Morning. As if Link wasn't annoyed enough by his midnight ride through Hyrule Field, he had to live with the sun glaring straight into his eyes.

I've had better mornings.

Link had only been to the large city in the center of Hyrule a couple of times. It was bustling and there was always something to do, but he just couldn't live with the noise of the place. There was always something to do... for everybody. So why wouldn't they do it during the night?

Link left his horse outside of the city gate. "Stay here," he told Epona. "I'll come get you later."

"Oh! Sir!" said a voice behind him. Link turned around to find a soldier nearing him and taking the reins of his horse. "Link, is it?"

"Yes," replied Link.

"I was given orders to take care of this for you, and direct you to our castle hall," said the soldier pulling Epona away. Of course, Epona was hesitant, not knowing what was going on. Link waved his hand implying it was alright to go with the soldier.

"Thank you," said Link. "I have a question though."

"What's that sir?" replied the soldier.

"Actually two questions," said Link. "What am I here for?"

"I'm sorry, sir," said the soldier. "I was also given orders not to speak of what you will be told in your scheduled meeting."

"Alriht," said Link.

"And what was your second question, sir?" asked the soldier.

"Why do you keep calling me 'sir?'"

The soldiers eyes widened, but he soon regained his composure.

"Please," said the soldier. "Head for the castle. Our Queen awaits you."

Link gave him an unusual look but finally complied. He walked through the city gates and the soldier walked away with Epona.

Loud. As expected. Children were playing through the streets, music was playing, shopkeepers were inviting shoppers into their stores. Excitement and noise everywhere.

Link walked up the street toward the castle. It was less noisy. Not quiet, of course, but it was calm. Soldiers guarded the gate to the bridge which lead to the entrance of Hyrule Castle. They saluted Link as he entered.

What is this? Link asked himself. Sirs? Salutes?

The large gate closed behind Link as he entered the castle's large garden. It was just as beautiful as it was when he had first arrived. There were no more battle towers or monsters to fight, which made it significantly more inviting. Mid-spring really gave its light on this courtyard. Flowers were in bloom and the trees had grown back their leaves.

Link entered the castle. Two more soldiers, each with a salute which they handed to Link.

The interior looked quite different than as it had when Link entered here the first time. Now there were actual stairways, not obstacles, that lead to the second floor. There was a throne, on which nobody was seated. Nobles and guards moved around the castle minding their own business. In the middle of it all stood a lone figure, not moving, not speaking, maintaining the same figure.

It was the messenger who Link had met in Ordon the day previously. The man was unusual. This was made apparent to Link when the man quickly walked toward Link without the man even having seen him.

"A pleasure to see you again," said the man with the same smile on his face. "Please, come with me."

"No," said Link.

"Excuse me," said the man with a more serious tone in his voice.

"I signed your damned papers and brought myself here. I want an answer to my questions," said Link confidently.

"In due time," said the man relaxed once more. "Now please, you must meet your queen."

Link let out an annoyed sigh and followed the messenger through a door, down a series of hallways, up a staircase, through some more hallways and another door. Through this door they walked up a winding staircase to the top of what seemed to be the main tower. The messenger opened the door, saluted Link, and invited him into the room.

"See," said Link. "That's my question. Why does everyone keep treating me-" And with that the door slammed shut and Link could hear the messenger walk back down the staircase.

Link looked around the room. He'd been here before. It was significantly darker the first time he'd seen it. Rather than dark curtains and a single small bed, there were violet curtains with a large bed covered in red sheets. A fireplace was on one side of the room which Link had not noticed before. Other ornate pieces of furniture filled the room. And Link noticed a figure looking out the window.

"Not much has changed, has it?" said the feminine voice. She turned around and looked into Link's eyes.

"My Queen," said Link bowing.

"Please," said Zelda. "Rise."

Link rose and looked into Zelda's face. She was right, not much had changed. She was beautiful, still. Her golden-brown hair was still braided on either side of her face, and was still worn straight and loose down her back. Link's attention was still drawn, however, to her clear, deep blue eyes. There was one odd feeling that Link sensed when he looked into her eyes. It didn't feel right, but he couldn't place his hands on it.

"I was given orders to meet you," said Link.

"Yes," said Zelda. "I have a request of you."

"And what would that be?" asked Link.

Zelda turned to look out the window once more. "Before I state my request, I think it better that you hear the long story."

"Alright," said Link.

"Please, take a seat."

Link accepted and took a seat on an ornate chair on the wrong side of a desk.

"Three years ago," began Zelda. "Our Senate had ordered a group of soldiers to head west into the desert at the top of Lake Hylia."

"Yes," said Link. "I've been there. What was the expedition for?"

"Originally it was an attempt to head further west and expand our borders. If we encountered any other people, we would attempt to either invite them into our nation or to set up some kind of agreement.”

“You encountered others?” asked Link. “When I was there the only thing I saw was sand and ghosts.”

“Over the walls,” said Zelda. “We met, we sent diplomats, and our result was… less than what we hoped for.”

“They refused?” asked Link.

“Worse,” said Zelda. “They killed our diplomats.”

“So what part do I play in this?” asked Link.

“Quick to the point,” smiled Zelda. “I hope you know that their actions are cause for war.”

“And…”

“And, because of your apparent experience in combat and your skill in the field, you’ve been made a commander, effective of your signing of our agreement.”

“What?” said Link, stunned by the unexpected honor.

Zelda’s expression didn’t change, that odd feeling arose in Link once more. “It won’t last long. Hopefully we’ll get this issue resolved with a little display of our force.”

“And,” said Link, “If it isn’t resolved?”

“Hopefully it won’t come to that,” said Zelda.

“To what?”

“War…”

Silence.

“You are to leave tomorrow morning,” said Zelda, she diverted her eyes from Link’s and turned to look out the window.

“But,” said Link. “Please, I have work, friends, family, home-”

“All of which you willed to relinquish by signing our agreement.”

“Those terms weren’t specified in the document.”

“You agreed not to view those terms as specified by the signing.”

“That isn’t fair!”

“If you’ve got a problem with it, then take it to the courts.”

“Please, your highness!”

“No more of this!”

“Please!”

Zelda looked into Link’s eyes once more. Link had a sense of pain that could be seen etched on his eyes. There was something in that village that mattered to him. An emotion welled up in her. She struggled to keep it down. Link noticed this struggle in her eyes. As she looked at him, her facial expression remained the same, but her eyes softened.

“I’m sorry,” said Zelda. “But you could be very useful to us.”

Link closed his eyes. “Of course,” said Link bowing, “for Hyrule.” Link rose and left the room.

Zelda quickly turned to face the back wall of the room. This, however, did not prevent Link from seeing a single tear slip out of the corner of her eye.

Link walked into the messenger once more.

“So how’d it go?”

Link glared at him. And he retracted.

“Alright, sir. I suggest we head down to the barracks first and-“

“There it is again,” said Link angrily. The two began walking downstairs to return to the entry hall.

“There is what, sir?” said the messenger.

“That sir!” said Link.

“Didn’t Our Queen tell you?”

“Tell me what?” said Link.

“You are to be the lead commander in the western front.”

“Come again?”

“You’re our wartime general.”

Link’s jaw dropped.

“Is that well enough reason for you being addressed by ‘sir?’”

“…yes,” said Link. It finally hit him.

“After having completed our first duties,” said the messenger. “You will have the rest of the day to complete any errands or personal business. Tomorrow, however, we leave in a contingent.”

“Soldier,” said Link.

“Yes General?” said the messenger.

“What’s your name and rank?” asked Link.

“Captain Davius Quin,” said the captain. “I am second in command under you.”

Link looked up at the ceiling. They were in the entry hall already. “Take me to the barracks.”

“Of course, sir.”