3rd Draft
Nearly a week later Link found himself in Kakorika Village nursing his injuries and pride.
Fleeing Castle town, then the rest of the Citadel, had been a feat in and of itself. The blow Link suffered to his head had begun swelling and bleeding. The pain was unbearable and the vertigo had the boy vomiting and falling over himself. There was little Navi could do to help him but her light did guide the boy's step. It was a small blessing the streets were so empty, otherwise someone surely would have stopped to help the poor creature.
Once he had finally reached the gates of the city Link had run into Kaepora Gaepora, the Great Owl.
"It is not as it should be," the massive bird had said. Link thought that was obvious. Link asked the Owl for guidance. "Seek out Impa and the Princess. They are likely in hiding in Kakorika Village. The people there hold great love for Impa. They will believe her innocence. But Link, before the sun sets Ganondorf will have likely succeeded in usurping the throne. This does not bode well for Hyrule. I will need to go seek council."
And just like that he had flown off leaving Link confused, but at least he had directions. Find Impa and Zelda. And tell them he failed, he thought glumly.
The first few days in the village had been wasted on recovery. He had managed to make it to the potion shop near the inn where a kind witch there had patched him up and given him a generously discounted healing potion. The miracle drink had stopped the swelling and the concussion but a fever had still taken hold. Horror riddled dreams filled Link's head as he slept those first two days away. By the third day Link was well enough to bathe and eat but not much else. The fourth day had been the first Link managed to do any real searching throughout the village, not that the time had been any more fruitful.
He wandered the village aimlessly, not the slightest clue where Impa or the princess would be hidden. The village folk proved to be of little help, everyone either feigned ignorance or truly didn't know. It would seem an outsider child was not someone you trusted with refugee secrets.
The death of the king had filled the village streets with mourners and weeping Hylians less than a week ago. Now, however, life seemed to return to normal, or what normalcy Link had witnessed on his last visits. He couldn't help but feel there were more people whispering to each other, stealing suspicious glances at passersby before hushing each other. The guards too seemed edgy. "King" Ganondorf had ordered them to search the homes of the villagers for Impa and Zelda. They had done so, although begrudgingly in Link's opinion, and had found nothing. No doubt pressure from their new king had many of them upset. Not to mention several of the guards were personal friends with Impa, having explained with pride to Link when he first arrived months ago that they were handpicked to protect the growing settlement.
Of course the guards had searched the inn. The innkeeper had given his master key to the guards without warning any of the patrons. With only a moderate amount of politeness the guards had barged into each and every room, including the one Link was renting. At first he'd panicked, wondering how he would possible fight a trio of soldiers in his current state. The guards were only the slightest bit interested that a child had a room to himself but they asked no prodding questions and left without a fuss.
Link continued renting his room at the new inn, where he retired when his feet would tire from walking. He had the rupees to prolong his visit for more than a month if necessary but he doubted he would choose to remain here that long. The entrance to Death Mountain was open to him, he would go seek council from his sworn brother before he spent another week amongst "his own people".
At the moment Link was sitting on one of Maria's cuccoo houses. While the smell was less than desirable the silly birds amused Link. His attention was pulled from the fat clucking hens to a commotion a stone throw away. Two of the master carpenter's apprentices were having a conversation louder than necessary.
"I told you!" the shorter, fatter of the two said. "I worked in the graveyard last night! I'm not going there twice!"
The taller one rolled his eyes. "Since when are ya afraid o' graveyards?"
"It's not our graveyards that bother me it's the Sheikah graves!" he cried. "I swear on me mother every one of them is haunted."
The tall one laughed. "There's no way Sheikah can be scarier in death than they are in life."
Intrigued Link got up and walked over.
"Where are the Sheikah graves?" Link asked.
The two men looked at Link curiously. Besides the guards nobody in town carried weapons, especially not children. It wasn't illegal for a citizen to walk around with weapons but it also wasn't common.
"There's a path to the east o' the regular graveyard," the tall one said looking Link up and down. "Maybe you can hold my partner here's hand after ya go." The short one punched his friend in the shoulder. Link had already taken off for the graveyard.
The Sheikah graveyard was fairly isolated from the rest of the graves. Despite there being more graves, the Sheikah section was smaller, taking up far less space than the Hylian and Human section. A certain stillness, more intense than the rest of the cemetery, resided over this area. Link took a knee next to the first headstone.
"Here lies Kampo and Trist"
A shared grave for a Shiekah couple, Link assumed. He walked through the rows until one caught his attention. It was a long flat headstone.
"Here lies Prince Daniel, the blessed one who united two people. To him we owe respect and gratitude."
Fresh flowers were laid beside it.
"He was Princess Zelda's great uncle."
Link spun around to meet who the voice belonged to.
"Impa!" Link cried out in disbelief.
"And a mentor to me," Impa said without acknowledging the boy. "He showed me that the pride of my people was the cause of our demise." The tall woman was looking past Link at the headstone. Link could tell memories were flooding her vision.
Impa wore a tan tunic, although her breastplate armor was visible underneath, Link noticed, and her shortened curved blade was still on her belt. Her face was scarred from a recent battle, while the left eye remained untouched, the skin around it was still swollen and bright red. The exposed part of her collar bone was green and purple from what must be a disgusting bruise.
"What happened in the castle Impa?" Link asked. "Where is the Princess?"
Impa turned away from the headstone and the boy. "This is not the place for such a conversation. Come with me and we can talk."
Scanning the area for spies and enemies Impa led Link along a path that went from the end of the graveyard to the back of the huge mill that could be seen from most any part of the village. The path led to a hill, ending at the cliff that made up the back wall of the mill. A door on the back end of the hill led to subterranean apartment. Link must have walked past this apartment and the mill a dozen times each day.
A surprised Zelda met them just inside the door.
"Link! What are you doing here?" she asked
"I. . . I came to find you and Impa," he stammered wondering why the answer wasn't obvious.
Zelda's eyes grew wide with fear. "This. . . that's not right. You aren't supposed to be here."
"Where the hell am I supposed to be!?" Link asked angrily. He had expected a warmer welcome after the beating he took from Ganondorf and the days he'd spent searching for them.
Impa walked past the two children and sat in a wooden chair by a plain table. She pulled out her blade and went about running a whetstone up and down the edge.
Zelda shook her head. "You were meant to pull the Master Sword, then the sage was going to seal you away until you were ready to face Ganondorf."
"Seal me away?" Link asked. Zelda was looking down at the floor. "What do you mean seal me away?"
The Princess glanced over her shoulder at Impa, then turned to Link. She took a deep breath then began her explanation.
"Shortly after you left to gather the rest of the Spiritual Stones, I had a vision." She was talking in that same faraway voice Link had heard when he'd first met the Princess in her courtyard. "It was a vision of you trying to find Ganondorf as you are now, a child."
Link furrowed his brow and crossed his arms. Funny, he thought, she hadn't considered him a child when she sent him into Death Mountain.
Zelda shook her head, trying to clear the memory of her vision. "It was terrible." She shuddered. "Even with the Triforce, he found a way to overpower you."
Link rubbed the back of his head where Ganondorf had nearly killed him with nothing more than a simple backhand.
"But then an old man appeared," Zelda continued. "He had stark white hair, red and orange robes, and a bushy white mustache."
Link felt his throat tighten.
"The old man told me he was a sage, and that he was going to seal you away until you became powerful enough to defeat Ganondorf."
"How long was I supposed to be sealed away?" Link asked. He wanted to move past the subject of the old man, lest he give himself away.
Zelda swallowed then looked up. Her big blue eyes were filled with pity. "My visions said eight years."
Link blinked in surprise. "Eight years," he repeated quietly. Then louder "Eight years!" Zelda reached out with a hand but Link took a step back.
A sense of hysteria began to fill Link. "Eight Years! And here I thought giving you these past four months would be enough." He threw his head back and laughed like a maniac. Why was he laughing he wondered in the back of his mind. "But no, noooo you want eight years?"
Zelda held his gaze this time. "You're the Hero of Destiny. My dreams -"
"Said a green light shone through the forest!" Link interrupted. "It didn't say I would be locked in a chamber for eight years. I might have actually fallen for your trick if he hadn't surprised me and started talking about my destiny and fate."
Impa turned to look at Link briefly, then returned to her work.
"He?" Zelda asked.
Link swore in his head.
"You met the sage?" she asked, obviously surprised.
"Is he dead?" Impa asked before Link could answer the Princess.
That stopped Link completely. He remembered the screams of pain sounding even through the thick seal of the temple wall.
"I think so," Link mumbled.
Impa continued sharpening her blade. Zelda brought her hands to cover her mouth.
"Ganondorf appeared moments after the door opened. I couldn't stop him." Links voice trailed off at the last word.
"Did he get the Triforce?" Impa asked.
Link could only shrug but the Princess answered.
"No," she said confidently. "The whole kingdom would know if he had the Triforce."
"Are you sure?" Link asked doubtfully. "You didn't know he was even going to be there in the first place."
Zelda took in a sharp breath. "I'm sure," she said with resolve. "I would be dead already if he had it." She paused for a minute. "If only you had drawn the Master Sword -" Zelda started.
"Princess." Impa stood up and put her blade away. "Presently we cannot undo what is done. I suggest we start preparing to defend Hyrule against the hell that is no doubt coming."
Princess Zelda exhaled. "You're right Impa," then to Link, "Maybe I've interpreted my dreams wrong. Will you help us? You're still the Hero of Destiny." She had her hands clasped together in front of her. If she weren't royalty Link might have thought she was begging.
Link let out a sigh. "Princess Zelda, I'm only ten years old. My shoulders are too small to carry this burden. I don't belong here. I belong in the forest, or in a field with Epona."
"Epona?"
Link waved his hand at the door behind him. "Not out there fighting giant parasites, dragons or jellyfish things! I don't know if I can do this." He could hear the pathetic whining of his own voice but he couldn't stop. He needed to speak out.
"Tracking down spiritual stones is one thing but what's next? I can't face Ganondorf! He's beaten me twice, as easily as if he were swatting a fly! What help can I be?" He lowered and shook his head while lifting his hands in front of him in defeat. "This is too much for me."
When he looked up, Zelda returned his gaze with sad eyes. Link was embarrassed but it was the truth, his adventures were becoming overwhelming.
"I started having visions when I was eight," Zelda said. Link raised an eyebrow. "And then there were powers, and voices, and the sage and . . ." Her lips quivered for a moment. "We can't do this alone Link. We need you. I need you."
Link looked down at his worn boots ashamed. He hadn't even thought about that. About the toll all this must have on Zelda, who was only a little older than him.
"I'll help how I can," Link finally said after a pause. Zelda smiled relieved, then rushed over and hugged Link. Surprised Link just stood there awkwardly.
"Then first things first," she said, still embracing Link. "We need to gather everyone still loyal to the true Royal family."
"That should be easy right?" Link asked pulling away from the girl. "We just prove that Impa didn't kill the King, and the guards will turn on Ganondorf right?"
Zelda opened her mouth but instead turned to Impa.
"I did kill the king," Impa said plainly.
Reflexively Link reached for his sword, a movement not lost on the veteran warrior. If she was threatened she did not show it.
Stunned by the news Link turned to Zelda. The girl's resolve had finally been expended. Tears flowed freely down her face.
"She had no choice, Link. Ganondorf put a spell on him." She dropped her face in her hands continuing between sobs. "Daddy fought. . . and fought and in . . . . in a moment of control he. . . he. . . he asked Impa to kill him."
She dropped to her knees and sobbed. Link instinctively went to one knee and embraced her. She put her head in his shoulder and wept.
"Its okay," Link kept repeating while stroking her hair. He didn't know what else to say. He looked up at Impa who just stood there staring at him. Link couldn't get over chill he felt looking into those eyes.
It was Link's idea that they all go to bed and regroup in the morning with fresh, unagitated minds. Zelda had agreed after drying her eyes and Impa said something about sleep and wisdom then she too went to retire. Link spent the night with Impa and Zelda in their hidden apartment, in an extra room.
Sleep had not come easy. He stayed up for some time talking to Navi, who had been fairly quiet the past week. Something Link had begged for, a while ago, but now disliked. Despite his prodding Navi offered very little of her own opinion, only recounting the facts as she had seen them. When sleep did take Link, it brought nothing but nightmares of the old man's cry and Ganondorf's laughter.
Morning came, and with it the smell of. . . sausage and eggs? Link dressed in his kakorika clothes and went to investigate. His green tunic and boots had been discarded. Between the blood and filth, and Ganondorf's uprising, Link thought it better not to stand out and had buried the outfit at the bottom of his pack. Now he wore simple breeches and a cotton shirt. He kept his Kokiri dagger and shield on him though. The protection and comfort they offered were worth the looks.
Stepping outside his room Link found Zelda standing over a small stove cooking bacon and eggs. Like Link, she had traded her luxurious gown and fancy braids for a simple shirt and skirt while her hair was in a ponytail. She was still obviously the Princess though. He couldn't help but think between her posture, blinding golden hair, bright blue eyes, and super pointed ears (a trait that was common amongst Hylains yet somehow amplified in the royal family) nobody would mistake her for anything BUT the Princess of Hyrule.
"Good morning," she said sweetly. "Are you hungry?"
"Starved," he confessed with a pat of his stomach. 'How is it you know how to cook?"
Zelda's smile beamed even brighter. "My mother strongly believed that people need hobbies to relieve stress. Especially royalty. Cooking just so happens to be one of mine."
"That's a relief, you wouldn't want me cooking for us. Not unless you like beans, beats, and boiled nuts."
Zelda laughed, a sound that was very pleasant to Link.
"Where's Impa?" he asked taking a seat at the table. Zelda brought the pan over and served both Link and herself then sat down across from him.
"She left last night," she answered. "I think she went to speak to the Sheikah. It always takes her a while to find them, and longer to talk to them."
Link swallowed a huge piece of egg before speaking. "Where are the Sheikah? She told me they were from this village but besides the graves I've only seen Hylians."
Like the perfect princess she was, Zelda cut her egg into tiny pieces and was able to chew and swallow in time to answer Link's question without missing a beat. "From what I understand, they left the village just after Impa expanded it to accommodate Hylians. They don't hate us anymore but they are a unique people with a unique culture. Besides Impa, I don't even think they believe in the Goddesses."
Link raised an eyebrow. Even the Kokiri, more secluded than the other races of Hyrule, believed in the Goddesses. They worshiped Farore more than the other two though, crediting her for the creation of their beloved forest.
"What do they worship then?"
"A warrior God, I don't know his name but I've heard him referred to as the Fierce Deity"
Link thought while he chewed his perfectly cooked breakfast. Impa had helped him sneak out of the castle after his first visit to Zelda. She had moved with such incredible grace and agility Link had thought she was part cat. If all of her people were like her then a Warrior God would make sense. He tried not to picture how gracefully she must have slain the King.
"How many Sheikah are there?" he asked after scarfing down some of his bacon and sausage.
The corner of Zelda's mouth became tight in a sort of regretful expression.
"Not many," she said. "My father told me the Sheikah need conflict to feel fulfilled. They need to be at war constantly. So when my great uncle solidified peace with their leader, many grew angry and left Hyrule. The ruling Sheikah family threatened familicide on those who would stay and might shed Hylian, Goron, or Zora blood. Those who left, did so with much hate and offered their services as mercenaries in other lands. The ones who remained resented their leader and separated," she explained.
"Now every Sheikah lives for themselves and their immediate family. With nobody left to battle they choose to battle themselves. Impa is the youngest member of the former ruling party."
Link shook his head. All the different races, religions, cultures and politics confused him. He was incredibly sharp for his age, he'd gathered that when he tried to relate to Hylian children, but overcoming the isolation and ignorance of the Kokiri was no easy task.
"I know so little about the world," Link said letting a little bit of his frustration emit through his voice.
Zelda looked at him sympathetically. "What was it like in the forest? In your village I mean."
"Simple," Link said then chuckled softly. "Food and water are provided by the forest or the Great Deku Tree. The Kokiri don't age, don't die, don't want for anything at all really. They sing and dance, read and play. The Know-It-All brothers taught me how to read and write, and fairies teach the Kokiri most everything else." Link sighed remembering how easy everything had been, and how he had taken it for granted. "We have no warriors, no wars, no kings, no monsters. The Great Deku Tree's magic kept everything evil away. Well everything except Mido."
"Mido?"
Link laughed, mostly to himself "The self-declared mayor of Kokiri Village. He doesn't cause anyone harm and nobody truly thinks he's the boss but as far as Kokiri go he's unnaturally assertive and strong. He and I did not get along."
"Oh, was he threatened by you?" Zelda asked with a wink.
Link thought about Saria and how green with envy Mido would act when he saw them together.
Before Link could answer the door swung open. Still ruled by his reflexes Link reached for his sword, muscles tensing up.
It was only Impa. She was wearing a grey cloak over her armor. Link noticed she carried a much larger weapon behind her back than the short blade normally on her person. She also had a long package tucked under her arm.
"I made breakfast," Zelda said casting a curious side glance at Link. Link exhaled and sat back down. He rubbed his eyes willing the adrenaline to leave his bloodstream.
"Thank you," Impa said and set her cloak and the package down beside the door. Cloak removed, Link could see that she now carried a massive sword across her back. The blade was longer than Link's entire body, of that he had no doubt.
Without bothering to take a seat or grab a plate the Sheikah popped a sausage into her mouth. After chewing and swallowing she spoke to the two children.
"I've discovered that Ganondorf will not be making any moves for months at the earliest. He is adjusting to his new position as King. This will buy us the time we need to get the realm, and the two of you ready."
"Ready how?" Link wanted to know.
"Training for the both of you, and a disguise for the Princess," Impa answered patiently. "I have no doubt Ganondorf would drop whatever he is doing instantly if he thought he'd found the Princess. Right now he has the whole kingdom convinced that she's been kidnapped. There's a reward of 100,000 rupees for whoever provides information leading to her capture."
Link let out a low whistle at the egregious amount. In Kokiri Village, you were rich if you had one hundered rupees to your name. In the Citadel an average citizen had to work for more than a year to make 10,000 rupees. 100,000 was ludicrous.
Impa dropped a smaller pack she'd been carrying on her back. "These are Sheikah clothes," she said to the Princess. "From now on you are not Zelda, you are the youngest daughter of the Prava family. You are named Sheik, which was once a common name among my people." Then turning to Link, "Not that you did much of it anyway but you cannot treat Zelda like royalty anymore, not even in private."
Link shrugged indignantly. "There was no royalty in Kokiri."
"Also you need to return to wearing your Kokiri garb."
"Why?" he asked. "It stands out and draws attention. Wouldn't that make it easier for Ganondorf to find me?"
"Ganondorf is not interested in you," Impa said slowly. "And we will need you to represent an outsider who has as much to lose as anyone else in Hyrule."
Before Link could express his confusion Impa continued.
"As of now I doubt Ganondorf could summon an army strong enough to march on any race. So he will try bringing in outside forces. Monsters, demons, spirits, and maybe even dragons from outside Hyrule. He will threaten each realm individually and accordingly crush them. It is only by uniting to face the trials ahead that we can survive."
Impa let out a short sigh. "As a Sheikah I will sound as a hypocrite trying to convince the races to cooperate. But you, you have already formed relationships with both the Zora and the Gorons. Not to mention you are the only one the Kokiri will not fear."
"What do the Kokiri have to do with this?" It was easy for Link to picture the mighty Gorons rolling into battle but the Kokiri? Children armed only with sticks and slingshots?
"The Great Deku Tree's powerful magic repelled and disoriented the evil creatures that lurked in the forest. Now that he is gone it is only a matter of time until the barrier drops. Ganondorf will draw forces from that region first."
Link's eyes widened in realization. "The Great Deku Tree has been dead for months!" he cried louder than he meant to. "There could already be monsters in my village!"
Impa only nodded. Rage swelled in Link's chest.
"You knew! You knew the moment I arrived with the first Spiritual Stone that the barrier was gone!" Link drew his sword, more angry than he could ever remember being. Zelda jumped backwards knocking her chair over. Impa remained where she was, like an undaunted statue.
"My village could already be destroyed and you sent me into the mountains to help your people!" He was pointing his blade at Impa, he turned his head to Zelda "You too!" he spat.
Zelda clenched her jaw and said nothing in her defense.
"The Great Deku Tree was both wise and powerful," Impa spoke calmly and quietly. "I have been assured that presently the barrier is still up, and will remain up for weeks more. A few lesser creatures have found holes but one of the sages has awoken." She glanced quickly at Zelda as she said that, as though the girl should know what that meant. "The new forest sage has been able to ward them off. A friend of yours, Saria."
Link lowered his sword slightly, and took several deep breaths. Finally his shoulders slumped and he sheathed his sword, feeling more than a little ridiculous.
"What does that mean, new forest sage?" He asked. "Saria is becoming a tree like the Great Deku Tree?"
"No," Impa replied, still calm and quietly. "And you will have to wait and ask her yourself, we will be heading to your village immediately."
"Why?" Link asked sitting back down.
"There is a spot near your village where both the Gorons and the Zora can meet without having to risk crossing Hyrule Field. This will be the best place to hold meetings. Also the seclusion and environment will be ideal for training. And maybe most importantly to you, you will be there to protect your village as the barrier dwindles."
"And we can leave now?" Link asked now anxious about the state of his former home.
Impa nodded. "As soon as Sheik gets her things."
It took Zelda a second before she remembered that she was now Sheik.
"I'll be just a moment!" She grabbed the pack of clothes and shut the door to her room, leaving Link and Impa alone together.
The moment the door shut Impa sprang with incredible speed, picking Link up by the neck and carrying him across the room until he was slammed into the wall. Her short blade had appeared out of nowhere and was pressed tight against Link's neck.
"If you ever draw your blade to threaten me or the Princess ever again. . ." She was holding Link off the ground and against the wall with one hand by his throat with her blade's edge resting on his neck just over her hand.
"I will single-handedly quell your destiny and end your life without a second thought." She hissed the words and tightened her already vice-like grip to emphasize her point.
Link clawed at the hand and flailed his legs but to no avail. He could only see Impa's terrifying gaze, all the way until his vision began to blur. Navi was buzzing around Impa's head screaming something. Just as unconsciousness was taking him Impa released her hold. Link fell to the ground gasping for air.
Navi circled his head asking if he was alright. He waved her off and inhaled, relieving the pain in his chest. Impa, resuming her calm demeanor, turned and walked to the room that was hers.
Link rubbed his throat tentatively. That woman was terrifying. And even less likable.
Author's Note: This is the December 5, 2015 rewrite. The chapter's still not what I'd like it to be so I will for sure come back to it. If you read this chapter before a few things that created plot holes have been changed. Nothing incredibly drastic but hopefully enough to offer a better experience.