A few days had passed since Zelda fell ill with a cold. During her absence, the inn remained fairly in check as Prima resumed her duties as usual. Though Celessa and Teli kept her busy and entertained, working alone for even this slightly extended period felt a bit strange to the clerk now. She had gotten so used to teasing and prodding her employee for relationship information that everything now felt a little dull. It wasn't until early one morning as she was preparing the front counter for the day did this cross her mind.
"I wonder when she'll be back…" she hummed to herself as she finished writing in her check-in book. As if the Goddess herself was listening to her thoughts, the front doors to the inn suddenly opened. "Welcome to the Ton Pu Inn, where– Well, look who it is!"
"Good morning, Prima," Zelda said as she closed the door behind her. "Sorry I've been gone for the last few days. I didn't think I'd be sick for so long."
"Rather have you sick at home than here at the inn," Prima replied as she watched her employee make her way to the front desk. "How are you feeling now, though? Are you sure you don't need a bit more time?"
"I'm a bit stuffy still, but I'll manage," Zelda said with a smile. "I'm sure it's tiring doing all the work yourself."
"I would have been fine, but if you're sure," Prima said.
"I'll be fine, I promise," Zelda insisted. "I'm determined to have a good day today. It gets so boring just lazing around in bed feeling poor."
"Well, I'm glad that's what you want, but—"
"Is that the princess's voice I hear?" a voice suddenly called out, cutting Prima off. The two looked over at the dining hall doors, where Celessa was peaking her head out with a large grin at the sight of her idol. "It is!"
"Good morning, Celessa," Zelda giggled as she watched the familiar traveler hurry into the room. When she stopped in front of her, Zelda gave a small bow. "Thank you for looking after me the day I got sick. You really made things easier on Link and I."
"Of course!" Celessa said, giving her a light hug. "I would've come again, but I figured you'd want a little peace. Also… I can't help but feel like Link is the intimidating type if someone tried to bother you while down."
"I've learned that he has… many different sides to him. I would like to believe you would have been fine though," Zelda said awkwardly. "But, I appreciate the thought. It's good to see you, and as I've told Prima, I expect to have a wonderful first day back."
"And as I started to say a moment ago, I wish you the best of luck with that," Prima said. Confused, Zelda looked at her.
"What makes you say that?" she asked.
Without a word, Prima simply walked from behind the counter and waved for her to follow. Obeying her command, along with Celessa who was purely interested, the three walked over to the dining hall doorway, where they peeked their heads through. Zelda groaned once her eyes landed on what her boss was trying to show her.
"Why are they here?" she whispered. "It isn't the weekend."
"Nowadays, they find it more relaxing to drink here in the mornings alone, when there isn't a chance for them to get pulled into the party," Prima explained quietly. "You can thank Link your lover for that one."
"I've heard of those two. They're the gossipers, right?" Celessa asked. Both Zelda and Prima nodded.
"They are, and I'm their usual topic of discussion these days," Zelda sighed. "I'm surprised you haven't heard them mention my name at all."
"Oh, they speak fairly quietly now," Prima informed her. "In fact, they've been coming more often ever since you've been sick. I'm sure that was intentional."
"Then they'll be simply over joyed now that I've returned," Zelda said, retreating back into the lobby.
"You know, I can scold them," Prima said as she and Celessa followed her lead. "I simply haven't because you told me not to."
"I don't have them scolded so as not to ruin the inn's reputation," Zelda said. "If they give me a hard time again, then I'll handle it myself. I'm sure the people know me well enough at this point to understand."
"I can do it. I don't mind speaking up to protect the princess's name," Celessa said, yet both Prima and Zelda immediately said "no" together.
"They haven't given me a hard time since that first weekend," Zelda said. "It'll be fine. Is there anything else I need to be wary of?"
"That's about it," Prima said. "There's a new girl staying here for a few days. She actually just extended her trip as of last night. I think you'll like her."
"Oh yeah! You will!" Celessa said. "She's beautiful and really fun to be around. I've had a few drinks with her these last few days and she's a joy."
"Is she now? Well, I can't wait to meet her," Zelda giggled. "As of now though, I best start my usual duties. I might as well get the hard job out the way and start cleaning the dining hall first."
With a nod in agreement, the ladies split off, with Prima heading back to the front counter while Zelda went off to find the broom and Celessa returned to the dining hall tables. After finding the broom and a rag to wipe all the tables and counters off with, Zelda followed Celessa into the hall as well. It was just as she predicted; while the ladies took note of her entrance, their clear irritation remained completely silent. Completely accepting this, Zelda went about her duties as normal, pretending not to notice the rare glances they shot her way as they drank their morning wine. This was going to be a good day.
"Good morning, you!" she heard Celessa call out suddenly, who had chosen to sit on the opposite side of the hall from the two gossipers. "Have you come down for some breakfast?"
"Good morning to you, as well," a woman's voice suddenly said, " and absolutely. I think I could go for some rice balls— the mushroom ones. I've had a taste for mushrooms these past few days."
Zelda's ears twitched. That voice was familiar. She turned around to see who it belonged to before her eyes grew wide. Taking a seat next to Celessa was a beautiful woman, with one of her blue eyes covered by the parts in her purple hair.
"Jules?"
At the call of her name, the woman looked up and immediately locked eyes with the emerald ones looking at her. Though she seemed taken aback for a moment, a calm smile spread across her face.
"Good morning, Zelda," she responded. "It's good to see you again."
"L-likewise…" Zelda answered.
"Surprise," Celessa suddenly said with a smile of her own. "I heard you and Jules have met in the past, so I thought this would be a nice welcome back secret!"
"O-oh," Zelda replied awkwardly before finally giving a smile of her own before mumbling, "I… really wish you hadn't."
"I told you, Celessa, Zelda and I weren't really… friends," Jules explained as the employee thanked Hylia that neither of them heard her slip up. "I kinda messed that up back then. Which I'm still sorry for."
"No, no. It's fine, really," Zelda said, waving a free hand in the air as if she were brushing away the past. "It all worked itself out in the end, and you helped me cook for Link that one time so… all's forgiven."
"Speaking of which… Are you the one cooking breakfast?" Jules asked.
"I'm not, actually," Zelda answered, trying her best to ignore the underlying fear in the question. "Prima usually cooks."
She couldn't help but allow her annoyance to take over when she saw the slight relief in Jules eyes. An awkward silence filled the hall, with the mumbles of the two gossipers in the back being the only sound in the room. Celessa looked awkwardly between the employee and the new visitor, sensing something was off with the atmosphere. Unsure of what to do herself, Zelda continued on with her duties, choosing to wipe down their table before attempting to head off to the next one before Jules suddenly spoke up.
"I heard you were sick these past few days," she said suddenly, placing an elbow on the table and leaning her cheek into her palm. "Did the food Link made for you help out at all?"
Zelda spun on her heel. She glanced over at Celessa, who immediately shook her head, confirming it was not her who had spoken about her sick time, at least, not in such great detail. Catching on to the confusion, Jules clarified.
"I actually ran into Link the day he cooked for you," she said. "I found him in the general store buying truffles."
"I see… Well, they did help," Zelda replied. "Thank you for worrying about me."
Jules simply nodded. Though curiosity grew in her chest, Zelda turned in order to continue wiping down tables, yet Jules again spoke up.
"He also mentioned something else."
Again, Zelda paused and turned to face her.
"And what would that happen to be?" she asked carefully.
"Well, he seemed a bit tired, so I asked him if there was anything going on," Jules explained. Suddenly, her eyes became stern. "He said that he believed there to be a Yiga here in town, or at least, somewhere around."
Zelda couldn't honestly believe herself to be surprised. She stood in place, silently staring at her guest before clearing her throat.
"I'm sorry about that," she said. "You're right, he has been a little tired recently. I assure you that there isn't a Yiga present—"
"Actually, I was more so wondering why you keep downplaying his suspicions," Jules cut in.
At this, the gossipers in the back grew silent as they eavesdropped on the conversation. Shock filled Celessa's features at the sudden provocation. She wanted to say something, but the moment she noticed the resolution in Jules's sapphire eyes, no words would free themselves from her throat. What was more astonishing to her though, was the matching gaze Zelda was returning. This wasn't the bashful woman Celessa had met and gotten to know for the past few weeks.
"What did you tell him when he told you that?" Zelda asked in a low tone, moving back towards the table Jules and Celessa sat at.
"I told him that I believe him," Jules answered immediately.
"Why?" Zelda asked, raising her voice. "I've been doing my best these past months to rid him of that baseless fear!"
"Why do you insist that his concerns are baseless?" Jules asked, standing from her chair.
"Because that assassin hasn't been seen by anyone, Jules," Zelda explained. "Apparently only Link can see him, and even then, most of the time he insists it's the Yiga he sees, he ends up hurting innocent people! A Yiga has never entered towns like these—"
"I-if I may…" Celessa weakly spoke up. "What about the Yiga that appeared in Tarrey Town?"
"That was different," Zelda answered without looking at her. "They had the power of malice to boost their strength, along with a Yiga Blademaster to support them. One which Link defeated."
"That isn't the only time they've crossed into populated borders," Jules corrected sternly. "They snuck into Gerudo Town as well and stole the Thunder Helm from right under the chief's nose. They were able to get past the guards and that burly bodyguard that guards Chieftess Riju. That's not something that can easily be done."
"And was it just one of them?" Zelda asked. When Jules didn't answer, she continued. "This isn't a group of assassins. This is just a lone Yiga that Link has already beaten once before after tracking us down."
"If he's tracked you down before, then why are you so convinced he hasn't done it again?" Jules asked. "Shouldn't you be the least bit scared or cautious? Why are you acting so carefree—?"
"If you believe I'm acting nonchalantly about this, then you're wrong," Zelda said before Jules could finish. Celessa practically shrank. The emerald that challenged the sapphire had become frighteningly more intense. "All my life I've lived with threats looming over my head. The Calamity itself sat in the forefront of my mind for eleven years before it chose to prove the prophecies right. The idea of what would happen to my kingdom should I fail sat in my mind for so long, only for it to come to pass. And the Yiga…"
Zelda balled her hands into fists.
"I've been surrounded by them once before. I sat helpless on the ground as they peered over me with those blood-red eyes, taunting my weakness as they brandished their sickles, ready to take my life away. I sat in Tarrey Town, watching as they flaunted the power of the beast that took my father and my kingdom a hundred years ago. Worst of all, I watched as the same Yiga we speak about now, stabbed my lover through the chest while he was defenselessly taking a traumatic trial after I was choked and thrown away.
"Do not tell me that I'm acting carefree."
"If you know so well what danger these kinds of people are, then why do you insist on telling Link that they aren't here?" Jules asked, refusing to back down. "You said it yourself, right? They've tracked you down and have almost taken both of your lives. Why stop Link from finding him to take care of it?"
"Because he isn't well, Jules," Zelda replied. "He isn't himself right now."
"Because he's being cautious?" Jules asked.
"Because he's being paranoid," Zelda corrected before walking around the table to stand right in front of her. "You haven't been around. You haven't been here to see what I've seen. You haven't watched Link run towards his death four times over through divine beast trials only to then rush towards a battle with an ancient monk, one that he almost lost. You haven't watched him get stabbed, and then try to take a life out of anger. You haven't watched him drive off a cliff, or go nights without sleeping, or give a random traveler a head injury because he simply didn't know him. You haven't been here for any of that. I have. He needs to stop worrying and rest his mind and soul before he can even think about handling the same assassin that he almost murdered in cold blood. He can't touch a sword right now. He can't fight."
"That's how you're going about it?" Jules asked. "By making him think he's crazy? By keeping him from what makes him happy?"
"What do you know about what makes him happy?" Zelda asked.
"He enjoys fighting, Zelda," Jules said. "If you've traveled with him enough, then you should know this. He likes fighting monsters, making plans, and finding new creative ways to win. It's what calms his mind. He's used to being out there in the wild. He would talk about his adventures all the time when visiting the Noble Canteen. You're taking away what gives him clarity."
"I haven't seen that love of fighting since the first trial he took at Vah Naboris," Zelda said. "All I've seen in his eyes is pain and suffering since then."
"And you truly believe just sitting here and making him do nothing will make him better?" Jules asked. "What happens if the Yiga does make a move?"
"He won't," Zelda insisted. "Not alone, not after what Link did to him last time. If anything, I believe he's waiting for Link to go find him in order to prepare."
"And you don't think he'll do anything you won't expect before then?" Jules asked. "They're unpredictable, Zelda."
"I know what I'm doing, and I won't have someone who hasn't been through this before for the last one hundred years tell me I don't," Zelda said fiercely. "Even if the Yiga does attack, Link isn't in a state of mind where he would fight like himself. I'd even bet that he would lose. If he doesn't fall for his own mind tricks and gets better, then maybe he'll be able to deal with the Yiga the way he usually would if he does decide to be unpredictable."
"No matter what I say, you're going to keep to this plan of yours, aren't you?" Jules asked, narrowing her eyes. Zelda didn't budge.
"Do not instigate him, Jules," she said threateningly. "I've lived my whole life beating myself into the ground, working on a singular goal without giving myself a moment to breathe, only for it to blow in my face. I'm trying to save Link from doing that same thing."
"Last time I checked, I don't remember there being a princess in Hyrule. I heard she dropped her title for the time being," Jules replied coldly. Turning her back to Zelda, she walked towards the dining hall entrance, before pausing to look back. "I may not have been around for your adventure, but I was there to witness the Yiga attack the Gerudo palace in ways you couldn't imagine, unlike you. I think you're making a mistake."
With that, she disappeared out of the dining hall. Zelda stood in place before faintly hearing the front doors of the inn open and close. Her eyes refused to leave the doorframe Jules had walked out of as her body practically shook in anger.
"Zelda…?" Celessa called nervously.
"For once, I agree with that princess," Amira could be heard from across the dining hall. "She's right. That boy needs to be put on a leash with how he can get. Always watching and being a fool."
"I know right? Maybe she isn't as bad as we thought," Nikki agreed. "Maybe now he'll be normal and will stop being a poor influence on the children."
"If you have something poor to say about me, then, by all means, go ahead," Zelda suddenly shouted, immediately turning her furious gaze towards the ladies sitting in the corner. "But don't you dare say another word about Link. Have I made myself clear? If you have a problem with that, then I must ask you to leave. Now."
This took the gossipers aback. They sat in silence for a moment before standing and exiting the room, leaving their glasses on the table for Zelda to clean. After watching them disappear, Zelda took a seat in the chair Jules had left open. She placed her elbows on the table and ran her fingers through her hair as she began taking deep breaths.
"Zelda?" Celessa called again, looking worriedly at the employee. "Are you okay?'
"I'm doing my best, Celessa," Zelda said without looking up. "I'm trying to learn from all my mistakes in the past, and even my father's mistakes, as well. I'm trying."
"I know you are, and I'm sure Link does too," Celesa cooed, placing a hand on Zelda's back. "I know."
As Celessa continued to try calming Zelda down, Prima stood on the other side of the wall in the lobby, with her arms folded as she listened.
Is there really a right decision here? She thought to herself before peaking into the dining hall. It feels like this gets continuously more complicated… So much for Zelda's good day.