Link closed the book and placed it in the growing pile beside him. Still, his efforts bore no fruit. He looked out a nearby window. The sun had risen over the kingdom, and cast the sprawling fields in golden light. He had never seen it from this high up. He had to admit, the castle had excellent view of the kingdom.

"By Hylia, don't you know how to sleep in?"

Link smiled as the princess approached with Impa trailing behind, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. "Every day, three days, you're up before the sun."

"What can I say?" Link shrugged. "When I set my mind to something, I wont stop until that something is done."

Zelda sat next to him lay her head on the table. Her hair was still tasselled from sleep, which was cute to Link. "You look better without your hat." Link said meekly.

Zelda blushed. "You think so?"

He grinned. "Without a shadow of a doubt."

Impa picked up the book at the top of the pile, wrinkling her nose in disgust. "You shouldn't be reading on this subject. The Interloper War is no subject for a child to read on."

Links face became serious. "I'm only reading the sections on those that died." He indicated to the books beside him. "You think I'm able read this many in a few hours?"

"Regardless," Impa placed the book on the table. "You should find better material to read."

Zelda scratched her head. "Found anything yet?"

Link flopped into the chair. "No, still nothing. My father could be-" He opened a book and selected a name randomly. "Captain Linebeck for all i know."

Impa shook her head. "Well, no. Linebeck had no family."

Zelda and Link looked at Impa. "You knew him?" Link asked.

Impa smiled. "Yes. A grouchy man, but smart." She chuckled. "I just remembered. He hated me. Could never stand us Sheikah, but he loathed me in particular."

Link raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, so not related to me then."

"I'm afraid not. Will you join us for breakfast?"

"Sure." Link got down from the chair and headed for the door, but Impa stopped him.

"It would be rude to leave these books here." She turned to Zelda. "Go ahead princess. I will help Link put these away."

Zelda nodded and, after a moment of uncertainty, left the two of them.

Link picked up as many books and he could carry and Impa picked up the rest. As Link began returning the volumes to the shelves, Impa said "How much more did you read?"

Link hesitated. "Not much."

"Young man, do not lie to a Sheikah."

Link shook his head. "I'm not. I didn't read much more."

"Then what did you read?"

Another hesitation. "Basic background on the war. Nothing more."

"Tell me exactly what you read."

"How it started, why it started, how it end-" He cut himself off, but it was too late.

Impa shook her head. "You shouldn't have read it Link."

"I didn't mean to, I swear."

Impa waved her hand. "It doesn't matter. The past can't be changed." Link strained a smile, and went to say something, but Impa stopped him with a look. "Do not joke about the subject."

"Sorry."

Impa took one of Links books and put it in a shelf beyond his reach. "Right now, I do not care about what you have done. You have proven you are capable of withstanding any horrors you face." She turned, her face stern. "But you will not repeat anything to Zelda."

Link blinked in surprise. "Ok, but… why?"

"I do not want her to know what the King had to do. He is her hero, and the decisions he made weigh on his shoulders to this day. Let her only see him as her hero. I won't let her learn about it. Not yet." She returned another book. "All she knows is that she was born months after it ended. I want to keep it that way. Do you understand?"

Link nodded. "Yes."

"Yes..?"

"Yes ma'am."

She shot him a glare. "Excuse me?"

"I mean, yes Impa."

Slowly, she turned away and they both resumed putting away the various volumes.

Breakfast was simple, for royalty. Buttered bread, a variety of sliced fruits and vegetables, eggs cook in every way imaginable and small servings of meat.

When Link and Impa arrived, Zelda already had already piled on an unprincess like amount of each on her plate.

"You look hungry." Link said with a straight face.

Zelda stuck her nose up. "Does it matter I am?"

"Please," Impa muttered under her breath. "remember to wipe your mouth."

Link took a seat next to Zelda and started to get his breakfast. He selected a pear, some mushrooms, a couple of slices of bread, an egg and a single slice of meat. Impa, who stood behind the princess, took an apple and nothing more.

"Are these Cucco eggs?" Link asked as he stuffed his mouth with with the sweet bread. Zelda simply nodded, her mouth too full to speak. He smiled. "I'd hate to be the person that had to get those."

Zelda swallowed. "Yes, they can be scary."

The food was glorious, as to be expected. Link, having lived in the forest most of his life, adored fresh fruit, and he had grown to enjoy how Hylians prepared their mushrooms. He had never liked them raw. The meat, however, was amazing. The Kokiri rarely had access to meat, and hunting in the Lost Woods was too dangerous, not to mention a terrifying experience.

"What is this?" Link asked, indicating to the meat on his fork.

"Um…" Zelda thought for a moment before Impa answered.

"It's pork."

Suddenly his stomach churched, and the taste was no longer pleasant in his mouth.

Zelda caught this change. "Link, are you ok?"

"Yeah." Link smiled weakly. "I just… don't like pig, thats all."

Before the conversation could continue, Nelo entered the dining hall, followed soon after by the King and finally the old Sheikah. Impa bowed her head and Zelda gave a sunny smile. Link decided to follow Impas lead. The King waved his hand in acknowledgement.

"Good morning." He said as he sat himself opposite his daughter, grinning at her. "You seem hungry."

The princess threw her arm in the air. "Why does it matter if I eat a lot!"

"It matters if you use that dresses a napkin."

Behind the princess, Impa silently thanked the king. Smiling, he tore himself some bread as Nelo collected the various foods onto a plate.

Link cleared his throat. "You highness?"

The king turned his attention to Link. "Yes, what is it, my boy?"

"Is something happening today?" He said, indicating to the kings clothes.

Unlike the previous few days, the king was dressed extravagantly. He wore an azure tunic, around his neck he wore a large diamond incrusted necklace, and a golden crown rested comfortably on his head. Dressed to impress.

The king finished chewing before responding. "Yes. Today I am meeting with my advisors to discuss your… appeal."

Links heart skipped a beat. He felt as if his future was being shaped before him. Despite the emotions racing around his head, he felt his face remain blank. Strange, how he could deal with these sorts of feelings. "I see." He said in a flat voice.

Impa placed down the apple core and began to brush the princesses hair. "Don't worry, Link. Your Highness will do what is right. It does no good to spend unnecessary energy on matters beyond your control."

Nelo set down the plate in front of the king, who thanked her. "I agree with Impa." He said. "Treat today as any other. I'm sure my daughter will keep you quite distracted."

"Father!"

"I jest. But please, keep Link occupied. He's too young to be stressed in such a way."

She nodded. "Yes father."

Impa sighed. "Princess, please stay still."

"Sorry Impa." she grinned, allowing Impa to continue tending to her hair.

Not much more was said on the subject.

Once breakfast had finished, the king rose from his chair. "I must prepare to address my advisors. I won't be able to meet with you until tonight, so please, no interruptions."

"Yes father."

The old Sheikah draped a scarlet cloak over the kings shoulders, completing the kings image. Satisfied, the king marched off, Nelo ahead, and the old Sheikah his shadow.

Zelda turned to Link. "When was the last time you waved around your sword?"

He shrugged. "When I arrived."

"Why don't you get it? You could practice with Impa. Don't want you to get dull now."

He nodded and got out of his seat, heading to his room. When he was out of sight, the Sheikah gave the princess an approving look. Smart, that girl.

Ugh, writing is hard. If I don't update this every week, it'll probably fall into obscurity. And that'll be depressing.

Also, it's hard because if you write something dumb, it will forever be a bad fanfic. I am currently having this problem with a later part in the story. I'll probably do it, but I'll have to be careful about it. Don't want to ruin the whole thing.