Chapter 51: What a Gift it is to be Free
This is going to work. Zelda fiddled with the stone in her hands. It has to.
Rauru paced before her, he had not sat down in over an hour. If anything, he seemed more ill at ease at the prospect than her. Behind him, his students and fellow priests prepared for the night. Father Rauru had called members of his order from across Hyrule. None Zelda had ever seen before, except of course the apprentices Helmin and Jakob. Certainly, none were the bishops or ducal priests of renown. All of them wore rather simple robes, some downright shabby. Most prepared for the night by giving prayers or practicing drawing upon magical energies.
"Once more," Rauru said as he finally stopped in front of her, "explain enchantments of the mind and how one guards themselves against them."
"Spells that attempt to control an individual's mind have several weaknesses. First, they must overpower the will of those they wish to overwrite. This is done easiest when the target is weak, or unsuspecting of an attack. For more complex spells the enchanter must wipe out and replace the thoughts that were there before. Though often some lingering thread remains. The mind is more complex than most spells can reasonably account for."
"And to ward yourself?"
"Holding on to something important to you. Take a personal creed or memory that defines who you are and focus on it. Use that thought as a shield to bulwark the rest of your mind." They had gone over this a thousand times or more, there was no chance she would forget these lessons now. But that didn't stop the old man from his questions.
"And illusions? What are they and how are they defeated?"
"Father Rauru, I know what illusions are."
"Humor me."
Zelda sighed. "Illusions allow the practitioner to confound the senses of those caught within their spell. The example you gave when we first studied them was one of your predecessors who made every bowl of vegetables taste like chilled peaches. It is easier to manipulate the senses than to rewrite a mind, though they are considered sister arts. To combat illusions, it is best to look for the imperfections in your surroundings. Illusions can only be as detailed as the image held within the mind of the one casting the spell. Most cannot form the entirety of an environment through thought alone. If their memory is imperfect the illusion will be as well."
"And if there are no imperfections?" Rauru continued. "If you face an illusionist who has spent centuries warding their territory and knows every foot of their domain?"
"That is why I have this," Zelda held up the Stone of Agony. "My plan will work, Rauru."
"I wish I had your confidence," the old priest paced once more across the room, before he again stopped before her. "Princess, I must once again protest. This is too dangerous. What happens if this fairy overpowers you? Again. You are too important to be risked. Please let me send my disciples to the mountain. They'll find the Fairy Mound and free your friend."
"No," Zelda met the old man's eyes. He needed to understand that she could not be set from her path. "Your disciples have never met Navi. They do not know the magic of fairies to find her. I would have to go, and there is no way my father would allow me to leave Castle Town when there is a war raging. Furthermore, it would take weeks! Navi has suffered her imprisonment long enough. She will be freed tonight."
"But if things go wrong, what then? It was difficult to save you the first time you met with this creature. If she has prepared for your return, I do not know if I will be able to save you."
"Rauru," Zelda tried to make her voice sound calming. "I have you and all within this temple to protect me. I trust you. You will not fail me."
He turned away from Zelda, giving one pleading look to Impa, who stood arms folded in a corner. "Can you speak sense to her?"
Her governess shrugged. "When she gets like this? If you turn her away, she will only attempt it on her own."
"You can't tell me you aren't worried."
"I'm terrified," Impa said.
Zelda pulled her eyes away from the stone toward her guardian. She didn't look frightened. But then, she never did. For as long as Zelda could remember she had always thought of Impa as fearless. But that was before Impa found her near lifeless after her first confrontation with the Great Fairy. Her governess had been in tears when Zelda awoke. It made Zelda uncomfortable to see the veteran spy weep. As terrible as that night had been for Zelda, how had it affected everyone else?
Would Impa or Rauru ever forgive themselves if something went wrong tonight?
It had not dawned on Zelda what she was truly asking them. One of the most harrowing moments of Impa's life and she forced her to relive it. But it was for the best. Impa must know that, surely. Rauru as well. They had to see the necessity of her actions. As terrible as her defeat had been, how terrible must life still be for Lady Navi?
Zelda lifted her chin. "Now, if you are both quite finished, I think it is time we started." Whatever the outcome, this whole venture needed to be done before morning. The delays did nothing but make her second guess herself. And she could not afford hesitation. She must be sharp, focused, perfect.
With a resigned sigh, Rauru gathered the other priests and disciples. Helmin handed Rauru the golden harp that Zelda used to practice her spells when she first began her lessons, before he took one of the wands for himself. Each of the mages held their own artifact from the vault, and they used them all, except for the heart-shaped mask.
They all held something to amplify their power, except her. The only tool she had was a stone, a mere magic bauble from an older age. As she clutched it close, it did not sing to her as the harp had, nor shine like the silver bow. Even the mad cackle of the mask indicated the powerful magic within. This Stone of Agony had only the slimmest spark of power within it. Was this truly her best plan?
The priests will protect me. She felt the chill run up her spine. She needed to get ahold of herself. Rauru will not let anything go wrong. I can do this.
"Take your positions!" Rauru and his disciples circled around her. "All your power is to be given to the princess. Leave nothing for yourself. And may the Goddesses guide us, to free their lost child."
Zelda closed her eyes and drew what power they offered into her. Her body felt warm, as if she'd laid beneath the summer sun all day with no clouds in the sky. As though her blood boiled and rushed within her. Rauru practiced the gifting of magic with her for days, but never had all the mages of the temple focused solely on her. Never had she felt so strong.
With a single thought, she sent her spirit far away to the foot of the mountain where friend and enemy lay.
Her dreams came to her fast, and in them she was content. Something so simple, yet so difficult in the true world. Where everyone was busy and distant. Where nothing felt right.
In her dreams people surrounded her. Friends she never knew. And children who looked to her for wisdom and guidance. But their faces were gone. Empty husks, all of them. Nameless echoes from a past that no longer existed. How could she enjoy her time with these phantoms when her own family felt so distant?
And yet, here she felt whole. If only she could remember all their faces, or their names.
"Navi," a voice echoed through her dreams, "I hope you're happy."
Link?
She searched for the boy. Her boy. But wherever she turned she could only find darkness.
A voice reverberated through the fountain off every wall as if the stones themselves screamed. Her dream died as the cries from the real world pierced them.
"My children! My darlings! My lovelies! The intruder has come! Your mother needs you!"
Navi rose. Gone were the dark woods of ghosts, replaced with the white tiles and moss covered rocks of the fountain, her home. The Great Mother calls, I must protect her. She flew high and fast, following the lights of a thousand other fairies as they raced to the central chamber. Some made anxious chatter, others sullen and silent, but all wore worried expressions.
Fairies were not made for battle. Even with the Great Mother's warnings of the impending fight, Navi felt ill prepared. They strengthened every ward and bolstered every defense, but would that be enough? It must be. For the sake of the Great Mother and the fountain the defenses must hold. Yet the thought of the fight chilled her to the bone. She'd never faced any such danger before.
A waking dream flashed before her. A life filled full with fear, of giant spiders and lizard-men with sharp weapons. Of lies and sabotage, where she wiped away the wards, and thrilled at the thought of the fountain broken.
Why would she have done that?
No. Navi tried to ignore the nightmare. She needed to protect her home and mother. There was no time to deal with fantasies. This is not my home. She is not my mother. Navi stopped, her head stung. She rubbed at her temples, but it offered no relief. Why was it so hard to ignore those dreams, these false memories.
I am not of these fairies. I spun out of the magic of a forest not a fountain. I raised children. I went on an adventure with the bravest little boy who ever lived.
I need to get out of here.
"Navi," Boshi's firm hands grabbed her shoulders. "Navi what are you doing? We are needed."
"I–" he was not her friend. He had never even tried being friendly to her. "Boshi, I'm scared," she made her voice quiver to best sell the lie.
"What good does that do?" He hissed as he shoved her toward the central chamber. "Move!"
Pretend to be meek. Pretend to be beneath notice. That is how I beat them.
The waters of the fountain rippled and waves as the Great Mother's voice sang from everywhere. "She is coming! I can feel it, oh yes, oh yes! My little darlings! Come to me! Breaking my traps, not so easy this time, is it Hylia?" Her cackle filled the air.
Above the water, a white speck of light appeared. It expanded into a bright mist, a storm cloud, tumbling about, near as tumultuous as the water.
"Great Fairy," came a voice from the mist as it expanded and collapsed in on itself over and over. Each cycle growing stronger and larger. "I have come to reclaim my subject, the noble fairy-"
"Destroy it!" The Great Mother's voice rang out. Navi looked around her, but she could not see the large fairy. Where was she?
All about the fountain magic soared, greens and blues, pinks and yellows, all flew toward the white mist from a thousand fairies. From each of their throats came screams of hatred and threats of death against the light.
But their magic ran through it, as though the light was nothing but empty air.
The voice inside the mist laughed for a moment before it regained its composure. "Great Fairy at the Foot of the Mountain, I am coming into your domain. I apologize that I could not wait for a formal invitation."
The mist expanded larger still and shaped itself to the form of a person. Then it condensed, squeezed together, and solidified. The light turned to a cream-white dress with royal purples, a pale-pink face with golden hair and deep clever eyes. Princess Zelda stood, floating above the fountain, and she did not look pleased.
She was back. Navi had not been forsaken.
In her royal hands was a great gray stone that Navi had never seen before. Elsewise she looked much as she had the first day they met, but grander, more majestic. Adorned in gold finery and wearing a white dress emblazoned with the symbols of Hyrule. Though now a golden aura surrounded her, she looked for all the world a figure of legend. Frowning, Zelda looked over the ocean of fairies.
Boshi screamed and hurled more of his magic at her in the form of a shimmering green arrow, others followed his example. The bolts passed through Zelda as if she was not there.
"Cease that nonsense," Zelda demanded. So overwhelming was her presence that the fairies obeyed. "Thank you, that accomplished nothing beyond stinging my eyes. It's far too bright. Great Fairy, I have returned to see the release of the fairy Lady Navi of the Lost Woods. Do this, and I will leave and never again return. You will be free to dwell in your fountain and rule as you see fit. But you will never again harm one of my subjects."
Boshi turned and glared at Navi. "She does not mean you."
Who else could she mean? She wanted to shout at him, but only nodded. Not yet now wasn't the time to strike. The magic of Fairies may not hurt Zelda, but if they all turned against Navi she would not leave this fountain alive.
"I knew you would return, Hylia! You cannot have her!" The Great Fairy screamed. The magic that ran along the walls glowed green.
The princess looked around. "Where are you? It's disconcerting speaking to no one. Not to mention, rude."
The light of the Fountain dimmed. The Great Fairy did not respond, but Navi could feel her presence. She was doing something. Magic was being drawn from the spells etched around the walls. What was her play?
A shadow passed over the princesses' eyes.
"You think I would not prepare for you? Arrogant godling. I have made myself even greater! Far more than strong enough to best a fraction of a goddess like yourself."
"No," Navi whispered.
The image of Zelda pulled back, her eyes closed, and she clutched the stone with all her might.
"One who is so powerless. One who is so lonely. One whose every plan and goal turns to ruin."
"I am Princess Zelda," she said. "Heir of Hyrule. Daughter of King Regent Liotidos and Queen Zelda." She gasped and shook her head. The shadows played around her face. Water reached up from the pool, twisting around her legs. Not touching the person, but holding, like the fingers of the Great Fairy herself ready to snatch her prey.
The Princess gasped, her shoulders slumped.
She needed help.
Navi moved toward her. She did not get far before a hand clutched her arm. "And what do you think you're doing?" Boshi said as he pulled her back.
The Great Mother's voice returned. "But how lonely you are," she said. "Such a poor little princess. All alone in the world. No one believes you." The water rose higher, all the way to the girl's waist. "You saw the perils that would destroy your kingdom. You saw the truth of everything. But no one ever listens to a child."
"I remember," Zelda's voice was a whisper. "I-"
"You never sent anyone out to find the Sacred Stones. How could you? You don't have real power. You're locked up in a cage. I see it clearly now." The Great Mother's voice sounded soothing, as if she was rocking a child to sleep in her arms. "Oh yes, I see it. Your own father sent you away. And there you spent your time, dreaming, creating fantasies. Stories of fairies and magic. Hiding from a world that does not understand you. And people who do not love you."
The water wrapped around the girl's neck.
"I remember," Zelda said again. "I remember, riding on my uncle's shoulders."
"What?" The water stopped.
"Uncle Darunia, I called him. Because he had fought and bled beside my father. I remember riding on his shoulders."
"Yes," the Great Mother's voice regained some composure, as she tried to weave her spell back. "But you have not seen Darunia in so long. The only one who truly loved you. Not the guardian who lies to you. Not the father that dismissed you, who finds you troublesome and irritating. You never spoke to anyone about your plans. You never sent-"
"There's music playing. A lute, that's what Darunia and I are dancing to." The princess gave a small laugh then winced. Only then did Navi notice the stone. It vibrated in her hands, faster and faster. The more it moved the brighter it glowed, but as it shook, blood dripped down its face. The Princess' blood.
What was it doing?
"My guardian, my oldest friend, Impa is standing behind me. Watching me, making certain I do not fall from the giant's shoulders. And, that lute. My father is the one playing it. He's laughing, he's happy." She smiled and her eyes opened. The shadow cast over them gone. "I am not alone, Great Fairy. I remember my duty, and I remember the debt I owe to those who have aided me. Stop these games. Where is Navi?" With a wave of her hand, the water crashed down into the pool.
"There you are," Zelda glared into the waters, her blood dripped from the stone down her arms. "That is how you hide yourself? Those are the spells you use to change your shape? I expected more."
A scornful laugh echoed through the chamber, two hands burst from the pool, followed by arms, and head and neck. The Great Mother appeared, grinning. "Very well, Hylia, if that's what you wish." She looked out over her fairies. "Darling. Come to me."
Navi glared at Boshi until he released her. She flew toward the pair of titans, both so much more powerful than her.
"Navi," the princess said. "I do not know if you remember me, but you must fight whatever has been done to you. I am Princess Zelda, we met within the courtyard of Hyrule Castle."
Navi turned away from the princess and bowed her head to the fae queen. "Yes, Great Mother?"
"Oh, sweet darling." The wards shone with dancing lights and the Great Fairy's presence loomed large. Awe and pure reverence rolled off the ancient one and crashed down upon Navi. It filled her every thought and feeling.
She had always lived with the Great Mother, she had always been a part of the Fountain. No. Her closest friends were Boshi and Telti. Did I not sever enough spells? She never lived above ground, never raised children, never left her perfect and comfortable home.
A simple life, a contented life, where she never once sat and watched the sunrise with those she loved.
"This vile child, this haughty godling wishes to steal you from your loving family, into the harsh and deathly world. Where you will be used and tormented and starved until you die. Do you wish to go, my darling?
Navi's tongue formed the words of submission to the Great Mother, but she forced her mouth to remain closed. Pressure squeezed at her skull, demanding her subjugation.
"I asked you a question, darling." The Great Mother chided.
The pressure felt like a hammer slamming against her head. Navi gasped and almost tumbled from the air against the elder's will. If she could only give up, tell the Great Fairy what she wanted to hear. She would be free of this pain. After all, she could not surpass this all-encompassing force. Give in.
Navi squeaked, but no words came out.
"This is not right," the Great Mother looked to her hands, and the magic of fae that danced around them. Then she turned to the walls and the runes placed upon them.
"I will never leave your side," Navi squealed as tears rolled down her cheeks.
Immediately, the giant fairy's eyes returned to Navi, and her smile grew wide.
"There, you see? How can you claim I hold her against her will? She wants to stay, Hylia. She deserves to stay. Not with those foul creatures you claimed as your children. Those beasts that capture us, use us for our magic, and leave us to perish. Your children that break every oath, tear apart every treaty, forget every vow. What fool would ever wish to return to that world?"
"Navi," Zelda ignored the Great Fairy. "You must listen to me. She has placed some charm upon your mind. You do not belong here. You are needed above. You must-"
"She must do nothing!" The Great Fairy snarled. "She will stay in my fountain! She will be protected! She will be happy!"
"You must help Link. He needs you."
'The Hylian boy, he hopes you are happy.'
"Great Mother," Navi said. "May I speak?"
"Of course, my child," her smile stretched so wide it no longer seemed to fit on her face. Her mad eyes radiant in triumph and delight. "What do you want to tell this evil woman, my darling?"
Navi met the gargantuan fairy's eyes and took a deep breath, banishing all the lies she had been forced to live. "My name is Navi. I served the Great Deku Tree all my life. And I am not your darling!" She dove at the Great Fairy, toward the budding emerald flower over her right shoulder. Grasping the plant she pulled with all her might.
"How!" The Great Fairy screeched. "You should not be so strong. I am weak! Why am I weak?"
The shadows of massive hands passed over Navi, reaching up around her just as the green bud came loose.
"Flee, Navi," Zelda ordered. Brilliant golden light surrounded them and burned away the shadow. Shouts rang from the countless fairies as they were forced back. As the light dwindled Navi saw the Great Fairy's hands raised, shackles of gold around her wrists, tethering her to the ceiling.
"I will not be made prisoner in my own domain! I am the Great Mother! I am the protector of all Fae Kind! I am more powerful than you, Hylia! I am greater! I am greater!" As she bellowed the golden chains cracked.
Navi flew away from the chained tormentor toward the exit. As fast as her wings could take her.
"No! You do not know what you're doing! Stop! Stop her!"
Magic whirled around the cave. Spells far older and more powerful than any Navi had ever seen sprung to life. Green lightning flashed from with stone, racing past Navi, only stopping when it reached the entrance. For a moment the lightning sprawled like a spider's web before it disappeared into the earth.
What did she do?
Someone grabbed her leg and pulled her back. Navi spun in the air to see Boshi glaring down on her.
"I knew you were lying," he hissed. Whatever insincere tolerance for her had disappeared, now all Navi could see was hate. "I knew you were not one of us. That the big folk tainted you."
"Do not hurt her!" the Great Mother screeched. "She is still precious. She is still my little darling."
"Great Fairy!" Zelda's voice called. "We are not yet finished."
Green and gold, light and darkness danced around the fountain. Illusory shadows dueled along the walls while the light from the princess' stone burned them away. While the mighty fought, all Navi could see clear was Boshi and his anger.
"This is your fault," he hissed as he pulled back on her leg, dragging Navi closer to him and away from her escape. "All this trouble for one, ungrateful, spiteful, and pathetic outsider." A wind picked up around them, battering against her wings.
He was stronger than her, calling the winds with ease. She tried to do the same, but as she brought her magic forth, hands gripped her. Her spell dispersed without causing the slightest breeze. More fairies joined their fight, clutching at her, absorbing whatever magic she tried to use. She thrashed and shouted, trying to squirm free and keep them from pulling the flower from her hands. But it did little good. There were too many.
How could she fight them without magic?
The same way Link has faced everything his entire life.
Navi pulled her free leg back and slammed it into Boshi's nose. His grip loosened, his eyes found hers, they were wide with shock and unfocused. She kicked him again, smashing her heel down as hard as she could. Shock turned to fear, his mouth opened, but only blood and a tooth came out.
One more kick and he released her. His wings stopped beating. The green fae tumbled to the ground, some of the fairies that clutched at her raced to catch him. Others stared at her in fear at what they saw.
She roared, pulled free one of her arms and clenched her hand into a fist. Soaring toward the nearest of the Great Mother's children. Her fist connected with the fairy's jaw. Pain sprung around her knuckles and shock ran up her arm. But however much it hurt her, it hurt the other fairy more. He dropped as fast as Boshi.
Navi kicked again, this time taking a fairy's wing. The thin membrane tore from the blow, sending the fairy screaming in agony as she struggled to keep flight.
"You will not keep me here any longer!" Navi howled at the remaining fairies, trying her best to ignore the pain in her arm and leg. How did Link do this? How could he enjoy it? Fighting felt like tearing your own body apart almost as fast as you broke your enemy's.
But the other fairies did not see her pain, nor her weakness. They fled from her, crying in terror.
This was it.
Navi flew to the exit and pressed her hand against the roof of the Fountain. Where the roots of plants poked from the black dirt. Pull me up.
She did not move.
"No." She tried again, but the earth did not move for her. The green lightning. The Great Mother must have locked her inside.
There had to be some spell to reopen it. She tried to remember, but she had never studied the magic of this part of the fountain. Calling upon every trick she knew, she tried the spell the fairies used to create spaces within living trees for the Kokiri to dwell. It did nothing.
"No. No." She pressed her shoulder against the entrance. She slammed her side as hard as she could. "No!"
This couldn't be the end. She couldn't just be caught again when she was so close.
Reaching into the dirt, she grabbed as much as she could and pulled it free. But as she did, a gasp of pain escaped her. Her hand hurt too much from that punch. She switched the flower to the other hand and tried again. This time she could grasp some of the dirt and pulled it loose. The tiniest clod fell to the ground.
"Well," Telti's voice came from behind her, "that's not going to work. No way you'll get through in time."
Navi whirled around, her good fist clenched to fight again. But Telti flew past her and pressed her hand against the dirt. Energy spread from her fingers up through the soil. Then she looked to Navi. "I can't hold it for long. Go."
Navi glanced once more back over the fountain. The two giants still battled, but it looked as if Zelda had gained the upper hand. The light that surrounded her burning away every trace of the Great Mother except her desperate screams.
"Go, Navi." Telti said again.
"Thank you," she said as she pressed against the ground and felt the magic release around her, letting her pass.
"Tell the boy, we're even."
The roots of grass and flowers draped down and wrapped themselves around her. She could do nothing but watch Telti work her magic while spells more powerful than anything Navi had ever seen filled the Fountain. Then her head went into the lightless ground and all she saw was darkness. Dirt and stone pressed around her body, but the roots cradled her as she was lifted through the mud.
The sounds of violence stifled through the layers of dirt, until there was nothing but Navi and the writhing ground. What if Telti is stopped before I am out? What if I get stuck here?
Her head burst through the ground. She could see the night sky overhead and heard the wondrous sounds of the world. She took a deep gasping breath as the plants released her, letting her ascend free into the sky. A true sky. Which held a moon and stars, half covered by the branches of massive trees.
Navi flew. Her body ached. But she did not care. She did not stop until the fairy mound was nowhere to be seen. She flew until the night sky went from black to a deep purple. Miles she must have gone, clutching the emerald flower to her chest. She could feel the magic hidden within it. That small piece of the Goddesses, surrounded by some lingering might of the Great Fairy.
She flew until her wings ached with pain and could fly no further.
Her feet touched down, balancing on a blade of grass for the first time in months.
She was free.
The pressure in her head was gone. The voice that tried to tell her that true was false and false was true was silent.
And as the sun rose, she could do nothing but cry at how beautiful the free world could be.
Navi had escaped, and there was no further need for Zelda to remain.
"You tricked her!" The Great Fairy screeched as she lay sprawled on her back. Her illusions shattered, her wards broken. "Your kind lied. You will just use her and throw her aside. You will ruin her. You vile, miserable whelp!"
Zelda forced herself to look at the Great Fairy with an expression of imperious authority. She was a princess, still. Though every part of her mind and body felt as though it was about to collapse. She would not show weakness before an enemy. Never again. "My subject is safe. This confrontation no longer serves any purpose. Goodbye."
"No. This is over when I say and no one else! You think I will let you go?" The fairy said, her eyes wide and furious. "I've found you now, Hylia. I know where you hide." She laughed, though there was no mirth in it. "Burn."
Zelda readied herself to meet whatever new attack came for her. But nothing happened.
"No. Burn! Burn! Why won't you burn?"
"I will take my leave. Goodbye, Great Fairy, and remember this lesson should you ever again try to steal one of my subjects."
She expected the vile creature to proclaim one last spiteful curse. But the fairy didn't. She collapsed on the ground, her body shook as she wailed. "You took her from me. She was noble, she could have lived a long happy life here. But you took her. How can you be so blind, Hylia? Her quest will be her end. Your chosen kind, that boy, will take everything she has until there is nothing left. She will die, and it will be all your fault."
A princess accepts her victory with the same dignity as a defeat. The noble has no need to gloat. No matter how much I might wish to. The Great Fairy was broken, there was nothing more to say. Closing her eyes, Zelda released her spell. Her spirit tumbled out of the grotto, whirling through the lands of Hyrule. Only the fairy's sorrow followed her as she opened her eyes to see another underground room. This one far more pleasant to behold.
"Zelda," Impa rushed to her side and tried to take the Stone of Agony from her hands. But it stuck to her.
The princess looked down, and saw her hands were slickened with blood. "What?"
With a sickening squelch the stone fell from her fingers and smashed against the floor of the temple. Where her palms had touched the stone jagged burns and cuts filled them. "So that's how… it breaks the… illusions." Zelda stepped back, her feet slipped out from under her, and she fell forward.
Impa grabbed her and drew her close as she let Zelda slump to the ground. Undignified for a princess, she knew. But somehow, she could not find it in herself to care. She was so tired.
And not the only one by the look of it. Of all the mages that had lent her their power, only Rauru still stood tall. The others had collapsed to the ground or clutched their chests and leaned heavy on tables and chairs. Old men and women drenched in sweat as though they'd just ran across the city in armor. Helmin had sprawled himself over as much ground as he could, visibly panting. Jakob sat gasping, his head in his hands.
"What happened?" Rauru asked. "Is it done?"
"Yes," Zelda forced herself to speak. "Navi is free."
"Good." The old man knelt before Zelda and looked at her hands. "Unlike this."
"What can we do about it?" Impa asked.
"Clean the wounds and wrap them. What else?"
"She cannot go to court with her hands torn to ribbons."
"Lady Impa, even our power is not boundless. We are at our end," he waved to his groaning disciples. "Perhaps I could do more to heal her in a day or two."
"That is not good enough!"
"Impa," Zelda said, trying to push herself to sit upright. "We won, and all is well. Tomorrow morning, you will tell everyone that I am feeling ill. It may as well be true, I doubt I will wish to get out of bed." As she spoke the priest took a clean cloth and wiped away the blood from her hands. "That should give us a few days for Father Rauru to gather himself."
Impa looked as if she wished to protest, but all she did was nod, before she pulled Zelda into a hug. "You did it? Truly?"
"Yes," Zelda said. "I did."
"Your mother would be so proud."
It took longer than Zelda would like for Rauru to clean her hands and wrap them. There were still bloodstains on her dress, but that couldn't be helped. When she and Impa left the temple, the moon looked blood orange and near slipped beneath the earth. By the time they reached the castle, the sky started to brighten for the day.
Zelda let Impa lead as they infiltrated the castle. In truth, she did not have the remaining will to focus on her guardian's minute movements or figure the proper route to avoid being seen. She was too tired to anything but follow. Zelda moved as if in a haze, barely noticing when Impa opened the door to her royal bedchambers and let her in.
"Rest, princess," Impa said from her doorway. "For as long as you can. I'll make certain that no one disturbs you."
"Thank you," was all Zelda could say through her yawn.
"Yes, Impa," came a deep voice from within her room. "Do make certain my daughter gets a good night's sleep."
Zelda's eyes widened, and in a moment all her wariness had disappeared. Her father sat on her desk chair, lit by the first rays of sunlight. His hand resting on a book Zelda had never seen before. "Father! What… why are you…?"
"I had not seen you for most the day," he stood before her. "I had come to deliver a gift, but when I came to your room, I found it empty. So, I waited. I waited all night." His jaw set. "What have you been doing?" His voice flat, as if he was beyond anger.
"I-" Impa stepped forward, "your majesty I must humbly ask-"
"It is my fault," Zelda cut off her protector. "I forced Impa to take me. To. To a party."
"Come here," her father demanded.
She froze. Mere hours before she faced a being of immeasurable power from centuries past. And yet, somehow this one man terrified her beyond anything else she saw this night.
"Zelda. Come. Here."
Head bowed, she walked to her father. He took hold of her hands, she winced as his fingers pressed into the bandages.
"What is this?"
"Nothing, father," she tried to pull them away, but his hands were still strong. She could not get free. "I accidentally stumbled onto a lantern and burned myself. That's why it took so long to get home. Impa took me to a physician, and-"
"Do not lie to me."
"It's the truth, just a simple mistake. I- I was trying-"
He released her, scowling, he looked past his daughter. "Impa. Explain."
Without a sound, the Sheikah stepped to Zelda's side. "This was the cause, your majesty." She handed him the Stone of Agony.
"Impa! No!"
"What is this?" he sneered. "Magic?"
"It's nothing, father. Just a bauble."
"Yes, your majesty." Impa met the king's eyes, she did not quiver or shake. She looked as steady as ever, and yet her voice dripped with regret. "A tool with some spell cast upon it. I know not how it works."
The king hurled the stone to the ground, the slab shattered.
"No," Zelda gasped, as she felt the magic stored within disperse into nothing.
"I trusted you," father pointed his thick finger at Impa's face.
"I know. Lio, I-"
"Hylia's Crown! You know where this leads. You know how this obsession consumed her mother. You are supposed to protect her. Guide her. Not bring her into danger behind my back!"
What did magic have to do with mother?
"I have no excuses. I will accept any punishment you see fit." Only then, did Impa bow her head.
Punishment? "Father, you can't. It is not her fault. I am the one that forced her-"
But as always, the king did not listen. He did not acknowledge her at all. "Get out."
"Father, no!"
"Stay away from my daughter, Impa. You have proven yourself unworthy as a protector. Get out. And be thankful that I do not have you dragged away in chains."
The master spy, mentor, and dear friend stood tall. Her jaw clenched and eyes looking forward, wet, and glassy, though no tears fell. "As you command, your majesty." She gave one last look to Zelda, bowed, and left Zelda's life.