Mira opened the front door of her home to find her mother at the sink and Carter nowhere in sight. Her mother turned at the sound of the creaking door and gave Mira a questioning look. "Home so soon? Didn't classes start less than an hour ago?"

Mira entered the room closing the door behind her then took a seat at the table. "The academy has given me a high honor.." She began. Her mother sat down across from Mira at the small table as she dryed her hands on a towel.

"I along with two others have been selected to go on a quest." She said.

"A quest?" Her mother asked. Mira nodded in confirmation. "What kind of quest?"

"It wasn't really specified, but I'm going to be traveling all over. Through Faron Woods, Kakariko Village, The Goron's Domain, and even The Zora's Kingdom. It's like a dream come true." Mira said giving her mother a small reassuring smile.

Her mother smiled back and stood, pulling Mira into a great big hug. "This is great to hear Mira! I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks, mom." Mira said into her mom's shoulder. The embrace was warm. She'd definitely miss her mother's hugs.

"When do you leave?" Her mother asked breaking the embrace. "Tonight." Mira muttered quietly. She looked up from her feet and saw her mother's beaming smile faulter slightly. "Tonight? So soon?"

"Yes, unfortunately so. Right after sun down I have to leave." Mira said. "Couldn't it be in a few days? Surely they can give you a few more days right? Must you go Mira?" Her mother questioned rapidly. She fell back down into the chair.

Mira quickly blinked away the tears developing in her eyes and took a deep breath. She knelt down next to her mom, tucking a strand of her chestnut colored hair that had fallen into her face. Her mother was beautiful, but just now she saw the worry lines on her mothers face. The years were starting to catch up with her.

"Mom, we both knew this day would come at some point. This is my dream. Another opportunity like this quest won't come around. I need to do this." She said putting as much confidence as she could muster into her voice. Inside she was just as scared as her mother, but she needed to sound confident. Her mother needed to know that it was okay.

Her mom reached over and placed a hand on Mira's cheek. "I know..." She whispered. "Just after your father...." She trailed off. Mira nodded letting her know that she understood. She didn't want to make her mom finish that sentence.

"It's just a quest." Mira lied. She knew it was so much more than that. "It's not like it's an actual war or anything. I'll be fine, I promise."

Her mother smiled slightly. "I know, but you know me. I worry too much." Her mother laughed slightly now and wiped the tears from her face. "I'm sorry. I'm being so selfish. This is a happy day, we should be celebrating!"

Mira laughed too. She stood and helped her mother up from her chair. "I'll make pumpkin hazel soup and black berry pie for dessert! Your favorite." Her mother said with a smile.

"Anything I can do to help?" Mira asked as her mother headed back towards the sink. "Go find Carter and tell him the good news." She called back. Mira frowned slightly. She'd miss Carter so much..

"I'll be back soon!" She said as she headed for the door.

"You two better not be late for dinner! It's going to be scrumptious." Her mother yelled after her before she closed the door.

She headed down the steps and towards the stream. Carter liked to hangout there sometimes.

Sure enough, there he was sitting in the grass next to the stream. He had a sketch pad in his lap and was drawing something with a charcoal pencil. Shadow, the black cat that Carter liked to hang out with sat at the edge looking for fish.

Mira plopped down in the grass next to him. Shadow came over and settled in her lap. She ran her hand over the soft fur of the little kitty and studied Carter's latest sketch. Once again she was amazed at the pure beauty of it.

It portrayed the stream with perfect detail. She could see some buildings in the distance and the trees. He had begun to shade some of the objects making them come to life. "Wow, that's really good Car. As usual."

He glanced up at her and gave her a small smile. "Thanks Mi. Why aren't you at your precious academy?" He asked returning to shading his drawing.

"That's what I'm here to talk to you about." She began. "I've been asked to go on a really big quest with a few other students."

Carter stopped shading and looked up at her. "That's great Mi! Sounds like you're finally getting your wish."

Mira nodded and smiled. "The thing is.." Her smile fell. "I'm leaving tonight Car." He frowned. "Tonight? How long will you be gone?"

"I honestly don't know...it could be a few days or a few weeks." She explained quietly. "Weeks?!" Carter exclaimed. He threw his sketchbook and pencil on the ground. "What are mom and I supposed to do with out you around huh? Are we just supposed to starve to death? And what if you die out there? Just like dad!" Tears began pouring out of his eyes.

Mira quickly stood making Shadow scurry away. "Carter! Please listen! I'm sorry, but I--"

"Save it!" Carter interrupted. "How can you be so selfish..." He turned and ran off. Mira was just about to chase after him, but hesitated. Was she just being selfish? He was sort of right in some ways. She was a big part of the support system for her family. On the other hand, what about the whole kingdom? If she didn't do this quest, maybe everyone would be endangered.

She would make sure that her family would be well taken care of while she was away. Mira was positive now; she had to do the quest. Carter would understand. She needed to find him.

She walked on towards the woods, over one of her favorite trails. The path was very familiar, she had walked it many times before.

The summer air carried a light breeze surrounding her senses. She paused to inhale deeply and looked up at the trees. It would be hard to say goodbye to this place, but it wouldn't be forever.

Part of her was terrified that they would fail the journey and would never return to Chalice, but thinking like that would get her nowhere. It would be fine. If worse came to worse, they would just return home empty handed and leave it to the professionals to find Princess Zelda and figure out what was going on.

Mira spotted Carter near a small waterfall that fed into the stream. He was trying to skip rocks in the water, but was throwing the rocks way to hard. All of them sank with a splash. This seemed to make him even more frustrated.

She approached him quietly and stopped a good three feet away. "Carter.."

He looked up quickly. He didn't seem much surprised to see her, but rather angry.

"Just leave me alone Mira. I don't feel like talking to you right now." He muttered as he threw another rock roughly into the water.

Mira walked over and sat down next to him. "I know this is going to be hard," She started, ignoring her brother's wishes. "but this is something I have to do."

"Carter, this is my dream. It has been since...dad passed away."

Carter looked up at her, his large eyes filled with tears. "Why so soon? Why now? I'm not ready to lose you."

She sighed deeply. She could feel a large lump of emotion growing in her throat. "You aren't going to lose me, okay? I'll be back when it's all over."

"You don't know that. Anything could happen out there, you could be killed or lost, or injured beyond treatment." Her brother argued.

His older sister, the only sibling he had, placed her arm comfortingly over his shoulders and pulled him in close. "Can I tell you a secret Carter?" She whispered.

"Sure." He replied, his voice came out in a hoarse whisper. "If I tell you, you have to promise me that you won't tell anyone. Not even mom, or Danny, or any of your other friends." Mira whispered sternly.

Now Carter looked up at her questioningly, sensing the importance of the secret she was about to share. He swallowed loudly, "I promise."

"This is more than just a quest, like I told mom. It's an important mission given to me by the head of the Hylian army himself."

Carter gasped at this part. "He spoke to you in person?"

Mira nodded then continued, "Doyle told me that the whole army is brainwashed except for a few. Apparently there's some evil force pretending to be Princess Zelda and the real one is missing. He gave me and two other students from the academy this mission. We must find the princess and figure out what's happening."

Carter stared up at her. "Wow. Is this really possible?"

"It must be. Now do you understand why I have to go? Why I have to go tonight?" She asked him.

He nodded his head slowly. "There isn't a better knight in all of Hyrule to take on this mission."

She wrapped him in her arms tightly, tears streaming from her eyes. He couldn't have said anything sweeter, or more meaningful to her than these words.

"I love you so much." She whispered.

"I love you too, Mi. I know you can do this." He replied pulling out of their embrace and looking her straight in the eyes.

She wiped her tears from her cheeks and stood, pulling him up with her. "Shall we head back home?"

"Yeah." He nodded, a small smile entering his features.

They headed back along the path towards the small hut they knew as home.

"You know, it's still early morning. What do ya say to some fun?" She asked smiling down on the little boy she loved with all her heart.

"You bet!" He exclaimed excitedly.

She headed inside to change her clothes before they headed out. She and Carter didn't get to spend many days together. Most of her free time was spent helping out her mom.

"Let's go." She said to him and she came back dressed in a swim suit with casual clothes worn over. Carter had also changed into more fitting attire.

They headed out to the lake. On their way there they ran into Carter's best friend Danny. Carter invited him to come along and so the three of them headed to the lake where they stripped down to their swim wear and jumped in.

They swam around and jumped from the short cliffs that lined part of the lake. Mira couldn't deny that she was having an amazing time.

The last time she had this much fun in the lake was six years ago, just before her father passed away. She was playing with Lana, Gemma, and her father in the lake. They stayed out for hours and she ended up with one of the worst sun burns she had ever gotten in her life. Still, it was so much fun.

Thinking about her father made her chest ache. Just then Carter jumped on her back dunking her under water and washing the thoughts of her late father from her mind.

She resurfaced throwing him off her back. He began to swim away in a fit of laughter. "That was a mistake." She shouted, laughing herself as she began to swim after him.

He reached Danny's side and they both began to splash water towards her in attempts to stop her from advancing.

She dove under the water and continued to swim toward Carter's legs. Before he could react, she came up from under, scooping his legs and lifting him from the water.

He screamed as she threw him lightly. He plunked into the water with a loud splash a few feet away.

It continued like this for another hour or so, the Whelan siblings and Danny having a blast. They decided to get out and have a lunch break, ending the lake fun.

After lunch Mira continued to have fun with her little brother. Lana and Gemma joined them once school was out.

"A quest?! Tonight?" Gemma exclaimed hysterically.

Mira nodded. The trio of best friends sat on Mira's porch, watching Carter and Danny sword fight with sticks a couple of yards away.

"This is great, Mira." Lana said quietly. "Isn't it?"

"I just wish you didn't have to leave so soon." Gemma added.

Mira nodded in agreement. "I know, believe me. I wish I didn't have to leave so soon either." She looked down into her lap sadly.

Lana patted her back comfortingly. "This is your dream Mira. So what you'll be gone for a few days or weeks. I bet you'll have a great time."

"Plus you'll have some company right? Didn't you mention other students going?" Gemma asked.

"Yeah. Link Animus and Conan Redmond will be going with me as well." Mira said.

Her best friends stared at her wide eyed and open mouthed.

"Uh oh." Mira muttered, quickly putting her hands over her ears.

She was just in time as Gemma let out a loud shriek.

"YOU'RE GOING ON A QUEST WITH CONAN REDMOND? AS IN YOU'LL BE IN HIS PRESENCE 24/7 FOR MULTIPLE DAYS SLASH WEEKS??!!"

Mira winced as Gemma practically blew out one of her ear drums. "Yes." She replied quietly.

This time Gemma and Lana shrieked in unison.

"YOU'RE SO LUCKY!" Lana screamed. The door opened behind them and out stepped Mira's mother. "What's all the racket?"

"Oh it's noth--" Mira began to answer before she was cut off by her friends. "MIRA IS GOING ON A QUEST WITH CONAN REDMOND." Gemma exclaimed followed by Lana who yelled, "SHE'LL BE SPENDING MULTIPLE DAYS SLASH WEEKS WITH THE HOTTEST GUY IN CHALICE."

"Conan Redmond?" Mira's mother asked? "What a sweet boy he is. And he's so suitable for you, don't you think Mira?" She practically swooned.

Mira's expression filled with annoyance and slight disgust. "No mom, he isn't suitable for me." She said flatly.

"Of course he is dear. He's so good with a sword and so handsome too." Her mother cooed dreamily.

"Mother, please." Mira said irritably. "Just go back inside and finish dinner."

"I was just saying, no need to get so moody." Her mother said with a cheeky grin. "Gemma and Lana, won't you join us for dinner?"

"Sure thing Mrs. Whelan." They replied in unison.

After Mira's mother headed back inside she plopped down with an exhausted sigh. "Me and Conan? As if."

"C'mon Mira. What's wrong with giving the guy a chance? I mean you'll be spending so much time with him." Lana said.

"And you guys both like swords. And you're both attractive people. Perfectly compatible if you ask me." Gemma said with a matter of fact tone.

Mira just shook her head. "You guys are ridiculous."

She then began to chuckle slightly. It soon turned into full out laughter. Lana and Gemma couldn't stop themselves from joining in.

After a few minutes they finally settled down. "I love you guys." Mira whispered quietly.

"We love you too." Lana replied putting an arm around her.

"We're gonna miss you a lot." Gemma said putting an arm around her as well. Mira pulled both of them into a hug. She couldn't have asked for better best friends.

Her mother called them in for dinner. They all sat around the table laughing and enjoying the delicious meal. The conversation was light without a single mention of Mira's quest.

After dinner Mira helped her mother with dishes then headed up to her room. She changed into a simple work outfit; white leggings, a red skirt, a long sleeve white shirt, a brown-red vest, and brown-red boots. She wore a black belt around her waist that held the scabbard to her sword. Over the outfit she wore a long brown cloak to hide her face and sword. They were supposed to appear as normal merchants after all.

She grabbed a large leather bag and quickly packed away a few extra outfits, her dagger, a pocket knife that had multiple useful tools on it, a small sewing kit, a first aid kit, a brush along with a few hygiene items, all the rupees she owned, her journal, quill, and ink, the sling shot her brother had made for her, and the two health potions she owned.

She turned to the frame on her bed side table and pulled the picture out of it. The picture held one of her favorite memories. It was a long time ago, when her father was still around. They were having a barbecue at her house. In the picture her father stood with one arm around her mother who was holding a baby Carter and his other hand was placed on top of a young Mira's head. She had one arm around his hip and her other over Lana's shoulder, who had an arm around Mira and an arm around Gemma. Everyone in the picture was smiling brightly. Even Carter, just around one years old, was smiling.

The picture was very dear to her. It held all the people she cared about most. She placed it on top of everything in the bag and closed it up.

She glanced out the window to see that the sun was beginning to set. She headed downstairs where her mother, Carter, Lana, and Gemma stood waiting for her.

Together the five of them walked through town to the main gate that guarded Chalice.

Link was there, speaking with a cute little old woman. Conan was there as well. He hugged his mother and father then walked over to a beautiful blonde girl. They began to make out messily, making Mira look away uncomfortably.

Instructor Hillark stood next to a covered wagon with an ox attached. The wagon was fairly small, but it looked like a regular traveling merchant's wagon.

She walked over and placed her bag in the wagon. She looked around and saw a few barrels, giant burlap sacks, and crates. Another duffel bag was already in there, she assumed it was Link or Conan's.

Instructor Hillark gave her a nod. "It's time to say goodbye."

She swallowed down a lump as she walked back to her family. She hugged her friends, "Good luck." Lana whispered. "We'll miss you." Gemma said.

Then she walked over to her mother who held her tightly then pulled back to look at her. "I can't believe how fast you've grown up. You're so strong and beautiful." She brushed Mira's hair behind her ear. "I love you."

"I love you too, mom." Mira whispered, releasing a sob and pulling her mother back into a hug. "Don't you worry about us, we'll be just fine." Her mother whispered in her ear.

Mira nodded then headed over to her little brother. She kneeled down to his height and looked him in the eyes. She placed a hand on his cheek. "Take care of mom for me okay? And make me some of those drawings of yours for me to come home to."

Carter nodded and pulled her into a hug. "Save the Princess for us, Mi." He whispered so nobody else could hear. She nodded letting out another sob.

"I will. I'll bring you back some souvenirs from all the places I go, okay?"

"Okay." Carter answered.

"It's time." Instructor Hillark said gesturing to the setting sun. Mira stood and looked over her best friends who were practically sisters, her mother, and her brother.

"I love you all. I'll be back soon." She said.

"And we love you." Lana said. "We'll be waiting for your return." Gemma added.

"Make sure to send us letters at every place with a mailbox." Her mother said.

"You can do it." Carter said winking at her. She winked back at him.

Then she turned away and started walking toward the wagon. Link was hugging the old woman, then headed over. The blondie gave Conan one last longing kiss before he pulled away.