Disclaimer: I do not own the legend of Zelda

Wisdom's Daughter

In the fields of the Natzu Prairie there was a farm. It was a humble farm with only a few cows,

some sheep, a couple of horses, and a cucco house, but for the people who called it home, it was

enough.

The farm had belonged to a man named Gustave. He had been a knight in Labrynna, in

his youth. He was reared within Labrynnan culture like all his countrymen, but after an incident

in which his sister was killed, his conscience had provoked him, and he fled to Holodrum. He

placed himself in the service of Queen Ellen II, and served until the early years of King Gellin.

He then retired, and used the money he had saved up to start his farm. After a few years, he met a

beautiful young woman named Sophia. They married and had a family; together they were happy

for many years. Alas, one day, Gustave died, for he was already aged, but Sophia was still hale

and hearty. His farm was left to her and their children.

Sophia had been born and raised in Holodrum. She was the daughter of a woodcutter and

his wife. Her father's family could be traced all the way back to when Holodrum had first come

under Hyrulean Dominion, but her mother's family was a mystery a few generations back.

Sophia herself was seen as mysterious by the people. She was beautiful, very beautiful.

Many said that she and her daughters were the most beautiful women in all of Holodrum. Even

after birthing children she was still called "most beautiful." There was also magic in her family,

powerful magic. Between the magic and her famous beauty, it was rumoured that one of her

ancestors must have married a fairy. Of course, no one could neither prove nor disprove this

theory, but it was a popular one all the same. However, rumours and admirers mattered not to

Sophia. What mattered to the widow was the farm her husband had left her, and her daughters.

Three she had, and all were bright-eyed and golden haired: Agitha the youngest, Tetra the middle

child, and the eldest was called Zelda.

It was another average midharvest day. Leaves of red and gold lined the ground, the slight chill

in the air whispered of the coming winter. In the sky, one could see flocks of birds fly by,

migrating south for winter. The naked trees stretched their bare branches to the sky like crooked

fingers. Foxes and other animals could be seen flitting to and fro as they prepared for the colder

weather.

Zelda took in a deep breath, relishing in the beauty of harvest from where she sat upon

the fence which warded her family's farm. A wind swept through the tall corns, bringing a smile

to her face. She jumped off the fence and walked in the direction of the barn.

Inside, she walked over to whither the cows were stalled. She pet them on their heads and

greeted each one by name. Once she'd greeted them all, she made her way to the horses where

her sister Tetra was tending them.

'Tetra!' Zelda smiled brightly. 'How are the horses?'

Tetra, who had been brushing a handsome stallion, halted her task and faced her sister

with her hands on her hips. 'Oh, they are doing just fine. Thank you, Zelda, for asking about how

the horses are doing instead of your own, poor sister who has been pampering them all morning.

Yea, thank you very much.'

Zelda's eyes widened, and her hands flew over her mouth. Before she can say anything,

though, Tetra bends over with cackling laughter.

'I'm joking, I'm joking,' she laughs.

Zelda glared at her sister, her cheeks puffed out in a pout. 'That was not funny, Tetra. I

was worried you were actually upset. You know I struggle with sarcasm.'

'I know, I know, but I couldn't resist messing with you.' She then held up her arms

towards her sister. 'Now come here.'

The two sisters embraced each other tightly. Tetra nuzzled into Zelda's bosom; a habit

she's had since she was a little girl. Zelda patted her sister on the head. As much as they enjoyed

snuggling, their chores called to them, and they must complete them.

Zelda helped Tetra finish taking care of the horses. They were brushed, watered, and fed

thoroughly. They milked the cows, and gathered eggs from the hens to sell at the market. The sun

was setting when they finished. A voice like the ring of bells cried out to them, and they saw

their little sister Agitha running towards them. Behind her was their neighbour and friend Ms.

Impa.

Ms. Impa lived down the lane with her son Daphnes. Their property was small, but

enough for them to grow a small rice farm, and a couple of cherry trees. Impa had come to

Holodrum from Labrynna shortly before Zelda was born, with an infant son in tow. Gustave and

Sophia had helped her get settled by buying the land for her. They quickly became sundorfriends,

and in time Impa became like a second mother to the girls, who affectionately called her Auntie

Impa.

They scooped up the youngest sister into a bear hug, and then all three jumped onto Impa,

wrapping their arms around her wide, curvaceous form. Daphnes tried to slink off, but Zelda

sighted him, and pulled their honorary brother into their group hug by his collar.

A deep, fruity laugh burst from Impa's lungs as she wrapped her strong arms around her

sweet, little lambs. Her bright, red eyes twinkled with the warmth of Summer, and the light of a

warm hearth.

Zelda and Tetra have read enough books to know that Impa was a Shiekah. Her red eyes

and white hair were the telltale signs. Yet, knowing this, they still found it hard to believe that

their Impa was in any way connected to the Shiekah of ancient times, the mysterious tribe which

had sworn allegiance to Hyrule's royal family, and had served loyally as royal bodyguards, hired

assassins, spies, and scientists. Impa didn't bring any of these things to mind. She certainly didn't

look like any of these. As far as the sisters were concerned, Impa was your average, middle aged,

Hylian housewife: a big, lovable, cuddly teddy bear.

Hand in hand, they walked back to the house.

As they neared the house, they saw two figures standing outside. One was their mother,

the other was Ruul, the mayor of Horon Town. They were too far away to hear what was being

said, but Zelda coud tell from the sharpness of her mother's eyes that it was something serious.

The two adults must have sensed them approaching, for they paused in their discussion and

glanced in their direction. They shared a look and a few words before moving towards the house.

They enter, but as they did Sophia made eye contact with Impa.

A silent conversation passed between them in a matter of seconds. Impa nodded in

understanding.

'Children, stay here with Daphnes.'

Little Agitha clung to the skirt of Impa's dress. 'Auntie Impa?'

Impa smiled at Agitha, but it didn't reach her eyes. 'Don't worry child. It's only a boring

grown up business. Now go play with your sisters and brother.' She kissed Agitha on her head

before hustling to catch up with Sofia and Ruul.

Daphnes gathered the others to him and ushered them away to the prairie for some

games. Yet, even though they played, there was a chain upon them. Their movements were stiff,

and their shoulders slumped. Passerby may have heard laughter and seen smiles, but the looks

in their eyes were distant. The only one who was unaffected was Agitha. Being a child, she

remained innocent to the problems of adults. She moved with the fleetness of a deer, and her

laughter sounded like silver bells. Her smile was contagious, and soon they all were truly happy.

The hours went by, and the sun had lowered before they were called in for dinner. Mayor

Ruul had already left. They ate to their fill, and talked about the simple things, but a tension hung

above their heads. Afterwards, Sophia and Impa sent them all to bed, and when asked why,

nothing was made clear.

That night, Zelda woke up in need of some water. Untangling herself from her siblings,

she quietly snuck out of the room they shared and crept down the hall to the kitchen. As she

neared, she heard voices in urgent conversation. She halted, pressing herself against the wall, and

tip-toed to the corner so she coud better hear.

'I still can't believe that he did something like this behind my back.'

Zelda recognised the voice as her mother. She frowned. Who was he, and had he done

behind her mother? Had some man betrayed her mother's trust? …Surely not her father!

'I always wondered how he found the money to help me buy my land, but I didn't think

he had mortgaged his own farm, and without telling you.'

Zelda recognised the second speaker as Impa, but she found no comfort in Impa's words.

A mortgage? On their farm? And by her own father? She pressed herself further against the wall

to keep herself from trembling. The older women continued talking.

'And we're only finding out now after ten years, Impa. Ten years since his death, and

we're just finding out!'

'Shrewd business is hwat it is! If Mayor Ruul is to be believed, Gustave had almost

finished paying off the mortgage, but died before he could make the final payment. Instead of

cancelling the det, the landlord passed it on to you (likely assuming you already knew about it),

but nobody else did know, so all the mortgage payments have been piling up, and the interest has

been building up along with it, and now we have ten years worth of mortgage payments with an

interest rate of nineteen percent to pay off by the winter solstice!'

'How am I supposed to do this, Impa? How can I possibly save up ten thousand rupees

before the solstice this late in Harvest? …Can it be done?'

Impa is silent for several seconds, but when she spoke defeat was heavy in her voice.

'No, it cannot be done. It is too late in the season. You need the money to feed your family

through the winter. Even if I gave you some of my earnings it wouldn't be enough.'

'But can it be done?' Sophia responded more firmly.

Impa went silent again. '...If …If you mean by… other means, well, there are very few

means by hwich a woman can earn so much money in so little time, and… and I would

recommend none of them unless we have no other choices.'

'Impa,' Sophia responded slowly. There was an edge in her voice that made Zelda

shudder. 'I have less than two months to find ten thousand rupees to pay off my late husband's

det, otherwise me and my daughters are going to be evicted from our farm! I have no other

choice.'

'Don't,' Impa pleaded.

'I'll join the brothel! If I'm still as beautiful as people say I am, surely I'll draw in a

steady stream of clients. All the money will go towards the mortgage, and if I get plenty of rich

clients, I should have the money by the solstice.'

A long silence dragged out. Zelda had covered her mouth with her hand to silence her

sobbing. She refused to believe things were coming to this. That her own mother would suggest

whoring herself for whatever reason, it flew against everything Zelda associated with her mother,

and she shuddered.

'Fine,' Impa lamented. 'If you're serious about doing this, then I'm joining you.'

'No! Don't!'

Zelda launched herself around the corner and rushed towards her mother and Impa. She fell to her

knees, wrapped her arms around their legs, and sobbed into their skirts.

'Zelda! Hwa-'

'I'll do it! I'll get us the money!'

Sophia watched her daughter, a sense of wonder and awe overpowering her. But the

moment passed. Wonder and awe gave way to frustration. Her hands balled into fists, and she

shook like a long dormant volcano about to pour forth its wrath.

'Absolutely not!' she roared. 'Zelda, I've already lived my life, I have nothing left to

want, but you are still young and have yet to live yours.' She fell onto her own knees and pulled

Zelda into a crushing hug, holding onto her desperately. 'Hwich is hwy I will not stand for my

daughter ruining her life by- by hw-hworing herself at a-'

'No, no, not like that,' Zelda hastily cut off. Shaky laughs mixed in with her sobbs.

'I'll get married. I'll find a husband–a rich husband. I'll make the det my bride-price. Let me do

this, mom. Let me do this.'

Sophia was silent. A thousand and a longhundred different thoughts flew through her

mind faster than the wind. She looked at Impa, pleading with her eyes for counsel on what to do

now. Impa's eyes reveal the conflict that is pervading her own mind. The silence drags on, and

Zelda's sobbing is all that can be heard. Finally, Impa met Sophia's eyes. Her face was hardened;

determination shone in the depths of her red gaze. One strong affirmative nod was all she gave,

but it was enough.

Sophia sighed. She patted her daughter on the head. 'Very well then, Zelda. Here's hwat

you will do. Tomorrow you are going to wear your best, you will go down to the market at the

capital, and you will not return until you've found yourself a suitor. Am I clear?'

'Yes,' Zelda exclaimed weakly.

'Good.' Sophia then kissed Zelda's hair. 'Now go to bed. You have a busy day

tomorrow.'

After hugging both women goodnight, Zelda went to her room, making sure to be quiet

so as to not wake up any of her sisters or Daphnes. She climbed into the bed, but before going to

sleep she offered a prayer to Hylia for success with her mission.

Author's Notes:

I imagined Impa looking like her design in the Oracle Series.

I made the word Sundorfriend from the Old English Sundorwine which means "special friend" (if I recall correctly). I wanted a word to describe Impa's relationship with Zelda's parents that was more than just "best friends." Also, sundorfriend sounds more elegant than special friend.

If your wondering why could and debt are spelt as "coud" and "det," it's me subtly pushing for a change in the English spelling. The ridding of letters that never belonged. There was no "l" or "b" in could and debt till the printing press came to England, so out they go!