By the time the sun started to rise, Link had woken up, arm perfect again, and started packing his his things. It was only half five, but everyone already seemed to be up and at their jobs. They had to leave quickly because the stables were open to travelers today, and he didn't want to risk them being seen.

Kobuh had given them a supply of hearty elixirs, and Torom gave Link a full quiver's worth of arrows. Foshia had come running over to them, wishing them both safe travels, and hugged Link tightly. Neither of them noticed the curious look Zelda had given the two.

Soon they were ready to set off, Zelda first on her white stallion and Link following closely behind.

They went at a steady pace, they were in no rush as they weren't to be expected back at Hyrule Castle for about a month. After roughly fifteen minutes, they reached a signpost, the left arrow pointing to Kakariko village, and the right arrow pointing to Hateno village.

The journey was in complete silence, save for the horses' hooves hitting the ground and the birds tweeting in the trees. Every time Zelda subtly glanced at her knight, he was looking straight on, seemingly unaware.

She didn't know what to think of this, everything felt different now that she knew he was in fact not mute and was completely able to be verbal. She noted mentally to ask around the castle to see if anyone else had ever heard him speak. The sun was blazing down on them now, and they stopped to rest under an apple tree.

Zelda looked out to the water below the rocky edge she was sat on. She heard footsteps approach her. Link. He gestured vaguely to the tree behind her, causing her to raise her eyebrow. The tree? what about it? She thought, watching Link lift his Royal Bow off of him, positioning it at the tree. She got up and stood back to see him steady his grip on the bow, exhaling a deep breath, and releasing the arrow, making it fly through the air and pierce one of the apples. It landed a short distance away, the arrow still inside of it. He repeated this four times. Zelda pushed down her sense of awe and replaced it with a sense of annoyance.

What is the need to be showing off for? Obviously he knew of her archery abilities, even before she saved him with it. He picked up one of the apples, pulled out the arrow and gave it to her. He didn't wait for her to make any movement, instead going back to pick up the other three, giving one to each of the horses, and then finally taking a bite out of one himself.

She thought about throwing it away. It had been on the ground for Goddesses sake. But then again, she knew that the meals they received back at the Dueling Peaks Stables would most likely be a one off on their travels, and that this may be the only thing she would get to eat for a while, so she decided to take a nibble of it. The sweet taste of the apple's ripeness flooded her taste buds. She didn't know what they did with the fruit at Hyrule Castle, but no way did they taste as good as they did in the wild.

Link saw the corner of her lips twitch upwards for a brief second, and decided that it was a win for him. He sat back on Epona, waiting for the Princess to copy, and carried on riding.

They approached the gates of Fort Hateno, soldiers were standing on either side. Zelda slowed her horse to a halt, Link doing the same, but locking eyes with one of the guards standing on top of the stone structure. The man immediately ran down from his post and signaled for the soldiers to open up the gate. Confused, Zelda looked at Link, who she saw to be smirking slightly at the guard.

"Sir Mokal," Link said to the guard, who looked shocked to see the knight and Princess.

He hastily bowed to the royal, and greeted her. He straightened and stared at Link, who's smirk had developed into a grin. "Link? Is that really you? Why, I haven't seen you since you were knighted!" He tilted his head to look at the Princess again. "I heard the rumors of a young knight being appointed to the service of the Princess, but didn't know it was Link," She frowned at this. She did not recognize this man, nor did she know that the news had traveled so far, and she couldn't help but think, I never wanted a guard in the first place.

"Well, I'm sure you have places to be, I won't keep you waiting. He stood to the side of Link's horse and saluted them out, the knights lowering the gates behind them.

Zelda began to ask a question to Link, and noticed that his momentarily happy expression was once again replaced with a blank look. Another thing off about him, he only shows emotion to those he seems to know well. Not that I want to get to know him or anything, I just want to figure him out, he at least owes me that.

Here they entered a row of thick leaves. Hidden among them was a small house, which she assumed be the General in charge of the post of Fort Hateno's. Parallel to Squabble River, the duo looked up to see the mighty cliffs of Quince.

Zelda decided to start a conversation for the first time throughout their travels.

"So... The guard back there?" 

He hesitated, and for a moment Zelda thought she was going to receive an answer, yet it never came.

She was about to question this but spotted a person in the grass further up the hill.

She headed towards her, but Link quickly sped up and cut off her path.

"How dare-"

"Yiga spy." He croaked, voice sore from lack of use.

"And how could you possibly-"

"No horse, no supplies, no accomplice."

She saw that he was correct in his assessment.

He placed his finger to his lips, and slowly and silently pulled out his bow for the second time that day, only this time there would be no happy outcome.

Before the Princess could protest, he drew back the string and released, sending the arrow soaring through the still air. It hit its mark right in the Yiga's leg. The assassin yelled, and looked around, seeing no one around (Link and Zelda were covered by the bushes). He'd vanished, leaving behind a small cloud of red smoke and a few playing cards.

"What- how did you- I mean-" She stuttered, staring deep into Link's eyes, trying to read him for any kind of emotion, but still saw none.

"It's getting dark." 'We can't camp here though, it's not safe' where left unspoken.

They continued on, reaching a narrow section of the path they were following, causing them to go single-file through it. At the exit, Link turned a sharp right, surprising Zelda, and he led them down, veering off and going through a weathered arch and under the trees there.

They appeared to be in the centre of an archery site. She racked her memory for knowledge on Necluda and realised that this was most likely where the Knights were sent during the first weeks of spring to practice their archery skills. It had the perfect conditions for it.

They settled under one of the largest trees, and made their camp for the night.