#uneasy lies the chosen of Farore

[drsteggy]

Uneasy Lies the Chosen of Farore (revised)

Chapter 3 The Triforce of Wisdom

Impa was waiting for her in her private dining room, a glass of wine ready. Zelda takes the glass and a generous swallow of the dry Necluda white, hefting a sigh.

“How’d it go?” asks Impa.

Zelda taps her fingers against her glass and turns away, sudden emotion churning as she considers the question. “I don’t know. It could have been better. I don’t. I don’t understand why. It might be better if it was him.” She hears her voice thicken and attempts to hide it with another sip of wine.

“It would not be better.” Impa sounds confident, at least. “The history you two had… It would be poison if you work together. Moot point, anyway.”

Zelda slowly shakes her head. “I do not think he has this in him. I would be better served with a sixteen year old hero.” Nayru, Din and Farore. Farore. What were you thinking?

“That’s younger than Marrin and Colin,” Impa names Zelda’s sons. “Would you really want a child in this role? I don’t think you would tolerate a teenager putting himself between you and whatever the end game is.”

Impa is probably right, Zelda reflects. Impa is often right. But couldn’t he have at least looked the part? Been taller or broader across his shoulder, or at least battle-tried?

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Art by @st-hedge (commissioned)

[expanding-hyrule]

Expanding Hyrule Fic Archive

This is a collection of works and their links wherever they're uploaded. If you have a work you'd like to be added to the list, please reach out to the blog or reblog this post with the link to get it added!

For full archive lists on platform, check out our AO3 collection or the Wattpad reading list. This post is only archival, to keep the list from being too long, summaries are omitted for space.

Works by @abbyz-elda

A Link To The Stars (AO3)

Works by @amelias-zelda-calamity-quintet

Goddess of Secrecy AO3 - Wattpad

Mark of a Hero - Part 1 AO3 - Wattpad

Restoration Age (Wattpad)

Cinders of Life (Wattpad)

Day After Destiny (Wattpad)

Works by @drsteggy

Uneasy Lies the Chosen of Farore (AO3)

Works by @karama9

All That Hurts Us (AO3)

Hero (AO3)

No More. Not One Single Time More (AO3)

Works by @loz-untold-myths

The Mage's Lantern (AO3)

Falling Into Place (Stone Fate Pre-Story) (AO3)

Stone Fate (AO3)

The Princess's Heart (AO3)

Works by @mistresslrigtar

Captain Link Araki and the Harbinger of Destiny (AO3)

Works by @sparkspsps

Princess Link: Engaged to my sister's kidnapper??? (AO3)

Works by @zeldadiarist

The Golden Chain (AO3)

[zeldaelmo]

Chapters: 38/38 Fandom: Legend of Zelda, The Legend of Zelda & Related Fandoms Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Link & Zelda (Legend of Zelda), Impa & Link (Legend of Zelda), Link/Zelda (Legend of Zelda) Characters: Link (Legend of Zelda), Zelda (Legend of Zelda), Original Characters, Impa (Legend of Zelda), Epona (Legend of Zelda) Additional Tags: Alternate Universe, what timeline, Adulting sucks, really adult Link, imposter syndrome, Family Dynamics, Master Sword, It Gets Better, Eventual Fluff, Canon Typical Violence, Trauma, Found Family, Implied/Referenced Sex, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, I wrote this for me but y’all can read it I guess, Complete, Fanart Welcome, Podfic Welcome Summary:

Link is a 42 year old man, happily living a very ordinary life, when he unexpectedly draws the Master Sword, turning his world upside down and setting him on a path he feels unworthy of.

**Completed**

Forgot the reblog when I finished it last week! You’ve probably heard already from this very unique story and I’m joining the people who recommend to read it! 

[st-hedge]

Commission of Zelda from ‘Uneasy Lies the Chosen of Farore’ for @drsteggy 💕 it’s been a very interesting process gradually aging Zelda to her 40s to see what she would look like c’:

[trisofthewild]

for all the middle-aged zelink likers out there

Well, gang, I do not know how to advertise this one, but

Naive Melody

is a fic I wrote and I'd love for you to read it! It is set several years after the events of Uneasy Lies the Chosen of Farore by @drsteggy and features my versions of her versions of Link (who first pulled the Master Sword at age 42) and Zelda (queen and widow a few years Link's senior). Don't worry, old people fuck too. If you haven't read Steggy's fic, I recommend it, but mine should make sense either way.

Features:

a wedding

a funeral

good presents

shitty parents

and the hot butch girlfriend Impa deserves

I went way out of my comfort zone (over 12k words! OCs for days!) for this one, but am pretty happy with the results. I hope you are too. 💖

[altoinkblots]

To celebrate fic back Friday, here are some of my favorite fics that I’ve read within the last year in no particular order. This got really long, so the fics are under the cut

sew my lips closed (i’ll tear your heart) by The-Immortal-Moon (LunaKat)--a fluffy, funny fic where Ed comes out as bi to Winry while drunk off of his ass and it makes me laugh every time I read it. Go read it.

The House That Ed Built by ArtemisRae--Ed builds Winry a house while leading up to their wedding. It’s filled with fluff, healing, and there’s a pretty nice house at the end.

Galeotto was the book by luffywhatelse--a wonderful slice-of-life into Ed and Winry’s friendship as little kids. It actually reminds me of a friendship that I had when I was around their age, and it’s a good feel-good fic

Names (or Scar’s Worst Nightmare) (or, No, you can’t die for someone platonically) by GuestPlease--I have read this no less than five times and each time I read it I end up in peals of laughter. Royai wedding, Edwin shenanigans (mostly Ed’s fault), Mei and Scar, Scar and Miles, Scar and everyone. The ending is super sweet as well.

A Little Pinch by @wrongnote--I would be remiss if I left out one of my favorite Edwin fics. It’s an excellent insight into Ed and Winry’s character with an interesting twist on a soulmate au and how everything pans out is *chef’s kiss*

your dust from mine by @mithrilwren​--Teahaw was wonderful while it lasted (aroace Cad for the win tho), and this is a fairy tale au which is something that I don’t see too often. A friend and I actually read this at the same time, and we’d scream/text each other whenever it updated and our thoughts on the latest chapter. There is so much I could say, this one is definitely amazing.

Serendipity by wrongnote--Again, another favorite. I absolutely love the ambiguity of this one and that it leaves a lot of unanswered questions, but it’s written in such a way that the characters truly shine.

A Sanctuary, Safe and Strong by hufflepirate--PARENTAL. GROG.

Uneasy Lies the Chosen of Farore by @drsteggy--this one explores a reincarnation where Link is in his 40s and where pulling the Master Sword is a complete accident. I read this in about a day, and it’s just so real and relatable and good.

Breathe by @quirkle2--I’m just going to copy some of the tags here because they’re so good: i wrote this as sort of a challenge, to see if i could write an entire oneshot about Link being guilty, without ever using the word “guilt” once

Vanilla, Soft Touches, and Thick Blankets by hiya_zelda(hiya_girlie)--easily one of my favorite fics. The imagery is spot-on and it’s pure, shameless fluff, and I’ve read this multiple times.

Narcolepsy by Salt00--A Linked Universe fic that explores Sky’s (oft headcanoned) narcolepsy, written by someone who actually has it. This was a phenomenal read and Sky’s emotions and how he expresses them in the fic are wonderful.

Orenda by DaydreamingDuma--a Vox Machina post-campaign where the gods of Exandria talk to Grog, Keyleth, and Percy about their souls and the afterlife. I love this fic so much, I think I talked about it for an hour straight to a friend of mine as it was still updating because the themes and the conversations are so good... and the god who gets Percy was surprising, but almost expected at the same time. A happy ending, obviously. They deserve it.

[ellensyu]

I remember telling myself I need to draw older Link after reading “Uneasy Lies the Chosen of Farore” by @drsteggy

Here is my best shot of drawing a Link that pulled the master sword at 42. I’m in my mid-30′s and empathized a lot with how he felt aimless and how time passes by. It was a challenge trying to age him. One extra line and he gained 10 years lol!

Check out the fic if you are interested. 

https://archiveofourown.org/works/22857055/chapters/54630772

[drsteggy]

Uneasy Lies the Chosen of Farore (revised)

Chapter 4: Cutscene- Link

He thought he had things figured out. He knew where his next step would land. He thought he knew, at least. The idea that he had less control over his own destiny than he believed…he shakes his head violently to dispel the thought.

No one gets to choose their fate. You can make decisions that change the general shape of their path, of course. But there are outside forces, events that you play no role in that set you on that path in the first place. You work in the world you have, thinking you are in charge of your own destiny, but really, you’re not.

Maybe, he thinks, it’s always young people because they haven’t had time to create themselves yet. They are still blank slates. When a role is thrust upon them, they have the room for it because there is little to replace. It is different when you go through thirty, forty years of life thinking you know how things work only to have everything turn on its head when some magic sword decides to drop in and say surprise! This is how things will be now- and you have to accept it.

Read on AO3 (must be logged in to read)

Portraits of Link by @st-hedge (commissioned) and @ellensyu (a gift! I nearly passed out)

[drsteggy]

Uneasy Lies the Chosen of Farore (revised)

“Someone drew the sword? Today?”

“Today, your highness. His name is Link.”

Art by @cyraclove

Read on AO3

[drsteggy]

Uneasy Lies the Chosen of Farore (revised)

Chapter 5: Sidequest: Family Reunion

His brother has always been the smart one; it’s why he came to him first.

“The sword doesn’t pick the wrong person, Link.” He reaches across the table to squeeze his younger brother’s shoulder, and Link meets his eyes through his bangs.

Then the front door swings open, and their father’s voice calls out, “Kagun, is Link here? I saw the horse in the stable with the castle brand; did you think you were going to distract me from that all day with Kobin?”

Kagun and Link maintain eye contact a moment longer and Kagun answers, “In the common room, dad; yes, Link is here.”

The older man strides into the room, finding his two sons at the table strewn with open books and stacks of paper, Link sitting and slightly hunched over, Kagun standing with his hands on the table top. They both look oh-so-slightly guilty about something. “What are you two doing? Link, did you think you would just sneak into town and we wouldn’t know?”

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[drsteggy]

Uneasy Lies the Chosen of Farore (revised)

Chapter 13 Song of Healing

“Link.” Her voice is soft and kind. “Impa thought this would be a better place to meet. Please make yourself comfortable.”

He doesn’t move for a long time. She pours some tea and takes a cookie. He looks at the cat, still sleeping in a sunbeam. Zelda takes her time, but she places the delicate empty tea cup down before he has made a move.

“Link. I want to help you, but I can’t if you cannot tell me what you need.” She leans to him, reaching a hand to his shoulder. “Please. Tell me what happened to you.”

He inhales deeply, bringing his left hand to his forehead, avoiding her eyes. “I. I died in that river temple, Your Maj—Zelda. I died faster than I could get a potion. If I had not caught that fairy…” He does not want to think about that too hard. It is so hard to hear it out loud, to say it.. It had been so very fast, one minute on his feet, doing battle, and the next actively dying, feeling his light go out.

He grinds to a stop, hands now gripping the cushion beneath him, his mind mired in the strike, the glass, the blood. He closes his eyes, counts several breaths, as tears well up despite him willing them to stop. He is going to tough this out alone.

Somewhere in the distance, he hears her get up, and feels a weight on the couch next to him. There are arms around him and she is whispering “It’s ok, Link, you’re ok, you’re safe now, you’re safe here. You’re here. You won.”

Continue reading on AO3 (must be logged in)

[drsteggy]

Work in Progress Wednesday

So this isn’t REALLY a WIP, it was more an exercise in writing a scene from a different perspective. This is a later scene from Farore, but from Impa’s perspective. I guess it is technically a little spoilery but whatever. I wanted to share something today so here it is

Impa does not think she will ever really get used to the cold of the Hebra region. The clouded sky seems to close in on the party making its way north, and the entire camp is in a tight circle around the fire. She clutches a tin cup of tea, enjoying the heat of the brew in her hands. The fire dances and pops, drawing her in.

And then Link is next to her. He pulls his wool cloak close to his throat.

“Hey I didn’t see much of you today, how did the ride go?” He fiddles with his gloves, not looking at her yet. He clearly has something on his mind, but he is going to need to come around to things on his own.

“Pretty well. The horse they have me on has a mind of his own, though, and ignores me.”

He turns to her, always ready to talk about horses. “I can teach you some things to get around that. Might be useful if he decides to bolt someday.”

She lets him ramble a bit, watching him relax as he goes on about leg and seat, nodding as he offers advice. When he is done, he turns back to the fire and straightens up.

Here it comes, she thinks. The real reason he came over here.

“Impa.. do you sleep, ever?”

******

She arrives at his tent an hour later. He greets her with a smile and a remarkably tense posture. “You’re sure this is okay?” He asks, rubbing the back of his neck.

She wonders if he gets this wound up every time he has a sleepover with someone.

“Of course.” She smiles, keeping her voice open and friendly. “You do still want me to stay?”

He meets her eyes. She notes the clench of his jaw and the quickness of his breath. Finally, he gives a sharp nod. “Yes. Yes, I do.”

“Great, let’s get settled.”

Link’s tent is really just meant for one. Impa crawls in and wraps herself in the blanket she brought with her. She pats the space next to her, inviting him in.

“Snug. It’s going to be cozy, but there’s room.”

He hesitates and for a moment she thinks he might call things off. Then he joins her, settling in inches from her. She can smell the horse on him, and a note of sweat.

“I’m not trying to do anything improper.” He says, his voice soft.

“I know. I trust you.” She assures him. “You’re not my type anyway.”

“What?” He sounds a little surprised.

She laughs. “Has no one ever said that to you before? I’m not attracted to you. I like women.”

“Oh.”

She laughs again. “That can't be a new idea for you, you were in Gerudo how long? I know that guard -Tasako? you were involved with…”

He squirms. “Has a female partner, yes, we are acquainted. They got married.”

“Why don’t you try and get some sleep? You might feel more comfortable with your back against mine.”

She rolls to her other side, resting her head on her arm. She can feel his breath on the back of her neck before he shifts and leans his back against hers. Hopefully he will sleep peacefully tonight.

“I kissed a man once.” His voice floats out of the darkness. “Like, a real kiss.”

Impa feels a small blossom of surprise, but keeps herself still. “Is this something you want to talk about?”

“I don’t know. Maybe. It’s something to talk about and it isn’t all, you know.”

So he can’t sleep, or he isn’t ready to. “If you want to tell me, I’d like to hear.”

“I only ever told Tasako before.” His words come slowly, as though he is now weighing them. “I mean, I was just trying everything when I first got to Castletown. I’d never been on my own like that.”

“He was in my cohort. His name was Shad. We hung out a lot and did dumb teenager stuff. Like we used to take horses and race and jump over stupid things.” She can hear the smile in his voice now. So this is a good memory.

When Link had first taken the sword, she had found a Shad, who had reportedly been his friend. That man had been very closed lipped, though, refusing to say more than he’d been acquainted but hadn’t so much as thought about Link in years. Impa had given up, thinking it a dead end.

This has to be the same guy. “The stable master never caught you?”

“Oh, he caught us,” Link chuckles. “Yeah, we cleaned a lot of stalls over that.”

Link continues on, telling a story about a summer friendship that had sparks. He spins it slowly, but if he takes his time because he is remembering something with fondness or there’s a different reason, she can’t quite tell.

“We went swimming one day and it just turned into being rowdy and wrestling and stuff and then he stopped and asked if he could tell me something and I just said sure.”

“What did he tell you?”

“He said he really wanted to kiss me.”

“And…?” Even Impa can hear the anticipation in her voice. She hopes he kissed Shad. She hopes he did it a lot.

Link shrugs against her back. “I had kissed a few girls and I really liked that. A lot. So I said ok.”

“You’re killing me. Was it good? Did you like it?”

Link huffs. “It was his first kiss, I’m pretty sure, so it was just okay. I did like it.”

“What happened to Shad?”

“I don’t know, we were pretty young, we drifted when summer ended.” He pauses, sighing before continuing on. “Training got more intense. He started to hang out with others. I got involved with a woman who saw me as a toy though I didn’t understand that then. I went to Gerudo, I ended up here.”

They are both quiet. Impa is still learning the edges and depths to Link, and tonight she feels she might be in a little further than he intended. His stillness feels unsettled. Maybe ashamed.

He shouldn’t feel that way about that story.

“Link? It’s okay if you decided it wasn’t for you. It’s okay if you liked it. It’s okay if you’re still not sure how you feel.”

He doesn’t answer her but presses his back against hers more firmly.

He does finally slip off to sleep. She keeps a quiet watch, meditating on the day and what’s ahead.

When he bolts up with a strangled sound in his throat, she turns and throws an arm across his chest. His heart gallops in his chest as she whispers to him that’s it’s okay, everything is okay. He slumps back to his bedding and she moves her hand to his shoulder.

“That was something,” she whispers. “Is that every night?”

He shakes his head “Just recently,” he crosses his arms. “It’s not even anything specific. It’s just...it’s like just feelings. There’s no images or action, it isn’t really a dream.

“I think they come from outside of me.”

“A message, maybe.”

“Something like that.”

They lay together, silent, Impa running her thumb back and forth over his shoulder. She will do this as long as he needs her to. Eventually the tension in his body melts away and he settles into her.

“Impa, thank you for staying with me. This is definitely better.”

“You’re welcome.”

[drsteggy]

Uneasy Lies the Chosen of Farore (revised)

Chapter 2 The Sword that Seals the Darkness

All those young faces turn to him and he straightens up. Giving his head another quick shake, Link steps to the pedestal. Kota frowns, aware something isn’t right. Link’s head grows heavy with that low buzz. It seems… anticipatory. Like the feeling he gets reaching out for an intimate partner.

Not for the first time, he stands before the sword. It has never felt like this, though. He swallows, and for a moment a flash of fear crackles on his skin. What would happen when he took the hilt?

Nothing is going to happen. Nothing ever happens.

Read on AO3 (must be logged in)

Art by @mochiwei (comission by me)

[drsteggy]

Uneasy Lies the Chosen of Farore (Revised)

Chapter 8: The Game Really Begins

The castle looms on the horizon. He smiles, knowing he’ll sleep in a bed tonight for certain. As he closes the distance, a rider on a dappled grey gallops out of the main gate and heads toward him. Link closes his hands on his reins, bringing Sam to a stop, and waits. The rider on the grey slides his horse to a stop. His uniform says he is a captain of the royal guard.

“Are you Link, bearer of the Master Sword?”

Link nods and holds his horse as it fidgets under him. The sword on his back sends a vibration through his spine. Soon. So soon. The back of his right hand tingles.

“You need to get to the castle right away. There is something strange happening in Faron and the queen has asked for you to investigate. She will debrief you on the details herself. Follow me.” He wheels the grey on its haunches and gallops back toward the castle. Sam stirs to follow, but Link holds him in place one more moment.

It always starts with something strange, thinks Link. And why is it often Faron? He watches the grey horse gallop back toward the castle, feeling as though a chapter in his life is about to end.

Maybe an entire book.

It is finally time. He takes a deep breath, and kicks the bay gelding into a gallop toward the castle.

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[drsteggy]

Its coming

June 22 2024

Mood board by @cyraclove

[drsteggy]

Uneasy Lies the Chosen of Farore (revised)

Chapter 11 The River Temple

(It’s the water temple. It’s going to be rough)

This beast seemed limited to the water, and to snaking its neck out either directly or with a side to side sweep. He planned his attack and engaged, shield out, sword at the ready. It aimed at him and he was able to deal some damage before it drew back. They continued this dance for a while, and then the creature changed things up, drawing back and submerging itself. He'd stepped forward to the water’s edge, wondering if he’d finished it off, when that snakey head and neck exploded forward from the depths.

The strike connects.

He is flung backwards into the wall.

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