Words For Him

A Fresh Start

Slowly Zelda woke up from her long slumber. Though Zelda did not know it yet she had been asleep for three straight days. Opening her eyes Zelda could see dark wooden beams and ceiling. Looking to her left she saw an old woman sitting on a cushion. "Ah, you're finally awake. It's been some time and I do not look the same but do you remember me?" Zelda gazed at the old woman for a moment before it clicked "Impa, it's so good to see you again!" Impa moved closer patting Zelda on the thigh saying the same. After a moment Zelda asked where Link was to which Impa pointed to Zelda's right. Looking over she saw Link bandaged up and asleep "What happened to him!?" Impa told Zelda about what happened after she fell asleep. Shortly after passing through dueling peaks, the Yiga ambushed them trying to drag Zelda's unconscious body away but Link brutally tossed them aside. His shield shattered in the fight with the calamity Link had to use his body to shield Zelda resulting in Link being pierced by multiple arrows. Despite losing blood Link pressed on taking down any Yiga in his way. By the time Link made it within Sheikah's borders, he had killed six Yiga with many more trampled but not without injury. While no major points were hit Link has sustained significant damage passing out in front of Impa's abode. "His body showed signs of sleep deprivation, I doubt he rested since he awakened in the shrine of resurrection. After bringing you in he whispered, she's okay, before passing out himself. Fret not, he will recover soon." Looking at Link's wounds Zelda breathed a sigh of relief. After taking a moment to collect herself Zelda asked Impa about what happened to everyone else. Impa explained the other regions had kept to themselves not daring to venture beyond their bounds though the Gerudo still ventured out to find partners. "Purah and Robbie have open small labs on either end of Hyrule with Purah in Hateno and Robbie northeast of Death Mountain. I'm afraid I do not know much details about the goings on outside of Kakariko, when Link awakens I'm sure he can tell you more." Looking over to Link again Zelda asked if Impa passed along her message to Link. While Impa did tell Link about the Devine Beasts she left out a portion believing it best if Zelda herself told Link. "Funny the Great Deku Tree said the same thing." Impa chuckled for a moment before asking if Zelda still intended to confess her love. Zelda still wished to confess, in full, her feelings towards Link but the time wasn't right. All the same, Zelda made one small request. "Could someone help move this bed closer to Link?"

Sitting up in her bed Zelda ran her fingers through Link's hair. "How much you have truly changed I wonder." Looking down Zelda noticed Link's left hand, which lay on his chest, began to twitch. Slowly Link's eyes opened, his blue eyes taking in his surroundings, turning to his left he spoke. "Waking up next to you like this, I must be dead" "Not quite, though you gave me a scare. Link...I'm glad you are okay" Zelda said as she helped Link sit up. Unwrapping the bandages Link's scars appeared evidence of his struggle. Zelda was surprised that the shrine of resurrection had not healed Link's scars, though they did bring back a memory. A hundred years ago Zelda would watch from afar as Link trained. On a particularly hot day, Zelda watched Link from the cool shadows. It was then that Zelda caught sight of the scars that covered his body. She had marveled at Link's scars then but now she understood the pain associated with them. Having put his tunic back on Link and Zelda began to talk. What Zelda dreamed about after falling asleep on the horse, about what Link remembered, and about what they should do next. Suddenly their conversation was stopped by a knock at the door. Opening it Link greeted a young sheikah woman who looked just like a younger Impa. "M...Master Link it's good to see you are better" "Hello again Paya. Oh, you two have not met, this is -" "P... Princess Zelda, it's an honor to meet you, I have heard much about you from Grandmother Impa," Paya interrupted. "That's why you look so much like a younger Impa, it's a pleasure to meet you too." For a few hours, Paya and Zelda talked about trading information the other wanted to know. Paya wanted to know what Impa was like during Zelda's time and Zelda wanted to know about the goings on. Suddenly Paya's face turned red with embarrassment."Oh no, I completely forgot why I came and it's already noon! Grandmother wanted to see you both as soon as Link was awake, I was supposed to check on his bandages." Zelda put out a reassuring hand to calm Paya down and with Link went to speak with Impa. Scouts had returned with troublesome news regarding the Devine Beast Vah Ruta. "It seems the beast has stopped working. Knowing you as I do I know you would like to investigate. I sent word to Purah already and I would recommend you speak with her before investing yourself." The prospect of examining the Devine Beasts again put a glow on Zelda's face. Believing it would help introduce Zelda to the other races Link suggested they investigate the other beasts too, something both Impa and Zelda approved of.

While Link tended to Barren Impa brought Zelda to the sheikah tailor who had been working on a few items for Zelda including a change of clothes. As the tailor held out the neatly folded clothes Zelda said she had no ruppies to pay with. Impa and the tailor looked at each other and then at Zelda before laughing. "These are gifts, you don't think I would make you pay for clothes I commissioned." Impa said trying to catch her breath "My dear Zelda it's been years since I have laughed that hard. Your return will be like a heavy rain on parched land." Zelda knelt and embraced Impa. After changing out of her old dress Zelda met up with Link who was surprised to see her old outfit. Before Link and Zelda departed for Hateno Impa had a few parting words. "Princess, we wish you good luck with your mission and look forward to your return. Brave knight you have brought this land unmeasurable hope, look after her." And with that Link and Zelda rode off on Barren.