Free to Love - A Zelda x Link Fanfiction

VIII: Unseen Sides

Zelda's Perspective:

I had never seen Link act that way before. I knew it was silly for me to dwell on it, especially considering that Yiga bastard had it coming. But no matter how hard I tried to focus on something else, my mind kept replaying that sound. The snap, the crack of something that wasn't meant to be twisted that way, followed by a feral scream of both rage and overwhelming agony.

The noises played louder in my head everytime I considered talking. It was so stupid, honestly. The Yiga warrior had attempted an attack on my life as well as Link's. Whatever fight he had started, he ought to suffer the wounds. I suspected it was because I had never seen any sight of gore like that.

My stomach coiled as the scene played behind my eyelids. The knee twisting, cracking, Link's brutally stone-cold face, and then a screech that hardly sounded human. I clenched my teeth together, my breath hitching. Storm must've sensed my unease because he brayed softly, slowing.

"Princess?"

I didn't even realize I was hyperventilating until I heard Link's voice. Wordlessly, I gagged and shoved myself out of the saddle. I scraped my knees on the earth, as I bent over, heaving heavily. Suddenly, Link was behind me, pulling my hair behind my head and rubbing my shoulders as I emptied the contents of my stomach.

I coughed, bile rising in my throat again. I shook my head, crawling meekly from the pile of vomit. I collapsed into Link's lap. I didn't know why I did but suddenly I was there, bawling while he held me closely and whispered incoherent words of comfort. He didn't fuss over me, asking me if I was alright or if I was sick. He just sat there and let me unleash my flood of emotions onto him. As I ran out of tears to cry, I felt him still.

"I'm sorry."

The words were soft, just for me, like a hushed secret. They were barely there, just an exhalation of breath. I felt my guilt stab at me. I was being stupid. It was so stupid, considering he treated the situation better than any other guard. But still...

"I know."

He didn't respond. He knew me well enough to know my thought process. He did what he had to and I understood that. But from a morally neutral stance, he put the warrior in such pain for no good reason. However, I could barely think of a way in which the fight could've ended well. Maybe I never should have left the castle at all.

He held me tightly, rocking my head gently in his lap. I wished we could always be like this, quiet but with each other. Even after the fight, I trusted him with my life. I took a deep breath, sitting up. Link sucked on his lips in thought.

"Maybe..." He scratched the side of his head. "Maybe we should find a village to stay in." I nodded wordlessly. He helped me up, rubbing my shoulders. My legs felt weak underneath me as I walked shakily. Link helped me onto Epona, sliding into the saddle behind me. I nearly toppled over, but he hugged me tightly to his chest, steadying me.

We began to ride.