Disclaimer: Please. Legend of Zelda existed before I was even born. I do not own. Clear enough? Pretty much based on Twilight Princess, graphic and monster wise. Thirdly, I am Canadian. Can you see where the plot bunny comes from after the first chapter? A little abstract, maybe, buuut...

Prologue

T'was a long, long time ago – before the tales any old wive can remember – that this story takes place. You see, us Hylians were not born on this land, no! We came from far beyond the sea-land up North – further than the Dragon's Ridge, beyond the Great Sea that lies to it's feet. The Historians have long since forgotten it's name, and nowadays, we simply call it the Other Land. T'is that Other Land which was the birthplace of our people.

Yes, little one? Why, because... We came because, because there was no more food! Now where- ... Well, we just had enough food to come all the way here. No it does not make much sense to you, little one, but the adults are careful. They keep a bit of food aside in case of droughts or deluges. Yes, like when you keep a part of your candies for later. Now, where was I? Ah, well-

But upon our coming here, we met people who already lived on these lands, and hunted the Helmasauruses. They were called the Sheikas. They were a proud race that – hush, child, and let me finish! - a proud race that, it is said, had the sharpest eyes and their fighting style was much advanced. Just as advanced as our steel crafting was, actually, and the two races combined their knowledge and created swords, and the soldiers learned how to fight with them.

Yes, child? Yes, now, the species stays about up to my knee, but at that time, they could grow as big as a man, and that was when they stayed four paws down. The helmasauruses, you see, have a very thick steel armor that they create as they grow – and they can live for hundreds of years if left alone. Yes, the soldiers could fight at the time, but only with stave and some had lances – oh, and arrows, which rarely work against them. The sword was easier to handle, and more precise when fighting against wild beasts. Now hush, child, if you wish me to continue.

Much time passed, with both races growing one besides the other, accepting their differences and still sharing their cultures. No one know exactly why Zant- a Hylian- imposed his rules on the poor people; why some entered his army and followed him, but some did. Soon, Zant proclaimed himself king of Hyrule, and the times grew dark as he plunged this country in anguish and dispair. Of course, Hylians and Sheikas alike tried to fight this evil force, but in vain, for the Dark leader knew of a tainted shadow magic. Those who did not submit to his will were transformed and twisted until only creatures of darkness remained.

To the Sheikas, the Dark king – for thus is how we name him now – the Dark king drove them far to the Eastern boarders, in the Ancient Lands. You see, the very earth there is humming with magic, and the Sheikas believed it to be the land of their Animal Deities. Crossing over was attracting the wrath of their Gods. He locked them there, in a land already twisted with large amounts of magic, to see if their bodies would adapt or die there. None was ever seen afterward.

No, child, they did not believe in the three goddesses as we do. I believe your father brought you to the South on his last expedition? Yes, and did you get to see the Fauna Walls? Yes, the large wall with pretty animals and marks, as you said. They worshiped those. It's said that they worshiped the animal that witnessed their birth. Each mark is one person who was under the wing of the animal on top of the wall. Now, may I continue? Or do you grow bored of this story? Thank you, princess.

It was your own ancestor, Gustav the First, who was able to slay the Dark king. Very few details remain of the story. We do know, however, that the king bled purple upon his Death and that people showed very little sympathy for him. We also know that king Gustav's sword, still tainted with the evil blood, was left on the edge of the Ancient Lands, as an offering to those of the Sheikas who died by the hand of the Dark king. But still, the Sheikas never appeared.

After the rejoicing, people came to king Gustav – who was still a citizen – and asked him to be king and ensure this dark story would never repeat itself. After careful consideration, the King was crowned, and this Legend was passed down his descendants to make sure only someone who is just and who loves his country very much can inherit the throne. If you are judged unfit of these characteristics, the throne will pass on to someone else.

"Now, child. Do you understand the importance you bear?"

"Oh, yes, Nanny!" Little Zelda eagerly replied as she nodded her head vigorously. "I will become a very responsible Queen and watch over the citizens like if I was their mommy, so that all the citizens will have one to look after them, and I'll be very careful not to let any of them get hurt or I will kiss their pain away!"

"And you will have to find a King that will love and respect the citizens as well." Her nanny replied in a very gentle tone, knowing the little tomboy's reaction before hand.

"No! No! No! No! No!" The blond-headed child replied immediately, each "no" accompanied with a shake of her head. "Boys are mean, and won't let me duel with them because I'm a girl! They all think they are better just because they'll be knights one day. Well, I'll be Queen, and I'll duel anyone I will encounter if I so choose."

"Well, that would make a lot of bruises to kiss, Princess!"

"They won't be citizens. They will be knights."

"And I will be old and will want a grand-child!" A new voice added, a little worn by this morning's debates with the council.

The King came in the nursery, worry slipping off his brow as his little daughter squealed "Papa!" and ran up to him. Catching his precious bundle of joy and twirling her in the air once, he planted a kiss on her forehead and held her in his arms, happiness seeping from her to him. He bent to let her to the ground, and stayed at her level.

"Right Princess?" He smiled. There was a way he said "princess" that his daughter particularly liked. It was more endearing than a reminder of her title, and it was less painful than to call her by her true name. The name of her mother.

"But papa, if all the citizens will be my own children, then they will all be your grand-children! " The young princess put some emphasis on the "all" and the way she had said her sentence made it sound as if it was all so obvious.

The King chuckled at her innocence. His little daughter had an enormous heart, he knew, but he still doubted she would be able to ever learn by heart all of her "children's" names. Still, her duty would be understood later. For now, he could let her dream just a little more as he kept the burden of the crown to himself.

Yes, for now.

Huge thanks to Arthemis D'aluna and to my mother, who both helped me writing this story with both new ideas or character depth and, in Arthemis' case, beta reading. They are also the ones who pressed me to continue writing when the words would not come to me. This fanfic was slightly inspired by Dance Macabre, a music written by Camille Saint-Saëns.