Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Ten Years ago Hyrule Castle.

The castle ran rampant servants rushed to their stations at the dead of night, guards who were recently finished with their shifts were woken up and recalled to duty. It was there at that time a white haired woman with red eyes ran along the hallways giving out orders "reinforce the first gatehouse" she ordered as she passed a group of guards, still equipping their gear, she kept running "get more towels and warm water" she ordered a group of chambermaids who nodded and left to it. At the end of the hallway she climbed up a winding staircase. Once she reached she saw her sister Purah just outside the room of concern. Several guards stood by outside, as Impa reached the door leading to the Royal bedchamber, Purah was scribbling a few things on her notebook, Purah looked at her younger sister, she shook her head and left. Impa then entered the chamber to see the King of Hyrule looking at a woman, Queen Zelda of Hyrule bedridden, her golden hair splayed across the pillows, her entirety nearly devoid of the vigor and beauty she once had in her youth.

A girl was at the edge of the bed weeping and sobbing, begging to the goddess not to take her mother away from her. "Mommy please..." she said in between the sobs and sniffles.

King Rhoam could not muster enough strength to alleviate the pain he's feeling right now, He looked back to Impa. He did not need to ask, Impa knows what he would ask "...Purah did all she could your majesty, the illness has already reached her heart."

"Inform your bretheren, inform Rauru and make preparations for the funeral immediately." He spoke softly.

Impa nodded. Rhoam returned his attention to his now dying wife, he walked up slowly beside the young princess Zelda, bawling her heart out. That was when the queen in her last act used her hand held Zelda's cheek, she lifter her head, her face moist with tears. "Zelda, my little bird, this will not be the end, I'll be waiting for you, in a place I have to go where you can't follow me. Some day, you will, but until then I want you to be happy for me, promise me you'll be happy...please."

Zelda wiped her tears and nodded. Rhoam then knelt beside his wife and caressed her cheek. Queen Zelda turn towards Rhoam and smiled, "I wish we had more time" he said.

"I wish that you would stop moping about like that..." Zelda joked, Rhoam returned her smile in a bittersweet way "...we'll meet again, dearest husband, protect our daughter's happiness" Rhoam could only nod. "I love you both" the queen began to cry as well, her voice was becoming hoarse "never forget that."

Rhoam wiped his tear "never."

Queen Zelda beamed with joy, and for one last time closed her eyes, she left the mortal world with no regrets and carried her happiness to her death. She found her peace Hyrule on the other hand would weep for the days to come of their departed queen.

Present Day

The military training camp was never a place one would call home on sunny days it would be hot as a scorching desert, it wasn't much better on the raining seasons either, the mud made it very inconvenient to walk around. However, it serves its purpose very well as knights it would be their duty to endure such harsh conditions. Where most would complain, others like Link would come to understand the reason for such an appalling place. After fifteen weeks of tired routines and aching sores they would finally leave the camp and report to their assigned stations. Regular trainees who had been unfortunately been placed the most remote areas of the kingdom like Tabantha Frontier and Faron. The ones that faired much better were fortunate enough to land on Akkala Citadel, Fort Hateno and Castle Town. When it came to Link's assignment he was neither lucky nor unlucky, he was simply much more skilled than the other trainees, he along with his entire company were assigned to Hyrule castle, trainees qualified to be Knights the seat of power and home of the royal family. Just like he had hoped for, only the most talented trainees assigned to Hyrule Castle were to be appointed as a knight, and if they're talented enough they would be a Royal Guard the elite bodyguards to the Royal Family. Link was looking forward to it after many long weeks he could finally get to meet his father again who was a Royal Guard himself.

Link and his company’s journey from the camp to the castle was nearing at an end. They had just rested for the night at the Wetland Stable near a river. Link was just outside, doing basic drills with his sword. His strong mare Epona was guzzling water at the nearby riverbank. Link got into a good rythm with his training, that was until he heard his friend, Pipit’s voice from behind him.

”If you get any better than you are now, you might as well be an entire division by yourself” Pipit said.

He abruptly stopped his training and faced Pipit. Link smirked at the comment “a little extra training never hurts.”

”That’s only because Rusl, used everything at you, and you only got away with a few bruises”

”Are you still upset that you were used  as Hinox bait, I was there too remember.”

”I know that! It’s just when he said we were going to be having a little field exercise, I was thinking a small bokoblin camp.”

”I’d say you’re lucky, seeing as how that big ugly went down without much of a fight”

Link went over to Epona who had finished drinking. When she sensed Link’s presence she let out a small neigh upon meeting her owner.

”You know, if we keep following the road, there’s a ranch. What do you think?” Pipit asked, Link just shrugged his shoulders “do you think we’ll get to see one of those plump milkmaids?”

Link rolled his eyes “we’re not even at Castle Town yet, and now you’re already thinking of philandering.”

”Speak for yourself pretty boy” they heard another voice at the back. It was their commanding officer Major Rusl. “Unlike Pipit you don’t even have to try, just give them one good look at ya and they’ll be dropping whatever’s covering between their legs in no time. Especially noble ladies….” Link and Pipit looked at each other wondering where this is going “now let me in you in to a little something they all look prim and proper, but they're the once who clamp down on you the hardest.”

Pipit chuckled Link on the other hand went wide eyed "by the goddesses aren't you suppose to be our commanding officer?"

"Don't be such a prude, I'm only fibbing. One of these days Link, a good woman is all you need, that being said you two need to get ready. If we leave in a few minutes, we'll get there before sundown. Link you'll be on wagon duty again I hope Epona won't mind" Link nodded.

"Just get her lots of hay when we get to the castle stables."

"So get her ready then, Pipit tell the other guys to pack up, if we're a minute late it would make me look bad."

Pipit nodded and head off back to the stable, Link grabbed Epona by the reins and took her next to the cart. By the time everyone was ready Link had already loaded everything to the supply wagon, everyone got on their horses and crossed Rebonae bridge. Sure enough just as Pipit had hoped, there really was a ranch at their first turn. They wouldn't have seen this ranch had they crossed the other two bridges. Helmhead bridge which was the most direct to the Castle was destroyed by a small camp of bokoblins that Link and his company cleared last week, they were able to finish them off but not before the bridge had become unsafe to cross. The second bridge, Orsedd was a little farther but would have gotten them to the Castle by nightfall yesterday, a merchant had came across the bridge with a fat cargo, rather than transporting his goods piece by piece across the river, his impatience led him to bring all of his products across all at once. Being the old bridge that it was it could not hold the weight of whatever weighed in wagon that day, not that it mattered, all his wares were now carried along the wave.

That left Rebonae bridge the only option left, apart from the cows and horses on the ranch, Pipit got to see the lovely milkmaids performing there chores. Link could tell they were sisters, they all had red hair like a Gerudo but were all fair skinned like a Hylian, the youngest and the shrotest was feeding the horses with hay, the middle child that seems close to his age was milking a cow, she was very beautiful and had a very voluptuous figure, the last sister had a more mature look but her proportions were bigger than the second sister's, she was carrying two pales of water on her shoulders. Link smiled and looked back, the same could not be said with his fellow trainees, who were practically drooling. Sadly for them the ranch became farther and farther with every step, after an hour of travelling, Link can finally make out the walls of Castle Town and behind is the great seat of power in all its glory, Hyrule Castle. The battlements of the walls leading to the town were manned by other knights, most of them were probably already veterans at this point.

The knights at the ground of the walls opened the gates and the whole company entered. Link could remember the last time he was at Castle Town, he was still elven at the time, that was Ten years ago, everyone in Hyrule had attended the royal funeral for the late queen. His father were one of the knights assigned to carry her coffin to a a decorated wagon that was to be taken to the Temple of Time. Once Link had entered the gates, they only had continued to trod their way through the stone road leading to the fountain of the square. Ten years later and the town had always been as it was, save for a few peculiarities.

People with white hair and strange outfits were all over the place, hauling around wagons of what appeared to be gigantic machines that resembled spiders. Link put two and two together and realized they were Sheikah scientist, he'd have seen them before as a child, often overlapping with his father's duties. Epona had finally reached the other side of the fountain, Link focused on the road again, sure enough there it stood, Hyrule Castle. There was bridge that went over a moat that separated Castle Town from the castle, surely enough there was another large steel gate before them. Rusl placed two fingers inside his mouth and whistled. Not long after the gates opened. Large walls, towers that reached the skies, two gate houses with walls in between them. The castle itself was constructed on top a stony hill with a pathway to the very top spiraling around the hill.

Everyone had finally stopped at the second gatehouse, Link got off and detached the wagon from Epona's saddle, he grabbed her by reins and led her to a nearby watering trough. The trainees began unloading things their equipment from the wagon, once everyone's things were in hand Rusl whistled and everyone went into formation, on one hand was Link's pack and on the other was his helmet. Rusl headed down into a gate leading to a tunnel to a set of stairs. It was lit with torches and already, Link can smell the food being cooked in the kitchens. Eventually they reached the bottom of the stairs. It was a hallway chiseled walls and floors.

The castle staff walked along these hallways as well maids, carrying food, laundry or cleaning materials, making sure that the castle remained in all its splendor. By the they reached the end of the hallway, Rusl opened another door, in it were the barracks. Where Link and his company would share quarters. These were much better than his sleeping quarters in the camp, he thought to himself. Link looked out the window and saw there was barely any sun left, so Rusl told all of them to unpack and rest. Their regular drills and training would continue tomorrow. By the time he finished taking off his armor, he left with trousers and a tunic, Pipit gave Link the top bunk. An entire day of traveling left him exhausted and yawning. The food was much better as well the kitchens were just at the other end of the hall, if dinner was this good he could only imagine what breakfast would be like as his eye lids gave away to sleep.

That very night where most of the castle would be asleep by now, there were two people on the western side of the castle, in a chamber, naked on the bed one on top of the other. Zelda the owner of the chamber laying on her back with her legs sprawled across the sheets as a man with a red pompadour between those legs thrusting repeatedly into. While Zelda making light for each thrust her current lover made moans.

"Keep...going" Zelda panted out. She reached her hand out and slung over the man's shoulder "Groose...harder...fuck me harder."

Her words gave him motivation, he started to thrust in a faster pace. They were already at it for a few hours, Groose was finally on the edge, Zelda's mewling at his new pace finally set both of them off and with one last thrust, both Zelda and Groose moaned at the union of their orgasms.

Zelda's head sank into her pillows, Groose slumped at her side. Zelda stared blankly at the sealing breathing heavily, while Groose looked like he was about to have an aneurysm. "You seemed more passionate tonight if you don't mind me saying" he breathed out.

Zelda chuckled and rolled over to her drawer on the side of her bed, there was a vial of purple liquid in it. She popped the cork and drank its contents "you'll be gone for a month, until you return I'll have to make do with eager servant boys or knight recruits perhaps, father tells me that there are new recruits fresh off the training camp. But I doubt they'll be able to compare to you." She placed the vial back to her side drawer and looked back at her current lover "you need to leave now by the way."

"Oh come on now surely you would allow me to spend the night?" Groose tried to wrap his arms around Zelda's waist.

"Remember the rules, don't mistake our coupling these past months as a proclamation of love. I have needs you're simply here to fulfill them, your father may be chancellor, but that's all you are, Groose Malladus son of chancellor Cole, a prodigy at fucking noble ladies. Now leave before I shave off that silly pompadour and make you eat it."

Groose relinquished his hands and got up "as you wish your highness."

He clicked his tongue, and put on his trousers and other noble garments, when he was tying up his boot straps, he heard Zelda behind him shuffled "but I will admit, you are far better than anyone I've been with, so try not relieve yourself too much before you come back."

Groose finished tying his boots, he looked back at her and she winked at him with a sultry smile. His confidence returned and smirked as he stood, he very carefully walked out her door.

When he left Zelda went over to her table where she had discarded her purple see through nightie. When she was putting on her matching panties she grabbed a stone slate glowing orange and blue. She was tapping on it a bunch of times, like she wanted to uncover something with it. After a few minutes of fiddling, she grew frustrated and called out "Impa!"

A puff of smoke appeared behind her. Zelda turned around and saw a Sheikah woman in her late twenties kneeling "you called, your highness?"

"The guardians were transported here this morning right?" she asked. Impa nodded "did Purah find anything about them?"

"Well she managed to activate one in the cellars. Before it was it started blinking and making a strange noise, we decided not to risk it and shut it off immediately, we're taking it out in the courtyard tomorrow hopefully it would have less chances of destroying the castle's foundations."

Zelda sighed "I wish could be there."

"Maybe if you didn't spent the entire afternoon with that horrid lecher then maybe you would have solve Purah's problem"

She scoffed at the comment as she sat back down on her bed and crossing her legs "I was tired I needed a stress relief, father wouldn't stop yapping on." Zelda placed the Sheikah Slate back at her side drawer, and stood up puffing out her chest "Zelda you have finally reached the ripe age for marriage, the kingdom needs stability, and that comes with your marriage and an heir that is stipulated in your duty to produce." she mimicked her father's voice mockingly. Zelda slumped back down at her bed and rolled over to where her body was facing the bed sheets. "I suspect father knows about my nightly activities, this whole ordeal of getting married is mostly likely an attempt at getting me to settle down with one person. I knew this talk would come some day I didn't expect to happen so suddenly. When you transfer a fish to another bowl, you don't dump said fish and water like your putting out a fire." She turned her body and covered her face and groaned "argh...at least he allowed me to choose candidate for myself, he must be really desperate to nail me down on the floorboards, I should be grateful usually it would be noble fathers dragging their daughters into a temple to get married."

"Your highness I believe your looking at this the wrong way. You're mother the late queen made your father promise her to protect your happiness. He wants you to love your highness, nothing brings better happiness, not like how you love his majesty as his daughter, not like how you love Urbosa your mother figure, not how you love Princess Mipha & Ruto as friends. But he wants you to find someone for you to truly care for and not just someone to play with in the nights." Impa said. She started to make signs with her hands "you just think about that your highness." She finished making hand signs and disappeared through a puff of smoke.

Zelda laid on her back staring blankly at the canopy of her bed, someone to love huh? She rolled over and pulled the sheets, she felt their comfort as she fell into deep sleep.

The morning after was strange, Link woke up to a dreamless sleep, no vivid images no nothing, just a jet black void. Although his body was rested, he didn't find the sleep fulfilling and was half tempted to fall back asleep. He didn't have a choice in the matter when Rusl had them all woken up and got them ready to perform morning drills. Most of them walked out of the barracks with their eyes half lidded and yawning. In addition to having carry his sword, he also had to carry a cooking pot with it's lid on, Pipit meanwhile was carrying logs of firewood. Once they had arrived at the training grounds they started it off with basic exercises followed by two laps around the castle, Rusl took this opportunity to give them a guide about key locations around the castle the training ground. From above the west passage Rusl and the company jogged away from it and passed the first gatehouse where underneath lied the Guards' chamber a place where Link dreamed of going in the future, then the second gatehouse where the regular knight barracks were. Aside from a few entrances and exits above the east passage, it remained relatively empty from time to time. They then reached a tunnel above it was the sanctum, the throne room of the Castle. Once they left the tunnel Rusl showed them two towers with a bridge connecting both, it was Princess Zelda's chamber built into the stone hill and her study built right above the wall they jogged along.

They've completed one lap, they didn't stop jogging even when they saw a bunch of Sheikah scientist dragging one of those big machines Link saw yesterday and placing them right next to their spot at the training grounds. The second time they made a lap around the castle, Rusl would quiz them, by calling them randomly and naming what structure they would pass by. He didn't bother calling on Link, kid's probably knows this place like the back of his hand, Rusl thought. They've finally finished the lap, Link saw one of the Sheikah scientist walked up to Rusl and talked to him about something. Rusl nodded and returned his attention to his troops. He gathered them around "everyone there'll be few changes I was going to have you all spar but the Sheikah said they won't be too long so, we'll just have breakfast instead, Pipit go get some meat, Karane get the fire started, let's put it on a vote, who's going to cook."

"Link!" everyone except Link said.

Link sighed and conceded, "damn you all." He muttered.

Karane got a fire going and drizzled some oil on the pot, Pipit came back with some meat. Link then proceeded to perform his unique cooking method, dump everything into the cooking pot and closing it with the lid. It didn't take too long for it to be ready, everyone already had a bowl and spoon on hand. Rusl took the first serving then the rest followed suit. They didn't how but it always turned out delicious no matter what whenever Link did the cooking.

Rusl was very subtle about it, but he was the first to finish, he waited while looking at their bowls to see if they're almost finished, once he saw the last piece of meat eaten, he inhaled as much air as he could and yelled out. "Formation!" everyone dropped their bowls and spoons. They had formed their ranks in less than ten seconds.

They were only a day a the castle and Rusl was back at being a drill instructor, at least he let us finish Link thought.

"Ahem" Rusl cleared his throat "welcome to the seat of power to our great Kingdom, Hyrule Castle. In three days time you will finally and formerly inducted as Knights of Hyrule. You may think that these past weeks at the training camp have been one of the hardest times in your life, trust me, things will only get harder once you've been knighted. But if you managed to power through it and work hard you might find yourself appointed as a Royal Guard" he said and looked at Link in particular. The young man made no secret of his ambition to be a Royal Guard, He'll be one no doubt about it, Rusl chuckled at the thought of Link wearing those red, blue, gold uniforms with the gloves and large boots that go along with it, "as upcoming knights of Hyrule, you are the swords and shields to our people..." As Rusl continued on with his monologue, someone out the distance caught his eye, with his his stocky build Link safely discerned that he was a knight. A very senior one at that, old and bald, his goatee were past being grey and was already white. Rusl stopped himself from speaking as soon as he saw him. He immediately stood straight up "General Gaepora."

 "As you were Major." Gaepora said.

Rusl relaxed his posture a little bit "this is a surprise."

"Considering that you should have been here two days ago, I'd say that it's expected I'd come to see our newest knights to be." Gaepora said. "But enough of that, those old bridges were going to go down some day. What matters now is that you're all here..." He stopped. Gaepora paused the moment someone went within his vision. It was a Link. "Rusl" he called.

"Yes general?"

"That boy" he pointed at Link who was getting nervous but maintained his eye contact forward. "With the blonde hair and the blue eyes, what's his name."

"Good eye general" Rusl said, he smiled as if he was meaning to say my proudest creation. "That's Link, best out of the entire company, even more than me I'll admit."

Gaepora narrowed his eye carefully at Link "break ranks." He ordered, Rusl hesitated but followed immediately, "you there, come here" he called on Link who then turned to face him. Link stepped forward and stood in front of him "Link was it?" Gaepora asked.

"Yes general" Link replied.

"Interesting" Gaepora said. "How would you care for a little duel?" Link didn't know what to say, his shifted towards Rusl, Gaepora took notice "don't look at him boy look at me. Will you or will you not?"

Link thought long and hard, for one he didn't know what to expect of the knight general, a new challenge was enticing to him and wondered what it would be like to take on the general of all knights in Hyrule, then again Link looked at Gaepora, it seemed that he's really looking forward to it. Link didn't see it but he felt it, everyone's eyes were on him and ears on his answer. If he'd lose then what does he really have to lose for? "Yes general."

"Excellent make us some room, and get us some sparring swords" he ordered and everyone shuffled. Gaepora looked back at Link "remember boy I won't be holding back."

"Neither will I" Link replied.

This excited Gaepora more "haha...that's the spirit." He laughed

Karane and Pipit gave one training swords each to Link and Gaepora. Everyone at the sidelines looked as Link and Gaepora were getting ready, Gaepora went on a defensive stance wanting Link to make the first move, as such Link responded with an offensive stance. Link stared at his opponent wondering what to respond with. Then it caught him off guard when Gaepora suddenly charged at him, he responded and changed his stance quickly, blocked the strike that almost hit his left ribs. Link could barely even see him move had he been a second late, the duel would have been over for a total of two seconds. Link shifted his entire body to parry his strike, Gaepora was left off balanced, Link saw the opening and struck diagonally downard at Gaepora's right shoulder. Luckily Gaepora was quick enough to block it as well.

It seems age is still trying to catch up to him Rusl thought as the duel of Link and Gaepora raged on. Link and Gaepora were in it back and forth looking for an opening to take advantage of. Strike, block, parry that was the repeating cycle, to Link waiting for Gaepora to get exhausted wasn't an option, he knew the longer the fight would drag on the more mistakes he was going to make.

He was going to use the one technique that would either win him the fight lose it. If he was going to be even a second late it would no doubt end in a disaster. Link parried another attack and created enough distance between him and Gaepora, who wanted him to strike again. But instead of that, Link just stood there and lowered his sword. Obviously a trap, only way to reveal it is to spring it open, Gaepora thought, he lunged at Link at full speed, it looked like he was going to strike. It all happened fast, too fast, Gaepora's overhead slash was interrupted when he felt a force on his gut. Link at the last moment, swung his sword as fast as he could. Gaepora took the hit and fell on his back. Everything went quiet, Link was breathing heavily as sweat trickled down his brow. Rusl was getting nervous that Gaepora remained quiet, his anxiety washed away when he heard a chuckle. A chuckle became a laughter, Gaepora was laughing and coughing at the same time "there's only one sick bastard who can move like that." Gaepora propped himself up with his elbow and looked at Link. "You're Arn's boy aren't you?"

Chapter Text

Zelda was out walking along the halls of the castle after a hearty breakfast she had half a mind to go to the library but what was the point? She had read most of the past intellectual research materials multiple times. While she endorsed herself in her private collection with some rather steamy romance novels and erotica, most of which were inherited by her from her mother. It wasn't enough for her, returning to her study was equally as dull most of her samples had already died anyway. What she wanted was to go out of the castle again performing live research with the Sheikah, sadly Yiga attacks this past month had been rampant. Impa had a quarter of the Sheikah tribe mobilized and that wasn't including the number of researchers in her elder sister Purah's charge. It was simply unsafe to go. Zelda groaned in disappointment the only thing she could do now was entertain herself with some of the knight trainees, maybe with more than one of them. She certainly was entertaining the idea as she bit her lip. Her fantasies had to wait though, when he saw a blond haired man walking towards where she had come from.

Blue, red and gold uniform with white gloves and boots, a Royal Guard with red heuke(shoulder cape) with a similar color scheme as his uniform on his right shoulder. He stopped and bowed his head at her "princess, I've found you."

"General Arn" Zelda said.

Arn the Royal Guard General straightened his posture "princess, I see you've abandoned the security detail I assigned for you..." he sighed "...again"

"General, I assure you that there's no place safer in Hyrule for me than in the castle, and besides, even captain Ashei needs her rest every now and then." Zelda said. "Speaking of which how is she these days, I do hope she won't be discharged from her service."

"She's well, it was her sword arm, although serious it's not permanent, right now all she can do is rest." Arn said, he pulled out his a pocket watch and looked at the time, "excuse me princess, but I need you to come follow me." He placed it back in his pocket and began to walk. 

Zelda, out of a sense of curiosity wondered where he was going "might I inquire to where we'll be going?"

"The training grounds just before the first gatehouse, Miss Purah is there, she requested for you if you're not busy at the moment, her scientist are testing those guardian things."

"Very well." Zelda said excitedly.

The princess followed Arn towards the courtyard. Every where Zelda went it would be with a nobleman bowing their heads and Zelda exchanging salacious grins she even passes a note to one of them containing a time to come to her chambers. All the while Arn didn't notice. They got out of a gate between the first and second gatehouse where Impa had been waiting. "Here she is lady Impa," He said, Impa nodded "if you would excuse me but I have a few papers waiting for me to go over. Princess" he bowed to Zelda "milady" he bowed to Impa.

"Come your highness, Purah is waiting." Impa said.

More walking followed down the slopes towards beyond the first gatehouse. By the time they've reached their destination, they were met with numerous Sheikah scientist, most of which were too busy to notice her. Zelda also noted that there were knight trainees as well, she could they were trainees with the white tunics they were wearing, must be sharing the grounds. She thought to herself. They weren't in formation, rather they were all in a circle. In the midst of all the commotion there was laughter, it came from the circle of trainees. Zelda's curiosity got to her, when they broke off the circle, Zelda could see what they were all looking. General Gaepora with his back on the ground laughing maniacally.

"You are, aren't you, kid?" Gaepora asked.

Kid? Zelda thought, was he referring to one of the trainees? She looked a little bit to her right and saw him there among the trainees, a blonde young Hylian around her age with pools of blue eyes and the most handsome face she's ever seen. She couldn't even look away. She had deduced that they were near the same age. The fact that this trainee had not only won, but he also made the seasoned Knight General fall flat on his backside. "Princess!" Impa's voice called out from the distance.

Whatever trance Zelda was on was immediately broken, it wasn't just the sound of Impa's voice but the sound of something beeping in rapid frequency. The next she knew, panic, everyone was panicking. One of the guardians was acting up Purah and her scientist scattered, the guardian was malfunctioning.

For a while Link watched as his fellow trainees dispersed, as they scattered he saw the source of the commotion, the guardian, aiming a beam of red light towards the princess. Link knew it can't be good, especially when the guardian started walking up towards the princess. He wanted to do something, all he had was just a wooden training sword, he turned his head to his sides looking for something, anything he could to defend her. The guardian was getting closer, Link's body moved on its own, he noticed the pot that was still cooking the meat they were going to eat and kicked it up and grabbed it by the handle. Time slowed down as he focused on getting between the princess and the guardian, there was a bright flash of blue, Link saw the beam coming towards him, he gripped the pot lid tight and pushed it back to the guardian.

Zelda covered her eyes at the blinding light, she thought she had died...she very nearly did. When she opened her eyes, she was met with the back of the young Hylian knight trainee she was gawking at earlier. In front of him was the guardian shaking it's glowing body faded as it shut down. At that moment she felt many emotions at the same time, relief, adrenaline and some unknown feeling to her that felt fuzzy, that came when she looked at her savior.

Two sets of foot steps came running towards her, Impa and Purah "Your highness! are you okay?" Impa asked, inspecting her for any sort of injury.

Link looked back and saw the princess was not hurt but something felt burning a sensation on his hand, it was the pot lid, his makeshift shield caught fire he flailed about his arm and wrestle it off away from him.

"What's going on here?!" a voice boomed, Link knew this voice, everyone whipped their heads towards him, everyone' knelt save Zelda. The King of Hyrule along with his Royal Guard detail as well as Arn, Rhoam and Arn ran towards Zelda with the Royal Guard following "Impa explain." Rhoam said.

"Your majesty one of the guardians malfunctioned and started to misbehave, it nearly killed the princess were it not for this young man." Impa stepped aside and revealed to him Link on on knee lowering his head.

Arn looked at this boy and he knew immediately who it was "Link!" he said, he had received his letter a week prior telling him they'll meet soon, he would have greeted him sooner if only, his duties didn't demand much of him, in the end it was those duties that made them meet earlier than both had expected.

Rhoam look to him with a curious look in his eyes "you know this trainee?"

Arn rested both his hands on his belt, he briefly inhaled then exhaled "he's my son." Arn said.

Most of the Sheikah and knights were too faraway to hear anything, but boy they saw it all, how Link went head first shielding the princess with a pot lid and destroying the guardian in the process. It was at the moment Rhoam had ordered everyone, ordered the Sheikah to bring these guardians outside the castle walls and into Hyrule field, instructed the knights to clean the mess that damned guardian made. Everyone left, Arn told Link that they'll talk later. Impa looked at Link and smirked, gears were turning in her head Arn could tell just by looking at her, whatever this woman was scheming wasn't good.

His fears were vindicated when he was told to come at King Rhoam's study and saw Ashei, Gaepora and Impa sitting at a round table, and propose something so outlandish and has never been done before.

"Absolutely not!" Arn said. "I acknowledged that although he's skill has exceeded my own and is beginning to near the level of Lady Impa, Link is far too young to be part of the Guard. There has never been anyone in the guard at his age before."

"There has never been a trainee, that was able to beat a fully-fledged Knight General of Hyrule, not to mention that whole incident with the guardian. If it weren't for him I could only imagine what would happen to her highness." Gaepora said.

"He hasn't even been knighted yet."

Impa spoke up "there's nothing in the handbook about being a knight as pre – requisite before being appointed to the Royal Guard."

"While I hold your opinion in the utmost regard, I'm afraid in this case it is not within your authority to decide whether or not someone joins the Royal Guards." Arn said, the Sheikah frowned at him and took a seat next to Gaepora "I know Link wants to join the Royal Guard, it's been his dream since he picked up a sword."

The door opened. It was Zelda "then what's the problem?" she entered the room, Arn, Gaepora and Impa rose up and bowed, she waved her hand as a sign for them to return to sit down "If this trainee wants to join the guard then let him, he certainly has the strength and fortitude for it. On another note, I am in need of a personal bodyguard General Arn, every time I'm out and about with my experiments in the wild, my entire detail would always disrupt it, while I am grateful for their protection, but it seems their presence would otherwise hinder my results, and it also weighs to heavily on my conscience knowing that I’ve already lost three. I believe having a single skilled bodyguard eliminates this risk, Sir Link has seemed to be more than capable protecting me by himself, moreover he saved my life, and I can't help but feel safe in under his protection. Surely as a reward for saving my life, you can appoint him a Royal Guard as soon as he is knighted?" She smiled endearingly at Arn.

"So as a reward for keeping you safe, you want me to give him the honor of keeping you safe for longer periods of time?" Arn asked and cocked an eyebrow, Zelda merely chuckled at the gesture, it was subtle and only Arn and Impa noticed it, for a moment her innocent demeanor faded away quickly and was replaced with a hungry and predatory smile. Arn, Gaepora and Impa returned to their seats, Arn remained stern in his facial expression I know for a fact Link is good looking, I know the second I assign him to be part of your guard you will waste no time dragging him off to your bed, he thought, he was obviously not going with that reason, being executed for treason was the last thing he had in mind. Zelda took a seat for herself "he's not just some trainee your highness, he's first and foremost my son. If I appoint him without a knighthood, it will make the Royal Guard look like they based their merits on blood rather than achievement. I have no doubt in his ability, he will be a royal guard in the near future, just not now."

“And how near of a future are we talking about yeah?” Ashei asked.

Arn looked straight towards Ashei “when I retire from the guard at the age of sixty, spending my sunset years with my nagging lady wife and being proud of his achievements from afar.” He answered.

The door swung open, one boot step foot inside the room and then another, it was King Rhoam himself, Everyone in the room kneeled immediately, except Zelda, she gave her father a little curtsy "if he is your son I can see where he gets his talents from, and I don’t see the benefit wasting such talent as a common foot soldier."

"You majesty -"

Rhoam raised his hand to stop him "I'm not finished, there had been disturbing reports in the west, both the Gerudo and the Rito are facing aggression from nearby kingdoms at their borders, Lord Ganondorf and Master Revali made this perfectly clear during the last council meeting. Despite Chancellor Cole's “impeccable” advising, we all know war is coming" Rhoam said. Arn could not refute that statement. Holodrum and Labrynna have been increasingly bold in trying to maneuver Hyrule in making the first move. "As much as we'd like to pretend that it’s not happening we have to face reality, that's why we've been enlisting more and more recruits this year than the past decade, that's why Zelda and the Sheikah are doing whatever they can to harness the power of this ancient technology and that's why we need to place every able bodied men and women right where they belong. The Royal Guards are the most talented and strongest knights in the kingdom, I would know, was there too, with you Arn. Link is his name was it? In a single day he defeated General Gaepora, he was able to save my daughter's life and disable the malfunctioned guardian."

"With a pot lid of all things" Impa added.

Arn looked from left to right at everyone in the room Knight General, Chiefess of the Sheikah Tribe, Princess and King of Hyrule. Gaepora, Impa, Zelda, and Rhoam waited, expecting an answer. Frustrated, Arn removed his glove and threw it on the table, he wiped the sweat gathering on his brow and smacked his ungloved left hand at the side of his chair. "Damn it all, you are all of you against me." He took out his pipe and a match, everyone was contented save for Arn of course. "I will appoint Link to the guard." He struck the matchstick and lit his pipe "but not before he is knighted and has succeeded in the Test of the Royal Guard. He will be under Captain Ashei, and assigned as Princess Zelda's personal appointed knight and will accompany her when her activities call for her to leave the castle."

"Splendid" Rhoam opened the door "I want you all to turn in for the night it's getting late." He said everyone stood up and went out the door, Impa and Gaepora bowed before leaving, Zelda gave her father a goodnight kiss on the cheek as she left with a wide smile on her face, just as Arn was about to get up off his seat, Rhoam stopped him "not you Arn." Rhoam closed the door, he took out his pipe as he took his seat across the table. Arn then threw him the matchbox, Rhoam caught it and lit his pipe "I know this whole situation makes you uncomfortable."

Rhoam had changed his tone, the tone that he shared to those he closest with, Arn in turn rolled his eyes "does it really?" he scoffed at him "now I'm confused, and here I thought I was being subtle about it." He said sarcastically, Rhoam chuckled lightly and let out a puff of smoke "why do you do this Rhoam? I have nothing personal against her but why do you allow Zelda to behave like this, it's unbecoming and demeaning for the future queen and sovereign of Hyrule? You know the rumors aren't just rumors, she sees whatever men she fancies and takes them to her chambers, she acts like...like..."

"A harlot?" Rhoam completed, Arn fell silent "don't think I'm ignorant to these things, if I ask her to spread her legs she'll do it behind my back. She had that from her mother, boy can the woman wear you out, goddess bless her soul. If she wants to explore let her, but I will not have any accidents, I ordered Impa and Purah to make sure it stays that way" he said, puffing a smoke of his own.

"And what of Link! My son!" Arn yelled out "if you think my reaction is too much imagine how he would take it when I have to explain to him that the dream he's been training for all his life, that he was prepared to work for it, suddenly given to him on a silver platter. I know he's better than me, hell he's better than Impa. But he's naive when it comes to women and his own emotions. You know her nature and Link can barely tell the difference between lust and love. He spent his whole life dedicated to his training. "

"I need someone to watch over her Arn, she had already lost three guards in the last month. Every time she goes off to conduct one of her experiments, she draws too much attention to herself because of the large detail she brings with her, it’s getting too dangerous, and very time she loses a guard I can feel her thinking “why wasn’t it me?”. As a father I can understand your concern for your son's wellbeing. But she needs to be safe and as for Link he may still be green, but his actions earlier say otherwise, wasting his talents performing menial patrols would hardly be doing justice to his "

Arn looked at him and felt pity on one hand this was his best friend, who he had known all his life, they had saved each other from death countless of times, on the other he thought of Link his own son, his own flesh and blood, he valued nothing more than his children as a father should. Was he really going to do this, to put Link in that spot and he hadn’t even considered his reaction to all this. Link would be furious. He worked hard to be a knight and he was prepared to work beyond his limit to earn that spot as a Royal Guard, but to have it handed down to him on a silver platter would feel less than undeserving. As he looked back to his years of service there were many orders he didn’t like but to carry them out, such was his duty, this was going to be Link’s duty as well if that were the case, might as well start now.

Drinking one last time, he reached at his answer, “alright Rhoam.” He said slowly “Alright.”

“You approve of this then.”

“No, I don’t, but if you order me, makes it all the more easier. I can blame you when I break the news to Link” Arn said.

Rhoam chuckled “then sir Arn, General commander of the Royal Guard, by order of King Rhoam Bosphoramus Hyrule, I hereby command you to induct Link into the Royal Guard, this coming knighting ceremony.”

“As you command, sire.” He bowed slightly “but Rhoam promise me this.” Rhoam nodded “this will be the last time you put me in a situation where I have to choose between my family and the kingdom.”

“I promise…” Rhoam said drinking one last time, satisfied Arn stood up and bowed to his king. “My offer still stands you know, after your many years of service, you’ve earned it, lands and titles, you and Medilia both, Zelda would agree.”

“My answer’s still the same, I’ll think about it.” Arn said, as he left.

Rhoam sat in his private study, thinking…thinking about life, the council, the aggression of the two neighboring countries, Link and Zelda… “Link and Zelda” the words reverberated through his mind. He looked over to the statue of the goddess at the small altar. “Why…why can’t you show me everything?” he asked, the answer however was just like the statue, cold and silent. “You had always work towards the betterment of your kingdom and its people, can you at least give me a sign?” Again, no answer, a sigh escaped his mouth as he got up from his seat and made his way back to his chambers.

The morning after it wasn’t long after the gossipy maids who couldn’t resist eavesdropping in the meeting last night for it to spread throughout the entire castle. Rumors of Link’s instant promotion quickly spread which caused ire in the Many of the veterans that had set their sights on becoming a Royal Guard. The Royal Guard on the other hand couldn’t believe something outlandish that some trainee fresh from the camp was joining their ranks.

“Could you believe it, some naïve git from the camp, is going to be assigned Princess Zelda’s detail, I wonder how long he’ll last.” A royal guard said as he fixed his belt around his waist. “Poor tyke, fifty rupees say he’ll kick the bucket his first outing with the princess.”

“Forget outing with the princess he’ll probably get eaten by that hinox in the trial.”

“I wouldn’t be too sure” another royal guard said, he was older and a bit round in the belly, he placed his cap on his head and reaching for his claymore. “Apparently he’s General Arn’s boy. I could only imagine what being raised by him is like.”

The other royal guards shuddered “Hylia bless him, even you captain could barely nick him last time you sparred. What say you Commander Owlan?”

“Well, I heard he sent General Gaepora on his ass, could be interesting” Owlan said.

Chapter Text

I have had a very eventful day, Purah and Robbie's excavated guardians have been brought here to the castle as per orders from father, however, there was an incident, the guardian malfunctioned and began making a mess. The recruits sharing the training area all scattered as expected they're recruits after all. Speaking of recruits, I've found something most intriguing. A recruit amongst all the other greens, when the guardian rampaged throughout the training yard everyone ran for cover, I was left and too slow, but this one recruit, this young knight trainee, a boy about my age, maybe slightly older, blonde with golden waterfalls for sideburns and pools of deep blue shimmering eyes full of focus, without an ounce of fear and a most beautiful face. I was so enchanted by him that when that young noble whom I invited to my chambers was shagging me I could not help but kept on imagining Link's face. But that poor sod was so small that I didn't even feel him, it wasn't even sad just pathetic, so I pushed him off me handed him a purple rupee before I told him to leave. I had a much more pleasurable time touching myself while imagining Link's face. Speaking of Link, I just learned that he is General Arn's son, suddenly his skill and reaction make sense. I've witness first hand at General Arn's capabilities as General of the Royal Guard and stories from my father about their time together as Royal Guards protecting mother when she was my age...Mother.

How I missed you so much, every day, signs of the calamity are becoming ever more clear. Lord Ganondorf and his Gerudo brethren has been sandwiched between the Yiga clan's hideout and the border of Holodrum both of whom are displaying alarming amounts of aggression. Master Revali's fellow Rito brethren are facing harassment with the neighboring kingdom of Labrynna. Lastly the Zora are more than busy in the eastern coasts, fighting off hordes of pirates, Hateno is luckily naturally fortified, that steep cliff overlooking the beach would mean any attack from pirates are insignificant, all they would have to do is fire a few volleys of arrows and even if they did somehow manage to breakthrough, they would be weakened to point of barely being called a threat. I can't say the same with Laurelin, the flat beaches makes it easy for invasion, their wooden houses too easily burnt and too far from Zora's domain, when the nearest Garrison from the Faron region arrived it had been too late. The village was razed to the ground, men with their heads on pikes, women de-clothed and defiled, children burnt at stakes. The survivors hiding in wells, waited three whole days and had been relocated to Hateno, after the garrison fend off the invaders. Father was right in erecting fortifications in Laurelin should those fiends come back. With the continuous attacks, increased in recruitment and funding towards Sheikah research and excavation all of it combined is already proving too much for the treasury.

With two increasingly aggressive human kingdoms, Yiga traitors and monster pirates raiding and pillaging, breathing down our necks, I'm surprised the country hadn't sparked in civil war already. Chancellor Cole's is once again pretending that nothing is wrong, like anyone would be able to stop him anyway, half the court owes him favors. His son Groose, visited me the night before and performed as expected as usual. It would be a shame having the only man who could satisfy me leave for a month, but that is what it is. Sometimes I think our nightly sessions mean more than pleasures of the flesh for him, like he expects me to marry him, foolish, besides I have already been promised by destiny to the hero. The one person whom my heart truly belongs, though I have never seen him and his legendary sword has yet to be found. I wonder what he's like, obviously strong, brave and handsome like....Link, Link.

Seeing him fills me with curiosity, no doubt I would have fun enticing him to no end. But something about him feels familiar, nevertheless I hope he accepts the position as my appointed knight. Gerald, Namia, Sam, Sofie, I can still remember them, the faces of their families as I told them of their fate, I had to personally tell them myself, it was the least I could do, I told as I've kept telling myself that they've performed their duty to the kingdom. Link, I don't want to lose another, the feat he performed today when no one else did, it solidified my confidence in him. General Arn was less than pleased at the request, luckily father was able to convince him, I can see from his point of view, that it makes him look bad, General of the Royal Guard the most elite knights in Hyrule and he hands over the position of appointed knight of the Princess of Hyrule to his son that was still a fledgling knight trainee. I know the consequences of this, I've put him on the spotlight, people will wonder, people will talk on how a knight trainee became the princess' appointed knight the moment he arrives at Hyrule castle. Despite all this I sincerely hope he would accept.

Zelda closed her Diary and sighed. She brushed with light strokes on her hair while looking at the mirror, finally satisfied with the smoothness of her hair, she rose up and lie in her silk woven bed. Zelda was still unsatisfied with her earlier romp with that nobleman, she rubbed her body under the sheets, massaging her breasts and stroking her womanhood. She bit her lip and closed her eyes as she began to imagine, imagine him. Her eyes shot up, she brought her hand up, the one she used between her legs and saw it drenched, she was also unusually out of breath. Panting, wet on her hand and her nether regions. That night, she fell asleep tired and satisfied.

Link's morning after was a silent one, his friends from the training corps were too distracted with their own upcoming knighting ceremony to ponder the events of the the day before. Each of them, nervous with their own conduct at the ceremony, Link was nervous of a whole other  reason, to him it wasn't so much as saving the princess, it was more of how big of a scene did I just make. His mind was currently fighting for a violent tug of war Goddess, she must have thought I was a fool flailing that shield about like a lunatic." While the optimistic side of him wondered "I mean I had no choice didn't I?"

..nk

.ink

Link

LINK!

He snapped away from his thoughts, Pipit had called his name over and over again. Link looked up and saw he was the only one seated while everyone was at attention. He followed and stood up he didn't really know why though, that is until he looked at the doorway leading to the corridor. There was a tall slender man with a tanned skin and silver hair that reached all the way to his waist. It was a royal guard as evident by the iconic uniform that he wore. "As you were" He said everyone sat back down "not you" he eyed at Link who was by this time quaking. "Follow me Link." The blonde haired young man looked at his fellow trainees, wondering what he should do "come boy!" the man said from the corridor. Link stuffed down the remaining bread in his mouth before drink some water and following him immediately. "Follow me" he said, it wasn't quite the tone but Link knew it was an order, and so he followed him at the end of the corridor.

They walked up a winding staircase he had too many questions plaguing his mind right now. "Who are you? How do you know me? Where are we going? What's going to happen to me? That about right?" The man asked as he looked back at Link who nodded at him. "I'm Commander Owlan, you father's deputy, I knew it was you Link, I could tell it was you, you have your father's hair and your mother's face. I was ordered to bring you to Arn's office, but don't worry your not in trouble or anything like that." They've continued up the rotating stairs, along the way Link noticed a few scullery maids giggling and grinning at him, he looked back at Owlan who giggled too. "Don't worry about them they've just heard about the little incident in the courtyard."

"Is that the reason you've been ordered to take to my father's- I mean General Arn's office. Sir?" Link asked.

Owlan raised his eyebrow at him "so he speaks." He said "Arn told me you were the quiet type, but yes, this does have something to do with what you did that day. I wasn't there to see but I've heard that when everyone took for cover, you jumped in head first to protect the princess." They've reach to the top into another corridor, there weren't many doors on this one but with the just about half a dozen with one at the end of the hallway, the one where they seemed to be headed. "This is the Royal Guard's barracks, not to be mistaken with the Royal Guard's chamber down underneath the first gate house. The former queen thought our quarters were best positioned at the center of the castle, on our right is the men and women's, left, each room with multiple bedrooms for non-deployed reserves, the ones in charge of defending the castle, bodyguard details, who are in charge of protecting the king and the princess, stay relatively close to their wards although their location is only known by a select few including the king, princess and General Arn. And right here" he stopped at the door in the end of the hallway "Is the General's office. This is where I leave you Link, it was a pleasure meeting you." Link nodded and bowed at him, Owlan knocked on the door three times "General, I've brought him." Owlan said, he and Link heard something fall and thud.

"Send him in" Arn said from the other side, Owlan opened the door and left. Link saw his father lay flat on the other side of the desk buried on a mountain of papers, so much for the General of the Royal Guards, Link thought to himself. He could not help trying to contain a small chuckle, which was enough to rouse Arn awake from the cold stone floor. "That's pretty rude of you to be laughing like that, do you amuse yourself at the expense of your father and superior officer." Arn couldn't say it with a straight face and Link couldn't take him seriously.

Father and son both shared a laugh together, "it's great to see you again dad, I-I mean sir."

"It's fine Link" Arn said picking up his papers "it's just the two of us" he set them straight at his desk. "I've read your letters, Aryll and Medilia sent some too, when they've heard you'd be coming to the castle soon." Arn opened a drawer from his desk and handed a couple of letters to Link. "You can read it later, and you can write one once your finish with your duties for the day."

Link placed the letters inside his pocket "thank you dad, is that all now? Because Major Rusl-"

"You won't be training with Rusl anymore." Arn interrupted him. "I've already informed him that you would be transferred effective immediately."

The young trainee's eyes widened, confusion and shock jolted his entire body "w-wha-" he couldn't bring himself to utter a word.

Arn saw that he was at the verge of despair "please Link, let me explain, it all ties in to when you saved the princess yesterday. The fact that an entire knight trainee squad and trained Sheikah engineers were there and did nothing, but watch as a single person, you, jumped in and rescued the princess convinced the king he had found the right person."

"For what?"

Arn sighed, Link knew his father didn't want to continue "to protect the princess as her appointed knight."

"T-That's" Link stammered "but regulations state only Royal Guards are fit for such an appointment" Link stated. Arn looked like he needed to say more but just couldn't get it out "dad?" Again not a response "Dad?" still, nothing was said "DAD!?"

"Please Link, I'm on your side on this, I really am, I didn't want it to happen" Arn barely managed to say.

"You didn't want what to happen?" Link asked.

"By petition of Princess Zelda Hyrule heir apparent to the throne of Hyrule, General Gaepora supreme commander of the knights of Hyrule, Lady Impa of the Sheikah and royal order of King Rhoam Bosphoramus Hyrule, you Knight in training Link are to be inducted in the Royal guard and to be charged with the safety of Princess Zelda Hyrule as her appointed knight, this coming Knighting Ceremony." Arn declared.

Nothing, absolutely nothing, it was his response. Link had hung his head low. Arn wanted a sign, a word, anything, Link could literally flip his table over and he would understand. But this was more frightening and just as Arn was about to say something his door knocked. This time it was a woman's voice "Arn, Cece's here for his measurements." Arn knew it as Ashei's.

Torn between duty and family Arn had to swallow it and get it over with "the door's open." Arn said. Ashei went in with a sling on her arm, and guided an eccentrically dressed woman wearing in all sorts of colors in polka dots. She wrapped a measuring tape around her neck "hello Cece, I'm sorry for the last minute call, I hope it wasn't too much trouble."

The woman named Cece lightly laughed "no trouble at all, just more rupees for us, the crown pays for the commission after all and luckily Sophie bought extra material." Cece looks at Link and noted his short stature "is this him? It looks like I won't have to use too much of it after all" she commented.

"Link" Arn said, Link slowly looked up, his face was blank, devoid of any expression to speak of. "This is captain Ashei" Arn showed a hand to her, Link looked at Ashei, he said nothing but bowed "Captain of Princess Zelda's guard detail and your commanding officer once you've passed the Test of the Royal Guard. And this is Cece a tailor from our home in Hateno, she's been commissioned to sew the new uniforms for the recruits of the Royal Guard, she'll be taking your measurements now."

Cece smiled and told Link to raise his arms to the sides. She took measurements all the necessary measurements including his head, since she is also tasked with making the cap as well. After she had written all of Link's measurements she closed her notebook and packed most of her things "if that would be all General I would like to leave now, to work on it as soon as possible."

Arn nodded, Cece left with Ashei, Arn and Link left in the room, it was still silent Link's face was still blank, Arn was about to say something until "would that be all sir?" Link said, his voice bereft of life. Arn could only nod.

He bowed once for Arn, he turned to his left and bowed at Ashei he left the room, Arn half expected him to slam it shut "so that's the one who saved the princess?" Ashei said. Arn sat back down on the chair behind his desk "he really does look like you, albeit a much cuter yeah." She turned to Arn waiting for a reply, but he only looked at her and cocked his eyebrow. "Still, he seems happy with the news."

Arn immediately replied, he took out his pipe and lit it "he was pissed."

Ashei looked confused "he didn't even say a word."

"Exactly"

"Why? any knight would be proud to become part of the Royal Guard."

"Not with the way how I raised him."

"Meaning?"

"I told you yesterday, it's not that he didn't want to become part of the Royal Guard, it was always his dream to become one." Arn rose up and walked to his window, "even before he started his training at seven the kid always had a determination to do anything he wanted. Even especially stupid things when he played with the other kids in Hateno, dive in the lake from that tree, poke that courser beehive, beat that chu chu with a stick. That determination carried over with his training and by the time he was ten, he was beginning to beat adults. The only thing that stopped him from enlisting at that point was Hyrule's conscription laws."

"So why then?"

Arn sighed and puffed out the smoke "he didn't like the fact that it was just given to him like this, for Link it was going to be a journey, he wanted it to be one. But we robbed him of that, and the worse part is, he knew what he did was right, he saved the princess, if he hadn't, not only would she be gone but also her sealing powers along with her."

Ashei face painted with regret in the part she took with the proposal last night "maybe you're right" she said. "We should have asked how he feels first before asking."

"No..." Arn said, "...Rhoam doesn't do anything brash, he knows something but he won't tell us what." He discarded the pipe ashes out his window, "in the mean time, I want you to look after him for me, please."

She placed both of her hands on her waist "I can do that, yeah." she said and bowed towards him before leaving.

Arn reached for a rope lever near the bookshelf and pulled, when he did a chime of bells was heard, it took a few seconds for him to wait for the knock on his door. When it came a woman's voice could be heard from the other side, a maid with blue hair entered "good morning general. I'm assuming you called for breakfast."

He nodded with a smile "yes, Lana, fried cucco eggs with Hylian rice please."

The maid called Lana curtsied and left to get him breakfast. Arn looked at his desk, with more work to do, he sighed. He couldn't complain for much longer, there was another set of knocks.

"Heya Arny!" A Sheikah with glasses entered rudely in his office "Impa told me you wanted to see me."

Arn sighed as his blood pressure was rising, "I told you not to call me that.” He said. “Sit down” he said, Purah muttered profanities under her breath “what was that?” He asked in a threatening tone.

Purah scrambled towards her seat ”oh uh, nothing” she readjusted her coat and placed her hands on her knees. "Please don't chew me out."

"For what? making a mess of a perfectly good training yard or for very nearly getting the princess killed." He rose from his seat as his shadow enveloped her, Purah felt sweat going down her brow "but I won't do that, I feel like Impa did that enough already" he slumped back on his seat. "In light of fucking up the training yard and almost fucking up the princess, your experiments are to be moved in the outskirts of Castle town on Hyrule Field but hopefully not near enough to cause a ruckus for the farm and the family that lives there."

She groaned "you mean we have to move our equipment out again?"

"Is that a problem?" his threatening tone returned.

"N-no" Purah shrunk again. "It's just the princess has to be there and Hyrule field is way too exposed for Yiga attacks. That's why we had to do the experiments in the castle."

"That was before we knew that these things could go out of control without warining, these things are already too dangerous and unpredictable, the blue light they shoot out, can blast through stone and was hot enough to burn wood, and if you're concerned with the security risks, apart from the Sheikah already there, Gaepora agreed to dispatch a squadron of knights."

"Really, no Royal Guards?" Purah asked.

"Captain Ashei is still on sick leave, the only Royal Guards left are his majesty's security detail and the rest are the non-deployed reserves to guard the castle. However, the princess will be accompanied by her newly appointed knight, once he passes the test."

"Oh really?" Purah said. "You mean that hottie that saved the princess."

Arn noticed that she had a concerning smirk forming on her lips, it became even more concerning when she pulled out her notebook "oh no no no, whatever you're thinking right now, don't." Arn said. "I don't want you to, experiment on him, I don't want you test anything on him, I don't even want you coming up with a stupid nickname for Link."

Purah hid her notepad "so I can't make Linky eat a frog?"

Arn's palm was brought up to his face and sighed "just go, you have your orders, soon you and your scientist are to move these guardians out of the castle until you can control them."

"Got it bya Arny" Purah stood and zoomed out towards the door.

Older sister my ass, Arn thought. Now he was just sitting there alone to his thoughts his breakfast still wasn't here yet. His mind was clouded right now, it would be hard not to look at Link's disappointed scowl, he was about to be his commanding officer after all, he'll have to make reports and receive orders, seeing him was now basically part of their job. Arn heard one last knock on his door, it was Lana, she brought a tray with her, along with a plate of a modest meal of fried Hylian rice and cucco eggs, before getting ready for breakfast and work, his consciousness pinched his brain once more, I'm sorry Link.

Chapter Text

Pipit finished with the fastenings of his armor, he looked over to Link and still couldn't believe it. He was already a Royal Guard in every sense but name, the uniform certainly fitted him well, the other trainees looked in envy at Link sending scowls and glaring daggers, he doesn't blame them though, apart from him only Karane and him knew he was more than just the Royal Guard General's son. Suddenly it made sense why he rarely ever brought up his family. Even when asked he just gives a vague “works at the castle” response. Link was different now, Pipit didn't know whether this was bad or good, but if he knew one thing, it’s that he knows this is not the way Link would want to be inducted, he had hoped that they would go together. Silence was his only language ever since that day, he only ever bothered to open his mouth when he had to explain to him what was going on. Sitting on his bed, Link rose up walked pass Pipit like usual he didn't bother to say a word only a nod as they moved out. Link was the only one dressed in the Royal Guard uniform, red, blue with white gloves and boots, he felt like an animal in a circus with everyone staring at him. Walking along the halls Link stared forward the whole time, not once glancing around his surroundings.

Once they've reached the entrance of the sanctum there were many awaiting, several knights and Royal Guards including Arn and Gaepora. They passed through the entrance and took their place inside at the center. The left was side of the sanctum was flanked by knights opposite to that were Royal guards and at the front of the Sanctum laid two thrones which overlooked the entire sanctum. King Rhoam sat their with Zelda at his side, who could barely hide her excitement. The stares again Link thought, as he went into his place in the formation. They weren't even trying to hide it people made their murmurs and whispers obvious.

The knights particularly the younger ones glared in complete envy, those who were older, particularly on Gaepora’s generation was more confused than anything. The Royal Guards on the other hand had a more or less mixed reaction, for the most part there were some who not taken kindly to the idea of someone fresh from the camp to be their comrade. Then again they somewhat felt bad after finding out what his assignment was going to be, appointed knights assigned to Princess Zelda would barely last a month. A small minority pondered about his parentage, they knew what sort of a demon Arn was during training and they wondered if his son came from the same hell he did. Then there were the Royal Guards who saw what happened that day with the guardian and the princess, those were the only ones who truly welcomed him.

Stop, please, stop staring Link thought, their murmurs and gossips stopped when Rhoam rosed from his seat. The knight trainees at the center bowed their heads and stand in attention. Two Royal Guards carried a scabbard of an exceptionally large claymore adorned in a gold hand guard and purple hilt.

Has never seen a sword that big, then again he looked at the imposing stature of the King of Hyrule and concluded that it was the right weapon for him. Rhoam took a hold of the hilt and pull it out of its sheath, an elegant blade, one worthy for Royalty. He took the claymore and set the tip of the blade down while he rests both of his hands on the handguard.

Everyone paid attention once Rhoam opened his mouth and let his voice out, "kneel" he said unto them, he raised his claymore up in a way that the sun shone through the window, the claymore's shadow covering over their heads "when each and every one of you first arrive from the camp, you were untrained and undisciplined, for those of you here now out of the many of your fellow trainees, you who excelled beyond the what was required of you, of what was expected of you. Have earned your place in this kingdom. A shadows looms over Hyrule, Hylia's beloved land surrounded by foes, both cunning and monstrous, so I ask of you this, do you swear from this day on, you will give your life, body and soul to protect the Kingdom of Hyrule?"

"I swear" Link and his comrades said, still bowing their heads.

"That you will banish the evils that plague our Kingdom?"

"I swear" they proclaimed again

"And that you will forever more dedicate your existence in service to the people of Hyrule?"

"I swear"

Rhoam pointed his claymore towards Link and his fellow trainees "then rise as you are now, from this point onwards, Knights of Hyrule."

They rose everyone in the chamber clapped, especially with the knights who welcomed their new recruits, Link stayed at the center looking over to them, all the knights welcomed their newcomers with open arms. Pipit and Karane looked back at Link, all he could do in return was a blank stare as he stood there in the middle of the sanctum. They have their job, Link told himself, Link looked around, the knights were too busy welcoming those who were just inducted, other Royal Guards began to exit out to the upper levels, he glanced at the throne. Oddly enough his father was right there beside King Rhoam, who, was looking at him, he panicked when their gazes met and averted his eyes to his left where another one was looking at him at such grave attention. Princess Zelda, for some reason, had a very concerning a look on her face as she stared straight into him. It was as if she was staring straight into his soul with a hunger akin to an animal. He didn't know why he wouldn't stop staring either it's not like this was the first time he saw her.

Link's concentration was broken when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked back and saw Owlan, "it's time Link, follow me." He said

Owlan turned his heel and Link did as he was told, following the long haired man. They went opposite to where the new Knights were heading, instead, they were heading to a narrow passage way behind a wall that hid behind a small statue. Link looked at the pathway they were moving through and wondered what this place was. Again Owlan seemingly having the ability to read his mind said "this is one of the passage ways that connect to different parts of the castle, you should be careful when you move through here or you could get lost like I did in my first time."

"Do all Royal Guards use these tunnels?"

"Yes, it was King Rhoam's idea during his service, he pitched the idea to the previous Royal Guard General before your father."

"The King was part of the Royal Guard?"

Owlan smiled, he always liked a curious mind and a youngster that asks questions "yes he and Arn was part of the late queen's security detail."

"Does that mean you were part of her detail too?"

"Oh no, I was and still part of the castle security now I'm the General's deputy officer." He said, they went further down the steps and reached the center of a room that spanned eight different pathways, Owlan pulled out a compass and looked to his right and went to the pathway on that direction "come, this way." He ushered the young man. Whilst continuing walking down the stairs, Owlan looked back at Link, his face unreadable a very concerning enigma "are you scared?" Link widened his eyes but didn't say a thing "there's nothing wrong being scared, you're going up against a Hinox alone after all and a blue one at that. I shouldn't have to tell that people died in this test before."

His ears twitched as a singe of slight fear manifested, the only thing Link could do was power through it before that fear could grow bigger "why a Hinox?"

"Why'd you ask?" Owlan looked at him and raised his eyebrow.

"I mean why a Hinox in particular?"

"It's the surefire way to prove one worthy of the position, Royal Guard. A single regular Hylian is no match for a Hinox, an entire platoon of knights can take it down but a royal guard should be able to fight one by themself and win. As to why they were chosen in particular. Bokoblins, Lizalfos and Moblins were too weak and only rely on their numbers to make any sort of threat. As for the larger monsters, Stalnox can slip through their cages by taking themselves apart, no one is going Gerudo desert just to wrangle a molduga, a stone talus would be attracted to all the precious gemstones around the castle and there is no way in hell we're keeping a Lynel. A Hinox will remain relatively docile so long as they're fed which is why the garbage chutes in the kitchens directly lead to their cells." They've reached the door, Owlan opened it, the room was an armory by the looks of it "pick out a weapon, forget the armor, the Royal Guard uniform is lined with strong but light materials that'll protect you and make sure that you don't move slow."

Link gazed around the room, there were plenty of fine works of metalcraft, shields, halberds, swords and claymores, "these are pretty well made."

"Good eye, there are bows over there too" he pointed to the wall further in the room "I'll be leaving now, don't take too long, and when you're ready just go out the door near where the bows are at." Before exiting, Owlan looked back to Link "remember wood burns well and metal conducts electricity."

Owlan closed the door behind him, Link looked over his options, claymore's have great power but would need an equally great opening, his experience with halberds were that they were agile but prone to breaking much easier than any other weapon. He came to conclusion with a sword and shield, old reliable, never once it failed him and he doubt it would start now. He grabbed a pair and took it over to where the bows were at, they looked all the same, he tested out each one before picking one that was well taut. Link strapped the bow on his back, shield on his right and sword on the left, and a few normal arrows, as well as five electric and flame arrows, he was ready, ready as he'll ever be.

Outside those doors was a small arena separated with a cage to where the actual fighting would take place most of the spectators were there already, Arn sat at the upper levels and looked at the cage of the Hinox, remembering his trial, it was close, he sprained an ankle and a broke few ribs, he passed but had to wait for another two weeks before he could begin his service. Compared to what others had in the past, his injuries were only lightwork, he had sprained an ankle, some of them lost their leg, he had broke a few ribs, some of them had their entire skeleton shattered. A small part of his mind wanted to call this whole thing off immediately but he can't, not this far, not when Link has already been knighted. There was only one way to succeed this trial but two ways to fail it; cower out at the last minute and death.

There was no turning back now, the trial can only be administered to the same person once and only once. Link has to win for his sake, otherwise Arn would be bringing corpse back to his wife and daughter. His thoughts were broken once Owlan sat next to him, "he's getting ready" Arn nodded and looked again at the cage "I'm still against this Arn, granted your boy has talent I can see that. But he's much too young, and this is much too risky aren't you concerned at all." Owlan said.

"Concerned?" Arn cocked his eyebrow at him "I'm fucking terrified, not whether or not he can do it, no, that's not what concerns me, his mind is playing a violent game of tug of war right now, I can only hope he comes to terms with it once he starts, cuz if he hesitates even for one second he will die."

The crowd fell silent as the doors to the arena opened, Link came through those doors with sword and shield in hand. The Royal Guards, if anything went wrong no one would be able to do anything about it, the seats were protected with a single layer of bars sturdy enough to contain the Hinox. On the other hand Arn wouldn't be able to do anything, should he intervene, the sanctity of the trial would be compromised if Link failed at best he would never be allowed to become a Royal Guard, ever, at worst he would die and he'll spend the rest of his life shunned and hated by his daughter and wife for allowing this to happen.

He started shaking, even though his face remained stoic as ever, few of the nearby guards started to notice. They figured even that even the great general Arn could be afraid of something. "A hundred rupees say he'll throw in the towel in five minutes." Arn heard from his left but chose not to look waiting to see how far they would go.

Another raised the stakes "two silvers for ten"

"Keep it down" one of them whispered "General Arn is over there, if he hears you, slashing your salary would be the least of your concerns."

"Three gold rupees says he'll kill the damn thing, one for each of you" a woman's voice, they turned and so did Arn but none of them noticed him.

"Captain Ashei, feeling confident about your new boot?" the guard asked. "You know you could have asked us to be part off your detail with the princess, not some lily livered twat fresh from the camp." He started to nudge at his other companions "besides all three of us are more than capable of handling the princess" he said in a perverted smirk.

Ashei smiled and took a seat next to them "I assure you, as Captain of her highness security detail, I have no intention for putting half assed drunkards in her highness detail, especially not with guards who poured all their rupees drinking, gambling and whoring."

They heard the gates turning, everyone looked towards the massive gates being opened, every Royal Guard was in that room, watching the movement of Link's sword, his stance, his footwork. As the Hinox came out of the shadows from it's cage, it let out and unearthly growl. Link watched the beast gripping his sword and shield, hard, Link studied it's face, it was staring right at him like he was food and Link knew it wasn't going to ignore him. Link went into his stance, the Hinox walked up to him at a slow pace, Link backed up just a little bit. For every step taken, the Hinox kept walking faster towards. It was getting ready to attack.

Link had fought a Hinox before, but always with his regiment, they would divide into three groups, the bait, the trap and the finishing blow. But this time, he didn't have that luxury Link would need to be all three groups by himself to kill this thing and as soon as it got close to him, the Hinox pounced, Link then braced for what was coming.

King Rhoam stared out the window of his study looking out at the Sheikah transporting the guardians out of the castle and into Hyrule field, he should have known that such experiments would be too dangerous to be held in the castle. Aside from that, he was taking note of how the day was, it was cloudy with no rain, not even a faint sound of water dropping. It's already happening a voice said to him, there it is again the voice, the voice of his late wife. Can you feel it, my love? Rhoam rubbed his head trying to soothe ache. His attention however, was called upon when he heard the door open. She was a maid with tanned skin and silver hair carrying a tray of various tea and sweets "your majesty, it's time for your ten o'clock tea."

Rhoam sat down at his chair "thank you Cia set it down at the table" Cia did as she was told "has Zelda been informed?"

"Yes, she's on her way from the first gatehouse as she was seeing the Sheikah scientist off, she will be coming shortly."

"I see, no lump of sugar just honey and now sweets just, leave a few crackers"

Cia nodded and poured the honey on his tea, stirring the cup with delicate percision. She took all the biscuits, cookies and scones and left through the door. Rhoam took one of the salted crackers and ate it while sipping tea.

Rhoam, a headache struck him as he moved his palms to soothe it. They are to be together, his dead wife's voice rang through.

"I know...I know." Rhoam muttered as the headaches have gotten stronger.

The door opened once more, this time it was Zelda with Impa in tow "you wished to speak with me, father?"

"Yes, take a seat, and Impa, I wish to speak with her, alone."

"Of course your majesty"

Impa bowed to both Zelda and Rhoam before leaving, Zelda took her seat across the other side of her father's table "what did wish to discuss with me father?"

After sipping his tea, he placed it down to his table "as you know soon, you are to continue with your research, to your first stop should be at Gerudo valley, Lady Urbosa and Nabooru as well as King Ganondorf, will surely be glad to meet with you again."

"I suppose it has been some time. Also, me and Impa have already drafted various routes and any contingencies that we may have."

"Splendid, then there is only one matter left we have to discuss." Zelda paid close attention, this was the tone Rhoam would use when he wanted to see him as her king and not father. "Zelda, I want you to promise me that you'll be extra careful for this journey." Rhoam said his tone was returning to that of a father "this will be far different from any other excursion you've had in the past. This time you will be alone with a boy your age, for two months."

She breathed a deep breath before answering "I am aware, but we've discuss this already father, nearly all divine beast have been dug out I need to be there selecting pilots and calibrating the beasts for their champions. Going with as minimum of a detail as possible is the best option Captain Ashei would do brilliantly, I would ask another female Royal Guard but they're not in any where near her level when it comes to matters of swordsmanship."

Rhoam nodded "but now it's problematic"

"If this is a matter of his conduct during the journey then I highly doubt that sir Link would act out of line" besides, it should be me acting towards him you should be worried about. "He is General Arn's son shouldn't his upbringing mean anything."

"There in lies the problem, he is general Arn's son, you and I know, he was my friend for the longest time, we were knights together, we were Royal Guards together, we protected your mother together before we were married. Zelda, I just want you to be extra careful, especially now since this involves Link, he will be with you at all times, when you're in danger he'll be in danger. Zelda, we owe so much to the general and if anything happens to you or him...I...I...last time was too close if you had not awaken your power then..."

"I know, father...I know. I just wished I could have awaken it sooner and in different circumstances."

"That's not how the ministers and all those sniveling weasels in court see it, no, they've finally seen you as ripe for marriage. Why do you think more and more noble sons have been in the castle. You were wise to discard them when you were finished with them." Rhoam reached over the desk for crackers. "Make no mistake I am aware of your activities at night and I will not reprimand you for that, but if you give them the wrong idea then it will invite nothing but consequences"

He passed on the tea cup onto her and she received mouthing a small thank you "father, my marriage from previous queens will be different different the calamity is upon us and the Hero of Legend will appear at any moment, and-"

"-And per tradition and destiny you two are to be betrothed by divine providence, I am aware, and the entire Hylian peerage is aware. They've realized that pulling the Sword that Seals the Darkness on its pedestal is practically a free ticket to the throne of Hyrule, just last week I've never seen so many nobles and their sons from every corner of the kingdom visiting the Temple of Time. Tell me do you think any of their are doing it for a service to Hyrule? " No, they don't, it was clear Zelda wanted to say that, but Rhoam knew he didn't need to hear it from her "we have enemies , outside our borders and within." 

"I understand father," she replied. "I'll be careful"

"Thank you Zelda, that will be all"

Zelda stood up and curtsied towards her father and left, Rhoam continued munching on crackers. His desk and some of his furniture shook, the source of the small quake came from deep below, it could literally mean anything the hinox underground could be dead or worse. Rhoam soon forgets the crackers and tea on his desk. He went to the cabinet that was varnished slightly darker than the rest of his wooden furniture. He reached out of a small button on the back and pressed it, the cabinet moved out of the way to an entrance to a passageway. He took it and descended down to the stairs wielding a torch with his hand, illuminating the dark corridor.

Rhoam was more familiar with these passageways, he was the one who pitched the idea in the first place, his mind already made a map in his head knowing the quickest routes and every entrance and exit. He had reached the door that opened to the hallway leading to the arena where two royal guards stood firm, guarding the entrance.

They noticed him "your majesty" the guard on the left said.

Rhoam looked at the inisgnia of his cap, it was still a red loftwing with both wings and no body "open the door, corporal."

"Forgive me your majesty, but only royal guards and no one else, even you I'm afraid" he said. Rhoam was impressed, despite being in the presence of the king, he didn't mix up or stutter a single word, just the kind of Royal Guard the castle should have.

Rhoam opened his hands for both of them to look at "look at these hands." He said showing it to them, "these are the hands of a Royal Guard captain, I may wear this crown boy, but I still retain that rank. So you will open this door."

The two guards looked at each other questioning the other silently and decided to open the door "yes captain."

Rhoam walked through the door to find every spectators in the arena rose from their seat. Everyone was speechless, he studied their faces, each had varying emotions of awe, unbelief and pure shock. Rhoam had spotted Arn who also looked towards the center with the same face, he decided to take a closer look at the center.

He found a dead carcass of a colossal monster, hands, neck and eyeball, all of which bled a dark red color. On it's right shoulder was Link scrapped and disheveled, scars and bruises, tipped the sword he used on the ground applying pressure to his thigh that bled. Link's cap wasn't torn but still creased, his entire uniform was of the same state save for the gigantic wound on his right thigh.

"This trial is over!" Arn announced to everyone in the arena "the Royal Guard welcomes it's new brother, Sir Link of Hateno!"

Claps and cheers were brought forth of the declaration, Link looked up to the crowd and felt small bit of relief, but still, inside him he struggled with the fact that he was now officially a Royal Guard, he struggled to get up, using his sword as leverage but the injury on his thigh did not make it easy for him.

"Owlan" Arn said.

"General?" Owlan responded

"Prepare the infirmary."

Owlan nodded and dashed out the exit.

In the midst of all the cheers and celebration no one seemed to notice Rhoam's presence. Not even Arn, he bolted towards the center and inspected Link's injuries. "You did great, you did great" Arn repeated "rest now, Link." He said as Link closed his eyes.

I would like to apologize that this took longer than it needed to be usually when I feel really bad and want to apologize I give some cake and since I can't actually give it to you guys, here's a recipe for black forest cake.

Chocolate Cake:
- 1 3/4 cups (250g) all-purpose flour, sifted
- 2/3 cup (65g) natural unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) neutral oil, such as canola or vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
- 1 cup (240 ml) hot water

Cherries and Cherry Syrup:
- 1 cup drained, canned cherries
- 1/4 cup Kirsch, or another cherry liqueur
- Cherry juice from canned cherries (drain cherries and reserve the juice)

Whipped Cream Frosting:
- 3 cups (720 ml) heavy cream, cold
- 1/2 cup (58g) powdered sugar, sifted

Optional Decorations:
- 200g/7 oz. chocolate shavings
- Fresh whole cherries

Instructions
- To make the chocolate cake: Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C. Generously butter two 8-inch cake pans that are at least 2-inches high, and dust with cocoa powder, tapping the ramekins slightly to remove any excess.
- In a large bowl, place flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Mix until combined. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, mix together eggs, oil, vanilla, buttermilk, and water (pour the water slowly so it won’t cook the eggs). Whisk until smooth. Add egg mixture into flour mixture and mix until smooth. Don’t overbeat – batter will be lumpy at first, but mix gently and eventually stir with a whisk just until smooth. The batter will be thin and liquid. That’s ok.
- Scrape batter into prepared pans. Bake cakes for 30-35 minutes (depending on your oven – this might take longer), or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Allow to cool for 10 minutes in the pan before unmolding, then let cakes cool completely on a wire rack. I recommend wrapping the cakes in plastic wrap and refrigerate or freeze them for several hours before cutting them. Cut each cake layer in half horizontally.

To make the syrup: Place drained cherries in a medium bowl, and add to the bowl 1/4 cup Kirsch and 1/2 cup cherry juice from can. Leave to soak at room temperature for 30 minutes or more, then drain cherries in a sieve over a bowl, keeping both the cherries and syrup. Add more cherry juice to the syrup to get 3/4 cup syrup (you won't need the rest of the juice, discard it or save for another use). This will be the soaking syrup for the cake layers.

To make the whipped cream: Using a stand mixer or hand mixer with a whisk attachment, beat heavy cream and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Read more about making perfect whipped cream here.

Assembly: Place one cake layer on a cake stand or plate and brush with 1/3 of the cherry syrup. Cover top with a thick layer of whipped cream frosting (about 1 cup) and top with 1/3 of the cherries. Repeat twice more with remaining layers and top with the last cake layer (there’s no need to soak the top layer with syrup). Frost the top and sides of the cake with whipped cream. If you want, reserve some of the whipped cream, about 1½ cups, for decorating the top. Use a pastry bag with a large flower tip, and pipe rounds around the top. Top with whole cherries. Cover the sides and top with chocolate shavings, if desired. Store cake in the fridge, covered, for up to 4 days.

(Recipe found on PrettySimpleSweet)