Before Twilight

Chapter 23: The Time is Now

Zelda's P.O.V

"The Castle has fallen." Rusl answered. 

I looked between Rusl and Mayor Bo. 

"Mayor Bo has been aware of your whereabouts here in Ordon for some time, Zelda." Lady Impa explained. 

"I do apologize my princess for not making it known. When Rusl told me that you were hiding out here I wanted to make sure that I nor anyone else would slip up and expose you." Mayor Bo explained. 

"Who else knows?" I asked. 

"Just us." Lady Impa answered. 

"What about my Father?! Where is he? Is he alright?" I demanded. 

"There is no reason for you to panic. Your Father has been taken in by the Sheikah. They will protect him." Lady Impa explained. 

"Where is he being kept?" Rusl asked. 

"I cannot disclose that information. You must trust me when I say that he is safe." She snapped. 

"Do you think that Ordon is the best place for the princess?" Mayor Bo asked. 

Lady Impa sighed before looking at Rusl. 

"What?" I asked. 

"We have much to speak about my dear." She stated.

I tilted my head at her in confusion. 

"Your Father and I thought it would be best if you would go to Termina." She explained. 

"Termina?!" I exclaimed. 

"Please Zelda you must understand. We are thinking about keeping you safe." Lady Impa stated. 

I couldn't help but feel somewhat betrayed by Lady Impa. She knew how I felt about my people, how I felt about Hyrule. She would know that I could never abandon them now. 

"I can not go to Termina that is all the way across the sea! I must stay here in Hyrule! I refuse to run and portray such weakness to the Yiga Clan. " I shouted. 

"Please Zelda you must remain calm." Rusl pleaded.

"How can you suggest such a thing Impa! " I cried. 

"Zelda please you must understand that if things go south and that your father is found out-" She started but I cut her off.

"If my father dies at the hands of the Yiga Clan than that is even more the reason that I should stay. Hyrule will need a leader, someone who will stand beside them not run off to Termina." I explained. 

"I agree with her." Mayor Bo stated.

Impa and Rusl turned to Mayor Bo in annoyance.

"If the Castle has truly fallen than the people of Hyrule will need assurance more than ever. Zelda can provide that!" He explained. 

"If the princess even as much as showed her face to the public the Yiga Clan would find her in an instant. " Impa snapped. 

"She doesn't have to make a public appearance. She just needs the people to know that she is alive, and is fighting for them. And when they realize its really her they will rally together behind her." He explained. 

"We do need more people to join our cause we lost nearly a third of our guard during the attack on Castle Town. "Rusl stated. 

"No absolutely not! The princess will do no such thing. The King made me vow to him that Zelda would be taken to Termina. I can not disobey him. "Impa explained. 

"But if you would just let me talk to him-" I tried but Impa quickly silenced me. 

"Your father demands this. You and I both know the wrath that will fall upon us if we disobey him." She scolded. 

I couldn't help but feel defeated. 

"I have already organized a ship to take you there Zelda. You will leave tomorrow morning, Rusl will take you there." She explained. 

"Where will you go?" Mayor Bo asked. 

"I must return to the King's side. We must prepare Hyrule for what is to come. " She answered. 

"Zelda you mustn't lose hope. Keep that fighting spirit locked in until it is officially time to use it. For when the time does come you must be ready." Impa explained. 

"The time has already come." I stated firmly before getting up an leaving.