11A/N: Wow. I can hardly believe I'm returning to this story after being away for over three years. I never intended to just leave it, but only in the last few days have the creative juices begun to flow again. I looked over the first three chapters and edited them for clarity, adding more [very needed] narrative to explain things. (Chris Daughtry's "September" was inspirational in my edits of the first three chapters, in case anyone is interested.) Then I wrote this one. This chapter is a bit darker; I spent hours listening to the OoT score and watching a walkthrough on YouTube for its inspiration.
Between my edits and this new chapter, I hope the explanation of how the memories of erased time work is clear. Enjoy!
Chapter 4 – Unpleasant Revelations
"Really… Really?" Link said in a low breath. He sat back down on the lounge chair, and Impa sat facing him. Link could not understand why this was so confusing to him. Of course, Zelda had grown up by now. And she was a member of the Royal Family—royalty had obligations. Yet his memories of her were either as a child or as a mysterious woman with connections to the Goddesses. He couldn't picture her having a normal life. He couldn't picture himself having a normal life.
"Where have you been all this time, old friend?" Impa questioned, her voice becoming gentler. "This is the biggest talk of the town."
Link paused, thinking how to answer. "I've been away—for too long," he said. "I don't want to talk about it."
"Then I'll fill you in," said Impa. She didn't press Link with more questions. "The Lord Declan of Radnor seeks an alliance with Hyrule's Royal Family. The late king's greatest accomplishment was to unite the people of Hyrule—"
"Wait—late?" Link interrupted in surprise.
Impa raised her eyebrows. "You've had no news at all? Our king fell ill and did not recover," she explained somberly. "This was more than three years ago."
Link could think of nothing to say. He leaned back on the lounge chair and began to wonder how much more shocking news he would hear before the day was over.
"The princess wishes to continue her father's efforts by making alliances," Impa continued. "The Lord Declan, however, has taken the initiative in seeking this alliance. He wishes for a marriage between himself and the princess, which would ensure an alliance between Hyrule and Radnor as long the marriage lasts."
"Radnor? What land is that?" Link asked.
"I suppose you haven't heard about the founding of Radnor, either," said Impa. "It is close to five years old, and it is located north of the Desert Colossus, making it all the more a politically advantageous alliance for Hyrule."
"Why is that?" Link wanted to know. "Is there trouble in the desert?" Images of Ganondorf as the dark rider from the desert intruded on Link's mind.
Impa spoke carefully, "The Gerudo are not happy that their king disappeared with no explanation after journeying to Hyrule Castle to swear allegiance to Hyrule's king." The look that passed between them told each other they both knew what had happened—Zelda had restarted time before Link had opened the Door of Time and drawn the Master Sword, but after he had recovered the three spiritual stones and thus after the Gerudo king had come to Hyrule Castle. Since Ganondorf was sealed in the Evil Realm, it would seem to those who had known him that he had indeed vanished mysteriously.
"But Nabooru is still their leader, isn't she?" Link recalled. "Nothing has happened to her, I hope…" He braced himself for more unpleasant news.
"Nabooru is still their leader," Impa assured him. "But there is much tension among their people." She paused. "I think it would be better to continue this conversation in a more private area," she said softly as she rose to her feet. "Also," she said, smiling, "I think some refreshments are in order for you."
"Thank you, Impa." Link managed a small smile as he stood. "Something to eat does sound good."
Impa's eyes revealed joy in her typically stern face. "Welcome back," she said again. Link knew that this time she truly meant it.
ZZZ
Link could not stop his thoughts from churning around and around. The fresh air of the cheerful mid-morning did not calm his mind. Nor did the fruit and biscuits that Impa had arranged for the servant girl Milana to bring. Link sat with Impa on a little balcony outside her quarters, slowly consuming a biscuit while musing.
Nabooru, the Sage of Spirit, had been leader of the Gerudo, second only to their king, Ganondorf. The Gerudo tribe honored Nabooru, but they practically worshiped Ganondorf. Only one male child was born to the tribe every hundred years, and that child by law must be made king. The Gerudo always had fierce pride in and admiration for their lone male ruler when one was granted to them. Ganondorf had surely been no exception.
But Nabooru saw Ganondorf for who he really was—a tyrannical man who lusted for more power and would sacrifice the lives of others to get what he wanted. Nabooru refused to serve a king like that. She had intended to confront Ganondorf and oppose him—alone if necessary. But Ganondorf's most trusted advisors, the ancient Gerudo witches Koume and Kotake, discovered Nabooru's intention and punished her by taking her mind and making her work for Ganondorf. It was seven years before Link came and freed her.
Link thought about his allies and how they had fared during the seven years he was asleep. He had been right—Malon had gotten off relatively easy during that dark time when Ganondorf had seized the Triforce of Power and ruled Hyrule with darkness. Many others lived in hiding or were imprisoned, all fearing for their lives. Even those who lived with more freedom were haunted by dark entities. Link was sure Nabooru had had the worst of it—after all, she had been so close to Ganondorf. It was probable that they may have been closely related by blood.
Now, though, none of this mattered to any of the other Gerudo, who had no knowledge of it. They all still resented the loss of their king in the prime of his life, especially with no explanation.
"Do the Gerudo blame the Royal Family for their king's disappearance?" Link asked Impa, once they were sure they were alone.
"No formal accusation has been made," said Impa. "But often a Gerudo emissary demanded an audience with Hyrule's king, while he lived. He was pressed with many questions and entreaties for an explanation. Of course, he was as baffled as they, and could tell them nothing. The princess has kept silent as well."
"What has Nabooru told her people?" Link asked.
"Nabooru's situation is difficult," Impa explained. "None of her people know what she knew about Ganondorf. None of them know that she had every intent of defying him. All they know is that their king went to swear allegiance to the Hylian Royal Family, and he never returned—and not a soul in Hyrule can offer any explanation for his disappearance."
Link sighed quietly as Impa continued speaking.
"Nabooru cannot appear too friendly toward Hyrule—she has told her people that an explanation will continue to be sought, but she has always encouraged a diplomatic approach. In her heart, she wishes her people would let it go, but she knows they will not. Many of them resent her for not taking a more aggressive approach. You know relations between Hyrule and the Gerudo have tended to be strained… Several of the Gerudo are suspicious of Hylian treachery, and they are beginning to suspect their leader of being involved."
"We should tell them the truth," Link said. But even as the words left his mouth, he knew the solution would have to be more complex than that.
"You are speaking to one of the greatest lovers of truth who lives," said Impa sadly. Link knew she was referring to her own people, the Sheikahs, of whom she was the last. It was said they were devoted to truth. "But, Link, we have no evidence—of anything. It was all undone."
"Is there no way we can make it up to them?" Link asked, again doubting his own words as he spoke them.
"The loss of their king is a very grievous blow to them—more grievous than most Hylians can understand," said Impa. "And they are a proud, fierce people. If they suspect Hyrule of treachery against their king, they would see it as insult added to injury if Hyrule tried to appease them in any way."
"Do they really think Hyrule's Royal Family would take the life of a man coming to them in friendship?" Link asked, his anger rising. "We are nobler than that. That's the kind of thing they would do," he said bitterly, as his memories from erased time returned. "I went to them in peace, and they threw me in prison without an accusation or any opportunity to explain myself. Because they themselves operate with treachery and brutality, are they quick to accuse others of doing so as well?"
"Calm yourself," said Impa gently. "We must focus on the present, and not on the past—or the undone past. As things are now, the Gerudo emissaries have ceased their visits to Hyrule since the death of the king. We are assured, though, that they have not given up their pursuit of an answer. Can you really blame them, knowing how little they know?"
"No, I don't," Link conceded. He knew Impa was right.
"This is particularly why the princess welcomes the Lord Declan's proposal," Impa continued.
Link groaned inside. He had almost forgotten about Lord Declan. He could not tell why the man's name affected him negatively.
"Radnor isn't remarkably large," Impa went on, "but—should things come to this—it could give the Gerudo a good fight, even without Hylian assistance."
"Then war is a possibility?" Link asked, his eyes widening.
"War is always a possibility," Impa said soberly. "Now, it is not one we are looking at very closely, if that's what you're asking. But it is never to be forgotten—precautions must be taken, if wisdom is to be sought."
"But what about Nabooru?" Link asked in dismay. "Would Hyrule ask her to turn against her own people?"
"Would she?" Impa questioned. "She refused to serve Ganondorf, but she is very much a Gerudo. I am sure she devotedly awaits the arrival of the Gerudo king as much as the others do, and I do not think she has any love for Hylians."
"No!" said Link firmly, leaning forward in his seat. "No. We didn't suffer so much together just so we could turn on each other. We sealed Ganondorf away to bring peace to the world—if we fought each other, it would be as though he still ruled!"
Link shut his mouth then, feeling shaken. Am I getting carried away unnecessarily? he wondered. Or is Ganondorf not as gone as we thought?
"Calm yourself, Link," Impa said again. "We do not want war. The main purpose and hope of the alliance between Hyrule and Radnor is to deter war. Our hope is that the Gerudo will be less likely to attack Hyrule if nearby Radnor is ready and willing to come to Hyrule's defense."
Link said nothing. He had read about wars. All sorts of diplomatic precautions were always taken, and then one small offense would burst the kindling into flame. His mother had died because of a war.
"Is there really no time for me to speak with Zelda?" he asked. He felt selfish for asking, yet he longed for a sense of direction he was sure only she could give.
"Not unless you would deprive her of sleep, and that I cannot allow," replied Impa. "But I will set up lodgings for you here if you would care for them."
Link hid his disappointment at not being able to meet with Zelda. "Thank you, Impa. I would appreciate that very much." He looked down at the world below. "I think I'll spend some time in town today," he said. He hoped a pleasant excursion in Castle Town would divert his attention from the day's unpleasant revelations.
A/N: I'm really trying to balance Link's character. I want him to be the noble hero from the game, but I also want him to have more human emotions (that sometimes cloud his judgment), both positive and negative. Yet I don't want him so overcome by emotions that he acts like a whiny little girl. My solution is reveal many of his thoughts. I think it's safe to assume he does a lot of thinking, as he is so silent in the game. But I don't want to make him an emotionless legend from a stained-glass window, either. I hope I'm doing a decent job at this...