Twisting and turning was all she felt she could do. At first, something was holding her, as if trying to resist her, trying to escape her. It was hot, almost searing. Drops of sweat fell from her head until finally, she was free. She had a moment to relax, at least that's what she believed. Suddenly, she felt constricted. Her windpipe was blocked as her neck was crushing in on itself. It was standing over her, the one keeping her from taking a breath, before she was thrown. Coughing, trying to clear herself, she got to her knees, but again, she was pushed. Her back was against something, and now the searing heat had returned, but this time only in her stomach.
All this pain, all this suffering: she needed him. She looked around, but he wasn't there. He was so far and constantly growing further. She didn't want him to go, she was trying so hard to help him. Held... she wanted to be held, to be rid of the heat searing all over her body. The wrappings had returned and now her body was boiling. She continued to twist and turn, reaching out for him. She desperately wanted to wrap her arms around him.
Her arms outstretched, fighting back against the heat around her, until finally, she gripped something. It was soft and fluffy, definitely not the dense, lean muscles of the one that usually slept next to her. Wincing at the morning sun, Zelda opened her eyes with a start to find herself in the bed Impa had offered her the night before. Having to keep one eye closed to bear the light, she looked at her hand, which was firmly gripping the pillow her head was resting on.
With a groan, she pushed herself up, rubbing her eyes in order to force them to adjust to the light. After a yawn, she looked down at the sheets that covered her body, finding them tangled around her. Furrowing her brow, she pushed her now wild hair out of her face. Had she really become that messy of a sleeper?
Closing her eyes, she tried to remember the dream she was having before she awoke. She vaguely recalled bits and pieces, but it was already fading. It was strange to her; it had been some time since she had a nightmare like that. Suddenly, she looked back down at the hand she found gripping her pillow, something it was still doing. It was then that it dawned on her.
Is it because Link isn't here? she wondered to herself.
Despite the disagreements they had, Link had been by her side for months straight, especially at night. Even if he wasn't in the bed where he usually was with her, he was at least somewhere in the house. This was the first time they had been separated like this since Maz Koshia's trials. It was uncomfortable—even worrying— to be without him.
After a moment of thought, she shook her head, causing the messy golden strands to flail around. She had to get used to this. They would be separated for the next month, something both of them chose was for the best as of now. It's not like they could be attached at the hip forever. It was healthy to have some time apart and put their minds to other things. She had a mission: to set up a festival to celebrate the champions and help Link process his grief, along with bringing the races of Hyrule together again. That was her goal, the thing she would focus on, and she would succeed.
She took a breath, one deep enough to clear her mind for a moment before looking over at the other bed across the room. There, sleeping just as messy as she had been, was Celessa, tied up in blankets with her usually tied-up hair sprawled across the pillow. The only difference was she looked to be enjoying her dream, whatever it was.
After pausing to look at her friend, Zelda slowly brought her legs to the side of the bed and stood. Quietly, she slipped her boots on and sneakily headed down the stairs, where two voices began to grow louder with each step down she took. They sounded hushed, as if trying not to wake those sleeping above, but eventually, their words were able to be made out.
"—can't leave you! Wha... What about our responsibilities? Pra... Pra... Praying to the statue, and the housework, and shopping?"
"I've told you countless times this morning alone that all will be well with you gone," Impa's voice said. At this, Zelda stopped in her tracks halfway down the stairs. "I'm not such a helpless, frail old lady. I don't need my own granddaughter in order to get housework done. I run a village, my dear."
"Y—y—yes, I understand that, Grandmother," Paya stammered out, "but, it's also because you're the elder that I should stay here. You don't have the time, nor should you have to do any of my tasks—"
"—and if I need to have one of those tasks done, I'll simply ask another to handle it," Impa said. "You're not the only one that helps me get things done. I have Dorian and Cado; especially Cado. You know that man is always looking for ways to keep busy after Rola left him, that is, when he isn't preoccupied with Cuccos. I'm sure he'd even leave the village with me if I requested it of him."
"You... You... You leave the village?" Paya repeated. "Now isn't the time for jokes, Grandmother!"
Impa sighed.
"My dear, Paya. I don't wish for you to confine yourself in this small town," she said sternly. "There is an entire kingdom out there for you to see and learn from, more than I could ever tell or teach you."
"Yes, you can! I... I don't need to—"
She paused, supposedly stopped by something. Before Zelda could wonder what it could have been, Impa's voice called out to her.
"You can come down, Princess."
Zelda slightly jolted at the call of her title. Quickly recovering, she finished her trek down the staircase to find the little elder looking at her with a kind smile from her pillows, along with her granddaughter, who was now giving her a shaky bow.
"Goo... Goo... Good morning, Princess," she said. "I... I... I'm sorry I didn't notice you. We... We were just... Um..."
"How did you sleep, dear?" Impa asked, saving Paya from the beginnings of her fumbled explanation.
"W-well, I suppose," Zelda answered. "Is everything alright?"
"Everything is well. My granddaughter and I were just discussing the arrangements we made yesterday," Impa said, to which Paya nervously looked down at her feet. "Is your friend up as well?"
"No, she's still fast asleep. She seems to be having the best sleep of her life at the moment," Zelda said. "I'd honestly say I'm quite envious of her."
"If that's the case, why don't you get some fresh air?" Impa requested. "It seems Paya and I still have some things to sort out. Do well not to get into any trouble, alright?"
"I'm not... always in trouble," Zelda mumbled, causing Impa to chuckle.
"I'm sure your friend will be awake in due time, so return soon," Impa said.
With a nod, Zelda strolled toward the entrance of the large home. Pulling one of the doors open, she stepped out into the cold morning air, though right before the door could click to a close, she heard both Impa and Paya's voices begin to discuss again. Concerned, Zelda looked back at the now-closed doors behind her, unable to help wondering if bringing Paya along was really a good idea. Would she slow them down? It wasn't a thought she liked thinking about, but if the young Sheikah— who was usually so soft spoken— was that unwilling to go, was it worth bringing her along?
Thoughtfully, the princess moved away from the door and looked out at the village hidden in the mountains. Taking the morning air into her lungs, she listened to the falling waters that fell behind the elder's raised home in front of the mountain walls. She looked out at the small straw-roofed houses, watching as the morning sunlight pierced through the gray winter clouds above. After a few moments, deciding best to stretch her legs and rid herself of the stresses of her lonely dreams, she headed down the large staircase, wanting to feel grass beneath her boots.
"Well, look who we have here," a rough voice called out to her the moment she stepped off the final step. "Princess Zelda. What an honor it is to see you again."
She looked up to see not one, but three Sheikah heading her way. One of them was a large burly man with shaggy sideburns that led to a mustache, while the other two were small girls, who had to excitedly jog next to him to keep up with his strides. Placing her hands together in front of her, she gave the man a slight bow.
"Good morning," she said. "Dorian, was it? I'm sorry if that's incorrect, it's been quite some time."
"That's it. I'm surprised you remember, given we've only met a few times in the brief visits you've visited before," Dorian said, coming to a stop before her. "I'm sure you'd have an easier time remembering my daughters—"
"Princess Zelda!" the two girls cheered, with each choosing to wrap themselves around one of her legs. "Where's Link? Where's Link?"
"Koko! Cottla!" Dorian cried. "Release her! That's no way to treat someone of such status!"
"It's fine, really," Zelda giggled.
These two she remembered clearly. In fact, she could remember the first time she met the girls, and that was when she first arrived in Kakariko Village after sealing the Calamity. It was when they asked if she was an old lady, one just as old as her century-old knight. At this, Zelda smiled, remembering the event as if it were yesterday, riding on Epona's saddle between Link's lap as they trotted into the mountainous village. It was one she couldn't help but adore; their period of happiness having been reunited after so long.
"Princess, stop ignoring, Koko!" the older sister said, snapping Zelda from her brief memory. "Where's Link?"
"Koko! Mind your manners!"
"I'm... here without him this time, unfortunately," Zelda answered, looking down at the girls. "I'm sorry."
"Awww..." the girls whined, to which Dorian sighed.
"I'm sorry about these two, Princess. If you don't mind..."
Bending down, he took the girls into each of his arms, pulling them from Zelda's thighs before straightening up. Clearing his throat, he continued.
"If you don't mind my asking, where is Master Link?" he asked. "It's quite surprising to see he isn't with you."
"He's off... doing a trial, one being given to him by the Master Sword itself," Zelda explained. "We decided best to go our separate ways for the time being."
"I see..." Dorian said thoughtfully. Suddenly, he placed his daughters back down on the ground. "Koko, Cottla, why don't you two head off for now? I'm sure the princess is busy, and I'll soon be as well with work."
With giggling nods, the girls hurried off, with each going in different directions. Once they were out of earshot, the Sheikah turned back to Zelda.
"Has Master Link... informed you about the... Yiga?" Dorian asked quietly. Zelda's brow furrowed slightly before remembering the last trip she and Link took together: it was Dorian who informed Link of the Yiga's presence.
"He's been dealt with, at least for now," Zelda answered.
"And how is Master Link?" Dorian asked. "He seemed different last time he came, as if the trials he took before were straining him. Is he alright?"
"He's better... and getting better," Zelda said. "But, if he arrives here in Kakariko sometime without me, I'd appreciate it if you would check on him just in case. To be completely honest, the Yiga—and a... few others— did a number on his mental state. He's a lot better, but... just in case."
"Just in case, hm? I sure will, Princess," Dorian answered. "Master Link is a dear friend of mine. I'd make sure he was alright even without the request."
"I appreciate it," Zelda said with a kind smile.
"Well, I best be heading off. I have duties to attend to," Dorian said, returning Zelda's smile with a nod. "If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask, and please enjoy our quiet village."
"I will, thank you," Zelda said with another small bow.
With that, Dorian headed up the staircase behind them. Wishing to take Dorian's advice, Zelda looked around at the village, wondering how to go about enjoying the village's beauty while waiting for Celessa to wake, before something caught her eye. It was the eldest of Dorian's daughters who had just run off, who seemed to be carefully looking over her shoulder before heading off through a natural pathway between the mountains and away from the village's paths.
Where does that lead? Zelda asked herself. Is she supposed to leave the village on her own like that? That can't be safe...
After looking back at the staircase Dorian had gone up, she turned and headed to the mountain pass she saw the child disappear through. Following after Koko, Zelda began walking through the pass herself. It was narrow, with the mountain walls scaling so high the tops couldn't be seen. Decorating these walls were the same wooden pillars, rope, and painted wooden slabs dangling from them. Eventually, Zelda found herself walking under what looked to be a large wooden entryway, similar to the ones stationed at each of the village's entrances. Intrigued, she continued forward before finally reaching the end.
It was a small clearing, one that was right next to the mountain's rocky cliffside. She couldn't help but be reminded of a similar cliffside, the one that sat right next to her and Link's house, though this one was much smaller and safer thanks to the fence that had been put around its edge. There wasn't much in the clearing itself, only a large tree near one side the clearing, and on the other end was a collection of large stones, all sticking out of the ground. This though, was where Zelda found the little girl, who was simply staring at the stones with... tears in her eyes?
"Koko?" she called out, making the little girl jolt in surprise.
"Who's there?" Koko asked, now sniffling and trying to rub her eyes clean from the tears that had built up. "Who followed Koko?"
"It's Zelda," Zelda said softly, stepping closer to the little Sheikah girl. "I hope I didn't scare you."
"Princess Zelda? You followed Koko?" the girl asked. Feeling as though the tears had been mostly wiped away, she moved her hands and looked up to meet Zelda's eyes.
"I did," Zelda answered as she knelt down. "Koko... what are you doing out here? It can't be safe coming here alone. We're outside the village, aren't we?"
"Koko isn't out of the village," the girl said. "Koko comes here every morning after Father does."
"After Dorian?" Zelda asked, to which the girl nodded. Furrowing her brow in curiosity, she continued. "Alright then, well... Why are you crying?"
"Koko isn't crying," Koko sniffled out. "Koko... needs to be strong for Mother."
"For mother?" Zelda repeated. Koko nodded before looking over at the multiple stone heads sticking out of the ground in front of them. Suddenly, Zelda's heart sank. "Koko, is... Is this...?"
"This is where Mother is resting," Koko answered. "She's making friends up above now, at least, that's what I think. Father isn't very good at lying. He doesn't know that Koko knows, and Cottla doesn't realize it yet. She thinks Mother is playing a game and tries to find her every morning."
"Koko..." Zelda said sadly. "I'm sorry. It's no wonder you were crying—"
"Koko wasn't crying," the girl stated again. "Koko has to be strong, for Cottla and Father. I want to be like Mother, to bring a smile to them and cook them good recipes. I can't cry..."
Koko sniffled again, still trying to hold in the tears she denied having. Zelda sat quietly. This was familiar. Very familiar.
"I lost my mother too," she said suddenly. Koko looked away from the stone heads and back at Zelda.
"You did?" she asked. Zelda nodded.
"I was young when it happened, just like you," she told the little girl. "I'm not sure how she died, my father never told me. When she did pass, I didn't cry either. I needed to be strong... but being strong by yourself is a little lonely, isn't it?"
Reluctantly, Koko nodded.
"How did you make it not lonely?" the girl asked.
"Well... I had a few friends," Zelda answered. "There was my mother's friend, Urbosa. She was an amazing person I could speak to, even if she wasn't around a lot. And then... there was Link. He visited me once as a child, something that still amazes me he didn't get in trouble for, and then years later, we met up again. He was... someone I could speak openly with. It was nice, being able to open up."
"Link helped Koko too!" Koko suddenly said excitedly. Zelda giggled.
"Did he now?" she asked. "And how did he do that?"
"He helps Koko with cooking, so Koko can cook just like Mother!" she said. "Like finding her old recipes!"
"Oh, you're learning from the best then," Zelda said with a smile. "He's one of the best cooks I've ever met. Better than even those in the castle back then."
"Really? Wow!" Koko said in amazement. "Koko wants to make her own recipes now, that's why Koko wanted Link to be here. He found me here too before."
"He did?" Zelda asked. Koko nodded.
"He asked me about Mother, and I told him. He said he couldn't remember much about his mother, but that he'd help Koko cook," she said. "Koko then made him promise not to tell Father or Cottla that Koko was here. You have to promise Koko that too! Promise Koko you won't tell Cottla and Father!"
"I won't, I promise," Zelda said kindly. "Shall I sit here with you for a bit? I wouldn't mind."
"That's okay. Koko feels much better now!" the little girl said. "It's time for Koko to cook breakfast for Cottla. Mother is watching over Koko, so Koko needs to go make her proud!"
"I see. Then you best hurry before she gets too hungry," Zelda encouraged.
With a nod, Koko began to hurry off, but to Zelda's surprise, she quickly turned and headed back. Before she could wonder what she needed, the little Sheikah's arms flew around the princess's torso for a moment before she released them and hurried back through the pass and toward the village again. Smiling, Zelda pushed herself up and watched as Koko disappeared from sight. After a moment, she glanced back at the group of stone heads next to her.
Her mother is watching over her, she thought to herself. Just as Urbosa and the rest are watching over me...
With a deep breath, she pulled her gaze away from the stones and looked out at the view past the cliffside. From there, much of Hyrule's central fields could be seen, along with the other mountain ranges in the distance. What took center stage in the view though, was the large, old castle she used to call home. Even with the cloudy skies, rays of morning light shone over the castle's towers, making even its overgrown and dirty walls almost illuminate against the vibrant grasslands that surrounded it.
You must be watching over me too... right, Mother?
...
"Princess! Hey!" Celessa called out from the bottom of the staircase that led to the elder's home. She waved as she noticed Zelda from afar, appearing from out of the mountain pass. Excitedly, the pilgrim jogged over to greet her and began speaking the moment she arrived at her front. "Good morning! I should have known you'd wake up earlier than me, knowing your work ethic and all."
"Good morning to you too, Celessa," Zelda said, giving her a kind smile. "I'm just used to getting up early from my time at the inn is all. Besides, I didn't beat you awake by much."
"You still beat me though," Celessa said cheerfully. Before Zelda could respond, she noticed her friend raise an eyebrow. "You seem a tad bit more relaxed than you were last night."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Zelda asked."
"It means you're a tad bit more relaxed," Celessa repeated with a giggle. "Come on, last night you would've stayed up until morning wondering where to go next. I had to convince you to go to sleep. Did something happen while I was sleeping?"
"Not really," Zelda said as the two began walking back to the tall staircase. "I just had a moment to myself to think about some things is all. I'd say I needed it after the night I had. I'm surprised you can say I look relaxed, honestly."
"I only said a tad," Celessa corrected. "Were you not able to sleep well?"
"You could say that," Zelda said. "I guess I'm not used to Link not being around."
"Well, you two were strapped to each other's hip," Celessa said. "I'd be more surprised if you were immediately used to being away from him, especially given how long he'll be gone for."
"It'll be a bit challenging," Zelda said, "but I just need to focus on my tasks. I have a lot on my plate now, having to convince all of the regions to consider reconstruction along with the festival. If I focus on those, I'll get through it."
At the sound of this, Celessa frowned.
"Come on, Princess, you can't focus entirely on your tasks," Celessa said. "You'll only stress yourself out more if you do. We have a month to figure everything out, so it wouldn't hurt to take a few breaths in between."
"Celessa, we only have a month," Zelda said as they stopped in front of the staircase. "That's not a lot of time to get all of this done—"
"It technically doesn't have to get done in a month, that's just the goal," Celessa debated. "It's alright if it takes a little longer."
"But what if it's not?" Zelda asked. "We both know there's a reason the Master Sword is testing Link, the same reason the monks tested him, and we don't know what that is. I can't have another event similar to the Calamity on our hands."
"Yes, but," Celessa continued to argue, "we don't know for sure, and stressing ourselves to the brink won't make this any easier. Princess, you've told me stories about how you felt in the years leading up to the Calamity, it's why you wanted Link to rest in the first place."
"But Link was wearing himself to the bone, over a Yiga no less—"
"—and you're about to do the same thing because you feel guilty," Celessa cut in, "along with feeling lonely because he isn't here. We don't know what's ahead, and I get it might be more than some Yiga, but being anxious will only make it worse, especially with what little we have to go on."
"Easier said than done," Zelda frowned, but unable to come up with an argument, she stubbornly averted her eyes with nothing more to say. Celessa giggled at this.
"You and Link are so similar," she laughed. "I'm not saying don't take it seriously. I do recognize getting lost in your work is just a you thing most of the time, but just relax a bit more. Have some fun with this trip! We're going to the beach! When's the last time you did that?"
"I can't even remember the last time I saw the ocean," Zelda admitted.
"See?" Celessa said, playfully drawing out the word. "It'll be fun!"
"You're giving me this advice, but honestly speaking, I think Paya could use it a bit more," Zelda said as she looked up the staircase and at the house, attempting to veer the conversation away from her. "It really doesn't look like she wants to go. Were they still discussing the matter when you woke up?"
"They sure were," Celessa said, now looking up at the large house herself. "I don't think I've ever heard Lady Paya speak so much, even if she was stuttering between her words."
"She claims it's because she doesn't want to leave the work to her grandmother," Zelda said, "but in reality, I'm sure she's just scared. It doesn't sound like she's ever left the village before. It must be a terrifying thought from her perspective."
"Yes, but this may be good for her," Celessa said. "A trip like this could help her be a little more... outspoken. I just wish there was something we could say that would put her at ease."
"I wonder..." Zelda thought out loud. "Even so, I don't want to spend too much time here. I'd really like to get going sooner rather than later. We need to have a look at Lurelin and see if a festival would be realistic there..."
Thoughtfully, Zelda continued to look up at the building, but Celessa tore her gaze away from it in order to give her princess a frown. After a few moments, she grinned and snatched one of Zelda's hands into her own, prompting the princess to give her a look of surprise.
"Celessa?" she asked as her friend began to pull her away. "What are we doing?"
"We are going to explore the town of Kakariko," she said cheerfully. "You haven't been here much, right? Well, while we wait for Lady Impa and Paya, we are gonna do some sightseeing. Even a small town like this has views to offer."