Boom baby! Two chapters in one day. These are both the introductory chapters so it felt weird publishing the separate, anyways, enjoy!

II

A Wild Spirit

Link could never sit still. Yes, Ganon had been defeated, but that did not mean that there still weren't evils and monsters in the world. He knew Zelda knew this as well as he did, but it still bothered him to be cooped up in the castle on honor guard detail. He had been in the guard dress uniform for two years now, and it still did not feel like it fit any better than when he first donned the attire nearly a lifetime ago. "A peaceful change of pace" Zelda had called it, "lighter and easier to walk in than this heavy knight armor, a uniform for a time when the realm is not at war, an attire I hope you are able to keep on, Link." Peace, what did Link know of peace, from a young age he had been trained to be a royal knight, not just trained, but besting older more experienced knights, a natural they called him, a knight, sworn to protect Hyrule. To Link that was but a few years ago, the sword the seals the darkness had chosen him, deep in the Korok forest it had called out to him, as it had done young men before him for generations, men… boys more like, with the spirit of the hero, courageous beyond measure, and just as in those days, trouble befell Hyrule, but Link had failed in his duty, to both Hyrule and Zelda, and for a hundred years Link experienced the closest thing to peace he could, forced and cold, and as he healed, Hyrule burned. No, peace did not sit well with Link, even if he had every cause to let his guard down, he couldn't, not even around Zelda, he had lost too much. Link swore, once his memories had been restored, that he would not lose another soul like he did one hundred years ago.

He Could never sit still, either, and the more this meeting beleaguered on the more he couldn't help but get up and move around, glancing out windows, looking at the birds, the peaceful town beneath him. A laborer moved mortar for newly refurbished houses, a bakery put out fresh loaves to feed the hungry, children frolicked in the town square, a childhood lost to Link forever ago. It was all so serene, almost enough to let his guard down… almost.

"Link? Anything you would like to tell the rest of the council?" Zelda inquired, not annoyed by Link's actions, merely to ensure he wasn't dwelling too much on the past. He's been different since the Calamity, though I suppose we both are, a hundred years would do that to someone, but still, my once stoic and caring knight that faithfully guarded over me now seemed to need to be protected himself. It had taken ages to get him to open up even half as much as he did before the calamity. I wish he would reach out to me for help, surely I knew at least some of what he was going through, it had been a hard hundred years for me as well. Zelda knew Link still grieved their friends and life from before the Calamity, of course he did, she did too, but still Zelda wished he'd be more open with her, she was one of few who could remember life before, and the closest friend Link had at that.

"Nothing my queen," Link quickly signed out, "merely keeping watch over the city. Please continue the meeting." With that Link sat back down to listen to Zelda, Queen of Hyrule, bearer of the spirit of Hylia, inheritor of darkness sealing magic, his best friend, and co-savior of the realm.

Ten others sat around the meeting table, four ambassadors from each of Hyrule's varied people, who would stay on at the palace to maintain easy relations, as well as the four "new champions" that had aided Link in defeating the calamity, as well as young Gerudo's bodyguard. The final two seats were for Zelda and her most trusted Knight.

"As I was saying, the Gorons have contributed extensively to the rebuilding of castle-town, payment of the finest ores will at once be sent to Death Mountain, Yunobo. As well, tell your elder I have my finest apothecaries working to develop pain relievers for his back. The Zora people have my undying gratitude for the help in removing pollutants from our rivers and for assisting in making sure the Gerudo have lasting flow of water. Sidon, please inform your father that I missed him at this meeting and send him my regards."

Sidon flashed her a smile, "of course Princess – er, Queen, he always looks forward to hearing from you."

"And the Rito as well, I express my thanks in assisting our scouts on their patrols. Payments to each of your domains will be sent forth as soon as the meeting adjourns."

Almost as if summoned by the mention of his people, a Rito scout flew into the meeting chamber and bowed, huffing as though he just flew a marathon.

"Queen Zelda, our scouts have spotted a large band of monsters moving their way towards the city."

"That is outrageous!" the Zora representative shouted, "with Ganon gone the monsters have no cause or ability to band together as you suggest"

Ignoring this, the Rito continued, "My queen, we have spotted Lynels in their ranks as well, we must prepare Castle Town."

Never such a thing as peace, Link thought ruefully. I will mobilize our troops, your highness. Link did not have to wait for approval to know Zelda would agree to his leaving the council chambers. As he ran, Link rang every alarm bell he could before racing toward the castle balcony to muster the whole of Castle Town's troops.

The Rito scout met Link and a translator at the balcony as troops gathered on the parade grounds. "Sir Link, the horde will be here within the hour, they march with purpose."

"How many?" the translator relayed for Link

"Not more than a hundred, less than Ganon ever mustered, but a more united band than we have seen since."

A hundred… there was once a time Link would have met that force on his own, hacking and slashing through each of Ganon's spawn like butter, but since the incident that nearly ended in his death, he was much more reluctant to engage such a force on his own anymore. It was not his courage that faltered in these times, Link assured himself, but the wisdom he had gained from Zelda that prevailed. Not to mention the Sword that Seals the Darkness, the Master Sword, had been replaced in the Korok Forest to rest for the next hero should he be needed. However, these were his troops mustered before him, he had trained them as best he could, they had every advantage on their side that he could provide, they would prevail, and with minimal casualties, he knew they would, they would have to. Though Link scoffed at the idea of peace, hope and courage went hand in hand.

"Steel your hearts for battle, go, prepare your gear, man the battlements, a horde of monsters, ranging from the least of bokoblins to the mighty Lynels will be here within the hour!" the translator relayed these words to forces who gave a battle cry in response and went to man their posts, equip their gear, and ready themselves for a fight.

Link had only just finished putting his knight armor on when Zelda met him in his room. "Link, I do not like this, these monsters should not be so organized, if there is something deeper going on we must root it out… but I know my duty as Queen of Hyrule, I shall be with you to engage the enemy, my sealing powers should still help in this coming battle, then we must find the root of their gathering."

He knew she would be safer in the castle away from the fight, but Link also knew better than to argue with Zelda in these matters. Steeling himself instead, he simply gave her a determined look and followed her to the rest of the troops. To ease the coming fight on the newly repaired Castle Town, Link and Zelda led the troops out to Hyrule field to meet this horde before it could threaten any civilians.

We will stop them, they cannot make it inside the gate, I will protect the citizens. Link swore these words to himself as he stood, once more, at the precipice of battle. With as few casualties as possible.

As the first bokoblin emerged from the tree line, Link felt something he had not felt in years… excitement. As his blood boiled, Link let out a shout loud enough for both armies to hear, "HIYAAAA!" With that he sped forward, lines of guardsmen following him into the rush of battle. He cut down creature after creature, dodging and rolling, spinning, and leaping into action, none were a match for him. On the battlefield Link was nearly unmatched, he was fast and agile, strong, and purposeful, none of the moblins or bokoblins could match his abilities. Link felt good about the way the fight was going, pushing the aggressors back he felt a sense of relief in himself, that was until the first Lynel appeared. The huge lion-centaur cut a swath through his forces left flank. Din's beard! The scout didn't mention they were silver. Rushing to reinforce his forces, he engaged the beast. Speed helped him the most in this fight and he managed to get the upper hand after a few well-placed perries. Instinct had him reach for his bow to finish the beast off, complacency had him forgetting it in the castle. Stupid! How could I forget that! No matter, a few more swipes from my blade should put this beast down. Just as that thought finished the force of the Lynel's crusher just barely missed making full contact put still puttered him a ways away. Damn, I can't get complacent like that again, have to focus, have to finish this. Scrambling back to his feet, Link leapt onto the back of the beast and thrust his sword into its back. Just as Link finished off the first Lynel, two more charged through the tree line at the rest of his forces.

Keep moving, keep them safe, don't fall again.

Moving to intercept the first of these two new monstrosities, Link glanced and noticed the farthest one was moving straight to Zelda, spear ready in hand. Link didn't know if he had time to get to her, but he had to try. There was no way for him to shout for her to pay attention, it was up to him to protect her, it was up to Link to keep his own promise to himself. No more he thought, heart racing, not another soul, Ganon. Vaulting off the nearest Lynel he sped towards the charging one, sword in hand he had to move, faster.