Zelda and Impa arrived in Termina the next morning, and Impa instructed Zelda to wait outside while she rented a room at the Stock Pot Inn. Zelda wore a dark cloak, keeping her face covered in case someone should recognize her. Despite her usual nonchalance about her reputation, she didn't want anyone to know she ran off from Hyrule to have a baby.

A baby that would somehow eventually betray her, she thought to herself.

"My lady," Impa murmured, poking her head out the inn door. "The room is ready. Come."

The princess nodded and walked in, dismissing Edward to find his own quarters. She kept her hood up, and she could feel the other residents' eyes on her. She did her best to shrug it off, and she followed her attendant up a flight of stairs. Once they were inside their room, Impa said, "There is no need to hide your face. The people here will not recognize you. You will go by the name of Ayrin while we are here. Terminans have hardly an interest in Hyrule. Most of them have never been there, and even if they have, they have not seen you."

"Alright," Zelda said quietly, and she removed her cloak. She had been very easygoing the last couple of days, and Impa sensed that she was grateful to be away from Hyrule. She dressed in a very simple gown, not wanting to reveal her status. She removed the circlet she usually wore around her head, and any jewels she was wearing. Impa nodded slightly, approving of this.

"How are you feeling?" Impa asked.

"Fine, I suppose, considering the circumstances," said Zelda, shrugging. "I'm nervous. I don't know what it's like, being pregnant."

"Well of course not," Impa said with a chuckle. "You are hardly even nineteen yet, and not even engaged."

"I know," Zelda said sharply. "You need not remind me. I wanted you to come with me for support, not to make me feel guilty every time I mention what is happening to me."

Impa sighed and sat down. "I know, my lady. I am sorry. I suppose I am worried for you. I am worried that you will not deal well with this. It is a life changing event, having a child. And I have seen many times that the fate of the child of the Hero of Time and the princess of Hyrule has a future that is complicated and hazy. Your child may seek you out one day, and he or she may find you or betray you, or perhaps even your country, and I too am afraid of what will happen..." Impa's voice trailed off.

"Do not be afraid," Zelda said. "We cannot be afraid just yet. Not when we are not even sure what will happen. If this future of this child is hazy, then we must just let it happen and not try and see. Promise me that you will not look ahead to my baby's future."

Impa nodded and sighed again. "As you wish, your majesty. Now, shall we see the sights of Termina?"

Zelda smiled brightly, feeling optimistic for the first time in the last few days. "Let us go," she said.

They spent the afternoon together. Zelda saw the ocean for the first time. It was salty and a crystalline blue. The sand was soft between her toes, and the young princess laughed like a child when she felt it for the first time. Her belly was still small, and she could run freely, though she got winded quickly. Then they saw the snowy mountains in the distances, covered in snow at their tips. There were also the canyons, where Impa said that was where thieves resided, which made Zelda shiver. By the time night fell, Zelda was exhausted, and back the inn, she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

The next several months continued like this. Since no one in Clock Town knew who Zelda was, she was able to walk about and explore freely, Impa always at her side to watch over her. Impa also made sure Zelda only ate the best fruits, vegetables, and milks, to ensure her child would be healthy. Zelda laughed and smiled easily, and she seemed completely carefree for the first time in a long, long time. Impa was happy to see this, and during their time in Termina, Impa never brought up what she foresaw for Zelda's child. Zelda was curious, but she didn't ask. Instead, she focused on her health. There were times Impa seemed distressed, and Zelda had always been an insightful girl, so she knew that these were times when Impa had visions of the future, and they probably contained information about her child. Zelda also had the feeling that Rauru came to speak with Impa more than that one time. Still, she didn't say anything. She knew that eventually everything would reveal itself.

Zelda found her first woman friend (besides Impa and her serving women) in the owner of the Stock Pot Inn, Anju. Anju was different from any woman Zelda had ever met. Her hair was a shiny reddish color, and it was cut short, a style that was not at all popular in Hyrule. She was tall and very thin, and she accepted Zelda right away. She never asked questions about the father of Zelda's baby. She only supported her, and Zelda was appreciative of that. They could laugh and talk together, and when she could, Zelda helped Anju cook for the other guests staying at the inn. Eventually, Zelda's belly grew so big she couldn't do more than pace restlessly, rubbing her aching back. Impa gave Zelda herbal medicines to ease her pain.

Anju was married to a man named Kafei, and they had no children. Anju confessed to Zelda at one point in Zelda's eighth month, tearfully, that she believed that she would not be able to have children. It was then that Zelda made the decision about who should raise her child.

Back in Hyrule, life continued as it always had. The land was peaceful, and the king was at ease thinking his daughter was away being educated, in the good hands of Impa, and being taught by some of the best scholars in the land. There was no war and no evil, and everyone seemed content and happy for the first time in many years.

However, things at Lon Lon Ranch were not so. Link was as distant as ever. He thought frequently of Zelda and his unborn child, and of what they had done. It was the worst kind of betrayal, and Malon was always kind to him despite his coldness toward her.

Should he tell her? It was a thought constantly on his mind. If he told her, he was almost sure Malon wouldn't do anything about it. She would be hurt, but she wouldn't leave him. She was not strong enough; even her father knew that. Talon saw how his daughter was treated, and how weak she was. She loved Link too much to leave him behind, even if he hurt her.

As the months passed, Link knew Zelda would be giving birth soon. He wished to send her a letter and find out how she was doing, and he even ventured over the Hyrule Castle to see if he could find out the address she was staying at, but no one would tell him. He found out that it was her wish that no one find her or speak with her while she was gone. Naturally, Link thought. She's having a baby, not going to school.

Link's heart was anxious. Zelda would be having her baby and returning home any day. He wanted to see her, to ask a million questions. Instead, he bottled up his feelings. He turned away from his friends, and from Malon. In Hyrule Castle Town, rumors flew about Link's behavior, and many spectated about why he was acting so: he was disappointed about not having a child with Malon, he or Malon was ill...Yet Link gave no answers. He stayed away. Eventually a day came where he could not walk out his front door.