Chapter 42: Rely on Those We Trust

Impa knocked on the door once more. "Princess? Princess?" Still no response. "Zelda, I'm coming in now."

She shook the door handle, the princess had locked it. Really? Impa rolled her eyes. For such a clever girl, what did she think that would accomplish?

It took Impa all of seventeen seconds to open the lock and slide her lockpick back into its pouch at her hip. She took one moment to compose herself and opened the door. "Zelda what do you think-"

Zelda was sitting at her desk, her head slumped over onto some paper, with a few books at her side. Impa shook her head as she walked behind Zelda. "Oh, what am I going to do with you?" The girl had been working through the night, again.

She had been doing so ever since she had made her apology to Ganondorf and taken her place at her father's side. There was so much she wished to do, and not enough hours in the day to do them. But never had Impa found her asleep at her desk. She always either woke up in bed or was awake when Impa came in.

The poor girl thought she could hide her nighttime activities, as if Impa did not immediately notice the bags under her eyes or how she sometimes took just a moment longer to speak or act. Still, the girl had to learn that she could not do everything.

"Come on, Princess, there is much to do today." She gave Zelda a firm shake of her shoulder. "There is much to do today, another meeting of the war council. The word is there is finally news on the battle."

No response. "Zelda, get up."

The princess didn't move. Impa shook her again.

She's fine. She's just exhausted. She's fine.

But her eyes roamed around the area as though she was trying to piece together a crime. Zelda's head was resting on a map, a quill rolled on top of it. Impa's first instinct was that Zelda was trying to plan the route of the war. But their was no splotch where the quill had fallen on the map, no lines of the movement of soldiers drawn. There was no ink on table at all.

Was this another type of spell?

Her chest didn't rise. Even hunched over as she was, her shoulders should move when she breathed. They weren't moving.

"Zelda," Impa whispered, though she did not know why she did. And yet she felt the need to grab ahold of her, to draw her close, to scream and cry.

But that would not do. Not now. She forced that part of her mind back and let the Needle do her work.

She placed her fingers on the artery of the girl's throat. Nothing. Nothing.

Then the faintest, dimmest heartbeat she had ever felt. So slight it may have been a trick of her mind. Her hope for the girl's safety was twisting her senses. Only when she felt it again did she pull her fingers away.

The heartbeat was slow, too slow for natural sleep.

Impa stepped back, her lip curled. Magic, it had to be. Why had she allowed Zelda's obsession to grow so great? Impa knew the terrors magic, she knew what the Sheikah Inquisitors were capable of, the terrors that magic could inflict.

Why had she allowed this to happen?

Zelda needed a doctor.

No, what would they even do against magic? Focus, she needed to keep her mind clear. She needed Rauru.

But first she needed to get the girl out of the castle. And she would need to explain the girl's absence from the day's meetings. This she could do.

She placed a hand on Zelda's head, gently rubbing her for as long as she dared. Then she took the Princess' key and left the room, being certain to lock it behind her.

When she reached the Great Hall breakfast had already been served, the king sat at the head of the table with a plate of crisped bacon slices atop a bowl of mortrew. Busy as ever he had a small delegation of masons seated in several smaller tables before him. One of them stood while the others ate, outlining some inane detail about a trade agreement they were trying to get the king to alter in their favor.

The mason's compatriots seemed more interested in eating their meal than listening to the arguments. Impa frowned at the lot of them, half of them were only there for the chance to eat a king's meal. Liotidos knew, of course, but he said that he enjoyed seeing some small part of his kingdom enjoying a happy meal.

But it did seem like a waste of time.

No, now was not the time to worry about that. She searched the crowds forming around the hall. Different dignitaries were lining up, or sitting at distant tables for their own turn to speak to the king. Servants swarmed about the room, offering food and drink. There. Seated beside a group of merchants, her eyes locked with a familiar bald man. She wiped just under her eye, then dropped her hand to her side to tap twice against her leg. Paused. Then twice more.

The merchant gave the slightest of nods to show he had gotten her message then backed out of the Hall.

Impa made certain that she did not look directly at him as he left and made her way to the king.

"A moment, goodman Wilbur," the king said stopping the mason mid-sentence. "Lady Impa, is something wrong?"

"A minor thing, your Majesty. Your daughter is feeling ill and will not be joining you for breakfast today. And likely will not be joining you on any meetings for the rest of the day."

"Oh," concern immediately formed on Liotidos face. "Is it serious?"

"Only a chill, your Majesty. She simply needs to rest for a day or so."

The king did not look much relieved, but he nodded, "Keep me informed on her health."

"Of course, your Majesty."

The king looked as if he was about to speak further, his eyes glancing up in the direction of the Princess' quarters. But he did not speak, only sighing before he looked back to the masons. "Thank you for your patience, goodman, please continue."

Impa left the hall and headed back toward Zelda's room. Before she had even reached the stairs the bald merchant had joined her, keeping a respectful pace or two behind her. Kieve did not say a thing, he knew better than to discuss the details of a potential mission out in the open.

Impa unlocked the princess' door, let her friend inside, then shut and locked it so that they would not be disturbed.

"Huh," was all Kieve said as he saw the princess. "Now that does seem to be a problem. She dead?"

"No, unconscious."

He made his way to the desk, and circled around it. "Not that I don't grieve for girl, but this looks more like a job for a doctor."

"Kieve, I need help getting her out of the castle."

"Huh," he said again. He drummed the top of his fingers on his head as he his eyes wandered around the room. "I've never kidnapped a princess before. That's exciting."

"We're not-" Impa sighed, the man was still enjoyed being as irritating as ever. "What are you thinking?"

"The Wandering Washer?"

"That was my thought as well."

"Well, there's nothing big enough in here. Give me a minute, I need to grab some things."

Impa unlocked the door for him, and watched as he made his way to the stairs in a steady but confident manner, as if this was simply another boring day for a merchant. No panic, no rush to him that would tip off anyone that something was happening. Just another small reminder why she put up with him.

She locked the door behind him, and went back to Zelda and checked her pulse once. Still alive. Hurry Kieve. Impa went back to looking around the desk, she needed to keep her mind focused on something. The books that the girl arranged around her on the desk caught her attention first. Perhaps they would have some clue to what was going on.

Most of them were the usual books on magic that Impa had picked up for Zelda over the last few weeks. Only one stood out as odd. Impa picked up the strange tome of a plump little green man dancing with what looked to be fairies. "What is this?"

She read the book's ridiculous title and flipped through some few pages of it before putting it down. Half of it looked like nonsense, a fanciful tale of a ridiculous little man tramping through fields to find fae, but mixed within were complex elaborate sentences describing fairies in precise detail. Was Zelda doing something with fairies?

Before she could pick up the next book there was a few clicks at the door before it swung open. Kieve entered, clutching his lockpick and holding a large burlap bag with straps on it. The kind the servants used to carry clothes for washing. He shut the door behind him, and brought the large bag beside Zelda, then reached inside and pulled out a smaller bag that seemed filled with something.

Without a word, Kieve went to Zelda's closet and grabbed up handfuls of clothes and dumped them into the laundry basket. Impa joined him in finding some of the more comfortable pieces of clothing, though Kieve did not seem to care all too much about what he used. When they had a few layers they nodded to each other.

"You take the arms, I'll take the legs?" Impa said.

Kieve nodded and went to Zelda, pulling her chair out from the desk. Her limp body flopped forward near hitting her head against the corner of the table had Impa not put her hand in the way.

"Be gentle." Impa rocked Zelda back and took hold of her delicate little arms.

"I am being gentle." He said as he took Zelda's arms and lifted.

"You're handling a princess, not a sack of grain."

"It's a child, they bounce back from a few scrapes."

A knock came from the door. Both the spies froze, with the princess half tipped into the basket.

"Princess," came the king's voice. "Zelda. I- Is it alright if I come in?"

"Why is he here," Kieve hissed through clenched teeth.

"I understand you're not feeling well. And- well- may I enter?"

"Finish the job, I'll get rid of him."

"Zelda?" the king knocked again.

Impa moved to the door, checking over her shoulder to make certain that Kieve and the princess were not at a visible angle before she opened it. "Your majesty."

"Impa," the king said. "Is my daughter-?"

"Sleeping, your majesty. Sound asleep, I'm afraid. That's what's best for her."

"But, I heard you…" the king trailed off. His jaw set, and his eyes drifted dejected to the ground. "Oh." Was all he said. Then he nodded to Impa and turned away without another word.

Impa closed her eyes and sighed. Of course he heard her talking to someone. One more problem between the royals. She finished her breath, straightened up. That was a problem for later, now she had work to do.

Closing the door, she turned back to Kieve. Her fellow Needle was just finishing the work, folding the last of the laundry over Zelda's head. Kieve took a step back, nodded in satisfaction at his work and then looked to Impa.

"It's done." He pulled off his shirt and revealed the flab he'd accumulated over the years, before he opened the smaller bag and pulled on a light blue shirt. He put it on, straightened the front of it, and looked all the world like one of the servants within the castle. Before he hoisted the laundry basket onto his back. "Puhh, she's heavy. What have you been feeding her?"

"You are to bring the girl to the Temple of the Three outside the marketplace. It's a fairly small-"

"I know where it is," Kieve said. "Are you going to tell me why I'm bringing her to a church of all places?"

Impa pursed her lips and glared at her old friend.

"Fine, fine. Can't blame me for asking."

"Thank you Kieve." Impa went to the door, quickly glanced outside to make certain no one was coming. She hustled Kieve away. And after a few steps he looked for all the world like a laundry servant, one that no one would even think to look at twice.

Now she simply needed to find her own way out. She glanced to the window to the princess' tower. Opening the glass, she stuck her head out. It was a long way down, and she didn't have her climbing equipment with her. How had a child climbed up this thing?

She shook her head as she closed the window and headed to the door. The simplest path was to head toward the castle physician, and duck away and out the building as soon as she could.

By the time she reached the Temple of Time, Kieve had already arrived, red faced and puffing. One of Rauru's disciples, Helmin, had stopped him at the door. And the young priest did not look pleased.

"I don't know who told you to do this," the priest-mage was saying, "but we do our own laundry."

"Of course, but if you would just let me show you-"

"Aren't you a bit old to be performing jokes like this? This is a holy temple, you should show us at least a modicum of dignity."

Impa stepped beside Kieve and let the young man see her. "Helmin, let us in, and find Rauru."

The boy looked between the two of them, confused at first, but then he nodded and stood aside. "I think he's in the ambulatory." He said once the two had entered and he shut the door behind them. "Wait here." He gave Kieve one final lingering look of curiosity before he headed to the back of the church.

"Alright," Kieve stopped and shifted the basket off his back. "That's it. That's as far as I'm taking this thing." He brought the basket forward and dropped the princess the last few inches to the ground.

"Careful!" Imps hissed.

"Oh, what am I going to do, make her double unconscious?" He rubbed at his shoulders and stretched. "By the Three I need to get back in shape." He looked over the inside of the temple with a cheery smile that reminded Impa of a gormless provincial stepping into the majesty of Castle Town for the first time. But Impa knew Kieve's mind must be searching for answers, for why this temple in particular was important.

"Thank you for your help, you should go get some rest."

Kieve cast his gaze on her, and his dull smile widened. "Not going to inform me, are you?"

"No."

"Very well," he scratched at his bald head. "If you have any further need for me, I'll be back at the castle." He gave an exaggerated bow before departing the temple.

Once he was gone, Impa moved to the basket, and gently placed her hand on the top layer, rubbing where Zelda's head would be. They had made it. But what would happen if Rauru could not fix her? What if what was done could not be reversed? The only others she could bring her to would be the Inquisition, and the thought of giving Zelda to those… creatures, made a chill run up her spine.

There was a loud bang, as a door opened and Rauru stormed into the nave with Helmin at his side. For the first time, Impa did not see him wearing his usual priestly robes, instead simple trousers and a yellow shirt. Not even particularly well made, the kind you'd see all over the city. It even had an obvious patch at his hip, where it had clearly been sewn together and a bit of dirt on the rim, had he been gardening?

"Lady Impa," he said with a respectful nod. "I did not expect you." His eyes went to the basket of laundry that was placed on the floor. "I see Helmin was telling me the truth. May I ask why there is a basket of, what look to be the princess' garments, in my temple?"

Impa moved to the basket, and pulled up the top layer of laundry.

Rauru gave a short grunt as the princess was revealed, immediately worry etched onto his face. "What has happened?"

"I was hoping you would tell me. She has not moved since I found her this morning, her breathing is present, but slight. On her desk there was a map, and a dry quill, along with several books of magic. Can you help her?"

Rauru grimaced as he placed his hand on Zelda's head, shutting his eyes in concentration. He mumbled something that Impa could not understand. Then waited. A long breath escaped his lips. "Helmin," he finally said without opening his eyes. "We need a potion, one for someone exhausted beyond belief. We may need to pour it down her throat, when you cook it make certain the pieces are mashed down until it can be swallowed. Go."

Helmin fled the room.

Rauru went back to his chanting, pressing his fingers into Zelda's forehead. It looked painful, as though he was trying to push through her skin.

Every part of Impa's body tensed, he was hurting her. When his fingers moved her skin was bruised. Yet the princess did not move, did not show any sign of discomfort. It made her look even more dead as the old man pried at her.

It made her sick. The urge filled her to turn away, to hide her face rather than see Zelda like this. But she forced herself to watch it all. What if she needed to do something to help? Besides she had been witness to far worse things. She had done far worse things.

Was this her punishment then? For all the sins she committed in her time as a spy? All the lies she told, all the people she dragged before the Inquisition who were never seen again, innocent or guilty. How many mothers felt as she felt now? Not knowing if the child they cared for above all else in the world would never return, never awaken again.

It wasn't fair. The punishment should fall on her shoulders, not Zelda's.

"Please," Impa whispered. Just that, just that one word. But there was so much more behind it. Please take me instead. Please save the child. Please.

Rauru's voice rose, filling the room with some harsh language that Impa had never heard before. But it was not alone. There was something else a different voice. It sounded like the faintest laughter.

Helmin returned with a pot of steaming liquid. He moved to Zelda, prying at her mouth with his fingers all while Rauru's voice grew louder. The young priest started to pour the liquid into Zelda's mouth, half of it spilling out over her lips and splashing onto the clothes.

Did something shift in the basket? Did Zelda twitch?

There was a glow around Rauru's fingers. His voice filled the room, echoing off the ceiling until it sounded as if two then three of Rauru were all chanting the words in unison.

The glow at his fingers grew bright, as Helmin started massaging the liquid down Zelda's throat.

She moved.

She actually moved. Her eyes twitched beneath their lids and the muscle in her neck spasmed.

It was working. Thank the Goddesses it was working.

But Rauru did not look relieved. He spoke louder, his brow furrowed. His fingers tensed as he pushed all his force behind them. Why? Wasn't this good?

Then the realization hit Impa, the laughter was coming from Zelda, as the potion spilled around her mouth. The voice grew louder, wilder. Piercing the air like a knife. What was it doing to the princess? Impa immediately tried to think what she could do to help. How she could get the creature out. But there was nothing she knew how to do. All the training, decades of learning skills, of fighting and spying and figuring things out. And she could do nothing but watch.

"Let her go," Rauru hissed, before he continued his strange chant. His voice a shout, Impa was certain that a hundred men stood around her all screaming those strange alien words.

A glow formed around Zelda, brighter and brighter as the voices roared throughout the temple.

Impa needed to shield her eyes from the light.

No matter how loud Rauru's voice went, the laughter was ever persistent. A wild witchlike cackle that was impossible to overpower or ignore. "I am stronger in this life!" The voice screeched. "I am better! I am better!"

"Silence!" Rauru shouted and all the chanting stopped in a single clap of thunder.

The cackling witch's voice was gone. And there was no sound in the temple at all, except for Rauru's strained breathing.

Impa opened her eyes, the light had dimmed. Rauru pulled his hand away. Was it done?

Zelda's eyes opened. She blinked a few times. "Rauru?" her voice was hoarse. "Impa?"

Impa wanted to rush to the girl, grab her tight and hold her close. But in that instant her strength left her arms and legs. She stumbled back. Her leg struck a pew and she collapsed into it.

The princess was safe.

By the Goddesses, she was safe.

Even her head felt heavy. She needed to hold her forehead with her hands. She was crying. What was going on? She hadn't cried since she took her first life as a Needle all those years ago. But, there was nothing she could do to stop it.

The Princess was safe, and Impa had never felt such relief.

"Impa?" Zelda said again. "What's happening?"

"You almost died, girl," Rauru said. "Helmin, give her the rest of the potion. Drink that. All of it."

Impa wiped her eyes dry in time to see Zelda scowl as she drank the brew.

"Thank you," the princess said, struggling to put some strength in her voice.

"All up," Rauru said. "Yes there you go. Should put some strength into your limbs again."

"Can you help me out of this basket? It is not dignified."

The two priests lifted the girl out of the laundry basket. If anything that process looked even less dignified than laying among the clothes, with both of them gasping and grunting and Zelda nearly tumbling out of their fingers twice. But after much huffing they placed the girl on her feet.

Zelda tried to raise her chin with that haughty look nobles thought made them seem impressive, but she only held the position for a second before her legs started wobbling. Impa reached out and gently pulled Zelda to sit down beside her, for once the princess did not protest.

"Now, Princess," Rauru said, as he rubbed a bit of sweat from around his bald head and bearded neck. "I just touched the mind of a powerful creature. Were she not far away, I doubt I would have been able to free you from her grasp. You will explain to me, exactly, what happened."

"I can't," Zelda said, the girl nestled beside Impa, resting her head on Impa's side. It was such a simple little motion of comfort, but Impa needed to clench her jaw to keep herself from crying again. She was safe, but she had not learned anything.

"Zelda," the priest said. "I can't help you, if you don't tell me what's going on."

"I said, I can't," Zelda's voice was barely a whimper. "Please understand, I have to-"

"That is enough," Impa said. Both of them snapped their attention directly to her. Zelda's eyes were wide. "You cannot keep acting as you are. I cannot protect you from threats that I know nothing about. Rauru cannot teach you if you do not inform him of your designs."

"But it's for your own-"

Impa shifted her weight on the pew, not enough to separate them completely, but just a little distance. Just enough for Zelda to know she was serious. "Princess, you have this option, either you tell Rauru what you have been doing, sparing no details, or you tell his Royal Majesty."

Zelda's jaw set, exactly like her father did when she told him she could not investigate Ganondorf and watch over Zelda at the same time. Royalty does not like having restrictions on their options. "I will do no such thing."

"Then let me make this easy for you. You do one of those things, or I am leaving."

"What?"

"I have cherished our time together. But I will not sit by and watch you endanger yourself so recklessly."

Zelda pulled back, so far no part of them touched at all. Her eyes locked on Impa's face, the girl was smart, searching for some sign that Impa was lying or exaggerating for effect. Impa kept her eyes narrowed and keen, and her features stern.

"Which will it be?"

The princess looked as if she were on the verge of tears. No, do not give in. This is for her own good.

"Princess," Rauru said. "You can trust us."

Zelda's eyes fell. "I- I hardly know where to start."

But she found her words. Starting with meeting a boy and his fairy and discovering the prophecies of a goddess. When she reached that part, she looked at Rauru, as if the princess was worried that the man would be furious at her. But Rauru simply listened, never interrupting, urging her with a nod or a word to continue.

As Zelda continued to speak, Impa held onto the girl right. Letting her know that here, she would always be safe at her side.