Chapter 28: Every Story Has Truth to It

With every significant event comes rumors and retellings. Though the king had done his best to prevent it from getting out, one of the royal knights that were supposedly sworn to secrecy thought it best to tell some of the squires about the Yiga incident in order to scare them about royal guard duties.

And if you know your teenagers, you'd know they are obsessed with gossiping.

Soon everyone in the castle was whispering about the Yiga. If the captain could've been dead for ten years, replaced by a Yiga, then who else could be in hiding? Were their knights trustworthy? Were those secretive Sheikah trustworthy?

And then the rumors of the great hero. He had fought the Yiga after being stabbed. But the more the story was told, the more it was warped and modified. Some stories began saying that the faux captain had called fifty reinforcements, and the Hylian champion had fought all of them off while suffering from several deep, open wounds. They claimed that the hero was currently in the infirmary, and that he was healing so quickly from these wounds that he appeared to have extraordinary healing abilities gifted to him from the goddess.

Oh how he wished that were so. Then he would've gotten out of that stuffy room sooner. So it makes sense that when the medics finally allowed him to leave a week or so later, wrapped in bandages ("Just in case they open again!" The medics seemed to think he would do something reckless, and Link didn't blame them.), he was more than ready to get outside. As much as he wanted to ride Epona, the medics gave him a big fat "no" because of his thigh damage.

But walking Epona around in the field wasn't going to hurt anyone. The poor horse needed some exercise. So he left Liari a note so she wouldn't be worried, then made his way off.

After leading the horse to the open field, he released her, allowing her to run wild. He wasn't worried about losing her- the loyal steed always returned to him with a whistle.

Epona galloped merrily around the field before stopping at what looked like a good spot to graze.

Link sighed and stretched. His legs and arms were stiff from being cooped up for so long. For a moment, he felt a bit guilty for running off without telling anyone, but Liari had the note, so it would be fine.

...Right?

Okay, well, Link would not be surprised if Liari scolded him when he got back. "You're still recovering!" and "Urg, you could have at least brought me with you! If you get attacked by monsters, you aren't allowed to blame me!"

To be fair, Liari wasn't the best at fighting. She could defend herself, as all Sheikah could, but she was a researcher. A scholar. Most definitely not a warrior.

Link sat on the patch of grass slowly. It had been awhile since he had been outside. He had missed the greenery, the scent of grass, and the gentle breeze tugging at his hair. He wondered how nobles and scholars could handle being inside all the time.

Who wouldn't want the freedom of the fields and forests? Link was positive he'd be lacking sanity (or lacking more lacking of it than he already was) without the wild.

He unstrapped the Master Sword and laid it beside him, before lying back on the green grass himself. He looked up to the fluffy white clouds above. Now that he was alone, instead of the constant buzzing of his mind, there was a peaceful silence.

Huh. Weird. The one moment I want my thoughts to roam freely-

Heh. Roam. Rhoam freely.

Link admitted that that was a really stupid pun, as well as extremely disrespectful to His Majesty.

"I find it humorous, Master Link."

Says the emotionless sword spirit. Link thought with a roll of his eyes.

"Sir Link?"

Link sat up and looked over his shoulder, where he was surprised to see the one and only Princess Zelda walking towards him.

He quickly stumbled to his feet and tried to bow. "Prin-" He was cut off as he yelped and fell face first. "-cess." He mumbled. Ouch.

"Are you alright?" He heard the movement of grass and quickly pushed himself up so that he was sitting.

"Yes, fine." Link cleared his throat. Uh… how do I be formal again?

The princess sat beside him. "You scared me for a moment there, Sir Link."

Link hesitated for a moment. "Please don't call me that." Link finally blurted out. He didn't even bother trying to put on his knightly mask.

The princess tilted her head at him, her green eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Why not, Sir Link?"

"I dislike my title." Link said quietly, looking at the horizon. "It isn't something that defines me."

"Well in that case," The princess laughed. "You can call me Zelda."

Link turned his gaze to the princess and stared at her. But she's the princess! "Even if I do not find titles defining, that doesn't change the fact that I would be beheaded if I addressed you so casually."

The princess smiled and gestured around them. "Does it look like there's anyone out here, waiting with an axe?"

Link shook his head slowly.

"Then you'll call me Zelda." The princess grinned mischievously, with a likeness to Lady Urbosa's. Uh oh. "And if someone does catch you 'addressing me so casually,' I have the excuse of ordering you to do so."

Link looked at her unsurely, but nodded. "I suppose I have to follow your orders, Pri- Zelda." She wants me to address her casually. Deep breaths, Link.

"Good enough, Link." The pr- Zelda laughed. "So, what brings you out here?"

"I could ask you the same, Pr- Zelda." This is going to take some getting used to.

Zelda stretched her arms above her head. "I needed some fresh air. I'm not sure how those nobles and Sheikah can stay inside for days at a time. That, and I was planning on studying and taking samples of some of the plants."

Link nodded. "I've been inside for far too long." Link said. "And Epona would've murdered me if I hadn't let her out.

"Epona?" The- ZELDA looked around.

"Over there." Link pointed to the brown steed not far off to the right.

"She's not tethered…" Zelda stated unsurely.

"She comes whenever she's called." Link said, looking back at the princess. "She's a wild horse at heart, but she's a loyal mare, as well."

Zelda grinned. "Then call her."

"Gladly." Link replied. He looked back towards Epona and put his fingers to his lips.

At the sound of the whistle, Epona lifted her head and her ears pricked. She turned towards Link, and quickly began galloping to her master.

It didn't take long for the steed to reach them, turning her side to Link as if preparing for him to mount.

"Sorry, girl." Link pulled himself slowly to his feet. "I can't ride today, remember?"

Epona snorted and turned away from him, flicking her tail into his face.

He let out a sigh, and not long after he heard snickering behind him.

"Real mature, Epona. Now you've made the princess laugh at me." Link patted the horse on the back. "Well, it could've been worse. Imagine how hard she would be laughing if you reared up and I fell off."

The pr- Zelda's snickering turned into all out laughter.

Link turned to the princess. "What, might I ask, is so funny?"

Zelda stood upright and wiped a tear of laughter from her eye. "I just find the way you and your horse communicate amusing. My horse merely snorts and stomps at me half the time."

Oh. That horse. "That horse is one of the most stubborn in the stable." Link said, nodding. "And, if my understanding of horses is correct, Epona likes him. A bit too much, if you ask me." Link shot a glare at the mare in question.

The princess- ZELDA! Zelda, Zelda, Zelda- chuckled. "Well, you seem good with horses."

"Ah, well, Liari argues that I am one." Link mumbled. Epona snorted yet again.

Zelda seemed to be attempting the "Try Not to Laugh Challenge."

Aaaand she failed. Link thought.

When the- (you know what? I give up. One would think this is easy!) ZELDA had finished cracking up, she cleared her throat and spoke. "Would you mind helping me with Storm? He still doesn't listen to a word I say."

Link turned back to Epona. "Get out of here, you." The horse whinnied and gladly trotted off.

Then he turned back to Zelda. "Well, first of all, it is important that the horse likes you."

Zelda snorted at him. "Now, don't be like that, Princess. I thought you said that you wanted help?"

Zelda sighed and plopped down onto the grass. "Teach me your ways, great and powerful master of horses."

Link let out a dry chuckle. "I'm most definitely not a master of horses. Everyone knows the Hero Chosen by the Gods was the real master of horses." Link said as he sat slowly beside her, facing the slope before him. "His horse was said to have been the most stubborn, yet strong, of all. She only let him ride her. And I've heard he had an incredible way with other animals, as well."

"Who'd you hear that from?" Zelda asked. "Some stable hand?"

"My mother." Link replied calmly.

Zelda was silent for a moment. "Oh… um… I apologize, Link." She finally mumbled.

Link shook his head. "It's completely fine, Princess. Even I admit she was a bit too obsessed with legends." He could remember when he was little, how much she told the tales, and how she had seemed convinced that they were true to some extent.

"I recall that legend being true."

Link's eyes grew wide and he turned to the sword on the ground beside him.

"Link?" The princess asked.

What do you mean? The memories of the legends his mother had told flew through his mind.

"Every story has truth to it. Sometimes more so than others."

After a moment, Link turned back to Zelda and shook his head. "It's not important, Princess."

"I thought we agreed that you would call me Zelda." The princess said with a mischievous grin.

Link sighed. "Well, old habits die hard."

"Today I found Link in Hyrule Field. He acted like a different person than the one who has trailed me over the past couple months. He seemed so much more relaxed. Perhaps that has to do with the Yiga who has abused him for who knows how long being locked up.

"He seemed at peace. He allowed his emotions to show freely, unlike his usual self.

"However… he asked that I do not call him by his title. He said that he does not want it to define him, but perhaps… perhaps there is something more.

"He is far more skilled with horses than I had anticipated. His stubborn mare was untethered in the field, yet came running when her master called. He has agreed to help me with Storm, and with such a skilled horseman, I have no doubt that I will find out how to tame that darned horse."

Howdy! This chapter is a bit rushed, and it's also one of my longer chapters. Nearly 6 pages in the original font. Huh.

No. I was most certainly not procrastinating. I deny everything!

Secret word: Uh... Colors. Yes, the secret word is colors.

REPLIES!

Just-AWESOME-Old-Me: Yes, Sir! I'll get on that right away. RESEARCH! HOOoraay... *Insert clearing of da throat* Don't worry, I hated that chapter. It was really rushed, and I made Zelda a STUPID! Wait... oops, improper grammar. Er... any-who, I'm going to skip to your summary, but please rest assured that I read the entirety of your review. Several times. ACTUALLY, she was kind trying to figure out what the heck was up with Link and the Yiga. And she just so happened to know that his parents were dead. But yeah, that doesn't actually help (XD). WELL, Midna wasn't necessarily asking what a shield was. She was more like, "Haha, you humans are stupid, because you use a metal stick and a chunk of wood to fight people!" At least, I think that's what was happening there. I may be the writer, but I'm not always sure what's happening (XD). And, to be fair, that was probably the first time he'd had a strange dream in years. You know, with the nightmares and whatnot. Do I want him to figure out that it was a vision of a past life? ERrrrr, not sure yet. Maybe I should ask people reading this about that. Well, there was a WEAPON to the princess's THROAT. And the Yiga dude was threatening to kill her if they stepped towards her. You know, normal villain stuff. But Link was behind her bleeding out and stuff, and he was all like "I will save you, Princess!" And so he snuck up on Mr. Yiga and somehow got him away. I think that he hit the Yiga man in the head with his hilt, but I don't remember. So, yeah, probably need to write something random like that instead (XD). Uhhh... Liari's powers. So... that one chapter with Liari using magic powers to spy on Link? I kind of want to kill it with fire. Is that okay with you? Yes? No? Yes? No? Because that was literally me trying to progress the plot. So... any recommendations as to what I should replace it with? Glad you liked the scene (XD)! It was fun to write! Pretty sure it would be P.P.S., because P.S. stands for "Post Script." "Post Script Script" sounds kind of weird (XD). Now, I'm going to gives you a homework assignment. How many times did I put in XD? Because I'm pretty sure it was a lot of times. GOODBYE.

MeaninglessMayhem: GOOD. And it better STAY that way. XD Not the you not knowing what to say, though. The part where it's good and I don't want to kill it with fire.

SmokeyMirrors: And she better STAY fixed! UGH, I'm still so MAD at myself for making her STUPID. Insert lots and lots of screaming. You need to go to sleep, good person! Sleep deprivation is no laughing matter! I would know! I have HORRIBLE insomnia. Have fun on your trip!

Catseye: Here's my first small detour. I was planning to get to Zora's Domain in this chapter, but then I was all like, "Naw, I hate you, traveling. I'm going to write about FUN stuff instead." Heal him before I break him? Hmm... I'll consider it. Alright, take breaks and stuff, don't rush. I kind of suck at that, but I'm tRyInG.

Welp, fanfiction isn't letting me upload this. STUPID THINGY! Lemme see if I can upload it in the morning.

Edit: Well, it took several hours, but it's letting me upload it. FINALLY.

Sincerely (probably),

Ari