Championing Her

Chapter 1

Deteriorating Resentment

A/N: BEFORE WE BEGIN: NO, I HAVEN'T LOST MY MIND BY STARTING ANOTHER STORY. Here's the deal, I beat BotW. So was anyone NOT going to assume I'd write a quick piece about it? They set us up for all of the fanfiction fluff, let's be real. All those memory scenes? Just in watching the trailer I was like "oh, the internet is going to freak," because ALL THAT MEAT, YEAH? That being said, like every other thing ever, there were a few things I wanted to see personally, like some certain themes sooooo I just wrote them. I intend for this to be short lived, only four chapters, five at the most. So yeah, just a small little thing I'm doing here to celebrate Breath of the Wild because so much love for that game. I'm actually writing two other (real) books, as well as finishing up two fanfics so my writing plate is full, but I couldn't resist this :3 Feel free to let me know what you think!

The sunlight crept its way through the drawn curtains of the princess's chambers. It did not awaken her, though. For the princess had seen many a sunrise in the last few weeks as she was unable to sleep. Night after night she would fall asleep only to be awoken by the same horrifying nightmares that plagued her. Once jolted awake, she would no longer sleep due to fear. Not fear of her nightmares, however. No, that fear could be contained. The nightmares were only a catalyst for awakening the real fear, a fear that she knew would soon be turned into a reality: Calamity Ganon.

Zelda sat up in her bed and sighed. She threw the curtains open and rang for her lady's maid in order to begin her day. She had to get her mind off of the nightmares.

"Good morning, Your Highness," Anna, her favorite of her lady's maids spoke softly as she entered.

"Indeed it is, Anna," Zelda replied, gesturing to the beauty that laid beyond the windows.

Anna stopped and studied the princess momentarily. Zelda's golden hair fell around her face that cradled her blue eyes. Dark circles shadowed the princess's sapphire eyes, causing Anna to ever so slightly tilt her head. Zelda caught the gesture and quickly tried to put the question Anna internally asked to rest.

"I must remember to stop drinking so much of that delicious tea when I study those texts, it keeps me tossing and turning all night," Zelda said as she stood up and walked behind her changing screen. Anna's gaze followed her, but Zelda was determined to hide any issue.

"Perhaps her majesty would prefer to put Silent Princess extract in her tea to help her sleep at night," Anna suggested as she reached for Zelda's dress and corset from the wardrobe.

"Absolutely not," she argued. "I could never bring myself to even pluck such a rare, beautiful species. No no, I would sooner not sleep a wink than to know one less Silent Princess danced upon the fields of Hyrule."

"I beg your pardon, my lady," Anna said as she synched up Zelda's corset. The lady's maid always felt slightly guilty for having to pull so tightly on the princess and bind her up in such an uncomfortable under garment.

"Oh it—," Zelda held her breath as Anna pulled the lace of the corset, shrinking the princess's waist even more. "—it's alright, Anna, I shouldn't have been so sensitive about it. I suppose I'm a bit on edge lately because those cursed night—," Zelda caught herself before she finished the word and attempted to recover, "—nightly hours I've been putting in studying the ancient texts. Due forgive me."

"Nothing to forgive, my lady," Anna replied as she donned Zelda in her royal blue dress. The dress hung loosely in the middle, causing both Zelda and Anna to glance down at the excess fabric that had been tailored to the exact size of the princess.

"That's odd," Zelda mumbled. "I've never had this fabric stretch out like this before."

"If I may be so bold, my lady, I do surmise that it is not the fabric that stretches. There seems to just be less of you to fill it," Anna said kindly. She had noticed Zelda's early rising and lack of sleep, as well as lack of appetite in the last few weeks. But the princess was not one to open up, and Anna knew this. She had been with the princess every day since the beloved queen was laid to rest. Anna tried to do everything she could to fill the void, but the task was nearly impossible for many reasons, the main being because Zelda refused to admit there was ever a void present at all. Anna hoped that in some way, however, Zelda at least viewed her as a friend. Her hopes were not in vain, either, as the princess gently grasped Anna's hand in her own.

"My dear Anna, I do not wish for you to worry about my lack of appetite for one moment of your life. Perhaps I am just going through one of those phase's women do, yes? Lest we forget, only months ago you snuck that chocolate cake in here after dinner only to find the entire platter empty by morning," Zelda and Anna both giggled. "So please, fret not. I am sure in this massive castle you have far more things to worry about that occupy your time. I take up enough of it already," the sixteen year old princess smiled.

"Not a'tall, Princess. Being able to serve you is both an honor and a pleasure," Anna bowed, graciously. Zelda smiled at the one person she regarded as a friend in all of Hyrule.

Anna stood back up with a mischievous smile on her face.

"My my, what could such an expression entail, Anna?" Zelda asked.

"Not a thing, my lady. Only that, I believe the latest Hyrule Champion, Master Link, would most likely say the same thing," Anna grinned.

Zelda gasped, feeling her face heating up.

"I highly doubt that," Zelda rolled her eyes, far less formal.

"I do not, my lady, nor does the rest of the kingdom, especially those here in the castle, I'm sure."

"I hope no one else in the castle shares these inclinations aloud," Zelda smirked through the mirror where Anna did her hair. "You and I both know the last thing I need is for more rumors to circulate about myself."

"Believe me, your ladyship, only fools speak of such a dignified princess in any derogatory light. For the only people that do not sing your praises are those you have intimidated with your wisdom and intelligence," Anna replied, taking pride in the princess she was so close to.

"You treat me too kind, Anna. You and I both know I am far less than you credit me with," Zelda's eyes cast down. She did not feel anywhere near worthy of those words. She couldn't even harness the power she was born with, while the "boy chosen by the sword," literally wielded his power with confidence and ease.

"On the contrary, Princess," Anna said as she placed a hand on Zelda's shoulder.

Anna stood and gathered up Zelda's night gown to take it down to be cleaned.

"Is there anything else I can do for you?" Anna asked.

"No no, I'll soon be off. However, do you know if Master Link has yet arrived?"

A childish smile appeared on Anna's face. "He arrived this morning, Princess. He's been awaiting your call in the drawing room."

"Thank you, Anna," Zelda said with more composure in her voice.

Anna darted off, unable to contain her smile as she did.

Zelda glanced at herself in the mirror a few more times, making sure she looked her best before entering the drawing room to find her assigned knight.

She stopped outside the massive wooden doors and caught her breath before entering in the most composed manner she could.

"Master Link," she greeted as she entered.

Link immediately knelt in her presence.

"Princess Zelda," he replied before looking up at her. Zelda nodded, indicating he could rise. When he stood, his eyes barely looked down at hers.

"I—," she cleared her throat, trying to sound more dignified than she felt. "I have been reading over the ancient texts and I believe one of our answers lies within the Eldin province. I intend to make my way there today," she informed him.

"My horse is already prepared, Your Highness," he replied, ready to follow her every step.

"Master Link, As I told you yesterday at the ruins, I can assure you that I am perfectly capable of making it to the Eldin province on my own. I should hate to become a burden—,"

"You are not a burden, Princess," Link interrupted, completely aware that one should never speak when being spoken to by anyone in the royal family.

Zelda fought against her involuntary reaction of blushing.

"Still yet, I feel that I cannot ask you to always accompany me to every region I intend to visit, it's none of your concern, anyway."

"It is my duty," Link replied with no haste.

That's right. Your duty. You know exactly who you are and what you are supposed to do. What a joy that must be.

Zelda held in her sigh. "I suppose even if I were to order you not to go, you would still accompany me," she spoke.

"I made an oath to the king, Your Highness," Link glanced as his feet.

"Right. Well then, we should be off."

The princess's journey to Eldin proved to be unfruitful and nearly pointless, although she tried to tell herself otherwise as she wiped the sweat from her forehead.

"How the travelers manage to pass through the heat of this area, I will never know," Zelda mumbled on her horse next to Link, who had said nothing the entire journey. The princess found him to be stand-offish and she hesitated to entertain the idea of becoming more than mere acquaintances. Especially if he wouldn't even make conversation with her.

"Elixirs," he finally spoke.

"Come again?" Zelda asked, astonished.

"There are certain elixirs that can be made in order to withstand unfathomably high heat. That's how many humans are able to make it to Goron City."

"And these elixirs, are they easily made?" she inquired. Zelda was perpetually seeking new information.

"Some are easier than others, but most are fairly simple to make given a few ingredients," Link replied, looking to the princess to find a smile across her pretty face. Link found himself confused, yet delighted to see her suddenly happy.

"I take it you know how to make these special elixirs then?"

"I do, Princess." he answered her, peeling his eyes away from her intoxicating smile.

"Master Link, would it be too much trouble to have you record your knowledge of these drinks so that I may pass them on to my lab directors?"

"It would be no trouble, Princess," Link fiddled with the reigns of his steed.

"Wonderful, thank you," Zelda replied, intrigued with what other knowledge the Hero possessed. "Might I inquire as to where you learned such information?" she said after some time.

"In the ancient texts. My father left many of the texts he'd obtained from his ancestors and throughout travels, some of which contained medical omens and such," Link replied.

Zelda pulled her horse to a halt. "You read ancient Hylian?"

"Yes, Your Highness," Link said, now feeling himself being the one to blush as the blue-eyed princess studied him.

"I am sorry I was ignorant to the knowledge you possessed, Master Link."

"You have nothing to apologize for, Princess."

Zelda felt herself be overcome with guilt. She regarded the hero boy as one merely chosen and therefore ignorant to hard work and the striving, determined drivenness it took to accomplish and fulfill one's duties. She had labeled him as ignorant in all things, therefore and thought him indifferent to her scholarly accomplishments and goals. In fact, she was wrong. And she now began to realize that.

The next morning after Zelda was prepared for the day, she had Anna summon Link. The princess stood outside her room, awaiting the Hero at the top of the stairs that led to her door.

"Master Link!" she called when she saw him. Link looked up at her and quickly made his way to her. Zelda couldn't help but watch his every step, excited to see him make haste to her.

You mustn't let that get to you. This is his duty, he said so.

"Princess," Link bowed when he made it to the top.

"Master Link, if I expected you to kneel to me every time you were in my presence I am afraid you would spend far too much of your time staring at the ground."

"But I—," Link started, but Zelda interrupted him this time.

"I reverse the command that you bow, Master Link. Would that suffice for you to not feel the need?" A small smirk appeared on the princess's face that drew one out of Link as well.

"Yes, Princess, if I could ask of you a small favor in return," Link started.

"Anything," Zelda said, inwardly scolding herself for sounding far too eager to come to his aid.

"I would waste far too much of your time if I expected you to refer to me as 'Master' each and every time we spoke. So please, call me Link," the handsome boy replied.

Zelda eyed him before smiling and deciding to comply.

"As you wish, Link."

Link flashed a charming smile at the princess that caused her heart rate to quicken. She silently suppressed the feeling and continued down the stone pathway that connected her room to her study, Link following closely behind her.

"I've never been one for formalities anyway," Zelda said over her shoulder as she walked. She couldn't help but notice the smile that still appeared on the hero's face.

Zelda pushed open the door to her study and gestured for Link to follow her in.

"I was wondering if you would take a look at some of these old manuscripts with me, I thought maybe with the two of us working together we might come up with something more. A fresh pair of eyes is always a good start to finding something new, yes?" she asked, showing him a worn piece of paper with ancient Hylian scribbled on it.

"M-me, Your Highness?" Link stammered. He'd never dreamed the princess would actually ask for his help with something, much less the ancient technology she was enthralled in.

"Yes, of course. You know the language, you even taught me a few things last night when you transcribed all you could remember about the elixirs. I was impressed, truly," Zelda gushed, slowing herself down before she appeared to be far too enthused.

"Well I…I suppose I could try," Link answered.

Zelda set another chair that she had pulled into the room prior to asking Anna to get Link next to her own chair and gestured for him to sit next to her.

Link looked around in awe. Sketches and notes scribbled on wrinkled paper littered the floor and walls of the entire room. Books lined every inch and journals with notes and thoughts sprawled on them laid on Zelda's desk. Link had underestimated her amount of knowledge and work as well. He wondered how much time she spent in this room and how many hours she snuck out here in the middle of the night to continue studying the ancient technology. He hoped the king didn't know she did such. Or any other person, for that matter. Anyone knowing Zelda would be walking from her room to the study in the dark of night could most certainly lead to trouble. But there were guards around the castle, so surely that wouldn't be an issue.

The princess and the Hero huddled over the ancient texts and read diligently, pointing out certain facts or words they noticed, each becoming more and more engulfed in the literature, as well as each other's knowledge.

Princess Zelda requested that Link arrive early the next morning and the two of them could set off early for the Gerudo province. As directed, Link met Zelda at the castle stables early in the morning.

"If we leave early, we can beat the heat of the desert," Zelda said as Link jumped off of his horse to help Zelda onto hers. She was perfectly capable of mounting a horse on her own, but the comforting grip of the hero's hand around her waist as she pulled herself up was enough to make her actually accept help.

"Yes, Your Grace," he replied.

"Have you been to the desert many times, Link?" Zelda asked as he mounted his steed.

"Plenty of times," Link assured her.

"And have you ever been attacked by the Yiga Clan?"

Link looked up to see the princess staring directly at him with a blank expression.

She hides her fear well.

"Their threats are worse than their attacks, Your Highness."

"I take that as a yes," Zelda replied, swallowing her fear and taking off on her horse toward the desert, Link following closely behind.

After stopping at a desert bazaar to fill up on water, Zelda and Link tied up their horses and walked outside the perimeter to discuss some of what Zelda hoped to find in Gerudo Town. She didn't want any of the Gerudo or travelers to hear her speaking.

As the two conversed, Link stopped mid sentence and stared into the distance.

"What?" Zelda asked, following his gaze.

Link stared for a long time before answering.

"Nothing. I thought I heard the sound of a wind cleaver but…I must be paranoid," he finished.

"Wind cleaver? Aren't wind cleavers supposedly silent?"

"Unless one of the Yiga Clan members is holding it," Link replied, looking around. Zelda noticed him take a few steps closer to her.

"But…this is a well traveled route. Surely the Yiga Clan wouldn't attack somewhere this populated," Zelda started.

"I would put nothing past them," Link said, instinctively grabbing Zelda's arm and pulling her behind him.

"Just in case, it's best to have your weapon handy. I don't think anything is amiss but out here so close to their hideout it's probably better—,"

He was cut off by a rush of wind that produced four Yiga Clan members simultaneously, surrounding Link and Zelda.

"Go," Link breathed, letting go of her arm.

"But you—,"

"Run," he said again louder as one of the masked bandits approached him. "Now!" he yelled.

Zelda took off sprinting as hard as she could, glancing back to see three Yiga Clan members following close behind her. She feared for her life, but even more so for Link's, who she saw just in time to unsheathe his sword and cross a wind cleaver with the tall, masked creature in front of him.

The princess kept sprinting through the sand, keeping her eye trained on the pack that rested on the back of her horse that contained her sword.

"Please," she whispered to the Goddess as she ran.

Before Zelda would react, a Yiga materialized in front of her. She stumbled back, attempting to run the other way, but it was no use. One had already positioned itself behind her, ready to strike at any moment. Zelda fell to the ground from her momentum, having no where to run.

The Yiga stepped toward her, raising its cycle high into the air, ready to slice through her existence.

Zelda heard the sound of ripping flesh, closing her eyes and bracing herself for the pain. But she felt nothing. She looked up to see Link pull his sword out of the flesh of the Yiga that nearly ended her life.

Link stepped in front of her, using himself as a human shield. The other two Yiga Clan members stepped backward, cowering at the sight of the Hero, before disappearing to return to where they came from.

Link sheathed his sword after he was certain they were gone. He turned around to a shaking princess, still in the sand. He extended his hand to her. In the past, Zelda would not have taken it. But after seeing him willingly risk his life for her, all pretenses she had of him were erased. Zelda placed her hand firmly in Link's and allowed him to help her up.

"I owe you my life," she told him.

"I made an oath to risk mine for you, Princess. You owe me nothing," Link replied, gesturing for her to continue in front of him.

"I—," Zelda started, feeling guilty for numerous reasons that she could only label as helplessness.

"I insist," Link replied, not wanting her to feel like she needed to thank him.

Zelda didn't know what to say or how to thank him. It was rare that she ever felt speechless. Or that she owed anyone.

"Thank you," she finally said as they quickly walked to their horses.

"My honor, Princess," Link replied.

Link remained close to Zelda the entire way back to the castle after visiting Gerudo Town. But Zelda found herself more than tolerant of his being there.

"I see what you mean," she said as they rode across the gentle plains of Hyrule Field.

"About what, Princess?"

"The Yiga Clan. Their threats do seem worse than their attacks."

Link was amazed at her amount of composure and lack of hesitation in her statement. She truly believed that, despite her almost being killed by them earlier.

"They are still a threat. They attacked you," Link replied, feeling the same hatred and determination well up inside of him that he felt earlier when he saw the other three clan members run after Zelda.

"They attack poor citizens too, citizens who haven't done anything to deserve their wrath," Zelda shook her head.

"You've…you've done nothing to deserve their wrath either," Link met her distraught gaze thinking of her beloved citizens falling victim to the evil clan.

"I am the princess, Link. I will forever have a target on my back. Those other people shouldn't though," Zelda leaned up and gently pet her horse.

"That doesn't mean you should either, princess or not."

Zelda was surprised to hear him speak so freely toward her. He had begun to speak more and more, but never so openly.

"By the by, it appears I have nothing to fear with my appointed knight around though, does it?" she smiled. "You have proven yourself to be exactly who they say you are: the boy chosen by the sword."

Link smiled and looked down at his horse. For reasons she could not explain, Zelda's heart rate quickened yet again.

"It's not all it's cracked up to be," he replied, tugging on his ponytail.

"Because you nearly get slashed to bits for the stubborn princess you vowed to protect?" Zelda said in jest, although there was a ring of truth to her statement and she knew it.

Link laughed, slightly, taken aback by her sudden lack of poise and gentile.

"No, no not that. I gladly do that," he stated. Zelda was glad it was turning dark so that he could not see the redness in her cheeks. "It's more so due to the fact that now that I've been 'chosen,' what happens if I actually fail? Everyone expects me to succeed in every way they need. It's like they forget I'm still capable of failure. It's one thing when people expect you to fail and put pressure on you. It's another when they only expect you not to and therefore assume you have no reason to fret and no reason to not do exactly what they expect," he admitted.

Zelda had never thought about the amount of pressure that the chosen hero she had ridden beside for so long really did have thrown upon him.

"If it helps," she stated, "I understand exactly what you mean."

Link looked up at her with genuine concern in his eyes.

"How so?"

"I'm 'born of the goddess,' remember? I…apparently…'possess' the sealing power to seal away Calamity Ganon should he chose to show himself again. Alas, I have no idea how to harness or control or even remotely feel that power at all. All of my life, I've been told exactly what I must do and what I am expected to do, yet I have no idea how to do it. At least you know how to wield the sword on your back," she stated, scoffing a little at the power she had come to loathe inside of her.

"Only when given the proper motivation," Link finally replied.

Zelda looked at him, puzzled.

"Today, I didn't have time to doubt myself. You were in danger. I had to be proficient with this sword if it meant saving you. I was just given the proper motivation. I think you will have that too, at some point. You just haven't found it yet."

Zelda reminded herself over and over that it was Link's duty by an oath that he protected her and not for any other reason did he do so. Regardless, she was flattered that she was enough motivation for him to fight.

"I hope you're right, Hero," she smiled.

"I have to be, I'm the 'chosen one,' remember?" Link smirked, causing Zelda to let out a much needed laugh that Link could not help but return.