Welcome back everyone to the August update! School has probably started for most of us, and slowly my sanity is fading, leaving this story as they only thing saving my decaying mind (I am currently avoiding an essay due tomorrow). Thank you all so much for 5,500 views and one review away from the 50 mark! You are so amazing, you can't comprehend how overjoyed I am to see so many people enjoy my passion project!

I won't hold you up too much, onto the story!

As Zelda was led with her party through the dirt trodden streets of Kakariko, she witnessed things with infant eyes. The roads were overflowing with people from many walks of life, from those accustomed to having nothing to those accustomed to having everything. They were intermingled for the most part, but if you looked hard enough, the occasional gold of an earring would peek out from behind a sack-cloak. The buildings were crumbling just as fast as the people who were forced to inhabit them, fearful of a threat they prayed would leave.

When she was lead through the crowd, they stood from their squabble and silenced their cries and chatter to watch in disbelief as their princess walked with her head high. Her pace slowed as she allowed her eyes to wander them, but never linger. Their sadness and broken looks could kill her instantly with guilt, but she stayed their beacon of hope and poise, though she internally faltered.

"Y-Your Majesty!" Some began to drop into a long bow, voices cracking in tears. But many others could not contain their passion; they began to try and fling themselves at her, pushing their arms out to try and touch even a fine strand of hair victim to a breeze.

They screamed, "Princess Zelda!"

"Our Guardian–!"

"Princess Zelda–!"

"Save us–!"

They tried to pull her into them like a drowning person would their savior. Zelda unknowingly took a step back, overwhelmed by the fear she saw. What could she do for them? Her breath hitched at how useless she felt when peering into their eyes and seeing them expect so much more than she could give.

"You have to help us!" Men and women continued to try and smother her with open arms, Epona rearing at the discomfort they caused her and Link tried to stop them from being stomped on by her hard hooves.

Renado and Impaz tried to calm them, but they continued to frantically cry and weep. Lords and Ladies replaced composure with hysteria alongside the beggar and his family. One man was brave enough to breach the monarch's invisible wall and grab her painfully tight on both arms, forcing her to stare at the festering wound that took his left eye and shouted with missing teeth, "Look at what those damn things did to me eye!"

Zelda froze at the maggots eating away at the dead flesh around his socket. At the moment she could not help them.

Link jumped in and shoved the man to release her, his right arm shielded her and left hand reached for his blade. He began to ask them to relax, and they began to shout for him as Zelda's mind deviated to a consciousness focused on them. They wanted so much out of her as an idea, but as a mortal, she could give them nothing. The melancholy of Hylia I suppose, she thought to herself, knowing this was every monarch's nightmare.

"I shall, as hard as I can, try to help you all," She muttered.

They continued their emotional onslaught and movements forward until a group of men clad in metal armor stepped forward and used their spears to push the horde back. One in particular began to shout, "Oi! Show some respect you animals, Her Royal Highness has gone through enough already!"

The crowd began to settle, but he continued to scold them like children. " How can She fix our problems if you don't let Her speak with those in charge, eh? This is Her Hyrule too you know!" It was then Zelda recognized the voice, as the soldier turned around, Impaz gave a loud chuckle.

"They don't make guards like you anymore Sutter," Impaz smiled.

He looked at Zelda and nodded, "M'Lady, you may proceed."

"Thank you," Link greeted her old escort with a smile.

As they left, they still called out her name, even if in a meep.

Princess Zelda!

Princess Zelda!

Princess Zelda!

"Princess Zelda!" A thin woman had jumped her into a tight hug. Ilia immediately pulled away when Zelda stayed stiff as a board, and in embarrassment, bowed her head lowly. Elric was beside her and did the same, sharing in her pink cheeks. "I'm so sorry Your Highness, it's very inappropriate of me to keep hugging you like that."

Ilia and Elric stood together like guards in front of the Sanctuary's door, slight stains of dirt on their clothing but for the most part unscathed and healthy. Elric appeared to have a harsh scratch on his right cheek, and occasionally Ilia would rake her eyes over it in concern. He would then check over her for a moment with his warm irises, concerned with her cranium, possibly fearful of the trauma's effect on her. They would play this game of concern with one another while Zelda responded with, "No need to apologise; although I can not say I am accustomed to the expression, I understand it was done out of comradery, thus I am grateful. "

Ilia's emerald eyes sparkled, but when she turned to face Epona and her rider, it instantly morphed to uncontainable rage. "What is that!?" She growled, pointing to the blood stains and steaming.

Link's eyes widened and he stepped back in shock. "It's not hers!" He tried to defend himself, but she continued to chew him out.

"And you didn't even clean it?" She opened her hand and Link rolled his eyes before handing her the reins, knowing very well he could not win. She grinned, and grabbing Elric's hand said, "Come Elric, I can show you a thing or two about properly taking care of a lady. Isn't that right, Epona?"

"I don't mean to interrupt," Renado stepped in to tower over them, "But Your Highness, we have pressing matters to attend to. "

"Of course. Shall you not be joining in the meeting, Ilia?" Zelda tilted her head.

The blonde raised a brow. "Why would I?"

"You are the Mayor's daughter. I would think it be your prerogative to enter the realm of ruling."

Ilia laughed awkwardly, "Oh I'm fine. You guys don't need me standing there being clueless." Elric gave her an odd look, but Zelda didn't have time to continue pressing the matter.

She glanced at Link before stepping inside, imploring him to join her. Without his aid, she may not be able to stand her ground.

…

The Kakariko sanctuary held an air of spirituality within itself, like she had traveled back to a very primal time focused more on necessity rather than comfort. Most places of healing held intricate stone work and forests of flowers to hide the stench of death, but here it did not try to disguise the inevitable. The rocky walls were dark where souls would flee to the spirit world, yet beside each shadow was a spot of paleness; this is where new life would enter, beaconed by the lit torches a few feet apart. The floor was made of dirt, methodically woven rugs being the only pause. A large stone effigy of the spirit Eldin was erected before a bowl of offerings ranging from candles to pieces of well-cooked food.

There was a large round table which appeared to have been recently placed in the center; a crowd of ten people stood around it in stern contemplation, but once the door shut behind her, they raised their heads.

The Resistance were the first to come and greet them – Rusl, Auru, Ashei, Shad, and even Telma.

"What a relief to see you're all safe!" Rusl gave Link a large paternal hug, and they laughed together. Shad and Ashei did the same, but not without Telma pushing them out of the way eventually to plant wet kisses all over the young man's face in her maternal joy.

She then winked at him, "I knew nothing could take you down, boy." For the most part they avoided any form of physical contact with Zelda, and showed their appreciation for her verbally. That was until Auru came to her with his lunky engineer's clothing and receding grey hair that the Hylian elder put his hand on her shoulder and used the other to shake her hand familiarly. They all paused when the grease on his fingers marked the white of her gloves.

"Princess Zelda," He greeted in a raspy voice, "Good to see you are well."

"As with you, Sir Auru." She smiled.

The group paused in confusion, but in an instant two voices said in unison, "He was her tutor." Impaz glared at the poultry-looking man who stepped forward. Alger scowled at the idea of sharing the comment with a raisin – the princess knew that was the exact insult he would use too.

"Last I checked I was her courtier, not a raisin." He squawked harshly – she called it.

"Alger," Zelda wasn't sure how she felt seeing him, "Glad to see you had not hurt your ankle from fleeing after I was attacked." She hadn't meant to sound saucy, but his raised brow indicated it was taken as such. She assumed his thoughts must be toying with the idea of her staying stuck under the water or other atrocious things. He was the minority who hoped she hadn't returned.

"It pains me to cut the reunions short, but we have a kingdom to rebuild," Renado stepped in front of Alger dangerously, trying to defuse the tension forming.

"He's right you know." Impaz shrugged.

"Then let us not waste time." Her heart raced.

Link started to follow Zelda to the table, but was stopped by the talons of a spiteful courtier. "Ruling class only."

"He represents Ordon." Mayor Bo crossed his arms.

Alger didn't buy it, so Princess Zelda placed her hand on his outstretched arm and dug her fingertips into the tender flesh beneath his forearm. "He is with me. If I need him, you need him."

He contemplated something before harshly pulling his arm away from her, and wiped his brow with a handkerchief. Zelda tracked him closely until he returned to hover over the table. She asked Link if he was alright, and he smiled in thanks before following to stand behind her. Mayor Bo and Renado were on either side of her, solid and towering, but she didn't mind. Impaz, being too small to look over the table, was given a chair to sit on to the right of the Shaman, and surveilled the three new faces cautiously.

"Princess Zelda, the Rose of Hyrule." Alger introduced her with mock enthusiasm.

"Crown Princess of Hyrule," Renado added like a question.

The courtier raised a brow, "That is a topic for later...Your Highness, you are already familiar with Mayor Bo and Shaman Renado – who shall be acting as the Steward of Kakariko. To save time, I will merely introduce our guests."

Zelda nodded, and looked to a stout man whose face was built with a bulldog as a reference. The knife-sharpness of his ears were proudly shown against the oily slickness of his hair, and complimented the military vibe he emitted from his still body and disciplined teal eyes. His bushy mustache curled into a smile when Alger introduced, "Earl Kemp of Snowpeak."

Ashei made a sound of displeased recognition.

"I was unaware we had territory reaching Snowpeak." Zelda questioned.

His voice sounded like tumbling boulders, "It's a commonwealth at best, Your Majesty. The weather is too brutal to house villages or towns, but is excellent to train endurance." He grinned proudly.

"You run a military camp." Zelda announced.

"An infamously brutal one," Ashei added, but was ignored.

"Yes, I was originally Chief Military Advisor, and hope even now to be Hyrule's pillar of security. I sent word for my men to evacuate here, now I wait for them."

Zelda did not like the way his eyes were drawn to the flames of war. His blood-lust was apparent, he didn't wish to hide it, and that concerned her. King Daphnes probably chose him for just that, and Zelda inferred that this was the man supplying troops to try and overtake the Domain. She would watch him closely.

Next was a tall and slender man with a beautiful mane of blonde locks tamed thoughtfully, and a charismatic smile that was youthful despite his apparent age. He kept his hands behind his back, and cerulean orbs were stuck in a constant state of seduction.

"I apologise, but have we met?" She briefly leaned forward to get an idea of why he appeared so familiar.

"Not formally no…But I do believe you have met my son." He appeared satisfied by her words.

"Excuse me!" Alger screeched, "My job please!"

"Humor him," Impaz begged, covering her ears. The Lord and Princess implored him to continue.

"This is Viscount Osmar Harlan of Western Castle Town." Alger did an odd wave of his wrist trying to appear regal.

Zelda's heart dropped, and she stepped back to bump into Link's chest. He made an oof, and tapped her shoulder, wondering if she was alright. Her response was jumbled, but she kept her composure to say, "You are Lord Harlan's father," without a drip of distaste.

"Yes," He beamed, "My son says you were as beautiful as the legend led. Glad to say he is no liar."

Would you still be glad knowing your son is a cretin instead, she thought to herself. "And the young lord? I pray he is well." She lied.

To that the Viscount appeared troubled, eyes casted down and mouth pressed together. "I'm unsure if he is, Your Highness...I was not with him during the evacuation, and he has yet to appear here."

She feigned compassion, "All in due time, Lord Osmar, I am sure he is well." Had her hands not been on the table her fingers would have been crossed.

Next was a stick of a man with droopy bedroom eyes and an awkward grin. Alger introduced him as being Lord Fane, but Zelda already knew that. "You were a member of my council during my probationary period," she felt assured by his presence. At least one of them was on her side.

"Yes My Lady, handpicked by Late Queen Zelda the sixteenth, but expectedly let go after...well I shouldn't have to mention the obvious." He lowered his head shyly with an uncomfortable smirk. He didn't have much of a backbone, that may be an issue.

She looked over her makeshift council once more and tried to carefully plan out how she would go about this new environment. "Impaz," Her mind clicked, "Before we go any farther I would like to know everything about the invasion. What happened, what manifested it?"

The Sheikah elder closed her tired eyes and crossed her arms, deep in thought. "No one knows where it came from, but I have been around for many years, seen many wars, and I can assure you this was no army led by a King...," There was an air of relief, "...But something worse."

Princess Zelda felt Link tense behind her, could hear the sloshing of his chainmail as he shifted about nervously. Impaz continued, "I was in the servant's quarters planning to give the children a bedtime story – since without a princess this old nursemaid is useless – and in all honestly I was surprised King Daphnes didn't throw me in the dungeon or something, but he was so busy doing Gods know what and–"

"Impaz!" Zelda fixed to lower her voice, "Please, we do not have much time to waste."

"Right right, forgive me," She fluffed her white hair, "Well just as I was about to enter, there was a loud rumbling! I immediately got the children out of the room and directed them to the evacuation tunnels. I ran into the castle to retrieve a few possessions only to see the castle guards being attacked by these...things. I couldn't get a good look at what they were, but most were covered in a gaseous black, and appeared to look just like our men. I was able to escape just before the castle was...set aflame."

Zelda took deep breaths, stilling herself to flow like river water. "What did you go in to retrieve?"

Impaz peered into Zelda's eyes and looked behind her. There against the wall leaned two paintings, one of Queen Zelda XVI, the other of Princess Zelda with yellow paint in her eyes. She tilted her head in confusion, why of all things would these be what she'd risk her life for?

"They can take what they want, but they shall never have our legacy. They may try and erase the Kings and Queens of Old, but they can't take the pioneer of the Golden Age and her true heir." She grew stern, proud in her decision and unapologetic for her actions.

Zelda couldn't pull her eyes off the two paintings. That was until Mayor Bo decided to declared, "Then it's decided. Without a King, Zelda is Crown Princess of Hyrule." Her flesh whitened and eyes shot back to the table, legs going numb.

Alger gave a sick laugh, wagging his finger in disagreement. "That is where you are mistaken. She's not the only one who went back. There were important documents in the castle I didn't plan to leave behind either." He reached into the inner pockets of his coat and removed a slightly crumpled roll of paper. Zelda knew what it was immediately, drowning out the noise that filled the room, cursing the convenience of it all.

Mayor Bo and Renado bickered with the courtier, but Earl Kemp defended the legality of the paper. Counselor Fane just watched her, possibly expecting some reaction but quickly disappointed by her stillness.

"This is ridiculous, no King means the next heir should obtain power." Mayor Bo slammed his large hands on the table.

Viscount Osmar threw in his two cents. "Technically speaking, during war time without a King means the council should run the remaining nation. And with all due respect Princess, but the way the Twili invasion was handled was diplomatic suicide, you showed poor rulership what with surrendering immediately."

"Says the Viscount who doesn't even manage anything–" Mayor Bo was interrupted.

"–This isn't much of a council, we should take a vote." Renado pinched the bridge of his nose.

Alger rolled his eyes dramatically, "Nonetheless she cannot be the crown princess until proven mentally stable. I mean look at her, she's not even here."

To that Zelda stared daggers at him, the table watching her in anticipation like children waiting for an animal to move. She opened her mouth to speak, but Earl Kemp's voice sounded instead. "She shouldn't be here to begin with, of course she's going to fight for her control no matter what we do. I say for the moment we leave her in the jail, it's the only empty building here."

With that little idea, Zelda's eyes widened and limbs froze as people pushed and shoved her to try and voice their opinion. Little did they know that she was slipping farther away from reality at the fear of a dark cell, her eyes fogging over at a painful memory.

"No, please!" The rose thrashed in the arms of those sworn to protect her. Her leaves were damaged after spending so long locked within her garden that she imagined she would be glad to be freed. But this was not the case, for even with the serpent banished from her lands a snake still slithered in her home.

The guard who dared not to see her took the rose to a dark and murky room devoid of life and buried in dread. She begged him to let her go, but he ignored her pleas with difficulty. He casted her down onto the stone floor, her stem being scraped and injured upon impact.

"I...I'm sorry." The guard whispered to her before taking his torch and leaving the dungeon.

"No!" She cried, "Not the light! Do not leave me in the dark!" She wailed until her lungs burned. She gripped the cold bars of her cell until her leaves became numb, shaking and beating them to try and escape the darkness that consumed her. She crawled into a corner and tried to shield herself from the beasts that wished to take her. She cried out to the sun and the friend, cursing the false King for torturing her so.

Ghosts and Phantoms cried out her name, demons hungered for her fear, and she screamed until she lost her voice. She clawed at the walls until her thorns came off, and by the time the guards came to cast her back into her dying garden, she was limp and dried out, walls of both prisons covered in her pain. She laid on the floor until she was dragged out again into a different room. A room of shifty judgemental eyes that saw the perennial as a weed unfit to blossom.

Zelda saw nothing but the blurry hum of her ghosts. Her heart pounded and muted the arguing voices. She tried to walk through the pillar which was Link to no avail; he stopped her retreat, pushing to see her soulless face, but when his hand touched her shoulder the paranoia grew tired. For an instant she was released of her stupor and saw only him, the medicinal glow of his cerulean eyes and rays of hope through her shadows of neurosis. He held both concern and a question: hadn't she wanted to rule again? Well, yes. Then why isn't she fighting for the right? Well, who knows. And since when did the Princess of Hyrule not try? Well, never.

She exhaled her trepidations, and glancing back at the painting with flecks of gold, she saw a reflection of the person she dearly missed. So with the pressure of Link's hand on her back pushing her forward and the fervid pigment in mind, she thought to herself, "What would the Hero do?"

"Enough!" She clamored, closing her eyes and crossing her arms tightly, "Heir or not I am still the Princess of Hyrule and require respect! Just because there is an invasion does not mean we can behave as uncivilized dogs – no one shall be left in any blasted dungeon unless they have committed a crime, is that understood?"

The room was deathly silent, even Alger had stopped his tweets. She heard Link smile behind her, and Renado held an expression of relief. Her eyelids swung open, strong orbs watching them all with the danger of an upcoming storm, blue pools deep enough to drown in. When she was pleased with their attention, the monarch proceeded. "Good. Now I did not come here to have us all bicker over something as mundane as crownship when there might not even be a kingdom to rule over. If you do not wish to have me act as Princess Royal then fine, I am more willing to uphold a vote for the leadership position if it means putting you all at ease. I would rather have us work as a parliamentary monarchy than as babbling fools, and if you are so scared of my influence then I shall give up my vote so there can only be a majority." She hummed in pride.

Mayor Bo looked to the men and laughed, "You know where my loyalty lies. Zelda as Princess Royal."

Lord Kemp made a noise of disapproval, and without turning her head, Zelda saw from the corner of her eye the Earl bite his thumb childishly. "I'd have to disagree. War-time should require martial law, and the only ones capable of that are me and the Resistance knights. I vote for myself as Steward."

Link pondered the legality of his choice, but Zelda assured him it was a possible move. Renado was next, and he stayed brief. "Zelda as Princess Royal."

Two to one, she mentally kept track. Although she said the outcome didn't bother her, in reality she found the possibility of winning or losing gnawed at her insides like a starved rat. Lord Osmar gave the impression of being very fraught as if he was choosing between which child he liked better. "I would have to agree with Lord Kemp, for now we could use all military power as we can. Earl Kemp as Steward."

Damn it! She cursed to herself, biting on the inside of her cheek until the soft flesh was oozing blood. Counselor Fane was the only thing between her and her nation, and all he did was give his cheeky smile and nod his head. Out of all of her council, the coward had to be the only survivor? She immediately apologized for the last thought.

"Well?" Alger nudged.

"I-I'm thinking." He stuttered.

"We haven't all day!" Ashei shouted from the sidelines, her crew smacking her to stay out of it.

"I would have to say…" He trailed off.

"Yes?" Alger said through clenched teeth, quiver in hand twitching slightly.

"Uh…" He looked pressured under the glares.

Lord Kemp raised a hand to him. "Spit it out you fool!"

"Lay a finger on him and you deal with me Lord Kemp." Zelda challenged, burying away her emotions like she always had with a callous grimace. The Earl took the offer and declined, lowering his hand.

"Okay Okay, Zelda as Princess Royal! I choose Zelda as Princess Royal!" He shielded himself. The Resistance and Link gave a sigh of relief, whereas Alger and the two lords closed their mouths and stood uncomfortably like children after being scolded.

Her body sang in a hushed joy that was her aspirations, her mind still slow to the fact that she was given a chance once more. Her happiness hushed her self doubt for a time, and keeping with the momentum, she stated, "It has been decided then."

Alger rolled his eyes and begrudgingly wrote in his parchment. "Princess Zelda the Seventeenth was lawfully elected by the Council…"

"Council Nohansen: the Council of Lions." She finished.

"What a fine name Your Highness – no doubt there will be Kings named after this regime of courage and leadership!" Renado cheered.

"Elected by Council Nohansen to be Princess Royal during King Daphnes the Third's absence." Alger hated her behind the cover of his paper, and once finished, required each and everyone of them to sign the decree. When it got to her, she paused before grabbing the quill.

"How about you sign it for me, you were getting so good at it too." She snapped pettily, smirking with a raised brow.

No, that didn't happen, she mentally scolded herself for never acting on her thoughts. She had actually signed the paper with little to no thought, and set down the quill when finished. Now she had an empire to save.

"Since this has been taken care of, back to the matter at hand. They used a surprise attack, and were engulfed in black, you say. The Twili worked the same way..." She trailed off in thought, simultaneously regretting her decision to end on that sentence when Link appeared offended by the statement.

He pushed forward to add, "But the Twilight Realm has been sealed off from the Realm of Light for four years. The Mirror was destroyed."

The princess looked at him and added, "As true as that is, dark magic is apparently at work, one similar to that which possessed the Twili people."

Impaz messed with her tuffs of hair. "Who would be wielding that kind of power though?"

"Perhaps Neighsdon had a change of heart and chose mysticism over secularism?" Viscount Osmar set down a far-fetched idea.

Alger laughed, "Nonsense, why would they attack an ally? Especially after they accepted Princess Zelda's–"

"Why would they attack a kingdom they already received heavy support from, and go against the Companions Convention?" Zelda rushed to cut the courtier off, forehead cold in sweat as she looked to see if Link was understanding any of it. "Did any of you get a look at who was leading?"

The group looked at one another. That was when Telma came, walking to stand beside Renado and giving him a wink, to which he shook his head. "I was in Castle Town at the time," she began, "Sadly I couldn't make it to the wedding – sorry babies – so I was stuck taking care of the bar when people started screaming outside. I went out to check what was going on, and saw exactly what Miss Impaz described, and a little more. Just before I escaped I saw a man on a horse – a boulder of a man with a hood over his head and dark paper-thin skin. In all honesty, he looked like an old man, if it wasn't for his undone red hair."

Zelda and Link made a hard gasp, bodies cold and chests banging with dread. She had tried to anticipate the worst, but even that could not stop the feeling of attack. Her knight was in denial, shaking his head and trying to assure himself, "I know what you're thinking and that isn't possible."

"Sir Link, please, you have to understand how this all sounds." Viscount Osmar waved his hand as he talked.

"I have to agree with Link's doubt; we watched the Gerudo King perish with our very eyes, there was nothing left of him." She attempted to assure them and herself the possibility that it wasn't who they thought it was. "And even if it was, we would still be able to overcome this. The Gods are forever on our side."

There was a tussle outside, and the doors opened to the small hunched-over figure of a decrepit man with large glasses and wiry hair. "And what makes you say that." He snarled bitterly. She recognized him as one of the few doctors in Castle Town, his reputation of being unsympathetic and harsh was burnt into his demeanor. Behind him was the town, huddled and fearful, listening to what the two had to say. He spat at her, "The Gods have done nothing for anybody here. Did the Gods save me when they destroyed my clinic? Did they bat an eye when these people watched their friends and family try and escape the city? You can't obviously expect us to believe to have faith in this mumbo-jumbo nonsense."

Alger stepped to shout back, "How dare you speak to your Princess–"

Zelda silenced him with the extension of her arm. "What more do we have but our faith?" The crowd began to murmur, some convinced, others still watching her with weary eyes. "I do not have all the answers, and maybe this is all for naught. But what I do know is that they gave us a Hero, and if he's saved us once," she looked to him with a sad smile, "I know he can do it again."

Link cracked a smile, stepping to stand in front of them all and clenching his fist. "I swear to protect Hyrule and her people no matter the cost."

She saw his light fill their eyes until they were brimming with hope and security. He shone like a torch hotter than the sun that led her people through the darkness. They were pleased for the time being, slowly exiting the premise one by one until the door was shut and locked respectively. Morale was a big key in this game, Zelda figured, and although the cogs of running a kingdom were many, she accepted the challenge.

The Resistance now acted as a platoon of bodyguards, although Ashei insisted her husband stay on the other side of the room away from danger. Zelda put him to use, sending him to fetch the blue-haired wonder. "What do you recommend we do Your Highness? How do you expect we take back our home?" Impaz questioned.

That was when Naru entered the room, awestruck by the large dome and the strange people within it. Link motioned her over, to which she responded by quickly scurrying to his side, watching Zelda for an inkling of context. Mayor Bo and Rusl looked to the child and Princess quizzically, which planted within Zelda a seed of doubt. What if they thought her mad? What if they didn't believe her and this whole plan blew up into her face? What kind of plan was it really?

All eyes were on her. Those hungry, unapologetic eyes; half of which belonged to men who wanted nothing more than to see her fall. Can they tell she was frightened? No, they can not– will not see the concern that infected her brain like small pox. Her tongue was tied; the room was a lot hotter than before and her throat was dry. Say it you fool, she chided herself.

"Your Majesty, eh... why is Naru here?" Mayor Bo scratched his head.

"She…" Zelda choked on her words, hurting by her own self inflicted wounds of insecurities and mistrust. Pull yourself together! She mentally screamed, slamming herself against the confines of her mind until the bones of thought broke; all the while standing motionless before her council. That was, until she caught a whiff of fragrant rose perfume, light and dainty, reminiscent of her latest present from someone dear to her. "She is the Goddess Nayru born into mortal flesh."

Everyone instantly jumped into questions and chatters, loud and obnoxious all talking over each other until there was a constant key of noise. Naru became concerned as they threw their arms in her direction, and then at each other, bickering until blue in the face. Even the Resistance joined the clamorous discussion, to which Zelda chuckled at how for the first time in a while she was the calmest in the room.

"Listen!" She commanded them to lend her their ears, "Let me explain. Those of you who lived within the castle know that for many months I was plagued with a nightmare – that of which I understand now to have been a premonition." She casted Alger an I-told-you-so stare. "This premonition foretold a darkness. But within this darkness was light – three orbs of light to be exact, and I see now it was the Goddesses warning me of their fall from divinity."

Viscount Osmar asked breathlessly, "But why would they do such a thing?"

"Lack of faith," Naru pouted at the eyes who looked at her like she was a science experiment, "The spirits say no one cares anymore, and if you don't believe in the spirits, they die."

"So Nayru, Din, and Farore are dead?" Alger raised an eyebrow skeptically.

Zelda shook her head. "No...Yes...Maybe – This was a last resort – live in the mortal realm to experience mortal suffering and better understand their people. Impaz, you of all people must understand."

The Sheikah waved her hand at the woman. "Leave me out of this, this is between you and your council. But if you want my opinion, it's not too far fetched. I can see the spiritual stone under her tunic, child; if King Ralis of the Zora people believes her, so do I."

"If you can believe I have Hylia's soul, how is this any different?" She implored.

"With all due respect Your Highness, but being a reincarnation and being that person require whole new levels of trust." Earl Kemp reasoned.

The group exchanged glances. Zelda spoke before they had time to better process their thoughts. "I simply beg you to consider believing in the legends our people were founded on. There are more like Naru, I feel it with every fiber in my being. And if I can feel it, then the darkness can feel it, and in all honesty, I ponder the probability that they are looking for the other two girls as well. No wonder they attacked Ordon: they knew Naru was there."

Their faces showed they gave her the benefit of the doubt, and the happy squeals of women emanated from below their feet. Princess Zelda jumped, and looked at the owl statue that sang out to them. Renado blushed, and jumped to move the effigy, revealing a hidden room beneath them. Lanayru virgins peered up at them with elated grins, extending their hands to Naru who cringed at the sight of them.

"Blessed Mother, allow us to worship You properly!" They cried out happily.

"No!" Naru growled, still traumatized from the last batch of adoring hands. "I'm not a doll, no dressing me up! I-I'll smite you!...or something."

They continued to cry out to her, and Zelda questioned Renado. He sighed, "The priestesses of all three temples insisted in living below the sanctuary. They said it is humbling to allow others proper lodging over them."

"Where are you going to start searching first Your Highness?" Earl Kemp asked, eyeing the odd hair and strange mark on the child's hand.

"Why not the Goron," Link offered, "They might have Din and the spiritual stone."

"Excellent plan!" She praised, trying to act as platonic as possible but unable to hide her smile. The meeting was adjourned, each side returning to their respective clique. Link and Zelda were called by Rusl and a visibly perturbed Renado, entering the band of trust that was the Resistance.

"Is there an issue?" Zelda watched their shifts in expression.

"Yes actually, there is," Renado grimaced, "Some of the Lords staying here didn't feel comfortable to the idea of having Gorons walking Kakariko streets, and took it upon themselves to make sure they couldn't enter the town." Link's mouth opened in a mute shout at the gall of it all. She admitted the fact made her blood boil. "If you do see them it will have to be on Death Mountain. Link, I know you can make it up there just fine, but Princess Zelda...Well, I don't mean to speak out of line, but I couldn't help but notice your mind tends to–"

"I am fine." She cut with a hard snap. He silenced himself, instead showing them to where they would be staying for the time being.

…

Even with the sun set far below the horizon the world was still undeniably hot and sluggish. Princess Zelda waited outside listening to the symphony of grasshoppers happy to sing to the desert moon. The village was now reminiscent of a ghost town – the effect of a wartime curfew she supposed – Sutter being one of the few Hylian guards standing watch. Even though they trembled in their greaves, not trained for actual combat, she saw within a select few the potential of valor and heroics for the greater good. Sutter was once so timid and fearful of these strange specters, yet here he looked ready to lead an army.

Looking back, she listened to the gentle rush of water from the Eldin Spring, savoring the smell of cold air that radiated from its surface that conflicted with the humidity of Kakariko. The Sanctuary door opened with Alger being the first to saunter out of his coop and leer at her threateningly. He stopped when standing her height, looking her up and down before curling his beak of a nose upwards.

"Don't think you are out of the clear Princess. I heard you threaten the King before you left, and the moment he returns, you are over." He verbally shoved.

She stayed apathetic with dark blue eyes and dusty rose lips being the only movement on her person. "What makes you so sure he is even alive if you were wrong about my dreams? Your prediction abilities are very weak Alger, do not quit your day job." She pushed past him, walking elegantly to meet with Renado and others who were beginning to exit as well.

"Princess Zelda, I was preparing to lead you to the watch tower where you would be most protected and well fed, but after thinking on it, I am sure you would rather stay at the Village Inn with the others." He laughed.

"It is as if you read my mind." She heard Alger storm off.

The Elde Inn was neighbor to the unbelievable Malo Mart and beneath one of the many Hot Springs native to the Death Mountain area, as explained by the Shaman. It was two stories of red and white brick, its flag was a stripped tarp that hung limply from the first roof. Renado opened the door for her, and she gracefully glided into the poorly lit lobby of the Inn. Her nose was greeted with the stench of perspiration and salt from tears, eyes filled with the image of grimy dark faces with the occasional sheen of a once-regal life, and ears deafened by the cry of a bothered baby. The people stood up from their cots on the stone floor and behind the bar, just staring at the porcelain glow of their princess's skin, at the fine embroidery in her gown and banner made of fine silks attached on the front of her chemise with golden pieces. They dropped to a bow, parting to allow her a path to the stairs. Her boots walked over broken wood and trash, and she was disheartened.

This was the life of her people. A life of grunge and squalor caused by her decisions. But could that statement really be true? In all honesty she felt at fault – her mind held her to blame, she knew the consequences. You leave the castle, people die, it told her until it was cut into her skin. Yet, like a light at the end of the tunnel, the sound of Link's assurance argued the concept. Who could she believe? Who did she want to believe?

"Stand." She commanded, not needing their praise when guilt made her belly ache. They complied with smiles, whilst she continued up the stairs blankly with a heavy mind. On the second floor there were a few rooms, most appearing have been recently under construction before the invasion. Renado motioned to her room; the last on the floor with a basic bed in the corner, table on the opposite wall and dresser to the right of it. She strolled in and sat in the chair of the table, sifting through the blank parchment and messing with the feathered quill.

"Thank you Shaman. I will see you tomorrow then," She said softly. He left her to her thoughts, and she began to scribble on the parchment.

She gave the date and her name, and in as much detail as possible, she began to recount the events she'd experienced. This history of Hyrule should not be ignored, nor should it be rewritten to appease the political agenda of a courtier or bias of his scribes. I should have Shad continue this, she said mentally as she tried her best to recall each statement made by King Ralis as well as Regis. When she came to the decision of visiting Death Mountain, the quill was cast back into its ink pot, and she stretched in her seat.

There was a knock.

"Enter."

Link carefully opened the door, peeking in and grinning when he saw her. What a sweet smile, a smile of friendship she disappointingly reminded herself. What kind of smile did he give her?

"You look settled," He announced, walking in and crossing his arms, hair glowing against the candlelight.

"I am more accustomed to living indoors," she joked, earning herself a chuckle like honey, "Where is Naru?"

"Downstairs in the children's room."

She nodded, standing up from the table and walking over to the man clad in green. He gave a yawn with eyes filled with the sands of sleep. "Well, time to go to bed." He stayed in his spot and she turned a cherry red. Did he intend to sleep in the same room as she? Looking back at the small bed, her heart raced at the idea of doing something so lewd with a man not called her husband. Her eyes rushed to glance back and forth at the floor, trying to stay still but filling the air with discomfort.

Link must have picked up on the vibes and gasped in shock, holding his hands out to her but not touching a hair. He stuttered, "Oh I'm sorry, do you need the whole floor or something? I thought the next room was appropriate enough for a commoner to be near a Princess, or is it just a girl thing?"

He is staying in the next room, she sighed to herself, now red in embarrassment from her misunderstanding. "No no, it is fine." She assured him. They held each other's stare, and he was proud of her for standing up for herself. He liked to see her take charge, and she liked being able to make a difference, no matter how frightening it may be.

"You no longer are in the possession of the Master Sword, are you?" she frowned, looking at the bland hilt of his sword. He shook his head and she sighed, understanding that he had no use for it before. "We may have to retrieve it aswell ...Just in case."

He laughed, "With that Skull Kid lurking in there, it won't be easy."

"Owen look!" A small red headed child pointed at the Princess from the doorway with shimmering eyes.

A young woman rushed in and grabbed the child's pointing finger and scolded him, having just ran up the stairs as seen by the disheveled amber hair peeking out behind a slipping bandana. "Your Majesty!" the woman no older than seventeen bowed her head "I am so sorry, he just ran up here."

"Is this your son?" Zelda asked.

She peered up with cool grey eyes but quickly looked back down. "No Your Highness, he is my nephew." She reached up to push the child into a bow, but he wanted to just look at the heroes before him. Princess Zelda walked to him, and dropped to her knees.

"And what is thine name child?" She asked him.

"I'm Ocus, and this is my aunt Owen." His rosy cheeks were dotted in freckles.

The humbled monarch nodded. "Rise Owen, Aunt of Ocus." The girl did so, and she continued, "Ocus, do you enjoy stories?"

He pondered it. "Yeah, like bedtime stories?"

"Like bedtime stories," Zelda beamed, "Gather as many people as you can who enjoy bedtime stories and bring them here. "

He saluted in pride of his task, "Yes Your Highness!" He ran off with a spring in his step, and Link seemed impressed.

Owen was blue with dread. "Oh no Your Majesty, you don't have to do this for us, no need to–"

"Nonsense Miss Owen, I find enjoyment in this. If you do not mind, I find myself curious as to thine story." Zelda implored her.

"Oh Your Highness, I am nothing important–"

"Humor me." She insisted with an opened palm.

The girl looked from the extended hand to the haunting eyes of the princess, ten more freckles seemed to appear on her face.

"We...No one saw them coming...My family lived on a small ranch recently made in the fields, nothing too spectacular, just my parents and my brothers family living off the land. When those creatures came, they...they looked just like my brother Iru as they destroyed everything. I took Ocus and ran, but the rest of our family haven't shown up yet…" A tear streamed down her cheek.

Zelda closed her eyes as she felt the pain of loss wash over her. "I am so sorry for what you have been through–."

"Are we going to get our home back?" Owen said between cries, eyes heavy with a bitter disdain for whoever took her family.

Princess Zelda saw this as an opportunity to destroy the barrier between class, to act only as mortal beings related in suffering and make a difference in the life of a stranger. She grabbed her dirtied hands that left smudges on her white gloves and held them up. The Princess squeezed them in affirmation and swore, "I will do everything in my power to try and free our home. Hyrule is our Kingdom, and we will not stand to see her destroyed." Her words filled the girl with optimism, and looking at Link, Zelda saw a glow of genuine belief.

She silently mouthed thank you, and once catching her voice, she continued, "I was told your Grandmother, Queen Zelda the Sixteenth, was the kindest ruler Hyrule had ever seen...I'm glad to see you've inherited her traits." Owen ran off to find Ocus and the crowd he promised to bring.

"I think I will tell them the story of Twilight. Would you be so kind as to help me?" She questioned.

"People really like your Grandmother huh?" He asked, purposely avoiding her proposition for a moment.

"She did the most for her people no matter what. Someday I wish to be as loved by my actions just as she." Zelda caught his stare, but he did not look away.

Link merely saw her standing beside him just as he had many nights ago and simpered. "You already are."

Ocus and Owen broke their moment of stillness with a band of ten, maybe twenty people (a minority being children to Zelda's surprise). They sat down on the floor in wonder, praying for a distraction of any kind. The Princess sat in her chair and Link stood beside her; Impaz and the Resistance waved in the back.

Zelda began, "This is one of the many legends of our people told throughout the ages. It is one of a Princess…" She trailed off to look up at Link.

He finished with pride on his face, " And a rancher…"

Special thanks to:

BlueInkWrites, Ripple(guest), Batguy2000, Uhh random guy(Guest), Nil0, The King in White, Flametwister and starbornshine.

Nil0 went above and beyond by leaving reviews for each chapter and I can't help but acknowledge how much I enjoyed reading them, specifically because he has never played the games to begin with yet has taken the time to ready this fanfic. Welcome to the Fandom! My editor SunnyAirisu222 isn't a Zelda fan either so I'm glad to hear it's not too convoluted of a story^^'
The King in White also left a short but too-the-point review on Zelda's internal monologue, and it inspired me to leave an English-class question in celebration for the new school year.

How does the Point of View affect the story? Is Zelda a reliable narrator?

My lovely editor who stops me from making a fool of myself with all my grammatical/spelling errors: SunnyAirisu22

Alright my lovelies, good luck with school (or work)! Stay hydrated, don't talk to strangers, and don't forget to smile :) Please R&R and see you next month!