It had been 12 years since Link arrived in Equestria. He joined the Royal Guard at the age of 8, and being different, he was often met with teasing and bullying. Through his years, Navi the Fairy has been there by his side. As a favor, Celestia commissioned one of her designers to make a clothing type piece of under armor, to be worn between layers of clothing, also made by the designer. Since the guards' armor is a silver color, so was his outfit. The hat was Navi's idea, and the boots and metal plated leather gauntlets he wore were his own. As much as this weighed him down, it didn't stop him from being a proficient swordsman.

During one afternoon, he had the attention of everypony in his troop as he sparred with a captain of the royal guard, a white stallion named Shining Armor. Link knew him to be Twilight's brother, but going easy was a disrespect. This in mind, Link held nothing back as he took swing after swing at the levitated sword and shield wielded by the captain. Each met with either the thunk of the shield, or the crack of the sword.

The captain kept trying to hit Link in the shoulder, but was continuously obstructed by his shield. It'd gotten to the point where they blocked by attacking. He got a good hit in on Link's back. "Come on! Give me all you got Private!" he encouraged.

"Link! You've got to get in close. You're at a disadvantage at range!" Navi advised. Link responded by nodding slightly. At the moment, the best he could do was deflect. Navi's right. Captain is keeping me out here for a reason. If I could trap the sword, I might be able to get in close enough... he thought. Glancing to the captain, and seeing his defensive stance, Link struck the wooden opponent up and away, then ran towards Shining.

The captain backed up a step, but still ready. He brought the wooden shield in front of him. When Link got close, he used the shield as a spring board to get above the captain. With a cry, he brought the sword down mere inches from Shining's head. It would have connected, had he not stepped to the side. Link responded to it by turning around, and using his momentum to swing really hard against the captain's neck.

A sharp sizzling sound came from the end of Link's weapon as it collided with the captain's magic shield. "That was a close one. But look around you."

Link glanced to each side without turning his head. Around him were floating wooden swords, likely pulled from the other privates in attendance. He thought about raising his own barrier, having been taught one by Shining himself, but he knew it wouldn't be enough. Not against all of them. He got me. Didn't think he'd use it. Just to keep it fair, he thought. Stepping back, he sheathed his sword, and mounted his shield with ease.

"Match is over! Link fought hard, and might have beat me. If not for my shields." The captain gave the swords back to their owners. "Silver General! Why did I challenge this kid to a match he couldn't win?"

A light gray coated unicorn stepped forward. "To teach, Sir!"

"Elaborate, Private!" the captain ordered, turning toward him and stomping his hoof.

The unicorn took a short breath. "He fought a match destined to lose! Many lessons can be learned through failure! Who better to teach them than he who knows best, Sir!" he responded quickly, and fell in line.

"Outstanding." Shining turned once again to Link, with Navi on his shoulder.

"Sir, if I may speak freely..." Navi asked, and was replied to by a nod of the captain's head. "Why did you take weapons from the others? Were you not just saying how unwinnable the fight was for him? And would you have lost, if not for the magic shield?"

"Congratulations. You just earned him 40 push-ups." Link dropped to get started. Navi hung in the air. "I took their weapons as a resource. I could have used the ground, or some rocks, or even his own weapon, against him. I went easy. I couldn't lose, because I had a shield up. Only way around that, is through it. If not for that, I'd have done something else entirely, but not everypony is a captain, you understand."

Link finished, and rose to his feet. "Oh, ok..." She crawled back onto his head.

"Fall in line and think." He did so, a bit slower, having fought, lost, and been exhausted. "Tomorrow, you all will meet here at 0800. No need to wear your gear, just be cleaned and well fed. It's a big day for a select few of you. Eat up, hit the showers hard, and remember: Look your best for the Princess! Dismissed!" Shining Armor looked at Link as he walked away, head down a little.

Link hadn't lost many matches in his time at boot camp. Those he did, he learned from, and came back at to win. Humility of having been put in an unwinnable scenario, and finally losing to the captain, really put him in a rut.

~~~~~~~~~

Silver moved his knight. "Can I ask you something?" he asked, sitting across from Link in the mess hall. "Can you not talk at all?"

Link moved his bishop to a safer position. Navi was the first to respond. "He doesn't need to talk. He doesn't have to either. And it took you 3 years to ask that. Why the sudden interest?"

Silver looked up at the fairy. "It's just... I've never heard him do anything more than grunt, howl or battle cry. It got me wondering, is all," he replied, repositioning the other knight.

"Well... It's not like he can't make noise, but I think it's his personal choice. To be honest, I don't even think he's said a single word since I've known him. So either he's kept his voice to himself, or simply gave up on forming words." Navi flew around Link while responding.

"Personal choice, huh... Not even a 'Sir!' to the captain... Some guts you got, for sure." Silver continued his meal.

Link took a few moments to think, then moved his rook behind his knight. "If he could, I'm sure he would. Since he can't, he's stuck with me~" she said happily.

Silver looked at the board, and sat silently for a minute or so. Link took a look at him.

"How's your shield spell coming? I know you're not a unicorn, and it can't be easy having ten outputs instead of one." General moved a pawn, for lack of better strategy.

Link immediately took that pawn with a knight's move, ignoring the consequences. "Considering he learned it before joining, I'd say his growth is... on par with his practice. It follows the pattern of unicorn magic, definitely. He's been holding it up for 2 hours out of the day, just to improve. And it helps. Every time he puts it up, it gets a bit stronger."

A small gasp from Silver led Link to believe it was a bad move on his own part. "I wonder why he didn't use it against the captain, if it's as good and advanced as you claim."

"For fairness. It's a crutch he'll have to overcome sometime, I know. For now, he's still learning."

"I see... Well, Equestria isn't really a warring nation, but it's great to be prepared, against any kind of threat. Like an invasion, or mutiny, or stuff like that." He moved his first knight forward taking a pawn for himself. "Check."

An oversight... he might beat me again... Link thought.

"I have no doubt Link will be at the front line of any war that might come, be they Griffin or otherwise." Link moved his king out of danger, which left his rook to be taken.

"And while he's off being a hero, I'll be stuck in a tent. Let's face it, there's no way I'll pass tomorrow." He took the rook behind the knight.

"Oh come on. You're sure to pass. Just keep your chin up. Have faith in your skill." Link moved his queen, which was Princess Celestia on the board, to take the knight, but decided against it as doing so would put him in check.

Silver ate more. "Words of encouragement from a fairy no bigger than my burger."

Finally, he moved his bishop to a spot that it would be taken by the knight, while also unblocking the path to take it with his other bishop. "It's been known to happen." She flew over the board, to get a better look of it.

"Whether I pass or not, I do have to show up tomorrow. And whether I want to or not..."

Link reached over the table and patted him on the shoulder. "He means you should have faith too. He believes in you. And that you should believe in yourself."

Silver got up from his seat. "I'm sorry, I'll just turn in now..." he said, moving a piece and taking his bishop. "Checkmate. Thanks for the game. You are getting better, Link."

Link slumped back in his own seat, looking at the board. I lost again... he's something else. I've got to change my play a little... he thought.

"Hey, cheer up. There's a saying, 'you learn more from a defeat, than you do from a victory'. You take something from every encounter, and adapt to better handle it next time. You'll win..." She then added to herself. "eventually."

After Link finished his meal, he headed back to his bunk, got into his sleep wear, and got in bed. His hat served as Navi's bed, as she'd be squished in his.

~~~~~~~~~

The next day, at 0800 hours, the privates all gathered in 3 rows of 19 each. Link stood behind Silver, who was in the front row. Navi, perched on Link's hat, could see Shining perfectly as he marched back and forth in front of the formation. Armor kept looking up, towards the castle, in anticipation of the princess's arrival. He then turned to address them. "Alright. Good to see you all got your rest, and had enough time to eat. The princess should be along shortly. When she gets here, and you've gotten your certificate of completion, remember to bow, and stand at her side."

Navi whispers in Link's ear. "He sure is nervous. His sister is the princess's star pupil, why does he have to be formal?"

It wasn't 10 minutes later that Princess Celestia arrived by guard-drawn carriage. "Attention!" bellowed the captain. A few hoof scuffles and muttered noises later, everyone assumed the position. "You are in the presence of Princess Celestia of Equestria. You will give her your full attention and respect, or face latrine duty until Tartarus freezes over."

"I wouldn't go that far, Captain. These soldiers are well aware of their duties. In fact, I have their transfer papers here." Princess Celestia lifted a stack of envelopes out of the carriage and got them in front of her. "I'll read them off, then you can do the rest." Looking at the first one, "Private Hoofbeat."

A green coated unicorn stepped forward, received his letter, then stood at her side at attention. After a few more, Silver General heard his name called. He, too, joined the others at her side. A few more, and "Private Link and Companion Navi. Step forward." He did so, received his letter, then started walking, only to be stopped. "I want to congratulate you personally. You've faced more trials than any of the others. And still made it to the top. I'm proud of you."

Link looked at the princess, the only mother he can remember, with a smile, and walked by her side. A total of 17 names were called. "A great effort to those who remain, as I'll be needing your help. Regroup into lines of ten." The captain waited. "The soldiers in the front row, about face. Those you see are your team for the next two years. You will be squad leader because you were the closest of the 40 to graduating but didn't quite make it. Which makes you the most qualified, besides me, to do so."

While he was talking, Celestia turned to the graduates. "Congratulations, all of you. In your envelopes are your new locations. A train will leave Canterlot's 3rd district station for these locations in 3 days at noon. Be on it, or come back here. That will give you enough time to inform your families, say your goodbyes, and pack for your trips. I wish you all the best of luck... Be headstrong, and you will do fine."

With that, she boarded her transportation, and retreated to her castle. "Well done, Silver! I knew you'd pass!" Navi cheered. Link smiled and patted his back.

"Thanks you two. I wonder where they sent me... Eh, I'll find out when I get my stuff packed."

"Don't you want to know now?" Navi asked.

"Yeah, I guess..." He opened his envelope. "It says, 'Silver General. Private. Reassigned to: Desert Base. Province: San Palomino. Training: Tactical. Duration: 3 years.' ... The desert..."

"Eesh. Sounds like a bad move." Navi guessed.

"Not really. A heat barrier is taught to all trainees who are stationed there. Whether they use it or not... I don't know." Silver looked once more at his paper. "One thing is certain: it's not going to be easy. Ghastly Gorge is our route. Through the canyon, where monsters lurk."

"You sound scared, Silver. You've handled yourself in a fight against the top fighter here." Navi retorted. She heard Link give a cough. "Uhh, maybe not handled, exactly. Maybe... 'held your ground but still lost to' is a better description."

"Not scared, just... concerned..." he replied.

"Sorry to leave you like this, but we have to go get packed. Got a journey ahead of us, ourselves." Link nodded in agreement, then started walking back towards his bunk.

"Where'd she send you two?" Silver asked.

Link only shook his head, then kept walking. He opened his letter, and read to himself. Link and Navi. Private and Companion. Reassigned to: Undefined. Province: Undefined. Training: Teamwork. Duration: Indefinite. P.S.: Report tomorrow morning to Princess Celestia for your assignment. He was interrupted by the captain.

"Link... I know your assignment. Tell her hi for me, okay?" Shining asked.

Link looked at him with confusion, but nodded anyway.

At his room, he gathered a special made back-bag, with two pouches, one above the other. Starting with his clothes, he began. He finished with a picture of his "family", being Celestia, the mother, young Twilight, his sister, and Shining Armor, the big brother/private in the royal guard. Fond memories of his early years came back: reading beside Twilight in the library, failing a shield spell many times before succeeding, and one of his fondest, when he won his first ever sparring match against some unicorn mare. He carried his iron sword and metal shield on his back, and his bags slung over his right shoulder.

Silver walked in. "Oh... I thought you'd be out by now... Am I interrupting?"

"No, we were just heading out." Navi answered.

"Immediately? Why so soon? You have 3 days," he pressed.

"Our destination requires only one night to arrive." Navi defended, without leaking where it was.

"Ah, well. If you're ever in the desert, give me a shout." General started packing his belongings as Link and Navi left.

~~~~~~~~~

Tomorrow morning, in the throne room of the castle, Celestia had just raised the sun. "Good morning, Link and Navi. Sleep well, did you?"

"Indeed we did, Princess." Navi and Link took a knee in front of their ruler. "But I am concerned... why were you so vague in our reassignment? Was it so classified you couldn't tell us?"

"Nothing of the sort, young fairy. I simply wanted to give this order directly. No harm." She spoke softly. She's had to adjust to the mornings over the course of Link's first 5 years. "Link, you are to serve as your adopted sister's bodyguard. She leaves on a journey of her own tomorrow. You will keep her safe. It is unlikely, but possible, that you will need your weapons. In case you do... please, don't hurt the innocent. If found guilty of crimes against Twilight, then their punishment is governed by Twilight, not you. Now, this doesn't mean you're her maid, or butler, or anything like that. Follow your judgement, and you'll do fine."

"Princess," Navi started, "where is she now?"

"In her house in the city, doing research no doubt. Like you did before joining the royal guard boot camp."

Link rose to his feet, smiled, and turned for the door. "Thank you for this, princess. It has been years since we last saw our sister. It will be a nice surprise." Navi flew by Link as he left.

Having embarked on his journey to Twilight's house, Link contained his happiness of being able to see Twilight again. As well as Spike, who grew a bit since way back then. Link continued outside the castle, shield spell in effect until his arrival.

Author's Note

Headcanons: A "hoof" is 5 inches, so 48 hooves is 30 feet.

Thanks to CanaryInTheCoalMine, I've decided to update more frequently (when I get it done, not on monday), and to try to up the word count and fluctuate it so it's not the same with each chapter.

Edit: It shouldn't have been an issue in the first place, past me. Shame on you.