Dancing in the Dark
!Link Hyrule Castle      

How disappointing.

As Zelda and I waltzed around the ballroom, I couldn't help but shift my eyes through the crowd in search of Y/N. It was too difficult to keep track of her while Zelda demanded my utmost attention. Not before long, I was quickly whisked away for another dance, this time by Riju. Then in succession by Purah and the incredibly meek Paya. Hylia, it felt as though I may never dance with Y/N! Even Sidon requested a few spins on the dance floor.

I hope I managed to contain my annoyance.

After Yunobo belly -flopped me into an unsuspecting group of guests, I realized Y/N was no where to be found.

I decided to check outside. My enthusiasm hidden close to my chest. 

My hands were yearning to find a place around her waist. To feel the soft curve of her body in between my palms.

But this would be short- lived.

As soon as the forces of our bodies joined together, the power went out.

I may not have gotten to dance with Y/N or tell her about my discovery in the castle's library, but my nose still tingles at the scent of her hair, which was reminiscent of the fresh dairies that littered the fields outside of the Shrine of Resurrection.

Everything about her existence pulls at a memory shrouded somewhere deep inside of me.

I just wonder: if I show her all the versions of me, which one will she choose?

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

You had to look away.

You thought for a moment that you felt faint. The cluttered bodies of humans and swirls of sweat in the air made you light-headed. The Shiekah dress you decided to wear was thankfully light. The Shiekah weren't fashionable people, as they tended to value practicality over appearance. Your dress was cinched at the waist by a wide obi belt that displayed a beautiful pop of lush red peony on your otherwise drab canvas of attire. You thought maybe loosening the belt would help you breathe better.

As you stuck your fingers in your belt, pulling it away from your waist, you peaked up beneath your lashes. Zelda and her silky tresses whipped around the dancefloor, with a quick-footed Link leading the waltz. It had nothing to do with the belt or the crowded room and everything to do with your feelings.

Whatever they may be.

You made a break for the ballroom door toward the castle gardens.

You barged into the night, where the only visible dancing would be the evening breeze swaying with the lonely hordes of courtyard gillyflowers.

❤️❤️❤️

Once outside, you felt your breath flow steadily as you exhaled in relief. Droplets of sweat were hidden in your hairline, and the cool caress of the wind seemed to keep them from falling onto your face.

From a young age, you found yourself battling with outbursts of anxiety. When the episodes felt particularly intolerable, you would concentrate on your surroundings to distract yourself. You looked around the courtyard garden to see gillyflowers bunched together. Their shades of lavender commended the violet- petaled partners they were planted with. Boxwood shrubs were cut with pristine hedges that led straight to a fanciful fountain. You studied the immaculate symmetry with which the hedges were clipped, deciding their gardener was well deserving of a raise.

Beyond the fountain were dogwood trees that accentuated the splendor of the garden. You were surprised, as you expected a royal garden to be cunning, with long stalks of shrubbery that formed mazes. This garden was linear, as if Zelda herself created it so you could go sulk within its vexing harmony.

Truthfully, you weren't sure why you were feeling the way you were. Did it even have anything to do with Link? Or the fact that his body was attached to the soul of the hero you worshipped. The hero Zelda has probably married many times before.

Why can't it be different this time around?

You made your way towards the fountain, only to hear the bushes rustle beside you. Voices peaked through the quiet serenity of the garden. You stood still, trying to gauge where the voices were coming from, only to hear a yell.

"AH! Please!"

The trauma from your recent attack made you react. You slid on your knees and hid behind a nearby bush. You pushed some of the branches of the bush away so your eyes could assess the source of the yell. Until a loud thud made you leap backward, your hand on your chest.

"Pl-please. Queen Zelda invited me to the ball also!" The voice sounded feeble. Powerless. Its battered edge made you ache for what you were witnessing.

"Why would the queen invite a freak like you?" You moved close to your bush, resuming your spying stance. Through a sparse hole in the bush, you saw a man lying on the ground. You didn't recognize him. The color of his skin was tinted slightly blue, like the veins peeking through the flesh of a human. He looked rather unwell. He also had an elongated, deep forehead that made his skull shape look rather oblong.

You held your breath. Were they going to rob him? What if these were your attackers? You took a quick glimpse at the two men standing over the victim. They didn't have Boko clubs on them. If they were attackers, wouldn't they have used the same method they used on you? Why would they humor him with this torture?

You heard the man screech as you saw a stone hit his face. One of the boys started to laugh. It made your blood boil. "Like the Queen would invite you. Maybe if she wanted to scare her guests away early."

They both shared another laugh as the man lay on the marble of the courtyard ground. He held his arm to shield his face but made no attempt to run. Then the boys both started stoning him with more pebbles. The sound of the man's cry wrenched your heart like a rag being wrung out.

"Hey, did you know Kilton has 'kill' in it?"

The other boy gave a cocky laugh. "Hey, if his mom didn't abort him, maybe we should do her the favor."

Then you saw one of the boys lift a rock the size of an orange. Were they going to stone this poor man to death before your eyes? The man's eyes were glazed over with fear and something else unrecognizable.

Defeat? Shame? The public ignominy he was enduring was certainly humiliating. But you couldn't place the look in his eyes.

"Now, now, Kilton, don't cry. We are just going to fix your face with a little surgery. Er- not that your face can be fixed." Both of the boys gave another wicked laugh; the sound of it grated on your ears. You began to frantically survey what was around you. This was an immaculate garden; you wouldn't have a weapon to use. Your eyes fell down towards a large stick beneath your shrub.

I can't watch this. I won't watch this.

You watched the one boy lift the rock over his head, his pitcher pose readying him for a direct hit to the man known as Kilton's skull.

You leapt forward in rage. "YOU ASSHOLES!"

You knocked the boy's wrist with the branch, and the rock fell from his grip. You skidded down in front of the man. You could feel the gritty dirt and marble soiling your dress. You knew Jerrin would have your head. Although, in a twisted way you knew it would also make her proud. "Are you alright, sir?" He stared at you blankly, not speaking. You knew he was probably in shock.

The other boy picked up the rock. "Bitch! This isn't your business. Get going or else!"

"Or else what?" A voice sliced through the animosity in the air. Link walked forward, standing in front of you and Kilton. "What is the meaning of this?"

The boys clammed up at the sight of Link in his royal guard outfit. His eyes were blue embers of fury.

"Link, these boys were stoning this man here." You observed Kilton's head. You saw little splatters of blood from where they cast their stones on his flesh. "He needs treatment."

Link's eyes grazed over Kilton. The silence of his temper was frightening, and you weren't even sure it was Link for a moment. "You dare do this to the Queen? You behave like this at the coronation ball of our queen?"

Two other guards moved forward from behind you and Kilton. "Arrest them for assault." Link ordered through a chilled tone.

"B-But how can you ignore Kilton! He sells voodoo! Do you think goddess Hylia would want a man selling voodoo to be around the Queen!"

Blood spit through the boy's mouth as Link whipped his hand across his face.

You stared, stunned. Beside you, Kilton stood up. "W-wait, you're wounded!" As he began to walk away, you followed him. "Please, let's treat your wounds!"

He kept his back to you. "You're a kind girl. Since you helped me, I feel it is only right that I help you." Something in his voice shifted, and you found your skin raised in bumps. "A great evil is about to befall Hyrule. Leave before you are decimated with the rest."

Before you could process the harrowing warning, he walked off. Link appeared behind you.

"Y/N? Are you alright?" You turned to see his hand out in wait for your own.

"I understand if you're not up to it, but I did save you twice now... I think that means you owe me that dance." You looked at Link; the widest smile was slathered on his face. This wasn't the smile of royal duty and regal demand.

It was his real smile.

And your body responded accordingly.

You were saving money for a house, but you had to admit you felt quite at home in Link's arms.

The thick fabric of your belt couldn't block the heat that came from his hands on your waist. You may have had gripes with his height, but you actually found you were perfectly eye-to-eye. The sensation of being level with him created an intimacy you weren't ready for. You wondered why he didn't take you back inside to dance. Your mood elevated at the idea he wanted to have you alone. I must tell him about what Kilton said.

Until you remembered his minor insult.

You stopped abruptly before him. "Hold on! Saved me twice? You saved me once."

Link guided your waist back into the soft, swaying rhythm you both created together. A gentle chuckle tickled your eardrum. "I see. So, you were going to defeat those boys with that stick, huh?"

"When did you get a sense of humor?"

Link didn't answer for a moment. "I've always had one Y/N. I'm so much more than a royal knight. If you'd like, I could show-"

Screams erupted from inside the ballroom as darkness engulfed the entire castle.

"The Queen!" Link stopped; he beheld you with disconcerted sorrow.

"Y/N, I-"

"Just go." You whispered, gently pushing him off of you. You watched a blur of his body run by you into the ballroom.

Go to the Queen, because that's who you belong to.

Because that's who you've always belonged to.

The desertion in your heart sapped away all lingering thoughts of Kilton's cryptic parting. You walked towards the fountain, where the darkness whispered cruel little things in your mind.

Edited: 6/17/23