Another month came and past with only the acknowledgement of a ripped calendar page. The next month's page was already packed with ink, so much that it stained my fingers and the heavy scent could never quite elude me.

In the following weeks, Father allowed Impa to step down from her position as his advisor to be appointed as my own senior advisor. Hours allotted for study were readjusted for roles my father had once primarily filled. Slowly, I began to answer his reports and letters myself and scarcely needed his direction. I allowed my work to consume me.

With that, it wasn't uncommon that my dreams fused with reality. They replayed in such startling detail that I was always so convinced that I was merely experiencing déjà vu. And like all dreams, I vaguely held the idea that it was one but couldn't persuade myself enough to act any differently. Not unlike the night before, the war cabinet had reconvened after a short break that had given me enough time to attend Father for supper. Now, Admiral Whitehurst was at the head of the war room with an ardent passion in his voice.

"If we do not pull back from our holdings, the opposition will only be more prompted to strike first," he said while pushing the black tokens further east with the croupier stick.

Admiral Fierlin rose from his elbow, decidingly more animated than before, "The capital is empty. They have no leadership other than the few elders who refuse to evacuate. If anything, I should tell my men to encamp the outside walls."

There were a few grunts of support that rumbled through the room until Whitehurst bent over the table.

"We have an organized group already in the city! How are we supposed to protect it when the capital has already been compromised? It's in Hyrule's best interest that we abandon this fantasy and regroup in safer conditions. For the sake of protecting our own," he stopped to push back the white hair that was tied back at his neck.

I shut my book of maps. The sudden noise caused a short draw of attention.

"Admiral," I began, my voice started out small but caught its strength when I matched Whitehurst's level. "You imply that the people of the desert are not our own."

A part of me wished to use the fan in my skirt's pocket, but I refused myself. I watched as Admiral Whitehurst's temper flared before he collected himself, "The Gerudo are indistinguishable. We have an opposition that has wanted to burn Hylian villages. It is an impossible task to separate them from any Gerudo that wishes to stop this madness."

"Yet there is an entire force within the capital that is dedicated towards putting a stop to the rebellion," Firelin sighed before rearing up to a partial stand, "If we show that King Rhoam demonstrates unwavering support for their current government, their morale – too – would be strong."

Admiral Fierlin was an older gentleman who was a purebred politician at heart. His eyes dark and sunken. These characteristics weren't a rarity while the candles burned longer within these walls. Admittedly, he had a stubborn will but I paired that with his years of loyal support. Him and Whitehurst were not unlike each other in terms of backgrounds. Each had been knighted by my grandmother and had continuous presences at court. However, as common as their characteristics were, their opinions were starkly polarizing.

"You propose that these skirmishes turn to war!" Whitehurst bellowed. "This is not the Gerudo Uprising of the past that never fully manifested itself! This has the potential to devolve into a national crisis!"

Fierlin was fully standing now, his face growing red, "And if the rebellion is not managed then it will spread, John! You were right when you said they were invisible, so what do you propose when we do not show our support for the aristocracy? Let the unnamed madman who we can't track for the fucking life of us take the city? To all we know, the guy leading them could be the Fierce Deity himself with all these gods damned rumors and myths."

I swallowed as I glanced at Admiral Whitehurst who gripped the baton with a vice-like grip while his counterpart continued, "Do we negotiate a treaty when the people he works with want death to our King? No, perhaps we want Yiga propaganda to be peddled out like the weekly paper. Maybe in the margins it can have the scheduled time for each of our executions!"

Suddenly, my feet found the floor and their heated words hung in the air, "That's enough!"

Much like them, my brows were drawn and the still air made my hair stick to my forehead. My heart beat loudly in my chest and it was apparent that I desperately wanted to leave. An itch of Impa's voice was in my head saying that I didn't need to be here; that royalty rarely graced these halls unless absolutely necessary.

"You both must look at these people and see them as what they are – our people," I spoke like I thought Father would, but even then I knew he seldom cared for casualties. "A people that are starving and need care packages less they be more swayed into falling under rebellion rule."

Whitehurst closed his eyes and spoke as if I had made his exhaustion two-fold, "Princess, men are not allowed to enter the walls."

"I'm not blind to that, sir. I am also not blind to the fact that we have trained women in our forces," I began, cutting him off before he could argue. "I agree that it is not traditional, but if a woman has knighted you then I see no reason that one cannot be a proper knight herself. I do not care for your belief of the capability ending at being spies."

"But-!"

"You and I both know it ends at a title!"

The admiral grew quiet, then asserted, "How are we to determine that they would even allow a Hylian soldier of any kind?

Fierlin licked his teeth and pulled a paper from before him, "The aristocrats and a few of their elders will arrive any day now. I dare say we should entrust the Princess's diplomacy to see to that."

The offending admiral sat, silently accepting the opposition, "I will see to it only at the approval of the Gerudo."

I returned to my seat as they began discussing how they would readjust positionings and where new recruits should support. It wasn't long until the candles were so low that light in the room was slowly dimming. Officials trickled out while I jotted some last notes. Once I was satisfied, I stood and seemed to interrupt the murmurings of the last few.

A yawn threatened to make itself known as I squeezed between chairs until Admiral Whitehurst's voice caught my attention.

"Your Highness?"

I found his eyes and he continued next to Fierlin, "May we have a word?"

"If this is about my seat placement, then I'm afraid it's impossible to move me any farther than I already am."

They shared a look that made me soften my stance and pull back a chair at the table across from them. Whitehurst glanced at the other admiral before relenting to Fierlin to speak with folded hands.

"As the General's senior admirals," he started with a gruffness in his voice. "We thought it would be appropriate to seek your counsel in discovering General Nohansen's successor."

I opened my mouth and closed it, feeling a tightness constrain my speech.

"We have some candidates in mind," Fierlin continued at seeing my hesitation. "And your opinion has weight. It is something we would appreciate when we put together a committee."

Whether it be grief or doubt, whatever it was, I swallowed it and forced my lips into a tight smile.

"Of course, gentlemen."

Light flooded in and washed out any remnants of my dreams. I groaned and tried blocking it out with my pillow.

"Good morning, sunshine!" an unmistakable sing-song hum washed away the quiet. Sounds of rummaging around my bed roused me from any possibility of falling back asleep. With a huff, I forced myself to a seat with half-lidded eyes.

My voice was crackly, "What time is it?"

"Seven o'clock on the dime, love," Anju said with a sweet smile.

Again, I groaned as she peeled back the covers and placed my slippers at the foot of my bed.

"What time did I go to bed?"

The woman looked up thoughtfully, "I believe the evening maids emptied your bath at one in the morning."

"Hylia," I sighed and fell against the pillows.

Eventually, I was dragged from the soft cushions of my bed and forced into a seat. Though it couldn't have been too bad because there was a warm breakfast awaiting me in a tray.

"It was very kind of you," Anju hummed out while taking the comb from my awaiting hand.

I blinked, somewhat more awake, "What was?"

She laughed as she weaved together the braids in my hair. It seemed like I would be suiting a low, knotted updo again today.

With a pin in her mouth, she said, "That cute little care package you sent to Hateno for the coming spring. Malon just about lost it when I brought back so much wine."

I grinned with a mouthful of orange slices and watched Anju in the mirror, "Did she? I figured her parents would benefit from it. I had drunk so much!"

Absently, I watched her from my seat. Light locks escaped her cotton cap, slowly were they lightening to a soft red from days spent in the sun. The winter had been so dark in Castle Town that I had thought I was imagining her red hair from last summer.

She made a face, "No, it's Aryll she needs to worry about."

"What was your excuse?"

"I told her that your parents own a winery," she shrugged, careful to avoid losing focus of where the myriad of bobby pins were. "Malon feels more than she thinks."

There wasn't a chance for silence to set in because Anju's best skill was scaring it away. She went on to mention how her parents were and if she wasn't engaged by the time she turns twenty-five she'd have to propose to Kafei himself. In turn, I'd smile or laugh, and she'd elaborate on whatever I responded to. These moments in the morning were ones I cherished. Then, small details about the court filtered into her words and I felt that immature feeling of insecurity.

"Your ladies-in-waiting miss your presence," she stepped away to admire her work before disappearing into my closet for a gown.

I glanced at the ceiling, "They miss my gossip."

"And do you not theirs?"

This made me stifle a grin because the girl inside knew it was true, "That's why I have you, love."

She made a noise halfway between a laugh and the squawk of a large bird from behind a partially open door. Eventually, she came back with a royal blue gown. She didn't give me enough time to think of the reason for the choice.

"Ah, so you don't go to court anymore because of me and not because of an impending national conflict."

"Oh, no," I stepped into the fabric, happy that she chose something with loose material. "When have I ever shown interest in politics?"

Anju laced up the dress and a heard her smile soften, "The lords who bother to show up do find your absence agreeable, however, from what their personal servants say. Though I can't tell if it's because of their satisfaction that they don't need to suck up for royal favors."

"Even when I'm not in prayer at an alter for six hours of the day?"

"I have heard no mention."

To be frank, socialization was the last thing on my list of priorities and I was beginning to think it was going to be a detriment. Growing up, I was told relentlessly that my social connections would be the spine to my reign. If the support of the court was nonexistent, so would be my power. As Anju went on about random bits of gossip, I quietly smiled to myself.

"-and Urbosa blew him off totally. Quite honestly, I've never seen anything like it!"

My eyes snapped to the mirror, "Urbosa?"

"Mhm," she hummed while tying off the laces, "When she arrived with the aristocrats last night and Lord Ibauna asked about her-"

"I missed their arrival?" I spun to see her confusion.

"It was rather late, Zelda, but the King was there so I doubt they minded," then she paused and cursed to herself. "Gods, I'm sorry, I meant to tell you first thing that His Majesty requested you to greet the Gerudo in court today."

"No," I shook my head to negate her worry, "It's alright, Anju. My day has barely started."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm positive," I mustered a rather sleepy smile. "Thank you."

The royal library was large, but it didn't take long to find her. Lanterns hung from the banisters, but the natural light from the tall two—story windows was ample enough. She sat in a small alcove that was tucked away from where the librarians would normally be. Happiness made me smile as I saw Urbosa relaxed in an armchair with a book in her grasp. We wrote to each other often, especially these last two years where she seldom traveled to Castle Town. The only time I had gone to see her without Father was last summer, where I rode to Gerudo Town with a convoy to see her. It meant being held up in a carriage for six hours with dozens of personnel and barely enough time for a bathroom break.

When I waved away a guard, Urbosa looked up with a start. Then, she took off her spectacles.

Feeling a tad awkward, I shrugged uselessly. "Hello, Lady Urbosa."

Immediately, she arose and met me for an embrace. I laughed at the strength she put in to slightly lift me to my toes.

"Zelda!" she said in a tone of warm honey. "I thought I would not see you until later today."

"I'm so sorry for missing your arrival," I voiced penitently once she let me go.

Sternly, Urbosa dismissed it and gestured me over to sit with her.

"My desert rose," she said coolly, a smile brimming her cheeks. "How have you been?"

My excitement waned enough to take Urbosa in. Often when Gerudo officials visited, she adorned Hylian fashion and made sure to include the small gold flashes of desert jewels. By both Hylian and Gerudo standards, she was gorgeous. Tall, slender, and cheek bones reaching the goddesses.

Despite the general taboo, she crossed her legs. I glanced around the library and came to the conclusion that we were alone. I swallowed my self-doubt and sat with her in an identical chair.

"Good," I clasped my hands together.

Urbosa raised her chin, "I do not mean your superficial Hylian pleasantries. How are you?"

Despite what she meant, I almost laughed. Tucking a strand hair behind my ear, I sighed, "I'm doing the best I can." I paused when I felt a gnawing, "Assuming my best is enough."

"There she is," Urbosa humorously said with underlying remorse. "A little bird told me you went on an adventure."

It was very much like her to cut to the chase. More than anyone, she hated anything artificial. Uncle had no doubt told her. They had a bond I hadn't seen in any other ambassador. Somehow, she sat up straighter, "And you did not even think to visit!"

"But I did!" I said quickly, "I did, but-"

But I was left alone and wasn't strong enough to press onwards. A silent knife that had always been there pressed into my heart as I thought of blond hair and a strong jaw. It wasn't as friendly as my other visions.

"Stay calm, Zelda," she smoothed, "It was merely an attempt at humor"

"I know," I bit my lip, "I know. I apologize, I didn't get enough sleep."

"I can understand that. I can imagine your stress."

"Uncle is not doing well," I quietly told her, folding my hands over each other again. "Every time I see him… he's thinner. I have to strain myself to hear him. I truly fear that any day I'm going to wake up and…"

Urbosa reached over and took my hand, "I saw him. I saw Rhoam last night as well. You don't need to tell me if you don't want to."

"Urbosa, I-" I breathed out shakily. "I don't know what to do. Father is a shell of himself. They both are. Nothing was as it was when I left."

She squeezed my hand and made me look at her, "And now I am here. You have nothing to fear, my rose."

I wore a watery smile, "You have no idea how thankful I am for you. I actually have something to ask of you."

The Gerudo woman sat back and nodded for me to continue.

"The senior admirals want me on their committee when they review possible candidates – to replace Uncle. I understand if you're too busy, but if I could ask you to be present during these interviews…" I trailed off, unsure of myself.

"Of course, Zelda," she said easily. "There aren't many that know that old man as I do. However, I would trust your judgement regardless."

"I appreciate that," I smiled, though it quickly dissipated. "I'm sure you could tell from Gerudo Town, but the admirals are split."

This make her harden. "You are not wrong. It's been frustrating. All these months of my people dying and all we are told is how Hylian troops are positioned at the border. It feels more that they're trying to contain us than defend us."

"I realize that," I frowned. "There's nothing but in-fighting. Half feel like we should wait until the rebels attack us or head directly into a conflict no one understands. Last night, while you were arriving I suppose, they came to a partial agreement."

"An agreement being…?"

"Being that if we can get Gerudo officials to allow the Hylian military within the walls, we can offer added protection on both sides. This would enable us to deliver more supplies of greater quantities," I quickly added, "And I'm able organize a force of trained women, so your laws aren't violated."

She grew quiet in her thoughts. I almost thought I lost her until she nodded, "Yes, I can get behind that. The latter part would sway the rest of my peers easier. How quick can this happen?"

"I would have to discuss timeframes tonight, but I can surmise next week? Time would be needed in garnering relief and a sufficient team to carry this out," I felt a wave of satisfaction.

"I could only ask for sooner, Zelda. That city holds a great deal in the hearts of my people."

"As for I. That's the home of a very cherished friend of mine."

We shared a smile until Urbosa's face upturned.

"Your men, they are…" her face scrunched and she rolled her hand, "What is the Hylian word? Men are very… emotional, no?"

I stifled my laughter, "At times they lack the ability to manage." My hands smoothed out my skirt, "Sometimes I wonder if some have any emotion at all."

At that, she raised a brow, "I wonder where that is coming from?"

"It comes from nowhere in particular," I smiled politely. "Let us entertain the court together."

Note: Thank you guys so much for 100 readers! It's crazy to see. I know this is a very different turn to the story, but the progression will pay out! I promise. (((Spoilers: I don't believe in sad endings, but I'll put both of us through hell to get there)))