#linkxzelda

Character: Zelda

Version: Orchestra Original

Series: Legend of Zelda

In the Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past game, Link turns into a pink bunny rabbit when he enters the Dark World. And it often made me wonder if the creator of my favorite web series (www.instagram.com/the.foozle/) might think about letting Nintendo High's Link turn into a bunny in a future episode because I think it'd be super adorable if Zelda couldn't help but gush over how cute he would look and was too busy pampering him despite Link wanting to return to his Hylian form very badly.

What do you think? Enjoy and Happy Easter! I don't own the rights to these characters or Nintendo. Btw, here's the sketch I originally started with.

Note: This is moslty based of the Ocarina of Time manga, than the actual game.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/29780124

Fanfiction.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13830916/1/I-love-you-too

As the light that surrounded him began to die down and his consciousness returned, Link realized that he was back inside the Temple of Time. The familiar lighting that came from the windows illuminated the chamber where he once pulled the Master Sword, and began his journey as the Hero of Time.

‘I’m back in the temple’  

‘I feel... different.’ 

‘More smaller, and lighter and was the shield always this heavy?’ 

He looks at his arms and sees that instead of his usual leather gauntlets,it’s the bare arms of a child. On his back, where the Master Sword was once strapped to his back, layed the Kokiri sword and his Hylian Shield. His tunic was now softer and lighter, just like the one he had when he lived in Kokiri Forest, or rather the same one he had before he grew up.

‘I really am a kid again’ 

He looks around to say something to Navi, but sees that she is not there. 

‘Navi?’ ‘Where are you?’ 

He looks around and searches for the familiar trail blue sparks, of his fairy friend. But is instead found with nothing

‘She’s probably back in Kokiri Forest.’ he muses.

He turned around to look back at the Master Sword, it’s dark blue hilt basking in the light of the day, illuminating its features, while the blade gave off an ethereal glow. It seemed to look at peace, asleep, knowing that it was no longer needed. Link took a deep breath and, let it out as he bowed to the sword of legend.

‘Thank you for helping me protect the ones I love’

“Food! We’ve got fresh food here! Come and get it!”

“Come one, come all! Come and see my wares. Each clothing here was made by hand, and each was crafted with care!”

“Come on you can’t catch me!”

Castle town was just as lively and vibrant as Link had remembered it to be. The people were all out and about, vendors here and there promoting their wares and the things they had to sell, couples holding hands and being affectionate while trying to not look so conspicuous, children laughing and playing around while their parents bought the necessities and catched up on whatever was the latest gossip. There were no monsters and no Evil Sorcerer King.

‘Everyone is just so happy and at peace’

‘Just like it’s supposed to be’ 

“You should be back in the forest… where you’ll be happy”

Link suddenly stopped at that memory, nearly making him crash into a nearby fruit stand.

“Hey watch it kid!” scolded the vendor “You nearly crashed into my stand!”

“Sorry, sorry!” Link apologized to the vendor.

He couldn’t help but begin to ponder on her words. Should he return to the forest? Is that what would make him happy? Or should he do something else instead? In the forest he could sleep in without any worries and wake up in a hurry because he’d miss a story from the Great Deku Tree. He could eat all the fruits that the trees had to offer, play games with all of his friends, talk with Saria about anything and maybe even patch things up with Mido. In the forest he can be safe, and live a life of peacefulness. 

But he wouldn’t be able to see her again...

Was it really that worth it? 

Sure, he might be safe. Sure he would live life where he could try to forget everything that he did, all the people he saved and met, the places he’d seen. He could try to forget her. Forget all about her,and just continue his life pretending that she was just another princess from a big kingdom that had nothing to do with him. Was him returning to that life really worth it? Worth forgetting her? 

‘No’

He shook his head

‘It’s not’ 

It didn’t matter if his life was no longer as safe and peaceful as it once was. Or if it was even possible for him to regain it. The only thing that he wanted was a life where could still be with her.

That’s what would make him happy

He redirected his view toward the castle. The grand marble building shimmered in the afternoon sun, its banners flowing in the wind with pride, and its path open and welcoming to all.

‘I know what I have to do’

After cautiously looking around to see if any of the guards had decided to go around the corner, Link began to climb the vines. He always found it a bit odd that no one seemed to do anything about it, considering that this was how he had managed to sneak into the castle without alerting any guards in the first place (he also suspected that this was how Zelda had managed to sneak out of the castle that day).

‘Darn it. I forgot how much of a struggle this was.’

*grunts*

‘This would be so much easier if I was a bit stronger’

‘Why couldn’t I keep my adult strength!’ 

*grunt*

“Yes!” 

Succeeding on climbing the vines, Link layed on the grass and looked up to the beautiful, blue sky. The breeze blew like a whisper, ruffling his hair and cap. The birds sang their songs, that sounded sweet and soft like a lullaby, making his mind wander into a sea of thoughts.

‘I wonder what she’s doing’

‘She’s probably thinking of a way to sneak out again, considering how well it went the last time’

‘Does she even remember me?’

‘The real me’

‘Probably not’

He sat up, shaking his head at the final thought.

“I really need to stop thinking like that.” he thought aloud “No matter what happens, she’s still your friend.” He directed his view toward the castle, sighing at his doubts and worries of what awaited in his path.

‘Well sitting here won’t give me any answers’

He stood up, dusted himself off and began his way to the courtyard.

The familiar entrance to the princess private courtyard, gave Link more anxiety than the first time he had first entered it. Of course before, he believed he was going to meet a very dignified, elegant and proud princess that only cared for herself, like the ones in fairytales, and not the cute, amazing and adorable girl he’d met in the marketplace and disappeared the day before. But now, he was going in, more mature than he had before, in hopes that she would remember him as he remembers her.

“Zelda”

Her ear twitched, her body seemed to stiff up after hearing the sound of his voice. “It can’t be” she whispered, she turned around, slowly, to face him and gasped at the sight of him, her hands covering her mouth and her eyes filled with tears of joy. Her hero, her Link, had returned.

“Link?”

They stood there, to what felt like forever before they ran and embraced one another with such a tight hold as if they were afraid that the other would disappear. Link couldn’t believe what had happened, his Zelda, his princess, remembered him. “I thought you wouldn’t want to see me again,” she murmured, Link felt her tremble in his grasp and began to rub circles on her back, hoping that it would comfort her, “after all the pain I made you go through, and everything I did, I…” she paused, her voice beginning to quiver “I thought you would hate me.”

Link didn’t know what to say. ‘Hate her?’ he thought. He never could, even if he tried. “Zelda…” he whispered softly. What could he say? Should he tell her how he felt? But what words could ever describe the feeling that rested in his heart for her. The hammering beat of his chest whenever she was near, the way her smile made him stumble on his words, the way her touch felt like he was being electrified, how he admired and loved the way her mind worked and how much he yearned to just be with her, care for her, protect her, and just… be happy with her.

‘Wait’ 

‘That was it’

‘That was the word he was looking for!’

He mentally prepared himself, and prayed to the goddesses for courage to say what he wanted to say. “Zelda,” he said again, with a much more affectionate and gentle tone, and put his hand on her cheek “ I don’t hate you, I honestly believe that I never could be capable of that because...”

‘Deep breaths’

‘This is your chance’

“I love you”

She looked up and met his eyes, giving a gentle, soft smile that made his heart soar with affection, and put her hand on top of his.

“I love you too”

A feeling of relief and peacefulness washed over the two, as they stood there, holding their loving gazes. One that they hope would last for eternity. 

___________________________________________________________

Well this is a pairing I never expected. As such, I haven’t written much for Zelda, and have never written Breath of the Wild, so I do apologize if anything is not proper, for lack of better words. Also I am going off of some spotty memory with some of these things so please excuse any inconsistencies with the series. Coming back to this after having written a bit, I am sorry. I do not think this is too good. There are like two separate little stories since I have two ideas but uh, yeah......

The rain was coming down hard as Link pulled Zelda along with him. Things had been going well, their research was progressing but then Calamity Ganon had woken and taken over. The castle had fallen, and the Guardians were rampaging everywhere. Link was still silent as ever, staring as he lead the Princess away from danger as much as he could. After a moment he pushed her behind him, using his shield to block and redirect the beam from the Guardian. 

The man stood for a moment, facing the guardian while the rain started to wash the dirt and blood from his face. Link looked back to Princess Zelda and nodded, indicating for her to continue.

“No, I can’t do that!” Zelda called, her eyes drifting towards the approaching Guardian. “We need to get somewhere safe! Please!” Link glanced back at her, seeming a bit conflicted. None of this was planned to happen, they weren’t even sure how this had happened.

Before the two could even decide what they were going to do the Guardian had arrived to them. Link jumped at it, ready to slash at the ancient tech. The Guardian started to charge its laser, causing the Princess to cry out. The laser hit Link’s sword, throwing him back.

“Link!” The Princess knelt next to the fallen man, her gaze falling to the damaged sword. “All of this because I couldn’t awaken my power.” She let her head fall for a moment, pressing a gentle kiss to the knight’s lips. “I’m sorry.” 

~~ 

“We need to help people rebuild. In the years that Calamity Ganon terrorized the land all of the people ended up spread far a wide. I believe it would be best to see if we could gain support for this from some of the others, thought that might be difficult.” Zelda looked over the map on the Sheikah Slate, noticing where settlements seemed to be placed. There weren’t that many people who seemed to reside in central Hyrule, but with good reason. It was hard to tell when the Guardians would move and attack people. 

“Where would you recommend us start Link?” She turned to the knight, holding out the slate for him to look at as well. He stepped forward and looked at the map displayed for a moment before pointing towards some of the stables that had become spread across Hyrule. “Ah, those are places for travelers and merchants, correct? We could possibly get them to assist in spreading word.” She smiled at Link before she stepped over to where their horses stood. “We’ll set course for them then.” 

Their travel was silent, Link keeping an eye out for any monsters that may have remained or any members of the Yiga clan who might attack while Zelda was humming softly or looking at things on the slate.

“It is strange, seeing the land one hundred years after what happened. It is an almost solemn thought, is it not?” Princess Zelda turned to look at Link and saw him nod slightly. She sighed heavily, glancing at the clouds that lazily passed overhead. “I’m sorry you had to figure out things alone. I wasn’t aware that the shrine would take your memories.” After a moment of silence she continued, “Everything is so different now. It is peaceful in a way.”

Night fell not long after the two arrived at the first stable. Zelda started talking with the person who ran it while Link stood by an watched. Once all was said and finished the Princess retired for the night, bidding Link a good night.

The man stood outside, sitting next to the cooking pot as he watched it. It seemed that the many long nights that he had endured while Ganon was still about had caused him to be unable to sleep too early, or too soundly anymore. It wasn’t something that actually bothered him too much, there were other things he could be doing while he was awake. What he didn’t expect though was for Zelda to make her way out and sit with him. He stared at her questioningly before she spoke up.

“It would seem sleep isn’t too easy for either of us now, is it?” She gave a small smile to him, noting his nod. The two remained in silence with only the sounds of the cooking pot filling the air.

“Thank you Link. For coming back for me.” Zelda finally said, her gaze on the sky once more. “I know you could have easily forgone the duty since you had no memories of it anyway.” She finally looked back over to the knight and noticed him staring at her. “What is it?” Almost as soon as she had finished her question it was answered in form of Link gently pressing a kiss to her lips. The action caused a deep flush to cover her cheeks as he pulled away. 

“I see.” Was all she could really say as a smile pulled at her lips. Not too long later found the two, Zelda leaning on Link sound asleep while Link gazed either at her or at the stars.

Okay yeah I feel like both of those are not too great. I’ve never really written for Zelda in this sense honestly and writing Link being fairly non-verbal was a new challenge. Also I apologize Anon, for how long it took for me to do this. I hope that perhaps it was good enough for you.

“It’s rich in analeptic compounds that, when cooked into a dish, temporarily increase your maximum hearts.”