A few months of being a team, everyone felt confident to say they knew each other well enough. It also marked the time where King Rhoam wanted Link to be Zelda's appointed Knight; which meant not only was he the Hylian Champion, Wielder of the Master Sword, but he was also the appointed Knight that would guard the Princess instead of being her personal guard.

The Ceremony would be held at the Sacred Grounds, which was just south of Hyrule Castle, and it was Daruk's suggestion the Ceremony also hold the 'Ceremony of Legend' marking Link's new status since he wielded Evil's Bane upon his back, just like the heroes before him did. As much as Zelda didn't want to have Link following her around all day along; she knew she had to hold the Ceremony to make things right so their ancestors wouldn't get mad.

( Not to mention they could also hold off the awakening of her powers if she didn't have the Ceremony go underway like it normally would. )

So, now where they were, getting ready to head down to the Sacred Grounds, and Revali could easily tell how much Zelda was just regretting this moment. It was no secret to him that she hated the Hylian boy as much as he did. There was no possible way Link could ever seal away Ganon and come out victorious like his ancestors had done; he was no Hero, but merely a boy who thought he could do the same.

He'd laugh so hard when Link was proven wrong. He'd be laughing until he reached his grave as they sealed him away; not Link. The 'golden' boy would be in the background, filled with shame and sorrow as everyone else congrulated the Champions before scoffing at the Hylian because he couldn't do one simple task.

Making sure the Hylian was nowhere near them, Revali waltzed over to the princess, watching as she went through her notes for a final time. His heart slightly pounded at the amount of notes she had written down over the course of a few months. She was really making sure she knew everything, wasn't she?

Shaking his head, Revali cleared his throat in order to gain Zelda's attention. When he did, Zelda jumped slightly out of shock; clearly showing she didn't hear Revali coming her way.

"Revali," Zelda cleared her throat as she stood tall with pride; pride that hadn't been there mere moments ago. "What can I do for you?"

"I wanted to speak," Revali replied stiffly. "I know you're deeply hating this moment coming up— naming him to be the Appointed Knight to which you don't even need; you're perfectly capable in taking care of yourself. I have no idea why King Rhoam sees otherwise. If I were the King— I would let you do whatever you wished."

"You see it too?" Zelda questioned, her eyes shining with happiness at the fact someone else was on the same page as her. "I thought I was the only one. I don't need an Appointed Knight; I could handle it when he was just my personal guard, but my Appointed Knight too? It's far too much."

Revali leaned against the rock they were near. "You should just tell him what's on your mind; I speak about either your father or Link, or both. You decide that. They can't control you— you're the Future Queen after all. You should have a say in where your destiny lies."

"They won't listen to me. My father has proven that over and over again," Zelda mournfully said.

It was no secret King Rhoam held too much pride for his own good. Urbosa knew it, and had told them many times when he couldn't admit where he had gone wrong; all the times innocents had been killed because he refused to believe them. King Rhoam wouldn't listen to his daughter if she spoke about her own future and abilities.

"You can always try," Revali pointed out gently. "What's the harm in making King Rhoam feel a bit of a guilt-trip? Surely you know ways to make him rethink his actions."

Did she know? Yes, she did, and one stood out very clearly and painfully. An option she never wanted to think about because it would make her own heart pound with pain; as if a knife was being forced into your stomach.

Her mother.

Queen Julia was always a sensitive topic for both remaining royals. That woman could make the whole world spin and make everyone see the brighter side of things. She had managed to win over practically everyone when she defended King Rhoam over his first innocent being accidentally executed; saying how there were thousands of mistakes like this being made all over the world and how now, they knew the truth, and the burial would be of a hero's burial.

When she fell deathly ill, things took a worse as everyone began fearing for their queen's life. It didn't end well; at first it looked like she was getting better until it took a turn for the worst and soon enough— Julia was dead.

"I know one way," Zelda mumbled. "But… even I wouldn't want to bring it up."

Revali winced, knowing that one way. "You don't have to use that," he whispered, placing his wing onto her shoulder. "I understand how that's something you don't want to talk about."

"And if it's the only way he'll listen?"

"Then you might have to face that fear and dislike to speak about it. But here's some advice, only speak about it when you're ready. Don't let anyone force you to speak about it, princess."

Zelda took a deep breath as she nodded. "Thank you, Revali."

"It's no problem, princess," Revali replied.

"Revali?" she said quietly, watching as the Rito arched an eyebrow. "Just call me Zelda from now on."

Revali smirked as he nodded, patting her shoulder before making his way back to his bow, making sure it was in good condition before glancing at the others; Daruk and Urbosa were glancing at him with confused expressions while Mipha and Link were speaking to each other, glancing over every few seconds. Immediately, the Rito felt a wave of slight insecurity wash over him. Were they saying horrible things about him?

Did they not think he could handle this stress? Revali sucked in a sharp breath as he chose to ignore those looks; he had gotten enough of those back in the Rito Village and he didn't have to put up with them from the others.

A few seconds later, Zelda walked up to them, giving him a friendly smile, before looking at everyone else with a plain expression.

"Let's go."

…

The walk was silent. Link had wanted to stay up next to Zelda, but instead Revali took his place next to her as they whispered back and forth. He wanted to know what they were saying but he didn't feel like being glared at by the Rito Champion and the Commander of the Champions; so he opted to stay by Urbosa, Daruk, and Mipha.

At least they could understand the awkwardness of having Revali glaring at him while he spoke with Zelda in such a low voice that no one could hear them. He was also the master of whispering along with being the master of bowman ship; what next would there be for Revali to master?

It stayed like this until they reached the sacred grounds. While the Champions took their place around them, Zelda and Link took their places in the middle of the grounds. The Hylian Champion knelt before his Commander, closing his eyes as he waited for the ceremony to begin; and Zelda took a moment to look at Revali, watching as the Rito nodded before waving his wing to begin before she glanced back at Link and took a deep breath, holding out her hand in front of her before she began to recite the words she had memorized.

Throughout the ceremony, Revali watched with disinterest as he could sense the somber mood. Daruk stroked his beard as he tried to find a silver lining but failed in every way as he shook his head, watching as Zelda flattered in her words before she continued on.

It didn't take long for them to start whispering amongst each other.

"This is… depressing," Daruk commented lamely as he watched. "She's making it seem like we've already lost the fight with Ganon."

Revali frowned. "This was your idea! This is overkill with all the ceremonial bullcrap we can muster. I'm on the same page as Zelda; we're wrong to count on Link's abilities to defeat Ganon; just because he pulled that sword, doesn't mean he can do it."

"Revali, enough," Urbosa sighed. "She sees the boy as a living reminder of her own failures after all; not being enough for her father— how he could never show his pride to her while he could easily show his pride to him… the list is endless."

"But… Revali does have a point in some way. There's no telling the little dude can actually defeat Ganon," Daruk backed his friend up.

Mipha didn't like the sound of that. "But if there's one person who can do it; it's Link. The sword chose him after all."

"But there's a chance he won't be able to do it."

Revali's frown deepened as he bit back a snarky reply as he continued on watching, making comments inside his mind. Mipha sighed heavily, sensing Zelda was dreading this as much as she could handle; this was just another painful reminder that King Rhoam would always be proud of Link but would hardly show his pride over his own daughter.

Eventually, the ceremony came to its end as Link stood up, ignoring the Champions as if they hadn't been speaking about him and Zelda; but deep down he was in shock. Did they really doubt him that much?

Yeah, he knew there were others who doubted him, but his own teammates?

It was nice to know Mipha didn't have any doubts with him but that was only because they were childhood friends and she had no doubts about him. Yet, the others had doubts because they didn't know him as long as Mipha had. Their doubts were strong; stronger than ever and Link had no idea if there was any way to convince them that he wouldn't fail in his task to defeat Ganon and ensure Hyrule was safe from harm.

Daruk was right in the very end; there was a chance Link could fail and if he did then he would be taking the blame because he had failed.

Everyone would lose faith within him.

Within the Master Sword and the Champions.

( Link could already see the disappointed looks in his parents' and the others. The way they would ignore him, treat him like he was some sort of criminal. The way King Rhoam would warn him; possibly exile him for failing in the task. Revali would have the final laugh. )

He shivered at the thoughts running through his mind before waving them off. He couldn't be thinking like that, no. He had just become the Princess' Appointed Knight and from now on, he would have to make sure his sights were clear and he was always on task; always serious about his duty or else this wouldn't last very long.

"Are we done here?" hissed Revali, glancing around. "I rather not stay here."

"Why? There isn't anyone who could harm us," Link pointed out. It wasn't like anyone would dare to attack on the sacred grounds.

"You have no idea what people are capable of, do you?" the Rito laughed. "Just because this is sacred grounds, doesn't mean they won't try something. It doesn't matter if we're here or not; who knows what's going on through their heads."

Daruk nodded. "He has a point. We should head off soon."

"Besides, King Rhoam would certainly want to know the ceremony is complete," Mipha added as she glanced back and forth.

Zelda tried to hold back her wince from being noticeable. But she probably failed judging by everyone's reactions. It couldn't be her fault that she hated the thought of going near her father who was ever so proud of Link. Yes, he might've told her he was proud that was basically short lived as he went off to ignore her again. What would happen this time?

He would just congratulate the damn wielder for becoming the personal knight; his duties were growing and Link was on the fast track to becoming like every other hero in existence that once lived.

What was next?

A sudden marriage being arranged between them? Zelda would rather die than marry Link to please her father's beliefs, no matter how much it would make him proud.

"Princess?" Link whispered out, his voice small. She felt bad. She had heard the Champions' commentary as well; all the doubts they had revealed about his skill and her own doubts had been revealed too. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine," Zelda cleared her throat. "I'm perfectly fine."

He didn't get to speak another word as she began to walk away with the Champions following her until he was the one who was walking at the very behind. Was it always going to be like this between them?

Because he hoped to god it wouldn't— he really liked her and wanted to be with her despite whatever she believed; he knew deep down they could work and they could be friends again. That was, if she ever let them become friends again and would take down her walls she made over the years.

It didn't matter, he thought. He'd wait for her. He would always wait for her.