Chapter Three: Rejection

Impa moved like a shadow, more out of habit than anything else; and if nothing else, it kept her reflexes trained and sharp. Constant vigilance, she reminded herself. It was the necessary consequence to preserve peace. A cold breeze blew past her, causing the infant to whimper in discomfort.

"Hush," she cooed softly, and drew him closer, tightening the swaddling clothes about his tiny frame. The baby returned to his dreamless sleep.

"Impa," called a questioning voice from the queen's bedchamber. "Is that you?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. I've brought a visitor with me; I was hoping to introduce the two of you," Impa could barely contain her excitement.

"A visitor?" The queen asked, opening her door. "Who?"

From the light which emanated from her bedchamber, Queen Zelda saw the bundle her former nursemaid carried in her arms.

"A baby?" She observed, with a tiny smile. She held her arms open; Impa transferred the infant to the queen's arms. There was a tiny whimper again, but otherwise Noah was silent. When Zelda held him close in her arms, only then did he open his eyes. The light reflected off them, revealing them to be scarlet in color.

Upon seeing this, Zelda's face became like granite. She knew what that meant; she gave her bodyguard a hurt expression.

"His name is Noah, Your Majesty," she said softly, her face wilting.

"Take him back," Zelda said in disgust. She held Noah out to Impa.

"Your Majesty," Impa began respectfully.

"Take him back," the queen snapped angrily.

Reluctantly, the Sheikah did as she was bidden, and accepted the baby again. Zelda strode over to her balcony, and leaned against the railing. Her body language suggested great anger, and that she was forcing herself to remain calm.

"How could you betray me, Impa," she asked icily. "I ordered you to send that-that horrible thing sent back to its creators, those spiteful beings in the spirit world. And yet, here you are, bearing it as though it was a real child, and you've even given it a name! Why?"

Impa chose her words with care: "I wanted to see you smile again, my queen," she said. "That is why I disobeyed. I thought that there might be another way to bring your beloved back, and that this child might have been the answer. I failed, yes, but I also could not bring myself to destroy the results of my failure either. I had hoped you might accept him regardless." She withheld the fact that the other sages had chosen to aid her; there was no point in bringing the queen's wrath down on their heads.

"I see," Zelda said coldly. She walked back into her chambers. "Then I have this to say: for your actions, and your disobedience I remove you from my service; however, the long service you, and your house have provided for me and mine cannot be overlooked: therefore, you may remain here, as a sign of my gratitude, if you so wish. As for the boy," she paused, nearly choking on the word, "he, too may remain here."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for this kind gesture," Impa only slightly inclined her head. "I know he will make a good son-"

"I said," Zelda interrupted, "he stays; that does not make him my son."

Again, Impa inclined her head, and with a sign from the queen, she took her leave.

For one who is supposed to be the example of wisdom and understanding you have behaved very foolishly, my queen, she thought as she departed for her quarters.