Midweek chapter to make up for the short one on Saturday. I really enjoyed writing the last chapter and I also really enjoyed writing this one. I think you'll understand why.

Nekotoko: I'm really glad you've been enjoying the story and impressed that you read all of it in one day! I think you'll really enjoy this chapter as well. I love the pre-calamity back story so much but there were a LOT of gaps and unanswered questions in the game that really left me wanting more. There are rumours of another DLC so *Fingers crossed* they'll give us more!

Zachary: I'm really flattered you look forward to the chapters so much! I have really enjoyed writing it and sharing it with everyone! I'm also glad I could bring you over to the Zelink dark side! We aim to please ;)

Zelda lay in bed late into the morning. Sleep had evaded her yet again and finally, she gave up on the idea entirely and got up. She dressed and ran the comb through her hair before venturing downstairs into the common area.

There were no other hotel patrons as they had all gone off on their business earlier but there was one younger Sheikah woman sweeping dust out the door when she came downstairs. Her white hair was pulled up into a top knot in the traditional Sheikah style and she wore a black jumpsuit under the traditional white and red robes, tied with a wide sash around her waist. She looked up as the princess set foot on the landing, red eyes meeting green.

"Good morning, Princess. Breakfast is past but I can put something together for you if you would like." The Sheikah woman bowed and started heading toward the kitchen.

Zelda shook her head and smiled softly, "Thank you, but that won't be necessary. Just some tea would suffice."

The woman nodded and went into the kitchen. Zelda kneeled at one of the low tables and waited. A few minutes later, the woman emerged with a pot of tea and a cup that she set down in front of Zelda.

"Thank you." Zelda smiled up at the woman who smiled back before setting her tray down on a counter near the door to the kitchen. "Has Link been up yet?" She asked as she poured the tea for herself.

The woman bowed to her, "Yes, Princess. I believe he went to the stable to check on the horses you brought yesterday."

Zelda bowed her head back in the Sheikah fashion and took a sip of the tea. She had hoped to be on the way to the Spring of Courage by now but it had been an eventful few days and a day of rest was badly needed.

Kakariko Village was arguably even safer than the castle was for her since the Sheikah tribe had been sworn since time immemorial to the royal family. Every man, woman and child in this village would lay down their life for her if need be.

As she finished her tea, she picked up the cup and tea pot and walked them over to where the woman had left the tray.

The woman looked up from her work and smiled. "Oh! I nearly forgot. Forgive me, Impa arrived this morning and is in the manse at the bottom of the hill if you wish to see her."

Zelda looked up quickly at this news, "Impa is here? Will she be here long?"

The woman looked apologetic, "I'm sorry, Princess. She does not usually say."

Zelda bowed to the woman and headed for the door. She glanced toward the stable and thought she caught a glimpse of her knight's blonde head but kept walking down the hill.

Beside the stairs leading up to the manse, there was a small child placing offerings of apples to the gods in the bowls before several small statues. The girl looked up at Zelda and grinned. Zelda just smiled back at the young girl as she approached the two men guarding the stairway to the manse.

"Princess, Impa is upstairs waiting to see you." They both bowed to her and she bowed back respectfully before making her way up the long staircase. At the top, she slid the door open and slipped inside. Impa was drinking tea and sitting on a pillow, clearly waiting for her.

The two locked eyes and immediately broke into smiles at seeing each other. "Impa, what a pleasant surprise. I hadn't expected to see you until we got back to the castle."

Impa's red eyes beamed at her young friend, "I wasn't expecting to find you here either. It must have been a long journey for you to have slept so late." Suddenly she looked concerned, "Though you don't seem to have gotten much rest…"

Zelda's smile must have faltered as Impa put her hands on her hips, tilted her head and raised an eyebrow, "Out with it. What is troubling you?"

Zelda knew better than to try to keep secrets from this woman. She sighed and looked at the floor, all remnants of a smile fading from her face. "Matters of the heart, Impa… I'm not even sure I can explain them."

Impa gestured to another pillow on the floor and went to fetch another cup. Zelda settled herself on the pillow while Impa poured a second cup of tea and passed it to the princess. "Start at the beginning."

Link wasn't sure how long he slept but given how tired he was, it couldn't have been very long. A rooster crowed to announce the daylight seeping over the mountains and Link groaned. He pulled himself into a sitting position and stretched his arms over his head. No point trying to fall back asleep now…

He stood, did a few more stretches and dressed before stepping out into the hall. He paused as he walked by the Zelda's room, looking at her door and remembering the events of the night before. He sighed and kept walking down the stairs to the common area.

The room had a few other travellers who glanced up at him as he came down the stairs but otherwise paid him no mind. He kneeled at a table and was brought a plate of egg stir fry. He ate heartily and when he was finished, had another bowl. He'd always had a healthy appetite since he was a small child and never seemed to suffer with the weight issues other people were more prone to.

When he had eaten his fill, he stepped outside just as Impa walked past the inn. "Impa!" Link said with surprise.

The woman looked up at him with surprise, "Link! What are you doing here? Where is Princess Zelda?"

Link smiled at the familiar face and nodded his head toward the inn. "She is still sleeping. It's been a few long, sleepless nights since we left the castle. All is well, though. A rest in the village will do her well."

Impa stared past him through the door to the inn and nodded, "I understand. Please let her know I am here when she wakes. If she will be staying here for a little while, I'd like to visit with her."

Link nodded and Impa continued down the hill toward her massive house in front of the waterfall.

Link went up the hill that overlooked the village and followed the trail past the newly uncovered shrine. A few small children played in front of it but they ignored him as he walked past. The trail led to a pond with a bridge across it. On the other side was a small clearing with a pedestal with a small bowl in the middle. Something was supposed to go there but whatever it was, clearly was nowhere near it. Another ancient mystery.

It was quiet here and he wouldn't be interrupted. He pulled the Master Sword from the scabbard on his back and looked down at the blade. Despite everything it represented, it felt comfortable in his hand. The blade was well balanced and was a good weight for him. The reach was just about perfect for him as well. It was like it had been designed specifically for him. In a way it was designed for me… He thought back to what the Koroks had said about his soul being reborn. He wondered what the heroes before him had looked like and if he was very similar to any of them. There wasn't really any way to know so after a moment, he pushed the thought aside and started going through the motions of swordplay as he tried to do every morning.

He moved with a fluidity and grace of a dancer as in many ways, battle was a dance. His father had made him learn to dance as a child as well to help with his footwork. Knowing how to waltz had even come in handy for him once. The thought broke his concentration and he smiled at the memory, briefly wondering if he would ever have another chance to repeat it.

He started over and went through each of the motions in order with precision and deadly accuracy. He finished with the sword returning back to center as he let out a slow breath. Once more, he looked over his blade before sheathing it and making his way back down the hill.

He stopped at the inn again but Zelda was still in her room. He passed on Impa's message to the woman who was working and went out to the stable.

Epona and Victory were well cared for and the four other horses were there looking much more relaxed and happy than they had the day before. He offered them each an apple and noticed all of them had a salve on each of their wounds from the bokoblins. He scratched one of them, a brown one with a dappled rear, under it's chin as it munched on the apple.

Awhile later, he thought he spotted Zelda walk by and stepped out of the stable only to see her walk up to the huge house at the bottom of the hill. She would want some privacy with Impa so he went back to tending the horses.

"I see…" Impa said sagely as she tapped her chin with her index finger while looking thoughtfully at the floor. "As your elder, I should tell you to stop concerning yourself with matters of the heart and to focus on your prayers. But as a woman…" Impa looked up at the princess with a gleam in her red eyes, "Understanding what is in another's heart will always be impossible until you first understand what is in your own heart."

Zelda frowned, "What is that supposed to mean?"

Impa poured herself some more tea and emptied the pot into Zelda's cup before looking back up at her, "It means you need to figure out what you want first. What he wants will make more sense to you once you understand that part of things."

Zelda looked down shyly, "You won't… Tell father about this, will you?"

"Of course not!" Impa seemed almost offended by the question and Zelda immediately felt more at ease. "What you tell me in confidence, will stay confidential. Always."

Zelda smiled up at her friend, "Thank you, Impa. Truly."

"Any time, Princess. So, what are your plans from here?" Impa sat up straight and took a sip of her tea.

"In the morning, we will head for the Spring of Courage. I will pray there then we will make our way back to the castle. With any luck, I'll have some new sealing powers by the time I get back. That should make my father happy." There was a hint of bitterness in her voice but Impa did not need to ask to know what the matter was now. It was the same problem she had always had. The powers had evaded her no matter how hard she tried to access them. Impa's heart went out to the younger woman but there was nothing she or anyone else could do.

"I will pray for you as well." Impa said softly in response.

After a few hours, Zelda walked into the inn and smiled when she spotted Link. Her conversation with Impa had soothed her heart and she no longer felt the anguish she had felt the day before whenever she looked at him.

Her knight smiled back at her and motioned to the other pillow set up near the table he was kneeling in front of. She made her way over and kneeled across from him.

"How was your visit with Impa?" Link asked softly.

Zelda looked down but Link could see the hints of a fond smile on her face still, "It was… insightful."

Link knew there was more to it but chose to respect that the conversation was between the two of them and would remain as such. If she felt he needed to know more, she would tell him.

She looked up, "I'd like to leave early tomorrow for the Spring of Courage. Today was badly needed but I do not wish to delay our journey any more than necessary."

Link nodded. "I'll make sure the horses are ready by the time you are up."

"Thank you, Link." She looked more determined than he had seen her look in recent times and it was a look Link was pleased to see in his princess. There were times he thought she had given up hope on being able to fulfill her role but he knew she was stronger than that and this determination told him he'd been right.

Food was brought out to them just then and both of them ate enthusiastically. It wasn't until both of them put down their utensils that either one realized that they hadn't spoken at all during their meal.

They looked up at each other from across the table and Zelda smirked as she pointed to a spot on the side of her own lip.

Link wiped his mouth and found a bit of sauce that had tried to escape and he grinned back at her with his newly cleaned face. Zelda just laughed and the ease of their companionship returned.

After their meal, the sun was beginning to set behind the mountains and Zelda wanted to go for a walk through the village. Link accompanied her, of course. The fireflies hadn't appeared just yet but they sat on a bridge at the top of the hill that the village was built on and dangled their feet over the stream below. They sat like that in silence for a time before Zelda finally spoke.

"I've always wondered what it would be like to have been born as just any regular person. No kingdom to inherit, no destiny to fulfill… To just be Zelda… Without the Princess bit."

"You could always just run away." Link quipped before catching her sidelong glance with a smirk.

Zelda laughed, "As if I could with you looking out for me! I seem to remember doing just that a few times and you still found me."

Link laughed as well, "Yeah, you really weren't very good at it."

She smacked him lightly on the arm, "Oh stop. I got past you still!"

"True…" he admitted, "I'm glad you don't want to run away from me all the time anymore. That makes my job a lot easier."

Zelda looked down at the stream below them. "I'm sorry for that. I had misjudged you so terribly back then."

"It showed." He responded lightly. When she didn't respond right away he continued, "Why did you despise me so much then?"

She sighed, "It seemed like everything came so easily to you. You appeared out of nowhere with the Master Sword and were already a fantastic swordsman. Then when you walked through Castle Town women just threw themselves at you."

Link cringed, remembering that ridiculous phase. Thankfully, the madness had seemed to subside somewhat since then. "I'd hoped to forget about that…"

Zelda laughed, "Not if I have anything to say about it!" He smirked back at her, "Looking back, it was clear you didn't like it either but I'd already made up my mind about you. Eventually, though, I understood that I'd been wrong about you." She looked back out to the village, "And… you turned out to be not just my appointed knight but a very dear friend, as well." She looked over to him, "And for that, I am eternally grateful."

Link smiled back softly and they continued to gaze at each other for a moment before Zelda looked up to the sky. "It is getting late. If we are going to be up early, we should probably turn in."

He nodded and stood, offering his hand to help her up which she took. He lifted her easily and they walked side by side back to the inn.

Link walked her to her door again as he had the night before and Zelda turned to him. "Good night, Link."

"Good night, Zelda." Before there could be a repeat of last night's confusion, Zelda opened her door and stepped inside, closing the door behind her. A few seconds later, she heard his door open and close.

Finally, they both got a good night of sleep.

Link woke early and went down to the stable to get the horses ready. The horses they had brought with him were much less skittish today and seemed happy to see him. He gave them each a pat before getting Epona and Victory ready for the day's ride. By the time he was finished with the last buckle on the bridle for the white stallion, Zelda came in. She had her small travel bag in her hand and was dressed in her usual travel clothes. She wore fur-lined leather boots, dark brown riding pants, a white blouse with embellishments sewn into the bodice with royal blue velvet covering her chest and shoulders and around her waist. The Hylian crest was emblazoned on the chest in gold. She also wore dark brown leather riding gloves and wide, tan leather belt featuring the Sheikah eye imprinted into the leather that the case for the Sheikah Slate was attached to. Her hair was done in her usual fashion with a braid around her head like a crown while the rest of her hair flowed free down her back. Her look was practical but there was still no mistaking her for anyone other than the princess of Hyrule.

She stepped toward her stallion and ran her hand down his nose as she took the reigns in her other hand. The stallion blew out through his nose and nibbled at the case that held the Sheikah Slate. She laughed lightly, "You know I brought you a treat, don't you? You'll have to wait until that bit is out of your mouth I'm afraid!" He huffed and both Link and Zelda laughed.

Link finished tying her bag onto the saddle and he helped her mount up before getting up onto Epona's back as well. The two rode their horses outside and found Impa waiting for them.

Zelda smiled upon seeing her friend, "Farewell, for now. I hope it won't be too long before we see you back at the castle?"

"Likewise." The Sheikah woman responded with a smirk.

Link bowed his head to her and Impa looked up at him, "Take good care of her, Champion. The future of Hyrule is in your hands."

Link just nodded in response though he sensed there was more of a meaning to her orders than was on the surface.

With that, the pair headed off down the winding canyon path towards Kakariko bridge. Once they had rode out of sight of the village, Link turned to Zelda, "I got something for you." He reached into one of the bags tied onto the saddle and pulled out a bow and quiver of arrows along with a harness for easy carrying but easy access when needed. He passed all three to her and she looked up at him in surprise before taking them.

She examined the bow. It was a finely crafted Sheikah bow that was a perfect size for her. It was already strung so she tested the draw weight. It felt heavy enough to do some damage if needed but not so heavy to tire her quickly. She gently released the pressure on the string and looked at the quiver and harness. They were also a Sheikah design for a smaller person – just the right size for her. She looked up at Link and her expression changed from one of amazement to happiness, "Thank you, Link! It is wonderful!" She immediately tried on the harness and adjusted the buckles to fit properly before attaching the quiver to her hip and finally the bow on the rest on her back. It was perfect for riding as well.

Link smiled when he saw it all on her. Just what he had hoped for – the set was practical as well as beautiful. More importantly, she wouldn't have to rely solely on him to protect her. If something happened to her, she could still defend herself. He already knew she was a good shot but he still intended to stop at Duelling Peaks Stable to let her get used to this bow.

Zelda's smile faded as the initial excitement wore off and the realization hit her for why he had given her the bow and she looked to him gravely. "Let us pray I never need to make use of it."

At the stable, Link paid for the horses to be boarded for the night before being sent on back to the castle. The rest of their journey would need to be on foot to get to the Spring of Courage from where they were. He also paid for them to have their own beds for the night.

Once that was finished, it was still early in the afternoon. He set up a few targets in the field behind the stable and Zelda practiced. After a few shots, getting used to the draw weight, she was able to hit a bullseye more often than not, even adjusting for wind.

Once she felt confident with the bow, they collected the arrows and proceeded to walk through the field towards the gate to Fort Hetano. There was a pond nearby that had drawn one of the small herds of wild horses for a drink. They paused, watching the herd. The stallion who led the harem eyed them cautiously but felt safe at such a distance.

Zelda gasped when she spotted a foal amongst the herd and pointed him out to Link, "Look! Up close to his mother, in the middle!"

He looked where she was pointing and spotted the little bay foal. He was cautious, feeding off his father's behaviour but eventually, his short attention span got the better of him and he mischievously trotted a few steps away before running back to his mother and bumping into her. He frolicked playfully around the herd and the other mares seemed to patiently tolerate his antics.

"Isn't he adorable?" Zelda breathed, barely containing her excitement at being able to watch something so special.

Link smiled in response to both the foal and Zelda's pure joy in the moment. Somehow, the things that made her light up like she was now, seemed to make the threat of Calamity Ganon vanish and Link tried to soak in as much of these moments as he could.

The two of them sat in the field watching the wild horses for about an hour before the herd moved on and the sun started to set. They headed back slowly toward the stable, pausing a few times to explore some nearby ruins.

The smell of something delicious cooking wafted towards them as they approached the stable. The two exchanged a look of curiosity and followed their noses to the source. One of the other travellers apparently had been quite the cook! He had made enough rice and cuccoo curry for everyone staying at the stable. One of the merchants passed each of them a bowl and utensils and proceeded to pass more food out to the others who were starting to gather.

Link and Zelda took a seat near the fire and began to dig into their dinner while a travelling minstrel started playing a tune on his flute. One of the Gerudo travellers got up and started dancing to the music when she finished her bowl. It was an acrobatic dance to go with the exciting pace of the song and the crowd was mesmerized by the performance. When the song and dance ended, everyone applauded the pair who were both grinning and turned to shake hands amicably afterwards.

Next, another person got up and told an exciting tale of an adventurer long ago who had saved another land when a skull kid stole an evil mask and tried to make the moon crash into the center of their town. The hero, who had been but a child, only had three days to save the town but managed to do so by playing the Song of Time on his ocarina just as the Hero of Time had so long ago.

Link really enjoyed that story but Zelda leaned over to him after and explained it was just a myth.

Several others took turns telling stories of adventures over vast oceans, in dreams, and in worlds that seemed to mirror their own. After the sun had set, the minstrel got up and started playing again. His music was lively and several people got up to dance under the beautiful clear night sky. At first, people just danced their own fashions but eventually a few people paired off to dance together, changing partners with each song.

One of the merchants approached Zelda and held out a hand, "May I have this dance, Princess?"

She glanced at Link who just smiled over at her. She smiled back at the merchant and took his hand, "Yes, you may!"

The two danced and twirled around on the dirt in front of the stable. The whole group was laughing and the couples dancing were having their own conversations. The merchant was light on his feet and was able to steer her with confidence around the other dancers. Zelda was grinning widely at such an experience. To be amongst her people and not have anything expected of her beyond just having a great time was one of the most freeing feelings she had ever experienced. She longed for a life where she could live in such a way but knew that tomorrow morning, she would have to go back to the way things had always been. Tonight though, she would make the most of this opportunity.

She caught a glimpse of Link midway through the dance and saw him watching her with a small smile on his face. She was pleased to see he was still having a good time, despite her leaving him alone. There were others sitting and watching the dancers too but he hadn't ever been one to strike up a conversation with a stranger that she had ever seen.

As the dance ended, she thanked her partner who bowed low to her, "T'was an absolute pleasure, Princess!"

She turned and spotted Link still sitting where he had been when she left him and set her shoulders as she walked over.

He watched her approach and she bowed low to him before extending her hand to him, "May I have this dance, sir knight?"

He chuckled and took her hand as he stood up and led her out to where the others had been dancing. The music started and it was another lively jig. This wasn't a style that Zelda was overly familiar with but Link seemed to know what he was doing and she was a quick learner. It was fast paced and required some jumping on both of their parts. At one point, he looked down at her, "When I lift you up, tuck your chin down and lift your knees to your chest."

"What?" Was all she was able to say before he lifted her. She did as she was told and he flipped her before she landed safely back down on the ground. She looked up at him in shock when she landed then they both laughed at the achievement.

The next song was a bit slower but still upbeat. This style of dance was a little simpler with more of a two steps forward and one step back pattern. Link didn't surprise her with any more acrobatics but she still felt exhilarated when the song ended.

Just then, another traveller tapped Link on the shoulder, wanting to take his turn dancing with the princess. Link laughed and with the princess's smiling nod, passed her off to the new dancer.

The night progressed with them dancing together when they could but having a few dances with other travellers each spattered in between. It was quite late in the night when the two finished the last dance they could before exhaustion started to set in. The minstrel started to play again but Link and Zelda looked at each other and shook their heads at the same moment.

"I think it's time to turn in." Link said softly.

Zelda nodded and the two of them turned back towards the stable. Feeling particularly brave, she reached out and gently took his hand. He looked over at her in surprise but didn't let go. They walked hand in hand back to the stable. There were already a few people inside getting ready to go to bed or already sleeping. The two of them had beds next to each other but still in the open so there was no chance of hand holding turning into anything more but as they got to their beds, neither of them seemed to want to let go.

"Good night, Princess." Link said softly as he gazed down at her.

She gazed back up at him and smiled, "Good night, Link."

Reluctantly, they let their hands fall to their sides and both got into their beds and sleep quickly overtook them.