A/N: I own nothing except a copy of this great game. Second note: A single singer is demarked in italics "like this", while a crowd singing is demarked "like this."

And there they stood.

They'd witnessed the final conversation between the two halves of the Sorceress of Time, and then wordlessly and with a degree of wonder watched as Cia faded away into nothingness. It was unlike anything that they had ever seen. One moment, she had been there. The next, it was like she was a painted glass window, translucent and then transparent as her bonds to the mortal coil were severed. And then she was gone. Gone, as if she'd never been there in the first place.

Lana sat there on her knees, her arms still cupped as if she was holding Cia's head in her lap. She stared blankly at the ground, as if she hadn't registered what had happened in front of her. Link was about to say something, but then Zelda put a finger to his lips. They let her have that moment to herself, whatever that moment was about. Whatever kind of pain that she was feeling, they knew that interjecting now would only make it worse.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Lana stood up. She brushed the dirt off of her blouse, and then stared at the group. She offered a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes.

"Looks…looks like we did it." She said, trying to smile. Her eyes were glistening a little bit.

"Yeah…yeah we did." Zelda said. "Thank you, Lana."

Lana didn't say anything, but wordlessly walked away. She said something quietly over her shoulder.

"Why don't you gather the others? I'll send them home whenever they're ready."

…

It took about a half hour or so to gather everyone that was adrfit from their rightful place in time and space. Those from the Era of Time were with one another, Ruto resting comfortably on the shoulder of Darunia. Agitha and Midna were standing next to each other in the center of the group. Meanwhile, Fi and Captain Dorias stood to the left. The rest of the heroes were facing them, a little bit away from those about to depart. Lana was quietly preparing the spell necessary. Captain Dorias made eye contact with those that were to stay, and smiled.

"Well then, I fancy that this might be the end of things, yeah?" He asked. He looked a little bit subdued. "I'll remember you, mates. It'll be a great story to tell to my wife and kids…my poor wife must be worried sick by now. Hope that her slap don't hurt too badly." He rubbed his cheek apprehensively, a little grin on his face.

"It was an honor and a privilege to serve by your side, brothers and sisters." Darunia said. "When I return, I shall make note of your bravery, and you will all live on as legends to the Goron people." He looked up at Ruto, who looked rather morose. "Cheer up, sister Ruto! We'll be home soon!"

"Home is boring…" Ruto muttered. "The men aren't nearly as fun…" She made eye contact with Link. Her cheeks turned a light shade of purple, and she looked away. He wasn't sure why.

"I cannot calculate the likelihood of the next time that we meet…but I will cherish the time that we all have spent together, nonetheless." Fi said. Agitha sniffled.

"Bu-but I don't want to go! I will miss my friends!" Tears were streaming down her face. Midna floated a little lower to the ground, and patted her head.

"There, there, sweetie. You don't need to cry. I'll still be around to talk. And trust me, I'm not going anywhe-" She paused mid-sentence. "Oh. 'Bout time."

She started to glow a brilliant white light, and there was a flash. Everyone shielded their eyes until the glare was gone, and then stared…and stared some more.

Midna had changed. Gone was the imp-like form that she had held since the first time that they met her. Instead, there was a woman. She was about seven feet tall, adorned in black and turquoise robes with runes covering her forearms like eldritch tattoos. There was something quite elegant in the way she was now dressed, and yet at the same time it was still certain to set tongues wagging amongst every man (and a few women) within a five mile radius. Her orange hair was tied into a very ornate pattern, and a glimmering jewel hung on her forehead like a tiara.

Ishaka and Itami looked at her. And then they looked at each other. No words were spoken, but they knew they were thinking the same thing.

Damn!

Agitha stared at this statuesque woman beside her with a mix of shock and awe, and then found her face.

M-miss Kitty! What happened to you? You're so pretty and tall, and you're not a kitty at all!" She said. Midna looked down on her, and smirked. A small chuckle escaped her lips.

"Tell you what, little one. I'll tell you all about it when we get back, ok?" She said. She turned to Link and Zelda, and it was pretty clear from the look on her face that she was delighting in being the tall one for once. She raised an eyebrow. "So that's it, then? See you all next crisis, hmm?" She winked. Zelda chuckled.

"Yes, your majesty. We'll see you next crisis." She said. Midna nodded.

"Take care, everyone. Or so help me I'll kick the shit out of all of you." She finished, to a general chuckle amongst the group.

"That's it." Lana said suddenly, interrupting the conversation. "I've finished. You should all be returning…momentarily." She paused. "G-goodbye everyone."

There was a humming noise, as runes appeared behind the travellers from other dimensions. They all looked to the glowing lights that beckoned them home, and then turned to those that they had befriended and now had to leave behind. They all smiled, waved goodbye, and then stepped into the light.

And they were gone in a flash.

There was a silence, as the magic faded away. Everyone stood and stared wistfully at the spot where these wonderful and strange folk had come and gone, and respectfully stayed silent. There was a muffled sobbing noise. Meathook wiped the tears from his eyes, as he held the small little macramé butterfly that his young little friend had given to him a few days before.

Zelda turned to look at Lana. The Sorceress wasn't facing them, instead muttering something to herself.

"Lana?" Zelda asked. "We will see you around, right?" She asked.

There was a pause. Lana's shoulders heaved, as a heavy sigh escaped her lips.

"Goodbye." She said softly.

There was a flash, and she was gone.

…

"Well, what happens now?"

Lord Gawain walked up to the remaining heroes, and rested against his shield. There was a sizeable bit of mud and muck coating his armor. Zelda stared at him and smiled. Justinian would have chewed him out for letting his uniform get so dirty. She sighed, thought, and frowned at the thought of Lana just leaving with barely a goodbye.

"We retreat back to the castle. And then get ready."

"Ready fer wha'?" Ishaka asked, staggering forward. He winced as the after-effects of the black lightning were still hurting quite badly. Zelda looked at him and smiled.

"For antebellum, Ishaka." She said. He nodded stiffly, but both Itami and Impa could see that he had no idea what that word meant. So Itami stepped forward.

"I take it that there will at least be a grace period?" He asked. "For logistics to be taken care of, and all." He said. Zelda smiled slightly and nodded.

"Yes, of course." She looked sad. "Bodies will have to be gathered. Medals and citations of bravery for the fallen must be taken care of. Everyone, Hyrulian, Goron, Ravager alike…all deserve true warriors' funerals. Men and women both." She said. "Then after a few more things…the peace talks."

"Yeah?" Ishaka asked. Itami quick glanced at him, shooting him a small glare to be quiet. He turned back to Zelda and cleared his throat.

"I take it that negotiations will be at the most 'neutral' zone possible?" He asked. "With all due respect, I don't think that we're really in a fair location if we're doing peace talks in your castle."

"Are you really trying to play politics, Itami?" Lord Gawain asked, raising an eyebrow.

"We 'elped yeh win a war." Ishaka grunted. He seemed to loom in the background. "I figger tha's worth a bit o' good faith, gen'ral." Lord Gawain narrowed his eyes, but said nothing. Sensing a bit of pointless tension, Zelda intervened.

"I completely agree." She said. She turned to Itami. "Give us a week to bury our dead, and begin work on repairing the damages of war. During this time you can help the settlers camping in the Royal Grounds return to the Southern Vale, their homeland. Help them get settled there, and serve as a sort of guard with a few Hyrulian units as a measure of good faith to help you. Then, we'll send a messenger to detail the location of the peace talks. Fair?" She asked, glancing towards Ishaka, essentially directing her proposal to him. He nodded.

"Tha's fair." He said. Zelda smiled.

"Good. Then let us return to Hyrule Castle Town, and begin preparing for life after war."

…

It took about two days for the settlers to completely leave the Royal Grounds. During this time, Hyrulian forces served as a protective escort to help the battered and tired Ravager forces in their protection of the helpless settlers. Ishaka was grateful for the support, but noticed that Itami was rather sore-looking about the whole thing. He made eye contact with his trusted lieutenant once, and the look that he got told him that he was going to get an earful when they had a private moment.

Sure enough, that moment came late one night in the Southern Vale. The settlers had already started to rebuild their homes and villages, and campfires and spitfires littered the hills and mountainsides that night. The few Hyrulian troops scattered throughout the Vale were silent and vigilantly on guard, but for the most part the Ravagers were the major force serving as protector. There was no tension between the forces, and for that Ishaka was thankful.

He stood high up in one mountain, gazing over the pinpricks of light beneath him. He puffed on his homemade cigarette, and frowned. He missed his pipe. This was an annoying substitute, to say the least.

He felt a hard bump on his shoulder. Itami had made his way up the cliff side, and was currently sitting on the rock next to him. They were silent for a moment, watching the stars above them and the campfires beneath them. Then Itami spoke.

"Don't think you could've been more of a rube at the end of that fight, Ishaka." He said. Ishaka frowned.

"I wasn't no rube-"

"Damn right you were." Itami said, cutting his friend off. "The look on your face when Zelda said 'antebellum' would've been priceless if it wasn't so fucking horrifying. For fuck's sake, man, what's gonna happen when some policy wonk asks you for economic suggestions? You gonna spit in their face? Piss yourself?" He noticed Ishaka's murderous expression, and only doubled down. "Quit being such a thin-skinned bitch. You know I have a point."

"Woul' they do tha'?" Ishaka asked, after a moment's thought. Itami rolled his eyes so far into the back of his head it was a wonder he didn't see his own soul.

"Goddess, yes. They would do that. And they would talk other things. And they'd keep talking and talking and talking and talking while you just nod your head dumbly, too oblivious to know that they're about to yank the damned rug out from under you."

"Th' princess woul' ne'er do tha'." Ishaka said, frowning. Itami shook his head.

"No, she wouldn't. She's got the purest heart of anyone in that entire court, with the possible exception of Link or maaaaaaaybe Impa. But she isn't going to be the only one there." He said. He turned to face Ishaka, and threw an arm over the big man's shoulders. "There's gonna be politicians there. Generals. Ministers, lords, ladies, noblemen, parasites, scum-suckers, and bottomfeeders all desperately trying to latch onto some sort of loophole or protrusion in whatever the hell that we bang out with Hyrule so that they can get ahead and fuck us over."

"Ain't we s'pposed ta be allies?" Ishaka asked darkly. Itami nodded.

"Yeah. But this is politics, Ishaka. Shake someone's hand with your right hand, ready the knife for their back with your left. All nations are built on wordplay and backroom deals and antics and bullshit." He looked his friend in the eye. "Ishaka, you have one of the biggest hearts of anyone that I've ever met. I'm honored to be your friend. You're good to your friends and your surrogate family in the Ravagers and you are loyal like a goddamned dog to the people that show loyalty and kindness back to you. Those are admirable qualities, friend. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. But politics are not run by those rules. They're run by the rules of power. They're run by the rules of politicians. Ishaka, you are a good man. You are a great general. You are good at war, you are good at uniting people, and you are good at keeping things together when they seem the bleakest. But you would make a lousy politician."

"Why are pe'ple so damn self'sh?" Ishaka asked. "Can' we all jes' get 'long? Does it always hafta be so 'ard?" He asked. Itami chuckled sardonically, and shook his head.

"I wish things were so rosy too, buddy. But think about it: to the majority of those upper-class twits, we're a bunch of dirty and filthy savages that are wild and barbarous and can't really be trusted. And worst of all, they think that because we didn't grow up like them, we can't think like them." He paused, seeing Ishaka's increasingly hurt expression. "Not Zelda and Link and Impa. Or, hell, even Grantham and maaaaaaaaybe Gawain. They aren't them. I'm talking about the Lord Fawltys of the world. They see any weaknesses in us, and they'll fucking pounce."

"So wha' d'ya think we should do?" Ishaka asked. Itami looked serene for a moment. He stared out into the darkness, and then spoke quietly.

"You know how you've always called me your right hand? Your conscience?" He asked. Ishaka smirked.

"Yeah. Mighta put it in less pretty words than tha'." He said with a wink. Itami chuckled despite himself. But then he got serious again.

"…I think that I might need to be your voice now." He said.

"Yeh mean-" Ishaka asked, but then Itami cut him off.

"Ishaka, you are good at war. You are good at fighting. You are good at everything when things are in strife. But nations and peoples can't fight forever." He looked at Ishaka pointedly. "The Ravagers can't run as nomads forever, Ishaka. It's tiring. It's exhausting. And it isn't sustainable. It's time to grow up. It's time to start thinking about where we can put roots down." He paused. "You are our leader. But you can't do this alone. I can help you. I can be the guy that serves as your mouth and voice at this meeting."

"Yeh'd do tha'?" Ishaka asked. "I though' yeh 'ated talkin' in front o' people?" He asked. Itami sighed, and rubbed his forehead.

"Yes, Ishaka. I fucking hate people. I hate being in crowds, and I hate being the center of attention. But I'm the best voice we've got. And I can take the momentary blow to my pride if it means that you don't lose legitimacy in the eyes of the Hyrulian nobles. If they think that you're a badass conquerer monstrocity…they might not try to bully you. And if they don't want to fuck with you, that leaves it down to Zelda and her inner circle. And we have a much better chance of negotiating with a smaller, core group of people that aren't out to get us, and still believe that you are a badass, then we have a better chance of walking out of that meeting with a deal that benefits us as well as Hyrule in general." He smirked. "It doesn't do good for the rest of the world to know that you're a bit of a softy, deep down."

Ishaka growled, and smacked him upside the head.

"You bring tha' bullshit in fronta me a'gin an' I swear ta th' Goddesses, I'll dis'pline yeh." He said. Itami chuckled again.

"See? Keep this façade going, and everything will work out perfectly." He said. But then he got serious. "You have to be honest with me, buddy. Is there anyone on the other side that knows that you've got soft spots that can be pushed? Is there anyone that knows you've got weaknesses that can be exploited?"

…

The candlelight was soon going to be the only light in her room. The sun was starting to set, and with it came the end of the rest of the light that she was working with. She stuck her tongue out slightly, biting it gently between her lips as she stared at what she was working on in pure concentration. She took the small, scalpel-like knife she'd filched from the woodworks section of the armory, and gently whittled away at what she held in her hands.

So engrossed in her work was she that she didn't hear her name being called for the first few times. Finally, she heard a rapping on the wall.

"Yes?" Impa asked, turning around. Lord Gawain was leaning in the doorway, his arms folded across his chest. The look on his face was rather expectant. Impa frowned slightly. "Gawain, I know that you're the Lord of War, but even you have to knock on a lady's door."

"Usually that's the case when there's a door to begin with." Gawain said, holdig back a grin while gesturing to Impa's empty doorway. "Otherwise your point still stands."

Impa rolled her eyes.

"What do you want, Lee?" She asked. Lord Gawain shrugged.

"Just wanted to talk." He said. Impa stood up straight, and set what she was working on on the nightstand. She turned to face Gawain, and folded her arms across her chest.

"You know, Lee, if you're trying to sleep with me, at least come out and say it so I have the chance to reject you. Don't pussyfoot around so much." She delighted in the shade of crimson that his face turned, and his indignant sputtering.

"Wha-I, no! Goddess, Impa, that's incredibly inappropriate!" He said. The fact that Impa was wearing a nightgown with her hair down was clearly not helping him stay in control. This was really quite too easy. Even Justinian was able to no-sell her comments. "I wanted to ask you something about…Ishaka."

Well, shit.

"What about him?" Impa asked coldly. Gawain, still flustered from Impa's remark, cleared his throat.

"Well, as I'm sure that you're aware that we're going to send a runner out to the Southern Vale to tell them of the peace talks location?" He said.

"Yes, I know." Impa said.

"So…Ishaka will be there." Gawain said. Impa frowned.

"Cut the bullshit, Gawain. I know that you think that you're doing what's right for the country by trying to find any sort of leverage over Ishaka that one of the Lords or negotiators can try to put it over his head and make him squirm."

"Hey, I hate it just as much as you d-" Gawain was cut off.

"No, not really. Otherwise you would have kept your damn mouth shut and wouldn't have asked me. Who's getting in your ear?" She asked. "Is it Cassius and his little band of sycophants, all pissed because you stuck a black man in the Royal Guardsmen?"

"They're vultures, Impa." Gawain said. "I'm trying to figure shit out so that when it comes to negotiation, the ammunition is in the princess' hands. And I trust her much more than I trust the rest of those idiots to use information." He looked at her pleadingly. "You can see why I'm doing it, right? I'm looking for this information to protect Ishaka, instead of letting him and the Ravagers get thrown to the wolves! And who knows, maybe there's nothing there. Maybe he really is the stone-cold badass that I think that he is, the kind that would make Cassius Fawlty shit himself if he gave him a glare. I just need to make sure, and who better to ask than you?"

"It's still impossibly cynical, and one of the most manipulative things that I've ever heard of." Impa said, her frown only deepening.

"Hey, what can I say? I'm a crook. Old habits die hard?" Gawain shrugged sheepishly. Impa's glare was ice-cold.

"No, you're not. You're the Hyrulian Lord of War. You stopped being a crook when you took the Oath of Penance* as a member of the Corsairs. Lest you forget, I was the one that swore you into the Royal Guardsmen. I trained you, Gawain. Maybe I was too lenient on what was required of you." She narrowed her eyes. "And your old habits had better die damned easy. This is no place for jockeying for leverage on one another. I am sick of war, and I have no interest in going up in arms against people that I was only recently fighting beside."

There was a tense pause. Gawain's defeated sigh deflated the tension slightly. He cleared his throat.

"I guess you're right. Still, doing this now might have been better than when there's a tense moment in the meetings, and something gets said in a moment of high scrutiny. Those are the moments that you can't take back and prepare for, because then someone or something gets so badly messed up that the entire thing gets ruined. I like Ishaka. I like the Ravagers. But I love Hyrule, and that is my first duty: to see that her best interests are served." He looked at Impa and raised an eyebrow. "Why are you so invested in defending Ishaka? You close?"

There was a pause. Impa spoke stiffly.

"He is…an acquaintance. A friend of convenience born out of wartime and a common ancestry. That's all, Lee."

Lord Gawain nodded.

"Fair enough." He said. He tipped his head respectfully. "Good night, Impa. Sleep well. The next couple of days are going to be very busy." He gracefully bowed, and then walked down the hallway and around the corner and out of sight.

As soon as his footsteps had faded away, Impa stomped forward and slammed her door so hard that the bolts nearly popped out of the hinges. She stomped into the middle of the room, and stared at the fireplace in front of her. She paced back and forth, putting her hand to her mouth. The way her frayed nerves were acting up, she knew that there was no way that she was going to get any good sleep that night. She bit her bottom lip, and hissed in anger and frustration. Finally, defeated, she sat down on the side of her bed. It was soft and comfortable, but she was in no mood to call it a night.

She thought about what she'd said to Gawain. She shook her head softly. She'd tell Zelda about all of this but…Zelda was busy with getting ready for the peace talks. Link? Link was somewhere in the barracks, while Elijah Grantham tried to figure out some way to get him more than just a common soldier's post. And the rest of the nobility were out of the question. In the end, she was alone.

Alone with that little hand-carved pipe that rested on her nightstand.

A/N: A short little chapter here, as is the usual for interludes. Next chapter should get interesting, as we deal with the politics of building a new world after war. Peace can sometimes be even more dangerous than that of war, right?

But…

…Is it truly peace?

DUN DUN DUUUUNNNN!

HYRULIAN CODEX

Oath of Penance – The mandatory oath that all members of the Corsairs must take. As the Corsairs are composed almost entirely of criminals that are seeking reform, it makes sense that there is a moment where it is recorded that they pledge to reject their thieving or law-breaking ways for a chance at redemption. It is a very serious thing in principle, and the higher one climbs up the totem pole of society after taking the oath and completing the terms of service…the more scrutiny one receives to make sure that one isn't breaking the oath.