zelinktines

[zelinktines]

A princess on the run, a missing hero, and the sword they share.

imposter syndrome

a @zelinktines story / rated T / during EoW / zelink

cw: language and violence

story beta-read by the amazing @mistresslrigtar

Almost complete!

chapter 28 - “weak spots”

“You can’t have it,” she said.

Phantom flames rippled up her arms as Link drew the sword. There would be no magic barrier to repel any fear in this fight. Nothing to stop the frost spreading out from her middle.

He shifted the bright steel into a defying, two-handed grip.

Null snarled, blazing above them like a blackened sun. “Give it to me!”

Read the rest chapter 28 on ao3!

[zelinktines]

A princess on the run, a missing hero, and the sword they share.

imposter syndrome

a @zelinktines story / rated T / during EoW / zelink

cw: language and violence

story beta-read by the amazing @mistresslrigtar

One chapter left!

chapter 27 - “be together”

“So this is the inside of Null,” Tri said when they were all on the other side of the portal Link had created.

Zelda glanced down at the floor and grimaced. The damp, rubbery surface twitched like a muscle under her boot. Combined with the acrid smell in the air, it reminded her too much of a stomach. It was the perfect home for a world eater.

She didn’t object when Link took the lead.

Read the rest of chapter 27 on Ao3!

[zelinktines]

Peonies (Part II)

♡ Zelinktines 2025 ♡

Zelda gives Link an arrangement of peonies.

Rating: G | Word Count: 1,000 | Fluff

https://archiveofourown.org/works/62894560/chapters/161049289

Classic Zelink | @zelinktines

[zelinktines]

A princess on the run, a missing hero, and the sword they share.

imposter syndrome

a @zelinktines story / rated T / during EoW / zelink

cw: language and violence

story beta-read by the amazing @mistresslrigtar

Updates weekly

chapter 26 “it’s yours” excerpt:

Link’s fingers on her chin gently held her in place as the shockwave ran through her. Her hands fisted at her sides, every nerve in her body blinking awake. She’d never been kissed before. Not like this. Kisses had always been chaste. Ceremonious. Lips pressed against the top of her glove or the high point of her cheek. Never on the lips. Never with such enthusiasm.

Read the rest of chapter 26 on Ao3!

[zelinktines]

One Princess Too Many

Summary:

Tri and Zelda had a theory that Link’s cloak had worked so well as a disguise in part because the castle guards weren’t really looking at her but rather paying attention to her princess attire. When Zelda and Link had realized they were close enough in size to share clothes beyond the cloak, she’d suggested that he should test the theory by walking into the castle as her. Link decided to take the whole challenge seriously. After all, if he was going to infiltrate the castle, he wanted to do it right.

[One Princess Too Many on AO3]

Couldn't resist the urge to write the "Link borrows Zelda's dress" Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom scene that I kind of implied in the previous story. It went with the @zelinktines "Sweet little lies" prompt.

This story takes place sometime after Zelda didn’t want to give the weapons back and the setup for this is mostly in Chapter 5. You don’t need to read that story first, but it’s not *that* long so I hope you do!

The title is to match the “One Guard Too Many” quest in Echoes of Wisdom.

Excerpt:

Tri and Zelda had a theory that Link’s cloak had worked so well as a disguise because the guards paid more attention to clothes than faces, so therefore anyone wearing her princess outfit might be able to get into the castle. And it turns out she and Link wear the same size of clothes…

“You know, you probably don’t need more than the outfit. I mean, the guards got fooled by an imposter guard who’d just borrowed some gear and he didn’t have much training until later.”

Link grinned at her, “But how often do you get to give princess deportment lessons? Please?” He attempted to flutter his eyelashes at Zelda and she laughed. “More seriously, though, I don’t want to end up in the dungeons as a suspected echo and I do want to be successful.”

Zelda tried not to remember his echo or hers and tried to keep the conversation light. “I’d break you out, don’t worry,” she said, hoping he hadn’t noticed her pause. (He probably had.) “But practice sounds fun. Your turn to be the student!”

She started by teaching Link the sort of glide-walk she’d have used for more formal occasions. If he was going to wear her formal regalia it would look natural and familiar to the guards and castle staff.

“Hm, that’s definitely a glide, but I think your stride is too long? And don’t lean over, it makes you look more like you’re stalking something.” She had a brief moment where she imagined him moving like that in the cat outfit and, oh, hm, that was less adorable and more...

Link had absolutely noticed her trailing off and her reddened cheeks. He gestured at her cheeks teasingly, “Where did your brain go?”

“Erm. Outfits!” Quick, she had to distract him before he asked any more questions. “Um. Maybe you should try the dress now? It might help make the right stride length obvious.”

“Yes! Finally!”

The dress was definitely distraction enough. He gave it an experimental twirl, grinning, then trailed his fingers gently over his sides and his hips, feeling the fabric. Zelda suddenly wished she was the one wearing the dress as she watched how gentle he was. She lost herself for a moment, imagining running her own hands down his sides. Imagining those gentle touches running down her body instead. Had she ever worn this dress in front of him? Then he was swaying back and forth, watching how the skirt moved, listening to the swishing noise it made. She swallowed a gulp as he sashayed away from her, moving his hips to see how it felt. Was it narcissistic of her to find this attractive when he looked quite a bit like her from behind? He was so confident the way he was moving, though. Had she ever moved her hips like that? If she did, would she have the same effect on him as he was having on her?

[Read the rest on AO3]

[zelinktines]

A princess on the run, a missing hero, and the sword they share.

imposter syndrome

a @zelinktines story / rated T / during EoW / zelink

cw: language and violence

story beta-read by the amazing @mistresslrigtar

Weekly updates

chapter 25 “divine judgement” excerpt:

“Hey it’s him! It’s Link! We finally found him!” Tri announced eagerly.

Zelda nodded and, without thinking, dropped her hand to rest on the pommel of the sword. Link froze mid-strike and immediately locked eyes with her.

There was no magical barrier to fend off the electricity that hummed across her skin as he took her in. She shivered and did the same. He was disheveled and a little more gaunt than she remembered, but alive. Alive! And, as far as she could tell from a distance, unscathed.

Read the rest of chapter 25 on Ao3!

[zelinktines]

A princess on the run, a missing hero, and the sword they share.

imposter syndrome

a @zelinktines story / rated T / during EoW / zelink

cw: language and violence

story beta-read by the amazing @mistresslrigtar

Updates weekly

chapter 24 “dangerous to go alone” excerpt

The image of her defeating capital “E” evil wearing the cat ears she received in Kakariko was tempting, but only the ring that made her jump higher and a charm that enabled her to hold her breath underwater longer found a home in her pocket. They were the most reliable accessories in the still worlds. She couldn’t imagine the showdown with Null happening on the surface. Whatever awaited her in the Eternal Forest, a rift would be rotting in the center.

Read the rest of chapter 24 on Ao3!

[zelinktines]

Zelda didn’t want to give the weapons back: Chapter 10 (Complete!)

Summary: Summary: Zelda and Link leave Eldin behind, and they spend some time testing her echoes and talking.

For @zelinktines prompt, "Familiar Feeling"

You know, I don’t think you actually need me for the echoes.” Link started. “We should do some experiments, maybe try out of line of sight and different distances. But my gut says you don’t need me any more.”

“Your gut is probably still digesting that rock roast you tried, so that feeling is probably indigestion. But you’re right, experiments would be a good idea.”

[Read the rest of chapter 10][start at the beginning]

I can't believe I actually finished a fiction piece over 10,000 words. Thank you so much to everyone who's reading, and especially to those of you who've left words of encouragement as I struggled to figure out how to finish this. You all helped me so much and it was incredibly motivating to know some people were excited to see the new chapters! This month or so of posting has been so incredibly fun. If you know of another event like zelinktines I should try to do next, please let me know! (Assume I know nothing; I've only been doing this for a couple of months.) And while this is the last chapter I had originally planned, see the end note for what's next.

[zelinktines]

Zelda didn’t want to give the weapons back: Chapter 9, Storytelling

Summary: Zelda learns a lot about Goron magic with Darston as research assistant, and she starts to come up with some new theories about her own magic. Link is absolutely delighted by the “Eldin Death Road of Pain” and hearing more about what Zelda got up to before he joined her.

For @zelinktines 2025 prompt 25: “Surprise Kiss” (is it really a surprise at this point, though? Poor boy got thwarted last time.)

[Read on A03]

Excerpt:

Zelda was glad she’d arranged to meet with Darston first thing in the morning because it gave her an excuse not to dwell on last night. She’d asked the chief the day before about Goron magic history, and it turned out that a lot of Gorons who’d awakened some kind of magic had become chiefs. Unsurprisingly, her studious chief friend had spent an absurd amount of time studying all the stories of chiefs he could get his hands on as he tried to prepare for leadership. So Darston had offered to help her dig up anything that might help. “Honestly Darston, I’m not even sure what I’m looking for. Teleportation and echoes aren’t exactly common magic, maybe none of this applies to me?” “I don’t know, Zelda. You said your first echo this trip was to stop Link from falling?” Dartson mused. “There seem to be a few tales of awakening protection magic in an emergency, maybe they’ll help?” Darston told her some stories, pulled out some slates with historical records and Zelda took notes. She thought about whether the trigger for her magical breakthrough could have been protecting Link rather than some magic resonance between the two of them. That was closer to his theory about adrenaline and it didn’t seem impossible. And if it was like the Goron tales, the magic would stay without needing to be re-triggered. Or maybe it wasn’t any of that and she just had needed time? Or not meditating? Movement? Being out in the world as Impa had suggested? Did it matter now that her echoes were working? Was the feeling she had around Link unrelated to this magic? A different magic? Eventually she stopped thinking about herself and got caught up in learning Goron history, even the parts that were possibly more legends and stories than fact. And it was really nice to talk about leadership and magic and what it was like to step into the role of a chief (or a princess) with Darston. It was so nice to just talk to a friend, to *this* friend, whose thoughts had walked such similar paths to her own.

[Read the rest of Chapter 9 on A03][Start at the beginning]

[zelinktines]

A princess on the run, a missing hero, and the sword they share.

imposter syndrome

a @zelinktines story / rated T / during EoW / zelink

cw: language and violence

story beta-read by the amazing @mistresslrigtar

Final updates weekly!

chapter 23 “guard my door” excerpt:

Was he already floating in some still world, violet-skinned and petrified? Was he even alive?

The thought sent her eyes scanning for the sword. It was propped up against the wall by her wardrobe along with the bow and the Tri Rod (she couldn’t blame whoever removed the weapons from her unconscious body for placing the bombs elsewhere), but its sheath concealed any evidence of blue energy in the blade. Seeing it wouldn't be enough, anyway. Zelda needed to feel the pulse of power under fingers to truly believe he was alright. If their connection through the sword was still intact, it meant Null hadn’t killed him. If he was petrified, she could possibly heal him with Tri’s magic like they’d done the others, but Link needed to be findable for that to work.

Of course, the fate of the world boiled down to the one thing she’d failed to do over and over again. Why couldn’t he come find her?

He already did, she reminded herself. It was her turn. Had been, for a while.

Read the rest of chapter 23 on Ao3! Next update in 1 week!

[zelinktines]

A princess on the run, a missing hero, and the sword they share.

imposter syndrome

a @zelinktines story / rated T / during EoW / zelink

cw: language and violence

story beta-read by the amazing @mistresslrigtar

Updates Saturdays and Wednesdays

chapter 22 “fraud” excerpt:

Her memory went black after that. The next thing she remembered was waking up in her bed. Tri’s lullaby filled in the rest. There was a perfect version of her slowly descending the snow-capped mountains. Null was going to wear her face to steal the Prime Energy right out from underneath them and use it to return the world to darkness.

And it was all her fault.

Read the rest of chapter 22 on ao3!

[zelinktines]

Zelda didn’t want to give the weapons back. Chapter 8: Celebrating

Summary:

Zelda resists the urge to make Link wear a funny outfit. Panic is averted, feelings are not. Link fails at his training plan; Zelda makes only one bed.

[Read Chapter 8 on AO3.]

For @zelinktines 2025 prompt 22: “Fireworks”

Zelda was very tempted to get some petty revenge for the smoothie attack when she pulled out clean outfits for them to wear, but she was tired and she wasn’t sure Link would even be embarrassed to wear any of what she had on hand. Maybe the stamp outfit, but probably only because he hadn’t earned it and he’d probably enjoy hunting for stamps. She should show him the stamp station up here and see if he’d started a card yet. It wasn’t until she was holding out a green tunic to Link that it occurred to her that maybe it was weird that she had clothing that looked pretty much like what he had been wearing earlier. But instead of commenting on that, he said, “What, not the dress?” startling a laugh out of her. “No, I think we should probably look like ourselves for this.” “Nervous?” “Maybe? I’m used to talking to crowds but this story is a lot more personal,” Zelda admitted. “I was going to let you do the talking, but I’ll be right there.” Link stepped closer to her and bumped her shoulder with his. “Let’s stand close so you can nudge me if you need me to talk for a bit, ok? I should be fine since we’re telling a story I already know.” She looked at Link’s face, which was really quite close to hers. Unfortunately, the second thing she noticed was that his expression was definitely not as confident as his words. “You’re nervous about the talking?” Link nodded emphatically, his eyes a little too wide. “I’m not a trained princess!” “See, this is why you can’t wear my dress today.” He laughed and went to put on clean clothes.

[Read the rest of Chapter 8 on AO3.][Start at the beginning.]

[zelinktines]

A princess on the run, a missing hero, and the sword they share.

imposter syndrome

a @zelinktines story / rated T / during EoW / zelink

cw: language and violence

story beta-read by the amazing @mistresslrigtar

Updates Saturdays and Wednesdays

chapter 21 “not a bad thing, until it is.” excerpt:

The sound of the iron doors slamming shut should have made her jump, but instead, her eyes had instinctively lifted to scan the darkened corners of the room for an outline. His outline. Without a final key in her possession, the move was generally reserved for an imposter fight, and in still worlds of greater significance, like this one, it was usually Link’s imposter.

Skies, she was pathetic. Persistent. Even Condé had known when to let it go. Link wasn’t going to answer. According to Lueberry, there were no more Might weapons for a dark version of him to wield against her, unless Null intended to have the imposter come at her with its fists.

Read the rest of chapter 21 on Ao3!

[zelinktines]

Sword Chapter 7: Ascending

Summary:

The whole point of this journey was to avoid panic but that’s not quite how it works out.

[Read Ch 7 on AO3.]

For @zelinktines prompt "Tease." AKA the prompt that saved this fic from being in my drafts forever. This chapter was giving me fits originally where I needed a shift in communication and I kind of love it now and I hope you will too.

Excerpt:

By the time they reached Goron City, they were both covered in dust and squashed ingredients. Link was licking the last of the warm applesauce off his shield. The first Goron they saw practically squeaked, “Zelda! Let me get the chief!” Darston came rolling out before they even made it up the stairs. “Zelda, what’s happening?! Is it bad?” Link started laughing so hard he couldn’t even sign anything. Zelda swiped some dust off her face and tried not to laugh herself, but she couldn’t help the smile. So much for avoiding panic and worry. At least the worry would be short-lived this time. “No, Darston. It’s good. I promise.” Darston looked at her suspiciously. She launched into a short explanation of why they’d come. “But why are you… “ Darston gestured at the dishevelled Hylians. “I was told you’d arrived looking like you’d just had a battle, that’s why I rushed out here.” “Link just has… unorthodox training methods when it came to helping me with my echoes.” Zelda glared at him again and he stuck his tongue out at her.

[Read Ch 7 on AO3.][Start at the beginning.]

[zelinktines]

Faith in You

♡ Zelinktines 2025 ♡

Directly after the events of Four Swords, Zelda has to wonder... what now?

Rating: G | Word Count: 937 | Comfort

Four Swords Zelink | @zelinktines

[zelinktines]

My Voe and Me Chapter Two: A sweet little disguise

Written for zelinktines25 day eight prompt sweet little lies

[zelinktines]

My Voe and Me - Chapter Three: On a bed of flower petals

Written for Zelinktines25 day nine prompt flower petals