Here's Chapter 9, quite earlier than I expected. I realized I was wasting my mornings not writing, so maybe we can get some updates in.

I see you guys really don't like Zelda as of right now, which has earned many a chuckle as I read reviews. Guess we're all on Team Link for a while. You might hate Zelda some more after this chapter.

Now, a disclaimer: Because this is Secret Memory 1, if you have not played Breath of the Wild and want to avoid ACTUAL spoilers, I suggest you skip this chapter. I do take some liberty with creativity, but the major parts of the scene are here. Those who played/seen Breath of the Wild will recognize what I added to the scene.

Now a disclaimer to those in the know: We know Zelda continues her blessing to Link, yet because others talk, we don't hear what she says. I found the rest of her speech (I don't know if its true or not, but I'm leaning towards truth) so it is added her in italics.'

Okay, I'm done. Enjoy the chapter.


Part 2: Champions of Hyrule

Six months later...

"We have started training the Champions who will pilot the Divine Beasts. It may sound rude and unexpected, but Mipha mastered the controls with surprising ease. Daruk struggled at first but eventually got the hang of it. Urbosa and Revali both managed just fine as well. I can finally see the light of hope in our fight against the Calamity."

Zelda set her research notes on bedroom desk, yawning as she reached over for a second book. This one was blank, given by her mother years ago to serve as a diary of sorts for the much younger princess. Zelda had never used it, but today was a much different day. She had a lot of things on her mind, and according to her father, writing it down helped clear the brain. He has a journal, so he must know something. She opened it and began writing down her thoughts.

"After meeting with the Champions, I left to research the ancient technology, but of note came of my research. The return of Ganon looms-a dark for taunting us from afar. I must learn all I can about the relics so we can stop him. If the fortune teller's prophecy is to be true, there isn't much time left. Ah, but turning over these thoughts in my head puts me ill at ease. I suppose I should turn in for the night." Zelda closed the book and headed to her bed just as a weak knock came to her door. Wondering just who would bother her at such a time, she rudely commanded, "Enter!"

In came her favorite Sheikah, Impa. The tall, dark-skinned woman didn't pass the threshold, instead, she just held the door wide enough for Zelda to see her. "Princess, happy to see you returned safely. But I'm not here for a casual visit."

"What is it, Impa?"

"The king requests, well, more like commands that you join the ceremony tomorrow afternoon to bless Link and his sword. He is to be your appointed knight.."

If Zelda wasn't tired, she could probably muster enough emotion to feel angry. She still hadn't gotten over Link and his ease at obtaining the sword that seals the darkness. Now she will have to see HIM and the sword every day. Thank you, father. Thank you.She sighed, nodding off as she returned to her desk. "Thank you, Impa. Good night."

"Good night, Princess." Impa closed the door, Zelda collapsing in her desk chair in rage. She had one more thing to write down in her diary.

"P.S. Tomorrow my father is assigning HIM as my appointed knight."


Link

Link's childish dream was just mere moments from becoming a teenager's nightmare.

He stood in the center of the Sacred Grounds, watching as the royal procession came forth. The Champions had taken their place on Link's far left side, standing in the background. To his right were members of the Sheikah clan, namely Impa and two others he met today; Impa's older sister Purah and another named Robbie. He turned his gaze from them to the Champions, specifically Mipha, who encouraged him with a soft smile. He smiled in return, then turned back to the royalty, who had finally made it to the fountain.

Ever since he pulled the sword, Link had felt a daunting uncertainty about the task he would be expected to perform, and that feeling exponentially grew when King Rhoam pleaded to him that night months ago, Link could only think of him facing Calamity Ganon, what it will mean, what could happen, what will happen if he failed to defeat it, or more pressing, if the princess hadn't unlocked her power.

Is Link afraid? Hell yeah. But courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to overcome it, and if Link could overcome his father's training and the villainy of Groose, he could face the Great Calamity. His father would remind him that courage is the absence of fear, not the presence of recklessness, which Link does tend to do when he's trying to be bold and brave.

But while he knew the task, it came with a burden. At the military camp, Link's only burden was being a knight worthy of Sir Ordon's spawn, but now he was burdened to be one-half of a pair destined to save the world. Sure, the Champions are to assist, but the Great Deku's words were not forgotten. Only he and Zelda could defeat the Calamity, their fate intertwined in such a nefarious plot.

He wonders if Zelda felt the same burden, but then again, that's rhetorical. Of course she did. Unlike Link, she had this placed upon her since her mother's death, or if you want to be technical, Zelda's birth was also the birth of her burden. But just as when Link thought he could get away from the self-centered, snooty, all high and mighty, "I can defend myself yadadadada," bratty Princess of Hyrule, he finds out from his father that he is, because dreams do come true, the Princess' appointed knight.

Link's only response to that was a loud, echoing, ear-bleeding silence.

What his father told him next was not as jarring. Link had a feeling it was the case, but having confirmation that the Princess might be indeed jealous of him for having his 'power' obtained so easily would make his new job much harder. Every time she will look at him, she'll see the sword, and be reminded of what happened. His father told him to be extra patient with the princess, and in due time, she'll get over it. Link doubted that.

His father, because Sir Ordon is his father and the king's best friend, also didn't leave out the fact that Link and Zelda were growing up, and to be around the other sex for extended periods of time might lead to things. Link had no problem with thinking the Princess was quite attractive and based on other girls' opinion of him, he was just as well. But Link had no desire to fall for the she-devil. He told himself Zelda had similar plans for him. As far as interactions between them go, he doesn't have to speak to her, and if he needs to speak to her, it must be important, and vice versa.

If he sees her naked while bathing in a stream, he'll figure out whether his job description requires him to not watch.

The king and his appointed knight took the upper right side, while a few important dignitaries took the upper left. Princess Zelda, in her more regal attire, stepped up to Link, arching her head up a bit to face him. Link's observant eyes found the inner turmoil within his princess' eyes, but she was too strong and too public to act on them. Unconsciously, he softened his gaze, trying to comfort her. He didn't know why that happened, but he couldn't reverse it.

It worked for a moment, with Zelda taking a breath. "Sir Link, may you please kneel." Link nodded and knelt before the princess.

If only he knew they had the same thoughts about the upcoming future.


Zelda

Zelda was about to fulfill every princesses' dream of having a brave, handsome knight beside her, but she hated every moment leading up to this nightmare.

He stood in the center of the Sacred Grounds, watching as the royal procession came forth. The Champions of the four tribes had taken their place on Link's far left side, standing in the background. To his right, Impa and the lead researchers Purah and Robbie took their time from researching to come to such a spectacle. She watched as Link turned his gaze from the Sheikah to the Champions, then turned back to the royalty, who had finally made it to the fountain. Zelda left her father's side, slowly making her way to join Link at the fountain's center.

Ever since he pulled the sword, Zelda had another feeling besides jealousy about the task Link would be given. While the sword did indeed choose him, she was unsure he could match up to the task the boy would be expected to perform, and that feeling exponentially grew when she heard that King Rhoam got on his knees and begged, like a prisoner asking for mercy, for the knight to become the hero they needed. All night, Zelda could only think of him facing Calamity Ganon, what it will mean, what could happen, what will happen if he failed to defeat it, or more pressing, if the princess hadn't unlocked her power.

Is the boy even afraid? Hell yeah, he should be, as is she. But courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to overcome it, and if Link could overcome his father's training, harsh as her father called it, he could face the Great Calamity. Her father would remind her that like courage is the overcoming of fear, wisdom (her trait apparently) is the ability to express great judgment. Her judgment told her that, despite what she thought, she'll need Link more that she'll want to. Her task was to defeat Calamity Ganon at all costs.

But while she knew the task, it came with a burden. For many years, Zelda's only burden was unlocking her secret sealing power, but now she was burdened to be one-half of a pair destined to save the world. Sure, the Champions are to assist, but the Great Deku's words were not forgotten. Only she and Link could defeat the Calamity, their fate intertwined in such a nefarious plot.

She wonders if Link felt the same burden, but then again, that's rhetorical. Of course he did. Unlike Link, she had this placed upon her since her mother's death, or if you want to be technical, Zelda's birth was also the birth of her burden. He recently got into it, but if his words were true, the knights of her generation have been training for the moment Link got since they were young squires. They knew the danger hidden in the dark and had the burden to protect their own, but Link's grew exponentially to the level of Zelda's. They had to protect the entire country.

But just as when Zelda thought she could get away from the bold, arrogant, "I can defend you myself yadadadada," selfish "Hero" of Hyrule, she finds out from Impa that he is, because dreams do come true, the Princess' appointed knight.

Zelda's only response to that was probably the most meaningless "Thank you, Impa" she had ever spoken.

Her father told her that once she begins her travels, he will be with her every step of the way. She tried to protest, but that fell on deaf ears. Zelda had no choice but to accept it and try to find some way around it. If he sees her naked while bathing in a stream, she'll figure out whether his job description requires him to watch.

The king and his appointed knight took the upper right side, while a few important dignitaries took the upper left. Princess Zelda, in her more regal attire, stepped up to Link, arching her head up a bit to face him. Link returned the gaze, searching her soul for something. SHe was still in pain but did her best to hide it while she was in the faces of many. What Link did next surprise her. Intentionally or not, he softened his gaze, trying to comfort her. For some reason, other than that he was the only person she was looking at, she felt...better. Why was his gaze making her feel better? She hated this kid, he hated her, and yet, she felt comfortable in his presence?

Zelda took a deep breath, then spoke to the knight. "Sir Link, may you please kneel." Link nodded, and knelt before the princess, right in the middle of the triangular symbol known as the Triforce.

If only she knew they had the same thoughts about the upcoming future.


Third Person

Princess Zelda, after the knight Link knelt before her, turned to her father. King Rhoam's stern gaze gave her all the encouragement she needs to continue, because the look her bore told her that there was no way out of it. Looking back down on the knight, she lifted her right hand, angling it above his head, and began the ceremony.

"Hero of Hyrule, chosen by the sword that seals the darkness… You have shown unflinching bravery and skill in the face of darkness and adversity..." Zelda almost cracked there, and so did Link. They both knew he hadn't done anything of the sort (yet). "..and have proven yourself worthy of the blessings of the Goddess Hylia."

"Where is my blessing, ancestor?" Zelda thought to herself.

"Whether skyward bound, adrift in time, or steeped in the glowing embers of twilight, the sacred blade is forever bound to the soul of the Hero. We pray for your protection...and we hope that-that the two of you will grow stronger together, as one." Zelda dropped her hand, already tired of this ceremony. She just couldn't do, but she had to. Meanwhile, Link had another reason he wanted this to be done with… His legs were hurting, and he was quite hungry and sleepy.

Zelda lifted her hands after another jealous glare at Link, and continued. "Forged in the long-distant past, the sword that seals the darkness…"

To the side of the Champions, the Goron Champion Daruk stroked his beard, unhappy that the ceremony was such a downer. It was his idea, after all, and being a Goron, any celebration is met with joy, but this… This was destroying his mojo, goro. "Gee, this is uplifting. She's making it sound like we already lost."

"Guardian of Hyrule, ancient steel, forever bound to the hero."

Beside him, the prideful Rito Champion, Revali, clicked his tongue. "Wasn't this your idea? You're the one who wanted to designate the appointed knight with all the ceremonial pomp, grandeur, and nonsense we could muster!" He turned to Link and Zelda, specifically setting his sights on the one undeservingly called "Hero."

"In the name of Goddess Hylia, I bless you and your chosen hero."

"And if you ask me, this whole thing does seem to be overkill. I think I'm on the same page as the princess regarding...this boy."

"Over the seas of time and distance, when we need the golden power of the Goddess…"

The Gerudo Champion, Urbosa, rolled her eyes. Revali has done nothing but complain about the boy ever since Link revealed himself to the Champions yesterday with the sword. "Oh give it a rest. That boy is a living reminder of her own failures."

"Our hope rests in you, to be forever by the hero's side."

"Well, at least that's how the princess sees him."

"Again we pray…that the two of you will grow stronger…and be together as one."


Zelda

Zelda removed her hand, making a fist before dropping it to her side. Once more, she cut her eyes to Link, strengthening her resolve to hold her emotions back. The ceremony, at least her part, was over. But even now, she couldn't help but feel angry at the accomplishment of Link and his sword. Although her face was blank as she stared at the boy, his head still bowed as he didn't know the recital was over, she watched as his hair flowed freely in the wind. Sadly, it was ironic as he is now chained to the same thread of fate as she is, and as the hero and princess were many calamities before.

"Again we pray...that the two of you will grow stronger...and be together as one." The words we meant for the sword and its master, but the Great Deku's words could twist the meaning. Could they refer to Zelda and Link as well? Two people, destined to fight and seal Ganon… They couldn't do it separately, but to be one...that'll be hard to do. As the Princess of Hyrule, she had a duty to country, and if it entails playing nice to the Hero...she will try.

She lowered her eyes and called out to Link. "Rise, Hero." Link did so, in accordance with decorum but probably with some happiness. He's been there for some time.

"Congratulations, Sir Link," King Rhoam's voice boomed beside Zelda. The words she feared to hear were about to come out. "By the power invested in me, under the watch of the Goddess Hylia, I dub thee Sir Link, the Appointed Knight of Princess Zelda. May power, wisdom, and courage be with you in your service."

"And I, your servant Zelda, ask you give me the same."


King Rhoam

Sitting in his study hours after the ceremony had died down, King Rhoam Hyrule now waited for the young hero to return to the study at the king's request. He and Zelda will be traveling in a few days, and until then, the princess will be offering herself some more. Meanwhile, Rhoam had a task for Link until the teenagers' journey began.

He already made his case as a king, so all there was left was to make one as a father.

Rhoam was sure he wasn't the only one who could see Zelda's hurt during the ceremony. He caught the other Champions talking, no doubt about the boy and girl that was the center of attention. He knew what the gossip-mongers said of Link, how he didn't look prepared and worthy of the blade, and their attacks on Zelda and her failure to obtain her sealing power (the only plus they gave to Link in respects to obtaining the sword) had amplified since Link and Zelda returned to the castle. If the Great Deku's words were true, then Zelda will have to venture to the three springs across Hyrule...and with Zelda's sixteenth birthday… Today… That meant they had at least a year.

Someone knocked on the door and opened it slightly just to peek in. It was Link, the man of the day. "Your Majesty, you called?"

"Link, my boy, come in!" Link didn't hesitate on entering the study, bowing in respect to the king. He stood tall and rigid, unlike the boy who yesterday was too tired to care about his comparatively relaxed stance.

"Your Majesty, what is it you need of me?"

Rhoam got a crackled out of Link's behavior. "Lighten up, Hero. Being stiff will make you a fine knight, but it is not your true face. I need the true Link around my Zelda."

Link looked at his feet, hesitating for a moment before relaxing his pose. Still quiet, he looked to be pondering something before looking back up to Rhoam. "May I speak freely, Your Majesty?"

Rhoam nodded. "You have my eternal permission to speak freely, Link. You are, after all, the Goddess Hylia's chosen."

Link uncomfortably nodded, overwhelmed by the king's informality. "Umm… Well… The true Link...that you ask for...is going to hate his job...because he hates the Princess."

Rhoam smiled. "Yes, I've heard what happened at the Woodland Stable, and rumor has it my daughter was at the military camp alone as well. She seemed uncomfortable to even mention you yesterday, and if today was any indication, she's jealous of your ease into your destiny. But she'll come around. But she's a girl, nearly a woman, and you're a boy, almost a man. She'll come around if you act yourself."

"But being myself could-"

"Compromise your work performance?" Rhoam shook his head as he turned away from Link, to an empty seat in the corner of the room. Many times when he is not formally guarding King Rhoam, Sir Ordon would sit in that chair, and the pair of men would share their thoughts. "Your father has been my knight since I was crowned King of Hyrule. He was there when I married Queen Tetra nearly...26 years ago, he was there when Zelda was born, he was there when the queen died… At first, he was like you, thinking that being an appointed knight meant that he was just my bodyguard, and I thought the same too, but it wasn't too long before we broke the ice. In time, we formed the bond you see now. Being the appointed knight is more than being her sword and shield, but someone that she can come to for her every need, her every want, her every turmoil… I want you to become personal with her."

"Your Majesty-"

"I know it seems impossible, believe me, I think she thinks that of me and her as well, but… Not only are you her age, and part of her destiny, you are the only person she'll be with past sights of the Castle Town guards. You will travel the country with her. So, as her father, not as your king, I ask of you to be her friend, for in the times in which we live…once the dust settles and the Great Calamity is over... You might be all she has left, and she may be all you'll have left."

Link shook his head. "You will not fall, Your Majesty. I won't allow it."

"Hehe, oh Link, between us men, let me be frank with you. Hyrule Castle will be the place Ganon will strike first. I will fight, I might die, but you must protect my daughter. However, don't waste your life, and by that I mean don't die for her to protect her. Protect her by living. Both of you are important to our master plan. So, once more, I ask you to break whatever ice is between the both of you, for it will be needed."

Link nodded. "I will do my best."

"Good, now one last thing. Today's Zelda birthday, and...well… Not the best day for her, heh. Give her this." King Rhoam took a wrapped package from beside his desk, handing it to Link. It was a bow, no doubt, but he wondered what it looked like. Link guessed he'll see it eventually. "It is a Royal Guard's Bow, but an enhanced version of it. No longer does it possess the low durability of the others. It is a one of a kind. I would give her a sword, but she prefers the bow like her mother… Give it to her, or set it by her door. Whichever works best for you."

Link nodded, holding the bow like a precious diamond. "I will get it to her immediately if I'm dismissed?"

Rhoam nodded, Link gave another bow and departed from the study. Rhoam sighed as his door closed, then turned back to his cluttered desk. His eye caught sight of the tapestry that told the story of 10,000 years past, set on the sight of the Hero and Princess that fought the Calamity in the middle.

"Again we pray...that the two of you will grow stronger...and be together as one."