His Return

Prologue

Long ago, there was was once a captain like no other: beyond loyal, so skillful that legends say he made Hylia respect the Hylian Monarchs, and so silent that his blades did not disturb the birds chirping.

One day, however, on a dreary, ill-fated convoy protecting the princess, he went missing. There was reason to believe he was dead, for one of his swords laid in a puddle of blood. But his body was nowhere to be found.

Although, to this day, some still claim that they've seen him, whether it be his specter or an illusion, they claim that he has protected, attacked, and saved them. Whether or not it was ever really him, though, remains a mystery...

The tavern was lewd and loud and definitely not to her taste, but nevertheless, the cloaked stranger entered, undeterred by those who resided within, nor by the lustful looks those close to her gave her: alas, one would have to be close to her to snatch a revealing glimpse of her face. The bartender had been able to get close enough when she asked for a drink, preferably the most expensive one on the menu.

"Lookin' for a job, sweetie?" Cackled the burly overweight man, "'Cuz I know my girls wouldn't mind another dancer to perform with. Get the load off their chest, if you know what I mean."

In back, another cloaked person had noted the newcomer's arrival, and, for that matter, her interactions. It certainly wasn't too difficult to draw attention to the fact that this cloaked stranger was a girl, though from afar he couldn't see her face. He leaned back and grabbed his drink, continuing to analyze this girl.

The girl paid and her eyes glanced over the horizons of the room, abruptly resting on a lonesome man in back, wearing a black robes hoodie and drinking, with a sword by his side. She strode towards him and sat down in front of him, offering him her drink.

"I heard you're looking for a job?"

"Perhaps I am," said the man. "What do you need done?"

The woman tilted her head.

"What do you do?"

"Money talks, lady. I will do anything you ask supposing the price is right."

"Morals?"

"Not anymore."

"Good, because I need to win a war."

The man chuckled, "I'm no soldier."

"But what if you got everything back?"

The man stopped and put down his drink.

"What?" His tone of voice changed.

"Well, you said you'd do anything if the price was right. Well, I'll restore everything of yours, starting," she paused, pulling out Anthony's sword and dropping it onto the table, "with this."

Anthony's jaw dropped. Suddenly, his mind felt like it had slammed into a brick wall; memories rushed back, and he remembered the voice he heard just now.

Zelda dropped her hood, offering her hand. "I don't know why you left, but I'm ready to welcome you back to retake my kingdom. Come back to me and you can have anything from before and more, and given time, even what you had always truly desired most, before Denethor had taken it away. But that was so long ago, and it's something that won't come for many more years. Right now, I need you to help ease the tensions amongst my people. Because right now, there is fighting in the streets between so many factions, all aligned against the Royal Family."

Anthony wasn't sure how or what to do about this offer. It was all too much slamming him in the face. He didn't understand. "Why do you need me?"

Zelda sighed and shook her head. "It's far too much for me to explain simply. Regardless, I can explain on the way to Hyrule should you accept my offer to return."

Anthony thought for a few minutes, allowing for a tense silence to ensue. Finally, he answered.

"Very well."

And with that, he took to one knee and bowed for his princess.