Princess Zelda (kickassprincess) wrote in thedisplaced, @ 2018-05-11 17:45:00 |
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Entry tags: | !log/thread, link, zelda |
Who: Link and Zelda
When: Friday
Where: Hyrule Castle
What: Two friends catching up
Warnings: Some mentions of the events of Twilight Princess, but low otherwise
Status: Complete g-doc
Zelda was a creature of habit. All her life, she’d run by a certain routine. Get up early, start her day. She’d been responsible for the well being and care of Hyrule when she was there, and things could get chaotic if she didn’t follow a set pattern. Here, with only a few to look after her routine was a bit lax. She could sleep in after dawn, for one, and she didn’t have to worry if she did one thing if it would offend one person while she tried to do right by the other.
Here, she could focus on the little things. And as she watched Link, one of those was lunch. She’d never be a gourmet cook, or know a lot, but she had managed to learn how to make simple things. Sandwiches, water, and some tea were all things she could manage. She would learn other things, because she had no servants here. She’d have to.
Once she finished with the lunch she took it outside and smiled at Link. “Give yourself a break, come eat something.” She set the tray down and took a seat. She admired Link’s dedication, but it was good to be reminded to stop every so often. And with how warm it could get, she felt that was a good thing.
---
Link had spent the last three years recovering from seeing Midna destroy the Mirror of Twilight. The castle had been rebuilt, the children and Ilia were safe in Ordon, and Link went out on his own with Epona. He hadn’t told anyone much of what had happened after he left Ordon. He would visit Castle Town often, and sometimes would visit with Zelda herself.
He left Ordon because he felt like he should grow up. He also grieved for Midna, and it was hard to focus on working at the ranch. Three years in the wild had made him grow lonely, missing the children of the village. It was too hard to go back to normal. And now-- now he was here, forced to be normal. For the most part-- the monster portals were a lot like the adventure he had once been on.
When Zelda came outside, he was seated atop a crudely nailed together lean-to, large enough for Epona to stand in and turn around while inside. He had a nail between his lips and smiled, dropping the nail. He brought one hand up to his mouth to sign ‘thank you.’ Link climbed down easily, agile as ever. Link sat next to Zelda and smiled directly at her, making eye contact. Then he quickly grabbed a sandwich, eating loudly (his manners could use some work).
---
With anyone else, she might have worried. But Link had done more daring things then sitting on the lean to. She only smiled in return and poured herself some tea. She did worry for Link, she knew she hadn’t had it easy when she’d come here but she’d had the advantage of her upbringing. She didn’t have a people to govern, but this life was fairly close to the one she’d left behind. Link’s life had been different.
She didn’t really fuss about his manners, this wasn’t court after all, she just took him in. “Do sit, if you like.” She had no title here, and therefore was always careful never to phrase things in an order. Sometimes she slipped, but she was aware of it. “We haven’t really talked lately, ever since you got here. I’ve been to reliant on how I figured things would be the same.” She did regret that. She’d stretched herself between all the people and things here she felt like she’d not kept an eye on Link. And considering how important he was, that was a failing on her part. And there was the fact that to him, three years had passed. The goddesses only knew what had happened then, because she knew herself well enough that she knew she’d have devoted herself to her people and would not have had so much time for Link.
Here and now, she did. “How are you, really?” She gave him a worried look. “This place, it’s hardly easy. All these new things, new places. And it’s so much noisier here then Hyrule ever was.” There were, she figured a bit more people here and while their home was quiet, the town itself rarely ever was. And Castle Town always had had something going on, people jostling to sell their wares, it was different here. She doubted she’d ever get used to the cars.
---
Link sighed and finished his bite of sandwich. He started to sign again-- but then stopped. It was Zelda. One of his closest friends, royalty, and apparently his sister by law. He thought he could speak in front of her. His voice was plaintive, almost a whisper. It was strong, however, and deep. “I’m all right, Princess.” Then he bit his lip and looked down at his hands, dirty from working on the lean-to. He had spoken in front of Zelda before, but only a few words, or battle cries.
He didn’t speak in front of people because he didn’t think he had anything important to say. Link also spent a lot of time taking orders from Fado, or on Epona, herding the goats. On top of that, he spent the last three or so years alone, traveling. He didn’t speak to Epona, either, he soothed her by patting her or feeding her the apples that grew on the trees in Hyrule’s forests.
When she mentioned ‘new things,’ he pulled his phone from his pocket. He shook his hand from side to side, motioning that yes, this was a new thing. “Sheikah Slate,” he murmured. Link remembered things that had happened to him in other lives-- even if they hadn’t come to pass yet. It was confusing, but his memories of recent events were stronger than those of past lives.
---
She knew what it meant for him, what it took for him, to really say anything. Her smile brightened and she set her cup down to go set her hand on his arm. She always valued his words, but she would not push him either. She believed his words had value, but there was his comfort to think of. “You would tell me if you weren’t would you?” She gave him a concerned look.
“Your soul took the shape I found you in for a reason. This place,” she shook her head, “if you ever need to find a place to escape, to have a bit of freedom or space to just be you please tell me. I’ll find a way. You have done so much for me, I feel it is the very least I can do.” Link was such a free soul, she couldn’t imagine what it might take out of him to be stuck in a place where he couldn’t do what he wanted to, or go where he’d like to go.
She gave a soft laugh to his comment, “you’re not wrong. It’s a bit like Naryu for me. Imparting knowledge and wisdom where needed. Sometimes too much.” She added with a light shrug, then added “I know I always seem busy but I want you to know that you can always come to me. For anything. There’s no line, not for you.”
--
Link turned his arm so that he could grasp Zelda’s wrist, then moving to latch fingers with her. He held her hand on his knee and smiled at her the entire time. She was so beautiful and magical, it took him out of his body.
“I would tell you, Princess. And I know. I know a lot, we’re connected.” Link wondered if their souls were tied together somehow, or perhaps even from the same source.
He let go of her hand and went back to his sandwich, setting his phone down. “Do you think that Midna could show up here?” His voice, though small, was full of hope.
---
She held his hand gratefully, glad for the connection. “We are, I just wanted you to hear it. And I’m glad you would tell me.” It eased a lot of her worries to know that if he was troubled, he’d find her. But then he always would.
She tilted her head at his question and nodded. “You did. I’ve been keeping my eye out for you and her.” She took her cup of tea up again and sipped from it, setting it down after a moment. “I miss her too.” She hadn’t known Midna as long, but their souls had been connected, and in many ways Midna was her own reflection. She was sure that if Link found his way here, Midna would follow.
“We could give a note to the soldiers here if you like? Tell them that if she does show up to point her towards our direction? That way, maybe it will be easier when she gets here and might ease confusion.” She frowned, recalling a previous conversation. “This isn’t related, not really, but if Ganondorf shows up I’d like it if you didn’t hurt him before he tried hurting any of us and if you have to to only restrain him.” She held up a hand to stall any arguments until she’d made her own. “I’ve thought about this. Ganondorf is like us, isn’t he? And I think he’s a desdencant of a deity, like me. I think that if he shows up here, he can be separated from whatever evil is influencing him. Give him a chance for a truly fresh start. The more I think on him, the less it makes sense for him to keep trying what he does. I do not think it possible that he doesn’t know what happens if he goes after me or Hyrule. You stop him. And neither Naryu nor Farore are evil, so why would Their sister Din be different? We are all three of us bearers of the Triforce, but Ganondorf is the only one who keeps straying to do harm.” She spread her hands, “and I want to try breaking the cycle. For all our sakes. I do not want my legacy, the one I pass down to my daughters, to be one of having to look over one’s shoulder. What do you think?”
---
Link smiled at the thought of Midna coming through. He felt his heart flutter in his chest, seeing her for the last time as woman instead of an imp. Through human eyes rather than a wolf’s. Maybe he had a crush on her, maybe. Link really didn’t feel much attraction to others, he just knew that Midna was a striking woman.
The idea of a note had him start to open his mouth, only to close it again when Zelda went onto the next subject. Link’s soft smile turned into a hard frown at the mention of Ganondorf. He took Zelda under his control, he used her. Link wanted to see justice.
But.. she had a good point. And Link wasn’t capable of hate. “You’re right.” He looked down at his hand, the tattoo of the Triforce still there. “I will, for you.” She spoke so much and he spoke so little, but he understood every word of it. He glanced over at his sword and shield, propped up against the lean-to, with him just in case. “Peace,” he said with a nod.
---
Her smile brightened more, and he was right. Despite how little he said and how many words she used they always understood one another. “Thank you. I don’t know if he will, or if he won’t. And I will speak truth, I hope he does not. He frightens me.” She still remembered the feeling, even when she was bonded to Midna, of the cloying sort of grasp he’d had over her body. Seeing it be used against Link, of all people. She’d always be grateful he hadn’t held back, hadn’t let the puppet Ganondorf had turned her into halt him.
“When his creatures showed up I was so afraid he might too. And I cannot live my life in fear, always worrying he will kidnap me. It’s no way to live a life. And I wish him peace.” she added with a firm nod before motioning back to the food. “It’s all yours. I’m not hungry.” It was a huge sidestep of their previous conversation and she knew it. And usually she’d be more subtle about it, but with Link she could be honest. Link wouldn’t care if she didn’t follow protocol.
---
Link smiled wide, pure sunshine across his face, knowing that Zelda trusted him. He felt loved. It was nice. It wasn’t as if he wasn’t loved in Ordon, or in Hyrule after saving everyone. It was more personal, smaller and sweeter.
“Thank you.” The smile was also there because of the food. He shoved the rest of the sandwich into his mouth unceremoniously.
He wanted to add something, knowing that she was afraid of Ganondorf. Of course she was, but he didn’t want her to be. “I won’t let him hurt you.”
---
It was good to see him like this. Relaxed, knowing he was loved, and most of all safe. She was very aware he could look after himself, but in this place he didn’t have to. And in this place everything was different enough that she’d keep an eye on him, not because he wasn’t smart or strong but just because of all the differences. And if she got too much, she knew that he would let her know.
“I know that. You always find me.” That was as sure as rocks really, “and you always save me.” Whatever else, she knew Link would be there. She never had doubts there. “And I wouldn’t let him hurt you either, if it came to it. But,” she waved her hand again, “happier things. We’ll just send a note to the base to watch for Midna and hope she gets here. Having all three of us together again will be nice.”
--
Link watched her carefully, taking in her features rather than really listening. Link had his head in the clouds sometimes, it was really amazing he was able to bring down any evil creatures. When she snapped into happier things, Link sat up straight.
“What will the note say?” Just then, Epona came up behind them and helped herself to a sandwich. Link laughed and pushed her head back, but not before she swallowed a whole triangle of sandwich.
--
She laughed as Epona interrupted, clearly not enjoying the lack of attention and her own piece of the food. “That’s not for horses,” it would probably sound a bit more scolding if the laugh wasn’t in her voice and she wasn’t extending her hand for Epona. She waited until Epona would come to her before going to pet the horse’s soft nose. “So spoiled, we’ll get you some apples though.”
It would be nice to have Epona here, both for the company and for a way to move in case it was needed. Idly she petted Epona before looking to Link, “what would you like it to say?” He was closer to Midna, “best, I think, to include something that would tell her it’s not a trick or trap. Something only the three of us would know. Or we could write it in Hylian, that way we’re even more sure she’ll know it’s us.” Smiling she patted Epona’s nose again, “I’ll make sure Midna has a room here, I’m sure she’d like it a bit darker.”
--
Epona neighed loudly, blowing a raspberry. She stuck her nose into Zelda’s hand happily, wanting pats. Link watched them while a slow smile crept onto his face. When asked what to put on the letter, he looked down at his hands.
“We could mention the mirror. And in Hylian.” She was a reflection, wasn’t she? She would know their language. His shoulders slumped ever so slightly and he faced forward. He wished he could think of a secret they shared.
---
She continued petting Epona and watched Link. She never liked it when he looked sad. It didn’t seem to suit him, considering how bright he was. “That sounds like a good plan.” She had shared Midna’s soul so she went through those memories to see if anything could be used. After a moment she smiled, “we could tell her that the wolf she knows now walks on two legs, and that those that made her change and hide are not present in this realm. That while there’s plenty of mirrors, all they do is show reflections.” She paused thinking, “and maybe that those who wear the crown of twilight will have a place here.” She tilted her head, “enough, I think, to let her know but not enough to have people know what it all means. Would you like to write it? I’m sure she’d know your words better.”
---
Link’s face lit up. He was still very childlike, even at the age of nineteen. He was only a boy when Zant took Midna’s throne. “Yes, that’s very good.” He nodded and pulled out his phone, tapping it slowly, dictating what she said.
“Your words are good, mine aren’t so much.” He tapped the screen slowly, his tongue sticking out in concentration. After a few minutes, he clicked it off and slid it back into his tunic. “I should… Epona’s home…” he gestured to the lean-to.
---
She admired him really, for keeping so much youth. Sometimes she felt older than her years, which was probably a side effect of knowing her previous lives. So she knew she’d make sure he kept holding to that youth. He’d earned that much. And she was glad she was able to help him.
“I disagree that your words aren’t as good. You just say things differently.” She smiled and waved her free hand. “Go on, I think I’ll keep you and Epona company though if you don’t mind. It’s a lovely day out. And while I have no skills at building I am capable of handing you things when you need them.” She added with a smile.
---