Chapter 8: A Work of Art

"Welcome, warriors!" King Bosphoramus Hyrule called from his place above the champions. The sanctum where they were gathered was spacious, banners bearing the symbol of the Hyrulean Royal Family draped about.

Below the balcony were the five champions, the princess standing before them regally. Soldiers of all the races were scattered behind them, an important representative carrying the banner bearing their symbol.

"I'd like to thank you for joining me here today, and for your bravery in accepting this… fateful task." The king drew in a deep breath. "I officially appoint you Hyrule's champions and bestow upon you this sacred garb. That blue is a symbol of the royal family, one that has been passed down for generations. Those garments you now wear were all crafted by my daughter, Princess Zelda.

"Zelda," he continued, the princess dipping her head slightly at her name. "I trust you with a task only a daughter of the royal family can fulfill.

"Lead our champions, Princess," the king said, voice rising in volume, "and together," he continued, throwing his arms out wide as if giving the audience a hug, "protect our kingdom from the threat of Calamity Ganon."

All around Castle Town, the people of the great city celebrated with fireworks and festivities, dancing and feasting on fine foods.

The champions, however, sought quiet in the gardens to become acquainted with each other. After all, Zelda thought, we'll be working together for quite a while.

What with Master Revali, Lady Urbosa, and Princess Mipha conversing in one corner, Lord Daruk and Sir Link in another, Zelda did not feel as if she fit in. All the others were warriors, through and through, but Zelda was a researcher. She read books and poked at Sheikah technology.

Deciding she'd rather not waste her time, Zelda decided to bring out the stone tablet found in a recent excavation, which Purah had allowed her to keep, despite her reluctance. They had dubbed the strange device a "Sheikah Slate," and, though much of its secrets were yet to be discovered, Zelda was extremely intrigued by what they had discovered.

So she sat on the bench of the sheltered area, listening vaguely to the conversations as she tested the zoom function of the slate.

"So, Princess Mipha-"

"Oh, just Mipha is quite all right, Lady Urbosa."

"Mipha," Urbosa's voice said instead. Zelda could hear the smile in her voice. "And you as well, Revali. What is it that you like to do in your spare time?"

"I will occasionally work with my trident, but I tend to help my younger brother, Prince Sidon, with his swimming," Mipha said quietly.

"I work on new aerial techniques," Revali said, his voice prideful.

"I see! I myself enjoy sparing with the captain of the Gerudo guard. Perhaps we should all participate in a friendly duel sometime."

"I would like that," Mipha said softly.

"I would win, of course," Revali cut in.

"Is that a challenge, Rito?"

"That it is."

Zelda rolled her eyes, knowing it would turn into a friendly argument. She allowed her hearing to stray to the further corner.

"Come on, Little Guy," she heard Daruk say. "Lighten up a bit, will ya? You look exhausted! I can see why, though - those formal shindigs really take it outta me."

Zelda let her eyes stray upward, but she saw no change in the knight's behavior. He looked as blank faced as normal, besides a slight darkening beneath the eyes. It's most likely a simple trick of the light.

"So that's the Sheikah Slate, eh?"

Zelda looked up to see Revali's attention on her. Zelda stood and offered it to the Rito, which he accepted and examined, trying to look disinterested but his curiosity coming through.

"It is," Zelda replied. "Apparently there are more uses for it than originally thought. Sadly, we've yet to decipher all of its secrets."

Revali passed the slate precariously to Mipha, who was startled and nearly dropped it. However, she got a hold of it and began to examine it herself.

Urbosa leaned down towards Mipha with a slight smile. "The princess showed me something strange recently. Somehow the slate can create true-to-life images."

Zelda nodded. "Yes, we've taken to calling them photographs."

"Oh, wow…" the Zora princess said, awe in her voice. "I would love to see it."

Then Mipha looked up as if a light had gone on in her head. "Um… Princess," Mipha began. Zelda smiled and gave Mipha her full attention. "May I ask a special favor of you?"

Zelda tilted her head slightly. "Anything, Mipha."

"Could you perhaps allow us to take one of these... photographs together?" Mipha glanced towards Daruk and Link, who had quieted to listen.

Zelda nodded with a bright smile. "Of course, Mipha."

"All right!" Purah said, clapping her hands together. "This spot should work nicely. The slate, please." Zellie had called for her to take the photograph so that they all would be included. Purah was revered as the "Best Photograph Taker Ever" (self dubbed, of course). It was obvious that she was the best option.

Zellie handed her the slate, and Purah immediately made hand motions. "Closer together, everyone."

Daruk ended up in the back, Urbosa and Revali on the left, Linky and Mipha (or as Purah liked to call her, the love struck fish lady) on the right, and Zellie right in the middle.

Purah turned on the slate, pointing it towards the group. She tilted her head. "Hmm…" She looked up from the slate and nodded. "Daruk, can you crouch down a bit? You're as big as Death Mountain!"

Daruk rubbed his neck with a sheepish grin before kneeling down behind the other champions. Much better. "And…" Purah frowned at the look on Zellie's face. "What's with the glum face, Princess? Gimme a big smile!"

Purah watched as Urbosa tapped Zelda's shoulder reassuringly, and Purah grinned slyly as she caught Mipha inching towards Linky. So love struck. Too bad Linky's oblivious.

Purah rolled her eyes at Revali, who was standing, chest puffed up pridefully, facing away from the group. "Revali, move your tail closer to the gosh darn group!"

Revali rolled his own, sharp golden eyes. "Ugh, fine," he groaned as he turned, now facing the group.

Purah smiled mischievously. "Mipha, you look so tense! Deep breaths, okay?"

"Right," Mipha said breathlessly, before taking a few deep breaths.

"There we go! Stay just like that!" Purah grinned. "Smiiiile…" Purah smiled herself as she saw that even Link managed a slight smile. "Click, snap!" Oooh, I like that. Purah mentally added it to her list of new catch phrases.

Just as Purah clicked the button, Daruk pulled everyone into a big hug, all of them falling over.

Purah's own eyes were wide with surprise, and she quickly went to the album of the slate while they were all getting up.

What she saw made her break into laughter. Daruk was grinning widely, while most everyone else (except Urbosa - That woman is so photogenic that it's not even funny!) had assumed shocked expressions. Even Linky looked surprised! Purah had to hand it to Daruk - he sure knew how to get priceless expressions out of people.

"Purah…" Purah jerked her head up to see that Zellie had approached her. The Hylian princess looked slightly worried. "What are you laughing-"

Purah showed Zelda the picture, before practically collapsing on the grass with laughter.

"Ugh," Zelda mumbled.

"'Ugh' what?" Purah laughed. "This is art!"

"Can we get a serious one, please?" Zelda asked desperately.

"Fiiine…" Purah groaned with a roll of her eyes. "But can I have permission to get a painter to copy this onto a big canvas? I need to put this on my wall!"

"I'm sure Lady Impa would love that," Zelda mumbled.

"Oh, she would," Purah agreed, despite knowing Zelda was being sarcastic. "I'm sure she would want another copy for her fancy office, too!"

"Yes," Zelda said sarcastically. "Definitely. After all, who wouldn't want an embarrassing image of the Champions of Hyrule?"

"I know, right?"

"That truly is a wonderful image, Ms. Purah," Urbosa cut in. It seemed she and the other champions had approached while Purah was laughing. "I would like a copy myself."

"I'll see what I can do, Lady Urbosa!" Purah laughed. Then she caught a certain knight sneaking away while all the other champions were laughing at the picture. "Linky, get back here!"

Oops, Purah thought as all of the champions' attention was directed to the boy. He stopped and turned around slowly, stoic and blank.

"Yes, come along, Sir Link," Urbosa said with her usual smile. "I think you'll enjoy these expressions as much as we do."

Ohhhh… Purah thought as she realized what was up with Link. He thinks that, because he got startled, they won't look at him the same.

There was no doubt about it. He was exactly like Impa.

Link did not show the slightest hesitancy as he rejoined the group, but he did not make any remarks or anything of the like. Purah wanted to apologize, but it would draw even more attention to him, so she decided to refrain from commenting. Instead, she settled for a silent exchange with an apologetic expression, but Link merely shook his head. Welp, then I guess we're fine then?

Hey guys! Welcome back to another episode of Before (the rewrite)! ...What? I'm working on my You-Tuber impression!

As per usual, please review! ANY feedback would be wonderful, even if you're telling me I suck (just tell me why)!

REPLIES! (Secret review phrase = A work of art. How original, amirite? It's not like that's the chapter title or anything!)

bladeofthebookworms: Aw, thanks! A funny thing I have discovered is that I write scenes faster and better when it includes Link torture... Zellie needs to look just a little closer. I referenced her noticing something about his well-being when she was listening in on his and Daruk's conversation, but she didn't look any deeper! No, I'm sure Link would love all of that! Hugs and nice stories about Link abuse! YAY! Thank you! I find Purah a lot like myself - youthful and a bit insane. Link and Liari's friendship has been a bit tricky to write, what with keeping Link's character balanced between silence and opening up. I think I've been doing it okay, though. I'm so glad you've been enjoying it! You have a great day/week! :D

notaname: I have a friend (Woah, I have friends?) who changed their alerts to the korok laugh. It's hilarious when it goes off during an activity - everyone just stops what they're doing, looks around, and looks confused, while she, our other friend, and myself are laughing like lunatics. Good! It was a bit trickier to write! I can totally see Zelda shouting that too, now (XD). Link putting up a tough front? We'll see. Why did I italicize that? NO, we're not getting more Link PoV next chapter, are we? No, that's ridiculous! Hmm... good idea! I'll probably put some info nuggets in here at some point! It'll spice up traveling (I didn't think that was possible to do!)! Nah, it's all good ideas! I can take it seriously if I want to! I didn't notice the Spectacle Rock easter egg! I think I heard about it, but I just looked it up, and yup! Definitely an easter egg! WOO! Wait, it's around the Death Mountain Sheikah tower? I must've missed it (XD). It's all good! Hope you get better (though you're probably fine by now XD)!

Green Swordsman: I have to put in some references to the old story! Actually, I really don't. I just really wanted to (XD). I'm glad that you found it to your liking (what kind of language am I speaking/writing?!)! Every time I read the pot lid story myself, I legit face palm. WORK WITH ME, ZELLIE! XD

And that's everything! Hope you guys have a great week! Imma go write some more, now!

Sincerely (At best a guess),

Ari