If the Boot Fits

Heal

Zelda's eyelids fluttered open, adjusting to the dark room. She sat up, pulling herself against the headrest of her bed, instantly feeling dizzy at the small movement. Her curtains were closed, only allowing a sliver of sun to penetrate her room. She couldn't recall falling asleep, let alone walking to her room. Her body still felt numb, tingling buzzed her fingertips. She looked down at her heavy body, finding the wedding dress had been replaced with a simple night gown.

"How are you feeling?" Impa asked beside her.

Turning her muddled head, she found the Sheikah sitting in a chair beside the bed. "Tired."

"You've been out for two days."

"What?" Two days? Where was Link? Was he alive? There was no way he was okay, but was he breathing? His heart pumping? All the questions pounded her skull, giving her a headache.

"You collapsed in the corner of the Sanctum," Impa went on. "Urbosa and Daruk calmed the castle staff and the kingdom - by the way, Zant won't be a problem anymore. We were overwhelmed, and by the time I found you, you were unconscious. And it's no wonder you were out for so long - with all that power overtaking you, sealing Ganondorf away, and the amount fluids that left your body."

She took a glass of water from the beside table, offering it to Zelda. Gladly accepting the cold water with shaking hands and a small "Thank you," she took a long gulp.

"No one could stop you, even if we tried. You pushed us back, and only when you focused your energy did the Zora make it to Link. Groose - is that his name? - somehow took the power from Ganondorf. We haven't let him leave the castle. We wanted to wait for you to question him. Anyway, he split reality for you to seal Ganondorf away. After, he helped the Zora with keeping Link alive."

"He's alive?" Zelda gasped.

"He's. . . breathing," Impa corrected herself.

"I have to see him." Zelda set the glass aside, making her way off the bed.

Impa gently grabbed her shoulders, pushing her back against the headrest. "Slow down. You just woke up."

"And Link almost died. Twice!" She swatted the hands off her, rolling onto the floor. Her head spun. She quickly shook the faintness away, heading for the door on weak legs.

"You're not dressed," Impa argued.

Zelda turned to retort. Instead, she found Impa holding a robe out for her. Thanking the thoughtful woman, Zelda slipped her arms through the soft linen, tying the ribbon around her waist.

Impa escorted her through the corridors to the knight's wing. Multiple twists and turns later, they stood before the infermery door.

"Just as a warning," Impa said, one hand on the nob. "He's not responsive, and may not look the best."

Taking a deep breath, Zelda whispered, "Okay."

Impa opened the door painstakingly slow. Zelda forced herself to be patient and wait to walk through. As she made her way through the rows and rows of cots, she searched for Link among the injured knights. Those awake followed her with their eyes, mouths agape. Zelda didn't feel uncomfortable one bit under the men's stares, determined to find her knight. She looked and looked, but couldn't seem to spot him anywhere. Her eyes watered. Zelda quickly wiped away the tears before they could caress her face.

Then, finally, in a sea of empty cots, was the youngest boy in the room. He was covered in bloody bandages, flat on his back. A stiff cast ran up his leg and under the thin blanket concealing most of his legs and midsection. A soft pillow comforted his head. His chest quivered with the struggle to breathe.