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Link had loved her since the very first moment. The rain was pouring and the night was frigid. He had awoken and been told to go back to sleep, but couldn’t; something in his soul had stirred. Wiggling to the edge of his bed, his bare feet pressed against the floorboards. Lightning struck outside, and he couldn’t get rid of a nagging feeling in his heart. Pulling on a hood and slipping his boots on, he had trudged outside.
Her voice had echoed in his mind, sweet and sorrowful. She was captured, a prisoner in her own home. A part of his soul shifted at her voice, and he was compelled to find the one whom his soul longed to meet. Through heartache and devastation, he scoured the castle dungeons. When he saw her, his breath had left him, his words stuck on his tongue. She was lovely. The world moved under his blood-soaked boots, and she called to him. It was sweeter than he could imagine, like a sun-ripened apple on a cool autumn day. Refreshing and bright.
He knew her name; it had been on his Uncle’s dying breath. The ache from that exchange was still so fresh, still processing in his child's mind. Tears had streamed down his cheeks, and now there were clean marks down his face from where they had fallen and washed away the mud and blood. Helping Zelda had been his Uncle’s last wish, and Link would not fail.
Now she stood in the cell, her blue eyes wide and trusting. The Princess of the land of Hyrule – his home, his country, his destiny. With steadier hands than he could fathom, he opened the dungeon door and freed her, holding his hand out for her to take. She slipped her fingers into his bloodied grasp, and as he led the way out, even after he delivered her to the Sanctuary and was tasked with his quest, he could still feel her soft hand in his.
In the years that followed, their connection had only grown. It felt wrong to step out and not feel Zelda’s pull on his soul. Across the sea, they’d been strained. Koholint had torn his tender heart asunder when he’d awoken and thought Marin was Zelda, only to be left gasping and clutching at his chest as the emptiness settled in. Link never wanted to experience that again. He’d been left wandering on a picturesque island after being shipwrecked, dreaming of the life he’d left behind and the love he had lost.
Upon his return to reality, his soul bled anew. Sorrow and melancholy washed over him with the salt spray on his measly scrap of raft. The world had been so cruel, and he’d ‘saved’ an island only to reawaken with the knowledge that none of it was real to the rest of the world. The burden weighed heavily on his shoulders. When he’d washed up again on the shoreline, sunburnt and dehydrated, it was Zelda who had found him. They were connected, eternally. Link strangled their bond, held to it like a man attempting to keep his boat from falling apart underneath him. Zelda returned his desperation with kindness and understanding.
Together they walked the Kingdom of Hyrule. The Princess wanted to know her land, to see her people, to be more than a figurehead and trophy on a throne. The hero by her side led her around, introduced her to the people, and taught her the ways of the commonfolk. They would laugh and share in simplicities, sneak away from guards, and cast themselves upon the grass and watch the clouds. In tender private moments, he’d press a kiss to her lips, his hand on her cheek. Her hands would come up to his neck, pulling him closer.
When he was with Zelda, he found himself laughing more, his cheeks hurting from smiling, his heart so full it felt liable to burst. Their romance blossomed afresh each time he laid eyes on her, her blue eyes clear and pure. Link had seen many places, met many people, saved entire kingdoms and worlds. None of that felt as all-encompassing as his love for his Princess.
The day had been long with bureaucratic visits and paperwork. Link felt a headache behind his eyes, his shoulders tense from standing straight and perfect, his hands restless even though exhaustion plagued him. Standing in his embroidered red tunic with the sword on his back, his gaze was stern. Adventuring didn’t come without its own struggles, and now at the ripe old age of nineteen, his body was protesting the strain he’d pressed upon it. Sleep seldom came, and hardly ever in the evenings. Years of paranoia and now his disdain for dreaming had left him a cursed insomniac. Rubbing his knuckles across his eyes, he sighed heavily.
Zelda didn’t miss a thing. Her captivating blue eyes landed on him, and there was no hiding under her gaze, not that he felt the need to anyway. Gracefully she got out of her chair and walked over to him, her hand slipping into his, her thumb rubbing across his knuckles. The light pink dress she wore today complemented his crimson tunic. His heart beat happily inside his chest. The Princess smiled at him, just a hint of mischief in the corner of her lips that Link knew too well.
“Let’s escape.” She whispered, her lips so close to his ear that his knees shook. Unable to contain himself, he pressed a kiss to her cheek. Gripping her hand tightly in return, he grinned.
“Just like the old days,” He said, and she laughed, light and carefree, and it made his stomach fill with butterflies. With his Princess in hand, they snuck through the corridors and hidden passageways. Luckily, the hero’s house was very close to the Castle Grounds, and they found themselves bathed in the light of a golden sunset upon their victorious escape. The breeze was pleasant and cool, the oppressiveness of summer giving way to the coolness of fall.
The smell of apples ripening on the branches filled the air. Zelda directed him to their favorite sitting tree, and he followed behind like a lovesick puppy. His hand landed on her waist, spinning her around. They danced a simple two-step in the summer sun. Her head came to rest on his shoulder, and he lay his cheek on her head, her golden hair warm.
“This is a nice color.” He commented as his fingers rubbed at the soft, silky fabric. She looked up at him, her smile like the sun, her cheeks flushing the same color as her dress. He couldn’t resist as he kissed her again.
“It matches your hair.” She said as her fingers tugged at the pink strands that never faded away. He laughed and shrugged, no point in arguing. Blue, studious eyes looked across his face, and a small crease formed between her brows as she saw the dark circles under his eyes. A sigh fell from his lips as she pulled away and tugged at his hand. She plopped down, her back slotting into the bark, the beautiful pink fabric resting in the grass.
“You should rest, my love.” She said, heartfelt and soft. His heart beat loudly at the term of endearment, his cheeks flushing red. They’d done this often, Link relishing in the quietness of his own orchard, in the comfort of his Princess. He huffed but couldn’t argue. Before he could help himself, a large yawn broke out from him, and he was lying down, his head in her lap. Tender hands ran through his fringe, twirling his hair.
Link’s eyes closed with ease, his breathing slow and deep, the rays of the sun warming his face, the love of his life warming his heart. Curling closer into Zelda’s stomach, she chuckled at him as his arms slipped around her waist, his forehead pressed tightly to her. Link had slept everywhere: dungeon stones, forest floors, beds of varying comfort. Nowhere else did he feel as at ease as in the Princess's arms. His muscles eased and he slipped off into a dreamless slumber.
Legend sighed under the tree he was propped against. The notebook in his hands was blank, the words evading him as he attempted to capture what he truly felt in a few simple words. It had been months since he’d been in his own land, and he worried. His heart panged, lovesick and saddened by their sudden separation.
Closing his own notebook, he tenderly opened her letter once more and reread it. Zelda was worried. Simple, understanding questions that he didn’t have the answer to.
How are you doing?
Where is this adventure taking you?
Are you being safe?
When do you think you'll return?
What are the others like?
Link, are you okay?
Legend sighed again. How could he answer these? How was he doing? He pinched the bridge of his nose, the skin under his eyes burning. When had he last slept? The paranoia was rampant, the worry multiplied a hundredfold. His cagey heart was bleeding; the worry for his companions made him harsh and uneasy. He’d had companions before, but not to this extent, not to this level of care.
Time was steadfast and caring, a fellow bleeding heart who was desperately trying to hold their ragtag team together. Legend’s experience was unparalleled, but the role of leadership had passed him, and he was eternally grateful to Time for taking up the mantle. The Old Man was happily married to Malon before Hylia asked another adventure out of him.
Sky was terrifying. Tall and imposing but with an easy gait. A carefree attitude atop the strength and resolve of the first Hero of Courage. His love for the Master Sword was utmost, and the respect that Legend felt for the hero was warranted. Sky was a man that the Veteran was glad was on their side. The Chosen’s relationship with Sun was tooth-rottingly sweet.
Twilight had made him uneasy at first. Drenched in dark magic and with the eyes of a wolf, he hadn’t trusted the dour hero for a while. Then he’d warmed his way into everyone’s heart, his sincerity and strength unrivaled. A bit too protective in Legend’s opinion, but a steadfast hero. Still mourning the loss of an unrecoverable love.
Warriors was a pain in his ass. The pretty boy was self-confident and cocky. His attitude made Legend feel like he was back in the Courts, being judged by his straightforwardness and disdain for bullshittery. Even with that, Legend had found himself confiding in the man more and more. The Captain’s outward appearance was vastly different from what was inside. They still bickered and fought, but now it was out of playfulness and brotherly bonding. Apparently, Wars and Artemis were a ‘thing’; Legend wasn’t sure he believed him.
Four made Legend nervous. He knew how he ended up, knew that he had slain whatever was left of the demented hero in that Palace, and for that reason alone, he tended to keep a wide berth from the unsteady hero. The Veteran knew the struggle of wrangling other versions of yourself, and even with Four’s experience behind him, the hero still wavered in his sanity. Was he dating Dot? Did Four even know how smitten he sounded? Maybe it was Red that gave it away every time he talked about her.
Wild was, well, wild. Legend thoroughly enjoyed the hero and his chaos. If there was ever a moment when a crazy thought passed through his head, your best bet was to go to the Champion and get a buddy for the escapade. Legend understood Wild. Flora was apparently living with the hero. The Princess of Hyrule, living with Wild, in an old cottage at the edge of town. Legend was happy he’d found peace.
Wind was a kid, but a damned smart and resilient one. He reminded Legend of himself at that age, wide-eyed and excited before the trauma of Koholint had tainted his travels. It pissed the Veteran off to see the ‘adults’ shake off the kid’s ideas and knowledge just because of his age, and when he’d ripped Twilight a new one for a comment, Wind had grown closer to the Veteran. Any mention of Tetra had the hero’s face red as a tomato.
Hyrule. Legend adored his successor. Pure but sassy. Powerful and peaceful, Hyrule was a gem, a lifeline in this sea of mixed personalities. No one understood Legend quite like the Traveler. Legend could say anything he wanted without even thinking about it, and Hyrule just got it. He would laugh and snark right back, and so they’d been attached at the hip for most of their journey. Not to mention they were both dating their own princesses back home.
Tapping his pen to his notebook, he tried to think of how to explain all of this in a letter. Boil it down to one word per hero.
Time - Leader.
Sky - Scary.
Twilight - Protective.
Warriors - Asshole.
Four - Questionable.
Wind - Pirate.
Hyrule - Trustworthy.
Zelda would want more. She was the Princess of Wisdom after all, and if he put just these simplified definitions down, she’d write back that he was holding out. A small smile pulled at the corner of his mouth at the thought of her shaking her head and hastily writing him ‘Details Link, give me the details!’
Bringing his pen to the top of the page, he started. It would be futile to lie, and he didn’t want to anyway. He was exhausted. They weren’t sure whose Hyrule they were currently in. Their only objective was the Shadow. The journey stretched out before him with no end in sight. Was he okay?
Sighing, he let his head lean back against the bark of the tree, his hat in his lap. Was he okay? What answer did he have for that? His ear flicked back to the group. Wild was cooking. Four and Wind were creeping around the vegetation looking for bugs. The adults were discussing their next move, but he’d been dismissed after one snarky comment too many. Home felt far away, almost like a dream, and that had him gripping his pen fiercely.
In his elegant script, he wrote out ‘I miss you.’
The Ranch was picturesque. Clouds dotted the sky, and a small breeze stirred the grass fronds. Horses milled about, and the mooing of cows sounded from the barn. Legend turned his nose up at the cucco coop as he walked the land alone. Inside they were still eating, laughing, and relaxing, but the Veteran had found it too suffocating. Time had the ideal life: a wife, a home, a kid on the way. It made his heart turn, made a feeling he hated stir in his gut – envy.
Which was ridiculous. Legend had Zelda, he had a home, he just hadn’t… There has been no time… Life would not give him a break long enough to settle down. Gnawing on his bottom lip, he wondered when he’d get the chance to go home. To sweep up Zelda in his arms and press a kiss to her lips and never leave her side again. They could go traveling together, see the world hand in hand.
It hurt to be here. To see the Old Man so at ease, to see Malon catering to him as if he had hung the moon in the sky. It hurt to realize that he was jealous. It was foolish and stupid to compare his life to Time’s. They’d walked such different paths, and even if Legend felt older than dirt, he knew the older hero had at least a decade on him. Of course he’d be more settled, of course he’d be comfortable and happy and situated. So he’d left, not wanting to taint the mood with his own sour one. Finding a suitable spot by the pond, he plopped down and sat, his arms crossed, pouting. If he’d been a bunny, his ears would be flopped against his head, his lower lip stuck out.
For a moment it felt nice to be childish. The complete juxtaposition to what he’d wished his life was a mere moment before. Zelda would poke his cheek and call him out, tell him he was being silly, and he’d agree and straighten up. But she wasn’t here, and Legend’s brow creased further in thought. Pulling out her letters, he pressed them to his lips; they smelled of home. At the bottom of every letter was a simple sentence. Come home safely, Link. Traitorous tears burned in the corners of his eyes. Below that was a little doodle of a heart and her name signed. He ran his thumb over the signature.
They’d been separated before. He’d gone on adventure after adventure, but this one felt… He folded the letters back up tenderly. This one felt too much like Koholint, their bond strained, his heart bleeding raw on the edges.
The circumstances surrounding them sometimes felt too unreal. Iterations and reincarnations of the Hero of Courage brought together to face an enemy that was connecting them through dark portals? Legend tipped his head back and looked up at the sky. Everything was different here. Like a different version of his own world, he’d seen it repeated time and time again with every hero’s world. The air tasted different, the ground felt foreign under his boots. Even the colors were off, just familiar enough to make it believable. Just different enough to make him question.
The next step had his knee giving out slightly, and the exhaustion piled on his thin shoulders suddenly felt indomitable. Tears welled in his eyes once more. Legend felt like he was carrying the world with him everywhere he went, a responsibility stacked so heavily that he could never claw himself out from under it. These heroes had nestled into his heart so deeply, and the thought that they might not be real… the thought that he could lose them as easily as waking up… the thought that he wasn’t even in his own world was harrowing.
Falling to his knees, he clutched his head, his eyes burning, his breath ragged and shallow. Digging his fingers into his hair, he pulled; his chest heaved. Please, let this be real. His heart turned in his chest painfully; he needed to know. Could he reach her? Could she assuage his fears, could he rest his soul in her wisdom, if only for a moment?
Clutching over his heart, he focused, let his magic spill inward, funneled into their bond, and prayed. The world stilled around him, the etched Triforce in the back of his hand burning, glowing brightly as a cloud passed over him. Please give me just a moment. Like a string growing taut, he felt it, and he called out.
Zelda. The name rang in his head. Silence echoed in the moments, and his soul started to shatter. Then. Link, I’m here. Tears ran down his cheeks freely now, a choked sound erupting from his throat. Desperately he clung to this connection. The question spilled from him.
Is this real? He needed to know, had to. Like a blanket falling across his shoulders, he felt the comfort and relief of her love.
Yes, your journey is real. Do not fret, Link, all is well. The words were like a balm on his sunburnt heart, and he breathed deeply, his exhale shaky. His hands slid from his head, and the backs of them rested upon the sun-warmed grass. The smell here reminded him of home, blossoms and fresh grass, and the air stirred gently.
Rest. She said, and then he felt his magic dwindle away completely, like a mooring rope slipping through his grasp, down into the depths of the endless sea. Legend crashed onto his side in the field. The sun glared down on him, warm and comforting. He could hear the chimes of fairies flying around, his ears flicking towards them.
Drowsy and exhausted, he moved his hand up and slid his hat over his eyes to block out the sun. His muscles relaxed, his breathing evened out. It was easier to breathe now, to feel like he wasn’t tearing apart. It was real, all of it. The sweet smell of grass and fresh air pervaded over him, safety and comfort in the tall grass. Like a rabbit hiding in the rushes, sleep overtook him viciously.
Waking up, he realized he wasn’t alone. The edge of a brilliant blue scarf was flapping obnoxiously in the breeze. He swatted at it. Legend wasn’t even upset that it was the Captain here.
“Good morning, sleeping beauty.” Warriors teased, that snarky smirk on his face. Legend sat up with difficulty, his back popping loudly. He could feel the creases in his face from the blades of grass he’d slept on. The sun was sinking, almost to the horizon. Legend felt more put-together, and as he looked at Warriors, he shoved him.
“Or should I say good evening, since you slept the whole day away?” Wars’ voice was light, but Legend could hear the relief in it.
“Can’t a man get some sleep without you pestering him?” Legend said, but there was no heat behind it; instead, a small smirk graced his lips. Warriors snatched him by the collar and pulled him into a headlock, his knuckles digging into his skull.
“You? A grown man?” Warriors snickered, and Legend squawked indignantly. Their sudden tussle was unexpected in the few moments he’d been awake.
“More experience than you, Oh Great Captain!” He fired back, and then he was released as he found the weak spot in Warriors’ armor and pinched his side viciously.
“Ouch, you little keese!” Warriors said dramatically, and Legend shoved him away, laughing.
“Really, Captain, how old do you think I am?” He asked, it dawned on him that Warriors probably didn’t know. That perfect hair flicked to the side, and his lips pursed in thought.
“I want to say sixteen. But it can’t be right; you’re too experienced, as you’ve so gracefully just pointed out.” A crease to his brow, the worry line already etched into his skin. Legend almost mentioned it, the basest form of a wrinkle in the making.
“Older than the Traveler?” Warriors asked, and Legend shrugged his shoulders.
“How old is Rulie?” He asked back with a shit-eating grin on his face, and Warriors laughed.
“Okay, okay, you’re right, that doesn’t help. Twenty?” Legend nodded and knocked his shoulder against Warriors as they sat in the grass. The Captain’s legs stretched out far longer than his own. His knees were reddened and partially bruised, scrapes up and down his bare legs, his boots scuffed. Only a small blot on Warriors’ boot was dirtied. He must look like a rabid, dirty child next to their picture-perfect Captain. Sleeping in the grass like a rodent, their graceful stallion of a hero came to check up on him.
“Nineteen.” He said, and the Captain looked over at him. A line of sorrow in his lips, his eyes storming. Legend was far past mourning his non-existent childhood; there was no need to dwell on it now.
“Still a teenager then.” Warriors ribbed, and Legend glared over at him, unimpressed. They both leaned back, soaking in the last rays of the setting sun.
“You look better.” Wars said softly, his sharp blue eyes not missing a thing. Often, Legend felt like a piece of metal in his gaze, and the Captain was testing and prodding for any chink or weak spot. It took him a while to realize it was out of love and not superiority.
“I feel better.” He admitted just as quietly, the glowing arch of a fairy catching his gaze. The sound of his love still echoed in his head even after sleeping. The feeling still filled his heart, and a hope to see her soon washed afresh over him. The silence that surrounded them was comfortable.
He knew immediately where he was. A sudden glee burst over his heart and filled his soul. The air tasted just divine; the world responded to his presence in a way that had his shoulders straightening up.
“Mine.” He called confidently. The Castle was already in his gaze, his feet turning to it automatically like his soul was being pulled back home. Already Zelda was pushing her way into his head.
Link! You’re home! A grin spread across his face that he tried to tamp down so as not to look like a crazy person.
I’ll see you soon. He replied. The others were staring at him, waiting for him to move. Legend adjusted his belt self-consciously. Twilight coughed pointedly.
“Lead the way, Veteran.” Time’s stoic voice called, and he pushed his way to the front of the Chain. Hyrule was in step with him in the blink of an eye, a playful elbow pushing into his side, a knowing, devious smirk on the Traveler’s lips.
“Excited to see someone?” Hyrule whispered, and it had Legend’s face flushing bright scarlet in the morning light. He glared over at his best friend, a threat on his lips, before Wild pushed his way into the conversation.
“Oh, does Leggy have a ladyfriend?” Wild teased further, and it did nothing to help the blush that now spread to the tips of his ears and down his neck. The trio caught the Captain’s attention too, and Legend wanted to die on the spot.
“What?” Warrior’s voice was astonished, like it was impossible that Legend could ever be in a relationship. He slapped Hyrule’s chest with the back of his hand.
“Look what you did, you got the hormonal teenager all worked up.” Legend said as he jabbed his thumb back at where Warriors was staring at him with his mouth open. Hyrule snickered and glanced back at the Captain.
“Like he’s ever had a girlfriend.” Hyrule teased, and it was Legend’s turn to laugh. He and the Traveler were both courting their Princesses, after all. A sad, pitiful sound left the Captain, akin to a drowning cat.
“I’ll have you know, I have indeed been on a date!” He said confidently. It was Wild’s turn now to give the elder a hard time.
“A date, as in singular.” The Cook tsked his tongue, holding up one finger. “Captain, that’s sad.” The trio broke into a fit of giggles, and Legend was happy to not be the center of attention, even as they got closer and closer to the Castle.
Upon getting to the gates, many of the guards straightened up, saluting him.
“Consort Link, we were not expecting you!” They said, their boots clomping together as they stood even straighter. He flapped his hand at them dismissively.
“Consort?” Wind whispered to Four. Legend ignored them.
“I’m pretty sure that means he’s a criminal.” Four replied, and Legend wanted to bonk their heads together.
“None of that now. The Princess is expecting me. Back to your duties.” He said and walked away, the rest of his group following with various curious glances. Legend couldn’t help it; he was walking faster. The magic in the Pegasus Boots was barely being contained as he took the shortest possible route to Zelda.
“Where are we going? Isn’t the throne room that way?” Warriors asked, as he was keeping up fairly well with Legend.
“She isn’t there.” He replied, not wanting to waste any time.
“How do you know that?” The Captain bemoaned, turning around to look at the giant doors again. Hyrule was laughing. Legend rolled his eyes.
They skipped the main hall, dodging more nosy servants. He turned a corner so fast that he tripped, but he was up again and moving faster than before. His face was flushed from the misstep, but he didn’t care; she was so close. Sliding to a stop at her library door, he readjusted his tunic and hair. He put his cap on just perfectly, and then took a large breath. With steadier hands than he could fathom, he knocked.
There was a crash behind the door, and a frantic pattering of shoes. The distinct sound of books hitting and bouncing off the stone floors. Legend bit his lip to keep from smiling.
You trip? He teased, and a small admonishing curse was the reply in his mind. His shoulders shook with his repressed chuckle. Finally, the door swung open, and Legend felt his heart squeeze. There she was, after all this time again. Her hair was a little frazzled but mostly put-together. A stunning blue and white dress, simple yet elegant, enveloped her frame. Her eyes landed on him and him alone.
“Link.” She breathed, and he surged forward, wrapping her up in his arms. Pressing his face into her hair, he breathed her in; her blonde hair tickled his face. Apples and blossoms, just like home. Her arms fit snugly around his shoulders, drawing him closer. They were close in height, but he did have an inch or two on her. His eyes stung with unshed tears.
“Welcome back.” She said, and he leaned away, still in her embrace, lost in the depths of her brilliant blue eyes, like staring into the depths of the ocean. Someone cleared their throat behind them.
“Ah, yes! You have brought guests.” Zelda said as she released him fully, a healthy dusting of pink on both of their cheeks. Legend found her hand and held it. She curtsied, and Legend tried not to look at his fellow heroes. He could feel the blush on his face, could sense the impending teasing. He didn’t care, though; he wanted to stay by her side. Glancing at his companions, he found many were grinning. Warriors looked constipated. Four was flickering through colors so fast it was giving Legend whiplash. Wind held up his fingers to his mouth and cat-whistled at them. Scallywag.
“We can, uh, go rest. Leg– Link had us practically running here.” Hyrule offered, and he sent his successor a grateful look. Time stepped forward, bowing ever so slightly. Warriors was still trying to pass whatever gas had upset his stomach.
“We can be acquainted another time. Link will divulge any information to your Majesty.” Their leader said tactfully, and Zelda pulled the bell for the servants to come.
“Please give our guests the best accommodations and tell the chefs that they will be joining Link and I for dinner.” Zelda gave prompt orders, and the servants smiled and ushered the rest of them to their rooms.
“Let’s leave the lovebirds alone for a while.” He heard Sky whisper. Sky, of all people. Legend found it ironic. But he was thankful; Sky obviously understood.
Turning around, he was alone with Zelda. Quickly, they stepped into the library and shut the door. Her hands were in his hair, knocking his cap askew, and he pulled her closer; their lips connected. Everything felt so real. Like he was finally back where he belonged, the long road no longer stretched before him endlessly.
He brought his hand to her cheek and held it tenderly, his thumb rubbing back and forth over her soft, pale skin. Words tumbled through his mind, unspoken yet heard as they kissed again. I’ve missed you dearly. You’re here. Oh, Link, I’m so happy to see you. She fit against him perfectly, like two puzzle pieces made for one another. One of her hands rested against his heart, the other placed on his cheek just below his ear.
Sighing deeply, he let his hands rest on her waist and felt her weight pressed against his chest as he hugged her closer. His heart beat loudly in his ears, and they stood in each other’s embrace, basking.
“I’m home.”