Posting a chapter early and I'll post another on Saturday and I think that will be my new update day. Anyway, enjoy and don't forget to leave a like or review!

Chapter 4

The nerve… He won that tournament with ease even against other very skilled swordsmen. He no doubt just waltzed into the Sacred Grove and picked up the Master Sword as well… Does the goddess laugh at me so?

Zelda was back in her room preparing for the ball that evening. She threw the gown onto the bed in frustration.

To make things worse, he is to become my appointed knight. Father must truly despise me… And so must he…

The thought tore at an old wound. After a decade of prayer, the sealing power that was her birthright still evaded her. A single tear paved a wet path down her cheek where many tears had fallen over the years.

"And why does he have to be so perfect? You couldn't have at least made him ugly?" Zelda said to the goddess though she knew her words would never land on divine ears.

"Maybe he has an extra toe… or a tail." Zelda looked up and saw Impa leaning against the door frame of her bedroom, smirking.

Zelda looked down, "You weren't supposed to hear that."

Impa chuckled, "I know… your frustrations reflect on him. You mustn't be so hard on him… or yourself. The powers will unlock in time. And you do not know his story."

Impa was right and that agitated Zelda even more. If she had been born a commoner, she would be allowed these petty emotions. A princess had to be above that though. It still hurt that this.. nobody.. had found his place in the legend before she'd even had the slightest inkling of her own powers.

"Don't stay up too late for this ball. Tomorrow, you must venture out to meet the Champions." Impa reminded her as she turned to take her leave. "But don't forget to have some fun, too." The Sheikah woman winked over her shoulder as she walked away.

Zelda sighed and held the gown up as she looked in the mirror. The pale blue dress sparkled from thousands of diamonds sewn into the fabric. The neckline was low cut into an off-the-shoulder sleeve. The waist was tiny but her corset was already done up to accommodate the dress. The skirt was an enormous ballgown style. It truly was beautiful.

A moment later, her hand maidens arrived to help her prepare for the evening ahead.

"So you get to be the princess's appointed knight. Is that why you don't want anyone saying anything about her? Because you want to be the only one who gets to see her getting changed or bathing or getting ready for bed?" Mido's voice came from behind.

Before Link even had a chance to think, he had turned and held the Master Sword to Mido's neck. "How dare you…"Link growled. A few passers by had stopped to watch. With great willpower, Link pulled himself away. "Jealousy does not befit a knight of the Royal Guard. I would defend her and her honour with my life."

Groose, Cawlin and Strich were approaching as well as a few of the other knights from the tournament.

"What is the meaning of this?" Link's father's voice boomed from behind him. "Link, sheath your blade. No blood shall be spilled on these streets on my watch."

Link sheathed the Master Sword, not breaking his gaze with Mido. The red haired newcomer sneered at Link but wisely stayed silent.

Satisfied that the encounter was over, Link's father motioned for Link to move on. Link turned to walk back to the barracks when Mido just couldn't keep his mouth shut.

"Such a waste. I heard a rumour that you prefer fish anyway. I wonder then if it's true. If so, you know there's a brothel in Castle Town that might tie you over until you can visit your fish princess again." Link spun and launched at Mido, tackling him to the ground and punching his head repeatedly into the cobblestones.

THUD!

Link felt a sudden pain in the back of his head and the whole world went dark.

When he woke up, he was in his father's quarters, lying on the bed. He blinked as the room spun and slowly took shape. He groaned as he tried to sit up and fell back down as he felt a wave of nausea come over him.

"Foolish boy…"His father growled. Link turned to see him sitting in the chair beside the bed. "I pulled some strings to keep you out of the cells but you can't go around picking fights."

"Picking fights?" Link said incredulously, "Did you not hear what he said about our princess? About the Zora princess?"

"I heard!" His father boomed but seemed to soften as Link winced. "It is very honourable to protect a woman's virtue and reputation but you must control your impulses. Fighting like that in the middle of the streets in Castle Town is likely to get you arrested no matter what the reason. Tonight, you must be at the ball if you intend to become her appointed knight."

Link ignored the spinning of the room as he sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He steadied himself there. "She doesn't want me to be her appointed knight."

"It isn't up to her." His father replied.

Even better… Link thought sarcastically.

"Now, can you stand?" His father asked. Link nodded and stood up. "Good. Go get ready for tonight and for Goddess sake, don't get into any more fights."

Music filled the grand ballroom as the guests were arriving. Noble women looking for a husband dressed in colourful, provocative gowns with impressive hairstyles. The men dressed more simply and the graduating knights dressed in their formal uniforms. Zelda was on welcoming duty. As each guest came in, she welcomed them to the castle and exchanged pleasantries. The women eyed her with barely concealed scorn, jealous of her position and beauty. The men eyed her with interest. They wanted the seat her father would someday vacate and a place in her bed. She knew it had little to do with interest in her personally. It had hurt when she first realized that but she had eventually learned it was just part of life as a princess.

The victor of the tournament came in and everyone in the room took notice. His blond hair tied back at the nape of his neck but enough of it hung wild to give him a somewhat untamed look. His uniform made him look sharp and collected but he walked with the deadly confidence of a skilled warrior. His gaze found her and didn't break from her, however. "Welcome, Sir Link."

He was silent as he looked at her. She started to feel uncomfortable but fortunately, the music picked up again in a lively waltz. The servants seemed to come to and stop staring as well and went about handing out hors d'oevres and glasses of wine.

He still hadn't said anything and Zelda started to feel a bit awkward. "I think many of the ladies here hope that you dance as well as you fight."

He nodded and said nothing.

It was all she could do to keep from fidgeting but fortunately the next guest had arrived so she excused herself and went to greet them. She could feel his gaze upon her back as she walked away and it made her shiver. Just then, a servant walked by with red wine and she picked up a glass off the tray and took a sip. Tonight, she would need more courage than was naturally afforded her.

Once all the guests arrived, the dancing started in earnest. Noble men requested her as a dancing partner for nearly every song and she had to politely oblige. There were more than a few times she had to subtly but firmly put her partner's hands back where was proper and as one dance ended, she snuck out to the balcony for a break and some fresh air.

Girls her age were supposed to love balls and dancing and being courted but to Zelda, it felt like a waste of time. With her powers still evading her and research on the ancient Sheikah technology still underway, this sort of nonsense was merely a distraction from what truly mattered. She looked down into the courtyard at the guardian that had been brought in recently. There was a young couple nearby who had clearly dropped some of their inhibitions. Perhaps it was the wine or perhaps the dancing but the young man was pushing the young woman up against the guardian and lifting her skirts. Zelda was about to call down to them to watch out when the guardian came alive. It spun and a laser shot out from the eye at the fountain in the courtyard.

Several screams broke through as the music cut short and the guardian started locking onto the guests as lasers shot at them. Fortunately, it missed hitting anyone but it continued to rain havoc on the party. Out of nowhere, Link appeared and the guardian locked onto him.

"Watch out!" Zelda screamed from her spot on the balcony just as the machine shot another laser at the young man. Somehow, Link bounced the laser back at the guardian and the returned fire seemed to deactivate it. Zelda stared in awe at the machine and looked back at Link… Was he holding a pot lid?

Several Sheikah and royal guards appeared to remove the wreckage and the music slowly picked up again. Everyone seemed to become at ease again, not ready for the party to be over.

Zelda searched the crowd again and Link had vanished. She started to head back inside again to search for him to find out how he had done what he'd done and as she rounded the corner to the staircase, she bumped into just the man she was looking for.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I – " He held out his hand to her in an invitation to dance.

She looked at his hand then up at him. It seemed as though she had imagined the whole thing. How could he go from taking down a guardian to asking her to dance in a matter of seconds?

She took his hand still in shock and when they walked down to the grand ballroom, she looked outside and saw the wreckage. So she hadn't imagined it.

The last dance ended and the next one started. He led her onto the dance floor and turned to face her.

"Do not let your hands stray, sir knight." Zelda warned and she thought she saw confusion flash across his face before it went back to that impossible, unreadable neutral expression.

The music started playing and he held her a little closer as they began the steps of a waltz. He was very sure of his footing and easy to follow. While his eyes never broke from her face, they never once bumped into another couple. She felt light as a feather in his arms as they stepped and twirled around the floor and the whole room seemed to melt away except for the two of them. She was painfully aware of the proximity of his body and she could feel her heart pounding in her chest. As the dance ended, he dipped her low to the ground and lifted her up again with his strong arms. He then took her hand and bowed to her before walking off the dance floor.

Another man approached her to ask her to dance but she barely heard him as she watched him vanish into the crowd. She needed to catch her breath… what had just happened?

The next morning came very quickly and Zelda did not feel nearly rested enough as they headed off to Rito Village to meet with the first of their Champions – the renowned Revali. Though she had never met the famous Rito, tales of his accomplishments were told far and wide.

The two knights who accompanied her were well known to her. They had watched over her since she had been a small child. She felt confident that she was quite safe with them.

The same could not be said of her mount. He certainly had a mind of his own and would tug on the reigns if he felt she was even the slightest bit off balance. As they journeyed through the mountain range, however, the two of them came to an uneasy truce. "Perhaps next time I shall give you an ordinary saddle and bridle and make you earn back your royal gear." She said as the stallion flicked an ear back towards her. She pursed her lips in response to his attitude. It seemed to remind her of a certain knight back at the castle.

After a long day of riding, they found themselves at the stable just outside Rito Village. She was happy to leave her horse in their care and walk the rest of the way up to find Revali and give her poor legs a rest. As it was, she felt bow-legged when she dismounted and it took her a little while to become used to walking again.

As they walked up the steps of the village, a flock of hatchlings stampeded past and their beautiful mother called after them to watch where they were going. They were so tiny and light that Zelda barely felt them brush against her legs. She smiled as they reminded her of little, colourful chickadees. Soon, they were at the top and the Rito chieftain waited for them.

Zelda entered his hut and bowed to him. He bowed in return.

"Great Chieftain, the threat of Calamity Ganon looms over us all. I come seeking a champion to pilot the divine beast, Van Medoh. I have heard of one, Revali, a talented Rito warrior with the spirit to tame the divine beast. Where might I find him?"

The owl-like chieftain grumbled in thought. He truly was ancient. One of the oldest creatures in the land next to the Zora who lived hundreds of years.

"Revali… Yes… Revali…" The old bird hummed and hawed. Zelda began to question how reliable this chieftain was and if he even knew what she was talking about. "I believe… Yes… You will find him at the flight range. Fly straight from the landing."

"I can't… Alright." Zelda started to explain she couldn't fly but then thought better of it. She bowed to the chieftain again and took her leave, motioning for her knights to follow her. They took their horses from the stable and set out into the snowy mountain peaks towards the flight range. She was dressed in a snowquill tunic made especially for her. A gift for her birthday from the Rito. She was glad to be able to make use of it.

They rounded the bend up the hill and spotted a blue Rito warrior get thrown from a whirlwind. He landed roughly and he cursed that he needed to try harder.

The snow crunched under her horse's hooves, and he turned his head to eye her sideways.

"You know, your highness… it's rude to eavesdrop." He stood to his full height, braided feathers flowed in the wind behind him. Zelda dismounted and stepped forward.

"My apologies. I went to the village and I was told I could find you here." The Rito had his back to her.

He turned after a long pause, "You have need of me… To defeat Calamity Ganon." He eyed her for a moment. "To slay the beast once and for all…" He turned his head to the side for dramatic effect. "It will be my great pleasure."

Zelda smiled and brought her fist to her heart, "Thank you, Revali. If we work together, I am certain we will be able to defeat – "

"HOWEVER!" He shouted, cutting her off. He turned and crouched, wings spread. He gave the slightest flap of his wings and an updraft suddenly formed around him. He flapped his wings again and shot, spiralling into the sky. He went so far up that he became only a spec to their eyes.

A moment later, he plunged downward, bow in hand, and shot bomb arrows into targets on the cliff face. Three targets exploded and Zelda had to cover her ears as the booms echoed through the canyon. Soon, more explosions circled the flight range as each target was destroyed. Out of the smoke, the Rito shot upwards and landed gracefully on the railing of the launch pad.

"I know I play the biggest part in helping that… ahem… that little knight with the darkness-sealing sword. Am I correct?" He eyed her again and she stood her ground. "Well, if he loses his confidence after seeing me in action, don't come crying to me!" And with that, he took off again. Zelda stood there, stunned for a moment before she regained her composure and walked back to her horse.

She wasn't quite sure how to take this Rito. He was certainly sure of himself. Uncertain if that was a good thing or a bad thing, she decided to leave before they overstayed their welcome.

Next on their list was Daruk of the Gorons of Death Mountain. Again, they left their horses at the stable at the foot of Death Mountain and made their way on foot. They each had several flameproof elixirs to take them up the mountain. They found they didn't even have to go very far before they ran into just who they were looking for. A big, white bearded Goron rolled down the mountain and stopped just before rolling into them.

"Sorry about that! Didn't know you were gonna be there!" The Goron scratched the back of his head, "Say, aren't you that Hylian princess?"

Zelda smiled, "Yes, I am Zelda. Tell me, where might I find Daruk?"

The Goron laughed, "Right here, your majesty! That would be me!"

"Oh wonderful!" She laughed. It felt easy to be light hearted around this easy going Goron. "I come seeking your help with piloting divine beast, Vah Rudania. Your strength is renowned in our kingdom and I can think of no better Champion for the divine beast."

The two of them began walking side by side down the mountain path. "Ah, count me in, tiny princess!" He seemed to turn serious suddenly, "I'm the fearless Daruk after all and if Hyrule needs my help, I'll gladly lay down my life!" He brought one massive hand in front of his face and made a fist as if to emphasize what he was saying.

"Thank you, Daruk!" Zelda said, looking up to him.

Daruk looked forward as they walked, "Not sure if it's Calamity Ganon's fault or what, but I hear monsters have been attacking people more than ever lately." He turned to look down at her again, "Times like these… you shouldn't leave the castle without a horde of mighty Gorons to watch your back."

Zelda became sad at the thought. "You sound like my father. He's assigning a knight to watch over me wherever I go." She looked down in frustration. "I hear the top contender is the most accomplished swordsman in all of Hyrule." Anger nearly boiled to the surface just thinking about the blond haired, blue eyed swordsman.

Daruk gasped and turned to her, "That could only be…" Something caught his attention and he looked ahead of them, "Huh? What the…"

Zelda followed his gaze and saw a group of bokoblins running toward a large rock.

"They really are all over the place these days…" Daruk said with a hint of frustration. "Hmm? Is someone being attacked? Wait here, Princess!" At that, he charged towards the group of bokoblins with a massive stone breaker in hand. Her knights ran to her side, prepared to defend her if need be.

Daruk let out a mighty roar as he wailed into the first bokoblin. He sent a blue bokoblin and a red one flying and their screams echoed over the mountains. With a mighty spin attack, he dispensed of the rest of the monsters and Zelda had to wait for the dust to settle to see what had happened.

Daruk stood in the middle and a few stragglers ran off screaming. "Hmph! Spineless little cuccos!" He yelled after them. "No monster stands a chance when fighting me, the almighty Daruk!" He laughed triumphantly with his stone crusher resting over his shoulder.

Zelda and her knights raced up to him and out of the corner of her eye, she spotted what the monsters were attacking. "Oh!" She went a few steps closer, kneeled down and held out her arms invitingly. "You're safe." The dust cleared and the cowering dog stood up and came trotting over. With a happy bark, it started licking her face as if to thank her. She laughed at the sweet little creature as she pet him. "It seems our friend here was the one being attacked. Precious boy! You saved his life! … Huh?" She turned, smiling to Daruk but her smile quickly faded when she saw the Goron shaking in fear.

The dog barked and Daruk threw his stone crusher into the air and took cover under a protective red sphere. "Well…" she said, surprised at this development.

The dog then ran off down the path back towards the stable turning back to bark a couple more times and wag his tail happily.

"Good riddance! … And stay safe!" Daruk yelled. It was all Zelda could do to hide her amusement. "I'm sorry you had to see that side of me," He looked down and scratched his head. He was clearly embarrassed by it. "As a kid, dogs always chased me." He turned towards her, still looking sheepish. "I still panic when I see one of those critters."

She couldn't help but tease him a little, "I never imagined the great Daruk would have a weakness."

Daruk was looking away down the path where the dog had run off to. "So tell me, Princess…"

She tilted her head and smiled, "Yes?"

"Calamity Ganon isn't… uh… some sort of dog monster… is he?" He looked at her with genuine concern in his eyes.

"Huh?" She was surprised by the question but the amusement she'd held in before bubbled up through the cracks and she covered her mouth to try to hide her laughter but it was too late. She couldn't stop it. Fortunately, Daruk was a sport about it and started laughing too, seeing the comedy in the question. The two laughed until their bellies hurt and Zelda had to wipe tears from her eyes. "My goodness, thank you! I haven't laughed that hard in a long time!"

"Hahaha happy to be of service, Princess!" He grinned down at her. "Say, don't be a stranger if you're ever in this neck of the woods! I make a pretty mean rock roast, you know!"

Zelda grinned back, "I have no doubt! Thank you, very much Daruk. I hope to see you soon. My father will send word of the plans." She looked back down the mountain and thought of her next destination. "I still have two more Champions to meet. Forgive me for not staying longer but I must get going."

"Not a problem! It was really nice to meet you, Princess! I'm sure I'll see you again! You take care now! And consider what I said about a horde of Gorons to watch your back."

The next morning, they walked into Zora's Domain and spoke with King Donphan Zora. He directed them to a waterfall up on the cliff as for where to find Mipha. She walked up to where the Zora princess was crouched down by the ledge. The princess must have known of her coming and without turning, she asked "So Princess… May I ask who the other chosen Champions are?" She stood and faced the Hylian princess.

Zelda looked down, "Goron vigilance, Daruk. Rito confidence, Revali. Gerudo spirit, Urbosa. And also…" Zelda steeled herself, "The Hylian with the Sword that Seals the Darkness… Link…"

Mipha looked down with a small smile. She was also familiar with the boy. Zelda gritted her teeth and pushed down her agitation.

"Oh." Mipha stepped closer to the edge and looked down at her little brother splashing in the water at the base of the falls. "Sidon! Hurry and swim up here!" She called down.

Zelda stepped closer to look down. How in the name of Hylia could such a little Zora swim up such a huge waterfall? "Mipha… Perhaps he is still too young to swim up this big waterfall."

Mipha put a hand to her heart and held her trident down at her side. "One day, Princess… I must leave him. To face my fate with Ruta." She smiled over her shoulder at the princess then leapt down to the waterfall, surfing part of the way before gracefully diving into the water beside her brother. She turned to her sibling and smiled sweetly, "Join me. We'll go together so you can get a feel for it."

The little, red Zora hung onto his sister's back. When he had a firm grip, she turned to the waterfall. "Let's go!" And she launched them both up it. Leaping from the water a couple times to gales of her younger brother's laughter. When they reached the top, she took his hand as she did a flip and gracefully landed them on the ground. She knelt down beside him and cupped his cheek, "Sweet Sidon… Should fate ever part us, I'm counting on you to protect our beloved home from harm… Understood?"

The young prince just nodded once. She smiled down at him again, "I believe in you… Now… Shall we try one more time?" She held up one finger as though challenging him and was rewarded with a big, pointy-toothed grin. The three of them on the cliff all laughed at his adorable antics.

Zelda felt that she was intruding on a special family moment and excused herself. There was one Champion left to visit and it was the one she most looked forward to seeing.

As the group approached Gerudo town, Zelda had to leave her knights behind as no Voe… men… were allowed within the walls. They awaited her summons at Kara Kara Bazaar. With a couple of Gerudo warriors as her escort, she walked down the main drag to the fortress of the Gerudo Chief, Urbosa. Inside, the tall, red-haired guards surrounded the chief and Urbosa looked at her seriously.

"State your business, Princess." This was a seriousness she had never seen from Urbosa. She suddenly felt like she had trespassed.

"Gerudo Chief Urbosa, Hyrule has need of your assistance in piloting the divine beast, Vah Naboris. Will you accept the title of Gerudo Champion and help us in sealing away Calamity Ganon?"

Urbosa's firm voice boomed in the stone room, "Princess of Hyrule, I accept your proposition without hesitation." Zelda sighed with relief. A twinkle in Urbosa's eye told her this was all for show but her serious expression and tone continued. "Not only are they planning to resurrect Calamity Ganon, it seems the Yiga Clan is also after our treasured heirloom." She eyed the thunder helm sideways then looked back at the princess. "You have my word. I won't rest until the Calamity falls."

"Gerudo Chief Urbosa… On behalf of Hyrule and its king, I thank you." Zelda bowed her head in respect.

That evening, Zelda met Urbosa for a walk just outside the walls of Gerudo Town under the moonlight. They both laughed at the seriousness of their meeting before.

Zelda finally felt like she could relax and be herself. "I've never seen you so serious, Urbosa!"

Urbosa looked to her with a hand on her hip as they walked, "Oh my. I can't say the same. Ten years ago, you rarely smiled, my little bird."

That nickname brought about a sadness in her she couldn't explain. Zelda stopped walking and turned to the older woman, "Urbosa, I feel like you've called me little bird before." She looked down at the ground trying to remember, "I was wondering where you got that name from."

Zelda noticed that Urbosa seemed to be focussed on something else. She stopped walking and looked over her shoulder. The hairs on the back of Zelda's neck went up and a shiver went down her back. Something was wrong!

"Halt! And face me!" Urbosa said to two travellers Zelda hadn't noticed walk by.

The two travellers stopped walking and looked back at her.

"Unlike you traitors, I prefer to fight my enemies head on." Urbosa rested her hand on her scimitar. Zelda was confused. Who were these travellers? How did Urbosa know they were traitors?

The two travellers looked at each other. Urbosa drew her blade and turned to face them. "Do your worst!"

Zelda stepped back as the two travellers seemed to transform into what looked similar to a Sheikah warrior but there was something… off. They must have been Yiga Clan members. They seemed to teleport and one slashed suddenly at Urbosa with a vicious sickle. The Gerudo warrior parried the attack expertly and countered with her own attack. It was all happening so quickly, Zelda couldn't quite tell what was happening. She bashed him in the face with her shield then hit him with the hilt of her scimitar, knocking him to the ground. She placed her shield on her back and held up her hand in one fluid motion. The other Yiga leaped behind her for a sneak attack and Zelda cried out, "Urbosa!"

Urbosa snapped her fingers and lightning struck the attacking Yiga warrior. Both had been defeated.

Urbosa looked over her shoulder at the two traitors as the crawled away to lick their wounds, "Out of respect for our princess, you may keep your lives. Now go!"

Zelda held her hands to her chest. Would her knights have known they were Yiga before it was too late?

Urbosa sheathed her blade and the two Yiga warriors disappeared with only a few paper cards to indicate they had ever been there.

"You asked me why I call you little bird."

"Huh?" The suddenness shocked her back to their previous conversation.

"When you were but a small child… my dear friend called you that, with he sweetest smile that ever graced our land of Hyrule." A sad smile crossed the woman's lips and disappeared just as quickly.

Zelda could feel a lump forming in her throat, "You mean mother…" She tried so hard not to think of her mother. It had been a very long time but the pain was still so deep.

Urbosa looked up at the sky as though looking for her old friend, "It was 10 long years ago…" She looked back down to Zelda, "Your mother had just left this world.. Yet her little bird still spread her wings and became the beacon of light Hyrule needed."

Zelda could feel the tears forming and held back the wave of emotion she could feel building.

"Sometimes I forget myself… and get lost in the past." Urbosa finished. There was pain in her voice as well.

Zelda looked up at the sky and wondered if her mother was somewhere up there looking down on her. She missed her dearly. Warm tears trickled down the same old paths as they had for years.

"Come, it is getting late. There is safety within the walls."

Zelda nodded and wiped away the tears before following the other woman back into the town.