AN: Skip this part if you are not a guest! This is just guest reviews! You already got your reply (probably), and this is guests only! Go away! Real AN is downstairs!

notaname: At least it's not Beedle anymore (or Navi... those were dark days, even though I had never laughed harder). What? No, this chapter DEFINITELY doesn't have us staring awkwardly into Link's mind. Definitely not. And there definitely isn't a big change of thought that is turning everything you may have believed on its head (might be exaggerating a bit, but whatever). My writing is always a work of art (it really isn't... I've burned some of the stuff)! Hmm... not bad. I'll put it on my list of things I'll consider including, though I'll probably end up throwing in some stuff before the Liari/Zellie conversation. I had to earn the money for my Switch too! ...except I only had to pay half. Not important. Oh no... what's that feeling in my bones? Is it...? Could it be...? OH NO! THE MOST COMMON AND DEADLY DISEASE... SPRING. FEVER. Weird. It should be spring where I'm at by now, but there's still a foot of snow on the ground. Oooh I saw that! I was like, "what the heck is that? Is that a dead tree or something?" Then it was a rusty sword... "Sweet! I needed more stuff to break!" Oh my gosh, Purah would destroy the world! I can see it now! "BOW BEFORE ME, PUNY MORTALS! SNAP!" Link probably has done that, honestly... though it was probably a bokoblin or something. OH WAIT! I actually did something similar to that with a moblin. It did not see that attack coming. Have a nice week!

Guest: Oh, yes!

notaname (2.0): I freaking love it! Why? You reading my reviews on other stories? (insert face with one eyebrow raised here)

ROLL THE TAPE!

Chapter 9: The Rumor Mill

"After meeting with the Champions, I left to research the ancient technology, but nothing of note came of my research. The return of Ganon looms—a dark force taunting us from afar. I must learn all I can about the relics so we can stop him. If the fortune-teller's prophecy is to be believed, there isn't much time left... Ah, but turning over these thoughts in my head puts me ill at ease. I suppose I should turn in for the night."

A knock at Zelda's bedroom door brought her attention to the door of her study. "Enter," she called as she turned her chair.

Lady Impa entered with a bow. "I apologize for the interruption, Princess."

"Your apology is unnecessary, Lady Impa," Zelda said, waving it off. "What is it that you seek?"

"I wish to bring to your attention a decision your father made a few days ago," Lady Impa said with a blank expression that was common to most Sheikah. "He desires to assign you an appointed knight, who is to accompany you starting the day after tomorrow." Zelda felt her blood begin to boil.

"And who is it that he seeks to assign?" Zelda asked as calmly as she could. Most likely a highly accomplished member of the royal guard. She prayed they wouldn't be too arrogant.

"I am sure that you have heard of him," Impa stated. That's never a good sign."I believe that you have met him, as well." That wasn't a good sign, either.

"Sir Link Equitem is to become your appointed knight."

Zelda turned back to her desk, staring at the page of her diary. "I see… is there anything else that you need to address?"

"There will be a ceremony for him tomorrow," Impa pointed out. "Not only will he be taking his vows as your appointed knight, but he shall also have a somewhat public ceremony to give him his title as hero. You already have the words memorized, so you shouldn't have any complications in that area."

Zelda felt her teeth clench slightly. "Is there anything else?"

"Nothing else, Princess Zelda," Impa said with a shake of her head. "I do not believe you will have any issues with Sir Link - he is a very skilled and respectful knight - but if you have any concerns, you may voice them to me."

I doubt I will have to. Zelda thought with a huff. She hadn't expected Impa of all people to praise the knight, but that was just more proof of what he was - absolutely perfect. "You are dismissed, Lady Impa."

"Thank you, Princess. Be sure to get some sleep." Impa's voice then lowered. "Hylia knows we all need more of it," Lady Impa added quietly, making the princess unsure if she was meant to hear that last comment.

With that, the door clicked shut, leaving Zelda, once again, alone.

She turned back to her diary and scribbled down a final few words.

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

"Hero chosen by the sword that seals the darkness - you have shown unflinching bravery and skill in the face of adversity," the princess droned.

Link mentally laughed from his kneeling position on the ground. He hadn't shown bravery a single time in his life. He was skittish and terrified of everything - it had taken years for him to perfect his brave front. Skill… kind of? Even he had to admit that he had some skill. Years of training would do that to you.

"You have proven yourself worthy of the blessings…" Link noted that the princess paused slightly there. It was small and insignificant, hardly obvious, but as… punctilious as he was, he caught it. "...of the goddess, Hylia."

Link had never done a single thing to prove himself, but this was a ceremony, written ages before, that had absolutely nothing to do with him - he was overthinking things, as per usual.

"Whether skyward bound, adrift in time, or steeped in the glowing embers of twilight, the sacred blade is forever bound to the spirit of the hero. We pray for your protection-" Link was getting a bit weirded out. Spirit of the hero? Pray for your protection? This ceremony was making him seem like some sort of deity or hero incarnate! "-and we hope that - that the two of you will grow stronger together, as one."

"I am storing the exact words of this ceremony in my memory if you would like to further analyze it," Fi whispered in the back of his mind.

Link did not reply - not even mentally. After all, he was busy using up his mental energy to internally face palm at his constant mental companion.

"Gee, this is uplifting," he heard Daruk say from the small audience - the other champions (Daruk, Princess Mipha, Revali, and Lady Urbosa, he reminded himself), the most prominent members of the Hyrulean court (which unfortunately included Impa), Purah (Purah was her own category), and King Rhoam. This did not help Link's... nervousness.

"Forged in the long distant past, the sword that seals the darkness-" the princess continued, though the ceremony was getting quite repetitive, so Link turned his ears back to Daruk.

"-making it sound like we already lost," Daruk continued.

Now that Daruk mentioned it, the princess did sound quite down. It's probably because she's stuck with me now. After all, she hadn't been very fond of him since the "Explody Death Beam Episode," as Link had taken to calling it. She had also seen him in a very unrefined light in that photo that Purah had taken.

She likely despised him.

"Wasn't this your idea?" Revali scoffed in reply. "You're the one who wanted to designate the hero with all the ceremonial pomp, grandeur, and nonsense we could muster!"

I'll have to thank him for that, later, Link thought sarcastically.

"And if you ask me," Revali continued spitefully, "the whole thing does seem to be overkill." Link almost - almost - sighed. It seemed he was failing at seeming competent - the truth was coming through. "I think I'm on the same page as the princess regarding this… boy."

Boy. Well, that's what he was. He was too young for this. Why hadn't Fi chosen someone more experienced?

To Link's surprise, Fi remained silent. Normally she would make an argument. He was thankful, yet slightly weirded out at the same time.

"Oh, give it a rest," Lady Urbosa chimed in. "That boy is a living reminder of her own failures."

...Huh?

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

The princess's droning stopped momentarily. He heard her take a small, shuddering breath.

"Rise, Hero," the princess said quietly, before continuing with a firmer tone. "and save us when it matters most."

Link stood, making sure that his face was, once again, devoid of emotion. He pondered the meaning of Urbosa's words, before clearing his thoughts.

Later in the day, when Link had finally escaped the champions, he decided to take Epona out. After all, the next time he went out into the plains, he would be with the princess rather than alone. He decided that he would like to enjoy one last day out in the wild in which he could be his normal self.

Link felt a yawn coming up, but quickly swallowed it back down. He still didn't sleep as much as he used to, though the nightmares had become less frequent. Impa had her theories about it, but they couldn't be sure.

However, on his way to the stables, he was stopped in his tracks when he heard voices gossiping loudly.

"...Hylian Champion sure is something."

"I don't know about that. He seems quite strange. I've heard he's been hanging around with the Sheikah quite a lot. The Sheikah!"

"I know that they're intimidating and secretive, but what's so bad about him having friends from other races?"

"I heard there's a secret cult made up mostly of Sheikah. They've been heard to steal and murder, and worship the Calamity - maybe he's not as heroic as he seems…"

"That secret 'cult' is probably fake, idiot. Even if it is, the Sheikah I've met are nice enough. They are completely loyal to the royal family."

"W-well," the other began to argue back. "He… he even acts like a Sheikah!"

"How so?"

"He's so quiet - silent, even in movement!"

"I heard he's been getting training from Lady Impa, so that wouldn't be surprising."

"Why would he be getting training from a Sheikah? They tend to refuse to train other races…" The voice paused. "Do you think…?"

Just then, the two maids rounded the corner and stopped in their tracks, seeing the very champion they had been gossiping about.

"H-hello, Sir Link," the first greeted nervously. "Where are you off to? Aren't there all of those fancy parties being thrown in your honor?"

"Believe it or not, I am not very fond of them," Link replied blankly. "I decided that getting some fresh air would be preferable."

"Heading to the stables?"

Link nodded.

"Well… don't let us keep you," the other said slowly, bowing slightly. Then both maids hurried passed him, continuing their conversation in hushed voices.

Link held back a sigh. Impa was right about his friendliness around his Sheikah friends starting rumors. She had advised against moving so silently, as she had taught him - at least around the castle. She had also said to be more careful around his Sheikah friends (quite few in number), and to not act so familiar... But it seemed his habits did not agree.

He knew what he needed to do. He didn't want to - he really didn't... but he knew that the only way to stop the rumors and his overt friendliness towards them was to...

He was going to have to cut off his casual contact with Impa, Liari, and Purah.

Hylia, help me.

Zelda hardly ate anything at the celebration. She merely sat and smiled, trying to look as elated as all those around her. She didn't see the knight, so she assumed that he was out at Castle Town showing off his title. If not (she wasn't sure if he had that "I do not associate with peasants" mindset yet), then he was probably at another of the parties. Turns out people actually cared that a hero had been chosen.

Of course, Zelda was glad as well… but it would help if the hero wasn't arrogant and handed everything. Oh, you need the Master Sword? Here you go. Respect? Have all of it!

She may have hoped desperately to unlock her powers soon, but now another new hope was added to her list.

I hope he gets knocked down a few pegs.

If only Zellie knew what was going through Linky's mind at that exact moment. He's about to cut off contact with most of the few friends that he has. I'll let you decide whether that was a good decision or not (I know what you're all going to say XD).

OH MY GOSH IT'S BOTW'S SECOND ANNIVERSARY! Well, when I'm writing this (you won't see this until tomorrow). BUT IT IS/WAS BOTW'S SECOND ANNIVERSARY! Wow...

I've been looping this BEAUTIFUL Zelda animation, and I love the song. If you want to see it, you can find it on YouTube under the title "History has it's eyes on you - Zelda Animatic." I love it so freaking much! I might even be using it as inspiration for future chapters (Hint hint). If I do, I'll definitely be suggesting to listen to the song for the whole chapter.

As per usual, review! I love, love, love, love, love reviews! Wanna tell me how much you like it? Sure! Motivation juice! Wanna tell me all of your crazy theories about this story, or maybe just Zelda in general? Why not? Wanna criticize something? Fire at will! Remember that I don't always catch all the mistakes!

Speaking of reviews, I was thinking that it would be preferable to PM the replies to members and put guest reviews at the top. That way everyone gets their replies (no one wants to search through an extensively long author's note just to get a reply... if they even read the author's note. I see you, author's note skippers! You can't hide from me! MUAHAHAHAHAAAAAA-!)! I'm actually going to do that this chapter, and if you don't like it, go ahead and tell me! If enough people hate it, then I'll go back to normal!

Secret review phrase is... Ouch. Why? Because. Ouch.

Have a good week! Until next time!

Most sincerely (Eh),

Ari