gluttonforpunishment | Closed to [miphasgrace]

Closed to [miphasgrace]

The Champions are alive. Their souls freed from the Divine Beasts, their bodies from the Calamity. Link's injured, bleeding freely from a gouge along his ribs - and several of those are broken besides, but he's still on his feet, sword in his hand still alight with energy. He looks them over: Revali, Urbossa, Zelda, Daruk... Mipha.

He's exhausted. Even with their help, Ganon had not gone down easy. It had been hours of fighting and then so long on horseback with broken ribs, every draw of the Bow of Light excruciating. He's exhausted physically, and mentally, and he's not sure what's keeping him on his feet. Maybe just the stubborn refusal to collapse.

He's shed his helmet already, and he wants to sheathe his sword, but just the idea of lifting his arm makes him more tired - his arm feels like lead, he might have broken his arm as well...

Link smiles weakly. His voice is gone - dry and hoarse, so instead he just smiles and bobs his head. He's glad they're alright, he's glad Ganon is gone, but if they'll excuse him, he needs to sit down. Or maybe collapse.

His legs start to go, and it's Daruk who gets to him first, lowering him gently to the thick grass, trampled and scorched and muddy. "Easy, buddy," he says, bracing Link semi-upright.

"Are you alright, Link?" That's Zelda, hurrying to him. He's glad to see she's unhurt after her ordeal. Her dress is clean, though her sandals and feet are muddied. He nods, though he really definitely isn't alright. But he's alive, and they're alive, and Ganon is dead - or at least gone.

He looks up, past Daruk and Zelda, to Mipha. She's fine as well. He finally takes his hand off the hilt of his sword and signs - his arms are jelly, but they're stronger than his voice, "I'm really tired." He sags against Daruk. The Goron is warm even if he's a bit too hard to be comfortable to lean against. His hands fall into his lap and he blinks tiredly. He's not sure even Mipha - if she's even strong enough yet - will be able to heal all this, but he doesn't care. He has time to recover.

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"I'll send them over," Otoh says before heading off towards the stable and all the people.

A few minutes later, Zelda and Urbossa are the first to visit, Zelda clambering up into the back of the wagon, to see Link from closer up. "How's he doing?" She asks, reaching out to not quite touch Link's shoulder.

"He looks better. There's a bit of color back in his face it seems." Not much, but stopping his blood from gushing out of him, as well as some rest, will probably do wonders to anybody's complexion.

"He still has a long ways to go," Urbossa says, leaning on the back of wagon. "Don't work him too hard, Princess," though it's near impossible to tell if she means Zelda or Mipha.

Mipha smiles up at Urbosa, knowing full well that could apply to both of them.

"The healer gave him a few reliefs for his pain, as well as a sleep aid... His rest has been tranquil, thankfully." No fitful, unconscious agitation, and steady breathing throughout. Or so from what she's seen since waking, though she surely would've woken sooner had Link found unrest.

She goes quiet, turning to Zelda and allowing her a few moments of silence with Link. The other princess's worry is one she obviously knows well, aware of how close they'd grown before the Calamity.

"I'm sure the healer has already informed you..." she begins softly, toward Zelda, "Aside from his arm and ankle, we must still check what injuries may lie underneath his armor...

"But...he is going strong. As far as he still has to go, we will all see him through this."

It's as much of a pep talk for Zelda's sake as it is for her own.

"Revali wants to go, I can tell," Zelda says, carefully brushing her own fingers over Link's shoulder, feeling every bump in the link of the chainmail. "But he has always been a free spirit, I cannot blame him for wanting to go back to Rito Village. Plus, he and Link never did get along very well." Or, Revali didn't get along well with Link.

But Link looks better now. He's breathing easy, the horrid gash in his side healed over, and though his legs are bruised almost completely black and purple, his face is almost completely unmarked. She moves her hand, reaching up to brush a few hairs out of his eyes, then her thumb over an eyebrow. "Sleep is good. If there is anything I can do to help, please, don't hesitate to call on me."

"Not that you aren't already hard at work trying to fix up your kingdom, too. Come on, Princess, you can start in the morning, after you get some sleep yourself." Urbossa rolls her eyes, but she's smiling.

Mipha only shakes her head good-naturedly. Revali's one-sided competitiveness towards Link was and still is exasperating, but she knows after Vah Medoh how the Rito's views changed. Even now, she suspects he at least somewhat cares about Link's well-being...even if he'll never admit it.

"I will," she nods at Zelda, though fully agrees with Urbosa's statement. "He will have to be awoken soon...I'll tell him you both checked up on him. I'm sure Link will want to see you well-rested, too."

And regardless if anything serious turns up after their second medical prognosis, the other princess will be the first person Mipha wants to notify. But, his progress is good, considering, and a hot meal and full night's rest will do wonders for everyone in the group.

Urbossa helps Zelda down and they're just starting to head towards the stable when Otoh appears coming from that direction, the stable farrier walking with her. He bows a bit awkwardly to Zelda and she smiles back at him, but doesn't stop to speak with him, intending to let him get to the work of freeing Link from his armor.

He clambers up into the back of the wagon, and the shift in the weight makes Link stir, no doubt his neck or back jolted by the change. He blinks and starts to stir more resolutely, trying to lift his hands, but he catches sight of Mipha first and falls still again.

"I can definitely just snip through the links," the farrier says, digging in his bag for a huge pair of cutters. "Shouldn't take me more than a few minutes."

Otoh nods and gets into the wagon as well, sitting on Link's other side, near his shoulder. He blinks sleepily and she reaches out to wipe some of the crusts from his eyes. "Link, we're going to cut the chainmail off of you, check you for any more injuries, and then you can get something to eat and drink."

He nods and relaxes back, attention returning to Mipha over anybody or anything else.

Her attention had been turned to Otoh and the farrier when they climbed in, on his response and the new task soon at hand. When she moves her focus back to Link after the healer explains, her fond smile returns as she notices his eyes on her.

"I know the prospect of a meal is exciting for you," she remarks to the glutton with light humor, "but please bear with us." One of her hands, almost instinctively, comes to rest on his shoulder near his neck. A soft touch, to anchor him as his sleep haze wears off, along with the smile that gets softer the more she looks at him.

"I trust you slept as well as you appeared to...?" Beginning to idly stroke her thumb, Mipha speaks not only to gauge Link and keep his—frankly, adorable—attention occupied, but also to ease the newfound tension she's developed knowing they're about to discover the last of his physical state. At the side of her mind, some of her attention is still on the farrier and any progress he makes. "Hopefully with your armor off and another thorough treatment, tonight's sleep will be even better."

Link puts his hand on his belly and smiles up at Mipha. He is hungry, but her hand on his neck is enough to distract him, at least for a bit longer.

He glances down at the farrier as he man moves closer - He recognizes the man, he's shoed and reshoed Link's horses often enough, but Link's not sure the farrier recognizes him.

Not many know now that he's a champion. To most, he's just a traveler, a man that's saved them and their friends from monsters, or cooked them a meal. A far cry from him now, bloody and in the back of a wagon, traveling with the Princess.

He sighs quietly and closes his eyes, the snipping noise the cutters make as they work through his chainmail lulling him back into a size.

"Now don't fall back to sleep just yet." Her voice is no less quiet, just a precautionary measure in case the short meantime is enough for exhaustion to claim him again. She continues her rhythmic brushing against him, and can admit she welcomes the sight of Link being able to relax in the first place.

She watches the chainmail being cut piece by piece, glancing between the work and Link to see if the movement is causing him any irritation. The farrier clearly knows what he's doing, and Mipha appreciates his slow and careful method to keeping Link's disturbance to a minimum, and providing such help despite the relatively odd circumstances.

As the last few sections of the chainmail go, she can't help but ready herself for healing, even if they'd rather her save the energy. But, her hand remains in its comforting position, the other held steady as she waits for the last of the chainmail to be stripped.

Link blinks himself back awake as she speaks to him, and he watches her as she watches the farrier. Occasionally, he feels pressure as the mail is pulled on, or the brush of fingers against his undertunic, but the man's working carefully, and soon enough the front of the armor is pulled away and Otoh is quick to cut through the fabric, exposing his chest.

Overall, it looks good. Otoh's relieved. There's bruises aplenty, but the armor's done its work and he's well protected. The fresh scar along his ribs where he'd taken the blow is delicate, but it's solidly shut, and only more bruising lingers around the edges of the wound.

"Thank you," she tells the farrier, and he nods. "Glad to be of assistance. If you bring the back half, I can see about repairing the chainmail." He puts down his clippers, gathers up the little half-circles of chainmail, then eases himself out of the back of the wagon.

Otoh reaches behind her for a stethoscope. "Let's check your breathing, Link, make sure there's no fluid in your lungs." She presses the end to his chest and he breathes as directed. "Help me roll him onto his side so we can remove the rest of the chestpiece and I can listen some more." She looks up at Mipha, but there's no apprehension on her face. His lungs and heart both sound good, and she can even hear the rumbling of his stomach.

She hadn't realized she'd been holding her breath until the chainmail was off and, in comparison to how the rest of him fared, things actually look good. Lightly, she squeezes next to his shoulder as she breathes a sigh of relief, and looks down at him again to give him a big smile.

Locking eyes with the healer, she doesn't have to say anything. It's evident that things are better than initially expected, and she can't help but direct a smile at her, too. When Otoh asks for assistance, Mipha nods, though she takes a quick moment to say to Link, "I'm sorry about this... Just a few moments."

Taking hold, she helps roll him to the side indicated by Otoh as gently as possible, taking extra care with his ribs and the arm that's broken. Then, she slides the rest of his chainmail out from under him and brushes aside any other debris so he won't lay back down on anything. With a free hand, she returns to her effort to comfort Link in this directly uncomfortable position by laying the hand in his hair as Otoh continues to check his breathing.

Link gasps as he's rolled, pain shooting through his neck and ribs and arm, but recovers long enough at least to breathe as deeply as he's able for Otoh to listen. She's quick, and soon helps Mipha lay him back down on his back and re-nestle him in the pillows and bean-sacks keeping him from moving much otherwise.

"It looks like if there was any internal damage, Mipha fixed it along with the gash in your side. You just have the broken ribs and the bruising. We'll have to wrap your chest tightly, and splint your arm and ankle. You'll also be off your feet until your ankle heals enough to bear your weight, at least three weeks, possibly more." They were going to be lucky to get three days rest from Link, though. They'd make the best that they could of it.

"There's no obvious fractures in your skull, either, but you might have damage to your neck. In the morning, Mipha can work on that, maybe, so you can at least sit up and look around. We'll keep you lying down tonight, though."

Link nods a little. Then he thinks of something and winces, a little. He glances from Mipha to Otoh and back again, cheeks flushed, not sure how to say - or sign what he needs. It's embarrassing, but... he has to go.

But he can't lay here and hold it forever. He looks to Otoh and signs, "I need to..." he hesitates, then winces his eyes shut, "I need to go."

There's a...pause.

And then a quiet, "Oh!" as Mipha brings a hand to her mouth in both sheepish surprise and sympathetic bashfulness. Well. Her healing power certainly can't help that.

Nor was it a problem she'd ever encountered before, grievous injuries notwithstanding. A tiny part of her own embarrassment is because she didn't even think of this even coming up. Although, with everything going on, it's not exactly something that was on the forefront of her mind to take care of.

"Ah..." She looks helplessly at Otoh, her hand still at her mouth and her cheeks a little bit dark as well. Link seems mortified, but it's no problem she'll laugh at; all she can do to solve it, though, is look at Otoh with a face that reads How can we help?

Otoh, on the other hand, is smiling, just a little. She brings her hand up to cover her smile, a bit delayed, then says, "We can fix that. Princess, maybe you can go check and see how the dinner is coming? It should be almost ready." Link looks mortified for sure, but at her suggestion, he relaxes a little. In love with Mipha he might be, he's apparently not ready for her to help him relieve himself.

"I have a bedpan here, so it shouldn't be something we need your help for." She rests her hand on Link's shoulder gently.

"Y-yes, of course..." Mipha sounds about as placated as Link looks, nodding with haste and offering nothing more than an apologetic smile to Link. Anything she could say would only pile onto the already awkward tension, she knows.

Out of the back of the wagon she goes, making sure to close the curtain modestly behind her. She takes a few steps away from the wagon as a start for their privacy, and uses the moment to process where they've stopped and how everyone's milling about. She recognizes Dueling Peaks; the swamp to the east effectively serving as a Guardian graveyard; and beyond that, Fort Hateno. Her sweeping gaze ends on the road to Kakariko to the north, with the knowledge that just beyond their quiet village destination is the path to Zora's Domain...and the family who will be overjoyed to have her back.

In her reverie, Mipha somehow misses the sight of Daruk enthusiastically waving her over until he actually calls out. The other Champions and Princess Zelda have congregated near where several of the Sheikah are preparing food. She slowly pads over, giving a warm smile and greeting to everyone milling about, whether Kakariko villagers or stable hands, along the way. The smell of dinner grows stronger as she gets closer, and she identifies the smell as some sort of rice stir-fry combined with generous hunks of meat that will no doubt make Link's mouth water.

Her smile becomes brighter as she reaches the Champions - Urbosa with her arm still around Zelda, Daruk towering above the group, and even Revali standing off to the side, though his wings crossed and posture aloof. "So? How is the little guy?" asks Daruk, worry overshadowed by a jovial tone once he's noticed that Mipha looks happy.

"He's doing well... We checked for further injuries underneath his armor, and were delighted to find nothing more serious." She looks Zelda's way during the latter explanation, keeping her informed as promised. "The healer is...helping to prepare him so he can eat, as well."

Zelda sighs in relief and nods. "I'm glad to hear that." She, like Mipha, has looked out over the field. It looks different to when she last saw it, but she can't deny that Link is in a much better state now than last time. He's still injured, but not fatally. He'll recover from his injuries in time, without the aid of the Shrine of Resurrection.

"I've been assured that messenger birds have already been sent out to the villages and towns, letting the people know that Ganon is defeated, and the Champions are alive and well. No doubt we'll be seeing visitors of all races soon, but... if you want to return home, I will not stop you. Our mission is complete, all we have left to do now is try to pick up the pieces."

She watches over Mipha's shoulder as Otoh clambers out of the wagon and pulls the curtain shut again, but doesn't go far, instead standing with her head turned towards the slightest gap in the fabric. "Once we get back to Kakariko village, with Impa's help, I can come up with a plan for Hyrule's recovery. First and foremost, accessing the treasuries and putting and end to the blight of Ganon's remaining monsters."

Repairing the castle was the last thought on her mind - her people came first. They'd been without aid for a hundred years, without the assistance of soldiers to keep the peace and guard the roads from bandits. There was a lot of rebuilding to do.

"One thing at a time, Princess. First, we need to get to the village."

"I'm sure my father and the Zora people will be more than willing to lend their aid, when you need it."

The thought of seeing her father and brother again, assuaging their century-long grief and share in their happy tears...she feels almost giddy thinking about it. Yet she's torn. Revali may want to turn wing and leave for home (though she can't help but notice he didn't immediately after Zelda's suggestion), but Mipha's desire to stay with Link is just as strong.

Mipha glances back to the wagon briefly. It's like Urbosa said. First things first, and then they can start worrying about the bigger picture.

"Yeah! And so will my brothers! You can count on us, Princess!" Daruk's proclamation makes Mipha smile and nod toward Zelda again. She finds his words just as comforting as Urbosa's; the two older presences in the group of Champions giving them peace of mind and heartwarming assurance.

"We'll get there soon..." she adds, "...just after some well-deserved sleep."

[Apologies for delay, my laptop broke and phone tags are always an event]

Zelda nods. "We could all use some rest." Shed actually dozed a little on the journey here, but not much: she's still too - thrilled? - to be ready for sleep

The Sheikah cooks, just then, lift their heads from their work. "Dinner is ready." They has a small mountain of bowls at the ready, but of course Zelda would get the first bowl, then the rest of the champions.

"Could Princess Mipha and myself get a bowl extra? For Link and and Otoh."

The man nodded, passing two bowls to Zelda, but the second one he offered to Mipha want the same as what everybody else was getting. For Link, it was a rice mash with well-shredded bits of meat and tiny bits of vegetables. A perfect meal for an invalid, while also working hard to restore some of Link's vitality.

[No worries! Sounds rough though, I'm sorry. /: ]

As they're handed out, Daruk laughs and gives a hearty pat on the back to one of the cooks before explaining he'd scavenged for some choice rocks to eat for himself. The Sheikah, to their credit, stood ground remarkably well.

Mipha graciously takes the bowls, looking to the one meant for Link and nodding. Even as a primary raw fish-eater, she knows good food when she smells it. It's probably going to be a challenge to restrain him from wolfing it down, no matter its consistency. She turns to the cooks and tilts her head down in a slight bow, saying, "Thank you very much," with a smile that reached her eyes to convey sincere gratitude for their work.

Steaming bowls in hand, she then turns to both Zelda and takes only a step or two in the direction of the wagon serving as the makeshift medical bay. "I think they should be ready by now..." There's a little hesitancy in her voice, though, as she checks from afar to see a sign of their...progress being complete, just in case they add a second princess to the line of Link's mortification.

"I think so as well... I just saw the healer get back in." Zelda nods to the wagon and as she does so, Otoh emerges again, carrying something away from the wagon a fair distance before crouching down in some longer grass.

She finishes what she's doing and straightens, waving to them as soon as she sees them.

She waits at the back of the wagon for them. "That smells good," she says, pushing the curtain open and stepping up. She rinses her hands briefly with a bit of water from a jar, then reaches to take the bowl Zelda offers.

Link's been propped up a bit better with more bean sacks and pillows, and his stomach grumbles loud enough time be heard almost outside the wagon. The flush to his cheeks is mostly gone, and there's a blanket around his legs and chest since he'd lost most all of his clothing to having his wounds treated.

Re-entering the wagon, Mipha looks at Zelda expectantly to join them. No words are exchanged, but the opportunity to have a gathering for a meal is so excitingly normal, she doesn't want to pass up the chance even if it's only the four out of everyone at the stable.

Link looks much more at ease in his new position, which brightens her smile before she even meets his eyes. With the blanket, he looks snug enough for bed, but with the ever-familiar sounds of his stomach growling, Mipha knows he's in the prime mood for stuffing his face.

He'll probably have to settle for a second-hand helping, but one step at a time.

Her own bowl is set to the side as she returns to her place next to Link. This time, at least, she's not hovering over him and he's propped a little, and when she settles down Link's bowl is tilted toward him so he can put a sight to the smell. "I know this is what you've been waiting for," she says with a laugh in her voice, though she won't torture him with teasing but for a second or two.

Link stares down at the bowl for a moment, then curls his hand over his belly. He's still embarrassed, and though he knows everybody here, he's still unable to find his voice. Instead, he signs, "Looks really good... I'm starving."

"We can tell," Zelda says with a quiet laugh, passing Otoh's bowl to her. "It's good that you're hungry, though, right?" She looks to Otoh for confirmation, then starts a little. "Oh, I should have introduced myself sooner. Zelda." She offers out her hand to Otoh, and the healer hesitates for a second, a flash of disbelief on her face that Zelda would think she had to introduce herself, then reached out to shake the Princess's hand.

"Otoh. I've patched your knight up many a time, princess."

"Really? Maybe while he eats, you can tell me some of his story?" Link may have been quiet and reserved, but with somebody he trusted, and a story to tell, he could really get going. Not that she had ever experienced Link like that herself, he'd always been so quiet.

Any sort of utensils aren't hard to find, and Mipha scooches nearer to Link. Assistance for eating in needing such, of course—not that she'd pass up an opportunity for further closeness at this point.

"I'd like to second that," she says after a pause. Though granted her ability of Grace, it had been for the utmost dire of circumstances and each reunion was hasty and brief; a broken promise only partially mended after one hundred years. Meeting one of the most important people responsible for Link's continued well-being is beyond the scope of any words she could put toward gratitude. She'll have to find a way to personally and truly thank her.

Returning her focus to Link, though, she's pleased he's perked up - both at the food, and the suggestion. Silently and aside from Zelda and Otoh, she holds the bowl and utensil (already scooped with the precious cuisine Link's stomach is seconds away from gaining a mind of its own for) in an inquisitive sort of way to indicate that Link can choose and dictate the action of his own accord. Her smile goes from teasing to empathetic in the process. He's been embarrassed enough for one day, honestly, and being hand-fed like a child regardless of current injuries would be putting salt in the wound if handled condescendingly or incorrectly.

Link waits for Zelda's attention to be drawn by Otoh's story about the time he gave himself a concussion falling off the roof of one of the houses in the village attempting to catch a cuccoo before he looks to Mipha and signs, "Give me the spoon or put it in my mouth, before my stomach grows its own." He's smiling, and fondly, words not matching the patient, waiting body posture.

Out of everything to start with and overhear, Mipha's pleased it's somewhat humorous and fairly gold as far as Link's recklessness goes. With the pleasant atmosphere and Link's joking, she bows her head slightly with a silent giggle.

"Oh, that truly would be disastrous, wouldn't it?" It's as soft as the look she's giving him in return; loud enough for him to hear but not to interrupt the story in the background. She passes the spoon to his good arm, deeming it well enough to not strain eating if he's signing. But she keeps the bowl, held out for him, is ready to take over if even the little actions prove to be still too much.

Watching him eat gets her lost in a few memories of her own before she realizes she's just as fondly staring at him.

He manages to eat, but it's slow going - his head and neck both hurt fiercely, and bringing his arm and hand up that far really brings home again that no matter how perfectly the Master Sword fit in his hand, how perfectly balanced it was, it was still a sword, and still had weight.

He might not have broken his right arm in the fight, but his muscles were overextended and strained.

Link gets a half dozen spoonfuls of the food - it could be spicier, but it's good anyways - before he simply can't pull the spoon and its meager weight back out.

He blinks at Mipha, then sighs and lets his head fall back against the support Otoh had put together to keep his head from aching too much more.

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do you ever write a tag in your head but forget to type it? that's me.........................

it's like a nice surprise. gives it time to marinate

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