My Silent Knight

Shade of Green

Our horses trotted through the morning air as Link and I rode in silence. I always loved riding alongside him. I rode on an all black horse that I gave the fitting name, knight. While Link rode on a painted brown and white horse that he named after his beloved horse from 100 years ago, Epona.

Though I loved Kakariko Village, Hateno also held a special place in my heart. Especially after I learned that during Link's travels he ended up purchasing his own home there. Since we have been traveling around so much, I have only seen it once, but with each step I felt a slight feeling of excitement build up inside me to see it again. Hateno Village itself was always so beautiful and it wasn't only home to Link, but Impa's older sister, Purah, who was technically now her younger sister since she found a way to de-age her self. My feeling of excitement grew stronger thinking of seeing Purah as well but soon, that feeling was filled with guilt. 

The journey from Kakiriko village to Hateno village always struck memories that I've attempted many times to repress. As we travel through the remains of ruined guardians that have yet to be removed from the field, heading towards Hateno Fort, the memory of what I thought would've been Link's final moments came rushing back. I will never be able to let go of the guilt that consumed me knowing he died for me, trying to protect me. In his final moments, I couldn't even protect him, my powers waiting until the last possible second to finally show. 

As my horse continued on, I looked down at my hands. Then glanced over at Link who was staring straight ahead and petting Epona's mane. As we closed in on Hateno Fort, I looked back at the field and my mouth spoke without me noticing.

"Please don't leave me again." I whispered. Link stopped his horse and looked at me, I became instantly embarrassed realizing what I said. I didn't know what to expect his response to be and for once, I didn't want him to speak, just stay silent and continue on. But, his response took me by surprise.

"I'll always be by your side, princess." He offered me a smile and I returned one, calmed by his simple yet perfect response. And with that, we silently continued through the fort and onto Hateno. 

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Link's POV

The sun was slowly starting to set by the time we arrived at my home in Hateno Village. Zelda and I removed the saddles from our horses and let them rest in their stalls. Once inside, Zelda looked all around and I could see the glimmer of excitement in her emerald eyes. I couldn't look anywhere else but at her.

My favorite color has always been green. Her eyes, were always my favorite shade of green.

After she was able to soak in her surroundings I walked up the steps and placed her bag and a few of her other items on the desk nearing my bed. "You sleep up here, I'll make a bed somewhere downstairs." 

"What? Link, no I'm not taking your bed. Please, you sleep in your bed and I'll find somewhere to sleep." She whipped around to look at me.

"Sorry Princess, but it seems like the bed is reserved for you." I gestured up the steps.

"Link. We've talked about this. One, we are way past formalities, please call me Zelda. Second, your house, your bed. So where is an extra blanket? I'm making a fort." She stated placing her hands on her hips while rolling her eyes.

"A fort you say? Maybe I'll have to join you in this fort making, Zelda." I replied, placing my hands on my hips to mimic her. She giggles and pushes my shoulder, walking past me up the steps. I figured she would want a few moments alone so I grabbed some items and walked outside to the fire pit. 

After I got a fire started, I sat down next to it and prepared to start cooking various mushrooms on a stick, finally realizing how hungry I was and thinking she was just as hungry. After a few short moments, she joined me outside and sat down across from me, looking into the fire.

"I really do love your home Link. It is so peaceful out here."

"I never thought someone who once lived in a castle would take such a liking to a small farm home in the middle of nowhere." I replied back slowly turning the mushroom skewers.

"Oh please. It was too big and too confusing. It never felt like my home, just somewhere I was forced to be." She stated. Though I didn't remember much from the time Zelda lived in the castle, I was able to put bits and pieces together and she was right, she always wanted to leave it. As I tried to remember more of the castle before the calamity, she spoke almost reading my mind.

"I'm sure the castle is difficult for you to remember?"

"Yes, I was actually just trying to put more of it together in my memories. If I'm being honest, not much is coming back to me." I shrugged. A slight smile showed on her face and she crawled around the fire to sit next to me. I handed her a skewer and her emerald eyes glistened again. She instantly took a bite nodded at me with approval, I returned her nod and ate with her.

After a few moments, she spoke again. "Alright, let's test both of our memories." She reached over and grabbed a stick and began drawing in the dirt a diagram of the old castle. "My memory is slowly becoming fuzzy as well but I want to help you remember as much as you can." She continued drawing in the dirt. She mapped out various hallways, giggling when she messed one up and sharing small stories with each room. I will say, though I remembered very little, her "memory exercises" always did help and I appreciated them too. 

After sitting near the fire for a while, Zelda grew tired quickly. She yawned and stretched her arms up. After rubbing her face in an attempt to wake herself up, she slowly moved her body so she could lay down, and rest her head in my lap. Within moments, she was sleeping. I was taken by surprise a little but I didn't have any issue with it, in fact, having her head resting in my lap brought me comfort. I moved a few pieces of her hair out of her face, tucking them behind her ears. Her eye lashes were so long, they nearly rested on her cheek while she slept and her lips were slightly parted. She was so beautiful. 

The sun fully disappeared and the night filled the sky for about an hour now. I decided it was time to head in but I tried my best to do so without waking her. I slowly moved out from under her and the gently picked her up in my arms, carrying her inside. I brought her up to my bed and as gently as possible, I removed her boots and covered her in the blankets. Once I knew she was comfortable, I grabbed a spare blanket at the edge of the bed and headed downstairs to make a makeshift bed on the ground. I knew how much she hated taking my bed, but she had no reason to. Knowing she was comfortable and safe, brought me more comfort than my own bed ever could.