Chapter 4
Memories
On the way to Kakariko Village, Link explained to the Vikings what the box on his belt was. He described it as the key to his success in reclaiming the Divine Beasts and defeating Calamity Ganon. It was called a Sheikah Slate, and it served many purposes. Link specifically emphasized the map function, as well as its importance in taking back the Beasts.
"It also has a travel function, but I barely use it," he was saying.
"Why not?" asked Astrid.
"Even though I can travel across Hyrule instantly with this thing," he replied, "I never use it if I can avoid it because it's very disorienting. I almost threw up the first time I tried it."
"That's awful," said Hiccup.
"I agree," said Link. "I'm almost used to it now, because the trials I took in Korok Forest had me using that kind of transportation all the time, but it still makes me dizzy. It's why I prefer dragon flight."
"What about your horse?" asked Hiccup. "Is your horse still in Lurelin Village?"
"Probably," said Link. "I didn't see him outside when I woke up yesterday, though. Elder Rozel must have taken him in during the night."
A little while later, Link had the dragons stop. He didn't want them to be seen by the villagers yet, so he directed them to land in a nearby forest. The clearing they landed in had a strange pedestal in the middle and a large dome just at the edge. Hiccup asked Link what the dome was.
"It's a Sheikah shrine," Link explained. "They're said to be ten thousand years old, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were built after Ganon's previous defeat, should he ever return. My Sheikah Slate was the key to opening it. I can use the slate to travel to an open shrine instantly, but you know why I prefer not to."
As Hiccup was about to follow Link to the village, his attention was diverted by a low whine. Toothless stared at his rider with sad eyes.
"I know, bud," said Hiccup, scratching the dragon's chin. "I don't like it, either, but Link knows these people. If they're nice enough, I'll let you come out."
The sound Toothless made next sounded like reluctant agreement, so Hiccup continued to follow Link and Astrid. They passed another shrine along the way, and when they could finally see the village, he almost did a double take. The houses were unlike any design he had ever seen, and the people were just as different. All of the villagers he could see had white hair regardless of age, and each wore similar attire that consisted of folded circular hats made of straw, black shirts under a tan jacket with roomy sleeves, tan pants, and brown sandals. Instead of shirts, the women wore black dresses under their jackets.
To get into the village, Link led the Vikings down a trail along the cliffside. When they reached the main road, a bearded man stepped in front of them and drew a short, curved sword. "Who are these strangers?" he demanded.
"They're not Yiga, Dorian," Link calmly assured him. "These are friends of mine. I want them to meet Impa, if you don't mind."
"As a personal guard of Lady Impa, I strongly advise against this," said Dorian.
"And as a longtime friend of hers, I can guarantee these people mean no harm," said Link. "They traveled to Hyrule to learn of its fate. I think their ancestors were Hyrule's allies."
Dorian stared at Hiccup and Astrid for a moment before saying, "They are not Hylians, that much is certain. But if you insist, I will stand down. Please forgive my impulsiveness." He put away his sword and sat down under a tree with two young girls. Hiccup guessed they were Dorian's children.
As they continued, Hiccup caught up with Link and whispered to him, "What was that all about?"
"Never mind him," Link whispered back. "He was just being cautious. Dorian has a … personal history with the Yiga Clan."
"What kind of history?" asked Hiccup.
"I'd rather not say," said Link.
"How come?"
"Hiccup, sometimes there are things that should remain unsaid. All I can tell you is the Yiga killed his wife. He's just trying to do what's best for his daughters right now."
They continued down the road until they reached a staircase to a house eclipsing a waterfall. Another guard stood in front of the steps. He had much less facial hair than Dorian; just a simple mustache and a beard about five inches long. He addressed Link with "Master" before his name and allowed him to pass. When Hiccup and Astrid approached, however, he blocked the path.
"No strangers allowed!" he said. "With the recent theft of—!"
"My friends don't need to know that, Cado," said Link. "Let them through."
Calming himself, Cado stepped aside. "My apologies," he said. "With the recent theft of one of Lady Impa's precious heirlooms, we're all on edge."
"I understand," said Hiccup. He and Astrid continued up the steps. When they reached the doorstep, Link opened the double doors without knocking. The main room was mostly empty, but on the opposite side of the room, a small, elderly woman sat on a pillow between two sets of stairs, her eyes closed as if in meditation. She wore the same kind of robe the other people of the village did, but her wide-brimmed hat bore a red eye with a teardrop underneath. She opened her eyes upon hearing the door open and looked up at her visitors.
"Come," she beckoned. "Please come closer, Link. My vision isn't quite what it used to be." Link stepped forward so she could see, and Hiccup closed the doors before joining him and Astrid. When Link stood directly in front of the elder, she spoke again. "Who are these visitors you have brought?"
"They are Vikings from the Barbaric Archipelago," said Link.
"Vikings, you say?" the elder seemed surprised. She addressed Hiccup. "Did you sail here?"
"No," said Hiccup. "We rode here on dragons. I came here because I'm preparing to become chief of my tribe. I was sifting through old papers my father kept. Treaties, trade agreements, and the like. A few of them concerned Hyrule, but as far as I know, all communication ceased a century ago."
"How do you know these Vikings are trustworthy, Link?" the elder asked.
"You have my personal assurance, Impa," said Link. "They helped me when I was in desperate need of care."
"What is your name?" Impa asked Hiccup.
"My name is Hiccup Haddock," he replied.
Impa's eyes widened and she gave a small smile. "Ah, so you are a Berkian!"
"You know where we're from?" asked Astrid, trying to speak Hylian.
"Yes," said Impa. "Your ancestors were our friends before the Calamity."
"Well, that's a relief to hear," said Hiccup.
Link cut in. "Impa, with all due respect, I believe we should focus on diplomatic matters after Princess Zelda has returned. Right now, we have Ganon to contend with."
"You're right," said Impa. "Hiccup, I am certain you have many questions yet, but Link and I have important matters to discuss first."
"We can wait," said Hiccup.
"Thank you for understanding." Impa turned her gaze to Link. "How are you faring thus far, child?"
"Divine Beast Vah Naboris is ours, and Lady Urbosa's spirit has been freed," said Link. "Also … the leader of the Yiga Clan is dead."
Impa's jaw dropped upon hearing this. "Kohga … dead? Did you…" She trailed off.
"I didn't mean to," said Link. "All I did was tire him out. He summoned a massive metal boulder with his Sheikah powers and it rolled back towards him. He tripped and fell down a massive pit, and the boulder crushed him."
"Link, what were you thinking?"
"We needed Urbosa's Thunder Helm to get close to Naboris, and the Yiga had stolen it just days before I figured out how to get inside Gerudo Town," he explained. "I searched their base with a fine toothed comb, and I couldn't find it anywhere until Master Kohga showed up. I had no choice but to fight."
Impa took a deep breath. "Well, as long as you got Naboris back, that's all that matters. I have no doubt Urbosa's power will aid you along your way."
"I also fully awakened the Master Sword's power," said Link.
"May I see?"
Link pulled the sword from his scabbard and held it so Impa could see. Hiccup could see its glow reflected in her eyes. "Incredible," she said. "I had hoped to see the day you would overcome the trial."
"I finished it last night," said Link, sheathing the sword. "And there's something else. I found the location of the last picture."
"What?" asked Impa. "You found them all?"
"All twelve of them," said Link.
Impa grinned. "This is the best news. Here." She stood and stepped off her pillow. "I have something to show you." She walked slowly off her platform and past Hiccup and Astrid. "Knowing your memories would fade with time, Lady Zelda asked me to show you this after you visited all twelve locations." She stopped at a painting on the wall. "This is the location of the final memory."
Link studied the painting closely. There was a grass field with mountains in the background, but what stood out most was the presence of decaying Guardians, some sitting upright, and some knocked onto their sides. "Where have I seen this before?" he muttered. "I know I've been there." He looked down at the Sheikah Slate and activated the map, focusing it at a field south by southeast of Kakariko Village. "There! I've seen that exact place before. It's Ash Swamp." He raised the slate up in front of the painting and pressed a button.
"It will take until afternoon for you to get there on foot if you leave now," said Impa.
"Cut that down to one tenth of the time if we fly you there on the dragons," said Hiccup.
"No, Hiccup," said Link. "This is personal. If Zelda wanted me to see this location last, there must be a reason. I'll go alone."
"What will we do?" asked Astrid.
"Stay in the village until I get back," said Link. "Besides, I need to use my slate to go back to Lurelin Village and board my horse at Lakeside Stable. If I leave him there too long, the villagers will start wondering why I left without Franklin."
Soft footsteps drew Link's attention and he turned towards the left hand staircases. Impa's granddaughter Paya had been listening for a while and looked too nervous to approach. Link also detected sadness in her eyes as she descended to the last step.
"Paya, why so glum?" he asked.
Paya's hands went to her face and she whimpered, "M-Master Link, I am so sorry! The heirloom was the key to one of your s-shrines, and I let them take it!"
Visibly uncomfortable, Link took Paya's hands away from her face and said, "Dorian didn't tell you? We found it. The keyhole was in the woods just outside the village. The sphere worked. I got one of the thieves, but the rest of them escaped."
Paya's face lit up. "R-Really? That's wonderful! I'm so thankful!"
"As am I," said Link. "Listen. I'm going out for the day, but I'll be back this evening. Can you do me a favor? You know Norse, right?"
"Yes," said Paya. "Grandmother taught me."
"Great!" said Link. "Astrid here needs to learn to speak Hylian. Do you mind teaching her some?"
"I'd be delighted!" said Paya.
"Then it's settled," said Link. He turned to face Hiccup. "I'm sorry for the sudden change of plans, but I truly didn't expect this to happen. We'll be on our way to Tabantha tomorrow."
"No need to apologize," said Hiccup. "Just don't do anything too risky."
Link grinned. "If you could have seen what I went through in the Trial of the Sword, you wouldn't be worried. If it makes you feel any better, I plan on stopping by Akkala to restock on supplies." He pressed a button on the Sheikah Slate and faded into thin air.
"Shall we go outside?" Paya asked in Norse.
"Sure," said Astrid.
Hiccup started to follow Astrid and Paya, but Impa's voice stopped him. "Step closer please, Hiccup Haddock," she said. "There is much to discuss regarding Hyrule and Berk."
"Oh." Since he had been so wrapped up in Link's quest, Hiccup had forgotten he wanted to reestablish Berk's ties to Hyrule. Link had explained to him earlier that Impa had once been an adviser of the royal family, so he decided she would be a good person to start talking to.
Halfway down the steps in front of the house, Astrid decided to try asking Paya a question in Hylian. "You like Link, don't you?"
Paya laughed in response. "That sentence was great! You're off to a good start."
"No, I was really asking," said Astrid, speaking in Norse this time. "You were so flushed when he moved your hands, I thought you would reach out and hug him, but you didn't."
"Oh, r-right." Paya clasped her hands together and grinned fondly. "I won't deny it, but I don't think he feels the same."
"Why not?" asked Astrid.
Paya's grin faded slightly. "Because I think he's in love with Princess Zelda."
It was nearly sunset by the time Link reached Ash Swamp. It had taken longer than he expected to bring Franklin back to Lakeside Stable because one of the residents of Lurelin had asked him to take down a monster camp in one of the village's major fishing spots. When he reached Akkala to buy new Guardian arrows from Robbie, the old scientist insisted on him testing a short sword he had designed for Guardian combat. Link ended up buying the sword from him and using it against two Guardian Stalkers outside Tarrey Town. It wasn't necessary to take them down, as the Stalkers couldn't physically reach across the lake and harm the villagers, but Link didn't want to chance it. He also visited Granté in the town to get more information on the shield he had found in Hyrule Castle. Granté explained to him that it was called the Hylian Shield, supposedly passed down through generations of previous heroes, though they agreed it was probably a replica. One thing was for certain: it was the strongest shield Link had ever used. After restocking on arrows and selling some gems he had picked up, he used the slate to travel to Dueling Peaks Stable.
While looking for the spot the painting depicted, he had to dispatch a few red Bokoblin monsters. Even though he knew the general area, he had to look at the picture on the slate a few times to find the exact spot. When he found it, he stared at the picture and the landscape around him.
Rain…
It was starting to come back to him.
Agony…
He closed his eyes.
Despair…
Hope…
Death.
Astrid and Paya had decided that the best way to learn a language was to spend a lot of time speaking it, so they spent most of the day immersed in Hylian. Astrid was a fast learner, so she could speak it pretty well by evening. She was even starting to have casual conversations with Paya in Hylian. By sunset, they were sitting at a table outside one of the stores, back on the subject of Link.
"Paya, what did you mean when you said you thought Link was in love with Zelda?" asked Astrid.
"Oh, it's just something I wonder about from time to time," Paya replied. "There was an old bard of the Sheikah who witnessed the awakening of Princess Zelda's power. He passed away recently, but when he was last here, he performed a song for me and Grandmother. I don't remember all the words, I know the song was about how the princess's power awakened. One lyric in particular stuck with me: 'The princess's love for her fallen knight awakens her power, and within the castle the Calamity is forced to cower.' Sometimes I wonder, did he love her as well? And if he did, does he remember?"
"Have you ever thought of asking him?"
"I have, but I get so nervous when he approaches," said Paya. "I answer whatever question he asks me, but I'm too afraid to ask him any questions."
Astrid grinned. "That takes me back. Before we had dragons, Hiccup was the laughingstock of our tribe. He had a huge crush on me, but since I had a reputation for being tough, he was afraid to talk to me."
"Then how did you get together?" asked Paya.
Chuckling, Astrid said, "Well that's a long story, but it's a good one. Five years ago…"
Link collapsed, just as he had one hundred years prior, only this time he fell forwards onto his hands and knees, clutching his chest.
There it was.
He remembered what he had once thought were his final breaths.
So many questions he hadn't even bothered to ask Impa had been answered by this memory. Although some things were still missing, and a few questions had been left unanswered, the recollection of his final moments with the princess somehow brought a sense of closure.
Link…
He looked up and saw no one, but he knew who the voice belonged to.
Link…
"I hear you, Princess," he whispered.
Do you remember now?
A flood of emotions overwhelmed Link and he covered his face as the tears threatened to stain it. "I failed you, Princess. I am so sorry."
No, Link. You haven't failed anyone. I should be the one apologizing. I failed you.
"No, you didn't," said Link. "I was the one who messed up. I should take him down right now."
Don't. Her tone had sharpened, but only for a moment. I don't doubt your ability, but it is paramount that you free the last Divine Beast.
Link put his hands down and opened his eyes again. "I knew you'd say that."
I'll be alright, Link, she assured him. There is still time, but don't you waste it.
He rose to his feet once more and declared, "I won't, Zelda. I promise."
It was dark by the time Hiccup and Astrid next saw Link. The two girls who had been sitting with Dorian earlier had treated them to a pleasant supper of pumpkin soup. Cottla, the younger sister, tried to help Koko cook the food, but she kept distracting herself by asking Hiccup questions about where he came from, and once asked him why his ears weren't pointed like everyone else. Both Hiccup and Astrid enjoyed the company. Paya had gone back to her house to do chores and prepare dinner for herself and her grandmother some time ago, and when it was time for Dorian's daughters to go, Hiccup and Astrid were left alone. Hiccup expressed to Astrid that the discussion with Impa had gone well. The elder was optimistic that a new alliance with Berk could be formed once Hyrule was restored.
The sound of footsteps interrupted their conversation. Link stepped up to their table and sat down a few feet away. He propped his head atop his fists and rested his elbows on the tabletop.
"You alright, Link?" asked Hiccup.
Link shrugged in response. "I'm just really confused right now. I did a lot of thinking on the way back. That last memory brought a lot to light, but something's bothering me."
"What is it?" Astrid's conversation with Paya had piqued her interest.
Link scooted closer and unhooked the Sheikah Slate from his belt. Showing Hiccup and Astrid a grid of twelve images on the screen, he explained, "Apart from the memories I've recovered on the Slate, I've started remembering a few things here and there. When I recalled the one near Princess Zelda's room, I reacted in such a way that I didn't care what I was doing; I just wanted to fight something. Fighting the Stalnox didn't calm me down, so I decided I wanted to fight that Lynel. I've never reacted like that to anything, as far as I can remember, but I remember what I felt in that moment. My blood was boiling, but I couldn't do or say anything to the king. I had no reaction like yesterday whatsoever, but I was just as angry, if not more."
Without thinking, Astrid asked, "Do you think that maybe you had feelings for the princess?"
"What?" Hiccup had not been expecting Astrid to say this.
"The thought has crossed my mind now and again," Link replied, without hesitation. "It would explain a few things from my memories, but if I did, I never acted on it. I wouldn't have been able to. She was royalty; I was just a knight of the royal guard."
"What about Ash Swamp?" asked Hiccup. "What do you remember?"
"I'm not sure how I hurt myself just yet, but I was horribly injured. There was a swarm of Guardians in the swamp. One of them spotted me and Zelda. I tried to stand up to protect her, but I was too weak. She jumped in front of me with her hand stretched out to the Guardian. All I remember is hearing a loud noise and being blinded by golden light. Somehow, her powers awoke at just the right time. All of a sudden, my legs gave out. Zelda scooped me off the ground and tried to sit me up, but I knew I was done for. The last thing I saw was her face, and the last thing I heard was her ordering somebody to take me to the Shrine of Resurrection. Now that I remember exactly what happened, it brings some relief, but I have even more questions now."
Astrid thought about telling Link what Paya had said, but she decided not to. It wasn't her business. A few minutes later, Link gave Hiccup and Astrid two red rupees each to pay for their stay at the inn. With that, he left saying there was something he needed to do. The couple took adjacent beds.
Before going to sleep, Astrid whispered to Hiccup about the Sheikah bard's song. Hiccup told her it was good that she hadn't brought it into their conversation with Link, as it might have distracted him from his mission. It wasn't long before they both dozed off.
Even their worst experiences as keepers of the peace in the Barbaric Archipelago couldn't prepare them for what the next day would bring.
How's it going? I'm wondering whether I should shorten chapters, so let me know if you want me to go for approximately 2,000 words in each chapter, but also let me know what you think of my writing. Pardon my dialogue majority, though. I'm still working on that. I'd also like to thank James Birdsong for reviewing the story. Getting feedback reinvigorates me, so thank you.
See you next time!
Next chapter: Rito Village and Divine Beast Vah Medoh
