Prince Link Concept

Hi, this month's Sidlink Ship Art is gonna be a prince Link x hero Sidon au based on it being most favored in my suggestion post!!

And AH.

I didn't put Link in Zelda's exact aesthetic when it came to royal design... I kind of liked the idea of him being a more coastal-themed prince!! (I have an ocean-themed bias, but also BOTW Link just REEKS of yearning for the ocean and water people, AHH-) So, while designing I leaned into that, and I thought of a HOPEFULLY enjoyable HC that allows for fun romance plotlines~

In short, to have Sidon be the hero of Hyrule and Link be a royal, I thought of making Link the prince of Zora's Domain! But Zora's Domain being much closer to the coast (thinking Lurelin Village's location, but with Zora's Domain's architecture influences). Sidon is the hero of Hyrule, but a Hyrule castle that too is more similarly themed by Zora's Domain... with the zoras being its main inhabitants. The land of Hyrule is much more heavily connected by rivers, streams, and water-based ventures!

When Princess Yona awakens Sidon from his 100 year sleep, he sets off on this adventure to save Hyrule! Though, once he arrives to the kingdom of Lurelin Village and meets Prince Link, he is pleasantly surprised.

Link in this AU is not a prince of blood, but of position. During the 100 year war, the royal family of Lurelin suffered many losses, causing the bloodline to narrow until only Princess Zelda was left. But, tragically, danger sought her out and ended her life too soon. Which is when Link, her crown guard, became aware that Zelda trusted him with the role of Prince if she were to perish. To promise her to protect their domain.

Link is grieven with Zelda's death, with his inability to save her from danger, but when Sidon helps Lurelin become safe, and take out the monster that had taken Zelda, Link finds himself deeply grateful, but also... asking to join in on this adventure. Something Sidon is deeply shocked of, but accepts, seeing how Link thrives to end this Calamity to keep the peace of the village he was tasked to do. And well... Sidon quite likes this prince's company! And Link? Well, he seems to want this combatical engagement alongside Sidon to continue... and maybe not just to bring peace to his little kingdom in Hyrule.

Anyways time to draw ship art- (maybe if this concept is liked I can expand in the future!! I do think it's quite cute to spin the aspects of who is the chosen hero vs who is the standing up one! And also, I imagine Sidon's father is alive! But Mipha, she was a guard in Hyrule who had fallen during the calamity 100 years ago. One that Princess Yona mourns... deeply.

Sidon and Link trauma bonding while lookin cute and swimming around Hyrule!!