#Impa's mother

[alabasterpickles]

Some more random Botw/Totk/Aoc sketches I WILL post on instagram once I’ve finished another handful I have sitting on procreate!

I’ve got it stuck in my brain that following the events of Age of Calamity the Yiga clan work closely with the castle and I like to think Kohga prides himself on his new promotion

Though he’d never put himself in harm’s way, so I definitely see that third drawing happening on the castle grounds where Zelda is definitely not in any danger

(Also? Daruk and Mipha? Definitely gossip buddies)

I JUST *LOVE* THEM ALL SO. MUCH.

[skyward-floored]

okay I played hw all is right with the world again

[1tsjusty0u]

actually wait how does being the chieftain for kakariko in botw work

[rawliverandgoronspice]

Thralls has the already pretty complicated objective of making Ganondorf's perspective a compelling (if very flawed) one, but the even taller order and my real agenda here is to convince people that Impa is a compelling character u_u

[avatarskywalker78]

Chapters: 1/1

Fandom: The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time

Rating: General Audiences

Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply

Relationships: Impa & Zelda (Legend of Zelda), Zelda & Zelda's Mother (Legend of Zelda)

Characters: Zelda (Legend of Zelda), Impa (Legend of Zelda), Zelda's Mother (Legend of Zelda)

Additional Tags: Pre-Canon, Anxiety, Worry, Mother-Daughter Relationship, Family Feels, Zelda's mother isn't in the fic because she passed on years ago but her presence is still felt

Series: Part 10 of comfy-vember 2024

Summary:

Zelda's been plagued by visions of darkness, but it's the stress of trying to convince people they're true that's causing her to lie awake at night, and though she has distant memories of her mother singing to her, she can't remember the exact words...

But Impa knows everything, so she decides to ask her.

[watermelinoe]

It's not a waifufication and Impa looks different in each game anyway, she's not like Link and Zelda. Impa tends to be an old lady anyway and as for the ship, at least in AoC Zelda and Impa are around the same age, unlike in the first HW, where she's a mother figure to Zelda, making a ship weird.

anon beloved i love you but you are sooo so wrong on this sorry NOT a waifuification??? MOTHER FIGURE IN HW????? 😭😭

[mizaruwu]

The queen's baby quieted down once Impa handed over her to him. He held the princess with shaky arms "Zelda," He starts, voice thick with emotion "hi there little one"

Zelda looks up at him, bright blue eyes meet his tired violet ones. "You look just like your mother" He manages to croak out and oh, his expression probably looks horrible right now but the little princess still gives him a gummy smile.

The little princess latches on to his finger, babbling happily. Before he could even smile back he takes in a sharp breath when he sees the triforce symbol already on the back her hand. All of a sudden, he cant bear the weight in his arms any longer.

He lands a kiss on her forehead and hands her back to Impa "be good, little Zelda" The handmaiden, gives him a somber smile "the Queen, she's still in her bedroom. I know you want to see her before–"

"Of course" He knows already. He doesn't need to hear it "Thank you as always, lady Impa" He gives a curt bow to Impa before he turns and walks to the queen's chambers. Its only a short walk, but the few steps he takes feels like a lifetime.

When he reaches the closed door it's like another eternity was spent just standing there. He knocks. He knows he doesn't need to, but he did. Two times as if he's calling her name. Two times like he usually did. Knock-Knock, then she'll call out his name. She always knew it was him somewhow.

One knock, then another and a pause. His name isn't called out. His closed fist rests on the door and trembles in place. For once, he's afraid. With a shaky breath, he pushes the doors open anyways.

He finds himself in another agonizing walk, this time towards the bed. He hates how every step he takes feels heavier than the last. He hates how his breathing are the only sound in the room apart from the soles of his boots dragging against the carpet. He hates how his knees give out once he reaches the edge of the bed.

He hates how his vision blurs and how warm tears travel down his face when he blinks to clear his eyes.

Lying in the middle of the bed is Zelda with her eyes closed like she just fell asleep, her face serene like she's having a nice dream, her body still as a statue. He reaches out shaky fingers to trace the back of her hand, the triforce mark is gone. He stays like that for a while.

"You know Zel, I always thought you'd outlive me"

[linkedspirit-fanartfunart]

[Image Description: A lineart 7 panel comic of Ocarina of Time Young Link (Forest) and Zelda. Panel 1: Forest sits with Zelda in the garden. "We have to warn my father. But how? He doesn't believe me, I doubt he'll believe you." Zelda says, looking to the side skeptically. Forest frowns slightly, holding his arm. Panel 2: Forest looks up, thinking. Panel 3: Forest holds out the Kokiri emerald on a necklace. Zelda exclaims "Oh! That should prove you're from the Forest!" Panel 4: Impa stands beside Zelda, Forest hiding behind her slightly, holding her hand. Impa says "Sire, I have an emissary of the Great Deku Tree, who wishes to speak to you." Panel 5: Forest looks up, brows furrowed worriedly. "Come closer" says the king. Panel 6: The King kneels in front of Forest, looking intently at him. "You say your name is Link?" Panel 7: "You..." The king says. Forest's eyes are colored blue, looking forward intently, holding the Kokiri emerald. "You look so much like your mother." End ID]

Ya know those moments when a character kinda just runs away with you and you can't stop them from jumping into a headcanon? Yea this is one. Forest is, apparently, the lost prince of Hyrule, and knows it. And yet he's still wandering around instead of like, living in the castle so there's that.

[redundantz]

Ancient Loz AU Story

10,000 years before the events of BOTW the Princess of Hyrule and the Hero who wields the sword that seals the Darkness first fought off the Calamity. With the help of the Sheikah, Guardians, Champions and the Divine Beasts. However, the hero and her best friend; the Prince of the Gerudo, were now missing. The only one to return from the fight was the Princess… Bloodied and bruised. She emerged from the castle alone. No longer the energetic, and free spirited person she used to be. Now, she is filled with a sole dedication to her Kingdom. But cold, and filled with deep sorrow. She orders the Sheikah to create shrines to train the next hero.They prepare the towers, store the Guardians under the castle till they are needed. Research started on the slate where it can be used for building infrastructure and even battle. Anything to help prepare for another Calamity.

The Gerudo Prince wasn't seen again and the heroes identity was forgotten But, the Royal blood of Hylia lives on….

Link is from a traveling caravan. His family has blood from the ancient Zonai tribe. He travels with a decent size troupe along with his sister, father and grandmother.

He meets Zelda during a festival where he was entering an archery contest in castletown. Zelda, who was disguised as Sheik, was also entering. She beat him at the contest(barely), but was extremely bothered by how good he was.

The festival goes on for about 3 days and at the end there is the sword ceremony where all the people coming of age(18) can attempt to pull the sword. She was presiding over it and witnessed him pull the sword and his whole life change. Not long after they meet officially and Link is appointed as her Knight; She introduces him to Ganondorf, her best friend from childhood.

And the chaos and comrade-ere ensues~

Over 3 years they travel, train, fall in love and wait for the day when the evil is supposed to show itself. With no sign of the great evil, they start to relax a bit. But that is when it strikes. Ganon travelling by himself at this time. Explores a cave in the Gerudo desert and encounters something ominous. Whispers in the dark speak to him and his fears and wants and his distaste for the King of Hyrule…. The voice is familiar, much too familiar, and before he can fight back it consumes him. When he awakes he is alone. He isn't instantly ‘evil’ but over time it twists his thoughts and actions. His closest friends and mother grow concerned. He becomes harsher and radical. Cruel. During a secret meeting with the King, Ganon assassinates him. Zelda happens upon Ganon covered in blood. She thinks he's hurt and is concerned by his behavior the past year. He snaps. He tells her every dark thing he has been thinking, and that he killed her father. In shock, and devastated, she can’t move as Ganon is about to strike her. But Link manages to get to her in time because the master sword was glowing, something he has never seen before but an instinct so old took over him. He races to escape with her. Ganon takes over the castle. But only as a steward because the King and the Princess are nowhere to be found. No one is the wiser to his malevolent plots. Yet. He knows she has to act fast since Zelda and Link escaped.

Zelda and Link make it all the way to Kakariko Village and Impa and they are all Informed that the Calamity is upon them. No one can believe it is their Ganondorf who is doing this but it is undeniable. They grieve, but they must act fast. With the help of the Sheikah they gather the guardians, monks and send word to the Races and Champions to prepare for battle. Zelda listens as Link hums an old Zonai Lullaby his mother used to sing to him. And it makes her remember something she read about. A story about there being an ancient Zonai device below the castle that would help defeat the Demon King.

Impa knows the tunnels She can help them sneak in. So they prepare to infiltrate the castle.

Under the castle they find the Zonai Artifacts that were left behind for sealing the great evil.

Ganon's followers saw them enter however and informed him. Knowing this is his chance he stops all pretenses and releases his power. Unleashing a mob of monsters and a cloud of malace into the castle and across Hyrule. But the Champions and Shekah are prepared to meet them.

Looking around for any clue. Trying to think of anything they read or that Link heard from his family that could be used to turn on the sealing jewelry. They don’t know how to activate it, but Ganon is going to be upon them soon as they had to fight through hordes of monsters beforehand.

Out of the dark behind them he emerges.

Zelda and Link manage to avoid the surprise attack. They both go on the defensive. They fight and try to reason with him. They can’t believe this is their friend, their lover. The fight is tough, because they all know each other's moves after training together for years along with the emotional turmoil. Zelda tells Link he needs to figure out how to activate the artifact if they are to succeed. She will hold him off. But by this point they are both exhausted.

Ganon manages to cut Link, spraying blood over the floor and the statue. Link falls to the floor and Ganon towers over him ready to strike him down, but Zelda blasts him away. Ganon turns his attention to her. Annoyed with her meddling and manages to land a blow on her also. Cutting the tip of her right ear off.

The statue lights up from the blood. The blood of a zonai. That  was another part of the Lullaby from Links family Zelda realizes. The Jewelry glows and expands before flying off the wrists of the statue to Link. He is surrounded by a green glowing light that blasts Ganon and Zelda back. The bands constrict around his arms and legs disintegrating the clothing underneath. He screams. Zelda watches on in horror as Link transforms before her. His skin is turning black and his bones and skin stretch until he is 6 ft tall. What did she get him into? This was supposed to help them what was happening… She is living in a nightmare. What else will she have to give up. She cries as she looks at him, feeling his pain and fear. His hair band she had given him falls from his hair. Rolling across the floor towards her. “..Zelda….” He says 

She picks up the hair band and goes to him! But he is not really responding. He is restrained and struggling within himself. His head is filled with the spirits of the Zonai he knows what he must do…he knows this is the last time he will see Zelda and Ganon. To seal the Demon King he must sacrifice himself. He says the last part of the Lullaby to Zelda and she knows. This is it. She kisses him. Though a bit strange now that he's so tall and his lips are cold. Ganon is getting up across the cavern from them, laughing. He mocks them and their weak attempts at thwarting him. One last clash. Zelda manages to get his weapon from him and Link plunges his arm into Ganons chest activating the sealing power. Glowing green. They both freeze in place and all is quiet. Entombed under the castle. The malice and monsters disappear. Zelda cautiously goes up to them. She doesn't touch them lest she break the spell somehow. The only thing she does is grab the hair bangle that fell to the floor in the final fight. It was the one from Ganon’s hair. And she left for the surface.

Alone.

Thanks for Reading! <3

[skyloftian-nutcase]

All right, here's my ask for the prompt event

"Link, you are loved."

Your choice of which one and how to show them that but it's one of my favorite things in your writing so here we go. ❤️

Congratulations on the milestone

The wind chimes hummed gently, their song carried in the breeze that generated it, warm and gentle and comforting. Crickets accompanied it softly, a lullaby to the world as night swaddled the sky in its midnight blue embrace.

Two figures moved silently in the grass, their footsteps lost in the symphony of the night, quiet with trained precision.

Impa inhaled slowly, taking in the scent of honeysuckle, guiding her ward along. Link’s hand was warm in her own, callouses a rough reminder of all the times he’d held a blade, making her stomach churn a moment as she redirected her mind from—

Link, staring at her, covered in blood, knife slipping out of his slack fingers as he collapsed—

Impa paused a moment, and Link stopped with her. He glanced at her, just barely moving his head, eyes tired, a glimpse of how worn thin his spirit truly was. Impa took a breath, asked for strength from Din, and walked ahead.

It had been a few days since everything. Link hadn’t been outside that entire time, and Impa had decided that needed to change. The boy needed fresh air. They both did.

Eventually, Impa found one of the many benches scattered across the castle gardens. It was one with a backing, which was nice, dark metalwork intricate in how each strand interwove with the other to form a patterned design. Impa guided Link gently, and the pair sat down.

Impa waited a moment before speaking, eyes roaming across the garden. She was looking for something specific - Link was quiet in his tastes, but she knew for certain that he loved a certain summer bug that came out at night. There didn’t seem to be any here quite yet, though. She half wondered if they should keep wandering in search of a better spot, but at this moment this seemed the best place to settle. Link didn’t have much energy to walk around a lot.

Pulling out cloth from the bag she’d brought along, she gently wrapped it around Link’s shoulders. It was light blue, soft, with frayed edges and different stitches mending bits and pieces of it. It was well worn, cared for with love and bloodied hands, treasured since it had been first gifted to the young Hero many years ago.

His mother’s scarf. Link had worn it into battle time and again during the war. He hadn’t touched it since the royal wedding. He’d grown into it over the years, using it more as a shawl when he’d been younger. It was still a bit wider than a scarf for his size, but it made it a great little blanket on an evening like this one when unfolded entirely.

Link tugged sluggishly at the ends, staring down at the cloth between his fingers. He bit his lip, the distance between his eyebrows closing.

“I remember when you were born,” Impa said quietly. “Your mother had been so excited to meet you. She told your father while she was in labor that she couldn’t wait to tell you how much she loved you.”

Link swallowed thickly, turning his face away from her.

“I’m sorry she never got the chance,” Impa continued, slowly resting her hand on his back. “And I am certainly no substitute for her. I haven’t been there for you when I had promised you I would be. But Link…”

Impa faltered here, her own voice getting caught in her tightening throat. It wobbled as she said his name, displaying a vulnerability she rarely showed anyone.

She remembered painfully during the war when Link had joked around, inebriated as he’d been, calling her “mother.” She remembered the way the little one always looked up to her when he’d been growing up in Kakariko, the way his eyes had immediately sought hers out after he’d completed his trial, seeking approval. She remembered the faith he’d placed in her during the war, the way he’d smiled at her when she’d hugged him at its end, just before everything had fallen apart.

She remembered the look on his face, broken and pleading and terrified, as he’d fallen to the ground, blood pouring from his throat.

Impa took a shaky breath, closing her eyes and grabbing firmly to her resolve. “Link, you are loved. By so many. The people of Hyrule adore you, the Sheikah are proud of you, and I…”

A hiccup threatened to escape, and she held her breath to stop it, eventually looking at the teenager as he slowly returned his attention to her. Whatever tears that had been trying to leave him before had dried, emotions buried under a blanket of bone deep exhaustion. His lip no longer trembled, eyebrows heavy over his eyes, red eyes dull and seeming to look beyond her.

Impa felt her heart break once more, but it also spurred her to speak again, and she moved her hand from his back to his cheek, making him look at her. “I love you dearly, Link. And I… I will take care of you. All I ask is that you… you live. Please, love. If for nothing or no one else, for me. Just… just live.”

Link’s eyes roamed from whatever void they were lost in, looking at her, questioning her words, debating them. He looked worn thin all of a sudden, empty at the mere thought of listening to her words, and for a heart stopping moment, she was afraid she couldn’t reach him anymore.

But then his eyes watered, and he looked down to avoid her gaze, leaning towards her just a hair, a subtle, pleading request.

Impa pulled him to her in an instant, holding him tightly. She felt him go boneless under her touch, trembling, her shirt steadily staining with warm tears. He didn’t have the energy for outright sobs, spirit utterly depleted, but occasionally she’d feel a little sniffle shake his body. She ran her hand through his hair, detangling little knots as she went, disregarding the brittleness of it, the split ends that indicated how little he’d been taking care of himself lately.

The wind chimes continued their gentle serenade. As Impa continued to soothe the teenager, light caught her eye, and she finally saw what she’d been hoping to find by bringing him out here.

Impa shifted, repositioning Link with her, letting him scoot closer but turn his head so he could look out at the garden. Slowly, the environment started to glow gently, fireflies filling the space like silent fairies. Link’s eyes never left the sight, tears quietly falling down his cheeks, bathed in the warm light of the little creatures he used to seek out at night.

Impa kissed his head, closing her eyes and saying a prayer, begging for blessing and mercy on the poor child. She felt her resolve strengthen as Link let her hold him, as he weakly lifted a hand to grip her wrist in return.

The Sheikah chief took a deep breath. It would get better. He would get better. She’d make sure of it.

[legendofmorons]

Your honor, I humbly request that the Chain find out that reader has tattoos.

Some are easy to see and explain, “this is my mother’s favorite flower,” “I just like butterflies.”

Some are harder to explain, quotes from video games, references that are really important to reader but mean literally nothing to the Chain.

One is kept hidden pointedly. Just behind their ear on one side is the triforce, tattooed carefully. It’s covered up by hair most of the time (because let’s be honest, your hair hasn’t been cut in a bit since joining the chain, so if it was short before it’s kinda grown out by now) but one day the wind blows in just the right way or someone tries to braid Reader’s hair or maybe Reader just pushed it out of the way because it was annoying them. In any case, one of the boys sees this and recognizes it and now they have a *lot* of questions.

-VS

Tattoo or taboo?

Oooooo I love this idea! The boys would definitely be interested in tattoos AND ypur triforce.

Reader is assumed to have hair long enough to tuck behind their ear and cover a tattoo behind their ear.

Your tattoos aren't something you've been hiding, you just weren't sure that the boys would even know what they were.

What if the boys wanted a tattoo? You don't have the proper equipment! (Assuming you even CAN tattoo.)

But for whatever reason it hasn't come up until now.

An injury has revealed the top half of your body to the world, which includes some tattoos.

"You have such odd markings." Twilight says, leaning closer to a floral tattoo

"You mean my tattoos?"

"Tatt-whos?" Wind echoes with the wring pronunciation.

"Tattoos. They're ink."

"You draw on yourself? This one is on your shoulder balde!" Hyrule is now examining your tattoos.

"Someone else did them."

You then have to explain what tattoos are, how they're done, and the importance of the right artist with proper equipment.

Wind is IN LOVE with tattoos. He's probably seen them and just thought they were makeup/marker. He does spend time with pirates

Wild probably knows what tattoos are. If I understand the lore right his Impa has tattoos and so do other shiekah. He's just glad you

Legend and Four are also pretty interested, but they're not nearly as obvious

Twilight, Hyrule, and Sky want to know EVERY meaning (to you) behind each tattoo. They're all very intrigued.

Warriors and Time aren't against tattoos, but they figure that's your buissness. They're happy to help you with upkeep, though.

However, you are still hiding the triforce behind your ear. That one is one ypu ate keeping from them. Explaining that one would be a nightmare.

Wind is definitely bouncing tattoo ideas for himself off of you.

Unfortunately, your secret tattoo is found out one day after having to pull/pin your hair out of the eay.

"What is that?" Warriors asks, the first to see it.

Well, fuck yo.

Well fuck indeed

"What's what?" Wind asks helpfully, turning his full attention to you.

"Uhhhhh-"

One by one, each of the boys notices it.

And they have questions

Mostly why, how, and are you a hero too?

You choose the easiest route.

"My world is really far removed from any of your's. Your stories have ended up part of pop culture."

"People think we're pop culture?" Legend asks, looking upset.

"Yes. But none of us knew you were real. We thought it was all made up."

"You must live in a peaceful time." Wild says.

"Uhhh- there's no ganon or demise or anything like that."

"Good." Sky says, something in his face softer.

It takes some explaining, but you avoid telling them that not only are they not real to your time, but that people play as them through their adventures.

That seems like the kindest thing

Sometimes you have to leave things out

You also have to promise not to treat their stories as fiction anymore.

[skyward-floored]

“General?”

Impa looks up from her papers at the question, seeing Link standing uneasily in the entrance to her tent. She knew he’d come here sooner rather than later, and inwardly steels herself, levelly meeting his gaze.

“Captain,” she acknowledges, and he enters her tent at the unspoken permission, looking oddly nervous as he stands a respectful distance away. It’s quiet between them for a moment, and Impa waits for him to speak first.

She already knows what he’s going to say.

“General, I... did... did you know my mother?” he asks quietly.

Impa blinks, slightly taken aback. Not the exact question she was expecting. “Why do you ask?”

Link shifts, looking uncomfortable.

“I heard some of what Volga said when you fought. It seemed like you might...” He trails off, and looks at his boots. “...You know that Cia said he’s my father. But I know nothing about my mother, and... I’d like to know more. If you know.”

Impa sets her papers aside, and turns, gesturing for Link to sit down with a sigh.

“I’ll tell you what I can,” she says carefully, watching as he sits. “I apologize you had to find out about Volga from Cia. She had no right to be the one to tell you that.”

Impa swallows, and folds her arms.

“I should have told you sooner.”

Her words take a moment to sink in, but once they do, Link snaps his gaze up and stares at her in shock.

“You knew?”

“Yes. Since before you were born.”

“Well wh— why didn’t you tell me? Why keep it a secret?” he asks in a hurt voice, then catches himself and steadies his tone. “...General.”

Impa lets out a long, careful breath. She bows her head and gathers herself, finding the sense of calm she learned how to harness in her training all those years ago. Words she’d considered speaking for years now grow heavy on her tongue, and a sudden lump wedges in her throat, full of old hurt. But she swallows it down and looks up at Link, meeting his eyes that are just as bright as his father’s used to be.

She studies his features, then sighs, and closes her eyes.

“Because I am your mother,” she whispers.

Link doesn’t move.

“What?” he croaks after a minute, his face pale as chalk.

“I am your mother,” Impa repeats, refusing to let her voice crack. It does a little anyway.

“And Volga is your father.”

[zeldaelmo]

I wrote a lot of Christmas and winter-themed stories over the past few years, so I thought I'd make a list for everyone who wants to get in the mood or just needs something to read during the holidays.

Modern AU

Flour, Water, Salt, Yeast, Love - As a regular in Link's bakery, Zelda asks him for a favor for Hylia's day. A mistake leads to them fake-dating until at the end of the holidays neither of them knows what is fake and what is real anymore. (25 chapters)

One Stitch at a Time - Zelda is taking over the fabric store from her mother and struggles to balance traditions, new ideas, and financial problems. The last thing she needs in her sewing class is a guy who disagrees with her every word and threatens to ruin her favorite time of the year: Christmas. (24 chapters)

A Rare Find - Link tries to catch a rare Korok that only appears when it rains. He finds a cute girl instead who happens to be in need of a fake boyfriend to impress her ex.

The Thing with the Matching Christmas Sweaters - Zelda realizes at the last minute that her father bought the same Christmas sweater that she and Link have planned to wear on their engagement announcing pictures. Link... has his own solution to this problem.

link_inofficial_23 - Link keeps blogging about Princess Zelda's and his life as new parents. PR is not amused.

One Night in December - Link regrets all his life decisions when he agrees to watching Hallmark movies with his long-term crush Zelda and she picks one about old friends getting together. Of all things...

Believe - A down on his luck Link accidentally prays to a long forgotten goddess and sets things in motion he isn't prepared for.

AoC/BotW

The Art of Now - A little AU where Link really is just a random soldier like at the beginning of Age of Calamity.

Of Pines and Pining - Zelda is forced to join the Champions and Sheikah to decorate the Great Hall for Hylia's Day. Of course, Link does it all wrong: chaotic and messy. But then, Zelda gets carried away and accuses him of being a messy kisser and everything only gets even more chaotic from there.

Sneaky Snow Attack - Link is on guard duty for once and discovers an intruder he doesn't mind so much. Well, before the snowball hit him, obviously.

Dismissed - Just before his first home leave after the Calamity, Link learns that Zelda has dismissed him as her appointed knight for personal reasons. He's confused and sad and the very last thing he needs is his family getting on his nerves about it.

Twilight Princess

Close Enough - The one mistletoe story without a single mistletoe around.

Fairy Magic - Zelda overworks herself before Christmas and Link decides she needs a break.

Ocarina of Time

It may be winter outside (but in my heart it's spring) - Impa sneaks Link and Zelda out to have some fun in the snow. A winterly snapshot set in the child timeline.

General LoZ AU

The Pen Pal Plan - Princess Zelda is sick of being wooed for her beauty and nothing else, so when it's time to pick a suitor, she develops a plan. All suitors who want to court her must engage in a pen pal ship with her so that they can get to know each other without the eyes of the court on them.

After a year, the time has come to meet the most promising candidates at the winter fair and make her choice, but she quickly realizes, that her "Pen Pal Plan" has some pitfalls she hasn't anticipated and chaos ensues. It would be a shame if she missed the meeting with her favorite candidate of all things! At least the kind, blue-eyed guard is still there to help her reach the last date in time...

Merry Christmas and enjoy!

💞 Zelmo

[crazylittlejester]

more wars headcanons because i started a trend apparently and he’s very important to me so i gotta add to it

- Zelda keeps trying to promote him to general and he keeps refusing, which frustrates her to no end because he deserves a promotion and SO much more, but he never did any of this for the glory or recognition so he’s content staying a captain. He has a group of hand picked soldiers he trusts who serve under him and they love and respect him, he’s trusted them all for years and takes care to know all of their names

- Generally well liked by everyone who knows him. His soldiers would all gladly give their lives for him (he would be terrified to know this), they love and respect him. OTHER soldiers who DON’T serve under him and other citizens of hyrule however still blame him for the war and treat him terribly. They assume he’s cocky and arrogant and want to see him punished, but anyone who’s ever held a conversation with him loves him pretty immediately because he’s kinda and easy to talk to

- The assassination attempts have gotten much fewer and far between, but they never completely stop. He always keeps at least three knives on his person at any given time, and Mask/Time is the only person alive who know where all his knives are

- Well liked as he is by the people who know him, he doesn’t have many actual friends. Most of the friends he made were people from other eras so he can’t really talk with them anymore. He still has a very close relationship with Proxi, Impa, and Zelda, but aside from them he doesn’t feel like he has any other friends

- Proxi took ONE look at this sad pathetic litte guy and was like “I guess I have to adopt him now” and has been a mother figure to him since the day they met

- The War of Eras spanned three years (he was 17-20), and by the time LU happens, he’s around 27. He will never let Legend find this out, because 27 is NOT old, but Legend is nine years younger than him and won’t let him heard the end of it if he finds out he’s in his late twenties

- Time was absolutely mortified when he met Warriors again and realized just how young the captain was during the war, because when you’re 10-13, the 17-20 year olds seem like they might as well be in their thirties

- Warriors took legal guardianship of Mask during the War because it was the only way to let a 10 year old fight in a war. He doesn’t try to parents him, he looks out for him of course, but he lets Mask make his own decisions for the most part (of course he tries to stop him from being an idiot, but he doesn’t have much control over it if the kid just doesn’t listen to him). When Tune showed up, he was 17 and considered old enough to make his own decisions so he didn’t need a legal guardian (he also lied and said he was 18, but it wouldn’t have mattered because Warriors joined the military at 16 and was considered old enough then)

- Link isn’t his first name, it’s his second/middle name but he goes by that instead because it’s shorter, easier, and he likes it better

[ixtaek]

So if we use the “the timelines remerged to form BotW” (aka the “Nintendo timeline isn’t canon” timeline) I think it would be interesting to see the power dynamics between what has now become three Royal families, all of which have equally valid claims to the throne. I feel like they would each get a dynasty name and it took time for them to properly integrate.

First off is the dynasty from the Downfall Timeline, the Harkinians. They would have initially held power over the Central Hyrulean region from the Dueling Peaks to the Breach of Demise, and been the ones involved in the Sheikah and Yiga splitting—the Yiga combined with the Eyes of Ganon, while Impa and the loyal Sheikah stayed in Kakariko (the latest Impa in the timelines being the one from AoL).

The Great Sea dynasty, the Tetrans are basically the New Hyruleans and moved into the eastern areas, coming from the coasts. The Hateno and Akkala Tech labs were founded partially based on the knowledge from the Lokomo, and eventually integrated with the Sheikah. They also founded Lurelin and helped the Rito migrate to the newly merged Hyrule. The Koroks followed them as well.

The Zeldan dynasty is from the Child Timeline, and can boast the most uninterrupted family line, going back to before the era of the Hero of Time without Ganondorf taking over for seven years (or longer). They initially ruled over the Great Plateau, including the original Temple of Time. They were the ones who first established friendly relations with the Gerudo (who existed in FSA and thus came to the merged timeline through the Child Timeline) and the Zora.

(The Gorons maintained peaceful relations with all parties—they came from different timelines with different livelihoods but to Gorons, a brother is a brother. They accepted the Gorons moving back from Labrynna after the Downfall, the traders sailing in from the Great Sea, and the natives who remained in Death Mountain in the Twilit era, and even ones who claim to be from a strange land called Termina, with very little fuss)

Imagine the wars. The drama. The politics! The final uniting event was the Calamity’s first appearance, when all the branches finally had a common enemy. The Princess who appeared was effectively born a commoner, and while each dynasty raced to establish she belonged to them and they were therefore the “true” Royal family, it turned out she had ancestors from all three dynasties—distant cousins of the family heads, secret liaisons between the children of rivals, marriages for politics and marriages for love and some that weren’t even marriages. The people united behind her, and the dynasties influences’ faded. They still exist up until the second Calamity, mostly as factions and in-fighting.

BotW Zelda’s mother was from the Zeldan faction, while King Rhoam was directly descended from the Princess in the first Calamity. While her mother had knowledge and ability to use the power of the Royal Family, Rhoam was the one with the claim to the throne. When Zelda didn’t manifest her sealing power, many began to whisper that the alleged “main” Royal Family was no longer the true rulers of Hyrule, their blood too diluted. The three dynasties began to rumble and vie for power, wanting to place one of their own on the throne when the “Heir to the Throne of Nothing” failed.

This turned into way more headcanoning than I thought but yeah. Timeline based factions.

[dragongirlie56]

04- A Fresh Milk Light Mocha with Two Extra Shots of Hylian Espresso

Honestly that drink sounds fire.

PFFT anyways!

Ship: Zelink BOTW or AoC, or Totk? I mean u can imagine any Zelink if you wanted.

Warnings: None! Just cute ol fluff!

Impa is young in this guys like in AoC!

Coffee Shop Zelink AU ;) Need I say more?

———————————————————————

When Zelda was a child she had her life planned out to a ‘T’. At the buttcrack of dawn aka 6 am, Zelda was awakened by a maid to get ready for the day. She had breakfast at 7, reading at 8, and she had piano lessons at 9. She had a break between 10 and 11, before lunch and so on. (Her father made sure she didn’t have much time for research… he wanted her to pursue business.)

Naturally, the old habits never left her. She had to have a schedule, even though sometimes she hated it. As an adult now, her routine consisted of going to the same coffee shop everyday and she orders the same thing: a Fresh Milk Light Mocha with two extra shots of Hylian espresso. She always ordered this drink before attending her classes at Hyrule University—-with the amount of classes and extracurricular she was taking she definitely needed that espresso. She was guilty of going twice in the same day.

Zelda knew every employee and even knew both of the managers: Urbosa, her aunt basically, and Sidon, her best friend’s brother.

She knew people, she knew her schedule, and she was prepared.

However, what she wasn’t expecting was a wrench to throw itself into her life. Not literally a wrench, more of she wasn’t expecting the unexpected.

This new employee made that list. He was definitely just hired, Zelda would’ve remembered him. It was hard not to notice him, in her opinion.

Warmth flooded Zelda’s face upon making eye contact with the boy. His eyes were the brightest sky blue and, Great Hylia, he was cute. His dark blonde hair was tied into a small ponytail—-with a turquoise band—-and he had bangs that swept across his eyebrows. She didn’t understand how someone could be so good looking. Didn’t mother nature have laws against this?

Not that I’m complaining, per se.

Sidon’s voice burst through her thoughts. ”Zelda! What a delight to see you this morning! The usual?”

“Huh?” Her eyes snapped to the red haired boy who towered over her. It really baffled her each time she saw him, he was extremely tall. A bright grin stretched across his lips, revealing his perfect white teeth to which she swore she saw a small sparkle appear. It must’ve been a trick of the light. Also, does his face never hurt from smiling so much? “O-oh yes of course!”

Her face burned, she hoped she wasn’t staring at the boy for too long.

”Coming right up! Link, can you ring her up for a Fresh Milk Light Mocha with two extra shots of Hylian espresso. Regular discount.”

The cute guy nodded once and dropped his gaze to the register.

Zelda’s hands started to sweat against her purse strap—-she was gripping it for dear life. Oh my Hylia. Oh my Hylia. Oh my Hylia-

“S-sorry…” His voice was so quiet. “Was that Lon Lon Milk or Fresh Milk?” He asked, scratching the back of his head. Their eyes met briefly—-making Zelda’s stomach drop—-before he snapped his gaze back to the register screen.

“Hm? Oh!” Zelda’s heart threatened to beat out of her chest. “Fresh Milk, please.”

He nodded again and punched in the order. “No whipped cream?”

She shook her head. “No, thank you though.”

“Uh, yeah.” He nodded his head once. “Total is five rupees.”

Zelda normally had her money out and ready but man was she out of it. “R-right!” She fumbled for her pouch and handed over a rupee, nearly dropping the blue crystal all together. Their fingers brushed, sending a soft flutter through Zelda’s chest.

“We’ll have that right out.” She could listen to him talk all day.

Zelda that’s creepy.

”Thank you.” She managed a smile—-hoping he couldn’t somehow read minds (that would suck)—-and stepped back from the register.

”C’mon Link, I’ll show you how to make it. She is a regular so this will be good to know!” Link nodded and followed the tall barista.

Zelda’s face burned. She felt extra clumsy today as if her limbs forgot how to function. He’s just another guy, a normal guy. Pull yourself together, Zelda.

“Um… Zelda right?”

“Huh?” Her shoulders jumped slightly. Her green eyes flicked from his blue gaze down to her coffee. That was fast. “Oh! Yes- Thank you.” She practically begged her fingers to stop trembling as she took the drink from him. Maybe he didn’t notice.

He gave a small smile and nodded. “Have a good day.”

”Thanks! You too.”

She internally punched herself in the gut as she exited the shop. I was so lame in there. Great Triforce, spare me.

Zelda balanced her coffee on the roof of her car as she blindly dug in her bag, waiting to hear the clink of her keys. Once she acquired her blue lanyard, she unlocked her car.

Coffee and chocolate with a hint of vanilla filled her senses and she sighed; a sweet smile twitched into her lips. If someone made a candle scent the exact same as her drink, she’d buy their whole stock no questions asked.

She sank into her seat as she sipped her coffee. Her eyebrows raised nearly to her hairline as her eyes widened. The drink was amazing, better than usual.

Now she didn’t want anyone else to make her drink.

Link, huh? A thrum of excitement settled in her chest. Maybe they could become friends?

———————

A heavy sigh escaped Zelda’s lips. She couldn’t focus on her tedious assignment no matter how hard she tried. All of her thoughts revolved around the blonde barista, like a moth to a flame.

You’ve never been so interested in a boy so why now?

Another 15 minutes went by. Words on her assignment started to blur together so much her eyes started to strain. She shut her laptop with a groan. At this rate she’d never finish her work before next week.

Zelda opened her phone and immediately clicked on the phone icon. She needed to talk to her friends about this.

Her thumb came to a stop on “Miph Bestie 💕”. The phone rang and she propped her phone against her mirror, making sure Mipha was able to see her on the video.

“Hi!” Mipha waved on the video and grinned.

“Hey Miph! Wait, hold on…let me add Impa to the call!”

Impa’s face appeared on Zelda’s screen. “Heyyyy! My favorite girlies! How are you?”

“Good! Just finishing up school work, you?” Mipha asked.

”Just chilling, at least I was until you guys called. Soooo, what’s up?” She wiggled her eyebrows.

”Yes, Zelda. We’d love to know.” Mipha rested her chin in her hands.

“Haha okay, okay!” Zelda brought her knees to her chest, her feet slightly hung off her chair. “You guys know that coffee shop I always go to? The one your brother works at, Mipha?”

“Oh yes! The Korok Cafe! What about it?” Zelda watched as Mipha set her phone against the wall.

“Um well. I was going to get my usual, y’know, before I went to the university… and… there’s this new employee…”

“A new employee?” Impa leaned forward.

Mipha tilted her head and raised her eyebrows.

“Yes…” Zelda trailed off.

“What about this new employee?” Mipha inquired. If you looked at Mipha you would never guess she had the capabilities to tease someone. ’She’s so sweet,’ and ‘she’s so kind’. Which weren't wrong observations, Mipha was kind and she had a gentle soul. But when she teased she was quiet about it. The only thing that gave her away was her light smirk—-which was what she was doing now. Much to Zelda’s dismay.

”Well. I was surprised to see someone new and… he’s cute.” She waited for a few beats, but she couldn’t hold it in any longer. “No, really, you should’ve seen him guys. He had beautiful blue eyes, dark blonde hair, and his smile? I nearly died. He seems really sweet too and he was kind! And wow can he make a coffee! It was the best one I've ever had.”

Impa gasped. “Ms. Zelda, do you have a crush?”

”…Maybe.” The blonde looked off to the side and she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “I think I might.”

Mipha suddenly perked up. ”You know what would be fun? Double date with me and Vali!”

”Hey!” Impa gasped. “Don’t take her away! We hang out when you and Revali go out on dates! Now I’m going to be the fifth wheel.”

”You can come with us, Impa!” Mipha countered.

“Fifth wheel, remember?”

”You guys are talking like me and the guy are together!” Zelda interrupted.

“Manifestation, Zellie, is a thing.” Impa gave her a wink.

”What’s his name?” Mipha spoke.

“Link.” Zelda couldn’t help a smile from making its way to her lips. Link was a unique name, she had never heard of such a name before but… it suited him. She liked it.

“Link and Zelda hm?” The red head looked up at her ceiling. “Lelda? No I don’t like that.”

“…Zink?” Impa offered to which Mipha shook her head.

”…Zelink? Zelink! Ooooh yes I love it!”

”Perfect!” Impa agreed, nodding enthusiastically.

“Oh Hylia, not the ship names already.” Zelda’s face fell into her hands.

Mipha laughed softly. “You need to tell us what happens tomorrow.”

”Bet you he already has a crush on you, Zellie,” Impa added, pumping her fist in the air.

I wish. ”Delusion isn’t always the solution, Imp.”

“I say it works. It gives you confidence, no?” The sheikah tilted her head.

“Not really.”

”Welllll…” Mipha rested her face in her palm. “He’s just a guy if you think about it.”

Zelda raised an eyebrow and smirked. “This isn’t how you felt before you were going to confess to Revali.”

”Oh yeah, I remember you were so nervous.” Impa matched Zelda’s coy expression.

Mipha let out another soft laugh before yawning. “Touché.”

”Bored of us already, huh?” Impa raised her brows.

”No not at all!” Mipha waved her hands in the air with a sheepish smile. “I’ve just been up since four.”

“Four?!“ Impa’s jaw dropped. “Girl, get some sleep.”

Zelda rolled her eyes with a laugh. “Night guys, thanks for listening.”

“Anytime. Call us right after okay?” Mipha replied.

Impa nodded. ”Yes! Right away!”

“Sounds like a plan.” Zelda ended the call with a light chuckle.

She raised her arms above her head and stretched before pushing herself away from the desk. Her feet squished the soft padding of her slippers as she walked over to her night stand. She flopped onto her blue sheets with a sigh.

She’d worry about her assignment tomorrow.

Probably…

—————

Ding!

The cafe door shut behind Zelda, pushing a small gush of cold air toward her. A chilling shiver ran down her body as she glanced toward the counter, clutching her bag close. No one was at the front.

”Be right with you!” She heard Sidon’s cheerful shout.

”No problem!” She called back.

She couldn’t make out the slight chatter in the back but eventually, Link emerged from behind the curtains. He made eye contact with her. She swore she saw a flash of surprise but it was gone before she could say for sure.

“Hey Zelda.”

He remembers my name. Please say my name again.

Her heart picked up as she walked toward the front register.

”What was your drink, again?” He scratched his cheek before peeking up at her. “Sorry, I’m still new at this.” Blue eyes escaped hers once more before they returned. He had a light smile on his face and to her delight she noticed he had dimples. They were faint but she could still make them out.

“I get it.” Zelda mirrored his upturned lips. “It’s a Fresh Milk Light Mocha with two shots of Hylian espresso.” She tried to say it as slowly as possible without being awkward, emphasis on the awkward.

His turquoise earrings swayed with his nod. He has earrings. Holy Hylia.

“Total is- Oh thanks.” Link took the blue rupee from Zelda’s hand.

”Are you liking it here?” Zelda found herself asking.

Link shut the register before preparing her order. ”Yeah, I am. Everyone’s easy going and… the customers aren’t too bad themselves.” He glanced up at her with a small quirk of his lips before returning to her drink.

Did he just…? No… definitely not… Zelda squashed her drifting thoughts. She opted for a chuckle. “That’s good, I'm glad. I like the staff here too.”

“You know, you’re the team’s favorite regular,” he whispered behind his hand.

Zelda let out a chuckle and shook her head. “I think they’re biased, Urbosa’s basically my aunt and Sidon is my best friends brother.”

“I’m not biased,” he said quietly—he didn’t look up at her. He definitely didn’t mean for her to hear that.

Link cleared his throat before handing her the drink.

“Thanks, Link.”

“Anytime.”

————-

Zelda peeked around the counter, hoping to find the familiar blonde boy. But, instead of Link, Urbosa walked through the curtain with her apron and manager badge .

“Oh Urbosa.” Zelda replied, hoping she didn’t sound disappointed. She glanced around the store again, trying to make it seem like she was just looking around.

“Link isn’t here today, Little Bird.”

Zelda’s eyes snapped to her aunt and she stared at her like a deer in the headlights. “I-I wasn’t. What? I wasn’t looking for him. I’m happy you’re here!”

The tall red-head laughed and poured the coffee mix into a blender. “Oh don’t be silly. You’re fooling no one. I know everything,” she whispered the last sentence as she wiggled her fingers.

Zelda felt like a child caught stealing cookies from the pantry as a midnight snack. Not that she ever did that… Never. “How do you-“

Urbosa’s hand rested against her hip as she tilted her head. “Sidon isn’t as clueless as he lets on, Little Bird. Also I was here yesterday, in the back but I was here none-the-less.”

“You were eavesdropping?!”

“Of course.”

“Urbosa!” Zelda exclaimed to which Urbosa laughed in response.

“…What did he tell you?”

She only smirked. “He’ll be here tomorrow and the day after y’know.”

Really? ”That’s… nice.”

“You should go for it. He’s a sweet kid.”

”Urbosa.”

”Sorry, I just… want you to be happy, Little Bird. I know you’ve been through a lot. How much you’re still going through with your father. If you need me to, I’ll talk to him-“

Panic settled in Zelda’s chest. “No! No, please not that Urbosa. He’s already angry that I continue my research as it is. I can’t risk… business is my goal so that’s what I’m going to do.”

Urbosa sighed and placed her drink on the counter. “Okay. Just… are you happy?”

Zelda took in a breath to speak but nothing came out. Was she happy?

She had friends. Mipha, Revali, Riju, Purah, Impa. Despite her lack in interest for her major, she was happy with her horse lessons, chemistry club, and her daily coffee routine. Just not what she was going to do with the rest of her life. It would be nice to have a partner and to have someone who knows you completely.

“Just… think about what I’ve said, please?” Urbosa slid Zelda’s coffee across the counter and she grasped it with a nod.

Zelda sipped her coffee as she walked out of the shop and to her car. A light frown dusted her lips. It didn’t taste the same.

ZELDA. This is actually unhealthy now. The drink is just the same as it always is. She scolded herself. It isn’t different just because Link makes it.

She closed her eyes and sighed.

—————

Zelda’s smile brightened upon seeing Link cleaning one of the nearby tables. His gaze met hers and he stuffed the rag in one of his pockets, his lips rested in a small smile.

“Zelda.” He gave her a small wave. “Fresh Milk Light Mocha with two extra shots of Hylian espresso?” he asked as he walked behind the counter.

Zelda grinned. “You remembered?”

“Third time’s the charm, right?” He gave a shrug and tilted his head.

Zelda fought the urge to drive home to scream into her pillow. He was too cute for life itself to handle. It wasn’t fair.

A laugh bubbled in her chest. “That is how the saying goes.”

He chuckled as he punched in her order.

“What’s your favorite drink?”

Link glanced up at her in surprise. “Um. Hah.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “The Vanilla Dragon’s Tear Latte.”

”Hm.” She nodded. “That sounds really good actually. I’ll have to try it next time.”

”It won’t disappoint.”

“You’ll be the one to make it right?”

His eyes met hers and he smiled. “Definitely.”

She matched his upturned lips.

“You go to HU?” he questioned as he grabbed ingredients.

”Yes, I’m studying business there.”

“Wow, that’s cool.”

Hardly. “Yeah, it’s interesting…” It wasn’t a total lie, some stuff was interesting. Despite her dislike for the major, she managed a slight smile. “What about you? Are you in school?”

“Yeah, I go to HU too. I’m studying to be an athletic trainer.” She could definitely see him doing that.

”Really? You go to HU?”

“Yeah. It’s a nice school. I like the campus and the programs are pretty good.”

“What days do you go to school? We should hang out!” Did I really just say that out loud? Oh Hylia I did- Though her spike of anxiety was short lived when Link gave her a smile.

“Yeah I’d like that a lot. I’m at the school from Monday to Thursday.”

“Same here!”

“Sweet.” He poured the coffee into the cup.

“What sport?”

“Hm?” He glanced up at her briefly before placing the lid on top.

“What sport do you want to train others for?”

“Oh! Baseball… I’ve always loved it.”

“Baseball? I’ve heard of it, is it the one with the stick- no the bat?” Zelda remembered going to restaurants and seeing glimpses of the game on the TV’s but she never sat down and watched one.

“Base- You’ve never seen a baseball game?” His blue eyes were wide with surprise.

“Is that bad?”

“Well no it’s just- how?”

Never had time… She laughed. “My father never took me.”

“Okay, we’re gonna change that. I’m taking you to one.” He declared then he sheepishly averted his eyes and scratched the back of his neck. “Uh- I-If you want.”

Zelda’s heart raced against her chest. Did he just ask me out? “I’d love to!” She picked up a napkin and scribbled her number down with a marker. “Text me, yeah?” She handed it to him.

He nodded and Zelda noticed his face was flushed with pink along with his pointed ears, she knew she likely looked similar.

He pushed her drink across the counter and Zelda accepted it.

“Thanks! See you tomorrow?”

Link chuckled. “Yeah, I’ll be here.”

————————————————-

I’ll likely make a part 2 of this!!! Where they go to the baseball game or something?

But I will write this particular one shot from Link’s POV if anyone wants it 👀

I set a goal of 2,500 words but I passed that!! so yay!!! Gotta celebrate the small things :)

Zelink Masterlist here!

Masterlists here!

Requests here!

Working on requests! Taking longer than I thought but hopefully within the next couple of weeks!