A Princess's Problem.

The Underdogs.

Sidon's excitement couldn't be contained as they neared the small Sheikah settlement. Kakariko Village came closer as they drew nearer. Impa's grand house stood tall against the waterfall.

Link and Zelda got off their horses and lead them over to the staircase that led to Impa's home. The horses stayed by the fence, eating the apples that had been placed in bowls for them.

Sidon had never been outside the Domain and Kakariko Village was a major change in scenery. He was used to the glow of luminous stone, it would glow a luxurious blue at night. In Kakariko, they had small huts with straw roofing.

"Master Link," the guards nodded and let the three pass, "princess."

Link walked in front having been there often enough to know his way around. The great doors opened and out came a young girl dressed in Sheikah garb. Her hair was stark white and held in up in many buns and plats. She recoiled when she saw Link approaching, her cheeks going deep red.

"M-Master Link!" She squealed, hiding her face.

"Hello Paya." He rolled his eyes and sighed before smiling warmly.

Paya saw Link smile through the gaps in her fingers. In all his visits to her village, she had never seen him smile. In fact, he never showed emotions at all.

Finally, she forced herself to look away from Link and see who the others were. She rubbed her eyes again and again. Was that... The princess?

Her hands dropped to her side in awe as she gazed up the Princess of Hyrule for the first time. Her grandmother, Impa, had told her stories of Zelda and of how she used to look after her. Ever since Paya was little, Impa had talked about her. Now she was here and it almost felt magical.

"Paya?" Zelda cocked an eyebrow and looked at Link curiously.

"Impa's granddaughter." He waved it away and walked inside.

Zelda kept her eyebrow up as she stared at the young Sheikah. Paya had that dreamy look in her eyes as she looked at Link. The blush on her cheeks didn't fade until Link was out of view. Zelda knew she didn't need to be jealous, from the way the young girl had acted around Link, it was obvious she was too scared to talk to him about her feelings.

"Zelda...?" She snapped her head back and came back to reality as she heard the old voice, "Is that you...?"

"Impa?!" Zelda hurried inside and saw the old woman fully.

She sat atop a pile of cushions at the back of the room in front of an old tapestry. Her features were wrinkled with age and it appeared that she had shrunken over time.

***

"I can't accept this!" She squealed, hiding her face.

"Yes you can!"Zelda crossed her arm and couldn't help but smile at the Sheikah girl.

Paya kept shaking her head without stop. She just couldn't accept what Zelda was trying to give her. The Champion of the Sheikah? There had never been one before meaning she would be the first. Even then, a Champion? That meant she was basically the embassador for all the Sheikah people meaning she would have to travel and meet new people. She could barely talk to Link let alone entire groups of people whom she had never met before!

"I want to bring the Sheikah people and it's technology back into society! Who better to do that than you?" Zelda rolled her eyes and came to Paya's side, holding her head straight.

"You could ask Impa, or one of the elders, they have more experience with these sorts of things!" Paya looked down to her shoes before Zelda put her hand on her shin and force her to look into her eyes.

"Yes, the elders may have experience and history but I want you to be Champion-" she started.

"But I am no warrior! When grandmother tells me about the Champions of old, they were all proud warriors! I can't-" she started, tears welling up in her eyes but not yet falling.

"My father, the former king of Hyrule selected the old Champions. He wanted warriors. Me, I do not. I don't want warriors or soldiers. I want ordinary people." She smiled warmly, never leaving eye contact with Paya, "Impa may be older and wiser but you are special. You are my age... Technically," she added with a small laugh, "you have grown up in this world. You are more qualified than most because this is the only world you have known, therefore you know how it needs to improve. You will be able to bring the Sheikah into a new age!" Zelda stopped her speech and put her hands on Paya's shoulders to give her support.

Paya didn't know what to say. Was she really that special? Did she really have what it takes to be a Champion? Did the princess really hold her in such high status?

"Champion doesn't mean warrior, it just means to fight for what is right..." Zelda put in, letting her words sink in.

***

Zelda had decided to give Paya her Champion status in front of her grand house, outside in the open. She had been reluctant at first, with everyone looking at her. She had never been that comfortable on crowds.

Everybody clapped and cheered as the princess gave her announcement. Sidon and Link stood off the the side. The Zora prince had his signature toothy smile plastered on his face as he beamed at Paya. She went red and held her hands close to her chest in embarrassment.

"Well done... I am proud of you..." Impa croaked from Paya's side.

She was speaking to both Zelda and Paya. Like when Link had seen Sidon's championship, she felt proud that Zelda was taking action and coming to terms with a life as the ruler of Hyrule. Paya, her beautiful granddaughter was always such a shy thing, always sweet and silent, now she had an opportunity to come out of her shell.

"But, grandmother, I have not done anything..." Paya stammered.

"Not yet, but you will..." The old woman smiled.