The Heroes' Rebirth - REVISITED | BOTW Sequel/Zelink (The Legend of Zelda)

Chapter 10: The Return

Link has been gone for 3 days now.

I've stayed at the village since his disappearance and have distracted myself from the worry and anxiety I feel by helping anyone I come across. I am sleeping in Paya's room upstairs and she has come along with me wherever I go. She is such a kind and dear friend and I hope that she begins to see that in herself.

On the subject of helping, I've become acquainted with many people in the village. Everyone here is very friendly and they keep expressing their gratitude to me. I must admit, it is a bit overwhelming. I won't complain too much, though.

My efforts to conceal my worry have worked well outside, but at times when I go inside, I break down. I'll slump to the floor with my hands on my head because of the pressure that is bottled up. I know Impa told me everything would be ok, but I can't help it. Something in me longs for him to be here. With me. I wish to not admit weakness in myself but I can't stop thinking about what it would be like without him. Again.

The pain isn't just from Link missing, although he is a big part of it. The pressures of rebuilding the kingdom have appeared to come onto me all at once. I know it is almost finished, but what if something happens? What if something goes wrong? We also received word from Lurelin yesterday that the great spirit Malanya had somehow withered and disappeared. Link had told me that the spirit had the power to resurrect horses who had perished. He said that he never had to use it, but showed others where it was for them. Hopefully everyone is careful.

I'm not sure if I can do it. I talk with Paya and she listens, of course, but she reminds me there's not much she can do. It has to be on my own.

I think I shall tell him when he returns. I mustn't wait any longer.

Zelda sat on the grassy hill that overlooked the village. She could faintly hear the twinklings of the Great Fairy Fountain far behind her. She closed her diary and set it on the grass next to her empty boots and lied down. Her eyes followed the slow moving clouds over the blue sky. It was around mid-afternoon.

She let her blonde hair fall around her and weave in with the grass. She closed her eyes, partly to feel at peace, partly to shield them from the sunlight that rained down on the village. She took deep breaths, letting her chest rise and fall slowly. Little be little she felt the pressure leave her head. Link's words rang through her mind from a few nights before:

"You're ok. You're ok."

"You ok?"

Zelda's eyes opened and saw Paya looking down at her. The sun shined through her platinum white hair.

"Oh. Hi, Paya." She closed her eyes again. "Yes, I think I'm doing ok."

"Good," Paya replied as she sat down next to her. "I don't like seeing you so anxious."

Zelda chuckled. "Usually you're the one that's all uptight." Her eyes flew open again. "I mean no offense by that, I just..." she stammered.

Paya smiled and fell onto the grass with her hands on her stomach. "I don't take any offense to that, Zelda. Uptight and clumsy is just who I am." She turned to look at Zelda. "I know that."

Zelda nodded. "Do you wish to do anything?"

"Well, I just cleaned the entire house. I think I'm ready for a break of my own."

Zelda chuckled. "A break sounds fantastic."

The two young women laid there. Surprising peace filled their minds.

"Paya?" Zelda asked.

"Yes?" Paya responded.

"How is Impa doing? Health-wise, I mean." She had been meaning to ask this for some time. She had noticed that last they talked she looked old. Well, older than usual.