Hello folks, time for a new chapter! Now that Impa's caught Link and Nabooru, are they in trouble, or will something else come about? Enjoy!
"Bartender, another round!"
"Oh, of course! Right way!"
A Goron bartender served three more mugs of alcohol to four people sitting at the counter of the Happy Goron Hot Springs resort bar. They consisted of the Gerudo King Link, his second-in-command Lady Nabooru, Link's bodyguard and fiance Nemisa, and the Shiekah nanny of the royal family, Impa.
"I have to say, it's good to see you again Link." Impa grinned, "Or should I call you King Link now?"
"Ah-ha-ha, no need for that, you can just call me Link like before." Link grinned, knocking his mug against hers in a toast.
"You've grown quite well, it feels like just yesterday you were a little kid swinging around a wooden sword." Impa said, before going to read over a bar menu.
After Impa had discovered Link and Nabooru hiding under their table, they told her about the situation with Togau, and she released her and Nemisa from the kunai net trap. Nemisa joined them in the conversation while a drunken Togau was currently sleeping on a table nearby.
"So you two were close all that time ago?" Nemisa asked.
"Yeah, after I got Nabooru out of that situation at the Spirit Temple, Impa helped train me to prepare for my seven year journey." Link nodded.
"He was a little too headstrong for his own good, but I enjoyed training him." Impa said, "Sometime I'd love to practice with you again and see how truly strong you've gotten over the years." she then spoke up to the bartender, "I'd like to place an order for some takoyaki please."
"Right away miss!" the Goron said, setting up the octorok meat and dough and putting it into a frying pan with seasoned sauce.
"So, you're sure you're not going to tell anyone over at the castle about us being here?" Nabooru asked.
"Ah, don't worry about it." said Impa, "I understand you're working to establish relations with the neighboring tribes. In fact, we already know about Link's engagement with Princess Ruto and the alliance you're forming with the Zoras."
Link, Nabooru and Nemisa all collectively spit out their drinks in reaction.
"What?!" Link exclaimed, "How did you know about that?!"
"I was there at Lake Hylia when you proposed to her." Impa said, "I had come to investigate the creature Morpha that night, only to find out you had already destroyed it, and I simply overheard you break the ice with the zora princess."
"You got to be kidding me..." sighed Nabooru slapping her forehead, "None of us even saw you..."
"I'm a Shiekah ninja for a reason, my friend." Impa chuckled, holding up a kunai.
"Wait, so you're a Shiekah?" Nabooru asked, "I've been told there aren't too many of you these days."
"Yes, I'm actually the last full-blood of my kind. Time sadly wasn't kind to the lives of my people..." Impa said, "We have suffered greatly over the years due to war and diseases of the past. We've pledged our lives to the Hyrulian royal family, but we kept facing such brutal hardships..."
Impa sighed, and lamented sadly,
"At times, I wonder if the goddesses have forsaken us due to our bloodstained past..."
Link just paused at looked at the mournful stare in Impa's eyes as she looked upwards. In that moment, he thought about another time he saw Impa, in the dark future...
"Um, sorry about that..." Impa said, forcing a smile, "Sometimes I ramble on that about that sort of thing."
"No, it's fine, Impa. It sounds like we share something in common in that regard..." Nabooru said, referring to the bleak time when the Gerudo were on the verge of extinction themselves, "Though it sounds like your people have actually have it worse then us, you have our sympathy."
"Thanks for that..." nodded Impa, feeling her spirits lifted a little.
"Say, Ms. Impa, do you happen to know a half-Shiekah woman named Tuldon?" Nemisa asked.
"Why yes, she was the daughter of my father's friend." Impa stated with surprise at hearing the name, "You know her?"
"Master Tuldon's the one who taught me karate." Nemisa said with a nod, "She mentioned her father passed it on to her."
"Glad to see she's carrying on his technique then." Impa nodded with a relieved smile, "I advise you hold that power close to you Ms. Nemisa, and use it to protect those you hold dear in her name."
"I do, and I also intend to pass on this art on to my future children someday." Nemisa nodded, flexing her arm.
"Your children, how nice..." Impa smiled lightly, taking a glance at how close Nemisa was to Link before asking, "And I presume Link will be the father?"
"...yes indeed," Nemisa said with a smirk, leaning against him.
"Heh, you've grown more then I could have thought Link, courting the zora princess, as well as this lovely Gerudo lady." Impa said.
"And me!" Togau shouted out from over at her table, before falling back asleep, and leaving a large drool puddle on it.
"Yeah, it's been a wild ride this past year, and I'm going to be taking more wives before I'm done." Link said, putting an arm around Nemisa and holding her close to him, as she brought an hand to his chest, "But I love this life I'm living now, and I wouldn't trade it for anything."
"I see..." Impa said, "It would be weird to some, but I think Princess Zelda will be happy to know you're doing so well."
"Zelda..." Link muttered, Nemisa looked to her future husband and couldn't help but notice the look in his eyes as he spoke her name, "How is the Princess doing herself these days anyway? She still keeping up her training?"
"Yes indeed, and she's doing quite well." Impa nodded, "I admit I was worried for her back when I found out she was to be engaged to the prince of Fargent, but she seems to have taken to him quite well. He doesn't really approve of her training in the art of the rapier, but he doesn't really make that much of a big deal about it."
"I see..." Link muttered.
"Wait, Princess Zelda is a sword fighter?" Nemisa asked, raising an eyebrow, "I always figured princesses and such never engaged in that sort of thing."
"It was actually Link who inspired her to take up the blade." Impa said, "You should have seen them training with wooden swords back when they were children, it was so precious seeing them get along like that. It made a real impact on her, and she's getting stronger by the day."
"That's sweet, I knew you had connections with the princess, but I didn't know you were that close to her." Nabooru grinned to Link.
"It was a lot of fun working with Zelli- Zelda." Link quickly corrected himself, he sighed a little and had a reminiscent look in his eyes, "I promised I'd come back to see her again someday, but I didn't have much luck when I came back to Hyrule."
"Yes, security has been rather tight lately." Impa nodded, "With everything that's been going on in Hyrule, Zelda hasn't even been able to leave the castle in years." she turned to Link and smirked, "Between us though, she hasn't been idle. Zelda's working under the noses of the Hylian Parliament to try and fix many of the situations going on that they're unable or unwilling to do anything about."
"Really now?" Link said with a raised eyebrow and slightly amused grin
Impa took a sip of her drink. "Yes... in fact, while I won't go into details, I'm actually here on a mission for her, to meet with a contact in a couple days about a certain matter that's come up."
"How interesting..." Nabooru said with a smirk of her own.
"Well either way I'm just glad to hear she isn't taking this whole thing sitting down at least, though I'd like to see her again myself..." Link said.
"Here's your takoyaki miss." the Goron served Impa a plate of fried octorok wrapped in flavored dough, "That'll be sixty five rupees."
"Sixty five?" Impa questioned, "But your menu said forty!"
"Ah sorry, that must one of our old menus." the Goron said sweatdropping, "We had to increase the price due to a shortage of octorok meat."
"Why is there a shortage?" Nemisa asked.
"Not really sure, their numbers have been going down considerably over the past months." the Goron said, rubbing the back of his head, "There's even rumors around here about a ghost that might be scaring off or destroying them..."
"A... ghost?" Nabooru asked raising an eyebrow.
"Ah.. um..." the Goron gulped nervously realizing what he just said, "A ghost? Who said anything about a ghost?"
"You just did." Nemisa said flatly.
"I heard it." Link said.
"Me too." Togau said from her table.
"You're not just making up excuses about the price are you...?" Impa asked crossly, putting the Goron into more of a panic.
"T-That, I... um..."
"It's okay Impa, I'll cover you." Link said with a small grin, pulling out twenty five rupees from his wallet to give the bartender, "Consider it a little due payment for helping me train back in the day."
"Oh... thank you Link..." Impa said with a light blush.
That blush didn't go unnoticed by Nabooru, and she bore a little mischievous grin.
"So... uh. what is this Fargent prince like anyway?" Link asked, as Impa slid him a few takoyaki balls to eat, which he was quick to gobble up, "Ish he gud tu Zelda?" he asked with his mouth full.
"He's a kind man, no doubt about that, and a skilled sword user. He's even quite a hero of his own country; Before he came to the castle, he defeated an occult that was practicing evil magic in Fargent." Impa said, "In some ways, he kind of reminds me of you actually."
"Really now?" Link asked after swallowing.
"Yes, he's definitely devoted to improving everything going on with both Fargent and Hyrule, even if he doesn't have much authority himself. Even when he and Zelda marry, she'll be the one in charge of Hyrule rather then him due to her bloodline. Though they're still both going to have the Hylian Parliament breathing down their necks."
Impa ate another takoyaki ball and looked a little distant.
"On the other hand, while he's good to comfort Zelda in her times of need, for whatever reason he doesn't seem too interested in being intimate with her... and the royals are pressuring the two about conceiving an heir to the throne as soon as possible, even if it's before their marriage." Impa frowned.
"I-I see..." Link muttered, for some reason something about what Impa spoke about Zelda made him uneasy, and it showed on his face.
"Does that bother you Link?" Impa asked with concern in her tone.
"I... um... don't get the wrong idea or anything... it's not that I... think anything like that about her..." Link stammered, "I'm not one to judge her relationship or anything..."
"Heh, don't worry about it Link, I read you like an open book, I know your past with her. and honestly even I can understand myself how hard it can be to let go of her..." Impa said.
"What do you mean?" Nabooru asked.
"Well, Zelda's growing up now, she's getting stronger and wiser, and is about to marry a fine prince to unite the kingdoms, someone that can care for and protect her... It's selfish of me to say, but I suppose in a way I feel like she's leaving me behind as well... As her nanny I used to look after her so much when she was growing up... and now, seeing Zelda about to be married, and someday become the Queen of Hyrule, I suppose this is the feeling a parent would have about letting their child go out into the world..."
"So then what do you plan to do yourself once that happens?" Nabooru asked with a slight smile growing on her face.
"I'm... not positive really.. I devoted my whole life to the responsibility of Zelda's protection, but I'm not sure if that will be needed much anymore..." Impa muttered, taking a slow bite of her takoyaki
"Than perhaps what you need is an outlet for that devotion." Nabooru said nodding, "Maybe you should consider having a child of your own?"
Link and Nemisa practically fell off their bar stools from hearing that.
"Nabooru!" Link exclaimed, "That's kind of overstepping it, don't you think?"
"It's... not a bad idea to consider actually." Impa said, leaning against the bar counter.
"Wait seriously?" Link turned to Impa.
"It's not like I haven't considered doing something like birthing a child... I have had an interest in continuing the Shiekah bloodline anyway." Impa explained, "Only full-blood Shiekah like myself can produce other full-bloods, and as the only known surviving full-blood, it falls on me if I want to keep the Shiekah people alive."
"So if Tuldon had a child it would only be a half-blood like her then?" Nemisa asked, which Impa nodded, "It's kind of random for us, usually we Gerudo bare full-bloods, but occasionally we have a half-blood who more resembles the male."
Link thought on that note that Malon from Lon Lon Ranch was a half-blood Gerudo herself, and was thankful she looked Hylian enough that she could stay at Lon Lon Ranch without the Parliament recognizing her as a Gerudo.
"Part of the challenge though is finding the right man..." Impa sighed, eating another takoyaki ball, "I tend to scare most men off thanks to my strength and authority in the royal family, and those who do work up the nerve to speak to me are either perverted pigs or frail weaklings who wouldn't be able to produce a good heir..."
"Sounds rough." Link said.
"Hmm..." Nabooru said stroking her chin, then sporting a grin, "Actually, if you like I know a fine young strong man to introduce you to Impa!"
"You do?" Impa asked with a takoyaki ball sticking out from her mouth.
"She does?" Nemisa and Link said in unison, as Link took a drink of his alcohol.
"If you ask nicely, I'm sure our beloved new king Link would be happy to give you a child!" Nabooru said cheerfully.
Upon hearing that, Impa practically gagged on the takoyaki she had been eating and spit it out, while Link spit out his drink again.
"We really need a 'No Spitting' sign here for the bar..." the Goron bartender muttered, now covered in octopus bits and alcohol.
"Excuse me Nabooru?!" Link exclaimed, "You're suggesting me and Impa have a kid?!"
"Relax, I'm not saying to marry her or anything, unless you really like that idea," shrugged Nabooru, "Just have a quick session with her tonight. I'm sure you would both enjoy it!"
"I... um..." Link looked hesitantly at Impa, who slowly looked away with a hard blush on her cheeks. He had to admit seeing his mentor embarrassed like that was kind of cute, "I mean... I guess, if she's okay with that sort of thing... what do you think, Impa?"
"I'll just... have to... um... think on that..." Impa said standing up with a clearly nervous and embarrassed look on her face, "T-Thank you for covering the price of the takoyaki, Link." she added, before walking out a door, only to step out and say "T-That was the kitchen." then going out the bar exit.
"I swear, one of these days I'm going to have to figure out the secret of that affect you have on women, my husband." Nemisa smirked with a teasing voice, poking him on the cheek.
"Ah-heh-heh..." Link grinned sheepishly.
After the girls all left to go to their rooms, Link himself decided to take some time to relax at the men's hot spring like he had originally planned. He also wanted a little time to himself to think about his situation with Impa. After checking in, he changed and went out into the spring area. There was no one else there that night, which he didn't mind at all.
Link sighed out, removing his towel, stepping into the water and laying back as the heat soothed his body, "Ah... this is nice..."
He took that moment and gazed up at the stars in the sky, which were shining quite brightly, even in a heated volcanic place like Death Mountain. It reminded him of his nights during his journey, when he'd camp out under the stars. While he had gone through many trials and hardships on his quest, he always found a little comfort in the night sky, both tranquil and peaceful...
His thoughts then drifted to when Impa was teaching him some outdoor survival skills during his training time with her. He had some basic knowledge during his quest to stop Ganondorf, but she taught him more then he could had thought, and it proved helpful for his seven year journey.
At times she would stay with him overnight at his camp to ensure his safety, or help position him for battle training, and at time he would feel a little awkward about it. Sometimes during breaks the two would talk about their life and times. Link thought of those times fondly, and was happy to see Impa as she was then and now, happy and free to watch over himself and Zelda...
"Hey Brother Link, how are you enjoying the water?" spoke up a familiar voice. Link looked up to see Chief Darunia standing there, "Can I join you?"
Link took his thoughts off of Impa for the time being and grinned, "Be my guest, Brother!"
Darunia laughed and stepped down into the water and laid back himself.
"Well this isn't the lava baths of the volcano crater like I prefer, but I suppose it'll do." Darunia said, "Everything good with the resort?"
"It's amazing Darunia, I'm impressed how far you've come in setting up a whole resort like this." Link said.
"Well, I just thought it was about time we reach out to the people of Hyrule more." Darunia said, "The citizens of Kakariko Village were a big help getting this place set up. I don't really get the decor or the food and everything, but the tourists like it, so I can't be one to judge!"
"So what brought about this desire to reach out then?" Link asked.
"Well... it was you Brother Link." grinned Darunia, "After Ganondorf sealed up Dodongo's Cavern we were trying to get help from Hyrule Castle to do something about it, but we kept getting ignored. I was getting pretty resentful of them because of it. And then just out of nowhere, you showed up to clear out those monsters and save our food supply! I think it was then I realized we've spent too long in here without making much effort to speak to the world around us."
"So that's why you're working to have a voice in the Parliament?" Link asked.
"That's right brother!" Darunia said, "You proved to me there's plenty of good people out there, and I needed to change our ways, if just a little, so we could speak to them all!"
"Nabooru feels the same way with the Gerudo, she worked for years to reform them from their old ways as thieves to become a real society." Link said.
"Bwahaha, I'm glad to hear that. I'm looking forward to forming an alliance with you and the Gerudo then." Darunia said.
"Me too." nodded Link.
The two of them then went back to looking up at the stars in the sky.
"You workin' with any other tribes as well yet?" Darunia asked.
"Yeah, the Kokiri and the Zoras. Saria said she's going to be a diplomat on behalf of the forest people, and I'm finally engaged to Princess Ruto." Link said.
"You and the zora princess?" Darunia said with wide eyes, "Well congratulations Brother! You're gonna have to invite me to the wedding!"
"Course I will." grinned Link.
"She was always going on about that sorta thing, even back when the three of us were all involved in that one incident." Darunia chuckled, "She sure went out of her way to protect you, course she kinda had to, what with what your situation!"
"Yeah..." Link said, somewhat distantly.
"Um, you holding up okay from what happened?" Darunia asked curiously, "I don't mean to open old wounds or anything, but I know how tough it was for you to go through that..."
"It's fine..." Link whispered, as he thought about something from his past...
A town he had arrived in, a lovely woman smiling at him, some lively townsfolk, then a memory of him being shut into a room of some kind, as that kind lady smiled happily to him...
"It's been about six years for me since then, and I've come to cope with it." Link simply said.
"Glad to hear." nodded Darunia, "But what about that... other thing?"
"Never found it... at least I don't think I have." Link said, as he recalled another past memory...
He saw Darunia, Ruto and a third person all gasping out in pain, and himself in a panic at the sight of a powerful being approaching them, as he reached behind his back and pulled out something, and a great force of energy surrounding him...
The two of them sat there for a while, until Darunia spoke up again.
"Do you think they're all doing alright?"
"I'm sure of it." Link nodded, "They're all strong people, and I'm sure they're dong well now."
"Haha, glad you still have your optimism after all that. I don't get the whole thing about marriage and stuff, but I'm sure you'll make Ruto good and happy." Darunia said.
"Yeah, thanks..." Link said smiling, as the two continued to watch the stars in the sky.
Meanwhile in Aviel and Saria's room, the two girls had long ago recovered from the whirlpool hot spring and were now siting on their futons, talking the night away about their lives before they met. Aviel told Saria about her life as a lookout, her work as an archery instructor, and her time guarding Link, while Saria told her about her life in the forest and helping to look after Link.
"Hee hee, so you actually got Link to dress up in Gerudo women's clothes to hide from an enemy?" Saria giggled, "And it even fooled Nemisa as she was dancing with him? I wish I could have seen that!"
"He even used it to sneak into the Wyvern Keeper's hideout! I still got the outfit if he ever needs it again!" Aviel said grinning.
"It's really sweet that you look out for him so well, you even helped Link the day you met him." Saria said, "He means a lot to you, doesn't he?"
"Yeah, I've always been really klutzy and not very bright, and I used to think I could only do so little in Gerudo Town. But then I became Link's bodyguard, and I feel more important then ever! I couldn't be happier to be his friend, and I want to protect him forever." Aviel said, blushing a little.
"I can relate, I thought I couldn't really do much for Link other then stay in the forest and support him with encouraging words." Saria said, putting a hand to her chest, "But he welcomed me into his new life, and I'm glad to stand by his side, and now I'm going to do what I can to help you do away with the banishment law!"
"We all really appreciate what you doing for us Saria, and I'm honored to have you as my sister." Aviel nodded, she paused for a bit, then spoke up, "So make like a sister and tell me about how you feel about Link then!"
"Ah ha..." Saria's eyes shrunk down and she gulped a bit, "I... um... really think he's a great friend and I... uh, ah ha ha ha..."
"Come ooon Saria!" Aviel said, now laying on her stomach as she was kicking her legs in the air behind her, "Tell me what you really think of him, I saw the look on your face while he was massaging you at the hot spring!"
"T-That's only because you egged us on!" Saria protested in a fit, grabbing her pillow and covering her head with it out of embarrassment, "I can't believe I actually acted like that in front of everyone!"
"Hee hee," snickered Aviel, "No one has a problem with it, they know you're not just a kid and you have desires like any of us!"
"I guess... but..." Saria sighed, "Do you think Link possibly sees me like that?"
"I think so, he sure looked like he was restraining himself as he was rubbing you down!" Aviel giggled, "I bet if you pushed him a little more, he might just give in and take you as his wife!"
"His... wife..." Saria whispered, holding her pillow down against her chest, her face flushed, "For the longest time I never thought something like that could ever happen for me... You see, I used to have weird dreams years ago... I wasn't sure of what they meant, but... for some reason I had this feeling that they were trying to tell me that Link and myself weren't ever meant to be anything more then friends, or exist in the same world for that matter..."
Aviel looked in confusion and tilted her head.
"But those dreams went away a long time ago, and over the months I've come to love living with you all! As for Link.. we're closer now then we've ever been, and I've never been so happy." Saria said smiling, before taking a deep breath and telling Aviel what she wanted to say.
"And you're right Aviel, I can't help myself... I love Link, I love him so much, and I want to stay happy with him forever."
Aviel couldn't help but beam with happiness at hearing Saria confess to her.
"I'll bet you can be happier..." Aviel said, "... like on the day you approach Link in a wedding dress, and then later in a queen's gown!"
Saria just blushed at that thought of Aviel's words, going down he aisle to see Link along with his other fiances, marrying him alongside all of them, then Link taking her into the bedroom for their honeymoon... and spending their whole lives together as king and queen with the others... She tried to block out those thoughts, but was finding it harder to ignore... and to not enjoy the idea of...
"W-Well, how about you then?" Saria then asked to change the subject, "What is Link to you, sister Aviel?"
Aviel paused as she pondered that question, then shrugged.
"Well... to be honest I'm not really sure myself. I think for now I'm just happy having him as he is to me now..." Aviel said.
"How do you mean, like what is he to you then?" Saria asked curiously.
""He's... well..." Aviel pondered, folding her legs together and putting a finger to her mouth as she swayed left and right, "He's kinda like a big bro to me; he gives me nice hugs, he goes out with me for shaved ice, he comforts me when I get scared of things like ghosts or lightning... He means the world to me!"
Aviel thought about the day the two went on their tour of the town, going the archery grounds, having lunch at the diner, going clothes shopping... and the kiss she gave him.
"In fact, I also see Nemisa and Togau like my big sisters, Dr. Sarami as my sweet nursing auntie, while Reirousa's my big, tough cool aunt, Lady Nabooru is kinda like our mom of sorts, then there's Kesuta and Korume who are my weird cousins... and then there's you, my little sister!"
Saria blushed a little at being called that, "Little sister? You know I'm probably almost four hundred years older then you!"
"Hee hee, I just feel being around all of you... is what having a family is like." Aviel said.
"Really? What about your own mother or father?" Saria asked.
Aviel paused, and whispered somewhat sadly, "Well... I don't really know where they are right now..."
"What?" Saria gasped.
"When I was a kid, my mom and dad were travelers, and I went with them everywhere. I saw all kinds of neat places and things, and met all kinds of people... Then one day, I think I got separated from them..." Aviel said, siting back on her futon, "I forget exactly what happened, but the last thing I remembered after that was waking up in a village, and I had been wearing my Roc's Wing sleeves." she gestured to the feathered sleeves among her things that allowed her to turn her arms into bird wings.
"Anyway, some of our Gerudo sisters found me at the village and they escorted me to Gerudo Fortress, then after the war we all went to Gerudo Town, and I was given the job of a lookout."
"So you never saw your parents again...?" Saria asked sadly.
"No..." Aviel sighed, "But... there's something about these Roc's Wings I had..." she said, taking a sleeve and running her hand along the feathers gently, "I don't know where they came from, but I feel a connection to them.. like they were given to me by someone important..."
Saria was in awe of Aviel's story, for her to confide in her about this, it made her feel as though she was closer to Aviel then she ever could have thought.
"Hey, so enough about that!" Aviel grinned, reaching into her travel bag and pulling out a small sack, "Wanna share some candied berries with me?"
"Oh, of course!" Saria smiled, as the two went to town on the bag of sweetened fruit.
"Hi there Nabs, how was the bar?"
"It was... certainly an interesting experience that's for sure." Nabooru said to Sarami as she walked into their inn room, she told Sarami about the encounter with Impa, and her suggestion that Link should give her a child.
"Oh, that's so sweet of you to suggest that Nabs!" Sarami said happily, "With Link's youth and strong body, I think he'd give his friend a fine healthy baby!"
"Yeah... though they still haven't decided on anything yet." Nabooru smiled lightly as she thought about that. "Your back feeling alright Sarami? You can have my futon for extra comfort if you want."
"Oh no Nabs, I feel just fine now, better then I could have thought, thanks to that massage Link gave me back in the hot spring." Sarami said, putting her hand up and rubbing at her shoulder, "You did well teaching him!"
"W-Well... thanks..." Nabooru stammered a bit, recalling when Link gave her a massage back at the Hall of Knowledge.
"It reminds me of back when he helped me with Sister Maifeki back at my clinic, the way he held her hand to calm someone in labor like her... I was impressed with him even as early as then. Link can be so strong, yet so gentle..." she said with a warm smile.
"You sound like you fancy our king after all." smirked Nabooru lightly, "You keep trying to say you're too old for him, but he treats you as if you were as young as Aviel."
"Fufufu... he's certainly been a good boy... Then again after what I saw back in the springs I don't know if I can just call him a boy anymore." giggled Sarami, "So where is he now?"
"He said he wanted to go to the men's hot spring and relax. I guess sharing the spring with all of us was the exact opposite of relaxing." Nabooru said with a smirk, "Course you sure didn't help in that regard."
"I'll have to apologize to him, but I couldn't help myself." Sarami said, "I was hoping you'd ask him for a massage yourself, but I wasn't expecting Saria of all people to want one."
"Yeah, I'm glad those two are so close." nodded Nabooru, "Link thinks the world of her."
"I'm sure he feels the same way about you too Nabs." Sarami said, "In fact, I think you should take this little semi-vacation of ours to act on that."
"I... don't know about that... he actually confessed to me back at the Hall of Knowledge... but I..."
"What?! Really?!" Sarami exclaimed, standing upright and looking at Nabooru with sparkling eyes, "Oh I wish I had been there to hear him say that!"
"I don't know if you wanted to, as I couldn't accept his feelings..." Nabooru sighed.
"Why not?" Sarami asked, "The two of you are perfect for one another... you should go through with it and became his Grand Queen! You'll be so happy together, and I'll see to it the two of you have strong healthy children!"
Nabooru blushed red at her friend's words, but looked a bit skeptic.
"It's just... I can't do it... not after what had happened..." Nabooru muttered, "...all that time ago."
"...is this about what you went through?" Sarami frowned, "You know... with that person?"
"Is it really that obvious?" sighed Nabooru.
"Listen Nabooru..." Sarami started, Nabooru was surprised at hearing her, as Sarami usually only called her by her full name when she was very serious, "You can't keep beating yourself up over what happened all that time ago, it wasn't your fault."
"Wasn't it?" sighed Nabooru, "If it hadn't been for what I did, he would have never-"
"Stop Nabooru, it would had happened even if you weren't involved..." Sarami said shaking her head, "You need to stopping putting that on yourself."
Sarami placed her hand over Nabooru's, and smiled lightly.
"Link told me about when he first heard about the war from you when he arrived in Gerudo Town, and how he blamed himself for it, and how you comforted him in that time of need." Sarami said, "And I think you need to give Link a chance to do the same for you, Nabs."
Nabooru felt Sarami squeeze her hand, and looked to her friend who was smiling to her serenely.
"...okay, I'll think about it." Nabooru said with a light smile, thinking back to that time when she comforted Link, "Thanks for that Sarami."
"Anything for my friend." Sarami giggled, reaching into her bag and pulling out a deck of playing cards, shuffling them in her hand without even looking, "Now how about a game of poker or two?"
"I'm game." grinned Nabooru, even though she knew Sarami would probably win in a few turns, she was just happy to spend time like this with her friend.
After the hot springs closed and he saw off Darunia, Link walked down the hallway of the inn, heading towards his room where he was staying with Nemisa and Togau. While he had made love to both of them in the past, this was the first time he'd be sharing a private room with them at the same time. He wasn't sure what to expect, but thanks to the hot spring he felt plenty refreshed for whatever they wanted to do that night.
As he walked down the hallway, he felt a certain presence in an odd place. He paused in his tracks and spoke up without so much as looking.
"Hey Impa, just hanging around?"
"Heh, your instincts have sharpened well." Impa spoke out to him.
Link looked up to see her not on the ground, but actually standing on the ceiling with her arms folded. Just what ninja technique she used to pull off a trick like that he'd never know, but his past experience dealing with her in his training, as well as field experience during his journey had given him more a sense of awareness of ninjas like her.
Impa leaped down to the ground and stood before him. He had to admit he always found Impa to be a rather attractive woman, despite how much older she was then him. Sh ewas wearing less make up then he recalled from before, which highlighted her natural beauty, which he always preferred in women. Her skin-tight jumpsuit did a fine job showing off her athletic but somewhat curvy figure. Her skin was tanned more then he remembered her, and he found her longer white hair to be more appealing then her short style from eight years ago. He also noted the scar on her face, which she didn't have before, and made him wonder where she got it...
"So I take it from that stare you approve of my new look, young hero... or should I say Gerudo King Link now?" Impa asked with a smirk.
"Ah ha ha, sorry, I couldn't help myself. But you do look good." Link nodded.
"Good enough to have a child with?" Impa spoke with a modest chuckle, causing Link to fault over a bit.
"...s-sorry about earlier." Link said, rubbing the back of his head, "Nabooru can be pretty blunt like that."
"It's no problem, I know the Gerudo in general aren't exactly known for being subtle, especially when it comes to child-making." Impa said waving her hand.
The two of them paused for a second, before Link sported a grin.
"It's been a long time, but I'm happy to see you're doing well, Impa."
"You too, my protegee." Impa nodded with a small smile, "I have to say I never would had expected you as the Gerudo King of all things, but if there was anyone I'd rather see in that position, it would be you."
"It's been pretty crazy over the past year, but like I said before I love being where I am now, with the people I care about... and I'm going to do whatever I can to make things right for them all, including doing away with the Gerudo Banishment Law, so they can be happy and free as I feel they've earned the right to be." Link said.
"Well said, Zelda would admire hearing that from you. She's been speaking with the Parliament about the law as well, even if she often gets ignored or snubbed about it." Impa said nodding.
"I see..." Link said softly, lowering his head a bit, as he thought about what Impa said earlier about the princess, her engagement, and the troubles with the Parliament. Impa quickly picked up on his concern and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry too much about Zelda, she's staying strong... and I'm sure you'll see her again soon enough." Impa said reassuringly, "The two of you can make up for lost time then."
"Thanks for that Impa." Link nodded, "Well I'm going to get to bed then. Have a good night."
"You too." Impa nodded back.
Link then turned and started to walk away, when he heard Impa speak again.
"...I will say, you've definitely gotten stronger and more mature then I could have thought, Link..."
Link stopped in his tracks, and turned to look back at Impa, only to see she was gone already, as quick and silent as a ninja could be.
He stood there wordlessly, before heading off to his room.
"There, the futons are all set up." Nemisa said standing up.
In Link, Nemisa and Togau's room, the two girls had obtained the extra futon from Reirousa's room so the three of them could share the room together, with the three beds all parallel to each other.
"Good work, but is Link gonna be comin' back tonight, or do ya think he's gonna go give that Shiekah lady friend of his a baby?" Togau asked, sitting with her legs crossed, and her hands clutching her knees.
"I'm not entirely sure..." Nemisa pondered, "He was skeptic about it, but Ms. Impa did seem to like the idea, if just a little... and you know how be draws women to him."
"Na ha ha, definitely Well when he does come to our room, what do you wanna do with him?" Togau asked, "Wanna alternate nights bonkin' him?"
"No need for that, my dear Togau. If you're fine with it, it can just be the three of us all at once." Nemisa smirked lightly, taking the three futons and sliding them together, "Link's been with Kesuta and Korume plenty of times, and they tell me he does just splendidly in a threesome."
"J-Jees, I didn't even think of that sorta thing..." Togau said blushing. She looked at Nemisa's figure wrapped in the robe, namely how it showed off her wide hips, "Ya got a really nice body Nemisa, I hope you get to have that nice big family you want with Link someday."
"So do I..." Nemisa let out a small sigh.
"Somethin' on yer mind?" Toagu asked.
"I suppose I can't stop thinking about what Lady Nabooru suggested about Link having a child with Ms. Impa." Nemisa said.
"Didn't you say before you were fine with him givin' her a kid?" Togau asked.
"Oh, it's fine, after all he has those child-bearers back home that Lady Nabooru wants him to impregnate, and this isn't any different then that. I'm honestly glad for Link to take the initiative to help Impa with preserving her people's bloodline... but I suppose I'm a little jealous of them all..." Nemisa said.
"Jealous like how?" Togau asked tilting her head.
"Well you know how we agreed to hold out on marrying Link and have children with him until after he's assembled his harem and everything's resolved with the banishment and the rebels? Well the more time we spend together the more I find it hard to wait..." Nemisa said.
She placed a hand on her firm stomach and rubbed it slightly, "Whenever me and Link make love, I can feel such incredible sensations within me... and my body practically begs to be pregnant. Sometimes I find myself almost holding back from eating the black chu capsules Dr. Sarami gave us for birth control..."
"Wow, you're really into that sorta thing, ain't ya?" Togau asked.
"I am..." nodded Nemisa, "I can't wait to feel that sensation more... I want to feel my belly grow with Link's children, to have him hold and make love to me in that state... But I can't do it just yet, I have to protect my beloved with all my strength, and if he were to ever get hurt when I should had been there to help him... I couldn't forgive myself for it. That's why I have to wait, for the sake of Link as well as our people."
"Yer really faithful to him, ain't ya...?" Toagu said grinning, "Well if ya like, ya can just let him plow you full of kids and I could protect him with Aviel in your place! I've gotten a hang of my ax and Lynel powers, so I could take over as his bodyguard!"
"I appreciate that Togau..." Nemisa smiled warmly, "But it's something I have to do for myself as well. I want to keep protecting Link from anything that tries to harm him, and when everything is said and done, then perhaps I can retire from being a guard and finally become the mother I want to be."
"That sounds nice..." Togau said, "But I don't think ya need to give up being a guard or warrior if yer gonna become a mother, after all ya gotta protect your little rugrats too, right?"
"Huh? Well, I guess..." Nemisa nodded.
"Even when I become Link's wife and start birthin' his kids, I'm still gonna stick to my job at the ranch. Just because I'm gonna be a queen and mother doesn't mean I wanna give up what I'm good at! I mean, you're gonna stay a dancer too ain'tcha?"
"Y-Yes, you're right..." smiled Nemisa with realization, "I want to pass on my martial arts and dancing skills to my children as well."
"Then there ya go, just keep doin' what yer doin'! Being a parent doesn't mean havin' to give up on the things you like doing!" Togau said.
"That's a good point. Thank you for that Togau." chuckled Nemisa, "I'm proud to have you as Link's fellow wife."
As the two girls were chatting, Link had just arrived there to meet with them. He had overheard the end of their conversation, and found himself reflecting on Togau's words in particular. His thoughts drifted to Impa and her own situation, before he nodded to himself and spoke up to get the girls' attention.
"Hey girls, how are you liking everything?" Link asked with a goofy grin.
"Oh, hey there Link!" Togau said grinning widely, "Everything's been peachy-ken! Me and Nemisa were just chattin' it up!"
"Yes, why don't you lay down here, my husband?" Nemisa asked, patting the futon in the middle.
Link obliged and laid back on the futon, with the girls taking the ones to the left and right of him, laying on their sides so they could face him.
"So you're not going to be with Ms. Impa tonight?" Nemisa asked tickling Link's chest, while Togau watched.
"Nah, I think she just needs a little more time to think about it." Link said, "I can understand that myself."
"Well in that case, how about the three of us have a little fun tonight then?" Nemisa whispered suggestively. She looked up at Togau who grinned and nodded back, as the two suddenly kissed Link on both his cheeks at the same time.
"You know what, I think I'd be fine with that..." Link said with a soft smile, taking both Nemisa and Togau around their waists and pulling them closer to him...
...and the three of them had a wonderful night together.
In another room of the inn, Reirousa was sprawled out on her futon that she was clearly too big for. One of her arms had escaped the sleeve of her robe, and she was laying back snoring loudly, oblivious to everything that had been going on over the past hours. After what had happened in the hot spring, she had second thoughts about going to the bar, as she had a hard time thinking about Link without getting strange urges that were foreign to her, and was hoping to sleep it off.
Instead though, she grumbled a bit in her sleep, as she was having an odd dream. She grinned lightly in her sleep, and absentmindedly scratched at her abs a she did.
"Well, whatreya waiting for Link...?" Reirousa muttered, "If you wanna make me a mom then get to it..."
Meanwhile, out above the hot springs area everything seemed calm and tranquil that night. It was past closing time for the springs a while ago, and the hot steam from the spring was still rising up from the water.
But strangely enough, the steam started to die down, until it was completely gone without a trace.
If anyone had been in the area at that moment, they could have heard a mysterious roar echo through the area...
And that ends the chapter. This chapter ended up going pretty nicely as far as I'm concerned, it was good to have Impa show up and explain some things going on as well as establish some important plot points for later. I'm not sure how well received Link/Impa stuff is, and I don't plan on it being an outright new pairing in the story... unless of course people like the idea. I also liked having the opportunity to let the characters have heart-to-heart conversations together, including Saria finally being honest with someone about her feelings for Link.
Next time, the group go to visit the Goron Mines, only to run into a shocking surprise...
As always, thank you all for your support, and leave a link, follow or review if you want!