This is the second to last chapter, I'll be posting the first chapter of the sequel when the last of this story goes up!

During my unexpected hiatus, I went back and made some plot changes to how I originally wanted to take it the sequel. So I'm excited to finally get the chance to write.

The squeal will be called: The Heart of the Wild Hero.

Summary:

A hundred years of slumber, no memories, and most of all, forgotten social skills, Lynk struggles through the land of Hyrule. Accompanied first by a wolf, then a Sheikah and finally a shade, Lynk kinda relearns how to live while simultaneously saving the world.

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Chapter 12: Home Visit

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Lynk wasn't going to deny that the sight of the guardian moving was relieving in some way. A defence, a strength, another way to help them against Ganon when he finally returned. It let Lynk breathe a little easier, the tightness in her chest lighter than it had been since she had drawn the Master Sword all those months ago now.

(Had it readied nearly been a year?)

"It's truly incredible isn't it, Lynk?" Zelda flashed her a smile and Lynk nodded, "We're finally at a point now where we can actually control them…at the current rate, we'll soon know all we need to know about the Guardians and the Divine Beasts. And should Ganon ever show itself again, we'll be well-positioned to defend ourselves."

"What are you doing out here, Zelda?"

The voice of the King had Lynk stiffening, quickly dropping into a kneel, head bowed to show her respect as Zelda straightened up, turning to face her father.

"I…I was assessing the results of the experiment with the Guardians. These pieces of ancient—"

"I know that," he interrupted, "They are essential to Hyrule's future, and our research demands that we keep a close eye on them. However, as the princess, you currently have a crucial unfulfilled responsibility to your kingdom."

Zelda exhaled shakily, bowing her head but her father wasn't finished.

"Let me ask you once more. When will you stop treating this as some sort of childish game?"

"I'm doing everything I can. I'll have you know I recently returned from the Spring of Courage where I offered every ounce of my prayers to the Goddess—"

"And now you are here wasting your time. You need to be dedicating every moment you have to your training. You must be single-minded in unlocking the power that will seal the Calamity Ganon away."

Zelda was unable to keep the shaky tone from her voice, "I already am. Don't you see—there's nothing more I can do! My hope is…my hope is that you—that you'll allow me to contribute here in whatever way I can."

"No more excuses, Zelda! Stop running away from your duty. As the King, I forbid you to have anything to do with these machines from this moment on and command you to focus on your training." The king exhaled and turned to gaze down at the walking Guardian. "Do you know how the gossip mongers refer to you? There are out there at this moment whispering amongst themselves…that you are the heir to a throne of nothing. Nothing but failure. It is woven into your destiny that you prove them wrong. Do you understand?"

"…Yes. I understand."

Then with a heavy silence, Zelda and Lynk watched as the King departed without another word.

Lynk didn't say a word, quietly following Zelda back into her study. Her father had always been unnecessarily harsh and somethings were always just out of people's hands.

Zelda sniffled, falling into her chair and Lynk sat on the desk beside her.

Lynk knew the King loved Zelda—there wasn't a doubt. She had seen him dot on Zelda before, spoke to her with care and love and when he got like this…if Lynk hadn't been witness to those other moments, might have believed he held no affection for his daughter.

"You can cry," Lynk rubbed Zelda's shoulder, "No judgement. Sometimes it helps too."

Zelda gave a watery smile and reached up to rub her eye. "I wish…but father's right, I suppose."

"Right?" Lynk gave her a dubious glance. "I mean no disrespect, but your father doesn't seem able to grasp what exactly it is you're facing. Doesn't understand the difficultly, this power, no one does. This power is yours and yours alone, Zelda."

When Zelda didn't answer, just turning her eyes back onto her book, Lynk heaved a sigh. Zelda wasn't going to be able to focus with everything that had just happened, it would eat away at her thoughts. Especially with her seventeenth birthday coming up in a few days. Zelda would then be expected to make the trip up to the Shrine of Wisdom at the top of Mount Lanayru.

…Maybe Lynk should take her to see Leona? Her step-mother would only be in the capital for a few more days before returning to Kakariko with the news of her pregnancy and would be staying for the rest of it for her safety.

Lynk smiled up at the ceiling, it was just a dash of ironic as Leona's sister had recently given birth herself.

Already three months along and Leona was beginning to show. Lynk wouldn't wait.

Still—Lynk felt her father was in the right to send Leona to Kakariko with the way things had turned recently. There was a clear darken haze that seemed to fill the air. A heavy weight and foreboding feeling filling Lynk.

"Would you like to visit Leona?" She voiced quietly.

Zelda stilled, blinking up at her, "Pardon?"

"Leona will be leaving for Kakariko tomorrow for the remainder of her pregnancy, I thought perhaps you might like to take your mind of…some things and visit." Lynk explained, smiling softly.

"I…" Zelda set her quill down, "…I would like that, yes."

"Well, then," Lynk slid of the edge of the desk, "Best get on our way?"

Zelda didn't try to bite back her relieved smile.

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Zelda, perhaps a bit ashamed to admit, had never actually been to Lynk's home before even after all these months of knowing her, but Zelda knew what to expect. The warm mix of brick and wood. Browns and creams. The front was well kept and she didn't doubt the gardens and inside were just as well looked after.

The house had belonged to Lynk's father's side for generations, Zelda knew.

Lynk pulled Myth to a stop before the front door and Zelda swung her leg over to slide off the steed. Lynk copied her and released Myth, who being well trained, walked behind the house and toward the stables by himself.

Zelda isn't sure how Lynk trained Myth so well and when she asked, Lynk just struggled and said: 'We grew up together basically. We just learnt to work as one.'

Which, the princess supposed explained it and Lynk was just a bit peculiar to begin with anyway. She just had an innate ability to bond with Myth, it seemed.

The door opened to reveal an aged man with a kind smile. He bowed deeply, "Greetings your Highness, Lady Lynkura, well come home."

"Zelda, this is Joshua, the head butler for my household," Lynk introduced and Zelda smiled.

"It's lovely to meet you."

"And you as well, Your Highness. Come, Leona was just about to have some tea, would you both like some?"

"Oh, yes please," Zelda beamed and Lynk chuckled with a nod, "That would be great, thanks, Joshua."

"No thanks necessary as always, Lady Lynkura."

They joined Leona out back in the sun.

"Hello my dears," she greeted warmly.

"Leona," Zelda beamed and quickly sat beside her, "I'm glad to see you in good health!"

The Sheikah laughed softly, "I think I'm better than in good health, my child."

Lynk huffed softly and fell into the remaining chair, sprawling back and slumping without a care in the world.

Zelda, seeing it, cocked a brow and Lynk flushed, "uh…"

"Don't mind me, Lynk," Zelda grinned behind her hand, "Carry on."

The sword-bearer groaned in embarrassment and Leona laughed again.

"Believe or not, your Highness, but this is how Lynk normally is when not surrounded by prying eyes. Jin gave up years ago trying to get her to always sit properly." Leona hummed.

Lynk huffed, "Sitting so upright all the time is exhausting and I'm at home! A place for relaxation!"

The other two women shared an amused glance.

For a long while, there is idle chatter between the three women. The weather, activities around the castle, work and so on. After a while, Zelda brings up the topic of Leona returning to Kakariko. The pregnant woman rolls her eyes.

"Jin and Lynk are insistent I go," Leona eyed Lynk, who was either too busy drinking her tea to notice or ignoring her—which, that's rude Lynk.

"There's no denying the increase in monster activity," Zelda defended, "If something is to happen in the near future, no one wants you in harm's way."

Leona sighed softly, "That is the main point they had as well. As a proud Sheikah woman, it irks me, you see."

Zelda giggled and Lynk set her cup down to chip in with: "And sometimes being proud means being able to accept you don't always know what's best."

Leona chuffs the back of her head for the comment. "Shush you brat."

Lynk smirked.

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Father scolded me again today. He told me I am to have nothing more to do with researching ancient technology. He insisted that I focus instead on training that will help me awaken my sealing magic.

I was so frustrated and ashamed I could not bring myself to truly argue against him. I've been training since I was a child, and yet...

Mother passed the year before my training was to begin. In losing her, I lost not just a mother, but a teacher. Mother used to smile and tell me, 'Zelda, my love, all will be well in the end. You can do anything.' But she was wrong. No matter how I try or how much time passes...the sealing power that is my birthright evades me.

Despite Lynk reassurance that it will come to me when I am ready—how am I to know so? How do I know when I'm ready? When the Calamity arrives? If so that would be a bitter fate and one that I dread to even spare a thought about.

In a weeks' time, I will journey with Lynk to the Spring of Power to train. But this too, I know, will end in failure. Such is my curse.

I'm not overly happy with this considering its the second to last chapter, but it'll have to do.