Chapter 11
The man dressed in red sat beside the woman in pink, just as she had seen them months ago. They were again looking and smiling at a bundle of blankets in the woman's arms.
The scene changed to a dark-skinned man with orange-red hair kneeling in front of the man in red. The orange-haired man gave a hidden smirk as he did.
The scene changed again for the third time, showing two hooded figures running through the woods at night. One of the figures was holding a basket, while the other was cradling something wrapped in blankets. They ceased their running near a riverbank.
Zelda jerked up from the bed and quickly calmed down that she was still in her tent. She dangled her legs to the side and placed her hands on her head, comprehending her dream.
"Why do I keep having these weird dreams? What do they even mean?"
It had been roughly a week since Fado's unexpected arrival at the camp and since Impa sent her message to her contact near Lake Hylia to investigate Fado's claims. In the meantime, the Ordonians and other inhabitants had been helping Fado settle down. Fado is still shaken from his traumatizing ordeal, including his parents' brutal deaths. Still, he's been slowly showing signs of recovery, thanks to the comfort of his friends. With a suggestion done by Ilia, he's been spending most of his time at the camp's stables with Malon, who was more than happy to accept his company.
Aside from Fado's abrupt arrival, it's been a relatively quiet week at the camp. Some enjoyed their quiet time, while others were bored and craved action. Zelda had been practicing in the training yard with her bow when she deiced to take a quick nap back in her tent. But that is not possible now.
Zelda made the decision to leave the tent to clear her thoughts elsewhere. As she walked, she noticed Link sparring with Ashei as Auru watched them and saw Ilia sitting with Sheik, neither of which noticed her. Zelda entered the woods surrounding the camp on a trail that led to a small spring.
Impa had told her group about the spring shortly after settling down at the camp. Not many came up, so Zelda often came here to relax. It wasn't like the Ordon Spring but was still just as lovely. When the spring came into her view, Zelda had noticed the backside of Impa sitting at its edge, looking to be meditating. Wishing to not disturb her, Zelda attempted to leave.
"No need to leave," Impa called out, not even turning her head. "Join me if you wish to. I enjoy the company."
Zelda decided to take Impa's offer, and she sat down next to her. The older woman had her eyes closed, her legs crisscrossed, and her hands resting on one another.
"You like to come up here too?" Impa spoke after the minutes of silence.
"My village had a spring that I often went to be alone," Zelda replied.
"I know the feeling. This place has always been my place to seek solitude. Where I can forget the troubles that plagued me for a brief time. This is also the perfect place for meditation."
"You meditate a lot?"
"Meditation is the key to clear the mind. This is the basic thing for the Sheikah to know, but it takes patience. With it, you can see things more clearly. But you did not come here to talk about my meditation." Impa opened her eyes and turned in Zelda's direction. "You sought a different purpose."
"You can say that…"
"What disturbs you?"
Zelda didn't answer as her eyes were focused on the water. She continued to stare until the images in her dream popped up again. They had happened more quickly this time, which resulted in Zelda slightly groaning and clutching her head.
"I see that answered my questions then," Impa concluded confidently.
"I've been having these weird visions and dreams," Zelda answered.
"What do you see in these dreams?"
"The ones I mostly see are a man dressed in a red robe, with a bushy white blonde beard and a huge headdress, and a woman dressed in a pink, elegant dress. They seem to be people of some high class based on how they're dressed. They were also holding something wrapped in blankets. Then there was a man kneeling before the robed man. The other is two hooded figures running in the woods at night. One of them was also holding something wrapped in blankets, but I woke up before to see what it was." Zelda looks to Impa. "Do you know what they mean?"
"Messages from the goddesses."
"What?" She looked at the older woman in confusion.
"They send visions to those they deem worthy for them to know. Some visions are about what's to come. Others showcase their doom."
"Like...what happened to King Daphnes?" Impa nodded her head. "What does that make me?"
"Perhaps yours is a special case. You did say you were adopted, right?" Zelda hummed in agreement. "Instead of showing your future, the goddesses are maybe showing pieces of your past."
"Are you sure?" Impa gave a slight grin.
"Shiekah are experts in this kind of thing. I'm sure of it."
Before another word was spoken, the sound of running caught their attention. Both women turned to see a human male sprinting towards them.
"Lady Impa, you're messenger hawk had returned with this." The man held out his hand, holding a folded piece of paper, while taking breaths.
Impa took the paper and unfolded and read it. "Thank you, trooper."
"What's going on?" Zelda asked as the man sprinted away.
"Go get the others and meet me in my tent in ten minutes." Impa also ran, leaving Zelda in the dust. She decided to comply with Impa's request.
Ten minutes later...
Zelda, Link, and the others were in Impa's tent, sitting around the table, waiting for her. Finally, she arrived.
"I apologize for calling you so urgently, but this is an important matter." Everyone puts their full attention on her. "As you all know, almost a week ago, I sent a message to my contact near Lake Hylia to investigate some claims made by Fado. Just a few moments ago, I received his response."
Impa held up the note.
Lady Impa,
For the past few months, I've seen some of Ganondorf's divisions in and out of the area. Most of them had some materials that looked to build weapons.
Not too long ago, I saw heavily locked carriages surrounded by soldiers. If I'm correct, those are the prisoners your man was with.
I managed to get close enough to see this camp, but I could not get an exact count of prisoners or the guards since they had secured the place. The number of both may be high, I fear.
If you plan to liberate this place, I implore you to head over here and make a plan. I will not make any move unless further instructed.
-Makos
"So, does that confirm it?" Ashei spoke up first.
"It would seem so," Auru confirmed. "Ganondorf is using the area around Lake Hylia to make more weapons."
"Then we must take out that camp," Sheik declared.
"And free those prisoners as well," Ashei added. "What's our next move.?
"I will take Makos advice and send a group over to assist him," Impa answered. "I will be going, and so will Auru. Do we have any volunteers?"
"I will go with you, master," Sheik offered, followed by several others, including Ashei and Shad, who also volunteered to go.
"Do you also wish to go to Link?" Impa looked at the young man in silence.
"If there's any chance that members of my village are there, then yes."
"I'm coming too," Zelda announced.
"Are you sure, Zelda?" She nodded her head at the older woman. "Very well. We all leave at dawn. Here's what you all will do..."
While Impa explained the details, they were unaware that Ilia had been listening outside the tent.
"This could be my chance to prove to Zelda that I can care for myself. Now I just need to figure out how to join in."
Ilia then continued listening to the conversation to learn more details about the plan she had for herself in mind.
"You guys leaving in the morning?"
Link is in Rusl's tent, explaining the new mission he and Zelda have been assigned. Uli is with Doctor Jabilo, and Fado is helping Malon at the stables. The children are doing whatever in the camp, leaving only the two men.
"It will be early while everyone else is still sleeping. We might be gone a few days."
"Do you think our people are still alive?"
"I hope so." Link's eyes gaze at the ground.
"Well, you better get some rest." The man suggests.
They both bid their goodbyes before Link left the tent. Once outside, he immediately saw Colin standing right outside.
"Oh, hi, Colin."
"You're leaving, aren't you?"
Link was surprised by the suddenness of Colin's question. Nonetheless, he had to tell the truth.
"Yes."
"Are you going to save Beth & Talo's parents?"
Even though Link hoped that they were still alive, he still had to consider the possibility that they were not. Should that be true, he did not want to raise the children's hopes.
"If they're there."
"When do you leave?"
"Around dawn, so you probably won't be awake."
"Oh." Colin lowered his head in disappointment.
"What's the matter?" Link's voice was filled with concern.
"It's just that...ever since we got here, you and Zelda have been leaving a lot. We hardly spend time together anymore."
The realization hit Link like a brick to the head. Back home, he loved to spend his free time with Colin. Since Rusl & Uli took him under their roof when his father left, Link grew close with the young boy, even considering him the little sibling he never had. He never once thought he was drifting away from him since joining The Resistance's fight against Ganondorf.
"Colin, I-"
"It's okay," Colin cut him off. "I know you've had more important things to do."
"Nothing is more important than my friends. That includes you as well." Link declared as he knelt at Colin's eye level. "Tell you what, why not we spend some time together, just like we used to back home."
"Really?" Link nodded back with a smile on his face.
Colin gave a happy smile, and the two boys walked off. They both walked around for a bit before going to the edge of the camp. There is a swing that the children who inhabit the base camp would play on. No one was on there right now, so the boys went to it.
"You've been doing alright here?" Link gave a gentle push on the swing.
"It's wonderful here," Colin replied. "Saria and her friends are so nice to us. Her friend Mido is a bit bossy, though."
"Is he?"
"Saira said he does it to keep a tough guy image. What does that mean?"
Link knew Mido was with Saria when Impa found them alone in their village. From what Impa had said, Mido took it upon himself as the unofficial leader of the children. Link couldn't help to find that admirable for someone that age to do such a thing.
"Sometimes boys act tough because they believe that gets people to respect them. But most of the time, they hide how they feel."
"Oh."
"Are Beth, Talo & Malo getting along with Saria and her friends?"
"Mido and Talo are always arguing about something, but other than that, they all get along well. And don't tell anyone, but I think Talo likes Saria."
Link cocked an eyebrow in amusement. "What makes you say that?"
"Talo always wants to spend time with her, and he always seems eager to impress her."
"I'm sure he's eager to spend time with other kids. You know how much he loves to show off."
"True."
Link pushed Colin into the swing several times for the next few minutes.
"Do you have a crush on Zelda?" The boy's sudden question caught Link off guard.
"What makes you say that?" He asks, hoping the blush on his face wasn't noticeable
"What not to like about her? Zelda is so sweet to everyone and very pretty."
Link couldn't help but agree with those things Colin had listed.
"You are right about those things, but there's more."
"Like what?"
"Well...Zelda is the smartest person I've ever met. She can think of a solution to any problem that occurs. She's perhaps the bravest person I've ever known. Dare I say it, even more than me."
Link trailed off and went silent as he thought of many positives about his best friend. As much as Zelda looked up to him, he had also found himself looking up to her at times.
"So you do like her then?"
"I do, but as friends. Nothing more than that."
"Oh, I see. If you did, I'd be happy for you two."
"That's nice of you, but there's nothing romantic between me and her."
"If you say so…"
Link continued to stay silent as he kept pushing on the swing. He kept thinking about Colin's statement. It was no secret that his friendship with Zelda was a strong one. Over the years, however, he questioned how much he cared for her to an extent. She is one of the most influential people in his life. Maybe he did have some infatuation with her, but would those feelings be returned?
Still, even if they weren't returned, his friendship with her was the only thing that mattered. Should she pursue someone, he would fully support her decision. As long she was happy, so was he.
The sound of Colin's yawn caught his attention. "Okay, kiddo. I think I should give you back to your dad now." Link gently stopped the swing and gently picked Colin up.
"But I'm not...sleepy…" Colin gave another yawn.
Link carried Colin back to Rusl's tent. Colin was on the brink of slumber, so Link walked gently. Rusl just about walked outside just as Link approached.
"Ah, Link. I was just about to look for Colin. Everything went alright?"
"I just pushed him on the swing. I think it's time for him to turn in now."
Link handed Colin to Rusl very gently and carefully.
"Thank you for keeping an eye on him."
"It's no problem, Rusl. I should get to bed now. Big day tomorrow."
"Of course," Rusl stated rather gloomily. "Link?
Link turned his attention to the man. "Yes?
"You and Zelda, stay safe tomorrow. And bring our people back safely."
Link nodded his head, and the two bid goodnight and parted ways. Link returned to his hut to see Fado, Zelda & Ilia sleeping in their beds. Link lay down on his, trying to fall asleep without thinking about the next coming days.
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