A/N: Just finished Zelda Breath of the Wild, and I must say that it gave me the inspiration I had been lacking for quite sometime. I don't know how far any of you gotten in the game, so just a heads up this will include major spoilers.

The following story will pick up after Zelda and Link embark on their journey to Zora's Domain.

Prologue

Viridian eyes glowed with fascination as they gazed beyond the shadow of the towering cliffs, hidden behind the racing currents that cascaded down the mouth of the central precipice. A small smile crept on her face as she admired the waters reflecting the eerie golden light of the dying day. Her orbs shifted, catching the soft radiance of the mighty Sheikah monument atop of the ragged terrain. Lanayru Tower. She drank in every single view, every single sound that she didn't expect would greet her senses once more.

"Looks like we managed to make a halfway mark just before nightfall."Came Princess Zelda's vocals as she brandished the functional, fluorescent, device in her hand. She tapped at the screen, removing the beacon that was stationed at Lanayru Wetlands. "Though we still have a long way to go to Zora's Domain..." She muttered, calculating the distance from Kincean Island to Zora's Domain."If this thing supported two warpees then maybe we wouldn't be stuck traveling on foot...But unfortunately even now I am unable to gain access to the shrines." She sighed giving the Sheikah tech a frustrated flick before putting away the device. "Link it would be wise if we camped here for the ni-"

When she turned her head she already found the blue clad knight with a bundle of firewood in arms. He placed the lumber on the ground, under the and scraped a slab of flint with the edge of a fragment of one of his innumerable shattered blades. Sparks spewed out before the planks caught the flare, and kindled, spreading the flames across the logs.

Her feeble hands danced across the tuft of the pristine white horse's mane, as the steed made its slow trot to the nearby tree. "Prompt as ever…At least you still have your knack for camping as far as memory serves you." Zelda chuckled as she dismounted her steed and joined the Champion, relishing in the warm embrace of the embers. She was only rewarded with Link's curt nod and familiar silence to which she responded with an inward sigh.

Nothing's changed….

She concentrated on the babbling waters, the crackling of the fire, and the croaks and moans of the frogs upon their lilies, anything that can substitute for the Hero's voice. Her ears caught the sound of shuffling behind her when she found the knight standing, his back to her. Her eyes trailed across his frame, before they lingered on the legendary blade strapped across his back.

I wonder why I can't hear the voice anymore…

Link felt her watchful gaze and he turned. Radiant green clashed with calm blue. "Are you hungry?" He finally asked. The princess slightly tilted her head, astounded by the sound of his voice. It still sounded like it did a century ago.

"If one hundred years isn't a long enough wait to consume a decent meal from the Hero himself then I don't know what is." Her voice was serious, yet the flicker in her eyes said otherwise. She caught the small smile on the hero's features before she stood up as well. "I'll help."

"Are you sure?"

The furrow of the Champion's brow didn't go unnoticed and she grinned. "Don't give up on me just yet, Link. Although my hunting skills aren't as proficient as yours, cooking is second nature."

"When you're not boiling frog organs….and forcing me to eat it." He hummed drawing up an unladylike snort from the princess.

He remembered…

"Yet the potent properties from said organs kept you going on your journey...did it not?"

"I…" He started, but silence fell upon his lips. She blinked, anticipating his response, but was only greeted by the whistling of the breeze accompanied by the gurgling of her stomach.

"...I'll get something to eat." He chuckled softly, as Zelda pried her eyes off him, embarrassedly. Curse the hunger that her now tangible body possesses. She almost forgot how it was like for her stomach to long to be filled with nutrients. He got up and made ways towards the deep waters, wielding his Lightscale Trident.

She peered over her shoulder, her eyes lingering on the hero going about, poking and prodding at the pool of water for moments. Although he was viciously stabbing at the water, the way he handled the weapon with such precision and accuracy only reminded the princess of her.

You wield it as if it holds more importance than the Master Sword…

She knew he had plenty of weapons at his disposal, from the Scimitar of the Seven, and the Boulder Breaker to the Great Eagle bow, and yet… he chose that one.

"I don't believe these trees are ready to be harvested. I'll go see what I can find in Tabahl Woods, northeast from here." She called out to the hero who gave a grunt in response. A short sigh escaped her lips before she turned on her heel and began traversing through the wetlands. After moments of walking, climbing, and wading through water, Zelda finally found herself in the coppice. It wasn't long before she found ripe mushrooms that seemed to safe to consume.

She crouched down, before plucking at the fungi, creating a pile of the harvested mushroom to the side of her before she moved to the next tree and repeated. Despite how relaxed her movements were she couldn't conceal the agitated expression evident on her face.

Ever since their departure from the castle she was left with unspoken words, and awkward silences, much to her dismay. She never knew what thoughts were swirling in that mind of his, or what's hidden behind those shadowed sapphire eyes, yet she knew that patience was a virtue. And she wasn't going to get anything out of him with a shrill tone and a haughty attitude.

She examined the lime pigmented mushrooms, and unlatched the Sheikah Slate that remained on her side. With a few taps here and there, she managed to locate what she was searching for. "Stamella mushroom." She mused as she read the description of the fungi.

"A green mushroom that grows near trees in the forest. It's chock-full of natural energy. Cook it to release its stamina-restoration properties." She muttered to herself, "Can be found on or near trees and by rocks." She smiled to herself seeing that the Hero had flooded the slate with research and findings on his adventure.

"It would be wise to digest this tomorrow morning for when we head off as a boost…" She muttered, making a mental note to herself. "Also perhaps preserve some for the journey ahea-"

She lifted her head slightly when she noticed the alternation of the pattern of the breeze. She felt her tresses slightly waver as if something whirred past her, and nipped at her cheeks. When she strained her eyes as she looked off to the distance, she swore she saw a puff of purple smoke.

"Princess."

Zelda whipped her head to find the Knight holding out a freshly cooked Chillfin trout on a stick.

"You should eat it while it's still hot." Link advised as he helped her up from the ground before he handed her the fish, which she gratefully took. He gathered the shrooms in his arms and walked back to the campsite, Zelda trailing closely behind. The princess gaped at the blanket of twilight unraveling across the land. The sky was alight with fierce oranges and bright reds,that slowly transitioned from warm tones to cool tones as they took their time to get back to their bivouac.

"You shouldn't stray far from the camp."

Zelda blinked, caught off guard by Link's statement when he suddenly stopped, seeing that they arrived at their temporary abode.

She glanced at the taller male, finding it hard to decipher his expression behind the hood. She sighed softly, "You didn't say so earlier, and as much as I appreciate the concern over my well-being, I assure you there is nothing that can harm me. We drove Calamity Ganon from this existence, his subordinates should have vanished as well." Came her affirmative voice though that didn't seem to ease the Hero's tension.

"Do you really think that?" He asked softly as he placed the fungi on the ground before he broke off a branch from the nearest pine tree, peeled away the bark, and slowly poured river water through the shaft, which trickled down into one of his jars. A natural filter.

The princess' face contorted quizzically as she sat on a log near the fire. There was something he wasn't telling her. Though it could be the fact that he was alert at all times. "Trust me the only thing that can do harm are the wild animals."

Link narrowed his eyes slightly, still unconvinced. But she wouldn't blame him. After all, it seemed as if danger is still lurking behind every fold, every crease of Hyrule. From the natural occurrences, and wild animals to humanity itself.

"You're unsettled..." She whispered softly and the hero shrugged.

"I've always been incomplete." He reminded. Zelda glanced at him, her orbs mirroring her guilt-ridden emotions. So he's still suffering from the amnesiac spell. No wonder he seems so distant. So skeptical of the world.

The mere thought of amnesia, frightened her. While it would be nice to forget about the mistakes that embed in one's mind, the fact that one is unaware of their own identity, is daunting. People can fashion a whole story about one's life, and they would be forced to believe it, not because they feel it, but because they are confused and unaware.

Perhaps, that's what Link felt.

"So they haven't returned have they…"She mumbled. "You only know what you learned from the images on the slate."

He didn't respond but instead he smiled, and gestured for her to eat. The princess nodded to herself, seeing that it was the only answer she was going to get out from him. It didn't surprise her though, it took time for the mind to repair and restore.

She gnawed on the burnt scales of the fish. It was only a matter of seconds when a sharp pain pricked at her jaw and she winced.

"Are you okay?" Came the concern etched in the hero's tone as he took a seat next to the princess and handed her the water. "I'm fine." She assured, bringing a hand to her cheek as her opposite took the jar. "It's been a century since I last consumed anything, it's going to take time for my body to adapt to the new changes and sensations." She explained, before downing the water in one sit.

"That's understandable…" He smiled softly. "How is it?" He asked, watching the princess digest her dinner. "Delightful." She replied. Though it does need a pinch of salt. But she needn't tell him considering his efforts to care for the princess.

When she finished her dinner, her vision settled upon the burning embers that seemed to take life when the last of the light of day diminished into a sheet of darkness across the sky.

"The world seems awfully lonely now." Zelda muttered to herself as she poked at the ashes with her stick. "If only you believe it is." Link commented as he began grilling the Stamella mushrooms.

Zelda frowned and threw the stick into the fire, watching the blaze consume the thin piece of wood. "Sometimes believing can be deceiving."

"You believed in me didn't you?" His voice was but a hushed whisper.

"Did you really just ask me that? Of course!" She responded immediately, causing the hero to look up at the princess. "I always have. Always will." She finished softly, as she stared at her hands, folded across her lap. She couldn't bring herself to look at him.

Link knitted his eyebrows together as he struggled to piece together words. He didn't expect her to answer. He parted his mouth to speak, but quickly shut it when Zelda spoke once more.

"How did you cope with….with the loneliness..."The words emerged from her lips before she realized it. She widened her eyes, and shook her head. "You don't have to answe-"

"I didn't think much of it. I kept in mind that I had a task at hand."

There was a moment of silence between them, and the princess nodded to herself. He was going about his duty, as should any appointed Knight. She knew that she shouldn't further pry for answers. Yet she felt washed over by guilt and anger. His servitude to the princess was all he knew.

"Link."

"Yes?" He reverted his attention from the flickering embers to her pools of viridian.

"I'm going to go on a walk."

"You're no longer hungry?" He asked, waggling a new skewer of stamella mushrooms above the flames. "I was planning on preserving those for tomorrow. I believe it will be necessary for our trek to Zora's Domain considering our horses won't be of use in the mountainous terrain."

Link nodded and wrapped the mushroom skewers with a Korok leaf. Once he stored the food away, he stood up to join the princess.

"You needn't escort me. You played your part, and you don't have to further carry the title of having to constantly be at my side."

"But-"

"Stay." She held up her hand.

Despite the will to watch over her, he nodded, understanding her wishes. Before she took her leave he removed his cloak, causing speculation to rise within the princess. She narrowed her eyes at the hero fumbling with the fabric. Was he preparing for bed? It was quite early to call it a day. A thought crossed her mind and her cheeks flared. Perhaps he slept in only his undergarments?

She was certain that bare was the way to go when it's scalding hot. That would be the most rational thing to do as basic survival skills. Though, temperatures are chilly in some environments near water, and that was their situation in this case, so there would be no need for him to go bare.

Unless he had other motives in mind…He did save her after all, perhaps he was expecting a reward as compensation for his grand feats. She shuddered at the thought.

But then again he was Link, respectful and loyal, awkward at the most. Though she wouldn't know if he picked up on a few traits of growing up throughout his adventure...She shook her head. Curse her cognitive dissonance.

"Link what are you doin-" She was caught off guard when he wrapped the black canvas over the princess, enveloping her in the mixture of warmth and his scent of balsam and cedar, also a pungent hint of sweat. He fastened the cloak, and pulled the hood over her head. He payed no mind to the bewildered expression on Zelda's face as he focused on looping the strings.

When he finished the short task his gaze settled on her shadow-painted face, he smiled, "You might catch a cold."

"Right…" She managed to squeak, as she turned on her heel. The hero watched as her figure retrieved something from the pack of her horse's saddle before she retreated off into the night.

When she was out of Link's sight, Zelda found her sanctuary under the shade of nearby trees before pulling out the blue journal and pen she fished out moments ago. She flipped to the first page and stared at the blank sheet. It was only a matter of time before honest words splattered onto the page as ink glided against the paper.

"It is strange, the feeling of writing once again. I had almost forgotten how to press the pen against the paper. My mind seemed to be experiencing a drought, I can't seem to remember how to flesh out my thoughts and ideas. How to even begin writing a diary. I guess even an old soul such as myself can be forgetful at times, but I'm certain it will come back to me soon enough.

I'll keep tonight's diary entry short.

A week ago I found myself in the Woodland stables, recuperating from the long awaited battle. Link was resting, recovering from the wounds Calamity Ganon inflicted. I fetched this journal for a good price from a flamboyant merchant, Beedle. Perhaps it will help me arrange my thoughts...I am unaware of what year it is, or when I will ever come to know when I will soon perish, but I know that this is the start of a new adventure. Together, with Link. I haven't seen all of Hyrule yet, but I know so much has changed...It's overwhelming... My objectives aren't clear as they were before. Restoring Hyrule to its former glory seems like only a vacuous fantasy now. My hopes are high, yet I must keep them small. Truly, I don't know what to expect of the other races of Hyrule, but I'm certain that this opportunity to walk in the light again will allow me to repair so much loss time…"

She paused and closed her eyes for a brief second before jotting down her last thought.

"And so it begins…"