"A Glimmer of Control"

Impa's grip on Zelda's shoulders remained firm, but her voice took on a soothing quality, like a gentle breeze on a summer's day. "Tell me, Zelda, if Link were to be...restrained, how would you want it to be done? What would make you feel better?" Zelda's tears had slowed to a sniffle, but her eyes still shone with a mixture of fear and desperation. She took a deep breath, and her words tumbled out in a rush. "I...I don't know, Impa. I just don't want him to be hurt. But if...if it's going to happen, I want it to be done carefully. I want him to be comfortable, I suppose." Impa's expression was a mask of calm, but her mind was racing. She had never seen Zelda like this before, so fragile and vulnerable. "Comfortable?" she repeated, her voice gentle. "What do you mean, Zelda?" Zelda's face scrunched up, and she looked like she was about to cry again. "I mean...I mean, if he's going to be tied up, I want it to be with soft ropes, not those harsh ones that dig into his skin. And I want him to have a blanket, or a pillow, something to make him feel...secure, I suppose." Impa's thoughts flashed back to when Zelda was a little girl, throwing tantrums over the smallest things. Her parents, the king and queen, had always tried to reason with her, to find out what was bothering her and fix it. And now, as Impa listened to Zelda's words, she felt a pang of nostalgia. This was the same child, all grown up, but still struggling to cope with her emotions. "And what about...other things, Zelda?" Impa asked, her voice measured. "Would you want him to be...gagged, or...?" Zelda's face went red, and she looked away, her voice barely above a whisper. "No, no gag. I don't think that would be...fair. But...but if he has to be restrained, I want it to be done with care. I want whoever does it to be...gentle, I suppose." Impa's expression was sympathetic, but her mind was working overtime. She was starting to realize that Zelda's fears weren't just about Link's safety, but about her own sense of control. The princess wanted to believe that she had some say in what happened to Link, that she could make it okay. As Impa listened to Zelda's words, she felt a sense of unease growing inside her. This wasn't just about Link's confinement; it was about Zelda's own desires, her own fantasies. And Impa wasn't sure if she was comfortable with what she was hearing. "I see, Zelda," Impa said finally, her voice soft. "I think I understand. You want to make sure Link is safe, and comfortable, if...if he is restrained." Zelda nodded, her eyes still red-rimmed. "Yes, Impa. That's all I want." Impa's grip on Zelda's shoulders tightened, and she pulled the princess into a gentle hug. "We'll do everything we can, Zelda. I promise."