Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Oh, would you be so kind as to fall in love with me? You see, I'm trying. I know you know that I like you, but that's not enough. So if you will please fall in love. I think it's only fair, there's gotta be some butterflies somewhere. (Wanna share?) 'Cause I like you, but that's not enough, so if you will please fall in love with me.” - Would You Be So Kind?, Dodie Clark

102 years ago…

Zelda. It was so lyrical a name, was it not? Made for poetry and songs. 

Harper had been in awe of the Princess since the moment he first laid eyes on her. He’d arrived in Hyrule Castle four months ago, on the day of Princess Zelda’s fifteenth birthday, and when he saw her…Oh, he couldn’t do her justice. No one could. But he must try; the Princess deserved only the highest of praises and Harper would do his very best.

When he saw her, it felt like Hylia Herself was smiling upon him. He’d been frozen to the spot, utterly struck dumb, unable to tear his eyes away from Princess Zelda as she swept into the Sanctum in her beautiful white and gold gown, head held high, escorted by Sir Link Hallow and Lady Impa. She was even more lovely than he’d heard, all golden hair and light emerald eyes, rose lips, and fair skin. Taller than he imagined, graceful, she walked with quiet dignity and poise. Her expression, as she took in the bright decorations and gathered crowd, was benevolent. Harper was so stunned by the sight of her that he nearly dropped his harp, heart pounding, face flushing. He hardly dared to blink, afraid of missing even a second of such beauty. Zamir had to nudge him thrice before Harper remembered to join in playing the opening song.

It was love at first sight, he was sure. He spent the next few weeks in a happy daze, his heart leaping whenever Princess Zelda crossed his path. She was home so rarely; Harper was beginning to get the impression that she avoided court. She did not seem overly fond of the pageantry. Perhaps she was shy? How charming! At least, that was what he'd thought at first. And perhaps she was shy, he couldn't be sure yet, but he soon realised she avoided the castle due to the gossip; all the whispers, the stares, the sneers.

She’d returned home from the Spring of Courage today, Harper saw her in the courtyard, sliding down from her horse, Artemisia, with grace. She smiled at the stablehand who came to lead Artemisia and Epona away, and the poor young lad blushed bright red. Well, Harper could hardly blame him. Who could fail to fall for such divine beauty? Only a madman would not see she was a goddess made flesh, a lady worthy of only the loveliest verses. Her mere presence was a gift, didn’t everyone else understand that? How dare the court gossip about her! She was the most beautiful young woman in Hyrule, perhaps the most beautiful woman in the world. They had no right to look down their noses at her! If a mere servant could see her loveliness, surely so could the nobility. They were willfully blind, if Harper may say so. Downright ignorant and nasty.

He had no problem in thinking angry thoughts about them, but Harper did not quite have the nerve to snap at the nobles for their nasty whispers about Princess Zelda’s lack of magic. He wanted to, but he didn’t dare. He’d surely be kicked out of court for his rudeness, and he would never live such embarrassment down. He’d always been told to pick his battles, and a battle with the royal court was not one he could win. (Maybe one day. One day he would be brave. One day he would be of such importance that he could not be dismissed. He would rise through the ranks and become the most popular bard at court. He would win the favour of the royal family, perhaps even sing for them personally, and then he could safely put those gossip-mongers in their place.) Harper would leave that particular battle to Sir Link; surely he would protect the Princess’s honour. It was his job as Hylia’s Chosen to stand by her after all…

Sir Link, Hylia’s Chosen, Princess Zelda’s appointed knight. Strong, brave, and so handsome that Harper ached with envy.

Yes, it was Sir Link’s duty, but it made Harper’s heart twist uncomfortably. He felt a stab of anger at the thought of the handsome young knight at the Princess’s side. Oh, it was unworthy of him. What kind of Sheikah was he to sneer at Hylia’s Chosen? His parents would be horrified if they caught him glaring at Sir Link’s back like this! How uncharitable of him, to think such unkind thoughts of Hylia’s Chosen Hero. Harper really ought to work past such childish notions. Sir Link was surely as honourable as Princess Zelda herself. Yes, it was a privilege to be in his presence. Really, it was. 

Sighing to himself, Harper set aside his lute and made his way to the castle’s huge chapel. Perhaps he ought to pray to Hylia, for Her understanding and mercy. He ought to apologise to Her for his petty thoughts towards Her Chosen Hero. But the Goddess had fallen in love Herself once, so long ago. Perhaps She would understand why Harper’s heart ached in his chest and take pity on him and turn a blind eye to his envy of Her Hero. Or perhaps She would even find some amusement to see a simple bard pine for Her beautiful descendent. 

Yes, he would pray to Hylia as his parents always advised.

More than anything, he would pray for Princess Zelda. For her success in unlocking her sacred powers, for her good health and protection.

And for her to notice him. That too. He doubted that Hylia would mind such a small prayer like that.

Harper continued to admire the Princess from afar, as was only proper. They were not formally introduced for two whole months, and Harper silently agonised over how to possibly introduce himself. He spent hours writing songs and playing random, nonsensical notes, dreaming up the perfect scenario. He must speak with the Princess, he simply must. If he had to face this silent pining for much longer, he would surely waste away.

Seventeen-years-old, he was usually confident; he had faith in his abilities as a musician and poet, in his own wits and ambitions. He was- if he may say so- handsome and charming. He was tall and in shape, he always dressed well and took care with his appearance: his hair was always properly styled and smelled of his favourite orange blossom oil; his red eyes were bright and (again, if he may toot his own horn) sparkling. He had no shortage of admirers back home in Kakariko, (oh, how the girls must have wept to see him leave!) he knew how to win people to his side. But he could hardly just say hello to the Princess! He was in love, not stupid! No Sheikah worth their salt would dare speak to Hylia’s descendent so casually, especially without first being spoken to. 

No, he must have patience and wait to be introduced properly. Besides, a proper introduction was what the Princess Zelda deserved. Not a casual hello. She deserved…Oh, she deserved a night of beautiful music and dancing. Harper would play and sing at a celebration or after dinner, their eyes would meet and she would smile; she would whisper to Lady Impa, or perhaps Sir Link, and instruct them to bring Harper to her, so he may introduce himself properly. She would compliment his music, perhaps he would have the luck of playing her favourite song, (whatever it may be. He was sure he could easily find out) and he would spend the rest of the enchanted evening playing only for her…

It did not go like that.

He was at the Royal Ancient Tech Lab, assisting Robbie. Quite by happenstance, Harper had come across a song, written in Ancient Sheikah, that was about the Guardians. He’d come across it while accompanying his father on a survey, hidden inside a thin and crumbling leatherbound book. Most of the pages had fallen out, the book stank of mildew, but it contained this ancient song, along with three others and a half-written ancient poem. 

It was a disappointingly short song and the rhyme, once translated, was horrendous, but Doctor Robbie was terribly excited to have more clues about the Guardians and where more might be found. To each their own, Harper supposed. He wished he was permitted to rewrite the song into something better. 

Just as Robbie struck that odd pose of his, cheering, Princess Zelda arrived with Lady Impa and Sir Link.

Harper, like everyone else, fell into a deep bow. Both hands on his heart, he murmured, “Princess, Chosen,” like everyone else…Except Robbie. That eccentric scientist (that absolute madman!) waved cheerfully and sauntered over to Princess Zelda and Sir Link, casually greeting Hylia’s own descendent and Hylia’s Chosen, throwing an arm over each of their shoulders like they were all the very best of friends. 

Harper was mortified by the very sight. He expected Lady Impa to scold him, or the guards lurking in the shadows to pull him away, but no one did anything. Unheard of! How preposterous! Harper saw a few researchers roll their eyes and one guard sighed in disapproval, but no one tried to tell Robbie to mind his manners, to remember his decorum. 

Princess Zelda smiled at Robbie fondly, (and what a beautiful smile it was, so gentle and serene) and greeted him quietly. Sir Link signed something, (Harper must learn Hylian sign, how could he ever properly greet Hylia’s Chosen if he could not understand what the young man was saying?) gently untangling himself from Robbie. He did not smile, but he did not try to avoid it as Robbie clapped him on the back and directed him towards his and Doctor Purah’s office. Sir Link’s eyes flickered to Lady Impa; she nodded, he bowed to the Princess and disappeared into Purah and Robbie’s shared office.

That was when Princess Zelda spotted Harper.

“Good afternoon,” she said gently. 

“Good afternoon, Highness,” Harper breathed, falling into a deep bow. Oh, he wished he had his lute! Or his accordion, his flute, the harp from which he took his name- anything! He could hardly bring his piano with him on the go, but he would have settled for a trumpet right then, regardless of how terrible he was at that particular instrument. How could he serenade such loveliness without an instrument?

Then again, perhaps he was getting ahead of himself. A tech lab was hardly the appropriate place for a romantic serenade. Robbie hadn’t even asked Harper to sing the ancient Guardian song; he’d just wished for the translation. Really, some people had no appreciation for the arts.

Oh, just look at her, he thought, heart pounding. Hair like a golden waterfall, eyes like precious gems. Her smile is sweetness itself. 

“Princess, this is Harper,” Lady Impa said, nodding towards him. “He’s new to court, one of the bards.”

Fancy that! Lady Impa, the heir to his tribe, knew his name! Truly, his reputation must precede him. All good things, he hoped. Surely his old romantic entanglements back home were of no consequence to Lady Impa. Heavens forbid Princess Zelda hear something untoward and think him a philanderer! Harper would simply die on the spot if faced with her scorn.

Trysts in a barn were hardly a topic for a lady’s ears, let alone a princess’s ears. A divine princess no less! Her very being was sacred. Everything about her was radiant.

Harper could hardly breathe, hardly think. He smiled (a little dopily, breathless and overwhelmed) and tried to think of something charming to say. Would it be coming on too strong to compliment her beauty right away? Surely she was praised daily, as was only her due as a daughter of Hylia. He must think of something original, something charming and witty.

He couldn’t think of a thing. How utterly humiliating. He prided himself on his eloquence and now, when it mattered most, words failed him.

“Harper recently translated an ancient song about the Guardians,” Lady Impa explained to the Princess. “It apparently holds a clue on where to find more of them.”

“Oh, it does!” Robbie said happily, striking that silly pose again. “Seems there’s plenty to be found in the Breach of Demise!”

Princess Zelda’s smile widened, warm and beautiful.

“Oh, how wonderful!” she exclaimed. She turned to Harper, eyes alight with curiosity. “You are a scientist as well as a bard?”

“No, Princess,” Harper said. “I am a humble bard through and through.” Gracious, were his hands sweating? Could the Princess tell? “I came upon those old verses by happenstance with my father.” He took a deep breath and said, “I would be honoured to-”

I would be honoured to play for you sometime, was what he wanted to say, but he was rudely interrupted by Doctor Purah kicking open her office door, dragging Sir Link with her. Whatever was she thinking!? She could not manhandle Hylia’s Chosen! She was as insane as Doctor Robbie. This was what too much science did to the mind, if you asked him. They needed to get out more and get their heads out of their books and Guardian parts.

“We’re testing the bomb rune!” she announced happily, waving about a small rectangular object. Was this the Sheikah slate that had his tribe in such a tizzy? “I promise not to break your knight, Zellie!”

Zellie! How could she possibly speak to the Princess like that? 

Princess Zelda did not appear concerned or offended. (She truly must be a kind and understanding soul.) For the first time since she arrived, she looked at her knight.

“Is she harming you?” she asked, somewhat dully.

Sir Link shook his head. Purah scoffed, still holding his wrist, like he was some unruly child.

“Oh please, Zellie,” Doctor Purah said, rolling her eyes. “He loves it.”

“I very much doubt that the Hero loves explosives, Purah.”

Doctor Purah gave the Princess such an odd smile. If Harper didn’t know any better, he’d say it almost looked pitying. 

“C’mon, Linky,” she said, pulling him along with her. Linky and Zellie! Hylia preserve them all, Doctor Purah certainly had a lot of nerve. In the blink of an eye, she’d dragged him clear across the lab and out the door. Impa nodded to two of the guards in the shadows and they quickly went after Doctor Purah and Hylia’s Chosen, no doubt to make sure the good doctor did not accidentally kill one of their fated saviours.

“Pardon me, but…Bomb rune?” Harper asked uncertainly.

“Yes,” Princess Zelda said, lighting up immediately, smiling, hands clasped together over her heart. “Purah and Robbie unlocked it two days ago, it’s really quite fascinating. It seems that the Sheikah slate can produce an infinite supply of bombs.”

He could not imagine the Princess Zelda tampering with bombs. He knew she often had possession of the strange slate…No, no, it was quite unlikely that she laid hands on the bombs herself. Far too risky. Likely she asked Link, as a warrior, to use them when they came across monsters. Yes, that made more sense.

Princess Zelda was sweet and gentle. She was the Sacred Princess, the Princess of Light. Wise, kind, full of grace, dignity and purity. She was the most beautiful girl that Harper had ever beheld; no one else could ever compare. 

Seeing her smile up close, watching her lean over a table full of experiments with Robbie and Impa, Harper knew for sure he was in love. This was no mere crush, this was nothing compared to the girls back home. This was rooted deep in his heart, in his very soul, and nothing would shake it loose. He would love the Princess for the rest of his days.

This was love at first sight, this was the stuff of fairytales and songs. Oh, he wasn’t foolish; she was the Princess, their future Queen. She would never wed a simple court bard, not even if she wanted to. (And perhaps, perhaps, she would want to. Perhaps he truly could win her heart.) What could Harper offer her? He was no prince, no king; he was not an emperor, a duke or a baron. He was simply Harper, son of a scientist and nurse. He was the newest court bard, blessed with great skills and a beautiful voice, yes, but still a bard. He would have to win himself a Dukedom before Princess Zelda could ever be permitted to court him!

But that was okay. Even if it was doomed to be unrequited, Harper would be glad to bask in her presence. He would be blessed to have her continue to smile at him, to greet him so kindly. A glance, a smile…Perhaps he could even win a favour from her; a handkerchief, a trinket such as a bracelet or a ribbon…

How tragic, to love so deeply, so suddenly, and know it would never be returned. But even that was okay, for tragedies made for the very best songs, did they not? Yes, this would be a love story worthy of a song. A song Harper would pour his very soul into.

Songs were certainly Harper’s area of expertise.

There was the sound of an explosion outside and, faintly, he thought he heard Doctor Purah laugh. No one else even looked up. Lady Impa outright rolled her eyes.

Scientists truly were a strange bunch. However did Princess Zelda have the patience to deal with them so frequently? They really ought to mind their manners around her.

Well, the song would have to wait until he returned to the castle. He would not be able to think among all this noise; the clanking of Guardian parts, muttering scientists, Robbie’s loud laughter, and those explosions. By Hylia, he hoped that Doctor Purah would not accidentally kill Hylia’s Chosen. The king would have her head! She should show more caution.

Explosions required caution, but love did not. Love was about passion, yearning, daring, and it was all encompassing. Harper glanced at the Princess, the tension draining from his shoulders at the sight of her whispering in Impa’s ear. Even in the harsh blue light of the lab, she looked lovely. Oh, how lucky he was, to love someone like her!

Yes, Harper would craft a song worthy of her. He would find an occasion to play it for her. He would be the eager swain to her beauty! Harper would find the perfect words to tell her how very beautiful she was, how gracious she was; he would let her know that he saw her. He saw a goddess in human form, just like her long-ago ancestress. A princess of light and love, a princess of golden beauty. 

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate…Ugh, was ‘thee’ and ‘thou’ overkill? Harper wanted this song to be appropriately dramatic, not overly so. ‘Dramatic’ was not even quite the right word. It was more like…like a flare. Yes, he wanted this song to have a certain flare. 

He was quite proud of the summer’s day comparison however. He’d be sure to keep it. She was indeed a summer’s day: warm, lovely and golden. 

Harper would do such loveliness justice. He would. 

Zamir poked his head around the door, beaming. He was a Sheikah like Harper and yet utterly unlike Harper in every way that mattered. His appearance for a start: his topknot was askew, his hazel eyes too large, and he wore a necklace with a pendant shaped like Hylia’s wings, no other adornments at all. He wasn’t just thin, but downright scrawny, to the point that Harper sometimes worried for his odd friend’s health. His clothes were always disappointingly dull; Harper really thought he ought to take advantage of the fine things available at Hyrule Castle. He was unassuming in many ways, but his smile was kind and he was a handsome enough boy, Harper supposed.

“The Champions are coming at the end of the month!” Zamir announced happily. “King Rhoam wants you, me and Lila to sing a song of welcome at the feast!”

King Rhoam asked for him! Well, him and Zamir. And Lila. But no matter, King Rhoam himself remembered Harper’s name and singled him out! He was still the newcomer, only being at the castle for four months, and already his star was rising!

Oh, what luck! Thank You, Goddess Hylia, Your Grace, thank You for Your blessing!

“That is wonderful!” Harper gasped, setting his notebook aside. “We must find the best song possible, my friend!”

“We’ll need to find Lila first,” Zamir said. “She’ll kill us if we start without her.”

He was quite right. Lila, another fellow Sheikah, had quite the fearsome temper.

“Yes,” Harper agreed, shuddering at the mere thought of Lila’s anger. “Let us make haste.”

They did not run through the hallways like ragamuffins, though it took all of Harper’s self-control to appear calm and serene. (Almost as serene as his Princess!) He and Zamir, his dear, shy friend, walked as quickly as they dared, both of them giddy with glee.

They found Lila on one of the terraces overlooking the gardens, along with Lady Impa and Sir Link. Lila was gazing out thoughtfully at the wondrous gardens, a notebook open in her lap, though her pen lay abandoned on the small table next to her seat. He truly couldn’t tell if she was simply lost in thought, or trying to eavesdrop on Lady Impa and Sir Link. If she was eavesdropping then he must commend her poker face.

“The Champions will all be here at the end of the month,” Lady Impa was saying to Sir Link. “Though King Dorephan has written to say that Princess Mipha will be here a little early. Apparently she wants to discuss an issue with Vah Ruta’s controls with Princess Zelda.”

Sir Link signed something. Lady Impa said, “She’ll be here in two weeks.”

Two weeks! Princess Mipha would be here? All alone? Did they need to prepare a song for her too? Harper certainly wouldn’t mind. He was sure there were many wonderful things to sing about Princess Mipha. And there were so many charming stories about the Zora.

Just as Harper turned away, lest he be spotted staring, he saw something new. Something quite strange.

Sir Link was smiling.

Chapter Text

“Ooh, each morning I get up I die a little, can barely stand on my feet. Take a look at yourself in the mirror and cry, (take a look in the mirror and cry) Lord, what you're doing to me? (Yeah, yeah.) I have spent all my years in believin' you, but I just can't get no relief, Lord! Somebody (somebody!), ooh, somebody! (Somebody!) Can anybody find me somebody to love?” - Somebody To Love, Queen

Princess Mipha’s welcome did not require Harper, Zamir or Lila to perform. Instead, King Rhoam asked some singers who had been at court since Queen Hespera’s coronation to sing an old Zora song. So no, Harper did not get to sing for her, but would have loved to. He’d heard nothing but good things about Princess Mipha; her gentleness, her grace and kindness, her ethereal beauty. Truly, if he was not in love with Princess Zelda, then Princess Mipha could easily have captured his heart. Alas, his heart belonged to another, and he was still trying to think of the perfect song for the Sacred Princess.

He stood on one of the balconies, watching Princess Mipha’s arrival. She walked through the castle gates, tailed by a trio of guards. They all looked quite young, as young as the Zora Princess; a Zora with black scales, one with brown and one with opalescent scales. He found it hard to tell if they were men or women, as he usually found it hard to tell with Zora from a distance. The Princess’s famed red scales glimmered in the sunlight, almost as much as her pretty jewellery. She wore her royal Zora attire, not her Champion’s sash; a deep blue sash embroidered with the Zora sigil, so alike the Triforce of Wisdom, a golden cord and a silvery scarf. 

High-ranking knights lined the path. Banners with the Zora sigil flapped in the wind, side-by-side with the Hylian royal banners. Huge vases of flowers were on either side of the doors: blue, purple and pink, all in a mimicry of the Domain’s unusual native plants. The carpet on the stairs, instead of the usual red, was sea-green and blue, richly embroidered with silver thread.

This was standard for such visits, Harper had been told. When Lady Urbosa visited, or her sister Lady Dara came, then the castle’s entrance would be decked out in Gerudo colours and the Gerudo banner would fly high. Vases of cacti and electric safflina would be laid out, and songs would be performed in the Gerudo tongue, praising their Seven Heroines and the Goddess Din.

When the Goron Boss came to court (or Lord Daruk, as a Champion), then the decorations would change accordingly. Rocks would be laid out in pretty patterns and flowers the colour of fire would be chosen. The Gorons’ fiery colours and volcanic home would be honoured. The Gorons were not known to be a musical people, but tales would be told of their honour and strength, a few songs sung about their own past heroes and warriors.

When the Rito Elder visited, there was much music involved, for the Rito were as famous for their music as they were for their archery. The songs would last almost all night, the instruments were usually wind instruments, drums or even accordions as singers sang tales of Rito history; the dragon Valoo, a Sage named Medli; songs of their prowess in the air, their legendary archery skills and the snowy Hebra mountains. The Rito banner would be hung alongside the Hylian one; the decorations would involve cool safflina, feathers, more delicate colours resembling the sky and snow, warmer colours as a nod to Rito Village itself.

As for the Sheikah, Lady Izzara was usually at court. But on the occasion that their Elder or her heir left for an extended period of time, they would be welcomed back with the same honours. Blue nightshade would be in every vase, the Sheikah banner would be displayed with pride, decorations crafted from luminous stone would line the path. Before, the songs were all about mysteries, about loyalty and the Goddess Hylia. Now, ancient songs would also be performed, songs about the Divine Beasts, the famed ancient song about the Great Calamity and the war against the demon.

Harper had yet to see any of it. He looked forward to seeing it all. When the other tribes arrived, all those efforts into welcoming them would be combined, and a great ball would be held. It was the stuff of dreams. Music, dancing, beautiful people, lovely clothes, stunning decorations, all in the Sanctum under the King’s watchful eye and the Princess’s benevolent gaze. Oh yes, Harper looked forward to it.

He leaned over the balcony for a closer look as Princess Mipha paused at the end of the steps. She was smiling sweetly at the Princess and Sir Link. 

King Rhoam greeted her. Princess Mipha’s answer was too quiet for Harper to hear from his vantage point. The king nodded, gave a brief bow and stood aside for the Princess Zelda. The two Princesses beamed at each other and Harper was quite surprised when Princess Mipha took Sir Link’s arm, grinning up at him. She was perhaps the only person Harper had seen who was smaller than Hylia’s Chosen.

The trio walked inside. Princess Zelda usually walked ahead of Sir Link but, as Princess Mipha’s arm was still hooked through his, she kept pace with the two of them instead. She held the Sheikah slate up for Princess Mipha. The Zora Princess leaned in, nodding, tapping her chin thoughtfully as she spoke.

They vanished from view inside, trailed by Princess Mipha’s knights. 

“She almost always brings those three,” Zamir said with a fond grin. “They and Hylia’s Chosen all knew each other as children.”

Yes, Harper had heard that Sir Link spent some time in the Domain as a child. He had no idea however, that he was friends with Princess Mipha. He gave the impression of being quite the loner. He never seemed to spend time with anyone outside of training.

Well, except for Princess Zelda. He was always with her.

Harper would not consider himself the jealous sort. Was Sir Link a handsome young man always in the Princess’s presence? Yes. But Harper was well assured of one thing: Princess Zelda could not stand her appointed knight. Everyone knew it. It made some members of the court nervous (for how would they be saved if the destined duo did not get along?) but Harper felt a stab of relief.

Princess Zelda would not look at a bard, but she also would not look at a knight. It was reassuring. 

Harper had nothing to worry about. Princess Zelda did not even spare the nobility much attention. The son of a Duke complimented her fine gown only yesterday, and Princess Zelda thanked him politely, but did not linger to speak with him, and turned down his request to take a walk in the gardens together.

Harper did glimpse the Princess in the gardens later- sort of. She was among the Sheikah researchers, walking through the part of the castle grounds set aside for Guardian research. She spoke with Cherry in a much more lively fashion than she ever spoke to the young men trying to catch her eye.

It seemed Harper’s first impression of Princess Zelda was correct: she was shy when it came to flirtation and courtship. It was so very endearing. Such sweetness only made Harper’s admiration grow. He could think of so many songs all about wooing a shy young maiden. It was perfect, was it not? A beautiful, sweet, shy and noble princess. A daughter of the royal family, a daughter of Hylia, destined to save them all, yet shy of young men. Yes, it was endearing indeed.

He continued to secretly write songs for her. Even as each Champion arrived at month's end, even as he was swept up in the pageantry, Harper wrote Princess Zelda songs. None of his work seemed grand enough to present to his lady yet. How to describe such wondrous beauty? How to accurately applaud her dedication to the Goddess? He had yet to find the words.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach, when feeling out of sight, for the ends of being and ideal grace…

He still couldn’t decide if using ‘thee’ and ‘thou’ was overkill or just the right amount of dramatic flare. Old school romance, such as from the classics, could be the perfect inspiration, or could be corny and fall flat. It all depended on who you asked. Harper really must find out if Princess Zelda was interested in the classics. 

She walks in beauty, like the night of cloudless climes and starry skies; and all that’s best of dark and bright. Meet in her aspect and her eyes, thus mellowed to that tender light, which heaven to gaudy day denies…

No, no. Princess Zelda was nothing like the night. She was the day, she was high summer; she was sunshine, warmth and gentleness.

And on that cheek, and o’er that brow, so soft, so calm, yet eloquent; the smiles that win, the tints that glow, but tell of days in goodness spent. A mind at peace with all below. A heart whose love is innocent!

Hm, better. Still not right, but better.

I loved a maid as fair as summer, with sunlight in her hair…

Maybe. Princess Zelda was sunshine incarnate. Her glorious beauty was the embodiment of summer; her warm smile and bright eyes, her golden hair, all made Harper think of the sun.

She deserved a thousand songs. Harper would sing them all, if it meant she would only glance his way.

He was well assured that Princess Zelda cared not a jot for Sir Link. For the first four months that he lived in the castle, he was secure in the knowledge that even if Princess Zelda would look at someone of lower status than herself, she still would never look at Hylia’s Chosen. Petty of him, perhaps, but it cheered him.

But halfway through his fifth month in the castle, Princess Zelda and Sir Link went to the Gerudo Desert. A letter arrived from Lady Urbosa shortly after their scheduled arrival and whatever it said made King Rhoam lock himself away for three days. He emerged from his rooms only to pray at the castle’s huge chapel and whisper with his advisors in secret. Harper’s heart was in his throat, terrified that something had befallen his beloved Princess. But surely if something had happened to her, if she was ill or injured and could not travel, surely they would be informed? 

A week later than previously intended, Princess Zelda returned to the castle and Harper could breathe more easily. He sat on a bench in the sunny courtyard, watching with relief as his beloved rode in on her lovely white horse, Sir Link on his Epona at her side.

Wait…At her side? How odd. Usually Sir Link rode a few paces behind. Say what you will about his eternal silence, but Sir Link was nothing if not proper and dutiful.

The usual stable lad came hurrying to lead the horses away. As always, he blushed to the tips of his ears when the Princess smiled at him (and Harper could hardly blame him), bowing hastily to the Princess and Sir Link.

Usually, Princess Zelda would stride inside the castle, keeping her back firmly to her knight. This time was different. This time she smiled at him shyly, and signed…something. Something about eating? Harper could not be sure. A few of the gestures were only slightly familiar. His self-appointed Hylian sign lessons had taken a back seat as he tried to write the perfect song for his Princess. 

Sir Link nodded, also signing as he always did. Sometimes, if someone did not understand, he wrote what he wished to say in a little notebook attached to his belt. His hand movements were swifter, more certain than the Princess’s.

Princess Zelda’s smile widened. She began to lead the way inside, glancing back now and then as if to make sure her knight still followed her. Which of course he did. Sir Link always followed her. 

Harper found himself quite frozen, watching the pair. His pen hovered above the page, his latest work forgotten in an instant. His heart beat too quickly, his whole chest felt tight.

What was that? 

These are the words I held back, as I was leaving too soon. I was enchanted to meet you. Please don't be in love with someone else, please don't have somebody waiting on you…

But perhaps that sounded too…too presumptuous. Harper did not wish to sound desperate, though his heart ached to plead with the Princess to smile at him like that.

Besides, Harper was getting ahead of himself. Princess Zelda smiled at Sir Link and conversed with him. That was all. Really, Harper ought to calm down. Would he become an emotional wreck every time his lady made eye-contact with another? No! That was not the kind of fellow he wished to be. 

A little bit of jealousy could be a good thing. But too much always led to trouble. He must rein himself in.

Still, when he arrived at the library to find the Princess and the knight sorting through a pile of books with Lady Impa at their side, he yearned to go to the Princess’s side. He wanted her to smile at him, to converse with him, to invite him to sit with her. He wanted her to remember him, to know his name.

She glanced up as he descended the stairs onto the main floor. Their eyes met and the Princess smiled that lovely smile; small and sweet, fleeting, and all the more glorious for its brief appearance. It felt like a gift.

“Oh, hello again, Harper,” Lady Impa said. Harper bowed to the three of them; the Sacred Princess, Hylia’s Chosen and his tribe’s heir. 

“Link, this is Harper,” Lady Impa said. “He’s one of our bards. He was at the lab the other month, but I don’t believe you were introduced.”

Indeed, they were not. Sir Link had spent all his time with Doctor Purah and those strange bombs. Harper breathed a sigh of relief when they’d come back indoors unharmed. He could only imagine the King’s reaction if Doctor Purah blew up Hylia’s Chosen. 

Sir Link looked at him now, head tilted slightly. Curious, perhaps? He nodded slightly in greeting and Harper bowed again.

“Hylia’s Chosen,” he said dutifully. “It is an honour to meet you.”

Sir Link signed something, his expression calm and impassive as ever. Princess Zelda said, “He says it is nice to meet you.” She smiled as Sir Link signed again. She added, “He liked your song last night.”

For a moment, all jealousy died, and Harper puffed up with pride. Hylia’s Chosen enjoyed his music! It had been an original song, one he’d begun to write when he still lived in Kakariko. Why, this was an even bigger deal than Lady Impa knowing his name before Harper introduced himself to her! Hylia’s Chosen Hero, the reincarnation of Hylia’s Beloved, enjoyed his song! 

“Thank you very much, Sir,” Harper said, bowing more deeply, feeling more kindly towards the silent young man. “I am always glad to bring any joy I can to others.”

His eyes flickered to the Princess. He yearned for her to agree with Sir Link, to say she enjoyed the song. She’d attended dinner in the dining hall with the court last night, something she normally avoided doing. Harper had sung more clearly in her presence, drinking in the sight of her. She’d certainly seemed to be listening. If Hylia smiled upon him, she would invite Harper to sit with her and discuss his inspiration behind the song (a sweet, cheerful tune, a song about the glory of nature blooming in spring), and he would take the chance to tell her that he would gladly play for her at any time, any song she wished.

Instead, she said, “I have never been a musician. I must admire the dedication such skills demand.”

Did that mean she admired his skills? Did he dare to hope?

She picked up one of the books, her lips pursing as she took in the title. She sighed and set it aside, picking up another. The piles of books all seemed to be about Hyrulean mythology and history: the story of Goddess Hylia, the Golden Three and Their creation of the world; the sacred springs and their guardian dragons. A biography of Queen Zelda Dyane and another about the Hero of Time, and a book decoding King Link’s diary (brief as it was) about the war against the cruel sorceress. (He'd written the diary in a mix of Sheikah and Ancient Hylian; some letters had even been written upside down, some sentences written back to front. Harper had to admire the idea.) A collection of short stories and speculation about the first Zelda, Hylia Incarnate, and the brief tales left behind by Her mysterious Sheikah guide. Multiple books about the Triforce. 

Ah, she is researching for her powers no doubt, Harper realised. He should not wish to distract her from such important work. It was selfish. Hyrule’s safety came before his lovelorn heart.

“I will leave you to your studies, my Princess,” Harper said, bowing deeply to her, both hands on his heart in the deepest show of respect.

She did not look away from her books, but she nodded. She said, “Have a good day, Harper. I hope you will perform again this evening.”

Oh, she wished to hear him.

“I will, Princess,” he promised quickly. 

He did play that night. He sang his heart out, performing to the very best of his ability on the harp. He sang about Goddess Hylia and Her mission to protect the Triforce.

He looked eagerly towards the Princess as the song ended. The dining hall burst into applause. King Rhoam himself cried, “Bravo!” and others took up the call.

The Princess clapped politely, but she whispered to Sir Link seated to her right, never once glancing at Harper.

Did he have it wrong? Did Princess Zelda carry a torch for her knight? 

The Hero of Warriors had wed Queen Zelda Artemis. Their portraits still hung in the royal gallery, the two of them and their four children all together; all golden-haired and beautiful, strong and brave. Their family portrait was so awe-inspiringly lovely that Harper had stopped dead when he first saw it. 

It was not unheard of for Hylia’s Chosen to wed into the royal family. King Link had started out as a mere knight recruit, an orphan; fifteen-years-old and not long out of the orphanage when the sorceress began her war. 

Sir Link was also a commoner by birth. His father was Captain of the City Guard, but his family was originally from Hateno. No noble title to speak of, no hidden royal blood. A long family history of being Royal Guards, Kingsguards and Queensguards, an honourable history of service and protection, but no nobility.

And yet his blessed soul, the soul so beloved by Goddess Hylia, may be enough to win him the hand of the Princess.

Oh, it wasn’t fair! Harper had loved Princess Zelda from the moment he saw her. As far as he could tell, Sir Link did not feel that way inclined at all. Was he an absolute madman? Who could spend so much time basking in the Princess’s radiant presence and not adore her? Harper didn’t know if ought to be relieved or offended on the Princess’s behalf.

It was…fine. Truly. Harper could handle this. A little jealousy was a good thing for creativity. It would spur him on more! It would make him brave and he would work even harder to catch the Princess’s eye! Yes, it would be okay. 

He wasn’t foolish. He knew he stood no chance with the Princess. He could hardly ask her to run away with him. All of Hyrule depended on her. 

But to win her favour, her affection…To have her heart, to see her smile at him…

It was all he wanted. He could live with yearning, he could handle anything thrown his way if only he could be in her presence.

The months passed. Summer continued into autumn, into winter. And Princess Zelda and Sir Link continued to spend every day together, except for the odd times that Sir Link had leave to be with his family. Princess Mipha came to visit again, and although he did not get to play at her welcoming feast, Harper was assured he would play at some point, perhaps the day of her leaving.

One evening, as Harper lingered in the garden to watch the fireflies emerge, Sir Link walked past. Hylia’s Chosen was, shockingly, lacking the Master Sword. How very unusual! He always had it. He wore a grey cloak, the hood pulled up. His clothes were well-made, but quite simple. Not travelling gear, or training gear. It was more like something you’d wear to a nice dinner; a deep red tunic with gold at the hems, and black leather boots that Harper immediately envied. He could never pull off black, not even on his accessories; it washed him out.

“Good evening, Sir,” he said. It was only right. Despite those pin-pricks of jealousy, despite his worry that Princess Zelda may yearn for her knight, he was still Hylia’s Chosen. Harper was a Sheikah, and a proud one. He was a servant of Hylia; he worshipped Her through his music, striving to bring some joy into their ever-darkening world. As one of Goddess Hylia’s servants, he would show the proper respect to her Chosen Hero.

Even if he didn’t quite want to.

Sir Link paused. He glanced at Harper, seeming momentarily startled to find himself not alone. He waved slightly, never saying a word as always.

“It is unusual to see you about at this hour, Sir,” Harper said. What’s more, he could not see any Sheikah guards lingering nearby. No shadows stirred, he could not sense anyone’s presence. Usually Lady Izzara had someone accompany Sir Link when he was not at the Princess’s side. 

Rumours said the King insisted it wasn’t needed. A waste of resources, the whispers said the King stated firmly. Regardless if the King said it or not, Lady Izzara insisted. She was, as ever, devoted to her role of advisor and guide, a shadowy protector.

Sir Link hesitated. He unhooked the little notebook from his belt, pulled a pencil from his pocket and quickly wrote. He held the notebook out to Harper, and Harper leaned in closer, trying to read it in the rapidly dying sunset.

On leave to visit family, Hylia’s Chosen had written. His handwriting was quite crooked.

“Oh, I see,” Harper said. A spark of joy flickered to life in his chest. Sir Link would be at home, not following after Harper’s Princess. Perhaps, with him gone for a little while…

“Will you be gone long?” he asked.

A week, Sir Link wrote.

A week! An entire week in which Harper may work up the nerve to approach the Princess! He need not worry about Sir Link’s penetrating gaze, those ever-watchful eyes. It was downright impossible to woo a lady when another young man stood there. But he wouldn’t be here, he would be at home. Oh, how wondrous! Harper simply must prepare his very best songs and must make sure he looked his best.

Sir Link’s eyebrows furrowed slightly as he looked at Harper. For one heart-stopping moment, Harper had the ridiculous worry that Sir Link could read his mind and disapproved.

Foolishness, of course. Telepathy was to be one of Princess Zelda’s many talents, as soon as her sacred powers awoke.

Sir Link briefly waved goodbye, his eyes wandering elsewhere. He hurried away.

The fireflies began to emerge. Harper leaned back happily on the bench to watch.

At the garden’s edge, Sir Link paused. A petite figure emerged from a side-door, also cloaked. Harper tried not to stare. Probably a servant, or one of Sir Link’s many admirers, trying to catch a moment with him before he went home.

His gaze returned to the fireflies. 

When he looked back, Sir Link and the mystery person were gone.

That week passed all too quickly. Harper sang a song of farewell for Princess Mipha two days later, wishing her safe travels, full of pride to finally have the chance to perform for the Zora Princess and her entourage. He truly was climbing in rank, to be asked to perform for visiting royalty! He was being singled out, taken notice of. It was all he could ask for, to have such favour.

Well. Almost all he could ask for.

He dressed in his finest and, whenever Princess Zelda graced the court with her presence, he would perform his favourite love songs. Many couples cuddled together on the dining benches, or around the Sanctum whenever he had the good luck to play there, in the very heart of the royal family’s power. Some even danced around the room, starting an impromptu party of sorts. But Princess Zelda did not dance. She watched her people with her usual serene expression, chin up, shoulders back, the very image of a Princess. Always poised, always so very perfect. Why, Harper didn’t think she had a single hair out of place! She never slouched, never fidgeted. She never appeared flushed or out of breath, never sighed, never wrinkled or stained her gown. Such perfection was reserved for the Princess alone. Nothing ever marred her beauty.

“I found a love for me,” he sang that evening after dinner, as the plates of dessert were brought in. “Darling, just dive right in and follow my lead. Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet. Oh, I never knew you were the someone waiting for me.”

Princess Zelda’s gaze wandered idly across the room. King Rhoam was muttering with his head guard, Sir Audric. The Princess turned to Lady Impa, lingering behind her and she gestured for her to come closer. Their heads leaned towards each other as the two young ladies whispered.

The love songs did not seem to stir the Princess. None of them made her smile, or earned him a special applause; she only clapped politely, as she always did, with that serene smile. The smile was a blessing, but Harper yearned for more. He could see teary-eyed maidens, all of them smiling wistfully, as he sang love song after love song. So it could not be that he sounded poor, or was playing badly.

Oh, how to stir a passionate response in his beloved Princess? His lady love, the Princess of Light, the most beautiful girl in Hyrule. She of the golden hair and emerald eyes.

(That was good. He must work that line into his song for her.)

Love songs were getting him nowhere. His best clothes and most expensive cologne had not even earned him a second look from the Princess. She seemed most deep in thought tonight, her eyes quite vacant and her expression thoughtful as she sat at the high table. She seemed troubled.

Well…If love songs were not going to make her look at him, perhaps the song about the Great Calamity would. She so loved the ancient Sheikah technology. She was forever studying the odd slate. She was as devoted to their technology as she was to her prayers. It was quite inspiring- and he knew many of his tribe took a special pride in it, that their technology fascinated their Princess so.

Yes, perhaps that song would do the trick. After all, who didn’t love a good tale of valour and victory?

It was the perfect setting. The sun had set, the candles in the chandeliers all glimmered. The warm light of the dining hall made everyone’s jewellery glitter, made every pair of eyes sparkle. In a beautiful room full of beautiful people, everyone stuffed with the best food Hyrule had to offer, perhaps a song of bravery would pull the Princess from her thoughts, bring her into the moment, and earn him a moment of praise.

So he strung his lute and began to sing.

“The kingdom of Hyrule is a vast and storied land, oft grasped in the palm of a villainous hand. A dark force of destruction, many times undone, rises once again- Ganon, the calamitous one!”

King Rhoam gave a nod of approval, smiling warmly. Princess Zelda went very still.

“But hope survives in Hyrule, for all is not lost. Two brave souls protect it, no matter the cost. A Goddess-blood Princess and a fearless knight, they appear in each age to fight the good fight.”

The melody was haunting; it always sent a shiver down Harper’s spine. To imagine that great battle, to know another battle was imminent…He hated to imagine his beloved on the front lines, even if that was her place. He wished to protect her.

A knight and a princess. Like something from a fairytale.

He didn’t want to think about that.

Harper continued to sing, his gaze constantly darting to the Princess. Her head was lowered, her gaze firmly on her lap. Lady Impa had a hand on her back, and whispered something to her. The Princess, as far as Harper could see, did not respond.

All eyes in the hall were upon him. All eyes but the ones he wanted.

“The Guardians kept the heroes safe through every hour, the Divine Beasts unleashed attacks that weakened Ganon's power. The Hero with the sealing sword struck the final blow, and the holy power of the Princess sealed Ganon so,” he sang, his voice as clear as a bell. “And that is the story of the brazen attack on Calamity Ganon 10,000 years back.”

The song ended on its final, extended note, trailing into silence. The room burst into applause and Harper stood to bow in thanks, accepting their praises with a modest smile.

He looked at the high table. King Rhoam was clapping and smiling.

But Princess Zelda was walking away.

The very next day, Sir Link returned.

Winter passed. Harper continued to ponder his song for the Princess. He played at Nayru’s Festival and the Winter Solstice. He wrote and discarded dozens upon dozens of songs. Spring arrived, along with Sir Link’s birthday. The Champions left on some team-building exercise that very weekend.

When they returned, there was much fanfare. All of Castle Town lined the streets, desperate for a glimpse of their Champions, their protectors and saviours. To Harper’s dismay, King Rhoam announced that the Champions would go on a progress around the kingdom, visiting the largest cities and towns. Spurred on by the elated reception of Castle Town, the King believed that letting the people see the Champions all together would boost morale.

A progress around the kingdom. Who knew how long they’d be gone? How long would it be before Harper got to see Princess Zelda again? The Champions were accompanied by guards and servants, but no singers, alas. Harper had no reason to request to tag along. He’d look downright foolish if he did, and thus he was forced to hold his tongue, though he longed to plead for a chance to go. Surely he could think of a good enough reason to persuade King Rhoam…

Oh, who was he kidding? King Rhoam would never agree. If singers were needed, the people welcoming the Champions had plenty of their own.

He felt bereft when the Princess left. She’d only just come home from this mysterious team-building exercise! Couldn’t the progress wait a while longer? Just another week or two?

They were gone for the rest of February, for all of March. They returned to yet more rejoicing, and Harper’s heart skipped a beat, as it always did, at the sight of Princess Zelda. She led the way, riding at the head of the group, the sun gleaming off her golden hair. Harper clapped along with everyone else, smiling his warmest smile. If she looked his way, he wanted her to see that he was glad to see her. Her gaze roamed over the crowd, but Harper could not be sure if she saw him. One man among so many. But surely she knew that he sincerely admired her, cared for her, loved her? All these others said such horrible things behind her back, they only pretended to be kind in this moment. Their happiness was feigned. Harper’s could not be more genuine, he could not feel more deeply than he already did, he was sure of it.

One man in a crowd. If only he could have a moment alone with her. Truly alone, without Sir Link or Lady Impa, without her maids or any of the Royal Guard. But alas, how could he bring such a moment about? She was always accompanied- as was only proper, of course- and Harper was but a simple court bard.

And then, when the cherry blossoms were at their most beautiful, it was time for the Cherry Blossom Festival. It was Harper’s favourite holiday, a celebration of love all throughout Hyrule, whether it be romantic, familial or platonic. It was tradition for new cherry blossom trees to be planted, to trade gifts with loved ones and there would be a grand parade in Castle Town.

He got Zamir a new quill and inkwell, along with a new hat. His quiet friend was an odd one indeed, too modest if you asked Harper, but he was a good friend all the same. Perhaps the hat would encourage him to be a little more bold in his fashion choices. In turn, Zamir got him new strings for his lute and a new notebook with a lovely purple cover.

In preparation for this day, Zamir had asked him for some surprising advice. He asked how to approach a lady.

Well, well, well! What do you know? His friend had taken a fancy to a girl at last! He asked who the lucky lady was, but Zamir only shook his head, blushing terribly. Changing tactics, Harper asked who the lucky young man was, and got a pillow thrown at his head for his troubles.

But he was glad to give his friend some tips. He urged Zamir to be bold, to be charming. He selected some of his favourite love songs and suggested singing one for the lady, perhaps near one of the ponds in the castle’s gardens, or even by the cherry trees that would be planted. He named the best restaurants in the city, all of them perfect for a date. Zamir listened quietly, nodding along and biting at his thumbnail. 

When the blessed day arrived, Harper peered around the corner, watching with baited breath as Zamir approached…Lady Impa!? By Hylia, Zamir fancied Lady Impa?

Perhaps he and Zamir had something in common after all; hopeless love.

Lady Impa, walking with Princess Zelda and Sir Link, looked perfectly stunned. Zamir handed a pink card to her and he was blushing bright pink, as pink as the card itself. Harper was momentarily distracted by the sight of Princess Zelda in a soft pink and cream gown, with cherry blossoms in her hair. Oh, she truly looked like a Princess from a story…

He was startled back to reality as Zamir (quite loudly) blurted out, “Happy Cherry Blossom Day, my lady!” and sprinted away from Lady Impa, down the corridor and towards Harper.

Running away from Lady Impa? Whatever was he doing? Hopeless or not, this was his chance to confess all! He’d done what Harper himself could not yet bring himself to do- boldly approached his lady and made his feelings plain. And so he must continue to do so! He should stay and talk with her, serenade her, woo her! He should ask her to dinner at the very least! What was Zamir thinking?

“I did it,” Zamir breathed, leaning against the wall. His legs were shaking, as were his hands. He was still blushing. His shirt collar was crooked, and Harper reached out to fix it. “I actually did it.”

“Well…You certainly did something,” Harper said blankly.

How was it that Zamir, awkward and shy Zamir, was braver than him?

Perhaps he ought to follow his friend’s example. Yearning was all well and good, but didn’t a love fulfilled make for the best songs? 

The Princess Zelda would never be allowed to court Harper. He knew this. He accepted it, truly he did. 

But…But what was the harm in approaching her? In letting her know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that she was loved?

He approached her later that day. She and Sir Link sat on one of the castle’s many terraces, and they were both reading. Princess Zelda was reading a book about the sacred springs (curiously, she snapped it shut with wide eyes when Harper walked onto the terrace) and Sir Link read…A cook book of seafood recipes? One of the Princess’s own maids, Cassie, had been grumbling with jealousy about the Cherry Blossom Festival gift that had arrived for Hylia’s Chosen by special delivery, wrapped in pink paper, tied with a red and gold ribbon. Among all the gifts he’d been given, apparently Sir Link had his nose in this book all day. Poor Cassie had been hoping that her gift, a card with a silk flower she’d sewn pressed inside it, would catch his eye.

The book seemed like an odd choice of gift. Sir Link was not a cook. Besides, he lived in Hyrule Castle; anything he wanted would be prepared for him by some of the very best chefs in the land. Why would a knight, Hylia’s Chosen no less, ever need a cookbook? He certainly was an odd lad, to read it all day. Or perhaps he knew the sender was near and wished to be polite.

Princess Zelda had, of course, received many gifts. Harper wondered if his gift, a book of poetry, had pleased her. The Princess enjoyed nature, and those poems were all about the beauty to be found in nature. He’d signed it, heart pounding as he wrote his own name. A gift sent from Lady Urbosa, a small cactus with orange flowers blooming on it, apparently had the Princess in a joyful mood all morning.

The Cherry Blossom Festival was not all about romantic love, not at all. It was about love, all kinds of love. It was Harper’s favourite day of the year. 

No, it was not all about romantic love…But so many couples confessed on this day.

“Happy Cherry Blossom Day, Princess,” Harper said in his grandest tones, bowing deeply to her. Reluctantly, he added, “And to you too, Sir.”

Princess Zelda gave a distracted smile, her fingers tapping against her book’s cover. Harper wondered, with a stab of jealousy, who had given it to her. It must surely be a gift; it looked brand new. 

“Thank you, Harper,” Princess Zelda said, and Harper’s heart soared as she looked at him, as she held his gaze. “I hope you are having a pleasant day.”

“I am,” Harper said, smiling at her. “I pray you are too, Your Highness.”

She gave him a small, gracious smile. Her eyes darted down to her book. Sir Link stared at him over the top of his book, quirking an eyebrow. The Master Sword was not on his back, but leaned against his chair. For a moment, it seemed to gleam more than usual. Harper had the distinct, uncomfortable feeling that he was being judged.

Well, let him judge! What did Harper care? This was the most wonderful day of the year, and Princess Zelda was looking at him. No, Harper cared not a whit for Link Hallow and his silence. 

“Was there something you wanted Harper?” Princess Zelda asked politely.

Under her gaze, Harper felt frozen to the spot. Those glorious emerald eyes, always sparkling as if lit from within by sacred light, the light surely waiting to burst from the Princess.

She was perfect. She was radiant. She was a Goddess through and through.

“I wanted…” To tell you how I most ardently admire you, I love you with all my heart. I know I cannot have you, I cannot be your husband, I cannot court you in the way I wish I could, in the way you deserve. But all the same, I must tell you how I love you. You are a Princess worthy of the most beautiful music. You are the most beautiful young woman I have ever beheld. I have never loved anyone the way I love you. I never will again. You are perfect.

“I wanted to ask if I may perform at the feast later,” he blurted out. His courage had failed him.

He blamed the knight’s stern gaze.

Princess Zelda looked momentarily baffled. “Well, yes,” she said. “I’m sure we can find a spot for you.”

Blushing terribly, Harper bowed again. “Thank you, Highness,” he mumbled. He felt a mix of embarrassment and shame. He felt like such a coward.

He’d completely blown it.

As he fled, Harper wanted to weep. He wanted to scream. He wanted to turn back around and blurt out his true feelings, to unburden himself. He wanted to see the Princess’s eyes light up, to see her smile as she confessed that she loved him too. Or, if not, that she would at least grant him her favour, some small token of affection. That she would see him, hear him, and accept his love with open arms.

He did none of these things. He walked back to his room and barred the door.

Only a week later, the Princess’s maids began to prepare for her next departure. She was to visit the Spring of Courage and partake in a sacred ritual there. She’d followed such rituals since she was seven-years-old, always seeking to unlock her powers, offering every ounce of her prayers to the Goddess Hylia, to the Golden Three, to her ancestors, to every spirit imaginable. 

She would, of course, be accompanied by Sir Link.

Harper could no longer pretend he wasn’t jealous. The sight of the knight and Princess walking together, talking quietly, always keeping each other company, made him burn from the inside out.

But that was fine. Jealousy made for fine art, remember?

Besides, this time he knew what to do. This time he had a plan.

This time, Harper had come up with a perfect excuse to ask King Rhoam’s permission to accompany the Princess on this most sacred task. Never underestimate the power of music, especially holy songs in a holy setting. “Perhaps it could ignite a spark in our Princess’s soul,” he pleaded to the King. “Perhaps ballads of Goddess Hylia will act as a guide to her as she prays.”

King Rhoam, after much deliberation, summoned Harper to him and agreed to his request. He would join Princess Zelda on her pilgrimage to the Spring of Courage.

Beaming, Harper packed his lute and his harp.

Just picture it: love songs played as the sun set, at the beautiful, sacred spring…It was just perfect. 

This time, he would not cower. This time, he would make his feelings for his beloved Princess plain.

Chapter Text

“Watch as she stands with her, holding your hand, put your arm 'round her shoulder, now I'm getting colder. But how could I hate her? She's such an angel. But then again, kinda wish she were dead as she walks by, what a sight for sore eyes. Brighter than the blue sky, she's got you mesmerised while I die. Why would you ever kiss me? I'm not even half as pretty. You gave her your sweater, it's just polyester, but you like her better. I wish I were Heather.” - Heather, Conan Gray

For this most important trip, Harper took particular care of his appearance. He washed his hair again, making sure it was silky smooth and glossy as could be. As he brushed out the tangles and tied it in a topknot, he added his favourite orange blossom oil. His shirt was brand new and snowy white, while his best coat was a rich plum colour, patterned with gold, a colour he’d always favoured. It suited his complexion well and, after all, plum trees were of importance to the Sheikah. They symbolised endurance and prosperity, which Harper considered to be very fitting. This trip to the Spring of Courage was the perfect chance to spend uninterrupted time with the Princess Zelda. His love was enduring, he would persevere, and perhaps his hopes would come to prosperity.

Black washed him out (oh, how he envied those who could pull it off! It was such a rich colour) so he chose his best cream pants, his brown and gold boots, a ruby ring and matching necklace.

Perfect, if he said so himself. He glanced in the mirror one final time, giving himself a smile of approval. Yes, he looked appropriately dashing. It was nothing compared to the rich fabrics and jewels of the nobility, but Princess Zelda was never overly decked-out, unless it was a formal occasion- and even then, she seemed to prefer elegance, nothing too flashy. Perhaps she would favour this more modest look.

His harp and lute were already packed. He already knew which songs he would sing to enchant his chosen lady. And which hymns and ballads to sing of Hylia, to help inspire her, of course.

Yes, this was the day. This was the perfect chance. Not even Sir Link’s presence would spoil this. Even if he did not outright confess with words, he would make his feelings known through song.

A sacred spring, a starry night and beautiful music. What could be more romantic?

Harper was not entirely comfortable with horses. The one he borrowed from the stable was a gentle mare named Ula, but he still felt nervous as he approached the (admittedly pretty) beast. He rarely ever went riding; he usually travelled in a carriage with others, or walked. The farthest he’d ever ridden by himself was to the Tech Lab. Even when he came to live in the castle, he’d been brought in a carriage by his mother and a team of accomplished healers.

He only prayed he would not fall off and disgrace himself.

Harper waited atop Ula, and his heart leapt when Princess Zelda approached the stable, accompanied by Sir Link. Oh, she did look lovely in her travelling gear! The little braids and blue hair-clasps suited her well. She seemed more…more free in her practical travelling gear, as opposed to her lovely royal regalia. Well, his Princess did love nature, and she was dedicated to visiting the holy sites, and helping her people. Such tasks could hardly be accomplished in heavy dresses.

They were signing to each other as they walked. Sir Link shrugged, Princess Zelda huffed, making a gesture that, to Harper, looked confused. All he could understand of Sir Link’s next sentence was ‘handle it.’ 

Handle what? They weren’t running late, were they? There was no problem with the schedule, Harper was quite sure. Oh Goddess, they hadn’t received word of more monster dens on the path, had they? 

“Good day, Princess,” Harper said as graciously as he could. Bowing on a horse was quite impossible, so he settled for holding his hands to his heart and lowering his head in respect.

“And to you too, Harper,” Princess Zelda said with a nod. The stablehand brought out Artemisia and Epona. Epona seemed quite impatient to get to her rider, tugging on the reins and neighing until Sir Link went to her. She quietened down at his approach, stilled at his touch. She huffed, nudging her nose against his shoulder.

Princess Zelda shook her head, smiling fondly.

“Thank you, Liam,” she said to the stablehand. The young lad gulped, blushing, staring at the ground as he mumbled an answer. Harper marvelled that the Princess would remember a servant’s name. He was not even a high-ranking servant, such as a Royal Guard or a member of the Princess’s personal staff. What a kind soul she was!

He could not help but admire Princess Zelda’s grace as she climbed into her purple saddle. Artemisia, he knew, was quite an old horse, but clearly well-groomed and doted upon. She even had flowers twined through her pale gold mane.

Before they set out, Princess Zelda gave him a bemused smile.

“Forgive me, Harper,” she said. “But you must make room for Link.”

Harper tried not to frown, to keep his smile upbeat and pleasant. Sir Link was already on the Princess’s left side- why would Harper need to move from her right?

“He must ride between us,” Princess Zelda said, her voice dignified as always. “It is easier for him to protect us that way, if the need arises.”

The Princess, Harper noted, had a bow and quiver of arrows on her back. She’d taken up her archery lessons soon after her return from Gerudo Town last year. After all, she must one day wield the Bow of Light, as so many past Princesses and Queens had done; she must be in a position to defend herself and her people, not just with her sealing power, but on the battlefield.

It made Harper’s heart ache. To imagine the dear Princess facing down monsters, facing down Calamity Ganon… It was horrible. It was heartbreaking. One sweet girl against a demon of rage and hate? 

Hylia was a wise and loving Goddess, Harper knew this, he believed so with all his heart; but how could She allow Her descendent to be placed in such danger?

He wished to protect her, but he’d never been a warrior, and had no true wish to be. He wished to cheer her, to make her smile and laugh. Princess Zelda was not a girl of ready laughter or giggles, but that smile was sweetness itself, warming Harper like the sun, bringing joy to his heart.

Except for right now, when her smile continued to be tinged with bemusement, like she couldn’t quite figure out why Harper was here.

Sir Link stared at him. He truly had a penetrating gaze, such serious eyes. It always felt like he was trying to read the minds of those around him.

Princess Zelda’s words sank in, after a horrible silence. She was looking at Harper expectantly. Sir Link’s face was blank.

Harper had imagined riding at the Princess’s side, regaling her with amusing stories and gossip. He’d imagined singing as they rode through Hyrule Field. He did not understand the ancient technology, but perhaps she would explain that mysterious Sheikah slate to him, or tell him what parts of nature she loved the most.

But no. Sir Link must ride between them, apparently.

Flushing with humiliation, Harper made room for Sir Link. Epona stepped into place between Harper and his Princess. The Princess signed something to Sir Link. Harper caught the words priest, stable, break. Sir Link nodded, signing something in return. Princess Zelda kept up her polite smile, tapping at something on the Sheikah slate’s screen.

“I’m not sure how much my father told you, Harper,” she said as they set out, peering around Sir Link to meet his eyes. “But we shall stop at Riverside Stable for a quick meal before carrying on to the Spring of Courage. Do you know the little church in the hills outside Deya? That is where we shall stay the night, after my devotions. Father does not want us camping any more than necessary due to the monster attacks of late.”

“Of course, Princess,” Harper said, smiling at her. “His Majesty is wise. It is most dangerous in the wilds.”

The Princess shrugged her shoulders, lips pursed. Her gaze returned straight ahead, and Harper focused on staying in the saddle. To Ula’s credit, she truly was a sweet and calm horse. It was as if she could sense his anxiety and went as gently as possible, so as to soothe him. Funny; wasn’t it usually people soothing animals?

They rode through the bustling streets of Castle Town, right through the Central Square and down the largest road in the city, out through the main gate. Harper could see the Sacred Grounds further afield. He knew some sort of ceremony had taken place there, a blessing from the Princess to the Hero and Master Sword, with only the Champions as witness. It had, of course, taken place long before Harper ever arrived at the castle, nearly a whole year before. Still, it would have been lovely to witness, he was sure. The start of a legend, for Princess Zelda and her Champions would go down in legend, he was certain of it. 

And Harper would help to write that legend, to commit the grand tale to poetry and song.

There were many people out and about. Travelling merchants, hunters heading into the woods; tourists on their way to Castle Town, (who paused to gape as the trio rode by. Harper sat up straighter, proud to be seen with the Princess) soldiers and knights on patrol, people picking apples from the plentiful trees littered across the field, families and couples picnicking and enjoying the sunshine, and a handful of Sheikah researchers studying something being excavated from the dirt. It looked like a Guardian’s head. 

Now, Harper told himself. Now, begin now.

Still, it would be quite odd to just burst into song, wouldn’t it? So he started off by humming, quietly at first and then louder. He changed to whistling, eyes flickering towards the Princess, though she was mostly obscured by Sir Link. He felt a stab of frustration at the sight of the knight’s ever-calm expression. Sir Link gave no indication that he even noticed Harper at his side at all. And his very position made it so awkward for Harper to try and speak with Her Highness! It would be so undignified to keep leaning forward and back, trying to make eye-contact with Princess Zelda, instead of simply being able to turn and smile at her, to regale her with pleasant stories and music.

“If I could tell her, tell her everything I see. If I could tell her how she's everything to me. But we're a million worlds apart, and I don't know how I would even start,” he sang. It was a song of his own composing, brand new; he’d yet to debut it in court.

Yet the Princess did not react. She did not glance Harper’s way or comment. She stared straight ahead, with an odd look on her face. Harper could not place it.

Sir Link glanced at him, frowning, and looked away again.

What, jealous because some of us can actually sing? It’s not my fault you don’t speak, Harper thought, falling silent himself, scowling at the distant horizon. He immediately felt a stab of regret for such thoughts. Sir Link had selective mutism, what in Hylia’s name was Harper thinking? 

Pin pricks of jealousy. Nothing more. A healthy rivalry between two handsome young men. That was all. Nothing mean, nothing more than a dash of spice to this tale. Harper was not a mean or truly jealous individual. He wasn’t. This was all in sportsmanship, a silent understanding that the Princess had admirers in them both, that they both wished to serve her.

At least, he thought that Sir Link wished to serve her in the same way Harper did. It was so hard to tell with him. Harper never knew what he was thinking. He doubted anyone did. Princess Zelda was so much easier to read; she smiled at Sir Link, seeking him out, lighting up whenever he entered the room. 

Either the knight was truly dense (in which case, Hylia help them all, they would need Her divine protection) or else he did not reciprocate and wished to spare the Princess’s feelings. Which, in Harper’s humble opinion, made him a fool in either case. How could he possibly spend so much time with the Princess and not be moved by her? 

As singing did not capture the Princess’s attention, Harper began to talk instead. He chattered away about court gossip, all the things he cared about, that caught his attention. He told Princess Zelda about Zamir’s new poems (and hinted coyly that they were all for Lady Impa.) He told her about Lady Carmila, Lady Nami and Lady Lisa sneaking out to a tavern and getting caught by their father. Lady Selene caused a minor scandal by attending a luncheon in a dress so sheer that, apparently, the guests could make out her intimate attire- or lack thereof! He told her about an argument that had broken out between two young lords, an argument over a lady’s favour. It had nearly come to blows. (Would he and Sir Link quarrel, if indeed Hylia’s Chosen loved the Princess too? He hoped not. He quite liked his face the way it was, thank you.) He told her about Sir Arthur and his braggart ways, and how he was apparently commissioning a brand new suit of armour, claiming his old set was too dull. He told her about the King’s displeasure with his tailor, who was nearly a week late on making the King’s new coat. (Though surely the Princess knew that already. She did not offer an opinion however, merely nodding along.) He spoke of gossip among the Sheikah tribe, about Doctor Purah and Doctor Robbie’s latest escapades, (their latest explosions more like) as he heard it from some of the researchers in the castle gardens. It also seemed that Doctor Robbie’s courtship of Doctor Cherry was going swimmingly. Princess Zelda smiled at that, but did not say anything more than, “That’s lovely for them.”

He felt deflated. The court was a place of intrigue, of gossip and entertainment. Not all gossip need be nasty. Surely Her Highness knew that Harper would never whisper an unkind word against her? If given the chance, he would praise her to the skies. 

Perhaps that was what he needed to do, to show her he was trustworthy. He would never play with her heart. If blessed with her affections, he would worship her as the Goddess she was for all her days. Even if it must be from afar, even if it must be in secret. Harper would give her the moon if she asked for it. If he had her love, he would never want for anything again.

He truly must complete his song for her. Maybe that was the answer he needed. 

So, gossip and funny stories did not garner much of a reaction. Nor had a line of his brand new song. 

Well…It was alright. A minor setback. They had all day and all night together. He would find the perfect topic to draw her into conversation.

As they rode further through the vast field, Princess Zelda unhooked the Sheikah slate from her belt and began to take pictures. She did not seem to be focused on anything in particular; she pointed the slate skyward, then towards the trees. She took a picture of the Mabe Prairie, and of the fountain in Mabe Village’s square.

The slate! Harper had nearly forgotten it.

“I wonder if we’ll spot some electric butterflies,” Princess Zelda murmured. “For the compendium.”

Sir Link signed something with a wry smirk. Princess Zelda grinned at him.

“True,” she said with a light laugh. “There’s certainly enough storms in Faron to draw them out.” Her eyes suddenly lit up. “Oh! Do you suppose if I take a picture of Farosh, she’ll be visible to everyone in the picture?”

“You’ve seen Farosh, my lady?” Harper dared to interrupt, summoning his courage. Appropriate, considering their destination.

“Oh, yes!” Princess Zelda said happily. “She’s a beauty. She adores Link, of course. The last time we visited the spring, she left Hylia Bridge to follow us most of the way.”

Sir Link signed something again, eyes shining. Princess Zelda’s giggle was music to Harper’s ears.

“He says she’s a divine babysitter, not a divine beauty,” Princess Zelda said, muffling her sweet laughter with her hand.

Harper’s heart twisted in his chest, even as a part of him rejoiced in her happiness, basking in the warmth of her smile. He had failed to inspire such laughter, such merriment, but Link managed it? Quiet as a mouse, unassuming Sir Link? Why was he considered worthy of the Princess’s smiles? Why not Harper? They were both lowborn, both were hard working individuals. Both were handsome. Harper was only two years older than Princess Zelda, Sir Link was older than her by only four months. There were no inappropriate age gaps; it was only the difference in status that would cause issues. If she was going to giggle and joke with a lowborn boy, why couldn’t it be Harper?

“Do you suppose if you upset Farore enough, She would send Farosh along to pluck you into the sky?” Princess Zelda teased Sir Link. “You are Her Child after all, She has a right to make you behave.”

How exactly has Sir Link been behaving? Harper thought, flushing- though surely the Princess did not mean to imply anything untoward! 

Sir Link suddenly snorted, ducking his head in a vain attempt to hide his smile.

Princess Zelda burst into laughter once more, punching the air in triumph.

“I win!” she cheered. “I finally win!”

“Win, my lady?” Harper stammered. Princess Zelds started, looking at him with wide eyes, as if she had quite forgotten his presence. Her smile was more prim and she tossed her golden hair back.

“A little contest among friends,” she said smoothly.

Sir Link’s back was to him; he could not see what expression the knight pulled, but it made Princess Zelda burst into laughter again, more loudly this time. Her laughter turned from sweet and musical, to loud and wheezing. She even snorted.

Harper had not known she was capable of making such a sound.

And why, oh why could he not be the one to inspire such joy?

He asked about the slate and its functions, and Princess Zelda began to explain. She looked happy, she sounded happy…And yet Harper could not keep up with her explanation. The slate sounded so complicated. It created instant images? How could that be? It contained a map of Hyrule (sadly empty, they could not figure out how to fill it in), a compendium that the Princess wished to fill, the bomb rune unlocked by Doctor Purah, a magnetic rune of sorts, unlocked by the combined efforts of Doctor Purah and Doctor Robbie. It apparently held more runes, waiting to be unlocked. Princess Zelda believed the slate was the key to unlocking the ancient shrines, if they could only figure out how to turn them on. It even contained fully functioning maps of each Divine Beast; the individual maps activated when the Princess entered the Beasts and shut down when she exited them. It could hold objects, even preserve food placed within it (but how could you store food in a little slate?) and had a scope, pins, and a diary function. It could tell the time and even the temperature of where you were.

He did not understand it. He nodded along, doing his best to keep up. He smiled politely and said, “My, that is fascinating!” but he could not make heads or tails of it. He was a bard, not a scientist. Translating ancient songs was one thing, but understanding the technology was beyond him.

Truly, Princess Zelda was a scholar. He admired it.

He didn’t understand it.

Swallowing heavily, Harper began to sing again. It was what he did best. Love songs and songs of adventure on such a bright, sunny day would surely win him a smile. He just needed to keep trying.

“Everyone's born as clean as a whistle, as fresh as a daisy and not a bit crazy. Staying that way's a hard row for hoeing, as rough as a briar, like walking through fire,” he sang. It was such a cheesy song, but it was his parents’ favourite love song. Maybe it would grant him the courage he needed. Maybe if he expressed such sentimentality, it would turn the Princess’s thoughts to love. “This world, it's dark, this world, it's scary. I've taken some hits, so no wonder I'm wary. It's why I need you. You're as pure as the driven snow.”

“Mrs Irma sometimes sings that,” Princess Zelda said thoughtfully. Harper did not know who that was. One of her maids? 

The Princess turned to Link. “Is it Hateno in origin?” she asked.

Sir Link nodded. Princess Zelda’s smile widened.

“I thought so,” she said. “All those references to farming and survival…” She hummed to herself, and glanced at Harper. “Oh, apologies for interrupting,” she said. “Please do continue.”

Oh great, the song was from Link’s hometown. Dash it all, he’d probably just put more thoughts of Link into the Princess’s head!

But she wished to hear the rest of the song, and so he continued, putting his whole heart into the request.

It was a Hateno song. So what? It made the fair Zelda listen to him.

The “little church” that Princess Zelda mentioned was indeed little. Even the main chamber felt cramped. He could only imagine how claustrophobic it would feel when the Deya villagers came here for group prayers. Luckily that wouldn’t be a problem tonight, nor would it be likely that anyone would be allowed up here until after the Princess left. King Rhoam forbade camping due to security concerns after all; Harper doubted he’d want an entire village swarming his daughter when she was busy trying to unlock the power to save them all.

The little church was manned by only three priestesses and three priests, all in the white robes that signified they worshipped Hylia. Unlike the clergy at the castle or in Castle Town, they had no adornments; no jewellery, no gold designs on their robes, no veils. Their uniform was simple and plain; with their long, hanging sleeves and grey sandals, there was little to differentiate their uniforms between the men and the women. 

“Your Highness.” One priest, plainly the eldest, stepped forward and fell into a deep bow, his hands clasped as if in prayer. Unlike the others, there was a slight difference to his robe; a silver-blue Loftwing was embroidered above his heart and he wore a blue belt. “Hylia’s Chosen. It is a privilege to be in your presence once more. Please allow me to extend the warmest of welcomes to our church.” 

The other clergy members all followed his example, bowing so low that they were bent in half. 

“Thank you, Brother Milo,” Princess Zelda said graciously. “Please rise, all of you.”

One by one, they rose again. The group’s starry-eyed gazes turned to Sir Link. As always, he did not speak, but he lowered his head to them, a hand on his heart. In turn, the priests and priestesses all beamed. To such devout people, a sign of respect from Hylia’s Chosen and the Sacred Princess must be worth more than diamonds, Harper supposed.

“Please follow me,” a priestess with dark brown hair said. “We have prepared your rooms.” She glanced at Harper inquisitively. Harper straightened up and gave her a winning smile. He was far from being a sacred royal or Hylia’s Chosen Hero, but he would make a good impression and make his tribe proud. 

“This is Harper, Sister,” Princess Zelda said. “He is to accompany myself and Sir Link to the Spring of Courage tonight, on my father’s orders.”

The clergy did not look happy.

“He is to witness the ritual?” Brother Milo asked, sounding quite scandalised. There were unhappy murmurs from the other two priests, and one priestess outright frowned at Harper. Gracious, you’d swear he was some interloper! He hadn’t done anything wrong.

“Oh, no.” The Princess shook her head. “He will have his back turned, of course.”

That was news to Harper. Admittedly, his heart sank. He’d expected to witness the full ceremony, to be filled with inspiration for a hundred ballads and poems. Princess Zelda, bathed in moonlight, praying to the Goddess Hylia, to every deity she could name, beseeching Them for a sign. Harper, playing his love songs and hymns, inspiring her, urging her on. Oh, if he could guide her, if he could light that spark…Surely that would win her love. If he could aid her in this, her most sacred task, she would love him forever. 

Perhaps the King would even raise him in rank. If Harper played the right notes, sang the right verses, and inspired the Princess to unlock her golden power…

Maybe he could press his suit openly, for all of Hyrule to see.

The Princess’s answer disappointed Harper, but mollified the clergy. They looked less tense and looked at him less coldly. The priestess with brown hair looked inquisitive again and said they would find a room for him. 

When Princess Zelda emerged from her little room at the tiny church, Harper lost his breath at the sight of her. Her hair was loose, no braids or clasps, no tiara or diadems; it fell freely to her hips in a silken waterfall of gold, reminding Harper of sunshine. She wore gold bracelets decorated with the sacred Triforce, her gold necklace was fashioned much the same way, depicting an abstract figure that Harper supposed was meant to represent Hylia. Her white dress was much simpler than anything Harper had ever seen her wear; although a gold and blue belt held the dress in place under her breasts (he did not stare, he absolutely did not. He honoured and cherished her as a Goddess. This was a pure love, a chivalrous love, nothing like his trysts in Kakariko) the rest of the dress was undecorated. It was all pure, snowy white.

Brother Milo, with the Princess’s permission, pressed three fingers to her forehead in blessing and murmured a quick prayer to Goddess Hylia. Stepping back, he bowed to Sir Link, his eyes darting to the Master Sword.

“We wish you luck, Your Grace,” Brother Milo said solemnly to the Princess. “May the light illuminate your path.”

As they walked down the hill towards the spring, Harper sang yet again, strumming his lute, his harp strapped to his back. It was a cheerful little ditty all about the wonders of falling in love for the first time. He kept darting hopeful glances at his lady love as she walked ahead of him, but she did not look back at him. Nor did she look at Sir Link, walking just behind her. At least that was something.

Princess Zelda walked with her head held high towards the Spring of Courage. She had her hands clasped together since the second they left the holy house, as if she was praying already. 

Sir Link darted a glance at him and picked up the pace until he was at the Princess's side. He signed something about pushing (was he encouraging her to push herself?) and the Princess giggled.

"I'll keep that in mind," she said, sounding much more at ease.

The Spring of Courage was a thing of beauty. Tended to by the priests and priestesses on a voluntary basis, they kept it as pristine as possible, though even their dedication could not hide how truly ancient it was.

The spring was surrounded by a giant dragon statue, which acted as an entrance to the spring; its maw formed the tunnel. It made for quite the striking gateway. Streaks of red and gold painted still clung stubbornly to the dragon, and topaz’s winked in the dragon’s eyes, forming sparkling, odd pupils. A statue of Goddess Hylia stood on a plinth engraved with the Triforce of Courage. She lacked paint, Her wings in particular looked weather worn, but Her smile was kind as it always was in artwork. Torches lined the walls of the tunnel in iron sconces. The water of the spring was clear, barring a few leaves floating along. The huge wall behind Hylia’s statue was elaborately carved with dancing dragons and scenes of storms, and Harper could see patches of blue, gold, red and grey paint here and there; some large and some small, highlighting the carvings with various levels of success.

It was marvellous. All of it. The very air felt different, more holy. As the moon rose, shining and full, Harper’s courage returned to him.

This was the night. This was the perfect setting.

Sir Link got a campfire going, and Princess Zelda stepped into the spring, after downing a spicy elixir at Sir Link’s silent insistence. Harper watched for as long as he dared, until Sir Link narrowed his eyes at him and spun his finger, indicating for Harper to face the other way, as the knight himself did.

Staring into the tunnel and out into the river, shrouded in darkness beyond the torches, was hardly inspiring.

Sir Link stood still and silent, his sacred blade drawn and grasped in his hands. In the light of the flickering torches, he almost looked like a sacred statue himself. Really, if they weren’t possible romantic rivals, Harper would note it down in a verse.

Harper strung his harp (yes, yes, he’d heard all the jokes before) and his lute rested against the wall in case it was needed instead.

Behind him, Princess Zelda began to pray.

“I come seeking help,” she said, most dignified and solemn. “Regarding this power that has been handed down over time. To the Golden Three, I ask that You bless me with Wisdom to see the way forward, Courage to do what needs to be done, and Power to protect my kingdom and people. Goddess Nayru, if I truly am the latest of Your Chosen Daughters, I ask that You send me a sign. I ask for Your generosity, My Lady, I ask to hear the sound of Your voice.”

Harper began to play. It was a slow melody, quiet and romantic, such as might be played during a royal ball. There were no lyrics but, when played during official performances, dancers always acted out a love story to this song.

“Goddess Hylia, my divine ancestress, I ask for Your guidance. Our home is in danger, Your Grace; all of our people are in danger from the threat of Calamity Ganon. Goddess of Light and Time, Guardian of the Triforce, Guardian of Hyrule, please hear my prayers. Show me the way forward. Illuminate my path with Your divine light. Whatever You ask of me, I shall do. I will go forward into the Dark, knowing Your Light protects me.”

Sir Link looked at him and frowned. Harper quickly switched to the Ballad of the Goddess. 

“Goddess Din, I ask for a sign of Your might, for You to strengthen my resolve. I ask for Your blessing as I walk this path. I ask that You guide me to victory. Help me find that power which dwells within me, so that I may take up arms and defend my kingdom from evil.”

Harper continued to play the Ballad of the Goddess. He fought with the urge to glance over his shoulder, to see the Princess, this Goddess made flesh, performing the holy ritual. Did she stand? Kneel? Did she cup her hands and pour the sacred water over herself? Did she clasp her hands to her heart, feeling for the spark she so desperately sought?

He did not dare. This ritual was sacrosanct. The Princess, Blood of the Goddess, was communing with the Divine. Harper would never dare soil it. If he looked, if he incurred the wrath of the Goddesses, what then? Inspiration could be found all around him; this ritual was not for normal, unblessed eyes. He was already lucky enough to be allowed to listen, which was far more than most people ever got.

He switched to a different tune, one about the glory of the Golden Three and Hylia. It was a very long ballad, all about the creation of the world and the Triforce, of Hylia’s holy mission to protect it, and Her decision to become a mortal and reincarnate Herself along with the Hylian man She was said to love.

Princess Zelda sighed.

“Goddess Farore,” she continued. “Goddess of Courage. I ask for Your blessing. Gift me with the bravery needed to defend this kingdom and all its peoples. Gift me with boldness and assurance. Cast away my fears and doubts, so I may let the Light in.” She paused and, more quietly, she said, “You have guided my dearest friend. I know of Your care for him. I do not ask to be treated as Your Child, but ask for Your guiding hand to lift me from fear and into bravery. Help me be the light and strength that Hyrule needs in times of peril and darkness.”

If the Goddesses answered, Harper could not hear them. Sir Link stared into the dark, his hands tight around the Master Sword’s hilt. Harper wished to sit by the campfire, but it seemed too…too crude. Disrespectful. 

He continued to sing the long ballad as Princess Zelda began to repeat her prayers, putting special emphasis on Hylia and Her Beloved’s love story.

Finally, she came to a new prayer. “Lady Zelda,” she prayed. “Hylia Incarnate, First of Your Name. I stand here at Your altar, a daughter of Your line, and- and- oh please desist, Harper!”

Harper stopped playing so abruptly that the last note came out discordant and far too loud. He didn’t dare turn around, but his heart was pounding. He held his harp tightly and kept his eyes firmly ahead, blushing to the tips of his ears.

He had displeased her.

“...My apologies,” she said. “But I cannot concentrate. I need silence.”

“As you wish, Princess,” Harper said hoarsely. He felt dangerously close to tears. He didn’t dare look at Sir Link. If he saw that knave smirk at him, he may lose all control and strike him.

Hours passed. Princess Zelda continued to pray. Sir Link stoked the campfire and stayed on guard. Harper stood silently, awkwardly, holding his harp limply.

How was he to contribute? Music was where he excelled. He’d never had such trouble wooing a lady before. Back home…Well, best not to think of his adventures in Kakariko. He would never tumble the Princess in a barn or among the plum trees. She was not some random country girl. She deserved every ounce of romance that Harper could dream up. She deserved a grand tale of courtly romance.

He could not contribute here.

Defeat tasted bitter in his mouth. His heart raced, his eyes stung; it felt like his very soul was on fire. 

Finally, Sir Link tapped the Master Sword against the ground three times.

“I pray for-” Princess Zelda broke off. She made a confused sound, huffing slightly. “It cannot possibly be so late already, Link,” she said. There was the sound of water swishing; it sounded like she was walking towards them.

Sir Link picked up the Sheikah slate and went to the water’s edge. Harper dared to look, now that the ritual had ended. Or at least paused. Sir Link was holding the slate out to the Princess, and had a large cloak draped over his arm for her. The Princess peered at the slate’s screen unhappily.

“Three in the morning already,” she murmured, frowning, shoulders drooping in exhaustion. A sense of defeat lay over her. She looked smaller than usual, somehow diminished.

Sir Link held his hand out and the Princess took it, letting him guide her out of the spring. He quickly wrapped the cloak around her, pinning it closed, and she clutched it to her like a blanket, her teeth beginning to chatter. The spicy elixir’s effects must have been ending.

Jealousy flared to life. Harper watched, eagle-eyed, as Sir Link led the Princess to the campfire. He pulled another elixir from his pack, and unwrapped a meaty rice ball for her. Harper could smell spicy peppers emanating from it, and tried to ignore how his own stomach rumbled.

The Princess took the rice ball and bit into it, looking doleful. She was too pale, her eyes had lost their shine. She stared into the fire as if it held the answers, eating slowly, still clutching the cloak tightly with one hand.

Her eyes suddenly welled with tears. Harper’s heart broke at the sight. He sought for the right words to soothe her, to ease her troubles and make her smile.

Your time will come. The Goddesses act at the right time. Goddess Hylia would never abandon you. Such dedication will be rewarded. You are gentle, clever and dedicated; you are everything a Princess should be. Holy light or not, I think you are radiant. Take heart, my lady; please do not weep and be sad. Everything will work out in the end.

None of it sounded right. He yearned to hug her, to hold her in his arms and protect her. He could only imagine what the gossip-mongers would say when she returned home unsuccessful yet again.

“We should return to the church,” she said quietly, barely above a whisper. “We need proper rest.”

Sir Link’s expression stayed calm, but there was something different about his eyes. He doused the fire, and helped the Princess to her feet. He gestured for Harper to follow and, together, the three of them left the spring, making their way up the hill.

Barely a quarter of the way there, Princess Zelda stopped.

“Link,” she said, her voice breaking, holding her hand out to him. Sir Link was immediately at her side. He wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders, taking her hand with his free one. It must have been an awkward way to walk, but they continued on that way, leaning against one another, their heads bowed together.

They looked like a single unit.

A quiet murmur reached him, and Harper realised the impossible: Sir Link was talking. It was too quiet for Harper to make out clearly, but Sir Link was- he was verbal! He was talking! But he never spoke- or hardly ever. So few had ever heard his voice. So very few indeed.

The Princess was plainly among them. How deep did trust run between them? What emotions did they feel for one another? Surely this was not mere friendship. Surely his suspicions had been right.

Princess Zelda loved her knight. And…And…Oh by Hylia, did Sir Link love her too? It seemed that way.

He wanted to storm ahead of them, to run to his tiny room in the church (shared with two of the priests) and weep. He wanted to tell Sir Link to unhand the Princess, the lout! The cur, the knave! How dare he take advantage of the Princess in this vulnerable state?

Harper forced himself to keep walking sedately, but inside he was burning. He couldn’t look away from them.

They looked like they belonged together, and Harper could not stand it.

After they returned to the castle, King Rhoam immediately sent Princess Zelda on a pilgrimage to the Temple of Time. She and Sir Link were gone for five days, and those five days were a new kind of misery to Harper.

He had not helped his lady. He had only distracted her. She had turned to Link in her moment of distress.

He brooded in his room, unable to write. He saw Zamir and Lady Impa walking together in the gardens, laughing, and fled back inside.

How was it that Zamir caught Lady Impa’s eye? He was a mere bard, just like Harper. Devout and pious, yes, and Harper admired it, even if he couldn’t fully emulate it. But he was so shy, so awkward and fumbling! A wallflower through and through. And Lady Impa…Well, she was Lady Izzara’s daughter, the heir to the title of Elder. She would lead their tribe one day. Surely her mother would not allow her to seriously court a bard?

It wasn’t fair. Princess Zelda did not look at Harper the way Lady Impa looked at Zamir. Princess Zelda did not give him a special smile, softness in her gaze. She did not look for him when she entered a room. She did not walk more quickly to catch up with him. And yet Lady Impa did all that for Zamir. It shouldn’t be allowed! It was uncouth, it was not proper!

Link was a commoner too. Why did he have the Princess’s affection? And how in Hylia’s name did he appear so unaffected by it? The boy’s ingratitude was just insulting! 

A new song came to mind. Not a love song, but a song of anger. A song of hate. A mean, mocking song.

Harper would never play it in public, of course. But everyone needed to vent once in a while, didn’t they?

So he took up his pen and began to write the meanest things about Link that he could think of.

From the Temple of Time, the Princess and her knight went to Zora’s Domain, then onwards to Rito Village. Gossip said they lingered at the Tech Lab on the way but, when asked by King Rhoam, the researchers all calmly denied it.

Eventually, they returned, riding through the castle gates side by side. Harper looked at the Princess with longing and upon Link with growing hate.

But it was fine. Surely the Princess would grace the court with her presence this evening. Harper could play for her, perhaps find a quiet moment to tell her that he was glad she was back.

She did not attend dinner in the dining hall that evening, or the next or the next. Harper was asked, along with Lila, to perform a duet for visiting dignitaries from Zora’s Domain. Princess Mipha was not among them; she, Princess Zelda and Link were all heading to one of the towns on the outskirts of Eldin, to meet with Lord Daruk. And so the Princess missed another of his performances.

Princess Zelda returned three days later, along with Link, Princess Mipha and Lord Daruk. The Princess shut herself away in her study and, when she performed sacred rituals in Hyrule Castle’s cathedral, the doors were guarded and everyone was forbidden to enter.

Everyone except Link. Of course, Harper thought bitterly.

He did not wish to be a hero, let alone The Hero, and yet…He wished to be Princess Zelda’s hero.

He barely saw her over the next few months. She was sent here, there and everywhere, all across Hyrule. A state visit to Zora’s Domain. A trip to Gerudo Town to discuss strategy with Lady Urbosa and check over Vah Naboris. A stay in Rito Village and even a trip up Death Mountain, into Goron City. He’d never been, but he heard all about the river of lava running through the city. He prayed the Princess was being careful up there.

Then there was a pilgrimage to the Spring of Power. A pilgrimage to Kakariko to pray in their temple and at their shrines. Another pilgrimage to the Great Plateau, to visit the Temple of Time and Mount Hylia. 

Even when Princess Zelda was in the castle, he didn’t see her much at all. As her sixteenth birthday approached, the Princess seemed to throw herself into her work more than ever. She spent long hours shut away with Doctor Purah, Doctor Robbie and Lady Impa. Even more hours shut away with Link. She visited Lady Izzara, their Elder, in her private office. She was summoned to King Rhoam’s private study in the library, to his official office and council chamber, to the Sanctum, to answer his never-ending questions about her powers.

The Princess’s birthday felt subdued this year. Harper was not asked to play this time and watched with envy as a group of musicians serenaded the lovely Princess, sitting on her throne. She looked divine in a rich purple and silver gown, her hair in an elaborate braided crown, her tiara shimmering in the light. Lady Urbosa hovered protectively by her side, along with Link and Lady Impa. Princess Mipha kept shooting her concerned looks, Daruk kept catching her eyes and smiling in a reassuring manner, and even Master Revali looked softer than usual.

There were nasty whispers and sneers of course.

Why can’t the foolish girl do as she’s told? Not trying hard enough…Death of us all…Embarrassment to the royal line…Stubborn, wilful girl, she thinks she’s so clever…Silly little child…What’s wrong with her?

Harper burned with indignation, furious on behalf of his beloved. He didn’t dare snap at the nobles, but when he heard a butler snickering, Harper made sure to stomp on his foot as he passed by.

It was time for Princess Zelda to begin the first dance, after King Rhoam made his toast to her. Normally, he’d been told, she danced with Lady Urbosa first. And it was so odd, but he could have sworn that she looked at Princess Mipha, a silent question in her eyes that Harper could not understand. It looked…Oh, he couldn’t put his finger on it. It was almost like she was seeking Princess Mipha’s permission for something.

Princess Mipha outright giggled and nodded. Harper wondered if Princess Zelda was about to ask her to dance. It wouldn’t be unheard of. They were close friends after all.

Instead, Princess Zelda rose from her throne and held her hand out to Link.

The foolish boy looked at her with wide eyes. His questioning eyes also darted to Princess Mipha, who was smiling. Was Princess Mipha in on this? Had she urged Princess Zelda to make her preference plain? 

Link took the Princess’s hand, smiling faintly.

Harper took a glass of champagne and chugged it. Maybe all of this would hurt less if he could only dull his senses.

He was unable to look away as the two of them danced.

This time the whispers were happier, but some folk sounded a little thrown off, like they’d missed something important.

But I could have sworn he was with…Oh hush, that’s only a rumour! And how would YOU know? Have you asked him? They do make a striking pair, don’t they? King Rhoam is watching them so closely...I haven’t seen His Majesty smile like that in a long time! He must approve…See, I told you so! I think Princess Mipha’s in on it…

So there it was. Princess Zelda and Link. The Princess and the knight. Blood of the Goddess and the Hero. What a perfect pair. What a happy ending.

Harper walked away, choosing to ignore when Zamir called after him.

It wasn’t fair. Princess Zelda had hated Link not too long ago! Gossip said she avoided him at every chance she got, and Harper had seen the dispassionate, cold way she’d looked at him before.

And now this. Now she loved him. Now she loved that foolish, silent, nobody from Hateno. Chosen by Hylia, the Child of Farore, yes, but still a commoner. So what if another Hero had married into royalty? That didn’t mean this one had to! If Princess Zelda was going to choose a lowborn fellow, why could she not choose Harper?

He’d been head-over-heels from the moment he laid eyes on her. He worshipped her, he adored her. He would give her anything she asked for, if only she would look kindly on him.

And she did look at him kindly, it must be said. But only that. Only kindness. No passion or fondness, no deep affection. There was no connection between them, and Harper must bridge that gap. 

Crown Princess Zelda Naydria Sonia Hyrule, Princess of Light, Blood of the Goddess, Wielder of the Triforce of Wisdom. Their Sacred Princess, their future Queen. She was, Harper was certain, the love of his life. Everything about her was perfect; her beauty, her grace, her quiet dignity. She was kind, eloquent, and so very clever. She was a Goddess on earth, sunshine incarnate; warm and lovely.

I would not ask for your hand, he thought, watching her as she entered the dining room for the first time in months. I would never be so presumptuous. But please, I must tell you how I love you. You are my muse, my heart’s desire. Sweet Princess, I have loved you from the moment I saw you. My heart is yours. Do I dare to live in hope? Can I possibly sway you to my side? 

Tragic romances made for some of the best songs, but they were absolutely wretched to experience in person.

The Goddess-awful weather didn’t help. It had been storming for two days straight, as if to match Harper’s mood. Judging by the restless atmosphere of the court, he wasn’t the only one already starting to feel a little stir-crazy.

When the plates were cleared away, Princess Zelda gazed out of the windows, frowning when lightning struck. A maid brought her dessert, a slice of lemon cake, but the Princess barely touched it, watching the terrible storm. Lady Impa, sitting next to her, looked terribly bored.

Eventually, the Princess sighed and stood up, making her way over to Harper.

“Good evening, Harper,” she said. “Do you have any instruments with you?”

He quickly stood up and bowed. “I do, my lady,” he said. Indeed, his lute was on the bench next to him.

“Perfect,” the Princess said with a gentle smile. “Would you mind playing something? Something…Something upbeat, perhaps. To lighten the mood.”

“I would be glad to, Princess,” Harper said, returning her smile.

Link wasn’t here. No one would stand in between them. Once Harper finished playing, he could approach the Princess and speak with her a while. He knew her favourite songs now; he could work a few into his impromptu setlist, to please her.

He would do anything to please her.

So he played. He sang her favourite song (apparently it had been the late Queen’s favourite too), he sang a silly little song about chasing a golden horse from stable to stable; he sang about the legendary Loftwings and a short, witty song about a dancing bear. He sang about a wedding, about Koroks and fairies.

Princess Zelda was smiling. Smiling at him. She looked peaceful, nodding her head along to the songs.

Everything else faded away. The dining room, the few people still lingering, even Lady Impa vanished from sight. All he saw was the Princess, her eyes glowing in the light of the candles, her smile serene. All the tension had left her. 

Harper had done that. Him! He’d made her happy.

Then Link walked in and all her attention was lost to him. She turned towards her knight with a smile, gesturing for him to join her and Lady Impa. The knight sat with the Princess and she immediately leaned in to whisper to him. Her eyes kept darting down to his hands, out of sight beneath the table. She nodded to whatever he signed, her smile growing. Lady Impa joined the huddle, the three of them whispering together. Princess Zelda smirked and muttered something to them both. Lady Impa giggled and Link, to Harper’s amazement and fury, grinned at the Princess.

So much for the stoic, always proper knight! 

He finished the song about fairies, and barely heard the claps from his little audience. He stared at the Princess, the happy sparkle in her eye. She signed something about moonlight of all things and, astonishingly, Link blushed.

By the Golden Three, were they planning a romantic rendezvous? Surely not! Not with an audience, especially not with Lady Impa sitting and talking with them! And yet, why else would Link be blushing? What exactly did the Princess say?

He couldn’t stand it. Months of jealousy, heartache and despair erupted within him. Link was unworthy of her! He did not deserve the Princess’s smiles or affection! He was Hylia’s Chosen- so what? What did that require, except pulling an enchanted sword? It was sheer dumb luck if you asked Harper. Link was lucky, there was no real skill involved. He couldn’t possibly be as brave and noble as people said. He was, like the gossip-mongers said, a stupid, dull, country boy; an upstart, cold and haughty.

How dare he trifle with the Princess’s affections when he was so unworthy of them?

And so Harper made a crucial error.

Staring at Link, rage no longer hidden, he played the song he’d never intended to sing in public. Oh, he didn’t use names, but what other silent knights wielded blessed blades? Everyone would know who he was jabbing at. Link would know. The song disparaged Link’s abilities as a knight, as Hylia’s Chosen, all but calling him a coward.

It insulted his mutism.

While he sang it, Harper felt smug, trying not to smirk too obviously. Surely now, Link would lose his temper. He would show the Princess what a spoiled little boy he was. He would finally drop that constant calm he projected; he would hit Harper, yell at him, he would finally hate Harper as much as Harper hated him. He wouldn’t be so damn perfect anymore, and the Princess would see he was no better than any other knight.

The song ended. Everyone stared at him. There were only about ten people in the hall and, Harper realised with growing apprehension, they all looked horrified.

As his anger died down, he realised what a stupid move he’d just made.

Link stared at him, perfectly and infuriatingly blank. He barely even blinked. He didn’t seem the least bit concerned or offended. That in itself even felt insulting; he truly didn’t care about Harper’s opinion at all, did he?

But if he didn’t care, perhaps the others wouldn’t…

One young maid scooted away from him with wide eyes. A Royal Guard outright glared at him, one hand on the hilt of his sword.

But the guard’s glare was nothing compared to the Princess’s.

Princess Zelda was flushed with fury, eyes sparking. Her fists were clenched on her lap and, for one mad second, Harper wondered if anger was the answer to the Princess’s prayers. She looked angry enough to burn the room down with holy light, to slay monsters with her bare hands. She looked like an avenging Goddess, all her gentle beauty replaced by cold ice and firm marble.

Lady Impa jumped to her feet, opening her mouth to scold, but Princess Zelda stopped her with a hand on Impa’s wrist. The Princess stood and everyone hastily stood and bowed as protocol demanded. Princess Zelda took no note of them, staring at Harper with utter rage.

“Link, Impa, come along,” she said in tones of utmost disgust, turning away with a swish of her skirts. “I’ve heard enough nonsense for one night.”

She marched away, head held high and seething. Link followed without a word and didn’t once look back. But Lady Impa? She came over and leaned in to hiss in Harper’s ear; “Meet me in my office in an hour, you thrice-damned fool. ”

Harper gulped and nodded. Impa swept away, after her Princess.

No one else would look at Harper, plainly too embarrassed to be near him. Afraid his sudden disgrace would rub off on them by proximity. Afraid to be seen conversing with him, lest the gossips say they agreed with him.

The whole court was going to hear about this. His entire tribe would know, his Elder would know. King Rhoam would be told. He’d just insulted Hylia’s Chosen for all to hear, embarrassing his tribe and earning Princess Zelda’s rage. Maybe even her hatred.

Everyone else quickly left. Harper remained seated, staring at his feet as humiliation set in. He felt very, very small.

Oh, sweet Hylia, what had he done? This could end his career. He could be sent back to Kakariko for this, and then what? His tribe was sworn to the Blood of the Goddess, but they were also sworn to Hylia’s Chosen. They would not forgive him for this.

He wondered, quite suddenly, if Zamir would ever speak to him again.

Chapter Text

“I am not the only traveller who has not repaid his debt. I've been searching for a trail to follow again. Take me back to the night we met. And then I can tell myself what the hell I'm supposed to do. And then I can tell myself not to ride along with you. I had all and then most of you, some and now none of you. Take me back to the night we met. I don't know what I'm supposed to do, haunted by the ghost of you. Oh, take me back to the night we met.” - The Night We Met, Lord Huron

“Of all the disrespectful, arrogant and needlessly cruel things to do!” Lady Impa exploded as soon as Harper stepped foot into her office. She slammed a fist onto her desk, standing beside it, and Harper hastily knelt.

Kneeling did no good. She grabbed him by the collar and dragged him to his feet, meeting his frightened eyes with an absolutely murderous glare.

Lady Impa was usually the epitome of calm. Nothing ever seemed to ruffle her. She was dutiful, dedicated, intelligent and quiet. He’d never heard her raise her voice before, not even once, not even in passing. He’d never seen Lady Impa truly angry.

“How dare you slander Hylia’s Chosen in such a manner,” she hissed, and Harper was suddenly, horribly aware of the sword on her hip and the kunai attached to her belt. “Call yourself a Sheikah! Our tribe’s holy mission is not just to protect the Blood of the Goddess, we are also sworn to him. Who exactly do you think you are?” She pushed him away from her, making a sound of disgust. She even wiped her hand on her shirt, as if his very presence was contaminating. “I knew you were an obnoxious little brat, but I never would have thought you were ableist too.”

Ableist? Despite his terror of what may come, that felt a step too far. But did he dare say so? He must try to speak. He must try to defend himself as best he could. Maybe there was some way to salvage the situation…

“I- I am not, my lady,” Harper stammered, and Lady Impa gave a bark of cold laughter before he could say anything more,

“No? Then why mock someone’s mutism, hm?”

To that, he had no answer. No answer she would accept anyway.

Lady Impa stared at him impatiently, her eyes narrowed. Suddenly she smiled, and that smile was ice-cold, cruel and mocking.

“The Princess doesn’t want you, you arrogant little fool,” she said in tones of mock-sweetness. 

Harper felt himself flush to the tips of his ears, heart racing. Lady Impa knew? The Princess knew? She truly knew how he felt? But then…why didn’t she say anything to him? Why let him linger in that horrid purgatory?

The Princess doesn’t want you, you arrogant little fool.

He swallowed heavily, his knees shaking. “My lady,” he forced himself to speak, his voice hoarse. “I…I do not know what you mean. My feelings for Her Highness are purely…that of a subject and his Princess. Nothing more.”

“Oh please,” Lady Impa scoffed. “No one’s going to buy that. Her Highness said nothing in order to spare you some embarrassment, in the hopes you would take a hint and direct your affections elsewhere. How could she not know with how often you seek her out and sing love songs at her? Unlike you, our Princess is not a fool. She is dedicated to her sacred tasks and has expressed to me, numerous times, that she has no wish for courtship with anyone until at least Calamity Ganon is destroyed. And even if she so wished it, she would never look twice at one who oversteps his bounds and forgets himself so often! She would never ever be permitted to wed a bard, you arrogant peacock!” She looked him up and down, quirking an unimpressed eyebrow. “Even if the Princess did want someone of lower rank…Why would she ever want someone who slanders and hates her best friend?”

Harper tried to think of an answer. Any answer. Lady Impa looked more impatient by the second. He must respond, he must plead his case. He’d forgotten himself in a moment of jealous madness. He honoured and revered Her Highness above all others. He loved her, worshipped her, adored her. There was no other girl like her in all of Hyrule; no other girl like her in the whole world. She was the Goddess Incarnate, she was perfection. He would cherish her and her sweetness forever. He needed her as a flower needed sunlight. Her smiles, her mere presence was a blessing. He would never overstep with her! And he hadn’t! Truly, he hadn’t. He’d just sang for her, that was all. Until tonight, until this cursed night, he’d never sung anything offensive. He’d hoped to enchant her, to let her know how very much he admired her, that was all. Surely some songs weren’t so unwelcome?

Lady Impa would accept none of that, Harper knew. 

“Have you forgotten that friendship exists? Evidently you’re another of those fools who think a boy and girl can only be close if it’s romantic,” Lady Impa scoffed, rolling her eyes. Her fingers tapped impatiently against the hilt of her sword. 

“I w-would never think to…to wed Her Grace,” Harper managed to say. It was not totally true though, was it? Hadn’t he daydreamed about winning a Dukedom, about helping her unlock her inner power, rising in the ranks and being permitted to court her?

He felt three inches tall. It was as if Lady Impa could read him like an open book.

“If it were up to me, you would be banished back to Kakariko,” Lady Impa said coldly. She leaned against her desk, arms crossed. “I would send you to work for the monks and nuns for at least the rest of the year, under a vow of silence. Maybe some humility and hardwork, some time in silent contemplation with the Goddess, would remind you of your place.”

The idea of not being permitted to sing was horrifying. Harper’s throat closed up at the mere thought, he felt a cold rush of dread.

“Luckily for you, the decision does not lie with me. I will be writing to my mother to inform her of what’s happened and, as the Elder, she will decide what to do with you.”

Lady Izzara was known for being a wise and merciful leader, quite unlike her martial mother, the previous Elder. Perhaps she would take pity on Harper. Perhaps she would see him as nothing more than a foolish teenager.

But even if Lady Izzara forgave him, who was to say the rest of his tribe would?

Merciful or not, he could only imagine how much worse this lecture would be if their Elder was here, and not in Kakariko for the past week. Her return would be swift once she received Lady Impa’s letter, no doubt about it. Oh Goddess, perhaps he should just resign and flee into the Hebra Mountains.

“You are a cruel, obnoxious, arrogant, ignorant young man,” Lady Impa sneered. Harper wilted under her glare, unsure of where to look, what to say or do.

“I can only apologise,” he mumbled. He felt close to tears. 

The Princess doesn’t want you, the Princess doesn’t want you, the Princess doesn’t want you.

“Oh, you will,” Lady Impa said. She marched forward and grabbed his wrist, dragging him from her office. “You will come with me right now to apologise to Sir Link and Princess Zelda. You will humbly beg forgiveness on your knees, and may the Goddesses help you if either of them decide not to forgive your arrogance and cruelty.”

It was humiliating to be dragged through the castle like this. Various knights and guards, admirers of Link, shot Harper furious looks as Lady Impa pulled him along with her. She kept her gaze firmly ahead, scowling, marching like she was going into battle. She didn’t seem to notice the stares and whispers, or hear the giggles.

Harper saw and heard it all, blushing more than ever. He saw a trio of the Princess’s ladies turn away, noses in the air. He saw Sheikah researchers and guards look at him murderously. Sir Audric, the head of King Rhoam’s Kingsguard and His Majesty’s oldest friend, looked terribly disappointed. Doctor Cherry scowled at him, walking past more quickly as if fearful to be seen near him.

Worst of all was Zamir’s disapproving frown. He caught his friend’s eyes, feeling hopeful for a split second, but Zamir turned and walked back into the library.

Finally, they came to Princess Zelda’s chambers. Two members of the Royal Guard stood on either side of the doors. They inclined their heads in respect and stepped further back when Lady Impa approached.

“It’s me, Highness,” she called out, knocking on the door. “I’ve brought the bard to beg yours and Sir Link’s pardon.”

There was a long pause. Then Princess Zelda spoke, her voice stern. “Bring him in, Impa, darling,” she said.

One of the Royal Guard’s opened the doors. Lady Impa nodded in thanks and dragged Harper inside. Just before the double-doors closed, Harper heard the two guards chuckle. Well, at least someone was amused tonight. Harper began to suspect he would never feel amusement or joy again.

For a second, even under such circumstances, Harper could not help but feel a flicker of awe. He’d never been in the Princess’s chambers, never even been permitted in this wing of the castle before. They stood in Princess Zelda’s private sitting room, and it was even more luxurious than the rest of the castle. It was a large room, airy and spacious. Decorated in jewel-tones, it truly was a room fit for royalty. A beautiful thick rug covered most of the floor; judging by the bold colours and style, it was Gerudo in origin. Paintings of landscapes and scenes from mythology were on the walls, the chairs and sofas were all royal blue, plush and covered in decorative pillows. The marble fireplace was painted with Silent Princess flowers; it had vases of roses and a porcelain statue of Naydra on the mantle, and a portrait of the late Queen hung above it. Even as a mere painting, her smile was sweet and reassuring. There was something warm about Her Majesty’s eyes. In front of one of the windows was a small statue of Hylia, placed on a gilded table, large lit candles on either side of Her. Tapestries with the royal banners hung on either side of another pair of doors, leading to Princess Zelda’s bedchamber no doubt.

Large bookshelves lined one wall; the curtains were all of heavy damask, coloured blue, purple and gold. The chandelier was decorated with hanging crystals; its lit candles reflected on them, and sent out rainbow prisms across the room. There were more plants throughout the room, a low polished-wood table between the sofas and chairs, laid out with a tea-set and a spread of sandwiches and buns. 

Princess Zelda and Link- Sir Link- sat together on one of those plush sofas. The Princess had removed her tiara and formal gown; her elaborate braided hair was undone and hung loose down her back. Her dress was much plainer and simple; Harper could see she wore her favourite travelling boots. The only adornment she still wore from earlier in the evening was her silver ring, decorated with a jewelled Silent Princess.

Sir Link still looked the same, though Harper was amazed to see his hair was also loose. His hair-tie was around his wrist instead.

The Princess’s eyes were ice-cold. Sir Link’s expression was cool and calm. Harper couldn’t decide if that was good or not. Sir Link was adept at keeping a calm expression, no matter the circumstances. Just because he looked unaffected didn’t mean he wasn’t angry. For all Harper knew, Sir Link might want him banished back to Kakariko too. Or worse.

Princess Zelda took a sip of her tea, no longer looking at Harper.

“You may speak,” she said, more regal and commanding than Harper had ever seen her. All that gentleness, that sweetness, was gone. She was a cold marble statue, a burning star; she was permafrost. Where was her radiant light? Where was her serenity? Had Harper truly earned her scorn forever?

He’d once thought to himself that he’d drop dead if ever faced with Princess Zelda’s scorn. He certainly felt sick with terror now. Perhaps he really would expire on the spot, drop dead of embarrassment and shame.

Harper begged, that was certain. Not just kneeling, but fully prostrated on the ground as Lady Impa demanded. Lady Impa loomed over him, and Harper could feel her eyes on him, burning a hole through his head. Princess Zelda and Sir Link were utterly silent as Harper begged forgiveness.

“I was cruel and foolish,” he said repeatedly. “I do not know what came over me. It was terribly unfair of me, I was completely disrespectful. I deserve punishment, I know. I can only humbly beg your forgiveness, Sir Link, Hylia’s Chosen. I understand if you cannot forgive me, if you hate me.” He said it again and again; “I’m sorry, I am so sorry.”

Gulping, his stomach churning unpleasantly, Harper said, “If you tell Lady Izzara that you wish to banish me, I would understand, Sir.”

The Princess doesn’t want you, you arrogant little fool.

The Princess doesn’t want you. The Princess doesn’t want you.

Well…Well, yes, he knew that. She didn’t want him now, but he’d hoped…If he did things right, if he wooed her as a Princess deserved…Maybe she would want him. Harper imagined a courtly romance, the stuff of poems and songs. A fairytale. He imagined sweeping the fair maiden off her feet with a song and a smile. He imagined worshipping her for the rest of his days, be it from afar or close. He’d hoped that, even if she didn’t love him, she would feel flattered. That she would be happy to know someone was on her side, that he adored her so utterly. He’d hoped that, even if the Princess did not return his affections, she would welcome them.

Harper had considered himself quite clever at love until now.

“And I must apologise to you too, Highness,” he said, voice cracking. “For I fear I have been untoward. It was never my intention to make you uncomfortable. And for slandering your appointed knight, I can only once more humble myself. I truly am sorry.”

He’d never wanted her to be uncomfortable around him. Never ever. Goddess, he’d wanted to make her happy. He wanted to see her smile, that sweet and gracious smile, every day of his life. He wanted Princess Zelda to be happy.

He wanted to be the one to make her happy.

Instead she looked at him with ice in her eyes, a scowl on her lovely face.

Silence reigned. Harper dared to look up, his heart still racing. Sir Link gazed at him, shrugged, and signed something brisk and short. All Harper understood was, No, and his heart sank. He would not be forgiven, would he? He would surely be banished back to Kakariko.

“You’re sure, darling?” Princess Zelda asked. Darling! And Harper was to believe she didn’t love him? But she’d called Lady Impa darling too…

Sir Link nodded. He signed again and Lady Impa’s lips twitched into a smirk of amusement.

It was not a nice feeling, knowing he was being discussed and yet having no idea what was being said.

“Hylia’s Chosen Hero says he can forgive this,” Princess Zelda said, putting an emphasis on Sir Link’s title. “I will stand by my friend’s decision. But let me make it plain, Harper- you are to stay away from him, and from me. I will not tolerate such cruelty.”

Stay away from Princess Zelda? He would rather be banished! To be in the same castle and yet be forced to avoid her…Oh, it was horrible, it felt like his heart was being torn from his chest. The Princess wished to avoid him; she was furious, perhaps even hated him. 

“You may rise, Harper,” Lady Impa said coldly.

Harper rose shakily to his feet, even as he wanted to fall back to his knees and continue to beg forgiveness. Surely there was something he could do or say to make this right. He must undo this mistake somehow. At least if he was in Kakariko there was no chance of seeing Her Highness from afar, not unless there was an official visit. But to live in the castle, to see her from a distance and know she didn’t wish him near was ten times worse.

He would never be permitted to speak to her again. He would surely never be asked to sing or play in her presence again. And there went his standing! If the Princess did not wish him to perform, what other court singers or poets would work with him, lest they get dragged down with him? Harper couldn’t even blame them if no one wanted to work with him. He certainly wouldn’t risk his career and reputation if the roles were reversed.

“You’re dismissed,” the Princess said, and she wasn’t even looking at him anymore. 

Link- Sir Link, blast it, he must not disrespect him again- on the other hand, continued to stare. There was something feline about him, Harper thought, and marvelled that he’d never noticed it before.

“Highness,” Harper mumbled, bowing deeply to her, both hands on his heart. “Chosen. My lady.”

He backed away, all but stumbling out of the room. He ignored the sneers from the guards and made a break for it, running with all haste back to his room.

Harper did not dare leave his room the next day. He stayed hidden away, and had a passing maid bring him meals. Other than that, he did not leave his bed.

The day after that, he prepared as if he was marching into battle. He dressed in his tribe’s colours, a rare thing for him, but anything he would do to win points with his tribesmen was needed. He held his lute tightly, almost like it was a sword, and marched from his rooms.

He could feel all those eyes on him, he would hear the whispers and giggles. Shy little Sir Pip, so earnest and often clumsy, gave Harper such a fierce glare that he nearly stumbled into the doorway in surprise. He remembered, in an embarrassed rush, that Sir Link had often sparred with the lad, he had helped to boost his confidence. No wonder Sir Pip took Harper’s song to heart.

Sir Arthur, that awful braggart, clapped Harper on the back, laughing, and said it was good to see that some people were brave enough to say what everyone else thought. Harper quickly shrugged him off and hurried on his way.

He was not like Sir Arthur. He wasn’t. He was not a bully, forever picking on those smaller than him. He was not devious and uncouth, forever peering down the bodice of a lady’s dress. 

He needed to find Zamir.

Zamir was on one of the castle’s many terraces, enjoying his breakfast and reading a book of ancient Sheikah poems. Other courtiers and servants lingered on the terrace; eating, talking, relaxing, generally enjoying their mornings. Harper wished he could smile with them. He feared he would never feel joy again.

He tried to ignore the stares as he walked to Zamir.

His friend looked up and frowned. Harper’s gaze dropped to Zamir’s necklace, the one he always wore, in the shape of Hylia’s wings. His friend was a pious soul, and Harper had besmirched Hylia’s Chosen. Zamir would not be happy with him.

Many months ago, Zamir had been tasked with writing a play about Hylia and Her Beloved. It was a musical, of course, with a bard in charge. Before the play began, Zamir had knelt to Sir Link as he announced the name and plot of the play. Zamir was too shy and awe-struck to ever speak to Sir Link or Princess Zelda himself, certainly not without express permission, but he was devoted to them both in his own quiet way.

He looked at Harper like he didn’t know him. Harper didn’t dare take the empty seat.

“Zamir,” he began, only to be cut off.

“How dare you?” Zamir asked simply. He closed his book with a snap. 

“I…I wasn’t thinking…”

“Evidently.”

Harper winced. He’d never heard Zamir sound so cold before. And yet he sounded so straightforward, so sure of himself. As if this was an easy conversation to have, as if Harper’s heart didn’t lay in pieces on the ground.

“I knew you took a fancy to her,” Zamir said. “The Princess, that is. I thought it was harmless. She has plenty of admirers. But this? This embarrasses our whole tribe. Insulting Hylia’s Chosen is to insult Hylia Herself, it is spitting on our people’s sworn duty.”

“I know,” Harper whispered. His eyes stung, his chest was too tight. He wanted to break down and weep. He’d hoped that Zamir would say something kind, like he always did.

He felt like he was losing his friend. Was this another thing he’d broken beyond repair?

“I don’t know how to fix this,” Harper told him, and a tear escaped. He brushed it away before anyone else could see, all those courtiers and servants trying to listen in.

Zamir’s gaze softened somewhat. He looked at Harper with pity.

“Oh, Harper,” he said sadly. “I don’t think you can.”

The Princess did not speak to him. She hardly looked at him. Two days later, Sir Link went on a visit to Zora’s Domain. When there was a Lynel sighting near Hyrule Field, Lady Impa was sent to retrieve him, in order for him to slay the beast.

Sir Link returned with a new sparkle in his eyes and a lightness to his steps. He returned wearing a silver teardrop-shaped locket. 

Harper did not see this locket up close, of course. He barely even saw Sir Link.

But he heard the rumours. He heard people swear they saw the locket, which was normally hidden under the knight’s tunic. They swore it was engraved with the Zora sigil. Rumours began that it contained one of Princess Mipha’s scales.

Princess Mipha. Graceful, gentle, sweet Princess Mipha. Pilot of Vah Ruta, the healer and warrior. The heir to the Zora throne. Sir Link’s childhood friend. Princess Mipha, who often walked arm-in-arm with him, who lit up when she saw the knight. The Zora Princess, so often the third member of Sir Link and Princess Zelda’s travelling party.

Harper thought of a petite, cloaked figure, catching up with Sir Link in the darkness of the gardens at twilight. The large hood that Sir Link had worn to hide his own face, and the clothes that looked as if…As if he was going on a date…

Oh Hylia, Harper thought, icy shock washing over him. He’d had it wrong. He’d had it all wrong.

Sir Link did not love Princess Zelda, just as Lady Impa said. He loved Princess Mipha. 

And Princess Zelda- she must have known. Surely she’d known? He was her appointed knight, her partner in destiny. If Lady Impa spoke truly, if the Princess truly did not wish to even think of courtship for the time being…

Had she helped them to meet? Had she helped to arrange quiet moments for them?

Her birthday. She’d danced with Sir Link first, but she’d looked at Princess Mipha, as if asking for something. 

Silently asking permission to dance with Princess Mipha’s partner.

He felt a shiver of fear. Did Princess Mipha know what Harper had said about her beloved? He didn’t want to end up on the wrong side of the Lightscale Trident, thank you very much. He’d heard tales about what a fantastic warrior she was; as fierce and brave as she was gentle and kind. 

She would surely show no mercy to someone who openly slandered her beloved.

Oh sweet Hylia, Harper had considered himself and Sir Link to be rivals! He’d believed they were in silent competition with each other- or at least that Sir Link was aware of Princess Zelda’s affections and did not wish to upset her by turning her down outright.

Ah. Was that how the Princess had felt about him? She’d never been cruel to him, but she’d never sought him out like he wished. She’d never…

She’d never paid him any special kind of attention. Never complimented him any more than she complimented the other court performers. She’d been kind, yes, but Princess Zelda was always kind. It was one of the things Harper loved about her.

Kind, but distant. As she always was. A divine figure, someone to be worshipped and adored, yes…But always that. Always distant. 

If the rumours were true about Sir Link and Princess Mipha…

Oh, Harper had truly been a fool.

His parents came to the castle to upbraid him. Lady Izzara herself returned to the castle to berate him. Both experiences were utterly awful.

His father, a researcher and scientist working on the Guardians, still had grease on his hands when he arrived. His mother, a nurse in the city at one of the best hospitals, was still in her uniform. 

“You’ve shamed us all with that stunt!” his father thundered.

“Sir Link has told me he does not wish you banished,” Lady Izzara said coldly. “I will respect his wishes. But, as I’m sure my daughter already told you, if you put another toe out of line, you will be sent home in disgrace and never leave our village again.”

His mother even sought out Sir Link to apologise again on Harper’s behalf. 

King Rhoam did not berate him as Harper expected. The King seemed lost in thought these last few weeks, and especially now. Pre-occupied with the looming Calamity, most likely. Probably for the best. He had no wish to face the King’s temper on top of everyone else’s. It was said that King Rhoam was thunderous when angered, that he was as frightening as a Death Mountain eruption.

There were many eruptions lately, both literal and metaphorical. Death Mountain truly was erupting, sending out great plumes of black smoke and rivers of lava, more so than ever before. Tempers at court frayed, and more and more arguments broke out over the smallest, pettiest things.

Rumours continued to circulate. People continued to sneer and whisper against their Princess and her lack of holy magic. She walked among them with her head held high, never once indicating that she heard them. People whispered about Sir Link and Princess Mipha. Some were even brave enough to ask the knight directly, but he never answered, of course. 

And Harper’s reputation had plummeted.

No other bards wished to collaborate with him. No courtiers wished to hire him. He was left out of performances, no longer singled out by the King or Princess to perform when dignitaries visited, no longer even asked to sing during or after meals. When Master Revali came to visit, Harper was excluded. He watched, heart sinking, as a group of musicians paid the Rito Champion homage. He knew exactly what songs he would have sung for Master Revali, such as The Ballad of the Dragon Valoo, a song about the Sage Medli, perhaps even the Song of the Stormwind Ark. 

Master Revali caught his eyes and glared. Well then. It seemed the Champions had heard about his…indiscretion.

He didn’t understand it. Master Revali once hated Sir Link too. He’d hated him even longer than the Princess had. How was it that Sir Link kept winning them over? He was hardly a charming individual.

Oh, there Harper went again. Brooding and turning towards mean, petty thoughts. This was exactly what got him into trouble in the first place! Well, no. His thoughts were safe. The trouble came from voicing them.

What to do, what to do? The Princess still did not look his way. It was as if Harper didn’t exist.

Zamir still barely spoke to him, looking at him with disapproval. In any case, he was so often with Lady Impa nowadays, and she certainly did not welcome Harper’s presence. 

Who could he talk to? Who could he voice his grievances to? He’d thought he had so many friends, but they avoided him now, afraid of disgrace by association. Friends indeed! Fairweathered, wretched friends.

His star had been rising. He’d been singled out by King Rhoam himself, sought after by courtiers for their celebrations, and asked to perform for visiting dignitaries, including the Champions themselves. He’d been permitted to accompany Princess Zelda to the Spring of Courage as she performed a holy ritual. Despite the fact he’d been the newcomer, he’d been talented enough to win favours and admirers.

And now it was all gone.

Now he was not asked to perform. Now no one sought him out. The other bards did not wish to work with him. The courtiers did not hire him. The King did not single him out for special occasions. The Princess did not speak to him, she hardly even looked at him for long. It had all fallen apart in one stupid moment.

The only people who talked to him were the naysayers, the gossip-mongers. Sir Arthur and his ilk, the kind who whispered that Hyrule was doomed with a powerless Princess and a mute nobody to protect them.

Did they think he was like them? Never! He believed in Princess Zelda with all his heart. He knew she could save them, that she would save them. He just wished she didn’t have to.

He was not like them. He was not cruel. He did not take joy in spreading misery to others.

But who was he? Harper wasn’t sure he knew anymore.

Sir Link caught his eye and Harper quickly looked away. The last thing he needed was someone to complain that he shouldn’t be allowed to make eye-contact with Hylia’s Chosen or some such. 

Besides, a part of Harper must admit that he was simply too embarrassed to meet Sir Link’s gaze for more than a second. What must the knight think of him? He must think Harper was a cruel fool. He must think Harper was exactly like the gossip-mongers. He surely must think, at the very least, that Harper was a snob.

Harper did not like these thoughts. He did not like these comparisons. He didn’t want to think about it. He was not a bully, simple as that.

And yet…

Was he?

101 years ago…

All of Hyrule Castle was in a frenzy. An explosion of joy, of jealousy, of shock.

Princess Mipha had proposed to Sir Link. He had accepted.

Harper watched it all dispassionately. The rumours were proven true once and for all, but at least these rumours were pleasant. He’d thought Princess Zelda seemed unusually giddy for the last few weeks. He’d wondered what had her so happy. Likely she’d known in advance. Princess Mipha would need Sir Link’s measurements for the infamous Zora armour, and who better to ask than her friend, who had Sir Link’s measurements thanks to making his Champion tunic?

The solid proof: Princess Zelda approved of the match and was happy to help them. Sir Link loved Princess Mipha, and Princess Mipha loved Sir Link.

A knight and a Princess. Just not the knight and Princess that Harper had jealously suspected.

More rumours soon circulated, of course. It was said that King Rhoam caused a fuss, insisting they needed his permission to wed. It was said that King Dorephan threatened to revoke Princess Mipha’s permission to be the Vah Ruta pilot if King Rhoam did not remember himself. 

Certainly, there were many meetings behind closed doors, attended by King Rhoam, King Dorephan, Princess Mipha, Sir Link, Lady Impa and even Lady Urbosa. It was said that Lady Urbosa was there to argue on Sir Link’s behalf. Certainly, she was a fierce and clever woman, a powerful political figure. She would be a good ally to have.

Though Harper wondered why Sir Link did not attend these meetings with his parents. Sir Roland, Captain of the City Guard, was a man with an impeccable reputation. King Rhoam seemed quite fond of him.

Then again, it was all rumour and speculation. Harper had no idea what was true, if any of it was true. He certainly had no way of finding out.

Besides, he was more preoccupied with the fact that he’d been wrong. He’d suspected his Princess of yearning for her knight, but Lady Impa had been correct; they were best friends and nothing more.

He watched Princess Zelda hook her arm around Sir Link’s, pulling him into walking beside her instead of a few steps behind. She glowed as she gushed about wedding plans with him, her eyes sparkling. It seemed that, rather than a best man, Princess Zelda would be the “best woman.” 

They were best friends. There was love there, a deep and true love, but not of the romantic sort.

Harper had been wrong, wrong, wrong. He’d lost his reputation, disgracing himself and embarrassing the Sheikah, in one petty moment and he’d been wrong. 

The Princess doesn’t want you, the Princess doesn’t want you.

Indeed, she did not. She still did not speak to him, nor look his way. He’d earned her scorn well and truly, and Harper really thought he might drop dead from the shame of it.

His beloved Princess hated him. He’d broken his own heart and for what? Because he wanted Sir Link to react, to lose his temper. Because he wanted this paragon of perfection to hate him as much as Harper hated him. 

Well, he wasn’t sure he hated Sir Link anymore. The primary emotion he felt was embarrassment whenever Hylia’s Chosen entered the room.

“Impa’s all in a tizzy,” Zamir said with a fond smile. “She’s so excited for them, but she’s anxious to make sure nothing goes wrong.”

To think that Zamir was on a first-name basis with Lady Impa, and had been for nearly a year now. Their courtship went slowly, quietly, but they seemed perfectly comfortable and happy in each other’s presence. Harper envied it. 

To be on a first-name basis with Her Highness, to attend dinner with her, to stroll through the gardens with her, or simply sit in comfortable silence…But it was not to be. And Harper had never been fond of silence in any case.

“I’m sure it will be lovely,” Harper said. He looked at his notebook, at all those scribbles and half-started songs for Princess Zelda. Nothing had ever seemed good enough. Nothing captured the grand scale of his love for her, the passion he felt, his devotion. Nothing described her beauty perfectly, nothing did her divine existence justice. 

He’d never finished his song for her. Lately, he’d struggled to finish anything.

Really, it was a wonder that Zamir was talking to him so kindly again. He’d been certain that Zamir would hate him forever, just as Princess Zelda did.

Zamir’s eyes darted to Harper’s notebook. Sitting next to him, he must have been able to read the notes, to see the mentions of Princess and light, and sunshine and love. He must surely know what he was looking at, but he was kind enough not to comment.

Harper feared that he was not as kind as Zamir.

It had been nearly a full year since the incident. Still, his reputation had not recovered. Even when he was included in a group project, be it a play or a concert, his opinion was not asked for and he was assigned the smallest roles. He’d had a few patrons and, thank goodness, not all of them were enemies of Princess Zelda. But it was still nothing compared to the success he’d enjoyed before.

Was this why he wasn’t banished? In order to truly break his heart? Being sent to Kakariko in disgrace would have been kinder than this.

If so, he had to give Lady Impa, Lady Izzara, Sir Link and Princess Zelda credit. It was a clever punishment.

But hadn’t he been punished enough?

If the Princess would just look at him, grace him with that gentle smile again…

Whether King Rhoam objected or not could not truly be confirmed. Either way, the wedding preparations began in earnest. Harper saw even less of the Princess as she travelled to Zora’s Domain to throw herself into the plans, to help her friends. He wondered if she performed her rituals out there. The Zora were a spiritual race; they must have many sacred spots. He wondered if she was still making use of that strange Sheikah slate, if she was still studying the ancient Sheikah technology. 

His heart still ached. He still yearned for a glance, a smile, a kind word. He wished for forgiveness with all his heart, and feared he would never earn it. His deepest fear was that Princess Zelda would never look kindly upon him again.

The wedding took place on a glorious sunny day, in the heart of Zora’s Domain.

Harper was not in attendance. He was not a guest, nor was he invited to perform. Zamir attended as Lady Impa’s date; Lila and a group of others were asked to join the Zora choir for a performance.

It was said to be a marvellous wedding, a beautiful wedding. The stuff of fairytales and songs, just as Harper had dreamed of for himself. Himself and a Princess.

He must admit it now, as he sat in his room all alone, most of the court away in Zora’s Domain on this romantic, magical day. He’d dreamed of wedding the Princess. He’d told himself he was content to yearn from afar, to play the courtly lover and bring her joy through music. And all of that was true, it was. But he’d also dreamed of being at her side, openly and proudly, of being her true love and all of Hyrule knowing it.

He had no desire to be a King per say. But to have the Princess’s heart, to voice such love aloud, to inspire and protect her…Yes, he wanted that.

He’d dreamed of a love like the one between Sir Link and Princess Mipha. The love that inspired songs and poems, that had so many people talking. A love that was the biggest news in all of Hyrule. 

Sir Link and Princess Mipha…The Chosen Hero and Zora Champion…The knight that seals the darkness and the pilot of Vah Ruta…What a pair! Two skilled warriors, two beautiful young people. A Princess and a knight! Childhood friends, joined at the hip! Such a lovely pair, such a darling couple.

Harper had heard all of that and more since their relationship was well and truly made public. He’d heard nasty, horrible things of course. There would always be nasty, horrible people to say cruel things.

He feared he was among their number.

He did not want to be cruel. His jealousy of the knight was gone. So then why did he still feel so wretched? He’d apologised, Sir Link had claimed to forgive him. Why must he still drown in guilt? Why must he still be ostracised? What else must he do to earn forgiveness and prove himself?

Harper wished he could say things changed after the wedding. That, without Sir Link there, Princess Zelda softened towards him. Perhaps without the object of his terrible song at her side, she would forget to be angry.

But it hadn’t just been the song, had it? His advances had been unwelcome. His love songs had not been wanted.

Her Highness still did not spare him a word or a glance. She and Lady Impa raced to the castle’s entrance when Sir- Prince Link and Princess Mipha returned from their honeymoon, beaming all the while, the brightest Harper had seen her smile since her friends left.

She visited Zora’s Domain as often as possible, staying for weeks at a time. Prince Link and Princess Mipha stayed in Hyrule Castle, and the three of them went everywhere together. They visited the other Champions to get updates on their progress with the Divine Beasts and to visit Hyrule’s leaders and discuss battle plans. They holed up in Princess Zelda’s study with Lady Impa, Doctor Purah and Doctor Robbie, locked away for hours on end. They travelled to sacred sites so that Princess Zelda may perform her sacred rituals. 

And when Princess Zelda was not with Prince Link and Princess Mipha, she was with Lady Impa. She stayed in the chapel, praying. She went to the Great Plateau, to visit the Temple of Time and Mount Hylia. She went to the Tech Lab to make plans with Doctor Purah and Doctor Robbie. She spent hours and hours in the library, reading every book about the Goddesses available, be it pure fantasy or based in historical fact. She read about past Queens and Princesses, and past Heroes. She even, to Harper’s bafflement, made a pilgrimage to the Great Hyrule Forest. It was said that a powerful and wise spirit slept in there, hidden from the sight of regular mortals.

When her elderly horse, sweet Artemisia passed away in her sleep, all of the Champions raced to the castle to be with her.

She did not attend court functions unless strictly necessary. 

Harper thought, before, that the Princess was rarely home. That was nothing compared to now.

He watched as she and Lady Impa climbed atop their horses. Zora’s Domain was their destination. Zamir told him that Prince Link and Princess Mipha would meet them at Wetland Stable, and the group would make the journey to the Domain together.

The best of friends. A merry little group. 

What a fool Harper had been.

100 years ago…

The Princess’s seventeenth birthday was in a month’s time, and tense preparations for her birthday celebration had begun. 

She’d been gone from Hyrule Castle since last month, leaving with haste at the side of Prince Link and Princess Mipha.

The rumours were relentless. With two of the Royal Guard as witness, and Sir Audric’s suddenly distant attitude towards the King, everyone soon knew what King Rhoam had said to her, right in front of Princess Mipha and Prince Link.

“The heir to a throne of nothing. Nothing but failure.”

He’d thrown some of the cruellest gossip in her face, right in front of witnesses- royal witnesses no less!- and ordered her to go to the Spring of Power for the month.

Harper burned with indignation when he heard the news. How dare the King speak to Princess Zelda in such a manner? Did he have no care for her? Did he not worry about what effect such words would have on her?

The Princess went, and Harper stayed put as always. He yearned for her return but, as the month drew to a close, there was no sign of the Princess.

The rumours persisted. They said she went from the Spring of Power to the Spring of Courage. They said she visited Gerudo Town, and Hylia knew that Lady Urbosa would never share details on what the Princess was up to with anyone, let alone the King, who she was known to quarrel with. From there, the rumours said she was in Kakariko, then Hateno; then Goron City and Rito Village, then seen in the Hebra Mountains. The rumours said she was in Faron, investigating the Zonai Ruins. The rumours said she was investigating the mysterious labyrinths in Tabantha and Gerudo.

Rumours, rumours and more rumours. 

Whatever the truth was, the King did not summon her home.

He heard the plan, of course, everyone did. The Princess, accompanied by her Champions, would ascend Mount Lanayru as soon as midnight struck and her seventeenth birthday would begin. The day after, regardless of success or failure, she was to return home.

She would be seventeen, of age to rule, yet no plans were made for a coronation. There was no mention of King Rhoam, her regent, stepping down. 

He knew Zamir was worried about that.

“What if he doesn’t intend to step down?” Zamir fretted. “He’s a regent, he’s not Blood of the Goddess; he married into royalty. Princess Zelda is the rightful Queen, but…Well, people have been saying for years that he intends to hold onto power.”

Harper had never been sure what to make of that rumour. King Rhoam always seemed like a stern but fair ruler. A little harsh with his words, certainly fearsome when angered, but never cruel.

At least, he’d never considered the King to be cruel until he heard what he said to Princess Zelda.

Harper couldn’t help but hate him now.

Princess Zelda. Queen Zelda. How would things play out when she finally returned?

Harper missed her. He’d missed her even when she was present, for he was denied time with her, conversation with her. He could only watch and pray for her to soften towards him.

But perhaps this would be it. Perhaps the Spring of Wisdom would awaken her powers. After all, she was supposed to wield the Triforce of Wisdom. If Hylia would not answer her, perhaps Nayru would at last.

He prayed for her success and happiness, as he always had. He prayed for her to awaken her powers and ascend to the throne without fuss, be it right after her birthday or after Ganon’s defeat. Harper knelt in Hyrule Castle’s chapel and prayed to Goddess Hylia for peace.

And yes, he prayed for the Princess to speak to him again.

He wished to apologise again. To tell her that he believed in her. He knew she would save them all; he always had.

But Harper never got that chance.

As the sun set on Princess Zelda’s seventeenth birthday, disaster struck.

As Harper sat on a bench in the castle garden, waiting for the fireflies, the earth rumbled with such force that he was thrown from his seat and onto the ground. The stench of rot and sulphur filled the air; the clouds turned black and red lightning struck. Embers and clouds of smoke danced through the air, though there was no fire that Harper could see.

What’s happening? What’s going on? he thought frantically, even as a part of him understood. Reality crashed down around him and, in an instant, Harper knew nothing would ever be the same again.

This was no earthquake.

A great, bellowing roar rang out from the sky, and everyone around him screamed in terror and denial as darkness rose and overtook the castle in a single, terrible wave.

That darkness had burning gold eyes made of fire. A being of smoke, malice and fire, black and blood red. A gigantic, terrible beast. Hyrule’s oldest and greatest enemy.

Calamity Ganon had risen again.

Chapter Text

“Oh, you can fit me inside the necklace you got when you were sixteen, next to your heartbeat, where I should be. Keep it deep within your soul. And if you hurt me, well, that's okay, baby, only words bleed. Inside these pages you just hold me, and I won't ever let you go. When I'm away, I will remember how you kissed me under the lamppost, back on 6th street. Hearing you whisper through the phone, ‘Wait for me to come home.’” - Photograph, Ed Sheeran

For one terrible moment, all Harper could do was stare. Calamity Ganon rose higher into the sky, roaring in terrible triumph, as red lightning began to flash in the sky. All around him, people were screaming, and the ground continued to shake. The clouds grew darker, thicker; the stench of rot and sulphur grew. 

He watched, utterly lost, as strange pillars rose from the earth and Guardians, glowing red, poured out. Why were they red? They should have been blue. Did their light turn red in the presence of their enemy? Were they charging up to attack?

Why were the Guardians rushing into the city?

Balls of malice and smoke shot down from Calamity Ganon, landing Goddess knew where and doing- what? Harper didn’t want to know. Blasting people apart most likely.

The screams grew in volume. Far away, he could hear the triumphant cries of monsters and then…Then…

Beeps. Mechanical whirls. The Guardians! The Guardians would protect them!

A Guardian came running down the garden path, and Harper stared at its red glow. Red, red, red. And why oh why was it not turning towards Ganon?

A tower crumbled. The whole castle shook.

The Guardian’s laser locked onto a servant.

A woman wearing the uniform of a kitchen maid, grabbed Harper’s arm, hauling him to his feet.

“Run!” she screamed, pulling him with her. “Run!”

The laser fired, and the poor servant was killed on the spot, blasted to pieces.

It seemed to spur everyone into action. Harper and the kitchen maid were no longer the only ones running. Everyone began to run, pushing past each other, screaming for help, for their loved ones. 

All the while, Ganon roared. The Guardian was already firing at random into the crowd.

All in all, it took less than a minute for everything to go straight to hell.

He wasn’t sure how they made it out of the castle. He had vague recollections of a clambering over a partially-collapsed wall, helping the kitchen maid to climb up after him. He remembered her fearful brown eyes, plainly terrified he would leave her behind to escape alone.

Harper could not imagine leaving anyone to face this horror alone.

“I’m Lila,” the young maid gasped as they ran to the edge of the castle’s island, looking down uneasily into the moat. To their right, Castle Town was ablaze. Monsters and Guardians alike swarmed through it, destroying everything in their path. More and more of Hyrule Castle crumbled. Skywatcher Guardians patrolled the skies, and Turret Guardians sought out victims from atop towers and from hidden corners.

Lila. A sweet name. The same name as one of their best bards, a woman that Harper had been proud to work with. Where was she? Had she escaped?

Oh Goddess, was Zamir alive or dead?

“Harper,” he told Lila, quite out of breath. 

Hand in hand, they leapt into the moat, desperately praying they would survive the swim to Hyrule Forest Park.

The cold water of the moat was a shock to the senses, but oddly welcome compared to the suffocating heat in the air. Down here in the moat, it was almost possible to miss the stench of smoke and rot.

The screams of Castle Town’s citizens were deafening. There was no ignoring it.

Desperately, Harper swam, keeping pace with Lila the kitchen maid. All the while, he wondered where Zamir was, and if Lila the bard lived or died.

Surely the Princess and her Champions would arrive soon enough? Surely she’d been successful atop Mount Lanayru, the spring to which she had the closest holy ties? Yes, it took a day to reach Kakariko from Castle Town, and yes it would take even longer for Daruk, Urbosa and Revali to reach their respective regions…But Princess Mipha could be home within a day, ready to put Vah Ruta to work. Princess Zelda and Prince Link could be here in a day, prepared to face Ganon, to battle him and seal him away.

Oh Goddess, how had it all gone so wrong? Did Ganon know that the Champions were nowhere near home? Had he somehow sensed that this was his opportune moment to strike?

He wasn’t meant to plan, to be sentient and cunning. He was a demon of rage, of hate and malice, nothing more and nothing less. Calamity Ganon was a mindless pig-demon, escaped from the Sacred Realm. A blight on Hyrule, a scourge. There was no possible way that Ganon had planned this…

And yet, he’d turned the Guardians against them. The very same weapons that fought him last time. He’d sought them out, raised more of them from beneath the earth, and set them on Hyrule’s defenceless citizens. So he did remember his past failure.

As Harper and Lila reached the shore of Hyrule Forest Park, another ghastly thought occurred to him.

If Ganon could turn the Guardians against them, what did that mean for the Divine Beasts?

“To Kakariko,” Harper gasped, helping Lila to her feet. Both of them were soaked, freezing and trembling. “We must hasten to Kakariko.”

His village was surrounded by high mountains, nestled safely within their pass. A quiet place, quite hard to reach, and readily defended by silent, deadly warriors. Lady Impa and Lady Izzara would be there, their strong leaders.

The Princess would be there. The Champions.

They must be warned about the Guardians, before it was too late. If it was at all possible to reach them within a day, to warn them of Harper’s fear about the Divine Beasts, then they must give it their best shot.

But here was something Harper hadn’t considered. Quite foolish of him perhaps. He hadn’t thought about the time it would take to travel, not really. On a good day, Kakariko Village could be reached within a day from Castle Town.

This was most certainly not a good day.

Fire and ice began to fall from the sky, mingling with the ice-cold relentless rain. The lightning was blood red, striking at random, much stronger and brighter than any lightning Harper had ever seen. The wind was so strong that it nearly knocked them off their feet.

Despite the early evening hour, the moon rose into the sky, full and blood red.

Malice pooled on the ground. Tremors still shook Hyrule Field. Buildings crumbled around them. Rivers swelled and burst their banks. There were stampedes of terrified people, entire armies of monsters. He saw a Lynel feasting on corpses and gagged, struggling to keep his dinner down, as he and Lila hid within a clock tower.

They would never escape Central Hyrule within a day. It would be a miracle if they escaped at all.

Near Lon Lon Ranch (already a smouldering ruin, oh Goddesses, it was already destroyed), they found two young knight recruits and a member of the castle guard fighting off a black moblin. The castle guard plainly had a badly broken arm- human limbs were not meant to be bent that way- and the two recruits seemed so painfully young. Younger than Harper’s eighteen years, that was for certain.

His nineteenth birthday was in two weeks’ time. That suddenly seemed aeons away.

Harper and Lila were not warriors, not even close. They could only watch, crouching behind a broken wall, as the trio fought the moblin. Even with her broken arm, the castle guard was fierce. Her helmet was missing; her short brown hair was plastered to her face with the rain. Blood and soot coated her dented armour. One young recruit only had his cuirass and pauldron. The other had no armour at all, except a shirt of chainmail. 

And yet they were victorious. They slew the moblin together, all three striking at once, stabbing the moblin with their already bloodied blades, striking the moblin through the chest, the back and stomach.

“You can come out,” the guard gasped as the moblin fell. She looked right at Harper and Lila’s hiding place. “It’s- well, not safe. But it’s dead.”

Cautiously, they emerged.

“You’re that bard,” the castle guard said, eyebrows raised. She had a black-eye forming.

Yes, the disgraced bard. How was it that, mere hours ago, Harper’s reputation had been so very important? It already felt so long ago.

It felt like this night would never end.

Before any of them could say anymore, something impossible happened- the dead moblin twitched. Black smoke swirled around its limbs, malice poured from its gaping mouth. Its eyes flashed red and, growling, it slowly struggled to rise.

“Impossible!” one of the young lads cried.

“Run,” the guard snapped, pushing them all ahead of her. “For Hylia’s sake, run for it!”

They ran. All of them, these strangers, ran together for their lives. The moblin roared behind them. When Harper glanced back, the moblin was running after them, clutching a large and deadly looking club. Malice still poured from its mouth like blood; the grass sizzled and turned black where it landed.

All the while, the impossible storm continued. He could see a tornado forming over the horizon, over Faron. The rain fell relentlessly; ice and fire balls continued to fall. Malice balls fell like terrible shooting stars, splattering onto the ground, striking buildings, trees, animals, people…

And the Guardians. Hylia save them, the Guardians. There were so many, far more than Harper ever realised. He spared a quick thought for the Ancient Tech Lab. There was simply no way that building was still standing, not with so many Guardians being studied and improved there.

They escaped the moblin by running through the remains of a village. It became distracted by a group abandoning their burning wagon and dead horse, attempting to flee on foot. Harper and his strange, rag-tag group, ducked into a small chapel. They weren’t far from the Hyrule Garrison. Further south was Gatepost Town, the Great Plateau and, to the east, was the Outpost. Soldiers and knights were at hand; surely help was nearby now.

But there’d been plenty of knights and soldiers in Castle Town. The best of the best. It hadn’t made a difference.

Oh, sweet Hylia, what were they supposed to do?

Harper wished he knew what time it was. Surely it was nearly dawn by now, but the sky remained stubbornly black and red. 

The Guardians had been turned against them. Vast hordes of monsters swept across Central Hyrule. Fire, ice and malice fell from the sky.

And now monsters were rising from the dead.

Suddenly, Stal monsters didn’t seem quite so frightening.

There was no living soul to be found in the chapel. Hylia’s statue smiled passively; the glow of flames from outside flickered across Her face, and it made Harper feel sick.

There was blood on the floor. They found a dead priest collapsed on one of the pews.

“The Divine Beasts.” Harper forced himself to speak. His voice sounded hollow and hoarse, so unlike himself. His whole body ached and, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t catch his breath. “If Ganon could corrupt the Guardians…”

“Fuck,” one of the young knights said. He sounded (and looked) near tears. How old was he? Fourteen, fifteen? He had a round face, a birthmark on his forehead, and auburn hair. He was forming a makeshift sling for the castle guard’s arm, tearing strips from his short cloak. 

His friend paced relentlessly, glancing outside with terrified hazel eyes. His dirty blonde hair was in a ponytail, worn in the same style as Prince Link.

Quiet introductions were made. The lad with the birthmark was Hermes. His blonde friend was Robert. The guard was Melody. 

There was no real time to share their stories. Not yet. They would have time later when all of this was finished, when Hyrule was at peace again.

If it could be stopped, if their kingdom would ever know peace again, if the sun would ever shine again, if, if, if…

He hoped Princess Zelda was safe. Maybe, at this very moment, she was glowing with Hylia’s golden power, bracing herself to seal Ganon away.

Or maybe she was dead. Maybe she never even got to leave Mount Lanayru.

No, no. His Princess was safe and well. She had to be. If she died…

He would know, wouldn't he? He'd sense it, deep within his sould.

Harper could not imagine a world without Princess Zelda.

They quickly searched through the little chapel, finding food and medicine, but no bandages or water, none of the really strong elixirs that may have helped to protect them. The place had plainly already been raided; cupboards and shelves were empty, furniture upturned, obvious empty spots where supplies had been. There were hardly even any clothes left, though they found two old, moth-eaten cloaks in the very back of a wardrobe. These were given to Hermes and Robert as the youngest of the group.

Compared to Gatepost Town, this village was tiny. It was utterly deserted, though Harper could hear the growls and snarls of monsters on the prowl. But the frantic cries of people were much further away.

Hylia, keep us safe. Keep the Princess safe. Guard our Champions. Please let me be wrong about the Divine Beasts, Harper thought, bowing briefly to Her statue, hands clasped in prayer. See us through this terrible time. Protect us from the Calamity. 

His parents had been in Castle Town…

Let me see my parents again. Let me look upon the Princess once more. Reunite me with Zamir. Please protect us. Let our Champions triumph. Do not let Hyrule fall into ruin.

But the kingdom had already fallen into ruin, hadn’t it? The King was dead, long live the Queen. For surely King Rhoam was dead. Harper had barely seen anyone escape the castle, he’d barely seen anyone even get out of the capital.

Without their King, what would happen? Who would lead the soldiers in this area? And if the Princess (Queen?) was yet to arrive (or worse) then who would lead them at all?

If Hyrule fell, where would Calamity Ganon strike next?

On a good day, Kakariko could be reached in a day. If only this was a good day.

It took three and a half days to get past the Duelling Peaks. Every single town, village, outpost and barracks they passed had been decimated. They came across countless dead. They avoided monsters when they could, and Harper and Lila were forced to watch their new friends fight when they could not sneak by. Watching Melody, with her broken arm, fight so hard to defend them, watching two boys younger than him fight so bravely…Well, Harper had never felt more like a coward.

Songs and poems would not save anyone now. The power of love would not save them.

Or would it?

Getting through the Duelling Peaks was a brand new kind of challenge. The river had completely burst its banks and its current was deadly. Lizalfos swam through the river, while moblins and bokoblins patrolled the ground. They were forced to climb onto a higher ledge, slowly sneaking their way across, resting in caves when they needed to. Thankfully the only monsters they found in the caves were Keese and a few Chu-Chus, which even the weakest of Hyrule’s citizens could fight.

Thank goodness they weren’t elemental Chu-Chus or Keese at least. Then even they would prove to be a problem.

Was it morning, afternoon, evening or night? Harper did not know. Time had lost all meaning. These last three days felt like three thousand years. Nothing felt real anymore.

Only a few days ago, he’d been lamenting his broken heart and sullied reputation. He’d prayed for Princess Zelda’s success, for her heart to soften towards him. He’d prayed for his career to take off again, for his star to rise once more. He’d prayed, desperately, for a happy ending.

And now here he was, running through a broken kingdom with strangers. An injured knight, two young recruits and a kitchen maid. The kind of people he never would have spoken to before, and now he couldn’t bear to leave their sides. 

If Harper had been forced to travel alone, he may have simply given up and waited for death.

Duelling Peaks Stable was nothing more than a smoking pile of charred wood, broken stones and dirt. Dead monsters and dead people littered the ground, sprawled across Blatchery Plain. That impossible storm never once stopped, and Harper wondered what natural disasters the rest of Hyrule was facing. They could see that Death Mountain had violently erupted, he’d seen the tornado forming over Faron, but what else had happened? 

And here was something shocking- dead Guardians. Yes, they truly were dead. Darkened husks, empty shells. So many of them, dozens upon dozens. But who could destroy even a single Guardian, let alone multiple Guardians? 

Well…Harper knew. Who else could it be, but Prince Link? The trainee turned Chosen One, the Champion turned Prince. The boy Harper had been so fiercely jealous of, ruining his own career and reputation in the process. 

If Link was not at Hyrule Castle, if he was all the way out here, so close to his hometown…

The Princess had not awoken her power, had she? Or else the duo would be facing Ganon right this second.

Harper could see them, there in the distance. He saw Princess Zelda hiding behind two dead Guardians, peering past them to stare at her dear friend in terror and awe as he fought the approaching Guardians. They were near the centre of the field, further from Fort Hateno than the other soldiers, who so bravely defended Hateno’s last chance of protection.

He saw Prince Link’s shield break as he deflected a Guardian’s laser. The laser hit the Guardian right in the eye, and its head exploded in a shower of sparks. It tilted sideways and fell in a heap.

But it was not alone.

“LINK!” Princess Zelda screamed as she ran from her hiding place, reaching for Prince Link. She saw what Harper saw: the Guardian behind Prince Link, missing its legs, but still alive.

It seemed to happen too slowly to Harper’s frightened eyes.

He saw the Guardian lock its sights on Prince Link. He saw the Prince attempt to dodge, stumbling in the thick mud (he was holding himself so awkwardly, off-balance; was he already injured?) and not quite clearing the way on time.

He saw the Guardian fire.

He saw the laser hit Prince Link in the side.

Lila screamed, Hermes reached out, grasping at thin air as if he could grab the Prince from all the way across the field. Melody gaped in shock and Robert closed his eyes as the Prince fell to his knees, as Princess Zelda sprinted to his side.

And yet, the Prince did the impossible. He stumbled back to his feet and swung the Master Sword with all his might. Light flew from the holy blade, striking the Guardian’s head clean off its body. The light soared further away, striking through two more Guardians before it faded.

The blade stopped glowing. Prince Link fell and Princess Zelda caught him.

Harper began to run.

He ran to them, stumbling, tripping over dead bodies and landing in the dirt. He barely dodged a fire ball, gasping for breath, his eyes trained on the destined duo.

He could feel something building in the air.

They were all the way across the field and another Guardian was approaching, crawling over its dead fellows and broken pillars. His new friends were just behind him, calling for him to stop, to come back.

Melody grabbed Harper’s arm, just as Prince Link forced himself to stand.

Princess Zelda screamed, “NO!” and pushed Prince Link behind her. She faced the Guardian down, pale, trembling, terrified, and yet so very brave. She held her hand out as if to ward it off somehow. There was terror in her gaze and a protective fury.

With all the light and power of the sun, magic burst from the Princess. Sacred light encased her, swelling like a tidal wave. It burst out in a dome, covering the entire field.

For one glorious moment, all of Harper’s fears vanished. It was warm, it felt safe. So familiar and yet completely alien. It was awe-inspiring, divine, perfect. It was a light that promised safety and strength. A protective power, handed down from the Goddess Hylia time and time again.

The power to seal Calamity Ganon, to seal away any evil and save them all.

Harper was sure he would never, in all his days, see anything remotely like it again.

The light faded. Every single remaining Guardian was dead, as far as Harper could tell. The remaining monsters were charred corpses on the ground. He waited for them to rise again, to resurrect, but they didn’t. They stayed dead and Harper heard distant cheers from the fort.

The Princess did not cheer. 

She held Prince Link in her arms, bent protectively over him, rocking back and forth. If they spoke, Harper couldn’t tell. But he saw Prince Link’s eyes close; he saw the Princess continue to rock back and forth, clutching him close. 

He ought to hasten over. He could…He could help carry Prince Link into Fort Hateno and then…

Then what? Look at all that blood, that gore. There was no way to survive a gaping wound like that. It was a miracle that Prince Link hadn’t died on the spot, the very second the Guardian tore him apart.

There was nothing Harper could do to help. Nothing anyone could do to help.

How was it that things kept going so wrong so quickly? Within moments? How could this possibly be happening?

Everyone had always worried about what would happen if the Princess could not awaken her sacred magic. If Prince Link fought the Calamity, if the Champions used the Divine Beasts against him, what would happen if the Princess couldn’t seal the beast? How long would Ganon stay dead (if he could be killed) without the sealing magic?

They’d never wondered what would happen if they had the sealing magic, but no Master Sword.

And no Divine Beasts.

Was this really it? A brief flicker of hope before they all faced total annihilation? How could the Goddesses allow this to be their end?

I don’t want to die, Harper thought, tears stinging his eyes. Lila was weeping; he reached out clumsily to hug her.

During this entire ordeal time had lost all meaning, but now it truly seemed to stand still. Whether they stood there for seconds, minutes, hours or centuries, Harper could not say.

Reality flooded back as the Master Sword suddenly flickered, shining like a star.

Princess Zelda’s head was tilted towards it. Harper could not fully make out the expression on her face, between the relentless rain and her hair falling in her eyes.

The Princess reached out and grasped the sword. All the legends said that no one but the Chosen Hero could wield the sword and unlock its full potential; he heard rumours that someone once tried to steal the sword while Prince Link slept and the sword killed the would-be thief on the spot. But Princess Zelda picked up the malice-stained sword, tucking its hilt under her arm. Still clasping Prince Link’s body, she staggered to her feet as she began to glow again. As radiant as the sun, she stared at Duelling Peaks. Ignoring cries of her name from soldiers rushing out of Fort Hateno, Princess Zelda began to march across Blatchery Plain. Her glowing eyes never once left Duelling Peaks.

Harper and his new friends hurried to catch up with her. Whatever was she doing? What was she thinking? Harper wished he knew. Shouldn’t she attempt to find somewhere safe? If she was going to attempt to fight Ganon alone, why would she bring Prince Link’s corpse and broken sword with her?

“Princess!” a familiar voice cried, and Harper stared in shock as Purah and Robbie ran to the Princess, followed by two masked guards. How in Hylia’s name had they escaped the lab? He’d never been so happy to see the two eccentric scientists before. They were alive! Injured, exhausted, but alive. 

They were eccentric, absolutely insane, but they were also geniuses. They’d surely know how to help, what to do next.

“Zellie, are you- oh…” Purah’s eyes widened, her hands were clasped to her mouth. “Oh no…”

Only mere steps away now, Harper could see the full damage. The Guardian’s laser had blasted right through the side of Prince Link’s torso. Blood soaked through bandages on his forearm from a prior injury. Dirt and blood coated him from head to toe, just as it covered the Princess. And Prince Link was already terribly, ghostly pale, as if he’d been dead for a long time, not mere minutes.

“Oh, Linky…” Doctor Purah brushed the Prince’s fringe out of his closed eyes. Her hand was trembling. She wiped at her eyes, trying to hide her tears.

The Princess stared at her two friends, expression unreadable. She hardly looked human; she shone as bright as the sun, light constantly cascading from her, leaving glowing footsteps in her wake. Her eyes were bright gold. Her hair twisted around her as if she was underwater. She’d always been tall, but she somehow seemed larger now. Her eyes were determined, her face oddly calm, as if she could not see the destruction around her anymore.

Princess Zelda looked down at Prince Link. Her expression flickered; her emotionless mask broke. There was grief in the princess’s eyes and she swallowed heavily. She looked at the Sheikah before her, eyes large and filled with tears. She continued to glow brightly but, just like that, she looked like a teenager again. Human, shivering, as small as the rest of them.

And then that fear washed away, replaced by absolute determination.

“Take Link to the Shrine of Resurrection,” she ordered sternly. “If we don’t act immediately, we are going to lose him forever.”

The Shrine of Resurrection. Harper knew of it, at least a little. A mysterious healing facility, somewhere on the Great Plateau. It had been discovered shortly before the Champions’ inauguration ceremony three years ago, and it had caused a huge amount of fuss within the Sheikah tribe, and even outside of it. Everyone wanted to know how it worked, if there were possible side-effects, if it could even be possible to recreate it, or if there were more healing facilities like it, just waiting to be uncovered.

They never found another place like it. Harper heard there was only enough room for one person in this mysterious healing shrine.

Princess Zelda handed Prince Link to Doctor Robbie. His blood soaked into Robbie’s tunic, seeping across the doctor’s arm.

“Make haste and go,” Princess Zelda said, and she shone brighter. The Triforce of Wisdom glowed on her hand. “His life is now in your hands.”

“Princess?” Harper said, but the Princess Zelda didn’t look at him. She stared at Doctor Robbie, Purah, and the two guards. Her fists were clenched, her eyes were narrowed. Determination radiated from her, and it was plain she would not tolerate any hesitation now, not with her friend’s life on the line.

The two guards swiftly bowed and said, “Yes, Princess.”

“What about you?” Doctor Purah asked, voice breaking as Princess Zelda handed her the Sheikah slate.

Princess Zelda held the Master Sword tightly. She looked at Prince Link sadly and turned towards Kakariko.

“I must go to Impa,” she said. “And let her know what needs to be done.”

They joined the Princess on her trek to Kakariko. It was half a day’s walk as it had always been, thanks to the Princess’s power keeping all nearby monsters at bay. With a wave of her hand, a group of bokoblins turned into ash. She passed by pools of malice and they all vanished, changing into gold light and swirling upwards into the sky. She thrust out her hand and sent an entire monster camp flying off the cliff-side to their doom.

Her golden glow did not even flicker. It was as if she’d wielded this power all her life.

Harper could scarcely believe it. He’d always had faith in her, he’d always been so certain she could protect Hyrule. And yet his imagination had fallen short; nothing did this power justice. No songs, no poems, no lovestruck daydreams could ever be sufficient to describe Hylia’s sacred power.

Princess Zelda was the Goddess Incarnate. Power was thick in the air around her; it crackled almost like lightning. Its warm glow and the sense of safety it brought did not diminish, no matter how long Harper and his friends spent at her side. The Triforce of Wisdom continued to blaze on her hand, only adding to her glory.

Hylia’s golden power and the Triforce of Wisdom. Two ancient powers combined. How would Harper ever find the sufficient words to describe this moment? Radiant did not even begin to cover it.

They’d gone from hiding in terror, to walking the road freely at the Princess’s side. From absolute, unfathomable danger, to a sense of complete safety.

Whiplash did not cover it either.

“Princess?” Melody ventured. “What is it you intend to do?”

“My role is unfinished,” Princess Zelda said. Was Harper imagining things, or was her voice beginning to echo? It sounded almost like many women and girls were talking at once.

“Unfinished, my lady?” Robert asked.

Princess Zelda smiled, a vague and mysterious smile, though her eyes remained sad. Her grip on the Master Sword was still so tight.

She did not offer any more information than that.

Harper did not ask for more information, much as he might like to. The sight of Kakariko in flames stole all his words. Choking on horror, he stumbled as they entered his village, and Hermes reached out to steady him.

The vegetable patches and plum trees were nothing more than blackened earth and wood. Buildings had collapsed; their temple was gone. A huge chunk of the Elder’s house’s roof had caved in. Debris floated in the streams and ponds. The forest atop the hills seemed to be teeming with monsters; Harper could hear them roaring. His people ran about, frantic, trying to put the fires out and fight off the monsters.

Princess Zelda marched right into the middle of the village, a dome of light encasing her. Shining footsteps were left in her wake, trails of light shimmered in the air behind her.

The Princess raised her hand to the sky and the light burst from her. It shot upwards like a great geyser and shattered apart in the sky, raining down on them. It scorched every monster it touched, shooting right through them like arrows, killing them in seconds. It dissolved every patch of malice in sight. It sought out the monsters in the hills, and Harper heard their agonised screams before they all suddenly fell silent.

Stunned silence reigned. The fires continued but, for a moment, all of Kakariko stopped to stare in awe.

Princess Zelda lowered her hand, gazing around her with a sad, solemn frown.

“Princess?” Lady Impa crept forward cautiously. Princess Zelda looked at her sadly, holding the dulled Master Sword to her heart.

“Hello, Impa,” she said.

Lady Impa, strong, determined and utterly capable Lady Impa, burst into floods of tears and ran to the Princess, pulling her into a tight, desperate hug.

“I’ve been so worried, Zelda,” she wept.

Harper lingered uncertainly. His people snapped into action, working to put the fires out in earnest now that there were no monsters to halt their progress. He could not see his parents. He could not see most of his neighbours, in fact.

A pair of skinny arms wrapped around him, as Zamir suddenly rushed from the crowd, hugging Harper so tightly that he lifted him off the ground.

“You’re okay!” Zamir gasped. “Hylia be praised!”

For once, Harper did not know what to say. All his words failed him.

All he could do was cling to his friend as he broke down into terrified tears.

Lady Izzara, their Elder, was dead. Zamir witnessed it, along with poor Lady Impa. Lady Izzara had been crushed by a falling, burning beam, as she rescued a pair of young children from their house collapsing. 

Most of their warriors were dead. A trio of researchers managed to make their way here from Central Hyrule but, apart from Harper seeing Doctor Purah, Doctor Robbie and the two masked guards, there’d been no word of anyone from the Tech Lab.

The Champions were dead, trapped within in their Divine Beasts by Calamity Ganon, just as Harper had feared.

Natural disasters swept across Hyrule. Earthquakes, forest fires, blizzards; tsunamis, sandstorms, tornadoes and floods; landslides and a continuous eruption from Death Mountain.

Monsters kept rising from the dead. The terrible storm that hit as Ganon rose had yet to abate. Fire and ice still mingled with the rain; the lightning was still red. The blood-red moon was still high in the sky, no matter what time it was. The sun had not once broken through those black clouds.

Princess Zelda spoke with Lady Impa in private once the fires were out. Light continued to shine just under her skin as she and Lady Impa spoke on Lady Impa’s porch. 

Harper helped with clearing the debris. A healer took Melody away to see to her arm. Hermes and Robert helped assemble the dead. Lila tended to wounded, frightened children.

Within hours, Princess Zelda left, vanishing from sight. The last that Harper saw of her, she was sitting with Lady Impa on her porch, the two of them huddled together as they discussed secret things, making their plans.

Harper did not even get to see her leave.

Doctor Purah and Doctor Robbie returned with their two masked guards and a single priestess. They all looked haunted, covered in filth, bloodstained and teary-eyed. Lady Impa drew her sister and friend into her broken home, and there they all stayed for the rest of the day. When they emerged to help the villagers, they all looked grim but determined.

Still no sign of Princess Zelda’s return. Harper did not dare approach Lady Impa yet. If Zamir knew anything, he didn’t once even hint at it.

By the end of the week, the storm suddenly stopped. Calamity Ganon no longer roared and swarmed around the castle, though his clouds of darkness and smoke remained. From within the castle, in the Sanctum, Harper saw a flicker of gold light.

His heart immediately sank.

The Princess wouldn’t truly face Ganon alone, would she?

Lady Impa made a trip to Zora’s Domain, to speak with King Dorephan. When she returned, it was plain she’d been weeping. The very next day, Doctor Purah and Doctor Robbie left the village.

Harper could not hold his silence anymore.

He went to Lady Impa’s manor and knelt to her. She knelt in the Elder’s spot, for she was their Elder now, their leader, their protector. She wept silently as they buried her mother, holding Doctor Purah’s hand, and Zamir’s, and then she got right back to work.

“My lady,” Harper said, head lowered. He could hear construction workers upstairs, fixing that huge hole in the roof. “I have come to beg for knowledge of the Princess’s whereabouts. I know she had a plan, and I fear it was a dangerous one. I…I fear I know where she is. I beg you to tell me I am wrong.”

“I am planning to make an announcement to the village this evening,” Lady Impa said. A bowl of soup was next to her, and it looked like it hadn’t been touched. She kept reaching up to brush her fingers over the edge of the Elder’s hat, like she couldn’t fully believe she wore it. Harper would not be surprised if she was still in shock.

He was quite sure that all of Hyrule was in shock.

“I was there when Prince Link died,” he told her, raising his head to meet her stunned gaze. “I was there when the Princess handed him to Doctor Robbie, ordering him and Doctor Purah to bring him to the Shrine of Resurrection. It was clever, but…But I’ve always heard rumours that the Shrine could…”

“Could take years to do its work,” Lady Impa sighed. “Days, weeks, months, years…Even a century or more.”

Harper stared in horror. A century or more? Surely not. There would not even be a kingdom to save by then! Calamity Ganon would swallow the world whole.

Except he’d been remarkably calm these last few days.

The Calamity raged for a week and then suddenly stopped. Now he was silent. Now there was a golden light inside the Sanctum.

“She didn’t,” Harper gasped desperately. “Please, my lady, tell me she didn’t.”

“Her Highness has gone to boldly face her destiny,” Lady Impa said. She kept her voice steady, but her hands trembled. “She is holding Ganon back, trapping him within the Sanctum. She intends to keep him there while Prince Link recovers. When he awakens, they will fight him together as they were destined to do.”

“B-but- but as you say, it could take a century!” Harper cried. “Princess Zelda is the Blood of the Goddess, but she is not a Sheikah; she cannot possibly live that long, let alone in a non-stop battle.”

Lady Impa raised an eyebrow. “You saw her,” she said. “You saw her power with your own two eyes. Do you truly doubt her?”

Slowly, Harper shook his head. “No,” he said. He never had. He never would.

He still believed in her. Still loved her. And he already missed her terribly.

“I…I have heard of a side-effect,” Harper said, more cautiously now. “I heard a rumour that the Shrine of Resurrection has many possible side-effects in fact. That it could change someone’s whole personality. That it could resurrect the dead, but steal their sight or hearing. I have heard it can entirely erase its patient’s memories.”

He waited, hoping for a vehement denial. He willed Lady Impa to say, Of course not! The Shrine will resurrect Prince Link and return him exactly as he once was by the end of the week!

She said nothing of the sort. She looked, as everyone did, like she was in constant grief. Lady Impa, like all of Hyrule, had lost so much.

Her mother. More than half her village. So many of her friends. Princess Zelda and Prince Link, who she was charged to advise and protect. She looked so much older than her twenty years.

Harper wanted to scream in terror and frustration. His beloved Princess could be trapped with that thing for a century or more! She could do anything, of course she could, but must she be forced to face Evil Incarnate alone? 

And Prince Link…No one deserved to wake up all alone in a ruined world, most likely lacking all their memories.

“King Dorephan has stationed some of his best soldiers near the Plateau,” Lady Impa said. “They will be on hand to escort His Highness home when he awakens, to explain everything to him in case…In case it all needs explaining.”

In case he didn’t remember. In case the Prince had no idea of what was happening or who he was. 

There was a very high chance that Prince Link would not remember his destiny, that he would not even remember his own name. He would not remember Princess Zelda. He would not remember his own adored wife, Princess Mipha.

Kneeling there before his Elder, Harper wanted to weep and never stop. It was unfair. All of it. How could this have happened? How could it possibly keep getting worse?

He wished he was a warrior. He wished he could fight his way across their broken land, into their ruined castle and rescue the Princess. He would fight Ganon for her, if he could. He would seal himself away with that monster if it meant the Princess was free.

“They left the slate with him,” Lady Impa suddenly said, her eyes vague.

The slate? …The Sheikah slate. Yes, the Princess had passed it to Doctor Purah, hadn’t she? Harper hadn’t thought anything of it at the time, though it clearly held more importance than he realised if it had been left for the Prince.

Did it have instructions? Did the Sheikah doctors somehow leave a message on it, to guide Prince Link?

So many rumours were passed along about the Sheikah slate. Its mysterious runes and empty map, its “camera” that somehow took instant images. Apparently there was potential for some sort of sensor on it. It was believed it would somehow activate the shrines that were all over Hyrule.

The shrines that were said to be created to aid the Chosen Hero and strengthen him…

He’d never wished to be a hero, though he’d long wished to be Princess Zelda’s hero. He could not be. He was a bard, an artist at heart, not a fighter.

But…But perhaps there was a way he could be her hero by helping The Hero.

He’d already discovered and translated an ancient song about Guardians. The notebook it was in contained three more ancient songs and a half-written poem. Those three other songs had been all about the mysterious shrines; two about their fabled abilities and the monks who apparently made them, one about a hidden location.

And there must be others out there. Surely there must be. More songs, more shrines. More ways to bring Prince Link back to full strength.

More ways to help save Princess Zelda and end her battle with evil.

A plan was beginning to form. A mad, possibly dangerous and fruitless plan- but in this shattered kingdom, was there a such thing as a safe plan anymore?

Harper stayed up all night, planning. He stayed in his parents’ home, the home he’d left behind to move to Hyrule Castle.

Still no sign of his parents. Although there’d been a few more stragglers stumbling into Kakariko as the days passed, his parents were not among them.

He was afraid to hope, yet afraid to give up hope either. Quite the conundrum.

His new friends stayed with him; Melody and Lila in one room, Hermes and Robert sharing his room with him. 

Harper stayed up to plan, but stayed downstairs. It wouldn’t do to awaken his friends with the blazing lamps, his muttered plans and his pen constantly scratching away at piles of paper as he frantically wrote and drew up messy maps.

Hyrule was vast. Very vast indeed.

But one hundred years was a long time. Maybe enough time to search after all.

Harper would find the hidden shrines, as many as he could. He did not know how to activate them, but someone must know how to figure it out. Surely Prince Link, armed with the Sheikah slate, would have an inkling.

Harper would find the shrines, mark down their locations and, when Prince Link returned, Harper would guide him to the shrines. He would help Prince Link recover his strength and help, perhaps even help restore some of his memories if he lost them after all.

He would contribute to this battle against Calamity Ganon. He would aid his beloved Princess at last.

Princess Zelda may never want to see him again. She may never forgive Harper. She may always think that Harper was a foolish, nasty man. It hurt, but it was okay. He could live with it. 

He would do anything to save her, to ensure her freedom from evil’s clutches.

As midnight approached, Harper finally felt satisfied with his plan. He still wasn’t sure when he would set out, but it must be soon. If he stayed here for too long, he may never muster up the courage to leave.

As he climbed the stairs, midnight struck, and the dreaded smell of sulphur filled the air. Full of terror, Harper raced back down the stairs and to the nearest window. He heard startled shouts from the few guards left to patrol at night.

What he saw made his blood turn to ice.

Smoke and embers danced through the sky. The clouds were pitch black.

And the moon rose, full and blood red once more.

Chapter Text

“But the sun's been quite kind while I wrote this song; it's for people like you, that keep it turned on. So excuse me forgetting, but these things I do. You see, I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue. Anyway, the thing is, what I really mean, yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen. And you can tell everybody this is your song. It may be quite simple, but now that it's done, I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind that I put down in words how wonderful life is while you're in the world.” - Your Song, Elton John

It took Harper longer to get going than he wished. The roads were impassable; monsters still ran rampant, vast chunks of the landscape had been changed in the disaster, and rubble still covered most of the area. They had so many more funerals to plan and attend, as well as a desperate need to rebuild and regather supplies, to protect their village before summer ended and the cold crept in.

Every once in a while, the moon rose full and red. The air stank of sulphur and was full of smoke and embers. They quickly began to call it the blood moon and, to everyone’s horror, dead monsters returned to life under its bloody glow.

One more horror to add to the pile.

He’d hoped to leave within a week. Wishful thinking, he supposed.

In the end, he stayed in Kakariko right until the new year. After that, he sat his friends down and told them his plan. Zamir, bless him, protested vehemently. Lila gave him such a worried look, Robert and Hermes insisted they should go with him, and Melody called him a fool. Lady Impa merely stared at him with a slightly befuddled frown, like she couldn’t decide if he was serious or not.

He told Lila, Melody, Robert and Hermes to make good use of his family home. Even after all these months, his parents never returned. They never would, he knew it. If they’d escaped Castle Town, they’d have come home by now, or sent word on where they were.

All the same…

“If my parents ever do return,” Harper told Lila with a sad smile. “Tell them I’m sorry we didn’t get to say goodbye.”

He doubted he would ever return to Kakariko Village.

On the dawn of his final day in Kakariko, Harper stared at the distant form of Hyrule Castle, surrounded by darkness. He stared at the flickering golden light within the Sanctum.

Apart from the Sheikah and Harper’s friends (and the Zora, since Lady Impa told them everything) all of Hyrule believed that Princess Zelda died sealing Calamity Ganon, trapping him within the castle forever. Suddenly, it seemed that all of Hyrule loved their Princess. Instead of harsh whispers and sneers, Harper heard soft prayers of gratitude and mourning for her.

He still loved her, but it felt different somehow. After witnessing such power, bravery and majesty…Oh, Harper couldn’t put his finger on it. But it felt like seeing Princess Zelda for the first time, but differently now. Like she’d become a brand new girl in those last hours.

She’d truly become the Princess of Light, the Sacred Princess of legend.

And she needed rescue. Back-up. She needed help.

Harper could never dream of fighting Ganon and he was no warlock; he had no magic to try and hold Ganon back. He could not free the Princess.

But he could help her knight, her friend. He could make up for his past mistakes and set things right.

He would find the shrines. He would help Prince Link and, through him, help Princess Zelda.

Smiling sadly, full of determination, Harper bid his friends farewell and left Kakariko behind for the last time.

It took decades to find even a small handful of the songs. He travelled the length and breadth of Hyrule numerous times, always on the look-out for clues, always on the hunt for something unusual. 

During his first month of travel, Harper went straight to the Ancient Tech Lab and threw up when he saw what little remained of it. There were so little remains, nothing suggested it had even been a lab at all. A few broken, blackened walls, a filthy and shattered floor, a single archway; that was all that remained of their once huge, sprawling and busy lab.

They’d lost so many Sheikah here. Some of their finest minds and some of their stealthiest warriors.

Was Harper’s father here, or had he been in Castle Town? Either way, his father was never coming home.

Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, still gagging and trying not to weep, Harper turned and fled from the ruins. He would find nothing here, that much was obvious.

He did find his first clue at a Sheikah dig-site on the Eldin border within six months. A few Guardian legs remained scattered about, and many many holes in the ground, even a tent was left behind. And, poking out of the dirt, Harper found an ancient chest. When he finally managed to break it open, he found multiple stone slates; nothing like the Sheikah slate, oh no. No, these slates were engraved with Ancient Sheikah text and artwork. Puzzle pieces that, when put together, told Harper a tale of two hidden shrines.

One near Satori Mountain. Another in the Gerudo Desert.

The slates also depicted towers. How odd. They’d never uncovered any towers in all their numerous excavations. Were these towers a clue to unlocking the shrines? He could hardly ask Link to excavate entire towers! 

Sighing, Harper carefully gathered up the slate pieces, wrapping them up in an old scarf before tucking them away in his backpack. 

Satori Mountain and the Gerudo Desert. Well, it was a start.

After that, however, research stagnated. He could not find the towers. But he had two songs, two locations. It was a start, a good start. Harper wrote down his translation of the slates into his notebook, even copying the illustrations as best he could. He was not a very good artist, but he liked to think the drawings were good enough.

Five years into his search, Harper mustered up the courage to join a group of treasure hunters on a journey to the Forgotten Temple. It was bad enough climbing down the canyon onto the Temple’s roof, but trying to find any kind of entrance was even worse. They had to climb onto the facade of the temple itself. The entrance had entirely collapsed during the Calamity. It was an already ancient building, its original purpose long-forgotten; it was a miracle that more damage hadn’t been done. It was clearly sturdier than most structures.

Harper knew a little about the Forgotten Temple. It was ancient, truly ancient. A Hylian structure first and foremost, judging by the motifs of Loftwings, harps and Triforces. It housed the largest and oldest statue of the Goddess Hylia that could be found in Hyrule. Doctor Purah’s team had found a vast number of Guardians in hidden chambers within the temple, all very close to the Goddess statue.

The temple had been forgotten, abandoned, re-discovered and renovated numerous times throughout its existence. Harper believed it had most recently been re-founded…Oh, roughly four centuries ago. Perhaps closer to five. 

It was certainly an odd building.

Legend had it that the first Zelda, Hylia Incarnate, married the Hero of the Skies in the temple. Some tales said this was where the Master Sword once rested, before being moved to the Temple of Time by a past Hero, and then hidden properly by the Hero of Time. Harper wondered if they’d find an ancient pedestal in here somewhere, which might lend credence to the story.

The only entrance they could find was on the first floor balcony; most of the wall had collapsed, which didn’t surprise Harper. Shards of stained-glass from the destroyed doors littered the balcony.

Inside was an army of Guardians. They completely covered the Forgotten Temple; clinging to pillars, sitting on balconies, scuttling across the floors. Harper could see the bodies of clergy and pilgrims all across the temple’s floor.

Why had the Ancient Sheikah left so many Guardians here? Temples were important places, yes, but surely there was something more to it…

He’d hoped to find more clues about the shrines here. Evidently it was a vain hope; there was no way they could successfully evade so many Guardians.

“By Hylia’s grace,” one of the treasure hunters breathed in horror. He was a very tall, pale man, with a drooping moustache. “There’s dozens of ‘em.”

“Hundreds,” another man said grimly, rubbing at a scar on his forehead.

The entire group, all of six of them, turned to Harper.

“Well, you’re a Sheikah,” said the man with the moustache. “Any idea how to turn ‘em off?”

“I’m afraid not, sir,” Harper sighed. “I’m a poet, not a scientist.”

“Besides, they’re all fucked up by Ganon,” said a red-haired man. He spat on the ground, glaring at the Guardians. “You think you can just turn off Calamity Ganon?”

“And now we’re all empty-handed,” a dark-skinned man sighed. 

There were unhappy grumblings as much of the group glared at the Guardians. One or two glared at Harper, as if this was his fault.

He had nothing to do with the Guardians, but he couldn’t help but feel ashamed anyway.

Staring desolately at the Guardians, at the scorched and cracked temple, (and avoiding looking at the bodies) Harper crossed out the Forgotten Temple on his list of places to explore.

There was no getting past those Guardians.

Still, he wondered what secrets this temple held. Maybe he’d live long enough to find out.

He kept in touch with his friends. When he temporarily stayed in Hateno, Zamir wrote to tell him about his and Impa’s wedding, extending an invitation. Harper did not attend, though he sent a gift. Instead, he continued his search. He explored Mount Lanayru and the Spring of Wisdom, he examined every inch of the Spring of Courage and the Spring of Power.

No luck. No clues to be found.

Lila settled down with a Sheikah man and quickly took to gardening. She proudly wrote of her first pregnancy, her carrot garden, her husband, and the sweet little cat they adopted. After Zamir and Impa’s wedding, she wrote to tell him she was pregnant again and, given how fast she was showing, Impa predicted twins.

Robert moved on to Akkala a year after the Calamity, in desperate search of his extended family. Happily, he reunited with his aunt and two of his cousins. He lived out the rest of his days in a small house near the South Akkala Stable, and worked as a monster-hunter for the area. He wrote only briefly about the Akkala Citadel, morosely admitting that his father, two uncles and grandfather had all been in there when it fell.

Hermes moved to Hateno. He quickly joined the village’s security team, manning the walls and gate, keeping a wary eye out for monsters. Last Harper had heard, Hermes had met a nice young man, a member of his team, and they’d moved in together.

Melody took up travelling, wandering all of Hyrule as a monster hunter. Sometimes she and Harper bumped into each other. During those times, Melody would help him search for the shrines and their songs. She was there when Harper found a clue in Faron, though she cursed about the near constant storms.

They were an unexpected group and yet so very dear to him. He was ashamed to admit he’d never have looked twice at Lila before the Calamity. A kitchen servant, someone he considered beneath his notice. Robert and Hermes, two young recruits, fans of Prince Link; just the sort of boys that Harper would have rolled his eyes at. And Melody, one guard among hundreds. Harper never would have noticed her before.

The sort of people he never would have spoken to before, let alone taken a second look at, and yet they became lifelong friends.

Melody died first. At least, they assumed so. Six years after the Calamity, she and Harper parted ways at Snowfield Stable. He told her he’d visit Rito Village once more, and then he’d head to Tabantha, to study the Thundra Plateau. She promised to write to him while he was at the stable, and told him she’d be heading back to Kakariko for a visit within a month.

He never heard from her again. Even as he searched for shrines, he felt anxious at Melody’s silence. He wrote to the others, asking if they’d heard from her. One by one, the replies came back: no, no, and no again. They’d been hoping that Harper knew where she was, once they realised they didn’t.

Melody was a monster-hunter. Anything could have happened.

Harper liked to imagine a tale of bravery and daring. His stern but kind friend, boldly facing down a Lynel to protect a group of weary travellers, or perhaps slaying an entire monster camp before she fell. She deserved an ending as brave and bold as she was.

But he didn’t know. No one knew.

It took forty years to gather half of the songs. In that time, he heard of Zamir and Impa’s daughter; how she had Zamir’s smile and eyes, that she had Impa’s nose. Zamir’s letters, rare as they were, were full of pride for his only child.

Hermes and his partner eventually married. They had already adopted two children by the time they wed, to Harper’s amusement. Hermes certainly did things his own way.

Robert never married or had children. He mentioned, in an off-hand way when Harper’s stopped by to visit, “that stuff” simply didn’t interest him. Harper didn’t understand, but he nodded and smiled, and accepted it. 

Lila and her husband had four children in total. As Impa predicted, her second pregnancy ended with twins after all. She seemed happy in Kakariko, though Harper never returned to the village. Lila never left. Instead, they only communicated through rare letters, just as he did with Zamir.

He knew that Doctor Purah was in Hateno and Doctor Robbie was in the deepest reaches of Akkala. He never worked up the nerve to visit.

Harper couldn’t imagine they’d wish to see him anyway. 

Eighty years after the Calamity, he’d finally gathered every single ancient song he could find. So many artefacts made reference to towers, to shrines rising from the ground, and mysterious platforms. He never did find the towers, though he kept every ancient artefact close at all times. 

Deep within a cave in Hebra, he found the remains of an ancient mural, depicting the adventures of the Hero of Winds. Harper felt like quite the archaeologist. 

It was then that he met Kass, the boy who would become his student. Harper had finally settled permanently in Rito Village. A place of warmth and welcome, a place of music, he felt right at home. Far away from Central Hyrule and its horrors, safe in his own little hut, Harper could examine his life’s work in peace.

One cold, cloudy day, he heard one of the children playing an accordion.

Gracious, Harper hadn’t played that instrument in decades…

Harper peered out the window. Sitting on Revali’s Landing (previously Valoo’s Landing) was one of the local children. A blue, parrot-like Rito with truly impressive plumage and a bright smile. Cassio? No, Kass, that was his name.

He was skilled. Very skilled indeed. The lad looked a little uncertain as he practised, cocking his head and frowning every so often. He played a little too slowly, but very well. 

“Once, a god fell from heaven, stilling the Hebra winds,” Kass sang, just barely loud enough for Harper to hear. “The heavens grew lifeless, just as the air below thinned. With the world in upheaval, we pledged to help the lord. A line of ships soaring, built as a passage skyward. The god ascended to heaven, leaving behind an ark; its winds brought us new life, thanks to its great, divine spark.”

The Song of the Stormwind Ark. Harper knew it well. A popular lullaby for Rito children; it had even spread to the Hylians in Tabantha Village before…Well. Before.

As the song ended, Harper leaned out his window and clapped. Kass whirled around, startled, but gave Harper a shy smile.

“You’re very good,” Harper told him.

“Thank you,” Kass said, ducking his head. “But, um…I don’t know. I need to practise more.”

Harper’s smile widened.

“I can help with that.”

It went on from there. Harper became Kass’s teacher, passing on everything he knew. The lad was being raised by his grandparents; his parents went out to hunt for food one day when he was a hatchling, and were felled by a group of bokoblins, along with their hunting party.

Harper was surprised by how quickly he felt protective of Kass. He’d never seriously thought of children. Even when he daydreamed of a future with Princess Zelda, he hadn’t imagined children.

And yet here was Kass, stumbling his way into Harper’s life and heart.

He wouldn’t have it any other way.

He watched proudly as Kass grew. He held him and let him weep when his grandparents passed away. He made coy comments and ruffled Kass’s feathers when he started courting Amali. He wept with joy when each of Kass’s girls were born.

Against all odds, he’d found a family in Rito Village.

Throughout it all, he told Kass tales of the Hyrulean Royal Court. The stern but noble king. The strong and brave Royal Guard. Dedicated and no-nonsense Lady Impa, shy and kind Zamir. Wise and benevolent Lady Izzara. The Dukes and Duchesses, the Earls and Countesses, the Barons and Baronesses. The beautiful castle and its gardens, its winding corridors and mysterious secret passages, its huge chapel. The music, dancing, jewels and clothes, the food, wine and laughter.

The Champions. The Princess.

The Princess most of all.

“I loved her,” Harper would tell Kass. “Perhaps I still do. It could never be requited, much as I might wish otherwise, but I loved her all the same. The heart leads us and we must follow it, my boy.”

“What was she like?” Kass asked the first time Harper told him the tale, his eyes large and alight with wonder. “The Princess, I mean. What was she like?”

“Beautiful,” Harper said with a wistful smile. “The most beautiful girl I ever saw before or since. She looked like a Goddess in the flesh, just as her ancestress.”

Kass had been thirteen at the time, and his shy gaze darted towards Amali, giggling with Saki. Harper chuckled and clapped him on the back, and Kass quickly denied looking at her at all.

“She was sweet,” Harper continued. He couldn’t see Hyrule Castle from here, but his eyes wandered in that direction as they always did, several times a day. “Sweet, gentle and lovely. Dedicated, so very dedicated to her kingdom. Protective of her friends. And brave, my boy. She was- is- very brave. She was…She was perfect.”

Kass looked amazed, hanging on his every word.

No matter how many times Harper told the tale over the years, his boy looked amazed. 

“My friends are gone,” Harper said sadly, not long after little Notts and Kotts were born. “Lady Impa remains, of course, and I don’t doubt she’s told her granddaughter everything. But they’re all gone. Even Zamir. I tell you my tale, Kass, so that someone knows to direct Prince Link to the shrines.”

One by one, his friends all departed this world. Melody, so long ago. Hermes died in a sudden, and shockingly simple accident twenty years ago; he was helping his son-in-law reshingle the roof and fell. Then Lila, after the birth of her first great-grandchild three years ago. Robert died only last year; his cousin’s grandchild wrote to Harper, to let him know. Zamir died so long ago, wasting away with an illness that sounded eerily like the Queen of Hyrule’s, when his granddaughter, Paya, was only a toddler. He’d written to Harper a week before his death; he’d mentioned a “little cough,” but mostly spoke of Paya.

They were all gone. Who else could Harper share his work with, if not this student he trusted and loved?

He gave Kass access to all his notes, to the artefacts he’d found, to the markers on his old maps. 

“I believe it will help Prince Link,” he told Kass. “I certainly hope so. Hylia knows I owe him. Not only for my own petty actions…But for his bravery. He gave his life for Princess Zelda, for all of Hyrule…I’d truly be a fool not to appreciate that. To admire it. Not everyone possesses such bravery, my boy.”

Kass nodded solemnly. Young Kheel had followed her father to Harper’s hut, and she slept soundly on his bed, chirping slightly in her sleep.

Harper was never sure how to properly convey the events of the Calamity, especially those of Blathery Plain. The horror and the miracle. The death and destruction, and the sudden hope that all was not lost.

“I’d never seen anything like it,” Harper would say, gazing at the Hebra Mountains and their snowy peaks. “Her power…It felt like the sun emerging, warming us, blessing us. It felt comforting and familiar, yet completely unfamiliar at the same time. It was glorious. It was perfect. And I will never see it again.”

Even if he lived to see Ganon destroyed, he very much doubted that Princess Zelda would wish to see him again. She’d hated him in the end, fool that he was. He couldn’t blame her. He’d slandered her best friend, he’d made her uncomfortable. He’d been…Well, a brat. An obnoxious, spoiled little boy. He was everything that Lady Impa said.

He’d like to believe he’d grown over these last decades. No one ever stayed the same after all. But was he still obnoxious? He couldn’t say for sure. He wished he was braver.

He knew he was quieter. He rarely joked. Until Kass came along, he’d barely smiled anymore. He was…sombre. Solemn. Goodness, he’d turned into his father.

Though that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. He could see it as a way of keeping his father’s memory alive.

He’d written numerous songs about his parents. He still had his notebook of half-written songs for the Princess. Over the years, he’d started a song for the Champions, The Champions’ Ballad, and it was nearly complete. Just a few key verses and his song would be finished. He hoped it would be performed for Princess Zelda and Prince Link one day, even if Harper wasn’t the one to do it. Surely they’d let Kass sing it for them.

And, of course, the song he poured his heart and soul into. The Song of the Hero.

“An ancient hero, a Calamity appears, now resurrected after 10,000 years. Her appointed knight gives his life, shields her figures, and pays the price…”

It had been nearly one hundred years now. Harper just hoped that Prince Link would wake up soon.

He’d like to apologise for all that passed between them. He’d like to show Link he’d changed. He wanted, almost more than anything, to help the Prince on his mission.

Please, Goddess Hylia, Harper would pray every morning. Let me live to see Prince Link again, so I may fulfil my mission. Let me live long enough to see my dear Princess freed from evil’s clutches.

The Princess may never wish to see him again, and Harper understood. He accepted it. Even if she never stood before him again, he just wished for her to be free, to live.

100 years post-Calamity…

The earth gave a sudden, violent quake, and towers erupted from the ground. Towers that matched the illustrations in the ancient artefacts, the towers supposedly tied to the shrines.

Harper, recovering from a recent flu, lay in bed and laughed as he watched the towers pop up like mushrooms.

Welcome back, Your Highness!

“Cool!” Kotts cried. “Uncle Harper, come see!”

“I see, my dear,” Harper said, still chuckling to himself. “I see them quite clearly, I promise.”

Kass rushed in, all in a tizzy.

“Teacher! The towers, they look just like-”

“Like the ancient illustrations,” Harper agreed. He reached for his notebook of ancient songs and held it out to Kass. “It’s time, my boy.”

“What does Prince Link look like?” Kass asked three years ago, shortly before Harper came down with a dangerous case of pneumonia, which nearly claimed his life.

“Hm? Why? Are you going to write him a song?” Harper teased him.

“Maybe,” Kass said with a thoughtful hum.“But you’ll need someone to bring him to you, Teacher, so I need to know what he looks like.”

Fair enough. Harper could not go traipsing across Hyrule anymore.

Harper smiled at him fondly. “Oh, let’s see…He was such a little thing. Another thing I felt smug about, goodness but I needed a slap. But anyway- he was small. Long golden-blonde hair and blue eyes. His hair was almost always in a ponytail. Lady Impa said he’d have the Sheikah slate with him; it’s this little rectangular device that can be worn on your hip. It belonged to Princess Zelda, but I must admit I haven’t a clue what it was for.” He still remembered her explanation of bombs, a blank map and a camera. He couldn’t imagine how those would help Link- except the bombs, perhaps. 

“I know she used it when assisting with the Divine Beasts…Perhaps it had their controls or layout within it…But Princess Zelda handed it to Doctor Purah and urged her to leave it with Link. He always wore his locket from Princess Mipha; it was silver, shaped like a teardrop and engraved with the Zora sigil. I don’t know if Purah and Robbie left it with him, but I can’t see why they wouldn’t.”

“Anything else?” Kass asked. He had that keen-eyed expression he always got when he was trying to commit something to memory. Harper felt another stab of fondness for him.

“Hm…I’m not sure if the Shrine will erase his burns from the Guardians. I suppose that’s something to watch out for, though the worst of them were on his torso. That’s where he took the fatal hit. It…” He shuddered. “Goddess help him, it nearly blasted clean through him. I’m amazed he didn’t die on the spot.”

Even now, he wasn’t sure how Prince Link didn’t die right away. The Triforce of Courage, perhaps? A blessing from Hylia? He didn’t know.

“And he was selectively-mute, as you know,” Harper said. He coughed, rubbing his chest, unaware of the agony to come his way. “Pardon me, son; this blasted cough’s been bothering me all day.” He poured himself some water and glanced at his open notebook, the (at the time) unfinished Champions’ Ballad. “I remember a song one of Dorephan’s bards wrote when the engagement was announced. They called Link ‘as lovely as a dawn, as fierce as a wolf.’”

He’d been quite envious of that lyric, wishing he’d come up with something like that. Of course, he’d quickly gone back to brooding on his sorrows, yearning for Princess Zelda to look his way and smile again.

Kass set out two days later in search of Prince Link, to ask him to come to Rito Village and speak with Harper. Granted, with Vah Medoh causing problems even before Prince Link awoke, he’d need to come to Rito Village anyway; Harper said he’d need the Divine Beasts to defeat Calamity Ganon. So, yes, Prince Link would show up eventually, but Kass hoped to urge him along. 

He knew his beloved teacher had not been kind to Prince Link so long ago. Harper readily admitted it. Kass only hoped that Prince Link would forgive it and agree to speak with Harper. He had Harper’s notebook of ancient songs, he’d give them to Prince Link no matter what His Highness decided, of course he would, but…But…

He desperately hoped Prince Link would say yes and come with Kass. He wished to see some of the ever-present grief leave Harper’s eyes.

Kass just didn’t expect to literally bump into Prince Link at Riverside Stable. Though of course it took him a moment to even realise who the blonde Hylian was.

Kass was walking into the stable, Prince Link and a trio of Zora were walking out of it, and Kass and the young Prince collided.

“Sorry!” the young boy gasped.

“No harm done,” Kass laughed as the brown-scaled Zora steadied him. “It’s nothing compared to my daughters running into me.”

Then he noticed the slate.

“That thing on your hip,” he said, eyes wide. The boy- the Prince!- put a protective hand to the Sheikah slate, giving Kass a startled look. Just as his dear teacher described, the slate was embedded with the Sheikah symbol; a small device, not quite stone and not quite metal, and streaked with thin glowing lights.

The Prince was petite, a slip of a boy. He had golden hair pulled back in a ponytail and strikingly bright blue eyes. Kass could see a small, vertical scar on his chin and another scar, barely visible past his fringe, cutting across most of his forehead. Even with the high collar of his tunic, Kass could see burn scars creeping up his neck. He was wearing a silver locket, its pendant shaped like a tear-drop and engraved with the Zora sigil.

Just as Teacher described.

Prince Link was indeed very handsome, though he looked cautious, with a wary gaze and furrowed brows. He looked ready to dart away, or to draw his sword. As lovely and strong as the Zora bard wrote so long ago, just like the lyric Harper sang.

And the three Zora- well, that was a dead give-away in itself, wasn’t it? Who else would three Zora travel with, if not their long-lost Prince?

Kass took a deep breath and bowed, his wings spread wide.

“It is an honour to make your acquaintance, Your Highness,” he said, and prayed he was saying the right words. There was surely a proper way to greet royalty and a proper way to greet a boy chosen by the Goddess Hylia, but Kass didn’t know what it was. 

He straightened up and smiled. Prince Link looked more startled than ever. The supremely tall Zora with red scales, in beautiful silver jewellery, hovered protectively by Prince Link’s side. The two Zora knights (judging by their armour) tightly gripped their spears, watching Kass warily. He was suddenly, horribly aware of the stable’s employees and patrons all stopping to stare at them all.

“My name is Kass,” Kass said. Nervously, he played a few notes with his accordion and gave the Prince a shy smile. “My teacher, Harper, knew you before, Your Highness.”

“He did?” Prince Link asked, wary but curious. He stepped closer and Kass relaxed.

“Yes,” he said. “He dearly wishes to see you again. He asked me to find you. If I may have a moment of your time, there is a story I must tell you.”

Chapter Text

“It came like a postcard. Picture perfect, shiny family; holiday, peppermint candy. But for him it's every day. So I peered through a window, a deep portal, time travel, all the love we unravel; and the life I gave away. 'Cause he was sunshine, I was midnight rain. He wanted it comfortable, I wanted that pain. He wanted a bride, I was making my own name, chasing that fame. He stayed the same. All of me changed like midnight.” - Midnight Rain, Taylor Swift

Link had no idea what to make of this Rito bard. Kass was impeccably polite, friendly in a distant sort of way, and he told Link, Sidon, Bazz and Rivan all about his tutor. 

Harper, a Sheikah bard and poet. Harper, who worked in the castle, who lived among the royal court. Harper, who was in love with Zelda.

He wished to see Link. He’d sent Kass to find him.

Kass offered Link a notebook belonging to Harper. It gave the locations of hidden shrines and songs which held clues to unlock them. 

Link and the Brigade were heading for Goron City, their sights on Vah Rudania, but one look at the earnest smile on Kass’s face and the hope in his eyes had Link promising to meet with Kass at Woodland Stable in the coming days, and accompany Kass to Rito Village. It was their next stop after Goron City anyway.

Kass felt a rush of relief when, from the safety of Woodland Stable, he saw Vah Rudania take aim at Hyrule Castle, the Divine Beast shining blue for the first time in a century, just as his dear teacher always said it should. 

Prince Link and his friends were successful. Now all Kass could do was wait and hope they showed up as promised.

The very next day, they did. Kass, singing to a small audience of travellers and stable employees, saw the giant red Zora, Prince Sidon, and Knight Rivan make their way down the stony track. A few minutes later, Prince Link and Captain Bazz followed. The young Prince was holding the mysterious Sheikah slate, peering closely at something on its screen. 

“We need to go to the Domain first,” Prince Sidon told Kass. “My sister- we believe we can speak with her spirit. Daruk’s great-grandson could get close enough to Rudania to speak with Daruk, now that he is free. We hope the same may be true for my sister.”

“Their spirits?” Kass asked, astonished.

“Yes,” Prince Sidon said, and he explained their adventure thus far. It sounded like something from a myth, Kass thought. An amnesic prince, wandering home and finding his brother-in-law on the way. A fight with a shard of Ganon himself. The trapped ghost of Princess Mipha…

And now the ghost of the Great Daruk, another fight against what Prince Link called a Blight, and a Champion descendant jumping into the fray.

“You may come with us,” Prince Sidon said. Kass smiled at him, feeling another wave of relief. It would be good to stay with them, to know what was happening, and bring them to Harper himself. It was much better than waiting around, or returning to Rito Village alone.

Kass’s dearest wish was to escort Prince Link to Harper himself, so that his teacher’s dream would finally be fulfilled.

He did not expect to witness history. He did not expect Prince Link’s eyes to suddenly take on a golden gleam as he turned north, his head tilted as if he was listening for something.

“I think I know where Fi is,” he said, his voice turned dazed and distant. Kass had no idea who Fi was, but the Zora all seemed eager.

“You’re sure?” Prince Sidon asked.

“Can’t you hear that?” Prince Link asked him. The gold in his eyes began to shine brighter and there was a flicker of golden light on the back of his hand. “Someone’s playing an ocarina.”

And so Kass joined the Zora as they followed Prince Link up the hill, following the dirt path north, walking faster and faster to the Great Hyrule Forest, blanketed in permanent fog. They came upon a strange entrance; shattered pillars, crumbling walls, and an archway covered in patches of moss. Sconces shaped like flowers and leaves clung to the archway and, despite the harsh breeze, the flames inside them did not even flicker. Blue nightshade glowed among the overgrown grass.

Prince Link, his eyes glowing in earnest now, all but jumped into the fog. Kass, disoriented, hurried after him.

“Oh!” Prince Sidon cried, eyes wide. He turned in a circle, looking around frantically. “I hear something!”

Kass did not. Nor, it seemed, did Bazz or Rivan. They looked as confused as Kass felt.

“There,” Prince Link said, darting ahead and turning left.

Captain Bazz stumbled. “I hear it,” he gasped. “But it’s…It’s everywhere…” He looked more confused than ever.

Faintly, Kass could hear something. Someone was playing a song, somehow familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. Indeed, it sounded like it was coming from all directions, echoing endlessly, on and on and on.

“This way,” Prince Link said, turning right.

“How can you tell?” Captain Bazz demanded. “It sounds like it’s coming from every direction.”

Prince Link shrugged, a flicker of uncertainty on his face, there and gone again in an instant.

“I just know,” he said.

The music got louder as they followed the Prince’s directions. Kass thought he heard little voices giggling. The fog was endless, swirling around them, never once thinning out. Kass struggled to see his own wing in front of his face. Rivan looked sharply over his shoulder, frowning, but Kass couldn’t see a thing.

Whether they walked for minutes or hours, Kass couldn’t say. Time felt strange, everything felt off. They could have been walking in circles for all he knew. Even if he flew up above, he’d never be able to see through the fog.

But then, finally, there was a change.

Suddenly, they came upon a clearing.

In the middle of the clearing, surrounded by bright flowers, was a tree stump. A small, childish figure sat on the stump, playing the ocarina that led them here. He looked almost like a wooden doll; they wore a straw hat, clogs, and green and brown clothing. His eyes were two dots of amber in his little wooden face and, in place of a mouth, they had a duck’s beak.

They stopped playing their ocarina. He lowered the instrument and beamed.

“You’re back!” he cried, running to Link. “You’re back, you’re back!”

“...Hi, Skull Kid,” Link said with a wobbly smile.

“Link!” Skull Kid screamed, throwing himself at Link and holding on tight. “You’re back! You’re here for the Master Sword, right?”

“By Hylia’s grace,” Kass breathed in wonder. Rivan gasped, Bazz swore softly and Prince Sidon continued to stare, mouth agape. The Master Sword? It was here? Was Kass truly about to witness the unimaginable: a Hero pulling the Sword of Evil’s Bane? Harper always said that the sword’s resting place was a deep secret, known only to the Hero and the royal family. Even the Sheikah did not know where the sword slept.

Until now. 

“I am,” Link said, giving Skull Kid a one-armed hug. Skull Kid bounced back, giggling. They put the ocarina in their pocket and held their hand out.

“It’s-”

“Dangerous to go alone,” Link finished softly. Smiling, he took Skull Kid’s hand. “I remember. Can my friends come with us? I promise they’re safe.”

“Hhhhmmmm…” Skull Kid stared intensely at them all, tapping their chin thoughtfully. Their eyes practically glowed. “Okay,” he said with a sharp little nod. “I trust you, Link.”

The strange child, Skull Kid, took Prince Link’s hand and skipped through the fog, humming the song he’d been playing.

“May I ask what song that is?” Kass said.

“It’s Link’s song,” Skull Kid said with a laugh, shrugging carelessly, grinning like it should have been obvious.

Link’s song? Kass had no idea what that meant. There were many songs written about the Heroes, but Kass did not recognise the tune that Skull Kid hummed. Or did he? It felt familiar, but he couldn’t say where he may have heard it before. He knew that it wasn’t one of Harper’s songs.

The fog got thinner and thinner. Rivan was praying quietly under his breath. Kass was tempted to join in.

“Welcome to Korok Forest!” Skull Kid said and the fog parted like curtains, revealing a strange new place.

The light was strange here; almost watery, shimmering in shades of green and blue. Something glittered in the air, little golden sparks drifting around. Kass couldn’t see where they came from. The trees were all much taller than the rest of the forest. Some had faces carved into them. Bells and windchimes dangled from the branches, giving a constant stream of music. Flowers carpeted the grass, no rhyme or reason to them, a chaotic flower garden. Little voices giggled from the shadows and, the more closely Kass watched, the more he could see tiny creatures. 

Korok Forest…Were these truly Koroks? The legendary children of the forest, always hiding and playing. Kass used to look for them as a child, but he never found one. And now here they were in plain sight, all of them watching, whispering and giggling. Koroks in the trees, Koroks clinging to their little leaf fans and floating in the air. Koroks peering out curiously from the bushes and flowers. Koroks standing along the path. So many Koroks that it made Kass’s head spin.

“Mr Hero!” A truly huge Korok screamed, running forward. He resembled a tree and held a pair of maracas. “You’re here! Ooh, you brought friends!”

“Pinch me, I’m dreaming,” Bazz breathed.

“Then we’re having the same dream,” Rivan said, looking around in amazement. “Holy Hylia…This is…This is…”

“Welcome to Korok Forest!” The big Korok sang, much like Skull Kid, dancing in place and shaking his maracas.

“Hi, Hestu,” Prince Link said fondly.

“Shaka! Shalakala! Hello, hello! Skull Kid brought you, yay!”

“Oh, you are Hestu!” Sidon said in delight. “Link told me all about you!”

“He did? Yay! Shoko-shaka! And I smell Korok seeds! Ooh, this is going to be such a good day!”

“Hestu, dear boy,” a sleepy voice said. “Please do keep it down.”

“Oops, sorry, Grandpa!”

“Mr Deku Tree, guess what?” Skull Kid pulled Prince Link forward, down the path and into the heart of Korok Forest. “We’ve got guests!”

 “Guests? Hm?” The voice became more alert. There was a deep, fond laugh. “Ah, so we do. Very special guests. Hello again, dear Link.”

Kass could only stare, wondering if perhaps he was dreaming. The voice came from a cherry blossom tree, a truly gigantic tree. It had a face. It had a smiling mouth and, though it had no eyes, two of its huge branches were placed like eyebrows, moving up and down, making the tree strangely expressive.

“Well now…” The tree’s smile widened. “You’re back. After one hundred years, I’d begun to worry I’d never see you again. Yet here you stand. Ah…That look on your face…You do not remember me, do you?”

Prince Link shook his head. The tree’s smile was sad.

“You will,” he said certainly. “Given enough time.”

More and more Koroks crept forward, all staring, all whispering and giggling more than ever. Kass heard “Mr Hero” said again and again.

“Now then, little hero…” The tree, the Great Deku Tree, chuckled. “I believe we have something here that belongs to you.”

Only a few steps away, the very centre of Korok Forest, stood a stone pedestal shaped like a triangle. Handfuls of silent princess flowers, softly glowing, surrounded the pedestal.

A sword was stuck into the pedestal. Beautifully crafted, its blade was no metal that Kass recognised. He doubted even Teba would be able to name it. The cross-guard was shaped like Hylia’s wings on so much artwork with a gold gem at its centre; the hilt was a rich shade of purple, crossed with twining bright green lines.

The Master Sword. The Blade of Evil's Bane. The sword that seals the darkness…Fi? That was what Prince Link said at the stable. That he knew where Fi was. Did the sword have another name after all?

Prince Link stepped forward. The sword’s blade began to glow, reminding Kass of moonlight.

“You are different,” the Deku Tree said solemnly. “You were a very different boy when you first came here…But I still sense greatness within you, child. Many would be killed where they stand for daring to touch the Blade of Evil’s Bane, but I do not believe she would strike you down. Not you.”

Link looked up at him. The Deku Tree smiled.

“Welcome back, little hero,” he said. “Step forward and reclaim your birthright.”

And so he did. 

And so Kass stared in amazement as light burst forth from the blade and from Prince Link: white-blue and bright gold, shooting out in waves, twisting around the Hero and sword. The Prince’s eyes were bright gold, his hair danced around him in its own breeze and- there! On his hand! Was that truly the Triforce of Courage? It was so bright that it could be seen through his glove; three golden triangles, but the one representing Courage was so much brighter than the other two, outshining them with ease; the other two triangles were only faint marks, not tied to the young Prince as Courage was.

Kass watched closely, committing every detail to memory. He hardly dared to blink, so afraid of missing anything. This was history in the making, this was a legend in the making. He was witnessing something that thousands of people would give half their life-spans to see. An awakened Hero and Master Sword, the destined pair, soulbound. 

The waves of light died down. Prince Link blinked, looking dazed, before he grinned. The legendary sword pulsed with light, chiming in his hand.

The Koroks began to cheer. Hestu danced and sang in place. Skull Kid, grinning broadly, sat cross-legged on the ground.

The Deku Tree smiled.

“Good,” he said. “Very good.”

Beaming, Prince Link pressed the sword’s crossguard to his forehead.

“I missed you,” he said. The sword’s light brightened.

Laughing freely, His Highness spun in a circle and light shot out from the Master Sword, striking out from around them. Bright, pure white light, light said to be given to the sword by Hylia Herself.

Kass could scarcely breathe.

When Prince Link turned to face them, eyes, sword and Triforce still glowing, Kass felt like he was looking at a force of nature. A living, breathing legend. Together, he knelt with Bazz and Rivan, their heads lowered and one fist clenched to their hearts. Prince Sidon knelt with them, but looked at Prince Link with a bright, proud grin.

He stayed in the inn at Zora’s Domain, allowing Prince Sidon and Prince Link to reunite with King Dorephan in peace. One of the inn’s owners, a Zora woman with pink scales, hummed as she prepared a bed for him and introduced herself as Kodah.

“So how’d you get pulled into all of this?” she asked cheerfully.

“I am fulfilling a promise to my teacher,” Kass told her. “Harper, the Sheikah bard.”

Kodah shrugged. “Doesn’t ring a bell,” she said. “Was he friends with Linny?”

Linny? Gracious, she truly must have been close to His Highness to use such a casual nickname.

“Well…Not really,” Kass said. He didn’t dare admit that Harper had been unkind. “But he admires His Grace’s bravery; he was at Blatchery Plain one hundred years ago, and saw…Everything. He travelled far and wide after the Calamity, and found clues to hidden shrines.”

“Ah, I see,” Kodah said. “So he wants to give those clues to Linny?”

Kass had, of course, already given His Highness the notebook, but he nodded in response.

“Yes,” he said. “And to talk to him once more.”

They spent four days in Zora’s Domain. Kass watched in awe as most of the Domain rushed to Vah Ruta, to speak with the spirit of their beloved Princess and keep her company. Kass accompanied Prince Link, Prince Sidon and Lord Muzu to Horon Lagoon and watched as Prince Link solved the riddle that Harper discovered so long ago, successfully unlocking the shrine.

After that, finally, they travelled to Rito Village. Teleporting via the Sheikah slate was uncomfortable; it made Kass feel like his insides were being squeezed. Still, it was highly fascinating. 

The temperature had dropped even further since Kass left home, and the wind was worse than ever. Vah Medoh flew lower than ever before, kicking up the harsh, icy winds, and shrieking so loud that it made Kass’s head spin. Her shield flickered to life, surrounding her in red energy. Prince Link stared up at Vah Medoh, his eyes dark. Kass wondered if he could remember Master Revali.

Princess Mipha and the Great Daruk were trapped within their Beasts. Was the same true for Master Revali?

Kass did not have much more time to ponder. Rito Village was finally in sight. After one hundred years, Harper’s dearest wish was about to be fulfilled. 

Rito Village was cosy- or would have been, if every shop and home wasn’t boarded up as everyone hid from Vah Medoh’s wrath and the icy tempest she brought with her.

Hold on, Revali, Link thought as Medoh shrieked again. Not much longer.

The entire village was built around the widest, tallest pillar that Link had ever seen. They climbed up and up, past various landings, homes, shops and an inn. Near the top of the village, Kass asked them to wait and he hurried inside a small hut. It looked just like every other home they’d passed, but Kass suddenly looked so nervous that Link knew the mysterious Harper must live here.

He only remembered small things about Harper: he’d fancied Zelda and kept singing love songs at her. He’d come with them to the Spring of Courage once and wouldn’t shut up until Zelda told him to. He sang a horrible song mocking Link, and Link had barely given Harper a second thought.

Harper annoyed him so long ago, but he’d mostly been annoyed on Zelda’s behalf. As he told Impa, he’d had worse than a spoiled brat throwing a tantrum. He could take whatever stupid, petty insults Harper decided to throw at him. But someone constantly bothering his best friend with unwanted advances? That wasn’t going to fly. That pissed Link off. 

So he wasn’t sure what to expect from Harper now. It had been one hundred years; that was a lot of time for someone to change.

He’d hunted for shrines and clues that led to them. He’d compiled them into a notebook for Link and sent Kass to find them. That took a lot of work. Exploring Hyrule was dangerous on a good day, but so soon after the Calamity? That had to have been even worse.

Maybe Harper was braver than Link thought. It certainly sounded like he’d grown up fast.

An old man emerged slowly from the hut. He wore a Sheikah tunic, but Snowquill pants and boots. A heavy blue blanket was draped over him like a shawl. His hair, still long and snowy white, was much thinner than it had been a century ago. The old man leaned heavily on a cane, red eyes bright with joy. He bowed shakily and Kass hovered protectively by his side.

“It is wonderful to see you again, Your Grace,” the old man said. He looked Impa's age, so old and frail that Link's first instinct was to gently guide the old man back to his chair.

Link knew that smile.

“Hi, Harper,” he said quietly, and Harper's grin widened, deepening his wrinkles. Everything about him had changed, except for that beaming grin. He was so skinny and pale, his wrists looked worryingly delicate. His shoulders were stooped, his back was bent, and Link remembered that Harper used to have perfect posture, he used to move quickly and gracefully like a professional dancer.

Mind reeling, Link helped lead Harper back inside. Kass flitted about, quietly urging Sidon and Link into the empty chairs. Bazz and Rivan stood at attention on either side of the door. When Kass shut the door the hut felt smaller; even with lamps blazing, it felt dim in here. A fire blazed in the small hearth, beating back the unnatural cold. 

Harper stared at Link, silently studying his face. He grinned once more, chuckling slightly to himself.

“Well,” he said. “One of us got to keep our looks at least. Kass, my boy, do sit down. You look exhausted.”

Smiling sheepishly, Kass sat on the edge of Harper’s bed. 

“Kass gave me your notebook,” Link told Harper. “I found a shrine with it. Thank you.”

Harper’s eyes widened and he gave an astonished laugh. “I’ve never heard you speak before,” he said, his voice almost as quiet as Link’s own. He leaned back in his chair, rearranging the pillows, pulling his blanket tighter around himself. Apparently restless, he leaned forward again and, cautiously, awkwardly, he reached out and took Link’s hand.

“If I may ask, Highness,” he said. “Do you remember anything?”

“Not much,” Link admitted. He’d recovered more memories than he dared to hope for, but everything was still fragmented at best. A lot of the time, he couldn’t even be sure of when a memory took place. He just had to hope for something to fill in the blanks.

Harper’s eyes filled with tears. “Do you remember the Princess?” he asked, his voice shaking. “Princess Zelda?”

“Only a little bit.”

Harper looked heartbroken. It reminded him a little of Dorephan, when Link told him he’d seen Mipha’s spirit.

“After you fight Medoh…If you’d like, I could tell you a bit about her?”

Link looked at him closely, curiously. He couldn’t be sure that Harper would have much to tell him. Impa certainly ranted about her dislike of the bard even now. She’d been more angry about that mocking song than Link had been. But even Impa’s anger was nothing compared to Zelda’s cold fury about that incident; she’d never forgiven Harper for it, Link remembered that much. 

So what could Harper possibly tell him? 

But Harper had gone to so much effort to help him. How could Link turn him down?

He nodded, offering Harper a small smile. Harper lit up completely, beaming broadly, eyes alight with joy.

“There is a song I wish you to hear as well,” he said, patting Link’s hand. “Think of it as…an apology gift, of sorts. I hope you will accept it.”

After Medoh, after Windblight and Revali, Rito Village erupted in joy. Link saw flocks of Rito fly to Medoh’s head, all to keep Revali company. Little Tulin was beside himself with joy, especially when Revali told Tulin he was sure that Tulin would be an amazing warrior one day.

Link sought out Harper and found him sitting on a stool on one of the topmost landings, right next to the village’s Sheikah shrine. Harper watched as Link disappeared inside and, when Link emerged, he found Harper in quiet conversation with Bazz, Rivan and Sidon. Kass joined them, cradling one of his sleeping daughters.

“Link,” Harper said, a hint of relief in his voice as Link stood at his side. “I just wanted to say…I’m sorry for my dreadful attitude, first of all. I was a brat, it must be said. Worse than a brat. I had the completely wrong end of the stick- I thought you and Princess Zelda were courting, then I thought she was in love with you and you didn’t return her affections…Only to find out she’d been helping you and Princess Mipha to meet. I was so foolishly angry and jealous, and I can only apologise for the horrible things I said.”

Link nodded. He just barely remembered Harper’s nasty song and, truth be told, he had a feeling he didn’t remember all of it anyway. 

Besides, he’d quickly moved on from the whole incident. It was Zelda and Impa who held onto it. 

The song hadn’t angered him. Harper pushing at Zelda’s boundaries had angered him.

Harper took a deep breath. His hands shook slightly as he strummed his lute.

“If I may,” he said quietly. “Would now be a good time for the song?”

The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the village and the entire Hebra Mountain range. Medoh was aiming at Hyrule Castle and Revali was, thankfully, surrounded by visitors and well-wishers. Rito Village was at peace once more and they had time.

So Link nodded, quietly telling Harper to go ahead.

And so he did.

Even now, it must be said that Harper was skilled. His voice was still clear and strong, he still played the lute with obvious talent.

“An ancient Hero, a Calamity appears now resurrected after 10,000 years. Her appointed knight gives his life, shields her figure, and pays the price.”

Link watched the sunset and listened. 

“The Princess's love for her fallen knight awakens her power, and Calamity cowers. But the knight survives! In the Shrine of Resurrection he sleeps, until from his healing dream he leaps! For fierce and deadly trials await, to regain his strength, fulfil his fate.”

He wondered if Zelda could see this.

“To become a Hero once again. To wrest the Princess from Evil's den.”

Had they underestimated Harper?

“The Hero, the Princess, hand in hand, must bring the Light back to this land.”

It seemed to him that Kass was holding his breath. Link wondered if he should clap or not. Harper looked so tired, so frail. He looked like he could collapse at any second.

“It took a long time to write,” he said quietly. He turned away from the mountains, gazing in the direction of Hyrule Castle, his eyes following Medoh’s laser. “I’d wanted to write a song for Her Highness for so long, but nothing ever seemed  right. Nothing did her justice. And then, after the Calamity, I threw myself into searching for the shrines. I still tried to write, but it was like all inspiration left me…Until I thought of you. You, Link, and the Princess, and the fight ahead. Then inspiration returned. I finally finished my Champions’ Ballad and this song, writing in a sudden frenzy. I wish…I dearly wish to see peace restored. To know that Princess Zelda is free once again.”

Harper turned to him, giving him a small, hopeful smile.

“I am sorry, Your Highness,” he said. “I hope my apology is accepted?”

“It is,” Link said quietly, as he always did. His voice was always quiet. He added, “It’s a good song. I like it.”

Harper had tears in his eyes. His smile wobbled.

“Thank you,” he said. He set his lute down and took Link’s hands, squeezing tightly. “Thank you.”

The song was indeed beautiful. Harper was vastly different than he’d been one hundred years ago.

And yet his recollections of Zelda didn’t seem quite right.

“I loved her,” he said, staring up at Medoh’s laser. “Maybe I still do, deep down. I knew it would never be requited, but…Well, that didn’t stop me from falling for her.”

Kass had the indulgent smile of someone who’d heard the tale many times before. Sidon looked very curious indeed, whereas Rivan seemed a little lost. Perhaps Impa’s rant was on his mind. Bazz listened politely.

Link wasn’t sure what to make of it.

“She was so beautiful,” Harper said with a sigh. “The most beautiful girl I ever saw. I was so certain she would save us and didn’t have a clue how to let her know. She was…Oh, she was so sweet, Prince Link. Gentle. Very clever, so very clever indeed. Dedicated to her duty and people. It used to drive me mad, listening to the nasty gossip about her, hearing people call her lazy.”

Link sipped his steaming tea, gesturing for Harper to continue. The old man’s eyes shone as he smiled at Link.

“She was graceful, but what Princess isn’t, hm? I know she loved flowers. She was forever studying myths and history, searching for a way to unlock her sacred power.”

It didn’t sound right, it sounded so surface level, and Link felt guilty for even thinking it. Harper had put a lot of work into helping him, he wanted to help Zelda, and Link couldn’t shake the feeling that Harper was wrong.

Zelda wasn’t perfect. No one was. She could be rude and stubborn; she could be downright mean. Was she graceful? Yes. But Link also remembered her running through mud puddles, her hair tangled, her clothes covered in grass-stains and her boots soaked in mud as she caught restless crickets and frogs. He remembered her temper and her tears. 

She studied everything, any topic she could get her hands on, but especially the ancient Sheikah technology. She carried the Sheikah slate everywhere. She took impromptu pictures, cheerfully saying, “Smile!” to Link and their friends as she snapped a picture.

They’d taken positively stupid photos at his and Mipha’s wedding. Zelda, Mipha, Revali and Link had all crowded together, pulling the silliest and ugliest faces they could for the camera.

Once, quite delirious and dizzy from lack of sleep, she’d marched into Link’s room at Hyrule Castle the second he returned from the Domain and demanded, “Would you still love me if I was a worm?” Oil stains from Guardian parts still coated her hands and there were terrible bags under her eyes. Impa, hurrying after her, had looked half-dead from worry.

“Of course,” Link had said. “I’d build you a worm terrarium. You’d still love me if I was a worm, right?”

“Obviously! You’re my best friend.”

She’d fallen asleep on Link’s bed. Impa, at Link’s urging, finally curled up on his sofa and nodded off as well. Link flopped across the end of his bed and kept an eye on them both.

He wondered what Harper would say about that.

Harper’s hands were so thin now. The bones and veins stood out, and Link found himself worrying about how long Harper’s skills would stay with him. What would the old man do when he could no longer play music? What would he do if, one day, he could no longer sing?

“She was my best friend,” Link settled for saying, and patted Harper’s shoulder. “Thank you. I hope I remember more of her soon.”

“I’m sure you will,” Harper said, smiling at him. “Of course you will.”

But do you? Link wondered. Do you remember her? Did you ever really know her? Oh, Harper…Do you still not understand?

How could you possibly love someone you never knew? How could you claim to love a girl and only see her beauty and the serene mask she put on for the court and kingdom? 

The most passionate Harper sounded, the closest he got to the truth, was when he spoke of Blatchery Plain.

Link only remembered flashes. The fire, the screams, the malice. The silence when the screams stopped was somehow worse. He remembered Zelda trying to pull him up, babbling that the Fort was there, right there, come on, darling- oh, Link, please, we must- it’s going to okay, you’re going to be just fine-

Harper did not go into too much detail, but he spoke of Zelda’s power, the light encasing the field, and her orders to the Sheikah.

“It was glorious,” Harper said. “The myths didn’t do it justice. I’d never seen or felt anything like it. It was as if all our fears and pain washed away under the Goddess’s Light. I’d never seen the Princess so sure of herself, so in command of everyone around her. It was like she just…knew what to do.”

That sounded more like the Zelda that Link remembered. Determined, brave, refusing to slow down.

At the end of the day, she was just a girl. Just seventeen.

They were kids. He remembered how Urbosa used to fuss over them all. 

Harper had been a kid too, hadn’t he? Only Revali’s age. 

Link looked at this small, tired old man, and felt so terribly sorry for him. For the horrors he’d seen, for the monsters he’d fled. For the loss of his parents and so many friends. 

Maybe Harper did not love Zelda after all, but he’d still gone through so much trouble to help Link and, in turn, to help Zelda. To help all of Hyrule. 

It would be up to Zelda to forgive him or not. Link couldn’t choose for her. He wondered what she was thinking; if she was watching this, if she was listening, what did she think of the man that Harper had become?

Days later, Harper joined Kaneli, Teba, Saki, Harth and their children, Kass, Amali and their daughters as Link and the Brigade left Rito Village.

“Thank you,” Link said to Harper. “For everything. I’ll find the rest of the shrines, I promise. And I’m going to kill Ganon this time.”

Muzu once told him that he’d been a good Prince. Link hoped he could live up to that.

The sun was rising. Harper smiled at him and bowed, leaning heavily on his cane.

“You will, Highness,” he said with utmost certainty. “I believe in you.”

They weren’t friends, not really. At least, Link wasn’t sure. But that faith? That belief? It meant something. Maybe it should have been daunting to have someone look at him like that, like he could move mountains, but it wasn’t. It helped.

As Link and the Brigade left Rito Village behind, Link made up his mind.

When all of this was over, when Calamity Ganon was sealed away and Zelda was free, Link would ask her if she wished to speak to Harper again. It would be her choice this time, no court niceties forced upon her.

Link wondered what she’d choose. He wondered if Zelda had already made up her mind too.