Hyrule Castle, present day

Through the window, Link could see townspeople gathering in the courtyard, chattering among themselves, visiting their neighbours and friends. Castle guards patrolled the perimeter, more of an official, protective presence than a countermeasure to the crowds.

The courtyard itself was beautiful today; with the leaves bursting into autumn colours, the trees fringing the large, crowded square lent a festive air. Beyond, the castle gardens bloomed with orange, vermillion and yellow, looking brighter for the clear, blue sky today.

Link smoothed a hand down the front of his thick indigo tunic, edged with gold and paired with black pants and polished boots. Around his waist was a belt bearing the Hylian crest, matching the one stamped onto the chest of the tunic. Days of planning hadn't prepared him for today. He still battled the knot of nerves dancing in his stomach.

Without his sword and shield on his back, he felt strangely light, yet the clothes were a bit stiff and restricting. For the hundredth time he pulled at the tunic's collar, bent his elbows to put a bit of wear into the clothing.

"Link?"

He quit fidgeting and spun around. How she managed to sneak up on him so much, he'd never know.

Zelda, Princess of Hyrule, smiled warmly at him. She was beautiful in a deep purple gown, also decorated with gold braid and intricate designs on the hem, square collar and long sleeves. Her hair had been twisted into an elegant knot. The colour of the gown complemented her turquoise eyes.

She approached and reached up to loosen the hidden button on his collar, her fingertips brushing his throat.

"Are you nervous?" she asked, looking at the button and not him.

"A bit," he admitted. "Things will be different after this." He gestured at the window, the courtyard full of Hylian citizens waiting for them.

"I know," she murmured, meeting his eyes.

When she let her hand drift down his chest, he reached up to hold it there with his own. They'd had countless conversations about today—they didn't need reminders. Still, he worried, as he knew she did. Zelda's concerns were all for him, of course. She had faith in everything else. He squeezed her hand.

A knock on the door made them both look up. Out of habit, Link released her hand, but she stubbornly refused to move from his side, uncaring of who saw them together.

"Come in," she called.

The door swung open to reveal Impa, and Link relaxed a fraction. Her expression didn't change as she took them in, but her eyes swept over them in approval.

"Sorry for the interruption." Impa held up the stiff folder in her hands. "I have a development."

Disbelief filtered through Link. Could it be what he thought it was? Had Impa really managed to find it?

Answering his unspoken question, she handed him the folder with a smile. "Your birth records," she announced. "And family tree. A few other official documents as well."

Zelda, leaning over to see, gasped. "How did you find these? I would have thought all this was lost along with Tellura."

Link gazed at the official birth certificate with his name. He could hardly believe it. His parents' names, his grandparents' names, his place of birth—the hamlet of Tellura—was all there. He officially had a family. A blood one, at least.

"Fortunately, a copy was also kept here in Castle Town. I searched the town records hall," Impa explained. "The search took me a while, seeing as those records are over twenty years old, but I thought you might like to have them." With an encouraging smile, she squeezed Link's shoulder.

He looked up at the Sheikah woman, a bit stunned. "Thank you."

Her smile widened. "It was nothing, kid. You deserve to know where you come from and having these will help with the other problem we've been having."

"Yes," Zelda agreed. "It should certainly help quiet a few naysayers." Annoyance and frustration flashed across her face, and Link slid an arm around her shoulders.

"Even without these, it wouldn't change anything," he assured her. "I wouldn't let anything stop me."

Zelda met his gaze, her eyes bright with love. "I wouldn't, either."

Link hugged her close, resting his chin on top of her head. "Do I have any family living?" he asked, curious. "Other than Dark, of course."

His paternal grandparents, he knew, had died with his parents during the horrible attack on Tellura when he was just a baby.

Impa nodded, placing the documents back in the folder for safekeeping. "Yes, your mother's brother, Lord Aster. He lives at his estate here in Castle Town."

"Really?" Link asked excitedly. "Why haven't I met him?"

Impa's frown told him the answer. "Your mother's family disowned her after her marriage," she said. "I do not know if Lord Aster even knows he has two nephews living."

"Have you met him?" Link asked Zelda.

"Once or twice maybe," she said, also frowning. "I have to confess he didn't make a grand impression on me."

Link's hope deflated a bit. "Well…I should reach out at least, shouldn't I? He is family."

"I'll leave that up to you," Impa told him. "But I'll let you two finish getting ready. The announcement will be any minute. His Majesty will be here soon."

When Impa left, Link turned his attention back to the window. He thought of the uncle he'd never met, who had so cruelly cut off his sister, Link's mother. Maybe the years had changed him? Would he be happy to know Shaiya's sons? Would he embrace them as family?

Watching the growing crowd, Link's fears came rushing back. He worried the people wouldn't be able to accept him. He had friends throughout Hyrule who would champion him. And his cohorts in the Hylian army held him in high esteem. But being a friend and a loyal soldier were different roles. Would everyone be able to accept him in this one? It was clear some of Hyrule's noble, wealthy families could not. Was his uncle of the same mind?

Reading his inner turmoil on his face, Zelda took his hand between both of hers. She met his gaze without speaking. She'd learned that at times he didn't need words of encouragement or comfort. Her presence was enough.

Link lifted her hand, pressed his mouth to her gloved knuckles. He released a heavy sigh, trying to imagine his burdens slipping from his shoulders as they relaxed.

He knew it didn't help, to dwell on his worries. Just as changed nothing to wish his family were whole and complete again. His parents were gone. Nothing would bring them back.

"Zelda," he said, glancing down at her concerned expression. "When do you and your father leave for Zora's Domain?"

Her fair brows arched towards her hairline. "A week from tomorrow. Why?"

"I've been thinking…" he said, hesitating. "I want to go visit Dark."

Her surprise dropped into a smile. "Of course you do. You can tell him our news in person. And it's been so long since you've seen him."

Link nodded. "I hate to leave at a time like this…"

"Go," she encouraged him, reaching up to brush her hand over his cheek. "All I ask is that you be safe."

"I'll take some guards with me," he assured her with a smile.

Zelda wound her arms around his waist and pulled him close. He cupped the back of her head and kissed the crown of her head.

"I'll make the arrangements tomorrow."

"I'll miss you," she murmured.

Link tightened his hold. "I'll miss you, too."

After a few moments, they reluctantly separated. Zelda smoothed the front of his tunic again, betraying her own anxiousness.

"Are you ready?" She met his eyes.

"Yes."

Hand in hand, they left the room. Two guards flanked them, escorting them down a level and down a wide hall to the closed glass doors. Outside on the oversize balcony, the king stood, his long cape trailing behind him, his hand raised, quieting the crowd below. As he began to speak, the guards stepped forward to grasp the handles and swing open the doors.

Zelda glanced at Link and tucked her hand into his elbow, lifting the hem of her skirt with her free hand. Trying to memorize her features in that moment, Link looked down at her, feeling the knot of tension easing away. She was all that mattered. Whatever their future would bring, if she was at his side, he could face it.

The king turned to them, sweeping his cape aside. He beckoned them to join him at the stone railing.

Together, they walked out onto the balcony amidst a chorus of cheers from the crowd.