Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Zelda:

“King Rhoam Bosphoramus approaches!” A Gerudo guard I recognized as Samel called. 

I stiffened beside Urbosa who frowned at me. “It’ll be all right, Little Bird. He’s probably checking on you.” 

“Seven years of training away from the castle, with the Zora, Gorons, Rito, Sheikah and the Gerudo, and now he wants to come check on me? I don’t buy it. Something is up with him. He wants something.” I shook my head then raised my eyes to the gates that slowly opened. 

“Zelda, he’s not the Calamity. He’s your father.” Urbosa gave me a last hug.

Hylia, help me. Please.

The King drew nearer, accompanied by almost two dozen guards and knights. One in particular being much younger than the others. A boy, barely older than me, carrying a familiar sword and standard shield with a Champion blue shirt. 

Shame I’d held back for years creeped up my skin, chilling my core. Yet another failure that can be used against me.

My eyes darted back to my father, clad in his blue and gold armor. The same outfit he wore in court. The same outfit he had on when I last saw him. As a King, rather than a father.

“King Rhoam,” Urbosa stood tall against the King’s scrutiny. “To what we owe this pleasure?” 

“I would like to speak with you, and my daughter privately, if I may?” He gave me a pointed look. It took seven years of training and small defiances to not cower beneath his gaze. “It’s about her training. The Final Test draws near, does it not?” 

My mouth went dry. 

I was supposed to have more time than this. Urbosa said she could hold it off for another three years.

“It does. But I want to be sure that she’s prepared for it. Another month of preparation is the standard ritual.” Urbosa refused to back down.

Rhoam carried on as though she hadn’t said the second part. “Good. Then I want her to—”

He was interrupted by a poof and maniacal laughter that enraged me. The Yiga Clan, dressed in red with those ridiculous masks. They stood along the walls of Gerudo Town and on top of shops with the rest blocking the entrance. One I recognized as Sooga accompanied his leader, Kohga. 

I never understood how a man like him could be a leader of anything. 

“King Rhoam! And his daughter! What a treat! Wouldn’t you say so, Sooga?” Kohga rubbed his palms together as I unsheathed my sword.

The knights and guards bristled, surrounding us. Urbosa’s warriors aimed bows and spears at the unwelcome guests. 

“I would indeed.” Sooga’s mask seemed to be staring at me. 

I bared my teeth at him, and Kohga laughed. “Yiga, attack! Me excluded, of course!” And vanished in a puff of smoke. 

It left his warriors confused for a moment. A moment that the Gerudo and soldiers used to begin the attack. I bolted directly for Sooga, passing my father and Urbosa too quickly for them to grab me. 

He jumped off the wall and launched himself at me. I dropped into a slide to avoid both his blades before spinning around meeting his swords with my own. 

“Very bold, Princess.”  

I pushed him away and slashed again. He narrowly avoided it and jumped back to circle me. 

I finally noticed that everyone else was engaged in battle, save my father and two of his guards who took out Yiga that came near. King Rhoam’s eyes remained on me, or rather, my sword, through it all. 

“Don’t worry, Princess. When I kill you, he will join you shortly in the afterlife. If there is one.” Sooga vanished but I sensed his presence behind me and put my sword over both my shoulder blades. 

His swords ground against mine and my footing began to slip.

“You know what I think?” My elbow cracked across his face and he stumbled back. “I think you run your mouth too much. You should focus on fighting. Maybe then you’d actually win.” 

I charged him again, avoiding both jabs before he teleported again. My sword slashed across his chest, drawing the first blood in our duel. Sooga put one hand to his wound and looked up with a new expression. He observed me more carefully. 

“Perhaps I’ve been underestimating you. The mistake will be corrected.” He rushed me this time and dodged, parried and returned every jab. 

I tripped him with a swift kick to his ankle and he fell. Sooga glanced up behind me as I pressed my sword to his throat. I whipped around to see that a Yiga footman had launched three knives at me from off the rooftop. 

The moment seemed to slow. As if the fate of Hyrule hinged on this moment, and not the defeat of the Calamity.

I thought about dodging but knew I wouldn’t be fast enough. Blocking them would have to do. 

I raised my sword to meet the blades when I sensed another presence hurtling at me. A tap on my shoulder alerted me that it was the young knight from earlier. He stepped in between the blades and I, raising his shield. 

One after another, the blades struck the shield until the Yiga footman was shot down by a Gerudo Warrior. 

I turned back to Sooga who vanished once and for all, defeated for the time being. Kohga called for a frantic retreat and each of his followers disappeared. 

We stayed on the defensive for a moment before relaxing again, the knight at my back. 

Urbosa gave me a look I knew meant I would be in trouble later for taking on the most powerful Clan member so recklessly. 

Hylia, I am very close to either coming up there and dragging you down here, or going up there with you and staying there to hide for eternity.

I turned back to the knight. “Thank you. Your help was invaluable.” 

What I wanted to do was scream that he had already successfully fulfilled his part of the prophecy, wielding that cursed sword. Instead I respectfully forced a smile. 

Urbosa taught me to have manners even when upset. Ladies do not stoop to the levels of small children. I’m only slightly spiteful.

The knight crouched into a deep bow with his eyes downcast.  I walked away, feeling the panic rising in my chest again. 

No one had bowed to me in a very long time. I had specifically asked that no one would while I was here. Pressure built but I pushed it to the back of my mind. 

King Rhoam didn’t need to push through the crowd of warriors to get to me. They parted for him, bowing to him. He stopped in front of me. I put a fist over my heart and lowered my head to him out of respect. 

“Your fighting was impressive, if a bit reckless.” A veiled knife ready to stab at the slightest vulnerability. “It’s a good thing that Sir Link was there to save you.” I spotted Urbosa inching closer. “As King, I demand that the preparation for the Final Test be cut, so that you may leave immediately.” 

My jaw must’ve landed on the floor with how hard the shock hit me. I raised my head enough to meet his gaze. “With all due respect, I cannot leave immediately. My partner, Lady Impa, is not here to join me on this quest. The rules state that I may bring whomever I wish to embark with me.” 

“Then I will send Sir Link with you. Either way you are leaving tonight, Zelda.” His face contorted with barely restrained anger and annoyance. My father’s eyes, however, looked anywhere but at me. “Sir Link,” the boy rose from his bow. “Protect my daughter at all costs. Bring her back at the slightest issue.” He finally deigned me with his gaze. 

“I implore you to rethink this, Father. The Molduga is a dangerous monster that few have killed. If you send someone who does not have the knowledge of the Molduga then you are sending that knight to his death!” My voice raised the slightest hint, and instant regret hit my gut. “I just wish for the safety of everyone involved. Impa has studied every text available, Sir Link may be good at fighting people, but not this vicious creature.” I lowered my head again, knowing that all eyes in the courtyard were pinned on me. 

“I do not care, Zelda! You are leaving and you are leaving immediately! Go pack! From now on, you will do as you’re told!” He shouted at me, raising his hand. I closed my eyes and turned my head to the side, waiting to feel the sharp sting on my cheek. One I hadn’t felt in seven years. 

Come on, slap me. I know you want to. Because I will never live up to your standards and expectations. It’s fine, I don’t even live up to mine.

I waited but nothing came so I opened my eyes again. Father stared at Urbosa who stood by my side. 

“It’s the nerves, King Rhoam. The Molduga is daunting for anyone attempting to approach.” She wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Please excuse her behavior.” Urbosa nudged me slightly. “Why don’t you go pack? And in the meanwhile, you two,” she ordered two of her warriors. “Outfit the knight with what he needs to survive in the desert, night and day.”

I blinked slowly, trying not to collapse with the adrenaline wearing off. 

Urbosa walked me to my room that lay beside hers. When the door closed, I sat on the bed trying to regain composure. 

“He almost slapped me.” I breathed. 

Urbosa nodded, glaring at the door. “If I hadn’t intervened… he would have.” 

“I know.” 

She sat beside me and wrapped her arms around me. “We don’t have much time, but I want you to know that I had no idea he was coming at all.” 

“I know.” I sighed. “That poor boy. He’s coming with me, and he has no idea how to deal with a Molduga. It should be Impa. She prepared for months. But, of course, the King has his own agenda that I need to follow, otherwise I’m nothing more to him than any of the knights whose lives he so carelessly endangers.” 

“It’s not right, but it’s happening anyways, Little Bird.” She gave me a soft smile. “But you can solve it. While I’m not impressed that you took on Sooga all by yourself, it was very brave of you. He may not have the information, but you do. That knight is very skilled. I saw firsthand what he can do in battle. It may be advantageous to have him with you.”

“Hmmm.” I snatched my day bag off my dresser and gently placed my clothes in it along with the Sheikah Slate. Urbosa set out desert armor that would keep the sun from beating down on me too badly. 

I got changed into the armor. The black wide sirwal pants with white designs that reminded me of the Guardians’ patterns cinched at my ankles. My feet slipped into short Gerudo heels. I wore a blue top that left my stomach exposed, lined with gold metal wrapping around my neck to keep it there.. Urbosa pulled my hair back with a gilded tie into a high ponytail. She set a small crown with two custom red rubies with matching earrings. According to legend, the ruby would protect the wearer from the cold and any danger they come across. Four was practically asking for immortality.

Staring at the mirror, I frowned. “Thank you, Urbosa. For everything.” 

“Little Bird, you don’t have to thank me. I care for you more than you know. We’ve been over this a thousand times. I don’t need your thanks, I just want you to be happy and safe. You deserve it.” Urbosa gave me a tight hug and tears once again threatened to spring to my eyes. “Your father loves you very much but… he has his strange way of showing it.”

“Like hitting me anytime he pleases.” I grumbled. 

Urbosa lowered her head to look down at me. “He’s not the father I wish he was for you, but he could be worse. I’m not defending him or taking his side, but I can think of two reasons why he sent you out here.” 

I gritted my teeth. “What could I have possibly done to make him do that?” 

“He sees your mother in you, Zelda, and he can’t stand it. He can’t look at you without thinking of my dear friend and it pains him. Another is that he wanted to protect you from himself but he can only keep you away for so long before he has to bring you back for public appearances.” She tucked a stray strand of hair away from my face.

“Urbosa, I understand what you mean about seeing my mother. I stare in the mirror every day and see her staring back at me. Not a day has passed that I wish she were here.” In private I’ve even regrettably thought about what would happen if she were here instead of father. 

She gave me a watery smile. “The same can be said for me. But the difference is that I also see you.” Urbosa gently cupped my face. “I see who you are, rather than who your father wants you to be.” 

My knees buckled at last and Urbosa caught me, lowering us to the ground. “The day I left he told me that he didn’t want me studying or working on such frivolous nonsense as working with the Guardians and the Divine Beasts, and doing everything within my power to help Hyrule against the Calamity.” I cried. “All I wanted was to help but he told me that there was nothing I could do to help, save unlocking the power within me. But I can’t! I’ve tried, over and over. Yes, it’s there and I can feel it, but I can’t summon it on command like he wants. I can’t control it.” 

“He doesn’t know that, does he?” Urbosa softly asked. 

I shook my head. “He doesn’t. If he did, it would mean another slap and more ridicule about how I fail him, both as a daughter and a princess.” 

“You’re not failing anyone, Zelda.” She pulled away from the hug. “You are perfect the way you are. You will blossom on your own time. Not his.” 

I blinked away my tears and wiped my face. “I should finish packing.” In a matter of seconds I regained full composure, compressed my emotions, and finished packing. 

Urbosa left for a moment before coming back with two bows, and a ton of arrows. “I got these from the armory. You and the knight will need them against the Molduga. One hundred and one bomb arrows and four bows in case they break.” 

I thanked her and carefully placed the bomb arrows in my bag. “Hopefully they don’t explode on the way there.” Heat rose in my cheeks at the nonexistent embarrassment. 

“They won’t. You can swing that bag around as much as you want and they won’t budge.” Urbosa gave the bag a smack and I jumped even though nothing happened. She smiled. 

“So, how do I prove that the Molduga is dead? Do I bring back a fin? A tooth? Its head? I mean, its head would be difficult to accomplish, seeing how large it is but if that’s what it takes—” 

“Its tongue, or if preferred, its eye will suffice.” 

I turned to Urbosa, pale and frozen in place. She bursted out laughing at my expression. “I’m kidding! But your face was priceless, Little Bird. All you have to bring back is photographed evidence with the Sheikah Slate. Leave the rest to me.” 

I paused at the term “rest” but nodded anyway. “All right.” I hefted the bag over my shoulder and started toward the door but stopped. I ran back and hugged her quickly before she gave me an affirmative nod. 

“Come back safely.” 

“I will.” I walked out the door, toward the courtyard where I spotted Sir Link, practically shirtless, in gold and green armor. My breath caught and I quickly turned my face away to hide my blush. 

Until I made eye contact with my father. 

Crap. 

“I trust you are ready, Zelda?” Father stood stoically with his arms crossed. I nodded as I sensed Urbosa emerging from the building behind me. “Urbosa?” 

“You will be travelling with sandseals. Both of you. Any weapons you require, you have been outfitted with. You have two days. May the Goddess be with you both.” Urbosa announced to the surrounding crowd. 

I strode toward the two sandseals with Sir Link at my back. He glanced confusedly down at the shield so ungracefully thrusted into his hands. I was given mine and held it up for him to see. 

Sir Link knelt to my father and I bowed my head to him. We turned back and I set my foot into the shield, picking up the lead connecting to the harness on the sandseal. Sir Link followed suit and I tugged lightly on the lead. 

The sandseal took off and I put my other foot on the shield. Sir Link barely managed behind me, but I waited until we were at the Outpost to stop. 

“Do you need help?” I held onto the lead and stepped off my shield. 

Sir Link froze, blinking repeatedly. Then reluctantly nodded. 

“Here, put the lead around your waist, it won’t give you rope burn. Try putting your dominant foot under the leather belt across the shield. Having only your toes under it will cause you to lose your balance and fall. Your other foot should be angled forward.” I offered, correcting his posture. 

He nodded again with a grunt. 

I pulled away from him, feeling a bit rejected. Then again, who would want to talk to the disappointment?

“It’s roughly another mile then we’ll be done with the sandseals. They’ll leave but return in the evening tomorrow and the next day.” I tugged on the seal’s lead and it bounced forward with anticipation. 

We travelled in silence until nightfall. A group of run down ruins came into view and I began to hold my breath. A large rock formation jutted up from the sand as though thrown there by giants. Atop it, multiple palm trees swayed and I knew there was an oasis up there where we could refill our waterskins. 

I pulled back on the lead enough to halt the sandseal, and unwrapped it from my waist. Sir Link followed what I was doing and picked up his shield. Both sandseals retreated from the ruins. 

“Here we are. The edge of Molduga territory.” I grabbed my shield and straightened. “We’ll go one at a time to the rock formation. It can’t get us if we’re on there. I’ll go first, and remember to be quiet, this creature can sense sound waves.” I almost started to rant about the Molduga but decided against it. He’d probably tell my father, landing me in deeper trouble than I cared to bargain for. 

Carefully, I crept forward in the sand, listening and watching for the Molduga. Luckily, I had already been taught by Impa to cover footfalls. I reached the rock and quietly heaved myself on top of it, gesturing at Sir Link to start walking. 

His expression, as usual, revealed nothing of his emotions.

He attempted to match my stealthiness, even placing his feet where I had stepped but he unmistakably made noise. 

My senses jumped like a frequency and I noticed the unforgettable trail of a Molduga. “Link, run! It’s right behind you!” 

With a glance over his shoulder, his creeping turned to bolting. Sir Link ran but the Molduga moved faster. 

I quickly took out my pack and a bow. 

Thank Hylia for Urbosa.

I nocked a bomb arrow into the bow and fired on where the Molduga was. It made a high-pitched screeching noise and retreated into the sandy depths of the desert. Sir Link made it to the rock and I pulled him up. 

“That was close.” I panted. “Are you all right?” 

Sir Link regained his breath and nodded.

I swallowed and my eyes for a moment dipped to his abs and I quickly looked at his face. “Right then. Let’s head up there. It’s a bit of a climb so I hope you have some energy left. It’s too dangerous to stay down here when there’s a risk of monsters.” 

Blushing madly, I placed my hand in a crevice that Urbosa had shown me the last time I was here to study the Molduga in person. We began the short climb up and Sir Link made it to the top before I did. 

I heaved myself on top of the rock and started a checklist of everything we had. “Sheikah Slate: check. One hundred bomb arrows: check. Four bows: check…” While I rambled on to myself, Sir Link refilled the waterskins, acting like he was listening. 

To check if he actually was, I added another item to the checklist. “Did I already say whether I had packed the knives?”

Sir Link shook his head. 

So he is listening. Intriguing.

After I finished the rest of the checklist, I took the ax I brought and approached a tree. Sir Link stopped in front of me and gestured for me to give him the ax. 

“You want to cut down the trees?” I asked curiously. Does he think I can’t do it? Or is he being a gentleman? Or does he just like cutting down trees?

He nodded. 

I handed it over. “Then I’ll roll out the bedrolls.” 

Unpacking both his bag and mine took less than five minutes and by then the fire was blazing hot. Sir Link gathered different fruits and vegetables along with some meat from his bag and threw them on a pan. He added a few spices, humming as he worked. 

Sir Link is quite expressive for not being a talker. Maybe he’s mute? He’s not deaf. I wonder why he doesn’t talk. 

“How much do you know about the Molduga, Sir Link?” I started up the conversation after he was finished adding the spices. 

He put his index finger and his thumb close together. 

“Ah, makes sense.” I quickly added. “Since you’re a knight and all in the castle, it’s unlikely you’ve ever encountered such a monster as the Molduga.” 

Sir Link watched me intently as I talked.

“Well, I’ll give you a hopefully summarized version of what I’ve learned so far. That way, we’re ready to meet it head-on tomorrow. 

I started talking with my hands. “The Molduga keeps to unpopulated areas of the desert so that it is not hunted or killed by travelling warriors as often. It also mainly preys on large birds, Electric Lizalfos, Fire-Breath Lizalfos and Chuchu Jellies. But it will eat anything that it senses the vibrations of. They normally get anywhere from twenty-to-forty feet long. I’d say it’s roughly about fifteen feet in height. The way it gets its prey is by burrowing beneath it,” I angled my hands down. “Then hitting the surface fast enough to jump straight out of the sand and snaps its jaws shut around its prey.” I clapped my hands together to imitate it. “From what I’ve seen of it, I’d say that a Molduga probably moves anywhere from twenty-five to possibly even fifty kilometers per hour.” 

I rubbed my upper arm with a bit of embarrassment. “I’m annoying you, aren’t I? I can stop and jump right to my plan of how we’re going to kill it if you want. I get on a ramble and then can’t stop myself.” 

Sir Link shook his head and his hands, gesturing for me to keep going.

I sat next to the fire, stunned. “Okay, um… well, its teeth are extremely large and sharp, scholars believe that they would battle these great beasts called Leviathans. The common hypothesis about the Leviathans is that they had very thick skin, and the Moldugas needed sharp teeth to pierce it. Leviathans supposedly hunted the Moldugas in packs but I’m not sure I believe it. Personally I think that since we’re finding Leviathan skeletons across Hyrule that they didn’t only hunt the Moldugas. But I guess we’ll never really know.”

I let out a breath, and shifted my gaze from the fire to Sir Link and back again. 

Still watching. Still listening. Most would have tuned me out by now. 

“The plan for tomorrow is fairly simple, I hope. I thought of it on the way over here.” Among other things. “Researching the Sheikah Slate has led me to believe that it has different abilities beyond spotting and mapping shrines. It carries these bombs inside it and also detonates them. I had to travel to the Great Plateau and complete four borderline dangerous shrines but I managed to unlock its abilities. The one we’ll be using is Bombs. It carries two kinds, round and square. We’ll be using the round one. 

“My idea is that the round one will create the same vibrations you did that alerted the Molduga, but it will roll around slow enough for the Molduga to easily catch it. While it jumps, we’ll detonate the bomb inside. That should stun it long enough to use our bomb arrows on it. Splitting the arrows between us leaves fifty each, and we’ll probably only be able to fire about two rounds per stun. So we’ll have about twenty-five chances each. We have to try to make our bomb arrows count. If we run out, then it’ll come down to hand-to-tooth combat. Which means we’ll likely die.” I said, getting a small chill from the wind. “That or we use the bombs which will take forever and we’ll likely starve before we kill it.”

Thankfully I remembered to pack a spare blanket. I wrapped myself up in it. “Thank you, Sir Link.” He straightened, a bit confused. “For saving me earlier. I doubt I could’ve blocked those three knives with only my sword.” 

He nodded with another grunt. 

“I’m sorry for my father. I didn’t want him to send you with me. I intend for us both to get home safe, Sir Link. He really should not have sent you here with no idea how to kill that. I should’ve fought harder to go alone.” 

A sort of solemnity settled on his face. “He almost hit you, Princess.” 

“That’s normal. He does that often when I don’t follow his orders. I’m just surprised he almost did it in public.” I waved it off. 

He didn’t look at me. “I was prepared to shield you from it before Lady Urbosa intervened, My Lady.” 

“You didn’t need to. I would’ve taken it. He hits me because I’ll never live up to his standards and expectations… and I’m fine with that. Even if it hurts.” I brushed off his concern, even though it felt nice to be seen by someone who didn’t even know me. 

Sir Link glowered before sighing. “It’s not okay, Your Highness. No one should be abusing you. Especially when you’re going to be the future Queen of Hyrule. It’ll mess with your reign and leave you with anxiety.” 

“Personal experience, Sir Link?” I questioned. 

“No. I knew someone who was and though they’re now dead, I still remember the vacant look in his eyes. The way he would deflect and pretend he was fine.” Sir Link took a breath. “And it’s just Link to you, Your Highness. Not Sir Link.”

Link, I mused thoughtfully. What kindness he shows me. 

It wasn’t until I remembered the sacred sword across his back. “How long ago did you get the sword?” 

“A couple of years ago in the Korok Forest. The King demanded I be tossed into knight training even though I was fifteen at the time. Most of the knights I’m around are twenty-five and up.” Link stared at the fire.

“We’re too young to be fulfilling a prophecy of this magnitude.” I mumbled. “You know what’s sad? I hate that sword. I hate what it means for me. It means that I’m no closer to unlocking my full power and more abuse at the hands of my father. I can’t even summon my power on command. I’ve been able to use it in small doses on a few dangerous occasions. Only because I was in distress. Now I can’t even use it.” My voice cracked and a tear streaked down my cheek and I wiped it away before Link could see it. 

“I know that you’ll figure your powers out.” Link tilted his head, curiously and his fingers twitched.

“How? How do you know that? Or think you know that?” I inhaled deeply. 

“Because you’re smart. You know every detail about a monster that most would have overlooked and not cared about. You care. And a heart like yours will find some way to unlock it.” Link gave me a weak smile. 

I nodded. 

“The only reason I have the sword is because there were different monsters that were getting too close to Korok Forest. We, with the King, were supposed to protect the sword from the monsters. The guards around me fell and the King was cornered. My weapon was halfway across the clearing. I pulled the sword to save King Rhoam and we beat the monsters back. All I thought about was that I needed to protect my colleagues, and my King.” Link admitted.

“I don’t blame you for anything. If anything, I blame myself. It’s my fault I needed a rescue, and it’s my fault that you’re here.” I sighed, pulling my knees to my chest. 

Link countered. “It’s not. I chose to. I could have told the King no. Besides, I’ve dealt with worse than killing a Molduga from a distance.”

He’s comforting me, and he’s a bad liar. 

I pressed my lips together and laid down on my bedroll. “Good night, Link.” 

“Good night, Princess.”

Link:

I’m a liar. I’m a fool. 

I stole a glance at the sleeping princess who shivered. Her blanket had been pushed away when she rolled over. I pulled it back over her and sighed softly. 

I lied to her when I said that I only thought about protecting the King and my fellow knights. All I could think of was her. How torn up she would be when she found out her father died. 

Zelda shifted and rolled over again, snuggling deeper into the bedroll. 

Not only that, I broke rule number one of knighthood. 

Don’t fall in love with the princess.

Zelda could talk for hours and I would listen to her. Hang off every word she said. 

My eyes began to droop and I took another glance around to look for enemies before collapsing onto my bedroll. 

Zelda:

I yawned and rolled over, trying to blink away my sleepiness. Link stood with his sword pointed down and a bead of sweat running down his temple. 

“How long have you been up?” I stretched my arms and yawned again. 

“Only a couple of hours.” Link said. 

Sitting up, I noticed two things: food on a plate in front of me that smelled amazing, and a pile of bones on the other side of the fire. 

“Are those monster bones?” I asked, a little shaken. 

“Stal-monster. Just a Lizalfos. I didn’t let him get close.” Link stared at the trails left by the Molduga. 

I unwrapped myself from the blankets and ate quickly. “All right. Let’s see.” I handed Link a bow, and a quiver of bomb arrows. “I’ll drop the first bomb, when I detonate it, we will each try for at least two bomb arrows to hit before it dives back under the sand.”

I hit the button and a blue glowing round orb appeared in my hand. With a breath, I threw it over the edge of the cliff. 

It rolled around for a moment before I spotted a moving path. The Molduga slithered after the bomb beneath the pale sand until it vanished. It reappeared, leaping up and snapped its jaw shut around the bomb. 

I detonated it, and the Molduga screeched again, collapsing onto the ground. Link nocked his bow and fired. I put the Sheikah slate down and let the arrow fly alongside Link’s. Link and I managed to only hit it twice with the arrows, instead of four times. 

The Molduga disappeared again. 

Fifteen bombs and seventeen misfires later, the Molduga still moved as quickly as ever. 

“Thirty-six bomb arrows left. Sixty-four gone. Endless bombs though.” I panted as I nocked yet another arrow and fired. 

“We’ll get it.” Link assured me. 

Thirty-two bomb arrows left. Sixty-eight gone.

I threw yet another bomb down onto the sand and the Molduga leapt. I detonated the bomb again and the Molduga came tumbling down from the sky, smacking into the rock formation. The rocks shook under our feet and part of the rock formation crumbled beneath Link’s feet. 

“Link!” I rushed forward but he fell onto the sand beside the Molduga. “No, no, no, no, no!” 

“Stay there! I’ll handle this!” Link put his hands out against the Molduga. It bared its teeth at Link and bit down on air.

I slid down the side of the cliff, praying to Hylia that I would make it in time. 

What are you going to do to stop this? Wave your hands around like a maniac and hope that something actually happens. 

Shut up! I have to save him.

My head warred, whispering words of defeat. I did my best to tune it out and finally made it to the bottom, staggering forward from the momentum. 

I face planted into the sand right in front of Link and got up. Link unsheathed his sword and pulled me behind him. 

The Molduga hissed and leaped for us. 

“No!” I pushed Link aside and bright light emanated from my hands consuming the Molduga and surrounding landscape until not even I could see it. When the light faded, the beast paused, shaking.

It collapsed one final time; dead. 

Exhaustion I hadn’t felt before screamed at my bones. Between the stress of my father, and the energy of killing the Molduga, I felt completely spent. 

I swayed and two strong arms surrounded me. They hefted me up and I wrapped my arms around Link’s neck. “I got you, Princess. You can sleep.” 

My eyes closed on instinct and sleep took all control away.

Chapter Text

Link:

Princess Zelda saved me. 

She saved me. I was supposed to be saving her, but she bravely jumped in front of me against a Molduga. 

I now laid against the rock with Zelda draped over me, her head on my shoulder and my arm around her waist. She breathed evenly, her face relaxed. A rare sight. 

I swallowed hard, parched. The only way to get back up there was to climb and with her asleep I can’t. 

I would need rope, maybe strap her to me and climb up that way. But that would entail leaving Zelda alone down here, vulnerable to Lizalfos, Octoroks and any other monsters nearby. 

A figure in the distance moved quickly toward us. I picked up my sword and gently pulled myself away from Zelda, setting her against the rock. 

Standing up, I took my shield and sword. The figure moved closer and closer until I realized it was a Gerudo woman. Lady Urbosa to be exact. 

I paused, and bowed slightly. 

“Link! Where’s—!” She stopped when she spotted Zelda passed out. “Is she…?”

I shook my head. “Asleep, My Lady.” 

Urbosa sighed in relief. “Then let’s get her and head back to Gerudo Town. You both must be exhausted.” 

I nudged the sand with my foot. “Her things are still up there. I’ve been unable to retrieve them.”

“I’ll get them.” Urbosa ran up to the rock and started climbing. 

I stayed with Zelda and sheathed my sword and shield. Urbosa dropped down from atop the rock. I picked up Zelda as if she were my bride and paused. 

“Wait, Lady Urbosa.” She did. I recalled Zelda teaching me how to ride a sandseal. “I don’t want Princess Zelda to appear unconscious before King Rhoam.” 

“You think he’ll believe she’s weak because of it.” 

I nodded. 

“Don’t worry. If she waits any longer then he’ll think she’s either dead, or she didn’t kill it yet.” Urbosa pointed out.

I nodded again. 

“Do you want me to carry her?” 

I shook my head. “I have her.” 

We trekked the distance to Gerudo town which took longer than expected. 

“I apologize for not coming sooner. The King prevented me from checking on you both. In case I helped you.” Urbosa glanced at Zelda asleep in my arms. 

We arrived at the town shortly after where the King waited. 

My breath caught in anticipation. “May the Goddesses help me. And her.” I whispered. 

“Sir Link, it appears you and Princess Zelda have been successful.” He announced. “Go rest, eat. And I’m sure one of the guards will be more than happy to take Princess Zelda to her chambers.” 

I held onto her tighter and walked past the King. A small smile appeared on his face, not the pleased kind, but the kind of cogs turning and a plan falling into place. 

It made me uneasy, but I kept going. 

Lady Urbosa out of the corner of my eye smirked. As if she knew something I didn’t. Or the King didn’t. 

She stepped forward and led me to Zelda’s room. All the buzz had died down and now it was just us and Zelda again. 

I gently laid the Princess on her bed and stepped back, pulling the covers over her. With a soft sigh, I bowed once more to Lady Urbosa and started to walk out. 

“It’s a slippery slope you’ve chosen, Sir Knight.” She said, amusement laced with every word. “I know what you feel. I just hope it goes where you want it to go, both of you.” Lady Urbosa glanced at Zelda lovingly before a hardness settled over. “But know this, break her heart and I will snap you like a twig.” 

I nodded, remaining quiet until she smiled again. “Take care, Link. I’ve got her.” 

Bowing out of the room, I took a moment to breathe properly. 

Daruk is going to have a field day with this. I buried my face in my hands. Less than two days with her and I formed a… a crush? Love? Oh, what am I doing? Deluding myself, that’s what. 

I inhaled slowly when I spotted a Sheikah woman in the traditional cream, red and navy clothes moving fast paced down the hall toward Princess Zelda’s room. My hand wrapped around the sword handle and I made to draw it until she stopped, panting hard. 

“I came as soon as I could. Where is Princess Zelda and the knight she embarked with? Are they alive? Are they safe? Oh, right! My name, that should’ve been obvious. I’m Impa.” She reached out a hand to shake and I took it. 

“Sir Link.” 

“You’re the knight she took with her. Princess Zelda’s all right, isn’t she?” Impa still exhaled hard. 

“Yes. She is sleeping.” 

She nudged me. “Not much of a talker, eh?” 

I shook my head. 

“Not for everyone. I saw the flash of light from miles away. I figured that she must have unlocked it but I couldn’t decipher why. From what I’ve been told, she went toe-to-toe with the Molduga. I’m very proud of her.” Impa added. “Congratulations on the promotion by the way.” 

I tilted my head, confused. 

“You don’t know? You’ve been promoted to be Princess Zelda’s personal bodyguard.” Impa told me. “The King announced it a couple minutes ago. He’s probably going to tell you after Princess Zelda wakes up. Speaking of which, can I go in there?” She pointed at the door. 

I nodded. “Lady Urbosa is already inside.” 

“Thanks, Sir Link.” She quietly opened the door and snuck inside on silent feet. The one thing I envied the Sheikah for. 

I made my way to the dining hall and gathered some food onto a plate. No one else ate, seeing as it was just after lunch. The hall stood utterly empty, save for a single cook who greeted me kindly. 

I plopped down at one of the benches and started to eat. 

The King strode in, and I instantly stood to bow. He waved me off and left his guards standing at the entrance.

My stomach dropped and my appetite for food almost went out the window.

Here comes the plan he thought of. 

“Sir Link, I trust you have been treated well?” He sat down across from me with that same smile. 

I nodded. 

The King chuckled. “Good, good. I wanted to let you know something before I tell Princess Zelda. I’ve given you the position of being Princess Zelda’s personal knight. That means you follow her around and protect her with your life, even if that means sacrificing yours. You will listen to her to an extent. However, if she tries to endanger her life, I need you to make sure she doesn’t. Above all you will obey me. If you fail, and my daughter dies, I will hunt you down and kill you myself. Are we clear?” 

I bowed my head. “Yes, My King.” 

“Oh, and one more thing. You will both be at the castle. So pack after you’ve rested. We leave in the morning.” He stood and I knelt to him until he walked out of the room. 

I really do hate that man. 

Zelda:

I startled awake, flying upright and scanning the room. “Where’s Link? Is he all right?” Panic set in at not seeing him but two friendly faces soothed some of it. 

“Last I saw him, he was going to eat, Your Highness.” Impa offered with a soft smile. 

Urbosa laid a hand on my shoulder. “You must rest, Little Bird. You’ve had a trying day.” 

I shook my head. “I’m all right. I’ve had plenty of rest.” Judging by the length of the shadows the building casted, evening quickly approached. “How long have I been asleep?” 

“Six hours. We were worried.” Urbosa told me.

I froze at the door opening. My father stood in the doorway. “May we speak privately?” 

Urbosa, with a last smile, instantly pressed her hand to Impa’s back who did her best to hide a scowl. 

The door closed and my father took to the vacant chair Urbosa had been seated in. “Zelda, you are coming back with me to the castle tomorrow.” I almost opened my mouth to protest but thought better of it. “You will train your power, protected by the knight who saved you in the desert. Sir Link has become your personal knight and knows all of this already.”

“Yes, Father.” I stared out the West-facing windows, defeated. 

He’ll find out all there is to know about my power and I’ll be outed. He’ll learn that I cannot control it, or summon it on command. That it’s too wild and powerful for me to handle. He’ll know what a failure I am. 

“Zelda, I do not enjoy taking you from here. But you need to learn how to be queen. And before that, you need to learn about your power.” He gave me a patronizing smile. “Summon a small ball of light.”

I quickly came up with an excuse, knowing that if I tried I would fail. “I’m too tired, and I still feel weak from using so much. Maybe tomorrow.” I ignored the hunger tearing a hole in my stomach and laid back down, closing my eyes. 

My father recoiled, patted the bed twice and left me to sleep. 

The night grew long and Impa snuck some food in for me. We ate, talking about what’s been going on since the last time we had seen one another. 

My mind kept wandering back to Link. Wondering when I’d see him next. 

Probably tomorrow. 

After Impa left with our plates, I passed out almost instantly. 

The day flew by, like I was having an out-of-body experience. My spirit drifted back into my body on the long, aching ride back to the castle. 

Impa walked on foot, alongside Link and many other soldiers and guards. My father and I rode on horses, his, a dappled appaloosa gelding and mine, a snow-white mare. 

Throughout the ride back, I tried to summon the light. Flexing my hand, focusing my energy. But I soon deemed it useless and instead busied myself trying not to look at Sir Link. Impa gave me a smirk every time I glanced back and I instantly turned forward to avoid blushing in front of the Knight and my friend. 

I made a mental checklist of what to do when I arrived back. The main one being: AVOID FATHER AT ALL COSTS. 

Impa surprisingly stayed with our convoy, all the way to Hyrule Castle. She refused to leave my side. Unfortunately, my face had what Purah called subtitles. That meant that I couldn’t mask my emotions at all. The most I could manage was frowning, so when I told her that I was fine, she doubled-down on her stubborn wish to stay. 

Not that I was complaining. 

The castle shrouded us in shadow with the sun just beneath the highest tower. The weight I had been trying to shake off my shoulders since I left tripled. My stress levels increased and I swallowed in anticipation. 

I dismounted, remembering to leave it all to the handmaidens and stable boy to deal with. My father led the way to the castle, past the guards who stood at attention. 

It all felt forced. 

The habits engrained into my very being, the solemnity that came back with every step, and the reminder of just how miserable I was as Princess of Hyrule. 

Part of me wished I had grown up with the Gerudo instead. Where I could’ve been free of expectation and burdens. Even at seventeen I was expected to stop the Calamity with the help of four Champions and… Link. 

I returned to my room which had been clearly dusted before my arrival. Otherwise, after seven years, the layer of dust would’ve been much thicker. Everything was as I left it. The books were arranged neatly and my bed was made.

Why he sent me away is a mystery shrouded by lies. Urbosa, Impa and I attempted to deduce it by clues of what he said to me before I left but we never found our reasons concrete. Instead there were dozens of questions, unable to be answered.

“Zelda,” My father’s voice echoed behind me and I jumped. 

“Father.” I bowed my head and noticed he still didn’t look at me head-on. Perhaps Urbosa’s theory about my mother was correct. Or maybe I was overthinking this too much.

Link waited outside but glanced in when he heard me talking.

“Two days ago you told me you were drained. Are you feeling well now?” He asked. 

My theory was that to him it was better if I was dehumanized. That would make putting such a burden on any child easier. 

“A bit. I’m still tired from the ride here.” 

His tone became clipped. “I want you to summon your magic for me. Right here. Just a small ball of light. It shouldn’t be too much to ask.” 

He’s trapping me, wanting to see it. To prove that I am what he thinks I am. But I’m not. 

I opened my mouth and he scoffed. “You can’t do it, can you?” 

“I—” 

“Enough! Enough of the excuses, Zelda. I know you’re capable of wielding this ancient ability, now do it!” He shouted.

I stumbled back into my bed, staring down at my hands. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes but I refused to let them fall. I closed my eyes, imagining a ball of light in my hands and my hands stiffened. 

Opening them back up, I turned my head away from him. 

Shouting is better than hitting. I reminded myself. 

“Pathetic. Didn’t I tell you not to come back to the castle until you had a hold on your power?!” He spat. 

Anger bubbled and boiled over beneath my skin. I launched to my feet. “You dragged me back here early! It was not my choice! You thought since I summoned it accidentally to kill the Molduga that automatically meant I had full control over it. But it doesn’t, and I don’t! Look at me, Father! See your disappointment.” When he refused I gave an empty laugh. “Urbosa keeps telling me that the reason you can’t look at me is because you see Mother. You miss her, and I miss her. I remind you of her and you can’t stand that. It’s why you hit me. Because you think it should’ve been me that died. Not her.” 

Father faced me at last with the same rage he had when I was ten, the day I left. “Do not raise your voice at me, you insolent child! I loved your mother very dearly and, yes, it should have been you. You’re right on all accounts! I never wanted you after your mother died. Having children was just part of the royal agenda!” His hand raised and this time I knew there would be no one to stop him. 

I closed my eyes against the tears, hoping it was a nightmare and I would wake up in my room at Gerudo Town with Urbosa just down the hall.

A soft tap on my shoulder and the feel of a body pulling me behind it made me pause for a moment. Until a slap resounded through the air. But I was left untouched and unscathed. 

I exhaled lightly until I realized that Link, now crouched in a bow on the floor directed to me, had a pink handmark on his cheek. 

Father stared at him, both awed at his courage and angered that he interfered. I cowered, closing my eyes again and waiting for another slap. 

It never came. 

“You will return to the lands of Hyrule with one sole goal. Unlocking and controlling your ability. Before you go running back to Urbosa, I want you to go to the three springs. The Spring of Courage, the Spring of Power and the Spring of Wisdom.” Father ordered. “You will be accompanied by Sir Link. Anyone else you choose to drag with you I could care less.” 

I bristled at his tone but knew better than to start yet another fight. “Yes, Father.” Acquiescing and bending to his orders would help me keep my head down. “We’ll leave in the morning. And if I may make a small request?” 

He narrowed his eyes at me, annoyed. 

“A salve. For Sir Link. I’ve got none in my room.” I avoided his gaze, vision blurred.

“I’ll have one sent in.” He stepped out of the room and slammed the door behind him. 

I bent down to Link’s level, cupping his face. “I’m so sorry. You shouldn’t have done that. I can handle him slapping me. I just didn’t expect him to confirm my worst hypothesis yet.” I stared at the handprint on his face. 

“It’s not your fault. None of it is, Princess.” He said, voice rough from disuse. He placed a hand over mine and smiled. “By the way, thanks for saving me from the Molduga.” 

I blushed, hoping the lighting was low enough he couldn’t see it. I wiped away my tears and with it, letting my eyesight return to normal. 

A knock on the door snapped the spell that had been cast over the moment. I straightened and answered it. A woman bowed to me with a salve outstretched in her hands. 

“Thank you, Myra.” I took and she backed away with a sympathetic smile. 

Link rose to his feet and I closed the door again. I gestured for him to sit on the bed and he obeyed. His eyes darted to the door and I let it out as I unscrewed the lid of the salve and started applying it onto his cheek.

“Myra has been delivering salves to me since mother died when I was three. She told me she was relieved when I was sent away. Usually three times a week she’d come to my room to see me. Each salve could last about two uses. She would sometimes apply it until I got old enough that I ended up doing it myself.” I finished up and screwed the lid back on. “There. The stinging will only last for another few minutes and the salve mostly helps with the bruising.” 

Link’s expression darkened when I mentioned the bruising but I ignored it. 

“You should get some rest and try not to sleep on your cheek.” I opened the door wide. “We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”

He bowed his head to me once more and slipped out into the night, a guard taking his watch. I breathed in the cold air and shut the door. 

Unsurprisingly, I passed right out. 

My sleep was unsound, however. I knew it would be. I never could sleep well in the castle after Mother died.

Chapter Text

I hopped out of bed at dawn, eager to get away from the castle and changed quickly. My bag hadn’t even been unpacked yet so I made sure everything was in there and snatched it from the desk along with Mother’s pendant that had been left lying beside it. A couple of old sketches I folded up and put in my bag. 

Link waited outside and we headed down to the stables. He nodded at me, and I smiled at him. A feeble attempt, really. He saw right through it. 

Father didn’t show to send us off, just like when I left the first time. 

“First stop: Spring of Power.” I declared.

We mounted our horses, raised our hoods and galloped Northeast to Akkala. We took a rest at the first stable we saw. There would only be two on the way there. 

Link took the reins from my hands while I remained on top of Storm with my hood pulled low and a mask covering my nose and cheeks. The man at the front counter peered at me, trying to see what was so important to cover up. 

A glare from Link and the man stopped staring at me. He paid the man with rupees I had scrounged up from my room in the castle. 

“Enjoy your stay, weary travellers.” He bowed to us with a grin. 

Link nodded, and held his hand out to me. I took it and dismounted from Storm, patting her neck. She neighed in answer and nudged my arm with her nose. 

Link handed her off to a stable boy and guided me inside to the quaint bed in the far back corner. I kept my hood and mask on, wide awake. 

“You should sleep. I’m not even tired.” I whispered to Link. “If anything happens, I’ll wake you.” 

Link didn’t respond, and instead watched a woman who stared right back, seated at the only table in the stable. I placed a hand on his arm. “Link.” 

He snapped to attention. 

“You should sleep.” I repeated. “If anything happens, I’ll wake you. I’m not tired.” 

He glared at the woman, and shook his head at me. “Stay here. I’m going to talk to her.” 

His tone made me question his true intentions. “Try not to start a fight, please?” 

“I can only promise that if she does.” Link gave me a lighthearted grin before resuming his stoic expression. He stalked over to the woman menacingly.

He sat down at the table and I plunked onto the bed. I couldn’t help but stare at them as the woman pointed at me for a brief moment. Link held his chin for a second in thought before drawing his sword and placed it at the woman’s neck. 

Link:

Five minutes earlier: 

I walked over to the table cautiously, wary of the stranger before me. She offered me a seat and I took it without a word. 

“Quite the company you keep.” She remarked with a wink and a smile. “Real mysterious and all.” 

I stared at her blankly. 

She cleared her throat uncomfortably. “Right then. On to business. I’d be willing to take your precious cargo off your hands. There’d be about nine-hundred rupees in it for you. Some friends of mine are mighty eager to get a hold of such a jem.” 

I brought my hand to my chin, pretending to think about her offer. The woman’s smile widened, right before I pulled the Master Sword from its sheathe. 

She flinched as the cold metal pressed against her neck. “Not a fan of the offer? I can make it a thousand. Two?” 

I spotted Zelda preparing to stop me but waiting patiently for the woman to make a move. 

“Oh, my Goddess. You actually care about her. I’ve never seen that in a knight before.” My glare made her think twice. The woman raised her hands in defeat and I landed a punch between her eyes. She keeled over, passing out instantly. 

Stepping over her, I motioned to Zelda to follow me and told the keeper of the stable to bring our horses. By the time we stepped outside, both Storm and Epona were out front. 

I helped Zelda onto Storm before mounting Epona. I took off with Zelda close behind at a full gallop. After a while I slowed down to a walk.

Zelda rode beside me, her hands fidgeting nervously. “May I ask, what did the woman say?” 

The cold night air turned my breath into a cloud. “She knew who you were, and offered me rupees in exchange for you. I’m guessing she’s an ally of the Yiga Clan.” 

She swallowed. “I see. In that case, I believe that you made the correct call.” 

I almost wanted to go back and run her through instead. Rage swirled around my gut at the Yiga Clan. How was any of this Zelda’s fault?

Our horses trodded across the dirt path that I knew led all the way to Robbie’s research center. 

“If you’d like, Princess, we could rest at Robbie’s research center at the edge of Akkala. It would be a safe place, and the Spring of Courage isn’t much backtracking.” I offered her. 

Not that much rest would be done at Robbie’s. There were far too many mystifying devices that he had come up with and invented laying around. I was almost sure Zelda would want to learn how each of them worked and probably be inspired to make her own. 

She nodded. “Thank you,” she said. “For not taking him up on his offer. There’s been a few knights I’ve known that would gladly betray the Crown for a few rupees.” 

My jaw clenched. “Those are cowards. People who have no self preservation and would sell their souls for a bit of money.” I softened. “I would never do anything to harm you. Or put you in harm’s way. My job is to protect you, even if it’s from yourself.” 

“Yes. But you don’t have to.” Zelda rocked with every movement her horse made.

I frowned. “Believe me, I will. It doesn’t matter if you think I don’t have to. I care about your health, Princess. Mental and physical.” 

We rode in silence until we reached a second stable. The last stop before we headed to Robbie’s research center. 

“Do you need to stop?” I asked her nonchalantly. We avoided making it too obvious that I was protecting her. She shook her head and we continued on past the stable. 

A man on a horse stopped in front of us. The limping horse blocked the path ahead with its body and the man almost fell off it. 

“My apologies, but do you think you could help a poor traveller out? My horse here is lame. Could I perhaps take one of yours?” He dismounted, dropping to his knees. A man quite literally begging for help. 

My lips twitched downwards. I dismounted, hand prepared to grab my sword at any sleight. “I’ll check your horse. If I cannot fix it, head to the stable over there. They should be able to lend you a horse and take care of yours.” I told him, bending down and picking his horse’s foot. 

“Thank you, oh thank you, kind traveller.” The man threw his hands in the air as though thanking the sky as well. 

Zelda remained on Storm, palming a knife I hadn’t known she packed. 

The horse’s foot appeared fine until I noticed a small jagged piece of metal sticking out of the sole. I carefully pried it out, trying not to get kicked. 

The horse walked a few steps fine and the man jumped for joy. “Thank you, thank you again!” I shook my hand multiple times, almost over exaggeratedly. 

“You’re welcome. Avoid areas with metal in the ground, and continue to clean your horse’s feet. It’ll be easier to handle then.” I told him, mounting Epona again. 

He jumped again. Zelda and I kept riding.

She smiled, a bit relaxed. “I’ll be honest. I thought he was a Yiga footman trying too hard to sell the part.” 

I chuckled. “So did I. I did not expect him to actually start begging.” 

“Nor I.” She snorted a laugh, then froze. “Sorry.” She covered her mouth with a hand. “I don’t usually laugh like that.” Zelda closed up her emotions again and stopped talking altogether. 

“Don’t be sorry. It was cute.” I told her, trying to draw out the carefree her again. 

She pushed a strand of hair beneath the hood again and hesitantly looked over at me. “Really?”

I nodded and she relaxed again. 

“I’m glad that you don’t care about keeping up the traditional standards between us. I like just being myself with someone. Other than Urbosa, that is.” 

“Feel free to be yourself with me whenever you want.” I added. “So, tell me more about the Guardians. I heard from Impa that it’s an interest of yours.” 

“Oh, you don’t want to hear me ramble.” 

“Yes, I do. I think what you have to say is quite interesting.” I told her. 

Zelda blushed, even through her mask I could see it. “Well, then you asked for it and there’s no going back.” 

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” 

Zelda began her ramble and I couldn’t help falling even harder. She talked about the Guardians all the way to Robbie’s lab. I listened with such intent that she would pause and shake it off before continuing. 

“Here we are.” She announced as we climbed the hill to where Robbie’s workshop lay. 

The place was new, commissioned by the King of Hyrule. The outside story about its location at the edge of the map in Akkala had publicly been Robbie’s idea. After I discussed it with him, however, it was clear that King Rhoam was responsible for it being out here. Likely so Zelda wouldn’t get a chance to study as much as she wanted to. 

My fists clenched and I spotted a stray Guardian with its legs torn off. Its head circled around, as though looking for something. Stray parts laid all around it, and a person dug into its inner workings. 

“Robbie?” Zelda called out to the man. 

He jumped, his head hitting metal plating above him. “Ouch!” Robbie whipped around, rubbing his head. “Oh, Your Highness, Sir Link! What a pleasant surprise! What brings you all the way out here?” 

She answered him, still atop Storm. “We’re heading for the Spring of Power. I decided that a quick visit wouldn’t hurt my progress, since it’s a two minute ride from here.” 

“Of course! Come with me, I want to show you the new lab. I think looooooooovvee it!” He made the gesture of strumming a lute but with added flare. 

I gave Zelda a confused and slightly concerned look when Robbie turned his back to us. She smiled and chuckled a bit. 

“Robbie is quite eccentric. He’s more laid back with people he doesn’t know. That’s likely the Robbie you’ve met.”

I nodded, still concerned. 

We rode our horses to the top of the hill and dismounted. Robbie opened the door, revealing Purah inside. 

She hopped up with joy at the sight of us. “Ooh! Zelda and Sir Link! You’re just in time. Look at this!” She held up a pad resembling the Sheikah Slate. “Ta-da! I’m calling it the Purah Pad..” 

Zelda ran forward and examined the Purah Pad. “Intriguing. So with this, it’s possible to duplicate all the same abilities of the Sheikah Slate?”

“That’s what I’m hoping for. It’s been in the works for months.”

Purah, Robbie and Zelda rambled on and on about the Purah Pad along with the latest discoveries about both the Guardians and the Divine Beasts. I sat on the stairs, watching them, and tuned out Robbie and Purah, only listening when Zelda talked. 

She absolutely glowed, in the light of the blue flame furnace burning beside us. A new light to her skin that entranced me. 

“EEP!” Purah screeched. 

I shot to my feet, sword drawn until I realized it was Purah’s excitement rather than her fear. Apparently the false alarm didn’t go unnoticed. 

“Link, are you all right?” Zelda stopped. 

All eyes zoomed in on me and I swallowed lightly. I nodded swiftly. Zelda frowned, but dropped it. 

“Anyways,” Purah kept going. 

They talked until almost evening and the only thing that kept me going was Zelda. Otherwise I would’ve been fast asleep.

Finally Zelda put a hand on the doorknob. “Sir Link and I should probably go. I’ve got to pray at the Spring of Courage.” 

Purah pouted. “Ah, I wish you could stay longer.”

Robbie patted Zelda on the shoulder. “Bye, Princess.” 

We waved goodbye as we mounted our horses again and took off. The slow trotting pace let Zelda’s hair flow in the wind. 

I cleared my throat and paid attention to what was in front of us and what was behind us. Zelda broke the silence. 

“Thank you. I needed that breath of fresh air. When we get to the Spring, I’ll have to change. The rules of the Springs are clear, that I need to be wearing the ceremonial attire that my ancestors wore.” She shifted uncomfortably in the saddle. 

“You will succeed. I believe in you.” I smile at her. 

Zelda’s shoulders drooped. “You know, not many people believe in me. I’ve never felt adequate enough to be worthy of that hope.” She sighed. “I still don’t.” 

“You should. You’re more than enough to me. You’re the Crown Princess of Hyrule. You can do anything.” I assured her. 

Zelda fell silent until we arrived. Our horses treaded down the hill, heading off the main path. Zelda led me around rock formations and thick trees. We finally stopped outside a leafy veil across the entrance.

Chapter Text

I dismounted, and grabbed my long cloak from the pack, following Zelda inside. She turned away from me with her white ceremonial dress and I held up my cloak as a curtain, closing my eyes while she changed. 

It didn’t matter that we were the only ones out here, I was still going to cover her with it.  She tapped me on my shoulder and I opened my eyes again. 

Zelda smiled at me, tension lining her face. “Do you mind, um, cinching the back of the belt, please?” 

I nodded and hooked the belt quickly. “Is it too tight?” 

She shook her head. “No, it’s perfect. Thank you.” 

I unsheathed my sword and stood on the edge of the Spring, just out of the water to watch the entrance. Zelda waded into the water, getting as near to the statue as she dared. 

I heard her hands clasp, the gilded bracelets rubbing together. Quietly, she began to pray. Small mumbles reached my ears and they twitched on instinct. 

No. Don’t eavesdrop. I cursed myself.

I straightened and observed our surroundings. 

The entrance stood empty, ancient stone aged by time. A great tree towered on either side of the Spring. Worn grey stone steps led up to the Spring. The sky was visible here, moonlight shining down on us. A Silent Princess grew beneath the moonlight, glinting. 

I stayed standing for hours until finally I turned back when Zelda fell quiet. She shivered but breathed out and tried to continue. 

“Princess,” I called to her, concerned.

She turned back to me, eyes red rimmed. “I can’t hear her.” Zelda whispered. 

I cursed myself again for not realizing sooner what I had heard was a quiet sob. Carefully I stepped into the Spring and waded to her. “Here.” I offered her my hand. “If you want we can try again tomorrow and camp here overnight in the tunnel before we move on to Lanayru. I’ll make supper, and you can change out of your soaked dress.”

She sniffled but accepted my hand. I pulled her close into a hug and stared at the statue. Answer her, Goddess dammit. 

Zelda sobbed into my chest and I curled an arm beneath her legs. I picked her up and walked out of the sacred waters. Setting her down on a stone pillar that had collapsed, I gathered fallen sticks and started a fire. 

“Let’s get you out of those clothes.” I held up my cloak and handed her some comfy dry clothes. Zelda changed quickly and handed me her soaked dress that I hung up to dry on a branch. 

I wrapped my cloak around her shoulders to stave off the cold while I cooked supper over the fire. I cooked an energizing meat skewer over the fire. 

After we ate and Zelda warmed up, she snuggled against my shoulder. “Feeling better?” 

She nodded solemnly. “Yes. Thank you again. I was so cold and that probably didn’t help my resolve to fully unlock this cursed magic.” 

“I believe in you. You’ll get it.” I assured her. 

Zelda curled up and soon I heard her breathing soften. I brushed a hair away from her sleeping face. Even in sleep, the lines of tension and stress appeared. 

I’m going to kill Rhoam. I don’t care that he’s the king, I’m going to kill him. She doesn’t deserve this. None of this. 

I slept lightly, waking at the slightest noise. When Zelda woke up, I had already been up for an hour. 

“How did you sleep?” I asked. 

Zelda shrugged. “Not that well.” 

“Do you want to try another day of prayer or head for the Spring of Wisdom?” I pressed lightly. 

She thought for a moment. “There’s no sense in trying to run through a locked door with no key.” 

I pulled her to her feet. “Then let’s get going.” She helped me pack up and I threw the wood from the fire into the grass behind a large rock. I gave Zelda a leg up into Storm’s saddle and mounted Epona. Zelda started at a gallop, and I followed suit. 

“Hey! Hood!” I shouted before we exited the gorge. 

She slowed Storm immediately. “Right, right.” Zelda threw up her hood and pulled her mask on. 

I did the same so we’d be less recognizable. People might see the Master Sword but not many know what it looks like. Only what it’s called.

Zelda shook her head and rubbed her temple under the hood. “I want to get this over with.” 

“How about after we go to Lanayru, we take a rest stop in Lurelin? No one there will know us, or what we look like. You can just relax and we can take a break before we go anywhere else.” I left it open ended for her so there wouldn’t be as much pressure on her. 

She didn’t answer me and instead closed her eyes, letting her horse lead the way. I rode up beside her to help nudge her horse in the right direction. 

“We’re only stopping once before Kakariko at a stable for lunch.” I told her. “I’ve plotted our route from here to the Spring of Wisdom.” And possibly the Spring of Courage or Gerudo Town.

She nodded absentmindedly, eyes still closed. Though it wasn’t safe, I knew she wanted to try praying on the way there. 

Our horses galloped, staying on the path. Hers kept close to mine and we rode in complete silence. We avoided any monsters and fellow travellers along the way. 

At about noon we stopped in the woods behind a stable to eat. Zelda remained silent and I spoke up again. 

“Do you not want to stop in Kakariko? We can pass right through and camp within the borders of Fort Hateno, or stop at the stable that’s between the two towns.” I asked, trying to get her to talk at least once. 

“I would much rather pass through.” She tried for a small smile but her stress left her closed off and quiet. 

Hearing her voice recharged me instantly, and I ate quickly. When she finished, we hopped back into the saddle and started again at a gallop. 

We passed through Kakariko in the early evening and continued all the way past the stable. Night fell and we finally stopped at Purah’s lab in Hateno. Even though my family lived across the small stream in Hateno, next to the large apple tree, I figured Zelda would much prefer it just to be us. 

I made a mental note to visit my little sister before we leave. 

Two cots with notes on them lay on the floor. I locked the doors and cooked a supper of roasted deer meat. Overnight the wind howled against the shutters, lightning and thunder struck the sky. Rain pattered against the roof and I began to shiver but shook it off. 

I shuffled further beneath the covers and buried my head in the pillow, trying to sleep. A soft knock at the door woke me from the light sleep I had been in. 

I darted to the door and unsheathed the Master Sword. Whoever it was, they wouldn’t get far. 

I ripped open the door but paused as I looked down at the shivering cloaked figure. A small smile made it onto my face. My little sister stood in the doorway with a small basket. 

“Aryll, what are you doing here?” I pulled her into a hug and closed the door quietly.

Zelda was still passed out on her cot, stress baring down on her. 

“Dad told me you would be passing by in town today. Since I was at school when you passed by the house, I figured I’d come now.” She grinned brightly, taking off her cloak and shivering a little. “I brought fresh baked goods for you and Princess Zelda and also mum and dad say hi.”

“Tell them I say hi back. But it’s almost midnight.” I paused. “Aryll, do mum and dad know you’re out of the house?” 

“Yes?” She lied poorly. 

I shook my head. “Tell you what. I’ll take these and you go home so you don’t scare mum and dad. As it is, I’m sure dad is trailing you.” 

Aryll shifted on her feet and folded her hands. “I just wanted to see you, Link.”

“I know. But seven-year-olds can’t sneak away in the middle of the night. It’s not safe. Especially in these times.” I told her. 

Her attention strayed to the sleeping princess and she gasped. “Is that the Princess? She looks so pretty!” She squealed. 

“She is very pretty and very sweet. But if you keep at that pitch you’re going to wake her up, and she needs her sleep for tomorrow.” I whisper-shouted. Zelda may be across the room but she’s not deaf. 

“Right.” Aryll clapped a small palm to her forehead lightly. “I forgot.” 

“You’ll walk me home, right?” She asked.

“I can’t. I’m guarding the Princess right now. If I left my post—” 

“The Princess can handle herself.” Zelda piped up, sitting on her cot with a sword lying across her lap. “And if you don’t trust my word, I can come with you.” 

My jaw hung open. How long has she been awake? How much has she heard?

Zelda:

Link’s almost comical expression made the small girl, Aryll if I had heard correctly, giggle. I smiled at her and Link blushed. 

Oh, my Hylia. 

I didn’t know he was capable of such a feat. 

Link rubbed the back of his neck and I smiled at him. 

Aryll bounced past him and bowed to me before straightening with the brightest grin. “Hi! I’m Aryll. And you’re Princess Zelda. I’ve heard lots about you from dad and Link and my friends. The boys at school say you’re the prettiest girl in the kingdom!”

My cheeks heated. “Well, I’m not sure about that. But you know, you’re really pretty too.” 

Aryll somehow smiled wider. “I made you and Link some treats with mum! There’s cookies, tarts, muffins, and pieces of cake.” 

“Ooh, yum.” Link interjected. “But I think it’s time for you to go to bed.”

“Aww. But–” 

“No buts. It’s past midnight. Come on.” He held out his hand for her to grab. Aryll reluctantly took it. 

I stood with my sword, and sheathed it over my shoulder. Pulling a cloak over me, I followed Link and Aryll into the darkness outside. He locked the door behind us and we went down to the village. 

Aryll rambled on and on about what she’d heard about me, and Link. Apparently from different members of staff at the castle. Including soldiers, cooks, servants and guards.

I listened as we strolled, looking for other people. We saw maybe one, possibly two people guarding the front gate into town. There was no need to be worried but that didn’t stop me. Yiga could appear at any second with no warning, even in the safest places. 

We arrived at his house, across a wooden bridge. Secluded, and beautiful yet simple. A plain white plaster home stood before us with reddish-orange roof tiles. The tall chimney towered over the home, emitting a bit of smoke into the night air. It appeared to have possibly two floors with its height. To the opposite side, closer to the bridge was a very large tree. A much smaller apple tree sprout stood proudly in the back of the house. A small stable with room for two horses had been erected. 

It was newer than the house itself which made me wonder if Link had helped build it. 

One horse absentmindedly chewed hay in the stable while the other was vacant. Link’s horse Epona was still up at Purah’s Laboratory. 

Even in the light of the moon, the quaint house was homey. It was the kind of place that I would have been content to live in for the rest of my life. 

“I’ll make sure Aryll gets into bed and maybe warn mum to lock the door next time. You stay here. Maybe hide in the shadows of that tree.” Link pointed at the one to the bridge. 

I nodded and Aryll began to pout. “I don’t want to go to bed. I want to stay with you and Princess Zelda.” 

I knelt down, bringing myself to her level. “Aryll,” she turned to me with puppy eyes. “You can’t stay with us, it’s very dangerous and you don’t have the proper training. Besides,” I added. “I have a very important top secret mission for you.” 

Aryll’s face lit up with excitement. “What is it?” Even Link craned his head and his ears pricked. 

“I need you to protect your mum. That means listening to her, your dad and your teachers.”  

She straightened, decidedly happier than she’d been the moment before. “I’m on it!” Aryll saluted me before taking Link’s hand and dragging him to the house. 

I walked to the tree and sat against the trunk in the shade. My shoulders slumped as I relaxed. The exhaustion that had been weighing down on me finally caught up and I closed my eyes. 

Until a blade against my throat had my eyes jolting open again.