If the Boot Fits

Hints

"Demanding for more money," Aryll shot back.

"I wish." He rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Mipha said she saw Link being carted away in one of those jail wagons, guarded by an entire army. She begged me to come check on you and find out what happened. So what happened?"

"He was framed-" she started, but Revali cut her off.

"Hold on. Save your rant for when I'm on solid ground." He tugged an arrow out from the wall, picking it in a lower spot.

"Wait!" Aryll cried.

"What now?"

"The door is locked and I can't crawl out the window. It's too small, and, even if I did manage to get through, I'd break my neck from the fall."

Revali groaned, clinging to the wall with one hand as he dug two more arrows from the quiver on his back. "Just hurry," he snarled, tossing the arrows to her.

Aryll caught the shafts, wondering what she was supposed to do with them. She wasn't given time to ask before Revali was already halfway down the wall. Turning back to the door, Aryll thought of ways to use the arrows. The best she could come up with was try to reach the key with them.

Bending down to the floor, she slid the heads through the aperture, slowly working them around the key. The arrows fumbled some, but little by little, the key inched closer. Aryll stuck her fingers through, lacing one tip around the key. Smoothly, she pulled her hand back through, key in hand.

"Yes!" she squealed at her accomplishment. Aryll shoved the key into the lock, twisting. Another "Yes!" sounded from her as the lock clicked.

She shoved the key into her pocket, swinging the door open with a bang. She barreled down the stairs, tripping on the last step before bursting through the front door. Revali and Mipha were waiting by the stoop. Aryll crashed into the grumpy boy, squeezing him in a tight hug and jumping up and down.

"Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!" she cried.

Revali scoffed, shoving her off. Mipha excepted her hug, reeling her in as well. Aryll tossed the arrows back at Revali. He looked confused.

"How'd you pick the lock without breaking them?"

"I didn't pick the lock," Aryll informed. "I used them to reach the key Groose dropped."

"Huh," Revali muttered, returning the arrows to the quiver.

After a few moments, Mipha asked, "What happened to Link?"

Immediately, Aryll's face fell, arms loosening their hold. "He was framed," she whispered. "Ganondorf took him away. Princess Zelda didn't stop it, she couldn't. He was dragged away. I couldn't help him. They- they locked him in a cage-" She broke off as sobbs choked her. She bit her lip in a futile attempt to stifle them.

Mipha sighed heavily, stroking Aryll's hair. After a few glances at Revali, she said slowly, "We can go to the King. Ask him to release Link."

Aryll nodded against her chest. She waited for the tears to stop, then stepped back and took Mipha's and Revali's hands.

"Oh no," Revali protested, yanking his hand out of her grasp. "You are not bringing me into this."

"Please," Aryll persisted, lip quivering.  She made puppy-dog eyes, waiting for Revali to cave.

Revali scowled down at her, unwilling to give in. The tears began again. His pose shifted as he lifted the bow from around his shoulders, plucking the string. He ignored Aryll's childish attempts of persuasion until he made the mistake of glancing at her. He groaned, throwing his head back and running his hands through his hair.