I so wanted to get this out yesterday on the first anniversary of Breath of the Wild's release, but hey, better late than never huh? This ends Part 2 of the story, and I want to thank everyone for supporting this story up to this point. Part 3, in my planning, at least 10 chapters long, but it could go longer. It will be a while too. I'll be putting this story on the backburner until July or August. I will write but won't update until then as I start another story I promised would come out as I got to this part of Before the Wild.

The new story cover is art released by Nintendo yesterday to commemorate the anniversary. I had to use it as it showed our two heroes together, though Link looks kinda pissed for some reason lol.

In the meantime, thank you all, especially those who got past Chapter 14. Enjoy the chapter.

Edit: I forget the part where Link says he's quiet because he has burdens to carry, so I added that fact.

Days later, Hyrule Castle, Link

"...And that is the end of my report, Your Majesty. The four Champions and their Divine Beasts are getting along well with the adjustments tailored to their needs. Mastery of the beasts should be very soon..."

Someone is lying. Tired from travel and really wanting to get out as quick as possible (while being respectful, of course), Link kept his mouth and face silent as the princess reported on their two-week long journey across Hyrule in the king's study. It was filled with truth about the Divine Beasts and their pilots, but Zelda avoided a lot of events that happened. She didn't speak of her excursion in Hebra (Link and Zelda's first argument), the monsters upon Death Mountain (Link almost intervened, but Zelda spun a different story to tell for the rise of stronger monsters), and she definitely avoided the clash with the Yiga (Link wasn't going to protest against that). However, keeping his eyes on the king was troubling as Zelda continued to talk. Link had an inkling King Rhoam knew his daughter well enough that he could tell she was leaving things out. Once he looked at Impa, but her face was as blank as his. Zelda definitely told her everything. He caught a break in the elder Sheikah's countenance when Zelda started on the report of Gerudo after Zelda emphasized that "everything went smoothly" in the desert realm. The only person who Link wasn't sure about was his own father, who stood beside Link with his arms folded.

The elder Hyrule nodded as his daughter finished, standing out of his chair. "Well, we still have work to do, and if what you say about the monsters is true, time is ticking. It is even more imperative that you continue your training, understood?"

Link watched as Zelda's shoulders slumped and her head fell. Sympathy filled him, and a weird desire to reach out for her banged in his heart. He squashed it quickly. There was no room for his hormones to act up here. "Yes… I understand."

"Good. You are dismissed. Impa." Zelda turned on her heel, slowly making her way out of the study. As she opened the door, she looked up to Link, a sadness in her eyes that she wanted him to see. Once more, Link fought his struggling emotions but allowed the right side of his mouth to stretch slightly.

"I know it is late, and we are both tired from traveling, but… When my father is done drilling you...come to my quarters."

This telepathy thing was still new to Link (this is the first time since Gerudo she hadn't spoken to him verbally) but for some reason it felt...easy and reliable to Link. He nodded, and Zelda left the study with Impa, leaving father, son, and liege alone. Link uncomfortably shifted his gaze to the now-seated king and the latter's appointed knight, unprepared for what the king could ask of him. King Rhoam just stared at the boy, an action Link was familiar with but with the king, it felt like his life was in danger. That was funny, considering his life is in danger just by being the instrument the king needs to save the world. "Well… You did your job well. My Zelda has returned safely. I will have to thank you for that." Link almost questioned how Rhoam didn't notice her wounds but remembered Zelda had more than one of her blue shirt. Thank Nayru for that.

"You're welcome, sir."

"However, as smart she is, and no matter how well trained in deception she can be, I know she hid something from me. Some events happened at different locations across Hyrule, and I know this because Impa cracked her stoicism when Zelda mentioned the Eldin and Gerudo regions. So, Link, you are an honest man, are you not?"

Link bit his lip. "Sire, I am as you describe, but…"

"But?"

"Am I...sworn to Princess Zelda? So if she decides not to tell some events, am I sworn to uphold her decision as her appointed knight?"

Rhoam raised his eyebrows. "A well-made point, but it was I who gave you such a position, and I do supersede any decision as Zelda makes as her father first and her king second. So, I ask again, what didn't she tell me?"

Link sighed, then spilled the beans. "What she said was mostly true. But she left out some events. In Hebra, she ran off to do a survey of a shrine, and we argued once I caught up to her. On Death Mountain, I...foolishly engaged the group of monsters Princess Zelda described. We defeated them, but my injuries led us to Princess Mipha. Finally, in Gerudo…" Link knew he couldn't lie now, but to speak that the murderers of Rhoam's wife attacked his daughter troubled Link.

Luckily enough for Link, his father chimed in. "The Yiga made their presence known?"

"...Yes, sir." Link smartly decided not to say Zelda was on her own. He would protect that fact in his heart.

Rhoam nodded, then turned to his desk. "Then I have more to thank you for, Link. I know Zelda is a fighter in her own right, but to know she had you by her side… Thank you. You are dismissed."

Link bowed and turned to the door, but before opening it, Link had to speak some words in his mind. "Her Highness fought off most of the Yiga herself. I didn't have to aid her. If anything, Your Majesty, she does a damn fine job on her own." Not waiting on the king's response, Link exited the study, taking a deep breath as he stood out in the dark, empty library. Being with the king made the normally calm boy a nervous wreck, but now remembering that Zelda wanted to see him, that nervousness stuck to him like Chu-Chu Jelly.

"You still aren't telling one thing."

"AH!" Link jumped aside, frightened by the sudden appearance of Impa. Zelda must have dismissed her at the door of the study. Recomposing himself, he looked to Impa, confused at her accusation. "What do you mean?"

Impa placed her hands on her waist. "You've been a little on edge ever since you arrived at the castle. Now I could attribute it to nervousness, but you had nothing to be scared of coming here to the castle, so I ask again, what aren't you telling anyone, including Zelda?"

So demanding everyone is today. "I am tir-"

"I said the truth."

The way Impa cut her voice sent a chill down Link's spine, and as if Impa had a lens that can dispel the truth, he told the truth. "I had a dream days ago. The castle was under attack, Calamity Ganon had returned, and Zelda and I were closing in on the throne room to fight him. But as we got there, the devil unleashed a plan of his own… I don't understand what it was though. He attacked the Guardians, and that's I can remember."

"Hmm…" Impa stroked her cheek, pondering Link's tale. "You are sure this was a dream?"

"I hope it is just a dream."

"Hmph...well, hopefully, it is just that. Meanwhile, the princess has ordered your presence in her chambers alone and thought I do trust you with her alone, hoping you got the best intentions with her alone, I must say this." Impa stepped up to Link, lowering herself to put her red eyes directly in front of his blue. "If you do anything, and I mean anything, with the daughter of Hyrule that is not of your duty as her knight, and if you need a more vivid description of that, I suggest you keep your pants on."

Link believed his vocal cords lost function, for he couldn't even speak against what Impa said. She thinks he would...Link would never...not in his dreams… He wouldn't dare try to take advantage of Zelda, definitely not in the same castle both of their parents work in and where Impa and any other Sheikah is a teleport away.

Maybe in the dreams, but that's it.

"Do you understand me, Sir Link?"

"I… Yes… Yes, I do, Lady Impa."

Impa stood back straight up, flashing Link a smile as if the conversation that just happened had been a pleasant one. "Go on now. If the Princess needs me, tell her I am with Sheik." Link had no idea who this Sheik was, but didn't question it. He nodded his head and left the library as quickly as he could.

Impa watched Link leave, her smile dropping as she folded her arms again. "No sir, I don't believe what he says is a dream… I believe it is our worst nightmare, and if it is indeed a vision, is it a vision we can change, or is it set in stone?... There's only one thing we can do, and that's to pray Rhoam's daughter is ready."

Third Person

Zelda sat on her bed, awaiting her appointed knight wherever he was. She hoped her father wasn't interrogating Link, not that she didn't suspect he knew she hid some things from him, but to grill Link over them… Well, if His Majesty wanted the entire truth, he asked the right guy for it. Now she wondered if she could do the same thing. She had invited Link to her room-alone for that matter-and the poor knight had no clue why. In turn, Her Highness didn't have one either, but if she had to pinpoint one, it would be the result of the guilt built up for the last three days ever since Link saved her from the Yiga.

When they returned to Urbosa, the Gerudo Chief gave the Princess of Hyrule, her superior in many ways, the sternness scolding Zelda had ever received outside of Hyrule Castle. If Zelda had a Silver Rupee every time Urbosa said her something akin to "what the hell was you thinking, Zelda" the Princess could possibly bargain with Calamity Ganon. While Zelda took the chastising Urbosa delivered like a mailman in a red cap, Link actually intervened on his liege's behalf, saying that Zelda was in no real danger, that actually it was her that saved Link's hide (partially true-even as skilled Link was, seven Yiga was a fight he wouldn't win unless it was pyrrhic), and hadn't they been together, who knows what could have happened to either of them. Plus, with the Yiga exposing themselves to the Hero and Princess, they know how much of a threat the two are, and they won't be taken lightly.

"Call it a test of strength, a minor one at that."

When Urbosa finally left the Princess alone, Zelda couldn't even manage to face Link, only squeaking out a "thank you" and preparing herself for the adjustments she'll make to Vah Naboris for its pilot. Once that was done, Zelda wanted to leave the desert, and though it was closing in on nightfall, Link compiled without argument. The next two days of travel was quiet as usual, maybe even more so since they both knew where they were going and where to stop. They returned to the castle just three hours ago, and after a meal in the dining hall was immediately summoned to her father's study.

But the time between Gerudo Desert and now wasn't totally quiet. Zelda had always pondered on how to make her relationship with Link less hostile ever since they had a talk on the beach in the Wetlands, but either she or Link would say or do something to impede that. In retrospect, their weariness should postpone this to tomorrow, but since she couldn't stand to be filled with her guilt any longer, it would have to be tonight for them to talk things over.

Zelda looked at her closed doors. Link was taking a long time to get here… Maybe he was lost? No, wait… Zelda sensed Link coming down the corridor to her room. She didn't know whether to meet him at the door or wait for him to knock, so she let her body guide her. He body sent her to the door, but not to beat Link to it. The young knight had barely knocked twice before Zelda opened it.

Link, shocked that Zelda was so quick to answer, bowed only his head. "Princess."

"Sir Link. Come in." Zelda took the lead while Link followed Zelda into her room. Finally getting past the double wood doors, Link eyed the filled bookcases lining the south wall around a desk. Many papers were stuck against the wall, possibly Zelda notes when she does research and such. He knew she had a study nearby (it would be the tower across the bridge connected to this room, where he first met Zelda when they were kids) but never expected her notes to be placed here as well. To his right was a lit fireplace, keeping the room a comforting temperature as the atmospheric temperature began its seasonal fall. Above it was a portrait of the Royal Family when Zelda was a small child and her mother was alive. That might be the only reason Zelda hasn't updated it to a more recent painting, to remember her mother every time she was in this room. Following the wall were wardrobes and other storage containers before getting to Zelda's queen-sized bed, draped in red and white covers. In the middle of the room was a single chair with a footrest and a table in front of it. It was here that Zelda paused, gesturing to Link. "You may sit here if you like."

Link hesitated, unsure what to make of Zelda's politeness. This was not the Princess he spent two weeks with. "Umm… Thank you, Princess." Link removed the sheath on his back, setting it on the wall by the fireplace before sitting in the chair. It was comfortable beyond measure, and a small part of Link felt wrong for sitting in it. He wasn't a lowly peasant, but he wasn't a true nobleman either. However, if his job had anything to say, he will savor sitting in this chair.

Zelda wasn't done with the pleasantries. Returning from her desk, she held a silver tray with two white teacups and a pitcher. "I… I made tea while I waited on you. It is an original recipe I created, so...you can't get it from the dining hall, and it might not taste good to you…"

Link took a cup and the pitcher, pouring some of the Princess's original recipe. He studied the pale blue-green color of the substance, smelling the scents of Hylian Herb and Blue Nightshade. Raising the cup to his lips Link took a sampling sip of the tea, keeping his face blank as he set the cup on the platter currently placed on the table. He looked at the waiting Zelda, who looked at her knight with worry he would reject the tea. She didn't need to worry about that. Somehow, Link's digestive tract felt like fairies were surfing down it, blessing each cell in his body with energy. "It's perfect. Indescribably good." Zelda was relieved. She knew it was good to her, but never had she shared the tea with anyone else. Smiling, she walked back to her desk, raising the chair beside it and bringing it to the table to sit with Link. She sat down and began to fiddle with her fingers. Link, bothered that the Princess was acting weird, finally called out the elephant. "Princess, is something wrong?"

"...Yes. I just don't know how to voice it to you."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean… Ok, I'll just speak my mind. I have been an utter ass to you, for no fault of your own." Zelda looked up to Link, who looked like he'd seen a Moblin in a tutu.

"Umm...what?"

"I am admitting that ever since you were appointed my knight, I have treated you unfairly. I've defied your orders, rightful as they were. I've mocked your accomplishments, even when my own are simple feats. I've been nothing short of a...of a...of a lady in a red dress!"

Link frowned. "A hooker who claims to "help you" and invites you into her home?"

Zelda shook her head. "No… A woman who stirs up stuff in a pot and calls herself Maple."

"A witch?"

"No, but it sounds like that...it's not clicking right now..."

"A switch?"

"No, ugh… I'm so tired I cannot think… What do you call a crazy woman?"

"...Oh. Bitch."

Zelda nodded as she looked at her lap. "Yeah, that. I've been a bitch to you."

Link unconsciously nodded. She wasn't lying, but in her defense, he did earn some of her attitudes. "It's fine Princess, I kinda deserved it on occasion."

"Not all of it." Zelda glanced at the sheathed sword that seals the darkness, letting a tear fall down her cheek. "Ever since I was born, the weight of Hyrule's salvation rested with me. My preparation began the day I could cast a flame when I was three, but it wasn't until I was six that the real training began. It wouldn't be much sooner before I would lose my mother… For a decade I struggle to tap into this damned power. Not even a hint as to how I got to do it, not even a sign that I managed to come close to it. Just failure upon failure. So I sought other avenues to find some success. Research was something I was always good at, so I spent time with Purah and Robbie, then I managed to convince Purah to convince Impa to train me. I succeeded with the bow as a kid, succeeded with magic as I became a teenager, and could go head up with Impa and Sheik as I became 15. All of those I worked my royal ass off, and I achieved what I desired. I have prayed for ten years for my power to seal the darkness, and I….. Then there is you. We went to the Lot ok Woods, you put your hands on the sword and without much struggle made it your own weapon. Can you possibly imagine how that feels? To know that your dedication and hard labor bears no fruit, yet someone else can just have his crops without much effort? So I hated you from the moment you pulled that sword out, not because you didn't deserve it, but because I was envious. Afterward, every achievement you conjured made me more and more spiteful of you. You defeated a Guardian with a pot lid. How the hell does that happen? So anything we both did, I made my achievement seem much better than you, whether it was true or false. The Lynels, for example… I didn't defeat it myself. I almost died doing so, and the Sheikah had to come assist. I did kill it, but while you were being a hero, I was being a fool. For ten years, I've been made a fool. My mother told me that my power will come from my heart, but I've been a fool to not figure out what that even means. You don't understand what it means to not have this power. You don't understand having to hear whispers about you in your own damn house. You don't understand what it's like to look at your father and tell him that you haven't summoned the power to save his country. You don't it feels like to look at your citizens, who are depending on you to stop Ganon, and to silently look away because most likely you are dooming them all... You don't understand Link. You just don't understand!"

Zelda found herself on the walkway between her room and her study, tears running out her eyes, knelt down and leaning over the stone barrier. She didn't even know how she got here, or where Link was. Had she been ranting to the outside world? Zelda continued to cry, just as a pair of arms raised her up and turned her around, resting her wet head on a clothes shoulder, comforting hands holding her head and back.

"You aren't as alone as you think you are, Zelda." Link held the Princess back so just he could look at her beautiful and distressed face. Using the hand on the back of her head, he caressed her face, wiping her glossy green eyes. "You really don't realize how much alike we are."

"How can we possibly compare? You're so...perfect."

"I don't mean in our various successes and such, but if you want to start there, I can barely fire an arrow as quickly as you can. Magic would be a godsend for me. Sheikah training sounds like hell compared to knight training. You did all that, whereas I wouldn't be able to. As for me, look! I'm not the strongest knight, the fastest, the tallest, just so happens my best quality is my skill. I consider me beating knights at childhood pure luck, and I had to work my ass off. I hadn't beaten my father or some of the older knights, and remember Groose? We are evenly matched. It wasn't always like that. He used to kick my ass when I was a kid. When I finally mastered the sword, I challenged him. He used a spear and kicked my ass. So I learned the spear. I challenged him, he beats me with a freaking ax. I learned the ax, I challenged him, he kicked my ass with a greatsword. I tried the greatsword, challenged him again, and…the same result, but through my failures, I kept trying. I always thought I kept trying because I wanted to beat Groose but that wasn't the case at all. I kept trying because I was always being watched. I am my father's son, so I was the supposed model warrior. I could not fail. I had to be the best, like no one ever was. It sucked then, as I had a shortage of friends but an abundance of enemies. In so many ways, I was watched by the eyes of many yet I was alone. I hated it. Many days I hated being the son of Sir Rusl Ordon of Hateno. Many days I wished I could be known for what I've done, not known by my name. So being the Hero of Hyrule was...something I thought would get me some recognition that I deserve. That backfired the moment I picked up the sword. Your father, the Champions, Mipha even, the entirety of Hyrule...Everyone now looked to me as their savior. I can feel their eyes on me and the sword right now. I hated it, but before now, I was envious that you never had someone bat an eye at you. No one gave a damn about their 'failure' of a princess, but me… I was a god. A reminder of hope. I took your place as the light of Hyrule and I so hated it then and I hate it now."

Zelda gasped at Link's confession. "You...were envious of me?"

"Yes. No one but me watched you in our travels, but everyone but you watched me. Imagine what the Zora thought when they saw you carry me to them, or what the Gerudo and Rito pondered when I lost you. And now… I'm supposed to fight the devil himself? How am I supposed to do that? They think I'm brave enough to do it, and I am brave enough to do it, but… Courage is not the absence of fear, it the ability to overcome it. However, I am deathly afraid. Some sword on my back qualifies me to fight Ganon? What if something goes wrong? What if the Divine Beasts fail to weaken Ganon? What if I...don't beat Ganon? What if...you aren't ready? Everything can go wrong, and I…have too much weight on my shoulders. So yes, Princess, I do understand what you go through because, on a very different path, have come to the same destination. That's why I am the silent person that I am. That's why I look invincible, perfect to you and to all. Someone has to carry a burden, and I choose to carry mine quietly."

Zelda leaned back into the nook between Link's chin and chest, still trying to recompose herself. "We're a mess, huh?"

"Yes. Yes, we are. A divine mess." Link wrapped his arms around Zelda's waist, and Zelda wrapped her arms around Link's midline. Though neither voiced their thought, they shared the same idea. This...this is perfect.

Zelda stepped back, wiping her face. She looked up to Link, who looked completely embarrassed. "Link?"

"Princess, I am sorry for...this. It was inappropriate."

"Link, tonight was not inappropriate by any means, and if it was, it was by my initiation. But worry about that no more. Do me three favors. One, please be the friend I never had, and two...when we're together, call me Zelda and only Zelda. I'll drop 'Sir Link' in place of Link if that makes you comfortable. Three, never again carry your burden alone. My burden is yours, and your burden is mine."

Link thought about it for a moment and made the mistake of looking into Zelda's pleading eyes. In truth, he needed her as a friend as much as she needed him. "As… As long as it doesn't interfere with my duty as your knight, I guess so."

"Thank you, Link. Now it is getting late, so I will relieve you for the night." Zelda led the procession back to her room and to her doors, opening one to let Link out. The knight grabbed his weapon, then made it to the Princess.

"Goodnight..." Link paused while he looked down the hallway. Coast was clear. "...Zelda."

Zelda smiled. "Good night, Link. And…" Zelda raised herself on her toes, planting a small but impactful kiss on Link's left cheek. She lowered herself, her action not yet processed in her mind. "Thank you for saving me from the Yiga."

Link, however, was cherry-faced. "You...are welcome, Zelda." Link stepped outside, heading down the hallway, trying his best to not walk giddy like a child. A smile formed on his face as he tried his best not to rub the right cheek.

Meanwhile, Zelda closed her door, kicked off her shoes, and threw herself on her bed. She finally realizes what she did, but for some reason, she didn't regret it. She had kissed Link. A girl kissed a boy. The fairest maiden in all the land had kissed the greatest knight.

The Princess of Hyrule had kissed the Hero of Hyrule.