***ALL STANDARD DISCLAIMERS APPLY**
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In Sotto Voce
By The Wolfess
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Chapter 2
King Daphnes and his advisors were shut up in meetings again the next day. Even though the doors to the Great Hall remained shut, the king made his wishes clear—no time would be wasted in finding Kishla's replacement. Although the elderly Sheikah stayed for the first few hours of deliberations, she soon obeyed the king's orders to return to the Sheikah City to discuss the changes in her role at the castle and their forecasted plan for Zelda's protection during the interview period. As far as the princess was concerned, however, it didn't matter what the plan ended up being. For a few days, at least, she would be mostly unguarded, and Zelda was looking forward to some much-needed alone time. At least, that is what she expected until her father's event planners showed up to map out when, where, and how the princess and the Sheikah trainee would meet.
They decided that Impa and the princess would meet over lunch, and so an invitation was extended. After all, what was a better way for two women to get to know each other than over a light luncheon with tea? Zelda tried to point out that they were completely overlooking the fact that Impa was a warrior, not a 'Lady' in the proper sense of the word, so a quaint luncheon might not be her idea of a fun afternoon. They also overlooked the fact that no matter what happened with Impa, the princess was convinced that there were much more important things going on in Hyrule Castle than her own petty affairs. Why was her father wasting her time with tea parties when she should be in the councils with him? Still, if the king wanted to keep up this ruse of normality in the country they were both supposed to be protecting, then she would play along—for now. Delaying meeting the trainee wouldn't make her father any likelier to invite her into the council chamber anyway.
When the day of the luncheon came, Ruto helped Zelda choose what to wear. They went through at least half of Zelda's large royal wardrobe before they found something that would work. Zelda chose a modest violet dress with a light pull over to cover her shoulders. It was patterned with little flowers embroidered with a plum-colored thread. The color brought out her fair skin and dark blue eyes, while the cut flattered her figure and still appeared modest enough for a princess.
"You're as nervous as a girl before her first date," Ruto said as they went through jewelry. Zelda decided to go light on jewelry for this outfit, hoping for a few pieces that would set off the dress and bring out the gold in her hair. "Like I said, you're being weird about this. If I didn't know Hylians better, I'd say…well, never mind what I'd say."
"I know I am," Zelda said. Ruto was doing the clasp on the latest necklace option. "I do not know why, Ruto, only that I feel so nervous that I fear I might faint. I want to make a good impression."
Ruto stepped back to look at the Hylian princess. "That's the one, Zelly, I just know it." Zelda didn't like that nickname, but Ruto didn't care so Zelda ignored it. "And you will make a good impression. Wearing this, you'll knock her dead—if that's what you're going for. Classy and sassy all at once."
Zelda sighed. "Thank you, Ruto. And I agree on the necklace," she glanced up at the wooden Terminian clock on the wall. "Well, looks like it should be about time." She swallowed and walked to the door. Ruto followed her out, planning to spend some extra time at the training grounds while Zelda was off at lunch. Before they parted, Zelda stopped. "Wish me luck," she said to the Zora princess.
Ruto waved. "Yeah, good luck, now go! You'll be late."
The location of their lunch was not far. The planners had chosen the east-facing solar, close to Zelda's bedroom. It would have good lighting at the lunch hour and was smaller and cozier for intimate chats. It had been known as the Queen's Solar for centuries.
Zelda stopped just outside the door. "Good afternoon," she whispered under her breath. "Hello, how do you do? Greetings, merry day is it not? Hi, how are you? Cheers?" She sighed and shook her head. None of it sounded right. Steeling herself, she put a hand on the handle and took a deep breath. She composed her features, checked her clothing and jewelry once more, and then pulled the door open.
Impa was standing at the window with her hands clasped behind her back. She didn't have her Great Sword with her, but she appeared to be dressed in a style of Sheikah everyday wear that also doubled as a battle uniform. It was a turquoise outfit with yellow arrows on the thighs that pointed upward. The top of the outfit had a strap that went over one shoulder while the rest of the fabric just wrapped around and tucked into the ornate armor belt that covered her midsection. There were golden rings secured by red-orange fabric tied to the belt from which a few large red-orange feathers hung. She wore plates of armor on her shins and arms as well, of a similar style to her belt, which covered her arms from shoulder to hand, and her legs from knee to ankle. Under the armor, she wore bracers and fingerless gloves. Around her neck, a black cowl was wrapped comfortably and tied with yellow and red beads.
At the sound of the door, the Sheikah trainee turned around. Zelda's breath caught in her throat. The front of the outfit left Impa's shoulders and chest mostly bare. The turquoise material covered one breast, but only a small piece of armor decorated with the Sheikah Eye and some bandages wrapped tight about her chest covered the other. Her skin under the armor was smooth and tanned, her stance somehow powerful and casual at once.
The Hyrulian princess found that she could not speak at all. She stood there in the doorway like an idiot and stared. Impa seemed to take this as a social cue. She crossed the space between them, her intense red eyes cast downward, and went down on one knee before Zelda. She placed her left fist over her heart in a soldier's salute, and held the other hand out to the princess, palm up.
"Your Highness, I am truly honored to be in your presence," she said. Zelda snapped out of it and placed her bare hand in the Sheikah's. The skin of their fingers touched. The princess suppressed the urge to shiver as a jolt of something like lightning sprang through her fingertips where they had made contact.
"Thank you," Zelda finally managed to say. "Please, rise. Such formalities are not necessary."
Impa took her hand out of Zelda's and stood. The princess wished that she had waited just a moment longer to let the trainee remove her hand. That was until their eyes met, and the Hylian princess got the chance to see bright red of Impa's eyes directly. They were so much livelier than the color of Kishla's old eyes, and there was an intensity in her gaze as she looked at the princess's face that made Zelda feel lightheaded.
"Hello," Zelda croaked in a meek tone as she clasped her hands together in front of her.
Impa smiled, half in amusement. "Hello, Princess Zelda," she said. They were still standing in the entryway, their bodies standing a little closer together than was customary.
Zelda smiled back, before she remembered her manners and realized how close they were. "Forgive me," she said, stepping back and suppressing the urge to blush. "I seem to have forgotten all my manners. Would you like to sit? The servants will be bringing lunch soon." She motioned to the small table set for two near the window.
Impa did a half bow. "I would love to," she said. They crossed over to the table, and Impa held out the chair for Zelda before sitting in her own chair. The servants brought out the first course, a light salad and some tea. Once they poured the tea, they left the two girls alone again.
The salads were consumed in silence. Zelda's heart was fluttering in her chest. She couldn't think of a single word to say. Impa ate with one hand in her lap, her intense eyes never leaving the princess's face. Finally, Zelda set her salad fork down. She licked her lips and laced her fingers together in her lap. "I suppose you have heard why you have been summoned today?" she asked.
Impa set her fork down as well. "Actually, I wasn't told much your Highness. They mentioned that Elder Kishla is retiring from your service, and the King wanted you and I to meet to discuss it. That was all, I believe."
"Please, call me Zelda," the princess said. She was happy that they had not told Impa about Zelda's undue interest in her of the past few weeks.
"Zelda, then," Impa said, seeming to linger over the syllables of the princess's name.
Zelda did blush this time, but only a little. She picked her salad fork back up and busied herself with eating a few more bites. When she was done, she looked back up to Impa's face. The Sheikah was looking down as she ate the rest of her salad. Zelda took the opportunity to examine her features. She had a red tattoo around her left eye. The edge of the eye was traced in red, with a single line extending out the side in a little curl. Above her eyebrow was a smaller red outline of a triangle, and below the eye was a larger, solid red triangle that seemed to extend down almost to the corner of her mouth with two tiny solid triangles on either side. The right eye seemed to have some red around it as well, but it wasn't as pronounced as the left side.
"Kishla told me that your name is Impa. Is that correct?" Zelda said, as a way of starting the conversation.
"Yes, that is my name," Impa answered. If she was confused by the princess's odd behavior, she was keeping her reactions carefully flat.
Zelda tapped her fingertips together under the table. "It is quite a historied name," she said, her voice a little high pitched. "There are many legendary Sheikah women who have borne that name, and many of them worked right here in the castle."
Impa nodded. "Yes, that is true. They are my ancestors. I often enjoy reading about them."
"You like history?" Zelda asked, tilting her head to the side a little. "It is rare that I meet a warrior who enjoys such studious things." Her eyes widened in alarm, and she quickly added, "not that I am trying to imply warriors are less intelligent."
Impa inclined her head. "No offense taken. I do try to learn new things when I can. I suppose that makes me not your typical warrior."
Zelda smiled, her shoulders starting to relax a little. "We will have to talk about our favorite subjects sometime," she said. "For today, however, I would very much like to know more about you, Impa. I have…seen you practice in the yard. You are very skilled."
Just then, the servants brought the main course out. It was a pasta salad with chunks of cheese, ham, and celery mixed in with pasta, tuna, and a light sauce. Zelda took the excuse to do something with her hands and ate while Impa talked.
"There is not much to tell, I'm afraid," the Sheikah began. "I grew up in the Sheikah village, Kakariko. I began to study weapons and exhibit magical abilities at the age of eight. By seventeen, I had surpassed all our instructors in the magical battle arts and was sent to Hyrule to study under a sage named Rauru. I lived and studied with him until the about a year ago, when I enlisted in the Hyrulian Army."
"Why the army?" Zelda asked. "Someone with your skill would surely go elsewhere to perform great deeds for the world."
It was Impa's turn to blush a little. "I am honored by your praise, your Highness. I mean, Zelda."
Zelda smiled. Perhaps, she realized, Impa was just as nervous as she was. "I just speak truth. I have never seen a warrior with such power and grace before."
Impa didn't seem to have a reply. They ate the rest of their lunch while exchanging some light chatter about the weather and recent events around the castle. Eventually the servants took their plates away and left the girls alone with a teapot and a couple teacups. There would be no more interruptions. If Zelda was ever going to tell Impa the true reason for their lunch, the time was now.
"I must confess, Impa," the princess began. "My father has a specific reason for wanting us to share lunch today, and it was not to talk about the weather." They both laughed a little, and then Zelda continued. "Kishla is retiring, as you know. We need to find a replacement to be my bodyguard. Traditionally, the position has always been held by a Sheikah, and your name was brought up as a potential candidate. It was not at all because of your heritage, however, I assure you. My father's military leaders have spoken highly of your skills to him, and Kishla personally recommended you."
This was where the telling got difficult, and Zelda's stomach churned with nerves. What if she said no? What if they weren't compatible? Ignoring the sick feeling in her stomach, Zelda continued. "Now, this position is unique. My bodyguard is with me day and night. Kishla has not been around as much because of her illness and her duties as an advisor to the Crown, but traditionally every waking hour, seen or unseen, my bodyguard is at my side. We eat together. We sleep in the same or adjoining rooms, depending on your preference. You would attend my classes with me, social functions, read with me in the library, and in the unlikely event of a battle we would fight side by side. As you would expect, because of the nature of this position it is important to my father that the person chosen be someone that I get along with. He would like us to spend time together to see if we are compatible."
Impa's eyebrows had raised as Zelda spoke. Now that she was done, the Sheikah opened her mouth to speak, and then closed it again when nothing came out. "My Lady," she finally said, her voice strained. "I don't know what to say."
Zelda cast her eyes down at the lacey tablecloth. Under the table, she clutched the fabric of her dress in both hands. "It is a lot to ask," she said, her voice soft as she fought the sorrow trying to enter her tone. "Too much perhaps. I understand. I shall inform my father that you do not desire the position." The princess stood to leave, hoping to exit gracefully.
Before she took two steps away from the table, however, a hand found her own. The princess turned to see Impa half-standing up from her chair, her hand extended to grab Zelda's before she was gone. Her grip was firm but gentle. "I'm afraid that I have not communicated my meaning," she said, her voice quiet as she stood the rest of the way up from her chair. She looked the princess directly in the eyes. "I am…" she paused, searching for the right words, "excited by the offer. Honored. Humbled." She looked down at their joined hands but did not let go. "I'm just a trainee. I never expected a privilege such as this. I would be grateful…and pleased…to spend time with you."
A smile crept onto Zelda's face. "You would?" she asked. She knew it sounded juvenile, but Zelda needed to hear the warrior say 'yes' one more time.
Impa nodded. The pad of her thumb brushed over Zelda's knuckles once, so briefly it could have been an accident, and then she dropped the princess's hand. "Yes, Zelda. I would be delighted to get to know you."
The princess's smile turned into a grin. She held the hand that Impa had touched up to her chest for a moment, and then let it fall to her side. "Thank you," she said. Impa just nodded in reply. Zelda glanced from the Sheikah's face to the window and then back. "It is a beautiful day outside. Would you like to take a walk with me?"
"I would like to go anywhere you desire," Impa replied, which made Zelda blush again. The Sheikah smiled, as if she were enjoying making the princess blush. They left the solar and started walking down the drafty castle hallway. Zelda wasn't really paying attention to where they went, and Impa seemed content to follow where the princess led. They kept a quiet company at first. Zelda debated what to say to this warrior woman, and Impa waited on the princess's convenience like the good soldier she was trained to be. As they came toward the study hall, Zelda finally spoke up.
"This is where I spend most of my days," she said. They stopped by the door and peeked in. Seeing no one using the space, the princess led them inside. There were two simple desks with plush chairs sitting in the middle of the room facing opposite an ornate cherry-wood desk. The room had large, clear windows to let in fresh light, and the walls were lined with textbooks, maps, paintings, and a chalkboard—anything that the professors might need to educate their royal pupils.
Impa was examining the desks. The one on the right, farthest from the door, had random papers and pencils scattered all over it and a few letters and shapes drawn or carved into the desktop. On the other hand, the one closest to the door was tidy and clean. "I think that I can guess which desk belongs to you," Impa said, chuckling a little.
"Oh?" Zelda looked at the desks as if noticing them for the first time. Soon, she chuckled as well. "I guess mine is kept much nicer than Ruto's. She so hates being here."
Impa tilted her head a little. "And you, Zelda? Do you hate being here too?"
Zelda shook her head, long blond hair swaying with the movement. "Oh, no. I quite love to study. The more you know about the world, the better prepared you are for whatever may come. You can predict the future by looking at the past. And, well, it is all so interesting anyway." Zelda led them back out of the study hall and kept walking.
"What's your favorite subject?" Impa asked, hoping to keep the conversation going.
Zelda grinned. "History of course! As a ruler, I feel as if history is the most useful subject of all. Sometimes it feels like hearing the stories of the Zeldas who have come before me is like hearing my own stories told to me in someone else's voice. It is a strange feeling."
Impa nodded. "I enjoy history as well. The Sheikah tell their own histories of Hyrule, quite separate from the tales that you are privy to."
Zelda was walking them toward the door to the garden. It would be nice to take a walk out in the warm, sunny air. "Different? How so?" she asked, intrigued.
Impa shrugged. "Well, the Sheikah Tribe prides itself on being keepers of truth. Members of our tribe spend their whole lives researching the exact facts of events, both big and small, and then record them as factually as possible. These volumes are then copied over and over again as they start to wear, so that future generations can know the exact facts of events that took place hundreds of years ago."
Zelda's eyes seemed to light up. "I would very much like to read these tomes," she said, clasping her hands in front of her. "They must be very interesting."
Impa smiled. "You will," she said, "but I must warn you that they are very dry. Even though the legends passed down within our own tribe may have stylistic flair sometimes, the Sheikah Historical Archive is as factual and dry as a grocery list. There are a couple who tried to spice the language up a little to make the reading more bearable, Mudora being a favorite writer of mine for example, but most of them didn't want to 'taint' or 'slant' the facts by adding style."
"I think that that you will find me to be not an easily-bored reader," Zelda said. They were outside now and the sun was shining. Happy to feel its light and to have company, she closed her eyes and tilted her face toward the sun. "I think that the spring sun is the warmest of all," she remarked. "It gives its light and warmth even as the earth is still cold and resistant. It is the most selfless of all the suns."
Their conversation kept going from there. It was as if once they had started, there was no way to stop them, and no topic was off-limits. They talked about themselves and about their interests, great and small. They talked about books and weapons and history. They even briefly talked about the hushed meetings that the king was keeping quiet and the rumors circulating about them. Zelda soon realized that not only was Impa strong and beautiful, she was also smart. The princess had never met anyone quite as interesting as Impa, nor anyone who made her feel quite so interested in them.
By the time that dusk began to fall, they were out on the battlements of the Castle wandering at a leisurely pace. The sun began to set, and it painted the sky red, orange, and pink behind them. Zelda looked at it and exclaimed "Oh!"
Impa stopped. "Is everything okay?" she said, her voice suddenly serious.
Zelda nodded her head and smiled. "I am fine," she said. "I just realized that I missed supper with my father as we have been walking. Ruto will be furious with me."
Impa smiled. "She sounds like a unique person," she remarked.
"Yes, very," Zelda said. "You can meet her tomorrow if you would like. We can pick you up at the trainee's barracks tomorrow morning."
Impa bowed a little. "That would be wonderful, your Highness," she said. "However, the barracks are not a place for two Ladies such as yourselves. I can meet you in the hall just outside where you breakfast with your father, if it pleases you."
"It does please me," Zelda answered. She fell quiet for a moment, looking up at Impa's face with a small smile on her lips. The sunset was behind Impa, and the colors set off the red in her eyes and reflected off her silver-white hair. "You must be hungry," the princess finally said. "I should let you go eat and rest."
Impa nodded. "Perhaps that would be wise," she agreed.
"I suppose this is goodnight, then." Zelda held out her hand. Impa bent over it in a noble's bow, took Zelda's hand in her own, and brushed her lips over the princess's skin in a chaste and proper kiss. Lords and knights had done the same thing countless times over the princess's lifetime, it should have been nothing new to her, but Zelda's heart jumped a little all the same.
"Goodnight Zelda," Impa said. "I'll see you in the morning, then."
Zelda nodded. She began to take her leave but turned back to the departing Sheikah at the last minute. "Impa?" she said.
"Yes, Zelda?" the trainee asked, turning to look back at the princess.
"I very much enjoyed your company today," Zelda said. "Thank you for spending time with me."
Impa did another half-bow. "The pleasure was all mine, princess."
~! #$%^&*()
When Impa returned to the barracks that night, she went right to bed. She wanted to be fresh and ready for the princess the next morning, and she would need to get her training done very early if she was to spend the whole day with Zelda. The Sheikah still wanted to aspire to a higher office, even if she did end up in Zelda's personal service. Truth be told, as flattered as she was by the offer, she also wasn't sure it was the best arrangement. The princess deserved some captain or lieutenant by her side, someone who was more experienced and decorated than herself. Zelda deserved the best that the army had to offer, and Impa wasn't sure that she was it.
Still, as she lay on her bed in the dark, alone with her thoughts, the Sheikah felt glad that the princess had chosen her. She was sure that it was the princess, not just the king, who had made the choice. After all, Zelda had been coming to watch Impa train for the past month. The princesses thought they were being sneaky, but no one was sneakier than a Sheikah. Day after day she felt the princess's eyes upon her, watching from the shadows, and something within Impa felt like she needed to fight harder, move faster, be stronger. She wanted to become a warrior with the strength to be worthy of such a woman's interest.
Suddenly, there was a knock on Impa's door. As the only female trainee in the barracks this year, Impa had the space to herself. She sat up and called for the person to come in. The door opened a crack, and the blond head of her young training partner popped in.
"Am I intruding?" he asked, flashing a smile.
Impa shook her head. "No, Link, you're never intruding. I couldn't sleep anyway."
Link came in and closed the door behind him. They both wore simple trainee tunics to bed, like everyone else did. The young orphan boy was the only person strong enough or skilled enough to spar with Impa, and they had become fast friends shortly after he joined the army. Impa appreciated the boy's honesty and kindness, and he appreciated her acceptance and expertise. He was only seventeen and hadn't had any formal training, but he was enthusiastic and had natural talent. So far they were advancing at about the same rate through the training program.
Link sat on an unoccupied bed across from Impa. "So, how did it go? Your day with the princess. Is she as beautiful up close as she looks from a distance?"
Impa smiled. "More so," she said. She looked past Link, staring at the wall as if Zelda's face were right there in front of her. "She's as radiant as the stars," she murmured, her tone soft. "And she's kind, smart, and sensitive. She was a little shy at first, but once she grew comfortable, we talked all day. Really, Link, she's unbelievable."
"Did she say why she's been watching you?" he asked. Link was the only other person who had noticed that Zelda visited the training grounds every day, and Impa had sworn him to secrecy. If the princess wished to remain anonymous about her visits, no one would find out from either of them.
Impa shook her head. "She didn't mention it. I'm not going to press her if she doesn't want to talk about it."
"I don't know why it would be an issue," he said, shrugging. "Ruto watches me every day, and sometimes the king comes to watch us train. They're scouting for talent. What does she think she's hiding?"
Impa shook her head. "I don't know. But I do know why she summoned me."
Link leaned forward. "And?" he prompted.
Impa let herself grin. "Her bodyguard, Elder Kishla, is retiring. The king wants me to take Kishla's place, but only if Zelda and I get along. So we're going to spend time together…get to know each other."
Link's jaw dropped. "Are you kidding me?" he said. He stood up and held his hands out in front of him. "Are you KIDDING me right now? Seriously, Impa, that's awesome!"
Impa stood and put a finger to her lips. "Shhhh," she said. "You'll wake the barracks! I don't think she wants people to know yet."
Link sat back down, but he didn't stop smiling. "Fine, but I still say way to go. You're not even out of training yet, and they're giving you the most honored position in the army. That's a lifetime appointment. Hey, are you sure that's the direction you want to go in? It would stop your aspirations of becoming a General one day, or your ability to leave the army to do other things."
Impa sat down as well. She leaned back against the headboard, folding her hands behind her head. "You know, before I met her I would have said no. Trailing a princess isn't what I pictured myself doing with my life, you know?" Link nodded, and Impa continued. "But once I met her…I don't know…it's like there's a magnet pulling us together. Like I don't have a choice, and suddenly I'm not sure I mind. The Sheikah Elders would say that the Goddesses' plans are coming to fruition. Or something like that at least, about it being the call of destiny. I'm not sure what I think about that."
Link didn't seem to know what to say. After sitting quietly for a little he said, "that's pretty heavy. So, when are you going to see her next?"
"I'm meeting her tomorrow morning," Impa answered. "After breakfast we'll spend the whole day together."
Link yawned and stood up. "That's awesome. Well, you'll have to tell me how it goes," he said as he stretched. "I'd better get to bed."
"Yeah, we both should," Impa agreed. "Big day tomorrow. Hey, thank you for stopping by Link."
Link smiled. "Of course. Congratulations again!"
Impa stood and held out her hand to him. Link shook it, and then he left. The Sheikah laid back on her bed and stared into the darkness of the barracks. If she got this position, her whole life would change. Zelda would be her life. A part of her felt scared by that prospect, but then there was this other part. The other part whispered that this was what she was meant to do. That, somehow, Zelda was a part of her destiny. It was wonderful and terrifying at the same time.
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Author's Notes: Revised chapter uploaded May 2022. Please see original author's comments below.
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Thank you so much everyone for the positive reception of the first chapter! I'm amazed by the number of people who aren't really into this pairing but are reading it because they enjoy my writing. Thank you very much, that's a huge complement to me! I hope that you enjoy it, and thank you for understanding the slight delay in Stasis updates. :)
In other news, yey for Link! I can't write a Zelda fanfic without having Link be a main character.
Thanks for reading and please review!
