This story will essentially be a series of one-shots detailing Link and Zelda's journey before, through, and after Breath of the Wild. This first chapter is short but important, and takes place nearly two years before the calamity.

Chosen One

"Tell me again Father, why must I face this test?"

The 15-year old boy spoke quietly, his brow slightly furrowed. His head was bowed, and his eyes were set on the grass beneath his feet, but he listened attentively for his father's words.

"Answer a question for me first, my son." Was gentle reply of the elder knight walking beside him "Why is it that you fear this trial?"

The young one's brow knit tightly at the question, and he was silent for a moment before responding.

"I have heard," he began unsurely, "that the sword does not deal kindly with those who attempt to wield it. And that none of the mighty men of Hyrule in this age have ever succeeded in pulling it but an inch from its appointed resting place." He paused for a moment, before concluding: "If those brave and powerful men were all bested by this challenge, then what shall be my own fate when attempting the same?"

"Perhaps it is not all about physical strength, or practiced courage." Replied his father, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Mortal wisdom is short-sighted, who knows what fate may have in store? In any case, you are aspiring to be a royal knight of Hyrule, and as such this simple trial is expected of you. Face it with courage and resolve, my son. What will be, will be."

The boy nodded, swallowing his doubts and fears in the face of what lay ahead. Already his footsteps, and those of his father beside him, were nearing their destination. The dark and dreary paths of the lost forest quickly gave way to a wide clearing, bursting with living and vibrant foliage, and illuminated with the golden light of late afternoon.

Quickly, the boy's footsteps came to a halt, and his breath hitched as he stared at the scene before him. There in the midst of the clearing, resting sheathed in it's stone pedestal, stood the sword of legend. The Blade of Evil's Bane, the Sword that Seals the Darkness, the ancient weapon gifted by the goddess herself. It waited patiently there before him, the lowly squire who would seek to wield it.

Goddess, what am I doing here? I'm not worthy of this weapon.

His father's hand patted his shoulder gently, and the boy took a deep breath to steady himself. A few reverent steps brought him to the sword, and he crouched down before it. He knew there was no chance he could lift it, but he resolved to try nevertheless. If this was a trial expected of him, then he would give it his all regardless of the expected outcome. Bowing his head in a moment of silent prayer, he closed his eyes and wrapped his hands around the handle of the ancient blade. Another deep breath, and then he pulled.

At that moment the world around him ceased to exist, as the sword became the center of his entire existence. The ancient weapon seemed to come alive as he strained to pull it from its stony sheath. It glowed brightly, and somehow seemed to wrestle with his very soul, testing him and trying his heart in a way nothing else could ever come close to imitating. It was painful, unlike anything he could have imagined, but something inside him would not let him give up. The deepest part of his soul demanded that he press on. He pulled harder, and suddenly felt very, very old. He felt older than his father, older than the kingdom of Hyrule, older than the stone pedestal beneath him, as a thousand memories and a thousand feelings of unknown past lives flashed before his closed eyes. His arms began to tremble, and sweat beads gathered on his forehead. Tears trickled unnoticed down his cheeks, and the faint echo of a woman's voice in his head breathed out the words: "Hero of Hyrule."

In an instant, it was over. Blue eyes snapped open and breath came in heavy gasps as the boy stepped backward, dazed. It took several long moments before his mind started to recover, and he realized with a start that the sword was in his hand.

The impossible had happened. He had passed the test, and the sword had chosen him as it's bearer. As the appointed hero for this age.

He swallowed in the face of sudden fear, holding the sacred sword at arms length and staring at it with wide eyes. Shock, pride, and terror all warred within him, as the consequences of what he had just accomplished started to sink in.

Goddess above, why me?

He glanced almost helplessly toward his father, completely unprepared for the weight of the responsibility that had just been laid upon his shoulders. But in the eyes of the elder there was no answer to the worries of the future. The knight wore a proud and knowing smile, as if he had expected this outcome beforehand. Yet, there was a deep pain and sadness hidden beneath his gaze. He knew what would now be expected of his son, and he knew it would be far from easy.

In that moment, as the father's eyes locked with those of his son, the young Link knew that his life had irrevocably changed.

Author's Note: I loved BotW's story, and just wanted to flush it out some more, especially the changing relationship between Link and Zelda, before and after the calamity. I'll be updating this story whenever I can, likely every few days. Until then, thanks for taking the time to read. This isn't my first story, but it's the first one I'm posting here, so feedback and opinions on it are most welcome.