Chapter 35: Epilogue- Two Years Later

"Link… open your eyes."

Link blinked away the sleep from his eyes, seeing bright light blinding his vision almost immediately. A dark shadow passed the light, darkening everything until all he could see was a dark blob, still blurry from his tired eyes.

But he could feel her warm flesh against his. She started to push his shoulder, urging him to wake up.

"Wake up, Link. It's a big day."

"It happens every year. Go back to sleep," he mumbled, turning over and wrapping his arm around her, pinning her below him.

"No!" she protested with a giggle as she found herself trapped on the mattress, her arms smushed against Link's bare chest.

Zelda tried to squirm away, but Link held her tighter, a small grin spreading on his face, waking up much to his displeasure.

"They're going to hate us, Link," she tried. "Do you remember last year? We were so late."

"You know, I thought last night felt familiar. If I recall though, neither of us really wanted to go to this last year."

Zelda sighed, finally relenting and relaxing into his arms. "Well, this year is different. Sort of. I mean, it really isn't, but we need to be there. We're important people, remember?"

Link groaned. "This day is literally about us. Can't they at least let us sleep in? Just another few minutes."

"To think, there was a time when I couldn't get you to sleep! Awake all night outside my door, awake in the woods, awake for days! Now, you just want to sleep when it's time to get up."

She lightly pounded his chest, but she put no real effort into her escape this time. She was far too content.

"Retirement, Princess. I was meant for it."

"Oh please, 'retirement!' You have to be there earlier than me because you're not out of a job… yet. You really do have to get up or that might be your fate."

"I know," he muttered, releasing his hold on her.

Zelda rolled over him and grabbed her robe, one she'd retrieved from the ruins of her room at the castle and slipped into it.

"It's already colder out," she noted as she grabbed the dress she'd laid out the night before.

"More reason to stay in bed," Link grumbled.

"You'd better be in uniform when I come back up here," she threatened with a roll of her eyes. She headed down the stairs of Link's… or rather, their home in Hateno.

It took Zelda some time to change into her formal dress, one that she only wore on special occasions. It was one of the other items she'd managed to salvage from her room at the castle. It was blue and white with gold trim, formal, heavy, but not unfamiliar.

Changing into it brought back old memories. A time when she stood with the Champion's of Hyrule, a time of Calamity. When the people she loved died and there was nothing she could do about it.

But that time had passed.

She went into the alcove under the stairs to grab a circlet from a box that had been neatly tucked away. She was no Princess anymore, and there was no need for such extravagance. Unless it was the anniversary of the day the Calamity had been banished from Hyrule.

Zelda placed it securely in her hair before looking back at the box. She pulled a journal from under the fold and brushed it off before holding it tightly against her chest. She flipped through the pages until she found the one she'd read the most, evidenced by the wear that kept the page open without her needing to hold it.

"I have been told my Zelda went to the Spring of Wisdom... This will likely be her last chance. If she is unable to awaken her power at Lanayru, all hope is truly lost. If she comes back without success, then I shall speak kindly with her. Scolding is pointless now. I forced 10 years of training on her... and after all that, it seems her power will stubbornly awaken some other way. Perhaps I should encourage her to keep researching her beloved relics. They may just lead her to answers I can't provide. For now, I sit anxiously, more a father than a king in this moment. I sit and await my daughter's return."

She closed the book again, needing only to read his words once to feel her father's presence. Opening the box, she could see his blue cloak that they'd found in the remains of his room sitting atop some of his other possessions. She'd found a few things of her mother's, her father's and some relics. There was an ancient lyre that was said to belong to the Goddess herself.

Hyrule Castle itself was a memory. The castle had been demolished in a sign of symbolism and expansion. In the two years since the Calamity, Castle Town… or rather Market Town, as it had been renamed, had become a hub of safety and a sign of growth for the kingdom. Before the first year had even come to a close, the town was full and the streets were crowded. The castle had been salvaged for stone already, and cleanup had taken the entirety of the next year, but finally, homes and memorials lined the grounds where the castle had once stood. There was a new museum devoted entirely to preserve many of the royal artifacts and put them on display.

Zelda had gone several times to see it. The names of as many people as possible who'd died in the family had been recorded. Scholars made an effort to find the families of survivors, to gather a new history that could be recorded in peace. As strange as it was to see that her old home was no longer there, it brought her peace in knowing that it was time to move forward.

Today was the final piece. The Reconstruction Company, Bolson and Mutoh's co-led company for larger projects, had been working tirelessly to meet their deadline, and the last of the homes were finished in time for the anniversary.

Zelda opened the door, letting some of the brisk air into the house as she leaned against the doorframe and crossed her arms.

Link came down the stairs moments later and eyed the circlet on her head. "You found it?"

"It was at the top of the box."

"Really? I could have sworn I put it somewhere else."

Zelda chuckled. "You just don't want to admit that you couldn't find it yesterday and it was in plain sight."

"I'll never admit that," he laughed, circling his arms around her. She leaned back against him and closed her eyes.

"It feels like it was so long ago. When I close my eyes, I can sometimes remember Ganon, but mostly I just feel a chill and a strain from holding him in the Sacred Realm for so long. It's like a dream. But then, I can remember seeing Vah Medoh falling from the sky, or your arms around me in the rain. I can remember waking up and you were someone who didn't remember me. I remember the strangest moments with such clarity."

Link tightened his arms and kissed her hair. "I had a dream last night and I saw something I've never seen. I think it was another memory. We were riding through the field on Epona and Storm, wind rushing and laughing."

"We've done that plenty of times," Zelda said, trying to thing back 102 years ago.

"I didn't have the scar on my face, we had different horses, and…" she could feel him chuckling and turned around. He was biting back a grin and ran his hand across her cheek and then placed his finger above the bridge of her nose. "You didn't have all these worry lines on your face."

Zelda's eyes widened and her mouth dropped. Link held in his laughter as her face contorted and she too was fighting back a grin.

"Lines? Lines on my face? I am nineteen years old, Link, I do not have lines on my face! Take it back!"

Link grabbed her hand and hurried down the steps, leading her to the stable where Cloud and Catherine stayed. "You're right. The only one of use with a line on their face is me."

Zelda rolled her eyes, looking at the long scar from two years ago. It had faded, but like his other scars, it hadn't disappeared. "That's not funny. Though I think I can see a grey hair near your ear, so maybe we are even."

"Grey hair?" he asked, scoffing. He quickly readied Catherine while Zelda handled Cloud.

Zelda grinned. They both knew they could poke fun at each other without hurting the other's feelings. For Zelda, sometimes it reminded her that Hyrule was peaceful enough that she could enjoy the small moments, moments when she didn't have the fate of the kingdom in her hands. She could just be a young girl who was in love with her best friend.

She ran a hand through her hair and turned to Link. "I was thinking of cutting mine."

"Your hair? Any reason why?"

She thought for a minute. "I think… it's a fresh start. I'll be twenty and have a new beginning to everything. It'll be a better decade. A happy one."

Link leaned on Catherine as he peered over at Zelda. "Does that mean you'll finally answer me? You know, the question you won't let me ask."

Zelda smiled smugly. "When I'm twenty."

Link watched her as she climbed onto Cloud's saddle with a wistful look on his face. He'd wait. Of course he'd wait. "You'll look beautiful with short hair."

Zelda chuckled. "I don't know how short yet. Maybe I'll go shorter than yours."

Link hopped onto Catherine, adjusting his guard's uniform when he'd settled. "You'll give Paya a heart attack. I say do it."

"Poor Paya. I'll tell her you said that."

They rode out of Hateno together in silence, careful to avoid any of the other early travelers. Everyone went to Market Town to celebrate the anniversary. Link nodded to one of the guards on patrol, pleased to see that they were actually on time this year.

It was a long ride, and the sun had only just begun to peek over the horizon when they'd woken up. By the time they'd finally reached Kakariko, it was already brightly lighting their way.

Zelda dismounted, knowing that she didn't have long before they had to keep going. She hurried into Impa's house and opened the door.

Paya was sitting on the floor with Purah, Symin, and Jerrin. They were hovering over several documents and an open book that they were sharing between them. At the sound of the door opening, all three heads turned.

Paya was the first to her feet and ran to greet Zelda with a hug.

"Aunt Purah declined."

Zelda turned her head to the older woman. She was not a child anymore, nor was she a teen, but she also was not nearly as old as she should have been. She shrugged, uncaring.

"My place is in a lab, not as village elder. I told my sister that years ago. I would not be the one to replace her."

Link moved up beside her, his head tilting to read the book. Zelda took Paya's hand. "How is Impa?"

Paya shrugged. "She's getting old. I'd let you visit her, but she's asleep and I know you have to get to Market Town early."

"Are you coming?"

"Later on I am."

Purah helped Jerrin off the floor. "We're going to let Mellie know that she's the next oldest non-warrior in Kakariko. She'll be the next village elder if she's willing."

"Jerrin!" Zelda called before the two could leave. "How's Granté? Is he back yet?"

Jerrin crossed her arms and nodded. "He didn't even come visit. He and Lasli just went right to Market Town. What does it matter, being a mother? I only raised him, and he can't bother to come visit me to tell me anything about his new life as a married man."

Zelda chuckled, though she tried to hide it for Jerrin's sake. "I'm sure he can't wait to see you."

Jerrin sighed and went to catch up with Purah outside.

Paya moved beside Zelda, watching the two women leave with Symin scurrying after them. "You know," Paya started after they were all out of earshot, "Aunt Purah is planning to move with Symin to the Akkala Lab. She and Jerrin are planning some sort of research. They wouldn't say what."

Zelda watched with suspicion as the two women whispered amongst themselves. "Link? Do you know anything?"

"I don't know," he muttered. "Maybe. They were seen gathering spare parts from decaying Guardians out in Hyrule Field recently."

"Spare parts?" Zelda hurried out the door. "Purah, wait!" When she caught up to them, her face darkened. "Spare parts. You can't be serious. Don't you dare try to bring a Guardian back online, Purah. Please. The council already authorized the Guardian's reburial."

"I wasn't going to," Purah said with such a straight face that she was almost believable.

"Please… by the Goddess, don't. They were a good intention that was corrupted. They killed our people. It was a massacre. You remember it. Don't restart them."

"I won't."

"I hate that I have to trust you," Zelda mumbled, turning back to Catherine and Cloud. "There was once a time I trusted you with everything I am. If you do this, I'll never trust you again."

Purah just nodded, the same bleak face as she'd had before. "I know that."

Zelda took a breath and turned back for the horses, waiting for Link to follow her. She nodded at Paya, a goodbye for now, and she and Link continued on.

They moved lithely around the meandering tourists, folks with nowhere to go who simply enjoyed the view. And it was only when they finally reached the gate that they were met by the terrifying glare of a one Riju.

She stood just outside the walls of Market Town and crossed her arms, watching as they approached.

"Link, I know you're the hero of the day, but the Captain of the Hylian Army has to be on time for… well… the rest of his army."

Link grinned and hopped off Catherine. "The thing is, Riju, I have trained everyone in my army. And those I left in charge for today knew exactly what to do. I even saw a few of my soldiers already patrolling the routes."

"Well, I brought my warriors as well in case you needed more eyes out today."

Zelda crossed her arms and looked around. Today, the anniversary of the Calamity, was the day she feared the Yiga would make their return. She'd felt the same cold apprehension last year, and it hadn't faded with the passing of another. It would be the statement day for their return.

Link could sense Zelda's anxiety. "We won't. I've had scouts out for days looking for any activity. Everyone knows to be wary."

"I just…" Riju sighed. "I don't want anything to happen again."

Zelda grinned at the younger girl. "Buliara taught you well. If anything were to happen, you'd be able to single-handedly wipe them all out. I've seen you. You're better than Link."

Link looked at her in with feigned hurt. "Better than me?"

Riju laughed and nudged Link. "Everyone's better than you these days."

"Pick on the injured one," he muttered.

"No," Zelda said, grabbing his arm as they headed into town. "If you needed to fight again, you could."

"Yes, I could. You should have seen me clear out some Moblins the other day. I made the new recruits bow before my greatness."

Zelda snorted. "Okay, Hero. Let's go before your ego is too big to fit through the doors."

Together, they made their way to the barracks on the far end of Market Town. Link turned the handle on the door and rolled his eyes. These new recruits…

"Hey!" he called. "It's nearly time. I shouldn't see anyone in here. Get to your posts!"

Several soldiers scrambled past him, either wordlessly or mumbling hurried apologies. Some took their time, those he recognized as soldiers going to their later shifts. He nodded a greeting to them and took a stack of paper off the table.

"How do you live this life?" he asked, waving the stack in front of Zelda.

"You can't train more people without filing paperwork with the council."

He scoffed. "I live with the council."

"Don't whine," Zelda laughed, pushing him out the door. They walked toward the other side of town, past the stalls that were setting up for the day still. There were makeshift stands, crowded streets, anything that fit in a space had been taken up. The festival was prime market day, and all venders took advantage.

It meant Link and Zelda had to push through the crowd more than usual, but once they passed the inn, the area began to thin out.

Zelda felt a hard thud and stopped. "I'm sorry… I…" she looked up and saw Granté standing in front of her, Lasli just a few steps behind as she caught up.

"How are you?" Zelda exclaimed. "Are you enjoying married life?"

"I love it," Granté said. Lasli nodded along, but her attention was elsewhere.

"I'm glad. I'm so glad you two found some happiness. Your mother was telling me about your ceremony on Lover's Pond the last time I saw her. Well, not today, but the last time. I did see her today. She's upset that you didn't visit."

"Of course, she is. What with her and Dr. Purah moving back to my father's lab, I can't see how she has time to be upset with me."

Lasli pulled on Granté's arm impatiently. "Sorry, Princess, but we have to set up our stall before the crowd starts to gather. Clothing and armor."

Zelda nodded and grabbed them both in a hug. "I won't keep you. But congratulations again."

When they left, Link turned to lean against a building, watching them walk away. "They seem happy."

"They do, don't they?"

Link and Zelda moved through an alleyway until they reached a flight of steps that led up to the parapets.

Sidon was standing close to the steps, like he'd been debating leaving and decided against it.

"Sidon?" Zelda asked.

He turned, looking like his usual happy self. "Hello, hello! How are you doing, my friends?"

Link stepped off to the side and glanced over the edge of the wall. He was already beginning to slip into his guard demeanor.

Zelda answered instead. "We've been great! How about you? How's your father?"

"Oh, we're doing very well! Still concerned over the Deya issue, of course."

Zelda scoffed. "This isn't the time to bring up council discussions. We already voted in favor of Lurelin. We're not restoring Deya Village. It will take all of the trade and commerce from Lurelin."

"It's so much closer."

"We will not deprive hard-working people of their homes and their livelihood just so the trade route is slightly closer."

"No," Sidon said quickly, glancing between Link and Zelda. "No, of course not. It's just that… well my father wants that."

Zelda shrugged. "I don't know what to say. We aren't here with the council and I'm not changing my vote. I won't give in to pressure from anyone… not anymore."

Zelda could see Link smirk, and she knew he wasn't as engrossed in his work as he appeared. "Sidon, I'd like to enjoy as much of today as I can before it somehow turns into a mess. Last year, I was swarmed about the Temple of Time's restoration, and this year, I want to hold off as long as possible."

"Of course," Sidon said again. "I'll leave you to it, then."

"I'll see you at the Warbler's show later with Kass."

"Yes, yes you will."

As Sidon turned down the steps, Link spun around. "I like your determination, Princess."

She moved up beside Link and leaned against him. "Of course you do."

They stood over the land of Hyrule, watching the sun pass through the sky. It was peaceful, safe, flourishing. Crowds of travelers headed into the city for the anniversary.

It was two years since they could sleep at night. Two years since they didn't have to have an evacuation plan from Hyrule. Two years since two heroes emerged from a time long past to save the world. After all, it was their destiny.

"I need to go, Zelda," Link whispered, kissing her forehead. "I have to make sure everyone is okay."

She tightened her hold on his arm and pulled him back. "Just one more minute."

He chuckled, thinking back to that morning. "Now you're the one asking for more time."

But Zelda didn't hear him.

"The Goddesses really did answer us. They heard every prayer I ever sent. Hyrule is safe. We sealed Ganon away. And… I'm with you."

Link pulled her against him, never tiring of the sensation of holding her in his arms. "We're in this together, Zelda. We always have been. You saved me when I needed you the most. You helped me find my memories, and you let me create new ones. I was lost and I followed your voice. You're not just the light of the Kingdom, Princess. I love you. Every moment we've shared, and every moment we're apart, I love you more. And I know you won't let me ask you that question, but I want you to know that I'd rather die tomorrow than go back 100 years ago."

Zelda was watching him intently. "Why?"

"Because, 100 years ago, things might have been peaceful, we might have had our old friends and families, but I wasn't with you and I never could have been. It's selfish. So incredibly selfish. But after 102 years, I think I can stop blaming myself for things. I can be selfish."

Zelda turned into him and pulled him down to her level. "I don't think there's anything wrong with that. I chose to love you over the crown. It's not selfish, but even if it were, it's worth it."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and brought her lips against his. It was a soft kiss, but filled with passion. Link had to pull away first, remembering where they were and that there were eyes on them. He wished they were home again, together in Hateno. But they weren't.

"Later?" he asked, smugly.

Zelda chuckled and took a few steps backwards towards the stairs. "It's our celebration. We can leave early."

Link nodded. "I think I want to end this day they way we started things."

Zelda thought back with a smile. A young man, a familiar man, held his blood covered blade at his side, watching the second Yiga member. His dark blonde hair was tied away from his face, and he wore the uniform of a Royal Soldier. The Yiga member struck out with her blade, and the soldier easily threaded his blade through the center of the circular cleaver and disarmed the Yiga member. He looked like he was about to sheathe his weapon, to spare the unarmed assailant, but a fire began to emerge from the Yiga woman and the soldier shook his head, almost disgusted. Swinging the word around, he was easily able to impale her, ending her life before the fire made it off her palm. He pulled the sword from the corpse and turned to the two women in the corner.

Upon seeing the princess, he quickly dropped to one knee, his icy blue eyes falling to the floor.

"What are you doing here, soldier?" Zelda asked breathlessly, grateful that a soldier was nearby.

He kept his head face down. "I was asked to bring the seamstress to you."

"With a Yiga attack?" Zelda asked, grinning.

Link snorted. "No."

Looking out over Hyrule, he knew he'd finally found his own peace, a peace he could live with for the rest of his days. And he could live them with her.

Zelda stopped with her foot on the steps. She'd gathered her dress and prepared to head down into the crowd. But her thought swirled around one person. Always that one person.

"The way we started…" she thought with a giddy grin. "Together."

A/N: OH MY LANTA IT'S OVER!

I'm so sad! Oh no! It's done! This is my last A/N! I have had THE MOST FUN writing Heart of the Champions and Spirit of the Goddess! All of your comments and favorites/follows definitely kept me going while posting a chapter a week for almost a year between the two stories! I posted Heart a little over a year ago (wow) and besides the mini break between these two, I haven't stopped, so this is a really sad goodbye to this story!

I'm strongly thinking of doing a trilogy for Skyward Sword as my next fic series (depending on if I ever have time again). One would be pre-game, one post, and one prequel of the first Link and Zelda. But I'm so busy with work right now that it wouldn't happen anytime soon. Plus, I have to finish Threads, which I abandoned to work on Spirit and when I realized that I love to read AU's but not so much writing them. And then I left this one open for another story if I ever wanted, but that definitely wouldn't happen until after BOTW2 comes out so I can see which direction it would go.

Reviews! OH NO THIS IS THE LAST TIME I CAN RESPOND TO YOU! I'm still reading them even if I can never say hi to you again :(

Ember228: Thank you! I ended it so I could bring the story back with my own plot with the Guardians, or if I want, I can quickly make that plot disappear in favor of something BOTW2 related, but it all depends on how the actual game goes. If it doesn't mesh with how I ended this, I can't really continue it while keeping it sort of cannon. I definitely screwed up with whatever is going on with Hyrule Castle, since I no longer have one. But I'd love to do a fic ayway, if it's possible! Bladeofthebookworms: Hahaha! SUBVERSION! UGH Trial of the Sword was the BANE of my existence, just like collecting Koroks! I loved the Fi chime too, it was such a good connection between games. I'm glad you liked that chapter! Shanysch: Thanks! I hope this was a good amount of Zelink to round things off! Roel De Tremmerie: Meesa thinks yousa welcome and muy muy thank you!