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Link kneeled in front of the very young princess and bowed his head. He couldn't believe it. Zelda was a child?!
Lifting his head once more, Link offered the small princess a smile. He removed his helmet before introducing himself. "Princess, my name is Link. I am here to keep you safe and protect you from harm." Looking into Zelda's wide eyes suddenly made Link feel old.
' Hm, I guess I am over a hundred years old.'
"Say your goodnights now, little bird, it's time to put you to bed." Urbosa's voice snapping Link out of his thoughts. Link stood up, and bowed his head towards the two ladies. As Urbosa passed by him, she lowly stated, "I'll meet you in the library in an hour." Link nodded his acknowledgement.
"Goodnight." Zelda's small voice called out towards Link and her father.
As the giant doors opened and closed once again, the king of Hyrule gave Link another tired smile. "It seems from your reaction that you did not expect the princess to be so young."
"The princess I protected is my age. Once the reparations in Central Hyrule are complete, Princess Zelda will become Queen of Hyrule." Link stated quietly, still in a bit of a shock. 'I'm going to miss her coronation.' Link thought sadly to himself.
"Queen… Please tell me, knight, will my daughter grow to be happy?" The tired king asked. Link couldn't help but think back to that fateful day that everything fell apart. Zelda's anguished face, her entrapment that lasted 100 years, and all that she lost flashed through the knights head.
"I cannot speak for the young princess I just met, but Queen Zelda is thriving and helping Hyrule do the same." Link replied simply to the king. Even he wasn't too sure about Zelda's well-being. He had been so focused on protecting that everything else fell to the wayside.
"I see. I also understand that you must find a way to restore the sword that seals the darkness along with completing the Triforce." The tired king gave Link a knowing look. "I will not hold back the hero of legend. Do what you must. I will ensure Zelda's safety in the meantime."
Link immediately kneeled before the king once more, trembling from relief. ' Thank you!'
"I only ask of you, knight… if I am to perish, please personally ensure the young princess' safety." The king's tired, drooping eyes looked at Link pleadingly.
"Of course, my king." Was Link's resolute reply.
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Exiting the throne room, Link made his way towards the library. His heart felt heavy. Link and King Roam both knew that the king was not long for this world. ' I must find the remaining champions. They'll help look out for Zelda and help me with the Master Sword and Triforce. I'll head to Zora's Domain as soon as I speak with Urbosa.' With his mind made up, Link entered the lower level of the library.
"I had not realized how truly different everything was." The fairy's twinkling voice echoed throughout his head. 'Yeah, you and me both, pipsqueak.' Link thought back, not wanting to call attention to himself with the guards around the library.
Link began to survey many of the shelves, hoping to find something on the legends of old or of the Sheikah. By the time he had finished scanning all the shelves on the lower level, he heard someone approaching him.
"Link, I take it you'll be heading out as soon as we finish our conversation." Urbosa said with a knowing smirk. Link suddenly had a flash of fear. ' Oh goddess, can she read minds too?' Having one uninvited guest was quite enough thank you!
Shaking his head to clear his head from such ridiculous thoughts, he looked at her and gave a nod. "I plan on heading to Zora's Domain as quickly as I can."
"Zora's Domain? Is there a reason for going there first?" Urbosa inquired. Link wasn't sure why, but that question made his cheeks flush.
"Champion Mipha is there." Link kept his reply short to avoid saying anything unnecessary - or embarrassing.
"Hm. I see." Urbosa gave Link a knowing smile. "What are your next steps after that?"
"Depending on the king's health, we will either travel back here to fetch the young princess and yourself or we will head up to Goron Mountain to fetch Champion Daruk." Link replied, he hoped against hope that the king would hold out until he could fetch everyone.
"Very well. I will stay here and look after Zelda until you have reached Zora's Domain. I'll send word about your arrival to King Dorephan and the king's health to you via birds and we can move forward from there." Urbosa spoke in a strong voice. Link was extremely glad he had visited the proud Gerudo chief first.
"Will Gerudo Town be alright without you? What if the number of those beasts increases?" Link asked, they had to be prepared for anything. That's how we were bested last time.
"My women know what I expect of them while I'm away. I made preparations for a long departure. And besides there are knights stationed well into the canyon, if any help is needed they will help." Urbosa said as she began to walk towards where the bedrooms were in the castle.
"I see." Link replied simply, even though he did not.
"The ore found in the canyons are extremely valuable and the Hylians and Gerudo have had an amicable relationship for the past few generations. In exchange for having the knights slay the monsters, I have allowed them to mine within reason for trade." Urbosa explained with her back still turned to Link, clearly having sensed his confusion.
"Rest well, Chief Urbosa. I will arrive at the Domain within two days." Link gave her a small smile before heading in the opposite direction.
"Hm. Travel safe, Link. And give my regards to the Zora princess as well." Urbosa turned to give him a knowing smile yet again. This time, Link was painfully aware why he was blushing.
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As Link made his way back to the barracks in the military grounds, he felt both elated and terrified. He was allowed to have a say in the plans that involved him but that was only because the situation was extremely dire.
' I suppose it can't be helped.' He thought to himself as he packed his weapons and began saddling up a horse. Link had decided against wearing his traveling gear and keeping his Hylian armor. He wanted to look… presentable when he arrived at the Domain. That wasn't a concern of mine when I first saw Urbosa.
He knew the reason. But that didn't mean he had to admit it.
"Princess Mipha must be one amazing lady." The twinking voice of the fairy echoed in his head, full of mirth. The shock from that statement made Link momentarily stop brushing the horse's mane. 'Yes. All the champions are quite talented.' He replied casually.
The fairy giggled. "But of course, hero," was its dry remark.
With a sigh, Link mounted his horse and set course through Minshi Woods. He'd follow the river until hitting Inogo Bridge, go through the Tabahl Woods, and rest once he made it to Oren Bridge. After that he would follow the path to Zora's Domain and be reunited with her. Mipha.
The sun was beginning to rise. He urged his horse to pick up speed.
As soon as Link rode past Thims Bridge, the change in atmosphere was different. There were no longer any traveling merchants or any people in general. Link rode past a number of enemy camps and he had to refrain himself from finishing them off. Flashes of him mindlessly hacking and slicing away at the beasts ran through his head.
It was then that he was reminded that he no longer was a noble hero. He would have to earn that title back.
Link was still unsure if there were Blood Moons in this Hyrule but he was determined to fight more honorably - even the beasts deserved that much. He couldn't behave like a bloodlust maniac if he had the very small princess and the champions by his side in the near future.
The endless rolling green hills went past on his left while the Lanayru Wetlands went past on his right. Link's heart began to pound when he realized this was the closest he's been to the Domain since his arrival. ' Get a grip. You're thinking like a fool.' He scolded himself.
As soon as Link and his horse made it past Inogo Bridge he dismounted the steed, while continuing on foot with his horse slowly trotting behind him. He unsheathed his knight's sword and stayed on the alert. No more foolish thoughts.
The Tabahl Woods were quiet, but not in a peaceful manner. Link knew something was going to pop up and attack any minute now. The grunts and snorts of monsters could be heard.
The true shock came when they neared the end of the woods and not a single enemy jumped out. It was almost disappointing. Inwardly flinching from that thought, Link sent a prayer of thanks to Hylia for giving him safe passage so far.
With the sun now set beneath the horizon, Link and his horse crossed Oren Bridge. Removing his armor, Link dove into the waters to catch something to eat before setting up camp for the night. Every fish he could get his hands on was caught and thoroughly cooked. The fire was warm and Link could hear the sounds of insects and animals, nature's lullabye. Now that camp was set and his horse was unsaddled, Link settled in for the night. If things continued to go smoothly, he would make it to the Domain around this time tomorrow.
Link fell asleep thinking about his favorite hazy memory, his kiss with Mipha.
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It was like a cruel joke. This is what I get for being ungrateful.
Link's horse had been cut loose at some point in the night, and the fish he had saved for his breakfast had been taken as well. Thankfully, the horse hadn't travelled too far but someone was messing with him. Link doubted it was the monsters that were roaming the woods, but he knew he couldn't rule them out.
As Link walked the horse back to the bridge, he scanned the area, on the lookout for anything that seemed strange or out of place. Once he deemed it safe enough, Link dove back into the chilly river to catch more fish.
With his stomach now full, his horse safe and saddled, Link began to shorten the distance between himself and the Domain. He kept his eyes on the rocky cliffs, prepared for whatever may jump out.
That's when he heard it. Arrows being pulled back, taking aim. Reaching for his shield, Link realized in horror that his fish were not the only things that had been taken the night before. Fwoosh! The sound of the arrows flying towards Link broke him out of his thoughts.
With his armored hand, Link deflected and caught the arrows. Quickly jumping off his horse to protect its side, Link began to fire off arrows of his own. Splat! The body of a Lizalfos had fallen off of the cliff. ' So it begins.'
Keeping his horse against the cliff wall, Link knew that his horse would be exposed to attacks at Luto's Crossing. 'Damnit.' Link thought to himself and he sent a prayer to Malanya to keep his horse safe.
As Link walked up to Luto's Crossing, a large camp of Lizalfos awaited him. It certainly seemed tempting to just get on his horse and slay any Lizalfos that was dumb enough to come within range of his sword. But his reach wasn't that far and the thought of him bringing a large swarm of the beasts to the Domain's front door definitely was not an option.
He was going to have to fight his way out and take out as many as he could. 'Just like when I made my way up here after I awoke in the shrine.' Link smirked to himself.
Hacking away at arrows flying towards him, Link slowly made his way to the heart of the camp. His heart pounding ready for the first real fight with the enemy since he's been here. He counted thirteen Lizalfos and was prepared to cut every single one of them down.
With a yell, he swung his sword and the fight was on.
Being up close he noticed just how wrong these Lizalfos looked. The one he was currently clashing steel with had its horn protruding from the side of its head. Link also noted duly that it had extra digits along with very long and sharp claws.
Link danced around the monsters, trying his best to tire them out or exploit any weaknesses.
He managed to take two down. Picking up one of the steel boomerangs, Link threw it and turned his attention to the monsters that had gathered behind him.
Parrying direct strikes and dodging the sharp boomerangs, Link did not relent on the force of his swings. The Lizalfos began falling one by one. Only three remained on the bridge. Making quick work of each Lizalfos, Link heard his horse whinny in panic.
That's when he noticed archers in the water. ' Shit, I hope he's ok.' Link thought worriedly as he took out his bow and launched three arrows in quick succession.
Now in the clear, Link picked up a spear, checked his horse and mounted the steed, urging it into a gallop. As he entered Ruto Mountain, Link knew the danger would come from archers above and camps hiding alongside the cliffs.
As he kept his eyes upwards, Link noticed how much the sun had run across the sky. He spent a good part of the day making his way through the mountain, firing arrows and spearing any enemy that dared to get close enough.
As the sun began to set, Link noticed with elation that the mountains began to break. The bridge was only an hour away! However, the Lizalfos were relentless until the very end.
His weapons now broken and only having the rusty Master Sword left, he urged his tired horse on. 'Tch. So much for looking presentable. I guess it can't be helped.' He dismounted his horse and began to take slow, steady steps.
With his heart in his throat, Link walked through the Great Zora Bridge, nodded to the guards, and entered Zora's Domain.
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Back in Link's original timeline, a traveling merchant selling various goods made his way up to Zora's Domain on horseback, making it to Oren Bridge.
Oh how great it was that those blasted monsters were no longer around! It was all thanks to that weird kid! 'Hm, I wonder if he's taking it easy now that everything is as it should be.' The merchant thought to himself in amusement.
As he made it across the bridge, the merchant noticed something reflecting the sunlight. It was a shield.
He could tell it was an old design, one that was once used around 100 years ago. The shields the recently appointed Hylian knights used now were slightly different. It amazed him on the great condition it was in, no rust or major scratches. This will definitely fetch a great price!
That's when the merchant noticed the smell. A few feet away, there were four Hyrule bass rotting away in the heat of the day. Disgusted, he promptly mounted his horse to distance himself from the pungent smell.
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