ELEVEN
FINALLY IN KAKARIKO

Princess Zelda

It has been a strange and troubling few days.

I had thought I would be thrilled to reach Kakariko – as a matter of fact, I was. My heart leapt like a sky-bound bird as I heard the rattling of the Sheikah emblems tied to the gateposts from a good half-mile away, and I had to resist the urge to press my heels into Sari and urge her rapidly on.

I was expecting at any moment to lose our Zora convoy, and I must confess I was not looking forward to it. I had enjoyed their company, particularly Sidon's words of encouragement and his support of my scientific endeavours at a time when I had begun to doubt myself once again. But he did not bring up the subject of leaving, to the end where I started to wonder if I should have gently dismissed him, but could not bring myself to be so rude. I had really begun to feel as comfortable with him as I normally feel about Link.

Speaking of, I wondered where he is right now. Of course, I mean he is right beside me, but I know from the look on his face that his thoughts are far away.

At the first gatepost, we were greeted by two Sheikah guards in full regalia. The men were both stout, an attribute which was enhanced by their heavy full armour, and both possessed hair as white as freshly fallen snow. One man, the elder of the two, boasted an impressively long moustache and beard. His gaze dropped as we approached and he got down into a surprisingly graceful stoop. As he raised himself, he held out a large hand to help me from my mount. I swept my leg over and, with the aid of his strong arm, slipped gracefully to the floor.

The demeanour of the older guard took me by pleasant surprise: it wasn't until his much younger counterpart began the rigmarole of bowing and scraping and not-quite-being-able-to-meet-my-eye did I appreciate how nice it was just to be spoken to like a normal person. Having witnessed my Father, I knew that meeting any Royal could be daunting or overwhelming (especially my Father in fact, whose mere presence could quite often suck the frivolity out of a room), but sometimes I just wished it wouldn't have been improper of me to ask my subjects just to bow once, out of duty, and then treat me as any other normal human woman.

I was relieved when Dorian, the elder, after rolling his eyes at his younger counterpart's third consecutive stumbling bow, walked alongside me through the rest of the gateposts and talked to me as if I were his peer, and not some strange mythical beast that could potentially startle and bolt at any moment.

"We have been greatly anticipating your arrival, Princess," he explained, his large hands folded neatly in front of his waist as we walked. He was a very measured man; every step was equidistant from the last. His presence was incredibly calming. "I would imagine the journey has not been an easy one."

I almost mentioned the Yiga attack, but I paused, not wishing to discuss with anyone the ambush until I had spoken with Impa first. I wondered how Impa was. It had been such a long time since I had last seen her: I guess she must have been only a little older than I am now.

"It pleases me to say that we were greatly aided by Prince Sidon and his best warriors."

Dorian's great brow twisted and he glanced behind himself, bringing both booted feet sharply together. With restrained surprise, he seemed to notice the fleet of Zora travelling a respectful distance on foot behind, and he inclined his head in a slight bow. Sidon waved gallantly as his troop stopped in their march briefly to salute.

"My apologies," offered Dorian, "I did not notice them."

I found it hard wrap my brain around the notion of a character as large as Prince Sidon going unnoticed by anyone, and I couldn't help but laugh. A scarred corner of Dorian's mouth lifted; he turned his head away shyly.

As we crossed the final gatepost, we were rewarded with a wondrous view of the blissful village.

I was thrilled to notice that the place I fondly recalled had hardly changed. Children ran up and down the mud roads, Cuccos trotted about pecking at the dusty ground, and barkers for the nearby shops and businesses hopped from one foot to the other, easing their fatigue. Village people breezed in and out of their homes and other buildings. A woman with a basket of weeds at her hip was tending the shrine in the village centre, scooping the reeds out of the pond with delicate, sweeping motions. Everyone seemed to be going about their tasks at speed, yet not without grace.

"Run ahead," called Dorian to his young colleague. "Let Lady Impa know that the Princess has arrived."

The young man set off at a jog, turned around and bowed clumsily while still running backwards, and then almost stumbled on the turn back down the path. I knew without looking that Dorian's eyes were rolling, as if I could hear them going like marbles. I tried not to laugh again.

He sprinted down the path and up the steep stairs of the largest house in the village. Before the door had barely slid closed, it was thrown open once again, and a tiny wizened figure toddled out at a surprising speed.

My mind had several reactions at once, scattering in all directions like a spent firework: I knew in my heart of hearts that this little lady was Impa, and I had reminded myself on the journey that so much time had passed between our last meetings, but I was quite struck by how little and frail she looked, even from our relative distance. At the same time, I noticed she came down the steps that would have been steep for a person half her age without looking down at her feet once, and she still held her head and shoulders back and high, just as she had as a young woman.

I know that it was uncouth to break off from Link and Dorian as I rounded the path, and sprint towards my dear friend, and it was improper to almost slide on my knees down to her level and to embrace her as she opened her arms to me, as if I were the river embracing a dropped pebble. It was so comforting to be back in her arms, even if the rounded flesh of a young woman was replaced by the willowy bones of an old lady.

I was equally surprised to see that her next action after releasing me was to embrace Link – to be more accurate, she almost pulled him to the floor. I saw the tips of his long ears pinken as she held him tightly. As they stooped, I noticed a timid woman behind Impa who I could easily have mistaken for Impa herself: if she hadn't been so obviously and painfully shy in her demeanour I would have wondered if Impa had managed to clone herself, as her eccentric sister Purah used to joke about so long ago. She must be a relative of hers.

I was surprised and saddened at the realisation that my beloved friend and handmaiden had grown up, fallen in love and raised a family, all while I was far away at battle.

Impa called Sidon and his warriors down from their perch on the upper hill just past the last gatepost, and invited them to stay in the village for as long as they required.

Sidon thanked her, charming as always. His warriors looked hugely relieved now that they were at the village: I can only assume that they were looking forward to food and shelter after the past few days.

Nevertheless, it was a surprise to hear the next few words from Sidon: "I am incredibly grateful to you, Lady Impa. My warriors and I will rest, after which they will be returning to Zorana."

He glanced at me. "I however should like to stay, if this pleases the Princess."

"Of course," I answered quickly. The young girl with Impa was staring at Sidon, as many young women did, with a curious look upon her face. She had barely looked once at Link and I.

At the foot of the stairs I thanked Dorian and the other young Sheikah, and followed Impa and her companion – daughter? Granddaughter? – up the flight, Link by my side. I looked long and hard at him as we ascended, but he seemed not to notice, instead staring straight ahead.

In an inversion of how I thought I would feel in the village, surrounded by both old friends and new, I felt suddenly and plaintively lonely.

I keep forgetting to put my author's notes in! Sorry and a big, belated thank you to all of my readers and reviewers, I am glad you are enjoying the story so far. I am pleased to say I have plenty of chapters primed and ready to go, aiming to post a chapter every other day. Please let me know if any of you spot any errors - I have a dedicated beta reader but the rate I'm churning them out is bogging him down! Much appreciated, - Neet.