#Zelink Triforce Hylia Hyrule

[myststone]

ITS NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE

GUYS HES NOT JUST JUMPING TO SAVE HER FROM FALLING

GUYS THE MALICE WAS AFTER HER

HE ISN’T TURNING TO RUN HE’S TURNING TO SAVE HER

TO BE WITH HER

AFTER SHE WAS ALONE FOR 100 YEARS

AFTER SHE LOST EVERYONE SHE EVER CARED FOR

HES NOT LETTING THAT HAPPEN AGAIN

EVEN IF IT MEANS THEY BOTH SUFFER

HE’S DAMN SURE THEY’RE GOING TO DO IT TOGETHER

[manitschilly]

My notes taken while reasearching the Zelda Timeline lol, mostly cannon a little headcannon in places. Also my Zelink rating aren't how much I like them it's how likely they are in the narrative.

Power: Din ->Demise->Ganondorf. The Gerudo give birth to a male every 100 years, and it's only ever been Ganon. The 100 year system got screwed though because Ganon keeps not actually dying. Pigs. Fire. Red.

Courage: Farore-> heros spirit (fierce diety?)-> Link. Only the hero's spirit is reincarnated in Link, so he's not the same person. Not related at all, except for Twilight Princess where Link is a descendant of Ocarina of Time Link. Wolves and horses. Lighting. Green.

Wisdom: Naydra -> Hylia-> Zelda. Every Zelda is actually Hylia reincarnated through a consistant bloodline. Loftwing. Ice. Blue.

-there is a void called Null

-The three goddess create the earth and the triforce, and that's their only relation to Demise, Hylia, and the heros spirit. They're not reincarnations at all, more like patrons. (Unwillingly in Dins case). Din created the land, Farore created life, and Nayru created order.

-possibly Zonai and Sonia and Rauru founding the first kingdom of Hyrule. This would imply there is a Ganon unconnected to Demise sealed for the rest of everything and a dragon Zelda floating around. Rauru and Sonias light and time magic start off the royal family.

-a long undisclosed time with robots for some reason

-A battle between the Hylia, Demise and the races in Hyrule breaks out over the Triforce. Hylia takes the Hylian kingdom into the sky to protect them, then becomes a Hylian to protect the triforce. She also created a sword with a spirit named Fi with her godly power. With Demise sealed for now, she waits to be born.

-Sheikah are probably started around here, as like a Hylia cult.

-Skyward Sword: First incartion is Skyward Sword, when Hylia chooses to be born as Zelda and chooses Link as her champion to hold the heros spirit. They fight Demise who then curses them to reincarnate forever, and establishes his own incarnation, kicking off the rest of the series. Hylia, now Zelda, is shown to use her time powers. Link, Zelda, and a few Hylians from Skyloft restart the kingdom on the surface.

Link and Zelda are in love, Zelda chosing Link specifically for that reason. This could imply that Hylia and the heros spirit are soulmates in some way, and every incarnarion after is an extension of that. They don't end up together every time, but that makes it even more beautiful and heartrenching. (Just to specify, Links aren't related so don't worry about it) 10/10 Zelink potential this shit is cannon.

Kikwi present. Impa is there as part of the Shiekah. Impa seems to be either a repeated name or a title given to Shiekah warriors meant to protect the reincarnation of Hylia, not their own incarnation.

-another very long time gap

-evil sorcerors are after the triforce which is hidden in the sacred realm. A new temple of time (after the one in Hylias time used to hide the sealed Demise and Zelda) is built around the master sword, which has been holding in Demise this whole time.

-Another long time passes. Zelda's descendants have become the royal family. Princesses are named Zelda after the original incarnation (note, they aren't all reincarnations, just named after her). There is still a lot of magic floating around the bloodline.

-sheikah are sworn to Hylias blood and therefore the royal family.

-Hyrule is again in danger, a special species called the Minish come from the sky to protect them with a special sword, which was then wielded by an incarnation of Link.

-Minish Cap: a bitch named Vaati wants light powers, turns the current Zelda (actually an incarnation, you know because there's a hero) to stone, and that times Link turns the Minish's sword into the 4-sword. Zelda is the light power source, as the light power is still in the royal family. 8/10 Zelink potential

Gorons present

-Another time skip

- Four Swords: the four-sword is used to defeat Vaati again by another Link and Zelda incarnation. 6/10 Zelink potential

- time skip

- Giant ass civil war

- shiekah go into hiding but are still used by the royal family for sketchy shit. (Queue shadow temple 'nam flash backs)

- the first actual Ganondorf is born, or the second depending on if the Zonai are before or after.

- Ocarina of Time: Ganondorf is born as king of the gerudo, and pretends to be allied with the king to gain access to the triforce which is still in the sacred realm, sealed with the master sword. This Link incarnation pulls out the master sword as a child and opens the sacred realm, allowing Ganandorf access to the Triforce, the triforce of power attaching itself to him forever. This also gave Link the triforce of Courage and Zelda the triforce of wisdom. The sacred realm becomes evil and Ganondorf is sealed in it. There's a lot of time travel and it ruins just everything.

Zora, Kokiri, Gerudo, and Gorons present.

Great deku tree dies and is reborn.

and now shit hits the fan

Fallen hero time line

- Ocarina of Time: Link freaking dies and Ganondorf wins, taking the while triforce for himself. He still gets sealed in the corrupted sacred realm, but now he has the triforce. 0/10 Zelink potential long term, as Link is dead, but like 8/10 short term.

- time passes and homies keep going into the sacred realm to get the triforce but they never come back and monsters keep coming out. The sealed it again, at great cost of life and resources

-Echoes of Wisdom: a dark being called Null that was the nothing before the three goddess's created Hyrule starts taking over Hyrule with Rifts. Zelda gets kidnapped and Link is called to save her, but immediately after gets dragged into a rift and Zelda saves Hyrule from Null, who for a second owns a piece of the Triforce. At the end Null is defeated and the Triforce is restored. 10/10 Zelink potential it was glorious

- A Link to the Past: Agahim, some bitch, takes over the kingdom and the remaining sages to break the seal on Ganon. This reincarnarion of Zelda magically contacts the new Link. He kills Ganon and uses his newly acquired triforce to put everything back to normal. Now the royal family has the triforce. 7/10 Zelink potential. Same Link then has Links awakening acid trip. I'd knock down the Zelink potential but Malin like isn't real so.

Zora present

-Oracle series: same Link then has another acid trip but this time it's real, ending with Ganon being brought back to life as a mindless force of chaos. Ups Zelink to like 8/10, and confirms existence of other kingdoms beside Hyrule that aren't in another dimension.

- triforce splits again somehow, power returns to beast Ganon

- time skip

- A Link Between Worlds: new Link, new sages, Lorule exists so that's fun, opposite Hyrule dimension without a triforce. Ganon is freed and eats a man probably. Confirms this Link and Zelda have their respective triforces. Upon returning to Hyrule, the triforce is again in 1 piece and peace is restored to Hyrule and Lorule. 8/10 Zelink potential and like 9.5/10 Hildio potential.

- same Link goes to Hytopia, yet another kingdom in the same dimension.

- time skip. Great time, royal family again has the United triforce.

- King breaks up the triforce and sends Courage to the next Link incarnation, hiding its physical location from all except his daughter Zelda. New King puts that Zelda under a sleeping spell and regrets it. Tries to rule with just power of Wisdom but it doesn't go great.

- time skip

- The Legend of Zelda: same Ganon steals the triforce of power, new Zelda and Impa. New Link, without triforce of Courage, again postponed Ganon

- Adventure of Link : same Link is helping Hyrule not burn down, when suddenly he is given the triforce of Courage mark. He wakes up the old Zelda. I'd say the Zelda born in his time is the actual incarnarion, the older Zelda just a princess. 9/10 Zelink actually but like also he's a little weird with old Zelda to little odd but okay.

Child timeline

- Ocarina of Time: Link defeats Ganondorf and is sent back in time to relive the childhood he didn't have. He warns the royal family before Ganondorf can gain any power and therefore the events of Ocarina of Time never happen. Link leaves on a horse to look for Navi and has a Majoras mask acid trip. 10/10 short term Zelink and like 2/10 longterm, but also one of my favorite dynamics. This is one of the tragedy timeliness, where Zelda loved him before sending him back in time (Sheik was a simp). He could have ended up with this Zelda, but he probably didn't because his descendant in the next game isn't royalty like at all. Scrodingers Zelink, if the next Zelink happened then this one didn't, but we don't know if it does.

-Twilight Princess: Ganondorf is banished to the Twilight realm, where the wizard sent there a Hella long time ago got busy. He gains power with a guy named Zant who takes over the Twilight realm and breaks out to Hyrule. The princess of the Twilight realm named Midna finds the new Link incarnation, an actual descendant of the last one and holder of the triforce of Courage.

Link is trained by the like ghost of the hero of time, who is an adult and missing an eye. The hero of time means nothing to this Hyrule because Ocarina of Time never happened.

They kill Ganondorf finally holy shit and the Twilight mirror is shattered, forever separating the two places.

Like 8/10 Zelink potential, frick Illia freaking hate her. I follow that Zelink both had a crush on Midna but she's gone sooooo

Gerudo, Gorons, and Zora.

-big ass time skip

-Four Sword Adventure: new Ganondorf is born finally, but is like immediately sealed with the 4-sword by a new Link. I don't think there even is a Zelda so 0/10 Zelink potential

Adult timeline

-Ocarina of Time :This is what's left when Link gets sent back in time. Ganondorf is sealed in the corrupted spirit realm and the triforce of Courage shatters into 8 pieces, master sword is returned to the temple of time. 10/10 horribly tragic Zelink poor Zelda good lord.

-time passes without any reincarnations.

-Ganon escapes his seal in the sacred realm but there's still no Link or so Hyrule is effed. The gods flood Hyrule, society continues on mountaintops that are now islands and Hyrule is frozen underneath a giant ocean. The Triforce of Wisdom is split in two between Zelda, who stays on land, and her father, in the frozen Hyrule.

-Time passes badly

-Windwaker: Gannon escapes to the surface and kidnaps "girls with pointed ears", or descendants of Hylia. A new Link appears and gets the master sword from the frozen Hyrule, but it doesn't do shit until he fixes the triforce of courage. The king appears and bestows Links pirate captain the other half of the triforce, as she's reveled to be this time's Zelda. The triforce is restored and the old Hyrule gets genocided. Ganon is sealed, not dead, and Link and Zelda/Tetra go to establish a new hyrule. 10/10 Zelink potential this is some good shit. Rito, Kokiri, and Gerudo present

-Phantom Hourglass: Same Link and Zelda have a bit on their quest, no lasting consequences except for 11/10 Zelink potential. They discover New Hyrule.

-Spirit Tracks: some train shit in New Hyrule, new Link and Zelda have a soft romantic adventure with no lasting consequences except no more trains. 10/10 Zelink it's the whole plot.

Gorons present

After or before

-all the three timelines get just apocalyptic and society is just like gone, so the Zonai come from the Heaven's and with their arrival comes the merging of the three timelines.

-OR potentially Rauru and Sonias time is actually before Skyward Sword, as Ganondorf isn't actually a reincarnation. This would imply that every other game happens inbetween Rauru and Sonias time and Breath of the Wild, which i like better but it makes some leaps in logic, however it also explains the existence of both time and Light magic in the royal blood line.

-time passes

-Hyrule is once again reformed OR formed for the first time, by the last of the Zonai, Raruru and his Hylian wife Sonia. The incarnations are still going strong, so Ganondorf is born but their kind of hosed because there isn't a Link or Zelda OR the incarnations havent started yet and this is the first Ganon, before he was tied to Demise.

Luckily, either way, a Zelda comes from the future, and after a battle ending in the death of Sonia, Rauru uses himself to seal Ganondorf away and Zelda turns into a dragon.

-Time passes, the kingdom grows and hyrule castle is built over Ganondorf.

-Time passes and either all the other games happen or nothing happens, either way Zelda is still a dragon.

Definitely after

-a Link and Zelda are reincarnated to fight Calamity Gannon, whatever is left of the monster Ganon that was never killed in the other timelines. They, with the highly technogically advanced Shiekah, build weapons and postpone his return. We don't know much but like 8/10 Zelink I don't know could be cool. Shiekah go off, creating shrines and all types of shit.

-abreak off of the shiekah called the Yiga form, which is like the shiekah but for Ganon instead of Hylia.

-Breath of the Wild: a new Link and Zelda are born. They are so far ahead that they no longer have a grasp on the incarnations before them besides a few sparce legends. They know Ganon is coming back but they don't know who he is. They know Zelda is suppose to have powers, but they have no idea how she's gets them. Link finds the master sword in the lost woods, guarded by the great deku (the 2nd actually the first one died somewhere).

So they fail, whoops. Link dies and gets put in a Sheikah shrine for healing while Zelda holds of Ganon for 100 years.

-hyrule collapses and turns into almost a tribal society very unconnected.

-Link wakes up, wrecks havoc, and defeats Calamity Ganon, freeing Zelda and starting the reconstruction of hyrule.

10/10 Zelink potential. We got the before when Zelda cononicly loved him but we don't know Links feeling, and then Link might remember her and its like a reuniting thing and it's lovely or he doesn't and they fall in love again. Or possibly he didn't love her before and either way its a saga and his rubber band was in her study in "her" house thats all I'm saying.

-7 years, hyrule is being rebuilt by Zelda.

-Tears of the Kingdom: A sickness is spreading through Hyrule, Zelda and Link go to investigate and find what's left of the Ganondorf Rauru fought, who is either the first ganondorf or the most recent one. Zelda is sent in the past to Sonia and Rauru, along with the destroyed master sword.

Zelda is turned into a dragon and lives out thousands of years as one, potentially during every other game in the series. If so, the cloud layer established by Hylia was probably around until the upheavel, hiding her.

-The Upheavel happens and the world gets a little more cracked out, but Link defeats the Ganondorf and Zelda is turned back to her Hylian form. 11/10 Zelink potential and the dragon bit is so upsetting.

The three goddesses are present as dragons. Are they dragons? Are they just manifestations of their power? Idek but it's sick.

What the hell is Beedle? I read a fanfic once that he never dies because he helped Hylia once and it was really good so I highkey stand by that.

Sages kinda hop around, usually there's 7, one for each major group, even though not every race exists in every game. Are they extensions of the gods somehow?

(Rito, Zora, Gerudo, Gorons, Hylians, Shiekah, and whatever weird shit they got going on that game usually just Zelda)

One main issue with the Zonai before theory is that there's all the races when the Rito specifically doesn't seem to exist outside of the adult timeline.

There is a possible Kikwi, Kokiri, Korok pipeline.

I prescribe to the fierce deity as the original hero incarnation because it's just fits well and I'm obsessed with him, but it it doesn't really matter either way. I also read a fanfic once where the Fierce Deity loved Hylia and fought with her against Demise, but he died and the hero's spirit in each Link is what's left of him. Also read one where he saved Farore once from Demise and that's why he's specifically blessed with courage. Might have been the same one. I cannot remember it is 5:30 am and I haven't slept yet.

Ears are cool and plot relevant. The closer they are the Hylia the pointier their ears are, they get less pointy over time. Which adds to the Zonai being before because they got the pointiest ears. Also Gerudo ears get more pointy as time goes on.

Din gerudo pipeline? That's interesting. Farore and Nayru don't really have anything like that. Hylia has the Hylians but that's it.

Great Deku tree? Who? How? Why is he still kicking? Kind of adds to the Before Zonai theory or else he would have had to survive whatever apocalypse destroyed everything

In summary, somebody off me and therapy is probably a good investment.

[dragongirlie56]

Doubts and Surprises

My first post and Zelink oneshot on Tumblr! Hope you enjoy! I loved writing this one :)

Ship: Zelink

Warnings? None!

Zelink master list <——- my other one shots! :)

///////////////////////////////

Zelda didn't know why she was here. 

Her father and his advisor, Tarak, were having what seemed like a private conversation (might as well have been) with herself being the topic of discussion along with the utter doom that loomed above Hyrule. One that she was reminded of every second of every day since she was six years old. She really tried to ignore them and think of something to take her mind off of their words but she couldn't.

Her green eyes focused on a tapestry in the far corner. The triforce was elegantly sewn into its dark blue fabric. Why did everything have to be a constant reminder of her failures?

She shifted her feet from side to side, her dress restricting her movements. Her hair itched the back of her neck. Her shoes pinched her toes. And the soles of her feet hurt.

"I think it would be beneficial for the princess to continue her training," Tarak's voice sliced through her thoughts.

Red filled Zelda's vision and her fists tightened at her sides. Training always ended with nothing but disappointment and failure. She knew it, her father knew it, and the people of Hyrule knew it. 

"I agree." King Rhoam's voice carried through the throne room.

Of course he would. Zelda couldn't bring herself to look at her father. The King of Hyrule. She knew he meant well but he did a really good job of being a king instead of her dad. With Zelda's mother's passing, she had no one to teach her the ways of Hylia's sacred power. But the amount of training and praying to the silent goddesses gave nothing in return. Nothing but a boiling resentment that fueled Zelda's inner turmoil.

Did he not have another plan? Nothing to go off of? Clearly the last 11 years of training with nothing to show for didn't faze her father.

"She is scheduled to visit the last two springs. They are our last hope," Rhoam mentioned.

"Either spring will likely spark some power." Tarak added.

Zelda bit her tongue, nothing good would come out of arguing with either of them. Neither would listen to her. It always ended in flames when she argued with her father, she didn't need the both of them coming at her. 

Her fists tightened with every agonizing second. How long had it been? At least a half an hour of them referring to her in third person. Would they even notice if she left? 

Tears threatened to sting her eyes, she would not cry. Not in front of them. She needed out. She needed— Her eyes caught a familiar shade of blue, the champion's tunic. Her breathing stopped short all together when she met Link's ocean gaze. He was stationed by the wall with the master sword strapped to his back—something she used to despise with all her being but now it reminds her of him. He furrowed his brows slightly as he glanced between her and the King behind her.

That's right. He was here. She wasn't alone anymore. Oh why had she been so cruel to him before? 

Maybe she could sneak out with him or come up with some excuse. She knew he would take her away from everything if she asked, which was unrealistic considering their circumstances and duty but Zelda still wished for it. It took everything in her not to run to him then and there.

He tilted his head slightly toward the door—-he must've seen the pleading in her eyes.

"Please be off with your training, Zelda." The golden haired princess never guessed she would be somewhat relieved for her father to say those words, though they still made her grit her teeth. Why did he ask for her in the first place? To listen to someone else drone on about how she should continue her sacred training? To have a second opinion? As if she didn't get enough scolding from him.

"Of course, Father." It took everything in her not to spit the words towards his neatly polished boots. She felt like a child all over again.

She spun on her heels and descended the steps—fighting the urge to sprint down the stairs—to meet Link. Her safety. 

"Please escort her, Link." 

Link didn't need such an order, he was already holding out his hand for her to take. Her fingers wrapped around his own and he led her out.

Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry.

Her other hand flew to her mouth as she heard the doors close behind her. 

She didn't know where to go, but she didn't have to. Link tugged her down the hall without a word.

—————————————————————————————————

Zelda's shoulders relaxed as she breathed in the fresh air of the castle gardens. The sun rose high in the sky with little clouds to cast away its warm rays. Her ears twitched as she heard bees zip between flowers and birds chirp in the trees. She had to admit, the castle crew had really outdone themselves with the garden grounds.

Her blonde-haired knight guided her towards one of the benches covered in peppered shade.

Her throat tightened, she wanted to cry for an entirely different reason. How can he be so thoughtful? I don't deserve it. 

"Thank you, Link." She reluctantly released his hand and took a seat. Her heart sped in her chest, had she really held his hand the entire time?

He nodded once and gave her a slight smile.

"Do you really think the princess can do it?"

Zelda's shoulders tensed at the new voices. She turned her head to glance behind her. There were two guards strolling through the gardens, their armor clinking against their weapons.

"That's what the King says. If she listens to him we should be fine." The other replied to his comrade.

"I don't know. I've heard talk around. People have lost hope."

Their voices muffled as they rounded the corner towards the courtyard.

"I'll be back," Link said, his voice quiet. She flicked her gaze to him and her eyes widened.

"No! Link you don't have to talk to them. It's fine. They... have a right to doubt me."

"How can you say that?" he questioned.

"What?" Zelda didn't stop her mouth from falling open.

His eyebrows were knit together as he stared at her.

Her hylian ears drooped slightly and her voice cracked with despair. "They're right, Link. All I do is train and it's not enough. We're going to lose this war and it's going to be my fault." She shook her head as her tears fell. "How can you even look at me? A-and be so kind to me still?" She covered her eyes, she didn't want to see his reaction to her questions. "How can you not despise me? I can't even wield the power to aid you against him. I would doubt me too."

I do doubt me. She could almost hear her words out loud.

His boots tapped the cobblestone pathway and ended in front of her. She felt him grasp her hands and lower them away from her tearstained face. 

"Prin... Zelda." The sound of his soft voice made more tears spring to her eyes. She didn't deserve his care or his kindness. She was a princess born to a throne of nothing. "They don't see how much passion you have for your people. For them." He sat down next to her. "You're amazing and they shouldn't talk about you any other way. You're doing everything you can. More than anyone... Please look at me."

She lifted her eyes to meet his blue ones and he continued. "You cannot disappoint or fail me... I'm... nothing but proud of you. I... I could never despise you."

Proud? 

Her hands dropped to the bench as she stared at him with wide eyes. She couldn't remember the last time someone told her that. Maybe since before her mother passed. She also couldn't believe Link said so much in one minute.

Link's eyes went wide. He cast his gaze to the ground, blush flushing his cheeks. "A-am I out of line? I apologi-" 

"No, no!" Zelda reached out to place a hand on Link's arm. He whipped his head toward her.

"Thank you. I didn't realize how much I needed to hear those words." She wiped her eyes furiously. "I-" She let out a breath. "Thank you," she repeated.

"Always," he replied quietly and gave her a smile.

Zelda smiled back and let her hand drop.

They sat in a comfortable silence, listening to the trees rustle in the light breeze.

"I don't know if this is the best time..." Link's voice never ceased to startle her, she was used to him being so silent. But she was happy about his newfound courage to speak. She thought it was silly but she hoped it was her that had something to do with it.

Her curiosity grew as he reached into one of his pouches, she leaned to the side to attempt to get a peek at what he had.

He pulled out a small screw and held it out for her to take. Zelda gasped, it was one of the guardian pieces! She carefully grasped it from his hands and stared at it in awe. Her father never let her near them, even less work with the ancient parts themselves!

"I found it at the training grounds for the guardians while walking back from patrol. No one was around to give it to so I... kept it..." His hand came up to scratch the back of his head. "You always talk about the guardians so... I thought..."

Zelda let a grin overtake her face as she stared at him.

His eyes caught hers and his hand froze, his face flushed with pink. She found it to be the cutest thing ever, the usual ever stoic knight blushing at his words.

"Link. This means everything, thank you."

"I- sure." He nodded and dropped his hand. She wanted to kiss him then and there.

"No really thank you. For everything you do. Even when you don't have to." For a silly moment, Zelda wished it wasn't because of his duty to her. But sometimes she thought any other appointed knight wouldn't do half the things Link does for her. Sure he protects her, that's a given. But even when it was his duty, she felt—hoped that deep down it was because of something more.

"I want to," he said simply with a shrug.

Zelda smiled again. Maybe everything would be okay. With the calamity, her training, the future. As long as Link was there she knew she could do it. With him by her side and hers by his.

[daemon-404]

TMZAU ARCHIVE MASTERPOST

For formerly @alambiel's trashy modern zelink au.

Timeline and info, as well as the playlist I've been listening to while compiling this, come from here: https://tmzau.neocities.org

ABOUT THE AU: "the trashy modern zelink au is a semi-conceptual narrative set in modern-day hyrule where link is a renowned but unhinged student athlete who wields the master kitchen knife, and zelda is a frustrated company heir (and child of a shady businessman) who wields the power of the triforce, which is a gun. this honestly started off as a joke but i just kept on adding to it, so now i'm obsessed." "zelda and link are both nonbinary in this au, and they both use they/them pronouns. this au will also explore the themes of the apocalypse, death, maternal matters, the complex relationship between parent and child, religion, depictions of blood, disturbing dreams, and the likes. this takes place in a location called the great metropolitan hyrule."

HIGH SCHOOL ERA: "they both have prophetic nightmares telling them of an eventual armageddon that will be brought by the calamity ganon, a malicious undivinity that periodically wipes out hyrule every 10,000 years. bound together by the spirit of the goddess hylia, they are instructed by her apparition in their dreams to fend off the upcoming apocalypse. they first meet each other in tenth grade, and much to their disbelief, they also find out that they've been sharing the prophetic nightmares this whole time, like the both of them enter a fucked up dream realm together whenever they sleep. after an unpleasant fight, they separate just before college, the bond they shared over their supernatural traits left behind but not forgotten."

FIRST IMPRESSIONS "it's tenth grade, and zelda gets partnered up with a classmate for science class at the beginning of the year. the classmate isn't even paying any attention, which annoys zelda to no end. wait. what's that on their paper?"

IT WOULDN'T BE THE FIRST TIME "zelda wakes up in the dream realm. hylia introduces them to a new friend. they look… familiar. this wouldn't be the last time zelda meets them in their prophetic visions either."

NO ONE MUST KNOW "after a week of nonstop dreaming about the apocalypse and link's green arm and link's face and link's stupid knife, zelda confronts link at their locker."

LUNCH "they have lunch and zelda quizzes link about their dreams. zelda deduces that hylia likes to play favorites, which is strange because… hylia feels like a mother to them."

HIGH SCHOOL OUTFIT VS COLLEGE "just a comparison between one of zelda's high school outfits and the one they wear for the first part of their college life"

URBOSA "it's urbosa! zelda's cool godmother and gerudo noble looking so snazzy in their traditional wear."

COLLEGE ERA: "link moves to brazil to start seriously training for competing in sports, seeing as they're the youngest most successful soccer player in the world. meanwwhile , zelda stays behind in hyrule to study business administration in entertainment management, preparing to take over their father's talent agency. they would stay separated, that is, until link breaks a bone at the olympics and has an epiphany. link moves back to hyrule to attend the university zelda studies in for their second year, as well as making a news spectacle of themself. zelda, as it turns out, is the last to find out."

WORLD'S YOUNGEST PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER BREAKS DOWN AFTER INJURY "the great nation of hyrule 7s national team captain link mabe was forced to withdraw from the brazil 20XX summer olympics after sustaining a debilitating and bloody injury to one of their legs on the football pitch last week, the 19th of august."

LINK'S EPIPHANY "it's the olympics, you're on the ground and you can't stop crying."

ALL BETS ARE OFF "since healing their leg, link has returned to tending to soccer goals much to the great metropolitan hyrule varsity team's pleasure. zelda bets lon lon milks on link's goals: for every goal they miss, they buy zelda one at the local pub. link deliberately misses a few just to play catch up with them."

ZEL.HARKZ "zelda has followed you on instagram. do you follow back?"

NEW CUT "zelda hates business management. zelda hates their father. zelda hates companies. they beg link to cut their hair with the magical knife that cuts through anything as an act of defiance."

BARK LIKE A GOD "just a fancy piece of zelda on their little throne loveseat. newfound confidence and all. also quick little doodle of link emitting the same threatening vibes"

MIPHA "she's an e-girl. that's it that's the post"

SLEEPOVER / GUNS "they are bonding! they have a sleepover, zelda has dual pistols"

OF TATTOOS AND CAR RIDES "played around with some pinterest outfits, designing zelda's leg tattoo, and thinking about them in a car"

DATING ERA : LIPSTICK / BURNER PHONE / BOYFRIEND "just a few fluffy pieces! zelda has a burner phone to contact link because of… reasons."

MAIN OUTFITS "this is going to be their main outfits for the following end times. zelda's blue suit has some kind of divine influences, i think they get the outfit right after they get the gun to signify that from that point on, it's all business and no play. link's soccer uniform is due to see some worse days. yes, that's the sweatband of the wild and the letterman of the wild. at some point they get the legwarmers of the wild as well."

ZELDA GETS A GUN "zelda wakes up in the dream realm once again, but this time hylia takes on the form of a being so large that zelda can't accurately comprehend her size. it almost blinds them. they retrieve the sealing power of the triforce, which materializes into a ranged weapon that launches pellets of goddess light. basickally gun has been got, babey!"

TESTING! "zelda tests their new gun at the korok gun range."

YIGA CHASE "just a concept of link's sheikah-made motorcycle with zelda at the back shooting at whoever's in pursuit of them."

THE COMING OF ARMAGEDDON "link and zelda wait for whoever -or whatever- is on the other side of the door."

FIRST CONCEPTS : DUMP 1 / DUMP 2 "this is where i first got the idea for the trashy au… litrally just gave zelda a gun and pulled up some soccer poses and then, the rest is history!! i really want to stick to the vibes of this one where they're both just feral af."

OUR TIME IS RUNNING OUT "zelda's running out of smokes. link's dreaming of some awful things. they're both running out of time. inspired by this song."

ASSORTED OTHER PIECES FOUND: Just some other, unlisted pieces relating to tmzau.

THE MASTER KNIFE

CAUGHT UP IN THE MESS THAT WE MADE

FACES

SLEEPING

LIPSTICK VER 2

[mistresslrigtar]

2023 Master Work List

12 chapter alt rock musical - (complete)

Start reading HERE

Summary: On the verge of burnout as graduation approaches, Zelda’s friend, Mipha, encourages her to take a night off to go see a local college alt-rock band. That is when Zelda sees Link, the band’s bass guitarist for the first time and falls hard; but when her insecurity and Link’s best friend Ganondorf's drug addiction threatens their budding relationship, Zelda must learn to trust Link, and more importantly herself.

Multiple-shot WIP. Read Can't Take My Eyes Off You - a New Year's Eve story set in the I Belong to You universe.

On the night of her father, Rauru’s New Year’s Eve party, Zelda pines for Link, who’s been on tour with his band, Hyrule Warriors.

All I Want is You - an ABC Family/Hallmark movie inspired Twilight Princess Zelink ficlet dropping just in time for Winter Solstice.

Read HERE

Summary: Link and Zelda come from two different worlds. When those worlds collide at the first annual Winterzauber in Hyrule, they’ll find that titles and stations have no meaning when it comes to true love.

Adore - eight-chapter Hylink origin story written for @zelinkcommunity's Zelink Week 2023.

Read here

Summary: Link is an embittered soldier fighting a losing battle in a holy war against the Demon King Demise, who is determined to claim Hyrule and the Triforce. When the goddess, Hylia, reenters his life, his hope for victory is renewed. Their reunion rekindles their love for each other, but will it be enough to emerge victorious?

Love in the Age of Calamity (complete) - This is my first piece, and not nearly as polished as later works.

Read HERE

Summary: All the incarnations of the hero’s soul, waiting for this perfect moment when they were no longer star-crossed but goddess blessed. After ten millennia of longing and being denied, the sword sings in his ears as Zelda melts in his arms.

This is the love story that fills in the blanks of the captured memories, that hinted at so much more that may have occurred outside those events.

Companion Pieces to Love in the Age of Calamity

Read Snowy Recollections (updated 6/26/23)- Link could not help but wonder how he was supposed to save this world if he could not remember his own past or why he had been chosen in the first place. Maybe he was going about things the wrong way. Perhaps, instead of trying to force himself to remember important pivotal moments, he needed to focus on remembering small things, like his favorite color, and possibly, if he could grasp a simple recollection, the bigger ones would come in time.

Read Coming to Her Senses - free form poem written for Zelinktines 23 prompt It's been awhile...

One-Shots:

Read Without Her - An introspective Link piece, reflecting on his love for Zelda no matter what form she is - human or dragon. Written for bahbahhh's 1200 follower DTIYS prompt

Read Let Me Kiss You - You never forget your first kiss. It's a moment you'll hold close. A Link/Sheik one-shot. Written for ZeldaElmo's 1000 Follower prompt Just After Midnight.

Read Can't Do This Again - Brief introspective piece. Link wakes up on the Great Sky Island, in a chamber reminiscent of the Shrine of Resurrection, and one of his first thoughts is that he can't do it again.

Read A New Tradition (written for Zelinktines23 prompt Butterfly Kisses)(Chapter 8 to my Zelink week Adore) - In Skyloft, your treasured Loftwing welcomes your newborn into the world with gentle brushes on the baby's cheeks with the tips of its wings. Without Loftwings on the surface, what can Link do to recreate the Skyloftian tradition?

Read Enjoy the Silence - Zelda vows to stand up for Link the next time Revali is disrespectful, which leads to her having a small breakdown. Link comforts her, and Zelda realizes how much she enjoys the silence (that maybe isn't so quiet, depending on how you look at it) Link brings to her life.

[rotisseries]

THAT’S SO COOL????? I’m not into video games but GOD they reincarnate and are in love every time??? princess and knight??? also I’ve been wanting to say this for ages but link is sooooo gender. you get it

so. they are in love in the sense that nintendo is queerbaiting me. queerbaiting me with a "straight" couple (they are lesbians). they are not canon they kissed only in the second ever zelda game when there was only the barest story and they were nothing more than pixel sprites and they have not been canon since. and because every game is technically a different link and a different zelda, each individual game varies on how shippable they actually are? like, I'm not very far through twilight princess yet but I've heard they're pretty much just coworkers in that one. the three latest mainline games though, they're like. they're pretty much canon in all but name like you could say it's platonic but like at that point you are running on loads of denial. the three latest mainline games are skyward sword, which is the first link and zelda, the start of the cycle. the plot ENTIRELY revolves around how much link loves zelda. cause they're best friends, hyrule as a kingdom doesn't even exist yet (they live on an island in the sky) she falls to earth and is running around having to discover that she's a reincarnated goddess (that's a whole angst factor btw bc the goddess (hylia) had to fight demise and she won but knew it was temporary and knew demise would have to be defeated again, and that he would need to be defeated with the power of the triforce, which can only be wielded by humans, so she decided basically that she'd need a loyal human knight, and so she reincarnated into a human girl because a girl is loved in the way a goddess isn't and she knew someone would love a human girl enough to save her WHICH HAPPENS so basically zelda gets to have an identity crisis was she just dragging link towards this destiny the whole time? did she truly love him? did he truly love her? are they puppets in this grand plan? "I'm still your zelda" she says to him, but is she??? drives me nuts) and he, ever loyal, keeps running after her to save her again and again and again (link is so dog coded there's a great botw fic about this), and then they defeat demise and he curses them and link is just some guy who went through ALL THIS SHIT cause he LOVED zelda. what if you were in love with your best friend and it cursed you and your descendants for the rest of time this is so francesca by hozier I'd tell them put me back in it I'd go through it again if i could hold you for a minute. and then the next two mainline games are breath of the wild and tears of the kingdom and breath of the wild involves an amnesia plot so you basically watch link fall in love with zelda a second time and then in tears of the kingdom they are. common law married. they share a house. there's only one bed. do NOT get me FUCKING STARTED on the hateno house. and nintendo still plays FUCKING COY zelda's english va has to be like "they... have a really close bond...." this is how I know they're queer you wouldn't do this with straight people. and then people also ship ocarina of time (most popular and well known game of the series most praised for its story) zelink a lot but that's an older game I haven't played yet so I can't speak on them. zelda is so transmasc in that one though this I know. I talk about link being genderqueer a fair amount and everyone on this internet knows link is trans but trust. zelink is t4t

[silvercaptain24]

Okay! It's a little long but definitely let me know what you think of it!

When Link was really young he lost his father, like he couldn't even remember so it was him and his mother. His mother died when he was still a child, so Link grew up on the streets as an orphan. As he grew older, he grew more sympathetic to the kids living on the streets and vowed that he would protect them from the harsh life that he has lived (always on the verge of death). So when he was old enough (though he tried getting in early several times) he enlisted himself in the military and used as many rupees as he could spare for the orphan kids.

Not long after the war starts. He meets the other Links of course (I'm thinking of actually incorporating this somehow in my Scrambled Links AU, though we might not have pirate wars ;-;), especially the Fierce Hero, the first out of all of them. While the other heroes are kinda meh with Fierce (since all of them have completed their adventures), Fierce kind of became the adopted father of Wars, especially because they both look similar and technically it's Fierce's fault that Cia is on a rampage because in Fierce Hero's time Cia was in love with the Fierce hero before Hylia had made Cia the watcher over the balance of the Triforce because [redacted].

During the war he meets this merchant and his daughter, Kelynn. Now she is important because Link falls in love with her because she's the first person to ever treat him as a person. Not a street rat, not a soldier, not even as the hero of Hyrule or the negatives that come with that. Just a regular, human being.

The war eventually ends; the Links go back to their times and the Fierce Hero... well, haven't figured out his ending yet. Link just probably keeps his mask with him.

Now even though I've always been a huge Zelink shipper, I went a different direction just to see what non-Zelink relationship is like, so in this Link and Zelda just has friendship. Zelda did fancy Link, but with her being a queen and with the war still leaving a bad taste in people's mouths, she found it wiser not to go pursuing a relationship with him. After all, Link had fallen for Kelynn.

So it's no surprised that Link and Kelynn eventually settled down and got married together. And of course had a family, but not without a few hiccups. Their firstborn had some complications and was born with half of his right arm missing. One of their daughters gets sick a lot, and with Link always going out because of his position as the captain of the guard so he doesn't see his family a lot. He will die a tragic death of course, but that won't be for another few years down the line, not at least until his son has time to shine being a one-armed soldier :3

Also to mention, with him never really growing up without a father is kind of the context behind that argument comic I made the other day. Link doesn't know how to behave around a father-figure, and Fierce Hero really also doesn't know how to be a father because... well... he never got to see his child grow up.

Well.

That’s a lot sadder than I thought it was gonna be.

[bahbahhh]

Oh man, I really enjoy many of your points! Rhoam stunting her emotional connection to Hyrule, the consequences we’ve seen for Hyrule when Zelda is not the ruler. Yes yes yes! I don’t know if I agree botw Zelda “turned against” Hyrule. I feel like she actually loved her people from the start…and is actually doing everything she can to protect them, ie pursing other means to protect Hyrule should she fail to unlock her powers. I think it’s the lack of faith in herself (with her father’s behavior a large contributor of this) that fuels a lot of her struggles.

And while the zelinker in my heart LOVES the idea of it being her love for Link that awakens her powers, I think it’s greater than that. Almost a triforce of conditions – reincarnation of Hylia, achieving a state of divine “wisdom”, and being Hyrule’s “true” leader. I say “true” leader because if we are going apply this theory across timelines, we could argue leadership can come in different forms but for sake of botw/aoc, lets say it’s to be in a “ruling” position. And “wisdom” being the realization and achievement of her divine purpose/power.

I do not think her love of Link is a necessary factor in her specific equation. The original Hylia did not need the Hero to use her power…his presence is a necessary catalyst for the cycle repeating, but for Zelda unlocking her powers, I feel like especially in botw and aoc, his life being threatened is the moment when she is able to suspend all negative judgements of herself and, with all the pieces in place, goes for it!

And to the aoc point, Zelda unlocks her powers after Rhoam has “sacrificed” himself – and further, because he survives, it proves he doesn’t have to die, he just needs to step aside and allowed Zelda to lead. We get that same moment of Zelda suspending all negative judgement of herself, even more empowered by her ability to save Hyrule (and Link). We see her confident and sure of herself when after her power awakens, she speak to and inspires her people/the knights as their “true” leader with Rhoam gone.

also sorry i'm thinking about the hylian monarchy and the whole 'descended from a goddess' thing. do y'all remember the divine right of kings? can you imagine living in a world where not only is that the ONLY form of government for tens of thousands of years, but any ruler's reign is provably correct and irrevocable? what do u do if the present queen is a bit shit. u are stuck with that lady. she's god

[jack-napier-2008]

RANT TOPIC - LINK AND TETRA

Okay, so, Link and Tetra obviously ended up together. Here are my points to prove this:

1. Tetra as a person. Is she really one to marry just anybody? No. She isnt. To impress a feminist like herself she would need someone who was actually worth her time, someone she really could come to care for deeply. Link is the ideal candidate, he is the hero, and specifically, her hero. They travel together for some time, and then again in Phantom Hourglass after the events of Wind Waker. And then they eventually find the land where Spirit Tracks would take place years after. They find it together. TOGETHER. Tetra is attached to Link, and he is to her.

2. The lineage issue. Many say that Tetra and Link could not have ended up togther as Zelda in Spirit tracks would have to be descended from Tetra, and Link looks like Wind Waker/Hourglass Link so he would be Link's descendant. And Zelda and Link end up togther in Spirit Tracks so they couldn't be related. Hey! Are people missing something here?! Hardly any of the Links are actually related through blood with the known exception of Twilight Princess Link being the direct descendant of Ocarina of Time/Majoras Mask Link. And the Links all look the same anyways so the assumption that just because they look alike makes them related is shaky at best. Also, Zelda in Spirit Tracks and Link from Wind Waker also look alike in many ways, blonde hair and such. So why couldn't ST Link just be another who holds the spirit of the Hero just like almost all the others?

3. Their relationship as a whole. It starts out rocky and distrustful almost - Link is focused on saving his sister from Ganon, whilst Tetra finds Link's heroism to be just plain annoying. However, they begin to trust each other as the game goes along, and especially when Tetra finds out she is actually Zelda. In this scene when Link goes to leave, Zelda/Tetra calls out to him, and lingers in her speech a bit before telling him to be careful. This is as sincere as it gets. She really cares about him at this point, even if she doesn't care to admit it. And Link is a little more hard to read but all in all they end good friends at the end of Wind Waker with a big opening for something more and in Phantom Hourglass, they get on so well together.

COME ON GUYS. ITS PLAIN TRUTH. LOOK AT HER FACE. LOOK AT IT. TETRA DOESN'T SHOW CONCERN FOR JUST ANYONE YA KNOW.

4. And if the lineage point wasn't clear enough...we have my man Nico to back it all up.

My man Nico was a pirate in Tetra’s crew in WW and is also shown as an old man at the beginning of ST.

Now, knowing Link and Tetra personally. Wouldn't he have said something to Link from ST if he was the descendant of WW Link. And wouldn't ST Link already the know the story of WW Link really well if he was directly descended from him? Yes, Link looks like Link. THEY ALL DO. My man Nico knows what's up. Tetra and Link is what's up.

Link possessed the spirit of the hero, not the blood. He is chosen by the gods. His family wasn't. He as a person is.

So there it is. Also I'm pretty sure if you look it up it does say they end up together anyways but I was frustrated about it so I did this.

Tetra and Link are goals. Zelink for life.

[sciencelings-writes]

Whumptober Prompt 9: Caught in the Storm

botw zelink

warnings: brief mention of suicidal ideation 

AO3 Link

One hundred years was a long time to wait. It was a long time to be imprisoned and ceaselessly fight the immortal embodiment of hatred. It was a long time to sleep, but Zelda had the audacity to think that that was much easier than her own predicament. At least her new fusion with divinity made the lack of sleep and food and physical form a complete nonissue. There was only her and her enemy, for a full century. 

Grueling seconds turned into difficult minutes turned into painful hours turned into rapidly passing years. She only saw the scarlet of malice and the smoldering ash of her decomposing home. As time passed, she grew used to her prison. It took less and less effort to hold the beast back, though never enough to change her predicament. Her ears, if she still had them, could almost mute the sounds of inhuman screaming and monstrous roars that threatened to deafen her. 

She adjusted to her circumstances, but that didn’t change that one hundred years was a long time. She may have grown stronger with her power, but the beast refused to grow weaker. It had ten thousand years to build its own strength, even against the full power of the triforce, it stubbornly continued its infinite assault. Darkness against light, Hylia against Demise, the unending battle passed down through her bloodline, waiting for the impossible to come to pass. Waiting for the missing piece to return so that the fight could end, at least until it decided to rise again. That’s generally how their reincarnation cycle worked. 

The first few years went by sluggishly, every second trudged by as she struggled to keep the beast at bay. Its tendrils of magenta flame seeping into her consciousness before she had learned to resist it. It whispered in a voice that she swore she could recognize, though the words were too ancient to decipher. Though she couldn’t understand its language, she could tell it was laughing at her, mocking her attempt to contain it. Its hatred for her invaded her own, it cackled when she screamed and grinned at her tears. 

Day after day after day it was the same. No sleep, no relief, not a single moment of silence. She thought it would drive her to insanity, the noise filling her skull to the brim of its capacity. Sometimes she screamed as loud as she could just so she could hear something other than the creature trying to consume her. It was shameful how soon she wished for her own downfall, death seemed like the only way to free her from her predicament. 

The only thing that kept her fighting was the slim hope that there would be an end, that someday Link would awaken and relieve her of her battle. She dreamed of the green fields of Hyrule, of a cool breeze pulling the petals from flowers into the air, sending their scent in waves of tranquility. She could almost hear Link behind her, skillfully weaving her a crown of flora to replace the golden circlet that she had thrown in the grass. She almost heard him humming some song that made her think of the stables across the kingdom. Warm and friendly and alive. 

But when she opened her eyes, she was still alone. The air was filled with acidic smoke and there was no gentle humming in her ears. Only the infernal screeching of monsters in an abandoned castle. Link wasn’t by her side, he was a hundred miles away in a tomb hanging between the boundaries of life and death. Sleeping like a princess in a fairytale, waiting to become strong enough to simply survive on his own again. 

She tried imagining taking shelter in a cave from a thunderstorm, though the air was cold, there was a crackling fire in front of her keeping her pleasantly warm. She had a blanket made with goat wool on her shoulders, it was a little scratchy and dirty but it was Link’s, and it smelled like the beeswax soap he liked to use and his general body odor which should be gross but it was far from the smoke that filled her lungs and somehow brought her comfort anyway. 

She grasped frantically at the fading memories of Gerudo town, the sounds of their abient music and how their food stands wafted the smells of spices throughout the streets, the sounds of Urbosa’s laughter and her low voice dominating the other sounds of the area. The constantly flowing water that would keep the village from getting too hot, and the giggling of children running around in an intense game of tag. 

Images of the freezing peak of Hebra Mountain when the sky glowed with the colors of the goddess lights passed through her mind, Impa’s home in Kakariko Village when she was anxiously waiting for her favorite soup to cook, the scent rapidly filling the house making it harder and harder to wait for the feast, Ruins in Faron that she could document to her heart's content and dive into a waterfall when the air got too hot, The ranch Link took her to when she was still learning how to bond with her horse, there was a new litter of puppies of farm dogs that took their attention away from the real reason they were there.  

It was all she could do to keep herself sane. Through the darkness and chains, the cries of the deceased and the stabbing voice of the demon himself infected her thoughts even through her attempt at escapism. 

She tried swearing and screaming and releasing all of her anguish and anger onto the beast and although it didn’t help her battle in the slightest, it made her feel better just to get it out. She couldn’t fight the embodiment of hatred with more hatred, she figured that succumbing to her own need for revenge and rage would make this decades-long fight all for nothing. Her light wasn’t born from being pissed off at the possessed guardians, it awakened because of her love for Link. Her selfless want to shield him like he always did for her, she didn’t know that she would sacrifice her life to save him until she was presented with the opportunity. 

He became her anchor in the firestorm at the center of the Calamity. While the world around her spun in a furious storm, she was able to stay motionless in a pillar of silent golden light. It was more than the hope that he would return and end her suffering, that he would be the hero that the fallen kingdom needed him to be. The simple memory of his soft smile kept her from succumbing to the relentless tides threatening to drown her. Her light strengthened when she imagined how she would reunite with him, what she would say, what it would feel like to have his arms around her once again or to allow their lips to meet in the heat of the moment. 

She may be alone now and for decades from now, but it wouldn’t be forever. He would return to her. It wasn’t just hope, because hope always seemed so flimsy and inaccurate. She knew he would rise again. She knew it deep within her soul. She knew it like she knew that fruit cake was delicious and high heels were uncomfortable. When faith failed, he never did. She couldn’t care less about divine power and goddess blood, of fate and destiny and ever-repeating cycles of good and evil. She wasn’t able to awaken her power by asking some stone-faced goddess, it was him. It was always him. 

He was her light. And even if she would have to wait a thousand more years for him to wake up, she would do so willingly. So she continued fighting. While the world changed and the circle of life continued outside of her sight, her people became accustomed to the infinite storm at their center, rebuilding what they could and surviving without the aid of a hero or a princess. 

Gradually, her hold on the beast began to slip, new waves of monsters prepared for the arrival of the hero, the divine beasts who were once dormant tombs of her friends awoke with new vigor as Link began to stir. 

A hundred years was a long time to keep something contained, and Zelda feared she may not be able to do it for much longer.

***

Zelda sprung up, gasping for breath. Her lungs burned as if she had been drowning. It took her a moment to free herself from the disorientation, the world was still dark and her heart beat like the hooves of a frantically galloping horse, or perhaps a Lynel who had gotten a hold of a speed-enhancing elixir. In addition to blood in her veins there seemed to be pure distilled fear, making her hands shake and her eyes tear up without her permission.

But she was not consumed by an unnatural darkness, simply the darkness that came with the nights where the light of the moon was little to none. The air was too fresh and cool to come from within the heart of the Calamity. Furthermore, she wasn’t encased in malice, but a decently heavy blanket. The only sounds other than her wheezing gasps were the harmonies of crickets and soft slow breathing coming from right beside her. 

He was turned towards her, half of his face was buried in one of his pillows. His hair was loose from its normal half-ponytail, she still found it odd to see him that way. There was something about seeing someone who diligently kept their appearance so tidy and put together with their hair down wearing a worn undershirt that wasn’t acceptable for day use that made her feel all warm inside. It felt domestic and safe and relaxed and she couldn’t take her eyes off of him. 

It took a minute or two but eventually, her heart rate slowed and her breathing returned to a more normal pace. She leaned back down into the bed, their bed, after she was able to succeed in a couple of breathing exercises she had memorized. She still couldn’t stop looking at him. His eyelashes were so long, his face looked so different resting and half squished against his pillow. She managed to resist the urge to hold his face to keep the creases of the fabric from indenting into his skin, and totally not to feel the softness of his cheeks for herself. 

Instead, she carefully maneuvered herself, as not to wake him up, to where she could hold him gently in her arms. Being close to him tended to help the last pieces of ice from the memory melt away. He was real, he was alive again, he was with her, and she wasn’t alone anymore. It was over. 

In his sleep, he had automatically mirrored her arms wrapping around him, though he was much less concerned about her state of consciousness as he wasn’t as reserved about how tightly he hugged her. He had functionally replaced his pillow with her shoulder, burying his face in the soft tunic she had chosen to sleep in.

Zelda couldn’t help but smile and hold him closer to her. It was easy for her to fall back to sleep. After all, she had a hundred years of sleep to catch up on.

[cloudninetonine]

yan loz universe in general: the chain, princesses, and hylia! It would suck for darling/player/(y/n) having the most famed/powerful people obsessed with them, but arguably the best option for the yanderes. Hylia? she gets her heroes and incarnations to her will and would “share” her darling with them. The princess get to share and vent frustrations about the former, but still have the ability to be very close to (y/n). The chain, begrudgingly, share (y/n) and now don’t necessarily to “hide” their tendencies since who would go against them? the heroes of hyrule, chosen by triforce, and have the support of the royal family. Only a fool (probably an incarnation of (y/n) — inspired by tethered a — but the yanderes would only be endeared because look they’re trying, and they’re bonding together! very mocking to darling, sometimes subconsciously and very purposeful *Hylia* ) This is great for zelink pairs since the hero & princess are meant to be together! and then there’s background npc (y/n) who is merely very good friends with them, as historians will say. Poly Yan Malon and Time would be a power couple that would strike fear, and Marin and Legend is a terrifying considering Marin’s more :) tendencies (telling Leg purposely hitting cuccos and gets beat up) Everything is fair for true love! (also hw! marin and the wind fish) Aurora and Dawn striked me as a troubling duo built out of insecurity— splitting the triforce and almost failing hyrule & getting cursed and losing her identity as “zelda” now only an ideal than actual person, respectively. They would both be needy yanderes. Dusk is an matyr and after midna (Twilight would like to know your location) , would probably take the hardest if (y/n) tried to leave. She’s already sacrificed so much, please don’t leave her. Lullaby is a confusing concept since in one timeline she remembers in short pieces, and in another she’s left alone to live in world where’s she’s both “Queen Zelda” and “Sage Zelda” and the remnants of “Sheik” (Y/n) would have one less yandere to worry about with Time gone, but now dealing with a traumatized Lullaby is not exactly gone either. In another timeline, Lullaby is troubled with the memories of life that has, but hasn’t happend and would definitely cling close to (y/n). It would suck if (y/n) remebered all the different timelines and outcomes, knowing that no matter what occurs they can never truly escape this hell. And sun! Sun who I hc as being her own, but getting possessed by Hylia, she’s a vessel and a shard of the original, and it would be a knife in the back if Darling doesn’t fully realize who she’s supposed to be. I have so many thought, and i will probably shared some more with you when my docs work better.

The thought of the most powerful people in the entire world, never mind the country, being yandere is both a terrifying and intriguing concept to grasp because fucking hell.

(Shameless plug in for my friend @yandere-linked-universe because they write yandere chain and they deserve the recognition for their amazing writing)

Imagine being a normal person, born to a regular family garnering the attention of a fucking celestial being and her chosen hero, being praised and worshipped by them but also unable to escape them because of their influence, and when you finally die, believing that this was your only escape you are fucking reincarnated by the sides of your captors. But hey, it can't be that bad, can it? They're not anything like your previous 'lovers'...right?

Wrong.

Why they don't hold the same influence or power, they most certainly aren't letting you go anywhere, especially trapped on this little floating hell paradise in the sky. So, you prepare to live out another life and die, then maybe, finally, you'll be free.

But of course, Demise has other plans and now look at you!

Stuck in a continuous cycle of living, being stripped of freedom then dying again because of 2 power beings are selfish pricks.

What fun.

The Chain getting a hold of the latest reincarnation would definitely be hectic. There's a lot of fighting in the beginning but they learn to cooperate....kinda.

Now imagining the Princesses is a bit more...messy.

Now if we're talking about the position of the Player-

They would be terrified. Their favourite game characters, people they idolised for their courage, their wisdom being deep-disturbed maniacs would have their anxiety soaring through the damn roof, trying to stay on the run from both the Chain, the Royal Family and that Bitch arse Shadow all at once while not knowing absolute shit about how to protect themselves during a medieval era. They basically can't trust anyone, even the damn fucking Goddess is out to get them. Falling in love with your favourite character is a blessing, having them obsess over you is concerning but them being completely and utterly insane Is just not it.

(Haha, not thinking about a Player au for this now...totally....ahaha)

As for the Tethered au?....Spoilers.

Also, YOU BETTER SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH ME I WANT YOUR PAPERS IN BY NEXT WEEK /hj

I HOPE THIS IS THE KIND OF RESPONSE YOU WANTED I WASN'T SURE HOW TO CREATE A FICLET FOR IT SO I JUST WANTED TO EXPAND ON YOUR IDEA-

[aikoiya]

Oooo! The drama~!

I see you are very Zelink forward, my friend.

Exquisite taste.

I'm personally of the opinion that Link likely married Malon, myself, but that's just me.

Though, you may like my theory about the Fierce Deity as I tend to believe that he was the Hero's Soul from before the First Link.

After all, deities specifically can't wish upon the Triforce & that was he & Hylia's only guaranteed way of getting rid of The Bringer of Demise (which is the name given to Demise in the Japanese version of the game).

I have a lot of theories surrounding him. Specifically that he & Hylia were soulmates & married & made both the Hylians & the Sheikah together, with the Sheikah coming first & being tasked with protecting all Hyruleans, not just the Hyrule Royal Family. Hylians, of course, get a bit of preference considering that the Sheikah & Hylians would sort of be sister peoples in this situation.

In general, I tend to portray him as a bit of a tragic figure.

In fact, a lot of the men that I focus on in LoZ tend to be given pretty tragic backstories... I might have to fix that...

I love expanding & theorizing on lore! ♡

In one timeline, Zelda cries. She spends her late teenage years and young adulthood sobbing, emotionally a widow by the design of her own plans. She spends years heartbroken and mourning the Hero she loved and sent away in hopes of restoring the childhood stolen from him.

In another timeline, Zelda is confused. She thought the fairy boy who helped her save her kingdom was her friend, and that he would always be there to play with her. She spends her entire youth wondering why her Hero is so haunted, and why he can't look at her without seeming like he's about to cry.

In both timelines, the kingdom needs a Prince-Consort and an heir, not just a young Queen pining over a boy from the forest, so she agrees to an arranged marriage. She marries a man she does not love, and bears a child, and tries to be the best Queen that she possibly can.

In one timeline, her love and loss are not a secret, it becomes a common saying that the rains beginning to flood the land are a reflection of the tears their Queen sheds for her long lost love.

In another timeline, she pines silently for her Hero, simply watching in heartbreak as his inner demons drive him mad until he is merely a shade of his former self and disappears.

In both timelines, her heir grows, marries, and has a daughter of their own.

In one timeline, this princess - not the Sacred Princess but one of the sacred line nonetheless - grows up with stories of her grandmother's life as a Sheikah and the Hero she loved and lost. She grows up with stories of how when you fall in love, you should hold on tight, never let it go, and never waste a moment with them. As the flood waters rise, she swears she won't make the same mistake as her grandmother made. She won't let a second with her love be wasted, so she runs away from the palace, following the sailor she loves out to sea.

In another timeline, that same princess grows up with firm and unwavering expectations of what her royal duty is and how exactly she is expected to see that through. She grows up with a grandmother who married for duty despite her love being right there, knowing that she too is to marry an appropriate suitor when she comes of age. It never even crosses her mind that she could have fought to be with her love.

In both timelines, this princess bears the next Sacred Princess.

In one timeline, the next Zelda is born free as the waves beneath her. Her name is Zelda as her mother couldn't bear to break that far with tradition, but such isn't a name fitting for a pirate, so her middle name is all she ever knows. She grows up free and feral, sunkissed and smirking, allowed to be wild and go wherever the wind takes her.

In another timeline, the next Zelda is born as the sun begins to set over Hyrule. She grows up sheltered in a palace of rules and expectations. She learns to hide both smiles and tears, nevermind any improper impulses that might cross her mind. She grows up as a proper princess, internally screaming for anything more than the darkness around her.

In both timelines, Zelda finds her Hero. She finds Link, or rather he finds her, and they don't let go this time. In this lifetime they will get their happy ending, together, and they will fight anyone who tries to take it away from them.

(Aka: my brain realized that both TP and WW are next lifetime direct sequels to OoT. And now all I can think is that TP Zelda got ALL the anxiety in the timeline split, and that if Tetra ever met Midna they would get along like a house fire in that there would be no survivors)

[sparrowsworkshop]

“When Push Comes to Shove” by OneWingedSparrow; Chapter 1: No Matter What

Next Chapter >>> Fic Summary: Link and Zelda return to the Temple of the Sacred Sword to seal the darkness, and Link is forced to face his insecurities. Tags: Hyrule Warriors, Zelink, Canon Compliant, Teamwork, post Final Battle, might add more tags later if I happen to add more chapters ;) Read on AO3

Written for the @zelinkcommunity Discord server’s weekly prompt: “Significant.” This is such a significant moment of the game...especially for Zelink ;) Reblogs are appreciated! ~ “Ready?” Princess Zelda asked under her breath. Briefly, Link glanced at her, then faced forward once more. Around the stone from which he had once drawn the Master Sword, dark, roiling energy festered angrily, dredging up a thick black cloud with a putrid scent. He could feel the evil radiating through the air—hungry and self-seeking and altogether terrible. An evil he wasn’t thrilled to see again, having once spewed it from his own, selfish heart. Thankfully, he had learned then from Cia that he could repel the darkness. Unlike last time, however, now he could seal it away forever. Scowling, Link nodded. The Master Sword flew into his hand with Fi’s usual grace, the blade perfectly balanced. He got a firm grip with both hands, giving the sword a precautionary swing to point the tip down—and then thrust it upon the cloud. A great force shoved against him, repelling the holy might of the sword. He grunted, straining. Begone! Link demanded. The Master Sword jostled atop the wave of darkness, determined to push the evil back. You’re not strong enough, hissed a voice from below. Not strong enough, Hero. The last word it spat, and Link could have sworn he felt acidic spittle impact his face. His heart shuddered. I am! he yelled in his mind, though mostly to himself. His fists clenched tighter. The sword pushed harder. I have to be! The raspy voice cackled.   Pitiful. Worthless. Weak.   You don’t deserve the Triforce you carry! A huge wave crested, and the Master Sword bounced upward. Link gasped.

“Link!” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Zelda race over. She flew to his side and reached over the waves. Before he could blink, one of her hands clapped decisively over his, while the other found the crossguard of the sword. He shot her a glance, and realized she was attempting to help. That knowledge renewed his strength. The sword felt steadier with her there, the darkness less menacing. Link gritted his teeth, vaguely aware that both he and Zelda were snarling back at the evil below. Give. Give. Give! His shoulders tightened from the exertion. His lungs swelled with frantic breaths.  By Hylia, leave this place! Blinding light filled the blade, like that of the Triforce in his hand. Fearsome beams streamed before his eyes, shining stronger than even the sun. Heat rushed into his face. His ears rang with the sound of the heavenly glow. Then, with a loud THUNK, the Master Sword sank into the stone. The mocking laughter gave way to a scream of dismay, though that was soon drowned out by the silence of the courtyard. The holy light vanished in an instant, and sucked the darkness with it; no trace of either lingered around the blade. Arms tingling, Link stared at the sword. He heard Zelda release a long, relieved sigh, and suddenly realized he could do the same. His heart was still thundering and his fingers were still cramped, but Link exhaled as much stress as he could, and slowly straightened his back. They both let go of the sword, hesitantly, as if worrying it would somehow catapult itself free from the stone. When Fi allowed no such nonsense to transpire, only then did they feel free to look away from their work, and lock eyes once more, a sense of unmistakable camaraderie passing like a quiet, reassuring breeze between them. “Thank you,” Link said breathlessly, offering a nod. Zelda nodded as well, and smiled at him, and his already excited heart soared with renewed adrenaline. Their duty fulfilled, they marched away from the pedestal, leaving the Master Sword to its slumbering vigil. As they strode toward the doors, weary arms swinging at their sides, their hands brushed. The slightest of touches, in the briefest of moments. Yet something zapped Link like a firebrand. Link caught his breath in alarm. The last time his arm had jolted like that was when the Triforce of Courage had returned to him, banished from the unworthy grasp of Ganon. Nervously, he pulled his hand away, self-consciously keeping it closer to himself. Whether the princess noticed or not, she did not say a word. ~ Next Chapter >>>

[mistresslrigtar]

Chapter one of eight for @zelinkcommunity zelink week 2023

Many thanks to fioreofthemarch @rachaeltad for her beta work on this!

Summary:

Link is an embittered soldier fighting a losing battle in a holy war against the Demon King Demise, who is determined to claim Hyrule and the Triforce. When the goddess, Hylia, reenters Link’s life, his hope for victory is renewed. Their reunion rekindles their love for each other, but will it be enough to emerge victorious?

An AU origin story of a future princess, hero, and a magical sword

Excerpt:

“Link.” Her melodic voice is like a sweet caress to his ears, and the pointed tips prick, straining to hear more.

But the spell is broken when Hylia tenderly touches the scar on his face. The tendons in his neck stand out, and his jaw clenches. Swallowing, Link exhales a shaky breath through his nose. “Don’t.” His voice rasps as he jerks back his head and roughly grabs her hand with his callused one. “Don’t touch me.” 

Dropping her hand as if it scalds, he turns away, seeking distance from her effervescent beauty. It hurts too much to look at her. So pure and bright like a fallen star standing in this dark and dismal place. He sullies the air that she breathes just being near her. If Link thought he didn’t deserve her before, he knows he doesn’t now. Not anymore.

Read more on AO3

[theweebsystem]

We're going to answer that entire loz ask game because we all love loz adslfjdk. Link to the ask game. We removed a few questions that we wouldn't have an answer to

-----

🎭 When you play Zelda games, do you imagine being Link yourself, or is Link a separate character to you? Basically, are you Link, or is Link a separate character?

Link is a separate character for us

🎮 Favorite Zelda game?

Ocarina of time!!

👾 Least Favorite Zelda game?

Mm we don't really have one. We've enjoyed all of the games we've played so far

🕹️ What’s the first Zelda game you ever played?

Spirit tracks

💕 Who’s your biggest Zelda crush(es)?

It's a tie between Link and the happy mask salesman :3

💘 Favorite Zelda ship(s)?

We don't really ship anyone

🥰 What character do you most ship with Link? (Malon, Revali, Sidon, Zelda, etc.)

We don't really ship anyone, but ZeLink and SiLink are fine

😔 Least Favorite Zelda character?

No one comes to mind? There's probably some npcs that we found annoying at one point adslfjd

🗡️ Favorite version of Link? (Linked Universe?)

Botw Link is pretty cute, so let's go with that :3

👑 Favorite version of Zelda?

Does Sheik count?

🐳 If you were a Zelda character, what race would you be?

I'd either want to be a Hylian or Zora!

🗻 If you were in a Zelda game, where would you live? What would you be doing? (aside from being the hero or princess)

I would either want to live in Kakariko village and run a little shop, live in Hyrule Castle Town and run a little shop, or be an adventurer that travels all over the place :3

⛩️ Favorite Zelda Dungeon/Location?

Lake Hylia and the forest temple from oot!!!

👊 Favorite Zelda Villain/Boss?

We never got to play a lot of Skyward Sword but....Ghirahim 👀

💣 Favorite Zelda Item/Weapon?

Do the instruments count? We've always loved playing around with the instruments

💃 Favorite BOTW Outfit?

Gerudo outfit 100%

🧚 Favorite Zelda companion?

We're kind of attached to Navi, because we played oot so much 😅

🔥 What’s your favorite part of Zelda games? (Adventuring, Characters, Dungeons, Combat, etc.)

The music, dungeons, and puzzles!!

✨ What piece of the Triforce would you wield?

Idk...wisdom maybe?

[fatefulfaerie]

Disguise (I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus)

Day 9 of the 12 days of Christmas prompts orchestrated by @zelink-prompts

Incarnation: Breath of the Wild 2 several years post-caves

There were many legends about Hylia’s Day that breathed through the mouths of Hylian parents around this time of year, lulling their children to sleep in soft warm beds that contradicted the warring weather outside, which was cold, dark, and lonely. But the inside was warm and soft. Family was here, and nothing could be warmer.

It was said that Hylia’s Day was the day Hylia was first born into a mortal body. Some say that it is just a myth, that it isn’t possible for that to occur or for her to be continually reincarnated. Yet no matter the dissent, Hylians all around Hyrule honor their goddess in celebration and reverence, thanking her for a bountiful year no matter the losses, and praying for the exciting year to come and the blessings that will come from it.

Adults offered their prayers to the nearest goddess statue one by one, before returning to their homes to eat with their families, to think upon their past year and be thankful for what they have before them. Tomorrow was to be a large feast with the entirety of the village, ushering in the new year with a welcome smile and hopeful hearts, but for now Hylians tucked their children in with fairytales of Hylia’s birth into a mortal form, the hope she gave to the people of Hyrule, and what she was said to look like, ebbing golden hair with a white dress pure of blood and skin aglow with her golden light. Children slept with such a comforting image in their mind of an otherworldly protector, all the while brimming with excitement for the morning to come, after Hylia has smiled upon all the children of Hyrule and filled their stocking with goodies like honey candies and rupees.

In reality, it is the parents who fill the stockings, who continue such a fantasy of an active goddess. Yet, they rested their deceit by believing that Hylia really did smile upon her children, and that filling their stocking was a way to for children to learn her unconditional love and generosity, and perhaps echo those same values onto their own hearts.

A particular cottage in Hateno, however, housed secret proof that Hylia really did reincarnate in times of upheaval and ruin, to save the people of Hyrule in a mortal form. Although her memories of past lives never interfered or were even remembered by her current incarnate, her power remained.

So, when Zelda smiled upon her children, the set of twins really were having Hylia smile down at them dozing off. And, later in the night, Hylia really was filling their stockings with all sorts of goodies. The couple, of course, knowing Zelda was the last incarnate of Hylia, had decided not to tell their children of Hylia’s mortal ties to their mother. Thus, Link and Zelda had been raising their children the exact way they themselves were raised, learning kindness and generosity through the legend of the goddess Hylia.

There was, however, one Hylia’s day rumor hat had started to spread among children of the age of Link and Zelda’s twins, that if you look out the window at just the right time in the night, you can see the light of Hylia shooting through the sky, and sparkling her magic over all the houses.

When Elyjah woke up in the middle of the night, he hoped he hadn’t overslept past his chance. He nearly darted out of his bed, not caring whether or not he woke up his twin sister Wendie in the bed next to his. Luckily, he hadn’t, Wendie still sleeping soundly.

Elyjah tried to summon his skill at the game his parents taught him called “act like a Sheikah”. Little did he know it was a method to get them quiet for just a few minutes of the day, but Elyjah started to take pride in how good he was at being stealthy in comparison to his sister.

Elyjah slowly treaded up the stairs to the the loft where his parents slept, and where the nearest window was. He was extremely cautious as he reached the top of stairs, looking to his left to make sure his parents were actually asleep.

The little boy let out an audible gasp at what he saw, completely stunned. He didn’t know where his mommy was, but if she had only seen what he was seeing now, he could only imagine her shock. In fact, Elyjah could hardly believe it either.

He immediately ran down the stairs to his sister’s bed, shaking her awake and in a surprisingly fitting combination of yelling and whispering exclaimed,

“I saw Daddy kissing Hylia!”

“Go back to bed,” Wendie mumbled drowsily, turning the other way.

“I’m serious! Get up!”

Wendie sat up slowly, rubbing an eye with her fist.

“Are you sure you know what you saw?” Wendie asked.

“Yes,” Elyjah said, grabbing his sister’s wrist and practically pulling her out of bed. “Come on.”

They six-year-olds both staggered up the stairs hurriedly.

“See?” Elyjah said, his hand pointing to his parent’s bed, Link sitting and facing someone who had her back turned to his children, her hair golden in the moonlight and her dress pure as snow.

“That’s not Hylia, that’s Mommy!”

Their loud volume made Zelda turn her head immediately, Link as well alerted to the presence of their kids, and that they were out of their beds. The twins suddenly feared they were in trouble.

“What are you two doing out of bed?” Link asked.

“I wanted to see Hylia’s light out the window,” Elyjah explained with his small voice. “And I…I thought you were kissing Hylia.”

Zelda and Link hid their laughter as they exchanged glances, just as soon returning their gazes when their daughter started to run up to their bed, attempting to climb up between Link and Zelda although she was much too short to manage it. Link and Zelda kept their smiles.

“Are you up to see Hylia’s light too?” Wendie asked her parents before Link picked her up and put her on his lap. Wendie looked up and met her father’s happy eyes, those blue eyes that looked just like hers.

“So that’s why you two aren’t sleeping,” Link said, looking over to see his son already standing on a chair looking out the window. “How do you know this light will even show up?”

“I think it will,” Zelda said, Link immediately looking in confusion at his wife.

“What are you doing?” Link mouthed.

“Really?” Link heard Wendie ask excitedly.

Link asked Zelda where she was going with this without saying a word, only his expression giving way to the inquiry.

She held up her hand, wiggling all five of her fingers before standing up and heading to the window.

“It’s been dwindling for years now,” Link whispered, catching up with Zelda after allowing Wendie to run to the window. “Do you really think you can summon enough?”

“Hey! I got here first!” Elyjah exclaimed, looking down at his sister from where he stood on the chair, who was trying to push off his feet.

“That’s not fair! I can’t see! Mommy!”

Wendie had looked behind her with pleading blue eyes, bouncing up and down out of frustration.

But Link was already bringing over another chair, one Wendie happily climbed up on, soon staring out the window much like her brother.

Zelda took Links hand and closed her eyes, tightening her grip as they moved their hands so that they were hidden behind them. With what seemed a great amount of effort, a Triforce finally appeared on Zelda’s hand, yet already weak and subsiding.

But it seemed to be just enough, Zelda opening her eyes to see a golden light flash across the sky, beautiful and transcendent. Her children’s eyes were wide with wonder and amazement.

Zelda smiled as Link put his arms around her shoulder, her head locking into the crook of his neck. Love filled her heart and she was thankful for everything she had gained after so much loss.