This was a fantastic story. I’m so thankful that this evolved past a one-shot because this is just so good. I love their nighttime meetings and how they begin so casually, with Zelda mentioning that Link can find her at the same place every night. You know, if he WANTS to lol. But then over time they both come to look forward to these meetings, as well as rely on them. The two of them have such a good dynamic. Link feels like Zelda is the only one he can talk to about Midna and the Twilight Invasion, because honestly, she’s the only other person who knows exactly what he went through. They are just so perfect for each other.

And I love the way you handled the political situation too. Zelda has a lot of responsibilities weighing on her and she fears the thought of Link getting pulled into something he doesn’t deserve. Something that will taint him like it has tainted her. But I love that Link tells Zelda not to play the politics game with him. He just wants her to be open and herself and she promises to try her best before things develop into a lovely friendship.

I also love the way you’ve characterized them. Link is so friendly and good natured and I love that he eventually gets into the political game simply by doing favors for other lands. He proved that not all politics have to be conniving and backstabbing. He’s going about it the right way and it’s really admirable. And I love that you point out that children are his “weakness” and we even see that he brings Colin to the coronation as his guest. That’s such a kind and wholesome thing for him to do. And it’s so sweet when Link says that he looks up to Rusl and sees his relationship with Uli as the “fairy tale” romance that he’d love to share with someone someday. He’s such a wholesome romantic lol.

And the way you’ve characterized Zelda is so fascinating here. It was shocking hearing that she cursed the Goddess upon receiving her mark of the Triforce, but it was also understandable considering how cruelly ironic it was. But it’s good to hear that she grew out of that dark way of thinking and matured and focused on restoring peace as she was always meant to. It really makes her a well-developed character. Still, she carries plenty of tragedy with her. She sees herself as cold and callous and barely ever allows her walls to come down. I feel so bad for her. That she prioritizes duty far over her own wellbeing. That she even feels the need to push Link away and protect him from her world of heartless politics. Link is clearly her only friend in that hellhole of a situation, but she’s too afraid to admit it, thinking that being with her will only make him worse off. It’s so heartbreaking.

Still, it made for such good drama between them. Link understandably gets upset because she won’t let him help her and practically denies their friendship, even going so far as to call him a “weakness”. I felt so bad for both of them in that moment, because Zelda clearly didn’t want to hurt him, but they both hurt all the same. They go on to spend some time apart, but it was clearly good for them. It gave them time to realize what they really wanted and how much they were willing to fight for it. And I love that Link went to Uli for help and she just encouraged him to become Zelda’s strength. That was such amazing advice.

Thankfully, they find a way around all of the obstacles and Zelda finally lets the walls down to admit that she loves him as much as loves her. That final scene on the roof was just wonderful. I especially love when Zelda admitted that she felt unworthy of Link, but he reminds her of her virtues. They’re so good for each other. And then we even flash forward into the future where Zelda gives a heartwarming speech at their wedding, and Link just knows that this was her way of showing that she truly loves him. Beautiful. Just beautiful.

Aside from that, there were like, a thousand small moments that I adored, but I’ll just name the ones I remember lol. Link and Zelda using silence as a means of learning more about others. Of course Zelda goes with the more morbid approach of saying it’s like letting others hang themselves lol. Link and Zelda revealing that they wake up with night terrors, but she believes that some good can come out of such things. Zelda thinking that Link had betrayed her by speaking ill of her behind her back and even saying it might be better if he didn’t come to the castle anymore. It showed that she was still so guarded around him but thankfully Link made everything right by supporting her. I also love the letter from the random citizen to Zelda. It was so nice to see how much of an impact Link’s words had on her subjects, and it’s so uplifting to see her be genuinely loved by her people (it just makes me feel happy). When Link beats up Lord Torrin and feels guilty about telling Zelda, but she just genuinely laughs. Zelda feeling nervous about meeting suitors and potentially getting married, but she takes such great comfort in Link’s presence. And the way he gently holds her hand in this moment is just so sweet! Link making a lame “I’m Link to everyone joke”, and of course, Zelda is openly disappointed but Link is just happy to have made her smile. Link kissing Zelda out of anger before parting ways. Such an unexpected move to show her just how much he truly cares about her. Link proposing with the Ocarina. Zelda blaming her tears on the ice melting (such good symbolism!) And last but not least, Zelda hugging Uli and thanking her for encouraging Link not to give up.

I’m just so glad that they get to have their happy ever after, even if Link points out that it’s not perfect. Simply being together is enough for them, and it’s enough for me too :) Thank you so much for writing this. It truly was incredible!

this was some good stuff

link my boy i feel you made a terrible mistake

What a truly great story!

You may not be using this account anymore, but I really want to say this was an incredible read. Most of the fanfiction I've read has been not very well written, or has ended with the author not finishing it. Neither of these were the case for this story, so I really have to thank you. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I hope you're staying safe during the pandemic. And again, thank you!

Thank you- link jokes were n founding

This Link is really pushing isn’t he? Seems like he does the exact opposite of what Zelda had asked of him.

This is an emotional rollercoaster for me. How will it end? Mhmmm...

I generally dislike first person stories, but this seems nice.

Y'know...

The problem I always seem to run into with the 'navigating a political minefield' trope in postgame Zelda fanfics is that the reader is generally aware that Link is born as the chosen of Farore to wield the Triforce of Courage and the Sword of Evil's Bane. Credentials in hand, he sets off to save the kingdom and all its inhabitants. Upon returning home victorious, beloved of all and falling in love with the princess, however, he learns that he's... just not noble enough to merit her hand.

The reader is then tasked with attempting to buy in to the idea that - inexplicably - one can actually somehow be MORE highborn than literally being marked as chosen by one of his people's deities.

That's exactly the kind of backstory monarchs are SUPPOSED to have; chosen by God (Nayru, for instance) to guard the sacred relic (the Triforce of Wisdom, for instance) and lead the country (Hyrule, for instance) to a bright, peaceful future... et cetera.

It's a time-tested literary device, really, and it works very well in most fictional universes. The star-crossed affair of royalty and peasantry. It's hard to get more romantic than that.

The problem is that, in the case of the Zelda series, the source material hands the reader the hero's bona fides on a silver platter. Anything running counter to that simply feels like a flimsy plot convenience. A normally-compelling dramatic point ends up seeming... manufactured. Forced.

It just doesn't pass the smell test.

I’m not sure if you’re still reading reviews on this but if you are, this story is one of my favorites to read! And not just here on FanFiction but over other books, TV shows and movies as well. The emotion and character development was incredible and gets me every time I read it. The storyline was amazing and I love how you incorporated the characters from the game so well. I’m sucker for the Zelda and Link romance and your story gets me every time. Thank you for your hard work and dedication on writing this for us. I hope your endeavors now and in the future go well for you!

PS: Thank you for letting Link punch Torrin in the epilogue

Oh man, I'm going to actively try not to ramble, but it'll probably happen so brace yourself.

I can't take it anymore. I have to review. This is not the first time I've read this, but good Lord, it never loses its charm no matter how many times I read it. And by charm I mean, the DRAMA, the FEELINGS, the SPICE, and my personal favorite, the POLITICAL INTRIGUE! No really, the political stage in this felt palpable, consequential while streamlined and engaging. That, seriously, is not easy to do. It can be one of the most dragging and exhaustive parts of a story that involves government affairs, but like I said, it's just the right touch of character interaction and explanation.

I'm one of those people that enjoys the build-up more than the climax and tends to skip to the falling action when I know the story. But just the longing as well as resolve characterizing both of the characters are so fascinating, it's hard to see it as anything other but the brightest gem in this story. Not to mention, these are some of the most believable characterizations of a happy ending TP Link and Zelda, one with a spark that many really seem to lack or fail to understand the nuances of.

I think my only criticism would be the resolution portion. As genius as Link's machinations and Auru's I-know-exactly-what's-happing moments were, I can't ignore that the final confrontation and confession between Link and Zelda feel a little stiff, if not cliche. Of course, it's a romance plot, there HAS to be a cliche somewhere if not everywhere. I really don't see this as a big issue. It only felt a little abrupt and frankly, I wouldn't know how to end it either if you asked me.

This story will always stand out in my mind as some of the few Legend of Zelda stories that I hold as the standard for all the rest. Great work; I wish you the best in all of your future ones!

tl;dr Yes, I adore your story; take my love dammit.

A wonderful, heartwarming tale of a love that could never be. This story I remember reading quite a few years ago, and still it holds a power over me that I can't quite explain. I can see the hard work, as well as the amount blood, sweat, and tears that went into this tale. Especially the tears. Your story will go on inspiring me, as I work tooth and nail to write mine.

From
A reader turned writer, with the help of your work.

Wonderful.

This is nice! Ended it with a smile on my face. Thank you for sharing :)