Couple of the Wild (ZeLink)

Chapter 56: The Shrine of Blood

"Can you check Epona in?" Link asked the Rito Stable owner. With a nod, the stablemaster signaled the employees of the stable to take Epona away. "Treat her gently! Oh, and feed her a lot! She eats just like her owner does."

"Link?" a quiet voice suddenly called out. Link turned to see Zelda standing behind him, her eyes looking even more weary than before. "I want to leave now if that's alright with you."

"I don't see a problem with it," Link said, watching as the employees put his horse away. "You're the boss."

Zelda sighed at the sound of that, fidgeting with her tunic.

"I... I want to make a stop somewhere before we head to the Shrine of Resurrection," she said quickly. "There's something I want to do."

"Alright then," Link said without any extra input. Zelda frowned even more before taking out the Sheikah Slate. With a tap of the button, Link felt himself dissipate before forming once again. The air had become much warmer as the winds had become more peaceful. Link blinked a few times before looking at his surroundings.

"Kakariko Village?" Link asked. Zelda nodded as she began to walk down the hill, away from the usual shrine warp. Link slowly followed as the two made their way down, Dorian and his kids waving happily as other Sheikah members greeted them. Before long, the two stood in front of the Sheikah elder's familiar home.

"If you could remain here for a moment," Zelda said, almost sounding professional. Link shrugged as he watched Zelda walk up the stairs. While he knew he had chosen to just follow Zelda's lead from now on, he couldn't help but wonder what in Hyrule she was doing.

With an opening of the door, Zelda walked into the large open room of the home. She slowly slid the door close behind her.

"Zelda," an old voice called out to her. "I can see it in your eyes. What's wrong, dear girl?"

"Impa..." Zelda called out with a sad smile, tears beginning to run down her face. "Can you do something for me?"

* * * * *

She sure is taking a while, Link thought to himself as he sat on the steps outside. The moment the thought occurred to him, the sound of footsteps could be heard behind him. He turned, expecting to see Zelda's brilliantly long, golden hair, however the hair he saw was white.

"Oh, good morning Paya," Link said as the girl walked past him towards the stones, still holding apples inside of them. "Cleaning stones again?"

"Why yes, Link, I am," Paya said quietly as she continued to scrub away. Link couldn't help but notice the sudden coldness in Paya's voice.

"Everything alright, Paya?" Link asked. Paya sighed as she gave Link a worried look.

"Link, do you remember when you visited that time a few months ago?" Paya asked. Link thought for a moment, remembering back to the last time he had visited that had to do with Paya.

"Was this when you asked me how I felt about Zelda?" he asked slowly. Paya nodded.

"I believe I told you being in denial would come back to you and get you in trouble," Paya said as she went back to cleaning the stones. "I... I truly am worried for you two."

Link raised an eyebrow in worried confusion. What did she mean by that?

"Paya, what do you mean? Am I missing-?"

Before Link could finish his sentence, the knight felt the gentle brush of someone walking past him. He looked up, expecting once again to see Zelda's long, flowing hair. However, all Link saw was the back of a worn down Hylian Tunic, and a short bob of golden hair.