Takes place immediately after the true ending of BotW. Link and Zelda's duties are far from over as they have some people to see after Ganon has at last been sealed away.
BotW: Visitations
Visitations Part 4: Kakariko Village III
Zelda pursed her lips at Link as she held the umbrella over his head. He pushed it back over hers. Some things hadn't changed, she thought, as she still couldn't seem to shake her shadow—though, admittedly, she minded far less now than when he was first appointed to her.
"If you catch a cold because of this, you know you'll never hear the end of it from Impa,"Zelda reasoned.
Link seemed to think about that for a second.
Then he promptly pulled the umbrella back over his head.
"Hey!" Zelda huffed. But she couldn't help but chase her protest with a smile. Every time a little of Link's playfulness peeked through, she couldn't resist being delighted. Many times she had mulled over how often he would have been able to show that side of himself while growing up. He had so much responsibility from such an early age, she doubted he ever had a proper childhood. Thinking about it, she felt she could relate a little.
Just as soon as Link had pulled the umbrella above him, he stepped in closer toward Zelda, trying to shield them both; the space of a breath separating them. She wasn't ready for the sudden proximity.
"I guess you wouldn't want to hear it from Impa either," he said.
"N-no…I really wouldn't," she admitted and looked down at their feet.
"Where are your shoes?!" she blurted. In the low, intermittent light that glanced through the moving clouds, she noticed he was barefoot.
"I didn't think to put them on," he simply stated.
She knew what that meant. He had just run out after her.
"I'm sorry if I worried you. I just wanted to take a walk in…"
"…in the rain. I know," he said.
Zelda kept her head bowed, though it took much effort for her not to snap a look at him at that.
"How did you know?"
"You told me."
"I did?" she asked, confused. She didn't remember saying anything of the like in the past several days. Furthermore, until now, it hadn't rained over them.
"We were walking back toward your study from the library one night…it was very late and the low clouds started to weigh heavy in the air. It started to rain and you stopped to look out one of the windows in the west bastion. You stared outside for a while and just listened, it seemed to me. 'It's such a wondrous thing to feel the heavens shower down upon you,' you had said. You wondered aloud if we could step outside and take a walk underneath the fall. I wasn't sure if you were asking me or just thinking to yourself but, before I could say anything, you thought better of it and continued to your room," Link recounted, almost hypnotically.
Zelda was stricken.
"You remember…" she stated, more than asked, looking at him now.
He nodded. "They are starting to be more frequent, these recollections. They're not in much of an order but I think I can piece them together slowly. Usually it's more of an impression that lingers. With this one, I remember feeling…that I wanted to have given you your wish that night."
"Link, I…." Zelda said, without knowing quite how to respond or what she wanted to say. She found her voice caught in her throat.
"Also, I just woke up because you left the lantern near me on the floor and then I saw the umbrella was gone," he finished off.
She blinked at him. How this one person could cause her to ascend the peaks and tumble down just as quickly was beyond her. But she couldn't help but be amused.
"Well, you're here now. Consider that wish fulfilled."
He nodded at her.
She stepped to his side and turned to face the stone monument once more.
"Do you know what these rocks are for?" she asked.
"It's a memorial for Lasli's husband," Link said, flatly. "She's one of the merchants here. Her husband died fighting against monsters."
"So awful. I hope you were able to give her some words of comfort," Zelda said.
Link shuffled his feet, nervously.
"Are you all right?" Zelda asked, looking at his bare feet once more. "You must be chilled. Maybe we should head back "
"Maybe."
The rain showers had softened into a faint drizzle and Link closed the umbrella. As they slowly walked back to Impa's house, Zelda closed her eyes and took a deep breath, enjoying the smell of fresh earth and water. They reached the foot of the stairs and Zelda began to ascend.
"A request, Princess," said Link, stopping at the first step, looking down.
"Hm?" she said, as she turned to look at him.
"When I ran out, I couldn't see you anywhere…" he began. "And I know it sounds strange but, it hasn't been long since we found each other again…"
He was struggling. Though she couldn't see his face, she knew what pain sounded like in his voice.
"I just didn't want to wake you."
"I know."
"Let's go before Impa finds us missing."
Link heard her come back down the steps and her extended hand appeared in his field of vision.
After a moment, he placed his hand in hers and looked up. She gently enfolded her other hand on top of his, almost in pledge.
"I'll be more mindful next time. I promise," she said, noticing his face cloud over.
In truth, when he woke due to the lantern's glow and saw the missing umbrella, it took only a second to realize what was happening. What he didn't expect was the feeling of panic. His mind told him that there was no more looming threat, no more overwhelming darkness that was ever on their heels. But that knowledge did nothing to ease the growing constriction in his chest. When he ran outside, there was no trace of her, only the stark sound of rain. But something bade him toward the unlit path and he ran as fast as he could. And then he saw her, looking at the shrine of tragic loss and mourning, too many unwanted scenarios flashing through his mind. He had called out to her.
Link felt the gentle pressure of her hands holding his. "Forgive me…? Zelda prompted.
His face softened and he nodded.
"PRINCESS?!" came a shrill muffled cry from within.
Zelda closed her eyes and groaned, "Oh, Goddess….let's get inside before she wakes the whole village."
….
Soon after that early morning, when Zelda and Link were under chastisement that should truly never be borne by people who are, by all accounts, over a hundred years old, a warm bath and hot food did wonders in restoring their chilled bodies. By the time breakfast was over, Impa had already sent out two riders in diverging paths: one to Akkala and one to Hateno.
Over breakfast, Impa wanted to discuss the villagers. Though it had been a century of slowly cultivating a slow, agricultural life, they were still Sheikah and knew something had stirred in the world. Zelda and Link's arrival in the village was seen as a harbinger of change, though they did not know who was at Link's side. Already, rumors were circulating. Impa suggested that a quiet but open celebration should be had in order to quell any concerns or fears, but also to take the first step into healing the brokenness and disconnection between the land and the people ever since Hyrule fell into ruin.
Throughout the discussion, Link listened. He agreed with Impa's words but knew Zelda had some trepidation.
"Waiting much longer will only be seen as you hiding," Impa reasoned.
"I certainly don't want that to be the impression. I only wish I had answers to the questions that I know will come," Zelda replied, sincerely.
"There will be many questions, you're right. I even have some myself, my friend. Whatever is asked, you need only answer to what you know. But, I promise you that all of this will stay within the walls of this village until Hyrule is ready to begin rebuilding. That word will come from you. Until then, we will begin to prepare ourselves; to fulfill our duty to the kingdom and the Goddess once again."
After a few moments, Zelda nodded. "When will Purah and Robbie arrive?"
"By tomorrow morning."
"Then I would like to meet with you, Link, Purah, and Robbie once they get here. Then, perhaps we could all share a meal with the villagers that evening. Nothing extravagant. Weather permitting, maybe we can all sit together outside," suggested Zelda.
Impa smiled and called Paya from upstairs. "Child, tell everyone that we will have a communal meal together tomorrow night, in the town center. All are welcome."
Paya's eyes lit up. "Yes, grandmother!" she said, excitedly, "Let me get organized first." Paya ran upstairs to retrieve a writing tablet and the list of village residents and then was out the door within seconds.
Zelda looked admiringly after Paya, long after she had left the house.
"Ah, youth," Impa said, slyly.
…
With a hopefully auspicious day looming ahead, the rest of the afternoon and evening were spent sitting together and entertaining Paya with old memories, which, surprisingly, Link contributed some of his own. Both Zelda and Impa were charmed to learn that he started to recount the day he and Impa had squared off in mock combat. At that time, Impa had asserted that she might be better off being Zelda's appointed knight rather than the runt of the Royal Guard. While Impa had been poking in jest, Link had seemed to take it rather seriously.
"With my age, I don't even remember who won anymore" shrugged Impa.
"I do," Link stated, flatly.
"Hmph," Impa exhaled through her nose, narrowing her eyes at Link.
Zelda smiled. "If it means anything to you, Impa, I was cheering for you."
"Of course, you were," she beamed.
Link went back to snacking. Paya giggled.
"Still, it must have been hard for you to choose between grandmother and Master Link, Princess," added Paya, enjoying the stories from the past.
Though Zelda was smiling, she looked at Paya with what seemed to be some sadness in her eyes.
"No. it wasn't hard at all," Zelda said.
Paya's eyebrows raised in surprise.
"You see," Zelda continued, "I was awful to him for some while."
Next: Kakariko Village IV and then hopefully, finally, on the road to Zora's Domain. I swear to the Goddess that I am trying to get our duo out of Kakariko but stuff keeps happening to them lol!
