A/N: This chapter contains semi-graphic childbirth.
Impa stayed with Zelda for a few days, until obligation called her back to the castle. Zelda did her best to adjust to her new environment. She had always been somewhat of an introvert, but being completely isolated started to take its toll.
Zelda preserved her sanity by talking to her unborn child. Every day she rubbed her stomach and told the baby stories about the goddesses, her family history, and what she knew of Ganondorf's people and culture.
As days went by, Zelda found herself rethinking her life more and more. By her culture seventeen was considered mature, though Zelda felt as though she had missed out on the transition of becoming an adult.
Living in the castle with everything handed to her didn't allow for the same kinds of experiences as her ancestors. Indeed, many Zeldas past had gone on wild adventures before puberty. She had read about a Zelda who had been turned to stone and back again, of one who had traveled through time, even of one who had been turned to crystal by a malicious priest. All she had done was become pregnant by the enemy commander.
Then again, this was an adventure in its own. She was the first Zelda to shrug off castle life in favor of simple living, had survived and protected her baby from what should have been a fatal poisoning, and was going to raise a child that could one day possibly bring Hyrule's two peoples back together.
Zelda continued to pass the months until birth doing all she could to become a good mother. Impa visited three more times, bringing several texts about birthing, childhood education, and simple medical procedures. Zelda's natural curiosity helped her learn quickly, and by the ninth month she felt as though she was prepared for the weeks ahead.
That is, until her water broke as she was having breakfast.
Zelda sat in bed, her back against the headboard and her knees bent up to her stomach. The pain had been coming more often, and she knew the baby was on its way. She had already laid all her extra blankets underneath her to catch the blood, after all she didn't want to soil the bed like she did the couch when her water broke.
"Please honey, stay in there a little longer," Zelda whimpered. She was afraid to give birth without Impa, who wouldn't be able to leave the castle for another week. However, the baby would not wait that long. Zelda screamed after a rather strong contraction, and found herself pushing.
"No no no no... Ahh! Stop, stop, please...!"
The contractions continued to where Zelda wanted to pull her hair out, yet the baby still didn't come out. She glanced out the window at the autumn sunset; her water had broken just after breakfast, and she had prepared the blankets and got in bed around noon. According to the medical book Impa left her, delivery should have occurred by now. She began to worry that something was wrong.
"I take it back, honey, I'm sorry, please come out... Please!"
Zelda pushed again, but was too tired to continue. She laid on her side and started crying, just as the door flew open.
"Zelda!" Impa rushed in, having heard Zelda's cries from outside the cottage. She came over to the bedside and wiped Zelda's forehead. "For how long?"
"Noon," she replied hazily, cut off by another strong contraction. She tried to sit back up, but Impa stopped her.
"No, Shahzadi. Stay like that, it will help your pain." Impa held up Zelda's leg and examined the birth canal, just as Zelda let out a sharp cry.
"It feels like burning... Ohh, please stop..."
"You are crowning Zelda, it will be over soon. It's important that you don't push-"
"I have to!"
"No you don't. Give me your hand," Impa said, and guided Zelda's fingers between her legs. "There she is, Zelda. Take short, steady breaths, and let your next contraction do the work."
Zelda complied, and her next contraction brought the baby's head out. One more, and the hard part was over. Impa grabbed a nearby towel and wrapped the newborn, then handed her to Zelda. "Mommy, meet your little girl."
"Hello sweetie," Zelda said with a teary smile, and ran her fingers over the soft orange hair on her daughter's head. The baby cried for a bit until Zelda nuzzled her closer. "Praise the goddesses for looking out for you."
Impa severed the umbilical cord and collected the placenta, while Zelda gave her daughter her first feeding. After cleaning everything up, Impa sat beside Zelda and wiped the sweat from her forehead. "Sorry I wasn't here sooner."
"You're both about a week early," Zelda joked. "Thank you..."
"I had a feeling that you might need me earlier, so I found an excuse to leave the castle early," Impa explained. "I can stay to help for about a week and a half."
The news made Zelda happy, and she cradled her newborn. "You look a lot like your Papa, little baby."
"Have you decided on a name?"
"Beautiful baby," Zelda mumbled, having missed Impa's question. "My little baby..."
"Baby, huh? Cute."
Zelda gave Impa a curious glance. She had a few names in mind, like Dinae, Nayin, Farori, and Timea, but when she looked back to the infant cuddling against her, all she could think about was this tiny baby. A baby that shared both her and Ganondorf's features, from her pointy Hylian ears to her beautiful golden desert eyes.
"My adorable, sweet Baby..."
