Link and Zelda looked back at the castle, now standing in front of the gate. The sun shining through the top of the highest tower. They turned to each other with saddened faces and turned to walk back. Something had made the two turn back however. Zelda looked back at Link, helping him confirm she had noticed the same thing. He swore, even if it was only for a brief second, that turquoise particles had been there before disappearing right when they looked back. Zelda had clearly seen the same thing.

"Link, do you think..." She asked.

Link nodded.

"I think so. I think they were able to pass on in peace." He said, looking back up at the castle. They both stared for a time before silently turning and walking off, leaving the past behind them, walking towards a new future.

"Alright Zelda, are you ready?" Link asked outside the remains of Hyrule Castle Town. He was holding up the Sheikah Slate, trying to locate Kakariko Village out of the 120 glowing blue dots on the Slate.

"Yes, Link I'm quite ready," Zelda said as confident as she could. Link looked up, watching as she fidgeted with her dress.

"What's wrong Zelda. You're doing your fidgeting thing." Link asked.

"What? I don't fidget."

"Zelda, you know I regained a lot of my memories of us, we've had this conversation before. You fidget." Link said. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing Link, I promise, I'm fine. Let's get a move on, we haven't time to waste." Zelda could not allow Link to know the true extent of her worries.

Link raised an eyebrow but chose not to question her clearly rushed response, turning back to the Sheikah Slate and held out a hand to Zelda. Zelda used her free hand to hit the confirm tab on the Slate, and in a flash of blue the two were in Kakariko village.

"Alright Zelda, I think you should wear this for now..." Link said, pulling out a Hylian Hood.

"What? Why?" Zelda asked. She didn't necessarily mind but, what was there to hide from?

"I don't think we should announce your here until Impa approves. She is the Elder of the village currently. It really should be up to her." Link said, holding out the cloak for Zelda to put on.

"I agree. Thank you, Link." Zelda responded, taking the cloak and pulling it over her head. The two walked down the long slope into the village. A lot of the Sheikah noticed Link with Zelda, unfamiliar to them.

"Master Link! It's good to see you again!" An older Sheikah called out.

"Dorian!" Link answered, the two grabbing each other by the wrist.

"We saw the blast from yesterday! Did you do it? Is the Calamity Sealed?"

"Seems to be the case Dorian! I told you I would!" Link laughed. Dorian laughed with him, before turning his attention to Zelda, quietly standing behind Link.

"Hello young lady! A friend of Link?" He called out cheerfully.

"Oh, why um, yes I am, nice to meet you." Zelda said, bowing slightly. Dorians smile faltered a bit, a bit of surprise seeping through, as if he had realized who she was.

"Why... If the Calamity is Sealed once again then, aren't you...?" Dorian looked back at Link. Link nodded ever so slightly. Dorian caught the message. "Well, no matter. Any friend of Link is a friend of mine, no matter what history. Link saved my little girls and myself. I owe my life to him. Please, make yourself at home young lady." Dorian said, bowing.

"Dorian, is Impa awake?" Link asked, the tall Sheikah now looking his way.

"She is in fact. You know how she is, awake when she has work to do. I'm off duty but head right in, you know you have permission to enter as you please." Dorian said. With a final bow he walked off.

Link and Zelda took a few more steps towards Impa's house before another interruption.

"Link! Link!" Link and Zelda turned to see too little Sheikah running towards them. They darted around Zelda, jumping and clinging to Links legs. Zelda giggled a the sight.

"Hello, Cottla, Koko. How are you two today?" Link asked, looking down at his legs.

"Great now that you're here!" Koko said. "You can try my new recipe I've created!"

"And we can play tag, or hide and seek!" Cottla called out as well.

"Sorry you two, maybe later but right now I need to see Impa, you know how important my work is."

"Aaaawwwww" The two sad in unison.

"Maybe later, don't worry. You know I always come to play. We'll play another time. I'm esspecially excited to try that new recipe. Is it really good, Cottla?"

Cottla's eyes sparkled. "Yes it was amazing!"

"good to hear. I definitely need to come back then for sure. For now though me and my friend here need to see Impa."

The two looked at Zelda.

"Link, Link, who's that?" They asked in unison.

"A very important friend to me so be nice okay? We go way back." He laughed. Zelda couldn't help but smile at that.

"You guys go way back? Is she old like you?" Koko asked. Link looked back at Zelda, grinned and look back at the little Sheikah.

"Maybe even older." He teased. Zelda walked up and kicked him in the back slightly with her sandal, though she couldn't help but giggle.

"Excuse me sir, but I'm technically 17. You're technically 18. You're older than me. Nice try though." She laughed. This was the version of Link that put her at ease the most. The playful, fun one. "Come now hero, we really shouldn't keep Impa waiting."

"You heard her little ones, I gotta go." Link said. turning away.

"Bye Link!" They said in unison.

"You seem to be popular with the children. Every thought of running a daycare?" Zelda teased following Link up the stairs to Impa's door.

"Absolutely not. They're great but too much energy for me." Link said chuckling.

"Too much energy for you! The Hero of Hyrule, out done by a couple of children?" Zelda laughed.

"Guilty." Link said. "You ready?"

Zelda took a deep breath. She was still a bit worried but... with Link here everything would be okay, no matter that. Hyrule's future was on her shoulders. It's time to walk in, and take back her kingdom.

"No, you shall not be taking Hyrule back right now." Impa said.

Zelda blinked. Impa and Zelda had both had their drawn out hello's tears and hugs when Zelda had walked in originally. Now however, it was time to talk Royalties. And this was not what Zelda expected. Link was outside, talking and laughing with Paya, who had barely managed to introduce herself to Zelda. Impa had requested they leave Zelda and her be for this discussion.

"Impa, what do you mean I can't take back Hyrule? I'm the Princess, this is my kingdom. I thought you'd want to see me back on the throne!" Zelda asked, very confused. Zelda had been nervous to take the throne ever since she had escaped the Calamity. She didn't feel ready, woefully underprepared and untrained, especially due to her training being on her Sealing Powers and not on even being a princess, much less a Queen. But to be told she flat out couldn't take it back?

"I didn't say you wouldn't take the throne back, Princess," Impa replied, sitting on top her many pillows. "But there are many challenges that come before that. Now sit child, before your legs give away."

Zelda heeded her words, sitting on one of the pillows laid out on the ground.

"Zelda, my old friend, you are the rightful owner to the throne of Hyrule. However that same throne ruled a hundred years ago. That is a mighty long time. As much as I dislike the idea of putting this into your mind this early... it must be said. You are history at this point. Few know you personally from then, many only know you from stories, and even then many may not know you at all. The Hylians and any other race that do live here have found harmony living on their own. And with how little there are, especially Hylians... there's no need for a kingdom. Gathering the support of all the races, convincing them to follow one person that reappeared after a hundred years after supporting themselves, some for as long as they can remember... " Impa explained.

"Taxes, laws, decrees, armies... anything that forces a few Hylians to do things for the royal family that doesn't exist in this time... Well, at this moment in time, it's impossible. The Kingdom of Hyrule is no more. Only the citizens and its land remains."

Zelda looked down at her knees. Impa... was right.

"I'm sorry Zelda but... You aren't a Princess in this era anymore. As wrong as it is for how much you've put into protecting this land... No one will recognize you as its ruler, if anyone at all."

Zelda felt tears welling up. She wasn't a princess anymore. She was just a girl. A girl who unlocked her powers a little too late and caused all of this.

Impa jumped down from her stack of pillows and walked over to Zelda, giving her a warm huge.

"There, there Zelda. Not all hope is lost. Look at me." Impa instructed. Zelda looked up wiping the tears away.

"You can't take the throne of before, but you can take a new throne to a new Hyrule. It will be a long process, it can take years and will be the most challenging thing you've ever done, besides Sealing the Calamity. Or..." Impa took a step back. "You can be a normal girl and enjoy your life. People have forced you down paths previously. I shall not be one of them. You may choose."

Zelda sat and thought. She could be a normal girl. have all the responsibilities lifted, she could do as she wished... Zelda took a deep breath and wiped the rest of her tears away.

"As tempting as that is Impa, I have a responsibility. I won't run from my problems as I did before. What must I do?" Zelda said determination resting in her face. Impa smiled.

"Every journey starts with a first step. And for you, that is to live and experience." Impa said. Zelda's face returned back to its confused state.

"But Impa, I told you I want to take the throne, not live a normal life..."

"Indeed you, did." Impa said nodding. "But you can't take the throne of a world that you have no knowledge of. Travel this Hyrule, living in this Hyrule. Take as long as you need to soak in this new land. It is not the same as before. Once you have experienced life in this land, to learn of its problems, to learn of its new people, to learn of this new life... only then can you prepare to build a new Kingdom of Hyrule."

Zelda nodded, understanding what Impa was telling her. Looks like she may still experience a normal life after all. It just wouldn't be as long as most.

"I understand," Zelda accepted.

"Good. There is now one more thing you must address before starting your journey. I'm sure you know what that is...?" Impa said, giving a concerned look. Zelda's eyes widened with fear.

"Impa... I..."

"Zelda. He has done so much for you already. He has completed his mission as have you. We have already stated, there is no kingdom anymore, nor are you a princess anymore. We cannot continue to shackle him to a kingdom that doesn't exist. You are choosing to follow a path to try and regain a new kingdom. He must be given a choice whether he would like to join you or live his life, same as you have chosen. Its the first step into living a normal life my dear. People are given choices, even when it comes to you... though I'm positive this has already been on your mind."

"Yes... it has...and you are right." Zelda said looking down once again, quietly.

"He must be given the option to walk his own path..."

...