Legend of Zelda fanfic

This fanfiction starts before Breath of the Wild and provides an origin story for Link. As the story progresses it follows how Link became Zelda's appointed knight and how their lives play out afterward.

Chapter 1

Castle Town was a vibrant town located in the heart of Hyrule just in front of Hyrule castle. Trade and commerce were prominent within the town as people from across Hyrule came and went. Hylians were not the only people who lived and traveled here. All the races of Hyrule, passed through town at some point including the Sheikah, Rito, Zora, Gorons, and Gerudo. One of the residents of Castle Town was a young boy named Link.

Link was a courageous Hylian who began training to be a knight when he was only seven years old. His mother, a common-born woman, passed away in childbirth leaving him to be raised by his father. Link's father was a highly respected knight for the kingdom of Hyrule, and Link wanted to follow in his father's footsteps. With his father being a knight, Link spent most of his time with other children in Castle Town and then with the other squires once he began training. When given the opportunity, Link would train with his father who pushed him harder every day.

A ten-year-old Link lifted his shield in defense as his father swung his knight's sword quickly, striking the shield with full strength. Link was knocked backwards rolling across the ground. He quickly stood and lifted his soldier's sword and shield. He breathed heavily as he analyzed his father's attack patterns. Slowly and meticulously, Link's father moved closer with his shield at his side and sword outstretched. He analyzed Link's movements looking for an opening in the boy's defense. They both froze and stared each other down. Quickly, Link's father lurched forward with a downward strike and Link backflipped just in time to dodge the attack.

Time felt like it was passing slowly when Link was in combat. Link watched as his father's sword slowly descended to the earth and calculated his next move. When Link found an opening, he lurched forward stabbing his sword but his father was too quick. He dodged the stab and struck Link's shield arm causing the shield to fly off to the side. Link staggered briefly with uncertainty but refocused and placed both hands on his sword. With a grunt he swung recklessly towards his father which his father easily blocked and disarmed. With no sword or shield Link was defenseless causing his father to shove him in the chest and fall to the ground. Link landed on his back with an oof and opened his eyes to see his father's sword pointed at his face.

"You are defeated my boy," Link's father said with a smirk.

Link groaned in frustration then got back on his feet. He picked up his sword and shield and stood in a ready stance.

"Again!" Link demanded.

Link's father laughed and sheathed his sword and shield.

"We've been training for over an hour and I've beaten you each time. Let's take a walk," Link's father said.

Annoyed, Link returned his weapons to the training rack and followed his father across the castle grounds. Other knights and squires were engaged in their own training sessions as Link and his father walked across the training grounds. As they were walking, Link felt a presence as if he were being watched. He looked around him not seeing anyone until he looked up. A lovely girl with golden hair and bright green eyes looked down at him in amazement. Link stopped where he stood and stared back at the girl. She appeared to be the same age as him. Link's father realized his son was no longer following him and then noticed what Link was looking at. He simply chuckled and called, "Son! Let's go!"

Link looked at his father then back at the girl. He gave her a polite head nod then ran back to his father. The girl smiled sweetly at the gesture and returned the head nod.

"Father, who is that?" Link inquired.

"That is Princess Zelda," Link's father responded, "The princess of Hyrule."

Link looked back at the princess but she was gone.

"Who knows," Link's father continued, "If you train hard enough, you could be her appointed knight."

"You think so?" Link asked as he looked towards his father.

"Link, you are remarkably gifted for your age," Link's father placed his hand on Link's shoulder and continued, "I know you will be a fine knight and represent Hyrule proudly."

Link simply smiled at the compliment and nodded gratefully. Link's father pulled his hand away and suddenly became very serious. He kneeled in front of Link so they were seeing eye to eye.

"Son, I will be going on a mission tomorrow and will be gone for a few weeks. Monster camps are appearing across the kingdom and they need me to help clear out these camps. I need you to stay at the castle and continue your training. Can you do that for me?" Link's father concluded.

"Yes father," Link answered sadly. Link hated that his father was gone so much, but he understood it was a knight's responsibility to serve Hyrule and protect its people.

Weeks passed and there was no word about the status of his father's mission. Link tried not to think about it and focused on his training, but he still had lingering thoughts in his mind hoping his father was alright.

Link was practicing with one of the mannequins on the training grounds when Link's captain and trainer approached him.

"Link!" the captain called out to Link, "Come here boy I need to speak with you."

Link lowered his sword confused then returned it to the weapon's rack. He walked towards his captain and politely bowed.

"What is it, sir?" Link asked worriedly.

The captain sighed somberly and said, "We received an update on your father's mission and the members of his party. Apparently, the monster camp they were sent to clear out was more populated than originally anticipated and their party was overrun."

Link steeled himself for the news he feared the most.

"Link," the guard continued delicately, "your father fought valiantly until the end…but he's gone. I'm so sorry."

The captain gently placed his hand on Link's shoulder in condolences as Link struggled to hold back his emotions. He would not allow himself to cry or break down in front of his superior. Link hung his head and quietly nodded to acknowledge the captain's words.

"As you were," the captain stated as he pulled back his hand then left.

Link slowly returned to the mannequin and picked up his sword. Abruptly and angrily, he swung the sword through the mannequin with a tempestuous yell. The top half of the mannequin fell to the ground with a loud thud. Panting heavily, Link dropped the sword on the ground then ran out of the training grounds. He kept running until he reached the castle gardens where he could be alone.

Breathing heavily, Link walked towards one the greenhouses and leaned against the exterior wall. He slid down the wall until he sat on the ground and hugged his knees to his chest. As the tears exited his eyes, he buried his face in his knees. Link sat there and cried until the sun began to set, casting an orange glow across the sky.

Unexpectedly, Link heard someone approach and they spoke with a gentle, feminine voice, "Why are you crying?"

Link raised his head looking towards the voice and was stunned to see Princess Zelda standing next to him. She looked down at him with empathy in her eyes, the fading sun making her look as radiant as the Goddess Hylia herself. Before Link had a chance to stand and properly address the princess, she sat in front of him and grabbed his hands.

"Tell me what's wrong," Zelda spoke kindly and locked eyes with Link.

Link wiped his face on his sleeve mortified that the princess of Hyrule had seen him in such a state. He took a deep breath and said, "My father passed away in battle."

Zelda squeezed his hands to comfort him and responded, "I am so sorry. He was a skilled knight and good father from what I could see."

"He was. If I could be half the knight he was…" Link trailed off.

Zelda listened to Link then paused before saying, "I lost my mother a few years ago to an unexpected illness. I was very sad when she died, but I try to remember the positive times I had with her. That way I do not feel sad when I think about her."

Link was impressed by the wisdom the princess possessed at such a young age. She had to be close to ten-years-old like him. He also could not help but wonder how long the princess had been watching him and his father to have made such an observation.

Zelda reached into her pocket and found a handkerchief with the royal sigil on it and handed it to Link.

"Here," Zelda offered, "you can keep it."

Link accepted the handkerchief and wiped his face properly.

"Thank you, Princess," Link said gratefully.

Zelda stood and Link stood after her.

"What is your name? My name is Zelda."

"I'm Link. Thank you for your kindness, Princess Zelda," Link replied as he bowed deeply.

"Of course. Goodnight, Link," Zelda acknowledged with a head bow and turned towards the castle.

Link watched the princess with admiration as she walked away and clutched the handkerchief to his chest.