I enjoyed writing this chapter a lot. :)
Chapter 13 – Trust
The journey's final stretch through the eastern plains of Hyrule was an easy one, though neither Isha nor Link found themselves able to enjoy the peace.
As the day wore on, the party came across the occasional soldier patrolling the main roads. Isha supposed the sight should put her at ease, but she couldn't help but feel like the patrols were nothing more than bravado, a kingdom trying to hide its weaknesses. They were hardly traveling in formidable groups. If those soldiers ran into the same monsters that she and Link had just faced, she doubted they would stand much of a chance.
The day remained peaceful, and their pace steady.
The party finally reached Kakariko Canyon just as the last bit of sunlight disappeared behind their backs. Sunburned and exhausted from the roundabout trips, Isha threw her arms out to the side as a cold night wind brushed over them, welcoming them back once more to Eldin's lands.
"Finally," Isha breathed deeply, reaching out as though to touch the cliffs that surrounded them on either side.
In the saddle in front of her, Link's posture sagged and he dropped the reins. Their pace slowed as the landscape around them grew dark. "I hope they can put me into a different room this time," he lamented, the poorly vented room still fresh in his mind.
Isha bit her lip to keep from smiling. The sauna rooms were rather popular with guests, in the inn's prime. The rooftop hot springs originated from somewhere within the canyon walls themselves, and the inn took advantage of the natural heat and healing properties in as many ways as possible. The sauna rooms, for example, were said to be an excellent way to combat ailments and ease aching muscles. It should have been ideal for a worn-out adventurer, and was no doubt Renado's idea of a display of gratitude.
It's not his fault Link's so uncultured. "So picky," Isha teased, prodding his back with one finger. "I'm so tired, I'd be just fine sleeping in the street."
Link grunted, but did not continue the conversation. For several minutes, the only sound between them was the sound of hoofbeats and wheels on stone.
"Looks like more people have arrived," Link finally broke the silence as they neared the village gates.
"Thank the goddesses," Isha breathed. Three guards now stood at the gate - two on the outside, one on the inside, who stuck his hand through the iron grate and waved. Their armor gleamed in the moonlight, dented and certainly not new, but far more impressive than the garb worn by the last guards they'd seen. They saluted a greeting to the approaching party, and one of the guards recognized Telma from his frequent visits to the bar.
After a short conversation with Telma, the guards turned and allowed the escort party through. They took the turnoff into the center of the village, rounding the bend that would lead them right past the Spirits' Forest. As they passed, Isha could not help but glance up into the canyon, where the spring's headwaters slept deep within a mysterious cave. She thought of her old training grounds within the central chamber, and suddenly felt a wave of embarrassment. How foolish she was to think that a few stationary, homemade targets would have ever been enough to prepare her for any real battle.
The spring was silent and dark, with no sign of the guardian spirit. As usual, nowhere to be found, Isha couldn't help but think.
The village was silent as the party continued on towards the center of town. Finally, they neared the Elde Inn, where Renando and some people Isha did not recognize were standing out on the front porch. Upon spotting the approaching group, the shaman quickly rushed to the street to greet them.
"Good gods, what happened to you both?" Renado asked as he drew near, taking in their injuries. "Please, allow me to–"
"Before you get too worried about us, please take a look at the Zora child we've brought with us," Isha interrupted him, stumbling down from the saddle and gesturing to Telma and her passengers. Link leaned down from the saddle and put a steadying hand on her shoulder, but she pulled away and grabbed onto Renado's sleeve "I fear he's going to die. Please, see to him first," she begged.
Without further questioning, Renando turned to help Ilia and Telma remove Ralis from the carriage. Link dismounted, leaving Epona to wander. He and Isha moved to follow after the Zora prince, but were pulled aside to be shown their rooms by someone whose name Isha quickly forgot. Another newcomer, part of the crisis team, but she was too exhausted to recall anything else about the person. She had bigger things to worry about, and couldn't care less about which room she would be occupying for the night.
Not that she would be resting any time soon. After pulling free of the overly helpful volunteers, Isha went to find Link.
"You need to rest," the hero frowned at her. He'd just begun removing his weapons from his back when she darkened his doorway.
"Are you going to rest?"
"I was considering it."
"Wait up with me," Isha pleaded, her voice causing Link to turn and look at her with a careful stare.
"Is something wrong?"
The young woman took a deep breath, her eyes shifting across the room. She was too tired to lie. "What if he dies because we took too long? What if we killed him by stopping to rest?" Her voice was rising with her panic. "What if Ilia never remembers who she is? What if we went through all of this for nothing? What if–"
She stopped abruptly when he pulled her into an embrace. "Stop," his voice was low.
Isha squirmed against him. "I'm–"
"I know," he replied, squeezing her tighter. "I get it. You can't dwell on those thoughts. We can wait up together."
A complex feeling jabbed at Isha's chest. The hug, comforting as it was, also made her feel as though she were suffocating. She was too warm, he was too warm, too close. Trying not to let her panic show, Isha pulled herself away from Link, pushing his arms away and taking a step backwards through the doorway.
He looked at her with concern, and for some reason, Isha felt compelled to ask him to hold her again.
"Let's go wait downstairs," she said instead, turning away without waiting for an answer. Link's heavy footsteps followed behind her.
The exhausted pair made themselves comfortable at a small dining table in the main lobby. Isha slouched in her chair, one foot upon her seat and the other stretched out in front of her. Her hollow gaze fixed on the far wall, while Link's worried gaze fixed on her.
She's going to kill herself in that temple.
A part of him wanted to beg her not to go, to wait for Link and let him be the hero he was supposed to be. Let him face the dangers, or at least be there to help fight them. She could have her adventure without having to put herself in dire situations, couldn't she?
For all his concerns, another part of him was impressed by her insistence to go this path alone. Even when he'd been presented with the knowledge that he was a chosen hero, Link had held doubt and fear in his heart. He didn't want to return to the Twilight Realm, where his body was broken and molded into something new, something unnatural. He didn't want to face monsters out of his darkest nightmares, nor to face his own failures to protect those he loved in the first place.
Isha still had a choice. Who would he be to try to challenge her on that?
Who would I be if I didn't at least try to protect her? His own thoughts were making him dizzy.
"Please, tell me, what happened?" a voice startled both adventurers, who had become lost to themselves in the silence. Luda approached the pair, a tray of water glasses on one arm. She passed one each to Isha and Link before sitting down at the table with them.
Isha sat up and accepted the glass eagerly. "So we found Ilia," she began. "That was the blonde girl. But…" she looked over at Link, whose eyes had held a deep pain when she came for him in his rooms earlier. "She doesn't remember him. Or me, for that matter. She doesn't remember anything."
Link sighed. "I'm glad she's alive but it just…doesn't feel like I really saved her."
"I cannot imagine how difficult that is for you… I'm sure that news won't be easy on the children, either." Luda drummed her fingertips on the table. "If it is memory loss brought on by great trauma, then we do not want to rush her. We'll just have to accommodate her condition and help her as best as we can, until her memory returns.."
"That actually brings me to something, Luda," Isha took another slow drink of water. "The Ordon kids… I don't think Link and I are going to be able to get them all home any time soon. Especially with Ilia's memory loss. I was wondering if you thought it would be too much to ask of you and your father to continue to watch them…" she trailed off as she watched Luda's dark eyes grow wider and wider.
"Yes, oh my gods," she said excitedly. "Do you know how absolutely precious and helpful they all are? I've been so sad thinking they would be leaving soon, I feel like we've all only just begun to get to know each other. Did you know the youngest, Malo - he speaks! In complete sentences! He's just a shy little prodigy. Oh, goddesses, I would love to continue to spend time with them!"
Link was pleased but not surprised that Luda had taken to the kids so quickly. He thought the world of them, too. He gave her a grateful smile. "With the increase in soldier presence here, we figured it would be safer than traveling back to Ordon, anyways."
"Remind me why they made me a teacher?" Isha cut in, sticking her tongue out at Luda. "You always were better with the kids."
"I couldn't be a teacher, I was destined to be the next shaman," the young woman replied with a wistful tone. "I wasn't allowed a choice in the matter."
Isha leaned back in her chair. "Well, it's never too late to change your mind, you know. Town's basically a clean slate."
Luda looked away and did not respond. Silence fell among them, though Isha did not mind it much. She was exhausted.
"Link?" a small voice came from the floor above them. The three adults all turned to look up at the source. Colin stood leaning over the railing in the loft above them, worry clouding his features. "What's going on? They won't let me in to see Ilia…"
Link and Luda both jumped to their feet. The shaman's daughter looked a bit embarrassed and bowed to excuse herself, saying she needed to grab something from the kitchen. Isha remained by herself at the table while Link ascended the stairs to speak with the young boy.
With her own glass already empty, Isha swiped the half-empty glass Link had left behind and chugged that, as well. Her stomach was aching, reminding her of the lunch she'd barely eaten, but she determined that would be a problem for later. Water would be plenty for now.
Her eyes fell on her bloody arms and she cringed at the sight. Now that Isha had a moment to feel comfortable again, every single scrape and welt now burning and itching as her skin tried to heal. The spot on her arm where the bowstring had grazed her was still bleeding, still burning.
I don't think I have the energy to go to the spring… But I don't want to distract Renado from the Zora prince. She sighed and laid her head down on the table. The movement made her back ache with a sharp, unfamiliar pain, and she jolted back up.
If I don't go now, this will be worse tomorrow. With great effort, Isha lifted herself from the chair and limped to the door, wondering if she should detour a bit to the school to grab Kariko just to avoid having to walk the full distance to the spring.
"Good evening, miss," a voice to her right startled Isha as she exited the inn. She turned to find a soldier offering a polite salute, holding the door open for her. "My gods, are you alright?" he added with shock as he registered her miserable state.
"Oh, I-I'm good," she stammered, recollecting herself. "I was just… wanting some fresh air."
"Are you needing an escort anywhere? You looked like a lady on a mission," the guard insisted, holding out his hand and looking her up and down.
"I'm good, I'm just going to… stand over there for a bit…" She gave a forced smile and pointed to the other side of the porch, far from him. Even as she walked away, she could feel his eyes lingering on her backside. Pig. She thought with irritation. Certainly not going to the spring with someone like him in tow.
Isha had hardly ever dealt with such trivial problems before. Kakariko wasn't exactly overflowing with suitable bachelors for a woman of her age, and the travelers hardly paid her any mind if she kept her distance and her mother did not interfere. In fact, the few times Eva did catch someone leering at her daughter, she was swift to use her influence in town to remove the individual completely.
Did this soldier represent the type of people who might move into her former home? Would future young women of Kakariko have to deal with guards like this looming over them?
Leaning against the railing, the young woman took a long look around at her surroundings, at what had been accomplished in just a week. The small shopping center had been entirely cleared of debris, and all of the frames had been erected for the buildings. She could see the town taking shape once more.
Isha felt like crying, but she fought to keep her composure. Though the town would be rebuilt, it would never be the same. She would never again see her mom behind the counter of a busy general store, no longer would she chat with the same travelers or regulars that came through during the busy season. Never again would she sit down with her mother and whatever stranger she'd befriended that day for a surprise dinner.
That final, harsh conversation between Isha and her mother had never once left her in all these weeks. It had become a steady rhythm in her mind, each verse an escalating insult hurled between mother and daughter who struggled to see eye-to-eye. She never could escape the sound, even in sleep.
Isha crossed her arms and put her hand over her mouth, blinking away tears. Oh, she had said such horrible things to her mother. Things that Eva had not deserved, not after she did everything she could to give Isha a comfortable life in a single-parent home. Isha had merely thrown it all in her mother's face, and then insulted her personal life on top of it.
She leaned her forehead against a column and felt her tears run down her face. There's no fixing it, she reminded herself, the thought like a knife in her gut. She died thinking you hated her, and you cannot change that.
After calming Colin down and informing him of Ilia's condition, Link agreed to wait with the boy until they learned the state of the Zora prince. The two stood outside the room where Ralis was recovering, watched over by Renado and Ilia. Isha did not join them.
When Renado exited back into the hallway over half an hour later, the shaman wore a calm smile on his face. "He has passed through the worst of it," he said to Link, pulling his dreads down from their bun. "Ilia's diligence has saved his life, and my medicine will do the rest. As long as he rests, he should recover."
The hero released a breath he had not realized he'd been holding. Isha would rest easy with this news, and so would he.
We didn't fail.
"Can I go see him? And Ilia? Link told me about her memories, but I still just…want to see her." Colin looked down and toed the rug beneath his feet.
Renado crouched down and looked the young boy in his eyes. "I would love for you to help us watch over him, Colin. Please, do take care around Ilia. Her memory will return in its own time, we must not rush it." With an approving pat on the shoulder, he stepped aside and let Colin join Ilia in watching over the Zora prince.
"Such a helpful boy, he does everything he can to help out around here," Renado said with a kind smile. "We are blessed to have all of the children around."
"I'm glad you feel that way," Link replied with a smile of his own. "We'll be postponing their return to Ordon until after Ilia has her memory back. Isha and I just… have other things we need to deal with."
"Of course. They are welcome to stay as long as they need. This village will benefit greatly from their energy." Turning back to look into the room where Prince Ralis lay recovering, Renado continued. "Do you happen to know the fate of the his mother? Her welfare consumes the young Prince. He has been mumbling deliriously about her almost constantly."
Link's gaze fell. "She was killed in the very attack he was trying to warn the royal family about. He is the only heir to the Zora throne, from my understanding."
The shaman shook his head sadly and made for the stairs. Link followed, though he wasn't sure what else there was to say. He intended to pass news of Prince Ralis' condition to Isha, but as they descended the stairs, Link noticed she was absent from the table. In fact, the room was empty, save for one tender-hearted barkeep lounging on a couch against the far wall.
Telma stood as they approached, a goblet of wine held loosely in her hand. "How is the young boy?" she asked, lifting the cup to her lips.
"He will survive, thanks to your quick efforts," Renado replied. "Have you seen Isha? She looked to be a horrible mess, I'd like to make sure her cuts do not get infected."
"She left a while ago, walked out the front doors. I heard her say something about getting some fresh air to the doorman." She looked Renado over and winked. "Town does seem mighty lovely at this hour. I wouldn't mind going for a walk myself."
Renado nodded and extended his arm for her to take. "I imagine she's gone off to the Spirit's spring, then. I will not bother her."
The three departed the inn, Renado and Telma wishing Link a restful night before leaving him behind on its porch. It was only after waving goodbye to them that Link noticed Isha standing at the far corner against the railing, her bright hair in the moonlight catching his eye. She was still coated in dust and blood.
Upon her cheeks he could see strips of lighter skin, and realized she had been crying. He hesitated, unsure if he should approach her and bother her once more. Any time he did try to comfort her, she hardly seemed to acknowledge his efforts, and they rarely seemed to do any good.
He took a few steps forward. Isha's shining eyes were focused on something far off, and she had not looked at him nor Telma and Renado as they passed her by. A chilly breeze whispered by, and on it Link strangely heard the sound of a rushing river. He turned and looked back out over the road, and finally saw what had Isha's rapt attention.
Above them, the faint image of the late Queen Rutela shimmered against rocks as red as her translucent scales, silent and motioning for the two of them to follow her. Isha looked at Link, her face pale from shock. He shrugged and turned to follow Rutela, with Isha falling in uneven steps behind him. The Zora queen led them both up a small road into the mountains. Link noticed Isha's limp and offered to support her, but she refused his help, insisting she could walk on her own.
"So I'm not just seeing things," she whispered to Link as they continued up the trail. "That really is Queen Rutela?"
The hero nodded. "She asked me to help her son, when I visited the Domain."
"I hope she's not about to tell us we were too late…"
"Don't talk like that," Link replied, nudging her side gently. "Renado said the Prince would pull through with rest."
They came upon a broken sign that once denoted the name of an ancient cemetery, tucked all the way up here in a small flat patch of rocky earth. Uneven and broken tombstones littered the ground around them. Not even this sacred place of the dead had been spared from the Twilight monsters' rampage.
Rutela continued to lead them to the back of the cemetery, where a lone tree loomed, losing the last of its leaves with the fading autumn days. Isha found it suitable for the dismal state the rest of the cemetery was in. Just beyond the tree was a blue luminous stone carved with the Zora sapphire crest - the altar at which the Zora would pay their respects to monarchs past.
The queen's ghost stopped above this particular shrine, waiting for the two exhausted Hylians to catch up to her. Once they'd reached the tree, she flicked her wrist and the shrine moved aside, revealing a passage just beyond it. Then, the beautiful apparition disappeared from sight.
"...Well, it's your village, is this…normal?"
Isha blinked at Link, more confused than she'd ever been in her life. She'd hardly pulled herself from her own miserable thoughts before the Queen's sad face had startled her. Everything about this was strange to her. "I don't even know what to think. I… this place is sacred to them, but I thought it was because of the altar…."
"Well," he gestured towards the revealed cave. "After you."
Groaning with the effort on her sore muscles, Isha crouched under the low ceiling and made her way through the dark tunnel, which stretched on for further than she'd have liked. Finally, she reached the other side and found herself within a deep natural crater, the surrounding cliffs scraping the sky above. Aside from a few rocky mounds just breaking the surface, the entire crater was filled with beautiful, crystal waters.
A handful of hardy trees dared to grow around the upper rim of the crater, their sparse canopy creating slivers of moonbeams that shimmered and shifted with the wind. Ferns persisted in the cracks between stone, surviving on small pools of rainwater that gathered amongst the rocks. Waterfalls from various mountain springs and unnamed creeks trickled over the cliff edges, the steady dripping of water the only sound in this otherwise quiet grove.
Link joined Isha in gawking at the sights for a moment before Rutela materialized in the sky before them, floating above a large monument carved with ceremonial Zora symbols that sat upon the largest island. She beckoned, and the pair pulled themselves from their awe long enough to swim across the lake and join her at the monument.
"I am deeply grateful to both of you for aiding my son in his time of need. You, child of Kakariko, know what this place is to my son and our people. You were correct in bringing him here," she said to Isha, who had dropped to one knee in reverence on the ground before the queen. "My husband takes his eternal rest here, and I will soon join him. First, allow me to thank you both for saving my dear Prince Ralis."
Upon the monument, two small gemstone brooches appeared with a flash of blue light. They were identical, and each had three blue stones arranged in a triangular pattern with a delicate golden setting that framed each gem. Isha and Link both took a piece of the jewelry, eying the beautiful stones set within it.
"These are Zora sapphires, the spiritual stone of the Zora. It has long been a symbol of the Zora Royal Family, and these small brooches are tokens of favors. Take these to the great artisan Dento, and have him make you both some Zora-scale armor."
Isha's eyes grew wide. "...Wait, do you mean–"
"Indeed, with this armor you will be able to navigate and breathe underwater as we Zora do. Only certain artisans are capable of imbuing the armor with its proper powers. Dento has long been our best," she added with a sad smile. "With this, I hope that you are able to accomplish your goal in cleansing our temple of that dreaded power. I resented that we were tasked with housing such a dangerous item so close to home." Her voice was bitter. "I further resent that I was correct in my fears."
Isha nodded, looking again at the palm-sized sapphire brooch and thinking of the poor Prince back in town. "Your Highness, it would be my honor to assist you and your people." She looked up at the dead queen. "I owe your personal guard my life. I will do everything I can to repay that debt."
"This is an incredibly generous gift," Link added with a bow. "Thank you, Queen Rutela."
Rutela smiled, a beautiful visage despite her gruesome fate. "Now, at least, I can join the king in slumber. And, yet, my son… He still knows nothing of my death. If you see him again, please pass on this message… Tell him he must not grieve his mother's passing. Tell him she wanted him to be brave and live on as the king of our people." Her beautiful voice began to fade, mixing in with the sounds of the small surrounding waterfalls. "And… Tell him his mother… loves him without end. Tell him…"
Isha's eyes burned with held-back tears. Though the words had come from a stranger, she heard them in her own mother's voice. The statement echoed through her heart, mixing to the rhythm of that awful, explosive argument. The words danced with chaotic frenzy around her mind, each statement piercing through her heart like a steel arrow.
"Shit," she cursed and jumped back into the water, fleeing as though she could outrun the thoughts themselves.
"Isha, wait!" Link tucked the Zora sapphire into his pocket and jumped in after her, but the young woman was already making her way back through the tunnel to the graveyard.
She was leaning against the lone tree outside when Link finally caught up to her, trying and failing to dry her eyes. Her shoulders heaved with unsteady breaths. "Come on, you should get some rest," he tried to console her.
Isha brushed away his words. "I'm going to go to the spring," she whimpered, once more stepping away from him. "I need healing…"
"I have red potions back in my room, you need to sleep," the hero insisted a bit more aggressively.
"I'll sleep at the spring, then."
"Isha, you're being ridiculous," Link snapped and grabbed her arm, holding her in place. "You're a complete mess, and your exhaustion will only make it worse. You're going to run yourself into the ground at this rate. You can barely walk on your own."
Isha tried to pull her arm loose from his tight grip, but knew it was useless, knew he was completely right. "Quit touching me!" she hissed, her words more pleading than she would have liked. The hero released her but took a step forward. The hurt and surprise in his eyes hit her hard. Realizing immediately that she was behaving like a petulant child, Isha stood awkwardly as the tears began to spill over. Frustration, heartbreak, and fear of what lurked in her nightmares pushed her over the edge.
"I don't want to sleep," she finally whispered, wrapping her arms around herself. "I can't keep dealing with the damn nightmares. I can't keep reliving everything, every night. I can't keep enduring the confusion I feel when I wake up. Those few moments where I forget everything that's happened, where I think it's all just a dream, and I should be preparing for school in the morning… And then it hits me, all over again."
Her voice broke and her knees gave out. Ignoring her previous protests, Link swept his arms under her and held her up against his chest. He adjusted her in his arms and began carrying the sobbing woman out from the cemetery. Isha laid her head against his shoulder and did not resist.
Link was right, and the small bit of intelligent thought she still clung to told her to stop working herself up so much. She listened to it. Her sniffling was the only sound between them all the way down the mountain.
Isha's crying stilled as they reached the bottom of the trail. After several moments in silence, she finally spoke. "I'm sorry," she mumbled.
"For what? You've done nothing wrong."
"I can't pull myself together. I–"
"Nobody expects you to heal overnight, especially not me." Link stopped walking and looked down at her. "I still mourn my parents, and I hardly had a chance to know them. I can't begin to imagine how you feel."
"I hate that you relate to my pain," she replied softly. "And I hate that you're always the one I dump these things on."
"Don't." Link set her back on her feet, keeping a steadying hand on her back. "You never have to deal with these things alone, you know. I may not know what to say, but as long as we're friends, you'll never have to bear your burdens alone."
"Right…"
"I'm going to give you space. Do whatever you feel is best for yourself. I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable."
"You didn't…" Isha trailed off. No, it had made her uncomfortable, in the moment. She had been irrational, and yet he still yielded to her.
Without a further word, he patted her back and pressed on, back towards the inn.
Isha stared after the retreating hero, still sniffling and wiping away tears. She thought again of the Queen's final message to the Prince, and wondered if her own mother still felt the same after the argument that took place before her death. Certainly, surely her mother knew she was just upset. Knew she didn't mean such things. Her mother had to know that Isha still loved her, despite their differences of opinions…
A lone wolf's howl sounded from somewhere far off in the canyon - a sound that wasn't entirely unfamiliar in the area, but one that chilled her nonetheless. While monster activity in the canyon had never been too much of a threat until recently, predatory animals had always been a problem. She looked towards the Spirit's Forest once more, the forest unnaturally dark despite the bright moon above.
"Wait!" Isha called to the hero. "I'll go back with you."
He stopped and turned back, giving her a small, tired smile when she limped up to him. "You'll feel better after medicine and rest," he assured her.
"I hope you're right. I don't think I can afford to feel much worse," she replied, looping her arm in his and accepting his support.
The pair walked in silence back to the inn. Isha looked around at the dark town, and tried again to imagine what it might look like in a few years, once this had all passed. She tried to imagine new families, with new lives in new homes, experiencing life in a renewed town. It wouldn't be the same, but… It could be a happy place again, though not for her. For someone, it could once more be home.
Finally, the pair reached the inn, now silent and devoid of activity in this late hour of the night, save for one watchman posted at the door - a different one than before, Isha noticed with mild relief, and one who appeared well-armed. She might have laughed at the irony of so many weapons-carrying guards inhabiting the village nowadays, had circumstances been different. The pair waved as they passed him by.
Once they reached Link's room - one that was not stifling hot, this time - Isha slumped down into a chair in the corner. Link grabbed one of the bottles of red medicine from his night stand and handed it to her.
"That spot on your arm looks pretty rough," he commented as she reached out to take the bottle.
"Nothing I haven't done to myself before, believe it or not," she replied, lifting the potion to her lips and swallowing it quickly. She gagged at the bitter taste and sat back, curling her legs to her chest.
"Maybe we should get you some proper arm guards," the hero suggested, turning away as he picked up the weapons he'd discarded on his floor much earlier in the night. He sat them upon the dresser with care. "Or maybe some armor in general. It would–" he turned to say more, but stopped when he realized Isha was fast asleep, the last drops of her strength sapped by the accelerated healing that the red potion induced.
Link chuckled to himself and scooped her up into his arms, carrying her back to her room. He watched as her minor cuts and scrapes seemed to melt away before his very eyes. The effects of potions had always been so fascinating to the hero.
He laid the young woman down on her bed and turned to leave. A weak hand grabbed his.
"Don't leave without saying goodbye…" Isha mumbled, her words slurred with exhaustion.
Link gave her a humorous smile. "Well, goodbye then?"
"No, tomorrow…" She released his hand and turned her back to him. "...dumbass."
Despite the insult, the hero grinned. "Wouldn't dream of it."
The next morning, Isha found herself waking at a decent hour despite her late night. Her room was already lit up by the morning sun streaming in from the nearby window, and in this fresh light she could observe just how much healing she'd done in such a short time. There were no longer welts or bruises or scrapes littering her arms and legs, though unfortunately she was still covered in dried blood - both of her own and of monsters. She lamented not having the energy to bathe in the spring the night before. Waking up dirty always did put her in a sour mood.
Her mood was helped by her physical improvement, however. She did have a large bruise on her hip, but it was all that remained of the damage she'd sustained when she fell off Epona the night before. Isha felt the bruise carefully - it was certainly tender, but nothing horrible. She'd hurt it worse by running into a table.
A growl from her stomach reminded Isha that she'd need to get around quickly, if she didn't want to miss breakfast in the lobby. She paused in front of the mirror and ran her fingers through her hair, trying to tame her bedhead to some extent. Once she was satisfied, she made her way down to the ground floor.
She found the main hall to be surprisingly full of life. A larger team of workers had come in only a day or so before their arrival, and activity in the village was steadily increasing. The lobby was actually quite lively with so many people grabbing breakfast and chatting amongst themselves.
Isha was so caught up in all the buzz that she nearly missed Link waving at her from a table near the back of the room. She finally caught sight of him and made her way over.
"Got you some food already," Link gestured to the several plates he had before them - each piled high with far more than two servings of each dish.
"Did you leave enough for everyone else?" she gasped, grabbing an empty plate that Link had passed to her.
"Luda said this last group brought more food than needed," the hero shrugged and took a bite out of the egg dish he was currently working through. "I waited 'till everyone else got a plate, anyways."
"Oh, I guess I missed the kids, then?" She asked in between massive bites of pan-fried pork strips.
"You almost missed breakfast entirely."
"Shame I didn't miss you."
"You told me not to leave without saying goodbye. I couldn't ignore such a pitiful request."
Red colored Isha's cheeks. She suddenly found it difficult to swallow. "W-well… Shut up, I was– I was tired."
"Oh, there you two are!" A chipper voice interrupted their conversation as Telma approached their table, bright-eyed and smiling. "I was hoping to get a chance to speak with both of you before you ran off."
"Join us," Isha patted the chair next to her, happy for the distraction. "Did you get a good night's sleep?"
Telma winked at the pair as she took a seat. "Oh, it was a rather nice night, certainly. But, listen I'm not here to bore you with all that," she waved her hands in front of her, as if to wave away the subject itself. "No, I wanted to talk about those fighting skills you both showed off on our way here. Any chance you're of the mind to put them to use for the good of Hyrule?"
The pair of adventurers exchanged glances. "To tell you the truth, we are," Link replied for the both of them.
"What hope there is in our kingdom is frail and dying… but there's still a group of us trying to do all we can to dispel the nightmares that have fallen upon all of us, to face whatever it is that's brewing among the shadows."
"Like… building an army?" Isha asked, leaning forward over the table.
Telma scoffed. "If you could call a rag-tag group of dreamers an 'army,' sure. I'm not sure if there's that many brave souls left in this world. Let alone ones who are willing to fight, no matter the cost."
"It sounds like an interesting group, nonetheless," replied the hero, finishing off another plate of food. He reached for some strips of fried pork next. "How long have you all been meeting?"
The barkeep shrugged. "A couple of months, maybe. We formed after the Royal Family stopped accepting visitors, and news of their well-being stopped coming. That was about when things started to go horribly wrong." She gave a long sigh. "My bar actually houses a passageway into the castle, if you're brave enough to traverse the sewers. I haven't been through there in… well, nevermind. Let's just say I haven't been through there," she added with a wink.
Isha rolled this information around in her mind. "What you're saying is that, if anyone inside the castle wanted to send for help…"
Telma nodded slowly. "My bar has long been a safe house for all walks of life. Even royals need to lean on us commoners, every now and then. Yet, I've heard nothing and seen nothing."
Link tapped his fingers on the table. "I can assure you that at least Princess Zelda is still alive within the castle," he said with a low voice. "I've seen her myself, recently."
Isha frowned at him. "When–"
"It's not important," he cut her off with a glare that told her he wasn't going to give any further information, not right now. "But that is exceptionally useful information, Telma. We would love to meet this group of yours, next time we're in town."
The barkeep smiled, no stranger to secrets herself. "I'll be in this town for a few more days. I'm still worried about Ilia and… well, nevermind the rest. But I hope to see you two in my bar again soon! Link and Isha," she stood and shook both of their hands, her golden eyes shining. "I believe it is no coincidence that we met. I wish you both safe travels."
They said their goodbyes and Link took their now-empty dishes back into the kitchen. When he returned, Isha glared at him. "So, when were you going to mention you've met the actual Princess Zelda?" she hissed. "What was she like? How did you meet her? Is there… Is there any chance that… maybe I could…" she trailed off when his face yielded no emotion.
"I said it's not important," he replied, sitting back down. "I'm sorry if that disappoints you, but it happened before this whole mess. And no, I don't think I can just waltz back in just because you want to meet her," he added with a dry laugh. "We have more pressing matters to worry about right now. Like where we go from here."
Isha sighed, crossing her arms in a pout. "Must not have been that long ago that you saw her," she argued. "But whatever. I hate that you're right."
"Of course you do," he replied with a lazy grin, leaning his arm on the table. "Would I also be right to assume you've already been planning our next moves?"
Isha stuck her tongue out, though she couldn't help but smile. "Well, since you're allowing me to plan out loud this time, I was thinking… Would you like me to take your Zora sapphire token and have them start on your armor, as well? You can pick it up later, I just need an idea of sizing. I need to have my Zora armor made as soon as possible so I can get to the temple. I think that I may be able to…call in this favor of escorting their prince to his safety and gain permission to visit. I want to go there as soon as possible, but I'd also like to stop again in Castle Town and actually do some proper shopping. I need clothes fit for travel, and I will always need more arrows. I was thinking of returning with Telma, if I can catch her before she leaves."
The hero nodded, taking his token out from his pocket and handing it over to Isha. He felt a sense of pride in himself for keeping up with her rapid-fire words. She spoke as though she'd been rehearsing her plans for days. He supposed she probably had. "You could probably save a few rupees and see if the suppliers brought anything that would work for you. After all, it's all intended for the survivors of Kakariko."
The young warrior shook her head. "I just… can't. There will be others who may need it, maybe even in other towns. I'll find something in town."
"Fair enough." Link felt she was in too good of a mood to have her pride challenged today, even if he did find her insistence to waste money ridiculous. "That reminds me, I overheard some of the workers talking earlier - they've begun repairs on the bridge between Eldin and Castle Town. Should be passable before too long."
"Oh thank the gods," the young woman sighed with relief. "It took them long enough."
"So from Castle Town to the Domain, then to the temple, to do…what?" He looked to her to continue.
"Lanayru wants me to get some 'dark power' and bring it to you," she said with a roll of her eyes. "I figured maybe you could meet me at her spring. I'll give you whatever this…thing is and I guess… receive a blessing from Lanayru?" Isha shook her head. "I don't even know why I'm doing this, but…"
"What is it you said you always wanted? Adventure and…"
"Glory in battle, noble causes, to live out legends and myths…" Isha finished, her voice tinged with regret. "I was naive. I just…wanted to live out the stories as my dad told them, as mythological records told them. I mean, you'll read about horrible monsters and things beyond mortal control and it all sounds so interesting and exciting, and then you realize it's… this. A confusing mess. A tragic disaster."
Link thought of the monsters he'd witnessed in the Forest Temple, how parasites from the Twilight realm had infected its primate inhabitants and nearly drove their leader to killing him along with everything else. The Fused Shadow he'd found there had mutated a carnivorous plant that poisoned the life-giving water of the Faron Woods. One that feasted no longer on unfortunate insects but instead people, apes, birds, deer - whatever had the misfortune of getting lost in its domain.
He thought of the wreckage of Kakariko, and the likely similar fate of other small settlements like it that he hadn't even heard of. Others who suffered as Isha did. He thought of the dead Zora queen, her people forced to watch her execution and then frozen within their own life-giving waters.
"It is those things. It's that, and so much more that we don't know about yet," he agreed, but regretted doing so immediately. Isha's eyes flitted to the ground, and her shoulders sagged. Somehow, he'd said something wrong.
Link bit the inside of his cheek. "However, that doesn't mean it is also not an exciting, memorable experience. The unfortunate truth is that monsters of myth are capable of actions of myth. Failures rarely make it to the history books - it's all about the victory and the peace that comes with it. We will learn to deal with these things, just as they did. In the end, don't the heroes always find victory? Our journey isn't over yet. In fact, I feel it may just be getting started."
The look Isha gave Link told him he'd found the right words. Her expression brightened into a smirk. "Those are some rather deep thoughts to come from you, goat herder," she teased. "But that does… make me feel better. Thank you." With a sigh, she straightened up. "I mean, I'm going to go to Zora's Domain! I'm going to go see the lovely central village and look at all the beautiful architecture up close! Not to mention that temple…" Isha trailed off and looked at him, a sudden question on her mind.
"That 'dark power'… what exactly are you doing with it? Do we need to destroy it?"
The hero stiffened and scratched the back of his neck. "Well I'm actually… gathering them. For someone. Someone who needs them to deal with the cause of the Twilight Realm coming to the world of Light in the first place."
Isha tilted her head to the side. "Are you not supposed to be the hero, here…?"
"Would you believe me if I said I don't know? I just know that my…friend needs these fragments of power so they can save their people. That's all I've been told. I don't know if their end goal is my end goal, or if there's more I must do."
So these fragments are the key to taking down whoever ruined my life…. The gears were turning in Isha's head. Right. "So do I get to meet this person?"
"... I think that will have to remain undetermined," Link replied slowly, looking away from Isha. "Sh– They aren't very trusting."
"Additional question… How do you know they aren't making you gather these so they can help whoever is causing all of this? Do we have any proof that they're trustworthy?"
Link gave her a hard stare. "I just… Can I ask you to trust me? I have good reason to believe they're of no threat to Hyrule."
Isha pursed her lips and pushed her empty plate away. "Lanayru made it seem like a pretty big deal, like something catastrophic could occur if it fell into the wrong hands." She lowered her gaze. "I think you should consider speaking with your friend about meeting me before I just hand this mysterious artifact over. The Light Spirit did instruct me to hand it to you, not anyone else," she added, rising to her feet. "I admit I find it annoying that you're suddenly so secretive. Kidna puts a strain on our relationship, you know?"
Link stood up as well. "Come on, Isha, don't–"
"I'm going to find Telma," she cut him off, heading for the door. "See if she'll let me ride back with her to Castle Town. You should probably get going too."
Link followed her, uncertain about leaving on such unsteady terms. He wanted to convince her that it wasn't an issue of trust, but how could he possibly begin to explain Midna and her unknown role in all of this, when the imp was so against interacting with anybody aside from him and the Princess? Not to mention they'd probably burn the world down in one argument
The pair stopped once more on the steps outside the inn, Isha still looking away from the hero. "...You know, if you wanted me to come with you to the temple–"
"I don't," she gave him a side-eyed look. "It's obvious you think I'm weak, and in terms of physical strength, you may be right. But I am no coward, and I will not back down from this task. Lanayru has given me protection, should I need it," she continued, touching the golden thread on her shirt for emphasis. "And then she told me to prepare for this little errand. The Light Spirits sure seem to think I'm capable of this stupid task, and you know, I sorta think I am too." Her voice was gathering in intensity. "I find your sudden lack of faith in me rather insulting. Have we not been through enough to justify some decent level of trust from you? And yet you demand more trust from me, in someone I don't know? Maybe I should start questioning your capabilities as a hero," she spat the final word out.
Link struggled for a response. "Th-that's not what I meant by that. I–"
"I don't know what horrors you think await me there, but I truly do not believe there could be anything worse than finding my own mother's mutilated corpse. I think I'll be just fine, without your help." With these final words, Isha turned and left to find Telma.
Link watched her leave, resisting the urge to chase after her and make her understand where his fears came from. Maybe I just need to back off… he thought as stared at her retreating back.
With a heavy sigh, Link returned to his room inside the inn to collect his weapons. No sooner did he get the door shut than Midna appeared, cloaked again in shadow.
"Great job. Now she's not going to bring you that Fused Shadow," the imp hissed. "You had to go and run your big mouth."
The hero looked at her in confusion. "She's gods-bent on proving herself to Lanayru, what makes you think that?"
"Tch," Midna clicked her tongue and floated over to Link, getting in his face. "You're such a damn fool. As soon as you've got the Shadow from Death Mountain, we are going straight to that domain, getting your Zora armor, and you're going after that damn woman before she ruins everything."
The hero was shocked by the desperation in her voice. "I'm choosing to trust her," he argued back. "If I follow her down there, she'll be livid. We may lose a valuable ally, one who has won the favor of the Light Spirits. How many other people have we met that commune with the spirits? How many others have received blessings from them before our very eyes?"
"I wouldn't know, I can't stand to even look at those vile creatures," Midna spat back. "Winning the attention of a few petty sprites won't be enough to protect her from what awaits us if we fail. The damn spirits couldn't even protect themselves. She has the sense not to trust someone she's never met, but doesn't seem to have enough sense to see when she's in over her head."
"I bet if you bothered to take five minutes to tell us both what's going on and exactly why you need these things, she might view things differently. Maybe she's not entirely wrong to distrust you." Link gave the imp a challenging stare.
"Your damn Princess trusts me, shouldn't that be enough for her petty subjects?" The two glared at one another for a long moment. Finally, Midna threw up her hands. "Not that I particularly care about earning anyone's trust. I just need your service, Wolfie. Now hurry up and get your shit done. Remember, I only helped you escape because you agreed to get these relics for me. No matter what or who stands in your way. If you don't think I won't send you back to the dungeons, then I invite you to continue to try my patience, boy." With these scathing final words, Midna once more disappeared within the hero's shadow.
The sooner I get them, the sooner she's out of my hair, Link reminded himself, taking a few breaths to calm down. Never before had he dealt with such fierce attitudes like those of Midna and Isha. Link wondered what sin he'd committed in a previous life to deserve such hotheaded companions. Were these really the type of people who inhabited the greater world?
No wonder the people of Ordon Province preferred to remain reclusive.
Link tossed his scabbard and shield across his back and grabbed a bag of provisions that Renado had dropped off at his door that morning. The given canvas bag held enough dried fruit and meat to sustain him for roughly a week.
Normally, it would be something he'd hand over to Midna to hold on to. The mysterious imp seemed to be capable of storing a near-infinite amount of supplies, weapons, whatever else they needed. He first saw this in action when he first retrieved his sword and shield, and she made them disappear with a snap of her fingers, promising to "hold on to them." When he'd asked about it later, Midna simply laughed and refused to give an explanation. She always refused an explanation.
With their fight, though, the hero did not particularly feel like asking her for help for anything else. Besides, carrying a few pounds of food up a mountain wouldn't kill him.
As Link left his room, he noticed an open door at the end of the hallway - the room where the Zora prince was kept. Deciding to check in briefly before departing, he approached the open doorway. Only Ilia remained by the Zora prince's side for now.
Link tapped his knuckles against the door frame, so as not to startle the young woman. Ilia looked over her shoulder and smiled when she saw the hero.
"Oh, good morning, Link!" she said in a delightfully soft voice. Her eyes fell on the bag thrown over his shoulder. "Are you leaving already?"
He nodded. "I've got business up on the mountain. How is he doing?"
"He hasn't awakened yet, but he seems to be sleeping peacefully, at last. I hope his fever breaks soon." Ilia laid her hand on the young prince's forehead. "Thanks to you, this child's life was saved. I'm… actually glad you swung by," she admitted with a blush. "I wanted to thank you for being so kind to someone like me… Someone you don't even know."
Her words made his heart ache, and Link began to fidget with his gauntlets just to avoid looking at her. "You don't have to thank me," he said after a few moments. "Doing anything differently wouldn't have been right."
"I suppose you know of my condition. That I don't even know who I am." Ilia wrung her hands together. "I would like to ask that you do not pity me, though. I know I will be fine. I just… have a feeling," she added, looking back at Link with a familiar smile. "I can take care of myself, you know?"
It took a great deal of self control on Link's part not to pull her into a hug, to tell her that of course she would be fine. He knew, though, that in this state she would likely not be too receptive of a sudden embrace. So, he settled for a forced smile in return. "I've already spoken with Renado, and you may stay here for as long as you need, until your memory returns."
"Everyone here is just so kind…" she replied with shock. "This village… such a lovely village, despite the pain it has clearly recently endured. I've picked up bits and pieces of what happened here…"
Link offered to fill Ilia in on all he knew of the village's downfall, and how the same archer who helped guard them across Hyrule Field was a survivor of the monster attack. He told her of the devastation, and remarked on the progress that had been made in the short time since he'd first traveled through the village.
Ilia looked on with wonder. "I haven't had much of a chance to speak with Isha, but I hope I get to thank her, as well as give her my condolences…"
"I'd focus a bit more on the 'thank you' than the pity," Link chuckled and pushed himself off from where he had been leaning against the wall. "She said she was heading back to Castle Town with Telma, so you should still have a chance to speak with her."
"Thank you, again, for everything. And for keeping me company this morning." Ilia dipped her head. "I hope you have safe travels."
Link bowed his head. "Good luck with….everything." He ducked back out of the room, his heart aching. Though his dear friend was safe, he had not been prepared for how devastating it would be for her to regard him as a stranger. The hero wondered what they would do if she never regained her memory.
I'd come all this way just to lose her anyways.
The thought tormented him all the way out of Kakariko Village.
Thank you for reading!