Before the Calamity

Apologies and Amends

The day after Link saved her, Zelda was finally ready to say she was sorry. They were at the castle that day. All of the sudden, the princess had worried about what she was wearing. She wanted to make sure she looked nice for the young man. She ended up putting on a simple violet dress. It was not regal like the royal dress she often wore, but in a way, she liked it more.

Then, Zelda had to look around for Link. It was not hard, though, because she found him outside training, as usual. Her heart began to beat more fiercely as she approached him. She was afraid to face him, but she both needed and wanted to.

"Good afternoon, Link." She said, and he turned around. Zelda thanked the goddesses that it wasn't hot enough for him to take his tunic off.

"Hello, Princess." He bowed his head.

"Would you take a walk with me?" She asked, and she almost saw a smile on the young man's face.

"Yes." They began their stroll. Zelda tried to gather her words that she had already rehearsed so many times. It was harder when he was there.

"Link... I..." She took a deep breath, "I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. For all that I've done. The way that I have treated you is completely unacceptable." She paused, anxiously wringing her hands. "The truth is, I've had many recent frustrations of my own, and I made an awful decision to take this anger out on you. I still hardly know you, but I would like to... and I don't hold anything against you." She looked at him, but for once, his eyes were focused on the ground.

"I have no excuses, or any right to ask this of you, but I hope that you can forgive me and give me another chance. This time, I promise I will do things right." Zelda took a deep breath.

"Of course. I forgive you." He replied, smiling. He knew that she seemed difficult, but there was a lot of sadness within her. There was a lot going on that she kept to herself. And Link was ready to work past that with her.

Zelda was surprised. She hadn't expected it to be that easy. She felt a large weight lift off of her shoulders. Now she had the opportunity to start over, and show him that she was different.

"And, I never had the chance to say it... but thank you for saving me yesterday."

"It is my pleasure." He paused. "And besides, I wasn't going to leave you there..." She looked back up and him and her eyes met his. This caused them both to smile and then shyly look away.

"And... thank you for accepting my apology. It means the world to me."

He did a good job of hiding it, but Link was thrilled that the two of them were finally getting along.

"You know, we are going to be spending a lot of time together. I think that we should get to know each other better." She suggested. Link smiled.

"I'd like that."

She was hoping to learn more about him, to finally see what was under his silent and stoic exterior. And it seemed like he was actually going to let her in. It would take time, but Zelda was determined to do it.

They walked in silence for a moment.

"Do you ever feel.. lonely around here?" She asked him. At first, Link said nothing so she urged him on. "You can be honest." He took a breath.

"Truthfully, yes. I mean... I don't spend a lot of time with others but it's... different here."

"I understand." She looked back at him, but his gaze was fixed on the ground in front of him again. "I've lived here my whole life and it still feels like the emptiest place in the world. I spend most of my time up in my study, but even that can get old after a while." She anxiously fidgeted with her hands. "Perhaps we could pass more time together over the next few days here." She exhaled.

"That would be nice." He replied, not able to hold back a small smile. Zelda suddenly felt a warm, hopeful feeling in her heart. This change has been so sudden, and she wasn't quite accustomed to it. She knew that she felt something new for Link, something she'd never felt before. But she knew it was right, and there was no mistake about that.

~

Over the next few days, Link and Zelda spent most of their time together. They took at least one walk together each day, sat next to each other at dinner, and she often sat in the grass and kept him company while he was training. The princess even took him up to her study and showed him some of the research she had been doing. They were finally getting to know each other, finally seeing what was under each other's surface. It was easy, too. Zelda always had something to say to him, and Link spoke more than she had ever seen him. Each day, she discovered more and more about him. She quickly grew to love the sound of his voice and the beauty of his words.

Though he had finally opened up around her, she still wondered why he remained silent in front of others. She had been trying to think of ways to ask him, but it wasn't until their last day at the castle that she gathered the confidence.

The evening weather was warm and sunny, and the princess knelt on the grass while the knight practiced handling his sword. She felt that the moment was right, and now was the perfect chance to ask him what she had been so curious about.

"Link... may I... ask you a question?" She requested quietly, looking up at him with curiosity in her eyes. He paused, looking at her.

"Go ahead." He replied.

"Well, I know I have no right to ask you this, but I would like to know. And of course you don't have to answer but..." she took a deep breath, wringing her hands. "Why are you always so quiet?"

Link exhaled sharply. He hadn't been expecting her to ask that of him. He laid his sword on the ground, and then took a moment to sit down next to Zelda. He stared off into the orange sunset, trying to find words to explain himself. Words never came easily to him. He had found himself opening up around the princess, letting a side of him shine through that had gone missing for a long time. But at that moment, he was having trouble finding the right thing to say.

"It's all so sudden... I'm now the Hylian Chamion, the chosen hero, and the knight in charge of your safety. Three titles I had never expected to see next to my name. Now, it seems as if everybody knows who I am... and they all expect me to be perfect..."

Zelda turned to face him, but he was deep in thought. It was as if he were somewhere else. Link's eyes had a sadness in them that she was not used to seeing

"...ever since I lost my parents I have been on my own. I just found it easier to isolate myself from the world, and keep my problems hidden away." He paused again, fiddling with the grass beneath him.

"I need to be strong and bear these burdens by myself. There is so much at risk now. I've always been quiet, but all of this change has caused me to almost completely silence myself. It is easier and better for everyone else." He took a deep breath, finished with his words. Finally, his eyes met Zelda's.

"Link..." She held his gaze, unsure of what to say. Almost subconsciously, she placed her delicate hand on top of his, trying to comfort him. "I understand the feeling... the people think I am a failure. And I respond by acting out and hurting others. The pressure is often too much for me..." She stared into the horizon in front of her, deep in thought.

"You know, Link. I lost my mother many years ago. Nothing has been the same since. My father has changed... he is so irritable, and all he seems to care about is this sealing power. You are the first person in ages who has shown any interest in what makes me happy: my research. I haven't had a friend in so long..." She cast her eyes to the ground, feeling tears well up in her eyes. "Thank you for that."

He hesitantly wrapped his arm around her body, letting her know she could come closer. Zelda leaned her head on his shoulder, a ghost of a smile upon her face.

They sat there for a while, remaining silent. No words were needed, then. Everything had already been said. And in that moment, all they needed was comfort from one another.

-

So from here on out I'm going to kinda stray from what was the game and make up some of my own stuff, but trust me it's okay. I believe it adds to the drama of the story so just don't complain about inaccuracy cause I'm well aware it's not exactly how the game went. But enjoy anyways !;)