Chapter 9: Home in Hateno

The next morning was a blur of activity. Zelda grabbed all of the clothes she'd been lent and tossed them into a travel bag. She glanced over at the mess in the house. She was glad she hadn't caused most of it. Paya had been more than a little excited and nervous when Impa informed her that she'd be visiting her aunt while they were in Hateno.

When all of her things had been packed, she went over to Paya and knelt beside her, folding a pair of pants for her.

"Oh, thank you, Your Highness. It's been so long since I last left Kakariko, I'm not entirely sure what to bring!"

Zelda continued to fold the clothes in front of her. "Bring whatever you think you'll need. If you forget something, I'm sure Purah will have something for you to borrow. Besides… her clothes don't quite fit now anyway."

Paya almost laughed, but her face turned serious instead. "What could Aunt Purah have been thinking, trying something that dangerous on herself? Do you know that she didn't tell any of us what she did before? She just disappeared. She sent letters so we wouldn't come looking for her, but we didn't know until she came down to see you."

"She's always been… devoted to her work. I don't think that's changed too much."

Paya packed the last of her clothes into her bag and sat still for a moment. "I want to help her. But I wasn't trained to be a scientist. I follow my grandmother, not my aunt."

Zelda stood up and offered Paya her hand. "I have a great love for all scholarly things, but I am not practiced in them. Not like Robbie or Purah. Still, they let me help them and they let me learn, and I believe that something about my contribution impacted the events of the Calamity, for better or for worse. You don't have to be the one doing the building or the experimenting to make a difference, Paya."

The young Sheikah smiled. "I'll offer my help to Aunt Purah, then. Perhaps there is something I can do."

"I'm sure there is."

The two girls headed down the steps and Zelda pulled the door open. She was surprised to see someone's back instead of the village outside.

"Link?" she asked.

He turned to face her and nodded to both of them.

"What are you doing?"

Link made a face, like it had been a stupid question. "Guarding your door?"

"Yes, but why?"

"I…" Link stopped, now looking confused himself. "Impa told me this is what I used to do. Is this not exactly right?"

A small smile started to creep across Zelda's face as she nodded. "No, you're doing it right. Maybe not in the doorway though."

Zelda could see Link in his Champion's tunic, as he was now, but instead of Kakariko, he was standing in the hallway outside her room at the palace. Towards the end, when the Calamity was close and Yiga threats were everywhere, Link had chosen not to return to the barracks, taking a great deal of liberty with his sleep in order to stay close. There had been times when she'd sit with him in the hall just to enjoy his company for a few hours more.

It was almost as if Link could tell that her mind was wandering back again, back to a time that was long gone.

"Princess?" he asked.

It was enough to bring her back, to see him in Kakariko once again.

"Sorry," she muttered, adjusting the bag in her hand.

Link reached out and grabbed the bag from her, slinging it over his shoulder before offering his hand to Paya. She handed him her bag and he made a show of it seeming heavy.

"Did you pack rocks, Paya?" he asked with a laugh.

Though she turned slightly red, she and Zelda followed Link to the horses. "No, I did pack quite a few books. I wanted to be sure I could record everything while I was away."

Zelda chuckled to herself. "You remind me of me. I used to carry a journal everywhere. I don't even know what happened to it, but I kept all my findings in them. I had a shelf that I kept each entry when I filled up the book."

"It's on your desk," Link said, stopping her.

"What?"

Link strapped Paya's bag to her horse, securing it before turning back to Zelda. "It's in your room at the castle still, on your desk in your study. It was open."

A giddy laugh burst from Zelda's lips, and she tried to cover her mouth to stop another outburst. "It's still there? My things?"

Link cocked his head to the side, not wanting her to be too excited. "I don't remember your room before, Princess, but I can tell you it's in a far worse state now. I don't know what didn't survive, but your recent journal, your diary, some weapons, a flower, books… a lot did make it."

"By the Goddesses! I can't believe it! My journals! My diary! You read it, didn't you?"

Link scoffed as he moved to Cloud and strapped the bag tightly down. "It was open."

Zelda rolled her eyes. If it had been 100 years ago, she'd be beyond infuriated that he'd read her diary or gone through her things. But as it was, there were worse things.

"Wait, a flower?" Zelda could almost remember seeing Link in her room. It had been a brief glance, a moment in time that passed both quickly and slowly while she'd been in the Sacred Realm holding Ganon back. But she could remember… and she remembered receiving the flower as well… a birthday present… from Link. "A Silent Princess?"

Stopping, Link turned to her and nodded. "Flowers don't last 100 years. Was it enchanted?"

Zelda looked quickly at Paya, and she could see the Sheikah girl was uncomfortable. Zelda cleared her throat and shrugged. "Perhaps. Maybe my spirit was protecting it. Those are my favorites, after all." Zelda gestured to the pack on the back of Cloud. "Thank you."

"Of course."

All three of them were silent as they stood around the horses.

Zelda could see the promised troops standing around. One Sheikah woman caught her eye.

Standing next to Granté, a woman about his age was locked in the most intense conversation with him. Her white hair was ornately done, like Paya's, and she had two small daggers through her belt. Zelda could only assume she was joining them.

"What's going on there?" Zelda asked Paya as the three turned in obvious unison.

Paya covered her mouth and suppressed a giggle. "That's Lasli. She works at Enchanted, the clothing store here. It's not surprising that she and Granté are talking. I'm sure it has to do with armor."

"Is this something that's been going on?" Zelda asked, simply out of curiosity.

"There's no way," Link commented, crossing his arms with a grin of approval on his face. "Her grandmother has her under a curfew at night and she works all day. Granté lives in Tarrey Town."

"She can't be coming, Nanna would never allow it," Paya whispered.

"It might be my fault," Link admitted. He turned away, facing the two girls instead of Lasli. "I caught her some fireflies because she missed them. Her grandmother basically locked her inside at night. I encouraged her to go back out, especially after the Calamity was over."

Paya nodded, though she didn't seem to be agreeing that it was Link's fault she was joining them. "Everyone in town was so frightened after Dorian's wife was murdered, but it was a long time ago. Grandmother tried to encourage everyone to move past it, but many of those with children or grandchildren were cautious. I was, despite Grandmother's insistence."

Zelda couldn't help as her mind wandered again. She thought of Link and all the things he'd done for everyone here. She wondered how many secrets he knew, and who he truly trusted here.

"Who else do you recognize?" she asked instead.

Paya pointed to two of the older guards. Even Zelda recognized them as being around Impa often, among her best. "That's Steen and Olkin. Besides Dorian, you won't find more skilled warriors here."

Link squinted at the Zora's who were waiting, talking with each other. He chuckled happily to himself. "Gaddison and Rivan are over there, and Torfeau is behind them."

"Gaddison and Rivan? I've met them before. Though, last I saw Gaddison was the day the Champions fell."

"Truly?" Paya asked, looking between all of them. Sometimes, it struck her hard just how many years really separated them.

"Yes."

Link peered closer at the Gerudos and smirked. "Riju left us with Barta. She's a troublemaker, but she means well. Then I can see Dorrah, Babi, and Marta. Very good warriors, all of them. You weren't cheated of skill."

"That's kind of them."

"It shows their faith in you," he said before stepping away. "Do you mind if I say hello to Rivan and Gaddison?"

"Of course. Send my regards and I'll formally say hello myself in a bit."

Link took off towards his old friends, leaving Paya and Zelda alone.

"Are you excited, Paya?"

"Very, actually. I feel much as, I'm sure, Lasli feels: frightened and excited."

Zelda eyed Paya's pack. "You must take good notes. I intend to copy some from you when I get my books back."

Paya grinned. "I have a full spare. Several are here, actually, and one is in my bag. You may have it and take your own notes that I will need to copy off of you."

Perking up instantly, Zelda wasn't about to politely refuse that offer. "Thank you, Paya. I'll gladly accept." She thought of Link saying her old journals were alright. "You may have my old ones once we collect them. I'm sure they'll be safe with you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty! I'll treasure them."

Zelda made a face. "You wouldn't want to call me 'Zelda' by chance, would you?"

Paya's eyes widened in horror. "No. I couldn't."

"Anything less formal, then?"

Paya's brows knitted together as she thought. "I don't know what's suitable to call a queen. I've heard highborns called 'My Lady.'"

Zelda smirked. "Start there. We'll get you to call me Zelda yet."


The journey to Hateno Village was longer than Zelda thought it would be. Having a large travelling company meant that they had to go slower overall, and when they passed by another traveler, they were met with superstition or disbelief.

For many, the day-to-day activities didn't change just because the Calamity had been vanquished. Trade went on as usual, and the road was more occupied than she'd anticipated.

Yet, as busy as the roads were now, they were no where near what they'd been 100 years ago. Along this same path, she used to see soldiers and travelers passing through Fort Hateno on a daily basis. There were a few crumbled homes and villages along the way, some she recognized, and some she didn't. None had survived.

What she didn't expect to see was the massive towers that had popped up all over Hyrule. Though she'd vaguely noticed them on her trip to the Temple of Time, it wasn't until she was leisurely riding just underneath one that she truly realized just how magnificent they were.

"When did this happen?" she asked to no one in particular.

Link was the first to jump in. "When I met your father's spirit when I first woke, he had me activate the towers with the Sheikah Slate. Each tower gave me some unique information, and a pretty great view."

"You've climbed them?" Her eyes widened as she took in the great height. It was a straight climb, not like a mountain.

"See all of those pieces jutting out? They're sturdy and great as a place to catch your breath." Link chuckled and shook his head at her. "You have a thing for heights, don't you?"

Zelda laughed, thinking how she'd stand on the rooftop of Hyrule Castle if she were able. And she thought about each view she'd seen. Each one with Link by her side. "I suppose I do. My father used to forbid me from climbing anything. He did everything he could to protect me."

She turned back to Link, but he was silent, watching her with a strangely intense look on his face. Zelda had to fight not to turn red under his scrutiny.

"What is it?"

He moved Catherine closer to her, further from prying ears. But she noticed that he was also a bit pink. "It's nothing. Just… your laugh. It's familiar. I mean, you've laughed since the Calamity, but right now… it's just…different. Like I can hear you in a memory."

She turned her face away, biting back a full-faced grin. Instead, she tried to keep her cool. She didn't want to scare Link away, but she wanted to know more.

"Do you remember any of the good times we shared, Link? Every time you reveal what you remember, something horrible had just happened."

When she turned back to him, she could see that her eyes were hopeful. She wasn't asking to shame him for his lack of happy tales, but hoped that he still knew of some.

"Do you remember trying to force-feed me a frog?"

"Oh Goddess!" she balked, letting out a loud string of laughter that echoed throughout the entire travelling party. Every eye was on her. "You had to remember that moment! And if you recall, you made me drop the frog as well!" And then, in their playful struggle, she'd fallen onto Link.

"I remember," Link said with a distant smile.

She rode ahead of him, just slightly, to hide her ever-redder face.

Soon enough, Hateno was in view and there was a large welcoming party at the gate. She recognized Robbie, Purah, and Jerrin in the front, though the rest of the faces were a sea of mystery. Her Gerudo warriors rode ahead to check the place out while Zelda and the rest of the company dismounted to meet the welcoming group.

"Purah, Robbie!" Zelda said as she raced to meet her friends' arms first. She moved from Purah to Robbie and even politely hugged Jerrin.

"Princess!" Purah shouted. Zelda realized it drew a lot of attention to her from the villagers, as if they weren't used to seeing her. "Check it, you're here!"

Robbie sighed at Purah, but scooted past her to reach his son, who'd gone straight to his mother. Paya also ran forward, though she slowed as soon as she reached her aunt.

Zelda tried to look past them, desperate to see everything. She wanted to know how different or similar the place and the people were.

"How's progress coming along?" she asked.

Robbie let go of Granté and patted Zelda's shoulder. "You haven't changed a bit! Why don't you set your things down before you begin inspecting our research?"

"You have to tell me something," she tried.

But Robbie just laughed. "Nice one, but no. Put your things away. They set up the houses near Link's, which are all for sale so they're unoccupied."

Zelda didn't quite know what that meant, given that she didn't know where Link lived, so she nodded. It sounded reasonable.

"Link?" she asked.

"I'll show you then."

He moved to the front of the caravan of warriors and led them up a hill, but a young boy ran up to him, following beside the group.

"Is she really a Princess, Link?"

Link glanced at Zelda and nodded. "She's got magic, too. And she's over 100 years old, like me!"

The boy's eyes widened as he gawked at her. "Geez, princess lady, you don't look 100."

With a massive amount of effort, Zelda focused all of her attention on the power inside of her and raised her hand up. It was sparkling, shimmering like floating specks of gold dust had scattered in the wind around her hand. "Do you believe him now?" she asked with a smile.

"Whoa!"

"Cooler than my weapons, right, Nebb?"

"Nebb!" called another voice. His mother, no doubt. "You can talk to Link later. Forgive us, Your Highness."

"It's no problem. I hope I can speak with your son again later." She waved her fingers and let the magic slink back inside her, feeling drained from the effort of keeping it minimal. She remembered a time when she'd have given her arm for the use of minimal magic.

Both Nebb and his mother watched in awe as her hand darkened back to its normal color.

"We'll see you later, Nikki," Link said, continuing up the hill to three houses.

Outside the door of one home were two men. One was balding, a pink rope tied around his head, the same matching color as his pants, and a fur-lined jacket. He looked over the moon at the sight of everyone.

The other man had short, black hair, though he looked like his outfit was more suited to carpentry than leisure.

"Bolson, Karson," Link said, extending his hand to both men.

The name rang in Zelda's ears. One of these two was the one Link wanted her to meet. She tried to figure which.

"Is this her?" the more flamboyantly dressed of the two exclaimed.

In response, Link nodded with a smirk.

"Oh, Your Majesty! I am Bolson. This is my employee, Karson."

"Pleasure," she said politely, though she was almost positive that she'd let her royal tone slip around these two.

"Our Link here bought this home, fixed it up, and then never lived in it. 'Why,' we asked him. His response was, ugh, to die for, right Karson?"

"Right as rain, boss!"

"Well, he said, 'I can't stay here while the princess is trapped with the Calamity. I can't rest until she's safe.' And did my heart melt!"

Zelda's eyes darted to Link, where he stood with his arms crossed, an amused expression on his face.

"Bolson."

"Link," he said, mimicking Link's posture before turning back to the princess. "He's my favorite customer. Did you tell her the deal I gave you on this property?"

"We haven't really had that conversation yet." Link turned his head and Zelda could see the glimmer in his eyes. "Princess, Bolson works for fair prices, and his favorite customers get discounts." Link looked back at Bolson and took a step closer. "And your favorite customer might have an idea for another job. A job that's even bigger than Tarry Town. The Bolson Company would be known through the entire kingdom. But we'll talk about it later."

Bolson did a strange dance as he nodded excitedly. "Oh yes, I like the sound of that!"

"Do you mind sharing your home with the Princess' troops? Only for the night, nothing extended."

"Anything for you, Majesty," Bolson said with a wink at Zelda.

She smiled. His personality was genuine, not even bothering to put on an act for her. From his smile, the only thing that would have surprised Zelda was if he was secretly a Yiga Clan member. She wouldn't put the deception of a friendly façade behind anyone, having been betrayed herself years ago. But Link seemed to trust Bolson, and for now, that was enough for her to believe that he was genuine.

Link turned to the troops. "This is where Hateno has been kind enough to put us for the night. My home is across this bridge, and I can take anyone in as well. I suggest getting together to figure arrangements and scheduling."

Some of the soldiers nodded and everyone scattered off into their own huddled groups.

Zelda turned to Link with an impressed look on her face. "Look at you!"

He scoffed. "Please." But he motioned across the bridge. "I think there's something you'd like to see inside."

Eagerly following behind him, Zelda took in the impressive property.

Just from the exterior, she could see the two levels of the building, the massive chimney extending high above the roof itself. There was a small sign with the words "Link's House" carved in, with some paint over each letter to really make it stand out. Off to the left was firewood stored under a small storage area, and to the right side led to a large expanse of land, complete with a stable and a pond under a great tree.

Link held the door open for her, and she stepped inside. Her mouth dropped open as she took in the walls. They were the easiest to be distracted by. Each of the three walls upon entering held displays of several weapons.

Zelda moved around the table to stare at the weapons directly in front of her. Her fingers ran across the blade of one scimitar.

"This was Urbosa's." And she turned to her right to find Urbosa's shield right beside it. She turned back to the sword and noticed that the great rock breaker was also familiar. "Daruk's." Then the intricate and jeweled trident: "Mipha." She turned to the wall of bows and immediately reached for the one that looked like it was adorned in golden feathers. "Revali's bow." She turned to Link, fighting back tears. "You found their weapons?"

"They were gifts. To aid in my fight against the Calamity. I want to return them as we go."

Zelda didn't say anything as she fought back her tears. She could only imagine what the Champion's had gone through in their last days. And though she'd seen the beasts turn to empty machine shells, she'd never seen anything of the Champion's after their deaths. Not even their spirits. Seeing their most prized weapons… it was harder than she thought.

To occupy herself, Zelda turned to the neat dining table in the center of the room. Matching silverware waited on the table, as did fresh flowers.

"Nice taste," she commented as she admired the décor.

"I didn't have the time. It was Bolson and Karson."

She looked at his small but neat kitchen with a decent bookshelf beside it. Under the stairs she could see boxes and chests tucked into a small nook.

Link's eyes followed hers. "Clothes, mostly."

He nodded when he could see Zelda's curiosity as she stared at the steps leading to the second-floor balcony. She raced up the steps before stopping short and nearly falling backwards.

On the wall were three photos. The two closest to the stairs were photos of scenery from around Hyrule, but the third one, the one closest to Link's bed, was a framed photo of herself, Link, Mipha, Revali, Urbosa, and Daruk. It had happened on the day of the Champion's Ceremony, when they were all officially sworn in as Hyrule's Champion's.

"Purah took this," she said softly. Everyone's faces were amusing ones of surprise. Daruk had clapped them on the backs for a laugh. Urbosa looked calm, as always. Mipha and Revali looked like they were about to fall to the ground, which Zelda remembered they both did. Link looked frightened for the first time ever. Zelda was staring at Revali, cringing away from his falling form. And it had all been captured forever.

"Where did you…"

"Kilik had it, and he passed it down to Kass, who then gave it to me."

Zelda wiped her eyes furiously as tears streamed down her cheeks. She had no images of them. And she hadn't know this one managed to survive the Calamity.

She spun around to Link, who was leaning against the balcony, watching her.

She longed to wrap her arms around his neck, for no reason other than that she was excited and sad. She wanted someone, for this one moment while she stared at her memory.

"Look at us," she said instead. "Who'd have thought this group of mismatched friends would save the world?"

Link didn't look away from Zelda as she crossed the room. "I think we look capable here."

She chuckled as she reached out to touch the petals of a Silent Princess beside his bed. It didn't look like it was close to wilting, despite the Silent Princess' notoriety as a wild-only flower.

Her favorite flower.

Crossing the room again to a desk near the stairs, Zelda grabbed the book on top of the desk. Pages were marked by objects and it looked like it had been well-worn. It certainly was old.

The Legacy of Princess Zelda

As she read the title, she shook her head and opened the book to a page that had been marked. It was all about her and her life. One marked page detailed her crucial role in preparing the kingdom for disaster. She flipped to another. On the page, it talked about the Calamity taking over the machines, and how no one could have predicted that, not even the princess. She flipped to one more, and saw an account of her ride out to Hyrule Castle and the subsequent burst of light that engulfed the entire field before she was never seen again.

She put the book down.

"You read about me?" Link just nodded as he watched her run her hands lightly over the spine of the book. "Why?"

He shrugged. "I wanted to know you. Well, I wanted to remember you. I tried."

Zelda grabbed her arm and nodded before wiping another tear away. "I'd trade your memories for your life again in a heartbeat, Link."

"What am I missing with you, Princess? There's something… and it just eats at me little by little. I dream about it, like I can see what it was while I slept, but when I wake up, it's gone again. But you know what it is, don't you?"

Zelda shook her head, looking back down at the book so he couldn't see the lie in her eyes. "I might have my memories, but I'm not a mind reader. I don't know what it is that you're missing. But you don't have to remember it, Link. I want you to know that. We can start fresh and make new memories. I mean it. We don't have to constantly live in the past."

Link scoffed. "You're just like Impa. I know you know, and I will do everything I can to remember as much as I can."

"This isn't a fight you have to win."

Link ran a hand through his hair and adjusted his ponytail. "If I can't fix whatever is going on in my own mind, how am I supposed to help you? How can I face the Yiga when I can't even defeat whatever happened to me?"

Zelda went to say something else, but Link sighed and pushed himself off the balcony and towards the stairs. "Make yourself comfortable, Princess. I'm going to go check on everyone."

Before he could reach the door, Zelda leaned over the balcony. "Link! Thank you."

He smiled and left, closing the door behind her.

She looked back at the photo on the wall and then the book about herself. There were several smaller books around it with no writing on the cover to identify it. She opened it and flipped to a random page.

I have to admit, running over that Bokoblin was so satisfying. If only Cloud had this kind of power, too.

Zelda closed the book abruptly, realizing it was Link's journal. But curiosity was killing her, and she knew that Link had read her diaries as well. She opened it to another random page, closer to the middle this time.

It was strange, like meeting an old friend after years apart. But the meeting wasn't quite as friendly. I could feel it draining the life from me with every passing moment that I kept my hands on the hilt. When the blade moved in the stone, my veins felt like sandpaper, and my arms were like octorock tentacles. But when I finally lifted the Master sword from where she slept, my strength returned, and it felt right for the first time in a long time to hold a blade. This is what I need to save the Princess. She's in that castle. But is this enough? Am I enough, just because I have this sword? Can I really save her?

Zelda ran her fingers along the words, picturing Link under a tree, as she used to sit with him. She was in his thoughts, even when she wasn't in his memories.

She flipped through the pages again, reading entries about sand seals, and Gorons, Bolson even made an appearance. But her eyes stuck to the page whenever she saw her name, and it was frequent.

I've gone to the locations of the images in the Sheikah Slate. They're all places I went with the Princess. I can remember glimpses. An attack in the desert. Her and her father on a bridge. Us in a field and at a Goddess Spring. But I want to know more. I want to know what happened before and after what I see. I suppose, now that I've found all these sites, that I'll just have to wait for the other half of the story. Perhaps I can ask her. One thing's certain: I have to save her soon, so I can see her smile with my own eyes.

Zelda hastily closed the book and sat back in the chair. What exactly did he remember? She knew he'd read her diary, where she detailed her strong and growing feelings for Link. Did he know? She wanted to have that talk with him as well.

"Ah!" she cried out, grabbing her hand. "No!"

She'd felt it coming earlier, but that didn't make the pain any easier. Her hand burned and her head felt like knives were repeatedly bashing against her brain.

It took all of her concentration to make it down the stairs. She was grateful when the door flew open, and Link was there. She didn't know how. Maybe she was screaming. Maybe he was waiting to hear the creak of the floorboards.

He raced her around the back of the house, behind a small shed, and helped lower her to the ground. When Zelda looked up, she could see his lips moving, but no sound was reaching her ears. She felt herself spin wildly, and her body fell down against the grass. She could feel Link pull her back up, and take her hands. He pressed them against the ground, covering them with his own.

This time, Zelda heard herself scream. And the energy from her hands went straight down, through the dirt and in a much smaller area than before, though the destruction was still obvious. Several holes appeared, and dirt started to cave in on itself. Rocks flew.

But Zelda focused on bringing the power back, taking it within herself. There was no Ganon here. She didn't need it.

When she felt the light painfully regress into her palm, she found herself breathing heavily. Looking at Link, she tried to say something, but her body gave out, and she passed out.

"Does reading all those books make you that happy, Princess?" his voice called.

Zelda looked around, unable to spot Link. She immediately recognized that she was in a vision, a replacement for her dreams, usually of her past lives. But this time, it was Link's voice. The Link that she knew. And she was sitting in the library of the castle. It was before the Calamity.

"Look up," his voice said again.

She did, and Link was hanging over the railing with a sword in his hand, and the Master Sword at his back.

"What are you doing up there, Link? It's your time off."

He wobbled the sword. "Errands."

Zelda sighed and shrugged at him. "Are we going to converse from the balcony all day, or are you coming down?"

She could remember this day. They'd researched together, reading page after page, searching for something to spark her powers. The last time Zelda'd had a vision, she was in the Spirit Realm. Before that, her visions often tried to tell her something, imparting some wisdom onto her that her ancestors had. Why was she seeing herself?

"Do you want me to come down? I don't want to interrupt anything." Link looked at the guard across the room, his usual job.

"You're not."

"Why aren't you taking this time to rest?"

Link smirked and put the sword down. "I can sleep when I'm dead, Princess. Besides, I took a nap."

Zelda balked, horrified. She wanted him to sleep. He'd barely gotten any since taking up full-time residence outside her door. "A nap? You need more hours than a nap. I might start slipping you that sleep tea I have."

He narrowed his eyes and took a book in his hand. "Remind me not to drink anything you hand me." He skimmed the pages and placed it back in front of her. "Find anything?"

Zelda picked up one of the diaries and waved it around. "You're in a lot of these entries, in some form. The restricted books are all personal accounts from our spirit ancestors, the heroes."

Link raised his eyes and took the seat beside her.

She handed him the book and shook her head. "You don't have to read it. I was just mentioning it. I've interrupted your day off. Please, go back to what you were doing."

He glanced at her before tapping the book. "What if I'd rather stay here and read this?"

Zelda tried to keep the wide smile off her face, a giddy excitement creeping over her. She managed to maintain her composure. "Then, by all means, stay."

Zelda's eyes flew open, and several pairs of hands held her down. She wasn't in the grass anymore, but in a room… Link's. And Paya, Purah, Link, Robbie, Jerrin, and Granté stood around her, each face watching her with curiosity and sympathy.

"Are you alright?"

Zelda shook her head, as if it could shake off the pain. "The library! I have to get to the castle's library! I think there may be a book that tells me how to stop this!" She turned to Link, her eyes pleading.

"Well," Robbie said, holding out a contraption. "This should be a good temporary fix, anyway. It's not entirely ready, but this prototype should stop the attacks from being so frequent.

The device was a small blue stone surrounded by metal that looked like it was meant to wrap around each of Zelda's fingers and her wrist.

Robbie helped her into it and Zelda made a face at the uncomfortable glove-like device. "You must get to Zora's Domain first. You need allies, Princess, more than you need to be alone. I know this hurts you, but this should help. For your safety though, I have to ask that you don't delay. Not yet."

Testing her fingers again, Zelda laid her pounding head back into the pillow. "Alright. But please, my head… I need to sleep."

One by one, everybody left the building, even Link, and Zelda drifted off into a fitful, nightmare-ridden sleep.


A/N: Well… I didn't end up writing an extra chapter this week! Instead, I wrote a really long chapter to make up for it! I'm playing BOTW in Master Mode right now and I'm really mad so I'll probably be inspired and writing through my rage! Someone gonna DIE! (jk…maybe). I still wish that the journal entries were written in Link's POV like in the Japanese version of BOTW. I would have actually read every single entry word for word if they had been

REVIEWS! Bladeofthebookworms: Oh Bolson! He's too good of a rando character to waste. He's like the angry flower lady: he's just not forgettable. Oh, I should have Link end up with the angry flower lady! Thank you for making me think that! You've inspired my new ending! It's sold! Link/AngryFlowerLady forever! Or maybe I'll just kill him! *insert high pitched gasp* maybeeeeee! Thank YOU for reviewing! Legitimately makes my day! AriTheDoggo: You've figured me out! Now I don't need to write anymore! BYE! * quickly creeps back into room* Can't get rid of me that easily! Maybe you're right! Maybe you're wrong! Maybe you're both? The world may never know! Kidding, you'll know eventually. Oracle of Hylia: I am a spoiler kind of person, so I feel you. This won't be the end of Zelda's powers! Imagine if I just introduced something like that and then plopped an ugly glove-thing on her and never went back!? I'd suck. But yeah, I never knew about the nail polish! It was crazy! VSabo: YASSSS ANOTHER MINION! JOIN THE DARK SIDE! WE HAVE CAKE HERE! CAKE AND ZELINK!