The rest of the night was so pleasant that Liesl wondered if that part might have been a dream when she woke the next morning. And this time, Zelda didn’t even have to rouse her! But whether that was due to the excitement from their evening or the anxiety that this day would bring, she didn’t know.

Today followed a more familiar routine as the two girls got ready and went to breakfast. Zelda eschewed any extravagant dress for something more regal, but no less stunning. Almost a uniform in and of itself and one of the few outfits she wore regularly. Mostly to events like these or other, lesser ones of note. A simple white dress with inlaid patterns too subtle to notice unless you were up close. Of course, golden jewelry adorned her person because you couldn’t have the Princess looking plain now, could you? Of course, even without the necklace and the myriad of bracelets, she did. But Zelda knew what her father expected.

Thankfully, Liesl was back in her standard uniform as she again would hold no special role in the events to come. Besides helping as a part of her duties, which were few. The only relief came from the fact that, aside from some light mingling, the pomp and circumstance of the day mostly kept the Princess with her father overseeing things and being shown off. While not ideal, it was better than the alternative.

It wasn’t until after a quiet breakfast that the two young women finally made their way down to the courtyard and into one of the multiple carriages carrying the royal party to the temple of light just outside the city. After spotting and bidding a quick farewell to Calla, of course. The ride would take a few hours, but neither of them complained. Especially since they were the only ones in their carriage, as the King kept Impa and Rowan in his own.

Today’s implications and the previous night’s activities were no doubt topics of expected topics of conversation, but Liesl and Zelda veered off onto other things. Sure, they complained about the late hour tonight, but other than that, their conversation steered clear. Not that it wasn’t on either of their minds. It was certainly on Liesl’s and judging by how firmly Zelda gripped her hand where they rested on the seat, it was on hers, too.

Naturally, they arrived to no small amount of fanfare and to a crowd that looked like it had been gathering all morning and early afternoon. Liesl watched as Zelda once again shifted to the mask she hid behind. A shame to see even if the smile was pleasant. She joined her father out on the pathway leading up to the temple and Liesl walked beside Impa and Rowan, all three trailing their royal charges. The smile stayed firm and small waves accompanied Zelda’s graceful stride, aimed at all those who had gathered. It was a pleasant contrast to the gruff-looking expression her father wore. Then again, he was a man, the king, and he didn’t need to put on a show. Not that he’d ever been good at hiding them in the first place, Liesl suspected. 

The crowd seemed to appreciate the small gesture from their Princess and the shouted cheers and calls in her direction. Well, at least she had the love of the people. Once inside, the small party made their way to the front two rows on the right side. The first few had been set aside, with Zelda and her father in the first and Liesl, Rowan, and Impa in the second.

Some other important noblemen would sit behind and then everyone else would surge in behind, trying to find anywhere to sit or stand. All separated by a wall of armed and armored soldiers, of course. Because this day wasn’t just important for Zelda or her father, its conclusion would affect the whole kingdom. Would their hero reveal themselves? Or would they be stuck without the full protection the prophecy detailed?

Once the royal party was settled, and the temple full enough that people spilled out the door, the head priest took his place at the altar, cleared his throat, and held up his hands. “Today is a glorious day,” he began before dropping one to indicate Zelda where she sat. “The Kingdom’s most important treasure has come into her own-” A pause and his other hand shifted to a space at the foot of the steps, in the center of the temple where all the walkways met. It was circular and cordoned off with its own guard.

“And should the Goddesses require it, it’s time for our most second important treasure to do the same.” Because what he pointed at was none other than the Master Sword itself, the fabled weapon that was driven into stone in the remaining days of the last Hero’s life. To awaken for a person of its choosing, should the times require it and darkness need to be sealed away once more. “To be entrusted to a person pure of heart and strong of body.” Another pause and the old man returned his hands to the podium to grip either side. “Whether the hero sits among us, or is far off, yet to make the journey, I have no doubt Hyrule will once again rise to meet any threat that should haunt us. Just as we did 500 years ago.”

It was a good thing he left out the part about Zelda’s powers not being fully under control or didn’t dwell on the fact that no one had been able to pull the sword for that same period. Had there been no one worthy in all that time? Or had the fact that Ganon’s evil remained safely locked away meant there was no need for a hero? While comforting, it sure would’ve been nice to know that the kingdom was ready to respond when evil descended upon the land instead of frantically searching for the right person. However, she had to give the King some credit. At least he was actively looking, even if as far as she could tell not as earnestly up until now. Either he knew of some impending danger or he was simply waiting for his daughter to come of age.

Liesl tuned out the rest of the speech as her eyes shifted from Zelda’s side profile to the sword, the king, and even across the aisle to the rows of noble families sitting with sons waiting to have their shot. Because while the King intended to let men of all walks try for the sword, he wouldn’t allow it until after the more “desirable” families went first. Of course, no one had officially said as much, certainly not in any official capacity, but it was easy enough to read between the lines of how this was all supposed to work. Especially because if no hero could be found, Zelda’s husband would be one of those men. While the sword might not discern between those with power and wealth, the King did. Speaking of the King, Liesl finally came from her mind once the old priest ceded his stance, and the floor, to King Hyrule.

For the first few seconds, no words came as the King looked first at his daughter and then out over the assembled crowd. It was so quiet you could’ve heard a pin drop and when he did, his voice boomed out in a way the priests hadn’t been able to. “Hylians,” he started as his head came up once more. “Today is the day we secure our future. To pass safety and security onto our children and our children’s children. To continue hundreds of years of peace and prosperity. That is our duty. That is my promise to you.” Another pause and this time his attention went to the noble families sitting in the first half of rows. “Now come, men of Hyrule. Fulfill your duty, as was foretold long ago.” Easier said than done, unfortunately. Oh, and that was his speech? All of it? Well, he had always been a man of few (grumpy) words…

The King turned following the proclamation and nodded to a group of servants off to the side who rushed out two ornate chairs for both him and the Princess. That’s right, this was going to take a while, wasn’t it? Well, or not. Either way, may as well be comfortable. And while the priests and guards were busy organizing the nobles and common-born men into lines, Zelda joined her father up on the altar. After she sat, she found Liesl in the crowd and gestured for her to join her. Was that…allowed?

A glance to the side confirmed Rowan and Impa were already moving to the King’s side, so Liesl figured she might as well do her duty. The one that involved comforting her friend, naturally. However, as she went, Liesl couldn’t help but look over at the sword again after exiting the pew. Had it really been in that stone so long ago? The part that was visible looked brand new like it was forged that morning. Did someone clean it regularly? Was the blade even still sharp? So odd…

Liesl’s head came back to the front before taking the steps and finding her place behind Zelda. The King spared her a weary glance as she went so she crossed those last few feet with a little more haste to get out of his line of sight. Really? Even today? Did his ire have no limit? Liesl had once asked Zelda why her father always seemed surly when in his presence, but the Princess assured her friend that was just his way with everyone. What a miserable way to live…

“Princess,” Liesl started before taking her place slightly behind the seat. “Do you require anything?”

“I don’t,” Zelda hummed before leaning over the side of the chair and dropping her voice low. “Just some good company.” A soft smile kicked up on her lips thereafter, but it quickly disappeared once the head priest announced they were ready to begin. The King paused his conversation and lifted a hand to indicate they should. At that point, the guards stepped aside and the first young man approached the sword cautiously. Like he was expecting it to jump out of the pedestal and attack him. Or maybe that was just what Liesl was picturing in her mind to make this a little more bearable.

Nothing happened as he took those last steps and his hands came up and paused a few inches from grabbing the hilt. At which point, he looked back at the priest. An encouraging nod followed in answer to the unspoken question, and the young man eventually gripped the sword and tried to pull. However, it didn’t budge. Not even a little. But instead of leaving he just kind of stood there confused like he wasn’t sure if that was it. It was, in fact, done and the priest had to step in to shoo him away for the next person in line.

“Disappointing.”

The single word was all the King offered before turning and his chair and whispering something to Rowan next to him. But was it? Liesl couldn’t say with any certainty. On one hand, she knew whoever pulled that sword from the stone would end up marrying Zelda. On the other, if they didn’t find someone to wield the sword, wouldn’t that mean they were all in danger? That Zelda was in danger? Did she want that? No, Liesl did not. Still, the thought of the former option made her stomach twist into knots again.

But the disappointments kept coming. Candidate after candidate failed to make the sword even budge, and the feeling of anxiety even calmed a little at watching so many try and fail. Both she and Zelda watched the spectacle wordlessly, and it wasn’t until the whispers of the King and Rowan grew too heated to ignore that she finally peeled her eyes away.

“No, Rowan,” the King barked before leaning over in his chair and dropping his voice lower. But that deep voice always carried. “We won’t try it, not even once.”

“But your majesty-“

“I said no!” 

That last word caused a sigh to escape the old warrior’s mouth and his eyes to flick up and find Liesl where she stood. She couldn’t decipher his expression, but her focus shifted to the King when he whipped around and found her looking. 

Oh shit.

Without so much as a second thought or a word, Liesl quickly turned her head back and tried to make it look like she’d been focusing on the procession of young men the whole time. Goddesses she hoped he didn’t say anything. And what were they even talking about? What was with all the exasperated whispers? 

If the King was going to say anything, he didn’t get a chance because one man broke from the line and approached the altar with a confident gait. Well, that certainly wasn’t a part of the plan. But the King’s personal guards didn’t stop him, even if Liesl was pretty sure the look on Rowan’s face did bring him to a halt prematurely.

“Your Majesty,” he started, before bowing his head low. The movement barely disturbed his short, blonde hair and when he rose, his piercing blue eyes found the Princess. “Princess Zelda.” 

“Sir Arall,” the King started before grasping both his hands and setting them in his lap. “Awaiting your turn, I presume?”

“That’s right,” Arall confirmed with a nod before returning his attention to the King. “I just wanted to come forward and offer my compliments to the Princess. She looks stunning as ever today and I greatly enjoyed our dance last night.”

For a moment, it looked as though a grimace started to form on Zelda’s lips, but she managed to stifle it and smile politely instead when his gaze returned. “Thank you, sir.” But no return compliment followed. 

He waited an agonizing few seconds before narrowing his eyes and letting a smirk kick up his lips. “And I look forward to more in the future when I pull the Master Sword from its resting place.”

Well, Liesl hadn’t really liked his swagger before he uttered those words, but now her own grimace was not far from forming. Just who was this man? And that look…did he really think the Princess was his already? Awfully cocky for someone who’d yet to try. Oh, how she’d like to see someone sock him in that perfectly square jaw just to wipe that grin from his lips.

Sadly, whatever quip Zelda might’ve offered never materialized as he turned, offered the King another bow, and then stepped off to take his place in line again. Of course, a few stares from the other men followed, and one even rolled his eyes and shook his head. Yeah, she felt that…

Of course, Liesl didn’t really have a reason to dislike Sir Arall. She didn’t know him, had never even talked to him. However, she knew his type all too well. From the way he dressed down to the arrogance with which he spoke. Sadly, these were traits all too common among the nobility these days and those that didn’t fit the mold were eventually sent away. I mean, look at her own father. He was certainly a cut above these men and she liked to think the Master Sword would’ve been receptive to him in his youth. However, as far as she knew, he’d never tried.

So, even as the others moved forward and tried, Liesl kept her gaze on Arall. However, she wasn’t the only one. As he stepped up, the King actually sat forward in his chair and appeared to pay closer attention. Huh, so he had a soft spot for him, then? That was…not great, and didn’t bode well for Zelda if it came down to his choice for a husband in the future.

For Zelda’s part, she actually let her hand drift off her armrest and find Liesl’s dress. A soft tug followed, and Liesl didn’t hesitate to bring her hand around and let her friend hold a few of her fingers. A step forward and to the side hid it from view in the folds of her dress, and then they squeezed each other for support. Despite it all, Liesl couldn’t help but pray to the Goddesses in her mind that it wouldn’t be him.  

Naturally, he couldn’t just walk up and try the damn sword once it was his turn. Oh no, he had to make a show of it. Build suspense by doing a few stretches and clenching his fingers a few times. Frustratingly, it seemed to have an effect, too. Even though the din of conversation didn’t die out, it lessened noticeably as he finally placed his hands to the hilt. If Arall suspected the outcome, his face didn’t betray it, and it wasn’t until he tried to lift the sword that they finally had their answer.

“Fucking…thing!” Liesl actually felt herself exhale her relief once it became clear that the sword remained fixed in place. Zelda’s head dropped a little in a similar release and yet he persisted. “Come on!”

Apparently unaccustomed to not getting his way, Arall continued tugging. He switched grips, got his foot involved, and even batted away the hand of his father as he stepped up to try to retrieve the young man.

“Enough!” The King’s voice filled the temple once more, causing the conversation inside to finally die out. “That’s it, son. It’s done.” Disappointment laced the King’s features, but there wasn’t time to dwell on such things and a hand came up to dismiss Arall a moment later.

“But your majesty, I–”

The words cut off once more, but this time it wasn’t due to the King’s command. No, a shout interrupted whatever it was Arall was going to say. Followed by another…and another? All from outside the temple, so they sounded distant. Like it was filtering in through the door. However, they were growing intensity, getting louder. Getting closer…