Roughly before noon, like Zelda said. Osfala found Impa in the barracks, sharpening her ideal weapon, the naginata. Though he was afraid she'd turn down his request, he walked over to her anyway. He passed several warriors training, including Groose, who was pounding a practice dummy with his fists as a smaller, chubbier fellow with dark hair held on.

"Whoa, Groose! I don't think he can take it!" Groose stops he assault, still fuming from this morning. "Why don't we head to Castle Town, I head Malon will be visiting town."

Hearing this calms Groose down a bit. "You might have a point, Cawlin."

Osfala continued ignoring them as he reached Impa. Looking up, she scowled.

"If you're here to ask me about Princess Zelda… well, I'd say keep dreaming, but not even in your dreams."

"That's… not why I'm here." Impa raises her eyebrow at him. "I hear you train new Sheikah." She nods. "I'd like to enter."

A brief silence.

"What?" Impa asks flatly.

"I said I would like to enter Sheikah training."

Impa only stares blankly for about 3 seconds before erupting into laughter. She usually doesn't laugh so hardy, but this is enough for her to let out about 20 years' worth of it. Osfala felt somewhat insulted.

"And here I thought you barely had a sense of humor!" She says as she starts to die down. "You want to… join…" She notices that Osfala has a stern look in his face, he laughter stop and she has a genuine look of surprise on her. "You're serious?"

"I am."

"No."

"What?" He feels insulted again.

"I said no."

"Why not?"

"For starters…" She gets up. "You have looked down on your Sheikah heritage for years, claiming that combat was beneath you because you were half-Hylian. This is ignoring that Hylians do combat as well."

"I can afford it! Name your price!"

"It's not that expensive but money isn't the thing. That's the other matter, it's also about the character of the trainee. Why do you want to join all of the sudden?"

Osfala looked away, almost ashamed to admit it. Impa was about to say he should leave until he spoke up.

"Last night, when I was attacked… no, when I saw those fox-things… I panicked." He says while looking to his feet. "I tried to take credit for defeating them, but the Geru- Lady Urbosa…" He corrected himself. "She recognized the lie and called me out." Impa nods, knowing that was something Urbosa would do. "I felt some degree of guilt, but I was trying to convince myself I did no wrong. So when I returned home, I reported it to my father. He was about to convince me it was everyone else's fault, when my mother finally lost patience with him and performed her fighting prowess to shut him up." Impa smiles, as it was about time Lady Paya did something about it. "She told me how much of a disgrace I've become to her… our people and that I must redeem myself." He then bows to her, hoping to be respectful. "That is why I am here."

Impa still wasn't impressed. "Would this also be an attempt to impress the princess?"

"Impa!" Osfala is now begging. "This has nothing to do with that! Please…" He bends down further. "Please, cousin…"

She hated that he reminds her of their familial relations. Paya, his mother, is her first cousin once removed, though she always insisted that Impa refer to her as her aunt. She did love her aunt, since she was always nice to her. She promised she'd honor her by naming her daughter or granddaughter after her. She didn't want to, but she wanted her son to redeem himself.

She exhales from her nose. "I only do this for your mother… it's too late to enter for this week, but tomorrow is Saturday, so you can sign up for Monday's week."

"Thank you, Impa." He turns to leave.

I need to be prepared.

Now entering Castle Town, a young woman about 15 enters, carrying a basket in her hands. She had long, red hair, it was lovely and as long as the princess's but not as elegantly kept. For starters, she had unsettled bangs. Her outfit consisted of a white shirt with blue markings, a purple skirt that reached her ankles, brown boots and a yellow cloth attached to her black belt. She's been sent by her father to reclaim some ingredients. She walked through the market place and bought what she needed, but along the way she also stopped by a small bookstore and bought the next installment of a book series she enjoys. She was ready to read it on her way out, but someone stands in front of her.

"Hello, Malon."

"Good morning, Groose." She says, paying some attention as she walks around him. Groose takes her book and flips through it. "Groose, my book!"

"Why are you reading this? There's no pictures in this thing?"

"I like to imagine what they look like from the information given." She says while having her arms crossed.

"Malon…" Groose says while tossing her book away. "It's time you stop concerning yourself with knights in fiction and think about knights in the real world. Like me." He gives a cocky grin, before realizing Malon is picking her book up. He turns to her.

"You're not a knight."

"I will be someday."

Malon gets up, clearing some dirt off the cover of her book. "Now who's concerning over fiction?" She begins walking away.

Groose is annoyed by this. Princess Zelda may be too unwilling to admit her interest in me, but you won't.

"So, while you're in town…"

"I'm not for long… I'm heading home to my father."

"Your father?" Cawlin, who was observing, boasts with laughter. "Better head home before he sets LonLon Ranch on fire!" He continues his mockery as Groose joins in on his laughter.

This does not please Malon. "Don't talk about my father like that!"

Eager to please her, Groose stops laughing and conks Cawlin on the head. "Yeah, don't talk about her father like that!"

"Nice try, Groose. And you wonder why you're not a knight yet."

"That's true! If a rookie can get promoted to proper solider in one year, maybe I should enter." Cawlin boasts. Groose grabs him by the collar and snarls in his face. "Oh, right…" He gives a small, clearly frightened chuckle.

"Who got promoted?!" She asks, looking happy for the first time so far since talking to Groose. "Is it him?! That's wonderful, thank you for telling me." She then walks away, humming a melody she likes to play for her beloved horse.

Groose, now in a fouler mood, pushed Cawlin to the ground and storms off.

Malon couldn't help but be happy. She had an idea who this person was. She's had a crush on him for about a year. Their fathers were old friends, they met a few times. He's always nice to her and the animals, including her beloved mare, Epona. The animals loved him too, save for the Cuccos, but few people liked them. She's had a dream of being romanced by a knight since being a little girl. And now the boy she likes is going to be a knight sooner than expected. Even if something goes wrong, they always have her ranch. It's why some boys has showing interest in her, because that ranch in a sense makes her and father, Talon, one of the potentially wealthiest families not of the high class in Hyrule. He could marry her, it wouldn't be a problem since her father already liked him and joked that they were already engaged. She already thinks he could start a family with her if anything could happen, once she's 18. She's already got ideas for baby names. If it's a boy, Ralon, and if it's a girl, Salon.

She's chosen to be prepared.

Zelda arrives in the stables. She knew the Sheikah were coming soon, but she wanted to at least get her horse out. Her while stallion always seemed to be rebellious with her, so when she opens his gate, he refused to come out.

"Come on." She asked nicely. Unfortunately, the horse bolts out with enough speed and force that she loses her grip on the reins. "Oh no!"

"Stop!" A male voice called out, making the horse stop. Now running up to the front, she sees the person responsible is the promoted soldier. She also sees her horse, normally a bit temperamental, being petted on its head by him. "Are you this one's owner? If so, you need to show a little empathy."

"What?" She asks.

"Be sure to take the time to soothe your mount, that's the only way it will know how you truly feel." He says while he continues getting friendly with the white stallion. "This horse may be well fed, but you need to take the time to show that you care for it."

Slightly insulted, Zelda put her fists on her hips. "I appreciate you looking out for my steed, but I do not require a lecture."

Recognizing the voice, the soldier looks to his left and sees the annoyed princess of Hyrule looking at him. "P-Princess?!" He's rather surprised and quickly turns to face her, with his arms raised. "I-I didn't know this was your horse! Please forgive me!" He says while bowing down, hoping for forgiveness.

Zelda drops her annoyance when she realizes this. Still she couldn't help but wonder how someone like this could have been promoted to official soldier so quickly. "No, I apologize. I shouldn't have snapped." It looks like I'm still not over that kiss after all. "Where are you going?"

"To mount my horse." He says while standing upright. "Your father has given me permission to take time off. I figured now is the best time to take time off and see my family."

"I see." She says "Well, be safe."

He bows again, this time out of respect. "Thank you, Princess." He says back to his horse.

As Zelda mounts her horse, she looks to the soldier, noticing how he mounts his own horse, one of a reddish color and white mane. Even his horse-skills are impressive, just how easily are things for him? She looks away, not wanting jealousy to be on her face.

She makes it outside, where the Sheikah guard she was promised. She was at least happy that Purah was one of them. She does smile at this, though it falters slightly as the soldier goes past her, giving a quick nod as a way of saying a friendly goodbye. As he and his horse head out, Zelda a slight look of resentment and guilt. The former was from how he's excelling so easily, the latter is from how she knows she's acting so poorly in reaction to him.

"Do you like him or something?"

Zelda gets startled, almost falling off her horse before Purah grabs her arm and lifts her before that can happen. Purah realizes she shouldn't have snuck up on her friend, she's probably still disturbed by last night.

"I do not!" Zelda yells. She immediately puts her hands on her mouth, realizing how loudly she exclaimed. Everyone, even that same soldier, look back before resuming what they were doing before she did so. "Oh, for the love of Nayru." She mutters under her breath. She did not like this man, she was too busy getting over the actions of another man before such a thought could reach her mind. "Is everyone ready?" She asks, now pushing away her thoughts from earlier. The Sheikah nod. "Let's go."

She was ready to do her research and at least make another attempt to awaken her powers.

Whether it was for Ganon, or to defend herself from Vaati, she had to be prepared.

Vaati steps out of the cave. Since it's been ages since his era, he knew he probably couldn't trust where he'd end up. He didn't take the time to look at his surroundings when he was resurrected, as the Yiga were to busy using their magic and trickery to sneak him in via illusions and a horse carriage. That might not work now, so he chose to explore Hyrule a bit.

Now out, Vaati looked around. This is what was once his home, but that time is gone. The Minish are gone. They're either extinct, relocated, or are just doing a better job of hiding. There's a probability that Ezlo is dead. He's not saddened, the man was dead to him long before his first defeat. But still, even he can be a bit homesick.

"There it is." He spots the area where the village he was born in. However, Vaati chose to walk away. "I am no longer of that race." He says more to himself than anyone else.

I'm a Hylian now. Which means I must think of a future amongst them, and I can think of no better future then with its future queen.

Now he decides to let the lovely Zelda fill his head. While the idea of seeing her again and to convince her to accept him was pure bliss, he knew that was difficult. Her reaction suggests she's not sure about what occurred, but he knew he must find a way to win her over. While he was at it, he must think of how to impress the rest of Hyrule, to show them he was perfect for their princess. He just needed to figure out how.

"No, I mean it, darling!"

Vaati heard a man's voice calling out. Curious, he hides behind a tree to peek at two people talking. A young couple.

"Honey, are you absolutely sure? It sounds a bit hard to believe, Romio."

"I mean it Julietta! Princess Zelda danced with some evil villain!"

"That seems hard to believe. I know our princess isn't up to snuff compared to her ancestors, but that just seems so wrong to think."

"Indeed. But at least you needn't worry about some villain dancing with you!" He holds he hand tightly.

"He need have to deal with you, my love!" Her words brought out giggling from both.

Fools! He thought viciously. You dare to mock my precious Zelda! Our love will crush yours! Once I figure out to convince her that we are meant to be. His thoughts went from threatening to sound unconvinced with himself.

"I wouldn't even need the legendary sword to best him!" The man named Romio declared.

This caught Vaati's attention. Sword? The Four Sword? It was destroyed ages ago when it couldn't hold that boorish boar for long. It would be useless against me even if shards of it weren't used in my resurrection.

"I heard of it." The women named Julietta replied. "The blade that supposedly slays Ganon?"

This part piqued his interest.

"Yes, I hear it's supposed to be resting in the Lost Woods, just North of here."

Vaati spots the man pointing in that same direction.

Perfect. Because you've unwittingly provided me with the means of wooing my beloved, I have chosen not to kill either of you for thinking your love is stronger than ours will be. At least, this time.

The idea has sprung up. He will find this sacred blade and take it with him. With it, it will convince the people of Hyrule that he is worthy to court their princess and someday wed her. He will help her awaken her sacred powers and they will defeat Ganon together. He believed that will be the perfect means of wooing her.

"For my Zelda, I must be prepared."

Anyone else love that song from the Lion King?

And a Beauty and the Beast reference too.

Romio and Julietta aren't OCs btw, they're characters from The Minish Cap loosely based on the iconic William Shakespeare story

Goes without saying, but I don't own The Legend of Zelda