Chapter III is upon me…

As of now, I'm rolling a chapter out every day. Obviously, this schedule will not remain once the next college semester begins, and my work schedule picks up – both of which are just around the corner. At the moment, I'm posting rather short chapters. I'm not sure if I'll ever make them longer. I kind of like these short little submissions for now.

To the guest review I got on Chapter II: thanks for being my first comment! I'm glad you like the writing aspect so far! I hope I can keep you enthralled with my telling of BotW, both with style and story. Hopefully what I've got planned will be entertaining :)

~~~ Here we go ~~~

– Vengeful Cam

Chapter III

Link knelt in the throne room. A crimson tunic, like those worn by the Royal Guard, hung from his shoulders and was held up by his leather belt. It had belonged to Calvin, and as such, was much too large for the young knight. Worn trousers – also too large for Link – were buckled around his waist and stuffed into large white boots. Completing the absurd look was The Master Sword, which was awkwardly strapped to the wielder's back.

Link tried to steady his breathing as he stood before King Rhoam of Hyrule. The man was large, to say the least. Though he was sitting in his throne above, on a dais, Link guessed that the king was at least six feet tall and almost that wide, displaying his fondness for food through a round belly and a red, plump face, which – other than rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes– was hidden behind thick grey hair. The king wore extravagant robes of blue and gold, and a scepter that seemed much too small was grasped in his meaty hand.

The throne was a rather captivating sight as well with the large golden Loftwing sitting just behind it, wings outspread, and, just above the golden bird, the sparkling triforce, surrounded by rings of gold. To Link's left and right, halfway hidden behind vibrant banners, curving stairwells made their way up to the throne. It really was a splendid room, the young knight ascertained as he strove to keep his breathing even.

And, although kneeling to the king of the realm before his menacing throne was intimidating, it was his daughter, Princess Zelda, that caused Link to struggle with his breathing more. He found that he could not even look at her without his heart catching in his throat. From the few glimpses he did manage, he noticed she had long, golden hair and beautiful emerald eyes. She really did look like a princess – or maybe a goddess even.

"Rise, child."

Link swallowed with much effort before rising to the king's command.

"Come up here, Sir Link," King Rhoam commanded in his booming voice.

Link nodded and proceeded to the stairs on his left. As he began to climb, one of the Royal Guard posted there moved in front of him and began to unbuckle The Master Sword from his back. Startled, Link almost stumbled backward.

"No need to panic, Link," whispered the guard. It was Gydon. "You can't approach his grace with your weapon."

Link thanked Gydon silently as he removed The Master Sword from his back. Link followed the guard all the way up the stairs. Keeping a respectful distance away from the king, Gydon knelt and offered up The Master Sword. King Rhoam struggled and stood, stumbling over to his guard. Link quickly knelt alongside Gydon as his grace approached. The king took the sword from the guard and slid it from its leather sheath.

Link kept his head bowed as the king set the blade against his shoulder.

"I dub thee Sir Link, wielder of The Master Sword. Rise," the king's voice was strong.

Link stood and for mere seconds, locked eyes with the king. There was something there, in those grey eyes. It wasn't happiness…it was fear and sorrow. The king was sad and afraid. Link glanced down at his boots ashamedly as his grace raised a thick eyebrow.

"You will not take your oaths just yet, child."

His knightly oaths? He'd already done that when he had completed his training as a squire. Link had so many questions spinning around inside his mind. All of them revolving around a single inquiry: what was going on?

"I've taken my oaths, your grace," Link finally managed to speak. Even still his throat was dry. He could feel his hands trembling, so he continued to stare at his boots.

"Your knightly oaths, yes. But your vows to the goddess – to Hyrule – well, you're not ready for that yet."

Link frowned, what was the king talking about?

King Rhoam sheathed and handed the sword back to Link, "You are the Hero, are you not?"

The Hero? What the hell? All he'd done was pull the damned sword from the rock.

Link grasped the blade, "Yes, your grace."

He said it with hesitation. Well, of course, he had. He didn't know what the king was referring to. All he knew is that he didn't want to disappoint King Rhoam. He had seemed so afraid – and so sad – earlier.

Princess Zelda glanced at the young 'hero' skeptically, but the king breathed a sigh of relief. He placed a large hand on Link's shoulder,

"Now, I must retire, child, but I promise you will be well taken care of."

Link nodded. Then, "Thank you – your grace." He bowed to the king and followed Gydon back down the stairs. As he left the throne room, he glanced back. King Rhoam was slumped in his throne, his face covered by large fingers. Princess Zelda was at his side, her hand on his shoulder, muttering words of comfort.

Link felt a guilty tug in his gut. Why had he pulled The Master Sword? First, it had caused his mother grief – now, the king and princess. So many kind people, tormented by him: the 'hero.'

And he still knew so little about what was going on.

"Are you alright, kid?" Gydon spoke once they were out of the royalties' hearing range.

Link donned his mask once again, "Yes."