The familiar light of twilight began to shroud the wooden village, giving a beautiful orange tint to everything in its wake. The dying rays of sunlight shone through the architectural spaced-out beams of the hut-like buildings, including the Swallow's Inn where Link and Zelda now rested. Link sat on the edge of the bed they had rented for the night, focusing on the dancing twilight rays as he clenched his teeth, waiting for Zelda to finish her work on his arm. Every now and then, however, he couldn't help but slightly flinch at the pain whenever she seemed to prod a bit too harshly.

"Link, I need you to stay still or I can't finish this," Zelda said after he flinched once more as she brought a bandage roll over his bare shoulder. "I know it hurts, but I'm not an expert at this. I need to focus so I get this done properly…"

"It doesn't hurt," Link said stubbornly through gritted teeth. "It's just cold from not having a shirt on."

"Of course, how silly of me to assume otherwise," Zelda responded, raising an eyebrow in disbelief. She stopped bandaging before lightly tapping a finger on the back of his shoulder, earning another slight flinch from him. "Yes, it's simply just the cold."

Link grumbled slightly, refusing to look back at her as she slightly giggled.

"Honestly, I don't know why you want me to bandage up a wound like this," Zelda said, continuing her efforts to bandage his shoulder. "I think a Fairy Tonic or a hearty elixir would do you well."

"I think this will be fine, besides we're starting to run low on those items anyway," Link said with a painful deep sigh. "We haven't been fighting any huge monsters or anything as of late, so I haven't restocked on any."

"Well, I think fairy hunting would be a fun little task to add to our adventure, wouldn't you say?" she asked cheerfully. Link frowned slightly. He turned his head to glance back at Zelda, who was focused on trying to reach perfection with her bandage skills. She was peacefully resting on her knees on the bed, dressed once again in the raggedy clothes Link had given her before. Though she smiled, he could make out the now fading red marks on her neck from where the Yiga had grabbed her.

"Maybe," Link finally answered, turning back around towards the light rays. "I think you should take one of the last tonics though. Your neck is sore, isn't it?"

"A bit, but it'll be fine by tomorrow," Zelda said, finishing up her bandaging. She lifted her hands, holding them out over the bandages to inspect her work carefully before placing them in her lap, a sign she was satisfied with her efforts. "Go on; see if it's okay."

Link stood up, rolling his shoulder and arm around. Though it hurt, no blood spilled through the bandages. He sighed as he sat back down before leaning back and resting his head on the pillows. He closed his eyes, allowing the fatigue to take him. Zelda watched for a moment before raising her eyebrow once again.

"I thought you were cold," she teased. Link frowned as he opened one eye towards her.

"Hey, teasing is my job," he retorted. "Besides, I'll be under the sheets soon."

"Right, right. My apologies," Zelda said, keeping the smile on her face as she scooted back, remaining in her sitting position as she rested against the headboard. She stared down at Link's facial features as he closed his open eye once again.

"You know," Link said suddenly. "The Yiga will come back. He's not just going to stop there."

"And when he returns, we'll stop him once again," Zelda said calmly, reaching over as she raised her hand above Link's head. Gently she began to run her fingers through his bangs as he continued to keep his eyes closed. "You scared me today. I've never seen you ready to kill someone before."

"He hurt you," Link said simply. "And for you, I would go as far as I need to in order to protect you."

"You've always done your best to try and avoid killing," Zelda said slowly. "Even a hundred years ago."

"Well…" Link said, opening his eyes slightly in order to look up at the pointed ceiling. "Today… yeah. I was a bit out of it and wasn't thinking clearly. I'm sorry you had to see me like that."

"I know what you must've seen in there was difficult, having to see the deaths of our friends," Zelda said, continuing to brush through his hair. "Did you… want to talk about it?"

Link stayed silent, keeping his gaze strong against the pointed roof. The two stayed quiet for a while as Zelda awaited his answer, however, as the minutes continued to pass she simply nodded her head in understanding. The room had begun to grow dark as the twilight faded into the moonlight. Taking Link's supposed silent answer, she lifted the sheets before sliding her legs under. Before she could get completely covered, however, Link finally spoke.

"I haven't been told exactly why I'm seeing these," he said quietly. Zelda, propped on her elbow, looked over in surprise. She stared at Link but didn't press him. Instead, she got herself comfortable on her side as she kept her now calm gaze on him, awaiting his next words.

"I know it's probably to test this unbreakable spirit they keep mentioning… but this just feels more personal than that. It's as if there's something I'm missing," he continued. "Every time I see one die, it's as if I lost a piece of myself. When I lost my memory, I didn't understand the connection I had with them. But as these trials progress, I remember more and more about what bond I had with them. Finally, regaining those bonds in my heart just to have it bloodied? It's-"

"Cruel," Zelda finished quietly, shifting over closer to Link in bed. "It's cruel. And it hurts."

"Yeah," Link said after a moment. "I just… Zelda, if I remember correctly… I'm the only Champion that didn't take on the Calamity a hundred years ago."

"What? Of course you did, Link," she said, propping herself up higher. "You took on a horde of Guardians to protect not just me, but the refugees heading to Kakariko and Hateno! You might as well have single-handedly defended the fort against the Guardians!"

"But, Zelda," Link said. "I chose to protect you instead of facing the Calamity head-on. I could have done something different, like taken you to one of the Divine Beast first and helped defeat one of the blights before heading to Ganon. Or maybe I could have injured him enough to stop him-"

"Link, what are you saying?" Zelda asked slowly. Link stayed quiet for another moment before turning over on his side, his back muscles now facing Zelda.

"I failed at being a champion, Zelda," Link said. "And not only at being a champion but at being the hero. I'm the only one who didn't face down Calamity Ganon, the only person who has the only weapon that can *actually* help in sealing him away. The Divine beast does damage, but only as support to make my chances of victory higher. I was the key, and you were the lock. I'm the only piece that wasn't there."

"Then I'm the reason for that, Link," Zelda said. "You had to protect me because I couldn't unlock my powers-"

"And that wasn't your fault," Link said, cutting her off as he turned to his other side, now facing her. "You didn't understand your power. No one did. You didn't have the one person who could teach you."

"I knew I had to pray at the springs-" she began to argue, but Link once again cut her off.

"But that isn't what actually unlocked your powers, Zelda," he said. "It was something else, and it came while we were fighting. Maybe if I had been able to take you all the way to the Calamity instead of choosing to run away from the Guardian hordes at Castle Town, you could have awakened it while I was fighting Ganon. "

"Link, you're making it sound like you didn't have your own hardships," Zelda rebutted. "It's not like you had any guidance either. You had a legendary sword without even feeling worthy yourself."

"And yet I knew how to use it. According to Revali, it was a natural gift I didn't even need to practice at," Link said deeply. "I didn't lose back then to skill, Zel. I lost to fatigue. If I had put all of my energy into getting to Ganon… maybe things would have gone differently."

Zelda watched as Link turned onto his stomach, laying on the bed with his face pressed into the pillow beneath his head. Her heartfelt as though it were cracking in two pieces. Her thoughts echoed back to her conversation with the monk weeks ago in the shrine.

Both you and the hero had fallen due to a mistake each of you made a hundred years ago.

"Link…" Zelda said after a few moments of silence. "I… It's been said that we made some mistakes in the past. Maybe that was one of them. I honestly couldn't tell you. But… But it can't be said that you didn't try your hardest."

Zelda noticed Link's ears twitch a bit at her words, signifying that he was listening.

"You tried your absolute best," she continued. "If it weren't for you fighting as hard as you could, then I may not have ever unlocked my powers. You did more than just swing a magic sword around, and you did more than just protect me. You protected every knight, man, woman, and child fleeing from the Calamity. I don't care what the monks say… you did everything you could in the heat of the moment. The monks may not be showing you any more leniency, but you were always my champion and everyone else's."

Link tilted his head, revealing one tired blue eye that now glanced up at her. After gazing at her smile, he silently closed his eye. Zelda bent down, lightly placing her soft lips onto his warm cheek. After removing her lips, Link returned to his side, his bare front now facing Zelda with his eyes still closed. She returned to playing with his bangs as they sat, the moonlight now completely overtaking the twilight.

"I know it's hard… but we must keep pressing forward from our past, and look towards the future," she said. "Can you try that for me?"

Link nodded, accepting her words with ease as he began to nod off into slumber.

"Hey, Link…" she asked quietly as she noticed Link was beginning to drift off. "You really wouldn't kill, would you?"

The two sat in their now routine based silence before Link finally gave an answer:

"I don't usually fight to kill, however, I will take necessary measures if I deem them worthy," Link said before completely falling asleep. Zelda watched as his breathing became rhythmic, sitting upon his words. Though she remained worried, she had to accept his answer for the time being. With a sigh, she began to sink deeper into the covers, however, the sight of the Sheikah Slate sitting on the end of the bed caught her attention. She looked over at Link before sitting up, she reached over, taking the Slate in her hands, and leaned back once more. She opened up the screen, sliding her finger over before tapping. In a flash of blue, a piece of tattered cloth appeared in her hand, the base had been sliced down the middle, while everywhere else had holes, tears, and burn marks. Despite this stark damage, it was still easy to see the bright blue color of the base, with its white accents just barely visible.

"Well… I wasn't that tired anyway," Zelda said as she began to slide through the Slates screen once again to grab the tools that she needed. However, before she could start there was a blur of white running through the door.

"Princess Zelda! Link! Are you-?" the Rito began, but a quick evil glance from the Hylian girl quickly caused him to shut his beak. For a moment he was confused, but a quick glance at her side where Link now slept peacefully filled him with understanding. Clearing his throat in order to try and hide the fact Zelda's glare had affected him less than it really had, Teba waved towards him as a signal for her to follow him. Zelda raised an eye in confusion as she watched him turn his back and walk back out towards the exit, however, she slid from under the covers. Ignoring the cold wood underneath her bare soles, she walked out after him.

"You seem to know Link and myself, but I don't believe we've actually met," Zelda said as she stepped out onto the moonlit walkway, meeting Teba who was leaning against the railing. "Are you Teba? The Rito warrior that helped Link board Vah Medoh?"

"I'm surprised you've heard of me," Teba said in slight surprise, however, Zelda shook her head with a small smile.

"Link mentioned you before he left the day before to do some trials," she explained. Putting her cold hands together, she bowed. "I thank you for helping him. You are part of the reason I am free and Calamity Ganon is sealed."

"While I appreciate the thanks, I can honestly say I didn't do much," Teba said. "But there are more pressing matters right now. Are you and Link alright?"

"We're fine, but why do you ask?" Zelda inquired. While Teba's face had remained calm, she could see the slight relief in his features as he relaxed.

"You wouldn't believe it, but the ghost of the Rito Champion Master Revali actually had me come check on you," Teba answered. "He said you were attacked by a Yiga, the same Yiga that threatened my son a few hours ago-"

"He attacked your son?" Zelda said in horror. "Teba, I'm so sorry. I… I stopped Link from killing him. I believed Link would have lost a part of himself if he had. He hasn't been in the right mindset during these trials… Is your son okay?"

"He's fine, just a little spooked is all," Teba said, raising a wing in order to calm her. "And I can't blame you. Taking a life is a big decision, even for a warrior. I had an inkling of Link's mindset when he visited the range yesterday. I understand; I believe it was the right thing to do. However, that Yiga isn't going to stop. He wasn't interested in my son, nor me. He wants you two."

"I… I see," Zelda said, looking down at her feet. With a disappointed sigh, she lifted her head back up. "I guess he won't heed my warning."

"If you would like, I will attempt to find him now," Teba said looking back at a bow he had shouldered. "I owe Link the lives of my village. I will do what it takes, and finish him if need be."

"No, I can't have you do that," Zelda said, though a part of her wished deeply to take the offer. "The Yiga is our issue and ours alone. He's the only one, so you don't need to fear for your son. We'll be leaving soon for Link's next trial."

"Are you sure?" Teba asked once more. "I told you: I owe him one."

"I'm sorry, Teba, but there has to be another way," Zelda said. "And even if there isn't… we have to at least try."

Teba and Zelda looked at each other in silence for a moment before he nodded.

"I'll trust your judgment, however, I warn you," he said as he prepared to head up the ramps of the village. "You may want to do this another way, but Link is a warrior just as I am. While it's good he didn't with how his mind is right now, in a normal encounter we warriors will do what it takes to protect those we love. Please keep that in mind."

"I… I understand," Zelda answered. With that, Teba turned and walked up the ramps, disappearing behind the rocky wall. After he disappeared Zelda turned to the edge of the walkway, looking out over the ramps as she watched the trees in the distance rustle in the moonlight. Once the air had begun to feel unbearably cold, she turned as she entered the inn once more. She walked over to the bed before stopping just at its edge. She looked over at Link's peacefully sleeping body before looking down at the tattered tunic she had left behind. While she had felt her words were genuine when spoken, she couldn't help but now question if there truly was an alternative. With a quick shake of her head, she expelled her thoughts. Right now she simply needed to help Link through his trials. She sat down on the bed, grabbing her sewing tools once more before beginning the first stitches.

...

Hello everyone! How are we feeling about the story and the pacing so far? Leave some comments, tell me your thoughts! Oh, and if you think you know what's planned for Daruk and Mipha's memories... well I guess you'll just have to see, huh? Lots of things playing out!

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Thank you for reading!