Two weeks passed since Link had claimed his ownership of the master sword. Along with the passing of two weeks, was the passing of Link's thirteenth birthday. The celebration was small, as Link only celebrated it at home, with Impa and Purah. Along with a special dinner, Impa gave Link the day off from training, and even let him sleep in that morning. But every other day, she went much harder on him during their daily training sessions.

Now Link knew exactly why; to prepare him for a future already determined. Even with two weeks, he had already worked himself up in a state of almost constant worry. His thoughts of self doubt and contemplation kept him in his mind, giving Link a more silent state.

Link knew there was an unspoken rule about Impa keeping her fighting intensity reserved during the sparring, but he sensed she had clearly loosened her following on that rule. As an instructor, she had stayed on the defensive side for the most part, but now her offense had gone noticeably up.

Impa had Link continue to use sparring weapons, made of wood, to keep the fights safe. But that was up until the present day.

"So why did you want me to bring the master sword to training today?" Link asked, smiling in his excitement. He was pretty sure he already knew the answer, but asked anyway.

Impa glanced at the early evening sun, around her quiet surroundings, then her eyes focused on Link. "Well, I would think that part of your preparation should be actually getting used to your new sword, wouldn't you agree?" she said.

Link jumped up, "Yesss! Yes I agree!"

As much as Link fretted over his assigned role, he'd be lying to claim that he didn't love his fated weapon. Link was extremely eager at the very thought of training with the legendary blade.

Impa smiled, pleased to see him enthused, "After all the work we've already done today, I'm pleasantly surprised to see you this hyped. Since we have already completed the basic schedule, I thought it would be best to get you used to the master sword. You're the most skilled swordsman I know, so this shouldn't feel too different to what you're used to. But nonetheless, a solid feel of the weapon is very vital. And with such a special and gifted weapon, who knows what will happen! I'm excited too! So since this is the first time, let's start slow and steady. I won't use any special powers, a rule that goes to you too, and I'll stay on defence. I just want you to move around and strike softly, simply getting used to the sword itself."

Link nodded, "Sounds easy enough!"

Impa smirked, "Yes, easy for now."

Link rolled his eyes as he carefully took the sword out of its scabbard, taking pride in the metallic noise the sword made as it left its cover. After watching the sunlight reflect off the clean blade, Link looked over to Impa, who was busy with her own weapons. His mouth dropped when he saw her handling her real, not wooden, kodachis.

"Woah, hey! You never mentioned you would use those!"

Impa laughed, "Well, if you get to use a real weapon, I get to use my own real weapons too. Furthermore, if I did stick to my wooden sparring ones, I think your sword would slice them in half or something."

"Fair enough," Link nodded in agreement.

Impa inspected her two kodachis, then rubbed the two blades against each other, showing off their lack of dull edges. She grinned at the metallic noise they made as they quickly scraped against each other.

"Hey Impa, how come you never showed me those before? Can I see them up close?"

She smiled with a devilish look in her eye, "You can see them up close, while you are trying to protect your own life from them."

Link returned her confident smile with one of his own, "Sounds good enough to me."

He took this as the beginning of the first sparring round, and figured he could take a more detailed inspection when the training session was over. He twirled the master sword in his right hand once to help loosen the muscle in his arms, then tapped the edge of his blade to the end of one of Impa's kodachis, which she tilted in his direction. With the tap of the two weapons, the round began.

As Link kept his guard up, while trying to land accurate attacks on Impa, making sure to avoid attacks of her own, he unconsciously wore a smile on his tired, sweat covered face.

Ever since he pulled the master sword, he found his anxiety and self doubt grow significantly. Scenarios of 'what ifs' constantly rampaged in his head when left alone with his thoughts. He still struggled with processing what was indirectly asked of him; train to eventually battle the Calamity, alongside the others who would also carry a role with the prophecy and preparation against Ganon. When he wasn't training, he was upset with himself for not dedicating every ounce of his time training. Bouts of silence overtook his usual carefree and confident spirit, fearing for his image and future.

But when he was really drilling and testing new limits, he forgot his burdens in the heat of the moment. While training and learning with Impa, he escaped from his mind, which was occupied with his work. Sharpening his swordsmanship with the master sword gave him a sense of fulfillment, knowing in the moment he was truly doing what he was supposed to be doing. The way the legendary blade felt so natural in his hands boosted his confidence, and hearing the voice inside the sword assured him of his position.

As the rounds passed, Link's skill with the master sword gradually increased. Little improvements fight by fight did not go unnoticed by his proud instructor. The clang of the metal blades echoed throughout the quiet field outside of Kakariko Village.

After several balanced rounds of Link growing accustomed to the assigned sword, Impa looked over to the setting sun and called it a day.

Link meticulously brushed off the small particles of dirt from his blade before shielding it in its special scabbard. He attached it to a leather strap, pulled the strap over his shoulder so his sword rested on his back, then walked over to Impa, who was also carefully sheathing her weapons.

"Hey, you said I could take a closer look at your kodachis?" Link questioned hopefully.

Impa smiled. "Of course, here you go. Careful though, they're sharp," she said as she handed one of the two kodachis to Link, who handled the Sheikah blade with reverence. He always thought about how cool they were, as it seemed to be a knife, but also at the same time a smaller sword. He flipped the short sword over, admiring the incredibly sharp edges, and the craftsmanship of the symbol of the Sheikah eye carved at the hilt.

As Link handed it back to Impa, she gave it a final wistful look before fully covering it. "They were my dad's, you know. Some say that if you wield a true crafted Sheikah kodachi, simply gripping the hilt brings one to a state of spiritual unity, allowing the holder to sense anyone who feels enmity toward them."

"Wow, that's really cool. Can you really sense people who have ill intentions towards you?"

She winked, "More or less. I love taking them to work, you know, when I go to Hyrule castle as an advisor. Watching people stare at them in awe is rather amusing, in all honesty."

"I can see why, their scabbard is really cool too!"

Impa laughed. "You swordsman. The proper terminology is 'saya', not scabbard."

"Ohhh, so the saya is the scabbard for a kocachi?"

"Sure."

The two companions walked out of their undisturbed training field, going back to the village in no rush. Both appreciated the cold evening breeze on their hot and aching bodies, and the stroll through the peaceful surroundings brought Link some peace of mind. Normally, Link would be upset by the early winter air that nipped and stung, but at this moment he was grateful for it's effective cooling effect. Going from training, then taking a walk with no watching eyes, only with one he fully trusted, Link felt he couldn't be more content, for the present moment.

But when the two entered the village, Link's sense of serenity vanished along with his past state of limited company. As he slowly walked through the village, he felt some people go silent and stare, at him and at the sword strapped to his back. Link knew their eyes were now on him, so in his fear and shyness, kept his gaze on the ground in front of him. Impa immediately picked up on Link's discomfort from the unneeded attention from some of the more nosey villagers, so she sent strong glares their way, telling them with her eyes to mind their own business.

As the stares of the villagers came back to Link, so did his doubtful and fearful thoughts, reminding him of why they now looked at him like that, and what rested on his young shoulders. What his failing could do to those who depended on him.

As he walked, he hardly focused on where he was going, but on the dark thoughts going through his mind.

They look at me, starting at me even. They expect things, great things from me. The role chosen by Hylia, assigned to me?! Chosen or not, powerful or not, how could I truly rise to my destiny? I'm so young, and so unprepared. How could I be so special, what is so really outstanding about me? What if I fail? What if I'm not good enough, and all my training turns out for nothing? If I fail, how many people will lose their lives? Countless people could lose everything, because of me. But no, I'm supposed to be a hero! But here I am, scared out of my mind, worrying constantly. What is so heroic of being scared of my own destiny? What is wrong with me?!

Link started to unconsciously tremble a bit, shivering and pulling his grey sweater tighter, looking lost. Impa glanced at her friend, and recognized that his thoughts had taken him once again. She grabbed his hand, and Link snapped out of his mind, brought back to the real world by her sudden gentle gesture. He was startled a bit by her sudden soft act, but smiled, grateful for the support.

Impa leaned down a bit, so she could talk quieter to not be heard by some of the surrounding villagers. "Whatever is going through your mind is wrong. Keep your head up and smile, cause you got this. I know it is so much easier said than done, especially for you, but please try not to let your mind get the best of you. You are more amazing than you give yourself credit for."

Link sighed, "Th-thanks, I'll remember that. How did you know? A-about me thinking... about, that stuff?"

"Because I know that state, that look, and I know you. You can stay distracted for a bit, but it always comes back, doesn't it?"

"Yeah..."

"Sometimes mental battles can be harder than physical ones. You can't use weapons that you can hold with your hands, and mental scars can't be healed with any medicine that comes in a bottle. Your weapons are your will and sound logic, your medicine can be support and time," Impa squeezed his hand a bit harder, "Hang in there Link."

Link smiled and nodded, "I'll try my best, thank you."

"Nothing is wrong with you, Link. Just give it time."

Soon enough the two friends reached their house, and walked in, greeted by a burst of warmer air from the interior of the building. They both walked past Purah in the living room, who exchanged a distracted greeting and comments about the colder weather, as her main focus was on a book of older Shiekah texts. After putting away their weapons, washing up, and changing out of their dirty, grass stained clothes, both Impa and Link went back to the living room. Impa sat down on the couch next to Purah, and Link took a nearby chair. He closed his eyes, zoned out and thought of nothing in particular.

Impa looked over to Purah's book. "What are you reading?"

"Your diary."

Impa panicked and reached to snactch the book from Purah's hands, but withdrew when she remembered she didn't actually keep a diary. She elbowed Purah, and Purah stuck her tongue out at her in return.

"Ok really, what are you reading?"

"An old book about the ancient Hylian prophecy, and how the events played out ten thousand years ago. It's filled with opinions of how we can take after our ancestors as we face a new prophecy of our own. Notes for improvements in weapons and Sheikah technology, stuff like that. You should read it some time, it's really interesting."

"It does sound interesting, but I'll probably leave it with you. I hear plenty of that subject at the castle, so I really don't want to spend my free time reading about it, if that makes sense."

"No, that makes sense. Me being fifteen, and without a real role in the castle or some ancient tech lab yet, have to read these things to fulfill that lack of presence. Kind of like you and your romance novels," Purah finished with a teasing wink.

Link tried to stifle his laughter, a precautionary measure Purah didn't care to take. Impa attempted at keeping a straight and angry face, but soon joined them in laughing as well.

"No need to make things personal, Purah."

Purah giggled and shrugged, and gave her attention back to her book. The room settled back down to its previous silence, leaving Link and Impa with only the noise of the periodic page turning to distract them from their thoughts.

After a few minutes, Purah broke the silence. "Hey sis, I've got a random question for you. So here in this book, it talks about the prophecy, and the events that took place ten thousand years ago right? The main fighters were the knight wielding the sword that seals the darkness, and the princess that had the sealing power. So reading about Miss Triforce Hands reminds me of our own Hylian princess, who also carries the blood of the goddess. You've had to have met her at one point in the castle. Her name is Zelda, right?"

Impa rubbed the temples of her forehead. "No Purah, the royal family decided to break the thousands years old tradition and name her Brittany."

Link started to hysterically giggle, and Impa did her best to keep a straight face to meet Purah's glare.

"Alright, so I was right, her name is Zelda! I thought so, I was just making sure is all! But anyway, as I was saying, you have had to have met her at one point, right Impa?"

Impa smiled. "Oh yes, I've seen and talked to her on many occasions. We've become quite good friends actually."

"What?! You're good friends with the princess of Hyrule? Poor girl and her low standards of friendship. How come you haven't mentioned that before? That's so cool!"

"I guess I never mentioned her because you never asked. You always seemed interested in the newest tech discovery, which is fine of course. But until you asked about her, I just thought it would be best to leave her business alone," Impa explained.

"Well I'm asking now! I know she has yet to unlock her sealing power, but I believe in her! So tell me, what is she like?"

Link put his focus on Impa, now fully paying attention to their conversation. He had never inquired about the princess either, but he had always been curious about her. He knew the prophecy, he knew how the stories and legends all went. The princess and her knight, teaming up to defeat the ancient evil that purged the land of Hyrule. Link knew very well that at one point in the future, when he enrolled to be an official knight at the castle, he was fated to meet the princess of Hyrule. He was almost positive, he could feel it. Link often wondered and daydreamed of what she would be like, and if perhaps they could be friends, helping each other with their heavy burdens. But he never mentioned this hope to anyone, for he felt somewhat embarrassed by it.

"Well, she is a very sweet girl. She's thirteen, and very smart. You'd be pleased to know Purah, that she shows a great interest in Sheikah technology. When she isn't taking part in her diligent training to unlock her sealing power, she spends her free time studying ancient technology, constantly trying to find any way she can to help."

"Oooh, I like her already. A young woman of great taste," Purah giggled.

Impa smiled, "Yes, it is really quite admirable. She gives herself no breaks. Her break is just another form of work. She commits her entire existence to getting a hold of her power, to eventually take on Ganon. It can't be healthy. Ever since she was seven, the same year she lost her dear mother, it's been nonstop for the poor girl. Her dedication to goddess Hylia is amazing, even compared to the Sheikah. I worry for her, to be honest. You know, it's funny, when you'd think of the stereotypical princess, you think of some prissy, stuck up lady, sitting about all day, with no cares in the world, her problems already solved for her. But no, Zelda couldn't be farther from that unfair stereotype."

Purah's facial expression changed to more serious and thoughtful. "Wow, that is amazing. With one of such strong character, I'm sure she will find her power eventually. Y'know, I'd love to show her some Sheikah tricks and tech one day," Purah winked.

"Who knows, maybe you will have your chance," Impa winked back.

"Let's see, what else? She has a love for nature, especially flowers. Zelda likes to spend most of her time outdoors, not being cooped up in the castle. Oh, and she has a bit of a temper too. But I really can't blame her, because if I had people constantly following me, telling me what to do, and how to live my life, I don't think I'd be in a great mood twenty-four seven either. But I really do like her, and hope for the best for her. I hope that when all of this is over, that she finds a chance to really breathe, and take a break," Impa concluded.

"She sounds really great, I was serious about meeting her one day you know," Purah added, "I think our Hyrule is in good hands."

Link smiled and thought silently to himself, "Yeah, she sounds great. I can imagine what it's like for her, having the weight of the world on her shoulders. I hope that one day, if and when I meet her, I can help her. I bet we could help each other, maybe we might have more in common than one would think."

As Link got lost in his own mind once again, his thoughts traveled back to princess Zelda. He wondered what she was doing at this moment, and if she anticipated meeting him one day too.

_-+-_

Another cold breeze of harsh winter wind whipped through the Faron region. The rainforest, just east of the great Lake Hylia. The usual chirping of birds and shifting of animals was absent from the abnormally chilly forest. The trees, most now leafless, swayed, their dried up trunks moaning and complaining against the wind's unforgiving force. The waters of the Dracozu Lake rippled, their icy cold waters slowly reacting to the onset of the winter weather. By the Dracozu Lake lay the entrance of the fabled Spring of Courage. The entrance was marked by a mysterious giant dragon carved from stone, said to be a homage to the legendary Farosh, the electrical, yellow-green dragon. The entity was said to appear around the Faron region the most often, and the structures scattered about Faron were attributed to the ancient Zonai tribe.

The Spring of Courage and its surrounding area was almost silent and deserted, except for a certain young girl and her one companion, a dear friend and mother figure.

Urbosa, leader of the Gerudo, had visited Hyrule for the first time in a whole year. She had started her long overdue visit with an audience with King Rhoam, although in truth it was her concern for Zelda that had brought her there. When her courteous meeting with the king had ended, she was overjoyed to see Zelda, who was equally elated at the visit. Seeing the young girl genuinely smile reminded her of her dear friend, the late queen of Hyrule. Zelda's happiness to see her didn't hide from Urbosa that something was noticeably wrong, however. Urbosa quickly noticed something about Zelda was off, she was more quiet, and had a tired look in her once sparkling green eyes that sleep couldn't take away.

After some rushed catching up, Zelda explained to Urbosa that she was to leave that very morning to the Spring of Courage to continue her training and work to potentially unlock her sealing power.

"I'm sure this will do the very trick, Urbosa! This will have to work, I'm sure of it!"

Although Zelda did her best to convince Urbosa of the effectiveness of the journey, it was really herself Zelda was trying to convince. Urbosa could easily see past her feigned excitement, and looked into her tired green eyes, that held all her insecurities, fear, and self doubt.

And so with the king's permission, Urbosa accompanied Zelda to Faron, off to the Spring of Courage.

There, Zelda prayed and prayed in the spring's icy waters until the sun set.

Urbosa watched her pray her heart out, every intention she could muster. Truthfully, it broke her heart. Urbosa loved Zelda as her own daughter, and seeing her in this desperate state tore at her very soul. The freezing air was enough for a seasoned Gerudo to wrap themselves up in easily seven sweaters, preferably. But there Zelda stood in the freezing water, up to her knees, in nothing but her simple yet elegant white dress. Her arms were bare in the harsh winter air, but stayed folded in prayer, never waiving from the cold. Urbosa offered Zelda her coat many times, but Zelda refused, she didn't want to change her traditional outfit in fear of messing up her mission.

As Zelda prayed, Urbosa found herself praying off to the side as well. Even though the Gerudo were not renowned for their amazing praying skills, Urbosa did her very best, anything to aid the princess however she could.

After the sunset, Zelda felt nothing. No power, no answer to her rigorous training and prayers.

Nothing but her own frustration, anger, fear, and the cold.

Urbosa told her many times to stop, but she wouldn't listen. Eventually, it became too much, and Zelda passed out in the freezing water, from her exhaustion and from the threatening winter weather. Urbosa dragged her out of the water.

There they were, in the present moment.

Urbosa immediately carried Zelda's limp and cold body to a more warm structure, better sheltered from the howling wind. She took her coat off and wrapped it around Zelda carefully, and rubbed her sides, trying to warm her up the best she could. Urbosa kept Zelda in her arms, trying to offer the most warmth she possibly could.

Much to Urbosa's relief, Zelda's eyelids fluttered, and she jolted back into motion, taking in her surroundings and remembering what happened before she passed out.

Zelda gazed at Urbosa for the longest time with heartbreaking vulnerability.

Eventually, in a tiny voice, she told her of the pressure and panic she felt at not being able to fulfill her sacred duty.

In Urbosa's arms, the walls Zelda had made came crashing down. She cried, sobbing in Urbosa's chest. Expressing fear after fear, anxiety after anxiety, self doubt after self doubt, to the only person she felt safe expressing herself too.

Zelda whispered over and over, "Why can I not do as the royal daughters of the past have done? What is wrong with me?"

All Urbosa could do was hold her close and listen, and she prayed that it was enough.

After a few minutes of holding Zelda tight in her embrace, Urbosa looked down at Zelda and offered a smile, "Come on, little bird. Being out here in these conditions will do you no good. Let us head back home."

Urbosa took Zelda's hand, and together they started their journey back to Hyrule.

"Thank you for accompanying me, Urbosa. I'm really sorry for dragging you out here for nothing," Zelda apologized meekly.

"No, that's not true Zelda! Don't you dare apologize. It wasn't for nothing!" Urbosa quickly corrected. "You did all you could. Your dedication, your grit, your heart. It is so admirable, and I am so proud of you. If you never lose that, I have no doubt your power will come to you. Even if it seems Hylia doesn't hear you, or see you in those frigid waters, she does. I did, and I don't know how you did it. With continuous hard work, results are sure to follow. Keep your head up, Zelda. Stay strong, little bird, your wings will spread soon."

Zelda smiled back, another tear rolled down her cheek, "Thank you Urbosa, that means so much... I'll try m-my best."

"I know you will."

Walking through the woods helped warm Zelda somewhat, and her shivering lessened with Urbosa's coat. In only her dear friend's presence, Zelda felt more at ease. No eyes watching and judging her, no whispers of her failure. She soaked up every moment with Urbosa, who held her hand and encouraged her.

But her thoughts returned to what she had to come home to. The news she had to bring, the people she would no doubt disappoint.

They look at me, starting at me even. They expect things, great things from me. The role chosen by Hylia, assigned to me?! Chosen or not, powerful or not, how could I truly rise to my destiny? I'm so young, and so unprepared. How could I be so special, what is so really outstanding about me? What if I fail? What if I'm not good enough, and all my training turns out for nothing? If I fail, how many people will lose their lives? Countless people could lose everything, because of me. But no, I'm supposed to be a hero! But here I am, scared out of my mind, worrying constantly. What is so heroic of being scared of my own destiny? What is wrong with me?!

As Zelda struggled in her own mind, Urbosa squeezed her hand tighter, gently bringing Zelda out of her head, "Nothing is wrong with you, Zelda."

"Just give it time." 

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Hey hey, congrats on making it through this chapter! If you enjoyed reading, a vote would mean the world, and as always, comments of constructive criticism and jokes are very welcome. I hope you all liked this chapter, and thank you for waiting so patiently. The time and support means a lot, so thank you to you all!

The last part of the chapter was based off of Urbosa's diary from the DLC of Breath of the Wild, to those of you who couldn't tell. I loved the diary, and the story it relayed, so I wanted to do my own rendition of it.

Another reason I wanted to give Zelda a bit of the spotlight, was to compare to similarities to her and Link. I hear SO many people say how she did nothing, had it so easy, Link did all the hard work, she's just a spoiled princess, ect. That ticks me off so much, probably more than it should. I just wanted to show that canonly, that is all completely incorrect. She is great, and has just as many struggles, and does just as much as her knight. Thank you for attending my ted talk!       -Hylian at Heart