Impa

Impa is a recurring character in the Zelda series, appearing in Ocarina of Time. She is a member of the Sheikah tribe, and a bodyguard and nursemaid to Princess Zelda. Impa is also the Shadow Sage.

Appearance
Impa is a young-looking woman, perhaps in her thirties, with tanned skin; red eyes and lips; long, pointed ears; and white hair pulled back into a small ponytail. She wears silver armor over her chest and torso, with what looks like a red and purple leotard underneath. The leotard, in turn, is worn over a pair of simple blue bike shorts. Impa also wears blue shoulder pads, blue fingerless gloves, and a blue cuff around her neck that is attached to her shoulder pads and from which hangs the Eye of the Sheikah. Each of her eyes has a simple white shape painted underneath. Impa's shoes are similar to those of Sheik's - tight, dark blue, and purple.

In-game
Being a Sheikah, Impa was raised in Kakariko Village, the village of the Sheikah. Her house is still there, and Link can visit it and get a Piece of Heart. Impa was chosen to be Princess Zelda's bodyguard and nursemaid, but she still tried to watch over Kakariko Village. She spent a lot of time with Zelda, though, and was the only person who believed her visions until Link met her. He first meets Impa in Hyrule Castle, right after meeting Zelda. Impa teaches him Zelda's Lullaby, which will help him prove his connection to the Royal Family. Then she helps him leave the castle and get past the Guards. After this, she leads him into Hyrule Field and advises him to head to Death Mountain to find the Goron Ruby, mentioning Kakariko Village and how she used to live there. When Ganondorf attacks the castle, Impa flees with Zelda and keeps her hidden for seven years. It is unknown where Impa raises Zelda, but it is likely that she teaches her everything she will need to know in order to pass off as Sheik. Impa also kept trying to protect Kakariko Village during this time. When Zelda was old enough, Impa turned her attention entirely to protecting Kakariko Village, as an old evil had taken over the village. Impa went to the Shadow Temple to investigate. When Link arrives in the village, Sheik tells him about where Impa is. Link follows and, once he defeats Bongo Bongo, awakens Impa as the Shadow Sage. She asks him to take care of the Princess, as she must continue her duties as a sage and can no longer live in the same world as Link and the Princess. She and the other sages combine their powers at the end to help Link enter Ganon's Castle, and appears one final time to break the Shadow Seal. Impa is later seen with the other sages, watching over Hyrule, now a peaceful land.

Trivia

 * In most Zelda games, Impa is an old woman. Ocarina marks one appearance where she is young, as well as Skyward Sword.
 * There is a stained-glass window in Wind Waker depicting Impa and the other Sages.