Chapter Eleven
The following days of waiting went by painfully slow for Link. He hadn't been fond of being set in one place for too long as it was, but being stuck in the zora infirmary proved to be one of the worst places to have to be. There wasn't much to do, and visits were limited for the Princess' sake. He spent most of his time sneaking onto the balcony to practice with the Master Sword, until someone inevitably found him and forced him back to his bed.
The first day, Zelda had been awake a few hours. She snuck onto the bed Link was using, watching him over his shoulder as he browsed through the sheikah slate. She'd asked about it's other abilities, as well as went down memory lane with him through the past year of photos.
There were photos of the people he had met, all of which he explained to the Princess. There were also photos of his various fights with beasts. Bokoblins, lizalfos, moblins. Even lynels! That beast in particular brought a slew of quick questions from the Princess, none of which Link ever had the chance to answer.
The second day, Zelda once again managed to wiggle her way from her own bed to Links. She leaned on him as he polished one of the swords he carried to pass the time. Eventually she fell asleep again, and remained that way.
Until the third day, when their entourage was scheduled to arrive.
Zelda had remained in a coma-like state since the day before, and Link had done little to move her away from him. Had she grown clingier, or had he grown more protective? He wasn't sure. Needless to say, she was still leaning on his shoulder when Paya entered the room, excited to see the duo once more.
She froze, but only briefly, at the appearance of the Princess and the Hero. Her heart ached, the jealousy she often had to hide around the two was bubbling up inside of her, but she bit it back. As she always did.
"Master Link," Paya started, soon followed by both Gaddison and Rhondson as the trio properly entered the room. "It's good to see you awake and well."
"Thanks," Link straightened up a bit, holding Zelda's head in place so not to stir her, "I think she's gone back to that same sort of state she was in when I first brought her to Kakariko."
"From the news sent to my grandmother it sounds like she had seemed to be using a lot of her power. I wouldn't be surprised if she remained like this the rest of the trip home." Paya walked over then, pressing a hand to Zelda's forehead.
"I've been checking in on her," Gaddison spoke up, "Beyond her sleepiness she's physically perfect. Even better than when she arrived, I would say."
"How long will she be like this?" Link asked, trying to reach for his travel clothes while not waking the sleeping Princess leaned against him.
"Well, when you came to Kakariko she slept over three weeks." Paya walked over, lifting Zelda up bridal style with a surprising amount of strength and laying her down in her own bed once more.
Link wanted to protest, but decided against it.
"But she was recovering from using her sealing powers for a hundred years straight. This was only a few hours at most, so maybe another day or two." Paya suggested looking to Rhondson. "Will you help me prepare the Princess for travel?"
Rhondson nodded, walking over immediately and going through Zelda's things that had been brought to the room for her usual travel clothes.
"That's your cue," Gaddison pointed to Link with her thumb, then to the door of the infirmary.
Without argument, Link stood, tugging on the champion's tunic and looking back to the Princess. At least her dreams seemed pleasant for once.
Gaddison stood guard at the door and Link took the chance to head down the stairs leading from the infirmary to the main level of the Domain. This was his chance to bid farewell to the Zoran Prince before their departure. He'd say the same to the King, since the Princess could not.
Sidon seemed to have the same idea, already waiting alongside Bazz for Link near Mipha's statue.
"So you're really leaving us this soon?" Prince Sidon sighed, shaking his head and smiling at Link, "you never were one to stick around too long, even back in the day."
"Plans change when you have a Princess in tow, it seems." Link shrugged, but smiled nonetheless at his friend. "We'll be back soon, I'm sure."
"You better be! I barely got to enjoy your company this time." Sidon piped back, "I know the hero's time is precious, but I hope he can spare a few minutes here and there for an old pal."
"I'll squeeze you in the schedule for sure." Link chuckled and looked to Bazz. "Keep the Prince safe. The Yiga managed to get here once as it is."
"Of course. I doubt they'll return soon, though. You'll be the one with the person they're after." Bazz paused before adding, "you should take Gaddision with you."
"That's a brilliant idea!" Sidon grinned, nodding enthusiastically at Link. "She can aid you in battle and the Princess in...I don't know, girl things. I'll discuss it with my father this instant!"
Before Link could get a word in edgewise, the Prince had started his way up the main stairs, leaving Bazz and the hero shaking their heads at his departure.
"You should go. Prince Sidon will speak to the King in your place." Bazz insisted, "But the longer you wait in the Domain the longer it will be before you can get Princess Zelda somewhere safe."
"He's right, you know." Gaddison had returned, Paya in tow with the Princess settled comfortably on her back. "Rhondson's already headed home to Tarrey Town. She told me to tell you she doesn't plan on leaving town until the two of you visit her. Something she wants to talk about with you. She won't spill anything to me, though."
"So it's decided," Paya nodded. "There's a few more Sheikah waiting for us right outside the Domain with our horses, as well as both Princess Zelda's and your own, Master Link." She adjusted her grip on the Princess who was piggy backing her, still lost in her dream state. "The stables let us keep our tents set up for the day, so all we have to do is make it there before sundown."
"Then you really need to get a move on. His Majesty will understand," Bazz nodded to Gaddison, "Go with them. Prince Sidon's orders."
"Yes, Sir." She gave a salute, starting off with Paya following, Princess Zelda snuggly on her back.
Link barely could wave goodbye before he was practically running to catch up, keeping far closer to Paya than he normally would, his eyes locked on the sleeping Princess until their entourage and horses came into view.
Epona Jr. nudged at Link's chest the second he approached, then nuzzled her way towards his infinite bag of goodies. He couldn't even muster up a chuckle at the cute actions of his loyal companion, but pulled out an apple for her troubles nonetheless.
After a short argument, he finally had both Gaddison and Paya agreeing to allow him to ride with the Princess. He'd done so with her in this state as it was, so clearly he was the obvious choice. So was his argument, at least. But truly, deep down, there was a part of him that felt as though he couldn't trust anyone around them. No one but himself. And so, he kept one arm around the Princess as they headed through the rocky terrain leading away from Zora's Domain.
They had comfortably fallen into the middle of the formation, with Link and the Princess in the centre, their two friends on either side, and a duo of sheikah both ahead and behind them.
The sheikah in front he had come to know as Orlo and Elda. A male and female duo that had at least ten years on Link. Orlo seemed more on the wise uncle side, where Elda hadn't spoken a word to Link without being asked directly. Behind them were Maxine and Kodell. These two were far more lively, bickering like a married couple most of the ride. Thankfully, Link had managed to block them out.
They were exiting the last of the luminous-decorated bridges before Link finally spoke up. His voice was soft, timid even as he looked to Paya and Gaddison.
"Gaddison, do you remember anything of my time with Princess Mipha?"
"Hmmm," She stopped her constant scanning of the road in order to look at the hero with a shake of her head. "Not really, no. I was a lot younger than the rest of you. Why? Don't remember much?"
"Nothing, really, no." Link shrugged, readjusting his grip on the Princess still asleep against him. "I was hoping you'd shed some light on the situation."
"Situation?"
"Well," Link sighed again, not noticing how intently Paya was listening beside them, "It's just, everyone speaks as though I was in love with her when I can't even remember more than a handful of moments in her company."
"I see." Gaddison didn't speak much more.
Until Link spoke again, "And Princess Zelda hasn't been telling me much at all of my past."
"She's trying not to influence you, dummy." Gaddison snorted, "Think about it. If she told you how you felt about something, she could just...mould you into what she wanted."
"But she wouldn't do that."
"Exactly. It's why she's not telling you how you felt about Princess Mipha. That, or she may not actually know. From what everyone else has told me, Princess Mipha was very vocal of her love for you, but no one speaks of how you acted in response."
"Oh."
"But honestly, what I do remember is you not talking nearly as much as I've heard you do the past few days." Gaddison pointed out, "You were pretty emotionless most of the time I knew you, but I only met you after you'd become Princess Zelda's appointed knight."
"Right," Link looked down at the Princess in his arms, "That would make sense."
"What about Princess Zelda? Remember much of her? You only knew her like, a year, in comparison to knowing Princess Mipha your entire life."
"Gaddison…" Paya shot her a look, but her words didn't seem to shake Link any.
"Well, she left more images and stuff, plus I'm still around her so things come back but…there's still a lot of missing pieces."
"You should ask her about them, then. Just about moments and not your feelings in them. Couldn't hurt, right?" Gaddison looked back to Link, finally offering a smile.
"Yeah…" Link nodded.
They didn't speak again. The trio all lost in their own minds. Their own memories. Their own thoughts.
"Master Link," It was Paya's hand that had brought Link from his thoughts that night. They'd arrived at the stable, and he and Paya had split their shifts to watch over Princess Zelda. They managed to get one bed in the stable, while the others remained in tents outside, and of course that bed was gifted to none other than the Princess herself. "It's time for a shift change."
"Right," Link nodded, though he was still trying to shake off everything his mind had wandered to. He didn't make an effort to move from his stool.
Recognizing this, Paya left his side, returning with a stool of her own and taking a seat beside him. She figured he wouldn't leave the spot, but hopefully, knowing she was watching over the Princess as well he'd be able to close his eyes and get a few minutes of sleep at least.
"Paya," Link's eyes fell to his gloved hands. The gloves Zelda had insisted Impa get made. The gloves that he had worn without questions. The gloves to cover up something that wasn't there. "You said the Sheikah have severed the royal family since their beginning, right?
"Practically, yeah. It's our duty to protect the royal family as directed by the Goddess. It's all we've ever truly known. Well, apart from the deserters."
"The Yiga." Link nodded, "So, could I ask you something?"
"Anything, Master Link. You're a large part of the picture as it is."
Link took a deep breath, not sure he was ready for the answers to the question gnawing at his mind. "What's the deal with the triforce?"
Paya blinked, staring at Link for some time before shaking her head. "I suppose you haven't remembered. Odd, but I can explain to the best of my knowledge." She tapped her lips, crossing her legs before adding, "How do I explain this to someone who doesn't remember much?"
"As basically as you can." Link replied, his eyes drifting back to the Princess.
"Yes, uh, well, could you draw the Master Sword, Please." Paya hummed, adding quickly to Link's apprehension, "It'll make sense, I think."
Link did as he was told, setting the unsheathed sword over his knees, looking to Paya to continue.
"Uh, well, I'm not as good at this as Princess Zelda or Grandmother would be but…" she pointed past the handle to the trio of triangles on the base of the blade. "You've seen this around a lot, right?"
"Everywhere."
"Purposefully. The Kingdom was filled with it. The people never really knew why. See, stuff happened and...well…" She shook her head, "I'm getting ahead of myself. Okay, so, three triangles. One. Two. Three." She pointed them each out slowly. Then she looked to Link, who nodded. Again, she pointed to each, but this time she changed her words. "Wisdom. Courage. Power."
"Like the Springs."
"Exactly." Paya nodded quickly, looking back to the blade. "Traditionally, these three pieces are held together, but there have been many times the pieces have been bestowed onto different individuals. Princess Zelda had to use the entire triforce in order to hold back Calamity Ganon. She held all three pieces."
"Okay...so…?"
"But," She added quickly, not wanting to lose her train of thought to Link's impatience. "As the old stories go, you often hold one piece. The triforce of courage. Your past lives have, and therefore you should."
"And the Princess?" Link asked, removing his gloves and staring once more at the back of his hand. Empty. Plain as ever.
"Wisdom. I mean, she has the Goddess' blood after all."
"So who has power?"
"See, this is where the story gets complicated. We don't know. Not anymore at least."
"Anymore?" Link looked to Paya, meeting her eyes, "What do you mean 'anymore'? How does something like this just get lost."
"Well, power is a confusing piece...and, well, the Princess had the full triforce so no one really had to go looking. I mean, she didn't have it until she awakened her power. It's a wish, you see and well...it's been said that Ganon has had the power piece a few times over and such so-"
"Ganon. Calamity ganon. You're kidding me." Link grabbed Paya by the shoulders, his eyes never breaking his gaze on her, "Tell me you're joking."
"Master Link-" why now? Why must she blush in such a situation as this? "Why are you so worried? Calamity Ganon has been defeated after all. Princess Zelda has returned to us-"
"Can you see it?" Link let go of only one of her shoulders, holding up his hand, "Zel says she can but can you?"
"Zel?" Paya started before shaking her head quickly, "No...no Master Link I don't see anything but that doesn't mean-"
"What about hers?" He let go of paya, taking Zelda's hand and pulling off her glove. "It's there, right? You can see it?"
"Yes, but Master Link I don't-"
"But she says she can see it on me. Explain it, Paya. Please." He dropped Zeldas' hand back onto the bed, looking to the Master Sword instead. "I carry this damn blade. I remember all my past lives because of it. But I can't remember something this important. Why? What the hell is happening."
"Master Link…" Paya seemed helpless, her hand shyly landing on Link's shoulder, giving it a squeeze in hopes to make him feel less alone. "We'll be with Grandmother, Aunt Purah and Robbie in a day's time. I'm sure they'll have more insight than I can offer. Until then, you should rest." Paya took the blade from his lap, surprised when he didn't fight her, and returned it to it's proper home on his back. "Please."
"How do I know you'll watch over her? How do I know you won't take her away? I thought she was safe with Bazz and Gaddison and look at what happened." Link panicked, trying his best to put Zelda's glove back on with his own shaking hands.
Zelda began to stir, but only enough to roll her back to them, drifting back off.
"Master Link. If you really must stay awake, at least, try to regain control of yourself. We're still in public, after all." Paya looked at him with saddened eyes, taking the glove and walking over to the other side of the bed in order to put Zelda's glove back on properly.
Link bit his lip, but said nothing to that, focusing on trying to calm himself once more.
Tomorrow, they'd be in Kakariko.
Tomorrow, he'd have answers.
Tomorrow.
I've tried to post this twice so here's to hoping it works this time.
On an unrelated note: who is your favourite Champion?
Mine's Revali, but Urbosa's a close second.