Hero by Heart

Chapter 14

When Link opened his eyes he instantly knew he had been sleeping for way too long. The sun was already high in the sky, putting everything in a shiny bright light.
     Looking around, Zelda was nowhere to be found, so he quickly got up and gathered his things. That was when his eye fell on a flat rock, the size and shape of a plate. On it was a piece of bread, some dried bacon and an apple.
     He smiled as he realized Zelda had not abandoned him, but instead made him some breakfast. Though it still left him with the question of where she was.
He decided to look for her after his breakfast and sat down to eat it, but just when he was about finished she appeared from underneath the trees.
     She looked beautiful, and quite frankly, much more at ease. She had her hair tied together and wore her comfortable traveling outfit, with a bag slung over her shoulder which seemed to be filled with whatever she had collected.
     Despite all of that, Link could see in her eyes that she was still torn as she looked at him, half smiling and half grimacing.
He got up and smiled at her, while offering his hand to take the bag.
     She inclined her head politely and held it out. 'Thank you, Link. Did you sleep well?'
He felt his face flush and awkwardly rubbed the back of his head. He didn't feel like this was quite the right moment to oversleep. As if she wasn't annoyed with him already, he had now delayed her journey as well. Still... She was there, wasn't she? She could have left him and gone on alone. He wouldn't even have blamed her for it.
     Her eyes were still on him, not quite as warm as they might have been, but not as cold as before either. He nodded eagerly, grateful to have some neutral ground on which to talk to her. 'Yeah, I did.' He sat down. 'I feel much better now.'
'I was actually hoping we would continue to the Domain,' Zelda said, grimacing awkwardly.
Link quickly jumped to his feet, kicking her bag in the process. 'Of course. Whatever you want.' He silently cursed himself.
Zelda looked like she wanted to say something, but decided not to. She gathered her stuff and waited for Link to do the same.
The path up was uneventful and they made slow progress. Neither of them spoke as they walked beside the river and crossed Oren Bridge. The day was beautiful and the view was stunning, with waterfalls coming down the high cliffs left and right, sunlight reflecting on the glistening rocks.
The road kept winding through the mountainous landscape, so that Zelda's panting from beside him grew louder and louder. Link pretended not to notice. She would call for a break if she needed one.
When they finally reached Luto's Crossing, Zora's Domain came into view in all its glory.
Link and Zelda both stopped on the bridge to take in the incredible sight. There were high cliffs and deep dales, with the river now running far below them. From here they had a clear view of the mountain where Vah Ruta was sitting, rising so high above them they had to put their heads in their necks.
Zora's Domain looked small from here, like a gem sparkling in the sun. A big waterfall fell from the plateau and crashed to the depths below, causing mist to spray high into the air. Rainbows had formed where the sunlight could reach, creating a magical welcome into the Domain.
Zelda eventually put her eyes on the road ahead again and continued walking without comment.
Link quickly followed in her wake. He was not about to let her out of his sight again.
The road kept winding up Ruto Mountain, making a steep and difficult climb. When they finally reached the top, both Link and Zelda stopped for a while to catch their breath.
They went down after that, giving them a clear view of their destination, which Link noticed wasn't lost on Zelda. She was walking faster now, an excited glimmer in her eyes as she kept shooting looks at it.
Their path turned away from the Domain one last time, before it ended on a naturally formed bridge. From there the giant fish-shaped structure that was the Zora's home was clearly visible.
     Finally, now late noon, they stepped onto the long bridge that formed the entrance to Zora's Domain.
Link saw a massive grin appear on Zelda's face, the most genuine he had seen all day. She tried to look everywhere at once, her head swiveling. Her eyes were wide, catching the light as she took in the beauty of it all.
Before Link could say anything, she was walking again, across the bridge. He smiled to himself and followed, falling into step a little behind her. It felt natural to do so. He hardly even thought about it, even after everything that had happened.
     As soon as they stepped off the bridge, they were greeted by the guards, both of them grinning.
'Hylian Champion!'
     Link turned towards the one on the right, who was waving his spear.
     'Hello, Rivan,' he answered with a smile, before greeting the other guard he knew as Dunma.
     He looked over at Zelda and noted her expression. She didn't seem as pleased to be there anymore. Link figured it must be hard for her to not know anyone, while he was greeted like an old friend.
     He gestured to her. He wanted to make things right. To make her feel comfortable. 'This is Princess Zelda.' He looked from one guard to the other. 'She came to meet you and take a look at Vah Ruta. Do you know where Sidon is?'
     They both bowed their heads and offered polite greetings, before introducing themselves. Rivan then turned back to Link. 'He should be up on the second level,' he said. 'I think you'll notice him straight away.'
     Link nodded and thanked the two Zora, before gesturing Zelda to go ahead of him.
     She smiled at the guards and walked on, deeper into the Domain. She walked with her back straight, looking rather tense, even from behind.
     Link hated to see her earlier enthusiasm evaporated. He wanted nothing more than to become invisible, to allow her to fully appreciate the special feeling of the place without him and their issues to distract her.
It didn't help that more people called out to him as they passed, even though he tried to keep his head down.
Still Zelda continued on, smiling at those who welcomed her and keeping up a brave face.
Link couldn't help but admire her self control. If not for having spent so much time with her, both before and after the Calamity, he would never have noticed the tension in her posture or the crack in her smile.
     They walked up the broad, winding stairs and reached the platform where indeed the tall Zora prince stood, watching out over the Domain beneath him.
He looked up as they neared, a big smile plastered on his face. 'Welcome, Princess! It is so nice to finally meet you again.' He stepped towards them and extended his fin-like hand for her to take. 'I might have been only a little kid when we last met, but I have some very fond memories of your time here with us!' He exclaimed, enthusiastically shaking her hand.
Zelda looked a bit perplexed, a confused smile on her face.
Link could guess how the warm welcome touched her, not only because for once someone seemed to notice her before they noticed Link, but also because this was someone from her past. Someone who remembered her, who she had a connection to.
Link smiled to himself as he watched the little encounter, happy to let her have all the attention. He wished he could make it easier for her, being a princess of a kingdom where barely anyone knew her face.
'We have so much to catch up on,' Sidon continued with his everlasting grin. 'Come on, let's go talk to father. He has been dying to see you.'
'Sidon?' Zelda's soft voice cut in, just as the Zora was about to drag her into the heart of the structure.
He looked back, an expectant smile on his face.
'Do you truly remember me?' Zelda asked, her soft voice and the careful uncertainty making Link wince.
Sidon's smile never wavered as he nodded. 'I sure do, Princess. You used to visit a lot to look at our Divine Beast. You were friends with my sister Mipha too. I can remember the day you came to take her away with you.' The Zora Prince looked down at his feet, a shameful look in his eyes. 'I was actually quite angry at you for that for a long time, since she never came back to us.'
Zelda's face fell and she nervously fumbled with her tunic, averting her eyes.
'Don't worry, Princess,' Sidon quickly continued. 'I know now that it was not your fault. There was nothing you could have done. She wanted to do this and she was prepared for it.' He shrugged one shoulder. 'Just not the part where Ganon took control.' He looked up at the mountain where Vah Ruta was perched, a sad look on his face. 'No one was prepared for that.'
Zelda stepped forward and put a hand on his arm, having to stand on her toes to even reach it.
'She died a hero,' Sidon continued, his previous enthusiasm gone from his voice.
'She did,' Zelda nodded. 'She was a true Champion. I am so very sorry for how everything turned out.'
Sidon nodded, before the characteristic grin returned to his face like magic. 'But you two still live, and you really did it! You finally slayed the beast.' At that he turned to Link for the first time, giving him a slap on the back. 'I knew you could do it! I told you! It's amazing!'
Link laughed at his contagious good mood and nodded. He never really knew what to say to these kind of things, but people usually seemed content with his silence.
Zelda saved him from having to find another response. She now smiled as well, beaming up at the tall Zora. 'You really have grown a lot since I last saw you,' she said with a wink.
Link felt a sudden twist of his guts. She looked so charming and gentle, her interactions with Sidon easy and genuine, while he knew she would not treat him the same way. Not after what he had done.
'Oh, I have,' Sidon exclaimed, oblivious to Link's inner turmoil and flexing his biceps with a mocking grin on his face.
Zelda laughed and Link tried to keep his face straight, tried to stop his heart from hammering. Sidon might be a friend, but at the moment he struggled to remember how much he liked him.
Finally their laughter died down and Sidon started dragging them along to the stairs leading to the throne room, where his father would be.
'Oh, Link,' he suddenly said. 'You should probably know that the Zora are very grateful for everything you did, and there has been talk of raising you a matching statue near the one of Mipha.'
Link's eyes went wide. That was definitely not what he had expected him to say. In utter confusion he opened his mouth, then closed it again. He stammered a few times, but no coherent words came out.
Zelda looked over her shoulder at him, her expression unreadable. He looked at her pleadingly, but she turned her head away, leaving a sinking feeling in his stomach.
'You really should not,' Link finally managed. 'I don't deserve the honor. Mipha should be the center of attention there. It wouldn't feel right. Please make them rethink this, Sidon.' He looked at the prince pleadingly, feeling a slight panic in his chest.
Sidon grinned at him, seemingly not surprised. 'I knew you would say that. That's why I told them not to do it, luckily. You should have seen your face.' He laughed, before walking on and stepping into the room.
Link shot a look at Zelda, but she just shrugged and gave him a small smile. 'I'm sure you'll have your statue someday.'
That didn't do anything to make him feel better.
Before he could even think of protesting, Zelda turned her back on him and entered the room.
Link took a deep breath and tried to push all his thoughts and feelings aside. This was not the time or place. He needed to stay focused.
The throne room was a dome-like structure, with curved walls and arches all around. Everything seemed to be some shade of blue, with water streaming around their feet and off the platform across from them.
Link followed Zelda onto another raised platform, where a Zora symbol had been carved into the floor. He stopped to stand at her back, taking his usual protective stance as they looked up at the great Zora.
     King Dorephan was looking down on them, a small smile on his lips. His scales were a deep, dark blue and he wore royal garments befitting a king.
     'Ah, Princess Zelda! Welcome!' He said with his deep, rumbling voice. He then looked at Link and nodded once. 'Link! It is good to see you too.'
     The king leaned forward until he looked Zelda almost straight in the eye. 'We are so very thankful for the two of you. You saved Hyrule! If there ever is anything you desire, just let me know.' He beamed at the two Hylians.
Link noticed how Zelda smiled back at him, politely but definitely genuine.
'King Dorephan,' she said, her voice full of warmth. 'It is so good to see you again. You have aged quite well, if I may be so bold.' She chuckled and the large Zora let out a deep rumble that vibrated around them.
'You too, Princess!' He exclaimed. He laughed again and patted himself on the chest. 'And you,' he said, turning to Link. 'I must say you don't look so good. You should really get yourself cleaned up.' He chuckled again. 'I'll have them prepare rooms for you, so you can refresh yourselves. We will talk over dinner tonight, if that is alright with you.'
Zelda immediately accepted his request and before he knew it, Link had turned to descend the stairs again.
Sidon still stood at the top step. He smiled and made a welcoming gesture towards the Domain that stretched out behind him. 'Please make yourselves at home here.' He beamed at Zelda and Link felt another irrational burst of annoyance. He scolded himself for it. He should not be thinking like this. All he needed to do was to keep Zelda safe. If she chose to be around the Zora prince, then Link should be nothing but supportive.
At the bottom of the stairs Zelda told him she was going to check the inn and make sure they had a place for them, her tone clearly telling him she preferred to be alone.
Link had wanted to head to the store to find himself some new clothes, but still it stung to be dismissed so obviously.
They parted ways, which left him feeling exposed and uneasy. Still, he reminded himself that she was safe here, inside the Domain. He wanted to give her the space she needed. If truth be told, he should be grateful she even allowed him near her at all.
So he made sure to take his time in the shop, checking out their displays and storing a supply of food as well. He then made his way to the baths and took a good long soak in the warm water. He finally got to wash off all the filth that had been clinging to him. It was hardly an effort to stretch his time there, lovely as it felt.
The water was delicious and refreshing, and bit by bit he felt like himself again. Once he had carefully scrubbed every part of his body and nearly dozed off a few times, he climbed out and redid his bandages. He then got dressed and walked to the tub where he could wash his clothes.
It felt a little useless, washing those rags. He could probably not wear this again anyway. But it kept him busy. All in an effort to allow Zelda more time to be away from him. And to keep his own mind occupied, so that he couldn't dwell on how miserable that thought was.
When he had finally stretched as long as he could, Link brought his stuff over to the inn, where Zelda had arranged a bed for him.
He hung out his clothes to dry and looked around, but the princess herself was nowhere to be found. Had she gone exploring the Domain? Or was she really actively trying to avoid him?
It had seemed like she was on her way to forgive him. Maybe he just had to give her some more time.
He decided not to go looking for her and fell down on his bed, feeling like he could take a quick nap before their dinner with the king.