Free to Love - A Zelda x Link Fanfiction

XXXIV: Cryosis

Zelda's Perspectives:

I couldn't help but marvel at my new array of powers Purah had so helpfully unlocked for me. There were four, as she mentioned before, albeit one had two separate options. As we rode towards Death Mountain, Link kept casting me worried glances over his shoulder. I could feel when his eyes glossed over me, but I chose to ignore it.

Still, his nervous gaze kept me slightly on edge. I bent my head down, leaning over the screen, my hair casting a curtain of chocolate between us. My fingers twitched as I felt tempted to test out the other powers I had gained. I had only used cryosis so far and, even then, it was only freezing a bucket of ice. Purah had warned me, though.

Before we had left the Hateno Tech Lab, Purah had pulled me aside. "Try not to over use your new powers, okay?" She had warned. "Your magic can go apeshit and, I'm not scientifically sure, but your skull may implode and I don't wanna get blamed for that."

I figured the implosion was an overestimation but, still, I figured she warned me for good reason and chose not to test fate. I was pondering the other powers when Link called out.

"We're gonna take a break," Link called. His voice sounded oddly stiff and hoarse, very unlike the light happy tone he took with me.

"What do you mean?" I asked. He heaved his boot out of the stirrup iron and pet Epona's mane gently.

"The horses need some water," he explained. I blinked, finally glancing at my surroundings. I had been so fascinated with my new toy I totally didn't realize the change in scenery. We had returned to a path overshadowed by thick trees but we stood at a clearing, now. The trees grew sparser and allowed a small cove to remain at the edge of a glittering lake.

I jumped off of Storm, who shook out his mane, and stood by the water's edge. The scene was beautiful. The waves sent light off in all directions, making the sea sparkle. I tapped my fingers on the edge of the Shiekah Slate as I stared off, considering what I had in mind. Epona must've sensed my idea, standing back from the water's edge, despite Link's confused pull on her reins. I glanced down at the Slate and couldn't resist my temptation as I pressed the button on the screen.

The magic surged through me now, quicker but controlled, rushing through the Slate as it shuddered in my hands. A soft blue beam emanated from the top of the screen and hit the edge of the lake. Silver frost rose at my will, crawling across the water's surface, creating small snowflakes that encompassed themselves in thick ice. My senses heightened and I could hear the crackle of the water as it froze.

I couldn't resist tempting my handiwork, pressing a finger to the ice. Sure enough, it was solid underneath my hand. I tapped my foot gently on it and the ice held firm. "Link!" I called out, glancing over at him. He was petting Epona's nose, whispering words to her, when his eyes caught mine and flew across the lake in awe.

"Holy sh—" he began to say, cutting himself off when I planted two feet on the ice and bent my knees to prevent myself from slipping over. "Hey, wait! Be careful!"

I giggled, placing the Slate down on the edge and begin to walk forward, giggling as I slid slowly. "Shit, shit, shit," I heard Link say behind me, before I heard his footsteps begin to follow mine, slowly moving across the ice's surface towards me. I turned back, to quickly, ending up nearly falling over, when Link's hand caught my wrist. I laughed out loud, especially when Link was unprepared for his legs to slip out from under him, causing him to pinwheel forward.

My breath was knocked out of me but I couldn't help smiling. I could sense Link's thrumming heartbeat because of the awkward position we had landed in. He ended up nearly on top of me, barely managing to catch himself on his hands and knees as I ended up lying down beneath him, my body sandwiched between him and the ice.

I smiled up at him, Link's face instantly flushing. "I— I'm sorry," he muttered, climbing off of me, hands planted on the surface as he managed to force himself into an awkward upright stance.

"It's alright," I responded, ignoring the flush that was setting my face on fire. I managed to stand, as well, hopefully looking less foolish than Link. I caught the hang of it slowly, planting my feet straight and using my back foot to push my forward like I was running. "Let's just unfreeze the lake so the horses can drink."

He looked down, nodding slightly. I took his hand in min, causing him to flinch and glance up. "I'll help you back, too, okay?" I asked. His eyes softened, taking a deep breath.

"Okay."

(It's a birthday update! Yay!)