Chapter Text
The sun had been absolutely scorching that day, therefore a collective sigh of relief escaped the townsfolk when the bright light slowly faded and allowed their hot skin to cool. Castle Town always grew quieter around that time.
Gradually, the fatigue from the busy day started to settle in and their eyelids felt heavier. Their movements grew more sluggish as they packed away their market stalls and their speech slowed whilst they chatted about what to make for dinner. However, our princess had passed through the bustling square in the afternoon and taken refuge at her usual spot on the quietest street of them all.
The taps running as the diner chef rinsed his groovy mugs, and the chirps from a small bird up on the roof calling for its partner were all that could be heard. It had been noisier earlier due to a group of kids playing in the streets until their mother had called them in for supper, but with everyone inside, the street was empty.
The rattling of ice caught Zelda's attention as Link ladled the last of his fruit punch into a crystal glass. The luscious red brew was made from his collection of freshly squeezed juices, chopped-up fruits and handfuls of ice which kept the mixture cool in the heat. On long summer days, it wasn't uncommon for townsfolk to visit throughout the day whenever they found themselves craving the sweet goodness. Whereas during the winter time, the bowl was replaced with a small cauldron of mulled wine that kept the townsfolk warm, and protected them from the cold nipping at their noses whilst they strolled through the town's square. Link always made the best drinks after all.
Elderflower syrup with pear juice, mint leaves and sparkling water was the concoction that he had whipped up for Zelda that day which contained just the right amount of sweetness and bubbliness to make her tastebuds sing with delight. She pouted at the loss of such flavour as the ice continued to melt in the heat and dilute the last third of her drink. She was idly swirling the clear cubes around with her straw when her gaze started to wander.
The cobblestone streets and chalky stone houses were basked in such familiar, subtle orange hues from the setting sun that it was always so beautiful... so awe-inspiring, and so... sad?
Zelda wasn't sure why she felt such an ache in her heart during the twilight hours yet it was always there...
"Link...", she said, effectively gaining the chef's attention as he turned to her with a slightly raised brow.
"Tell me... Do you ever feel a strange sadness as dusk falls?".
It certainly wasn't the question the chef had been expecting to hear from his quiet customer but one that had been weighing on Zelda's mind ever since she had first heard of the tales of the other world. The 'Twilight' world as legend often called it.
"They say it's the only time when our world intersects with theirs... The only time we can feel the lingering regrets of spirits who have left our world... That is why loneliness always pervades in the hour of twilight...".
Link said nothing in reply.
Which wasn't exactly a surprise, he never did. Yet the boy had such soulful eyes, Zelda was usually able to read him well, but not always.
With no guess as to what her silent companion was thinking, she shook off her melancholy.
"But enough talk of sadness. I have a favour to ask of you, Link", she said as she turned to the stool beside her and rummaged through the straw basket that was resting on top.
"Would you deliver this letter for me?", she asked as she pulled out a crisp envelope sealed with a gold wax stamp pressed with Hyrule's royal crest.
Link hesitantly accepted the envelope as she held it out for him. Although their postman was eccentric to say the least, he did always manage to get their letters where they needed to go, leaving Link puzzled as to why he was chosen for the task. However, his brows only furrowed deeper when he noticed that there was no address on the front.
"To whomever you may choose in the twilight realm", Zelda clarified. Since it was a secret to all but the divine princess and their gods that the quaint diner was the only link between the two worlds, there was only one person who could accomplish such a task.
The chef carefully tucked away the letter in one of his drawers and pulled out his notepad and pencil.
'Anyone?', he scribbled down and showed her.
"I trust you'll know who", Zelda cryptically answered.
Link tilted his head sideways like a confused bird in reply.
"You needn't overthink it dear, just... Follow your instinct", she said with a smile and shuffled off her stool.
"Will you do that for me, please?", she asked.
Link responded with a determined nod.
"Thank you", she softly replied and scooped up her basket filled with wildflowers.
"It's getting late so I should probably head back to the castle... Get home safe, okay?".
Link simply smiled and watched as she turned back to make her way down the winding street with her long, lilac dress rippling in the faint breeze.
With a glance back at his drawer he couldn't help but wonder, 'To whomever I may choose huh'.