Chapter Text
Link faced the Hylian soldier’s armor on his mannequin with pure skepticism and fear.
It was how his father found him, one legend facing the prodigal. Soon to be former Knight-Captain Elijah Oden of Hebra, father of Knight Link Oden. With his father’s retirement coming soon, today was the official ceremony for the appointing and passing of the armored crest and legendary silver shield that only Knight-Captains wore.
The Oden cottage felt miles away from the Castle. Even though it was agonizingly close and only a five minute walk. Yet for the first time in fifteen years, it was completely different. Empty of most of his parents’s belongings, for they were returning to live in Hebra to tend to his grandfather’s land with his recent decline in health. The cottage was now with the deed’s under Link’s name.
Link was four weeks from turning twenty-seven. And he was so afraid of what the future would bring.
“I’m nervous,” Link confessed.
“You’ve no reason to.”
“I have many reasons. This is so much…I do not understand the fanfare. I’m not worth the fans, nor the fare. I just…I wanna make you proud.”
“You are the youngest to ever hold this honor. Of course there will be a great celebration.” His father sat in front of him. “And you have already made me proud. No matter what.”
“I won’t get to see you anymore,” Link said tearfully.
“Of course you will. I will visit.”
“No, do not leave Hebra. I don’t want you to push yourself.”
“Oh, child of mine…”
“I know Hebra is already far enough as it is,” Link said. “And with Apa’s health…You can stay there. I’m serious. I know you and mama love it there.”
“And we spent almost fifteen years in this cottage too,” his father said. “It is time for you to take your new place. We will be okay. But you are not worried about the cottage.”
He was right.
“You will be a wonderful Knight-Captain.”
“Will I, though?”
“Yes. You have all the great qualities in your empathy, loyalty, strength and perseverance. And best of all, you are my son. My child. And I love you,” his father said. “Come on. Chin up. Nowhere to go but forward. Remember; you are Link Oden of Noreste, Hebra. You are the Champion of Hyrule. And you are more precious than gold.”
His father hugged him.
“It is going to be okay, my boy.”
The event was going to be massive, with the Champions and their peoples in attendance.
While Sheik spent nearly his entire life between the Castle and Kakariko, Link only came to the castle to live when he was twelve. Though most of the free time he had, he spent it on expeditions to Hebra. Sheik had yet to accompany him.
With the Rito being so close to Hebra, Link long since knew Revali before being a Champion. He was never swayed by his insults; Link matched them instead. Sheik would watch in shock as he heard the most degrading and scathing banter between the two at any given time. But he never insulted Link’s heritage, nor Hebra.
From what Sheik found out, Revali was devoted to Link like a brother. No matter what. When Link got…sick on a Champion assignment at twenty-one, Revali was the first one at his side and covered for him when the nature of the crisis had to be extremely private. So much to the point that Mipha could not go and heal Link. ‘He’s under my care,’ Revali kept saying to everyone back then. ‘We have many gifted healers. So fuck off and worry about your own domain.’
It was an incident that Sheik still did not know the full details of, nor would he pressure Link in revealing details. It was enough to have everyone rattled after Link returned. To this day, Link never talked about it. But soon life returned to normal. Acted like nothing happened.
Zelda was the closest that Sheik will ever get to having a sibling, or any form of family outside of Impa.
And Link was his best friend.
No matter what.
Sheik wore the rarely used celebratory garb, deep shades of the Sheikah colors for the grand day of the passing of the silver shield.
For Eli’s retirement and Link to be appointed Knight-Captain.
Now, Sheik sat on Zelda’s bed as she sat at the vanity brushing her hair.
“Are you excited for the ceremony?” Sheik asked.
Zelda paused then looked at him in the mirror.
“No.”
Though he already expected her answer. He let out a heavy sigh. “Zel…”
“Why would I be excited?”
“Be nice, please.”
“I do not understand why I have to go when I have much better things to do,” Zelda complained. “And I do not understand why I must wear this ridiculous dress.”
“Formal occasion, Zel. And please be nice. It is a big day for Link. You know, our Link. The one who is your personal guard. The one we know and you do not love.”
Zelda rolled her eyes.
Zelda’s disdain for Link was not lost on anyone. As children, they got along just fine. But now that they were older…
It was not like that at all.
Link took the excessive hatred, so much to the point it was comical, in stride. His friendly yet filled with sass personality kept him afloat. Sheik supposed it was with being the youngest; Sheik himself was born in September. Zelda in November. And Link in February of the following year.
However, Link was anxious whenever his birthday came around, for reasons that Sheik still did not quite understand. He was humble to a fault, to the point he rarely celebrated his achievements. He did not mind the frequent parties held at the castle, though he spent it mostly either with Sheik at his side with his arm around his elbow or with his parents next to him. His mother's hand linked with his. Occasionally, he was with the Champions. His own drink was replaced by water.
Link did dance, at Urbosa’s encouragement. He did enjoy that a lot. He called it the Hebran heritage; “Not much to do, so we’ve always danced to keep warm and pass time.”
Sheik loved Kakariko with his soul; he could only imagine the importance that Link had to his homeland. The distance didn’t help. Neither did the sneery comments to Link being from the “backwards” mountains from ignorant civilians. Link always rolled his eyes and snarked something back.
Now, Zelda usually braided her own hair but struggled this time.
Her hands were trembling again.
She was always nervous before big events. The tell was always in her hands. Maybe it was the pressure of the event. The fact that she would miss Mister Oden and Mistress Riso. She grew up knowing them. Sheik loved them.
Sometimes, Sheik wondered if Zelda’s attitude to Link did not help too.
Timidly, she turned to face Sheik.
“Can you…”
Zelda was never the best at asking for help.
“Yeah.”
“Thank you.”
Sheik went to braid her hair, years of practice on his own hair and on hers. His hands guided themselves as he made a fishtail braid down her back to her waist.
“The kingdom loves you, Zel. I love you. I know you do not wish to do this, but please…Can you be nice to Link today?”
“Yes. I will try. Only for the Kingdom.”
Well.
Sheik supposed that would have to do.