Zelda's POV:

Link was gorging on the food that was laid out for us, still a glutton as ever I see. I can't help but chuckle when I see his face light up when he has another bowl of rice. Paya really went all out, making all sorts of different types of food for us. Rice, eggs, soups, fruit, and all kinds of meats. While Link enjoys all of the food, I relish in a simple cup of tea that Paya made for me and a serving of fruit. Oh how I've waited for this moment…it really is the simple things you miss when entrapped in a magical prison for 100 years. Who would have thought? Link looks over to me, he looks so happy, but slightly embarrassed for his over indulgence. I giggle, he has no reason to be this way, I notice a grain of rice on the corner of his mouth, I take my thumb and gently wipe it off his face. I'm not sure why, but he quickly looked away, but I do see his ears turning a bright red. Not much has changed since I've been gone…but…what am I supposed to do now? I look down at my tea and see my reflection and all I see is a failure…lucky enough to be alive. Impa suddenly speaks up, "Princess, Link, when you're ready, please meet with me downstairs," I am still confused as to what Impa could possibly want to speak about. Link looks over to me, I guess he's just as confused as well. Impa has always been the serious type, but her advice is always sound. I finish my cup of tea and stand up, helping Paya clean up, Link quickly scarfs his last serving and joins in.

We both walk down the steep stairs, Paya following suit, we see Impa waiting for us, she looks focused, she takes notice of our entrance and gestures for us to sit down. I sit down on a conveniently placed cushion and Link sits beside me, Paya takes her grandma's side, nervous as ever. The silence makes me nervous,

"Impa, what is this about?" I ask.

"Princess, now that the Calamity has been thwarted…what do you plan on doing?" I was afraid she was going to ask me this. What can I do?

"To be quite honest…I–I'm not sure,"

"That is alright," well that was something I wasn't expecting.

"I know that I have much to do…but…I don't know where to start," I admit. Impa begins to cackle, "Princess, Hyrule will not rebuild itself overnight, give yourself as much time as you need…" she says calmly. I am relieved to hear her words, but that feeling is soon thwarted when she looks at me with a serious look in her eye.

"However…Hyrule has also not had a ruler in over 100 years…" that statement hit me like a ton of bricks, she continues.

"If you are planning on rebuilding Hyrule to its glory, the Sheikah will always remain loyal to the royal family…but…" Impa says cryptically, I look up to her, what more does she have to say?

"It's the other kingdoms and settlements that bring me concern, many of the once united regions have remained thankfully peaceful, it may be possible some think they no longer see a need for a new leader…or see you as a royal at all,"

I hadn't even thought about this, rebuilding Hyrule is going to take more than just pure manpower. Of course I'm going to have to rebuild the people's trust as well…especially the leaders of each settlement, I'm going to have to win it all back, as well as my royal title, which I can no longer say I have. But do I really want it…? I look down at my hands that are laying in my lap, "I–I suppose you're right," the silence in the room is deafening,

"You can look at it two ways Princess…" Two? I look over to Paya hoping she could give me slightly a hint at what her grandma could be talking about, but she stands firm, surprisingly serious.

"First, it is merely an obstacle that you will have to work for, earning the people of Hyrule's trust…it's not an easy task, let alone finding the power as well, however…it is doable, within time of course…" she says confidently, patting her lap with assurance in her words. I give her a small grin, I appreciate her confidence,

"Second," she pauses— why must she leave me in such suspicion?

"You have a second chance of a new life, you can do what you've always wanted to do, and indulge in your studies, you always have a comfortable home here in Kakariko…" she finishes. I think my jaw almost dropped hearing those words come out of Impas mouth, a suggestion that I haven't even once considered. But…should I?

I look over to Link, who is just sitting there, quietly, attentively, I can still never tell what he's thinking…but I know he is always listening. Paya is remaining ever so quiet, but her feet are shuffling softly side to side. I look back to Impa, she's awaiting an answer from me but I…

I just don't know…

Hyrule…my people, my home, when my kingdom needed me, I failed when it needed me most, can I even consider myself worthy or being its new ruler? I'm a fool for thinking so in the first place, but—

"There are things…I still don't know…" I say out loud, "Pardon?"

"The Sheikah technology…and the Calamity, I want to learn more about it,"

"If I may Princess, what are you speaking about? The Calamity is no more right?" Impa says carefully. I shake my head, "For now," I can't be so sure but…if this is an event that has happened before…

"Who's to say that it won't happen again?" I say, "We found the Sheikah technology in time for us to barely begin actually controlling it, we need to learn more about it, and ensure that its knowledge passes down somehow…" I began to clench my fists, "Even if the people of Hyrule no longer want anything to do with the royal family, I still want to ensure that my people are better prepared and are safe," I finish, I'm embarrassed to say it outloud, where do I even start? We barely had any knowledge on the Calamity and the sacred power the royal family inherited from the goddess Hylia, now…it may be nearly impossible,

"Y-You should do it Princess…" Paya perks up, "It will be easier said than done…"

"But you can try…follow your instinct, I–I'm sure there is somewhere you can start!" But where? There is nowhere to start unless…hold on…

"The Divine Beasts…" I didn't think about it before but…are the Divine Beasts even operable at this point if the Calamity is defeated? What happens now since their pilots have moved on…? "We'll start our investigation at the Divine Beasts," Impa cracks a small smile, "So you're planning on going to the Divine Beasts?" "W-Well yes…that seems the most obvious place to start," she nods her head, "Understood…" she pauses and looks up to me and then looks over to Link, "You say 'we' Princess…but what about you…Link?", he looks as if he's been broken from trance, he was listening this whole time with such a serious face, now that Impa is asking him this question, he looks like he doesn't know what to say.

"Me?" he points to himself, Impa nods again, I'm just as confused as he is, what is Impa going on about? "Are you still planning on traveling with the Princess?" she asks bluntly. Link looks taken aback, questioning why she would even ask something like that…but it hits me.

"You no longer are obligated to be the Princesses knight…since the Calamity is over," Impa says calmly. He tilts his head like he's trying to process what she's saying.

"You…are free from your duties Link…" I say quietly, I'm so selfish, since my Father has passed…and the royal family no longer has any power…Link has no obligations to stay with me.

"Oh…" is all he manages to let out, he seems so indifferent about it though, "Have you thought about what you wanted to do during your travels?" Impa asks, I feel my eyes stinging, I have to honor whatever Link wishes to do…but I just thought that maybe we could—

"When are we heading out?" Link asks, "H-huh?" he looks over to me confused,

"The Divine Beasts, when are we heading out?"

Is he saying—?

"Link…you…want to come with me?"

"Well of course," he begins to scratch the back of his head, "Why wouldn't I?" I don't know why, but I'm shocked. He spent no time thinking about it. Even without his duties, he still wants to come with me. Impa clapped her hands together calling attention to us all, like she had already planned that to be the only logical answer.

"Now that that's out of the way…the Sheikah will start making preparations for you and Link, where are you planning on heading out first, Princess?" I take a moment to think about it,

"The closest and most obvious place would be Zora's Domain,"

"Very well, Paya!"

"O-oh! Y-yes grandma?"

"Start making the preparations for the Princess and Link,"

"R-right away…" Paya bowed, and began to exit the room. I noticed her take one last glance towards Link, and quickly left, quietly closing the sliding door behind her. Link wants to come with me, but Paya…she'll miss him terribly. Link whispers something, that shakes me out of my thoughts,

"There's still something that's bothering me…"

"What would that be?"

"You…can't enter the Divine Beasts anymore,"

I look confused, "What do you mean?"

"Well, when I destroyed the blights, and the Champion's were freed, there was no other way for me to get inside them,"

So we can't enter them anymore…

"I wonder if we perhaps need a key,"

"You mean like the Sheikah slate?" Link asks, he had the slate on his hip the whole time. He opened it and I saw a look of confusion overcome his face. "That's odd,"

"What's wrong?"

"The slate wants us to go to where the Divine Beasts are," he shows the image of what the slate is showing him, and sure enough, there are four pin-points on the map, surely where the Beasts are located. "But if we can't get in…" I hear Impa clear her throat before I can say anything further. "Perhaps there is someone we know in Hateno that could help explain this…" she hints. I am slow at figuring out who she could be referring to. However, Link wastes no time,

"Oh, you mean Purah?" he asks calmly.

She nods, "Perhaps you're not such a lunkhead after all," she starts cackling, Link shoots her a grin, however I can see his eyebrows twitch in slight annoyance, I can't help but chuckle at the banter at Links expense. He looks over to me, and his face relaxes slightly, however he is still trying to show the annoyance in his face. Wait a minute…he mentioned…

"Purah is still alive?" I ask,

"Very," Link and Impa say in unison, they both wear different expressions on their faces. Links more reserved and in thought, like he doesn't have the words to explain something, and Impas face is twitching in slight annoyance muttering so quietly, even I can't hear it…and…do I detect a hint of sibling jealousy? "Is something wro—"

"You'll…find out," Link says.

Link's POV:

Paya wasted no time preparing us for our journey, she managed to get many of the villagers help to chip in and provide something of use to us. It's still early in the day, if we leave now, we'll make it to Hateno in the late afternoon. It feels rather humid outside. I welcome a small breeze that brings me slight relief. I sit on a small bench next to the manor's doors, overlooking the whole village. I see Zelda has gone ahead and is taking inventory of everything we have and what the villagers gave to us. When I showed her the unlocked runes of the Sheikah Slate, her eyes lit up like fireworks, I couldn't exactly say "no" to her plea in exploring everything I was able to uncover about it.

I just hope she doesn't read my entries…

I hear the sounds of small footsteps accompanied by small clunking made by a familiar looking cane, "Are you gonna hit me this time?" I ask, slightly joking, slightly serious. Impa cackles, "At ease Link, only if you mention Purahs age or disrespect the Princess will you feel the wrath of my trusty weapon," "You know I can easily cut through that right?" I gesture my hand to have my thumb pointed to the Master Sword which is now sitting on my back as usual.

"You wouldn't hit an old lady would you?"

"Depends, are you a part of the Yiga?" I say sarcastically, Impa chuckles at the small banter, then there is a short silence between us, Impa suddenly asks,

"So…do you remember…everything?"

What kind of question is that? Why would she have trusted me to know the final memory I have before I fell during the Calamity? Although that dream from last night…I'm more than sure that, that had to be a memory. It felt so real, the rain falling on my hand, the heat from the fire, the sweetness of the candy, the…the feeling of Zelda's body in my arms, damn it, I can't keep remembering it without my face heating up.

"H-Hard to say if I don't remember in the first place huh?"

"I suppose you're right…" Impa says calmly. I look down to Zelda, it still feels unreal that she is here with us now. I'll be traveling with her again, just like 100 years ago. I wonder how different things will be with the Calamity no longer looming over us, we can take our time, do all of the things that Zelda wanted to do freely now, there's so much for us to do. "You and the Princess…" I look over to Impa, "Hmm?"

"Were…very close,"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I mean, you two were together…a lot, once you were assigned as her personal knight, you two were basically inseparable. Attached to the hip at the Princess's displeasure—at first…"

I pause, she looks up to me with a serious look on her face,

"It's possible you still have memories you have not yet uncovered yet, especially with your time with the Princess," but how will I know? "I–I guess I just feel like something is missing…" I admit. I feel gutted when she bursts out laughing, I swear this maniacal old woman…

"Don't look so discouraged, I'm sure in due time you will remember, I'm sure being with the Princess will jog your memory, surely you have more memories than just moments captured from the Sheikah Slate. You the Princess…understood each other, perhaps more than anyone else…even me.."

I don't say anything, I just continue to gaze at Zelda, looking at her arm, she never told me how she hurt herself, I start to walk down the flight of stairs when I hear Impa finish, "Make sure…you protect her, with your life," I look back to her, and nod my head, she doesn't have to tell me twice. I start walking down, Zelda is showing Cottla and Koko all of the recipes I have written down, when the girls notice me walking up to them, they immediately break their attention away from Zelda and jump towards me hugging me tightly. I can't help but grin at their sweetness.

"Mister Link! Are you feeling better? Do you want some of Koko's cooking?"

"Do you wanna play hide and seek?" I laugh nervously and kneel down to their level, "I'm feeling so much better thanks to you all," the girls have a glimmer in their eyes, I sigh, "But I'm sorry I can't play with you this time, and you don't need to make me anything today Koko," those are some words I never thought I'd say.

"Aww…" they say in disappointment. I smile nervously, I hear Zelda's footsteps coming closer. "Where are you going now, Mister Link?" Cottla asks, "Are you getting married to this girl you brought?" Koko adds, Zelda stops in her tracks and looks flustered, I immediately try to deflate the situation. "No, no! We're just friends," I laugh nervously, "Kids say the darn darndest things don't they Master Link?" a familiar voice says behind me,

Cottla and Koko both gasp in excitement, "Daddy!" they yell excitedly.

"Sorry it wasn't much of a visit this time Dorian," I say, Dorian booms in laughter, "Are you kidding? The girls have been asking about you and the Princess non-stop ever since you've returned. You've given them something to be excited about, I can't thank you enough, let alone for saving Hyrule. We're truly in your debt Master Link," he says humbly. He then bows to me, "Papa!" Koko says surprised, and then immediately nudges her sister to follow their father's lead and they bow towards me too. I feel really embarrassed, they're giving me too much credit. I try gesturing for Dorian to lift his head, but he won't budge.

"You can't give me all the credit, Zelda's the one whos been keeping us safe for all these years and sealed the Calamity,"

"I-It was all of us…"

I turn around and I see Zelda, still flustered, but trying to stay composed. "I-It was because we all worked together, we were able to defeat Ganon," she says.

"Well said," Impa says as she is being carried by Cado, laying her down softly, while she sits on a comfy looking cushion. Paya approaches behind her. "M-Master Link," Paya whispers,

"Oh yeah! Thanks for packing us some meals and taking care of me and Zelda this whole time, I really appreciate it Paya,"

"Y-Yes, thank you Paya," Zelda says, Paya's face turns crimson red, she begins to shuffle her feet nervously. "W-Well I…I would do it again if it was for your M-Master Link," I'm not really sure what to say to that, but I'm always grateful for her kindness. I hear Epona beginning to neigh in excitement, "It seems she knows we're heading out," Zelda stated. "Right…are you ready?" Zelda nods nervously. We both look towards the villagers who have gathered around. "When you both return, a celebration is in order," Impa said."I'm sure we'll return soon," Zelda said, as she hoisted herself atop Epona and sat on her back. I jump on her and saddle up, and we start trotting away as I hear all of the villagers say their goodbyes, Zelda waving back to each of them, she gently wraps her arms around me. "S-Sorry, let me know if I'm squeezing you too tight," Keep it cool Link, keep it cool, I guess we'll be traveling with just Epona till we get to Hateno unless…

"You're fine, but let's make a stop before we get to Hateno,"

"Oh? Where too?"

"There's someone you still haven't seen yet," I say as I give a small grin. I click my heels and Epona dashes off.

We arrive at the Dueling Peaks stable, when I dismount Epona, Zelda follows behind me, she has a confused look on her face. "Link…who am I missing?" she looks around immediately noticing the unusual trait of this stable, "Is…everyone here…a twin?" she asks. "Looks that way," I chuckle. I walk up to the horse registry.

"Link! Welcome back, who's the lady you have with you?" the stableman booms.

"Good to see you Tasseren," I reply, purposely not answering his question, "I need to take out the royal's descendant horse," "Is that her owner?" he points, trying to get a reaction out of me. "Who can say?" he huffs in disappointment, it's not my place to tell anybody who Zelda is, I'll leave that for her. If I tell anybody now, it could bring unprecedented stress for Zelda, just when she's starting a new life.

NEIGH

Tasseren brings out the white steed and I thank him for the trouble. I hear Zelda gasp, and see her eyes begin to gloss over. She immediately rushes over to the horse and places her head to its own. Another happy reunion. Even the horse looks happy. She looks over to me, "Thank you…Link," I can't help but feel flushed. "Y-You're welcome…" She climbs atop the steed and Epona neighs at me in slight annoyance, they're all waiting on me.

"Till next time Tasseren," I climb onto Epona and begin to dash away before I can hear him finish his sentence. Zelda quickly followed suit, quickly catching up to my pace. "Next stop, Hateno," Zelda says confidently. I nod in approval, I look up to the sky, we should be getting there around the late afternoon, right on time. We continue galloping down the tr

Before I know it, we're already at Fort Hateno, we're almost there. Zelda is keeping up a good pace but when she falls behind, I get a bit concerned and I look behind me and notice she's staring out to the expansive field of destroyed Guardians. Her eyes are hollow and just scan the field until her vision lands where…it happened. I pull Epona to walk back to Zelda's side and get close enough to where I can place my hand gently on her shoulder, pulling her out her trance. "S-Sorry, I-I just…" she stumbles, I shake my head,

"It's okay,"

"Link…th-this place…"

"It doesn't matter now," I say, she looks back at me with a small tear falling down her face.

"I'm still here,"