Chapter Text
Zelda walked with Impa through Kakariko village, accompanying her dear friend as she made her morning rounds.
“You really didn't have to come,” the old woman said. “I know it's on your way, but we're hardly the most important stop for you.”
“Oh hush,” Zelda said, waving her off. “I wanted to see you once more since we didn't get to spend proper time at the announcement. Besides—” the princess stopped, turned, and flashed a bright smile, “I need the practice! It's been a while since I've been diplomatic, you know?”
Impa only gave a mild “hmm” at that.
“So,” Zelda began. She smoothed her expression into neutrality, whipped out her journal, and skimmed the notes on a page she'd dog-eared. “Lady Impa. Tell me about how the Calamity has affected your village.”
“Ahhh!” Impa drew out the syllable, humoring her. “Well, as you know, Princess Zelda, we are quite hidden away here—the village was relatively safe from the worst of things.”
There was a scratching sound as Zelda scribbled away in the journal. Impa continued.
“Actually, the greatest toll was on those of us who were outside. Researchers, soldiers, and the detachment sent to the Plateau.”
Zelda nodded solemnly, her eyes pinching just a little with the memory. She'd been fighting alongside some of those very soldiers, the day the world ended.
“I am very… saddened by the loss of those lives, as you know, Lady Impa. If there is anything you'd like to do, to pay respects, perhaps…”
“Oh, no,” Impa said, shaking her head. The chains on her hat swung back and forth with the motion, clinking. “We've mourned quite enough, Princess.”
Zelda wasn't so sure that was true.
She'd spent the summer in Link's house—Hateno House, as he insisted on calling it, not his—struggling to get back to herself, clawing normalcy from the strange, sad husk the Calamity had left her. She hadn't had the time to properly grieve everyone she'd lost, especially the four Champions. It had been part of her motivation to take this trip—take the first steps to restore Hyrule, yes, but also mourn with those who remembered the Champions best.
Zelda looked down at her notes, trying to get back on task.
“Well then… Lady Impa. Is there any support that you need, as we work to restore Hyrule?”
“No, that's quite all right—but you will always have our support, Zelda—that's what you were going to ask next?”
Zelda smiled, caught, looking at her next note: can we count on you in the coming days as we work to recover from the Calamity?
“You got me,” she admitted.
“Oh!” Impa said suddenly, pausing in the path. “Maybe there is something—with the guardians gone, perhaps the west road towards Hyrule Field can be restored? I have some good friends who I hope will be visiting me often.” She winked.
Zelda doubted she would be visiting from the direction of the castle any time soon, but she smiled anyway, writing down: restore road on Sahasra Slope.
“It's on the list, Lady Impa. Thank you, as always, for your generosity and hospitality.”
“Anything for you, old friend.”
They continued their walk around the village as Impa completed her rounds, talking about nothing of importance. Near the west gate, Link stood with the horses, readying their packs.
He waved to them both, smiling brightly.
Impa slapped the side of Zelda's leg.
“Oh, there he is—I wanted to chat with your boy for a moment.”
“My boy?”
Impa looked up at her to waggle an eyebrow. Zelda glared, folding her arms across her chest, but she couldn't hide her deepening blush from Impa's relentless smirk.
“What?”
“He kissed you yet?”
“Impa!”
“This is your fault, you know—if you'd tell me anything—”
“Oh shove off, you old keese,” Zelda laughed, and nudged the old woman down the path.
While Impa spoke with Link, Zelda pulled out the Sheikah Slate to give it a good shake. It buzzed and sputtered until the map finally came into view, the image faint.
They would go to Hyrule Field first, because Zelda wanted to see it. “Pay respects,” she'd said, “where the Calamity fell.”
Then they would plot out their route. The plan was to visit the four major settlements counter-clockwise around the continent—Zora's Domain, Goron City, Rito Village, and then Gerudo Town—but they had other errands along the way. With any luck, they would end up back home in Hateno before the first snow.
“Are you ready?” Link asked, having finished his talk with Impa. He was holding the lead for Zelda's white horse, Sunbeam.
“Ready,” she said, and climbed into the saddle while Link mounted his brown mare. From the edge of the path, Impa waved to them.
“You kids be careful out there!” she called. “Take care of each other!”
Link turned to look over his shoulder at Zelda, smiling as if to say, “Don't we always?”
He rode underneath the red arches of the west gate. Zelda followed him out into the green fields of summer, and so their journey began.