I realised that I messed up in regards to Zora ageing, whoops, but I quite like that idea that Zora's age the same as Hylians until they reach maturity where it slows drastically.

Some cutscenes in this chapter :)

GammaOmega: Thank you and I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying what I've been writing!

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Chapter 4: Ceremony

One Week Later

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Lynk sat watching the crackling fire, gnawing on the end of a pencil. She slumped in her chair, rolling her neck and she felt it crack. A glance out the window with its curtain not pulled shut gave Lynk nothing—it was pitch black, only a few lanterns from other houses illuminated the street but they were far off in the distance.

It was the houses of the nobility, after all, having large amounts of land surrounding your home was practically a requirement. Honestly, Lynk would say she didn't understand why the noble flaunted their wealth, but she'd be lying. Blue eyes rolled at the thoughts. She was brought out of it by a voice.

"Miss Lynk, would you like some tea before I retire for the night?" Joshua, the head butler of the Velarde household, inquired.

Lynk blinked, eyes flashing over to the tall greying dark-haired Hylian. She shook her head. "No thank you, I'm quite alright. Just head on up to bed alright?"

Joshua bowed at the waist. "As you wish. Try not to stay up too late, you have an important day tomorrow. Goodnight."

"G'night." Lynk parted and squeezed her eyes closed in annoyance. She'd been trying to forget what tomorrow was—she hadn't been doing a very good job, even before Joshua had appeared.

Lynk desperately wished tomorrow would never come; she didn't want it too. Her chest twisting painfully at the thought of tomorrows ceremony. She wouldn't even get to see Mipha before the ceremony!

There was a silent hum in the air, her eyes snapped to the sword laying on the table before her. It hummed again; the glow of the sword hidden by the colourful scabbard but peeked out at the top by the handle.

Lynk's eyes narrowed, the hum calling for her to pick the blade up, but she didn't want to. The dreams haunting her were enough, even Mipha's amethyst wasn't doing anything against them.

Lynk leant forward, intending to put the pencil down before she mauled it but her hand hesitated, itching to reach forward just that bit more and pick the sword up. It hummed as if hearing her desire—

"I would say I'm surprised that you're up, but I'm not really." Jin commented.

Lynk flinched, arm lowering as she turned toward her father. "Well I could say the same to you expect I really am surprised."

Jin chuckled softly and approached, taking the spare seat beside his daughter. "I've got a lot on my mind. I'm not the only one it seems, yes?"

Lynk sighed heavily, slumping as she rubbed her brow. "I…"

"You'll be fine, kiddo." Jin smiled, Lynk peered up at him. "It's a lot to deal with in such a short time but I know you'll do great."

Lynk's eyes burned and her stressful look turned grateful. "Thanks." She cleared her throat. "Did you see the other Champions today? Did you see Mipha?"

Jin smiled. "Mipha arrived shortly before I finished for the day. I personally saw Mipha to her room, so don't sweat it, kid."

Lynk sighed in relief, then paused for a moment. "You wouldn't, I don't know, be willing to tell me the room so I could, you know, visit her in the morning?"

"Before the ceremony?" Jin's eyes twinkled. "I don't know, Lynk, they're not supposed to see you anyone before the ceremony."

Lynk just shot her father a pleading look, not being able to play along tonight. "Dad."

Jin's teasing look eased off. "She's in the guest quarters. Room five, but make sure you keep watch of the time, okay? You're supposed to be collected ten minutes before it starts and walked there."

Lynk nodded and swallowed. "I know…. I just, I just need to see her okay?"

Jin's look turned curious, then he smiled with a certain looking flickering into his eyes as he watched his daughter's face, so much like Helkura. Then Jin pursed his lips. "Actually, there is something I wanted your opinion on, kiddo."

Lynk blinked, brows furrowing in confusion. "Sure?"

"What would your thoughts be if I asked Leona to marry me?" Jin licked his lips when Lynk didn't answer.

Lynk smiled after several moments. "I would say go ahead."

Jin sighed in relief.

"You thought I'd hate the idea that you'd be making finally official?" Lynk's lips twitched upwards as Jin mouthed 'finally official' and continued: "I've known Leona all my life, she's been like a second mother to me, especially after Mama's passed away. You'll just be making it official. You deserve to be happy, and I know I'll not be around as much after this. The King's making me the Princess's Appointed Knight after all. I've heard she likes to travel."

Jin chuckled. "I just had to make sure, you know?"

Lynk snorted and waved him off with a shove to the arm. "Go to bed, you great oaf, you've gotta look your best tomorrow."

Jin stood and shot back: "So have you. Just try to least sleep, kiddo."

"I will. You don't need to start stressing yourself over me, Dad."

"I always will, kiddo."

And so, they parted; once her father had left, Lynk's eyes had slid back to the Master Sword, what are you trying to show me in my sleep?

This time it didn't answer.

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After bathing and getting dressed in the long, short-sleeved and hooded blue shirt that had been delivered by Leona this morning—made by the Princess herself apparently—Lynk made her way towards the castle with her father and Leona. The ceremony wouldn't be for another hour, but they had to be there early.

After being seen to a temporary room by a servant by the name Tinny, Lynk waited exactly one minute before making her move. She slipped from her room and, thankfully she'd been placed in the guest corner also, made for Mipha's room.

Lynk knocked and after hearing the oh-so-familiar voice of Mipha, Lynk opened the door. "Miph."

Mipha nearly dropped her trident in shock. "Lyn!" Mipha rushed over and Lynk closed the door, quickly returning the hug. "I've missed you so much."

Lynk left out a shaky breath and squeezed her eyes closed, wishing the hug would never end. "Me too." She croaked.

Mipha pulled back after several long moments and began to fuss over her. Lynk grabbed her hands. "I'm fine."

Mipha met her eyes and didn't say anything, her eyes taking in the sight of Lynk in her Champion's shirt. The hood was tugged up but sat behind her elongated ears. It sat nicely surprisingly as Mipha was sure it was meant to cover her ears like a normal hood but…

"You're missing something." Mipha pulled back, hand grabbing her chin in a thoughtful manner.

Lynk blinked owlishly twice.

Mipha scanned Lynk up and down, lips pursed in the same thoughtful manner. She snapped her fingers. "I know." Mipha pushed Lynk backwards until the blonde fell in a chair. Mipha then got to work, taking the hair that hung in front of her right ear. She used a red ribbon, a piece of fabric that had been sitting on the dresser and wrapped it around the hair in cross shapes then tied it off after four.

Mipha stepped back and eyed it; she shook her head. "It needs something else…" She reached a hand up, and it brushed against her head jewellery. Ah! Mipha then hesitated, her cheeks feeling warm, sharing jewellery normally meant…

Then with a renewed confidence, Mipha pulled off a piece of her arm chain and began tying it at the bottom on the ribbon. The fact she was wearing purple and silver jewellery today made it better because Lynk was wearing her amethyst necklace. Mipha was very pleased by that.

"There we go." Mipha beamed. Lynk smiled and reached a hand up to feel it.

"Thank you, I love it." Lynk nodded.

Mipha frowned. "You're being awfully quiet."

Lynk pursed her lips. "…Sorry."

Mipha's gaze softened. "Don't be. A lot has happened."

Lynk smiled softly, she just—Lynk didn't think she could put into words how much she truly loved Mipha. Lynk wrapped her arms around Mipha tightly, Mipha giggled and returned it. "You know I love you so much, right?"

Mipha's arms tightened. "And I love you too, Lyn."

Lynk pursed her lips again and made a decision, "Mipha…"

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There was a knock at the door. "Knight Lynkura?" Tinny's voice echoed through the door. "May I enter?"

"Of course." Lynk stood from her seat as Tinny opened the large wooden door to the bedroom.

Tinny smiled. "They're ready for you."

Lynk nodded mutely and followed the dark-haired maid out the room and towards the Great Hall where the ceremony would be held.

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"So—" Daruk began, large hands on his hips. "When do we get to meet this fifth Champion, Princess?"

Zelda blinked, turning towards him partly. "Soon. She is being brought here."

"Do any of us even know what this hero looks like?" Revali peered at his fellow Champions from behind his wing. "Surely her lack of appearance is… distasteful?"

Zelda sighed heavily. "Father forbade me from meeting her. I've only ever seen this Lynkura from afar."

"Lynk is quite friendly, Princess." Mipha chimed. It made the other four turn towards her.

"Oh?" Urbosa smiled. "You have met this Lynk already?"

Mipha flushed. "Yes. In fact, we've known each other since we were young. Her father spent many summers in Zora's Domain as we grew up."

Zelda hesitated for a moment. "Wha… what is she like?"

"Lyn is… well, she's Lyn." Mipha grinned behind her hand. Something none of them had seen before. Mipha sighed happily and Urbosa tilted her head curiously but held her tongue. "Lynk can come off as a bit dim because of the ways she acts sometimes but it is quite the opposite! She's very well educated and if she really wished to, could have a full-on debate on certain topics!" Mipha smiled warmly and added: "Lynk is… Lynk's very likeable, I don't know if any have anything negative to say about her from what I heard when I arrived in Castle Town."

Zelda pursed her eyes, gut-twisting. Revali huffed as Daruk grinned. "She sounds like a great friend!"

"…Yeah," Mipha's smile shifted the tiniest bit and it went unnoticed. "Great friend."

But before any could comment further, there was a knock on the door. A Guard stepped in and bowed his head. "Knight Lynk has arrived." He stepped aside and the future-hero walked in, nodding at the guard in thanks. The guard grinned happily. "No problem, Lynk."

The door was closed and Lynk turned her attention on the group, she bowed at the waist, face stoic. "Greetings."

Revali huffed once more, eyeing her with distaste already.

"Greetings to you too, brother!" Daruk waved a hand.

"It is just as Daruk said." Urbosa stepped forward. "It is lovely to finally meet you, Lynkura."

"Just Lynk is fine, Chief Urbosa." Lynk bowed her head again as a sign of respect. Lynk had always held great admiration for the Gerudo, a race of strong and powerful women. Her mother had spoken fondly of them growing up, saying she had visited the wonderful city plenty of times during her years travelling.

Urbosa hummed thoughtfully, there was something about Lynk that seemed almost familiar… maybe it was the hair? The shade was strikingly familiar in an odd way. Urbosa straightened. "You are…" She trailed off in realisation.

Lynk blinked. "I am…?"

"You are Helkura's child?"

Lynk's straightened this time, her eyes flickered with her surprise.

"Urbosa?" Zelda voiced, face pinched. "You are familiar with her…. Mother?" Another thing that left Zelda's stomach twisting… did she have anything that was better than Lynk? Anything that Lynk didn't have?

Urbosa laughed heartily, eyes fond as she seemed to recall memories. "Oh yes, I am most familiar with 'Kura. Quite the women she was… she got excited easily and dreamed of travelling all over Hyrule." Urbosa turned to Lynk again. "How is she?"

Lynk's expression tightened. "She passed away nine years ago."

"My condolence." Urbosa dipped her chin. "She was a wonderful woman to be around, even in the short time I knew her."

Lynk nodded but said nothing.

Before any could speak further two Guards appeared, those Guards would be the ones to allow them entrance to the Great Hall. The Champions got into line. Mipha stood on the far left, then it was Revali, Lynk, Urbosa, and Daruk last.

Lynk allowed her mind to slip into, what she'd dubbed, Knight-mode. She pushed any unnecessary thoughts aside and focused on what was to come. Her back straightened, face perfecting the stoic look and her hands hung at her sides politely.

The large and grand doors to the Great Hall were opened and Zelda, who stood in front of them all, walked in, her posture that which was expected from a Princess. Ten steps behind Zelda were the Champions. When they came to a stop, they formed a semi-circle behind the Princess.

The King, stood on the platform on the second floor, stepped forward. "Welcome, warriors! I'd like to thank you for joining me here today, and for your bravery in accepting this fateful task."

Lynk saw her father stood to the right of the King, his expression firm but his eyes were warm as he gazed upon them.

"I officially appoint you Hyrule's Champions and bestow upon you this sacred garb." King Rhoam continued hands coming to rest behind him back. "That blue is a symbol of the Royal Family, one that has been passed down for countless generations. Those garments you now wear were all crafted by hand by my daughter, Zelda.

"Zelda. I trust you with the task only a daughter of the royal family can fulfil. Lead our Champions, Princess. And together, protect our kingdom from the threat of Calamity Ganon."

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"I tell ya, those formal shindigs really take it outta me." Daruk commented, rolling his shoulders which cracked loudly as a result.

Lynk nodded absentmindedly; she didn't really understand why they had needed such a grand ceremony if it was only going to last ten minutes, but she supposed because of what they'd be representing, it was necessary. The way life is, unfortunately.

"Hmph. This is the Sheikah Slate, eh?" Revali's voice made Lynk turn her attention from Daruk to the Rito.

"It is. Apparently, there are more uses for it than we originally thought. Sadly, we've yet to decipher all of its secrets." Zelda explained as Revali dropped the Slate into Mipha's hands.

Urbosa peered down at it. "The Princess showed me something strange recently. Somehow, it can create true-to-life images."

Mipha gazed at in wonder. "Oh, wow." Lynk adored the expression. "I would love to see it." Mipha hesitated for a moment. "Um, Princess… may I ask a special favour of you?" Mipha peered back at Lynk, who titled her head. Mipha smiled before turning back to Zelda. "Could we take one of these… images? Of all of us together, in a way to remember this by?"

Zelda smiled.

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"All right! This spot should work nicely." Purah smiled and raised the Sheikah Slate. The Champions and Zelda all stood before the Slate, unsure about how they should stand. "Keep your eyes on the Sheikah Slate, everyone!"

Lynk shuffled in her spot, eyeing Mipha in amusement as the Zora stood ridge.

Purah blinked, peering over the Slate. "Daruk, can you crouch down a bit? You're as big as Death Mountain."

Daruk blinked but did as asked.

"What's with the glum face, Princess? Gimme a big smile!... Revali move your tail closer to the group!... Mipha, you look so tense. Deep breaths, okay?"

"Right!" Mipha shuffled towards Lynk more whose lips twitched at the Zora's nervousness. She lent down when Mipha was close enough. "Breathe, Miph."

Mipha flushed as red as her scales.

"Stay just like that! Here we go!" Purah pouted. "Smiiiiile… click, snap!"

Daruk wrapped his arms around them, bringing them all together, albeit in surprise and ultimately, while debatable, ruined the photo, but the one they got was far better than what the original could have ever been.

"Daruk!" Purah called in annoyance, but her grin said it all. Daruk laughed heartily while Lynk quickly reached out to help stabilize Mipha, who'd been thrown forward by the force of Daruk's movement.

Lynk bit her lip to withhold a grin, meeting Mipha's flushed face.

"Honestly!" Revali huffed, feathers having been ruffled.

"Come now, Revali." Usbosa's tone was teasing. "Surely a little fun won't hurt?"

The Rito hmphed and raised his beak in distaste.

Lynk raised a brow at the Rito, finding him to be rather arrogant. She shook her head, gaze returning to Mipha who peered up at her with a certain emotion in her eyes. Lynk really wanted to lean forward but didn't, not knowing what the Rito, Goron, Garudo, and Princess would think of such behaviour, especially between two females.

Instead, Lynk returned it with a warm expression knowing none of the others would see it, she had a persona to keep up now after all.

Mipha mouthed three words that left Lynk's heart fluttering in her chest. I love you.

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I've gone with the idea that Goron just refers to everyone as 'Brother' cause it sounds better than 'Sister'—it seems like something they'd do, lol.

And Mipha and Life are officially together ;)

I cut the bedroom scene off short cause confessions aren't my strongest point but it's one of those scenes that purposely get left out lol.