Chapter 16

Link tried to slow his breathing. The day he had been wanting for a long time was finally here; his knighting ceremony. He closed his eyes and focused on his breathing, remembering the trick Mr. Lynn had shown him.

Without his consent, his mind flashed back to the events of last week. The Black Shuck's body and remains had been carefully burned and repair was taking place all around the castle and town. The currant week had started with the mourning of all those who had been killed in the attack, starting with Grandfather's memorial. The country mourned for his loss as well as all who had been killed. Link's mind quickly flashed him the images of Lady Epsa and Sir Theodor as well as Squire Rhoam in his mind's eye. He shook the deceased's images from his mind as he realized his birthday had been lost in the days of mourning. He opened his eyes, knowing the anniversary of his birth diminished in comparison to what had taken place.

Link looked at his reflection in the window as he stood waiting just outside the throne room. He felt weird standing there in a ceremonial undertunic, a new pair of white pants tucked into his boots. He pulled at the thick white material, trying to cover his real undertunic.

"How're you feeling?"

Link turned to the voice, seeing Mother sneaking out of the throne room. "Nervous," Link admitted.

Mother stepped out, letting Link be able to hear the mumble of a crowd waiting before she carefully closed the door behind her. "Don't be. You've earned this." She stepped over to stand beside him and started fixing his blonde hair. Link looked at her in their reflection, for once taking her help. "Grandfather would be so proud of you," Mother said in a soft voice.

Link swallowed a lump forming in his throat, nerves and emotions trying to block his voice. "I know," Link said.

In a stronger voice Mother added, "And don't forget that the people gathered here are here to support you. Your father and siblings are here, Ben and Dina."

Link smiled at her reflection, the woman keeping her eyes to his hair as she worked on a knot that had formed.

A smiled pulled at her cheeks as she continued, "And to think my baby boy's finally found somebody."

"Maw!" Link let out, his face growing hot.

"Let me have this," Mother rebuked. "And you two better tell me far enough in advance when you want to get married."

"Not helping, you know," Link said through his teeth.

"The next time Zelda's mother's in town, send her to the ranch," Mother ordered.

The door to the throne room cracked open again, grabbing Link's attention. He pulled his hair free from Mother's hands to see Father poking his head out of the throne room.

"Merida, they're about to start," Father said. He looked at Link and gave him a smile. "To think, three years ago you were just a ranch hand. Are you happy you actually listened to me?"

Link gave him a smile, rolling his eyes.

"Alright," Mother said with a sigh. She gave Link a kiss on his cheek and said, "We'll be on the right side."

Link turned to watch them walk back into the throne room, the doors closing behind them. He took a deep breath as nerves filled him again. Hoping he would have a couple of moments to calm himself down, the door opened again.

Izo stepped out, dressed in his captain's scarf and knight's blue, and placed a strong hand on Link's shoulder. "This is a proud moment, Link. A day you'll remember forever," Izo offered. "You ready?"

Link gave him a nod, gulping down the extra emotions lodged in his throat.

Izo took his hand back and stepped over to the large double doors. He swiftly pulled the two doors wide, revealing the throne room to Link. The carpet had been removed, leaving the hard wood bare. A white carpet runner led from where he stood at the back of the room and cut through the large crowd standing there, all eyes looking back at him. The white runner led up to the throne, Link's eyes instantly falling on Zelda dressed in her royal robe of white and purple, standing before the throne.

The anthem of Hyrule started playing, cueing Link to step forward. He walked in time with the song, those in the crowd singing the ninety year old song. He noticed Mido amongst the row of Sheikah warriors and apprentices, throwing him a smile as he passed. A pang of sadness filled Link, wishing Oto could be here as well to watch. With his timing and the length of the room he stepped at the base of the steps up to Zelda and her throne at the end of the song. He stood at attention, features hard to hide the emotions he felt and looked up at the girl he loved.

"Be seated," Zelda ordered, looking at the crowd behind Link. She waited as the sound of many bodies taking their places filled the hall. Once they quieted down, she turned her eyes to the first row and asked, "Is he ready, Izo Captain of the Royal Guards of Hyrule?"

"Yes, my highness," Izo's voice said from just behind Link.

Zelda looked down at Link and started, "Link of Hyrule, son of Akria, grandson of Tsun, great-grandson of Sir Link of Skyloft." Link knew she only had to mention his father in the ceremony but she had already warned him she was going to go as far back as Grandfather. "You have trained hard, proving your power with the sword as well as your courage to protect this land. For the future do you promise to always be charitable and help defend those who are weaker and poorer than yourself?"

"I do," Link said with a nod of his head.

"Do you promise to always speak the truth, to you seniors as well as to your juniors?"

"I do."

"Do you promise to always be loyal to me as your Queen and to your fellow knights of Hyrule?"

"I do."

"Do you promise you will be the bravest you can, never avoiding dangers only out of fear?"

"I will."

"Do you promise to always be on time for any engagement of arms?"

"I do." Link quickly shut his mouth tight as a few snickers came from Mido's side of the throne room.

"Do you promise upon returning home from any adventure to share your story?"

"I do."

Zelda looked over at the people standing in the front beside her, getting the Father to step forward with a sword held horizontal in both hands. He stepped over to stand next to her and held the sword up for her to take.

Zelda took it in both hands to remove it from his hold. She took the handle in her right hand and stepped down to be on the last step before Link. "Kneel, Squire Link of Hyrule," she ordered.

Link did as ordered, resting his left arm against his left knee as he bowed his head to her. He closed his eyes, hoping his shaking wasn't evident.

Zelda carefully laid the flat of the blade on Link's left shoulder and then the right. She removed the sword and said, "Arise, Sir Link of Hyrule, Hero of the Light Sword."

Link looked up, his eyes flashing opened at the title she had just given him. He stared up at the girl a moment, seeing a small smile touching her eyes as she looked down at him. He rose to his feet, the sound of footsteps behind him catching his attention. He turned to see Izo standing beside him with a white shirt in his hands, beside him stood Lady Hugolin, who had replaced Sir Theodore as second in command, and Sir Robi, both holding items of the knighthood.

"From squire green and brown to knight blue and white, you arise in the ranks," Izo started. "I give you the white undershirt. It may not always be white but it will always remind you of beginnings. Never forget them because it is the fundamentals."

Link took the undershirt and pulled it on, knowing his mother's care of his hair would now be ruined. He pulled at the helm of the undershirt and looked back at Izo.

Izo took the blue fabric from Sir Robi's arms and said, "I give you the blue tunic and hat. It will always remind you and those who see it the sky from which we were sent to for safety until the time for us to return came."

Link took the tunic and pulled it on, taking the belt Sir Robi handed him to secure the tunic in place. He took the hat from Izo and put it on his head before standing at attention in front of his captain. He gave Izo a salute, his fist at his chest in a sharp movement.

Izo returned the salute before taking a step back to stand beside Sir Robi, letting Lady Hugolin take his place.

"You know, there's never been a rule about how one was to wear their sword," Hugolin said, a smile on her face as she looked at the sword and baldric strap in her hands. She looked up at Link and added, "You've been sure it stayed that way. Sir Link of Hyrule, Hero of the Light Sword, I give you back your sword. Wear it with pride and dignity. Use it only when the time calls for it. Don't make it a monster people fear to see but a sign of protection for the people of this town." She held out the sword to him.

Link took the sword from her, throwing it over his head and right arm so it rested on its place on his back. Once it was conferrable, he stood at attention and gave her a salute.

Lady Hugolin gave him a salute in return before stepping back to stand at Sir Izo's right side.

Zelda started clapping, signifying the end of the ceremony as the rest of the crowd followed suit.

Link looked up at the girl before him, smiling at the pride on her face. He quickly turned around to face the crowd, as he was to do, and took in all gathered. He could tell those behind him had stopped clapping, reminding him he was just the opening act for the celebrations of the day.

Once the crowd had settled down, Zelda announced, "From a knighting ceremony to a wedding, I'll step off this stage. Please give your attention to the Father."

Link held out his hand to Zelda, knowing normally she wouldn't want the act of chivalry. She took his hand and stepped the final step off the stage. They walked over to two seats reserved for them, Izo taking the seat beside Link.

Murmuring started back up as people moved around to get the wedding set up, getting Zelda to lean over to Link and whisper, "It's gonna take some time for me to get used to seeing you in blue."

"You're telling me," Link whispered back with a smile. He rubbed the back of his left hand and looked down at the mark of the Tri-Force, reminding him of a question he had for her. "Have you found where the Tri-force of Power went off to?"

Zelda shook her head, her golden tri-force earrings hitting her against the side of her face. "No. Impa's warned against just asking around since it was the Tri-force of Power. I guess she was reading the same books Izo was."

"Everything's lining up like the book said it would," Link realized, taking hold of Zelda's right hand in his left.

Zelda gripped tight to the hand holding hers. "That's what I'm afraid of."

Without warning, a song old and familiar played out. Link let go of Zelda's hand and rose to his feet as those around him did the same. He turned to look at the door to see the bride and her father only to realize she would have to be closer for him to see. Instead he turned to the front of the room where the Father and Oto stood, Oto fidgeting with the strings of his new obi. Link caught his eye and gave him a wave, silently wishing him good luck.

Oto smiled back before turning his gaze down the aisle.

Link turned his attention back to the aisle, waiting to see Pepper and Ben. Once they were close enough, Link took in the basic white robe she wore. The cook held a bouquet of flowers in her hands as she walked with her father's arm in hers, a white vail hiding her features from the crowd.

They walked up to the front and stopped so that Ben could hug his daughter. Ben took her hand and Oto's, putting their hands together before releasing them. He patted Oto's shoulder before retreating back to his chair beside his wife.

"Please be seated," the Father announced.

-.-.-.-

"Congratulations, Sir Link!"

Link turned to the voice, away from the drink table he stood at, and waved at the knight who had called out. He turned back to the table and grabbed his drink. He walked over to stand beside Zelda who was holding her drink as she took in the festivities before them. "It'll take a while to get used to people calling me Sir Link," Link admitted, looking out at the dining hall turned reception room. He quickly picked out Oto and Pepper surrounded by a group congratulating them before looking down at the drink in his hand and adding, "I don't feel like I deserve to be called what Grandfather was called."

"You've earned that title," Zelda said, looking at him. He looked up at her as she added, "Both of those titles."

"Hey Sir Lantern of Hyrule!" Mido's voice called out, getting the two to turn and see the Sheikah warrior walking over to them. He reached out and gave Link a hug, stepping back to add, "Congrats on passing."

"You're gonna keep calling me that now, aren't you?" Link asked, a laugh in his voice.

"You're the one who said to," Mido pointed out.

"Link!"

Link looked passed Mido and saw Oto making his way through the crowd. The newly wed was given a hug, stopping him before he could make it over to his three friends.

"I thought with your knighting ceremony more people'd be congratulating you," Oto said as he stopped beside Mido.

"Weddings are more important," Impa said, alerting the four she had walked over. "Speaking of," her voice hung in the air above the four as she looked at Link and Zelda.

"Impa, go get yourself a drink," Zelda said.

"Link's no longer around as your adviser," Impa reminded. "You have yet to appoint a new one, leaving the job to me. You've technically died twice."

"I know, Impa," Zelda said, closing her eyes to take a deep breath. She opened her eyes and looked over at the older woman. "Can we talk about this tomorrow?"

"As you wish," Impa complied, giving her a bow. She nodded her head in a dismissive way towards the three men before stepping away.

"I guess she wasn't happy with you not wanting a kid?" Mido asked, watching the woman's retreating form as she walked over to the drink table.

Zelda rolled her eyes before taking a sip from her drink.

"So where are you and Pepper going for your honeymoon?" Link asked, hoping to change the subject.

"Over to Zora's domain," Oto offered. "We only plan on being there a couple of days before going back to work."

"By then you'll be heading to the Arcadian Bread festival," Mido said, looking back at his friends as he remembered the event coming up early next week.

"Lammas," Link corrected.

"Same thing," Mido said with a shrug.

"I just hope nothing happens for a while," Zelda admitted. She raised her right hand, showing them the piece of Tri-force as she added, "We've still got the problem of where the third piece went."

"What happened to send them out again?" Mido asked. "I thought you had it whole."

"I guess call it an insight Hylia gave me," Zelda said with a shrug. "All I remember is reaching for it and willing it safe. Problem is, I don't think it knows the difference between good and evil."

"So as far as we know, it's in the position of the next great evil of Hyrule," Link pointed out, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Well now there's a new Lantern of Hyrule, so we'll be fine," Mido said with a laugh, placing a hand around Link's shoulders.

"Lantern of Hyrule?" Oto asked, confusion on his face.

"We'll explain it later," Zelda offered.

Link gave Mido a smile, hoping he wasn't going to be needed for another event like the past three years had been. He felt like he had gone through enough adventure for three lifetimes now, and he had only just turned seventeen.

The End