The long ride from Lurelin to Central Hyrule was nothing short of torture and depressing. Not a single word came out of the knights escorting him to the castle. Not even a breath could be heard. It had seemed as if a gigantic storm of sadness reigned upon all Hyrule. Even Eldin seemed to go cold for a day. He hid his tears for the Queen in the rain, not letting anyone see him weak.

The Queen took him in, Rhoam did too but people tell him it was more of her idea than Rhoam's. Faron was wet and slick with rain, as always. But this time it seemed more personal for nature to storm all of Hyrule. But then again, Hyrule didn't have a Queen. He sighed before being startled by the raging thunder, he pulled the hood more over his wet brown face.

Zelda. He shuddered at her name, only the goddesses know what she must be going through. Her mother? Dead when she's only six? Was that even older enough to properly remember things? At least in Xeri's case, his mother died when he was eleven meaning he got her engraved in his brain. But Zelda? Didn't even know what was going on. It was a safe to say, Zelda had it harder than Xeri. Yeah maybe not the growing up in the wild part, but now she has pressure on her that no one could take.

He had promised the Queen that he'd look after her. And that was his intention. They made it to the Hylia bridge. "How are the King and Princess?" He closed his eyes when he asked. His heart thumped into his chest, making him think that his heart would explode through his chest.

"I don't know, sir." The young officer answered. "We heard the news and was immediately ordered to escort you to the Castle."

"When is her funeral?" Xeri asked, his voice deadpanned.

"In two days." An older officer answered, he looked over his shoulder to face the appointed knight. He was a redhead, with a handlebar mustache and bits of gray sticking out. "I can't imagine how the Princess feels."

"Me neither." Another officer spoke up. "I can't imagine what the royal family is going through." It was silent for most of the ride to the castle. Crossing over the bridge of Hylia, they made they're way to the dark castle. It was so gloomy and dark, it made Xeri anxious.

"I must ask," All four guards looked at him. "When did she die?"

"Last night." The younger officer said. He sounded dead and cold. Xeri nodded before they started to make they're way to the castle once again. His legs ached and what he needed was to be in Lurelin sitting with a glass of Goron wine. He shook the thought off, how dare he? In times like this?

The castle gate opened slowly, the screeching sound killed his ears before the gate was fully opened. It took awhile but before he knew it, he was walking in the sanctum. Alone. The Queen's throne was empty as predicted, but the King wasn't there. In fact, no one was in there. The lights were off and the rain stormed outside.

He walked more inside before sighing, he went to turn around before Rhoam was seen looking at him dead in the eye. Standing in the sanctum entrance, the two men stared each other down. Rhoam didn't have his crown on, his baggy eyes made him look like he hadn't slept in a month. His usually white beard was colored with gray, his royal clothes were wrinkled and rumpled.

"Xeri." He said, no hint of emotion in his voiced.

"Rhoam." Xeri countered. Rhoam walked closer towards the now former appointed knight before they were a couple inches away from each other. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm lost..." He muttered before stopping. He looked at Xeri before sighing. "Is this...Is this what you felt when you lost your Mother? It's only been 14 hours and I feel as if I'm merely drifting aimlessly."

Lost. Drifting aimlessly in life. That's exactly what he felt, always expecting his mother to wake him up. Only to wake up to an empty cot with the covers folded. They've been that way since she died, Xeri took care of belongings. Dusting them when they needed, cleaning them when they needed. And it did, indeed made him feel lost. "Yes. I cannot lie to you, I did feel lost. My mother being alive, I felt I had a sense of direction everyday. But the day she died, all of that vanished. Still haven't found it, still think I'm aimlessly floating through time."

He seen a tear escape from Rhoam before he sniffed and wiped it. He couldn't fool Xeri, Rhoam was dying inside. He stared at the broken man. His closest friend, it hurt to watch Rhoam die inside. He's never seen him like this. Rhoam always put on a strong front, not matter what troubles faced Hyrule. Even when Yiga sneaked in the castle to try and kidnap Zelda. Speaking of Zelda.

"Where is she?" Xeri said, making it loud and clear about whom he was speaking of.

"In her room, when your done seek me out. We need to talk about the funeral arrangements." On one heel, he spinner around and walked out of the sanctum. Xeri did the same after a couple minutes, following the path to Zelda's room. It was a rather quick walk and he opened her door. Her room, which was bigger than his hut back in Lurelin looked darker than Thyphlo Ruins. It was so dark, he didn't think his eyes could catch anything if something were to attack him. They'd have a good advantage.

He heard whimpering. Unsheathing his sword, he ventured further deeper into the room before coming across her bed. Zelda lied with the covers up to her shoulder, lying on her side. She squirmed in her sleep, dry tears from under her eyes glistening. He sheathed the sword once more before sitting on the edge of her bed. He turned his face around to face her, in case she woke up. A couple minutes later, Zelda threw herself up before running over towards the window and retching. He walked up towards the six year old and rubbed her back. He stroked her gold hair out of her face, watching her throw up her insides.

"Nightmares are the hardest about this." He cooed, she looked at him before whimpering and puking once more. It had finally stopped raining, meaning she could throw her guts up outside. "Let's get you back to bed."

He carefully picked her up bridal style, before carrying her to her bed. He put her down, before taking a napkin off the nightstand to clean her face. "Xeri?"

"Yes?"

"Have you ever...had something like this happen to you?" He took took the napkin, wiping dried puke and dried tears from her face. Those gigantic green eyes looked into his green eyes. He sighed before looking at the moonlight.

"Yes. My mother died when I was young. I was few years older than you."

"How did she die?" Her tiny weak high pitched voice ringed in his ears.

"Well," He sat down on the bed. "When I was younger, my mother used to be what's known as a drug addict."

"Drug addict?" She asked innocently.

"Yes. Meaning she used to abuse drug usage. She'd take a lot of them at one time. Making her in a goofy state, but it was killing her. She'd sleep for hours and we'd be worried but she always woke back up. Until one day, she took them and never woke up."

"That sounds so sad." She said.

"It was, I couldn't live with myself for awhile after she died within 100 yards from me. I could've prevented it." He said with guilt in his voice.

"But your the appointed knight. You've saved a lot people, even my mother." Zelda said with a sad smile. How can a six year old be this smart?

"I am. But the one thing I've known about this job, the very core of it. Is that you can't save everyone. No matter how good you are in this line of work. That you cannot win every fight, no matter how good of a fighter you are. Or that you simply can't lift something no matter how strong you are. That even I have limits."

"Xeri, will you keep me safe?"

He looked over to her, green eyes locked onto green eyes. "I promise you Zelda. I will not let anything happen to you."

He watched her close her tired eyes before sighing deeply into a deep sleep. He sat on a chair next to her bed. He crossed his arms, before feeling his eyes heavy. He closed them in a attempt to rest.

...

Present Day.

"I'm appointing him as your knight. He will be everywhere you are." Her green orbs widened in shock.

"Father-"

"This isn't up for discussion Zelda. He is the best swordsman in all of Hyrule. He perfectly fits the description for the job. As Princess, you should be kept safe no matter where you are. Monsters have been popping up everywhere in Hyrule."

"I can take care of myself."

"That's where your wrong." The king growled. It was quiet for a minute or two. "How is you training going?" The king asked. His white beard was way longer than it was, but other than that he looked the same.

She looked up at him, her green orbs filled with nervousness. "I've been doing everything I can."

"You aren't trying hard enough it seems." She felt tears brimming in her eyes. What more did he want her to do? She spun around before walking quickly out of the sanctum. She was in her room within minutes crying into a pillow.

Why was he chosen to be her knight? How come she didn't get a say in it? A knock erupted from her door. "Go away!" She exclaimed. The door opened, and she heard heavy footsteps walk towards her bed. She didn't bother taking her face out of the pillow before weight placed itself upon her bed.

"What's wrong?" A familiar voice asked. She put her head up, before removing a few strands of hair from her face. Xeri looked at her with his green orbs before stroking his flat, blackish-grey beard. "You know you can always talk to me."

"Why is father appointing him as my appointed knight? How come it can't be you? You've always been there for me." She asked, tears brimming her eyelids before she placed her face back in the pillow. She felt a strong hand rub her back, like he's always done, calming her.

"Well for starters, I'm fourty-one. Like it or not, I can't protect you forever. I came and went. New appointed knight comes in, and I fade out while they take over. It's not a bad thing, you can trust Link. He's a good kid."

"But he's everything. He has everything, with his...dumb stoic face. He never says a word, everything is a stupid head nod or a grunt. He's perfect, he has the sword. I haven't accomplished a single thing." Her balled up fists slammed down on the bed at that last word.

Xeri chuckled before brushing a loose strand of hair out of her face. Her sore eyes dug a hole into his green eyes. "You've accomplished numerous things in your life. You know who would be proud? Your mother. When I was first appointed knight for her, everyone in the castle hated the idea. Dirty looks, sideways glances and just about everyone telling me "a criminal doesn't deserve to protect the Queen" and that I was nothing more than a low life convict."

"But she," He continued. "She was on board with it. She willingly put her life in my hands every time she went somewhere. I proved people wrong, I proved myself wrong. What I'm saying is you should give Link a chance. I know what he's capable of." With that, he planted a kiss on her forehead before smiling and turning towards the exit.

"Wait," Zelda said. He turned to her. "Can you at least stay for dinner before you go back to Lurelin?" She said. Those eyes.

"Of course." He smiled before leaving the room. He sighed when the door closed, before fiddling in his pocket for a cigar. He eventually found one, and his lighter in the other pocket. Placing it in his mouth, he began to lit the cigar before-

"Y'know, no smoking in the castle." A flirtatious voice rang from behind him, he spun around to see Urbosa. Her long legs strides forward towards him before she slid her finger around his shoulders as she's always done. "Don't you have a sparring match with the new appointed knight?"

"I do. Doesn't mean I can't lit one before it." He said, he finally placed it back in his mouth before lighting it. He heard it slowly crack when he took a hit from it before blowing the smoke out.

"I don't feel like your taking this serious." Urbosa frowned.

"I am. I know what Link is capable of. Been in the field with him multiple times. There's a reason he's my succeeder."

"I'm just making sure." She said softly walking with him. They made it to the courtyard where the other champions were at. Link, Daruk, Mipha and Revali. They all stood side by side, Link being the first obvious. He went up to them one by one shaking they're hand until he got to Link.

"I guess this means you'll be taking my job." Xeri said with a soft smile looking down at the blonde boy. His face was soaked with nervousness, and all he could do was nod. "Don't be so nervous kid, we've got a big sparring match today. You ready?"

"Yes." Link slightly said loud enough. Her heard a scoff from down the line.

"You've got to be kidding me," Revali spoke up before walking towards Xeri. "You seriously think he's up for the job? The Hylian barely talks-"

"I'm sorry to interrupt your little rant but let me ask you a question." Xeri menacingly walked towards the shorter Rito bird. "What can you do besides shoot a bow?"

The Rito looked at him, growling and quaking with anger. He went to open his beak before closing it and continued to stare into the older man's eyes. "Then shut your beak and keep it shut. Don't make me shut it for you."

Revali grumbled something before walking away towards the end of the line. "Now back to what I was saying," He held a hand out showing a path to Link. He followed him and they walked side by side. They were out of the courtyard and on castle grounds. "I'm under the impression that Zelda doesn't like you." Xeri smiled walking with his hands behind his back.

"She doesn't like me. I think she hates me, sir." Link said back making Xeri chuckle. He stroked his beard before looking down at the boy in the blue tunic. "Everything I do, she gives me a dirty look."

"Well Zelda's always been like. She gives more dirty looks in the day than she gives me smiles. It's always been her though, dedicated her life to make her Father proud. Which was never the case, always scolding her to work harder which ended in him telling Rhoam to ease up on her."

Link listened intently. "When her mother died, Zelda wasn't the same for awhile. She never smiled, only rarely. She'd use all her time studying ancient relics which I found to be fascinating for her. So I'd let her study them, which was so much fun for her. Seemed she'd be more into making them then being Princess."

"I've been her protector for years up until now. I promised her mother that I'd always protect her, and if I had to, give my life for her to live. I'm expecting the same energy with you. Now that my time is over, and yours is starting. I need to make sure your up to the job, this is the Princess of Hyrule we're talking about. What I was saying before, is I've never seen a knight as fast, as smart and tough as you are. So that's why in this sparring match, I want you to throw everything you've got at me."

Link's eyes widened. "But sir-"

"In this line of weak, we do not show weakness or mercy on enemies. You must protect the Princess with your life, whereas she's Hyrule's future. I fully expect you to be able to handle this job?"

There was a silence between the two before Link nodded his head. "Yes sir."

"That's my boy, now go get ready for the spar."

...

Xeri stared at the boy with a look. Link looked at him back, with a look of his own. He hoped he had helped give the boy confidence for this fight. The man put the flag in the middle of the arena, before pulling it up. He unsheathed his two swords before letting them drop to his sides, his hands clutching both weapons. Link unsheathed his shield as well. The two walked closer towards each other, before Link swiped diagonal.

Xeri blocked it, swinging his blade towards Link's torso. He felt the sword hit the strong shield of Link's before Link swiped at Xeri's legs. Xeri used his left sword to block it, before seeing a predictable move from Link. Swiping for the middle aged man's chest, he slide back far enough so that Link's sword couldn't reach him. He grinned.

Link swung the sword down harshly, but to no prevail it didn't hit Xeri. Another try emerged from the Hylian this time, bringing the sword down from over his shoulder. They locked swords before beginning to push for dominance. "Your stronger than I thought." Xeri said quickly before letting go.

Link's face scrunched up in frustration and went for Xeri's head once again only to miss. Ducking it, Xeri swiped his ankle, letting the sword cut through his skin. He must've done something stupid, because he went to dodge Link's attack but not before the tip of the sword cut his cheek. He slide back making sure the boy wasn't in range. He checked his cheek before chuckling.

"All that for merely a scratch?" He asked. Link rushed at him, swinging the sword towards the chest once more, he stepped back again before dodging a diagonal swing to Xeri. A stab, into what would've been the gut, missed and Xeri spun around the sword to get closed to Link before bashing an elbow into his face. Link stumbled before dodging Xeri's attack. They traded blows, blocking and dodging each other's swords.

Link swung around, making a full 360 spin. Xeri ducked, going under the sword before cutting Link's thigh. Link wobbled off balance, he took advantage of swinging the sword, Link used the shield to deflect it, flying from his hand. Only one sword now, gotta do this the old way.

He dodged an attack from Link, before quickly swiping along his bicep. Another swing of Link's sword, and Xeri's shoulder was cut. Damn, reflexesweren't fast enough for that. He'll give Link that. This was one of the fights of his life, and they weren't even trying to kill each other. Whatever Link hoped to prove, he did. At this point, Xeri was certain he was the right man for the job. He dodged another sword blow, before letting his right fist crash onto Link's jaw. Sending him back, he let the sword cut his skin once again making him drop the shield. Kicking the shield, Link and Xeri traded more blows. But it wasn't hit after hit, it was dodge after dodge.

Xeri swung low, Link dodged. Link swung high, Xeri ducked. Both men locked swords, no winner in strength. It had gone on for about another 10 minutes before they were out of breath. Rhoam stood up.

"A tie!" The ground erupted in a mixture of anger, happiness and complaints. At least no one lost any bets. Xeri walked towards Link, who was busy getting healing from Mipha. He extended a hand out before Link took it and gripped.

"You gave me a hellavue fight, son. I give credit when credit is due. And you most certainly earned it. I hope you cherish this task more than I have."

"I will sir."

"Good. Cause first thing tomorrow, you and her are heading out to Goron City to check Rudania. Kings orders, even though I figure he'll tell you later. Understood?

"Yes sir."