"M-m-master Link! I-i-s th-that y-you?" A young female voice from behind startled them shortly after they entered Kakariko Village. It was a Sheikah woman who looked to be a little older than Zelda, and she was blushing profusely while she looked Link all the way up and down with her eyes wide. "M-my n-name is P-Paya. M-my G-g-grandmother w-wants t-to s-see y-ou!" She took Link by the hand and quickly led him away with Zelda following behind.

"How does she know me?" Link whispered, turning back to Zelda.

"Um, I think she was checking out your…Sheikah slate…I'm pretty sure she likes you," Zelda playfully whispered in Link's ear as they walked, out of earshot of the flustered young woman. Link gave her a glare as Paya walked them up a tall wooden staircase after they left their horses outside.

Paya turned to Zelda. "P-please m-miss. F-forgive m-me. I-I don't th-think sh-she w-was e-e-xpecting m-more th-than one p-person. P-please w-wait out-s-side f-for a f-few m-m-moments."

Zelda sighed. She was dying to see one of her best friends again, but she decided it was probably best not to go in with Link anyway, in case Impa recognized her. She distracted herself with organizing what was left in her travel bag while she waited outside at the bottom of the stairs.

Link walked into the double wooden doors, led by Paya. An old woman was sitting near the back of the room and slowly looked up as they entered.

"G-g-grandmother! It's M-m-master L-Link!"

Impa gasped, motioning them over. She glanced down at the Sheikah slate on his hip, then laughed kindly.

"Ah! I see the Chosen One has returned! I am Impa, the Kakariko Village elder. It is my pleasure to see you again, Master Link. It's been a while."

Link immediately dropped to one knee out of respect for his elders, and glanced up at her. "Pardon me, ma'am, I may have returned, but I have very little of my memories. I'm sorry if I cannot be of much assistance."

Impa chuckled. He sure talks more than he did back then. "Please, stand. We were great friends a hundred years ago. I am certain your memories will return in time. Here, I have something that may help. May I?"

She was motioning toward the Sheikah slate. He stood and removed it from his belt, handing it to her. She put it on a small pedestal behind her, and it whirred to life. The familiar robotic voice rang out with the words "Sheikah slate authenticated; distilling photos."

Impa handed the slate back to him once the process was complete. "I've put some pictures on there from a long time ago that the princess took. Perhaps some of these will help trigger your memories."

Link quickly flipped through the photo album that was now visible on the screen with pictures of, presumably, locations across Hyrule. "Thank you, ma'am. So far nothing rings a bell."

"Ah well. It will, in time." She didn't seem very worried. "Link, do you know of the Great Calamity, and of the Divine Beasts?"

"I do. King Rhoam, he...well…came to me in spirit form and explained everything. I still don't know how to process it all." To his relief, mentioning the king in spirit form didn't seem to phase the elder a bit.

Impa sighed. "Sir Link, you have been through a lot. We all have." She looked down sadly, and then her head snapped up. "You must seek out all four Divine Beasts and wrestle control away from the elemental phantoms inside. Before you do, I recommend you visit the Ancient Tech Lab in Hateno Village and find my older sister there. Her name is Purah. She specializes in Runes and can help you better understand your Sheikah slate. She may even be able to give you Rune upgrades. She's been working on a lot of new technology since the Great Calamity."

He was excited to hear about the Runes, but seeking out and taking the Divine Beasts out from under Ganon's control felt like a huge undertaking to him. Nevertheless, it was his duty to save the princess if he really was her sworn knight, and he had a duty to the land of Hyrule. He had to defeat Calamity Ganon eventually, and this was the first step. "I will not fail, Elder Impa. At least I'm not traveling alone."

Impa's head lifted up in surprise and she peered at him. "You're not alone, you say? Who are you traveling with, Master Link?"

"Her name is Ari. She saved my life shortly after we met, and now she's traveling with me, I guess so we can help each other. She says she's a nomad—"

Impa raised a hand to cut him off. Ari. It couldn't be. Zelda always loved the name I chose for

our unborn child. Could it really be the princess? If so, why is she using an alias? I need to see for myself if this "nomad" is who I think she is.

"Link, please tell this nomad I'd like to speak with her privately."

Link winced, hoping he didn't say too much, but it was out there now. "Absolutely, ma'am."

"Please, call me Impa. I still consider you a dear friend, even if you don't remember me. Try not to fret about your lost memories. I have faith you will get them back. If you ever need anything from me, please don't hesitate to ask. Enjoy your time in the village! There's even a Great Fairy Fountain around." She winked.

Link didn't know what that was, but it sounded intriguing. He thanked her as he bowed to her and left, with Paya fanning herself in the corner of the room as she watched him leave.

As soon as he shut the wooden doors behind him, Impa turned to her granddaughter. "Oh Paya, you always get so flustered around boys. I have to say, I don't blame you for this one," she joked. She remembered saying something similar to the princess many years ago.

"Grandmother!"

...

...

Zelda walked up the long staircase that led to Impa's home. It felt to her like it went on forever. She was so excited to see one of her best friends again, and she could hardly contain herself when Link told her Impa wanted to see her privately.

As soon as the doors shut behind her, Impa's now elderly voice greeted her from the back of the room. "Welcome, Princess Zelda."

Paya stiffened and went as white as a sheet while she was standing in the corner of the room. "Y-y-your m-m-majesty!" She curtsied toward Zelda.

"Oh Paya, that's unnecessary. She's an old friend."

Paya almost choked. Thank the Goddess the princess and Grandmother didn't know the thoughts I was having about Sir Link when she walked in. Paya thought about the fairy tale Grandmother used to tell her about the scandalous secret relationship between the princess and her sworn knight during the time of the Calamity, and how it was her love for him that awakened her sealing power. It was so romantic, and now that she had seen him in the flesh, she understood why the princess was attracted to him, if the fairy tale was true. His blond sideburns…they're like a golden waterfall…

Paya was startled out of her daydream when the princess spoke.

"Oh, Impa!" Zelda ran to her, crying. She wrapped her arms around the old woman in a tight hug that was reciprocated just as tightly, and then some. Impa's features had grown old now, but her eyes were still the same, only now full of blessed aged wisdom and tears of joy.

"Impa, you have no idea how it warms my heart to see you. You're the first person I've met in over a hundred years who knows what we all went through back then." Tears rolled down her cheeks as she stepped back from their embrace.

"It is a wonderful surprise to see you too, Zelda, or shall I say 'Ari?' You always did love my daughter's name."

"So your baby was a girl!"

"Yes, she was Paya's mother." A twinge of pain flashed across the old woman's face.

Zelda saw the look in the old woman's eyes, and her heart sank. "Is she—"

"Ari passed on to the Spirit Realm many years ago. I have raised Paya since she was four years old."

Zelda looked sadly over at Paya. "Oh no! Impa, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry for you as well, Paya. I lost my mother as a little girl, too. It's a type of pain that never leaves you." The girl blushed and gave her a weak smile in gratitude as Impa squeezed Zelda's hand.

"What about your husband Tiko, the Court Poet? I'd love to thank him personally for helping save Link's life."

Impa's face grew sad. "I'm sorry to say Tiko also passed on to the Spirit Realm. He was captured by the Yiga Clan shortly after he helped Robbie deliver Link to the stasis capsule in the Shrine of Resurrection. I never saw him again, and he never got to meet Ari."

Zelda's heart broke as she cried with Impa and they held each other. Impa looked up at her again.

"Were you aware that during the Calamity, nearly all Sheikah were killed in the Karusa Valley hideout in the Gerudo Desert?"

Zelda lowered her head with tears in her eyes. "Yes, Impa. I remember all too well."

"The only reason we escaped the Karusa Valley massacre was because Robbie and Purah were called back to finish last-minute work on the stasis capsule in the Shrine of Resurrection, and I refused to leave Purah's side. Of course, Tiko wouldn't leave me and our unborn baby. All of us narrowly escaped after Link was placed inside. I fled with Ari in my womb to Kakariko Village with Tiko, but he was captured on the way. I managed to escape, somehow. Purah escaped to Fort Hateno, and Robbie made his way to the Akkala Citadel. A small population of Sheikah loyal to Hyrule remain today, and they are the ancestors of the few who managed to escape the Karuso Valley and the murderous Yiga Clan." She paused to wipe her eyes. Taking a deep breath, she continued. "The Yiga are still on the prowl today, Zelda. You must be careful."

Zelda's voice shook. "Yes, I've had a couple of run-ins with them. Link… almost died at the hands of one, but I was narrowly able to save him."

Impa's eyes grew wide in shock, then understanding crossed her face. "I suppose that makes sense. He's probably not back to his full strength yet."

"No, he's not."

"It's a good thing you're with him, Zelda. That brings me great comfort. My, how the tables have turned—you're saving him, now." Impa looked into Zelda's eyes. "Tell me, why are you undercover, Zelda? Seeing Link alive must be torture if you're not revealing your true identity to him!" She winked at her playfully.

"It is pure torture, Impa, but I've been given a mission from the Goddess Hylia herself. She's now the one holding Ganon back at the castle, until Link gets the Master Sword back and he's reached his full potential again. When it's time for Link to face his final battle with Ganon, I must return to the castle to seal him for the second time. My Triforce power is dormant until I go back, and I am unable to communicate with Hylia. Ganon's demons attack me every once in a while because of it, and I'm frequently plagued with nightmares."

Impa's eyes widened. A mission from the Goddess? That must mean Hyrule was in grave danger otherwise. "I'm so sorry, Zelda. That sounds awful." She took Zelda's hands in hers.

"Zelda, why are you hiding your identity from Link?"

"The Goddess gave me clear instructions not to tell him who I was until "the time is right" and he remembers me on his own, because the distraction it would cause him could prove fatal."

Zelda felt instant guilt, because she knew she had kissed him more than she should have. She quickly stifled that feeling. "What do you think Hylia meant by 'the time is right?'"

Impa thought for a minute. "I think you must wait until he regains his strength and becomes the brave, fierce knight he once was."

Zelda gasped. This is agony. He's still very reliant on me. I can't wait that long! "Impa, what if he never remembers me?"

"Nonsense. You know how head over heels he was for you then, Zelda. He will regain his memories, and his love for you."

Zelda took a deep breath. "Yeah…about that, Impa…I think he has already regained his love for me. He hasn't said it, but I can see it in his eyes." She told Impa the whole story about how he had looked at her and kissed her after she saved his life.

Paya was quietly sobbing in the background while listening to their conversation, but Zelda didn't notice.

Impa looked at her best friend sadly. "Ahh. I imagine that is even worse for you, then."

"Yes. Very much so. My heart can't handle this." Zelda's voice lowered, and her eyes filled with tears.

Impa sighed. "I can't say I have all the answers, but it seems to me you must be patient. I'm sorry, Zelda. I know how much you love him. But Hylia is right, and I believe it's best you listen to her. You need to wait for him to remember on his own, and he cannot have any distractions while he is still weak and learning how to be a knight again."

As much as she didn't want it to be true, Impa was right, as always. Her old friend always seemed to have all the answers and the best advice, even when she was younger.

Zelda changed the subject. "How is your older sister? She was always so great with Sheikah technology."

"Purah is still in Hateno Village to this day, which as you know went mostly untouched thanks largely to the defensive capabilities of Fort Hateno."

Zelda winced. Fort Hateno was where we were trying to go when Link passed on. We were so close.

Impa continued. "Purah became the director of the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab, where she still continues her research on the Sheikah slate and Runes with her husband, Symin. Robbie did the same, only he founded an Ancient Tech Lab in the Akkala region. He specializes in ancient parts and Guardian research. Fifty years ago he invented Ancient Arrows—the strongest arrows in existence that have the ability to instantly defeat Guardians. I know he has invented other powerful Guardian weaponry and armor as well. I suggest you find Robbie, too."

Zelda smiled, pulling out her few remaining Ancient Arrows given to her by Hylia when she left the castle.

Impa gasped. "You have some! So you know about them already?"

"Only from what Hylia told me. She gave these to me for protection when I left the castle. I saved a few in case I need them before I'm able to get more. I was so happy to hear that Robbie fulfilled one of his dreams. He always vowed to avenge Link for what happened on Blatchery Plain."

"Yes, he was so thrilled when he successfully invented those arrows. He's still the same old Genius Eccentric I'm sure you remember! He'll be thrilled to see you again, I'm sure—complete with his shout of "Eureka!" Impa and Zelda laughed at the memories of their often overly-expressive friend who loved speaking in rhythm.

"And how is Cherry? I remember how much Robbie loved her, and the three of us had so much fun together." Zelda remembered their many sleepovers in her royal bedchamber, talking about boys, playing games, and staying up all night laughing and talking.

"We sure did, Zelda." Impa lowered her eyes. "Cherry was also killed by the Yiga in the Karusa Valley hideout. Robbie was heartbroken. When he built his lab he named his Ancient Furnace, a robot, after her. He did find love again in his later years, and his Hylian wife Jerrin now helps run the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab with him. They have an adult half Sheika son, named Grante."

Zelda's heart sank for Robbie and the tragic news of her friend, and the weight of both of their losses brought another round of tears. There had been so much death.

Impa reached out to Zelda and gave her another hug. "Zelda, I put your old photos back onto the Sheikah slate."

Zelda's eyes brightened. My old pictures!

Impa went on. "I put them back in the hopes that they might help Link regain his memories. I have something for you to give to Link after he recovers a core memory."

"What is a core memory?"

"A memory of a major event. Not something simple like remembering the name of an enemy or anything small like that, but likely something related to you or the Champions. He will likely suffer from a massive headache, or he might even go into a trance from remembering a core memory."

Impa reached for a small package wrapped in faded yellow parchment and a cloth ribbon and handed it to her. "Go ahead, Zelda. Open it."

"What is it?" She carefully unwrapped the ribbon and parchment, only to see Link's old baby blue Champion tunic Zelda made for him. She had made all of the Champions accent pieces in the same color that they always wore to designate their Champion status, and Link was her Champion sworn knight. She was in shock. The last time she saw Link wearing this, Robbie and Tiko were carrying him away, and it was filthy and tattered. Impa had restored the torn, dirty tunic. It almost looked brand new to her, especially without the tears and bloodstains covering it. She had so many good memories of him in this tunic, too.

"I want you to give this to Link as soon as he recovers his first core memory. He didn't seem to remember much of anything when I spoke with him, but I know he'll regain his memories over time."

"Thank you Impa. This means so much to me, and I know it will for Link as soon as he remembers."

"You're very welcome, my dear Zelda." The old woman yawned. "As much as I would love for you to stay so we can catch up, I've grown tired and must take my afternoon nap. I tire so easily in my old age. Please know, seeing you and Link again has given me hope and I'm so glad I got to visit with you."

Zelda smiled at her old friend. "You have no idea how much it has warmed my heart to see you after all these years, Impa. Thank you for everything." She gave Impa another hug.

"Please come back whenever you'd like. As I told Link, get to know Kakariko Village! Stay a while, I mean, maybe a couple days. You both have an important job to do, of course."

"Thank you, Impa. We probably won't stay too long, but we'd love to see everything."

Impa winked at her. "I hear there may be a Great Fairy Fountain nearby. You two should go investigate. Please let me know if you need anything from me! I always adored our time together, and I still do. Oh, and I must say, I love the name you chose for your alias." She smiled with remembrance in her eyes, then winked at Zelda. "You be sure to behave yourself with that knight, as I said to you a hundred years ago."

They heard a squeak from around the corner where Paya had been standing.

Zelda chuckled at Impa's comment. She was still the same Impa she remembered. The princess wiped her tears as she left Impa's house, putting on a brave face for Link.

Link was looking through the newly-added pictures on the Sheikah slate when she emerged from the tall wooden doors and made her way back down the stairs. Link was sitting by Luna and Toffa, who were near a row of statues that had a Korok in the middle, and it was giggling as it hung in the air on its own makeshift pinwheel made of sticks and leaves.

"None of these pictures are ringing a bell, Ari." Link told her sadly.

"I'm sorry, Link. I'm sure your memories will come back at the right time." She winced. At least I hope so.

Link sighed and put the Sheikah slate away, looking dejected.

Zelda tried to cheer him up. "Did Impa mention the Great Fairy Fountain to you? I was wondering if we could go see what that's about. If nothing else, we might be able to catch a few fairies. I wonder if anyone in the town knows anything."

Link's eyes seemed to brighten at her suggestion, so they made their way across the street toward the Kakariko Village inn to see if anyone there might know anything.

A kindly looking older man painting a picture on an easel set up near the inn caught their eye as they approached.

"Excuse me, I was wondering if you had any information on the Great Fairy Fountain that's supposed to be around here."

"Actually, it's funny you ask. I was planning to head up there myself to get a glimpse of it, but you two go on ahead. I'm not as spry as I used to be. I've heard it's magnificent, and I'd love to paint it! Follow the path up that hill past the village, and stay to the left when you reach the fork. You'll reach a glowing old shrine up there, and just walk past it. Stay to the left at the fork in the forest."

"Thanks…what was your name again?" Zelda asked.

"I'm Pikango. It's nice to meet you, uh…"

"I'm Ari, and this is Link."

Pikango thought for a moment, scrutinizing the young man standing in front of him. "Is that a Sheikah slate on your hip?"

"Yes, sir."

Pikango's eyes widened. "Master Link! Of course! The Slumbering Knight! You've awakened!"

Link looked uncomfortable, and Pikango noticed. "Forgive me, it's just that we Sheikah have

been waiting a long time for your awakening, Master Link."

"It's all right, Pikango. It's just that my long slumber has erased many of my memories, so it's odd to me that complete strangers know who I am, even after a hundred years."

The man looked surprised. "Well, I hope you're able to regain your memories, Master Link. You two should go ahead and see that fountain. Have fun! Let me know if you see any fairies!"

They waved at the man and made their way up the path, just as he described.

After Link successfully conquered the shrine at the top of the hill and claimed his fourth spirit orb, they continued walking into the forest behind it. Zelda gasped as a large magnificent green flower came into view, its petals closed, that was sitting on top of a group of several colorful pink flowers below it.

Zelda whispered. "Do you see those floating white, pink and green orbs of light near the bigger flower? Those are fairies! If you crouch and stay quiet, you can catch them. You just keep it in your pocket, or in the Sheikah slate, and they'll restore life force automatically if you die. You can even cook alongside them and they'll help you make Fairy Tonic to restore your health. It might be a good idea for us both to catch some of them."

They both crouched in the grass and each caught three fairies, and Zelda breathed a sigh of relief. I'm so glad he'll be more protected now, if something horrible happens. The images of the Yiga attack flashed across her mind again.

Zelda plucked two handfuls of sprigs of Blue Nightshade, a flower with many medicinal uses, out of the ground. Link managed to find several Endura carrots and a few hearty radishes, too.

As they approached the Great Fairy Fountain, Link saw what looked like stairs made of beautiful pink, purple, and white cascading flowers leading up from smaller flowers to the large, enclosed one in the middle. Curious, he climbed them. As soon as he did, a booming female voice came from the flower.

"WHO DISTURBS MY SLUMBER?" The deep female voice boomed from inside, making Link jump.

"Hahahaha. I only jest." The voice was suddenly high and sweet, and her musical laugh was slightly hypnotizing to their ears.

"Sweet boy…"the voice said seductively. Zelda let out a snort at the way she addressed him.

The voice changed to one of sadness. "Please, traveler, hear my story. I am the Great Fairy Cotera. This place was once a beautiful spring, but over time, fewer and fewer travelers arrived to offer me rupees. As a result, my power has left me. I am nearly powerless now, so I beg your help. I need rupees to become whole again. All I need is a hundred rupees. If you help me, I can do great things for you, boy."

Link turned to Zelda questioningly. "A hundred rupees. That seems fair, right?"

"Yes! More than fair. I've heard legends of the Great Fairies strengthening armor, but not much is known about how it's done. A hundred rupees is a steal!"

"Clever girl!" the voice inside said sweetly.

Link took a silver rupee from the Sheikah slate, and a giant hand appeared from the middle of the large closed flower from between two of its petals. The hand suddenly grabbed the silver rupee out of Link's, startling him, and he jumped backward, almost falling off the top of the flower stairs.

"You are too kind," the voice said. "Ahh…the power…it's overflowing!" The green, closed flower was beginning to rumble and bounce, with clouds of lavender-colored pollen escaping from the pointed top of the closed petals. The giant green flower concealing what was inside suddenly opened, its petals fanning behind the vivid flower staircase in the front, then draped along the edges of the small deep blue pool of water that was now visible in the middle. The entire fountain was glistening with fairy dust.

Out of nowhere, the pond began bubbling and rumbling with more clouds of purple pollen blowing Link's way, making him sneeze. He ran to the bottom of the stairs. With a great leap and an "Ah-haaaaaa!" Cotera the Great Fairy dramatically leapt up from the deep pool and surfaced, staring down at them. Their eyes were wide with amazement as they stared in wonder at the beautiful giant fairy. The siren-like fairy was adorned with large pieces of opalesque jewelry that reflected rainbows in the light, and she wore a similar opalesque white bikini-like top that was adorned with large opals. Her long blonde hair was in a fancy updo and cascaded around her forehead to the front of her face, which featured striking purple eye makeup and magenta lipstick. She reminded Zelda of mermaids from fairy tales she used to read as a child, and she wondered silently if she had a mermaid tail under the water.

Link respectfully approached and climbed the short flight of stairs again to address her.

Cotera was stretching her arms. "Oooh! What a feeling. That first breath of fresh air after an eternity of decay." She gazed down at Link, and her tone of voice changed back to her sultry one she used before. "It's just so intoxicating!"

Zelda could barely contain her laughter again as Link's face turned as red as a Hylian shroom.

Cotera snapped out of it. "Thanks to you, I've returned to my former glory. And as they say, one good deed deserves another. I can help you…sweet boy." She was still looking at Link with interest. Zelda's eyes widened at the boldness of this fairy, flirting with Link. She couldn't help but laugh out loud, making a kissy face toward him. Link heard, glancing over at her and glaring in her direction.

The fairy turned to Zelda. "And who might this beautiful flower be? His lover?" Zelda gasped, and it was Link's turn to laugh as she blushed. "I-I'm Ari, I'm only traveling with him." She said quietly.

"Hmm? I sense that is not the case. No matter." She turned back to Link, who was still redder than the hearty radishes he had just plucked from the ground.

"I can enhance your clothing, boy. It's the least I can do, but I will need the necessary materials."

Cotera studied him, staring down at the Sheikah slate for a minute or two. "I see I can enhance your clothing by quite a lot, based on the materials you carry. Shall I enhance your clothing? Ooh! It appears I can enhance your Hylian hood, Hylian tunic, and your Hylian trousers."

Link's eyes widened. That was everything he was wearing. Oh please, Hylia, have mercy! Please don't let her say I need to remove them for her to work her magic!

Zelda had the same thought, although she wanted the opposite, and she was both amused and excited for what the fairy was possibly going to do.

"If you don't mind, I just need some Bokoblin parts from your…extensive collection," Cotera insisted, then listed the specifics for him.

Link nodded and materialized the necessary monster parts from the Sheikah slate. He had gained a large collection, in addition to all of Zelda's, and he still had a large collection left by the time he took out what was needed. He placed them into her large, waiting palm.

Suddenly, Cotera took a deep breath, kissed her palms, and sweetly blew a kiss his way. A rush of flowery smelling air and fairy dust flew at him along with a wide ray of sparkling gold and purple light. The blast of air nearly knocked him backward, and his clothing glowed with a glistening golden aura.

"Amazing! Thank you, Cotera!" He bowed and turned to leave.

"This is a step-by-step process…boy." Link spun around to face her again. She was grinning.

Link's eyes widened. Oh no. What is she going to do next?

Cotera suddenly kissed one of her giant fingers and lightly tapped Link's nose, embarrassing him in front of Zelda, and his clothing glowed like it had before.

"Uhh….thank you, Great Fairy! We'll just be going now!" Link said quickly, his face still unusually red.

"Not so fast…sweet boy." Her sultry voice was so commanding, Link froze. Zelda snickered, sensing whatever she was going to do next was going to be good.

The Great Fairy leaned forward with her giant pursed magenta lips. Link's eyes grew wide and he let out an alarmed yell as her mouth approached him, and before he could run away she planted a large kiss on him that covered his entire face and neck. He didn't notice his glowing clothing that time, but his outfit's defense had been greatly upgraded, to Zelda's delight.

Zelda couldn't help herself at Cotera's nerve and Link's reaction, and she laughed even harder when she saw the giant lipstick stain on his face.

"Please, sweet boy, if you acquire any more clothing, come see me again. I look forward to it," The Great Fairy said in her sultry voice.

She paused and turned to Zelda with a wink. "Lucky girl."

With a great laugh, Cotera leapt up out of the water, then disappeared completely back down inside the sparkling blue pool with a large splash.

Zelda couldn't help herself at what she had just witnessed. She was now on the ground, kicking and pounding her fists violently in a fit of laughter, scaring away the rest of the small fairies they hadn't already caught, along with the deer that may have been their dinner that used to be in the surrounding woods.

Link was still visibly shaken by the fairy's unexpected intrusion. Well, that was awkward. I thought Cotera was going to eat me. Now I wish she did. Nothing like a beautiful woman laughing at me. Her fits of laughter reminded him of when they first met and he was beating down a group of Bokoblins, albeit not very well, with his soup ladle. He smiled. I don't mind it too much. Her laugh is one of the most beautiful sounds I've ever heard.

Once Zelda was finally able to calm down, they walked toward the finished shrine to make their way back into Kakariko Village. Zelda turned to him, placing a hand on his arm to stop him. She reached for the Sheikah slate, materializing a towel from the inventory, and she wiped the Great Fairy's lipstick off Link's face.

"I'm sorry I laughed at you, Link. It was just…your face! It was priceless…and her boldness with you!" She grinned, and he grinned back at her smile that warmed him to his core.

"It's okay, Ari. I love the sound of your laughter, even if it's at my expense." He turned away, blushing again.

Zelda gently guided his face back to hers with her hands, and to his surprise she planted a giant kiss on his lips, even bigger than Cotera's, as they entered the village once more.