The Hidden Princess

Consequence

Link opened his eyes in a place he didn't know, a pair of red eyes staring unwaveringly at him and him only.

"Where am I?" he asked as he sat up slowly, Impa blurring and moving in strange ways until she came into focus.

"Kakariko," Impa answered curtly.

Link furrowed his brow.

"Did I do something wrong?" he asked.

"Depends," Impa said, leaning forward. "What's the last thing you remember?"

"Defeating Volvagia I guess..." Link answered, Impa hiding a sigh a relief. "But how did I get to Kakariko?"

"Your tunic was cut in the fight," Impa replied. "It no longer protected you from the heat, not to mention your other injuries. You passed out. You were brought here after you were healed at a fairy fountain."

"Makes sense," Link voiced casually.

"The portal to the Sacred Realm won't hold for much longer," Impa continued as she stood up. "You must return to the volcano and claim the medallion from Darunia before Ganondorf takes notice."

"Right," Link said with a nod, starting to prepare his belt, his boots.

Impa turned to leave, making it to the door before she was stopped by a hesitant,

"Impa."

The Sheikah didn't move a muscle, only stopping, her back turned to Link.

"Do you know where Zelda is?"

"Why do you ask?" Impa inquired turning her head to her shoulder.

"No particular reason, I just...I'm worried...I haven't seen or heard...anything..."

"Just tell me if she's alive...I can take the truth."

"Don't concern yourself with the Princess, Link."

"But..."

Impa suddenly leveled him with a distinct glare, Link leaning back.

"Link!" Navi said, entering in the silence, the palpable tension. "Are you feeling okay?"

"Yeah..." he said as he watched Impa leave with a nod.

"I'm fine," he continued, Link leaving for Death Mountain with the volumes that that red glare spoke.

"I know what you're gonna say, Impa," Sheik started as Impa paced before her. "That I was impulsive...and reckless...and that I still could have gotten caught at the fairy fountain. Even for just helping Link so directly Ganondorf could have seen me as a threat...but he was dying, Impa."

Impa sighed.

"He needed you in that moment," Impa finally said. "It was risky, but necessary."

"If you understand, then why do you look so disappointed?"

Impa paused.

"He wouldn't stop saying your name."

"Really?" Sheik replied.

Impa looked at her with disbelief at the way she said it.

She was almost excited.

"I...I mean," Sheik said with her slightly lowered voice, "that's very interesting."

"For goodness sake, Sheik," Impa said. "How blind do you think I am?"

"What are you talking about?" Sheik asked.

Impa scoffed.

"Impa, what are you talking about?" Sheik repeated.

"You need to keep your feelings under control."