Reunited

The first thing Zelda noticed when she woke up was a burning pain on the back of her right hand. Rubbing her eyes and growing accustomed to the morning light peering between her curtains, she noticed something strange about her birthmark. She was born with what appeared to be the faded symbol of the Triforce on the back of her hand. Growing up, she was told that it indicated the royal family's divine right to rule by Hylia's blessing. She never paid any mind to it, but something was different today. It had become less faded, more pronounced as though it were branded into her skin. Zelda frowned, struggling to make sense of what could caused such a change. There were no unusual circumstances today or last night apart from...
She froze. Today was her eighteenth birthday. Was this simply a physical reaction to her maturity? If so, this was certainly not one of several bodily changes she was warned to expect over the years. Zelda's pondering was interrupted by a knock on the door. What time was it? She jumped out of bed and hurried to the door, straightening out her creased nightgown before answering to the King of Hyrule.
"Happy birthday, Zelda." Her father greeted her with a warm smile which she returned.
"Hello, father." She said as she stepped back to let him in.
"I assume you're looking forward to today's festivities?" King Hyrold asked as he looked around his daughter's room. Given the well-organised collections of books, journals and filled notebooks, he thought it more closely resembled a library than a princess's chambers. Of course, he would know. As he learned quickly, the castle library was to be the first place one should search should Zelda be needed.
"Of course." Zelda answered, opening her wardrobe. "I've already picked what I'm wearing. Hopefully, Hilda hasn't had the same idea, or we're both in trouble." She withdrew a purple and blue dress adorned with yellow highlights. Her favourite.
"Goodness, you're already starting to sound like your mother." Hyrold remarked. "You look like her too, actually." At this, Zelda turned around to see him beaming with pride.
"I should hope that's a compliment?" She asked with mock suspicion.
"But of course." The King looked towards the door, evidently distracted. He turned back towards Zelda and noticed her curious expression. "There's something I need to check. May I see your hand? The right one." She obeyed, frowning in confusion. As he inspected the mark on her hand, Hyrold's expression darkened.
"Father?" Zelda started, trying to hide her concern. "Is something wrong?" Hyrold looked up as his face softened.
"There's…um…" He hesitated, struggling to think of an explanation. "There's something that requires my attention. I'm afraid I will need to leave at once and will not return until much later." As he said this, Zelda failed to conceal her disappointment.
"What for?" She asked. "What's the matter?" As she asked, a slight feeling of shame made itself known in her. Of course, the King would have many matters of extreme importance to resolve. The preservation of the wellbeing of the kingdom's citizens. Maintaining relations with their allies. Yet still she felt the need to actively avoid sounding like a whining petulant child wanting him to stay for her own sake. Hyrold showed no indication of sharing this criticism. For his part, seemed somewhat resigned.
"I will explain everything once I come back." He told her. "I don't understand all of it just yet, but there is someone I need to speak with on an urgent matter." There was a moment of silence between father and daughter. At last, he started to turn towards the door, but was stopped when Zelda quickly grabbed his hand.
"Please come back safely."
"You have my word." Hyrold replied before he kissed her forehead. As he left the room, stopped as something clicked in his mind. "I almost forgot. As heir to the throne of Hyrule, your mother and I agreed that you should be assigned a protector."
"A bodyguard?" Zelda asked as she peered through the door. "Is that necessary?"
"More than you realise." The King stated gravely. "Your mother has selected a knight for the position on your behalf and I have already approved." Zelda felt a growing irritation at this. As much as she tried to understand the necessity of such an arrangement, she still felt that this was something she should have been consulted on.
"May I ask who this is?" She inquired. "If I am expected to trust my life with someone, I would like to know who."
"He is a new addition to the Knights of Hyrule." Hyrold answered. The instructors vouch for his remarkable skill during training and the final trials. He is also found to be of great loyalty to you." He smiled as her expression became etched with curiosity. Loyalty to her? A new knight who had just completed training.
"What's his name?" She asked, although she thought she may know already.
"I cannot say."
"Why not?"
"It's a surprise. Enjoy your day and take care. I will return as soon as possible." With this final farewell, the King traversed down the stone corridor. Zelda closed the door and proceeded to get dressed. A surprise? That was not at all the answer she expected. But perhaps it was confirmation? She shook her head at this thought. He cannot read her mind. How would he know what she was beginning to suspect? Not even an hour later, there was another knock on the door. She answered and was greeted by the armour-clad figure of a knight.

To passing onlookers, Impa could have easily been mistaken for a statue from a distance, standing in silent guard at the gates of the castle. Adorned in the symbol-covered robes of the Sheikah Clan, her white hair tied back and her face dominated with a red tattoo resembling an eye. she sat perfectly motionless in the saddle of her equally still horse. She did not care to keep track of the time or her passing observers until the King of Hyrule arrived, flanked by a trio of knights.
"You are late." Impa stated blankly. Hyrold made no visible reaction to this statement.
"I could hardly leave unannounced." He explained. "The Queen's sole authority needed to be announced during my absence. Besides, I owed my daughter an explanation for my absence today of all days."
"We cannot delay." Impa affirmed. "If what you say is true, and the mark of the Goddess has resurfaced, then… "
"Then you will have spoken the truth." Hyrold interrupted grimly. "And the Phantoms are returning." He entered his armoured carriage, followed by two knights. The third clambered into the driver's seat, placing his sword and shield to his side before taking the reins.
"You are certain we can trust this 'expert' of yours?" Impa asked, turning towards the king through the window.
"Ganondorf can be a strange one, this is true." He answered. "But there is no greater expert on the ancient histories and mysteries of the world. Are you sure you wouldn't rather take a seat?"
"I would be of more use to you outside such confines." Impa replied, prompting her horse to set forward. "Should we encounter any threat, I shall be the first line of defence."
The carriage rolled forward as its two horses pulled. Hyrold closed the hatch, lit the lantern hanging from the ceiling and sat in silence with his protectors, the muffled sounds of Hyrules roaming citizens passing them by.

"Your highness." the knight said blankly as he bowed. Zelda nodded and stepped back, prompting him to enter her room.
"Good morning." She started, somewhat unnerved by his lack of a visible face to focus on. "I take it you must by new bodyguard?" The knight did not answer. He seemed frozen in place, staring at her. Zelda shifted uncomfortable where she stood. Now that she thought of it, she never invited him into her chambers. The knight seemed to snap himself out of his apparent trance.
"My apologies." He started, looking away and scratching the back of his helmet. "I didn't mean…I shouldn't have…" As he stammered, Zelda noticed something familiar about him. After all this time, could it be him?
"No matter." She said, her lips widening into a mischievous grin. "I suppose you had just gotten used to entering through my window." The knight looked up with a jolt and noticed her expression. She was onto him. He reached towards his head and gripped his helmet, twisting it loose and removing it entirely. Although his features had hardened since they last met, the princess could never forget those blue eyes, soft smile and messy bedhair.
"Hello." Link began. They both stood in silence, staring, then stepped forward and hugged tightly. "I missed you."
"And I you." Zelda replied quietly. When they separated once more, they could both clearly see how much they had changed. Zelda could see how Link's armour and uniform hung off him, suggesting that whatever muscular build he had achieved made little difference to his thin frame. Link, without the visor of his helmet in the way, took in the sight of Zelda's soft features, green eyes and long golden hair. She looked, in his opinion, almost angelic. He started to blush slightly as he glanced elsewhere.
"What?" Zelda asked, smirking as she caught his eye again.
"Nothing, I just…" Link hesitated. "um…happy birthday."
"Thank you." She replied. "Goodness, how long has it been?"
"Eight years."
"Honestly, it felt like a lifetime."
"I promised I'd come back."
"And you did." There was another pause. Zelda considered hugging him again. Grabbing onto him and never letting him go again. Before she had time to
question this peculiar thought, Link had dropped to one knee.
"Princess Zelda." He began. "As your appointed protector, I am sworn to preserve your safety and wellbeing and defend against any and all that would mean you harm at any cost, including my life should duty demand it." Zelda stepped back, stunned. Link stood up again and looked as though he were waiting to gauge her response.
"That was…wow." Zelda uttered. "That was very dramatic."
"It was just a formality." Link explained, seeming uncertain. "One I…might have practiced. Did you know I was appointed as your bodyguard?"
"No, although I suspected as much." Zelda stated. "But when you say, 'your life', you don't mean…"
"If it comes to that." Link interjected. "It probably won't, but if it does…"
"It will not." It was her turn to cut him off, pointing dramatically. "As my first official command, you are not to go that far for my security."
"I'm afraid I can't promise that." As he said this, Link noticed the grim turn their reunion had taken. "But enough of that. I'd imagine we have much to catch up on."
"Oh yes." Zelda replied, clearly relieved by the change in subject. "Come. We have celebrations to attend, and I would not object to an escort." Maintaining his smile, Link replaced his helmet and lead the way out into the corridor. The two spoke the whole way to the castle hall, catching up on lost time and sharing stories of the last eight years. Before long, their separation seemed all but forgotten.