Link x Reader ~ Find You

~Link~

A soft knock rapped on the worn oak door of Link's bedroom. The weary young man's heavy azure eyes slid open unwillingly as he awoke from his restless sleep. With an effort, he hoisted himself up from the tangles of the sheets, and shuffled over to the door, which creaked dully as it swung open to reveal a vacant, shadowed hallway. Link peered into the darkness with suspicion.

'Not a person in sight.' Instead of returning to his rough thatched bed, Link decided to indulge his curiosity and investigate further. As he turned around to collect his gear, a strange glow twinkling in from the hazy window caught his attention. It was odd, but he could swear that he'd seen this light before. He approached the window and peered through its wavering glass; the light appeared to be coming from the direction of the spring.

He swung around again in search of his sword and shield before remembering he'd dropped them at the foot of his bed before going to sleep that morning.

Wait, is it night already? How could I have slept through the entire day? He shook his head to regain his focus and, after making certain he had everything he needed, tread lightly through the hallway, down the stairs, and out into the chilly desert night. He turned towards the spring and gasped at the sight that lay before him.

"Eldin?" He whispered almost inaudibly, the light spirit's aura illuminating Link's breath in the frigid air.

"Come closer..... Oh, Hero chosen by the gods..." The mystical being commanded, stretching his magnificent wings to their full span. The valiant boy's cerulean eyes widened in awe as he took in this arcane specter which appeared to him once again. The brilliant golden light forced Link to squint as he at last reached the edge of the spring's twinkling water. "Link.." the ancient spirit's thunderous voice began. "I have sensed the return of evil to these battle weary lands... I have witnessed events of a most troubling nature..."

Link's face fell in realization. "Zant."

"Yes.... The wretched demon of Twilight..." Link's blood began to boil just thinking about that maniacal Twili, the pure and uncontrollable contempt clear upon his features. His whole body began to shake, whether from rage or the bite of the boreal chill, he wasn't sure.

The dragon lowered his massive head level to Link's, his wise spectral eyes holding clear elements of admonition. "Be wary, young Link... I see overwhelming rage welling up within you... If you do not exercise more self-control, your emotions will consume you. At that point, the battle is already lost."

Link nodded in understanding, having heard almost the exact same words from Renado just that morning.

"But that is not why I appear before you tonight..." Eldin continued slowly. "Months ago, you battled Zant... You fought bravely and heroically, and you believed you had vanquished him..." A wave of guilt flooded Link's chest, the corners of his lips twitching downwards from the sting of the reminder. "During that battle, an anomaly occurred within the Triforce of Courage... An event which has never before taken place.."

Link's eyebrows furrowed, his guilt morphing into ever-familiar anxiety. "An anomaly? What do you mean?" The grand dragon glanced quickly from side to side, seemingly paranoid that someone would happen upon the starlit meeting.

"Yes, an anomaly. This most grievous phenomenon... is the reason for Zant's continued existence..." Link's eyes widened in shock, his teeth chattering violently in the cold. "So... does this mean... it's not my fault that Zant lives?"

"Not quite, young Hero... It stemmed from your powerful feelings for a young woman from your village..." Images of your radiant smile, your glistening (__h/c__) hair, and your captivating (__e/c__) eyes flickered through his mind at these words.