AN:

So, this story is going to be a bunch of one-shots that take place in the universe of my What If? series. They are going to have varying ratings, if it's an "M" I will give you a warning first. They will take place at different points during the series and told from a variety of people's pov, I will also inform you of that each chapter. I am not Nintendo, so, yeah.

I have some one-shots already planned, but if there is something that you want to see, please tell me. I will see what I can do.

When: A few months after Fourteen Dances

Who: Zelda

It has been three months since the Calamity was destroyed. Three months minus two weeks since my appointed knight became a marquess. Three months since my entire life changed.

The most glaring difference once things somewhat got back to normal was the fact that I had nothing to do. Since I no longer had to pray, there was no use in my research, and I no longer had an appointed knight to go on adventures with, I was completely and utterly bored. That is, until father realized that I have no training to become the Queen of Hyrule. My entire life up until this point was supposed to be dedicated to prayer, any time spent on politics was taking time away from soaking in springs.

So, it has been two months since my crash course in politics began. I attend every biweekly council meeting. I memorize every one of our allies, all of their leaders, the map of the world. Even if I had time to continue to conduct research I couldn't, there's no room left in my head. Impa and I have spent every day pouring over rules and regulations. I could tell you every law regarding trade in the book.

But I have no clue how to apply any of it.

The problem with the lessons is, they teach me how things are supposed to work, but not really how to make them work. I'm sure that eventually, after years of lessons, they may start explaining that to me, but I don't know. I fear that may be one thing that just comes with experience. But my true fear is how I am going to receive said experience.

I'm going to rule an entire country, yet my naiveté could be its downfall. I almost destroyed this land once with my inability to do something, I can't do it again.

I blow gently on the ink, attempting to dry it so that I may close my diary. I haven't had time to write in so long, that an overview of the past few months seemed necessary. "Princess?"

"Come in!" I call from my desk.

"Would you like to go review the guards with me?" Impa's face appears from behind the door.

"No lesson?"

"You deserve a break. Besides, you need to know some things about military."

"But it's just the guards, not the army." I stand and stretch. I was sitting for a while.

"The army doesn't train here, besides, I figured you would prefer to watch the leader of the Royal Guards than General Dalt." My cheeks heat up, and she laughs at me. When Link was placed in charge of the guards, he decided that he was going to train them himself. Though it was not required of him, he insisted that he felt it would be best. Everyone agreed since Lord Link is known as the best swordsman in all of Hyrule, but I know that in the end, Link was just as bored as I was.

"Why are we actually doing this?" I ask as we approach the walkway which overlooks the training fields.

"The guards need to see you taking an active role. They need to know that they'll have your support should anything happen."

"And?"

"And since Urbosa cannot be here all the time, she has tasked me with getting you and the marquess together."

"I knew it." Urbosa has had to return to Gerudo Town. She neglected it enough leading up to and directly after the Calamity. Of course, she would pass on her mission to someone at the castle.

"Your highness." I turn and see everyone in the field below kneeling, my former knight in the center.

"Rise, I did not mean to interrupt." I call.

"Yes, your highness." I do wish he would stop calling me that. He turns back to the guards-in-training and starts telling them something that I cannot understand.

"He's done well with them." Impa admits. "I've never seen the guards so alert."

"He knows what he's doing." I sigh, leaning on the stone railing. It's fascinating to watch him work. It's almost like a dance the way he stabs and swings. You almost forget that if there was a person in front of him, they would be ripped to pieces.

-oOo-

"I will admit, hero. I am impressed." Impa informs the man after their training ends. We came down here for some reason. I honestly wasn't paying attention. "Don't you agree, Zelda?"

"Yes."

"I actually need to speak with you about something." What? He hasn't spoken to me an almost a month. Though we've only seen each other twice, both at council meetings, which I was whisked away from as soon as they were over for more lessons.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, but I just need to discuss something with you." His eyes dart to Impa and then back at me. "Is now a good time?" I look to Impa, she nods.

"I believe so."

"Then let's get out of the sun." He motions in the direction of his office.

"Leave the door open." Impa says before turning to leave. I guess they discussed this ahead of time. Link leads me to his office. It's a large room with a desk, chairs, a table, and a few cabinets. He does as Impa says, leaving the door behind him half open. Technically I shouldn't even be alone with him.

"What's going on?" I ask, taking a seat by the table.

"I have made a decision and want your approval." He sits opposite me.

"My approval?"

"I have decided to return the Master Sword. Ganon is gone, there is no point in me keeping it any longer except for selfish reasons. I want to know what you think about this." He pours us each a glass of water.

"It is your decision. If you feel that now is the time for it to be returned, I will support you. The sword has a connection to you, if you believe that it is time for it to return to its slumber, then it is."

"Will you come with me?"

"Where are you going to place it?" It's had many different resting places over the years. The Temple of Time being one of the most prominent.

"In the Korok forest. So, the Great Deku tree can watch over it."

"When do you want to go?" I'll have to clear my schedule.

"Is Saturday fine for you?"

"I can make it be." I take another sip of water. We sit in silence for a while, just looking at each other. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you, too." His voice is small.

"How is your family?"

"They're still getting used to the estate. It's just so big, and there's normally only going to be three of them. They don't really know what to do with themselves. Having servants do everything for them is also new."

"Are they going to farm?"

"Yes, they are. They've actually already started. Preparing the ground is a lot of work. They've hired people from the town that's close by. They pay them in rupees and feed them their meals. Once the crops begin growing, they'll give them a share."

"Why can't all nobles be like your family?" Most barely pay their workers, let alone anything like Link described.

"Because nobles don't know what it's like to be without."

"When was the last time you went there?"

"Not long, just a week."

"It's not too far from the forest, perhaps we could go by and visit."

"You really want to get out of this castle."

"It's been so long. I have constantly had these lessons, I'm not sure the last time I was outside for an extended length of time."

"We could make it a few days, I'm sure your father would understand you wanting to be there when I return the sword." He offers.

"How would we explain the other days?" My eyebrows raise.

"I want to see my family, but can't send you back to the castle alone." He's thought this through.

"You've already talked to everyone, haven't you?"

"Yes."

"You're lucky I didn't demand that you keep the sword."

"Why would you?" He's right. Why would I demand he keep it?

"Well, how many days?"

"I got permission for five days, four nights."

"Are we going to have an escort?"

"No, it seems your father still trusts me enough to let us go off on our own."

"I better go pack, then." I begin to rise from my seat.

"Yes, um…"

"Is there something else?"

"No, just. I'll see you in a couple days. Meet me at the stable around eight?"

"I'll be there."