Author's note: I put much more effort into this chapter, as it's not necessarily canon to BOTW, but then again, this is sort of my own headcanon story. What's special about this one is that it is the only chapter, aside from the previous excerpt featuring Daruk, that is not based off of any of the character's diaries, which I am using as a basis to form the story. The purpose of this chapter was to establish the relationship between Zelda and her mother before her death, and also establish the great duty that was placed upon Zelda at her very young age.

Hyrule Field, Sacred Grounds.

The young Zelda stomped her feet in frustration. "Mother, it's not working!"

The pair had been training for nearly an hour now, but Zelda's sacred powers had still not shown itself.

Zelda's mother knelt down to face her daughter. "Be patient, Zelda." she said softly. "It won't be easy, or immediate to unlock. You must work hard for it." To demonstrate, her mother held out her own hand next to Zelda's, and closed her eyes.
A few seconds later, the symbol of the Triforce, with the bottom left triangle highlighted, began to appear on the back of her hand, producing a bright, golden light. She held it there for a minute, before allowing it to fade.

"Your grandmother possessed this power." she said, placing a gentle hand on Zelda's shoulder. "As did her mother, and her mother's mother." She moved her hand to Zelda's chest, where her heart was. "It, too, lives in you. It will come in due time, but for now, all you can do is try."

Getting a nod from her mother, Zelda held out her hand once more, closing her eyes and concentrating. For a girl who was only five years of age, Zelda was extremely accomplished and mature. She had the resolve of her father, but the curiosity and compassion of her mother. And despite the encouragement of her mother, she still couldn't seem to unlock her powers.

A short time after Zelda was born, King Rhoam received word from a Sheikah prophet, who had a premonition of a great disaster coming in the future; which had been foretold by others in the past. She spoke of a great calamity, known as Calamity Ganon, which had nearly ravaged and destroyed the land of Hyrule a century ago. Only with the combined power of all Hyrule's races, along with Sheikah technology, was the Calamity defeated- but only temporarily.

It was said that the two keys to truly defeating the Calamity lay in the souls of the Goddess Hylia, which lay dormant in the body of a young girl who was of royal blood, and the spirit of the hero, who would wield the sword which sealed darkness.

King Rhoam began to relentlessly train young boys to become knights, hoping to find the one who possessed the spirit of the hero. Even boys who were only four years of age were recruited. As for the soul of the Goddess, he looked to his daughter. Rhoam was unrelenting in his insistence to unlock her powers, despite both her and her mother's protests.

Meanwhile, the Sheikah prophet had gifted the royal family the services of her teenage daughter, and her apprentice. They were to meet them at the castle gates this afternoon, but in the meantime, Rhoam demanded that his daughter continue her training.

Zelda's concentration was broken by a soldier running up to speak with them. Bowing respectfully, he relayed his message;
"My ladies, the Sheikah delegates have arrived. King Rhoam requests your presence at the castle gates."
"Very well." the Queen responded. "We will only be a minute."

Hyrule Castle.

In Zelda's chambers, her mother was helping her get dressed into a more formal gown that was a deep blue, with golden highlights.
"Mother!" she shouted. "It's too tight!"
"Nonsense." her mother responded. "It's important for a princess to look her best in front of visiting guests. This gown has been in the family for generations, and you will wear it."

"Fiiiine." Zelda groaned. "But could you at least loosen it a bit behind my shoulders? I can barely move my arms..."

The Queen rolled her eyes. "Of course, little bird."

A few minutes later, Zelda and her mother joined the King at the front entrance to the castle, where they were greeted by two people dressed in traditional Sheikah clothing. They bowed as the Queen and Princess approached.

The girl in the front looked to be about thirteen, with long white hair that was tied into a ponytail behind her back, with two red decorative sticks placed into a bun on the back of her head. The boy standing next to her was much younger, seeming to be about seven years old. His hair, which was also white, was tied into a large bun on the back of his head, and he wore a shield-shaped hat on his head, which bore the Sheikah tribe's emblem; The Eye of Truth.

"Greetings, King and Queen of Hyrule." the girl said, bowing respectfully, and elbowing the boy in the knee, making him do the same, albeit a bit late. "We come representing the Sheikah tribe, per request of the Prophet Russa." they stopped bowing and introduced themselves.
"I am Impa, daughter of Russa." the girl said. "And this is Stypho, an apprentice poet." she gestured to the boy.

"Welcome, Impa, and Stypho." the Queen addressed them. "We are very grateful for your presence here."
Impa nodded. "If you wish anything of us, you need only ask."
Zelda smiled up at the older girl. She had a feeling that this may be the beginning of a great friendship...

Yes! Impa was introduced in this chapter, although it was a sort of last-minute addition. However, I'll leave Stypho's roll and importance a secret for now, but I promise it will make much more sense in the future. Stay tuned!