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Horror. Rage. Misery. Regret. Failure.
These were the most succinct ways to describe the variety of negative feelings Link and Mipha felt in this moment.
The two of them had let a minute pass since Jora left them. They just continued staring at each other through the bars that separated them. As if they believed that by doing so, they could fool themselves into believing that what they were seeing was an illusion, or a bad dream … anything but reality.
But when Link heard an agonized whine slip through the Zora's sealed-up mouth, he knew that nothing so vividly crushing could be imagined or dreamt. This hellish situation was real.
As Mipha let out the sound, she turned around, wrenched herself to her knees, and pressed her ruby-red forehead to the bars of her cell, staring at Link with fear and loving concern.
"Rnng," she cried softly.
As if the moan was some beckoning call, Link hobbled over on his tied knees to her. His luminous blue eyes peered through the bars at the Zora he so deeply adored. He could hear her rapid breathing through her nose, likely a combination of her mental distress and the hot air continuing to assault her amphibious form.
"Rrrphr," he grunted. The Hylian felt his own heart beating what felt like a thousand times per minute, and the fresh rush of despair caused his arms to tug at their bonds.
There had been no real warning for the two of them that this was coming. Practically no way of them being able to deduce that the other would be trapped with them, and therefore no way to prepare to see one of their deepest nightmares come true - if there were any way at all to prepare for such a thing. But now they knew, and while they were far less frantic about it once the initial shock died down, they were no less terrified.
"Rrrrrggph!!" With a deep, determined, stifled growl, the Hylian boy wrenched his body about in the ropes with the ferocity of a true warrior. He twisted his wrapped-up torso vigorously as he wrenched his pinned arms. It didn't matter that hours of prior struggling had done no good. Now, he knew how high the stakes truly were. His tight, athletic body and legs were perfectly trained for some of the most grueling physical feats imaginable, and yet couldn't seem to get out of a few ropes … albeit expertly-tied, sturdy ropes. But they fought hard, the lean muscle straining with all its might as he shifted his shoulders, wrists, and legs in any direction possible.
Spurred on by the hero's struggling, Mipha was putting in no less of an effort. Her body was taking a serious toll from not just the past few hours of fighting and bondage, but the grueling Gerudo heat. It felt like the princess was slowly being roasted from a fire inside of her, causing her to pant quickly through the only airway not cut off, the surging temperature as inescapable as the ropes and gag. But she shoved all of that down, and rolled and kicked herself around in her cell.
"Gmmmph!! Mrrrrgh!!"
While her toned, powerful legs usually did amazing wonders for the Zora in the water, they suddenly seemed powerless against these squeezing cords. No matter how she pulled and shifted them, the only result was the sensation of them biting further into her scaly skin. But she squinted her eyes shut as she kept trying.
Neither captive had any luck even as the minutes passed by. Whether they were fast and forceful or slow and methodical, nothing they did seem to make their situation even a little more hopeful. All it did was cause more aches and pains to surge through their bodies, the gags reducing their abilities to breathe the pain in and out.
Drained from the effort and requiring a moment's rest, Mipha turned around to face Link. She saw that he was laying on his side, looking at her with clear concern and pity. He was still struggling, but now seemed to be focusing his gaze on her. He probably heard her strained heaving and moaning and grew even more worried about her. As if he didn't have enough reason to.
Mipha sat upright, scooted herself back over to the bars, and tried her best to speak to the Hylian past her gag.
"Rnng?? Gnnrmm nndrrnnnnmm??"
Hearing the garbled voice of his beloved Zora, Link stared intently at her from his lying position. He only widened his eyes, not knowing if she was even trying to say something or not.
The lack of a proper response caused the princess even more distress.
"Prrmm, Rnng, prrmm drmmmn mmgnn nndrrnnnnmm. Nrnrrmmhnnh mphmmghn! Prrmm!!" She begged him to understand her, to nod his head if he could, her eyes welling up as they desperately willed him to understand her somehow. But the young man she loved just continued looking at her. His beautiful eyes shimmered with as much emotion as she had ever seen in them.
"Rrphr …" the gagged hero stammered. "...Rrnnrr nnrrrnn …" Link lamented, his muffled voice starting to break. He felt his will deteriorate further and further with every moment he saw just how heavily Mipha was breathing and heard the faint moans she was emitting past her gagging cloth. It was clear that the heat was only getting worse for her.
"Mmghrr … mm …"
And then, his emotions boiled over in a fit of turmoil. Link kicked his bound feet at the bars with all his might.
"RRRRRGPH!! GRRRRRPH!! RRRRRMMMPH!!!"
The bars were buckling under the might of the distressed Hylian, but they were too strong and too firmly rooted in place for his kicks to have any impact. But he kept trying, if only to distract from the depths of his despair.
There was so much he wanted to say to her. So much he wished to tell her, whether it be words of comfort from this situation, or words of confession buried for months. Yet he would always hold back, only lowering his defenses completely in a small handful of moments with her. And now, in a cruel, twisted irony, when he wanted to speak up and show his heart more than ever before, these thick, foul fabrics in his mouth make such a thing impossible. The front tips of his lips could only barely touch, the gag was that effective. As if Hylia herself were determined to keep him silent even when he didn't want to. He anxiously rubbed the intrusive fabric against the ground, but it remained painfully embedded into his cheeks and the corners of his mouth, too tightly tied to be dislodged.
He'd always forced himself to go along with his service, his destiny. Why couldn't he, for once, have taken destiny into his own hands? It seemed that it all led to their demise either way.
As she watched Link thrash about a bit more, the exhausted Mipha felt her own regrets bubbling to the surface. She had always been a shy, introverted person, speaking in a somewhat timid tone and avoiding eye contact more often than most. And this shyness and insecurity was undoubtedly a factor in her love for the Hylian knight going unrevealed. But in the face of both of them facing captivity and likely death, she realized that she should have stepped up and taken the chance. While she didn't fully believe Link would return her feelings, those odds were zero if she didn't try. And now … she couldn't even try. She wouldn't know the possible months, maybe years, of happiness she could have known had she just been brave enough.
And her family … her kingdom … what would they do now? Would her captivity be used by the Yiga to harm them even further? What would become of them if she were to perish and die here? Her father would be devastated, as would her mentor Muzu, and …
Sidon. Oh, my dear, sweet little Sidon … I didn't want to leave you so soon … I'm sorry, I'm …
Mipha clenched her fists behind her back, letting out an agonized wail of sadness and rage that came out as no more than a garbled moan. Her eyes were hot with tears that she was unable to wipe away, her whimpering growing louder as her body trembled under the physical and emotional pain. She turned her back to Link and pressed it against the bars, not wanting him to see her cry.
The whimpering and heaving that came through her gag gave it away for him, though. And unable to bear the sound, Link tried to soothe her in whatever minimal way possible.
The weeping Zora suddenly felt a light brushing across her fingers. She turned her head back behind her, and saw that Link had put his own back to his bars. His bound hands peaked through the bars and reached out to hers. He could only manage to touch her fingertips with his own.
The gesture was much appreciated despite its limits. However, looking at her hero's wrists, Mipha got a good look at how bruised they had become. The ropes' grip was like a vice, digging into the exposed skin and causing red marks to appear underneath them. It seemed to match the bruises he must be sporting on the rest of his body, although those were mostly covered up by his clothing.
It brought her back to one of their most heartfelt moments together. And a promise she'd made to him that day.
Link and Mipha sat atop the trunk of Divine Beast Vah Ruta. The sky was tinted a foggy blue, with a strip of orange indicating the approach of dusk and silhouetting the surrounding mountains. The Zora was currently tending to another of Link's injuries, this one on his right forearm. Each sat there in blissful peace, enjoying each other's presence as usual. The setting sun outlined their features, the wind blowing gracefully through hair and fins.
"I thought it was funny how, being a Hylian, you looked grown-up so much faster than I did," Mipha stated gently. Her gaze focused on the wound as she spoke, taking extra care to ensure she didn't miss anything. Link turned his own gaze to meet her, a look of tenderness and trust plain on his face. As well as sadness at what she said: he had aged faster than her, and would continue to do so until he left her behind. Such was one of several curses of them being different species.
"I was ... I was always willing to heal your wounds. Even back then," the Zora continued. She kept glancing downward, both to finish the job on Link's arm and out of nervousness. She could feel her heart racing, and found it harder and harder to get her words out.
Finally, the wound was fully healed. Link inspected it, seeing that as usual, the princess had done a flawless job. It was as if it were never there.
Mipha continued on, professing her fears of what was to come regarding Calamity Ganon, and how little they knew or understood about it. Link could only silently agree, having the same fears as her but doing a better job at hiding it.
It was then that Mipha felt a need to profess something to him. It wouldn't give away her romantic feelings, but it carried the great weight of a true friend nonetheless.
"If you - if anyone ever tries to do you harm … then I will heal you." She looked down shyly as she continued, as Link continued looking at her in awe.
"No matter when, or how bad the wound … I hope you know … that I will always protect you."
Hands clasped together in her lap, Mipha continued. "Once this whole thing is over … maybe things can go back to how they used to be when we were young." She clasped her hands tighter, willing herself to continue.
"You know …" she turned her head to face Link, longing clear on her face as her fins continued blowing in the wind. "Perhaps we could spend some time together."
More than anything, Link wanted to embrace her right then and there, and tell her just how much that would mean to him. But he instead simply responded, "I … I'd like that." His lips curled upward and his eyes lit up, showing that while his words were low and quiet, he meant them with full sincerity.
Mipha's ruby lips beamed in a grin at that.
"Thank you," Link added, referring to her healing. For everything, he thought.
And even now, in whatever small way she could, Mipha intended to stick to that promise. However pointless it may be.
Fighting through the fatigue, she closed her eyes and concentrated all of her thoughts and energy to her hands. She did what she always did when healing: thinking about the person she was healing, usually someone she cared deeply for. And often, that was Link.
Looking behind her back down at her bound wrists, she saw that her hands were glowing. She extended her wrists and fingertips as far as the ropes and cage allowed. Her reach was greatly limited, but it was just far enough to be able to hit Link's bruised wrists. She kept looking back, seeing that, while more slowly than usual, Link's marks were starting to fade.
It took a little bit, but as he lay there defeated, Link started noticing that the throbbing ache in his wrists was suddenly numbing. He figured that his body was growing used to the bonds, but as he turned around, his heart swelled when he saw Mipha healing his rope marks.
Even in the most dire of situations and for the most inconsequential of injuries, and even though the bruises would likely return if the ropes stayed on, Mipha was keeping her promise to heal him. Mipha caught him glancing, and their eyes met in a loving gaze not unlike their moment atop Vah Ruta.
Tears started slipping down the Hylian's face like leaks in the Rutala Dam, but he hardly even noticed. He clenched his eyes shut, a broken sob slipping out of the gag as his head gently leaned against his bars. He felt his lips trembling, pulling at the tight fabric involuntarily.
How had he been so blessed to have such a wonderful friend? Someone as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside? And how was Hylia so cruel that she felt it necessary to put her in this misery she so clearly didn't deserve?
And he couldn't do the same for her. He couldn't do anything for her. He was unable to keep his own promise, made that same day weeks back.
"Mipha."
Mipha's eyes widened slightly upon hearing his voice.
They had been making their way from Vah Ruta back to the Domain, the sun now halfway set below the horizon. And suddenly, Link spoke up, his kind yet unusually firm.
She turned around to face him, and was taken aback by how handsome he looked in the glow of the coming twilight. As she stood there, he slowly walked up to her.
"I promise you as well …" he started. Mipha just kept looking up at him, tilting her head in confusion as to what he meant.
"I will protect you as well," he near-whispered to her. "From anything. I … I promise."
She knew he meant it. Just as he knew she meant it. They had sworn it to each other long before uttering it out loud.
Mipha took his hands in hers and squeezed them gently. The two gazed at each other, smiles on their faces, their bodies inches apart in a moment of unspoken but unfiltered affection. Reminiscing on what they had been, pondering over what they could be.
"I know you will," she whispered.
Now, the two just sat in their cells back-to-back, hand in hand once more - or as close as they could get it, their fingertips rubbing and stroking each other. They couldn't comfort each other through words, and this was the closest they could do it through touch. But even that miniscule touch gave them a warmth and reassurance that couldn't be replicated.
Among the sadness and heartache, the two also felt a new determination sweep over them in this moment. They would have already been determined to save themselves; but now, they were doubly, triply determined to save the other person, the one they had fallen in love with.
She will be free, Link thought.
He will be safe, Mipha thought.
And hopefully they could be free and safe together … in whatever way it would be.
They had to make themselves believe:
We will get out of here.
The Legend of Zelda franchise, the image used, and all characters and settings portrayed (except named Yiga members), all belong to Nintendo.
Originally uploaded on December 5, 2019.
Wow, that’s some serious angst!
This was one of the most anticipated parts of the story for me to write, and I really hope I didn't disappoint. It's that segment of the story that's lacking in plot, but filled with emotions and bondage - always a great combination, I'd say! It was also neat to revisit the famous Vah Ruta scene in the game and try to recreate it with both characters' inner perspectives, as well as do a very short but sweet follow-up where Link makes the same promise back. Will they be able to keep it? You'll have to read on to find out!
Especially since the next chapter shifts the focus over to Zelda and other Champions, as they realize the two have gone missing and partake in a search. So you could consider these first six chapters as "Act 1" of the story, which has now concluded.
I really hope you enjoyed this chapter, as well as the first act of this fic! As always, I'd love to hear whatever you thought about it! And keep reading, because there's still a long way to go!
Link's gag speech translated:
"Rrrphr," - "Mipha,"
"Rrphr ...Rrnnrr nnrrrnn …" - "Mipha … I don't know what …"
"Mmghrr … mm …" - "I can't … I …"
Mipha's gag speech translated:
"Rnng," - "Link,"
"Rnng?? Gnnrmm nndrrnnnnmm??" - "Link?? Can you understand me??"
"Prrmm, Rnng, prrmm drmmmn mmgnn nndrrnnnnmm. Nrnrrmmhnnh mphmmghn! Prrmm!!" - "Please, Link, please tell me you can understand me! Nod your head if you can! Please!!"
These were the most succinct ways to describe the variety of negative feelings Link and Mipha felt in this moment.
The two of them had let a minute pass since Jora left them. They just continued staring at each other through the bars that separated them. As if they believed that by doing so, they could fool themselves into believing that what they were seeing was an illusion, or a bad dream … anything but reality.
But when Link heard an agonized whine slip through the Zora's sealed-up mouth, he knew that nothing so vividly crushing could be imagined or dreamt. This hellish situation was real.
As Mipha let out the sound, she turned around, wrenched herself to her knees, and pressed her ruby-red forehead to the bars of her cell, staring at Link with fear and loving concern.
"Rnng," she cried softly.
As if the moan was some beckoning call, Link hobbled over on his tied knees to her. His luminous blue eyes peered through the bars at the Zora he so deeply adored. He could hear her rapid breathing through her nose, likely a combination of her mental distress and the hot air continuing to assault her amphibious form.
"Rrrphr," he grunted. The Hylian felt his own heart beating what felt like a thousand times per minute, and the fresh rush of despair caused his arms to tug at their bonds.
There had been no real warning for the two of them that this was coming. Practically no way of them being able to deduce that the other would be trapped with them, and therefore no way to prepare to see one of their deepest nightmares come true - if there were any way at all to prepare for such a thing. But now they knew, and while they were far less frantic about it once the initial shock died down, they were no less terrified.
"Rrrrrggph!!" With a deep, determined, stifled growl, the Hylian boy wrenched his body about in the ropes with the ferocity of a true warrior. He twisted his wrapped-up torso vigorously as he wrenched his pinned arms. It didn't matter that hours of prior struggling had done no good. Now, he knew how high the stakes truly were. His tight, athletic body and legs were perfectly trained for some of the most grueling physical feats imaginable, and yet couldn't seem to get out of a few ropes … albeit expertly-tied, sturdy ropes. But they fought hard, the lean muscle straining with all its might as he shifted his shoulders, wrists, and legs in any direction possible.
Spurred on by the hero's struggling, Mipha was putting in no less of an effort. Her body was taking a serious toll from not just the past few hours of fighting and bondage, but the grueling Gerudo heat. It felt like the princess was slowly being roasted from a fire inside of her, causing her to pant quickly through the only airway not cut off, the surging temperature as inescapable as the ropes and gag. But she shoved all of that down, and rolled and kicked herself around in her cell.
"Gmmmph!! Mrrrrgh!!"
While her toned, powerful legs usually did amazing wonders for the Zora in the water, they suddenly seemed powerless against these squeezing cords. No matter how she pulled and shifted them, the only result was the sensation of them biting further into her scaly skin. But she squinted her eyes shut as she kept trying.
Neither captive had any luck even as the minutes passed by. Whether they were fast and forceful or slow and methodical, nothing they did seem to make their situation even a little more hopeful. All it did was cause more aches and pains to surge through their bodies, the gags reducing their abilities to breathe the pain in and out.
Drained from the effort and requiring a moment's rest, Mipha turned around to face Link. She saw that he was laying on his side, looking at her with clear concern and pity. He was still struggling, but now seemed to be focusing his gaze on her. He probably heard her strained heaving and moaning and grew even more worried about her. As if he didn't have enough reason to.
Mipha sat upright, scooted herself back over to the bars, and tried her best to speak to the Hylian past her gag.
"Rnng?? Gnnrmm nndrrnnnnmm??"
Hearing the garbled voice of his beloved Zora, Link stared intently at her from his lying position. He only widened his eyes, not knowing if she was even trying to say something or not.
The lack of a proper response caused the princess even more distress.
"Prrmm, Rnng, prrmm drmmmn mmgnn nndrrnnnnmm. Nrnrrmmhnnh mphmmghn! Prrmm!!" She begged him to understand her, to nod his head if he could, her eyes welling up as they desperately willed him to understand her somehow. But the young man she loved just continued looking at her. His beautiful eyes shimmered with as much emotion as she had ever seen in them.
"Rrphr …" the gagged hero stammered. "...Rrnnrr nnrrrnn …" Link lamented, his muffled voice starting to break. He felt his will deteriorate further and further with every moment he saw just how heavily Mipha was breathing and heard the faint moans she was emitting past her gagging cloth. It was clear that the heat was only getting worse for her.
"Mmghrr … mm …"
And then, his emotions boiled over in a fit of turmoil. Link kicked his bound feet at the bars with all his might.
"RRRRRGPH!! GRRRRRPH!! RRRRRMMMPH!!!"
The bars were buckling under the might of the distressed Hylian, but they were too strong and too firmly rooted in place for his kicks to have any impact. But he kept trying, if only to distract from the depths of his despair.
There was so much he wanted to say to her. So much he wished to tell her, whether it be words of comfort from this situation, or words of confession buried for months. Yet he would always hold back, only lowering his defenses completely in a small handful of moments with her. And now, in a cruel, twisted irony, when he wanted to speak up and show his heart more than ever before, these thick, foul fabrics in his mouth make such a thing impossible. The front tips of his lips could only barely touch, the gag was that effective. As if Hylia herself were determined to keep him silent even when he didn't want to. He anxiously rubbed the intrusive fabric against the ground, but it remained painfully embedded into his cheeks and the corners of his mouth, too tightly tied to be dislodged.
He'd always forced himself to go along with his service, his destiny. Why couldn't he, for once, have taken destiny into his own hands? It seemed that it all led to their demise either way.
As she watched Link thrash about a bit more, the exhausted Mipha felt her own regrets bubbling to the surface. She had always been a shy, introverted person, speaking in a somewhat timid tone and avoiding eye contact more often than most. And this shyness and insecurity was undoubtedly a factor in her love for the Hylian knight going unrevealed. But in the face of both of them facing captivity and likely death, she realized that she should have stepped up and taken the chance. While she didn't fully believe Link would return her feelings, those odds were zero if she didn't try. And now … she couldn't even try. She wouldn't know the possible months, maybe years, of happiness she could have known had she just been brave enough.
And her family … her kingdom … what would they do now? Would her captivity be used by the Yiga to harm them even further? What would become of them if she were to perish and die here? Her father would be devastated, as would her mentor Muzu, and …
Sidon. Oh, my dear, sweet little Sidon … I didn't want to leave you so soon … I'm sorry, I'm …
Mipha clenched her fists behind her back, letting out an agonized wail of sadness and rage that came out as no more than a garbled moan. Her eyes were hot with tears that she was unable to wipe away, her whimpering growing louder as her body trembled under the physical and emotional pain. She turned her back to Link and pressed it against the bars, not wanting him to see her cry.
The whimpering and heaving that came through her gag gave it away for him, though. And unable to bear the sound, Link tried to soothe her in whatever minimal way possible.
The weeping Zora suddenly felt a light brushing across her fingers. She turned her head back behind her, and saw that Link had put his own back to his bars. His bound hands peaked through the bars and reached out to hers. He could only manage to touch her fingertips with his own.
The gesture was much appreciated despite its limits. However, looking at her hero's wrists, Mipha got a good look at how bruised they had become. The ropes' grip was like a vice, digging into the exposed skin and causing red marks to appear underneath them. It seemed to match the bruises he must be sporting on the rest of his body, although those were mostly covered up by his clothing.
It brought her back to one of their most heartfelt moments together. And a promise she'd made to him that day.
Link and Mipha sat atop the trunk of Divine Beast Vah Ruta. The sky was tinted a foggy blue, with a strip of orange indicating the approach of dusk and silhouetting the surrounding mountains. The Zora was currently tending to another of Link's injuries, this one on his right forearm. Each sat there in blissful peace, enjoying each other's presence as usual. The setting sun outlined their features, the wind blowing gracefully through hair and fins.
"I thought it was funny how, being a Hylian, you looked grown-up so much faster than I did," Mipha stated gently. Her gaze focused on the wound as she spoke, taking extra care to ensure she didn't miss anything. Link turned his own gaze to meet her, a look of tenderness and trust plain on his face. As well as sadness at what she said: he had aged faster than her, and would continue to do so until he left her behind. Such was one of several curses of them being different species.
"I was ... I was always willing to heal your wounds. Even back then," the Zora continued. She kept glancing downward, both to finish the job on Link's arm and out of nervousness. She could feel her heart racing, and found it harder and harder to get her words out.
Finally, the wound was fully healed. Link inspected it, seeing that as usual, the princess had done a flawless job. It was as if it were never there.
Mipha continued on, professing her fears of what was to come regarding Calamity Ganon, and how little they knew or understood about it. Link could only silently agree, having the same fears as her but doing a better job at hiding it.
It was then that Mipha felt a need to profess something to him. It wouldn't give away her romantic feelings, but it carried the great weight of a true friend nonetheless.
"If you - if anyone ever tries to do you harm … then I will heal you." She looked down shyly as she continued, as Link continued looking at her in awe.
"No matter when, or how bad the wound … I hope you know … that I will always protect you."
Hands clasped together in her lap, Mipha continued. "Once this whole thing is over … maybe things can go back to how they used to be when we were young." She clasped her hands tighter, willing herself to continue.
"You know …" she turned her head to face Link, longing clear on her face as her fins continued blowing in the wind. "Perhaps we could spend some time together."
More than anything, Link wanted to embrace her right then and there, and tell her just how much that would mean to him. But he instead simply responded, "I … I'd like that." His lips curled upward and his eyes lit up, showing that while his words were low and quiet, he meant them with full sincerity.
Mipha's ruby lips beamed in a grin at that.
"Thank you," Link added, referring to her healing. For everything, he thought.
And even now, in whatever small way she could, Mipha intended to stick to that promise. However pointless it may be.
Fighting through the fatigue, she closed her eyes and concentrated all of her thoughts and energy to her hands. She did what she always did when healing: thinking about the person she was healing, usually someone she cared deeply for. And often, that was Link.
Looking behind her back down at her bound wrists, she saw that her hands were glowing. She extended her wrists and fingertips as far as the ropes and cage allowed. Her reach was greatly limited, but it was just far enough to be able to hit Link's bruised wrists. She kept looking back, seeing that, while more slowly than usual, Link's marks were starting to fade.
It took a little bit, but as he lay there defeated, Link started noticing that the throbbing ache in his wrists was suddenly numbing. He figured that his body was growing used to the bonds, but as he turned around, his heart swelled when he saw Mipha healing his rope marks.
Even in the most dire of situations and for the most inconsequential of injuries, and even though the bruises would likely return if the ropes stayed on, Mipha was keeping her promise to heal him. Mipha caught him glancing, and their eyes met in a loving gaze not unlike their moment atop Vah Ruta.
Tears started slipping down the Hylian's face like leaks in the Rutala Dam, but he hardly even noticed. He clenched his eyes shut, a broken sob slipping out of the gag as his head gently leaned against his bars. He felt his lips trembling, pulling at the tight fabric involuntarily.
How had he been so blessed to have such a wonderful friend? Someone as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside? And how was Hylia so cruel that she felt it necessary to put her in this misery she so clearly didn't deserve?
And he couldn't do the same for her. He couldn't do anything for her. He was unable to keep his own promise, made that same day weeks back.
"Mipha."
Mipha's eyes widened slightly upon hearing his voice.
They had been making their way from Vah Ruta back to the Domain, the sun now halfway set below the horizon. And suddenly, Link spoke up, his kind yet unusually firm.
She turned around to face him, and was taken aback by how handsome he looked in the glow of the coming twilight. As she stood there, he slowly walked up to her.
"I promise you as well …" he started. Mipha just kept looking up at him, tilting her head in confusion as to what he meant.
"I will protect you as well," he near-whispered to her. "From anything. I … I promise."
She knew he meant it. Just as he knew she meant it. They had sworn it to each other long before uttering it out loud.
Mipha took his hands in hers and squeezed them gently. The two gazed at each other, smiles on their faces, their bodies inches apart in a moment of unspoken but unfiltered affection. Reminiscing on what they had been, pondering over what they could be.
"I know you will," she whispered.
Now, the two just sat in their cells back-to-back, hand in hand once more - or as close as they could get it, their fingertips rubbing and stroking each other. They couldn't comfort each other through words, and this was the closest they could do it through touch. But even that miniscule touch gave them a warmth and reassurance that couldn't be replicated.
Among the sadness and heartache, the two also felt a new determination sweep over them in this moment. They would have already been determined to save themselves; but now, they were doubly, triply determined to save the other person, the one they had fallen in love with.
She will be free, Link thought.
He will be safe, Mipha thought.
And hopefully they could be free and safe together … in whatever way it would be.
They had to make themselves believe:
We will get out of here.
The Legend of Zelda franchise, the image used, and all characters and settings portrayed (except named Yiga members), all belong to Nintendo.
Originally uploaded on December 5, 2019.
Wow, that’s some serious angst!
This was one of the most anticipated parts of the story for me to write, and I really hope I didn't disappoint. It's that segment of the story that's lacking in plot, but filled with emotions and bondage - always a great combination, I'd say! It was also neat to revisit the famous Vah Ruta scene in the game and try to recreate it with both characters' inner perspectives, as well as do a very short but sweet follow-up where Link makes the same promise back. Will they be able to keep it? You'll have to read on to find out!
Especially since the next chapter shifts the focus over to Zelda and other Champions, as they realize the two have gone missing and partake in a search. So you could consider these first six chapters as "Act 1" of the story, which has now concluded.
I really hope you enjoyed this chapter, as well as the first act of this fic! As always, I'd love to hear whatever you thought about it! And keep reading, because there's still a long way to go!
Link's gag speech translated:
"Rrrphr," - "Mipha,"
"Rrphr ...Rrnnrr nnrrrnn …" - "Mipha … I don't know what …"
"Mmghrr … mm …" - "I can't … I …"
Mipha's gag speech translated:
"Rnng," - "Link,"
"Rnng?? Gnnrmm nndrrnnnnmm??" - "Link?? Can you understand me??"
"Prrmm, Rnng, prrmm drmmmn mmgnn nndrrnnnnmm. Nrnrrmmhnnh mphmmghn! Prrmm!!" - "Please, Link, please tell me you can understand me! Nod your head if you can! Please!!"
Category Story / Bondage
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 1280 x 662px
File Size 108.2 kB
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