Thud.

THUD!

Everett growled in annoyance, whoever had been making all that racket this early in the morning was going to get they're head smacked silly. He opened his eyes and snapped up from his sleeping position, his eyes latched onto Link who had been getting dressed...quick and aggressively? He seen the sword that was rested against the wall pulse violently, almost so much that Everett with his own ears heard it.

He had been quickly buckling his pants up, struggling and fiddling the buckle to tighten his pants. Everett had a very annoyed expression on his face before he felt something pulse in him. Almost like a alarm in his body, he had touched himself. He had to be dreaming, why did it feel like something was going off in his body? He looked back up to Link.

"Link?" Everett muttered tiredly, the knight didn't answer. He hastily slipped his champions tunic on before he nabbed the sword resting on the wall and running out of the inn, almost slamming the wall. "Link!" This could mean only one thing, something's going on with the Princess. "Fuck..."

Blinking his tiredness away, Everett hopped out of bed before grabbing his claymore that had fallen onto the floor. He quickly darted out of the inn, trying to search the surroundings, before he spotted Link. He saw Link dashing in the distance, in front of him had been two figures cloaked in red...they were running after Princess Zelda.

"Dammit!" He exclaimed, he had darted off from his position, sheathing his sword. He felt himself rapidly speed up as he began to run full force now. If the King wasn't going to have his head now, he'd surely cut off all his limbs if he and Link let the Princess die to some lowly assassins. He had rapidly been catching up to Link, who barely glanced over his shoulder to see him.

Everett looked ahead, watching the Princess tumble to the ground. Now surrounding by all three members. He silently cursed to himself, before he unsheathed his large sword once more.

"We're not going to make it..." He silently whispered to himself before he shook of his negative thoughts, he watched Link close in all the Yiga above the Princess. He had scooped up a rather large stone. He wasn't going to make it to stop it, so hopefully he'd create an distraction.

He watched the Yiga member come to a halt, raising his sword high and mighty; and went to violently bring it down on the Princess.

Everett gasped.

...

She used to hear the sayings of how the Princess was naive and stubborn. Now she realized they were right about here. A foolish Princess, they'd say. She indeed was a fool, she outdid herself this time.

She couldn't believe she had fallen for it. The hot desert air had filled her lungs, she felt the sand fill her boots. Every step she took she sunk into the ground, effectively slowing her down. It had been a assassinate attempt! They managed to catch her with a guard down, when she was alone.

She reeled her head back to see a Yiga member hot on her tail, she had helped with fear and snapped her head back to the direction in front of her. Two Yiga members had slithered their way into her sight, holding their weapons up. She had dragged his feet in the sand to stop, ultimately falling on the ground with a harsh thud.

She felt her ankle twist in an ungodly way, making her yelp in pain. My god. This was how it was gonna end. Over my own stupidity.

Crawling away from the assassins, she was cornered by them. Three of them to be exact, on all sides of her ready to carve her into pieces. The one stepped up, twirling the carver in his finger with some finesse. He had raised it up, and she closed her eyes. She didn't want the Yiga Clan to be her very last memory, she tried to think of something.

She thought about how she'd tainted the lives of everyone who she ever meant, and how she never would harbor those cursed powers. How her father was right, how she was nothing but a failure. She wasn't deserving of Hylia's blessing, she had been too selfish in her own ways.

The Yiga member bought the sickle down.

She heard a masculine grunt, metal collided before a yelp in pain. She opened her eyes, and her eyes fixated on a blue tunic that had been turned away from her. He had stepped in front of her in a stance, shielding her away from the men who wanted her demise. He held his sword up, making them step back with caution. There was a hint of determination and hardness in his face when he held the sword up, she knows they'd want nothing to do with him when it comes to fighting. He hadn't taken his off of the Yiga. Concentrated.

A stone had smacked the second Yiga in the face with some force, making him stumble back. He gasped before snapped his head towards Everett direction, he came to a halt and gave the assassin a death look. She turned her head to see the look on Everett's face as he was in a battle stance.

They two had looked at each other frantically, before looking back at the two men who had been ready for a fight. The one on the left nodded his head in disagreement, before the two swiftly vanished within thin air.

Everett had broken his tough facade before gasping for air, he had placed his hands on his knees before he looked at Link with a tired expression. "You...son of a bitch...wake up...and make me run after you..."

Link had given him an expression that read not now, before he inhaled a breath in. He turned towards the Princess who had a mixture of fear and shock in her face. She had never seen someone kill someone that wasn't a monster...

She had been staring at the now dead body that was being swallowed by the sands of Gerudo. The mask slightly crooked so that she can see part of the man's mouth and how it was slightly opened.

A hand had been put in her vision, a gloved hand. She looked up to see Link lending a hand out with a concerned look in his face, she had hesitated before taking the hand. He had effortlessly pulled her to her feet but not before she let a cry of pain out when she put pressure on her ankle.

"Are you hurt?" Link quietly asked, his face was pale and his expression looked worried.

"I-I think I twisted my ankle wrong..." She muttered shamefully, unable to pull her sight away from him. "You...you saved me..."

"Let's get you somewhere safe, Princess." Link simply said, letting her sling her arm around his shoulder.

Everett had swiped the sickle from the sand where it had laid, thank goodness the two had got there before they had carved the Princess up in pieces. He had examined in, looking at the sharp edge. Sharp indeed.

Link had helped the her to a nearby rock, letting her lean on it. He had walked over to meet Everett to exchange a few words before Everett held the weapon up to him, both warriors examining it. The two made their way towards her when they were now in her vicinity.

"We shouldn't stay out here too long, don't want to be around when they come back." Everett suggested sheathing his sword. "Won't be pretty if they catch her out here again. Best if we take her back to the bazaar."

Link had nodded and offered a hand to the Princess, who had taken it. He let her sling her arm around his shoulder, and began to help her move forward.

Maybe Urbosa was right, she had been treating them too harshly. Especially Link, she hadn't been fair from the start. It was pathetic to finally realize it when he finally saved her from an untimely demise. Taking her childish anger out on him left and right, having to endure her selfishness towards him.

She looked at Everett in front of them, walking with a bit of exhaustion. She didn't know how the two knew she was in danger or how they got there so quickly, she didn't even think they would save her after how she's treated them. Link had kept a steady pace but a very swift one to ensure they make it the bazaar in one piece.

It was a very long walk from her perspective as millions of thoughts had clouded her mind. She was worried about how she left Urbosa feeling, in her mind she could see the panic in the Gerudo's face when she opened the door and Zelda wasn't there.

The walk back to the bazaar had been long, especially since Link had been practically carrying her. She didn't think she gave him much of a problem give the stoic face he wore, but deep down. She knew he hated her.

"We're almost at the bazaar." Everett informed, with a stern and emotionless voice. He had merely glanced back at his shoulder stating the information. He had quickly turned his head back around to look ahead, they must be infuriated with her.

Her brain rattled as her ankle throbbed, she seethed in pain making Link falter but quickly recovering the both of them. They had crossed the line to Kara Kara Bazaar, and it was not surprising that Lady Urbosa had been waiting for them with several guards

She had her arms crossed, with a mixture of seriousness and worrisome. The three had finally made it to the bazaar, and Urbosa had jolted near them. Link had ducked his head under her arm to let her to Urbosa, she came almost like a lightning bolt as if Zelda was her own daughter.

"This is why I tell you to bring your protection! You had me sick with worry, you had me panicking!" She frantically checked around her, moving her head in many ways, rolling her sleeves up and checking around her body. "Hylia knows what I would've done had they bought you back..."

"I'm sorry..." She pathetically muttered loud enough for her to hear, Urbosa looked up with a stern look but it softened when she saw the Princess on the verge of tears. Urbosa raised her slender finger to wipe a single tear away, before cupping her cheek. She glanced towards the two protectors, both of them instantly looking away when she looked in their direction.

"Are you hurt?" Urbosa kindly asked.

"I think my ankle's a bit rolled," Zelda replied. "Other than that, I'm fine."

The older woman nodded, she had closed her eyes before letting a breath out. "We will discuss this later, Princess. Right now you need to get that ankle checked out. I need to have a few words with Link and Everett."

Urbosa had cupped her cheek once more before giving her a slight nod. A medic that Urbosa had bought had taken Zelda's hand and began to lead her to a little slab she could sit on to have her ankle check out.

Urbosa walked over to the two warriors who had their backs towards each other. Link had his hands on his hips staring off into the distance, he had been facing Urbosa. She could see his tired eyes, it had been quite early in the morning still. Everett had his arms crossed with his back turned towards the two, but only to the side a bit. She could still see the side of his face barely. The two acknowledged her presence, straightening up a bit.

"Thank you both, for bringing her back safe. I don't know what I would've done if they...if they killed her." She struggled to get out the words, Link had nodded but Everett simply looked away into the distant Gerudo mountains. "I know looking after her hasn't been easy, but I will assure you; her disdain for you two will not last much longer."

"We're just doing our jobs..." Everett simply stated, he dropped his hands to his side before he turned around to face Urbosa.

She simply nodded, understanding of what he said. "I'm aware. It is why I'm thanking you, and that you are more appreciated than you think. I couldn't think of anyone better at protecting her than you two. I'll take her back to Gerudo Town, she'll head back to the castle tomorrow morning. You two try and get some rest at the Inn, you look like you need it. I will keep watch of her, she won't get out again."

They remained silent, and Urbosa had nodded towards them before she headed of into Zelda's direction. Everett had sighed before rubbing his tired eyes, multiple guards had been circled around the Princess, with a medic checking her ankle. He had been woken up out of his sleep to run almost across the desert to stop the Princess from being killed.

How the hell did she even get past the Gerudo guards? Urbosa said that she had been guarded tightly and strictly. How wrong she turned out to be, and how Princess Zelda merely slithered her way into this situation.

A few more seconds; Link and Everett would've most likely been carrying her corpse back to Hyrule, readying themselves for the pikes that were awaiting for their head.

"I need to get more sleep, I can barely function." Everett held his head, Link had reeled back before he looked into the Princess's direction again. The entourage of guards had been circled around her, taking her back on the path of the town.

Hopefully, this time he didn't have to get up and save a Princess.

She had seen the disappointment in the faces of her protectors. How Link had offered his hand to her, he looked worried. But he also had a look of disappointment. Everett had barely acknowledged her, only referring her as "her."

The elixir the medic woman gave her had healed her ankle nicely. She could stand on it now! But it didn't help that she felt like a burden to the two men.

Taking her childish anger and insecurities out on them, shunning them away for simply doing their job or mocking them. No doubt, they'd give anything to be relieved of their duties. She remember the both of them quickly looking away when she merely glanced in their direction, it had hurt that they didn't even want to look at her.

Her room in Gerudo Town couldn't grow more quiet than it did, a couple hours had passed since she last saw her protectors. The commotion in the town right outside was oddly quiet now, and she could barely hear a single soul out there.

The door opened and Urbosa stepped in, she wore a smal smile and closed the door gently. Zelda had given her a sad smile but it was quickly washed away by the awkwardness now. She was waiting to get scolded by her, to get a earful. She's gotten it plenty of times from Urbosa. She walked over towards where Zelda was sitting and took a sit next to her, leaning back with her powerful leg rested over the other.

"You know I have to include this in my report to your father, right?" She simply questioned.

"Yes."

"I'm not here to chastise you, I just want to talk." Urbosa kindly said. "What happened out there was scary, you don't know the fear I felt when one of my soldiers reported you weren't in you're room. I hadn't felt fear like that in a long time."

She felt her heart lunge at the words. "I'm sorry."

"I'm not mad, Zelda. I'm just worried. Is this about Link and Everett?"

"No." Zelda said. "I just...I'm always hold up somewhere guarded. I just wanted to take a morning walk, and I almost lost my life. If it hadn't been for them, I would be dead. I owe them my life."

"An apology would be a great start for the three of you." Urbosa added.

The Princess scoffed. "A fat load of good that'll do me. I won't be surprised if they stop interacting with me all together. You should've seen the disappointment in their faces."

"I doubt that was disappointment," Urbosa sighed. "It was the crack of dawn, those two still had bags under their eyes. You all have been thrown into a impossible situation, it's understandable that you all do not see eye to eye in the beginning. But I know, in due time that the three of you will become allies."

Zelda sighed before putting he face in her hands. She could still feel the anxiety pumping through her body.

"The king sent me a letter," Urbosa continued making Zelda snap up at the information. "He wishes you to be back today."

She felt her anger rise. "I'm not suppose to be back until tomorrow!"

Urbosa raised her hand to calm the Princess. "He states in his letter that it is urgent that you complete the final divine beast in Zora's Domain and start your pilgrimage."

"I guess it is that time..." Zelda had looked down at her hands. She couldn't bear facing her father after this incident, she knew Urbosa had sent a letter in reply. She's already been scolded by father more times than she can count this month, she can't imagine how he'll feel after hearing her stupid mistake that almost got her killed.

She felt a slender hand rest on her shoulder, snapping her out of her trance. She looked to Urbosa who had just gave her a small smile. "Everything will turn out be okay, Zelda. You just need to start thinking positively. I'm sure once the three of you get along, everything will be much easier."

She nodded. Maybe this can be a start to anew.

Everett had stuffed whatever items he had brought along to the desert. He had only gotten about two more hours of sleep, and didn't feel as rejuvenated as he wanted to. He had wiped the crust from his eye with a deep sigh, before he put away a few extra items and tied it up. He had been getting used to not using modern stuff, and been catching on how to use medieval tools and culture.

He slung it around his broad shoulder, before nodding towards the woman at the desk farewell. Link had already been out of the inn, he locked eyes with him before Everett began to walk over.

The hero of Hyrule met him halfway, before the two stopped and looked at each other. It had been an awkward silence, the two hadn't interacted since the Princess's near death. The two stood in front of the entrance to the path to Gerudo Town, awaiting the Princess's arrival.

"That was pretty crazy, huh?" Everett breathed out, Link glanced at him with a curious side eye before he realized what he was talking about, he let his eyes drift back in front of him.

"Mhm." Link simply grunted.

"We probably just avoided execution then."

"Yep."

"And that most likely won't be the last time she pulls something like that."

"Uh huh."

Everett took a deep breath, he still felt the disgusting taste in his mouth from the heat elixir. He twisted his head to his left, hearing a sharp crack. He then stretched his fingers out earning a few cracks from his joint. The two had stood in silence for minutes before they two saw the figures of Urbosa and Princess Zelda, behind them had been a couple Gerudo warriors.

The two warriors merely stood before they slightly greeted the two women. Urbosa had laid a hand on Zelda's shoulder before she smiled with a nod. She turned towards Link and Everett who had been merely waiting for the moment to end so they can get out of the sweltering heat.

"You two make sure to get her back for the castle safely, do I make myself clear?" Urbosa sternly said, before she looked at both of them and softened her look. "And don't forget to take care of yourselves too, I know this job makes it difficult to remember you're not invincible. But make sure to look after yourselves."

The trio were off, and it wasn't long until they were at the desert exit and back in the Gerudo canyons. It had been awkward the entire time, the only interactions were between Link and Everett, either for stops, drinks or talking about shortcuts.

She had still yet to apologize to the two, but it was most frustrating because they didn't make it easy. Every look they had casted upon her, she felt was filled with annoyance and disappointment.

They had eventually made a stop under a tree for rest, it had been midday but this point; so they were making great time. They still had about two hours left on the trip back to the castle. She had her back leaned against the tree, with her journal in her hand, she had been sketching and writing a few things down that she needed to get off.

She sighed heavily, before she stood up to her full height which wasn't very tall. She watched Link walk over to Everett with a map in his hand, he had faced Everett the map inaudibly saying something she couldn't make out, obviously it was good because Everett had seemed to agree.

She walked over towards the two, they didn't directly notice her until she was a few feet away. She stood in front of them. Princess. Hero. Brute. All standing in a circle, looking at each other.

"I have not been very fair to the both of you this time we've known each other." She started off not daring to look at either of them, instead fixing her gaze onto her fiddling fingers. "And it has occurred to me that I have put you two through much of my shenanigans and foolishness. For that, I am sorry."

Everett and Link merely stared at her with unreadable expressions, she thought she had said something wrong until it was Link who opened his mouth.

"It's okay, Princess." He simply said, it had been so quiet that she almost missed it.

"It's not okay," She argued. "I realize simply apologizing will not prove my words to be true. That is why I wish to start anew. With the both of you. Of course, you two have a choice."

Everett had placed his hands in his hips, his eyes focused out into the distance, he didn't realize how long they had been traveling realizing that the sun was close to starting to set. He looked back at the Princess before he nodded his head.

"I suppose a new start would make things easier," He nodded again, looking towards Link then back at the Princess. "Yeah, I think that's good idea. If we're apologizing, then I apologize for how I've acted towards you. The both of you."

"Me too." Link said, more louder than he usually does.

Zelda nodded eagles towards the two before placing a hand in her chest. "Let us start this new relationship with each other. Hopefully we can grow and become stronger as a team."

Everett grunted with content. "Well, I'm enjoying our little moment and all. I think we have to head back before the King throws us in the dungeon."

Zelda chuckled. Maybe everything would turn out all right.