#post-botw

[sheikfangirl]

♥ Link's lovely boss-wife is back from work!! ♥ He is basically Zelda's Hylian Retriever awww. Hateno domestic fluff is my bread and butter.

[haste-waste]

"Why was she falling? How did Link even catch her? None of this made any sense. Was this still a dream? Was this still an endless nightmare, where his eyes turned that bright, burning color of malice?"

This is comic adaptation of the nightmare scene from Courage, Ch. 8 from the fanfic series Renewal. A main theme of Courage is Zelda learning to process one hundred years of trauma. With processing comes the long road to healing. In this scene, she finally accepts the comfort she needs after all the hurt she's gone through.

...Unbeknownst to her, Link is relieved to offer her comfort.💙

[uniquevoidflowers]

For @hyrulesunworthiest

This is for @zelinkcommunity’s Loftwing Letter Exchange!

Hope you enjoy!

Ao3 link: The Aftermath

“The fate of Hyrule, rests with you!” Zelda shouted and glanced back at her kingdom.

Fires spreading throughout town as the guardians climbed over the destruction. The now red divine beasts wreaking havoc in the distance. Zelda looked down at her hand, staring at the glowing mark on it. “For Hyrule.” She took a deep breath and sprinted towards Calamity Ganon.

The beast sneered and lunged at her, and Zelda raised her hand, the golden power surging through her and flying off of her fingertips. Malice, magenta and black darkness filled her vision.

It killed my friends…

Light exploded and fought against the darkness. Now all she could do was wait for Link to arrive.

___

Pain. The malice was painful as it wrapped itself around the light, trying to overcome it. The pain grew the longer the light fought. 

“Give up.” The malice demanded.

Never.

___

She was so exhausted. The darkness was held back but Zelda didn’t know how long she could take this.

___

Beyond the fight within Hyrule Castle, Zelda could hear water draining and she called out uncertainly. “Link. Link. Open your eyes. Wake up, Link.”

It caused pain in her throat to speak but she continued calling until she heard a grunt.

Link.

Zelda’s light glowed brighter, and she nearly cried from relief. She heard footsteps and a hesitant tap. She guided the hero through the Shrine of Resurrection. Zelda could only hear but she had spent hours researching the shrine. She knew what Purah had did and how it worked. 

The hero was alive.

She wrestled with the darkness for longer, knowing Link would be able to come and save her.

_______________________________________________________

“Link…do you really remember me?” Zelda asked.

Link answered by running to her and wrapping his arms around her. Zelda felt tears welling up in her eyes and rested her head on his shoulders. After a few moments she pulled away. “Are you hurt?” She asked, quickly wiping away the tears from her eyes. 

“I’ll be fine.” He reassured.

Zelda eyed him. “Okay. If you say so.”

“I’m just glad you’re okay.” Link murmured. 

She smiled as she heard the honesty in his tone and the happiness in his eyes and her heart pounded against her chest. “I think we should make our way to Kakariko first…” Zelda paused. “If you’d like.”

“Sure. I can teleport us.” He hummed and tapped the slate.

“Wait what—“

Zelda’s vision was filled with blue light as she felt lighter. After a few moments her vision cleared and she was standing on a shrine. An awakened one by the looks of it, considering its exterior was covered in blue light and its door had been opened. “Is that…” Zelda saw the symbol of the Sheikah and stared in awe at the slate.

She had never known the slate was capable of such a thing!

“Kakariko Village?” Link looked amused. “It’s teleportation.”

Zelda felt her cheeks burning a little. “Well I—“

Link chuckled. “No need to explain yourself.”

Link was so…different now. Different from that stoic knight who would only talk to her privately. Even then he rarely spoke, he mostly listened. “Impa will want to see you.” Link murmured.

“Impa! She’s okay?” Zelda gave a sigh of relief. 

“Yeah. I…don’t remember anything about her.” Link admitted.

“Really? Just how much memory did you lose?” Zelda mused.

The hero winced. “Everything. I regained as much as I could in the last few years but…some people or things aren’t familiar to me.”

“You remembered me though?” She blinked, a little surprised.

He nodded. “You were a main part of my quest after all…I thought you hated me for a while, but then I knew you didn’t.”

Zelda sighed. She had been envious at the time of how he had gotten his part of the plan finished and she had still been struggling. She thought he hated him for not being able to awaken the sealing power, yet he proved otherwise. The princess fell in love with the hero. What a cliche.

“I’m glad you know I don’t hate you.” Zelda murmured keeping her past feelings to herself.

Link hummed in reply, looking deep in thought. “Were you…in love with me?”

The princess’s face began to burn. “I…Yes…”

“Oh.” 

There was something guilty in his tone that gave her pause. Why was he feeling guilty? “Well, let’s go to Impa. I don’t want to keep her waiting.” Link mumbled and started walking.

Zelda’s lips pressed into a thin line as she followed him. How strange…

“Hey Li—PRINCESS ZELDA!” One of the Sheikah cried out.

Immediately all of the Sheikah paused what they were doing and looked at the pair, wide-eyed. Zelda fidgeted with her long hair, a little uncomfortable. “Someone go get the elder! Link survived! Zelda’s here!” A man shouted. 

“Is it that much of a surprise?” Link scoffed.

“It is.” An old woman with a large hat walked slowly over to them. “Is it really you, princess?”

“Yes.” She answered uncertainly.

The old woman visibly relaxed and smiled softly. “Do you recognize me, Zelda?”

Zelda took a moment but she gasped. “Impa!”

Impa chuckled. “You haven’t changed one bit.” She turned to Link. “Ah, Link, are you hurt? Are you hurt, princess?”

Link bit his lip and nodded. “I-I’m not sure.” Zelda admitted, frowning.

Impa gave them an unimpressed look. “You didn’t think to check?” 

“I…” Zelda was rather embarrassed but she felt her knees buckle and suddenly her body felt like it was on fire.

“Princess!”

———————————-

Zelda drifted.

“Hey.” Urbosa stopped Zelda with a hand on her shoulder.

The princess looked at Urbosa shakily. “Don’t push yourself too hard. If you get no response, that’s not your fault.”

Zelda looked away. “You don’t believe me.” Urbosa observed, sounding a little sad. "Why don't you believe me, princess?"

"I have to go now, spend as much time and effort I can into fulfilling my duty. We haven't much time left until the Calamity comes and I won't fail my kingdom. So...I'd rather hope it does work instead of focusing on the other outcome." She replied, not answering the question as she glanced up at the mountain.

Urbosa sighed. "Alright, little bird." The gerudo champion hesitated. "Are you sure you don't want any of us to come with you?"

Zelda gave a nod. "I'm sure."

Urbosa gave her a hug. "Remember, I'm here if you need anything.

"Thank you." The princess replied quietly.

"C'mon, let's go already." Revali huffed. "It's not the end of the world. Well, yet anyway."

Urbosa glared daggers at the rito champion but Zelda just nodded and began walking away, Link quickly following her.

The trip was cold. The mountain loomed over her, but she just kept walking. She walked along the path, arms curled up around her, and she wished she had brought a coat. She wanted this to be perfect, though. To meet the goddess's expectations, whatever they were, and gain the last key to defeating Calamity Ganon.

Link quietly wrapped an arm around her and she smiled slightly. "Thank you. I was foolish not to bring a coat. Are you okay in that tunic?" Zelda asked.

The hero gave a nod. Zelda was satisfied with that. When they arrived, she was met with a familiar sight even though she had never been there. It was too similar to the other springs for Zelda to react at all. Link stayed behind as he always did, and kept guard. Not before giving her a worried glance. She took a deep breath and stood in the freezing cold water, making eye contact with the Goddess Statue.

She gave her prayer, trying to mean every word she said. She tried to sound passionate, but she sounded desperate. She finished off her prayer and waited, still keeping eye-contact with that statue. For a minutes, nothing happened. The goddess statue remained still, Zelda felt nothing new. Tears welled up in her eyes.

"What do you want from me?" She choked out. "I've said everything I can, I've done everything I've can. What am I doing wrong?!"

Silence.

"What did my mother and my ancestors do that I'm missing? I've gone to all three springs, prayed and prayed, and yet no response. None of that damn sealing power."

Silence.

"I apologize." She ducked her head, but her voice was bitter. "For interrupting the prayer with my emotions."

Zelda resumed her prayers, kneeling in the water now.

"Goddess Hylia, I pray you use your remarkable generosity and aid our people from the upcoming Calamity, by giving me this sealing power..."

By The Three, this was frustrating.

"I devote myself to this role, fulfilling the prophecy given to us..."

Silence.

"...I devote myself to Your Kingdom, and Your people. I ask for guidance, wisdom, courage, and power..."

Silence.

"If there is anything I must do to earn this, I will do it..."

She felt a tap on her shoulder and saw Link standing there. He hesitated and then pointed outside the spring.

"No, I'm not leaving." Zelda instantly rejected the idea. She still had daytime. She needed to use it.

Link shook his head.

The princess thought for a moment. "A break?"

He nodded.

"I don't know..." Zelda furrowed her eyebrows.

Link's pleading gaze made her falter. "Okay. I'll take a break. Only for a few minutes, though."

The hero led her just outside the spring, and rolled out a blanket. He sat down and she followed in suit. "I haven't heard anything yet." Zelda mumbled.

Link hummed sadly. She sighed. "I don't think I'm going to hear anything, honestly."

That was terrifying to her. Failure.

The destruction of the world could be caused by Zelda not hearing Hylia.

"A few more hours." She murmured, and stood up. "I need to do this."

Link gave a nod and Zelda walked back to the statue, arms at her sides.

The princess prayed. For hours she knelt in that cold water, hoping something would happen. Nothing did.

Frustrated tears fell out of her eyes and she heard soft footsteps approaching her. Link helped her up, and guided her out of the spring. “Link, nothing’s working.” Zelda sobbed.

The hero led her back down the mountain, hand in hers. The princess wiped away her tears before they arrived back down at the gate. The hopeful but worried expressions on the champions faces nearly broke her but she didn’t cry.

———————————————————

When Zelda woke up, she saw light.

Am I still fighting Ganon?

Her arm felt heavy but she raised it up, hoping to contain any malice.

“Hey, hey, it’s okay princess.”

Zelda blinked and suddenly a room came into view. A Sheikah girl was standing by her side. “Oh, you’re awake!”

“She’s awake?!”

That was Link’s voice. She saw him rush over and grab her hand. “Zelda?”

“Link?” Zelda replied, voice almost in a mumble.

The hero smiled and nodded. “How are you feeling, princess?” The Sheikah girl asked.

Zelda shifted where she was, a little confused. “I, uh, feel exhausted.”

“Are you in any pain?” The Sheikah girl questioned, looking concerned.

Zelda paused for a moment and Link gave her hand a light squeeze. “Zelda?”

“Yes.” She answered quietly.

“Okay. I’ll get you some water.” The Sheikah girl left.

Link hummed. “I’m glad you’re awake. It’s easier to tell you’re alive now. That we won.”

It was kind of strange to hear Link talk so freely and casually, but it was nice. “What happened exactly?” Zelda asked.

“Impa asked if we were hurt and then you collapsed suddenly. The Sheikah carried you to Impa’s house and took care of you. I was tended to as well…but you were unconscious, for days. Impa constantly worried but she wouldn’t send for any Hylian medics, not wanting anyone to spread rumours about your return.” Link explained. “Fighting Calamity Ganon took a huge toll on you…” He trailed off.

Was that…guilt in his tone? Did he blame himself for everything?

“Anyway, Impa wanted me to give this to you.” Link pulled out a journal and handed it to her.

She accepted it, with a thanks, and looked at the cover. It was her favourite colour. She smiled softly. Impa still remembered.

“It’s to record your thoughts each day. You know, like a diary? Impa gave me one too.” Link pulled out his own.

It was blue. Almost the colour of his tunic.

The Sheikah girl came back with a glass of water and Zelda took it gratefully. She looked back at the journal and knew she would use it a lot. “If you need anything let me know.” The Sheikah girl murmured and left again.

—————————————————————

“It wasn’t your fault.” Impa said to Link, as the hero looked guilty.

“And it wasn’t your fault either.” Impa turned to Zelda.

The princess gave a nod.

“The one you should blame is Calamity Ganon.” Impa finished.

“Now that I’m better, I want to fix things. I’ll announce my return, and then help rebuild everything.” Zelda informed the Sheikah elder.

“I see. Do what you think would be best.” Impa nodded.

“Link.” Zelda turned to him. “With your duty fulfilled, you can resign and live your own life.”

Link shook his head. “I want to stay with you. I’ve explored Hyrule enough, and I’ve got a house but no one to share it with.”

Zelda was surprised. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.” Link affirmed and knelt.

“Alright then. No need for the formalities. We’re equals now.” She helped Link up. “I want to be friends, at least.”

“Okay.” Link grabbed her hand.

“Ah, young love.” Impa hummed.

“What?!” Zelda blushed furiously while Link looked away.

Impa chuckled as Zelda began sputtering and Link let go of her hand.

[link-eats-rocks]

100 Years Later

100 years. 100 years of work.

Of battle.

Of exhaustion.

Of grief.

But Zelda had never faltered. Thoughts of Link replayed on a never-ending loop in her mind.

She thought of that first night they'd spoken when she first heard his soft, boyish voice, telling her there was no need to apologize. Of course, she'd apologized anyway.

Or their second conversation, where she complimented his cooking, watched his eyes light up, drew him out with questions about his recipes, and listened with rapt attention as he showed her a part of himself that seemed as precious and rare as a dragon scale.

After that icebreaker, each conversation got more personal. He dropped his guard with her. He bore his soul to the only person who could understand having the weight of the world on your shoulders.

And the next thing Zelda knew, in the very final days before The Calamity, she had her first taste of happiness.

She'd held Link in her arms. His big eyes had been fixed on her as she stroked his hair and he gradually sunk from her shoulder to her lap. He'd fought sleep, staring up at her as his eyelids slowly fell shut. The feeling of his soft, silky hair between her fingers and his weight against her, the steady rise and fall of deep breaths as he slept. The delicious ache in her chest had been so overwhelming that Zelda could feel it still, throughout her years of fighting.

She had to hold him in her arms again, and not like the last time. She needed him safe and happy. She needed to regain that sense that she was giving him peace. And so the years were long, but her hope was as bright as the light she was embodying.

When Ganon was gone, and she stood in Hyrule Field, those hundred years felt like nothing but a bad dream, already fading from her memory as she returned to the waking world.

She smiled, amused with herself, not quite convinced she was really here, and her Link was standing before her. She'd had 100 years to think of what she'd say to him first. And yet, with his eyes upon her, Zelda was at a loss for words.

Link looked tired. He was ruffled from battle, but he didn't look to be wounded beyond a few shallow cuts, bruises, and scrapes. His eyes were tired, too; she couldn't read them.

"May I ask..." She took a step towards him. "Do you really remember me?"

He closed the distance and clinched and unclinched his fists as he held her gaze. "You're all I remember."

[rai-knightshade-art]

SHOOT I FORGOT TO POST THIS. NO AESTHETIC SONG LYRICS JUST HAVE BIRD BARD DAD AND HIS KIDS + ZELINK BEFORE TOTK COMES OUT

(alt version below the cut, image ID in Alt text!)

Alternate version with a less atmospheric light:

[authortango]

I wrote a fic called The House That Link Built about his reunion with Zelda after they defeat the Calamity in BOTW. Once link reunites with Zelda after defeating Ganon, the first thing he does is show her their new home in Hateno.

This fic is a long time coming, I've been wanting to write this since my first playthrough of BOTW. This fic includes a little lore from the Champion's Ballad DLC for BOTW, so slight spoiler warning for that. Otherwise, it's just some domestic house-tour fluff while they reminisce over the battle they fought and the people they lost.

Please leave a kudos and a comment about what you think if you read it! I'd love to hear from the community!

[crab-crab]

Link relaxed back against Fish as they both lay in the grass on top of the small mountain at the back of his home in Hateno. His horse had decided she was going to sleep after their return home from the archery camp and who was Link to deny her?

It’s been roughly two months since Link and Zelda finally defeated Ganon and Link’s home in Hateno became more lively as Zelda brought back anything she could find to study. Frogs, Lightning bugs, and all manner of plants had found their way into every inch of the house and Link wouldn’t have it any other way. It’d taken some talking- and Zelda’s stubbornness- before Link was able to bring all of his horses to Hateno and house them in one of the fields not far from his home. 

Zelda has been helping Link learn more about how Hyrule used to be and the moment she mentioned ranches Link knew what he wanted to do. It’s taking a lot of work and Bolson is over often to help with the planning but soon, Link will have his own little ranch.

(He didn’t tell her but, during his journey, Link had happened upon the remnants of what seemed like a small settlement. A crumbling tower, large fenced-in areas, and the foundations of what seemed like a house that a Guardian had made its home in. He’d walked up to the broken sign once the Guardian was dealt with and was almost knocked from his feet by the force of his memory. 

He’d glimpsed bright red hair, a warm laugh that made his eyes water, small hands gripping his, and a gentle hand threading through his hair. His mama was letting them meet one of the foals, the baby nosed at her curiously and his little sister cooed at the foal when it turned to them. He’d held out a hand for the foal to inspect but it only snuffed his hand before trotting off back further into the pasture towards its own mother.)

Link was brought back from his reminiscing by Fish lipping at his hair. He huffed and gently petted her nose and drew an apple from the saddlebags beside him when she kept nudging his hand. With Fish settled, both of them went back to relaxing in the sun and breeze, the quiet sounds of crickets and dragonflies making a calming song that was perfect to nap to.

[gaylactic-fire]

The Curse

Aka Hylia's favourite transmasc gets amnesia and forgets what periods are

[rachelfc-art]

By Your Side

[grimae]

happy Zelda day y'all. Here's the dragons I drew from BotW some years ago because I basically always loved Zelda's dragon designs.

[immortalthings]

I dare you - get me a Hyrule compendium on those things and I'll change my mind.

[verflares]

(click for higher quality!) draconified link concept ive been chipping away at this past week ..... here's my funny little compendium concept for him:

"A heroic spirit has taken the form of this bestial dragon. Unlike it's kin, this creature exhibits an extremely aggressive disposition. It appears highly territorial, and will relentlessly chase down those who disturb its skywide patrols - of which it seems to be endlessly searching for either a long-time vassal or foe. Unfortunately, it seems the spirit within has long since forgotten exactly who it was looking for…"

[asweetprologue]

did you guys know that octoroks appear in every zelda title except Twilight Princess

[the-phantom-peach]

another modern zelink dump because I like them and epona is cute <3

[orphetoon]

since people liked my mitski + totk art im morally obligated to show yall my botw mitski comic

it’s available here, its pwyw with includes a whole total of free if u just want to see it

[fourswordsannotated]