Impa had already broke down camp and destroyed all evidence they had ever been there. All there was now was waking Zelda something she had wanted to put off for as long as she could. Taking a deep breath she looked upon the young girls form. She looked sweet as she slept. She would say content. Just another youth away in a world of dreams. Nothing like the one who held the whole world's fate upon her shoulders. Reaching over and putting a hand on her shoulder Impa shook Zelda. "My Grace it's time to wake up and get moving."

Zelda yawned and stretched looking around. She smiled at Impa. "Good morning how did you sleep Impa?"

Truth is Impa was right she never had slept at all. If not only for the fact she stayed up all night watching over the sleeping form of the innocent, she also had too much on her mind. She had decided to put the sword hidden under her cloak. It was best she didn't add this to Zelda worries. She had altered the destiny of one of the chosen best not to tempt fate and risk doing it again. "Good morning my Grace I am in good spirits. How about you?"

"I wish we did not have to get going so early. I had been dreaming of Link." That last part had made a knot form in Impa's throat. "Did you see him in his Knight Uniform he was so handsome. Green really looks good on him" Zelda now turned to gaze directly into Impa's eyes. "Still did I have to treat him so cold? He seemed so sad when I left. I hope you really where able to inspire him."

It took every bit of Impa training not to react to Zelda words. "My grace the boy needs a goal to reach to something to make him the hero of legend. He should have slain everything in there and freed you before I had to do anything. He had been late and put your very life in danger."

Zelda let out the sweetest laugh. "You don't know Link very well. He has a way of winning when everything is against him. Once while knight commander Eagus and Link where sparring. Somehow Link had lost his grip on the sword and had it knocked out of his reach. Eagus held the sword to Link throat asking him to yield. Everyone but me had counted this as a lost. That's when with his bare hand he grabbed the blade and kicked for Eagus stomach. Eagus had gotten the wind knocked out of him. Link simply flipped the blade over and asked if Eagus yielded. The dumb boy spent a month with his hand wrapped while it healed but he won. That's why even in chains I knew I would be safe. Link when he wants something the goddess themselves could not stop him."

Impa had to admit with that story she was impressed not many would consider doing that with the harm it would bring on themselves even more so just to win a simply sparring match. Maybe there was more to this boy then she had though. "Your grace we need to return to Faron woods I have some unfinished business there. Come alone we have quite a walk ahead of us."

It had taken them more than half a day walking double time to back track to the wood but they were near the Hero now. Now what to do with the Goddess. Impa had been thinking about this since they started their travel. She had come to a plan it was not ideal but it would do for now. That's when Zelda had said something that had made every hair on Impa stand on end.

"It seems the old women from before is gone. I wonder where she went."

She had planned to Leave Zelda with the old women she didn't know why but she believe she would be safe here. The lack of her had shook her to her core for some reason like a vital peace was missing. It felt like the threads of fate and destiny themselves had started to unravel. Still she had to move on and create a new plan. Well there was only one thing she could think to do. "Uh yes you grace she most likely just stepped out come alone now. We must see some of your old friends."

She had at last been able to find a safeish place for the goddess among the Kikwi while it was true they were no fighters. They could hide like no else so if danger did come they might be able to sneak Zelda away before harm came to her but now she had to focus on other matters. Pulling out the Goddess blade she stared at it. "Any chance you have any more help you could provide." She was once again surprised when the steel maiden answered her.

"I have the ability to locate my master if you will draw the sword and when pointed in the right direction it will vibrate and glow indicating where to go." With that she returned to the sword.

Staring at the sword in surprise. "Hu your handy do you have a save the world and undo the last few days feature."

Once again she jumped out of the sword. "No." with that said she return to it.

Impa shrugged "it was worth a try." Drawing the sword she started her search. It only took few minutes with the help of the blade. Hearing the sounds of combat she charged a head only to be stopped dead in her tracks. There was the green clad youth beating a Bokoblin with an Iron Shield. She would had died laughing at the absurdity had everything not been in such a dire state.

Link smiled as he watched the enemy poof into nothing. "Who needs a sword when you have a smashing board?" Turning around he viewed the dark clad women who had taken the mantel of hero. "Oh it's you. Here to tell me that's not how you use a smashing board now?"

Impa stood there flabbergasted "Yes I mean no I mean that's not how you use a smashing board I mean shield. Well it worked so I guess it can be used that way." Taking a deep breath she started over. "Hello chosen one I see you have inventive ways of dealing with problems."

Link sighed as he placed the shield on his back and crossed his arms giving the black clad mistress the 1000 yard stare. "I'm not the chosen hero anymore I gave you that title and the sword. By your own admission I am unworthy of being called that remember? Just call me Link please."

With a nod of her head Impa responded. "As you wish Chos erm Link I guess it's only fair I give you something to call me."

Link quickly cut in. "Chosen Hero."

Impa shifted in place finding that response made her more uncomfortable then it should have. "Please no I will take guardian of the goddess if we must use titles but I would prefer Impa."

Link at last dropped his arm slowly he walked over to a tree and lean on it placing a foot upon the trunk and his hands behind his head but at least he seemed focus on her now. "So Impa chosen by the well chosen what brings you to this." Looking around while outstretching his arms. "Neck of the woods." At last placing them back behind his head.

Deciding that if she wanted him to really give her a chance she had to appear as a person not an authority figure she undid the cloak that hid her features and let it drop to the ground. Then Walked over and offered the sword back to its master. "I wish you to fulfill your destiny Link."

Link let out a laugh but unlike Zelda's sweet one his was cold with a cutting edge to it. Something you might hear from a tyrant before he strikes down a thorn in his side. "I'm thinking no I mean I simply came here to return this slingshot and then back to Skyloft. After this I don't even know if I want to be a knight. It does not seem worth it Zelda safe with you and now I don't need to go on this big quest where life and limb are in peril so you keep it go slay something with it."

With that Fi

Once more left her sword. "Master it is not this one destiny to fight this great evil. I was not created to serve her therefore you must take back the sword and forge on."

Shaking his head at her gave a simple smile to Fi. "No Fi you have a new master now. Serve her well."

Impa stood there speechless it had never occurred to her that the Chosen Hero might reject his fate. Everyone she knew including the hero whose soul now rested in this boy always forged ahead because of duty. It was just how things worked. She had fully well expect the hero to simply take the blade back because he was the chosen hero. Now she had to think of a way to make him take back the blade. She had thought about forcing him but in the end what would that accomplish? If she used force she might be injured and then unable to perform her duty. If she had won then the hero would be injured and less able to carry on with the challenges he now faced. Plus what would the spirit maiden do if she found out. She seemed to be protective of the lad. There was also the likely possibility that it would drive him into the arms of the enemy. She would take her own life before she would ever do such a thing and expected the same from others but things were different here. No she had to make a deal. "Hero I mean Link what if I took you to Zelda would you be willing to take up the sword then." That laugh the one she was growing to hate echo through the forest once more.

"You mean the women who after all I've done for her turned her back on me in the Earth Temple?" Link once again laughed. "Yeah I'd be happy to never have to gaze upon her again. So that going to be a no."

Once more this boy surprised her. How could anyone be angry with much less show open scorn for the girl she was so sweet even in this form. Did he know how much she had given up for the hero but it was not her place to tell him such things. There had to be a way.

Link at last pushed off the tree seeming to get ready to leave. "It simple Impa why would anyone want to bother with this?"

Impa smile maybe there was a way. "Well boy if you don't the worlds doomed everyone you know and love is dead. How's that for motivation you fight for your very life and those you love." She said it before thinking it through. She had called him boy in the most mocking way possible. Why by the goddess had she done that? Now she's give every Rupee and the clothes off her back to take it back but what was done was done.

Link turned to her a look of pure malice in his eye before they softened and a smile formed on his face. "Well then I guess we should all take this time and enjoy our last few moments on this plane of existence. Why waist even a second of it in battle? As far as family I didn't even know my parents. Let me explain something to you dear Impa. I go to what's called the Knights Academy Zelda a student there too. Did you know that most everyone there is alone? Yes it's true beside a few Zelda being one. Not many want the responsibly of a rescue knight. While yes people can apply for the most part. Everyone wants to feel safe but no one wants to take up the sword and fight for it. The academy offers us room and board in return we plead a life time of service. Those lucky enough to buy their way in can leave when they choose but not us. We serve tell at last we drop or become unable to serve. Even then some might be forced to become a teacher and such a servant to the people. That is tell you're all used up. That's what I have to look forward to being used a pawn for someone else. I though at least Zelda truly cared for me back then I would have faced the golden goddess themselves had she simply asked it. I was a fool she was just using me like everyone else like even you want to do it. So I state again what's in this for me. If I must be a pawn I wish to at least be a well-paid pawn."

There it was her ace she knew how to make him take up the sword. "I am from a tribe called the Sheikah and we have many mystic treasures. Do this thing and they are yours to do with as you please."

With that Link walked over to the sword and picked it up. "I guess we have a deal then."