It was a peaceful morning im Hyrule.

A young man with dark blonde hair and piercing blue eyes made his way to the western tower of Hyrule Castle. He had just finished morning practice with his fellow knights and was summoned by Princess Zelda. As her appointed knight, he always stood by her side to protect her, but he also occasionally helped the princess with her research. Zelda loved being a scholar and learning about any subject, but she was most fascinated by ancient technology.

The Shiekah, a race of warriors and scholars have since long developed technology to ease the life in Hyrule.

Ever since a prophet of the Shiekah prophecised the return of the ancient Calamity Ganon, all their scolars focused on preparing for the calamity's return, as their ancestors left them with weapons of ancient origin that their race invented. Four titans were excavated from the earth along with towers and automatons called guardians.

The princess aided the Shiekah in their studies and attempts to operate the ancient technology of their ancestors. Lately, she helped with the opration of the guardians, the spider like automatons that were excavated in large numbers. If they managed to programm them right, she hoped to have an army of guardians to send for the defence of Hyrule when the calamity would return. As proud as she was of the hylian knights, she preferred to not risk their lives if it can be avoided.

The knight arrived at the door if the princess's study and knocked. "Come in!" a sweet voice beckoned him in. "Good morning Link! How was your morning practice?" "Good morning Zelda! I think it was good? Nothing really exciting happens during practice" Link answered sheepishly. "That's a shame, because I always feel that I am one-sidedly talking your ear off with my research while not having to listen to you ramble about something you like. Besides food that is" "In that case, I'm afraid I'm a boring, empty slate. But you didn't summon me here to ask me if I had other hobbies besides food and fighting?" Link was curious why Zelda explicitly summoned him. Her emerald eyes lit up as she answered his question. "Yes indeed! Come with me, I want to show you something!"

She was very excited and went ahead outside her study which was connected to her quarters by a bridge. Link followed her closely. She stopped midway on the bridge and leaned over the wall of the bridge. Under the bridge was a small courtyard where a few Sheikah researchers could be seen working with a moving guardian, wavering gestures at it to give it commands. Zelda watched it move with a proud smile.

"We are ready... Finally, we managed to activate the guardians! We are so close, all that is left is to further study the guardians and titans" Zelda turned around to face Link. "Then we can perhaps defend ourselves if the Calamity Ganon really returns"

"What are doing here?" A deep voice asked.

Zelda and Link turned to face the voices owner.

A tall and broad elderly man appeared on the bridge. He had emerald eyes like Zelda, white hair and a magnificent beard. Dressed in fine royal blue clothing with intricate golden embroidery and decorated by a golden crown, the king himself showed up in his daughters quarters, accompanied by two guards. His face bore a stern expression. Link immediately brought himself to a knee to show his respect towards the King. Zelda clenched her fists as she tensed up by her fathers presence.

"We were watching the experiment with the guardian. If we can master the ancient technology, then we won't be left defenseless against Calamity Ganon," Zelda explained.

"Indeed, researching these relics is of utmost importance for our kingdom. However, you have a far more important mission to fulfill as Princess of Hyrule." The king replied with a stern tone in his deep voice. Zelda flinched at his words, fully aware of what her father was referring to.

"This cannot continue. How much longer will you run from your responsibilities?" With each word, the king's voice grew colder and more severe.

"I don't do that at all. Just a few days ago I was cleansing myself in the spring of courage, praying there and..."

"Quit wasting your time with these relics!

From now on all you are going to do is dedicating yourself to your traing and nothing else! Or do you think the power to seal the calamity will come to you while you are sleeping?"

"Of course not... But.. I already am doing my best... It's just... Useless." Zelda uttered with a defeated voice. "While researching the relics I could at least.."

"Save your excuses! From today on this ends. I forbid any further engagement in research. Dedicate yourself to your training in the springs!" The king turned to the courtyard whre the experiment with the guardian still took place. "Do you know how they talk about you at court? What they are whispering among themselves?"

Zelda turned her gaze to the ground. There was nothing she could say in her defence anymore.

Links body also tensed up. He was glad that he somewhat mastered to hide his emotions completely, otherwise he would have feared the king would see him boil in wrath. How could he be so harsh and cold towards his only daughter? He was also all Zelda had left of her family, yet to him it felt as if this conversation was between king and servant rather than father and daughter.

"They call you failed princess. Or princes powerless. I want you to prove them wrong... Did I made myself clear?"

"Yes.. Your majesty..." Zelda almost whispered in utter defeat. The kind turned around and left Zelda and Link on the bridge.

"Let us return to my study. We have preparations to make for our departure tomorrow morning," she said in a tearful voice.

This only further irritated Link. Zelda already had tremendous pressure on her shoulders ever since she was young, and yet the king further added to this burden by taking away anything she could use to clear her mind. Link doubted that Zelda would be better off awakening her power while she was cornered like that. But as her knight, it wasn't his place to defend her against the king. After they entered Zeldas study, Link broke his silence.

"Damnit! How could he talk to you like that?

As if you're just twiddling your thumbs! I see you working hard every day on your research and on harnessing your sealing power too! I wish I could defend you against accusations like that."

Zelda looked up from her desk with glassy eyes and a pain-stricken face. "Please don't. I appreciate your concern for me, but if you try to stand up against the king on my behalf, I'm afraid you will be thrown into the dungeons or even banished. You are my best friend Link. I wouldn't want to lose you like that."

Link felt helpless. Zelda was right; all he could do for her was to be there for her.

"He wasn't always like this. Before my mother passed away, he was a kind and warm person. But her death and the prophecy of the calamity's return transformed him into the cold and harsh person he is today. In a way, the calamity has taken a toll on me even before it showed up at all.

I often wondered if things would have been different without that stupid prophecy..."

Link had no idea what to say. All he knew about the king was the stern and strict persona he had just witnessed.

"Since praying is all that is left for us, let's prepare to depart for the Spring of Power. We should leave by sunrise."

"Leave it to me; you just pack your bag. Take some time to relax and clear your mind. We will need to go to bed early, so you can be well-rested when we depart for Akkala."

Zelda brought herself to a weak smile.

"Thank you, Link. You are right; I will try to clear my mind. I need to move forward if I want to accomplish anything. I'll see you tomorrow morning then."

"Until tomorrow then. But should you need me don't hesitate to call for me. I am glad to help if I can in any way."

Link then left Zelda's study and made his way to his own quarters that were right next to Zelda's. He started packing clothes, a blanket, cooking utensils and small useful things for a short trip. After he packed his bag he went to the royal stables with it where he was greeted by the stable boy.

"Sir Link! Do you need me to ready Epona?"

"Hello Dane, yes and Snowflake as well. But not for today, the princess and I will travel to Akkala by sunrise. Please have them ready by then."

"Of course!"

"Thank you"

Link made his way back to his quarters. There he stood in front of his weapon rack and contemplated what he should bring along. He owned a small selection of swords, bows, and shields.

Since he pulled the Master Sword from its pedestal in the Lost Woods not too long ago, he never used his other swords. And since the sword is proof of his standing as the chosen hero and hylian champion, he won't change it.

So he chose to take his soldiers bow and lay it with his quiver on the table near his bed. He then looked out of his window. The sun was already setting, soon it will be summer. Since he was done making preparations, he grabbed fresh clothes and made his way to the royal guards bath.

The Sheikah built these and several other similar bathrooms within the castle, mimicking the hot springs that can be found on Death Mountain using their advanced technology. Some of the Sheikah were business owners and they opened bathhouses across all of Hyrule in every town and even near the stables outside of any towns. Link enjoyed the more luxurious versions as he was permitted to use the royal guard's bath due to his position as Zelda's personal knight.

He usually went there when it is later evening as he would be there alone. He found it easier to think about various things in the hot water.

The bath was empty as he had hoped. He took a basket and put his dirty clothing in there.

After he had washed himself, he walked to the large tub and slid into the hot water. The sun had already set, and night had fallen over Hyrule.

Link looked outside the large windowfront at one side of the tub. He could see almost all of Hyrule field, a view only few people were able to enjoy. Link could see Farosh traversing in the sky near Lake Hylia. He wondered if he and Zelda would be leading a different life if they could be as free as this majestic dragon.

Free from ancient duties, free from the pressure to become the living embodiment of legends age old.

He thought about his relationship with Zelda. So much had happened in just a few months after he was appointed by the king. He still remembered how Zelda resented him for fulfilling his destiny to pull the Master Sword. She mistook his silence as despisement toward her. Consequently, she treated him poorly.

A smile formed on Link's face as he remembered the day when Zelda's attitude towards him had completely changed.