please tell me someone downloaded this story before it was taken down as this story got me into reading and writing. I hated reading in school and this story help me want to read again so please tell me someone has a copy of it becuase I never got a chance to read the last chapter.

Good fiction is, by its nature, problematic and challenging. It should examine and even defy our cultural and social norms and understandings. Intellectually this can be healthy, so long as you ensure that you are examining not reveling in what you choose to defy. You examined uncomfortable themes, and handled them well, in my opinion for the most part, especially considering your age at the time.

You took a huge creative risk by writing this, and while it may not have turned out perfectly (and nothing does after all), clearly (from the 539 favorites and the multiple reviews, including this one, pleading for you to repost the story) people rewarded and admired your risk. I, and likely the majority of people like me, enjoyed your fiction not because we are evil social deviants or misogynists (though I’m sure some unfortunately were) but because you defied the conventional Zelda story and made something different and entirely your own.

I agree that some parts of this story definitely needed to be changed (and I probably would have suggested making the rating M due to the themes), but I think you did yourself and your audience a disservice by deleting it outright. Especially if you don’t intend to edit and repost it sometime in the future, I would strongly suggest that you repost it as it stands. Perhaps add a foreword, warning the reader about what they are about to read, or something of the like in the summary. Above all, I think all fiction deserves to be read, enjoyed, and yes criticized but in the end the power rests with you on what you want to do with your work. I’m sad it’s gone, but it’s your choice and I respect that. Thanks for the read, and good luck with your future writing.

Yeah, the story, as much as I did enjoy reading it back when I was a teenager like you were when you wrote it, did have some bad elements. The way Link spoke to Zelda when he revealed his secret identity and secret plan. Like, dude, are you trying to scare her? Poor Zelda.

I actually left a comment (under this account, but logged in) on one of your chapters years ago defending your story after that one comment (which you probably remember) criticized the story. That comment I left is not something I would leave today; not with the exact same words. That said, I think you could rework this story into something better, and I'm curious to see what you'll do with it.

I thought about this story earlier this year, and I started crafting a PM to the person who left that criticizing review that I mentioned earlier. I never sent the PM, but I typed out a bunch of my thoughts.

You ever heard of The Shadow's Sothiya? Ever heard of Bride of Discord? Ever come across any of those stories about werewolves finding their mates, and not getting along at first, even though they both know they're "destined" to be together? Why do people like these stories so much? Fascinating.

I loved this story, a lot. I'm glad you want to improve it- but not being able to read the old one is troublesome. I look forward to the replacement, I'm sure it will be better however, I am very miffed at the removal of a favorite. Good luck!

I can respect your decision.

I'm very glad that you are reworking this fic. I think we are thinking of the same issues... and I am sure you will be able to work things through. Maybe check out Let the World Smile by Selah ex Amino?

Thank you for letting readers know what happened instead of just removing it without comment! I was really saddened when, after recommending this story, people said it had been taken down. I only just finally came back to see for myself.

I can understand and respect your reason for removing the story. Though I loved so much of it, it did walk a thin line between two people finding love amidst an unfortunate situation, and Stockholm syndrome. But I think, despite that, so many of your story elements were so cool and your character development so good it successfully counterbalanced that for me.

But still—I understand how, as a creator, you might be uncomfortable with the gulf the fic exemplified in your own worldly understandings and personal development between then and now; and I particularly understand how you might wish to rework the fic or your favorite story elements to better reflect your vision and growth as a storyteller and a person.

Though part of me wishes I could still read the original and hold on to the enjoyment I experienced the first time I read it, I respect your desire to remove something you view as compromised from the community. That is a difficult choice, but one I think is very proactive and considerate of the community at large and the people these stories affect. I started reading fic at a young age (around 13), and was also heavily influenced by the types of relationships/situations/emotions depicted in them. I applaud you for taking that into consideration, and to heart.

I am so eager and excited to see what you write in the stead of “The King’s Bride”. Whether you reconstruct this story into an original work or another Zelda fic, I look *so* forward to reading it! And I wish you the best of luck in your writing endeavors. You are one of my favorite authors on this dear old site.

Awwwww well at least you used it to help you!

Thank you for letting us know! I'm excited to see what you'll write this time and I hope you'll be satisfied with your new version!

oh this sounds so good! please repost the story!

This is your decision to make, and as a creator myself I fully understand your reasoning. I myself have made extremely questionable decisions while trying to create something spectacular, and sometimes I come across old projects that make me cringe. I've deleted many of them myself.

I do, however, feel like taking down this story in particular is kind of a mistake because, despite some of the creepier undertones, genuinely has some real heart and passion behind it. There were many things that made me roll my eyes (That bit where the childhood friend betrays her comes to mind) but the fic did have a lot of really cool, memorable moments. I probably haven't read it in years, and yet can still vaguely recall the storyline. I actually intended to come back to it eventually, because I did like the fic, in spite of all of its problems. I liked the weirdness of the relationship, and how it sort of works even though it really shouldn't. And at one point you did too.

You're uncomfortable with what you made, I understand that. You can learn from that and make a more, uh, wholesome love story next time. But I think you're doing yourself a disservice by taking down such a popular fic.

In the end that is simply my opinion.

I'm actually sad this is gone,,, I mean as in it will be transformed... I haven't found many fics to live out to well my expectations in a LONG while and this was like the ONE fic I would come and reread when I wanted actually something good, with a great story, interesting characters and great writing... The topic might have been a bit controvertial... but I think that's what it made it so interesting to read, I dunno... I just feel like I lost a long time friend since I really did coming back a lot to this fic, like it's a personal issue...
Like someone just took my favourite book of my hands burned it and passed me a new one while telling me to forget the one I loved...

Actually I tended to recomend this fic to lots of friends and we would talk about it a lot hahaha.

Anyways... I know the story is yours and you are entitled to do whataver you want with it... I just feel... it such a great loss... Is there any way for us to... have the back up story before the change? I'd love to have it saved in my computer for personal reading as it really was a good comfort place for me to read when I was depressed.

Wow... I must say this takes a lot of courage. I remember reading this fic and both loving it and hating it lol. I saw the possibility of a cool and unique love story, but time and time again things happened that made me uncomfy. The fact that you have considered this story and the effect it had and could have, and that you are willing to correct it is awesome. More people need to be like you. I look forward to seeing what you do!

(p.s. I often went back and re-read the epilogue. The dynamic of those two was SO CUTE and in that short bit I came to love their romance more than Link and Zelda's)

One of the best zelink stories is gone because the author became a sjw and don't know what a fanfic is anymore. Sad, just sad.

While I’ll miss your story, as it was an old favorite of mine, I appreciate your awareness of unhealthy relationships in fiction and respect the decision to take it down. I think almost everyone who wrote fanfiction as a young teen is at least a little bit uncomfortable with their old work by the time they’re 20, myself included. I look forward to the rewritten version!