ZelImpa

ZelImpa is the femslash ship between Impa and Zelda from The Legend of Zelda fandom.

The Legend of Zelda
Ganon attacks Hyrule Castle and demands the Triforce of Wisdom. Before being kidnapped, Princess Zelda commands Impa to flee and find the one who can save Hyrule. Impa agrees and flees in search of a hero. She later finds Link who saves her from some of Ganon's minions. Afterwards, Impa realizes that Link is the destined hero and asks him to go save the princess.

Adventures of Link
Years after the defeat of Ganon, the mark of the Triforce of Courage appears on Link's hand so he goes to ask Impa about it. When she sees the mark, Impa remembers the story of the original Princess Zelda that was passed down through her family and tells Link about it. She then shows Link to the sleeping princess and tasks him with traveling to the palaces so that he can wake her up.

Ocarina of Time
Impa serves as Zelda's personal attendant. When the princess has a premonition of Ganondorf attempting to take over Hyrule, Impa is the only one to believe her along with Link. The hero later arrives and Zelda tasks Impa with teaching him her lullaby and showing him to Death Mountain. Eventually, Ganondorf pursues Zelda so Impa flees with her on a white horse. They go into hiding for a while and taught her about disguising herself as a Sheikah named Sheik.

Once Zelda was able to take care of herself, Impa returns to Kakariko Village and heads to the Shadow Temple when an evil escapes. Link manages to save Impa and she awakens as the shadow sage. She assures Link that Zelda is still alive and they would be reunited soon and she would explain everything. Zelda is later kidnapped by Ganondorf so Impa helps Link reach them. After Link manages to defeat Ganon, Zelda calls upon the power of the sages and Impa helps seal him away.

Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons
Princess Zelda senses that the oracles Din and Nayru are in danger and sends Impa to go and retrieve them. Unfortunately, both end up being captured so Impa is forced to have Link save them. While Link is saving the second oracle, Koume and Kotake capture Princess Zelda. Impa informs Link of this and has him save her after both oracles are saved.

A Link Between Worlds
Impa is once again serving as the nursemaid of Princess Zelda. After Yuga turns the sage Seres into a painting, Link requests an audience with Princess Zelda and Impa escorts around the castle. At some point, Yuga comes to Hyrule Castle and turns Impa into a painting before doing the same to Zelda. Link later travels to Lorule and after saving Impa and all of the sages, she helps Link obtain the Triforce of Courage so that he can go save Zelda.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity
Impa serves as the Royal Advisor of Hyrule and "loyal friend" to Princess Zelda. She appears to care deeply for Zelda and is constantly worried about her well-being. Impa is very protective of Zelda, to the point where she forms a kind of rivalry with the small guardian Terrako, getting annoyed at how attached it seems to her. The two appear to be close, with Zelda trusting and confiding in Impa about her insecurities often.

The Battle of Hyrule Field

 * During the post-mission cutscene, Impa approaches the castle gates while looking around for Zelda. Upon seeing her, her eyes widen and she grins. Similarly, Zelda spots Impa as she is exiting the Castle, her eyes softening with a gentle smile, seeming happy to see her.
 * Zelda expresses her relief at seeing Impa return safely— "You made it! I'm glad you're safe, Impa." Impa walks up to meet her, smiling once more.
 * When the Sheikah Slate begins to react, Impa appears concerned and moves to stand next to Zelda. She holds up the slate for the two of them and Zelda leans in closer to see it.

Road to the Ancient Lab

 * During the gameplay, Impa is seen stressing over Zelda's well-being and seems to prioritize her safety above her own.
 * "Impa: 'The Guardian is after us! Run away Princess, I beg of you!' —After reaching the targeted position and seeing the Guardian Stalker."
 * "Impa: 'Link! Don't let the Princess out of your sight!' —After Zelda joins the fight."


 * Inside the Lab, Impa leans in close to Zelda's face in order to examine the Sheikah Slate. She remains there until the end of the cutscene.

Daruk, the Goron Hero

 * In the beginning cutscene, Zelda and Impa turn to look at each other and share a mutually confused and concerned look after Daruk leaves.
 * After the mission, a similar event occurs while they stand together, shocked, watching Link eat the Prime Rock Roast. After thanking Daruk, you can see Zelda turn towards Impa once more, looking puzzled.

Revali, the Rito Warrior

 * When the player first begins the mission, Impa questions why the Rito are attacking them, believing that they couldn't possibly mistake them for any monsters. But she once again puts Zelda's safety first— "I hate to say it, but we need to take them out. We can't allow any harm to befall the princess."
 * By choosing to fight back against the Rito, Impa is risking aggravating and harming their own allies in order to protect Zelda from danger.
 * Later, when the group is talking with Revali, Impa goes to sit next to the little guardian and jokes about how it "believes itself to be a knight as well, in service of the princess." Zelda watches, looking at Impa and the guardian with a gentle smile on her face, laughing softly.

Urbosa, the Gerudo Chief

 * The cutscene opens with the group running from a trio of Gerudo soldiers. Link runs on ahead, while Impa and Zelda run together. Going to hide behind a boulder, and the pair sits next to each other while Link remains on the lookout. Impa nervously whispers to Zelda and gives her a worried look.
 * When "Urbosa" goes to attack Zelda, Impa (alongside Link) quickly draws her blade and steps in front of Zelda to shield her from any harm. She does this once more when Master Kohga reveals himself, staring at him threateningly.
 * Returning to the mission, Impa appears distressed and worries about how the Yiga have Gerudo Town surrounded. Zelda moves to settle her down— "Impa, we must maintain our composure. It is urgent that we must reclaim the town."
 * After defeating Master Kohga, Impa appears standing next to Zelda (Urbosa & Link stand further ahead) clutching her kodachi in a protective stance. She glares at Kohga angrily. When Sooga enters, she stays with Zelda as opposed to engaging with him alongside the others.

The Yiga Clan Attacks!

 * Prior to the mission, there is a cutscene that takes place in a castle hallway where Zelda and Impa walk together, followed by only the little guardian.
 * Impa appears to be upset on Zelda's behalf. She complains irritatedly about how King Rhoam "did not offer even a single word of praise" regarding Zelda's efforts. Zelda looks disheartened, but points out that "it's only natural that Father would be frustrated" with the situation.
 * Impa slows to a stop, looking at Zelda with pity. She goes to protest against Zelda's self-criticism, sounding worried, but trails off when Zelda turns to face her.
 * "Impa: 'But, Your Highness...'"
 * "Zelda: 'Right now, we must do whatever is in our power.'"


 * Zelda explains they must act with the power they have now, and Impa appears to drop the subject, listening quietly.

When Courage Fails

 * The mission opens with a cutscene of Princess Zelda praying at the Spring of Courage, expressing her self-doubt and insecurities about not being able to "live up to her own potential." Impa, standing nearby, looks very worried for Zelda, sadly saying her name before trailing off. She then attempts to distract Zelda, suggesting they go "take a break somewhere" and awkwardly exclaims how hungry she has become. Zelda seems touched by this, saying "Impa..." softly before looking back at the spring sadly, stating that there's "no more time."
 * Throughout the actual gameplay, Impa is constantly worrying about Zelda's safety and well-being.
 * "Impa: 'Princess, I appreciate your valor, but if things get bad, save yourself. Can you promise me that?' —After defeating the monsters trying to enter the Spring of Courage."
 * "Impa: 'Princess! Are you well?' Zelda: 'Yes, I'm fine.' Impa: 'What a relief! Now, please don't fret. We'll make quick work of those foul monsters.' —After going to aid Zelda."
 * "Impa: 'Princess! You look exhausted. Won't you please... No, I insist. Take a rest at once.' —After Zelda collapses."
 * After the mission, Princess Zelda hurriedly asks if Impa and Link are alright, concerned. Impa smiles and says that they are alright because of Zelda, that she saved them with her "keen senses."
 * Zelda begins to doubt herself and her abilities once more, which causes Impa to say "Now you listen to me!" while getting very close to Zelda's face. Zelda appears to be taken aback and flustered by this action. Impa then, quite vehemently, challenges her self-doubt and declares how Zelda's actions saved their lives, saying that her efforts are valued and are "not in vain." Zelda gently thanks her and the two share a smile.

Fanon
ZelImpa has a small amount of popularity in the Zelda fandom. Depending on the game, many find this pairing to be slightly gross due to the fact that Impa is elderly. However, there are some games where Impa is younger. Ocarina of Time is the first game to show a young Impa. The two are seen riding a horse together and Impa is shown to look after Zelda for a while. Skyward Sword also shows a younger Impa in the past who is also loyal to Princess Zelda. There have also been fans who see Impa being a mother-like figure to Zelda, since many of the games have Zelda losing hers at a young age while Impa caring for Zelda in whatever way she can has the Sheikah filling a void in Zelda's life.

Fandom
FAN FICTION
 * Zelda/Impa tag on FanFiction.net
 * Zelda/Impa tag on FanFiction.net

Trivia

 * Like in Ocarina of Time, Zelda disguises herself as the Sheikah Sheik when she disappears in the storyline of Hyrule Warriors, only this time Impa had no idea that Sheik is her missing princess is disguise and was shocked by Sheik's clam of "him" being a member of the Sheikah Tribe, her tribe. This has Impa questioning whether or not she should trust Sheik, while Wizzro took advantage of the princess's absence to disguise himself as Zelda. When Impa learns that "Zelda" had bewitched the Gorons into kidnapping the princess of the Zoras, she refused to believe it and made it her mission to confront the fake Zelda, with Sheik assisting her. After they defeated Wizzro as "Zelda" before "unmasking" him, Sheik reveals "himself" as the true Princess Zelda; Impa is pleased by this and that Zelda is alive, and had been with them all this time. Zelda apologies for keeping her true identity a secret from Impa and the others.
 * Two of their costumes in Hyrule Warriors is of their Ocarina of Time selves.
 * Adult Zelda in Ocarina of Time has the Sheika eye symbol under the her royal family's crest. Hinting that Zelda carries apart of Sheika with her, from having Impa has her guardian after Hyrule was taken over by Ganondorf, before living her life as Sheik for seven years.
 * Before the Sheikah and Impa's descendants served the royal family of Hyrule, they were servants of the Goddess Hylia. Who Zelda is the mortal incarnation of, while Impa was tasked to keep Zelda safe as she regains Hylia's memories in Skyward Sword.