personally i like the sneaking out option a lot because it could potentially make their first meeting not be tense and formal so he gets to know the real her briefly before she has to put on a formal royal demeanor
True! Though I’d imagine the formal meeting would be fine too since there’s age differences between the options. If they meet formally, they’d be young children so Zelda wouldn’t really understand “acting like a princess” to the entirety of the idea. She’d just be like, what, 5 or 6 at most here so she and Link have nothin’ to hold back and become bestest best friends.
The stable option would put them both at an older age, maybe around 10 for both, so she would now be trying to act like her role under the pressure of the kingdom and the added stress of questions about her bloodline, but struggle with it at such a young age (and will continue to struggle with it). The stables is the only place Zelda feels like she can be herself, specifically around her horse Stormcloud, then bam, there’s Link sneakin’ about to pet the horses, and so they meet that way when she catches him in the act.
The last one, the one where she sneaks out, def occurs when they’re both in their teens, and she’d have a very clear picture of the role she’s meant to play and the thoughts the kingdom have on her and the rumored scandal surrounding her family. In this one I can only imagine her succeeding in sneaking out because Impa (or Sheik, haven’t fully decided yet) helps her sneak out (something any other guard would be immediately fired for, but she’s too good at her job and a close family friend that they’d never). Anyhow, she sneaks out, she goes on a joyride with her horse OR maybe she has a specific destination? Maybe the tiny village a few hours down is having a festival and she sneaks out to attend it, and that’s where she meets Link under a disguise. They become fast friends and hang out for the festival but she must be home soon before getting caught (probably gets caught anyway) so they part without Link knowing her name.
Fastforward a few months later he and his family visits the capitol for business and he just so happens to run into her again, only she’s in her royal garb this time, but he quickly recognizes her when she’s like “HEY WAIT ITS YOU!” And’s just like “WHA? I made friends with a PRINCESS?? Cool! :D”
——
ALTERNATIVELY! I’ve just remembered @naturecomics and their suggestion of mix-matching comes back into my brain (this is why I shouldn’t headcanon so late into the night and sleepy; I almost pass up good suggestions ;w;)
-The two meet as kids when a royal visit to Link’s village occurs. Rune (Link’s parent) is in the royal guard stationed at said village so the fam is familiar with them on that basis. Zelda, Link, and Linkle hit it off easily and become bestest friends in the span of 5 minutes. Results in regular visits so Zelda can play with her new buddies
-Both are older now (10-11) and Zelda is beginning to be taught what it means to be a princess and the protector of Hyrule. Stress begins to mount here but she’s still not entirely aware of the whole of it. This time, it’s Link who visits her via his family coming to Hyrule castle. Maybe it’s for a surprise visit but decides to sneak into the stables where he knows Zelda is. Hints at his proficiency at sneaking around. Heartfelt reunion, Linkle soon joins them, and they hang out.
-In their teens, probably 17 or 18. Zelda is now burdened with the stress that comes with being who she is and where she comes from. Rarely gets to leave the palace outside of royal duties or being accompanied by guards all the time. Hasn’t seen Link in several months and only in contact through letters; one letter has Link talking about a festival his village is holding and that he and his sisters were going. Zelda wants to go but is (reluctantly) refused by her parents, citing the work she needed to get done. What occurs is dubbed “zelda’s great escape” where she sneaks out to go to this festival and parties too hard, and what gets her caught is the fact that she sleeps on the couch of the Link fam’s house instead of going home like she planned
-Current time, both in their late 20s (like 25 or 26). This is when the adventure officially begins. Something happens that prompts Zelda and Link into going on a quest to save Hyrule a brewing darkness that’s slowly making itself known.
–
I actually had a whole lot more written it almost resembled a fanfic so, I cut a good portion out to keep it relatively shorter and easier to read. xD If ya’ll are interested I can come back in and write it all out later. x3
I am Silver Tongue, I am an artist. I have many characters and you can check out my art in the art tag. I occasionally practice witchcraft though I don't do anything too complicated. I am girl 2 and don't know what else to put here.
