POV Link
After reluctantly leaving Zelda alone at the chalet, I head to the village inn to try and get some sleep, which quickly proves impossible. Every time I fall asleep, I soon find myself in a nightmare that transports me back to the battle against Ganon, only to — contrary to what actually happened — be subdued by him and have to watch him kill Zelda and finish destroying what remained of Hyrule.
Waking up for the third time in less than two hours, I give up and decide to go for a walk. I head to the forest located just before the village entrance. Two days ago, it was still infested with Ganon's monsters. Today, however, it's peaceful, with only the sounds of nature around me. Strangely, instead of feeling peace with the new situation, I feel only… emptiness.
I sit on the ground and lean against the trunk of a tree. Still tired from the previous days, I stare at the forest in front of me without being able to focus on anything. Slowly, some memories, once lost, begin to flood my mind. This has been happening more and more frequently, and I feel like I am recovering much of what I had forgotten. And, the more I remember, the more the lightness I felt upon waking in the resurrection chamber fades. All the weight of who I used to be seeps slowly into my flesh, my bones, my spirit.
There was never a moment in my life where there was uncertainty about what my next step would be. My destiny had been written before I was even born. My father was part of the royal guard, and as soon as I could walk, he took me to at least watch the royal army's training. As soon as I had the strength to hold the wooden practice swords, my own training began.
And I exceeded all expectations from day one. Even as a child, I battled adult soldiers and won almost every time. My ability to predict their attacks and exploit their openings made me quickly rise through the infantry ranks.
Then, one ordinary day, out of sheer curiosity, King Rhoam Bosphoramus Hyrule ordered that I be taken to the Lost Woods, where the Master Sword was kept. Just to see if I, by any chance, could awaken it. It is common knowledge that the Master Sword chooses its wielder, not the other way around. And if I wasn't deemed worthy by it, I could have died in the process of pulling it from its pedestal in front of its guardian, the great Deku Tree.
But fate decreed that I was the hero of the prophecy, and so I managed to take possession of the sword. From then on, the training intensified even more. And the more was expected of me, the more I withdrew. The less I spoke. The more I honed my skills. The less I interacted with the people around me. And, somewhere along the way, I became known as the Silent Soldier.
At no time did I question what was required of me. I only knew that I was fulfilling my destiny and, consequently, my duty.
Eventually, I was appointed Princess Zelda's bodyguard. From that moment on, I dedicated every second of my existence to ensuring her safety and well-being. At first, she opposed the idea. She ran away many times without telling anyone, just so I wouldn't be following her. But, gradually, she accepted my constant — albeit silent — presence. More than that, over time she began to open up to me — and to try to get me to open up to her. She told me about her fears, her insecurities, her plans, and her expectations.
I never allowed myself any indulgence. No desire, no dream beyond what was imposed on me. The expectations placed on me were so intense that I didn't allow myself to speak more than necessary. So, when she insisted on knowing why I was so quiet, I explained my reasons succinctly and quickly redirected the conversation back to her.
I never allowed myself any indulgence. But on those afternoons when we walked alone through the fields of Hyrule, sometimes, instead of focusing on my training while she read under some tree, I allowed myself to stop for a few minutes just to listen to her talk. About anything: the latest book she read, some epiphany about the ancient Sheikah technologies being discovered, some crazy curiosity about plants or frogs she had read in an encyclopedia.
I never allowed myself any indulgence. But, sometimes, when I noticed she was distracted, I granted myself a few seconds to observe how her hair shone like gold in the sunlight, or how her green eyes seemed to contain thousands of forests, kingdoms, and stories.
I never questioned the purpose of my mission or the prophecy imposed upon us. And, even though the kingdom's atmosphere was one of anxiety and tension, on those summer days, amid the flowers and grass, the only thing I felt was peace.
Frustrated, I wonder where that peace is now that the destiny has finally been fulfilled. There are no more threats. There are no more obligations. There are no expectations of an entire reign upon me. So why, for the first time in my life, do I feel nothing but a restlessness that starts in my guts and rises up my throat, choking me? Where does this feeling that I need to run, after I don't even know what, come from?
Unable to identify where this feeling was coming from, I try to distract myself, focusing on the next objective: taking Zelda to Kakariko Village to inform Impa, the old leader of the Sheikah — and Purah's younger sister —, that the Calamity has finally been defeated. I don't doubt she's already aware, given her keen sensitivity to the energies around her.
To fill the hours until it is acceptable to fetch Zelda and depart, I decide to pick some apples for our breakfast. I also climb a few trees to look for eggs and finally gather some mushrooms. On my way back, I stop by the village grocery store — which, surprisingly, is always open — and buy some milk.
Arriving at the cottage, I head to the campfire outside, where there is a pot. I quickly light the fire using two stones and start preparing the meal as the day breaks. Using the eggs and mushrooms, I make an omelet. The apples, I place near the fire to roast. I do the same with the bottle of milk, to warm it a bit.
A few minutes later, I hear the door opening and Zelda comes out. At first, she doesn't notice I'm sitting near the house. Silently, I watch as she breathes, her eyes closed as if preparing for another long day. On her face, always so expressive, I see only resignation, as if there wasn't a single gram of hope left in her. I wonder why, considering that just yesterday we obliterated the threat that had loomed over us for more than a hundred years.
She opens her eyes and turns her head in my direction. Maybe she had already noticed I was here, for she shows no surprise. She shows nothing, in fact.
"Good morning," she says, looking at the pot in front of me. "I didn't know you could cook."
I nod silently.
"Good morning. Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, thank you," she replies. She stares at me for a moment, seeming to expect something. After a few seconds, she appears to give up whatever it was and sits down across from me to share the meal.
No more words are exchanged. We finish eating what I had prepared, saddle our horses, and head towards Kakariko. We travel in silence throughout the few hours' journey. Upon reaching our destination, I notice that Zelda is emotional, probably because it's still intact.
Kakariko is a village built in a place surrounded by mountains and waterfalls. Impa's house is in the lowest part of the village, but it's built on an elevated platform and accessible by a long staircase. We slow our horses after passing the main entrance and head directly to her house. The guards usually stationed at the base of the stairs greet us with curiosity.
"Good morning, Link!" says Dorian, one of Impa's personal guards. "And miss, what is your name?"
I watch with amusement at his reaction and that of Cado, his watch partner, as Zelda introduces herself. Both are confused by the introduction.
"Zelda as in THE Princess Zelda? From a hundred years ago?" exclaims Cado.
Zelda nods timidly.
"Are you a direct descendant of her? I didn't even know she had children, let alone that they survived the Calamity and…" but he stops when he sees Dorian's expression.
"I imagine you've come to visit Impa, correct?" intervenes Dorian. "You can go up, she's at home."
I notice that Zelda felt uncomfortable with the interaction but tries not to show it. I dismount from Epona and help her down from her mount. Then, we climb the stairs, and I knock on Impa's door. We wait for her permission before opening it.
"Well, Link, the energy is different this morning," Impa notes, her back to us. "I presume the Calamity has finally been controlled… and I believe you're not alone today," she adds, turning with a smile on her lips and tears in her eyes as she looked at Zelda, just behind me.
"Impa!" Zelda exclaims, bumping into me as she runs towards the old woman and pulls her into a hug.
"Oh, dear! You're alright!" says Impa, her voice choked. She then holds Zelda's face, who was kneeling to be at the same height as her. "And still so young… thank you for saving us, Zelda. And you too, Link," she says, looking at me. "Thank you for your effort and dedication… Everything is under control now, thanks to you both."
I bow my head, accepting her gratitude. Not that it was necessary: I merely fulfilled the destiny imposed on me.
I notice Impa observing me cautiously for a few seconds, and I can't understand what she's seeing. At this moment, the door behind me opens, and Impa's granddaughter enters distractedly, carrying a basket with some groceries.
"Hi, Grandma, Dorian said we have visitors… Oh, hello, Link," she greets me, withdrawing into her usual shyness upon seeing me. I see Zelda watching the interaction with a frown.
"Yes, Paya, come here, come here. Let me introduce you to Princess Zelda."
Paya is stunned.
"Zelda? As in THE Princess Zelda?"
"Yes, yes," dismisses Impa. "Zelda, this is my granddaughter, Paya."
Zelda smiles cautiously at the girl.
"Hi, Paya, nice to meet you!"
"The pleasure is all mine, Princess… I've heard so much about you! Grandma is always telling stories from before the Calamity… It's surreal to finally meet you," says Paya, shyly.
"Oh, really?" Zelda responds, amused. "I hope she spoke well of me."
"Why don't you tell Zelda the stories yourself, Paya? And show her around the village. Although it looks the same, many things have changed over the years… And the people need to know the princess has returned. I would go with you, but my old legs can't handle climbing up and down these stairs."
"Of course, Grandma. Shall we, Zelda?" Paya responds obediently. Zelda seems confused by Impa sending her off so quickly but doesn't argue.
"Link, can you stay a bit longer? Dorian and Cado can keep an eye on them, and I don't believe we'll have any problems now that the Calamity is controlled," Impa asks as I make to follow Zelda and Paya. I agree, and we wait for the girls, as confused as I am, to leave.
Once the door closes behind us, Impa moves to the cushions where she usually sits and settles down before continuing.
"Come here, Link. Sit close," Impa orders.
Obediently, I approach her. She waits until I sit before proceeding, looking directly into my eyes.
"Well, well… what's going on?" she asks, concerned. "Since you woke up from the resurrection chamber, despite the burden of having to save Hyrule, you seemed lighter and happier than the Link I knew 100 years ago. However, today it seems I see you again as reserved and distant."
I remain silent, unsure of what to say. Impa watches me for a few moments before continuing.
"Tell me, Link… What are your plans now that the Calamity has been controlled?"
I hesitate for a few moments before answering.
"My duty is still to protect the princess."
Impa nods subtly.
"I understand. All of us who knew you 100 years ago are witnesses to how devoted you are to your duty. But something you have to consider, Link… is that the mission imposed on you — by the kingdom and the Master Sword — has been fulfilled. With her powers awakened, Zelda is now more powerful than any other living hylian — even though she can't control them properly yet."
As I listen to Impa, I slowly feel increasingly unnecessary.
"Don't get me wrong, Link. There isn't a Hylian today who isn't grateful for your role in controlling the Calamity. You were a crucial part of resolving everything and allowing Zelda to seal Ganon yesterday. Even if you see all this as nothing more than your duty, we all witnessed the sacrifices you made to be able to fulfill this destiny. However… I, Purah, everyone who lived in that period and survived, we have experienced much more life than you and Zelda. Even though, in theory, we have only a few years of difference, you spent a century in a coma. Zelda spent the same period in a trance, trying to contain Ganon. In practice, you are barely adults. Zelda is still just over 18 years old, and you, 19. I risk sounding like an old arrogant woman, but you are still children. Children who grew up with very high expectations placed upon you. And now that the risk is contained, I ask you again… what are your plans now?"
Different emotions begin to infiltrate the barriers I raised so many years ago. Suddenly, I feel exhausted from trying to keep them up. And before I can stop it, my eyes fill with tears as decades of anguish, fear, and renunciations finally take their toll and crush me. Before I realize it, Impa approaches. Then I hug her, burying my face in her shoulder and sobbing like a child, unable to restrain myself.
She lets me cry in her arms for a long time until my tears dry. I straighten up and look at her, still not knowing what to say.
"Upon you fell the title of Hero of Hyrule. But, besides that, I ask you… who are you?" she asks seriously.
"I don't know," I say simply.
"I think it's time to find out then," she concludes with a half-smile.
