Fight of the Champions

Chapter One - Link

Today was a very important day for the Kingdom of Hyrule. It had been 20 years since the defeat of Ganondorf, 20 years of peace, 20 years since the Chief of the Gerudo had died, but also 1000 years since the final defeat of Calamity Ganon, and — Link looked over at Zelda — 10 years since he had married and become King of Hyrule. It was strange, having that title, especially since he didn't do anything, he only really assisted Zelda and advised her sometimes. It was strange being the King because of his origins. He wasn't royalty of any kind, his only connection to the Castle growing up was through his father — he was a knight — and Link barely even got to see him before he and his mother vanished. No, Link wasn't a knight or any kind of royalty, he had grown up an Apple Farmer with his uncle in West Necluda.

But regardless, this was where he was now, and today was a very important day. Link rolled out of bed quietly, careful not to wake Zelda, and left their room. Almost immediately a small blonde haired little girl, freckles scattered over her nose and cheeks, raced down the halls of Hyrule straight for him. A smile spread wide across Link's face.

"Papa!" this kid said as she approached, Link bent down and plucked her from the floor, she giggled and Link walked down the halls towards the kitchen.

"What are you doing up so early?" Link asked his daughter,

"I wanted to have a honied apple but no one would let me!" the girl whined, "But you'll make me an apple, right!"

Link grinned, honied apples were his specialty, it was what he always wanted growing up.

The Kitchens weren't too far away. Link knew that path almost by heart, he would sneak to the kitchens for a midnight snack almost every night. His daughter, tried to come every night too, but a few years ago Zelda got upset after she had a crepe every night before going to bed. She had obviously inherited Link's love of food.

After only a minute or so, Link set his daughter on the ground and she raced through the Kitchen doors. He crossed behind the cooking pot and looked at her.

"Now, Zariah, how would you like your honied apple?"

Zariah giggled, "Crispy, as always!"

Link smiled and threw an apple and honey into the pot, lit the fire beneath and they watched as it jumped around in the greases. Once it all came together, he took it off the pot and served it up to Zariah, she grinned, took a big bite of it, and he could see the pure bliss on her young face. Then he threw in another apple with some honey and they watched it cook again until the both of them sat there in the kitchen, eating their apples.

It didn't take too long for them to be caught. In this case, it was Zelda, walking into the room with crazed long hair and a blue nightgown. She placed her hands on her hips and shook her head, smiling at the two of them.

"I will never understand you two with your apples," she grinned.

"I can make you one," Link offered.

"No," she sighed, running a hand through her hair, "No, it's about time we get ready for the celebrations today,"

Link and Zariah looked at each other and then back at Zelda with a look that obviously said "do we have to?" And she responded with a look that said "yes."

Some of them more begrudgingly than the other, they left the kitchen and returned to their room. Almost immediately upon entering their room, Zelda got to work, picking out a beautiful looking blue dress. Link in the meantime got ready in a much faster way. He was done with everything after only thirty or twenty minutes whereas Zelda was just starting her three hour routine.

Link felt weird, dressed in the Royal garb worn by centuries of Hyrulian kings. It was a white tunic, white pants, and a blue and gold frock coat that almost seemed to bury him. He had a golden crown on his head that only ever made him feel even more awkward and he completely ignored the large belt that went with the outfit. Instead he used his usual belt for when he walked around in his champion's tunic, nice, simple, and he had the Master Sword sheathed on his back. He tied his long dark blonde hair up, as usual, and his beard was freshly groomed.