Hello readers, chapter 119 is here! With Link's story finished, the heroes take their time to absorb what has happened, and he has a special request to make...
"...then after going through that portal, me and Epona wound up back in our time, and I went back to searching for Navi for a little while longer after that. But after four years I came up with nothing." Link spoke, "I soon made my way back to Hyrule to see everyone again and fulfill my promise to Nabooru, and that ends my story."
Link looked to his fiances and friends who were all sitting still with their jaws all collectively hanging down and their eyes as wide as the plates they had been eating off of earlier.
"N-No way..." Kesuta spoke.
"...uh, yer sure it's over now?" Togau asked somewhat skeptically.
"Positive. Thanks everyone for hearing me out." Link said bowing his head, "I know it was a long story, but I had a lot to get off my chest."
"Unbelievable... to think you defeated Ganondorf in battle not once, but twice!" Impa spoke in shock.
"And the two of you knew about all of this?" Nemisa asked Ruto and Darunia.
"Yes, well... most of it at least." Ruto nodded, puffing her cheeks out in annoyance, "I certainly didn't know about Lana taking your first kiss Link! I go and leave you two alone for a moment and she goes and does that behind my back! Oooooooh! If I see that girl again I'm giving her an earful!"
"Still, this Lana girl sounds really sweet. I feel like I can understand what she was going through with General Link... I hope she found the happiness she was looking for." Saria said.
"My husband, you mentioned that fire dragon knight named Volga..." Korume said somewhat sadly, "Is... that truly the same little salamander we know?"
"...I believe so." Link nodded, "I don't know too much about what he went through as he grew up..." he spoke somewhat sadly as he recalled General Link striking him down in the war.
Darunia sighed, "I thought I couldn't forgive him for taking away my son back in the mines, but after hearing what he said about being abandoned by his mother Volvagia... I couldn't help but pity him."
"And then he was disowned by his loathsome father, the Geelorokhi..." Aviel muttered sadly, then her spirits perked up a little more, "But now he's taken on an important responsibility as the Rito village guardian in place of Grandpa Roc! I'm so happy for him!"
"Yeah, guess we can only hope things will turn out better for him now." Saria nodded along with Korume.
"So on another subject, this Linkle friend of yours... does she really use dual crossbows?" Aviel asked excitedly, bouncing up and down on her seat with sparkling eyes, "That sounds so cooool! I'd love for her to teach me how she fights!"
"Doesn't sound like she's very good with directions though." the lady knight Ashe spoke.
"Like you're one to talk." Nemisa said sweatdropping.
"So did you ever find that Fierce Deity Mask?" Kesuta asked Link curiously.
"Nope, it vanished after my fight with Ganondorf." Link said, "I didn't even have a hint as to where it went until five years later, when I first came here to Gerudo Town."
"Was that when you realized the Fierce Deity spirit was inside you?" Tatl asked.
Link shook his head, "No, at least I didn't know what it was at first. After I was knocked unconscious by the soldiers at the front gate I had this strange dream where someone was talking to me in a fog before I snapped out of it, I never had dreams like that before until then. After that I started having more dreams, where the person was telling me he wanted to be 'free', but that I was somehow 'holding him back'. I usually had those dreams shortly after something got me really ticked off."
"That sounds about right," Nabooru spoke, "Usually right after I hear about you having one of those episodes you'd tell me about those strange dreams the next morning in bed. It was almost like..." she caught herself in her words, "S-So back to those dreams, they turned out to be the Fierce Deity's spirit calling out to you?"
"That's right, it seems my anger's been fueling the strength of the Fierce Deity's spirit, and it comes out with me going into that berserk rage like I did in the past." Link said.
"Like when you went all-out on those Rito because they were trying to hurt me." Aviel said.
"Or when you attacked that horrible thief after he took Ilite hostage in my clinic!" Sarami realized.
"Yeah, the spirit says he's been getting stronger each time it happens... He kept telling me if I go too far over the brink, that he'll be able to fully take over my body..." Link spoke.
Nabooru scowled, "And it seems that Order of Reyahm group somehow knew about that too, that's why they staged the fake murder of Esolu, as well as drugging you with the rebel's power tonic to affect you with it's side effect of uncontrollable anger. They were trying to make you lose yourself and be made into their new god of fury."
"I regret to say it almost worked, if it hadn't been for all of you calling out to me the Fierce Deity would have probably taken me over that night..." Link said sadly.
"I can see why it would be so hard to deal with." Saria said, "After what you went through with that 'Dark Link' at the Water Temple... and then seeing that Cia woman draw out more beings like it from your general friend in the warrior era... you were afraid that you would lose yourself and become a monster like those things..."
"That's right..." Link nodded, "After I thought I had killed Reirousa that I had already crossed the line, that I had become no better than Ganondorf..."
"But you didn't let that happen after all, didn't you Link-honey?" Sarami spoke with a gentle smile, patting his hand, "Your compassion for your family gave you the strength to hold yourself back."
"Yeah, I guess so." Link smiled warmly at Sarami, giving her a loving kiss, "Thanks to all of you."
"..." Reirousa said nothing, but glanced away in deep thought.
"So Link," Nabooru looked a bit uneasy, "About that sword of yours there. I'm afraid to ask, but... that wouldn't happen to be the same one your friend Kaira entrusted to you would it...?"
Everyone looked to Nabooru in surprise, as they all turned back to Link. He simply stared down at the remains of the sword, all of which he had been able to salvage was the handle after the blade had been destroyed by the Ebony Sisterhood leader Commander Imono.
"Yeah it is... or was." Link spoke, "I started using it when I was old enough, and it's gotten me through a lot of my battles over the past years... I don't know where I would had been without it."
"I-I see." Nabooru muttered, "Well until we can find you a new broadsword, I'll see to it you receive the finest scimitar we Gerudo have to use."
"That sounds fine, I'm not used to curved swords, but I appreciate it Nabooru." Link nodded.
Impa's guard Sir Lackey contemplated their conversation, staring over at what was left of Link's sword.
Ruto meanwhile noticed Kesuta staring off into space, "Something on your mind Kesuta-dear?"
Kesuta giggled a little, "Keeheehee, well I was thinkiiing..."
"Don't hurt yourself too much, sister." Korume quipped.
Kesuta ignored her sister, "I was just gonna say, imagine what Link could do with that Fierce Deity's power!" she bore a wide sadistic grin, "If it's strong enough to beat Ganondorf with the Triforce, he could cause all kinds of great destruction and trounce just about any bad guy with it! I doubt even Commander Imono would stand a chance against him!"
There was an awkward silence as everyone stared at Kesuta, who just sat there confused, "What?"
"Sister, have you been asleep through his whole story or are you really that stupid?" Korume snapped coldly, thumping her on the forehead, "Even if he did know how to use that power, it could easily consume him like what happened at the waterfall bridge!"
"Korume's right, we barely got through to Link back then, we might not be so lucky next time!" Nemisa said.
"S-Sorry, just a suggestion..." Kesuta said poking her index fingers together timidly.
"It's alright Kesuta, honestly if I could rely on that power I would, but it's too risky for me. That brings me to something important I have ask you though Impa." Link said.
"What is it?" Impa asked.
Link took a deep breath and spoke, "Commander Imono is likely planning her assault on Hyrule Castle as we speak, and after having tasted the power of the Soulbinder sword, I think there's only one weapon that would give me even a chance to stop her..."
"What exactly do you mea-..." Impa paused for a moment, before she realized what he was talking about, "Wait, is that why you told us your story of the 'dark future'? You're trying to suggest...?!"
"That's right." Link nodded, "To beat Imono, I think I'm going to need the weapon I used to defeat Ganondorf the first time. I need the blade of evil's bane, the Master Sword."
"Hm, I suppose that would be the best option... but..." Impa muttered, she took a glance over at Sir Lackey who looked rather unnerved himself, "But what about what you mentioned before; didn't you say removing the Master Sword from it's pedestal would open the way to the Sacred Realm where the Triforce is?"
"Yeah, that's the thing we need to discuss further." Link nodded, "Since we've already made plans to go out to the castle for the meeting with the Hylian Parliament, I was hoping you could convince them and Princess Zelda to allow me take the sword and use it to stop Commander Imono. At the same time we'll also talk about how to keep the Sacred Realm protected during that time."
"That's... going to be rather difficult... and risky." sighed out Impa, "Convincing them is going to be especially hard after that incident in the canyon. No doubt Captain Andreas is going to report what happened back there to them. They've already been rather dubious about the Gerudo coming there for the meeting in the first place. Allowing the new Gerudo King access to the sacred Temple of Time and to obtain the sacred blade won't be a simple matter."
"Considering the worst outcome is Imono freeing that swine Ganondorf and claiming the Triforce, is that not enough to entice them?" Ruto asked in annoyance, "I'm honestly amazed they're still keeping him alive after all these years!"
Impa sighed deeply, "Frankly I'm not sure what's going on. The Parliament for whatever reason doesn't seem to even want to talk about the death penalty for Ganondorf. It's going to be hard to get through to them, even with what we know about the power Imono holds."
"Ya mean that weird Soulbinder sword?" Reirousa asked rubbing the back of her neck, "That thing really packed a helluva wallop."
"Yes, I know full well of what it's capable of." Impa said, "Ganondorf had obtained it a long time ago and infused it with his power, probably planning to use it with the Triforce to take over more kingdoms and extend his reach of control. After he was captured the Soulbinder vanished, and I've been on missions from Princess Zelda for a while now to investigate it's whereabouts."
"Such as like when we met you at Goron City's hot spring resort?" Nabooru spoke up.
"...exactly." Impa nodded, admiring Nabooru's deductive skills, "I had met with a former member of the Wyvern Keepers after they disbanded. It was there I learned more about where it had gone. The black market had gotten ahold of the sword at some point, and the Wyvern Keepers served the role of a middle man, transferring the weapon to the client."
"But how was that client able to get something as powerful as that thing from them?!" Darunia asked.
"Well, the Wyvern Keepers were originally dismantled when a nobleman named Monsieur Adulph was found dead in his mansion. He was a slave owner and had kept records of the slavers he dealt with, so the knights were able to trace his connections to the Wyvern Keepers and have them taken down." Impa said,
"So then what?" Nemisa quickly asked, startled a little by Impa bringing up what she had secretly done. Link took her hand reassuringly, which she gave a gentle but nervous squeeze.
"That should have been the end of the slaver organization." Impa continued, "But about a year later they apparently received substantial funding from an unknown benefactor. I learned from my source that as part of a deal for the funding, the Wyvern Keepers helped to obtain the Soulbinder from the black market."
"And the sword ended up in the hands of the Ebony Sisterhood." Nabooru muttered, "I'm rather surprised Imono would have been able to provide them with the funding they needed... I didn't think she had those kinds of connections and resources..."
Impa spoke, "Regardless, I'll discuss this with Princess Zelda, his highness the king, and the parliamen, and we'll do what we can to put in a good word for you. Hopefully we can deescalate the situation that happened at the bridge and allow you access to the Master Sword." she turned to Link and smiled, "Though I can assure you Link, that you at the very least have the princess' support in this."
"It's good to hear that Impa. I haven't gotten the chance to meet Zelda since we were kids, but I'm certain she'd want what's best for Hyrule." Link nodded, "Amd after what I went through in the dark future, I never want something like that to happen to Hyrule again."
"Indeed." Impa nodded, standing up with Sir Knave and Sir Lackey, "At any rate, me and my knights need to make our way back home now. Thank you all for letting us attend this meeting."
"Are you sure you can't say longer?" Aviel pleaded, "We were gonna celebrate our victory over the rebels!"
"W-Well it does sound like fun..." Knave spoke, only for Lackey to clear his throat and he quickly snapped out of it, "B-But we have business to do!"
"Yes, sorry Aviel, but it's important we get back as soon as we can. We've stayed far longer than we originally planned thanks to the rebels, and there's a certain matter we have to avoid escalating." Impa said, "But we look forward to seeing you all at the Parliament meeting."
"There's still have much more we have to do before then, like getting information from the rebels we captured so we can plan our counterattack against Imono." Nabooru said, "But I'll be sure to make contact with you with any vital information as soon as possible."
"We appreciate everything you've done for us Impa." Link grinned, "Make sure to say hi to our son for me, and let him know I'll be coming to meet him soon, okay?"
"Believe me, I will." Impa nodded.
"Lady Impa, if I may say one last thing before we go." spoke Sir Lackey who walked over to Link.
"What is it?" Link asked tilting his head.
"Gerudo King, in lieu of you losing your trusted sword, here." the knight reached to his sheathed broadsword and handed it out to Link, bowing his head, "I know it doesn't hold the same sentimental value as the one your friend Ms. Kaira gave you, but I want you to have this."
"Your own sword?" Link spoke with surprise, "But why? Don't you need it?"
"Don't worry about it. It's the least I can do after all you've been through. Besides, I have a different type of sword I prefer using." Lackey said, "It's a fine blade, and I know you'll put it to good use, Gerudo King Link."
"..." Link stared at Sir Lackey as the knight had his head bowed down to him. This was the same knight who assisted in stalling him back at the canyon from attacking the knights at the waterfall bridge. Link barely knew the knight outside of him being Impa's bodyguard, yet he felt a strange connection to him, like an old friend that understood him, someone he could trust...
"Thank you Sir Lackey." Link nodded, accepting the sword and placing it at his side, "I'll use it to protect everyone, just as I did with Kaira's blade."
"Good." Lackey smiled from under his helmet, then turned and left with Impa and Knave out of the dining room.
"Well, I should probably take my leave as well." Ashe said standing up, "I need to get back to Hyrule Castle Town and report back to Captain Andreas myself."
"Awww... not you too Ashe!" Aviel complained.
"I'm surprised that big lug even let you come out here ta begin with." Togau pointed out.
"Well technically I requested to go investigate the Gerudo in regards to what happened." Ashe said, "But he told me to come back immediately, so I can't stay much longer. I'm going to have to go a different way to get back than Lady Impa so as not to make them suspicious of their alliance with you."
"Jees, you still gonna work with those knight assholes?" Reirousa asked, "Especially after what happened back at the bridge?"
"Fu-fu-fufufu... so you want her here that badly Reirousa?" Sarami giggled knowingly.
"N-No! I just want her here for everyone else's sake, that's all! I don't want her to be my partner or nothing! S-Shut up!" Reirousa shouted, turning away and folding her arms in a fit.
The others laughed out as Ashe looked away, blushing a little.
"Sister Ashe, are you sure you don't wish to stay with us instead?" Saria suggested, "We'd all love to let you stay here, Link and his child-bearers would really be happy to have you, as would Reirousa!"
"I didn't say nothin' like that!" Reirousa protested.
"Ashe, is something wrong?" Link asked, he got up and was about to hug the knight, but she pulled away defensively, hugging her own arms.
"I'm sorry... but... after what happened back there... with the 'Fierce Deity'..." Ashe spoke looking away from him, "It's difficult for me to look at you the same way right now..."
Link gulped a bit, as he suddenly recalled back when he was going berserk that he was confronted by a opponent that he couldn't quite recognize. With his senses back to normal he realized it had been Ashe, she had bared witness to him at his absolute angriest for the first time. He had never told her about his anger fits before, so it must have outright terrified her to see it firsthand...
"Wait a second Sister Ashe," Nemisa spoke up, "You heard Link out about what happened and why, you know that isn't how he usually is!"
"You think I don't know that?" Ashe spoke, "It's just... something about it disturbs me... I need time alone to think... about you Link... and everything that's been going on..."
"...It's okay Ashe." Link said after a moment of thought, he was about to put his hand on her shoulder but held himself back as he realized how uncomfortable she was, "Just remember that regardless of what happens, you'll always have a home here to come back to."
"Thank you Link..." Ashe bowed to them all, "And thank you everyone for having me here. You have my word that I won't tell the captain about any of this..." she took one last look at Link and everyone before taking her leave, "Farewell... for now."
As Ashe walked alone down the palace hallway and opened a door to leave, she thought about the piercing white eyes Link had back in the canyon. As terrified as she felt then, there was something else deep down inside her... a different sensation that bothered her more than anything...
"Uh, you do realize you're in a broom closet, right Miss?" spoke up a voice. It was a Gerudo palace guard standing outside the small room she had just wandered into containing cleaning equipment .
"...oh."
"Lady Impa. Sorry to ask, but may I have one last word with you?"
As that had been going on, Impa, Knave and Lackey were almost outside of the palace, only to be stopped by a voice speaking out to them. It was Nabooru standing at the door to one vacant room.
Impa stared at Nabooru's serious gaze for a second, then turned to her guards, "You two go on ahead. I'll catch up in a second." Knave and Lackey were hesitant, but nodded and went out.
Impa turned back to Nabooru and followed her into the room, "So what's the problem?"
"I just want to inquire with you about something alone. I didn't want to put you on the spot in front of everyone over this." Nabooru said closing the door, then gesturing to a table with a sack on it, "Tell me, is there something that you haven't told us yet about what's been going on this past week?"
"What do you mean?" Impa asked, "I told you everything I know about the Wyvern Keepers."
"Not the slavers, I mean about the other organization, that religious occult known as the Order of Reyahm..." Nabooru said narrowing her eyes, "...and your people's connection to them."
Impa's eyes widened, "W-What are you talking about?! Where do you possibly get that idea?"
"I have something to show you." Nabooru said, pulling out the contents of the sack, showing it was full of a white powder, "This was the remains of the smoke ball you used to distract Ashe during her fight with Sir Lackey back in the canyon."
"Ah yes..." Impa spoke, "I felt it was the best way to relay a message to her at that moment without raising suspicion from the knights. But why did you collect this?"
"Because that's not actually the powder from your own smoke ball, this is." Nabooru said holding up another sack of powder and pouring it out beside the other pile, confusing Impa, "That first sack is actually from another smoke ball used by the mastermind behind the fake murder of Esolu to escape from me and the guards. We determined it's the exact same type of powder, mixed the exact same way."
"A coincidence." Impa found herself saying, growing slightly nervous.
"I highly doubt that. Back when they where at a mountain village in Snowpeak, Link and Korume battled against some members of the Order of Reyahm, and while Korume defeated a member of their group, according to her report they managed to escape using the exact same type of smoke ball." Nabooru spoke.
"I..." a cold drop of sweat went down Impa's head.
"In addition, I found this in the shack where the fake murder was carried out." Nabooru said pulling out a book with the Reyahm symbol engraved on it, "The mastermind had tried to kill me to recover this book and the rest of the evidence in there. I realized something was rather distinct about it."
Impa's eyes turned wide at the sight of the book's cover and the symbol engraved on it, confirming Nabooru's suspicions.
"Please Lady Impa, the Order of Reyahm tried to drive Link to madness and almost caused a war between us and the Hylians. They are our enemy as much as I assume they are yours. If there's something you know about them, I'd like to know about it myself." Nabooru spoke sternly.
"..." Impa stared at Nabooru, before she found herself chuckling lightly, "I must say, you're truly a master of deduction Lady Nabooru." she acknowledged, "...but I'm sorry, but it's hard for me to say anything about it right now. My people have a... complicated history with this occult. I'm currently investigating into a matter involving the Order, and there's still a lot I need to learn about, after what they've done in the past to my people..."
Nabooru noticed the pained look in Impa's eyes, feeling like she could emphasize with her. She nodded and handed Impa the book.
"Well, when you're ready to tell us what you've learned, we'll be sure to hear you out." Nabooru said, "Here, maybe this will help you in your investigation."
Impa skimmed through the book's pages, "Hm... this seems to be a form of ancient text... yet I seem to recall it somewhere before... This will take some time for me to properly translate it. But I'm sure when I do I'll get good results from it. Thank you Lady Nabooru." she bowed her head, "And I'm sorry I kept this from you and Link."
"It's understandable, we all have secrets we hold in our hearts." Nabooru nodded, "But regardless we're proud to still have you as our ally. We'll support you in fighting these fiends anyway we can."
"I appreciate that..." Impa nodded, she chuckled a little, "I have to say, it's easy to see why my former future self was able to work alongside you as a sage in that 'dark future' Link spoke of."
"Yes, but I'm glad that never had to happen after all..." Nabooru said somewhat distantly, before smiling and winking, "Especially now you have a child to go back to."
"Indeed..." Impa nodded, "Speaking of which, I need to get back to Shikki. If that's everything, I'll be taking my leave now."
Nabooru saw off Impa as she left with Knave and Lackey, and started to head off towards her study to assist Halei in beginning preparations for the trip out to Hyrule Castle. She found herself thinking about what Impa said about them being sages in that other future, and what Link told them when Nabooru herself became one...
"So it really was true..." she muttered with a pained look in her eyes, "If Link hadn't put a stop to everything, then that man still would have-"
"Hey Nabooru?" Link spoke up, snapping the Gerudo leader out of it, "There you are, we were wondering where you went off to. Did something happen?"
"Nah, everything's fine." Nabooru shook her head, she glanced down at the broadsword that Sir Lackey had given the Geurdo King and she smirked slightly, "You look good with that sword, it was nice of that knight to give it to you."
"Thanks. It's a little different than my original sword, but I'll put it to good use." Link nodded.
"Yeah..." Nabooru muttered, "Listen Link, I want to apologize about your sword. You lost it trying to save me back in the fortress arena. If I hadn't allowed myself to get captured that wouldn't have happened... and knowing where you got it from makes me feel even worse about it..."
"Don't worry about it Nabooru. I'm sure Kaira would be happy to know I used it to help you." Link replied.
"You really think so...?" Nabooru asked, she thought about the time last month when she worked so hard just to give Link a day off, "Feels like sometimes all I do is put more pain and pressure on you..."
Link shook his head, "Don't think like that Nabooru, you've done so much for me in my life. Remember what I said before about my seven-year journey, that I was trying to find my place in the world? When I came here to Gerudo Town I never would have thought you'd appoint me as the king, but over the time I've been here I've grown to love my new home."
"...?" Nabooru glanced to him.
"I also used to think the idea of having a harem of wives was ridiculous and immoral, but you helped open my eyes to how great it is to have so many women to love in all their own ways. Heck I'm even a father now, and I'm going to have more children with my wives eventually! It's an amazing feeling to be able to love and protect them all as I am now."
Link then took Nabooru's hand and gave it a gentle kiss, gazing up at her with a soft smile.
"Nabooru, I would never think that you brought me any kind of pain. You took me into your home and gave me the very thing I once thought I was never meant to have, a family."
The Gerudo leader was taken back by Link's words, realizing there was more to the story of the Warrior Era than she realized. He had told everyone it not just to explain how the Fierce Deity became one with him, but also assure her that she turned his life around for the better. Nabooru found herself drawn into Link's smile, full of compassion and gratitude for her. And for just a moment, her heart fluttered a little.
"...thank you Link, that means a lot." Nabooru said, "And I can see now why you're so passionate to help the rebels too. Lana was willing to forgive Cia after what she did as long as she reformed, so you want to do the same for them."
"Yeah, she was a great influence on me in a lot of ways." Link smiled, Nabooru noted the fond look in his eyes.
"Well if you do ever see this Lana again, make sure you demonstrate to her just how much you've grown." Nabooru said with a wink, "Sounds like she had it real bad for you, and I can only imagine how she'd react to the man you've become today."
"Hell yeah!" shouted a mysterious voice.
"Huh?" Link and Nabooru both looked to a corner, where they saw a large bulky figure quickly hide behind a corner, and she sported a small smirk, "Speaking of family though, isn't there a certain ease-dropping muscle-head you still need to add to that family of yours?"
Just then, they heard a loud bonking sound of someone's shin hitting a table, which was followed by some angry cursing, then the sound of stomping down the hall.
"Yeah..." Link nodded, "I just need to find a way for her to be honest with herself."
"Well go on then tiger." chuckled Nabooru, giving him a gentle shove forward, "I'm looking forward to you announcing your next queen."
"Me too." Link nodded and walked off, but took a stop and looked back at Nabooru over his shoulder, "I know one thing for certain though, she certainly isn't going to be my last one." he said, looking intently at the Gerudo leader with that same warm smile.
Nabooru's face flushed ever so lightly, "Just focus on your hydro-melon fanatic first." she chuckled.
Late that night, Impa and her knights arrived at Hyrule Castle, where Impa handled over their report of the trip. The Sheikah was amused by the talk she heard of Captain Andreas having a furious fit, presumably about the situation at the waterfall bridge being resolved as peacefully as it did.
While Knave went off to the knight barracks to rest from the trip, Sir Lackey stayed with Impa as they went to her personal quarters, where there were maids tending to Impa's son, Shikki. The baby boy was giggling happily as one maid was enticing him with a colorful rattle.
"Oh, Lady Impa! You made it back safe and sound!" said a maid, bringing the baby over to Impa, "Little Skikki is doing so well!"
"As expected from a strong sheikah." Impa smiled warmly and took the child in her arms, "Thank you girls, you're all dismissed for the night."
After the maids left, Impa turned to Lackey with a saddened expression, "Well it seems he was right after all. Link really did suffer through all that he spoke of..."
"Yes..." Lackey spoke, hanging their head down, "I'm fortunate I was able to hear it all from Link himself, as painful as it was. He's been through so much, and there's only so much I could do for him to cope with what happened..."
"Hmph, you did a little too much if you ask me." Impa said in annoyance, "I can't believe you actually made yourself bait to distract Link back at the canyon! For the sake of the goddesses, what if something happened to you?!"
"It's okay, that would never happen..." Lackey said with a growing smile, as their voice started to sound lighter.
The knight removed their helmet, and Impa watched as long wavy blonde hair fell out from it, and the eyes of the individual before her opened up to reveal a pair of sparkling sapphire blue eyes. The knight had a delicate thin face, with perky pink lips that had been hidden by the helmet's design.
Impa sighed out as she gazed at the true identity of Sir Lackey; it was the young beautiful woman of the royal Hyrulian family, the daughter of her friend the queen, and the one she had sworn to protect so many years ago... Princess Zelda Harkinian Hyrule.
"...because I trust Link, and I know that he would never hurt me." Zelda spoke with a smile, as she removed herself from the armor with little effort, leaving her in a shirt and trousers.
"I guess he wouldn't. You proved it that day." Impa chuckled, "I hope you enjoyed spending all that time as my knight, I don't think we're going to have another opportunity to do that for a while."
"It was worth it just to see Link and his friends again!" Zelda smiled cheerfully, doing a little twirl to face Impa, "After I saw him again back in Kakariko Village when we went to investigate the well, I just knew I had to be there for the meeting. Gerudo Town was so inviting and fun, and the people were all so nice too, I wish I could have spent more time with all of them!"
"Yes, I was pretty surprised myself. Nabooru really turned their lives around." Impa said, "And Link has courted so many of them to be his future wives. I've even heard from Dr. Sarami that Link wants to make Lady Nabooru his Grand Queen someday."
"After finally getting to meet her, I'd say she'd be a fine choice!" Zelda nodded walking up to Impa, "She's a fascinating woman, a born leader and has been a fine mentor to Link for him to grow up and change as he has!"
Impa sniffed the air and looked down at Shikki, "Speaking of changing, I think someone just made a present. Would you hold him for a second while I get a replacement diaper?"
"Oh, of course!" Zelda nodded taking Shikki. After Impa got a diaper cloth ready, she turned to see the baby giggling out as the princess cuddled him. For a brief moment, she could have sworn she saw an image of her old friend the queen in Zelda's place...
"I have to say you've grown quite a bit yourself, and Shikki's been taking to you so well. I just know you'll make a fine mother yourself someday Princess." Impa smiled.
"Thank you Impa, that means a lot coming from the one who raised me for so long." Zelda nodded.
As Impa was changing Shikki's diapers, she took a safety pin and was about to attach it onto the cloth, but she then glared in annoyance, "At least you will be when that husband of yours gets around to having a child with you... has he even told you why he's still hesitant to do so?"
"I'm afraid not, he keeps dodging the question. I think maybe he's just nervous about the idea of being a father." Zelda said with a small giggle, "It's okay though, I can wait as long as I need to."
"Try telling that to your father and the Parliament." Impa spat, "They've been heckling the two of you to have an heir since before you were even wed!"
Zelda sighed out, "I believe they're just worried about the future of Hyrule, especially after all that's happened with the slavers and monsters lately. And now on top of all that we have that Gerudo rebellion who hold the Soulbinder and is preparing for war." she shivered a little, "I had a premonition of Ganondorf's secret weapon falling into the hands of evil, and now we know it was true..."
The princess bore a serious expression, "That dark future Link experienced and prevented, we can never allow it to come to pass ever again."
"Yes, and we need to follow through on our promise to the Gerudo. It's going to take some work to quell the Hylian Parliament after what happened with Link, but we have to do what we can so he and his people can come here in peace." Impa spoke, "And so he can use the Master Sword to put a stop to this Commander Imono."
Zelda nodded, "Well, I need to get back to my quarters and assure my husband that I'm fine. He's probably worried about me by this point."
"Go on then Princess." Impa nodded, "And good luck with him."
As Zelda went out the door, Impa sat down at her bed with her child in her arms. The baby was wiggling and cooing, and she realized what Shikki wanted.
"Hungry again? You really do take after your father." Impa sighed out, pulling down her top and exposing her breast so Shikki could eat.
As Impa looked down at the baby suckling on her, she thought about what Link had told her before about what happened in the dark future, about her giving up her life in Hyrule with Zelda in order to become the Shadow Sage...
"And if that had happened, the Sheikah's future would had surely died with me..."
"..." Impa stared down at her child, as a Sheikah she had sworn herself to watching over Zelda and protecting her. When Zelda started having visions of Ganondorf obtaining ultimate power and laying waste to Hyrule, Impa vowed that she would do anything to protect Zelda, even if it cost the Sheikah her life... or her freedom.
But now, as she was feeding her baby son, she found her heart wavering, as tears formed in her eyes.
"Can... I truly bring myself to do that now... even for Princess Zelda...?"
Meanwhile, in an unknown location...
"Hmph, so he finally told them all, I was wondering how long it would take."
"Yeah, I'm glad he did. I could tell it was really tearing him up inside..."
"He's grown so much as well... grown in so many amazing ways..."
"Uh, your nose is bleeding again."
"A-Anyway, so what do you think will happen with them now?"
"Hard to say, we've seen a lot of different outcomes for what will happen over the next months. But there's a particular possibility that really scares me..."
"Yes, I can understand that. It frustrates me that we have no way of warning him about it right now."
"Yeah, but you know why we can't. It could potentially led to that point anyway, or even make things worse."
"I suppose. But if that possibility does happen, what should we do then?"
"If it does... ...then we'll have to step in and help him."
"Ohohoho... it's so unlike you to defy our creed so brazenly like that! I think I'm starting to rub off on you in more ways than you thought!"
"Ah heh heh... I-It's not that big a deal..."
"Oh come off it, I've seen the way you look at him in our visions, I bet you're wondering what it would be like to have him take you into his sleeping quarters like he does all those women he's courted."
"H-Hey now...! I... I can't help it, he's really gotten more handsome over the years... and... you know, it's hard to forget your first kiss..."
"Sadly I wouldn't know myself... ...but if that outcome does happen, you're not worried about the consequences of interfering with them?"
"No... Link has finally found his family, and his happiness. And I'm not going to allow him to lose it, even if it means that happens! You'll help me too, right Cia?"
"Of course, he's the one that motivated you to give me a second chance, and I'll do whatever I can to help you both... Lana."
And that ends this week's chapter. Next time Link finally has a chat with a certain woman about their feelings, a chat that has been a long time coming...
In case you guys are wondering, yes I planned for Sir Lackey to be Zelda from the very beginning that I introduced the character back in Kakariko Village. Even in this future she seems to have a habit of cross-dressing doesn't she?
In regards to Lana and Cia, for those who are only aware of Hyrule Warriors or haven't played the DS or Switch versions, there's an epilogue expansion to the story where Lana teams up with HW Link to revive Cia and worked with her to stop a certain phantom who was messing with time. The story ended with Lana and Cia having a better sendoff, protecting the Triforce of Power together. I won't be bothering going into huge detail about it as it has little-to-nothing to do with the plot.
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