The Legend of Zelda - Sweethearts in the Kitchen a Zelink Short Story

The sun continued its gentle descent, painting the sky over Akkala with soft strokes of lavender and blush, blending seamlessly with the warm oranges and pinks of the evening. The first stars, shy and delicate, began to twinkle, while the sea breeze, laced with the scent of salt, whispered through the air. From the house, the faint lull of waves caressing the distant shore could be heard, a soothing melody that wrapped their world in calm and peace.

Inside, the flickering candlelight danced with the shadows, casting tender, wavering shapes across the stone and wood walls. The fire in the hearth crackled softly, adding a cozy warmth to the space, its sound harmonizing with the gentle bustle coming from the kitchen. There, Link, with his sleeves rolled up and a quiet smile curving his lips, was completely lost in the joy of his task. The knives in his hands gleamed under the soft glow, moving with a grace that spoke of years of practice, though this time not in battle, but in the tender art of preparing a meal.

The cutting board before him was a tapestry of fresh ingredients, each more vibrant than the last: bright, sun-kissed carrots, rich green zucchinis, and delicate onions that he sliced with the utmost care and precision. Each slice landed on the board in perfect harmony, the rhythm of his movements like a quiet, secret song that only he could hear.

From the doorway, Zelda stood watching him, her heart full and her eyes glowing with a blend of admiration and the deepest affection. The sweet, comforting aroma of the fruit pie baking in the oven filled the room, growing richer with every moment. The scent of spiced apples mingling with the warmth of caramelizing sugar brought with it a flood of memories—of simpler times when their hearts dared to dream of moments like these, far from the weight of duty and war.

Link leaned in toward the oven, carefully opening the door to peek at the pie, his face lit by the golden glow within. A swirl of sweet steam escaped, filling the kitchen with even more warmth and comfort. A flicker of pride crossed his face, and Zelda, smiling softly to herself, knew that this moment, nestled in the quiet intimacy of their home, was one they would hold close to their hearts forever.

"I haven't seen you this focused since… well, since you defeated Ganon," Zelda teased, her voice soft and playful as she leaned against the doorway, watching him with a tender amusement in her eyes.

Link looked up briefly, his lips curving into a warm smile before he turned his attention back to the pot in front of him. He was stirring a mix of mushrooms and fragrant Hyrule herbs, their earthy scent filling the cozy kitchen.

"Yeah, but this time, my only enemy is this stubborn rock roast that refuses to brown properly," he replied, his tone light, though there was a mischievous glint in his eyes. Zelda couldn't help but giggle, charmed by how seriously Link approached even the simplest of tasks, his dedication always so absolute.

"Well, if it's rock roast, I certainly hope it's not for me," she remarked, raising an eyebrow as she reminded him of her less-than-enthusiastic feelings about that dish.

Link raised his hands quickly, his expression playful but sincere, as if trying to defuse a sudden crisis.

"Don't worry, don't worry! I learned my lesson after that little mishap on the plains. There will be no rock roast on your plate tonight," he promised, referencing the infamous culinary disaster where he'd managed to cook something so tough, not even the legendary Master Sword could cut through it.

Zelda couldn't suppress a grin, the memory making her heart warm. "Well, I'm glad to know I'll be spared that particular fate," she teased, stepping closer to inspect the golden pie slowly baking in the oven. Her eyes softened, taking in how perfectly everything was coming together, the room filled with the comforting aroma of caramelized fruits and spices. "You have to tell me… how did you become such a good cook? You used to be the kind of person who would eat just about anything you found lying around."

Link chuckled, his eyes sparkling as he stirred the pan with a touch of grace that was almost poetic. "Do you want the short version or the epic, full-of-details version?" he asked, his voice carrying that familiar warmth that always made Zelda's heart skip a beat.

"I think we both know which one I want," she replied with a grin. "Go on, tell me everything."

Leaning against the counter, Link folded his arms and got into storyteller mode, his gaze growing distant as he recalled his journey. "Well, it all started during my travels across Hyrule. The first ones to teach me anything were the Gorons. I went to Death Mountain, and… well, subtlety isn't exactly a word in their culinary vocabulary. They showed me their signature dish: 'Volcanic Roasted Meat.'"

Zelda raised a brow, already intrigued. "Let me guess… they cook it in the lava?"

Link's face lit up with enthusiasm. "Exactly! You throw a chunk of meat into the lava and wait for it to get 'crispy'… which, in Goron terms, basically means it turns into a rock. But hey, it's tasty! Though I have to admit, I nearly broke a tooth on one of those meals. I learned to eat a bit slower after that."

Zelda laughed, imagining Link sitting there, trying to bite into something that could probably double as a weapon. "And I'm guessing after that, you decided to look for something a little more… digestible."

"Exactly," Link said, laughing with her. "So, I made my way to Rito Village. Now they're the complete opposite—everything is light, refined, delicate. They taught me how to make 'Herb-Steamed Fish,' a much more sophisticated dish. Perfect for a warrior's diet, you know."

"That must have been a refreshing change after all that 'crispy meat,'" Zelda quipped, her smile soft and affectionate.

"Oh, absolutely," Link agreed, nodding. "But here's the funny part: the first time I tried cooking for the Rito… I forgot to add the essential herbs. So, what I ended up serving them was essentially just boiled fish. Needless to say, they weren't too impressed."

Zelda's eyes widened in disbelief, though her laughter bubbled up again. "You're kidding. Boiled fish?"

"Yep," Link said with a rueful grin. "But luckily, the Rito are pretty patient. They gave me a second chance. Though I'm not sure they'll be rushing to ask for another meal from me anytime soon."

Zelda shook her head, still smiling, her heart full as she listened to his stories. "I'm sure you'll do better next time," she reassured him gently.

Link's expression brightened as he continued, clearly enjoying recounting his adventures. "After that, I traveled to the Zora Domain. As you can imagine, it's all about seafood there. I learned how to make 'Sautéed Electric Snail.'"

Zelda's brow furrowed in curiosity. "Electric snail? That sounds… interesting."

"Oh, it is," Link replied, his eyes twinkling. "The tricky part is that while you're cooking it, the snail still gives off little shocks. I got zapped more than once, but eventually, I got the hang of it. And if you manage to avoid getting your hair frizzed, it's actually delicious!"

Zelda couldn't hold back her laughter this time, imagining Link battling with tiny electric shocks while trying to cook. "That must have been quite a sight! What about the Gerudo? I bet they have some… more exotic dishes."

Link grinned, clearly proud of this next tale. "Ah, the Gerudo. They taught me how to make their famed dessert: 'Cream of Passion.' It's this wonderfully sweet dish made with tropical fruits, whipped cream, and a blend of special desert spices. They say it's meant to awaken the senses."

Zelda's cheeks flushed pink, her eyes widening at the name. "'Cream of Passion?' Really?" she asked, her voice laced with both curiosity and bashfulness.

Link gave her a playful wink. "That's right. And I have to say, the name fits."

Zelda laughed, her face warm as she covered it with her hands to hide her blush. "You're impossible," she said, her voice light with affection as her laughter filled the cozy kitchen, wrapping them both in its warmth.

Link chuckled softly, his heart swelling with the pure joy of seeing her like this—happy, carefree, and surrounded by the gentle glow of their shared moments. As the smell of the pie filled the air and the evening settled into a peaceful rhythm, it was clear that, in this simple, perfect moment, their hearts were exactly where they were meant to be—together.