#the fact that Mayor has terrible problem solving skills is just me being silly and projecting my own problems onto them

[askblueandviolet]

Hey Mayor, do you like puzzles?

MASTER POST

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[queakenstein]

If you're still in the mood... how about a lovely Zelda in denial of her feelings for Link and Link trying to convince her that it's okay for them to be in love. Thank you!

Simple enough, I think I can manage this one. :P You weren’t specific (and my fics usually end up being more “general” Zelink anyway) so I’ll just write and see what we come up with.

(Literally writing this right I after I finished this… got way longer than I intended and I’m sorry if the last part seemed rushed. I wanted to give it an ending and not just… leave it in drafts. Drafts for me is like a fic cemetery.)

The morning hours are her favorite. The quiet still shuffle of the dawn bringing out the sellers far below in the marketplace.  The light hints of sunrise peaking out from beyond the dangerous points of Death Mountain. There’s calm and routine to the mornings. Zelda brushes her fingers through her brunette locks and hums a tune she recalls from her childhood. Her robe doesn’t entirely protect her from the chilly air but she likes the cold too.

Sipping her tea, the Queen strolls back into her chambers. The flicker of the candles she’s lit cast strange shadows along her walls. She debates for a moment on how smart it would be to curl into the warmth of her covers. It has been a long time since she’s taken a rest day.

So long, in fact, that her council has been urging her to take a vacation. 

Zelda doesn’t understand vacations. You travel several days, attempt to rest without worrying about your kingdom for just a few and then spend longer getting back. Provided the weather conditions remain favorable, you may enjoy a few hours of respite from the rigors of ruler-ship. The Queen settles into a chair and continues to muse on the topic. The Zora have offered her an invitation and the Gorons. She’s no fool. She would end up in delegations with their respective leaders. Other countries have offered a trip into their borders as well.

Marriage and trade talks. Unions and such.

Zelda sighs. Despite the sugar, her tea tastes bitter. “Nayru, help me through this day. I have already stressed myself out.” With her morning on it’s way to mental ruin, she gets dressed and exits her rooms.

She attends her meetings, attends to the needs of her people and oversees what all cries for her attention. All different from previous days but leading to the same “grey” feeling that’s been haunting her awareness. 

“Zelda!” 

She turns and a the smirk at the familiar face of Hyrule’s Hero. “Link, I’m beginning to think that you enjoy adding fuel to the fire.”

“Fire?” He laughs as he catches onto her meaning. “Ah, you mean our sordid love affair?” He shrugs. “It feels odd to call you by anything other than your name when we’re talking casually.” He’s dressed in lighter armor but his sword remains attached to his hip. Out of habit, his left palm rests on the pommel and he straightens a bit. “Does it offend you?”

She should tell him yes. “No.” She smiles, softly. “Just address me by my proper title when it is… less private.” They’re standing in an open hallway and the servants are snickering somewhere close by. Zelda chooses to ignore them and focus on the bright spot of her day. “I saw your request for leave cross my desk this morning. I was surprised that you’ve requested it so immediately. Is everything all right back in Ordon?”

He grins. Actually, he beams and Zelda finds that the chill of the day dissipates with it. “Just fine! Mayor Bo sent word that Ilia’s gone into labor. I reckon that the baby should be here by the time I should arrive.”

“I worried it might be something more grave.” She smiles with him. Happy to partake in his excitement. “I know how much your friend means to you. You’ll have my permission, of course.” Something heavy falls into the pit of her gut. “Two weeks will be a long time without you at the Castle.”

Link nods and leans against the wall. “Yeah, it’ll be nice to see my old town though. I miss my family there and Ilia’s like the sister I never had. Need to know if I’ve got a niece or nephew to spoil.”

“I recall you betting with Sir Rusl on it being a girl.” Zelda’s tone turns amused and she steps closer to speak a bit more quietly. “I also heard that you are a terrible gambler.”

He laughs. “I prefer ‘losing with grace’ but, yes, I frequently lose bets.” He winks. “Why, fancy a wager?”

“And what would we bet on?” She knows it’s a terrible vice but the prospect of playing against the hero is too tempting. Besides, she has so few vices that she dismisses the small amount of guilt that assails her. 

Link leans closer and motions with his hand for her to do so too. “I bet,” he whispers, conspiratorially, “I can still out shoot you at the archery range.”

“Implying that you were able to before?” She smirks. They have always been tied but, though she hates to admit it, she hasn’t been able to practice as much as she would like. “So, what will I get when you lose?”

He grins. “I’ll bring you back one of those beautiful baskets that Uli makes… and, when I win, you have to come on my trip with me.”

His request startles her and she gasps. “T-That’s–”

“You need a break. We both know that and I know you don’t want to travel far from Hyrule. Ordon is just outside the limits. We’re even governed by you. It will be close enough to give you comfort and,” He continues through all of her attempts at derailing his reasons, “peaceful to give you the rest you need.” He leans back and shrugs. “Besides, if you’re so sure you will win… what’s there to lose, Zelda?”

“You planned this.” She glares at him. Of all everyone that has been urging her to take a break, Link has been loudest. He is her closest friend, however, and it is not unusual for him to resort to tricks to help her relax more. He has done this once before but the sparring had to stop once he decided he didn’t have to be so gentle with her anymore. Bruises were not a good look for a Queen. Zelda missed their fights. 

He shrugs and hitches a thumb in the general direction of their archery field. “Only you can help decide the outcome.”

“Fine. Challenge accepted.”

She loses after nearly three hours of tying. The small crowd that had gathered raises a ruckus after her defeat and she finds herself flushed at the thought of so many seeing it. Link celebrates regardless of her red face. He threatens to make the arrow he split down the middle a gift for her next birthday then laughs when she scowls at him.

“A terrible loser, eh, Your Highness?” She snatches the arrow from his hand and snaps it with her fingers. Link only grins wider. “So, will you need helping packing or can you handle that?” She stalks away from him and wonders if all those rumors about the hero being terrible at bets meant he was a sore winner. Not a sore loser.

She continues on the rest of her day. Thankfully, it proved quiet and, thankfully, her counselors took the news of her sudden vacation with grace. Servants arrived to help her pack. She’s a little bewildered at the thought that she will away from the castle for two weeks and spends at least half the time writing down contingency plans should anything go wrong in her absence. She knows she can make it back in a day if she rode hard. Yet, despite all of her worrying, she finds that she looks forward to the trip. Link has always been a great companion to her.

They leave in the morning and he’s quiet while they ride.

“Something on your mind, Link?”

“Hm?” His eyes look confused then brighten from the haze of a daydream. “No, nothing important. Just thinking about how it’s been a long while since I just… rode.” A wild expression sets on his face. “Think you’re up for a gallop?” He says it like it’s a request but his tone implies a challenge. 

Zelda urges her steed ahead of his and races away with a smile. Epona does not take long to catch up. They enjoy the thrill of the race. Neither knowing where the finish line is or if there even is one. All Zelda knows is that there’s a fire surging through her veins and just a few hours away from the Castle has washed away the grey that’s soaked into her mind.

They set up camp after dusk hits. Link gets a fire going and heats up the stew the kitchens sent them with. “Anxiety set in yet?”

“I have not thought about the Castle much since we first left.” She admits, accepting the wooden bowl from him. They sit close together against a log while the fire crackles before them. “You have had me playing too many of your silly games.”

“They help pass the time.” Link rolls his eyes. Though he’s relaxed in attitude, Zelda can tell his alert. It took a lot of convincing on his part to allow just the two of them on this journey. Many seem to forget his prowess with weaponry and why he is her General. “You’re rather handy with a slingshot.”

“I would rather that skill then being an expert in insects.”

He makes a face. “Listen, when you grow up in the middle of a forest like I have then you learn about bugs. Can’t be helped that Her Highness is too good for…” He stops, scrunches his nose in though and blurts, “Bug-ology.”

“Entomology.” She corrects and laughs when he sticks his tongue out at her. “Ever the serious and terrifying General.”

“Beats being Queen Stone Face the Wise Ass.” He jibs back and continues his stance as a mature adult that solves his problem by making faces at them. “You’re just mad because I’m finally the expert on something that you know nothing about.”

“I think we both know that this is about.” She says, wondering why her cheeks hurt and realizing it’s because she hasn’t smiled like this in ages.

He glares, playfully. “Go on. Tell me what you think this is about.”

“Last week. The Charity Banquet.” Zelda supplies this and nods her head. She finishes her meal and places the dish next to her. With her now empty hand, she pantomimes holding a wine glass and giggles. She pushes back the silly feeling that rushes over at the sound of her own giggles. “You took a sip of the Holodrum Wine and almost choked!”

“It was awful, Zelda!” Link tosses his bowl into hers and groans. “I’m not a fan of wine but, there we were, we were all dressed up–” He grabs at his tunic and pulls on it for emphasis, “I wore my formal attire. Formal–” Link continues his rant by shaking his finger at her. “And you’re an awful friend that did not warn me that their wine tastes like dish water!”

“No, it did no–”

“Fermented dish water!” His energy collapses and he drop back to rest against the log. Link smiles, gently, after a moment. “I tried so hard to be mad at you for laughing at me.”

“I recall that you were.” Zelda rests her head on her knees and tilts her head so that she can look at him. The fire casts fascinating light across the Hero’s face. She wishes she knew how to draw so that she could capture how he looks at this moment. 

He scratches his nose then meets her gaze. “Just for a second. You’re laughter made up for it.”  He reaches out and lays his palm across her hands which are locked together around her shin. “I miss seeing you… and… I’m glad you came.”

Zelda chooses to ignore the weight hidden in his words. She has done so many times but there’s an intimacy between them at this moment that does not allow her to be flippant. So, she chooses honesty. “I miss you too… and I’m glad I lost the bet.” She expects the rest of the night to be heavy. Keeps waiting for him to say something else… but he doesn’t. Eventually, they fall asleep.

By the next afternoon they arrive. The town erupts into chaos the moment they realize Link is there. Then, they recognize her. Collectively, the town scolds him for not telling him the Queen would be with him then sets to work finding accommodations for them while Link tries to tell them he’s just going to stay at his house with her. Some noise about it “not being proper” and off the villagers go.

Mayor Bo approaches with his usual gust-o and Link starts to get caught up on the many things he’s missed that might not have made it into his letters. Zelda gets over the awkwardness of being both fussed over and ignored. She finds she is content listening to the two men chat before mentioning that she wants to explore.

Link shrugs. “It’s safe here. Go on.” He gives her a brief layout of the village and then steps into the newest looking house in the vicinity. Zelda assumes it’s Ilia’s though she is not absolutely sure.

She’s familiar with most of the residents. She’s been here once before to honor the home from whence the Hero came but that was nearly seven years ago. She follows the small river and relaxes there. Since she was instructed to allow Fado to take her steed, she is somewhat restless now that there seems to be nothing for her to do. 

Beth, one of the children taken during the invasion, runs into her and decides to take her on a more personalized tour. The young girl is more of a young woman at fifteen and she’s matured since Zelda first met her. She holds a conversation well and expresses interest in what Zelda’s role as Queen fully consists of. Zelda recalls after a brief time that King Ralis mentioned fancying the girl.

“Link’s told me before that he’d come back and take all the old village kids traveling around Hyrule. He never seems to have the time though.” Beth ties her long brown hair back and snorts. “I think he, honestly, forgets though, ya know?”

“Have you visited Zora Doman now that you are older?” Zelda asks, dipping her feet into the water as the village girl did. “I have heard Ralis mention you before, you know. I’m sure you and the other boys would be welcome if you managed the journey on your own.”

Beth blushes and shakes her head. “I have and Ralis is… very sweet.” She shuffles as much as one can while sitting. “He even sent guards down to help us. Link was going to come to but… I guess something came up.”

“I am… sorry if it seems like I have stolen away your friend.”

“Oh. no! Don’t be, My Lady– Queen!” The teenager cups her face in her hands. “Sorry, I don’t mean to be so friendly. It’s hard because you’re not dressed up like a Queen and you’re just walking around our village and–”

“Zelda is fine.”

“OH.” Beth groans and takes a moment to calm down. After a few more apologies and more reassurances from Zelda, she continues. “Sorry. I… We’re not really used to titles around here. Or Queens for that matter” She shrugs. “Bo is getting ready to retire and, even with how long he’s been Mayor, we don’t really call him Mayor Bo all the time.” She gently bumps the other woman’s shoulder. “But, uh, don’t you worry about stealing Link away. I doubt he could be apart from you if he tried.”

Zelda’s face must pale or, rather, she feels like all the blood rushes out of her. “I’m sorry?”

Beth laughs at her expression. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. Whatever is between the two of you is private… but, I know Link loves you and if being in that Castle with you is what makes him happy. Well, that’s all we care about here.” The teenager stands and dusts herself off. “Don’t worry. I won’t say anything… it’s just… the way he talks about you in his letters gave it away.” She winks and Zelda wonders how the girl could mistake her paleness for shock of a secret getting out when it’s… plain shock. “I have to go help my momma close up shop. I’ll let Link know where you are.”

She doesn’t walk far before Zelda hears the girl tell the Hero that the Queen is around the corner. They speak in hushed voiced before Zelda makes out a more tense serious of undecipherable words come from the young man. His boots steps crunch on the ground behind her.

“So.” He clears his throat. “I see Beth gave you a tour….”

“You write about me in your letters? To everyone or just Beth?” Zelda’s voice sounds odd in her own ears. She’s still trying to process the sudden fact that this man is in love with her. Her best friend is in love with her. Link is in love with her.

He makes a frustrated noise and drops down next to her. “Yes.” Link tries to capture her eyes in his but she avoids the attempt. “Zelda… I…” His fists clench and unclench. She hasn’t seen him this upset in a long time. “Well, this certainly isn’t how I wanted you to find out.” He frowns. “And no. Not to Beth. To Ilia… but the villagers… they’re close and–”

“It’s… true then?”

He stares at her. “What’s true?” Link growls and his hands can’t seem to make up there mind of whether they want to grab hers or not. “That I love you?” He laughs. “No point in denying it now though I’ll have you know that I had something much more romantic planned than–”

“You know this…” She begins the sentence and makes the mistake of looking into his eyes. It began as a rejection and dies in her throat. Too late, she realizes, that he knows what she is going to say before she even finishes. “Link… I’m…”

“The Queen.” He states it, factually, and there’s a resilience in his gaze that she wasn’t expecting to find. She thought she would see sadness or longing but not refusal. “And I used to be a village boy. Now, I’m your General and as much as I make a fool of myself… I am respected by your peers… and…” He finally takes her hand and it’s warm holding hers. “I do. I love you and if…” He swallows and smiles, gently. “And if you want to make this work. I think we can.”

She opens her mouth and tells herself to be softer with her words. Soft is not generally how she goes about things so, instead, she speaks to him like she always has. Honestly. “I haven’t even thought of the possibility of… us working. I don’t let myself because that is a hard road we would travel–”

“We’ve been though worse.”

“And… this is sudden.”

“He continues, calmly, and Zelda finds she’s annoyed that he’s the calm one. “I’m not asking you to marry me…” He leaves the sentence unfinished but then shrugs. “Yet.” Link squeezes her hand. “I’m only asking that you consider it.”

“I do not want to hurt you and you might get hurt, Link.” Zelda sighs and glares into the water. “I-I admit that… I care for you and your friendship… it means the world to me. I just….” She turns back to him and sees hurt. “So many things could go wrong.” 

“Well.” He releases her hand and stands up. “I’ll admit, I wanted this to go differently… still, I don’t want to ruin our friendship so if that’s how you feel then I will respect that.” He reaches out to help her stand.

“I don’t know how to feel!” She exclaims and bats his hand away. “It’s not easy for me to just say ‘yes, I love you’ or ‘no, I don’t’… there’s so many things that I would have to take into consideration.” She runs her fingers through her hair and shakes her head. “I don’t know what I would do if you weren’t… but… I–” Tears of frustration sprung to her eyes.

Link frowns, kneels down and takes her face into his hands. “If you were just you. Just Zelda. No titles or anything… Do you think you could tell me how you feel?” He smiles. “Honestly.” He thumbs away the tears.

Honesty. She takes a breath and answers, shakily. “If we were just two ordinary people then I would tell you… I would tell you that I adore you. That… I see you in heavy romantic light… and that, could, turn into love.” She swallows. “That I could… love you.”

Link nods and smiles, gently. So gently. “So, what if we took these two weeks to be just Link and Zelda? And if we enjoy our time as just us… and we talk about the complications of our titles… we see if this works?”

“That’s a gamble.”

“I know.” He smirks. “Kiss for good luck?”

She takes a breath. She ignores that voice in the back of her head telling her everything that could go wrong and, instead, flicks him in the nose. “I’m not ready to kiss you. I’m too upset.”

He grins and helps pull her to her feet. “Then let’s go back to my house and get ready for tonight.”

“What’s tonight?” She blinks at him, feeling shaky still after the emotional adventure she’s still experiencing. 

Link shrugs. “The village wants to feed us and I promised them that I would make a couple pies. I thought you might want to help.” He winks. “And I bet you’ll only burn one.”

She scowls at him. “I have never burnt a pie.”

“Prove it.”

They continue like this for the next three days.When not visiting with Ilia and the baby, they take turns challenging each other to various contests and, even getting the village in one it, before they realize that they’re avoiding the topic. When they settle down into his old home on the fourth night, Zelda leans her head against his shoulder and tells him how much she’s enjoyed spending time with him. How her thoughts haven’t drifted to Hyrule once since she arrived. Some things may have been stressful but she feels relaxed. She tells him that she would like them to do something slower.

He suggests walking to Ordon Spring and, though the night is chill, she agrees. They talk about their childhoods as they have before and all manner of words fall freely between them. As just a man and a woman, Zelda is happy to feel his warm hand tangle their fingers together. She tries not to think about what being a Queen would mean for this. The Spirit does not awaken when they arrive, Link seemed to think that it would but she’s content to lie and watch the stars with him. 

“You know, you would have to clean up your manners… if you were to pursue me.” She murmurs and yet her voice still sounds loud. “You would need to learn the Lords names and not give them numbers to refer to them by.”

“I’m willing to do that.”

“And there might be a backlash. You… are a commoner. Blood matters a lot to royals.”

“If they want to enact old laws upon a potential marriage then I shall do the same.” He smirks. “Trial by Combat always seemed romantic.”

Zelda scowls. “Til death, Link.”

He glances at her and smalls. “Practicing your vows already? My, my.” He laughs when she smacks him, lightly, with the back of her hand. He rolls to his side so that he can look down into her eyes. “I am willing to follow your lead. Whatever is expected, I will try to meet that. I can’t promise perfection… but…” He kisses the back of her hand. “I promise that I…” Link clears his throat. “Will love you through it all.”

“Link?”

“Hmm?”

“I’m ready for you to kiss me now.”

And for better or for worse, he does and Zelda realizes that there’s no going back from this. His lips are soft and his body is warm as he drags her closer. She sighs and doesn’t dare count the odds stacked against them. Gambling is a terrible vice.