Humble Hearts (IV)
Dinner passed with laughter and carefree smiles. Unlike the earlier fiasco, the only sounds of clanking dishes and drumming legs happened intentionally. Zelda and Impa shared loving glances as their hands brushed. Impaz watched with a knowing smile, never commenting as their glances became longer and led to moments of silence.
Dessert led the trio to the sitting room, where they traded stories of their daily lives. Impaz nodded and smiled happily as she heard of Link's latest trouble making...and laughed as Impa interjected about "poor Shad". Zelda literally clung to her seat as Impaz told them about recently exploring the partially collapsed mines (despite her granddaughter's muttering).
It was nearly dusk by the time the duo prepared to leave. As Impa retrieved the horses, Impaz stood beside Zelda in the doorway. She murmured quietly before the younger woman could speak. "While I know my granddaughter has the best of intentions...there are times she can be a bit...obsessive."
Zelda turned towards the older woman with a blank face. Waiting. Listening.
Impaz sighed softly, staring out the door at her only living descendent. "While I agree that we probably wouldn't have met so soon under other circumstances...we have. She will try to protect both of us...and eventually might get a bit paranoid. Don't let her take you down that path, child. I love her dearly. But...only you can teach her there is more to life than being a Guardian, more than being a warrior."
She turned her wise eyes towards the searching orbs of her possible future daughter-in-law. "Show her, please, for me, that even though there's danger there can still be fun."
"I'm trying," Zelda whispered. She glanced at Impa, who was checking the saddles of their mounts.
"I know. I just had to ask you." The older Sheikah returned her gaze to the Hylian. "Write to me, if you want. The letter man will find me. And if he doesn't...that pesky talking owl of Link's will."
Blinking, the young Queen turned towards the other woman again. Shock stole her words as she swallowed. Humbled, she bowed her head for a moment. "I...thank you."
"Please," Impaz said quietly as Impa neared them, "Do write. Any time...for anything." When their eyes met, she nodded without breaking the connection. Without words, she reassured the younger woman and grasped her hands. "It is in her blood to protect you...to protect her family, her tribe. But don't let it consume her. Don't let it consume you. You are both more than the titles you hold, dear child. Remember that, please."
The words "thank you" barely fell from Zelda's numb lips. She pulled her cool hands from the warm grasp of her elder and stepped into the street.
Impaz watched the younger Sages with hooded eyes. The shock the Queen had shown tore at her heart. She sighed softly as she saw the couple mount their horses, wave, and head for the town entrance.
The door shut with a soft click the moment they were out of sight. Sadness, joy, anger and confusion rolled within her. Her heart ached for the children of her body and heart.
To see her granddaughter so reserved, so different than the young woman who had left her care...
To see her monarch so insecure, so unsure of the most innocent of offerings and request...
What had become of the younger generations?
Closing her eyes, she sighed again and leaded against the door. She clenched her jaw as anger ripped through the haze of confusion and pain. It was all the usurper's fault. Damn him to the Lightest of the Goddess' realms.
Just as quickly has her wrath had come, it left. A void sat within her, a smoldering crater of emptiness.
Opening her eyes, she walked to the couch with unfocused eyes and sat. Her hands ran over the still warm cushion and a smile fluttered over her lips. A gentle breeze cooled the crater as a rough chuckle fell from her throat.
Yes, damn him. Damn him for what he'd done, and may he suffer for all eternity.
And may his suffering return thrice over in happiness to his victims. Nay, his survivors.
Broken or not, scared or not... The young woman who had just left with her granddaughter was a survivor, even if she didn't know it.
Aye, she thought to herself with a nod, a survivor and warrior needing time to rest. And rest she would.
With another chuckle, the wise Sheikah stood and made her way to the kitchen to clean. Zelda may not have been born of her flesh (and thank Farore for that!) but she was surely a child of her heart.
Just as stubborn, just as cunning, and as surely as the summer day was hot, just as quick-witted.
She almost pitied Impa. She had underestimated her mate. Zelda may be lost, may be confused and in constant pain...may not even know her own name, if the half-hidden mad glint in her eyes was any indication.
But she wasn't going down without a fight.
Whistling a Sheikah tune to herself, she smirked as she submerged her hands in the soapy dish water. Her granddaughter was in for one helluva battle if she thought Zelda would tolerate her obsessive coddling for long.
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AN: You can blame my muses and friends for the ending. Actually, my friends more than the muses. I've based Impaz off a few of them...and boy are they all in a "I pity her if she doesn't stop doing that" mood. Smirking included.
Songs:
You Found Me by Kelly Clarkson (interpreted)
Miss Independent by Kelly Clarkson (interpreted)
