#nayru is tired and worried

[caramel-catss]

god loves you, but not enough to save you

on ao3

word count: 5k

triggers: suicidal thoughts, depression, religion/religious trauma

four times the deities did not answer link's prayers, one time they did; legend character analysis with a focus on him and religion

i.

Link wouldn’t call himself very religious, but he pays his respects to the Golden Three as he should. His uncle taught him his prayers, the nightly ones before bed, the morning ones at breakfast. He told Link, if you’re worried about something, pray to the Goddesses and They will protect you.

And tonight, Link says his prayers as he always does. He sits at the foot of his bed, eyes closed and hands softly curled together, and whispers a thank you to the Three for protecting his family. His uncle is at the table, doing the same, though he won’t be going to bed for a few hours because adults don’t have bedtimes. 

“Mothers Din, Farore, and Nayru,” Link murmurs, eyes closed. “Thank you for more sun today, even though it’s raining now. Uncle and I picked apples but now my arms hurt, and I’m kind of tired of picking them, so could you make it not stop raining tomorrow? Thank you. Um… keep keeping me and my uncle safe, please. Thank you. Goodnight.”

“Are you all done with your prayers, Link?” His uncle smiles from his seat, but he looks tired. Link nods. “Goodnight, then. I’ll be here a while longer. I sense something… off, around here.”

“Goodnight, Uncle!” Link says, unbothered. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

Link turns into his covers. Sleeping can be hard sometimes, usually when he’s excited, but it’s okay tonight. His arms still ache a little bit, so he doesn’t mind resting them. He hopes that, tomorrow, his uncle will bake a pie, and he’ll be able to eat more apples than he’ll pick. Thoughts of fresh apple pie in his mind, Link quickly falls asleep.

Help me…

Please help me…

I am a prisoner in the dungeon of the castle. My name is Zelda.

Link wakens with a start, surprised by the words of the girl in his mind. Trapped in the dungeon? The wizard, Agahnim? What was happening? 

Link opens his eyes and turns towards his uncle, who’s looking at him. It’s so late in the night, now, why is he still awake? Did he hear Zelda’s voice, too?

Just as Link opens his mouth to ask, Uncle starts talking. “Link, I’m going out for a while. I’ll be back by morning. Don’t leave the house.”

Uncle gets up and leaves, and Link is left, stunned. No, his uncle can’t go alone, that’s dangerous… but Link’s just a kid, what can he do? 

Slowly, Link picks himself up and walks to the nearby chest. He takes out the lantern inside. Maybe if he goes after his uncle, he could help? Or his uncle would help him, more likely… but either way, he can’t leave Zelda alone! She needs his help, and he can’t just not help her!

More determined, Link leaves the house. It’s still storming outside. Thunder scares him, but just a little. He’ll be okay! He’s brave, and he’s 12 now, so he’s almost a teenager. That’s practically an adult.

Link sneaks behind the castle and tries not to worry about the guards. They’ve always looked a little scary, but now they look so off. He can’t place why. 

Some intuition of his tells him to move a suspicious plant, and oh! An entrance! Link slips into the dungeon.

Link creeps down the hallway, making sure to be slow in case any guards are nearby. A low moan catches his attention, and he turns his head-

“Uncle!” Link gasps, suddenly breaking into a sprint. His uncle lays against the wall, clutching his stomach. He looks up at Link, and Link notices his face wobble for half a second.

“Link…” Uncle coughs up blood, and Link darts to his side. “Gah…”

“Uncle, are you okay!?” Link panics and tries to help cover the gash with part of his uncle’s clothing. He winces at the blood, trying not to feel queasy.

“I didn’t want you involved in this,” Uncle murmurs. “I told you not to leave the house…”

“I-I had to help!” Link cries, trying to hold his uncle closer. He doesn’t know what to do, he can’t breathe- the Goddesses! He’s scared, so he should pray to the Goddesses!

Link closes his eyes and puts his hands together, like he always does in the mornings and before bed. “Please,” he whispers. “Please- please help Uncle be safe…”

“My boy…” Uncle’s hand weakly trails to Link’s shoulder. Link hiccups. He’s trying to look strong, not to cry, but it’s really hard now.

Then, Uncle surprises him by shoving two items into his hands.

“Take my sword and shield and listen.” Uncle’s voice is serious, and he looks at Link dead in the eye. “You can focus power in the blade… then release it using the secret technique handed down by our people…”

Link doesn’t dare breathe, doesn’t dare say anything. But oh, he wants to cry into his uncle’s arms, wants to curl up into him like he did as a child.

Uncle coughs again, and Link can see that he’s fading. Quietly, he thinks another prayer to himself, desperately hoping this one reaches the Goddesses. He can’t die now… please, don’t let him die! I need him! I need his help!

“Link, you can do it!” Uncle makes a small, sad smile. “Save the princess… Zelda is your…”

“...My?” Link whispers, staring.

“...”

It’s quiet.

Link shakes, like how he would when it got dark in the orchard. His lip wobbles. He stares at Uncle, and Uncle doesn’t stare back.

Slowly, Link reaches over and pushes his eyelids closed. Now… now he looks like he’s sleeping…

The Goddesses…

Uncle always said They would protect Link if he prayed to Them. But… he did, and They didn’t answer. They didn’t… protect Uncle…

Link has to force himself to his feet. He tears his eyes away from Uncle, and he tries to forget about him. He tries to forget about everything, except for Zelda. He needs… he needs to rescue her. He has a sword and shield, he can defend himself with those… he’ll be okay…! He’ll be okay.

Link wipes his tears, and he keeps moving.

-

ii.

The Triforce is waiting for a new owner. Its Golden Power is in your hands… Now, touch It with a wish in your heart.

Blood drips from Link’s lip. He wipes at it, carefully, trying not to spill too much. His leg really hurts from when he tripped fighting Ganon, there’s a long gash through his arm, and he feels a little lightheaded.

The Triforce appears before him, golden and glorious. Link can immediately tell It’s just as beautiful as the legends say. An artifact created by the Goddesses. An artifact he’s to wish on, a prize for defeating Ganon…

Link stumbles, catching himself on the wall. A wish… what would he wish for?

For the past few months, all he’s been doing is working towards saving Hyrule… but now Hyrule is safe, isn’t it? What’s waiting for him at home? His uncle is… dead.

The thought only reminds him of Princess Zelda, now without her father. They both lost their family. Would she have to become Queen, now? All alone? Link doesn’t want that for her, he wants her to be okay. He… he wants to be okay, too.

The soldiers, who attacked him, they didn’t deserve to have their minds warped. The people he’s met who have suffered so much under Ganon’s rule… the people who died…

Link takes a deep breath, a wish coming to his mind. He reaches out, gently placing his palms on the Triforce, and whispers.

“I wish… I wish for Hyrule and its people to be restored. Including the king… and my uncle.”

The Triforce glows with holy light, enveloping the entire room. Link bathes in it.

Link runs up to the castle, dashing through the secret entrance to avoid the guards. Both old habit and the soldiers’ occasional attacks keep him doing this. Plus, Uncle won’t let him carry around swords anymore, though he doesn’t know about the knife Link keeps in his boot. It’s there just in case something strikes at him - which has happened, especially around the castle area. It makes Link feel safer.

Zelda has called for him again, a short, personal message through their telepathic connection. Her father, though revived a mere month ago, has fallen ill. The King of Hyrule is known for falling sick often, but Zelda sounded worried, so Link’s going to be there for her. That’s what friends do, right? Zelda is the only person his age that he really knows, and he wants to comfort her.

Dodging around guards and sneaking up to the chambers, Link carefully slips into Zelda’s father’s room. The King of Hyrule lays on his bed, eyes closed, shakily breathing. Zelda sits by his side. Hearing Link enter, she looks up.

“Link!” Zelda smiles. She looks tired. Link closes the door behind him and rushes over.

“Hi,” Link replies. He pauses, debating if he should bow to the King or not when he’s like this, but Zelda takes his hand before he can decide.

Zelda pulls him into a hug. “Thanks for being here,” she murmurs.

Link doesn’t really know what to say, doesn’t know how to feelings, so he replies, “Yeah.”

“Father isn’t feeling well again,” Zelda pulls back, frowning. “...Worse than his usual cough.”

The King coughs beside her, as if on cue. Link’s eyebrows furrow.

“The Triforce should have made him all better,” he murmurs. “How is he so sick already?”

“I don’t know,” Zelda replies. She moves back to her father, placing her hands on his shoulder. “But he said he wanted to talk to you… something he had to say, in case… something happens to him.”

“Oh,” Link says. Because, oh.

“Father,” Zelda whispers, tapping the King. “Link is here to speak to you.”

The king wheezes, cracking his eyes open and looking at Link. He looks old, older than he usually does. He pushes himself up, reaching out to Link.

“Link, my boy,” The king murmurs, his voice hoarse. He sounds very, very sick. “There is something you must know…”

Link takes off his hat and holds to his chest, walking closer to the king. “Yes, your highness?”

“You are…” He breaks off with another cough, hyacking for a second before continuing. “Link, you are my son…”

“What?” Link blinks. To his side, Zelda gasps.

“I…” The king frowns, eyes moving to Zelda. “You and Zelda… half-siblings… I am sorry, daughter…”

“Father, don’t overexert yourself!” Zelda’s voice is shrouded in worry.

“I-I don’t-” Link stutters, surprised. Half-siblings with Zelda? Wouldn’t that make him…

“You were sent to live with your uncle,” The king starts again. “Your mother’s status… you could not live as a royal.”

Link gapes. Did… did Uncle know about this? He… would have to, wouldn’t he?

“I am… so proud, Link. My… son.” The king smiles, then closes his eyes again, taking a shaky breath.

“I…” Link blinks, and he can find no words.

“Father, wait, don’t sleep yet!” Zelda lightly shakes her (their?) father, panic rising in her voice. “The medic said you should stay awake…”

Link backs up, slowly. His hat falls to the floor. This room, it’s suddenly too small, and he needs to run and get out. Every time he panics, it’s been because something has wanted to attack him, kill him. Link pats around himself until he finds his boot, kicking it against the ground and grabbing his dagger. He holds it close - just for comfort, he needs something to fight with when they come and attack him - but his hands are shaking too much and he drops it on the floor with a loud clang.

Zelda’s head whips around just as Link is grabbing it again. Her gaze softens.

“Link,” she murmurs. “You should go… we can… talk about this later, okay? Just… take your time.”

Link nods. He feels dizzy as he runs out of the room, following his route out of the castle as fast as he can. The woods aren’t safe, but nowhere inside is safe either, and he runs around until he finds himself sitting on the roof of his house.  He stays there for some hours, hugging his knees and rocking back and forth.

That night, the king passes away, leaving behind more questions than answers. Link’s uncle doesn’t answer them well. He only finds out that his mother died years ago and that Uncle was only to tell him about his bloodline as an adult. Link feels lost.

Link and Zelda do not talk about it. Zelda closes her doors to grieve after her father’s death, and Link, who never knew him, has no idea how to help. He begins to feel antsy at home, unsure what to do with his life.

And then, Uncle falls sick.

It’s the same sickness the king had, the one the palace medic could not find a cure to. 

He passes away in the middle of the night. Just like how he did a year ago.

The Triforce did not save him. The Triforce did not save the King of Hyrule. Link prayed for them both, experienced them alive again for a short few months, and then they died again. His wishes… were they really answered?

Link decides that he needs time away from Hyrule, from his kingdom which hurts too much to live inside. He tells Zelda he’s leaving to train, something short, a couple months at most. She asks if he’ll be back before her coronation next spring, and he says he will.

She sees him off before he sails away. 

“I pray for your safe return, brother,” Zelda says. It’s the first time she’s called him that, but he’s focused on the word ‘pray’; it stings him in a way that surprises him.

“...Thank you, sister. I’ll be home soon,” Link replies. And he doesn’t think he will, but he hopes that at least he’ll arrive back before her coronation.

-

iii.

Crash!

“Shit!” Link pulls harder on the rope, trying to keep his boat in control. He’s been on the water for a few hours, setting out early this morning after leaving an abandoned island he’d spent a week exploring. He had no idea there was a storm up ahead, or he would’ve stayed another day or two.

A wave crashes into the side of Link’s small ship, sending the entire thing rocking and nearly throwing Link overboard. His boots lose traction. He slips to the ground, hitting his arm, and he yelps in pain.

Scrambling back up, Link grips his hands harder on the rope. They hurt with how tightly he’d already been holding them. He’s absolutely drenched, which doesn’t help with his grip. Lightning crashes right by him, thankfully in the water, making Link gasp. He tries not to scramble to the other side. He’d lose any control of the thing he has left.

Thunder booms across the sky. Link pulls as hard as he can, trying to stay afloat. He closes his eyes, and despite himself, cries something in desperation.

“If there’s anyone out there that can help me… please! Please, Goddesses!”

He almost doesn’t realize that he said it. It’s still a bit of a second nature to him, though he kind of stopped praying when his uncle first died. Link falters a second as his mind drifts to that, but it’s a second too long. A bright flash lights up Link’s boat, and for half a second, he lifts his head before the lightning strikes him and the world goes black.

Link opens his eyes and gasps, expecting there to be no air. But no, he’s in a… bed? Where’s his ship? Why’s he in a room?

Link shoots upwards, darting his eyes around in a rabbit’s panic, looking for his kidnappers. He spots them quickly - a girl dressed in blue, and a man with a handkerchief tied around his neck. His hand reaches for his arm, ready to grab his backup-backup dagger, but he finds nothing there. They disarmed, him, too!-

“What a relief!” The girl’s voice stuns him and sends him out of his panic. Link stares at her, stupidly, unsure what to ask her first.

“I thought you’d never wake up!” She continues, smiling. Link squints at her as she speaks, realizing she looks familiar. “You were tossing and turning…”

“Zelda?” Link interrupts, wiping his eyes. This girl’s hair is styled just like his sister’s, but as soon as the words leave his mouth, he feels like an idiot.

“What? Zelda?” The girl laughs. “No, my name’s Marin! You must still be feeling a little woozy.”

“...Sorry,” Link mumbles. “Uh… where am I?”

Marin’s eyes brighten. “You are on Koholint Island!”

Link nods. He pushes himself out of bed, combing his fingers through his hair to find that it isn’t messy. Come to think of it, he’s all dry, and he doesn’t smell like saltwater. Okay, so not kidnappers.

“Do you… have my things?” Link asks. Wow, since when was he so awkward?

“Um… if you follow the lane south, you’ll reach the beach where I found you,” Marin replies. “I think Tarin has your shield, though.”

“Thanks,” Link nods. He starts to walk over to the other man, but Marin suddenly speaks up again.

“S-since you washed ashore, lots of nasty monsters have been in the area, so… um… be careful, okay?” Marin looks a bit embarrassed.

Link blinks. He can count the amount of people who tell him to be careful on one hand, so he doesn’t know how to reply. “Y… Yeah, I will.” 

Marin smiles, relieved. Link collects his shield from Tarin, and he waves goodbye to the two on his way out. Koholint is a bright, sunny island, and the air feels so fresh compared to Hyrule’s. It instantly puts Link in a good mood, and he smiles as he jogs down to the beach. Maybe the Goddesses did answer his prayer this time! 

As Link grabs his sword from the beach, he’s still smiling. He grins even as an owl shows up and starts to speak at him, quickly becoming an annoyance. Other than the bird, this island is perfect! Everything here is perfect! He could get used to this, really.

…In hindsight, he really should have realized it was too perfect.

-

iv.

The Wind Fish is glorious, in the way only a deity could be. He floats above Link, one eye turned to him, expression set in stone. Link tries not to wobble under his gaze. He’s still shaking from fighting the Nightmare, from seeing Agahnim and Ganon and they can’t be here and he can’t move-

Link takes a deep breath, the way that Marin showed him, counting to ten before he releases it. He locks eyes with the Wind Fish. Can He notice Link wobble, Link pressing back tears already? Link tries to press back all of his anxieties. He has a wish to make.

“I AM THE WIND FISH…” His voice booms, hurting Link’s ears. “LONG HAS BEEN MY SLUMBER…”

“Wind Fish,” Link murmurs, cutting His speech short. He almost thinks the deity hasn’t heard him, but the Wind Fish pauses. “I… may I make a wish to You?”

“WHAT DO YOU WISH, CHILD?”

In. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. Out.

Link sinks to his knees. He curls his fists together in front of him, bows his head, and sniffs. For this wish… he will have to beg, to offer all of himself for anything, any bit of mercy. He is fully prepared to do so.

“This island…” Link whispers. “It is beautiful, with beautiful people. People who don’t… deserve to die. I-I… I wish for the island’s safety… I wish for Koholint to be real. Marin, of Mabe Village, she wants to see the world. She wants to leave. She wished to You, Wind Fish, please grant it. Please, please, save these people. Your people. Even if… even if you only save Marin… I’ll give my life for her freedom. Just… please…”

“BOY.” The Wind Fish’s mouth does not move. His face remains neutral. But Link… Link can feel the anger. “YOU ARE THE MESSENGER OF AWAKENING… YOU CHOOSE TO WAKE ME, KNOWING THE FATE OF KOHOLINT…”

“I-” Link’s eyes fill with tears. This isn’t fair- what he’s saying- it’s not fair, he couldn’t do anything else- “I g-got the instruments for you! I h-helped the residents for you! I-I followed everything the owl told me… please…!”

“I HAVE AWOKEN… WHEN THE DREAMER WAKES, THE DREAM ENDS…”

“No!” Link gasps. “Please, no, I just want her to live!-”

“LINK… IT IS TIME TO WAKE UP!”

The dream fades around him, and Link can do nothing but watch it all crumble away. He can vaguely hear the instruments play around him, can only choke when the water hits him suddenly and throws him upwards. Light blinds him.

Link awakens, and he is alone.

The first thing he feels is the board slipping under him, and he gasps, heaving himself further on top of it. He coughs up saltwater, throws it back up into the ocean. His eyes sting, his stomach aches with hunger and thirst, and his head hurts so badly. He clings onto the raft harder.

Link glances around, and his lips wobble. Koholint is gone. Marin is gone. He failed. Again, he failed. His lower lip wobbles.

Link’s tears turn to sobs. He hiccups, his rabbit heart beating fast, and he can’t even try the breathing exercise without remembering who taught him it and crying harder. Why do the gods hate him? Why can’t They protect what he loves? Hasn’t he done so much for Them!?

A roar sounds, the call of a whale, and Link sees the shadow cover him. He looks up. The Wind Fish flies through the sky, on His way to His next victim. Link shakes. His teeth grit together. He grabs the raft as hard as he can, his knuckles turning white, and he screams. He screams so loud that the horrid God will have to hear him, have to hear his agony, his anger.

The Wind Fish will have to understand what He’s done to him, what He did to that entire island. Link screams so the Wind Fish will understand pain, will understand his suffering, will see everything He’s done, he hates Him, he hates that he’s been used, he hates everything he’s done for Gods who do nothing in return, Koholint is dead, Marin is dead, and Link’s voice hurts, and maybe he’ll drown, and maybe he’ll meet her again if he does, and maybe he wishes for that instead!

Link screams until his voice is hoarse, until the Wind Fish is but a speck far away. His nails dig into the wood. Splinters line his fingers, and he can’t bring himself to care. He can’t breathe through his nose, and his mouth is so dry, and it doesn’t matter. Nothing matters anymore.

Link lays back on the raft, trying to position himself in a way that makes his back hurt the least, chronic pain be damned. Another result of all he’s done for deities. He closes his eyes, takes in a shaky breath. He hopes - not prays, hopes - that a ship will pick him up, because he knows Marin would be upset if he died here. But at the same time, he hopes he falls off the raft and drowns.

The world is so, so cruel.

-

+

Link gives up on deities, damn Them all, for the next 5 years.

He does not pray. He saves the Oracles but avoids any religious discussion with them. And depending on who he’s with, he’ll openly heckle and mock the Three. He holds off around Zelda, though, out of respect for his sister.

Link ends up not making it to Zelda’s coronation. Not by a long shot - after being wrapped up with the Oracles, he arrives home a grand total of three years after he set off. Two and a half years since Zelda became queen. Enough time that most of the kingdom thought he was dead.

That’s fine, he ends up spending more than enough time at home to make up for it. Arriving back at an empty house makes him realize what he was running away from in the first place. Suddenly, the deaths of Uncle, Marin, and so many others hit him with full force.

Link does not leave his house for nearly a year. Most of the time, he doesn’t even get out of bed.

He dreams. He dreams about Marin, he dreams about Uncle, he dreams about worlds when maybe he was favored by the holy beings he works for. There’s nothing else to life for him. He’s tired of adventuring. He can’t spend time in Hyrule without feeling sick. The apple orchard is dying from neglect.

And then Zelda appears, drags him out of bed, and makes him do something with himself. She shows up and takes care of the house. Then, she convinces him to get out of bed and go on walks with her. She tries to get him to take care of the orchard, but it hurts too much to look at. The last time he stepped foot inside it was the day his uncle died.

Within the next few months, Link slowly gets back on his feet. He refuses to come live at the castle, so Zelda works out a blacksmithing apprenticeship for him. But Link still finds himself oversleeping, clinging onto dreams. Gulley has to wake him up in a rush sometimes. But he’s making progress, so he focuses on that.

Before Link knows it, what little of his life that he’s picked back up and carefully pieced together is shattered again. Apparently, it had been decided that his time to recover was up, and he becomes the Hero of Legend again when another world’s sorcerer infiltrates into his own.

And Ravio. The purple-clad merchant infiltrates Link’s home and heart, too. While Link is less than thrilled about his prices, the fact of someone else living in the house brings him more comfort than he’d ever think it would. Also, Ravio… Ravio has this effect on Link that only Marin had before. Link’s not sure how to feel about it.

Link ventures through dungeons with a practiced ease. He lets Ravio rent out items to him that he really already owns, but what’s the harm in Link having a soft spot for him? Except for the harm in his bank account, of course…

Lorule is like the Dark World, just less shitty. Link isn’t stuck to a useless form there, either, which he doesn’t mind. He keeps his moon pearl on him anyways. Just in case.

Before long, Link comes face-to-face with Yuga. He tries not to freeze when he becomes Ganon. He gets thrown into walls, beaten up as a painting, but he finally drives his sword into the beast’s skull a final time.

Hilda’s story moves him. Ravio’s story moves him. He understands. He understands how the Triforce failed them.

But when Link stands before the Triforce a second time, this time with Zelda, he chokes up at the thought of wishing on it.

Zelda notices him, and places her hand on his shoulder. He takes a shaky breath.

“Link…” she murmurs. “This… this is a chance… I understand our reservations, especially yours…”

“It won’t fix anything,” Link’s voice cracks. He doesn’t even know what he’ll wish for, but he knows It won’t.

“We have to try,” Zelda says. “The Triforce… It was created to make miracles happen. Lorule needs a miracle. If we want to bring back their holy power… we’d need another one to do that.”

Link realizes now, realizes what she’s talking about. And he wants to yell, to kick the sacred triangles in anger. How fucking unfair was it that the fate of an entire kingdom was in the hands of one magical artifact? How the destruction of It, even with good intention, ruined all the life in Lorule? Ravio and Hilda - they are good people! They don’t deserve to live in a dying, suffering world all because one fucking piece of the Goddesses is gone!

“Breathe, Link.” Zelda’s voice calms him, and he realizes he’s been hyperventilating. “You don’t have to wish if you don’t want to… I can do it.”

“I-I…” Link stutters. He thinks about Ravio. The pain he’s been through to get Link to this moment. It’s not fair of Link to abandon Ravio’s hope for his land, after all Ravio has done… he owes him. “...I’ll wish.”

“Okay,” Zelda replies, pensive. She’s in her own conflict of emotions right now. Link wishes he could help her. “...Together?”

“Together,” Link agrees.

The two place their hands on the Triforce.

Link wishes for the restoration of Lorule’s Triforce, for the sake of the Loruleian people. He wishes that for once, if the Goddesses will listen to him just this once, that They will help Lorule. He can’t let another nation die. He can’t. If he’ll never see Lorule restored, then so be it. He wants nothing for himself from this. He just wants, with all his soul, for Lorule to live.

Lorule’s Triforce is restored, and it stays.

Link doesn’t know how to feel about it.

He first hears about it when Hilda and Zelda open the barrier between their worlds again. Lorule, while still climbing out of their dark ages, is experiencing the light for the first time in centuries. It’s beautiful, they say.

For once, for once in his blessed-damned life, his wish came true. This wish, this prayer… only came true after Link swore he would gain nothing.

Link is the Hero of Legend. His sworn, sacred duty is to carry out the Goddess’ will. He… he is owed nothing by Them. They see him as the Hero. Nothing more. Undeserving of receiving blessings himself.

The thought makes him sick.

Link continues to fight. He continues to be the Hero, continues to adventure, because it’s all he is worth.

And he never, ever prays again.

#caramel writes #linked universe #lu legend #fanfiction

[bokettochild]

The Scarf Fic!!!

Inspired by This post by @sekiumiarashi and written as a gift for @into-the-linkverse

I wanted to write Ravio sharing scarves, but I accidentally found that I like writing Ravio, and more importantly, writing him and Legend like they’re a pair of elderly people, because... just because.

Giving Legend glasses was a choice that I didn’t see coming, but do not regret. I do regret Ravio’s naming scheme, but it was too funny to back out so I kept pushing. I’m not sorry that you all must suffer.​

Feel free to read this as being part of my main fic The Ties That Bind, but it can also be separate, just consider the uncle bit as being related to predecessors and stuff.

Enjoy! :)

 Mr. Captain Hero Sir wasn’t wearing his scarf.

 The one constant Ravio knew he could always count on during the war, was that the captain would be wearing that bright blue scrap of cloth with all the pride in the world, no matter what the circumstances (good grief, one time he’d stumbled upon the man bathing and the scarf had been the only thing that saved them both from embarrassment). But today, he wasn’t.

 The heroes had come to stay at Mr. Hero’s house again after a long battle, and Mr. Captain Hero Sir was currently sitting on the couch in the living room, one arm resting across it’s back and his feet propped up on the table. A scowl marred his fine features and his neck was horrifyingly naked.

 “Mr. Captain Hero Sir! Where is your scarf?” The words were out of his mouth in a moment as he looked around the captain to make sure it simply hadn’t fallen off or been laid aside (things the captain would never let happen, ever. He’d once been bleeding out and still managed to keep the trailing blue fabric out of the mud.)

 “It’s shredded.” The captain sighed, a bitter look in his eyes as he motioned down to the arm hanging from a sling around his neck. “And I’m currently unable to mend it.”

 The thought of the captain not having a scarf was so utterly horrible, simply unthinkable, that Ravio didn’t even think about what he was doing, instead bounding over to plonk himself onto the couch and quickly unwind his scarf before rewinding it around the captain’s neck (he had a dozen of these things anyway).

 “There! You can’t be without a scarf.”

 Mr. Captain Hero Sir smiled fondly, fingers reaching up to gently stroke the fabric. “And you can?”

 Ravio shrugged. “I have a dozen of those, keep it, it looks fabulous on you!”

 The captain’s eyes sparkled brightly, a familiar cockiness erupting within. “Are you kidding? I make everything look good! Even the Vet’s fashion choices would look fabulous on me!”

  Ravio sniggered. He’d heard and seen plenty of the goods from Hytopia, and he wasn’t entirely sure that Mr. Hero even knew what fashion was. But then again, he was just a simple Lolian; for all he knew, things like bomb outfits and heart shaped collars were absolutely acceptable and normal in this world.

 “But where is your scarf, Mr. Captain Hero Sir?” He asked after a moment, cocking his head on one side as the man looked at him oddly.  

 “Don’t you ever get tired of saying that? You can call me Warriors like everyone else you know.”

 “I know, Mr. Captain Hero Sir, I don’t mind.”

 Mr. Captain Hero Sir blinked. “O-kay.” Shaking his head, he answered. “Legend has it. Since I can’t use my dominant hand, he said he’d stitch it up for me.” The captain hero nodded towards the corner of the room, and Ravio followed his line of sight.

 Mr. Hero was perched in that Lolia-awful rocking chair that had been in the house since Nayru knows when. It was a horrid thing in his opinion, old, out of style and absolutely stiff and uncomfortable, and he’d shoved it into the furthest corner of the room ages ago. Mr. Hero loved it though, although he never said why, and he didn’t seem to mind that it was now nearly next to the fireplace all the time, even if he did have to pull it out of the corner to properly rock in it.

 Mr. Hero sat with one leg tucked underneath him and the other one hanging down to gently push at the floor, making the big chair rock steadily. Mr. Captain Hero Sir’s scarf lay in his lap and a pair of spectacles perched on the bridge of his nose, a needle in his hand as he dutifully labored over the brilliant blue fabric of the famed scarf.

 “His eyesight is terrible.” Ravio snickered to the Captain.

 “But his hearing is perfect.” Mr. Hero’s voice rang clearly across the room, violet gaze darting up to look at them disapprovingly over the top of his spectacles.

 The minute he looked away, merchant and captain shared a grin, only to burst into muffled laughter.

...

 Mr. Smithy and Tune are cold.

 It’s obvious from the way the two huddle in place at the kitchen table as everyone enjoys the meal that Ravio and Mr. Hero have pulled together (Mr. Hero is hesitant to let even the finest of chefs in his kitchen for some reason, despite having stated that Mr. Champion Hero is a very good cook and better than him (at cooking, life, or heroing, he does not specify)). Tune- Wind has all but attached himself to Sky’s side, using the bigger hero as a heat source as he slurps down his warm stew, and Mr. Smithy has bundled himself against the Mr. Rancher.

 It’s only autumn, but both of the smaller heroes act like it’s the start of winter with the way they shiver and rub at their arms.

 Mr. Hero’s only response when he asks is to sigh, but when he presses, his pink haired doppelganger eventually explains. “Their Hyrules were never corrupted, so they’re used to warmer weather most of the time, if not always. The mist from the ocean is the worst Wind knows, and heaven only knows if Four could survive a proper freeze.” Mr. Hero shakes his head, wiping the last of the broth from their meal off a plate with his dish-rag. “If they need something, they know to ask.”

 But Mr. Hero isn’t really that cold hearted, he’s worrying too if the way his brows furrow and the lines around his mouth deepen is any indication. “I offered blankets, but they don’t want them.”

 “Does this happen often?” He muses as he takes the plates from Mr. Hero to dry and put away, and to his displeasure, his housemate nods.

 “When we come here or to Sky’s Hyrule, yeah. Usually, Wars will bundle them up in his scarf, or Sky with his sailcloth, even Twilight shares his fur, but...” Mr. Hero’s ears twitch irritably (truly adorable how they do that, although he’ll never say as much). “Sky’s asleep with his cape, the wolf pelt is a bloody mess after that battle, and I haven’t finished mending Wars’ scarf.” The ears flap again. “That thing is so dang complex and Warriors apparently hasn’t the faintest about the proper cloth to use to mend it. He used new material to mend a hole! Brand new material, Ravio! It’s an awful state and I swear if Styla could see it she’d faint dead away!” The vet huffed as he plunged another dish under the sudsy water of the wash tub. “Using new cloth on a worn scarf, it’s like he wants the thing to be ruined...”

 Ah yes, Mr. Hero’s rants. There’d be no righting this one until he’d fixed the problem, and considering he’d only been torn away from the scarf that lay peacefully sitting on his rocker in order to make food, it was quite likely that once his kitchen was clean again, he’d be right back to working on it.

 Ravio smiled, Mr. Captain Hero Sir would be quite pleased.

 His gaze traveled over to where the hero in question was sitting. The captain and Tu- Wind, were talking on the couch, the younger staring nearly longingly at the rocker and the scarf on top of it.

 Kid really liked that scarf, huh? If Ravio remembered right, half the time during his adventure with Mr. Captain Hero Sir, he’d constantly seen either Mask or Tune hanging onto it.

 Somewhere inside of a bunny head, an idea sparked and green eyes brightened excitedly.

 He’d donned a new scarf just before dinner, but it wouldn’t do quite right, so instead, he darted off to his room, much to the displeasure of his dish partner as his rag flew into Mr. Hero’s face and left his housemate spluttering indignantly.  

 “Ravio! You didn’t finish-”

 “One sec!”

 Mr. Hero’s grumbles followed him out of the kitchen, but faded as he darted into his room and towards his wardrobe. It was the work of moments to select two of his largest scarfs, and less time than that to dart back out to the living room and wrap one around each of the smaller heroes.

 “There! Snug as a kit in a quilt!”  

 Two small heroes stared down at the black and purple fabric that now draped around their shoulders, smiles brightening their flushed faces as Tune buried his face happily in the fabric with a bright hum.

 “Thanks, Ravio!”

 “Thank you.” Four’s eyes glimmered warm brown as he sunk into his seat, only the top of his face and his hands visible beneath the striped fabric.

 Mr. Captain Hero Sir’s eyes sparkled as the man looked up at him, and Ravio fought the blush that rose in his cheeks as he fiddled with his own scarf (he’d mess with his sleeves, but he’d shed his robe to help do the dishes, and his undershirt wasn’t nearly long enough to fiddle with). “Don’t mention it, it’s-” He chewed his lip for a moment before a smile broke loose, the one Mr. Hero said was cheesy and fake, the one for when he was trying to sell things. “It’s a complimentary gift for exceptional customers and/or guests!”

 “We’ve never bought anything from you.” Four deadpanned, eyes glinting with a smile Ravio couldn’t see past all the scarf in the way.

 “Yet!” Ravio chirped back, and darted back into the kitchen to help Mr. Hero finish doing the dishes.

...

 Mr. Champion keeps rubbing his scars.

 The heroes had left for a short spell, traveling off to fight more monsters only to be dumped in the orchard a week or so later (Mr. Hero said it’d been a month and a half for them, but by his time it was a week). And when Ravio said they’d been dumped in the orchard, he meant in the orchard. He’d been busy picking some of the ripened apples before the birds took them all (most of the wild birds knew better, but still, it was the principle of the thing, fresh fruit was rare in Lorule) when a shout and the snapping of branches had sounded all about him.  

 Ravio had shrieked in surprise, thinking that he was alone only to find (once he’d removed his hood again) that there were nine heroes hanging from various tree branches around him, and Mr. Hero himself was hanging upside down, one foot caught in the branches, as his face dangled inches from Ravio’s own, a scowl darkening it as a string of mumbles escaped his room-mate.

 He couldn’t stop himself, he kissed Mr. Hero’s twitching nose.

 Mr. Hero shrieked in surprise, jerking in place and effectively loosening himself from the tree, falling all over Ravio in the process. It was worth it, Ravio giggled as he lay on the ground. Mr. Hero was so like the bunnies in Lorule and their noses simply demanded to be kissed.

 Laughter and grumbles sounded around them, the heroes pulling themselves down from the trees around them.

 Captain Hero Sir Jr. moved with surprising ease, despite his heavy armor, clambering down the tree with the same grace that Mr. Champion did most of the time. Some things never change, he could still see him climbing up onto Mr. Captain Hero Sir’s shoulders in the same manner (only now he rather doubted either of them would attempt to do that anymore, Captain Hero Sir Jr. was much bigger now).

 It felt entirely too natural to lead them all up to the house, Mr. Hero trailing at the back with a bushel of apples in his arms. Settling them all down in the kitchen was easy as could be, and he and Mr. Hero worked quickly to set some fresh apple cider to boil before starting on a meal for everyone.

 He missed not having them all around, it was going to be awful dull when they all had to go back to their worlds when this adventure was over again.

 He was determined to enjoy the moment for that very reason while they all sat about in the living room, sipping apple cider as Mr. Hero had settled down in his blasted rocker, spectacles on his nose and more mending in hand. He never would rest until the light was faded, and Ravio had half a mind to take out his knitting (he was still currently short three scarves) before he decided to simply flop down on the nearest open spot on the couch and just enjoy his cider.

 Except, Mr. Champion was sitting in the seat beside him.

 The young hero kept rubbing at his scars, eyes distant, and despite the numerous amounts of times that either Mr. Captain Hero Sir or Mr. Rancher tried to move his hands back down to the still full mug he was cradling in his other hand, Mr. Champion (he was younger than Ravio though...would Mr. Be an appropriate title for him?) kept reaching right back up to rub his neck and face.

 The scars were enflamed, harsh red and puffy where they peeked out from beneath the collar of his shirt, and it made Ravio wince to even think of how he’d acquired such injuries that would scar so.

 He only winced more with every drag of broken nails and rough finger pads over the skin, but Mr. Champion- Wild? He could think of him as Wild right? He was kind of the kid’s uncle in a weird way- didn't seem to even notice that he was doing it. Cornflower blue eyes stared unseeing into the fire, face still and only his hands moving.

 Mr. Captain Hero Sir sighed, worry pulling his lovely face into shadows as he grasped Wild’s hands again. “Wild, hey, no more of that, okay? You’re hurting yourself.”

 Fingers twitched, but no other movement came from the young Champion until Mr. Captain Hero Sir (wait, was Wild also Captain Hero Sir Jr.? Or was he Champion Hero? Oh fiddlesticks, he wasn’t sure anymore) let go, and then broken nails moved right back up towards swollen flesh.

 Ravio shifted in his seat, uncomfortable.

 Mr. Hero had spaced out before, did it a lot when the sun set or when he was outside, but he never scratched like that. He sang and fiddled with his rings. If Wild Champion Jr. Sir (oh heavens) did something like that, it would be fine, but this was... this was rather unsettling.

 Ravio shifted in his seat, curling around his mug as Mr. Captain Hero Sir had to reach out to stop the wild-child's hands from reaching the inflamed wounds (the last scratch had broken skin, and a thin trail of red has appeared).

 It was without a thought that he acted, pushing his mug into the captain’s hands and promptly looping his scarf around Wild Champion Hero Captain Jr.’s (oh Lolia help) neck.

 Thoughtless fingers nose just as before, but this time, they brushed against soft fabric. Ravio tensed, dearly hoping that his scarf would not be ripped off or simply pushed aside.

To the surprise of all of them, rough fingers brushed over the fabric, paused, and gently stroked its material. The Champion’s face did not move, but slowly, long fingers ran down the fabric, rubbing it between their tips as cornflower blue eyes blinked slowly. In an instant, the young hero’s gaze was lost to sight as the fabric was nuzzled with all the fondness of a cub nuzzling their parent.

 “He likes scarves, of course he does.” Mr. Rancher chuckled wearily, a tired smile playing over his features as both he and Mr. Captain Hero Sir sat back (but not before Ravio took his mug back).

 “So he does.” Mr. Captain Hero Sir sighed, eyes fond as he watched the hero in question curl up on the couch, face lost in purple fabric and bare toes the only moving part of the kid. The wiggling toes were almost like a dog wagging its tail, but weirder, still, he wasn’t one to judge.

 Mr. Captain hero Sir caught his eye. “Thank you, Ravio.”

 “Customer loyalty.” He murmured softly into his mug.

 He caught the way Mr. Hero and the others stared at him though, and he could only be thankful his hood shaded his face enough to hide his pleased blush.

...

 Mr. Rancher needs to wear more color.

 It’s like looking at the photos of Mr. Hero from just before he’d come around. Mr. Hero always fussed at him for going through things, but he couldn’t help but laugh at how odd his room-mate looked with black hair and dark clothes. “You dyed it?”

 “For safety reasons. How many people have you see in Hyrule with pink hair of all things? It was a dead giveaway!”

 “But you’re the hero?”

 “A hero whose face was plastered on every wanted poster in Hyrule. Still is in some cases.” Mr. Hero had grumbled, folding the last piece of newly clean washing and throwing a pointed glare in his direction. “Life on the run sucks. I was thirteen and just wanted to be ignored.”

 A glance at the dark haired but smiling youngster in the photo and back up to the bitter pink haired hero he knew told him (even if Mr. Hero hadn’t already) how well that wish had been fulfilled.

 But seriously, those photos at least showed Mr. Hero with some color. The most Mr. Rancher wore was that horrid sash and obi, and the orange and blue looked simply terrible with his color scheme, something that, when brought up to Mr. Hero, his friend seemed to agree with, stating that ‘he’d never get into Hytopia’s capitol looking like that’.

 Ravio had never been to Hytopia, but based on the stories and mannerisms Mr. Hero took on after that adventure, he can only agree.

 Originally, he’d hoped he could simply find something among his wares that he could sell to Mr. Rancher, but that proved to only be so effective, after all, when one sells weapons and items, it’s hard finding a normal piece of clothing amidst all the blessed or charmed pieces.

 Oh well, he was counting on ending up sharing the rest of his scarves with them all anyway.

 It wasn’t any dramatic or particularly touching moment when he walked up and slung a clean scarf around the rancher’s shoulders, but Mr. Rancher, after initially starting, smiled as he touched the sun-warmed material. Of course, that expression quickly faded into one of awe as the hero squeezed the fabric lightly.

 Mr. Rancher’s eyes lit up like a dog being given a new toy (Ravio wasn’t stupid, he knew a dog when he saw one) and the man proceeded to continue squeezing and petting the springy fabric with eyes sparkling as if Ravio had just handed him the stars themselves.

 He was down to two scarves now, but it was worth it.

...

Mr. Traveler Hero is small.

He is small, and wild, and the clothes he’s wearing are nearly too small. The traveler is a growing child (never mind that he’s still a teenager himself) and he’s out and about in nearly threadbare garments that leave Ravio shivering at the mere thought of wearing.

And this is the other hero who grew up in a corrupted world where the sun doesn’t shine as bright as it should and the winters are always too long.

Ravio doesn’t think twice when he sees the first signs of cold in the young hero. He’s got two scarfs recently made, and he’s only too happy to share.

Purple and black stripes nearly drown the young hero when he walks over and wraps not one, but two of the comfiest scarves he’s ever made around the youngster's neck.

Like Mr. Rancher, nothing is said or done immediately, but Mr. Traveler Hero smile at him shyly, holding up a hand and scampering over to his bag.

The pair of polished stones he’s given don’t make much sense, but he catches sight of Mr. Hero and Captain Hero Sir Jr. Both smiling over at the two through the doorways.  

“Thank you.” He murmurs warmly, tucking the rocks in his pocket.

“Thank you.!” Mr. Traveler smiles in return, eyes twinkling in the shade of the room and scarf tails flapping like the four wings of a fairy as he spins around to show them to Mr. Hero.

...

 Captain Hero Sir Jr. has nothing comfy to wear.

 Once more, the heroes had been whisked away, and once more they’d appeared at the house weeks later, looking exhausted and utterly soaked.

 The chill autumn rain might be to blame for that.

 Mr. Hero hadn’t even protested that... Wild (he’d just call him Wild, he couldn’t do this title thing this time) had bustled off into the kitchen to warm some tea, and instead promptly collapsing in all his soaked glory onto the couch.

 The other heroes followed suit, and Ravio (like a good host) immediately hopped up and fetched some blankets. Mr. Rancher was already stoking the fire, and with a bit of work, Ravio was able to help Mr. Her grasp what was left of his own steaming mug of cider (his hands were quite the state in this bitter weather) before popping off to the kitchen to brew more of the sweet apply goodness to share with the heroes.

 Armor and over-clothes had been stripped off, sitting wet and dripping in one corner (Mr. Hero eyes it with distaste, knowing just as Ravio did just what that would be doing to the floor) but neither housekeeper said anything, Mr. Hero nursing his cider and letting its warmth sooth his gnarled fingers, and Ravio puttering about with a kettle and mugs to share with everyone else.

 Blankets had been pulled from the shelves and were cast around quaking shoulders as chattering teeth uttered breathy thanks to the purple-robed merchant.

 There was nothing like being thanked for good service, and Ravio beamed as he passed between them.

 That smile faded however when he noticed Captain Hero Sir Jr.

 The man sat in a thin linen shirt and under-armor, looking far from being near the level of comfort that the rest did in their undershirts and pants (or a dress in Mr. Hero’s case).

 Come to think of it he’d never seen Captain Hero Sir Jr. dress in any comfortable manner since he’d come along behind Mr. Hero that first time since they’d started this adventure. Did the poor kid- er... Man, not have anything comfortable to wear?

 While the heroes slept that night, in the two bedrooms and sprawled across the couch, Ravio kept Mr. Hero comfortable, sitting before the fire with his knitting needles while Mr. Hero repaired yet more damaged clothing (poor mister Chosen Hero’s sailcloth had been damaged somehow).

 Usually, one or the other of them would eventually remind the other to go to bed, but both were so wrapped up in their work (Mr. Hero started singing even, that goddess ballad Miss. Princess told hm about) that neither seemed to remember to check the clock, or even to go to bed.

 Come morning, Ravio finds that he has fallen asleep wrapped in the tails of the scarf he’d been making, and Mr. Hero has become entangled in his mending, a peaceful smile on his face, worn fabric brushing his cheeks and spectacles teetering precariously on the tip of his nose.

 Mr. Chosen Hero is the one who wakes them up, stirring awake with a violent sneeze, but he smiles fondly when he lays eyes on them, opening his arms in an offer of a cuddle if either feels inclined to return to sleep. Neither does, but Ravio appreciates it, and even if Mr. Hero doesn’t say as much (quite the opposite really) he knows his friend does too.

 The day is normal, as far as a day with nine heroes in the house can be, and with the rain still pouring, they spend their time cleaning, although Mr. Hero shoos them all away after a time because they’re not doing it the right way (AKA Mr. Hero's very practiced manner of cleaning and organizing). It’s after Mr. Hero had shooed them all into the main room while he organizes the basement (thank goodness, it's an awful mess down there) that the talk starts.

 It’s cold out, and most of the heroes have donned the scarves they’ve been gifted over time (Ravio isn’t blushing, he’s not). Smiles shine and laughter rings as they explain to their brothers how they’d some to have them.

 “And he just... threw t at me! Not a word, not an explanation, just came up and tossed it over my shoulders.” Mr. Rancher chuckles. “Kinda like how my ma would do when I was a tot, jist wrap it up and ‘round soon as the cold weather came a’creepin’ up.”

 The others nod, smiles fond. Ravio beams as he lights the candle set near the masks on the wall.

 “I had one too once,” Captain Hero Sir Jr. Muses aloud. “Back in the war, you remember, Wars?”

 “Do I ever.” Mr. Captain Hero Sir smirks. “I used to tie you up with that thing when you got too rowdy.”

 “You and the general both.” Captain Hero Sir Jr. Chuckles, soft and deep and so different from his nearly witch level cackle that Ravio remembers.

 “What ever happened to it?” He asks curiously, blowing out his match and turning to move towards the rest of the group.

 Captain Hero Sir Jr. Smiles at him, eyes far older but far more at peace than they used to be. “I outgrew it. It was a child’s scarf, even if it was a bit big at the time. I considered bringing it, but it just doesn’t do much anymore.” A thin smile pulls at his features, almost guilty as he admits “I didn’t take the best care of my clothes as a kid.”

 Well, that doesn’t matter over much. Ravio smiles at his young (old) friend, and around him he can hear the others whisper and laugh. They know what’s happening, and Captain Hero Sir Jr. Does too if the twinkle in his eyes is to be believed, so Ravio makes a point of flourishing his gift with all the fuss he can before reverently draping the garment around the tall man’s neck. The eldest hero has to stoop, even from where he’s sitting on the couch, so that Ravio can reach, but it only adds to the mock reverence as Ravio adorns another bare neck with one of his toasty scarves.

 “Mind you take care of that one,” He scolds lightly. “I was up all night making it.”

 “Yes sir.” Captain hero Sir Jr. responds with a playful smile in his eyes, even if his face is the picture of obedience.

 Giggles sound around them, and despite hating it, Ravio takes the only seat left available (he really hates that rocker) and curls up. “You all be quiet now, I’m tired and need a nap.”

 “Okay, gramps.” The sailor whispers faintly, a giggle in his tone as titters and chuckles erupt.

 Strangely, it doesn't take too long for Ravio to doze off, especially when Mr. Hero settles in beside him and starts to rock the stupid chair, humming lightly as fingers work over another project, the light buzz of activity all around them as Ravio allows himself to be carried into dreamland.

...

 Mr. Chosen Hero has caught cold.

 He’s not surprised, not with how drenched the others all were day before last, but the Skyloftian is shivering madly, miserably sniffing into handkerchiefs and trying his best to avoid drinking the nasty herbal teas that Mr. Hero claims are good for people. Ravio doesn’t care if Mr. Hero drinks them, but for pities sake, drink black tea if you’re going to drink tea! What sort of decent being are you if you’re just drinking plant water?

 “Legend, I’m serious, I don’t-” Mr. Chosen Hero breaks off coughing. “I don’t think tea will-” Another cough, nastier than the last. “I don’t think it will help.”

 “Trust me.” Mr. Hero already has a small table pulled up to Mr. Chosen Hero’s side, tea and handkerchiefs both set carefully on top. “Tea’s just what you need. Eucalyptus does wonders for a cold.”

 “He’s right.” Mr. Traveler Hero chimes in, gaze warm and sleepy as he sips some of the tea himself. “And it’s got a calming effect.”

 Mr. Hero cocks a brow. “What are you, ‘Rule, a koala?”

 No one knows what that is, except Mr. Traveler Hero, but it doesn’t seem to matter much, as Mr. Chosen Hero breaks into another coughing fit and bundles a blanket closer around his shoulders, voice hoarse when he speaks. “I wish it’d stop raining. I didn’t even realize-” A cough sounds and is followed by a sniffle. “I didn’t realize the surface got so wet.”

 And Ravio sees where this is going, the shivering hero, the gentle atmosphere. He doesn’t bother waiting for Mr. Chosen Hero to sniffle again, he just wraps a scarf around the man’s neck, tucking it in close enough to keep the heat in.

 The smile exchanged is silent, and Ravio is thankful that the others aren’t about at present to tease, only Mr. Hero and Mr. Traveler Hero are here with them, and neither says a word as they sip their leaf water.

 “I’ll make you some real tea.” He murmurs softly, offering a wink and a gentle pat to the knee before he’s off towards the kitchen.

...

 Mr. Hero doesn’t have a scarf.

 It was glaringly obvious, as whenever the rest of them appeared at the house, they'd all be wearing their Ravio gifted scarfs proudly, smiles on their faces as the ends trailed or dragged after them (despite that, they were all in perfect condition).

 But Mr. Hero didn’t have a scarf.

 He was never going to get one either.

 They’ve all just returned to the house (it’s been two months since the last visit) and the snow outside it up to Ravio’s waist in places. It took him ages to shovel himself out of the house, but the harvest of apples is in and the bees are well prepared for the winter, and Mr. Hero finally tidied the cellar enough that they have room for food storage aplenty.

 Cider and tea are brewed as the heroes gather, fluffy socks and scarves on full display as they sit around the fire.

 Mr. Hero is shivering.

 Curious glances are thrown at both himself and Mr. Hero as the heroes drink their beverage of choice, concern in their gazes as Legend eventually gets up to pull the most ridiculously bulky quilt in the entire house over his shoulders. He’s all pink in the face and he’s shaking like a leaf, and it’s only because he won’t hold still that Ravio hasn’t attempted to try and help him hold a warm mug enough for his fingers to relax.

 Mr. Hero moves like a man thrice his age, if not more, and he creaks worse than the roof does in the wind outside.

 “Where’s your scarf, vet?” Mr. Captain Hero Sir murmurs softly, one brow raised as he watches Mr. Hero fumble with the quilts edge.

 “My what?”

 Glances are exchanged among the others. “Your scarf? The one Ravio gave you?”

 “I don’t have a scarf.” Mr. Hero answers, dropping the quilt again with a scowl that makes his nose wiggle.

 “But” Cornflower blue dart between himself and his housemate. “Aren’t you two friends? How do you not already have a scarf? Even Time did!”

 “It’s a customer service thing.” Mr. Hero murmurs. “I’m already a loyal customer, so he doesn’t waste resources on trying to earn my loyalty. That, and I don’t wear purple.”

 He shakes his head, loosening his scarf as the eyes of the others twinkle, but rather than taking it off, he only loosens one end, before wrapping it tightly around his friend’s neck, fluffing up the quilt in both of their laps, and settling a warm mug of cider in Mr. Hero’s hands.

 “Nonsense!” he chirps, trying not to be hurt at the obvious surprise on his friend's face, so he muses Mr. Hero’s hair instead. “You have every item I offer except this scarf. Why would you keep buying from me if you get it? I have to keep you from having one until I get something better in, otherwise business will plummet!”

 Knowing smiles are exchanged amidst the others, but Mr. Hero just sighs and shakes his head, leaning slightly into Ravio’s side as he sips his cider.

 A bitter expression overtakes Mr. Hero’s face. “You forgot the cloves.”

 “Oh shoot!”

#linked universe #linkeduniverse #scarf fic #scarf man #ravio #lu warriors #lu wind #lu four #lu wild #lu twilight #lu time #lu sky #lu hyrule #lu legend #scarf #fluffics #I almost forgot Hyrule! #I'm so sorry baby!

[anthemxix]

got any sick Wars head canon?

ok i had headcanons on this but then @nitroish made this post and changed my mind XD i hadn’t considered how wartime affects disease and this take is just. Very Good :3 i love the idea of him being worried about getting the others sick.

anyway i wrote a short thing because the world needs more warriors sickfics and more leg and wars content

After ages on the brink, Legend was finally tipping into the blissful oblivion of sleep when he heard the other mattress squeak. His breath paused as he listened, drowsily attentive.

Silence. Good.

Legend was about to release the last vestiges of his consciousness when the other mattress complained again, a noise he was happy to disregard until his roommate called out, "Vet? You awake?"

"No, gods willing," Legend mumbled, tugging his blanket over his head. Sweet Nayru, what had he done to deserve the punishment of all-night babysitting duty?

"Vet?"

"Go back to sleep, Cap."

"I need the bathroom."

Legend scoffed. "How is that my problem? I’m not helping you piss."

"No, I’m... I think I’m sick."

"No shit, buddy."

"No, I mean. I’m going to get sick."

Groaning dramatically, Legend shoved his blankets off, all hope of sleep dashed. Why couldn’t Time deal with this? Or Wind? Or literally anyone else? “You’re a goddess-damned adult. You can handle it yourself.”

Despite his gripes, Legend stood, tired bones creaking, rubbing at one eye with the heel of his hand. Warriors, decorated with stripes of silvery moonlight, was sitting up, sweaty blankets pooled around his hips, and staring dazedly at his hands in his lap.

"Come on then," Legend goaded. "Get up."

"...I think I’m okay actually."

Legend swore his eye twitched. “You’re not going to get sick?”

"No."

"...Hey."

Warriors turned to him.

"When you feel better, remind me to kill you."

Distant expression not changing, Warriors dropped his gaze back to his lap. "Sorry."

Legend was about to make another quip—"You’re apologizing? You really are sick."—but held back as he shrugged off his remaining scraps of fatigue to actually look at his friend. Even with only the moonlight illuminating the Captain’s face, Legend could see the angry flush of fever on his cheeks, the fine sweat slicking his forehead. His hair was wrecked from restless tossing, and, come to think of it, Legend hadn’t seen the Captain preening it at all today. In fact, Warriors had foregone all of his usual appearance-based pretenses, allowing illness to whittle away his effortlessly perfect image.

Now he was just disheveled and vulnerable and pathetic, stripped to his core.

Legend suddenly felt uncomfortable, like he was invading on a private moment. He went to fiddle with his rings, but he'd taken them off to sleep.

"Sorry," Warriors repeated. He spoke in a slow, dreary drawl. "I should have let Sprite—I mean, the Old Man—room with me. You have trouble sleeping anyway, without me bothering you."

Well, great, now Legend had to feel guilty on top of everything else, and his discomfort was only growing as this conversation edged away from the safety of their typical bickering and into more open, uncertain territory. "It's fine. Not your fault you're sick."

"No, but I told the Old Man I wanted to bunk with you. It was selfish."

"I... You what? Why would you do that?"

Legend internally winced at how accusatory he sounded, but he preferred that over acknowledging the weird, squirmy feelings in his chest, the terrifying sensations of shared affection.

Warriors looked like he was about to say something but decided against it, opting instead to huddle back under his blankets, which were no doubt sticky with feverish sweat.

"G'night, Vet."

For a moment, Legend lingered, unsure, and then he eased back into his own bed. He stared at the ceiling, picking at the hem of his sheet, worrying his lip before he finally blurted, "Don't be stupid. You're not bothering me."

When there was no immediate answer, Legend thought the Captain must have fallen back asleep. Then Warriors droned, "I know. You couldn't live without me."

"I beg your pardon?"

The mattress squeaked again as Warriors shifted. Still speaking in a slow, tired manner, he said, "You adore me. Don't deny it."

Cheeks heating up, Legend rolled onto his side, his back to Warriors. "...Fuck it. I'm not waiting 'til you're better. I'm killing you right now."

Warriors only laughed.

#i didn’t really edit this sooo yeah #also i didn’t know how to end it and so i just kinda #stopped #lol #linked universe #lu #fanfic #warriors #legend #anthem answers #anthem writes

[kintatsujo]

LoZ AU- The Courage of Running Away Part FOURTEEN

You’ll see why this one took a while in just a second, I did that thing where I drew a whole ass scene again

Content warning for fantasy religions based loosely on Christian schisms

#AU August

#LoZ AU: The Courage of Running Away

So while Link is getting acclimated to Castle life and getting hugs from Marla and Tonbo (and also getting unofficially adopted by the royal family) Astramorus flies back to the Sky Temple with his loftwing. 

And he has a lot of time to think while he’s doing it; I don’t know how fast a loftwing flies but even so it would have taken some hours on Hera’s back and you don’t have anything to do up there but think about why you got blasted through a wall by a god-queen.  So he gets back and he’s feeling pretty fucking subdued when he hands Hera off to the Sky Temple commune’s gardener/bird caretaker, Maurice.

[Image description:  Astramorus, looking tired and still missing his hat, his hair a mess, is standing opposite a short and round mustached man with bushy eyebrows dressed in the same priestly robes, except that this man has his sleeves shortened to his elbows and is wearing thick gloves.  This man is holding Hera the loftwing by a lead, while she makes a particularly vacant happy face.  “NAYRU’S EYES, man, WHAT HAPPENED?”  Astramorus gives a very small smile, and after a pause, answers, “TURBULENCE.”  The man harrumphs skeptically, then says, “Well, LORD SERENUMBRA from the LORULEAN ORTHODOXY showed up three days ago and he’s been giving me ADVICE ON MY TOMATOES, so turbulence or OTHERWISE I’d appreciate you DISTRACTING HIM before I commit some WEEDING.”  Astramorus smiles.  “Ah,” he says in understanding.  “Yes, thank you for your PATIENCE, Maurice.”  End ID.] 

A note on Maurice, originally I was going to make him look like Gaepora OR Rauru and then Ice suggested basing him on Maurice-Belle’s-Dad and I liked that, so I blended the ideas a bit.  

I think I’ve mentioned that Lorule and Hyrule have different takes on the Hylia religion, haven’t I?

Basically since this Lorule is just the country south of Hyrule instead of a dark-mirror-universe world, Invid suggested that part of the idea might be that Lorule insists that Hyrule is wrong about which country the Golden Goddesses left the world from, and that the Triforce belongs there instead.  I kind of played with that a little further, and so now part of the thing is that their royal line is actually also descended from Hylia directly, except that at some point a sister broke off from (one or the other of) the royal family, founding the Hilda line versus the Zelda line.

And real quick here’s the Hilda of this story, which I promise is relevant:

[Image Description: Sketches of a tall, black haired woman with pale skin and blue eyes and extremely long pointed ears, dressed in a cape and dress of purple, dark blue, red and gold.  She wears a blue and green belt trimmed with gold and black gloves, and a diadem featuring a red gemstone and golden spread wings.  There is an inverted Triforce symbol on her sash.  She is also wearing black lipstick and red blush and eyeshadow.  A sketch to the side shows her making a decidedly less dignified expression with the note “All the finery and rouge is a desperate attempt to fool you into thinking Hilda is in her twenties but she’s only actually seventeen, same as Link.”  Another sketch shows her next to an old man with round glasses and priestly robes different to the Hyrulean priests, who only comes up to her chest.  She has her hands on her hips and is ranting at him.  A note reads, “Hilda TOL.”  End ID.]

Anyway the thing is that currently, the two churches are relatively peaceable with one another, they have joint gatherings to quibble about tradition and who should be allowed to have what sacred treasures and who has to bring the roast boar next time, and that is how a very young novice Astramorus ended up as friends with the man he would eventually match in equivalent rank, Lord Serenumbra.  Who gets a nice picture equivalent piece to Astra’s introduction because of symmetry: 

[Image Description: The same short priest from the picture with Hilda.  He has white loosely curly hair, circular gold glasses, a hat similar to Astramorus’s but in red, a dark red robe over a black underdress, both trimmed in gold, and is wearing a heavy golden neck piece with an inverted Triforce and golden wings framing a blue disc.  To the side are various comic panels; in the first, he has taken an extremely young Astramorus’s hand and is saying, “Let me be the first to CONGRATULATE you, my friend!”  In the second, he’s spread his arms wide while approaching Astramorus and Catena, Link’s mother.  “Let me be the first to CONGRATULATE YOU, my friends!” he’s saying, and Catena laughs, giving Astramorus a rough side hug that lifts him off his feet despite her only coming to his chest, while Astramorus gives her a gooey smile.  “TOO LATE,” she says, “I told my mum first,” and laughs.  In the last panel, Astramorus has collapsed limp into a chair at a dining room table, his hair in his eyes, his face wet with tears, propping his head on one arm as Serenumbra pats his shoulder from behind the chair.  “Let me be the first to say,” Serenumbra says, “How DEEPLY SORRY I am, my friend.”  End ID.]

This is awful but that’s currently my favorite picture of Astramorus.  

Serenumbra’s design is based on the priest and philosopher from ALttP and Link Between Worlds; the philosopher’s robes were red so I sorta priestified them.  The blue disc in the center of his neck piece represents the Moon Pearl from ALttP, which was actually red in the game but blue in some of the promotional materiel, and the blue was a nicer contrast.  The Moon Pearl was mostly important because it let Link run around in his human form in the Dark World but I always liked it because it was sort of weird and mysterious.  In Four Swords Adventures there’s actually a LOT of moon pearls and they let you make portals between the worlds.  There isn’t going to be a lot of world hopping in this AU, I just thought it was interesting context. 

Anyway here’s two old friends having a conversation, image description and a little more commentary plus some bonus poking at Astramorus at the end:

[Image Descriptions: Astramorus is entering a room with a rounded door and a coat rack on the wall.  “Seren?” he calls.  “ASTRAMORUS, are you QUITE all right?” Serenumbra answers.  He is sitting at a round table in the center of the room; there are two dining chairs, one of which he is sitting in, and opposite of him is a comfortable looking rocking chair.  “I came because I heard about your SON, have you still not found him?”  Astramorus, looking deeply pained, straightens some of his hair with one hand.  “I found him,” he says.  He settles into the rocking chair with a long creak.  Serenumbra is clearly shocked by his demeanor.  “Astra,” he says, concern clear in his face, “What HAPPENED?”  Astramorus stares at the ceiling while looking like death warmed over.  There is a panel fading from light to dark to indicate the passage of time, then we see that Serenumbra has a hand to his mouth in thought.  “So the queen refuses to see the DANGER here,” he says.  Astramorus has folded his hands together.  “She’s right about my SON, though,” he answers.  Serenumbra is quick to defend Astramorus to himself: “Well- he’s such a SOFT BOY, you wanted him PREPARED,” he begins, but Astramorus stops him.  “I pushed him too hard, too SOON, and with too little CARE.”  Astramorus lifts his hands and grins painfully, continuing, “WHAT was I DOING, trying to teach him how to FIGHT when all I knew was an ADULT’S routine?”  He puts a hand to his chin, still smiling.  “I must be the STUPIDEST MAN ALIVE.”  “Astra,” Serenumbra begins again, and Astramorus interrupts again.  “My wife used to tell me I WORRIED too much, did I ever mention that?”  He asks.  His face turns solemn.  “It was even one of the LAST THINGS she said to me,” he says.  We get a glimpse of young Astramorus and Catena together backlit by the sun; she’s wearing a blue version of the classical Link costume with a sword strapped to her back and plate armor on her shoulders, he’s wearing his priestly robes and hat.  She’s reached up to grab his face, grinning, while he’s put his hands on hers.  “And then she died,” Astramorus says.  He sits up, animate once more.  “What else could I DO but worry?!” he demands.  “You’ve studied the legends, same as I-” he subsides again- “That mark on Link’s hand may as well be a DEATH SENTENCE.”  He puts a hand on his face.  “And I’ve so THOROUGHLY FAILED him that now I’ve put the Royal Family in danger TOO.”  Serenumbra puts a hand to his chin, thoughtfully.  “WELL, you never KNOW,” he says, “Princess HILDA is more of an age with Link, maybe the Triforce of Wisdom will arise in the LORULEAN line this time.”  Astramorus laughs.  “That doesn’t change the SITUATION, Seren,” quietly adding “But also KEEP DREAMING.”  He then puts his hand to his mouth.  “How do I even BEGIN to atone?” Astramorus asks.  “Ahh, old friend,” Serenumbra answers, soothingly.  “If only Catena were still WITH us, she’d know how to ease the boy’s burden.  Why-she’d face down GANON HIMSELF if it came to that!”  Astramorus makes an intense face, as if he’s been suddenly burdened.  Serenumbra stands and puts a hand on his shoulder.  “Get some REST, dear friend, you still look TERRIBLE,” he says with a smile.  Astramorus is wringing his hands, staring forward.  End ID.]

DUMBASS BRAINCELLS ENGAGED.

I didn’t expect “Got pegged by his wife so hard that the mere invocation of her name knocked him back to his senses after over eleven years of fucking shitty behavior towards their son” to be on the bingo card for this character when I started this project either, but this is Draft 0.5 so anything can happen XD

Astramorus is so layered now what the fuck!  

[Image Description: Serenumbra, face full of concern, asks, “Astra, what HAPPENED?”  Astramorus stares at the ceiling like death warmed over.  Behind him are the words “HELLO DARKNESS MY OLD FRIEND.”  End ID.]

[Image Description: Serenumbra, face full of concern, asks, “Astra, what HAPPENED?”  Astramorus stares at the ceiling like death warmed over.  Behind him are the words “WELL FIRST OF ALL I FUCKING DIED.”  End ID.]

[Image Description: Serenumbra, face full of concern, asks, “Astra, what HAPPENED?”  Astramorus stares at the ceiling like death warmed over.  Behind him are the words “...my wife made this chair.”  End ID.]

Catena got into carving as a hobby during long trips but she started making furniture while dealing with nesting urges while pregnant, so imagine this little tank of a woman assembling a rocking chair for her tol noodle husband while ranting about her weird cravings.  

#my art #au august #loz #loz au #Loz au: the courage of running away

[singingvio]

LEGEND OF MANGA LISTS: Top 5 SADDEST Moments in the Zelda Manga Series!

((NOTE: Twilight Princess mangas and the Skyward Sword excerpt in the Hyrule Historia are excluded from the mangas considered in this list.))

1. Volvagia’s Demise (Ocarina of Time part 1)

In chapter 3 of Ocarina of Time, part 1, the story depicted is titled “An Old and Beloved Friend.” This chapter mostly depicts Link and Volvagia’s fight, along with their backstory depicted solely in the manga and not in the game, as it isn’t canon. The chapter starts with Link’s bow out, a single arrow ready to be embedded in Volvagia’s skull, only for Link to falter. The dragon burns Link and nearly kills him, only for Link to be healed by Sheik.

Link insists to the Goron Link that he can’t fight Volvagia. Sheik makes a fairly robotic comment while playing his harp that the only way to subdue Volvagia is to kill him, and Link loses it, yelling at Sheik, “That’s easy for YOU to say! There must be some way to make him remember me!” Sheik shows him exactly what disasters are happening due to Volvagia’s tantrum, Kakariko and Goron villages close to destruction, and Link sadly recounts the story of how he and Volvagia met before his inevitable battle.

Link saw him as a baby, locked in a cage with a price of seventy rupees in Castle Town. Link bought the dragon and set him free, only for Volvagia to bite his hand and burn his hair with his flames. Link tries to ignore the dragon later, when it follows him, but then Volvagia ends up burning a Stalfos that had been sneaking up to kill Link. Link then befriended the dragon, and Volvagia said his name aloud, and the memory fades as Link is brought out of his story by someone warning him that the volcano is about to erupt.

Link, in a futile, heartbreaking effort to make Volvagia remember him, yells out, “It’s me! Link! Remember me!” Seeing as this does nothing, Link drives his sword into Volvagia’s flesh, beheading him. At his final moments, Volvagia remembers Link and starts to cry, calling his name out one last time to an expressionless Link as he dies.

2. Ghandi’s Defeat and Link’s Following Despair (A Link to the Past)

In Act 3 of A Link to the Past, Sacrifice, Link and Ghandi (a character created to be Link’s friend and travelling companion exclusively in the manga) travel through the Dark World, saving its inhabitants from fates worse than death to pay for their sins. When Link talks to a gossiping monster of a swamp, it is revealed that Zelda is at Turtle Rock, and Link heads there immediately. Ghandi, however, stays behind.

Ghandi claims that a bandit can’t risk her life just to save someone else, and Link argues that he only got this far because of her helping him. They inevitably split up, and Ghandi worries silently about Link and confesses to herself that she’s had a crush on him and can’t bear to see him reunited with Princess Zelda, as he clearly loves her instead.

Meanwhile, Link makes his way to Agahnim at Turtle Rock, to free Princess Zelda. Agahnim calls on a giant, firebreathing hydra to stop Link from saving Zelda, and Link, thinking nothing of it, defeats the monster with ease. Link comments on the monster’s strength, saying, “It’s kinda weak, for such a big…” and then he realizes. The monster vanishes into smoke, revealing the broken body of Ghandi, who isn’t dead, but very close. Link is heartbroken, and immediately hatred fills his heart as he turns on Agahnim for making him fight Ghandi.

Agahnim points out what Link is becoming, a hateful wolf, and Link watches his own body transform in horror as he cries out in agony. Zelda  manages to break free of her crystal cage, and heals Link from his beastly form. Together, they manage to heal Ghandi before she dies as well, and the two are properly reunited.

3. Pirate Captain and His Lady (Oracle of Ages)

In chapter 7 of Oracle of Ages, The Pirate Captain, Ralph and Link are stranded in an unknown body of water on a raft, trying to get back to the mainland to rescue Nayru. They’re rescued by the Pirate Captain, a man worn away to only soul and bone, as is his crew. Ralph and Link ask him how long he’s been sailing, and he replies that he doesn’t know and is very tired.

The Captain and Link discuss Link’s sword and its fine craftmanship, and then the Captain notices Ralph holding the Harp of Ages, and asks for a song. Ralph obliges, playing a traditional waltz, and the captain is happily lost in the memory of when he was in Labrynna, dancing with a fine lady under the stars. He says, “I remember this song from when I danced with her! We were in love, and the world was ours. Until it ended, and I set to sea to forget. But I could never forget… not her.”

He then makes a bold declaration, one soon revealed to be one of many when Link reads his logbook, that he will make it back to Labrynna to reunite with the lady he still loves to this day. As the ship is caught up in a horrific storm, Link gets his hold on the Captain’s logbook, reading in horror the logs there. “Day 23: set sail for Labrynna. Encountered a storm. Day 145: Storm. Day 317: Storm… They’ve been stuck in this storm forever!”

Link and Ralph attempt to escape the ship in their fear that they won’t be able to, and the Captain attempts to stop them. Link manages to tell the Captain that if he lets them go, he can fix things for him and his Lady, and the Captain, on the brink of tragedy as he lets Link and Ralph go, his final words are a request to Link. “If y’see this lady on your journeys, lad, tell her… the Knight who set sail… will love her for all eternity.” He shows Link a picture of Queen Ambi, and with that, he disappears without a trace, and is never shown again.

4. Shadow Link’s Final Stand (Four Swords part 2)

In chapter 12 of Four Swords part 2, The Four Sword Forever, we see the Four Links’ final stand against Vaati in order to save Zelda. Previously in the manga, Shadow was resurrected using the power of the Dark Mirror after a crushing betrayal from Vio, the smart, collected side of Link he’d thought to be his friend before his temporary defeat. The Dark Mirror is the source of all dark magic, including his life force. Shadow was resurrected right in front of Zelda, who was staring sadly at him, and he yells at her angrily to not take pity on him, as he hates it.

Zelda is then enshrouded in a dark cloud, and Shadow panics, asking Vaati what’s happening to her. When he realizes Vaati is going to kill Zelda, he completely breaks down, taking a quick detour to help the Links by disguising himself as Vio before going back up and grabbing a chair Zelda had been sitting in prior to her slow poisoning in the cloud, throwing it at the Dark Mirror with a scream and breaking the center of it.

Finally, in the final chapter of Four Swords part 2, the Links are almost where Shadow, Zelda and Vaati are. Shadow is incredibly weak, putting almost all his weight on the side of the Mirror. Vaati panics, yelling at Shadow that if he destroys the mirror, Shadow will die too. Shadow grins at Vaati, before saying, “That’s all right. I came out of the Dark Mirror. And with it’s power I woke you. How fitting that I use it to destroy us BOTH!” And with that, he shoves the mirror to the ground, successfully killing Vaati.

The other Links find his body lying next to the mirror, thanking him, and Shadow starts to close his eyes when Vio yells at him to “hang in there!” Shadow then calmly recounts what his life is like as Link’s shadow. “A shadow… usually only ever follows its body. It never gets to lead the way. Today I faced the enemy… on my own. It felt pretty good, but that still doesn’t make me… part of the body.”

Green (the leader and most ‘Link-like’ of the four) tells him the opposite, telling him that he’s their friend, and Shadow, with newfound energy, gets up and reaches towards the other Links, only for him to fade into the light and disappear, dying permanently and for the last time as the other Links stare at where he once was.

5. Skull Kid’s Backstory (Majora’s Mask)

In chapter 9, Fierce Deity Link, the Moon is stopped by the four Giants in Termina. Link sees Tael and Tatl reunited, and notes how sweet it is before thanking the Giants and joking with Tatl about how long it took for them to arrive. Skull Kid, meanwhile, shakes in the background, knocked to the ground and not getting up. In a moment of clarity, the mask not having control on him in his moment of emotion, Skull Kid despairingly recounts his tale.

Skull Kid sadly says that he didn’t mean for this to happen, only wondering why the Giants left him. A flashback is then shown from Skull Kid’s point of view, the Giants getting ready to leave as Skull Kid desperately tries to hold them back. “Why?! No! No, you mustn’t! Hey… Wait! I said wait! Don’t go! Hold on! I said wait! Don’t go! Can’t you hear me?!”

He cries out, many times, sometimes even trying to forcibly hold the Giants back and failing drastically. He ends up falling off a cliff, still trying to catch up with the Giants as he’s battered and bruised, still crying, “Don’t go!” He’s then seen travelling across the desert, tripping and folling multiple times, when he accidentally steps in a bird nest. The birds immediately attack him, yelling at him to watch where he’s going and that it’s fun to hurt him by pecking him.

Skull Kid shakily reaches a hand up to keep going, but gives up as rain pours down on him, tears pouring down his face as he stares at the ground in defeat. The flashback fades out, as Skull Kid says a truly heartbreaking line before being taken over by Majora’s Mask once more, initiating the final battle. “I guess… we never really were friends… after all. They didn’t even say goodbye. Nobody likes me. But with this… Everyone will do what I want! This MASK is my only friend!”

RUNNER UPS

Mask Creations (Majora’s Mask) - The deaths of Darmani, the Goron, and Mikau, the Zora, when Link dons both masks to fulfill their final wishes. Darmani, to see his son again and make the child happy, and Mikau, to spend at least one more concert with Lulu and the other members of his band.

Great Mayfly Fairy’s Transformation (Minish Cap) - The transformation at the hands of Vaati of a lovely singing fairy, with a beautiful voice. Link wistfully mentions that she looks a little like Zelda and Vaati, in a fit of mild hysteria at this point, transforms her into a horrible moth creature. Her transformation is shown to be painful and heartwrenching, as is her defeat.

Deku Tree’s Death (Ocarina of Time part 1) - The famous death of the Deku Tree, in manga format. Link is told of his quest by the Deku Tree, and that the Deku Tree is going to die in the next few minutes. Link cries and even punches the tree in a fit of anger and sadness, crying that the Deku Tree can’t leave him until the Deku Tree inevitably dies and Link must leave on his quest.

Green’s Defeat Against Vio (Four Swords part 2) - When the four Links are finally reunited, Green, Red, and Blue face Vio and Shadow in a battle to the death with Green fighting Vio. Their battle comes to a close as Green falls to the ground, seemingly stabbed through the gut as Vio walks off victorious. Red and Blue yell at Vio and cry over Green, until it’s revealed after Vio and Shadow leave that it was all a ruse and Green was only knocked out.

Zelda and Link’s Meeting (A Link to the Past) - Link finds Zelda in a dungeon, and Zelda tearfully recalls how she had almost given up hope of rescue, stating that she thought she had been all alone until Link had finally found her. Link then embraces her, stating that he heard her voice and she was never alone.

#Legend of Manga Lists #legend of zelda #ocarina of time #a link to the past #oracle of ages #four swords #majora's mask #minish cap

[the-soupiest-artist]

The Legend of Zelda: Lost and Found

Chapter 1: Searching for the Missing Girl

In celebration of the 2 year anniversary of Song of the Healers, my webcomic, I decided to start a new journey!! Please be warned this trail of stories will have MAJOR SPOILERS for the comic, so if you want to stay pure I’d advise you to stay away....or stay....There are some pretty nice art pieces scatter throughout  this fic. ANYWAYS! Thank you all so much for your love towards my OCs in SOH! I hope you enjoy this new tale!

~ The Healer Palace was in a crisis. The tailors and servants alike were searching the palace high and low for someone of the utmost importance. Most people were searching by themselves but some chose to travel in groups as they covered as much of the palace ground as possible. One of the palace tailors, the head tailor to be precise, met up with one of the other frantic servants. Her jewelry jingled as she halted to a stop. 

“Azalea! Have you found her yet?!?!” The head tailor asked.

The servant shook her head, her eyes plastered with worry, “No Sister Iris!”

Sister Iris, the head tailor let out a groan, “Oh for Akane’s sake! Of all the days to go missing!” 

“Keep searching!” Iris shouted, turning on her heel and running in the opposite direction. 

Azalea continued on her path, running through the crowded inner courtyard of The Healer Palace. The round marble structure shielded the inhabitants of the palace from the hot evening sun. 

Running through the crowd Azalea spotted the familiar uniform of someone who might be of more help. 

Sprinting towards him Azalea called out towards the young soldier. “Link! Link! Thank the gods I’ve found you!” 

The young guard turned around and pushed some of his blonde hair from his eyes. “Azalea? What’s wrong?!”

Azalea halted to stop her words spilling from her as she explained the crisis that she and the palace staff were in, “we can’t find Mara anywhere! We were going to do her final fitting for her outfit! The Choosing is in less than twenty-four hours and if the tailors don’t get her fitted soon they won’t have time to make any alterations!” 

Link sighed and encouraged the frantic servant to sit down and rest a bit. “Are you sure it’s not just Mara being her classic self? She is late for quite a few things.” 

“That’s what we thought! But when Camilla showed up before her we knew something was wrong! Please help us Link! If anyone knows where she is it’s you!” Azalea exclaimed her tired eyes begging the guard for help. 

Link looked out beyond and to the outer courtyard of the palace. The orange glow of dusk teasing the white city. He stood up with a sigh.

“I know where she is.” 

The turquoise blue of the bay clashed with the orange glow of the setting sun. The water started to darken as the light of day fled the land. 

Letting out a sigh Mara stood in front of the divine statue of the goddess, Din. Who watched over the city in line with her sister gods, Nayru, who was in the heart of the city, and Farrore who watched over the ships that docked in the bay. 

It was a beautiful sight, just how small the city looked from here, Mara could see the entire capital. She looked out over the sea, she could see beyond the great thorn wall that protected the fisherman’s ships from the outside world. The sea beyond was still barren. No ships, no people, not even whales graced the waters. It was empty, just as it had been for the last well...however long her people had been in hiding. 

She looked up at the face of the goddess Din. It was hard to spot her eyes because of how tall she was. Still, they looked out onto the city, towards her sisters. Her power unwavering, just like the flame that’s held in her hand once the night falls. 

If she could just climb it. Maybe she would be able to see what lies beyond the great thorn wall towards the land. 

Her train of thought was cut short as a familiar voice broke the peaceful silence Mara was enjoying. 

“Don’t start...you know how it ends…” 

At the sound of Link’s voice, Mara jumped, a bush along with several hosts of white flowers erupted from the earth and landed gracefully in uniform on Mara’s head.

She turned to him with a frown. “LINK! You scared me!” 

He laughed, “I’m aware! But I’m glad I stopped you from doing something stupid….again….” 

“Again? There had never been an ‘again.’ The last time I tried to scale The Golden Goddess Din’s statue was when I was six!” Mara huffed. “And I distinctly remember a plucky little boy chasing after me in that great climb!”

Link gave her a knowing look, “Yet you were the one who broke your arm.” 

“Yeah…” Mara groaned with a defeated sigh, “I still remember Aunt Amarylis’s glare.”

She shivered, “It haunts me to this day.” 

“Speaking of your Aunts.” Link folded his arms across his chest, “You know everyone is in a panic looking for you. Apparently, someone is missing a very important fitting.”

Mara kicked a stray rock, “I know…”

She climbed up on top of the platform of Din’s statue, joining the space where the marble folds of the goddess’ gown dropped over the sides of the great platform. “But then I would miss the sunset.”

“Mara, I know you’ve heard this speech a thousand times already, and I know I’m the last person you want to hear this from, but The Choosing is tomorrow. This is what your aunts have been preparing for your whole life. A lot is riding on you being the next Leader.” Link climbed up with her, his legs dangling over the edge as dusk kept its hold on the city. “You could be chosen by the Goddesses themselves one day. You’re the hope of our people’s future.”

Mara laid back onto the platform, “Augh….I know I know...I’m not sure I’m ready...I just feel like well….Like I’m meant for more than this…”

Link gave her a puzzling look, “what do you mean by that?” 

Mara sat up and looked out to the sea beyond the wall, “I’ve been feeling this call.” 

“Like a voice?”

“No!...Maybe? I don’t know but it’s like….a yearning in my heart for….more.” Mara sighed. “Like there’s more beyond the confines of the great thorn walls. I can feel it...It’s like something beyond it is….calling for me…” 

Link looked back, towards where the land wall separated the city from the land beyond. “You want to go out?”

She nodded, “I know we’re not supposed to, and no one has ever tried since….ah…”

“My mother.” Link muttered, resting his chin on the palm of his hand. 

“Right….but I just keep feeling it in my blood..like I’m supposed to venture beyond it just….just once in my life...before I’m doomed to…” she gestured towards the city, “a life full of leading and social gatherings.” 

There was a long moment of silence between the two friends before Link got an idea. A wide smile appearing on his face.

“Hey Mara, remember at our Coming of Age Ceremony where I promised to take you on one more adventure before adulthood struck us for real?” Link’s eyes sparkled and Mara frowned.

“I believe you still owe me that trip.” Mara turned to him, her eyes softening. “Link, what are you planning?”

“I’m getting you over the wall.” Link stated standing up. 

“Wait...YOU ARE!?” Mara smiled and Link nodded.

“Should be easy enough, we’ve got the skills!” Link rested his hands on his hips, “and if we die we won’t have to face adulthood anymore.”

Mara laughed, “Let’s hope we don’t.”

“Well, throw a bead into the ocean.” Link laughed, “For luck.”

Mara jumped up and hugged him, “Thank you so much! Thank you, Link!”

Link hugged her back, “Ah it’s nothing for my best friend. However, you still gotta face your Aunt back at the palace.”

Mara pulled away and whistled for her horse Elias. The stallion whinnied in almost an annoyed tone. He was rudely interrupted from his peaceful grazing of mountain grasses and such. 

“Come on Elias we’re going back,” Mara shouted, running to him. The Horse huffed at her as she climbed the stallion’s back and rode off down the mountain trail. 

Mara indeed got a scolding from her Aunt Amaryllis, and the same speech about growing up and her being the next leader

Amaryllis was the second of Mara’s aunts, yet she was the leader of their people. Her icy stare was legendary and everyone feared her...in the best of ways.

Amaryllis’s younger sister, Camellia was the life of the party, she passed down her habit of always being late to things to her dearest niece, she belongs to no person but would rather float from person to person whenever the mood struck her. 

Lilija was the second eldest. She was a powerful Healer who focused much of her time on being a midwife and nursing injured Hylian’s back to health. 

Even though Amaryllis was their named leader, chosen by the Goddesses themselves, the sisters all considered themselves to be a council of rulers in their own rights. They were all still family and they all still loved the people their bloodline had been governing for thousands of years. They hoped Mara would take to heart the guidance and training the Aunts had given her...even in this unfortunate moment when Mara was getting an ear-full from the cold monotone voice of Leader Amaryllis. Mara looked back at Link as she was dragged away to fulfill the last-minute preparations that Mara had been working so hard to avoid. 

Link shook his head and returned to the guard room. The Head Guard, Atlas, smiling at him as he entered.

“Good work on finding Mara.” Atlas chuckled, setting his helmet on his armor stand. “It seems you two always know where to find each other.”

“You’re just now noticing this?” Link laughed, “Damn Atlas you must be getting old.”

Atlas smacked the boy across his back playfully. “This ‘old man’ is still able to beat you in a spar.” 

Link threw his hands up in surrender, “Aw come on Atlas! I was really close to beating you last time.” 

Atlas nodded, “no one likes a sore loser, boy.”

“Don’t you boy me!” Link grumbled, throwing his chest plate at him, with quick reflexes Atlas caught it and laughed. 

Hanging the armor on Link’s marked peg the rivalry dwindled.

“Are you looking forward to The Choosing tomorrow?” Atlas asked, his eyes gentle. 

“Yeah of course.” Link smiled, “I get to see my best friend take on what she’s been training for.” 

“Is Mara nervous at all?” Atlas asked

“Well, it’s Mara. She’s nervous about a lot of things but this….” Link let out a long sigh as he finally managed to free the last part of his uniform from his tired body. “I think she’s just scared of not doing a good job if and when The Goddesses chose her.”

The Head Guard nodded, “all reasonable fears to have. She’ll be a fine Leader.”

“She will be. Once she learns to be on time for things.” Link chuckled and Atlas laughed with him. 

“I’ll stop keeping you.” Atlas waved as he headed towards the exit. “Your father’s probably expecting you, and you need rest. It’s a big day for us Healers.” 

“And for us Hylians.” Link remarked setting his satchel over his head. Atlas nodded in agreement as his dark brown dreadlocks disappeared down the hall. 

The nightlife of the Healer capital filled the streets as the gondoliers were tying up their boats for the night. Some counted their coins and others playing music softly for the people of the town.

Link arrived at his father’s bakery. The windows were closed and dark. The day was done and Learen was probably inside making him a delicious meal. He opened the heavy wooden door and called out to his father.

“Papa! I’m home!”

Learen’s head appeared from the kitchen, his hands scratching his blonde scruff, white from flour and age. “Ah! There he is my brave warrior!” 

Learen welcomes his son into his arms, patting his back each with wide smiles on their faces. 

“So did you save the world from ultimate destruction today?” Learen joked, pulling the lids off of the dinner he had made. 

“If you call saving Mara from the icy scolding of Leader Amaryllis saving the world.” Link sat down at the table. “Then yes, I absolutely saved the world from total annihilation.” 

Learen shivered serving some of the hearty stew to his son. “Gods Leader Amaryllis. That woman even scares me half to death with the mere flash of her eyes.” 

“You got that right Papa.” Link snickered, slicing himself a large portion of bread. 

“The Choosing is tomorrow.” Learen sighed, “the hopeful new leader of our people will be presented to the public.”

Link nodded, “I wish Mama were here to see it.” 

There were a few moments of silence between the father and his son as memories of one loved and lost filled their minds. 

“She’d be so proud of Mara.” Link sighed. 

Learen rested his hand on his son’s shoulder. “I know she would’ve been.” 

The two started to eat and Link entertained his father with stories from the palace. How he chased a stray cat from the kitchens, saved a young girl’s guardian familiar from drowning, and how he got to enjoy the sunset with Mara before returning her home. Shortly after dinner and a lovely little dessert. Laren and Link said their goodnights and went to bed. Both of them sharing the same feelings with the rest of the city. All of the city hardly slept, for the excitement of tomorrow’s gathering was near and the people were so looking forward to meeting their hopefully new leader. 

The following morning was met with the bells from the harbor ringing. Signaling that today was a day of celebration. Everyone filled the streets with much dancing and singing as they waited for the command to meet at the palace. So their chosen leader could be anointed in the eyes of her people. Today was The Choosing and the entire capital expressed their joy. 

Mara exited the chamber, her Auntie Camellia greeting her.

“Why the long face flower?” She asked with kind eyes.

Mara let out a deep sigh before answering her aunt, “I just got done bathing in olive oil and rosemary. I know it’s ceremonial and supposed to feel relaxing...but I just feel like a batch of focaccia bread ready to be thrown into the fiery depths of an oven.

Camellia hugged her niece, “Oh Lily complained about that too...it’s just nerves Mara”

Mara melted into her aunt’s embrace.

“The worst of it is almost over, flower. Then it’s just partying until the sun rises.” Camellia smiles and twirled Mara around. Mara laughing before linking her arm in her aunts as she was led to her room, Camellia shooed the rest of the servants out of her niece’s chambers. Mara looked at her aunt puzzlingly, but before she could speak Camellia answered for her. “This is a special moment for me personally. I designed every part of your garb for this day ever since your mother brought you to us. The design changed over time as you grew older and you changed.”

Helping Mara into the pure white dress, Camellia continued to explain, “I was going to ask Lily if I could help her dress you for The Choosing, but, now knowing that she won’t be here for it….I feel almost guilty.”  Picking up the gold and navy waist scarf, the gold metal coins jingled as Camellia fastened it around Mara’s waist, “she’s so proud of you. You know that I know that.”   Mara nodded and kept her head down, the anxiety of what was to come was getting to her, “ do you think I’ll be ready? If the Goddesses choose me?” 

Her Aunt rose back up onto her feet, cupping her niece’s face gently. “I know you will be. You will be the finest ruler our people have ever seen.” Camellia’s compassion-filled eyes sparkled with a bit of mischief, “you’ll be more kind and compassionate than Amaryllis that is for sure.”  The two softly laughed, lightening the mood of the serious conversation. 

“Now remember,” Camellia smiled as she went back to dressing Mara up for the ceremony. “When you enter the hall, don’t look at the people, stand tall, and pretend you know what you’re doing.” 

Mara scoffed, “you know you’re sounding more like Aunt Amaryllis the more this conversation carries on?” 

Camellia smacked her niece’s backside jokingly, “oi! This ceremony, believe it or not, is the only time ‘Serious Camellia’ is awakened. Once Akane’s Token hangs ‘round your neck, your Auntie will be dancing and drinking with the rest of our people.” She pinched Mara’s nose and shook her head gently the two bursting out into laughter.  

Camellia took her niece’s hand, twirling her around her room, the two of them singing a loud Healer tune. They both sounded like drunken fools, spinning and wobbling around the room as the two grew dizzy. The Aunt and her niece collapsing on Mara’s bed in a heap of laughter.

Once the laughter had died down, Camellia rolled over and kissed Mara’s cheek. 

“Flower you are so loved. I love you so very much Mara.” Mara hugged her aunt, “I love you too Auntie Camellia.” The two sat up and Camellia kissed Mara’s forehead, “you are going to make a wonderful leader. Our people are lucky to have you.” 

Mara smiled bright the two of them hugging tightly, “Come.” Camelia sighed, “it’s time. Remember, pick a spot on the back wall. Don’t look at the people and you won’t feel sick, or like running away.” “Thanks, Auntie Camelia,” Mara muttered

“Of course Flower.” Auntie Camelia sighed giving Mara one last peck on the forehead, for luck. 

~~~~~~~~

This fic couldn’t have happened without the wonderful help and guidance of @ridersoftheapocalypse Truly this story would’ve never happened without the beautiful work you and @s-kinnaly have made! Your universe is a huge inspiration to me and thank you so much for letting me take part in it!! It’s an honor!! Of course none of this would’ve ever happened without @figmentforms their comic, ATOTR was the reason I even started scripting SOH in the first place! And I honor their work by doing my own comic in greyscale as well! And it’s because of that comic I even fell in love with greyscale in the first place!!

All of you are huge inspirations to me! Thank you for your creations, and please keep making them!! They never fail to give me the truest of feels!!

There’s more to come from this story!! And I am excited for ALL of it!!

🌸Next Chapter🌸

#art #layneart #the soupiest artst #soh #the legend of zelda #legend of zelda fanfiction #soup makes fics #the Soupiest fiction #the legend of zelda: lost and found #Mara #Link #Learen #Camellia #Amaryllis #Elias #Atlas

[snidgetwidgeon]

Insurrection Recollections Series: Clandestine Research

After Zelda's father orders her to give up her research, Zelda and Purah hatch a plan. The only way it will succeed is if Link intervenes.

~~~

The day after her father told her she could no longer waste her time by playing the scholar, Zelda was issued an official written directive via castle courier as if she were one of his subordinates. She was livid. It instructed her to relinquish all of her ancient technology artefacts and materials to the Tech Lab by the end of the week. Oh how considerate of him to give me some time to sort out my busy schedule! She tore the missive to pieces and threw it in the fireplace.

Fine. She would do it post haste to the detriment of everything else she had going on. Studies with her economy instructor? Nope, she had a directive. Receiving the latest visiting dignitary in court that evening? Nope, she had a directive from the King. A fruitless visit to the Spring of Power to perform devotions that brought her nothing but scorn from her own people? Thank Nayru she had a Goddess damned directive from her father that allowed her to avoid the very thing she no longer wanted to do anyway!

Link looked on as Princess Zelda stomped back and forth between her room and study, forgetting things in her state and then becoming even more upset. He had offered his help but she refused so he stood watch on the bridge. The best he could do was stay out of her way and be available at a moment’s notice.

When she finally got to her journal, having left it for last, she closed the door to her study to have a moment of privacy. As she re-read some of the pages detailing her adventures into archaeology, she thought about how they were merely notes and should not be subject to the purge. She decided to keep it.

Emerging from her study with a resolve that Link could see was strained at best, Zelda nodded to him that she was ready to leave. He hailed an available attendant and they assisted in carrying items down to the stables. Even with Zelda insisting on carrying some things herself, the attendant would need to make one more trip and grab another person along the way.

While the rest was being collected, Zelda and Link saddled up the horses in silence. To anyone else, this would seem no different from the early days of their time together when she resented him and their silence was cold and strained. Now it was a companionable silence. He caught her looking at him over her horse’s back as she was tightening her straps. He smiled.

She felt a flush and a sudden need to make an excuse. “You always have such a way with horses...” She then ducked behind hers and pretended to do something else.

Between their mounts and a third mare carrying normal travel supplies, they were able to take everything. Zelda also wore a satchel on her back with a few of the more delicate items. As they made their way through the grounds, Link steered his horse around slightly, indicating down the path that led to the docks and asked, “Shall we take the ferry?”

“No, thank you.” She looked straight ahead with her nose stuck figuratively up toward her father as she passed him. “I would like to make this trip last as long as possible if you don’t mind.”

~~~

They arrived in the evening, just in time for dinner. Zelda and Link had agreed on the way there that she could have a night of normalcy. While she went in, he attended the horses and unloaded everything, stacking it in a tidy pile just inside the workshop to be dealt with in the morning. He then joined the others, received a heaping serve of beef curry and proceeded to keep mostly to himself as he was wont to do in large social gatherings. 

He watched Zelda closely, but not obviously, and noticed how very bittersweet it all was for her. She would no doubt be wishing it could be like any other visit. She laughed and carried on with the others, sharing how well the trials at the castle had gone the previous day. But he could see it. Any small moment where she wasn’t engaged with someone, her face fell and the light was gone from her eyes. When Purah noticed and asked if she was alright, she easily brushed it off by saying she was just tired from her busy schedule and a full day of travel.

The following morning, Link was in tow when Zelda entered Purah’s messy workspace with the Sheikah Slate. They had already seen to the items in the workshop, making sure they were distributed to the proper places around the Lab.

“Good morning, good morning! You’re just in time- oh, I’m so glad you brought the Slate. I meant to send word that you should come by the Lab soon so I could use it, but you must have read my mind because here you are; and I completely forgot to send the word.” She put her arm around Zelda’s shoulders and guided her to the large stone in the middle of the room, “Come, I want you to look at this and tell me what you think.”

Zelda let herself be dragged over but instead of looking at the stone, she sort of glazed over in an effort to shield herself from more pain. “Purah, I must apologize.”

“What for? Give it a second, I didn’t expect you to figure it out right away, silly.”

“No, I mean- I should have told you first thing last night.” She handed the Sheikah Slate to Purah who took it with brows furrowed in concern but also remained quiet to listen to her friend.

“Father has ordered me to focus all of my attention on my training. I’m- I can no longer assist the research team. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, I just... kind of wanted to pretend it didn’t happen for as long as I could.”

“Oh, Zelly, no. It’s ok.” Purah gave her a quick but sincere hug before going off. “Din’s balls, this is the pits! I’ll be lodging a formal complaint- you watch me- he can’t take away one of my best researchers.” She waved the Slate around dramatically. “Now I’m going to have to find a new translator; who does he think he is!?”

Zelda started giggling. As always, Purah’s infectious energy and earnestness made her feel a bit less crap when she was down. “The King,” Zelda’s giggling evolved into open laughter. ”He’s the King, Purah.”

Purah just pushed up her glasses and said matter-of-factly, “Well... King or no King, he’s acting like a fool.”

Link smiled from his post across the room thinking about how he couldn’t agree more. The day before yesterday on the bridge he had questioned if his oath to protect the Princess extended to defending her from the King himself.

“Were you leaving today?” Purah asked, but didn’t let Zelda answer and kept talking, “You’re not leaving today. I need your help with something and you aren’t officially done until you leave, you hear? Come with me.” She strode out of her office on a mission.

Zelda smiled after her and then looked at Link with a raised brow asking- not for his approval, but more his opinion. He merely shrugged and gestured that she should follow the woman.

Over the course of the day Link observed their antics and found moments to opportunistically disappear when it looked like they were going to need a person for some sort of trial. That night, some celebrations ramped up as Purah decided to throw a gratitude party to thank Zelda for all that she had contributed. Link thought that idea was pretty smart, making it look like Zelda’s choice to take on other important tasks. This way, she could leave with her head held high, at least until she was out of sight.

About mid morning the following day, Link got the horses ready for the return home and then realized he may have been a bit preemptive when he went to collect Zelda. She and Purah looked at him like startled foxes when he entered Purah’s office and they proceeded to finish their conversation in hushed voices.

Perhaps Zelda wanted to stay on longer? Then Purah spoke normally again and handed Zelda a book. “So, if you could just take that one back to my room, that would be great.”

Zelda nodded and said nonchalantly, “No problem.”

As she walked out, Link started to follow, but Purah exclaimed, “Oh, Link! Could you help me carry these?” She grinned, “Please?”

“Um, sure. What is it?” he asked when he didn’t see anything specific that she was asking about.

“Just a sec!” Her eyes darted around and she grabbed a box that already had a few guardian pieces in it which she proceeded to unceremoniously dump in the middle of the floor. She then flitted around the room grabbing random items to throw in the box that she needed ‘help’ carrying.

He wandered over to the second story window to check on the horses outside while he waited to see how- whatever it was that she was up to- played out. He didn’t have to wait long at all as he noticed Zelda, distinctly not in Purah’s room, and still holding onto that book. He immediately knew what it was. Ancient contraband.

She approached her white horse and gave it a scratch as she went to place the book in her saddlebags. As she lifted the flap she hesitated for a moment. He smirked as she went over to his horse instead and buried the book into his saddle bag. Clever, but not clever enough. If she was worried that her father might go as far as to search her things when she returned, then he was not going to take the chance that they wouldn’t do the same to him. He’d have to hide it better later.

“Right! So... this stuff here. Could you please take it downstairs?” Purah requested with another cheesy grin.

He balked a little at everything sticking out of it. She couldn’t at least have made her distraction easy? He gave a little sigh, “No problem.”

~~~

That night as Zelda slept by the campfire, Link snuck over to the horses and quietly dug through his saddle bag for the book. She tucked it right at the bottom under the other book he generally kept with him in case he ever had time to kill. He looked back over to her sleeping form and surreptitiously stuck it behind his back just inside the waistband of his trousers, then tightened his belt over it a bit. Sleep would be a bit less comfortable and he’d have to wear his cloak over it even if he got warm tomorrow, but that should do the trick.

When they arrived back home, Link clocked that their approach was noticed with a bit more interest than usual. Zelda may not have been wrong in her suspicions regarding her father; the King was becoming more stressed and paranoid by the day.

They were met at the West gatehouse by a young castle guard who looked nervous. “Many pardons Princess Zelda, but we have instructions to check your cargo.”

She kept her calm and said coldly, “Do as you will.”

Another guard approached to help and she felt her ire rise as they rummaged through her things right next to her. She didn’t bother hiding her withering stare. She wasn’t going to make it easy for them.

Once they were satisfied, the guard bowed. “My apologies, Princess.”

“Indeed.” She then clicked for her horse to continue and went no more than two steps before she heard the guard behind her ask for Link to please remain still for a search as well. Her stomach sank and she twisted around in her saddle before pulling her mount up sideways. Outwardly, she appeared to just be waiting for her Knight Attendant. Link appeared entirely unfazed, and why wouldn’t he? He didn’t know that she’d foolishly set him up to be punished.

Her eyes darted back and forth between the guards, then stared sharply at the one that took out a book. He turned it over and opened it to a random page in the middle before nodding to Link and placing it back in his bag. “Our apologies, Sir Link. Please enjoy the rest of your day.” They crossed an arm across their chest and nodded.

Link came to join her as she continued a few more steps before she stopped awkwardly. Her mind was racing. Did it get lost!? She gave a harried look at Link who returned it with a head tilt of curiosity. Did he find it and throw it out!? She couldn’t act on any of her agonizing questions!

“On second thought,” she called after the guards, “You may take the horses to the stables. Please have my things delivered and report to my father that I will be resting from today’s journey and will not be disturbed.” She dismounted, continuing out of the gatehouse on foot. Link followed suit.

As she went up the steps leading to the courtyard below her quarters, she was afraid to say anything with patrolling guards so near. She finally stomped up the stairs to her room in a frenzied state. That book was important! How was she going to find out about what happened to it without being seriously reprimanded from going against her father’s will?

She practically forgot Link was behind her and before she entered her room, he said in a hushed tone, “The next time you need me to hide something for you,” he pulled the book out from under his tunic behind his back, “it might be better that I’m actually involved.”

She looked down at it and her eyes widened before snapping back up to his smug face. It quickly turned into one of shock as she grabbed him by the front of his tunic and pulled him in. After riding the highest levels of stress, fear of discovery, and relief all in the span of a few minutes, she latched onto him in a tight hug without a second thought. “Thank Hylia, you have it! First I thought I was fine, then I thought I’d- and you would be punished for sure as well, and then I thought it was lost somehow-” she had pulled away at this point, “but how could it be? I hid it at the very bottom.”

Link watched her nervous rambling with a rather judgmental, yet amused expression.  

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

He held his hands up, book still in one, as if to accept defeat to a potential argument that hadn’t even started.

“I didn’t think that they would bother to search you.” She stopped herself as she noticed her old habit of deflecting fault was rearing its ugly head. She had vowed to be better since he saved her life in the desert and right now, that meant an apology was probably due.

She sighed, “I’m sorry, Link. I should have trusted you. I guess I just thought that you wouldn’t approve or... may have stopped me.”

“Have you met you?” he asked rhetorically as he handed the book over.

She copped his joke and pressed her lips together hard so she wouldn’t laugh on principle, but her belly bounced a little  in a silent chortle anyway. Once she regained her composure her brows knitted and she enquired, “But why didn’t you just tell me you knew before we got back? You could have-” her mouth gaped as she gasped in realization. “You were getting back at me for not telling you!?”

“I did think I was owed a tiny bit of payback for being an unknowing accomplice in smuggling your ancient contraband.”

“Well... I...” She became flustered in her defeat.

He hadn’t meant to actually make her feel bad so he smiled. “It’s ok. I’m on your side so just tell me next time you need help.”

He probably thought that was just a nice thing to say but his genuine declaration of support struck right to the base of her core. The oaths that they had taken at the beginning of this colossal mess had meant nothing to her back then, but through the eventual development of their friendship, she discovered that those ties now carried weight; and though she still felt useless for the coming trial, she respected their bond more than ever. And he did too. Urbosa and Impa were the only other people whom she felt truly knew her. Now she had another, and she felt blessed that he was always by her side.

Blinking away her hard stare at his words, she came back to herself and said, “Alright then. Since you’re now in on this, you can be my mule.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“I’m Purah’s best translator so I’ll need you to feed any potential discoveries to Impa. If she’s away you can take them to Robbie. He’ll still be here for a while yet working on the Guardians.”

She continued nattering on, the way she did when she seemed to speak more to herself than to another person, while she sat down with the book at her desk and started to flip through the pages. “I’ll be starting right away. I’ve actually been dying to dive in. Did you want to stay until I get something ready or do you have things you need to do?”

When she looked back at him he had an unspoken expectation on his face which she proceeded to misread. “It’s quite alright if you have things to take care of, I’m sure I’ll be a while yet before I have- oh! You mean,” she smiled sheepishly and then cleared her throat. “Sorry. Sir Link, do you consent?”

The way she asked had him closing his eyes and shaking his head in amusement.

“No?”

“No- I mean, yes, Princess, you have my consent.” He bowed eloquently. “I’ll return later when you might have something for me.”

“Thank you.”  

He opened the door to leave and she added, “And thank you for...”

He stopped and looked back.

“For being on my side,” she finished.

He nodded and went.

She sat for a few moments looking at where he’d just been, a tingle running through all of her limbs in a wave, causing goosebumps.

~~~

There had been a few things of interest that she sent to Purah via Link’s underground network. Thankfully, she had kept many detailed notes about how to translate ancient Sheikah text. She always was a good note taker. Her very own research journal was an invaluable resource that she had justifiably not been made to give up. Her father must have either thought she couldn’t do much with it or didn’t want to go to such an extent to violate her personal belongings after he took the only thing that was bringing her any joy.

She was out at her study tower again, working on it at a time she was not likely to be disturbed- but even if she were, Link was on duty outside. She came across a passage on underground structures and thought she was finally on track to learning where the pillars were. If only they could be located, the research team would supposedly be able to harness many more Guardians, not just the ones that had been dug up. These ones were properly stored and ready for when the Calamity struck.

With her potential conclusion on the material of the passage being under such a bias, she kept getting stuck. The page wasn’t making sense as it stated the pillars were all over Hyrule; but she knew them to be under the castle.

She read on about something pertaining to activation of the network, or that everything was connected, or... something. Her eyes were getting tired and she felt a brain melt coming on. If only she had more points of reference. She pined after the Slate. In its absence, all she had left was the library and she couldn’t risk going there without being watched. She started to lean back in her chair and zone out at her wall in abject defeat when she noticed a doodle. It was a less detailed, but accurate copy of the tapestry in Impa’s office.

Just as she began to think she wouldn’t glean anything from a picture she’d looked at a thousand times, she noticed the pillars framing the castle. There were also a few of the same at the bottom, and one in each quadrant... all around Hyrule. But the others wouldn’t be the pillars. They look like towers.

She sat up straight and began to re-read the translation. If she thought of them as towers, and there was some sort of connection between them- but where were they? She’d practically been all over the kingdom and had never seen such a structure. Perhaps buried, like the pillars!

With newly invigorated passion, she stood and stretched, then crossed the small circular room to the door. Opening it part way, she saw Link standing at ease and then turning to regard her.

“Sir Link? I believe I am in dire need of a hot chocolate in order to continue performing at the best of my abilities. Could you please send for one?”

He smiled knowingly and dipped his head in kind before leaving to find an attendant or a less strictly positioned guard to pass on the request.

“Oh, and please get one for yourself! If you want to,” she added.

He waved behind him to acknowledge he’d heard.

She closed the door and looked over at the materials on her desk and the drawing of the tapestry. She felt there was something potentially big here. If so, she wanted so badly to find a way to tell Impa or Purah herself. She thought of the devotions she had looming in a few hours time. They were now most of her days and she felt more like a helpless failure than ever before. She couldn’t bear the thought of never being able to share in discoveries again. She would wait until she could see them somehow. At least then she would have some joy.

#breath of the wild #fanfiction #writing #*trumpet noise* this is my first fic post #been derping away on my stories for over a year and finally have something to show #runs around like a cucco in excitement #clandestine research #Insurrection Recollections Series #snidgetwidgeon scribbles

[mavda]

When Wisdom sleeps

Summary: Din, Nayru and Farore are the Goddesses of the Realm of Hyrule. They are myths about the creation of the world, a way for hylians to understand the world around them, but for Ganondorf, Zelda and Link, they mean something more. Memories of past lifes fill Ganondorf and Link, but Zelda's memories seem to be dormant. And neither Link nor Ganondorf know how to feel about it. 

Ch.1: The lie

He felt tired.

He travelled with a heavy heart, because maybe, just maybe, that bastard had really dissappeared for good. Maybe that fucker had decided to take away the future of the kingdom, maybe he had decided to hurt them the most, the way it would hurt him the most. Years after years he had tried and failed and at this point he could only accept what everyone had ever told him.

The road was unkempt and bumpy and his mare was growing as frustrated as him. It had taken him years to gather resources and information and then more years to explore the places he had found. It had been failure after failure and he had grown used to finding nothing but little villages at the edges of the world.

There was no reason to believe this was going to be any different, his heart refused to believe again, so as he kept on shortening the distance he started to ready himself to find the same old scenery he had grown used to.

As he entered the village people started to stare at him, the boy tried his best to remain unassuming and bowed here and there when he encountered people. If he had to define the village in one word it would be cozy. The houses were modest but pretty, the people looked intrigued but not scared, the size of their settlement had to be at least of thirty houses and by the look of it they had some sort of government going on since the people kept on directing him to a specific house.

A man awaited him in a well-kept garden and waved at him to come closer. The two people who were beside the man scrambled as soon as the boy dismounted and scurried down the roads. The boy bowed immediately, "I'm sorry to inconvenience you, thank you so much for welcoming me."

The man brought his hand to the back of his head, bowing his head in between words, "No problem, no problem, I'm sorry you have to deal with me. My wife is the village chief but she's away in another village," the boy smiled in understanding. "Please, come on in," the man walked to his house and opened the door ready to let the guest go in, and then, as he saw the horse trailing behind the boy, "oh, you can put your horse in that tree, I'll go get some refreshments ready."

The boy walked to the only tree that loked strong enough in the garden and said, "Oh, don't worry, please, I can't impose any further," loudly enough to be heard, but the man was already inside, bumbling inside his house. The boy gave a glance towards the neighbourhood while he gave the knot a little pull to test it, there were no prying eyes behind windows and the people who had been in the very spot he was were nowhere to be seen. The boy bowed again as he entered the house and repeated his thanks to the man as soon as he was within earshot. The man was busy looking for glasses and beer within his kitchen so he gave back a loud don't worry as an answer. The boy wiped his feet before entering and closing the door with as little noise as possible.

The man turned to look at his guest and saw the boy standing awkardly, "Oh, please take a seat!" He said a little too fast while he pointed to a chair near him, he clanked as he moved.

As the boy took a seat in the room and admired the cozy atmosphere, the man disappeared again and the boy looked around. Every house looked similar in the village, this one was built in a pretty good place compared to others, but he was sure that no house differed much in terms of construction. The boy was sitting in an open living room next to the kitchen, he glanced to the side and saw a big table with tons of papers on them, it looked like a place where only the people in charge of its order would know where everything was.

As the boy looked at the burned logs on the chimney, the man reappeared with clanking glasses and a bottle of beer, "So, tell me. How can we help you?"

The surrogate village chief left the boy with his beer for just a second as he returned to the kitchen to bring out some bread and cheese. "You look like a very prestigious person, so if there's anything we can help with," he left the words hanging and gave little nods meant as encouragement. Not only was the boy the sole visitor they had had in more than a couple of years, but the child also looked like a well-off, young and handsome knight that more than surely came from the Castle. The Castle of Hyrule, the most important building in the Kingdom that happened to also be the place where the most renowned soldiers the country had to offer were trained. The man swallowed out of nervousness and his eyes strained in the sword the boy carried. From his location the man could only see the hilt of the sword strapped to the boy's back and although it wasn't unheard of for mercenaries to carry out swords, the poise of the boy was telling. And as if there were any doubts left, the brightly polished shield his horse carried on its mount and the boy's clothes were revealing in on itself.

The boy smiled but shared nothing and as the man poured out the beer he thought too hard about the sharp and fierce look the boy had.

The boy grabbed his beer and drank a sip to show gratitude, "My name is Link and I am looking for someone." Link searched through his clothes and took out a piece of parchment he himself had drawn before coming.

The picture showed a towering Gerudo man, with their characteristic red hair and bronze skin that protected them from the glaring desert sun. His name was Ganondorf, although Link did not share that bit of information, the King of Thieves, the Sun of the Desert, the Star of the Night. Many names given to a male Gerudo child who had been raised as the next leader of their people, many names to the man who had ended up raiding the Castle of Hyrule 11 years ago, killing the last rightful Queen and King the Kingdom of Hyrule had seen and kidnapping the 1 year old heir and light of the people, Princess Zelda Eugenia Harkinian Hyrule. Ganondorf had become the most hated person in the Realm overnight, but just as soon as he had made his debut, he had disappeared.

The Gerudo never saw him again. Their leaders let their villages be searched till exhaustion to regain some sense of trust from the Kingdom, the fishpeople of the Zora and the rockpeople of the Gorons sent search party after search party to every nook and cranny they could find but neither Ganondorf nor Princess Zelda were ever found again.

Months passed, years passed, and people had all but given up on ever finding them again, nowadays they were but memories people would barely give time of day. Link was stubborn, almost crazy in his search at this point, as he refused to give up until he knew what had happened to Zelda and Ganondorf.

Princess Zelda had been kidnapped a few months after becoming one year old so no one could recognize her anymore, while Ganondorf had never had his portrait taken as the Gerudo overzealously protected their heirs so the searchs had consisted in finding Gerudo males. It had all turned too complicated very soon.

What Link had placed on the table, however, was a real portrait of Ganondorf, impossible to exist. Drawn not by actual experience but by memories Link could never share with anyone in fears of being called delusional. A portrait with such eerie perfection that anyone who had seen Ganondorf would be able to recognize with only a glance.

The surrogate village chief gave the drawing a glance, "Oh, and who's this man?"

Link smirked as the feeling of dejavú filled his body. "He helped my family a great deal," he lied, "we owe him a lot but he disappeared one day and we never saw him again. We've always wanted to give him our thanks and see if he is living all right, so if you know of him or of where I could find him I would be more than thankful."

The man cocked his head to the side, shook his head slightly, "I fear I've never seen him, though, I'm really sorry."

Link let his disappointment wash over him for just a second before putting a smile on his face again, "Oh, that's all right, please don't worry. Would it be a problem if I took my time and searched nearby, I'll probably take one or two days and then I'll be gone."

"Oh," the man shifted, "sure, you can stay with us if that's all right with you."

"I will be sure to not bother your family and pay for my expenses."

The man nodded and stayed silent for a second before taking a piece of bread that stayed in his hand. Link gulped his glass down and cleaned his mouth with the back of his hand, "Good beer."

The man hesitated a second before grabbing Link's glass and pouring beer again, "You've been looking long for that man?"

Link could have laughed out loud, "Yes, sir. A long time."

"Well, hopefully you find him, all right? Name's Pattrick, by the way, you can come find me if you need anything."

Link bowed his head and sighed. Pattrick played with the crumbs of his bread before eating it up in one bite.

As Link readied to excuse himself and get his things inside the house, the door opened and a child boomed in shouting a greeting, the resemblance with her father was uncanny. Pattrick greeted her and the child stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Link. "Hello!" Link smiled back at the chipper greeting and the child came closer to him, clearly used to strangers coming into her house, "I'm Mira, what's your name?"

"Link, ma'am."

"It's a pleasure!" Mira shot up her hand towards Link and Link grabbed her hand back.

"Likewise."

Pattrick sat a little straighter and smiled, "How was today?"

The child gave a glance to her father and returned to Link in a second, "Good! Now I'm going out to play with Lloyd." Her gaze fixated on Link's sword and interest was plastered on her face.

Pattrick inched closer to the table and nodded along, "Sure, sure. Link is going to stay with us a couple of days, so be nice."

Mira gleamed at Link, excited at the idea of a new face she could hang out with, "I can show you around!"

Link couldn't help but smile back at the sheer innocence the kid radiated and as he nodded back and Mira turned away to run to her room and throw her bag on the floor before leaving, Pattrick's hand moved calmly to Ganondorf's picture and Mira's eyes followed out of habit.

Pattrick looked scared for a second and started to talk and call for Mira in an attempt to drown her out but Mira filled the room with her voice, "What's with that picture of uncle Gan?"

Link startled and his eyes were saucers, he looked at Mira and then Pattrick and then Mira again. Pattrick sat still, all his body rigid and in place. Mira walked closer to the table and, unaware of what was going around her, grabbed the picture.

She turned the picture and looked at it from different angles, "Wow, that's a really good drawing. Did you do it?" Her eyes never left the picture and she didn't register Link's corporal language.

Link was at a loss for words and his brain was trying to catch up with everything around him, so the "Yes," that he blurted was almost too soft for Mira to hear.

Mira looked back at Link and laughed at his face, her pristine laugh brought Link back to her innocence and not the rage that had started to boil under his skin. She gave the picture back to him, still showing interest in the drawing in it, "How do you know uncle Gan?"

Link's voice was deep, desperate to control the shakiness of it, "He's a dear friend of my father," he mumbled.

"Mira," Pattrick called, "weren't you going to play with Lloyd?"

Mira ran to her room immediately. And the two men were alone again.

Link couldn't talk and Pattrick was too scared to start. "I," he stuttered, worried of what could happen now that the young and fierce looking youth was shaken and wouldn't lift his head, "Please let Mira leave first."

Link nodded but didn't raise his head and Pattrick could feel the cold sweat pooling in his hands. Mira came back as loudly as she had left and neither Link nor Pattrick showed anything amiss, so she left with the promise of coming back after dinner.

The sound of the door closing made Pattrick squirm and he realized he had no idea how to talk again with Link.

But he didn't need to worry, because Link started to snicker to himself immediately. He couldn't keep it in and although Pattrick was a little weirded out by his reaction it was better to see Link laughing than having him be threatening.

"I'm sorry," Pattrick started but Link gave out a choked laugh and raised a hand to stop Pattrick from speaking.

"No," Link snorted, "don't. It's just," he gave another short laugh, "I was thinking about how if Mira hadn't arrived when she did or if you hadn't moved your hands I wouldn't have had any idea he was alive." Link looked incredulous but covered it up with a smile, "Really funny."

Link looked at the picture still in his hands, "Why didn't you tell me?"

The change in Link's voice was subtle but noticeable. It wasn't a threat yet, but it didn't have the amicable undertones he had shown before.

"I," Pattrick wasn't sure how much to share and his brain was racing trying to understand what was going on, "are you here to kill him?"

Link remained silent a couple of seconds, pondering about what he wanted to do. "Is he living with a child? A girl, blonde, blue eyes, 11 years old."

Pattrick gave the curtest nod he could and his hands grasped his trousers with strenght.

"Then I'm not going to kill him," Pattrick looked up and his relief was evident, "I'm not going to do anything bad to him," Link cut himself short. "The girl is taken care of, right? He has not harmed her?"

Pattrick shook his head vehemently, "No, no. He would never hurt her."

Link started to feel the anger in him subside. She was alive. She was alive and safe.

And Ganondorf remembered as well.

"So his name is Gan?"

Pattrick nodded.

"And her?"

"Zelda."

Link looked surprised and pursed his lips, he was thankful he had kept her name intact, but he was also taken aback by the sheer confidence this meant. "You know what he did?"

Pattrick breathed in and out and tried his best to relax. Link was looking rather calm and that helped greatly. "He didn't tell us in detail at first. Eventually my wife put two and two together and when we confronted him he told us everything."

The silence that followed felt empty and Pattrick stole a glance at Link. Link's eyes looked lifeless and unguarded and the only thing that Pattrick could do was keep on talking. "When he came here we couldn't fathom who he was, he had his hair dyed black and it had been years since the kidnapping so it didn't cross our minds," he had also come at night and looking desperate, "you have to understand," he hesitated, "most of the people who come here are looking for a new start, we dont' pry too much."

Link agreed, "You do live at the end of the world," he whispered, absent-minded.

"He barely talked but it didn't bother us, the child looked happy and taken care of and though it was obvious the kid wasn't his..." Pattrick shrugged, "we didn't know then. He was honest in telling us that he was being followed and that he was a criminal, but he promised to live away from everyone, to let the village do it's thing and..." Gan's voice had shook as he had asked them to let him live with the child nearby, he had begged, "he said he just wanted to live in peace."

"The first time a search party came we were oblivious. It had been a couple of months after they had arrived and we didn't lie when we said we didn't know anything because that's what we believed. Then my wife realized what was going on and when we went to talk to him he gave everything away, he had even kept her name intact and he just stood there and said that he wasn't going away and that if we wanted to give him up we could and he wouldn't blame us."

Pattrick looked at Link again, and his eyes were tired still, but the softness was coming back and Pattrick hung onto it, "He said he was tired." Link nodded along in understanding. "And then when the last search party came, we lied."

The silence this time was soft and it didn't drown pattrick, and as he looked at Link he knew he was safe too.

"Is she happy?"

Pattrick did not wait a single second, "Yes."

And Link lifted the corner of his mouth. "I want to meet him."

Pattrick remembered the late night conversations Gan had shared with him. He wanted to repent, he wanted to protect the child and if Link wanted the same, he would understand, "Are you taking her back with you?"

Link tried to resist the pang of jealousy that started to arise. As if Pattrick could keep her away from him. As if Ganondorf had the right to hide her from him. "Do you not want me to?"

Pattrick's mouth thinned and he was sure he would never be able to replicate the eloquent way in which Gan spoke, "She has no one to protect her in the Castle."

Link's chair screeched as he stood up. Pattrick kept his head low and tried his best to remain still. "They gave up on her," he accused, "I really hope you are actually on her side, because if not..." Pattrick raised his head and Link did his best to hide his anger, "Whatever the case, I'm taking you to Gan."

Link frowned, "You think he can stop me if I were to try and take her with me?"

Pattrick's stare was telling and Link looked away in annoyance.

"The last search party that came here was 7 years ago," Pattrick spat the words and Link had the decency to look hurt.

It wasn't easy for Link either, this situation, the fact that she had been discarded after a while yet he knew if she were to come back they would greedily claim her again, it was unnerving and the fact that a no one like Pattrick threw those words at him hurt. Because he was right. "They did give up on her," Link shared, the disappointment was obvious in his voice, "no one in the Castle is looking for the princess anymore. I really am..." Link's mind filled with words that he would rather never share ever, and although his tone was harder, he couldn't hide his pain, "I want what's best for her."

Pattrick looked sorry for all he had said and Link softened considerably. Pattrick let the notion that Link was on his own in the air, because there was nothing much he could say.

Link sighed, "If she's truly happy here, then I won't take her with me. I swear."

Pattrick then wondered, "You're not really friends with Gan, right?"

Link snickered, "He knows me, leave it at that."

Link could see the gears moving in Pattrick's head, trying to make sense out of the knowledge that they knew each other with the knowledge that Gan was the criminal Ganondorf with the knowledge that Link looked no older than 20 years old.

"You're just gonna hurt your head if you keep that up."

Pattrick cocked his head to the side, curious.

"You'll have to trust me with this one."

Pattrick gave up and clapped his hands on his trousers, "Let's go see Gan, then. Even if I wanted I wouln't be able to face you."

Link was still surprised Pattrick even entertained the idea of fighting with him, but he kept quiet about it. As the man stood and started cleaning the table Link asked, "Am I the first to know about," a pause, "this?"

His tone of voice was nonchalant, and although the answer even if positive would have no repercussions now, Link wanted to know if there was someone else he should worry about. Pattrick stood still a second under the door to the kitchen, "Yes," he nodded, "we did a good job at hiding him."

Pattrick made a point not to look at Link as he left his house, "You're the first to know and hopefully you're the last, too."

Link had to bite down the words that threatened to come out. Pattrick had no idea how much Zelda meant to him. No one had any idea about it, except Ganondorf. Pattrick walked around his house and as soon as Link started walking towards his mare, Pattrick turned around and waved his hand around, "You won't need one!"

Link stopped mid-movement and had to breath out, he was glad Ganondorf and Zelda lived near the village. It meant Zelda had a somewhat normal life, it meant she could ask for help if needed, it meant she could have a life if she so wanted. But the fact that the very same people Link had been looking for for so long lived so close to a village the Kingdom of Hyrule had found back when all had gone to shit made him question a lot of things. Link had to shake his head and drop all the what ifs plaguing his mind, Pattrick's back was getting farther away and Link followed.

The walk was silent except for when Pattrick would warn Link about the terrain or would give tidbits of information about the village. When they started to walk through a patch of thick bushes and low branches Link began to understand Pattrick's warning regarding his horse. Link could not see his feet and wobbled every now and then, the place was within walking distance but the path towards it was not obvious. "I gather they do not receive many guests."

"Gan did say he wanted a secluded place," Pattrick answered with a hint of glee. The bushes hugged his legs and the next moment he was stumbling down. Link catched his arm and yanked him up.

"Does Zelda even go to the village?"

Pattrick massaged where Link had grabbed, thankful the blonde had caught him, surprised at the grip strenght he had, "She hasn't gone out without Gan, if that's what you're asking."

Link glanced up front and his brows knitted, the forest grew thicker and thicker. Pattrick stood tall in front of him and breathed in. "We're closer, come on."

Link was amazed and shocked to see that the place Ganondorf had decided to stay at was so unguarded. Sure, it was semi-deep in a forest, but it was just a clearing. A clearing in a forest. Nothing more. A river could be seen to their left, the house stood to their right and Link had to chuckle to himself again.

Pattrick walked with purpose with Link in his tail and Pattrick didn't even need to tell Link where they were. Link could hear them. Pattrick walked to the front door and knocked. When no one answered and Pattrick turned to tell Link that they probably were at the back, Pattrick stopped.

Link had walked around the house and was standing in awe. Pattrick couldn't help but feel something tugging at his heart. The longing that showed in Link's face was painful. Pattrick slowly made his way to Link and looked at Ganondorf and Zelda tending to their crops. Link stood still and Pattrick kept walking. Ganondorf was the first to notice him.

Zelda raised her face when she noticed her father's attention being elsewhere. Her voice was high-pitched and cheerful, "Uncle Pattrick!"

Pattrick gave a few more steps and waved at the child, who stood and waved back and, remembering something, sprinted back to her house. "I have something for Mira!"

Pattrick stood silent and tried his best to remain unconspicuous to the men near him. Ganondorf walked out of the crops and towards Link. The gerudo towered over the blonde and his long red hair waved as he walked. Link remained rooted in place and his blue eyes looked straight at Ganondorf, unable to look elsewhere. Ganondorf felt a shiver run down his spine and although the icy look Link was giving him made him gulp down the air in his mouth, he kept on walking. This was it. Link either had finally found the monster that had killed the rulers of the Kingdom or Link had finally found his long lost friend.

And Link was giving nothing away. He stood firm, ready, and as many times before, deadly. Ganondorf stopped a little ways away from him and raised a hand. At least if Link killed him now Zelda would be in good hands. Ganondorf was sure Pattrick wouldn't let her look at his bloodied corpse. Whatever happened, it was fine.

Link eyed the hand Ganondorf offered, glanced up towards Ganondorf's face and he crumbled. Link swatted away Ganondorf's hand, much to the redhead's surprise, and plunged himself into Ganondorf's chest. And Ganondorf melted.

"You gotta give me a sign next time, dude, my heart was about to burst out of my chest."

Link chuckled and bit his lip to fight back the tears that threatened to fill his eyes. His feeling jumbled together and the relief, pain, excitement and anguish came forth with strenght. Link raised his face to the sky, "I might cry."

Ganondorf's chest rumbled and Link knew he had laughed, "You and Zelda are always such crybabies."

Ganondorf cupped Link's face and smiled. Link punched him in the arm in response.

"Don't smile now!" he whined. Ganondorf roared.

Ganondorf's smile was a gift. A secret. He usually wore a frown, it almost felt more natural for him to do so. But when he smiled, it meant he was himself, freed of his destiny, freed of the Goddesses chains. Their Ganondorf. It was a sign to Zelda and Link, it came easy with Zelda and Link. It was a gift Ganondorf had received a long time ago that he loved to share with the people who had given it to him.

Ganondorf held his stomach and howled at the sky, he then patted Link's arm, "Come one, you don't want to say hi to her while crying!"

Pattrick stood still as a statue because although he knew Gan to be softer than what he looked like he had never seen him laugh so unguarded. He had no doubts now that Link had not lied about their relationship and they in fact knew each other from a while back. How? Pattrick wasn't sure, but at this point he wouldn't dare butt in either. Ganondorf hit Link's shoulder and the blonde had to take a step forward not to fall. In between the bickering Zelda came out again from the house and skipped towards Pattrick.

"I made a necklace with daddy the other day!" she showed a neatly braided string with a bunch of pretty rocks inside, "This is for Mira," she shoved the gift towards Pattrick and kept her attention on him as he thanked her for a second before turning to her father.

"Zelda!" Gan called and the child trotted towards him. Ganondorf stepped aside and Zelda came face to face with the blonde young man.

Link felt a surge of relief that made him weak on the knees, "Hello," he said, softer than normal.

Zelda cocked her head to the side but kept her smile. Ganondorf patted Link's back and encouraged her with a nod.

"My name is Zelda," she shared, "What's yours?"

Link felt his smile tremble. She didn't remember.

And the tears threatened to fall again. Link's smile broadened, "My name is Link," Ganondorf squeezed his shoulder, "it's a pleasure to meet you." Zelda looked at her father, then back at Link, when she turned around to run to the field, Ganondorf came to Link's ear.

"I'm sure she'll remember soon."

And Link wasn't sure what he wanted anymore.

The three Goddesses that protected the Realm, Din, Nayru and Farore, were nothing but legends. Miths the people of Hyrule had created to understand their world, give it meaning. People prayed to them, believed them to be benevolent beings always overseeing Hylians. But to Link, Zelda and Ganondorf they meant something else.

The memories Link remembered were proof of his role. Maybe a mishap the Goddesses had overlooked. Memories of lives lived long ago, blurry but clear, distant but so close he could still feel his hands clasping his sword. They always had the same roles. The Princess of Hyrule, a Gerudo King, a Hylian soldier. They represented a cycle: conflict and rebirth. And the Goddesses bestowed them with their blessings. Nayru's Wisdom to the Hylian Princess, Din's Power to the Gerudo King, Farore's Courage to the Hylian soldier. Ganondorf would lay waste to the land, destroy and ravage, always seeking something, and Zelda and Link would be there to stop him. They were meant to change eras, be the before and after, be it when Zelda and Link won or Ganondorf did.

Link looked up at Ganondorf and received a tight smile as an answer. The Goddesses had to have made a mistake somewhere. Why else would they let Link and Ganondorf be friends? Why else would they let Ganondorf raise Zelda? Why would they let them remember past lives in which they lived happily together?

"You're staying with us, right?" Ganondorf pulled Link out of his head and Link realized Pattrick was standing in front of him, exchanging info with Ganondorf.

"Sure. Do you have space for me?"

Ganondorf smirked, "Sure do. You heard him," he said to Pattrick, feeling smug for whatever reason.

Pattrick waved his hands, annoyed, "Fine, I wasn't trying to-," Ganondorf's smug drove him crazy, "you're so annoying."

"Ah," Link remembered, "Epona."

"He can take care of Epona, right?"

Pattrick racked his brains to attach name to image, but, "Epona?"

Ganondorf pointed at Link, a lazy finger peeking out from under his crossed arms, "His horse."

Pattrick shrugged, "Sure. I'll put him in a barn nearby-"

"Her," Ganondorf corrected. Pattrick raised an eyebrow at him. "It's a mare," explained Ganondorf with the most bothersome tone.

Pattrick opened his mouth in disgust and replied slowly to hide his anger, directly to Link, "You can come to my house whenever to get her back," he stressed.

"I actually need to go back anyways," Ganondorf mocked insult by putting his hand to his chest, "I need my stuff."

Ganondorf shrugged and waved goodbye. Pattrick gave him the stink eye and walked exhuding anger and stomping away, but before they left he turned and waved with a smile on his face. Ganondorf moved his whole torso to wave back and Link chuckled at the dynamic the two men had between them.

As if animosity had never existed between them Pattrick began to share Ganondorf and Zelda's lifestyle with Link. Ganondorf never left the clearing, and if he had to he would do so at night and completely covered. Ganondorf had made sure they could live with what they could grow in their house and hunt from the forest and river, whenever they needed something else Ganondorf with Zelda in tow would pay Pattrick a visit. Ganondorf made sure to stay away from everyone else and although he tried to have Zelda visit the village and spend more time with people, she would rather stay with him and aside from the occasional visit would also stay away from people.

Pattrick swatted away a low branch, sure, she wasn't as outgoing as his own daughter, but Zelda was already friends with Mira and Lloyd -the only other child their age- and would play with them every once in a while. As they finally got out into the road, Pattrick gathered his courage and asked Link what was he really doing here.

"I was really looking for Gan and Zelda."

Pattrick looked up and down again at Link, "Did you really come on your own?"

"I did."

Pattrick then nodded, "Good."

Epona was waiting for them just as Link had left her. Link caressed her nuzzle and told her she would be staying in the village for a while. "I'll be coming to see her everyday anyways," Link informed Pattrick. Pattrick then took Link to the village's barn, a spacious place were all of the horses stayed. There were 5 other horses beside Epona and Pattrick assured Link he would keep an eye on her, and then added, "Well, you know where to find me if Gan annoys you to death."

Link laughed out loud and as he left the place. He stepped into the clearing as the sun had started to go down and as he got closer to the house a nice smell filled his nostrils. The door opened immediately after Link knocked and Zelda greeted him with a polite smile, she left immediately to keep on arranging the table and Ganondorf greeted Link from the kitchen, spoon in hand.

Ganondorf stirred the pot once more and led Link to a room to his right, next to the bathroom. "Your room," Ganondorf waved his hand with a flourish and Link shook his head as he let his bag touch the ground.

"We're eating dinner in a bit so you can just do whatever you want."

"I'll help."

"My sweet Zellie is already doing all that, go ahead and rest in the living room or whatever."

Link glanced at Zelda who was placing the plates and then decided to be nosy and look around the living room. Ganondorf's home had a spacious living room that connected to an open kitchen, in which Ganondorf was now busying himself. The kitchen had a back door that led to the garden and it split the house in two, two rooms to its left that worked as Ganondorf's and Zelda's room, and two rooms to its right, one smaller than the others that worked as storage and the bathroom. The guest bedroom was inside the living room in a sense, right beside the bathroom. Link walked to the bookshelf that stood near the chimney, opposite his room and closer to the table, and eyed the book titles. There was a vast amount of books and most of them were teaching materials, there was a corner filled with books for children and another with knowledge about farming and hunting. There were a couple of books about history and Link stared at them for a little. They were out of arms reach of a child and Link had to wonder what had Ganondorf taught Zelda about he parents.

Link had to look back as the nagging feeling of being observed grew inside him. Zelda was staring at him but she immediately looked away.

"Do you have a favorite book?"

Her eyes shone as he asked that question and she jumped out of her chair. She stopped a few steps away from him, unsure, "Do you have a favorite book?"

Link put his hand to his chin, "I do, but I don't find it in here."

"What's it called?" Her excitement was obvious and Link couldn't help but smile.

"It's called Bravabas, do you kn-?"

Zelda jumped on her spot, "I have it in my room!" she made fists and moved them up and down, "Daddy bought it for me a while back and I'm reading it!"

Link turned to her fully, "In which part are you?"

"Brava just found the golden arrows and now he's going back to Princess Dianna so she can defeat the Baba lord!"

Link nodded along, remembering the story, "You think she'll accept his help?"

Zelda moved her head up and down with strength, "She will!"

"Make way and don't come closer! This is hot!" Ganondorf kicked a chair that bothered him and set a boiling pot in the center of the table. "Who knew you would be reading Link's favorite, huh? Come on now, sit down and eat."

Zelda got used to Link's presence rather quickly. It did help that Link was overly eager to please her, and that they shared a bunch of hobbies. Zelda left to go to sleep only after Link had promised to accompany her tomorrow to go harvest mushrooms in the forest.

After Zelda had said her goodnights and gone to sleep, after Ganondorf had accompanied her to her bed and kissed her temple, afted Link had helped clean the dishes and Ganondorf had accompanied him to his room. After Link sat on his bed and Ganondorf sat on the only chair in the bedroom, with its back turned to Link.

Ganondorf pried, "What is it?"

And Link had to confess, "I'm worried." He stopped talking, but Ganondorf did not fill the silence in the room and just waited. Link glanced over to Zelda's room, "We usually remember soon after the other does."

Ganondorf tilted his head to the side, "How old were you-?"

"I was eight."

And the silence that followed none knew how to fill. There was not a set age in which they would remember, there was not a set action they had to do, there was neither rhyme nor reason as to when or how, and most times they actually never did. The two things they knew out of experience were that one, whether it be Zelda or Link, if one of them awakened, the other would soon follow, and two:

"Maybe we'll have to wait till she turns seventeen."

Maybe it had to do with the age they usually had when they had to fight Ganondorf. Maybe the Goddesses did decide on that number. There was no one they could ask to confirm and at this point this was their safest bet, so Link nodded.

"Maybe."

There was a stretch of silence that made each of them remember memories that should not be there, but as nothing like this had happened before, Ganondorf grimaced but let it go. "How long will you stay?"

"I can stay for a month," he then added, "there's no problem with that, right?"

Ganondorf snorted, "I'm not asking because I want you out, I'm asking because I want you to stay."

Link played with his fingers, "What are we gonna do about her?"

"You wannna take her back to the Castle?"

Link frowned, he wanted to, but he also knew it may not be the best course of action, so he decided to lay the blame on him, "You told Pattrick she would be alone in the Castle."

Ganondorf raised his eyebrows in remembrance, "I did say that." Link gave back an exhasperated look, asking whether Ganondorf believed he would ever leave her alone, and Ganondorf whispered"I didn't know whether you remembered or not. I came to the end of the fucking country just to get away from your deadly sword."

Link looked away in an attempt to not hear what Ganondorf was saying. He was correct, of course, if Link hadn't had his memories with him he would have dealt with Ganondorf in a second before taking Zelda with him. "Fine."

Ganondorf felt overly annoyed, and for some reason he felt he needed to explain himself, "I didn't know."

"I know."

"Good."

Link exhaled and clapped his hands on his thighs, "Well, anyways, I'm glad, you know." Ganondorf gave him a bored look, "that you remembered," Link continued, "that you didn't kill her."

Ganondorf wanted to laugh out loud. If only he knew. And the fact was, Ganondorf wanted him to know, if anyone out there could understand what he had gone through, if only he could share this despair he found himself into. Ganondorf crossed his arms on the back of the chair and sighed, "I..."

Ganondorf's tone was hushed and pained and Link could feel his hands sweating and he wasn't sure he wanted to know what was coming. Din's Ganondorf was always filled with anger and envy and resentment, and Link knew, like many other times, what Ganondorf was looking for now was solace.

Ganondorf closed his eyes and let his head fall back, if only he could have known. "I held her in my arms." Ganondorf remembered, he had killed her parents with little fanfare, his magic was unparalelled and it had barely been a movement of his hands. Nothing more. "I could have killed her right then and there, but for some reason I decided to hold her. And the moment I held Zelda in my arms I remembered everything." Even know, even knowing everything he knew, he still wasn't sure he would willingly choose this again, he had been flooded with memories he didn't understand of times he didn't know, but something powerful came from the back of his mind and he had felt a knife go through his heart, he had started bawling immediately. "The next moment I was running away with her in my arms."

Were they playthings to the Goddesses? Was it worth it to know everything he now knew if it only filled him with disgust for himself? Ganondorf was filled with such a strong sense of apathy he barely scoffed at the end of his story. When he looked at Link he saw him sitting straight, tight, ready to fight, but there was nothing to blame.

"I-" Link wanted to tell Ganondorf that it was not his fault, that he had been a victim of fate and that he, nevertheless, was glad he had remembered when he did, because the alternative would have been soul-crushing. But how could he thank him for something that pained Ganondorf so much. "You did what you could."

Ganondorf raised his shoulders and covered his face with his hand. Just a second. He only needed just a second to calm himself again. A second to let the rage that filled his guts to seep through his feet and get lost somewhere else. "It's fine." It was not, it would never be, but he would have to live with that. "Now you're here too and we have to concentrate on protecting Zelda."

Link could feel the struggle in Ganondorf's words, the anger in the line of his shoulders, the shame in the grip of his hand. "I understand."

"You have to, okay?" Ganondorf's muffled voice carried over, "you have to protect her when I'm gone." He crouched over, let his hand fall and then looked straight to Link, eyes shiny but filled with depth, "Promise me."

For Hyrule to thrive Gerudo King had to die before the Hero or the Princess. Every time Ganondorf had remembered he had made sure his life ended before the others. Guilt was a coat that drapped over Link's shoulders. It seemed this time wouldn't be different.

"Are you...?" Link wasn't sure how to breach the subject but Ganondorf smirked.

"Not yet, but who knows, right?"

As if the coat wasn't heavy enough. Over time, and surely a gift from the Goddesses, Ganondorf would start to dream and allucinate far away threats and pains that would drove him to destroy and rage again. He would feel the pain of Link's sword cut him time and time and time again and would feel Zelda's magic piercing his skin and crushing his heart. Surely, because he had lost his willingness to play his part in this dance.

"When that happens you better have a house and place prepared for Zelda, you hear me, you better be powerful enough so you can protect her from their greedy hands too."

Link clung onto the hope that change might come, "Maybe you won't have those dreams this time."

But Ganondorf could feel it in his bones, "No, I will."

Link wanted to argue, Zelda's situation had already changed, why wouldn't his? But Ganondorf cut him before he could even start, "I'll hang on for as long as I can, promise, but the faster you get ready the better. When she falls in love with y-"

"Ganondorf." Link's voice was sharp and firm. And Ganondorf couldn't believe after all these years Link could harbor a speck of doubt about what would happen. "You don't know that," Link said, and he was final.

Ganondorf raised his hands, "Fine, but when I'm gone and you're the only other person she can trust, you're gonna let her live here alone?"

Link grimaced, "We'll let her choose." Their eyes were locked and both thought the other was being stubborn, "when the time comes, and if the time comes, she'll choose."

Ganondorf turned his face away and stood up, "We're butting heads on this one," he placed the chair on the corner of the room and placed his hands on his hips. "Well, see you tomorrow, then."

Link stood up too, "Gan," and his eyes were so clear and full of hope that Ganondorf knew.

"Yeah, I know. Thanks for that."

How wonderful could it be if this time Ganondorf would be freed of Din's fate. How wonderful if he could just enjoy this life as a father, how wonderful if he could just die of old age in his bed.

How-

"Good night."

-wonderful would it be.

By the time Link had to leave, Zelda made the saddest face he had seen on her, and he had promised her that he would come back next year.

Link had thought about Zelda's future and Ganondorf's words and had entertained the idea of easing her into the world by having her travel with him to the Castle. But in one of their mushroom gathering expeditions he had asked her if she was bothered by living away from people and she had answered -without missing a beat- that no, she wasn't bothered and that she would rather live with her father than in a town full of people.

Link had snickered, had asked if she loved her father that much. And Zelda had extended her arms so big that she had fell on her back saying how much she loved her daddy. Link decided right then and there that he would never take her away.

"See you, then."

Ganondorf made a cone with his hands, "Next time you can clear a path to bring Epona in here, I'll make a shed!"

Link turned around and waved, and Ganondorf and Zelda waved back.

"Boss!"

Link turned around in time as one of his seargants trotted to him, "Guile," Link greeted.

Guile stood firm and saluted, one arm flexed over his chest with a fist in front of his heart, "Good to see you, Lieutenant!" and with the same energetic greeting, "May I know how your mission went?"

Link smirked. Link was known for his almost obsessing need into knowing the whereabouts of the princess. Many thought him a fool and the others thought it a waste of his talents. But his two sergeants were one of the few people who not only supported his search, but were also genuinely interested in it. Nothing to do with an actual interest in the princess, but more of a profound respect of their superior.

Link turned fully to him, "Well, I'm more than ready to take another long absence as soon as I can to keep on looking," and he lied.

#the legend of zelda #fanfic #fanfiction #zelink #linkxzelda #link x zelda #link #zelda #ganondorf #when wisdom sleeps #ch.1 #I can't for the life of me add a separator line in here #it's just one not that big of a deal #but why can't i :(

[seekingseven]

The Most Sincere Kind of Lie (Ch1)

Chapter 1 of my Linked Universe fanfic, let’s see how this baby goes down! Also available to read here on AO3

┍━━━━ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ━━━━┑

Hyrule's Hyrule did not feel like a Hyrule.

A calm, somber, empty wind threaded its way through the sky and forest and swamps, stirring up the stagnant dust lying on abandoned pathways and tugging curiously at the Links' clothing. The road they walked along was hard and flat, unfamiliar with the shifting anxiousness of wandering travelers and unwilling to leave any memory of their footprints behind. Streams mumbled and grumbled to the south, and the dark, seductive lullaby of the forest wafted in from the north. Hauntingly beautiful and terribly desolate was the only way to describe this place. Not even three hours of walking had yielded sight of a single other traveler aside from themselves.

Hyrule wasn't bothered by this, however. In fact, the traveler had an extra skip in his step and sparkle in his smile, excitedly weaving through the crowd of his incarnations and pointing out distant shadows of distant places with infectious enthusiasm. Infectious enthusiasm was the only proper term for it; Hyrule's amicable and eager attitude had contaminated everyone in the group. Sky hummed a lullaby as they walked along, bopping his head slowly as Wind thumped out the time signature on his chest. Four, Wild and Wars were all huddled around the traveler, trying to guess the names and places of things ahead of them while Hyrule laughed and occasionally applauded their efforts. Even Time and Twilight stared at the darkening sky and pointed out the timid pinpricks of light above, grinning like love-struck fools when Hyrule named each constellation and detailed the lore behind them.

On the other hand, Legend was very much bothered by their current situation. Even after hours of walking, he had no idea where Hyrule was taking them. He had no idea where, or even if, they were going to sleep tonight. Were they going to have dinner? Discuss a battle strategy or cover story for their ragtag group before they eventually ended up in some Nayru-forsaken town? Legend glared at the armor on Time's back. Of all people, Old Man should have had the presence of mind to lay out some semblance of a plan. But instead, he had an arm draped around Hyrule's shoulder and another on Twilight's, looking up at the stars as if they were the answer to all his most profound questions and desires. A smart bunch his incarnations were, Legend thought. They might as well run off the path at full speed and wait for wild monsters to tear them apart if everyone was going to be this idyllic and dopey. Yeah. Idiots. That's all they were. Legend brooded and nurtured his dissatisfaction with paternal meticulousness, almost enjoying the feeling of disgust blooming between his ribs. He thought of how much his feet hurt and how heavy his eyelids felt. What he would give for a good meal and a warm blanket and twenty seconds of reprieve from the noise and racket around him. His eyebrows slipped low over his face, his mouth twisted into its typical grimace, his movements slowed as he began to lag behind the rest of the group.

Goddesses above, he was so, so, so tired.

The silvery, boisterous sound of Sky's laughter shattered the silence Legend had grown extremely fond of over the last few minutes. The disgruntled hero stared up from his feet and stifled a groan as he processed the chaos in front of him. Wind was carrying Sky on his shoulders, swaying back and forth as the former's power bracelet twinkled crazily under the moonlight, and a piggyback race had been declared. Four had hoisted himself on Warriors' back without a second thought, and the two were off, sprinting down a path they weren't familiar with, and towards a horizon they'd never met. A brilliant thing to do in a foreign Hyrule, Legend thought bitterly. At least Time, Twilight, Wild, and Hyrule had some semblance of dignity about them. Oh, scratch that, the insane cook had stripped down to what he called his Sheikah Speedos (whatever on Farore's good green earth that meant) and was now sitting atop Twilight's shoulders. Legend hoped for a split second that Twilight would be level-minded enough to dissuade his protégé from such a reckless pastime. The aforementioned hope melted in the air when the pair shrieked a stream of sacrilegious boasts and sprinted after Wind and Warriors' retreating forms. Hyrule, who was still leading the whole group -- even though they were in his Hyrule, Legend had a sneaking feeling that this was a bad idea -- tossed his shield underneath his feet and quite literally sledded down the path. Legend sighed dramatically. Apparently, Wild's wasteful hobby had tainted even him.

Idiots, the lot of them.

Humid fog skittered over from a nearby river and settled onto Legend's lashes and cheeks. He blinked slowly and yawned again. The arsenal on his back pulled him downwards, and Legend made no motion to resist, relishing the feeling of slack muscles and half-closed eyes and hair flopping in front of his face. He didn't notice how far forward he was slumped until his hands dragged across the floor and scratched the rough skin of his knuckles. Legend glared furiously at the dust beneath him, as if to reprimand its audacity. The half-asleep hero proceeded to slog forward with even less intention than before.

Maybe if he fell asleep in the middle of the path, they would all stop their shenanigans and put their heads back on their shoulders.

"Hey, Legend! Pick it up, yeah? You're moving about as fast as Wind's gramma on a summer afternoon!"

That stupid cook couldn't even let him sleep, huh?

Legend didn't have a comeback, so he just sneered at Wild's silhouette as Wind did the job for him. Sailor boy had quite the vocabulary -- not exactly vulgar but certainly brazen enough to make the aforementioned 'Gramma' blush had she been here. The lazy smile was still plastered over Legend's face when Time broke away from the group and sidled up next to him.

"What do you make of all this?" Time questioned.

"Nothing much. It's all pretty stupid, to be honest." The veteran hero didn't look up from the floor, addressing his sleepy words to the dust underneath him.

Time gave Legend a sidelong look. The sound of laughter and smell of sea salt carried on the wind and grazed the tips of Legend's ears. The Old Man's gaze didn't falter, somehow becoming more childish and bright as he tilted his head genially to the side and waggled his eyebrows suggestively. Legend took one look at the dopey look on Time's face and rolled his eyes.

"Not a chance, Old Man. I might hurt your back."  

"My back? Oh no, you misunderstand. I'm more interested in receiving a piggyback ride than giving one."

Legend took an involuntary step back and stared up at Time with incredulity splashed all over his face.

"...?!"

"Ah. You're a poor sport, I see."

"... you're not going to manipulate me into something as humiliating as that."

"Oh well. Worth a shot. But what about Hyrule?"

"??"

"Everyone is getting rides except him. I have a feeling he would appreciate it very much if you would swallow your pride for his sake. Why not help him win that race?"

"Yeah," Legend grunted, "and I would appreciate it if you got off my case and let me be."

They walked on in silence. The Old Man's armor chinked in time with the sea shanty Wind was belting out at the top of his lungs. A few of the other Links joined in, even though they didn't know the words, their voices exploding into an ungodly crescendo as Wind tossed his hands up into the sky. Legend remained silent. He kicked the small pebbles in front of his feet and glowered at the shifting shadows lurking around the path's corners. There was no need to worry -- Hyrule had made it clear that as long as one stuck on the road, there was no chance of being attacked by any monsters -- but Legend's sleep-deprived brain sparkled with anxiety regardless. Snorts and giggles and quips and retorts echoed in the cold air; Time smiled at them, Legend glared. He just wanted to get to a town, eat something, nap, and wake up when Hylia's little shtick was all over.  

"Time!" Wild shouted, snapping Legend out of his reverie, "can you hold these for us? Twi and I have a race to win, and alla these thingamajiggers aren't doing much to help us out." Twilight stumbled over to them, trying to balance the hyperactive wild child spazzing out on his shoulders, and started to say something before Wild promptly dumped an assortment of swords, shields, and shirts into the Old Man's outstretched arms. Twilight stared apologetically up at Time, opening his mouth to speak before Wild tugged his hair demanded they rejoin the fray. Legend had to hold a hand in front of his face to avoid breathing in the dust Twilight kicked up. Time stared on fondly, slinging the swords over his shoulders and scrutinizing the abandoned things around him as the two crazies scampered off. He sat on his knees with a grunt and started sifting through his bag, apparently looking for a sliver of space to put the random shields and clothes he'd been handed. A few random weapons and supplies had to come out before anything else could go in, and Legend scrutinized them with the jaded eye of a seasoned mage. Time pulled out a hookshot (typical), bow (even more so), three separate quivers of ice, fire, and light arrows (untouched for years, if the fine coating of dust around them meant anything), and a strange magnifying glass with a magenta frame and indigo lens. Well, well, well. What could that be? A familiar cold fire tickled the back of his throat -- the same one that prompted him to begin his first journey and propelled him through the rest. It only grew stronger when Legend noticed how the lens bent and scattered the moonbeams falling around it; it was almost as if the artifact was trying to avoid the light. His eyebrows flickered up, and a smirk pinched the corners of his lips. Legend tossed a quick glance first at Time, who was still slowly shuffling around the materials in his bag, and another one at the rest of the Links, who were still racing and tripping and shouting like a gang of toddlers. In one fluid movement, Legend swiped the lens and held it up in front of his grinning face.  

The lens was heavy, not just because of the metal handle, but because of the ocean of magic seething and roiling within. Dark magic, without a doubt; the thick, somber, molasses-like heartbeat of the enchantment couldn't be chalked up to anything else. But said dark magic had obviously been tampered with in some way; there was none of the electric, fiery malevolence ingrained in most cursed artifacts. Perhaps it had been enchanted by a mage with a pure heart and proficiency in the dark arts? Legend's eyebrows pressed together. His fingertips itched to pull out his Magic Mirror and compare the two.

It took Legend a few seconds to register that Time's singular eye was boring into him. Legend startled and took a few preemptive steps back, just in case the Old Man got it in his head to make a lunge for the strange lens. The veteran hero smiled at his companion, balancing the artifact on the fat part of his palm.

"Fascinating. Where'd you get this, Old Man? Never thought you were a connoisseur of corrupted magical artifacts."

Time shrugged his shoulders and stood up, slinging his bag and assortment of swords around his neck. Legend tried very hard not to become uncomfortable under his unflinching, unreadable stare.  

"I don't suggest you play with it," Time finally said.

Legend grinned even wider and pressed the strange artifact to his chest. "You don't say?" He flicked the crimson barbs adorning the top of the lens and tapped the handle with a fingernail. "I can feel the Dark Magic pouring through this lens -- if it even is a lens and not a portal of sorts." Holding it up to the moon, Legend's face contorted in curiosity as the lens snuffed out the light around it. "The weird thing is that there's no malevolence behind the magic. Must have been cast by a powerful mage with no intent to harm."

"Perhaps it was." Despite his words, Time's deadpan words hung thickly in the air and betrayed his complete disinterest in pursuing the conversation further. He held out his hand in front of him, an invitation for Legend to return the lens so the both could continue on their way.

Legend slapped the hand away.

"I don't think so," the veteran teased. "Wanna tell me why you don't want me holding onto this thing? Hiding something, Gramps?"  

"Aren't we all?"  

"Oh please, spare me your existential-crisis inducing lectures. What do these engravings on the side mean?" Legend squinted at the fine letters etched into the rim. "Hmm...Lens of Truth. Is that what it's called? How odd. Hey, what do you say will happen if I look through it?"

"The same thing that happened to my eye."  

Legend's fiery curiosity dimmed and his sense of self-preservation flared. The veteran cradled the lens in his palm and widened his eyes, searching Time's face for any hint of duplicity.

"Really?" Legend whispered.

"Nope." Time replied. The skin around his eyes crinkled. Legend groaned loudly. He should have seen this one coming.

"Ugh. You really had me going for a second there."

"Hmm. Now give it back."

"C'mon," Legend urged, "don't be such a grump. Can't I just hold onto it for a little bit? You know how careful I am with artifacts of all kids, magical or not. Now that I think about it, I'm probably the best person to keep it with. Not like it's doing anything in that bag of yours."

The silence was heavy and disappointing. Legend was about to appeal to his character and reliability once more before noticing the childish glint in Time's eyes.

Oh no.

"Well, maybe if…" Time began.

"I'm not giving you a piggyback ride."

Time's baritone chuckles muffled the sounds of dust crunching beneath their feet. "I was only going to ask you if you would be able to carry all these things for me."

Legend blinked quickly, then sheepishly nodded his head. This was a pretty good deal, actually. He slung Time's bag and the array of swords Wild had dumped off around his shoulders, wincing as they dug into his skin. A sharp prick of jealousy pierced his heart as he watched Time sprint ahead and swing Hyrule onto his shoulders. He shook his head, trying to ignore the sound of Hyrule's soft, shy laughter, and busied himself with the lens in his hands.

What a fascinating thing it was. "The Lens of Truth," huh? Much more enigmatic of a name than "Magic Mirror." He idly bounced the lens in his hand as he thought. Why was it filled with dark magic but free of actual darkness? What kind of truth did it claim to reveal? Why did Time have such a strange artifact sitting at the bottom of his inventory?

His curiosity burned even brighter, and Legend found himself almost skipping down the path.

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Saria Town smelled like salt, dirt, and the sweat of a community living on the fringes of the world. At Hyrule's insistence, the Links slid off each other's shoulders and sauntered over to Legend to grab their swords, shields, and -- in Wild's case -- clothes. The veteran smiled half-heartedly as the weight on his back was lifted in bits and pieces, eyes and mind still trained on the Lens of Truth. It had been half an hour since the strange artifact had first been handed to him, and he was still no closer to finding any explanation for its weird magical aura.

"Okay, everyone, just some things before we head in." Hyrule's faint voice carried clearly through the crisp nighttime air. "The only building in this town big enough for all of us to stay at belongs to Saria Town's Wise Man. You guys need to be really nice and polite to him, or we won't have any place to sleep tonight."

"Are you saying we aren't always nice and polite?" Sky questioned. Laughter rippled through the assemblage of heroes as Hyrule awkwardly scratched the back of his neck.

"Well, I'm just saying that some of us struggle, maybe just a little, with that last one?"

Everybody's eyes fell on Legend.

"What?" The veteran said.

Hyrule turned bright red and sputtered out an apology, trying to explain that he hadn't meant to single out anybody with that last statement and he was just trying to make sure everybody knew what the townspeople would expect and that he was so sorry gosh just so--

Legend held out a hand in front of him and bounced the Lens of Truth between the fingers of the other. "I'm not mad," he finally said, walking past Hyrule towards the rickety wooden bridge that led to the small town. "I'll be going now. If anyone feels like joining me, be my guest."  

Saria Town was somehow even quieter up close. A smattering of squat, grey buildings pressed their stomachs to the floor, tender blades of grass carpeting the ground beneath them. Soft light poured out of open windows and spilled on the ground. The sleepy villagers perked up at the sight of Hyrule and widened their eyes at the sight of his entourage, waving shyly and grinning when the whole group waved back.

Hyrule stopped in front of the biggest building in the town, hesitating for a split second before knocking. The Links clustered behind him. A woman dressed in purple answered the door, light spilling out from the crack in the door and glinting off the polished wooden porch. Her eyes widened when she recognized the figure at her doorstep.

"Hello, Link! Oh, you look so tired! Do you need a place to stay, darling?"  

"Yes, ma'am," Hyrule said, "and so does my family."  

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#linkeduniverse #zelda #fanfiction #angstTIMES!:D #seeking7 #LU

[understandableparadox]

the beginning of a legend of zelda thing between me and a friend

solved paradox

you are a hero... a hero reborn time and time again, a summery of penultimate bravery. of unyielding courage, of time tested perseverance. a soul immortalized by the goddess... yet you are tired... so...so tired, time and time again fighting against the soul of the great evil, aided by the soul of a princess... ah... the warm golden hands of the goddess farore... goddess of courage,  the soul of demise is held by the goddess din and the soul of the princess is held in the hands of nayru... the cycle comes again. maybe this time...wait...the other two are gone but the farore remains...perhaps she has something to ask of you...

https://pm1.narvii.com/6819/9702d5dfdd9283e5dea69f1baba0b3f882c4cdbbv2_hq.jpg

Little Spotlight

You try and give a quick wave.

solved paradox

"im sorry... as a hero it must hurt seeing he goddess you will come to worship in your life carting the soul of your enemy back to the world of the living."

Little Spotlight

He sighed, just for now you would indulge them. Giving them a quick nod.

solved paradox

"I want things to stop... that’s why... your mission is not to kill and seal away his soul again. it is to destroy the soul of the dark god of demise."

Little Spotlight

He raised a brow...but didn't stop her.

solved paradox

"do you remember him...? it was life times ago, back when your blade could still speak and lead you. back when the hylians lived among the clouds on their islands..."

Little Spotlight

He mouthed the words but never uttered the name. FI

solved paradox

"I ask the impossible from the soul of a hero who has done the impossible. the foe is not ganondorf, nor ganon. it is demise, end this so the souls may rest, ask of me a gift to help you kill a god."

Little Spotlight

He took a moment. While still in between lives, he glimpsed between his lives. Every Experience he knew, every Ganon.

solved paradox

every ganondorf was the male born of the gerudo, one who forged a path though shear power, every disadvantage was broken and turned to a blade for him to weild, only for his mind and body to be taken over by the dark god of demise, whose fate would then be to meet an end at the end of the master sword.(edited)

Little Spotlight

He had been a champion betrayed, a minish hero, a hero split, a hero of time, ventured through the twilight, glimpsed into his times failed...so much. And he did decided. This time i will be the gerudo.

solved paradox

she seemed a bit worried...  "then you will be born side by side with ganondorf, please be ready... but I cannot consider such a life to be a gift, please, ask of me one more thing."

Little Spotlight

He thought about it. What he needed most, how he could use most effectively. Grant me the knowledge of the heroes shade in this next life.

solved paradox

she nods, the heroes soul is enveloped in your hand... you have not been reborn, but you could see your old mentor, the man who appers as both a skeleton and a wolf. he takes a knee and bows... it dissolves and becomes apart of you... his knowledge of blade and body become yours...  "good luck link..."  your vision begins to fade.

Little Spotlight

Maybe this once...he could rest.

The Brothers

solved paradox

your first taste of life would be of mass panic, female voices talking quickly, their words gibberish as your held in someones warm arms.

Little Spotlight

He tries to open his eyes once more.

solved paradox

You can see your mothers face, cradled in her other arm is another baby...

Little Spotlight

There he was...

Little Spotlight

He would have to keep his calm.

solved paradox

easy enough, given you retained no memories of the goddesses plea. your brother was asleep.

Little Spotlight

He looked to the mother above him.

solved paradox

shes crying.

Little Spotlight

He tried to reach for her.

solved paradox

she hugged you and your bother close to her...

Little Spotlight

He tried patting her face.

solved paradox

6 years later...life among the gerudo women was good, the small hub seemed ready to help take care of the two sole males collectively, with them you would be trained with a spear and dagger.

Little Spotlight

He tried to excel at both. Weapons naturally feeling great in his hands.

solved paradox

your brother would try to learn with you, he would use a sword and bow.

Little Spotlight

He wanted to make his mother proud.

solved paradox

that’s hard to tell sometimes... its almost as if she looks at you both with animosity behind your back...

Little Spotlight

He still tried his best, if not her then his instructors.

solved paradox

two women who were able to weave together magic, under their tutelage, they would show you the steps to a deadly dance, your partner the spear and dagger, how to step away or press forward, how to make something inanimate a living extension of the arm.

Little Spotlight

This dance was nice...he wanted to learn all of the dances he could. Even the ones his brother learned.Though he never said this...he never said anything.

solved paradox

the mute often get to hear things others dont... you could hear the tutors shouting at your brother for breaking the equipment or striking blindly. you can hear the talk of the town, the gossip of your mother being cursed...

Little Spotlight

Cursed? No she was great...he tried to gather something for her. Maybe some flowers, yeah a crown of them.

solved paradox

rather hard to find in the desert...

Little Spotlight

He was confident he could do it.

solved paradox

would you take anyone with you to help you look?

Little Spotlight

He needed his brother to hold attention. Maybe one of the other kids around.

solved paradox

after asking around, a few of they young girls of the village admitted that they got most of their flowers from pocket money when travelers came around

Little Spotlight

he scrunched his face. He wanted to do something better than that. He'll find one himself. Of course he's not going to let himself get caught at the gate...so he climbs over one of the side walls.

solved paradox

https://i.redd.it/3hb54c7xs6o01.jpg

the world is wide for a child...

Little Spotlight

He still had a dagger and spear... so he could handle it. He marched off into the desert.

solved paradox

its hot out there... out on the mountain you can see the god of the gerudo, vah naboris, behind you, the pillar stone that endlessly spouts water, way points.

Little Spotlight

He gave a quick prayer to van naboris. And scooted off.

solved paradox

where would you head to?

Little SpotlightToday at 2:10 PM

west.

solved paradox

west was more of the same... maybe you can get some of the flowers from the cactus that grow about.

Little Spotlight

He would do so...they would be neat...he cut down a cactus. And get a few flowers.

solved paradox

~gained 3 desert flowers~!~

https://knpr.org/sites/default/files/public/styles/detail_large/public/images/story/cactus2a.jpg?itok=a-PXM1ce

Little Spotlight

He decided...one more. He just needed something to tie it together.He did a little bit more just a little bit more.

solved paradox

how so? the flowers dont have vines...

Little Spotlight

Maybe not these but he was sure he could find ones that did.

solved paradox

ah~! there~! the vines that grow the hydro melons~!

Little Spotlight

*Ah he grabbed two of them and scuttled back home.

solved paradox

your brother covered for you perfectly~!

Little Spotlight

He got to work quickly to make a crown using the vines. He waited for mama to come pick them up from training. He wanted everyone to see mama get a crown and some melons.

solved paradox

as the sun comes down your mother comes to pick you up for the day.

Little Spotlight

He quickly a scampers up to his mother a set of freshly picked hydromelons hugged in grasp and in his grasp a crown of flowers. He raised himself on his toes and puffed his chest as he offered them to her.

solved paradox

she smiled down at you and hugged you, leaning down so you can put the flower crown on her.

Little Spotlight

He set the crown on her head. And with his hands free he offered her the fruits. He was glad to see her smile.

solved paradox

she set the fruits in the basket and lead you and your brother home...

Little Spotlight

He followed her with a cheery smile.

solved paradox

mutes get to hear a lot...

they can hear when someone comes into their room...

they can be silent enough to make their mother think that they are still asleep...

they can hear their silent sobs as they stand at the side of their brothers bed...

they can hear the thrashing.

Little Spotlight

Thrashing?

solved paradox

they can hear the muffled child screams...

Little Spotlight

He peered from under the cover.

solved paradox

your mother is holding your brothers head under a pillow. tears running down her face...

Little Spotlight

His chest heaved as he jumped out of bed trying to pull mama off of her brother. He didn't know why she was hurting brother.

solved paradox

in his struggle, you can see gold light pouring from the back of his hand...

Little Spotlight

That didn't matter, mama was hurting brother. He tried to pry her away. "Gah!" At least one sound escaped his lips.

solved paradox

in the panic, your brother pushed your mother, hard...hard enough to bury her in the ceiling, then to fall to the ground limp.

Little Spotlight

He looked to his brother panicked. Then over to his mother. He tried to check on her.

solved paradox

no pulse....you can hear him gasp for air.

Little Spotlight

He dragged her to the door. He screamed out the best he could. "Hahh!" He needed to get her help. Anyone.

solved paradox

they were slow to wake, but the guards would quickly take her to the med ward... another would go inside, only to find a whole in the wall of the room and the walls of the city...

your name is link.

your mother is dead.

your brother has earned the cursed name of ganondorf.

#discord #rp #legend of zelda #gerudo link #young ganon

[liv-andletdie]

My liege, would you be so gracious as to bless us with an angsty zelink?

So I came up with the idea for this and then I started crying. This prompt has been on my mind for the longest time now it’s time to do this. I chose OoT for this because it’s the angstiest game in my opinion (people wanna say it’s Majora’s Mask it isn’t it’s Ocarina of Time! It splits into 3 time lines ALL OF THEM SAD) Again this ended up being quite short I’m not sure what’s getting into me.

(Actual quote from my sister “I don’t like you. That wasn’t very nice how dare you”)

Ao3 link [x]

Metal sliced through flesh, a deafening cry rang out across the ruins of the once proud castle. Blood spilt over the floor, staining the cracked stone crimson. The scent of death hung in the air.

The hero fell to his knees, he wasn’t aware of anything accept the pain and fire in his abdomen. And inferno surrounded him and the maniacal laugh of the beast before him rang in his ears. He dropped his sword, the polish steel rusting almost instantly. A bad omen for a dying man.

Link clutched at his side, blood seeping through his fingers. The smell of it burned his nose, knocking him sick. His vision began to fade, the agony clouding his mind. All he could think about was the pain. It hurts it hurts so much he thought falling to the ground as the strength left his legs. The worn stone was hot against his cheek, the flames around him glowed bright and blinding

A small cry could be heard, the tinkling of bells sounding out over the wreckage and the ruin and the turmoil. A spark of blue flitted in and out of his vision, a light pressure landed on his cheek. Navi The small sobs of his closest friend pierced his ears. Her light voice was usually a comfort. She had guided him in the darkest of dungeons, she had been with him in the lightest of nights. But now little Navi was sobbing, and the sound broke his heart.

I’m scared The thought hit him like a charging horse. The cold weight of his inevitable death refusing to lift from his heart. He was scared. As he lay in the rubble, the blood and ash filling the air, he tried to dream of better times. Of tall trees and the kind smile of his old friend. But the memories hurt as the child, aged beyond his years, sobbed in the face of his own death.

In the distance he could see her, the princess, fighting alone against the creature that had killed him. She looked tired, scared, and utterly devastated. She carried on fighting, the walls that had surrounded him had been dropped the moment the Master Sword had left his grip.

Watching her fight he felt his heart stutter.

The Beast let out an almighty roar, his anger shaking the ground as Zelda pushed against it with her magic. She used that moment to run to him, stained pink slippers entered his vision, the princess collapsing to her knees in front of him. She cast Nayru’s love, a crystal blue dome protecting the two of them from Ganon’s prevailing attacks.

“Link” she cried, reaching for him and pulling his weak body into her lap. The blood stained her once white skirts a deep dark red. “Oh Link, stay with me it’s going to be okay”

Her voice was like music, soothing and caressing his aches and wounds. She pushed his hair out of his eyes, gazing over him with her kind and worried expression. “I’m sorry” he croaked out, choking on the blood that bubbled up from his throat. “Shh shh” she soothed him, he voice heavy with unshed tears “It’s okay, I’m here, you’re going to be okay”

She’s lying.

She ran her fingers through his hair, trying to bring him some comfort. His tears ran hot down his cheeks, mixing with the blood and grime on his skin. Soft sobs bubbled up from his throat, more blood coming with them. He watched her, the way the fires contrasted harshly with her watery gaze, the grime that covered her own beautiful face.

She’s always been beautiful he thought to himself, remembering a garden. The soft summer air mixing with the scent of fresh flowers, an inquisitive young girl stood peering into the window. They had been so young, so innocent, he lamented. She had believed in him, believed that he could stop the tyrant before it was too late. But he’d failed then, he’d been to late the first time. He had watched as she was taken from him, her castle and her city in flames. A helplessness settled in the pit of his stomach, new tears welled up in his eyes.

“Z-zelda” he sobbed, a shaking, blood stained, hand reaching up to hold hers, pressing the smooth silk against his cheek. “Yes my love?” “I’m… I’m sorry”

She silenced him with a soft kiss, the taste of iron strong on his lips. “You mustn’t talk like that Link. You’re going to be okay. Isn’t that right Navi? He’s going to be okay”

The blue fairy was silent, already in mourning for her charge. Zelda seemed to grow desperate, pulling his lame body closer to hers. He grunted at the pain, a fresh stream of blood seeping from the wound in his side. Delicate hands reached out to try and stop it. He tried to catch her eyes with his, desperate for a friendly and familiar sight in his final moments.

“Zel-” he choked tears clouding his vision “I’m scared”

She held back a sob, applying more pressure to his wound, the blood was hot and sticky in her hands.

“Don’t be” she commanded, trying to hide the mounting fear and guilt in her voice “I’m right here, Link. I’m here just stay with me”

Using the last of his strength, he reached his arm up, his fingers holding onto her chin, staining her skin red. He turned her face towards him, eyes meeting hers. A shallow sob left her chest at the look in his eyes. He’s terrified her heart ached, her hands instinctively held him closer. He’s hurting, he’s scared, and it’s all my fault!

For 7 years she had hid waiting for him to return, her Kokiri boy, her hero. The boy who snuck past guards time and time against just to show her the masks he had found. The boy who risked being kicked out of the palace grounds just to see her smile.

For 7 years she had disguised herself, given up jewels and dresses to keep him safe. When she had seen him again her heart had stopped beating. Her Kokiri boy, all grown up. He’d looked so lost, but determined. It had killed her to lie to him, to see his worry every time he asked for Princess Zelda. “How is she doing? Is she safe?”

But now, for the first time in a long time, she saw him for who he was. Not some brave hero, not some gentle eternal soul, not a man born and bred to destroy evil.

A frightened child. Terrified of dying, of being alone.

“It’s going to be okay” she repeated the words like a hopeless mantra. Praying to the goddess that they may take pity on her love, that he may survive, that he not be made to suffer.

“I failed you”“You didn’t! Link you didn’t fail me. I… I failed you. This is my fault”

The boy in her arms shook his head, his hand moving to hold her cheek. Her vision became blurry, tears falling onto his face. Navi remained silent perching on Link’s golden hair, matted with sweat and dirt. She curled up, holding tightly onto the strands, he soft sobs and wails buried in the green fabric of his cap. “This is my fault” she repeated, expected to see hatred and malice colour his eyes. But they remained blissfully blue, only fear and love present in his tear filled gaze. Guilt gnawed at her stomach, her shoulders shook with restrained sobbs. She wouldn’t break down in front of him, she wouldn’t let him know how terrified she was.

“It’s-” a wet dying cough erupted from his chest, warm sticky blood dribbling down his chin. He struggled for breath, his lungs failing him.

“Don’t speak. Link please don’t speak” she begged, hand leaving his side to tangle in the ruined fabric at his chest. “Please Link, just rest” “It’s….it’s….not….your fault” He wheezed. Tears streaming down his face with the effort. His breaths were becoming laboured, a rattle sounding from his torn lungs. Zelda could only watch as her love went limp in her arms. His blue eyes sliding shut for the last time. The hand the held her cheek fell down, resting uselessly at his side.

Panic overtook her. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears as she searched for his.

“Link?” she sobbed, her hand coming up to rest against his neck, trying in vain to find a pulse. “Link please… open your eyes….Link”

Navi’s blue glow had diminished, growing fainter and fainter until she ceased to shine. Her child lying cold beneath her was a blow the small fairy could not survive.

Zelda pulled him close to her, her grief filled sobs echoing across the broken stone. His body was limp in her arms as she rocked back and forth, The floating ash coating the two of them like falling snow. She clung to him, never wanting to let go. Nayru’s love left her, the crystal shield falling away and leaving her exposed to the Beast King’s attacks 

The Hero of Time was dead.

Zelda composed herself, wiping the tears from her eyes. She lay Link down on the floor, his hands resting on his chest, Navi curled up between his fingers. The two would be at peace now she hoped as she pulled the small blue ocarina from his pouch.

She had given him the instrument over 7 years ago when they were both still young. When this had all seemed like a big game they could win. When the goddesses had been kind.

Standing Zelda lifted the Ocarina of Time to her lips, her breaths still heavy with grief as she played the prelude of light.

I’m sorry my love she thought, eyes ghosting over Link’s still form as she disappeared into a shower of light. I am sorry I cannot bring you with me, that I must leave you here. I will find a way to defeat him. I will destroy Ganon. I promise you my love. I promise you.

Polished marble met worn and stained slippers as she materialized in the Temple of Time 

The weight of what had happened hit her as she collapsed to the floor, her sobs coming anew. She wrapped her arms around herself rocking back and forth on the cold stone, her precious ocarina held tightly in her grasp. The last thing she had of him, of Link.

In the distance, the Beast’s loud cries could be heard. The rang throughout the land like a death knoll, proclaiming the end of the hero for his minions to hear.

I promise you she prayed I promise you Link, I will not let him destroy us again.

#zelink #oot zelink #zelink angst #zelink fanfic requests #I'm in bits

[hyliancourage]

' tell me now, boy-- where are your precious goddesses when you need them? '

his lungs burn with exhaustion and stress, the muscles of his arms aching as he forces them not to tremble despite how tired he is from holding and swinging the weight of the mighty Master Sword. this fight, this final fight against the dark lord himself, has proven to be the most taxing and difficult of them all. the enemies of dungeons and temples past seem laughable in the face of the demon king now, and link has to wonder at how he ever found them impossible, now that he’s faced with the impossible. 

link wonders for only a moment though, raising his shield up just in time to block the heavy handed blow from ganondorf’s sword that would surely have cleaved his skull in half. his teeth vibrate and clack unpleasantly in his mouth at the sheer force, drawing blood from where he bites down on it accidentally in result. but despite the ringing of steel in his ears link throws himself backwards and then rolls safely away, creating much needed distance once more.

ganondorf’s mocking follows soon after, and link has to grit his teeth, forcing himself to take deep, somewhat unsteady breaths through his nose and not gulp air down through his mouth like he wants to. his grip on the master sword tightens, slick with sweat, and for a moment — only a moment, there’s a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. he doesn’t doubt the fated plan of the goddesses — doesn’t doubt their power or their reach. it was once rumored that hylian’s ears were so long so that they could hear the whispers of the goddesses, but link has never heard them, not once, not even while he stood in the temple of time. he has always kept faith no matter what, but he has to wonder where that rumor came from — if over time, the goddesses’ voices faded as they moved farther away from hyrule. 

but before ganondorf’s words can get to him too much, the mark of farore burns hot and bright on the back of his hand, bright enough to be seen even through the thick leather of his gauntlets. yet despite the heat that it gives off, it doesn’t burn him. it’s, at most, warm — comforting as it is telling. the mark of courage, the mark of farore is with him, and that’s answer enough for him. while he can’t speak on nayru or din, farore is with him at least, and nayru with zelda. he hardly imagines that din, on the other hand, is very pleased with ganondorf’s actions – his greed and power hungry desires. din, who’s power cultivated the land and created the red earth. that same red earth is now crumbled, torn and crudely warped, infested with all the monsters ganondorf has summoned forth. 

it’s answer enough for link’s eyes narrow, for him to grit his teeth and find the courage to move forward again, the wisdom to see past ganondorf’s tricks, and the strength to carry on.  “ it isn’t me who should be worrying about them. ”  he murmurs. “ clearly, it’s destined by the goddesses themselves that you don’t succeed. ”

#dragmiire #i was tempted to put this in your botw au bc goddamn that is a fuckin 😔🙏🙏🙏 amazing au if i ever saw one #but i wasn't sure how to so i fell back on oot. which. how surprising that i would choose to write time #TRULY the most shocking revelation of the century #❃ SHEIKAH SLATE. ❮ asks. #✶ OOT / ADULT. ❮ the hero of time / legendary myth. #anyway i imagine this takes place during the end of the game! #link is super tired from that difficult round of pong he played with ganondorf

[bokettochild]

I Am My Master's Sword

So... I ended up having feelings about Fi. Mostly because of a a post that was shared before my Tumblr break about her. Like, we talk about how Fi might have felt when Wind pulled her, and I know- I know! I talk about him a lot but-

Legend.

Legend was a kid, maybe even younger than Time was, when he pulled the sword. And unlike in the other timelines where Fi's decision hurt the hero, in this one, he died!

Fi is dedicated to, and assigned, one task; to help her master protect the world. So how would it effect her to fail in that task and let her master die? Only to be given another one, just as young and small and weak, to try and guide?

Anyways, I caught Fi feels and wrote her a little thing. It is TTTB compliant, but you don't have to read that 30+ Chapter mess to read this.

Hope y'all enjoy!

Perhaps it was not the goddess’s will, but Fi had favorites.

Logically, a sword should not have any attachment to her many masters, she should have been cold and loyal to all of them, granting them her power and aid until they returned her to her rest, and then waited for the next one to come and draw her blade.

But even so, there were a few of her masters that she had an especial fondness, for, even despite her attempts to remove her own feelings from the equation.

Master. Matdas. Link. The Hero of the Surface and the Sky. Chosen Hero of Hylia herself, her dearest and closest friend, easily stood at the top of her list of favorite heroes. He was the one to forge her to her fullest power and stand by her side. Certainly, he was an eternally exhausted and somewhat easily distracted young man, but in her lengthy experience, it seemed that was simply Her Grace’s preference for heroes. The point was that her first Master was her favorite, and dearest of friends, and despite his flaws; his tardiness and inability to focus for long periods, his utter cluelessness when conversing with other individuals, and his (honestly endearing) love of danger; she adored him.

They could not remain together forever though. She may be her Master’s sword, but a knight only requires the use of his blade as long as he is in battle, and with Demise defeated, there was no need for her power to be continuously used. It was with great sadness that Master had laid her to rest, and had Fi ad a heart, she had little doubt that she would have shed many a tear at their parting.

She lay at rest for many years.

The hero after her Master had no need of her power, forging his own blade like his ancestor before him and defeating evil without her aid.

It was the hero that followed after that that weighed heavy on her mind.

The young Hero of Time was both her greatest regret and her greatest sorrow. A mere child, one too young for her voice to be of any aid to him, her calculations and estimates nothing in comparison to the orb of blue light -a fairy she had determined- that filled the air with chatter and guided the boy along. Had she had her way here, he too would have gone on without having to wield her power. Such a choice was not in her metaphorical hands however, and when small fingers had clasped her hilt the possibilities of the future had overwhelmed her.

In another world, the sleep she sent him into saved him. In another world, her strength was enough. In another time, the hero survived and moved on with his life. In another world he grew up and was married and was happy. The echoes of that world resounded within her, but they were not the life that she saw in this time. No. In this time, her blade clattered to the ground amid the churned-up dirt and seeping blood as a boy too young had released his last breaths in an agonizing scream.

The princess defeated the monster that was Ganon, sealing him away. The princess took her blade in her hands and carried it far away from the castle, hiding it in a grove with a bitter curse on her lips for the blade's failure to protect its master.

Still stained in blood and dirt, Fi took the admonition of Her Grace’s incarnate, fully aware of her own failure in the gristly matter.

She sat alone in that grove for centuries.

Trees rose and fell and hand after hand tugged at her blade, curious but unworthy to remove her. Children had played at her base, uninjured by her dull blade as stories were shared about where the youngsters thought the broken and neglected blade had come from.

“A princess put it there.” A pink haired child had told his playmates. “I saw her in a dream once.”

“A princess?”

“Sure, Link, an’ my Gran’s a duchess!”

The other children had laughed and teased, eventually tiring of their play and wending back to where their parent’s and families gathered on the edge of the grove, half-way through a journey, no doubt to a festival or event in castle town.

Fi had watched with a stiff little smile. They were precious beings, Her Grace’s children, she could understand why Master and the Spirit Maiden had been so dedicated to protecting these people if such small beings were possible. She enjoyed watching them, as much as a sword spirit could, perched, invisible to the mortal gaze, on the hilt of her blade, watching games of tag and hide and go seek with dull eyes.

None of them should have been able to see her.

Purple eyes met hers regardless, shining and curious, and so painfully innocent.

Had the spirit had a heart, it would have sunk in her chest at the smile and shy wave cast her way.

“By Miss Blue Lady.” The boy had whispered, darting off with his playmates back to their caravan.

And just like that, she’d known that evil would again rise soon.

None but a Hero of Hylia ought to have been able to see her.

She dreaded the day that the hands of the pink haired boy would wrap around her blade. Would he be a child still, like the last one? Would he have aged at least as much as her beloved Master? Still young, but old enough to at least bare the weight of her blade without stumbling? Would Her Grace be able to hold strong long enough that her Chosen Ones would be allowed to age enough to bare their heavy burden?

Her soul wavered when the blade was pulled at last, and had she been capable, she would have cried tears of sorrow when she saw her new Master.

He was still so small...

She was far too big for him, just as the hero before him, but the very thought of sending him off, putting him to sleep like she had the last one..... The Hero of Time’s soul would have stirred and roamed free to find and shatter her should she do so, she had little doubt. And she would wish it. Never again, never again would she trap a mind in a body too old, nor would she so illy prepare her master as she had her last.

In another time, another world, a place covered with waves as far as the eyes could see, her choice was the same, and when a small boy, only twelve or so years of age had come, she had breathed her blessing on him even as a soul foreign to the Hero’s Destiny had pulled her free. In that world, her Master had not fallen, but the world had been corrupted in the wake of their victory, and it was left without a guardian to save it from the evils of the world.

But in this world, she had held herself aloof from the young one in her care, careful to not impress on him the destiny he neither chose not embraced. Duty pushed this child, orders of one above him and the glimmer of hope that whatever sorrow burdened his young heart might be relieved. There was little she could say or do to him regardless, after all, she was not meant to be locked into stone, away from Her Grace’s power and touch, where her blade could not regain its power and where she grew weak and damaged.

There was little she could do to aid the little hero, her Young Master, but Hylia’s wisdom touched the young one’s mind and he, rather than forsaking her for a better blade, took especial care to clean and care for her blade, gathering supplies and taking her to a smithy who strengthened and brightened her blade, and who’s hands guided her Young Master to mend her ailments and restore her to power.

Again, under caring fingers and a soulful gaze, she was restored to her true strength, and when little fingers had set to work, etching away a name in her steel, she’d never done a thing to stop them. He had never seen, but she had smiled at the little one as he looked down at his work with a firm nod.

His smile was so much like Master’s own, it made her spirit sing.

Her new master, her little master, the youngest she had known yet (in this time and in this world) was a good one. He tended her blade with all the care due by a young smithy, and even after he had replaced her to her resting place, his enemy defeated and his world saved, he’d taken care to visit and tend to her blade.

While he worked, he’d sing.

Sometimes the Ballad of the Goddess that he hummed, sometimes an old song she didn’t know. Sometimes he’d chatter, telling her about his day and how the world was. About the apple orchard beside his house and how it prospered, about the princess that was his sister, and about the things they’d seen on their journey.

Unlike before, violet eyes did not rest on her when she perched on the sword’s hilt, attentive and silent, but that did not stop her from watching him as he attended to her blade and the stone it was set in, as he cared for the ground and the area around it with all the worry and knowledge of a budding gardener.

But then he had stopped coming, and only the princess had come to her once and again, until Farore’s Oracle herself came, taking her blade in hand and whisking them away to a faraway country where her little hero, a bit older and a bit more experienced, waiting to take her on another adventure.

He had had help this time, there were friends and a mentor at his back as he fought the corrupted Golden Goddess that had been Nayru, but now acted only as a puppet to the evil Veran. There was no small amount of pride in the spirit’s soul as she watched him lead an army to destroy Ganon once more, to defeat Koume and Kotake and destroy the Tower of Evil that Veran had caused to be built.

Adventure after adventure, she had watched her little hero grow in skill and body. But with each task, each fateful quest, she had seen light leave violet eyes until they were hard and cold as stone. Eyes that lacked the purity and innocence to see her when at last her strength had fully returned. He no longer spoke to her, even as his hands worked dutifully over her blade. Only a set jaw and harsh stare met her gaze when she tried to catch his eye again, and again the spirit’s lack of a heart to break was felt as she watched bitterness and anger take over the boy as he cast aside any faith he may have once held for the Oracles and Her Grace Hylia.

Like a mother whose child has gone astray, she mourned, watching as task after task had consumed the innocent child and fueled the anger of the troubled teenager.

Sword spirits were not meant to have feelings, or to love and grow fond, and perhaps this was why. Because any Hero who must wield his blade for too long will change and grow callus and bitter towards those he loves, and she would have to watch the life fade from them as anger took hold. Hylia had attempted to grant her peace, to save her from the curse that was feeling, but she had pushed just enough to taste it, and now it was hers and a curse that weighed heavily on her as she was carried to and fro on quest after quest after quest.

Fi should not have known all of this, should not have known the heroes that she would meet in the future. Her memories should not have swum to her as nine heroes gathered, each baring his own blade as once more her Master had drawn her from her place to join with his fellow heroes to fight an evil that danced through time with no regard for its sacred pattern and the delicate lines cast between worlds. By all calculations, she ought not be able to know each in all of their individual splendor and lack thereof. She should not have known that the last of their number was once the youngest to wield her blade, or that in his time her strength was nothing to the world it was needed to save.

She shouldn’t have known that the boy’s father was a knight who’s power had been corrupted with her strength, a man brought near to ruin in her desperate attempt to right the wrongs she had done to those before him. Her strength was returned in his time, and it had nearly saddled her with the weight of another hero’s death.

She shouldn’t have known the beast that tamed himself with her power, the wolf that stirred inside the heart of a Hylian who had drawn her strength to himself in a time of shadows and twisted evils that spread far beyond the corrupted worlds and into Her Grace’s blessed land itself.

And there was her Master, and the child hero who she had killed and saved and ruined and lost all at once, alive from the time he had moved on from when he had left her yet returned her, his life tangled in the web of time and leaving holes and breaks across its surface. There too was her young master, angry and bitter and harsh, and two heroes whose fingers had never borne her strength; a hero whose power had forged his own blade and another who’d yet to find her in his desolate world.

Could a sword spirit sing in more than battle, she would have cried her thanks to the goddesses for a chance to see all of her masters, both claimed and not, gathered. Something stirred in her, although what it was was anyone’s guess, and no calculations and algorithms could determine its source, but Fi would smile as she danced in battle on her Master’s fingertips, protecting those that she had failed and who had been called too young, with the aid of one who she had grown and learned with.

It was her honor to aid them, to travel at their backs and to protect them from the darkness that followed and attacked them. To cleanse evil from their forms and return them too how they ought to have been. But her joy came when at last she could see her heroes connect.

A battle gone wrong, a misstep from one of the heroes and Master had been gravely injured, left unable to carry her and leaving her to be held and wielded by another until he was healed. There was arguing for who had a right, for who had a cause and who would wield her best, but at last she was landing in familiar hands, ones that fingered the etching on her hilt with a knowing and bitter look, but who treated her kindly as he pulled her baldric and sheath over his thin shoulders and followed along behind.

She should have kept silent, she ought to have. She had not spoken to any but the first and the last of her many masters, but she was unable to prevent it when she heard the thoughts of her Young Master.

It’s not like Sky’s actually just my Great-grandfather or something like that, he’s just... I just... I don’t want him to scold me is all. The royal family doesn’t last that long, Hyrule is wrong.

Since watching Master re-unite with the Spirit Maiden, she had not known such curiosity and -maybe it was joy- at hearing the thoughts of one of the heroes that had wielded her.

“So, you are Master’s offspring?”

Despite how the young hero -one of her favorites and the dearest to her soul, beside his ancestor in what might pass as her heart- might complain, she knew he found comfort in hearing her voice. It brought something to stir within her as well.

After centuries of silence, yet from master’s time no time at all, she was freed from silence and able, again, to converse with one of those to which she had been bound for eternity, and through him, Master.

Sword Spirit’s weren’t supposed to have favorites. But the pink-haired child that bore the Gift of Hearing and Understanding, be it animal, plant or spirit voices that he spoke to, was the connection to herself and her Master, a Link, if she might dare jest, to both her past and future, and to the heroes who she had been promised to protect. He stood beside the Chosen Hero in her memory, a favorite. And she too must have been dear to him, why else would he take such care to keep his mark on her hilt, a poorly scrawled name, only four letters, but ones that meant everything.

L-I-N-K.

The mark of ownership. A claim. A promise, and one that she would also keep and honor in kind.

She was her Master’s Sword, but she was also the blade of his descendent, and if pride could be felt by the Goddess’s blade, then Fi would have been bursting with it.

#lu fi #lu legend #lu sky #lu warriors #lu time #lu twilight #lu wild #lu wind #linkeduniverse #linked universe #the ties that bind #the blood between us compliant #fi #the master sword #i have feelings okay? #fi deserved better #fi angst

[bokettochild]

Ooh for a fluff piece you should do Hyrule and Warriors and something with claustrophobia (although that has the potential for angst real fast so feel free to ignore me)

Oops, I think my hand slipped.....

(Sorry I didn't get to this for so long, I've been crazy busy and wasn't sure how to approach writing angst until people apparently started crying at my attempt at crack :)

Glass.

Glass walls and a glass floor. A cork ceiling and too little air, too little space to breathe, too little space to function.

Hyrule’s breath hitches again with a silent whimper, his glow fading slowly with every second spent inside of his prison. Outside, he can hear the reverberating shouts of the others, fear and worry in their voices as they call out, likely shouting for him, looking and worrying and screaming in concern.

‘I’m right here!’ He wants to call back, wants to wail to the glass walls that press closer and closer around him. ‘Guys, I’m here, let me out!’ But they won’t hear. They won’t hear his tiny voice, especially not when it’s trapped inside this glass prison.

“Any sign?” The vet’s voice is strained and desperate, violet eyes flickering with fear as they dart from one tired Hero of Courage to another. “He’s got to be here somewhere!”

“Nothing.” There are tears in Sky’s eyes, and even if he’s clearly trying to be strong for the others there’s a heavy slump to his shoulders as if the weight of all of their problems hangs from them. “Twilight and I looked all over, his trail just...ends...”

“He’s got to be somewhere!” Wind protests, voice breaking and fists clenching as the sailor looks over each of them, fear and worry in the kid’s eyes as he stubbornly denies the report Twilight gently gives the rest of them.

It’s not a pretty sight.

Hyrule had only wandered off for a minute while they’d all freshened up in the stream near their camp, but that was all the time needed for him to disappear, tracks ending suddenly and no sign of him, not even a droplet of blood or a broken blade of grass left behind for them to track him with. It was Four who noticed, and while jokes and laughter had sounded as they all teased each other about the Traveler getting lost, the jokes had faded when Twilight had come back, eyes shining with worry as he informed them of Hyrule’s lack of a trail.

All mirth had died then, and eight dripping heroes had abandoned all save their weapons to search for their brother. Their cheeks redden in the cooling night air, Four sneezing occasionally as he pulls his tunic over his head while they speak. None of the others bother, standing about in all states of dress as they consider what to do.

“We’ve searched everything within two miles.” Wild murmurs pensively. “And there’s only one trail, even Hyrule can’t cover his tracks so well that Twilight can’t find him.”

“But I can’t find him, Cub.” Twilight’s voice is almost a whine, eyes pained as the rancher sits with his head in his hands. “There’s no signs! It’s like he just, vanished!”

Time’s heavy hand comes to rest on his protégé's shoulders, rubbing gently over them in an attempt at comfort that Twilight shows no interest in accepting.

They’re worn, Warriors sighs to himself. His brothers have been pushing themselves for weeks and today was meant to be a day of rest and rejuvenation beside the river. But here they sit, worry carving lines across the faces of even their youngest, shoulders drawn up close to ears or slumped in resignation. It’s been hours, Hyrule should be back by now.

Sky’s tired gaze meets his own over the heads of the younger heroes, there’s determination fighting against reassignment inside of sapphire blue, but Sky forces a weak smile for his sake, silent words passing between the two before both nod in finality. “There’s no sign-”

“We know that Sky!” The vet snaps, hands buried in his still dripping hair. “Twilight, you have your things, right?” The vet asks pointedly, breath hitching and coming in short little bursts as he looks up to the rancher.

Twilight nods, dropping one hand to tug at something hidden under his collar “Yeah.”

“Does Hyrule has any items that let him fly? Oh Nayru! I should have asked him!” The vet’s panicking now, and it’s agitating the younger heroes as his feet tap nervously at the ground, hands shaking as they run repeatedly through his bangs and tap against his thighs.

Wind’s worrying at the hem of his tunic and Wild scratches at his scars, and Warriors has no doubt that if Four wasn’t shivering and wrapping himself in his arms that the smithy would also be fidgeting nervously.

Sky sighs heavily, grabbing his sailcloth from the ground and wrapping it around the smithy’s shoulders carefully. “Like I said, there’s no sign so far. But we have to trust in Hyrule’s abilities. The traveler’s a tough egg, he doesn’t break easily and he knows what he’s doing in a forest, especially a dangerous one.” The Skyloftian shoots Legend a pointed glance, cutting off the young veteran before he can start fussing again. “It’s getting dark and we won’t be able to see, and if we’re too loud and keep disturbing the forest, we’ll only alert any monsters that might be around here to our presence. We’ll make camp here for the night and keep looking in the morning, after everyone has a warm meal.”

“He’s out there!” Legend insists.

“And he’s strong. I can’t help Hyrule right now, none of us can, not in this darkness. But I can make sure you all rest and get something to eat.” Sky’s voice gentles as he lays a hand on Legend’s bare shoulder. “We’ll find him, Bun, have a little faith in the traveler.”

The vet looks instants away from protesting, from shouting something harsh that he probably doesn’t mean. He’s worried, they all are, but Legend responds worst of all of them to injury or illness, and his protégé going missing doesn’t seem to be an exception.

It’s Time’s voice that cuts through the tension, face stern as he meets the veteran’s eyes.  “Rest. We’re no good to Hyrule if we can’t walk a straight line. Cub,” Wild’s ears prick forwards, attentive and eager for orders. The little soldier shows his training, even though he might not remember it; eager for a task to complete to distract from the tension, needing a job to focus on instead of his own spiraling thoughts. It draws a tiny smile to Warriors’ face as he watches. “Could you mix up something warm for everyone? We’ll eat and head to bed, Sky and I can take first watch, Warriors and Wild will have second,” Always best to put the two war heroes together on second watch, less chance of waking the others with their nightmares. “And Twilight and Four can take second.”

Again, Legend looks like he might protest, but their leader fixes him with a stern look. “Vet, try to sleep, please.”

Little chance of that, he muses, watching as the vet huffs and kicks at the dirt, Legend’s a worrier, even if he would never admit it, and if anyone’s going to be up all night long fussing and fidgeting, it’ll be him. What Warriors wouldn’t give to pull Ravio along just this once so that the merchant can calm their friend, he doesn’t know how he does it, but Ravio and Hyrule both have a magic touch when dealing with the ornery teenager.

“Help me get Four settled.” Sky nudges Legend’s shoulder gently. “But get dressed first.”

Tasks. That’s right, give everyone something to do to take their mind off of worrying and running wild with imaginings that will only fuel anxiety and nightmares.

“Wind,” The sailor turns to him with pinched brows, but the kid calms significantly at the sound of his captain voice. “How about you and Twilight gather some wood for a fire? Time, will you scout the borders with me while the others prep camp?”

Mentor and protégé both nod; taking the orders that come easily to his mind, the rancher pulling on his wolf pelt and melting into the forest with Wind at his heels, and Time grabbing his sword and shield and coming to follow at his side.

“Thanks for stepping up.” The older man hums, gaze strained but warm as he offers a small quirk of the lips. “You and Sky both.”

He claps the other man on the shoulder, thankful in part that Time hasn’t donned his heavy armor, thus allowing him to avoid destroying his knuckles. “That’s my job, Sprout. Besides, you had your hands full with a sad puppy.”

Time shakes his head with a soft chuckle, but Warriors counts it as a win.

If Legend was bad the night Hyrule went missing, he’s terrible when the portal sweeps over them midway through their attempts to find his protégé, and the vet’s full-on panicking once they’ve all stopped feeling woozy and sick. He’s not the only one; Wind is almost crying, the poor kids so overwhelmed, and Wild’s agitated behavior has spiked to a full blown manic as he investigates the land around them.

It’s all the three eldest heroes can do to try and keep the younger ones calm, and while Twilight tags along with Wild to scout the area, Time bundles up a shivering and sneezing Four into his arms with a soft hum, hands dragging through the smithy’s long hair carefully.

“Cold?” He calls over to the two.

Time nods. “Probably.”

They should have taken more care to dry off before starting their search.

While Sky attempts to calm Legend, simultaneously holding Wind close to himself and offering one of his Big Brother Hugs to the sailor, Warriors takes care to check their things over and make sure nothing has been left behind.

Wild’s things are nearly always in his slate. Twilight and Time have their bags on hand, but the younger ones and Sky all have plenty to ensure is still in order, and he makes extra sure to check that the potions and fairies they have are all in order and that the bottle haven’t broken during the tumbling of the switch.

There’s light again.

Hyrule whimpers as it floods over him, tucking himself closer to the base of the bottle as large hands rummage around.

His glass prison tilts and swings, but the traveler can only tumble around within, pained hisses escaping him as he fights nausea that he can only assume is from some kind of switch.

It’s Warriors’ blue gloved hand that has his bottle, and hope flutters softly alongside iridescent wings as Hyrule silently prays that the captain will open it. They’ve been looking for him, right? Maybe Warriors figured out his mistake! Maybe he realized that Hyrule isn’t your average healing fairy and has decided to let him go again!

Oh, please let it be so! He won’t burn the captain’s bug-net after all if the man will just let him out!!!

The bottle settles again, and a blue gloved hand withdraws, leaving Hyrule lying on the floor of his bottle, the glass walls and stuffy air of the bag pressing in around him as another miserable whimper escapes him.

The bag he’s trapped in is flipped closed, and he’s plunged again into darkness.

Someone get a fairy!” Legend shrieks, the vet’s panic over the last few hours heightened as his blood soaked hands press against the wound in Time’s side.

Twilight’s face is pale from where he sits supporting his mentor’s head, blood splattering his face and Time’s own as the older man chokes and wheezes, blood bubbling up from between his lips as Legend and Four both work like mad-men to try and tend their leader’s wounds.

It was a freak attack. No one saw it coming, not with how out of it they all were, and there was no time to stop it when the hinox had come rumbling through the forest with ‘blins scurrying about at its feet.

As per Legend and Warriors’ instructions, the heroes had worked to bring down the smaller enemies first, slashing and skewering while the black blood of their enemies gushed out over their blades and darting forms. The ‘blins are hard to beat, as are all the black blooded monsters, but it's become a struggle they’re accustomed too, and the heroes each dart in and out of the battle with the sort of grace of people that are accustomed to battling together and against dangers of all sort.

There’s a flaw in the system though, as they’re short one member, and while Legend and Hyrule usually fight back-to-back, with Four and Wind close at hand, the traveler is gone, and it throws off his battle partners considerably.

Time was only just in time to prevent Wind and Legend both from being axed, but the wound l=that gushes blood from his side now had been the price.

“Fairy!” Four shouts out again. “Now!”

He blinks awake, the blurriness of his vision fogging his mind too, but not so much that he doesn’t register the request this time. Gloved hands fumble with the buckles of his bag, and he’s sweating and breathing harshly with worry as he rips the straps aside and grabs the first bottle he sees. Red liquid glitters back at him and he huffs a grunt out, handing it off to Wind and digging back into his bag.

Thank Hylia he and Four had gone fairy hunting in the last world they’d been in, he’s only got the one fairy, but it should be enough.

Faint pink glimmers in his jar, no longer bright and flittering, but he has to pray it’ll be enough to save Time. His fingers scrabble for the cork, tears pricking at his eyes and burning as he does his best to force them back.

Help Time.

Calm the others.

Break down and cry later.

The cork pops free, and the fairy bumbles sluggishly towards the mouth of the jar.

“Help!” He wheezes, glancing at where Legend and Four have started preforming CPR as tears stream openly down Twilight’s face, the rancher clutching his mentor’s hand tight enough to break bones as he watches the two replacement healers attempt to preserve the ever-fading breath of the man in his arms.

The fairy's wings flit softly as it launches from the mouth of the jar. Its path is sluggish and crooked, but soft glimmering dust flutters from its wings all the same, sprinkling over the gushing wound and slowing the flow of blood. Four leans back to spit out some blood that’s bubbled up into his mouth while he was pushing air into their leader’s lungs, and a stuttering cough breaks the frenzied silence as Time’s eyes flicker. The fairy circles a second time, color returning to Time’s face as raw and tender flesh takes the place of an open wound. There’s no time for a third pass, however, as the fairy’s wings stutter to a halt, pink glow fading as it drops to the earth.

The others are too busy with Time to notice, Wind practically shoving the red potion down the man’s throat while Legend and Four start wrapping the wound in their leader’s side. Only Warriors has seen the fairy fall, and panic lances through his heart again.

Fairies aren’t supposed to collapse after healing someone; they’re supposed to fly away. But this fairy only weakly attempts to rise again, and while the other fuss over the lesser injuries while Legend scolds Time, the captain turns his attention to the fading pink light that blinks on and off in the tall grass.

The fairy shivers in his hands as he gently scoops it up, but when he raises it to eyes level to look at it properly, he freezes.

Tousled brown hair, drenched in sweat, flops over lidden golden eyes. Sure, there six tiny eyes to look at, but the light in them, though faded, is familiar. Same as the freckles that dust drawn cheeks and the tiny green and brown tunic, the shrunken boots the-

“Hyrule?” His voice is soft and disbelieving, too hushed to be heard by the others as they continue to worry over the old man. But the tiny figure in his hands stirs, ever so slightly, golden eyes blinking open as a weak smile meets his gaze.

“W-” The single sound escaped before the fairy stutters in his hands, lights blinking out for half of a second as Hyrule coughs and wheezes.

“Hang on!” Again, he’s digging in his bag, guilt and utter horror filling him as realization hits.

He put Hyrule in a bottle. A bottle that has sat in his bag for days. A bottle that is closed and sealed and-

The captain’s breath stutters as his fingers find the vial of green potion. Eyes glassy as he lifts it to the fading light in his hands, and while Hyrule sips slowly at the vial that’s raised to his lips, it’s all that the soldier can do to not break down crying right then and there.

He locked Hyrule in a bottle!

Tiny wings flutter in his hold as Hyrule pulls himself up to grasp the vial better, but the captain’s so lost in his head he can only stare, unseeing, as the fairy downs the rest of the vial, despite the thing being bigger than himself. The pink glow that signifies a healing fairy stutters back to a more radiant bloom, wings fluttering lightly as Hyrule shakes out his limbs with a wince.

“Thank you for freeing me.” The traveler’s tiny voice chirps, eyes pained but warm as they all stare up at him, and a single tear escapes from the captain at the words.

He doesn’t really think, just gently plucks the fairy up and settles him in a fold of his scarf before jumping to his feet and striding away into the forest. Sky’s voice calls after him, but he ignores it, instead heading for the nearest bunch of trees.

He’s not sure why he brought Hyrule along, but he also knows he couldn’t just leave the fairy hero back in the camp with no one to watch over him, so even as he fights back the tears that well in his eyes and the pain that blossoms in his heart and the sensation of too small- too tight- trapped- glass- trapped-

“Warriors!” The sharp peal of Hyrule’s voice cuts him out of his thoughts. He doesn’t know when he’d fallen to his knees or when his hands had risen up to clutch his hair. It hurts how hard he’s pulling, and it scares him that he hadn’t even felt it. “Hey!” The voice continues, Hyrule fluttering, still weak, only inches from his face, concern glimmering in glimmering golden eyes. “Hey listen! Wars? Can you hear me? Wars?”

“S-sorry.”

“Are you okay?” Hyrule dismissed the apology, and it draws a wet laugh from the captain as he watches the still stuttering wings beating with a speed to rival a hummingbird, Hyrule’s drawn frame looking even paler and thinner right now than it had when they’d first met him.

“I should be asking you that, kid.” He chokes out. He’d locked this kid in a bottle for days! He’d never known it and if Time hadn’t been dying, who knows how long it would have taken him to open it!

Hyrule’s smile is drawn as his wings stutter to a stop again, the traveler falling into Warriors’ lap as the captain starts forwards as if to catch him. Muttered words sound through the air and then Hyrule, properly sized but still pale and thin and painfully still is nestled against his chest. “I’m exhausted and hungry, but I’m out.” The kid breathes, eyes fluttering as a soft breeze ruffles his sweat soaked hair. “I’m out and that’s all I could ask for right now.”

He doesn’t even think as he wraps his arms around the kid, burying his nose in the damp curls and never minding the fact that they are rank with sweat and fear. It’s Hyrule, and he’s safe, and while Legend is probably going to murder him for trapping the poor kid for three whole days, at least he knows that the little one is alright.

“I’m so sorry.” His voice is muffled as he murmurs into the curls. “I know how bottles suck, if I’d’ve known it was you I would have never-” His voice hitches with a sob as he tugs the kid closer, weeping as Hyrule’s gentle hands weakly pat the only thing they can reach within his tight hug, his chest.

“You didn’t know.” Hyrule rasps softly. “But I’m burning your bug-net when I have the energy.”

“Please.” Comes the strangled sob. “Oh goddesses, Rule, I’m so sorry!” The gentle hands move up to wipe away his tears but it only brings them flooding down harder. “Goddesses, I locked you in a bottle! You could’ve been in there forever and I wouldn’t have known! I wouldn’t have checked! I would’ve-”

Left him there. His mind supplies. He would have left Hyrule in a glass bottle where no one could find him, where his shrieks and screams and pleas for help wouldn’t have made a difference to anything or anyone, not when the giant beings that trapped him were unaware or uncaring of his fate, not when he was there to serve a purpose, not when he was there to be used like an item and supply power to those who don’t have enough themselves.

A talisman. I trophy. A tool so that they could do what they needed.

He’s been there. He’s been in that bottle, used like a tool, supplying power to beings so much larger than himself. He’s been in that bottle and left to sit while his friends call his name, while Mask and Tune and Ravio and Impa and Marin and Midna and- and-

“Hush.” Hyrule coos softly, voice hoarse, no doubt from many a scream and wail in hopes of catching their attention, of gaining freedom. “Sush, you’re okay. I’m okay, we’re both okay and Time will be okay.” Rough pads scrape across his cheeks and gently rub his ears. “I got you Wars, I got you.”

And Hyrule does have him, holds him despite being the one in Warriors’ lap, until the others come wandering over and the traveler is scooped from his arms by Sky, who hugs the youngster with tears pouring down his face and voice caught in his throat.

His tears go unnoticed as they all head back, and the instant they reach camp Legend is springing forwards with worry glittering in his eyes as he takes the traveler’s face in his hands, disbelief and shock and hurt and hope and a thousand other emotions swarming in golden violet as Legend gently touches the traveler’s brow with his own, crystal tears leaking out slowly as a tiny smile pulls at the vet’s face.

It only lasts a minute, but then Sky and Legend are fussing over Hyrule, checking him over and clucking their tongues like a couple of mother cuckoos as Wild springs towards the fire, eyes flashing indignantly at the sight of Hyrule’s thin frame, something he’d worked so hard to mend.

“Oh, ‘Rulie, thank Din you’re back!” Legend sighs, cupping the kids face gently in his hands as golden eyes flicker up at the vet with a smile. “Wherever where you? We nearly lost our minds with worry!”

“He was trapped by a monster.” The words roll off of his tongue bitterly as Hyrule frowns up at him, but Legend and Sky are too busy fussing to notice and Hyrule isn’t given a chance to correct anything as they check again for any injuries.

Warriors draws away, leaving Hyrule wrapped in his scarf as he sits on the edge of camp, head aching from tears shed and mind blank in the wake of them. He’s too tired to join in the fuss and celebration as Time sits up again with a groan and Hyrule is spoon-fed soup by a murmuring Sky. He’s tired. He’s cold, and he feels utterly empty.

At least he’s not in a bottle.

The thought sends shivers through him as he curls in on himself, an outlier to the bustle of the camp, free now to descend into the madness of his broken mind.

#warriors angst #idiot writes angst #sapphic loser16 my beloved #linked universe #linkeduniverse #lu warriors #lu hyrule #lu legend #lu time #lu twilight #lu sky #lu wind #lu four #lu wild #angst #hurt no comfort #claustrophobia #claustrophobia tw

[mavda]

Melted

Ch.1 | Ch.2 | Ch.3 | Ch.4 | Ch.5 | Ch.6 | Ch.7 | Ch.8 | Ch.9 | Ch.10 | Ch.11 |

Ch.12: Remember your place.

Mina was brushing her Highness' hair when Leela and Rosie started to talk about the Hero.

"He is dashing, I tell you," Leela had been smitten by him since the first moment, "nice and gentlemanly," she swooned. Rose could only giggle and try to imagine such a man.

They were whispering, trying to do their chores with delicacy, but Mina could feel her Highness' discomfort, the way her shoulders tensed under her fingers.

"Does her Highness have something she wants to talk about?"

Zelda's blue eyes looked at Mina through the mirror, but she shook her head slightly. She wasn't going to talk about him to Mina, or anyone for that matter. She had begun to feel oddly protective of her relationship with him.

She had been careless, she had forgotten who she was, where she was, what she meant. She had been freed of Zant's claws just to find herself amidst a bunch of hungry people. She had had trouble ruling before, why hadn't she thought of the problems ahead? It was her fault.

And she had brought Link into the mess. She was doubting herself, again, she was doubting her actions. Maybe she should have let him free, free of her, free of tasks, free of people asking from him. She was going to honor him, of course, but maybe she could have sent him riches to his door, let him be.

Maybe the fact the letters had been intercepted had been good. No letters from her would mean he wouldn't come back, right? He would think it a scorn, forget about her, leave her alone. Like she was supposed to be. He would remember she was the Ice Princess, he wouldn't have to suffer with her.

"...won't you, your Majesty?"

Zelda rose her head, "Pardon me? I didn't quite get what you said."

Leela giggled behind a sheet, "I was telling Rosie that she will be able to see him, because her Majesty will bring him to honor his deeds, won't you, your Majesty?"

Mina let the brush on the table, and started braiding her Highness' hair.

"That is correct," Zelda gave the girl a demure smile, "I will have him honored, wether he comes here or not. I owe him that much."

Leela gave a squeak while Rose laughed at her reaction.

"You will see, Rosie," Leela twirled around, "you will see!"

Mina shushed the over-excited girl, "Back to your chores, Leela, no more talk about him."

Leela straightened and stifled her happiness, "Yes, ma'am," she gave Rose a look and went back to the sheets.

Zelda closed her eyes as she felt Mina tugging at her hair.

"Is her Highness worried about the Hero?"

Zelda openes her eyes, alarmed, but neither Leela nor Rose were in the room.

Mina gave her a soft look, "I knew it." She finished her Highness' hair with a blue ribbon, "There has been a rather big commotion about him, and you, and some letters going around."

Zelda sighed, "So I've gathered. Shameful."

Mina let her Majesty stand up, followed her to her wardrobe. Leela had already picked her Majesty's clothes.

"Is her Majesty sure he is coming to the Castle?"

Zelda touched her clothes, "I wouldn't know, the letters are being held, you see."

Mina undressed her Majesty, "You're overthinking, your Majesty."

"How come everyone knows already?"

Mina snorted, "Well, first of all, your council is dying to get you out of there, so even your walls have ears; second, we maids have a knack for gossip, and seriously, Leela? You had Leela bring you food? She told everyone how handsome the Hero was, and how beautiful it would be for him to be King, whatever; and third, everyone saw Cade going around with letters, it doesn't take a sharp mind to figure out who wrote them... and well, things got out, and now everyone is in love with your love story, apparently. Everyone but your council, it seems."

Zelda rolled her eyes, Mina was tying laces on her back, "It would be out of a fairytale, Mina," the maid mocked, "you have no idea what people have been telling out there."

"Cade gave me a rough overview."

"Well, then, you'll have people judging you for whatever you do, let's see how it turns out."

Mina tightened her Highness' dress, "Stop overthinking, please, you want him honored, have him honored, don't think about what everyone else will think."

"He really doesn't deserve to be treated like this."

Midna frowned, "You don't, either."

"He is really young," Zelda shared.

"How young are we talking ab-"

"Seventeen."

Mina huffed, "That is not young," Zelda gave her a look, "maybe to you, yes, but, and forgive me for this, but you were sheltered your whole life. He is from Ordona, right? A farmer? I know for a fact that in Castle Town life is harsh for anyone who is not a noble, I don't see why it would be different in the provinces."

"I just-"

"You're having second thoughts, why doesn't it surprise me?"

Zelda pouted and looked away, "I'm just worried, is all."

"When aren't you."

Mina felt her princess tense, and decided that all her worries, as always, came from the best of places, "You have already decided to reward him and honor him, go through with it. I can assure you that the peasants will be overjoyed," Mina decided not to talk about either the noblepeople or her Majesty's council.

Zelda nodded slightly.

Mina tried reassuring her Princess, "Don't let things get tangled in your beautiful little head. Not everything has to be confusing and worrying. He had nothing before his journey, right? Everything he did was out of a sense of justice or duty, or whatever, but he never once asked something out of you, did he?"

Zelda sighed, "Yes, he... he did not."

"Well, I like him already."

Cade found her in one of the hallways, moving with haste to reach the councilroom.

"Princess!" there were no guards nearby, so if he was to come clean about the whole fiasco with the famous letters, it had to be now. He had to tell her, before she heard it from somebody else.

Zelda saw him and slowed her walk, "Cade," she greeted, "it's nice to see you."

Cade swallowed the lump from his throat. Just let it out, man, on three, do it. Cade could see she was tired, her eyes, her skin, her stance.

"I sent the letters," he blurted, if he was to tell her about it, at least he could start from the good news.

Zelda gave him a thin-lipped smile, "Thank you, Cade."

Zelda gave him a couple of seconds, waited for him to talk, but the words weren't coming, and she nodded.

"If that is all, then I-"

"They know about them," Cade could feel the shame in his voice, "as in, they know what you wrote, as in... they opened your letters and stuff."

Cade felt Zelda's hand on his shoulder, "I understand, Cade, thanks for telling me."

Cade openes his mouth, but Zelda shook her head, "Don't worry about it, it's not your fault."

She smiled and left, and Cade knew. She was going to blame herself.

Dotour Amour was squirming in his seat, eager to discuss with her Majesty what he believed to be a waste of resources, a useless show of gratitude, a completely unecessary deed. He waited till her Majesty was in her seat, respecting her royal position, before he spoke.

"Your Majesty, I believe, before we discuss anything else, that we should talk about the elephant in the room," Lady Ria, beside him, was nodding, "it has come to the council's attention tha-"

"Are we not going to wait for William, Sir Dotour?" Tela Weiss, one of those youngsters Dotour couldn't care less about, spoke with the soft voice that was typical of her.

"If he can not abide to the times we have already stablished, I don't see why we should wait for him, Tela, dear."

Tela nodded in acknowledgment. Kafei rolled his eyes, and Dotour had to swallow the scorn that was rising in his throat.

"As I was saying, then, it has come to the council's attention that you intend to have your Hero honored, with titles and lands, is that correct?"

Zelda kept her eyes fixed in some documents in front of her, "I don't see how the council has come to know that, since I have clearly not said anything."

Dotour coughed, "It is a matter of whether you did or not, your Majesty."

"I would think it more along the lines of how far will you disrespect your sovereign, but I'll answer anyways. Yes, I did, but since I have not brought it as a matter to the council, I still fail to see why you think it important to discuss."

Dotour smiled, she had fell for it. She was still a brash woman.

"May I know from where were you going to take the funds to honor this Hero?" he had to refrain from air quoting the word 'honor'.

"For what it matters, I'm totally in favor of having him honored," chirped Mikau, "he saved her Majesty, it's the least we can do."

"Not the point," barked Dotour.

"Yes, my father just wants to shame our Princess from taking money from the vaults, do you not, dear father?"

Zelda looked at Dotour in the face, "Well, Sir Dotour, I'll have you know that I was going to take both, the lands and the money from my personal treasury. I'm sure you know that as a Princess I am covered in that front, so don't you worry, I won't touch money meant for the Kingdom. It's good to know you care so much for that."

Dotour clenched his jaw.

"Since we're talking about this Hero, may I ask something more personal, your Majesty?" Lady Ria smirked at Mikau, he was glaring at her.

"As you wish," Zelda said as nonchalant as possible.

"Those rumours about him being a candidate to the throne, are just that, right? Rumours?"

"Come on," Mikau whined, "he saved her and left. This is ridiculous," he took a piece of paper and showed it to Lady Ria, "we have to talk about the upcoming Nayru's season, stop being insufferable and let her Majesty be. If she wants to give him her whole treasury it's her choice-"

"But it's not," Dotour snarled, "It's not just her choice, not since she accepted her role as sovereign. She has to answer to her council, and I find it rather worrying that she is offering an unkown man titles and lands out of nowhere."

"He saved her life," cried Mikau, "for Hylia's sake we have more important things-"

"What if he is just manipulating her, Sir Mikau?"

"Sure, because he made the invasion happen, right?"

Dotour bit his cheek, he knew already the youngsters believed in the invasion, he knew already how talking about the invasion as if it didn't exist was just a bad move. Dotour looked at Lady Ria, hoping to find the support she had offered.

"You are a young, beautiful woman, you have and will have your fair amount of suitors. Please just ease this old woman's soul and promise not to do anything rash regarding-"

"I know perfectly well that my future husband will have to go through harsh scrutiny, Lady Ria. Link Ordon, in case you have not heard his name yet, is a loyal supporter, and I will have him honored. And I swear to Hylia if you or anyone disrespects him because you assume things of him, I will have you-"

"Oh, and you didn't wait for me?" William was smiling from ear to ear, he looked around and made room for the person walking behind him, "I had trouble convincing this man to join us, but you can thank me later."

Dotour looked ready to kill William, and though Lady Ria was still looking at Zelda, she turned her head as fast as she could when she heard William call the man's name.

"Sir Auru, please take a seat."

Zelda had been warned. Cade had told her, Mikau had told her, Ashei and Shad had told her.

She had been warned, and yet it was hard to believe. Auru Po'hra, her father's most trusted advisor, was walking into the councilroom.

And if she doubted her memory, Dotour Amour's reaction was telling, he was the oldest member in her council - arguably the most powerful -, and he was red in the face, fighting for words that weren't coming, with eyes filled with ire.

Zelda had never, in her life, seen him like this.

"You disgusting traitor," Dotour growled.

William had to catch a paperweight before it hit Auru's face, "Oh, well, this will be fun."

#the legend of zelda #twilight princess #zelink #fanfic #melted #ch.12 #and i'm still writing

[mavda]

Melted

Ch.1 | Ch.2 |

Ch. 3: I understand

He knew her feet must hurt, but she remained silent and bore with it.

"Link?"

He stopped beside a rock, sighed and then motioned to her to sit.

"I am also eager to leave the desert, but I won't stand for you to just get hurt."

Zelda looked puzzled, but then Link pointed at her feet and she understood.

"Oh, Link, I can still bear with it, really."

But his face left little to discussion, so she sat. He began cleaning her feet with cloth and then ripped a large piece and wrapped one foot and then the other. She stood and thanked him again, he looked at her, hopeful, but she just smiled, curtsied and kept on walking.

It was endearing, really, the way he looked out for anything that would be a bother to her and try to fix it, but she wasn't going to take advantage of that. He had offered to give her his boots to walk in the desert, she had been thankful, but when she had asked what he was going to wear, his face had remained stoic and he had mumbled - barely audibly - that he was going to walk barefooted. Zelda hadn't lost her smile, she just had thanked him again and began walking. Link had showed worry at every moment, but Zelda hadn't swayed from her decision.

The few bokoblins they encountered weren't a problem for Link, and Zelda watched his movements with fascination. He was feral, ruthless, and clever, whatever he could find to make him have the advantage he took; he had once thrown his boot into a bokoblin's face just to have a few more seconds to finish the one that he was fighting. He always had an eye on her, she didn't know how he managed to be aware of everything and not fail miserably, but he did. After a while, and to Link's great relief, they encountered a group of bokoblins with bulbos, he made quick work of everyone and explained to Zelda how riding one would be a great idea. If she had concerns about riding a huge monster she hid it well, and soon enough, with some slight difficulties thanks to the beast's wild nature, Zelda grabbed Link's torso with strenght and they moved through the desert towards Lake Hylia.

The winds changed near twilight, and they saw the sun hide under green luscious grass, they had said goodbye to the bulbo before exiting the desert and now Zelda felt the need to kneel and kiss the ground, but controlled her impulses. Link lead her to a spring, unwrapped her feet and asked her to please tend to her wounds. They were barely bruises, but she did as told and washed her feet, she also took advantage of the spring and washed her face and arms, as she turned to tell Link to follow suit she saw him cut some grass and bring it to his mouth. A clear, strong tune came out of it, he repeated it three times and then turned towards her.

She must have shown confusion, or Link was really good at reading people, because he answered without being asked.

"Horse grass, my horse will hear its call and come to us."

Zelda looked to the distance and frowned.

"Epona will find us," he commented, almost offended.

Zelda smiled at him, "Of course your horse would be the most amazing horse ever."

Link puffed his chest and nodded, "I have nothing to say against that."

Zelda sat in the grass and played with it while looking at Link. Blonde hair, blue eyes, strong body, the sweetest smile, and the softest voice. All she could think of was that he was a boy, a pure boy she had unknowingly tainted. Zelda could only berate herself since the Goddesses where too far away. She gave such a sweet boy such horrible experiences.

She had awoken near dawn with a nightmare, fire in her kingdom and she was unable to do anything, not that it was far from reality, which only made it harder; but she couldn't go back to sleep and soon after, Link had awoken with a start too. She had calmed him down, his hands were gripping his covers with such strenght his knuckles were white, his breathing was labored and sweat pearled his forehead. He had looked at her, smiled, and then he had breathed out and relaxed. Zelda was too scared to ask about his nightmare.

"Zelda?"

She looked up and saw him smiling and pointing away, she followed his finger and surely, a horse was galloping in their direction. She laughed.

"I had no doubt, you know, none."

He took a last handful of water, splashed his face with it, and went to meet his horse.

"Epona!" his voice was filled with love, and his horse reciprocated, its head came straight to his chest, he patted its head, and looked at Zelda.

"Zelda, Epona," he then motioned towards Zelda, "Epona, Zelda."

The horse looked up to Zelda.

"I have nothing to bribe him," she whispered.

Link snickered, "She, and she actually doesn't like bribes, she's too smart for that."

Zelda sighed and took a step towards her, "Well, then I guess an introduction is in place. It's a pleasure, Epona, my name is Zelda, I am impressed by both your beauty and strenght, and I would be most grateful if you could let me ride you and take me to Castle Town."

Epona blinked, took a step back and then went towards Zelda, breathed her in and then let her head hit her arm.

Link laughed, "She likes you!" he put a hand in Zelda's shoulder, "come on, give her a pat."

Zelda did as told, Epona's eyes were shining, "Is she... She's happy, isn't she?"

Link gave her the biggest smile she had seen so far, "She is! She would've taken you to Castle Town anyways, since I would've taken you there, but she's happy you took your time to adress her." he patted Epona's muzzle, put his forehead in there and closed his eyes "we'll go home, soon, girl."

He opened his eyes and turned to Zelda, "Up we go."

Zelda grabbed Epona's saddle and mounted the horse, Link was about to do the same when he stopped.

"Link?" "I realise I should've asked this before, but you have no problem with me being in such close proximity, right?"

Zelda made a face, "No, Link, I don't. Come on up."

Link sat with a swift movement, "It won't get you in trouble, will it?" Zelda shook her head no, "Are you positive?"

Zelda looked vexed, "I will get really angry with anyone that picks on you."

"Don't make it too obvious," he laughed.

They had a day before they arrived to Castle Town, and as the night settled over them, Zelda wistfully looked towards Lake Hylia, she had recollections of entering Hyrule Field when her head fell into Link's back.

"...Zelda," Link repeated, " let's change positions, you sit on front."

Zelda furrowed her brows, confusion seeping into her face, "What?"

"You're falling asleep, come on, let's change."

He didn't wait for and answer as he stopped Epona and got off her, Zelda grabbed the saddle, "It won't happen again, I'm sorry." She had no recollection of falling asleep.

Link raised and eyebrow, "I want you to sleep, though. Let's change so you can do it, also I'll get to be at peace, since I won't have to worry about maybe dropping the future Queen of Hyrule from a horse."

She could taste his good humor, and she was too tired to keep on protesting. She moved to get off, and into Link's arms.

"Uh? You didn't have to..."

Zelda looked confused and then shook her head.

"Shoot, sorry..."

Link helped her get on this time, he got on and grabbed the reins.

"Are you alright?"

Zelda sighed and looked at him, "How awkard is this going to end up being?"

Link flashed her a smile, "Zero awkardness, of course. Just use me as a pillow, I'll wake you when we're near the Castle, and nobody will be the wiser."

Zelda let her head fall on his chest, "You, sir, are a blessing."

"My, I'm flattered."

"And I'll take you up on your word and let myself be comfortable, so bear with me a little."

Link remained impassive as Zelda sat with her legs together and off the side of Epona's flank, she then put her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

"Thank you, Link."

Link sat motionless and then cleared his throat, "May I?"

Zelda raised her eyes, but before she could understand, Link's arms enclosed her and secured her by the waist.

Improper, was the first word to come to her mind, but she could feel his heartbeat and she was so tired that knowing that she wasn't going to fall in the middle of her sleep helped her rest.

Link made sure to go through the less stony roads, go around any kind of threat and also any kind of traveller, Zelda slept soundly against him and he could feel his palms sweating. He could make out the Castle's outline, and he could imagine the people's uproar at not finding the Princess, he glanced at her and then sighed, if only he could give her some more time to recover.

Zelda woke with the slightest of nudges on her arm, Link hugged her to keep her from falling and she raised her head from the crook of his neck, the shiest of sunrays touched her and she hid her eyes with her hands.

"Oh, Nayru, did I sleep too much?"

She felt Link's rumbling chest, "You slept enough, don't worry," he motioned with his head to the nearing Castle, "we're almost there."

Zelda let her eyes wash over the wrecked Castle before realization settled in.

"Oh, Nayru!" she looked at Link, he looked back, worried. "You didn't sleep!"

Link snickered, "No, ma'am."

And then he kept staring ahead, Zelda shook her head. "Are you alright? I'm so sorry-"

"Zelda, don't worry, I'm completely fine, I got used to a few hours of sleep."

"But you have to sleep."

"And I will, I'm not invincible, sadly," Zelda didn't appreciate the joke, "as soon as I make sure that you arrive well to Castle Town, and I go back to Ordon, I will take the biggest nap Hyrule will ever record."

As that didn't sit well with Zelda - he wasn't sure her face could look more malcontent - he tried to look apologetic.

"You can rest in the Castle, you must know that."

"Since I will be condecorated with every badge and title you will find, I find it hard to believe I won't at least get a personal room inside the Castle, maybe a whole wing if you're generous," Zelda still didn't find it funny, "but even if I stayed for a whole day, I wouldn't sleep a wink." He locked eyes with her "I must go back to Ordon and make sure that everyone is all right."

Zelda bit her lip and nodded.

"I appreciate your offer," he assured "wholeheartedly."

She could feel him trying to ease this on her, and she squeezed his arm, "I know, don't worry."

Zelda gazed at the Castle, and tried to prepare herself for it.

"I'll take you to the Castle, people are surely looking for you," she nodded, "I will then return to Ordon, I don't know how things are there, they musn't be too bad, but I'll come back as soon as I can," he could see a smile forming on her face, "I would say a month and a half before I return."

Zelda nodded, "Okay, I'll be waiting."

Before they could be seen from the Castle, Link dismounted, Zelda looked as he grabbed the reins and guided Epona inside. Just before they entered he looked at her.

"I am and always will be your ally, do not doubt my allegiance."

Zelda felt the fear easing its hold on her heart.

"Link, from here on out, and whenever I am in the presence of more people, I will have to be less..."

The words died in her throat, but Link could recall her nickname. Her face lost sight of color, of movement, of life. Her eyes washed over him before settling to the first people awaiting for them.

"They view feelings as weakness," she offered.

Link squeezed her hand, bit down the urge to ask her what she thought of it, "I understand."

He reminded himself that he had no right to feel robbed when he saw the Ice Princess before him. Regal and beautiful.

And terrifying.

#melted #zelink #fanfic #ch. 3 #the legend of zelda #twilight princess #zelda #link