Long Ago

Kakariko Village

The journey to Kakariko village had been long and arduous, especially since Link had made the trek entirely on foot. He was told that he would be meeting a Sheikan woman named Impa, who was apparently very knowledgeable of his situation.

As he walked the uphill path to Kakariko, he had a vague impression that he'd been there before, and judging by the fact (that he was now aware of) that he had lost his memories, Link suspected his hunch to be correct. Slowing to a halt when he saw the arch that marked the entrance of the village, he closed his eyes, grasping for any inkling of a memory regarding the young woman, f/n.

Scrunching his nose up, he felt a thumb rubbing small circles over the wrinkled skin between his eyebrows. Link opened his eyes to find f/n's arm reaching up to his forehead, then smiling a little when he noticed her. She retracted her hand, turning on her heel and saying, "If you make that expression too much, it'll start to stick." She glanced back at him before continuing towards the village.

"Oh come on, Zelda's waiting!"

Link's lashes fluttered a little in response, but he quickly stepped forward to remain a safe distance from the princess. She continued through Kakariko's gate, inclining her head towards the guards who bowed courteously as she passed. Link unconsciously moved closer to her as they continued through the town; more people could mean a greater risk to the princess's safety. Afterall, not all the Shiekah were to be trusted, even as they were seen as advisors to the crown. Sure, being around commoners most likely equated to the princess' security, as one would not expect an attack in broad daylight in the middle of a crowded town. But this also meant that it would be far too easy for an assassin to swiftly approach the princess without even being questioned and--

"Link?" She was facing him again, and he nearly ran into her for how promptly she had halted. After a second, Link noticed with surprise that her previously playful expression had shifted to one of underlying panic. He stiffened, suddenly very alert.

The princess chewed her bottom lip.

"That sword..."  she began.  He cocked his head slightly.

"Do you--does it ever--" She grimaced, eyes caught on the hilt of the Master Sword strapped to his back. The sword? The princess made an impatient sound and suddenly grabbed the sleeve of Link's robes, pulling him off the path to the Kakariko elder's house and towards a shaded tree away from the majority of Sheikan townspeople.

"Does it speak to you? Does it give you visions?" she demanded, voice hushed. Link's eyebrows jumped up his forehead and he opened his mouth uselessly, as the answer was obvious. The princess dropped her gaze, face still knit with confusion and worry.

Hesitantly, Link lifted his hand to her face and repeated her action from earlier, thumb against the crease between her eyebrows.

She looked up, eyes wide, and she began to laugh, recalling the previous interaction. An irrepressible smile lifted the corners of Link's lips as the princess once again turned to the chief's house to meet her sister, but this time, her eyes were soft.

Opening his eyes again, Link pressed the spot on his own forehead, the memory of touch still fresh. Dropping his arm, he silently approached the village.