Link's POV:
The birds' overly loud chirping, the sun's bright rays that begin to creep into the old dingy cabin, and a dull thunking sound are what woke me up this morning.
But no Zelda, my body is groggy as I get up and stretch out my arms. I wonder where she could be…? The Sheikah slate is missing, but the horses outside are calm thankfully, but that thunking sound is continuous.
Where is that coming from?
The thunking noise persists, grating on my ears as I begin to put on my normal gear and strap up my boots. Looking out the open door, I see if there's any trace of Zelda. Worry overwhelms me when she's not in my immediate line of sight. I b-line towards the irregular thunking sound, hoping it's where I'll find her.
In the thick of the bushes and trees, the thought that she's gone begins to come over, like these past few days have been nothing but a sick joke, everything that we've done was all just an elaborate dream, goddesses know I have a habit of being a heavy sleeper.
Luckily, the sun catches streaks of golden blonde hair. That's gotta be her. Walking quietly through the foliage I see a part of her backside. She's holding something, panting, and grunting slightly.
THUNK
What's she doing?
It becomes clear to me as I finally step through the brush. She's holding a long golden royal bow, in a disciplined stance just like I showed her, shooting arrows in continuation and the surrounding trees are her targets.
She's trying to hide her catching her breath. Every arrow she releases, she seethes through her teeth in slight pain. Hearing her pain makes me instinctively get closer to her, stepping on loose leaves on the ground making a cracking sound, making my presence known immediately.
"Morning,"
She turns around in shock, "L-Link! G-Good morning,"
Seeing a flustered Zelda never seems to get old, I chuckle at her nervousness.
"H-How did you sleep?" she asked, I dramatically yawn and stretched out my arms,
"Fine, considering someone was drooling in their sleep," I laugh. She scowled at me playfully.
"You should be lucky, at least I wasn't snoring," she proclaimed. There's something different about her behavior.
Her body language is off, she's trying to hide the bow and mainly her hands behind her back. All it does is fill me with concern. I won't force her but…
"Whatcha doing out here so early?" I ask, placing my hands on my hips, she begins to shuffle around nervously.
"Isn't it obvious? I-I'm training so I can be more useful!"
"Are you okay?" I try to look behind her to see what she's hiding behind her back, she perks up stuttering through her words, "Uh, y-yes! Of course I'm fine!" she said with a nervous smile,
"You're a really bad liar y'know that?" I chuckle, I hold out my hand, hoping she'll let me see what's wrong with her. She accepts the invitation nervously and slowly picks her hand up and lays it on top of mine. Her hand is all bloodied and blistered, with a few splinters poking through her delicate skin.
"And you call me reckless," I tease, trying to hide my concern for her injury. I shouldn't be concerned about something so small, but…
"You push yourself too hard,"
She huffs "You sound like Urbosa…" with sadness in her voice.
"Well she was right, and I agree," I retorted, carefully pulling out the splinters from the tip of her finger. She winced in a little bit of pain, pulling back every so slightly,
"I'm sorry about this, it'll be over soon," pulling them all out one by one. I release her hand from my soft grip and let her hold her hand. She looks over to see if there are any more splinters remaining.
"Well…I suppose I could take a break from training," She begins to put the bow back on, grabbing the arrows that were shot in the nearby trees and begins to walk back to the cabin. This moment…
"Shall we have breakfast, Link?"
It…reminds me of something, trying to recollect my thoughts, my mind begins to go white.
The Royal Sanctum, a prestigious place for a knight to be called too. His Majesty got word that I saved the Princess from a rampant guardian with a nearby pot lid the other day.
Since then, I've heard whispers in the hallway, some knights think I did it to show off, some are still in awe of the situation, there are some rumors that I'll be discharged from being a knight due to me destroying Sheikah technology, since it's considered royal property. Even so, I dread to think what would've happened to the Princess if I hadn't been there, maybe it was fate.
But…I don't think she likes me so much.
My steps echo through the halls as I approach the inner sanctum. There are two royal guards standing watch who look at me with slight distaste. There seems to be an internal feud between us knights and the royal guard, not sure why, we're all on the same team here. And even then, to become part of the royal guard, you have to spend some time as a knight…must be a power thing.
"His Majesty is expecting you…Link,"
"Wonder what he wants to do with you, Chosen One,"
They're trying to bait me to speak, but it won't work. I don't give them the satisfaction of looking at them either. I can't bring myself to speak even if I wanted to. The pressure of what it means to hold this sacred blade on my back, it's too much. But I have to, for the sake of Hyrule, and the Princess.
"Are you gonna be silent for His Majesty too?"
"What a weirdo,"
I'm getting tired of waiting for them to open the doors just so they can make their jabs. It may be against the rules, but I can't make His Majesty wait any longer, I'm sure he'll understand.
I burst through the doors and see King Rhoam sitting on his throne, waiting for me. He jumps a little startled, with the Princess to his side with a stoic look on her face. They both look at me, and I immediately kneel down in their presence.
"Ah yes! I've been expecting you, you're Link, is that right?" I nod my head,
"You're the one who saved my daughter, the Princess from the Guardians deadly lasers? Is that correct?" I nod my head again, "At ease Link, you may rise,"
At his command, I slowly inch my head up to look up to His Majesty and the Princess in her deep blue royal gown, she is doing everything trying not to look at me, but I can't help but always be awestruck by her beauty. I don't dare look at her too long though, I immediately bring my focus back to the king.
"I'd like to get a good look at the face who saved my daughter, you seem familiar," he says, getting up and walking towards me, I stand as still as a statue as he towers over me.
"You're Arns boy aren't you?" I nod my head, I haven't heard my fathers name in so long, I almost didn't recognize it. I wonder what he would do if he heard about my incident with the Princess.
"He was a great man, one of the best royal guards Hyrule ever had. I hope he's enjoying his retired life in Hateno. He raised a fine young man, and an even greater knight," he backs up and gives me a bit of space, I slowly release the tension built up in my shoulders and relax ever so slightly. He walks back to his throne and sits down.
"Link, I have a duty for you, I hope you know that this is the highest honor that I can bestow upon any one of my knights," this is it, my stomach is turning from waiting in anticipation, the Princess looks agitated just by hearing my name.
"I hereby deem you Princess Zelda's personal knight and bodyguard,"
"WHAT?!" she yells in protest practically in His Majesty's ear. He flinches slightly at his daughter's outburst, but is mostly unfazed.
"I trust you will uphold your duty and be there for the Princess when she goes off on her journeys, you will start going with her on her travels starting tomorrow," I nod, of course I will, it's huge honor, but—
"Father please, anyone but him,"
It's strange, I don't seem to mind what any of the knights in the barracks, the royal attendants, or really anyone in general and what they think of me. But hearing the Princess's pure annoyance of my existence, I'm…bothered by it. But there's nothing I can do, nothing I say will make her change the way she already feels about me. I still respect her greatly, not just because she's a royal, but because of the person she is, and how hard she tries to prove herself with everything, I…see a lot of myself in her.
"Zelda, Link has proven himself worthy of being the one to protect you, if you want me to allow you to go out on these…expeditions of yours, then you will respect my choice in the knight I have assigned, he is none other than the Chosen One with the sacred blade, who else would be better to protect you?" she scoffs and rolls her eyes, she doesn't have anything to say to retort, she looks at me with furrowed brows and I just bow my head to her as respectfully as possible.
"As you wish Father…"
"Very well! Now, they say you don't speak much…I can now see the truth in that rumor," he says, "But no matter, I entrust you with my daughter, please protect her,"
I give His Majesty a salute and wait for him to dismiss me.
"I have already informed your commanding officer on your new assignment. Please take tonight to pack up your things from the barracks and take them to your new room, an attendant will show you the way," and with that someone makes themselves known behind me, catching me off guard.
"Master Link, right this way please,"
M-Master Link?
I looked towards the king in confusion hoping he heard that too. Clearly there's been a mistake, no knight has earned such a title, but he begins to boom in laughter,
"Having such a duty requires quite the title don't you think?"
I look over to Zelda, and she gives me one last look. For a moment, her eyes don't stray away. There's so much anger, pain, and sadness she holds in…but not towards me, some part of me is telling me that.
She doesn't hate me, she doesn't even know me.
When she looks at me she sees her destiny. She and I solely carry the burden to save Hyrule.
I was able to obtain the sacred sword…more like I was called to it. I'm destined to slay Ganon so he can be defeated by the sacred sealing power that's gifted to the goddess reincarnated. Otherwise, the consequences could mean the end of all of Hyrule.
I can understand what she's feeling…
The feeling of not being good enough.
Her brows remained furrowed towards me, "We leave at sunrise tomorrow morning, please be ready for the journey, DON'T make me wait," she orders.
I nod to her, and she walks past me in a huff, the doors open for her and I see her disappear from my line of sight. I feel a firm grasp on my shoulder, sending shivers down my spine. I look up and see the king towering over me once again and looking at me with such a kind smile.
"Please, don't take her personally, I know she's rough around the edges, but please…take care of her," he says to me. He gently pats my shoulder, and gently pushes me towards the patient attendant.
"This way Master Link,"
I'm still gonna need some time adjusting to such a…title.
She leads me down a long corridor, we climb up the castle. Looking at all the paintings from the past royals and other notable figures of Hyrule. There's all kinds of leaders portrayed and honored here. Kings and queens of the Zora and Gerudu, warriors and leaders of the Goron and Rito.
Before I know it we reach a higher point of the castle. I see a large embossed door at the end of the hallway, assuming that it's the Princess's room. There is a smaller darker door next to it, the attendant stands in front of the smaller one and opens it for me.
"Here is your new room,"
When I step inside, the room still has the same gothic style vaulted ceilings above me with a fluffy queen sized bed neatly made, a dark wooden dresser, mirror, closet, a desk, and a beautiful expansive view of Hyrule field from the window.
"Master Link, do you need assistance gathering your things from the barracks?" she asks sweetly.
I shake my head, I barely have anything at all, just a knapsack of clothes and other little things.
"Please feel free to call on me if you need anything," she bows her head and disappears in the halls.
I take a moment to sit in the silence of my new quarters. No shared space, I can actually stretch my legs out, it's a little big for one person.
Well, it's not like I have much time to enjoy it, if I'll be heading out with the Princess tomorrow morning. I better start getting everything together, the last thing I want is to anger her even more.
I begin to walk outside of the castle, heading to get my belongings. This steamy armor…I can't wait to get out of this. The sun has gone down, the hours of twilight begin to creep into the world. Entering the barracks, the knights there are already asking me questions, trying to get an answer.
"So you're the Princess's personal knight now? Lucky!"
"It should've been me to be with the princess…"
Others in the barracks are murmuring to themselves while I head to my bed, and begin to pack my change of clothes, knick knacks, and my one valuable, a picture taken of me, my father, and my sister.
It's the only family photo we have, my father gave it to me before I went to the knights academy,
"Son, when you feel alone, remember that you always have a home to go to. Your sister and I will always be here. And your mother…she is with you in your heart, always…"
Putting the picture carefully in my bags pocket, I walk out of the barracks for the last time,
"He must think he's so much better than us…just because he's got that sacred sword or whatever…"
"Whatever man, you know going against him there's no competition, show a little respect for the guy,"
Whatever the future holds for me with the Princess, I know one thing for sure…
I will not be missing this place.
I walk out to the castle courtyard, making my way back to my new room, I see the Princess's advisor looking a bit…frazzled.
I try to get a bit closer, trying for her not to notice me, I hear her whispering to one of the maids.
"Lady Impa, what's wrong?"
"It's the Princess…she ran off again…I don't know where she is…"
What?
The Princess is missing?
Where could she have gone? I began to hurriedly walk away and outside of the castle grounds, she couldn't have gone far, but where do I even start? It's going to be dark soon, I have to find her.
Then, there's a ringing sound in my ears, and I feel a pulsating feeling on my back.
I take out the sword and see it beginning to glow brightly, I sway it in my grip and I notice something, the light starts to dim as I pull it away from a certain direction, I move the sword back to the position it was at and it burns brightly once again.
It's trying to tell me something, but I can't hear anything…is this sword like a dowsing rod?
I go with my instinct to follow it though, it's the only lead I have. I cross the moat bridge and walk through the forested area past the prison nearby.
Why would she come all the way out here? Then again…how can I be so certain she's even out here…?
There's something I see in the distance, near the river, the sword begins to pulsate rapidly, then I see a familiar head of blonde hair. I begin to hear the sounds of someone crying coming from that same direction.
Sure enough it's the Princess, I put my sword away and approach carefully behind her. Her crying grows soft to mere sniffles as I get closer and closer, she then just stops, slowly looking behind her.
"What do you want?"
"..."
"If you didn't have that sword on your back, you wouldn't have been given away,"
"..."
Is it because she can hear what it's saying? I don't know what else to do, I have a handkerchief in my belt pockets, I hand it to her, and a look of confusion spreads across her face. She slowly takes it from me and wipes away her tears.
"...thank you…" she holds onto it tightly, she has so much anger in her…
"But I'm still in no need of an escort, and I am not coming back with you,"
I guess her attitude towards me is to be expected, I hold out my hand for her to take, to help her up. She looks at my hand insulted,
"I can get up just fine on my own," she purposely brushes off my hand and begins to stand up, wiping away the stray grass that clinged onto her long dress.
She begins to walk away past me once again in a huff,
.Something.
Anything.
Don't let her leave like this,
Say you're happy to go with her, say you want to get to know her, say anything.
"I-I…"
It's barely a whisper…and the wind that blew as I spoke surely drowned my voice out, but she turned back to look at me for only a moment, like she could've sworn she heard me.
She looked so angry before, but her face slightly changed to a look of sadness. She's holding onto the handkerchief I gave her so tightly, she turns away and storms off and I see a glint of water that jumps off her face.
I wish she could understand that I know what it's like…to carry such a heavy burden…and I just want to protect her…
…
…
…
"Link,"
…
"Link!"
…
"Link!"
My eyes shoot open, I gasp for breath.
Another memory?
Zelda looks at me with worry,
"Helloo?! Mr. Silent Knight, are you there?" I feel like I just got whiplashed into a different reality. I push my bangs out of my face, trying to get back to earth.
"Y-Yeah, just barely, I was just…remembering something," Zelda's ears perked up when she hears me say that,
"R-Really? What did you…remember?" asking carefully.
"Just how mean you were to me," I tease, she pouts her face, not pleased with my jesting. Then looking a bit sad as she reflects on the past.
"I regret the way I treated you back then…I-I'm truly sorry Link," she begins to lower head in shame,
"Hey, don't sweat it, we're here now, getting along just fine," hoping to reassure her. She smiles softly, and I look at the bow she's carrying.
"Want me to carry that?"
"I'm fine,"
"By the way, how long have you been up?"
"A little before the sun rose, I just wanted to get some practice in,"
I smile softly, she's always wanting to learn more and be better, sometimes that can be her greatest enemy when she pushes herself to hard, but her efforts are amazing, she has no idea how strong she can be.
"How do you think you're doing?"
She takes a moment to think about it. I smile seeing her so deep in thought,
"Improvements must definitely be made, but…I am coming along nicely, although riding horseback is quite the challenge," she said.
I'm glad she's complimented herself, her attitude has definitely improved since yesterday afternoon. She thought so lowly of herself, blaming herself for something that she had no control over. I'm glad she's gotten a better outlook, but I know it will take time.
Luckily we have enough of it now. I look at her arm, it looks like her arm has some faded scaring, then my eyes scan down her hand.
"I'll wrap that for you," she looks to me in confusion, then looks at her hands,
"O-Oh! T-Thanks,"
"What're you feeling for breakfast?"
"Oh an omelet and some fruit would be lovely," she said sweetly.
"Anything for you, your Majesty," I joke. She giggles slightly and pushes my shoulder away from her playfully.
"Omelets it is then,"
We make it back to the cabin and I grab some bandages and medicine in my pack and turn to Zelda, holding out my hand.
I begin slathering a light layer of medicine on her fingers and then start to wrap the bandage around her injured hands,
"You're proficient at this aren't you?"
"Happens when you're reckless I guess," I tease. I finish up and let her inspect my work,
"I may not be Mipha and have healing powers, but it's something," I say nervously. She looks up to me when she hears Mipha's name, she looks a bit melancholy.
"Do you think…" she begins,
"Hmm?"
"N-Nevermind," she shakes her head, "Thanks for taking care of me Link,"
"I always will,"
There's some silence and then I hear her stomach growl, she looks so embarrassed. I snap my fingers to her,
"Omelets," grabbing the Sheikah slate and taking out the necessary items to make our breakfast and begin to clean out the pot from last night.
Once the pan is clean I take a piece of flint and start another fire, lathering oil on the pan, I whip up the eggs and place them on the pan and they begin to sizzle nicely and evenly on the pan. Then add some fresh herbs and other vegetables to the mix and start to flip the eggs as they lightly cook on one side, creating a nice fold with no tears.
Easy work.
While that's cooking, I grab some fresh fruit, enough for us and the horses and begin to cut them into more edible squares. I separate the fruit for the horses and portion out the rest for me and Zelda.
"We've come a long way…" she says quietly,
I look over to her to see she's just gazing at me. The way she looks at me like this…makes me feel…
I don't want to say...
"Y-Yeah…I guess we have,"
There's some silence between us,
"I was…being appointed as your knight, it was that evening you went missing and I found you,"
"Oh, that's what you were remembering?" she asked curiously, beginning to cringe to herself,
"I was really awful to you that day wasn't I?" she asks,
"I think you've been meaner," I say laughing,
"It's strange that I can't even imagine being that way with you now…"
I begin to serve her omelet and fruit, "Well I would hope that I have at least a place in your heart for my cooking," I say cheekily, she takes the plate happily and begins sinking her teeth into the juicy fruit.
She mumbles something to herself quietly,
"...more than that…"
I begin to help myself to my portion, looking at the map on the Sheikah slate,
"We should make it to Zora's Domain within a day or two if we leave soon," she nods her head happily,
"Are you saying we'll be camping?" she asks excitedly,
"U-Uhm if you want to, we could probably find an inn on the way over there too," I get up and take the chopped portions outside to the hungry horses patiently waiting for me to feed them. They snort their noses and prance their hooves happily as I let them gorge on their helpings. When they finish, they begin neighing excitedly, which tells me they're ready to go.
Was she always thrilled to go camping?
It's kinda cute…
Zelda follows me out and I see she's carrying her bag with her change of clothes with a determined look on her face.
"Are you ready?" she asks sweetly, packing her bag on her white steed.
Yes,
I'm always ready to be with you, to travel with you, to cook for you, to protect you, to hold you…
…
"Y-Yeah, whenever you are,"
"What're you staring out into space then? Let's get going!"
To care for you…
I'm always ready.
