If the Boot Fits

Promises

Ghirahim, Zant, and Groose were practicing in the training yard again. Link focused more on his stepbrothers' fumbling forms through the window than sweeping the floor. When he was sure Ghirahim would be occupied for a while, Link put the broom away. He found Aryll folding the laundry.

"They'll be busy for a while," Link said.

"Let's go then!" Aryll burst from the pile of laundry, grabbing a sewing kit from a drawer. She raced ahead of Link, up the two flights of stairs, and into their room.

Link followed her into the room, sitting down in the middle of the floor. He sorted through the black, dark blue, and gold fabrics, finding a good mix.

"Try it on!" Aryll trilled excitedly. Her legs bounced beneath her

Link took his tunic off, pulling a white undershirt and blue tunic on in its place. He found a newer pair of trousers with a dirt stain on one knee, slipping that on. A black leather belt made the tunic fit nicely. Link spun to face Aryll, arms spread questionly.

Aryll's eyes widened, her legs slowed their bouncing. She tilted her head. "It's missing something."

Diving into the pile of clothes, she came back with a black overcoat in hand. Aryll made Link put it on, ignoring the rip in the arm and the small silver spikes on the shoulders. This was clearly meant to be Zant's garment.

Lifting an eyebrow, Link felt ridiculous in this knee-length, spiky coat. But if it helped him go unnoticed at the ball, it would do.

"I can patch that rip," Aryll muttered, digging through the kit. She found a small spindle of black string, threading that through the eye of a needle. Link started to take the coat off, but Aryll protested. "I have to fix it while it's on you, or else it'll look weird."

Link sighed, pulling the coat back on. Maybe she just wanted to laugh at Link wearing this ridiculous thing. He certainly wanted to. A chuckle left his mouth as Aryll finished sewing the sleeve.

"Now take the coat off," she ordered. "I think there was a tear in the back of the tunic."

Link shrugged the coat off just as something rapped against the window. The two paused. A hand knocked on the window again when neither of them opened it. Link was the first to step closer to the small square, hesitently pushing the slab of glass out. Looking down, he saw Revali clinging to two arrows shoved between the stones of the house.

"Took you long enough," Revali snarled.

"What are you doing?" Aryll gasped behind Link.

"I came to get my part of the money." Revali rolled his eyes as if this was obvious. "I saw you in town, but I lost you when you left. I found you again, but you were talking to that girl Mipha. I didn't want to involve her."

"How considerate," Aryll said mockingly. Link shot her a scolding look, and she crossed her arms defensively. "Well, we lost it all. Ghirahim found it and took it."

"I still need some payment," Revali retorted. "I didn't climb this wall for nothing!"

"Sshh," Link hushed him. They didn't need Ghirahim hearing this. "What do you want?"

Revali thought for a moment. He smiled. "You could pay me with that telescope of yours."

Aryll gasped. "How do you know about that?"

Link searched his mind for any clues as to how Revali knew about the telescope. The only person he told was- Oh. That feeling of being watched wasn't just a feeling. Revali must have heard Link tell Mipha about the telescope while they were leaving Castle Town. His fingers curled his hands into fists. The anger boiled inside of him, a monster growing and wanting to be released. Everything that happened in the last week fed the anger seething in Link's bones.

"You-" Link said through clenched teeth, breaking off when Aryll placed a hand on his arm.

Link looked down at his sister's sad face. Her shoulders drooped, her braids loosing their sunny charm. She didn't even attempt at a smile when she looked into Link's eyes.

"So sorry to break up this tender moment, but my arms are on fire," Revali butted in. "Can you hurry up?"

Link glared at the boy hanging outside the window as Aryll padded over to her pile of blankets. She reached under the top one, pulling out the telescope. The last thing from Mother, lost so easily. Aryll bit her lip as she slowly came to the window. With both hands, she held the telescope out the small slab. Revali reached with one hand to grab it.

Time seemed to slow. Link watching Aryll giving up the thing she held so dearly sturred the monster deep down. He couldn't let her do this.

"Stop." Link grabbed Revali's wrist before he could lay a finger on the telescope.

Revali ripped his arm free, loosing his balance before clinging to the wall with both hands. "You got a better idea?" he snarled.

"I'll make up the money," Link snarled back. Aryll retracted her arms. "I'll get it to you somehow. Double the amount. I promise. "

Revali scowled as he studied the telescope. It was clearly worth more than what he would be receiving, but Link had no intention of giving it away.

"Fine. Tomorrow. Before noon." With that, Revali angrily picked his way down the wall.

"How will we make up the money?" Aryll whispered.

"I don't know, but I'll find a way." Link turned his gaze away from her, instead looking at the pile of clothes. Maybe they could sell the things they wouldn't use. But that still may not be enough. "We better do the chores."

Aryll nodded. She pushed the pile of garments aside, finding a loose floorboard. Pulling the board up, she hid the telescope in the small alcove, stepping on the board to seal it shut.

With every day that passed, their situation got worse. Escape seemed like a dream again. Now they had to focus on staying together.

Together and alive.