Chapter 17: The Grand Coronation 

NOTE: Descriptions of different executions presented in this chapter, non-violent descriptions.

Six months after the wedding, Zelda was running down the halls of the castle, trying to avoid staff while making her way to the execution grounds, which was the one place she dreaded. There were staff running around like crazy people trying to get stuff ready for the coronation that was coming up. She pushed her hair away from her face, while holding her dress and she ran. Her hair had grown back to being long, and she hadn't had a chance to cut it.

Zelda and Link had been requested to meet the head of the Executioner's. Link was already there, but Zelda had gotten up late by accident. She ran into the grassy field and took in the sight before her. It was a big grassy oval, with a lake at the back. The lake wasn't for decoration, it was for drowning people. Across the oval, there were various execution devices, used for various executions. She gulped as she walked across the field. She hopes that she would never need to use this place, ever.

The sun reflected off the metal blade of the guillotine, blinding her. Zelda gulped as she looked at the tall and terrifying structure of the guillotine. She remembered that once, Link had been sentenced to death by beheading 100 years ago. The only thing that saved him was him showing the King the Master Sword, leaving the King no choice but to release him. Then, Link became the King's favourite person, somehow.

Zelda was too busy thinking that she didn't notice where she was going. She ended up running into the leg of the gallows.

"Whoa! Easy Princess!" A voice said, catching Zelda.

"Hello," Zelda said.

"I'm the head executioner, Tyler," Tyler said.

After a quick chat, Zelda and Link were dragged away. Finally after a huge day, the couple went to bed.

———

A week later, it was the day of the Coronation. Zelda was running around trying to find bits and bob's of her outfit. Link was busy trying to get into his own outfit.

"Link! Can you help me?!" Zelda called, after failing to tie up her corset.

Link came out half dressed (he only had his undershirt and pants on), and helped her tie up her corset.

"Thanks. Haven't you gotten dressed yet?" Zelda asked, surprised.

"No, I can't figure out what order to put it on," Link replied.

"You put the ruffled shirt on first, then the jacket, then the sash. Seriously, it's not that hard," Zelda said, giggling.

An hour later, it was time for the ceremony. Zelda was nervous. Was she ready to become Queen? The title she had been called over 100 years ago floated in the back of her mind.

An Heir to the Throne of Failure

A small voice told her she still was.

"Ready?" Link asked.

Zelda nodded as Link told her hand and led her to the throne room. Upon entering, Zelda saw two thrones at the back of the room. One was red, and one was dark pink. They looked comfy enough. At the front of the room, there were rows of chairs with people sitting on them. The thrones were quite high, and required stairs to reach them. Next to each throne, was a stand. On each stand, there was a girl standing on it, holding a pillow with a crown on it. In front of the thrones, there was a coronation administrator, who said the speeches. Behind the thrones, the champions stood proudly, dressed up and always alert. It was a shame they couldn't see the crowning.

The room was silent. All eyes were on Link and Zelda.

"Your majesty's, please sit down," the Administrator said as Link and Zelda sat in their respective thrones.

"Hyrule has not had a King in over a 100 years, and Hyrule has not had a Queen for even longer, due to her early passing. Today, we not only get a King, but a Queen as well. Let's start with our Queen. Zelda, do you promise to lead Hyrule into greater heights, and protect the kingdom?" The Administrator asked, showing Zelda a pillow with a ball and sceptre on it.

"I promise," Zelda said, holding the sceptre and ball in her hands, before placing them back on the pillow and sitting back down. Link did the same.

"And now, the crowning!" The administrator said.

The two girls in the platforms placed the crowns on their new rulers heads. The crowd cheered.

Last Two Pictures - The Grand Coronation - Zelda_Story_Teller(_Art) *delete spaces* 

Zelda suddenly felt small. The sound of cheering seemed to get further and further away. The ringing in her ears sent her into panic. She felt all eyes on her as she breathed heavily. She felt sick in the stomach. Her head felt weighed down by the crown that sat atop it. When she spotted Hunter, Crosshair, Wrecker, Emerie and Echo, her panic melted away. They were smiling and looking proudly at her. She knew that Tech had told her years ago that she was going to make a great Queen. Keeping his words in her heart, Zelda calmed herself.

"I give you, Queen Zelda and King Link Hyrule! Your majesty's, any words you two would like to say?" The administrator asked.

Zelda stood up.

"My loyal subjects, Link and I promise to help Hyrule grow, and strive for greater heights, and to lead you into a greater future. One filled with love and joy, but we can't do it alone," Zelda started.

Link stood up and held Zelda's hand.

"We need your help if we are to do this. Who's with us?!" Link asked. The crowd erupted in cheers.

"Guess that's a yes," Link whispered.

Now that the ceremony had ended, Link and Zelda stood on the balcony of their room. After the wedding, they moved into the same room as each other.

"It's getting cold, we should head inside," Zelda said, shivering as the sun set over the mountains and the wind blew a southerly breeze.

"Of course, my lady," Link said, reaching out to hold Zelda's hand.

When they got to their room, Link went to have a shower. Zelda undid her hair and took her crown off as there was a knock on the door. She opened the door to reveal Crosshair.

"Crosshair," Zelda said, her voice elegant.

"Your Majesty," Crosshair greeted. "The dress looks nice on you."

"Thank you Crosshair...though you should get the credit for making it...and no formalities. We are friends. Now, what can I do for you?" Zelda asked.

"On behalf of my family...we are proud of you Zelda. Tech would be too," Crosshair said.

"Thank you...tell me, would you be interested in being the Royal Clothing Maker?" Zelda asked.

"Yes. I'd love that! I've been looking for a job because my fiancée and I are saving up to buy a house," Crosshair said.

"That's great! I'm sure Mina would love having you close to work. She is a maid, after all," Zelda said. "Congrats on your engagement."

"Thank you. Well, I should get going, goodnight Zelda," Crosshair said, earning a nod from Zelda as he left.

After he was gone, Zelda walked out onto the balcony. She closed her eyes and focused on her breathing.

"I am proud of you," a voice said, startling her.

She looked over to her left to see the spirit of Tech sitting on the bannister.

"Tech?" Zelda asked.

He nodded, adjusting his goggles. "I told you you could do it. Do you remember the words I said to you that day?"

"Yes. You said 'You'll spread your wings and soar away from the nest Little Bird...and I'll be right there. Clapping.'"

Tech clapped and Zelda realised what he was doing. "You've done it. You've left the nest. I am so proud of you."

"I miss you," Zelda said, tears threatening to fall. "I miss you so much."

"I know...but I am free. I am finally free and I don't regret anything. I don't regret pulling that trigger. You need to move on and lead Hyrule into a better tomorrow," Tech said.

"Tech. Wait...why now? Why do you only see me just now?" Zelda asked.

"Zelda. I wasn't the one who wasn't seeing you. You were the one who wasn't seeing me. I've been watching you this whole time. You and Link and the others. You guys just weren't seeing me."

With that he left, his final words to her echoing in the wind.

"Fly...fly away Little Bird. Into the night."

Link came out and saw Zelda. "You okay?"

"Yeah...I am now," Zelda said, smiling. "I am now."

Link smiled and they went to bed.

———

The next day, Zelda was waiting for Link to get out of the bathroom. She was excited to tell Link her good news.

"Link!" She cried, as he stepped out of the bathroom.

"What is it that you wanted to tell me?" Link asked.

"Okay, one: the Royal Painter is here to paint our portrait. Two..." Zelda said.

She held her stomach, trying to give Link a hint.

"Are you?" Link asked, as a huge smile appeared on his face.

"Yes! I'm pregnant!" Zelda shouted. Link gave her a huge hug.

"Link! You don't want to crush the baby!" Zelda said.

"Oops," Link laughed.

Later that day, the Royal Painter painted Link and Zelda's portrait.

Now, Zelda was preparing to tell the kingdom her good news. Suddenly, she heard a voice, and a spirit appeared.

"Father!" Zelda cried.

"Zelda, I am so proud of you. You will make a great Queen, and congratulations on being pregnant," Rhoam said.

Suddenly the other four champion spirits appeared.

"Zelda, I am so proud of you and Link," Mipha (Me-fa) said.

"We have to go, but we will always be with you...Little Bird," Revali said.

"You called me Little Bird! You've never done that. I am so sorry about what happened to you guys, but we can't change history. I guess I'll be seeing you," Zelda said.

"Goodbye Zelda," all five of them said.

"Hey Zelda? Tell Link we said hi," Revali said.

Zelda nodded, then they were gone.

"Zelda! Let's go!" Link called.

Zelda shielded her eyes as she stepped into the sunlight, and began to address her people.

"Subjects of Hyrule! We have some good news! In nine months, we will have a new edition to the Royal Family! Yes, I am pregnant!" Zelda announced, as the crowd cheered loudly.

Zelda breathed in a breath of air. A breath of the wild. 

One more chapter to go peoples! Also, art of the scene with Tech and Zelda is coming soon.