"Stop following me!" Zelda shrieked.

Faron blinked. Being the Princess' sworn guardian was proving harder than she thought, and not at all for the reasons she thought it would.

"Princess—"

"No!" Zelda cut her off, "Tell my Father I am not in need of protection! With any luck, he'll hear it better from you than he does from me."

"I doubt that," Faron said, her face hardly betraying her skepticism.

"Your doubts are not my concern," Zelda snapped back, "I can take care of myself."

"Princess—" Faron tried again.

"No! How many times must I say it?!" Zelda raged, "I. Don't. Need. Your. Protection!"

Faron relented, hoping her silence might assuage the angry Princess.

If I must become a mute in order to carry out my duties, so be it.

Zelda had turned her attention back to the inoperable terminal she had been studying, waving about the odd slate in her hands in an almost laughable manner. When she looked behind her to ascertain whether or not Faron had followed her orders, her face twisted in anger once more.

"Didn't you hear me?! I said—"

"All due respect, Princess," Faron interrupted, "But I'm here of my own will. If you want me to leave, you'll have to physically remove me."

Zelda seemed slightly taken aback by the issued challenge, her voice momentarily failing her.

Then, with an averted gaze and subdued tone, she asked, "Why...is this so important to you?"

Faron's eyes settled on the terminal behind Zelda, and after a moment, the Princess seemed to grasp her meaning.

"Oh...that. Well, that's important because—"

The royal's green eyes narrowed, dismay written across her face.

She tried again, "Because—"

"Princess Zelda!"

A vaguely familiar voice called from their right, turning both heads in its direction. The Zora Champion was approaching rapidly, her red corium reflecting the sun's rays strongly. Faron felt a twinge of uncertainty at the sight of her, recalling the events of her trial with the Master Sword.

I can't say for sure, but I could've sworn I felt her healing power in that moment. It's only a suspicion, of course, and she hardly has any reason to help me, so I don't have much cause to ask her about it. No...it'd be better that I wait and watch her closely.

"A scout told me you were wandering the highlands with your guard, but when you didn't come to call on me, I couldn't help myself—"

"It's all right, Mipha," Zelda assured her, "I should've informed you of my presence here, but I had hoped this little excursion of mine might ultimately escape my father's attention. Of course," she added, eyeing Faron pointedly with her hands on her hips, "My personal Champion has soundly ruined that plan."

Faron frowned but said nothing.

"Oh, don't blame Faron, Princess. She's only doing her duty."

Faron narrowed her eyes fractionally.

Why defend me? I'm near a total stranger to her. If the Princess has any quarrel with me, why should she care?

Zelda laughed gently, "You're so kind, Mipha. Shall we make our way to the Domain?"

Mipha nodded, her eyes landing on the inactive terminal.

"Have you made any progress?"

Zelda hung her head, "No."

The Zora placed a comforting hand on the Princess' arm.

"It's all right," she soothed, "I'm sure you'll figure it out eventually."

Zelda shook her head uneasily, "Eventually won't come soon enough."

They started the roundabout route to the Zora capital, Mipha and Zelda chatting amiably as they walked. Faron trailed a short ways behind them, listening partly to the conversation while keeping a sharp eye out.

"So how is Sidon?" Zelda asked.

"He is doing very well," Mipha said with warm enthusiasm, "He is nearly to the point where he can ascend large waterfalls on his own."

"You must be very proud."

Mipha paused before answering with soft sincerity, "I am."

Another brief moment of silence followed.

Then, "Do you have any siblings, Faron?"

Faron hastily pushed away the memories threatening to rise to the surface.

"I have no family," she answered stiffly.

Perhaps if mother had lived a few more years...and if she hadn't been so sick, I might've had a younger sibling. Faron's brow furrowed. And they would've suffered just like I did, perhaps more. No...it just wasn't meant to be.

She heard Mipha utter a quiet "Oh..." in response.

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Then Zelda took up the questioning in her stead, "Were you always alone?"

"No. Not always."

"If you don't mind me asking," Mipha said hesitantly, "Did you always dream of becoming a champion?"

Faron, growing tired of the interrogation, turned the question back.

"Did you?"

"Oh! Well...no. I never really believed something like this would happen. But I was happy to be of help."

"And are you always so free with your help?" Faron pressed, her eyes narrowing.

"Yes. Or, that is, I try to be."

Zelda looked like she wanted to interject but Faron forged ahead, asking, "Even when it puts you at risk?"

This time, the Princess succeeded in voicing her thoughts, "Surely you're no stranger to such things, Faron, considering—well, how determined you were to become a champion."

Faron's gaze broke away. Yes, she couldn't deny that. In retrospect, she hardly knew what had possessed her to ask the question in the first place.

She remembered herself standing in the forest, fingers gripping the pommel of the sword now strapped to her side. She recalled the terror coursing through her veins as she felt her very life siphoning away.

If she hadn't experienced that rush of newfound energy, would she have allowed her lifelong objective to slip through her fingers?

Would she have proven her father right?

Faron's hands involuntarily curled into fists. She could almost hear his voice screaming at her.

"You're WEAK, Faron. Do you want to end up like your mother?!"

"NO!" she'd shout back through her tears.

No... her mind echoed.

She had decided on that day to venture to new heights, to become great, the best even, so she would never have to fear disgrace, or perhaps even death itself, ever again.

"I know this role may call me to make great sacrifices," the Zora said suddenly, a gentle firmness underlining her words, "But I am prepared to give all that I have to play my part."

"Mipha..." Zelda murmured, brows furrowed in concern.

"That is our duty as champions," Mipha finished, her customary smile lighting her face with warmth, "Wouldn't you agree?"

Faron was struck by her resolve, unable to think of how to respond.

"Well," Zelda said, "Let us hope is does not come to—"

Faron instinctively tuned out the conversation as something else came to her attention.

It was a sense, an unshakable feeling that something was wrong. Her eyes swept the surrounding hills and peaks, searching for a source.

"Faron?" Zelda called, "Are you all right?"

Faron didn't answer, her gaze still probing.

Then she saw it, something cresting a nearby hill. She squinted, trying to make it out. Her hand hovered over the hilt of her sword. She saw horns rise into her line of sight, followed by a lanky creature with a dark hide.

Moblin, Faron thought, drawing her steel.

"Princess, RUN!" she shouted.

"But—"

"Go!" Mipha insisted, "We will be all right!"

The Princess hesitated a moment longer, then obeyed, racing for Zora's Domain.

"I'll bring back help!" she promised.

Faron's first assumption was that they wouldn't need it. But as a second moblin, accompanied by a gaggle of bokoblins, followed in the wake of the first, she felt a sliver of doubt.

She looked to Mipha, who offered a reassuring pledge, "I will fight alongside you!"

Faron gave a grim nod in response, planting her feet and watching the enemy approach at a lumbering pace.

Then the lynel appeared, sending horror spilling through Faron.

Lynels are lone creatures. Why would they travel with a hoarde?!

Faron's fright deepened as the sunlight illuminated the creature's mane.

It was silver.

That help had better arrive soon...

The first moblin had reached her by then, swinging a heavy club. Faron ducked and rolled, Mipha racing forward to slash at the enemy with her spear. She opened a gash across its chest, causing it to stumble back with a cry. Faron finished it off. The other bokoblins rushed them, Mipha giving ground so as to maintain the advantage of her long reach. Faron swung wide, slicing through three bokoblins at once. The remaining moblin roared, bringing its weapon smashing down. Faron barely caught the blow, her legs giving out. She landed flat on her back, the breath slamming out of her, but she held her sword steady, bracing the flat of it against the enemy's club. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Mipha spear another bokoblin before charging the last two.

Then a flash of light caught Faron's attention. Something was racing through the sky, headed straight for—

"Mipha!" Faron screamed, "The lynel is shooting at us!"

The Zora Champion's impressive speed allowed her to react in time, dodging the electrified arrows by a narrow margin. Faron tipped her blade, causing the moblin's weapon to strike the ground and allow her escape. She snapped upright before the creature could respond, slashing open its midsection before delivering a fatal stab to the gut. As the moblin teetered and began to fall, Faron thought she heard Mipha shout a warning. Then the moblin struck the turf, opening up Faron's line of vision. She saw immediately why Mipha had tried to warn her.

The lynel was barrelling toward her; it was practically on top of her. Faron threw her sword up, only just managing the block the incoming strike. The force of it catapulted her backward, causing the Master Sword to ring horribly. Faron was convinced any other sword would've snapped under the pressure.

She hit the ground, bone snapping under her. Faron screamed, her blade flying from her grip. The arm she'd landed on was in agony. And the lynel was circling back. Faron could feel its thundering hooves striking the earth, growing rapidly closer. Half blinded with pain, Faron looked to her sword. It was too far away. The lynel was too fast. As Faron looked up, wide-eyed, at the terrifying creature bearing down on her, time seemed to slow to a crawl.

Suddenly her father was standing over her, glaring down, arm raised to strike her. Faron's eyes burned with tears at the memory. She wanted to cry for her mother, but her mother wasn't there.

Someone should've protected her, but there was no one.

No one...

Silver flashed in the sunlight as Mipha's spear arced across the lynel's neck from behind, cutting deep and drawing blood. As the deadly creature reeled from the pain, Mipha struck again with unbelievable speed, very nearly freeing the lynel's head from its stubby neck. It crashed to the ground, dead.

Faron stared in shock, clutching her broken arm and breathing unsteadily. Mipha quickly assessed their surroundings to determine whether or not there were any other threats to worry about, then once she'd confirmed they were safe, she returned her weapon to its resting place upon her back and fixed her full attention on Faron.

"You're hurt!" she cried, racing forward and dropping to her knees beside her fellow champion.

She immediately set to work, her healing powers causing the maddening pain to slowly ebb. But Faron couldn't relax. She'd almost died. And her fear was still fresh.

But more shocking still was her overpowering sense of wonder. She couldn't help but stare at Mipha as she worked, the Zora glancing up to return her gaze every so often only to shyly drop her head once more.

"If you—if you don't mind," Mipha began uncertainly, "Might I have your answer to my...my question?"

Faron knew perfectly well what she was referring to, but she couldn't respond. She felt suddenly ashamed.

I never really knew what scared me more...the idea of being disgraced, or the idea of my own death.

Somehow, she still didn't know.

"Whenever my brother is frightened, I tell him: 'Sidon, fear will always be with us. But a hero...a hero will continue to fight despite that fear.'" She paused, ducking her head a little further. "You're...you're very brave, Faron. Because you keep fighting, even though you're afraid. And now—now you don't have to fight alone."

She lifted her head, her amber eyes brimming with unquestionable sincerity. It struck Faron for the first time just how beautiful those eyes were.

"I promise, as long as I am able," Mipha said, placing a hand over her heart, "I will protect you."

Faron's response surprised even herself.

"No," she said, shaking her head, "I promise to protect you."

Mipha blinked in evident astonishment, but her gentle smile quickly returned.

"Thank you," she murmured, focusing once more on her work.

It was clear in Faron's mind now. Mipha had saved her during the trial of the Master Sword. Faron had expected to feel indignant, furious even. After all, it was a confirmation of her failure, her inability to claim the sword through her own merit. But somehow she felt neither of those things.

For the first time in years, she felt a genuine sense of peace.