Disclaimer: GrimGrave does not own any of the characters of their respective franchises; Metroid and Legend of Zelda belongs to Shigeru Miyamoto and Nintendo, while Soul Calibur belongs to Namco Bandai. GrimGrave does not make money for writing fiction.

A Hylian's Harem

Epilogue #3

Sheikah Attraction

Link awoke to clatter of plates and the gentle thud of objects being placed on solid wood and he rubbed the tiredness out of his eyes. The other side of the bed was empty, his lover having awoken earlier. It was still warm. The Hero nuzzled the pillow – it smelled nice.

Life in Kakariko Village reminded him of his home in Kokiri Forest; it was a gentle village where everyone knew each other, and it helped Link feel at home.

Link got up and arched his back before getting dressed. He checked under the bed, a secret he'd hidden away still untouched and unnoticed by his lover. The floor groaned with every step he took as he headed downstairs, alerting the older woman below.

By the three goddesses, she was beautiful.

She looked up with a small smile. "Look who decided to wake up. Did you sleep well, lad?"

The Hylian smiled shyly back. "I haven't slept this well since I was a kid. I'm afraid this will become a habit, Impa."

"Not on my watch," the Sheikah attendant replied. "I anticipated that, however, and waited with breakfast until after my walk." She sighed contently. "I still haven't grown accustomed to a life where I walk up by your side every morning…"

"That makes two of us." The blonde tip-toed and gave his lover a kiss on the cheek. "Not that I complain. It just reminds me how lucky I am."

"My sentiment exactly," Impa stated. "It's been two years and it still feels as if I'm dreaming. When you declared your love for me back then, I honestly thought it was a cruel prank, lad."

/ "I want to give it a chance… and I want to walk that path with you."

The silence was deafening; Link met Impa's gaze and held out his hand for everyone to see. Everyone turned their heads towards the Sheikah attendant, some in shock and others in muted anger. Even the silver-haired woman was visibly taken aback.

"…This is no time for jokes, lad. We are all expecting you to follow your heart."

"I just did," Link replied, never breaking eye-contact. "I've always had respect for you, Impa, and as a child, I remember I had… I guess you could call it a ´crush´. I thought nothing of it – I even forgot about it as time passed – but after our conversation on the night of the festival, I started thinking…"

He paused. He was clearly steeling himself. "You are motherly, kind, and have always acted like a mentor to me. You are beautiful and strong, and the more I thought about the prospect of marriage, you were the first one to come to mind. You told me that night that I had to come to terms with who was truly pulling my heartstrings – and I speak from my heart when I say it's you." /

Two years later, and Link counted himself as blessed whenever he waked up next to the Sheikah.

"I could never say such things on a whim," the Hylian said. "I care about you. I want to make you a happy woman."

The older woman leant down and kissed him full on the lips – an action she had been modest about – and chuckled. "I am plenty happy, lad. Waking up to a young, handsome man whom I've coveted for a long time makes me feel young."

"You're not that old," Link chided.

"Still older than you," she responded. "Now take a seat, breakfast is nearly ready." Impa chuckled. "Listen to me; I sound like a housewife…"

Link's heart skipped a little. He fidgeted with the small box in his pocket.

"Impa, there's something I need to talk to you about," he began. "It's been –"

"Can it wait until I've set the table? There's no need to rush, lad," his lover replied. "I went out of the way to make it extra special today."

The blonde sighed quietly. He clutched the small box in his pocket and wiped his brow. He had bought the box – and its content – three months prior, knowing that the day when he would give it to his lover would come, and it seemed to come closer until it became overdo. For being the holder of the Triforce of Courage, Link was reluctant and kept waiting for a "right moment."

With the table set and breakfast ready, the lovers shared a rather luxurious meal but it was almost wasted on him – he kept glancing up at the woman opposite him, fidgeting.

It apparently didn't go unnoticed. "Fidgeting is unbecoming of you, Link. Is there something on your mind?"

Startled, Link swallowed hard. There was so much he wanted to convey – so much to say – and yet the words didn't come.

"…I truly love you, Impa," he managed.

The older woman cocked an eyebrow but smiled nonetheless. "I am fully aware, but that's pleasant to hear. I love you as well."

He shook his head. "L-Let me finish…I love you, Impa. We've been together for a long time now and… and I want to remain together with you for years to come. I…"

Damn it, the feelings were so clear and easy, so why was it so difficult to convey them?

He rubbed his brow. "What I'm trying to say is, Impa, is that…"

When he fell quiet, the Sheikah smiled. "Yes, Link?"

This was just embarrassing. There had to be better moments than this. "Sorry… I just feel amorous today. I love you."

"I know," Impa said. She chuckled. "You know, I don't need this to be perfect."

Link looked up, puzzled. His heart raced beneath his chest. "What?"

Her smile broadened and she leant back on her chair. "I feel the same way, Link. I, too, would love to spend my remaining years with you. Feelings can be difficult to put in words, so actions tend to speak louder." The look on her face made the young man's heart melt. "You have something to ask me, don't you?"

X.x.X

Link married Impa shortly after. The whole kingdom – including the fellow Sages – witnessed their union, and a certain Water Sage seemed to be both happy and dejected about it. They were blessed by the young princess Zelda, who supported them throughout the years.

Not much remains known after that, as Sheikah history tends to remain in shadow. One thing was commonly known; the two loved each other above everything else.