Welcome Back! Now we see what happened to Zelda between Revali's Flap and the "first" memory.

The spire which the Rito Village was built around was a spectacle to witness, no matter how many times she came to visit. As she eased her horse down the final slope towards the stable, a grin slid onto Zelda's face. Here, she would be able to relax a little, escape the watchful eye of him, and just work on the Divine Beast without interruption.

Each Divine Beast would be time for just her, the machine, and the champion; meaning that she would be out from those watchful, blue eyes for a few hours. Ideally, she'd have started with Urbosa or Daruk, both of whom she knew would be exceptionally helpful and easy to get along with while she taught them how to correctly pilot their mounts, but the Sheikah here had reported certain… issues.

"Princess!"

The call came from one of the five Sheikah, all standing around the stable's entrance, who now started towards her with the fast, agile steps that only their village seemed to have mastered.

The five moved to as close as they dared, before dropping to their knees and bowing their heads. Zelda dismounted, hearing the boots of her attendant knight hit the ground just prior to hers, but she paid him no mind. She handed the reigns to one of the kneeling warrior-scholars, and addressed the one in the center of the group.

"Dr. Robbie, please, tell me what's going on. Why aren't you up on Vah Medoh with Champion Revali?"

Zelda could see very little of the faces behind their masks and strange hats, but she could tell by the shift in their stances alone that she'd hit a nerve.

"The… the Rito Elder has refused anyone to enter Vah Medoh without the permission of the esteemed Champion Revali. As he is currently aboard the Divine Beast, and mastering it as well as can be hoped. Meanwhile, we've been unable to gain entrance to the machine."

Zelda stomped her foot, a scowl crossing her face.

"That thrice-damned Rito pride. I swear, Revali and his Elder are going to be the death of us all."

She began to make her way towards the village, her appointed knight settling in behind her, silent and distant. She could feel his eyes on her, but despite all her senses, she could not sense what the Sheikah saw as she stormed over the first bridge. The subtle quirk of her knight's lips, the left edge making a small smile for a single heartbeat before he returned to his stoic expression. It wasn't a snide look, or sarcastic, but genuine; the look of someone who was happy to see someone they didn't see often.

What she could hear were the words the Sheikah muttered as she left them behind.

"...Never seen him do that…"

"...Could have sworn he never smiled…"

The idea that her knight found her plight humorous was even more enraging than the plight of her assigned scientists. She began to walk faster, wondering if she could just keep walking until she left everyone behind.

As it happened, she could not. What she could do was leave her knight behind on the landing while she consulted the Elder privately.

"See if you can find a way to get his attention, so we can at least attempt to get his 'permission'." She scoffed at the word, and received a nod in response. Then he turned and stared up at the passing automata.

Zelda shook her head at the foolish boy, wondering if he was attempting to simply will the thing to come down to him, like how the sword had likely come out for him.

While he waited below, she went to meet with the rather young elder of the village, an owl-like Rito with half of his feathers a pale tan, and the rest a deep brown. He was certainly the oldest Rito, but that by no means was a feat compared with what it used to be.

A recent plague had reduced their numbers by large swaths, leaving Revali and Keneli as the oldest two Rito, though both were only just into their prime. There had been a few older Rito who had survived, but none of them had been able to hold the position of Elder for longer than a year, before natural causes made them relinquish the post to the younger generation.

"Ah… Princess… Zelda…" He said, his voice slow and as if he had to think between each word to translate or remember who he was speaking to.

"Elder Kaneli, it's good to meet you." She bowed her head respectfully, to which the Rito seemed grateful.

"I would that you had come before the great plague, and met my predecessor… Elder… Elder… hm... " The Rito shook his head, "Regardless, I am glad you have come. It is about time you take your feisty guards from here, so you may utilize them elsewhere."

Zelda had half a mind to break all rules of decorum and tell the "Elder" exactly what she thought of that plan, but her oldest training in the rules of the court stopped her, almost like an invisible hand clamping down on her shoulder to remind her of her place.

"Actually, I was hoping to speak with you about allowing them to assist Champion Revali. The Divine Beast is still newly unearthed, and it could still experience various failures that my Sheikah are uniquely suited to handle. Suppose a propellor snapped, or one of the power sources shut down unexpectedly? Without someone who has skills in the area of repair, Revali will be only a few moments from crashing into the ground, and would likely lose his life!"

The Rito Elder seemed to consider that for a moment, but then shook his head.

"Quite impossible. Vah Medoh flies you see, as does Champion Revali. They'll be quite capable of landing safely if they so choose."

Zelda was saved bursting and releasing her anger upon the foolish bird when a rattling shook the platform. The two stumbled as the wood beneath their feet vibrated, gusts of wind whirling past the open windows as a dark object shot past the Elder's room, and down from the divine beast above them. It didn't take a genius to know who it had been.

"Very well, Elder Kaneli. We'll leave you to your own devices. I'll have my sheikah aid the other champions."

Bowing slightly, she turned on her heel and departed for the landing. Zelda didn't trust herself to speak further. She'd been snubbed too many times today. Before she could collect her knight however, she heard a voice coming around the corner she knew only too well.

"...it seems I have been tapped to merely assist you. All because you happen to have that little darkness-sealing sword on your back."

So, Revali too understood how troubling Link's natural position in the group was. Perhaps she hadn't given the Rito enough credit. Deciding to enjoy Link's telling off, Zelda simply waited and listened.

"I mean, it's just...asinine. Unless...you think you can prove me wrong? Maybe we should just settle this one on one?"

Hm, having Link and Revali duel might be interesting. Especially if Link lost, perhaps gaining some humility in failure...

"But where…? Oh, I know! How about up there?! Oh, you must pardon me. I forgot you have no way of making it up to that Divine Beast on your own!"

Revali took off, calling back to Link as he went, though his words were indistinguishable from the rushing wind. His departure left Zelda feeling a bit more annoyed. Now she was without entertainment as well.

Moving around to where Link was standing, Zelda noticed his expression. It wasn't the annoyance and wounded pride she'd expected. He was... disappointed?

The pair departed from the village in silence, both silently frowning as they picked up their horses and began to ride back to the castle. Zelda was confused and felt her resentment against those around her fade into the background. Why wasn't he angry? Frustrated, at the very least?

While she pondered, they departed the Rito lands, the sheikah vanishing into the distance before they'd cleared the first ridge.

The next day, they reached the castle well before noon and Zelda had delivered her report before lunch had been served. Unfortunately, the King did not see the issue as his daughter had, much to her frustration.

"Excellent! If the Rito have already mastered their Beast, and so quickly, it means we will have more time and resources to train the less proficient of our team. I believe the other Sheikah will be sending their reports tomorrow, so you should be able to design your schedule accordingly."

Zelda fumed at his casual dismissal of her opinion, as well as his lack of faith in her ability to identify the problems in her Champions. Rather than eating, she went back to her room and summoned one of the guards from beside her doorway. She would take the Champions' messages tomorrow, yes, but she'd be taking them somewhere far away from Hyrule Castle.

"Send word to the royal horsemasters. I'll be riding out alone tomorrow for Riverside Stable, and I don't expect to return before late. Please have any messages directed to the stable and on to me."

"Yes Highness."

There were various places and reasons she might head out that direction, and her father could and would guess any number of them. However, she would not give him a direct answer. Her actual reason was due to a letter she'd received some time earlier, from her best friend among the Sheikah scientists. A vivacious girl named Purah.

Purah had mentioned a new type of shrine had been found atop the Great Plateau, which had only moderate civilization around it, thanks to the easily blocked entrance to the Plateau proper limiting the spiritual pilgrimages to its top, and the decline of gladiator fights cutting down the once common trade to the town at the base of the formation. Zelda knew of only two supposed shrine types, and one of them was only a myth. This new shrine was going to be her way of relaxing tomorrow. No more knights and stubborn bird-men, simply her and her friends inspecting and studying the ancient devices.

As she entered her room, she found a tray was placed on her bedside table, with a small note beside the metal dome.

Princess,

You can't skip meals. It's dangerous for your health, and your father would kill me if you got sick from something I could have prevented. Either way, I figured chicken was a good choice tonight.

The note was unsigned, but she knew exactly who'd written it. The way the letters swirled at the ends of the words was identical to how her Assigned Knight wrote the previous note.

Zelda shook her head in mock annoyance, her lips tilting up slightly. If he kept this up, she'd probably live to be over a hundred. She'd never do anything exciting or die heroically. She'd be stuck living a quiet life and end up in bed when her time came. He'd probably fight her on dying then too.

Frowning slightly at the rather dull concept, she set aside her plans for the morrow's early ride, sat down, and began to eat. She was enjoying her personal utensils more than she wanted to, munching down on the excellently prepared meal. If he wasn't so accursedly well-placed and talented, she might have enjoyed having such an excellent chef as her attendant.

Still, maybe she should take him along tomorrow, for appearances' sake.

Before the sun had climbed over the edge of the sea, Zelda and Link were already walking away from the stables and towards the gray smudge that was the Plateau. She'd purposefully left Storm and Epona behind in the stables, knowing they'd throw off her father's estimations of her destination, as well as let her walk off some of her frustrations.

As the princess, Zelda never got as much time to exercise as she liked to have. She was allowed to train with a bow, as her mother's heirloom was supposedly magical in nature, but little else besides walking about the castle and riding her horse. The long hike across the uneven country would do her good, especially if she didn't take the roads quite as literally as others did.

Somewhere behind her, she felt her Knight's eyes on her back. He was watching her, as always. It was somewhat unnerving, knowing he was always taking careful note of her every more and surroundings. Not to mention the feeling of his gaze.

It was intense, and deathly focused. What emotions were beneath those blue eyes? What concepts and thoughts ran rampant behind the sealed lips and stoic expression that always surrounded the Knight who was just a little behind her?

Zelda didn't know. She could probably wonder until Din's Day, and make no leeway on the question. She could always ask, but what if he didn't answer? How frustrating and even more confusing it would be then.

Without realizing, Zelda began to walk faster, clutching the Sheikah Slate in her hands with a vice grip while she made a beeline for the entrance to the plateau, ignoring both the roads and the trees that showed her an easier path in a different direction. She heard his boots matching pace on the grass, and her mood did not lighten as they continued onward.

The sun's rays had begun to illuminate the area when Zelda reached the small village that nestled at the base of the plateau, with the majority of the houses already empty. She would have paid them no mind and simply climbed the flights of stairs that lead up into the mountainous formation, but something gripped her before she could emerge from the trees. It wasn't a tangible object, but rather a feeling of social teaching gripping her throat and heart. She couldn't breathe or move, but simply stood, staring at the houses.

Knowing exactly what to do, she smiled her professional smile, and set her posture into one a proper princess ought to have. The tightness loosened and vanished, leaving Zelda to enter the city as she was supposed to. As Princess Zelda of Hyrule. She didn't notice the worried look on Link's face behind her.

Despite wanting to feel out of breath, Zelda's training made sure she looked fresh and prim as she strolled across the cobblestone road. She smiled at the children and elderly, waving slightly as she angled for the entrance. By the time she managed to reach the first step, her cheeks and eyes felt stiff and tired. Every one of her smiles was false or sarcastic these days, or at the very least forced.

Climbing the stairs, listening to the echo of her shoes on the stone, Zelda was careful to note exactly how far back Link was. She waited, and counted, then heard his boot against the first stair echo up to her. Fourteen steps behind her precisely. As they ascended, she realized he'd even matched her footsteps, synchronizing the echoes into a single set of notes.

Such perfection, so effortless on his part. Zelda wished he could know even a tenth of the struggle she faced in her own ineptitudes, but knew that no such wish would be granted to her by any of the gods. Not the Dragons, not the three Golden Goddesses, not the Gerudo's Goddess of the Sand and Seven Warriors, and most certainly not the Goddess Hylia. No one heard her prayers, and no one listened to her cries. No one she'd heard about, anyways.

Before her mood could sour further, a white-haired girl of roughly her own age popped up beside her with a wide grin.

"Zel! C'mon gimme a Snap!"

Running a hand over her face, Zelda sighed and let herself relax a little. Oh, to have friends like this and consider her the most normal of the group.

"No? Aw, Zel… you're breaking my heart."

Purah perked up as she saw Link pop up from the stairs.

"Linky! C'mon, you've gotta. Snap for me!"

When he remained silent, as usual, Purah raised her arms to the sky and groaned.

"Can't anyone give me a good Snap?"

An echo of thunder came from across the valley that separated the Gerudo Highlands from the Plateau proper. Purah walked to the edge and pointed accusingly in the direction of the desert.

"I didn't ask for your input, Urbosa!"

Zelda was a little taken aback, but laughed a little as she watched the antics of her friend. Seeing her smile, Purah grinned as well.

"Oh good, it worked. I don't think I'm funny enough to keep that up for long."

"What worked?"

"I got you to smile, didn't I?"

Zelda didn't have a retort for that. So, instead she just followed her friend up the hill. She had some research to get done.

"Come on then, 'Sir Linky'." She said teasingly as the group headed for the entrance to the shrine. Zelda could have sworn she heard a grumble from behind her, but she couldn't be sure.

As Purah regaled her with tales of her Guardian research, Zelda felt her worries start to fade away. Rogue limbs that attacked squirrels, lasers that had carved love notes into rock faces, and even one event where a Lynel had been fried and how it had been the toughest meat anyone had ever tasted. It was far too soon when they reached the entrance to the shrine.

"You're right, it is different from the others."

Most shrines were identical in shape, with the main dome atop a roughly pear-shaped platform, and a small pedestal extending out of the side. Their research indicated that the Slate she possessed was the key to opening the shrines, via that pedestal. This new shrine however, was a cave.

The entrance was identical to the others', with the strange sand-colored swirls around the door frame, but instead of being closed by an array of metal pillars, this one was completely open. A set of stairs lead down to a small ridge, with a puddle of water collecting at the base. Where the stairs were supposed to resume, the traditional structure of Sheikah architecture was evident, including blue lights on the walls.

"We've been unable to open the secondary doorway, but we're hoping you'll be able to help us with that."

Purah looked meaningfully at the Slate on her hip.

"While we've been waiting, we've also brought a few supplies in for storage here. After-all, the climb in and out is just exhausting."

Zelda gazed down at the water timidly, not wanting to break a leg on her landing. Before she could decide how best to get down, Link sidled past her and jumped directly into the puddle, crouching to disperse the momentum as he landed. As she stared down at him, open-mouthed, he grinned up at her and offered his arms. Evidently, she was safe to jump after him.

She might have accepted the offer, but a certain blancette was nearby, and Zelda didn't particularly want to deal with her friend's teasing. Instead, Zelda began to climb down herself. She made it to the bottom perfectly safely, and was about to dust off her legs and ignore her Knight entirely, when her shoe slipped on a piece of wet stone.

With how low she was, Zelda would have fallen all of two inches and then hit the water. However, she didn't fall more than one inch. A pair of very strong hands caught her, and suddenly she felt very warm.

"Oh, thank you…" She said, a little stunned.

Link merely nodded, and helped her stand up. Zelda turned away and brushed off the dirt on her clothes, pretending she hadn't seen the tint of red that had swelled on his cheeks.

"N-now, let's get to work. I have no doubt messengers will be here soon to collect me on matters of Divine Beast repair."

And so they got to work, opening the Shrine and studying the mechanics within. Zelda's predictions were slightly off on two counts. The first being that her father's messengers would be able to find her before nightfall. The second, that the shrine was even remotely similar to the others they'd studied.

The next morning, Zelda had awoken in the cave to the sight of Link blocking out the sunrise, evidently preventing the royal messengers from disturbing her sleep. Perhaps she should have taken a nap in the machine, and set it to heal her for the next two years instead.

As Always, I love all of you! Review and critique to your hearts' content! Until next chapter.