The princess dragged Link through the castle grounds. He had never truly seen this part of the castle, and the parts he had were only brief. Impa, strolling beside them, gave detailed descriptions of the guards quarters, the main entrance to the royal gardens (which she firmly stated that that was the correct way to enter the gardens) and the Grand Hall entrance, which was as regal as it was grandeurs.
"This way to the royal chambers." Impa indicated to the stairway at the end of the chamber, smiling softly. "I hope you don't mind some stairs, young man."
Link tried to remember the last time he addressed the king. "Wasn't the chamber by the gardens?"
Impa shook her head. "I'm afraid not. That was the greeting room. It's only used for formal addressals."
Zelda giggled. "Father is always in the library. The most important information in the kingdom is kept there."
Link groaned. "So it has to be high up."
Impa stepped over to the boy. "You're supposed to be a mighty warrior. Yet you dread the stairs of a castle?" She patted Link on the head. "Perhaps the princess shall show you there's nothing to fear?"
Zelda beamed.
Link readjusted his cap, and glanced to the princess. He turned to Impa. "How far is it?"
Impa smiled. "Go up fourteen times. Follow the chamber on the left." Stepping aside to avoid what was inevitable to come.
Link, assured that his cap was secure, bolted past her and pulled a face at the princess as he began his ascent up the spiral stairway. Not one to be beaten, Zelda charged after him, and soon they had both disappeared upward, their shouts echoing throughout the halls.
Link counted the doors as he passed each one while hurling snide remarks at the princess. He passed the eleventh level. "I thought this place was your home!" He heard her call back, but couldn't make out the words. Twelfth level. His legs were truly beginning to hurt. "You go up this often?" He asked. He couldn't think of jabs to throw at her. Thirteen. He felt himself slow down. It would be ok to stop for a moment, he thought. She can't catch me.
Zelda flew him, turning to look at his shocked expression and stuck out her tongue, before resuming her ascent. Unwilling to lose, Link found new energy and shot after her. As he rounded the final curve, he ran straight into the princess, sending them both sprawling through the doorway to the fourteenth level. A muffled sound escaped from something underneath Link, which he took a moment to realise was the princess. Link jumped off and rolled her over, afraid he had hurt her. However, instead of a bloody face, her face beamed. Link sighed in relief, which turned into shock as he attempted to fend off an assault of slaps.
Zelda laughed. "You could have hurt me!"
Link covered his face, so his response was muffled. "But you weren't, so can you-" a hand made it through his defences, striking him on the cheek. "Ow!" He glared at the giggling princess, and pounced on her to return the attack, and was welcomed by a shrill shriek as a surprised Zelda tried to push him off. This went on for a few moments before they realised that they were being watched. They looked up to see the cocked eyebrow of Impa, who had been watching them for some time now.
"I hope you two aren't getting too friendly." Impa remarked.
Link blushed softly as climbed off Zelda and faced the tall woman. "How did you get here so fast?" He muttered under his breath.
Zelda, who was flushed red but smiling like a fool, stood up and tutted at link. "Impa is Sheikah. They go wherever they please."
A smile played at the edges of Impas mouth. "Blunt, but true. I was here long before two stumbled through." She turned and headed down a corridor, Zelda hot on her heels. "This way, young Link."
The king was, as expected, within the library, intently reading an ancient scripture, when Zelda ran in flung her arms around him, giving him quite the surprise.
"Goddesses!" He exclaimed. "Zelda, I fear you will be the death of me." He smiled softly before embracing her fully.
Zelda laughed. "Sorry father. You've been really busy and I didn't think I could intrude."
The king chuckled and help Zelda at arm's length. "My Princess, you are too kind to an old man like me."
As the king began to listen to Zelda's stories, Impa and Link entered the area. Link noticed that there were two more people nearby the king. One was an old man sitting beside the king, dressed in ebony robes, whose pure white hair was slicked back. The other was a young woman, who wore a dim ruby cowl that concealed her left arm and the lower part of her face over a dark violet sleeveless tunic, and the shine of steel gauntlets was not lost on Link. Her platinum hair was pulled into a bun, with a single braid hanging by her right eye. If he hadn't figured it out yet, the red eyes distinguished them both as Sheikah.
Impa bowed her head to old man and nodded to woman before approaching the king. Link stuck close, not wanting to seem a threat to either.
"…Spectacular, father! Captain Viscen barely touched him!" Zelda insisted, much to the king's amusement.
He turned his head to Link. "Is that so? You beat our secondary captain of the guard, my boy?"
Link took a moment to register that the king was addressing him. He kneeled before responding. "Yes, your Majesty."
The king snorted. "No need for that, boy. This is no formal meeting, isn't it?" Link, feeling unsure of what was the proper procedure, stood up and looked at the king. He was by no means old, but wrinkles were beginning to set in. His hair, through starting to recede, was clean cut. Grey had begun to set into his peppery hair, most noticeable in his well-trimmed beard. Today he wore a simple grey garb, autumn brown pants and a necklace encrust with sapphires, which was a stark contrast with the royal garb Link had been addressed in before.
He looked up to Zelda, realising that nothing had been said and all eyes were on him. Deciding that shifting the attention was the best action. "Though if I may be so bold," He continued "The princess seems to have exaggerated my success."
Impa shook her head. "Perhaps," she said softly. "But you achievement should not be undermined."
The king nodded in agreement. "Your skill is apparent. Viscen may not be our greatest knight, but it would still take years of training to reach his swordsmanship."
The old Sheikah sat forwards. "I believe," He murmured softly, "That you wish to… use that skill, correct?"
Link took in the words before nodding slowly. "Yes. I do."
The old Sheikah looked to the king, who frowned. "Link, what is it? You came all this way, and if you wanted to see my daughter, I would not know until long after."
Inside is head, Link scowled himself. You have faced great horrors, proven your courage. Why are you afraid now?
Link looked the king dead in the eye and told him. "I want to serve hyrule as one of its knights."