Couple of the Wild (ZeLink)

Chapter 5: Her Appointed's Decision

The gentle breeze blew continuously through the secluded mountain village. The leaves on the trees decorating the mountain's crevice danced in the wind, the red-painted, wooden wind chimes over the village roads softly clattered, and the straw on the rooftops swayed ceaselessly. It was a beautiful sight, one that Link had been staring at for some time. He hadn't moved from his spot on the balcony, waiting for the princess and her old advisor to finish whatever it was they had chosen to discuss during their first meeting in over a hundred years; though, he was almost sure that he already knew what the topic was about. It was simply impossible to expect any sort of reconstruction with what remained of the Kingdom of Hyrule, especially after such a long time. In fact, he wasn't surprised to hear the pain in Zelda's voice when she suddenly called out to him.

"Link... Will you come in here, please?" she asked in a hushed voice.

Link looked over his shoulder to see one of the doors of the elder's home cracked open. He could just barely make out the familiar golden locks of hair and the shimmer of bright green eyes that wouldn't look directly into his own. The moment he nodded, she retreated back into the building, closing the door behind her. After taking a brief moment to prepare himself, he pushed away from the balcony railing and opened the doors to the house.

He stepped into the building, allowing the doors to close behind him. On the opposite end of the common room was the usual sight of the old Sheikah Elder, sitting on top of her stack of three pillows on the elevated dais. Stationed on the pillows resting on the floor in front of the platform was Zelda. She was on her knees, and even from across the room, Link noted that she wouldn't bring herself to look up from the floorboards.

"What are you doing, boy," the elder asked, looking up from under her oversized, decorated straw hat, "reenacting the moment you first stepped into this room almost a year ago when you first awakened? Just because Zelda has returned, doesn't mean our dynamic has changed. Now, come closer."

With another nod, Link stepped down the walkway through the pillows and stopped before the platform. He glanced down at the princess; yet, even though he stood directly next to her, she still refused to look up.

"Link," Impa began the moment he met her dark eyes. "Thanks to your efforts, starting from the moment you stepped out of the Shrine of Resurrection, the Calamity Ganon has finally been sealed away after over one hundred years of plaguing our lands. While I'm sure you know its evil influence still remains, this cannot be considered a failure, especially with who we now have sitting among us once more. Not only do I congratulate you for completing the mission given to you the moment you first acquired that sword on your back, I thank you for bringing Zelda back to us safely and releasing the spirits of those who lingered in this world for far longer than they should have, allowing them to finally rest."

"It's rare to see you so formal, Impa" Link said with a tiny smile. The elder chuckled.

"And it's rare to see you so stiff," she said. "Maybe one hundred years ago, this side of you would have been more usual, but alas, that time has long passed... Which brings me to this: It is time that you made a choice."

"A choice?" Link asked, his stoic expression returning.

"Yes... I'm sure you know better than any of us that the remaining population has no intention of rebuilding a kingdom they do not remember. They are content with their lives as they are now," she said solemnly. After receiving a nod, she continued, "and even if they were interested, the small numbers that remain would make rebuilding almost impossible, at least for now. Because of this, our princess has a claim to a throne that no longer exists, thus she has decided to relinquish her title altogether."

Frowning, he looked back down at Zelda with crestfallen eyes. The races, including their own, were scattered, and it was as Impa said; they were all content with governing themselves. He knew this was what would come to pass, and yet, hearing it could not stop the flood of emotions in his heart for the one kneeling beside him, even if he didn't allow them to show.