The Couple of Gracemas (ZeLink)

An Evening's Gift

"Thank you for escorting me, Impa," Zelda said as the two walked down one of the upper-level hallways of the castle toward her personal quarters, nearing the two large double wooden doors at the end. Two guards, both dressed in identical heavy metal armor and with spears in their hands, stepped aside to reveal the door handles just as they arrived. "I'm sorry you had to walk all this way."

"Not at all, Princess; though, I do have a question," the Sheikah attendant said as she shifted past the princess, taking one of the door handles to open it for her.

Though Zelda looked curious about Impa's inquiry, she stepped inside and beckoned the Sheikah to follow, who promptly closed the doors after them.

They stood in a bedroom so large most ordinary folk would have considered it a house by itself. The stone brick walls were lined with bookshelves and cupboards. In the corner, there was a large corner desk filled with papers and even more books; against one wall was the large draped bed with a much smaller desk for morning preparation, and another wall had a massive fireplace that was currently lit to keep her warm during winter evenings such as these. The room even had a large spiral staircase built into the final wall that led across a bridge to another tower of the castle, which served as a study. It was the perfect all-inclusive room, one fit for a princess.

"What is it you wished to ask me, Impa?" Zelda asked as they moved toward the center of the room, the princess taking a seat in an oversized red armchair in front of a small round table.

"W-well– and forgive me if this is quite a...personal question, but– I was curious as to why you happened to be so eager to wait for your appointed knight earlier," the attendant said.

Zelda blinked.

"Is there something strange about that?" she asked, genuinely perplexed. "I simply figured Link would escort me back to my door as he usually does. What's there to question?"

"The fact that you were...okay with that,"  Impa said. Zelda's brow furrowed.

"Come now, Impa, stop tiptoeing around your words," she said. "You know you don't have to do so around me; at least, you know that's what I'd prefer..."

"Then, if I'm allowed to be frank," Impa said. "It looked as though you would have preferred if Link took you back to your room, versus the alternative of walking back yourself."

"And to that, I again ask if there's something strange about that?" Zelda asked.

"For you, yes," Impa said with a grin. "It's a complete turnaround from how you used to feel, preferring to run off through all of Hyrule by yourself to research in peace, away from everyone and most certainly away from him. Now you're telling me you'd not only appreciate, but would prefer, to have him accompany you, not just around Hyrule, but through the castle—your own home—and even to your room."

"Well... When you put it that way, I guess it does sound a little odd," Zelda admitted, quickly realizing where Impa was heading. "But, I wouldn't say there's any deeper meaning behind it! He just...understands me a little better than most do. Plus, we spend so much time together, and being so frustrated all the time was tiring—us getting along was bound to happen. Besides—"

"Princess," Impa said, taking the bold route of cutting the princess off, who, in turn, only blushed when she met the attendant's eyes. "Just...be careful. Your father may not mind such closeness now, dare I say, he may even be pleased by it, but just make sure you think about what comes after the Calamity. I say this not only as the advisor but as your friend."

Zelda stared into Impa's stern but caring amber eyes. After a few moments, the princess nodded.

"I understand. Thank you, Impa."