Chapter Text
Made for Each Other
Chapter 1
The first snowfall had arrived.
The world was muted, but there was still a myriad of colors to observe for those who sought them out. Tints of lavender in the gray clouds. A cyan sheen on the snow’s surface. Patches of greenery speckling the white fields like knots in a quilt.
Link sighed and smiled as he admired it. He wasn’t fond of the cold, but he couldn’t deny that there was something inherently beautiful about a world covered in crystals.
He stood at Castle Town’s western gate, watching the horizon as he kneaded his hands together for warmth. It seemed the chill in the air had settled just as permanently as the snow. Now, every inch of exposed skin screamed at the smallest gust of wind.
Fortunately, it didn’t take long before he heard his company bustling towards him. Link glanced behind his shoulder and found the heavenly Princess Zelda approaching in all her glory. Gorgeous chocolate locks. Eyes so blue they outshone even the deepest icy rivers. Rosy cheeks and a bright smile she saved solely for him.
Link felt himself relax at the sight of her, shoulders falling as his shivers settled. His own smile brightened and a wonderfully warm feeling began to spread from within. He couldn’t believe that he was courting a woman so undeniably beautiful, as well as kind and wise and graceful.
Although, said grace seemed to abandon her for an instant, as her foot suddenly stumbled upon a thick sheet of ice. Zelda slipped forward, her arms flailing as terror seized her features.
In an instant, Link’s hand fired off like a clawshot, securing Zelda’s shoulder and steadying her delicate frame while her feet continued to slide. Link gently pulled her off the pavement and into the wet grass where she could finally find her footing.
A cloud escaped her lips as she sighed in relief. “Ah, thank you, Link. I didn’t realize that things had frozen over so badly.”
“Winter is baring its fangs early this year,” Link said with a nod. “Be careful from now on.”
“Of course,” Zelda promised him. She then glanced down at the unsuspecting patch of ice. “Someone really ought to do something about that,” she noted, as if she was adding an item to the itinerary in her head.
“You can order the guards to salt the roads later,” Link said lightly. “We should get moving. Unless you think we should take a hiatus from our walks?”
Zelda’s eyes shot open, staring at Link as if he were mad. “Absolutely not! We’ve yet to miss a single week, and I wouldn’t wish for us to start now.”
“You sure? There might be some worse patches of ice up the road.”
“Link, this walk is the one time a week where I can have a moment’s peace. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
That was really saying a lot, seeing as how she already ruled the world as Link knew it.
Still, he gladly acquiesced. Link took his princess by the arm and pulled her close, and with careful, measured steps, they began their trek across the tundra.
It had been a routine of theirs for some time now; these weekly walks outside of Castle Town’s walls. Link didn’t quite remember how they started. Something about Zelda being sick of sitting at her desk all day, buried beneath paperwork, and something about Link being sick of watching her suffer. So he politely asked her out on a casual stroll. It proved to be a wonderfully pleasant experience. The sun shining, the rivers flowing, the wind teasing.
Link could still recall Zelda’s laugh from that day. The beautiful, musical sound that settled in his ear and made his heart bounce back and forth. Somehow, the melody even seemed to make the sun shine brighter. That was the effect that her laugh had on the world.
And when the next week came around and Zelda’s stress started to escalate once again, Link offered her another rescue. Another chance to escape the castle and go exploring, taking in all the natural beauty to be found in the outside world. And thus it continued, week after week and season after season. The walks became a staple in their schedule which both parties eagerly anticipated with each passing day.
And somewhere along the way, the two of them had gotten romantically involved, blushing and confessing and even kissing amongst the pine groves. They declared their love to a world of silence and devoted their hearts solely to each other.
Link smiled as Zelda nuzzled next to him. She was sweet on him when they were away from prying eyes, and these walks always provided the perfect cover of privacy.
The whistle of a passing gale only made Link pull his love closer to his side. Thankfully, she was bundled up to the nines. Comfortably tucked away in robes of thick, rich fur, and her legs sheltered by a heavy woolen skirt. Her brown leather boots were durable enough to ensure her feet stayed dry despite the ever-present slush. And, last but not least, a cozy pair of earmuffs was wrapped around her snow-dusted hair. The warmth in her smile reassured him that she didn’t mind the cold one bit.
However, as if sharing the same thought, she soon offered him a thoughtful stare. “Aren’t you cold?”
“Nah, I’m warm enough.”
“You always say that, but I’m never quite convinced,” she said with skeptical eyes. "Look at you; you're exposed from the neck up. And no gloves either!"
"I can handle it," he replied, laughing a little as he secured her hand in his own. He proved his point by pressing some warmth into her palm. She merely sighed.
"Very well. But do be careful, would you? The last thing I want is you getting sick. Especially with the holiday season upon us."
"Ah, we should talk about that," Link reminded her. "The Winter Solstice is only a few weeks away. We need to decide on our plans."
Zelda turned to him with wide, blinking eyes. "Well, look at you, Mr. Responsible," she teased with a smirk. “Typically, I’m the one keeping track of our schedules.”
He smiled in return. “I figured we should get a head start this year. Especially since your schedule is always so occupied.”
“How considerate of you,” she mused. “And warranted as well. Admittedly, my plans tend to be very limited around this time. I'm not often free to travel because there's always some last-minute budgets and finances for my council to review before year's end. It's a shame that we have to suffer such a mad rush around the holiday, but it can't be helped."
Such tedious talk of work immediately pulled the smile from Link’s lips.
He admired Zelda's tenacity, always putting the needs of her kingdom first and dedicating long hours to ensure that order and peace were upheld. But sometimes he wished that she didn't work herself to the bone for the sake of running such a smooth operation. He hated thinking that her flame of freedom was slowly being smothered out by so many tiresome tasks…
Nevertheless, the princess retained her innocent smile, fearlessly accepting her fate as if being buried by work was such a trivial matter. "Enough about myself. What are your plans for the Solstice, Link? I assume you'll be making the journey to Ordon Village and spending the holiday there."
He nearly stopped in his tracks, the mention of his hometown sounding so sweet and stinging so terribly in the same breath. He mustered a smile. “I don’t think so.”
This time, they did slow to a halt, all thanks to Zelda. “I’m sorry?”
“I’m not going to leave you alone for the holiday, Zelda,” he said with certainty. “I’ll stay at the castle, and we’ll spend the day together, okay?”
Zelda’s expression was torn between bewildered and shameful. Her royal visage seemed to shrink as she answered him meekly. “Link, I could never ask you to do that.”
He merely raised his brow. “I don’t believe you have. I decided this on my own.”
Zelda released his arm, letting her hands fall to her sides as they curled into nervous fists. “Still, I… I don’t want to steal you away from your loved ones. That’s who you belong with on the holiday. Your friends, family, and neighbors.”
Link could hardly believe what he was hearing. He hated watching Zelda belittle herself like this. “Zelda, you’re not stealing me away. I want to spend the holiday with you.”
She seemed so reluctant to believe him in return. As if she couldn’t be convinced that the hero she faced was deeply attracted to her.
She had always been hesitant to get involved with him. She didn’t want to confine him to a cage, isolated in a cold tower with only his solemn sweetheart for company. She was always trying to break his chains; unshackle him from his place in her life. She did not desire this, of course—Link could tell at a glance that she reciprocated his love with all her heart, and would never wish that he’d walk away.
But if Link ever expressed the desire, he knew that she’d set him free in a heartbeat.
It wasn’t that Zelda enjoyed being alone. She was always more than happy to share someone else’s company, and could carry a conversation better than even the best court poet. But she tolerated the solitude. She survived it. She endured.
Sometimes, she sacrificed herself to it.
It was all that Zelda believed she was good for—surviving on her lonesome. And it was always up to Link to set the record straight.
“You’re certain this is what you want?” she asked for the final time, still stewing in self-doubt.
Link took a moment to reach out and hold her hands in his own. His smile resurfaced. “Of course it is. That is… if you’ll have me.”
“Oh,” she nearly gasped in surprise, her mouth forming an adorably perfect circle. “I’d love to share the Solstice with you, Link. Nothing would make me happier.”
“Then it’s a date,” he promised, swinging her arms a bit before pulling her close and resuming their walk. The world was nearly silent, save for the crunch of the snow beneath their boots.
Even then, Link could tell that Zelda was inwardly rejoicing at his insistence on joining her.
“Our first holiday together,” she practically hummed in approval. “How exciting. Would you like to come in the morning? We can exchange gifts before lunch.”
“That sounds perfect,” Link assured her.
“I’m sure we could plan more activities for the afternoon,” Zelda continued. “I mean, there shall only be two of us in attendance, of course, but I’m certain that we could find a way to occupy our time—"
While the princess prattled on, Link’s thoughts drifted elsewhere. His heart had nearly ceased all function at the mention of gift giving. For the first time today, he felt the unsettling chill of winter crawling up his spine. And he suddenly took significant notice of Zelda’s white silk glove, with which his hand was intimately intertwined.
Link recalled the unfinished pair of mittens he had considered knitting for Zelda once upon a time. Currently, they were little more than a mess of wool, having long since been abandoned back in his home in Ordon. They had been doomed to never see the light of day, once Link realized that Zelda would never have a reason to wear them.
She was a princess. Royalty garbed in regalia. She wore clean, posh gloves, made of rich fabrics and crafted only by the finest experts. She had no use for something as pitiful as his halfhearted mitten disaster.
But then the question remained: what could Link possibly offer her on the Winter Solstice?
He hated to admit it, but handmade gifts were all he really knew. It was the culture of Ordon that had been instilled in him since infancy. There, everyone encouraged the idea of sentimental gifts, crafted carefully by hand across the weeks leading up to the holiday.
Countless examples came to mind, each one bringing a warm smile to Link’s lips. The baby cradle which Rusl had built after learning that Uli was expecting. The small horse statue that Link had carved out of wood for Ilia. An entire pot of Ordonian cheese soup that Pergie made for Fado one year, just the way he liked it.
Sentimentality held a special place in Link’s heart. Even now, he was still in possession of that shoddy fishing rod that Colin had given him all those years ago, if only because of the cherished memories attached to such paltry tackle.
But could he honestly say the same for Zelda? Would she appreciate gifts that came from the heart, and nothing more? She wasn’t particularly picky, nor was she snobbish, but Link still wanted to create something worthy of her…
Something she would love.
“Link?” Zelda called him out of his reverie. The hero snapped his eyes to the princess, only to find her looking guilty. “Forgive me. Was I droning on?”
“No, of course not,” he assured her. “I was just distracted, thinking about our plans. I’m really excited.”
Zelda studied him carefully for a moment, but soon offered her own subtle smile. “As am I.”
They continued their quiet stroll through the snow, soon abandoning the path as Link pulled Zelda towards the nearest cluster of pine trees. This is what always made the walks fun for them. Forging a new path where one didn’t exist. Exploring the world outside of the castle which held her captive, one sequestered grove at a time. They never knew what they would find, but that was what made the experience so magical.
Today, they stumbled upon serenity at its finest. A humble little creek, running between two rising banks. The water—not yet frozen—was a pure swath of cerulean. And by some trick of the light, the nearby pine trees were muted enough to match it. Not so much their typical forest green as they were teal—a beautiful blend of blue and green, their branches burdened only by the lightest layers of snow.
“It’s breathtaking,” Zelda mumbled. Her eyes were glistening in their own shade of sapphire, the perfect hue to complete the scene as far as Link was concerned.
He soon leaned forward and brushed his lips against her cheek, promptly staining it scarlet with her blush. He knew it wasn’t embarrassment that ailed her, but merriment. Comfort found only in his affection.
He loved her so much.
“Ah, Link, look by your feet,” Zelda said, suddenly pointing. “I don’t believe we’ve encountered these before.”
Link did as he was asked, glancing down to spot a pair of flowers sprouting from the snow. He released Zelda’s hand in order to kneel, and cradled the blossoms with gentle fingers. Such a lovely find amidst the otherwise barren snowscape.
“These are scilla,” he informed Zelda with a smile. “And you’re right. We’ve yet to come across these in our travels.”
Zelda laughed at his stretching of the word “travels”, but Link felt it was apt enough. Their walks allowed them to journey into fresh territory and spotting the local flora had become something of a favored pastime for the budding couple. Having been raised in the forest, Link knew many of the species by heart, and was always eager to share such knowledge with his princess. And Zelda, being the ever-astute savant that she was, always encouraged him to share every last detail. She adored learning about the simple wonders of the world, and she especially enjoyed experiencing them for herself. There was only so much she could glean from books, after all.
She soon knelt at Link’s side, her thick skirts creasing against the snow. “Tell me about them.”
“They only bloom in winter. Guess the sudden snowfall encouraged them to get a head start.” Link took a second to admire the scilla. They sported such thin, weak stems, but they bore beautiful bells of blue. The petals hung loosely, almost dismally, and yet their vibrant color stood out regardless. These flowers were strong. Strong enough to crawl their way out of the frozen earth and blossom in a world of ice.
Link respected them for it.
“They tend to gather in the shade of trees. And they persist all the way until spring, being among the first flowers of the season to offer nectar to the pollinators.”
Zelda smiled at the thought. “I see. They’re sturdy little things, aren’t they?”
“Tenacious, even,” Link teased.
“And quite pretty.”
“Very.”
“I’m glad that we could happen across them,” Zelda mused as she felt the petals between her gloved fingers. She held such a longing look in her eye when she admired the color.
Link glanced across the stream and spotted more clusters of scilla growing on the opposite bank. He supposed there was no harm in picking a couple. Pulling out a dagger, he cut the flowers free from the earth. He offered the first to the girl at his side.
“It suits you,” he whispered, as the thin stem slid perfectly into her hair. Zelda merely smiled that shy but smitten smile of hers before leaning over and gracing his cheek with a humble kiss. The perfect way to say, “thank you,”, as far as Link was concerned.
While Zelda rose to her feet and continued to admire the scenery, Link took a moment to pocket the second scilla he had cut loose. It was soon sheltered safely in his tunic, nestled directly against the beat of his heart.
Link still wasn’t confident that he could find a proper gift for Zelda.
But for a moment, he entertained the idea that he, at the very least, could put together something special…