awashlogs | (no subject)

[ the forest, while holding many secrets, is not a friendly place to wander into. it hosts dangers and tests and while zelda isn't shy about entering, there's always a hesitance that comes with never knowing what could happen.

yet when her and link agree to take on this quest together inside, that same hesitance she would normally feel is completely absent. she feels calm and prepared and, though pride would never let her admit it, she knows it's because link is beside her. the weather has been shifting and the ground is blanketed in a light sheet of snow, even when the sun is high and there's only a light breeze. ]

Going through this forest always reminds me of going through the Lost Woods. It's such a tricky place, and you never know what to expect.

[This situation felt painfully familiar, like a word on the tip of your tongue that you couldn't quite remember no matter how hard you sifted through your vocabulary. He knows he followed Zelda just like this, at her side and slightly behind, dozens if not hundreds of times in the past. He could even remember a small handful of moments between them that sort of resembled the present. But he couldn't remember any specific moments like, no matter how familiar it felt or how much he wracked his brain.

It isn't particularly upsetting. Vague feelings of deja vu or familiarity had been common for him as he wandered around Hyrule. But... maybe it feels like more of a bummer lately because it's Zelda. When she speaks, it's almost like she read his mind.]

Did we ever go there together? [asked gently.] I had the Master Sword back then, so I always figured that maybe I'd been there in the past but couldn't remember.

Yes, we did. [ she smiles to match her tone, light as she walks beside him. ] I would have to visit the Deku Tree from time to time for counsel. You were the only one who could escort me - the spirits of the woods wouldn't permit anyone else but us to come through.

We would walk side by side, just like this, following the breeze of the wind through a lit torch. I had to insist on carrying it so that you would have your hands free to use your sword. Truly I just wanted to lead the way.

[ it's just another part of their birthright, destiny, so on and so forth. most people in hyrule cannot even perceive the existence of the spirits that reside and it's a sad thing. it makes her think something was lost over time, long ago before they were born. to have a connection like the one they do is rare and she holds an appreciation for it that she never properly grasped at when she was seventeen. ]

I'm happy to let you lead anyway. [Just like she's doing now. He offers her a supportive smile, trying to reassure her self-critical thoughts.

But her answer opens a new can of worms in his head. He glances around the trees idly.] Does that mean you were there when I pulled the sword the first time, too? The second time... wasn't exactly graceful, let's say. [he chuckles sheepishly.] It nearly knocked me out.

[ his laugh draws out one from her. the thought of it alone feels so very unlike the link she knew, but it's charming nevertheless. either way she's so very fond of him. ]

No. My father only introduced us formally after you pulled the sword. [ she turns her gaze to him, her smile softening. ] It was proof you were the chosen hero. The one of legend and prophecy, reborn to fight the Calamity.

I see. [That's all new information to Link. He looks away and into the woods contemplatively, his silence implying that something is weighing on his mind. It doesn't take long for him to speak again and broach the topic.]

I don't remember anything from before the day you anointed me. The Champions were there, too... Do you remember?

[He pauses for a moment to step wide over a fallen log, and then turns back to offer a hand to Zelda.] For me, that might as well be the first day of my life. I don't remember anything about what Hyrule Castle Town once looked like, or the rest of the Royal Guard... nothing.

[He really doesn't feel like the one of "legend" and "prophecy." But did he feel that way back then?]

[ she waits for him to step over the log but doesn't expect him to offer out a hand, a small 'oh' slipping out from her breath before she takes it. with his lead she takes the step over, but afterward she doesn't let go of his hand. instead she keeps her focus on his face, searching for something familiar, and then sighing. ]

I'm sorry. And I know I said that before, but I am. [ she looks down at their hands, abruptly pulling away when she realizes she's still clinging, and furrows her brow. ] If there's anything you ever want to ask, you can. Or... maybe if you don't want to know at all. I'm not going to expect you to be the same as you were before.

...Truthfully though, there may be some ill-found good in that. I think this is the most you've ever really spoken to me.

[Link stares back at her, reaching for something at the same time she is, but the moment is interrupted when she withdraws her hand. He respectfully lowers his back to his side and turns to keep walking.]

A lot happened after I woke up. I've had a lot of time to think about everything. So... I know I'm different now.

[He sighs and glances at her with a hesitant smile. Is this really the most he's ever said to her? Regretfully, that does match up with what he remembers. But back then, he was so committed to obeying the King that he might not have ever truly obeyed the Princess... much less been a real friend to her. Not until the very end, at least.

Link doesn't really know how to express the thoughts going through his head. Maybe it would be too presumptuous to tell the Princess he wants them to be friends. That doesn't quite describe the way he feels, anyway.]

I hope I can be different... in a good way. I want you to feel like you can ask me anything, too. You don't have to be the same as you were before either.

[ a smile, only on the edge of becoming a smirk. ] I'm most certainly not the same girl I was back then.

[ a lot changed, a lot of time has passed - both in hyrule and here - and she doesn't want to go back to those days. she has no intention to. ]

I think there's a lot we have to figure out. About ourselves most of all. It took me a long time to even like you back then, so you already have a leg-up on your former self!

[ she takes in a breath, anxious yet determined to speak her thoughts even when they feel so jumbled and compromised. When did she realize that she loved him? She isn't sure if there is a moment, but she knows that his memories and lack thereof don't matter. ]

And so... don't ever feel like you have to go back to how you were. I'll -- I'll always like you for who you are, no matter what.

[A more genuine smile spreads across his face. There's a silent beat, like he's relishing her words, but his facial expression remains calm.]

It means a lot to hear you say that. And I feel the same way about you. [He raises his fist encouragingly, taking a page from Sidon's book.] Let's rely on each other until we get home, alright? And let's find that bell. I don't think it's much farther.

Right.

[ her expression is equally calm, but her heart does flutter a beat when he says he feels the same way. a well-trained face is proving useful in these situations around link.

and so they continue on and sure enough link is right - a couple more minutes of walking and they come upon a small clearing with a tree in the center. and atop one of the tree's branches, a little ways up, is a shiny silver bell. ]

I think that must be it. We just need to ring it now.

[That's a bell alright. It must be "the" bell. Link stops when they reach the trunk of the tree and gazes up at it, hands on his hips.]

Do both of us need to ring it, or just one?

[He hadn't thought about it until just now. Regardless, without another word, he approaches the trunk and leaps onto it, his calloused hands and treaded boots gripping the bark tightly. It only takes a few seconds for him to climb to the bell and ring it.]

I wish... [Hmm. He ponders.] I wish for Princess Zelda's health and safety until we return home.

[ she isn't sure and she lets him go for it when he volunteers with action, smiling as she watches him go. no surprise it's such an easy climb for him and it gives her time to think on her wish. a warmer winter? maybe something to restore the library books? fixing up the church-- ]

-- Link!

[ and then he makes that wish and her face feels warm even with the coldness of winter chilling her skin. ]

[Link sits on the branch that the bell is hanging from, his legs swinging slightly with almost boyish energy. He grins at her.]

I can't think of anything I want more than that. [She looks cute from up here, with her cheeks turning pink, but he doesn't say that aloud of course.] Well? What's your wish?

I...

[ the practical wishes brew in her mind, still sticking out prominent and worthy of utilizing, and yet-- ]

I wish for your safety and health. The Goddesses know that you need is far more than I do, you reckless fool!

[ --yet she can't help but be a little childish in this moment. ]

[Zelda, you copied him! Still, he isn't surprised. He smiles apologetically down at her and reaches for a branch in front of him to begin climbing down.]

If you say so, Princess. Thanks. I guess we'll both be pretty safe for the time being.

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quest 39

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