Chapter Text
It was a perfect day. It was the kind of day that should have been spent outdoors-fishing, on a horse ride, anything-even just laying on a hill, watching the grass wave and ripple in the wind. Days like that were hard to come by, especially in late March, when snow had barely melted from rooftops. Really, it was the perfect day for anything but where Link found himself- listening to Her Highness, ruler of snarky looks and snide comments, talk about duty for half an hour.
And judging by her tone of voice, she wasn’t too thrilled about it, either.
Princess Zelda kept on with her speech, tactfully avoiding looking at Link. “Hero of Hyrule, chosen by the sword that seals the darkness… You have shown unflinching bravery and skill in the face of darkness and adversity, and have proven yourself worthy of the blessings of the Goddess Hylia. Whether skyward bound, adrift in time, or steeped in the glowing embers of twilight, the sacred blade is forever bound to the soul of the hero. We pray for your protection, and we hope that-” the princess paused, as if she were in physical pain at the words. “-That the two of you will grow stronger together as one.”
She spoke with the excitement of someone who had been told they’d lose a leg. As she droned on, Link realized they wanted the same thing- for this damned ceremony to be over.
Behind him, probably louder than intended, Daruk-Champion of the Gorons-sighed. “Gee, this is uplifting. She’s making it sound like we’ve already lost!” Daruk may have had a heart of gold, but Link swore he sometimes had a brain of the same rock that made up his body. He was also just plain loud, unfortunately. Zelda’s fist tightened around the hilt of her ceremonial sword as she heard him, but kept rambling on. Link tuned her out to listen to his fellow champions-which would undoubtedly be a more interesting conversation. He strained to listen.
“Wasn’t this your idea?” Revali asked with his typical sense of grandeur and superiority. “You’re the one who wanted to designate the appointed knight with all the ceremonial pomp, grandeur, and nonsense we could muster! And if you ask me, the whole thing does seem to be overkill. I think I’m on the same page as the princess regarding this...boy.”
Link bit back a retort. Revali, renowned Rito archer. Not only could he hit a target from half a mile away (or so he claimed), but he also possessed the rare ability to talk out of his feathery ass- a skill that, if you asked Link, Revali had effortlessly perfected.
Not to mention that last he checked, 22 was fairly far removed from boyhood. Link tried to focus back on Zelda’s words.
“Throughout history, it has been continuously foretold that a green knight would come to the aid of Hyrule…”
Nope, too boring.
“Oh, give it a rest.”
Link felt a prickle of satisfaction as Urbosa reprimanded Revali. Urbosa was the champion of the Gerudo and perhaps the scariest of the champions. Her levelheaded manner and tall frame demanded respect, and even Revali knew better than to argue.
Urbosa went on. “That boy is a living reminder of her own failures. Well, at least that’s how the princess sees him.”
Link wasn’t quite sure about that. Last he checked, Zelda saw him as some country hick that was lucky to have stumbled across the sword in the woods.
Well, not that he wasn’t some country hick that had been lucky to stumble across the sword in the woods. But that was besides the point.
Mipha hushed the other Champions. Mipha, his childhood friend and the voice of peace and reason. Mipha, who always put others before herself. Mipha, whose grace and kindness far outshone another particular princess.
If Zelda heard all of that (which Link was sure she had), she didn’t let it show, to her credit. She just. Kept. Talking. She recited complimentary notions that she somehow managed to turn into insults with her tone. Link wished more than anything he could sit on the sidelines with the other Champions and make snide comments with them, feeling sorry for the poor fool that was forced to watch over Princess Zelda. Alas, Link was the poor fool.
“Finally, we wish the champions heed the wishes of Hylia and the needs of the citizens they’re sworn to protect, for without them there is nothing to protect and nobody to uphold Hylia’s reign. May we be blessed by Nayru, Farore, and Din, the holy trio under Hylia.” With the prayer ended, Zelda tapped his head and shoulders with the sword.
And just like that, she turned around and headed back to the castle, leaving Link and the other champions to their own devices.
Link stood up, dusting his knees off after kneeling on the cold stone for so long.
Daruk coughed. “Well. Great job, everyone…?”
“We didn’t even do anything.” Revali’s feathers were slightly ruffled. “Hmmph. Well, this was a nice waste of time.”
Link found himself ignoring Revali as Mipha approached him. His face went slightly red as she smiled up at him.
“Link, you must be tired- the others and I were considering getting a drink. Would you like to stretch your legs and join us?”
Link sighed. As much as a drink with Urbosa, Daruk, and Mipha sounded like a good idea…
“I can’t. I should make sure Zelda makes it back to the castle. But it was nice to see you all.”
“...Oh. I see. Well, if you need anything, please let us know.”
He smiled-he wondered if Mipha was at all capable of doing anything but be considerate of others. Unfortunately, Link had to be considerate of not being fired, which meant finding Zelda.
Maybe being her guard was a bad career decision… but only time would tell.