Silent Memories || BoTW Link x Reader

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲

A/N at the end of this chapter - be sure to read it! 

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The meetings between the knight and the princess became frequent. Together, they had an unwritten routine: after sundown, the two would meet in the training yard and talk until they grew tired. Once or twice, they had stayed awake until sunrise just talking to one another about anything and everything. The two had grown quite fond of each other despite only meeting once the kingdom was under the stars; it didn't matter to either of them, they enjoyed the company. 

During the daytime, they both found themselves feeling rather lonely. Y/N was stuck with the King most of the time, with endless torture thrust upon her regarding marriage and her succession to the throne - not forgetting the mild threat of being banished looming above her head. The thought of returning to her home kingdom held a tight grasp on her neck, sometimes leaving her unable to breathe through the pressure. In recent days, Y/N felt like a pawn in a wicked game. The King had attempted to set up countless meetings between Y/N and possible suitors, but it was all in vain. Each one was not to her liking, or such was her excuse. In truth, she still stood by her point of wanting to marry for love; she would fight for it to be that way if she had to. One night, during their daily meeting as the sun kissed the horizon, Y/N confided in Link about her feelings towards her marriage. 

"Do you wish to marry someday?" Y/N questioned softly. She took Link by surprise, earning a soft chuckle from the knight.

"I suppose so, yes. Why do you ask?" Link sat across from Y/N on a bench in the training yard, both sat cross-legged and facing one another.

Sudden sadness washed over the princess, so she rested her chin on the palm of her hand. She thought for a moment, before continuing, "The King wishes for me to marry. And if I do not... he will send me home for good."

A gasp left Link's mouth, the young man in disbelief at the King's cruel proposal for the princess. 

"I can't go home, Link," She said softly, hugging her nightgown against her cold body, "being sent away would be one more reason for my parents to hate me." Link set a gentle hand on the princess' shoulder.

"If I may ask..." He hesitated, "why do your parents dislike you so?"

"They... wanted a son, a stronger heir to the kingdom. However, instead of raising me as a princess and trying for a son, they sent me away to my uncle. But I... never imagined I'd feel unwelcome here as well as my home kingdom."  Tears threatened to spill down Y/N's cheeks and this time she was not afraid to let them fall; Link brought her comfort. 

The young man did not know what to say to Y/N's situation, it was so different to his own problems. He had no idea how to help with words, so instead he pulled the crying girl in for a hug. 

This was as normal as it would ever get for the two companions. There were high expectations set upon both of their shoulders, heavy burdens each of them must bear but at least now they didn't have to carry them alone. They had found peace within each other, a solitude they could not find anywhere else no matter how hard they tried. 

"Hey," Link spoke softly, pulling away from the hug, "if all else fails we can marry each other, yeah?" A soft grin played upon the boy's lips. As he looked at Y/N, he could see a small smile begin to form. 

"Of course." She finally let out a chuckle at Link's playful proposal. However, he wasn't satisfied, not yet. He wanted to see her eyes shine with hope once again; he hadn't seen that hope for a while. 

"Princess Y/N," Link said, mustering up the poshest voice he could, "would you do me the honour of dancing with me at this ungodly hour?" He stood from the bench and held his hand out to the princess. With a huge smile, she accepted his offer.

And so the two shared a dance together under the light of the moon. The stars danced with them, glittering in the dark night sky. Not a sound could be heard apart from their occasional laughter and the pattering of their dancing feet. 

Yes, Y/N had decided. She wanted to marry for love. 

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All her hopes for finding true love for herself had been dashed all too quickly. As if he could sense it, the King took away that hope. In the days following her definitive realisation, talk of a ball held in her honour was spreading around the castle like wildfire. Once she approached her uncle on the matter, he confirmed the rumours and her heart broke just a little more. 

"You should be excited! Suitors from all over the world shall be visiting just for you." Rhoam tried his best to make light of the situation, but he could see it was no use. Despite what others thought, he hated what he was doing to his young niece. However, he could sense a terrible evil was soon to creep up on Hyrule and he could feel his inevitable end drawing near; he wanted to see the Kingdom safe before that could happen. Of course, he was yet to explicitly tell anybody this; all he could do was tighten the security at the castle and enforce harsher training for 'undisclosed reasons', but people had their suspicions. 

"What you mean is people from all over the world are visiting to play out their chance in inheriting Hyrule. I'm not stupid, uncle." And still, the girl remained bitter. It had been so long since the two had gotten along. Tension ran thick when they were in a room together. Both were in pain, but neither were willing to speak up. 

"You best sort out that attitude once the suitors come for the ball," Rhoam said sternly, "you have a week to prepare." 

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A/N: Hello lovelies! 

I'd like to start by apologising for my absence again. I had awful writer's block and just couldn't find the time to write for a while. However, I'm now replaying at least three Zelda games right now so my inspiration is running high! 

There are some things I'd like to mention:

1) This chapter is intentionally called Chapter Three. I have deleted the last one as I was just incredibly unhappy with it once I read it over - so ignore what happened before! This is much better in my opinion. 

2) Please do leave feedback! I have at least 4,000 words worth of just a vague plotline for this story, however I am always up for hearing your ideas! If you have any ideas for the story or any feedback please feel free to leave a comment or send me a PM! I'd love to hear from you. 

3) Are we looking forward to Tears of the Kingdom?? What do you think about the gameplay? 

4) IF YOU LIVE IN THE UK - THIS MESSAGE IS FOR YOU! On Saturday the 27th of May, a world record attempt is taking place at MCM London Comic Con for most Legend of Zelda Cosplayers in one gathering - if you are interested, send me a message and I will send you all the details you need if you'd like to participate!! I will be in attendance with my boyfriend as Twilight Princess Link & Zelda (if you come and say you've read Silent Memories/Empty Promises I'll give you a little present!) <3

5) I will try my best for more frequent updates but there is so much going on in life right now. I remember being very young when writing Empty Promises (about 14/15 I believe) and I am turning 20 this year, so this book has definitely grown up with me and I hope that reflects in my writing. 

Nevertheless, I hope you enjoyed this chapter <3

Love you all, thanks for sticking around! 

- Kit <3