The princess had lost so many of her friends and so much of herself. After the Calamity had occurred, she became an empty shell of herself, driven by only the strong willpower she possessed. She was determined to see Link alive again, and to restore her kingdom. And she would stop at nothing to see both of those things done.

The pain she felt after the fresh loss was immense and almost unbearable. During those times, she had thought of doing horrible things, but she knew she had to be loyal to her kingdom. If she could not save it in time, she was going to try to fix all that was broken.

First, she stopped by Kakariko Village. She needed the advice and counsel of Lady Impa.

The kingdom had taken on a strange feeling in those few days she'd spent traveling; the skies were clear and blue and the land peaceful. It was as if the world had forgotten the tragedy that had just occurred. The princess had used her newly awakened power to keep Ganon at bay for a few days, but she had to hurry back to fight him off after that.

Trudging through Hyrule without Link at her side was a painful affair. She had become so used to his company that it was difficult to keep going. She wished that she had made the most of all of her time with him, and that she hadn't tried to push him away towards the beginning.

Nevertheless, she had no choice but to accept the truth, no matter how merciless it was. Her knight was gone, and she hadn't been able to save him in time. All she could do now was hold on in hopes of being reunited with him.

All she carried with her was Link's blue tunic and the legendary blade he once wielded. The princess had stopped several times just to sink to her knees and bury her face into the tunic. She would close her eyes, breathe in its scent, and picture him right next to her. Each time it felt like somebody was grabbing onto her heart tightly and squeezing it, suffocating her.

Eventually, she reached the Sheikah village. Zelda felt all eyes on her as she traipsed toward the house of Lady Impa.

The princess ascended up the large staircase and entered the building, kneeling before the Skeikah woman.

"Princess Zelda." She said, "I see you are alive. The goddess Hylia has shown some mercy, after all."

"Lady Impa, I seek your guidance. I have been lost and afraid since the Calamity." Impa looked to the ground.

"The path that follows is not an easy one. You must endure many hardships. But I am afraid I cannot help you. You will know what you must do in time." Zelda's face fell. The elder's assistance was her last hope. She tried to push the feeling of defeat back down and focus on other matters.

"Then, just tell me... is Link going to be alright?" Impa paused for a moment.

"The ancient technology being used is very reliable. So yes, he will wake up in one hundred years as he is supposed to. But he cannot keep everything. He will not be the same." Zelda felt a fear, cold as ice, welling up inside her body.

"What do you mean by that?"

"It is likely he will lose his memory." The princess gasped, covering her mouth to muffle a sob.

"No! That can't be..." Her eyes were glassy, shining with tears that she was trying to keep at bay.

"There may be a way to spark certain memories. Perhaps eventually he can be restored to his former self." Zelda stated at the floorboards in front of her, focused on keeping a brave face. "You must have faith in him, princess. I know that you do. Remember that." The princess nodded.

"Can you at least... give him this when he comes?" She asked, holding out the Champion's Tunic. Impa nodded, taking the garment. "Perhaps... perhaps that will help him to remember."

"You must go now, Princess. There is much more for you to do. Be strong, and may the Goddess bless you."

"Thank you, Lady Impa." Zelda sniffed, standing up. She abruptly turned and left, trying to focus her mind on the next destination.

~

As the princess continued to travel through her declining land, her heart sank. She could see almost everything past the rolling hills; this including the homes of the fallen Champions. Their people... they must resent me... When she turned back, she saw the ruins of the once magnificent Hyrule Castle. All she could picture was the image of her father, the father that she could not save. The thought of him pierced her heart like thousands of daggers. All I've ever done was failed him. And now it's too late.

She was left with nothing. No home, no friends, and no family. The one person left for her was trapped in a dark chamber, nearly dead and doomed to sleep for the next hundred years.

Eventually, she reached Great Hyrule Forest. She gazed at the weak, wilting trees that stood before her. The mist swirled around them, shrouding the area in mystery and striking fear into her heart. The memories of her first trip there came rushing back into her mind. She had been so cold, so alone, so scared. And it was Link who had rescued her.

Now, though, he wasn't there. He wasn't going to show up. It was up to the princess to face it alone. But, she had to do it. For him and for her kingdom. The princess looked down at the sword that she held and spoke to it, feeling an otherworldly connection to her knight.

"I'm going to take you home." Taking a deep breath, she took a step into the cold fog. Ignoring the chill and fright she felt, she marched onward, driven by one purpose alone.

Something about Zelda had changed. She hardly felt any fear at all; she was too focused on the task at hand. She knew nothing else would matter if Link weren't saved.

Within a few hours she somehow found herself in a clearing. There was no more fog, and the sun was shining on everything around her. She was surrounded by bright green trees, and everywhere she looked there was a Korok poking his little head out from behind a leaf.

A sudden tranquility swept over her as she felt the sun tingling on her skin and listened to the quiet sounds of the forest. She heard Impa's calming words playing over in her mind. You must have faith in him, princess. I know that you do. Remember that.

When he finally woke up, he would come for her. She was confident in that. Zelda nearly smiled, imagining the day that they were reunited. She knelt on the ground, looking at the sword bound to her hero's soul.

"Your master will come for you. Until then, you shall rest safely here... Although the Slumber of Restoration will most certainly deprive him of his memories, please trust me when I say that I know he will arrive before you yet again." She closed her eyes, feeling calm.

"If I may be so bold... what is it that you are planning to do next, Princess?" She heard a deep voice speak. Zelda looked up to see the Great Deku Tree speaking to her. She stood up, not tearing her gaze from the spirit in front of her.

The princess reflected on his question for a moment. Impa had told her she would know what to do, but she still wasn't sure. She closed her eyes, trying to think. As she concentrated, she heard the ancient voice once again.

Suddenly, she understood what had to be done. The Sheikah elder was right; the path was going to be difficult. The next hundred years would be agonizing. But it was the only way.

"The Master Sword... I heard it speak to me.. It seems that my role is unfinished: there is still something I must do." Everything she was about to do; it would all be worth it. To be safe with him, forever. For this all to be over...

"I sense there is great strength in your dedication." He said. His words reached out to her and filled her with hope. Her emotions getting the best of her, she decided that she wanted Link to be told how she felt. Even if he wouldn't remember, she wanted him to know...

"Great Deku Tree, I ask of you, when he returns, can you please relay this message... Tell him I--"

"Now, then... Words intended for him would sound much better in the tones of your voice, don't you think?" Zelda smiled, clasping her hands together. She imagined being held by him once more and finally being able to say all of the words that he needed to hear again. Helping them start over. It would be difficult, but she was willing to do it for him. She would do anything to be with him again.

"Yes." She breathed, thinking about that day. After a moment of her daydreaming, she turned back to the sword. It was rusty, chipped, and beaten down. Just looking at it reminded her of the awful tragedy that had befallen the sword and its master. Swallowing those painful memories down, she reminded herself that it would all be okay in the end. Now, it was time to put the blade to rest, just as Link was.

She grabbed it by the hilt, holding it above the pedestal. The princess closed her eyes, letting thoughts of her knight consume her. Then, she carefully put it in its place, hesitant to finish the task. Let it heal, she told herself. Before she could think any more, she shoved the sword in the rest of the way, a sudden blue light illuminating the blade.

And just like that, the task was done. Now, the only one who could wield the sword again would be Link. The princess had complete faith in him; she knew that he would come for it. After all, he may have lost his memories, but his courage could never be forgotten.

~

Since the sword was returned, there was only one thing left for the princess to do. As she crossed Central Hyrule, she stared at the giant castle, infested with Malice and the Beast itself. That was where she was going to spend the next hundred years of her life. It was terrifying, but it was what was right. She would fight that monstrosity until she died, and there was no changing her mind.

She arrived at the castle, staring down the pure evil festering before her. It was her duty to face this alone, no matter how atrocious this was. It was in the hands of her and Link now. And she was tired of letting people down. This time, she'd prove them wrong.

Zelda prepared herself for the hundred year fight.

"Link." She raised her hand, summoning the divine power. "You are our final hope. The fate of Hyrule rests with you!"

And thus, the battle began.

~

A/N- all done!!! Hope you all liked it!! I'm gonna upload the first chapter of my sequel immediately after this so check my page ;)

Thank you for the support!