There were times when Paya wished she was not the granddaughter of Elder Impa. She loved her grandma very much, and did not resent taking care of her one bit, but on many occasions the stress was simply too much. Stand strong in front of the public. Protect this ancient artifact. Prepare yourself to lead the Sheikah. These were not things that would comfort a girl with chronic anxiety. Paya felt perpetually flustered, and with her white hair and pale skin, she often resembled a voltfruit.

This embarrassment didn't mean Paya would neglect her duties, however. The one thing that kept her going was her unwavering sense of purpose. The Calamity never reached as far as Kakariko, but the beast still lay deep within Hyrule Castle and the threat it posed was far from over. What Paya did, small and insignificant as it sometimes felt, was still important. That, and the fact that few Sheikah were trusted and skilled enough to do her job. If you drop the reins, her grandmother would say, there is no one else to guide the carriage.

So how could Paya complain? She had the privilege of living, unlike many of her ancestors who fell a century ago. She looked at Princess Zelda and Master Link, who had dedicated their whole lives to vanquishing Ganon once and for all. If Paya was stuck in her home with Impa, then she was in a far better position than the princess trapped in a castle with that pig beast. If Paya had died and woken up with not a memory to her name, how would she find the strength to go on?

Memory was the word of the day and the theme she would write about in her journal that night. Memory was what brought Link back to Kakariko one last time before the grand finale. He had traveled across Hyrule, built rapport with the many races and settlements, and freed all four Divine Beasts along with the spirits of their respective champions. During this journey he picked up scraps of his previous life, as the boy described it. Sometimes it was places and faces, he said. Other times, it was a statue, or a dream. He didn't have the full picture yet; he might never. But Link came back to Impa and Paya this morning to get the last piece in a century-long jigsaw. Impa obliged, and after a healthy amount of conversation, slowly pulled the curtains back and unveiled the canvas.

Paya hadn't actually seen the painting before. She was taking it for the first time, same as Link. Or perhaps this was not the first time Master Link set his eyes on Ash Swamp? Paya wasn't sure, and she thought that he wasn't either. It was a landscape, beautiful in its own twisted way. Long and wild grasses gave way to natural rock formations and healthy oak trees. Scattered about the area were stone ruins and decayed guardian stalkers. It was a battle scene that had been left untouched for generations.

If Link recognized the location, he did not show it. The Hero's face was tight and opaque. It gave Paya chills.

"Paya dear,"—her grandmother's voice broke the silence—"why don't you guide Link to the area in the painting?"

The Hero sputtered and made some motions to express that this was unnecessary, but Impa cut him off.

"I'm sure our champion would greatly appreciate some company before he ventures off to finish his quest." Impa smirked at the youths. That old hag. "It would only take half a day to get there."

This time, Link turned to Paya and looked expectantly. She squeaked. Oh Goddess, she squeaked and flushed her classic red.

"I'll prepare the horses!" Paya said a little too quickly and loudly.

She jumped up and briskly started toward the door, and narrowly avoided tripping on the floorboard. As Paya sighed and descended the front steps, she could hear Impa's hearty laugh from inside. That woman never changed.

…

"You fidget a lot."

Paya fidgeted again and cringed.

"Sorry…"

"It's okay," Link reassured.

The two were on horseback headed south toward The Dueling Peaks Stable. Paya was borrowing a horse from a neighbor in Kakariko, and Link was atop his own steed. His horse had a pure white coat with a pearly mane. The horse was beautiful, and they seemed close judging from the way Link gently caressed his mount as they rode.

"So have you been to this stable before?" Paya asked.

She figured coming up with questions for Link would make her more comfortable.

"It was the first place I went after getting off the Great Plateau."

"Right." Paya bit her lip. She was painfully awkward around people her age.

"Do you know how Koko and Cottla are doing?"

Paya didn't expect Link to ask about Dorian's girls, of all things.

"I'm… not entirely sure. Summer is almost over, so they'll be starting school soon."

Link smiled softly, and then his face hardened. Watching the boy's expressions was fascinating for Paya.

"You should tell your grandmother that the Yiga are crippled when you get back."

"How come you didn't say anything when you were there?"

"Impa's already doing her best to fix my head. I didn't want to give her one more thing to worry about." Link smiled a little woefully.

"She says you need a haircut," Paya blurted. Why did she say that?

Link snorted and shook with laughter atop his horse. Paya smiled through her embarrassment. She couldn't help herself.

"She also said that you didn't use to talk and laugh like that," Paya observed.

"I've learned that I used to not do many things." Link slowed his laughter and pursed his lips.

He and Paya fell into a silence that lasted until they tied their horses at the stable. Link stopped to say hello to the stablehand and to a Hylian girl by the cooking pot. Paya placed a hand on her chest and watched from afar. Those people must have been among the first Link met after his resurrection. He reached out to hand the girl a bottle and gave her a hug. They were so friendly.

"They don't seem to know who you are," Paya said once Link rejoined her by their rides. She did not get an immediate response.

There was no suitable path for horses that led to Ash Swamp; they would be making their way to the place in the painting on foot. Paya was glad she wore tall boots and thick leggings, for the grass was sticky with dew even past noon. Link appeared to be deep in thought while they walked. It was only about a ten minute trek, but it felt quite long for Paya. It probably felt long for Link, too.

"They know who I am," he finally said.

"Huh?"

"They know who I am," he repeated. "Tasseren. Sagessa. The people at the stable."

When Paya turned to Link, his eyes stared sharply back into her own. She froze, and they stopped walking. His gaze wasn't angry or upset. Neither was it disapproving. He just looked… firm. Adamant.

"They know who I am," he said for a third time, and Paya nodded, mouth open.

The rest of the trip to and from Ash Swamp was even quieter, but that allowed Paya to think about the Hero's words and watch as he recalled his own downfall. The determined look never left his face, even while he witnessed his memory play out before him. It was a little awe-inspiring. Link was fragile—Paya was one of the few people to witness his tenderness—but the boy also held such a strong presence.

"You ever wonder what Impa's sister is like?" Link asked Paya while they remounted their horses.

"A little bit," she admitted shyly.

"Then come with me to Hateno. I need to get a photo printed and lock up my house."

"But—"

"Impa told you to keep me company." Link shrugged playfully. "And I think this was her plan all along."

Travelling more with Link didn't sound terrible. It actually had the potential to be quite fun. Did Link say he had a house? Before she could ask him to clarify, he kicked his horse and was off.

"Try to keep up!" He yelled back at the Sheikah girl.

Paya scoffed but then grinned after a moment. Some time away from Kakariko wouldn't be so bad.

…

"Link?"

Selmie stood in the open doorway to her cabin and stared at her visitor. It was certainly a surprise to see the boy back in Hebra, but it was not an unwelcome one! She quickly ushered Link into her home and toward the fireplace. Even with protective clothing on, the biting frost of the mountains could get to you fast.

"What brings you here today? Did you want to have another race?" Selmie couldn't help but slip a little hope into her tone.

Link laughed (though it sounded more like a grunt) and shook his head. He gestured to the wall of the cabin where Selmie hung her belongings.

"I need a good shield, and you are an expert."

Well, well, well, Selmie was not immune to flattery.

"I don't have a spare right now, but if you can get your hands on a Gerudo radiant shield, those are probably the best for both snowy and grassy slopes. Or, if you are riding on rocky terrain—"

Link held up a hand to stop her. Oh dear... She was rambling again.

"Not for surfing," Link clarified. "Fighting."

"Combat you say…"

Selmie put a hand to her chin and tried to recall defense-oriented shields. It was a little ironic, as a shield surfer and all, that she didn't know all that much about the primary and original function of many shields.

"Well," Selmie started again, "there are rumors of a legendary shield."

Selmie swore that Link's ears perked up. She had a little adventurer on her hands, apparently.

"It's not really accessible however. The Hylian Shield is locked up somewhere in Hyrule Castle."

Selmie frowned and looked at the floorboards. It was certainly a shame that such a priceless shield was unreachable, but no one dared wander around, let alone inside Hyrule Castle. It had been that way for as long as she was alive, and she didn't anticipate that fact to change soon.

"Okay," Link said appraisingly. "That's where I'm headed anyways."

What.

"Do you want to surf down to Pondo's with me?" Link moved toward the door and smiled. "I need to drop this picture off."

Selmie realized that the boy had worn a shining sword on his back the entire time.