Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Prince sidon was not one to judge so quickly, especially not on the zora people, during his weeks long adventures he'd often hear travelers mention of the 9 foot tall sea people with gleaming predatory eyes and sharp bloodthirsty teeth and jagged long claws, able to swim soundlessly through raging waters and sweep you under.

he found it quite rude actually.

So, he built a tiny opinion on them, he knew it wouldn't last forever, because on this journey his father had so graciously allowed him to go on (he snuck out since his father is too busy with work to pay attention to him) he planned to set these false accusations and rumors right by taking a zora to meet his hylian people! Then they'd see how wonderful the zora people really are and there'd never be conflict over the two races again!...right?

The prince thought about this as he looked on his map to see where he should be heading, rubbing a gentle hand through his gorgeous brown and white horse, Epona chuffed, clearly impatient to get a move on, "Don't worry my extravagant and courageous steed, we'll be there in no time! it's only eat of lanayru wetlands, then to ingot bridge is where our journey comes to a halt I believe, let's hop to it now." Sidon smiled down at the mare, jerking the reins enough to where it wouldn't irritate the animal, but let them continue on walking.

The sun now high in the sky, Sidon decided to give Epona a rest, tying the horse up to a tree, "I'll be back in a bit yes? just gonna look for a few stuff we might need, after all ingot bridge is not too long anyways, yes?" The prince smiled at the horse, throwing her an endura carrot before setting off to the river in view from where they were at, sword equipped on his side in case anything might pop out of the blue.

The hylian prince found a hearty radish, and hightail lizard and a well enough amount of Hyrule herbs, he was about to head back to Epona when he heard a shriek and hiss come a bit way behind him, worried it might be a traveller up against a monster the red-headed royal unsheathed his blade and ran closer, a hostile glint in his eyes.

.

..

...

That... that was not a scared traveller.

no, that was a -actually very short, only about 3-4 inches taller than him maybe?- Zora, a shark Zora, who was currently very out of it and bleeding their whole fucking leg out in the water.

Panicking sidon threw his blade, not bothered by the fact the Pale yellow Zora snapped their head towards him with confusion. yeah, very out of touch.

Sidon grabbed the other from under the armpits and dragged them out of the water, -albeit being a tad bit heavy- setting them down to get a look at their injuries (even if he did leave all his gauze with Epona), the short shark Zora's left leg was bent all the wrong way, bleeding a deep scarlet red slowly, a scar trailed from the middle of there chest from the right side, shallow but still a bit worrying since of how big it was, by how unresponsive they were he'd say that they've been bleeding for awhile despite only hearing them a few seconds ago, "okay please stay here- actually no that's a bit insensitive given your conditions." He received a glare from the injured Zora, instead getting on with the point, "I'll be right back, my items are with my mount, I'll be sure to be quick! Do not worry I'll leave you with me sword!" He leaped back, grinning and sprinting back to epona with urgency.

Sidon hopped onto the horse, deciding it'd be overall faster and set forth to the river, jumping off, despite falling on his face, because of how uncoordinated and rushed he was being grabbed the gauze, and set it beside them, eyes flicking around before seeing a fallen tree. convenient. He snapped off one of the larger branches and tried to remember what he could from when he used to take classes on medicine, from what he could remember was to apply pressure to where it was bleeding as to stop it, thankfully the bleeding had stopped mostly so he didn't need to do much for that part, he made sure not to move the bone as to not cause the injured more pain, then he wrapped the leg in gauze, making sure it wasn't too tight as to suffocate the limb, but not too loose so it wouldn't fall off. The royal then snapped the branched in half so it wasn't oversized and wrapped it up too so it wouldn't splinter their leg, apply it once done, giving a small 'sorry!' at the yellow shark person's pained hiss. (AN: HEY EVEN THOUGH I READ AN ARTICLE FOR THIS.. PLEASE DON'T FOLLOW THIS ADVICE AND TRY TO DO IT YOURSELF IF YOU EVER HAVE TO MAKE A SPLINT.. ITS BEST TO JUST CALL MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS INSTEAD ^^)

"There we go, is it okay if I fix the shallow wound on your chest and waist, or you'd you rather I leave it be?" The Zora simply shook their head, oh well, he won't do anything if it isn't nessasary. So he sat there while the Other slowly processed everything, "so, you don't talk much." Sidon started, trying to start up conversation.

The Zora looked at him in confusion, making a face, before realizing something he didn't gt and made an 'o' shape with his lips, using two of their webbed claws to point to their throat, crossing him while gently tapping his throat, it took him awhile to realize what it meant since it wasn't any sign language but rather just a few motions as a 2-piece puzzle easily put together in his brain (probably because they figured he knew nothing of sign language.. which he did, but their kind might have a different way of using it), and realized that they wouldn't talk, but they couldn't.

"oh, im truly sorry friend-" By the look at the annoyed glare from them, the prince could put together that they wish to not be called friend.. just yet, "I mean, im truly sorry about being so oblivious and unaware." Sidon smiled, "Oh! I was heading up to zora's domain! Since it's getting dark you'd you like to stay overnight with me and Epona?"

The Zora looked at the setting sun and their leg, then after a moment of hesitation nodded.

"That's splendid news! Great I'll.. wait, almost forgot to ask, what're you called? Your name I mean?" Sidon asked.

With no hesitation they grabbed The red-head's hand, entertwining them together, and sidon looked at them, now with a closer look they noticed a, even if it wasn't such a perfect face, striking blue eyes of fairy springs, a pristine blue the faded on the tip of their head fins, white marking that swirled elegantly around their slim, cat-like eyes like eyeliner, and not to mention their-

The weird thoughts were interrupted by the shaking in their linked hands- wait.

"OH.. yeah sorry, you- I just zoned out, sorry... link yes?" He guessed, smiling ever-so-slightly at his hand, why was he? He had no clue, maybe it just felt nice to come in contact with the person people he'd been looking for.

Just his luck, for Link grinned widely and nodded, letting go.

"Link, well Link of the Zora, I'm prince Sidon of hylians! I'm glad we had crossed paths! Now that the sun has set let's settle down now yes?" He suggested, too excited by the new person he had met to realize the utter shock and surprise at the word 'prince' before heading to Epona who was happily grazing to take the burdening weight of supply off of her as so she could get good rest.

Chapter Text

Link wasn't exactly sure about this hylian, sure if he hadn't come along and help him out he would probably be at the bottom of the river, eaten up by little baby tadpoles and his bones used by monster weapons... But still, how could this hylian prince be trusted? What if this was just a scheme for... something horrible! (he didn't know actually... but this is what happens when too much shit gets pulled on you.)

The young zora sighed softly, eyes flicking back to the splint then back to the sleeping prince. Unsure whether he should book it before the other sat back down.

then again he did just save them...

...

Maybe he'd stay.

He scooted to sit up on the stone he was placed on and looked down to the bloody, barely blue and torn sash across him, then to his leather belt, thankfully intact despite being dirty with his blood.

all his bracelets and necklaces that were gifts from his friends thankfully weren't stolen while he was blacking out, otherwise he wouldn't be the only one bleeding out.

After a minute or two, link put his webbed claws underneath him and hoisted himself up.

he lasted a good 3 nanoseconds before his majesty sat him down in a panic.

“No no! You need to stay put! I don’t want you opening up your wounds.. please?” Sidon pleaded. Way-too-easily setting soft hands on smooth sunshine scales and pushing the short Zoe’s back down. Giving Link a look of worry and.. excitement?? Before setting the fire wood he’d collected back down and grabbing flint and a knife from his satchel, scraping the two items together, sending short sparks onto the dry wood, eventually setting it ablaze.

Link flinched, staring at the fire with surprised eyes, after all having been raised purely in zora’s domain until 13 never gave him a chance to see real, red fire, “pretty.” He mumbled, though to the other it probably just sounded like some weird trill clicking noise.

Crazy how nature does that.

Sidon just smiled at him, before putting an apple down for his steed and by the fire for himself, meanwhile link just layed down, thinking. And thinking, before remembering a few things.

First of all, he’d need to be more aware of literal electric sparks coming off of the lizalfols he was fighting out of boredom before charging in.

Second of all, he promised Zelda he’d be back from his little walk outside the domain in 2 hours. It was currently night. Therefore he was even more dead than the first chillfin trout to exist.

Third of all.

Now he owes a hylian… who is a constant reminder of how. Somehow. He never grew over 5’8.

Haha.

Sometimes he wanted to stab the world for his luck.

__

The yellow zora snapped his eyes open with a start, noticing as the sun peeked over the mountains, blessing hyrule with soft, warm rays of light, he looked to his side, wondering why he was laying on itchy grass instead of a soothing pool-

Oh right.

Majesty boy.

He groaned, looking to his leg, threw his waist, wincing at the bloodied bandages, he should wash that off.

Looking back to the person sleeping about two feet away from him, he then hopped up and looked at the splint on his leg, it was just sticks and cloth, it’d be fine to bathe with.

Link limped to the river and started taking off the leather and fabrics on his body, setting them neatly to the side and stepping into the water, the tension in his muscles he didn’t even realize was there fade away in a blink.

Slowly but sure he made his way in until the water was to his waist, the bleeding on his torso had stopped, so he unraveled the gauze, revealing a light red gash in his side, slowly started to heal itself.

Another wound to add to the tally he guessed.

He continued to wash the blood off his body, and his clothing, though the red was quite a pain to scrub off from the white pattern with just your hands.

Soon enough, the hylian awoke, seeing him and the water, panic flooding his gaze until he realized that Link was okay, then walked over, giving a small wave, and sat down, noticing how Link scooted a bit away, making a small ‘oh’ sound and scooting back to letting the small zora have his space, “so… good morning?..” Sidon tried, giving a tired and awkward smile to the zora.

Link just looked him up and down, before continuing with his aggressive stain rubbing out.

“Oh! I can help you with this! Let me just-“ Sidon tried to reach for Link’s torn sash resulting in getting met with a low hiss, flinching back and looking to the shark humanoid.

He glared at the majesty…maybe it’d be okay to let him help a bit. It’d save him the time of trying to remember how to sew.

Reluctantly, Link looked a while down at the sash that Zelda had made just for him before he’d been appointed her royal knight, grumbling a bit and stuffing it into Sidon’s hands, “have at it majesty boy.” Link huffed, getting up and out the water, sliding on some neat pale blue leg wrappings and whatever left he had aside from his signature sash, and limped to where Sidon had run off, sitting a good distance away.

If he pretended to pick the grass while secretly admiring Sidon’s skill with a needle and thread, nobody needed to know.

Chapter Text

Sidon, after a few minutes had finally finished up his work with the sash, handing it to Link, "here ya go! Thanks for trusting me with it friend!" He grinned brightly, chest puffed out and hands on his hips with pride, the Yellow zora only snorts with amusement as he fits it onto himself. 

"Well, since it is early, and there's nothing for us to do... what's say we start heading to zora's domain?" Sidon smiles, he's still a bit worried about the shark's leg, but he's read about zora's quite a bit before setting off on his little quest, one thing is their quick healing, therefore he doesn't have much to worry about. 

He walks over to epona, happily grazing off about a few feet away and beckons her over, the mare whinnies with annoyance and realization that they were leaving the nice,peaceful area but doesn't protest further. She walked up to the prince as he saddled up the horse, packing his things into the bags but leaving anything unimportant as not to weigh down the mare with too many things, and guided her to the trail. he wouldn't mount the horse until he couldn't walk no longer, she wasn't something to just be ridden whenever after all, she was his friend to help him whenever he or somebody else was unable to walk, in exchange for a safe stable and plentiful food and water.

speaking of unable to be walking, Link was limping horribly as they made their way back to the path.

"link? would you like to hop on Epona? that limp you have there looks pretty bad, besides, she won't mind as long as i let her wander the rest of the time you're off." He offered.

The zora looked very, very horrified of that idea.

___

Link was starting to wonder if the hylian was either oblivious or downright evil.

He.. he expected Link to get on that.. that beast?

Now, he knows its strange to bring it up now, but then again. yesterday while near it he only had to tolerate the horse's presence, he didnt have to hop on it!

He was pretty sure it could smell fear.

no.

see it...

The zora knight shook his head vigorously, crossing his arms in an 'X' shape much to Majesty boy's confusion, "Link- i don't see what's wrong, Epona's only a horseeeeoooohhhh..." Sidon's words trail off, realizing the problem.

"Are you... are you scared of her?.." Sidon asks politely, though his face tells link if they comfirm his suspicions the prince might just explode from laughter.

So, with too much care for his pride, link shakes his head, stomping over to the horse, looking at her dead in the eyes, 'alright horse, i don't know if you can even understand zora sign but-' he raises his hands and starts signing.

"wait link don't look her in the eye like that she's gonna-" too late. Epona huffed, thinking the poor zora meant disrespect and stomped her hoof, bowing down her head started chasing the poor knight.

oh god why me.

they let out a click of fear and start (attempting) to book it, sadly, because broken bones are a bitch, epona soon catches up, grabs him by the sash, and starts walking around, dragging the poor short knight in circles across the grass, looking rather pleased as Link lays limp with shock.

meanwhile Sidon has bursted out in laughter, kneeling on the ground trying to get himself together.

the absolute audacity, Couldn't he see this monster was dragging his poor self around after all he did was look it in the eye, and started threatening it and-

oh.

yeah, he can see why he deserves this..

still. don't laugh at him! 

Link, shaking off the shock, sliding out of the sash and glaring at sidon in between tugs and finally retreiving his sash, giving one last pointed glare at sidon before huffing and grimacing at the slobber on the fabric.

at least its intact.

Finally, with a glance of fear at Epona, he limps over to sidon, calming himself down after the laughing, looking to Link, "sorry- my bad- shoulda warned.. you." he says in between wheezes.

 Link was very un-amused.

Sidon, after fully done with his fit of laughter, whistles. In response Epona lifts her head from where she had her nose in a rabbit burrow and pranced over, huffing at link, seeming to find joy in his flinch back. Sidon rolled his eyes with a smile and looked to Epona, combing his hands through her silky mane," Epona I love you friend, but you cannot drag everybody who looks at you a certain way- dont give me that look im right! this is the third person this month!" Sidon, paused at the horse's whinny.

Wait- did he just say 3rd time this month?

...

Oh hylia this horse was a spawn from ganon himself. 

"Anyways, would it be okay if you'd just be nice to this very nice and pretty young man for a bit?" Sidon asked the horse, who got a huff that was probably 'fine but ill steal his soul once we get to the domain' and Sidon smiled.

oh wait, did Sidon call him pretty? and nice? but they just met.

Link shrugged, probably hylian stuff he doesn't get.

"Well, hop on then link!" Sidon gave the zora a smile, gesturing to the mare's saddly and then to said zora.

Link swallows down his nerves, and scrambled up the saddle (with the help of sidon. say thank you sidon for being best man!)

Once on top, Epona starts into a walk, they were a bit shocked at the movement, but soon settled in. Epona obviously didnt care if he was gripping onto her for dear life. 

maybe this horse was actually nice.

not as nice as Sidon, that guy doesnt drag him around on the floor against his will.

wait wh-

____

Sidon was very glad that the Zora was starting to warm up a bit to Epona.. and him. 

He didn't know but- something about the Zora was very appealing to him, he's pretty sure it was just that fact that they havent tried to kill him yet, after all all they've done is made him laugh, let him fix his clothes and trusted him enough to turn his back-

okay.

he's thinking to much into this.

Huffing slightly, during the walk he turns back to the zora, they've been walking for a about an hour, and Sidon was getting a bit tired, but the Zora looked so peaceful and he didn't want to bother them, plus both of them couldn't sit up there and it'd be rude to kick the zora out of the spot, so instead he let them be.

They'd come up to a good spot to rest eventually anyways.

right now he shouldn't worry about any of that, just enjoy the beautiful scenery in front him...

...

wait was that a lizalfo-