"Normal Text": Reactions
"Italic Text": Astra Stories
'Thoughts'
*I do not own The Legend of Zelda. All rights go to Nintendo*
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"Well I think it might be best if we break for lunch and shall reconvene just after dinner ." King Rhoam speaks up. "I need to do some work and Zelda needs to do her daily prayers."
Impa grimaced at the reminder but saw Zelda nod towards her father. Everyone starts filing out of the room. The four champions all walked their own separate ways after the King while the court poet who Impa did not much care for trailed behind them. Soon all that was left was Astra, herself, Link, and the Princess.
"Would you like to join us Sir Astra?" Zelda asked the Ancient Hero. "I'm sure you would enjoy to get out of the castle for a bit and see how castle town has changed since your last visit there."
"That sounds lovely actually." Astra nodded. "It would also give me a chance to get to know the three of you better. I spent some time with Link this morning but I feel it would be beneficial to our future partnerships if I knew you all as well." Impa nodded along with this agreeing that have the three spend time together would be helpful as it might make Zelda just a bit less hostile towards Link. Then the words Astra said truly registered in her mind.
"Wait all three of us?" Impa blurted out in confusion. "You wish to get to know me as well?" The way the three looked at her for her uncharacteristic outburst made her blush in embarrassment.
"Of course." Astra answered her firmly. "Like I've said before there is nearly always an Impa to help out the Hero, Princess, and me. Your just as integral to Hyrule's continued survival as we have been. While you're admittedly quite a bit younger than your usual counterparts I think that is quite a boon."
"Why is that a boon?" Impa asked seeing this as a way to gain more information on the ancient Sheikah even if it was a past version of herself which was a strange thing to think about.
"Most of the time Impa was an elderly woman who was the princess' nursemaid. They were good for information and a rest spot but not so much in the actual fighting. The only exceptions were Sun, Lullaby, and Artemis but even then they were usually older by a decade or so. Having you be younger means you'll be able to fight on the frontlines with us." Astra explained to the group as they began walking through the halls of the castle towards the stables.
"Lullaby and Artemis?" Zelda asked not yet knowing the names of the other princesses outside of Sun.
"They were Time and Warriors Zelda's." Astra said. "Each Hero is granted a Title based on an important aspect or item of their journey and their Princess title is based on that. Sky's obviously due to his connection to Skyloft with Sun because Sky and Sun go together,Time's involved a lot of time travel with the Ocarina of Time hence his Zelda being Lullaby, Warrior's had him leading entire armies of warriors to battle and his Princess was named after one of the greatest female archer warriors since she used a bow to extreme effect on the battlefield."
From then on the four made small talk as they walked through the halls although Link said little save for occasional comment much to Zelda's annoyance.
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The group of four stopped talking as they approached the stable. While Link went to saddle up both his and Zelda's horse and Impa doing the same for herself and Astra, Zelda found herself alone with the Ancient Hero for the first time. She glanced over at the man and felt nervous for some reason. While she still had hundred and one questions she wished to ask him she felt too nervous to actually ask him anything. While he had answered nearly every question that had been asked of him even if the answers were sometimes vague she still felt as if he would not answer her. She pulled out her notebook she had stashed in her satchel and began to read through her notes on things she hoped to find on the little trip instead as a distraction. Maybe she would be able to find some Hot-Footed frogs to test how effective they were on a person's stamina. Or perhaps she could find more hightail lizards to try and improve upon the Hasty Elixir.
"What are you working on?" Astra's voice spoke next to her, making her jump and squeak out in surprise.
"What?" Zelda asked, trying get get her heart rate to slow down.
"I asked what you're working on?" Astra repeated leaning back to lean on the wall.
"Oh I was just… um trying to improve the efficiency of Hasty Elixirs." She answered feeling a little self-conscious. She was sure the Ancient Hero would condemn her for wasting time on her research that could be better spent trying to awaken her powers as her father always did.
"Hasty Elixir?" Astra tilted his head in confusion. "Is that some kind of potion?"
"You've never had a Hasty Elixir?" Zelda's shock was evident as she gaped at Astra. Her shock only grew as he shook his head.
"Nope, most of the time we only have 3 potion types available. Red, Green, and Blue." Astra answered before asking again. "So what are Hasty Elixirs?"
"They are elixirs that make the user faster for a short time." Zelda started explaining going into what Impa had called her teacher mode which she insisted she didn't do. "Currently the effects only last roughly two minutes with a hightail Lizard and bokoblin guts but I'm thinking if I added a hot-footed frog or maybe even a lizalfos tail I will be able to increase the effectiveness by a factor of two or maybe even more. Of course I would need to find myself some samples and the frogs are very hard to catch but if I could find some I would be able to experiment to prove my hypothesis regardless of what my father says about it being a waste of time. I wish he would just list-"
Zelda cut herself off abruptly looking over towards Astra realizing she had been rambling. She saw the deep frown on his face and felt her heart plummet. Of course she had made him angry with her rambling. Why would he care about some stupid potion when he had more important things to worry about. Zelda opened her mouth to apologize but before she could say anything the Knight walked over and wordlessly handed her the reins to her horse. She was for once glad for the Knights' presence as it gave a reason not to say anything to the Ancient Hero.
She watched out of the corner of her eye as Impa handed the Ancient Hero the reins of a beautiful black mare and he mounted her. They three fell into a triangle formation around Zelda in the middle as they rode into town/ Astra was looking all around at the shops and buildings they passed as they made their way to the eastern part of town that housed the cathedral.
"Is Castle Town different from the last time you were here?" Impa asked, trying to make conversation.
"Yes, it's intact." Astra sighed with a smile. "I was brought here directly after the final battle with Ganondorf with Warriors so I didn't get to see it fixed."
"That was the Hero you helped before coming to us then?"
"Yes, we had been at war for a little over a year, moving from place to place trying to take back control of Hyrule and fix time. That was quite the experience too actually having an army behind us as we fought to retake Hyrule."
"Wait what do you mean to actually have an army? Don't you usually have the knights helping you?" Link spoke up this time looking worried about what Astra's answer would be.
"Oh goddess no. More often than not the Knights of Hyrule are almost completely useless if not actively antagonistic towards us." Astra let out a dry laugh. "Most of the time it is you, me, and if we have a companion on the journey with us."
"Wait so you have saved the country with only two or three people multiple times!?" Zelda couldn't help but ask despite her earlier discomfort with what happened earlier. "What about the other Princesses?"
"Well no we don't do it completely alone. We do have people who help us like the various Sages or the resistance fighters to name a couple but for the most part it's just the Hero and I running around the country fixing issues, crawling through dungeons, and slaying monsters." Astra quickly corrected the misunderstanding. "As for the princesses, more often than not they are either captured or missing throughout most of the journey and we only really meet up with them for the final clash. The only exception is Ghost, who was Spirit's Zelda. She was the only Zelda that was with us throughout our entire journey but those were under very special circumstances." That brought down the mood so the group all stayed quiet till they arrived at the cathedral.
Zelda went into a back room as soon as they arrived at the cathedral and after a few moments came back out in a simple white gown. She walked toward the front and kneeled at the foot of a statue of Hylia. Link stood behind her with his back to his princess and stood like a statue.
"How long is she going to be there?" Astra whispered over to Impa who was standing next to him near the back of the church after having been standing quietly for half an hour.
"She does this everyday for two hours or so three times a day." Impa whispered back. "She can't be disturbed until she is done."
"Well in that case i'm going to step out and explore for a bit if you don't mind?" Astra asked, to which Impa shook her head.
"I don't mind but make sure you come back before we leave." came her quick response.
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Astra walked down the bustling streets of the marketplace of castle town simply taking in the sights. This was his favorite way to pass time when he could spare it. To remember why he continued to fight as long as he had. He saw a couple of children kicking a ball between themselves, a man trying and clearly failing to woo a young woman working at a stall, an old man sitting on a bench feeding the birds. All the smiling faces he had seen fall into despair everytime he failed was something that would always haunt him.
"Well it would seem it is that time once again old friend." A man spoke up from behind Astra which made a huge smile break out onto his face. Turning around he saw a man. He had a large red nose and freckles across his face along with a bowl cut but the most noticeable feature of the man was the large bag he carried that looked like a large beetle.
"Beedle, how long has it been?" Astra looks at the merchant. Beedle was always a mystery to him. He was one of the few people who seemed to remember times long past yet every time he asked him how all he would say is " so long as a merchant's wares are needed, so shall I."
"Is he around as well?" Astra asked, looking around as if expecting another.
"Far too long to remember. And no last I heard he was selling masks down in Holodrum." Beedle said as he sat down and flapped a small counter in front him setting out his wares on display. "So Demise's curse is once again coming into play and will be much worse than the last." That made Astra frown. He'd heard a bit of the last time Ganon rose but something about this version felt off. They treated him as less like a threat that just pops up at random and more like a one that arrives on a time limit.
"What will you tell me about this version of it?" Astra said sitting down next Beedle. "The little I've heard makes him sound different."
"That's because he is. This one is less an actual reincarnation and more the amalgamation of Demise's hatred that builds up over time and takes form." Beedle explained as he set out a jar with several frog hopping around inside. "This one is a monster made of pure malice. So I suggest you do your best to ensure that the Kingdom keeps the divine beasts operational and not fall."
"I've already taken a few steps to ensure that they don't when I was told they had been used in the past. Hopefully it will be enough." Astra said feeling stressed. This whole war was strange for him. He had never actually been able to plan ahead for Demise's curse as before he had always been dropped into a time where his incarnations schemes were well underway. He hoped he was making the right choice here but he didn't know. What if he prepared them ahead of time and only caused them to fail.
"It's amazing how little has changed despite all the change that has happened." Beedle spoke up suddenly after watching Astra looking out at the bustling marketplace. "You and I have sat in this spot several times over the course of thousands of years. We sat here watching Luv and Bertie making their potions on Skyloft, or people trying their luck at Pina's stand during the Picori festival, or the time you spent with my assistant at the Rock Shire Ship out on the Great Sea and yet through all that time youth are able play with smiles, the adults can bustle from shop to shop with little worry because of you and Link."
Astra remembered all those times. He even chuckled at the mention of Beedles assistant.
"You know it's been thousands of years and the convergence of three timelines. You don't need to keep up with that lie." Astra laughed at the running joke.
"I have no idea what you mean." Beedle said with complete seriousness before he began to chuckle as well. The two old friends sat for a little while longer reminiscing on times long past before Astra had to return to the cathedral.
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Link watched as Astra walked outside. Impa approached and stood next to him. He raised an eyebrow at her.
"He wished to explore the city a bit but said he would return before we leave." Impa said to which Link nodded. There was an awkward silence that befell the pair. Oddly enough, Link broke the silence.
"Do you think with Astra here the Princess will be able to awaken her powers?" Link asked in a low voice to ensure that Zelda would not hear. He watched as Impa pondered this question.
"I had hoped so but after earlier I'm not quite sure. You heard him, very few princesses actually spent meaningful time with him." Impa said after a while. "He might know some secrets but we can only hope." Link nodded along to that but he also had a bigger concern. What if his Princess went missing or captured like so many others all because he wasn't good enough. His spar with Astra this morning showed him that he was nowhere near ready for the fight to come. The Ancient Hero had wiped the floor with him. He had use techniques that had used magic through his blade that Astra promised to teach him.
"How do you think we stack up against the Heroes of old?" Link asked Impa.
"I don't know, from what I've seen Sky isn't much better than your average soldier but this is the start of his journey so who knows but I have faith we will be at least good enough to win and Zelda will awaken just as all the others have.." Impa said turning to look at Zelda still praying. "Maybe we should ask him when returns."
The two stopped talking after that and stood in silence for another hour. Finally just as Link's legs where starting to hurt for standing in place without moving for such a long time Zelda stood and turned to them.
"Where is the Ancient Hero?" She asked, looking between the two.
"He went to explore the town but should be back any minute." Impa said and as if summoned by the mere thought of him Astra walked into the room.
"Ah looks like I arrived right on time." Astra said fixing a brown pouch to his waist. "Ready to head back to the castle?"
"Yes, after I change we may go." Zelda said heading towards the side chamber. Zelda walked out in her riding clothes and walk to the other three.
Zelda was stealing glances at the Ancient Hero and Impa could tell there was something she wished to say. Link was standing behind the princess' face as impassive as ever but her sheikah training could tell he was nervous about something.
"Shall we wait till we return to the castle or is what you wish to say better saved for a more private setting such as this?" Astra spoke up looking towards Zelda. Zelda seems surprised at being addressed, lowering her head.
"Well I was wondering if you would be willing to help me with something? I've tried praying as you just saw but it seems I'm still not good enough and I'm sure it will be covered in your stories but is it possible for you to help me awaken my sacred powers?" Zelda mumbled without being able to meet Astra's eyes. It broke Impa's heart to see her best friend look so miserable. She knew how hard Zelda tried to awaken her abilities and how much she blamed and hated herself for being unable to do so. She saw a hint of sympathy pass through Link's eyes.
"What do you mean?" Astra asked Zelda, "Why would praying awaken your powers? Is that why Rhoam has you do these daily prayers?" This made Zelda finally look up at Astra with a gasp looking just as confused as him.
"W-what do you mean what do prayers have to do with it!?" Zelda stuttered out not sure what Astra could mean, "All my life that's how I was told I need to pray to the goddess Hylia and she will bless me with awakening my powers."
"Why would Ze-Hylia awaken your powers for you?" Astra looked honestly puzzled at what he was being asked, like asking the goddess for help with powers made no sense to him. "The powers of the royal family come from your bloodline and are within you at all times. You need to awaken them, not Hylia." Impa wasn't all that surprised that prayer was useless. She had suspected for a while that it wouldn't yield any results but without any other options it was all they could do.
"While you carry within you the blood of Hylia she isn't really responsible for your powers." Astra continued not realizing the turmoil his words were causing Zelda. "While it's true that being a part of her bloodline did help, a large portion of your powers came from the Light Force that was gifted to the royal family by the Piccori during the Hero of Man's era. That is something that you will have to look within yourself to solve."
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(A/N): I actually enjoyed writing this interlude or actually rewriting it. The end is the only bit that I kept from the first draft I wrote back for the first interlude. I felt like this was a good way to address Zelda's powers. The whole pray for your powers never made sense to me and even in game it does absolutely nothing given her powers seem to be emotion based since in both BoTW and AoC they awaken in a moment of high stress to save Link. The Light Force makes the most sense for a large aspect of the power they have. As for Beedle, I like the idea that Beedle is an immortal being and he isn't the only one. Kinda realized that Impa didn't interact as much as I wanted her to but this chapter is already so long and I had to cut Zelda's reaction to what Astra said. Also kinda had to make Spirit Tracks Zelda's name up since I couldn't find one so let me know if any think of a better one.
S.D Signing Out