Chapter 4

Dawn found Link leaning against Zelda's doorway, waiting for her maids to come and wake her. He was nervous; this would, after all, be his first assignment, and the Festival provided multiple opportunities for assassins to strike. He went through the blueprints again; the placement of the soldiers, his escape routes, back up plans, the works.

Presently, Malon and her troupe arrived, and set to work on making the Princess presentable. After some time, she exited the room. She smiled to Link. "Good morning, Link."

"Good morning Princ- er, Zelda." Link rubbed the back of his neck; old habits die hard it seemed.

They began to walk down the hallway towards the dining room. "Is it really so hard to drop formalities around me, Link?" questioned Zelda as they walked.

Link sighed. "I'm just in shock, really. First, his Majesty wants me to call him by his first name, and next the Princess wants me to do the same!" Link chuckled to himself. "Is the Royal Family really that informal around people of lower rank?"

Zelda frowned. "Well, not usually. I never knew the previous Guardian, but apparently Father treated him like a close family friend."

"Is that right… I expected to remain a silent guardian, not someone on a first-name basis with every member of the Royal Family."

Zelda smirked. "Well, quite frankly, I intended to keep you an arms distance away from me, but Father told me to try and act friendly with you. He said I needed someone to confide in regularly, since I'm to take over soon."

"Your maids don't count?"

Zelda waved that suggestion away. "Oh, they're good friends, but they can't keep their mouths shut. I could never tell them anything of importance."

"Well, I'm glad you've opened up so quickly to me then, Zelda."

They had arrived. "Do not think you are off the hook yet, Lord Guardian," Zelda said mischievously. "Your interrogation, after all, is scheduled for tomorrow."

Link smiled, and opened the door for her. The King was already seated and eating away. "Well, you already look to be in a far better mood today, my daughter!" he laughed.

"Yes, well, it seems I woke up correctly today, Father."

"And I hope you took my advice to heart as well, Zelda," the king said solemnly.

Zelda took her seat, and Link his. "Yes, Father, Link and I are getting along quite nicely."

The King turned towards Link. "Is this true, Link?"

Link nodded. "In fact, we were just discussing how previous Guardians were treated by the Royal Family. I heard my predecessor was a good friend of yours."

At that the King nodded, seemingly in deep remembrance. "Ah, yes, I remember Alfonzo fondly. He died, unfortunately, in the same carriage accident that killed your mother, Zelda…"

Silence fell. Link mentally berated himself on bringing up a sensitive topic like that. He opened his mouth to change the subject, but the King continued. "I suppose… the reason I wanted you to address me informally, Link, is because I miss him… He may have been sworn to guard my wife, but he and I got along very well indeed."

The King turned towards Link, smiling. "I wish to better understand you as well, Link. Not only as Lord Guardian, but as a good friend."

"…Well, if the King orders it, how can any citizen refuse, eh Daphnes?" asked Link.

The King laughed, a great booming noise that echoed throughout the hall. "HAH! I'm glad you humor an old man like me!"

Breakfast passed pleasantly. The King had to dismiss himself early; he too had to prepare for the Festival, though he would not formally address the people until the third and final day. "Why is it that the King only gives a speech at the end of the festival?" Link asked Zelda as they ate.

She glanced up. "Well, Din is the goddess of power. Symbolically, the Festival shows the people that they are truly in power, because royalty on that day takes a back seat. The King only addresses them at the ending of the Festival, to remind people that he serves only as a leader, as a way to express the will of the people."

Link nodded, sinking into thought. A comfortable silence pervaded the room. There was still a good two hours until Zelda had to depart for the Festival, but Link still fretted over the details.

"Why did you want to be Lord Guardian?"

Link was shaken out of his thoughts by Zelda's voice. He glanced up in surprise; she had quill and parchment out and seemed poised to take some notes. She smiled at him. "We have some time before we depart, so let's just get this out of the way."

Link raised an eyebrow. "Do we have to have the interrogation now? I'm busy trying to think of back-up plans in case the worse happens."

Zelda looked at him incredulously. "Link, for goddesses' sake, it's just a Festival, and I'm meeting with some diplomats. Nothing is going to happen!"

"You don't know that!" Link retorted. "Especially with the reported uprisings in Gerudo territory. What if some rebel infiltrates your discussion!"

Zelda rolled her eyes. "Well, good thing you prepared ahead of time. Now, the question please."

Link sighed, resigning himself to his fate. His plan for the return of Ganon would have to wait. "Truth be told, Zelda, I chose to be Lord Guardian because of the benefits."

He raised his hands to ward off Zelda's outrage. "Wait, wait! Hear me out, ok." She sat back, miffed, and began to scribble furiously.

Link continued, "You probably already know that Rauru adopted me and my sister, right?" Zelda nodded. "Well, being Sage gave Rauru the ability to support all three of us, but just barely. So, I enlisted in the military as soon as I was able so I could pitch in with my soldier wage. It was a bit better after that.

"I won't trouble you with the tortures of soldier life, how rough and terrible it was. All that was going through my mind was how my sister wouldn't have to take some kind of job at seven, as long as I could keep pitching in. I… It would be terrible, having her work as some sort of maid or scullery at her age.

"Rauru is getting older. He was already old when he adopted us, and I don't know how long the goddesses will grant him. All I want is, when that terrible time does come and he moves on to the Sacred Realm, or wherever the dead go, Aryll doesn't have to live a life of hardship.

"If I stayed a soldier, there was no way I could support both her and me on the same job. So, I pushed myself, rising above everyone around me, and gave it my all to get to this position. With my position, I can give Aryll a better education than me, a place to live, and a better life.

Link glanced up and met Zelda's stare. She had stopped writing. "She'll be the only family I'll have left soon. Don't get me wrong, everything I promised to you in the ceremony is true. I'd gladly give my life for you or Hyrule, if that time comes. I know the Royal Family treats the families of deceased Guardians extremely well.

"But everything I do is for her."

Zelda placed her quill down and stared at the floor, finding it difficult to meet Link's intense gaze. "And here I sat" she began shakily, "angry that you didn't take on this role because you wanted to better your country."

"…I'm sorry, Zelda, if my answer offended you. I didn't take on this job because I wanted to defend the crown. If you want to find a new Guar-"

Zelda waved away Link's apology. "No, I'd prefer not to. I appreciate honesty better than some sense of duty. Plus," she smiled, glancing up again, "you're the best of the best. I've never even heard of someone as young as you being considered for this position."

Link grinned, a bit embarrassed by Zelda's praise. The tips of his ears became hot. "Yeah, well… let's hope my skills are more than enough for today."

Zelda placed her quill down. "I think… we can put aside my interrogation now, Link. It's clear to me now how kind, honest, and determined you are." She smiled at him.

Link let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "Well, I'm glad. Now I can return to planning a back-up plan if Ganon returns."

Zelda snorted. "That ancient legend? I somehow doubt he'll ever return, least of all on a day of celebration."

"Ah," said Link, wagging his finger, "but that's exactly what they want you to think!"

Zelda looked at Link incredulously. "They who, exactly?"

"The… uh, the evil people."

Zelda began to laugh. Link rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Alright! It probably won't ever happen, but you can't say it will DEFINITELY not happen! I shou-"

Zelda just began to laugh even harder at Link's feeble reasons for his worries.

It was finally time for them to depart. Zelda sat inside the carriage as Link sat beside the driver, eyes peeled for any danger. Din's Festival was already in full swing, with the carriage passing by crowds of people, stalls of merchants, food vendors, and the stage, which was busy preparing for "a feat of amazing skill," if the sign advertising it was to be believed.

They arrived at the meeting place without incident. It was a fancy restaurant that was known for their amazingly spicy Gerudo food. Link looked up and saw the troops he had assigned had already taken their stations on other balconies. Good. One less problem to worry about.

He jumped down and opened the carriage for Zelda. She stepped out regally, the epitome of royalty. Link began to usher her inside, but she ignored him. Instead, she turned towards the people who had gathered to watch and waved. The crowd began to applaud, and rushed forward in the hopes of touching their Princess. Link's eyes quickly roamed the crowd for any sign of danger, and he moved swiftly to Zelda's side as she began to shake hands and kept back any overly zealous citizens. Finally, Zelda stopped greeting the people and turned to make her way inside the building. Link signaled with his hands, and immediately the guards who had been escorting them kept the mass of people in order and at bay.

"Next time, Princess, give me at least a five second heads-up that you want to greet the people," said Link, reverting to a more formal speaking style that was more fitting for company.

"I am sorry, Lord Guardian. I cannot resist greeting my people," stated Zelda. "But I have great faith in your abilities."

Link sighed, and escorted Zelda upstairs to the balcony where the meeting would be held. There was a good half hour until the Gerudos were to show up. In front of the doors that opened to the balcony, five female soldiers stood. They jumped to attention as Link and the Princess approached. "Princess! Sir!" they barked. "You wished to see us?" Link nodded, and ordered two of the soldiers to stand guard on the balcony until he could take their places.

He turned to the remaining three. "The Princess has a meeting with a group of Gerudo dignitaries today," he stated. "When they arrive, I want you to search them for any weapons, or anything that could harm her highness. Until then, and afterwards, I'm assigning you five to guard duty."

They saluted, and Link, after making sure they knew what to do, ordered the two soldiers guarding Zelda to get instructions from their fellow soldiers. Now it was just he and Zelda on the balcony. His gaze kept moving side to side, wary of any threats. Already the Festival was in full swing, with singers on the stage performing, people running around below them, people buying things, and people having fun.

"Why female soldiers?"

Link turned towards Zelda, who was sipping some water as she waited. "I just thought the Gerudo would be more comfortable around five female guards and one male Guardian, rather than six males," he replied. No need to mention them being searched he thought to himself.

Zelda nodded, sinking into thought. "A matriarchal society… for the most part. Did you know all Gerudo babies are female? Apparently a male is only born once every one hundred years, and is destined to become their leader for however long he lives."

Link nodded. "Believe me, I've given up trying to figure out how their civilization flourishes with only females being born."

Zelda began to laugh. "Well, they have been known to be quite… seductive, and alluring to men from around the world." She turned towards Link, who was still resolutely scanning the environment around him. "I hope you won't be distracted from you duty, Link," she said mischievously.

"They would be hard pressed to do that," said Link emphatically, although he began to blush at Zelda's implication.

Zelda gasped in mock shock. "Are your ears turning red? Maybe it's true then!"

Link only blushed harder, but just as he was about to retort his eyes noticed a bright head of blond hair buying food from a stall next to the stage. Link squinted to get a better look. Is that…? Suddenly the man in front of her turned around holding two ice cream cones, and handed one to the girl. All doubts vanished from Link's head.

That's Rauru and Aryll! I haven't seen her in ages… Link thought, his heart filling with sadness. What he would give to go over to her and give her a hug. Link shook his head; he couldn't afford to be distracted, today of all days.

"..ink? Link!" someone was talking to him.

He turned towards Zelda. "Sorry Princess, I thought I saw… someone. You were saying?"

She frowned, and pointed in the direction behind him. "The Gerudo are arriving, Link."

He turned around and saw an ornate, yet small, carriage being brought towards the restaurant by four dark horses. Zelda stood up. "I will go and greet them," she said to Link. He nodded, and escorted her downstairs.

They stopped at the base of the stairs, along with the five female guards. Link beckoned for two of them to hold the doors for the dignitaries stepping down from the carriage. They were dressed in the highest Gerudo fashion as well; that is, scantily clad and jewelry anywhere they could fit. "Please stay here, your Highness," said Link, and moved to intercept the nobles.

Link held out a hand to stop the advancing Gerudos. "Greetings," he said. "I am the Lord Guardian, sworn protector of her Highness. I ask that you please submit yourself to being searched before entering her presence."

The two women glanced at each other, before one stepped forward and began to speak. "I am Nabooru, and my partner is Aveil." She had a slight accent. "We are Gerudo diplomats. Why would you search us?"

"It is only for her Highness' protection," restated Link.

"But we are of no danger to her," Aveil spoke up angrily. "You have no right to search us!"

"Peace, Aveil," said Nabooru. She turned to Link. "We will not be searched by a man like you," she said coldly to Link.

Link simply smiled. "Fortunately, these soldiers here," he extended an arm, and two of the female soldiers stepped forward, "will be searching you, in the rooms to your left and right for privacy. I trust this is fair to you?"

The two diplomats thought silently, before Nabooru spoke up again. "This, I can agree to do. Aveil?"

The other diplomat sighed, and nodded her head. "I suppose it is to be expected, with the recent dangers in our territory."

"If it makes any difference," said Link as they were being led to separate rooms, "I would have searched anyone who wished to meet with her Highness, regardless of their country."

Link turned back to the Princess and stood by her side. "The Gerudo have been one of Hyrule's stalwart allies for ages, Link!" she whispered angrily to him as they waited. "What were you thinking, searching them?!"

"It's as I said; protection."

"Protection from what, exactly?!"

"They may be assassins in disguise, waiting for an opportunity to jump and take out the sole heir to the throne. Or perhaps they really are diplomats, who have become so disgruntled with Hyrule as to attempt an assassination. That is why they are being searched, you Highness," whispered Link severely. "It's my job to protect you, no matter what."

"But I kn-"

Zelda seemed to want to continue, but just then the soldiers opened the doors and the dignitaries exited. One of the soldiers came to Link. "Sir! Nothing found."

"Excellent. Return to your duties." The soldier saluted, and ordered the other soldiers to return to guard duty.

Link bowed slightly to the Gerudos. "My sincere apology for this inconvenience, but everything seems to be in order. You will not be troubled by me again today." He bowed again, and moved aside, allowing Zelda to greet them.

"Nabooru! It has been too long," said Zelda, embracing the Gerudo.

"Yes, Zelda, it has been far too long. We were but children last time we talked," said Nabooru. She glanced at Link. "And I see security has been upgraded as well."

"And Aveil! How did they convince you to practice diplomacy?" asked Zelda, deliberately ignoring the uncomfortable subject.

"Well, the Queen can be very persuasive when she wants to be, Zelda," said Aveil, embracing Zelda.

"How is the Queen?" asked Zelda, as they moved upstairs.

"Mother is well, Zelda. She will probably give the next male a good fight for the throne too," Nabooru chuckled.

Link blanched. Of course they were Gerudo princesses; no wonder Zelda didn't want them searched. And she seemed to have history with them as well, talking like they were childhood friends. What a deep hole I dig for myself in the line of duty Link thought ruefully.

Link opened the door to the balcony for the three royals. The singers on the stage had stepped off, and they seemed to be setting up some complex contraption for the next event. As the ladies seated themselves, Link stood in the corner, leaning against the railing with his arms crossed and eyes wandering the Festival.

"Ah, what a beautiful place to meet! It has the best view too," exclaimed Nabooru.

"I remember this place… they had excellent kebabs," reminisced Aveil.

The girls began to talk animatedly among themselves. Link took note of the guards on the surrounding rooftops; all were present, and none seemed to be in distress as well. He returned to watching the crowd, and the stage. It seemed that the goal was for an archer to shoot an arrow through flaming hoops, lighting the arrow on fire and strike an apple on another person's head at the other end. Why the arrow had to be on fire, Link had no idea. Probably because Din was usually associated with fire. Already an announcer was encouraging folks to gather around for the exotic feat of skill, and the two Gerudo participants were getting ready.

"… but with the recent attacks…"

"Hyrule is becoming more and more worried…"

"…aid needed at all, please…"

Bits and pieces of the conversation floated towards Link, but it didn't concern him at all. Let the Princess handle all the politics thought Link, I'd rather handle Ganon himself than wade through that mess.

"BIG BROTHER!"

Link was jerked out of his thoughts by the sound. He turned towards the royals; they were too involved in their conversation to notice much else. He slowly glanced down towards the ground, where he saw Aryll waving at him, her face all painted and a grin on her face.

Link couldn't help but smile; of course her keen eyes would spot him. He gave a wave, then glanced back towards the royals, who continued to talk. He looked at Aryll, and mimed a shushing motion with his finger and pointed towards the nobles. Aryll seemed to understand him. "Sorry," she mouthed, and waved goodbye to him as she ran through the throngs of people, probably on her way to Rauru to show him her new face.

Grinning, Link moved his gaze from the ground back to the stage, where the archer was pointing her bow right at the balcony he was on.

Wait he thought, before his eyes widened.

"YOUR HIGHNESS!" he yelled, rushing to block the path of the arrow as the archer let it slip. Zelda turned towards him, before her eyes widened in alarm.

SHWIP

Zelda didn't move. Her face was stuck in shock. Somewhere someone in the audience screamed, and all hell broke loose.

Pain exploded on Link's back, immediately below his right shoulder. Grimacing, and trying his hardest not to cry aloud, he ripped the barbed arrow from his back, tearing off a good piece of flesh with it as well.

He saw Zelda staring at him, hand covering her mouth. Link whistled, a shrill sound that echoed throughout the panicking crowds; it seemed someone had also lit the stage and some surrounding stalls on fire. Immediately the female soldiers on guard duty ran to him.

"Take the Gerudos to their carriages and escort them to the palace POST-HASTE" he yelled through his pain. Saluting, the soldiers quickly grabbed the two nobles and ran downstairs. Link grabbed Zelda and ran down with them.

The Gerudo carriage was out front, and there was only enough room inside the carriage for two. Link grimaced; as much as he wanted Zelda to sit in that carriage, it wasn't his to commandeer. The Princess' carriage was nowhere to be seen; it was to pick them up at the end of the meeting. Link cursed himself for his thoughtlessness; of course the carriage wouldn't wait for them. The evacuation routes would have to be taken on foot then.

"Zelda, get in this carriage!" yelled Aveil, even though there was clearly no way Zelda could fit inside that narrow compartment.

"GO!" Link yelled to the guards. "I'll protect the Princess!"

The carriage pushed its way past the throngs of running people as Aveil and Nabooru looked on helplessly. Link unsheathed his sword and moved towards the back of the restaurant, where the stables were. Thankfully, someone had left a saddled horse there.

Quickly, Link helped Zelda onto the horse before clambering behind her. She hadn't said a word yet, and looked on the verge of some kind of panic attack. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hey," he said gently. She jumped, apparently startled, and looked at him. "I need your head on your shoulders right now. It'll be alright.

"I'll protect you."

Zelda exhaled shakily, before nodding resolutely.

"YAH!" Link yelled, and urged the horse into a dead gallop. He maneuvered around people, toppled carts and stalls, and… bodies of soldiers and citizens?

There was no doubt about it; people were dying here. But a lone assassin, maybe two, couldn't kill the guards, especially since they exposed themselves by firing at the Princess first. In the distance, Link could see Commander Russell mustering his troops, fighting what seemed to be…

Gerudo rebels? In Hyrule? Link thought incredulously. But there was no question; among the bodies of soldiers were females who bore the crest of the Gerudo rebels. Link shook his head; thinking could come later. Right now, the Princess was in direct harm, and he had to get her to Hyrule Castle.

"Link! TURN AROUND!" Zelda screamed. "The people need our help!"

"Commander Russell will help the people! My job is to get you out of here!" Link yelled above the noise.

"Link, your sister could be there! Do you have no heart?!" she pleaded.

At that, Link almost turned around. It was true; Aryll could very well be among the dead, or the dying. He hesitated. Then, hardening his heart, he pushed forward, cold logic dictating his every move. "Aryll may be dead, but I don't know that right now, and if she is, there's nothing I can do for her. All that's certain is you're in danger, and I will protect you."

"Your sister is in DANGER!" she yelled with anger.

"YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW THAT? BUT WASTING TIME MOVING ALL OVER CASTLE TOWN WON'T HELP ANYONE!" Link roared to her.

He burst out of town and continued to press the horse forward. There wasn't much left to go now, just a wide, hilly area, before they would arrive at the walls. Yet, he could make out three people blocking his path, wearing the signature black garbs of the rebels. They were armed with bows, and Link slowed his horse down; he couldn't block all three of them and survive, and he couldn't outmaneuver them on this farm horse.

One of them stepped forwards. "Surrender the Princess, and we will allow you to live," she declared.

Link stepped down from his horse. He glanced on all sides; there were no other dangers in sight on this plain, and no one had followed them from Castle Town. "Stay down," he whispered to Zelda "and don't watch." The horse would be able to provide some protection should the archers decide to let the arrows fly. He moved towards the women, flourishing his sword.

"I'll give you ladies a deal; All three of you, versus me. Beat me, and you get the Princess," said Link. He hoped that famous Gerudo pride would let them take the bait.

It worked. They began to advance, pulling out daggers from their sheaths. Link looked at them all carefully. "You die in five swings," he said to them coldly.

They hesitated for a second at that, before advancing cautiously again. They were splitting up, trying to surround him. Suddenly, the one in front of Link made to bring her dagger down on him.

Shick

Her head fell on the ground, the life draining from her eyes. Link had moved fast, faster than any of them had anticipated, striking when the dagger was above her head. He pressed his advantage, moving towards the one closer to Zelda.

Clang! His sword met both of her daggers, and she was straining to push him back. Any sign of the old Link was gone; instead, his eyes shone like a wolf protecting its pack, determined to wipe out every last thing endangering it. Keeping his full weight on his right arm, he pulled his left arm back and punched her in the chest, weakening her resistance, before slicing her legs, making her fall to the ground.

Quickly, Link moved his sword behind him and blocked one of the incoming swings from the last assassin, before back-flipping over her and slicing her down her back, and then stabbing her through the heart.

As the assassin fell to the ground, stunned at Link's ferocity and strength, Link moved towards the last rebel, who was busy trying to crawl away from him. She looked at him fearfully, and threw her dagger at Link, who deflected it with ease. "Pick a goddess and pray," he said without remorse, before swiftly ending her life.

He flicked his sword to clear it of any blood, shaking with anger and relief. Anger that the rebels had orchestrated an attack, relief that the Princess was no longer in immediate danger. Speaking of the Princess, he turned towards the horse, where he saw her looking at him in horror.

"I thought I told you not to watch," he growled, sheathing his sword.

"You just… you just… killed that woman!" Zelda shrieked.

"She tried to do the same thing to me!"

"She was defenseless!" said Zelda shrilly, her voice rising every second.

"She was a danger, and now she is eliminated," said Link bluntly, refusing to show any empathy for these assassins.

"Is that all she was?! She was A PERSON!" Zelda continued to scream at him.

Link moved to get on the horse, but stopped when he saw Zelda flinch at his raised arm. That hurt. "Zelda, please, I won't hurt you…" he said pleadingly.

"You're a monster."

That hit home. "I… I did what I thought was necessary in order to protect you, your Highness," he said, reverting to a formal tone. "She could have thrown another dagger as we went back to the Castle and killed you, or sh-"

"I do not want to hear anymore. Take me to the Castle now, Lord Guardian."

Hurt, Link clambered onto the back of the horse, making sure to keep a respectable distance between him and Zelda. As he did, the pain in his shoulder flared to life, making him hiss in pain. Zelda let out a sound, before resolutely keeping her mouth shut, and her gaze fixed ahead. Silently, they made their way back to the castle as fast as possible.

A/N: Alright, sorry for my long absence again, but hopefully you'll like this long chapter. Thanks again to all the followers and favorites out there, really means a lot!

Now, on to the reviews!

DarkGlass01: Hey, thanks for that! Also, I really appreciate your criticism. Yeah, I can see how the attitude is really inconsistent. I'm not a big fan of going back and changing chapters, making the readers re-read it all, so I thought I could flesh out their relationships better in this chapter! It's definitely not perfect, but it'll be something I keep expanding upon as we go forward!

KDRDEADMAN: Ooooooh man, next chapter, I think Link is in for some deeeeeep doodoo.

RenegadeReviewer: Yeah, I'm having some personal difficulties writing jealousy and stuff like being cold to others, because I as a person am really laid back and forgiving. So it just kind of comes naturally for me to write Zelda as someone who warms to people easily lol. But hopefully with this (slightly more serious faux pas in this chapter) I can actually create some bad juju between Link and Zelda.

AnriMia24: Hey, thanks!

Awakening5: Thanks man!

Thank you to all the reviewers who review more than once, and those who review for the first time as well! Again, it really motivates me.

This next chapter might be a while before it comes out because I am getting super busy in life, plus Breath of the Wild is right around the corner. So make sure you follow if you're really interested, because I have no clue when this next chapter is going to come out. But I WILL FINISH THE STORY, NO MATTER WHAT!

Thanks again!