Until That Day

From Sunrise Until Sundown

After Tobo departed, I turned to Impa. 

"Impa, when you go, just know Link will be pretty beaten up. We fought through many guardians controlled by Ganon and they were relentless. But I want you to take his tunic, the one I made for him. Please keep it safe for me."

Impa looked at me strangely. "You aren't going to stay with us?"

"The sword has informed me that there is more I must do. I'm going to keep Ganon at bay until Link returns, I have faith that he will save me, like he always does." I took out the shekiah slate and handed it to her. "You'll also need this for him. He's the one the shrines were made for. I connected those dots after his death."

Impa's mouth hung open. "Of course! It all makes sense now. You're admirable, princess! I will look after the tunic for both of you. When shall I give it to him?"

"When he returns to you, he probably won't remember a lot. Once he starts to remember, give him the tunic."

Impa nodded. "Alright. Shall I tell him anything else?"

I could tell she wanted to know if I'd told him anything special, but I hadn't. "That'll be all, thank you. One more thing. The divine beasts have fallen to Ganon as well, and only Link will be able to free them as he is a champion. Remind him to free the four divine beasts, pull the Master Sword in the Lost Woods, and to come find me in Hyrule Castle."

"I'll tell him to follow his heart," Impa noted.

"What if-"

"Zelda, once he remembers everything, that boy's heart will lead him straight to you." She smiled. "It's only a matter of time, now."

I hugged her once again, knowing it'll be the last time for a while. "Please take care of yourself, Impa. You're my most treasured friend."

Impa and I cried together briefly, finally let each other go. I walked out of her house and rode with the group on Epona until our paths would take us very different places.

I watched the group ride off towards the Shrine of Resurrection and as they faded away I signaled Epona towards the Lost Woods.

----------------------------------------------------------

When we arrived at the entrance to the Lost Woods, there was a lamppost and a torch leaning against it. The fog was too dense and chilly, I had to leave Epona behind. I picked up the torch and lit it, to find the wind suddenly pulling strongly to the right. Following it, there was another lamppost.

Perhaps the wind will lead the way?

I continued to follow the wind's lead, though after a couple times of turning in random directions that seemed like a giant circle, a fallen yet hollowed out tree trunk lay in the path ahead of me.

"Is that...?" I continued on and after only a moment the wood lead into a beautiful, green, and lush forest. In the center was a marvelous stone pedestal, three silent princesses, and towering above it was the Great Deku Tree. I'd only ever read about the mysterious tree, but here it was.

I put out the torch and put it away, waking the Deku Tree.

"Ah, princess Zelda. I knew I'd eventually meet you." The voice was quite soft and soothing for a large ancient tree.

"Hello, Great Deku Tree. What an honor to meet you."

"I can say the same," the Tree responded. "I can sense the Master Sword has returned to me, to be watched over once the hero returns?"

Nothing gets past him.

"Precisely, actually."

"Feel free to place the sword when you are ready. I will watch over it and keep it safe here until he returns."

Beyond grateful, I lifted the sword.

Thank you, blade who seals the darkness. Without you, Link would've been lost, and for that I will be forever grateful. The fate of Hyrule now rests with you.

I held the sword up to the sky, blade down towards the pedestal. I pressed the blade into the pedestal and it began to glow.

Go now, princess. Our hero will return.

After another moment of silent prayer, I lifted my gaze back to the Deku Tree.

"May I ask, princess? What do you plan to do now?" The Deku Tree asked.

"The sword told me I must keep Ganon at bay until the hero returns, so that is what I plan to do. Also, may I ask one more favor? When Link returns, could you tell him that I-"

"Now, don't you think that words intended for him would sound much better in your tone of voice?" The Deku Tree interrupted.

He was right. When I do finally tell him how I feel, I want it to be from me.

"Yes."

"Please be careful, princess Zelda."

"Thank you, Great Deku Tree. Until I see you again." I replied and headed back towards Epona. She was still there waiting for me, so I hopped on and started towards the castle.

Castle town was already devastated and destroyed, a mere shadow of what it had been just a day before.

I dismounted Epona near the edge of Hyrule Field. I wished no harm to her, therefore I would do the rest on my own.

"Thank you, dear friend. Link will return for us, thank you for all you've done. May you find peace and happiness."

Epona whinnied as I handed her the last apple I had. I wouldn't be needing it after all. When she finished eating, I sent her off back towards the woods and waited until I saw her make it past the guardians before I walked into the open field.

She was safe, now it was time to subdue Ganon.

I allowed the rage over Link's defeat fill me, I threw my hand up towards the castle and let its powerful light shine through. Ganon rose from the castle, flying around the top until he was suppressed by my sealing power.

It's personal, Ganon.

I ran through castle town, the castle gates, then reached the sanctum.

How different it looked from the last time I was here. How different everything had been then.

Closing my eyes, I could picture the light flowing through the windows, forming the symbol of the triforce on the floor. The sun only added colors to the room as the time went on. Next to me was Link smiling, admiring and sharing the beauty with me.

Oh how I wished he was still here with me.

One day he would come for me, that I knew.

Until then, it was my duty to keep Ganon at bay.

Until then, Link, I'll be waiting for you to return to me.

Until that day.

The End