"Don't worry girl, you shall be reunited with your master very soon." Midna soothed as she led Epona towards Kakariko Village.
Being on her own, it had been a silent journey to collect Epona from outside Faron Woods, and even now all she could do was speak soft and soothing words to the horse. They weren't awfully far from the Village and as they neared the gates, Midna began to slow down a little with worrisome thoughts about Link's comatose state filling her head.
She feared that he might never wake and then both the Kingdom of Light and Twilight would be doomed by Zant forever and the Princess of Hyrule... She dreaded to think what would become of Zelda and the baby that she carried. But she knew that she couldn't let those thoughts take over her. Right now, the fate of everyone was in her hands, and right now she needed to remain focused on finding a way to bring Link back to the waking world.
"Oh Zelda... If only you were here with me now, you would not only know what to do, but I know for certain that Link would wake up for you..." She whispered into the silence of the open air.
With a defeated sigh, she continued through the entrance, hanging her head in shame.
"I know you are taking great care of my dear Link..." A soft voice came from behind her.
Lifting her head and turning around, she was confused and surprised to see Zelda... Or rather, a spirit version of the Princess, standing before her. Without hesitation, she bowed as best she could in her imp form.
"Your highness... I really don't know what more I can do... I've tried so hard to wake him and nothing seems to be working. He needs to wake or... Or more bad things are going to happen." Midna half cried.
Zelda gave a sympathetic smile to the Twilight Princess, her face warm and glowing. She stood just a few inches away from Midna and when she began to speak, her face softened.
"Don't be so hard on yourself... The service you have done for Hyrule and for Link is outstanding and I will forever be grateful for it. Thank you for guiding him along the journey, he needs you in this."
"Not as much as he needs you... I'm lost on what to do, and I need your help."
"Well as you can see, in this form there isn't very much that I can do. However, there are a few words that you should pass on to him. Perhaps that would help."
"Pass on words? You really think words are going to bring him out of it? I highly doubt that."
"Trust me on this... When you get back to him, get close to his ears and whisper these exact words to him..."
As if to demonstrate, Zelda moved in closer to Midna, put her mouth next to her ear and whispered four words to her.
"Those are nice words and all... But are you sure about this?" Midna asked, doubtful of this advice.
"Almost one hundred percent." Zelda confirmed.
"Well... Okay then... I'll take your word for it. I just hope that you are right."
"I have to go now... Zant is coming to check up on my body. If he sees that it is doll-like due to me being here then who knows what he will do... I am counting on you, Midna!"
Before she could even begin to question the Princess about Zant, she was gone, leaving only the two of them there to continue the path back to Link.
"What do you think, girl? Is Zelda right about this?" Midna asked as they slowly headed up the path back to where Impaz lived.
As though she understood what she was being asked, Epona whinnied and nodded her head as if she were trying to give an answer.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. She is the future Queen of Hyrule after all, so I really shouldn't doubt her."
In just a few short seconds, they were outside the house. Midna made sure to hook Epona's reins over the little holding pole before heading inside. The sight that confronted her was not so pleasant.
Link, still in the same state that he had been in since the woods, was laid out on one of the beds now, with Impaz cleaning the wounds on his chest. She had to turn away as she saw the bloodstained cloth that was being used to dab one of the wounds that was oozing thick crimson.
The woman stopped what she was doing as she heard the creak of the floorboards when Midna entered. Putting the cloth down, she turned the Twilight Princess.
"Ah, you're back. Unfortunately there has been no progress in his state; however I could not wait any longer to treat his wounds. Now that you are here, we should really try to wake him." Impaz greeted.
Midna simply nodded to show her understanding and then moved over to where Link was laid, deep in slumber.
"This is a long shot... But it is worth a try."
Leaning in closely just as Zelda had done with her, she made sure her voice was steady before beginning to recite the words that she had been given.
"Remember Link... You have the courage." She whispered the exact words that Zelda had told her, and then she decided to add in her own.
"You can win this fight. I know you can. I believe in you, Zelda believes in you... Heck, even Epona believes in you. All you have to do is have faith in yourself."
Stepping back, she and Impaz waited. Nothing appeared to be happening at first, but just as Midna was about to give up, Link woke abruptly with a loud gasp as he bolted upright into a sitting position.
"It worked!" Midna cried in relief.
"I saw her... I spoke to her." Link muttered. "She needs me!"
With that last statement, he attempted to lift himself off of the bed to stand, but winced at the pain that his wounds caused him. Impaz immediately forced him back down to sit on the bed.
"No! You are not yet well enough." Impaz warned him.
"But she needs me, and I know what I have to do now." Link protested.
"If you go out there with fresh wounds, you will leave yourself vulnerable to attack. Give it a day; only a day."
"We already lost too many days..." He began but quickly stopped complaining when Midna shot him a look.
He sighed in defeat as he let the women win this one and forced him to stay put whilst they bathed, cleaned and even stitched his wounds. As soon as that was over with, Impaz was already cooking him up an omelet and some hearty truffles for dessert. The strong smell of eggs and truffles was enough to make him admit that he was, in fact, hungry. Almost as quickly as it had been placed in front of him, the plate was empty.
"Can I go now?" He whined.
With his belly full and his wounds having been patched up, he could not think of anything more that he needed to do to prepare. He did not need any sleep, that was for sure.
"Someone is an eager beaver." Midna joked to Impaz.
"Not quite yet. You agreed to twenty-four hours. Besides, your wounds are not healed, simply patched up. They can still rip open with too much movement." Impaz reminded him.
"Okay. Twenty-four hours it is." He surrendered.
"While you wait, it might be worth preparing Epona. You promised Ilia that you would take good care of her."
For a brief second, the mention of Ilia caused a pang of grief to strike his heart, but he quickly brushed it aside and slowly stood up before heading outside to where his loyal horse was waiting patiently.
"Hey girl... You miss me?" He spoke softly as he approached her, patting her on her muzzle.
He watched as her eyes blinked once as if to tell him that she had and it made him smile. Although Ilia was gone, Epona brought him great comfort. Even though he could not do anything for his best friend, he would do everything in his power to look after the horse that she was so fond of.
Picking up the bucket that was placed on the first step to the porch, he fished out a brush then began to gently pull it through Epona's mane. As soon as the brush made contact with her, she lowered her head to make it easier for him to reach without reopening his wounds.
It was early evening and the sun was just beginning to set, but Link couldn't bring himself to leave her side. Instead he stayed put, brushing her mane and tail, cleaning her shoes and feeding her apples from the nearby tree.
For the first time in a long time, he felt content.
