A Hero's Path

by LuxDragon

Link's journey from an exuberant child to a stoic knight. A retelling and reimagining of Breath of the Wild with Age of Calamity elements added. Will be AU eventually. Pre-Calamity.

29. The Trials

Central Hyrule – Hyrule Castle

When Link returned to the residential area of the castle, he spotted Impa standing outside his room. She saw him approaching as well and offered a little wave.

"His Majesty is in there," Impa said quietly. "He looked different. Your doing?"

"Maybe," Link replied. He stood next to her and glanced at Zelda's bedroom door occasionally. "How are the Guardians going?"

"Things are speeding up," Impa answered. "In related news, I don't know if you've heard, but Daruk has been doing weapons testing to the north of Death Mountain. The main cannon is exactly like Vah Medoh's. There was significant monster displacement, too, but the Gorons were able to handle it. Mipha started a few days ago, and Urbosa is set to conduct her test next week. We're shipping more Guardians to Akkala Citadel and Fort Hateno, and we're keeping an eye on the Gerudo Canyon Pass."

"Really does feel like we're gearing for war," Link muttered.

"Not a pleasant thought, I know," Impa replied. "How are you feeling?"

"Doing all right," Link said. "And you? Still chasing ghosts?"

"The prisoners knew nothing," Impa answered bitterly. "The Yiga remain a threat."

"What do they know about the Calamity?" Link asked.

Impa shrugged. "Less than we do. For them, Ganon is just a means to an end to settle scores."

"Letting the world burn so they can get their revenge?"

"The Sheikah… we're a devoted people," Impa said carefully. "But the line between devotion and fanaticism can be blurry. We serve Her Highness faithfully, but we do understand what lines we can't cross. Does that make sense?"

He nodded. "I understand."

Their conversation turned to other matters, some pleasant, others business, but they kept each other company for the next several hours. It wasn't until nearly suppertime when both King Rhoam and Zelda appeared from her bedroom. They looked solemn and exhausted, but there was also a certain lightness in their footsteps. Midna was following behind them but looked uncharacteristically serious for once.

"Link, Impa," King Rhoam said before striding past them.

"Your Majesty," they replied in tandem.

Zelda walked up to them. "We're going to supper. Shall we?"

They nodded and fell in step next to Zelda as she set the pace not far behind the king toward the dining hall.

Impa looked like she wanted to ask a million questions. Link was far more restrained in his curiosity, though he couldn't deny that he was interested in knowing what had transpired as well.

In the end, though, they knew their place and didn't question them. Dinner went by smoothly, with Zelda sitting next to her father for the first time since he had issued his decree.

After the conclusion of dinner—just as Link finished his third dessert, much to Impa's envy—a servant came up to Link and told him he had the rest of the night off, though Impa would remain on guard.

"Don't worry, I'll look after her," Impa said confidently.

"All right. Good night, Impa," Link said.

After spending a couple of hours relaxing and aimlessly wandering around the castle, he returned to his room. Just as he put the Master Sword on his sword rack, Midna bounced into his room and immediately hopped onto his bed.

Link wryly smiled at the wolf before turning to the doorway. As he'd expected, Zelda knocked on the doorframe.

"Link?"

"I'm here. I'm decent," he said.

She peeked her head in, spotted him, and entered. "Father told me what you told him."

"Did he?"

"Thank you," Zelda said softly. "For helping."

"Of course," Link replied. "Are you okay?"

She nodded. "It's not something we can fix with one conversation… but at least I understand more about his fears, too. I guess that was really the problem… we didn't understand what each of us were going through at all."

"I can see how that can be a problem," Link said.

"So, we're going to be talking every night, just father and daughter, not king and princess," Zelda said. "Starting tomorrow. And in my room, not his office. Nothing official. No titles, politics, or other things to complicate our relationship. Just family."

"All right."

She arched an eyebrow at Link. "That's all you have to say?"

Link shrugged. "It's obviously a personal moment for both of you and not for my ears. What either of you talk about is what you talk about. If you're asking if I'm curious, then yes, I am… just a little bit. But what I talk about between my mother and me is between us, and I wouldn't want to parade that to the world. I just want to offer you the same privacy."

Zelda smiled brightly. "I don't deserve you."

"Now, if Midna wishes to share any information…" Link added, giving the wolf a knowing look.

"She would never," Zelda retorted. She strode over to Link's bed, placed her hands on Midna's cheeks, and gave her a loving rub. "You keep the strictest confidences, don't you?"

Midna happily accepted the attention, and Link almost thought she was giving him a smug look.

Cheeky wolf.

"What did you say to him?" Zelda asked. She didn't turn around and continued to bask Midna with affection.

"Just my thoughts on the whole affair," Link answered. "If you want details, you should ask him tomorrow. Make it a part of your newfound father–daughter bonding."

Zelda faced him and planted her hands on her hips. "You're really not going to tell me?"

Link repressed the desire to smirk at her bossy stance and shook his head. "No."

She marched up to him and crossed her arms over her chest authoritatively. "I can order you to tell me."

They were close now, making direct eye contact. Alone. In his room. For some reason, it felt thrilling, in a forbidden way.

"Disregarded," he said.

"You would disobey an order from the Princess of Hyrule, your future Queen, and the Commandant of the Champions?"

"Someone has to keep you in line from doing something reckless."

Link almost pouted when she took a step back to laugh at him. Affectionately, of course.

"You would be the last man in Hyrule to lecture me on that!" she said between breaths.

"Some would argue that because I know about being reckless, I would be an authority on it," he retorted.

"That is not how it works," she said, now grinning. "Fine, keep your secrets. I feel obligated to point out that they don't make you as mysterious as you believe them to be."

"Agree to disagree."

Laughing again, Zelda left, but just as she disappeared around the threshold, she poked her head back in. "Link, I meant what I said, though. Thank you."

"Of course."

"Let's go, Midna," Zelda said.

Barking in acknowledgement, Midna hopped off Link's bed and scrambled to follow.

~o~O~o~

The following few weeks were… interesting, at least in Link's opinion. True to Zelda's word, King Rhoam passed by Link's doorway every evening to go speak to his daughter. Sometimes, the next morning, they would be smiling and laughing; other times, they would be irate and distant. It was hard to tell if they were taking two steps forward, one step back or vice versa. The most Link could glean was that their relationship was far more complicated than his was with his friends and family. A part of him found it intriguing, but another part wished they would be a little more consistent with their feelings.

Regardless, the days became a little more interesting as the royal family danced between being a family and walking on eggshells.

However, the ban on Zelda's research into the ancients remained—likely still causing some of the friction between her and her father despite their newfound dialogue—but she adhered to her task of unlocking her powers. She seemed more focused and committed now, but nothing indicated that she had been successful as of yet.

One morning, Zelda came out of her room and approached Link with a clear intent on her mind. She was dressed in her traveling attire rather than her usual gown.

"Link? May I have your help with something?" she asked.

He nodded and finished putting on his equipment. "Of course. Whatever you wish."

"Come with me," she said. "We're going to the stables. We'll get something simple for breakfast on the way."

After going down to the dining room—Zelda pecked her father on the cheek, so it had to have been a good talk the previous night—she assembled a simple egg, sausage, and cheese sandwich. Seeing what she was doing, Link made the same… along with three more.

Holding his stack in one hand and eating one sandwich in the other, Link followed Zelda out and down to the main floor. Midna was looking at Link forlornly as she eyed his breakfast with razor-sharp focus.

"Yeah, yeah. One of these is for you," Link grumbled. "You're eating it outside. No staining the floors."

Midna grinned, while Zelda giggled.

Once they were outside—and after Link dropped one of his sandwiches onto the grass for Midna to pounce on—Zelda took them to the stables, where Link could hear a horse whinny loudly and several stable hands struggling to control it.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"That would be my new horse," she answered.

Once inside the stables, she pointed at a majestic white-coated horse that was rearing up on its hind legs and continuing to eye the stable hands haughtily from within its stall. Nearby in her own stall, Epona seemed to look on at the horse in disapproval but perked up when Link entered.

"New horse?" Link repeated.

Zelda nodded. "Lumine has served me well and deserves to live the rest of her life in peace. I was gifted this stallion for my sixteenth birthday."

"Proud one," Link said, running an eye over him. "He looks like a handful."

"He is. The staff have yet to properly train him because of this," Zelda replied. "He's been deemed too dangerous for me to ride, but I've observed how you and Epona get along. And let us not forget how you were able to tame sand seals—"

"Stags and bears, too," Link blurted out in remembrance.

"Yes, yes…" she said before his words were fully processed. "I—what?"

"Um… never mind," Link muttered. He was sure his father would have had words with him if he was still alive. Taming and riding a bear was probably one of the most reckless things he had ever done, yet he had still been able to achieve it.

Zelda looked at him in shock before shaking her head. "I was wondering if you had any insights to share."

"Simple," Link answered while glancing at the rebellious stallion. "You soothe him."

~o~O~o~

Zelda had no idea what Link meant when he said, 'soothe him'. Obviously, she knew the definition of the word, but not much as to the action—at least not how Link seemed so assured of.

Link first greeted his mare, basking her with attention and loving scratches. Zelda's heart ached when she recalled her conversation with Malon and how Epona would eventually have to give up her Hylian family to be with her equine one.

At Link's stern instruction, Zelda and Midna took refuge inside one of the empty horse stalls as he approached the princess's newest horse. Zelda had dubbed him Aether.

Aether was still being belligerent, snapping his teeth at the stable hands and then at Link when he got close. Link merely clicked his tongue and told the stable hands to open the door. They were hesitant at first, but Zelda ordered them to do so.

The moment the stable hands opened the gate, Aether bolted out, but Link was ready and leapt onto the horse as he tried to speed away. Aether immediately reared back and tried to buck Link off, but Link maintained his grip and balance, shifting his weight to and fro with the horse's movements as he worked his charm on him.

Zelda watched, mesmerized as Link didn't get dislodged. He was calmly stroking Aether around the ears and neck, saying something she couldn't hear, and simply allowed Aether to go on his tantrum—which was slowly becoming less aggressive the longer Link remained straddled.

Abruptly, Aether stopped trying to buck Link off and stood still placidly, as if he had never misbehaved to start with. Link was still calmly stroking the stallion, but now he was leaning in close to Aether's ears and was whispering something. The horse seemed to like it, as his ears drooped down and his muscles relaxed and became placid.

"How…?" Zelda whispered, hoping her voice wouldn't break the trance Link had put her horse in.

Epona whinnied in a way that almost conveyed laughter.

Without reins or a saddle, Link clicked his tongue and guided Aether back to the stable hands.

As soon as he hopped off, he looked at Zelda and grinned. "Want to go for a ride? He looks like he wants to go for a run."

"W-will that be all right?" she asked.

Link nodded. "You can ride Epona for a bit, and I'll take Aether, to make sure he behaves. After that, we can swap once we're out and about and away from Castle Town and other people."

"Very well," Zelda replied, and she stepped out of the stall. "Should we put on the royal adornments or something simpler?"

Link shrugged. "We can put on the official stuff. He'll have to get used to it, after all."

It was very odd to Zelda that Link was so casual around Aether when he had reportedly injured a few trainers that had been trying to tame him and ensure that he would be safe for her to ride. It was because of that history that she was wary of the idea of putting on any of the royal adornments and decorations associated with her station… and because the saddle, bit, and bridle had been gifts from Urbosa years earlier.

"Well, if you're sure, then we shall," Zelda said. She nodded at the stable hands. "See to it, please."

They bowed and quickly gathered Aether's and Epona's equipment.

Zelda was a bit apprehensive when the stable hands approached Aether with her personal horse-riding gear, but Link kept a steady hand on Aether's back and seemed unconcerned. Link's hand started stroking Aether, almost absentmindedly, as the workers began their task. Despite hearing weeks of Aether's misbehavior, the stallion seemed to have no qualms at all about having any of the things being tied and strapped to him.

Once both Aether and Epona were ready, Link gracefully settled himself into the saddle. Looking at him and Aether, Zelda let out a giggle.

"What?" Link asked.

"Nothing, just… seeing you atop Aether wearing the royal gear, I wondered if people would assume that you've become the prince of Hyrule," Zelda said. Saying the thoughts out loud caused her to laugh again, with even the stable hands joining in.

Link frowned and looked away. "Very funny."

"I'm sorry, I couldn't help it," Zelda said between laughs. "Besides, you asked."

Zelda quickly straddled Epona. Just as she was about to pet her, the mare turned her head to eye Zelda curiously. The princess quickly withdrew her hand.

"Stay calm," Link said suddenly. He looked over his shoulder at Zelda. "Be sure to take the time to soothe your mount. That's the only way she will know how you truly feel. If you're afraid, Epona will pick up on that, and how horses react to emotions will vary, depending on the horse. You needn't worry, though; she's a proud one, but she has self-discipline."

Zelda took a deep breath, reached out, and began stroking Epona from her head down to her neck. "There, there. I'm not so bad, right?"

Epona's ears twitched slightly before relaxing.

Link gave Aether a few pats on his chest before nudging his flanks. "Let's go, nice and easy."

Both horses cantered off. Zelda saw the gobsmacked expressions on the stable workers' faces and smiled to herself.

The horses casually walked down the causeway. Each soldier they passed by automatically saluted, though a few did a double take when they saw it was Link riding Aether.

Zelda wanted to laugh again when her words suddenly replayed themselves in her mind. If Link was a prince, then that would mean…

Her blush came on fast and furious, and she ducked her head low so that her long, blonde tresses would sufficiently hide her face.

It took time to calm herself down and rationalize everything. Link was of common blood, so it would be impossible to grant him a title of lord, much less royalty. There was no way that anyone would make that assumption… at least, she hoped. What frightened her most was that the idea wasn't one she was against.

Perhaps it was a bad idea to let Aether wear the royal gear… or maybe I should have ridden him.

Zelda's tumultuous thoughts continued for so long that she was startled when Link shook her.

"Are you okay?" he asked. "I've been trying to get your attention for over a minute now."

"I'm fine!" she squeaked. She coughed and cleared her throat. Once again, her blush threatened to reappear, but she forcefully calmed herself down. "I'm fine. What is it?"

"We're outside Castle Town," he answered. "You can ride Aether now. He should behave."

She blinked and looked around. Somehow, Epona had carried her through the busy streets of Castle Town and beyond its walls without her noticing. A look behind her showed that they had left through the west gate.

"Oh, yes. Good idea," Zelda said quickly. When she dismounted, she caught Epona's eyes. The mare's gaze conveyed amusement… as well as something else that Zelda couldn't identify.

When Link dismounted nearby, Zelda turned to face him. Epona took the opportunity to suddenly nudge Zelda roughly from behind.

"Oh!" Zelda cried out, only to be cradled in Link's arms when he caught her.

"Epona," Link said disapprovingly.

His head was right next to Zelda's ear, and his breath tickled her in a way that had nothing to do with laughter. The blush she had tried so hard to control came back in full force.

"Careful. You're much bigger and stronger. Play gently," Link admonished.

Epona snorted and looked away, playing the incident off as innocent.

Clearing her throat again, Zelda murmured a small, "Thank you," before side-stepping Link and approaching Aether. Instead of mounting him, she gently placed her hands alongside his head and neck, and stroked his smooth coat.

"Behave now, okay?" Zelda whispered. "There is no call for animosity. We're all out to have a little fun, right?"

She knew her words weren't understood, but Aether brought his head around and rubbed himself against her.

Grinning at her success, Zelda slowly saddled herself. Aether didn't even twitch.

When Link settled himself atop his mare, he looked over and asked, "Ready?"

"Ready," Zelda replied.

Link set the pace, and they rode off together.

It was Zelda's first time riding Aether, and despite all the reports about how the horse trainers had failed to properly tame him to be safe enough for her to ride—as well as visiting the stables herself to see how training had been going—Aether was remarkably well-behaved. His confrontational attitude hadn't been on display at all thus far. Occasionally, Zelda would still 'soothe' him as they rode along the road towards Mount Gustaf. Each time, Aether would respond positively to her ministrations, much to her private delight.

" 'Be sure to take the time to soothe your mount…' " Zelda recited. " 'That's the only way he will know how you truly feel'."

To her right, Link nodded and gave a loving scratch to Epona, causing the mare to exhale pleasantly.

"Your advice was quite helpful—thank you," Zelda said. "And this little one and I are getting along quite well now. At first, I wasn't sure if I should outfit him with all of the royal gear. I thought, 'maybe he should have to earn it first'."

Aether snorted and seemed to hold himself up proudly.

Zelda smiled and stroked him once more. "But it works! He wears it like a true natural."

Link glanced at the medallions all bearing the royal crest and grinned.

"I'm trying to be a bit more empathetic," Zelda said primly. "Benefit of the doubt, you know?"

"Oh, I know," Link replied. "I know this very well."

Zelda was about to apologize when she saw the mirth in his eyes and instead asked, "And how am I doing?"

"It's a work in progress, and great gains have been made," he answered.

Zelda brightly smiled back.

"So where would you like to go this fine morning?" Link asked.

"I was thinking Mabe Village," Zelda said, keeping her voice off-handed.

She felt a thrill of pleasure at seeing the shocked expression on Link's normally stoic face at her suggestion.

"Really?" he asked.

"Really," she said, smiling. "We'll take the next left at Mount Gustaf, ride past the Sacred Grounds, and be at Mabe Village in time for lunch. Shall we surprise your family?"

Link smiled back. "Let's."

~o~O~o~

Central Hyrule – Mabe Village

They actually arrived just a little before lunch when Zelda, having felt Aether's desire to go faster, decided to go at a gallop. However, she noticed that as they raced through Hyrule Field, it was clear that Epona was slowing down, breathing a bit more heavily, and was unable to maintain Aether's pace. Once again, she felt her heart ache a little. Link was soothing his equine companion, and the mare seemed a bit fussy about it.

When he caught Zelda staring, he sighed. "I told you she would be stubborn about it."

"So it would seem." Zelda bit her lip and brought Aether closer so that she could stroke Epona's head in a show of support. "When will you give her up?"

Link sighed. "I don't know. I keep saying soon, but I know I'm just putting off the inevitable. It won't be today, though."

Zelda nodded and created a bit of distance so that the horses wouldn't trip over each other. "I'm envious of you. I don't think my relationship with Lumine was nearly as close as yours is to Epona."

"Really?"

"I was tutored in horseback riding under some of the finest instructors in the land," Zelda replied. "But I used their ponies when I was younger because they had the right temperament and training to be kind to beginners. Lumine was taught by the staff at the stables, so she was ready for me to ride when she was trained and when I was deemed proficient enough. I loved her, but I wasn't close to her. I was far too distant in her instruction and upbringing."

"Well, that method still served you well, right?" Link asked.

It was a hollow question, and they both knew it. Zelda gave him a heavy gaze. "Would that be your choice?"

"No."

"And now, having seen the bond between you and Epona, it wouldn't be mine, either," she murmured. "I know it'll hurt when you have to say goodbye, but that bond you share with Epona is something special. I hope to make a bond like that with Aether one day."

Link exhaled sharply and looked away. "Thanks. For cheering me up, I mean."

"Link?! Princess Zelda?! Is that you?!" a female voice called out.

Link sat up and looked around frantically before spotting the source of the voice. "Liena!"

Zelda spotted Dame Serlut riding up to them, all smiles. "Good morning, Dame Serlut!"

Liena spurred her mount into a gallop and came alongside them. "Good morning, Your Highness."

"Zelda, please. We're all out just for a ride today."

"Well, I'm not," Liena said. "Patrolling. But you can call me Liena if you would like to, Zelda."

"Liena it is," Zelda replied.

"Are you heading into Mabe Village again?"

Zelda gave Aether another loving scratch. "We are. Aether was given to me as a birthday present, and Link was kind enough to help me train him. I guess you can say I want to be more involved in Aether's upbringing."

"A fine idea," Liena said. She perked up. "Oh, and I heard about what happened at Deya. Just after my family and I had returned home, too. It was good that you both went there. The villagers are still singing your praises."

"Thank you," Zelda replied.

"Joining us for lunch?" Link asked.

Liena blinked. "Well, yes, but that's not the reason I'm actually going to Mabe Village."

"I know, I know. Patrol," Link said.

"Well, yes, that too, but—wait, you didn't know?"

Now it was Link's turn to blink. "Know what?"

Before Liena could answer, another voice, male this time, shouted at them. "Oi! Link! Liena! Fancy meeting you here!"

All three of them turned to see an older knight riding up to them. Zelda recognized him at once.

"Oh, Sir Ordon!" Zelda said. "Good morning."

She nearly giggled at the gobsmacked look on his face when he recognized her.

"Oh, Your Highness! Forgive my trespass! I didn't realize you were here," Sir Ordon cried out in shock. He quickly saluted her.

Zelda was about to ask him to call her by her given name but thought better of it, since he looked so dismayed. Instead, she simply said, "Think nothing of it, Sir Ordon. I'm merely taking the time to enjoy the pleasant weather with a ride into the countryside."

"What are you doing here, Rusl—oh." Link glanced at Liena before turning back to their newest guest. "Aryll?"

"Starting today," Rusl answered. "I would have been here early in the morning, but Uli needed my help with something back home for the last two days. I told little Aryll that I would be here by lunch to formalize her training and begin lessons at the garrison."

"Where else will you be taking her?" Link asked.

Zelda had to repress a smile at Link's attempt to be nonchalant.

Rusl laughed. "You needn't worry. Not my first squire. But, I know she has a legacy to live up to now. Between you and Sir Revan, there are a lot of expectations placed on her shoulders. I'll see to it that she can bear the weight."

"Thanks, Rusl," Link said.

"She'll be fine," Liena added.

"The only problem I foresee is that she'll expect too much of herself," Rusl said sagely. "You and your father cast long shadows, and she might want to try to escape that rather than try to make her own light. She'll need to see that there's nothing wrong with a little twilight."

"If you need anything, though…" Link said.

"I'll ask Dame Serlut," Rusl replied. He arched an eyebrow. "We all have our roles."

Link sighed. "Yes, I suppose we do."

"Do not look so disheartened, Link," Rusl admonished. "Marin will provide enough of that, I'm sure. Aryll will be looking to you for guidance in your own way, so be strong."

"I know."

"If it makes you feel better, I will be spending months here in Central Hyrule with her," Rusl said. "I know she's been training, so I would like to get a proper grasp of everything she knows, correct what needs to be corrected, and build upon that. Dame Serlut has already told me that she's taken to the spear, yes?"

Link and Liena both nodded.

"Like father, like daughter," Rusl said, smiling. "Some training with the Gerudo might be in order."

"Trident, too," Link suggested. "I'm sure the Zora will welcome you with open arms."

"I suspect they would," Rusl said thoughtfully. "Not a bad way to add to her repertoire. Also, has she been studying archery?"

Again, Link and Liena nodded.

Rusl turned to Liena. "Your doing, I suppose?"

"Link had the talent, so I took him to Tabantha to train more," Liena said. "If you're willing to take Aryll there, I'm sure Captain Teboh would love to host you both."

Rusl nodded. "That will depend on Aryll. Ah, and we've arrived."

Having stayed silent during their exchange, Zelda waved at Cremia and brought Aether ahead of the group. Midna had spotted Cremia and long since run up to greet her.

"Hello again, Zelda," Cremia said kindly. She waved at her with one hand while idly scratching Midna's ears with the other.

Zelda saw Rusl frowning out of the corner of his eye. Before he could rebuke Cremia for being disrespectful to royalty, Zelda said, "Hello again, Cremia. I'm so glad to see you've returned safe and sound."

"The trip was fine. With all of the extra protection for the refugees, we had nothing to worry about," Cremia replied. She turned to Link next and smiled widely. "Link, welcome home."

"It's good to be home," Link said. He dismounted. "Epona will be going to Lon Lon Ranch, but I'm sure you can handle the others."

"Of course."

At Rusl's questioning look, Zelda quietly said, "I don't want to be so formal here, Sir Ordon. Zelda is fine."

Rusl swallowed thickly and shook his head. "I—I couldn't possibly, Your Highness."

Zelda giggled. "Don't worry, Sir Ordon. I won't hold it against you."

"Link! Zelda! Liena! Midna!" Aryll shouted.

She ran down the path and stopped in front of them. Midna ran up to Aryll next and started running circles around her, barking all the while. Aryll laughed and got down on her knees. Midna stopped and promptly laid down, getting all the rubs she could want.

When Aryll looked up and saw Rusl, she quickly stood at attention before saluting. "Sir Ordon!"

"Rusl," he replied. "Sir Rusl or Sir Ordon in public forums, but we're in private and among friends and family… oh, um…"

"Again, I'm here informally, Sir Ordon. Or Rusl, if you would like," Zelda said. She had to fight the urge to giggle again at his flustered expression.

"But of course, Your Highness," Rusl said dutifully.

"Link, you're home!" Marin cried out. She came down the path as well and hugged him.

"Hello, Mother," Link said.

"Are you all here for Aryll?" Marin asked. When her eyes landed on Zelda, she smiled. "You too, Zelda?"

"Oh, well, not exactly, but only because we didn't know," Zelda answered. "I wanted to go for a ride and thought we could go to Mabe Village instead of aimlessly wandering the roads."

Aryll sighed. "Sir Ordon—I mean, Rusl and I were planning to surprise you later this afternoon, Link. Visit you at the castle before making our way down to the training grounds."

"Oh, I'm still surprised. But in a good way," Link said. "At least we're all here, right?"

"Would you all like to join us for lunch?" Marin asked. She suddenly smirked. "Except you and Midna, Link. I already know what your answers will be."

This time, Zelda giggled while Link looked abashed. "I would love to if it's not an imposition."

"Of course not, Zelda. You bringing Link here is a salve for me on this day," Marin said.

"I would enjoy lunch, Marin, thank you," Liena added.

"As would I," Rusl concurred.

"I've plenty for everyone, in honor of today," Marin said before turning to her eldest child. "Except for you and Midna, Link. I need more time to make something for both of you."

Aryll broke out laughing and only laughed harder when Link glared at her.

"It's fine, Mother," Link said.

"Please, come in, come in. Ilia is already inside," Marin said.

"Feels like when I first became a squire," Link said. "Just before we left for Tabantha."

Aryll turned to him. "Really?"

"Really. Mother cooked all my favorite meals, Father gave me some last-moment tips, Ilia visited to give me well-wishes…" he replied. "Feels like yesterday."

"You've come a long way," Liena said.

"We've come a long way," Link corrected.

The soldiers outside saluted them and only relaxed when Zelda inclined her head at them in acknowledgment.

Once the group was inside, Ilia saw them and ran up to Link to hug him. "Link! Here to wish Aryll good luck?"

"I am now," Link answered, hugging her back. "Just fortune that we came today. Had no idea her training started."

Ilia caught sight of Zelda. "Oh, hello again. Um…"

"It's still Zelda. I wouldn't dream of interfering on Aryll's big day," Zelda said.

"Zelda," Ilia replied simply.

For some reason, Ilia didn't look happy to see Zelda, which made the royal wonder if something had happened. There wasn't any time to think about that mystery, though, when Marin told all the guests to wash their hands before they could eat. Since Zelda was the princess, she could go first.

Lunch was wonderful. Marin went all out to make Aryll's day special, though Link also teased his younger sibling while their mother fussed a little. Rusl had a good laugh.

"How is Uli coming along?" Marin asked.

Link looked up from his meal. "Coming along?"

"Oh, you didn't hear?" Rusl asked, beaming. "Six months so far!"

"Oh, is Colin going to be a big brother, too?"

Rusl grinned. "He is. Uli is convinced it's a girl."

"But you don't think so?" Liena asked.

"She thought Colin was going to be a girl, too, and laid the blame squarely at my feet when he was born," Rusl said. "She didn't want to blame him for anything, given how cute he was."

"Poor you," Link said, laughing.

"Is that why you couldn't get me this morning?" Aryll asked.

"Yes. Colin wanted my help with something," Rusl replied before heaving an exasperated sigh. "Daft woman wanted to lend a hand, but Colin, bless his heart, tried to convince her to keep off her feet. I had to step in and make sure she relaxed."

Marin scoffed. "Link and Revan were exactly like that when I had Aryll. Uli's pregnant, not on her deathbed. Being active is healthy."

"Physical strain isn't!" Rusl argued. He looked around the table for support.

"I tacitly agree with you," Link mumbled. "But why does it feel like we're outnumbered?"

"I think Uli can take care of herself," Liena said staunchly.

"We know best, especially since it's Uli's second child," Marin added.

"I don't think there's anything wrong with being careful," Ilia said contritely. "It's more dangerous for her to be doing things she shouldn't than simply being cautious about her health and the baby's, right?"

"Father taught Link about limits and injury, and he taught that to me, too," Aryll said. "Uli would know her limits, and she wouldn't hurt the baby, so it should be fine."

When all eyes turned to Zelda—respectfully, of course—she blinked and glanced around uncertainly. She realized that she was the tiebreaker now. "Oh. Well, I would say that both opinions have merit. You all obviously care about both Uli and the unborn child, so it's not as if there are sides to take here."

Link, having sat next to her, gave Zelda a playful nudge. "Not so sure that diplomacy will work here."

Zelda leveled a mock glare at her knight-protector before exhaling. "Very well. Of all opinions here, I side with Ilia's the most. Staying safe should be the priority first and foremost. If Uli does anything, it's because she wants to do it for herself. It's not an unreasonable position, but given that she's with child, it could be interpreted as a selfish one. She should take personal agency with everything that occurs. So long as she and the child are safe, it means the choices she makes are responsible ones, but if she were to take on strains that are too much for her, then I would have to say that those actions are irresponsible. It's much safer for the baby if Uli were to be mildly active, but not strenuously."

"Ha!" Rusl crowed. "Straight from Her Highness herself!"

"Of course, she should be allowed to exercise her own judgement on what is safe and what is strenuous," Zelda pointedly added. "She is the one carrying for the next few months, for every moment of every day. And she is not a stranger to such things."

Rusl visibly wilted.

"I take it back; diplomacy at its finest," Link said.

Zelda smiled, almost smirked, but her etiquette training prevented her from doing so. Still, she knew she looked smug, and she didn't care.

The rest of lunch progressed with Rusl informing Link and Marin about the kind of training Aryll was expected to undertake under his tutelage. He also told Aryll about the expectations she should have of herself and then the expectations he had of her.

Aryll gamely nodded and remained steadfast in her choice.

Once lunch was over, Rusl declared that he needed to take Aryll to present herself to Knight-Commander Taggart for her formal orientation and acceptance as a squire.

"I'll get Epona for you, Link," Ilia said. She turned to Aryll and hugged her. "Congratulations. And stay safe, okay?"

"I'll do my best," Aryll replied.

After Ilia left, Marin started to hug Aryll so tightly that it looked like she would never let go. Aryll squirmed a bit, flustered by all the affection and attention, but managed to reassure her mother that she would be all right.

"Promise to try to come home?" Marin whispered.

"I promise, Mother," Aryll said. "I'll try really, really hard."

"That's my girl."

"I'll look after her, don't you worry, Marin," Rusl said. "Revan wouldn't forgive me if I did any less."

Marin stood up and dabbed her eyes. "See that you do, Rusl."

"Come on, we can all ride back to Castle Town together," Link said quietly.

Aryll nodded. "Okay, I'll get Lux saddled."

Zelda chose to stay with Link while Rusl followed his newest squire. Liena stated that she still had to finish her patrol and had to go further south. She also gave Aryll a hug and promised to see her when she got back. She bade goodbye to everyone before mounting her stallion and riding off. Link helped Cremia saddle Aether while Zelda softly stroked his head.

"Where's Romani?" Link asked.

"Oh, at the jobsite," Cremia answered. "She brought food and drink for them."

"And how are things progressing over there?" Zelda asked.

"Almost done," Cremia replied happily. "Walls are almost done, and they're placing the flooring now. They don't anticipate any problems or delays."

Epona's whinny caught their attention. Ilia rode in and dismounted from Epona right next to them.

"Here she is," Ilia said. She stroked Epona's head lovingly, but with a hint of sadness. "She's still being stubborn, isn't she?"

"Love it or hate it, it's a part of her charm," Link replied. "Leo knows this, I'm sure."

"Well, when you decide to come home, know that I'll take good care of you," Ilia whispered to Epona.

The mare gave her a gentle nudge and an affectionate lick.

Nearby, Rusl cleared his throat and glanced at Zelda. "Your Highness? We are ready to depart on your command."

Zelda looked away from the tender moment and nodded at him. "Yes, of course. Let us depart."

Waving goodbye to Marin, Ilia, and Cremia, the group made their way to Castle Town. Zelda kept glancing at Link, wondering now if it had been a good idea to come to Mabe Village. He was looking at Aryll, who was showing how proficient she was at horseback riding. She was carrying a bow, a quiver of arrows, and a dagger on her right hip.

Rusl was still giving his orientation to her, and she was paying rapt attention to his words.

"Still conflicted?" Zelda whispered to Link.

"And proud," he replied quietly. "I wonder if my father felt the same."

"I'm sure he was," she said. "My father said as much to me, too."

Link looked interested but refrained from asking any questions. It was one of the things Zelda admired about him: that self-discipline. Impa couldn't resist at all, and they gossiped a bit about what had been discussed, though Zelda kept many intimate details to herself.

However, this was something she didn't mind sharing. "He confessed that he was afraid for me, that he regrets not being able to do more to protect me from what we have to do… but he was also proud of me for standing up to do what must be done."

"I'm glad you got to hear that," Link replied.

"It was nice to hear," Zelda said. "But deep down, I believe I knew it all along. I know you do, too."

She was rewarded with a smile and a self-assured nod, which she readily returned.

~o~O~o~

Central Hyrule – Hyrule Castle

After parting ways with Aryll and Rusl in Castle Town, Link and Zelda continued onwards and upwards towards the castle.

When Zelda smiled at him, Link felt the increasingly familiar flip-flop in his stomach and rolled his shoulders while looking away. Epona shifted her head to look at him. He blinked when he got the odd feeling that his own horse was calling him an idiot for some reason.

On the periphery of his vision, he saw Zelda shift in her saddle. When he turned back to give her his full attention, she looked like she wanted to say something, but ended up murmuring something to herself, the volume so low that Link couldn't tell what was said.

Finally, Zelda turned in her saddle so that she could look directly at him. "Link, you said earlier that you tamed a bear?"

"Rode. It's more accurate to say that I rode a bear…" Link corrected. He cleared his throat and looked away, lest his blush became too obvious.

"I, um… how? And why?" Zelda asked, her usual aristocratic eloquence failing her.

"It was after I became a knight but before I accepted my position as your guard," Link said. "I didn't have any specific orders, and I was still trying to come to terms with Ganon, the legends, and my role in all of it. I often rode out, hunted monster camps, trained myself or Aryll, and kept myself busy. In some forests east of here, I came across a bear. I was intending to hunt her to bring back food for my family and the village. However, I saw she was with her cubs. I stayed my hand, but I had intruded on her territory, so… she attacked, justifiably, and I had to defend myself. I didn't want to hurt her, though, so… I… uh… ended up jumping on her back and started soothing her."

"And… that-that worked?" Zelda asked, glancing down at Aether.

"I was as surprised as you are," Link replied. "She calmed down, I rode her back to her cave and her cubs, got off, played with her and the cubs for a bit, and left."

"Y-you played with them?"

Link shrugged. "They were a bit of a handful, but friendly enough."

Zelda broke out in laughter. "I would have loved to see that."

"It was… yeah, now that I'm saying it out loud, it does sound reckless," Link muttered, mostly to himself.

"And the stag?"

"Was with his mate and they had a fawn. Couldn't do it," he answered. "Ended up soothing him, too."

"I must re-evaluate your charms. A girl should get proper warning about you," Zelda said teasingly.

Link coughed and looked away, hoping his blush wasn't too obvious. "I don't think you have anything to worry about on that front."

"The Gerudo might."

Groaning, he almost glared at Zelda. Almost. "Not funny."

"Yes, it is," she retorted.

"No, it isn't."

"It really was."

"It really wasn't."

"By royal decree, I declare that it was very funny," Zelda said impishly. "I am sorry, but not really sorry, Sir Link, but you have been countermanded."

"Unfair…" Link muttered.

Midna let out an impish bark that could have easily sounded like laughter.

"See? Midna agrees with me," Zelda added smugly.

"So unfair."

Giggling triumphantly, Zelda dismounted when they reached the stables and stretched out languidly. She walked with the staff to help them with Aether's gear, though they did try to protest initially. However, when she said she wanted to make a stronger bond with Aether, they relented and started helping her when they prepared to bed him down. Nearby, Link was doing the same but looked on approvingly.

Once their horses were taken care of, they made their way back into the castle.

"Plans are being made to go to the Spring of Courage on Farore's Solstice," Zelda said. "Normally, the idea of going into water during the winter is nothing short of foolhardy, but since the spring is in the rainforest, there isn't anything to worry about, is there?"

Link shook his head. "No ice or snow there. The water won't exactly be bath temperature, but it won't be any worse than the Spring of Power."

She nodded before biting her lip. "Link, you know as Royal Guard, you have authority over the knights?"

"I'm aware."

"I'm curious, will you not involve yourself in Aryll's training?"

Link shook his head. It was something he had been wrestling with for a good long while, but he had finally come to a decision when he had put himself in his sister's position. "I've thought about it. Believe me, I have, but Aryll's worked hard. She deserves to see Hyrule like I did. My father didn't want to train me, because he felt it might impact my potential. I really want to be more involved with her training, but I know I shouldn't."

"I don't suppose you don't want me to be involved, either?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I mean, I could have her and Rusl patrol around Mabe Village more often," Zelda suggested softly.

"No, no preferential treatment," Link said. "She wouldn't want that."

Zelda nodded before walking onwards. She kept her eyes rigidly forward, though.

"What brought this on?" Link asked.

"It's clear that Sir Revan had a massive influence on both of you," Zelda replied quietly. "Sometimes, though, I wonder if it was our fault that he's—"

"It wasn't," Link said. Sighing, he turned away. "It wasn't your fault. And it wasn't your father's fault. It's a dangerous responsibility. It's how it is."

"A responsibility you and Aryll now share," Zelda said.

"It's something I've understood for a while now," Link muttered. "I didn't before, when I was younger. That there might be a time when he wouldn't come home. Now you and I have to face some ultimate incarnation of evil… I never could promise my mother or my sister that I would be all right. There are no assurances, no guarantees."

"No, I suppose there aren't," Zelda said quietly. She cleared her throat. "You know, there was a time that I thought that because of the Master Sword… you never earned your accolades. That it was just… easy for you, unlike me. That was what I felt was the most cruel. I never knew that you lost your father in such a way…"

"You apologized to me about that," Link reminded.

"I know, but… I wanted you to know that I think you did earn the right to wield the Master Sword," Zelda whispered. "I'm sorry that I believed otherwise."

Link stopped in mid-step and gave Zelda an odd look. "What did you say?"

Her cheeks pinkened, and she shook her head. "I'm sorry that I believed you didn't earn the Master Sword. I was wrong to assume otherwise."

"I didn't earn the Master Sword," Link repeated. The words started bouncing around in his head. There was something about it… something important, but he couldn't quite grasp what. "I just drew it…"

Now Zelda looked confused. "No, I said you did earn it."

"It was just there, in the pedestal. I grabbed it, and I pulled it out…" he murmured.

He knew there was something important he was missing, something he should have been seeing. That day was one of the worst days of his life, learning that his father was gone, taken away cruelly. The grief he had felt, the anger, the pain and numbness mixing together in his chest…

Barriers. I don't think about that day because of what I felt… but they're barriers. I let myself miss something.

"Link…?" Zelda reached out and clasped his hand. "What is it?"

"I wonder… if there was supposed to be more," Link said. His eyes drifted to the window. They were facing the wrong way, so the woods couldn't be seen, but his mind drifted back to that fateful day.

"More… what?" Zelda asked, completely confused as to what Link was talking about.

"I need to go back," Link said. His instincts were coming back with clarity now. The more he thought about it, the more it began to make sense. "There must have been more I missed. Father was gone, Liena was affected by the magic of the forest, things were happening at a rapid pace. I wasn't thinking clearly. I wasn't… I didn't listen to my instincts, because I was distracted. I just drew the sword and left. I think… there might be more to do than simply drawing the sword. It might be why it has no power for me yet. I have to check."

Zelda blinked, then her eyes widened in realization. "Oh, I see! Would you like me to go with you?"

Link suddenly became aware that he was bouncing his mad plan off the princess. He snapped back to the present and shook his head. "What? Oh. Um, no. The Lost Woods isn't a place to go lightly. I doubt putting you in unnecessary danger will curry any favor with His Majesty."

"If you're sure," Zelda said.

"Fairly sure," Link admitted. "If I do need help, I'll just come back."

"You just said the Lost Woods was dangerous," Zelda said in exasperation.

Link shrugged. "I think I'm one of the only people that can go in safely without worrying about it."

"You 'think'," Zelda repeated, deadpan.

"I'm sure it'll be fine," Link said. "I'll just go in, ask a few quest…"

Zelda tilted her head when Link trailed off. "Are you okay? You have an odd look on your face. Who were you talking about?"

"You know what? You should come with me," Link suddenly said.

Zelda blinked. "Why the change of mind?"

"Um… I'm not sure how to explain," Link muttered. "There was an ancient spirit of the forest that was watching over the Master Sword. He called himself the Great Deku Tree. He said he's been one of the guardian spirits of Hyrule since time immemorial. I was thinking… he must have been there ten thousand years ago, when the last hero and princess fought the Calamity. If there's anyone or anything out there that can help you with your Sealing Powers…"

"Then this Great Deku Tree might be it!" Zelda finished, brightening instantly. "Oh, I've only heard of legends of the Great Deku Tree, but I have never thought they could be substantiated! You actually met the Great Deku Tree?! He talks?!"

Link nodded. "Yes and yes."

"The idea has merit! I'll speak to my father! This must be a better course of action than a religious pilgrimage," Zelda said gleefully. She turned on her heels and started walking purposefully to the Throne Room. "I'll let you know when we can go!"

Nodding, Link was about to walk away when he remembered that he was to always stay by Zelda's side. "Ah! Wait! I need to come with you!"

~o~O~o~

"You believe this is a wise choice?" King Rhoam asked.

"It's firsthand knowledge," Link said. "It has to be."

King Rhoam paced in front of his desk. Link and Zelda were in his office now. Zelda had burst into the Throne Room, walked past the people seeking an audience with the king, and almost demanded to speak to him privately.

"The Great Deku Tree may have a clue on how to help me," Zelda added. "This is the break we have been looking for instead of grasping in the dark."

"I don't deny your points, but… Zelda, do you know how many lives have been lost to those accursed woods?" King Rhoam asked. "How many we've—I've sent?"

"Thirty-four…" Zelda whispered. She took a deep breath and met her father's gaze firmly. "But I'll have Link with me. He should have passage to seek another audience with the Great Deku Tree. Besides, this is as much for him as it is for me. What if this is the missing step we've been looking for?"

"The Great Deku Tree could have been there, and it might know everything we need to know about Ganon," Link added. "Think about the wealth of knowledge we could get. You risked much for the Master Sword. Why not intelligence about our enemy?"

King Rhoam looked down at them, his gaze never wavering. His jaw was clenched tightly, and his hands were curled into fists. Eventually, he stiffly nodded. "There… there is merit to what you're saying."

"Then we have your permission?" Zelda asked.

"First, we will take any and all precautions," King Rhoam said. "I will have the paths from here to the Military Training Camp secured. I will demand for Champion Revali to fly overhead with Vah Medoh as well as a contingent of Rito warriors. And lastly, the Royal Guard will make base camp in Minshi Woods, just outside the Lost Woods."

Link and Zelda nodded.

"How long do you think this task will be?" King Rhoam asked.

That brought Link up short. He knew that what they needed to discuss with the Great Deku Tree was of the utmost importance. It wasn't something to rush into or have a quick chat about. He believed that the old tree had to have information, and they needed to make the trip count. And Link didn't want to press their luck by going in and out of the Korok Forest so casually.

No, it's better if we can do this in one trip.

"Days," Link said. "A week, perhaps."

King Rhoam's eyes widened. "Days? In the Lost Woods?"

"Days with a Guardian Spirit," Link amended. "One that, compared to us mortals, is far closer to the goddesses than the most devout priest."

"I see your point," Zelda said. "We must be respectful, but thorough in our questions. This won't be a simple audience; this will be a very long, drawn-out conversation. In fact, if the Great Deku Tree were to help me with my powers, it might also help me train to be proficient in their use."

King Rhoam massaged his temples and groaned. "I am not comfortable with this."

"Do you believe a religious pilgrimage is the right course of action?" Zelda asked hotly. "If you feel that is so, then without any reservations whatsoever, I will cast aside all my doubts and commit to praying at each spring. But if you think that speaking to one of the greatest legends in Hyrule is the better option, then we must act."

Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, King Rhoam turned around and leaned heavily against his desk, head bowed low.

Zelda walked up to him and placed a hand on his arm. "Father?"

"We will proceed with this course," King Rhoam said, choking slightly on his words. "Goddesses forgive me if I'm wrong."

"You're not," Zelda replied softly. "I'll come back."

King Rhoam turned and hugged her tightly. "See that you do."

She wrapped her arms around him. "I will."

Link averted his eyes and opted to stare at his boots. He noticed that he probably needed to clean them whenever he could spare the time.

Hearing King Rhoam clear his throat, Link looked back up and maintained parade rest.

"Link, I know I shouldn't have to say this, but I shall: Protect my daughter, no matter what," King Rhoam said gravely.

"I will, Your Majesty," Link replied solemnly.

"You will leave in five days," King Rhoam said. "I must draft notices to Champion Revali and Chief Komali, and coordinate with Captain Auru and Commander Taggart."

Link and Zelda nodded.

"Do whatever it is you need to do to prepare," King Rhoam added. "We shall speak more of this later."

Again, they nodded. Link saluted and quickly followed Zelda as they left King Rhoam's office.

~o~O~o~

It didn't take long for news of what was going on to reach Impa. She demanded to be a part of the security for Princess Zelda and foisted all her responsibilities off to a Sheikah researcher called Cherry.

"There is no way I'm letting you go by yourselves," Impa said.

"That's fine, but once we get to the Lost Woods, it should only be us," Link said. "It would be too dangerous for anyone else, I believe."

"Even Impa?" Zelda asked.

"Even her," Link replied, staring at the Sheikah girl.

Impa clenched her jaw but nodded stiffly. "Fine. I'll stay with the Royal Guard, though. If you aren't back in one week, Hylia help me, I will go into those woods and look for you. And that's that."

In the days leading up to their planned departure, Link sat down with Zelda and Impa, and told them everything of the day he had found the Great Deku Tree with no edits or embellishments, starting with the unlocked shrine. To help, Link called Liena in and pulled her off patrol for one day to provide added context and information.

"You opened one?!" Zelda asked. Her voice held a strange mixture of shock and envy. "What was it like?!"

"Like the Divine Beasts," Link answered. "It seems the ancient Sheikah liked to be uniform in their designs."

"My experience is limited to Vah Medoh, but the interior of the shrine was very much like it," Liena added. "But it was also dimmed, as if there was no power. We pretty much stayed inside an antechamber of sorts the entire night."

"There was a gate that led deeper into the shrine, but it was locked," Link said. "We didn't want to open it, so we let it be."

"Do you know how you opened it?" Zelda asked excitedly. "The shrine itself, I mean."

He shrugged. "I just touched the console next to the door. Slightly off-center, probably to the left on the main display. Just a simple poke to see what was so special about it. It dimly lit up, the doors opened, and there was a floating platform. It worked much like Vah Naboris and how we got inside, except the shrine platform went down. Very far down."

"How far?" Impa asked.

Both Link and Liena shook their heads.

"No idea," Liena said. "It was too dark and cramped to accurately gauge."

Link cleared his throat and gave Zelda a pointed look. "We really don't know anything about the shrine. And I mean at all. And no, I have not been able to open a shrine, either a new one or the same one, since. The point of this discussion isn't about that anyway."

Contrite, Zelda nodded. "Yes, of course. Proceed, please."

They spoke about the events after: killing the Hinox, returning to Castle Town, finding Cowan, and getting the news. Then they spoke of disobeying orders, riding out to the Lost Woods, and immediately getting separated the moment the fog had enveloped them.

"I'm not sure what happened," Liena said.

She clenched her hands in her lap, and her brow was furrowed. She only relaxed when Link took one of her hands and gave it a squeeze.

Drawing strength from his presence, Liena took a deep breath and continued. "I can't say how long I was there. Time felt… disjointed. What I do remember is how I felt: alone, afraid, small… Next were the things I saw. I don't know if the forest showed it or if it was all in my head, but I saw such horrible things…"

When Liena paused to take a breath, Zelda said, "Liena, you don't need to continue if you do not wish to."

Liena closed her eyes and shook her head. "N-no. I can continue. I just… I need some water." She abruptly got up and left the room.

When Zelda and Impa turned to Link, he sighed. "She was in a bad state when I found her."

"How bad?" Impa asked.

"She drew her sword on me because she thought I was an illusion to torment her further," he answered quietly. "In all our years together, I had never seen her so broken like that before."

After a few minutes, Liena returned. She had a goblet of water in her hand, and a servant was following behind her with a tray. On top of it was a pitcher, three more goblets, and some snacks. He placed the tray on the table, bowed, and left.

"Are you sure you can keep going?" Link asked, concerned.

Liena nodded. "I'm fine. Just needed some air. Which sort of leads me into how I felt in the Lost Woods, Korok Forest, whatever. It felt like a cell in there, as if you were trapped in the smallest room you can imagine. Odd, I know, considering it's outdoors in a forest, but that's how I felt."

"It must have been terrifying," Zelda whispered.

"Like you wouldn't believe," Liena replied in a small voice. "I couldn't even tell you how grateful I was to the goddesses that Link came upon me… even though I attacked him."

"He mentioned that when you stepped out," Impa said. "You thought he was an illusion?"

"I was so sure Link was dead. And I just knew that I was next and there was nothing I could do to save him or myself. It was just so hard to tell what was real and what wasn't in there," Liena said. She took another shuddering breath and wrapped her arms around herself, looking as small as when Link had seen her that fateful day. "And I was so very, very scared."

"I… I never felt any of that," Link mumbled. "For me, I was just lost. The fog made it hard to navigate, but I didn't really have a destination anyway, since I was looking for people that were already lost. I just stumbled around until I met one of the forest spirits."

"A… Korok, correct?" Zelda asked.

Link nodded. "A tiny creature… I guess a tiny tree given life, if I had to describe them. They were nice, playful, and helpful. I found one, and it said that people don't usually see them."

"I certainly didn't, and according to Link, I was surrounded by them," Liena added. "I only managed to see them later, when Link pointed them out to me."

"They had been trying to comfort her, but to no avail," Link said. "When the Korok led me to her, we regrouped and prepared to head out when another Korok told us that the Great Deku Tree wanted to speak to us."

"You, Link," Liena corrected. "The Great Deku Tree wanted to speak to you."

"Right," Link muttered. "Me."

"So… they led you to a safe area?" Zelda asked.

Link and Liena nodded.

"Being in that grove… there was no doubt in my mind that it was a special place," Link said.

"Sacred," Liena whispered in remembrance. "It was peaceful, something I sorely needed after wandering lost in the woods alone."

"The Master Sword was in a pedestal in front of the Great Deku Tree," Link said. "As for the tree itself, it—or he, or whatever—was massive. Wide, tall, and clearly very old."

"Like an oak tree, kind of," Liena added.

"We were completely shocked when it talked to us," Link said. "I mean, he had a mouth."

Liena nodded. "And eyebrows, but I couldn't tell if he had eyes. Oh, but he had the loveliest voice. Like a grandfather that you could listen to for hours."

"That doesn't sound too bad," Zelda said, keeping positive.

"He also seemed to know that Link was the one that had to draw the Master Sword," Liena said, glancing at him.

Link nodded. "It came free of the pedestal, and… we left. I could barely focus on anything, and I wanted to get out of there."

"I held on to Link. I thought it was a bad idea to wander into the woods without a guide, but I didn't have a choice when he just pulled me along," Liena said. "I don't know how, but we ended up getting out just fine."

"After that, we returned to the castle to report in… and, well, you know the rest," Link said.

Zelda slowly nodded. Thoughtfully, she said, "It sounds like our first order of business would be to make contact with the Koroks, then."

"That's one strategy," Link replied.

"I'll need to bring enough materials to write on," she added.

"Camping gear, too, since we're going to stay in the grove."

"Will we be able to send messages out?"

Link shrugged. "I have no idea."

"What about Revali and Vah Medoh?" Impa asked. "They'll be flying above the Lost Woods, right?"

"The fog is really thick, but there was none in the grove," Link said thoughtfully.

"He might be able to see the grove from the air," Liena said. "We should ask him to do some scouting before your arrival."

They continued to speak for a few more hours before Zelda declared that she had enough information to go on for the day. Further discussions would take place in the coming days and with other people.

Link ended up speaking to Captain Auru, High Priest Rauru, and King Rhoam himself during the week. Zelda was always in attendance and began writing detailed notes in those meetings.

On the evening before their planned departure date, they received word from Revali that despite maintaining a flight pattern over the Lost Woods, he could not see anything but trees and fog. The other Rito reported the same and dared not fly any lower.

Once again in the king's office, the ruler of the realm was pacing agitatedly in front of his unlit fireplace.

"You are sure that there was no fog over the grove? Or if there was a grove at all?" King Rhoam asked Link. His tone was understandably harsh, but Link still frowned.

Sitting on one of the comfortable chairs nearby, Zelda heaved an exasperated sigh. "Father, I understand you're worried, but now you're simply being overbearing. If it was so simple, then we could have recovered the Master Sword ages ago. Besides, I know you interviewed Dame Serlut independently."

King Rhoam nodded. "Yes, yes, of course. It's just… never in my darkest fears did I ever think about sending you to the Lost Woods. It was terrible enough to sacrifice lives to claim the Master Sword, but this…?"

"Father, I know you're trying to protect me, and I love you for it, but you have to accept that this is necessary," Zelda said. She looked both patient and empathetic. "I will have to confront danger, and my life will be at risk one day. You've done all you can to minimize that risk to me; the restoration of the Guardians, the Divine Beasts, training the army, assigning Link to guard me… Father, you've done everything possible—everything within your power that you almost moved mountains for me, that I do not believe for one moment that no other man could have done this besides you. It's time. You need to let me go into danger."

"Perhaps I should go with you—"

"Father, no. We've discussed that."

Link found the situation before him odd.

Whenever they talked in his presence, King Rhoam was just that: the King, His Will absolute and His Word law. And Zelda was merely the princess: heir to the throne and having more power than most aristocrats, but having no final say in the political, judicial, or military decisions to govern Hyrule.

It was possibly the first time he had ever seen them act like—or be—father and daughter.

In some bizarre way, Link would have found it funny; he could have imagined his own father speaking to Aryll in a similar manner.

The main reason why he found no humor in the situation at all was how the king appeared. No longer presenting his regal and authoritative presence, King Rhoam looked like he had on the first day he and Link had met in this very office: scared, alone, and utterly powerless against the events he had tried so hard to fight.

Link's heart went out to the man.

They spoke for a little while longer, mainly Zelda trying to assuage her father's fears, before declaring they needed to get what rest they could before leaving the next day.

King Rhoam personally walked Zelda to her room, where they sequestered themselves within. Link stepped into his own room, rubbed the back of his neck, and sighed.

Just as he was putting his equipment away, Midna ran into his room and pressed herself against him. Link obligingly stroked her soft fur and turned to his door.

It wasn't Zelda, as he had been expecting. King Rhoam cleared his throat and walked in.

"We, uh, we realized that there was little more to be said this evening," King Rhoam said, almost hesitantly.

Again, Link was shocked, though he maintained his stoic façade. He wondered how many people had ever seen the king at less than his regal self and thought that the number could probably have been counted on one hand.

"Any conversation we would wish to have would be overshadowed by the upcoming mission," King Rhoam muttered. "I know our talks are meaningful, and I know that there could be a chance that we may never have them again, but… it is difficult to reconcile what the mind knows and what the heart wants, isn't it?"

"More often than it should, I believe," Link replied.

Shocked again in so many minutes, Link watched when Midna trotted over to the king and rubbed up against his legs. King Rhoam lovingly scratched the top of her head.

"A fine animal you've raised," King Rhoam said. "Zelda has been quite taken with her."

Link nodded. "I know she feels the same way."

After giving Midna one last affectionate rub, King Rhoam said, "Enough. Go back to your duty."

Midna barked once and ran off.

Standing straight, King Rhoam looked Link in the eyes. He hadn't regained his royal persona; in fact, he almost looked normal, even approachable.

"Link, I know I don't deserve to ask this of you, especially in light of where you are going and our shared… uh, history regarding the Lost Woods, but… as a father, please," King Rhoam said quietly. He paused to take a deep breath before pressing on. "Please bring my daughter back home to me."

Link slowly nodded. "I'll do everything in my power to make sure of it."

~o~O~o~

Great Hyrule Forest – Korok Forest

The caravan wasn't nearly as big as the one they had gone to Tabantha with to witness Vah Medoh's weapons tests, but it was certainly more militarily focused. Zelda, with Midna for company, was inside a carriage, flanked by Link, Impa, and Captain Auru. The rest of the caravan either had Royal Guardsmen, knights, or support staff.

Before taking his position, Link managed to find Liena amidst all the people and pulled her aside. When he was sure no one was listening in, he asked, "Are you sure you want to go on this mission?"

"Link, it's sweet of you to ask and worry about me, but I'm fine now," Liena replied. "I confess, being in the woods was terrifying for me, especially since I thought I was all alone—when I thought something had happened to you. I know better now. You'll be fine, and that means I will be, too. I'm not going in there, but I will help you. And at the very least, for Sir Revan."

Knowing that there was little he could do to change her mind, Link nodded. "All right, then."

Liena squeezed his hand before heading back into formation.

The trip was simple and straightforward. They marched throughout the day, eating lunch on the move, and bedded down for the night on the outskirts of Rauru Settlement. Both Link and Zelda were greeted by many of the refugees from Deya Village that had made their new home there and accepted their gratitude with as much grace as they could.

The following morning, the caravan continued north, easily making it to the Military Training Camp by late morning. Much of the caravan would remain there, while only a small group of the Royal Guard, Link, Zelda, Midna, and Impa would continue the rest of the journey.

Once their horses were tacked and ready, they rode at a steady pace through Minshi Woods. The Rito warriors and Vah Medoh were flying overhead. Link thought he saw Teboh but couldn't be sure. Far too soon in his opinion, the forest canopy blocked his view of the sky, making it feel less like daylight and more like twilight. The edges of the fog misted around them, causing a few of the horses to become jumpy as they sensed something was different.

"Amazing," Impa murmured. "You know, I've never actually been here before."

"Can't say I've ever had the pleasure of being 'ere, either," Cid muttered. "Odd choice of words to be describing this place. 'Amazing' is not what I would have picked."

"Nor I," Miranda replied. She glanced at Link sharply. "Are you sure about this?"

Link shrugged. "Enough to try. You think I would risk my life or Her Highness's if I had any doubts?"

"I think it's worth a shot," Shepard said. "Traveling to some springs to pray seems a lot worse than this. The only advantage is that it is safer."

"Well, if we're measuring the proportion of danger and safety to actual headway being made, then I might agree with you," Harper retorted.

"I like to believe that this is the right decision," Sofia said. "Just imagine: they're going to the shrine where the legendary Master Sword was held for millennia. Link's predecessor had to have traveled along these same roads. Don't you guys think it's conceivable that Her Highness's ancestor might have done the same thing?"

"I think it's more than conceivable; I think she must have done this," Zelda said. "I can't explain it, but it feels like I'm moving in the right direction for the first time…"

"We're here," Link announced.

Everyone fell silent as they looked at a pair of thick oak trees that curved in such a way that it almost resembled an entryway to somewhere. The fog was thickest between them, and none could see past it.

"Don't come in," Link said sternly to the group. "I mean it."

Impa stalked forward and poked Link in the chest. "One week. If I don't hear from you in one week, Hylia protect me, I am going in there. I could never return home otherwise."

Zelda laid a comforting hand on Impa's shoulder. "I'll be fine, Impa. No need to fret."

Impa whirled around and hugged Zelda. "I'm not joking. One week, okay?"

Hugging the Sheikah girl back, Zelda nodded. "Okay."

Link stayed silent and took the time to light a pair of torches. When Zelda returned to his side, he offered one to her and took her hand.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Ready," she answered calmly.

Midna barked out an affirmative.

"Midna, no," Link ordered.

He was shocked when, for the first time ever, Midna bared her teeth at him warningly and growled. She sauntered up to the trees and glared.

"I don't think she's taking no as an acceptable response," Zelda said.

Link stared back at the unruly wolf for a few seconds longer before exhaling sharply. "Fine, you can come."

Dropping her standoffish attitude, Midna barked and twirled in place.

"Stubborn beast you have there," Cid said. "Brave, though."

"One could say the same thing about her master," Harper jokingly added.

After giving everybody one last look, Link fearlessly led the way forward. They could hear Impa and the knights wishing them luck, success, and safety.

~o~O~o~

"This is the Lost Woods?" Zelda asked, her voice a mixture of fear and curiosity.

"The Korok Forest," Link corrected. "Don't let go of my hand. Liena and I couldn't have been a quarter of a meter apart, and yet she practically vanished when I looked away for just a moment. Midna, don't you dare wander off."

Zelda made sure her small fingers were around Link's larger ones firmly. Midna remained comfortingly close to Zelda.

He continued walking. She hoped her blush wasn't too obvious, given how warm her cheeks felt. Hoping to distract herself, she asked, "Is the fog always like this?"

"I believe so," Link murmured. "The Great Deku Tree called it the 'Fog of Despair'."

Zelda found her grip on Link's hand tightening. "Despair?"

Link nodded. "I think I understand the mechanics behind it. Fear leads to hopelessness, and hopelessness leads to despair. After that, the magic of the forest has claimed you. At least, that's how I saw it affecting Liena."

Zelda tried to glance at Link's profile, but he had the hood of his traveling cloak up, so she couldn't tell what his expression was. "This… this is where… I mean, Sir Revan… your father?"

"Yes," Link answered shortly.

She couldn't find the words, so Zelda hoped that her light squeeze on Link's hand would be enough. After a few silent minutes of walking through the fog, she asked, "Will we be all right?"

"I think so," Link murmured. "I think the trick is to not let fear run rampant in your heart and mind. The only way to do that is to have the courage necessary to master your fears."

"And… you have that kind of courage?"

Link shrugged. "I got in and out, didn't I?"

Despite her wishes to be exasperated, Zelda giggled instead. She looked around, mindful of keeping her hand in Link's and an eye out for loose rocks and stray roots. The fog remained thick, making it difficult to tell what time it was, what direction they were going, or how far they had gone. She could certainly see why people could despair in an environment like this. "This fog is omnipresent?"

"As far as I know," Link said. "Even at a distance, the fog is always around these woods, all day, all night, and all year round. Even the… um… what did you call them? The spinning blades on Vah Medoh? Rotors?"

"Yes, rotors."

"The rotors on Vah Medoh aren't strong enough to part them," he said.

"Do you know where you're going?" she asked.

"Not consciously," he answered. "I'm just going by instinct."

"Instinct?" she repeated in disbelief.

"As long as my mind is clear of any distractions—like uncertainty, fear, or anger—instinct is more reliable than one would think," he murmured. "In fact, I think we're almost there. Much faster than the last time I was here."

Zelda looked around and tried to see what Link was seeing. "How can you tell?"

"Smell the air."

She shot him an incredulous look, though he couldn't see it. Scrunching up her face, she ultimately decided that it couldn't hurt. Taking a few tentative sniffs, she straightened up when she could smell something. It was sweet, different from the earthy smells of the ground and trees around them. Even Midna's nose twitched, and she grinned happily.

"What is that?" Zelda muttered. "I recognize that scent."

"You should," Link humorously replied.

She was sure he was smirking at her.

Narrowing her eyes, she took a few more sniffs of the increasingly familiar scent in the air and demanded that her mind provide an answer. They walked in silence for a while longer. Link's strides remained unchanged, while Zelda's memories were flitting about in her mind as she tried to recall where she had taken in such a scent.

"Oh! It's a silent princess!" Zelda cried out in triumph.

"Correct," Link said. "And not a moment too soon. You can see the fog lifting."

Light was indeed streaming in now. It came from the end of a log that looked like it served as a tunnel of some kind. Link boldly walked into the log-tunnel, Zelda and Midna only half a step behind.

Brilliant sunlight nearly blinded her after having spent some time in the fog. She had to raise her hand and squint her eyes to properly see. Then she gasped when she realized that she had let go of Link and frantically looked to her left.

He was still there, smiling at her. He dropped his torch on the ground and kicked dirt over it to smother the flames. "We're here."

Zelda put out her own torch as well and lowered the hood of her cloak. She breathed out a sound of awe as she looked upon the grove they had entered. In front of them was a simple stone structure, yet it felt… important, more so than the Throne Room back at the castle. Growing around it were the silent princesses she had smelled.

Grasping Link's arm, she asked, "Is that where…?"

He nodded. "Yeah, and there's the Great Deku Tree beyond it."

Looking up at the massive tree, she knew it had to be ancient, yet it felt impossible to gauge its—his—true age. She spotted a horizontal split in the trunk that had to have served as a mouth and long branches that could have been seen as wooden eyebrows.

Link walked up and stood on the stone pedestal. "I've returned."

"Indeed you have," the Great Deku Tree said benignly. "I am glad to see you once more."

Liena was right. That is a pleasant voice.

Zelda felt a little timid, but the soothing baritone of the Great Deku Tree helped calm her nerves. She was about to approach as well when she spotted several little… creatures appearing all around them. Some were flying using a kind of rotating leaf, others were waddling around on short stumpy legs, but all were wearing some kind of leaf as a mask.

Midna walked up to one of the creatures and curiously poked it with her nose. It childishly giggled in response. Within moments, three or four of them were riding atop Midna, but the wolf didn't seem to mind at all.

"Link, are those Koroks?" Zelda asked.

He nodded. "Yeah, those are Koroks. You can see them?"

"Y-yes. Goddesses of Light… I don't recall ever reading about anything on them…" she whispered reverently.

"And you must be the princess of destiny," the Great Deku Tree said. "Well, come closer. Don't worry, I don't bite."

"Not that you could," Link replied.

Zelda was almost aghast at the cavalier words Link uttered. She almost wanted to apologize on his behalf when the Great Deku Tree chortled.

"An astute point, young one," the Great Deku Tree said.

Zelda hesitantly stepped onto the stone platform, noting the smaller pedestal that had an oblong hole within it, and stood next to Link. She quickly curtsied.

"No need for formalities," Link said to Zelda.

"Indeed. Please relax, Zelda," the Great Deku Tree said.

"I—yes, of course," she said. She was a little shocked that the Great Deku Tree knew her name, but then surmised that, following Hylian tradition, her ancestor must have been named Zelda as well. She took a breath to calm herself. "Great Deku Tree, we've come to speak with you."

"About the Calamity, I suspect," the Great Deku Tree said. "I know of it well."

"Among many other topics, yes," Zelda said. She glanced at Link. "Um… you can go first."

Link shrugged. "All right. Great Deku Tree, when I was last here, I was… distraught."

"Understandable, Link, considering what had happened," the Great Deku Tree replied, all traces of his humor and benevolence gone. His voice was closer to sorrow and regret now.

"As Zelda said, we've come with many questions," Link said. "I'm here because I wanted to understand what powers the Master Sword could possibly have that could fight something that the Divine Beasts could not defeat."

"Ah, as impressive as the Divine Beasts are, do you really believe that such creations could best the power of gods?" the Great Deku Tree rhetorically asked. "No doubt you have heard that the Master Sword has innate powers that are unique to each Hero that wields it."

Link nodded.

"To unlock its power, you must forge a bond with the sword. To draw it, claim it, and wield it is not enough."

"What kind of bond?"

"One unique to you and the Master Sword."

"All right… what must I do?" Link asked.

"There is a trial. Should you complete it, the full splendor of the Master Sword will be revealed to you," the Great Deku Tree answered.

"Dangerous, I'm assuming," Link said.

The Great Deku Tree almost smiled. "I am afraid there is nothing safe about the path you find yourself upon."

"What is the trial?" Link asked.

"The Trial of the Sword," the Great Deku Tree replied. "What the trial is specifically, I cannot say, nor can I tell you how long, how arduous, or how dangerous it may be. It is different for each Hero. The one unifying element is that the trial will test the limits of your courage, skill, resourcefulness, and tenacity."

"But… if I complete the trial, I'll bond with the Master Sword?" Link asked carefully.

"Indeed. You will have proven to be able to wield the full splendor of the Master Sword, and it will reveal to you the powers that slumber within," the Great Deku Tree said. "Temper your soul, and prove your wisdom and courage."

Exhaling sharply, Link glanced back at Zelda.

She could see the uncertainty in his eyes, but they had come for more than answers. They had come for help, and if this was how they could get it, then there was no recourse for either of them.

"I'll be fine," she said. "Coming here was as much for you as it was for me. It's your choice on what you wish to do, but do not make that choice simply because of me."

Link nodded and looked back up at the wizened tree. "What must I do?"

"Place the sword back into the pedestal from whence you drew it," the Great Deku Tree said. "You will be sent to the trial grounds. What happens there is up to you. I can only say that your life will be at risk. Such is the task before you, and the tests must reflect that."

Link took a deep, cleansing breath before unsheathing the Master Sword. He slowly approached the pedestal, held the sword in a reverse grip in both hands, and slowly slid it into the stone.

Zelda gasped when he briefly glowed blue and vanished before her eyes into wisps of light.

"Do not worry; he has been sent to the trial grounds, though what happens there will solely be up to him," the Great Deku Tree said. His long wooden brows raised up. "My, my, you remind me much of your ancestor."

"Oh, um… thank you," she murmured. She took off her pack and pulled out a blank notebook she had prepared along with a list of topics that she wanted to discuss. "Great Deku Tree, if you do not mind, while we wait for Link to return, might I ask you some questions?"

"Oh-ho-ho. It has been ages since I shared a conversation with someone that wasn't a Korok," the Great Deku Tree said, laughing lightly. "Forgive me if I am rusty, but I would be delighted to talk to you about anything you wish."

Zelda took a deep, cleansing breath of her own. She uncapped a pen, sat down, and prepared herself. "What can you tell me about my Sealing Powers?"

~o~O~o~

Author's Notes:

I'm really excited to see where this goes. I still have some major plot points written later on, but for the most part, this is uncharted territory for me! Thrilling stuff. Also, I've exhausted my outline of ideas, so updates will now slow down sadly.