Work Text
Moonlight lit the back of Link's tunic. The faint light cast his weak shadow across the stone. He stood at the edge of the spring with his gaze toward the arch entrance. The legendary sword resting in his grip, the tip of his blade grazing the ancient grounds. His cerulean eyes scanned for any ounce of danger that threatened to push past him.Flurries of snow descended from above, landing in his dirty blonde locks and his sleeves. He couldn't deny that it was peaceful up on Mount Lanayru, however, peace was far from the young hero's mind. He could never ease his mind when Zelda was troubled, especially when they visited the springs.Zelda was immersed waist-deep in the freezing cold water; her once recited prayers shifted into anguished pleas. The bitter heartache laced in her voice was more than enough for him to tell she was reaching her limit.It tore his heart in every direction."Curse you." His ears twitched slightly at the sound of water splashing and his heart stopped. She didn't fall in did she? Right as he turned to check she spoke again, easing his initial panic. "Every single day I pray and every single day you show no signs in return! I've been doing this all my life. I had no childhood just so I could pray to you for some stupid powers that don't seem to work! Do you really wish for Hyrule to crumble at the hands of that monster? Do you want me to fail so terribly that you'd risk the world? Your people? My friends who are risking their lives? My-" She choked on a sob. "Are you even there?"Link closed his eyes, a sorrowful sigh escaping him. The goddess was testing his patience. Was she just like the rest of the skeptics parading around Hyrule who doubted the young princess, including the king himself? His fists tensed around the hilt of his sword... some goddess she was and some father the king claimed to be.A spike of anger stabbed his gut. Screw Hylia, screw Ganon, screw the faithless, and screw the king. If it wouldn't result in exile, Link would give the King of Hyrule a piece of his mind."What is wrong with me?"The words pierced him like a lynel spear, tearing him from his thoughts and making his eyes widen. Nothing! Nothing's wrong with you! He wanted to scream out but his throat went dry. Dry with his oath to the royal guard and his appointed position... he was only her protector. But doesn't being her protector also permit him to support her and protect her emotionally? The thought made him furrow his brows."Tell me! Am I really that worthless? Am I not worthy enough to wield Hylia's great power?"Her last cry cut the tether holding him down in place. He couldn't stand by. Not anymore. The blonde set his sword down and descended the stone staircase.Ice water surrounded him and he sucked in a sharp breath as he waded through the spring. How did she do this all the time?"Link." His pointed ears caught her whisper as she turned around. Her wide, green eyes locked onto his soft, blue ones as they reached for each other at the same time. Her legs gave out as she stepped toward him but Link was quick to wrap an arm under her knees and pull her against him.Her lips were as blue as the fading sky and her face was paler than the color of snow.I knew I should have pulled her out sooner. Link gritted his teeth as he internally kicked himself. If she developed hypothermia he'd never forgive himself.A sob racked its way up her throat and she wrapped her arms around his neck."Link, I-I'm sorry." She wiped away a stream of tears with her palm. "I feel nothing-"The knight shook his head, tightening his arms around her shivering form.She worked so hard, he saw that. Every minute, every day, every hour. She was so dedicated to helping her people, that was what mattered. His chest ached... he wished he could tell her he disagreed with her father's harsh remarks on her and her training. He wanted to tell her that she was more than a princess to him.That he loved her.The thought sent his heart in a frantic spiral. He had broken the biggest rule of all. He had taken a hammer and shattered it with little regret-if any at all.'Don't have any personal relations with the princess, it's strictly professional. For your only duty is to protect her. It is treason otherwise.' His captain's words echoed through his ears. In other words, he warned not to fall for the princess.But Link didn't just fall, he stumbled into the inevitable chasm and hit the ground rolling. Which... how could he not? There had to be some exception to that rule because lust wasn't his driving force, no, he was undoubtedly and truly in love with her.His father would be ashamed of him--well the knight side of his father anyway. His captain would absolutely be ashamed of him. Though, Link couldn't find it in him to care.He'd tell her, but first he had to make sure she didn't freeze to death.Link set her down by the tent he had assembled prior to Zelda's training. He rummaged through his bag before he handed her a set of her warm winter clothes, raising his eyebrows in a silent question.She sniffled and nodded once. A few wet strands of gold falling into her defeated eyes. He fought the urge to brush it behind her pointed ears.While she changed, Link picked up his pile of wood to create a makeshift fire. He pulled out a piece of flint from his bag and struck a stray rock against it, creating a spark that fueled the flames.He tossed a few more sticks in the fire."Where should I...?" Link turned toward Zelda's voice, his eyes softening upon meeting her own. She was standing with her ceremonial dress in her hands; Water droplets dripped from its ruffled edges.He took the dress from her grasp and gestured toward the orange flames."The fire..." he murmured."Oh yes, of course. Thank you."Link nodded as he laid the dress on the stone-out of reach from the falling snow. He reached into his bag once more, grabbing a spare set of his clothes. He found a secluded area and peeled his tunic off his torso.The freezing air pierced his skin, making him wince. He seriously didn't understand how Zelda had done this the last four nights. He would have a word with the king, this wasn't safe at all.If he had a daughter, he'd never treat her the way Rhoam treated Zelda and he certainly wouldn't force her train relentlessly in the frozen mountain with no support or praise. No, if he had kids they would be supported to no end.Link fastened his spare pair of boots and in little to no time he returned to the camp.His blue eyes flicked to Zelda who sat on one of the stones near the fire. Color had returned to her face and her lips were back to its pink tint. Her eyes were locked on the dancing flames and her brows were scrunched together.Oh how badly he desired to see an ounce of her smile. He missed it. Terribly. But with the calamity looming near and the weight of their burdens nearly crushing them, the rarity of the emerald eyed blonde cracking a smile had multiplied tenfold.Link swallowed and cleared his throat before speaking. His tongue felt heavy in his mouth... voicing his thoughts still wasn't his strong suit but he'd do it for her."Princess. There's nothing wrong with you," he finally spoke, wrapping a wool blanket around her shoulders. His forearms rested on his knees as he stared at her.A heavy sigh escaped her. "Link." She shook her head, averting his gaze. She let out a sniffle before continuing. "I fear I won't be able to help you when... when the time comes and you'll- you'll die because I didn't train hard enough. All the great princesses before me were able to unlock it! I'm the only one who-" She grimaced. "Who hasn't." More sniffles. "So there has to be only one explanation. There must be something wrong with..."His thumb brushed her tears away. "There's nothing wrong with you," he repeated, allowing his hand to linger for a few more seconds.New tears shimmered in her viridescent gaze. "You really believe that?"He nodded, though he noticed her gaze drop and the subtle frown on her lips. She was still unsure or she wasn't satisfied with his answer.Link moved to sit next to her. His arm brushed against hers, making his heart flutter. He cleared his throat as he leaned back against the wall."Yes, Zelda, I really believe it.... I believe in you. And even if your powers don't come, we'll be okay. We'll find another way.""Really?"He nodded. "Really."Their eyes met and she raised her eyebrows as her lips twitched into a smile. The blonde knight returned it; her smiles were extremely contagious... to him at least."Thank you Link."He gave her a nod before shifting his gaze to the flickering flames. They sat in a peaceful silence until Zelda rested her head on his shoulder. Link's muscles tensed as her hair brushed against his cheek."Sorry- I hope this is okay."Link nodded--the only response he could give at the moment. He really, really hoped she couldn't hear how fast his heart was beating.After a few moments she shifted and she shivered, pulling the blanket tighter around her."Are you uncomfortable?" He found himself asking."What?" She pulled away to look at him. "No- I'm fine. It's just cold." She shivered again and Link hesitantly opened his arms as he averted her emerald gaze.Seconds seemed like minutes. Blood rushed to Link's ears.Why did I do that? I'm crossing a line-Zelda wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest, sending every blood cell to his head.Oh what am I doing?He battled his thoughts, insisting he was only protecting her from the harsh cold. Because that's all it had to be. Nothing more nothing less."I'm thinking about too many things... I don't think I'll be able to sleep," she murmured."You need your strength."She let out an airy chuckle. "I guess.... When do you sleep though? I never see you sleep." Link shook his head. Always the curious one."Please try," he responded to which Zelda sighed."Fine."Sleep wasn't something Link had often, even when he was younger. He remembered his mother would check on him and his sister, Aryll, to make sure they were asleep. She always found him wide awake, looking out the window into the starry night sky.She'd ask him 'what's wrong' and he'd say 'I can't sleep'. She'd then sit on his neatly kept bed and say, 'You get this from your father.'Link always found that funny, he never believed it because his old man always snored at this time of night and slept until the birds stopped chirping. No way he could've had trouble sleeping at Link's age.His mom would pat his bed, tuck him in, and she'd start to sing. There were no words to the song, only the melody. As a child, this never failed to ease him into a peaceful slumber. So maybe...Link closed his eyes and started to hum. His voice was soft as he sang the lullaby, the one that shared Zelda's name. It was actually his favorite.His hum carried in the slight breeze. He wished there was a way to stop time so they could stay in this moment forever without a worry in the world.Zelda's breaths slowed and her grip on his waist eventually loosened as the sweet melody came to an end.Link opened his eyes and let his gaze drop to the sleeping princess.He'd protect her with his dying breath, that was a promise.The knight leaned down to lightly kiss the top of her blonde hair as if to seal the vow.