Chapter Text
“May I ask…” she began so tentatively, so quietly he could barely hear her. Her voice strengthened as she finished her question, “Do you really remember me?”
Did he remember her? Were he not in such a considerable amount of pain from his battle wounds, he would have laughed at her insecurity. She was one of the only things that he remembered. He couldn’t remember his own mother, but he could remember Zelda. He could remember her struggles with her inability to live up to everyone’s expectations, he could remember her distaste of him melting into kind affection, and - he swore - if things hadn’t gone south as quickly as they did with Calamity Ganon, her feelings would have deepened into something even more than affection. He remembered her despair at having lost everything she had known her entire life in one fell swoop.
She smiled at him, her eyes softening, and he answered “Yes, I remember you,” using the last remaining bit of his energy to fall to his knees in a bow. “My Princess. My Queen.”
Zelda let out a breathy laugh, relieved that he did remember. She wasn’t sure how much he remembered, but he at least knew who she was. Her brief moment of joy was quickly ended as Link fell forward. Awful recollections of nearly the exact same thing happening a century before flooded her mind and she rushed to him, turning him over. His wounds were not as extensive as they had been with his previous bout with Ganon, but they were severe enough that she was worried.
Mustering all her strength, Zelda attempted to lift his deadweight up, but found she could barely get him to move. Anxiety crept into her throat and she found it hard to breathe. It couldn’t end like this. Not after a century. Not after all of their hard work. She still had to tell him how she felt - there were so many missed opportunities she needed to make up for. Smothering her panic, she tried to think of a solution. Kakariko Village was not far. They could make it to Impa’s house relatively quickly and get medical help and supplies.
A quick whistle brought his horse to her, and she searched on his body for a canteen. She found it nearly full (thank Goddess) and splashed it on his face. Link’s eyes flew open
“Wh-what happened?” he asked, scrambling to sit up, but wincing from the pain.
“You’ve passed out, Link,” Zelda tried to say in a soothing tone, struggling with her breathlessness. “I need to get you help. Do you think you can stand and make it to your horse? I will ride with you to make sure you don’t fall off.” Link let out a shaky breath and nodded.
“Yes. I really don’t suppose I have much of a choice, do I?”
He slowly rolled to his side and pushed himself to his hands and knees, a low and pained groan reverberating through his chest. Blindly, he raised his left arm, hoping Zelda would understand and come to support him as he stood up. She rushed to his side and ducked under his arm, using all her strength to help get him to his feet and hobble to the horse.
Link and his new horse (sadness struck Zelda as she considered his beloved Epona and wondered what happened to her after Link was taken to the Shrine of Resurrection) clearly were close. The horse whined as she watched her injured master approach, and lowered herself to a bow, making it easier for Zelda to help Link on. She climbed on behind him to steer the horse and guide them towards Kakirko.
The ride was only a few hours, but Link was rigid the entire time, gritting his teeth and enduring the pain as best he could. It crossed his mind several times that Zelda must be exhausted, she had also had a battle, a longer one than he could ever imagine. He would have to ask for details - but later. When he was rested. When he was healed.
~~~~~
They arrived to the village in the early morning hours, Link would have guessed at least 2 hours before dawn. Link began to give directions through his gritted teeth to Impa’s house and Zelda patiently listened before he realized mid-sentence that she would already know and stopped talking abruptly, feeling stupid. Zelda said nothing.
As they approached the house, Zelda handed the reins to Link and jumped off, running to the door with her ceremonial dress gathered in her hand so she wouldn’t trip herself. She pounded on the door, yelling for Impa. A few minutes passed and Link could see it was Paya who answered, bleary eyed and confused. He could not hear the conversation, but he could see Zelda’s hands moving quickly as she spoke, likely explaining who she was. He leaned forward, supporting himself on Equos’s neck and burying his face in her mane. He was woozy. He wasn’t sure how much blood he had lost or how long he could fight to remain conscious.
Zelda had asked if he had remembered him. She seemed overjoyed that he did, which was, while not necessarily a surprise, such a relief after the earlier memories he had recovered of her. They had not gotten on terribly well. She resented him for his success and self-surety. He resented her for her privilege and attitude towards him. But, as they spent more and more time together, something shifted between them. He couldn’t point to one moment where he suddenly realized he could tolerate her - perhaps even admired her - it was a gradual change. And he knew that she suddenly saw his value when he protected her from the Yiga clan members. After realizing his value, she got to know him better and enjoyed his quiet, calm presence.
He felt gentle hands pull him from the horse, interrupting his thoughts and he gave in to the blackness that was clouding the edges of his vision.
~~~~~
Recovery was not an easy process. Link’s last recovery had him sleep for 100 years. At times, he wished they would just drop him back off at the Shrine and let him sleep for another 100 years. Luckily, he was only bed-ridden for a few days, the pain in his broken ribs keeping him in one spot. Strangely, he found that sleeping sitting up was far less painful than laying down, so Zelda and Paya propped pillows behind his back and head to help him stay upright.
They seemed to be developing a kinship. Zelda spoke endlessly, so happy to finally have actual people to talk to. She had many questions about the past 100 years. Paya was awestruck and did her best to answer all the questions the princess had, though she was constantly blushing, looking away, and stammering out her answers.
Once Link was well enough to walk around, Zelda and he would slowly take walks through the village. He would ask her questions to fill in some blanks about the years he spent at the castle. She did her best to answer with as much detail as she could remember - even the mundane details, such as what food was usually served and the strict schedules the Royal Guard kept. Sometimes as she spoke, Link would get a far off look in his eye as though he were watching her words unfold in front of his face. The first time that happened, Zelda was explaining a ball the king had thrown to welcome a foreign dignitary. She was required to attend, and so Link was required as well. He had stood stoically behind her. As she explained the dress she wore, Link froze in place. She stopped talking immediately and asked if he was okay.
“Keep talking. I can see it,” Link whispered.
“Ah, well,” Zelda felt self-conscious now, it was just a silly dress and she felt foolish. “It was… well, like I said, it was a blue, the color of the Royal Family. It had a stomacher, which I always hated wearing, but the stomacher had intricate gold stitching which I so admired. The laces were done up too tight, which put me in a foul mood. And the prince that had come to visit was so daft. He came up to me and bowed in the silliest way and kissed my hand sloppily and said some inane thing about my “stunning beauty” and how it “outshone my brains” and when he left - “
“You turned to me and said, “Thank Goddess I get to spend my days with you and not with that fool,” Link finished for her. Zelda smiled and nodded, pleased that he remembered.
After that point, anytime he froze, Zelda continued telling her story, excited that it was one he remembered for himself. Sometimes he would finish the story for her, other times he would let her wrap it up.
~~~~~
About six weeks into his recovery, Link was ready to return to his home in Hateno. It had the happiest memories he had on this side of the Shrine of Resurrection. Besides, he was getting restless and tired of feeling like an intrusive guest in Impa and Paya’s home. It was a few days after he began to feel this way that Impa called both he and Zelda for a discussion.
“Link is nearly healed,” Impa began, “and decisions must be made.” Link heard Zelda let out a long breath and he itched to look over at her and see if it was a breath of relief or of stress.
“What decisions do you mean, Impa?” Zelda asked.
“When you will return to the throne, of course. How you will go about getting the allegiance pledged from each of the villages and tribes. Who will accompany you.”
“I, of course, will accompany the Princess,” Link said. “I pledged my life to her service and I intend on fulfilling that promise.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Link,” Zelda turned towards Link. “You have fulfilled your promise. You gave your life for me in our first battle with Calamity Ganon and you fought him again. You duty is fulfilled. Your life is your own.” Link opened his mouth to argue, but Impa spoke first.
“You will need someone to accompany you, Zelda. And Link is the most logical choice. He remembers who you are. And he has spent the past several months traveling Hyrule and getting to know the villages and inhabitants. He is beloved.”
“I will continue to serve you until the die my life ends,” Link vowed. Zelda rolled her eyes dramatically at him.
“Do not abuse him for being loyal to you, Zelda,” Impa admonished, “You will find there are very few still loyal to the crown or even the memory of the crown. You have been gone for 100 years. Few remember you, and even fewer have memory of you.”
“Yes, about that…” Zelda took a deep breath in, steeling herself. “I will not be taking back the throne.” The very air seemed to stand still in shock at Zelda’s statement. Faint murmuring from the village could be heard through the windows, but inside the house it was completely silent.
“May I ask why?” Impa asked after several tense minutes.
“I’ve been speaking with Paya about Hyrule and her experiences and knowledge of the kingdom. I’ve come to the conclusion that a Royal Family is no longer needed. The villages have formed alliances with each other. They have their own standing armies. The Zora, Goron, Greduo, and Rito tribes all are self-sufficient. They have thrived for at least the past 75 years after recovering from the shock of the initial attack from Calamity Ganon. I am not needed. It would upset the homeostasis that has been achieved for me to resume my rule. But more than that, Impa, I am so very tired. I have devoted a hundred and seventeen years to Hyrule and I would like to rest. I would like to spend the remainder of my years, however many there are, studying and working to improve Hyrule, but not ruling Hyrule.”
The silence returned and Link shifted uncomfortably. The past 6 weeks he had believed the plan that Impa had begun to lay out - they would go from village to village gaining support for Zelda to return to throne and he would protect her. He anticipated she would place him at the head of the Royal Guard. Now, she wanted to live a quiet life. Link couldn’t say he didn’t like the sound of that, but he did feel like the rug was pulled out from under his feet.
“Very well,” Impa said. “I cannot force you to become Queen. As usual, you are wise beyond your years, My Princess - for My Princess you will always be, even if you refuse the title.”
“Thank you, Impa. I appreciate you not arguing with me about this. My mind has been made up for several weeks now.”
“What is your plan now then?” Impa inquired, placing her hands together at her mouth.
“I… well… I had hoped to talk to Link about this privately first, but…” Zelda turned towards Link. “You had mentioned you have a home. In Hateno. I was wondering - if I could - I mean, if you’re alright with it - if I could come live with you and -”
“Of course, Zelda,” Link assured her, cutting off her rambling.
“The villagers will talk,” Impa said. “You are unmarried.”
“We will live as brother and sister,” Zelda said. Link flinched - that stung a bit and he was going to have to examine why later. Impa smirked.
“I think that is an unwise idea and may be difficult to walk back later if you change your mind.”
“Change my mind?” Zelda asked, furrowing her brow.
“Might I suggest living as cousins instead?” Zelda nodded and turned towards Link.
“What do you say, Cousin? When shall we leave for home?” She smiled widely at him and tilted her head to the side.