#Son of Hylia Daughter of Farore

[science-lings]

Not me waking up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night (6 am) with another LU AU idea (CHB demigods but hylian flavored) given to me but I’m too tired to write it down so who knows if I’ll still remember it after my next batch of sleepies

[batrogers]

One of no name, THE SWORD of Hylia, now become the Fierce Deity Majora's Mask, Skyward Sword

[From my original Linkverse, That Broken Promise]

GENDER: Male (amab) PRONOUNS: He/Him HEIGHT: 7'0" AGE: Unknown [late thirties when he died] HEALTH: PTSD. Fully blind without light perception. WEAPONS: Fierce Deity’s sword ITEMS: None SPELLS: Magic perception

The Sword was a Sheikah man born in the time during the war with Demise. His home village and family were murdered by monsters, and he buried his name and identity with them before moving on as the sole survivor. He became a vicious warrior, striving to do what he could to get the other humans to safety under Hylia’s care. He was taken captive by Demise and cursed to be unable to die no matter the damage done to him. Farore gave him the only ease she could, sealed as a force of divine wrath. He is somewhat aware even still, but not strongly so and his greatest tie is to his wielder.

The Sword is a generally calm, pleasant person. He was endlessly patient in life, and close to several other early figures including Hylia and her first love, the Lord of a fortress who died in battle as well. His death scarred him badly, but he remains calm and is content with his charge to be a guardian of humanity.

The Sword speaks rarely, and knows some very old sign language (although he can no longer understand it.) He is literate and can be chatty if he’s comfortable and the situation is good.

The Sword is not particularly interested in sex, too focused on his duty, but is open to any gender if so. He was somewhat involved with the Lord of the fortress, Link Falintere, and his deity, Hylia.

CURRENT MEDIA: My Daughter Will Need A Sword, rated M (not fully canon) The Demon King, rated E for graphic violence Around and Around, rated T for mature themes She Offered A Choice, rated G

Songs on the playlist for Fierce Deity: It's My Life, by Bon Jovi Going Down Fighting, by Phlotilla Ransom, by Son Lux

[sischan]

Rauru is sage of Light in Ocarina of Time, but I like to theorize he was actually the son of Skyward Sword Link and Zelda after they settled on the surface. Before they established Hyrule as a kingdom, with their son Rauru inheriting his mother's powers. A war broke out with the Interlopers, with Rauru being the next to protect the triforce sealed himself away in the same temple grounds his father once stood, and for him to allow his daughter to become Queen Zelda upon Hyrule's rise to establishing their kingdom and alliance with the ancient shekaih. This is my personal fun theory that I like to add to the already existing story, especially since at the end of Skyward Sword Impa stayed long enough to see Link and Zelda be happy. With Twilight Princess already having showing that in the child timeline the hero of time is the next sage of light, until he passes it on to Midna. Not by choice as I think that was a back-up plan that was made by Farore in the act that Hylia's plan were to fail, with Midna guarding either a piece or a part of the triforce of wisdom. As to why in Botw Zelda wasn't able to call on her powers, besides not having her mother to teach her. Then again these are my personal gameplay thoughts ^-^ You are free to share this theory if you like! It might be fun little coincidences that I’ve pieced together in my personal play-through of the game. ^-^) Thank you for reading my little rambling~

[update8/1/23]

I’ve played TotK, but I still like to stick with my theory, but with a few adjustments with Sonia being the great granddaughter of Rauru.(Ocarina of Time Sage  of Light) ^-^ I’ve not completed all shrines yet.

[aikoiya]

LoZ - Library of Nayru Dungeon Idea

Honestly? Why don't we see many grand, outstanding libraries in Zelda?

I actually kinda wanna see a massive library for a dungeon, but more of an unconventional one as there might be npcs milling about. At least, in the earlier sections. Sort of a Library of Alexandra thing. Or Wan Shi Tong's from AtLA.

OR, being the Goddess of Wisdom, the Library of Nayru? Possibly even built or simply blessed by the goddess herself? A means for all of Hyrule's history to never be truly forgotten as knowledge is something she values highly.

Perhaps it's part dungeon, part place you have to return to repeatedly to search for new information? Like, you keep unlocking new sections of the Library as you go.

Imagine secret passages with book-based puzzles. Like having to figure out where certain books or scrolls go or having to arrange the books/scrolls in a shelf in just such a way as to reveal a hidden message on the spines or something. And riddles. So many riddles!

Maybe even some cipher puzzles. Also, having to learn to read each of the many different alphabets & languages of Hyrule throughout history.

What if anything beyond a certain point requires a mastery of the Mind's Eye? Specifically, the Mind's Eye. Neither the Mask of Truth nor the Lense of Truth will work.

Perhaps they figure this out by Purah's new invention? A pair of Goggles of Truth. It works for a couple parts of the Library, but after a point, Link & Zelda can go no further. Thus leading to Link having to learn the actual technique.

Maybe the Link of this one could specifically be part Sheikah for this reason?!

Anyway, it'd be a sort of ancient library that started as something small, but as time passed & more of the games passed, more was added, becoming bigger & bigger...

What if it was located beneath the Ruins of the Temple of Time?

What if we see a large number of references to books & accounts from old games via the books & pictures?

Sometimes just as passages in said books, but others as actual books from previous games.

And not just featuring them in a historical way, but also in the forms of poetry & epics much like the Odyssey. Even weapons & shields & armor on pedestals & stands.

Also, every section of the Library features one of the games as the central focus. Eventually ending, not with Skyward Sword, but even before that. No, not even the story of Demise's original sealing (which we still haven't gotten yet). Books being replaced with scrolls, then later tablets & tapestries. As well as murals of epic battles. Even the windows display images of the past. Even little statues & busts of important figures from certain time periods. Not to mention pottery.

With even an entire Gerudo dictionary. Though, not as something you could actually read in the game. Just as a description of a book with maybe some new words.

Finally, at the end of it all. A depiction of the story of the 3 golden goddesses creating Hyrule, followed by the stories of their 3 (4 if you go by my hc) respective children.

Of how Demise came to be. Of Hylia taking on the responsibility of patron. Of a mysterious 3rd deity only ever seen hint of once before.

Of a cocky young god, son of Din, raised by his father in a land in a constant state of war, given the role of patron that resulted in him being corrupted by his own thirst for power; losing his godhood by falling from grace to become a fearsome arch-demon. Of a young, gentle, golden-hearted god, son of Farore, who was tasked with replacing the previous failed patron, but realized that some people will simply not be reasoned with without force; at times, not even then. Thus, he solemnly took up arms to protect the people under his care. Now a god of divine retribution.

And of the young, scholarly goddess, daughter of Nayru, who was horrified by the dark & fearsome being that the golden-hearted had become, tasked with being his replacement, only for the son of Farore to continue to protect the land & it's people regardless.

The 2's subsequent marriage, then finally, the tragic god's sacrifice for the sake of all in order to stop the Son of Din in order to provide a hero who could use the Triforce to defeat the Fallen God, the Demon King, followed closely by his wife.

LoZ General Masterlist

[sarasalandhistory]

Legend of the Ancient Kingdom

(This has to do with Zelda and not Mario but whatever)

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful kingdom that was blessed by the gods and ruled by descendants of the Goddess Hylia and the First Hero. This kingdom was called Hyrule and it was ruled over by a king who was known far and wide for his wisdom, courage, and power. It was even said that his power was so great, he was able to wield the legendary golden power to bring about a golden age for his kingdom. However, the king was still mortal. 

He would not live forever but greed and the lust for power does. 

As he laid dying, his three eldest sons were vying with each other over who would inherit not only the throne but the legendary golden power that their father had possessed.

“I am the most powerful,” cried the eldest to his younger brothers. “No one would dare threaten our lands if I was king.”

“I am the wisest though,” replied the second. “I would lead of nation of intelligence, instead of imbeciles.”

“I am the most courageous,” yelled the third. “I would make Hyrule a kingdom of bravery instead of cowardice.”

This went on and on and soon after their father’s death, the three eldest sons went to war with each other. 

It was a horrific, bloody massacre. Brother against brother. Son against father. Sister against sister. Daughter against mother.

Eventually, the three sons and their descendants were wiped out and the ancient legendary kingdom splintered until their was nothing left of it but quarreling minor kingdoms and warlords taking advantage of the poor and the weak. It seemed as though there was nothing left of the ancient kingdom of Hyrule and the Goddess and First Hero’s bloodline.

It seemed that way at least.

However, it was not.

The ancient king had four sons, not three, but the youngest was not like his elder brothers. He was studious and quiet and more content in researching Hyrule’s ancient history than sitting on a throne. However, he saw which way the winds blew as his brothers’ hatred and pettiness grew and he made the decision to leave the night after his father’s funeral with only a few precious family heirlooms.

The youngest prince fled to the Faron Region, named for the Farore the Goddess of Courage since only the most courageous of people dare to to trek. Lightning storms, dangerous monsters and animals, and a warlike people who came from the skies were said to have made their home in this region and for many days the prince found himself fearful and alone with only his steed. On one such day, the prince collapsed from exhaustion and thought that he was about to die.

This was not to be though.

Instead he found himself in the home of a Hylian woman about his age but with dark skin and hair with white tattoos across her arms and bosom. She was a woman of Lurelin Village, a village to the furthest south of Hyrule with a people who were said to be deeply connected to the warlike people of Faron Region.

The prince came to love his new home and eventually fell in love and married the woman who saved him. He also came to forge a connection to the race of Faron Region were called the Zonai who while warlike, were also gifted in technology and ancient magics.

Eventually, the prince and his wife died and left behind their children. Eventually the children had their own children and so on and so forth until over a thousand years past and their descendants still continue to live in the village.

I should know.

I am one of these descendants.

My name is Sonia.

[the-hero-of-jk-its-len]

Oh my gosh a fellow amazing person who likes Percy Jackson and wants to create an LU AU??

what if Din, Farore and Nayru were the Big Three??

Oh my goodness an ask from a fellow amazing person!!!

I'd like to say, they are in title, but not function, all three of the golden goddesses are considered of course the top goddesses of the whole pantheon, second to no one even amongst each other and all three have just as much power as the other in comparison to how there was a hierarchy amongst the actual Big 3 in pjo.

I also don't think they would swear off children like the og Big 3 did, in any case the ones that end up doing that are Demise and Hylia, because their kids keep causing mayhem whenever they appear;

Demise's daughters are always incredibly strong warriors and often aided by their father making them amazing war generals but very much so a danger to the world (his sons don't get mentioned bc he doesn't let them live long enough for them to even be worth a footnote, but on the rare occasion one survived he grew up to be an usurper king so,,, I guess his worries were not that unfounded).

Meanwhile, Hylia's children are often leaders in a different way, specially because they are often born in the between times where there is no active reincarnation of Zeldas, and are given the titles of "False Princess" and "False Hero" respectively, depending on their ranks more than genders, if a child shows a more spiritual approach to their powers they get princess and if they are the warrior type they get hero, and since re-incarnations of both Zelda and Link can very spaced out they often end up being relied upon way more than they should, namely against the constant threat of Demise's daughters who often need a divine hand to put a stop on, they don't live very long bc of this.

Big 3 kids I think are a lot more common, every few years one of the goddesses will just become really attached to a mortal or two, and while I don't think there are places dedicated to them like Camp Half-Blood, they do have a small community due to the reduced size of Hyrule, specially since they have very recognisable traits, Din tends to like warriors and heroes, her children popping up in guard households and there was even a point in history in which a third of Hyrule's army was specially full of them, Farore seems to favour adventurers and merchants with her children following in their step, in their later years (if they reach them) they often end up retiring very young to the deku forest, Nayru looks for scholars and mages, and her children are often court magicians and researchers.

I do want to point out that, monsters are still very hostile though, and specially to Big 3 kids, if the battlefield won't take them monsters commonly will, and it's considered very rare and very lucky for them to survive over 25.

[snidgetwidgeon]

12, 19, 28 for the end of year fic asks

Interesting how something put in the too hard box on the day surfaces about 6 months later... I apologize XD

These answers come via this post

12. Favorite character to write about this year.

I'm going to say Link, but not just any Link. A role swapped Link! In my fic Son of Hylia, Daughter of Farore, Link is a Prince of Breath of the Wild's Hyrule, and it was a fascinating exercise to think about the changing dynamic in terms of his relationship with the King, his responsibilities, and how he finds his truth and purpose. I really enjoyed writing him. <3

19. Any new fics to start next year.

What I was planning at the time, and has come to pass, was a birthday fic for @drsteggy that combines The legend of Zelda with her other hobby, Model Horses. Just as well this ask is so late or this answer would have been secret squirrel XD. The b-day fic can be found here.

28. Longest fic you read this year.

One of my favourites updated and it was the final chapter too, so I read it all again, leading up to the end. Interim is one of the greats.

[randomwriteronline]

The day. Is. Sloooooow.

Might be because they are in the middle of the damn desert and it is. Too hot to function properly. The gargantuan bones offer shade and respite but Goddesses allmighty its is. Too hot.

Wind has been rolling in the sand for five minutes. He claims it’s to get the heat off of him. As far as everybody else is concerned he’s just getting sand all over himself, but are they going to stop him? Warriors is half naked and dying, Twilight is enduring the pain of keeping his pelt on so it doesnt get absolutely riddled with coarse particles, Hyrule is slowly passing out, and Four nearly slammed himself against a rib with his pot of winds. Legend has buried half his body into the sand and Sky is desperately trying to sleep with his face laying down on his shirt. Time has died.

Wild looks at the horrible sight of them from the height of his climate appropriate outfit and thanks Hylia for the Secret Gerudo Club and their voe clothes.

A head rises suddenly: “Sweet Nayru,” Time rasps, “I have three sons.”

“What.” Legend croaks at him.

“I have one-” and Time stands up and puts a hand on Twilight’s head, “-two-” and he puts it on Legend’s, “-and three.” and he puts it on Wind’s. “Three whole boys. And two - three?- grandchildren.” and he points at Warriors and Hyrule, before shifting to Wild: “And one great-grandchild. Merciful Din I am old.”

Four squints his eyes at him: “They’re not your biological sons.”

Time ignores him completely: “I can feel my bones shattering as we speak.” he says, “What is a fatherly activity to be done with your children? My father was a tree, we couldn’t do much about that.”

“Fishing?” Wind offers.

“I like fishing.” Twilight murmurs absentmindedly.

“Ok, I know fishing, we can do that.” Time says almost relieved, “We’re going fishing once we stop  being here.”

“I will not be fishing.” Legend decides.

“Yes you will,” and Time goes to lift him out of the sand.

“Hold on,” Warriors blocks him, “Hold on, you were concieved by a tree?”

Time looks at him like he’s out of his mind: “What the fuck,” is in fact how he begins: “No, he took me in. And he was rooted to the ground so he couldn’t do much either with me or the others.”

Sky lifts his head: “You have siblings?”

“No, they’re the Kokiri.”

“You were raised by Koroks?” Wild intervenes.

“What the hell is a Korok?”

“Like a wood baby with, with leaves on their face.”

“I’ve never heard of such a thing in my entire life. What on Earth.”

“Wait,” Wind interrupts them: “But you’re not like... My real dad, right? Because you were gone... A billion years before I was born.”

Time weighs the probabilities: “I’m your dad now.” he decides.

“No you’re not,” Four stops him, “You’re his ancestor.”

“Same thing, he’s my son now.”

“That’s not how it works.”

“Yes it is, look at Twilight.” Time insists, and points as his increasingly pained child, “That’s my son and thus my descendant, so they’re my descendants and thus my sons.”

“He’s your son?” Warriors’ voice cracks while Four insists a little annoyed: “That’s not how it works!”

Legend points at Hyrule, who resuscitates briefly from his slow descent into unconsciousness by the suddenness of the movement: “You are. Not. My son.” he manages to get out.

Hyrule nods a few times: “Alright.” he just says, as Warriors keeps asking a disinterested Time while raising his voice: “Your honest-to-Farore’s son?”

“I have not fucked. Ever. In my life,” Legend continues. “And I will not fuck. For the rest of it. Not even if they pay me. ‘s too gross. Not into it. Not a fan. So you are not my son. Ok? Ok. No sons. Or daughters. Or children in general. No fucking for me. Forbidden.”

“Like you made him with your wife?” Warriors’ cries still go unanswered, though he does manage to make Sky nearly spit his tongue out in a sudden fit of embarassed laughter.

“Wait, who came before me.” Time stops. He turns to Four. The much smaller man looks at him quizzically. His only eye squints: “Father...”

Wild gives a hysterical wheeze.

“Absolutely not!” Four yells.

But Time decides not to listen to that, and instead speaks without thinking: “Father, may I go see the merrygorounds?”

Four coughs up a laugh: “I’m not your dad! You are way too young for that!”

The single eye turns to Sky: “Grandfather, may I go see the merrygorounds?”

“He’s not your grandpa!”

“Be nice to your father,” Time reprimands him.

Sky howls with a strange sound, almost unsure of wether or not Time is right, while he and Four look at each other; the shorter hero shoots him a glare and shakes his head vehemently.

Warriors finally stands up as Time begins trying to pick up his boys, which is a sweet idea but also destined to fail miserably because the heat makes him slow, weak and not particularly smart: “This is your son?” the captain asks again as he grabs Twilight, who is slowly losing his grip on reality.

He turns to Warriors a little: “ ‘n’ maybe ‘m your dad,” he drawls. The pelt is killing him but like hell he will ruin it in the sand.

Warriors processes it for a moment.

“Are you my son?!” he yells at Wild.

Okay, Wild thinks to himself as he turns around and leaves the clearly delirious bunch to themselves for a while to get some sort of refreshment (hydromelon maybe, or wild berries, or literally anything with some water in it), I think they have completely lost it.

[science-lings]

i would like to know about the self indulgent pjo au please and thank you i’m a sucker for crossovers

okay, this one is weird bc I have two versions, the one that is compliant with loz theism but also one that's more of a direct crossover. So the first one is how the Links are the sons of Farore and the Zelda's are the daughters of Hylia (except for Sun who kind of is Hylia) and it's more of a vague idea of a modern w/ magic kind of AU rather than a direct AU of the riordanverse. It's confusing and one that I mostly save for guilty pleasure thoughts rather than actually writing lol.

[the-hero-of-jk-its-len]

oh my goodness please don’t apologize for the long ramble this is absolutely wonderful :0

I’m really interested in Demise’s sons and I love that Hylia’s children are called Princess or Hero regardless of gender and more talent based that’s a very nice touch

Are there any notable examples of the children of gods living past 25? Have any ever reached old age or died of natural causes after a long life?

Demise's sons are,,, not as dangerous as his daughters, for some reason or another they are often very weak in bodily nature and look starved even if they are at their top health, as stated before, they also live very little, and often die as infants or their very young childhood, and though burials will call it sickness or poor luck, it's generally known that Demise is the one doing it.

They are however, very magically proficient, all his children are exceptionally good at dark magic, but his sons specifically have a natural talent for it, and what few of them make it to 5-8 are often considered child prodigies before their deaths, as mentioned before, Zant himself was a child of Demise, one of the few allowed to live past infancy due to his own plans, who conquered the twilight realm with a mix of godly blessings, an ill-timed prophecy, and very very dark magic, and similar to his original death in twilight princess, he is disposed of as soon as he is no longer useful.

The Gerudo are a ultimately very very fem led place, and as games state, the men born into them are instantly turned into high royals and chiefs, Ganon being the one to benefit of it most often, and the main reason his sons are killed, so that they and their line may never touch the throne and acquire any sort of strength amongst their own people in case that this might in any way lead to a rebellion of the Gerudo against Ganon/Demise himself.

As for notable children of the gods to have achieved a particularly long life, there have been a few, mostly nobodies who managed to make themselves small in the face of history and thus managed to be hidden away enough that they lived peaceful unremarkable lives, but there are also some more widely known names I will bring special attention to.

Ravio, child of Farore who lived into one of the founders of a merchant guild and grew a line of rabbit motif'd descendants before passing away at 120 years of age which is a very decent age by lorulean standard.

Impa, daughter of Naryu who became the leader of the sheikah after the fall of hyrule at the hands of calamity ganon and lived to see it rebuilt.

and perhaps most notably, though not a demigod by birth, Link the hero of time, who lived to be nearly 150 in a mostly peaceful retirement before his death in combat.

[snidgetwidgeon]

Son of Hylia, Daughter of Farore

A roleswap Zelink AU

Art by @anxioussailorsoldier and used here with permission

This story is a one-shot inspired by the prompts from @drsteggy and was gifted to her in a fic exchange.

~~~

Link awoke suddenly, desperately trying to cling to the vision of a woman surrounded by bright light as it diminished from his foggy mind. Try as he might to enter back into the haze of his mysterious dream, sounds came louder and clearer to his ears, and he registered the rustle of the sheets sliding against his feet as he stretched, his senses slowly returning. Today would be a trying affair. He always remained fatigued after she appeared to him, ever speaking yet rendered frustratingly silent.

Perhaps he could try to lay low, hide in the library, and search yet again on the shelves he’d already scoured for something he may have missed; something to prove it was possible that he was having the visions vessels were known to have had. He just couldn’t interpret them. He spared a bittersweet thought for his late mother. She would have known, would have shown him. Or perhaps she would have bore a daughter, and there would be no question; and he could have supported his sister when they found out the Calamity was foretold to return.

But the Kingdom of Hyrule was left with a Prince at the precipice of doom. He’d never felt more useless, or more determined to do something about it. He would find a way. He would protect everyone.

Zelda shifted her feet, practicing her forms to warm up before training. She missed her scimitar. This new blade felt so different and she had to relearn how to make it an extension of herself. It was humbling when sparring partners she had previously bested came out on top. It just proved she still had much to learn and needed to become proficient with many weapon types if she wanted to be the greatest.

She recalled being a bit intimidated as her group of friends grew over the years. Where they used to be physical equals, they now towered above her; but she supposed she could be thankful for the challenge because it caused her to become an incredibly scrappy fighter, always looking for openings she could wheedle into.

This time she wheedled too far and forgot to watch her flank while in pursuit of one of her opponents. Another warrior swept in and bashed her ribs as she was on an upswing and it sent her flying. As she was pulled up, she couldn’t help but think spitefully that the same would not have happened if she were allowed her weapon of choice. She could have recovered with her scimitar but the swing on the Master Sword was different.

“Nice air you caught there,” her sparring partner teased in Gerudo. “Again?”

Zelda recovered her blade from a few paces away and declined, “I think I’ll just nurse my wounds and ego for awhile, thanks.”

“Suit yourself. I recommend you do solitary for a few days with your new acquaintance,” she pointed her chin towards the Master Sword in Zelda’s grip. “See if you two can make friends,” she winked and ran back to join the fray.

Zelda stared down at the sword with slight contempt. Urbosa had told her of the legends she’d learned from the late Queen of Hyrule, and her son, Prince Link- that the sword was wielded to protect Hylia, and how the blade itself chose its master and would even communicate. Someone being chosen meant that a shit storm was likely brewing.

Urbosa also mentioned that preparations were being made against some sort of Calamity. The word made Zelda’s blood run cold and she knew it was something to be feared. If the sword was not speaking to her, perhaps it chose wrong and she was not suited to the challenge. She had tried everything she could think of, even hours of meditation, which she hated because she didn’t like sitting still for long.

But it was all for naught.

She wove her way through the stalls and bustle of the marketplace, sword heavy on her back, and day after day it had only served to weigh her down even more. She could no longer stand it. She exited the north-western gates and ran along the outer wall. Heart pounding and sweating all over, she dug a rather shallow and pathetic hole, chucked the sword in and kicked sand over it before walking away in a huff, muttering, “Curse the day I found your infuriating silence!”

She’d been training in the desert when she discovered it, exploring further than she ever had over the dunes. Following the statues with their guiding swords, she finally came upon the last one and sheltered under her cloak at its base as a sandstorm passed. Thankfully, it was short and as she stood to shake as much sand as she could off her person, she noticed something strange in the distance. She could have sworn she’d reached the last statue of the warriors. Perhaps she’d miscounted as there stood another on the horizon, the reflection of its sword glinting brightly in its grasp.

Zelda took a drink from her ration, taking note of how much was left before deciding she could manage one more. If anything, it would improve her survival skills.

As she neared the solid figure rising out of the sands she noticed that the sword it held was elaborate. Oddly enough, a scabbard for it was slung over the shoulder which made it appear that someone had just left it there. She looked around but only saw a few cacti bearing voltfruits, perfect for carrying around extra moisture for the return trip. Some movement caught her eye behind a cactus and she ran over, pulling her scimitar, in case there was meat to be had, but she was met with a poof of sparkling petals and could have sworn she heard a childish giggle.

After investigating thoroughly, she cut the fruits and placed them into her bag before returning to the statue. It would be a shame to leave such a fine piece of work out in the middle of nowhere. She climbed the figure and slipped the scabbard off the shoulder, letting it fall to the sand before holding the neck and planting her feet against the torso so she could reach the hilt with her free hand. It did not budge. Hiking herself up, she wrapped her legs around the neck so she could use both hands to pull on the wings above the hilt.

She was straining when she heard the laugh again, accompanied by a rattle, and in her distraction, the blade suddenly came loose and they both tumbled into the sand.

She’d thought nothing of it until returning to Gerudo Town.

During a routine visit to the throne room, Chief Urbosa had nearly sent away visiting dignitaries when she spied the sword on Zelda’s back. After the meeting, Urbosa called her into her private quarters, which was very unusual. Perhaps she was to be given a special assignment.

“Where did you find that sword?” Urbosa asked with intense interest and a hint of concern.

Zelda stood at attention and replied concisely, “In the desert, Chief.”

“Zelda, have you any idea what you’ve found?”

Zelda began to doubt her decision to play finders keepers. Maybe it was a ceremonial sword or relic that should have stayed where it was. Though she had been raised with the Gerudo, she certainly did not purport to know all of their culture and was horrified by the idea that she’d deeply offended them.

~~~

Urbosa removed her bracelets and hair ornaments, letting the thick, red locks fall down her back. Making sure her tea would be in reach, she snuggled into her bed and opened a letter from her favorite Hylian. She always saved his letters for the end of the day when her attention could be undivided and she could imagine actually having a conversation with him. He was so bright and inquisitive, and optimistic- as his letter revealed. Just like her love.

~I have not given up my search. I keep thinking that surely, there is a pocket in the library I have not scoured. But then another duty and another day takes me away from it. I see her, Urbosa. It has to mean something. If only I could find evidence that there has been a son of Hylia. Why else would I be given visions? If only I could interpret them...

Do you know how mother did it? Did she ever say anything?~

He then went on to describe his involvement with the funding of the research at the Royal Ancient Lab as well as other gossip that he and Urbosa kept up on, including their inside jokes about stuffy nobles. He also wanted to hear more about the warrior who had pulled the Master Sword.

~Does the bearer of the Blade that Seals the Darkness fare well? The moment I learned of her, I hoped that it was a sliver of evidence to prove my case. If there is a woman as Farore’s chosen, then perhaps it lends weight to the fact that a man could be Nayru’s chosen. But I’m harping. Perhaps I will be able to meet her soon, though father keeps me tied up in social engagements. He has taken to parading me at events where there are ample amounts of young debutantes to vie for my attention. I’d much rather be studying.~

Urbosa wrote back early the next morning after skimming the letter again.

~It seems our chosen Hero is having trouble awakening the power within the blade. When you sent word of legends that say the sword speaks to a worthy master, she immediately felt inadequate. Zelda excels at any challenge and eventually overcomes all obstacles, so when she continually failed to connect with the sword’s spirit, she took out her frustrations in a childish manner. The other day she was witnessed burying it in the sand outside the town walls. She must have blown off all her steam because she did retrieve it later that night.

I think that learning her fate has been weighing on her. She puts on a stoic face but I can see she has reservations. Perhaps if you two came together, something will give?~

After reading Urbosa’s reply, Link laid the parchment back down on his desk and pondered her proposition. He had been wanting to expand his search outside the castle for sometime and though he enjoyed visiting the Royal Lab, it did not hold any answers for what he sought; they were just a bunch of rowdy mechanics who were a lot of fun to hang around with. But to understand his history and role, he wanted to go on a pilgrimage to the known spiritual sites of Hyrule, and perhaps discover unknown ones as well so he could be better informed on how to defeat the Calamity, and possibly awaken the power of Hylia along the way.

He would start making arrangements right away.

~~~

King Rhoam rapped his knuckles on the door of his son’s study. When Link answered with a curt nod and a polite greeting, he entered, leaving his guard detail outside. He thought it prudent to retain at least some privacy for this matter, considering the gossip it could generate.

“I hear you’re planning some sort of trip,” it came out as a statement more than a question.

“A pilgrimage. To try and find any proof of my suspicions-”

He was interrupted by his father’s large, dissatisfied sigh. “Link, you really must stop harping on about that nonsense. Hylia has only ever been reincarnated into the mortal body of a female, that’s just the way it is. A tradition that extends even far beyond what we have in written history.”

“Exactly. We don’t know everything. How do you explain my visions? Mother had them. She knew how to interpret them.”

“Perhaps they’re just dreams,” Rhoam offered again in a misguided attempt to engage.

Link smacked the book he was about to pack on the table in frustration. “I can’t believe you keep saying that, you just don’t understand.”

“What I understand is that you continue to foolishly insist on chasing dreams and fantasies rather than doing something tangible for your people. You’re wasting time, Link. You should be courting and choosing a wife so that you can pass on the bloodline to a potential Princess who will-” Rhoam saw the shock in his boy’s face and tried to change track, “We have no idea when the Calamity will strike, we should be doing everything we can to prevent disaster.”

Link clenched his jaw as a deep anger and loathing swelled in his breast. Voice trembling in rage, he rebutted, “I am not going to produce an heir just to send her to the slaughter. I will fight my own battles. This Calamity is coming down on us! I just need to figure out how to awaken Hylia’s power.” He grabbed his bag and stormed out before Rhoam could push his agenda further.

~~~

The next letter Urbosa received from Link outlined his travels. She grinned as she read through them, glad that he’d managed to get away.

~The Forgotten Temple was very difficult to access, and though it did not produce any results, it was a breath taking trip. It has the largest Goddess Statue I have ever seen and I felt a peculiar familiarity while standing under her benevolent smile. I think this is promising.

We’re now at the ruins of the Temple of Time on the Great Plateau. I’m no stranger to the place of course, but the Priestess has been most helpful in providing old texts to study that were not available at the Castle. She’s even offered to assign a scribe to make copies for me.

I hope to be underway again soon and I would like to visit the Seven Heroines. I want to leave no stone unturned. I shall send a dispatch for when we expect to be arriving in the desert.~

When the time came, Urbosa bid Zelda to be an escort for the Prince across the sands to Gerudo Town. “Listen carefully, Zelda. Being the Prince is more than reason enough to keep him safe, but there may be a chance that he is so much more. The fact that you wield that sword lends weight to his theory that he may be Hylia reborn.”

Zelda’s eyes widened but she remained silent, nodding dutifully.

“I’ll need you to deliver some supplies to him so that he may enter unmolested upon arrival.”

“Chief?” Zelda asked, uncertain about the order. Hylia possibly being in a boy she could handle, but in all her time there, she’d never heard of a voe entering Gerudo Town. For Urbosa to speak of it almost as if it were done every other day was- confusing, to say the least.

Urbosa raised her brow at the question. “He is my Oten’vehvi and knows how to behave within these walls. You need not concern yourself with the politics, just act as his personal guard.”

“Yes, Chief.”

She made her preparations and checked that all was secure with the ‘contraband.’ The idea of meeting the Prince was troubling to say the least. She felt completely inadequate, bearing a sword that considered her unworthy. Perhaps she could pass it onto him and he could find the most courageous person in Hyrule. With his resources she was sure it wouldn’t be that hard. Then again, legendary swords weren’t known for choosing incorrect Heroes, so what was wrong with her?

They would just have to work together somehow.

She rode most of the way at a leisurely pace behind her sand seal until she noticed a scuffle as she neared Kara Kara. “HUP!” she directed her seal to go a bit faster to investigate.

A couple of Hylian vai shrieked when they saw her. “The Prince! Please save our Prince!” they cried as they pointed west.

There were two Yiga chasing after a nimble blond clad in light blue. She sprung after them, tongue rolling in a call to let her mount know they needed to go as fast as if they were fleeing a molduga.

The Prince was doing well for himself until he fell, a prey disposition coming over him. He scooted back but could only stare at the assassins, frozen in fear.

Zelda used her inertia to whip across the sand and jumped to land between the Prince and his attackers. She drew her sword, imbued with courage and confident that she could easily protect the boy against the likes of this desert rabble. She almost become distracted by the sword’s sudden glow before exchanging blows with the masked Yiga. They soon realized they were no match for her and dispersed in pops of red and orange light, laughter echoing in their place.

Breathing heavily, she turned back to face the Prince who was still flat on his bum. They both ogled the glowing sword.

An ethereal, disembodied voice broke the silence, “Master, it is good to see you again.”

Their eyes snapped to each other and searched for understanding. There was an immediate and unmistakable bond between them. They’d both heard it.

“I see...” Zelda began. She glared down at the Master Sword, fist clenching the handle and shaking with anger. “So you only deign to speak when your charge is present?” Her voice rose, “I wasn’t good enough for you?! You picky piece of shit!” she yelled as she hurled the sword into the dunes.

Link gaped in disbelief that his protector was so uncouth when something profound occurred to him. He fell back into the sand laughing, a massive wave of relief washing over him.

She looked at him curiously. “What? What is it?”

His laughter died down and he gazed into the sky, moisture glistening in the corner of his eye. “She’s with me.”

Zelda’s eyebrows knitted in confusion, unaware of the turmoil he had experienced regarding his identity.

Link stood and brushed himself off then held out his hand in greeting. “You must be Zelda. Bearer of the Blade that seals the Darkness.”

She accepted his shake and added spitefully, “More like the blade that won’t open its trap unless its mommy is around.”

“You know, I find it very intriguing, my mother’s name was also Zelda.”

“Yes, my mother was a big fan. It’s kind of flattering, she was a great lady. But people always joke that I’m the lost, secret princess and other nonsense.” She started to move away but he touched her arm and she paused.

“Thank you- for saving my life; but also for revealing the truth. Now that I know she’s here,” he touched his heart, “I will find her.”

Zelda eyed him like a strange bug, still unsure as to what he was on about. She patted his shoulder as she walked over to retrieve her weapon, “Good luck with that.”

~~~

A few nights later, Link and Urbosa took a stroll just outside of town to enjoy each other’s company, catching up on their daily lives. The stars twinkled brightly and the moon shone pale on the dunes, a steady breeze drifting the sands away to the dark horizon. He’d just intimated what his father would have him do to stay the coming Calamity.

She touched his shoulder in support, “And what did you say?”

“That this was our battle. And I would absolutely not have a child just to-” he sighed deeply. “I mean, I know the legends. There will always be a vessel of Hylia and her chosen Hero, but to be so deliberate and unfeeling about it, I just...”

“It’s alright. Your father has always been rather blunt, and practical to a fault. For what it’s worth, I believe in you. The visions you describe sound very similar to what your mother shared with me.”

He looked up to her with a smile, “It’s worth a lot, you’re my Oten’baba; your opinion matters to me more than anyone else.”

They continued on for a short time in companionable silence when Urbosa stopped and lifted her head to the night, listening and placing a hand on her scimitar.

“What is it?” Link asked, only noticing after he’d taken a few steps ahead.

A raucous laughter cut across the desert and as quick as Urbosa had been to draw her blade and prepare a snap of deadly electricity over her foes, two of them grabbed the Prince and held their sickles to his neck causing her to stay her hand.

“What a lovely package we have here tonight. Not only can we bag the boy, we can finally rid ourselves of the thorn in our side, Gerudo Tempest!” a Yiga foot soldier, hidden amongst the rest, spat the last two words out in disgust.

They attacked and dozens fell upon the Chief, running head on and popping up behind. A dance of blades began and Link struggled to free himself. Urbosa tried to lead her foes away but Link’s captors followed, dragging his feet through the sand.

“You’ll not be using your lightning with the precious Prince so close, will you?” gloated the same antagonizing voice.

Link cried out in terror when he saw a Yiga succeed in cutting her arm. She seethed and decked them right across the jaw. When they fell she jumped onto their back and launched herself in the air so she could shoot off a bolt.

“Oh, no! Is the Tempest in distress?” the voice goaded, and the masks cackled.

Link couldn’t tell where the mocking was coming from, they were everywhere and nowhere at once. There were too many. Urbosa was becoming overwhelmed and aid may not arrive in time- a gash landed on her leg- he was going to lose her. The laughing was getting louder, the air becoming so thick with magic that it tasted like chalk on his tongue- a slice was delivered up her back and she cried out. He squeezed his eyes shut and thought of his mother. What would she do? There hadn’t been anything he could do for her then, but he was here now for his living mother.

Link’s eyes shot open just in time to see Urbosa drowning under the onslaught and his insides fell into oblivion. They were replaced by a warmth that spread through his body and beyond. He jerked his head in confusion as those that held him fell away. He was free. Sparks akin to those he felt when he fell asleep on his hand in the library spread through his fingers and he launched himself into the foray. He clawed through Yiga soldiers to get to her and did not see how each one he yanked was thrown back with a force of golden energy.

“Urbosa! URBOSA!?” They hit the ground.

The desert was lit with a false sunrise as Link crushed Urbosa in a desperate embrace. The light washed over her, healing her wounds as it cascaded around them in a dome, their enemies lying motionless on the outside.

After a few stunned moments, they opened their eyes and picked each other up. Urbosa held his face in her hands and wiped his tears. “Just look at you,” she said, smiling proudly.

“I- I couldn’t. I was,” he stumbled over his words as more tears fell, “I was going to lose you. I couldn’t lose you too,” he cried into her chest and she held him close.

~~~

Link was a natural at seal surfing. That’s what Zelda thought before she realized that he must have actually visited Gerudo Town previously and she just didn’t know it. They had left at sunrise and arrived to their destination mid morning. After taking a much needed rest, re-hydrating and snacking, Link took a leisurely walk around the place to get his bearings while Zelda tended to the sand seals. She joined him after they were settled for a long siesta and the two of them began their research of the Seven Heroines in interest.

There were orbs scattered about the place. Very large, Link noticed. He pushed one with his foot. And heavy. The sand seals might have to work after all. He tasked Zelda with collecting any she could find and in the meantime he studied the statues, picking up rather quickly that some had prominent corresponding symbols to the orbs on various parts of their bodies. Some he couldn’t make out as they were too high so there would be some educated guesses by process of elimination.

Zelda couldn’t help being drawn into his enthusiasm, the way he took notes- the face he made when he took those notes; it was all very quaint, and a bit impressive. Having spent most of her time advancing physically, she appreciated the mental gymnastics they were doing. Where most might sit back defeated, Link pushed through with a calm determination. They tried dropping the orbs in the pedestals in numerous combinations, each with a sound theory behind them. How was Link to know that if shrines had been activated, he would have succeeded in getting a result on the first try? A fact that they both wouldn’t learn for another 103-odd years.

After the sun set, Link scrawled until the dimming light rendered the page unreadable. Zelda had already set about making camp. They could head back to town in the morning, both were knackered. Even with the help of the seals, they’d heaved plenty of orbs around for hours. Eventually he plopped down on the rug with her and heaved a big sigh.

“Wow, you been working all day or something?” she asked in jest as she turned the vegetables in the fire.

“Yeah, something like that. It’s been a long while since I’ve been out in the field.”

She regarded him thoughtfully. “What’s it like up at the castle?”

“Stuffy.”

She chuckled and didn’t press but it wouldn’t be fair to leave it at that. For all its faults, it deserved more. “I loved exploring the halls as a boy. I’m fairly certain I found long lost passages even the castle historian didn’t know about. My favorite places are the Library and the Observatory. “

“Sounds about right,” Zelda smirked.

“Ha ha. But really, the Library has books as far as you can see, you’d never finish them in one lifetime. And my mother used to take me to the Observatory. I still go there to feel close to her.”

They sat in silence for a moment when Zelda touched his forearm. “I’m sorry you lost her.”

Link nodded in thanks and Zelda started to collect the hearty truffles from the coals. “I lost my father,” she began, and Link was a bit surprised she was sharing.

“He was a knight. We didn’t have any other family close by and mom didn’t fancy moving to Tabantha Village. She hates the cold,” Zelda added as she passed Link a stick laden with dinner.

“Thanks. So she just came to the desert instead?” Link asked before blowing generously and taking a bite.

“She had a close friend here who is practically my auntie. I think she was hoping we could just get away and start fresh from everything we knew before. But then I had to take after dad. Took her a while and a lot of arguments to come to terms with the fact that I was also a warrior.” She shook her head. “I feel bad. I’ve put her in a constant fear of losing me too but... you have to do what your soul tells you, right?”

Link closed his eyes and thought of Hylia, feeling a vibration in his core. “Right.” He agreed thoughtfully.

“Anyway, then this happened,” she said, unsheathing the sword on her back a few inches and letting fall back in with a shinck. “That was not a fun conversation.”

“I can imagine,” Link commiserated as he thought of his own recent rows with his father.

Zelda took a bite of her own truffle and regarded him up and down. With no tact for manners, she said with a full mouth, “You’re alrigh’ fo’ a Pince.”

Link laughed and his genuine mirth spread warmth through Zelda’s chest. “And you’re alright for a Hero.”

[behind-the-fic]

2022 Podcast Guests:

@webcomixwastaken with No Regrets

@ashleyswrittenwords with How To Be A Queen

@pastelsandpining, @aurathian, and @fatefulfaerie with In Calamity’s Grasp

@snidgetwidgeon with Son of Hylia, Daughter of Farore

@fatefulfaerie with A Moment Beyond

And then we start organizing season 2 which will be a different franchise!! More info on that coming in March!!

[snidgetwidgeon]

7 and 21 please!

Thankies Elmo!

From the fic ask post here:

The longest completed fic I wrote this year was Son of Hylia, Daughter of Farore, a roleswap au with Prince Link and Champion Zelda. It was really fun to headcanon their different dynamic and it was a pleasure to write for @drsteggy in the fic exchange that inspired it. Keep an eye out for it in February where it will feature in the @behind-the-fic podcast! :D

Most memorable comment/review. Deary me, how do you choose between all the warm and fuzzies!? Here is an excerpt that still takes me out every time I see it: "And when Zelda finally gives in, Link has his perfect moment to strike but he CAN'T because Zelda is just too hot, RIP to Mr. Barbarian and his goals." This comes from Dragon of the Falls via @strangebeautiful