Can't Be Without You ~ Zelink BotW

Accepted

The sun shone brand new in the sky, cascading it's glow gracefully across Hateno village. Farmers were already going at their work for the day, as birds chirped their morning song above. I began to stir in my sleep at the sound of the town slowly beginning to awake, as buisinesses began setting up their shops for the day. I rubbed at my sleepy eyes, as the sun's rays reflected through the window making me shield my eyes from it's intense brightness.

"Another early start to another day filled with nothing..." I spoke to the air, knowing no one else could hear. I tossed my weak legs over the side of my bed, as I stretched to awaken my body some. I stood myself up, and walked my way groggy towards the window to get a glimpse of the outside. I grazed my fingers along the curtain to move it from blocking my view.

Travelers rode their horses along the trail, coming to get extra supplies to continue their journey. Kids ran, and skipped around the adults playing together freely with glee. The sight made me smile warmly to myself. I wished myself to be able to find a new adventure to accupy me. To explore all sorts of new towns, and villages like the Travelers, and run free like those kids at play. I sighed in my longing, as Link himself came walking to view.

My heart seemed to skip a beat from excitement at the sight of him. He walked carrying a net full of freshly caught Hylian bass, as beads of a hard work's sweat dripped from his body. He looked around the village as he appeared satisfied with his success. It all made me giggle with pleasure. I wanted to go greet him.

I quickly let the drape fall back in its place as I went to freshen myself up. I braided my long blonde hair into two split braids, and put on something rather breathable, and comfortable. I splashed my face with water before opening the front door to the outdoors.

My first breath was the refreshing smell of nature's best. Aromas of baked goods, and sizzling breakfasts filled my nose, as well as the sweet smelling flowers which were scattered across the earth around me. I began to run towards the direction I'd seen Link, as a cool breeze whipped at my braids. It felt so freeing!
"Link!" I called out from behind him. He turned around confused to the sound of his name, but gave me a warm smile once he recognized my face.
"How are you this morning?" I asked him, beginning to catch my breath. He gave me a shrug before pulling up the net filled with fine looking fish. I gave him my approval as I followed him along silently. This is how our mornings usually went.

"Are you planning to sell the fish, or fix up a nice breakfast dish for the both of us?" I pried, peeking around his shoulder, giving him a sheepish smirk. He let out a soft chuckle before leading us towards a cooking pot. We both sat ourselves, as I watched him prepare the fire. I took a deep breath of the musty smelling smoke, as he poked at the fire to encourage it to grow.

"I have news I'd like to share with you." I hesitated, removing a stray hair that had fallen in my face. He stopped poking at the fire with his stick, and set it aside. After giving the fire a quick feel with his hand to see if it was warming up, he sat himself back down on the wooden log beside me, eager to listen.

"I- I kind of kept it from you actually." I implied, letting a nervous laugh escape my mouth. He raised an eyebrow at me in curiosity. What did I not share with him?

"I sent in an application to the school in Montanaria a few weeks back... I'm now waiting on their response letter. I should be receiving it any day now." I managed to let out, rubbing my sweaty hands along my pants trembly. I quickly searched his face expecting sadness, but he had a genuine smile telling me of his happiness for me. I quickly looked away a bit disappointed. For some odd reason, a part of me wanted him to grieve that I could leave, and not see him for years.

I forced the thoughts from me, and watched as he tossed the bass, and other sweet smelling spices in the burning pot. He stirred it together with a ladle, as he hummed himself a sweet little tune. A smile of satisfaction, and anticipation towards the sizzling meal spread across his face. I couldn't help but think how adorable his behavoir was.

"For certain, one thing has not changed about you. You're still an extreme glutton!" I commented, giving him a teasing shove with a laugh. He gave me a smug look in return, and started threatening to splash me with the hot liquid in the pot. I screamed as he pretended to splash the grease out, as I began pushing him from the pot to be able to do so. He shoved me back, but we both ended up losing our balance, and fell to the earth below us. With both looked at each other in shock before laughs consumed us.

"Excuse me. Sorry to interrupt, but are you perhaps Princess Zelda?" I heard a middle aged man's voice say from above us. I quickly sprung to my feet, and wiped the dirt and grass off of my clothes, and repositioned my hair frantically.

"Yes, I am Princess Zelda. How may I help you?" I spurt out, as my cheeks burned red with embarrassment.

"I have a letter for you from town Montonaria." I looked at the man with surprise before my eyes then focused on the letter he held reaching out to me in his hand. I stared a moment before retrieving it from him with trembling hands. The envelope was addressed to me from the school of Montonaria. This was really happening.

Excitement and doubt filled my being as I shakily flipped it over, and began to tear it open carefully. As I pulled the folded piece of paper out, I felt Link come behind me, peeking at it over my shoulder. I turned around to face him, as I took a big trembly breath before unfolding it, and reading it's inscription. I wanted to be the first to read it before I'd share it with him.

"I- I got accepted..." I recited aloud in disbelief. I had to re-look it over a few times to actually believe this was reality. My hopes and dreams of studying to become a scholar were finally able to bloom. My new designated future rested in my hands. I couldn't help but stare at it in my grasp, as my heart seemed to beat thousands of miles per minute. Even so, I felt some sort of emptiness deep in my heart as I slowly put down the letter and stared at Link. He returned my gaze with the same expression.

I didn't know what else to do, so I plopped myself back onto the log, my mind racing with thoughts. This was it. This was goodbye for a long time. My new future awaits me. I am going to finally become a scholar. I thought these realities would overfill me with joy, but they seemed to leave the opposite effect. My heart sunk in my chest, feeling like it weighed a load too heavy to bare. I believed it was the fact that I'd be leaving everything I'm used to, and continuing my life with a completely fresh start. New surroundings, new places, new buildings, and new people. I hoped with all my heart this new chapter in my life would do me good. Perhaps forgetting my grief-filled past would free me of many burdens.

My thoughts were crashed by Link sitting on the log right next to me. Rather close then normal. He reached out his hand for the letter, in his way of asking if he could have a look. I took a deep breath before placing it into his hands. He brought the letter to his view, as I watched as his blue eyes shifted following along with the written letters on the page, as I began to bite the bottom of my lip again. When he finished the letter, he brought it down to his lap, and looked onward. I couldn't help but think he looked as though he was trying to hide nagging tears. He continued staring off into the distance as another gust blew at us, taking our loose hair along with it.

After perking up, he gently folded the letter, and placed it back into the envelope. I watched him stand up, and come reaching his hand out for me to take. I took it hesitantly as he hoisted me to my feet, then dragging me along back to my house.

"Where are we going?" I asked as questions filled my curiosity. He turned around and gave me a look of, I'm gonna help you prepare. I nodded my head back to let him know I understood.

"What about our breakfast?"

~*Credit to the artist: テン @ten10fox on twitter*~