Dear Diary,

These days have been busy, but extremely rewarding - and surprising.

The day after Link's knighting, he started working training the new recruits. He barely slept that night, since we went back from Telma´s quite late, and we stayed a bit longer chatting while going back home.

I made a fool of myself by not knowing his birth date. Yes, dear Diary, I am the worst friend in this realm - but with the most understanding friend in exchange.

We could have been talking all night long easily, but a really, really close -and very awkward - encounter with Shad and Ashei took us by surprise. And what a surprise it was! Ashei, in a not so subtle way, insinuated they are in a relationship. I suspected those two had something going on for a while. Link had no idea. I guess he was oblivious to the small gestures they always share. But it makes me really happy they are together, their opposite qualities make them an interesting couple.

But let us not delve too much into the private life of the others.

Since it was the first day of the new recruits and their Commander, I had to make a protocol appearance, to welcome them into the army. I made a short speech - the midday heat was scorching; I did not want any of the new recruits to have heat stroke. Good thing I was wearing a light dress. I approached Link as he finished reviewing the rookies.

'Good morning Lord Commander', I greeted him. 'You are making an amazing job with the recruits, in no time Hyrule will have an amazing Army'.

'Good morning Your Highness, you honor me with such a comment', he answered with a smile. 'I'm just doing my job here'.

'Have you already met Sir Artorius and Sir Sigfried?', I enquired. They were the former Knights whose help I requested to help Link train the new recruits.

'Yes, Your Highness. They are amazing men', he noted, 'They were brothers-in-arms of Rusl, to my surprise'.

Actually, it was not chance. Master Auru helped me choosing looking through the Army's records.

As I have written before, some things Link has said have caught my attention, as also had the armor he wore at the knighting ceremony. To satisfy my curiosity I have to dig into the records at the Castle library, which requires quite some time -which it is scarce now - but first and foremost, I need Link's consent. He has not told me anything regarding his blood parents, and it would be terribly disrespectful to do it behind his back.

Once we were in an adequate distance from the crowd, I could talk to him free from protocol.

'Link, I need to ask you something'. His face looked a bit confused with the change. 'Or do you want me to refer you as Lord Commander all the time?'

'Not at all. It's just that your whole attitude changed and it weirded me out'. He laughed. 'It's like you flip a switch, and bam! Princess attitude off', he gestured funnily.

'Princess attitude aside, remember when I went to the Spirit Springs to pray?', I commented, getting our conversation back on topic, 'I need you to escort me to Lake Hylia to pray at Lanayru Spring, please'.

'Sure, when?', he asked merrily. I am always surprised at his sunny disposition. Does he ever get tired?

'Tomorrow evening', I answered. 'After both of us have ended our daily duties'.

Once done with that, we went for separate ways for the rest of the day.

After checking some paperwork, I decided set aside the formalities to go visit a certain barkeeper and her guests. Impaz joined me, since she wanted to greet one of them. We were welcomed by Ilia herself, who was very happy to see Impaz again. Telma treated us lemonade and homemade sweets baked by Uli. Little Colin asked me if he could go see Link training the recruits sometime. Seems we have a future knight in the making - so of course I said yes.

I asked Ilia and Uli for advice for Link's birthday gift. They told me he was not that much into receiving gifts, but he always complained the lack of drawing supplies.

How could I overlook that?! He draws beautifully.

Before leaving to shop for his gift I asked them to join me for tea next time. They happily agreed, especially Ilia, who was really happy to finally know the castle. Little Colin could have the chance to see Link in the training grounds also.

It feels nice to have the chance to spend time with these fantastic women.

On another subject, I think I went a tad overboard at the art supplies shop in the market: two large sketchbooks, a stack of parchment paper, a box with assorted drawing chalks, sanguine and charcoal sticks, blenders and erasers, and a case to carry it all everywhere.

On our way back, a stray cat followed us.

'I remember when I met him, the cats in the village loved him', Impaz commented. 'He played with them a lot'.

'So you mean he is a cat person?' That fact certainly piqued my curiosity. Based of how he treats Epona I could guess he loved animals. But knowing this gives me a glimpse about his personality.

'I guess so, dear child'. Impaz nodded.

That night I had a dream -or maybe a lingering memory of the time my soul was fused to Midna's; I am not sure, but it has happened before. I woke up to the image of Link, in his green tunic, holding a bunch of kitties in his arms, one popping out of his hat, and several others at his feet. It was funny and cute.

The morning went as usual: getting ready, Council meeting before tomorrow's first official one, lunch, and paperwork.

I left along Link for Lake Hylia before sunset.

On our way there, I commented him that one of the things I requested right after the war ended was to give every citizen access to all of Hyrule's corners. And we were on the way to see part of that plan: the new stairway to lake Hylia, that ran along the border of the lake and ended on a small pier. We left the horses before the bridge, and went down to the lake on feet.

I am very proud of the builders and masons involved in this project. They made an amazing job - and quite fast, it took them only eight weeks! They made first all iron structures and pieces required, and then mounted them. Link told me he had heard about it, but he had to see it to believe it.

'And the best of it all is that it will not interfere with the local businesses and attractions', I highlighted as we got to the pier and took a boat to reach the Spirit Spring.

'You always take into consideration all the people involved', he commented, as he helped me get into the boat. 'That is nice, thinking you could give a hoot about them'.

'It is called caring about the common good', I said, 'some of Hyrule's leaders completely forgot about it, but I will not'.

Link smiled widely as he rowed the boat. 'You would never forget, Zelda. Your heart is too big for that'.

I just answered his compliment with a smile.

We arrived to our destination. I prayed for a while, asking for the same I did before: their blessing and guidance to be a good ruler. Also it was to thank them for all their blessings so far. Link stood next to me as I prayed, deep in his own thoughts.

'I am honestly nervous about tomorrow', I told him, still kneeling on the ground. 'What if despite everybody's good intentions, all our efforts are worthless?'

'Why would you think that way?', he asked.

'Hyrule not always has been a kind place', I explained. 'My ancestors have done horrible things to other people; believe me, it is a really long story. I want my reign to be remembered as something good, not a dark period... I already failed them once'.

'Calm down, you're going to be great', he said, offering his hand to help me get back on my feet, 'you aren't alone in this. The people you chose are kind and reliable…' - he blushed a bit- '…and I'm with you. I didn't took those oaths for funsies, y'know'.

It really makes me happy Link is around me. His presence and his kind words lifted my spirits.

The following morning the full Council and I met at the ninth hour sharp. I welcomed them and we took our places. Link accompanied me - wearing a new steel armor with the Hylian crest on his chestplate - for being the first meeting.

'I have summoned each and one of you for a single, yet significant purpose: rebuilding Hyrule after the invasion that affected our kingdom, which is no small feat, since Hyrule had been in the doldrums for quite some time after all'. I paused. 'I have faith you will do an amazing job'.

I told them about my wish of taking Hyrule to a golden age, of improving life for every citizen, and most importantly, of my request of not being crowned until the reconstruction was over.

After my small speech, we started working immediately. To my surprise, they all had come with great news: works on Kakariko Village were almost finished, mostly because of the new settlers and the help of the Gorons. The forests and other areas were already free of monsters and other types of threats. All the planned improvements, such as roads and fresh water distribution systems - Prince Ralis and the Zora's aid in this was priceless - were almost done, and the schools planned for every settlement were ready to start on the first day of the tenth moon, with the exception of Castletown, which would start in two weeks. Telma's connections were certainly useful in this area, since funding here was quite slow compared to the other regions.

Link informed that the recruitment was a complete success, and in three moons we would have at least 2000 new soldiers and 500 knights, 200 for the Royal Guard and the rest to lead and assist in other areas. Ashei commented that before next spring, and under the condition of securing accommodations for their current settlers - the yetis - we can rebuild Snowpeak fortress.

Shad informed that all the requests to trade agreements with neighboring countries had been positive, and after my crowning we would start negotiations.

'So, after all this information we have handed you over, I have to present the following motion', Master Auru intervened. 'I propose to set as date of the crowning of Princess Zelda this full moon. I consider it's unnecessary, given the proof hereby presented, to delay this any longer. Hyrule needs you now, as a Queen'.

They voted unanimously in favor of Master Auru's proposal. I could swear Link was grinning in his place.

It was unexpected, but I felt so grateful they trusted me.

'I promise I shall not disappoint you'. I stood, and bowed to them. 'I will give my best for Hyrule and their citizens'.

When the Council meeting was adjoined, a minute was signed by all members and me - a common procedure from now on - and a chamberlain went to inform the townspeople. Notifications were sent immediately to the new settlements and the villages.

I went back to my chambers after the meeting. It was past the fourteenth hour when the meeting ended. I was feeling restless.

Impaz was waiting for me with lunch. 'I heard the news dear child', she said. 'Looking to your face, I am not sure if to congratulate you or give you my condolences'.

'I am not nervous for being crowned', I told her. 'I am worried about a part of this process'.

'Oh, I see', she nodded. 'I remember your poor father being really sad for some days after reading those records'. She held my hands. 'But he took what he learned as a lesson, and worked hard to make Hyrule a better place'.

'I know he did', I said. 'I will do likewise'.

These records are the compilation of every deed of the Kings and Queens in Hyrule's history. The information of this is confidential, except to an heir to be crowned, and it is compulsory to read every single record, so the heir takes the crown knowing all the good and bad deeds of the prior rulers.

The Goddesses only know what I will learn from those.

Yours,

Zelda