Royal Rebel 5 ~ Worlds Apart

Chapter 4: Terrako's Return

"_____," Link whispered to you, leaning closer to you so you could hear him better. "I know you're putting a lot of trust into me tomorrow, but are you sure you should be?"

"Link, I already told you, you'll be alright."

You walked through the hallways of Hyrule Castle with the hero by your side, and the four Champions walked behind ghe pair of you. You had spent the evenimg making sure everyone was aware of the schedule changes for the next day while you wouldn't be there.

"Are you sure you can't just stay? At least in the morning?" He pleaded, but before you answered, Revali cleared his throat and raised his eyebrow when the hylian glanced back at him. "Okay, look, I know you said you needed this day off, and I, for one, fully believe you deserve it. But why do I have to be in charge? Why can't it be Rhoam, or Zelda, or-"

"_____!" The king smiled as he opened his arms to you, stopping halfway down the hall with his daughter by his side. "We've been looking for you!"

"Sorry we're a bit late Rhoam," You smiled back at him, stopping a few feet away from him with the rest of the group behind you. "I had to give Link a pep talk before we came here. He's a bit nervous about his new responsibility."

"Link." Rhoam started, and the hylian knight stood straight, not knowing whether he needed to stay that way or kneel down. "You're going to do great tomorrow, we all know you will. I've seen your exceptional leadership skills, and I know you're going to have no trouble taking care of the tasks assigned to you tomorrow."

"Yes, your majesty." He dipped his head into a bow, and Rhoam did the same before he returned his attention back to you.

"Alright, here's the rewritten schedule for tomorrow. I made a few changes from the original, so I hope those don't affect the days following too much." You handed Rhoam the agenda you had written out, and he began to scan over it, trailing the tip of his pencil down with his eyes as he read each line.

The four champions behind you stood in place while they listened for Rhoam to confirm certain aspects of the schedule with them, and occasionally they would put in their input about a way to make the day go a bit smoother. Revali had plenty of ideas, as it was his insistence for you to take the day off.

Link remained where he was, listening carefully as well, but the most he would do was nod or simply agree. He tried to assure himself that he did just fine the day he had to handle half the day himself. But now not only was he handling his own tasks by himself, he had to take on some of yours too.

"By three in the afternoon, the champions will head off to their training with the scrolls, and Link will have a short meeting with you and all of the army captains." You explained, and Rhoam and the Champions agreed to your plan. Link nodded too, and you could see just how nervous he was getting. You reached out to place your hand on his shoulder, but that didn't seem to do much aside from him forcing a smile for you.

"_____," Zelda began, and you glanced over at her. "Where am I in the schedule?"

"Impa is going to take you to the Spring of Courage in the morning, and when you return in the late afternoon, you are going to go with Link to his teaching with the army at four." You told her, and she nodded without hesitance. Link listened still as you went through the end of the day, and then you and Rhoam recited it one last time to be sure.

"Once we're finished with the meeting, I will head to speak with Reeve Serlon, and Link will begin his teaching." Rhoam clarified, and you nodded, turning to Link to make sure he was listening. But he was staring at something behind him, completely distracted by whatever it was. "Link?"

"Huh? Oh, sorry, I was... where were we?" He asked, and you and Rhoam exchanged a worried look with each other before you both glanced back to the hero. "What?"