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By the time we got to Kakariko the moon had been leering at us for a few hours, sending a chill through my spine at the way it seemed to follow us. I almost expected it to turn red at any moment.

"Your Highness, we've arrived." I gently tapped her shoulder and she opened her eyes, yawning she climbed off Epona, pulling the hood I gave her closer around her face.

"Good. Let's go then." Following my lead we walked up to the guards, I simply nodded my head towards Dorian and he nodded in return, allowing us passage without a word. Closing the door behind us I cleared my throat.

"Impa, I've returned." Opening her frail eyes in the tiniest of cracks they all but jumped off her skull at the sight of the princess at my side.

"Can it be!?" she placed a hand over her heart. "Princess?" her raspy voice whispered with urgency.

"Yes!" she yanked the hood of her head and practically threw herself at the small old lady.

"Oh ho ho! Come here my child." embracing the princess tears began to trickle down the old lady's face. "Oh May the goddesses bless you boy! Bless you…" I stood with my hands at my belt in silence and smiled. Seeing Impa so happy gave me a feeling of accomplishment. Backing away slowly I bowed my head and returned to the porch. Leaning my back against the wall I looked out into the village, the soft chirping of the nights crickets filled my ears with their simple yet beautiful songs.

'I wonder if the princess will tell Impa about her night terrors…' I closed my eyes, images of what had unfurled the night before ghosting across my lids. I've never heard her voice sound so...helpless...even when fighting the Calamity...she was so strong and determined.'

"Boy, come back in here." I re-entered the room quickly and walked up to where the princess was now sitting with her head in Impas lap.

"Thank you for bringing this child back to us...to me." The smile that graced Impa's lips were everything a mother's loving gaze would be. From what I could remember and through the tales Impa has shared she had filled in the place of mother in the princess's heart when she lost hers so young. I bowed at the neck.

"I would do it all over again if need be."

"Please you must stay here and rest, you will be safe here." She stood and guided the princess up to a guest room "Meet me here in the morning boy, your stay at the inn will be on me." I smiled and nodded, returning to the porch and the chilled night air.

Looking back at the large house I whispered quietly "Good night Your Highness, I pray your night is peaceful."

When the morning rays had finally touched the roof tops of the village I made my way to Impa's house just as she asked the night before.

"M-Master L-Link!? You're back!" I turned and smiled.

"Good Morning Paya, how are you today?" her arms flew up to her face and she peeked out from behind her fingers.

"Oh! I am fine thank you for asking!" she took a shaky breath and looked at me again. "You are back so soon! D-Did you have a hard time at the castle?" I laughed lightly and shook my head.

"No, Paya...though I can't say that it was a trip in the park either. I would definitely brave the castle time and time again if the need ever arose. However, the Princess is here, I'm sure she would love to meet you." seeing her horrified face I held my hands up to calm her. "No no, Paya you didn't walk past her or anything last night. It was in the dead of night and we didn't want to wake you." She hung her head and sighed in relief.

"I can't wait to meet her! Do you think she will like me?"

"Of course Paya, why wouldn't she? You are such a kind hearted person." I reached forward and placed my hand on her shoulder, in turn the girl's face challenged the blood moon "The Princess really needs a friend Paya." I gave her shoulder a small squeeze before heading inside to meet with Impa.

"Good Morning Impa, how is the Princess? Did she sleep well?" she stared at me long and silent before bringing a hand to her temple.

"The Night proved to be restless for her...she did not sleep." I frowned, looking around to make sure the princess was not in earshot I quietly told her of my experience with her nightmares.

"This is gave news indeed...this could be either something very serious or something that can be fixed with time...for now we must wait for her to open up to us. If she does not remember them, simply asking could potentially damage whatever fragile wall that is protecting her. Though I know your duty is finished I must ask you, please continue to watch over the princess...she is in desperate need of protection still though she will tell you otherwise...she may even command you to leave. I know how thick headed she can be. You mustn't leave her out alone."

"Impa. I as long as she needs me. I'll be by her side."

"Thank you Link, I knew I could count on you." just as our conversation ended the princess descended the staircase and joined is in the spacious room.

"You're still here?" she tilted her head "You know you are free to go. You have completed your task. The Calamity is finished." nodding I faced her and bowed at the knee.

"Your Highness if I may be so bold, I was assigned to be your personal guard as my first duty, defeating the Calamity came second." She pursed her lips together and shook her head.

"Yes but I am telling you that you are free, no more rules. The Monarchy is dead."

"...yet you still live." she sighed

"I see I'm not getting anywhere with you. Never mind then." she adjusted her clothes, simple Sheika attire she borrowed the night before.

"Lady Zelda, you must meet my granddaughter." on cue the nervous heap of a girl stumbled into the room. Falling to her knees in front of the princess.

"It is an honor to meet you m'lady! I'm Pa-paya!" her voice practically squeaked out. Her face turned crimson almost instantly, I held my breath so as not to let out the chuckle that threatened to escape my lips.

'The poor girl must have realized she sounded like she said papaya.' Paya was such an innocent girl, she shouldn't have to be so self conscious all the time.

A beautiful smile graced the Princesses lips and she knelt in front of Paya, helping her up.

"Please don't bow to me Paya. Impa was like my mother...so Well...hopefully you can see me as your sister."

"Thank you! M'lady!" she smiled gleefully and the princess gave her a warm hug, which she returned happily.

The two girls chatted together and soon began sharing smiles, whispering amongst themselves. Deciding to give The three women some privacy I silently left the building. Walking through the town I caught Cottla before she tripped into the sacred pool by the Hylia statue.

"Careful there, you don't want to worry your sister do you?"

"Hey! It's Link! Hi! Wanna play?" I grinned.

"Sure, why not?"

"Yay!" she jumped up and down. "Let's play tag!" with that she ran off through the village. I waited a moment before jogging after her. Soon a whole group were chasing me through the village, many of the older boys trying a few of their Sheika techniques on me, luckily I managed to fend them off, barely. Soon the voice of the children's mother's and fathers called out through the evening and the children began to climb off me and return home. One of the youngest girls had my hair in about three extra pigtails while I leaned on a rock and arm wrestled her older brother. In disapointed huffs the two said their goodbyes and ran off.

'Goddesses, I was beginning to think dusk would never come.' stretching I fixed my hair and returned to where Impa and the Princess was staying. The Princess was standing across from Impa talking to her quietly.

"-alright I will, that's a good idea...I'm going for a walk then. In a few days I shall visit Purah." With that she left the building. I glanced at Impa.

"Go child, keep your word." I nodded, remembering our conversation from this morning I gave her a half smile before replying.

"Always."