Author's Note: So this is my second fanfic on this site I really enjoyed writing my first one that I immediately started working on this one. In my previous fanfic (which is a lot bigger than this one will turn out to be) I had a Link x Impa and I decided to do that again here because I enjoyed writing about those two and because this site just doesn't have enough stories about them. Anyway this chapter is about establishing Link and Impa's situations in this story showing you the tragedy's that lead them together. I hope you guys enjoy!

It was another peaceful night in Kakariko Village. Its inhabitants preparing for their usual sweet slumber, but for one young member of the small village this night was the beginning of the next chapter of his life. The young nine-year-old lad stood before his kneeling father, listening to his words. "I have to go now Link, while I'm away I want you to be good for your mommy. Ok?" The young light-brown haired boy nodded in response. His father smiled and brought his son into a tight embrace. The mature man rose up and proceeded to hug his wife who stood beside their son. After blessing her with a kiss and saying goodbye, he exited the house to head off to Hyrule Castle where he will carry out his duty as a Knight. Seeing his father leave for what he knew will feel like an eternity in his young mind sadness dragged his face down to a frown. His mother was quick to comfort her child holding him lovingly and promises him, "Don't be upset Link. Soon you'll hear a knock on the door and your Dad will be on the other-side." Sadly, this was never to come to pass.

One day, after many went by, there was a knock on the door. Link's mother went and opened it to be greeted by a messenger from Hyrule Castle.

Once the door was shut she burst out into uncontrollable weeping attracting her nine-year-old son who came dashing asking what was wrong. She forced herself to gain control of her emotions as she told him, "I'm sorry Link, but Daddy's not coming home…"

His father was not the only family Link would lose, for not long after receiving this news the sorrow of losing her husband was too great and took his mother's life and both his parents were buried in Kakariko's graveyard. All the villagers along with many Hylian Knights attended the sad occasion to remember two great individuals and to offer their sincere condolences to the couple's child who was now left with no family, but he was not alone. Rusl, a man who was close friends with both his parents and promised the boy to look after and raise him.

After that day Link vowed to become a knight in honour of his father, and the skilled swordsman Rusl seeing the drive and commitment in the young lad promised to support him by training him in combat through the coming years.

…

7 years later.

At Hyrule Castle lives Impa. A 29-year-old Sheikah woman who dedicates herself to protecting the young Princess Zelda. Never has she failed in keeping the teenage royal safe, except on one night- when her worst fear came to pass.

A loud scream pierced the silence of the sleeping castle. Immediately, the Sheikah dashed to the sound knowing who it came from. She burst through the door of Zelda's bedroom to discover several men dressed in black cloak. One of who had Zelda trapped in his arms. Without a moment hesitation Impa lunged at them unleashing a fury of deadly attacks and it wasn't long until all the cloaked men were on the floor dead…Almost all. Across from her on the balcony was the last remaining cloaked man, Princess Zelda's neck was in his grasp as he dangled her over the edge.

The colour instantly drained from the Sheikah's face as fear gripped her heart. "Please…don't." She begged. The man looked to Zelda then back to Impa, as he said, "With my team now all dead, I've realized this bounty won't be worth the extra weight, and besides- you'll need a distraction." With that said he released the princess as she plummeted down with a loud shriek that was silenced within seconds.

"NO!" Screamed Impa. She dashed to the balcony throwing her Kunai into the back of the fleeing cloaked man, and he too fell. The Shiekah looked over the balustrade to see Zelda sprawled on the narrow path of the Castle Wall. Suddenly a voice got her attention. "What happened?" She turned to see some guards who had entered the room. Immediately she ordered. "The Princess has fallen onto the Castle Wall! Go to her NOW!" The guards didn't need to be told twice as they dashed to their given destination. Impa was about to follow when a groan seized her attention. She looked to its source one of the cloaked men, his face bloody from her attack earlier, but still he clung to life.

Offering him no mercy she grabbed him by the collar, pulled him up, and pushed him against the wall. He trembled in her grip as he stared in her eyes that were like that of an angered beast. "Your partner called the princess bounty. Did someone hire you?" She hissed.

"Y-yes." He stammered.

"WHO?!" She barked.

At that moment another man walked into the room who Impa recognized as one of the Kings advisors.

"What happened?" He asked seeming confused and concerned.

The Sheikah was about to explain when the man she questioned uttered. "Him." Impa looked to him then the advisor who suddenly didn't seem confused or concerned anymore. "He hired us to kidnap the princess. He'd create us an opportunity and we'd collect her. Then split the bounty we'd get for her."

Impa stared at the advisor in utter shock, which soon transformed into hate and disgust as he spoke. "Listen, Impa I can expla-" But before he could finish Zelda's attendant smashed her fist into his face and he struck the ground unconscious.

…

Two days have gone by since that day. The traitorous advisor now lay in the dungeons awaiting his sentence, which is death. The princess had thankfully survived her fall and during the past two days the king had all the Castle's healers do all they could to help the princess. They had managed to heal all her wounds, but she has not awoken.

Impa sits besides the bed that the unconscious 19-year-old slept on. She watched her soft breathing a comforting sign of life inside her still body. Days passed into weeks, that passed into months, but Zelda never woke. As the days continued to drag by Impa who blamed herself for Zelda's state, sunk deeper into a pit of depression and despair.

Author's Note: So yeah not a very happy beginning for Impa and Link. The next chapters will be more light hearted than this as we see these two meet. The next chapters shouldn't take long to finish as I've already written drafts for the whole story so I already know how the story will go so chapters shouldn't take long to push out. Anyway what do you guys think about the first chapter? I hope its good enough to get your attention so you might come back and check it out! And please review! Criticism is welcome.