this.”

Link smiled happily at her and retrieved a small sandwich from his hammerspace pouch.

“Hey, Link...why are you always so quiet?”

Link stopped to think about the question. He’d barely spoken a word to the princess since that fateful day they met in her garden. He supposed, he was just never sure what to say to her. Navi usually did the talking for him.

“It’s because he liiiikes you!” the annoying fairy chimed in. Link’s eyes bugged out in horror and he instinctively smacked Navi through the air. Zelda giggled.

“No! I don’t!” Link stammered - perhaps the first full sentence he had said in her presence. “It...I’m....uh...”

“It’s ok,” Zelda said with a reassuring smile. “Come on, what are you hiding? Tell me!”

Almost on instinct the young princess reached out with her hand and playfully grabbed Link’s side. A huge grin appeared on the Kokiri boy’s face.

“Heehee-Hee! *gasp* Heh-Heh Ha!” Link giggled and pulled away from her. Zelda was delighted by his reaction...she smiled uncontrollably and kept squeezing at his tummy with both hands.

“Come on, say something!” she laughed. Link fell back onto his side in the grass, and Zelda followed on her knees. Her fingers grabbed and poked and tickled, and Link couldn’t stop laughing. With a mischievous twinkle in her light, Navi darted inside Link’s tunic and fluttered her wings against the boy’s ribs and belly. Link squirmed and tried to cover his stomach with his arms, but it was no use.

“Haha-Haha Haha-Haha Haaaa, Ha! *gasp* Haha-Haha Ha!” Link giggled and gasped for breath. Zelda’s own reactions weren’t much different. She could barely utter her command “Say something!” through her own gleeful excitement.

Then, suddenly, Zelda stopped poking Link’s stomach and turned around. He could breathe, at least for a moment. With both hands she grabbed Link’s right foot and stood up, lifting his leg off the ground while the rest of him stayed flat. She looked back at him, smiled like a kid on Christmas morning, and wiggled all ten of her fingers along the bottom of his foot.

“Ha-Ha Ha-Ha Ha-Ha! *gasp* Aha-Ha! Ah Ha-Ha Ha-Ha! Uggghhhhyeeehh, Heheh! Ha-Ha Ha-Ha!” The poor boy laughed loudly and rolled around on his back, trying to pull his foot away from Zelda’s devious little fingers. Navi’s buzzing magical energy still tickled his tummy.

“Do you give up?” Zelda teased him.

She didn’t wait for an answer. After another moment of giggling, Link felt his bare foot drop back into the grass. Navi flew out of his tunic, laughing to herself. It was over. As the young boy attempted to suck air back into himself, he pondered what had just happened...it had been surprisingly fun. At least...when she did it. Zelda dropped to her knees again and looked down at his exhausted face, and both smiled. But Link’s energy was all wound up, and as if loaded on a spring, he reached up with both hands and tickled Zelda’s armpits.

“AHH!” she squealed excitedly. Her arms instinctively snapped back like a pistol shrimp’s, drawn tightly to her purple top as she jumped back. Link’s fingers dropped lower and started to dance on her sides.

“AHH Haha-Ha! Haha-Ha! *gasp* Ha-Ha! N-ho, no faihair!” Zelda squirmed around and pretended to be resistant, but in truth she was having far too much fun. Link bounced up into action and dove on Zelda. With a surprised yelp she fell back across the knoll, and before they knew it, the two kids were rolling down the grassy hill toward the sand, Zelda laughing and squirming in Link’s grip. He held her close to him and tickled her belly and sides nonstop as they rolled.

“Whoooaa-OOOO-ooooooh, Heehee! AH Haha-Haha! Ha-Ha Ha-Ha Ha! Th-hat tickles!” she cried out.

Within moments the two had collapsed in the sand, both grinning rapturously and unable to stop giggling. The rolling and wind had tossed Zelda’s habit-like headdress aside, and its fabric stood out colorfully near the top of the hill. She had such short hair for a girl, Link thought. But he also couldn’t stop thinking about how cute she looked. He blushed and tried to hide his expression from her, but she was laying on her side, eyes shut and breathing out her last few giggles. Then Link noticed something else had gone missing from the princess’ possession when they rolled down into the sand - one of her slippers.

He had to act quick, before she noticed! The youth grabbed a nearby piece of straw...dropped from the local scarecrow...and he grabbed her ankle. In his right hand he held her right leg still, sole-up, against the sand, and he began to wiggle the piece of straw right in the middle of her foot.

“HAA, Ha-Ha Ha Ha! Haha-Haha! L-hihink, stop it!” Zelda slapped her palms into the earth. She flailed and desperately pulled her leg. But the smile on her face betrayed her true feelings - she was happy. She was playing with a real friend. For one of the few times in her life, she was having fun.

Link tossed the straw aside and stopped tickling. Zelda’s toes still wiggled involuntarily, and she curled into a ball while the squeaks subsided.

“*inhale*...*exhale*....Heheh! I’m sorry. Are we even now?”

Link was lying down beside her, smiling just as much as she was.

“I talk...when I feel like it.”

The two burst into laughter all over again and reclined. Navi, who had been intentionally avoiding the rough-and-tumble tickle roll, finally sauntered down to the sandbank. She knew, looking at Link and Zelda, that the two had a future. The lake’s calming breeze blew their hair around, and sand dusted up against their cheeks.

Soon, Link would be off to Jabu-Jabu. But he wanted to enjoy his time with the princess, just a moment longer.

<whooshing flash-forward noises. ooo>

“Remember when I lost the slingshot game ? I almost cried, but then you won me a Bombchu,” the adult Zelda murmured dreamily.

Link couldn’t help but grin. These events seemed so recent to him, but for Zelda they may as well have been lifetimes ago. He put his arm around her shoulder and she watched the lights flicker on the ground.

“Hey...are you still ticklish?” Zelda asked him, trying to contain her excited smile. Before he could answer, she darted a hand in and jabbed all five fingers into his abs.

In truth, despite his recent physical adulthood, Link had lost his entire 11-17 growth period...his body was matured but lacked the experience and resilience that came with living through puberty. His immune system was still weak, he had basically no callouses, and he was still very childishly ticklish.

“GYAAHHH!” he yelled out, twisting away from Zelda’s fingers. The princess giggled and kept poking all over his stomach, and Link couldn’t avoid the chuckles building in his throat for long.

Seizing an opportune moment, he reached in with his leather gauntlets and launched his own tickle assault on the now-grown princess’ tummy. To his delight, it worked.

“AH! Hmhm-Hmhm Heheh-Heheh Heh! Hm-Hm Hm!” Zelda giggled through her sealed lips and pulled her arms in tight. Almost instantly she was in the grass, flat on her back, her sides quivering beneath Link’s strumming, spidery fingers.

Suddenly, he stopped. Zelda breathed. For the first time in seven years, she was at peace. She looked up at Link, smiling above her, and in her eyes bounced a light show of firefly acrobats, around Link’s head like a halo. Link had never seen anyone or anything so beautiful. He stroked her cheek and tussled her hair again.

There is rarely a single, isolated moment in a relationship where a boy looks at a girl and realizes for the first time, “I love you.” And there was no such moment for Link or Zelda either.

But this one came pretty close.

[fatefulfaerie]

Missed Connections (Christmas Wrapping)

Day 10 of the 12 days of Christmas prompts orchestrated by @zelink-prompts

Incarnation: Breath of the Wild pre-Calamity

Link was invited as a guest to the Hylia’s Day ball and honestly, he didn’t know how to act, how to not be on guard, how to walk without the weight of the Master Sword. When the King of Hyrule invited him to relax the night away, he likely considered that the prospect of relaxing was even more stressful for the knight with the sword that seals the darkness.

He would only admit it to himself, but Link actually liked being the knight attendant to Princess Zelda. Mostly, he kept it secret because his charge was the complete opposite, absolutely hating his assignment to her. Link also feared that being honest with her about enjoying her company would lead to accidentally being honest with her about his growing feelings for the princess. Link was thus glad that he had adapted such a habit of being stoic all the time, of course borne out of always being expected to be the perfect hero.

Sometimes, he wished he could be himself.

“Master Link,” he heard a servant say near him, Link immediately turning his head and taking a step. “You inquired after Princess Zelda.”

“Yes,” Link said. “Where is she?”

“She has fallen ill in her chambers,” the servant said. “I assure you she is well-guarded but she will not be attending the Hylia’s Day festivities tonight.”

“I see,” Link said with a nod. “Thank you.”

Link’s gaze was distant as he stood in the crowded ballroom, thinking upon his next actions with what looked to everyone else like an expression with no emotion.

He looked out at the ballroom again, all these people he felt more and more alienated from. Somehow, he felt more at home with the person who regarded him with barely a glance.

Link summoned his courage and made his way through the crowds, trying not to bump shoulders but inevitably doing so as he reached the large doors.

The hallway was refreshingly empty of ballroom guests, Link feeling as though he could finally breathe, although his royal guard uniform he wore for special occasions such as this still restricted his freedom horribly.

Link had memorized his way to Zelda’s chambers by now, it, after all, being part of his job. In fact, before he knew it he was standing in front of her closed doors with a closed fist ready to knock.

He hesitated, stopping in his tracks to consider simply letting her rest. After all, igniting her anger towards him didn’t seem the neighborly thing to do. Even though he meant to help, he was likely the last person in Hyrule she wanted to be consoled by.

But then again, he couldn’t shake off the feeling that she felt as unbearably alone as he did. Perhaps she didn’t suspect yet as he did that they were each other’s cure.

So, perhaps a bit impulsively and with a great amount of fear in his heart, he took a deep breath and knocked on her door thrice.

“Your Highness?” He asked. “Are you all right?”

There was a bout of silence where Link thought of turning himself back around, surrendering this waging battle. Perhaps she was ignoring him.

“Yes,” he finally heard, her voice softer and more angelic than he’d ever heard. “Yes I am. Are you one of my father’s men? Has he sent you to come check up on me?”

It suddenly occurred to Link that Zelda had never before heard him speak. Although cordiality towards him wasn’t something he should have gotten used to, he couldn’t help not correcting her error. Talking to her without the odd rift between them seemed the best Hylia’s Day present of them all.

“No, I…” Link responded, only imagining how angry she would be if she learned he had tricked her in the way he was about to. “Well, technically I am, but I heard you were sick and came to check up on you.”

Zelda took a pause, Link not knowing that she had graced a smile.

“That is very sweet,” she said. “Only, I…I wouldn’t call myself presentable enough to be seen by just any other soldier. I hope you don’t mind.”

Link breathed a sigh of relief knowing the doors wouldn’t open, that the charade of peace would be kept up longer. But at he same time, he stood at the door on edge, watching everything he said. She just wanted her to not feel lonely, even if just for a few moments. 

“No,” he said. “I don’t mind. Are you feeling better?”

“Not really,” Zelda replied. “Actually if I’m being honest, it’s only small headache. Really, I…I just didn’t feel like celebrating.”

“Why not?” Link asked.

Zelda laughed at the question but she didn’t seem amused in the slightest. Link’s blue eyes melted with concern

“Oh, I get it, now,” she said. “You were dared to come up here. ‘See what the Princess thinks of her inadequacy,’ how ver—“

“No!” Link insisted quickly. “No! I don’t think of you as inadequate at all! I think you’re under a lot of pressure and…and I understand you not wanting to be in that ballroom tonight.”

Link felt a great sense of relief at finally being able to get those words out and into her ears. He worried in the following silence that he had spilled it out too abruptly.

 “I don’t think anyone could ever truly understand having the kingdom’s weight on your shoulders,” Zelda said quietly, Link mouthing “really” and laughing inaudibly. “But, then again, I don’t think anyone has tried to understand my hardships, not even my father.”

Link slid down the closed door before sitting with his back pressed up against it, his head leaning against it. He hated that she needed him and yet refused to acknowledge his existence and yet he loved talking to her so openly.

“Isn’t there supposed to be a guard here?” Link asked, finally noticing the absence of one.

“New orders from the King,” Zelda explained, before almost saying mockingly, “Her Highness is to be protected from the inside of her chambers. I didn’t think it applied as an at all times thing but of course it does. There are guards in here as I speak”

“But it isn’t at all times,” Link said a bit more forcefully before panicking, realizing that some random knight wouldn’t know her schedule so well. “I…I mean you’re obviously not always in your chambers. Don’t you have a knight attendant?”

“Oh,” Zelda said. Link could hear hear spite loud and clear. “Right.”

Link felt something in his chest, something sour and bitter. Not only had he reminded her of his existence, but the way she talked when thinking about him was so hopelessly cold. He didn’t know what to do to convince her he was on her side, thus resolving to take advantage of this opportunity.

“Are you still here?” Zelda asked.

“Yeah,” Link replied cautiously. “I can leave, if you want.”

“No,” she replied. “That’s all right.”

A silence fell between them. Somehow, Link didn’t know how, but somehow that was okay. It was a comfortable silence.

“You’re not from around here, are you?” She asked, soon correcting herself. “I mean, I know you are a knight but originally…your voice. I’d guess somewhere to the south, the Necluda region.”

“Yeah…yeah I am.” Link said, turning his head to his shoulder and smiling. “You’re smart.”

“It only goes so far,” she said with a reclaimed sadness that sank Link’s heart.

“Your Highness, I…” Link started. “Can…can I be honest with you?”

“Sure,” Zelda said, Link able to hear her smile. Perhaps after such a civil conversation, him revealing his identity would work to his advantage.

“I…” he said nervously. “I want…I want to be a comfort to you. In these times of great stress…I feel like no one cares about the people they are placing their stress upon. I feel like you may need someone like me and that…that…th-that I might need you too.”

“Why would you need me?” Zelda asked calmly. “I don’t understand.”

“Because…” Link tried. He was more nervous than he thought he would be, his pulse racing and his heart running in circles that were too fast for him to keep up with. He took a breath in, closing his eyes.

“Because I’m Link,” he blurted out loudly, expelling the truth onto her and immediately thinking of a million different ways he could have said it better.

The doors swung open immediately, revealing a Princess that Link gazed upon as he stood up slowly, her elegance ethereal and her anger restrained.

She wore a white nightgown that exposed her shoulders and her ankles, that was a light fabric that floated with the incoming breeze of the near window.

And yet her furrowed brow and the ignited fury in her green eyes seemed to contradict her beauty as she glared at Link, frozen in fear and yet standing his ground.

[pastelsandpining]

The Greatest Gift (Freebie)

The twelfth and FINAL prompt in 12 Days of Christmas by @zelink-prompts​!! Thank you so much for all the support! Happy Holidays!

Prompt List

Words: 2917

Summary: Very fluffy. Link pops the question. Proposal fic. Can’t get any better than that folks

BotW Post Calamity Zelink

Zelink-mas 2020  l  Masterlist 

There were many words that could describe how it felt to have Zelda back by his side. He could call it wonderful, magical, amazing--just about every word in the book. None could fit better, however, than natural. Natural was how it felt when she’d appeared before him, glowing in a gold far richer than the ores beneath the surface could ever produce. Natural was how it felt when she smiled at him, striking his heart with an arrow of warmth he’d forgotten how to know. Natural was how it felt when he hugged her, holding onto her as if his life depended on it. And natural was how it felt to love her, like he’d done it a thousand times over and would do it a thousand times more. 

It felt natural to celebrate every little thing with her, whether it be her new haircut, or a holiday, or an advancement in the reconstruction of Hyrule. It felt natural to follow her back into the heart of the kingdom, where he would spend the rest of his days as her knight attendant because the thought of not being with her made him feel empty. Everything he did with her, even if it meant to just exist within her presence, felt so incredibly familiar and natural, and perhaps that was why they fell into a rhythm so quickly.

Perhaps that was why most nights, Link only fell asleep after Zelda did. He liked to see her curled up underneath the covers, tucked into his arms, with the peaceful expression of a sleeping goddess visible in the silver moonlight. Perhaps that was why he found every reason to accompany her wherever she went, so that he could see the way she lit up and smiled when things were working out. Perhaps that was why he took his job so seriously, even now, simply because he liked to be around her. 

Admittedly, it’d be problematic if he didn’t like to be around the very princess he was courting. That would never be an issue though, even in times like these, when she was trying to use him as a test subject for her new, trial-and-error elixirs.

“You know I trust you with my life,” he said, holding her wrists as gently as ever. “But I’m not putting that in my body.”

“I promise you’ll be okay,” she replied with a pout that almost swayed him. But Link stood his ground and shook his head, chuckling softly at her antics.

“You’re ridiculous, Zel.”

“I know what I’m doing, Link. I wouldn’t willingly feed you something that could harm you.”

“Uh huh. And what’s the elixir supposed to do?”

“Well, if all goes according to plan--which it should, it would boost the natural defense of a person against any sort of attack or condition.”

“You’re brilliant, but I’ll still have to pass.”

Zelda huffed, then uncapped the vial and brought it to her lips. Link was quick to snatch it from her hands and cap it again, shaking his head.

“Nope,” he said, “We’re not doing that either.”

“Then how are we supposed to know whether or not it’s effective?” she argued, crossing her arms over her chest. 

“I’ll find you a volunteer,” he replied, which she knew was code for I’ll be your test subject later, and it was enough to satisfy her into smiling. “Can I make our dinner now?”

“It’s all yours, sir knight,” she answered, handing the slate over and lifting her hands up in defense. 

“Thank you, Princess.”

It was far from the first time he called her that, and it was a proper title anyone could use. But Zelda still smiled with a pink on her cheeks, and Link could do nothing but watch her. Watch the way crinkles formed by her eyes when she smiled, and the way her freckles became more prominent in the sun, and the way her golden hair bounced when she moved, and the way she furrowed her eyebrows whenever she was confused.

“What?” she asked.

“You’re beautiful,” he said, like it was the simplest thing in the world. She ducked her head and laughed, and he smiled in return.

“So you’ve said, many times,” Zelda replied, giving his arm a gentle shove.

“And I’ll keep saying it until the end of time. You’re divine, ethereal, gor-“

He was fairly certain the kiss was solely to stop him from talking, but he was happy to return it nevertheless. 

She tasted sweet, like the berries they’d eaten for a snack earlier in the afternoon, and if sunlight had a taste, he imagined it would also taste like her.

“If you don’t get to cooking, I’ll take the Slate back,” Zelda warned with a poke to his chest. 

“Alright, alright,” he replied with a laugh. He truly enjoyed cooking, but not even that could keep his mind off of the girl besides him, who was busy scribbling away in a journal. His thoughts always drifted to her. Her, and his love for her, and just how much they’d survived together. 

And without thinking about it—well, it’d been on his mind, but he didn’t think before speaking:

“Would you ever want to get married?”

“Yes,” Zelda replied, too quickly and too casually for him to think she’d really heard him. He looked over to her with furrowed eyebrows, but she was staring right back with wide eyes, like she couldn’t believe it either. It took Link a minute to find his voice. 

“Are you serious?” he asked in a voice just barely above a whisper.

“Are you?” she asked.

“Yes,” Link said with a nod, reaching for one of her hands. “Of course I am.”

“I— you do mean us, right? You would want to marry me?” 

“Yes. Without hesitation.”

“Is this..?” 

Link shook his head quickly.

“No! I mean, no, I just— I kind of want to.. plan something..? I mean, the princess of Hyrule deserves a grand proposal.”

Zelda’s cheeks were as red as a rose. He could imagine he looked very similar, with the way his heart was racing. 

“You better not,” she said with a smile. 

But he did. He spent the next few weeks planning a perfect proposal. It didn’t have to be a surprise, but he did want it to be special. Zelda was special, in so many different ways. She was so very special to him, and he wanted to convey that, but he was stumped. 

Link didn’t want to put her on the spot in front of their friends or a crowd of any sort. He didn’t want to pressure her with grand gestures or gifts, but what else could he do? 

He’d written and scratched out so many ideas. 

Should he bring her to the Sanctum and make it the place of a happy memory instead of what it had become? Should he take her on vacation to Hateno and ask in the privacy and comfort of his house? Should he be clever about it and slip the ring into a book, or a journal, or on a guardian piece? Should he have a friend help him?

He tried asking said friends on their opinions, but he had pretty limited options. Riju was a child, and she’d take pleasure in sending him straight to a Voe and You class that he did not want to participate in. Yunobo didn’t seem like the type to talk to anyone, much less do something as outgoing as propose. It didn’t feel right to ask Sidon, even if he would give good advice. His best bet was Teba and Kass, or any of the families he’d come to know in Hateno. 

Kass had suggested a song, but Link didn’t think he had a musical bone in his body outside of an appreciation for it. It would be a decent last resort, if anything. 

So the days came and went, and he remained clueless, but the ring, carefully crafted in Gerudo Desert with diamonds and sapphires and emeralds, stayed in his pockets. Just in case.

“Could you pass the sugar?” asked Zelda from beside him. Hylia’s Day had come around again and three years after their first celebration full of friends, they were spending the day in solitude. He was trying, key word, trying to help her bake a fruit cake. The kitchen staff were hesitant to let them, but he managed to convince them.

Link used it as an excuse to hug her from behind and place the sugar in front of her.

“You’re ridiculous,” she said, but turned her head to kiss his cheek anyway. 

“Careful not to use too much,” he warned, giving her a gentle squeeze. “It’ll be too sweet.”

“If I can put up with you, then I think I can handle a little ‘too sweet’.”

“I can’t tell if that’s a compliment or an insult.”

Zelda snorted and dumped the measured sugar into the bowl. Link hid his grin in her shoulder. He loved the way she laughed, and the way her nose scrunched up when she did. 

“There. Now I can stir them all together, right?” she asked. 

“Clever girl,” he replied with a kiss into her shoulder. She threw some flour into his hair, and he shook it off all over her shirt.

“Oh, you just wait until this is in the oven.”

“Is that a threat, my princess?”

“Absolutely.”

Though she didn’t need help pouring the cake batter, Link set his hands over hers and did it anyway. It was nothing more than an excuse to touch her, but she clearly didn’t mind. 

“See? You’re a professional,” he said as he took the trays and slid them into the oven. She’d burned herself once, years ago, and he never let her touch it since. 

“I can give up the crown and turn the castle into a bakery instead,” she replied, leaning against the counter with crossed arms. He shut the oven and set his hands on either side of her, trapping her where she stood.

“We could be Hyrule’s most successful sweet shop. Specialty is fruit cake, made by and for the former princess herself.”

“Maybe we’ll just run a side business.”

“Ah, Princess and army general by day, bakers by night.”

“Exactly.”

Link laughed and pressed a kiss to her forehead. Zelda brought her flour covered hands up and stuck them onto his cheeks. 

“Why do you insist on starting a food fight with me?” he asked with a sigh, before sticking his hand in flour and dragging a finger down her nose, leaving her with a flour streak of her own. 

“You’re cute when you’re covered in flour,” she replied before ducking out from under his arms and darting away from him. When he turned to grab her again, she tossed a handful of flour in his face. “See?”

“Princess of Hyrule, Daughter of Hylia, spends her day assaulting her escort with flour,” he said with a huff, then turned back to the counter to scoop up some flour of his own.

“Are you seriously pouting over it?” she asked. Now that she’d moved closer, he spun around and dropped the handful onto her head.

“You know me better than that,” he replied with a grin. Zelda let out a sound somewhere between a gasp and a scream, and Link took the opportunity to make a mad dash across the kitchen and out of her reach.

Maybe they should’ve cleaned up the ingredients when they were done, because Zelda grabbed an egg and chucked it in his general direction. He ducked, then darted to one side of the table. She took the other and mirrored every move he made with a grin of her own.

“Your aim is getting better,” he teased, nodding towards the splatter of egg on the wall. “But I will again offer training-“

“If you hadn’t ducked, it would’ve hit you!” she defended.

“A lovely Hylia’s Day gift that would’ve been. Egged by my princess.”

“I think it’s fitting!”

“I got you an empty kitchen and a day to try whatever you want, and you egg me!” 

“Because you’re an egghead!”

“Unbelievable. She’s the Daughter of Wisdom and the best she can come up with is egghead.”

Zelda sputtered a response, then made a break for him. Instead of running in the opposite direction, like any sensible person, Link jumped clean over the table and waved with a smile.

“Ugh! Show off.”

“I could teach you,” he offered.

“I’m perfectly capable of jumping over a table on my own!”

“Prove it.”

Zelda glared at him, but it was filled with a playful love that made it hard to stop smiling. She pulled herself up onto the table with all the grace of a goddess blood princess, then scooted across it to meet him.

“Very impressive,” he teased, grabbing her by the waist to pull her close. She only rolled her eyes and stuck her fingers into his hair, effectively spreading more flour. 

“High praise coming from you,” she said. Link only hummed and tilted his head to meet her in a quick kiss. 

“Come on, let’s clean up a bit,” he replied as he scooped her up off of the table in a bridal hold, and she leaned her head against his shoulder.

“Yeah, we probably should.” But she’d tilted her head up and was pressing kisses along his neck.

“Are you trying to distract me?” he asked, glancing towards her with a lifted eyebrow.

“Now why would I do that?” 

The warmth of her breath tickled his neck and, well, it was certainly working. He almost wanted to forget about cleaning their mess and instead give his full attention to Zelda, but his foot hit a pile of flour on the floor.

The wind was knocked out of him immediately upon impact with the floor, but no harm had come to Zelda, and that’s what mattered. He tried to laugh through the pain.

“Are you okay?!” she asked as she scrambled off of him and helped him sit up. He nodded, but she checked him over anyway. Only when he could breathe again did she relax, then burst into a fit of giggles. “You’re an idiot.”

“I’m being bullied by the love of my life,” Link said with a hint of exasperation as he dropped onto his back. Zelda leaned over him with a smile as soft as a cloud. 

“Am I really?” she asked, running her fingers through his hair again.

“Of course,” he replied with a smile, lifting a hand to rest on her cheek. “You’re my sunshine.”

Zelda scoffed and shook her head, but Link took her free hand and pressed a kiss to her fingertips. Even covered in flour, she was absolutely divine. And she looked so happy that his heart could burst. He decided there was no moment he loved her more than when she was smiling at him, with a warmth in her eyes and a sweetness in her smile that was reserved only for him. He loved her most when she was happy. He couldn’t keep the smile from his face and the words from his mouth.

“I love you,” he said as he sat up, cupping her face with both hands. “So much. You are everything to me and I want to do all I can to make you happy, for the rest of our lives.”

“Link,” she replied, her voice choked full of emotion. 

“I want to marry you, Zelda.”

Even though they’d had this discussion before, there were tears building in her eyes. She looked like she didn’t know what to say, so Link took the opportunity to dig into his pocket and pull out the velvet box. And right there, on the floor of the castle kitchen, covered in flour, Link opened the lid and revealed the ring. Zelda burst into tears and, goddesses, when she nodded, he let out a watery laugh. She tackled him backwards, burying her face in his shoulder, and he hugged her close.

“I love you,” Zelda said, and repeated it probably a hundred times over. 

“I love you,” he answered, pressing a kiss to her head.

“Can we have fruitcake at our wedding?” she asked in a wobbly voice. Link laughed again and if he could hold her closer, he would’ve. 

“We can have whatever you want.”

And a few hours later, when the future queen and Hyrule’s army general stepped out of the (now clean) kitchen covered in flour, hand in hand and glowing with a happiness that suggested they’d seen Hylia herself, no one questioned it. But their engagement was no secret, because the ring on their princess’s finger had the castle staff whispering excitedly to one another mere minutes after the couple was gone. 

That very night, as Link watched Zelda fall asleep in his arms, he could swear he felt King Rhoam smiling down on them, and he thought he could hear Urbosa’s laughter echoing on the wind. 

They would celebrate tomorrow, he decided. For now, he would be grateful for how their solitary Hylia’s Day had gone. 

He must’ve been the luckiest man in the entire world. 

“I’ll take care of her,” Link whispered into the night air, a quiet promise to all those who cared about her. She didn’t need his protection, but goddesses, she’s all he could’ve ever wanted. 

To have the pleasure of falling in love with her over and over again, perhaps that was the greatest gift of all.

[botwstoriesandsuch]

Whoopsie King Rhoam’s a dick but I gotta flesh him out so

Read Part 1 here!

Part 2

If you’re on mobile, and tumblr hates this post, follow along on this google doc!

Rules/overview this rewrite in the beginning of Part 1

‘sup ya beautiful bastards it’s time to gush about the process of storytelling and writing as we fix up the fix it fic so let’s just jump into it

- - - - - - - - - - 

A quick recap of Part 2, and I swear this recap is faster than the recap last time: Chapter 3 of Age of Calamity opens with a more substantial scene the beginning points of Revali’s character, and contrasting the old position that Link and eggbot have, so that their later changes in this chapter (well, at least for Link in this chapter) are more pronounced. We edited a bit of the dialogue to make Revali’s intentions make a bit more sense, while also putting some little foreshadowing points with some camera tricks for the Hollow Champions. The Hollow Champions can now speak, which means their potential for being used to bring out the flaws or bitter aspects of each character is more readily available further into the story. And of course, we’ve introduced the main antagonist of Astor, and coupling his presence and dynamic with Zelda’s insecurities. While his intentions of needing Zelda for something is clear, his motivations and backstory remain a mystery as of yet, the only true clue we have so far being some sort of connection to eggbot. 

I didn’t get any big asks or comments about Part 2 so I’m going to assume that it was mostly well received (although I will note that I promise I’m going to flesh out Revali to be more than he has been presented as of yet, this is just the very very start of this development don’t you worry your feather loving butts) that being said, you should totally critique me or give me your opinions or comments. I’d love to hear them! Although, keep in mind that I am restraining my rewrite to the guidelines already said, so don’t get mad at me for not killing off all the Champions or something. Thaaat’s a rewrite for another time. So yeah if you reblog you get a little kiss from me because believe it or not I spent a lot of time trying to rewrite an entire storyline while keeping it’s tone and integrity intact. So thanks much <3

Okie dokie then chaps! Let us finally delve into Urbosa lesbian vibes, a zest of Zelink angst, rants about pacing, and a couple tablespoons of Astor backstory, all starting in the latest stage of Chapter 3: The Road Home, Besieged 

So right of the bat, big problem here. This Chapter follows directly after the events of Korok Forest, so you assume that maybe “The Road Home” refers to the team, going home, back to the castle, to tell King Rhoam what’s up. But...that’s apparently not the case. 

So this entire stage, firstly, it brushes over any scenes where Zelda, Link or the other Champions might talk to King Rhoam about the Master Sword, or the Deku Tree, or...hmm what else happened last stage that might be interesting to see—oh yEAH HOW ABOUT that mysterious magic guy that tried to kill Zelda and was going off about the future and stuff?? That guy that wielded a bunch of dark magic and malice looking stuff and, uh yeah, you’d think it might be important and interesting to see the King’s take on was is essentially a wanted traitor to the crown who may or may not be leading the entire movement for the Calamity’s uprising. But nope, no one asks questions, no one says anything or has interesting conversations that reveal stuff about the plot. It's just….just all about Zelda and ooooOOooo she can’t awaken her powers oh no what’s a gal to do!

And I do mean that quite literally, this entire stage is all centered around two scenes with Zelda. The first, an admittedly narratively important scene of Zelda having a quick flashback about eggbot after he sings her a song, but it lasts for five seconds. And the second, being a pep talk with Urbosa as Link eats rocks in the background. For the majority of this stage, it’s all focused on Zelda, and pacing wise, it does virtually nothing to progress the narrative/plot forward.

And on paper, there’s nothing wrong with that! Hell, people read entire fanfictions dedicated to character development and relationships that have absolutely no external plot. Having a scene dedicated to just character development is completely fine, it’s something that’s pretty common and even encouraged to an extent. The problem arises when you remember that this is a story being told through the medium of a video game. 

Now, I am going to try and  breeze by this because, similar to Age of Calamity, I have to also construct this post with pacing that keeps my audience engaged, while progressing with my core narrative and story. But I highly encourage you to watch through this video by hello future me (On Writing: How to Master Pacing) because a lot of what I know about this I’ve picked up from his videos, and if you’re a writer or just someone who thinks storytelling is cool, it’s a great guide to the art of pacing.

Anyhow. There are two levels of pacing within a story. There is the small type of pacing, like for the structure of a singular scene. And there is the pacing of the overall core narrative, how the larger beats of the entire story is revealed. Good pacing for your core narrative is about whether the reader feels like they are getting closer to the big thing, the big climax or answer or promise of satisfaction. The smaller type of pacing, for your singular scenes, focuses on that timing between how close you get to achieving new information, this refers to  your slow and fast pacing, tension versus rapid action.  

So, overall the rule of thumb is: the amount of time you invest into your smaller scenes, even put together, that must correlate with a big enough payoff in the core narrative. That’s what good pacing is. (And that’s why people make stuff like the Three Act Structure to help visualize this pacing process but obviously other forms of pacing guidelines exist like the Five and Seven Act Structures but that’s too complicated for this Nintendo Game anyhow that’s just some educational flavour for ya to impress your highschool English Teacher I guess) 

So knowing that, the question now is: Does The Road Home, Besieged contribute good pacing to the story? This is going to be my excuse for changing up other later scenes in the game, so when I mention pacing and narrative again, remember this. The time spent playing for thirty minutes, minimum, in the game, to only be paid off by two lines of character development isn’t good pacing. So the answer is “no.” 

Delving as long an amount of time as thirty minutes, means that pretty much everytime a stage is complete, you must introduce new substantial progress to your story. A game like this just doesn’t have time to waste it’s valuable cutscenes on character development alone. There’s an even further wrench in the issue when you consider you also need to account for sidequests, so you could really be forcing your player to go through hours of gametime before you introduce new details in the story. 

Obviously it’s not always gonna be cut and dry like that—sometimes you have to account for how enjoyable the gameplay is, and sometimes the amount of character development offsets any lack of narrative development—but for the majority of stages I’m gonna change, they all suffer this pacing problem. In a game that's entire story hinges on these cutscenes, bad pacing is just something it doesn’t have time for.

Anyhow anyhow anyhow, I got to get my dose of serotonin by talking about pacing writing structure and stuff and blah blah, so now I shall grace you with the changes that address these problems that would theoretically lead to vast improvement. I gave you this reasoning and backstory to writing because I am making hella changes, to hopefully make the experience more “poggers,” which is something the cool kids say these days if you didn’t know. 

Firstly, timeline wise this stage is gonna take place directly after the Korok Forest battle. The gang is returning home from the battle, with Link, the new wielder of the Master Sword, along with this new information regarding a certain Astor character. 

We open the same way it does in game, focusing on Zelda’s face, before the frame is suddenly blocked by the pommel of the Master Sword. A wordless way to express how the sudden revelation of Link being the hero has forced its way into Zelda’s mind, great use of camera Koei Tecmo 10 outta 10

Now I don’t want to immediately jump into Zelda’s “oh poor me I can’t awaken my powers” dialogue because—and this is something even Breath of the Wild is guilty of—This game seems to forget that there are other characters besides Zelda. It’s marketed towards kids, sure, but I assure you that kids playing this game have a longer attention span than 2 minutes. You don’t need to keep reminding the audience every single scene about how Zelda is anxious about her powers. It gets redundant, you waste the audience’s time, and therefore you waste your own time, because you could have been using that precious screen time to develop some other thing further.  So anyhow, goes a bit like this. 

Zelda’s walking, the Master Sword comes into frame. Zelda looks down at the ground but keeps walking, but you can tell from her expression that she’s troubled. Don’t need to waste time on dialogue for her here, show don’t tell, we need to make the most of the scene here. Camera is still on Zelda, but the focus blurs shifts from Zelda to the Champions behind her. We can start with Mipha, I don’t have my heart set heavily on any specific dialogue, but I want her to say something along the lines of “how proud she is of Link” and what an honor it will be to fight by the side of not just her dear friend, but also someone selected by the goddess to be the hero. Subtextually, I want her to say this in a tone that suggests that she doubts the need for her to be here at all. She’ll say something like “He’s grown so…” glances up at Link who's just walking ahead, “...so much stronger than I could ever imagine. [Something Something] His power has grown so much over the course of a few days, more than I have achieved in a lifetime.” She looks down, but she still has a sweet smile. 

Now I’m doing this because I want to develop further this plot line of “getting stronger” that Age of Calamity sets up but never does anything with. Remember how in Chapter 2, Mipha asks Daruk to train with her to get stronger? I really like the possibilities of this arc with Mipha as it can not only parallel with her feelings for Link, but also make her character better as an individual. Mipha wants to get stronger so that she can protect Link, but now she thinks that Link’s already growing stronger to an extent that she might not be needed. She’s not jealous of Link, nor does she wish him to be weaker, she simply wants to be more than she already is. This is literally echoing her words that she left her father, about how leaving the Domain and experiencing new challenges would be “good for her.” So I wanna run with it. The dialogue here establishes Mipha’s motivation to grow stronger, almost equivalent to a rivalry of sorts. 

So after Mipha says this, Revali scoffs and butts in. Again, I’m not too set on any particular dialogue here, just something like “Hmph! Well, I don’t know about that. Seems to me all that’s happened is some magic sword gave the knight an ego boost. Blade’s only as strong as the little Hylian who wields it, and—based on my own extended experience and professional observations of course—I’ve yet to see this ‘stronger’ boy that you speak of.” Another camera pan to Link a ways in front of them. “If you ask me, hero or no, that knight is still exactly the same as I first met him.”

Revali places a wing on his chest dramatically. “Perhaps if you’re truly keen on seeing growth in skill and strength, Mipha, you’d do well to—”

“Flattering of an offer as that may be, Revali,” Urbosa interjects, “But I think Mipha might find it difficult to observe growth from one of the shortest Rito in Hyrule.”

Cue laughter from others or snickering or something. We just need some banter to add a bit more flavour to the characters. Revali can do a little huff and cross his wings or flip his scarf or something. But then Urbosa continues. 

“Although...he is right about one thing.” Urbosa looks straight ahead. “A sword does not alter a hand, just as strength does not alter character.” She puts a hand on Mipha’s shoulder. “Grow as he might, there is no doubt in my mind that he is the same boy as he’s always been.” Urbosa looks up in the direction of Zelda. “Whether you realize it or not.”

Ok so, scene’s not done yet, BUT quick gush on the dialogue flow here. I’m trying to establish parallels in these character perspectives based on the flow of conversation. We started with Mipha who, like I said, wished to grow stronger along with Link. This flows into Revali who also has a similar parallel as he wishes to grow above Link’s shadow. But the distinction between Mipha and Revali is that Mipha think’s Link’s strength is earned, and Revali thinks he cheated, gaining authority through a magic sword, and not through merit and skill. Thus, leading to Revali’s perspective of Link being exactly the same as he’s always been, he believes the sword doesn’t change anything. Urbosa then speaks, because she thinks exactly the same thing. However, her distinction is that Link is the same as he’s always been: a determined young boy earned his place and cares for his friends. Then she looks to Zelda who, as we know, will develop a perspective that contradicts this. So you get it? This scene is like 20 seconds long but it already mirrors nearly all the character parallels and perspective, that’s why the flow of dialogue is important. And I know half of you probably think these kinds of details are a stretch but I promise you it’s not, just look at any movie or show ever and I guarantee you can find similar stuff there too. Ok moving on moving on— 

Urbosa looks up at Zelda, comments her, “He’s the same boy, whether you realize it or not” piece of dialogue. Camera shifts back to Zelda and Link, who, idk if I mentioned this, but in the scene there’s enough distance between the Champions and Zelda and Link that the Champions can speak without the other two listening. So they didn’t hear any of this. 

So the camera is back on Zelda, and now we can get her “How can I…..If I am unable to awaken my inner power….” line. Eggbot senses her sadness, does his little cheer up dance, Zelda gets a flashback.

One small change I wanna make to this flashback: Instead of just a baby Zelda going “nighty-night” I want there to ALSO be a figure in the background behind eggbot wearing a silk royal blue dress. And said woman has blonde hair and she’s by the table back there. We don’t have to show her face or anything because Nintendo hates that. Just place the woman somewhere in the back somewhere

Also possibly you could add the shadow of another figure by the doorway, maybe? It would serve good continuity purposes for the plot points that I’m telling, but that part is not as necessary. I just need at least the woman there. 

Then Zelda is like “I remember you” to eggbot and all that and blah blah… Now, instead of Impa offscreen just yelling “enemy ahead!” I just want it to be a full on ambush. Not like a major one, but just enough where the group is surprised a bit. Maybe on the cliffs above, a lizalfo throws a boomerang, or a bokoblin shoots and arrow, or even just throws a rock. I don’t really care. I just need this to happen because…

As soon as this danger is presented, Link turns around to grab Zelda’s hand and they start running again. And he can like use his body to try and shield her a bit, I need it to parallel how he acted during Chapter 1 on the road to the Royal Tech Lab. However, this parallel has one important distinction because…

Zelda rips he grip from Link’s after a moment. “You don’t need to coddle me!” She says, or something along those lines. “Y-You...You’re the hero aren’t you! I’m perfectly fine, you don’t need to spend your precious time playing babysitter to me.” In the distance, a horde of monsters is beginning to form. Zelda looks between the monsters and Link’s Master Sword, her expression unreadable. “Well? Just...just go do what you need to do.” Link hesitates, looking between her, and the approaching monsters. Zelda speaks more sternly now, “Go!” So Link, not one to disregard an order from the Princess, gives one last look to Zelda before setting off towards the monsters. Maybe Zelda can take a deep breath to steady herself after he leaves, but as soon as Link unsheathes his sword, the metal glistening in the setting sunlight, it cuts immediately to gameplay. Start battle. 

For essays’ purposes this is the part where I explain why this is better than the original. So here’s my reasoning:

Uhhh, it just is. :3

Ok but seriously, I’ve already talked a tone about why the pacing and dialogue flow is better than the original. But also this scene doesn’t just say “Ooo Zelda is sad about her powers,” because that’s not interesting. Like I said, it’s redundant information. What is interesting is see how characters deal with that internal conflict and how it affects their relationships. AKA Zelda’s relationship with Link, who now basically embodies the success that she’s been working so hard towards but never achieved, is deteriorating a bit. I wanted to get that sense of the Zelda that we see in Breath of the Wild because all things considered, they should be roughly the same character.

So that’s that, you fight the battle, the Hollows show up a bit, so insert “dark evil Champion” dialogue because if you’re gonna use the evil clone trope might as well use it to the fullest. Then you fight the Talus and hurray horrah the day is saved. 

Then we have that iconic Urbosa motherly pep talk to Zelda as Link eats rocks in the background. Now honestly, I’m not that big a fan of the first half of the dialogue, so I wanna change it into something more interesting. But the rest of the beats and camera work go roughly the same. 

Zelda: “Link is...so much stronger now”

Urbosa: “‘And yet I have not.’ I presume that’s what you’re thinking, hmm?”

Zelda: “Well it’s true, isn’t it? More and more, monsters have been appearing around Hyrule. It is a sign that the Calamity draws near. So...there isn’t much time. And still, no sign of my power awakening.”

Urbosa: *sighs* “Little bird…”

Zelda cuts her off, in an attempt to change topics: “Why do you call me that?”

Urbosa: “Hmm?”

Zelda: “Little bird...I feel like I’ve heard it before. Why do you call me that?”

Urbosa, after a beat looks off in the distance or something: “A long time ago, my dear friend would call me to the palace, or perhaps invite herself over to mine, [she chuckles] ...and she would talk with me all day, and ask me to gaze upon her little bird with her. Her dearest daughter...a princess”

Zelda: “You mean my…”

Urbosa just smiles with a soft nod: “Back then, times were a bit different. The destiny that you have was still upon the Queen, who worked day and night to refine her powers and fulfill her destiny. In just a few short years, I went from being friends with a Queen, to friends with the destined sealer of the Calamity.”

Another pause, before Urbosa speaks again: “But...she was still the same woman I had grown with. Still the same loving mother who spoke about her little bird with joy. She had not changed one bit.”

Urbosa: “Even when your mother passed, her loving smile was there until the very end. She always loved you—believed in you, Zelda. She had great hope, great faith that her daughter would grow into the beacon of light Hyrule needed. That even with her gone, you would spread your wings and fly, because you were just that amazing to her.” *Urbosa puts her hands on Zelda’s shoulders.*

Urbosa: “Destiny did not change your mother’s love, just as it does not change Link’s courage, or your value.” *the camera can pan to Link eating rocks now*

Urbosa looks directly at Zelda now: “Look how hard we’ve all worked to get this far, how hard you have worked to get here. While we may grow in strength, in that regard, we’re all one in the same.”

Zelda: “...I….well…”

Urbosa: “What did the Great Deku Tree say? There is no need to fret princess.”

Urbosa: “Our faith, Link’s, your mother’s, it’s all as strong as ever. And everyday, with every moment that you travel towards your destiny, it just grows. It is always with us. So believe in that, have hope, yet, little bird.” *Eggbot can scurry up and make cute noises here next to Zelda*

Urbosa: “I know, you are where you need to be. You must accept that too.”

Zelda: “...”

Zelda gives a solemn nod: “Thank you, Urbosa.”

So that’s that scene! Don’t let the length fool you, it’s technically even shorter than the original scene in Age of Calamity. So why is it, in my opinion, better? Because for one, we actually get an insight into Zelda’s mom and Urbosa’s relationship, something that was PROMISED To us but never given and I’m still a bit salty about it. Anyhow, in addition to just getting some lore details, that relationship between the Queen and Urbosa is important for this scene because, just like Urbosa spells out, it’s in direct parallel with Link and Zelda. 

Before the Queen suddenly got sick and died, she was destined to seal the Calamity. But she didn’t let that destiny change her, she was still the same loving mother to the end. Now that is something that Zelda needs to realize about Link, as his newly acquired destiny doesn’t change who he was before, the knight who cares for her and wishes to protect her. Zelda needs to realize he’s the same and that she can still trust and confide in him. Hence, that’s why this mom backstory is in this scene and not somewhere else, because it serves to the narrative but also more impactfully to the character development. 

The dialogue could probably be polished a bit more but come on, not half bad for an improvement yeah? So that concludes Chapter—

SIKE we’re not done yet. We still have to move into the entire point of this stage, the road home, to the castle. 

So, badabing badaboom, I’m adding an entirely new scene from scratch right here at the end, because it is VITAL that I set up something new about the story, as a sort of clincher. So anyhow 

Zelda is alone with her father, let’s set it in the royal library (Intact, not ruined, of course) because we don’t see enough of that location and it’s really cool. So Zelda is briefing her dad about the events in Korok Forest and on the journey back home. I know I always gush about cinematography but it can’t be fully appreciated since I’m….writing,,, this, BUT I think it might be fun if the side shots of Zelda have her background be some bookcases of the library, maybe half bookcases and the other half the ornate walls. Then the background for the King’s shots is the full symmetry of the elegant staircases.

[And if you needed the specific reasoning for that, because it makes camera shots more fun. Like when Zelda says something that aids in her scholarly side, the camera angle can change slightly where the bookcases take up more of the frame, and then when the King’s will takes more power, then the book cases can be angled a bit more out of frame. And then the symmetry of the King by the staircase is a way to show his higher power dynamic to her, and contrasts well with Zelda’s shots since the bookcases are dark and the stone is lighter, so on a meta level is also makes it easier for the audience to understand where they are. Shot composition is fun ok, and that’s not even getting into color theory (Thinks about Baby Driver and LaLaLand....even videogames like Undertale and Hollow Knight have such wonderful shot composition and use of color theory hhhhh love it)]

Ok so Zelda’s briefing the King in the library, she’s standing while he’s sitting at a desk. There’s maybe two or four Royal Guards on the staircase entrances, but for the most part, they’re alone. You can tell that this meeting between them has been going on for a bit now, as from Zelda’s dialogue, she’s retelling events midway through the story. 

The King is flipping through some paperwork, not really looking Zelda in the eyes. She continues speaking. 

“And so...with the malice cleared and the monsters being dealt with, Link and I made our way into the heart of Korok Forest.”

The King hums a response, flipping through another page. “And this is when Link pulled out the Sword that Seals the Darkness then, I presume.”

Zelda paused, as of thinking of how to phrase her next words. “Not exactly. I...we both encountered someone beforehand. A man, with a pale face, and dark hair and robes, and he had the power to control malice, using a strange object in one of his hands.” 

Rhoam stops writing in his journal or whatever. He doesn’t look up, but the sudden stop he makes is obvious. Zelda notices, but continues. 

“He talked about...the Calamity, and my birthday...destiny, and the future….I’m not quite sure I can remember his intentions word for word. But he did introduce himself as—“

“Astor…” Zelda and the King say simultaneously. The King has fully perked up now, looking at Zelda. She’s pleased to see a reaction from him. The King rises from his chair, and starts pacing a bit, stroking his beard thoughtfully like the asshole he is. 

“So you know him then? This Astor man? Who is he, father? What does he—“

“Were you alright? Did he hurt you, or mention anything else?”

Zelda pauses for a moment before shaking her head, as if the concern he was expressing was uncharacteristic. “N-No. No, I’m fine, and Link was there. During the battle, as Link fought him off, that was when the sword was pulled. Then Astor fled, or...” Zelda pauses for a beat, “retreated...he expressed his wish to speak with me again.”

Another beat of silence, as Rhoam gets up, hands clasped behind his back. “He used to work at this very palace.” The shot is now directly on Rhoams back, as he faces a bookcase, although it’s clear that he’s just deep in thought, and not just staring at books. Rhoam is in third column of the shot (he’s to the right, not in the center) 

“A trusted advisor. Someone gifted with foresight, who many years ago, had first predicted the coming Calamity.” Cut to shot of Rhoams face, the camera being by the bookcase, so that we see Rhoam’s expression and Zelda’s.

“In truth, I thought him dead. For the last time I saw him alive—truly, truly alive—was ten long years ago...” The shot goes back to the original establishing shot, of Rhoam facing away from the camera, towards the bookcase, he’s standing to the right, hands still clasped behind his back.

“...when your mother still graced this earth.”

From left frame, a younger Astor walks up and stands beside Rhoam. He runs his fingers along the books. Rhoam looks to his left, as if he is seeing Astor. Camera cuts to Astor’s right, as if looking at him from Rhoam’s perspective. He continues brushing his fingers against the spines of the books, before he finds the one he’s looking for. Pulling it out, he opens the book, flipping through its pages, before giving a genuine smile. Cut back to wide angle behind them. With the book, Astor starts walking back out left frame, but this time the camera follows him. Filter fade to a memory tint as the camera pans right to left

[when the camera fades fully into the Astor memory, the figures can have that silhouetted effect like you see in botw. Cause I know Nintendo hates making new character models for some reason.] 

So if it wasn’t clear already, even though the memory filter doesn’t come immediately, Astor isn’t actually there, but it’s just a flashback. I’m a sucker for merges, which is something this game and botw NEVER do which bugs me because there are so many creative ways you could introduce flashbacks without just doing “ooOooOoo fade to sepia filter and then oooOOooOOO we fade back to reality and no time has passed.” I apologize if my explanation of the camera doesn’t make sense as it’s hard without much visual aid, but hopefully it makes sense so far. Anyhow! Let’s continue.

We’re now fully immersed in this memory, but King Rhoam’s voice still narrates overhead. 

Astor brings the book to one of the desks in the library, where a woman sits writing something onto paper. News flash, it’s the queen. Astor hands her the book and starts speaking about something, although you can tell the tone of their conversation is light, almost akin to Zelda rambling about Sheikah Technology. The Queen laughs about something unheard, as Astor continues ranting about something, his hands moving to like a professor giving a lecture. 

Rhoam Narration: “When he had first predicted the Calamity, things were much more hopefully for our kingdom. As although his foresight granted him only glimpses and fragments of a future, he was almost certain that with the Guardians, and the strength of your mother’s power, our victory would be absolute.”

Scene changes to the Queen walking down a corridor, Astor is leaning against the wall by a window. 

Rhoam Narration: “He and your mother would often work together tirelessly to study the ancient arts, to make the most of the powers given by the goddess.”

The Queen has walked up to Astor now. She crouches down and gestures to her left, the side not yet seen by the camera.

Rhoam Narration: “In fact…”

The camera changes to focus to where the Queen was looking towards—a young Zelda, crouched behind her mother’s dress, stares up at Astor. 

Rhoam Narration: “I would not be surprised if you found within yourself, a memory of such.”

I would prefer if you could see the expressions of Astor (giving Zelda not a smile, but not really a frown or anything rude either) and young Zelda. But I guess it can also just be silhouettes too cause again, Nintendo hates giving us younger character models outside of first person POV stuff. Anyhow. 

The scene fades, the light from the window dimming as everything darkens.

Rhoam Narration: “I often times wish we could go back to such a time, when victory and pride swam in every corner of this castle.  But of course…”

The scene brightens again, although not as bright as before. It’s the exact same corridor with the large window, but now it’s raining. A young Zelda stands alone in front of it, looking outside.

Rhoam Narration: “Such a time did end…”

We now cut to a new scene, King Rhoam is walking down a hall, the camera’s perspective is of a bird’s eye view, like we’re peering in from outside a window. We can see the shadow of Astor chasing after him, as he starts speaking frantically about something, not quite, but almost to the point of shouts. 

Rhoam Narration: “After your mother died, the visions of the future shifted drastically. No longer was there glimpses of rolling fields and shimmering skies, but instead, of rubble, red earth, and death.”

You can now more clearly hear the words coming out of Astor’s mouth. He is telling something about failure, and souls, and the Calamity to the King’s ear. He’s still walking forward.

Rhoam Narration: “He was adamant that our demise was now coming faster than ever, and that without your mother, we were doomed. That even you, should you take up your mother’s mantle, could not save everyone.”

Astor: “I’m telling you Your Majesty, if you go down this path, there is no going back.”

King Rhoam: “There is no other choice, we are moving forward.”

Astor: “I don’t think you quite understand the true gravity of the fate you’re choosing for yourself. It is a guarantee that you, me, and countless others shall die.”

King Rhoam: “I don’t want to hear it.”

Astor: “And of course, there are a multitude of possibilities, but the end result is the same.”

Astor: “Do you have a preference, perhaps? Crushed by rubble? Suffocation under ash?”

Rhoam’s tone is deadly: “Stop.”

Astor: “I’ve seen fire too. I’m not yet quite sure the exact circumstances that lead to flame appearing and spreading so quickly, but rest assured that if you—”

King Rhoam: “Stop.” 

Astor: “If you saddle someone else with this duty I am absolutely certain that you and I will—” 

King Rhoam, voice not shouting, but still with a booming intensity: “Just like you were so certain of our victory 10 years ago?”

Astor’s face darkens. He’s silent for a moment, collecting his words before practically spitting the first articulation: “...That, future, was the one that would come to be if Her Majesty was alive. If you’re so unsatisfied with my departed wisdom you can go ahead and flail around with destiny alone. You think I choose for these events to happen? You think I lie when I saw I want what’s best for this kingdom—”

King Rhoam: “What’s best for you.”

An ugly pause.

King Rhoam: “It is decided, Seer. It’s time you accept this. My wife is dead. That is the truth. Thus the role of sealing the Calamity shall pass to my daughter. She will work to awaken her own ability. It will be her duty to save us.”

Astor half laughs: “A child?! Surely you don’t need the supernatural to see how foolish that is.”

King Rhoam’s voice is even more stern: “You are living proof that the future is not absolute. Therefore I...must place all belief in her ability.”

The King walks away, leaving Astor alone. Weirdly, he smiles. Perhaps to mask some other emotion.  

After another moment, Astor yells to the King: “I’ll fix this! Alone if I must!” He’s chuckling as he shakes his head. “Your useless faith may cost many lives, but even so mark my words, I will fix this.”

The King looks back, but says nothing, his expression unreadable. He continues forward, leaving Astor alone chuckling, or perhaps something in between chuckling and crying to himself.  

Rhoam Narration: “We haven’t spoken since that day. I simply left him to his devices. If he was so determined to find another way to stop the Calamity, then who was I to stop him. I doubt my word could have swayed his mind regardless.

We’re now looking at a room, the camera is just by the doorway, looking at an office, circular and domed. It’s stone brick walls are covered in parchment and ripped books, covered in symbols and frantic writing. An old Sheikah tapestry hangs crudely on the left wall, and the window on the right seems to tint grey, or even a deepest crimson. Centerframe, is the back of Astor, robe hanging just above the paper ridden floor. He is flipping through something on his desk. 

Rhoam Narration: “Fixated as he was on the perfect future that you mother might have led, I still had hope that with time, he might still assist you with your destiny one day.”

The camera slowly comes closer to Astor. We can see more clearly the type of stuff that sprawls the papers and books and diagrams across his office. Some depict stars and constellations, and even a few notes on Ancient Technology, although in a noticeably cleaner font. However, as the camera moves close and closer to Astor, the papers and books depict only one clear topic: the aura of death that comes only with necromancy. 

Rhoam Narration: “It seems…”

Astor finally reacts to whatever he was doing on his desk. You don’t see his eyes, but as he fully turns around to face the camera, you see his smile, along with him holding a dark orb of unknown energy. It hovers in his hand. 

Rhoam Narration: “...I was mistaken.” 

The camera cuts to a wide angle, looking at Astor from behind a stack of books on his desk. The stack of books on Astor’s desk brighten in color (from the memory dull filter), until the scene fully fades back into the Royal Library. The camera is now focused on a similar stack of books on the desk behind Zelda, where Rhoam was working before. 

Zelda is still looking at her father, who is still turned away. Now, he turns back around to face her.

“He had disappeared completely one day, so it was my understanding that whatever he was working on killed him. However, if he is truly back as you say…”

Rhoam walks closer to Zelda, close enough that he might have put a hand on her shoulder, but his arms stay behind his back.

“It is in your utmost interest to prove him wrong. I know not what he plans on doing, but it would be wise to stop him before he does.”

Rhoam turns away now, pacing back to the otherside of the desk. “But, your more important priority is unlocking your powers, understand? Now more than ever, is not the time to get distracted.”

Zelda, taking this all in, takes a deep breath. She then nods at him. “I understand...Father.”

After a moment, the King makes a motion as if to dismiss her. She starts to walk away, her thoughts churning in her head, heart thumping to the same beat as her echoing footsteps. Suddenly, Rhoam calls, 

“Zelda.” It’s not a question, but the tone is asked like one.

She turns back, looking at him, expectantly. Rhoam only stares at her, an uncharacteristic moment of uncertainty for him. The words he wants to form seem stuck in his throat, until finally, he lets out a quiet breathe through his nose, before simply saying:

“You must.”

Zelda can only frown, her shoulder’s slumping slightly, as she ducks her head and leaves.

- - - - - - 

And that’s that! That’s the complete end of Chapter 3. So tune in next time for Chapter 4, including a new slight but important story changes, Yiga husbands, and shocking turns of events.

Edit: I forgot that posts with link’s dont show up in tag results so a rb is appreciated :p

[syilcawrites]

for your zelink prompt,,,how do you feel about a modern AU where the two bike to the beach and have a picnic?

a/n: I added ‘high school’ to the prompt too hope you don’t mind asghjjhas (’: Also this turned out a lot longer than I planned hope that’s okay ;-; I want to practice writing in Link’s voice more so this is in his pov!! Anyway! I hope you enjoy this, and thanks a lot for the prompt <3

ao3

hot buttered apples with chamomile tea

There are two types of monsters: ones that sleep under your bed and ones that sleep behind your eyes. For Aryll, it's the former.

And Link saw a lot in the latter.

He rubbed his eyes to try to erase the bags that rest stubbornly underneath them, but he wondered if he was just making it worse. Probably. But why did it matter anyway? He usually got three hours of sleep tops, so he always liked to think that darkness had become a permanent edition to his features. He tapped his toes against the pavement, waiting, peering around the corner of the school's brick fence, trying to catch a glimpse of the black car that Zelda usually pulled up in. With five minutes left until school started, he was beginning to worry—she was never late. And for the first time in his entire high school career, he was early.

It was a last minute trip they had planned, when they had snuck onto the school roof after class yesterday.

"I want to see the ocean," she had told him, under the summer's unrelenting heat. They were both sticky with sweat, even though they were sitting under a shady area, and the next thing she said made no sense to him. "I've never been to the beach before." Living here and never once going to Hateno Beach? He thought she was kidding at first. But she stared at him dead in the eye with her lips pressed into a thin line, as serious as ever. When he jokingly proposed that they ditch school the next day to go to the beach, she didn't hesitate to say yes.

It had taken him practically the whole day yesterday to convince her to sneak up onto the rooftop, and yet she was completely fine with ditching an entire day of school to go to the beach.

She was weird and unpredictable and he loved it.

He decided to check his backpack again for the twelfth time in the past hour, just to make sure he hadn't forgotten anything. His memory was pretty terrible to begin with. He always found something new that he had forgotten whenever he went to check his backpack. The first time he checked, he realized he didn't bring any cups. Just that one thermal bottle whose lid doubled as a cup. The second time he checked, he realized he had forgotten napkins. If worst came to worst, he guessed he could just offer up his jacket or something, if she really needed to clean her hands or wipe her mouth—would that be any better though? When was the last time he washed his jacket?

"Link?"

Before he could try to sniff his sleeve, Zelda's voice pierced his thoughts.

He zipped up the backpack once more and peeked around the corner again—and finally, he saw her familiar twin braided blonde hair bobbing up and down as she ran toward him.

With… a frenzied kind of pace.

"Link!" she shouted again, breathless, as she waved her arms up and down in panic. Behind her he could hear another person shouting—but it was hard to hear their voice, since it was drowned out by the sound of Zelda urgently telling him to go, go, go.

Fumbling, Link lifted the bike away from the brick fence and rolled it out, hopping onto the front seat.

"I thought you said you had two bikes!" Zelda exclaimed, quickly tossing herself over the second seat without missing a beat.

"I mean, this is kinda like two bikes isn't it?" She only learned how to ride a bike three days ago and he wasn't comfortable with leading her down a rather windy road to get to the beach on her own. The last time he taught someone how to ride a bike was Mipha, years ago, and she almost face planted into a cliff because he let go of her bike and had forgotten to tell her how to brake.

Besides, he had to bribe Aryll fifty rupees to take the tandem bike out today. If he wanted to borrow her regular bike, she would've asked for a hundred. That was equivalent to a week's worth of mowing Tokk's front lawn.

Link was probably getting scammed by Tokk, but he was only 40% sure about that.

"Won't we look ridiculous riding this around?" Zelda scoffed as they began pulling out onto the road. "I thought we were supposed to be discreet? A tandem bike—Oh Hylia!" She kicked his shin with her foot, urging him to hurry. "Impa's coming!"

"Who?" Impa? He didn't think Zelda had mentioned her before.

"Miss Zelda!"

Link glanced at the direction that Zelda had come from, and he saw an angry looking young woman in a black suit racing toward them at an alarming speed. A chill ran down his spine as they locked eyes.

"You!" Impa shouted, pointing a furious finger at him. "Who are you!"

Without a second left to waste, Link clicked into gear and pedaled away fast before that angry finger could intentionally poke out his eyeballs. They shot down the road, with Zelda's exhilarated laughter mixing in with the sound of the rushing wind whistling by them.

For some reason, it was a strange and distinct sound, like it was reverberating all around him; he felt trapped in it.

Until her laughter abruptly stopped.

"Look out—!"

He looked up; but by then, it was too late. An apple that hung low from the tree smacked him square on the forehead with a resounding thud.

——————————————————————

"You know," Zelda said, accepting his hand as he helped her down the rocky cliff that led to the shoreline, "the beach looks different from above."

Link hadn't been to Zelda's home before, but he knew what it looked like from below. It was an odd-looking building that used to be an abandoned lighthouse, but then someone moved into it a couple of years ago, and that someone had hammered on weird platforms and objects to it, so now it looked like Hateno's novelty sculpture.

"Your room's at the top of that lighthouse building right?" Link asked, grunting as he jumped down onto the sand with a hefty thud. He turned around and held out both of his hands to her.

"Mhm. Purah let me have the upper loft when I moved in with her. The view's amazing at night, you can see all the stars." Zelda crouched down and gratefully accepted his hands. Her hands were rough. She jumped down.

Link couldn't see the stars from his bed, because a gigantic tree was right in front of his window.

Her prickling stare withdrew him from his thoughts—she studied his face as if she was observing every detail on it. He could count the sun freckles that had begun appearing around her cheeks; heat climbed to his cheeks as he leaned back a little, finally aware of how close they were.

"I hope that apple won't leave a bruise on your forehead," she muttered, her eyebrows furrowing together, with that little crease appearing between her brows. Always one crease, never two. "You took quite a hit back there."

"I—" he paused, his mouth still slightly ajar.

What was he gonna say? That he was too focused on the sound of her laughter to the point where he wasn't paying attention to the road?

She tilted her head quizzically, waiting for him to speak.

Link let go of her hands to adjust the straps of his stiff backpack. "I know a spot near the rocks," he muttered, turning to a cluster of boulders near the water. It was flat enough that they could place the blanket down and set the lunchboxes and thermal bottle without having to worry about them falling over.

They walked side by side.

"The patterns on the rocks are so symmetrical," she murmured, tapping her chin with her finger. "Like the cliff we just climbed down from—you could tell during high tide the water reaches it, just barely though. I've always found it fascinating that exposure to water erosion could create such beautiful patterns. Don't you agree?"

Link nodded, and a smile quirked up on her lips. The hop in her step was a little higher than usual as she sped up to reach the cluster of rocks faster. He liked listening to her observations of little details, even though he didn't offer much opinion of his own. It was nice to hear and see Hyrule through a different kind of lens.

She was already climbing up the rock by the time Link reached it, and she stood there proud and tall with her hands on her hips, facing the vast ocean.

"We should eat before the food gets cold," Link called up to her, unzipping his backpack to hand her the picnic blanket. It used to belong to his mom. At one point he stole the key to his dad's chest and opened it up to find a bunch of things that used to be hers, probably, because there was a picture of her in there, squished in with a bunch of other stuff. He stole that picture too. And to this day, his dad still hadn't noticed anything was missing.

Link wondered if his dad knew, and just let him... have it.

"Of course," she said, her eyes glinting hungrily. She grabbed the blanket from him, and with it, his thoughts.

She spread it out as he climbed up to her.

Her reactions were always funny whenever Link brought food for her. For some reason, she always tried to mask her excitement—but she was terrible at hiding the anticipation that gleamed in her green eyes, and even more terrible at trying to keep a smile from erupting on her face while he pulled out the two lunchboxes.

"Chamomile tea," Link stated, as he pulled out the thermal bottle next. He paused to watch her, and her mouth formed an 'o' as she greedily grabbed it from him, opening the cap up. He popped open the lid of one of the lunchboxes and slid it toward her.

There were sliced hydromelons, egg pudding, honey crepes and fruits, and her favorite—

"Hot buttered apples!" Zelda exclaimed, reaching for one.

In the other box he had a handful of savory foods—maybe he should've opened that one up first.

"I'm glad you took my suggestion." Her fingers paused just before she picked the slice up. "But first, the tea," she said quickly, as if she was reminding herself. She poured it into the lid of the thermal bottle, handing it to Link.

"I want to see your expression when you try it," Zelda insisted, beaming. She was smiling a lot today—more than she has in the past two years that he'd known her. "You take a bite out of the apple first, and then drink the tea, and then it tastes amazing."

"Just like that?" he asked, eyeing the light crisp color of the chamomile tea she handed to him. It reminded him of apple cider.

"Trust me, Link. You'll want to keep eating it," she promised, tugging down at her two braids. She always did that when she was waiting for something—every time she was standing in line at the vending machines to get the both of them candy pop sodas at school, she did that same little tug. "I'm picky with my food, so you know I wouldn't simply be saying this without meaning it."

Link picked up the slice—the hot buttered apples had turned into warm buttered apples by now, but he figured it wouldn't change the taste all that much. As soon as he took a bite out of it and took a sip from the tea, her eyes sparkled.

The combination of the two warmed his stomach—the pinch of cinnamon she had recommended he put on it really kicked it for him, and he had to refrain from shoving at least ten more into his mouth. Considering how much she was staring at the hot buttered apples, he wanted to save the majority of it for her.

"Good? Right? They both have that toasty taste but it's a different kind of toasty. The chamomile tea, when brewed correctly of course, has that touch of floral kick to it too! And the hot buttered apples with that sprinkle of cinnamon just melts in your mouth and it's the most wonderful thing ever, isn't it?" She quickly thanked him as she accepted the tea when he handed it to her, and she picked up a slice to take an eager bite of her own.

"It's really good." He wasn't the best at expressing himself through words, but despite their simplicity, it seemed to have gotten through to her, as that gleeful glint in her eyes only gleamed brighter. "Did your parents—" He paused mid-chew, realizing just a little too late that his question was going to dampen her brightness.

And it did, just a little.

Idiot.

Whenever he asked about her immediate family, she would tense up—just like now. She cast her eyes down at the lunchbox, eyeing all of the food that he had prepared, her lips pursed. She would always be on the brink of telling him, but then she would turn away in the end.

Maybe… she needed a little push, to talk about it.

"My mom hated apples." The words felt weird in his mouth—he's never spoken about his mom to anyone, and he only brought her up once to his dad. Link raised his eyes to meet hers. Zelda had stopped chewing too, and looked at him with wide, curious eyes.

"That's what my dad told me at least, when I asked him what she hated the most." No one in his family ate apples that much, and it all made sense when he found out about that little fact a couple of years ago. It was hard for his dad to talk about her—time didn't heal the pain behind his voice when he told Link those three simple words: She hated apples.

And behind those three simple words were years upon years of grieving, and he never asked his dad about her again.

He watched as Zelda picked up another slice, her mouth parting slightly. "My mother loved making all sorts of meals with apples."

Loved, Link thought.

Past tense.

They sat in silence for a bit, just munching on those hot buttered apples, while passing the tea back and forth between each other.

"My mother made a snack for me that always involved apples in some way—whenever I was sad, angry, or when she was proud of me." He expected her to look lost in thought as she spoke, but she wasn't. She was as present as she could've been, and he was... it made him feel a little better. Less alone. "Hot buttered apples with chamomile tea was my favorite. She made it for me quite often," she said, chuckling. "What was your mother like?"

She gave him the last slice.

He hesitated; both in accepting the last piece and at her question. The only thing he had was a worn out picture of her, weathered down by age. And that blanket. "I don't know, I don't remember anything," he admitted, taking the slice from her.

Her gaze softened.

Link once punched another classmate in grade school because they asked him, how could he be sad? If he had no memories of his own mom? What was there to be sad about, since he couldn't remember anything? And for the longest time, he didn't let himself be sad over her. How could you be sad about someone you had no memories of?

But one day, Aryll barged into his room—her face red, with snot running down her nose, crying, because she had an argument with their dad. "What if I forget about her, Link?" Aryll had said to him in between her choked up sobs. "I feel like if dad never talks about her, she'll disappear forever."

He knew then that there was pain with memory, and pain without memory. One wasn't more valid than the other.

Because either way, no one won anything in the end.

"I wish I could've met your mother," she said. "I'm certain I could've changed her mind about apples."

There wasn't a lick of a tease on her face. She was serious.

For the first time in a while, Link laughed.

[oceansmelodysblog]

Until my last breath

A botw Zelink reversed roles AU story

Chapter One - part One

[Notes at the end of the chapter]

As always, Link wakes up with the first rays of the sun, when the night still hangs mighty over the sky. When he jumped out of his bed in his sapphire blue night suit, he looked out of the wide-open window and searched for the sun. The white light broke a line at the end of the horizon and let the peak of the mountains look dangerous and scary. As Link walks to the closet and pulls out his black tunic and his Hylian trousers, the first servant knocks at the door and pleads for entrance.

“You may come inside.” Without showing any emotions, the servant called Celessia, brought him his morning hot tea made of the mighty thistle. It increases his willpower and lets him train harder and better every morning. “Please leave it on the table mistress Celessia.”

“Yes, your royal highness.” She says in a soft voice and leaves the room quietly.

Satisfied, Link nips at the soothing warmth of the tea and plans what training session he will have to train today.

He marched along the training ground and chose a suitable target, pulled his bow from his shoulder, leaned an arrow against the string and pulled the string with his thumb. The huge ring on his thumb, bearing the royal crest, protected his thumb from flesh wounds, inflicted by the string and too long training. He took a deep breath and concentrated on the point to which he wanted to shoot.

Then, he let go of the string. The arrow whizzed through the air and struck the black centre with full force.

Still, he wasn't satisfied, it didn't challenge him much, didn't give him a thrill to shoot after a target when he wasn't under stress.

Link trained non-stop, relentless, and driven by his delusion to outdo his brothers in the Heir to the Throne selection. He jumped over obstacles and shot from the air at several targets at once but failed to land and crashed to the ground.

He refused to give up and stood back on his feet with a shaking body. He took a deep breath to concentrate, but pain from his ribs stabbed through his whole body. His breath shook with pain and he sweated nervously. 'Focus, Link!' he slapped himself inwardly and started his iron-hard parkour again.

After the hard work out, he looked for the healer down the market. He walked past hard-working people from the kitchen and was greeted warmly. He smiled back each time but had to control himself to grimace so as not to show the pain. He always admired the drive of the people who worked in Hyrule Castle and tried to be friendly to them, even when his father tried to tell him otherwise.

‘A king must always maintain his dignity and never regard anyone as his equal,' his father's words rang in his head. Link, however, disagreed.

He continued to walk the corridors and observed the goings-on, picking up conversations here and there. One of them had been able to catch a special fish yesterday, and another told of a wrestling match in which he earned three times more than in the castle. Link always found the conversations interesting because he could learn a lot from the lives of others, and it didn't make him look like a spoilt prince locked up in the huge castle.

When he finally found the exit to the marketplace, he sighed with relief. The sun had been in the sky for some time by now, dipping the lively square in a golden, welcoming light. Men and women shouted and chanted from their stalls to attract more buyers, but Link also saw castle-affiliated servants, presumably running errands for the kitchen and the royal family.

Link, glad to be reasonably undetected, continued his search for the healer. But he was no longer at his stall, as usual. He therefore asked a passer-by who was nearby if she knew where the healer was.

"Yes, the old man has retired and is training a new disciple, he is in an old hut at the end of the road, around the corner to the left."

"Have thanks, honoured lady. Have a good day." Link politely said goodbye and hurried to the healer, because he didn't know how long he could stand the pain on his ribs.

As he reached the end of the street, he noticed how quieter it was and how shabby the houses here looked. He knew he would take another look on the surroundings to speak with his youngest brother, on how to improve this area when he had more time, but now he limped straight to the open door of the hut, expecting to find the healer, or his student, but instead he found a young woman with golden long hair.

The sun shone only minimally through the dirty windows, but the few rays made her hair look like liquid gold. The girl was squatting on the floor under the table filled with all sorts of herbs and substances, making notes in a small book as she looked back and forth between her book and the herbs.

 Link leaned against the wooden door frame with his arms folded, analysing her from head to toe. Her back was turned to him; from the looks of it, she hadn't noticed him yet. Link cleared his throat, startling the young woman, and banged her head against the edge of the table. She held her head with her face contorted in pain and turned to him curiously.

"I am sorry I didn't want to scare you-" His eyes widened and his mouth was wide open as he looked into her pretty face. Neither could get out of their stare until Link cleared his throat to avoid being rude. "I'm looking for the healer, or at least his apprentice. I-"

"You have chest pains, am I right?" she interrupted him.

For a moment he stared at her, perplexed, and immediately understood. "So, you are the healer's pupil. I see. Say, would you look at my ribs, the pain takes my breath away."

"Very well, please sit on the table."

Link did as he was told and sat on the table while the young woman laid herbs and bandages ready beside him. Curious, he watched her work.

"If you will allow me, I would prefer to remove your tunic".

"It would be a great help if you could do that for me." He whispered through his pain. Sweating through his sorrow.

She looked at him with her big green eyes and smiled shyly. Quietly and carefully, she pulled up his top and got him to release his pain-free side first, then helped him out of his injured half. Gentle, soft fingertips tentatively touched his skin. He wasn't sure why his body was paying so much attention, though, because she wasn't the first woman to touch him, after all.

"What is your name, healer?" he asked, giving her a sly smile.

"My name is Zelda, my lord. Or should I say Your Royal Highness, rather?" she said, curtsying playfully. Through her lashes, she looked up at him and smiled.

Link was surprised once more at her astuteness. He smirked. "You recognised it from my ring." It was more a statement than a question, yet she nodded.

"Outside of the royal family and the archer battalion, few are permitted to wear a ring on their thumb. And only the Royal Family is permitted to wear this ring with the sacred Triforce Seal of the Deities. Judging by your sea-blue irises, you must be Prince Link, as your brothers often have ice-blue or green ones."

Link wondered why he had never met such a gifted woman, even though he knew every face in and around Hyrule Castle. While he pondered this, she crushed plants in a wooden mortar and spread the paste on the bandages.

Zelda secretly kept looking at Link's immaculately shaped face, but quickly lowered her gaze when their eyes met.

"These herbs will soften the lesions on your ribs and the bandages will support your muscles. Please be more careful with your body next time. When the body and mind are not in harmony, such injuries occur."

Link nodded and then felt the cooling paste on his body and how she carefully, with skilful hands, tied the bandage around his broad chest. He relaxed; exhaled in relief.

"I thank you for your help. But I am surprised that I have never met such a beautiful and skilled woman as you are. Is this your first time in the marketplace?"

"No, your royal highness. I have been here for some time and enjoyed training as a healer. You just hadn't noticed me until now."

"What a blind idiot I've been." Meaningfully, he stared into her green eyes.  He knew women were at his feet when he looked at them like that.

"No you're not, your royal highness. Our paths just haven't crossed yet."

"Then I would like our paths to cross more often, from now on. What would you think of getting a better education at the castle? I'd get you all the books and materials you'd need and you'd be given the title of Royal Healer."

Zelda frowned imperceptibly, generous offers usually had a catch with them; even more so when it came from a prince.

"Forgive my rudeness, but I must decline your offer. I am still not a trained master healer and I have yet to pay off my debt to the master, so I will stay here where I belong. You should now return to your palace and rest your bruises."

Zelda turned her back on him and returned her attention to her notes.

"Do you not charge a fee for treatment?" he asked, as if left out in the cold. While he knew that not everything worked his way, it felt like a punch in the gut with her.

"No, because I have to write everything down and if the Master reads that a prince has been here, he'll grumble at me for not taking all your rupees." Zelda half turned to Link and squinted over at him while the corners of her mouth twitched trying not to laugh at her master.

"Then accept this as an anonymous donation" Link reached into his leather pouch on his belt and detached it. Setting the entire pouch down on the treatment table, he picked up his tunic and left the hut before Zelda could refuse his generous donation.

Link stopped shortly and heard from a distance how Zelda snapped for air sharply and then began to cheer. He couldn't help but smiling broadly across his face. Proudly, he walked back to the marketplace.

In the open square, the wind blew icy cold over his naked and bandaged upper body. As if he were stepping out of a hammam into the open air, the icy cold awakened his senses. He was aware of how much rupees he had left behind and hoped that the oddball old man would relieve her of her debt. But knowing him, it was not the case.

As he mulled over a solution to help Zelda to move on, he smiled half-heartedly at the passer-by who greeted him with his title. He was too busy trying to find a solution.

Soon the winter solstice would fall in the kingdom, it would get freezing cold in the run-down hut and he wanted them to be warm.

 

Zelda counted the rupees the prince had left again, just to make sure she could trust her mind. Six thousand five hundred and sixty-four rupees she counted in total. It was enough to research more medicines, buy new instruments and they could still find a better, but more importantly warmer, place to stay that had a bit more space to accommodate more patients. "Almighty Goddess Hylia, I thank you for sending me this generous prince," she whispered.

"Did I just hear generous prince?"

Shocked, Zelda turned abruptly to stare at her diminutive master. She had to quickly weigh how much to reveal without Link losing face. It was too unlikely that a person of the royal family would show up.

"A man came on behalf of the royal court and delivered this purse full of rupees to me. The man did not want to reveal who the anonymous donor was at first, but I managed to find out that it was one of the princes. The servant added the message that it was time to fund Doctor Borville's talent and left without another word. That is all I know, sir."

Zelda held her breath, so tense was she. Under no circumstances could she reveal to the old man that the Prince had been here, as he would force her to ingratiate herself to the Prince to exploit him for his greedy purposes.

The old man scratched his pointed beard thoughtfully, took his chair and sat on it.

"Finally, it is about time that my knowledge is appreciated. I'm just wondering which of the princes it was. Ragnar and Link always come here when they've messed up in their training and are too proud to go to the royal healer because their father would get wind of it. It must be one of them…hmm… I wonder which one…"

Dr Borville lit the tobacco in his pipe with relish and leaned back in his chair. Zelda forced herself to smile because of the lie about his skills. She knew that her abilities had surpassed her master's and every day she felt it more and more; as if she was standing still without being able to grow. But then she smirked at the thought of Link secretly trying to escape his father's eyes.

"But don't you dare using the money to pay your debts. I'll publicly denounce you as a thief if you do," he warned her.

Zelda clawed her nails into the edge of the table she was holding onto and sighed inwardly. Of course, she wouldn’t dare to, but the old man hated young people and women and she was both, so she was incessantly subjected to his harassment.

She had to do something to be able to live independently of her father one day. A life of freedom, far away from the place where she had only bad memories. But as it goes as it is, she wondered if she was ever able to accomplish that since the old geezer barely paid her full salary.

To take her mind off things and distract her teacher, she posed curiously. "Doctor, would you kindly tell me more about the princes?"

"You silly brat, don't even know anything about the ruling family. These children these days, never learn. Anyway, let me explain to you who the royal family is:

Starting with King Selim. He is titled The Mighty and The Merciless because he mercilessly defends the sacred places of the goddesses. The present borders of Hyrule are entirely due to his iron hand. In the past, there were often wars over those sacred sites, over the Temple of Time and the Forgotten Temple. However, King Selim never gave up and risked everything to protect those places. Unfortunately, he is also merciless within his family, as he expected the same strength from his sons. That is why his sons come to me very often, as everyone in the royal house is under the king's watch. Everything is reported to the king and even injuries that the boys inflict on themselves during hard training can lead to the father's disfavour. You must know, none of them have the same mother and are therefore exposed to constant competition. To avoid brothers of the same blood killing each other to get on the throne, King Selim enforced the law that as soon as a queen gave birth to an heir to the throne, she would be sent to a province with her son. The young prince would then undergo an extensive and rigorous education until the age of 16, so that he would henceforth be allowed to live in the royal court. However, who was allowed to be crowned king was up to the king alone. In the past, the remaining brothers were executed to prevent them from plotting against the new king, which also explains why the boys have no uncles and only aunts. Selim may be a cruel man, but the loss of his brothers also demanded a lot of him, so he decided to change the old law by sending the remaining brothers back to their mothers. Princes also have the choice of establishing themselves in other fields, such as the armed forces.

If we look at the first-born Prince Ecberht; The ambitious and eccentric Ecberht, sees his brothers only as competitors for the royal throne and often gives them a hard time. However, at his young age of 20, he has a strange power to draw attention to himself and also enjoys making big speeches to fire up the crowd. He spends most of his time handling diplomatic affairs in other kingdoms and playfully twists people around his finger. You can recognise him by his different coloured eyes; one green and one blue. He has darker hair than his brothers because his mother, Queen Seaxbourgh has very dark hair and green eyes. Like all princes, he had to be taught martial arts and is consequently very muscular. He has no siblings, as he was the very first child.

Prince Link, the son of the second queen, Queen Aslaug, is a highly talented archer, horse warrior and wields any sword weapon as if it were part of himself. And yet he is only 19 years old and already surpasses any sword master."

 Zelda tried not to let on how the name caught her attention, so she turned her face away and turned her attention to the herbs. Dr Borville paused briefly in his narrative to clutch at his painfully cramped back. Meanwhile, she looked for a plant that increased concentration and one that relieved pain. She boiled both with hot water and handed the tea with the pain relief to her master. The doctor's little errand boy returned with a bag of herbs and Zelda motioned for him to sit on her lap and listen in.

"Well, now that we are complete, I can continue the tale... where was I?" asked the senile man.

"At Prince Link's."

"Oh yes exactly! Prince Link, as I said, is not only gifted in the martial arts, but also excels in all the sciences. Some rumour says he is the King's absolute favourite, having inherited his father's acumen and ruthlessness. However, he is not my favourite, as he has a too soft heart, having inherited his mother's sense of justice and mercy. These people only bring trouble and endanger the rules of the monarchy, as was seen years later."

" What happened years later?" asked the little boy, on Zelda's lap, named Nebb. He was just six years young and yet he had to work so hard to help his family.

"Don't be so impatient, you brat!" the doctor grumbled.

Nebb winced imperceptibly, but Zelda didn't miss it and hugged him closer. He looked up at her and thanked her with a smile.

"The problem was that King Selim was so fascinated with her that years later, he bent the rules and fathered a second child with her. Princess Lagertha. She must have reached the age of 12 by now. You can see how dangerous the very existence of such people is for the dynasty's continued operations," he grumbled.

Zelda sighed inwardly. 'Surely this grumpy old man is afraid of everything that is foreign to him,' she thought.

"Anyway, what about the other princes?" she asked instead of speaking her thoughts aloud.

"All right, then. Let us now come to Prince Ragnar. He is the son of the third queen, Bonduca, a queen who was also an army commander and a warrior in body and soul. Ragnar therefore takes after her; a giant, broad-shouldered and a strategic genius. You can see his lust for battle in his eyes. He is generally recognised by his provocative smirk on his face. You can recognise him by his ice-blue eyes and white-blond hair, which he has braided into a complicated knot combined with an undercut. However, he is also a womaniser and no one knows how many bastard sons he has fathered. He may be a battle-strategic genius on the battlefield, but to rule a kingdom he is far too cunning.

Then there is Prince James, the youngest brother. Three years younger than Prince Ecberht. He is the son of the third queen, Queen Elizabeth. Average height, athletic and possesses an immense repertoire of knowledge. Although he has copper hair, a stubbly beard and green eyes, like his mother, he is very calm in contrast to his striking appearance. He is only interested in the relics of the ancient peoples who once developed these titans, shrines and towers. All humbug, in my opinion. At least he has a knack for architecture, infrastructure and finance. He could handle numbers and formulas like no one else in the kingdom and is often consulted by the Sheikah. In my opinion, he should take more interest in it, but nobody asks me. Old people have nothing more to say. What are these relics for? It's not for nothing that they were never used, as no one seems to have needed them! Pah!"

But as the old doctor was getting more into his aggression, a young man in his mid-twenties suddenly came rushing in. Zelda, in a panic, hid the little Nebb behind her and stood in front of the sack of Rupees so as not to create any problems.

"Hand over the rupees the prince left you and no one will get hurt!"

"There was no prince here! Now get out of here before I ram my cane so far up your ass that you can nibble on it with your teeth," said the grim old man, waving his walking stick on his chair.

Zelda, meanwhile, secretly tucked the pouch into her sleeve. "Please don't hurt us, we will give you what we have, but a prince was not here. And we have only the bare necessities."

"I don't believe a word you say! I saw one of the princes come out of this street!" he shouted, waving his short sword around.

"Get out of here, you good-for-nothing dumbass!" the doctor shouted.

Zelda slowly walked to the herb cupboard where her savings were and gave it to the burglar.

"As I said it's not much, but it's all we have. A prince wasn't here either, because as you know they would never set foot in a dump. They are too fine for themselves." She watched expectantly as the man assessed the information and hoped he could not see through it. The man lowered his knife and counted the rupees in the container as she slowly turned to Nebb and gestured with her eyes for him to give her one of the stinking elixirs. Like a ghost, the little boy moved around the room and stealthily handed a bottle to Zelda's hand behind her back. Determined, she held the bottle in her hand and prayed to Hylia to have the courage to do right.

The young man eyed her suspiciously and took out all the money and put it in his belt pouch.

Tensely, Zelda watched what was happening and clutched the bottle like a sprout of hope.

The old man looked at the young man grimly. Zelda inwardly admonished him for saying something rash. This was a dangerous situation in which they would either have to get away with minimal loss or pay with their lives.

Every word and every move would therefore be weighed in the balance.

But suddenly he put away his short sword.

"This time I believe you. But I will watch you. If I see anything conspicuous, I will kill you all and take your money that you are hiding from me."

He left the hut and ran away.

A moment later, all three breathed a sigh of relief. Nebb ran into Zelda's open arms and hugged her tightly. Zelda had gone down on her knees and was relieved that little innocent Nebb did not have to experience any horror.

"We should send the money back to the prince, it's too dangerous to keep it here,” she said to break the tension.

"Absolutely not! We'd be bankrupt without the money and it will starve us for the winter! I'd rather die a quick death than starve to death in freezing cold!" although the old geezer was being stubborn again, Zelda had to agree with him. It was risky, but it was better than starving. She looked at Nebb and immediately regretted her words.

‘His family would starve too,’ she thought gloomily. She kissed his forehead and let him go.

There was another way. And Link was the solution.

"Master, please excuse me for today, I have to go and look after my father," she lied.

"Yes, yes. But in the morning you're going to stand here with full attention again and work the hell out of you."

She nodded and took Nebb's tiny hand. She put the elixir back and walked towards the Royal Castle with the boy by the hand.

 

Link looked out his window and saw all the lanterns flooding the marketplace with light, music reaching his ears and drawing him magically. The winter solstice had arrived once again, which could only explain one thing about the commotion: The Festival of Lights was being celebrated. For as long as Link could remember, he loved this festival, as it was the best way to mingle with all the peoples of Hyrule and to escape, at least for one evening, from the hard training of princes.

He wondered what he should wear, whether he should stay undercover or reveal himself. He sighed, realising that every single person knew his face anyway. So he decided to put on his white shirt, but the fabric on his arms and chest made them tense, he was gaining muscle from the harder training and excessive food intake. He cursed softly to himself and buttoned the buttons along his muscular torso with difficulty.  He pulled on the sapphire blue Prince's tunic, accentuated by golden ornaments at the hem and sleeves. He then pulled on the black and brown leather chest protector with the royal family crest and tied his leather bracers to his forearms. When he was finished with his dark Hylian trousers and leather boots, he tied on his leather belt, which had the seal of the Triforce stamped on it. Link finally threw his cloak around his shoulders and fastened his sword to his belt and strutted out of the palace towards the marketplace with his shoulders erect.

"Oh, beloved big brother Link! Wait for me, I'm coming with you!" a melodic voice shouted behind him as he already caught the dusty smell of earth mixed with wood and snow of the marketplace. Clacking heels ran towards him; he knew the footsteps all too well. He turned and as he spread his arms wide, a petite person jumped into his arms. Link gently set her on her feet and looked at his younger sister. She had her dark blonde long hair braided all the way through and decorated with flowers, and had had a lovely dress in muted colours tailored for the occasion. She looked like a flower child, blessed by the goddess Hylia herself.

"Lagertha my dear little sister. It is good to see you well again.  You look wonderful and adorable in your outfit." She smiled sheepishly as Link held out his arm to her and escorted her to the fairground.

"Big brother Link, do you know where our brothers Ragnar, James and Ecberht are? I haven't seen them in a long time, since I was sent to boarding school for girls.  You have always been the only one to send me letters and gifts." Although it distressed her, Lagertha had learned not to let anyone know outwardly, but her brother Link, was the only person she could be who she was with.

"Our brothers have never been good with words, especially when it comes to their feelings. Please, bear with them, they still love you with all their hearts and would have any bastard executed on the spot if they so much as touched a hair on your head."

He always knew how she felt and was grateful and relieved that he could understand her without saying much.

"Thank you very much, dear brother. But let us rather celebrate the winter solstice and think of happier things. I'm sure our brothers will be there too." She trilled happily and grinned broadly at him.

He looked down at her and laughed heartily at the underlying irony in her voice. Yes, there was some truth to it, for Ragnar, James and Ecberht were indeed never far away when there was something to celebrate.

Soon the two siblings had reached the marketplace and were watching the colourful swirl of lights, dances and different clans. Happy laughter accompanied the sound of the Goron clan's taiko drums, the Rito's accordion and sweet singing, the Sheikah's shakuhachi flute and the Gerudo's oriental-sounding instruments. Various smells from the stalls rose to their noses and stimulated their curiosity and appetite. Although it was freezing cold, this place seemed like a warming oasis and warmed the hearts of the people. Sporadically, Hylian knights danced with women from different clans, twirling them as their clothes were stirred up by the gyrations.

Link looked at his little sister, who was beaming with joy. At moments like these, he wished his sister could enjoy a simple life, away from the castle.

But then the booming sound of trumpets interrupted him and everything went quiet. The guards had just announced the arrival of the royal family.

All eyes were now on them.

Link felt a strong hand on his left shoulder and looked up.

End of part one

Notes: based on the Zelink reversed roles AU Art of @/TheNebulace on Twitter I had the inspiration to write this multiple chapter Story of Zelda being a healer and Link being a Heir to the Throne.

Many characters name's are based on real npc from botw or are legendary/historically personalities.

Selim:historical chronicles says he was a ruthless and mighty emperor of the ottoman empire who protected the sacred religious grounds until his last breath. Lived in the 15th century

Ragnar: legendary Viking king and (is here) based on his Viking Series character

Lagertha: legendary queen, wife of Ragnar and warrior (here based on the Viking Series character with no relationship to her half brother Ragnar)

Queen Bonduca: [aka Boudicca] historically British Queen and Commander of a Legion 61 AC (here the mother of Ragnar)

Queen Seaxbourgh: historical mother of the historical Ecberht

Ecberht: King of the Wessex in 8th century, fought against the invasion of the Vikings, also here based in the Viking Series character

Queen Elizabeth: historically daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, Tudor-Family. Lived in the 16th century.

James: historical successor of Queen Elizabeth Tudor, has here red hair to honour the red haired Queen Elizabeth Tudor

Nebb & Celessia: NPC from Botw

Part two:

https://freshbreezesworld.tumblr.com/post/639445306711375872/until-my-last-breath