Free to Love - A Zelda x Link Fanfiction

XLII: Be Warned

Zelda's Perspective:

Epona and Storm seemed more than relieved to get away from Death Mountain, galloping away from the looming volcano as soon as we both got in the saddles. I clung to Storm's reins, flashing a quick smile at Link over my shoulder, shoving my dark hair from my face. I saw Link urge Epona faster to catch up with me, sitting up straighter as their strides matched Storm's.

"Off to Rito Village?" he asked, forced to speak louder over the whipping of the wind in our faces. I bit my lip, considering.

Since we met with Purah, I couldn't stop thinking about Impa. I haven't seen her in a long while and we needed more food anyway for our travels. I shook my head quickly, struggling to move against the wind.

"Let's stop by Kakariko Village," I offered instead. Link's brows rose in confusion, tilting his head, then opening his mouth to protest. I continued before he could interrupt. "I'd like to meet with Impa. Besides, we're running out of food and we could go shopping there, as well." His brows furrowed again as he considered my proposal.

"Fine, you've convinced me," Link conceded, lips twitching into a small smile.

It didn't take long to reach Kakariko Village, no more than an hour. The sun beat down on us as we managed to ride through the thick forest, finally reaching the clearing before the thin dirt road that led to the entrance of the village. I smiled, glancing up at the streamers that were strung from cliff to cliff, creating a whimsical shadow on the path. Even Link's standard neutral frown turned up at the corners at the childishly-made flags.

I waved towards Link, beginning to urge Storm down the path. "Are you coming or not?" I asked mockingly, smirking at him. He chuckled loudly, following.

Kakariko Village always seemed to remain untouched by time. It had been ages since I traveled here and yet, it looked the exact same as I remembered. The grass swayed gently in the breeze, the tall cliff's surrounding blocking the bulk of the harsher winds. Even the buildings looked the same, not even a new painted coat on the outside.

It was easy to find Impa's temple out of the few buildings locations that stood. Impa was always revered as a holy woman, coming from a long bloodline of reincarnated oracles that went back as far as my bloodline did. She was kind and soft-spoken, an unusual trait for many prophets. It was no wonder that the village's people respected her as much as they did.

The only thing that set her building apart from the others was the small hill it was built on. Most of the townspeople wanted to decorate her establishment grandly, often bringing streamers and pigments to color her walls, but Impa always politely declined.

We rode through the few townspeople that were out and about, stopping at the foot of the the stairs. Link paused, looking at me nervously as if I was in immense danger. "It's okay," I laughed, shoving his shoulder lightly. "You can go buy food, okay?" He paused, glancing around slowly before nodding.

"Yeah, okay," he sighed, gently taking my hand to squeeze it. "But don't go anywhere, alright?" I nodded, beginning to head up the long flight of stairs.

I knocked on the door gently, waiting for a reply. "Come in, Zelda," Impa's soft voice called. Normally, I'd ask how she knew it was me but I decided not to waste my time by asking questions I wouldn't get a clear answer to, instead opening the door slowly.

Impa sat on one of the cushions along the side, a book in her hands. She slowly put it down, her gentle eyes turning to me as a slow smile spread across her face. "It's so good to see you, again," she grinned, moving towards me gracefully and wrapping her arms around my shoulders.

It had been years since I last saw her and it was obvious she had aged since then, small smile lines wrinkling at the corners of her eyes and the veins beginning to surface in her delicate hands. She wore the traditional robes of a holy woman, a blue cloak wrapped and tied over a white sweater, the robes reaching to her knees. Her white hair was tied back from her face, side bangs pulled into ponytails on either wide, the rest of her thick short hair tied on top of her head, her hat hiding it.

Her eyes flicked over me, observing me softly. She turned her back to me, sitting on the cushion on the alter, staring at me with her gentle eyes. She smiled a bit, eyes flicking down to my hand, still warm from Link's last touch.

"What can I help you with?" she asked softly, beckoning me closer. "I haven't seen you in years, so I'd expect we have much to catch up on." I walked towards her and grinned, nodding.

"I just wanted to say hi," I responded. "I don't need any help." She smiled again, shaking her head slowly and taking my hand, the hand which Link last held.

"Don't refuse my offer for help when you might need it," she murmured ominously. Her grip loosened on my hand and I slowly pulled it away. As kind as she was, she had a tendency to speak very vaguely. She waved her hand. "But enough of that. How have your travels been?"

I paused, considering where to start, when I heard the door side open behind me. Impa's gaze shifted to stare over my shoulder before she bowed her head respectfully. "Hello, Link," she greeted. Well, that was fast...

I turned to him, Link holding a large and full burlap bag, stopping right beside me. He nodded his head and smiled. "Hi, Impa," he said. "How are you?"

Impa waved off his question with a soft flick of her wrist. "Nevermind that," she responded. "The real question is how are you? I'm surprised you haven't encountered more of the Yiga." His eyebrows rose a bit in confusion.

"We've only encountered a few and they're not very difficult to fight," he murmured, trying to figure out how to respond. "I haven't been hurt while fighting if that's what you mean?"

Impa shook her head and tsk-ed at him. "Don't let your ego get ahead of you," she warned. "You don't need to be a seer to know that you will encounter more as you continue your adventures and whatnot. It's inevitable." She closed her eyes, breathing in deeply.

I felt Link gently touch my hand, an indication to leave as he shifted uncomfortably. Impa's eyes fluttered open. "Don't let me slow down your quest," she said. "You may leave in a few minutes, I just need to talk to Zelda for a moment. She'll meet you by your horses in a moment."

I sensed Link's nerves without even having to look at him. He nodded, not responding as he left, closing the door softly behind him.

"Come here, child," Impa ordered, waving her hand and ushering me closer, her hands clasping mine. "Those visions you had..." she began, pausing. A shiver rushed down my spine as I knew what she meant, the images flashing behind my eyes again.

The blood on the ground, trickling into the grass and being absorbed by the earth. Impa nodded, as if she knew exactly what image I was picturing.

"Be warned, our road to victory is paved with self-sacrifice."

~~~

The hardest thing about this chapter was describing young Impa. It's easy to forget that in the game, she's, like, 120 or something which means that, where this story takes place, she's like 20. I thought I'd make her 30 though so we have some age diversity.

Also, I love the "road to victory" line, I think it's so cool, especially for what I have planned. But that's it. I just thought Impa would be an interesting character to include because she literally knows what's going to happen, being an oracle and all.

I'm also proud of this chapter, I don't know why, but I am. I just think it's good, really solid plan for this chapter. It probably helps that I've been anticipating Impa ever since I wrote about Purah. I mean, obviously the story moves past Impa but I thought she would provide interesting thoughts for you guys with that last line. Really get your gears turning, you know?

Oh, well, there are still more cool things to happen. This is not the last one. You know the dealio, amigos. See ya next week and try not to die, ya feel?