Chapter Text
The land of Hyrule is marred by a history of strife and anguish, often being overrun with monsters and darkness. However in these times there is always a Princess of Light, and a Hero who wields the Sword that Seals the Darkness. These two, when together, are said to be able to defeat any odds. Although many in Hyrule brush these legends off as just myth, the same legend unfolds time and again.
This is the story of one such Princess and her Appointed Knight, and their journey to becoming more than that, of their lives beyond the legend ...though to begin this tale, I suppose we must start at the end….
Dark Beast Ganon faltered, the arrow of light causing its gargantuan boar-like body, born of pure malice and hate, to stumble. A Golden Light shone from its core and burst forth.
The Knight, Link, couldn’t believe his eyes. Before him now stood a slender girl, wrapped in a white dress only a fraction as tattered as he figured it would be, her blonde hair flowing in the wind. Her hands clasped in prayer as she opened her emerald eyes. She dared not look at him, as before her the beast regained its footing and charged. She simply raised her hand and muttered an ancient phrase, and the golden glow returned. On the back of her hand a symbol of Hyrule's power appeared in the form of three shining triangles and a golden force erupted in front of the girl, a power born from a Goddess. The beast, seemingly losing its physical mass, flew into the crimson sky, a trail of scarlet and black smoke billowing off of it. Its hatred and malice joined by fear of this golden power, it roared as it charged at her. She simply muttered another unheard phrase and the ancient triangles grew, the power of this golden light swelling, consuming the dark beast as it struggled to flee. With a final roar it collapsed in on itself, the light becoming infinitesimally smaller and smaller until nothing remained.
Light returned to Hyrule, the sun glowing in a light far less radiant than the power of the Goddess, the girl — Zelda, Princess of Hyrule —turns. Her eyes fix on Link and soften. Her voice, quiet and soft, barely audible above the breeze, rings in the Knights ears clear as crystal.
“I’ve…been keeping watch over you all this time…I've witnessed your struggles to return to us, as well as your trials in battle.”
His body moves towards her as she speaks, unbidden, almost unconsciously.
“I always thought — No, I always believed — that you would find a way to defeat Ganon. I never lost faith in you over these many years. So thank you Link, the Hero of Hyrule!” She smiles at him and he comes to, remembering his place he kneels, bowing his head.
He hears her laugh and he looks up to her, the upturned lips of his own face betraying his usually stoic demeanor.
“May I ask, do you really remember me?” There was hope, and thus a hidden fear spoken in those words.
Link rose up and nodded, and as he felt the situation called for it, he spoke.
“How could I forget?”
Zelda’s eyes went wide, and relief washed over her face. “Thank goodness…” as she attempted to step forward, her exhaustion finally set in and she collapsed, Link rushing forward to catch her.
Zelda awoke to the sound of sweeping, her senses slowly coming to her. She felt the sunlight on her skin and opened her eyes slowly. She was in a bedroom, next to an open window. She turned her head, which took more effort than she felt it should have, and looked through her blurry eyes to see a girl a few years older than her with long white hair in unmistakably Sheikah garb. She recognized the girl instantly. Zelda spoke, her voice straining to come out, “Impa?”
The girl turned towards her, shock on her face, and dropped her broom. She ran out of the room and down a set of stairs, yelling at the top of her lungs “Grandmother! Grandmother, she’s awake!”
Her voice sounded…odd. Not quite as she remembered it. And why was she running? Wait, her grandmother? Wasn’t Impa’s grandmother long passed?
As these thoughts swirled in the princess’s mind she heard a creaking up the stairs as a little old woman wearing the chief hat of the sheikah stepped into the room followed by the younger woman. She met Zelda's eyes and instantly she understood. The look of relief and warmth, even as aged as she was now, Zelda would never forget the eyes of her best friend.
“It’s been a long Hundred years, Zelda” Impa spoke as she stepped forward.
“Impa…” Zelda tried to get up but her body ached, as if her muscles refused to move.
Impa rushed forward, putting her withered hand on Zelda's shoulder. “Now, now, dear, no need to rush.” Slowly, Impa helped Zelda sit up. An effort which caused her great trouble. The princess’s breath was labored and heavy, she began to cough. Impa called over to her younger visage “Paya, go get the princess some water!”
“Y-yes, grandmother!” The girl, Paya rushed out of the room and swiftly returned with a ceramic cup, filled with fresh water. “Here, princess”
“Thank you.”
Zelda lifted her hand to grab it, her arms seemed….skinnier than before. Combined with the great effort of holding the glass and the overall feeling of strain on her body, she looked over to Impa as she set the now empty cup on the bedside table and asked. “How long have I been asleep?”
“Well…A little over a month.” Impa responded.
“A month!?” Zelda’s voice broke as she exclaimed, sending her into a coughing fit. Impa rubbed her back as Paya swiftly grabbed the cup off the table and went to refill it. That’s when Zelda noticed the white and blue petals of her favorite flower, the Silent Princess. As she drank her eyes were fixated on it, and finally she spoke. “I suppose that explains the atrophy…”
Impa followed her eyes, “Wondering who brought that?” Impa spoke softly.
Zelda nodded, though she had a feeling she knew.
“Look out the window then.”
“Out the…?” As she turned she saw a boy with unruly long blonde hair sitting in the tree immediately out her window, eyes shut with his arms behind him as he slept. Princess Zelda couldn’t help but laugh, though her throat strained to do so, she didn’t think she’d ever seen Link so relaxed before.
“He sits there for a few hours every day, making sure you’re safe in between the errands he runs throughout the Kingdom. Though occasionally he does nod off.” Impa’s voice was full of teasing and mirth.
“He’s always so overprotective.” Zelda sighed, but there was a clear smile on her face.
“Oh that's nothing! The fool wouldn’t hardly leave your side at all for the first week. If not for his own injuries I’m sure he wouldn’t have minded being here at all hours of the day!” Impa laughed heartily and Zelda couldn’t help but chuckle, despite that she could still feel the blush on her face.
As the laughter died down, silence filled the room. Eventually Zelda turned to Impa once again. Her voice weighty, she solemnly asked “Impa, tell me what’s happened in the last hundred years.”
Impa shook her head. “No, this isn’t the time princess, you’ve only just awoken, you need to focus on recovery first.”
“But!” Zelda protested.
Impa smiled the same smug smile she often did a century ago, now with only slightly less teeth, “As her highness’s royal advisor I simply cannot comply with this request. You should be resting princess, there will be time to talk later, after all, the Calamity's threat no longer looms. Thanks to your great efforts no less.”
Zelda knew she’d lost this bout and sighed. “I suppose you’re right…” The weight of her duty still hung heavy on her as she looked down on her worn and withered form.
Impa sighed. “Paya, go wake our sleeping knight will you? I think it's high time he stop brooding over the princess’s well-being.”
“R-right!” The younger sheikah swiftly left, hoping to hide her blush from the princess.
“Now,” Impa spoke up, grabbing Zelda’s hand in her own. Zelda took note of how aged they were, boney with loose skin, but still as firm as ever. “I know it’s tough, Zel. But hear me out.” Zelda met her gaze. Her face showed a century of wisdom, and a century of worry yet to be fully assuaged. “You will have plenty of time to work, but for now — please — rest, recover. The kingdom cannot heal without you fully here to lead it. You’ve been working for the good of the kingdom since the day you were born, please just focus on yourself for once. Not the Princess, not the incarnation of the Goddess, nor the wielder of the Golden Power. But on Zelda, the teenager, my best friend.” Impa squeezed her hands, pleading.
Flustered by her friend's kind words the princess simply nodded, her weak voice mumbling “…I’ll try.”
“That’s all I ask.” The Elder smiled.
They soon heard a running up the stairs as Link burst into the room. Princess Zelda’s eyes were immediately drawn to his, they were deep blue and staring intently at her. Time stilled for a moment as they took each other in, and then Link rushed forward, hugging the Princess tightly. She winced slightly, shocked by his sudden gesture, yet she couldn’t help but feel a sense of calm in his arms. They were strong and firm; despite his lithe build, she could feel his muscles flex as he squeezed her.
“Ahem…” Impa coughed and the knight pulled back, shocked at himself, a blush adorned his cheeks, as did one rise to Princess Zelda’s face as well.
Paya stood there gawking as Impa rose from the chair she’d been sitting in and went to take her leave. “Paya, let us make some lunch. Sir Link can handle watching the princess for a bit I’m sure.”
“Y-yes grandmother.” The girl stammered and they left the two alone, both Sheikah women frustratingly aware that their exit was unnoticed.
Link stood there for a second before kneeling at the princess’s bedside, his head bowed, his heart near bursting with relief at seeing her awake, yet his mind a mess of unprocessed feelings. He shoved them down, he was still her Knight.
Zelda looked down at him, her heart pounding, her brain thinking of a thousand things to say and being unable to choose any of them. Finally she spoke, her voice still weak, but she was sure her Knight would hear her. “Link…please rise, there's no need to be so formal.”
The knight met her eyes and he couldn’t help but notice how red she was. Slowly he got up and approached her, leaning in til he was right next to her face. Zelda’s pulse was racing faster. She stared into his eyes, the look on his face was pensive as he slowly brought his hand up. Zelda’s mind was swirling with ideas of what he might be doing. He’s never gotten this close before. Does he mean to – no! Certainly not! Her body betraying her thoughts, Zelda closed her eyes and pursed her lips, only to snap her eyes back open once she felt his hand on her forehead, she looked up at him, he was staring past her, thinking. Soon enough he nodded and pulled back, only to be confused as to why her face was even more red. He leaned back in to check again.
“I-I’m fine, Link!” She turned away, embarrassed.
The boy was even more confused. Her tone belied distress. Had he caused this? He decided to keep his distance and stepped back, turning to leave.
“No, please, sit!” The Princess motioned to the now-empty chair.
The knight took the seat and an uncomfortable silence washed over the room. Zelda was fidgeting with her sheets, trying to think of anything to say, but Link was never much for conversation to begin with. Her thoughts a torrent of emotion she could only decide on one thing. She steeled herself and turned towards him “Link,” Her voice was quiet, not because of her body’s weakened state, but because she felt insecure in the words she was about to speak. She looked him in the eyes and said “I’m sorry” Link's face was one of shock. “I’m sorry that I was too late, my power awoke only because I put you in danger, and by then it wasn’t enough to save you.” her voice wavered with 100 years of regret, tears swelled in her eyes and threatened to spill over, her own resolve the only thing keeping them still.
Link looked at her, his eyes softened and he shook his head, rebuking the princesses self-deprecating statement. He took her hand in his and squeezed, the look on his face said it all. I only survived because of you.
Zelda let her tears fall and she wept, she wept for the first time in 100 years, wept for those who had been lost because of her, wept for the destruction of her kingdom, for the plight she had caused her people, for her friends and family, and her father. Oh Goddess, her father! He was right! It’s all her fault! If Link hadn’t been there then—
Link couldn’t bear to see her this way. She was in distress, he was never really good with his words in these situations so he let his body act for him. He surprised himself however when he pulled her into his arms. She looked up at him, confused. But he was confident that this was correct. Why is my heart racing, though? He squeezed her lightly and she nodded, her tears staining the cerulean thread of the Champion’s Tunic. She sniffed and wiped her emerald eyes, now stained with red. There was a small smile on her lips as she leaned into him.
They sat there for a moment until the Princess spoke up, “Um… if it’s not too much trouble, could you sit in the bed if you’re going to hold me? This is starting to get uncomfortable.”
Her voice was small, but to Link this request was of great magnitude. Share the bed? With the Princess? He pulled back and looked at her as if to say “ That would be improper” .
Zeld’s gaze was raw, vulnerable. “Impa told me that for now…for now I was to worry about myself, about Zelda, the Teenage Girl.” She looked into his eyes, pleading with her own, grasping at his tear-stained Tunic. “So for now, at least at this moment, I no longer wish to be the Princess of Hyrule. I wish to be an ordinary Hylian girl, being comforted by her close friend. Please, Link.”
Link considered her words, Not the Princess? Close friend? Link sighed and removed her hands from him, standing up. He saw her face fall before he removed the Master Sword from his back, setting it next to the bed. Slowly he sat down next to her, and carefully, he put his arms around her slender body. She smiled and leaned into him, he couldn’t explain why but his heart was pounding like a Goron Drum. She was so small and fragile.
“Thank you Link.” She closed her eyes and rested her head on his chest. She heard a heartbeat that was pounding, though she wasn’t sure if it was hers or Link’s; she had a hard time imagining him being nervous about much of anything. But she knew she felt happy in his arms. She would be content to spend the rest of her days in them. She blushed as that last thought crossed her mind, but simply accepted it as she soaked in this wave of contentment.
He watched her breathing even out and wiped a stray tear from her eye, and as they sit there with a now much more comfortable silence resting over them, Link smiled at the girl in his arms. That’s when he realized something very important. Princess Zelda was, in fact, a girl. He was relieved she had her eyes closed because this realization made him as red as a Sidon.
Perhaps his emotions weren’t as complicated as he once believed, and that idea was even more troubling to the Knight.