The Legend of Zelda: Real Courage: Dark Mirror

Chapter Ten: Discussion

After the group traveled for a while in silence, Meredith said, "I have to ask. Why do you all look the same? I mean, why are you in pairs? I mean, she looks the same as you, Sire–"

"It's okay, Meredith," Zale sighed. "That's what we want to figure out. But–I need the three of you to keep this a secret for right now. We don't know what might happen if word gets out. Understand?"

"Yes, Sire," Meredith, Arden, and Kolba answered.

"Good. Since you've helped us out so much already, I'll keep you informed."

Arden looked surprised. "You don't have to do that for us, Sire."

"Nonsense. I'm sure you're all curious, just like us. As long as you keep your promise, things will work out."

"Then," Meredith wondered, pointing to Link and Zelda, "shouldn't you two put on disguises?"

The two looked at each other and then at Zale, who sighed again. "That's a good point. Do you two have any other clothing that will hide your face?"

Zelda answered, "Yes, but where can we get changed?"

Zale answered sheepishly, "Would you feel comfortable changing behind some trees?"

Zelda replied, "Sure. It's not like I haven't done it before."

After Link and Zelda changed clothes, the party shared a pleasant conversation the rest of the way back to Castle Town. By unspoken agreement, they didn't talk about Link and Zelda's past. Zale wanted to question them in a more secure setting. He also wanted to keep an eye on them in case they had worse plans in mind. Arden, Meredith, and Kolba mostly stayed quiet, but Zale coaxed them into chatting more and more until they carried the conversation on their own.

Castle Town was still a mess, but residents worked cheerfully to repair buildings and, subsequently, their lives. As the group passed, people shouted praise for Lila and her courageous triumph over evil. Seeing so much energy gave Zale a little hope for the future, but the thought of his father's death brought him right back down to earth.

Meredith and Kolba took the horses to the stable. Arden stopped in the town to continue fixing things. Zale gently took Lila's hand and led the way inside. She tried to catch his eye, but he busied himself with finding a proper room for discussion. Sometimes they had to stop for a moment when someone needed something from the prince. The gratitude toward Lila continued through the halls. No one asked about the two hooded figures, and Zale imagined the sideways looks made Link and Zelda uncomfortable.

Finally, with Salvatore guarding the door, the four of them sat in a private room. The room was so cramped that it almost felt like a closet, but a small table with six straight-backed chairs was crammed in there. Simple torches on the walls provided enough light to make them comfortable. Once seated, Zelda removed her hood and Link followed suit.

Lila had a million questions but didn't know where to start. Realizing this, she looked to Zale to get them going. Link and Zelda watched him expectantly. His head stooped, examining the table as though answers were hidden there. Before long, he spoke.

"We each hold a piece of the Triforce, correct?" The others were startled at the question but all nodded. "Two copies of the Triforce of Wisdom and two copies of the Triforce of Courage. It stands to reason that there should be two copies of the Triforce of Power, but you don't know who that could be."

Lila remembered her theory about the Triforce of Power and pulled her gloves off, but Zelda spoke first.

"We have one other companion, but I've seen no evidence that she has the Triforce of Power."