4) Nostalgia, Contest Submission Thread

[Existence: DENIED]

Thread for submitting all drabbles under the theme 'Nostalgia' .

[CrazygurlMadness]

Promise (152 words)
“Remember when you used to wear that pink dress?”
Zelda looked down at the navy blue gown, frowning. “Yes. Why?”
Link sighed, running a hand over her swollen stomach. “Nothing. Maybe I’m coming down with something.”
“I hope not,” she said, a bit dryly. “If I were to catch it, my doctor would never forgive me. Think of the baby.”
He smiled softly, bringing her close and kissing her forehead. “It’s just that I keep thinking of all the memories attached to that dress. You were beautiful.” At her pointed stare, he hastened to add, “You still are.”
Her lips curled up fondly. “Oh, Link, do you really miss the old days so much?”
He shrugged and admitted, sheepishly. “I miss sweeping you up in my arms and having that flurry of fabric billow around us like flower petals. Promise me you’ll wear it again after the baby is born.”
She laughed.

[Angel Zelda]

Zelink Theme #4: Nostalgia
Title: Journey First, Princess Later
Words: 210

The small red horse whinnied as she trotted through the misty forest. On her back was a blond-haired, blue-eyed boy, no older than eleven. He was staring intently into the distance.

Link was looking for Navi, the fairy who had been his partner in his quest to save Hyrule. That seemed like a lifetime ago...

Link let his mind wander to thoughts of Zelda, who had been the last person he saw before he had set out on his secret, personal journey.

The Princess seemed sad that Link would be leaving Hyrule, but had respected his decision. She had given him the Ocarina of Time as a going-away present, and taught (more like re-taught) him the Song of Time.

Link could have sworn that he heard Zelda’s voice.

“Even though it was only a short time, I feel like I’ve known you forever...I’ll never forget the days we spent together in Hyrule...And I know in my heart that a day will come when I shall meet you again....”

Link felt a sudden longing to turn his horse, Epona, around and go back to Zelda.

His heart wanted it, but his head told him otherwise.

When you find Navi, then you may return to Zelda.

[Dirty Harry]

Mine sucks...like really badly.

About 520 words.

“A Bottle of red...
A Bottle of white...
It all depends upon your appetite...”

Scene from an Italian Restaurant

“Things are okay with me these days,” Link said with a forced grin, trying to sound casual. He fingered at his collar nervously, as the waiter cleared away their table in a careful manner, while he wondered what the lady opposite him was thinking. “You know, got a new job, got a good office. The works, yeah...”

“And the family?” Zelda asked with a smile, her rippling blue dress shifting slightly as she leaned toward him. Around them, the buzz of conversation faded and rescinded, as they talked. “How’s Aryll?”

“Oh, she's fine. Yeah, the family’s fine,” Link replied, the anxiety he felt causing him to stutter slightly. It had been almost eight years since he and Zelda Harkinian, his best friend from high school, had met for anything. And she was still devilishly good looking... “We lost touch a while ago. I haven’t seen you for what...”

“Eight years?” Zelda finished, leaning back in a relaxed manner. Gracefully, she tossed her hair back, flicking it out of her eyes, and for a second Link’s eyes trailed downward, past her neck, toward her—

“Umm—you look...really good, yeah!” Link struggled with his edginess while Zelda beamed back at him. “Yeah, I think you’ve lost some weight...”

“Really? I didn’t know...” Zelda pouted as she continued. “You were always worried that I was anorexic in high school or something.”

“Well, I was worried about you,” Link confessed, “but I never knew you could still look good after all this time,” he added, a little shakily.

“Aww—that’s sweet of you!” Zelda laughed as she looked out over the bay that their table overlooked. The blanket of night broke over, while the clouds behind it shone in the mirrored surface of the water. “You know, this is the first time I’ve been on a date for so long. It makes me feel—almost young again.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean,” Link added nostalgically, watching the glistening reflection of a particularly bright star. “I miss our school days,” he murmured, watching Zelda’s every move. He wanted some indication that she was enjoying herself...

“Actually, it’s been great to catch up with you,” she said casually. “Maybe...you’d like to come back to my place for a bit? It’s not too far away...”

“Oh...I’m a little busy...umm...”

“Of course,” she added hastily, “if you can’t come that’s fine, I guess...I mean, if you have other business to attend to.” For the first time, a look of disappointment flashed across Zelda’s face, but she hid it with a well-placed smile.

“Well, they can wait,” Link cut in, watching Zelda’s face light up as he put his arm around her. For the first time, in many long years, he suddenly felt like a schoolboy again, a young man romancing his girl in the back of a theatre or the corner of a restaurant. Remembering the term he had called Zelda when they were in school, Link grinned as he said, “Shall we, Princess?”

[LZ Angel]

Words: 502 (I'm sick of editting, so I'm finally posting)

It is almost painful to remember those days – the earlier days of my childhood. I remember running through the forests after my friends with the sun on my face and the wind in my hair. I remember being happy because back then, I didn’t have to worry about growing older and losing my friends, I didn’t have to worry about not having a fairy, and I certainly didn’t have to worry about saving the world. I was happy, at peace, and free. Free to live my life the way I wanted to, free from the responsibilities of my adult years.

That time was such a contrast to my ‘original’ teenage years – a time of war and suffering. I was constantly on the move, still running around from place to place, but I no longer enjoyed it. Instead of being a childish game, I was running for my life. I no longer ran to escape being ‘It’ - I ran to escape the horrors trying to kill me and destroy Hyrule. I was no longer carefree – I was burdened by the knowledge that I was Hyrule’s last hope. Everyone depended on me, and I could not fail.

The ‘second’ time was similar for awhile – I was still running around trying to save everyone. I left the Forests when I was young, and found another country to rescue. I was burdened once again by the knowledge that only I could save these people. No matter how much Zelda wanted me to live my life free, I would never escape my destiny as a hero.

At first I was pleased to return to my childhood after the first time (the war with Ganon), but I began to resent her when I realised I could not escape the burdens of adult life, no matter how old I was. Then I returned to Hyrule and saw her again. I asked her why she insisted on changing me back when I was still the same. She cried that day – I felt so bad for hurting her, even though she had hurt me. She hadn’t meant to, really.

After that I stayed friends with her, visiting her every so often. No new terrors came to plague Hyrule, so I was left in peace once again, gradually realising I no longer needed to be a Hero. Even though I was no longer in Kokiri Forest, I was still happy. My only worries were what Zelda would say when she realised I destroyed her favourite garden...again. Once more, I was peaceful. Once more, I was free.

Now, I am not free. I am tied down to another fate I cannot escape. However, this time I’m happy to be ‘trapped’. I used to long for the carefree days of my childhood, but no longer. Now, I’d rather be tied down to my wife and baby girl than carelessly running through the forests with my friends. I’ll always remember the happy times back then, but I’d rather be here now than anywhere else.

[Alantie]

Theme: Nostalgia
Words: 473
Title: Sapphire Blue

The sunlight glinted off hair of spun gold and Link whipped around, hearing musical laughter. A little girl was running by, laughing happily, hand in hand with another girl with brunette hair. He blinked, shaking his head as he tried to focus his mind once more on the present. It wasn’t her. He was in a foreign market, far from the land of his birth where the beautiful Princess Zelda ruled. He was no longer a child. It was just a memory. . .

Sighing, the young hero went back to browsing the market stalls. He had been told by an old woman he assisted the previous night that this was one of the best markets in the world, and that they had merchandise that could be found no place else. So he had risen early to look, wandering from stand to stand. From one he had purchased his breakfast in the form of fresh milk and newly baked cheese bread while at another he found some polish for his weapons.

While walking past a booth filled with bolts of fabric that women were haggling over, a flutter of blue caught his eye. Blinking, Link paused, his gaze focusing on the length of silken cloth that was dancing merrily in the breeze. It was a deep midnight blue embroidered with fantastical designs of hearts, flowers, crowns, stars all entwined, all in silver thread. His gloved fingers reached out to touch it lightly, and he was immediately homesick.

In his mind’s eye she turned to smile at him, eyes a dark blue, clad in a gown of silver trimmed with azure, holding a hand out to him. In the other she held the familiar instrument, painted a sapphire hue with a silver triforce on it. Goddesses, how he missed her, how he loved the sound of her voice as she spoke his name. ‘Link. . .Link. . .’

“Did you want to buy that, sir? It can be worn as a veil over the hair, or as a shawl.”

Startled, Link turned to meet the quiet brown eyes of the stall-tender, a slender delicate woman in simple homespun clothing. “Uh. . .”

“It’s not too much,” she assured him, taking the cloth down and spreading it wide. The fabric glowed even brighter in the sun, sparkling with a radiance that he wouldn’t have believed mere cloth could do. “Only 70 rupees. I’m sure she would like it.”

“She?” Link repeated.

“The young woman you’re thinking about,” she responded gently. “Why else would a warrior such as yourself stop here?”

He could only gaze at her wordlessly, swallowing as a shiver went through him. “Yes, alright,” he agreed, fumbling for his wallet to place the money in her hand, she in turn handing the beautiful cloth that had brought nostalgia to his heart and soul.

[gr33n_sl33ves]

Title: Remembering
Theme: Nostalgia
Wordcount: 132
Genre: General
Setting: Post PH
Rating: G

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When she was younger, Tetra liked to consider herself a free spirit; unchained, untamed, and not attached to anyone but the sea. Sure, she had her responsibilities to her crew, but they were as wild and free as she was, so that was never an issue.
But one day a boy dressed in green came into her life, and her world, or rather the entire world itself, was turned upside down.
But now, years later, she is an old woman thinking back on her life, and she finds that the freedom she so fondly remembers was not lost to her when she assumed the throne of a kingdom reborn. She only has to look on her husband to recall the carefree days of her youth, and he heart is free once more.