-Prelude I-

"You are shorter than I imagined," Misses Bera, the castle seamstress, said. She was measuring the distance between Link's nape and hips, markedly surprised by how short that distance really was.

The boy remained silent, however, which was odd, but she didn't comment on that.

In fact, ever since he had been sent to her by the butler with orders from the King to be fashioned in a new tunic―and on the double mind you―he had said but maybe three words. A very odd boy, Misses Bera thought, there was no doubt about it. Certainly not who she expected to be chosen by the Master Sword. But besides that, he did seem like and agreeable lad, and hardly intimidating at all.

Misses Bera prided herself on being made of sterner stuff, after all. Not even the highest Knight in the Kingdom could make her feel nervous, no if's and's or but's about it.

"Have you had a chance to meet the Princess?" She asked, moving her measuring tape to gauge the length of his arms for an undershirt. "She is a dear little thing… so very worried about this and that all the time. Very smart, however. Keep that in mind, Master Link, very smart indeed."

"I have met her." It was a simple reply, but then again, he was a simple man. She had heard through the servant's gossiping ring that he was from Hateno… a quaint village to say the least. Definitely not the sort of town one would expect a bonified Hero to come from.

"And what do you think of her?" There was a considerable pause, but he did respond eventually.

"She is smart, like you said."

"Do you think you two will get along, dear?" Poor girl could use a companion, she thought. All the Princess really had in the way of friends was that silly Sheikah bard, but there was more bubble than substance in that foamy drink, she thought. Not that Milos was dull, far from it really, but he was still foolish boy with foolish ambitions.

Now this Hero chosen by the Sword however… Yes. There was something more in that head of his. She could practically see the gears turning like clockwork between his ears. He had the manners of a servant, no doubt about it, but there was an acute intelligence in those handsome blue eyes of his. An aptitude for more than flattery and pretty music. Misses Bera just hoped Link would be keen enough to offer the Princess real friendship; depth.

She needed it.

"I'm not sure," Link replied. Misses Bera rose and eyebrow questioningly. For once, the boy offered up more than one sentence. "I don't think she likes me."

"Why's that? Did you say something foolish?" How ironic would that have been. The near-mute boy saying something imprudent.

"I don't know," he replied, the tone of honesty evident in his soft voice.

"Well. Best you find out, dear." Misses Bera tried to offer a courteously warm smile, but his eyes were staring off somewhere else, locked in deep thought.

Chapter Three

Knighting A Hero

"Announcing his Royal Highness, King Rhoam Bosphoramus Hyrule and his daughter Princess Zelda Nohansen Hyrule!" A massive crowd had gathered in Castle Town square to watch the once in a lifetime show; knighting a Hero that had been chosen by the sword was as rare a thing could be, and so they were quite fervent over the matter. Cheers and applauds erupted from most of them―there were a fair share of sour-faced citizens―as their mighty sovereign marched out onto the stage, waving and smiling, putting on a good show for his people like he always did. It always was a show, but he played the part admirably well.

Zelda, however, was struggling to force such an enthusiastic demeanor onto herself. Standing up straight and regally beside her father was one thing, but smiling and laughing―as if seeing their subjects' praise their presence was of a most benevolent amusement―was another entirely. That, she could not do. Zelda instead focused on the feeling of the object cradled in her arms to distract herself, exploring the fine gilded carvings and smooth lacquered wood beneath her fingers.

"My good people of Hyrule," the King said, raising his hands out to silence their cheers. "Today is a most joyous day, for as I am sure you have heard whispered among the people and cried by the town criers, at last the Master Sword has chosen its wielder." That elicited a louder upheaval of cheering again, which only died with time and more shushing from the King. "I must first thank you, each and every fine soul in the realm of Hyrule, for cooperating and making such an endeavor possible. It was no small task, letting go of your sons and your husbands, leaving fields unsown, horses un-shoed, and fences un-mended so that they may answer the call of their King, and for that you have my eternal gratitude and unequivocal pride to be named sovereign over such noble and honorable people." The King smiled warmly, but Zelda did not sense genuineness in its convincing front.

"It is for that same reason," he said, "that not a hint surprise is within these old bones of mine that the valiant Hylian chosen by the Sword of Evil's Bane is a man of your own upbringing, my people of Hyrule. Not a soldier or a Knight, not a Steward or a Regent, but a simple honest hardworking common man of humble beginnings who has risen among you and answered the call of the Master Sword, freeing it from its pedestal where it had once rested for ten millennia."

Ten-thousand years, Zelda thought to herself sullenly. Why couldn't it have waited ten-thousand more? It wasn't the first time she had wished for that.

Suddenly something shifting in her peripheral vision caught Zelda's attention, wrenching her from her absentminded musings and back into the present situation. Only then did she realized that her heart was beating rather quickly, and her muscles were bundled tightly around her shoulders, so she focused on controlling her breathing, taking conscious effort to meticulously inhale and exhale at a slow rhythm.

The movement which distracted her, of course, was Link stepping forward and taking a knee before the King, Master Sword clutched carefully in his hands as if it were the most delicate thing in the world.

A new tunic had been fitted for him, simple yet suitable for the occasion, and considerably cleaner than his old worn-out gear, but besides that everything about him had remained the same. His eyes were still as stoic and unreadable as ever, and his expression flatter than a paving stone.

Odd. Zelda was certain he would be beaming like a fool with his new title; what Hylian boy didn't dream about becoming a Knight?

"And for such a feat," the King continued. "There is no greater honor I can bestow upon such a man, than to Knight him with the powers vested in me as King." Drawing his own sword from its sheath, Zelda's father considered it heavily in his capable hands and said: "Link of Hateno, Hero that has been chosen by that legendary blade of old, will you accept the title of a Knight of Hyrule, and swear to serve as a protector of Hyrule and her people?"

"Yes, my King," Link answered without hesitation, his eyes cast down at the King's feet.

"Will you hold steadfast to our laws as a purveying force of justice and righteousness in the eyes of Hylia above, through toil and trial, and do all that is in your power to fight back the coming Calamity of reincarnating Evil?"

"I will, my King," Link answered, yet again without hesitation.

"Then I hereby declare in the presence of these honest witnesses that you are knighted." The King lifted his sword and tapped each shoulder of the kneeling Hero before returning his blade to its sheath. "Rise, Sir Link of Hateno, Hero and Master of Evil's Bane."

At that the crowd erupted into its loudest cheer yet, their eyes alight with fervent adoration for their newly knighted Hero, the village boy who was destined to be their champion and savior. And at the deafening sounds of their applauds, Zelda's stomach churned and her chest swelled with…. Well. Regret…. Anger? Jealousy? In all her years as Princess, she had never received such an ovation.

The people had never chanted her name, never commended her on a job well done…

Zelda hated feeling that way, she knew it was pitiable vanity; desiring something she had never earned―clearly Link had done something of worth to earn that Sword―but goddess above she yearned for the sweet sensation of success, the feeling of her people rising to cheer her on… the feeling of a father brimming with pride for his daughter. It just wasn't fair!

But when had life ever been fair? Swallowing her pride, Zelda approached the newly knighted Hero, and with the best smile she could muster, she presented a gift to him. It truly was a pretty thing, that elegant scabbard of gold and blue; her father had it commissioned years prior when they first began the search for a Hero to pull the Sword, she was almost sad to see it go. But it had a better use now, in the hands of Sir Link.

Link rose to accept the gift, bowing his head as his sign of gratitude before sheathing the Master Sword in its new home, and buckling its strap across his chest, never a word on his lips. Even now he treated her with silence?

Zelda supposed she deserved it. After all, he was living up to what was expected of him, meanwhile she just wallowed in prayer day after day, ever unsuccessful and disappointing.

The Master Sword even looked like it belonged on his back. As if it was made just for him. The words of her father burned in the back of her mind every time she looked up and saw the hilt of that legendary blade peaking out above his shoulder. 'I want you to take careful note of the Sword in his possession, Zelda. Let it serve as your constant reminder of to what is to come… so that you do not continue to fail.'

Zelda resolved herself to leave the confines of Hyrule Castle as soon as possible. The thought alone of running into him now and seeing that sword on his back frightened her… made her feel ashamed. She needed to escape, and fast.

In the morning, I will ask father for his blessing to leave for Rito Village immediately, Zelda told herself, trying to find some sense of comfort in it. One thing was clear, she needed to avoid Link at all costs. At least until she could get her head on straight.

"Smile, Zelda," a deep voice whispered in her ear. "The people are watching." At her father's command, Zelda replaced the smile that she had let slip, and curtsied to the newly knighted Hero, backing away as the crowd nearly devoured the boy with congratulatory claps on the back and wide-eyed handshakes. It wasn't everyday the common man got to meet a living breathing Hero in the flesh.

Zelda never saw him smile, though. Not even once.

As always, thank you all so much for the reviews! I haven't had a chance to reply to some questions yet, but I will try to get to those later. Until then, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, even if its a little short.

Up next, Rito Village! Time to meet everyone's favorite/or not so favorite Falco-knock-off: Revali!

Till next time

-Bold