Chapter 7—Link's Choice
Impa was sharpening her blade, thinking over what Zelda had set up for her. Zelda, realizing it or not, had put Impa in a hard spot—with the ruse in place that is. She could win against Link. That also meant she could lose, too. The fate of the battle rested in her hands. Which meant Zelda's happiness rested in her hands. Link's happiness in her hands. Hyrule's fate in her hands... She breathed in deeply. She might possibly hold her own fate in her hands. If the king was not pleased with the outcome of the battle, he might turn on her, blaming her... Zelda... why? she puzzled.
"Because you can do this, Impa," Impa turned. Zelda stood in the doorway of the room.
"Why would you trust me with so much, Zelda? Why?"
"Because, Impa, you are wise. You know both sides of the story; you understand all the view points. You are also pledged to both sides, which will help with weighing out your feelings,"
"No, Zelda, it will only destroy me because one of you I will fail." Zelda bit her lip; she'd not thought of it that way.
"But because you have responsibility to both me and my father, you cannot be faulted for the outcome of the battle."
"That does not change how I will feel, Zelda. One of you I will fail. This is easy for Link, with his selfish wishes and concerns. It is not so simple for me." Impa suddenly wondered how Zelda would react when she finally knew, and she wondered in earnest if her young charge, young friend, would despise her.
"It can be."
"No—"
"Yes, Impa. It can. Follow your heart. Do what your heart tells you."
"And what if my heart tells me to betray you?"
"Then follow it; there cannot be total peace and peace cannot last forever. That is life."
"But then you will not be happy." Impa mumbled.
"There is nothing that can be done, then... I will fulfill my role, my legacy... I will mourn in my heart and I won't let it show. I will be a great queen like my father wants... and I will never be happy,"
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Link considered not going back to Hyrule Castle for his scheduled dual with Zelda's bodyguard. If he didn't... if he spared them the trouble, sacrificed his happiness, then maybe Hyrule would be okay. The fact that Zelda had been free and gone back for the people hovered in the back of his mind. If she cared enough to give up her happiness, then he, the Hero of Time, should too... but would his leaving help Hyrule or hurt it. He sighed and shook his head. Should he be thinking on worldly effect or his own life? His decision would affect all.
He rolled his eyes and almost laughed at himself.
Link stood and whistled for Epona. She came and he mounted, then rode off toward Lon Lon Ranch... he seriously needed to know if he still had a job or not...
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Zelda stared at the empty battle arena. She sat next to her father with a clear view of the walkway that led to the outside world. With the guards guarding elsewhere, Link was free to walk right in. Her eyes nearly lost the flow of tears... she looked to her right. Jay smiled down at her.
"He will come, Princess. Don't worry." Jay stopped with what else he would have said as the king's gaze moved to him. Jay stood up and acted as though he had not said anything. The king stared at him for a long moment, then back to the empty arena.
"Perhaps, Zelda," the king said, "Your Hero has become a coward."
"Link is anything but a coward, Father. Weather he decides to duel or not."
"His pride will suffer if he does not come."
"I somehow feel that pride has nothing to do with any of this."
"Maybe, Zelda, maybe..."
Another 10 minutes passed
"If he does not come in the next few moments, Impa will win by default."
"Now who is cowardly, Father?"
"We cannot sit here all day, Zelda."
Another 10 minutes passed
The King stood.
"I herby declare Impa the winner of this battle by default. Link, the challenger, has failed to show himself." The whisper went around the room. Zelda shrank in her chair. He'd left her... and he hadn't said goodbye!
"You may all go about with your daily things;" the people quickly vanished through doorways. "This contest," he glared at Zelda, "is over,"
"Oh, no, King," all eyes turned to the doorway. "It has only begun," Link drew his sword.