Author Note (Important)

Hello readers! I want to take a moment to clarify a few things (scroll down for TL; DR):

1. The relationship between Link and Mipha has been heavily modified in TKO. Instead of being childhood friends, the two grew up separately. Additionally, any romantic feelings Mipha has for Link will remain inert in this story. TKO wouldn't have been possible without this change.

2. This story begins 18-19 years before The Great Calamity. Rather than a 'calm before the storm,' I have opted for a far more chaotic environment—which is somewhat mirrored by Rhoam's treatment of Zelda in the memory 'Father and Daughter'.

3. The finale of TKO will be largely based off information learned in Link's 18 recovered memories; however, I will be extrapolating and manipulating his as well as other characters' personalities to write a far more rich, engaging story of Link's and Zelda's relationship as companions. Certain details of some memories will be altered as well.

4. Certain quirks of Link (love of cooking/eating, for example) may be modified or omitted at my discretion. Not all his personality traits revealed in Breath of the Wild are significant to this story's goal, so I may not go into much detail regarding each one.

TL; DR: Nearly every detail of TKO that appears differently in existing lore and in-game has been intentionally modified to create a more unique, engaging story.

Enjoy!

"Rolo, are you sure this is a good idea? You know the scrutiny we face if anybody ever finds out about—" Hima is silenced by the reassuring kiss of her beloved, Rolomius.

"Hima, everything will turn out alright. We'll always have each other. We must raise this child and give them love. We were meant to be." Rolo smiled fondly.

Hima was pregnant with Rolo's child and regularly had second thoughts about raising a child while being in the Royal Guard. Automatically, Rolo always reassured her that everything would work out, and it would be unfair to abandon the child.

But Hima's concerns were legitimate. For any guardsman to have a romantic relationship within the ranks was certainly asking for death—especially for a Kingsguard like Hima.

Hima squeaked. "Rolomius, I think… I think it's happening!" Rolo's sky blue orbs widened at her words. "Here it comes! Quickly, sweetheart, you need to get to the infirmary—"

"No!" she protested. "Everyone will know. We need to go far away and hide."

"You're right. Let's go to the mines. They're deserted this time of night." Rolomius supported Hima as she struggled through the vast, winding passages of the inner castle.

"We're almost there. Just a little further!" Rolo picked up Hima and walked quickly to the part of the mines where a river ran through.

Surprisingly, the child came quickly and with no problems.

"Hima, he's beautiful."

Wiping the sweat from her forehead, Hima exhaustedly sat up and reached for her newborn son. "What should we name him?" she finally asked.

"Some of the oldest texts in the scribe's study speak of a mysterious hero. A boy who overcame the impossible; someone whose very existence is a paradoxical blessing. I think that fits our son perfectly, don't you?" Rolo stroked Hima's long, blonde locks comfortingly.

"Yes it does. What was this hero's name?"

"Link."

"That sounds perfect. I like that name. He'll be known as Link."

"I love you so much, Hima. I promise I will be by your side until the end. We will take care of our son, no matter the cost." Little did Rolomius know, his words would indeed hold true.

"Rolo, I'm back from Kakariko!" Hima announced as she entered the foyer of her and Rolo's shared cottage. She closed the door and looked across the room to see Rolomius cradling Link in his arms.

"Welcome back, honey. Link's simply been an angel all day. Hasn't cried once."

"He's such a blessing. Where would we be without him?"

"I wouldn't want to know. He and you are my world."

Hima sat down next Rolo, giving her beloved a loyal peck on his lips.

"How's the castle been?"

"Strangely quiet, actually. Until your convoy's return, the past few days have been rather uneventful." Rolo bounced Link up and down in his lap. Link looked up to his mother and squealed in delight. "Looks like someone's ready to say hello." Hima received her son gently in her arms. Rolo smiled at the perfect picture: a loving mother holding her son in the comfort of her home.

"So I was thinking, after the Royal Banquet tonight, I'll go to Tito's Bake Shop and get some sweet bread for us to share." Rolo offered.

"Sweet bread? You know me so well."

"Well, I figured after such a long journey you'd want something nice. The heat takes it out of you. Plus, tomorrow Link turns three. It's only fair to him that we—" Rolo was interrupted by the cottage's door swinging open quickly. Normally, the two secret lovers aren't put on guard duty until hours later, when they'd had time to hide Link in the armor closet. An armored figure stood at attention in the doorway, adorned with long, blue ribbons laced with gold, the insignia of the Kingsguard.

"Rolomius and Hima, you are to report to King Rhoam's quarters immediately—" The armored figure stopped at the sight of Link in Hima's arms and Rolo sitting oddly close to her. Clearly, they instantly knew what was going on.

Hima lowered her head in shame. The figure stood silently in the doorway. Rolo stood. "Let us deal with this situation at a different time, captain. We must not ruin the Royal Banquet."

The captain stood still for a few more moments, obviously considering the suggestion. "Fine. But this will be dealt with. I do not forget anything."

Rolomius and Hima both nodded in agreement.

"Report to King Rhoam's quarters immediately. He has decided to address the people of Hyrule regarding the status of the Divine Beast excavations."

"Yes, captain." The couple saluted their captain. Returning the salute, the captain exited the cottage.

The second the door closed, Hima lowered her arm and sprang into action, hiding Link in the closet while Rolo retrieved their armor. "We need to hurry to the barracks to retrieve our weapons." Rolo's voice faltered as he silently reminded Hima that they have a job to do. The previous events could not be undone. They must move forward.

King Rhoam's address and the Royal Banquet both went off without a hitch. Today, King Rhoam had decided to throw a feast celebrating the prosperity of Hyrule. To nobody's surprise, the feast was just as uneventful as the previous year's. But as the feast neared its end and King Rhoam retreated to his quarters, the captain nodded at Rolomius. "One hour. I'll be there. You need to tell me everything." Rolo nodded nervously.

"So it's been almost five years and you have a child of three?" the captain asked.

"Yes, Sikumar." Rolo replied flatly.

"You know the punishment for a crime of this degree, don't you?"

A tear rolled aimlessly down Hima's cheek. "Public execution for us and exile for the child," she replied quietly.

"You are correct. As you know, you must first go to trial before the king. He will decide if you are guilty of your crimes. You will come to the throne room tomorrow at midday. Bring the child," Sikumar commanded apathetically.

"Yes, captain." Again, giving their captain a respectful salute as he retreated to his quarters for the night, Rolomius and Hima must ensure they are not charged with any more crimes. The captain did not return the salute.

"This is it, my love. Remember what I said all those years ago. When Link was born."

"Until the end?" Hima asked.

"Until the end." Rolomius pulled Hima close and they cried, locked together, and fell asleep on the floor.

"Sir Rolomius II and Kingsguard Footman Hima, do you understand the severity of your crimes?" King Rhoam boomed.

"Yes, my lord."

Link looked up at King Rhoam, not understanding what was happening around him. He giggled as he stared at the king.

After a long pause, the king sighed heavily. "You two were the best knights in all of Hyrule. It's a shame to see such potential wasted. I suppose that since your relationship never interfered with your duties, you do not deserve to be executed. The child, however, will no longer be yours. He will go to the orphan house. Recently, we have been having extensive problems on the stretch between Gerudo Town and Kara Kara Bazaar. Nobles are traveling to and from more frequently, and I fear that with the increase in Yiga activity in the area their lives could be in danger. As punishment, you two are to escort any noble people or royalty through that stretch. If you value your son's life at all, you will continue your duties until death comes or you are dismissed from your duties. Do you understand?"

"Yes, my lord."

"Good. Off with you, then. You will depart immediately."

Hima raised her head in alarm. "T-today?!"

"Is there a problem?" Rhoam raised an eyebrow.

"No, my lord."

"Good. Then leave immediately."

After several years of guard duty under the relentless desert sun, Rolomius and Hima still spent every minute thinking of Link.

As usual, Hima was worried sick about her son.

"You don't think that they'd…" Hima trailed off.

"Get…rid of him? The king isn't one to go back on his word. I'm sure our boy is okay." Rolo assured her that everything would be okay, just as he'd done for almost the past decade.

Suddenly, the sound of horses trotting in their direction could be heard. "Here we go again." Hima and Rolo trudged to the center of the road. Something was different this time, though. This convoy was significantly larger than previous ones.

A scout rode away from the convoy to confront the two knights.

"Halt. Who goes here?" Rolomius boomed.

"We carry the highest nobles of the Gerudo on route to Gerudo Town."

"The area ahead is dangerous; you will require an escort for the rest of the way." The tone of Hima's voice was unwavering, leaving no room for debate.

"Very well, thank you. Lead the way." The scout rode back to the convoy.

After traveling along the road for quite some time, the escort sensed something was off.

"It seems awfully quiet today. I don't like it." Rolo spoke quietly, making sure only Hima could hear him.

His instincts did not fail him. Like a snake attacking its prey, Yiga assassins leaped out from behind small dunes beside the road. "Go! Hurry! Get to the town, it's not much farther, we'll deal with them!" Shouted Hima. The leader of the convoy took the order seriously, picking up the pace of the convoy tenfold.

The Yiga showed no mercy. They were relentless in their attacks and left no openings in their attacks, tearing apart the two brave knights. "We can't hold them!" cried Hima. Rolomius looked back to check on her, creating a fatal blind spot. In one swift strike, Rolomius was killed. "NO!" Hima cried, sending a flurry of attacks to their ambushers.

There were simply too many assailants. In the end, the couple died in each other's arms in the hot desert sun. Their bodies weren't even discovered until the same scout from the convoy left to request an escort across the desert again.

No longer could they worry for their son. Link was on his own and he'd have to make his own choices.

Not that Link had ever met his parents in the first place, but there was no way he'd make it as an orphan in a kingdom built on honor.

Link's first test of courage would be coming sooner than one would think.