Work Text:
The following is an excerpt from the research journal of HRH Princess Zelda Bosphoramus Hyrule, regarding a recent research expedition to study the wildlife found in the rockpools at Hateno Beach.
Report Begins:
Date: 14th of February, 2nd year P.C. (Post Calamity)
Time: 06:47 (low tide)
Weather: Sunny, 10°c
Head Researcher: Zelda Hyrule - Joined by Sir Link.
Project aims to catalogue the local marine wildlife for the East Necluda region.
I will admit, when I awoke this morning, I was filled with excitement. Childish I know. But it has been so long since I last went rockpooling. I think I may have been around five or six years old, my mother took me to Lanayru bay. We spent hours gazing into shallow pools, watching the hermit crabs scuttle about. I remember writing everything down in my notebook, and my mother joked that she would "Make a scientist of me yet."
Perhaps that day was what ignited my love for the sciences in the first place.
Anyway, as I was saying, this morning I was very excited. Link and I awoke early, and as he set about packing us a lunch I gathered my equipment. (Sheikah Slate to take photos, notebook and pencil to take notes etc.) After a quick breakfast we walked down to our first research location near the northern side of the bay. Luckily it wasn't a long walk by any stretch of the imagination, or I fear I would have talked his ear off. I probably still did in fairness.
Link is, by his nature, a quiet man. Back before… well everything, he has confided in me that he felt trapped by his role. Something I could relate to. But since he awoke, since we've been reunited, I've noticed that he's grown more talkative (though admittedly not by much) He's freer with his words and opinions. Just the other night he regaled me with a story of his time in Zora's Domain - the feeling of swimming in its waters, sun on his face, children's laughter in the air. It was wonderful to see him reminisce in that way. I felt truly honoured that he chose to show that side of himself to me.
Afterwards I made him a cup of tea, and he turned his nose up at it! Apparently I steeped it for too long? He still drank all of it though. Link is kind that way.
This is meant to be a scientific journal, forgive me.
The first rockpool we examined, hereby referred to as "Rockpool A", held a beautiful menagerie of sea creatures. By my count there were five Patella Vulgata (Common Limpets) clinging to the rock face along with an Asterias Rubens (Common starfish). Link was particularly excited about that one, even reaching into the water to gently touch it's back.
In our second rockpool ("Rockpool B") we found 3 more limpets and the empty shell of one Gibbula Umbilicalis (Purple topshell) Since it was vacated we collected it as a sample and have brought it back home for study. Also, unlike in Rockpool A, Rockpool B housed a family of Crangon Crangon (Brown Shrimp). The largest we measured was around 8.5cm. Link wanted to name him, and who was I to disagree? So from henceforth the biggest brown shrimp has been named "Sir Shrimp".
Sir Shrimp was returned to his home in Rockpool B.
The thirst and final rockpool("Rockpool C") held a stunning school of Pomatoschistus Microps (Common Goby). I almost missed them against the sand at the bottom of the pool, if it hadn't been for Link our little friends would have remained a mystery. We also found a collection of Ulva Intestinalis (Gutweed). Apparently, according to Link, it is edible. It has a mild taste but is said to be good for you. He attempted to get me to taste it after rinsing it thoroughly, but I declined.
He did say something rather odd though. "You made me me lick a frog." And I must confess, I had forgotten about that incident. Funny that he should remember that out of everything.
On the rocks near Rockpool C we found a Mermaid's Purse. An egg case for Sharks, Skates, and Rays. This discovery was most intriguing and warrants further investigation. If there are sharks in our waters I would be overjoyed to see them.
With our examinations concluded and our evidence gathered, we made to return home.
Now, I feel it pertinent to include this in my notes for posterity, even when it is utterly embarrassing. Link had been warning me all day to be careful on the rocks. He feared , with the constant crashing of the waves and the algae we observed, that the rocks around the pools may be slippery. I want it noted that I did take his request for caution seriously. I kept my boots on, watched every step I took, held onto his hand for balance (only when strictly necessary however). But, somewhere between being splashed with sea water whilst returning Sir Shrimp back to his home, and the excitement of finding the Mermaid's Purse I… I tripped.
Let mine be a cautionary tale to always practice vigilance whilst rockpooling.
I am truly grateful that I embarked on this expedition with a research partner or else I fear that my head may have been dashed across the rocks. If it weren't for Link's quick thinking and fast feel then I doubt that I would be in any capacity to write these notes. He saved me, like he always does.
I will admit, here, in the privacy of my own journal, that I feel rather conflicted. Link is not the same man as he was a century ago. There are memories he will never recover, friends he can never mourn. But there is a new lightness to him. He hums when he cooks. He has preferences regarding his tea and does not fear to share them as he once would have. He smiles more than he did and it is almost addictive to see. I find myself wanting to make him smile more, to tell him stupid jokes and hear his laughter in response. He has the most wonderful laugh when he lets himself go. It is loud, full bellied, and near musical. Sometimes he even snorts! And then he goes bright red as if he didn't expect to make such a sound.
And today, when he caught me, he looked less like he was going to have a conniption and more… worried. Not for his position as he once may have, but for me. Worried for my safety because he is my friend.
He even smirked. He smirked ans said "I told you it was slippery". And maybe it was the adrenaline coursing through my veins or the way the sunlight seemed to glitter in his eyes, but I couldn't find it in myself to be anything but happy. I burst into laughter and he joined me.
I think perhaps, after reading back my notes, that happy isn't the most accurate word to describe how I felt in that moment. I think it is Safe. Standing there with his arms around me in the early morning sun, I felt safe. He makes me feel safe. Even after all these years apart.
I missed him so much. I didn't sleep in that place, but I dreamt often. I dreamt of the smiles he never. shared, of the kindness in his heart as he sat through all those hours of fruitless prayer. I dreamt of making tea for him. He never judged me. He was always there for me.
And I understand that he is different now but that kindness, that lack of judgement, is still there. He could have called me foolish today. Foolish for slipping on the rocks, for devoting my time to staring into shallow pools of ocean water. But he only laughed it off with me. He spent the morning looking into those same rockpools, he made us a lunch so we wouldn't have to cut our trip short. He was wonderful today. I am so lucky that I get to spend time with him like this.
I want to spend all our time like this.
Forgive me, this is supposed to be a scientific journal. Link is currently preparing our dinner as I write this (we are conducting an experiment with the Gutweed - results to follow)
Tomorrow we shall head back out to the bay in search of signs of sharks, skates, and/or rays living off of the coast. Link has suggested borrowing a raft to sail into the shallows and I agree it would be most beneficial for our studies.
He said he's going to make us another packed lunch. I am so looking forward to it.
p.s. The Gutweed was okay, but I doubt it will become a staple in our diet.
Report ends.