Prince Ralis let his fins hang over the edge of the waterfall. He dangled them nervously as his thoughts splashed around his mind like a fish caught in a net.

"How am I supposed to lead these people?" he mumbled. "I've known them my whole life… but now I feel like a stranger." He felt his eyes sting. "I don't know what to do…"

Shhh… He closed his eyes to fight the tears away. Water swirled around him, making soft sighs. He could feel warmth emanating from it. It seemed to whisper happy words that he couldn't hear, but knew, somehow, that they were meant for him. A mental image of himself, sitting in his mother's lap, stuck in his mind.

He opened his eyes. The feeling vanished, but he wasn't upset. Somehow, this was a message from his mother.

"I'll do it," he said, standing before her presence. "I promise I will lead the Zoras. I'll be the best prince they've ever known!"

He heard something almost like a contented sigh, then his mother's aura vanished.

"Sleep now," he said to no one, "and when I've finished here, I'll join you." He walked slowly back to the throne room.

Through the Hidden Village, ten horses stomped in unison. Soldiers dressed in full gleaming armor sat atop them, led by a silk-garbed palanquin.

One soldier stepped up to the door of a run-down house and rapped sharply. A frail, tiny old woman cautiously peeked outside.

"The Royal Knights of Hyrule seek an audience with Impaz, loyal servant to the Princess!" bellowed the knight at rapt attention.

The old woman clasped her hands. "What is it, good sir?"

The soldier cleared his throat. "The Royal Knights of Hyrule seek an audience with-"
"Yes, I heard that part! What do you want from me?"

The soldier reddened. "Well, we, uh…"

"Pardon me, Sir Wyclef. If I may…"

A delicate hand pulled apart the curtains of the palanquin. "You must be Impaz. I am honored to meet you in person."

Zelda stepped down gingerly and smiled at the old woman. "You have served your country well, and for that you shall be rewarded. I formally invite you to live at the castle with me as a lady-in-waiting."

Impaz blushed. "You flatter me princess, but I am far too old to be a lady-in-waiting."

"A companion, then."

"You don't need an old babysitter like me. And besides, I have come to enjoy the peace I find in this place. It brings me solace."

The soldiers glanced doubtfully at the derelict town surrounding them.

Zelda bowed. "As you wish. But remember," she said, stepping back into the palanquin, "you are always welcome at the castle. Including any other remaining denizens of this place."

"You don't mean to say you think I'm hiding anyone, do you?" the old woman inquired.

"No," Zelda informed her. "I just can't believe that everyone who vanished from the hidden village died." With that, the curtains fell.

The palanquin turned around and followed the horses back into the cave.

"I do wonder, though," Zelda murmured as they reached the pass, "if there really are any more survivors of the Sheikah race."