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Her screaming rattled the mountain. Rocks came loose and crashed into the waves below. And Link sucked in a sharp breath before rushing back into the cave, dropping his fishing pole and satchel along the way.
He held both hands out in front of him, slowing his pace as he came closer to the shuddering mess of dishevelled hair and scales.
“Hey, shhh, it's alright. I'm here, I'm back.” Link placed a hand upon a claw. Eyes illuminated the dark cave, and stared wide eyed at him with tears shimmering.
Why leave? Hate me? Why did you leave? A heart aching cry echoed through the den, shaking the walls. Her strained voice echoing in Link's head. He bit the inside of his cheek to hold his laughter, and to quell the small ache that settled in his own heart.
“Prince Sidon wanted to take me fishing.” He spoke softly, sitting down on the moss bed, his hand began to gently caress the unkempt hair. “I wanted to surprise you with lots of fish. I didn't know you would wake up early, I'm sorry.”
The dragon rumbled, though her interest piqued when Link said the word ‘fish’. She let out a small whine and shimmied closer to her treasure. Link huffed, and nuzzled his face into the underside of her chin as she drew close.
Ever since Link had found Zelda, she had slowly been regaining her humanity. Her form was still torn and mixed between dragon and human, standing several heads taller than him and having emotions so severe that Link could hardly keep up.
She was confused, scared, and never wanted to be alone. Zelda would hold onto Link whenever she could, and when she did detach herself from him--it was to hunt nearby farmlands for sheep to feed him, which she did not need to do! Link spent years taking care of himself, thank you very much!
Malice and gloom seeped so deep into her being, Link feared she would lose limbs. But her awakened dragon blood and Hylia-blessed spirit made her strong enough to heal most of the grotesque damage. All she was left with were open wounds which refused to close until after a year of having them..
And now all that remained of the malice was angry dark red scars that Link would cover with his shirts. He once tried wrapping them with ordinary cloth, but Zelda would insist on Link's clothing. He used his clothing at first due to having nothing else, but now Zelda refused to use anything else. She would bite at her scars if he didn't cover them, so Link had to buy new shirts in order to keep her wounds closed for good. An incredibly small price to pay, Link thought.
The princess, turned into a dragon, then turned into…Whatever Zelda was now, had acted cautious in the first few days of regaining her humanity. She would flick her tail and gnash on bone, leaving a few gaping wounds on her former knight. Recollecting a handful of memories took a month, but Link persevered in keeping Zelda hidden and safe.
Zelda had felt awful and sobbed once she gained memories of Link. Recognition gleamed in her eye and she healed Link immediately with her tears and spit. He calmed her wailing and comforted her, half dazed and fully bewildered. He sang her lullabies and told her stories, sitting in the palms of her clawed hands, until she fell asleep.
And fall asleep she did.
Link had gathered supplies and created a small living area in the cave Zelda claimed as her den. It took four months until the dragon roused again, and Link found himself sitting back in her open palms, her eyes glued to him as if he would disappear at any moment. He spoke of his small adventure during her slumber, then they began planning for what was to come.
Zelda had been determined to reclaim power and control of her kingdom, and Link very gently told her of what had become of it. She curled in on herself, unbelieving how many years had come to pass. Once she did finally grasp the truth, her mind had regressed slightly and fell into her dragon-like instinct once more. Link decided for the both of them to simply exist and stay safe for now. Years from that night, they have been living harmoniously.
During those years, Link would help Zelda regain her memories slowly, and her humanity even slower. She would gain clarity and remember certain events, then would revert back to basic instincts again. Thankfully, now that she held specific memories of Link, his status had permanently changed to her treasure; which meant no more of Link having to keep various fairies on hand just in case Zelda managed to kill him again .
And now, Zelda had woken up from another long bout of rest, this time was only two months--much shorter than her last rest which was eight months.
(Link had worried, but Purah had informed him that it was probably due to Zelda's current form. “It's unstable, Linky. We're working overtime to try to figure out a way to turn her back, don't you worry!” )
But how could Link not worry. Zelda had been making amazing progress, but since her eight month rest--She reverted back to her first two months of being bipedal, and has not made much progress in returning to her previous state. He sighed, waving all those thoughts away. Zelda will get better, he's sure of it…
He wished Rauru was here to guide him again.
“I want to get you as much fish as I can today, is that okay?” Link pressed his cheek against her jaw, and he could hear the soft rumble of a purr.
I like fish…Want to come. Help hunt. I can help hunt.
Link pulled away and patted at the fur that lined her collarbones. “No, you'll scare away all the fish if you do. We tried, you just aren't built for the water.”
Zelda's purring turned into a low grumble, her arms coming to gently wrap around Link. Stay, you hunt later. Still have plenty of fruit and meat here.
Her treasure laughed and wriggled out from her embrace, “I won't be long. I promise.” He gave a soft and serene smile to Zelda, and the dragon flattened herself to the floor, face infront of Link. Her eyes were questioning, trying to read any slight movement, trying to find a lying bone in Link's body.
She gave a small nip when she found only the truth.
Armour Porgy. And Salmon… She grumbled, then a blink and flush of cheeks. Pleases and thanks yous.
“Of course, of course.” Link laughed softly, giving Zelda a light pat on her scaled nose. “Stay inside okay? I don't want you running into any poachers or Yiga.”
Yigs… Her pupils turned to slits, claws scraping the rock underneath, Can eat or burn them. Can fight. Will win! Easily.
Link sighed heavily. “I know, but I'd rather you avoid fighting all together. What if something happens to you?”
Poachers; scum who search for mythical and grand creatures to tear apart and sell, with no remorse or care. Dragon organs; the heart, intestines, the glans, the scales: all so incredibly valuable. But dragon tears, much like mermaid tears, fetch the prettiest price of all, and men who sell dragon tears use methods far beyond cruel to get those tears.
And then the Yiga…
Link's jaw stiffened as memories surfaced. He crushed them quickly at Zelda's inquisitive purring and small nudging.
Will win and protect treasure, Zelda chirped and nuzzled Link's torso.
Link gave her a small kiss on her nose. “Stay here. At home. You can protect your treasures here.”
Zelda chirped again, happy for the kiss and excited for the fish. Very well. Will stay. And wait for fishes, pleases many fishes.
Link nodded along as Zelda now ushered him out of the den, excited for fish. She repeated her ‘pleases and thanks yous’ as she hurried him out. Her former knight cackled before scurrying out from the vines that hid the mouth of their den.
The Prince stood, hands clasped, nervously. His demeanour changed rapidly as he spotted Link emerge. His mouth split into a grin and he waved enthusiastically while Link ran down the hill close to the cliffside.
“Sorry to keep you waiting!” Link called, readjusting the quickly thrown on shoulder bag.
Sidon shook his head, “No, no! Do not apologise, friend! I'm glad the Princess is feeling good enough to let you come.”
“Only because I promised her fish.” Link made a face which in turn made Sidon laugh loudly.
“I'm overjoyed that she is awake and happy to eat, then!” Sidon took Link's bag wordlessly, and the hylian made a noise of protest yet did not stop the Prince from taking it. “Come! Let us find a fish big enough to quell the princess' appetite!”