Link often wondered if he really was the right choice for Hylia. Trying to impress a goddess is hard enough when you're only a mere Hylian, but Link inwardly curled up inside when he remembers the first time she met him, he had come fresh out of jail. If being introverted didn't make it awkward enough, that sure did.
And of course, behaviour was always stiff and polite around her, whether he truly believed her to be a goddess or not. He didn't want to slip up and be rude around her, but honestly he didn't really know who he was after such a long time in jail. It seemed his world had changed more than he had thought, nothing was quite the same as it was. But really, he hadn't thought that mattered all that much; after all, there was no way he'd fall into an old habit if he had to rebuild everything from scratch.
He wasn't quite sure what to say when Hylia declared him her chosen knight, and he didn't dare decline with the most carefully chosen words he could muster while Impa was with them. He hadn't held a sword in years, let alone battle with one, so he was unconfident to say the least. But, she had rescued him from jail, and she didn't live at the temple, so he promised to at least escort her home safely.
Promising something to a goddess is something you shouldn't ever do unless you're absolutely sure of what you're promising. Link assumed it would be a short journey with her home but boy was he wrong. At first she started giving directions, commenting on familiar scenery and how things had changed over the years, but Link soon figured out that she did not intend on going home any time soon, and she would hold Link to his promise to escort her the entire time until she got home. At first he felt mad, betrayed even, this woman who broke him out of jail was now being vague enough to make sure he would follow her across the lands on account of his promise. But as time went on and they travelled further with each other, he couldn't stay mad. Not at all.
You see, when you're only met with kindness and patience, it is hard to hold a grudge. She really was a lovely woman, full of tales to tell about every location they visited and a smile that radiated absolute warmth. Link had felt like such an empty shell, at first only a stiff and polite man hollowed by pain and isolation; but spending time with someone after spending so much time alone did wonders for him.
It was weeks before he began to speak anything other than curt and formal answers, but hearing so many stories encouraged him to start telling his own. It was months before he began to cook, very shy about his limited skills, yet seeing so many strange and intersting dishes prepared for him encouraged him to try making childhood dishes to share. And it was even longer before he finally loosened his posture, relaxing enough to slouch when he was tired and laze comfortably by the campfire with her.
Soon the comfort and natural composure of his body began to evolve, moving in closer to her on the cold nights by the fire, hands occasionally brushing each other as they walked through terrains. Soon feelings began to develop, Hylia seemed more enthusiatic about them as always, but he started feeling at ease resting his tired head in her lap and cuddling up closer during the night. He wouldn't have ever guessed that he'd grow so happy at the thought of touch after so long alone and scared, but here he was, looking forward to every touch she blessed him with.
His thoughts always seemed to drift, never quite lingering long enough to focus on one thing. Perhaps this was a way of coping he had taught himself without realising, lest he trap himself in a mind that dug holes too deep to crawl out of. Everything seemed janky and mis-mathced when he thought, but after all this time with Hylia, thoughts seemed more fluid around her. He didn't know if he could ever hold his attention to one topic long enough before wandering away, but when he was with her, everything seemed worth lingering upon.
There isn't much to say, there never is when it's Link's turn to speak, but he really enjoyed being with Hylia. He still wondered if he really was the right choice, however Hylia had chosen him herself, so he just had to do his best. He hoped the day to draw his sword would never come, as he loved just existing so peacefully with a goddess. It didn't matter if he truly believed, because the one thing he was certain of when it came to Hylia is that he wholeheartedly cared for her.
So it didn't matter how many times he'd spend laying with her, filtering through old thoughts and remembering how embarrassingly formal he was to begin with, because he would gladly do it a hundred times more.
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She knelt down by the lake, overcome with grief at the loss of her chosen knight, Link. Tears rolling silently down her cheeks, she watched as the sun reflected against the surface of the water; a serene view she wished to share with him once more.
The sun began to set, the sky a beautiful orange, staining the clouds pink. The air was still as she watched the sunset, as if she had commanded the world around her to share her loss, but she was utterly drained after the battle.
Looking down at her dress, the hem getting tattered and stained, she reflected upon the fight, her victory, her loss.
As she fiddled with her hem, she noticed something strange about her reflection. She hadn’t looked, not wanting to see the way she looked without him, but she wished she had looked sooner.
There, in place of her reflection, was Link. She cried out, wanting to touch him again, to cup his cheek and thank him, but she recoiled, fearing she would destroy this image of him.
“Hylia, my Grace, how was your battle?”
“Link, my dear, we have won.”
“What a joyous occasion! Surely you must want to celebrate, why do you sit here by the lake in solace?”
“Although there is cause for celebration, I’m afraid I have been burdened with a grief only I am responsible for.”
“Oh?”
She looked at him, his voice still quiet as he talked, yet the care and kindness behind it rang loudly in her ears. She studied his face, not an open wound anywhere, despite her knowing without a doubt that there were many that littered his face. “Link, my love…”
He smiled, so incredibly happy with that title. It left her conflicted, she wanted to enjoy his smile, to commit it to memory and never forget, but something was bothering her. “Link, I’m sure by now it is no surprise to point out that we can no longer share the same realm. Yet, you aren’t so weighed down that you cannot smile, why is this?”
His smile faltered, smoothing into a more neutral expression. He looked at her, an understanding nod an an exhale of thought. “I’m sure you are weighed with your own worries, of grief and exhaustion and much more. But you needn’t feel weighed down with the loss of me, I wouldn’t dare hinder you in that manner.”
“Oh Link, I don’t care if you drag me to the demonic plains with your weight, I only wish to be with you once more.”
“I think we both know that isn’t possible for us right now…”
They fell into a silence, an unspoken acknowledgement from the both of them. The sun had almost disappeared, the evening air creeping over them steadily.
“I do not know how much longer I can be with you here, but I was glad to be blessed by your presence once more.”
“Link please, do not leave me!”
He was surprised, not once in his journey alongside her, not once when in battle had he seen her so desperate. She was vulnerable, a Goddess, exposing her weakness to the spirit of a mere Hylian.
“Hylia, my love…”
Tears began to trickle down her face once again, and Link only wished he could comfort her physically.
“Hylia, please, the last thing I would wish upon you is grief.”
“I will mourn everyday without your presence, it will always be a moment of sadness as long as I am separated from you.”
“Oh no, my dear, please never think of this as a sad occasion. We’ve won! You’ll no longer have to struggle and fight just to keep your people alive, we are safe.”
She couldn’t help the smile that crawled across her face, her tears slowing but refusing to stop.
Evening winds began to blow, disturbing the surface of water in the lake. Link’s reflection began to disappear, causing her to yell out in a flurry of desperate emotions.
“Please, please Link… Stay…”
“Hylia, I shall see you in another life…”
“No Link! Don’t go!”
“I promise to find you, I will always be your chosen knight…”
“Link!”
As her shrill cry echoed around her, the air felt still. The only noise to be heard were the devastated sobs of a Goddess, separated from the one she loved. She had already shed her divinity, given up most her power to ensure the safety of her land, to protect her people and let them reign in an era of peace, yet she felt more vulnerable now without him by her side than any loss of divine power ever could.
She waited for the water to calm, watching the early stars dance across the surface. She saw her reflection in the water, and couldn’t help but stare.
She had always been a Goddess, but he had made her Hylian.
First meetings imply that you only ever meet someone once, and at first Hylia had agreed with this statement.
She had met every single one of her people, always included in the blessings given to each newborn child. As the children grow and pray, she gets to learn more about them. She learns about people through the things they pray for, for the thanks they give, that was all that she needed.
But, once she had come down in her Hylian form, to be with her people, she found she would meet people again. The things that are talked about, the way people ask for things and give thanks was completely different while she was in Hylian form. It interested her, she loved being with her people, and she loved hearing the prayers of her people, but being with them changed everything.
For the longest time, she had believed that she would always meet people twice for the first time. It was fun, to compare the prayers of a person with the way they spoke with her. Her people were friendly and open and shared graciously with her. But, as war began to break out, people changed.
Prayers were scarce, and even when people prayed, they were filled with worry instead of thanks. It was hard to mingle amongst them in her Hylian shell, so she returned to the heavens to watch over them through prayer. For years, relations between monsters and her people were thin, it didn't take much for Demise to crawl out of the very depths he had been buried in and talk his way into gathering an army to fight in his war.
She wanted to help, but she had to gather strength. She was already using a lot of her powers to hold him back, to keep his dark shadow away from the light of her people; but she needed help.
She listened closely to the prayers she received, listening to see if she could hear if anyone would be able to fill the role of her chosen knight. Most were scared, scared for their families and themselves, scared for their livelihoods as other claimed land and pushed them out into makeshift homes. All she wanted to do was help, but as she was, she wouldn't be able to without help herself.
It was looking dismal, her hopes of finding a knight within the prayers she received growing weak, just as her hold on Demise grew weaker with each passing moment.
But one night, she heard a prayer, one that stood out from the rest. It was desperate, yet gentle; the sadness in his request was contrasted by the calmness of his voice, and as she listened she knew he was exactly what she had been searching for.
She quickly climbed atop her loftwing, readying her Hylian form to go down and meet him. Once she found him, on his dying breath as he laid in the solitude of a secluded prison cell, she met him for the first time.
But it wasn't really the first time...
As he grew stronger, she was able to meet him properly. Perhaps this was the first time she was truly meeting him.
Time went on, they travelled together, preparing the land and her people to fight this war, and as she spent time with this man, she learnt new things about him. At first she had thought that she was just learning about him, the way she had with countless others, but he seemed different. Each time he introduced a new story from his past, a new fact, new preferences in food and cloth, it felt like she was meeting him for the first time all over again.
The first night of their journey spent together, she had convinced him to relay a story from his youth, and after long and drawn out silences, he shared a simple one. Hearing it seemed to change the way she saw him, as if there was a light inside of him that had been put out, and just starting to glow. The more time she spent around him, the more it seemed he was illuminated. He would always grow brighter, he grew closer and became comfortable around her, but she always felt that he was never fully lit.
It didn't bother her, she got to feel the excitement of meeting him for the first time often, and she treasured the memories he shared with her. It wasn't until their last meeting that she got to know him completely...
Wounded in battle, fatally wounded, he spoke one last prayer. Just like the prayer that led her to him, this was sad and gentle and calming and desperate, all at once; but unlike that first prayer, he only spoke thanks. Hylia looked around, she couldn't see him anywhere, once again having to rely on his prayer to find him.
Kneeling down, seeing him once again on his dying breath, she met a new man. Her first time meeting him, the real him, it also served as her final farewell...
First meetings imply that you only ever meet someone once, but Hylia disagreed. There were many aspects that made someone who they were, and each time a part of someone was revealed, it could be as if you were meeting them for the first time all over again.
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“I am sorry, my Goddess. I have failed to deliver on my promise.”
“How so? You have done more than I could ever ask of you.”
“Do you not remember, when you knighted me, and I made a promise to escort you home?”
“Yes… I remember.”
“I have not fulfilled my promise. I cannot take you home.”
“Oh Link, I never held you to that promise. You helped me on your own accord, and I can never thank you enough.”
“…”
“Link, I can sense you will have to leave soon… You will head to the heavens yourself.”
“I can sense it too. I do not want to leave your side.”
“I know, I do not want to leave yours either. But this is out of my hands, I cannot change a thing.”
“… Even though I do not want to pass on, I wouldn’t change anything.”
“I wouldn’t change anything either my love.”
When they first met, they'd known each other, yet they didn't.
- AO3 -
Link'd known Her as the just and glorious white goddess, the only one who could ever be trusted with the sacred golden relic, the one who could do no wrong. But he couldn't have known that beyond that kind image Hylia's kept for eternities, there was a whole new person, one who secretly wished to be closer to humans than she could ever be.
She's known him as a fire, ever burning with determination, hues of his soul always shifting from white to orange, and finally red– and then again... She couldn't have predicted how radiant and defiant that fire could grow under the right circumstances. ...and how consuming.
Hylia's been watching over that boy for a very, very long time, for she knew she couldn't complete the most important task ever assigned alone. Was she holding out for a true hero? Perhaps, but what mattered was that she needed assistance. And the second his bright soul was released into the world was the moment she knew she needed to search no more. It was as if his very being was meant to deflect any darkness that threatened him.
Now the only thing left was directing that blaze in the right direction by defining darkness correctly. And that meant that from now on, darkness was everything She was not.
Hasn't it always been this way? Perhaps it hasn't, but she'd rather not dwell on it now, or ever. After all, everything that has ever existed was simple darkness once, before the Three blessed the nothingness. For now, the only thing Hylia wanted to create was light. And of light Link is — and always will be, or she isn't divine.
That promise would cost her — them both — oh so much.
But the punishment would come and scorch the entire land only years later — the amount of time that feels outstandingly long, ever stretching on, for humans, yet is as quick as a passing blink of a goddess' eyes. And she was willing herself to keep them open, for the sake of watching Link grow and flourish, his soul and personality rich as a garden.
So when they really first met, the goddess was the only one who knew it was a meeting, for there was no one who could see her, and the only one who should have was so young that he lacked the means — or you could say, a proper consciousness — to assess it.
Therefore, it did not count in her eyes. Especially since that 'meeting' lasted a lifetime, during which she never took her divine sight off of Link once, always looking out for him and being the one force needed to repent the true depths of evil that were out for his purity, sometimes wishing to draw blood. And Hylia knew that if that ever happened, it'd be both a beautiful and a painful sight. One she could barely handle imagining, much less seeing.
However, that was what fate had in store, for when they first met — when he first met her — they didn't know just how brutal their separation would be. And later on, she wished she'd never known the harshness of it all.
But that was later, and now, in this moment, a completely different story unfolds. A tale of learning just what getting to know someone really means… and how it feels to love that someone more than ever after finding true knowledge.
“It’s time for you to know, Link, that sometimes it’s best to ignore others’ opinions and believe in yourself and what you feel is undeniably right.”
He’d grown used to that gentle, flowing voice years ago — in fact, he never felt unaccustomed to it, as if it’s been there all his life, and perhaps longer than that, longer than anyone else on this Earth– oh, but that sounded absurd even to his own ears, there’s no way that could be the truth, right? …but no matter what odd thoughts plagued Link in regards to this mysterious voice, he knew he could trust it. Trust it even more than he would his father — and that was a person who was known to never let anyone, or even anything down, a man whose every step on the journey that was his life was taken to improve the world around him.
Link wasn't the only one who knew about this enigmatic entity in his mind, but only he believed it was real. For all those years, countless people had thought it was their duty to dissuade Link out of it, make something within him snap and return to reality, for surely that voice was just a dreadful product of his restless soul, borne out of many sleepless nights, a culmination of his constant wish to do something and avoid staying still.
But he knew that wasn’t true, since that wish wasn’t really constant, and there were days when even he needed to recharge… and on those days, the voice grew only louder. Bolder, even, as if it was its duty to express concern for him. He never minded it — sometimes it felt like the closest thing to his late mother’s embrace he’ll ever get — but he knew he couldn’t talk about it with anyone else, since that was a sure-fire way to get people even closer to thinking he’s reached the edge of sanity.
Yet despite it all, deep inside he knew the validity of his experience. And the voice only seemed to share that idea with him when it continued its line of thought after a still pause.
“You listened to everyone and took their words to heart, and, fortunately, that included me as well.
You could have easily abandoned me, dismissed me for a hallucination haunting you at night, or worse, you could have never believed that my care and concern were genuine. And, knowing how you had been raised, I’d never blame you for that…” Yes, Link’s soul was burning since the very start, but the world around him never thought it was enough, forcing him to constantly temper and hone himself to simply retain his psyche. And yet he never lost sight of himself, and that’s why Hylia knew she made the right choice. “But I know how much talking about that hurts. I know, for my heart aches for it more than anything else. Please believe me when I say that, for I truly feel for you more than is imaginable.
All I ever wanted was to keep you safe, and I’m glad you let me. Revealing my true identity after all this time is the least I can do for you, Link, so listen.” He was so captivated he could do nothing else.
And it wasn't like he wanted to, so the universe went on.
“I am divinity clad in white.
I am the guardian of the sacred power.” She was also a very fallible being who was extremely selective and prone to getting caught up in her feelings, it seemed. And as much as she wanted to say that, she sensed that it would probably ruin the moment. And more importantly, destroy his gentle perception of her forever.
“I am the one you've reached out to all your life, and for that I shall reward you.”
And then the universe stopped. Everything all around them froze into a standstill as he finally dared to utter her name.
“Are you... Hylia?”
So his prayers had a recipient after all.
And when she noticed how Link didn't even think of his reward, she felt even more confident in her choice. Yes, she needed no one else by her side. As she'd thought, he had been the only being deserving of Her.
“What else can I say? And... who else can I be?” He definitely won't go telling this story to anyone. None of this sounded believable at all, yet it was real and tangible and here–
He was in the presence of a goddess, and he needed to accept it and act accordingly. But just what did that mean?
Well, for starters, I should probably apologise for not addressing her properly, Link thought. He understood that there was no way for him to know what was really happening beforehand, but he felt like he couldn't avoid bringing it up. She has never been just a voice or just a being — Hylia was, and hopefully still will be, an important guide through his life. Someone he could tell absolutely everything to... but now he needed to do so with proper respect.
“Y-your Grace...” He stammered, disbelief still seeping through him. “I need to apologise, for the way I've treated you before had been far too improper...” Then again, did Link really have another name for her than 'a voice' before? How could he even?.. oh, this is absolutely impossible, this can't be happening. He knew he needed to pull himself together and stop gaping like a fool…
Hylia’s laugh felt surreal and ethereal, much like this entire situation.
“You have been one of the most polite beings I've had the chance to listen to throughout the centuries! And trust me, I've been called some truly awful, horrible names many times in the past...” It had been done by those who opposed her, who did not believe she could handle any responsibility, who despised the light and wanted to stay hidden, never revealing the truth of their sins and wrongdoings. Well, everyone has to choose a path in their life, and those beings chose theirs. It was that simple, and it was all in the past now, as most of her people revered her fervently... but none so much as Link.
“Well, I'll have you know, your Grace, that you deserve none of them.” Bless his pure, ignited soul. Whether she did or not was another question entirely... one she'd asked herself too many times and yet still had no answer for. Hylia wouldn't be surprised if it would have taken her a lifetime to finally find the answer... if it's possible to judge an immortal being's lifespan.
Little did she know, it was. Under very, very specific and dire circumstances. But they still had their time before discovering it all, and so she pushed the lamenting thoughts out of her mind.
“I hope that you'll show me the truth of your words one day.”
“If you still don't believe me, then I promise I will.” Hylia was the anchor Link desperately held on to throughout the bad days and weeks, but he knew she never left him and was still there when he was at his happiest. And these cherished moments were simply enhanced and made that much more precious by her presence.
She didn't know how irreplaceable she was, and he made it his goal to open her eyes. Her doubts and self-deprecation would only hinder her on the long road towards the future purity of their land, and he knew it from experience.
The silence stretched out for just a little too long, as the goddess contemplated his words. Finally she decided it was time to move on and get back to the other reason for this strange, and yet perfectly normal, encounter.
“You should know the real reason I've come to you. And not only that, but you should know me as I am as well.” A sudden flash pierced his vision, and a moment later She appeared before him, vivid and luminous like moonlight. Although there was no wind, her pale long hair seemed to float in the air, spreading all around her and lighting up the world even further. Her golden eyes looked at everything knowingly, and it felt as if they were stars — just as bright and just as old.
To Link, she seemed... flawless, and absolutely gorgeous. So much so, that he couldn't find the strength in himself to speak... She sensed his feelings, and something deep inside her stirred in exultation. But she had never forgotten about the many scars — those that would never go away, no matter how much of her magic she'd spend — hidden under her long, freely flowing, pristine white dress.
The goddess couldn’t help but wonder if Link would love those parts of her as well... but right now she could simply keep them out of their sight and avoid dealing with the issue entirely, as she forced a scarlet piece of cloth to appear in her hands.
“This is a piece of my divinity, enchanted so it would always protect the wearer. And before you try to decline, please remember that it is first and foremost a gift and I will not be taking it back.” ...how did she know he was going to refuse to take it? But Link thought it didn't matter now, as his hands traced the rough, yet comforting cape. Something about it felt right and perfect, and a naive and young part of him wanted to never part with what he treated now as a relic.
Well, it wasn't like anyone was taking it away from him now, was it? He allowed himself to indulge in the satisfaction of the red cape's rush against his skin, folding it all around his body. And then he let himself wonder if he imagined the cloth becoming hard as metal around the tougher bends for a split second... That must have been the protection spell She mentioned. Of course, why would she lie?
“You have my eternal gratitude, your Grace. But I must ask a question… why me?”
This time Hylia didn't hesitate with her reply. “So many reasons.
You are bright, courageous, and unique. I know you are ready to do whatever people ask of you for the sake of your land, and that makes you the perfect person to assist me. You will fight and bleed for this land and its balance without a shadow of a doubt.” He would, for it felt right and just. Just like her. So Link only nodded, not at all offended. “And since I know how harsh and yet fascinating your journey will be, I believe I ought to do something in return for your service... yes, before we even take the first step.”
He took a breath, assessing his situation. Who was he to judge a deity's opinion? She must have weighed every option carefully before making her choice, and Link could do nothing but go along with it. Besides, Hylia seemed to be quite eager to offer all that she can to protect and assist him, and... he found himself revering her presence so much that he felt willing to go to the fiery depths of the earth if it meant staying by her side. So really, the choice felt quite obvious.
“Very well. I will accept your gift and take pride in being by your side whenever you need me, your Grace.” A spark of satisfaction burned in the goddess’ gaze as she dissolved into the sky, having done what was needed at the moment.
“You have no idea how much your agreement means to me, Link. Thank you, and farewell... my hero.”
So that was how they unveiled themselves to one another, and their first meeting would also be their last, for death would end up being the only thing to ever separate them.
