Chapter Text
Zelda followed Link after the council meeting disbanded.
He hurried ahead, not wanting to hear what she had to say.
“Link!” she called. He didn’t even slow, but she raced to keep up and caught his wrist, forcing him to come to a stop. “Please. Let’s talk.”
He sighed, turning to look at her. “I need to go. I gave my word, that I’d protect Hyrule. That I’d protect you.” Link placed his hand over hers. “You said it yourself. There’s darkness gathering outside of Hyrule. I’m not just going to stay here and let it come hurt us again.”
Her grip on him tightened. “It was so dangerous even when you fought that darkness here in Hyrule. I… I don’t want you to face it again. Certainly not alone. Where I can’t follow, not again.”
That made him soften. He raised his hand to cup her cheek. “I know, but… you protect Hyrule in your way. I protect it in mine. As soon as I return, I… I want to ask you something.”
Zelda’s cheeks turned pink and she looked down. “You don’t have to wait.”
So she knew what was on his heart. He supposed it made sense, that she would know him so well after the years they had known each other and the months since he had properly started courting her.
“I’d rather you look forward to my return rather than regret my departure even more. I’ll return as soon as I can, but… I don’t know how long it will take to complete this task.”
She took a shaky breath. “When do you depart?”
“As soon as I have provisions.”
She slowly nodded. “What will you need?”
Link sighed, not really wanting to dwell on it in the few moments he had left with her. But he thought about it and answered, “Probably enough food and water for a fortnight? I should be able to find somewhere to restock by then.”
“Will you need a horse?”
He considered it. “No… a boat would be better for travelling quickly, I think. One I can sail alone.”
Zelda frowned.
“Is it too difficult?”
She shook her head. “No. At least, I don’t think it will be. I can’t say for certain—I’m hardly an expert on what ships Hyrule owns. Do you know enough about sailing to manage on your own?”
“Perhaps lessons would be a good idea. Learn from some sailors.”
“Please,” she asked him. “I don’t want anything to happen to you. And certainly not for foolhardiness.”
Link smiled at her. “I assure you, Zelda, I wouldn’t want my own folly to separate us longer than necessary. Not if I can help it.”
She let out a breath. “That reassures me.” She leaned forward, resting her head on his shoulder. “Then… may I ask one selfish thing?”
“Hmmm?”
“Can we spend every free moment together until it’s time you must leave?”
He tilted his head to rest against hers. “I would love for nothing more.”
A week.
That was how long it took to be ready to leave. Or, rather, while the sailboat and provisions were acquired quickly, a week was the shortest amount of time it took for sea ropes to burn through a swordsman’s calluses. He wasn’t terribly proficient at it, but he was no longer clueless to what he was doing. He could probably survive if he encountered a storm on the sea.
He could probably survive leaving Zelda. He didn’t like it, but he would bear it. To keep Hyrule safe. To keep her safe.
He hoped that leaving earlier now would allow him to return that much sooner.
Link soaked in the sight of her at the docks as some servants from the castle loaded the provisions—enough for a full month. (“Just in case,” she told him. And when she said it with so much worry in her voice… well, then how could he deny her gift?) He watched as the sea breeze barely jostled the dirty blonde curls of her hair and her ocean-blue eyes bore into his. He’d miss the flush of her cheeks, the way she always stood with such proper posture that made her seem taller than him even thought they were truly the same height. He’d miss the way her lower lip pouted out when she was upset—like she was right now.
“I’ll be back as soon as I may,” he promised. “I won’t waste any time rooting out the potential threats to Hyrule, and returning home as soon as it’s safe.”
“I don’t doubt that. It’s still just hard to see you leave, no matter how much I know you must.” Zelda sighed, the pout remaining on her face.
Link didn’t know what to say. Well… not besides the one thing he didn’t truly want to ask of her—to wait, no matter how long this journey took.
Zelda stepped towards him, closing the gap. He didn’t resist, certainly didn’t complain, as she leaned in and kissed him.
They were courting. This wasn’t their first kiss. But they were both shy enough that they were rare, and they certainly hadn’t kissed around others before. If it weren’t the last chance he’d have to kiss Zelda for a while, he might have felt more embarrassed that others saw them. But instead, Link chose to simply relish the moment.
Finally, she pulled away, resting her forehead against his. “How long do you think it will be?”
“I hope less than a year,” he admitted. “But… I’ll take as much time as I must. To be sure I won’t have to leave your side again.”
“Then I’ll pray to the Goddesses—to the Triforce itself—for your swift return.”
“I will, as well.”
She leaned in to press a shorter, but no less sweet, kiss to his lips. The final one they would share before he returned to Hyrule. “Please,” she breathed after breaking away. “Be sure to hurry back.”
Link held her in a tight embrace as he promised, “As swiftly as the wind will fill my sail.”
Then he stepped onto the boat and spread the sail, looking back to the princess whose hair seemed almost golden where it caught the morning light rather than the sea ahead of him.